bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visual field and task influence illusory figure responses
Authors: Bakar Afiza Abu , Liu Lichan , Conci Markus , Elliott Mark A. , Ioannides Andreas A. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIn normal viewing conditions, many objects are often hidden or occluded by others, therefore restricting the information that enters the eye. One ability that the human visual system has developed to compensate for this visual limitation is to relate the surrounding elements to globally interpret the whole scene. The appearance of illusory figures (IF) based on surrounding elements also relies on this similar function. In the present study, we hypothesized that different mechanisms may be used by the brain to process IF from the center and periphery of the visual field. We compared magnetoencephalographic responses to IFs presented at different parts of the visual field under three task loads. For central presentation, IF specific responses peaked first in V1/V2 (96–101 ms), and then in the lateral occipital complex (LOC; 132–141 ms), independent of task. For peripheral presentation, the relative modulation towards IF was markedly reduced in V1/V2 and LOC while prominent activation peaks now shifted to the Fusiform Gyrus (from 200 ms onwards). Additionally, the type of task influenced processing at early stages beginning in V1/V2 (87 ms). Our results show that retinal eccentricity plays a crucial role in IF processing: figural completion at the center of the visual field is achieved in an ‘automatic’ and seemingly effortless fashion whereas peripheral stimulus locations necessitate higher‐order object completion stages which rely more heavily on attentional demands. Hum Brain Mapp 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential contributions of the anterior temporal and medial temporal lobe to the retrieval of memory for person identity information
Authors: Tsukiura Takashi , Suzuki Chisato , Shigemune Yayoi , Mochizuki‐Kawai Hiroko 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAlthough previous studies have suggested the importance of the bilateral anterior temporal (ATL) and medial temporal lobes (MTL) in the retrieval of person identity information, there is little evidence concerning how these regions differentially contribute to the process. Here we investigated this question using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Before scanning, subjects learned associations among faces (F), names (N), and job titles (as a form of person‐related semantics, S). During retrieval with fMRI, subjects were presented with previously learned and new S stimuli, and judged whether the stimuli were old or new. Successful retrieval (H) trials were divided into three conditions: retrieval of S and associated F and N (HSFN); retrieval of S and associated F (HSF); and retrieval of S only (HS). The left ATL was significantly activated in HSFN, compared to HSF or HS, whereas the right ATL and MTL were significantly activated in HSFN and HSF relative to HS. In addition, activity in bilateral ATL was significantly correlated with reaction time for HSFN, whereas we found no significant correlation between activity in the right MTL and reaction time in any condition. The present findings suggest that the left ATL may mediate associations between names and person‐related semantic information, whereas the right ATL mediates the association between faces and person‐related semantic information in memory for person identity information. In addition, activation of the right MTL region implies that this area may contribute to a more general relational processing of associative components, including memory for person identity information. Hum Brain Mapp 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Representation of UV‐B‐induced thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia in the human brain: A functional MRI study
Authors: Seifert Frank , Jungfer Isabella , Schmelz Martin , Maihöfner Christian 
Published: October 2007

AbstractSurrogate models of pain and hyperalgesia allow the investigation of underlying mechanisms in healthy volunteers. Here, we investigated brain activation patterns during mechanical and heat hyperalgesia in an inflammatory human pain model using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Heat and mechanical hyperalgesia were induced on the right forearm by UV‐B application in 14 healthy subjects. All four conditions (nonsensitized heat and nonsensitized mechanical pain, sensitized heat and sensitized mechanical pain) were perceptually matched. A 2 × 2 factorial analysis was performed. Areas with main effect of sensitization were insula, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), prefrontal cortices (PFC), parietal association cortices (PA), thalamus, and basal ganglia. A main effect of modality with more activation during heat hyperalgesia was found in primary somatosensory cortex (S1), ACC, PFC, and PA. A main effect of modality with more activation during mechanical hyperalgesia was found in secondary somatosensory cortices, posterior insula, and contralateral inferior frontal cortex (IFC). An interaction of sensitization and modality was found bilaterally in IFC. Areas with similar effects of sensitization in both stimulus modalities were ACC, bilateral anterior insula and bilateral IFC. We conclude that different types of hyperalgesia in a human surrogate model of inflammatory pain produce different brain activation patterns. This is partly due to a differential processing of thermal and mechanical pain and an interaction of sensitization and modality in the caudal portion of the IFC. Finally, the data provide evidence for the existence of a common “sensitization network” consisting of ACC, bilateral anterior insula, and parts of the IFC. Hum Brain Mapp 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The analysis of efficiency among a small number of organisations: How inferences can be improved by exploiting patient‐level data
Authors: Olsen Kim Rose , Street Andrew 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThose responsible for monitoring and managing the performance of health‐care organisations face the common problem that the relationship between observed performance and effort is difficult to establish. A solution is to compare the performance of multiple organisations, but this requires a sufficient number of comparators. Faced with a small sample, it may be possible to exploit other information sources. Multilevel regression models are applied to analyse the performance of six Danish vascular departments in 2004 using a patient‐level data set. We find that treatment costs are higher for smokers, older patients, patients with cerebrovascular and pulmonal diseases and for those subject to acute hospitalisation and with longer lengths of stay. Costs are lower for patients who are having follow‐up surgery and for patients who receive some form of home care, suggesting that there may be some substitution of care input between vascular departments and other care providers.We estimate the relative efficiency of each department. The construction of confidence intervals allows the six departments to be sorted into two groups containing the least and most efficient departments. Conclusions about relative efficiency are robust to model specification, choice of estimator and hold at the 95% confidence level. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A note on the dynamic interaction between waiting times and waiting lists
Authors: Siciliani Luigi 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWaiting times are commonly used as a rationing device in health care and the public sector. We develop a stylised model, which predicts the dynamics of waiting times and waiting lists over time as a function of differing demand and supply parameters. We show that a path with decreasing waiting time and increasing waiting list over certain time intervals is a possible solution, which is consistent with some empirical evidence. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the determinants of Central Bank independence in open economies
Authors: D'Amato Marcello , Pistoresi Barbara , Salsano Francesco 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWe test some positive implications of the commitment hypothesis for the design of monetary institutions in open economies, by studying the determinants of Central Bank independence on a sample of 55 countries, for the period 1980–1989. We document fairly consistent empirical evidence in support of the hypothesis that strategic commitment is indeed important to understand cross‐country variation in the level of Central Bank degree of dependence. We also address the related question why only highly industrialized countries have relied on such a solution to the inflationary bias of monetary policy whereas other countries have not. Data suggest that the answer is related to the presence and the size of world‐wide common features in the business cycle at country level. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wear in molded tibial inserts: Knee simulator study of H1900 and GUR1050 polyethylenes
Authors: Tsukamoto Riichiro , Williams Paul Allen , Shoji Hiromu , Hirakawa Kazuo , Yamamoto Kengo , Tsukamoto Mikiko , Clarke Ian C. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractHi‐fax 1900™ tibial inserts were used in the IB‐1 total knee replacement (TKR) beginning 1978, soon followed by the AGC design. Such direct compression molded (DCM) inserts was relatively immune to oxidation. Unfortunately the Hi‐fax 1900™ resin (H1900) was taken off the market in year 2004. As an alternate, GUR1050 was introduced in the Vanguard™ TKR. However there appeared to be little or no wear comparisons of molded inserts. Therefore the study aim was to compare wear performance of GUR1050 to the historical H1900. The hypothesis was that Hi‐fax and GUR1050 would show comparable wear performance. The Vanguard™ was a posterior‐cruciate sacrificing design (Biomet Inc.). All tibial inserts were sterilized by gamma‐radiation (3.2 Mrad) under argon. A 6‐channel, displacement–controlled knee simulator was used with serum lubricant (protein concentration 20 mg/mL). Wear assessments were by gravimetric methods and linear regression techniques. The gross weight‐loss trends over 2.5 Mc duration demonstrated excellent linear behavior with good agreement between TKR sets (<±10%). Fluid sorption artifacts in control represented less than 5% of gross wear magnitudes. Thus suitable corrections could be made in determining net wear. The H1900 and GUR1050inserts demonstrated net wear‐rates of 3.6 and 3.4 mm3/Mc, respectively. This difference was not found to be statistically significant. This wear study demonstrated that GUR1050 inserts were indistinguishable from the Hi‐fax 1900 in terms of laboratory wear performance, proving our hypothesis. Given the excellent clinical history of DCM Hi‐fax 1900, the GUR1050 should be an ideal candidate for TKR. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Differentiation ofVitis viniferavarieties by MALDI‐MS analysis of the grape seed proteins
Authors: Pesavento Ivana Chiara , Bertazzo Antonella , Flamini Riccardo , Vedova Antonio Dalla , De Rosso Mirko , Seraglia Roberta , Traldi Pietro 
Published: October 2007

AbstractUntil now the study of pathogenic related proteins in grape juice and wine, performed by ESI‐MS, LC/ESI‐MS, and MALDI/MS, has been proposed for differentiation of varieties. In fact, chitinases and thaumatin‐like proteins persist through the vinification process and cause hazes and sediments in bottled wines. An additional instrument, potentially suitable for the grape varieties differentiation, has been developed by MALDI/MS for the grape seed protein analysis. The hydrosoluble protein profiles of seeds extract from three differentVitis viniferagrape (red and white) varieties were analyzed and compared. In order to evaluate the environmental conditions and harvest effects, the seed protein profiles of one grape variety from different locations and harvests were studied. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Last Glacial Maximum British–Irish Ice Sheet: a reconstruction using digital terrain mapping
Authors: Fretwell P. T. , Smith D. E. , Harrison S. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe use of digital terrain mapping in determining the anatomy of the Late Devensian British–Irish Ice Sheet at a resolution of 500 m cell size is illustrated for Boulton et al.'s 1985 and 1991 models and Lambeck's 1995 model of the ice sheet at its maximum extent as an independent ice mass. Area and volume of the ice sheet are given for each model and the spatial pattern of ice thickness shown in maps. The analyses show that if no account is taken of topography beneath the ice surface, models will seriously overestimate ice volume. It is suggested that as reconstructions of the ice sheet improve, detailed models of ice thickness at the resolution given in this paper may be of value in determining the contribution of the ice sheet to sea surface changes as well as in determining the effects of ice loading on glacio‐isostasy, neotectonics and possibly on paraglacial processes in areas of high relief. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Separation of a sphere from a flat in the presence of couple stress fluids
Authors: Elsharkawy Abdallah A. , AL‐Fadhalah Khaled J. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractA mathematical model for couple stress fluid is presented to analyse the separation flow of a fully flooded sphere from a flat under the condition of constant load. Assuming the lubricant between the sphere and the flat to contain additives, the couple stress effect, presented by the characteristic length of the additives, has been considered to account for the non‐Newtonian behaviour. In addition, the effect of the sphere inertia on accelerating the separation process has been considered. Compared with the Newtonian fluid case, the results of the numerical solution indicated that the separation time increases with increasing the characteristic length of the additives. It was also found that the additive characteristic length has negligible effect on the thickness of the lubricant film at the separation point. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transmission ratio distortion at the growth hormone gene (GH1) in bovine preimplantation embryos: An in vitro culture‐induced phenomenon?
Authors: Murphy Angela M. , Meade Kieran G. , Hayes Patricia A. , Park Stephen D.E. , Evans Alex C.O. , Lonergan Patrick , MacHugh David E. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe growth hormone gene (GH1) and its polypeptide product (GH) have a crucial role in reproduction, embryogenesis and general development. A polymorphism present in the fifth exon of the bovine GH1 gene (GH1 p.Leu127Val) has been associated with GH release and milk production in cattle. The objective of the present study was to examine the genotype frequencies of the GH1 p.Leu127Val polymorphism in bovine blastocysts produced in vitro and in vivo to determine if allelic variation of the GH1 gene affects embryo development and survival. A heterozygous (p.Leu127/Val127) sire was used for in vitro fertilization of oocytes of unknown maternal genotype (n = 104) and known maternal genotype (n = 115). PCR amplification and genotyping of the GH1 gene from Day 8 blastocysts derived from these fertilized oocytes demonstrated that there was significant over‐representation from the expected Mendelian ratio of GH1 p.Leu127/Leu127 homozygotes from oocytes of known maternal genotype (P = 0.006). Contrary to this, analysis of in vivo‐produced bovine blastocysts of known parental GH1 genotype (n = 69) did not reveal an overrepresentation of GH1 p.Leu127/Leu127 homozygotes. These results suggest that developing in vitro‐produced embryos are exposed to a selection process, probably due to a less favorable culture environment, that acts to increase the number of GH1 p.Leu127/Leu127 homozygotes, thereby giving rise to the observed transmission ratio distortion (TRD) of GH1 genotypes when compared to in vivo produced embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 715–722, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential expression of genes for transcription factors in theca and granulosa cells following selection of a dominant follicle in cattle
Authors: Zielak A.E. , Canty M.J. , Forde N. , Coussens P.M. , Smith G.W. , Lonergan P. , Ireland J.J. , Evans A.C.O. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractTranscription factors inhibit or assist RNA polymerases in the initiation and maintenance of transcription; however, the cell specific expression and roles of transcription factors within bovine ovarian follicles during development are unknown. The aim of present study was to determine if the expression of transcription factors in theca and granulosa cells differ between the dominant and the largest subordinate follicles at different stages of the follicle wave. We used a bovine cDNA microarray to screen granulosa and theca cells from dominant and subordinate follicles for differential expression of genes coding for transcription factors. Expression was confirmed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and differences in mRNA abundance further examined at Emergence, Selection and Dominance stages of the follicle wave. We have identified five genes encoding for transcription factors that have not been previously described in developing follicles with greater mRNA abundance in subordinate compared to dominant follicles. The genes (and their putative roles) are CEBP‐β (responsible for luteinization), SRF (cell survival), FKHRL1 (stimulates apoptosis), NCOR1 (modulation of the actions of the oestradiol receptor) and Midnolin (control of development via regulation of mRNA transport in cells). Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 904–914, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fractionated manganese‐enhanced MRI
Authors: Bock Nicholas A. , Paiva Fernando F. , Silva Afonso C. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWe investigated the use of manganese‐enhanced MRI (MEMRI) with fractionated doses as a way to retain the unique properties of manganese as a neuronal contrast agent while lessening its toxic effects in animals. First, we followed the signal enhancement on T1‐weighted images of the brains of rats receiving 30 mg/kg fractions of MnCl2 · 4H2O every 48 h and found that the signal increased in regions with consecutive fractionated doses and ultimately saturated. Second, we used T1 mapping to test whether the amount of MRI‐visible manganese that accumulated depended on the concentration of manganese in the fractions. For a fixed cumulative dose of 180 mg/kg MnCl2 · 4H2O, increasing fraction doses of 6 × 30 mg/kg, 3 × 60 mg/kg, 2 × 90 mg/kg and 1 × 180 mg/kg produced progressively shorter T1 values. The adverse systemic health effects, including complications at the injection site and poor animal well‐being, also rose with the fraction dose. Thus, fractionated MEMRI can be used to balance the properties of manganese as a contrast agent in animals against its toxic effects. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smooth finite element methods: Convergence, accuracy and properties
Authors: Nguyen‐Xuan Hung , Bordas Stéphane , Nguyen‐Dang Hung 
Published: October 2007

AbstractA stabilized conforming nodal integration finite element method based on strain smoothing stabilization is presented. The integration of the stiffness matrix is performed on the boundaries of the finite elements. A rigorous variational framework based on the Hu–Washizu assumed strain variational form is developed.We prove that solutions yielded by the proposed method are in a space bounded by the standard, finite element solution (infinite number of subcells) and a quasi‐equilibrium finite element solution (a single subcell). We show elsewhere the equivalence of the one‐subcell element with a quasi‐equilibrium finite element, leading to a global a posteriori error estimate.We apply the method to compressible and incompressible linear elasticity problems. The method can always achieve higher accuracy and convergence rates than the standard finite element method, especially in the presence of incompressibility, singularities or distorted meshes, for a slightly smaller computational cost.It is shown numerically that the one‐cell smoothed four‐noded quadrilateral finite element has a convergence rate of 2.0 in the energy norm for problems with smooth solutions, which is remarkable. For problems with rough solutions, this element always converges faster than the standard finite element and is free of volumetric locking without any modification of integration scheme. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implicit boundary method for finite element analysis using non‐conforming mesh or grid
Authors: Kumar Ashok V. , Padmanabhan Sanjeev , Burla Ravi 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIn the finite element method (FEM), a mesh is used for representing the geometry of the analysis and for representing the test and trial functions by piece‐wise interpolation. Recently, analysis techniques that use structured grids have been developed to avoid the need for a conforming mesh. The boundaries of the analysis domain are represented using implicit equations while a structured grid is used to interpolate functions. Such a method for analysis using structured grids is presented here in which the analysis domain is constructed by Boolean combination of step functions. Implicit equations of the boundary are used in the construction of trial and test functions such that essential boundary conditions are guaranteed to be satisfied. Furthermore, these functions are constructed such that internal elements, through which no boundary passes, have the same stiffness matrix. This approach has been applied to solve linear elastostatic problems and the results are compared with analytical and finite element analysis solutions to show that the method gives solutions that are similar to the FEM in quality but is less computationally expensive for dense mesh/grid and avoids the need for a conforming mesh. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methylmalonic acidaemia leads to increased production of reactive oxygen species and induction of apoptosis through the mitochondrial/caspase pathway
Authors: Richard E , Alvarez‐Barrientos A , Pérez B , Desviat LR , Ugarte M 
Published: October 2007

AbstractMethylmalonic acidaemia (MMA) is a heterogeneous group of rare genetic metabolic disorders caused by defects related to intracellular cobalamin (vitamin B12) metabolism. Increasing evidence has emerged suggesting that free radical generation is involved in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, including some inborn errors of metabolism. We have previously identified in MMA patients several differentially expressed proteins involved in oxidative stress [mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (mGPDH)] and apoptosis by a proteomic approach. We have now extensively evaluated various parameters related to oxidative stress and apoptosis in cultured fibroblasts from a spectrum of patients with methylmalonic acidaemia. Fibroblasts from several MMA patients showed a significant increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and in MnSOD expression level with respect to controls, suggesting a cellular response to intrinsic ROS stress. Moreover, we have demonstrated, using siRNA, that mGPDH is an important ROS generator in MMA patients. Cells from patients with MMA had a higher rate of apoptosis than those of controls and there was evidence that this process primarily involves the mitochondrial/caspase‐dependent pathway. ROS level–phenotype correlation revealed that patients with severe neonatalcblBdisorder had elevated intracellular ROS content. These findings support the possible role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of methylmalonic acidaemia. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.