bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Chiari‐like Malformations in Clinically Unaffected Dogs
Authors: Harcourt‐Brown T.R. , Campbell J. , Warren‐Smith C. , Jeffery N.D. , Granger N.P.
Published: October 2014

Background

The importance of Chiari‐like malformation (CM) in the generation of clinical signs or the formation of syringomyelia in dogs is incompletely understood, partly because the prevalence of various CM definitions in unaffected dogs is unknown.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The aims were: to estimate the prevalence of CM in dogs asymptomatic for CM or syringomyelia, according to 3 currently used definitions; and, to investigate the effect of brachycephaly and head position during magnetic resonance (MR) imaging on estimates of the prevalence of CM.

Animals

One ninety‐nine client‐owned dogs without apparent signs of CM or syringomyelia.

Methods

Blinded, retrospective analysis. Archived MR images were analyzed for evidence of cerebellar indentation and impaction into or herniation through the foramen magnum. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship of CM diagnosis with head position and the cranial index (a measure of brachycephaly).

Results

In 185 non‐Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) dogs, indentation was identified in 44% (95% CI, 47–51%) and impaction in 22% (95% CI, 16–28%). No asymptomatic, non‐CKCS dogs showed herniation. Regression analysis showed a significant increase in the odds of indentation and impaction in an extended head position and as the cranial index increased (became more brachycephalic).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The high prevalence of cerebellar indentation and impaction suggests that they may be normal anatomical variations and therefore unsuitable as definitions of CM. We suggest that future research into CM in dogs should define cases and controls more strictly so that overlap between normal and abnormal animals is minimized.
L2 Learners’ Assessments of Accentedness, Fluency, and Comprehensibility of Native and Nonnative German Speech
Authors: O'Brien Mary Grantham
Published: October 2014

In early stages of classroom language learning, many adult second language (L2) learners communicate primarily with one another, yet we know little about which speech stream characteristics learners tune into or the extent to which they understand this lingua franca communication. In the current study, 25 native English speakers learning German as a L2 with varying levels of German proficiency rated German speech produced by native speakers and fellow learners of German along three continua: accentedness, fluency, and comprehensibility. An examination of speech stream (i.e., phonological, fluency based, and lexical/grammatical) characteristics along with partial correlations indicates both that the raters distinguished among the three concepts but that they conflated the term fluency with proficiency. Self‐reported proficiency in German and linguistic training were the best predictors of the ratings assigned.
Molecular basis for the reverse reaction of African human trypanosomes glycerol kinase
Authors: Balogun Emmanuel Oluwadare , Inaoka Daniel Ken , Shiba Tomoo , Kido Yasutoshi , Tsuge Chiaki , Nara Takeshi , Aoki Takashi , Honma Teruki , Tanaka Akiko , Inoue Masayuki , Matsuoka Shigeru , Michels Paul A. M. , Kita Kiyoshi , Harada Shigeharu
Published: October 2014

The glycerol kinase (GK) of African human trypanosomes is compartmentalized in their glycosomes. Unlike the host GK, which under physiological conditions catalyzes only the forward reaction (ATP‐dependent glycerol phosphorylation), trypanosome GK can additionally catalyze the reverse reaction. In fact, owing to this unique reverse catalysis, GK is potentially essential for the parasites survival in the human host, hence a promising drug target. The mechanism of its reverse catalysis was unknown; therefore, it was not clear if this ability was purely due to its localization in the organelles or whether structure‐based catalytic differences also contribute. To investigate this lack of information, the X‐ray crystal structure of this protein was determined up to 1.90 Å resolution, in its unligated form and in complex with three natural ligands. These data, in conjunction with results from structure‐guided mutagenesis suggests that the trypanosome GK is possibly a transiently autophosphorylating threonine kinase, with the catalytic site formed by non‐conserved residues. Our results provide a series of structural peculiarities of this enzyme, and gives unexpected insight into the reverse catalysis mechanism. Together, they provide an encouraging molecular framework for the development of trypanosome GK‐specific inhibitors, which may lead to the design of new and safer trypanocidal drug(s).
Magnesium as an adjuvant for caudal analgesia in children
Authors: Kim Eun Mi , Kim Min‐Soo , Han Seok‐Joo , Moon Bong Ki , Choi Eun Mi , Kim Eun Ho , Lee Jeong‐Rim
Published: October 2014

Background

There is a need for an adjuvant agent of caudal block that prolongs its duration and improves the analgesic efficacy to fasten functional recovery. Magnesium is an N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor antagonist that functions as an analgesic. This study was aimed to evaluate whether magnesium as an adjuvant for caudal block in children can improve postoperative analgesia and functional recovery.

Methods

Eighty children, 2–6 years of age, undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy, were included in this prospective, randomized, double‐blinded study. For caudal block, Group R received ropivacaine 1.5 mg·ml−1, 1 ml·kg−1 and Group RM received the same dose of ropivacaine mixed with 50 mg of magnesium. The Parents' Postoperative Pain Measure (PPPM) score, analgesic consumption, functional recovery, and adverse effects were evaluated at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after surgery, as well as daily thereafter until the child showed full functional recovery.

Results

The PPPM score after hospital discharge was significantly lower for Group RM than for Group R at all times (P < 0.05). Children in Group RM required less fentanyl for rescue analgesia in the recovery area (16.2% vs 39.5%, P = 0.034) and less oral analgesics after discharge (20.5% vs 52.6%, P = 0.007). The time to return of normal functional activity was shorter in Group RM (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse effects did not differ between groups.

Conclusions

As an adjuvant for caudal analgesia, 50 mg magnesium provided superior quality of analgesia and faster return of normal functional activity than local anesthetic alone in children.
Quotient closed subcategories of quiver representations
Authors: Oppermann Steffen , Reiten Idun , Thomas Hugh
Published: October 2014

Let $Q$ be a finite quiver without oriented cycles, and let $k$ be an algebraically closed field. The main result in this paper is that there is a natural bijection between the elements in the associated Weyl group $W_{Q}$ and the cofinite additive quotient closed subcategories of the category of finite dimensional right modules over $kQ$. We prove this correspondence by linking these subcategories to certain ideals in the preprojective algebra associated to $Q$, which are also indexed by elements of $W_{Q}$.
Confirmation of a realistic reactor model for BNCT dosimetry at the TRIGA Mainz
Authors: Ziegner Markus , Schmitz Tobias , Khan Rustam , Blaickner Matthias , Palmans Hugo , Sharpe Peter , Hampel Gabriele , Böck Helmuth
Published: October 2014

Purpose:

In order to build up a reliable dose monitoring system for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) applications at the TRIGA reactor in Mainz, a computer model for the entire reactor was established, simulating the radiation field by means of the Monte Carlo method. The impact of different source definition techniques was compared and the model was validated by experimental fluence and dose determinations.

Methods:

The depletion calculation code origen2 was used to compute the burn‐up and relevant material composition of each burned fuel element from the day of first reactor operation to its current core. The material composition of the current core was used in a mcnp5 model of the initial core developed earlier. To perform calculations for the region outside the reactor core, the model was expanded to include the thermal column and compared with the previously established attila model. Subsequently, the computational model is simplified in order to reduce the calculation time. Both simulation models are validated by experiments with different setups using alanine dosimetry and gold activation measurements with two different types of phantoms.

Results:

The mcnp5 simulated neutron spectrum and source strength are found to be in good agreement with the previous attila model whereas the photon production is much lower. Both mcnp5 simulation models predict all experimental dose values with an accuracy of about 5%. The simulations reveal that a Teflon environment favorably reduces the gamma dose component as compared to a polymethyl methacrylate phantom.

Conclusions:

A computer model for BNCT dosimetry was established, allowing the prediction of dosimetric quantities without further calibration and within a reasonable computation time for clinical applications. The good agreement between the mcnp5 simulations and experiments demonstrates that the attila model overestimates the gamma dose contribution. The detailed model can be used for the planning of structural modifications in the thermal column irradiation channel or the use of different irradiation sites than the thermal column, e.g., the beam tubes.
Evaluating the purity of a 57Co flood source by PET
Authors: DiFilippo Frank P.
Published: October 2014

Purpose:

Flood sources of 57Co are commonly used for quality control of gamma cameras. Flood uniformity may be affected by the contaminants 56Co and 58Co, which emit higher energy photons. Although vendors specify a maximum combined 56Co and 58Co activity, a convenient test for flood source purity that is feasible in a clinical environment would be desirable.

Methods:

Both 56Co and 58Co emit positrons with branching 19.6% and 14.9%, respectively. As is known from 90Y imaging, a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner is capable of quantitatively imaging very weak positron emission in a high single‐photon background. To evaluate this approach, two 57Co flood sources were scanned with a clinical PET/CT multiple times over a period of months. The 56Co and 58Co activity was clearly visible in the reconstructed PET images. Total impurity activity was quantified from the PET images after background subtraction of prompt gamma coincidences.

Results:

Time‐of‐flight PET reconstruction was highly beneficial for accurate image quantification. Repeated measurements of the positron‐emitting impurities showed excellent agreement with an exponential decay model. For both flood sources studied, the fit parameters indicated a zero intercept and a decay half‐life consistent with a mixture of 56Co and 58Co. The total impurity activity at the reference date was estimated to be 0.06% and 0.07% for the two sources, which was consistent with the vendor's specification of <0.12%.

Conclusions:

The robustness of the repeated measurements and a thorough analysis of the detector corrections and physics suggest that the accuracy is acceptable and that the technique is feasible. Further work is needed to validate the accuracy of this technique with a calibrated high resolution gamma spectrometer as a gold standard, which was not available for this study, and for other PET detector models.
PCSK9 is a critical regulator of the innate immune response and septic shock outcome
Authors: Walley Keith R. , Thain Katherine R. , Russell James A. , Reilly Muredach P. , Meyer Nuala J. , Ferguson Jane F. , Christie Jason D. , Nakada Taka-aki , Fjell Chris D. , Thair Simone A. , Cirstea Mihai S. , Boyd John H.
Published: October 2014

Inhibition of PCSK9 function is associated with an increase in pathogen lipid clearance, a decrease in the innate immune inflammatory response, and an improvement in septic shock clinical outcome.
Keeping the Flow Going: FGFR1 Protects Vascular Patency by Inhibiting Occlusive Neointimal Hyperplasia
Authors: Chitalia Vipul
Published: October 2014

FGFR1 regulates TGFβ signaling to block the neointimal formation, a lesion responsible for several occlusive vascular diseases.
Superheroes and Villains of the Heart
Authors: Lemaire Mathieu
Published: October 2014

A cardiac-specific long noncoding RNA plays a critical role in protecting humans and mice from heart failure.
Outrunning Depression
Authors: Schaefer Anne
Published: October 2014

Exercise-induced kynurenine metabolism in skeletal muscle protects mice against stress-induced depression.
Global Survey of Canonical Aspergillus flavus G Protein-Coupled Receptors
Authors: Affeldt Katharyn J. , Carrig Joseph , Amare Meareg , Keller Nancy P.
Published: October 2014

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are transmembrane receptors that relay signals from the external environment inside the cell, allowing an organism to adapt to its surroundings. They are known to detect a vast array of ligands, including sugars, amino acids, pheromone peptides, nitrogen sources, oxylipins, and light. Despite their prevalence in fungal genomes, very little is known about the functions of filamentous fungal GPCRs. Here we present the first full-genome assessment of fungal GPCRs through characterization of null mutants of all 15 GPCRs encoded by the aflatoxin-producing fungus
Aspergillus flavus
. All strains were assessed for growth, development, ability to produce aflatoxin, and response to carbon sources, nitrogen sources, stress agents, and lipids. Most GPCR mutants were aberrant in one or more response processes, possibly indicative of cross talk in downstream signaling pathways. Interestingly, the biological defects of the mutants did not correspond with assignment to established GPCR classes; this is likely due to the paucity of data for characterized fungal GPCRs. Many of the GPCR transcripts were differentially regulated under various conditions as well. The data presented here provide an extensive overview of the full set of GPCRs encoded by
A. flavus
and provide a framework for analysis in other fungal species.

IMPORTANCE
Aspergillus flavus
is an opportunistic pathogen of crops and animals, including humans, and it produces a carcinogenic toxin called aflatoxin. Because of this,
A. flavus
accounts for food shortages and economic losses in addition to sickness and death. Effective means of combating this pathogen are needed to mitigate its deleterious effects. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are often used as therapeutic targets due to their signal specificity, and it is estimated that half of all drugs target GPCRs. In fungi such as
A. flavus
, GPCRs are likely necessary for sensing the changes in the environment, including food sources, developmental signals, stress agents, and signals from other organisms. Therefore, elucidating their functions in
A. flavus
could identify ideal receptors against which to develop antagonists.
An Avian H7N1 Gain-of-Function Experiment of Great Concern
Authors: Wain-Hobson Simon
Published: October 2014

Inappropriately named gain-of-function influenza research seeks to confer airborne transmission on avian influenza A viruses that otherwise cause only dead-end infections in humans. A recent study has succeeded in doing this with a highly pathogenic ostrich H7N1 virus in a ferret model without loss of virulence. If transposable to humans, this would constitute a novel virus with a case fatality rate ~30 greater than that of Spanish flu. A commentary from three distinguished virologists considered the benefits of this work to outweigh potential risks. I beg to disagree with conclusions in both papers, for the underlying science is not as strong as it appears.
Multiple sclerosis reactivation postfingolimod cessation: Is it IRIS?
Authors: Alroughani R , Almulla A , Lamdhade S , Thussu A
Published: October 2014

Although few recent studies have reported efficacy and safety data among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) switching between immunotherapies, data on the mechanism of rebound activity postwithdrawal of fingolimod in patients with MS is scarce. A 36-year-old woman developed severe reactivation of her disease within 7 weeks of fingolimod's withdrawal despite the absence of breakthrough disease during the 8-week natalizumab washout period previously. The clinical presentation and radiological features were described indicating the diagnostic challenge given the potential risk of developing progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy. The severe reactivation postwithdrawal of fingolimod could be due to the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) given the abrupt rise in lymphocyte count. Patients who discontinued fingolimod might be at risk of developing IRIS resulting in disease reactivation in the washout period.
Candida parapsilosisosteomyelitis
Authors: Lopez Rekha , Hunter Alistair Robert , Geoghegan Orla , Demertzi Elli
Published: October 2014

A 51-year-old previously fit and healthy gentleman sustained a circular saw injury to his right thumb with partial amputation and an open multifragmentary fracture of his distal phalanx. He underwent open reduction and internal fixation under the hand surgery team. He developed a postoperative infection discharging pus 2 weeks postoperatively, which later grewCandida parapsilosis. He underwent radical debridement and removal of a K-wire, then a further second debridement 2 days later. Ceftriaxone was started empirically while awaiting cultures. Tissue and bone biopsy samples obtained in theatre all grewC. parapsilosisand he was started on caspofungin for 1 week, and switched on to oral fluconazole to complete a 6-week course. He has progressed well and has regained function in his thumb after 3 months, without any sign of ongoing infection.
Osteomyelitis of the patella: ensure a high index of suspicion and beware the negative aspirate
Authors: Berg Andrew James , Killen Maire-Clare , Chauhan Amit , Bhatia Chandra
Published: October 2014

We report the case of a 33-year-old man who presented several times to healthcare professionals over a 6-week period with a painful swollen right knee. He had a history of chronic osteomyelitis of the left femur and had recently stopped taking suppressive antibiotics. A joint aspirate did not demonstrate any organisms. On subsequent review by the orthopaedic team MRI was performed which revealed an isolated area of osteomyelitis and an abscess in his right patella. He underwent arthrotomy, debridement and irrigation of the joint alongside antibiotic treatment. We highlight this case, as isolated osteomyelitis of the patella is a rare condition, especially in adults. In addition, the presenting features of osteomyelitis of the patella are varied and joint fluid aspirates often do not reveal an organism. This case therefore aims to raise an awareness of this condition and thereby ensure a high index of suspicion when symptoms or signs are present and inform clinicians of the investigative steps in order to avoid a delay in diagnosis as seen in this case.
Sexual violence and neonatal outcomes: a Norwegian population-based cohort study
Authors: Henriksen Lena , Schei Berit , Vangen Siri , Lukasse Mirjam
Published: October 2014

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore the association between sexual violence and neonatal outcomes.

Design

National cohort study.

Setting

Women were recruited to the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) while attending routine ultrasound examinations from 1999 to 2008.

Population

A total of 76 870 pregnant women.

Methods

Sexual violence and maternal characteristics were self-reported in postal questionnaires during pregnancy. Neonatal outcomes were retrieved from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN). Risk estimations were performed with linear and logistic regression analysis. Outcome measures: gestational age at birth, birth weight, preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA).

Results

Of 76 870 women, 18.4% reported a history of sexual violence. A total of 4.7% delivered prematurely, 2.7% had children with a birth weight <2500 g and 8.1% children were small for their gestational age. Women reporting moderate or severe sexual violence (rape) had a significantly reduced gestational length (2 days) when the birth was provider-initiated in an analysis adjusted for age, parity, education, smoking, body mass index and mental distress. Those exposed to severe sexual violence had a significantly reduced gestational length of 0.51 days with a spontaneous start of birth. Crude estimates showed that severe sexual violence was associated with PTB, LBW and SGA. When controlling for the aforementioned sociodemographic and behavioural factors, the association was no longer significant.

Conclusions

Sexual violence was not associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. Moderate and severe violence had a small but significant effect on gestational age; however, the clinical influence of this finding is most likely limited. Women exposed to sexual violence in this study reported more of the sociodemographic and behavioural factors associated with PTB, LBW and SGA compared with non-abused women.
Maternal pre-pregnancy weight and externalising behaviour problems in preschool children: a UK-based twin study
Authors: Antoniou Evangelia E , Fowler Tom , Reed Keith , Southwood Taunton R , McCleery Joseph P , Zeegers Maurice P
Published: October 2014

Objective

To estimate the heritability of child behaviour problems and investigate the association between maternal pre-pregnancy overweight and child behaviour problems in a genetically sensitive design.

Design

Observational cross-sectional study.

Setting

The Twins and Multiple Births Association Heritability Study (TAMBAHS) is an online UK-wide volunteer-based study investigating the development of twins from birth until 5 years of age.

Participants

A total of 443 (16% of the initial registered members) mothers answered questions on pre-pregnancy weight and their twins’ internalising and externalising problems using the Child Behavior Checklist and correcting for important covariates including gestational age, twins’ birth weight, age and sex, mother's educational level and smoking (before, during and after pregnancy).

Primary outcomes

The heritability of behaviour problems and their association with maternal pre-pregnancy weight.

Results

The genetic analysis suggested that genetic and common environmental factors account for most of the variation in externalising disorders (an ACE model was the most parsimonious with genetic factors (A) explaining 46% (95% CI 33% to 60%) of the variance, common environment (C) explaining 42% (95% CI 27% to 54%) and non-shared environmental factors (E) explaining 13% (95% CI 10% to 16%) of the variance. For internalising problems, a CE model was the most parsimonious model with the common environment explaining 51% (95% CI 44% to 58%) of the variance and non-shared environment explaining 49% (95% CI 42% to 56%) of the variance. Moreover, the regression analysis results suggested that children of overweight mothers showed a trend (OR=1.10, 95% CI 0.58% to 2.06) towards being more aggressive and exhibit externalising behaviours compared to children of normal weight mothers.

Conclusions

Maternal pre-pregnancy weight may play a role in children's aggressive behaviour.
BMI-specific waist circumference is better than skinfolds for health-risk determination in the general population
Authors: Dogra Shilpa , Clarke Janine , Roy Joel , Fowles Jonathon
Published: October 2014

Distribution of fat is important when considering health risk; however, the value added from skinfold measurements (SKF) when using body mass index (BMI) refined by waist circumference (WC) is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of SKF compared with WC in determination of health risk in the general population. Data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (cycles 1 and 2; N = 5217) were used. Health outcomes included directly measured blood pressure, cholesterol, glycated haemoglobin, lung function, self-reported health, and chronic conditions. Technical errors of measurements (TEM), sensitivity, and specificity analysis and linear regressions were conducted. Data indicated that TEM for SKF was above the acceptable 5% in most age and sex categories. Sensitivity and specificity of chronic conditions was not improved with the inclusion of SKF in models containing WC (in those aged 45–69 years) and SKF did not explain any additional variance in regression models containing WC. Health outcomes for those in the normal weight and overweight BMI category were significantly worse in those classified as high risk based on WC, whereas SKF did not consistently discriminate risk. In conclusion, evidence-based WC cut-points were shown to identify health risk, particularly in normal weight and overweight individuals. Thus, BMI refined by WC appears to be more appropriate than SKF for assessment of body composition when determining health risk in the general population.
ENTRY AND QUALITY SIGNALING WHEN THE INCUMBENT IS INFORMED OF THE ENTRANT'S QUALITY
Authors: WU FULAN
Published: October 2014

This paper focuses on competition between an incumbent and an entrant when only the entrant's quality is unknown to consumers. The incumbent knows the entrant's quality. The entrant's quality is assumed to be exogenously determined by nature, or endogenously chosen by the entrant itself. The exogenous model reveals the entrant's high price can signal its high quality, but entry deterrence occurs for the high quality entrant. Interestingly, the incumbent being informed of the entrant's quality generates an additional separating equilibrium in which the incumbent charges a higher price when the entrant's quality is relatively low, and a lower price when the entrant's quality is relatively high. Surprisingly, entry is facilitated. On the contrary to the exogenous model, the endogenous model result shows that entry deterrence still occurs for the high quality entrant with the incumbent being informed of the entrant's quality. However, in both settings, we find that the incumbent could not take advantage of its inside information of the entrant's quality.
WINDOWS OS VERSUS MAC OS: COULD ONE-WAY COMPATIBILITY BE AN EQUILIBRIUM OUTCOME?
Authors: CHOU CHUNG-HUI
Published: October 2014

One-way compatibility is a phenomenon often observed in reality and Windows OS versus Mac OS is a good example. A vertical differentiation model is presented herein to analyze system firms' compatibility choices. This paper differs from the existing literature in two aspects: (1) The purebred and hybrid systems are vertically differentiated; (2) Since one-way compatibility is a phenomenon often observed in real life, this paper considers compatibility as being unilateral rather than bilateral and the possibility of one-way compatibility. We find that, depending on the quality of the hybrid system, any state of compatibility could be an equilibrium outcome. When the quality of a hybrid system is very small, both firms adopt compatibility. Second, despite the fact that firms always earn higher profit under full compatibility than they do under incompatibility, the equilibrium outcome is incompatibility when the quality of a hybrid system is very high, which means firms face a prisoners' dilemma under this situation. Finally, since a firm favors incompatibility more when its rivals adopt compatibility than when its rival adopts incompatibility, the equilibrium outcome is one-way compatibility when the quality of a hybrid system is intermediate. From this point of view, this paper provides a theoretical interpretation of one-way compatibility between Windows OS versus Mac OS. We also show that the market outcome is socially inefficient when the hybrid system's quality is relatively high.
On the deformed photon-added and photon-subtracted states
Authors: Chung Won Sang
Published: October 2014

In this paper, we introduce the deformed algebra whose number operator is expressed in terms of the product of the creation operator and annihilation operator. We give some examples for these kinds of deformed algebras. For Arik–Coon's q-oscillator algebra, we discuss, especially, the photon-added states and the photon-subtracted states and construct their associated generation functions.
Reinforcement Learning with Experience Replay for Model-Free Humanoid Walking Optimization
Authors: Wawrzyński Paweł
Published: October 2014

In this paper, a control system for humanoid robot walking is approximately optimized by means of reinforcement learning. Given is a 18 DOF humanoid whose gait is based on replaying a simple trajectory. This trajectory is translated into a reactive policy. A neural network whose input represents the robot state learns to produce appropriate output that additively modifies the initial control. The learning algorithm applied is actor–critic with experience replay. In 50 min of learning, the slow initial gait changes to a dexterous and fast walking. No model of the robot dynamics is engaged. The methodology in use is generic and can be applied to optimize control systems for diverse robots of comparable complexity.
To Adopt or Not to Adopt? The RFID Adoption Consideration by Entrepreneurs in a Purchasing Cooperative in Dutch Book Retailing
Authors: Van Der Sijde Peter , Van Reekum Rik , Jeurissen Ward , Rosendaal Bas
Published: October 2014

Our focus is on the agenda-setting of a purchasing cooperative aiming to have their members consider the adoption of a new logistics information system based on RFID. Adding "technology trust", we used the UTAUT model to determine the adoption intention of associated book retailers. Using structural equation modeling, data analysis shows that the original UTAUT model fits this process of agenda-setting, but two alternative models with technology trust show a better fit, indicating that performance expectancy is mediating all other factors, but "facilitating conditions". This model may therefore better work in studying collective forms of technology adoption.
TECHNOLOGICAL DISTANCE IN ACADEMIC COLLABORATIONS: EVIDENCE FROM BATTERY RESEARCH
Authors: STEIN NICOLE VOM , SICK NATHALIE
Published: October 2014

Technological distance is one important factor within research projects to enhance or prevent successful knowledge transfer for innovation. To get a better understanding of bridging mechanisms of diverging technological distances, we compare publication-based and individually perceived technological distances of collaboration partners in a multi-disciplinary battery research project. Differences hint at already bridged or non-bridged technological distances. Further information, given during expert interviews, present reasons for different knowledge transfer and recombination mechanisms in different dyadic collaborations. We generally find evidence that technological distance can be bridged by reducing geographical or social distances. When research activities are really complementary and collaboration partners have a common (technical) language, there is less need of decreasing other distances. Integrating research along the traditional battery value chain needs more social or geographical proximity to decrease and not just bridge technological distance at least in a practical way.
MULTIPLE AUTHORS DETECTION: A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER
Authors: HU XIANFENG , WANG YANG , WU QIANG
Published: October 2014

Inspired by the authorship controversy of Dream of the Red Chamber and the application of machine learning in the study of literary stylometry, we develop a rigorous new method for the mathematical analysis of authorship by testing for a so-called chrono-divide in writing styles. Our method incorporates some of the latest advances in the study of authorship attribution, particularly techniques from support vector machines. By introducing the notion of relative frequency as a feature ranking metric, our method proves to be highly effective and robust. Applying our method to the Cheng–Gao version of Dream of the Red Chamber has led to convincing if not irrefutable evidence that the first 80 chapters and the last 40 chapters of the book were written by two different authors. Furthermore, our analysis has unexpectedly provided strong support to the hypothesis that Chapter 67 was not the work of Cao Xueqin either. We have also tested our method to the other three Great Classical Novels in Chinese. As expected no chrono-divides have been found. This provides further evidence of the robustness of our method.
Intermittent hypoxia-induced glucose intolerance is abolished by α-adrenergic blockade or adrenal medullectomy
Authors: Jun Jonathan C. , Shin Mi-Kyung , Devera Ronald , Yao Qiaoling , Mesarwi Omar , Bevans-Fonti Shannon , Polotsky Vsevolod Y.
Published: October 2014

Obstructive sleep apnea causes intermittent hypoxia (IH) during sleep and is associated with dysregulation of glucose metabolism. We developed a novel model of clinically realistic IH in mice to test the hypothesis that IH causes hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance via activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Mice were exposed to acute hypoxia of graded severity (21, 14, 10, and 7% O2) or to IH of graded frequency [oxygen desaturation index (ODI) of 0, 15, 30, or 60, SpO2nadir 80%] for 30 min to measure levels of glucose fatty acids, glycerol, insulin, and lactate. Glucose tolerance tests and insulin tolerance tests were then performed under each hypoxia condition. Next, we examined these outcomes in mice that were administered phentolamine (α-adrenergic blockade) or propranolol (β-adrenergic blockade) or that underwent adrenal medullectomy before IH exposure. In all experiments, mice were maintained in a thermoneutral environment. Sustained and IH induced hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance in a dose-dependent fashion. Only severe hypoxia (7% O2) increased lactate, and only frequent IH (ODI 60) increased plasma fatty acids. Phentolamine or adrenal medullectomy both prevented IH-induced hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance. IH inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and phentolamine prevented the inhibition. Propranolol had no effect on glucose metabolism but abolished IH-induced lipolysis. IH-induced insulin resistance was not affected by any intervention. Acutely hypoxia causes hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance in a dose-dependent manner. During IH, circulating catecholamines act upon α-adrenoreceptors to cause hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance.
TNF-α alters the release and transfer of microparticle-encapsulated miRNAs from endothelial cells
Authors: Alexy Tamas , Rooney Kimberly , Weber Martina , Gray Warren D. , Searles Charles D.
Published: October 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) encapsulated within microparticles (MPs) are likely to have a role in cell-to-cell signaling in a variety of diseases, including atherosclerosis. However, little is known about the mechanisms by which different cell types release and transfer miRNAs. Here, we examined TNF-α-induced release of MP-encapsulated miR-126, miR-21, and miR-155 from human aortic endothelial cells (ECs) and their transfer to recipient cells. ECs were treated with TNF-α (100 ng/ml) in the presence or absence of inhibitors that target different MP production pathways. MPs released in response to TNF-α were characterized by: 1) 70–80% decrease in miRNA/MP levels for miR-126 and -21 but a significant increase in pre-miR-155 and miR-155 ( P < 0.05), 2) 50% reduction in uptake by recipient cells ( P < 0.05), and 3) diminished ability to transfer miRNA to recipient cells. Cotreatment of donor ECs with TNF-α and caspase inhibitor (Q-VD-OPH, 10 μM) produced MPs that had: 1) 1.5- to 2-fold increase in miRNA/MP loading, 2) enhanced uptake by recipient cells (2-fold), and 3) increased ability to transfer miR-155. Cotreatment of ECs with TNF-α and Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor (10 μM) produced MPs with features similar to those produced by TNF-α treatment alone. Our data indicate that TNF-α induced the production of distinct MP populations: ROCK-dependent, miRNA-rich MPs that effectively transferred their cargo and were antiapoptotic, and caspase-dependent, miRNA-poor MPs that were proapoptotic. These data provide insight into the relationship between MP production and extracellular release of miRNA, as well as the potential of encapsulated miRNA for cell-to-cell communication.
Delocalized Photomechanical Effects of UV ns Laser Ablation on Polymer Substrates Captured by Optical Holography Workstation: An Overview on Experimental Result
Authors: Tornari Vivi
Published: October 2014

A brief overview of results from an experimental investigation performed on polymer materials to examine delocalized photomechanical effects generated due to UV laser ablation is provided. Delocalized structural modifications were observed in PMMA, PS by means of optical holographic interferometry. The integrity of samples was examined before and after irradiation in 193 and 248 nm (15 ns) above and below ablation threshold,F= 0.1–1.0 J/cm2. A value of structural continuity was initially determined for each sample by generation of a reference holographic image before irradiation. Microscopic discontinuities were intentionally induced to act as preexistent defects. Sequential holographic recording monitored the growth of morphological alterations according to the number of pulses in the neighbor as well as far from the preexistent discontinuities. The imposed alterations are visually observable at the whole extent of the irradiated sample in distances far off the ablation spot as local cracks and voids. The induced flaws cannot be classified as transient or instantly generated. Fracture follows a long-term emergence and deterioration pattern. Extensively fluctuated long-term effects were also observed in laser-assisted varnish removal of multilayered technical samples simulating Byzantine icons with decrease of effect duration and fluctuation being according to increase in sample homogeneity.
Honey: A Potential Therapeutic Agent for Managing Diabetic Wounds
Authors: Alam Fahmida , Islam Md. Asiful , Gan Siew Hua , Khalil Md. Ibrahim
Published: October 2014

Diabetic wounds are unlike typical wounds in that they are slower to heal, making treatment with conventional topical medications an uphill process. Among several different alternative therapies, honey is an effective choice because it provides comparatively rapid wound healing. Although honey has been used as an alternative medicine for wound healing since ancient times, the application of honey to diabetic wounds has only recently been revived. Because honey has some unique natural features as a wound healer, it works even more effectively on diabetic wounds than on normal wounds. In addition, honey is known as an “all in one” remedy for diabetic wound healing because it can combat many microorganisms that are involved in the wound process and because it possesses antioxidant activity and controls inflammation. In this review, the potential role of honey’s antibacterial activity on diabetic wound‐related microorganisms and honey’s clinical effectiveness in treating diabetic wounds based on the most recent studies is described. Additionally, ways in which honey can be used as a safer, faster, and effective healing agent for diabetic wounds in comparison with other synthetic medications in terms of microbial resistance and treatment costs are also described to support its traditional claims.
Clustering Networks’ Heterogeneous Data in Defining a Comprehensive Closeness Centrality Index
Authors: Barzinpour Farnaz , Ali-Ahmadi B. Hoda , Alizadeh Somayeh , Jalali Naini S. Golamreza
Published: October 2014

One of the most important applications of network analysis is detecting community structure, or clustering. Nearly all algorithms that are used to identify these structures use information derived from the topology of these networks, such as adjacency and distance relationships, and assume that there is only one type of relation in the network. However, in reality, there are multilayer networks, with each layer representing a particular type of relationship that contains nodes with individual characteristics that may influence the behavior of networks. This paper introduces a new, efficient spectral approach for detecting the communities in multilayer networks using the concept of hybrid clustering, which integrates multiple data sources, particularly the structure of relations and individual characteristics of nodes in a network, to improve the comprehension of the network and the clustering accuracy. Furthermore, we develop a new algorithm to define the closeness centrality measure in complex networks based on a combination of two approaches: social network analysis and traditional social science approach. We evaluate the performance of our proposed method using four benchmark datasets and a real‐world network: oil global trade network. The experimental results indicated that our hybrid method is sufficiently effective at clustering using the node attributes and network structure.
Day to Day Variability and Reliability of Blood Oxidative Stress Markers within a Four-Week Period in Healthy Young Men
Authors: Goldfarb A. H. , Garten R. S. , Waller J. , Labban J. D.
Published: October 2014

The present study aimed to determine the day to day variability and reliability of several blood oxidative stress markers at rest in a healthy young cohort over a four-week period. Twelve apparently healthy resistance trained males (24.6 ± 3.0 yrs) were tested over 7 visits within 4 weeks with at least 72 hrs between visits at the same time of day. Subjects rested 30 minutes prior to blood being obtained by vacutainer. Results. The highest IntraClass correlations (ICC’s) were obtained for protein carbonyls (PC) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) (PC = 0.785 and ORAC = 0.780). Cronbach’s α reliability score for PC was 0.967 and for ORAC was 0.961. The ICC’s for GSH, GSSG, and the GSSG/TGH ratio ICC were 0.600, 0.573, and 0.570, respectively, with Cronbach’s α being 0.913, 0.904, and 0.903, respectively. Xanthine oxidase ICC was 0.163 and Cronbach’s α was 0.538. Conclusions. PC and ORAC demonstrated good to excellent reliability while glutathione factors had poor to excellent reliability. Xanthine oxidase showed poor reliability and high variability. These results suggest that the PC and ORAC markers were the most stable and reliable oxidative stress markers in blood and that daily changes across visits should be considered when interpreting resting blood oxidative stress markers.
Immune Dysfunction in Rett Syndrome Patients Revealed by High Levels of Serum Anti-N(Glc) IgM Antibody Fraction
Authors: Papini Anna Maria , Nuti Francesca , Real-Fernandez Feliciana , Rossi Giada , Tiberi Caterina , Sabatino Giuseppina , Pandey Shashank , Leoncini Silvia , Signorini Cinzia , Pecorelli Alessandra , Guerranti Roberto , Lavielle Solange , Ciccoli Lucia , Rovero Paolo , De Felice Claudio , Hayek Joussef
Published: October 2014

Rett syndrome (RTT), a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting exclusively (99%) female infants, is associated with loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) and, more rarely, cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) and forkhead box protein G1 (FOXG1). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the function of the immune system by measuring serum immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) in RTT patients (n=53) and, by comparison, in age-matched children affected by non-RTT pervasive developmental disorders (non-RTT PDD) (n=82) and healthy age-matched controls (n=29). To determine immunoglobulins we used both a conventional agglutination assay and a novel ELISA based on antibody recognition by a surrogate antigen probe, CSF114(Glc), a syntheticN-glucosylated peptide. Both assays provided evidence for an increase in IgM titer, but not in IgG, in RTT patients relative to both healthy controls and non-RTT PDD patients. The significant difference in IgM titers between RTT patients and healthy subjects in the CSF114(Glc) assay (P=0.001) suggests that this procedure specifically detects a fraction of IgM antibodies likely to be relevant for the RTT disease. These findings offer a new insight into the mechanism underlying the Rett disease as they unveil the possible involvement of the immune system in this pathology.
Quadrant Dynamic with Automatic Plateau Limit Histogram Equalization for Image Enhancement
Authors: Jagatheeswari P. , Suresh Kumar S. , Mary Linda M.
Published: October 2014

The fundamental and important preprocessing stage in image processing is the image contrast enhancement technique. Histogram equalization is an effective contrast enhancement technique. In this paper, a histogram equalization based technique called quadrant dynamic with automatic plateau limit histogram equalization (QDAPLHE) is introduced. In this method, a hybrid of dynamic and clipped histogram equalization methods are used to increase the brightness preservation and to reduce the overenhancement. Initially, the proposed QDAPLHE algorithm passes the input image through a median filter to remove the noises present in the image. Then the histogram of the filtered image is divided into four subhistograms while maintaining second separated point as the mean brightness. Then the clipping process is implemented by calculating automatically the plateau limit as the clipped level. The clipped portion of the histogram is modified to reduce the loss of image intensity value. Finally the clipped portion is redistributed uniformly to the entire dynamic range and the conventional histogram equalization is executed in each subhistogram independently. Based on the qualitative and the quantitative analysis, the QDAPLHE method outperforms some existing methods in literature.
Development, Characterization, and Evaluation of PSMA‐Targeted Glycol Chitosan Micelles for Prostate Cancer Therapy
Authors: Xu Jing , Yu Jingmou , Xu Xiao , Wang Liangliang , Liu Yonghua , Li Lixin , Zhao Jianguo , He Ming
Published: October 2014

Prostate cancer‐binding peptides‐ (PCP‐) modified polymeric micelles were prepared and used for the treatment of prostate‐specific membrane antigen‐ (PSMA‐) expressing prostate cancer in a target‐specific manner. Cholesterol‐modified glycol chitosan (CHGC) was synthesized. PCP‐conjugated CHGC (PCP‐CHGC) micelles were fabricated and characterized. The degree of substitution was 5.2 PCP groups and 5.8 cholesterol groups per 100 sugar residues of glycol chitosan. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of PCP‐CHGC copolymer was 0.0254 mg/mL. Doxorubicin (DOX) was chosen as a model antitumor drug. The DOX‐loaded micelles were prepared by an o/w method. The mean diameter of DOX‐loaded PCP‐CHGC (DOX‐PCP‐CHGC) micelles was 293 nm determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). DOX released from drug‐loaded micelles was in a biphasic manner. DOX‐PCP‐CHGC micelles exhibited higher cytotoxicity in vitro against PSMA‐expressing LNCaP cells than DOX‐loaded CHGC (DOX‐CHGC) micelles. Moreover, the cellular uptake of DOX‐PCP‐CHGC micelles determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and flow cytometry was higher than that of DOX‐CHGC micelles in LNCaP cells. Importantly, DOX‐PCP‐CHGC micelles demonstrated stronger antitumor efficacy against LNCaP tumor xenograft models than doxorubicin hydrochloride and DOX‐CHGC micelles. Taken together, this study provides a potential way in developing PSMA‐targeted drug delivery system for prostate cancer therapy.
Advanced Tracers in PET Imaging of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Li Yesen , Zhang Wei , Wu Hua , Liu Gang
Published: October 2014

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Molecular imaging with targeted tracers by positron emission tomography (PET) allows for the noninvasive detection and characterization of biological changes at the molecular level, leading to earlier disease detection, objective monitoring of therapies, and better prognostication of cardiovascular diseases progression. Here we review, the current role of PET in cardiovascular disease, with emphasize on tracers developed for PET imaging of cardiovascular diseases.