bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Meaning of “Spirituality”
Authors: Ahlin Lars 
Published: October 2008

In the contemporary Western world one can observe a remarkable popularity of the term “spirituality.” However, there are different understandings of the concept. Among other things, discussion is occupied with the problem of how to differentiate “spirituality” from “religiosity.” However, my intention here is not to present yet another definition, or to give guidelines on how to differentiate it from “religiosity.” My objective is much more limited. On the one hand I intend to propose some beliefs and practices that ought to be included in a substantive definition of “spirituality.” On the other hand I want to discuss some problems involved in this enterprise. My approach is indirect. I have not asked any respondents how they perceive or define “spirituality.”
So it may be asked: How is it possible to say what beliefs and practices people refer to, if you don’t ask them directly?
Tumor Growth Rates Derived from Data for Patients in a Clinical Trial Correlate Strongly with Patient Survival: A Novel Strategy for Evaluation of Clinical Trial Data
Authors: Stein Wilfred D. , Figg William Doug , Dahut William , Stein Aryeh D. , Hoshen Moshe B. , Price Doug , Bates Susan E. , Fojo Tito 
Published: October 2008

Abstract

Purpose.
The slow progress in developing new cancer therapies can be attributed in part to the long time spent in clinical development. To hasten development, new paradigms especially applicable to patients with metastatic disease are needed.

Patients and Methods.
We present a new method to predict survival using tumor measurement data gathered while a patient with cancer is receiving therapy in a clinical trial. We developed a two-phase equation to estimate the concomitant rates of tumor regression (regression rate constant d) and tumor growth (growth rate constant g).

Results.
We evaluated the model against serial levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in 112 patients undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. Survival was strongly correlated with the log of the growth rate constant, log(g) (Pearson r = −0.72) but not with the log of the regression rate constants, log(d) (r = −0.218). Values of log(g) exhibited a bimodal distribution. Patients with log(g) values above the median had a mortality hazard of 5.14 (95% confidence interval, 3.10–8.52) when compared with those with log(g) values below the median. Mathematically, the minimum PSA value (nadir) and the time to this minimum are determined by the kinetic parameters d and g, and can be viewed as surrogates.

Conclusions.
This mathematical model has applications to many tumor types and may aid in evaluating patient outcomes. Modeling tumor progression using data gathered while patients are on study, may help evaluate the ability of therapies to prolong survival and assist in drug development.
The role of reactive oxygen species in Staphylococcus aureus photoinactivation by methylene blue
Authors: Sabbahi Sonia , Alouini Zoubeir , Jemli Meryam , Boudabbous Abdellatif 
Published: October 2008

Methylene blue (MB) has been shown to photoinduce the direct inactivation of Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in water. We have investigated the mechanism of S. aureus photoinactivation conducting firstly sodium azide (reactive ion N3−), as a good physical singlet oxygen quencher, then the amino acids tryptophan (Trp), as a non-specific singlet oxygen quencher and the mannitol, as an hydroxyl free radical scavenger. Inactivation of MB photosensitization is the antioxidants type dependent. When the bacteria was treated with MB (20 μM) under light during 10 min of exposure, it was found that survival fraction had decreased dramatically to about 31.27±5.39%. The presence of sodium azide and Trp failed to shown any protection from the MB photodynamic activity. In the presence of mannitol, S. aureus could be protected, reaching a protection level of about 27%. It is possible that the photodynamic activity of MB occurred in part, via a Type I mechanism in which •OH was produced.
The interactions between MB and S. aureus were studied spectrophotometrically. This demonstrated that a metachromatic reaction took place between MB and S. aureus bacteria. Furthermore, S. aureus bacteria induced additional dimerization of MB.
The effects of superoxide dismutase knockout on the oxidative stress parameters and survival of mouse erythrocyt
Authors: Grzelak Agnieszka , Kruszewski Marcin , Macierzyńska Ewa , Piotrowski Łukasz , Pułaski Łukasz , Rychlik Błażej , Bartosz Grzegorz 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe erythrocytes of 12-month old Sod1 −/− mice showed an increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as estimated by the degree of dihydroethidine and dihydrorhodamine oxidation, and the increased level of Heinz bodies. No indices of severe oxidative stress were found in the red blood cells and blood plasma of Sod1 −/− mice as judged from the lack of significant changes in the levels of erythrocyte and plasma glutathione, plasma protein thiol and carbonyl groups and thiobarbituric-acid reactive substances in the blood plasma. However, a decreased erythrocyte lifespan, increased reticulocyte count and splenomegaly were noted, indicating the importance of superoxide dismutase for maintaining erythrocyte viability. The levels of erythrocyte ROS and Heinz bodies and the reticulocyte count were indistinguishable in Sod1 +/+ and Sod1 +/− mice, suggesting that a superoxide dismutase activity decrease to half of its normal value may be sufficient to secure the protective effects of the enzyme.
The carnitine acetyltransferase gene (CRAT): A characterization of porcine transcripts with insights into the 5’-end variants of mammalian transcripts and their possible sub-cellular localization
Authors: Robic Annie , Faraut Thomas , Liaubet Laurence , Milan Denis 
Published: October 2008

AbstractCarnitine acetyltransferase (CRAT) is an important enzyme for energy homeostasis and fat metabolism. We characterized the predicted full length cDNA sequence of the porcine CRAT gene. Its structure is very similar to that in humans with respect to the size and organization of the 14 exons. We demonstrated the existence of a porcine alternative transcript resulting from a partial intron-retention at the 5’ end of exon 2. To perform a comparison of the 5’ end variants of the mammalian CRAT gene, we analyzed the Genbank data, and here we propose a new 5’ variant for dog, rat and mouse. In contrast to other mammals where this variant encodes a shorter protein (−21 aa in human, mouse and rat, and −14 aa in dog), the pig variant encodes for a longer protein (+18 aa). In all mammalian species, variant 1 has a high probability of a preferential mitochondrial sub-cellular localization. Nevertheless, it is not evident, in particular in porcine and dog species, that the second variant is associated with a different sub-cellular specificity.
Homing of annexin-labeled stem cells to apoptotic cells
Authors: Gerasimou Argyrios , Ramella Roberta , Brero Alessia , Boero Ombretta , Sheiban Imad , Levi Renzo , Gallo Maria 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIschemic diseases are characterized by the presence of pro-apoptotic stimuli, which initiate a cascade of processes that lead to cell injury and death. Several molecules and events represent detectable indicators of the different stages of apoptosis. Among these indicators is phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation from the inner to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, which can be detected by annexinV (ANXA5) conjugation. This is a widely used in vivo and in vitro assay marking the early stages of apoptosis. We report here on an original method that employs PS-ANXA5 conjugation to target stem cells to apoptotic cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from GFP-positive transgenic rats were biotinylated on membrane surfaces with sulfosuccinimidyl-6-(biotinamido) hexanoate (sulfo-NHS-LC-biot) and then bound to avidin. The avidin-biotinylated MSCs were labeled with biotin conjugated ANXA5. Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAE-1 cells) were exposed to UVC to induce caspasedependent apoptosis. Finally, we tested the ability of ANXA5-labeled MSCs to bind BAE-1 apoptotic cells: suspended ANXA5-labeled MSCs were seeded for 1 hour on a monolayer of UV-treated or control BAE-1 cells. After washing, the number of MSCs bound to BAE-1 cells was evaluated by confocal microscopy. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the number of MSCs tagged to apoptotic BAE-1 cells. Therefore, stem cell ANXA5 tagging via biotin-avidin bridges could be a straightforward method of improving homing to apoptotic tissues.
Block-Based Physical Modeling with Applications in Musical Acoustics
Authors: Rabenstein Rudolf , Petrausch Stefan 
Published: October 2008

Block-Based Physical Modeling with Applications in Musical AcousticsBlock-based physical modeling is a methodology for modeling physical systems with different subsystems. Each subsystem may be modeled according to a different paradigm. Connecting systems of diverse nature in the discrete-time domain requires a unified interconnection strategy. Such a strategy is provided by the well-known wave digital principle, which had been introduced initially for the design of digital filters. It serves as a starting point for the more general idea of block-based physical modeling, where arbitrary discrete-time state space representations can communicate via wave variables. An example in musical acoustics shows the application of block-based modeling to multidimensional physical systems.
Natural Quantum Operational Semantics with Predicates
Authors: Sawerwain Marek , Gielerak Roman 
Published: October 2008

Natural Quantum Operational Semantics with PredicatesA general definition of a quantum predicate and quantum labelled transition systems for finite quantum computation systems is presented. The notion of a quantum predicate as a positive operator-valued measure is developed. The main results of this paper are a theorem about the existence of generalised predicates for quantum programs defined as completely positive maps and a theorem about the existence of a GSOS format for quantum labelled transition systems. The first theorem is a slight generalisation of D'Hondt and Panagaden's theorem about the quantum weakest precondition in terms of discrete support positive operator-valued measures.
Determining the Weights of A Fourier Series Neural Network on the Basis of the Multidimensional Discrete Fourier Transform
Authors: Halawa Krzysztof 
Published: October 2008

Determining the Weights of A Fourier Series Neural Network on the Basis of the Multidimensional Discrete Fourier TransformThis paper presents a method for training a Fourier series neural network on the basis of the multidimensional discrete Fourier transform. The proposed method is characterized by low computational complexity. The article shows how the method can be used for modelling dynamic systems.
Myopathy in a Haflinger horse: An initiating search for a fatty acid oxidation deficiency
Authors: Wijnberg I. D. , Ruitenbeek W. , Jansen G. , Westermann C. M. , van der Kolk J. H. 
Published: October 2008

SummarySo far, the area of fat metabolism disturbances has been poorly explored in the horse but, as in man, deficiencies in the β‐oxidation of fatty acids (FAOX) and in carnitine metabolism or carnitine transport potentially can be a cause of myopathy. A 9‐year‐old Haflinger patient with recurrent rhabdomyolysis and 5 healthy horses of various breeds with a mean age of 16 ± 5.9 years were used as a comparison. Blood biochemical analysis revealed elevated aspartate amino transferase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase activities. Plasma vitamin E concentration was low and selenium was within the reference range. Quantitative electromyography was indicative of myopathy based on the short duration and low amplitude motor unit action potentials. Staining of muscle biopsies was suggestive for a myopathy based on a disturbance in fat catabolism. Carnitine, acylcarnitines, very‐long‐chain fatty acids and organic acids screening in blood and urine established no differences between these parameters in the patient and control horses. Even though this patient was negative on FAOX or carnitine disturbances, the potency of the applied methods seems large and indicates a potential diagnostic value.
An update on cyathostomins: Anthelmintic resistance and worm control
Authors: Matthews J. B. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryIntestinal nematodes are an important cause of equine disease. Of these parasites, the Cyathostominae are the most important group, both in terms of their prevalence and their pathogenicity. Cyathostomin infections are complex and control is further complicated by ever‐increasing levels of resistance to some of the commonly used anthelmintics. There are no new equine anthelmintics under development, so it is imperative that the efficacy of any currently‐effective drug classes be maintained for as long as possible.It is believed that the proportion of refugia (i.e. the percentage of parasites not exposed to a drug at each treatment) is one of the most crucial factors in determining the rate at which anthelmintic resistance develops. It is important, therefore, that levels of refugia be taken into account when designing nematode control programmes for horses. This can be assisted by knowledge of the local epidemiology of the infection, supplemented by faecal egg count analysis to identify those animals that are making the major contribution to pasture contamination. This type of rational nematode control requires equine veterinary surgeons to get involved in designing and implementing deworming programmes. The advice given must be based on a combination of knowledge of cyathostomin biology and epidemiology as well as an awareness of the parasite population's current drug sensitivity and a sound history of husbandry at the establishment.As anthelmintic resistance will be the major constraint on the future control of cyathostomins, researchers are now actively investigating this area. Studies are underway to develop tests that will enable earlier detection of anthelmintic resistance and an assay that will help identify those horses that require anthelmintic treatments targeted at intestinal wall larvae.
Forest Conservation and the Reciprocal Timber Trade between New Zealand and New South Wales, 1880s-1920s
Authors: Stubbs Brett J. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
A substantial inter-colonial timber trade between hardwood-scarce New Zealand and softwood-scarce New South Wales developed in the late nineteenth century. The northern coastal area of New South Wales, that colony's main timber-producing district, supplied mainly ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata, E. crebra and E. siderophloia) for use in New Zealand's railways, bridges and wharves. North-eastern New South Wales was also that colony's most important dairying district, and kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides), a New Zealand softwood timber, was imported for the manufacture of butter boxes. The magnitude of this two-way trade created domestic timber shortages on both sides of the Tasman Sea, and stimulated conservation efforts from the early years of the twentieth century. Anticipated shortages of kahikatea also forced the New South Wales dairying industry to seek alternatives, including the arguably less suitable indigenous hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii), for its butter boxes.
Imperial Ethos, Dominions Reality: Forestry Education in New Zealand and Australia, 1910-1965
Authors: Roche Michael M. , Dargavel John 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
The forces that started formal forestry education in Australia and New Zealand from 1910 and 1924 respectively are traced. The controversies and difficulties experienced by the forestry schools that were started are examined and the links between the two countries in forestry education are noted. Forestry education arose amidst inter-state jealousies, class divisions and personal animosities. It emerged in the 1960s as a truly university education that melded some of the ethos of imperial forestry with other philosophies in ways that could be applied in Dominion realities.
Trees of Gold and Men Made Good? Grand Visions and Early Experiments in Penal Forestry in New South Wales, 1913-1938
Authors: Taylor Benedict 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
While modern penal institutions exist, putatively, to transform the people held within them into law-abiding citizens, it is not generally recognised that since the early twentieth century, Australian and New Zealand penal systems have also sought to transform 'wastelands' into ordered, productive landscapes. In Australia, this experiment began in 1913 on the north coast of New South Wales, where small groups of prisoners were set to work creating a pine plantation. Penologists and foresters saw themselves as the architects of a grand project; men with 'wasted lives' would reclaim 'wasted land', and, in the process, reclaim themselves. Depraved city-dwelling criminals would be transformed into hardy, upright bushmen, while the unproductive native landscapes would be replaced by useful exotic softwood forests. Although these reforms were hailed as modern and progressive, a close study of the history of this scheme reveals that a range of relationships to landscapes, some very old indeed, are deeply embedded in historical understandings of human rehabilitation.
Study of Moisture Absorption by Ranitidine Hydrochloride: Effect of % RH, Excipients, Dosage Forms and Packing Materials
Authors: Islam SM Ashraful , Hossain Md Amir , Kabir ANM Hamidul , Kabir Shaila , Hossain Md Khalid 
Published: October 2008

Moisture absorption by ranitidine at three different level of relative humidity (RH) has been studied. Percentage of moisture absorption at 22%, 57% and 75% RH was 0.6%, 3.1%, and 4.9% respectively. Ranitidine blended with various excipients (maize starch, lactose, avicel PH-101, mannitol, povidone K-30, magnesium stearate and purified talc) were also exposed to 75% relative humidity (% RH) to observe their effects on moisture absorption. Moisture absorption by ranitidine was either increased or decreased when ranitidine was mixed with various diluents, binders and lubricants. Ranitidine mixed with lactose, aerosil-200 and avicel PH-101 absorbed minimum amount of moisture while ranitidine mixed with maize starch absorbed maximum. On the other hand, ranitidine mixed with mannitol was found to absorb intermediate amount of moisture. Ranitidine mixed with povidone K-30 absorbed almost double moisture than pure ranitidine. Ranitidine mixed with purified talc and magnesium stearate absorbed almost same amount of moisture. The type of dosage form and type of packing materials also influenced moisture absorption. Uncoated tablets absorbed maximum amount of moisture (4.5%) while coated tablets absorbed minimum (2%). On the other hand, capsule was found to absorb intermediate amount of moisture (3.4%). PVC-Alu foil packed uncoated ranitidine tablet absorbed more moisture (3.3%) than that of Alu-Alu packed uncoated ranitidine tablet (0.16%). Key words: % RH, ranitidine hydrochloride, moisture, absorption Â DOI = 10.3329/dujps.v7i1.1219 Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 7(1): 59-64, 2008 (June)
Surface‐Dominated Transport Properties of Silicon Nanowires
Authors: Jie Jiansheng , Zhang Wenjun , Peng Kuiqing , Yuan Guodong , Lee Chun Sing , Lee Shuit‐Tong 
Published: October 2008

AbstractSurface effects are widely recognized to significantly influence the properties of nanostructures, although the detailed mechanisms are rarely studied and unclear. Herein we report for the first time a quantitative evaluation of the surface‐related contributions to transport properties in nanostructures by using Si nanowires (NWs) as a paradigm. Critical to this study is the capability of synthesizing SiNWs with predetermined conduction type and carrier concentration from Si wafer of known properties using the recently developed metal‐catalyzed chemical etching method. Strikingly, the conductance of p‐type SiNWs is substantively larger in air than that of the original wafer, is sensitive to humidity and volatile gases, and thinner wires show higher conductivity. Further, SiNW‐based field‐effect transistors (FETs) show NWs to have a hole concentration two orders of magnitude higher than the original wafer. In vacuum, the conductivity of SiNWs dramatically decreases, whereas hole mobility increases. The device performances are further improved by embedding SiNW FETs in 250 nm SiO2, which insulates the devices from atmosphere and passivates the surface defects of NWs. Owing to the strong surface effects, n‐type SiNWs even change to exhibit p‐type characteristics. The totality of the results provides definitive confirmation that the electrical characteristics of SiNWs are dominated by surface states. A model based on surface band bending and carrier scattering caused by surface states is proposed to interpret experimental results. The phenomenon of surface‐dependent transport properties should be generic to all nanoscale structures, and is significant for nanodevice design for sensor and electronic applications.
Cold Consolidation of Metal–Ceramic Nanocomposite Powders with Large Ceramic Fractions
Authors: Menéndez Enric , Salazar‐Alvarez German , Zhilyaev Alexander P. , Suriñach Santiago , Baró Maria Dolors , Nogués Josep , Sort Jordi 
Published: October 2008

AbstractCo/α‐Al2O3 powder mixtures (5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mass % of α‐Al2O3) have been ball‐milled and, subsequently, consolidated at room temperature by means of a high pressure torsion procedure in order to produce bulk nanostructured composites. For mixtures up to 20% of α‐Al2O3, the cold‐compaction results in roughly fully dense disks with relatively high microhardness values. However, the compaction for 30, 40, and 50% of α‐Al2O3 is less effective, resulting in a reduction of the microhardness although a structure in the nanoscale range is still preserved. A detailed structural investigation has been also performed.
Synthesis of Polymerizable Superoxide Dismutase Mimetics to Reduce Reactive Oxygen Species Damage in Transplanted Biomedical Devices
Authors: Cheung Charles Y. , McCartney Suzanne J. , Anseth Kristi S. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractA new polymerizable superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic metalloporphyrin macromer was synthesized to minimize inflammatory damage associated with tissue transplantation and biomaterial implantation, such as the use of encapsulated pancreatic islets for the treatment of type I diabetes mellitus (TIDM). This functional SOD mimetic, Mn(III) Tetrakis[1‐(3‐acryloxy‐propyl)‐4‐pyridyl] porphyrin (MnTPPyP‐Acryl), was copolymerized and crosslinked with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) to form hydrogel networks that may actively reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage associated with biomaterial implantation. Solution phase activity assays with MnTPPyP‐Acryl macromers showed comparable SOD activity to MnTMPyP, a non‐polymerizable commercially available SOD mimetic. This work also describes the development of a new, simple, and inexpensive solid phase assay system that was developed to assess the activity of MnTPPyP‐Acryl macromers polymerized within PEGDA hydrogels, which has the potential to fulfill an existing void with the biochemical tools available for testing other immobilized ROS antagonists. With this new assay system, hydrogels containing up to 0.25 mol% MnTPPyP‐Acryl showed significantly higher levels of SOD activity, whereas control hydrogels polymerized with inactive TPPyP‐Acryl macromers showed only background levels of activity. The potential for repeated use of such hydrogel devices to consistently reduce superoxide anion concentrations was demonstrated upon retention of ∼100% SOD activity for at least 72 h post‐polymerization. These results demonstrate the potential that polymerizable SOD mimetics may have for integration into medical devices for the minimization of inflammatory damage upon transplantation, such as during the delivery of encapsulated pancreatic islets.