bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Moisture dynamics and hydrophysical properties of a transplanted acrotelm on a cutover peatland
Authors: Cagampan J. P. , Waddington J. M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe natural carbon storage function of peatland ecosystems can be severely affected by the abandonment of peat extraction, influencing peatland drainage, leading to large and persistent sources of atmospheric CO2. Moreover, these cutover peatlands have a low and variable water table position and high tension at the surface, creating harsh ecohydrological conditions for vegetation re‐establishment, particularly peat forming Sphagnum moss. Standard restoration techniques aim to restore the peatland to a carbon accumulating system through various water management techniques to improve hydrological conditions and by reintroducing Sphagnum at the surface. However, restoring the hydrology of peatlands can be expensive due to the cost of implementing the various restoration techniques. This study examines a peat extraction‐restoration technique where the acrotelm is preserved and replaced directly on the cutover peat surface. An experimental peatland adopting this acrotelm transplant technique had both a high water table and peat moisture conditions providing sufficient water at the surface for Sphagnum moss. Average water table conditions were higher at the experimental site (−8·4 ± 4·2 cm) compared to an adjacent natural site (−12·7 ± 6·0 cm) suggesting adequate moisture conditions at the restored surface. However, the experimental site experienced high variability in volumetric moisture content (VMC) in the capitula zone (upper 2 cm) where large diurnal changes in VMC (∼30%) were observed, suggesting possible disturbance to the peat matrix structure during the extraction‐restoration process. However, soil–water retention analysis and physical peat properties (porosity and bulk density) suggest that no significant differences existed between the natural and experimental sites. Any structural changes within the peat matrix were therefore minimal. Moreover, low soil‐water tensions were maintained well above the laboratory measured critical Sphagnum threshold of 33% (−100 mb) VMC, further indicating favourable conditions for Sphagnum moss survival and growth. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smooth muscle cell phenotype alters cocultured endothelial cell response to biomaterial‐pretreated leukocytes
Authors: Rose Stacey L. , Babensee Julia E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractModel in vitro culturing systems were developed to analyze roles of biomaterial‐induced leukocyte activation on endothelial cell (EC) and smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype, and their crosstalk. Isolated monocytes or neutrophils were pretreated with model biomaterial beads and applied directly to “more secretory” (cultured in media containing 5% fetal bovine serum) or forced contractile (serum and growth factor starved) human aortic SMCs (HASMCs), or to the human aortic EC (HAEC) surface of HAEC/HASMC cocultures (HASMC phenotype varied to be “more or less secretory”) for 5 or 24 h of static culture. Surface expression of proinflammatory [ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1, E‐selectin], procoagulant (tissue factor), and anticoagulant (thrombomodulin) markers, as well as HAEC proliferation, were assessed by flow cytometry. Incubation of HAEC with biomaterial‐pretreated monocytes (and neutrophils to lesser degree) suppressed HAEC proliferation and induced a proinflammatory/procoagulant HAEC phenotype. This HAEC phenotype was amplified in coculture with “more secretory” HASMCs and subdued in coculture with “less secretory” HASMCs. Direct incubation of biomaterial‐pretreated monocytes or neutrophils with “more secretory” HASMCs further increased HASMC ICAM‐1 and tissue factor expression. Direct incubation of biomaterial‐pretreated monocytes or neutrophils with forced contractile HASMCs upregulated ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1, and tissue factor expression above the presence of serum‐containing media alone. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Primary human osteoblasts grow into porous tantalum and maintain an osteoblastic phenotype
Authors: Welldon Katie J. , Atkins Gerald J. , Howie Donald W. , Findlay David M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractPorous tantalum (Ta) has found application in orthopedics, although the interaction of human osteoblasts (HOB) with this material has not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of primary HOB with porous tantalum, using 5‐mm thick discs of porous tantalum. Comparison was made with discs of solid tantalum and tissue culture plastic. Confocal microscopy was used to investigate the attachment and growth of cells on porous Ta, and showed that HOB attached successfully to the metal “trabeculae,” underwent extensive cell division, and penetrated into the Ta pores. The maturation of HOB on porous Ta was determined in terms of cell expression of the osteoblast phenotypic markers, STRO‐1, and alkaline phosphatase. Despite some donor‐dependent variation in STRO‐1/AlkPhos expression, growth of cells grown on porous Ta either promoted, or did not impede, the maturation of HOB. In addition, the expression of key osteoblastic genes was investigated after 14 days of culture. The relative levels of mRNA encoding osteocalcin, osteopontin and receptor activator of NFκB ligand (RANKL) was not different between porous or solid Ta or plastic, although these genes were expressed differently by cells of different donors. However, bone sialoprotein and type I collagen mRNA species showed a decreased expression on porous Ta compared with expression on plastic. No substrate‐dependent differences were seen in the extent of in vitro mineralization by HOB. These results indicate that porous Ta is a good substrate for the attachment, growth, and differentiated function of HOB. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Beta‐tricalcium phosphate release from brushite cement surface
Authors: Alkhraisat M. Hamdan , Mariño F. Tamimi , Retama J. Rubio , Jerez L. Blanco , López‐Cabarcos E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractDifferent in vivo studies demonstrated that brushite cements are biocompatible, bioresorbable, and osteoconductive. However, the decay of brushite cements has been scarcely studied even though it may be of great concern for clinical applications in highly blood‐perfused regions. This work was elaborated to elucidate factors that determine brushite cement surface disintegration. For that, brushite cements were modified using in their preparation different aqueous solutions of phosphoric, glycolic, tartaric, and citric acids in concentrations that were reported to improve the cement properties. Two‐viscosity enhancing polysaccharides, chondroitin‐4 sulfate and hyaluronic acid, were also assayed. Thereafter, pre‐ and set cement samples were immersed in distilled water for 24 h. The cement–solid weight loss, microstructure, liquid phase viscosity, mean size of the released particles, and zeta potential were analyzed using X‐ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy. It was found that the particles released from the cement surface were β‐TCP, and their amount depends on the carboxylic acid used in the preparation of the cement. The addition of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin‐4 sulfate decreased the amount of released particles from the surface of the set brushite cement made with citric acid. Furthermore, the hyaluronic acid increased significantly the viscosity of the citric acid solution and the cement paste prepared with this liquid phase showed a pronounced step down in particle release. In this study, we showed that the water solubility of calcium carboxylate and the viscosity of mixing liquid may dictate the superficial disintegration of brushite cements. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
The emphasis on value‐based strategic management in UK companies
Authors: Handler Sylvia A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractRecent research into UK publicly traded companies reveals that corporate UK managers are focusing their efforts toward creating and enhancing value for shareholders. Advocates of value techniques believe that managing for shareholder value provides managers with a more appropriate yardstick for measuring their companies' performance. Here Sylvia Handler reveals some of corporate UK's experiences with value‐based strategic management.
A critical review of international ISDN development
Authors: Kuo Feng‐Yang , Lin Jimming 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn a global economic environment, the pressure to improve a country's business infrastructure will come, not from within, but from outside the country, as more and more businesses depend on international trade to survive. Integrated service digital network (ISDN) is a critical element of an effective business infrastructure for integrating business functions such as intelligence, marketing, manufacturing and research and development. This paper reviews critical ISDN developments in several industrialized countries and suggests future investment directions for public policy makers and business leaders to consider.
The case for the organization– corporate strategies and community relations
Authors: Frost Frederick A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIndustry needs to act on the signifcant changes in social and political attitudes towards the environment that threaten the industry's progress. The environmental checks and balances placed on primary industry are quite stringent. There is considerable evidence to suggest that the processes currently being adopted to evaluate such projects will form the basis for similar adjudications of secondary and tertiary industry. Relationships with various stakeholders, such as the community is an activity of increasing importance in modern projects. Appropriate strategies for handling such relationships should be established with the same priority as those of other core activities such as technical, economic and human resource. Environmental considerations must be fully integrated into decision making.
Strategic planning at Royal Dutch/Shell
Authors: Schoemaker Paul J. H. , van der Heijden Cornelius A. J. M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn the early 1980s, the Royal Dutch/Shell Group conducted a comprehensive review of its approach to strategic planning throughout the organization. This was done at two levels. First, the views of Shell managers and planners were collected and analysed. Second, the state of the art outside the company was studied for its relevance to Shell. The conclusions reached have been the basis for the Shell approach to strategic planning since then. This paper offers a detailed look at the principles that have been guiding strategic management in Shell. It describes the group‐wide planning system designed at that time and the new orientation aimed for in its planning methodologies.Although Shell is by no means a typical company, it can be viewed as an interesting limit case in the global management of uncertainty and complexity. Few industries have encountered in their raw materials the volatility exhibited by oil prices, nor do few entail lead times as long or assets as specialized as those in the oil and gas industry. Adding to this, the political complexities inherent in dealing with governments, plus the unusual complexity of Shell's organizational design, provides for a fascinating study and challenge in the management of change. The paper concludes with a commentary on the distinctive features of the Shell approach.
Epilepsia partialis continua with dystonic hand movement in a patient with a malformation of cortical development
Authors: Zyss Julie , Xie‐Brustolin Jing , Ryvlin Philippe , Peysson Stéphane , Beschet Albert , Sappey‐Marinier Dominique , Hermier Marc , Thobois Stéphane 
Published: July 2007

AbstractMalformations of cortical development (MCD) with polymicrogyria and schizencephaly are due to abnormal cortical organization and usually manifest by intractable epilepsy and mental retardation. Epileptical activity is often hard to register and focal dystonia associated with such MCD has previously been described but without any metabolic imaging. We report here a 46‐year‐old man presenting with late‐onset atypical abnormal movements of his left hand associated with right central region MCD. To demonstrate the involvement of an epileptical focus, we performed [18F]FDG‐PET and fMRI both before and after a single dose of clobazam and diazepam, respectively. Characteristics of the abnormal hand movements, clinical response to the medication, and the result of the [18F]FDG‐PET and fMRI investigations all favor the diagnosis of epilepsia partialis continua. We conclude that the dystonic movement is part of the partial seizure. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Zero‐coupon bond prices in the Vasicek and CIR models: Their computation as group‐invariant solutions
Authors: Sinkala W. , Leach P. G. L. , O'Hara J. G. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWe compute prices of zero‐coupon bonds in the Vasicek and Cox–Ingersoll–Ross interest rate models as group‐invariant solutions. Firstly, we determine the symmetries of the valuation partial differential equation that are compatible with the terminal condition and then seek the desired solution among the invariant solutions arising from these symmetries. We also point to other possible studies on these models using the symmetries admitted by the valuation partial differential equations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intravesical resiniferatoxin for the treatment of women with idiopathic detrusor overactivity and urgency incontinence: A single dose, 4 weeks, double‐blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial
Authors: Rios Luis Augusto Seabra , Panhoca Renato , Mattos Demerval , Srugi Miguel , Bruschini Homero 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAimsTo assess the hypothesis that resiniferatoxin (RTX) can be useful in women with urgency incontinence and idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO), we conducted a prospective, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel trial comparing the effects of RTX and placebo.Materials and MethodsFifty‐eight patients were randomly assigned to receive a single intravesical dose of 100 ml of either RTX 50 nM or placebo. Safety and efficacy were evaluated over 4 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoints were voiding symptoms evaluated through the voiding diary. Secondary efficacy endpoint was urodynamic response. Quality of life was measured by the Kings' Health QuestionnaireResultsAlthough improving trends were seen in both groups after the instillations, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups in any of the clinical or urodynamic parameters. RTX instillations were well tolerated with few and self‐limited side‐effects.ConclusionA single 50 nM intravesical dose of RTX was not better than placebo for the treatment of women with IDO and urgency incontinence. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:773–778, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
“The future is in our minds”: The American Indian College Fund
Authors: Wells Ronald Austin 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis chapter details the birth, early development, and fundraising strategies of the American Indian College Fund, incorporated in 1987 as a tax‐exempt nonprofit organization to raise funds from the private sector to advance American Indian higher education. The fund is unique in its support for the American Indian tribal colleges, which are located primarily on Indian reservations across the United States.
A comparison of SCOP and CATH with respect to domain–domain interactions
Authors: Jefferson Emily R. , Walsh Thomas P. , Barton Geoffrey J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe analysis and prediction of protein–protein interaction sites from structural data are restricted by the limited availability of structural complexes that represent the complete protein–protein interaction space. The domain classification schemes CATH and SCOP are normally used independently in the analysis and prediction of protein domain–domain interactions. In this article, the effect of different domain classification schemes on the number and type of domain–domain interactions observed in structural data is systematically evaluated for the SCOP and CATH hierarchies. Although there is a large overlap in domain assignments between SCOP and CATH, 23.6% of CATH interfaces had no SCOP equivalent and 37.3% of SCOP interfaces had no CATH equivalent in a nonredundant set. Therefore, combining both classifications gives an increase of between 23.6 and 37.3% in domain–domain interfaces. It is suggested that if possible, both domain classification schemes should be used together, but if only one is selected, SCOP provides better coverage than CATH. Employing both SCOP and CATH reduces the false negative rate of predictive methods, which employ homology matching to structural data to predict protein–protein interaction by an estimated 6.5%. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three‐dimensional variational assimilation of Special Sensor Microwave/Imager data into a mesoscale weather‐prediction model: A case study
Authors: Faccani C. , Cimini D. , Marzano F. S. , Ferretti R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAssimilation of data from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) is performed in order to improve the forecast of a heavy‐precipitation case (IOP2b, 20–21 September 1999) of the Mesoscale Alpine Programme 1999. The three‐dimensional variational data assimilation technique of the MM5 model is used. Either brightness temperatures or precipitable water and surface wind speed are assimilated. The sensitivity of the model to SSM/I data is also tested by selectively excluding SSM/I frequencies and changing the size of the thinning box. All the experiments are performed using the European Center for Medium range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) analysis on pressure level.The new initial conditions show considerable underestimation of the surface wind component V, and, even more, of the surface water vapour mixing ratio. This last error is partially corrected by assimilation of precipitable water alone, although these data produce a large increase in the mean error of the other surface variables (U, V and T). However, the forecast with this new set of initial conditions shows a good agreement (high correlation coefficient) with the rain gauge observations for the 1 h accumulated precipitation 3 h after the initial time. With a doubled box size, there is low sensitivity to the density of the observations used. In this case, the effect of the SSM/I data is slight, and the rainfall pattern produced is comparable to that obtained without any data assimilation. The model performance is also degraded if the 22 GHz brightness temperatures are removed from the assimilated measurements: the correlation coefficient for the precipitation is lower than in the case where all the frequencies are assimilated, and it decreases over time. In general, the use of precipitable water and surface wind speed affects the early stages (3 h) of the rainfall forecast, reducing the model spin‐up. Brightness temperatures affect the forecast at a longer range (10 h). Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Constrained optimized potential method and second‐order correlation energy for excited states
Authors: Glushkov Vitaly N. , Gidopoulos Nikitas 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAn optimized effective potential (OEP) approach based on density functional theory for individual excited states and a simple to implement method which takes the orthogonality constraints into account (TOCIA) for the Kohn–Sham determinants is developed with the aim of constructing the orbital‐dependent correlation energy corrections. It is shown that the TOCIA methodology makes it possible to apply both the OEP experience and the perturbative second‐order correction for the ground state to the excited state problem with the same computational effort. A performance of the proposed method is demonstrated by calculations of excitation energies for the Li atom and HeH and LiHe molecules at the different levels of approximation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Expressions for bit error probability
Authors: Nadarajah Saralees , Kotz Samuel 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe bit error probability (BEP) for many wireless communications networks can be expressed in the form R = Pr (X2 < X1) where X1 and X2 are independent random variables. Here, a comprehensive collection of formulas is derived for R by assuming the most commonly known models for X1 and X2. A discussion is provided of four possible applications to problems in wireless communications. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modification of vegetable oils. XII. Plasticity of some aceto derivatives of monostearin
Authors: Feuge R. O. , Vicknair E. J. , Lovegren N. V. 
Published: July 2007

Summary

Acetostearins were prepared by reacting various proportions of acetic anhydride with a monostearin of 99.2% purity, a commercially available monostearin containing 91.5% monoglycerides, and a technical grade monostearin containing 61% monoglycerides. The last mentioned product was prepared from a completely hydrogenated cottonseed oil. After the removal of unreacted acetic anhydride and acetic acid from the reaction products, the flexibility and melting characteristics were determined.

All of the acetostearins tested were non‐greasy solids at room temperature yet were highly flexible. At a temperature of 22°C. most of them could be stretched more than 800% under the test conditions. Bending tests revealed that some of the products possessed good flexibility even at 4°C.

The melting characteristics of the products were dependent on the purity of the monostearin used and the degree of acetylation. Some products melted completely below body temperature (37°C.), and others melted at temperatures up to 60°C. The temperature interval over which melting occurred was usually very short (1–3°); however products made from technical grade monostearin melted over a temperature range of 10–20°C.
Effect of fractionation and treatment on the acute oral toxicity and on the gossypol and gossypurpurin content of cottonseed pigment glands
Authors: Eagle Edward , Hall Catherine M. , Castillon Leah E. , Miller Charlotte Boatner 
Published: July 2007

SummaryTwenty‐one preparations from cottonseed pigment glands were tested for their acute oral toxicity in 1,208 fasted rats and for their content of extractable gossypol and gossypurpurin. LD50 studies on six samples of pure gossypol were performed on 167 fasted rats. There was no correlation between the toxicity of the various samples of cottonseed pigment glands and their extractable gossypol or gossypurpurin content. Samples containing very large amounts of extractable gossypol were less toxic than many samples with considerably lower extractable gossypol content.Various fractionation procedures carried out on the same lot of cottonseed pigment glands caused wide alterations in their toxicity, from the extreme of very marked toxicity for the water‐soluble, acetone‐soluble fraction (LD50 ca. 700 mg./kg.) to no detectable toxicity for the acetone‐insoluble residue (LD50<6,000 mg./kg.).There was a decreased toxicity of subsequently prepared pigment glands with increased time of storage of the cottonseed in a silo. Storage of the pigment glands themselves at 7°C. however had little effect on their toxicity even after 26 and 32 months.The procedures causing greatest detoxification of cottonseed pigment glands, given in the order of increasing effectiveness, were: heating in the presence of water < extraction with ethanol < extraction with acetone.In the fasted rat the acute oral toxicity of pure gossypol was less than that of 17 preparations from cottonseed pigment glands having extractable gossypol contents ranging from as little as 24 to as much as 90%.