bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prenatal diagnosis of some metabolic diseases using early amniotic fluid samples: report of a 15 years, experience
Authors: Chadefaux‐Vekemans B. , Rabier D. , Cadoudal N. , Lescoat A. , Chabli A. , Aupetit J. , Dumez Y. , Oury J. F. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackgroundIn the present study, we report the results of 132 prenatal diagnoses performed on chorionic villi and cell‐free amniotic fluid obtained simultaneously at 12–13 weeks of gestation. In addition, we report the result of 59 prenatal diagnoses performed at 12–13th week using amniotic fluid only.Methods and ResultsA total of one fetal loss (1/191) was observed when a sample of amniotic fluid was obtained at around 12–13 weeks, whereas three losses (3/82) were observed after midtrimester amniocentesis. We attribute this finding to the fact that only a very small volume of amniotic fluid was sampled using a very small needle.ConclusionFrom these data it appears that when a couple is facing a high risk of recurrence of some metabolic diseases, the study of chorionic villus and amniotic fluid sampled simultaneously offers a safe and reliable method of early prenatal diagnosis. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multistep method for threading dislocation density reduction in MOCVD grown GaN epilayers
Authors: Lang T. , Odnoblyudov M. A. , Bougrov V. E. , Romanov A. E. , Suihkonen S. , Sopanen M. , Lipsanen H. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA new multistep MOCVD method for growing GaN is used to suppress threading dislocations in GaN epilayers on c ‐plane sapphire. A nucleation island density of as low as 2.5 × 107 cm–2 is reported. Developed subsequent overgrowth prevents the formation of new islands and stimulates the inclination of threading dislocations inside nucleation islands before their coalescence. GaN epilayers with a threading dislocation density of 5.0 × 107 cm–2 are grown by the method. Nucleation island morphology and threading dislocation density are analyzed by atomic force microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy is used to support the results for the threading dislocation density and to evaluate the epitaxial relationship of the GaN films. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electrostatic solitary structures in a charge-varying pair–ion–dust plasma
Authors: TRIBECHE MOULOUD , GOUGAM LEILA AIT , BOUBAKOUR NADIA , ZERGUINI TAHA HOUSSINE 
Published: July 2006

AbstractLarge-amplitude electrostatic solitary structures are investigated in an unmagnetized charge-varying pair–ion–dust plasma in which electrons and positrons have equal masses. Their spatial patterns are significantly modified by the presence of the positron component. In particular, it may be noted that an addition of a small concentration of positrons abruptly reduces the potential pulse amplitude as well as the net negative charge residing on the dust grain surface. Under certain conditions, the solitary wave suffers the well-known anomalous damping leading to the development of collisionless shock waves. This investigation may be taken as a prerequisite for the understanding of the electrostatic solitary waves that may occur in space dusty plasmas.
Fat‐tailed gene flow in the dioecious canopy tree species Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica revealed by microsatellites
Authors: GOTO S. , SHIMATANI K. , YOSHIMARU H. , TAKAHASHI Y. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractPollen flow, seed dispersal and individual reproductive success can be simultaneously estimated from the genotypes of adults and offspring using stochastic models. Using four polymorphic microsatellite loci, gene flow of the wind‐pollinated and wind‐seed‐dispersed dioecious tree species, Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica, was quantified in a riparian forest, in northern Japan. In a 10.5‐ha plot, 74 female adults, 76 male adults and 292 current‐year seedlings were mapped and genotyped, together with 200 seeds. To estimate dispersal kernels of pollen and seeds, we applied normal, exponential power, Weibull, bivariate t‐distribution kernels, and two‐component models consisting of two normal distribution functions, one with a small and one with a large variance. A two‐component pollen flow model with a small contribution (26.1%) from short‐distance dispersal (σ = 7.2 m), and the rest from long‐distance flow (σ = 209.9 m), was chosen for the best‐fitting model. The average distance that integrated pollen flows inside and outside the study plot was estimated to be 196.8 m. Tree size and flowering intensity affected reproduction, and there appeared to be critical values that distinguished reproductively successful and unsuccessful adults. In contrast, the gene flow model that estimated both pollen and seed dispersal from established seedlings resulted in extensive seed dispersal, and the expected spatial genetic structures did not satisfactorily fit with the observations, even for the selected model. Our results advanced small‐scale individual‐based parentage analysis for quantifying fat‐tailed gene flow in wind‐mediated species, but also clarified its limitations and suggested future possibilities for gene flow studies.
Pennsylvania's Success with Local Property Tax Reform
Authors: Hartzok Alanna 
Published: July 2006

Abstract Fifteen cities in Pennsylvania are pioneering an innovative approach to local tax reform that harnesses market incentives for urban renewal.Opting for the so‐called “two‐rate” or “split‐rate”property tax, these cities are lowering taxes on buildings, thereby encouraging improvements and renovations, while raising the tax on land values, thus discouraging land speculation. The resulting infill development as indicated by increased building permits means downtown jobs, efficient use of urban infrastructure, an improved housing stock, and less urban sprawl.Cities in other states are poised to follow Pennsylvania's example.
The FCGR2A— Arg131 variant is no major mortality factor in the elderly — evidence from a German centenarian study
Authors: Flesch B. K. , Nikolaus S. , El Mokhtari N. E. , Schreiber S. , Nebel A. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryThe functional single nucleotide polymorphism rs1801274 in the FCGR2A gene (His131Arg) influences the efficiency of hIgG2 binding, the main isotype produced in response to encapsulated bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. In contrast to the receptor with the His131 allele, FcγRIIa‐Arg131 binds hIgG2 poorly and carriers of this variant have been shown to be much more susceptible to succumb to bacterial pneumonia or meningitis. As bacteraemic pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in elderly individuals, we hypothesized that the Arg131 variant could be a major mortality factor in the old. We analysed the FCGR2A‐His131Arg polymorphism in a group of 408 German centenarians and two samples of younger Germans aged 60–75 and 18–49 years, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between the three age groups, neither at the allele nor at the genotype level. Apparently, the ability to reach old age is largely unaffected by the genetically determined efficacy of the FCGR2A‐based immune response. However, the severely reduced ability of FCGR2A‐131Arg carriers to eliminate encapsulated bacteria must apparently be compensated by an alternative mechanism, possibly involving other genetic survival factors.
8q Gain Is an Independent Predictor of Poor Survival in Diagnostic Needle Biopsies from Prostate Cancer Suspects
Authors: Ribeiro Franclim R. , Jerónimo Carmen , Henrique Rui , Fonseca Daniel , Oliveira Jorge , Lothe Ragnhild A. , Teixeira Manuel R. 
Published: July 2006

Abstract
Purpose: The main procedure to confirm a suspected diagnosis of prostate cancer is histologic analysis of ultrasound-guided sextant prostate biopsies. As it is difficult to reliably assess tumor stage and grade in such minute samples, the clinical significance of some tumor foci remains unclear. Genetic markers that could augment pretreatment prognostic information would improve the clinical management of the disease.
Experimental Design: We have analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization a consecutive series of prostate needle biopsies obtained prospectively from 100 prostate cancer suspects. For 25 of these patients, a second independent biopsy core was analyzed to assess possible tumor heterogeneity. Additionally, a three-color fluorescent in situ hybridization assay was done in paraffin-embedded biopsy cores to validate the comparative genomic hybridization findings and to confirm their prognostic value.
Results: Sixty-one of 100 biopsy samples had morphologic evidence of prostate cancer and 41 (67%) of these displayed genomic copy number changes as opposed to none of the morphologically normal biopsies. The presence of losses, amplifications, and the total number of genomic imbalances were significantly associated with poorly differentiated tumors. Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank test showed that patients whose tumors displayed 8q gains had a significantly worse survival even when tumor grade was taken into account (P = 0.008). Restricting the analysis to cases with Gleason score 7, the most troublesome category in terms of prognostic information, gains at 8q were still significantly associated with poor survival (P = 0.011), something that was confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization in an independent series of biopsies with much longer follow-up time (P = 0.023).
Conclusions: We show that whole genomic information can be obtained from minute needle biopsies of prostate cancer suspects and that genetic data can provide additional prognostic information before a therapeutic decision is taken.
Development of an etoposide prodrug for dual prodrug-enzyme antitumor therapy
Authors: Yoon K. Jin , Qi Jianjun , Remack Joanna S. , Virga Kristopher G. , Hatfield M. Jason , Potter Philip M. , Lee Richard E. , Danks Mary K. 
Published: July 2006

Abstract
Enzyme-prodrug approaches to cancer therapy, theoretically, have the potential to mediate tumor-selective cytotoxicity. However, even if tumor-specific prodrug activation is achieved, enzyme-prodrug systems investigated thus far comprised a single enzyme and a specific prodrug. Although targeted, such systems constitute single-agent therapy, which may be ineffective and/or may promote development of drug resistance. Therefore, a goal of our laboratories was to design and characterize a novel dipiperidinyl derivative of etoposide [1,4′-dipiperidine-1′-carboxylate-etoposide (dp-VP16)] that would act as a prodrug. We envisioned that dp-VP16 would be converted to the active chemotherapeutic agent VP-16 by the same rabbit carboxylesterase (rCE) that we have previously shown to efficiently activate the prodrug irinotecan (CPT-11). This dp-VP16 prodrug might then be used in combination with CPT-11, with both drugs activated by a single enzyme. We evaluated the ability of pure rCE and two human carboxylesterases, hCE1 and hiCE (hCE2), to activate dp-VP16 in vitro, and in neuroblastoma cell lines designed to express/overexpress each enzyme. In SK-N-AS neuroblastoma cell transfectants, expression of rCE or hiCE decreased the IC50 of dp-VP16 as a single agent by 8.3- and 3.4-fold, respectively, in growth inhibition assays. Purified hCE1 did not metabolize dp-VP16 in vitro and did not affect its IC50 in intact cells. The combination indices of sequential exposure to CPT-11 followed by dp-VP16 ranged from ∼0.4 to 0.6, suggesting that this combination produced greater-than-additive cytotoxicity in neuroblastoma cells expressing rCE. These data provide proof-of-principle that enzyme-prodrug therapy approaches comprised of prodrugs with complementary mechanisms of cytotoxicity that are activated by a single enzyme can be developed. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(6):1577–84]
Endothelial growth factors VEGF and bFGF differentially enhance monocyte and neutrophil recruitment to inflammation
Authors: Zittermann Sandra I , Issekutz Andrew C 
Published: July 2006

AbstractVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are produced at sites of inflammation. Previously, we demonstrated that bFGF enhances leukocyte recruitment and endothelial cell adhesion molecule (CAM) expression during inflammation. Here, we investigated the influence of VEGF during acute inflammation and whether VEGF and bFGF cooperate to modulate leukocyte recruitment. Inflammation was induced in skin of rats by intradermal injection of inflammatory stimuli ± VEGF ± bFGF. Migration of 51Cr-monocytes and 111In-polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to the dermal lesions and 125I-anti-CAM monoclonal antibody binding to the dermal vasculature were quantitated after 2 h. VEGF significantly enhanced tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)-induced monocyte recruitment by 39 ± 16% and increased P-selectin, E-selectin, and intercellular CAM-1 expression by two- to threefold over TNF-α alone. However, recruitment of monocytes to TNF-α + interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and of PMN to all stimuli tested was not affected by VEGF. In contrast, bFGF enhanced recruitment of both leukocyte types to all stimuli tested. With the potent TNF-α + IFN-γ stimulus, in contrast to bFGF, VEGF did not enhance E-selectin or ICAM-1 expression. bFGF, but not VEGF, increased the chemotactic activity for PMN in TNF-α + IFN-γ-inflamed sites by 54%. The limited effect of VEGF on these mechanisms likely contributed to the differential effect of VEGF and bFGF on leukocyte recruitment. However, VEGF + bFGF increased PMN recruitment more than did either factor alone. Thus, bFGF and VEGF differentially but synergistically enhance leukocyte recruitment to inflammatory stimuli and individually as well as jointly function as positive regulators of inflammatory cell recruitment.
Cyanation of Alcohols with Diethyl Cyanophosphonate and 2,6-Dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone by a New Type of Oxidation–Reduction Condensation
Authors: Masutani Kouta , Minowa Tomofumi , Hagiwara Yoshiaki , Mukaiyama Teruaki 
Published: July 2006

Abstract
Cyanation of various alcohols by a new type of oxidation–reduction condensation is described. Primary alkyl diphenylphosphinites, 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DMBQ), and diethyl cyanophosphonate gave the corresponding nitriles in high yields. During the above experiment on cyanation of 4-phenylbutan-2-ol, the unexpected formation of a mixture of nitrile and isocyanide was observed. After careful examination of the reaction conditions, selective synthesis of isocyanides from secondary alcohols was successfully accomplished by the use of zinc oxide (ZnO) as an additive. Reaction of tertiary alcohols provided the corresponding isocyanides exclusively in the absence of an additive. Cyanation of optically active alcohols was tried in order to clarify the stereochemistry of this reaction, and the reaction was thus proved to proceed with the inversion of configuration.
Cationic Au(I)- and Pt(II)-Catalyzed Silylation of Alcohols Using Allylsilanes
Authors: Shibata Takanori , Kanda Kazumasa , Ueno Yasunori , Fujiwara Ryo 
Published: July 2006

Abstract
The silylation of alcohols using allylsilanes was catalyzed by cationic Au(I) and Pt(II) species, which were prepared in situ from the metal chlorides ([AuCl(PPh3)], PtCl2) and a silver salt. TBS-, TES-, and TIPS-protections of various alcohols and carboxylic acids could be possible.
Evaluation of Alternative Flexibility Restraint Procedures for Recursive Programming Models Used for Prediction
Authors: Miller Thomas A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractRecursive programming models for estimating production response may be generalized from the original “recursive” formulation to a formulation that simply attempts to limit the linear programming solution to a reasonable subset. This article outlines a framework for evaluating the effect of alternative flexibility restraint procedures on the accuracy of such recursive programming models. Statistical estimates are developed for the total expected error of predictions, given a specified set of population and model characteristics. The analysis suggests that recursive programming models achieve some measure of statistical accuracy.
Opportunity Cost of Time and Other Socioeconomic Effects on Away‐From‐Home Food Consumption
Authors: Prochaska Fred J. , Schrimper R. A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractViewing the household as both a producing and consuming unit suggests the opportunity cost of the homemaker's time to be an important factor affecting food consumption. Opportunity cost of time is shown empirically to have a positive affect on away‐from‐home consumption for employed homemakers in all 12 region‐urbanization classes studied. The same response is shown for unemployed homemakers in most classes. Furthermore, the estimated bias associated with income elasticities estimated without adjustment for the time input was significant in most cases. Estimated effects of income, family composition and size, and race on away‐from‐home food consumption are analyzed.
A Note on Some Monte Carlo Results on Non‐Negative Variance Estimators for a Random Coefficient Regression Model
Authors: Froehlich B. R. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA consistent estimator is used as a first step in estimating variances. Since this procedure frequently gives negative values, alternatives are proposed. One of these, the quadratic programming estimator, was believed to be superior to both of the others examined in this study. The experiment does not support this conjecture.
Peasant Risk Aversion and Allocative Behavior: A Quadratic Programming Experiment
Authors: Wiens Thomas B. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA quadratic risk programming model is used to examine the impact of yield uncertainty on peasant allocation of land among crops and use of hired factor services. The assumption of an exponential utility of income function permits sample estimation of the extent of risk aversion and interpretation of the dual solutions as shadow prices. Historical survey data on a Chinese village are used to show that optimization qualified by risk aversion proves superior to risk neutrality or credit constraints in explaining peasant allocative behavior.
Problems and Solutions in Estimating the Demand for and Value of Rural Outdoor Recreation
Authors: Gum Russell L. , Martin William E. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractAn improved methodology for estimating demand functions for outdoor recreation and evaluating the outdoor recreation resource by use classification is presented. The illustrative framework is a large‐scale empirical study of all outdoor recreation activities in all areas of Arizona. The use of the improved procedures produces estimates of resource values which are much larger than in most previous studies and which are about the size of estimates of gross variable expenditures. It is argued that the time has come to relax the search for improved estimating methodology and concentrate on interpretation of the estimates in studies of resource allocations.
The Distribution of Welfare Gains from International Price Stabilization under Distortions
Authors: Just Richard E. , Lutz Ernst , Schmitz Andrew , Tumovsky Stephen 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIn a two‐country model with distortions and general demand and supply functions, the welfare implications of international price stabilization are analyzed. The degree of nonlinearity of the excess demand function in the free trade exporting country as well as the distortions are found to be of crucial importance in determining who gains from stabilization. With a high degree of nonlinearity, producers in both countries as well as the exporting country as a whole lose from stabilization, whereas consumers in both countries and the importing country gain. This is contrary to previous results with linearity.
The Structure of Production and the Derived Demand for Inputs in Canadian Agriculture
Authors: Lopez Ramon E. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe evidence suggests that an aggregate cost function and, hence, an aggregate production function for Canadian agriculture exists. Furthermore, growth in Canadian agriculture has been primarily associated with economies of scale rather than with factor‐augmenting technical change. A nonhomothetic dual cost function is used to derive explicitly the system of four input demand equations (labor, capital, land and structures, and intermediate inputs) using time‐series data for the period 1946–77. Estimates of the own‐price elasticities and of the Hicks‐Allen elasticities of substitution among the input pairs are also provided.
Price Endogenous Mathematical Programming As a Tool for Sector Analysis
Authors: McCarl Bruce A. , Spreen Thomas H. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe question, “Why use a mathematical programming model at the sectoral level?” is addressed. To address this question, discussion is presented mathematically and verbally upon mathematical programming sector models in which both price and quantity are endogenous variables. The discussion covers both the theoretical properties and the empirical concerns which must be faced in applying such models. Discussion is also presented upon the usefulness of the modeling approach for policy analysis. Selected bibliograpic citations' use of the approach in policy analysis are given.
The Welfare Effects of Erosion Controls, Banning Pesticides, and Limiting Fertilizer Application in the Corn Belt
Authors: Taylor C. Robert , Frohberg Klaus K. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe partial welfare effects of alternative erosion control methods, banning insecticides, banning herbicides, and limiting nitrogen fertilizer in the Corn Belt are examined. The estimated welfare effects are partial since they reflect the change in consumers' plus producers' surplus arising from the production and consumption of corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, hay, and pasture but not the environmental benefits associated with pollution abatement or the administrative and enforcement cost of the policies. A large linear programming model of crop production in the Corn Belt was used to make the estimates.
The Influence of Consumer Price Information on Retail Pricing and Consumer Behavior
Authors: Devine D. Grant , Marion Bruce W. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractComparative price information for major Ottawa supermarkets was collected over a twenty‐eight‐week period and published in daily newspapers during a five‐week test period. In response to the information, the dispersion of prices across stores and chains narrowed, the average level of prices of the market dropped, and consumer satisfaction increased relative to the control market. Consumers transferred patronage to the lower priced stores. Consumers indicated a willingness to pay 34¢ per week on average for the price comparison information. Estimated consumer benefits far exceeded the cost of the program.
Price Distortions in Agriculture and Their Effects: An International Comparison
Authors: Bale Malcolm D. , Lutz Ernst 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe central thesis of this paper is that agricultural pricing policies pursued by developing countries produce effects which are diametrically opposite to those produced by the pricing policies of many developed countries, and that the policies of both are costly in terms of global welfare. In general, the agricultural sector in developing countries is heavily taxed while that in the developed countries receives substantial price protection. The effects of agricultural price distortions on output, consumption, trade, and rural employment are estimated for nine countries. In addition, the effects of price distortions on the distribution of income between producers and consumers, on government revenue and foreign exchange, and the net social losses of the policies are calculated.