bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered prefrontal lobe oxygenation in bipolar disorder: a study by near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Kubota Y. , Toichi M. , Shimizu M. , Mason R. A. , Findling R. L. , Yamamoto K. , Hayashi T. , Calabrese J. R. 
Published: September 2008

BackgroundPrevious studies have reported prefrontal cortex (PFC) pathophysiology in bipolar disorder.MethodWe examined the hemodynamics of the PFC during resting and cognitive tasks in 29 patients with bipolar disorder and 27 healthy controls, matched for age, verbal abilities and education. The cognitive test battery consisted of letter and category fluency (LF and CF), Sets A and B of the Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM-A and RCPM-B) and the letter cancellation test (LCT). The tissue oxygenation index (TOI), the ratio of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) concentration to total hemoglobin concentration, was measured in the bilateral PFC by spatially resolved near-infrared spectroscopy. Changes in HbO2 concentration were also measured.ResultsThe bipolar group showed slight but significant impairment in performance for the non-verbal tasks (RCPM-A, RCPM-B and LCT), with no significant between-group differences for the two verbal tasks (LF and CF). A group×task×hemisphere analysis of variance (ANOVA) on the TOI revealed an abnormal pattern of prefrontal oxygenation across different types of cognitive processing in the bipolar group. Post hoc analyses following a group×task×hemisphere ANOVA on HbO2 concentration revealed that the bipolar group showed a greater increase in HbO2 concentration in the LCT and in RCPM-B, relative to controls.ConclusionsBoth indices of cortical activation (TOI and HbO2 concentration) indicated a discrepancy in the PFC function between verbal versus non-verbal processing, indicating task-specific abnormalities in the hemodynamic control of the PFC in bipolar disorder.
Brainstem volumetric alterations in children with autism
Authors: Jou R. J. , Minshew N. J. , Melhem N. M. , Keshavan M. S. , Hardan A. Y. 
Published: September 2008

BackgroundAlthough several studies have examined brainstem volume in autism, results have been mixed and no investigation has specifically measured gray- and white-matter structures. The aim of this investigation was to assess gray- and white-matter volumes in children with autism.MethodSubjects included 22 right-handed, non-mentally retarded boys with autism and 22 gender- and age-matched controls. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained using a 1.5-T scanner and volumetric measurements were performed using the BRAINS2 software package. Gray- and white-matter volumes were measured using a semi-automated segmentation process.ResultsThere were no significant differences in age and total brain volume (TBV) between the two groups but full-scale IQ was higher in controls. A decrease in brainstem gray-matter volume was observed in the autism group before and after controlling for TBV. No significant differences were observed in white-matter volume. A significant relationship was observed between brainstem gray-matter volume and oral sensory sensitivity as measured by the Sensory Profile Questionnaire (SPQ).ConclusionsFindings from this study are suggestive of brainstem abnormalities in autism involving gray-matter structures with evidence supporting the existence of a relationship between these alterations and sensory deficits. These results are consistent with previous investigations and support the existence of disturbances in brainstem circuitry thought to be implicated in the sensory dysfunction observed in autism.
Tularemia in Germany: the tip of the iceberg?
Authors: SPLETTSTOESSER W. D. , PIECHOTOWSKI I. , BUCKENDAHL A. , FRANGOULIDIS D. , KAYSSER P. , KRATZER W. , KIMMIG P. , SEIBOLD E. , BROCKMANN S. O. 
Published: September 2008

SUMMARYTularemia is a rare, notifiable zoonosis in Germany. Since November 2004, several lines of evidence including outbreaks in humans or animals and confirmed infections in indigenous hare and rodent populations have indicated a re-emergence of tularemia in different German federal states. Unfortunately, reliable basic information on the seroprevalence in different geographical regions, permitting the identification of risk factors, does not exist. Combining a sensitive screening assay with a highly specific confirmative immunoblot test, we performed a serological investigation on 2416 sera from a population-based, cross-sectional health survey of the city population of Leutkirch, Baden-Wuerttemberg. A total of 56 sera gave positive results indicating a seroprevalence of 2·32%. Thus, the seroprevalence is tenfold higher than that previously reported in a nationwide study in 2004. Francisella tularensis can cause a wide variety of clinical syndromes including severe, sometimes fatal disease. Missing epidemiological data on its spatial and temporal distribution in an endemic country complicate an appropriate risk assessment necessary for public health authorities to be prepared for an adequate outbreak management. This is of special concern regarding the extraordinary potential of F. tularensis as an agent of bioterrorism. Our investigation performed in a presumed low-risk area demonstrated that tularemia might be seriously underestimated in Germany and probably in other central European countries as well.
Inter- and intra-specific exposure to parasites and pathogens via the faecal–oral route: a consequence of behaviour in a patchy environment
Authors: SMITH L. A. , MARION G. , SWAIN D. L. , WHITE P. C. L. , HUTCHINGS M. R. 
Published: September 2008

SUMMARYLivestock herbivores are at risk of inter- and intra-specific exposure to parasites/pathogens via the faecal–oral route during grazing. Each contact between livestock and faeces in the environment is a potential parasite/pathogen transmission event. Cattle grazing contact with faeces varies in relation to the species depositing the faeces and the distribution of the faeces. We used a foraging model to simulate the grazing behaviour of beef cattle in two grazing systems to compare the relative inter-specific and intra-specific exposure risks to parasites/pathogens. Overall, there is a greater level of intra-vs. inter-specific risk via the faecal–oral route. However, under certain conditions, particularly for microparasite infections, e.g. paratuberculosis in rabbits and bovine tuberculosis in badgers, wildlife may pose a significant exposure risk to parasites/pathogens. These risks can be enhanced when cattle are first turned out onto pasture and in situations where intra-specific variations in wildlife behaviour result in more dispersed defecation patterns.
Discovering Earth's Radiation Belts: Remembering Explorer 1 and 3
Authors: McDonald Frank , Naugle John E. 
Published: September 2008

On 31 January 1958, at 10:48 P.M. eastern standard time, the United States launched its first satellite, Explorer 1, on a modified Jupiter‐C rocket.Later, at about 1:30 A.M., after confirming that it was indeed in orbit, three men triumphantly held aloft a full‐scale model of Explorer 1 at a crowded press conference in the Great Hall of the National Academy of Sciences (Figure 1). In the center stood James A. Van Allen, head of the physics department at the University of Iowa and the scientist responsible for the scientific experiment. Flanking him were Wernher von Braun, director of development operations for the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA), which was responsible for constructing the Jupiter‐C, and William H. Pickering, director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which provided the Explorer spacecraft, the solid‐fueled upper stages, and the guidance and control system. The United States had just successfully entered the race to explore, understand, and utilize space.
The Prediction of Two Large Earthquakes in Greece
Authors: Uyeda Seiya , Kamogawa Masashi 
Published: September 2008

The VAN experimental method of shortterm earthquake prediction (named after the initials of three Greek physicists, Panayiotis Varotsos, Kessar Alexopoulos, and Konstantine Nomicos) has been used to monitor preseismic electric signals since the 1980s [see Varotsos, 2005]. From observed telluric current signals, called seismic electric signals (SES), the epicentral area, magnitude, and occurrence time of an impending earthquake are estimated. SES are interpreted as having been emitted when the focal region in which the earthquake in question could occur has entered the critical regime (i.e., a stage close to the rupture).The VAN method recently reached the stage of possibly enabling the narrowing of the time window of earthquake prediction to the order of a few days. This narrowing is made possible by the use of a new method called “natural time analysis.” This analysis has been developed to identify the time when a dynamic system (i.e., a system evolving with time) exhibits behavior similar to a phase change [Varotsos et al., 2008, and references therein]. On the hypothesis that the main shock earthquake is a critical phenomenon, when SES activity is observed, natural time analysis is conducted on the seismicities of small earthquakes in the suspected future epicentral area solely by considering their order of occurrence and the energy emitted by each of them. The term natural time analysis stems from the disregard of the conventional time of the earthquakes' occurrence. It has been found that such an analysis enables the identification of the time of the main shock usually within a few days before it occurs (see P. Varotsos et al., Seismic electric signals and 1/f “noise” in natural time, at http://arxiv.org/abs/ 0711.3766).
Deep‐Sea Mining: Integrating Geology, Oceanography, and Engineering: Shaping the Future: Deep‐Sea Minerals and Mining Congress; Aachen, Germany, 9–13 March 2008
Authors: Meyer F. Michael , Halbach Peter E. , Martens Peer N. , Hein James R. , Scott Steve 
Published: September 2008

A strong increase in the global demand for metallic raw materials, coupled with rising market prices, has heightened interest in marine seabed mineral deposits and the feasibility of their extraction for many marine scientists, engineers, and mining companies. This interest focuses not only on base and precious metals but also on strategically important elements needed for high‐technology applications, such as cobalt, nickel, molybdenum, titanium, gallium, selenium, telurium, indium, and the rare earth elements.A symposium and workshop on deep‐sea minerals and mining was convened at the Rheinisch‐Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, in Germany. More than 100 scientists from 16 countries assembled to discuss the opportunities and challenges of interdisciplinary research concerning deep‐ocean mineral resources. Two days of plenary talks presented by invited experts representing diverse disciplines were followed by a 1‐day workshop to discuss the current knowledge; to develop research strategies that address emerging exploration and recovery techniques; and to assess economic, legal, and ecological issues inherent in deep‐sea mining.
Dockground protein–protein docking decoy set
Authors: Liu Shiyong , Gao Ying , Vakser Ilya A. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Summary: A protein–protein docking decoy set is built for the Dockground unbound benchmark set. The GRAMM-X docking scan was used to generate 100 non-native and at least one near-native match per complex for 61 complexes. The set is a publicly available resource for the development of scoring functions and knowledge-based potentials for protein docking methodologies.
Availability: The decoys are freely available for download at http://dockground.bioinformatics.ku.edu/UNBOUND/decoy/decoy.php
Contact: vakser@ku.edu
Interactions between the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) and the artisanal fishery off Coquimbo, northern Chile
Authors: Goetz Sabine , Wolff Matthias , Stotz Wolfgang , Villegas Mario J. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Goetz, S., Wolff, M., Stotz, W., and Villegas, M. J. 2008. Interactions between the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) and the artisanal fishery off Coquimbo, northern Chile. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1739–1746. The South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) forages in coastal waters, where it interacts with fisheries and causes considerable economic loss by removing some catch and damaging gear. This study describes for the fishery region of Coquimbo (Chile) where, when, and with what type of gear interactions occur, characterizes the animals involved (group size, sex, and age), and derives some management recommendations. The study was based on 55 interviews with fishers and observations aboard fishing vessels in the main fishing sectors between October 2003 and March 2004. Interactions were primarily at night (88% of interviewees fished at night), in the bay (“Bahía”) of Coquimbo (81% of interviewees fished in this sector), where shoaling fish were abundant, and with purse-seines (100% of interviewees used this gear). Although some large groups of sea lions were seen, most comprised 1–10 animals. Most animals that interacted with the fishing gear were males (67%), probably because of the different feeding strategies of the two sexes. Management options discussed include the adjustment of fisheries to foraging behaviour of sea lions, and the controlled elimination of conflicting animals.
Contribution of patient and physician factors to cardiac rehabilitation enrollment: a prospective multilevel study
Authors: Grace Sherry L. , Gravely-Witte Shannon , Brual Janette , Monette George , Suskin Neville , Higginson Lyall , Alter David A. , Stewart Donna E. 
Published: September 2008

Background Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an established means of reducing mortality, yet is grossly underutilized. This is due to both health system and patient-level factors; issues that have yet to be investigated concurrently. This study utilized a hierarchical design to examine physician and patient-level factors affecting verified CR enrollment. Design A prospective multisite study, using a multilevel design of 1490 coronary artery disease outpatients nested within 97 Ontario cardiology practices (mean 15 per cardiologist). Methods Cardiologists completed a survey regarding CR attitudes. Outpatients were surveyed prospectively to assess factors affecting CR enrollment. Patients were mailed a follow-up survey 9 months later to self-report CR enrollment This was verified with 40 CR sites. Results Five hundred and fifty (43.4%) outpatients were referred, and 469 (37.0%) enrolled in CR. In mixed logistic regression analyses, factors affecting verified CR enrollment were greater strength of physician endorsement ( P = 0.005), shorter distance to CR ( P = 0.001), being married ( P = 0.01), and fewer perceived CR barriers ( P = 0.03). Conclusion Both physician and patient factors play a part in CR enrollment. Patient CR barriers should be addressed during referral discussions, and reasons why physicians fail to uniformly endorse CR exploration. Although distance to CR was related to patient enrollment patterns, greater access to home-based CR services should be provided.
Atherosclerotic and pleural calcifications are related among asbestos-exposed workers
Authors: Vehmas Tapio , Hiltunen Asta , Kivisaari Leena , Leino-Arjas Päivi 
Published: September 2008

Methods We studied the relationship between calcified chest atherosclerosis and pleural plaques among 505 construction workers with computed tomography. The extent and thickness of pleural plaques and the score of visceral pleural thickening were estimated, as was calcification of both pleural disease and chest atherosclerosis. Results Adjusted for age, BMI, smoking, and asbestos exposure, pleural calcification was associated with calcification in coronary arteries ( P < 0.001) and in the aorta ( P < 0.001). Conclusion These associations may be due to susceptibility factors common to both conditions. Calcification in pleural plaques may be a hint of atherosclerosis at least among asbestos-exposed people.
Three‐Dimensional Imaging in Measuring Facial Aesthetic Outcomes
Authors: Lin Samuel J. , Patel Neel , O'Shaughnessy Kristina , Fine Neil A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: Medical imaging techniques have continually improved. However, measuring esthetic outcomes using conventional two‐dimensional photography has inherent limitations visualizing in three dimensions such as the face.Study Design: This study used three‐dimensional imaging to visualize facial images preoperatively and postoperatively in patients undergoing Contour threadlift procedures.Methods: In patients undergoing Contour threadlift placement for midfacial rejuvenation, we prospectively imaged and photographed patients preoperatively and postoperatively. From three‐dimensional images, we measured three‐axis vector movement of the facial soft tissue in millimeters. Three control subjects (n = 6, bilateral sides) who had not undergone any procedure were a control group to confirm stability of the images over time. Patients also completed a questionnaire regarding their results and overall experience.Results: We studied 6 (n = 12, bilateral procedures) undergoing Contour thread placement. Analyzed images revealed a trend of midface soft tissue flattening of nasolabial contour over 3 months. Average nasolabial flattening or tightening was 2.3 mm (P > .05) in the Contour patient group. The flattening of the midfacial region returned to baseline postprocedure at 90 days. Three‐dimensional imaging for the control subjects demonstrate less than 0.2 mm change (P < .05) in the nasolabial region weekly over a period of 3 weeks.Conclusions: After 3 months, patients undergoing Contour thread placement had three‐dimensional imaging measurements suggesting a return to baseline values. Three‐dimensional imaging may increase accuracy in quantifying change after surgery specifically with contour differences; film and digital photography capture in only two dimensions. The use of three‐dimensional imaging may be applicable to numerous clinical settings.
On the acceleration of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays
Authors: Fraschetti Federico 
Published: September 2008

Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) hit the Earth's atmosphere with energies exceeding 10
18
eV. This is the same energy as carried by a tennis ball moving at 100 km h
−1
, but concentrated on a subatomic particle. UHECRs are so rare (the flux of particles with
E
>10
20
eV is 0.5 km
−2
per century) that only a few such particles have been detected over the past 50 years. Recently, the HiRes and Auger experiments have reported the discovery of a high-energy cut-off in the UHECR spectrum, and Auger has found an apparent clustering of the highest energy events towards nearby active galactic nuclei. Consensus is building that the highest energy particles are accelerated within the radio-bright lobes of these objects, but it remains unclear how this actually happens, and whether the cut-off is due to propagation effects or reflects an intrinsically physical limitation of the acceleration process. The low event statistics presently allows for many different plausible models; nevertheless observations are beginning to impose strong constraints on them. These observations have also motivated suggestions that new physics may be implicated. We present a review of the key theoretical and observational issues related to the processes of propagation and acceleration of UHECRs and proposed solutions.
Sexual and Apomictic Seed Formation in Hieracium Requires the Plant Polycomb-Group Gene FERTILIZATION INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM
Authors: Rodrigues Julio C.M. , Tucker Matthew R. , Johnson Susan D. , Hrmova Maria , Koltunow Anna M.G. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
A Polycomb-Group (PcG) complex, FERTILIZATION INDEPENDENT SEED (FIS), represses endosperm development in Arabidopsis thaliana until fertilization occurs. The Hieracium genus contains apomictic species that form viable seeds asexually. To investigate FIS function during apomictic seed formation, FERTILIZATION INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM (FIE), encoding a WD-repeat member of the FIS complex, was isolated and downregulated in sexual and apomictic Hieracium species. General downregulation led to defects in leaf and seed development, consistent with a role in developmental transitions and cell fate. PcG-like activity of Hieracium FIE was also supported by its interaction in vitro with the Arabidopsis CURLY LEAF PcG protein. By contrast, specific downregulation of FIE in developing seeds of sexual Hieracium did not result in autonomous endosperm proliferation but led to seed abortion after cross-pollination. Furthermore, in apomictic Hieracium, specific FIE downregulation inhibited autonomous embryo and endosperm initiation, and most autonomous seeds displayed defective embryo and endosperm growth. Therefore, FIE is required for both apomictic and fertilization-induced seed initiation in Hieracium. Since Hieracium FIE failed to interact with FIS class proteins in vitro, its partner proteins might differ from those in the FIS complex of Arabidopsis. These differences in protein interaction were attributed to structural modifications predicted from comparisons of Arabidopsis and Hieracium FIE molecular models.
Computational models explain the oligosaccharide specificity of cyanovirin‐N
Authors: Fujimoto Yukiji K. , TerBush Ryan N. , Patsalo Vadim , Green David F. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe prokaryotic lectin cyanovirin‐N (CV‐N) is a potent inhibitor of HIV envelope‐mediated cell entry, and thus is a leading candidate among a new class of potential anti‐HIV microbicides. The activity of CV‐N is a result of interactions with the D1 arm of high‐mannose oligosaccharides on the viral glycoprotein gp120. Here, we present computationally refined models of CV‐N recognition of the di‐ and trisaccharides that represent the terminal three sugars of the D1 arm by each CV‐N binding site. These models complement existing structural data, both from NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. When used with a molecular dynamics/continuum electrostatic (MD/PBSA) approach to compute binding free energies, these models explain the relative affinity of each site for the two saccharides. This work presents the first validation of the application of continuum electrostatic models to carbohydrate–protein association. Taken as a whole, the results both provide models of CV‐N sugar recognition and demonstrate the utility of these computational methods for the study of carbohydrate‐binding proteins.