bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) for microfabric study of cohesive soils
Authors: SACHAN A. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryMicrofabric reflects the imprints of the geologic and stress history of the soil deposit, the depositional environment and weathering history. Many investigators have been concerned with the fundamental problem of how the engineering properties of clay depend on the microfabric, which can be defined as geometric arrangement of particles within the soil mass. It is believed that scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are the only techniques that can reveal particle arrangements of clayey soils directly; however, current research introduces a novel and more advanced technique, atomic force microscopy, to evaluate the microfabric of cohesive materials. The atomic force microscopy has several advantages over SEM/TEM for characterizing cohesive particles at the sub‐micrometre range by providing 3D images and 2D images with Z‐information used in quantitative measurements of soil microfabric using SPIP software, and having the capability of obtaining images in all environments (ambient air, liquids and vacuums). This paper focuses on the use of atomic force microscopy technique to quantify the microfabric of clayey soils by developing the criteria for average and maximum values of angle of particle orientation within the soil mass using proposed empirical equations for intermediate and extreme microfabrics (dispersed, flocculated).
Molecular processes underlying the floral transition in the soybean shoot apical meristem
Authors: Wong Chui E. , Singh Mohan B. , Bhalla Prem L. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryThe transition to flowering is characterized by a shift of the shoot apical meristem (SAM) from leaf production to the initiation of a floral meristem. The flowering process is of vital importance for agriculture, but the associated events or regulatory pathways in the SAM are not well understood, especially at a system level. To address this issue, we have used a GeneChip® containing 37 744 probe sets to generate a temporal profile of gene expression during the floral initiation process in the SAM of the crop legume, soybean (Glycine max). A total of 331 transcripts displayed significant changes in their expression profiles. The in silico and RT‐PCR analysis on differentially regulated transcripts implies the intriguing involvement of sugar, auxin or abscisic acid (ABA) in events prior to the induction of floral homeotic transcripts. The novel involvement of ABA in the floral transition is further implicated by immunoassay, suggesting an increase in ABA levels in the SAM during this developmental transition. Furthermore, in situ localization, together with in silico data demonstrating a marked enhancement of abiotic stress‐related transcripts, such as trehalose metabolism genes in SAMs, points to an overlap of abiotic stress and floral signalling pathways.
Identification of novel meristem factors involved in shoot regeneration through the analysis of temperature‐sensitive mutants of Arabidopsis
Authors: Tamaki Hiroaki , Konishi Mineko , Daimon Yasufumi , Aida Mitsuhiro , Tasaka Masao , Sugiyama Munetaka 
Published: November 2008

SummaryAdventitious organogenesis in plant tissue culture involves de novo formation of apical meristems and should therefore provide important information about the fundamentals of meristem gene networks. We identified novel factors required for neoformation of the shoot apical meristem (SAM) through an analysis of shoot regeneration in root initiation defective3 (rid3) and root growth defective3 (rgd3) temperature‐sensitive mutants of Arabidopsis. After induction of callus to regenerate shoots, cell division soon ceased and was then reactivated locally in the surface region, resulting in formation of mounds of dense cells in which adventitious‐bud SAMs were eventually constructed. The rgd3 mutation inhibited reactivation of cell division and suppressed expression of CUP‐SHAPED COTYLEDON1 (CUC1), CUC2 and SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM). In contrast, the rid3 mutation caused excess ill‐controlled cell division on the callus surface. This was intimately related to enhanced and broadened expression of CUC1. Positional cloning revealed that the RGD3 and RID3 genes encode BTAF1 (a kind of TATA‐binding protein‐associated factor) and an uncharacterized WD‐40 repeat protein, respectively. In the early stages of shoot regeneration, RGD3 was expressed (as was CUC1) in the developing cell mounds, whereas RID3 was expressed outside the cell mounds. When RID3 was over‐expressed artificially, the expression levels of CUC1 and STM were significantly reduced. Taken together, these findings show that both negative regulation by RID3 and positive regulation by RGD3 of the CUC–STM pathway participate in proper control of cell division as a prerequisite for SAM neoformation.
Pilot study of oxygen transport rate of banked red blood cells
Authors: Buchwald H. , Menchaca H. J. , Michalek V. N. , Rudser K. D. , Rohde T. D. , O'Dea T. , Connett J. E. , Gorlin J. 
Published: November 2008

Background and Objectives Dynamic oximetry provides a new way to assess the effect of blood storage on the oxygen transport rate (OTR).Materials and Methods In dynamic oximetry, the rate at which oxyhemoglobin becomes deoxyhemoglobin is measured optically, thereby, indirectly measuring the rate at which oxygen leaves the red blood cell (RBC) making it available for transfer to tissues. Extending the physiologic diffusion time in an in vitro apparatus, consisting of a diffusion system and gas exchanger capable of controlling the surface area and the time of exposure for oxygenation and deoxygenation, makes OTR measurement feasible. Eight normal blood donor units, collected in adenine, dextrose, sorbitol, sodium chloride and mannitol , were stored for 8 weeks under standard conditions and serially sampled for OTR.Results We report that the OTR at the time of blood bank donation appears to be singular for each donor, that the interdonor differences are maintained over time, and that the individual OTR increased 1·72‐fold (95% CI 1·51, 1·95) over 8 weeks, adjusting for sex, age and plasma cholesterol level.Conclusion Oxygen transport rate increases during storage; blood units with similar haemoglobin content may have significant differences in OTR. Studies examining blood parameters at the time of donation and blood storage on patient outcomes should consider measuring OTR, as it may contribute to differences in observed efficacy of tissue oxygenation.
Bladder cancer develops 6 years earlier in current smokers: Analysis of bladder cancer registry data collected by the cancer registration committee of the Japanese Urological Association
Authors: Hinotsu Shiro , Akaza Hideyuki , Miki Tsuneharu , Fujimoto Hiroyuki , Shinohara Nobuo , Kikuchi Eiji , Mizutani Yoichi , Koga Hirofumi , Okajima Eijiro , Okuyama Akihiko ,   The Japanese Urological Association
Published: November 2008

Objectives:  It is generally recognized that cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor for bladder cancer. The present study was undertaken to examine the relationships between smoking history of bladder cancer patients and the age of onset of bladder cancer and tumor characteristics.Methods:  The present study examined the data for 5959 cases (4728 males and 1231 females) collected in the bladder cancer database of the Japanese Urological Association from 1999 to 2001. Patients were divided by smoking history into three categories as current non‐smokers, current smokers and unknown smoking history. Relationship between smoking history and the age at diagnosis of bladder cancer, gender, T stage, grade, tumor size, tumor number and initial symptoms was analyzedResults:  In both males and females the onset of bladder cancer is about 6 years (6.1 years in males and 5.9 years in females) earlier for current smokers than for current non‐smokers. At the time of diagnosis, tumor stage was significantly higher in the current smokers group. The current smokers group tended to have larger tumor size.Conclusions:  The finding of 6‐year‐earlier onset of bladder cancer among current smokers is of great importance to both health care and medical economics. It is essential to make people better informed concerning the need to quit smoking.
Independent predictors of contralateral metachronous upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma after nephroureterectomy: Multi‐institutional dataset from three European centers
Authors: Novara Giacomo , De Marco Vincenzo , Dalpiaz Orietta , Galfano Antonio , Bouygues Vianney , Gardiman Marina , Martignoni Guido , Patard Jean Jacques , Artibani Walter , Ficarra Vincenzo 
Published: November 2008

Objectives:  To identify the variables predictive of contralateral metachronous upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (UUT‐TCC) after nephroureterectomy (NFU) for non‐metastatic UUT‐TCC.Methods:  Clinical and pathological data of 234 patients who had undergone NFU for UUT‐TCC from 1989 to 2005 in three European urological centers were retrospectively collected and analyzed.Results:  The median follow‐up duration for the whole cohort was 34 months. Contralateral metachronous UUT‐TCC was detected in 14 patients (6%). Three patients were treated by NFU, while seven patients underwent ureterectomy and reimplantation and four patients were treated by endoscopic resection plus bacillus Calmette–Guérin instillations within the UUT through a nephrostomic tube. On univariate analysis, a prior history of bladder TCC before NFU was the only factor predictive of the occurrence of contralateral UUT‐TCC. Specifically, the 5‐year probabilities of being free from contralateral UUT‐TCC were 96.6% for the patients with de novo UUT‐TCC, and 91.1% and 55.3% for those having non‐muscle‐invasive and muscle invasive bladder TCC before the UUT cancer, respectively. All survival differences were statistically significant (no history of bladder TCC vs history of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder TCC, log rank P value 0.015; history of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder TCC vs history of muscle‐invasive bladder TCC, log rank P value 0.035).Conclusions:  In our multicenter dataset of patients who had undergone NFU for UUT‐TCC, contralateral metachronous UUT‐TCC occurred in 6% of the patients. A prior history of bladder TCC before NFU was the only variable predictive of UUT recurrence at univariate analysis.
Determination of SIF for patched crack in aluminum plates by the combined finite element and genetic algorithm approach
Authors: ERGUN E. , TASGETIREN S. , TOPCU M. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTIn this paper, the finite element method is used to analyze the behaviour of repaired cracks in 2024‐T3 aluminum with bonded patches made of unidirectional composite plates. The problem is considered in Mode I condition. First the KI stress intensity factor (SIF) is calculated by the finite element method using displacement correlation technique. Different plate and patch thicknesses and crack lengths are considered in the analyses. Then an equation is determined by using genetic algorithms for the calculation of stress intensity factor without any further finite element analysis. The equation gives reasonably accurate results.
An efficient stress intensity factor solution scheme for corner cracks at holes under bivariant stressing
Authors: LEE Y. D. , McCLUNG R. C. , CHELL G. G. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper summarizes the development of an efficient stress intensity factor (SIF) solution scheme applicable to a corner crack (CC) in a rectangular section subjected to arbitrary stressing on the crack plane. A general bivariant weight function (WF) formulation developed previously for a CC in a plate was extended to address a CC at a hole. Two supplemental algorithms were developed to achieve a substantial reduction in the computational time necessary for practical application. The new SIF solution scheme was validated by comparison with more than 180 three‐dimensional (3D) boundary element (BE) solutions.
The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists and Pediatric Anesthesia
Authors: ENRIGHT ANGELA 
Published: November 2008

SummaryThe World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) is an organization whose principal goal is to improve the standard of anesthesia worldwide. The education and pediatric committees focus on the needs of pediatric patients in developing countries. Subspecialty training in pediatric anesthesia is supported in several regions. The publications committee supports the distribution of textbooks in pediatric anesthesia.
Atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype and LDL size and subclasses in women with gestational diabetes
Authors: Rizzo M. , Berneis K. , Altinova A. E. , Toruner F. B. , Akturk M. , Ayvaz G. , Rini G. B. , Spinas G. A. , Arslan M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAims  Women with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease after pregnancy; however, the exact nature of the lipid alterations present is not clear. In Mediterranean women with gestational diabetes, we measured low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) size and all seven subclasses, as well as the ‘atherogenic–lipoprotein phenotype’[ALP, e.g. concomitant presence of elevated triglycerides, reduced high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol and increased small, dense LDL].Methods  In 27 women with gestational diabetes and 23 healthy pregnant women matched for age, weeks of gestation and body mass index, we measured plasma lipids and LDL size and subclasses by gradient gel electrophoresis between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation.Results  Although no significant differences were found in the concentrations of any of the plasma lipids, compared with control subjects women with gestational diabetes had lower LDL size (P = 0.0007) due to reduced LDL‐I (P = 0.0074) and increased LDL‐IVA (P = 0.0146) and ‐IVB (P < 0.0001) subclasses. Correlation analysis revealed that fasting glucose, homeostasis model assessment and glycated haemoglobin were inversely correlated with LDL‐I and positively with LDL‐IVA and ‐IVB (all P < 0.05). ALP due to high HDL‐cholesterol levels was not seen in either group, whereas elevated small, dense LDL were more common in women with gestational diabetes than control subjects (33% vs. 4%, P = 0.0107).Conclusions  Increased levels of small, dense LDL are common in Mediterranean women with gestational diabetes. Whether these findings affect the atherogenic process and clinical end‐points in these women remains to be determined by future prospective studies.
Ex‐Dividend Day Behavior in the Absence of Taxes and Price Discreteness*
Authors: AL YAHYAEE KHAMIS , PHAM TOAN , WALTER TERRY 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTWe examine the ex‐dividend day behavior in a unique setting where (1) there are neither taxes on dividends nor on capital gains, (2) stock prices have been decimalized, (3) dividends are distributed annually, and (4) we have data that enable us to examine bid–ask bounce effects. In this economy, any price decline that is smaller than the dividends cannot be attributed to taxes and price discreteness. Like previous studies, we find that the stock price drops by less than the amount of dividends and there is a significant positive ex‐day return. By examining abnormal volumes around the ex‐dividend day, we find no evidence of short‐term trading. We are able to account for our results using market microstructure models. When the impact of market microstructure is taken into account, the ex‐dividend drop is not significantly different from the value of the dividend paid.
Behavioural environments and niche construction: the evolution of dim‐light foraging in bees
Authors: Wcislo William T. , Tierney Simon M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractMost bees forage for floral resources during the day, but temporal patterns of foraging activity vary extensively, and foraging in dim‐light environments has evolved repeatedly. Facultative dim‐light foraging behaviour is known in five of nine families of bees, while obligate behaviour is known in four families and evolved independently at least 19 times. The light intensity under which bees forage varies by a factor of 108, and therefore the evolution of dim‐light foraging represents the invasion of a new, extreme niche. The repeated evolution of dim‐light foraging behaviour in bees allows tests of the hypothesis that behaviour acts as an evolutionary pacemaker. With the exception of one species ofApis, facultative dim‐light foragers show no external structural traits that are thought to enable visually mediated flight behaviour in low‐light environments. By contrast, most obligate dim‐light foragers show a suite of convergent optical traits such as enlarged ocelli and compound eyes. In one intensively studied species (Megalopta genalis) these optical changes are associated with neurobiological changes to enhance photon capture. The available ecological evidence suggests that an escape from competition for pollen and nectar resources and avoidance of natural enemies are driving factors in the evolution of obligate dim‐light foraging.
MPTP and MPP+ target specific aminergic cell populations in larval zebrafish
Authors: Sallinen V , Torkko V , Sundvik M , Reenilä I , Khrustalyov D , Kaslin J , Panula P 
Published: November 2008

AbstractLarval zebrafish offers a good model to approach brain disease mechanisms, as structural abnormalities of their small brains can be correlated to quantifiable behavior. In this study, the structural alterations in one diencephalic dopaminergic nucleus induced by 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+), a toxin inducing Parkinson’s disease in humans, and those found in several neuronal groups after 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), the pretoxin, were associated with decreased swimming speed. Detailed cell counts of dopaminergic groups indicated a transient decline of tyrosine hydroxylase expressing neurons up to about 50% after MPTP. The MPTP effect was partly sensitive to monoamine oxidase inhibitor deprenyl. Detailed analysis of the developing catecholaminergic cell groups suggests that the cell groups emerged at their final positions and no obvious significant migration from the original positions was seen. One 5‐HT neuron group was also affected by MPTP treatment, whereas other groups remained intact, suggesting that the effect is selective. New nomenclature for developing catecholaminergic cell groups corresponding to adult groups is introduced. The diencephalic cell population consisting of groups 5,6 and 11 was sensitive to both MPTP and MPP+ and in this respect resembles mammalian substantia nigra. The results suggest that MPTP and MPP+ induce a transient functional deficit and motility disorder in larval zebrafish.
Outcome of late‐life depression after 3 years of sequential treatment
Authors: Kok R. M. , Nolen W. A. , Heeren T. J. 
Published: November 2008

Objective:  To study the outcome of a sequential treatment protocol in elderly, severely depressed in‐patients.Method:  All 81 patients from a 12‐week double‐blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing venlafaxine with nortriptyline were asked to participate in a 3 year follow‐up study. Thirty‐two patients who did not achieve remission during the RCT, entered an open sequential treatment protocol and were treated with augmentation with lithium, switch to a monoamine oxidase inhibitor or ECT.Results:  Seventy‐eight of the 81 patients (96.3%) achieved a response [≥50% reduction in Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale score) and 68 patients (84%) a complete remission (final MADRS score ≤ 10) within 3 years of treatment. Greater severity and longer duration of the depressive episode at baseline predicted poor recovery. Augmentation with lithium may be the best treatment option in treatment resistant depressed elderly. Only few patients dropped‐out due to side‐effects.Conclusion:  Our study demonstrates the importance of persisting with antidepressant treatment in elderly patients who do not respond to the first or second treatment.
Developing a user‐generated measure of continuity of care: brief report
Authors: Rose D. , Sweeney A. , Leese M. , Clement S. , Jones I. R. , Burns T. , Catty J. , Wykes T. 
Published: November 2008

Objective:  This paper describes a measure of continuity of care, establishes its reliability and tests it in a field trial sample for evidence of its validity. In contrast to others, this measure has been generated from the perspectives of service users. As continuity of care is a concern particularly for those with severe mental illness, we have confined our work to this population group.Method:  Service users in focus groups and expert panels generated the measure. The researchers were themselves service users. Test–retest reliability was assessed with an independent sample. The measure was administered to a final independent field trial sample to determine their experiences of continuity of care and for further psychometric testing.Results:  The measure generated by service users has satisfactory psychometric properties. Service users in the field trial sample were more satisfied when continuity, as assessed by this measure, was in place.Conclusion:  It is possible and valid to construct outcome measures in mental health entirely from the user perspective. This has not been done before.
Correlation of dystrophin–glycoprotein complex and focal adhesion complex with myosin heavy chain isoforms in rat skeletal muscle
Authors: Masuda S. , Hayashi T. , Hashimoto T. , Taguchi S. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAim:  The dystrophin–glycoprotein complex (DGC) and focal adhesion complex (FAC) are transmembrane structures in muscle fibres that link the intracellular cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix. DGC and FAC proteins are abundant in slow‐type muscles, indicating the structural reinforcement which play a pivotal role in continuous force output to maintain posture for long periods. The aim of the present study was to examine the expression of these structures across fast‐type muscles containing different myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform patterns which reflect the fatigue‐resistant characteristics of skeletal muscle.Methods:  We measured the expression of dystrophin and β1 integrin (representative proteins of DGC and FAC respectively) in plantaris, extensor digitorum longus, tibialis anterior, red and white portions of gastrocnemius, superficial portion of vastus lateralis and diaphragm, in comparison with soleus (SOL) and cardiac muscle from rats.Results:  The expression of dystrophin and β1 integrin correlated positively with the percentage of type I, IIa and IIx MHC isoforms and negatively with that of type IIb MHC isoform in fast‐type skeletal muscles, and their expression was abundant in SOL and cardiac muscle.Conclusion:  Our results support the idea that DGC and FAC are among the factors that explain the fatigue‐resistant property not only of slow‐type but also of fast‐type skeletal muscles.
Empathy: A Social Cognitive Neuroscience Approach
Authors: Rameson Lian T. , Lieberman Matthew D. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThere has been recent widespread interest in the neural underpinnings of the experience of empathy. In this review, we take a social cognitive neuroscience approach to understanding the existing literature on the neuroscience of empathy. A growing body of work suggests that we come to understand and share in the experiences of others by commonly recruiting the same neural structures both during our own experience and while observing others undergoing the same experience. This literature supports a simulation theory of empathy, which proposes that we understand the thoughts and feelings of others by using our own mind as a model. In contrast, theory of mind research suggests that medial prefrontal regions are critical for understanding the minds of others. In this review, we offer ideas about how to integrate these two perspectives, point out unresolved issues in the literature, and suggest avenues for future research.