bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide against HST‐1/FGF‐4 suppresses tumorigenicity of an orthotopic model for human germ cell tumor in nude mice
Authors: Hirai Kotaro , Sasaki Hideo , Sakamoto Hiromi , Takeshita Fumitaka , Asano Koji , Kubota Yoshinobu , Ochiya Takahiro , Terada Masaaki 
Published: October 2003

AbstractBackgroundOverexpression of the fibroblast growth factor HST‐1/FGF‐4 gene is thought to mediate growth properties and malignancy in human testicular germ cell tumors. We have studied the effect that an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide against HST‐1/FGF‐4 suppresses tumorigenicity of a human germ cell tumor.Methods and resultsTo test whether HST‐1/FGF‐4 could be the target of gene therapy for testicular carcinoma, 20‐mer phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) directed against human HST‐1/FGF‐4 were analyzed for their antitumor activity. The antisense HST‐1/FGF‐4 ODNs suppressed HST‐1/FGF‐4 production by NEC8 human nonseminomatous germ cells and inhibited their cell growth in vitro. Furthermore, after orthotopic implantation of NEC8 cells, combined treatment with antisense HST‐1/FGF‐4 ODNs and Atelocollagen significantly inhibited the growth of testicular tumors as well as the incidence of lymph node metastasis. In contrast, administration of antisense ODNs alone was less effective.ConclusionsCollectively, these results indicate that the antisense method against HST‐1/FGF‐4 gene expression will be a novel therapeutic approach for male germ cell tumors. The use of Atelocollagen‐mediated administration of the antisense HST‐1/FGF‐4 ODNs may be useful in enhancing the effects of antisense therapy. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychoanalysis and the Catholic Church in Italy: The role of Father Agostino Gemelli, 1925–1953
Authors: Colombo Daria 
Published: October 2003

AbstractAgostino Gemelli, a Catholic priest, psychiatrist, administrator, and educator, was an important figure in
the early history of psychoanalysis in Italy. He was one of the few establishment figures to grapple with
Freud's ideas in Italy during the first half of the twentieth century, a period during which Italy,
compared to the rest of Europe and to the United States, was relatively impermeable to psychoanalysis. One of
the factors that contributed to this was the opposition of the powerful Catholic Church, which identified in
psychoanalysis a challenge to its authority. The author argues that Father Gemelli's shifting positions
about psychoanalysis between 1925 and 1953 reflected the exigencies of his historical circumstances. Gemelli was
able to identify in psychoanalysis an integrated view of the human condition in stark opposition to the brutal
reductionism of psychiatry in Italy at that time, but also encountered in it elements intolerable to the Church.
Examining specifically what it is that Gemelli could accept of psychoanalysis, and what needed to be rejected,
between 1925 and 1953, illustrates the particular challenge posed by psychoanalysis to Catholicism in Italy.
© 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metal dusting resistance of high chromium alloys
Authors: Grabke H. J. , Müller‐Lorenz E. M. , Martinz H. P. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractSamples of 5 high Cr‐alloys were discontinuously exposed for 10,000 hours under severe metal dusting conditions, i. e. in flowing 49%CO‐49%H2‐2%H2O at 650°C. After each of the 11 exposure periods the mass change was determined and any coke removed and weighed. Metallographic cross sections were prepared after about 4,000 h and 10,000 h.The high Cr‐alloys: 1. PM 2000 (Fe‐19%Cr‐5.5%Al‐0.5%Ti‐0.5%Y2O3), 2. Cr‐44%Fe‐5%Al‐0.4%Ti‐0.5%Y2O3, 3. Cr‐50%Ni, 4. Cr‐5%Fe‐1%Y2O3 and 5. porous chromium showed no or only minute metal dusting attack. Compared to the attack on reference samples of Alloy 601 (Ni‐23%Cr‐14%Fe‐1.4%Al), the metal dusting symptoms were negligible on the 5 high Cr‐alloys, minor coking and pitting and no internal carburization was observed. Because of the high Cr‐content, carbon solution and ingress should be minute, and in addition are inhibited by the formation of a chromia scale, as confirmed for four of the Cr‐rich alloys, and formation of an alumina scale on PM 2000. These alloys could be used for parts exposed to severe metal dusting conditions, and in fact, 50Cr‐50Ni has been applied successfully under such conditions.
Protective behaviour of newly developed coatings against metal dusting
Authors: Rosado C. , Schütze M. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractMetal dusting is a corrosion phenomenon whose mechanisms and effects depend on different parameters such as temperature, pressure, time, material, etc. and which still leads to unexpected failure cases in several high temperature industries. The present work deals with the development and testing of coating systems against metal dusting attack and the evaluation of their protective behaviour at different temperatures. The recently developed coatings are based on high amounts of strong oxide formers, like Si, Ti, Cr and Al, which are able to form protective oxide layers even under the highly reducing metal dusting atmospheres. The coatings were applied on ferritic and austenitic steel substrates by HVOF and by (co) diffusion of one or up to three elements via a pack cementation process. The process parameters of the diffusion coatings were optimized with respect to the different substrate materials and diffusing species.Isothermal tests at temperatures of 400°C, 620°C and 700°C under metal dusting atmospheres were carried out for up to 2022 h for coated and uncoated specimens. Discontinuous mass change measurements were performed in order to determine the kinetics of attack. After the corrosion tests metallographic cross sections of the specimens were investigated by optical and electron microscopy (SEM, EPMA). Especially the interdiffusion of substrate and coating and the formation of potentially protective oxide layers on top of the coatings were studied using elemental mapping and concentration profiles. The results obtained so far indicate that coatings have a high potential for significantly increasing the life‐time of components under metal dusting conditions. The different systems investigated are classified, evaluated, and discussed with respect to their protection potential and the responsible protection mechanisms.
Positive‐temperature‐coefficient/negative‐temperature‐coefficient effect of low‐density polyethylene filled with a mixture of carbon black and carbon fiber
Authors: Di Weihua , Zhang Guo , Xu Jianqing , Peng Yi , Wang Xiaojun , Xie Zhiyuan 
Published: October 2003

AbstractLow‐density polyethylene (LDPE) filled with carbon black (CB) and carbon fiber (CF) composites were prepared by a conventional melt‐mixing method. The effects of a mixture of CB and CF on the positive‐temperature‐coefficient (PTC) effect and the negative‐temperature‐coefficient (NTC) effect, as well as the percolation threshold, were examined in detail. A synergy effect between CB and CF occurred, in that continuous conductive pathways formed within the CB/CF‐filled composite. The percolation threshold was moved to a reduced filler content with the addition of CF to an LDPE/CB composite. A model was proposed to explain the difference in the PTC behavior of composites containing CB and CF and composites containing only CB or CF. In addition, the NTC effect was weakened with a mixture of CB and CF, and a relatively small radiation dose was required to eliminate the NTC phenomenon in LDPE/CB/CF composites. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 3094–3101, 2003
Membrane osmometer for use at moderate applied pressures
Authors: Moses Corey L. , Rebelo Luis Paulo N. , Van Hook W. Alexander 
Published: October 2003

AbstractA membrane osmometer designed for use at pressures greater than 0.1 MPa and less than 6 MPa was employed to determine the pressure coefficient of the equilibrium osmotic pressure (∂π/∂P) of a dilute polystyrene/toluene solution. The pressure coefficient of the second virial coefficient (∂A2/∂P), calculated from ∂π/∂P, was 6 (±4) × 10−5 cm3 mol g−2 MPa−1, which was in reasonable agreement with the value obtained from pressure‐dependent light scattering. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 3064–3069, 2003
Modelling discrete time survival data with random slopes: evaluating haemodialysis centres
Authors: Carvalho Marilia Sá , Knorr‐Held Leonhard 
Published: October 2003

AbstractWe propose a hierarchical discrete time survival model to analyse registry data on haemodialysis patients in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, collected at different dialysis centres. Our aim is to estimate differences in hazard ratios attributable to variation in dialysis centre performance, after adjusting for further observed covariates both at the individual and centre level. The proposed model allowed for the estimation of a residual calendar time trend varying across dialysis centres through the adoption of a random slope model. These calendar time trends turned out to have significant variation, after adjustment for important observed covariates. The technique can be easily adapted to other diseases as long as survival time is the measurement of interest. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proportion of treatment effect (PTE) explained by a surrogate marker
Authors: Chen Cong , Wang Hongwei , Snapinn Steven M. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractIn time‐varying covariate analysis of clinical survival data, it is often of interest to estimate the proportion of treatment effect (PTE), along with its confidence intervals, explained by a surrogate marker. The conventional procedure for such an analysis fits data into two working models separately to estimate the treatment effects before and after adjustment of the covariate. The construction of confidence intervals for the PTE under the conventional procedure lacks support by standard statistical software such as SAS, and could be very computationally demanding even after the support is available in the future. To overcome this problem, we propose a new procedure to simplify the computation. Under the new procedure, the treatment effects before and after adjustment of the covariate are simultaneously estimated from a single model. More important than saving computational effort, the new procedure can also be effectively applied to multiple‐covariate models for the decomposition of overall treatment effect and for the comparison of PTE among several surrogate markers. The new procedure is applied to the motivating data example from the LIFE study, and demonstrates flexibility that the conventional procedure currently lacks. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationship between lidar‐based observations of aerosol content and monsoon precipitation over a tropical station, Pune, India
Authors: Devara P C S , Raj P E , Pandithurai G , Dani K K , Maheskumar R S 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThis paper reports the results of the aerosol lidar experiments that have been performed at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune (18.54°N, 73.85°E, 559 m amsl), a tropical station in India. The lidar‐observed cloud macro‐physical parameters (cloud‐base and cloud‐ceiling heights, vertical thickness, etc.) and polarisation characteristics and their association with surface‐generated aerosols at the experimental site are presented and discussed. The correspondence among the lidar‐derived aerosol distributions, meteorological parameters and south‐west (SW) monsoon (June–September) activity over Pune during 12 successive SW monsoon seasons (1987–98) including two pairs of contrasting seasons of 1987–8 and 1993–4 is also examined. The results indicate an association between variations in aerosol loading in the boundary layer during the pre‐monsoon season (March–May) and precipitation intensity during the ensuing monsoon season. Moreover, the decrease in aerosol content from pre‐monsoon to monsoon season is found to follow the SW monsoon season total precipitation. Thus the results suggest that (i) the IITM lidar can also be a useful remote sensor for aerosol characterisation studies from polarisation measurements, and some important physical properties of clouds in the lower atmosphere over the station, and (ii) there exists a correspondence between boundary‐layer aerosol content and SW monsoon precipitation over Pune, which is explained in terms of the type of aerosols and the environmental and meteorological processes, particularly during pre‐monsoon and monsoon months prevailing over the experimental station. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society
Building indicator groups based on species characteristics can improve conservation planning
Authors: Manne Lisa L. , Williams Paul H. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractHow well can indicator groups, as sets of species with well‐known distributions, represent the distribution of overall biodiversity to select networks of areas for conservation? In the literature, reliable indicator groups of complementarity have proven difficult to find, with some taxon‐based indicator groups resulting in no more species represented than when areas are chosen at random. We rigorously test which quantifiable characteristics of species make them better components of indicator groups of complementarity in area networks. We find that even indicator groups comprised of randomly chosen, taxonomically unrelated species perform better than randomly chosen areas, and we demonstrate the improved efficiency of protected‐area networks possible when using indicator groups chosen on the basis of species' characteristics.
Factors influencing the distribution, abundance and nest‐site selection of an endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) population in Sicily
Authors: Sarà Maurizio , Di Vittorio Massimiliano 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) breeds in Sicily and, in 22 years of monitoring, has shown a decline followed by a slight recovery. We used Generalised Linear Models to predict: (1) the distribution range, (2) the habitat selection within the range, (3) the quality (i.e., occupation rate, breeding success) of breeding sites. Some 60% of Sicily proved to be unsuitable, being either too densely forested and without cliffs for nesting, or too densely populated, along with intensive agriculture. The models converged, indicating that the pairs select a precise upland habitat where low cliffs, distant from urban areas, are surrounded by arboreal crops and Mediterranean vegetation. The variables predicting the quality of a site are also related to human disturbance, including the distance from a road or the presence of heavy traffic. Natural restocking, in the last 3 years, is occurring in quiet sites and in proximity to extensive grazing land rich in sheep and goat herds. These results focused on short‐term programmes for local management of the species aimed at protracting the natural restocking: namely, the activation of (1) a stable system of artificial feeding stations, (2) nest site protection with joint activities for increasing public awareness, (3) a reintroduction project, by hacking, of juveniles born in captivity in Italian and European breeding centres.
Detection and accuracy rates of dogs trained to find scats of San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica)
Authors: Smith Deborah A. , Ralls Katherine , Hurt Aimee , Adams Brice , Parker Megan , Davenport Barbara , Smith M. C. , Maldonado Jesus E. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractSpecially trained detection dogs have been used to locate faeces (scats) for faecal analyses but their effectiveness has not been quantified. We evaluated detection and accuracy rates of dogs trained to find scats of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica). Four dogs found from 0.43 to 5.37 presumptive kit fox scats per km of transect searched in two field sites where kit foxes and coyotes (Canis latrans) but not non‐native red foxes (V. vulpes) were present. The unusually low detection rate (0.43 scats per km) by one dog (probably due to excessive panting in hot weather) was still similar to the average scat detection rate of two experienced humans. DNA tests of 1298 scats showed that all dogs were 100% accurate at distinguishing kit fox scats under our field conditions. Because red foxes are sympatric with kit foxes in some areas, we also conducted controlled discrimination experiments to see if trained dogs could distinguish between scats from kit and red foxes. Four dogs were 100% accurate at choosing a kit fox scat when red fox scats were present (n= 64 trials), but were less accurate at ignoring red fox scats in trials where a kit fox scat was absent.
Erythropoietin Protects against Necrotizing Enterocolitis of Newborn Rats by the Inhibiting Nitric Oxide Formation
Authors: Kumral Abdullah , Baskın Hüseyin , Duman Nuray , Yilmaz Osman , Tatli Mansur , Özer Erdener , Gökmen Necati , Genc Sermin , Özkan Hasan 
Published: October 2003

<i>Background:</i> Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an important neonatal disease with a high mortality rate; erythropoietin (Epo) is a hematopoietic growth factor. Functional Epo receptors are in the fetal and postnatal small bowel and their ligands are available for binding. Excessive nitric oxide (NO) production by an isoform of NO synthase inducible by inflammatory stimuli leads to changes in vascular permeability and tissue injury. The aim of this study was to investigate NO formation in an experimental model of NEC and the possible role of NO in the protection Epo provides against NEC. <i>Methods:</i> Twenty-four Wistar albino rat pups were divided into three groups: group 1 = control; group 2 = hypoxia-reoxygenation and saline; group 3 = hypoxia-reoxygenation and recombinant human EPO (rhEpo) pretreatment. rhEpo was given 750 U/kg/week by intraperitoneal injection 3 times a week for 2 weeks. On the 15th day, hypoxia was induced by placing the pups in a 100% CO<sub>2</sub> chamber for 5 min. After the hypoxia period the pups were reoxygenated for 10 min with 100% O<sub>2</sub> and returned to their mothers. All pups were killed 4 h after the hypoxia-reoxygenation period was over. The abdomen was opened and representative samples of injured areas were taken for histopathologic examination. Then nitrite levels were determined in the intestine by Griess Reagent. <i>Results: </i>On histopathological examination, injury scores in group-2 animals were found to be significantly higher than in group-3 animals (p = 0.001). Significantly increased intestinal nitrite levels were found in group-2 rats compared to the rats of groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the histological findings and the intestinal nitrite levels in group-2 and -3 animals (r = 0.94, p = 0.001; r = 0.99, p = 0.001, respectively). <i>Conclusion:</i> The present study demonstrates that the Epo-pretreated group had decreased levels of NO and limited mucosal necrosis in intestinal tissue samples. We believe that these results deserve further experimental studies in order to elucidate the possible effector mechanisms involved in the inhibitory relationship between Epo, NO and NEC.
Respiratory failure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Calverley P.M.A. 
Published: October 2003

Respiratory failure is still an important complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hospitalisation with an acute episode being a poor prognostic marker. However, other comorbid conditions, especially cardiovascular disease, are equally powerful predictors of mortality.The physiological basis of acute respiratory failure in COPD is now clear. Significant ventilation/perfusion mismatching with a relative increase in the physiological dead space leads to hypercapnia and hence acidosis. This is largely the result of a shift to a rapid shallow breathing pattern and a rise in the dead space/tidal volume ratio of each breath. This breathing pattern results from adaptive physiological responses which lessen the risk of respiratory muscle fatigue and minimise breathlessness.Treatment is directed at reducing the mechanical load applied to each breath, correcting specific precipitating factors,e.g.bacterial infection, and maintaining gas exchange. Both bronchodilators and oral corticosteroids can improve spirometric results in exacerbations of COPD and should be routinely offered to patients with respiratory failure. Controlled oxygen is still not always prescribed appropriately and high inspired oxygen concentrations can lead to severe acidosis by either worsening ventilation/perfusion mismatching and/or inducing a degree of hypoventilation. Ventilatory support using noninvasive ventilation has revolutionised the approach to these patients.Acute respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease remains a common medical emergency that can be effectively managed. More attention should be focused on the prevention of these episodes and identifying the factors which cause early relapse.
A study of brake noise and the influence of the centre of pressure at the disc/pad interface, the coefficient of friction and calliper mounting geometry
Authors: Fieldhouse J D , Steel W P 
Published: October 2003

It is generally accepted that the coefficient of friction between the friction pair, the pad and the rotor plays a significant role in the propensity of a brake to generate noise. Because of the ease with which changes may be made to the pad compound material it is this that is more often the subject of change when there is a problematic noisy brake with both the rotor and the calliper tending to remain ‘isolated’ from examination. This paper investigates the propensity of a brake to generate noise over a range of temperatures and pressures under conditions that allow a mechanically induced offset centre of pressure between the pad and rotor to be varied. It is shown that for a high-volume production car brake there is an increased tendency for it to generate noise when a very specific leading offset centre of pressure is engineered. With this condition it is shown that a situation is promoted whereby the brake becomes mechanically unstable, with system changes such as brake pressure and temperature variations having little influence on the brake to alter its tendency to generate noise. Furthermore, it is shown that the critical offset centre of pressure may be related to the coefficient of friction between the friction pair and the mounting geometry of the calliper. Confirmation of the findings are supported by a repeat investigation of the vehicle's alternative brake calliper. It is suggested that the source of a noisy brake may lie as much in basic mechanical design as inappropriate material choice. Further confirmation is demonstrated through the study of a commercial sliding fist-type brake, where the brake is significantly noisier when the centre of pressure and calliper mounting arrangement provide an appropriate spragging angle related to the friction coefficient.