bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The autonomic control and functional significance of the changes in heart rate associated with air breathing in the jeju,Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus
Authors: McKenzie D. J. , Campbell H. A. , Taylor E. W. , Micheli M. , Rantin F. T. , Abe A. S. 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARYThe jeju is a teleost fish with bimodal respiration that utilizes a modified swim bladder as an air-breathing organ (ABO). Like all air-breathing fish studied to date, jeju exhibit pronounced changes in heart rate(fH) during air-breathing events, and it is believed that these may facilitate oxygen uptake (MO2) from the ABO. The current study employed power spectral analysis (PSA) of fH patterns, coupled with instantaneous respirometry, to investigate the autonomic control of these phenomena and their functional significance for the efficacy of air breathing. The jeju obtained less than 5%of total MO2(MtO2) from air breathing in normoxia at 26°C, and PSA of beat-to-beat variability in fHrevealed a pattern similar to that of unimodal water-breathing fish. In deep aquatic hypoxia (water PO2=1 kPa) the jeju increased the frequency of air breathing (fAB) tenfold and maintained MtO2 unchanged from normoxia. This was associated with a significant increase in heart rate variability (HRV),each air breath (AB) being preceded by a brief bradycardia and then followed by a brief tachycardia. These fH changes are qualitatively similar to those associated with breathing in unimodal air-breathing vertebrates. Within 20 heartbeats after the AB, however, a beat-to-beat variability in fH typical of water-breathing fish was re-established. Pharmacological blockade revealed that both adrenergic and cholinergic tone increased simultaneously prior to each AB, and then decreased after it. However, modulation of inhibitory cholinergic tone was responsible for the major proportion of HRV, including the precise beat-to-beat modulation of fH around each AB. Pharmacological blockade of all variations in fH associated with air breathing in deep hypoxia did not, however, have a significant effect upon fAB or the regulation of MtO2. Thus, the functional significance of the profound HRV during air breathing remains a mystery.
The flexural stiffness of superficial neuromasts in the zebrafish(Danio rerio) lateral line
Authors: McHenry Matthew J. , van Netten Sietse M. 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARYSuperficial neuromasts are structures that detect water flow on the surface of the body of fish and amphibians. As a component of the lateral line system,these receptors are distributed along the body, where they sense flow patterns that mediate a wide variety of behaviors. Their ability to detect flow is governed by their structural properties, yet the micromechanics of superficial neuromasts are not well understood. The aim of this study was to examine these mechanics in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae by measuring the flexural stiffness of individual neuromasts. Each neuromast possesses a gelatinous cupula that is anchored to hair cells by kinocilia. Using quasi-static bending tests of the proximal region of the cupula, we found that flexural stiffness is proportional to the number of hair cells, and consequently the number of kinocilia, within a neuromast. From this relationship, the flexural stiffness of an individual kinocilium was found to be 2.4×10–20 N m2. Using this value, we estimate that the 11 kinocilia in an average cupula generate more than four-fifths of the total flexural stiffness in the proximal region. The relatively minor contribution of the cupular matrix may be attributed to its highly compliant material composition (Young's modulus of ∼21 Pa). The distal tip of the cupula is entirely composed of this material and is consequently predicted to be at least an order of magnitude more flexible than the proximal region. These findings suggest that the transduction of flow by a superficial neuromast depends on structural dynamics that are dominated by the number and height of kinocilia.
Predator detection inLymnaea stagnalis
Authors: Orr Michael V. , El-Bekai Malik , Lui Melissa , Watson Katrina , Lukowiak Ken 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARYLaboratory-reared Lymnaea are capable of detecting and responding to the scent of a crayfish predator. The present investigation is a first attempt to characterize multiple stress-related behavioural responses resulting from predator detection and to depict the neurophysiological correlates of one of these illustrated behaviours. Snails respond to crayfish effluent (CE) by increasing the following behaviours: aerial respiration,exploratory/searching phase and sensitivity to the shadow-elicited full-body withdrawal response. In contrast, when snails detect CE they decrease both their righting response time when dislodged from the substratum and their basal cutaneous oxygen consumption. Interestingly, basal heart rate does not change in response to CE exposure. Finally, we directly measured the activity of the neuron that initiates aerial respiratory behaviour, RPeD1, in semi-intact preparations. Naïve snails exposed to CE prior to recording demonstrated both a significantly reduced spontaneous firing rate and fewer bouts of bursting activity compared with non-exposed snails. These data show that laboratory-reared Lymnaea that have never experienced a natural predator are still capable of detecting and responding to the presence of a historically sympatric predator. These data open a new avenue of research,which may allow a direct investigation from the behavioural to the neuronal level as to how an ecologically relevant stressful stimulus alters behaviour.
The effect of B-vitamins on biochemical bone turnover markers and bone mineral density in osteoporotic patients: a 1-year double blind placebo controlled trial
Authors: Herrmann Markus , Umanskaya Natalia , Traber Lydia , Schmidt-Gayk Heinrich , Menke Wolfgang , Lanzer Gerd , Lenhart Markus , Peter Schmidt Johannes , Herrmann Wolfgang 
Published: November 2007

AbstractClin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:1785–92.
Hyperhomocysteinemia and high-density lipoprotein metabolism in cardiovascular disease
Authors: Liao Dan , Yang Xiaofeng , Wang Hong 
Published: November 2007

AbstractHyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a significant and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the underlying mechanism is unclear. We and others have reported that homocysteine (Hcy) is inversely correlated with plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein AI (apoA-I) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). We confirmed this negative correlation in mice with targeted deletions of the genes for apolipoprotein E (apoE) and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS). Severe HHcy (plasma Hcy 210 μmol/L) accelerates spontaneous arthrosclerosis in the CBSClin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:1652–9.
Spin‐Based Optical Quantum Information Processing
Authors: Pazy Ehoud 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe shall present a review of semiconductor spin‐based implementation schemes for the realization of quantum information/computation solid‐state devices. After briefly describing the fundamentals of quantum computation theory, we shall introduce and discuss potential implementation schemes based on the spin degrees of freedom in semiconductor nanostructures. More specifically, we shall describe an implementation scheme for quantum information processing in which the spin degrees of freedom of electrons confined to a quantum dot are the computational degrees of freedom, and spins are manipulated/controlled through interaction between trionic states created by interband optical transitions by ultrafast sequences of multicolor laser pulses. We will also review briefly an adiabatic method for operating the two‐qubit gate that avoids the main imperfections present in real quantum dots: exciton decay, hole mixing, and phonon decoherence.
Spin Polarization in Single Spin Experiments on Defects in Diamond
Authors: Popa Iulian , Gaebel Thorsten , Neumann Philipp , Jelezko Fedor , Wrachtrup Joerg 
Published: November 2007

AbstractGeneration of pure spin states is an important step towards coherent control of single spin systems. Especially for nitrogen‐vacancy defects in diamond, where readout of single spins using optical detection is available, fast initialization of spin is significant in the context of quantum computing applications. In this system the spin polarization is caused by an intersystem crossing process via the meta‐stable singlet state 1A. The slowest relaxation rate is the intersystem to the triplet ground‐state 3A on a timescale of 400 ns. The intersystem crossing process mainly populates the ms = 0 spin sublevels of the paramagnetic ground state. Although no direct nuclear spin polarization is seen for low magnetic fields, frequency selective microwave pulses can be used to transfer electron spin polarization to 13C nuclear spin states.
Recombination Processes in Nanoparticles of II‐Mn‐VI Compounds—Magnetic Resonance Study
Authors: Godlewski Marek , Yatsunenko Sergiy , Ivanov Vitaly Yu. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe apply magnetic resonances (electron spin resonance and optically detected magnetic resonance) for evaluation of efficiency of spin‐dependent interactions between Mn ions and Mn ions and free carriers. These investigations were performed to determine mechanism(s) responsible for the significant shortening of the photoluminescence decay time observed for Mn2+ intra‐shell emission in nanoparticles of wide band gap II‐VI compounds (ZnS and CdS). We demonstrate high efficiency of spin‐dependent interactions with free ions, which lead to relaxation of spin selection rules for intra‐shell emission.
Risk of groundwater contamination from nitrates in the Po basin (Italy)
Authors: De Maio M. , Fiorucci A. , Offi M. 
Published: November 2007

In 1991, the EU promulgated the Nitrates Directive 91/676/EEC, with which it obliged member states to set up monitoring systems, to designate areas vulnerable to nitrate pollution, especially that of agricultural origin, and to activate protection plans, setting the initial target as 1993.
After a long delay, Italy assimilated the directive in 1999 with the D.Lgs. 152/99 (legislative decree), which basically transferred responsibility for identifying vulnerable zones to the Regional Authorities.
The Po river basin was, and still is, particularly problematical, with its surface aquifers containing generally high levels of NO3− particularly in the lower Piedmontese plain, in the Alessandria area, in the upper Milan valley and in the Emilia-Romagna plain.
Taking these pollution levels into consideration, along with continual eutrophication of the Adriatic Sea, the EU enjoined Italy to define the entire Po valley as vulnerable, to avoid being penalised. Such a restrictive designation would, however, have had a highly negative effect on agriculture and to avoid this, the Regions of the Po basin, after long delays, set in motion a series of scientific studies in order to be able to limit the areas defined as vulnerable.
This paper, in line with Regional policies, proposes a method that can be applied on a regional scale for identifying areas vulnerable to nitrate pollution. It uses a parametric indicator of Pollution Risk, which is the product of the sintacs r5 and the ipnoa indicators: since the former indicator assesses the vulnerability of an aquifer, that is its susceptibility to absorption and spread of fluid or water-borne pollutant over time, while the latter studies the risk of pollution by nitrates of agricultural origin (that is, the amount of nitrates persisting in the territory), it is clear to us that the product of the two indicates the nitrate that may actually be present in the aquifer waters. The easy availability of input parameters for the model, the reliability of the output data, as compared with the results of monitoring various test sites in the Po valley, and the production of thematic maps, using GIS software, make the method a valid tool for the Regions when identifying zones vulnerable to nitrate pollution.
The method is presented here with application to a test site of about 250 km2, situated in the lower Alessandria plain (Eastern Piedmont, Italy).
A focus group study of veterinarians' and pet owners' perceptions of the monetary aspects of veterinary care
Authors: Coe Jason B. , Adams Cindy L. , Bonnett Brenda N. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Objective—To compare veterinarians' and pet owners' perceptions of client expectations with respect to the monetary aspects of veterinary care and identify challenges encountered by veterinarians in dealing with pet owners' expectations.
Design—Qualitative study based on focus group interviews.
Participants—6 pet owner focus groups (32 owners) and 4 veterinarian focus groups (24 companion animal veterinarians).
Procedures—Independent focus group sessions were conducted with standardized open-ended questions and follow-up probes. Content analysis was performed on the focus group discussions.
Results—Pet owners expected the care of their animal to take precedence over monetary aspects. They also expected veterinarians to initiate discussions of costs upfront but indicated that such discussions were uncommon. Veterinarians and pet owners differed in the way they related to discussions of veterinary costs. Veterinarians focused on tangibles, such as time and services. Pet owners focused on outcome as it related to their pet's health and well-being. Veterinarians reported that they sometimes felt undervalued for their efforts. A suspicion regarding the motivation behind veterinarians' recommendations surfaced among some participating pet owners.
Conclusions—Results suggested that the monetary aspects of veterinary care pose barriers and challenges for veterinarians and pet owners. By exploring clients' expectations, improving communication, educating clients, and making discussions of cost more common, veterinarians may be able to alleviate some of the monetary challenges involved in veterinarian-client-patient interactions.
Diagnostic use of cytologic examination of bone marrow from dogs with thrombocytopenia: 58 cases (1994–2004)
Authors: Miller Matthew D. , Lunn Katharine F. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Objective—To determine the diagnostic use of cytologic examination of bone marrow from dogs with thrombocytopenia.
Design—Retrospective case series.
Animals—58 dogs with thrombocytopenia.
Procedures—Medical records were searched and reviewed for dogs with thrombocytopenia. Dogs that had thrombocytopenia and cytologic examination of bone marrow were included in the study. Dogs with other hematologic abnormalities, with a previous diagnosis of hematopoietic neoplasia, or that had previous treatment with cytotoxic drugs were excluded. Bone marrow cytologic findings were reviewed. Results were compared between dogs with severe thrombocytopenia (< 20,000 platelets/μL) and dogs with mild to moderate thrombocytopenia (20,000 to 200,000 platelets/μL).
Results—58 dogs met the inclusion criteria. Of 55 dogs with diagnostic bone marrow aspirates, 36 had severe thrombocytopenia. Cytologic evaluation of bone marrow did not reveal substantial nonmegakaryocytic bone marrow abnormalities or result in a definitive diagnosis in any of these dogs. Nineteen dogs with mild to moderate thrombocytopenia had diagnostic bone marrow aspirates. Bone marrow cytologic findings revealed nonmegakaryocytic abnormalities in 4 of these dogs. Significantly fewer dogs with severe thrombocytopenia had abnormalities identified on cytologic examination of bone marrow, compared with dogs with mild to moderate thrombocytopenia.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Cytologic examination of bone marrow is unlikely to provide specific diagnostic or prognostic information in dogs with severe thrombocytopenia.
Diagnosis and surgical removal of brain abscesses in a juvenile alpaca
Authors: Talbot Catherine E. , Mueller Karin , Granger Nicolas , Jeffery Nick D. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Case Description—A 1-month-old female alpaca was examined because of progressive clinical signs consistent with an intracranial lesion.
Clinical Findings—Clinical signs included signs of depression, lethargy, tetraparesis, and neck weakness. Two large isointense intracranial masses could be seen on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images. On T2-weighted images, the masses contained concentric rings of hypointense and hyperintense material.
Treatment and Outcome—2 abscesses were removed via a craniotomy that incorporated removal of the sagittal crest and surrounding skull and transection of the sagittal sinus. The bony deficit was replaced with polypropylene mesh. The alpaca recovered within 2 weeks and was fully integrated into the herd within 1 month after surgery.
Clinical Relevance—Findings indicated that surgical removal is a feasible means of successfully treating intracranial abscesses in juvenile alpacas.
Cognitive reserve hypothesis: Pittsburgh Compound B and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in relation to education in mild Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Kemppainen Nina M. , Aalto Sargo , Karrasch Mira , Någren Kjell , Savisto Nina , Oikonen Vesa , Viitanen Matti , Parkkola Riitta , Rinne Juha O. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractObjectiveThe reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in high‐educated individuals has been proposed to reflect brain cognitive reserve, which would provide more efficient compensatory mechanisms against the underlying pathology, and thus delayed clinical expression. Our aim was to find possible differences in brain amyloid ligand 11C‐labeled Pittsburgh Compound B ([11C]PIB) uptake and glucose metabolism in high‐ and low‐educated patients with mild AD.MethodsTwelve high‐educated and 13 low‐educated patients with the same degree of cognitive deterioration were studied with PET using [11C]PIB and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose as ligands. The between‐group differences were analyzed with voxel‐based statistical method, and quantitative data were obtained with automated region‐of‐interest analysis.ResultsHigh‐educated patients showed increased [11C]PIB uptake in the lateral frontal cortex compared with low‐educated patients. Moreover, high‐educated patients had significantly lower glucose metabolic rate in the temporoparietal cortical regions compared with low‐educated patients.InterpretationOur results suggesting more advanced pathological and functional brain changes in high‐educated patients with mild AD are in accordance with the brain cognitive reserve hypothesis and point out the importance of development of reliable markers of underlying AD pathology for early AD diagnostics. Ann Neurol 2007
Synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial properties of novel quaternary amine methacrylate copolymers
Authors: Punyani Supriya , Singh Harpal 
Published: November 2007

AbstractA novel amine methacrylate monomer trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate–piperazine–ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TMPTMA‐PPZ‐EGDMA) was synthesized by amination of trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) with excess of piperazine (PPZ) followed by reaction with ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). Copolymerization of TMPTMA‐PPZ‐EGDMA with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was carried out by free radical polymerization using ammonium persulfate (APS) and N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl ethylenediamine (TEMED) as a redox initiator. The copolymers obtained were then quaternized with 1‐iodooctane. The monomers were characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR spectral studies. The molecular weights and polydispersity values of the monomers were determined with gel permeation chromatography. Quaternized copolymers containing more than 20% amine methacrylate monomer showed microporosity in the range of 9.9–10.4 μm. The antibacterial activity of the quaternized copolymers against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was studied using UV–vis spectrophotometer and scanning electron microscopy. Quaternized copolymers showed broad‐spectrum contact‐killing antibacterial properties without releasing any active agent as checked by iodide selective ion meter. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
The influence of the impregnating chemicals on the bonding strength of impregnated wood materials
Authors: Özçifçi Ayhan , Okçu Oktay 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIn this study, it is aimed to determine the bonding strength of white oak (Quercus petreae L.) and chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) woods impregnated with borax and zinc chloride. Within this purpose, the experimental samples were bonded with Polyvinyl‐acetate and polyurethane based Desmodur‐VTKA (D‐VTKA) adhesives according to BS EN 205 standards after they had been prevacuumed with a pressure equal to 760 mmHg−1 with impregnating at 2 atm pressures for 60 min according to ASTM‐D 1413 standards and applied vacuum‐impregne‐vacuum method. During the experiments, the retention amount, the retention proportion, and the bonding strength values of the samples were determined. According to the test results, the highest values of retention amount, and bonding strength were obtained from the wood material impregnated with zinc chloride. The impregnating materials had a negative effect on bonding strength. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Adsorption behavior of Congo red from an aqueous solution on 4‐vinyl pyridine grafted poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers
Authors: Arslan Metin , Yiğitoğlu Mustafa 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIn this study, a reactive fibrous adsorbent was prepared through the grafting of 4‐vinyl pyridine monomer onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers for the removal of Congo red (CR) dye from an aqueous solution with the batch adsorption method. Effects of various parameters such as the grafting yield, pH, treatment time, and initial dye concentration on the amount of adsorption of the dye onto the reactive fibers were investigated. The effective pH was 4.0 for adsorption on grafted PET fibers. The sufficient time to attain equilibrium was 150 min. The maximum adsorption capacity of the reactive fibers for CR was 17.3 mg/g of fiber. The rates of adsorption conformed to pseudo‐second‐order kinetics with good correlation. The adsorption isotherm of CR fit a Langmuir‐type isotherm. The reactive fibers were stable and regenerable by acid and base without loss of activity. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Use of Flory–Huggins parameters in the characterization of polymer–filler compositions
Authors: Milczewska Kasylda , Voelkel Adam 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAny quantitative information on the strength of interactions between an inorganic filler and polymer is substantial for the future application of the composite. The magnitude of adhesion of two phases may be deduced from results collected by various experimental techniques. A Flory–Huggins interaction parameter (χ23′) was earlier successfully used in the characterization of polymer blends. We propose to express the magnitude of modified filler/polymer interactions by using χ23′. It was calculated from retention data of test solutes during an inverse gas chromatography (IGC) experiment. IGC is an extension of conventional gas chromatography in which a nonvolatile material to be investigated is immobilized on a column. Parameters determined during IGC experiments may be successfully used in the characterization of polymers and their blends, composites, fillers, and other materials and the quantification of the interactions between the components of polymer mixtures, including the interactions between polymeric components and filler surfaces. Here this method is applied to the characterization of a series of poly(ether urethane)/modified carbonate–silicate filler systems containing different amounts of a filler (5, 10, and 20 wt %). The possibilities and limitations of the IGC method are shown. The usefulness of some methods for minimizing the Δχ effect (the dependence of χ23′ on the type of test solute) is examined and discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008