bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship Velocity: Toward a Theory of Relationship Dynamics
Authors: Palmatier Robert W. , Houston Mark B. , Dant Rajiv P. , Grewal Dhruv
Published: August 2012

The dynamic components of relational constructs should play an important role in driving performance. To take an initial step toward a theory of relationship dynamics, the authors introduce the construct of commitment velocity—or the rate and direction of change in commitment—and articulate its important role in understanding relationships. In two studies, the authors demonstrate that commitment velocity has a strong impact on performance, beyond the impact of the level of commitment. In Study 1, modeling six years of longitudinal data in a latent growth curve analysis, the authors empirically demonstrate the significance of commitment velocity as a predictor of performance. In Study 2, the authors use matched multiple-source data to investigate the drivers of commitment velocity. Both customer trust and dynamic capabilities for creating value through exchange relationships (i.e., communication capabilities for exploring and investment capabilities for exploiting opportunities) affect commitment velocity. However, trust and communication capabilities become less impactful as a relationship ages, while investment capabilities grow more important. The authors offer three post hoc tenets that represent initial components of a theory of relationship dynamics that integrates two streams of relationship marketing research into a unified perspective.
Dynamic Brand Satiation
Authors: Hasegawa Shohei , Terui Nobuhiko , Allenby Greg M.
Published: August 2012

The authors develop a dynamic factor model of brand satiation to explain longitudinal variation in consumer purchases. Factor loadings are associated with a brand's position along a satiation dimension, and factor scores are associated with a household's sensitivity to satiation effects. The authors introduce dynamics by allowing the factor scores to evolve over time, reflecting variation in household satiation sensitivity. They embed the factor model in a direct utility model that allows for both corner and interior solutions and show that it fits the data better than alternative specifications. Analysis of a panel data set of corn chips purchases indicates that respondent satiation is better explained by a low-dimensional factor structure, while baseline utility and preferences are not. The authors explore implications for product line assortment in the face of quickening satiation.
Advertising and Consumer Awareness of New, Differentiated Products
Authors: Barroso Alicia , Llobet Gerard
Published: August 2012

This article proposes a novel approach to assess the dynamic effect that advertising expenditures have on which products consumers include in their choice sets. In a discrete-choice model, consumers face choice sets that evolve according to their awareness of each product. Advertising expenditures have a dynamic effect in the sense that they raise consumer awareness of a product, increasing present and future sales. To estimate this effect, the authors explicitly model the firms’ dynamic advertising decisions and illustrate the model using data from the Spanish automobile market. The results show that the effect of advertising on awareness is dynamic and that accounting for it is crucial in explaining the evolution of product sales over its life cycle. Furthermore, the authors demonstrate that the awareness process can be significantly sped up by advertising. Thus, there is a great heterogeneity in the length of the awareness process among products, depending on the level of advertising expenditures; it may range from one to six years.
How Attribute Quantity Influences Option Choice
Authors: Sela Aner , Berger Jonah
Published: August 2012

Products can be described by different numbers of attributes, but can the mere number of attributes presented across a choice set influence what type of options people choose? This article demonstrates that attribute numerosity tends to benefit certain types of options more than others and consequently has systematic effects on choice. Because attributes often serve as a heuristic cue for product usefulness, they benefit options that people perceive as relatively inferior on this dimension. Consistent with this perspective, five studies demonstrate that attribute numerosity benefits hedonic more than utilitarian options by increasing the extent to which the former appear useful. Consequently, increasing attribute quantity equally across the choice set shifts choice toward hedonic options, regardless of whether the attributes are hedonic, utilitarian, or mixed in nature. Consistent with this conceptualization, these effects become amplified when decision makers engage in heuristic processing and when priming makes usefulness salient. The findings have important implications for how marketers present attribute information, for public policy and consumer welfare, and for understanding argument numerosity effects in persuasion more broadly.
Recovering Hidden Buyer–Seller Relationship States to Measure the Return on Marketing Investment in Business-to-Business Markets
Authors: Luo Anita , Kumar V.
Published: August 2012

For two reasons, marketers face significant challenges in measuring return on marketing investment in business-to-business (B2B) markets. First, buyers often have irregular purchase patterns, as the authors observe in the high-tech industry. Second, marketing efforts take considerable time to build a relationship with a customer. The authors attempt to precisely recover hidden buyer–seller relationship states to capture the effect of marketing contacts in B2B markets. The authors build a comprehensive hierarchical Bayesian bivariate Tobit hidden Markov model to assess the return on marketing in B2B markets. They use a recursive computing method—a forward–backward Gibbs sampler method—to retrieve the relationship states. The results suggest that marketing contacts have a heterogeneous long- and short-term impact on customers' purchasing behavior through changes in the buyer–seller relationship states. This study provides practical value to business marketers to measure the return on marketing investment in buyer–seller relationships.
Marketing Interactions in Subsistence Marketplaces: A Bottom-Up Approach to Designing Public Policy
Authors: Viswanathan Madhubalan , Sridharan Srinivas , Ritchie Robin , Venugopal Srinivas , Jung Kiju
Published: August 2012

In many developing countries, buyer–seller exchange among the poor occurs mainly in unique, socially embedded environments that are essentially informal markets. This article describes the findings of an in-depth, in situ study of an informal-economy subsistence marketplace in South India. Through interviews with consumers and owners of survivalist microenterprises, the authors identify seven themes that characterize the subsistence marketplace context, buyer–seller interactions within them, and specific elements of exchange. Drawing on these findings, along with theories of social capital and consumption in poverty, they make the case that business policy in developing countries should aim to empower subsistence entrepreneurs and consumers, embrace emergent solutions, help build bridges between informal and formal economies, and adopt a bottom-up orientation to policy development. The study's findings offer important insights into policy that can help microenterprises of the informal economy become engines of economic growth in these countries.
Consumer Misunderstanding of Credit Card Use, Payments, and Debt: Causes and Solutions
Authors: Soll Jack B. , Keeney Ralph L. , Larrick Richard P.
Published: August 2012

The authors identify several judgmental biases related to paying off credit card debt. Participants with stronger numerical skills made fewer errors, as did those who used the new statement format mandated by Congress in the CARD Act of 2009. Study 1 shows that people underestimate how long it takes to eliminate a debt when payments barely cover interest owed. Study 2 shows that less numerate people tend to underestimate the monthly payment required to pay off a debt in three years, whereas more numerate people tend to overestimate the payment. The newly revised statement required by the CARD Act substantially reduced these biases. However, even with the new statement, many people still underestimate required payments when still using the credit card. Study 3 identifies ambiguities in the revised statement that can lead to misjudgments about how much to pay on monthly bills. The authors recommend additional public policy actions to help cardholders understand the relationship between payments and debt elimination.
A Spoonful of Choice: How Allocation Increases Satisfaction with Tax Payments
Authors: Lamberton Cait
Published: August 2012

How can tax payment be made more satisfying? The author focuses on the low volition and collective nature of tax-funded benefits as primary causes of low satisfaction with tax payment. Three studies suggest that allowing people to allocate a small portion (in the present research, 10%) of their payment across budgets provided by the billing party both introduces an element of volition into the payment process and increases the perceived benefit associated with tax payment. As a result, the author concludes that taxpayers are significantly more satisfied with paying taxes when they allocate their payments, even if their payment amount remains completely unchanged. In addition to enhancing taxpayer satisfaction, an allocation program, if well implemented, could provide some hope for correcting existing lack of voice, address disconnects between spending and taxpayers' priorities, and increase civic engagement in general.
What's Yours is Now Mine: Deviant Consumption through Acquisitive Crime
Authors: Martin Kelly D. , Cullen John B. , Martin Michael W.
Published: August 2012

Deviant consumption in the form of acquisitive crime, or the theft of material possessions by one person from another person or household, is prevalent in countries across the globe. Anomie theory provides a multilevel framework for understanding this prevalent and damaging form of consumer misbehavior, highlighting the societal factors propagating it. The authors conduct a multilevel study that analyzes reports from more than 58,000 households in 26 countries worldwide. Using hierarchical generalized linear modeling, they contrast household-level crime reports with country data on inequality and cultural values. The findings reveal that wealth inequality, achievement orientation, individualism, future orientation, and uncertainty—both individually and in combination—influence acquisitive crime prevalence. In particular, greater societal wealth inequality increases the positive effects of achievement orientation and uncertainty to promote acquisitive crime. The negative effects of a low future orientation in promoting acquisitive crime are also enhanced under greater inequality. The findings suggest public policy implications at both societal and individual household levels of analysis. Specifically, policies directed at underground markets coupled with consumption adequacy efforts may prove effective in curbing acquisitive crime.
Transformative Photography: Evaluation and Best Practices for Eliciting Social and Policy Changes
Authors: Ozanne Julie L. , Moscato Emily M. , Kunkel Danylle R.
Published: August 2012

Marketing researchers commonly use photographic methods to generate observational data and delve into the lived experiences of research participants. These visual data-gathering techniques, however, can be embedded into a broader research methodology aimed to generate constructive social and policy changes. The authors systematically analyze prior empirical studies using photographic methods to identify when these methods are appropriate and most effective. They identify key research processes, workbench issues, and ethical dilemmas when employing transformative photographic methods across individual, group, and community levels of analysis. Finally, they propose best practices for conducting more compelling research.
The Microalga Spirulina platensis Presents Anti-inflammatory Action as well as Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Properties in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Joventino Ivan P. , Alves Henrique G.R. , Neves Lia C. , Pinheiro-Joventino Francisca , Leal Luzia Kalyne A.M. , Neves Samya A. , Ferreira Francisco Valdeci , Brito Gerly Anne C. , Viana Glauce B.
Published: August 2012

Spirulina platensis (Spi) is a microalga presenting high contents of proteins, γ-linolenic acid, vitamins and minerals, and showing many biological activities. It is a promising drug for the treatment of diseases including diabetes. The objectives of this work were to study Spi effects on alloxan-induced diabetic rats, and associate this to its anti-inflammatory activity. The treatment with Spi (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg, p.o.) started 48 h after the alloxan injection, continuing for 5 or 10 days. Biochemical parameters were measured in sera of treated and untreated animals. The anti-inflammatory activity of Spi was assessed by the formalin test and carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice. Immunostainings for TNF-alpha were carried out in the carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats, before and after the Spi treatment, and its effect on the release of myeloperoxidase from human neutrophils was also determined. Spi decreased glycemia as well as triglyceride and total cholesterol levels of diabetic rats. Levels of urea and creatinine were also reduced, while liver transaminases were unaltered. Spi also decreased dose-dependently the 1st (neurogenic) and mainly the 2nd phase (inflammatory) of the formalin test, as well as the carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice. The anti-inflammatory effect of Spi was further confirmed by decreases in TNF-alpha immunostaining in the inflamed paw and in the myeloperoxidase release from human neutrophils. The results showed that the anti-diabetic effect of S. platensis is already manifested after a 5-day treatment. Additionally, considering the relationship between diabetes and inflammation, the microalga anti-inflammatory action may also be involved.
Neural Network Approaches for Prediction of Pistachio Drying Kinetics
Authors: Tavakolipour Hamid , Mokhtarian Mohsen
Published: August 2012

Thin-layer drying characteristics of whole pistachio were investigated by using a hot air convective dryer at a constant airflow velocity of 2 m.s-1 and air temperature in the range of 40-70°C. The experimental drying data were fitted to the eight well-known drying models i.e. the Newton, Page, Modified Page, Henderson and Pabis, Logarithmic, Diffusion, Thomson and New models. A predictive model using artificial neural network was proposed in order to obtain on-line predictions of moisture kinetics during drying of pistachio nut. For monitoring the drying process of pistachio, different activation function of neural networks such as tangent hyperbolic (tanh) and logarithmic sigmoid (logsig) were utilized. Drying time and air drying temperature were considered as network input and moisture ratio was as network output. The result indicated that tanh activation function gave better results than logsig activation function for monitoring the moisture ratio. Generally, perceptron neural network with logsig activation function as a goodness activation function was able to predict moisture ratio with 7 neuron in first and second hidden layer with R2 value equal 0.994. Investigation of validation data demonstrated that the predicted and experimental dying data were in good agreement. Comparing the R2 (coefficient of determination) and MAE using the developed ANN model it was concluded that the neural network could be used for on-line state estimation of drying characteristics and control of drying processes.
Duties and Difficulties of Investigating and Prosecuting Biocrimes
Authors: Danley Lisa
Published: August 2012

Biological warfare has been used longer than most conventional weapons, yet international and domestic response protocol and regulations designed to effectively manage, investigate, and prosecute biocrimes have only recently been implemented. Even with such protocol and regulations, significant difficulties arise in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators. This article will identify and describe many of these challenges, beginning with the scope of biocrimes, which can generally be defined as a malevolent use of pathogens or toxins to harm others. Other challenges surrounding the investigation of biocrimes which will be addressed within this article include: identifying what biological agent caused an illness or disease outbreak; characterizing the event as a deliberate attack or a naturally occurring outbreak; and balancing an infected person’s civil liberties with conducting a thorough and accurate investigation. The final significant challenge of investigation and prosecuting biocrimes is the extremely high cost of mistakes. Ultimately, this article recommends ways to remove some the challenges to investigating and prosecuting biocrimes through greater information sharing and standardized investigative and prosecutorial training.
The Role of Regulations in Minimizing the Bioterrorism Threat to Food Imports
Authors: Tate Bryan
Published: August 2012

The majority of the bioterrorism articles and reports written since the 2001 anthrax attacks in the United States have focused on the threat of biological weapons or biological agents directed towards human targets. Although this threat should not be diminished, it is only one aspect of the human environment that is susceptible to attack. Effective attacks could be mounted against the food chain outside the United States on imported food bound for the United States. These potential attacks bear the risk of going undetected until individuals or animals consume tainted products. This article focuses on the role that regulations play in protecting the food chain from these international attacks, and addresses some of the complications that arise from the current legal framework.
Introduction: Volume 3 of the Journal of Biosecurity, Biosafety & Biodefense Law
Authors: Sutton Victoria
Published: August 2012

The purpose of this document is to provide an introduction and overview regarding the substantive materials included in Volume 3 of the Journal for Biosecurity, Biosafety and Biodefense Law. This volume raises new and important legal issues within the field of biosecurity, biosafety and biodefense law, both from a practical as well as a theoretical perspective.
Aristotle’s Critique of Platonist Mathematical Objects: Two Test Cases from Metaphysics M 2
Authors: Katz Emily
Published: August 2012

Books M and N of Aristotle’s Metaphysics receive relatively little careful attention. Even the scholars who do give detailed analyses of the arguments in M-N dismiss many of them as hopelessly flawed and biased, and find Aristotle’s critique to be riddled with mistakes and question-begging. This assessment of the quality of Aristotle’s critique of his predecessors (and of the Platonists in particular), is quite widespread. The series of arguments in M 2 (1077a14-b11) that targets separate mathematical objects is the subject of particularly strong criticism by Annas and Ross. Two related arguments in this series (1077a14-20 and 1077a24-31) will serve as cases in point. The principal charges made against these arguments (that Aristotle misunderstands or misrepresents his opponents’ views, and that he engages in question-begging because he presupposes his own metaphysical views) are frequently made against Aristotle’s critique of Platonist positions more generally. Thus if, as I argue, these charges are false for our two test case arguments, then there is good reason to think that they might also be false when they are leveled against the other arguments in this M 2 series. And, although presenting an argument for this is beyond the scope of this paper, I would suggest that these two charges are more often than not false when applied to Aristotle’s critique of Platonist mathematical views in M-N and beyond.
Characterization of the protein phosphatase 2c gene from Porphyra yezoensis and functional analysis under dessicating conditionsa
Authors: Zhang Bao Yu , Jia Zhao Jun , He Lin Wen , Wang Guang Ce , Peng Guang
Published: August 2012

To characterize the structure and function of the protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) gene in Porphyra yezoensis, full-length cDNA of the locus (denoted pypp2c) was obtained by electronic cloning, rapid amplification of cDNA ends, and reverse-transcription PCR. The nucleotide sequence of PyPP2C was 1988 bp, including a 5′-untranslated region (UTR) of 301 bp, a 3′-UTR of 256 bp, and an open reading frame of 1431 bp that can be translated into 476 amino acids with a molecular mass of 50.96 kDa and a putative isoelectric point of 8.34. The amino acids had 30–36% identity with those encoded by PP2C genes in protozoa and higher plants. A PP2C-like catalytic domain was found in the 57–397 region, and several residues involved in the metal ion binding sites were conserved. mRNA expression levels in the three life stages of leafy thalli, filaments, and conchospores were examined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Highest expression of pypp2c occurred in conchospores. Gene expression levels were similar among the three life stages. pypp2c expression at different thallus relative water contents (RWCs) varied, with the highest expression occurring at 60% RWC.
A checklist of marine fungi of Taiwan with a description of Kitesporella keelungensis gen. et sp. nov
Authors: Pang Ka-Lai , Jheng Jen-Sheng
Published: August 2012

Taiwan is an island of 35,980 km2 with a long coastline and thus is an ideal place for the study of marine fungi. A literature search and continuous surveys of lignicolous marine fungi over the past few years have documented 107 taxa: 2 Basidiomycota, 94 Ascomycota and 11 asexual fungi (10 hyphomycetes, 1 coelomycete). Most of these taxa were discovered on wood with a few arenicolous species. One new marine lignicolous fungus belonging to the Halosphaeriaceae was encountered during our study. Kitesporella keelungensis gen. et sp. nov. is characterized by hyaline, coriaceous ascomata with short necks, absence of periphyses and catenophyses, persistent/semi-persistent, clavate asci and rhomboid-shaped, thin-walled ascospores without appendages. It resembles Remispora pilleata in the rhomboid shape of the ascospores, but in R. pilleata, periphyses are present, asci are deliquescent and ascospores thick-walled with pleomorphic polar appendages at both ends. We compare the morphology of Kitesporella with those of other taxa in the Halosphaeriaceae without appendaged ascospores.
First report of the alien brown alga Botrytella parva (Takamatsu) H.-S. Kim (Chordariaceae, Phaeophyceae) from the eastern Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Taşkın Ergün , Pedersen Poul M.
Published: August 2012

Botrytella parva (Chordariaceae, Phaeophyceae) is reported for the first time from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The species was collected from the Dardanelles (Sea of Marmara, Turkey) in the sublittoral zone. Data concerning its habitat, morphology and worldwide distribution are presented. The justification for transfer of Polytretus reinboldii to Botrytella is discussed, and we found morphological arguments to resurrect the generic name Polytretus. A key to the species of Botrytella and Polytretus is provided.
Colpomenia durvillei (Scytosiphonaceae, Phaeophyceae): its distribution and relationships with other elongate species of the genus
Authors: Lee Kyung Min , Mansilla Andrés , Nelson Wendy A. , Boo Sung Min
Published: August 2012

The taxonomic distinctiveness and distribution of the brown alga Colpomenia durvillei are debatable; the species was first described from central Chile. We analyzed mitochondrial cox3 and plastid rbcL sequences from specimens collected in central Chile and Sonora, Mexico, in combination with morphological observations of specimens collected in Chile, Peru, and Mexico. Compared with other elongate species of the genus, C. durvillei is distinguished by erect, elongate thalli arising from a wide colpomenioid base, up to eight layers of cortical and medullary cells, and plurilocular sporangia with many layers (up to 18 locules). In all phylogenetic analyses of cox3 and rbcL sequences, all elongate species of the genus formed a clade, in which C. durvillei was consistently distinct from congeners. Colpomenia bullosa was closely related to C. durvillei in our cox3 analyses, and the clade containing these two species was closely related to Colpomenia phaeodactyla. This is the first report to confirm C. durvillei by molecular data and also the first report on the occurrence of the species in Sonora, Mexico. It had previously been misidentified as a variant of C. phaeodactyla on the Pacific coast of South America, and the name C. durvillei was misapplied to C. bullosa in New Zealand.
Chemical analysis of exopolysaccharide fractions and lipid compounds of the microalga Heterosigma akashiwo grown in vitro
Authors: Lopes Daniella Cristine , Maurer Juliana Bello Baron , Stevan-Hancke Fabíola Regina , de Oliveira Proença Luis Antônio , Zawadzki-Baggio Selma Faria
Published: August 2012

We report on (i) in vitro growth conditions for different growth stages of Heterosigma akashiwo and (ii) isolation, purification and structural investigation of the exopolysaccharide fraction (EXO). Cell polysaccharide fractions were analyzed for chemical composition, and we performed a comparison of the lipid components between cultures subjected to either a light/dark cycle of 12 h/12 h or 24 h of light. Man, Rha and Gal were the main monosaccharides in the EXO fraction. Following the purification step, the EXO fraction yielded EXO1.0 and EXO1.5 fractions. A linkage analysis of the EXO1.0 fraction indicated the presence of a highly branched polysaccharide with a (1→4)-linked mannan backbone, and analysis of EXO1.5 indicated the presence of a complex rhamnan consisting mainly of 2- and 4-linked Rha units with the non-reducing end of Gal and Rha. In cultures subjected to a 12 h/12 h light/dark cycle, palmitic and myristic acids were the most abundant lipids, and no polyunsaturated acid was detected. However, in cultures subjected to 24 h of light, no myristic acid was detected, and stearic and palmitic acids were the most abundant fatty acids. A polyunsaturated fatty acid and fatty acids with 20 or more carbon atoms also occurred in this fraction.
The photosynthetic characteristics of red coralline algae, determined using pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry
Authors: Burdett Heidi L. , Hennige Sebastian J. , Francis Fiona T.-Y. , Kamenos Nicholas A.
Published: August 2012

Interest in red coralline algae is increasing due to their projected sensitivity to ocean acidification and their utility as palaeoenvironmental proxies. Thus, it is crucial to obtain a thorough understanding of their basic photosynthetic characteristics and appropriate techniques for use in both laboratory and in situ studies. This study provides fluorescence methodology and data for the ecologically important red coralline alga Lithothamnion glaciale using pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry. Lithothamnion glaciale was sufficiently dark-acclimated for in situ work following 10 s of quasi-darkness, attaining 95–98% of the maximum photochemical efficiency (F
v/F
m). Rapid light curves conducted in situ and in the laboratory determined a low light adaptation, with a saturation intensity of 4.45–54.6 μmol photons m-2 s-1. Intra-thallus heterogeneity was observed between branch tips and bases (i.e., within the thallus) using a custom-made 2 mm fibre optic probe (the heterogeneity could not be detected using the standard 5 mm probe). Branch bases were lower light acclimated than the tips, with higher maximum effective quantum yield (F
q′/F
m′max) and lower non-photochemical quenching. Samples measured in May were higher light acclimated than in March, which suggests a degree of seasonal acclimation. Light history and photon irradiance levels were thus found to significantly affect the photosynthetic characteristics of L. glaciale.
The recoveryELISA – a newly developed immunoassay for measurement of therapeutic antibodies and the target antigen during antibody therapy
Authors: Strohner Pavel , Staatz Antonia , Sarrach Dieter , Steiss Jens-Oliver , Becher Gunther
Published: August 2012

Therapeutic antibodies are an important part of Biopharmaceuticals. They are highly innovative and specific drugs. Additionally, they play a challenging role in new demands in diagnostics because they disturb conventional antibody-based tests, such as immunoassays. The recoveryELISA is a newly developed immunoassay technology for monitoring such therapeutic antibodies or comparable biologics during the therapy. The recoveryELISA determines three results in one test: the free level of antigen (if available in serum), the level of therapeutic antibody and the specific dose-response interaction. The free level of antigen is the amount that can be measured in the immunoassay, as it exists unmasked under assay conditions. The relationship between therapeutic antibody level and neutralization rate of target protein is shown by the so-called ‘recovery curve’. The recoveryELISA is demonstrated with the example of Omalizumab/IgE.
Evaluation of the BRAHMS Kryptor® Thyroglobulin Minirecovery Test in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Giovanella Luca , Imperiali Mauro , Verburg Frederik A. , Ceriani Luca
Published: August 2012

Background: The present study was undertaken to evaluate a new sensitive thyroglobulin (Tg) mini-recovery test (Tg-mrec) for the detection of potential interferences in sera from patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) and low Tg levels.

Methods: 167 DTC patients with serum Tg <2 μg/L were enrolled. Both TgAb and Tg-mrec measurements were performed on the automated Kryptor® platform. Serum pretreatment in proprietory blocking tubes was perfomed to screen for heterophile antibody interferences. The concordance rates between tests were evaluated.

Results: One case of over-recovery occurred in a patient with discordant Tg results in different immunoassays. The prevalences of a positive TgAb test and a reduced recovery rate were 15%–12%, respectively. Serum TgAb and Tg-mrec tests were both positive in 16 patients, both negative in 138 patients and discordant in 13 patients, respectively. The concordance rate between the Tg-mrec test and the TgAb assay was 92% (Cohens’ kappa 0.894; 95% confidence interval: 0.82–0.93, p<0.001). In all, among seven clinically relevant interferences, three were found by TgAb, five by Tg-mrec and six by using both tests.

Conclusions: The automated Kryptor® Tg-mrec test has a complimentary value to TgAb immunoassay testing in the detection of potential interferences in Tg measurements in patients with DTC and low Tg values (i.e., <2 μg/L). Tg-mrec may detect interferences from TgAb not measured directly by an individual TgAb assay or from other interfering substances, such as heterophile antibodies.
Theoretical investigation on tautomerism and NBO analysis of 3-hydroxy-1,2,5-thiadiazole derivatives: solvent and substituent effects
Authors: Shabanian Meisam , Hajibeygi Mohsen , Moghanian Hassan , Mohamadi Azin
Published: August 2012

Thiadiazole compounds including 3-hydroxy-4-substituted-1,2,5-thiadiazole are known as non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1. Density functional calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level were employed to determine the stability, tautomerism, and substituent effects of 1,2,5-thiadiazole, a widely used skin-whitening, antibrowning, and antibacterial agent, and its derivatives (4-NO2, 4-CN, 4-F, 4-H, 4-Me, 4-NH2), in the gas phase and solution using the polarizable continuum method model. Some selected IR frequencies, molecular parameters, charges on atoms, and dipole moment results were analyzed.
Synthesis and molecular structure of (Z)-1H-purin-6-ylideneaminooxysulfonic acid: a possible secondary metabolite of adenine
Authors: Sączewski Jarosław , Gdaniec Maria
Published: August 2012

The reaction of 6-chloropurine (1) with fourfold excess of hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid (HOSA) provided (Z)-1H-purin-6-ylideneaminooxysulfonic acid (2) which can be regarded as a secondary metabolite of ultimate mutagen 6-hydroxylaminopurine (6-HAP). A similar reaction of 1 with twofold excess of HOSA gave a mixture of the substrate and the betaine product which co-crystallized from DMF-methanol-water in the form of complex 3 that proved to be a 1:1 complex 1·2 with offset face-to-face π-stacking interactions between purine rings.
Distribution of wood polymers within the cell wall of transgenic aspen imaged by Raman microscopy
Authors: Horvath Laszlo , Peszlen Ilona , Gierlinger Notburga , Peralta Perry , Kelley Steve , Csoka Levente
Published: August 2012

Little is known about the effect of genetic modification on the chemical composition and structure of wood, which could have a significant effect on reactivity during chemical and enzymatic processing. In this study, information was collected by confocal Raman microscopy (CRM) on the spatial distribution of lignin and polysaccharides in the cell wall of young transgenic aspen with reduced lignin content, increased syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) ratio, and simultaneously reduced lignin content and increased S/G ratio. CRM revealed that the lignin content of the cell wall and compound middle lamella was reduced by the genetic modification. A higher volume of water was also found in the cell wall of transgenic aspen compared with wild-type aspen, indicating an increase in the hydrophilicity of the cell wall.
Southern pine impregnated with silicate solution containing cellulose nanofibrils
Authors: Peng Yucheng , Han Yousoo , Gardner Douglas J.
Published: August 2012

A drying process has been tested to impregnate southern pine (Pinus spp.) samples with sodium silicate solution. The effect of adding cellulose nanofibrils in the treating solution was also studied. The mechanical tests show that the flexural modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) increased significantly with increasing concentration of sodium silicate. The highest MOR and MOE of the treated samples were 170±13 MPa and 19±1 GPa, respectively, while the corresponding data of the control sample were 98±8 MPa and 11±1 GPa respectively. Deposition of polymerized silicate in the wood cell lumina was observed. The compression strength was improved by the incorporation of polymerized silicate to increase the measured flexural properties. The presence of cellulose nanofibrils in the sodium silicate solution had no effect.
Determination of adhesive energy at the wood cell-wall/UF interface by nanoindentation (NI)
Authors: Obersriebnig Michael , Veigel Stefan , Gindl-Altmutter Wolfgang , Konnerth Johannes
Published: August 2012

Spruce wood specimens were surface-silylated according to three different protocols in order to progressively reduce hydrophilicity and, consequently, adhesion to urea-formaldehyde (UF) glue. Compared to the untreated reference, the macroscopic adhesive strength was drastically reduced in silylated specimens. Specimens treated with the most effective silylation method in terms of reduction of hydrophilicity showed near zero adhesion to UF glue. Micromechanical characterisation by means of nanoindentation (NI, Berkovich-type probe) revealed that the wood cell wall stiffness and hardness was not significantly affected by silylation. Contrarily, NI experiments (conical indenter tip with 60° opening angle) performed directly at the interface between the wood cell wall and the adhesive showed significantly reduced hardness and reduced specific work of NI in silylated specimens. It is concluded that the measured correlation between reduced hydrophilicity in silylated specimens and the mechanical strength of the interface is due to reduced adhesion. This allows calculating the specific adhesive energy for the system wood cell wall–urea formaldehyde glue from the difference between the specific work of adhesion obtained from the unmodified reference and the most efficiently silylated specimen. The advantage of this new method lies in the position-resolved measurement of qualitative differences in adhesive energy directly at the interface. This is not feasible with macroscopic test methods, which also include effects of surface roughness, cellular adhesive penetration, or grain angle.
TDP-43 in central nervous system development and function: clues to TDP-43-associated neurodegeneration
Authors: Sephton Chantelle F. , Cenik Basar , Cenik Bercin Kutluk , Herz Joachim , Yu Gang
Published: August 2012

From the earliest stages of embryogenesis and throughout life, transcriptional regulation is carefully orchestrated in order to generate, shape, and reshape the central nervous system (CNS). TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is identified as a regulator of essential transcriptional events in the CNS. Evidence for its importance comes from the identification of TDP-43 protein aggregates and genetic mutations in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Efforts are being made to learn more about the biological function of TDP-43 and gain a better understanding of its role in neurodegeneration. TDP-43 RNA targets and protein interactions have now been identified, and in vivo evidence shows that TDP-43 is essential in CNS development and function. This review will highlight aspects of these findings.
Current and prospective applications of non-proteinogenic amino acids in profiling of proteases substrate specificity
Authors: Kasperkiewicz Paulina , Gajda Anna D. , Drąg Marcin
Published: August 2012

Proteases recognize their endogenous substrates based largely on a sequence of proteinogenic amino acids that surrounds the cleavage site. Currently, several methods are available to determine protease substrate specificity based on approaches employing proteinogenic amino acids. The knowledge about the specificity of proteases can be significantly extended by application of structurally diverse families of non-proteinogenic amino acids. From a chemical point of view, this information may be used to design specific substrates, inhibitors, or activity-based probes, while biological functions of proteases, such as posttranslational modifications can also be investigated. In this review, we discuss current and prospective technologies for application of non-proteinogenic amino acids in protease substrate specificity profiling.
Structure and function of bacterial dynamin-like proteins
Authors: Bramkamp Marc
Published: August 2012

Membrane dynamics are essential for numerous cellular processes in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. In eukaryotic cells, membrane fusion and fission are often catalyzed by large GTPases of the dynamin protein family. These proteins couple GTP hydrolysis to membrane deformation, which eventually leads to fusion or fission of the lipid bilayer. Mutations in eukaryotic dynamin-like proteins (DLPs) are associated with various diseases underscoring the importance to fully understand the biochemistry of these proteins. In recent years, a wealth of structural and biochemical data have been published that allow a detailed analysis of how dynamins or DLPs modulate biological membranes. However, less is known about the function of bacterial DLPs, although structural data exist. This review summarizes current knowledge about bacterial dynamins and discusses structural and functional properties in comparison to their eukaryotic counterparts.
Highlight: Dolce vita – a sample from European glycobiology
Authors: Wuhrer Manfred , Horstkorte Rüdiger
Published: August 2012

No abstract available.
Highlight: The universe of proteolytic networks and mechanisms
Authors: Salvesen Guy S. , Bogyo Matthew
Published: August 2012

No abstract available.
Chronic administration of the antiretroviral nevirapine increases body weight, food, and water intake in albino Wistar rats
Authors: Umoren Elizabeth Bassey , Obembe Agona Odeh , Osim Eme Effiom
Published: August 2012

Background: Nevirapine (NVP) is an antiretroviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in the blood. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of chronic administration of NVP on body weight, food, and water intake using apparently healthy albino Wistar rats.

Methods: Twenty adult albino Wistar rats (50–125 g body weight) were used for the study. Rats in the control group (n=10) were fed normal rodent chow, whereas the NVP group (n=10) were fed by gavage NVP (0.4 mg/kg body weight) two times daily (07.00 h and 18.00 h) in addition to normal rodent chow for 12 weeks. All animals were allowed free access to clean drinking water.

Results: Results showed that the mean daily food and water intake in the NVP group were significantly higher (p<0.001) when compared with the control group, respectively. The mean change in body weight in the NVP group was significantly higher (p<0.001) than the control group.

Conclusions: These results suggest that chronic administration of NVP may increase body weight in rats, probably due to its stimulatory effects on food and water intake.
Presentations for rigid solvable groups
Authors: Romanovskiy Nikolay S.
Published: August 2012

A group

in which each factor
Guttus, tiralatte and téterelle: a history of breast pumps
Authors: Obladen Michael
Published: August 2012

Breast pumps have been used since antiquity, and their form has changed with the available material. The ancient Greeks used the ceramic guttus type, both to empty the breast and feed the infant. The Romans invented glass milk-extractors, sucked by the mother herself to elevate retracted nipples. Devices in the form of a smoking pipe were in widespread use when corsets had caused an epidemic of flat nipples in the 17th century. In the 19th century, vessels to be sucked both by mother and infant were developed to facilitate breastfeeding for preterm infants. When from 1870 the role of pathogenic bacteria became known, easy and thorough cleaning became an important feature of breast pumps. The 20th century sexualized the female breast to such a degree that its nourishing function was threatened. Electric pumps, developed at the beginning of the 20th century for hospital use, found a large private market when breast feeding in public was no longer tolerated. Today, breast pumps are mainly used to enable breastfeeding mothers to return to work.
Preterm Birth Genome Project (PGP) – validation of resources for preterm birth genome-wide studies
Authors: Pennell Craig E. , Vadillo-Ortega Felipe , Olson David M. , Ha Eun-Hee , Williams Scott , Frayling Tim M. , Dolan Siobhan , Katz Michael , Merialdi Mario , Menon Ramkumar
Published: August 2012

We determined a series of quality control (QC) analyses to assess the usability of DNA collected and processed from different countries utilizing different DNA extraction techniques prior to genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The quality of DNA collected utilizing four different DNA extraction techniques and the impact of shipping DNA at different temperatures on array performance were evaluated. Fifteen maternal-fetal pairs were used from four countries. DNA was extracted using four approaches: whole blood, blood spots with whole genome amplification (WGA), saliva and buccal swab. Samples were sent to a genotyping facility, either on dry ice or at room temperature and genotyped using Affymetrix SNP array 6.0. QC measured included extraction techniques, effect of shipping temperatures, accuracy and Mendelian concordance. Significantly fewer (50%) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) passed QC metrics for buccal swab DNA (P<0.0001) due to missing genotype data (P<0.0001). Whole blood or saliva DNA had the highest call rates (99.2 0.4% and 99.3 0.2%, respectively) and Mendelian concordance. Shipment temperature had no effect. DNA from blood or saliva had the highest call rate accuracy, and buccal swabs had the lowest. DNA extracted from blood, saliva and blood spots were found suitable for GWAS in our study.
Grammatical constraints and verb-framed languages: The case of Italian
Authors: Cardini Filippo-Enrico
Published: August 2012

In the literature on motion events, a lot of previous research can be found on the contrast between the typology of expression favoured by so-called ‘verb-framed languages’ and that favoured by so-called ‘satellite-framed languages.’ Only some of this previous research, however, has focused its attention on the reasons that ultimately bring about such contrasting fashions of speaking. The present study explores this issue in some depth by trying to identify what specific grammatical constraints lead Italian speakers to be shy of the use of manner verbs in the expression of motion events (at least when compared with speakers of a typical satellite-framed language such as English). The outcome of an interpretation task and a grammatical judgement task conducted with some Italian native speakers suggests that this phenomenon ultimately originates from features exhibited by the Italian system of spatial prepositions, as well as from features exhibited by a certain kind of Italian manner verbs. The constraints caused by the verbs appear to be particularly significant.
Light-weight nanocomposite materials with enhanced thermal transport properties
Authors: Song Wei-Li , Veca L. Monica , Anderson Ankoma , Cao Mao-Sheng , Cao Li , Sun Ya-Ping
Published: August 2012

Polymeric nanocomposite materials that are highly thermally conductive are important to a variety of applications, with examples ranging from flexible radiators in space to high-performance aircrafts and vehicles and to cutting-edge electronics. Among widely used nanoscale fillers in the development of these materials are carbon nanotubes and graphene sheets. As concluded in previous reviews, the performance of carbon nanotubes for imparting high thermal conductivity into polymeric matrices was generally poor. Here recent results associated with the effort on significant performance improvements are reviewed as an update. By contrast, graphene sheets have emerged as effective nanoscale fillers for polymeric nanocomposites of excellent thermal transport performance, reaching levels that are competitive to those achieved by metals. The significant recent results on thermally conductive polymeric nanocomposites with graphene sheets are highlighted, and their potential applications and issues on their further performance improvements are discussed.
Effects of fly ash and cement content on rheological, mechanical, and transport properties of high-performance self-compacting concrete
Authors: Jalal Mostafa , Mansouri Esmaeel
Published: August 2012

Rheological, mechanical, and transport properties of high-performance self-compacting concrete (HPSCC) mixes with different cement contents and fly ash percentages are studied in this research. Different HPSCC mixtures were investigated with cement contents of 400, 450, and 500 kg/m3 and fly ash percentages of 5%, 10%, and 15%. In order to achieve an enhanced durability, the aggregate grading curve was modified and improved based on power 0.45 grading curve. For a better understanding of fly ash effect and comparison purposes, a constant water to binder ratio (w/b=0.38) was used. The rheological properties were observed through slump flow time and diameter and V-funnel flow time. Mechanical properties including compressive and splitting tensile strength were determined at 7, 28, and 90 days. A comprehensive transport investigation was carried out using water absorption, capillary absorption, chloride ion percentage, and resistivity tests. The results showed a desirable improvement in rheological properties, and the compressive strength improved by about 10% for 15% fly ash at 90 days. A relatively significant improvement was also considered in all transport properties by increasing the fly ash percentage and cement content, especially at higher ages.