bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Benefits, Costs and Constraints of Anti‐Parasitic Grooming in Adult and Juvenile Rodents
Authors: Hawlena Hadas , Bashary Dikla , Abramsky Zvika , Krasnov Boris R. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractGrooming behaviour plays various roles in the health care, reproduction, and social life of an individual vertebrate. However, the reasons for the variability in time spent grooming amongst species, populations and individuals are not fully understood. We tested the hypothesis that the main role of grooming is ectoparasite removal and thus that time spent grooming by an animal reflects the costs of parasite infestation offset against the costs of grooming. The test was conducted on a rodent,Meriones crassus, that is parasitised by a flea,Xenopsylla conformis. We monitored behaviour of juvenile and adult rodents before and after flea infestation and quantified the probability of mortality of fleas with respect to the time spent grooming in adults compared with juvenile rodents. We predicted that: (1) increased costs of flea infestation (e.g. in parasitised as opposed to flea‐free rodents and in juveniles as opposed to adults) increases time spent grooming and (2) mortality probability per flea increases with increasing time spent grooming and is higher for fleas on juveniles than for fleas on adult rodents. We were interested to discover at the expense of which activity grooming is increased. Our findings established that the major role of grooming is in flea removal, as exposure to fleas evoked grooming activity in all rodents and grooming activity explained 57–70% of the variation in flea mortality. Furthermore, we showed that the rise in grooming activity was at the expense of resting. However, we found only partial support for the predicted increase in grooming time with increasing costs of flea infestation. Flea infestation did indeed increase the time spent grooming by rodents. Nevertheless, juvenile rodents who incur higher costs of flea infestation spent less time grooming than adults and sustained similar flea densities, suggesting that these hosts are constrained by some other factors, such as feeding time.
Possible Food Economies: a Methodological Framework for Exploring Food Production–Consumption Relationships
Authors: Holloway Lewis , Kneafsey Moya , Venn Laura , Cox Rosie , Dowler Elizabeth , Tuomainen Helena 
Published: February 2007

AbstractModes of food production–consumption defined as ‘alternative’ have received considerable academic attention, with studies exploring both their potential for contributing to rural development strategies and the opportunities they provide for countering established power relations in food supply systems. However, the use of the term ‘alternative’ as part of a persistent dualism in which it is opposed to the ‘conventional’ is problematic as it loses sight of the specificity of different examples food production–consumption. Based on extensive field research with a series of very different food projects, this article develops a methodological framework which structures a description of how specific examples of food production–consumption are organised with reference to a series of analytical fields. This framework retains a sense of the diversity and particularity of particular cases of production–consumption, and directs attention to the particular locations of resistance to prevalent power relations in food systems that are made possible through different food projects.
Grammaticalisation due to homonymy avoidance In Gudbrandsdalen /æpr˛ede/?1
Authors: Enger Hans‐Olav 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis paper is devoted to the historical origin of the definiteness suffix ‐deon a class of neuter nouns in the Northern Gudbrandsdalen dialect of Norwegian. Homonymy avoidance, which has previously been invoked, is argued to be irrelevant. Rather, the suffix has arisen through reanalysis in combination with analogy; it appears to be an example of whatHaspelmath (1995)has termed ‘secretion’. The case is theoretically interesting, both because it indicates that analogy can work from the minority on the majority and because it shows that analogy in one place in a system can lead to complications elsewhere.
Child‐rearing Anxiety and Its Correlates Among Japanese Mothers Screened at 18‐Month Infant Health Checkups
Authors: Arimoto Azusa , Murashima Sachiyo 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT
Objective: To examine the level of child‐rearing anxiety and to explore the variables correlated with child‐rearing anxiety in a city in Japan.Design: Cross‐sectional study.Sample: From July to September 2003, 371 mothers who visited community health centers in a city in Tokyo Metropolis for their child's 18‐month health checkups.Measurements:Child‐rearing anxiety was measured by the child‐rearing anxiety scale. Questions in a self‐reported questionnaire were on maternal variables, including maternal background information, child variables, and family system variables such as the presence of social support, and utilization of parenting support services. Also included within the questionnaire was the General Health Questionnaire‐12.Results: Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis revealed that mothers with higher child‐rearing anxiety had less childcare satisfaction, more depressive symptoms, more worries about the child, less support from the husband, and less social support.Conclusion: To identify mothers with high child‐rearing anxiety in Japan, the infant health checkups should be utilized as an opportunity for screening, focusing on variables regarding mothers. Public health nurses can provide the necessary support after gaining an understanding of issues confronting mothers to prevent child‐rearing anxiety and child abuse.
Injury Rates, Predictors of Workplace Injuries, and Results of an Intervention Program Among Community Health Workers
Authors: Craib Kevin J.P. , Hackett Georgina , Back Chris , Cvitkovich Yuri , Yassi Annalee 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT
Background: Few incidence studies of workplace injuries among community health workers exist, and evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions in this population is lacking.Objectives: To determine the incidence of workplace injury among community health workers in British Columbia; to identify predictors of injury; and to assess the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention program in this population.Methods: Data were collected from an intervention study of 648 community health workers from six agencies to calculate injury rates. Interventions included an education and training module, a risk assessment tool and resource guide, and a lift equipment registry.Results: The majority of injuries were attributed to overexertion and falls. Annual incidence rates were 20.7% for reported injuries, and 8.1% for time‐loss injuries. A history of previous injuries and working full time were predictors of time to first injury report. Participants who received an intervention were significantly more likely to report workplace injuries than participants in the comparison group, but were less likely to incur a time‐loss injury.Conclusions: The interventions used in this study led to increased awareness and an increase in reported injuries but resulted in fewer time‐loss injuries. The mechanisms that led to these findings need to be explored further.
Effect of Resin Luting Film Thickness on Fracture Resistance of a Ceramic Cemented to Dentin
Authors: Prakki Anuradha , Cilli Renato , Da Costa Alcides U. , De Paiva Gonçalves Sergio E. , Lia Mondelli Rafael F. , Pereira Jose C. 
Published: February 2007

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of ceramic plates cemented to dentin as a function of the resin cement film thickness.
Materials and Methods: Ceramic plates (1 and 2 mm thicknesses) were cemented to bovine dentin using resin composite cement. The film thicknesses used were approximately 100, 200, and 300 μm. Noncemented ceramic plates were used as control. Fracture loads (N) were obtained by compressing a steel indenter in the center of the ceramic plates. ANOVA and Tukey tests (α= 0.05) were used for each ceramic thickness to compare fracture loads among resin cement films used.
Results: Mean fracture load (N) for 1‐mm ceramic plates were: control—26 (7); 100 μm—743 (150); 200 μm—865 (105); 300 μm—982 (226). Test groups were significantly different from the control group; there was a statistical difference in fracture load between groups with 100 and 300 μm film thicknesses ( p < 0.01). Mean fracture load for 2‐mm ceramic plates were: control—214 (111); 100 μm—1096 (341); 200 μm—1067 (226); 300 μm—1351 (269). Tested groups were also significantly different from the control group ( p < 0.01). No statistical difference was shown among different film thicknesses.
Conclusions: Unluted specimens presented significantly lower fracture resistance than luted specimens. Higher cement film thickness resulted in increased fracture resistance for the 1‐mm ceramic plates. Film thickness did not influence the fracture resistance of 2‐mm porcelain plates.
Transient Soil Vapor Extraction from a Pressure‐Controlled Well
Authors: Perina Tomas , Lee Tien‐Chang 
Published: February 2007

AbstractNew semianalytical solutions for transient soil vapor extraction are developed for P (pressure) or P2 linearizations of the governing air flow equation. Our method treats flow rate and wellhead pressure as two distinct variables instead of customarily coupling them together. An extraction well can be either pressure or flow rate controlled with uniform applied pressure along the screen and nonuniform radial flux. The two linearizations yield different solutions for subsurface pressures; the difference increases with applied wellhead pressure. This increasing difference serves as a constraint on the magnitude of the wellhead pressure used in a test. The P equation is preferred for simulating the vadose zone pressure because it allows for more flexible implementation of boundary conditions. The solutions cover the common field test condition of unrestricted flow of atmospheric air into the vadose zone and can be readily modified for a leaky confining layer or time‐varying pressure at the ground surface. Analysis of field test data showed that the new model can closely simulate transient subsurface pressure distribution and revealed mutual dependence of porosity θ, and permeability krand kzfor the problem analyzed. The estimated kz/krwas greater than 1, higher than would be expected for natural soil in the absence of secondary effects on permeability, such as vertical cracks.
Validity of the SS-QOL in Germany and in Survivors of Hemorrhagic or Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Ewert Thomas , Stucki Gerold 
Published: February 2007

Objective. The Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) is a recently developed measure to assess health-related quality of life in stroke patients. The objective of this study was to translate the American version of the SS-QOL and examine the validity of the German proxy version, in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke survivors. Methods. The translation was conducted according to published guidelines. The validation was performed in consecutive adult stroke survivors. Data were obtained 1 year after discharge. To examine the dimensionality of the SS-QOL, factor analyses were conducted. The validity was examined by the associations of the subscales with the Functional Independence Measure and Short Form 36. Results. The literal translation revealed no major changes between the American and the German versions of the SS-QOL. Three hundred seven stroke survivors were included in the study. Unlike the 1st validation study, most of the variance could be explained by 8 instead of 12 factors; therefore, the 8-factor solution was further examined. The validity of the SS-QOL total score and “observable” scales such as “activities” was shown. Conclusions. For the German proxy version of the SS-QOL, an 8-factor solution was found to be the most appropriate. The psychometric properties of these 8 subscales were good or excellent with respect to internal consistency. The validity of the total score was shown, but some subscales (energy, mood, and thinking) failed the hypothesized associations. Therefore, the SS-QOL needs to be further explored in other settings and populations.
Resistance Training With Creatine Monohydrate Improves Upper-Body Strength in Patients With Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Hass Chris J. , Collins Mitchell A. , Juncos Jorge L. 
Published: February 2007

Background. Persons with Parkinson disease (PD) exhibit decreased muscular fitness including decreased muscle mass, muscle strength, bioenergetic capabilities and increased fatigability. Objective. This purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of resistance training with and without creatine supplementation in patients with mild to moderate PD. Methods. Twenty patients with idiopathic PD were randomized to receive creatine monohydrate supplementation plus resistance training (CRE) or placebo (lactose monohydrate) plus resistance training (PLA), using a double-blind procedure. Creatine and placebo supplementation consisted of 20 g/d for the first 5 days and 5 g/d thereafter. Both groups participated in progressive resistance training (24 sessions, 2 times per week, 1 set of 8-12 repetitions, 9 exercises). Participants performed 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) for chest press, leg extension, and biceps curl. Muscular endurance was evaluated for chest press and leg extension as the number of repetitions to failure using 60% of baseline 1-RM. Functional performance was evaluated as the time to perform 3 consecutive chair rises. Results. Statistical analyses (ANOVA) revealed significant Group × Time interactions for chest press strength and biceps curl strength, and post hoc testing revealed that the improvement was significantly greater for CRE. Chair rise performance significantly improved only for CRE (12%, P = .03). Both PLA and CRE significantly improved 1-RM for leg extension (PLA: 16%; CRE: 18%). Muscular endurance improved significantly for both groups. Conclusions. These findings demonstrate that creatine supplementation can enhance the benefits of resistance training in patients with PD.
Boolean networks using the chi-square test for inferring large-scale gene regulatory networks
Authors: Kim Haseong , Lee Jae K , Park Taesung 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackgroundBoolean network (BN) modeling is a commonly used method for constructing gene regulatory networks from time series microarray data. However, its major drawback is that its computation time is very high or often impractical to construct large-scale gene networks. We propose a variable selection method that are not only reduces BN computation times significantly but also obtains optimal network constructions by using chi-square statistics for testing the independence in contingency tables.ResultsBoth the computation time and accuracy of the network structures estimated by the proposed method are compared with those of the original BN methods on simulated and real yeast cell cycle microarray gene expression data sets. Our results reveal that the proposed chi-square testing (CST)-based BN method significantly improves the computation time, while its ability to identify all the true network mechanisms was effectively the same as that of full-search BN methods. The proposed BN algorithm is approximately 70.8 and 7.6 times faster than the original BN algorithm when the error sizes of the Best-Fit Extension problem are 0 and 1, respectively. Further, the false positive error rate of the proposed CST-based BN algorithm tends to be less than that of the original BN.ConclusionThe CST-based BN method dramatically improves the computation time of the original BN algorithm. Therefore, it can efficiently infer large-scale gene regulatory network mechanisms.
Plasma levels of alpha1-antichymotrypsin and secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor in healthy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) subjects with and without severe α1-antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: Hollander Camilla , Westin Ulla , Wallmark Anders , Piitulainen Eeva , Sveger Tomas , Janciauskiene Sabina M 
Published: February 2007

Abstract

Background
Individuals with severe Z α1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency have a considerably increased risk of developing chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). It has been hypothesized that compensatory increases in levels of other protease inhibitors mitigate the effects of this AAT deficiency. We analysed plasma levels of AAT, α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) in healthy (asymptomatic) and COPD subjects with and without AAT deficiency.

Methods
Studied groups included: 71 asymptomatic AAT-deficient subjects (ZZ, n = 48 and SZ, n = 23, age 31 ± 0.5) identified during Swedish neonatal screening for AAT deficiency between 1972 and 1974; age-matched controls (MM, n = 57, age 30.7 ± 0.6); older asymptomatic ZZ (n = 10); healthy MM (n = 20, age 53 ± 9.6); and COPD patients (ZZ, n = 10, age 47.4 ± 11 and MM, n = 10, age 59.4 ± 6.7). Plasma levels of SLPI, AAT and ACT were analysed using ELISA and immunoelectrophoresis.

Results
No significant difference was found in plasma ACT and SLPI levels between the healthy MM and the ZZ or SZ subjects in the studied groups. Independent of the genetic variant, subjects with COPD (n = 19) had elevated plasma levels of SLPI and ACT relative to controls (n = 153) (49.5 ± 7.2 vs 40.7 ± 9.1 ng/ml, p < 0.001 and 0.52 ± 0.19 vs 0.40 ± 0.1 mg/ml, p < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusion
Our findings show that plasma levels of ACT and SLPI are not elevated in subjects with genetic AAT deficiency compared MM controls and do not appear to compensate for the deficiency of plasma AAT.
Captured voices in cancer: experiences from networking between individuals with experiential and professional knowledge
Authors: Carlsson Christina , Segesten Kerstin , Nilbert Mef , Nilsson Kerstin 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackgroundPatients needs and experiences attract increasing attention within health care. In order to generate knowledge about the voices that emerge from collaborative experiences between members of patient associations for cancer patients (PACP) and health care professionals (HCPs), we studied a permanent network aimed at improving cancer care through increased attention to the cancer patients' view and experiences.MethodsOpen-ended interviews were carried out with 16 individuals; 6 PACP members and 10 HCPs, and after transcription the texts were analysed by inductive content analysis.ResultsFourvoices, which represent various experiences from networking, were identified;the hesitant voice,the enlightened voice,the liberated voice,and the representative voice. The hesitant voice reflects uncertainty experienced when the participants were exposed to different views and opinions within the network. The enlightened voice reflects new points of view and gain of knowledge. The liberated voice signifies trust, balance, and confidence related to individual experiences and responsibilities being viewed in a broader perspective. The representative voice is derived from the transformation of experiences and responsibilities through insight, understanding, and new perspectives.ConclusionNetworking between representatives for PACPs and HCPs may help the participants manage uncertainty, strengthen the patient's perspective and provide new views on common issues. The different voices identified in this study demonstrate that both PACP members and HCPs distanced themselves from their individual experiences in order to be perceived as unselfish and knowledgeable within the network. Although the climate was characterized by trustfulness, the members' unique positions need to be defined in order to obtain an optimal balance between the groups and prevent members' patient experiences of losing their character by learning to much from the HCPs. Increased understanding of the hesitant, the enlightened, the liberated, and the representative voices, and awareness of experiential versus professional knowledge of cancer may facilitate and probably improve future networking efforts.
Antibody-mediated delivery of IL-10 inhibits the progression of established collagen-induced arthritis
Authors: Trachsel Eveline , Bootz Frank , Silacci Michela , Kaspar Manuela , Kosmehl Hartwig , Neri Dario 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
The antibody-mediated targeted delivery of cytokines to sites of disease is a promising avenue for cancer therapy, but it is largely unexplored for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions. Using both radioactive and fluorescent techniques, the human monoclonal antibodies L19 and G11 (specific to two markers of angiogenesis that are virtually undetectable in normal adult tissues) were found to selectively localize at arthritic sites in the murine collagen-induced model of rheumatoid arthritis following intravenous (i.v.) administration. The same animal model was used to study the therapeutic action of the L19 antibody fused to the cytokines IL-2, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-10. Whereas L19–IL-2 and L19–TNF treatment led to increased arthritic scores and paw swellings, the fusion protein L19–IL-10 displayed a therapeutic activity, which was superior to the activity of IL-10 fused to an antibody of irrelevant specificity in the mouse. The anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 has been investigated for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but clinical development plans have been discontinued because of a lack of efficacy. Because the antigen recognised by L19 is strongly expressed at sites of arthritis in humans and identical in both mice and humans, it suggests that the fusion protein L19–IL-10 might help overcome some of the clinical limitations of IL-10 and provide a therapeutic benefit to patients with chronic inflammatory disorders, including arthritis.
Biomimetic Nanotechnology
Authors: TAKAI OSAMU 
Published: February 2007

Abstract:
Biomimetic materials processing (BMMP) is defined as the design and synthesis of new functional materials by refining knowledge and understanding of related biological products, structures, functions, and processes. By using BMMP, we can make a new nanotechnology, which is named “biomimetic nanotechnology.” This is based on lessons from nature, becomes important for industries from the viewpoint of its applications, and closely relates to “converging technologies.” The concept and applications of this biomimetic nanotechnology are described in this article.
Stresses in Thick-Walled Plane Pipe Bends
Authors: Swanson S. A. V. , Ford Hugh 
Published: February 2007

The increasing use of high pressures in engineering requires the employment of thick-walled pipes, and consequently of thick-walled pipe bends. The behaviour of conventional pipe bends under bending loads and internal pressure has been understood for some time, and more recent work has been concentrated on thin-walled, short-radius bends. Experiments on two thick-walled pipe bends, having Λ values of 4·57 and 1·76 respectively are described; in-plane bending and internal pressure are considered, both separately and together. Bending stresses and flexibilities are satisfactorily described by existing theories (Turner and Ford, Barthélemy); no existing theory is adequate for the pressure stresses, but modifications to Thuloup's theory make it applicable to thick-walled pipe bends. Bending and pressure stress systems were found to be superposable. Maximum equivalent stresses calculated by the above theories were 20 per cent higher than those derived from the experiments, provided that the cross-section of the pipe bend was describable by a convergent Fourier series; random local flattenings can cause large stresses under internal pressure.