bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
System dynamics projects that failed to make an impact
Authors: Größler Andreas 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the phenomenon of why some system dynamics projects fail to generate substantial impact in organizations—despite the fact that they are based on an apparently valid system dynamics model and are conducted by experts in the field. The approach followed in the paper is a conceptual discussion, extended by two short case studies. Findings are that the quality of the model and the expertise of the modeler are necessary but not sufficient requirements for organizational impact. Further research should concentrate on the detailed analysis of additional requirements. Practical implications are an increased embedding of system dynamics projects in organizational intervention architectures. The originality of the paper lies in its focus and discussion of failed projects that are invaluable sources for insight generation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hepatoprotective efficacy of certain flavonoids against microcystin induced toxicity in mice
Authors: Jayaraj R. , Deb Utsab , Bhaskar A. S. B. , Prasad G. B. K. S. , Rao P. V. Lakshmana 
Published: August 2007

AbstractToxic cyanobacteria (blue‐green algae) water blooms have become a serious problem in several industrialized areas of the world. Microcystin‐LR (MC‐LR) is a cyanobacterial heptapeptide that represents acute and chronic hazards to animal and human health. Identification of suitable chemprotectants against microcystin is essential considering human health hazards. In the present study, we have evaluated the protective efficacy of three flavanoids namely quercetin (200 mg/kg), silybin (400 mg/kg), and morin (400 mg/kg)] pretreatment against microcystin toxicity (0.75 LD50, 57.5 μg/kg) in mice. Various biochemical variables were measured to study the recovery profile of protected animals at 1‐ and 3‐days post‐toxin treatment. The serum alanine amino transferase (ALT) shows 17‐fold increase in MC‐LR treated animals compared with control group at 1 day. The silybin and quercetin group showed a decrease in level of ALT compared with MC‐LR group but still higher than control group. No significant protection was observed with aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in flavanoid‐treated groups at 1‐day post‐treatment. But at 3 days, the serum levels of AST and ALT were normalized to control values, but the serum LDH levels were still significantly higher than the control group. No significant changes were observed in glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione levels at both 1‐ and 3‐day postexposure. The catalase activity shows a significant decrease in quercetin‐treated animals at 3‐day postexposure. The protein phosphatase was significantly inhibited in MC‐LR group compared to control. The silybin pretreated group showed recovery after 1 day. At 3 days, the PPAse activity was reversed to control values in all the flavanoid‐treated groups. Immunoblotting analysis showed microcystin‐PPAse adduct in liver tissues of toxin‐treated as well as flavanoid‐treated mice even after 3 days. The results of this study show that flavanoids, quercetin, silybin, and morin could reverse the hepatotoxic effects of MC‐LRin vivo. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 22: 472–479, 2007.
Effects of aqueous extracts from five species of the family Papaveraceae on selected aquatic organisms
Authors: Jančula Daniel , Suchomelová Jana , Gregor Jakub , Smutná Marie , Maršálek Blahoslav , Táborská Eva 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe effects of aqueous root extracts from five species of the family Papaveraceae on the growth of cyanobacteria, algae, and other non‐target aquatic organisms were investigated to evaluate their potential use as algicides or cyanocides in the aquatic environment. Dicranostigma lactucoides and Sanguinaria canadensis featured the highest toxicity while Macleaya microcarpa was found to be the least toxic to all aquatic organisms tested. The Chelidonium majus extract had the best properties as a potential algicide or cyanocide because of its significant toxicity to phytoplankton and lower toxicity to non‐target aquatic organisms as compared with the other Papaveraceae family members. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 22: 480–486, 2007.
Biomonitoring of heavy metals using Mytilus galloprovincialis in Safi coastal waters, Morocco
Authors: Maanan Mohamed 
Published: August 2007

AbstractHeavy metal concentrations of mercury, cadmium, lead, zinc, cooper, nickel, manganese, and chromium in Mytilus galloprovincialis were investigated to provide information on pollution of Safi coastal area, since these metals have the highest toxic potential. The concentration of Hg and Pb was determined by AFS and ICP‐MS methods, respectively, whilst the remaining metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Ni) were quantified by AAS. High lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury levels were registered in tissue samples collected from two stations near the Jorf Lihoudi and Safi city, while elevated concentration of manganese and zinc (14.70–25.30 mg kg−1 and 570–650 mg kg−1 dry wt, respectively) were found in mussel specimens from Cap Cantin. The high levels of nickel found respectively in the areas near the industrial area being of concern in terms of environmental health need frequent monitoring. The metal concentrations recorded at the clean stations may be considered as useful background levels to which to refer for comparison within the Atlantic coast. M. galloprovincialis are suitable biomonitors to investigate the contamination levels of heavy metals pollution face a different human activity in this coastal area of the Atlantic coast. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 22: 525–531, 2007.
Toxicological effects and bioaccumulation in the freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) following exposure to trivalent arsenic
Authors: Santos H. M. , Diniz M. S. , Costa P. M. , Peres I. , Costa M. H. , Alves S. , Capelo J. L. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractContamination of aquatic environments by arsenic is a serious worldwide problem. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the response of a freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) to arsenic (As III) exposure and infer its potential as a biological indicator of contamination. Metallothioneins (MTs) were used as indicators of metalloid toxicity in combination with an histological and histochemical evaluation. After a period of acclimatization in the laboratory, 50 C. fluminea (0.4 g ± 0.1) were exposed to different nominal concentrations of arsenic (100, 300, 500, and 1000 μg L−1) for 7 days. The concentration of total As III in the water and in the tissues of the organisms was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, and MTs were quantified through differential pulse polarography. Results suggest that the organisms exposed to the concentrations of 300 and 1000 μg As L−1 accumulated the highest levels of As III in the tissues (17 ± 9 and 15 ± 3 μg g−1 distilled water, respectively), which was confirmed through histochemical analysis. An apparent induction of MTs was also observed in the organisms exposed to As III, suggesting that C. fluminea possesses some capacity for arsenic regulation. The results suggest that the induction of MTs may be of high interest as a biomarker for arsenic contamination in aquatic environments, and confirms the potential of C. fluminea as a biological indicator. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 22: 502–509, 2007.
Is relative abundance a good indicator of population size? Evidence from fragmented populations of a specialist butterfly (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)
Authors: Collier Neil , Mackay Duncan A. , Benkendorff Kirsten 
Published: August 2007

AbstractA common task for conservation biologists and ecologists is to establish how many individuals there are in a population, usually within a defined area of habitat. Estimates of both absolute and relative population sizes are widely used in many aspects of population conservation and management. Mark–recapture studies are appropriate for estimating the absolute population sizes of a wide range of animals, in both open and closed populations, while relative abundances can be estimated from a variety of survey methods. Relative abundances are often used in a comparative way to compare both population size and fluctuations in abundance. Here, we used transect counts and capture–recapture studies to estimate the relative abundances and population sizes of a specialist butterfly, Theclinesthes albocincta (Lycaenidae) in three habitat fragments, over two consecutive years. The sizes of the three populations differed significantly between sites and were highly variable between years. One population was extremely small and is likely to become locally extinct. We found that estimates of relative abundance were highly correlated with estimates of population size (r2 = 0.88, P = 0.017) derived from the open population models. The combination of transect counts and capture–recapture studies used in this study appears to be a very informative tool for the conservation and management of this butterfly species and could be extended to other insects.
Quality performance of newborn screening systems: Strategies for improvement
Authors: Webster D. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryNewborn metabolic screening is a public health activity with the potential to realize significant health gains for infants affected with a range of congenital conditions. Many of these are inborn errors of metabolism. The activities required to achieve the gains are diverse and carried out by a number of organizations, by families and by many health care professionals. Laboratories have the best‐developed quality strategies, which include quality assurance programmes, guidelines, protocols and standards. Two‐tier testing and use of multiple markers improve sensitivity and specificity. There are international initiatives to harmonize assay materials and definitions to allow better benchmarking between programmes. Outside the laboratory, standards, education and protocols improve the quality of specimen collection, diagnosis and treatment, which together produce the health gains.
Separation and Quantification of Vegetable Oil Based Polyols by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Evaporative Light Scattering Detection
Authors: Yue Jin , Narine Suresh S. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPolyols with terminal primary alcohol functionalities were obtained from canola oil via an ozonolysis and hydrogenation process. A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) was developed for separating and quantifying the polyol products. Linear calibration curves were obtained for the mono‐ol, diol and triol components with correlations (r2) above 0.98. According to the standard curve, the content of mono‐ol, diol and triol can be obtained from their HPLC‐ELSD chromatograms.
Does Soil Salinity Affect Yield and Composition of Cottonseed Oil?
Authors: Ahmad Sajjad , Anwar Farooq , Hussain Abdullah Ijaz , Ashraf Muhammad , Awan Abdul Rasul 
Published: August 2007

AbstractVariation in the yield and composition of oil of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seed collected from two different sites (saline and non‐saline) of Pakistan was examined. Hexane‐extracted oil content of cottonseed from saline and non‐saline areas was found to be 17.7 and 18.6%, respectively. No significant (P > 0.05) differences in the refractive index (40 °C), color, specific gravity (24 °C), iodine, free fatty acid, peroxide, unsaponifiable matter, saponification, conjugated diene and triene and p‐anisidine values of the oils of cotton plants from saline and non‐saline habitats were observed. Fatty acid compositional analysis showed the concentration of stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1) acids to be significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher, whereas that of linoleic (C18:2) acid was lower in cottonseed oils from the saline area than those from the non‐saline habitat. Tocopherol contents of cottonseed oils were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher from the saline area than those from the non‐saline area. The results of the present study showed that soil salinity did not affect the oil yield of cottonseed, however, it significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected the tocopherol and fatty acid profiles of the oils examined.
Prognostic importance of plasma NT‐pro BNP in chronic heart failure in patients treated with a β‐blocker: Results from the Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET) trial
Authors: Olsson Lars G. , Swedberg Karl , Cleland John G.F. , Spark Phillip A. , Komajda Michel , Metra Marco , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Remme Willem J. , Scherhag Armin , Poole‐Wilson Philip ,   COMET investigators
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackgroundPlasma levels of N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐pro BNP) are increased in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Beta‐blockers (BB) may influence these levels but it is unclear whether changes in NT‐pro BNP reflect concomitant changes in prognosis.ObjectivesTo assess the prognostic importance of NT‐pro BNP at baseline and during follow‐up, in patients in whom beta‐blocker therapy is initiated.MethodsIn COMET, 3029 patients with CHF in NYHA class II–IV and EF<35% were randomised to carvedilol or metoprolol tartrate and were followed for an average of 58 months. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of NT‐pro BNP at baseline (n=1559) and during follow‐up (n=309).ResultsBaseline plasma concentrations of NT‐pro BNP above the median (1242 pg/ml) were associated with higher all‐cause mortality (RR 2.77; 95% CI 2.33–3.3, p<0.001). Patients who achieved NT‐pro BNP levels <400 pg/ml during follow‐up had a lower subsequent mortality (RR 0.32; 95% CI 0.15–0.69, p=0.004).ConclusionsThe plasma concentration of NT‐pro BNP is a powerful predictor of mortality in patients with CHF. Patients who achieve an NT‐pro BNP of <400 pg/ml subsequent to treatment with a beta‐blocker have a favourable prognosis.
Co-ingestion of leucine with protein does not further augment post-exercise muscle protein synthesis rates in elderly men
Authors: Koopman René , Verdijk Lex B. , Beelen Milou , Gorselink Marchel , Kruseman Arie Nieuwenhuijzen , Wagenmakers Anton J. M. , Kuipers Harm , van Loon Luc J.C. 
Published: August 2007

Leucine has been suggested to have the potential to modulate muscle protein metabolism by increasing muscle protein synthesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the surplus value of the co-ingestion of free leucine with protein hydrolysate and carbohydrate following physical activity in elderly men. Eight elderly men (mean age 73 ± 1 years) were randomly assigned to two cross-over treatments consuming either carbohydrate and protein hydrolysate (CHO+PRO) or carbohydrate, protein hydrolysate with additional leucine (CHO+PRO+leu) after performing 30 min of standardized physical activity. Primed, continuous infusions withl-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine andl-[ring-2H2]tyrosine were applied, and blood and muscle samples were collected to assess whole-body protein turnover as well as protein fractional synthetic rate in thevastus lateralismuscle over a 6 h period. Whole-body protein breakdown and synthesis rates were not different between treatments. Phenylalanine oxidation rates were significantly lower in the CHO+PRO+leuv. CHO+PRO treatment. As a result, whole-body protein balance was significantly greater in the CHO+PRO+leu compared to the CHO+PRO treatment (23·8 (sem0·3)v. 23·2 (sem0·3) μmol/kg per h, respectively;P < 0·05). Mixed muscle fractional synthetic rate averaged 0·081 (sem0·003) and 0·082 (sem0·006) %/h in the CHO+PRO+leu and CHO+PRO treatment, respectively (NS). Co-ingestion of leucine with carbohydrate and protein following physical activity does not further elevate muscle protein fractional synthetic rate in elderly men when ample protein is ingested.
Truth-making and divine eternity
Authors: TIMPE KEVIN 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAccording to a widespread tradition in philosophical theology, God is necessarily simple and eternal. One objection to this view of God's nature is that it would rule out God having foreknowledge of non-determined, free human actions insofar as simplicity and eternity are incompatible with God's knowledge being causally dependent on those actions. According to this view, either (a) God must causally determine the free actions of human agents, thus leading to a theological version of compatibilism, or (b) God cannot know, and thus cannot respond to, the free actions of human agents. In the present paper, I argue that one can consistently maintain that God is not causally dependent on anything, even for His knowledge, without being committed to either (a) or (b). In other words, an eternal God can know the free actions of agents even if libertarianism is true.
Theism, pantheism, and petitionary prayer
Authors: MANDER W. J. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractTheists typically think it appropriate to pray to God in the hope that He will thereby intervene in affairs. On the other hand, such prayer is often held to be quite inappropriate for pantheists; a view endorsed by many pantheists themselves. This paper argues for the exact opposite of these positions. It is maintained not only that pantheism can make sense of petitionary prayer but that, despite initial appearances to the contrary, classical theism can not.
Hume's chief objection to natural theology
Authors: BRADLEY M. C. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn theDialoguesHume attaches great importance to an objection to the design argument which states, negatively, that from phenomena which embody evil as well as good there can be no analogical inference to the morally perfect deity of traditional theism and, positively, that the proper conclusion as regards moral character is an indifferent designer. The first section of this paper sets out Hume's points, and the next three offer an updating of Hume's objection which will apply to Swinburne's Bayesian form of the design argument. The final section concludes that Hume's objection, suitably developed, holds against most of the main theistic arguments, even in their Bayesian form.
Theism and infallibilism: can the marriage be saved? Response to Blaauw
Authors: OAKES ROBERT 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis essay constitutes a brief response to Martin Blaauw's paper, ‘Divorcing theism from infallibilism’, Religious Studies, 43 (2007), 349–354, in which he raises a number of thought-provoking objections to an earlier paper of mine which appeared in this journal: ‘Theism and infallibilism: a marriage made in heaven?’, Religious Studies, 40 (2004), 193–201. In the following counter-response, I hope to show that the argument developed in my original essay manages to survive his objections. (All page references in the text are to Martin Blaauw's paper above.)
Thomist Epistemology of Faith: The Road from “Scientia” to Science
Authors: Feldhay Rivka 
Published: August 2007

ArgumentThe paper offers a reading of Aquinas' treatise On Faith as a source of inspiration for later developments in the Catholic world of learning. My main argument is that Aquinas' attempt to interpolate his discourse on faith into a clear epistemological context had long-term intellectual and institutional implications. On the intellectual level Aquinas' discourse had the effect of blurring the ancient dichotomy between episteme/knowledge-science, and doxa/opinion-belief, that had presupposed an ontological difference between their objects. On the institutional level Aquinas' discourse on faith allowed for the superposition of intellectual and political authority. The Jesuit educators of the early modern age, who identified themselves as Thomist, elaborated on the potential of the special configuration of knowledge and authority they had found in Aquinas' theology and transformed its principles into social-intellectual mechanisms to organize a framework in which to produce and transmit knowledge in the first global educational system.
God-Nature Progressing: Natural Theology in German Monism
Authors: Kleeberg Bernhard 
Published: August 2007

ArgumentDuring the 1860s Ernst Haeckel, German zoologist and one of the foremost popularizers of Darwinism, proposed a natural philosophy called “Monism.” Based on developmental thinking, natural selection, and sound natural laws, the scientific Weltanschauung of Monism was to supersede Christian religion in all its accounts of nature. Haeckel's new scientific religion, this essay argues, fused the religious joys of reveling in the beauty of “mother nature” with the assurance of progress based on scientific certainty. Even though Haeckel and his followers polemicized against dualistic and teleological interpretations of nature, and despite their fierce struggle against the Christian churches, Monism cannot conceal its roots. All central arguments of natural theology reappear – albeit sometimes in causal or reductionist phrasing. Haeckel's aesthetics of nature in particular shows his indebtedness to the concept of a divine economy of nature. His Monism is an evolutionary and pantheistic natural theology.
RESIDENTIAL HISTORIES OF THE HUMAN SACRIFICES AT THE MOON PYRAMID, TEOTIHUACAN
Authors: White Christine D. , Price T. Douglas , Longstaffe Fred J. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractTo investigate geographic origins of the sacrificial Burials 2–5 from the Moon Pyramid at Teotihuacan and to reconstruct changes in residence since their childhoods, we analyzed tooth enamel for oxygen- and strontium-isotope ratios and bone just for oxygen-isotope ratios. The combination of these analytical techniques involves both climatic and geological variables, therefore enhancing resolution of geographic identification. Most of the sacrificed individuals appear to have been born in a foreign location. These regions probably include other areas within the Basin of Mexico and the central highlands, as well as the Gulf Coast and the Sierra Madre del Sur. Other possible regions of origin are the southern highlands, the Motagua Valley, and the Maya Lowlands. There is considerable overlap in the oxygen-isotope ratios between the Moon Pyramid and Feathered Serpent Pyramid victims, but each structure contains a group of isotopically distinct individuals. The Moon Pyramid sacrifices include some individuals with high oxygen-isotope ratios, possibly indicating the Gulf Coast or Maya Lowlands, whereas the Feathered Serpent Pyramid contains a distinct group with very low oxygen-isotope ratios, possibly indicating Oaxaca, Michoacan, or the coastal plain and piedmont of Guatemala. The sacrifices in the two pyramids also differ in their patterns of movement. Most of the Moon Pyramid victims appear to have arrived in the city recently, but the majority of those from the Feathered Serpent Pyramid had lived in Teotihuacan for a long time before their death.