bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variants of uncoupling protein‐2 gene and obesity: interaction with peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptorγ2
Authors: Mancini Francesco P. , Sabatino Lina , Colantuoni Vittorio , Pasanisi Fabrizio , Finelli Carmine , Contaldo Franco , Masulli Maria , Riccardi Gabriele , Vaccaro Olga 
Published: November 2003

Summaryobjective  To analyse the association of the UCP2 gene, alone or in combination with the PPARγ2 gene, with obesity.design  Cross‐sectional, case–control study.study population  From a working population of 4500 Italian Caucasian employees of the Italian telephone company participating in a firm‐sponsored health screening programme, we selected all those with obesity [n = 122; body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2]. For each case, three nonobese age‐ and sex‐matched individuals were selected as controls from the same population (n = 374). Included in the study were also 76 severely obese (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) patients consecutively admitted to the obesity clinic of the department. Diabetic individuals were excluded.measurements  The −866G/A UCP2 and the Pro12Ala PPARγ2 polymorphisms were determined on genomic DNA of the studied individuals. Several metabolic and anthropometric measures were also obtained, like plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and BMI.results  BMI, plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total and HDL cholesterol were not significantly different in carriers and noncarriers of the −866G/A variant. No significant association was observed between the −866G/A UCP2 gene polymorphism and moderate or severe obesity. This was also observed when the UCP2 polymorphism was analysed in combination with the PPARγ2 polymorphisms.conclusions  The −866G/A variants of the UCP2 gene are not associated with either obesity or other features of the metabolic syndrome in the studied groups of the Italian population. This negative finding is not modified after a combined analysis of the UCP2 polymorphism and the Pro12Ala polymorphism of PPARγ2.
Family interaction and suicidal behaviour: a brief review
Authors: Aldridge David 
Published: November 2003

This paper reviews those research studies which have investigated suicidal behaviour in the context of the family. It is proposed that in families a subculture of distress management develops not from random deviations but from familial and cultural expectations of how distress can be managed. A number of factors are presented indicating suicide potential:

a pattern of marked hostility,
a pattern of role disturbance and role failure,
a process of escalation when developmental crises occur in the management of family life‐cycle transitions,
a symbiotic attachment between partners which tolerates no autonomy,
an intolerance of crisis,
a relationship between the management of crises, family conflict and family organization,
suicidal behaviour as a pattern of communication.

A family tradition of crisis management by symptoms and the presence of intra‐familial conflict are seen as critical variables.
The Quest for a Coherent School Science Curriculum: The Need for an Organizing Principle
Authors: SCHMIDT WILLIAM H. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractAchievement test results from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) suggest that the performance of US students in science is not strong either in terms of international or national standards. Yet, the US is preceived as a world leader in standards‐based and “hands‐on” science reform. In this article I argue that the major policy issue confronting the science community that addresses this apparent disconnect is the development of an organizing principle that would serve to limit the number of essential topics, subordinating some topics in science standards to others. Furthermore, this organizing principle would weave the reduced set of topics into a sequence that is logical and that leads to an unfolding of a key story or stories in science that are intrinsically interesting to students and that provide the basis for understanding science by future literate citizens and not just the memorization of isolated facts to be forgotten when school finishes.
Respiratory symptoms and cotton dust exposure; results of a 15 year follow up observation
Authors: Wang X-R , Eisen E A , Zhang H-X , Sun B-X , Dai H-L , Pan L-D , Wegman D H , Olenchock S A , Christiani D C 
Published: November 2003

Aims:To determine chronic effects of long term exposure to cotton dust and endotoxin on incidence of respiratory symptoms and the effect of cessation of exposure.Methods:Respiratory health in 429 Chinese cotton textile workers (study group) and 449 silk textile workers (control group) was followed prospectively from 1981 to 1996. Byssinosis, chest tightness, and non-specific respiratory symptoms were assessed by means of identical standardised questionnaires at four time points. Exposures to cotton dust and endotoxin were estimated using area samples collected at each survey. Incidence and persistence of symptoms were examined in relation to cumulative exposure and exposure cessation using generalised estimating equations (GEE).Results:Among cotton workers, the cumulative incidence of byssinosis and chest tightness was 24% and 23%, respectively, and was significantly more common in smokers than in non-smokers. A high proportion of symptoms was found to be intermittent, rather than persistent. Among silk workers, no typical byssinosis was identified; the incidence of chest tightness was 10%. Chronic bronchitis, cough, and dyspnoea were more common and persistent in the cotton group than in the silk group. Significantly lower odds ratios for symptoms were observed in cotton workers who left the cotton mills; risk was also related to years since last worked. Multivariate analysis indicated a trend for higher cumulative exposure to endotoxin in relation to a higher risk for byssinosis.Conclusion:Chronic exposure to cotton dust is related to both work specific and non-specific respiratory symptoms. Byssinosis is more strongly associated with exposure to endotoxin than to dust. Cessation of exposure may improve the respiratory health of cotton textile workers; the improvement appears to increase with time since last exposure.
Benzene and naphthalene in air and breath as indicators of exposure to jet fuel
Authors: Egeghy P P , Hauf-Cabalo L , Gibson R , Rappaport S M 
Published: November 2003

Aims:To estimate exposures to benzene and naphthalene among military personnel working with jet fuel (JP-8) and to determine whether naphthalene might serve as a surrogate for JP-8 in studies of health effects.Methods:Benzene and naphthalene were measured in air and breath of 326 personnel in the US Air Force, who had been assigned a priori into low, moderate, and high exposure categories for JP-8.Results:Median air concentrations for persons in the low, moderate, and high exposure categories were 3.1, 7.4, and 252 µg benzene/m3air, 4.6, 9.0, and 11.4 µg benzene/m3breath, 1.9, 10.3, and 485 µg naphthalene/m3air, and 0.73, 0.93, and 1.83 µg naphthalene/m3breath, respectively. In the moderate and high exposure categories, 5% and 15% of the benzene air concentrations, respectively, were above the 2002 threshold limit value (TLV) of 1.6 mg/m3. Multiple regression analyses of air and breath levels revealed prominent background sources of benzene exposure, including cigarette smoke. However, naphthalene exposure was not unduly influenced by sources other than JP-8. Among heavily exposed workers, dermal contact with JP-8 contributed to air and breath concentrations along with several physical and environmental factors.Conclusions:Personnel having regular contact with JP-8 are occasionally exposed to benzene at levels above the current TLV. Among heavily exposed workers, uptake of JP-8 components occurs via both inhalation and dermal contact. Naphthalene in air and breath can serve as useful measures of exposure to JP-8 and uptake of fuel components in the body.
Immunopathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes in Western Society
Authors: Paronen Johanna , Eisenbarth George S. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe classical type 1A diabetes or insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus is a chronic immune‐mediated disease that leads to selective loss of insulin‐secreting β‐cells in the pancreas. This results in a series of complex metabolic aberrations that produce micro‐ and macrovascular complications, increasing morbidity and mortality. Despite decades of intense study of both humans and animal models (the biobreeding rat and nonobese diabetic mouse) to characterize the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes, there is at present no demonstrated safe and effective preventive therapy. There has been a dramatic increase in the biochemical identification of islet autoantigens and in the definition of alleles of genes associated with diabetes susceptibility. With increasing ability to predict the disorder, trials for the prevention of diabetes have begun.
Nondestructive Evaluation
Authors: Bhardwaj Mahesh C. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractUltrasound is widely used in health care for noninvasive diagnostics and in industry for nondestructive testing. In the human body, it generates visual images from inside the test medium: the fetus, malignant tissue, stones, etc. In industrial applications, besides defect detection, ultrasound is also useful for determining significant material characteristics such as density, thickness, mechanical properties, and level sensing. Knowledge of ultrasonically analyzed information is important for human health as well as for cost‐effective production of quality industrial materials.The significance of ultrasound for nondestructive characterization of materials and for noninvasive diagnostic applications in the medical field is outlined. The feasibility of noncontact ultrasonic measurements in the time, frequency, and image domains is shown.Underscoring the significance of the noncontact ultrasound mode, a detailed discussion about the difficulty of achieving this mode is presented. This work ultimately resulted in very high transduction noncontact transducers, thus making the noncontact ultrasound mode a reality. Applications of these transducers in industry and the medical field have been described by using documentary evidence.An introduction to a novel ultrasonic noncontact analyzer and its applications for characterizing industrial and biomedical materials and products are provided.The noncontact ultrasound mode is among the most significant developments for characterizing and analyzing all states of matter. Selected examples of its applications are provided.
Sound Control with Smart Skins
Authors: Fuller C.R. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractIn the last decade, there has been an increased interest in developing methods for the active control of sound radiation from vibrating structures. In one promising method, termed active structural acoustic control (ASAC), actuators are attached directly to the structure and are used to modify its structural vibration characteristics (spatial and temporal) in order to minimize the sound radiation. In ASAC, the actuators tend to be compact and thus cover only a very small portion of the structure; their effect is achieved because of the distributed elastic response of the structure. This technique has worked well for a number of applications, usually where the structure has a reasonable mobility and a low modal density of response. In some applications, however, the structure is quite massive or stiff, and it is extremely difficult to elicit the necessary control field response with practical control actuators. In this article a variant of the ASAC approach in which the control inputs come from asmartoractive skinthat covers all or most of the vibrating surface is discussed.The objective of the smart skin is to locally change the radiation impedance (the resistive component) of the structure in order to control the total radiated power in contrast to the conventional ASAC, which alters the dynamic response of the host structure. The sound radiation levels are directly coupled to the normal displacement of the smart skin. Thus modification of the transfer function between the structural displacement and the smart skin displacement will lead to a change in sound radiation. This modification can occur via a decrease in the amplitude, thus decreasing the sound levels, or via a change in the amplitude distribution causing the normal skin surface to be an inefficient sound radiation over an extended area. Since it does not drive the host structure, an active skin is suitable for heavy or stiff structures with low mobility. The negative trade‐off, however, of the active skin approach, is that since it covers the structure completely, it may require many independent sections if the structural response is complex and near or above the sound radiation critical frequency. For illustrative purposes, two different skins are described: one based on a composite of acoustic foam and the piezoelectric polymer PVDF and the other on ceramic piezoelectric elements arranged in a motion amplification configuration.
Vibrational Damping, Design Considerations
Authors: Drake Michael 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThis article discusses the phases of a damping design effort. The basic steps in a damping design effort are identical for either a passive or active damping concept. The steps in this general approach are summarized. The first four steps in this design process ensure that the designer completely defines the problem to be solved. During these steps, the designer verifies that the problem is the result of a resonant vibration, defines the vibrational characteristics of the structure under consideration, defines the environmental conditions in which the structure operates, and defines the level of damping required to solve the problem. These parameters are obviously needed because an effective design for the candidate damping concept (either active or passive) depends on the level of damping required, the frequency and mode shape, and the operational temperature range of the vibrating system. Based on these parameters, the problem is completely defined, and the designer can make a logical choice of appropriate damping concepts to be evaluated that lead to the final design.Although this design approach identifies individual steps, these steps are not independent. A successful damping design project is a systems engineering problem and must be solved using a concurrent engineering process. Most unsuccessfully damping designs are the direct result of not addressing all of the critical issues in a timely manner. The critical tasks contained in each of the process steps and present examples from actual case histories of the way various issues were addressed are detailed.
Regulation of the Commercial Uses of Microorganisms
Authors: Glass David J. 
Published: November 2003

Abstract

Commercial Uses of Microorganisms

History of Biotechnology Regulation

The Potential Environmental Impacts of Introducing Engineered Microorganisms into the Environment

EPA Regulation of Microbial Pesticides Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act

EPA Biotechnology Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act

U.S. Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Regulations

Other U.S. Biotechnology Regulation

Biotechnology Regulation Outside the United States
Capillary Electrophoresis in Genetic Analysis and Ribotyping of Microbiota in the Environment
Authors: Mitchelson Keith R. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractGenetic Classification by DNA PolymorphismRibotypingRibotyping and PhylogenyCapillary Electrophoresis for High‐Throughput DNA Polymorphism AssaysTools for RibotypingScanning Methods Employing Capillary ElectrophoresisPulsed‐Field Capillary ElectrophoresisCapillary Array ElectrophoresisParamagnetic Beads and RibotypingFuture DevelopmentsWhole Microbial Analysis
Reductive Dehalogenation and Metabolism of Haloorganics
Authors: Zinder Stephen H. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractIntroductionCometabolic Reductive DechlorinationReductive Dechlorination and DehalorespirationChloroethene UtilizationChlorinated Methane and Trichloroacetate UtilizationChlorophenol and Bromophenol UtilizationReductive Dehalogenation of other Organohalogen Compounds by Mixed Microbial PopulationsBiochemistry and Molecular Biology of Reductive DechlorinationBioremediation Studies
Landfilling of Municipal Solid Wastes: Microbiological Processes and Environmental Impacts
Authors: Watson‐Craik I. A. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractMSW Decomposition and StabilizationFactors Influencing Gas Yield and CollectionBiodegradation and Inhibition by Xenobiotic ConstituentsInhibition by Inorganic MSW Constituents and Generated CompoundsPopulation StudiesEnvironmental Impacts of MSW LandfillsSustainable Waste Management
Hepatitis Viruses (HAV‐HEV)
Authors: Aye Myint Khin Saw , Campbell James R. , Corwin Andrew L. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractHepatitis AStabilityAnimal ReservoirVirus ExcretionVirus TransmissionMethods of HAV DetectionPreventionHepatitis EStabilityAnimal ReservoirVirus ExcretionVirus TransmissionMethods of Virus DetectionPrevention
Bacteriophage Detection Methodologies
Authors: Pillai Suresh D. , Nwachuku Nena 
Published: November 2003

AbstractRecovery of Bacteriophages from Groundwater and Drinking WaterISO Method for the Enumeration of Somatic ColiphagesISO Method for the Enumeration of Bacteriophages InfectingB. FragilisQualitative Detection of Coliphages in Source Water—U.S. EPA Method 1601Quantitative Detection of Coliphages in Source Water—U.S. EPA Method 1602Other MethodsColorimetric Detection of BacteriophagesRecovery of Bacteriophages from Soils and BiosolidsRecovery of Coliphages from ShellfishRecovery of Bacteriophages from Aerosol SamplesMolecular Detection and Characterization of BacteriophagesGene Amplification–Based Methods
Sulfur Cycle in Soils
Authors: Germida James J. , Siciliano Steve D. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractGlobal Sulfur CycleMicrobial Transformations of Sulfur (see also Sulfur Cycle in the Marine Environment, this Encyclopedia)Microbial Oxidation of Inorganic Sulfur CompoundsMicrobial Reduction of Inorganic Sulfur Compounds
Viruses and Protozoan Parasites in Aquatic Sediments
Authors: Karim Mohammad R. , Gerba Charles P. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractOccurrence of Viruses and Parasites in Aquatic SedimentsDetection of Parasites in the SedimentSurvival of Viruses in SedimentsSurvival of Protozoan Parasites in Sediments
Desulfurization of Fossil Fuels
Authors: Ohshiro Takashi , Izumi Yoshikazu 
Published: November 2003

AbstractMicrobial Degradation and Desulfurization of DibenzothiopheneGenes for DBT DesulfurizationEnzymes for DBT DesulfurizationEffect of Hydrocarbon on Microbial DBT DesulfurizationDesulfurization of DBT Derivatives or Petroleum FeedstocksCoal Desulfurization
Metabolism of Mixtures of Organic Substrates
Authors: Egli Thomas 
Published: November 2003

AbstractLaboratory Versus Nature: Contrasting Scenarios for Pollutant BiodegradationBatch Culture Systems: Diauxic Growth Versus Mixed Substrate GrowthMixed Substrate Growth in Continuous Culture Systems Limited by the Carbon/Energy SourceThreshold Concentrations for Utilization and Induction
Microbial Flocs Suspended Biofilms
Authors: Liss Steven N. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractEnvironmental Significance of Flocs in Natural and Engineered SystemsStructural and Physicochemical Properties of FlocDiffusional Gradients in Microbial FlocInterfacial Forces in Floc FormationMechanisms of Floc FormationPhysiological Factors Affecting Floc Formation and PropertiesMethods for Analyzing FlocAcknowledgments
Stress Response in Bacteria: Heat Shock
Authors: de Macario Everly Conway , Macario Alberto J. L. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractTerminologyRetrospective and DefinitionsBeyond CellsPropertiesHeat Shock and Other StressorsHeat‐Shock ProteinsRegulationRegulatory Circuits and NetworksProteolysisChaperones and Proteases in RegulationNew Looks of an Old ThemeThermotolerance and the Future
Planktonic Microorganisms: Bacterioplankton
Authors: Ochs Clifford A. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractPlanktonBacterioplanktonThe Physicochemical Environment of Aquatic EcosystemsBacterioplankton Modes of Energy Conservation and Carbon MetabolismBacterioplankton Taxonomic DiversityA Modern View of Bacterioplankton Taxonomic DiversityBacterioplankton of the Domain BacteriaBacterioplankton of the Domain ArchaeaSpatial and Temporal Patterns in Bacterioplankton Metabolism and Taxonomic DiversityBacterioplankton Abundance, Biomass, and ProductionThe Factors that Control How Fast Bacterioplankton GrowBacterioplankton MortalityThe Ecological Significance of the BacterioplanktonImportance in the Food WebThe Major Questions Regarding Bacterioplankton
Prognostic Factors: Principles and Applications
Authors: Gospodarowicz Mary K. , O'Sullivan Brian , Koh Eng‐Siew 
Published: November 2003

Abstract
Since the beginning of time, man has wanted to prognosticate, or “know before.” This desire explains the popularity of psychics and astrologers. After the birth of the idea of chance, prediction of the future has been largely handed over to statisticians. In studies of cancer and other diseases, identification of prognostic factors is the present‐day equivalent of predicting the future. Nonetheless, it would be implausible to believe that we can predict precisely for the individual patient. In reality, all we can provide are statements of probability, and even these are more accurate for groups of patients, the study of whom provides us with our knowledge about prognosis. Furthermore, the practical management of cancer patients requires us to make predictions and decisions for individuals, and the challenge of prognostication is to link the individual patient to the collective population of patients with the same disease.
In this chapter we deal with the rationale for prognostic factors and describe classifications of these factors with attention to those used in this book. We also discuss potential endpoints relevant to oncology, the taxonomy of prognostic factors, and their applications in practice. Most importantly, we introduce a concept of a management scenario that forms the basis for defining prognosis at a given point in the course of disease.
Extrahepatic Bile Ducts
Authors: Sobin L.H. , Wittekind Ch. 
Published: November 2003

Abstract

The TNM system is used to describe and classify cancer stages and progression based on the assessment of three components:

T

The extent of the primary tumour

N

The absence or presence and extent of regional lymph node metastasis

M

The absence or presence of distant metastasis.

TNM classification for the above site is described under the following headings:

Rules for classification with the procedures for assessing T, N, and M categories; additional methods may be used when they enhance the accuracy of appraisal before treatment

Anatomical sites and subsites where appropriate

Definition of the regional lymph nodes

TNM Clinical classification

pTNM Pathological classification

G Histopathological grading

Stage grouping

Summary
Carcinoma of Skin (Excluding Eyelid, Vulva, and Penis)
Authors: Sobin L.H. , Wittekind Ch. 
Published: November 2003

Abstract

The TNM system is used to describe and classify cancer stages and progression based on the assessment of three components:

T

The extent of the primary tumour

N

The absence or presence and extent of regional lymph node metastasis

M

The absence or presence of distant metastasis.

TNM classification for the above site is described under the following headings:

Rules for classification with the procedures for assessing T, N, and M categories; additional methods may be used when they enhance the accuracy of appraisal before treatment

Anatomical sites and subsites where appropriate

Definition of the regional lymph nodes

TNM Clinical classification

pTNM Pathological classification

G Histopathological grading

Stage grouping

Summary