bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling Process Partitioning of Biomolecules in Polymer-Polymer and Polymer-Salt Aqueous Two-Phase Systems (ATPS) using an Extended Excess Gibbs Energy Model
Authors: Pazuki G.R. , Taghikhani V. , Vossoughi M. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
A new local composition model was used to study the phase behavior of polymer-polymer and polymer-salt aqueous two-phase systems. The proposed model has three terms which account for the combinatorial, the long-range and the short-range effects in solution. The Flory-Huggins and the Debye-Hückel models were used for the combinatorial and long-range contributions. The interaction parameters of the model studied in this work can be regressed using a non-liner regression between the experimental data and those obtained from the proposed model. Also, this model was applied for modeling the partitioning of biomolecules in polymer-polymer and polymer-salt aqueous two-phase systems. The results showed that the proposed model has a good accuracy in correlating the partitioning coefficients of biomolecules in aqueous two-phase systems.
sparse inflorescence1, barren
inflorescence1 and barren stalk1 Promote Cell Elongation in Maize Inflorescence Development
Authors: Barazesh Solmaz , Nowbakht Cima , McSteen Paula 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
The sparse inflorescence1 (spi1), Barren inflorescence1 (Bif1), barren inflorescence2 (bif2), and barren stalk1 (ba1) mutants produce fewer branches and spikelets in the inflorescence due to defects in auxin biosynthesis, transport, or response. We report that spi1, bif1, and ba1, but not bif2, also function in promoting cell elongation in the inflorescence.
Amino Acid Covariation in a Functionally Important Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Protein Region Is Associated With Population Subdivision
Authors: da Silva Jack 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
The frequently reported amino acid covariation of the highly polymorphic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) exterior envelope glycoprotein V3 region has been assumed to reflect fitness epistasis between residues. However, nonrandom association of amino acids, or linkage disequilibrium, has many possible causes, including population subdivision. If the amino acids at a set of sequence sites differ in frequencies between subpopulations, then analysis of the whole population may reveal linkage disequilibrium even if it does not exist in any subpopulation. HIV-1 has a complex population structure, and the effects of this structure on linkage disequilibrium were investigated by estimating within- and among-subpopulation components of variance in linkage disequilibrium. The amino acid covariation previously reported is explained by differences in amino acid frequencies among virus subpopulations in different patients and by nonsystematic disequilibrium among patients. Disequilibrium within patients appears to be entirely due to differences in amino acid frequencies among sampling time points and among chemokine coreceptor usage phenotypes of virus particles, but not source tissues. Positive selection explains differences in allele frequencies among time points and phenotypes, indicating that these differences are adaptive rather than due to genetic drift. However, the absence of a correlation between linkage disequilibrium and phenotype suggests that fitness epistasis is an unlikely cause of disequilibrium. Indeed, when population structure is removed by analyzing sequences from a single time point and phenotype, no disequilibrium is detectable within patients. These results caution against interpreting amino acid covariation and coevolution as evidence for fitness epistasis.
The Effects of Mobile Phones and Hands-Free Laws on Traffic Fatalities
Authors: Kolko Jed D 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Using state-level panel data on mobile phone ownership, hands-free laws, and traffic fatalities, this paper finds that mobile phone ownership is associated with higher traffic fatalities, but only in bad weather or wet road conditions. The limited experience of a few states suggests that hands-free laws reduce traffic fatalities, but again only in bad weather or wet road conditions, and possibly also in rush-hour traffic. The findings suggest that the benefits of hands-free laws depend on driving conditions, and an important policy implication is hands-free laws should be more strongly enforced when driving conditions are more difficult. These findings on hands-free laws differ from other research, which consistently finds that hands-free and handheld phone usage have similar effects on driver distraction and accident risk, calling into question the usefulness of hands-free laws.
When Worlds Collide: Applying the Nonobviousness and Novelty Requirements of Patent Law to Tax Strategy Patents
Authors: Sawyers Roby B. , Baumer David L. , Chumney Wade M. 
Published: March 2009

A proliferation of newly issued tax-related patents has resulted in concern and confusion among tax practitioners. Tax practitioners argue that the tax strategies claimed in the patents have been used for many years and do not meet the novel and nonobvious requirements of patent law. Additionally, tax professionals are concerned that enforcement of these patents will limit their ability to serve as advocates for their clients and recommend tax strategies that legally minimize their clients' taxes. Tax professionals also worry that they may be in jeopardy of being sued as defendants in tax-related patent infringement cases.
In this paper, the authors review the basics of patent law, discuss business method patents, and analyze five tax strategy patents in order to determine whether the inventions claimed in the patents meet the nonobviousness and novelty requirements of patent law. The authors examine articles, IRS Revenue Rulings, Private Letter Rulings, continuing education materials, and other evidence in publicly available printed publications and conclude that the “prior art” in the field was sufficient at the time of the patent applications in order to potentially question the validity of the patents.
First Nationwide Study of the Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome and Optimal Cutoff Points of Waist Circumference in the Middle East
Authors: Delavari Alireza , Forouzanfar Mohammad Hossein , Alikhani Siamak , Sharifian Afsaneh , Kelishadi Roya 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to provide the first national estimate on the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components and the first ethnic-specific cutoff point for waist circumference in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This national survey was conducted in 2007 on 3,024 Iranians aged 25–64 years living in urban and rural areas of all 30 provinces in Iran. The metabolic syndrome was defined by different criteria, namely the definition of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria, and the modified definition of the NCEP/ATP III (ATP III/American Heart Association [AHA]/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NHLBI]).

RESULTS
The age-standardized prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was about 34.7% (95% CI 33.1–36.2) based on the ATP III criteria, 37.4% (35.9–39.0%) based on the IDF definition, and 41.6% (40.1–43.2%) based on the ATP III/AHA/NHLBI criteria. By all definitions, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was higher in women, in urban areas, and in the 55- to 64-year age-group compared with the prevalence in men, in rural areas, and in other age-groups, respectively. The metabolic syndrome was estimated to affect &gt;11 million Iranians. The optimal cutoff point of waist circumference for predicting at least two other components of the metabolic syndrome as defined by the IDF was 89 cm for men and 91 cm for women.

CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome with its considerable burden on the middle-aged population mandates the implementation of national policies for its prevention, notably by tackling obesity. The waist circumference cutoff points obtained can be used in the region.
Family-Planning Practices Among Women With Diabetes and Overweight and Obese Women in the 2002 National Survey for Family Growth
Authors: Vahratian Anjel , Barber Jennifer S. , Lawrence Jean M. , Kim Catherine 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVE
To examine contraceptive practices among diabetic women and obese women.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We analyzed the responses of 5,955 participants aged 20–44 years in the 2002 National Survey for Family Growth. Diabetes, BMI, desire for pregnancy, history of infertility treatment, sexual activity, parity, and demographic variables (age, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, income, insurance, and smoking history) were obtained by self-report. Lack of contraception was defined as absence of hormonal-, barrier-, or sterilization-based methods. Associations among contraception, diabetes, and BMI category were assessed in multivariable logistic regression models in nonsterile, sexually active women.

RESULTS
In unadjusted comparisons among sexually active women who were not sterilized, women with diabetes were more likely to lack contraception than women without diabetes (odds ratio [OR] 2.61 [95% CI 1.22–5.58]). Women with BMI ≥35 kg/m2 were more likely to lack contraception than women with BMI &lt;25 kg/m2(1.63 [1.16–2.28]), but associations between contraception use and lesser degrees of overweight and obesity were not significant. In multivariable models, women who were older (aged ≥30 vs. 20–29 years), were of non-Hispanic black race, were cohabitating, had a history of infertility treatment, and desired or were ambivalent about pregnancy were significantly more likely to lack contraception. The associations among diabetes, BMI, and contraception were no longer significant after these adjustments.

CONCLUSIONS
Older women with diabetes and obesity who desire pregnancy, regardless of pregnancy intention, should be targeted for preconceptive management.
A squalene epoxidase from Nigella sativa participates in saponin biosynthesis and mediates terbinafine resistance in yeast
Authors: Lipinski Marta , Scholz Martin , Pieper Kay , Fischer Rainer , Prüfer Dirk , Müller Kai 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Squalene epoxidase catalyzes the formation of 2,3-oxidosqualene from squalene and in plants is the last enzyme common to all biosynthetic pathways leading to an array of triterpene derivatives like phytosterols, brassinosteroid phytohormones or saponins. In this work, we present a squalene epoxidase gene (NSSQE1) from the triterpene saponin producing plant Nigella sativa. The gene product showed a high degree of homology to functional squalene epoxidases (SQEs) from Arabidopsis thaliana and was able to complement SQE deficient yeast that harboured a knockout mutation in the underlying erg1 gene. Moreover, the expression of the NSSQE1 gene in ERG1 wild type yeast revealed that NSSQE1 conferred resistance towards terbinafine, an inhibitor of fungal SQEs. The latter suggested that a terbinafine-dependent NSSQE1 selection marker system can be developed for yeast. The gene NSSQE1 was ubiquitously expressed in all plant tissues analysed, including roots where no triterpene saponins are produced. Therefore, we argue that NSSQE1 is a housekeeping gene for triterpene metabolism in Nigella sativa. Similar to triterpene saponins, NSSQE1 was up-regulated by methyl jasmonate in leaves and should also be functionally involved in saponin biosynthesis in Nigella sativa.
SEM analysis of dental enamel morphological structures on the basis of their replicas in patients with systemic calcium deficiency
Authors: Bałczewska Ewa , Klimek Leszek , Palatyńska-Ulatowska Aleksandra 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
The aim of the present study is to examine microscopically the surface of dental enamel by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), using their replicas formed in female patients with diagnosed periodontal diseases and systemic calcium deficiency. Replicas of dental enamel surfaces in patients referred for treatment of periodontal diseases were subjected to microscopic analysis. The replicas, after coating with platinum-palladium alloy, were examined under the scanning electron microscope at magnifications of 15–5000 x. Densitometric examinations of spine (L2 - L4 segment) revealed bone mineral density BMD T-score lower than −2.5 in 5 patients, in the range of −1.5 to −2.5 in 10 patients, and higher than −1.5 in the remaining patients. Non-homogenous images of surfaces in the form of light and dark areas were observed. Light areas corresponded to damaged surfaces of dental tissues. Patients with higher systemic calcium deficiency had areas lighter in color. More of these areas were found in patients with higher systemic calcium deficiency. It can be assumed that the calcium deficit is likely to appear in the selected dental tissues, particularly in the dental enamel.
A note on the conditional probability of IF-events
Authors: Valenčáková Veronika 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
We formulate a version of the conditional probability of an IF-event considering the Łukasiewicz operations with IF-sets. Also some properties of conditional probability are proved. The results are strengthenings of preceding ones published in [LENDELOVÁ, K.: Conditional IF-probability. In: Soft Methods for Integrated Uncertainty Modelling. Proceedings of the 2006 InternationalWorkshop on Soft Methods in Probability and Statistics (SMPS 2006), Bristol, UK, September 5–7, 2006. Adv. Soft Comput., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2006, pp. 275–283].
Relationship Skills Building with Older Adults
Authors: McNeill Cheryl , Shattell Mona , Rossen Eileen , Bartlett Robin 
Published: March 2009

Relationship skills building is the focus of an innovative clinical experience with older adults for junior level nursing students in a psychiatric mental health course. The clinical experience is designed to help students apply, integrate, and validate previously learned therapeutic communication skills and experience discovery of self and others. This article describes a clinical experience that introduces students to older adults, who will make up the majority of health care recipients in the students' future careers, and helps students explore the nurse's role in mental health care for older adults.
Not only did students engaged in the clinical experience learn to develop a relationship with the older adults, but they learned much more—they learned to appreciate the value of life, the importance of listening, and the rich and varied life stories of older adults.
The Importance of Awareness of Nursing Students' Denotative Images of Nursing
Authors: Lyckhage Elisabeth Dahlborg , Pilhammar Ewa 
Published: March 2009

The aim of this article is to describe the images that recent nursing students in Eurocentric culture have of nursing and discuss how these images can be used to highlight nurses' authority and autonomy in comparison with the medical profession. The empirical material consists of short narratives from 168 nursing students. Three themes emerged from the categories of answers: The Nurse as an Idealistic Helper, The Nurse as a Realistic Developer, and The Nurse as a Young Seeker.
The essence of nursing could be traced in these themes even if a solid ground of nursing shows itself in changing forms. According to this study and previous research, nursing can be considered as a mummified occupation in its essence, given that the old values and stereotypes largely remain. The main motives for becoming a nurse are altruism, a desire for autonomy, and flexibility. To strengthen the profession, both teachers and clinical supervisors should use the students' images of nursing as a starting point in nursing education and develop them in different contexts.
A Business Case for Seismic Data Transmission by Satellite
Authors: Aylor William K. , Gnowles Jay , van Rensselaer Frank 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
How can we still further reduce costs for oil field services withoutdegrading data quality? This is question of paramount interest to the entireoil exploration and production industry. It has been estimated that fully 25%of oil exploration costs are associated with seismic services. A technologywhich has created much discussion and excitement in the seismic industry forthe last several years has been satellite transmission of seismic data fromacquisition vessels to onshore processing facilities. This paper will explorethe issues surrounding the viability of seismic data transmission via satellite(SDT) and will show the very real cost savings and exploration benefits whichshould be realized by this emerging technology.

The value of 3-D seismic - an update
One of the ways SDT adds value to E&P operations is by deliveringseismic data to the decision-makers more quickly. This faster delivery isdependent on the underlying value of the 3-D surveys themselves. Aylor hascarried out and published previous work that characterizes the present value of 3-D seismic to the oil industry. This work has documented the value of anaverage exploration 3-D seismic survey acquired between 1990 and 1994, conducted across an area previously explored using 2-D techniques. This average'90-94 exploration 3-D survey improved the exploration potential of an areafrom 3.4 prospects with a 16% chance of success to one with 4 prospects with a23% chance of success. To derive the value of this improved explorationsituation, a very typical international venture has been financially modeled. This model provides for 24 producing wells at 7.5 MMBOE per well, produced over19 years, $160 million facilities costs, and a not uncommon, "mature area"foreign tax situation taking into account taxes, royalties, production sharingand state participation.
Geophysical Data Offshore Brazil
Authors: Fainstein Roberto , Balaguer Robert 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Market oriented reforms of the Brazilian petroleum industry have given impetus to an extraordinary renewal of the offshore geophysical data acquisition and will impact all aspects of the Brazilian offshore petroleumindustry for years to come. Massive non-exclusive 2D and 3D seismic dataacquisition programs are presently being conducted offshore the eastern Brazilian coast, soon to be followed by diverse deep-water drilling programs. The increased offshore operations have also caused a higher environmentalawareness and all activities are monitored for possible effects over theecological equilibrium of the offshore environment.
This paper reviews the new outlook of geophysical data acquisition off shore Brazil, its implications for the interpretation of petroleum geology andgeophysics and the future exploration of the continental margin off eastern Brazil. It succintly describes the modern efforts in seismic data acquisition, processing and interpretation leading to the high resolution mapping stratigraphy of hydrocarbon producing turbidite reservoirs, the accurateimaging of the salt structures and the structural seismic interpretation of theunderlying synrift sequences that encompasses most oil bearing sourcerocks.
The modern seismic exploration is therefore focused towards the preciseimaging of hydrocarbon plays of the pre-salt and post-salt sequences. Seismicresolution in these have improved substantially with modern technologies nowemployed in data acquisition, data processing and data interpretation. Pre-stack time migrations with higher order NMO are now routinely performedwhereas selected regional lines are pre-stack depth migration processed. Regional 2D and 3D surveys acquired with long cables and large foot-print arethe now the norm along the whole continental margin off Brazil.

Introduction
Although Brazil has the longest north-south coast in the world the petroleumresources of its offshore basins (Fig. 1) are still not fully assessed. For thelast fifty years Petrobras, the national oil company, held over a monopoly ofthe country's oil and gas industry. In 1996 the first step was taken to breakthe monopoly with the formation of the National Petroleum Agency (ANP), to takecontrol of the industry's regulation. When, in 1997, the Petroleum Law waspassed, a programme of market-orientated reforms of the industry was underway. In December 1998, David Zylbersztajn, ANP Director General, announced the firstannual block release, opening the Brazilian market to competition.
Illumination Studies for Imaging Subsalt Anomalies
Authors: Schneider Jeffrey M. , Sidorovskaia Natalia A. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
High-amplitude narrow-focused reflectors adjacent to wide shadow zones undera high-velocity salt-body were observed on both poststack time-migrated andprestack depth-migrated (PSDM) data for a deep water Gulf of Mexico prospect. Raytracing has been used to investigate the nature of these amplitude anomaliesand to assess risk in using these anomalies as hydrocarbon indicatorsespecially for new exploration areas where one has limited well control. ADepth-velocity model for raytracing was built from existing interpretation on aprestack depth-migrated volume. Two different salt bodies were studied forfocusing effects because of ambiguities in base-of salt interpretation. Theanalysis of raytracing results by new Depth Fold illumination technology hasshown that the shape of the overlaying salt-body is the main contributor infocusing energy for sub-salt horizons. Also evident was poor illumination incertain prospect areas due to acquisition geometry. Illumination maps wereassessed by correlating with seismic data in both time and depth. It has beenconcluded that some high-illuminated zones under the salt are the result ofsalt focusing effect, and their interpretation as hydrocarbon indicators hasbeen discounted. Poorly illuminated areas where imaging can not be improved bymore advanced seismic processing techniques were also evident. The main resultwas low illumination in poorly imaged seismic areas. The above technologyshould become an integral part of a processing and exploration workflow. Itenables geoscientists to have a powerful risk-reducing tool with a widespectrum of possible applications, such as:revealing the nature of particular amplitude anomalies for risking these ashydrocarbon indicators;understanding AVO variations for geologically complex areas;designing future 3D acquisition scenarios with maximum illumination fortargeted structure;validation of the accuracy of migrated data;assistance in determining the most effective processing scheme for imagequality improvement;assistance in planning innovative acquisition designs using verticalseismic arrays.