bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolving product form designs using parametric shape grammars integrated with genetic programming
Authors: Lee Ho Cheong , Tang Ming Xi 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe two critical issues related to product design exploration are addressed: the balance between stylistic consistency and innovation, and the control of design process under a great diversity of requirements. To address these two issues, the view of understanding product design exploration is first sought. In this view, the exploration of designs is not only categorized as a problem-solving activity but also as a problem-finding activity. A computational framework is developed based on this view, and it encompasses the belief that these two activities go hand in hand to accomplish the design tasks in an interactive design environment. The framework adopts an integration approach of two key computational techniques, shape grammars and evolutionary computing, for addressing the above two critical issues. For the issues of stylistic consistency, this paper focuses on the computational techniques in balancing the conflicts of stylistic consistency and innovation with shape grammars. For the issues of controlling design process, the practical concerns of monitoring the design process through various activities starting from the preparation works to the implementation of shape grammars have been emphasized in the development of this framework. To evaluate the effectiveness of the framework, the experiments have been set up to reflect the practical situations with which the designers have to deal. The system generates a number of models from scratch with numerical analysis that can be evaluated effectively by the designers. This reduces the designers' time and allows the designers to concentrate their efforts on performing higher level of design activities such as evaluation of designs and making design decisions.
A pilot study of transformation, attributed meanings to the illness, and spiritual well-being for terminally ill cancer patients
Authors: Ando Michiyo , Morita Tatsuya , Lee Virginia , Okamoto Takuya 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTObjective:The present study investigated what types of transformation terminally ill cancer patients experienced from diagnosis until the terminal stage, what meanings terminally ill cancer patients attributed to their illness, and whether or not those who attributed positive meaning to their illness achieved high levels of spiritual well-being as a preliminary study.Method:Ten terminally ill cancer patients in the hospice wards of two general hospitals participated. A clinical psychologist conducted a semistructured interview with the patients individually for about 60 min. Patients completed the FACIT-Sp and HADS before the interview and talked about the meanings of cancer experience. The contents of the interviews were analyzed qualitatively. Patients were separated into high and low levels of spiritual-well being by the median of FACIT-Sp scores.Results:Three types of transformation were extracted: “group with peaceful mind,” “group with both positive attitude and uneasy feeling,” and “groups with uneasy feeling.” As attributed meanings to the illness, five categories were extracted: “positive meaning,” “natural acceptance,” “negative acceptance,” “search for meaning,” and “regret and sorrow.” Patients in the high level spiritual well-being group attributed the meaning of illness to “positive meaning” and “natural acceptance,” and those in the low level spiritual well-being group attributed it to “regret and sorrow” and “search for meaning.”Significance of results:Some Japanese terminally ill cancer patients experienced positive transformation, and patients who attributed “positive meaning” and “natural acceptance” to their illness experience achieved high levels of spiritual well-being.
Palliative care at home: Carers and medication management
Authors: Anderson Barbara A. , Kralik Debbie 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTObjective:The decision to receive palliative care at home brings with it the complexity of managing a medication regime. Effective symptom control is often directly linked to medication management and relies on access to medications at all times. In home-based palliative care practice, polypropylene syringes of medications may be drawn up and left in clients' domestic refrigerators for subcutaneous administration by carers to provide immediate relief for symptoms such as pain and nausea. However, although there has been some discussion in the literature about the need for ready access to medications for symptom control of clients receiving care in the community, the feasibility of this practice has received scant attention. The aim of this article is to present the carers' experiences of administering medications in this manner.Methods:Semistructured interviews with 14 carers, who were administering medication in a home-based palliative care setting, were analyzed using qualitative methods to develop meaning units and themes.Results:Interviews revealed that this practice was highly valued. The carers willingly assumed the responsibility of medication administration, as it allowed the clients to remain at home where they desired to be. They could provide immediate symptom relief, which was of utmost importance to both the client and carer. The carers were empowered in their caring role, being able to participate in the care provided, rather than standing on the sidelines as helpless observers. Carers acknowledged the security and ethical issues associated with the presence of certain medications in the home and valued the 24-h telephone support that was available to them. After clients had died, the carers reflected on their involvement in care and felt a sense of pride and achievement from administering medications in this way because they had been able to care for their loved ones at home and fulfill their wish to die there.Significance of results:These interviews confirm the feasibility of this practice, which is a component of quality end-of-life care.
Barriers to hospice enrollment among lung cancer patients: A survey of family members and physicians
Authors: Ford Dee W. , Nietert Paul J. , Zapka Jane , Zoller James S. , Silvestri Gerard A. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTObjective:Most patients diagnosed with lung cancer present with advanced stage disease and have a poor chance of long-term survival. Despite the advantages of hospice care for lung cancer patients, many are enrolled late in the course of their illness or not at all. We sought to identify reasons for this pattern.Method:A list of perceived barriers to hospice enrollment was generated and used to create two self-administered surveys, one for physicians and one for caregivers. After focus group testing, the finalized instruments were mailed to physicians in South Carolina and to caregivers of lung cancer patients who died under hospice care with a local hospice between 2000 and 2004.Results:Fifty-three caregivers and 273 physicians responded to the survey. From the caregivers' perspectives, leading reasons for deferred hospice enrollment included patients' unanticipated rapid transition from well to sick and a belief that hospice means giving up hope. From the physicians' perspectives, impediments to earlier hospice enrollment included patients and caregivers overestimating survival from lung cancer and an (incorrect) assumption that patients need to be “DNR/DNI” prior to hospice enrollment.Significance of results:Lung cancer patients may benefit from earlier introduction to the concepts of hospice care and more education regarding prognosis so that an easier transition in goals of care could be achieved. A smaller proportion of lung cancer patients may benefit from earlier hospice enrollment.
The role of microorganisms in coral bleaching
Authors: Rosenberg Eugene , Kushmaro Ariel , Kramarsky-Winter Esti , Banin Ehud , Yossi Loya 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Coral bleaching is the disruption of the symbiosis between the coral host and its endosymbiotic algae. The prevalence and severity of the disease have been correlated with high seawater temperature. During the last decade, the major hypothesis to explain coral bleaching is that high water temperatures cause irreversible damage to the symbiotic algae resulting in loss of pigment and/or algae from the holobiont. Here, we discuss the evidence for an alternative but not mutually exclusive concept, the microbial hypothesis of coral bleaching.
Increasing Slowly Digestible Starch Content of Normal and Waxy Maize Starches and Properties of Starch Products
Authors: Wongsagonsup Rungtiwa , Varavinit Saiyavit , BeMiller James N. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTChanges in the digestibility and the properties of the starch isolated from normal and waxy maize kernels after heat‐moisture treatment (HMT) followed by different temperature cycling (TC) or isothermal holding (IH) conditions were investigated. Moist maize kernels were heated at 80°C for 2 hr. The HMT maize kernels were subjected to various conditions designed to accelerate retrogradation of the starch within endosperm cells. Two methods were used to accelerate crystallization: TC with a low temperature of –24°C for 1 hr and a high temperature of 20, 30, or 50°C for 2, 4, or 24 hr for 1, 2, or 4 cycles, and IH at 4, 20, 30, or 50°C for 24 hr. The starch granules were then isolated from the treated kernels. The starch isolated from HMT normal maize kernels treated by TC using –24°C for 1 hr and 30°C for 2 hr for 2 cycles gave the greatest SDS content (24%) and starch yield (54%). The starch isolated from HMT waxy maize kernels treated by TC using –24°C for 1 hr and 30°C for 24 hr for 1 cycle had an SDS content of 19% and starch yield of 43%. The results suggest that TC after HMT changes the internal structure of maize starch granules in a way that results in the formation of SDS (and RS). They also suggest that thermal treatment of maize kernels is more effective in producing SDS than is the same treatment of isolated starch. All starch samples isolated from treated normal maize kernels exhibited lower peak viscosities, breakdown, and final viscosities and higher pasting temperatures than did the control (untreated normal maize starch). Although peak viscosities and breakdown of the starch isolated from treated waxy maize kernels were similar to those of the control (untreated waxy maize starch), their pasting temperatures were higher. The starch isolated from treated normal and waxy maize kernels with the highest SDS contents (described above) were further examined by DSC, X‐ray diffraction, and polarized light microscopy. Onset and peak temperatures of gelatinization of both samples were higher than those of the controls. Both retained the typical A‐type diffraction pattern of the parent starches. The relative crystallinity of the starch from the treated normal maize kernels was higher than that of the control, while the relative crystallinity of the starch from the treated waxy maize kernels was not significantly different from that of the control. Both treated starches exhibited birefringence, but the granule sizes of both starches, when placed in water, were slightly larger than those of the controls.
Dynamic QTL Analysis on Rice Fat Content and Fat Index Using Recombinant Inbred Lines
Authors: Wang H. L. , Zhang W. W. , Liu L. L. , Shen Y. Y. , Wang J. K. , Jiang L. , Zhai H. Q. , Wan J. M. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTFat content (FC) and fat index (FI) play an important role in determining quality of eating and nutrition for rice. The objective of this study was to determine genetic information during the grain‐filling period. Seventy‐one recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between japonica cultivar Asominori and indica cultivar IR24 were used to analyze the developmental behavior of FC and FI by conditional and unconditional quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping methods. At four developmental stages of grain filling, 11 unconditional QTL and 10 conditional QTL for FC as well as 11 unconditional QTL and eight conditional QTL for FI were identified. In unconditional QTL analysis, qFC‐11‐2 and qFI‐3 were consistently detected at 21 and 28 days after flowering (DAF), whereas all the conditional QTL for FC and FI could be detected at only one stage. Nine conditional and nine unconditional QTL for FC and FI were detected in the earlier three stages while three and two unconditional QTL for FC and FI, respectively, were detected in the mature stage, which suggested that more QTL could be found in the early developmental stages. The qFC‐1‐2 and qFI‐1‐2, qFC‐2‐2 and qFI‐2, qFC‐4 and qFI‐4, and qFC‐9 and qFI‐9 were located on the vicinal marker intervals. The present study suggested that accumulation of fat was governed by time‐dependent gene expression. In addition, dynamic QTL mapping might be a valid way to reveal more genetic information about the fat accumulation.
First Report of Downy Mildew Caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis on Chayote (Sechium edule) in Taiwan
Authors: Ko Y. , Chen C. Y. , Liu C. W. , Chen S. S. , Maruthasalam S. , Lin C. H. 
Published: November 2008

Chayote (Sechium edule) is cultivated on more than 500 ha in Taiwan for its edible shoots and fruit. In August 2005 and later, 40 to 75% of the chayote plants cultivated in the Taichung District Agricultural Improvement Station in Puli developed pale yellow, irregular spots on the upper leaf surfaces with corresponding sporulation on the lower leaf surfaces. The lesions eventually became necrotic and spread over the entire leaf surface, leading to defoliation. Pseudoperonospora cubensis, which was previously reported as the cause of downy mildew on squash (Cucurbita moschata), muskmelon (Cucumis melo), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), and sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) in Taiwan, was identified (1). Sporangiophores were 182 to 410 μm long, 4.8 to 7.2 μm wide, and dichotomously branched. Sporangia were grayish, ovoid to ellipsoidal, 18.2 to 38.6 μm long, and 13.5 to 25.2 μm wide. Biflagellate zoospores were 9.5 to 12.6 μm in diameter. Pathogenicity tests were conducted four times with six 2-week-old plants in each trial. A sporangial suspension (1 × 105 spores per ml) prepared from infected leaves (5 to 6 weeks after infection) was sprayed on all leaves until runoff. The plants were then covered with polythene bags and incubated for 48 h at 18 ± 1°C in a growth chamber. Control plants were sprayed with sterile water. Characteristic symptoms developed on all inoculated plants after 20 days, while control plants remained symptomless. Microscopic observation of leaf tissues of symptomatic plants confirmed the presence of P. cubensis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. cubensis causing downy mildew on chayote in Taiwan. References: (1) S. T. Hsu et al. List of Plant Diseases in Taiwan. The Phytopathological Society of the Republic of China, 2002.
Xenon Reduces N -Methyl-d-aspartate and α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid Receptor–mediated Synaptic Transmission in the Amygdala
Authors: Haseneder Rainer , Kratzer Stephan , Kochs Eberhard , Eckle Veit-Simon , Zieglgänsberger Walter , Rammes Gerhard 
Published: November 2008

Background
The neuronal and molecular targets of the inhalational general anesthetic xenon are a matter of debate. The current knowledge is largely based on studies using neurons in culture or heterologous expression systems. In the current study, the authors evaluated for the first time the effect of xenon on synaptic transmission in the basolateral amygdala in an in vitro brain slice preparation of the mouse.

Methods
A patch clamp technique was used to evaluate the effects of xenon on N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs), as well as on gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents. The currents were either evoked upon electrical stimulation (NMDA-eEPSCs, AMPA-eEPSCs) or upon focal, laser-guided photolysis of caged l-glutamate (p-NMDA-Cs, p-AMPA-Cs). In addition, the authors investigated the effects of xenon on miniature EPSCs.

Results
Xenon reversibly reduced basal synaptic transmission but had no effect on gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor-mediated inhibitory synaptic transmission. Xenon concentration-dependently diminished NMDA-eEPSCs and p-NMDA-Cs to the same amount. Likewise, xenon-induced reduction of AMPA-eEPSCs and p-AMPA-Cs did not differ. Xenon did not affect the frequency of miniature EPSCs but reduced their amplitude.

Conclusions
In the current study, xenon considerably depressed NMDA and AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in the basolateral amygdala without affecting inhibitory synaptic transmission. The results provide evidence that the effects of xenon on NMDA- and AMPA-EPSCs are primarily mediated via postsynaptic mechanisms.
Fiberoptic Oral Intubation
Authors: Chandra Deven B. , Savoldelli Georges L. , Joo Hwan S. , Weiss Israel D. , Naik Viren N. 
Published: November 2008

Background
Previous studies have indicated that fiberoptic orotracheal intubation (FOI) skills can be learned outside the operating room. The purpose of this study was to determine which of two educational interventions allows learners to gain greater capacity for performing the procedure.

Methods
Respiratory therapists were randomly assigned to a low-fidelity or high-fidelity training model group. The low-fidelity group was guided by experts, on a nonanatomic model designed to refine fiberoptic manipulation skills. The high-fidelity group practiced their skills on a computerized virtual reality bronchoscopy simulator. After training, subjects performed two consecutive FOIs on healthy, anesthetized patients with predicted "easy" intubations. Each subject's FOI was evaluated by blinded examiners, using a validated global rating scale and checklist. Success and time were also measured.

Results
Data were analyzed using a two-way mixed design analysis of variance. There was no significant difference between the low-fidelity (n = 14) and high-fidelity (n = 14) model groups when compared with the global rating scale, checklist, time, and success at achieving tracheal intubation (all P = not significant). Second attempts in both groups were significantly better than first attempts (P < 0.001), and there was no interaction between "fidelity of training model" and "first versus second attempt" scores.

Conclusions
There was no added benefit from training on a costly virtual reality model with respect to transfer of FOI skills to intraoperative patient care. Second attempts in both groups were significantly better than first attempts. Low-fidelity models for FOI training outside the operating room are an alternative for programs with budgetary constraints.
Involvement of β3-Adrenoceptor in Altered β-Adrenergic Response in Senescent Heart
Authors: Birenbaum Aurélie , Tesse Angela , Loyer Xavier , Michelet Pierre , Andriantsitohaina Ramaroson , Heymes Christophe , Riou Bruno , Amour Julien 
Published: November 2008

Background
In senescent heart, beta-adrenergic response is altered in parallel with beta1- and beta2-adrenoceptor down-regulation. A negative inotropic effect of beta3-adrenoceptor could be involved. In this study, the authors tested the hypothesis that beta3-adrenoceptor plays a role in beta-adrenergic dysfunction in senescent heart.

Methods
beta-Adrenergic responses were investigated in vivo (echocardiography-dobutamine, electron paramagnetic resonance) and in vitro (isolated left ventricular papillary muscle, electron paramagnetic resonance) in young adult (3-month-old) and senescent (24-month-old) rats. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) immunolabeling (confocal microscopy), nitric oxide production (electron paramagnetic resonance) and beta-adrenoceptor Western blots were performed in vitro. Data are mean percentages of baseline +/- SD.

Results
An impaired positive inotropic effect (isoproterenol) was confirmed in senescent hearts in vivo (117 +/- 23 vs. 162 +/- 16%; P < 0.05) and in vitro (127 +/- 10 vs. 179 +/- 15%; P < 0.05). In the young adult group, the positive inotropic effect was not significantly modified by the nonselective NOS inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME; 183 +/- 19%), the selective NOS1 inhibitor vinyl-L-N-5(1-imino-3-butenyl)-L-ornithine (L-VNIO; 172 +/- 13%), or the selective NOS2 inhibitor 1400W (183 +/- 19%). In the senescent group, in parallel with beta3-adrenoceptor up-regulation and increased nitric oxide production, the positive inotropic effect was partially restored by L-NAME (151 +/- 8%; P < 0.05) and L-VNIO (149 +/- 7%; P < 0.05) but not by 1400W (132 +/- 11%; not significant). The positive inotropic effect induced by dibutyryl-cyclic adenosine monophosphate was decreased in the senescent group with the specific beta3-adrenoceptor agonist BRL 37344 (167 +/- 10 vs. 142 +/- 10%; P < 0.05). NOS1 and NOS2 were significantly up-regulated in the senescent rat.

Conclusions
In senescent cardiomyopathy, beta3-adrenoceptor overexpression plays an important role in the altered beta-adrenergic response via induction of NOS1-nitric oxide.
Effect of Ischemia–Reperfusion on Renal Expression and Activity of N G-N G-Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolases
Authors: Volti Giovanni Li , Sorrenti Valeria , Acquaviva Rosaria , Murabito Paolo , Gullo Antonino , Barcellona Maria Luisa , Galvano Fabio , Rodella Luigi , Rezzani Rita , Vanella Luca , Tringali Giovanni , Caruso Massimo , Gazzolo Diego , Di Giacomo Claudia 
Published: November 2008

Background
Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. It is degraded by the enzyme dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH).

Methods
Rats (n = 50) underwent to 45 min of renal ischemia followed by 30 min, 1 h, and 3 h of reperfusion. Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, DDAH-1, DDAH-2, renal DDAH activity, plasma NO2(-)/NO3(-), and ADMA levels were evaluated.

Results
Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression increased, as confirmed by both plasma (11.89 +/- 1.02, 15.56 +/- 0.93, 11.82 +/- 0.86, 35.05 +/- 1.28, and 43.89 +/- 1.63 nmol/ml in the control, ischemic, 30-min, 1-h, and 3-h groups, respectively) and renal (4.81 +/- 0.4, 4.85 +/- 1, 9.42 +/- 0.7, 15.42 +/- 0.85, and 22.03 +/- 1.11 nmol/mg protein) formations of NO2(-)/NO3(-). DDAH-1 expression decreased after reperfusion, whereas DDAH-2 increased after 30 min, returning to basal levels after 3 h. Total DDAH activity was reduced during all times of reperfusion. Both plasma (0.41 +/- 0.03, 0.43 +/- 0.05, 0.62 +/- 0.02, 0.71 +/- 0.02, and 0.41 +/- 0.01 nmol/ml in the control, ischemic, 30-min, 1-h, and 3-h groups, respectively) and renal (1.51 +/- 0.01, 1.5 +/- 0.01, 1.53 +/- 0.01, 2.52 +/- 0.04, and 4.48 +/- 0.03 nmol/mg protein in the control, ischemic, 30-min, 1-h, and 3-h groups, respectively) concentrations of ADMA increased.

Conclusions
Results suggest that ischemia-reperfusion injury leads to reduced DDAH activity and modification of different DDAH isoform expression, thus leading to increased ADMA levels, which may lead to increased cardiovascular risk.