bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pan‐evaporation measurements and Morton‐point potential evaporation estimates in Australia: are their trends the same?
Authors: Kirono Dewi G. C. , Jones Roger N. , Cleugh Helen A. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis paper compares Australian pan‐evaporation (Epan) observations with point potential evaporation (Ep) estimates derived using the Morton method. In particular, it focuses on trends in both Ep and Epan. Ep is defined as the potential evaporation from an area which is so small that the effects of the evaporation on the overpassing air would be negligible, while Epan is evaporation measured using a standard pan. The analyses are based on monthly data from 28 sites and refer to the period 1970–2004. The results show that Ep and Epan are strongly correlated on the monthly time scale. Furthermore, the sign of the monthly trends are in agreement, on average, at 60% of the sites. Where there is agreement, positive trends outweigh negative trends. This is consistent with the fact that although trends in Epan and Ep varied from site to site and from month to month, the median trends were positive except for December. The correlation between the trends in both quantities across all sites is statistically significant (R = 0.51) which indicates that projected changes based on climate model outputs can be used to estimate changes in future potential evaporation. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Cisco connects the dots: Aligning leaders with a new organizational structure
Authors: Novak Barrie 
Published: June 2008

AbstractCisco's global Technical Services division used a solid change management strategy to implement a new organizational matrix. Ultimately, aligning leaders around the new vision/strategy, executive dynamics, governance, and mind‐sets and behaviors essential for collaboration in the new structure came down to confronting subtler aspects of change—including trust and relationships. The transformation initially focused on vision and strategies, organization design, roles and accountabilities, governance, selection, performance linkages, metrics, and communication. When a postproject assessment surfaced some problems with organizational adoption and alignment, all the leaders convened for a summit to gain alignment, build trust, and lay the foundation for stronger working relationships. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conducting business in Australia: Prospects and strategies for international managers
Authors: Clark Eugene , Vemuri Ram 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAustralia, with a competitive, modern economy, an educated workforce, modern communications, and its positioning on the doorstep of Asia, has attracted many international businesses that have enjoyed success there. Some companies that immediately come to mind are Nokia and Optus (Singtel) in the case of telecommunications, IKEA in home design, the global accounting firms, and well‐known brands such as Google, Yahoo, and FedEx. Australia has attracted to its shores well‐known food franchises, such as McDonald's, KFC, Starbucks, and Baskin‐Robbins. It has airlines, including Virgin Blue; the big agriculture and mining equipment companies such as Rio Tinto; Rivers and other big clothing companies; computing companies such as Hewlett‐Packard; and manufacturers such as Toyota. Looking to the future, Australia offers significant investment and business opportunities for international managers seeking a presence there for their firms. This article provides an overview of the Australian business, government, and legal scene and offers some practical guidance for managers who decide to venture there. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A previously undiagnosed case of Gerstmann‐Sträussler‐Scheinker disease revealed by PRNP gene analysis in patients with adult‐onset ataxia
Authors: Cagnoli Claudia , Brussino Alessandro , Sbaiz Luca , Di Gregorio Eleonora , Atzori Cristiana , Caroppo Paola , Orsi Laura , Migone Nicola , Buffa Carlo , Imperiale Daniele , Brusco Alfredo 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAtaxia is a frequently reported symptom in prion diseases (PD) and it is characteristic of Gerstmann‐Sträussler‐Scheinker syndrome (GSS), a genetic PD mainly related to the P102L mutation in the PRNP gene. Our aim was to screen for the P102L and other six known PRNP gene mutations (P105L, A117V, Y145X, E200K, D202N, and V210I) a group of 206 consecutive patients diagnosed with adult‐onset cerebellar ataxia of unknown origin. The patients, negative for the most common acquired and genetic forms, were analyzed using a combination of restriction endonuclease digestion and pyrosequencing; eight, affected by ataxia and cognitive dysfunction, were also sequenced for the PRNP gene. One patient resulted to be heterozygous for the P102L mutation. Retrospectively, the clinical picture was consistent with a “classical” GSS phenotype. In conclusion, the screening for the P102L mutation, or even the sequencing of the PRNP gene should be taken in consideration in patients with late‐onset ataxia (>50 years). © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Interfacial modifications in PS/PMMA and PVC/EVA blends by e‐beam and microwave irradiation: A free volume study
Authors: Raj J.M. , Ranganathaiah C. , Ganesh S. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPhase modifications in a partially miscible blend PS/PMMA and an immiscible blend PVC/EVA have been brought about using electron beam and microwave irradiation to improve the interfacial tension. These changes have been characterized by positron lifetime technique through free volume monitoring with support from DSC measurements. The hydrodynamic interaction parameter deduced from free volume data turns out to be a good parameter to characterize the interfacial changes compared with free volume data itself. The free volume data also confirms that the conventional DSC measurements are not adequate to differentiate the level of miscibility or interfacial tension. Present data based on hydrodynamic interaction parameter indicate that microwave irradiation is a better route to stabilize the interfaces than e‐beam irradiation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Theoretical evidence of the Ni(III) participation in the chlorophenol oxidation on tetrasulphonated nickel phthalocyanine
Authors: Cárdenas‐Jirón Gloria I. , Berríos Cristhian 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA theoretical methodology at B3LYP/LACVP(d)++ level for describing the oxidation of six chlorophenols (CP) on a nickel tetrasulphonated phthalocyanine (NiTSPc) is presented. The chlorophenols studied are: 2‐chlorophenol (2‐CP), 4‐chlorophenol (4‐CP), 2,4‐dichlorophenol (2,4‐CP), 2,6‐dichlorophenol (2,6‐CP), 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (2,4,6‐CP), and pentachlorophenol (P‐CP). On the basis of the experimental facts obtained by cyclic voltammetry, where the CP oxidation was carried out on poly‐NiTSPc modified glassy carbon electrodes, the different stages (A–D) produced along the oxidation–reduction process were characterized at theoretical level, thereby obtaining their molecular and electronic structures. We found that the stage C, represented by the interaction of a chlorophenol anion with the Ni(III) complex shows, except in 2,4‐CP and P‐CP, the CP oxidation in all chlorophenols. These results predict Ni(III) to be the oxidation state that produce the oxidation of chlorophenol, in complete agreement with the experimental results. Natural bond analysis gives evidence for explaining why 2,4‐CP and P‐CP do not show a CP oxidation. A strong delocalization toward a α‐carbon of the phenolic ring from a β‐carbon (206.31 kcal/mol for 2,4‐CP, 200.66 kcal/mol for P‐CP) and from the oxygen atom (58.67 kcal/mol for 2,4‐CP, 83.91 kcal/mol for P‐CP) seems to be the responsible for avoiding the CP oxidation with the Ni(III) complex. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Comparative digestion studies in wild suids at Rotterdam Zoo
Authors: Clauss Marcus , Nijboer Joeke , Loermans Jochem H. M. , Roth Thomas , Van der Kuilen Jan , Beynen Anton C. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAmong the artiodactyla, the suids are a group whose digestive physiology has hardly been investigated. The apparent digestibilities (aD) of macronutrients were measured in captive specimens of warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), red river hog (Potamochoerus porcus), and Visayan warty pigs (Sus cebifrons), and compared with those reported for babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) from the same facility on a similar diet. The animals were fed mixed diets of pelleted feed, grains, fruits, and vegetables; dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ranged from 17 to 26% dry matter. aD of organic matter and protein ranged from 72 to 89 and 70 to 82%, respectively. Although red river hogs and warty pigs achieved aD of NDF of 41–54%, this value was higher both in warthogs (63–66%) and babirusa (61–63%). aD of acid detergent fiber was comparatively low in red river hogs (4%), warty pigs (22%), and babirusa (13–25%) but high in warthog (59–62%). Comparison with additional literature data (including peccaries) indicates that in spite of differences in digestive anatomy, suids and peccaries are similar, and resemble other herbivores in fundamental characteristics, such as the negative influence of fiber on overall digestibility, or the positive influence of dietary protein on protein digestion. Although the existing data are equivocal as to a superior fiber digestion in peccaries as compared with other wild suids, the results suggest that warthogs are more efficient than other wild suids or peccaries in terms of fiber digestion. Zoo Biol 27:305–319, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Resurrection as surplus and possibility: Moltmann and Ricoeur
Authors: Singh Devin 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThough Moltmann and Ricoeur have a history of interaction, little attention has been paid to this relationship and its implications for their respective programmes. These thinkers have much in common, however, and the Ricoeurian categories of surplus and possibility elucidate critical aspects of a theology of hope, serving to strengthen its contemporary implications. Nuance is provided for the resurrection's role in redemption, and an existential mode of hope is delineated. Focusing on Moltmann's interactions with Ricoeur concerning the resurrection elevates these latent themes and demonstrates the fruitfulness of a continued conversation between these two thinkers. Furthermore, examining Moltmann's thought in Ricoeurian perspective opens new directions for conceptualising resurrection hope and praxis in a postmodern context.
The Bible in Africa: a novel usage in Africa's new churches
Authors: Gifford Paul 
Published: June 2008

AbstractTo the extent there is an African academic approach, it is comparative (showing that the African world has similarities with the biblical). There are some “post-colonial” and similar readings, but this academic study is in the main done by Western-trained academics and directed at Western readers. There has been relatively little study of the way the Bible is actually used in churches, especially at the very grassroots. In mainline churches, the Bible is generally taken (as in the West) as a book of revelation which the preacher must expound and apply. In the new fast-growing Pentecostal sector the Bible is conceived quite differently, and understood as a record of covenants, promises, pledges and commitments between God and his chosen. It is not just a record of covenants and commitments to others in the past. It is not primarily a historical document at all. It is a contemporary document; it tells of God's covenant with and commitment to me, and to me now. These promises in scripture are effected in believers' lives through proclamation. The major biblical motifs in this emerging Christianity are thus those stressing victory, success, hope, achievement. The texts that are dominant are therefore prophetic texts, and narratives of those who can be made to illustrate success.
The behaviour of solutions of the Gaussian curvature equation near an isolated boundary point
Authors: KRAUS DANIELA , ROTH OLIVER 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA classical result of Nitsche [22] about the behaviour of the solutions to the Liouville equation Δu= 4e2unear isolated singularities is generalized to solutions of the Gaussian curvature equation Δu= −κ(z)e2uwhere κ is a negative Hölder continuous function. As an application a higher–order version of the Yau–Ahlfors–Schwarz lemma for complete conformal Riemannian metrics is obtained.
Nutritional status of Tunisian adolescents: associated gender, environmental and socio-economic factors
Authors: Aounallah-Skhiri Hajer , Romdhane Habiba Ben , Traissac Pierre , Eymard-Duvernay Sabrina , Delpeuch Francis , Achour Noureddine , Maire Bernard 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the nutritional status of Tunisian adolescents and associated factors.DesignA cross-sectional study based on a national stratified random cluster sample.Subjects and methodsIn all, 1295 boys and 1577 girls aged 15–19 years, of whom 28·4 % had already left school. Socio-economic characteristics of the parents, anthropometric measurements, food behaviours and physical activity of the adolescents were recorded during home visits.ResultsPrevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity (WHO/National Center for Health Statistics reference) were, respectively, 8·1 %, 17·4 % and 4·1 % among boys and 1·3 %, 20·7 % and 4·4 % among girls; abdominal obesity was highly prevalent among both sexes. Prevalence of overweight differed by region (from 11·5 % to 22·2 %) and was higher in urbanv. rural areas for males (21·7 %v. 10·4 %) but not for females (21·7 %v. 19·2 %). These differences were partially mediated by socio-economic and lifestyle factors for males. For females, influence of cultural factors is hypothesised. In rural areas, overweight was more prevalent among boys of higher economic level households, having a working mother or a sedentary lifestyle; for girls, prevalence increased with the level of education of the mother. In urban areas, prevalence of overweight was related to eating habits: it was higher for boys with irregular snacking habits and for girls skipping daily meals. Urban girls having left school were also more overweight.ConclusionOverweight and abdominal obesity in late adolescence have become a true public health problem in Tunisia with the combined effects of cultural tradition for girls in rural areas, and of rapid economic development for boys and girls in cities.
Epidemiology of Sepsis in the Valencian Community (Spain), 1995–2004
Authors: Ballester Juan Carlos Andreu , Ballester Ferran , Sánchez Antonio González , Quilis Amadeo Almela , Rubio Enrique Colomer , Otero Carlos Peñarroja 
Published: June 2008

Objective.To study the incidence of sepsis in the Valencian Community (Spain) during a period of 10 years (1995–2004).Methods.We downloaded data on discharge diagnoses of septicemia in all 26 public hospitals in the Valencian Community during the 10-year study period, as well as the additional discharge diagnoses of each patient.Results.We identified 33,767 cases of sepsis during the study period. The age-standardized incidence rates among men increased from 64.11 (95% confidence interval [CI], 60.37–67.85) cases per 100,000 population in 1995 to 114.02 (95% CI, 109.02–118.50) cases per 100,000 population in 2004 (P < .001), and those among women increased from 45.08 (95% CI, 42.01–48.15) cases per 100,000 population in 1995 to 83.62 (95% CI, 79.85–87.39) cases per 100,000 population in 2004 (P < .001). Gram-negative bacteria were the most frequently involved microorganisms (in 21.4% of cases), and there was a significant increase in the number of sepsis cases caused by these organisms from 1999 onward. The mortality rate was approximately 42.5% among patients hospitalized for sepsis, and mortality was associated with organ failure. In addition, mortality was associated with the microorganism responsible not being known, with infection due to fungi, and with polymicrobial sepsis.Conclusions.The rates of hospitalization both for sepsis overall and for severe sepsis in the Valencian Community (Spain) are lower than those in other countries but are increasing, by 5% each year. The increase in the number of cases in which gram-negative bacteria are the cause of sepsis is notable.
Biomarker selection and sample prediction for multi-category disease on MALDI-TOF data
Authors: Oh Jung Hun , Kim Young Bun , Gurnani Prem , Rosenblatt Kevin P. , Gao Jean X. 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
Motivation: Diseases normally progress through several stages. Therefore, biomarkers corresponding to each stage may exist. To deal with such a multi-category problem, including sample stage prediction and biomarker selection, we propose methods for classification and feature selection. The proposed classification method is based on two schemes: error-correcting output coding (ECOC) and pairwise coupling (PWC). The final decision for a test sample prediction is an integration of these two schemes. The biomarker pattern for distinguishing each disease category from another one is achieved by the development of an extended Markov blanket (EMB) feature selection method.
Results: In this study, a liver cancer matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) dataset was used, which comprises hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cirrhosis, and healthy spectra. Peak patterns were discovered for distinguishing pairwise categories among the three classes. Importance and reliability of individual peaks were presented by the measurements of certain weight values and frequencies. The classification capability of the proposed approach was compared with classical ECOC, random forest, Naive Bayes, and J48 methods.
Availability: Supplementary materials are available at http://visionlab.uta.edu/biomarker/bioinfo.htm
Contact: gao@uta.edu
Host factors involved in resistance to retroviral infection
Authors: Takeuchi Hiroaki , Matano Tetsuro 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTViral replication requires the help of host cell factors, whose species specificity may affect viral tropism. On the other hand, there exist host factors that restrict viral replication. The anti‐viral system mediated by some of these restriction factors, which is termed intrinsic immunity and is distinguished from conventional innate and adaptive immunity, has been described as playing an important role in making species‐specific barriers against viral infection. Here, we describe the current progress in understanding of such restriction factors against retroviral replication, focusing on TRIM5α and APOBEC, whose anti‐retroviral effects have recently been recognized. Additionally, we mention cyclophilin A, which is essential for HIV‐1 replication in human cells and may affect viral tropism. Understanding of these host factors would contribute to identification of the determinants for viral tropism.
Hemispheric‐scale patterns of climate‐related shifts in planktonic diatoms from North American and European lakes
Authors: RÜHLAND KATHLEEN , PATERSON ANDREW M. , SMOL JOHN P. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA synthesis of over 200 diatom‐based paleolimnological records from nonacidified/nonenriched lakes reveals remarkably similar taxon‐specific shifts across the Northern Hemisphere since the 19th century. Our data indicate that these diatom shifts occurred in conjunction with changes in freshwater habitat structure and quality, which, in turn, we link to hemispheric warming trends. Significant increases in the relative abundances of planktonic Cyclotella taxa (P<0.01) were concurrent with sharp declines in both heavily silicified Aulacoseira taxa (P<0.01) and benthic Fragilaria taxa (P<0.01). We demonstrate that this trend is not limited to Arctic and alpine environments, but that lakes at temperate latitudes are now showing similar ecological changes. As expected, the onset of biological responses to warming occurred significantly earlier (P<0.05) in climatically sensitive Arctic regions (median age=ad 1870) compared with temperate regions (median age=ad 1970). In a detailed paleolimnological case study, we report strong relationships (P<0.005) between sedimentary diatom data from Whitefish Bay, Lake of the Woods (Ontario, Canada), and long‐term changes in air temperature and ice‐out records. Other potential environmental factors, such as atmospheric nitrogen deposition, could not explain our observations. These data provide clear evidence that unparalleled warming over the last few decades resulted in substantial increases in the length of the ice‐free period that, similar to 19th century changes in high‐latitude lakes, likely triggered a reorganization of diatom community composition. We show that many nonacidified, nutrient‐poor, freshwater ecosystems throughout the Northern Hemisphere have crossed important climatically induced ecological thresholds. These findings are worrisome, as the ecological changes that we report at both mid‐ and high‐latitude sites have occurred with increases in mean annual air temperature that are less than half of what is projected for these regions over the next half century.
Prolactin receptor expression in gynaecomastia and male breast carcinoma
Authors: Ferreira M , Mesquita M , Quaresma M , André S 
Published: June 2008

Aims:  Despite the well‐established function of prolactin (PRL) in normal breast development, its role in breast cancer pathogenesis is still controversial. PRL activity is dependent on the activation of a transmembrane protein, the PRL receptor (PRLR). The aim was to evaluate and compare PRLR expression in gynaecomastia and male breast carcinoma (MBC).Methods and results:  PRLR expression was detected immunohistochemically in 30 cases of gynaecomastia and 30 cases of MBC. The whole series was also assessed for oestrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR) and androgen receptors (AR). A cut‐off of 10% was used as the criterion for positivity. Histological type and tumour differentiation were evaluated. Pathological stage was assessed [Tumour Node Metastasis (TNM)‐International Union Against Cancer system]. Statistical analysis was performed with Fisher’s exact test. PRLR positivity was seen in 20% of gynaecomastia cases and in 60% of MBC cases (P = 0.003). In gynaecomastia immunoreactivity was predominantly observed in luminal cell borders, whereas in MBC the reactivity was heterogeneous and mainly cytoplasmic. There was no statistically significant correlation between PRLR expression and ER, PR, AR, pTNM, or histological grade.Conclusions:  PRLR is significantly more expressed in MBC than in gynaecomastia, and with different patterns of reactivity, suggesting a role for PRL in male breast carcinogenesis.