bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Particle Tracking Experiments in Match‐Index‐Refraction Porous Media
Authors: Lachhab Ahmed , Zhang You‐Kuan , Muste Marian V.I. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA low‐cost, noninvasive, three‐dimensional (3D), particle tracking velocimetry system was designed and built to investigate particle movement in match‐index‐refraction porous media. Both a uniform load of the glass beads of the same diameter and a binary load of the glass beads of two diameters were used. The purpose of the experiments is to study the effect of the two loads on the trajectories, velocity distribution, and spreading of small physical particles. A total of 35 particles were released and tracked in the uniform load and 46 in the binary load. The 3D trajectory of each particle was recorded with two video camcorders and analyzed. It is found that the particle’s velocity, trajectory, and spreading are very sensitive to its initial location and that the smaller pore size or heterogeneity in the binary load increases the particles’ velocity and enhances their spreading as compared with the uniform load. The experiments also verified the previous finding that the distribution of the particle velocities are lognormal in the longitudinal direction and Gaussian in two transverse directions and that the particle spreading is much larger along the longitudinal direction than along the traverse directions.
Excess Liquidity and Inflation Dynamics in China: 1997–2007
Authors: Zhang Chengsi , Pang Hong 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe surge in international capital inflows and the remarkable excess liquidity in China between 1997 and 2007 are examined in the present paper. It is shown that China's improved position in terms of foreign exchange purchases, ignited by huge foreign capital inflows, has effectively induced excess liquidity in China. More importantly, by developing an econometric model for inflation and excess liquidity, the present study demonstrates that excess liquidity has imposed significant pressure on inflation in China over the past 10 years. This finding suggests that excess liquidity in China has not only contributed to the rise in stock prices and the real estate market boom, but also affected the consumer goods market. The potential transmission mechanism of liquidity‐driven inflation and policy implications of the findings of this study are discussed.
China's Regional Disparity and Its Policy Responses
Authors: Chen Minjia , Zheng Yongnian 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe fruits of China's rapid economic development over the 3 decades have not been distributed fairly across different regions. Using data from a sample of 815 Chinese listed firms during 1998—2004, our error‐correction investment model showes evidence of different financial constraints on firms' investment in different regions. We argue that China's regional development policies have contributed greatly to the regional inequalities. To control the rising inequality, China has shifted its focus from the coast to the interior regions. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the government to direct the economy, as market mechanisms now have a far greater influence on the economy than the government does. The people‐centered approach of the current leadership has meant that substantial attention has been placed on regional development disparities in an attempt to build a “harmonious society.” China needs further extensive reforms if all the measures for reducing regional disparity are to be effective.
Would China's Sovereign Wealth Fund Be a Menace to the USA?
Authors: Wu Friedrich , Seah Arifin 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe sovereign wealth club acquired a new member with the official launch of the China Investment Corporation (CIC) on 29 September 2007. The arrival of CIC has further heated up debate regarding sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) and their potential implications for global financial markets. This is because, in carrying out its investments, CIC can tap into China's huge official foreign exchange reserves, which by April 2008 had surged to US$1.76tn. CIC's initial working capital of US$200bn makes it the fifth largest SWF in the world today. This article seeks to analyze CIC's investment strategies, as well as their potential economic and political implications for global as well as US financial markets.
Innovation or Rent‐seeking: The Entrepreneurial Behavior during China's Economic Transformation
Authors: Wu Jinglian , Huang Shaoqing 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAlthough achieving impressive economic growth during the economic reform period, China has been plagued by rampant corruption and a widening income gap. How can the coexistence these two phenomena be explained? In this paper, we argue that before 1994, the coexistence was induced by a series of expediential institutional arrangements to stimulate entrepreneurial activities and after 1994, it was entrenched because of the slow progress in the overall reform toward becoming a market economy and because of inappropriate government actions and the lack of government action in institutional building. To solve these problems, economic and political reforms need to be accelerated to improve market institutions and to establish the rule of law.
Energy Restructuring in China: Retrospects and Prospects
Authors: Dan Shi 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThirty years have passed since China first adopted the policy of reform and opening up to the outside. Reviewing and appraising the advantages and disadvantages of the government's energy restructuring policy in the intervening years is of great importance to the consideration of future reform and opening‐up efforts in this industry. Energy production and supply have been a major part of the national economic restructuring. In this paper, the author proceeds from three angles to review and assess the reform and opening‐up efforts in the energy industry, and suggests some direction and priorities for its restructuring in the future.
Who is Going to Supply the Milk to China's South?
Authors: Wang Jimin , Zhou Zhangyue , Shen Qiuhong 
Published: July 2008

AbstractChina's dairy industry has experienced rapid expansion in recent years, with an average annual growth rate of 23.8 percent from 2000 to 2006. However, there exists a serious geographical distribution imbalance in milk production and consumption. Approximately 85 percent of China's milk is produced in northern China, where 40 percent of the country's population reside. In contrast, only about 15 percent of the milk is produced in China's south, where 60 percent of China's population reside. This has resulted in a significant gap between milk production and consumption in southern China and this gap is expected to rise. This paper considers China's milk demand and supply situation, analyzes the likely potential for China to expand its milk production and explores options for meeting milk demand—supply shortages. Policy and trade implications are discussed.
How Parkinson's Disease Affects Non‐verbal Communication and Language Processing
Authors: Pell Marc D. , Monetta Laura 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn addition to difficulties that affect movement, many adults with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience changes that negatively impact on receptive aspects of their communication. For example, some PD patients have difficulties processing non‐verbal expressions (facial expressions, voice tone) and many are less sensitive to ‘non‐literal’ or pragmatic meanings of language, at least under certain conditions. This chapter outlines how PD can affect the comprehension of language and non‐verbal expressions and considers how these changes are related to concurrent alterations in cognition (e.g., executive functions, working memory) and motor signs associated with the disease. Our summary underscores that the progressive course of PD can interrupt a number of functional systems that support cognition and receptive language, and in different ways, leading to both primary and secondary impairments of the systems that support linguistic and non‐verbal communication.
Retinal Phototoxicity Induced by Hydrochlorothiazide After Exposure to a UV Tanning Device
Authors: Costagliola Ciro , Menzione Massimo , Chiosi Flavia , Romano Mario R. , Della Corte Michele , Rinaldi Michele 
Published: July 2008

AbstractUV radiation is known to cause acute and chronic eye and skin damage. The present case report describes the occurrence of hydrochlorothiazide‐induced retinal phototoxicity immediately after exposure to UV light emanated from a sunbed in a 40‐year‐old myopic woman. During the tanning session she had always worn UV protective eyewear, except for a few minutes when she took the protective goggles off to put her spectacles on to locate and turn the timer switch off. At baseline her visual acuity was 10/25 in OD and 10/80 in OS. Fundus examination revealed the presence of retinal lesions in both eyes. More specific tests confirmed the presence of a phototoxic macular damage. Hydrochlorothiazide was discontinued, and she was recommended to wear UV filtering glasses. Over the follow‐up period (12 months), a slow and progressive visual acuity recovery in both eyes occurred. At the last check the visual acuity improvement was of about 60% from baseline in both eyes. Fundus examination showed only a juxtafoveal flat pigmented scar of the retinal pigment epithelium in both eyes, milder in OD. The constant rise in the number of sunbed users makes the knowledge of UV‐related side effects a problem that cannot be postponed further. Awareness of the general public about the harmful effects of UV exposure must represent one of the leading preventive health strategies. Therefore, a careful analysis of the medical history before the admission to a sunbed session throughout a questionnaire could represent an economic and effective measure to avoid further cases of a phototoxic macular damage in patients taking photosensitizing compounds.
In Vitro Photodynamic Eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Planktonic and Biofilm Culture
Authors: Street Cale N. , Gibbs Aaron , Pedigo Lisa , Andersen Dane , Loebel Nicolas G. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPhotodynamic disinfection (PDD) is a nonantibiotic approach to treating drug‐resistant bacterial infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen, is problematic because of its propensity to develop antibiotic resistance and its ability to secrete a protective biofilm matrix. This study examined the ability of PDD to eradicate planktonic and biofilm cultures of P. aeruginosa in vitro. Planktonic P. aeruginosa cultures were briefly exposed to a methylene blue‐based photosensitizer formulation and subjected to energy doses ranging from 1.7 to 20.6 J cm−2 using a 670 nm nonthermal diode laser. Biofilms were grown for 24 and 48 h and exposed to photosensitizer for 30 s before illumination with 13.2 or 26.4 J of energy. A single exposure of planktonic P. aeruginosa to photosensitizer at >15.5 J cm−2 resulted in 100% eradication (>7 log10 reduction from control), an effect that could be decreased significantly in the presence of the singlet oxygen quenchers l‐tryptophan and sodium azide. Decreasing the energy dose below this threshold by varying both power density and illumination duration resulted in a dose‐dependent decrease in bacterial kill. In addition, 24 h biofilm viability was reduced by 99% with single exposure and 99.9% with double exposure, while 48 h biofilm viability was reduced by >99.999% with both single and double exposures. This study shows that PDD is effective in eradicating planktonic and biofilm cultures of P. aeruginosa, supporting the concept that translation into clinical practice for indications such as otitis externa and wound disinfection is a viable option.
Examination of Chlorin–Bacteriochlorin Energy‐transfer Dyads as Prototypes for Near‐infrared Molecular Imaging Probes†
Authors: Kee Hooi Ling , Nothdurft Ralph , Muthiah Chinnasamy , Diers James R. , Fan Dazhong , Ptaszek Marcin , Bocian David F. , Lindsey Jonathan S. , Culver Joseph P. , Holten Dewey 
Published: July 2008

AbstractNew classes of synthetic chlorin and bacteriochlorin macrocycles are characterized by narrow spectral widths, tunable absorption and fluorescence features across the red and near‐infrared (NIR) regions, tunable excited‐state lifetimes (<1 to >10 ns) and chemical stability. Such properties make dyad constructs based on synthetic chlorin and bacteriochlorin units intriguing candidates for the development of NIR molecular imaging probes. In this study, two such dyads (FbC‐FbB and ZnC‐FbB) were investigated. The dyads contain either a free base (Fb) or zinc (Zn) chlorin (C) as the energy donor and a free base bacteriochlorin (B) as the energy acceptor. In both constructs, energy transfer from the chlorin to bacteriochlorin occurs with a rate constant of ∼(5 ps)−1 and a yield of >99%. Thus, each dyad effectively behaves as a single chromophore with an exceptionally large Stokes shift (85 nm for FbC‐FbB and 110 nm for ZnC‐FbB) between the red‐region absorption of the chlorin and the NIR fluorescence of the bacteriochlorin (λf = 760 nm, Φf = 0.19, τ ∼ 5.5 ns in toluene). The long‐wavelength transitions (absorption, emission) of each constituent of each dyad exhibit narrow (≤20 nm) spectral widths. The narrow spectral widths enabled excellent selectivity in excitation and detection of one chlorin–bacteriochlorin energy‐transfer dyad in the presence of the other upon diffuse optical tomography of solution‐phase phantoms.
Variable Photosynthetic Roles of Two Leaf‐type Ferredoxins in Arabidopsis, as Revealed by RNA Interference†
Authors: Hanke Guy Thomas , Hase Toshiharu 
Published: July 2008

AbstractFerredoxin (Fd) is the soluble protein that accepts electrons from photosystem I (PSI) and makes them available to stromal enzymes in higher plant chloroplasts. In linear electron flow, Fd mainly donates electrons to Fd:NADPH reductase (FNR) which generates NADPH for use in the Calvin cycle, but Fd may also return electrons to the thylakoid plastoquinone pool, forming a cyclic electron flow. Many higher plants contain two different photosynthetic Fd proteins, but there are no conserved sequence differences that allow their division into evolutionary groups. In the model C3 photosynthesizing dicot, Arabidopsis thaliana, there are two such photosynthetic Fds, and we have exploited RNA interference (RNAi) techniques to specifically decrease transcript abundance of different Fds in this plant. Surprisingly, the perturbation of photosynthesis, as measured by cholorophyll fluorescence, in RNAi lines of the two different photosynthetic Fds shows opposite trends. Linear electron flow is retarded in lines with lower Fd2 (the most abundant Fd species) levels and under certain circumstances enhanced in lines with lower Fd1 (the minor isoprotein) levels. These data are evidences for at least partially differentiated roles of Fd1 and Fd2 in photosynthetic electron transfer, possibly in the partition of electrons into linear and cyclic electron flow.
Advanced Glycation Endproducts Induce Photocrosslinking and Oxidation of Bovine Lens Proteins Through Type‐I Mechanism
Authors: Fuentealba Denis , Friguet Bertrand , Silva Eduardo 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAdvanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) have been suggested as photosensitizers that are capable of mediating eye lens photo‐damage during aging. In the present work, we investigate the photo‐crosslinking and oxidation of bovine lens proteins sensitized by AGEs, with special regard to low oxygen conditions. A mechanistic study was conducted using different oxygen concentrations and specific additives with the aim either to scavenge or enhance Type‐I or Type‐II photoprocesses. Quantum yields for Trp decomposition were determined at 5%, 20% and 100% O2, in the presence of ferricyanide and D2O to elucidate the mechanism of action of AGEs. Type‐I mechanism proved to be the most efficient pathway for AGE‐sensitized Trp decomposition at low oxygen concentration. Photocrosslinking of lens proteins and crystallin fractions due to Type‐I interaction was observed. The influence of the oxygen concentration and additives was also studied. The results show that both Type‐I mechanism and oxygen‐mediated reactions contribute to protein crosslinking. Carbonyl group formation due to protein photo‐oxidation was detected with Oxyblot technique. The generation of high levels of hydrogen peroxide during the irradiations was detected and attributed mainly to Type‐I reactions. The results support that AGEs act preferentially as Type‐I sensitizers at the low oxygen concentration found in the lens and are capable of inducing protein crosslinking, oxidation and peroxide formation.
Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Influenza A Viruses in Pigs in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Suriya R. , Hassan L. , Omar A. R. , Aini I. , Tan C. G. , Lim Y. S. , Kamaruddin M. I. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryFollowing a series of H5N1 cases in chickens and birds in a few states in Malaysia, there was much interest in the influenza A viruses subtypes that circulate among the local pig populations. Pigs may act as a mixing vessel for avian and mammal influenza viruses, resulting in new reassorted viruses. This study investigated the presence of antibodies against influenza H1N1 and H3N2 viruses in pigs from Peninsular Malaysia using Herdcheck Swine Influenza H1N1 and H3N2 Antibody Test Kits. At the same time, the presence of influenza virus was examined from the nasal swabs of seropositive pigs by virus isolation and real time RT‐PCR. The list of pig farms was obtained from the headquarters of the Department of Veterinary Services, Malaysia, and pig herds were selected randomly from six of 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 727 serum and nasal swab samples were collected from 4‐ to 6‐month‐old pigs between May and August 2005. By ELISA, the seroprevalences of swine influenza H1N1 and H3N2 among pigs were 12.2% and 12.1% respectively. Seropositivity for either of the virus subtypes was detected in less than half of the 41 sampled farms (41.4%). Combination of both subtypes was detected in 4% of all pigs and in 22% of sampled farms. However, no virus or viral nucleic acid was detected from nasal samples. This study identified that the seropositivity of pigs to H1N1 and H3N2 based on ELISA was significantly associated with factors such as size of farm, importation or purchase of pigs, proximity of farm to other pig farms and the presence of mammalian pets within the farm.
Effect of the Dimethoate Administration on a Scrapie Murine Model
Authors: Hortells P. , Monleón E. , Acín C. , Vargas A. , Ryffel B. , Cesbron J. Y. , Badiola J. J. , Monzón M. 
Published: July 2008

SummarySome authors have associated organophosphate compounds with susceptibility to transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) and even with the origin of this group of diseases. Nevertheless, the actual role played by these compounds still remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of oral exposure to dimethoate (DMT) on the development of Scrapie using a genetically modified murine model. A total of 70 C57BL/6 mice over‐expressing the PrP gene (Tg20) were included in the present study. A portion of the mice were intraperitoneally inoculated, while the rest were maintained as non‐infected controls. Animals from the treated group were exposed to dimethoate dissolved in drinking water from the beginning of the experiment. Variables of incubation period, spongiosis, PrPsc deposits, glial over‐expression, neuronal loss, and amyloid plaques were assessed in all animals. According to the results, a treatment consisting of a daily 15 mg/kg dose of DMT for 5 weeks did not show any effect on any of the variables assessed. Although more exhaustive studies for assessing different doses and organic compounds are required, this finding constitutes an empirical study that rules out the possibility that this compound may have a predisposing effect on TSEs.
The Transmission of Thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. to People Living or Working on Dairy Farms in New Zealand
Authors: Gilpin B. J. , Scholes P. , Robson B. , Savill M. G. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryNew Zealand has one of the highest rates of campylobacteriosis in the developed world with an incidence rate of 383.5 cases per 100 000 in 2006. Dairy farming has been suggested as a potential source of campylobacteriosis. To explore this connection, seven farm investigations were undertaken at dairy farms on which a campylobacteriosis case had been notified. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from a range of sources on the farm (including 66% of bovine faecal samples) and genotypes compared with that of the clinical isolate of the index case. In depth, epidemiological questionnaires were also administered to determine exposure risks from a wide range of possible sources. Contact with dairy cow faeces was the most likely source of infection in four of the seven cases investigated, and occurred exclusively in new farm workers and children. In one of the cases investigated, infection was likely to have been acquired from non‐dairy related sources, and in two cases the source could not be determined. The relative risk of dairy farm worker being notified with campylobacteriosis was estimated to be 1.88 (95% confidence interval = 1.6–2.2).
Serological Evidence of USUTU Virus Occurrence in North‐Eastern Italy
Authors: Lelli R. , Savini G. , Teodori L. , Filipponi G. , Di Gennaro A. , Leone A. , Di Gialleonardo L. , Venturi L. , Caporale V. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryIn the recent years, USUTU virus (USUV), a flavivirus of the Japanese encephalitis virus complex, has been reported in Central Europe. As part of a systematic surveillance programme to monitor possible entrance and/or circulation of vector‐borne viruses, since 2001, sentinel‐chicken flocks were placed throughout the Italian territory nearby areas considered at risk of virus introduction. They have been periodically checked for the presence of antibodies against flaviviruses by indirect ELISA, plaque reduction neutralization test for USUTU, West Nile and tick‐borne encephalitis viruses. In July 2007, a sentinel chicken in a flock of 20 animals located within the Ravenna province seroconverted to USUV reaching neutralizing titres up to 1 : 5120. A second chicken seroconverted to the same virus 2 months later. Although no virus was rescued from these animals and from wild or farm birds sampled in the area, these results still provided evidence of the circulation of USUV in north‐eastern Italy.