bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of month of birth on personality traits of healthy Japanese
Authors: Kamata Mitsuhiro , Suzuki Akihito , Matsumoto Yoshihiko , Togashi Hitoshi , Otani Koichi 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe effect of month of birth on personality traits was investigated in 595 healthy Japanese. Personality traits were evaluated by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Statistical analyses were conducted in two steps. Firstly, months of the year were divided according to ambient temperature or photoperiod, and TCI scores were compared between month groups by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with age as a covariate. Secondly, multiple regression analysis was performed with TCI scores as dependent variables and ambient temperature and photoperiod at birth month and age as independent variables. Both analyses showed that higher ambient temperature at birth month was related to higher scores of self-directedness and persistence in females. Also, higher ambient temperature at birth month was related to lower body mass index (BMI) in females. These results suggest that month of birth affects self-directedness and persistence in healthy Japanese females, and these effects may be mediated by BMI changes associated with ambient temperature at birth month.
Correlations between cognitive performances and psychotic or schizotypal dimensions
Authors: Szöke Andrei , Méary Alexandre , Ferchiou Aziz , Trandafir Anca , Leboyer Marion , Schürhoff Franck 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo test if specific correlations exist between cognitive measures and psychotic dimensions in schizophrenic subjects and if similar correlations, between cognition and schizotypal dimensions, are present in non-psychotic subjects.MethodsWe administered the same battery of cognitive tests (Source Monitoring, Verbal Fluency [VF] and Stroop tests) to schizophrenic subjects (N = 54), their first-degree relatives (N = 37) and controls (N = 41). Scores of negative, positive and disorganisation dimensions were derived from the Signs and Symptoms of Psychotic Illness scale in schizophrenic subjects, and from the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire in relatives and controls.ResultsIn schizophrenic subjects, as hypothesised, the negative dimension correlated with performance on VF and disorganisation with performance in the Stroop test. The positive dimension did not correlate with any cognitive measure.With only one exception, the significant correlations observed in non-psychotic subjects did not match correlations seen in schizophrenic subjects. In non-psychotic subjects greater disorganisation was associated with more clustered words in VF suggesting that excessive automatic spreading of activation in semantic networks could underlie this dimension.ConclusionAs a whole, data lent partial support to our hypothesis of specific cognitive–clinical correlations in schizophrenic subjects but did not support the existence of similar correlations in non-psychotic subjects.
Outcomes of pregnancies complicated by beta‐thalassemia/hemoglobin E disease
Authors: Luewan Suchaya , Srisupundit Kasemsri , Tongsong Theera 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the outcomes of pregnancies affected by beta‐thalassemia/hemoglobin E (β‐thal/HbE) disease.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted with 54 women with singleton pregnancies complicated by β‐thal/HbE disease only. The controls‐to‐cases ratio was 2:1.ResultsAlthough maternal outcomes were similar in both groups, gestational age at birth and birth weight were significantly lower in the study group and the cesarean delivery rate was significantly higher in that group (relative risk [RR], 2.1). The incidences of fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and low birth weight were also significantly higher in the study group, with RRs of 2.8, 2.7, and 5.6, respectively.ConclusionPregnancies affected by β‐thal/HbE disease were significantly associated with an increased risk of fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and low birth weight.
Association of body mass index with severity of endometriosis in Korean women
Authors: Yi Kyong Wook , Shin Jung‐Ho , Park Man Sik , Kim Tak , Kim Sun Haeng , Hur Jun‐Young 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between endometriosis severity and body mass index (BMI).MethodsOf 481 women seen for endometriosis at a university hospital in Korea, 153 had stage I, 113 had stage II, 110 had stage III, and 105 had stage IV disease. The patients' BMIs were categorized according to World Health Organization criteria for Asian‐Pacific populations.ResultsWomen with early or mild endometriosis (stages I or II) had a significantly higher BMI than those with advanced disease (stages III or IV) (P < 0.001). After adjusting for age, parity, and menstrual factors, an association between BMI and disease stage remained significant (P < 0.001).ConclusionWomen with advanced‐stage endometriosis had lower BMIs than those with minimal or mild disease, and BMI was significantly associated with disease severity.
Outcome of loop electrosurgical excision for HIV‐positive women in a low‐resource outpatient setting
Authors: Kietpeerakool Chumnan , Suprasert Prapaporn , Srisomboon Jatupol 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo assess outcome in HIV‐positive women undergoing the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).MethodA prospective study was conducted with 789 outpatients undergoing LEEP at Chiang Mai University Hospital between October 2004 and June 2008.ResultsThe 70 HIV‐positive women (8.9%) were younger (P < 0.001) and had a lower parity (P < 0.001) than the remaining women. The proportion of women undergoing LEEP for persistent low‐grade lesions was higher (8.6% vs 1.9%) and the prevalence of margin involvement was higher (60.0% vs 49.4%) among the HIV‐positive women. After adjusting for age, parity, menopausal status, size of excised lesion, and histopathologic result, HIV infection was not significantly associated with LEEP complications (adjusted odds ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.15–1.15).ConclusionThe higher risk of resection margin involvement in HIV‐infected women was not associated with LEEP complications.
Not all cases of neural-tube defect can be prevented by increasing the intake of folic acid
Authors: Heseker Helmut B. , Mason Joel B. , Selhub Jacob , Rosenberg Irwin H. , Jacques Paul F. 
Published: December 2008

Some countries have introduced mandatory folic acid fortification, whereas others support periconceptional supplementation of women in childbearing age. Several European countries are considering whether to adopt a fortification policy. Projections of the possible beneficial effects of increased folic acid intake assume that the measure will result in a considerable reduction in neural-tube defects (NTD) in the target population. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the beneficial effects of different levels of folic acid administration on the prevalence of NTD. Countries with mandatory fortification achieved a significant increase in folate intake and a significant decline in the prevalence of NTD. This was also true for supplementation trials. However, the prevalence of NTD at birth declined to approximately five cases at birth per 10 000 births and seven to eight cases at birth or abortion per 10 000 births. This decline was independent of the amount of folic acid administered and apparently reveals a ‘floor effect’ for folic acid-preventable NTD. This clearly shows that not all cases of NTD are preventable by increasing the folate intake. The relative decline depends on the initial NTD rate. Countries with NTD prevalence close to the observed floor may have much smaller reductions in NTD rates with folic acid fortification. Additionally, potential adverse effects of fortification on other vulnerable population groups have to be seriously considered. Policy decisions concerning national mandatory fortification programmes must take into account realistically projected benefits as well as the evidence of risks to all vulnerable groups.
Effects ofEnterococcussp. isolated from deep seawater on inhibition of allergic responses in mice
Authors: Kondoh Masatoshi , Hayashi Atsushi , Okamori Mariko , Motonaga Chie , Enomoto Tadao , Cheng Lei , Shimada Takashi 
Published: December 2008

The objective of the present study was to assess the effects ofEnterococcussp. strain TN-3 isolated from deep seawater on inhibition of eosinophil accumulation, IgE production and active cutaneous anaphylaxis (ACA). We investigated the effects of viable and non-viable TN-3 on allergen-induced peritoneal eosinophil accumulation in mice. Viable (5·4 × 1010colony-forming units per 60 mg) or non-viable TN-3 (60 mg) was orally administered to BALB/c mice that had been sensitised with the cedar pollen (Cryptomeria japonica) allergen. Oral administration of non-viable TN-3 was effective in suppressing eosinophil accumulation while viable TN-3 was ineffective. We also examined the dose–response relationship for non-viable TN-3 in regard to eosinophil accumulation, IgE production and ACA in allergen-primed mice. Non-viable TN-3 was orally administered at doses of 15 mg (low dose), 30 mg (medium dose) and 60 mg (high dose) to BALB/c mice that had been sensitised with cedar pollen allergen. The anti-allergic effects expressed as inhibition of eosinophil accumulation, IgE production and ACA were found at the low and high doses, but not at the medium dose. These results suggest that non-viable TN-3 exhibited anti-allergic effects at doses of 15 and 60 mg.
THE GROUP OF AUTOMORPHISMS OF THE FIRST WEYL ALGEBRA IN PRIME CHARACTERISTIC AND THE RESTRICTION MAP
Authors: BAVULA V. V. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractLetKbe aperfectfield of characteristicp> 0;A1:=K〈x, ∂|∂x−x∂=1〉 be the first Weyl algebra; andZ:=K[X:=xp,Y:=∂p] be its centre. It is proved that (i) the restriction map res : AutK(A1)→ AutK(Z), σ ↦ σ|Zis a monomorphism with im(res) = Γ := {τ ∈ AutK(Z)|(τ)=1}, where(τ) is the Jacobian of τ, (Note that AutK(Z)=K* ⋉ Γ, and ifKisnotperfect then im(res) ≠ Γ.); (ii) the bijection res : AutK(A1) → Γ is a monomorphism of infinite dimensional algebraic groups which isnotan isomorphism (even ifKis algebraically closed); (iii) an explicit formula for res−1is found via differential operators(Z) onZand negative powers of the Fronenius mapF. Proofs are based on the following (non-obvious) equality proved in the paper:
Ideology and Institutions in The End of Reform
Authors: Finegold Kenneth 
Published: December 2008

Alan Brinkley's The End of Reform deserves praise as a book that is well written and has something to say. There are some books about which only one of these is true and many about which neither is true.I agree with Brinkley's conclusion and disagree with the path by which he arrives at it. Brinkley's conclusion is that the years from the recession of 1937–38 to the end of World War II in 1945 should be seen as a critical period in the development of American liberalism and, therefore, in American political development. It is during this period, Brinkley argues, that rights-based liberalism became dominant over other variants of liberal ideology. Brinkley's focus on the period from 1937 to 1945 represents a departure in New Deal historiography, which has traditionally focused either on the Hundred Days of 1933, which produced the National Recovery Administration (NRA), the Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA), and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), among other “alphabet soup” agencies, or on the “Second New Deal” of 1935–36, during which the Social Security Act and the National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) were passed.
n-3 Oil sources for use in aquaculture – alternatives to the unsustainable harvest of wild fish
Authors: Miller Matthew R. , Nichols Peter D. , Carter Chris G. 
Published: December 2008

The present review examines renewable sources of oils with n-3 long-chain ( ≥ C20) PUFA (n-3 LC-PUFA) as alternatives to oil from wild-caught fish in aquafeeds. Due to the increased demand for and price of wild-caught marine sources of n-3 LC-PUFA-rich oil, their effective and sustainable replacement in aquafeeds is an industry priority, especially because dietary n-3 LC-PUFA from eating fish are known to have health benefits in human beings. The benefits and challenges involved in changing dietary oil in aquaculture are highlighted and four major potential sources of n-3 LC-PUFA for aquafeeds, other than fish oil, are compared. These sources of oil, which contain n-3 LC-PUFA, specifically EPA (20 : 5n-3) and DHA (22 : 6n-3) or precursors to these key essential fatty acids, are: (1) other marine sources of oil; (2) vegetable oils that contain biosynthetic precursors, such as stearidonic acid, which may be used by fish to produce n-3 LC-PUFA; (3) single-cell oil sources of n-3 LC-PUFA; (4) vegetable oils derived from oil-seed crops that have undergone genetic modification to contain n-3 LC-PUFA. The review focuses on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), because it is the main intensively cultured finfish species and it both uses and stores large amounts of oil, in particular n-3 LC-PUFA, in the flesh.
Adapting a grammar checker for learner writers
Authors: Levy Mike , Garton James 
Published: December 2008

This paper explores the potential and limitations of Grammatik 5 as a tool for revising writing, particularly as a grammar checker and adviser. It will examine the proposition that writing strategies can be enhanced when the program is 'tuned' to suit a group of ESL writers, with grammar rules and advice written to meet the learner's specific needs.The rules and advice designed by the authors for Grammatik 5 have been chosen and written on the basis of an analysis of errors in a corpus of learner scripts within the academic genre of essay writing. The corpus contains a set of 28 essays written by 4 students over a period of 14 weeks in a university course designed to develop ESL students' writing skills.In the role of corrector the computer has to be unfailingly accurate. If, on the other hand, the computer is cast in the role of tool, to simply identify elements of the language to the learner, the shortcomings of the computer as infallible assessor can be avoided. This role is a more appropriate one given the complexities of evaluating written work and limitations in the capacity of the current generation of computer programs to correct reliably.A basic assumption of the paper is that the goal in using a grammar checker in this way is to extend the learners' capacity to review their written drafts and develop a critical approach to the writing process. While grammar checkers and advisers are not infallible in their analyses of English sentences, good use can be made of commercial programs when they are adapted appropriately.
Developing German writing skills by way of Timbuktu
Authors: Felix Uschi , Lawson Michael 
Published: December 2008

This paper reports on a pilot project which examined the effects on essay writing skills in advanced German of computer-based teaching which allowed a co-operative approach to writing and the pmvision of immediate teacher and peer feedback through the interactive display and networking of student work.Third year German students were assigned to computer-based or conventional teaching groups taught by two different teachers using common materials and the same task-based approach. Prior to implementation of the project and again at the end, students were given a standard writing task to allow the level of their writing skills to be evaluated structurally and linguistically. The major focus was on the development of arguments, together with appropriate intmductions and conclusions. Grammar and expression were also measured to check whether the absence of an explicit focus on grammar had a detrimental effect on accuracy.The students in these two groups along with all other third year German students completed a questionnaire that elicited information about their abilities and interest in German and their attitude to the use of computers. Teacher evaluation and qualitative data were obtained from participating students at the end of the project. Results indicated that the experimental students achieved significantly higher ratings for the logical linking of ideas in the body of their essays and were positive about the technology.
Puissance du binaire, créativité du synaptique
Authors: Perrin Michel P 
Published: December 2008

Au dix-neuvième coup du 6ème jeu de son match contreDeep(er) Blue, le 13 mai 1997, le grand maître Garry Kasparov déclare forfait pour éviter le déshonneur d'un échec et mat en bonne et due forme.Avant le match, la presse spécialisée, et l'autre déclaraient en substance: si la machine gagne e'en est fini du monde “moderne” tel que nous le connaissons depuis la Renais-sance; e'est le début d'une ère inconnue
Egg maturation and oviposition strategy of a capital breeder, Cleorodes lichenaria, feeding on lichens at the larval stage
Authors: PÖYKKÖ HEIKKI 
Published: December 2008

Abstract 1. Capital breeders rely solely on resources acquired before breeding, whereas income breeders may obtain considerable amounts of resources following the commencement of reproduction. In income breeders oviposition occurs over a longer time period with a small number of eggs ready to be laid at the start of adult life, whereas capital breeders reproduce more rapidly and contain higher numbers of mature eggs at eclosion relative to potential fecundity.2. This study explored egg maturation and oviposition strategy of a nocturnal geometrid moth, Cleorodes lichenaria. It was predicted, based on the long larval period of C. lichenaria and the known biology of other geometrids, that this lichen‐feeding geometrid moth concentrates egg production at the beginning of its breeding period and that external nutrients have a limited role on its fecundity.3. Approximately 46% of eggs were ready to be laid in newly hatched females and approximately 40% of their potential fecundity was realised during the first night, after which the number and the weight of eggs decreased steadily. Feeding or drinking did not increase the fecundity of females. Pupal mass correlated positively with realised fecundity and ovigeny index.4. Reproduction of C. lichenaria is based solely on larval‐derived resources. It is suggested that females are able to resorb thoracic tissues to increase fecundity and that this ability is probably linked to relatively long lifespan and low ovigeny index of this species, characteristics rarely observed in other geometrid moths.
Repeatability of dispersal behaviour in a common dwarf spider: evidence for different mechanisms behind short‐ and long‐distance dispersal
Authors: BONTE DRIES , CLERCQ NELE DE , ZWERTVAEGHER INGRID , LENS LUC 
Published: December 2008

Abstract 1. The response of dispersal towards evolution largely depends on its heritability for which upper limits are determined by the trait’s repeatability.2. In the Linyphiid spider E. atra, we were able to separate long‐ and short‐distance dispersal behaviours (respectively ballooning and rappelling) under laboratory conditions. By performing repeated behavioural trials for females, we show that average dispersal trait values decrease with increasing testing days. By comparing mated and unmated individuals during two periods (before and after mating for the mated group, and the same two periods for the unmated group), we show that mating has no effect on the mean displayed dispersal behaviour or its within‐individual variation. Repeatabilities were high and consistent for ballooning motivation, but not for rappelling.3. Ballooning motivation can be regarded as highly individual‐specific behaviour, while general pre‐dispersal and rappelling behaviours showed more individual variation. Such difference in repeatability between long‐ and short‐distance dispersal suggests that short‐ and long‐distance dispersal events are triggered by different ecological and evolutionary mechanisms.
Tezosentan normalizes hepatomesenteric perfusion in a porcine model of cardiac tamponade
Authors: ÅNEMAN A. , TREGGIARI M. M. , BURGENER D. , LAESSER M. , STRASSER S. , HADENGUE A. 
Published: December 2008

Background: To investigate endothelin‐1 (ET‐1)‐dependent hepatic and mesenteric vasoconstriction, and oxygen and lactate fluxes in an acute, fixed low cardiac output (CO) state.Methods: Sixteen anesthetized, mechanically ventilated pigs were studied. Cardiac tamponade was established to reduce portal venous blood flow (QPV) to 2/3 of the baseline value. CO, hepatic artery blood flow (QHA), QPV, hepatic laser‐Doppler flow (LDF), hepatic venous and portal pressure, and hepatic and mesenteric oxygen and lactate fluxes were measured. Hepatic arterial (RHA), portal (RHP) and mesenteric (Rmes) vascular resistances were calculated. The combined ETA–ETB receptor antagonist tezosentan (RO 61‐0612) or normal saline vehicle was infused in the low CO state. Measurements were made at baseline, after 30, 60, 90 min of tamponade, and 30, 60, 90 min following the infusion of tesozentan at 1 mg/kg/h.Results: Tamponade decreased CO, QPV, QHA, LDF, hepatic and mesenteric oxygen delivery, while hepatic and mesenteric oxygen extraction and lactate release increased. RHA, RHP and Rmes all increased. Ninety minutes after tesozentan, QPV, LDF and hepatic and mesenteric oxygen delivery and extraction increased approaching baseline values, but no effect was seen on CO or QHA. Hepatic and mesenteric handling of lactate converted to extraction. RHA, RHP and Rmes returned to baseline values. No changes were observed in these variables among control animals not receiving tesozentan.Conclusion: In a porcine model of acute splanchnic hypoperfusion, unselective ET‐1 blockade restored hepatomesenteric perfusion and reversed lactate metabolism. These observations might be relevant when considering liver protection in low CO states.
Diversity of canopy and understorey spiders in north‐temperate hardwood forests
Authors: Larrivée Maxim , Buddle Christopher M. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract1 We characterized and compared diversity patterns of canopy and understorey spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) on sugar maple (Acer saccharumMarsh.) and American beech (Fagus grandifoliaEhrh.) in hardwood forests of southern Québec, Canada.2 We sampled canopies of 45 sugar maple and 45 American beech trees and associated understorey saplings in mature protected forests near Montréal. Samples were obtained by beating the crown foliage at various heights and by beating saplings around each tree.3 Eighty‐two species were identified from 13 669 individuals. Forty‐eight species and 3860 individuals and 72 species and 9809 individuals were collected from the canopy and the understorey, respectively.4 Multivariate analyses (NMDS ordination and NPMANOVA) showed the composition of canopy and understorey assemblages differed significantly, and canopy assemblages differed between tree species. Rank‐abundance distribution models fitted to the canopy and understorey data indicated that different mechanisms structure the assemblages in both habitats. Three abundant spider species were significantly more common in the canopy; ten species were collected significantly more often in the understorey.5 The forest canopy was shown to be an important reservoir for spider diversity in north‐temperate forests.