bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct and indirect methods to simulate the actual evapotranspiration of an irrigated overhead table grape vineyard under Mediterranean conditions
Authors: Rana Gianfranco , Katerji Nader 
Published: August 2007

AbstractTwo methods, indirect and direct, for simulating the actual evapotranspiration (E) were applied to an irrigated overhead table grape vineyard during summer, situated in the Mediterranean region (south Italy), over two successive years. The first method, indirect but more practical, uses the crop coefficient (Kc) approach and requires determination of the reference evapotranspiration E0 (FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) method). This method underestimated on average by 17% the daily values of the actual evapotranspiration E. The analysis in this paper shows that the values of Kc for the table grapes determined by the FAO method seem to not be valid in our experimental conditions. Similar conclusions can be found in the literature for the table grape cultivated under different experimental conditions and using different training systems. The second method, is a direct method for estimating the evapotranspiration. It requires development of a model for the overhead table grape vineyard E, following the Penman–Monteith one‐step approach, and using standard meteorological variables as inputs for the determination of the canopy resistance. This method, which needs a particularly simple calibration, provided a better simulation of the hourly and daily evapotranspiration than the indirect method. In additon, the standard error of the daily values for the direct method ( ± 0 · 41 mm) was about 50% lower than that obtained for the indirect method, also when the indirect method used a locally calibrated coefficient Kc instead of a generic Kc. Both, for practical application and theoretical issues, the advantages and disadvantages linked to the use of each tested method are discussed in detail. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro and in vivo study to the biocompatibility and biodegradation of hydroxyapatite/poly(vinyl alcohol)/gelatin composite
Authors: Wang Mingbo , Li Yubao , Wu Jiaqi , Xu Fenglan , Zuo Yi , Jansen J.A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractA novel porous composite material composed of hydroxyapatite, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and gelatin (Gel) was fabricated by emulsification. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the material had a well‐interconnected porous structure including many macropores (100–500 μm) and micropores (less than 20 μm) on their walls. The composite had a porosity of 78% and showed high water absorption up to 312.7% indicating a good water‐swellable behavior that is a characteristic of hydrogel materials. When immersed in water, the scaffold's weight continuously decreased. After immersion in simulated body fluid, the weight continuously increased because Ca2+ and PO ions deposited on the surface and the internal surfaces of the material pores. The deposit was proved to be carbonated hydroxyapatite by thin‐film X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis. The composite was detected to be non‐cytotoxicity by MTT assay. The HA/PVA/Gel material was also implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal region of adult female rats. After 12 weeks of implantation, the porous material adhered tightly with the surrounding tissue, and the ingrowth of fibrous tissue as well as the material's partial degradation was observed, which partly indicated that the composite was biocompatible in vivo. In conclusion, the porous HA/PVA/Gel composite is a promising scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering with more studies. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Hypoglycemia in hospitalized patients treated with antihyperglycemic agents
Authors: Varghese Precil , Gleason Vanessa , Sorokin Rachel , Senholzi Craig , Jabbour Serge , Gottlieb Jonathan E. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractOBJECTIVETo determine the incidence and manifestations of hypoglycemia in hospitalized patients receiving antihyperglycemic therapy.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThe study was a 3‐month prospective review of consecutive medical records of all adult, nonpregnant hospitalized patients at a 675‐bed university hospital who experienced at least 1 blood glucose (BG) ≤ 60 mg/dL within 48 hours of receiving an antihyperglycemic agent.MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTSOf 2174 patients receiving antihyperglycemic agents, 206 (9.5%) experienced 484 hypoglycemic episodes. Of these episodes, 29% occurred in patients with type 1 diabetes, 23% in the ICU, and 72% in patients receiving only insulin for hyperglycemia. More than 1 episode was experienced by 44% of the 206 patients. Furthermore, 4% (20 of 484) of the hypoglycemic episodes were associated with a hypoglycemia‐related adverse event, defined as symptoms, signs, or injury. The mean BG of these episodes was 43.0 mg/dL, significantly lower than the mean BG of 50.9 mg/dL for the 464 episodes without adverse events (P = .01). One‐third of the adverse events occurred with a BG between 50 and 60 mg/dL; half the adverse events, 10 episodes or 2% of all hypoglycemic episodes, were serious, involving seizures or an unresponsive patient. A decrease in enteral intake accounted for 40% of the episodes; none was attributed to medication error. Less than half the hypoglycemic patients had documented euglycemia within 2 hours. Sulfonylurea agents were associated with higher rates of hypoglycemia than were other oral agents.CONCLUSIONSHypoglycemia in hospitalized patients taking antihyperglycemic agents is common; 1 in 25 episodes is associated with an adverse event. Opportunities exist to improve care, particularly around discontinuation of feeding. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2007;2:234–240. © 2007 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Development of the swimbladder and its innervation in the zebrafish, Danio rerio
Authors: Robertson G.N. , McGee C.A.S. , Dumbarton T.C. , Croll R.P. , Smith F.M. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractMany teleosts including zebrafish, Danio rerio, actively regulate buoyancy with a gas‐filled swimbladder, the volume of which is controlled by autonomic reflexes acting on vascular, muscular, and secretory effectors. In this study, we investigated the morphological development of the zebrafish swimbladder together with its effectors and innervation. The swimbladder first formed as a single chamber, which inflated at 1–3 days posthatching (dph), 3.5–4 mm body length. Lateral nerves were already present as demonstrated by the antibody zn‐12, and blood vessels had formed in parallel on the cranial aspect to supply blood to anastomotic capillary loops as demonstrated by Tie‐2 antibody staining. Neuropeptide Y‐(NPY‐) like immunoreactive (LIR) fibers appeared early in the single‐chambered stage, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)‐LIR fibers and cell bodies developed by 10 dph (5 mm). By 18 dph (6 mm), the anterior chamber formed by evagination from the cranial end of the original chamber; both chambers then enlarged with the ductus communicans forming a constriction between them. The parallel blood vessels developed into an arteriovenous rete on the cranial aspect of the posterior chamber and this region was innervated by zn‐12‐reactive fibers. Tyrosine hydroxylase‐ (TH‐), NPY‐, and VIP‐LIR fibers also innervated this area and the lateral posterior chamber. Innervation of the early anterior chamber was also demonstrated by VIP‐LIR fibers. By 25–30 dph (8–9 mm), a band of smooth muscle formed in the lateral wall of the posterior chamber. Although gas in the swimbladder increased buoyancy of young larvae just after first inflation, our results suggest that active control of the swimbladder may not occur until after the formation of the two chambers and subsequent development and maturation of vasculature, musculature and innervation of these structures at about 28–30 dph. J. Morphol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bargaining over managerial contracts in delegation games: managerial power, contract disclosure and cartel behavior
Authors: van Witteloostuijn Arjen , Jansen Thijs , van Lier Arie 
Published: August 2007

AbstractModern corporate governance codes include clauses requiring the disclosure of managerial compensation. Such codes have been installed to protect shareholders' interests. In this paper, we explore the impact of such disclosure on consumer welfare. We consider two‐stage delegation games in which owner‐shareholders negotiate about compensation with their managers in the game's first stage. At the end of the first stage, the managerial compensation contract outcomes of the bargaining process are publicly announced. In the second stage, Cournot competition evolves. We prove that sales delegation generates equilibria radically different from relative performance delegation. Using classical Cournot as the benchmark, contractual bargaining over sales compensation gives tougher product market competition—and hence higher consumer surplus. The opposite holds true for relative performance delegation. Then, cartel behavior is promoted, reducing consumer surplus. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Primary lateral sclerosis mimicking atypical parkinsonism
Authors: Norlinah Ibrahim M. , Bhatia Kailash P. , Østergaard Karen , Howard Robin , Arabia Gennarina , Quinn Niall P. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPrimary lateral sclerosis (PLS), the upper motor neurone variant of motor neurone disease, is characterized by progressive spinal or bulbar spasticity with minimal motor weakness. Rarely, PLS may present with clinical features resembling parkinsonism resulting in occasional misdiagnosis as one of the atypical parkinsonian syndromes. Here we describe five patients initially referred with a diagnosis of levodopa‐unresponsive atypical parkinsonism (n = 4) or primary progressive multiple sclerosis (n = 1), but subsequently found to have features consistent with PLS instead. Onset age varied from 49 to 67 years. Unilateral limb slowness or clumsiness was the initial complaint in four, and bulbar symptoms in one. Repeated finger/foot tapping was slow in all five, but without fatiguing or decrement. Spasticity with hyperreflexia, exaggerated jaw jerk and extensor plantar responses were eventually seen in all patients. Anterior horn cell involvement developed in three cases. Early gait disturbances resulting in falls were seen in all patients and none of them responded to dopaminergic medications. Two patients underwent dopamine transporter (DaT) SPECT scanning with normal results. Other features included emotional lability (n = 5) and cognitive impairment involving frontal subcortical systems (n = 1). In conclusion, these cases represent a subgroup of PLS patients in whom pyramidal slowness may be mistaken for akinesia, and spasticity misconstrued as rigidity, leading to an erroneous diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism. However, the absence of fatiguing and decrement on repeated finger/foot tapping should help to distinguish these patients from the true atypical parkinsonian syndromes. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
The effect of nanoscale vanadium pentoxide on the electrical and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)
Authors: Mahmoud Waleed E , Hafez Mohammed , El‐Aal Nadia A , El‐Tantawy Farid 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPoly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) loaded with vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanoparticles was successfully prepared at room temperature and ambient pressure. Transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the final product. It was found that V2O5 nanoparticles were well dispersed and uniform in shape and that the diameter of the particles was confined to within 8 nm. Addition of small amounts (0.2–1 wt%) of nanoparticulate V2O5 to PVA increased the electrical conductivity as well as the modulus of elasticity. The deformation behaviour after preparing the nanocomposites, irrespective of V2O5 concentration, is similar to that of the unfilled elastomer, implying that the mechanism of large deformation is mainly governed by the matrix. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Bioinformatics‐based discovery and identification of new biologically active peptides for GPCR deorphanization
Authors: Colette Jean , Avé Emilie , Grenier‐Boley Benjamin , Coquel Anne‐Sophie , Lesellier Karine , Puget Karine 
Published: August 2007

AbstractOwing to their involvement in many physiological and pathological processes, G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are interesting targets for drug development. Approximately, 100 endoGPCRs lack their natural ligands and remain orphan (oGPCRs). Consequently, oGPCR deorphanization appears a promising research field for the development of new therapeutics. On the basis of the knowledge of currently known GPCR/ligand couples, some oGPCRs may be targeted by peptides. However, to find new drugs for GPCRs, Genepep has developed a dedicated bioinformatics platform to screen transcriptomic databases for the prediction of new GPCR ligands. The peptide lists generated include specific data, such as chemical and physical properties, the occurrence of post‐translational modifications (PTMs) and an annotation referring to the location and expression level of the related putative genes. This information system allows a selection through series of biological criteria of ∼10 000 natural peptides including already known GPCR ligands and potential new candidates for GPCR deorphanization. The most promising peptides for functional assay screening and future development as therapeutic agents are under evaluation. Copyright © 2007 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability and accuracy of the physics—dynamics coupling in spectral models
Authors: Termonia P. , Hamdi R. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis article first reviews the existing spectral time‐step organizations of the Integrated Forecast System (IFS) of the ECMWF and the ARPEGE/ALADIN/AROME models of Météo‐France and the ALADIN partners. They are characterized according to four choices concerning the physics—dynamics coupling: (1) the order in which the physics parametrization and the dynamics are called and coupled inside the time‐step computation, (2) the space‐time location of the physics coupling on the semi‐Lagrangian trajectory, (3) parallel or sequential time stepping of the different physics parametrizations and (4) parallel or sequential physics—dynamics coupling. It is found that according to this classification, IFS on the one hand and the ARPEGE/ALADIN/AROME models on the other hand exhibit two distinct structures.In the models, the dynamical cores of the semi‐implicit semi‐Lagrangian two‐time‐level schemes are linearized around a stationary reference state. This state differs from the real atmospheric state (i.e. the exact solution of the equations). This article generalizes the framework introduced by Staniforth, Wood and Côté to study the relation between the coupled physics parametrization and such reference and atmospheric states. Subsequently, the two above‐mentioned time‐step organizations are translated into this simplified frame. Extra degrees of freedom are added to allow for obvious improvements of the existing spectral time‐step organizations. In order to deal with the complexity of the emerging structures and to avoid tedious algebraic manipulations, a numerical methodology is proposed to characterize their properties. This framework is then used to make a comparative study of the numerical stability and the accuracy of the physics—dynamics coupling within the two above‐mentioned time‐step organizations. Potential improvements are briefly discussed. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Tree search algorithm for assigning cooperating UAVs to multiple tasks
Authors: Rasmussen Steven J. , Shima Tal 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis paper describes a tree search algorithm for assigning cooperating homogeneous uninhabited aerial vehicles to multiple tasks. The combinatorial optimization problem is posed in the form of a decision tree, the structure of which enforces the required group coordination and precedence for cooperatively performing the multiple tasks. For path planning, a Dubin's car model is used so that the vehicles' constraint, of minimum turning radius, is taken into account. Due to the prohibitive computational complexity of the problem, exhaustive enumeration of all the assignments encoded in the tree is not feasible. The proposed optimization algorithm is initialized by a best‐first search and candidate optimal solutions serve as a monotonically decreasing upper bound for the assignment cost. Euclidean distances are used for estimating the path length encoded in branches of the tree that have not yet been evaluated by the computationally intensive Dubin's optimization subroutine. This provides a lower bound for the cost of unevaluated assignments. We apply these upper and lower bounding procedures iteratively on active subsets within the feasible set, enabling efficient pruning of the solution tree. Using Monte Carlo simulations, the performance of the search algorithm is analyzed for two different cost functions and different limits on the vehicles' minimum turn radius. It is shown that the selection of the cost function and the limit have a considerable effect on the level of cooperation between the vehicles. The proposed deterministic search method can be applied on line to different sized problems. For small‐sized problems, it provides the optimal solution. For large‐sized problems, it provides an immediate feasible solution that improves over the algorithm's run time. When the proposed method is applied off line, it can be used to obtain the optimal solution, which can be used to evaluate the performance of other sub‐optimal search methods. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Region‐specific effects of a tyrosine‐free amino acid mixture on amphetamine‐induced changes in BOLD fMRI signal in the rat brain
Authors: Preece Mark A. , Sibson Nicola R. , Raley Josephine M. , Blamire Andrew , Styles Peter , Sharp Trevor 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground: Acute depletion of tyrosine using a tyrosine‐free amino acid mixture offers a novel dietary approach to inhibit activated dopamine pathways in the brain. This study investigated the potential of in vivo functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) methods as a noninvasive means to detect effects of tyrosine depletion on dopamine function. Methods: Changes in blood‐oxgenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast induced by administration of the dopamine‐releasing agent, amphetamine (3 mg/kg i.v.), were measured in halothane‐anaesthetised rats. Results: Amphetamine evoked changes in BOLD signal intensity with the greatest effects observed in the nucleus accumbens (−7.7%), prefrontal cortex (−13.6%), and motor cortex (+12.5%). Pretreatment with a tyrosine‐free amino acid mixture attenuated the response to amphetamine in some regions (nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex), but not others (motor cortex). Amphetamine itself had no effect in thalamus and hippocampus but, surprisingly, increased the BOLD signal after the amino acid mixture. Conclusion: These experiments demonstrate that amphetamine evokes region‐specific changes in the BOLD signal in rats, and that this effect is attenuated in some but not all regions by tyrosine depletion. The data support the application of fMRI techniques for studying the effects of tyrosine depletion on dopamine function in animals and also humans. Synapse 61:925–932, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetics and diet–gene interactions: involvement, confidence and knowledge of dietitians
Authors: Whelan Kevin , McCarthy Sarah , Pufulete Maria 
Published: August 2007

Diet–gene interactions have become the focus of much research in recent years. However, little is known about UK dietitians' involvement, confidence and knowledge in genetics and diet–gene interactions. A validated postal questionnaire sent to a randomly selected sample of 600 dietitians in the UK resulted in 390 responses (65 %). Most dietitians had no involvement in eleven activities relating to genetics and diet–gene interactions and lacked confidence in undertaking such activities. However, a significant positive association was found between involvement and confidence for all activities tested (P < 0·0001). A mean knowledge score of 41 % (sd 19) indicated generally low levels of knowledge in genetics and diet–gene interactions. Knowledge scores were higher for those who reported discussing the genetic basis of disease or discussing how diet–gene interactions affected risk (P < 0·05). For the majority of activities, dietitians who reported higher confidence had higher knowledge scores. Given the importance of interactions between genetics and nutrition in preventing and managing disease, this study identifies a need to increase the involvement, confidence and knowledge in genetics and diet–gene interactions of dietitians in the UK.
Effect of 3-month treatment of children and adolescents with familial and polygenic hypercholesterolaemia with a soya-substituted diet
Authors: Weghuber Daniel , Widhalm Kurt 
Published: August 2007

Soya protein has well-documented beneficial effects on serum lipid levels in adults, the potential beneficial effect of a prolonged soya protein-substituted diet in children and adolescents with familial (FH) and polygenic hypercholesterolaemia (PH) being unknown. To assess the effect of 3 months’ treatment of children and adolescents with FH and PH with a soya-substituted diet on serum lipids and lipoproteins, twenty-three children and adolescents were initially assigned to a standard phase 1 diet for 3 months, after which they were instructed to include soya protein (0·25–0·5 g/kg body weight) into their diet for 3 months. Sixteen patients (ten males and six females, thirteen with FH (eight males and five females), three with PH (two males and one female); mean age 8·8 (sd4·2) years (range 4–18 years); mean BMI 16·7 (sd2·6) kg/m2)) completed both phases. The phase 1 diet resulted in a significant reduction of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol and apo B by 12·3, 11·8 and 10·6 %, respectively, HDL-cholesterol, TAG, apo A1 and lipoprotein(a) not being different. Dietary intake of soya protein during phase 2 resulted in a significant decrease of TC, LDL-cholesterol and apo B by 7·7, 6·4, and 12·6 %, respectively. TAG, HDL-cholesterol, apo A1, and lipoprotein(a) did not change significantly. Substitution of soya protein for animal protein in a low-fat, fat-modified diet is of additional benefit in many, but not all, children and adolescents with FH and PH when aiming at lowering serum TC, LDL and apo B. It seems to be a feasible long-term dietary lifestyle intervention and may grant additive benefit in the prevention of early vascular disease.
A new lower Cambrian eodiscoid trilobite fauna from Swedish Lapland and its implications for intercontinental correlation
Authors: AXHEIMER NIKLAS , AHLBERG PER , CEDERSTRÖM PETER 
Published: August 2007

AbstractA lower Cambrian eodiscoid trilobite fauna and an associated holmiid trilobite,Holmiasp., are described from a bioclastic limestone at the top of the Torneträsk Formation in the Luobákti section, south of Lake Torneträsk, northern Sweden. Other associated polymerid trilobites includeOrodes?lapponicaandStrenuaeva inflata. The precise age of the trilobite fauna cannot be determined, but its generic composition and stratigraphical position at the top of the lower Cambrian suggest that it was recovered from theOrnamentaspis?linnarssoniAssemblage Zone. Two species of eodiscoids are present:Neocobboldiaaff.dentataandChelediscus acifer. The latter species is known previously from England and southeastern Newfoundland, and provides a novel link between upper lower Cambrian successions in Baltica and Avalonia.