bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glacial Sedimentary Processes and Products
Authors: O'Cofaigh Colm 
Published: December 2008

Research in the field of glacial sediments and sedimentary processes increasingly involves a range of different approaches including investigations of modern glacial processes, the paleoglacial record, and numerical ice sheet modeling. This diversity of approaches is reflected in this International Association of Sedimentologists special publication edited by Michael Hambrey et al., which stems from the 2005 “Conference on Glacial Sedimentary Processes and Products,” held at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Following a foreword about geologist Brian Harland (to whom the volume is dedicated) and the Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth theory, and an introduction by the editors, the book has four parts.Part 1, “Glacier dynamics and sedimentation,” focuses on modern glacier and ice sheet processes. It includes three very diverse papers. A paper by Siegert et al. explores the possibility of hydrological links between Antarctic subglacial lakes and the consequences of rapid drainage events for subglacial erosion and deposition. This is followed by a paper (Midgley et al.) on moraine geomorphology and sedimentology in Svalbard, Norway, and a final paper (Rousselot et al.) on the description of a laboratory apparatus for investigating clast ploughing in sediments.
Performance based design
Authors: Tyers Alex 
Published: December 2008

This paper is about the application of professional information design practices that have grown out of research conducted by the Communication Research Institute (CRI), formerly the Communication Research Institute of Australia (CRIA), and others. In particular, it focuses on the role of testing in studio practice.
Starting in the mid 1980s, CRI undertook a number of large-scale applied projects funded by government and industry to improve the quality of communication between large organisations and the public. The research focused on discovering the best methods for designing information for public use.
The CRI research was able to draw on a substantial body of prior research in design methods (e.g. Jones 1970), document designs (e.g. Felker et al 1980) and specifically in information design (e.g. Easterby & Zwaga 1984). Moreover, a growing number of significant case histories published in this journal have provided an emerging view of professional practice in the field (e.g. Goodwin 1984, Tomaselli & Tomaselli 1984, Waller 1984)
This early work suggests the possibility of a unified set of highly productive information design methods, and was foreshadowed in the important contributions of Pat Wright (e.g. Wright 1979). The work started at CRI in the mid-1980s focused on unifying information design methods and demonstrating their productivity (Fisher and Sless 1990). By 1992, it was possible to suggest that the resulting design methods had a wide general application to information design (Sless 1992). However, it remained to demonstrate that these methods could be applied consistently across a range of information design problems and that the resultant designs could consistently perform at an acceptable level. This paper reports on that demonstration. In particular it shows through practical examples how testing and measurement of a design’s performance has become an integral part of professional information design practice.
Real‐time polymerase chain reaction as a rapid and efficient alternative to estimation of picornavirus titers by tissue culture infectious dose 50% or plaque forming units
Authors: Jonsson Nina , Gullberg Maria , Lindberg A. Michael 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTQuantification of viral infectious units is traditionally measured by methods based on forming plaques in semisolid media (PFU) or endpoint dilution of a virus‐containing solution (TCID50), methods that are laborious, time‐consuming and take on average 3–7 days to carry out. Quantitative real‐time PCR is an established method to quantify nucleic acids at high accuracy and reproducibility, routinely used for virus detection and identification. In the present study, a procedure was developed using a two‐step real‐time PCR and the SYBR Green detection method to study whether there are correlations between TCID50/ml, PFU/ml and Ct values generated by real‐time PCR enabling rapid and efficient calculation of titer equivalents when working with viruses in the research laboratory. In addition, an external standard with known concentrations was included using in vitro transcribed viral RNA, thus allowing the calculation of the amount of RNA copies needed for various applications (i.e. per plaque or TCID50).The results show that there is a correlation between the three quantification methods covering a wide range of concentration of viruses. Furthermore, a general regression line between TCID50 and Ct values was obtained for all viruses included in the study, which enabled recording titer equivalents using real‐time PCR. Finally, by including an external standard, the amount of RNA genomes generating one TCID50 or PFU for each enterovirus serotype included was determined.
Review article: ‘true’ re‐infection of Helicobacter pylori after successful eradication – worldwide annual rates, risk factors and clinical implications
Authors: ZHANG Y.‐Y. , XIA H. H.‐X. , ZHUANG Z.‐H. , ZHONG J. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryBackground  The incidence of ‘true’ re‐infection with Helicobacter pylori after successful eradication remains uncertain.Aim  To determine the worldwide rates, risk factors and clinical implications of ‘true’ re‐infection of Helicobacter pylori. ‘True’ re‐infection of H. pylori is defined as the situation where tests for H. pylori infection, which were negative for 12 months after eradication, become positive again at a later stage.Results  Thirty six studies were identified through a literature search to be able to produce annual rates of ‘true’ re‐infection, and data from 33 original articles were considered reliable and adequate in the further review. Generally, the reported rates varied from 0% to 23.4% in adults and from 1.9% to 9.6% in children. Most studies from developed countries reported rates of less than 1%, whereas relatively higher rates were reported in most of the developing countries. Small sample sizes included in the studies appeared to be associated with increased re‐infection rates. Interfamilial transmission is the major cause of re‐infection, although iatrogenic re‐infection through contaminated endoscopic equipment has been reported.Conclusion  Helicobacter pylori re‐infection is not a concern in a clinical setting, especially in the developed world; however, caution must be exercised in most developing countries.
The epidemiology of haemochromatosis: a population‐based study
Authors: CROOKS C. J. , WEST J. , SOLAYMANI‐DODARAN M. , CARD T. R. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryBackground  The discovery of the HFE genotype has revolutionized the diagnosis of haemochromatosis, changing the associated mortality and morbidity.Aim  To investigate the clinical significance of a diagnosis of haemochromatosis.Methods  In a cohort study, we identified 501 people with haemochromatosis and 4950 age‐ and gender‐matched controls from the UK General Practice Research Database between 1987 and 2002.Results  The incidence of a diagnosis of haemochromatosis increased approximately 2‐fold over the study period and was associated with a 2.2‐fold increase in mortality [hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.6–3.0]. There was no increase in extra hepatic malignancy, but an absolute risk excess of liver cancer of 0.89% per year. Diabetes, impotence, osteoarthritis and crystal arthritis were associated with haemochromatosis with odds ratios of 5.4 (95% CI, 4.1–7.0), 2.7(95% CI, 1.8–4.0), 1.9(95% CI, 1.5–2.4) and 2.1(95% CI, 1.4–3.1) respectively.Conclusion  Increasing numbers of people are being diagnosed with haemochromatosis, and the mortality associated with this disease remains high. However, people are living with considerably lower levels of morbidity than previously reported. This encouragingly suggests earlier diagnoses are being made, prior to the development of complications.
Efficacy and complications of adalimumab treatment for medically‐refractory Crohn’s disease: analysis of nationwide experience in Scotland (2004–2008)
Authors: HO G. T. , MOWAT A. , POTTS L. , CAHILL A. , MOWAT C. , LEES C. W. , HARE N. C. , WILSON J. A. , BOULTON‐JONES R. , PRIEST M. , WATTS D. A. , SHAND A. G. , ARNOTT I. D. , RUSSELL R. K. , WILSON D. C. , MORRIS A. J. , SATSANGI J. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryBackground  Adalimumab is a second generation humanized anti‐tumour necrosis factor (TNF) monoclonal antibody with established efficacy in Crohn’s disease (CD).Aims  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adalimumab on a nationwide clinical setting.Methods  We used the Scottish Society of Gastroenterology network to identify and follow up the clinical outcomes of patients with CD treated with adalimumab over a 4‐year period (2004–2008).Results  A total of 98 patients received adalimumab ‐ 100.5 patient follow‐up years were recorded (64.3% females; median age at diagnosis of 20.7 years; 88.8% treated with 80/40 mg induction regimen. Eighty eight (89.8%) had previous infliximab with 29 (32.9%) primary nonresponders; 32 (32.6%) were corticosteroid‐dependent; 47 (47.9%) were intolerant/resistant to most immunosuppressive therapies (two or more). In all, 60% of patients were in clinical remission at 1‐year follow‐up, with 30% and 55% requiring dose escalation to weekly therapy at 1‐and 2‐year follow‐up respectively. Overall, 29 (29.6%) patients developed complications with eight nonfatal serious (8.2%) adverse events and 2 (2.0%) case fatalities (sepsis following perforation and disseminated colorectal cancer, respectively).Conclusions  Adalimumab is efficacious in severe and refractory CD in the clinical setting, although there remain significant therapy‐ and disease‐related risks of serious complications.
B type natriuretic peptide – a diagnostic breakthrough in peri‐operative cardiac risk assessment?
Authors: Rodseth R. N. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryThe B‐type natriuretic peptides; B‐type natriuretic peptide and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, are increasing being used as biomarkers for the diagnosis, management and prognostication of cardiac failure, but their application in the peri‐operative period is unclear. This review examines the current understanding of the role of B‐type natriuretic peptides in both the operative and non‐operative settings. Normal values, diagnostic thresholds, monitoring targets and significant prognostic levels are identified. Using this as a background, the role of B‐type natriuretic peptides in the prediction of peri‐operative mortality and morbidity is examined and potential confounders, such as renal failure and body mass index, which may impact significantly on the utility of the biomarkers, are discussed. Clinical recommendations with regard to its use are made and a research agenda is proposed for future peri‐operative studies.
Age‐associated difference in gene expression of paediatric acute myelomonocytic lineage leukaemia (FAB M4 and M5 subtypes) and its correlation with prognosis
Authors: Jo Aoi , Tsukimoto Ichiro , Ishii Eiichi , Asou Norio , Mitani Sachiyo , Shimada Akira , Igarashi Takashi , Hayashi Yasuhide , Ichikawa Hitoshi 
Published: December 2008

SummaryAcute myeloid leukaemia, French‐American‐British M4 and M5 subtypes (AML‐M4/M5) is frequently associated with MLL gene rearrangement and its incidence is relatively high among infants. Clinically, paediatric AML‐M4/M5 has been considered as an intermediate or undefined prognostic group. In this study, we analysed gene expression of 40 paediatric AML‐M4/M5 patients excluding inv(16) and t(8;21) patients, and found striking differences among the patients in an age‐associated manner. In particular, most of the infants displayed very distinct gene expression. On the basis of this difference, we divided paediatric patients into three subgroups (A, B and C) with the average age of 0·3, 3·1 and 6·6 years old respectively. All subgroups included patients with MLL gene rearrangement as well as normal and other karyotypes. Surprisingly, gene expression signatures of MLL gene rearrangement differed substantially among these subgroups. In addition, subgroup C presented extremely poor outcome (3‐year event‐free survival 28%) whilst eight patients with MLL gene rearrangement in subgroup C had all relapsed within 18 months. These results suggest that age is an important factor contributing to the biology of AML‐M4/M5 and the sub‐grouping procedures developed in this study could be a powerful tool to identify unfavourable risk patients within paediatric AML‐M4/M5.
Effects of recombinant human LH and hCG on serum and urine LH and androgens in men
Authors: Handelsman David J. , Goebel Catrin , Idan Amanda , Jimenez Mark , Trout Graham , Kazlauskas Rymantas 
Published: December 2008

SummaryContext The administration of gonadotrophins is prohibited in sport but the effect in men of recently available recombinant hCG and LH on serum and urine concentrations of gonadotrophins and androgens has not been systematically evaluated in the antidoping context.Objective To determine the time‐course of recombinant LH (rhLH) and hCG (rhCG) on blood and urine hormone profiles in men to develop effective tests to detect rhLH and rhCG doping.Design Two randomized controlled studies with a 2 × 2 factorial design.Setting Academic research centre.Participants Healthy male volunteers aged 18–45 years.Interventions In the rhLH study, men were randomized into (i) either of two single doses of rhLH (75 IU or 225 IU), and (ii) suppression of endogenous LH and testosterone by nandrolone or no suppression. In the rhCG study, men were randomized into (i) either of two single doses of rhCG (250 or 750 µg), and (ii) suppression of endogenous LH and testosterone by nandrolone decanoate (ND) or no suppression. ND suppression comprised a single dose of 200 mg ND 3 days prior to, and in the rhCG study an additional dose 1 day after gonadotrophin injection.Main outcome measures Serum and urine hCG, LH, T, T : LH ratio, urine epitestosterone (E) and urine T : E ratio.Results Neither rhLH dose produced a significant increase in serum or urine LH or T or in the T : E or T : LH ratios regardless of ND‐induced suppression of endogenous LH and T. Nor did an even higher dose (750 IU) in three healthy men with unsuppressed gonadal axis. These findings were confirmed with two different commercial LH immunoassays together with adjustment for any influence of urine sediment and dilution. Both rhCG doses produced a steep, dose‐proportional increase in serum and urine hCG with increases in serum and urine T and suppression of serum and urine LH, regardless of hCG dose. Serum but not urine T was lowered by ND suppression. The T : LH ratio showed a progressive increase unrelated to rhCG dose or ND suppression, whereas both rhCG and ND suppression minimally increased T : E ratio.Conclusions Both rhCG doses produce a striking increase in serum hCG and T with suppression of serum LH but, at single doses up to 750 IU, rhLH has no influence on serum or urine LH or T. Effective rhLH doping, which relies on a sustained increases in endogenous T, would require much higher and more frequent daily rhLH doses. Use of LH immunoassays optimized for serum to detect rhLH doping by urine LH measurement requires more standardization and validation and, at present, is unreliable. The T : LH ratio is, however, a useful screening test for hCG doping although its utility requires further evaluation.
The wideband [0.001 Hz–100 kHz] interferometry project in Central Italy
Authors: Palangio P. , Masci F. , Di Lorenzo C. , Di Persio M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTWe are reporting some results and future planning of the Magnetic and Electric fields Monitoring Project. The principal purpose of the project is to create a network of observatories for monitoring the electromagnetic signals in the 0.001 Hz–100 kHz frequency bands in Central Italy. These bands include both natural and artificial signals. The technological objectives of the project are the development of new instrumentation and the know‐how transfer to the industry. These instruments were tested in the Geomagnetic Observatory of L'Aquila, the first station of the network. Here we show some examples of the developed electric and magnetic sensors. These instruments are designed for the automatic long‐term recording of the electromagnetic fields in a wide band of frequency. The preliminary results of the first operating station of the network are shown taking into account, in the signal elaboration, the single station approach. Here we are reporting some examples concerning the calculation of the ground electric resistivity profile, the evaluation of the magnetic induction vectors and the study of the magnetic sources by the eigenvectors calculation. When all the stations of the network will be in operation, the use of an innovative technique, the wideband interferometry will be proposed. Combining the simultaneous observations of the electromagnetic field measured in each station, we will be able to obtain detailed information about the investigated electromagnetic sources.
Anisotropic P‐wave attenuation measured from a multi‐azimuth surface seismic reflection survey
Authors: Clark Roger A. , Benson Philip M. , Carter Andrew J. , Moreno Carlos A. Guerrero 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTA system of aligned vertical fractures produces azimuthal variations in stacking velocity and amplitude variation with offset, characteristics often reported in seismic reflection data for hydrocarbon exploration. Studies of associated attenuation anisotropy have been mostly theoretical, laboratory or vertical seismic profiling based. We used an 11 common‐midpoint‐long portion of each of four marine surface‐seismic reflection profiles, intersecting each other at 45° within circa 100 m of a common location, to measure the azimuthal variation of effective attenuation, Q−1eff and stacking velocity, in a shallow interval, about 100 m thick, in which consistently orientated vertical fracturing was expected due to an underlying salt diapirism. We found qualitative and quantitative consistency between the azimuthal variation in the attenuation and stacking velocity, and published amplitude variation with offset results. The 135° azimuth line showed the least apparent attenuation (1000 Q−1eff= 16 ± 7) and the fastest stacking velocity, hence we infer it to be closest to the fracture trend: the orthogonal 45° line showed the most apparent attenuation (1000Q−1eff= 52 ± 15) and slowest stacking velocity. The variation of Q−1eff with azimuth φ is well fitted by 1000Q−1eff= 34 − 18cos[2(φ+40°)] giving a fracture direction of 140 ± 23° (±1SD, derived from ‘bootstrapping’ fits to all 114 combinations of individual common‐midpoint/azimuth measurements), compared to 134 ± 47° from published amplitude variation with offset data. The effects of short‐window spectral estimation and choices of spectral ratio bandwidth and offset ranges used in attenuation analysis, individually give uncertainties of up to ±13° in fracture direction. This magnitude of azimuthal variation can be produced by credible crack geometries (e.g., dry cracks, radius 6.5 m, aspect ratio 3 × 10−5, crack density 0.2) but we do not claim these to be the actual properties of the interval studied, because of the lack of well control (and its consequences for the choice of theoretical model and host rock physical properties) and the small number of azimuths available here.
The use of reference models from a priori data to guide 2D inversion of electrical resistivity tomography data
Authors: Catt Lucy M. L. , West L. Jared , Clark Roger A. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTClay‐rich till plains cover much of the UK. Such sites are attractive locations for landfills, since clay aquitards lower the risk of landfill leachate entering groundwater. However, such tills often contain sand and gravel bodies that can act as leachate flow routes. Such bodies may not be detected by conventional site investigation techniques such as drilling boreholes and trial pitting. A method of guided inversion, where a priori data are used to construct structural reference models for use in inverting electrical resistivity tomography data, was proposed as a tool to improve the detection of sand and gravel bodies within clay‐rich till sequences.Following a successful 2D guided inversion synthetic modelling study, a field study was undertaken. Wenner 2D electrical resistivity tomography lines, resistivity cone penetrometry bores and electromagnetic induction ground resistivity data were collected over a site on the East Yorkshire coast, England, where sand and gravel lenses were known to exist from cliff exposures. A number of equally valid geoelectrical models were constructed using the electromagnetic and resistivity cone data. These were used as structural reference models in the inversion of the resistivity tomography data. Blind inversion using an homogenous reference model was also carried out for comparison.It was shown for the first time that the best solution model produced by 2D inversion of one data set with a range of structural reference models could be determined by using the l2 model misfit between the solution models and associated reference models (reference misfit) as a proxy for the l2 misfit between the solution models and the synthetic model or ‘best‐guess’ geoelectrical model (true misfit). The 2D methodology developed here is applicable in clay‐rich till plains containing sand and gravel bodies throughout the UK.
Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen 4 blockade augments the T‐cell response primed by attenuated Listeria monocytogenes resulting in more rapid clearance of virulent bacterial challenge
Authors: Rowe Jared H. , Johanns Tanner M. , Ertelt James M. , Lai Joseph C. , Way Sing Sing 
Published: December 2008

SummaryCytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA‐4) uniformly suppresses antigen‐specific T cells during chronic infection with bacterial, parasitic or viral pathogens. However, the importance of CTLA‐4 in controlling the T‐cell response during acute infection or after priming with live attenuated vaccine vectors has not been well characterized. Since strategies aimed at blocking CTLA‐4 are being actively developed to therapeutically augment T‐cell‐mediated immunity, the effects of CTLA‐4 blockade on T‐cell activation during these conditions need to be more clearly defined. We have examined the role of CTLA‐4 in a prime‐challenge model of acute bacterial infection using both attenuated and virulent strains of the intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Although Foxp3+ CD4+ T cells are the predominant CTLA‐4‐expressing cell type in naïve mice, antigen‐specific Foxp3− CD4+ cells upregulate CTLA‐4 expression after primary L. monocytogenes infection. Blockade of CTLA‐4 results in increased numbers of L. monocytogenes‐specific CD4 and CD8 T cells after primary infection with attenuated L. monocytogenes, and confers more rapid bacterial clearance after secondary challenge with virulent L. monocytogenes. Accordingly, CTLA‐4 plays an important suppressive role in T‐cell priming and protective immunity in a prime‐challenge model of acute bacterial infection.