bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flip and flop splice variants of AMPA receptor subunits in the spinal cord of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Tomiyama Masahiko , Rodríguez‐Puertas Rafael , Cortés Roser , Pazos Angel , Palacios José M. , Mengod Guadalupe 
Published: October 2002

AbstractExcitotoxicity mediated by AMPA receptors has been suggested to be implicated in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To investigate the relevance of AMPA receptors to motor neuron degeneration in ALS, we evaluated the expression of mRNAs coding for flip and flop splice variants of AMPA receptor subunits (GluR‐A to GluR‐D) in the cervical segment of the spinal cord from control individuals and patients with ALS using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Transcript mRNAs coding for flop variants were significantly decreased in the ventral horn of the spinal cord from patients with ALS, whereas the mRNAs for flip variants were preserved. These findings suggest that the relative abundance of flip variants vs. flop variants is increased in spinal motor neurons of ALS patients when compared to that of control individuals. Flip variants promote assemblies of slowly desensitizing AMPA receptors. These results imply that spinal motor neurons of ALS patients possess more slowly desensitizing AMPA receptors than those of control individuals. This expression change of AMPA receptors in ALS may account for vulnerability of motor neurons in this disease. Synapse 45:245–249, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A New Concept: The Use of Vanadium Complexes in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Sakurai Hiromu 
Published: October 2002

AbstractIn the 21st century, patients suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM), a lifestyle‐related disease, will increase more than in the 20th century. DM is threatening because of the development of many severe secondary complications, including atherosclerosis, microangiopathy, renal dysfunction and failure, cardiac abnormalities, diabetic retinopathy, and ocular disorders. Generally, DM is classified as either insulin‐dependent type 1 or noninsulin‐dependent type 2 DM. Type 1 DM is treated only by daily insulin injections; type 2 DM is treated by several types of synthetic therapeutic substances together with a controlled diet and physical exercise. Even with these measures, the daily necessity for several insulin injections can be painful both physically and mentally, whereas the synthetic therapeutic substances used over the long term often have side effects. For those reasons, the creation and development of a new class of pharmaceuticals for treatment of DM in the 21st century would be extremely desirable. In the last half of the 20th century, investigations of the relationships among diseases and micronutrients, such as iron, copper, zinc, and selenium, have been numerous. Research into the development of metallopharmaceuticals involving the platinum‐containing anticancer drug, cisplatin, and the gold‐containing rheumatoid arthritis drug, auranofin, has also been widespread. Such important findings prompted us to develop therapeutic reagents based on a new concept to replace either insulin injections or the use of synthetic drugs. After many trials, we noticed that vanadium might be very useful in the treatment of DM. Before the discovery of insulin by Banting and Best in 1921 and its clinical trial for treating DM, the findings in 1899, in which orally administered sodium vanadate (NaVO3) was reported to improve human DM, gave us the idea to use vanadium to treat DM. However, it has taken a long time to obtain a scientific explanation as to why the metal ion exhibits insulin‐mimetic or blood‐glucose lowering effects in in vitro and in vivo experiments. After investigations from many perspectives involving biochemistry and bioinorganic chemistry, vanadyl sulfate (VOSO4) and its complexes with several types of ligands have been proposed as useful for treating DM in experimental diabetic animals. On the basis of a mechanistic study, this article reports on recent progress regarding the development of antidiabetic vanadyl complexes, emphasizing that the vanadyl ion and its complexes are effective not only in treating or relieving both types of DM but also in preventing the onset of DM. © 2002 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Chem Rec 2: 237–248, 2002: Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI 10.1002/tcr.10029
Influence of explicit and reflective versus implicit inquiry‐oriented instruction on sixth graders' views of nature of science
Authors: Khishfe Rola , Abd‐El‐Khalick Fouad 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThis study investigated the influence of an explicit and reflective inquiry‐oriented compared with an implicit inquiry‐oriented instructional approach on sixth graders' understandings of nature of science (NOS). The study emphasized the tentative, empirical, inferential, and imaginative and creative NOS. Participants were 62 sixth‐grade students in two intact groups. The intervention or explicit group was engaged in inquiry activities followed by reflective discussions of the target NOS aspects. The comparison or implicit group was engaged in the same inquiry activities. However, these latter activities included no explicit references to or discussion of any NOS aspects. Engagement time was balanced for both groups. An open‐ended questionnaire in conjunction with semistructured interviews was used to assess participants' NOS views before and at the conclusion of the intervention, which spanned 2.5 months. Before the intervention, the majority of participants in both groups held naive views of the target NOS aspects. The views of the implicit group participants were not different at the conclusion of the study. By comparison, substantially more participants in the explicit group articulated more informed views of one or more of the target NOS aspects. Thus, an explicit and reflective inquiry‐oriented approach was more effective than an implicit inquiry‐oriented approach in promoting participants' NOS conceptions. These results do not support the intuitively appealing assumption that students would automatically learn about NOS through engagement in science‐based inquiry activities. Developing informed conceptions of NOS is a cognitive instructional outcome that requires an explicit and reflective instructional approach. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 39: 551–578, 2002
Preservice elementary teachers' conceptions of moon phases before and after instruction
Authors: Trundle Kathy Cabe , Atwood Ronald K. , Christopher John E. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThis study focused on the conceptual understandings held by 78 preservice elementary teachers about moon phases, before and after instruction. Participants in the physics groups received instruction on moon phases in an inquiry‐based physics course; participants in the methods group received no instruction on moon phases. The instructive effect of two different types of preinstruction interviews also was compared. The instruction on moon phases used in the study is from Physics by Inquiry by Lillian McDermott. In the study, the method of inquiry followed a qualitative design, involving classroom observations, document analysis, and structured interviews. Inductive data analysis identified patterns and themes in the participants' conceptual understanding. Results indicate that without the instruction, most preservice teachers were likely to hold alternative conceptions on the cause of moon phases. Participants who had the instruction were much more likely to hold a scientific understanding after instruction. The instruction appears to be more effective in promoting a scientific understanding of moon phases than instruction previously reported in the literature. It also appears that using a three‐dimensional model or making two‐dimensional drawings during the preinstruction interviews does not have instructive value. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 39: 633–658, 2002
Turner Syndrome morphology and morphometrics: Cardiac hypoplasia as a cause of midgestation death
Authors: Barr Mason , Oman‐Ganes Loraine 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackgroundA female fetus with massive truncal‐limb hydrops and large, loculated, nuchal hygromas in midgestation is highly likely to have Turner syndrome. This phenotype is recognized to be usually lethal, with only more mildly affected fetuses surviving to term birth.MethodsThe morphology and morphometrics of 117 midgestation fetuses with phenotypic Turner syndrome were analyzed.ResultsMore than 90% of fetuses with phenotypic Turner syndrome were found to have heart weights below the 2.5 centile, as well as lung hypoplasia and restricted limb growth for brain weight standards, although brain weight was only mildly reduced for gestational age. In contrast, subnormal heart weight was much less common among fetuses with other etiologies of hydrops, hygromas, or pleural effusions.ConclusionsWe hypothesize that myocardial hypoplasia is a primary defect in Turner syndrome, and it leads to or is a major contributor to the phenotypic features that end in midgestational death. Teratology 66:65–72, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Removal of microcystins by slow sand filtration
Authors: Grützmacher Gesche , Böttcher Gabriele , Chorus Ingrid , Bartel Hartmut 
Published: October 2002

AbstractTo assess the elimination potential of slow sand filters for cyanobacterial hepatotoxins (microcystins), two full‐scale experiments were conducted using the German Federal Environment Agency's experimental field in Berlin, Germany. One experiment was carried out with dissolved microcystins extracted from a cyanobacterial bloom on one of Berlin's lakes, dosed as short‐term, single‐pulse application. The other experiment simulated natural conditions more closely, with a longer‐term exposure of the filter to living cyanobacterial cells (collected from the same lake) so that most toxins were initially contained inside the cells. The microcystins were detected by ELISA and HPLC/photodiode array detector and subsequently identified by MALDI‐TOF MS. The experiment with dissolved microcystins yielded very high elimination rates (>95%) inside the filter bed attributed to biodegradation, whereas retardation by adsorption was low. The obtained half‐lives for the microcystins detected by ELISA were about 1 h. The second experiment, which was with mostly cell‐bound microcystins, showed similar results during the first days after application of cyanobacteria (elimination >85%). As the population declined in late autumn, the proportion of extracellular to cell‐bound microcystins increased. At the same time the elimination rates declined to values <60%. This decline is most likely attributable to retarded biodegradation at temperatures of <4°C. Altogether the results of the experiments show that under moderate temperatures, with an intact schmutzdecke (biofilm) with previous contact with microcystins, slow sand filtration is an effective treatment for eliminating microcystins from drinking water. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 17: 386–394, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/tox.10062
A survey of interactive mesh‐cutting techniques and a new method for implementing generalized interactive mesh cutting using virtual tools‡
Authors: Bruyns Cynthia D. , Senger Steven , Menon Anil , Montgomery Kevin , Wildermuth Simon , Boyle Richard 
Published: October 2002

AbstractIn our experience, mesh‐cutting methods can be distinguished by how their solutions address the following major issues: definition of the cut path, primitive removal and re‐meshing, number of new primitives created, when re‐meshing is performed, and representation of the cutting tool. Many researches have developed schemes for interactive mesh cutting with the goals of reducing the number of new primitives created, creating new primitives with good aspect ratios, avoiding a disconnected mesh structure between primitives in the cut path, and representing the path traversed by the tool as accurately as possible. The goal of this paper is to explain how, by using a very simple framework, one can build a generalized cutting scheme. This method allows for any arbitrary cut to be made within a virtual object, and can simulate cutting surface, layered surface or tetrahedral objects using a virtual scalpel, scissors, or loop cautery tool. This method has been implemented in a real‐time, haptic‐rate surgical simulation system allowing arbitrary cuts to be made on high‐resolution patient‐specific models. Published in 2002 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐layer LMDS system architecture: DAVIC‐based approach and analysis
Authors: Mähönen P. , Jamin A. , Saarinen T. , Shelby Z. , Muñoz Luis , Sukuvaara T. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractDespite the growing interest for LMDS systems there have been only a few commercial implementations until now especially outside of the U.S.A. The use of hierarchical structure through two‐layer networking has been even rarer. In many cases LMDS systems have strong advantages against their competitors to cover the last mile. In this article, we review and analyze the standards currently available and describe the European two‐layer trial system developed in 1996–2000. We show why further development towards IP based LMDS is useful in the future. Most of our recommendations are based on results derived from the European Union supported research project CABSINET. It had the aim of demonstrating the viability of a 40 GHz cellular digital television system with a return channel to offer interactive services. Two systems were tested: a line of sight link using QPSK, and a non‐line of sight with COFDM modulation scheme. In the RF‐subsystems, the greatest difficulty of any viable LMDS system is to obtain a moderately low price for the user receiver, while fulfilling the hard OFDM requirements in terms of phase noise, stability and spectrum restrictions. Several options have been studied in order to design the subsystems with the smallest cost. This paper will present the architectures of the transmitters, nomadic terminals, and the design of the IF/RF subsystems for both types of modulations. The discussion is focused on system engineering and selections required in order to build a full two‐layer LMDS system. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of engineering aerodynamics models using a viscous flow methodology on the NREL Phase VI rotor
Authors: Xu Guanpeng , Sankar Lakshmi N. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractA numerical technique has been developed for efficiently simulating fully three‐dimensional viscous fluid flow around horizontal axis wind turbines. In this approach the viscous region surrounding the blades is modelled using the 3D unsteady Navier–Stokes equations. The inviscid region away from the boundary layer and the wake is modelled using potential flow. The concentrated vortices that emanate from the blade tip are treated as piecewise straight line segments that are allowed to deform and convect at the local flow velocity. The Biot–Savart law is used to estimate the velocity field associated with these vortices. Calculations are presented under axial wind conditions for the NREL Phase VI rotor, a two‐bladed rotor tested at the NASA Ames Research Center 80 ft × 120 ft wind tunnel. Good agreement with the measurements is found. The computations were verified against the experimental data and then used to develop improved engineering models for the loss of lift at the blade tip and for the delay in the stall angle at inboard locations. The procedure of developing improved aerodynamics models using validated CFD results as a guide is presented. The improved models are incorporated in a blade element momentum analysis to study the post‐stall behaviour of a three‐bladed rotor tested at NREL for further validation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous determination of iron, copper and zinc concentrations in skin phantoms using XRF spectrometry
Authors: Bagshaw Andrew P. , Farquharson Michael J. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractX‐ray fluorescence analysis was used to determine the concentrations of iron, copper and zinc in skin phantoms. The system used consisted of a high‐output tungsten target x‐ray tube and a germanium secondary target, the fluorescence from which was used to excite the elements in the sample. Calibration models were constructed in order to allow quantitative predictions of metal concentrations, with spectral analysis performed using the Marquardt method of non‐linear least‐squares fitting. For an acquisition time of 2000 s, minimum detectable concentrations of <10 µg g−1 for iron and <5 µg g−1 for copper and zinc were measured. These values are comparable to the levels encountered in healthy human skin. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Captive duiker management at the Duiker and Mini‐Antelope Breeding and Research Institute (Dambari), Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Authors: Bowman Verity , Plowman Amy 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe Dambari Field Station (near Bulawayo, Zimbabwe), owned and run by the Marwell Zimbabwe Trust, holds a unique collection of seven duiker species. Health and breeding records are good, with annual birth rates of approximately 50% for those species for which there are breeding pairs. There are no indications of recurrent disease syndromes, and regular health checks reveal very few endo‐ or ectoparasites. Blood values for hematology and chemistry are within ranges found in free‐living conspecifics, with the exception of serum albumin, which is considerably lower than values found in all comparable species. Serum albumin is also lower than those reported in other captive duikers, whereas serum globulin and hemoglobin are substantially higher. Naturally vegetated duiker enclosures and nonintrusive husbandry routines are designed to stimulate as near to natural behavior patterns as possible. Although time spent foraging by duikers at Dambari is significantly less compared to free‐living conspecifics, daily patterns of activity and rest by common and blue duikers are very similar to those of free‐living conspecifics. There are activity peaks in the early morning and late evening, with long rest periods in the middle of the day. Blue duikers at Dambari tend to be more active at night than has been reported for wild blue duikers. This collection of healthy, breeding, and relatively naturally behaving duikers represents a unique opportunity for furthering our knowledge of these diminutive antelope. Excellent residential accommodations, office facilities, and a small laboratory are available for visiting researchers who wish to study duiker biology. Zoo Biol 21:161–170, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of attached data‐loggers on the activity budgets of captive Humboldt penguins
Authors: Simeone Alejandro , Wilson Rory P. , Knauf Gabriele , Knauf Werner , Schützendübe Jeannine 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAlthough they can provide valuable information on at‐sea ecology, data‐loggers may adversely affect energetics, diving performance, and breeding success of equipped birds. With the aim of determining the effects of leg‐attached data‐loggers on the activity budgets of Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) while on land, we equipped birds kept at the Landau Zoo, Landau, Germany, with such devices. We followed them during sample periods and recorded the occurrence and length of behaviors. Birds quickly habituated to the devices within 1 day of deployment, and mean rates of device‐pecking were low (0.7–1.7 pecks/hr), with device‐induced behaviors accounting for <1% of the mean daily activity budget. The method of device attachment appears behaviorally less stressful than the traditional tape‐based system in which devices are normally attached to the penguin's back. By facilitating the testing of newly developed data‐loggers on captive birds, or the development of methods for device attachment, zoos and aquaria may strengthen their role in animal conservation by helping research on free‐ranging animals. Zoo Biol 21:365–373, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regional collection planning for speciose taxonomic groups
Authors: Smith Brandie , Hutchins Michael , Allard Ruth , Warmolts Doug 
Published: October 2002

AbstractRegional collection planning and implementation are essential if professional zoological parks and aquariums are to achieve their collective conservation and animal management goals. Several regional associations currently have taxon advisory groups (TAGs) in place whose primary role is to develop taxon‐specific collection plans. During their planning process, TAGs review all known taxa of interest and evaluate them based on relevant criteria. TAGs also evaluate the total amount of captive space available to determine the number of priority taxa that can be maintained. In addition, some TAGs heighten their impact on conservation by producing an action plan of select conservation and research projects to be supported by participating institutions. Although current guidelines for regional collection plan (RCP) development are extremely useful for some TAGs, such as those for most mammalian taxa, they do not address the needs of other more speciose TAGs, such as those for fish, invertebrates, and amphibians. These TAGs, characterized by their numerous taxa and more flexible space requirements, still need to develop plans for the species they manage. We recommend that highly speciose TAGs make development of an action plan their highest priority and use it to direct the RCP process. This will limit the number of taxa they need to consider, while ensuring that their RCPs are directly relevant to conservation. Once their action plans have been developed, speciose TAGs can then determine which species are most important to zoological collections and at what level they should be managed. This strategy represents a departure from the current processes used to develop RCPs for many mammalian and avian species and, as such, has not yet been addressed. An action plan‐driven approach will result in more practical and relevant planning for speciose TAGs. Zoo Biol 21:313–320, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enzyme‐immunoassay for the measurement of luteinizing hormone in the serum of African elephants (Loxodonta africana)
Authors: Graham Laura H. , Bolling Jeff , Miller Gary , Pratt‐Hawkes Nancy , Joseph Sharon 
Published: October 2002

AbstractCirculating patterns of progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the elephant have been well characterized, and routine monitoring of these hormones is now viewed as a valuable tool for making informed decisions about the reproductive management of elephants in captivity. Currently, LH monitoring in elephants is done with radio‐immunoassays (RIAs); unfortunately, the use of radioactive materials in RIAs limits their application to institutions with laboratory facilities equipped for the storage and disposal of radioactive waste. Enzyme‐immunoassays (EIAs) offer an inexpensive and more zoo‐friendly alternative to RIA. This work reports on an EIA capable of quantifying circulating LH in African elephants. The EIA employs a biotin label and microtiter plates coated with goat anti‐mouse gamma globulin. LH surges in African elephants (n=3) increased fivefold over baseline concentrations (1.00±0.1 ng/ml vs. 0.2±0.1 ng/ml) and occurred 19.3±0.2 days apart. Ovulatory LH surges were associated with an increase in serum progestogens from 4.8±0.4 ng/ml to 11.7±0.4 ng/ml. The ability to quantify reproductive hormones in elephants via EIA is an important step in the process of making endocrine monitoring more accessible to zoos housing these species. Zoo Biol 21:403–408, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.