bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Voluntary control and a wider clinical spectrum of essential palatal tremor
Authors: Samuel Michael , Kleiner‐Fisman Galit , Lang Anthony E. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractEssential palatal tremor (EPT) may not be a uniform or single entity. We present two patients who had some “voluntary control” over EPT, including entrainment. We review the English language literature on EPT to describe a wider clinical spectrum of this syndrome. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
In der Schwebe: Supraleitende Magnetlager
Authors: Ries Günter , Werfel Frank 
Published: April 2004

AbstractEin Permanentmagnet kann eigenstabil über einem Supraleiter schweben. Dieser Effekt ermöglicht seit der Entdeckung der Hochtemperatursupraleiter eine Weiterentwicklung berührungsloser Magnetlager. Vorteile dieser Lager sind vor allem geringste Reibungsverluste, kein mechanischer Verschleiß, Wegfall von Schmiermitteln, eine gut gedämpfte Rotorlagerung, und die höchsten technisch erreichbaren Drehzahlen. Das mit Flüssigstickstoff gekühlte Hochgradientenlager ist inzwischen so ausgereift, dass es technisch einsetzbar ist. Das wurde bereits an einer Reihe von Anwendungen demonstriert.
Franz Anton Mesmer — Ein begnadeter Quacksalber?: Geschichte des Biomagnetismus
Authors: Hohenester Adolf 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIm 18. Jahrhundert geriet das naturwissenschaftliche Denkgebäude in einen Umbruch. Die Entdeckung statischer elektrischer und magnetischer Kräfte und des „Galvanismus”︁ beflügelte auch die Fantasie der Mediziner und Physiologen. Berühmt wurde Franz Anton Mesmer mit seinem „animalischen Magnetismus”︁. In seinen Therapieverfahren zur Heilung mischten sich einige ernst zu nehmende naturwissenschaftliche Beobachtungen mit viel Quacksalberei. Zu Lebzeiten berühmt und heftig umstritten, beeinflussten seine Ideen „Nervenforscher”︁ bis hin zu Sigmund Freund.
Vom magnetischen Bakterium zur Brieftaube: Geo‐Biomagnetismus
Authors: Winklhofer Michael 
Published: April 2004

AbstractDie Fähigkeit, das Erdmagnetfeld wahrzunehmen und sich an ihm zu orientieren, ist im Tierreich weit verbreitet. Durch welche physikalischen Mechanismen magnetische Sinnesreize in Nervensignale umgesetzt werden, ist jedoch weitgehend ungeklärt. Bei magnetotaktischen Bakterien üben zum Beispiel biogene ferrimagnetische Kristalle als mikroskopische Kompassnadeln ein Drehmoment auf die Zelle aus. Magnetit findet sich im Gewebe zahlreicher Tiere. Doch erst bei zwei Arten, der Brieftaube und der Regenbogenforelle, konnten auch entsprechende Sinneszellen gefunden werden. Diese unterscheiden sich allerdings in ihren magnetischen Eigenschaften fundamental voneinander. Die Identifizierung der physikalischen Mechanismen des Geo‐Biomagnetismus bleibt eine Herausforderung für Biophysik und Sinnesphysiologie.
Frequenzabstimmbarer Gummilaser entwickelt
Authors: Leute Angelika 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn der Faseroptik sind Laser gefragt, die spezielle mechanische Eigenschaften besitzen, zum Beispiel Flexibilität. Maßgeschneiderte Polymermaterialien werden deshalb als Matrix benutzt, um Laserelemente zu integrieren. Solche Laser auf Kunststoffbasis sind einfach herzustellen und wurden bereits in unterschiedlichen Konfigurationen realisiert. Forscher der Technischen Universität Graz haben kürzlich einen flexiblen Gummilaser vorgestellt, der Laserlicht nach dem Prinzip der verteilten Rückkopplung emittiert und dabei durch elastische Verformung frequenzabstimmbar ist [1].
Array assessment of phage‐displayed peptide mimics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 gp41 immunodominant epitope: Binding to antibodies of infected individuals
Authors: Arnaud Marie‐Claire , Gazarian Tatyana , Rodriguez Yadira Palacios , Gazarian Karlen , Sakanyan Vehary 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAn array of phage‐displayed mimetic peptides representing 18 sequences from the HIV‐1 gp41 immunodominant epitope was fabricated on a nitrocellulose membrane. It used to compare the antibody‐binding affinity of the peptide and to monitor the immune response of four patients prior to and after the initiation of Highly Active Anti‐Retroviral Therapy in parallel assays with several probes using near‐infrared fluorescence detection. The proposed multiplexed approach is highly sensitive, consumes less sample and can be used to analyze the immune repertoires of virus‐infected individuals.
Predotar: A tool for rapidly screening proteomes for N‐terminal targeting sequences
Authors: Small Ian , Peeters Nemo , Legeai Fabrice , Lurin Claire 
Published: April 2004

AbstractProbably more than 25% of the proteins encoded by the nuclear genomes of multicellular eukaryotes are targeted to membrane‐bound compartments by N‐terminal targeting signals. The major signals are those for the endoplasmic reticulum, the mitochondria, and in plants, plastids. The most abundant of these targeted proteins are well‐known and well‐studied, but a large proportion remain unknown, including most of those involved in regulation of organellar gene expression or regulation of biochemical pathways. The discovery and characterization of these proteins by biochemical means will be long and difficult. An alternative method is to identify candidate organellar proteins via their characteristic N‐terminal targeting sequences. We have developed a neural network‐based approach (Predotar – Prediction of Organelle Targeting sequences) for identifying genes encoding these proteins amongst eukaryotic genome sequences. The power of this approach for identifying and annotating novel gene families has been illustrated by the discovery of the pentatricopeptide repeat family.
Prediction of sequence signals for lipid post‐translational modifications: Insights from case studies
Authors: Eisenhaber Birgit , Eisenhaber Frank , Maurer‐Stroh Sebastian , Neuberger Georg 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn silico annotation techniques for post‐translational modifications (PTMs) are important to generate biologically meaningful descriptions for sequences of experimentally uncharacterized proteins. Having previously contributed with predictors for lipid PTMs, we summarize our methodological experience. Rather than only looking for the sequence pattern in substrate sequences, a strategy aimed at creating a generalized model of substrate protein/enzyme interaction appears more appropriate since the number of known substrate sequences is small, and some of them are not sufficiently verified experimentally. Such a physical approach (in contrast to a mere textual analysis of substrate sequences) can also take into account other, heterogeneous biological data (mutations of substrate sequences, kinetic data, enzyme sequences/structures) with simple analytical expressions in the score function. Several lipid PTMs are encoded in the form of a small sequence region (with pronounced amino acid type preferences) that is connected to the substrate protein by a linker region with many conformationally flexible, hydrophilic residues. A score function composed of terms penalizing sequence properties known to be incompatible with productive substrate protein/enzyme complexes essentially unselects inappropriate queries. Also, we estimate the number of nonredundant sequences necessary for robust profile computation with statistical criteria, a number that is not reached in most cases of PTM prediction. Finally, we discuss the usage of evolutionary information in evaluating the functional importance of predicted PTMs in cases of motif conservation within sequence families.
Potent antitumor activity after systemic delivery of a doubly fusogenic oncolytic herpes simplex virus against metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Nakamori Mikihito , Fu Xinping , Pettaway Curtis A. , Zhang Xiaoliu 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDAlthough conventional radiation therapy and surgery are potentially curative treatments for organ‐confined prostate cancer, there are few effective treatments for metastatic disease. Oncolytic viruses have shown considerable promise for the treatment of solid tumors including prostate cancer. We recently demonstrated that incorporation of a cell membrane fusion capability into an oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) can significantly increase the antitumor potency of the virus.METHODSWe used a mouse model of primary and metastatic human prostate cancer established from PC‐3M‐Pro4 to evaluate three different types of oncolytic HSVs: non‐fusogenic Baco‐1, singly fusogenic Synco‐2, and doubly fusogenic Synco‐2D.RESULTSOur results show that Synco‐2D has greater oncolytic activity than either Baco‐1 or Synco‐2 virus. Against lung metastases of human prostate cancer xenografts, intravenous administration of Synco‐2D had produced a significant reduction of tumor nodules by day 40 post‐inoculation as compared with Synco‐2 (P < 0.05), Baco‐1 (P < 0.01), and PBS control (P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONSWe conclude that the doubly fusogenic Synco‐2D is an effective therapeutic agent for human metastatic prostate cancer. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Leveling of prostate cancer mortality in Western Europe
Authors: Levi Fabio , Lucchini Franca , Negri Eva , Boyle Peter , Vecchia Carlo La 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDMortality from prostate cancer (CaP) has increased throughout Europe until the early 1990s. Trends in 24 European countries, the European Union (EU), six selected Central and Eastern European countries, and the Russian Federation have been updated to 1999.METHODSCancer death certification data for CaP were abstracted from the World Health Organization database.RESULTSIn the EU, the peak rate (15.7/100,000) was reached in 1993, followed by a leveling off and a decline to 14.1/100,000 in 1999. Age‐standardized analysis for each subsequent age group of men aged 50 or over showed larger absolute falls in the elderly. CaP rates were lower in Central and Eastern European countries providing data, but showed a rise from 9.7/100,000 in 1980 to 11.3 in 1996, and leveled off thereafter. Rates were originally lower, but the rises larger in the Russian Federation (from 5.1/100,000 in 1980 to 8.1/100,000 in 1999). In the late 1990s, there was a threefold difference between the highest rates of 22/100,000 in Norway and those of 7.7 in Russia or 7.3 in Ukraine. Such a difference was, however, restricted to the elderly, since at age 35–64 the Russian rate (6.7/100,000) was the same as that of Norway, and only Greece and Italy had appreciably lower rates.CONCLUSIONThe pattern of trends in CaP rates observed across Europe is consistent with a favorable role of improved diagnosis, but mainly of advancements of therapy (including more widespread adoption of radical prostatectomy and androgen blockage) on CaP mortality in Western Europe. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The confined diatomic molecule problem
Authors: Pupyshev Vladimir I. , Bobrikov Vladimir V. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractRovibrational states of a diatomic molecule placed into a spherical cavity with impenetrable walls are studied within the adiabatic approximation. The finite‐difference results for the nuclear Schrödinger equation are presented for cavities of the radius 3–10 atomic units for LiF and LiCl molecules as samples. The intensities of rovibrational transitions are evaluated within a rough dipole‐like approximation. Perturbation theory gives a clue for qualitative understanding of some features of the spectrum, such as practically constant ΔG(1/2) values for confined molecules in various cavities and essential enlargement of the distance between R‐ and P‐band branches in rovibrational spectrum for small cavities. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
A new static output feedback approach to the suboptimal mixedH2/H∞problem
Authors: Yu Jen‐te 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn this paper we propose a new approach to solve the static output feedback suboptimal mixedH2/H∞control problem using a state fixed‐structure feedback design. We formulate the static output feedback problem as a constrained static state feedback problem and obtain three coupled design equations: one Riccati equation, one Lyapunov equation, and a gain equation. We will prove the equivalence of the proposed solution to the existing solution. A very simple iterative algorithm is then presented to solve the design equations for the stabilizing output feedback gain that minimizes an upper bound ofH2norm while satisfying theH∞disturbance attenuation requirement. A unique feature of the new approach is that it admits the Kalman gain as an initial stabilizing gain to start the above iterative solution procedure, which is computationally attractive and advantageous compared to the direct approach, as the latter has to deal with the difficult algorithm initialization problem. Some illustrative numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energy density patterns of nectar resources permit coexistence within a guild of Neotropical flower‐visiting bats
Authors: Tschapka Marco 
Published: April 2004

AbstractNeotropical rainforests support guilds of nectar feeding bats (Phyllostomidae: Glossophaginae) with up to six coexisting species. To analyse guild structure and mechanisms of coexistence in a Costa Rican tropical lowland rainforest, the resource use and morphology of bats were compared to the energetic characteristics of preferred nectar resources and their spatio‐temporal distribution. The relative abundance of nectar‐feeding bats was determined from mistnet captures over 26 months. Food items were identified by analysis of pollen loads and faecal samples. Phenology, flower density and nectar sugar content of resource plants permitted quantitative estimations of resource availability expressed as energy density (kJ ha−1 day−1) throughout the annual cycle. Four glossophagine bat species co‐occurred at La Selva: two permanent residents (Glossophaga commissarisi, Hylonycteris underwoodi) and two seasonal species (Lichonycteris obscura, Lonchophylla robusta) that were found in small numbers during a period of high nectar availability. The two resident species differed in their abundance and in their temporal feeding strategies. After the main flowering peak, the common G. commissarisi shifted to a more frugivorous diet, while the rarer H. underwoodi fed on the few remaining bat‐flowers. Resource plant species differed in their energy density by up to two orders of magnitude. Hylonycteris underwoodi visited more often plant species with a low energy yield than G. commissarisi. Because of its smaller body size and a wing morphology that promotes fast flight, H. underwoodi appears to be better adapted to low and scattered nectar resource levels. The two seasonal species differed greatly in body mass, which suggests different strategies for high‐quality resource tracking. Large body mass in Lonchophylla robusta provides an energy buffer that permits daily commuting flights between a permanent roost and profitable foraging areas, while the small Lichonycteris obscura seems to track resources nomadically. It is proposed that energy density may be a major niche dimension that restricts access of species to certain habitats and that may profoundly influence the structure of nectar‐feeding bat guilds.
Egg mass determines hatchling size, and incubation temperature influences post‐hatching growth, of tuatara Sphenodon punctatus
Authors: Nelson Nicola J. , Thompson Michael B. , Pledger Shirley , Keall Susan N. , Daugherty Charles H. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe size of reptile hatchlings can be phenotypically plastic in response to incubation temperature, and size is a trait likely to influence fitness – i.e. hatchling size is proposed as an indicator of quality. The parental and incubation temperature effects on the size of one of New Zealand's most biologically significant reptile species, the tuatara Sphenodon punctatus are investigated. Artificial incubation at constant temperatures is used to produce founders for new captive and wild populations of tuatara and to augment existing rare populations. We compare size of hatchling tuatara from artificial and natural incubation treatments. The relationship of hatchling size with incubation temperature and sex is examined, and we investigate whether our results support differential fitness models for the evolution of temperature‐dependent sex determination in tuatara. Initial egg mass is the most important factor affecting size of hatchling tuatara and is still an important influence at 10 months of age. Incubation temperature does not greatly influence size of hatchlings, but significantly influences size by 10 months of age. Constant artificial incubation conditions result in larger, but possibly less aggressive, juveniles than those from more variable natural incubation conditions by 10 months of age. Evidence from size patterns of tuatara incubated in natural nests supports differential fitness models for the adaptive significance of temperature‐dependent sex determination. Thermal variation has little effect on size of male hatchlings, but female embryos that develop in more stable thermal conditions, in more reliable sites for hatching, are bigger and have longer jaws.
Unexpected locomotor behaviour: brachiation by an Old World monkey (Pygathrix nemaeus) from Vietnam
Authors: Byron Craig D. , Covert Herbert H. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractMore than 70 h of positional behaviour data were collected on the red‐shanked douc langur Pygathrix nemaeus, Delacour's langur Trachypithecus delacouri, Hatinh langur Trachypithecus laotum, and the white‐cheeked crested gibbon Hylobates leucogenys in January and February of 2001 at the Endangered Primate Rescue Center of Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam. Equal amounts of instantaneous and continuous bout data were collected for each of the four species. All animals were housed in enclosures of 10×5×3.5 m with similar substrates, and lived in small, species‐appropriate social groups. The positional behaviour of white‐cheeked crested gibbons was as expected with >80% of locomotor bouts and 60% of postures being suspensory in nature. The positional behaviour of the Delacour's and Hatinh langurs was similar to that reported in the literature for other Asian colobines with >90% of the locomotor bouts being quadrupedal walking, running, and bounding on tops of arboreal supports. Postures were dominated by sitting in and sitting out with forelimb suspension associated with <10% of these behaviours. The positional behaviour of the red‐shanked douc langur is intermediate in nature between the Delacour's and Hatinh langur and the white‐cheeked crested gibbon. Locomotion is nearly evenly divided between arm‐swinging (46%) and quadrupedal walking and running bouts (54%). Forelimb suspensory postures were three times more frequent for the red‐shanked douc langur than they were for the Delacour's langur.
Effect of insulin‐like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF‐binding proteins on in vitro sperm motility.
Authors: Miao Z‐R , Lin T. K. , Bongso T. A. , Zhou X. , Cohen P. , Lee K‐O. 
Published: April 2004

OBJECTIVEPrevious studies have shown that exogenous growth hormone (GH) produces increases in sperm motility when given to subfertile men. Previous studies have also demonstrated the presence of IGFs and IGFBPs in seminal plasma. We have therefore investigated the effects of insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I), IGF‐II, IGF‐binding protein 2 (IGFBP‐2) and intact IGFBP‐3 on in vitro sperm motility.DESIGN AND METHODSUsing computer‐aided sperm analysis, we investigated the effects of IGFs and IGFBPs on the in vitro sperm motility parameters: curvilinear velocity (CV), progressive velocity (PV), linearity (Ln), straightness (St), amplitude of lateral head movement (ALH), and beat frequency (BF). Washed motile sperm selected by the ‘swim‐up’ method, from normozoospermic samples, were incubated at 37°C in 5% CO2 in air with IGF‐I, IGF‐II, IGFBP‐2, IGFBP‐3, or control Earle's media, and were examined at time 0 and after 60 min incubation. Changes in motility parameters after 60 min incubation were compared with controls by analysis of variance (ANOVA).RESULTSCompared to controls, statistically significant changes occurred at time 60 min after incubation: IGF‐I decreased CV and ALH significantly (P < 0.05), but IGFBP‐3 increased Ln, St, BF, and decreased ALH significantly (P < 0.05). In contrast, IGF‐II, IGFBP‐2, and a combination of IGF‐I/IGFBP‐3, had no significant effects.CONCLUSIONSIGF‐I and IGFBP‐3 have differing and opposing effects on in vitro sperm motility parameters and thus may have a role in modulating in vivo sperm motility.
Evaluation of bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and proximal femur in population‐based routine health examinations of healthy asians
Authors: Chan W. P. , Liu J.‐F. , Chi W.‐L. 
Published: April 2004

Purpose: To understand the peak bone mineral density (BMD) and annual loss of BMD of the lumbar spine (L‐BMD) and the proximal femur (F‐BMD) and the prevalence of osteoporosis in both sexes in Taipei City, Taiwan. Material and Methods: The medical records from a recent 3‐year period of annual health examinations at a single institution were reviewed. A total of 1514 men (mean age 49.08±13.62) and 1955 women (48.07±14.12), who lived in the Taipei area, had no major systemic disorders, and who had undergone both L‐BMD and F‐BMD examinations, were recruited. Results: In women, peak L‐BMD (1.078±0.133 g/cm2) occurred in the 30 to 39‐year age group, whereas peak F‐BMD (0.873±0.101 g/cm2) occurred in the 17 to 29‐year age group. In men, peak L‐BMD (1.095±0.137 g/cm2) and F‐BMD (0.989±0.140 g/cm2) both occurred in the 17 to 29‐year age group. The estimated annual bone loss was 0.69% of peak L‐BMD in women over 50 years; in the proximal femur this was 0.688% in women and 0.332% in men. In women over 60 years, approximately half of the population had osteoporosis in the lumbar spine. Conclusion: We report descriptive BMD data of a Chinese population recruited from a Taipei urban area who underwent routine health examination. The values are similar to or higher than those of Japanese, Canadian and Greek populations. L‐BMD was lower than that in the Lebanese, and F‐BMD of both sexes was lower than that reported in the Greek study.
Regional variations in the thickness of cervical spine endplates as measured by computed tomography
Authors: Schmitz B. , Pitzen T. , Beuter T. , Steudel W. I. , Reith W. 
Published: April 2004

Purpose: To determine regional variations in the thickness of human cervical spine endplates with high spatial resolution. Material and Methods: Six explanted human cadaveric spine specimens underwent computed tomography (CT) scanning. Measurement of endplate thickness was done fully automatically at every point of the endplate using a computer program written specifically for this purpose. Variations in thickness along sagittal and coronal lines were determined and statistical parametric mapping was used to test for significant regional variations at every point. Results: Anterior and medial aspects of superior endplates were shown to be significantly thinner than lateral and dorsal parts. Superior endplates were found to be thicker than inferior endplates. Conclusion: Fully automatic assessment of endplate thickness from CT data is feasible. Central regions of the cervical spine endplates are thinner than peripheral parts of the endplates. This distribution is more pronounced in superior than in inferior endplates.