bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamic analysis of AGV control under dead-reckoning algorithm
Authors: Azenha Abílio , Carvalho Adriano 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn this paper, dead-reckoning localization errors for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in indoors quasi-structured environments are studied. Based on error ellipse localization analysis, dead-reckoning errors arising from mismatched AGV wheels radius are investigated. The dynamic model for a differential-drive AGV type with mismatched wheels radius is also derived. The developed rationale shows that sensor fusion is a key feature for minimizing AGV localization errors. Two simulation scenarios and one experiment are presented to show system performance under AGV proportional-derivative (PD)-type control.
Screening methods in alveolar echinococcosis: a follow-up study comparing Emc- and Emf-ELISA with Em2plus-ELISA and ultrasonography
Authors: HÄNLE M. M. , BANZHAF H.-M. , FORSBACH-BIRK V. , KIRCH A. , AKINLI A. S. , MASON R. A. , REUTER S. , KRATZER W. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe purpose of the present study was to identifyEchinococcus multilocularisinfection in follow-up of 95 subjects initially seropostive by Emc-ELISA or Emf-ELISA antibody assays and to compare the utility of these assays with specific Em2plus-ELISA and ultrasound screening forE. multilocularisinfection. At follow-up seven subjects were seropositive with both methods, while three were seropositive only with Emc-ELISA and 11 only with Emf-ELISA. All subjects were seronegative with Em2plus-ELISA. There were no manifestations ofE. multilocularisinfestation by ultrasonographic screening. Seropositivity on Emc-ELISA and Emf-ELISA screening tests does not appear to correlate with manifest alveolar echinococcosis identified by ultrasound. A recommendation for further follow-up of subjects found to be seropositive with Emc-ELISA and Emf-ELISA but with no sonographic evidence of disease is not justified at this time.
The perspective of ventricular noncompaction as seen by a nonagenarian
Authors: Lurie Paul R. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe persistence of so-called spongy myocardium was first reported in humans in the 1960s. Subsequently, a few reports described the condition, utilizing inconsistent facts and terminology. In 1990 the first report appeared using the term “noncompaction”, and detailed its clinical implications. Following this report, more descriptions of patients with noncompaction entered the literature. Prior to the availability of high resolution cross-sectional echocardiography, most cases of noncompacted myocardium escaped detection, as few patients underwent angiography. In this essay, I seek to adjudicate and clarify several confusions and controversies in the current literature including the acquired nature of hypertrabeculation, the fate of the so-called sinusoids, the relationship to coronary arteries, and noncompaction as another congenital malformation. The embryonic timing of cessation and reinitiation of compaction is conjectured as an explanation of the varied configurations of noncompaction as seen as a clinical entity. The clinical outcomes of decreased contractility, arrhythmia, and thromboembolism, have been stressed in the current literature, but more study is needed of the gray area between the normal variant and minimal noncompaction. A plea is made for the standardization of methods and terminology.
Cellular origin of the Bufo arenarum sperm receptor gp75, a ZP2 family member: its proteolysis after fertilization
Authors: Scarpeci Sonia L. , Sanchez Mercedes L. , Cabada Marcelo O. 
Published: March 2008

Background information. The egg envelope is an extracellular matrix that surrounds oocytes. In frogs and mammals, a prominent feature of envelope modification following fertilization is the N‐terminal proteolysis of the envelope glycoproteins, ZPA [ZP (zona pellucida) A]. It was proposed that ZPA N‐terminal proteolysis leads to a conformational change in egg envelope glycoproteins, resulting in the prevention of polyspermy. Bufo arenarum VE (vitelline envelope) is made up of at least four glycoproteins: gp120 (glycoprotein 120), gp75, gp41 and gp38. The aim of the present study was to identify and characterize the baZPA (B. arenarum ZPA homologue). Also, our aim was to evaluate its integrity and functional significance during fertilization.Results. VE components were labelled with FITC in order to study their sperm‐binding capacity. The assay showed that gp75, gp41 and gp38 possess sperm‐binding activity. We obtained a full‐length cDNA of 2062 bp containing one ORF (open reading frame) with a sequence for 687 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence had close similarity to that of mammalian ZPA. This result indicates that gp75 is the baZPA. Antibodies raised against an N‐terminal sequence recognized baZPA and inhibited sperm—baZPA extracted from VE binding. This protein does not induce the acrosome reaction in homologue sperm. Northern‐blot studies indicated that the transcript is exclusively expressed in the ovary. In situ hybridization studies confirmed this and pointed to previtellogenic oocytes and follicle cells surrounding the oocyte as the source of the transcript. baZPA was cleaved during fertilization and the N‐terminal peptide fragment remained disulfide bonded to the glycoprotein moiety following proteolysis.Conclusion. From the sequence analysis, it was possible to consider that gp75 is the baZPA. It is expressed by previtellogenic oocytes and follicle cells. Also, it can be considered as a sperm receptor that undergoes N‐terminal proteolysis during fertilization. The N‐terminal peptide could be necessary for sperm binding.
APC nuclear membrane association and microtubule polarity
Authors: Collin Ludovic , Schlessinger Karni , Hall Alan 
Published: March 2008

Background information. Directional cell migration is a fundamental feature of embryonic development, the inflammatory response and the metastatic spread of cancer. Migrating cells have a polarized morphology with an asymmetric distribution of signalling molecules and of the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. The dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton provides the major driving force for migration in all mammalian cell types, but microtubules also play an important role in many cells, most notably neuronal precursors.Results. We previously showed, using primary fibroblasts and astrocytes in in vitro scratch‐induced migration assays, that the accumulation of APC (adenomatous polyposis coli; the APC tumour suppressor protein) at microtubule plus‐ends promotes their association with the plasma membrane at the leading edge. This is required for polarization of the microtubule cytoskeleton during directional migration. Here, we have examined the organization of microtubules in the soma of migrating neurons and fibroblasts.Conclusions. We find that APC, through a direct interaction with the NPC (nuclear pore complex) protein Nup153 (nucleoporin 153), promotes the association of microtubules with the nuclear membrane.
What Is Evolutionary Biology and Where Is It Coming From?
Authors: Lurquin Paul F. , Stone Linda 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
This chapter describes the Darwin-Wallace theory of evolution by natural selection. In particular, it explains the notion of fitness, which underlies the concepts of descent with modification and the appearance of species categorized into clades. It shows that descent with modification is a much better evolutionary theory than the “Great chain of being” model, which implies that evolution is driven toward the production of more perfect and complex life-forms. Finally, it explains how the science of genetics strongly supports evolution through the notions of mutation, gene frequencies in populations, and drift.
Creationist Purpose and Irreducible Complexity Rebutted
Authors: Lurquin Paul F. , Stone Linda 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
This chapter rebuts irreducible complexity and creationism by explaining the reliability of dating techniques as well as sophisticated laboratory techniques that allow researchers to synthesize extinct genes (genetic archaeology, gene resurrection) and study their homology to other genes. These techniques clearly demonstrate that the irreducible complexity of the eye, the immune system, and the bacterial flagellum are subjective impressions. On the contrary, phylogenetic trees based on gene homology show a deep evolutionary link between simple life-forms and complex ones. Finally, the chapter gives several examples of “poor design” that cast doubt on the principle of Intelligent Design.
The Origins of Life and the Cosmos as Evolutionary Themes
Authors: Lurquin Paul F. , Stone Linda 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
This chapter demonstrates that the origin of the universe was probabilistic, not preordained, because Heisenberg's uncertainty principle would have been violated at the level of the Big Bang. The appearance of structure in the universe was made possible by the decoupling of matter and radiation about 400,000 years after the Big Bang. Structure appeared — and continues to appear — without violating the second law of thermodynamics because entropy is not increasing as fast as it could, and this keeps the universe in a state of disequilibrium, not equilibrium. Life appeared as a consequence of this disequilibrium, possibly involving a sequence of events such as formation of an organic prebiotic soup (or synthesis of organic compounds in hydrothermal vents), the appearance of an RNA world, and the formation of lipid-bound hypercycles.
Evolution of the DNA World and the Chance Events That Accompanied It
Authors: Lurquin Paul F. , Stone Linda 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
First life-forms appeared at least as early as 3.5 billion years ago in the form of prokaryotes. Some of these species developed oxygenic photosynthesis, which resulted in the presence of oxygen gas in the atmosphere. Later, eukaryotes appeared and diversified through mutation and gene duplication (including mutation and duplication of master genes), which led to the rewiring of entire gene networks. The chapter shows that there is no fundamental difference between macroevolution and microevolution. It shows that making artificial life in the lab as well as transgenic life-forms would be impossible if the Intelligent Design scenario were correct. Indeed, ID posits that living systems were holistically designed and thus cannot be constructed in a piecemeal fashion.
The Dangers of Creationism
Authors: Lurquin Paul F. , Stone Linda 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Creationists and some conservative politicians are allies in a culture war that threatens science education in the United States. The threat comes from religious ideologies, such as Intelligent Design, that have never provided a shred of experimental evidence to buttress their claims. This book concludes that the proposition that evolutionary science is against human free will is baseless, and so is the contention that the theory of evolution deprives humans of purpose in life.
Recruitment processes in long‐lived species with delayed maturity: estimating key demographic parameters
Authors: Jenouvrier Stéphanie , Tavecchia Giacomo , Thibault Jean‐Claude , Choquet Rémi , Bretagnolle Vincent 
Published: March 2008

Long‐lived species show delayed maturity and generally skip breeding sites on a given year, causing difficulties in estimating demographic parameters. A novel multi‐state capture – recapture model (model G for general) is proposed to estimate survival and recruitment. Model G considers long and short periods of non‐attendance at the breeding site. Model G is compared against a reduced model (model R) to test if pre‐breeders skip the studied site a given year, potentially prospecting other breeding habitats.This model is applied to the vulnerable Cory's shearwaters seabird species. As for many species, natal philopatry, pre‐breeding attendance and prospecting play an important role for recruitment into the breeding population. Model G shows that all Cory's shearwaters come back to their natal colony, and attend the colony before recruiting into the breeding population. Moreover, model G is preferred against model R, highlighting that prospecting plays a potentially role in the recruitment processes. Return and recruitment probabilities show similar time variation, suggesting an environmental forcing. The maximum probability of the first breeding is reached at the age of seven years. During the first year the annual survival rate is 0.52 (IC95%=[0.40, 0.64]) and pre‐breeders and adult annual survival rates do not differ, being respectively 0.88, IC95%=[0.83, 0.92] and 0.89, IC95%=[0.88, 0.9].Model G provides an improvement to estimate demographic parameters for long‐lived species life cycle and an adequate framework to test the influence of covariates. Model G is structured by age and breeding status categories, allowing easy further population models.
Studies on diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolated from children with diarrhea in Myanmar
Authors: Takahashi Eizo , Sultan Zafar , Shimada Sumika , Aung Wah Wah , Nyein Mar Mar , Oo Khin Nwe , Nair Gopinath Balakrish , Takeda Yoshifumi , Okamoto Keinosuke 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli isolates from 217 children in Myanmar with diarrhea were investigated for the presence of virulence genes related to diarrhea by colony hybridization and PCR. The genes examined were lt, stI, stII, stx1, stx2, eae, bfp, pCVD (which is the representative gene of plasmid of pCVD of EAEC), and ial (which is invasion‐associated locus of the invasion plasmid found in EIEC). Isolates from 47 of 217 children (21.7%) possessed virulence genes characteristic of diarrheagenic E. coli. No instance was found of co‐existence of different E. coli strains with different virulence genes in the same patient. Diarrheagenic E. coli are currently classified into five categories based on their virulence markers: ETEC, EHEC, EPEC, EAEC, and EIEC. Of the 47 isolates examined, 30 were EAEC, 12 were EPEC and 5 were ETEC. Susceptibility tests for antimicrobial agents showed that almost all diarrheagenic isolates were resistant to penicillin, tetracycline and streptomycin. However, the majority of strains were sensitive to cephalexin, nalidixic acid and norfloxacin. In particular, 42 of the 47 isolates were sensitive to norfloxacin, which is a fluoroquinolone. This study shows EAEC and EPEC are responsible for sporadic diarrhea in Myanmar and fluoroquinolones appear to be effective in the treatment of these patients.
Catalase gene disruptant of the human pathogenic yeast Candida albicans is defective in hyphal growth, and a catalase‐specific inhibitor can suppress hyphal growth of wild‐type cells
Authors: Nakagawa Yoshiyuki 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAlthough the catalase gene (CAT1) disruptant of the human pathogenic yeast Candida albicans was viable under ordinary growth conditions, we previously found that it could not grow on YPD (yeast extract/peptone/dextrose) containing SDS or at higher growth temperatures. To investigate the pleiotrophic nature of the disruptant, we examined the effect of the catalase inhibitor 3‐AT on the growth of wild‐type strains. Surprisingly, the addition of 3‐AT and SDS caused the wild‐type cells to be non‐viable on YPD plates. We found an additional phenotype of the catalase gene disruptant: it did not produce normal hyphae on Spider medium. Hyphal growth was observed in a CAP1 (Candida AP‐1‐like protein gene) disruptant, a HOG1 (high‐osmolarity glycerol signaling pathway gene) disruptant, and the double CAP1/HOG1 disruptant, suggesting that the defect in hyphal formation by the catalase disruptant was independent of these genes. Addition of 3‐AT and SDS to hyphae‐inducing media suppressed growth of normal hyphae in the wild‐type strain. The potential necessity for catalase action upon exposure to hyphae‐inducing conditions was confirmed by the immediate elevation of the catalase gene message. In spite of the requirement for catalase during hyphal growth, the catalase gene disruptant was capable of forming germ tubes in medium containing serum.
Distinct immunohistochemical localization in Kuru plaques using novel anti‐prion protein antibodies
Authors: Hosokawa Tomoko , Ono Fumiko , Tsuchiya Kotaro , Sato Ichiro , Takeyama Natsumi , Ueda Susumu , Zanusso Gianluigi , Takahashi Hidehiro , Sata Tetsutaro , Sakudo Akikazu , Suguira Katsuaki , Baj Andreina , Toniolo Antonio , Yoshikawa Yasuhiro , Onodera Takashi 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTBy immunizing Prnp‐knockout mice with synthetic polypeptides, a panel of mAbs directed to bovine PrPC was obtained. The mAb panel was characterized by the ELISA method, where synthetic polypeptides were used for epitope mapping. Different reactivity patterns were identified. The ability of these mAbs to detect abnormal PrPSc in CJD cases was studied by immunohistochemistry. All mAbs were tested for PrPSc in murine, bovine, monkey and human brain tissues. Three mAbs recognized the fragmented PrP epitope in our ELISA. Antibody 1D12 was strongly reactive to ovine and squirrel monkey tissues infected with a scrapie agent, although non‐reactive to scrapie‐infected mouse tissues. Antibody 2D8 was clearly reactive to type‐2 but not type‐1 CJD human tissues. Of particular interest was the reactivity of mAb 6C4 with the inner structure of Kuru plaques (peripheral pattern) in a type‐2 CJD case and mAb T2, 1D12, 2B11, 2D8, 4B5 and 6G3‐2 with the central area (central pattern). The fact that different anti‐PrP mAbs possess distinct staining properties suggests that the PrPc to PrPSc conversion might involve a multiple‐step process.
Analysis of splenic Gr‐1int immature myeloid cells in tumor‐bearing mice
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshiko , Ishigaki Hirohito , Ishida Hideaki , Itoh Yasushi , Noda Yoichi , Ogasawara Kazumasa 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTIt is known that the number of ImC, expressing myeloid markers, CD11b and Gr‐1, increase with tumor growth and ImC play a role in the escape of tumor cells from immunosurveillance in tumor‐bearing mice and cancer patients. However, the mechanisms by which ImC suppress immune responses in tumor‐bearing mice have not been completely elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the function of splenic ImC freshly isolated from tumor‐bearing mice and splenic ImC differentiated in vitro by GM‐CSF. Freshly isolated splenic ImC were divided into two groups depending on Gr‐1 expression, Gr‐1 high (Gr‐1hi) and intermediate (Gr‐1int). Freshly isolated splenic Gr‐1int ImC, but not Gr‐1hi ImC, from tumor‐bearing mice reduced production of IFN‐γ in CD8+ T cells, but neither splenic Gr‐1int ImC nor Gr‐1hi ImC isolated from naive mice did. Both Gr‐1int and Gr‐1hi ImC differentiated in vitro by GM‐CSF inhibited production of IFN‐γ in both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. In addition, the differentiated Gr‐1int ImC, one‐third of which were CD11c+F4/80+ cells, and their culture supernatants suppressed proliferative responses of T cells stimulated by CD3 ligation, but the differentiated Gr‐1hi ImC and their culture supernatants did not. These results suggest that Gr‐1int ImC are altered to immune‐suppressive cells in tumor circumstances and that they are differentiated by GM‐CSF progressively into CD11c+F4/80+ cells with further suppressive activity against T cells.
A chromosomal duplication that includes the canine microsatellite INRA21 in Labrador Retrievers
Authors: Onogi A. , Nurimoto M. , Sato Y. , Morita M. 
Published: March 2008

Summary INRA21 is one of the canine microsatellites recommended for parentage verification by the International Society for Animal Genetics. In Labrador Retrievers, abnormal peak patterns such as three‐peak patterns during capillary electrophoresis were frequently observed at INRA21. Pedigree analysis indicated that the abnormal peak patterns were due to inheritable causes, and semiquantitative multiplex (SQM) PCR analysis showed that the abnormal peak patterns were caused by chromosomal duplication. Walking SQM‐PCR analysis revealed that the size of the duplicated segment was approximately 1.58 Mb. Genotypes of microsatellites within the duplicated segment indicated that the duplication was an identical‐by‐descent mutation. This duplication is probably carried by more than half of the dogs in the Japanese population of Labrador Retrievers. The abnormal peak patterns at INRA21 were also observed in German Shorthaired Pointers and Flat‐Coated Retrievers. Genotyping analysis of the microsatellites within the duplicated segment in Labrador Retrievers suggested that the abnormal peak patterns observed in the two breeds were due to the duplication inherited from the same ancestor as the duplication of Labrador Retrievers. This study urges attention to the use of INRA21 and shows an example of copy number polymorphisms that are characteristic to dog breeds or lineages.
IVE (ifosfamide, epirubicin and etoposide) is a more effective stem cell mobilisation regimen than ICE (ifosphamide, carboplatin and etoposide) in the context of salvage therapy for lymphoma
Authors: Fox C. P. , McMillan A. K. , Bishton M. J. , Haynes A. P. , Russell N. H. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryTwo commonly used chemotherapy regimens for lymphoma salvage therapy were compared: ICE (ifosphamide, carboplatin and etoposide) ± rituximab and IVE (ifosfamide, epirubicin and etoposide) ± rituximab, for their efficacy in mobilising peripheral blood stem cells for autologous transplantation. Significant differences were observed between the cohorts in terms of number of patients mobilising the stipulated minimum >2 × 106 CD34+/kg (99·2% in IVE group versus 83% in ICE group: P = 0·0002) and also in terms of the number of patients achieving the predetermined target of >5 × 106 CD34+/kg, both in total and during the first apheresis procedure (72% in IVE versus 51% in ICE group and 49% in IVE versus 7% in ICE group: P = 0·02 and P < 0·0001 respectively). This analysis of two similar groups of patients treated within a single‐centre appears to demonstrate that the IVE regimen is a more effective stem cell mobilisation regimen than ICE in the context of salvage therapy for Hodgkin and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, allowing more patients to achieve the target CD34+ cell collection and proceed to high‐dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation.
The story of the discovery of heparin and warfarin
Authors: Wardrop Douglas , Keeling David 
Published: March 2008

SummaryHeparin and coumarins have been the mainstay of anticoagulant therapy throughout our working lives. As we stand on the threshold of a new era of anticoagulants it is timely to look back upon their discovery and development. Both have fascinating stories to tell. Jay McLean claimed to have discovered heparin whilst a medical student, although this is disputed. The story of warfarin leads us from a mysterious haemorrhagic disease of cattle to the development of a rat poison which became one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in history. Many people were involved in both stories and we owe them all a debt of gratitude.