bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The origin, cooling and alteration of A-type granites in southern Israel (northernmost Arabian–Nubian shield): a multi-mineral oxygen isotope study
Authors: STEINITZ ADAR , KATZIR YARON , VALLEY JOHN W. , BE'ERI-SHLEVIN YARON , SPICUZZA MICHAEL J. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractA multi-mineral oxygen isotope study sheds light on the origin, cooling and alteration of Late Neoproterozoic A-type granites in the Arabian–Nubian shield of southern Israel. The oxygen isotope ratio of zircon of the Timna monzodiorite, quartz syenite and alkaline granite are within the range of mantle zircon (δ18O(Zrn) = 5.3 ± 0.6‰, 2σ), supporting the co-genetic mantle-derived origin previously suggested based on geochemical data and similar ɛNd(T) values and U–Pb ages (610 Ma). Likewise, olivine norite xenoliths within the monzodiorite (δ18O(Ol) = 5.41 ± 0.07‰) may have formed as cumulate in a parent mantle-derived magma. Within the Timna igneous complex, the latest and most evolved intrusion, an alkaline granite, has the least contaminated isotope ratio (δ18O(Zrn) = 5.50 ± 0.02‰), whereas its inferred parental monzodiorite magma has slightly higher and more variable δ18O(Zrn) values (5.60 to 5.93‰). The small isotope variation may be accounted for either by small differences in the temperature of zircon crystallization or by minor contamination of the parent magma followed by shallow emplacement and intrusion by the Timna alkaline granite. The Timna alkaline granite evolved, however, from a non-contaminated batch of mantle-derived magma. The formation of Yehoshafat granite (605 Ma; δ18O(Zrn) = 6.63 ± 0.10‰), exposed ~30 km to the south of the mineralogically comparable Timna alkaline granite, involved significant contribution from supracrustal rocks. A-type granites in southern Israel thus formed by differentiation of mantle-derived magma and upper crustal melting coevally. Fast grain boundary diffusion modelling and measured quartz-zircon fractionations demonstrate that the Timna and Yehoshafat alkaline granites cooled very rapidly below 600 °C in accordance with being epizonal. One to three orders of magnitude slower cooling is calculated for 30 Ma older calc-alkaline granites of the host batholith, indicating a transition from thick orogenic to extended crust. Significant elevation of the δ18O of feldspars occurred through water–rock interaction at moderate temperatures (100–250 °C), most probably during a thermal event in Early Carboniferous times.
The association between seed size and seed longevity among maternal families inAmbrosia trifidaL. populations
Authors: Schutte Brian J. , Regnier Emilie E. , Harrison S. Kent 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn temperate plant communities, seed size is often inversely related to seed longevity at the species level. We tested if the inverse relationship between seed size and seed longevity holds among individuals within populations ofAmbrosia trifidaL. (Asteraceae), a summer annual agricultural weed in the eastern United States Corn Belt that typically emerges in two successive flushes: one before 1 May and one after 1 May. The effects of maternal phenotype on seed morphology, seed weight, late emergence (emergence after 1 May) and seed-bank persistence were determined in two 1-year experiments. All seeds were collected from individuals at weekly intervals for 3 weeks. Sixty seeds per collection were used in the analysis. Despite fluctuating environmental conditions during seed development, seed weight within maternal families remained constant for different maturation times. Differences among families constituted 69% of total variation in seed weight, whereas differences within maternal families composed 31% of the variation in seed weight. Percentage late emergence and percentage seed-bank persistence varied among maternal families. In four maternal families, either 0% or 100% of seedlings emerged after 1 May, but a majority of other maternal families produced seedlings both before and after 1 May. Seed-bank persistence rates ranged from 1 to 51% among maternal families. Percentage late emergence and percentage seed-bank persistence were inversely related to maternal-family mean seed weight in 2006, but not in 2005. These results suggest that the inverse relationship between seed size and seed longevity occurs among individuals of a population, but is affected by the environment.
Habitat-correlated seed germination behaviour in populations of wood anemone (Anemone nemorosaL.) from northern Italy
Authors: Mondoni Andrea , Probert Robin , Rossi Graziano , Hay Fiona , Bonomi Costantino 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAlthough various aspects of the biology ofAnemone nemorosahave been examined, few studies present data on seed germination, and even then information tends to be rather contradictory.A. nemorosaL. is a spring-flowering, woodland geophyte, widely distributed across much of Europe. Germination phenology, including embryo development and radicle and shoot emergence, were investigated in one mountain and three lowland populations from northern Italy. Immediately after harvest, seeds were either sown on agar in the laboratory under simulated seasonal temperatures, or placed in nylon mesh sachets and buried in the wild. Embryos, undifferentiated at the time of dispersal, grew under summer conditions in the laboratory and in the wild. However, seeds did not germinate under continuous summer conditions. Radicle emergence in the field was first recorded at the beginning of autumn, when soil temperatures had dropped toc.15°C in the case of the three lowland populations, and toc.10°C at the mountain site. Shoot emergence was delayed under natural conditions until late autumn/early winter, when soil temperatures had dropped toc.10°C in the lowlands andc.6°C at the mountain site. In the laboratory, a period of cold stratification was required for shoot emergence, and this requirement was more pronounced in the mountain population. Seeds of the mountain population completed embryo development, radicle emergence and shoot emergence at cooler temperatures compared with the lowland populations. These results suggest that germination inA. nemorosais highly adapted and finely tuned to local climate. We conclude that seeds ofA. nemorosadisplay deep, simple epicotyl, morphophysiogical dormancy, and this is the first report of such dormancy for the genusAnemone. However, the continuous development and growth of embryos from the time of natural dispersal, and the lack of evidence of developmental arrest under natural conditions, suggests that radicles are non-dormant.
A curious isolated cystic lesion of the membranous atrioventricular septum
Authors: Phelps Christina M. , Mengshol Sarah , Dunbar Ivy David 
Published: October 2008

AbstractWe present the case of an isolated cystic lesion of the atrioventricular component of the membranous septum of unclear aetiology, but responsible for cardiomegaly and benign disturbances of cardiac rhythm. As far as we are aware, this type of lesion has not previously been documented.
Increasing Access to CBT: Stepped Care and CBT Self-Help Models in Practice
Authors: Williams Chris , Martinez Rebeca 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe delivery of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) in the UK has moved through two phases. In the first phase specialist practitioners delivered bespoke CBT to individuals often experiencing complex and longer-lasting problems. This phase has been characterized by waiting lists and a high quality service delivered to a few. In the second phase of service delivery CBT has begun to be delivered in all sorts of different formats, including CBT self-help/guided CBT, behavioural activation, computerized CBT and group based CBT that aim to increase access to CBT delivered in these ways. It remains unclear how these varying models – “high intensity” (phase 1) and “low intensity” (phase 2) should relate – and even who does best with each. There are implicit assumptions by practitioners reflected in language such as “stepping up/down” that assumes high intensity working is superior in some way to low intensity. Few studies have however examined this in depth and what studies there are suggest these beliefs may be incorrect for many. How these new ways of working will be introduced, evaluated and integrated into existing services currently remains a challenge. A helpful way of resolving some of these issues is to view CBT using a learning/teaching paradigm. In this the focus is primarily on how the client wishes to learn to tackle their problems. This provides a helpful way for both introducing different and new ways of working, and also maintaining a focus on the client's needs at the centre of service development. Crucially, phase two CBT working does not replace phase one. How the two approaches complement each other and compare will be two of the interesting questions to be addressed over the next few years.
On the reliability and standard errors of measurement of contrast measures from the D-KEFS
Authors: CRAWFORD JOHN R. , SUTHERLAND DAVID , GARTHWAITE PAUL H. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractA formula for the reliability of difference scores was used to estimate the reliability of Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS; Delis et al., 2001) contrast measures from the reliabilities and correlations of their components. In turn these reliabilities were used to calculate standard errors of measurement. The majority of contrast measures had low reliabilities: of the 51 reliability coefficients calculated in the present study, none exceeded 0.7 and hence all failed to meet any of the criteria for acceptable reliability proposed by various experts in psychological measurement. The mean reliability of the contrast scores was 0.27, the median reliability was 0.30. The standard errors of measurement were large and, in many cases, equaled or were only marginally smaller than the contrast scores' standard deviations. The results suggest that, at present, D-KEFS contrast measures should not be used in neuropsychological decision making. (JINS, 2008, 14, 1069–1073.)
Endorsement of self-report neurovegetative items of depression is associated with multiple sclerosis disease symptoms
Authors: BEENEY JOE E. , ARNETT PETER A. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractSome researchers have suggested that general self-report depression scales may be inadequate for assessing depression among individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), because many of such items represent MS disease symptoms. However, research has been mixed on this issue: whereas some studies provide support for symptom overlap, others have found opposing evidence. We investigated this issue in two different MS samples with three different strategies. We (1) examined reliable change in depression symptom categories at two time points over three years, (2) assessed the relationship between variables associated with depression and different depression symptom subscales, and (3) assessed the relationship between symptom subscales and physical disability. In each instance we found significant evidence that items meant to assess vegetative symptoms of depression may be influenced by presence of MS disease symptoms or were not associated with other core elements or central correlates of depression. (JINS, 2008, 14, 1057–1062.)
EXPANSION IN BELL POLYNOMIALS OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE TOTAL CLAIM AMOUNT WITH WEIBULL-DISTRIBUTED CLAIM SIZES
Authors: LACAYO RAMON 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe total claim amount for a fixed period of time is, by definition, a sum of a random number of claims of random size. In this paper we explore the probabilistic distribution of the total claim amount for claims that follow a Weibull distribution, which can serve as a satisfactory model for both small and large claims. As models for the number of claims we use the geometric, Poisson, logarithmic and negative binomial distributions. In all these cases, the densities of the total claim amount are obtained via Laplace transform of a density function, an expansion in Bell polynomials of a convolution and a subsequent Laplace inversion.
Semi-presidentialism and Democratic Performance
Authors: ELGIE ROBERT , MCMENAMIN IAIN 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThere is a long-standing and widespread consensus that semi-presidentialism is bad for democratic performance. This article examines whether there is empirical evidence to support the arguments against semi-presidentialism. Examining countries that are incompletely consolidated and yet are not autocratic, we identify the relationship between democratic performance and the three main arguments against semi-presidentialism – the strength of the presidency, cohabitation, and divided minority government. We find that there is a strong and negative association between presidential power and democratic performance, but that cohabitation and divided minority government do not have the negative consequences that the literature predicts.
The Politics of Gay Rights and the Gender Gap: A Perspective on the Clergy
Authors: Deckman Melissa , Crawford Sue E.S. , Olson Laura R. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn this article, we explore the nexus of gender, religious leadership, and attitudes toward homosexuality and gay rights. Homosexuality has become a frontline issue in American politics, as illustrated most recently by gay marriage battles in the courts and state legislatures as well as state referenda campaigns designed to define marriage legally as the union of a man and a woman. Using survey data from a national random sample of 3,208 clergy who serve in six mainline Protestant denominations, we analyze the extent to which gender operates as a significant predictor of public speech on gay rights issues. Ordinal logistic regression allows us to demonstrate that women clergy are substantially more likely than their male counterparts to speak publicly on gay rights, as well as to model more generally the factors that compel clergy to take action to address this controversial issue in public.
“Peace, Peace, but there is No Peace”: A Critique of Christian Pacifist Communitarianism
Authors: Gray Phillip W. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe communal elements of Christianity are of increasing concern to religious thinkers. Indeed, for some religious thinkers, the importance of community is paramount in Christian belief and practice, especially as these communitarian views interact and enhance Christian pacifism. The community of Christians as the “peaceable kingdom” becomes the core element of Christian life. But is this pacifist communitarian Christianity tenable? In this article, I will argue that pacifist communitarianism leads to unexpected and objectionable consequences. Specifically, I will consider the views of John Howard Yoder and Stanley Hauerwas. By explicating the weaknesses of their pacifist views, most especially on the issue of coercion and the notion of “Constantinianism,” I will show that both thinkers tend toward a view of Christian separatismvis-à-visthe secular world. Both thinkers' systems present problems in communicating truth to those not already in the community. Finally, their communitarian views conflict with their pacifism, in the end requiring those not within the community to act as if they were members.
Cesarean by choice? Empirical study of public attitudes
Authors: HÖGBERG ULF , LYNÖE NIELS , WULFF MARIANNE 
Published: October 2008

AbstractObjective. This study examines public attitudes towards maternal requests for cesarean delivery and its association with health care and birth experiences. In addition, this study attempts to ascertain whether gender, age and residence influence these attitudes. Design. Cross‐sectional population survey with a postal questionnaire. Setting. The counties of Stockholm and Västerbotten in Sweden. Population. Equal numbers of women and men between 20 and 80 years of age (n = 2,000) by population size and gender distribution. Methods. Descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results. Of the 1,066 women (53%) who responded, two‐thirds stated that a cesarean should be decided on for medical reasons and by a doctor. One‐third considered that a woman, without persuasion, should decide herself about mode of delivery and should be free to choose a cesarean. These respondents used arguments such as women's rights, bodily integrity and childbirth fear. The results were associated with low trust in health care, women being young or middle aged, urban living and having no children. Low trust in health care was associated with experiences of insecurity, vulnerability and perceived maltreatment. Conclusion. Public norms towards women's own decision making on mode of delivery are associated with younger age, lower trust in health care and urban living. Antenatal care will encounter more parents asking for a cesarean and demanding that health professionals provide an ethically appropriate informed consent process. Considering the risk of violating young women's trust if not respecting her wish, it seems reasonable that making decisions whether or not to perform a cesarean is part of shared decision making.
Evidence for impaired physiological decrease in the uteroplacental vascular resistance in pregnant women with familial hypercholesterolemia
Authors: KHOURY JANETTE , AMUNDSEN ÅGOT L. , TONSTAD SERENA , HENRIKSEN TORE , OSE LEIV , RETTERSTØL KJETIL , IVERSEN PER O. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAbnormal hyperlipidemia characterizes pregnancy in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), and is associated with vascular dysfunction. Hence, we compared blood flow in the feto‐ and uteroplacental circulation in FH and healthy reference women using Doppler velocimetry. The umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI) at gestational weeks 24 and 36, and the concomitant physiological decrease in PI, was similar in FH (n = 10) and the reference group (n = 143). The decrease in mean PI of both uterine arteries from week 24 to 36 was significant in the reference group, but not among the FH women. Plasma LDL‐cholesterol measured between weeks 24 and 36 was not correlated with the decrease in umbilical PI in the FH group, or with the decrease in umbilical or mean uterine PI in the reference group. We conclude that pregnancy in FH might be associated with attenuated physiological decrease in mean PI of uterine arteries, possibly reflecting increased uteroplacental vascular resistance unrelated to plasma LDL‐cholesterol levels.
Kinetics of Turn-offs of Frog Rod Phototransduction Cascade
Authors: Astakhova Luba A. , Firsov Michael L. , Govardovskii Victor I. 
Published: October 2008

The time course of the light-induced activity of phototrandsuction effector enzyme cGMP-phosphodiesterase (PDE) is shaped by kinetics of rhodopsin and transducin shut-offs. The two processes are among the key factors that set the speed and sensitivity of the photoresponse and whose regulation contributes to light adaptation. The aim of this study was to determine time courses of flash-induced PDE activity in frog rods that were dark adapted or subjected to nonsaturating steady background illumination. PDE activity was computed from the responses recorded from solitary rods with the suction pipette technique in Ca2+-clamping solution.
A flash applied in the dark-adapted state elicits a wave of PDE activity whose rising and decaying phases have characteristic times near 0.5 and 2 seconds, respectively. Nonsaturating steady background shortens both phases roughly to the same extent. The acceleration may exceed fivefold at the backgrounds that suppress ≈70% of the dark current.
The time constant of the process that controls the recovery from super-saturating flashes (so-called dominant time constant) is adaptation independent and, hence, cannot be attributed to either of the processes that shape the main part of the PDE wave. We hypothesize that the dominant time constant in frog rods characterizes arrestin binding to rhodopsin partially inactivated by phosphorylation. A mathematical model of the cascade that considers two-stage rhodopsin quenching and transducin inactivation can mimic experimental PDE activity quite well. The effect of light adaptation on the PDE kinetics can be reproduced in the model by concomitant acceleration on both rhodopsin phosphorylation and transducin turn-off, but not by accelerated arrestin binding. This suggests that not only rhodopsin but also transducin shut-off is under adaptation control.
Enantioselective disposition of salbutamol in man following oral and intravenous administration
Authors: BOULTON D. W. , FAWCETT J. P. 
Published: October 2008

1 Salbutamol is a β2,‐adrenoceptor stimulant used clinically as a racemate where the activity resides predominantly in the (‐)R enantiomer with little or no activity attributed to the (+)S enantiomer. Salbutamol undergoes extensive pre‐systemic metabolism and active renal excretion.2 The pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of salbutamol have been investigated after intravenous (1.6 mg) and oral (4 mg) dosing with racemic drug to seven normal male volunteers. Plasma and urine samples were analysed by chiral h.p.1.c. after solid phase extraction.3 The ratio of (‐)R/(+)S salbutamol in plasma and urine fobllowing intravenous administration ranged from near unity soon after dosing to about 0.66 after 8 h. The ratio remained at about 0.3 in both plasma and urine over the 8 h following an oral dose.4 The following pharmacokinetic parameters for (+)S and (‐)R salbutamol were found to be significantly different (P <0.05) after intravenous administration (clearance 0.39±0.12vs0.62±0.18 1 h‐1kg‐1, terminal phase half‐life 2.85±0.83vs2.00±0.49 h, amount excreted unchanged in urine 55±11vs46±8%) and following oral administration (amount excreted unchanged in urine 32±11vs8±4% and bioavailability 0.71±0.09vs0.30±0.07).5 The active (‐)R enantiomer of salbutamol undergoes significantly faster metabolism in man than the inactive (+)S enantiomer resulting in considerably lower bioavailability of the active enantiomer following oral administration.
Potential greater than additive vasorelaxant actions of milrinone and nitroglycerin on human conduit arteries
Authors: HE GUO‐WEI , YANG CHENG‐QIN , GATELY HUGH , FURNARY ANTHONY , SWANSON JEFFERY , AHMAD AFTAB , FLOTEN STORM , WOOD JAMES , STARR ALBERT 
Published: October 2008

1 The mechanism of vasorelaxation for phosphodiesterase III inhibitors is mediated by increase of cAMP whereas for nitrovasodilators, cGMP. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the phosphodiesterase I inhibitor milrinone and nitroglycerin (NTG) may have greater than additive effects in human arteries.2 Internal mammary artery segments (IMA,n= 90) taken from 23 patients were studied in organ chambers. The effect of milrinone (3 μM), NTG (10 nM), or the combination was tested in IMA rings precontracted with potassium (K+, 25 mM) or U46619 (10 nM). Concentration‐contraction curves for K+or U46619 were established in other rings treated with milrinone (70 μM), NTG (0.1 μM), or the combination for 10 min.3 In K+‐induced contraction, the combination produced more relaxation (45.4%) than did either milrinone (7.9%, P < 0.05) or NTG (3.8%, P < 0.05) alone. This relaxation was significantly more than the theoretical overadditive effect (P < 0.05). Similar results were seen in U46619‐induced contraction (94.1% by the combinationvs70.7% by milrinone, P < 0.05, or 36.1% by NTG, P < 0.05). Pretreatment with the combination depressed contraction to a higher extend compared with milrinone alone (P < 0.05) for the K+‐induced contraction and to NTG alone (P < 0.05) in U46619‐induced contraction. Treatment with the combination also shifted EC50rightward and this shift was significantly more than that caused by treatment with NTG alone (P < O.O5).4 We conclude that there is a greater than additive vasorelaxant effect of PDE III inhibitors and nitrovasodilators in human conduit arteries. This effect may be beneficial to patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and to other patients requiring these vasodilators. Reduced doses of the vasodilators in concentration may be sufficient to produce vasodilatation similar to that produced by either of them alone at higher concentrations.