bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geospatial Agents, Agents Everywhere . . .
Authors: Sengupta Raja , Sieber Renée 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe use of the related terms “agent‐based”, “multi‐agent”, “software agent” and “intelligent agent” have witnessed significant growth in the Geographic Information Science (GIScience) literature in the past decade. These terms usually refer to both artificial life agents that simulate human and animal behavior and software agents that support human‐computer interactions. In this article we first comprehensively review both types of agents. Then we argue that both these categories of agents borrow from Artificial Intelligence (AI) research, requiring them to share the characteristics of and be similar to AI agents. We also argue that geospatial agents form a distinct category of AI agents because they are explicit about geography and geographic data models. Our overall goal is to first capture the diversity of, and then define and categorize GIScience agent research into geospatial agents, thereby capturing the diversity of agent‐oriented architectures and applications that have been developed in the recent past to present a holistic review of geospatial agents.
An Analysis of Severe Hail Swaths in the Southern Plains of the United States
Authors: Basara Jeffrey B , Cheresnick Daniel R , Mitchell DeWayne , Illston Bradley G 
Published: July 2007

AbstractSevere hail is a common event in the United States and few studies have been conducted using high‐resolution data to determine the spatial and temporal variability of hail occurrence. Given the coverage of Weather Surveillance Radar‐88 Doppler radars (WSR‐88D; Crum and Alberty 1993) over the Southern Plains of the United States, recent technological advancements including hail detection algorithms and powerful new geographic information systems (GIS) tools, a new methodology was developed to quantify the occurrence of severe hail. The methodology was tested using a dataset spanning 2001–2003 from 15 radar sites across eight states. The Hailswath algorithm developed at Weather Decision Technologies, Inc. was used to estimate severe and significant hail for each individual storm during the study period. Due to the discrete nature of the Hailswath algorithm output, it was manually contoured to create a coherent swath of the most likely area of severe (19 mm in diameter; 0.75 inches) and significant hail (51 mm in diameter; 2 inches). Finally, the results of these analyses were compiled monthly, annually, and for the total duration of the study period using a variety of GIS tools. A thorough demonstration of the data analysis process and results is presented, and the benefits and limitations of the method used to investigate the occurrence of severe hail are explained.
A GIS‐based Investigation of Gaming Venue Catchments
Authors: Doran Bruce J , McMillen Jan , Marshall David C 
Published: July 2007

AbstractGlobally, the growth of the gambling industry in recent decades has raised questions about the potential for community costs associated with gambling development. In order to minimise the harms and maximise the gains for local, state and national economies, in many jurisdictions the industry is heavily regulated. Regulators rely upon a wide range of information sources to assist in decision making and are often concerned with issues that have socio‐spatial characteristics. Despite this, there have been few applications of geographical information systems (GIS) to gambling behaviour. This paper trials the use of a GIS‐based approach to investigate one aspect of gambling regulation, namely the spatial characteristics of gaming venue catchments. The research was conducted in a suburban region of Canberra, Australia. The results from the study show that the catchment areas of gaming venues can vary considerably and are more complex than previous studies have suggested. The regulatory implications of the findings are discussed as well as possible avenues for further GIS‐based research into gambling.
Using Taylor Rules to Understand European Central Bank Monetary Policy
Authors: Sauer Stephan , Sturm Jan-Egbert 
Published: July 2007

AbstractOver the last decade, the simple instrument policy rule developed by Taylor has become a popular tool for evaluating the monetary policy of central banks. As an extensive empirical analysis of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) past behaviour still seems to be in its infancy, we estimate several instrument policy reaction functions for the ECB to shed some light on actual monetary policy in the euro area under the presidency of Wim Duisenberg and answer questions like whether the ECB has actually followed a stabilizing or a destabilizing rule so far. Looking at contemporaneous Taylor rules, the evidence presented suggests that the ECB is accommodating changes in inflation and hence follows a destabilizing policy. However, this impression seems to be largely due to the lack of a forward-looking perspective in such specifications. Either assuming rational expectations and using a forward-looking specification, or using expectations as derived from surveys result in Taylor rules that do imply a stabilizing role of the ECB. The use of real-time industrial production data does not seem to play such a significant role as in the case of the United States.
Phosphorylated FTY720 promotes astrocyte migration through sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptors
Authors: Mullershausen Florian , Craveiro Luis M. , Shin Youngah , Cortes‐Cros Marta , Bassilana Frederic , Osinde Maribel , Wishart William L. , Guerini Danilo , Thallmair Michaela , Schwab Martin E. , Sivasankaran Rajeev , Seuwen Klaus , Dev Kumlesh K. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractSphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) receptors are widely expressed in the central nervous system where they are thought to regulate glia cell function. The phosphorylated version of fingolimod/FTY720 (FTY720P) is active on a broad spectrum of S1P receptors and the parent compound is currently in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Here, we aimed to identify which cell type(s) and S1P receptor(s) of the central nervous system are targeted by FTY720P. Using calcium imaging in mixed cultures from embryonic rat cortex we show that astrocytes are the major cell type responsive to FTY720P in this assay. In enriched astrocyte cultures, we detect expression of S1P1 and S1P3 receptors and demonstrate that FTY720P activates Gi protein‐mediated signaling cascades. We also show that FTY720P as well as the S1P1‐selective agonist SEW2871 stimulate astrocyte migration. The data indicate that FTY720P exerts its effects on astrocytes predominantly via the activation of S1P1 receptors, whereas S1P signals through both S1P1 and S1P3 receptors. We suggest that this distinct pharmacological profile of FTY720P, compared with S1P, could play a role in the therapeutic effects of FTY720 in multiple sclerosis.
Calcitonin gene‐related peptide induces the expression of acetylcholinesterase‐associated collagen ColQ in muscle: a distinction in driving two different promoters between fast‐ and slow‐twitch muscle fibers
Authors: Choi Roy C. Y. , Ting Annie K. L. , Lau Faye T. C. , Xie Heidi Q. , Leung K. Wing , Chen Vicky P. , Siow Nina L. , Tsim Karl W. K. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe presence of a collagenous protein (ColQ) characterizes the collagen‐tailed forms of acetylcholinesterase at vertebrate neuromuscular junctions (nmjs). Two ColQ transcripts as ColQ‐1 and ColQ‐1a, driven by two promoters: pColQ‐1 and pColQ‐1a, were found in mammalian slow‐ and fast‐twitch muscles, respectively, which have distinct expression pattern in different muscle fibers. In this study, we show the differential expression of CoQ in different muscles is triggered by calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), a known motor neuron‐derived factor. Application of CGRP, or dibutyryl‐cAMP (Bt2‐cAMP), in cultured myotubes induced the expression of ColQ‐1a transcript and promoter activity; however, the expression of ColQ‐1 transcript did not respond to CGRP or Bt2‐cAMP. The CGRP‐induced gene activation was blocked by an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor or a dominant negative mutant of cAMP‐responsive element (CRE) binding protein (CREB). Two CRE sites were mapped within the ColQ‐1a promoter, and mutations of the CRE sites abolished the response of CGRP or Bt2‐cAMP. In parallel, CGRP receptor complex was dominantly expressed at the nmjs of fast muscle but not of slow muscle. These results suggested that the expression of ColQ‐1a at the nmjs of fast‐twitch muscle was governed by a CGRP‐mediated cAMP signaling mechanism.
Neurotrophin activation of NFAT‐dependent transcription contributes to the regulation of pro‐nociceptive genes
Authors: Groth Rachel D. , Coicou Lia G. , Mermelstein Paul G. , Seybold Virginia S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractNerve growth factor (NGF) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) play key roles in the development of inflammation‐induced hyperalgesia by triggering the expression of pro‐nociceptive genes within primary afferent and spinal neurons. However, the mechanisms by which neurotrophins elicit gene expression remain largely unknown. Recently, neurotrophins have been shown to activate members of the calcineurin (CaN)‐regulated, nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (NFATc) family of transcription factors within brain. Thus, we hypothesized that NFATc transcription factors couple neurotrophin signaling to gene expression within primary afferent and spinal neurons.In situhybridization revealed NFATc4 mRNA within the dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord. In cultured dorsal root ganglion cells, NGF triggered NFAT‐dependent transcription in a CaN‐sensitive manner. Further, increased BDNF expression following NGF treatment relied on CaN, thereby suggesting that NGF regulates BDNF transcription via activation of NFATc4. Within cultured spinal cells, BDNF also activated CaN‐dependent, NFAT‐regulated gene expression. Interestingly, BDNF stimulation increased the expression of the pro‐nociceptive genes cyclooxygenase‐2, neurokinin‐1 receptor, inositol trisphosphates receptor type 1, and BDNF itself, through both NFAT‐dependent and NFAT‐independent transcriptional mechanisms. Our results suggest that regulation of pro‐nociceptive genes through activation of NFAT‐dependent transcription is one mechanism by which NGF and BDNF signaling contributes to the development of persistent pain states.
Caffeine and accumbens shell dopamine
Authors: De Luca M. A. , Bassareo V. , Bauer A. , Di Chiara G. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIt has been reported that caffeine (1.5–30 mg/kg i.p.) as well as specific A1 (DPCPX, 8‐cyclopentyl‐1,3‐dipropylxanthine) receptor antagonists fail to increase extracellular dopamine (DA) in the shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAc). However, it has also been reported that caffeine (10 and 30 mg/kg i.p.) and the A1 antagonist 8‐cyclopentyl‐1,3‐dimethylxanthine (CPT) increases NAc shell DA. To clarify this issue rats were implanted with microdialysis probes at different sites in the NAc shell, in the medial prefrontal cortex (PFCX, infralimbic cortex), and at the border between those areas. Irrespective of probe placement within the NAc shell and of the use of different surgical anesthetics (chloral hydrate and ketamine), we failed to observe changes in dialysate DA after 10 and 30 mg/kg i.p. of caffeine. Similarly negative results were obtained with DPCPX and CPFPX, two potent and selective A1 receptor antagonists. A significant increase of DA was obtained after caffeine when probes were located at the border between the NAc shell and the PFCX (10 and 30 mg/kg) or in the PFCX (10 mg/kg). In view of this and of our previous report that caffeine increases dialysate DA in the medial PFCX, we conclude that the increase in dialysate DA by caffeine observed by others arises from the medial PFCX rather than from the NAc shell as a result of placement of microdialysis probes at the border between the NAc shell and the PFCX.
Mechanisms of glutamate release elicited in rat cerebrocortical nerve endings by ‘pathologically’ elevated extraterminal K+ concentrations
Authors: Raiteri Luca , Zappettini Simona , Milanese Marco , Fedele Ernesto , Raiteri Maurizio , Bonanno Giambattista 
Published: July 2007

AbstractExtracellular [K+] can increase during some pathological conditions, resulting into excessive glutamate release through multiple mechanisms. We here investigate the overflow of [3H]d‐aspartate ([3H] d‐ASP) and of endogenous glutamate elicited by increasing [K+] from purified rat cerebrocortical synaptosomes. Depolarization with [K+] ≤ 15 mmol/L provoked [3H] d‐ASP and glutamate overflows almost totally dependent on external Ca2+. Consistent with release by exocytosis, the overflow of [3H] d‐ASP evoked by 12 mmol/L K+ was sensitive to clostridial toxins. The overflows evoked by 35/50 mmol/L K+ remained external Ca2+‐dependent by more than 50%. The Ca2+‐independent components of the [3H] d‐ASP overflows evoked by [K+] > 15 mmol/L were prevented by the glutamate transporter inhibitors dl‐threo‐beta‐benzyloxyaspartate (dl‐TBOA) and dihydrokainate. Differently, the overflows of endogenous glutamate provoked by [K+] > 15 mmol/L were insensitive to both inhibitors; the external Ca2+‐independent glutamate overflow caused by 50 mmol/L KCl was prevented by bafilomycin, by chelating intraterminal Ca2+, by blocking the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and, for a small portion, by blocking anion channels. In contrast to purified synaptosomes, the 50 mmol/L K+‐evoked release of endogenous glutamate or [3H]D‐ASP was inhibited by dl‐TBOA in crude synaptosomes; moreover, it was external Ca2+‐insensitive and blocked by dl‐TBOA in purified gliosomes, suggesting that carrier‐mediated release of endogenous glutamate provoked by excessive [K+] in CNS tissues largely originates from glia.
Reduced pain behaviors and extracellular signal‐related protein kinase activation in primary sensory neurons by peripheral tissue injury in mice lacking platelet‐activating factor receptor
Authors: Tsuda Makoto , Ishii Satoshi , Masuda Takahiro , Hasegawa Shigeo , Nakamura Koji , Nagata Kenichiro , Yamashita Tomohiro , Furue Hidemasa , Tozaki‐Saitoh Hidetoshi , Yoshimura Megumu , Koizumi Schuichi , Shimizu Takao , Inoue Kazuhide 
Published: July 2007

AbstractPeripheral tissue injury causes the release of various mediators from damaged and inflammatory cells, which in turn activates and sensitizes primary sensory neurons and thereby produces persistent pain. The present study investigated the role of platelet‐activating factor (PAF), a phospholipid mediator, in pain signaling using mice lacking PAF receptor (pafr−/−mice). Here we show thatpafr−/−mice displayed almost normal responses to thermal and mechanical stimuli but exhibit attenuated persistent pain behaviors resulting from tissue injury by locally injecting formalin at the periphery as well as capsaicin pain and visceral inflammatory pain without any alteration in cytoarchitectural or neurochemical properties in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and a defect in motor function. However,pafr−/−mice showed no alterations in spinal pain behaviors caused by intrathecally administering agonists forN‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) and neurokinin1receptors. A PAFR agonist evoked an intracellular Ca2+response predominantly in capsaicin‐sensitive DRG neurons, an effect was not observed inpafr−/−mice. By contrast, the PAFR agonist did not affect C‐ or Aδ‐evoked excitatory post‐synaptic currents in substantia gelatinosa neurons in the dorsal horn. Interestingly, mice lacking PAFR showed reduced phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐related protein kinase (ERK), an important kinase for the sensitization of primary sensory neurons, in their DRG neurons after formalin injection. Furthermore, U0126, a specific inhibitor of the ERK pathway suppressed the persistent pain by formalin. Thus, PAFR may play an important role in both persistent pain and the sensitization of primary sensory neurons after tissue injury.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from Weigela coraeensis (Caprifoliaceae)
Authors: YAMADA TAKAYUKI , MAKI MASAYUKI 
Published: July 2007

Abstract Weigela coraeensis var. coraeensis is a deciduous shrub species distributed in Japan on the mainland, Honshu, whereas its variety W. coraeensis var. fragrans is endemic to the Izu Islands located south of Honshu. We isolated eight polymorphic microsatellite loci from the species and characterized these loci for 20 individuals from a population in Honshu. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 7 to 15 and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.60 to 0.90 and from 0.65 to 0.90, respectively. These eight polymorphic microsatellites will be useful for examining intraspecific genetic differentiation in W. coraeensis.
A Novel Mutation in KCNQ1 Associated with a Potent Dominant Negative Effect as the Basis for the LQT1 Form of the Long QT Syndrome
Authors: AIZAWA YOSHIYASU , UEDA KAZUO , SCORNIK FABIANA , CORDEIRO JONATHAN M. , WU YUESHENG , DESAI MAYURIKA , GUERCHICOFF ALEJANDRA , NAGATA YASUTOSHI , IESAKA YOSHITO , KIMURA AKINORI , HIRAOKA MASAYASU , ANTZELEVITCH CHARLES 
Published: July 2007

Introduction: Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited disorder characterized by prolonged QT intervals and life‐threatening polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmias. LQT1 caused by KCNQ1 mutations is the most common form of LQTS. Methods and Results: Patients diagnosed with LQTS were screened for disease‐associated mutations in KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1, KCNE2, KCNJ2, and SCN5A. A novel mutation was identified in KCNQ1 caused by a three‐base deletion at the position 824–826, predicting a deletion of phenylalanine at codon 275 in segment 5 of KCNQ1 (ΔF275). Wild‐type (WT) and ΔF275‐KCNQ1 constructs were generated and transiently transfected together with a KCNE1 construct in CHO‐K1 cells to characterize the properties of the slowly activating delayed rectifier current (IKs) using conventional whole‐cell patch–clamp techniques. Cells transfected with WT‐KCNQ1 and KCNE1 (1:1.3 molar ratio) produced slowly activating outward current with the characteristics of IKs. Tail current density measured at −40 mV following a two‐second step to +60 mV was 381.3 ± 62.6 pA/pF (n = 11). Cells transfected with ΔF275‐KCNQ1 and KCNE1 exhibited essentially no current. (Tail current density: 0.8 ± 2.1 pA/pF, n = 11, P = 0.00001 vs WT). Cotransfection of WT‐ and ΔF275‐ KCNQ1 (50/50), along with KCNE1, produced little to no current (tail current density: 10.3 ± 3.5 pA/pF, n = 11, P = 0.00001 vs WT alone), suggesting a potent dominant negative effect. Immunohistochemistry showed normal membrane trafficking of ΔF275‐KCNQ1. Conclusion: Our data suggest that a ΔF275 mutation in KCNQ1 is associated with a very potent dominant negative effect leading to an almost complete loss of function of IKs and that this defect underlies a LQT1 form of LQTS.
Evaluation of an Individualized Strategy of Cavotricuspid Isthmus Ablation as an Adjunct to Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Authors: SHAH DIPEN C. , SUNTHORN HENRI , BURRI HARAN , GENTIL‐BARON PASCALE 
Published: July 2007

Objectives: To evaluate supplementary cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation as an adjunct to atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in selected patients. Background: It is unclear whether routine CTI ablation is beneficial in all patients undergoing AF ablation. Methods and Results: In patients undergoing AF ablation, additional CTI block was created only for those with typical atrial flutter (Afl) before or during the ablation. Out of 188 consecutive patients (108 male, 56 ± 9 years), 75 underwent CTI ablation (Group CTI+) and left atrial (LA) ablation (circular mapping‐guided extensive pulmonary vein isolation in all and linear LA ablation when required), while 113 underwent LA ablation alone (Group CTI−). Group CTI+ patients had smaller LA and less frequently persistent/permanent AF and linear LA ablation. Over a follow‐up of 30 ± 10 months, complications (4% vs 5%, P = NS), typical Afl occurrence (1.3% and 2.6%, P = NS) and AF recurrence (25% and 28%, P = NS) were similar. Atypical Afl was more common in Group CTI− (4 vs 14%, P = 0.026). Eighty‐two percent and 79% of patients in Groups CTI+ and CTI−, respectively, remained arrhythmia free in stable sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic drug treatment (P = NS). Conclusions: Avoiding supplementary CTI ablation in AF ablation patients without evidence of typical flutter does not result in a higher incidence of typical Afl. Despite more persistent/permanent AF and larger LA in patients without evidence of typical flutter, a strategy of selective supplementary ablation resulted in similar and low AF recurrence rates in the group without CTI ablation compared with the group with CTI ablation.
Quantification of Shock‐Induced Microscopic Virtual Electrodes Assessed by Subcellular Resolution Optical Potential Mapping in Guinea Pig Papillary Muscle
Authors: WINDISCH HERBERT , PLATZER DIETER , BILGICI EREK 
Published: July 2007

Introduction: The primary objective of this study was the quantitative description of shock‐induced, locally occurring virtual electrodes in natural cardiac tissue. Methods and Results: Multiscale optical potential mapping using 10×, 20×, and 40× magnifying objectives, achieving resolutions of 0.13, 0.065, and 0.033 mm, was performed when applying uniform shocks (±10 V/cm, 5 ms) during diastole and action potential plateau. A procedure was developed to identify local potential deviations as depolarizing or hyperpolarizing peaks and to quantify their occurrence and characteristic amplitudes, lateral extents, and dynamics. At shock onset, peaks of either polarity developed significantly faster (τ= 0.92 ± 0.65 ms, N = 64) than the average bulk polarization (τ= 2.25 ± 0.96 ms, P < 0.001) and appeared locally fixed, changing their polarity at shock reversal. The mean peak magnitude (21.2 ± 12 mV) and the amplitude distribution were essentially independent from the magnification. The peak density continuously increased with decreasing peak extent (taken at 70% of the amplitude), reaching a maximum of ∼3 peaks/mm2 in the range of ∼30–65 μm. There was no correlation between peak amplitude and size throughout. Potentially exciting peaks were found with a density of 0.04–0.2 peaks/mm2 corresponding to estimated 1–5 peaks/mm3. Conclusions: Our results suggest that microscopic inhomogeneities form a substantial substrate for far‐field excitation in natural cardiac tissue. Here, we effectively bridged the gap between the extensively studied myocyte cultures and larger heart preparations.