bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COMBINING THE CONCEPTS OF BENCHMARKING AND MATRIX GAME IN MARKETING (RE)POSITIONING OF SEAPORTS
Authors: Sekularac-Ivošević Senka , Bauk Sanja , Gligorijević Mirjana
Published: October 2013

This paper considers the effects of combination of two different approaches in developing seaports positioning strategy. The first one is based on comparing the most important quantitative and qualitative seaports choice criteria by benchmarking method. Benchmarking has been used in creating the appropriate model for efficient marketing positioning of Aegean, Adriatic and Black Sea seaports. The criteria that describe the degree of these seaports competitiveness are chosen upon the investigation of ports customers’ preferences. The second employed approach based on matrix game concept has been used for the purpose of optimal repositioning of the ports. Though, nine selected ports’ functions are treated in a way that they are divided into two sets: one composed of the functions which are to be developed, and the other consisted of the functions for which it is expected to be suppressed in the future. According to the numerically obtained results the ports are repositioned, and corresponding explanations are given in the marketing manner. The mixture of these two concepts should contribute to the review of the state of these business systems and their images at the market, as well as to open prospective toward finding out the ways of creating and maintaining their competitive advantages.
Feasibility Analysis of Vehicle-to-vehicle Communication on Suburban Road
Authors: HUANG Luoyi , YAO Jiao , WU Wei , YANG Xiaoguang
Published: October 2013

With the evolution of advanced wireless communication technologies, tremendous efforts have been invested in vehicular networking, particularly the construction of a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system that supports high speed and mobility. In vehicle-to-vehicle communication environment, vehicles constantly exchange information using wireless technology. This paper aims to propose a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system and validate the feasibility of the system on a suburban road in China. Two vehicles were used equipped with IEEE 802.11p based DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) device to construct a vehicle-to-vehicle communication platform. The system architecture consisting of hardware and software was described in details. Then, communication characteristics such as RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), latency and PLR (packet loss rate) were analyzed. Additionally, GPS-related information (such as ground speed and location) was obtained through field test on a suburban road in Shanghai and Taicang City. The test results demonstrate satisfactory performance of the proposed system.
The usefulness of different realizations for the model evaluation of regional trends in heat waves
Authors: Perkins S. E. , Fischer E. M.
Published: October 2013

The evaluation of a climate model's capability to simulate trends in extreme events is not straightforward. This is due to the role of internal climate variability, the simulated phases of which are unique to each individual model realization. We undertake an assessment of the 21‐member Community Earth System Model (CESM) on the basis of its ability to simulate heat wave days frequency over Australia. We employ the extreme heat factor definition to measure heat waves and study events for all summers (November–March) between 1950 and 2005. The spatial pattern, magnitude, and significance of trends in CESM were found to be reasonable since the corresponding observed trends were within the CESM ensemble range. There is a suggestion that the model produces higher interannual variability than what is observed. The trends between realizations of the same model differ strongly, which suggest that internal climate variability can strongly amplify or mask local trends in extreme events.
On the relationship between atomic oxygen and vertical shifts between OH Meinel bands originating from different vibrational levels
Authors: von Savigny C. , Lednyts'kyy O.
Published: October 2013

OH Meinel emissions from different vibrational levels are known to occur at slightly different altitudes in the terrestrial airglow. Earlier model studies suggested quenching by atomic oxygen to be a principal cause of these vertical shifts. Here we employ the tropical mesopause region—characterized by pronounced semiannual variations—as a natural laboratory to test the hypothesis that vertical shifts between different OH Meinel bands are a consequence of quenching by atomic oxygen. Nighttime satellite measurements of OH(3–1) and OH(6–2) volume emission rate profiles and atomic oxygen with Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography on Envisat are used for this purpose. Upper mesospheric atomic oxygen profiles are retrieved from measurements of the O(1S–1D) green line emission. The results demonstrate that vertical shifts between the OH bands investigated are indeed correlated with the amount of atomic oxygen in the upper mesosphere, corroborating the hypothesis.
Volcanic sintering: Timescales of viscous densification and strength recovery
Authors: Vasseur Jérémie , Wadsworth Fabian B. , Lavallée Yan , Hess Kai‐Uwe , Dingwell Donald B.
Published: October 2013

Sintering and densification are ubiquitous processes influencing the emplacement of both effusive and explosive products of volcanic eruptions. Here we sinter ash‐size fragments of a synthetic National Institute of Standards and Technology viscosity standard glass at temperatures at which the resultant melt has a viscosity of ∼108–109 Pa.s at 1bar to assess sintering dynamics under near‐surface volcanic conditions. We track the strength recovery via uniaxial compressive tests. We observe that volcanic ash sintering is dominantly time dependent, temperature dependent, and grain size dependent and may thus be interpreted to be controlled by melt viscosity and surface tension. Sintering evolves from particle agglutination to viscous pore collapse and is accompanied by a reduction in connected porosity and an increase in isolated pores. Sintering and densification result in a nonlinear increase in strength. Micromechanical modeling shows that the pore‐emanated crack model explains the strength of porous lava as a function of pore fraction and size.
Potential impact of land use change on future regional climate in the Southeastern U.S.: Reforestation and crop land conversion
Authors: Trail M. , Tsimpidi A.P. , Liu P. , Tsigaridis K. , Hu Y. , Nenes A. , Stone B. , Russell A.G.
Published: October 2013

The impact of future land use and land cover changes (LULCC) on regional and global climate is one of the most challenging aspects of understanding anthropogenic climate change. We study the impacts of LULCC on regional climate in the southeastern U.S. by downscaling the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies global climate model E to the regional scale using a spectral nudging technique with the Weather Research and Forecasting Model. Climate‐relevant meteorological fields are compared for two southeastern U.S. LULCC scenarios to the current land use/cover for four seasons of the year 2050. In this work it is shown that reforestation of cropland in the southeastern U.S. tends to warm surface air by up to 0.5 K, while replacing forested land with cropland tends to cool the surface air by 0.5 K. Processes leading to this response are investigated and sensitivity analyses conducted. The sensitivity analysis shows that results are most sensitive to changes in albedo and the stomatal resistance. Evaporative cooling of croplands also plays an important role in regional climate. Implications of LULCC on air quality are discussed. Summertime warming associated with reforestation of croplands could increase the production of some secondary pollutants, while a higher boundary layer will decrease pollutant concentrations; wintertime warming may decrease emissions from biomass burning from wood stoves.
The influence of lithospheric flexure on magma ascent at large volcanoes on Venus
Authors: McGovern Patrick J. , Rumpf M. Elise , Zimbelman James R.
Published: October 2013

Large volcanoes on Venus exert large vertical loads on the lithosphere, which responds by deflecting downward. Stresses induced by this lithospheric flexure can have a strong influence on magma ascent pathways from the mantle source region to the surface. Here we propose that flexural stresses exert control over the shapes of volcanic edifices on Venus, applying criteria for magma ascent expressed in terms of stress orientations (can vertical dikes form?) and gradients (is magma squeezed upward or downward in a vertical dike?) to determine favored magma ascent paths and locations. For conical edifices emplaced on lithosphere with high elastic thickness Te, (e.g., > 40 km) both sets of magma ascent criteria are satisfied over the entire lithosphere, allowing essentially unimpeded ascent of magma to the surface and the formation of relatively steep edifices. However, for lower values of Te, high adverse stress gradients tend to cut off magma ascent beneath the summit, instead favoring lateral transport of magma at depth to distal regions with gentler stress gradients, resulting in domical edifice shapes. At the lowest values of Te (< 10 km), large short‐wavelength deflections of the lithosphere tend to produce narrow and widely spaced zones of magma ascent: Such zones may produce annular ridges of volcanic material, thereby generating forms characteristic of a subset of features known as “coronae” on Venus. Another subset of coronae may form by intrusive‐based generation of annular fractures at the edge of the summit region of domical edifices, as proposed for Alba Mons on Mars.
Association of Circulating Level of High Mobility Group Box 1 With Disease Activity in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody–Associated Vasculitis
Authors: Wang Chen , Gou Shen‐Ju , Chang Dong‐Yuan , Yu Feng , Zhao Ming‐Hui , Chen Min
Published: October 2013

Objective

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB‐1), a kind of proinflammatory mediator, is associated with inflammatory conditions and tissue damage. Previous studies have reported that circulating HMGB‐1 levels in patients with active antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis (AAV) were associated with renal manifestations and burdens of granulomatous inflammation. The current study aimed to investigate whether circulating HMGB‐1 levels were associated with disease activity in AAV.

Methods

Plasma samples from 74 patients with AAV in active stage and 65 patients with AAV in remission were collected. The plasma levels of HMGB‐1 were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Associations between plasma levels of HMGB‐1 with clinical and pathologic parameters were analyzed.

Results

Plasma levels of HMGB‐1 in active AAV patients were significantly higher than those in normal controls and AAV patients in remission (median 6.11 [interquartile range (IQR) 3.25–12.79] ng/ml versus median 1.12 [IQR 0.53–1.39] ng/ml, P< 0.001; median 6.11 [IQR 3.25–12.79] ng/ml versus median 3.04 [IQR 1.97–4.63] ng/ml, P < 0.001, respectively). Correlation analysis showed that plasma levels of HMGB‐1 correlated with initial serum creatinine (r = 0.275, P = 0.018), estimated glomerular filtration rate (r = −0.277, P = 0.017), the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (r = 0.308, P = 0.008), and C‐reactive protein level (r = 0.309, P = 0.008). Among the patients with myeloperoxidase (MPO)–ANCA, those within the first quartile of plasma HMGB‐1 levels had a significantly lower level of MPO‐ANCA than those within the other 3 quartiles.

Conclusion

Circulating HMGB‐1 levels might reflect the disease activity and renal involvement of AAV vasculitis.
The Direct or Indirect Exporting Decision in Agri‐food Firms
Authors: Fernández‐Olmos Marta , Díez‐Vial Isabel
Published: October 2013

Selecting an export channel is one of the most important strategic decisions for any exporting agri‐food firm. This paper presents a unified theoretical framework, integrating the two decisions (i.e., the export decision itself and the export channel decision) by jointly examining the effects of 1) intangible resources, 2) product quality, 3) firm size, and 4) international experience on the probabilities of these decisions. Our findings, obtained by analyzing the export behavior of 177 firms in the DOC Rioja (Spain) wine industry, can help policy‐makers understand how they should promote exports and the export channels for agri‐food firms. [JEL: Q170, M200].
Impediments to the Ability of Canadian Food‐Processing Firms to Compete: Evidence From a Survey on Innovation
Authors: Herath Deepananda
Published: October 2013

Factors that impede Canadian food‐processing firms’ ability to compete in domestic and international markets are explored. Business micro‐data were obtained from the Survey on Innovation in the Food Processing Industry in 2004 (n = 809). A higher Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar was judged to be the most severe of the 10 impediments to the ability of Canadian food processors to compete. Two broader categories of the 10 impediments emerged from a principal component analysis. One category of the impediments relates to private and public standards, while the other relates to vertical and horizontal market power issues. The severity of these impediments is not significantly different among the different size classes of food processors. Subsequent clustering procedures based on these impediments found that the food processors in one cluster were more constrained by all these impediments than their counterparts in the other cluster. Establishment characteristics, such as food subsector classification, and firm strategies, such as export orientation and engagement in R&D activities, were systematically associated with a firm's likelihood of being in the cluster that perceived the impediments to be more severe. Exporting firms are more likely than other firms to perceive each one of the impediments as a constraint. [EconLit Subject Matter Areas: D220; L200; L660].
Hydroxychloroquine is a good second‐line treatment for adults with immune thrombocytopenia and positive antinuclear antibodies
Authors: Khellaf Mehdi , Chabrol Amèlie , Mahevas Matthieu , Roudot‐Thoraval Françoise , Limal Nicolas , Languille Laetitia , Bierling Philippe , Michel Marc , Godeau Bertrand
Published: October 2013

Treatment of patients with lupus‐associated thrombocytopenia (SLE‐ITP) is not standardized. We report data on efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in this setting and in ITP patients with positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) without definite SLE. Inclusion criteria were: definite diagnosis of ITP with a platelet count (PLT) <50 × 109/L, ANA ≥ 1/160 on Hep2 cells with or without a definite diagnosis of SLE, and no sustained response to at least one previous treatment‐line and treatment with HCQ. Response criteria were Complete Response (CR) for PLT ≥ 100 × 109/L and Response (R) for PLT ≥30 × 109/L and at least twice the initial value. Forty patients (32 females) with a mean age of 35 ± 17 years and PLT at ITP diagnosis of 14 ± 13 × 109/L were analyzed. Twelve (30%) patients had a SLE‐ITP, 28 patients had only positive ANA. All the patients failed to respond to oral prednisone with a median of two treatment‐lines (1–5) before HCQ which was initially given in combination with another ITP treatment in 36 patients. Overall response rate was 60% (24/40) including 18 lasting CR and six lasting R maintained with a median follow‐up of 64 months (6–146), in ¾ of cases with only HCQ and no concomitant ITP treatment. The response rate (CR+R) was higher in the SLE group vs ANA‐positive group (83% vs 50%, P < 0.05). No patient stopped HCQ because of a side‐effect. HCQ appears to be a safe and effective second line treatment for patients with SLE‐ITP or ITP and high titer of ANA. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as # NCT01549184. Am. J. Hematol. 89:194–198, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spatial foraging in free ranging bearded sakis: Traveling salesmen or Lévy walkers?
Authors: Shaffer Christopher A.
Published: October 2013

According to optimal foraging theory and most current models of primate socioecology, primate foraging involves a series of decisions concerning when is the most optimal time to leave a food patch, how to travel to the next patch in an efficient manner, and how to minimize the time and distance traveled to all patches throughout the course of the day. In this study, I assess how bearded sakis solve these challenges by presenting data on their patch use, distance minimization, and by comparing their movements with non‐deterministic foraging patterns. The study group, composed of 38 ± 15 individuals, fed significantly longer in higher quality patches (quality defined by patch size and productivity) and in those that contained ripe fruit pulp. However, group size was not a significant predictor of patch occupancy. Bearded sakis traveled relatively directly between food patches, sometimes over distances > 300 m. In addition, they chose the optimal daily path among all patches visited on 9 of 17 occasions, and on average traveled only 21% more than the least distance route. Bearded saki step lengths were consistent with a Brownian rather than a Lévy Walk pattern while waiting times were consistent with a Lévy pattern. However, the distribution of their turning angles indicated a high degree of directional persistence between patches. These results suggest that bearded sakis exploit food patches that are randomly distributed spatially but heterogenous in patch quality. They appear to encode the locations of high quality food patches and minimize travel between them, despite opportunistically feeding from more abundant and randomly distributed, lower quality patches en route. Am. J. Primatol. 76:472–484, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association of Low Baseline Levels of Erythrocyte Folate With Treatment Nonresponse at Three Months in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Receiving Methotrexate
Authors: de Rotte M. C. F. J. , de Jong P. H. P. , Pluijm S. M. F. , Bulatović Ćalasan M. , Barendregt P. J. , van Zeben D. , van der Lubbe P. A. , de Sonnaville P. B. , Lindemans J. , Hazes J. M. W. , de Jonge R.
Published: October 2013

Objective

To investigate whether baseline concentrations of one‐carbon metabolism biomarkers are associated with treatment nonresponse and adverse events in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving methotrexate (MTX).

Methods

A prospective derivation cohort (n = 285) and validation cohort (n = 102) of RA patients receiving MTX were studied. Concentrations of plasma homocysteine, serum vitamin B12, serum folate, erythrocyte vitamin B6, and erythrocyte folate were determined at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. Nonresponse after 3 months was assessed using the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria. Adverse events at 3 months were assessed using biochemical parameters and health status questionnaires. Analyses were corrected for baseline DAS28, age, sex, MTX dose, comedications, and presence of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677TT genotype.

Results

In the derivation cohort, the mean DAS28 scores at baseline and 3 months were 4.94 and 3.12, respectively, and 78% of patients experienced adverse events. This was similar between the 2 cohorts, despite a lower MTX dose in the validation cohort. Patients with lower levels of erythrocyte folate at baseline had a higher DAS28 at 3 months in both the derivation cohort (β = −0.15, P = 0.037) and the validation cohort (β = −0.20, P = 0.048). In line with these results, lower baseline erythrocyte folate levels were linearly associated with a 3‐month DAS28 of >3.2 in both cohorts (derivation cohort, P = 0.049; validation cohort, P = 0.021) and with nonresponse according to the EULAR criteria (derivation cohort, P = 0.066; validation cohort, P = 0.027). None of the other biomarkers (levels at baseline or changes over 3 months) were associated with the DAS28 or treatment nonresponse. Baseline levels of the biomarkers and changes in levels after 3 months were not associated with incidence of adverse events.

Conclusion

A low baseline concentration of erythrocyte folate is associated with high disease activity and nonresponse at 3 months after the start of MTX treatment and could be used in prediction models for MTX outcome. None of the investigated one‐carbon metabolism biomarkers were associated with incidence of adverse events at 3 months.
Phosphatidylinositol 3,5‐bisphosphate: Low abundance, high significance
Authors: McCartney Amber J. , Zhang Yanling , Weisman Lois S.
Published: October 2013

Recent studies of the low abundant signaling lipid, phosphatidylinositol 3,5‐bisphosphate (PI(3,5)P2), reveal an intriguingly diverse list of downstream pathways, the intertwined relationship between PI(3,5)P2 and PI5P, as well as links to neurodegenerative diseases. Derived from the structural lipid phosphatidylinositol, PI(3,5)P2 is dynamically generated on multiple cellular compartments where interactions with an increasing list of effectors regulate many cellular pathways. A complex of proteins that includes Fab1/PIKfyve, Vac14, and Fig4/Sac3 mediates the biosynthesis of PI(3,5)P2, and mutations that disrupt complex function and/or formation cause profound consequences in cells. Surprisingly, mutations in this pathway are linked with neurological diseases, including Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth syndrome and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Future studies of PI(3,5)P2 and PI5P are likely to expand the roles of these lipids in regulation of cellular functions, as well as provide new approaches for treatment of some neurological diseases.
Highly sialylated recombinant human erythropoietin production in large‐scale perfusion bioreactor utilizing CHO‐gmt4 (JW152) with restored GnT I function
Authors: Goh John S. Y. , Liu Yingwei , Liu Haifeng , Chan Kah Fai , Wan Corrine , Teo Gavin , Zhou Xiangshan , Xie Fusheng , Zhang Peiqing , Zhang Yuanxing , Song Zhiwei
Published: October 2013

Therapeutic glycoprotein drugs require a high degree of sialylation of their N‐glycans for a better circulatory half‐life that results in greater efficacy. It has been demonstrated that Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) glycosylation mutants lacking N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GnT I), when restored by introduction of a functional GnT I, produced highly sialylated erythropoietin (EPO). We have now further engineered one of such mutants, JW152, by inactivating the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene to allow for the amplification of the EPO gene with methotrexate (MTX). Several MTX‐amplified clones maintained the ability to produce highly sialylated EPO and one was selected for culture in a perfusion bioreactor that is used in an existing industrial EPO‐production bioprocess. Extensive characterization of the EPO produced was performed using total sialic quantification, HPAEC‐PAD and MALDI‐TOF MS analyses. Our results demonstrated that the EPO produced by the mutant line exhibits superior sialylation compared to the commercially used EPO‐producing CHO clone cultured under the same conditions. Therefore, this mutant has the industrial potential for producing highly sialylated recombinant EPO and potentially other recombinant glycoprotein therapeutics.
Nanoscale interactions of polyethylene glycol with thermo‐mechanically pre‐treated Pinus radiata biofuel substrate
Authors: Donaldson Lloyd A. , Newman Roger H. , Vaidya Alankar
Published: October 2013

Non‐productive adsorption of cellulose degrading enzymes on lignin is a likely reason for reduced rate and extent of enzymatic conversion of lignocellulosic substrate to sugars. Additives such as polyethyleneglycol (PEG) may act as blocking agents in this non‐productive interaction. However, the exact molecular level interactions of PEG with lignin in pre‐treated lignocellulosic substrates are not known. We have used confocal fluorescence microscopy combined with Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to reveal molecular level interactions between lignin present in thermo‐mechanically pre‐treated Pinus radiata substrate, and fluorescently labeled PEG. It is demonstrated that PEG interaction with lignin is mainly associated with particles derived from secondary walls, with little or no penetration into fragments derived from the middle lamella. This nanoscale information on the PEG–substrate interaction will assist in rationalizing pre‐treatment methods to reduce the recalcitrance of softwood biofuel substrates. Biotechnol. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 719–725. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cel48A from Thermobifida fusca: Structure and site directed mutagenesis of key residues
Authors: Kostylev Maxim , Alahuhta Markus , Chen Mo , Brunecky Roman , Himmel Michael E. , Lunin Vladimir V. , Brady John , Wilson David B.
Published: October 2013

Lignocellulosic biomass is a potential source of sustainable transportation fuels, but efficient enzymatic saccharification of cellulose is a key challenge in its utilization. Cellulases from the glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 48 constitute an important component of bacterial biomass degrading systems and structures of three enzymes from this family have been previously published. We report a new crystal structure of TfCel48A, a reducing end directed exocellulase from Thermobifida fusca, which shows that this enzyme shares important structural features with the other members of the GH48 family. The active site tunnel entrance of the known GH48 exocellulases is enriched in aromatic residues, which are known to interact well with anhydroglucose units of cellulose. We carried out site‐directed mutagenesis studies of these aromatic residues (Y97, F195, Y213, and W313) along with two non‐aromatic residues (N212 and S311) also located around the tunnel entrance and a W315 residue inside the active site tunnel. Only the aromatic residues located around the tunnel entrance appear to be important for the ability of TfCel48A to access individual cellulose chains on bacterial cellulose (BC), a crystalline substrate. Both Trp residues were found to be important for the processivity of TfCel48A on BC and phosphoric acid swollen cellulose (PASC), but only W313 appears to play a role in the ability of the enzyme to access individual cellulose chains in BC. When acting on BC, reduced processivity was found to correlate with reduced enzyme activity. The reverse, however, is true when PASC is the substrate. Presumably, higher density of available cellulose chain ends and the amorphous nature of PASC explain the increased initial activity of mutants with lower processivity. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 664–673. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cell line profiling to improve monoclonal antibody production
Authors: Kang Sohye , Ren Da , Xiao Gang , Daris Kristi , Buck Lynette , Enyenihi Atim A. , Zubarev Roman , Bondarenko Pavel V. , Deshpande Rohini
Published: October 2013

Mammalian cell culture performance is influenced by both intrinsic (genetic) and extrinsic (media and process) factors. In this study, intrinsic capacity of various monoclonal antibody‐producing Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines was compared by exposing them to the same culture condition. Microarray‐based transcriptomics and LC–MS/MS shotgun proteomics technologies were utilized to obtain expression landscape of different cell lines. Specific transcripts and proteins correlating with productivity, growth rate and cell size have been identified. The proteomics analysis results showed a strong correlation between the intracellular protein expression levels of the recombinant DHFR and productivity. In contrast, neither the light chain nor the heavy chain of the recombinant monoclonal antibody showed correlation to productivity. Other top ranked proteins which demonstrated positive correlation to productivity included the adaptor protein complex subunits AP3D1and AP2B2, DNA repair protein DDB1 and the ER translocation complex component, SRPR. The subunits of molecular chaperone T‐complex protein 1 and the regulator of mitochondrial one‐carbon metabolism MTHFD2 showed negative correlation to productivity. The transcriptomics analysis has identified the regulators of calcium signaling, Tmem20 and Rcan1, as the top ranked genes displaying positive and negative correlation to productivity, respectively. For the second part of the study, the principal component analysis (PCA) was generated to view the underlying global structure of the expression data. A clear division and expression polarity was observed between the two distinct clusters of cell lines, independent of link to productivity or any other traits examined. The primary component of the PCA generated from either transcriptomics or proteomics data displayed a strong correlation to cell size and doubling time, while none of the main principal components showed correlation to productivity. Our findings suggest that productivity is rather a minor feature in the context of global transcriptional or protein expression space. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 748–760. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Human papillomavirus DNA and p16 expression in Japanese patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kawakami Hisato , Okamoto Isamu , Terao Kyoichi , Sakai Kazuko , Suzuki Minoru , Ueda Shinya , Tanaka Kaoru , Kuwata Kiyoko , Morita Yume , Ono Koji , Nishio Kazuto , Nishimura Yasumasa , Doi Katsumi , Nakagawa Kazuhiko
Published: October 2013

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major etiologic factor for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). However, little is known about HPV‐related OPSCC in Japan. During the study, formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded OPSCC specimens from Japanese patients were analyzed for HPV DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for the surrogate marker p16 by immuno‐histochemistry. For HPV DNA‐positive, p16‐negative specimens, the methylation status of the p16 gene promoter was examined by methylation‐specific PCR. Overall survival was calculated in relation to HPV DNA and p16 status and was subjected to multivariate analysis. OPSCC cell lines were examined for sensitivity to radiation or cisplatin in vitro. The study results showed that tumor specimens from 40 (38%) of the 104 study patients contained HPV DNA, with such positivity being associated with tumors of the tonsils, lymph node metastasis, and nonsmoking. Overall survival was better for OPSCC patients with HPV DNA than for those without it (hazard ratio, 0.214; 95% confidence interval, 0.074–0.614; P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis revealed HPV DNA to be an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (P = 0.015). Expression of p16 was associated with HPV DNA positivity. However, 20% of HPV DNA‐positive tumors were negative for p16, with most of these tumors manifesting DNA methylation at the p16 gene promoter. Radiation or cisplatin sensitivity did not differ between OPSCC cell lines positive or negative for HPV DNA. Thus, positivity for HPV DNA identifies a distinct clinical subset of OPSCC with a more favorable outcome in Japanese.
Exploring Internal Structure of Nanoporous Glasses Obtained by Leaching of Phase‐Separated Alkali Borosilicate Glasses
Authors: Shakhov Alexander , Reichenbach Christian , Kondrashova Daria , Zeigermann Philipp , Mehlhorn Dirk , Enke Dirk , Valiullin Rustem
Published: October 2013

Mesoporous glasses – the leaching products of phase‐separated alkali borosilicate glasses – are widely used in fundamental research and practical applications. In this work, the option to control their internal mesopore structure by varying the conditions of microphase separation has been studied. Structure and transport characterization of a family of nanoporous glasses obtained under different conditions has been performed using a combination of several experimental techniques, including gas adsorption, nuclear magnetic resonance cryoporometry and diffusometry.
Water Management for Agriculture, Energy, and Social Security in Taiwan
Authors: Tung Yi‐Ti , Pai Tzu‐Yi
Published: October 2013

This paper represents the first research to simultaneously study the agricultural water management and the influences on energy, food, and social security in Taiwan from 1980s. According to the survey, the average agricultural water use was 13.663 × 109 tons with standard deviation of 1.226 × 109 tons. The average value of agricultural water use percentage was 75.58% with standard deviation of 4.62%. The energy consumption in agricultural sector decreased year by year from 1983. The average energy consumption in agricultural sector was 130.841 × 109 L oil equivalent (OE) with standard deviation of 23 × 109 L OE. The percentage of agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) to total GDP decreased from 7.33% in 1981 to 1.83% in 2011. The magnitude and frequency of agricultural disasters increased severely in the past two decades. The loss of agricultural disasters account for 5% of the agricultural GDP and resulted in the fluctuation of crop production, farmers' family income, and social security. To lower the loss of agricultural disasters, the adaptation measures for agricultural water management, energy, food, and social security should ensure the stability of water, energy, and food supply.
Prepubertal Fischer 344 rats display stronger morphine‐induced taste avoidance than prepubertal Lewis rats
Authors: Hurwitz Zachary E. , Cobuzzi Jennifer L. , Merluzzi Andrew P. , Wetzell Bradley , Riley Anthony L.
Published: October 2013

The present report asked if the previously reported differences in morphine‐induced conditioned taste avoidance between adult F344 and LEW rats (F344 > LEW) are also evident in prepubescence (early adolescence). To assess this possibility, adult (Experiment 1) and prepubertal (Experiment 2) F344 and LEW rats were assessed for their ability to acquire morphine‐induced taste avoidance (0, 3.2, 10, or 18 mg/kg) in a modified taste avoidance procedure. In each experiment, rats of both strains were given repeated pairings of saccharin and morphine followed by a final two‐bottle avoidance test. Adult and prepubertal F344 subjects displayed a more rapid acquisition of the avoidance response as well as stronger suppression of consumption than their LEW counterparts. These data suggest the strains differ in their sensitivity to the aversive effects of morphine and that this differential sensitivity is evident early in development and is developmentally stable. The basis for these strain differences in morphine‐induced avoidance was discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 56: 979–988, 2014.
Genetic monogamy despite variable ecological conditions and social environment in the cooperatively breeding apostlebird
Authors: Warrington Miyako H. , Rollins Lee Ann , Raihani Nichola J. , Russell Andrew F. , Griffith Simon C.
Published: October 2013

Mating strategies may be context‐dependent and may vary across ecological and social contexts, demonstrating the role of these factors in driving the variation in genetic polyandry within and among species. Here, we took a longitudinal approach across 5 years (2006–2010), to study the apostlebird(Struthidea cinerea),an Australian cooperatively breeding bird, whose reproduction is affected by ecological “boom and bust” cycles. Climatic variation drives variation in the social (i.e., group sizes, proportion of males and females) and ecological (i.e., plant and insect abundance) context in which mating occurs. By quantifying variation in both social and ecological factors and characterizing the genetic mating system across multiple years using a molecular parentage analysis, we found that the genetic mating strategy did not vary among years despite significant variation in rainfall, driving primary production, and insect abundance, and corresponding variation in social parameters such as breeding group size. Group sizes in 2010, an ecologically good year, were significantly smaller (mean = 5.8 ± 0.9,n = 16) than in the drought affected years, between 2006 and 2008, (mean = 9.1 ± 0.5,n = 63). Overall, apostlebirds were consistently monogamous with few cases of multiple maternity or paternity (8 of 78 nests) across all years.
Langerhans cell maturation is accompanied by induction of N‐cadherin and the transcriptional regulators of epithelial–mesenchymal transition ZEB1/2
Authors: Konradi Sabine , Yasmin Nighat , Haslwanter Denise , Weber Michele , Gesslbauer Bernhard , Sixt Michael , Strobl Herbert
Published: October 2013

Langerhans cells (LCs) are a unique subset of dendritic cells (DCs) that express epithelial adhesion molecules, allowing them to form contacts with epithelial cells and reside in epidermal/epithelial tissues. The dynamic regulation of epithelial adhesion plays a decisive role in the life cycle of LCs. It controls whether LCs remain immature and sessile within the epidermis or mature and egress to initiate immune responses. So far, the molecular machinery regulating epithelial adhesion molecules during LC maturation remains elusive. Here, we generated pure populations of immature human LCs in vitro to systematically probe for gene‐expression changes during LC maturation. LCs down‐regulate a set of epithelial genes including E‐cadherin, while they upregulate the mesenchymal marker N‐cadherin known to facilitate cell migration. In addition, N‐cadherin is constitutively expressed by monocyte‐derived DCs known to exhibit characteristics of both inflammatory‐type and interstitial/dermal DCs. Moreover, the transcription factors ZEB1 and ZEB2 (ZEB is zinc‐finger E‐box‐binding homeobox) are upregulated in migratory LCs. ZEB1 and ZEB2 have been shown to induce epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasive behavior in cancer cells undergoing metastasis. Our results provide the first hint that the molecular EMT machinery might facilitate LC mobilization. Moreover, our study suggests that N‐cadherin plays a role during DC migration.
First‐Principles Study of NO2 Adsorption on C20 Fullerene
Authors: Baei Mohammad T.
Published: October 2013

Using different density functional theory methods, covalent functionalization of C20 fullerene with the NO2 molecule in terms of energy, geometry, and electronic properties was investigated. It was found that the molecule has strongly chemisorbed on the fullerene surface with Gibbs free energies in the range of −25.23 to −33.07 kcal/mol at the PBE level and −21.03 to −37.95 kcal/mol at the B3LYP level. The HOMO–LUMO gap of the fullerene has changed significantly upon the NO2 adsorption. The Fermi‐level energy and work function of the fullerene are decreased, which may facilitate the field electron emission from the fullerene surface. The present results are expected to provide a useful guidance for the adsorption of NO2, generation of the new hybrid compounds, and other applications.
From Employment Relations to Consumption Relations: Balancing Labor Governance in Global Supply Chains
Authors: Donaghey Jimmy , Reinecke Juliane , Niforou Christina , Lawson Benn
Published: October 2013

Global supply chains are part of the corporate strategy of many multinational companies, often with adverse effects on labor conditions. While employment relations scholars focus on a production‐oriented paradigm, revolving around interactions among employers, workers, and government, much of the activism motivating the development of private labor standards is based around companies' relations with their consumers. This article proposes an analytical framework conceptualizing the interface of employment relations and consumption relations within global supply chains, identifying four regimes of labor governance: governance gaps, collective bargaining, standards markets, and complementary regimes. Finally, we suggest a research agenda for examining the role of consumption relations in the changing nature of global labor governance. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MULTIMODAL ASSESSMENT OF THE MOTHER–CHILD RELATIONSHIP IN A SUBSTANCE‐EXPOSED SAMPLE: DIVERGENT ASSOCIATIONS WITH THE EMOTIONAL AVAILABILITY SCALES
Authors: Espinet Stacey D. , Jeong Jessica Jeihyun , Motz Mary , Racine Nicole , Major Danielle , Pepler Debra
Published: October 2013

The aim of this study was to compare ratings of mother–child relationship quality from diverse assessment perspectives. The quality of the mother–child relationship was rated in a sample of 34 mothers with substance‐use difficulties and their children using the Emotional Availability Scales (EAS; Z. Biringen, ), based on videotaped observation of a 20‐min, free‐play session. These ratings were compared to clinician ratings on the Parent–Infant Ratings Global Assessment Scale (PIR‐GAS; ZERO TO THREE, 2005) and maternal ratings on the Parenting Stress Index‐Short Form (PSI‐SF; R.R. Abidin, ). Ratings on the Emotional Attachment and Emotional Availability (EA2) Clinical Screener (EA2 Clinical Screener) and adult dimensions of the EAS (particularly maternal sensitivity), but not child dimensions, were associated with clinician ratings on the PIR‐GAS. In contrast, child dimensions of the EAS, but not adult dimensions, were associated with maternal ratings on the Child scales of the PSI‐SF (particularly parent–child difficult interactions). While clinician ratings seem to be more sensitive to maternal contributions to the relationship, maternal ratings seem to emphasize child behaviors. Results highlight the importance of multimethod assessment in fully capturing the transactional nature of the mother–child relationship in high‐risk samples. The validity of the EA2 Clinical Screener as an index of the quality of mother–child relationship in a high‐risk, substance‐exposed sample is also supported.
Osteoblast response to nanocrystalline calcium hydroxyapatite depends on carbonate content
Authors: Adams Brandy R. , Mostafa Amany , Schwartz Zvi , Boyan Barbara D.
Published: October 2013

Normal bone mineral is a carbonated‐apatite, but there are limited data on the effect of mineral containing carbonate on cell response. We characterized surface chemical compositions of three experimental carbonated hydroxyapatite (CO32−HA) substrates and investigated their effect on osteoblast differentiation. Carbonate was incorporated into the hydroxyapatite powders while phosphate and hydroxyl groups were shown to be reduced by analyzing the chemical composition of the substrate surfaces. CO32−HA powders with increasing carbonate concentrations designated as C1 (3.88%), C2 (4.85%), and C3 (5.82%) were molded, pressed, and fired into 14 mm discs. We observed that calcium phosphate ratios increased monotonically with increasing carbonate content, whereas differentiation of MG63 cells decreased. CO32−HA surfaces also affected factor production. Addition of carbonate caused a 70% reduction in osteoprotegerin (OPG) compared to cultures on pure HA, but the effect of carbonate was not dose‐dependent. Low carbonate content reduced VEGF‐A by 80%, but higher levels of carbonate reversed this effect in a concentration dependent manner, with the C3 VEFG‐A levels approximately twice that of C1 levels. These observations collectively indicate that bone cells are sensitive to carbonate content in bone mineral and the effects of carbonate substitution vary with the outcome being measured. Overall, this study provides a preliminary understanding of how carbonate substitution within hydroxyapatite modulates cellular behavior. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 3237–3242, 2014.
Low Bone Mineral Density and Fragility Fractures in Permanent Vegetative State Patients
Authors: Oppl Bastian , Michitsch Gabriele , Misof Barbara , Kudlacek Stefan , Donis Johann , Klaushofer Klaus , Zwerina Jochen , Zwettler Elisabeth
Published: October 2013

Disuse of the musculoskeletal system causes bone loss. Whether patients in vegetative state, a dramatic example of immobilization after severe brain injury, suffer from bone loss and fractures is currently unknown. Serum markers of bone turnover, bone mineral density (BMD) measurements, and clinical data were cross-sectionally analyzed in 30 consecutive vegetative state patients of a dedicated apallic care unit between 2003 and 2007 and compared with age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Vegetative state patients showed low calcium levels and vitamin D deficiency compared with healthy controls. Serum bone turnover markers revealed high turnover as evidenced by markedly elevated carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-crosslaps) and increased levels of alkaline phosphatase. BMD measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning showed strongly decreased T- and Z-scores for hip and spine. Over a period of 5 years, 8 fragility fractures occurred at peripheral sites in 6 of 30 patients (n = 3 femur, n = 2 tibia, n = 2 fibula, n = 1 humerus). In conclusion, high bone turnover and low BMD is highly prevalent in vegetative state patients, translating into a clinically relevant problem as shown by fragility fractures in 20% of patients over a time period of 5 years. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Circulating Levels of Carboxy-Methyl-Lysine (CML) Are Associated With Hip Fracture Risk: The Cardiovascular Health Study
Authors: Barzilay Joshua I , Bůžková Petra , Zieman Susan J , Kizer Jorge R , Djoussé Luc , Ix Joachim H , Tracy Russell P , Siscovick David S , Cauley Jane A , Mukamal Kenneth J
Published: October 2013

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) in bone tissue are associated with impaired biomechanical properties and increased fracture risk. Here we examine whether serum levels of the AGE carboxy-methyl-lysine (CML) are associated with risk of hip fracture. We followed 3373 participants from the Cardiovascular Health Study (age 78 years; range, 68–102 years; 39.8% male) for a median of 9.22 years (range, 0.01–12.07 years). Rates of incident hip fracture were calculated by quartiles of baseline CML levels, and hazard ratios were adjusted for covariates associated with hip fracture risk. A subcohort of 1315 participants had bone mineral density (BMD) measurement. There were 348 hip fractures during follow-up, with incidence rates of hip fracture by CML quartiles of 0.94, 1.34, 1.18, and 1.69 per 100 participant-years. The unadjusted hazard ratio of hip fracture increased with each 1 SD increase (189 ng/mL) of CML level (hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–1.40]; p < 0.001). Sequential adjustment for age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol consumption, prevalent coronary heart disease (CHD), energy expenditure, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (based on cystatin C), moderately attenuated the hazard ratio for fracture (1.17; 95% CI, 1.05–1.31; p = 0.006). In the cohort with BMD testing, total hip BMD was not significantly associated with CML levels. We conclude that increasing levels of CML are associated with hip fracture risk in older adults, independent of hip BMD. These results implicate AGE in the pathogenesis of hip fractures. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.