bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strong association between birth month and reproductive performance of Vietnamese women
Authors: Huber Susanne , Fieder Martin 
Published: June 2008

AbstractEpidemiological studies on premodern and modern Western societies indicate that birth season may influence female reproduction. Nothing is known, however, about this effect in developing economies. Many of the latter are characterised by tropical climates with a rainy season associated with lower food availability and a greater prevalence of infectious diseases. We therefore predict that an association between birth month and reproductive output, if it exists, should be related to the rainy season. To test this prediction, we analysed census data of Vietnam obtained from IPUMS‐International (Vietnam 1999 Population and Housing Census). Based on 493,853 women born between 1950 and 1977 and thus aged 22 to 49 years, we found that the time series of mean offspring count per month of birth has a highly significant period of 12 months (power = 46.871, P < 0.00001). Our results further indicate that the 12‐month periodic signal has a maximum in July and a minimum in January. Accordingly, the peak corresponds to birth during the rainy season, the low if the third pregnancy month concurs with the rainy season. The month of birth is therefore clearly associated with the later reproductive performance of Vietnamese women, strongly supporting the assumption that environmental and maternal conditions during early development exert long‐term effects on reproductive functioning. Provided the rainy season adversely affects developmental processes due to inadequate food and/or high infection risk, the association reported here points to a critical period of reproductive development during early pregnancy. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of adult height and leg length with fasting plasma cortisol concentrations: Evidence for an effect of normal variation in adrenocortical activity on growth
Authors: Phillips D. I. W. , Syddall Holly E. , Cooper Cyrus , Hanson Mark A. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe have evaluated the relationship between activity of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis and adult height in adults recruited from the UK Hertfordshire Cohort Study. In a sample of 1,354 individuals, we found that height fell by 0.67 cm (95% CI 0.34–1.0) per SD (114 nmol/l) increase in fasting plasma cortisol concentrations. The association was continuous across the range of cortisol concentrations and was independent of the levels of corticosteroid binding globulin. It was of similar magnitude in men and women. In a subsample of the study available data on standing and sitting height was used to estimate trunk and leg length. Fasting plasma cortisol concentrations were found to have a much greater impact on leg length than trunk length. These findings suggest that physiological variations in adrenocortical glucocorticoid secretion in humans affect adult height. They also raise the possibility that the HPA axis may be involved in mediating resource allocation decisions and trade‐offs during development perhaps by limiting physical growth to enable other competing processes. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pulmonary Architecture in the Conducting Regions of Six Rats
Authors: Lee Dongyoub , Fanucchi Michelle V. , Plopper Charles G. , Fung Jennifer , Wexler Anthony S. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractRats are widely used for studies of pulmonary toxicology and lung disease. Several studies suggest nominal geometric parameters describing the architecture of the rat airway. However, intersubject variance has never been reported due to the huge effort and time to take these manual measurements. In this study, we present statistics of the branching pattern of six healthy male Sprague Dawley rats by automatically analyzing computed tomography images of silicon casts of their airways. Details of branching characteristics and also intersubject variance are presented. In addition, this study shows that mean and standard deviation of many geometric parameters insufficiently represent pulmonary architecture because some, such as diameter‐asymmetry, are not normally distributed. Detailed statistics including inter‐ and intrasubject variance and distribution of the geometric parameters will aid in constructing more realistic airway models for particle transport and studies of normal and abnormal respiratory physiology. Anat Rec, 291:916–926, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Northern hemisphere storm tracks in strong AO anomaly winters
Authors: Nie Ji , Wang Peng , Yang Wenchang , Tan Benkui 
Published: June 2008

AbstractNorthern Hemisphere winter 300 hPa storm tracks/baroclinic waves and their energetics during strong Arctic Oscillation (AO) anomaly events are investigated. It is shown that during strong positive AO anomaly winters, the Atlantic storm track intensifies significantly and shifts northward and far downstream while Pacific storm track extends westward. Baroclinic waves over the Atlantic propagate along central North Atlantic during strong negative AO anomaly winters while during strong positive AO anomaly winters, waves over the Atlantic split into two branches. Distributions of the kinetic energy and energy conversions of different spatial scale over the storm track regions assume different characteristics for different AO phases. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Behavior of the solution of a random semilinear heat equation
Authors: Varadhan S. R. S. , Zygouras Nikos 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe consider a semilinear heat equation in one space dimension, with a random source at the origin. We study the solution, which describes the equilibrium of this system, and prove that, as the space variable tends to infinity, the solution becomes a.s. asymptotic to a steady state. We also study the fluctuations of the solution around the steady state.
Military uses of nanotechnology—Too much complexity for international security?
Authors: Altmann Jürgen 
Published: June 2008

AbstractNanotechnology, converging with other advanced technologies, will bring benefits and risks. Particular dangers can arise from military uses. Weapons and other systems that are autonomous and/or small, cheap, and numerous will greatly increase complexity. Proceeding from criteria of preventive arms control, several potential military applications should be limited preventively. Here the USA plays a key role. In the future verification of compliance would have to be very intrusive, with inspection rights and criminal prosecution as within states. Would this be compatible with nation states maintaining armed forces for their security? Or does mastering the complexity brought about by the new technologies require changes in the international system? © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 2008
Expression of HNF4α variants in pancreatic islets and Ins‐1 β cells
Authors: Huang Jianmin , Karakucuk Vildan , Levitsky Lynne L. , Rhoads David B. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackgroundHepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF4α) is a nuclear receptor essential for endodermal differentiation and cell functions in the adult pancreas, liver, and other tissues. Mutations in the HNF4A gene cause MODY1. Up to nine protein variants arise from two developmentally regulated promoters. Because some variants lack the N‐terminal activation function 1 (AF‐1) and/or C‐terminal inhibitory F domain, defining their tissue‐specific regulation and function is important for understanding pancreatic β cell behaviour.MethodsExpression of HNF4α variants in islets, rat Ins‐1 insulinoma cells, and human Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells was assessed using a long‐range reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) strategy capable of recognizing each combination of mRNA termini. Protein expression was verified by immuno‐blotting with terminus‐specific antibodies and DNA‐binding assays.ResultsMouse islets and both cell lines express HNF4α9, which lacks both AF‐1 and the F domain. Islets also expressed the HNF4α P1 promoter variants HNF4α1/α2, and Hep3B cells expressed HNF4α3. When ectopically expressed in COS‐7 cells, HNF4α1, α3, α7, and α9 each stimulated an HNF4α‐dependent promoter. Variants containing exon 1B (HNF4α4 − α6) were not detected. Lack of canonical splicing signals and species conservation argues against exon 1B usage.ConclusionsThis is the first report of HNF4α9 expression in any tissue. Our findings extend our understanding of HNF4α gene transcription and function. This knowledge may be useful in efforts to recover or establish regulated insulin secretion. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tools and cover effects in bedload transport observations in the Pitzbach, Austria
Authors: Turowski Jens M. , Rickenmann Dieter 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe report bedload data and acoustic impulse measurements due to particle impact from the Pitzbach in Austria. Impulse counts can be viewed as a measure of the energy delivered to the bed by moving particles. Impulse counts show a large scatter even for the same discharge and bedload supply. This scatter is due to varying grain size distribution, grain shape, mode of transport of the sediment particles and spatial and temporal distribution of the sediment load. The mean impulse count at given hydraulic conditions may increase or decrease with increasing sediment supply, suggesting that both tools and cover effects are active on the channel bed. Dependent on the local balance between sediment supply and transport capacity, either effect may be dominant at different locations along the cross‐section at the same time. Furthermore, the same bed location may respond to increasing sediment supply as tools‐dominated at some discharges and cover‐dominated at other discharges. Our observations may have implications for modelling of bedrock erosion in landscape evolution models and of bedrock channel morphology. Erosion models that do not incorporate both tools and cover effects are not sufficient to describe observations. Furthermore, a local erosion law cannot in general be used to describe erosion averaged over the channel cross‐section. The changing balance between sediment supply and transport capacity with increasing discharge highlights that a single representative discharge is not sufficient to capture the full erosion dynamics. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal control of film casting processes
Authors: Selvanayagam K. , Götz Thomas , Sundar S. , Vetrivel V. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe present an optimal control approach for the isothermal film casting process with free surfaces described by averaged Navier–Stokes equations. We control the thickness of the film at the take‐up point using the shape of the nozzle and the initial thickness. The control goal consists in finding an even thickness profile. To achieve this goal, we minimize an appropriate cost functional. The resulting minimization problem is solved numerically by a steepest descent method. The gradient of the cost functional is approximated using the adjoint variables of the problem with fixed film width. Numerical simulations show the applicability of the proposed method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing and treating veterans with traumatic brain injury
Authors: French Louis M. , Parkinson Glenn W. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractConflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in greater proportions of service members with traumatic brain injury than in prior conflicts. These brain injuries range from the mild (concussion) to severe, and have enormous implications for clinical practice with these soldiers. The highly stressful and dangerous context in which these injuries are sustained set them apart in significant ways from brain injuries seen in civilian settings. The associated emotional toll of the environment and comorbid injuries, often resulting from blast exposure, complicates the clinical picture. In this article, the authors describe the complex presentations in this population of traumatically brain injured combat veterans and illustrate with case vignettes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 64:1–10, 2008.
Real flow number and the cycle rank of a graph
Authors: Lukot'ka Robert , Škoviera Martin 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis article establishes a relationship between the real (circular) flow number of a graph and its cycle rank. We show that a connected graph with real flow number p/q + 1, where p and q are two relatively prime numbers must have cycle rank at least p + q − 1. A special case of this result yields that the real flow number of a 2‐connected cubic graph with chromatic index 4 and order at most 8k + 4 is bounded from below by 4 + 1/k. Using this bound we prove that the real flow number of the Isaacs snark I2k + 1 equals 4 + 1/k, completing the upper bound due to Steffen [Steffen, J Graph Theory 36 (2001), 24–34]. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 59: 11–16, 2008
Osteoblastoma: A 30‐year study of 99 cases
Authors: Berry Micah , Mankin Henry , Gebhardt Mark , Rosenberg Andrew , Hornicek Francis 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesOsteoblastoma is a rare, bone‐forming neoplasm accounting for 1% of primary bone tumors. It arises in young patients and develops in long bones and posterior elements of the spine. Osteoblastoma is characterized by interconnecting trabeculae of woven bone and rimmed by prominent osteoblasts. In the current study we characterize osteoblastoma by its demographic and anatomic prevalence. We looked at rates of recurrence as related to treatment.MethodsWe performed a review of our institution's Orthopaedic Oncology tumor registry and identified 99 verified cases of osteoblastoma treated between 1974 and 2006. Data related to demographic, anatomic, surgical treatment and follow‐up information were analyzed.ResultsThe cohort included 69 males and 30 females with an average age of 24 ± 14 years. The most common sites of occurrence were the vertebral column (28 patients) and the humerus (21 patients). The tumors were treated with en bloc surgical resection or curettage with allograft or autograft. Local recurrence rate was 24% and most followed curettage and packing. No patient died of disease.ConclusionsOsteoblastoma frequently affects the long bones and the spine. The recurrence rate following curettage is relatively high and can be minimized by resective surgery, in select cases. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;98:179–183. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Capital ideas: Enhancing the power of human assets
Authors: Yukl Gary , Lepsinger Richard 
Published: June 2008

AbstractIn today's rapidly changing and competitive business environment, organizations and their leaders must pay attention to an asset that is sometimes given short shrift—human capital, the skills and motivation of the organization's employees. Leaders at all levels can have a strong influence on human capital through a combination of relationsoriented behaviors and human resource management programs.
Image counts: Building an authentic leadership presence
Authors: Criswell Corey , Campbell David 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA leader's image can be either an asset or a liability. Although many leaders mistakenly believe that managing their image amounts to chicanery, it's important for them to recognize the genuine aspects of themselves that should be coming across to other people—but may not be. Crafting an authentic image requires you to gain a clear picture of the image people are currently perceiving, decide what image you would like to portray, and develop the skills to close the gap.
Novel Bone Substitute Composed of Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins‐Crosslinked Gelatin and Tricalcium Phosphate
Authors: Chen Kuo‐Yu , Shyu Pei‐Chi , Chen Yueh‐Sheng , Yao Chun‐Hsu 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA biodegradable GTP composite composed of OPCs crosslinked gelatin with tricalcium phosphate was prepared as a novel bone substitute. The effects of the degree of crosslinking on the swelling ratio, in vitro degradation rate, and morphology of the GTP composite are discussed. Adding OPCs to GP and GTP composites markedly reduced the degradation rate, indicating that OPCs are good crosslinking reagents for gelatin. Cytotoxic tests demonstrated that OPCs, gelatin and tricalcium phosphate released from GTP composite promoted the proliferation of MG‐63 cells. Results of this study suggest that the nontoxic GTP composite is suitable for use as a large defect bone substitute.magnified image
Measurement of Transfer Coefficients to Monomer for n‐Butyl Methacrylate by Molecular Weight Distributions from Emulsion Polymerization
Authors: Sangster David F. , Feldthusen Jesper , Strauch Jelica , Fellows Christopher M. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe average kinetic coefficient for chain transfer to monomer 〈ktr,M〉 in the free‐radical polymerization of n‐butyl methacrylate (BMA) has been determined by the analysis of molecular weight distributions obtained by seeded emulsion polymerization under conditions such that chain transfer to monomer is the dominant chain‐stopping event. Measurements between 40 and 70 °C gave data fitting an Arrhenius‐type relationship with exponential factor EA = 30 900 ± 4 500 J · mol−1 and pre‐exponential factor log A = 3.45 ± 0.15. The value for EA is comparable with published data for chain transfer to monomer from methyl methacrylate (MMA) and n‐butyl acrylate (BA). The A value, however, is 1–3 orders of magnitude smaller, suggesting that there is more hindrance for chain transfer to monomer for BMA than for either MMA or BA.magnified image
Back‐Biting Termination in Methyl Methacrylate/tert‐Butyl Acrylate Anionic Block Copolymerization
Authors: Čadová Eva , Dybal Jiří , Kříž Jaroslav , Vlček Petr , Janata Miroslav , Toman Luděk 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe product of spontaneous termination formed after addition of one or two t‐BuA units onto living PMMA chains in the MMA/t‐BuA block copolymerization was isolated and characterized by SEC, UV, FT‐IR, Raman and NMR spectroscopy. It appears as a low‐molecular‐weight peak in SEC eluograms of the copolymers, absorbing at 260 nm; its retention time corresponds to that of the PMMA block. In its FT‐IR and Raman spectra, new bands appeared corresponding to the CC and CO vibrations of a conjugated and H‐bonded ester group of the enol form of the cyclic oxoester composed of MMA and t‐BuA units. Experimental support of a back‐biting reaction at the link between PMMA and Pt‐BuA blocks is presented.magnified image
Synthesis of Branched Polyglucans by the Tandem Action of Potato Phosphorylase and Deinococcus geothermalis Glycogen Branching Enzyme
Authors: van der Vlist Jeroen , Palomo Reixach Marta , van der Maarel Marc , Dijkhuizen Lubbert , Schouten Arend Jan , Loos Katja 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAn enzymatic tandem reaction is described in which the enzymes phosphorylase and Deinococcus geothermalis glycogen branching enzyme (Dg GBE) catalyze the synthesis of branched polyglucans from glucose‐1‐phosphate (G‐1‐P). Phosphorylase consumes G‐1‐P and polymerizes linear amylose while Dg GBE introduces branching points on the α‐(1 → 6) positions by reshuffling short oligosaccharides. The resulting branched polyglucans have an unusually high degree of branching of 11%.magnified image
Non‐coaxiality and stress–dilatancy rule in granular materials: FE investigation within micro‐polar hypoplasticity
Authors: Tejchman Jacek , Wu Wei 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis paper deals with FE investigations of shear localization in dilatant granular bodies. The calculations were carried out with a hypoplastic constitutive law enhanced by micro‐polar terms to properly model the shear zone evolution. The behaviour of an initially medium dense sand specimen with very smooth and very rough horizontal boundaries was analyzed during a plane strain compression test. A stochastic distribution of the initial void ratio was assumed to be spatially correlated. Attention was focused on the non‐coaxiality of the directions of the principal strain increments and principal stresses in the shear zone and on the stress–dilatancy rule. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phagocyte‐specific S100 proteins are released from affected mucosa and promote immune responses during inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Foell D , Wittkowski H , Ren Z , Turton J , Pang G , Daebritz J , Ehrchen J , Heidemann J , Borody T , Roth J , Clancy R 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPhagocyte‐derived S100 proteins are endogenous activators of innate immune responses. S100A12 binds to the receptor for advanced glycation end‐products, while complexes of S100A8/S100A9 (myeloid‐related proteins, MRP8/14; calprotectin) are ligands of toll‐like receptor 4. These S100 proteins can be detected in stool. In the present study we analyse the release of S100A12 and MRP8/14 from intestinal tissue. Specimens from patients with Crohn's disease (CD; n = 30), ulcerative colitis (UC; n = 30), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS; n = 30) or without inflammation (n = 30) were obtained during endoscopy. After 24 h culture, S100A12 and MRP8/14 were analysed in supernatants. Endoscopic, histological, laboratory and clinical disease activity measures were documented. We found an increased spontaneous release of S100A12 from tissue in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The release of S100A12 into the supernatants was 28‐fold enhanced in inflamed tissue when compared to non‐inflamed tissue (mean 46.9 vs. 1.7 ng/ml, p < 0.0001). In active CD, release of S100A12 and MRP8/14 was strongly dependent on localization, with little release from sites of active ileal inflammation compared to colonic inflammation. This difference was more pronounced for S100A12 than for MRP8/14. S100A12 and MRP8/14 provoked up‐regulation of adhesion molecules and chemokines on human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (HIMECs) isolated from normal colonic tissue. The direct release of phagocyte‐derived S100 proteins from inflamed tissues may reflect secretion from infiltrating neutrophils (S100A12) and also monocytes or epithelial cells (MRP8/14). Via activation of pattern recognition receptors, these proteins promote inflammation in intestinal tissue. The enhanced mucosal release can explain the correlation of fecal markers with disease activity in IBD. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.