bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synchronized optical and acoustical measurements of trombone embouchure.
Authors: Bulen Jay C. 
Published: October 2005

Outward striking- and inward striking-reed models have been proposed for representing brass players’ lips [Sanoyesi et al., Acustica 62, 194–210 (1987)]. The models differ in the predicted relationship between mouthpiece pressure and lip displacement. To investigate this, Yoshikawa measured the phase relationship between mouthpiece pressure and lip strain as indicated by a strain gauge taped to the upper lip [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 97, 1929–1939 (1995)]. However, the relationship between strain and displacement have not been experimentally established, and Yoshikawa’s assumed correspondence ‘‘is still a hypothesis which needs refinement’’ (p. 1931). Optical measurements are required. Synchronized optical and acoustical measurements of a trombonist’s embouchure have been made under performance conditions, using an adaptation of techniques described in Sercarz et al. [Am. J. Otolaryngol. 13, 40–44 (1992)]. Using strobed videoscopy, individual video fields are coordinated with mouthpiece pressure by means of timing signals. The phase relationship between mouthpiece pressure and lip displacement will be reported for a variety of fundamental frequencies and intensities. In addition, estimates will be presented of the aperture area and the mouthpiece volume swept out by the lips.
The goal of this informal workshop, a continuation of Session 1aSC, is to bring together several researchers working on various aspects of voice perception. Historically, the study of voice has been treated as a more-or-less autonomous area quite distinct from other research problems in speech and hearing sciences. In this workshop, some of the traditional problems of voice classification and perception will be discussed and reviewed and then these efforts will be related to recent findings in speech perception and spoken word recognition which have shown important dependencies between traditional voice parameters and perceptual analysis of the speech signal. The contributors to the session include: Jody Kreiman, Diana VanLancker, Keith Johnson, Robert Remez, Peter Jusczyk, and David Pisoni. Please bring your slides and overheads and join in the discussion on some long-standing problems related to the ‘‘indexical’’ and ‘‘linguistic’’ functions of speech. For further information about this informal workshop, please feel free to contact D. B. Pisoni via E-mail: pisoni@indiana.edu. Everyone with an interest in speech perception, production, and spoken language processing is welcome to attend and contribute to the discussion of these problems.
Propagation of signals from strong explosions above and below the ocean surface.
Authors: Clarke Douglas B. , Piacsek Andrew A. , White John W. 
Published: October 2005

In support of the Comprehensive Test Ban, research is underway on the long-range propagation of signals from nuclear explosions in the deep underwater sound (SOFAR) channel. Our work has emphasized the variation of wave properties and source region energy coupling as a function of height or depth of burst. Initial calculations on CALE, a two-dimensional hydrodynamics code developed at LLNL by Robert Tipton, were linked at a few hundred milliseconds to a version of NRL’s weak shock code, NPE, which solves the nonlinear progressive wave equation [B. E. McDonald and W. A. Kuperman, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 81, 1406–1417 (1987)]. The wave propagation simulation was then followed down to 5000-m depth and out to 10 000-m range. In the future, calculations on a linear acoustics code will extend the propagation to greater distances. Until recently our research has considered only explosions in or above the deep ocean. New results on energy coupling and signal propagation in shallow water and the effects of other improvements will be presented. [Work performed under the auspices of the U. S. Department of Energy by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract W-7405-ENG-48.]
Standards Committee S2 on Mechanical Vibration and Shock. Working group chairs will present reports of their recent progress on writing and processing various shock and vibration standards. There will be a report on the interface of S2 activities with those of ISO/TC 108 (the Technical Advisory Group for ISO/TC 108 consists of members of S2, S3, and other persons not necessarily members of those committees), including a report on the activities of ISO/TC 108, with the plans for its September 1996 meeting in Sydney, Australia. Scope of S2. Standards, specifications, methods of measurement and test, and terminology in the fields of mechanical vibration and shock, and condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines, but excluding those aspects which pertain to biological safety, tolerance and comfort.
Air samples versus biomarkers for epidemiology
Authors: Lin Y S , Kupper L L , Rappaport S M 
Published: October 2005

Background:It has been speculated on theoretical grounds that biomarkers are superior surrogates for chemical exposures to air samples in epidemiology studies.Methods and Results:Biomarkers were classified according to their position in the exposure-disease continuum—that is, parent compound, reactive intermediate, stable metabolite, macromolecular adduct, or measure of cellular damage. Because airborne exposures and these different biomarkers are time series that vary within and between persons in a population, they are all prone to measurement error effects when used as surrogates for true chemical exposures. It was shown that the attenuation bias in the estimated slope characterising a log exposure-log disease relation should decrease as the within- to between-person variance ratio of a given set of air or biomarker measurements decreases. To gauge the magnitudes of these variance ratios, a database of 12 077 repeated observations was constructed from 127 datasets, including air and biological measurements from either occupational or environmental settings. The within- and between-person variance components (in log scale, after controlling for fixed effects of time) and the corresponding variance ratios for each set of air and biomarker measurements were estimated. It was shown that estimated variance ratios of biomarkers decreased in the order short term (residence time ⩽2 days) > intermediate term (2 days < residence time ⩽2 months) > long term biomarkers (residence time >2 months). Overall, biomarkers had smaller variance ratios than air measurements, particularly in environmental settings. This suggests that a typical biomarker would provide a less biasing surrogate for exposure than would a typical air measurement.Conclusion:Epidemiologists are encouraged to consider the magnitudes of variance ratios, along with other factors related to practicality and cost, in choosing among candidate surrogate measures of exposure.
Historical limitations of determinant based exposure groupings in the rubber manufacturing industry
Authors: Vermeulen R , Kromhout H 
Published: October 2005

Aims:To study the validity of using a cross-sectional industry-wide exposure survey to develop exposure groupings for epidemiological purposes that extend beyond the time period in which the exposure data were collected.Methods:Exposure determinants were used to group workers into high, medium, and low exposure groups. The contrast of this grouping and other commonly used grouping schemes based on plant and department within this exposure survey and a previously conducted survey within the same industry (and factories) were estimated and compared.Results:Grouping of inhalable and dermal exposure based on exposure determinants resulted in the highest, but still modest, contrast (ε ∼ 0.3). Classifying subjects based on a combination of plant and department resulted in a slightly lower contrast (ε ∼ 0.2). If the determinant based grouping derived from the 1997 exposure survey was used to classify workers in the 1988 survey the average contrast decreased significantly for both exposures (ε ∼ 0.1). On the contrary, the exposure classification based on plant and department increased in contrast (from ε ∼ 0.2 to ε ∼ 0.3) and retained its relative ranking overtime.Conclusions:Although determinant based groupings seem to result in more efficient groupings within a cross-sectional survey, they have to be used with caution as they might result in significant less contrast beyond the studied population or time period. It is concluded that a classification based on plant and department might be more desirable for retrospective studies in the rubber manufacturing industry, as they seem to have more historical relevance and are most likely more accurately recorded historically than information on exposure determinants in a particular industry.
Primary osteoarthritis of hip, knee, and hand in relation to occupational exposure
Authors: Rossignol M , Leclerc A , Allaert F A , Rozenberg S , Valat J P , Avouac B , Coste P , Litvak E , Hilliquin P 
Published: October 2005

Aim:To identify occupations with excess prevalence of osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and hand in a nationwide survey and to compare occupations with and without excess prevalence with regard to biomechanical stresses and severity of osteoarthritis.Methods:Patients presenting with osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, or hand were recruited throughout France by their treating physician who collected information on history, including age at onset, occupation, and occupational stresses to joints. Severity was assessed using joint specific functional status questionnaires: Lequesne for the hip and knee and Dreiser for the hand. The distribution of osteoarthritis patients by occupation was compared with the distribution of occupations in all workers in France to obtain prevalence rate ratios.Results:Occupations with the greatest prevalence rate ratio were female cleaners (6.2; 95% CI 4.6 to 8.0), women in the clothing industry (5.0; 95% CI 3.9 to 6.3), male masons and other construction workers (2.9; 95% CI 2.6 to 3.3), and agriculture male and female workers (2.8; 95% CI 2.5 to 3.2). A twofold greater prevalence rate was observed within certain occupations between self-employed and salaried workers. Early onset of osteoarthritis was seen in the more heavy labour jobs with almost 40% of patients reporting their first symptoms before the age of 50.Conclusion:The early onset and severity of osteoarthritis in certain occupations warrants an urgent need for occupation specific studies for the development and evaluation of preventive strategies in this leading cause of disability in Western countries.
Cancer incidence among Danish seafarers: a population based cohort study
Authors: Kaerlev L , Hansen J , Hansen H L , Nielsen P S 
Published: October 2005

Aims:Seafarers aboard oil and chemical tankers may be exposed to many chemicals, including substances like benzene that are known to be carcinogenic. Other seafarers are exposed to engine exhaust, different oil products, and chemicals used aboard and some years ago asbestos was also used extensively in ships. The aim of this study was to study cancer morbidity among Danish seafarers in relation to type of ship and job title.Methods:A cohort of all Danish seafarers during 1986–1999 (33 340 men; 11 291 women) registered by the Danish Maritime Authority with an employment history was linked with the nationwide Danish Cancer Registry and followed up for cancer until the end of 2002. The number of person years at risk was 517 518. Standardised incidence ratios (SIR) were estimated by use of the corresponding national rates.Results:The SIR of all cancers combined was higher than expected: 1.26(95% CI 1.19 to 1.32) for men and 1.07(95% CI 0.95 to 1.20) for women. This was mainly due to an excess of cancer of the larynx, lung, tongue, mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, pancreas, kidney, urinary bladder, colon, and bone as well as skin melanomas among men (the three latter borderline significantly increased), and an excess of cancer of the lung, rectum, and cervix uteri among women. The differences in risk pattern for lung cancer between the different job categories among men ranged in terms of SIR from 1.2 (95% CI 0.9 to 1.7) (engine officers) to 2.3 (1.6 to 3.3) (engine room crew), and 4.1 (2.1 to 7.4) among maintenance crew. Non-officers had a 1.5 times higher lung cancer risk than officers. No increased occurrence of all lymphatic and haematopoietic malignancies combined was found for employees on tankers, but the number of cases was limited to a total of 7.Conclusions:Danish seafarers, especially men, face an increased overall cancer risk, in particular a risk for lung cancer and other tobacco associated cancers.
Evolutionary, structural and functional relationships revealed by comparative analysis of syntenic genes in Rhizobiales
Authors: Guerrero Gabriela , Peralta Humberto , Aguilar Alejandro , Díaz Rafael , Villalobos Miguel Angel , Medrano-Soto Arturo , Mora Jaime 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackgroundComparative genomics has provided valuable insights into the nature of gene sequence variation and chromosomal organization of closely related bacterial species. However, questions about the biological significance of gene order conservation, or synteny, remain open. Moreover, few comprehensive studies have been reported for rhizobial genomes.ResultsWe analyzed the genomic sequences of four fast growing Rhizobiales (Sinorhizobium meliloti,Agrobacterium tumefaciens,Mesorhizobium lotiandBrucella melitensis). We made a comprehensive gene classification to define chromosomal orthologs, genes with homologs in other replicons such as plasmids, and those which were species-specific. About two thousand genes were predicted to be orthologs in each chromosome and about 80% of these were syntenic. A striking gene colinearity was found in pairs of organisms and a large fraction of the microsyntenic regions and operons were similar. Syntenic products showed higher identity levels than non-syntenic ones, suggesting a resistance to sequence variation due to functional constraints; also, an unusually high fraction of syntenic products contained membranal segments. Syntenic genes encode a high proportion of essential cell functions, presented a high level of functional relationships and a very low horizontal gene transfer rate. The sequence variability of the proteins can be considered the species signature in response to specific niche adaptation. Comparatively, an analysis with genomes of Enterobacteriales showed a different gene organization but gave similar results in the synteny conservation, essential role of syntenic genes and higher functional linkage among the genes of the microsyntenic regions.ConclusionSyntenic bacterial genes represent a commonly evolved group. They not only reveal the core chromosomal segments present in the last common ancestor and determine the metabolic characteristics shared by these microorganisms, but also show resistance to sequence variation and rearrangement, possibly due to their essential character. In Rhizobiales and Enterobacteriales, syntenic genes encode a high proportion of essential cell functions and presented a high level of functional relationships.
M protein typing of Thai group A streptococcal isolates by PCR-Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis
Authors: Yoonim Nonglak , Olive Colleen , Pruksachatkunakorn Chulabhorn , Good Michael F , Pruksakorn Sumalee 
Published: October 2005

Abstract

Background
Group A streptococcal (GAS) infections can lead to the development of severe post-infectious sequelae, such as rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). RF and RHD are a major health concern in developing countries, and in indigenous populations of developed nations. The majority of GAS isolates are M protein-nontypeable (MNT) by standard serotyping. However, GAS typing is a necessary tool in the epidemiologically analysis of GAS and provides useful information for vaccine development. Although DNA sequencing is the most conclusive method for M protein typing, this is not a feasible approach especially in developing countries. To overcome this problem, we have developed a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)-based assay for molecular typing the M protein gene (emm) of GAS.

Results
Using one pair of primers, 13 known GAS M types showed one to four bands of PCR products and after digestion with Alu I, they gave different RFLP patterns. Of 106 GAS isolates examined from the normal Thai population and from patients with GAS-associated complications including RHD, 95 isolates gave RFLP patterns that corresponded to the 13 known M types. Only 11 isolates gave RFLP patterns that differed from the 13 known M types. These were then analyzed by DNA sequencing and six additional M types were identified. In addition, we found that M93 GAS was the most common M type in the population studied, and is consistent with a previous study of Thai GAS isolates.

Conclusion
PCR-RFLP analysis has the potential for the rapid screening of different GAS M types and is therefore considerably advantageous as an alternative M typing approach in developing countries in which GAS is endemic.
Insulin Promoter Factor 1 variation is associated with type 2 diabetes in African Americans
Authors: Karim Mohammad A , Wang Xiaoqin , Hale Terri C , Elbein Steven C 
Published: October 2005

Abstract

Background
Defective insulin secretion is a key defect in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The β-cell specific transcription factor, insulin promoter factor 1 gene (IPF1), is essential to pancreatic development and the maintenance of β-cell mass. We hypothesized that regulatory or coding variants in IPF1 contribute to defective insulin secretion and thus T2DM.

Methods
We screened 71 Caucasian and 69 African American individuals for genetic variants in the promoter region, three highly conserved upstream regulatory sequences (PH1, PH2 and PH3), the human β-cell specific enhancer, and the two exons with adjacent introns. We tested for an association of each variant with T2DM Caucasians (192 cases and 192 controls) and African Americans (341 cases and 186 controls).

Results
We identified 8 variants in the two populations, including a 3 bp insertion in exon 2 (InsCCG243) in African Americans that resulted in an in-frame proline insertion in the transactivation domain. No variant was associated with T2DM in Caucasians, but polymorphisms at -3766 in the human β-cell enhancer, at -2877 bp in the PH1 domain, and at -108 bp in the promoter region were associated with T2DM in African American subjects (p < 0.01), both individually and as haplotypes (p = 0.01 correcting by permutation test). No SNP altered a binding site for the expected β-cell transcription factors. The rare alleles of InsCCG243 in exon 2 showed a trend to over-representation among African American diabetic subjects (p < 0.1), but this trend was not significant on permutation test.

Conculsion
The common alleles of regulatory variants in the 5' enhancer and promoter regions of the IPF1 gene increase susceptibility to type 2 diabetes among African American individuals, likely as a result of gene-gene or gene-environment interactions. In contrast, IPF1 is not a cause of type 2 diabetes in Caucasians. A previously described InsCCG243 variant may contribute to diabetes susceptibility in African American individuals, but is of low penetrance.
TP53 mutations in ovarian carcinomas from sporadic cases and carriers of two distinct BRCA1 founder mutations; relation to age at diagnosis and survival
Authors: Kringen Pedro , Wang Yun , Dumeaux Vanessa , Nesland Jahn M , Kristensen Gunnar , Borresen-Dale Anne-Lise , Dorum Anne 
Published: October 2005

Abstract

Background
Ovarian carcinomas from 30 BRCA1 germ-line carriers of two distinct high penetrant founder mutations, 20 carrying the 1675delA and 10 the 1135insA, and 100 sporadic cases were characterized for somatic mutations in the TP53 gene. We analyzed differences in relation to BRCA1 germline status, TP53 status, survival and age at diagnosis, as previous studies have not been conclusive.

Methods
DNA was extracted from paraffin embedded formalin fixed tissues for the familial cases, and from fresh frozen specimen from the sporadic cases. All cases were treated at our hospital according to protocol. Mutation analyses of exon 2 – 11 were performed using TTGE, followed by sequencing.

Results
Survival rates for BRCA1-familial cases with TP53 mutations were not significantly lower than for familial cases without TP53 mutations (p = 0.25, RR = 1.64, 95% CI [0.71–3.78]). Median age at diagnosis for sporadic (59 years) and familial (49 years) cases differed significantly (p < 0.001) with or without TP53 mutations. Age at diagnosis between the two types of familial carriers were not significantly different, with median age of 47 for 1675delA and 52.5 for 1135insA carriers (p = 0.245). For cases ≥50 years at diagnosis, a trend toward longer survival for sporadic over familial cases was observed (p = 0.08). The opposite trend was observed for cases <50 years at diagnosis.

Conclusion
There do not seem to be a protective advantage for familial BRCA1 carriers without TP53 mutations over familial cases with TP53 mutations. However, there seem to be a trend towards initial advantage in survival for familial cases compared to sporadic cases diagnosed before the age of 50 both with and without TP53 mutations. However, this trend diminishes over time and for cases diagnosed ≥50 years the sporadic cases show a trend towards an advantage in survival over familial cases. Although this data set is small, if confirmed, this may be a link in the evidence that the differences in ovarian cancer survival reported, are not due to the type of BRCA1 mutation, but may be secondary to genetic factors shared. This may have clinical implications for follow-up such as prophylactic surgery within carriers of the two most frequent Norwegian BRCA1 founder mutations.
Are patient falls in the hospital associated with lunar cycles? A retrospective observational study
Authors: Schwendimann René , Joos Franco , Geest Sabina De , Milisen Koen 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackgroundFalls and associated negative outcomes in hospitalized patients are of significant concerns. The etiology of hospital inpatient falls is multifactorial, including both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Anecdotes from clinical practice exist in which health care professionals express the idea that the number of patient falls increases during times of full moon. The aim of this study was to examine in-hospital patient fall rates and their associations with days of the week, months, seasons and lunar cycles.Methods3,842 fall incident reports of adult in-patients who fell while hospitalized in a 300-bed urban public hospital in Zurich, Switzerland were included. Adjusted fall rates per 1'000 patient days were compared with days of the week, months, and 62 complete lunar cycles from 1999 to 2003.ResultsThe fall rate per 1000 patient days fluctuated slightly over the entire observation time, ranging from 8.4 falls to 9.7 falls per month (P = 0.757), and from 8.3 falls on Mondays to 9.3 falls on Saturdays (P = 0.587). The fall rate per 1000 patient days within the lunar days ranged from 7.2 falls on lunar day 17 to 10.6 falls on lunar day 20 (P = 0.575).ConclusionThe inpatient fall rates in this hospital were neither associated with days of the week, months, or seasons nor with lunar cycles such as full moon or new moon. Preventive strategies should be focused on patients' modifiable fall risk factors and the provision of organizational conditions which support a safe hospital environment.