bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increases in cytosolic calcium, but not fluid flow, affect aggrecan mRNA levels in articular chondrocytes
Authors: Alford A.I. , Yellowley C.E. , Jacobs C.R. , Donahue H.J. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractFluctuations in intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) is thought to be one mechanism by which cells transduce mechanical signals into biological responses. Primary cultures of bovine articular chondrocytes (BAC) respond to oscillating fluid flow with a transient rise in [Ca2+]i. However, specific down‐stream effects of [Ca2+]i on gene expression and phenotype in BAC remain to be defined. The present work was designed to determine whether [Ca2+]i mobilization regulates aggrecan mRNA levels. [Ca2+]i was transiently elevated by exposing BAC to the [Ca2+]‐specific ionophore, ionomycin. The results show that ionomycin increases [Ca2+]i in a dose‐dependent fashion. Semi‐quantitative real time (RT)‐PCR was used to study the effects of increased [Ca2+]i on steady state levels of aggrecan mRNA. Four hours after a brief exposure to 1.5 μM ionomycin, BAC displayed a nearly four‐fold decrease in aggrecan mRNA levels compared to control cells. This effect of ionomycin on aggrecan mRNA was no longer evident 6 or 10 h later. Despite previous observations that oscillating fluid flow elicits increased [Ca2+]i in BAC, it did not affect aggrecan mRNA levels. Taken together, these data suggest that ionomycin‐induced [Ca2+]i fluctuations regulate aggrecan mRNA levels, but that flow induced [Ca2+]i fluctuations do not. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Induction of stromelysin‐1 (MMP‐3) by fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) in FGF‐2−/− microvascular endothelial cells requires prolonged activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases‐1 and ‐2 (ERK‐1/2)
Authors: Pintucci Giuseppe , Yu Pey‐Jen , Sharony Ram , Baumann F. Gregory , Saponara Fiorella , Frasca Antonio , Galloway Aubrey C. , Moscatelli David , Mignatti Paolo 
Published: November 2003

AbstractBasic fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐2) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play key roles in vascular remodeling. Because FGF‐2 controls a number of proteolytic activities in various cell types, we tested its effect on vascular endothelial cell expression of MMP‐3 (stromelysin‐1), a broad‐spectrum proteinase implicated in coronary atherosclerosis. Endothelial cells (EC) from FGF‐2−/− mice are highly responsive to exogenous FGF‐2 and were therefore used for this study. The results showed that treatment of microvascular EC with human recombinant FGF‐2 results in strong induction of MMP‐3 mRNA and protein expression. Upregulation of MMP‐3 mRNA by FGF‐2 requires de novo protein synthesis and activation of the ERK‐1/2 pathway. FGF‐2 concentrations (5–10 ng/ml) that induce rapid and prolonged (24 h) activation of ERK‐1/2 upregulate MMP‐3 expression. In contrast, lower concentrations (1–2 ng/ml) that induce robust but transient (<8 h) ERK‐1/2 activation are ineffective. Inhibition of ERK‐1/2 activation at different times (−0.5 h to +8 h) of EC treatment with effective FGF‐2 concentrations blocks MMP‐3 upregulation. Thus, FGF‐2 induces EC expression of MMP‐3 with a threshold dose effect that requires sustained activation of the ERK‐1/2 pathway. Because FGF‐2 controls other EC functions with a linear dose effect, these features indicate a unique role of MMP‐3 in vascular remodeling. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
IGF‐I and MAP kinase involvement in the stimulatory effects of LNCaP prostate cancer cell conditioned media on cell proliferation and protein synthesis in MC3T3‐E1 osteoblastic cells
Authors: Bhattacharyya Rumi S. , Stern Paula H. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractBone metastases from prostate cancer cause abnormal new bone formation, however, the factors involved and the pathways leading to the response are incompletely defined. We investigated the mechanisms of osteoblast stimulatory effects of LNCaP prostate carcinoma cell conditioned media (CM). MC3T3‐E1 osteoblastic cells were cultured with CM from confluent LNCaP cells. LNCaP CM stimulated MAP kinase, cell proliferation (3H‐thymidine incorporation), and protein synthesis (14C‐proline incorporation) in the MC3T3‐E1 cells. The increases in cell proliferation and protein synthesis were prevented by inhibition of the MAP kinase pathway. IGF‐I mimicked the effects of the CM on the MC3T3‐E1 cells and inhibition of IGF‐I action decreased the LNCaP CM stimulation of 3H‐thymidine and 14C‐proline incorporation and MAP kinase activity. The findings indicate that IGF‐I is an important factor for the stimulatory effects of LNCaP cell CM on cell proliferation and protein synthesis in osteoblastic cells, and that MAP kinase is a component of the signaling pathway for these effects. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coplanar waveguide structures loaded with split‐ring resonators
Authors: Falcone F. , Martín F. , Bonache J. , Marqués R. , Sorolla M. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractCoplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission lines periodically coupled to split‐ring resonators (SRRs) are analyzed, designed, and characterized. Due to inductive coupling between the lines and SRRs, signal propagation is inhibited in the vicinity of the resonant frequency of the rings. The result is a stop‐band behavior that can be of interest for the elimination of frequency parasitics in CPW‐based devices. Two different approaches are envisaged: a uniplanar structure, where CPW and rings share the same metal level; and a bimetal structure with SRRs etched on the back side of the substrate. It has been found that the latter exhibits almost negligible insertion losses in the pass band, and sharp cutoff and a high level of rejection in the stop band, with few unit cells. Since ring dimensions are small compared to the signal wavelength at resonance, the proposed SRR‐CPWs are very promising for the design of miniaturized microwave circuits. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 40: 3–6, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11269
Numerical analysis of a fiber connected to an inhomogeneous embedded waveguide with rectangular cross‐section
Authors: Momoda M. , Miyamoto T. , Yasumoto K. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe Fourier series expansion method is applied to realize an accurate full‐vectorial analysis of the problem of a step‐index optical fiber connected to an inhomogeneous embedded optical waveguide with rectangular cross section, using periodic boundary conditions in both transverse directions. Using this method, the Maxwell's equations in the waveguide system are reduced to a simple eigenvalue problem of a linear system for the Fourier coefficients. Then the behavior of the transmitted and reflected powers of the guided and radiation modes is clarified for each gap distance and transverse shift between the two waveguides, and compared with the cases of the homogeneous embedded waveguide and different transverse refractive index variations. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 40: 14–18, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11272
Performance improvements in XGM‐based wavelength converters with converted signal feedback
Authors: Sun Junqiang 
Published: November 2003

AbstractA large‐signal theoretical model is presented for wavelength conversion using cross‐gain modulation (XGM) in semiconductor optical amplifiers with converted signal feedback. Theoretical results on the performance of the converter, in terms of extinction ratio, frequency chirping, and conversion speed, are discussed and analyzed. The converter performance can be enhanced and restrictions of the low‐facet reflectivity can be relaxed due to the enhancement of the carrier–photon interaction. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 40: 18–22, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11274
Modelling of microstrip antennas on a finite ground plane using the 2D physical optics model
Authors: Volski Vladimir , Vandenbosch Guy A. E. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractA method for the computation of radiation patterns of microstrip antennas on a finite ground plane is presented. The method is based on the geometrical theory of diffraction and the 2D physical optics model. The diffraction of space waves and surface waves is taken into consideration. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 40: 26–29, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11276
Fast semivectorial non‐linear finite‐difference beam‐propagation method
Authors: de‐Oliva‐Rubio J. , Molina‐Fernández I. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractIn this paper a new semivectorial finite‐difference beam‐propagation method (FD‐BPM) technique for the analysis of nonlinear optical devices is presented. The proposed technique relies on the application of the Runge–Kutta method to perform each propagation step; it is easier to use than the Crank–Nicholson‐based FDBPM method and exhibits better numerical performance. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 40: 73–77, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11288
Investigation of alternatives to methyl bromide for management of Meloidogyne javanica on greenhouse grown tomato
Authors: Tzortzakakis Emmanuel A , Petsas Serafim E 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe root galling index and the densities of eggs in roots and juveniles in soil of the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitwood on tomato, and the effect of these on crop yield were assessed in greenhouse experiments applying various treatments at two different sites in Crete, Greece. Tomato crops were grown for four cycles by rotating nematode‐resistant (first and third spring crops) with susceptible (second and fourth autumn crops) cultivars and receiving the following treatments: (a) untreated control; (b) methyl bromide application before the first and third crops; (c) application of the fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (Goddard) Zare, Gams & Evans before planting the first, third and fourth crops with a supplementary application three weeks after the beginning of the fourth crop; (d) application of oxamyl in both sites and fenamiphos in site 1 only at the second and fourth crops; (e) combination of treatments (c) and (d). The fungus density in soil was monitored three weeks after application and at the end of each crop, when roots were lifted. Pochonia chlamydosporia had a variable establishment and did not control the nematode. Its pathogenicity on eggs was not demonstrated, as in all cases galls were big, with all egg masses inside and protected from infection. The methyl bromide treatment significantly reduced root galling and egg production compared to other treatments in all crop cycles and the yield of the fourth crop was significantly greater. Nematicides reduced nematode densities compared with untreated controls and the fungus treatment, but they were less effective than methyl bromide and resulted in increased yield in one site only. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry
Multiple mechanisms account for variation in base‐line sensitivity to azole fungicides in field isolates of Mycosphaerella graminicola
Authors: Stergiopoulos Ioannis , van Nistelrooy Johannes GM , Kema Gert HJ , De Waard Maarten A 
Published: November 2003

AbstractMolecular mechanisms that account for variation in base‐line sensitivity to azole fungicides were examined in a collection of twenty field isolates, collected in France and Germany, of the wheat pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola (Fuckel) Schroeter. The isolates tested represent the wide base‐line sensitivity to the azole fungicide tebuconazole described previously. The isolates were cross‐sensitive to other azoles tested, such as cyproconazole and ketoconazole, but not to unrelated chemicals like cycloheximide, kresoxim‐methyl or rhodamine 6G. Progenies from a genetic cross between an isolate with an intermediate and a high sensitivity to azoles displayed a continuous range of phenotypes with respect to cyproconazole sensitivity, indicating that variation in azole sensitivity in this haploid organism is polygenic. The basal level of expression of the ATP‐binding cassette transporter genes MgAtr1‐MgAtr5 from M graminicola significantly varied amongst the isolates tested, but no clear increase in the transcript level of a particular MgAtr gene was found in the less sensitive isolates. Cyproconazole strongly induced expression of MgAtr4, but no correlation between expression levels of this gene and azole sensitivity was observed. One isolate with intermediate sensitivity to azoles over‐expressed CYP51, encoding cytochrome P450 sterol 14α‐demethylase from M graminicola. Isolates with a low or high sensitivity to azoles were tested for accumulation of cyproconazole, but no clear correlation between reduced accumulation of the fungicide in mycelium and sensitivity to azoles was observed. Therefore, differences in accumulation cannot account exclusively for the variation in base‐line sensitivity of the isolates to azoles. The results indicate that multiple mechanisms account for differences in base‐line sensitivity to azoles in field isolates of M graminicola. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry
An on‐line performance visualization technology
Authors: Bakić Aleksandar M. , Mutka Matt W. , Rover Diane T. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractA new software technology for on‐line performance analysis and the visualization of complex parallel and distributed systems is presented. Often heterogeneous, these systems need capabilities for the flexible integration and configuration of performance analysis and visualization. Our technology is based on an object‐oriented framework for the rapid prototyping and development of distributable visual objects. The visual objects consist of two levels, a platform/device‐specific low level and an analysis‐ and visualization‐specific high level. We have developed a very high‐level markup language called VOML and a compiler for the component‐based development of high‐level visual objects. The VOML is based on a software architecture for on‐line event processing and performance visualization called EPIRA. The technology lends itself to constructing high‐level visual objects from globally distributed component definitions. Details of the technology and tools used, as well as how an example visual object can be rapidly prototyped from several reusable components, are presented. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implementation of visual languages using pattern‐based specifications
Authors: Schmidt Carsten , Kastens Uwe 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe implementation of visual languages requires a wide range of conceptual and technical knowledge from issues of user interface design and graphical implementation to aspects of analysis and transformation for languages in general. We present a powerful toolset that incorporates such knowledge. Our toolset generates editors from high‐level specifications. A language is specified by identifying certain patterns in the language structure and selecting a visual representation from a set of precoined solutions. Visual programs are represented by attributed abstract trees. Therefore, further phases of processing visual programs can be generated by state‐of‐the‐art tools for language implementation. We demonstrate that even challenging visual languages can be implemented with reasonably little effort and with rather limited technical knowledge. The approach is suitable for a large variety of visual language styles. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vices of Inattention
Authors: Jenni Kathie 
Published: November 2003

abstract  Why do we routinely betray moral commitments that, in some sense, we authentically embrace? One explanation involves inattention: failure to attend to morally important aspects of our lives. Inattention ranges from an unmotivated lack of focus, or “simple” inattention, to more purposeful and wilful self‐deception. Self‐deception has received exhaustive and insightful treatment by philosophers and psychologists; what remains unexamined is the less complex, but more pervasive phenomenon of simple inattention. Since inattention is at least equally important in accounting for our routine moral failures, this gap is an important one to fill. In this essay I examine moral dimensions of inattention: what makes it problematic, what vices it reflects, what duties we have to overcome it, and how we might try to do that. I argue that inattention obscures responsibilities to prevent harm, erodes autonomy, manifests a lack of virtue, and undermines integrity. For these reasons, we have obligations of attentiveness. I propose that we should attend (at least) to apparent violations of our moral values in which we are personally implicated, which we have power to affect, and to which we have been directed by clues that something is amiss. I end with practical suggestions for enhancing our attentiveness.
Facial asymmetry – 3D assessment of infants with cleft lip & palate
Authors: Hood C. A. , Bock M. , Hosey M. T. , Bowman A. , Ayoub A. F. 
Published: November 2003

Summary.Objectives.  To determine the degree of facial asymmetry in infants with unilateral cleft lip and/or palate, and quantify improvements following primary surgery, in three dimensions.Design.  The faces of 20 infants with unilateral clefts (10 UCL; 10 UCLP), and 20 age‐matched, non‐cleft controls, were captured using the C3D™ stereophotogrammetry system prior to primary lip/nose repair (at 3 months), at 6 months and at age 1 year.Methods.  Procrustes techniques were applied to 3D landmark configurations to its mirror image. Mean squared distances between landmarks and their antimeres were calculated and expressed as asymmetry scores for each 3D configuration. Full‐face, nose and lip median scores were compared and changes with time evaluated (P < 0·01).Results.  There were no significant changes in asymmetry scores in the control group from 3 months to 1 year. The UCLP group was more asymmetric than the UCL group, displaying greatest improvement in nasal symmetry following primary repair. The lips continued to improve over time. The UCL group had significant nasal asymmetry, which did not appear to improve with primary surgery.Conclusions.  Immediate improvement in asymmetry scores in children with UCLP is related to the production of a more symmetrical nasal form after primary surgery. In contrast, the nasal asymmetry seen in children with UCL is unchanged despite surgery. Full face asymmetry scores may mask subtle changes over time. Nasal and lip asymmetry should be considered individually.
Asthma and tooth erosion. Is there an association?
Authors: Dugmore C. R. , Rock W. P. 
Published: November 2003

Summary.Objectives.  To investigate whether there is an association between asthma and tooth erosion in a representative random sample of adolescents in the East Midlands.Methods.  A random sample of 1753 12‐year‐old children was examined in all schools in Leicestershire and Rutland. 1308 children were re‐examined 2 years later. Tooth erosion was assessed using the index employed in the Children's Dental Health in the UK Survey 1993. Asthma presence was recorded on a self‐completed questionnaire at the time of the 12 years examination. Data on asthma prescribing over a one year period was obtained from the Prescription Pricing Authority.Results.  Asthma was present in 16·8% of 12‐year‐olds. Tooth erosion was recorded in 59% of children with asthma and in 59·7% who were asthma free. There was no significant difference in erosion prevalence between asthmatics and asthma free in a cohort of children at age 12 or 14 years, and the incidence of erosion was 12·8% and 12·3%, respectively. 88% of drugs prescribed for treatment of asthma had a pH above the critical pH of 5·5.Conclusion.  There was no association between asthma and tooth erosion. The majority of drugs prescribed for the treatment of asthma are not potentially erosive.
Communal roosts as structured information centres in the raven, Corvus corax
Authors: Wright Jonathan , Stone Richard E. , Brown Nigel 
Published: November 2003

Summary

Ravens (Corvus corax, L.) feed on rich but ephemeral carcasses of large animals. Non‐breeding juveniles forage socially and aggregate in communal winter roosts, which may function as ‘information centres’ regarding food locations.
In a large roost in North Wales, regurgitated pellets on the forest floor contained a variety of prey remains, which were more similar for ravens that had roosted close together the same night.
Sheep carcasses placed at varying distances from the roost were baited with colour‐coded plastic beads. These were ingested and regurgitated in pellets back at the roost in aggregations, the spatial distribution of which consistently reflected the geographical location of bait sites.
Aggregations of beads at the roost grew daily with an increasing radius centred upon the first pellet per carcass. This mirrored the linear increase of six birds per day in the size of groups flying between roost and carcass each morning. Rates of recruitment were greater for carcasses closer to the roost.
Groups were led by a single bird roosting centrally within the aggregation. When individually identifiable (37·5% of cases), these individuals were dominant at the carcass and were among the minority of birds involved in acrobatic display flights at preroost gatherings.
When contrasted with data on two alternative groups of ravens peripheral to the main roost which foraged and roosted collectively, these results provide strong circumstantial evidence for raven roosts as structured information centres. The adaptive basis for competitive recruitment resulting in excessively large group sizes is also discussed.
Life‐history consequences of partial‐moult asymmetry
Authors: Brommer Jon E. , Pihlajamäki Outi , Kolunen Heikki , Pietiäinen Hannu 
Published: November 2003

SummaryExperiments have shown that asymmetry in flight feathers reduces flight performance. Large birds moult only part of their flight feathers during one season. We explore the asymmetry in the pattern of partial moult of flight feathers.We compared the partial‐moult pattern of all 10 primary and the 10 outermost secondary feathers on the right vs. the left wing of 327 Ural owl females. We counted the number of asymmetrically moulted feather positions. The number of feathers moulted affects the potential asymmetry in partial moult. We used bootstrapping to correct for this dependency.Females moulted especially their primary feathers, but also their secondary feathers, more symmetrically than expected by chance. Ural owls moulted fewer feathers after breeding than after not breeding, but the moult pattern was not more asymmetric than expected by chance. Partial‐moult asymmetry did not correlate with current reproductive output (laying date), but the asymmetry in primaries was associated with a reduced probability to survive to the next breeding season.Developmental homeostasis in partial moult appears to be under stabilizing survival selection. Partial‐moult asymmetry may link current reproductive expenditure to the next season and may serve as a tool for biomonitoring populations of large birds.