bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diverticular Disease: Electrophysiologic Study and a New Concept of Pathogenesis
Authors: Shafik Ahmed , Ahmed Ismail , Shafik Ali A. , El Sibai Olfat 
Published: April 2004

Abstract.The cause of diverticular disease (DD) is not exactly known, although colonic motor disorder has been proposed as a factor in the pathogenesis of the condition. We investigated the hypothesis that disordered colonic electrical activity is responsible for the colonic motor dysfunction and the development of DD. The electromyographic (EMG) activity and pressure of the sigmoid colon (SC) were recorded in 36 patients [16 early cases, 20 advanced cases; age (mean ± SD) 53.3 ± 5.6 years; 19 women, 17 men] and 22 healthy volunteers. The percutaneous route was used for recording the SC EMG. The healthy volunteers exhibited SC slow waves with a regular rhythm and the same frequency, amplitude, and conduction velocity from the three electrodes in the same subject. The SC basal pressure (7.9 cm H2O) was interrupted by bouts of high pressure (26.8 cm H2O). The early‐DD cases showed slow waves with an irregular rhythm and significantly higher variables (p < 0.05) than the volunteers. Action potentials followed randomly or were superimposed on the slow waves. The SC basal pressure was significantly higher than that of the volunteers (21.4 cm H2O, p < 0.01). Bouts of pressure (58.6 cm H2O) coupled with action potentials were recorded. No waves were recorded from 15 of 20 of the advanced‐DD patients. In 5 patients, slow waves with an irregular rhythm and lower variables (p < 0.05) than those of the volunteers were recorded. The basal SC pressure was significantly above normal. Three electrical activity patterns could be identified in DD patients: “tachyrhythmic” in the early‐DD patients and “bradyrhythmic” or “silent” in the late‐DD patients. These dysrhythmias may result from a disordered colonic pacemaker. The similarity between early DD and the irritable bowel syndrome suggests that DD is an advanced stage of the irritable bowel syndrome; studies are required to investigate this hypothesis further.
Genetic vs. morphological differentiation of Old World buzzards (genus Buteo, Accipitridae)
Authors: Kruckenhauser Luise , Haring Elisabeth , Pinsker Wilhelm , Riesing Martin J. , Winkler Hans , Wink Michael , Gamauf Anita 
Published: April 2004

Kruckenhauser, L., Haring, E., Pinsker, W., Riesing, M. J., Winkler, H., Wink, M. & Gamauf, A. (2004). Genetic vs. morphological differentiation of Old World buzzards (genus Buteo, Accipitridae). — Zoologica Scripta, 33, 197–211.Here, a comprehensive phylogenetic investigation of Old World buzzards of the buteo–vulpinus complex and related taxa using morphological and genetic markers is presented. The morphometric analysis proved useful to discriminate taxa. Nevertheless, phylogenetic relationships cannot be resolved with these characters. Sequence comparisons between the control region and the pseudo‐control region revealed that the latter is the most variable section of the mitochondrial genome. Consequently it was used as a marker sequence. In the genetic analysis, almost no sequence variability was found among taxa comprising the buteo–vulpinus complex as well as Buteo rufinus and Buteo oreophilus, suggesting gene flow and/or incomplete lineage sorting. Thus, rapid morphological differentiation in adaptation to different environments was not accompanied by genetic differentiation of the mitochondrial genomes of these taxa. In contrast, the East Palearctic taxa are well differentiated genetically. The ‘superspecies’ concept and taxonomic consequences of our results are discussed.
Molecular and morphological evidence for multiple species within Paranoplocephala omphalodes (Cestoda, Anoplocephalidae) in Microtus voles (Arvicolinae)
Authors: Haukisalmi V. , Wickström Lotta M. , Henttonen H. , Hantula J. , Gubányi A. 
Published: April 2004

Haukisalmi, V., Wickström, L. M., Henttonen, H., Hantula, J. & Gubányi, A. (2004). Molecular and morphological evidence for multiple species within Paranoplocephala omphalodes (Cestoda, Anoplocephalidae) in Microtus voles (Arvicolinae). —Zoologica Scripta, 33, 277–290.The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that the anoplocephalid cestode Paranoplocephala omphalodes (Hermann, 1783), a Holarctic parasite of Microtus voles, is a complex of host‐specific species, rather than a single host‐generalist species, using uni‐ and multivariate morphometrics and DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene. The phylogenetic methods applied to the mtDNA sequence data showed consistently that the cestodes morphologically recognizable as P. omphalodes include four well‐supported monophyletic groups, representing at least three distinct, largely host‐specific species. Multivariate morphometrics (discriminant analysis) successfully distinguished the four main mtDNA clades of P. omphalodes‐like cestodes. The true P. omphalodes is shown to be a parasite of Microtus arvalis, M. agrestis and Clethrionomys glareolus in Europe. Microtus oeconomus harbours two host‐specific, allopatric and possibly conspecific clades, one with a Holarctic and another with an (eastern) Beringian (Alaskan) distribution. The eastern Beringian endemic M. miurus is also parasitized with a host‐specific, morphologically divergent species of Paranoplocephala. The cestode clades recognized in M. oeconomus and M. miurus represent 2–3 undescribed species. Molecular phylogenetic analyses supported the monophyly of the ‘northern clade’ of Paranoplocephala spp., an assemblage including P. kalelai from Clethrionomys spp., P. macrocephala from Microtus spp. and all clades of P. omphalodes‐like cestodes except those representing the true P. omphalodes from Europe. The intra‐ and interspecific phylogeny within the northern clade is compared tentatively with the known evolutionary history of the hosts.
Are N‐glycolylneuraminic acid (Hanganutziu–Deicher) antigens important in pig‐to‐human xenotransplantation?
Authors: Miwa Yuko , Kobayashi Takaaki , Nagasaka Takaharu , Liu DaGe , Yu Ma , Yokoyama Itsuo , Suzuki Akemi , Nakao Akimasa 
Published: April 2004

Abstract:  Background:  N‐glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc) epitopes, so called Hanganutziu–Deicher (HD) antigens, which are widely expressed on endothelial cells of all mammals except humans, are considered to be potential targets for natural and elicited anti‐nonGalα1‐3 Gal (Gal) antibodies in humans. We previously reported that anti‐NeuGc antibodies were not detected in healthy humans by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using NeuGc‐GM3‐coated plates, and no antibody production was observed in patients with a history of exposure to pig cells. However, a recent paper has revealed that (i) anti‐NeuGc antibodies to porcine red blood cells (PRBC) are detectable in most healthy humans, and (ii) the majority of anti‐nonGal antibodies are specific for NeuGc epitopes. The purpose of this study was to reassess whether NeuGc is important as an immunogenic nonGal epitope.Methods: The binding of antibodies to PRBC and porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) was compared. Cells were treated with (i) α‐galactosidase, and then (ii) neuraminidase, which digests sialic acids, including NeuGc epitopes. Cells were incubated with human pooled sera, and applied to flow cytometric analysis. After enzyme digestion, almost complete reduction of Gal and NeuGc expression was confirmed by GS‐IB4 and HU/Ch2‐7 (a chicken monoclonal antibody against HD antigens), respectively. Trypsin, which removes membrane glycoproteins, and endoglycoceramidase which cleaves glycolipids, were used for differentiating between NeuGc‐containing glycoproteins and glycolipids.Results:  Neuraminidase‐treatment reduced the binding of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to PRBC; about half of the anti‐nonGal IgG antibodies to PRBC were directed to NeuGc. In contrast, anti‐nonGal antibodies to PAEC were not directed to NeuGc. Trypsin‐treatment markedly reduced the expression of NeuGc only on PRBC. Endoglycoceramidase‐treatment was followed by a greater reduction in NeuGc epitopes on PAEC than on PRBC. Most NeuGc on PRBC appeared to be linked to proteins, but most NeuGc on PAEC was expressed on glycolipids.Conclusions:  Carbohydrate structures on PRBC are different from those on PAEC. Healthy human sera contain anti‐nonGal IgG antibodies to NeuGc expressed on PRBC, but not on PAEC. We speculate that anti‐nonGal IgG antibodies to PRBC can recognize both NeuGc and protein, and this may be the reason why such antibodies have not been detected by ELISA. A definite conclusion about the immunogenicity of NeuGc has not been obtained. More sera from patients (not from non‐human primates) sensitized with porcine cells or organs need to be studied.
The Life and Death of the Canadian Contingent Gains and Losses Accounting Standards Project*
Authors: DYKEMAN BROCK , ENTWISTLE GARY 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTIn April 1994, the Canadian Accounting Standards Board formally approved a new accounting standard for contingent gains and losses. The new standard would have increased the frequency of recording contingent losses, enabled the accrual of some contingent gains, and enhanced disclosures for all contingencies. The changes would primarily have been achieved by requiring management, and their legal advisers, to make predictions, estimates, and disclosures that the existing accounting standard enabled them to avoid. Over two years later, and following numerous changes to the implementation date, the board ultimately decided not to release the new standard, and in July 1999, formally abandoned the contingencies project. This study provides a telling of the standard's genesis, development, and ultimate demise, which should prove instructive to those parties with an interest and a stake in accounting standard setting.
Cyanocarbazole Derivatives for High‐Performance Electroluminescent Devices
Authors: Justin Thomas K. R. , Velusamy M. , Lin J. T. , Tao Y.‐T. , Chuen C.‐H. 
Published: April 2004

Abstract3‐Cyano‐9‐diarylamino carbazoles have been synthesized. These new compounds emit in the blue to green region. Double‐layer electroluminescent devices using these compounds as the hole‐transport/emitting materials are highly efficient. Two of the compounds can be fabricated into single‐layer devices with good performance. Green‐ and blue‐emitting devices with good performance were also fabricated using one of the compounds as the hole‐injection layer.
Acoustic eigenanalysis for multiply‐connected problems using dual BEM
Authors: Chen J. T. , Liu L. W. , Chyuan S. W. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn this paper, the eigenanalysis for the multiply‐connected domain problem is studied by using the dual boundary element method. The occurrence and treatment of the spurious eigenvalues for multiply‐connected domain problem are reviewed when the complex‐valued BEM in used. Three approaches, Burton and Miller method, CHIEF concept and SVD updating techniques, are adopted to suppress the occurrence of spurious eigensolutions. Instead of using the singular and hypersingular formulations, the singularity‐free methods, the null‐field equation approach and the fictitious BEM, are also utilized to deal with the eigenproblem. Both the eigenvalues and eigenmodes are compared with the analytical solutions and those of FEM for the illustrative examples. Good agreement is made. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental analysis of Mn segregation in Bridgman‐grown gallium antimonide: Dependency on the ampoule radius
Authors: Plaza J. L. , Diéguez E. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis work considered the segregation of manganese in vertical Bridgman‐grown GaSb crystals for different ampoule diameters. Experimental data of the impurity distribution were obtained from atomic absorption spectrometry and also Hall measurements. It was demonstrated that the radial segregation is more pronounced in the case of thick ampoule diameters. Furthermore the manganese effective segregation coefficient, resistivity, carrier mobility and density were obtained in each case. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Geometrical aspects of solid solution separation by evaporation‐condensation driven in a closed system by a small temperature difference
Authors: Szczerbakow A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractEvaporation‐condensation driven in a closed system by a small temperature difference has demonstrated its ability to deliver semiconducting IV‐VI and II‐VI solid solution crystals of highest compositional uniformity. Geometrical aspects of solution component distribution emerging in the crystals grown in the near equilibrium evaporation/condensation systems are considered in this paper. The conclusion is drawn that no increase in the range of compositional variations with increase in the crystal size is to be anticipated. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Structural analysis of bis{(N,N′–dimethylformamide) (μ‐formato)[μ‐bis(salicylidene)–1,3‐propanediaminato] nickel(II)} copper(II) and zinc(II) monohydrate hetero‐trinuclear complexes
Authors: Ercan F. , Ateş M. B. , Ercan Ý. , Durmuş S. , Atakol O. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe two linear hetero‐trinuclear metallic complexes with Cu2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ ions, [CuNi2 {(CHO2)(SALPD)[(CH3)2NCHO]}2],(I) and [ZnNi2{(CHO2)(SALPD)[(CH3)2NCHO]}2],(II), form crystals which belong to the monoclinic system, space group P21/c, with unit cell dimensions a=10.537(4), b=16.612(5), c=13.837(3) Å, β=111.09(5)°, V=2259.8(12) Å3 in (I) and a=10.525(4), b=16.658(5), c=13.826(3) Å, β=111.11(5) °, V=2261.4(8) Å3 in (II), respectively. The coordinations around the M (Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+) ions in the title complexes are distorted octahedrals. The stereochemistries of the bridge ligands, linking to the metal ions each other, are changed between Ni…M (Cu2+, Zn2+) distances. The Ni…M (Cu2+, Zn2+) distances are 3.0469(13) and 3.0645(14), respectively. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Visual encoding mechanisms and their relationship to text presentation preference
Authors: Pammer Kristen , Lavis Ruth , Cornelissen Piers 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis study was designed to investigate the importance of spatial encoding in reading, with particular emphasis on visuo‐spatial encoding mechanisms. Thirty one school children participated in the first study in which they were measured on their ability to solve a centrally presented spatial encoding task, as well as their sensitivity to the frequency doubling illusion across the retina. We found that both spatial frequency doubling sensitivity and performance in the spatial encoding task were correlated with reading, however these tasks were unrelated to each other. Furthermore, frequency doubling sensitivity was correlated with contextual reading, but not single‐word reading, while the central spatial encoding task was correlated with both reading tasks. These findings may have functional implications for text presentation preference. Accordingly, in Experiment 2 we demonstrated that children with poor FDT sensitivity read more accurately when words were presented singularly rather than in a whole‐text format. In conclusion, we suggest that contextual reading may depend upon two separate and functionally distinct visual encoding mechanisms—one central, important for the spatial discrimination of letters within words, and the other, a spotlighting mechanism important for spatial localization within a body of text. While both mechanisms may constrain reading efficiency, neither mechanism enforces an absolute limit on reading ability. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bringing understanding in societal decision making: explaining and communicating analyses?
Authors: Niculae Carmen , French Simon 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn recent years, there have been growing demands for a more participative approach to societal decision making and a higher level of accountability on the part of politicians and decision makers. Concurrently, the development of the Internet has provided an infrastructure to achieve these ends through substantive e‐democracy. e‐Democracy systems have the potential to draw on developments in decision support systems (DSS), involving stakeholders and the public in societal decisions. We argue that the key need in developing DSS for e‐democracy contexts is to provide interfaces which explain the decision analytic techniques to users with a wide range of abilities, skills and cultures, using as an example an early application of automated explanations within a nuclear emergency management DSS. By building natural language context specific, sometimes graphical explanations, to explain and document the judgements needed in the process, this seeks to make the information from the application's domain knowledge broadly available and understandable. While recognizing that this application is limited, we believe that more sophisticated automated explanation facilities will be essential in e‐democracy systems and we discuss the issues to be faced in developing these. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Supporting societal decision making: a process perspective
Authors: Papamichail K. N. , Robertson I. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractOpaque processes serve to mask the connection between cause and effect. When embedded in the political system, they contribute to the alienation of voters from that system. This article describes an approach to improve transparency of one such process, that of public decision making, in order to better engage with the electorate. The authors propose the adoption of a web‐based process support system in which to construct the decision‐making process such that the elements of the decision model are available at all times for public scrutiny. Two case studies are presented that emphasise the need for openness, transparency, reporting and the exploring of public values in societal decision making. The article outlines the findings of the case studies and discusses how the proposed web‐based system can be used to support participative and democratic decision processes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Restoration of Protein Synthesis in Heart and Skeletal Muscle After Withdrawal of Alcohol
Authors: Vary Thomas C. , Nairn Angus C. , Lang Charles H. 
Published: April 2004

Abstract: Background: The rate of protein synthesis is diminished after chronic alcohol consumption through changes in both mRNA translation initiation and elongation. It remains unknown how long adverse effects of alcohol on protein synthesis persist after withdrawal from ethanol.Methods: We examined the effect of removal of alcohol from the diet of rats for 72 hr after chronic alcohol exposure (16 weeks) on rates of protein synthesis and potential mechanisms for controlling mRNA translation in heart, skeletal muscle, and liver. Rates of protein synthesis were measured after intravenous infusion of [3H]‐l‐phenylalanine. The formation of active eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)4E·eIF4G complex, the cellular content of eukaryotic elongation factor (eEF)1A and eEF2, and the phosphorylation state of eEF2 and S6K1 were measured in each tissue.Results: Withdrawal of alcohol from the diet restored protein synthesis in heart and skeletal muscle to values obtained in pair‐fed control rats not exposed to alcohol. However, the organ weight and protein content per muscle was not affected by withdrawal of alcohol from the diet. In both heart and skeletal muscle, the restoration of protein synthesis correlated with reversal of defects in the formation of active eIF4E·eIF4G complex and eEF1A content. Myocardial eEF2 content was also restored to control values after withdrawal of alcohol from the diet. In the gastrocnemius, there was a decrease in the cellular content of eEF2. The lower eIF2 content may have been counterbalanced by an increased activity of eEF2 through a reduction in the phosphorylation state of eEF2 allowing protein synthesis to proceed unimpeded.Conclusions: These studies indicate that changes in protein metabolism observed during chronic alcohol intake are reversible and do not, at this stage, represent an irreversible change in cardiac or skeletal muscle.
Noncontingent and Response‐Contingent Intravenous Ethanol Attenuates the Effect of Naltrexone on Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Activity in Rhesus Monkeys
Authors: Williams Keith L. , Broadbear Jillian H. , Woods James H. 
Published: April 2004

Abstract: Background: The mechanism by which the opioid antagonist naltrexone suppresses overconsumption of ethanol is unclear. Oral ethanol consumption in humans increases hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) activity, and recent studies suggest that naltrexone may reduce ethanol consumption by modifying the HPA‐stimulating effects of ethanol. The purpose of this study was to measure in rhesus monkeys the effects of ethanol and naltrexone, alone and in combination, on plasma levels of adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH).Methods: Nine adult male and female rhesus monkeys with chronic, indwelling intravenous catheters were maintained on tethers that allowed ethanol delivery and blood sampling. In one study, the monkeys received intramuscular injections of saline or 0.32 mg/kg naltrexone followed by noncontingent intravenous bolus infusions of saline or 0.3 to 1.8 g/kg ethanol. In a second study, other monkeys were given intramuscular injections of saline or 0.01 to 0.3 mg/kg naltrexone and subsequently responded on levers to receive intravenous saline or ethanol 0.03 g/kg per injection.Results: Ethanol, delivered either response contingently or noncontingently, did not produce systematic changes in ACTH plasma levels. Naltrexone alone produced increases in plasma ACTH that were attenuated by the subsequent administration of noncontingent or response‐contingent ethanol. Naltrexone also produced dose‐dependent reductions in intravenous ethanol self‐administration. Linear regression analysis indicated that ethanol intake was negatively correlated with the plasma levels of ACTH over time.Conclusions: The route of administration may modulate ethanol's effects on HPA activity. Ethanol may attenuate naltrexone's effect on the HPA axis by impairing HPA axis sensitivity to other stimuli. The negative correlation between ethanol intake and ACTH levels supports the notion that naltrexone's effect of increasing HPA axis activity may be related to its ability to suppress ethanol consumption.