bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular analysis of group A rotaviruses detected in adults and adolescents with severe acute gastroenteritis in Italy in 2012
Authors: Ianiro Giovanni , Delogu Roberto , Bonomo Paolo , Fiore Lucia , Ruggeri Franco M ,   the “RotaNet‐Italy Study Group”
Published: January 2014

Hospital‐based surveillance of acute gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus has produced ample knowledge on the infection in children, whereas little is known on rotavirus infection among adults. The Italian surveillance program RotaNet‐Italia collected 1,595 samples from patients admitted to hospital with gastroenteritis in 2012. All patients presented with vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and/or abdominal pain. Forty‐two samples obtained by the RotaNet‐Italia (2.6%) were from adolescents or adults (10–89 years). The study compared the genotypes and gene sequences of the rotavirus strains identified in adults with strains obtained from children worldwide. All 42 Italian strains were genotyped by the EuroRotaNet RT‐nested‐PCR protocols, and 12 rotaviruses from patients >13‐year‐old were subjected to nucleotide sequencing of their VP7 and/or VP4 genes. All strains analyzed belonged to the common human genotypes G1P[8], G2P[4], G4P[8], and G9P[8], except an uncommon G3P[19] genotype detected in a single patient. Phylogenetic analysis of the 12 strains showed that within each genotype they clustered in RVA lineages reported worldwide. The amino acid sequences of the VP7 and the VP8* hypervariable regions were highly conserved between the RVA strains collected from adults and children, in each lineage. Genotyping, phylogenetic analysis, and the study of viral epitopes revealed that rotaviruses circulating in adults in Italy are closely similar to the strains circulating in children, with high nucleotide identity particularly with strains reported in Europe and Asia. The circulation of the same rotavirus strains in both children and adults suggests that adults may contribute to sustain the circulation of rotaviruses through the population. J. Med. Virol. 86:1073–1082, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The involvement of ADAMTS‐5 genetic polymorphisms in predisposition and diffusion tensor imaging alterations of lumbar disc degeneration
Authors: Wu Nan , Chen Jun , Liu Hao , Zhao Luo , Liu Sen , Liu Jiaqi , Su Xinlin , Wu Wenliang , Cong Jin , Qiu Guixing , Wu Zhihong
Published: January 2014

Purpose: Low back pain is a global health problem in which more than 40% is caused by lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (LDD). ADAMTS‐5 (A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs‐5) was shown to be involved in LDD by functional analyses. To identify whether there is an association between ADAMTS‐5 and LDD, and what is the contribution of ADAMTS‐5 genetic polymorphisms to MD (Mean diffusivity) changes in lumbar IVD (Intervertebral disc). We firstly genotyped selected ADAMTS‐5 SNPs (Single nucleotide polymorphisms) in a Chinese Han population. After the primary analyses of allelic, genotypic, and haplotypic association, we performed SNP–SNP interaction analysis. We subsequently genotyped another 50 participants and acquired the corresponding MD values from individual lumbar IVDs. The association analysis between the genotypic groups divided by the above positive SNPs and the corresponding MD values were also performed. Significant associations were identified in rs151058, rs229052, and rs162502. None of the 2‐SNP haplotypic analysis survived the 10,000 permutation test. The following interaction analysis demonstrated that rs151058 was strong associated with LDD when conditioning on rs162502. Significant difference of MD values between AA and G+ carriers was identified in rs162502. This is the first study indicating that the SNPs of ADAMTS‐5 may contribute to predisposition of LDD. An interaction between rs151058 and rs229052 may exist in ADAMTS‐5 with LDD. The rs162502 might be associated with altered MD values. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:686–694, 2014.
Complications and survival associated with operative procedures in patients with unresectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma
Authors: Spanheimer Philip M. , Cyr Anthony R. , Liao Junlin , Johlin Frederick C. , Hoshi Hisakazu , Howe James R. , Mezhir James J.
Published: January 2014

Background

Unresectable tumors of the pancreatic head are encountered in up to 20% of patients taken for resection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the complications and outcome associated with palliative surgical procedures to help guide management decisions in these patients.

Methods

Patients with pancreatic head adenocarcinoma taken to the operating room with curative intent who did not undergo pancreatectomy were evaluated.

Results

From 1997 to 2013, 50 patients were explored and found be unresectable due to M1 disease (n = 27, 54.0%) or vascular invasion (n = 23, 46.0%). Among unresectable patients, 34 (68.0%) had a palliative procedure performed including double bypass (n = 13), biliary bypass (n = 7), gastrojejunostomy (n = 5), or cholecystectomy (n = 9). Complications occurred in 22 patients (44.0%), and patients who had a palliative operation had a longer hospital stay and more major complications. Overall survival was reduced in patients treated with a palliative operation.

Conclusions

Despite advancements in endoscopic palliation, operative bypasses are still commonplace in patients with unresectable pancreatic head cancer. In this study, patients treated with operative procedures had a high rate of complications without a notable improvement in outcome. These findings highlight the importance of identifying unresectable disease prior to surgery and support a selective approach to palliative operations. J. Surg. Oncol 2014; 109:697–701. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Methods for Examining Cancer Symptom Clusters Over Time
Authors: Xiao Canhua , Bruner Deborah Watkins , Jennings Bonnie Mowinski , Hanlon Alexandra L.
Published: January 2014

In this article, we address statistical techniques appropriate for examining longitudinal changes in cancer symptom clusters. When the cluster structure is not pre‐determined, researchers may examine symptom clusters either at each time point or use composite scores to examine the symptom clusters across time points. When the cluster structures are pre‐determined, the statistical techniques depend on the research assumptions or purposes. Multilevel modeling, generalized estimating equations, latent growth curve modeling, and multivariate repeated‐measure analysis of variance are good choices for exploring whole cluster changes over time. Alternately, confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis are appropriate techniques for examining changes in symptom relationships within clusters over time. Each technique is described, with examples and strengths and weaknesses. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Validation of a Causal Model of Agitation Among Institutionalized Residents With Dementia in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Yi‐Heng , Lin Li‐Chan , Chen Kuen‐Bao , Liu Yu‐Cheng
Published: January 2014

The aim of this study was to test a causal model of the predictors of agitation among 405 nursing home residents in Taiwan with varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Chart review and behavioral observations were used to assess residents' physical and psychosocial condition. The final version of the model had a good fit. Cognitive function and depression had direct effects on agitation, and pain and functional ability had indirect effects on agitation via depression. Additionally, cognitive function and pain influenced functional ability directly, which in turn influenced depression and ultimately influenced agitation. The results suggest that effective management of agitation in demented residents requires identifying the needs underlying the behavior rather than directly treating the behavior itself. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recent developments in nanostructured polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane‐based materials via ‘controlled’ radical polymerization
Authors: Hussain Hazrat , Shah Syed M
Published: January 2014

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) compounds consist of unique three‐dimensional nanocages with a general composition of (RSiO1.5)n, where R groups are organic moieties for enhanced physical and chemical compatibility of inorganic POSS frameworks with organic systems. Due to their unique size, structure and properties there has been tremendous progress over the last decade or so in the chemistry and applications of POSSs in various fields of materials, nanoscience and nanotechnology. Advances in synthetic polymer chemistry, particularly the advent of ‘controlled’ radical polymerization (CRP), namely atom transfer radical polymerization, reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer and nitroxide‐mediated polymerization, have enabled polymer chemists to integrate inorganic POSS nanocages into well‐defined copolymers of almost any architecture, thus generating nanostructured materials with controlled molar masses and compositions, and well‐defined and tunable morphologies. Thus, these new strategies of employing POSS nanocages in polymer chemistry could lead to potential new applications in various areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The present paper covers recent trends and developments over the last five years or so in POSS‐based nanostructured materials via CRP. Also included is the combined CRP and ‘click’ chemistry approach to achieve POSS‐containing well‐defined hybrid copolymers. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Ionic effects on the behavior of thermoresponsive PEO–PNIPAAm block copolymers
Authors: Henderson Ian M. , Adams Peter G. , Montaño Gabriel A. , Paxton Walter F.
Published: January 2014

The temperature‐dependent aggregation and recovery of the copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)22‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)29 with a C12 end‐cap in aqueous solutions of salts and acids are investigated. Salt solutions affected the critical aggregation temperature of the copolymer in a manner predictable according to the Hofmeister series, with the kosmotropic adipic ion lowering the critical aggregation temperature and the chaotropic iodide raising it. Also, both salts and acids increased the size of copolymer aggregates formed with heating, due to the electrostatic shielding of aggregated structures provided by the electrolytes. Additionally, the presence of ionic additives caused a thermohysteretic increase in the size of copolymer aggregates with temperature cycling. The transitions of polymer structure with increasing temperature were surprisingly sharp with the C12 end‐cap present, and particularly broad in samples in which the end cap had been cleaved. This observation suggested that the hydrophobic end group was responsible for imparting some degree of order to the polymer at low temperatures, which allowed for rapid reconfiguration with increasing temperature. Finally, in addition to the transitions expected from the least critical solution temperature behavior of the polymer blocks, we have observed an unexpected additional transition which we attribute to the contraction of the poly(ethylene oxide) chains of the copolymer aggregates at higher temperatures. This work illustrates the importance of considering the environment and composition of thermoresponsive block copolymers in certain applications, particularly in solutions with even modest electrolyte concentrations (1–10 mM), as it can have a profound effect on transition temperatures and morphology. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 507–516
Generation of an intramolecular three‐color fluorescence resonance energy transfer probe by site‐specific protein labeling
Authors: Voss Stephanie , Zhao Lei , Chen Xi , Gerhard Frank , Wu Yao‐Wen
Published: January 2014

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a valuable tool for studying protein structure, folding and interactions. The steep distance dependence of the FRET efficiency requires the donor and acceptor to be in close proximity (1–7.5 nm) to exhibit sufficient energy transfer. One possibility to overcome this limitation is the usage of a FRET cascade that utilizes more than one FRET pair. Essential for realizing this FRET cascade is the site‐specific introduction of multiple fluorophores to a given protein, which remains a great challenge. In this study, orthogonal labeling techniques, including fluorescent protein tagging, oxime ligation and kinetically controlled cysteine conjugation, are employed to introduce three fluorophores at specific sites of Rab1b GTPase, yielding a triple‐labeled FRET probe. The generated protein probe exhibits efficient energy transfer from the primary donor enhanced green fluorescent protein over the intermediate acceptor rhodamine to the final acceptor Dy630. The labeling strategy opens up a new avenue for multi‐color labeling of proteins, facilitating long‐distance FRET studies. Copyright © 2014 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low energy induced homolytic fragmentation of flavonol 3‐O‐glycosides by negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Yang Wen‐Zhi , Qiao Xue , Bo Tao , Wang Qing , Guo De‐An , Ye Min
Published: January 2014

RATIONALE

Negative ESI‐QIT‐MS of several subtypes of flavonoid O‐glycosides is known to produce deprotonated molecular ions which undergo homolytic fragmentation at the glycosidic bond upon collision‐induced dissociation (CID). However, these subtypes have never been simultaneously compared under unified MS conditions.

METHODS

The (−)‐ESI‐MSn fragmentations of 69 flavonoid O‐glycosides, involving eight subtypes, were analyzed using a quadrupole ion‐trap mass spectrometer with collision energies varying from 18–44%. Factors influencing the homolytic glycosidic bond fragmentation, such as collision energy, hydroxylation of aglycone, and glycosylation pattern, were comprehensively studied.

RESULTS

Under the unified CID‐QIT‐MS2 conditions, the precursor deprotonated molecular ions [M–H]– for 3‐O‐glycosyl, 3,7‐di‐O‐glycosyl and 3,6,7‐tri‐O‐glycosyl flavonols experienced homolytic fragmentation at the glycosidic bond and generated the radical aglycone ion [Y0–H]–•. This gas‐phase CID fragmentation behavior was not observed for the other subtypes. A general trend was found that hydroxyl substitution at C‐6, glycosylation at C‐6/C‐7, and acetylation of the saccharide moiety remarkably suppressed this fragmentation. In addition, flavonol 3‐O‐diglycosides (disaccharides) possessing a 1 → 2 glycosidic bond generated more abundant [Y0–H]–• product ions than those with a 1 → 3 or 1 → 6 bond. The terminal sugar triggered the homolytic fragmentation in the order Rha > Xyl > Glc. Moreover, new counterexamples were found for previously reported fragmentation rules.

CONCLUSIONS

The low‐energy CID homolytic fragmentation was diagnostic for structural identification of flavonol 3‐O‐glycosides. We have summarized key factors affecting this fragmentation. The results could be useful for rapid characterization of flavonoid O‐glycosides in complicated herbal extracts. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of varying dietary starch and fiber levels and inoculum source (mule deer vs. dairy cow) on simulated rumen fermentation characteristics
Authors: Brooks Matthew A. , Harvey Robyn M. , Johnson Nichole F. , Koutsos Elizabeth A. , Kerley Monty S.
Published: January 2014

This study measured starch and fiber digestion and microbial fermentation of three commercial exotic animal feeds using mule deer (MD) or dairy cow (DC) rumen inoculum. Diets were formulated to provide either high starch/low fiber (based on neutral detergent fiber fraction; NDF) with either alfalfa (diet A) or grain and oilseed byproducts (diet B) as the major fiber sources or low starch/high NDF (diet C). An initial batch culture incubation was run with diets inoculated with each rumen inoculum (n = 6; N = 36) over a 48 hr period with samples taken at different hour points for ammonia, pH, lactate, and volatile fatty acids (VFA). A second experiment was conducted where two continuous culture incubations (MD or DC) were run with six single‐flow polycarbonate fermentation vessels per dietary treatment. Diets were fed two times a day over an 8‐day period and sampled for ammonia, pH, and VFA before and after feeding on the last 3 days. On day 8, fermenter and effluent contents were collected and analyzed for nitrogen, dry matter digestibility (DMD), and organic matter digestibility (OMD). OMD was greater in MD (P = 0.02) and DMD tended to do the same (P = 0.06), but there were no differences due to diet (P > 0.05). Ammonia concentration was greater in DC (P < 0.01), and diets A and B had greater concentrations than diet C (P < 0.01). The greater digestibility, higher acetate:propionate (A:P) ratio and increased lactate levels prior to feeding likely led to diet C having a lower pH than diet A (6.59 vs. 6.66, respectively; P < 0.01) and led the tendency of A to be lower than C after feeding (P = 0.08). A:P ratio was greater in DC than MD before and after feeding (P < 0.01) and was greater in diet C than diets A or B (P < 0.01). Total VFA production tended to be greater in diets B and C in DC (P = 0.06). Rumen fluid source did affect fermentation. Increasing fiber level did not negatively affect fermentation and may increase OMD by removal of negative associative affects by starch on cellulolytic bacteria. Zoo Biol. 33:110–120, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Psychometric Properties of Health-Related Quality of Life Instruments in Patients Undergoing Palmar Fasciectomy for Dupuytren's Disease: A Prospective Study
Authors: Thoma Achilleas , Kaur Manraj Nirmal , Ignacy Teegan Aili , Levis Carolyn , Martin Stuart , Duku Eric , Haines Ted
Published: January 2014

Background

The traditional outcome measured following treatment of Dupuytren's Disease (DD) has been digital range of motion; specifically the gain in digital extension. The outcomes research movement in the last three decades however has been advocating the measurement of outcomes from the patient's perspective using Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaires (HRQOL). Although several generic and region-specific HRQOL questionnaires exist, there is no guidance as to which one is the most appropriate for this population. The objective of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of three self-reported HRQOL outcome measures in patients with DD.

Methods

Patients with DD were enrolled from the practices of three plastic surgeons. Test-retest reliability, concurrent validity and responsiveness of three HRQOL questionnaires were compared in a prospective study design. The HRQOL measures included Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3), Short Form-36 (SF-36), and the Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ).

Results

All three measures demonstrated good test-retest reliability (ICC=0.77–0.85). Concurrent validity was found between the HUI3 pain and dexterity attributes and SF-36 physical summary score. The sensitivity of the MHQ to detect changes in the status of the patient was found to be high (effect size=1.14) whereas that of the SF-36 was trivial.

Conclusions

The HUI3 and the MHQ seem to be reliable and valid tools to assess the HRQOL in patients with Dupuytren's Disease.
Performance of Spanish‐speaking community‐dwelling elders in the United States on the Uniform Data Set
Authors: Benson Gloria , de Felipe Jesús , Xiaodong  , Sano Mary
Published: January 2014

Background

Spanish is the second‐most common language spoken in the United States, and Spanish speakers represent one third of the aging population. The National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center's Uniform Data Set implemented a Spanish neuropsychological battery. Previous work described the neuropsychological performance for English speakers. Here we describe performance on the Spanish version.

Methods

Data from 276 Spanish speakers with normal cognition were summarized, with descriptive tables of performance on individual cognitive tests. Regression techniques were used to evaluate the effect of demographics on cognitive performance.

Results

Spanish speakers were younger (70.0 vs 74.0 years) and less educated (10.7 vs 15.7 years) with more females (76% vs 63% female) than the previously described English speakers. Higher education and lower age were associated with better performance.

Conclusion

This national cohort of well‐characterized Spanish‐speaking elders provides descriptive data on cognitive performance, an important tool for clinical and research efforts.
A Mediastinal Mass Presenting With Unilateral Periscapular and Arm Pain
Authors: McCormick Zack , Bouffard Karina J. , Neudorf Daniel , Casey Ellen
Published: January 2014

We describe a case of a patient with mediastinal lymphoma who presented with arm and scapular pain, which is an atypical referral pattern for pain originating from the mediastinum. We use this case as a platform to discuss mediastinal pain referral patterns and the importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis of arm and scapular pain, especially when symptoms atypical of pure neuromusculoskeletal structural disease are present.
Who's Afraid of Determinism?
Authors: Stevenson Leslie
Published: January 2014

Because of the idealizations involved in the ideas of a total state of the world and of all the laws of nature, the thesis of all-encompassing determinism is unverifiable. Our everyday non-scientific talk of causation does not imply determinism; nor is it needed for the Kantian argument for a general causal framework as a condition for experience of an objective world. Determinism is at best a regulative ideal for science, something to be approached but never reached.
Beyond simple utility in predicting self-control fatigue: A proximate alternative to the opportunity cost model
Authors: Inzlicht Michael , Schmeichel Brandon J.
Published: January 2014

The opportunity cost model offers an ultimate explanation of ego depletion that helps to move the field beyond biologically improbable resource accounts. The model's more proximate explanation, however, falls short of accounting for much data and is based on an outdated view of human rationality. We suggest that our own process model offers a better proximate account of self-control fatigue.
Revisiting “the Long Night” of Iranian Workers: Labor Activism in the Iranian Oil Industry in the 1960s
Authors: Jefroudi Maral
Published: January 2014

This article reviews the labor historiography of Iran for the period between the 1953 coup and the early revolutionary activism of late the 1970s, an interlude marked by a lack of histories of labor activism. Based on a qualitative analysis of the types of collective actions that oil workers engaged in during the period, this article argues that contextualizing the struggles of workers and the types of collective actions they engaged in will tell us more about the social and political changes that they experienced and participated in than the search for an ideal type of labor activism. It is argued that the social and political climate of Iran during the 1960s, characterized by political repression and an extensive centralized reform program, added new tactics to workers’ repertoires of action as they made use of the discourse of the regime for their own ends. This study is based on archival research at the International Institute of Social History archives in Amsterdam, the BP archives at Coventry, the National Archives of UK in London, and the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC.
Assessment of malaria incidence using the Richards model in Arunachal Pradesh, India
Authors: SRINIVASA RAO M. , SURYANARYANA MURTY U. , MADHUSUDHAN RAO K. , KARTIK N. , PREEYANTEE G. , BALAKRISHNA N.
Published: January 2014

Monitoring of malaria intensity in terrain regions of Arunachal Pradesh, India is very difficult as the dynamics of mosquito populations varies to a large extent due to altitude and frequent changes in climatic conditions. There is a scarcity of information on the influence of climatic factors on malaria morbidity in Arunachal Pradesh. Hence, a pilot study was conducted from 2006 to 2010 to understand malaria transmission dynamics, seasonal distribution and disease morbidity. Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum are the two major parasites for malaria transmission in Arunachal Pradesh. Out of 142 558 malaria cases analysed from 2006 to 2010, P. vivax infection contributed 72·1% followed by P. falciparum (27·9%). However, the overall morbidity of malaria declined from 37/1000 in 2006 to 18/1000 population in 2010. From this study it was observed that the temporal distribution of malaria cases varied between districts and high morbidity rates were reported mostly during the wet season. To understand malaria transmission dynamics in the study area, the Richards model was used to predict malaria cases. The output of the results from this model predicted a higher number of malaria cases (K) during 2006 and a gradual decline in subsequent years. Similarly, the growth rate r, and exponential deviation α, were almost identical for all the years, which shows that the Richards model is the most suitable model for the prediction of malaria cases.
Intricate dynamics caused by facilitation in competitive environments within polluted habitat patches
Authors: LÓPEZ-GÓMEZ JULIÁN , MOLINA-MEYER MARCELA , TELLINI ANDREA
Published: January 2014

This paper analyses a canonical class of one-dimensional superlinear indefinite boundary value problems of great interest in population dynamics under non-homogeneous boundary conditions; the main bifurcation parameter in our analysis is the amplitude of the superlinear term. Essentially, it continues the analysis of López-Gómezet al. (López-Gómez, J., Tellini, A. & Zanolin, F. (2014) High multiplicity and complexity of the bifurcation diagrams of large solutions for a class of superlinear indefinite problems.Comm. Pure Appl. Anal.13(1), 1–73) with empty overlapping, by computing the bifurcation diagrams of positive steady states of the model and by proving analytically a number of significant features, which have been observed from the numerical experiments carried out here. The numerics of this paper, besides being very challenging from the mathematical point of view, are imperative from the point of view of population dynamics, in order to ascertain the dimensions of the unstable manifolds of the multiple equilibria of the problem, which measure their degree of instability. From that point of view, our results establish that under facilitative effects in competitive media, the harsher the environmental conditions, the richer the dynamics of the species, in the sense discussed in Section 1.
Molecular cloning, gene expression and functional expression of a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylaseOsppc1in developing rice seeds: implication of involvement in nitrogen accumulation
Authors: Yamamoto Naoki , Kubota Tatsuya , Masumura Takehiro , Shiraishi Naomasa , Tanaka Kunisuke , Sugimoto Toshio , Oji Yoshikiyo
Published: January 2014

We isolated two cDNAs of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) from developing rice seeds,Osppc1andOsppc3. The deduced amino acid sequences of both cDNAs share several conserved motifs with other non-photosynthetic PEPCases, and these common motifs are known to be functionally important to their regulatory properties. The deduced protein sequence ofOsppc1was clustered into a monocotyledonous plant-specific clade, andOsppc3was clustered into a gramineous plant-specific clade in the phylogenetic tree of plant PEPCases. The mRNA accumulations ofOsppc1andOsppc3were found in developing rice seeds throughout the grain-filling stages, although their expression patterns differed:Osppc1was strongly expressed at 7 d after flowering, andOsppc3was strongly expressed at 4 d after flowering. The kinetic properties of the Osppc1 recombinant protein were quite similar to those of maize root-type PEPCase, except that the sensitivity for malate at pH 7.3 was weaker. Mining rice microarray data, we observed thatOsppc1was co-expressed with aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, which are involved in seed nitrogen metabolism. Moreover, reannotation of the co-expressed genes revealed thatOsppc1, the two aminotransferases and the enolase were mapped on to the consecutive reaction from 2-phosphoglycerate to glutamate and pyruvate in the cytosol. These results imply thatOsppc1functions cooperatively with the two aminotransferases in the synthesis of amino acids that are used for storage protein synthesis in developing rice seeds.
MONEY TARGETING, HETEROGENEOUS AGENTS, AND DYNAMIC INSTABILITY
Authors: Motta Giorgio , Tirelli Patrizio
Published: January 2014

The limited asset-market participation hypothesis has triggered a debate on DSGE models' determinacy when the central bank implements a standard Taylor rule. We reconsider the issue here in the context of an exogenous money supply rule, documenting the role of nominal and real frictions in determining these results. A general conclusion is that frictions matter for stability insofar as they redistribute income between Ricardian and non-Ricardian households when shocks hit the economy. Finally, we extend the model to allow for the possibility that consumers who do not participate in the market for interest-bearing securities hold money. In this case, endogenous monetary transfers between the two groups make it possible to smooth consumption differences, and the model is determinate, provided that the non-negativity constraint on individual money holdings is satisfied.
Microstructure of Bentonite in Iron Ore Green Pellets
Authors: Bhuiyan Iftekhar U. , Mouzon Johanne , Schröppel Birgit , Kaech Andres , Dobryden Illia , Forsmo Seija P.E. , Hedlund Jonas
Published: January 2014

Sodium-activated calcium bentonite is used as a binder in iron ore pellets and is known to increase strength of both wet and dry iron ore green pellets. In this article, the microstructure of bentonite in magnetite pellets is revealed for the first time using scanning electron microscopy. The microstructure of bentonite in wet and dry iron ore pellets, as well as in distilled water, was imaged by various imaging techniques (e.g., imaging at low voltage with monochromatic and decelerated beam or low loss backscattered electrons) and cryogenic methods (i.e., high pressure freezing and plunge freezing in liquid ethane). In wet iron ore green pellets, clay tactoids (stacks of parallel primary clay platelets) were very well dispersed and formed a voluminous network occupying the space available between mineral particles. When the pellet was dried, bentonite was drawn to the contact points between the particles and formed solid bridges, which impart strength to the solid compact.
Malnutrition und Infekte
Authors: Iliakis Dimitrios , Kressig Reto W.
Published: January 2014

Malnutrition ist vor allem im höheren Lebensalter eine häufige, vielfach unterschätzte Krankheitsentität mit wesentlicher Konsequenz für Morbidität und Mortalität. Mangelernährte Individuen haben ein höheres Infektionsrisiko. Denn für eine adäquate Immunantwort müssen genügend Nährstoffe vorhanden sein. Malnutrition beeinträchtigt alle Komponenten der Immunität. Altersbedingte Veränderungen der Immunität haben hauptsächlich phenotypische und funktionelle Veränderungen in den T-Zellkomponenten zur Folge. Altern und Malnutrition üben einen kumulativen Einfluss auf die Immunantwort aus, da der individuelle Ernährungszustand massgeblich die altersbedingte Immundysfunktion beeinflusst. Die Beibehaltung eines optimalen Ernährungszustandes ist entscheidend für den Alterungsprozess bei guter Gesundheit.
Medizin und Recht: Therapieverzicht am Lebensende durch niedergelassene Ärzte
Authors: Rogler Gerhard , Mausbach Julian
Published: January 2014

Die Frage, wie die individuelle Grenzziehung zum Behandlungsabbruch oder Therapieverzicht aus ethischer Sicht vorzunehmen ist und wann diese Schritte möglicherweise mit Blick auf ein menschenwürdiges Sterben geboten sind, bleibt schwierig. Ziel des vorliegenden Beitrages ist es, zu erreichen, dass die Beantwortung dieser Frage nicht von einer Unsicherheit über die rechtlichen Voraussetzungen belastet ist. Es soll dargestellt werden, dass der Wunsch des Patienten auch und gerade durch Hausärzte und niedergelassene Mediziner in einem auf ambulante Behandlung und Betreuung ausgerichteten Setting umgesetzt werden kann. Die Sensibilisierung für eine würdevolle Gestaltung des Lebensendes, trotz oder angesichts eines gesellschaftlichen Wandels und einer Ökonomisierung der Medizin, sowie die weitere Stärkung ambulanter palliativer Angebote sind angezeigt. Die bestehende Rechtssicherheit soll daher vermittelt und dargestellt werden.
Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of human brain tissue from schizophrenia patients
Authors: Wockner L F , Noble E P , Lawford B R , Young R McD , Morris C P , Whitehall V L J , Voisey J
Published: January 2014

Recent studies suggest that genetic and environmental factors do not account for all the schizophrenia risk, and epigenetics also has a role in disease susceptibility. DNA methylation is a heritable epigenetic modification that can regulate gene expression. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was performed on post-mortem human brain tissue from 24 patients with schizophrenia and 24 unaffected controls. DNA methylation was assessed at over 485 000 CpG sites using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 Bead Chip. After adjusting for age and post-mortem interval, 4641 probes corresponding to 2929 unique genes were found to be differentially methylated. Of those genes, 1291 were located in a CpG island and 817 were in a promoter region. These includeNOS1,AKT1,DTNBP1,DNMT1,PPP3CCandSOX10, which have previously been associated with schizophrenia. More than 100 of these genes overlap with a previous DNA methylation study of peripheral blood from schizophrenia patients in which 27 000 CpG sites were analysed. Unsupervised clustering analysis of the top 3000 most variable probes revealed two distinct groups with significantly more people with schizophrenia in cluster one compared with controls (P=1.74 × 10−4). The first cluster composed of 88% of patients with schizophrenia and only 12% controls, whereas the second cluster composed of 27% of patients with schizophrenia and 73% controls. These results strongly suggest that differential DNA methylation is important in schizophrenia etiology and add support for the use of DNA methylation profiles as a future prognostic indicator of schizophrenia.
Alternation and tunable composition in hydrogen bonded supramolecular copolymers
Authors: Felder Thorsten , de Greef Tom F. A. , Nieuwenhuizen Marko M. L. , Sijbesma Rint P.
Published: January 2014

A quadruple hydrogen bonded supramolecular copolymer is reported which combines preferred alternation with a continuously tunable composition.
Diastereoselective synthesis of a bicyclic β-lactam with penicillin G-like spectrum of activity by carbonylation of an acyclic diaminocarbene
Authors: Schulz Tim , Färber Christian , Leibold Michael , Bruhn Clemens , Prochnow Pascal , Bandow Julia E. , Schneider Tanja , Porsch Timo , Holthausen Max C. , Siemeling Ulrich
Published: January 2014

Staudinger, retro-Wolff, pro-Fleming: CO reacts with a persistent carbene to a ketene, which rearranges to a transient carbene, which affords a bicyclic β-lactam by C–H insertion.
Catalytic metal-free Si–N cross-dehydrocoupling
Authors: Greb Lutz , Tamke Sergej , Paradies Jan
Published: January 2014

The B(C6F5)3 catalyzed cross-dehydrocoupling of hydrosilanes with anilines, carbazoles and indoles is reported and provides a metal-free access to silyl-protected amines.
Facile synthesis of Pd–Pt alloy concave nanocubes with high-index facets as electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation
Authors: Zhan Fangwei , Bian Ting , Zhao Wengao , Zhang Hui , Jin Mingshang , Yang Deren
Published: January 2014

High-index faceted Pd–Pt alloy concave nanocubes with controlled compositions were generated and exhibited substantially enhanced performance for methanol oxidation.
Colloidal silicon quantum dots: from preparation to the modification of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for bio-applications
Authors: Cheng Xiaoyu , Lowe Stuart B. , Reece Peter J. , Gooding J. Justin
Published: January 2014

Summarizes recent advances in the preparation, surface modification and bio-applications of silicon quantum dots.
Selective production of cyclohexanol and methanol from guaiacol over Ru catalyst combined with MgO
Authors: Nakagawa Yoshinao , Ishikawa Momoko , Tamura Masazumi , Tomishige Keiichi
Published: January 2014

Methoxyphenols can be converted to cyclohexanol and methanol with H2 over Ru/C combined with MgO.
Synthesis of bicyclic organo-peptide hybrids via oxime/intein-mediated macrocyclization followed by disulfide bond formation
Authors: Smith Jessica M. , Hill Nicholas C. , Krasniak Peter J. , Fasan Rudi
Published: January 2014

A new strategy is described to convert recombinant polypeptides into bicyclic organo-peptide hybrids constrained by an intramolecular disulfide bridge.
Synthesis, biophysical studies and RNA interference activity of RNA having three consecutive amide linkages
Authors: Tanui Paul , Kennedy Scott D. , Lunstad Benjamin D. , Haas Amanda , Leake Devin , Rozners Eriks
Published: January 2014

RNA sequences having up to three consecutive internal amide linkages were synthesized and studied using UV and NMR spectroscopy and RNA interference activity assays.
Catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of phenol by [C16H33(CH3)3N]4H2SiV2W10O40 catalyst
Authors: Li Huacheng , Yu Xia , Zheng Hongwei , Li Yiming , Wang Xiaohong , Huo Mingxin
Published: January 2014

Under ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions, phenol could be completely oxidized to CO2 with catalyst [C16H33(CH3)3N]4H2SiV2W10O40.
Enhanced bone regeneration with a gold nanoparticle–hydrogel complex
Authors: Heo Dong Nyoung , Ko Wan-Kyu , Bae Min Soo , Lee Jung Bok , Lee Deok-Won , Byun Wook , Lee Chang Hoon , Kim Eun-Cheol , Jung Bock-Young , Kwon Il Keun
Published: January 2014

A hybrid hydrogel composed of gelatin and gold nanoparticles (GNPs) was designed to evaluate the effect of new bone formation and proves itself to be useful as an implant material for treating defected bone tissues.
Sub-10 nm and monodisperse β-NaYF4:Yb,Tm,Gd nanocrystals with intense ultraviolet upconversion luminescence
Authors: Shi Feng , Zhao Yue
Published: January 2014

Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanocrystals of β-NaYF4:18%Yb,0.5%Tm,X%Gd and core–shell structured β-NaYF4:18%Yb,0.5%Tm,20%Gd@NaGdF4 as small as 8 nm and 12 nm in diameter respectively were synthesized. They display intense and high-order ultraviolet (UV) emissions upon 980 nm excitation.
Perturbation of neuronal cobalamin transport by lysosomal enzyme inhibition
Authors: Zhao Hua , Ruberu Kalani , Li Hongyun , Garner Brett
Published: January 2014

Cbl (cobalamin) utilization as an enzyme cofactor is dependent on its efficient transit through lysosomes to the cytosol and mitochondria. We have previously proposed that pathophysiological perturbations in lysosomal function may inhibit intracellular Cbl transport with consequences for down-stream metabolic pathways. In the current study, we used both HT1080 fibroblasts and SH-SY5Y neurons to assess the impact that protease inhibitors, chloroquine and leupeptin (N-acetyl-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-argininal), have on the distribution of [57Co]Cbl in lysosomes, mitochondria and cytosol. Under standard cell culture conditions the distribution of [57Co]Cbl in both neurons and fibroblasts was ~5% in lysosomes, 14% in mitochondria and 81% in cytosol. Treatment of cells with either 25 μM chloroquine or 40 μM leupeptin for 48 h significantly increased the lysosomal [57Co]Cbl levels, by 4-fold in fibroblasts and 10-fold in neurons, and this was associated with reduced cytosolic and mitochondrial [57Co]Cbl concentrations. Based on Western blotting of LAMP2 in fractions recovered from an OptiPrep density gradient, lysosomal Cbl trapping was associated with an expansion of the lysosomal compartment and an increase in a subpopulation of lysosomes with increased size and density. Moreover, the decreased mitochondrial Cbl that was associated with lysosomal Cbl trapping was correlated with decreased incorporation of [14C] propionate into cellular proteins/macromolecules, indicating an inhibition of Cbl-dependent Mm-CoA (methylmalonyl-coenzyme A) mutase activity. These results add support to the idea that lysosomal dysfunction may significantly impact upon Cbl transport and utilization.
Lossless passive snubber for double ended flyback converter with passive clamp circuit
Authors: Mohammadi Mehdi , Adib Ehsan , Farzanehfard Hosein
Published: January 2014

Transformer leakage inductance in flyback converter results in high switch losses and stresses. For practical implementation of this converter snubber and clamp circuits are necessary. In this study a new passive lossless snubber and clamp circuit for double ended flyback converter is introduced. Operation of the new snubber is independent of load, and the converter duty cycle can be changed in a wide range. The proposed converter is analysed and experimental results are presented to justify the theoretical analysis.
Neural‐network‐based space‐vector pulse‐width modulation for capacitor voltage balancing of three‐phase three‐level improved power quality converter
Authors: Langer Nitin , Bhat Abdul Hamid , Agarwal Pramod
Published: January 2014

In this study, an artificial neural‐network (ANN)‐based space‐vector pulse‐width modulation (SVPWM) for capacitor voltage balancing of a three‐phase three‐level neutral‐point clamped converter with improved power quality is presented. The neural‐network‐based controller offers the advantage of very fast implementation of the SVPWM algorithm. This makes it possible to use an application specific integrated circuit chip in place of a digital signal processor. The proposed scheme employs single layer feed‐forward neural‐networks at different stages along with a control algorithm using modified reference vector for capacitor voltage balancing of an improved power quality three‐phase neutral‐point clamped converter. In other words, the neural‐network receives three‐phase voltages and currents as input and generates symmetrical pulse‐width modulation waves for three phases of the converter. A simulated digital signal processor (DSP)‐based modulator generates the data which are used to train the network by a back‐propagation algorithm in the MATLAB Neural Network Toolbox. The simulation of converter with ANN‐based space‐vector modulator shows excellent performance when compared with that of conventional DSP‐based modulator.
Isolated discontinuous energy pump‐source inverters
Authors: Dehghan Seyed Mohammad , Seifi Ebrahim , Mohamadian Mustafa , Rajaei Amir Hossein , Amiri Arash
Published: January 2014

Recently, several single‐stage buck–boost inverters, such as Z‐source inverter (ZSI), Luo‐source inverter and Cuk‐source inverter, have been developed. These inverters are considered as discontinuous energy pump‐source inverters (DEPSI), since these inverters benefit from a pump circuit with discontinuous output voltage as front‐end stage. Considering the concept, this study adds two new converters (Zeta and Forward‐source inverters) to this family and compares DEPSIs (including already investigated and the presented inverters) and two‐stage converters using DC/DC converter as the boost stage regarding several criteria: 1 – boost capability, 2 – cost, 3 – efficiency and 4 – passive components requirement. The results are discussed to determine the appropriate topology according to different voltage gains. Also, a new control algorithm called minimum constant boost control for optimum control of Luo, Cuk and Zeta source inverters has been proposed here, which is used in the analysis and comparison. Experimental tests for a 250 W prototype of the converters are performed, which confirm the simulations and theoretical results.
Split gate resurf stepped oxide UMOSFET with P‐pillar for improved performance
Authors: Ying Wang , Haifan Hu , Liguo Wang , Chenghao Yu
Published: January 2014

In this work, the authors propose a split‐gate resurf stepped oxide with P‐pillar (SGRSOP) UMOS structure. The P‐pillar trench under the source electrode in SGRSOP U‐shape metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (UMOS) serves the purpose of simultaneously achieving the following: (1) it has formed a local super junction (SJ) structure with the N‐type drift. The P‐pillar modulates the electric field distribution in the local SJ and increases the N− drift region doping concentration. (2) It has suppressed the parasitic bipolar junction transistor (BJT) effect by adding the P‐pillar in the N− drift region, enlarges the boundary of the snapback. As compared with the SGRSO UMOS, the SGRSOP UMOS only add the P‐pillar structure, while it has the better performance. The simulation results show that the SGRSOP UMOS reduces the on‐state specific resistance (RSP) and increases the transconductance (gm), improves the figure of merit and its UIS ruggedness is as good as that of the split‐gate resurf stepped oxide UMOS.
Modelling and control of a railway power conditioner in co‐phase traction power system under partial compensation
Authors: Dai Ning‐Yi , Wong Man‐Chung , Lao Keng‐Weng , Wong Chi‐Kong
Published: January 2014

Co‐phase traction power supply system provides continuous power to traction loads without neutral sections. In order to reduce system unbalance, compensate reactive power and harmonics, a railway power conditioner (RPC) operates together with traction transformer in each substation. In the past study, the RPC is designed to achieve three‐phase balance and unity power factor (PF) at the grid side. As a result, its rating is high. According to the power quality tariff plan in China, the penalty for reactive power can be avoided if the PF is higher than 0.9. In this study, a grid‐side PF of 0.9 is achieved via different control approaches after analysis. Among these approaches, the rating of the RPC in the worst case is more than twice that in the best case. Hence, selection of a suitable control parameter is necessary. The minimum rating of the RPC is achieved by setting the power angle of phases A and B lagging and the power angle of phase C leading under partial compensation. The rating of the RPC is reduced to 70% by setting PF to 0.95 instead of 1. Simulation and experimental results are provided to show the validity of the modelling, design and control method.
Transient interference excision and spectrum reconstruction with partial samples for over‐the‐horizon radar
Authors: Duan Jia , Zhang Lei , Xing Meng‐dao , Li Jian
Published: January 2014

For target detection with sparsely sampled over‐the‐horizon radar (OTHR) signal, there are two major hassles puzzling its clutter and target Doppler spectrum reconstruction. On one hand, the OTHR signal is usually contaminated by transient interferences, which usually leads to a significant signal loss in its excision with conventional methods. On the other hand, the sparse OTHR signal will introduce serious grating‐lobes in conventional Doppler analysis methods and thus degrade the performance of target detection. In this study, an integrate clutter and target spectrum reconstruction method for sparse OTHR signal are proposed. The proposed method contains two aspects. First, based on the sparse basis representation, a transient interference excision method is developed, which uses time–frequency modulated rectangle window basis to represent the OTHR signal in a sparse way to identify transient interferences. The second aspect lies in that, based on the compressive sensing, a spectrum reconstruction method is proposed to obtain the integrate clutter and target spectrum with sparse samples. By solving the Doppler sparsity constrained optimisation with greedy algorithms, the complete Doppler spectrum is recovered effectively for target detection. The performance of the authors proposal is validated by both simulation and real‐measured data sets.