bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Population prevalence and incidence of Parkinson’s disease in an Australian community
Authors: Mehta P. , Kifley A. , Wang J. J. , Rochtchina E. , Mitchell P. , Sue C. M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder affecting older individuals. Few studies have determined the prevalence and incidence of this disease in Australia. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and 10‐year incidence of PD in the Australian community.Methods: In the Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES), a population‐based health survey of Australian residents aged 49 years or more, we determined the cross‐sectional prevalence (BMES2, 1997–1999, n = 3509) and 10‐year incidence (BMES1, 2 and 3, 1992–1994, 1997–1999 and 2002–2004, respectively, n = 2545) of PD. We screened participants who took PD medications. PD diagnosis was confirmed by contacting the participant’s medical/general practitioners.Results: Nineteen new cases of PD were identified over the 10‐year period, a 10‐year incidence of 0.84% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54–1.33%). In the cross‐sectional study, 16/3509 participants were confirmed to have PD (0.46%), with age‐specific prevalence rates of 0.48% in persons aged 60–69 years, 0.82% for ages 70–79 years and 0.56% in persons aged 80 years or older. No PD cases were identified among participants less than 60 years of age. When age standardized to the 2001 Australian population, the prevalence of PD was 362 per 100 000 (95%CI 183–541) among persons aged 50 years or older and 104 per 100 000 for the Australian population at all ages, assuming no prevalent cases in persons aged less than 50 years.Conclusion: This study estimates a 0.46% (95%CI 0.23–0.68) prevalence of PD patients treated with medications aged 50 years or older and a 10‐year incidence of 0.84% (95%CI 0.54–1.33).
Does species diversity limit productivity in natural grassland communities?
Authors: Grace James B. , Michael Anderson T. , Smith Melinda D. , Seabloom Eric , Andelman Sandy J. , Meche Gayna , Weiher Evan , Allain Larry K. , Jutila Heli , Sankaran Mahesh , Knops Johannes , Ritchie Mark , Willig Michael R. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractTheoretical analyses and experimental studies of synthesized assemblages indicate that under particular circumstances species diversity can enhance community productivity through niche complementarity. It remains unclear whether this process has important effects in mature natural ecosystems where competitive feedbacks and complex environmental influences affect diversity–productivity relationships. In this study, we evaluated diversity–productivity relationships while statistically controlling for environmental influences in 12 natural grassland ecosystems. Because diversity–productivity relationships are conspicuously nonlinear, we developed a nonlinear structural equation modeling (SEM) methodology to separate the effects of diversity on productivity from the effects of productivity on diversity. Meta‐analysis was used to summarize the SEM findings across studies. While competitive effects were readily detected, enhancement of production by diversity was not. These results suggest that the influence of small‐scale diversity on productivity in mature natural systems is a weak force, both in absolute terms and relative to the effects of other controls on productivity.
Evidence of climatic niche shift during biological invasion
Authors: Broennimann O. , Treier U. A. , Müller‐Schärer H. , Thuiller W. , Peterson A. T. , Guisan A. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractNiche‐based models calibrated in the native range by relating species observations to climatic variables are commonly used to predict the potential spatial extent of species’ invasion. This climate matching approach relies on the assumption that invasive species conserve their climatic niche in the invaded ranges. We test this assumption by analysing the climatic niche spaces of Spotted Knapweed in western North America and Europe. We show with robust cross‐continental data that a shift of the observed climatic niche occurred between native and non‐native ranges, providing the first empirical evidence that an invasive species can occupy climatically distinct niche spaces following its introduction into a new area. The models fail to predict the current invaded distribution, but correctly predict areas of introduction. Climate matching is thus a useful approach to identify areas at risk of introduction and establishment of newly or not‐yet‐introduced neophytes, but may not predict the full extent of invasions.
Suspected uveal metastasis of a nail bed melanoma in a dog
Authors: Esson Douglas , Fahrer Christin S. , Zarfoss Mitzi K. , Dubielzig Richard R. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractA 13‐year‐old Golden Retriever was referred for evaluation of generalized corneal edema, dyscoria, and suspected glaucoma affecting the right eye. The dog exhibited no signs of systemic illness, but had a history of a melanoma of the nail bed of the first digit of the right hind limb, excised 1 year previously. Ophthalmologic examination revealed diffuse corneal edema, mild anterior uveitis, glaucoma and a mass within the right iris. Enucleation was performed and histopathologic evaluation of the globe revealed the iris to be infiltrated with an anaplastic melanoma, suspected to represent a metastasis of the original nail bed tumor.
Lidocaine effects on corneal endothelial cell ultrastructure
Authors: Schellini Silvana Artioli , Creppe Marcelo Crivellari , Gregório Elisa Aparecida , Padovani Carlos Roberto 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine whether intracameral commercial lidocaine 2% induces alterations on the rabbit corneal endothelium. Forty white rabbits received different substances inside the anterior chamber: group (G)1, no substance; G2 and G3 received lidocaine 2% with preservative in aqueous solution; G4 and G5, lidocaine 2% with preservative in gel solution; G6 and G7, the anesthetic preservative (metilparahydroxybenzoate 0.1%); and G8 and G9, lidocaine 2% without preservative in aqueous solution. The animals from G2, 4, 6 and 8 were sacrificed after 1 h, and from G3, 5, 7 and 9 after 24 h after injection of the substance inside the anterior chamber. The corneas were clinically evaluated and assessed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. G1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 animals had very similar characteristics in clinical, ultrastructural and morphometric evaluations; the G3 and G4 animals showed discrete edema and one animal in G5 had intense corneal edema. We conclude that lidocaine 2% with preservative induces few ultrastructural alterations in the corneal endothelial cells.
Neural precursors isolated from the developing cat brain show retinal integration following transplantation to the retina of the dystrophic cat
Authors: Klassen Henry , Schwartz Philip H. , Ziaeian Boback , Nethercott Hubert , Young Michael J. , Bragadottir Ragnheidur , Tullis Gregory E. , Warfvinge Karin , Narfstrom Kristina 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe cat has served as an important nonrodent research model for neurophysiology and retinal degenerative disease processes, yet very little is known about feline neural precursor cells. To culture these cells and evaluate marker expression, brains were dissected from 45‐day‐old fetuses, enzymatically dissociated, and grown in the presence of EGF, bFGF and PDGF. Expanded cells widely expressed nestin, Sox2, Ki‐67, fusin (CXCR4) and vimentin, while subpopulations expressed A2B5, GFAP, or β‐III tubulin. Precursors prelabeled with BrdU and/or transduced with a recombinant lentivirus that expresses GFP were transplanted subretinally in five dystrophic Abyssinian cats. Two to 4 weeks following surgery, histology showed survival of grafted cells in three of the animals. Labeled cells were found in the neuroretina and RPE layer, as well as in the vitreous and the vicinity of Bruch's membrane. There was no evidence of an immunologic response in any of the eyes. Neural precursor cells can therefore be cultured from the developing cat brain and survive as allografts for up to 4 weeks without immune suppression. The feasibility of deriving and transplanting feline neural precursor cells, combined with the availability of the dystrophic Abyssinian cat, provide a new feline model system for the study of retinal repair.
A short history of beverages and how our body treats them
Authors: Wolf A. , Bray G. A. , Popkin B. M. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryNumerous studies have demonstrated that beverages containing sugar, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) or alcohol are handled differently by the body than when sugar or HFCS are incorporated in solid foods and as a result the overall caloric intake from solid food does not adjust to account for the calories in these beverages. A consideration of our evolutionary history may help to explain our poor compensatory response to calories from fluids. This paper reviews the history of eight important beverages: milk, beer, wine, tea, coffee, distilled alcoholic beverages, juice and soft drinks. We arrive at two hypotheses. First, humans may lack a physiological basis for processing carbohydrate or alcoholic calories in beverage because only breast milk and water were available for the vast majority of our evolutionary history. Alternatives to those two beverages appeared in the human diet no more than 11 000 years ago, but Homo sapiens evolved between 100 000 and 200 000 years ago. Second, carbohydrate and alcohol‐containing beverages may produce an incomplete satiation sequence which prevents us from becoming satiated on these beverages.
The burden of overweight and obesity‐related ill health in the UK
Authors: Allender S. , Rayner M. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThis paper reviews previous cost studies of overweight and obesity in the UK. It proposes a method for estimating the economic and health costs of overweight and obesity in the UK which could also be used in other countries. Costs of obesity studies were identified via a systematic search of electronic databases. Information from the WHO Burden of Disease Project was used to calculate the mortality and morbidity cost of overweight and obesity. Population attributable fractions for diseases attributable to overweight and obesity were applied to National Health Service (NHS) cost data to estimate direct financial costs. We estimate the direct cost of overweight and obesity to the NHS at £3.2 billion. Other estimates of the cost of obesity range between £480 million in 1998 and £1.1 billion in 2004 [Correction added after online publication 11 June 2007: ‘of the cost of obesity’ added after ‘Other estimates’]. There is wide variation in methods and estimates for the cost of overweight and obesity to the health systems of developed countries. The method presented here could be used to calculate the costs of overweight and obesity in other countries. Public health initiatives are required to address the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity and reduce associated healthcare costs.
A Task‐Based Ontology Approach to Automate Geospatial Data Retrieval
Authors: Wiegand Nancy , García Cassandra 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThis paper presents a task‐based and Semantic Web approach to find geospatial data. The purpose of the project is to improve data discovery and facilitate automatic retrieval of data sources. The work presented here helps create the beginnings of a Geospatial Semantic Web. The intent is to create a system that provides appropriate results to application users who search for data when facing tasks such as emergency response or planning activities. In our task‐based system, we formalize the relationships between types of tasks, including emergency response, and types of data sources needed for those tasks. Domain knowledge, including criteria describing data sources, is recorded in an ontology language. With the ontology, reasoning can be done to infer various types of information including which data sources meet specific criteria for use in particular tasks. The vision presented here is that in an emergency, for example, a user accesses a Web‐based application and selects the type of emergency and the geographic area. The application then returns the types and locations (URLs) of the specific geospatial data needed. We explore the abilities and limitations of the OWL Web Ontology Language along with other Semantic Web technologies for this purpose.
A Search Interface for an SDI: Implementation and Evaluation of Metadata Visualization Strategies
Authors: Aditya Trias , Kraak Menno‐Jan 
Published: June 2007

AbstractSearch interfaces for data discovery are essential in the context of a Geospatial Data Infrastructure. This paper discusses the development of a search interface, aimed at effective searches and an integration of a catalogue function and thematic mapping. For this purpose, the Resources Description Framework (RDF) is used to store the summaries of metadata of geospatial contents. These summaries are indexed based on their topics. Their topic categories are expressed using the RDF schema. The RDF queries and the transformation of results play a prominent role in the visualization of search results as a table, a thumbnail, and a bull's‐eye display with possibilities to project footprints of results on top of a basic map and thematic layers. To highlight their matches to the search terms, the Hausdorff distance and the closeness degree were applied respectively to determine the geographic and thematic relevance. Feedback from participants testing the prototype indicated the benefits of the table and thumbnail displays as well as the possibility to combine these displays with metadata and thematic mapping for data discovery. The feedback also confirmed some design challenges in the depictions of relevance and symbolization of metadata.
A Rule‐Based Strategy for the Semantic Annotation of Geodata
Authors: Klien Eva 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe ability to represent geospatial semantics is of great importance when building geospatial applications for the Web. This ability will enhance discovery, retrieval and translation of geographic information as well as the reuse of geographic information in different contexts. The problem of generating semantic annotations has been recognized as one of the most serious obstacles for realizing the Geospatial Semantic Web vision. We present a rule‐based strategy for the semantic annotation of geodata that combines Semantic Web and Geospatial Web Services technology. In our approach, rules are employed to partially automate the annotation process. Rules define conditions for identifying geospatial concepts. Based on these rules, spatial analysis procedures are implemented that allow for inferring whether or not a feature in a dataset represents an instance of a geospatial concept. This automated evaluation of features in the dataset generates valuable information for the creation and refinement of semantic annotations on the concept level. The approach is illustrated by a case study on annotating data sources containing representations of lowlands. The presented strategy lays the foundations for the specification of a semantic annotation tool for geospatial web services that supports data providers in annotating their sources according to multiple domain views.
Geo‐Pragmatics for the Geospatial Semantic Web
Authors: Brodaric Boyan 
Published: June 2007

AbstractGeo‐Pragmatics is introduced here as an enhanced representation for ontologies in which geospatial, geographical and geoscientific concepts are not only defined, but their pragmatic context is also captured and potentially reasoned with. A framework for representing such context is developed using three core aspects: dimensions, agents and roles. Dimensions consist of a concept's origins, uses and effects; these are generated by the interaction of human, machine and natural agents, and involve entities with roles developed from method‐driven perspectives and epistemic‐driven versions. The relationship between these core aspects is explored conceptually and implications for geoscientific ontologies are discussed, including identification of a basic ontological type, the situated concept, whose meaning is defined by its geographical‐historical context. Geo‐pragmatics should help geoscientists evaluate the scientific merit, and fitness for scientific use, of geoscientific ontologies in emerging e‐science initiatives.
Employers, Quality and Standards in Higher Education: Shared Values and Vocabularies or Elitism and Inequalities?
Authors: Morley Louise , Aynsley Sarah 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThis paper is based on a research project funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England which investigated employers' needs for information on higher education quality and standards. A key issue was identifying the type of knowledge that employers utilise in graduate recruitment. A finding of the study was that information on quality and standards was being used by some employers in a way that could undermine equity and widening participation initiatives. Whereas employers reported that, in initial recruitment, they placed least emphasis on information about quality and standards and most emphasis on graduates' interpersonal and communication skills, over a quarter used league tables/Top 20 lists in their decision‐making processes and 80 per cent of employers cited the importance of the reputation of the higher education institution in their decision making about marketing and individual recruitment of graduates. Reputation was based on real or imagined league tables, ‘grapevine’ knowledge, personal, regional and professional networks, performance of past graduates and prejudice against new universities. The hierarchy of opportunity within the labour market often appeared to correspond to a highly stratified higher education sector.
The (Re)Location of Higher Education in England (Revisited)
Authors: Tight Malcolm 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWith nearly two million students and over 100 higher education institutions (HEIs) in a relatively small country, it might be thought that locational issues were not of much significance in English higher education. This paper argues to the contrary, by exploring the distribution of students (full‐time and part‐time, undergraduate and postgraduate) and HEIs at the level of regions, counties and urban areas. It is concluded that the distribution of higher education opportunities remains skewed and hierarchical. The implications of this for widening participation policy are considered.
Measuring Progress: an Evaluative Study of Aimhigher South West 2003–2006
Authors: Hatt Sue , Baxter Arthur , Tate Jim 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe persistence of the social class gap in higher education (HE) participation presents one of the biggest challenges for the English HE sector at the start of the 21st century. This paper considers the evidence collected by the Aimhigher partnerships in the South West of England to assess the progress towards closing the social class gap in HE participation within their region. Since Aimhigher is a complex, long‐term initiative, these partnerships have adopted a multi‐strand approach to evaluation through a combination of secondary data, activity and quality indicators, and a longitudinal tracking study. Encouragingly, the social class gap is beginning to narrow as the number of applicants from upper social groups has fallen slightly while those from other social groups increased by 25 per cent between 2000 and 2004. HE awareness, aspirations, attainment and educational progression are also increasing. The paper raises three policy issues concerning targeting, sustainability and vocational progression. Engaging the ‘right’ beneficiaries remains a key concern. The tracking study indicates that, although over 80 per cent of Aimhigher beneficiaries have the ability to progress to HE and would be first‐generation entrants, only one in three comes from a manual background. The findings, however, indicate that compared with their peers whose parents have HE experience, these first‐generation entrants were less well informed about HE, less likely to aspire to HE by year 11, to progress to level 3 or to study A‐levels. These findings suggest that the focus on first‐generation entrants remains appropriate. Second, although wider participation in HE is beginning to happen, there is still a long way to go. Sustaining the Aimhigher programme into at least the medium term is essential if it is to complete the work it has begun and maintain the trust of the communities within which it works. Finally, the paper finds that the Aimhigher cohort includes learners who want to take a vocational route into and through HE and who are at present less well served by current provision.
1. THE DEFINING CHARACTER OF CHINESE HISTORICAL THINKING1
Authors: HUANG CHUN‐CHIEH 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTImbued with profound historical consciousness, the Chinese people are Homo historiens in every sense of the term. To be human in China, to a very large extent, is to be historical, which means to live up to the paradigmatic past. Therefore, historical thinking in traditional China is moral thinking. The Chinese historico‐moral thinking centers around the notion of Dao, a notion that connotes both Heavenly principle and human norm.In view of its practical orientation, Chinese historical thinking is, on the one hand, concrete thinking and, on the other, analogical thinking. Thinking concretely and analogically, the Chinese people are able to communicate with the past and to extrapolate meanings from history. In this way, historical experience in China becomes a library in which modern readers may engage in creative dialogues with the past.
4. IS THERE A CHINESE MODE OF HISTORICAL THINKING? A CROSS‐CULTURAL ANALYSIS
Authors: WANG Q. EDWARD 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTTaking Chun‐chieh Huang's ruminations on the defining character of Chinese historical thinking as a starting point, this essay discusses the ways in which historical cultures and traditions are compared and contrasted and explores some new ways of thinking. It argues that cultural comparisons often constitute two‐way traffic (one begins to examine itself after encountering the other) and that attempts to characterize one historical culture, such as that of China, are often made relationally and temporally. When the Chinese tradition of historiography is perceived and presented in the West, it has been regarded more or less as a counterexample against which the “unique” traits of Western historical thinking are thrown into relief. Given the hegemonic influence of Western scholarship in modern times, latter‐day Chinese historians also valorize the East—West dichotomy. A closer look at this dichotomy, or the characterization of both cultures, reveals that it is not only relative but also relational and temporal. When the modern Chinese appeared impressed by the rigor of Rankean critical historiography, for example, they were essentially attempting to rediscover their own cultural past, for example, the eighteenth‐century tradition of evidential learning, in adapting to the changing world. Our task today, the essay contends, is to historicize the specific context within which cultural comparisons are made and to go beyond readily accepted characterizations in order to reassess certain elements in a given culture, to apply historical wisdom, and to cope with the challenges we now face.