bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Survival and expansion: migrants in Greek rural regions
Authors: Kasimis Charalambos 
Published: November 2008

AbstractMigratory movements towards southern Europe have increased considerably in the past 20 years. An important aspect of this process is connected to the agricultural sector and rural regions – a development connected to agriculture's particular weight in the economies and societies of all southern European countries. However, their role is not restricted to agriculture. They are also related to non‐agricultural economic activities and the overall support of aged populations, especially in marginal or mountainous rural areas.This paper draws on the qualitative and quantitative findings of two research projects carried out in three exemplar rural regions of Greece and over two different periods: 2000–2002 and 2004–2006. The aim of the research was the empirical investigation of the economic and social implications of the settlement and employment of migrant labour in rural Greece. The paper moves from the presentation of the theoretical and methodological framework to the presentation of the main findings for each period of the research. The socioeconomic implications of migrant employment and settlement in the regions studied are revealed in the light of the recent Common Agricultural Policy changes, and the changes following the implementation of ‘regularisation programmes’. Additionally, the characteristics of migration trends in these regions are identified and the formation of new migrant social groups, with different prospects of social integration and mobility, is revealed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Supporting crime detection and operational planning with soft systems methodology and viable systems model
Authors: Kinloch Peter , Francis Hulya , Francis Michael , Taylor Mark 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIn recent years the introduction and subsequent enhancements of information technology has seen the emergence of major opportunities for developing new approaches to improve information interchange. The provision of information provides opportunities to find resolutions to problem situations, and the power of providing relevant and accurate information through using information systems cannot be underestimated. However, the world of information systems thinking has, so far, experienced difficulty finding a methodology suitable for utilizing the full range of available current information technology. This situation in the real world shows itself predominantly as information starvation as current information systems struggle to bring order and structure to information technology developments. This paper will discuss the issues relating to the development of a new generic framework. The novel aspect of this generic framework for planning information systems is that it integrates Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) and Viable Systems Model (VSM) in a coherent whole, whilst embracing the concepts of self‐adaptation and autonomy. Further, the generic framework integrates the spatial analysis capabilities of a Geographical Information System (GIS). The generic framework will then be tested in real‐world problem situations in order to test its effectiveness, efficiency and efficacy with regards to finding suitable solutions to the problem of information starvation. The importance of focusing the framework on GIS functionality is related to the fact that in many organizations GIS is employed as the solution to information starvation because of its ability to display spatial information. This paper will demonstrate the implementation of the generic framework in a UK Police Authority, a large emergency service that suffers from information starvation. In the context of a UK Police Authority the combination of SSM and VSM being supported by GIS functionality is seen as being a significant progression in relation to crime detection and operational planning. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neoproterozoic ages of the Kuluketage diabase dyke swarm in Tarim, NW China, and its relationship to the breakup of Rodinia
Authors: ZHANG ZHIYONG , ZHU WENBIN , SHU LIANGSHU , SU JINBAO , ZHENG BIHAI 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe widely exposed Kuluketage diabase dyke swarm, Tarim Block, NW China, has been considered to have been emplaced in Permian times. New precise zircon U–Pb SHRIMP ages for two samples from the dyke swarm yield Neoproterozoic ages of 823.8±8.7 Ma and 776.8±8.9 Ma. Correlated with peaks of magmatism in South China and Australia at c. 825 Ma and c. 780 Ma, these two new ages provide significant information for palaeocontinental reconstructions. The prolonged duration of the magmatic events, combined with regional stratigraphic relationships, imply that the Tarim Block may have been affected by a mantle plume during the breakup of Rodinia.
Gene–Nutrient and Gene–Physical Activity Summary—Genetics Viewpoint
Authors: Warden Craig H. , Fisler Janis S. 
Published: November 2008

The workshop reviewed the literature indicating that natural alleles influence a substantial percentage of responses to nutrition and exercise in both humans and animal models. Human genetic studies provide evidence that body weight response to over‐ and underfeeding and to exercise is associated with specific genes. Studies in animal models, primarily rodents, prove the genetic control of responsiveness to diet and exercise and provide the tools to examine specific mechanisms. Limitations of the animal literature include lack of studies of allelic contributions to weight loss in response to diet restriction and data on evidence‐based diets.Discussion of the relative merits of sample size constraints vs. precision of phenotype measures in human genetic studies concluded that imprecise measures such as body weight and body mass index identify different genes than will specific measures of fat mass. Validation and limitations of whole genome association studies in humans was discussed, as was the role of animal models in discovery and mechanistic studies of gene/nutrition/exercise interactions.The workshop concluded that genetics has a substantial impact on responses to both diet and exercise. However, current knowledge does not allow individual diet and exercise recommendations. New resources and technologies, including cost‐effective phenotyping for humans and whole genome sequencing in both humans and rodents, are needed.
Populating the Galaxy Velocity Dispersion: Supermassive Black Hole Mass Diagram, A Catalogue of (Mbh, σ) Values
Authors: Graham Alister W. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAn updated catalogue of 76 galaxies, with direct measurements of supermassive black-hole mass (Mbh) plus, when available, the central velocity dispersion (σ0) of their host bulge is provided. Fifty of these mass measurements are considered reliable, while the others remain somewhat uncertain at this time. An additional nine stellar systems, including one stellar cluster and three globular clusters, are listed as hosting potential intermediate mass black holes <106M⊙.With this larger data set, the demographics within the Mbh–σ0 diagram are briefly explored. Many barred galaxies are shown to be offset from the Mbh–σ0 relation defined by the non-barred galaxies, in the sense that their velocity dispersions are too high. Furthermore, including 88 AGN with black-hole mass estimates from reverberation mapping studies, we speculate that barred AGN may follow this same general trend. We also show that some AGN with σ0 < 100 km s−1 tend to reside up to (∼0.6 dex) ∼1.0 dex above the (barless) Mbh–σ0 relation. Finally, it is shown that ‘core galaxies’ appear not to define an additional subdivision of the Mbh–σ0 diagram, although improved methods for measuring σ0 values may be valuable.
Identification of an Apoplastic Protein Involved in the Initial Phase of Salt Stress Response in Rice Root by Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis
Authors: Zhang Lei , Tian Li-Hong , Zhao Jun-Feng , Song Yun , Zhang Cui-Jun , Guo Yi 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe apoplast of plant cells, which carries out multiple functions in plant metabolism and signaling, is not only a barrier but also the linker between the environment and the protoplast. To investigate the role of apoplastic proteins in the salt stress response, 10-d-old rice (Oryza sativa) plants were treated with 200 mm NaCl for 1, 3, or 6 h, and the soluble apoplast proteins were extracted for differential analysis compared with untreated controls using two-dimensional electrophoresis. Ten protein spots that increased or decreased significantly in abundance were identified by mass spectrometry. These proteins included some well-known biotic and abiotic stress-related proteins. Among them, an apoplastic protein, with extracellular domain-like cysteine-rich motifs (DUF26), O. sativa root meander curling (OsRMC), has shown drastically increased abundance in response to salt stress during the initial phase. OsRMC RNA interference transgenic rice has been generated to assess the function of OsRMC in the salt stress response. The results show that knocking down the expression level of OsRMC in transgenic rice led to insensitive seed germination, enhanced growth inhibition, and improved salt stress tolerance to NaCl than in untransgenic plants. These results indicate that plant apoplastic proteins may have important roles in the plant salt stress response.
Phase transitions and ferroelectricity in NaSb3F10
Authors: Christie R. J. , Wu P. K. , Photinos P. , Abrahams S. C. 
Published: November 2008

Atomic coordinate analysis allows materials with appropriate but previously unrecognized dielectric properties to be predicted as new ferroelectrics if their crystal structure is known. An earlier such prediction that NaSb3F10is ferroelectric is confirmed herein without ambiguity. Its spontaneous polarizationPsis found to exhibit reproducible dielectric hysteresis at room temperature, withPs≃ 60 µC m−2, under the application of a field of 0.3 MV m−1or greater. The pyroelectric coefficient 〈p〉 = 17 (5) µC m−2 K−1at 298 K. NaSb3F10undergoes a phase transition atTC≃ 461 K, on correction for thermal hysteresis, with entropy change ΔS= 5.7 (3) J mol−1 K−1. The colorless crystals melt atTm ≃ 515 K and decompose above ∼600 K. The thermal hysteresis of ∼35 K inTC, on heating and cooling at 5–25 K min−1, is typical of first-order phase transitions. The space group in ferroelectric phase III isP63, and that in phase II is predicted to beP6322, a nonpolar supergroup ofP63; the supergroup expected in the prototypic nonferroic phase I isP63/mmc. The space group of phase III isnota direct subgroup of phase I. The dielectric permittivity ∊′ at 1 kHz increases over an order of magnitude between 300 K and a major inflection atTC, continuing to increase steadily thereafter toTm.
DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5‐aza‐CdR enhances the radiosensitivity of gastric cancer cells
Authors: Qiu Hong , Yashiro Masakazu , Shinto Osamu , Matsuzaki Taro , Hirakawa Kosei 
Published: November 2008

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend radiotherapy as a standard treatment for patients with a high risk of recurrence in gastric cancer. Because radiation is harmful to the surrounding organs, a radiation sensitizer might therefore be useful to decrease the side effects of patients with advanced gastric carcinoma. The aim of the current study was to clarify the effect of a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (CdR), on radiation sensitivity in gastric cancer cells. Five gastric cancer cell lines, OCUM‐2M, OCUM‐12, KATO‐III, MKN‐45, and MKN‐74, were used. The effects of 5‐aza‐CdR with irradiation on the growth activity, cell‐cycle distribution, apoptosis, and apoptosis‐associated gene expression were examined. 5‐aza‐CdR sensitized three of five gastric cancer cell lines to radiation. A combination of irradiation and 5‐aza‐CdR significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the growth activity compared with irradiation alone in OCUM‐2M, OCUM‐12, and MKN‐45 cells, but not in KATO‐III and MKN‐74 cells. The percentage of cells in G2–M phase and the apoptotic rate with irradiation in combination with 5‐aza‐CdR were increased in OCUM‐2M, OCUM‐12, and MKN‐45 cells compared with irradiation alone, but not in KATO‐III and MKN‐74 cells. 5‐aza‐CdR increased the expression of p53, RASSF1, and death‐associated protein kinases (DAPK) genes compared with the control or irradiation alone. These findings suggest that 5‐aza‐CdR might therefore be useful as a radiation sensitizer to treat some types of gastric carcinoma. The arrest at G2–M phase and increased apoptotic rate might be partly mediated by enhanced expression of the p53, RASSF1, or DAPK gene families by 5‐aza‐CdR. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 181–188)
Nek2 as a novel molecular target for the treatment of breast carcinoma
Authors: Tsunoda Nobuyuki , Kokuryo Toshio , Oda Koji , Senga Takeshi , Yokoyama Yukihiro , Nagino Masato , Nimura Yuji , Hamaguchi Michinari 
Published: November 2008

We investigated the role of Nek2, a member of the serine‐threonine kinase family, in the tumorigenic growth of breast carcinoma. Increased expression of Nek2 was observed in all breast carcinoma cell lines examined (BT20, BT474, Hs578T, MCF7, MDA‐MB‐231, T47D, and ZR‐75‐1) by immunoblotting. By treatment with Nek2 short interfering RNA (siRNA), expression of Nek2 was clearly decreased in both estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive (MCF7) and ER‐negative (MDA‐MB‐231) breast carcinoma cell lines. Cell growth, colony formation in soft agar, and in vitro invasiveness of these cell lines were substantially suppressed by Nek2 siRNA treatment. In a xenograft nude mouse model with subcutaneous implantation of MCF7 or MDA‐MB‐231, subcutaneous injection of Nek2 siRNA around the tumor nodules resulted in a reduction of tumor size compared with those of control siRNA injection. Taken together, Nek2 appears to play a pivotal role in tumorigenic growth of breast carcinoma cells, and could be a useful therapeutic molecular target for the treatment of breast carcinoma both in ER‐positive and ER‐negative cases. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 111–116)
Functional characterization of transcripts expressed in early‐stage Meloidogyne javanica‐induced giant cells isolated by laser microdissection
Authors: FOSU‐NYARKO JOHN , JONES MICHAEL G. K. , WANG ZHAOHUI 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARYThe root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica induces giant cells and feeds from them during its development and reproduction. To study the cellular processes underlying the formation of giant cells, laser microdissection was used to isolate the contents of early‐stage giant cells 4 and 7 days post‐infection (dpi) from tomato, and cDNA libraries from both stages were generated with 87 [250 expressed sequence tag (EST) clones] and 54 (309 EST clones) individual transcripts identified, respectively. These transcripts have roles in metabolism, stress response, protein synthesis, cell division and morphogenesis, transport, signal transduction, protein modification and fate, and regulation of cellular processes. The expression of 25 selected transcripts was studied further by real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. Among them, 13 showed continuous up‐regulation in giant cells from 4 to 7 dpi. The expression of two transcripts was higher than in controls at 4 dpi and remained at the same level at 7 dpi; a further five transcripts were highly expressed only at 7 dpi. The Phi‐1 protein gene, a cell cycle‐related homologue in tobacco, was expressed 8.5 times more strongly in giant cells than in control cells at 4 dpi, but was reduced to 6.7 times at 7 dpi. Using in situ hybridization, the expression of the Phi‐1 gene was preferentially localized in the cytoplasm of giant cells at 4 dpi, together with a pectinesterase U1 precursor gene. The identification of highly expressed transcripts in developing giant cells adds to the knowledge of the plant genes responsive to nematode infection, and may provide candidate genes for nematode control strategies.
Isolation of murine intrahepatic immune cells employing a modified procedure for mechanical disruption and functional characterization of the B, T and natural killer T cells obtained
Authors: Blom K G , Rahman Qazi M , Noronha Matos J B , Nelson B D , DePierre J W , Abedi-Valugerdi M 
Published: November 2008

SummaryIntrahepatic immune cells (IHIC) are known to play central roles in immunological responses mediated by the liver, and isolation and phenotypic characterization of these cells is therefore of considerable importance. In the present investigation, we developed a simple procedure for the mechanical disruption of mouse liver that allows efficient isolation and phenotypic characterization of IHIC. These cells are compared with the corresponding cells purified from the liver after enzymatic digestion with different concentrations of collagenase and DNase. The mechanical disruption yielded viable IHIC in considerably greater numbers than those obtained following enzymatic digestion. The IHIC isolated employing the mechanical disruption were heterogeneous in composition, consisting of both innate and adaptive immune cells, of which B, T, natural killer (NK), NK T cells, granulocytes and macrophages were the major populations (constituting 37·5%, 16·5%, 12·1%, 7·9%, 7·9% and 7·5% of the total number of cells recovered respectively). The IHIC obtained following enzymatic digestion contained markedly lower numbers of NK T cells (1·8%). The B, T and NK T cells among IHIC isolated employing mechanical disruption were found to be immunocompetent, i.e. they proliferated in vitro in response to their specific stimuli (lipopolysaccharide, concanavalin A and α-galactosylceramide respectively) and produced immunoglobulin M and interferon-γ. Thus, the simple procedure for the mechanical disruption of mouse liver described here results in more efficient isolation of functionally competent IHIC for various types of investigation.
Complement in multiple sclerosis: its role in disease and potential as a biomarker
Authors: Ingram G , Hakobyan S , Robertson N P , Morgan B P 
Published: November 2008

SummaryMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a common inflammatory disease of the central nervous system with a poorly defined and complex immunopathogenesis. Although initiated by reactive T cells, persistent inflammation is evident throughout the disease course. A contribution from complement has long been suspected, based on the results of pathological and functional studies which have demonstrated complement activation products in MS brain and biological fluids. However, the extent and nature of complement activation and its contribution to disease phenotype and long-term outcome remain unclear. Furthermore, functional polymorphisms in components and regulators of the complement system which cause dysregulation, and are known to contribute to other autoimmune inflammatory disorders, have not been investigated to date in MS in any detail. In this paper we review evidence from pathological, animal model and human functional and genetic studies, implicating activation of complement in MS. We also evaluate the potential of complement components and regulators and their polymorphic variants as biomarkers of disease, and suggest appropriate directions for future research.
Individualized programme to promote self‐care among older adults with asthma: randomized controlled trial
Authors: Huang Tzu‐Ting , Li Yu‐Tsui , Wang Chun‐Hua 
Published: November 2008

AbstractTitle.  Individualized programme to promote self‐care among older adults with asthma: randomized controlled trial. Aim.  This paper is a report of a trial to examine the effectiveness of individualized self‐care education programmes in older adults with moderate‐to‐severe asthma.Background.  Asthma is a common chronic disease in adults and a major cause of frequent work absences, emergency room visits, and hospitalization. The results of studies of self‐care education programmes have been largely supportive and suggest that they have positive outcomes for people with asthma. However, for older people with asthma, the effectiveness of computer‐aided, self‐learning video programmes has been controversial.Methods.  Older adult patients with asthma (N = 148) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: usual care, individualized education, or individualized education with peak flow monitoring, and followed for 6 months. Data were collected from January to December 2006. The variables studied included demographic data, asthma self‐care competence, asthma self‐efficacy, and asthma self‐care behaviour.Findings.  Patients in both individualized education groups reported higher asthma self‐care competence scores (F = 334·06 and 481·37, P < 0·001) and asthma self‐care and self‐efficacy scores (F = 104·08 and 68·42, P < 0·001) than patients in the usual care group. In addition, patients who received individualized education with peak flow monitoring had statistically significantly higher asthma self‐care behaviour and self‐efficacy scores (P < 0·001) and asthma control indicators (P = 0·025) than the education alone group. No differences were found among the three groups in unscheduled health service usage.Conclusion.  Our results suggest that individualized education helps older people with asthma to enhance their self‐care behaviours, manage their disease, and increase their quality of life.
Comparison of single‐particle analysis and electron tomography approaches: an overview
Authors: JONIĆ S. , SORZANO C.O.S. , BOISSET N. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryThree‐dimensional structure of a wide range of biological specimens can be computed from images collected by transmission electron microscopy. This information integrated with structural data obtained with other techniques (e.g., X‐ray crystallography) helps structural biologists to understand the function of macromolecular complexes and organelles within cells. In this paper, we compare two three‐dimensional transmission electron microscopy techniques that are becoming more and more related (at the image acquisition level as well as the image processing one): electron tomography and single‐particle analysis. The first one is currently used to elucidate the three‐dimensional structure of cellular components or smaller entire cells, whereas the second one has been traditionally applied to structural studies of macromolecules and macromolecular complexes. Also, we discuss possibilities for their integration with other structural biology techniques for an integrative study of living matter from proteins to whole cells.
Identification and characterization of a new zirconium hydride
Authors: ZHAO Z. , MORNIROLI J.‐P. , LEGRIS A. , AMBARD A. , KHIN Y. , LEGRAS L. , BLAT‐YRIEIX M. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryZirconium alloys are currently used in nuclear power plants where they are susceptible to hydrogen pick‐up. Hydride precipitation may occur when the hydrogen solubility limit is reached. Various Zr hydride phases, γ, δ and ɛ have been identified since the 1950s. Combining electron precession microdiffraction, electron energy loss spectroscopy and ab initio electronic calculations, a new Zr hydride named ζ has been identified and characterized. It belongs to the trigonal crystal system with space group P3 m1 and it is fully coherent with the αZr matrix.