bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concise Review: Hurdles in a Successful Example of Limbal Stem Cell-based Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Pellegrini Graziella , Rama Paolo , Rocco Antonio , Panaras Athanasios , Luca Michele
Published: August 2013

Recent breakthroughs in regenerative medicine have generated enthusiasm and many efforts to explore new therapeutic potentials of both somatic and pluripotent stem cells. About 30 years passed since a discovery of a method of producing a great number of human epidermal keratinocytes by cultivation from a small skin biopsy, many possibilities are now envisaged for therapeutic application of different cultured cell types. The importance of stem cell content was proven for many tissues or organs in different pathologies. Ocular burns cause depletion of limbal stem cells, which lead to corneal opacification and visual loss. Most of available treatments are palliative and focused on the relief of the devastating clinical picture. This review is focused on recent developments in cell-based therapy of limbal stem cell deficiency. All findings can provide support for improvement and standardization of the cure for this disabling disease. Stem Cells  2014;32:26–34
Modelling shear–flexure interaction in equivalent frame models of slender reinforced concrete walls
Authors: Mergos P. E. , Beyer K.
Published: August 2013

Quasi‐static cyclic tests on reinforced concrete (RC) walls have shown that shear deformations can constitute a significant ratio of the total deformations when the wall is loaded beyond the elastic regime. For slender RC walls that form a stable flexural mechanism, the ratio of shear to flexural deformations remains approximately constant over the entire range of imposed displacement ductilities. This paper proposes a method for incorporating shear‐flexure interaction effects in equivalent frame models of slender RC walls by coupling the shear force‐shear strain relationship to the curvature and axial strain in the member. The suggested methodology is incorporated in a finite element consisting of two interacting spread inelasticity sub‐elements representing flexural and shear response, respectively. The element is implemented in the general finite element code IDARC and validated against experimental results of RC cantilever walls. In a second step, it is applied in inelastic static and dynamic analyses of tall wall and wall‐frame systems. It is shown that ignoring shear‐flexure interaction may lead to erroneous predictions in particular of local ductility and storey drift demands. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insights into the binding of intrinsically disordered proteins from molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Baker Christopher M. , Best Robert B.
Published: August 2013

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are a class of protein that, in the native state, possess no well‐defined secondary or tertiary structure, existing instead as dynamic ensembles of conformations. They are biologically important, with approximately 20% of all eukaryotic proteins disordered, and found at the heart of many biochemical networks. To fulfil their biological roles, many IDPs need to bind to proteins and/or nucleic acids. And although unstructured in solution, IDPs typically fold into a well‐defined three‐dimensional structure upon interaction with a binding partner. The flexibility and structural diversity inherent to IDPs makes this coupled folding and binding difficult to study at atomic resolution by experiment alone, and computer simulation currently offers perhaps the best opportunity to understand this process. But simulation of coupled folding and binding is itself extremely challenging; these molecules are large and highly flexible, and their binding partners, such as DNA or cyclins, are also often large. Therefore, their study requires either simplified representations, advanced enhanced sampling schemes, or both. It is not always clear that existing simulation techniques, optimized for studying folded proteins, are well suited to IDPs. In this article, we examine the progress that has been made in the study of coupled folding and binding using molecular dynamics simulation. We summarize what has been learnt, and examine the state of the art in terms of both methodologies and models. We also consider the lessons to be learnt from advances in other areas of simulation and highlight the issues that remain of be addressed.

This article is categorized under:

Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Molecular Dynamics and Monte-Carlo Methods
Syntheses and Structural Studies of Several Group 8 Metal Complexes Derived from 1, 3‐Butadiyne
Authors: Bruce Michael I. , Cole Marcus L. , Costuas Karine , Ellis Benjamin G. , Kramarczuk Kathy A. , Lapinte Claude , Nicholson Brian K. , Perkins Gary J. , Skelton Brian W. , White Allan H. , Zaitseva Natasha N.
Published: August 2013

As part of an extensive investigation into the chemistry of complexes containing metal‐ligand centers linked by chains of C(sp) atoms, the preparation, characterization, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction molecular structure determinations of four complexes {MLn}‐C≡CC≡C‐{M′L′m} [MLn = Ru(dppe)Cp*, M′L′m = Fe(dppp)Cp* (1), Ru(dppe)Cp* (2), MLn = M′L′m = Os(PPh3)2Cp (3)], and {Cp*(dppe)Ru}C≡CC≡C{trans‐RuCl(dppe)2} (4), in which the alternating C(sp)–C(sp) bonds have values between 1.375 and 1.40 Å (single) and between 1.20 and 1.259 Å (triple), respectively, are described. In addition, a structure determination of Ru3(μ‐H){μ3‐C2C≡C[Ru(PPh3)2Cp]}(CO)9 (5) shows that the C2 fragment attached to the HRu3 cluster shows the expected lengthening [to 1.311(7) Å] and bending at the two carbon atoms [to 152.6(6) and 157.6(5)°] (resulting from back‐bonding from the Ru3 cluster into the C≡C π* orbitals) compared with the essentially linear Ru–CC– moiety [C≡C 1.222(6) Å, angles at C of 178.0(5), 172.3(6)°],
K4Ni3O6 and KNa2Ni2O4, New Quasi One‐Dimensional ­Oxonickelates(II, III)
Authors: Đuriš Katarina , Nuss Jürgen , Jansen Martin
Published: August 2013

Two new quasi one‐dimensional alkali metal oxonickelates, K4Ni3O6 and KNa2Ni2O4, were obtained by the azide/nitrate route starting from respective stoichiometric mixtures of KN3, KNO3, NaN3, NaNO3, and NiO. According to the X‐ray analyses of the crystal structures [K4Ni3O6: C2/m, Z = 2, a = 899, 53(3), b = 610, 24(2), c = 778.75(2) pm, β = 91.665(2)°, R1 = 0.030, wR2 = 0.088; KNa2Ni2O4: P21/n, Z = 4, a = 573.70(2), b = 1072.89(3), c = 844.93(2) pm, β = 102.916(2)°, R1 = 0.038, wR2 = 0.108], the main feature common to both crystal structures are undulating 1∞NiO2 chains consisting of planar, edge‐sharing NiO4 squares. The magnetic susceptibilities for both compounds indicate onset of antiferromagnetic ordering at about 5 K. Evaluations of the Curie‐Weiss fits result in calculated magnetic moments higher than expected for the respective spin only values, implying some orbital contribution. Below the Néel temperature spin flop or meta‐magnetism is observed for both compounds.
Controlling inclusive cross sections in parton shower + matrix element merging
Authors: Plätzer Simon
Published: August 2013

Abstract

We propose an extension of matrix element plus parton shower merging at tree level to preserve inclusive cross sections obtained from the merged and showered sample. Implementing this constraint generates approximate next-to-leading order (NLO) contributions similar to the LoopSim approach. We then show how full NLO, or in principle even higher order, corrections can be added consistently, including constraints on inclusive cross sections to account for yet missing parton shower accuracy at higher logarithmic order. We also show how NLO accuracy below the merging scale can be obtained.
Prognostic Impact of Positive Surgical Margins After Resection of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases: Reappraisal in the Era of Modern Chemotherapy
Authors: Tranchart Hadrien , Chirica Mircea , Faron Matthieu , Balladur Pierre , Lefevre Leila Bengrine , Svrcek Magali , de Gramont Aimery , Tiret Emmanuel , Paye François
Published: August 2013

Background

The purpose of the present study was to assess the prognostic impact of positive surgical margins (R1) after liver resection (LR) of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) in the era of modern chemotherapy regimens. R1 resection is a negative prognostic factor after LR of CRLM. The significance of R1 margins in the era of effective chemotherapy is unknown.

Methods

From January 2000 to December 2009, 215 patients (177 men: 62 %; median age 60 years; range 30–84 years) underwent LR of CRLM. The LR was considered R1 (margin <1 mm) in 49 patients (23 %) and R0 in 166 patients (77 %). Overall, 108 (50 %) patients received preoperative chemotherapy and 156 (72 %) patients received postoperative chemotherapy.

Results

With a median follow‐up of 36 months (range 1–141 months), the 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate (47 vs 40 %; p = 0.05) and the disease‐free survival (DFS) rate (36 vs 23 %; p = 0.006) were significantly lower in the R1 group. Recurrence developed in 152 patients (71 %) and the rate of recurrence was significantly higher (84 vs 67 %; p = 0.02) in the R1 group. On multivariate analysis, N+ status of the colorectal primary tumor (p = 0.008), presence of radiologically occult disease (p = 0.04), and R1 resection (p = 0.03) were independent adverse predictors of OS. The N+ status of the primary tumor (p = 0.003) and R1 resection (p = 0.02) were independent adverse predictors of DFS. On multivariate analysis use of postoperative chemotherapy was the only independent predictor of improved DFS (p = 0.02) in the R1 group.

Conclusions

A positive resection margin remains a significant poor prognostic factor after LR of CRLM in the era of modern chemotherapy. Postoperative chemotherapy reduces recurrence rates after R1 resection of CRLM.
Outcomes of Asymptomatic Anastomotic Leaks Found on Routine Postoperative Water‐soluble Enema following Anterior Resection for Cancer
Authors: Killeen S. , Souroullas P. , Ho Tin H. , Hunter I. A. , O’Grady H. , Gunn J. , Hartley J. E.
Published: August 2013

Background

The incidence and consequence of an anastomotic leak associated with low anterior resection for cancer mandates covering stoma in most cases. A water‐soluble enema is often performed to assess anastomotic integrity prior to stoma reversal. The functional outcome following reversal in patients with occult radiologically detected leaks is poorly defined. The goal of the present study was to determine the functional outcome in patients with a radiologically detected anastomotic leak who subsequently underwent stoma reversal.

Methods

This case control study used patients with and without radiologically detected occult anastomotic leak having undergone reversal of covering stomata. The study group was matched with controls for age, gender, procedure, tumor stage, and adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy. Validated fecal incontinence quality of life (FIQL), Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence Score (CCFIS), and the Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) Bowel Function Index (BFI) were used. Patient satisfaction, medication use, and ancillary procedures prior to closure were also recorded.

Results

Thirteen patients with radiologically detected occult anastomotic leaks and 13 matched controls were identified from a prospectively maintained database. The FIQL, CCFIS, and MSKCC BFI scores were significantly reduced in those with occult leaks. The mean number of radiological and surgical interventions was significantly greater in the patients with occult leaks. Antidiarrheal and bulking agent use, as well as patient satisfaction, were the same for both groups. Only one patient in the occult leak group would not undergo stoma reversal again.

Conclusions

Reversal of a defunctioning ileostomy in the presence of an occult radiological leak can be associated with poorer functional outcomes, but patient satisfaction is undiminished.
How Useful Are Perioperative Biochemical Parameters in Predicting the Duration of Calcium and/or Vitamin D Supplementation After Total Thyroidectomy?
Authors: Lang Brian Hung‐Hin , Wong Kai Pun
Published: August 2013

Background

Oral calcium and calcitriol are often prescribed after total thyroidectomy to avoid biochemical and/or symptomatic hypocalcemia. We aimed to identify independent perioperative factors that correlated with the duration of calcium and/or calcitriol supplementation after total thyroidectomy.

Methods

Of 271 eligible patients, 48 (17.7 %) required calcium and/or calcitriol supplements on discharge. Patients were gradually weaned from the supplementation by one surgeon according to a biweekly algorithm based on serum calcium (Ca). Duration of supplementation was calculated from the date of operation to the date of ceasing all supplementation without biochemical hypocalcemia (i.e., serum adjusted Ca ≥8.44 mg/dL). The Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent perioperative factors for duration of supplementation. The best cut‐off value for these independent factors was determined by the receiver characteristic curve.

Results

In the multivariate analysis, parathyroid hormone (PTH) at skin closure (PTH‐SC) (RR 1.742, 95 % CI 1.080–2.810) and on postoperative day 1 adjusted Ca (Ca‐D1) (RR 77.526, 95 % CI 3.600–1669.57) were the only two independent determinants for shorter duration before ceasing all supplementation. The best cut‐off values in predicting supplementation ≥6 months for PTH‐SC and Ca‐D1 were 7.08 pg/mL (sensitivity = 100 %, specificity = 60.5 %, PPV = 40.0 % and NPV = 100 %) and 7.88 mg/dL (sensitivity = 90.0 %, specificity = 55.3 %, PPV = 34.6 % and NPV = 95.5 %), respectively.

Conclusions

Both PTH‐SC and Ca‐D1 were independently associated with the duration of supplementation after total thyroidectomy. Almost all patients with PTH‐SC ≥7.08 pg/mL or Ca‐D1 ≥7.88 mg/dL did not require supplementation ≥6 months whereas about one third of patients with PTH‐SC <7.08 pg/mL or Ca‐D1 <7.88 mg/dL required supplementation ≥6 months.
Hypothyroidism After Hemithyroidectomy
Authors: Said Meena , Chiu Vicki , Haigh Philip I.
Published: August 2013

Background

The risk of hypothyroidism after hemithyroidectomy is variable, and most estimates come from single institutional studies. The purpose of the present study was to determine the incidence of hypothyroidism at the population level, and to evaluate predictive factors for hypothyroidism after hemithyroidectomy.

Methods

This retrospective study identified euthyroid patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy between 2000 and 2010 for benign disease in Kaiser Permanente Southern California regional hospitals. The incidence of hypothyroidism [thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels >4 μIU/ml] was analyzed. The independent effect of age‐quartile, gender, race, thyroiditis, and preoperative TSH level on the development of hypothyroidism was evaluated.

Results

Of 1,240 euthyroid patients identified, 417 (34 %) developed hypothyroidism, and 314 (25 % of total group) needed levothyroxine. Hypothyroidism was more common in age‐quartile 2 (32 %), age‐quartile 3 (37 %), and age‐quartile 4 (42 %) than in age‐quartile 1 (25 %) [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.87; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.27–2.76, p = 0.002; age‐quartile 4 compared to age‐quartile 1]. Hypothyroidism was more frequent with increasing preoperative TSH levels 36, 72, and 92 % in patients with TSH levels of 1.0–2, 2.01–3, and 3.01–4 μIU/ml, respectively, compared to 17 % in those with TSH levels <1 μIU/ml [adjusted OR = 45.1; 95 % CI 13.5–151, p < 0.0001; 3.01–4 μIU/ml compared to <1 μIU/ml]. Thyroiditis was also an independent predictor of hypothyroidism.

Conclusions

About one third of euthyroid patients who undergo hemithyroidectomy develop hypothyroidism. The most significant predictor is the preoperative TSH level, with an approximate doubling of risk for each 1 unit of TSH increase over 1 μIU/ml. Our categorical scale is simple and allows for easy recall when counseling patients preoperatively.
Characterization of Vibrio cholerae Bacteriophages Isolated from the Environmental Waters of the Lake Victoria Region of Kenya
Authors: Maina Alice Nyambura , Mwaura Francis B. , Oyugi Julius , Goulding David , Toribio Ana L. , Kariuki Samuel
Published: August 2013

Over the last decade, cholera outbreaks have become common in some parts of Kenya. The most recent cholera outbreak occurred in Coastal and Lake Victoria region during January 2009 and May 2010, where a total of 11,769 cases and 274 deaths were reported by the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation. The objective of this study is to isolate Vibrio
cholerae bacteriophages from the environmental waters of the Lake Victoria region of Kenya with potential for use as a biocontrol for cholera outbreaks. Water samples from wells, ponds, sewage effluent, boreholes, rivers, and lakes of the Lake Victoria region of Kenya were enriched for 48 h at 37 °C in broth containing a an environmental strain of V.
cholerae. Bacteriophages were isolated from 5 out of the 42 environmental water samples taken. Isolated phages produced tiny, round, and clear plaques suggesting that these phages were lytic to V. cholerae. Transmission electron microscope examination revealed that all the nine phages belonged to the family Myoviridae, with typical icosahedral heads, long contractile tails, and fibers. Head had an average diameter of 88.3 nm and tail of length and width 84.9 and 16.1 nm, respectively. Vibriophages isolated from the Lake Victoria region of Kenya have been characterized and the isolated phages may have a potential to be used as antibacterial agents to control pathogenic V.
cholerae bacteria in water reservoirs.
Quality Changes and Antioxidant Properties of Microencapsulated Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) Seed Oil During Accelerated Storage
Authors: Razmkhah Sara , Tan Chin‐Ping , Long Kamariah , Nyam Kar‐Lin
Published: August 2013

Quality changes and antioxidant properties of microencapsulated kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed oil (MKSO) were investigated at 6‐day intervals during 24 days of storage at 65 °C. DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and BCB assays were used to determine the antioxidant activity (AOA) and their correlations were reported. Total flavonoids content (TFC) and oxidative stability in terms of evolution of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were also studied. The results showed that there was a significant (p < 0.05) effect of microencapsulation whereby AOA of MKSO showed only a 23.28 % decrease as compared to a 61.51 % decrease in the control bulk oil (KSO) when assessed by FRAP. MKSO showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower reduction of its initial TFC as compared to KSO and total increase in TBARS of MKSO was reported to be significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of KSO. AOA determined by all assays were well correlated with TFC and also among themselves. Microencapsulation of kenaf seed oil was found to be effective in the stabilisation of natural antioxidants and prolonging the shelf‐life.
Botulinum toxin A treatment of the lower extremities in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Molenaers Guy , Fagard Katrien , Van Campenhout Anja , Desloovere Kaat
Published: August 2013

Objectives

In the last 2 decades, BTX-A is increasingly being used in the management of spasticity in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and there is no doubt about its effect on range of motion, spasticity reduction and gait pattern in this patient population. However, in daily practice, there is still an ongoing search for the best way to apply BTX-A. Two studies were set up to evaluate how successful an integrated multilevel treatment approach is in children with CP. The first study identifies crucial factors within the treatment strategy which may predict the outcome. The second study evaluates the efficacy of repeated BTX-A injections.

Methods

Patient selection was based on following criteria: diagnosis of CP, lower limb BTX-A treatment, age at time of treatment <24 years, no combined surgery at the time of BTX-A injections, 3D gait analysis and clinical evaluation pre and 2 months post BTX-A injections. The first study included the last treatment of 577 patients. In the second study, the first and last BTX-A treatment of 222 children were included. The Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) was used to evaluate the functional outcome of each treatment session.

Results

In the first study, the mean GAS score of the total group was 51.7 (±7.5). Considering a converted total score of 50 as cut-off score for successful treatment, 67.1 % of the treatments were successful. Significantly higher GAS scores were found in mildly involved children compared to more involved children ( p < 0.0001) and for multilevel injections or injections in the distal muscle groups only compared to injections in the proximal muscles of the lower limb only ( p < 0.0001). Other crucial factors for a successful outcome were amount of physical therapy per week ( p=0.0026), post injection casting ( p=0.005) and frequency of using day and night orthoses after injection ( p < 0.0001). In the second study, the mean GAS score of the total group decreased from 54.8 (±6.8) at the first treatment to 50.7 (±6.9) at the last treatment, indicating that on average, repeated BTX-A treatment is successful.

Conclusion

The integrated multilevel BTX-A approach is successful in children with CP. Several factors might help the clinician to select patients that are most likely to benefit from the treatment, to assure the most optimal treatment strategy and to predict the outcome. Each treatment should be carefully planned and goals should be well chosen, because the effectiveness of the BTX-A treatment may decrease with increasing number of treatments in the same patient.
Neuronal circuits of fear memory and fear extinction
Authors: Wotjak C.T. , Pape H.-C.
Published: August 2013

The paradigm“eat or be eaten” has proven to be a critical guiding element during the evolution of both humans and animals. This helps to explain the fact that the ability to de­tect danger or a threat has been highly con­served throughout evolution and thus exhib­its a high degree of homology between spe­cies. Studies in laboratory animals thereby enable the identification of key neurochem­ical, cellular and molecular mechanisms un­derlying fear and anxiety, and important­ly, permit conclusions to be drawn regard­ing the situation in humans. This, in turn, pro­vides a highly valuable basis for further im­provements in prognosis, diagnosis, preven­tion and therapy of anxiety disorders. The present article focuses on one aspect cen­tral to translational anxiety research: the neu­ronal substrates and circuits of fear memo­ry and fear extinction. Following a brief intro­duction into the principles of fear condition­ing, the synaptic circuits that underlie the ac­quisition and extinction of fear memories in the mammalian brain will be described. His­torically established principles will be system­atically compared with novel findings on the detailed synaptic circuitry of the fear matrix. Knowledge of the neuronal substrates and circuitry will significantly improve our under­standing of pathologically transformed states of fear and anxiety and thereby help to derive novel intervention strategies for the treat­ment of anxiety disorders.
The Emotions that Drive Viral Video
Authors: Nelson-Field Karen , Riebe Erica , Newstead Kellie
Published: August 2013

In today's socially connected world marketers are turning to social video as a way of extending campaign reach and gaining cut-through. However knowledge on which creative characteristics are related to successful diffusion, is limited. In this research we consider how two constructs of emotional response (arousal and valence), both separately and collectively are related to how videos are shared. Two large data sets are considered, one commercial and one non-commercial ( n800), with levels of actual daily sharing recorded for all videos examined. We find that high arousal emotions are the primary driver of video sharing and while valance plays a role, it does so to a lesser extent. This study is the largest of its kind and makes a significant contribution to our understanding of what makes a successful viral video.
Temperament, character and personality disorders
Authors: Jylhä P. , Ketokivi M. , Mantere O. , Melartin T. , Suominen K. , Vuorilehto M. , Holma M. , Holma I. , Isometsä E.
Published: August 2013

Objective

To study, whether temperament and character remain stable over time and whether they differ between patients with and without personality disorder (PD) and between patients with specific PDs.

Methods

Patients with (n = 225) or without (n = 285) PD from Jorvi Bipolar Study, Vantaa Depression Study (VDS) and Vantaa Primary Care Depression Study were interviewed at baseline and at 18 months, and in the VDS also at 5 years. A general population comparison group (n = 264) was surveyed by mail.

Results

Compared with non-PD patients, PD patients scored lower on self-directedness and cooperativeness. Cluster B and C PDs associated with high Novelty Seeking and Harm Avoidance, respectively. In logistic regression models, sensitivity and specificity of Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) dimensions for presence of any PD were 53% and 75%, and for specific PDs from 11% to 41% and from 92% to 100%, respectively. The 18-month test-retest correlations of TCI-R dimensions ranged from 0.58 to 0.82.

Conclusions

Medium-term temporal stability of TCI in a clinical population appears good. Character scores differ markedly between PD and non-PD patients, whereas temperament scores differ only somewhat between the specific PDs. However, the TCI dimensions capture only a portion of the differences between PD and non-PD patients.
Protein interactions between surface annexin A2 and S100A10 mediate adhesion of breast cancer cells to microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Myrvang Helene K. , Guo Xiaoxia , Li Chan , Dekker Lodewijk V.
Published: August 2013

Annexin A2 (AnxA2) and S100A10 are known to form a molecular complex. Using fluorescence‐based binding assays, we show that both proteins are localised on the cell surface, in a molecular form that allows mutual interaction. We hypothesized that binding between these proteins could facilitate cell–cell interactions. For cells that express surface S100A10 and surface annexin A2, cell–cell interactions can be blocked by competing with the interaction between these proteins. Thus an annexin A2‐S100A10 molecular bridge participates in cell–cell interactions, revealing a hitherto unexplored function of this protein interaction.
Replacement of the Y450 (c234) phenyl ring in the carboxyl‐terminal region of coagulation factor IX causes pleiotropic effects on secretion and enzyme activity
Authors: Branchini Alessio , Campioni Matteo , Mazzucconi Maria Gabriella , Biondo Francesca , Mari Rosella , Bicocchi Maria Patrizia , Bernardi Francesco , Pinotti Mirko
Published: August 2013

The interplay between impaired protein biosynthesis and/or function caused by missense mutations, particularly in relation to specific protein regions, has been poorly investigated. As model we chose the severe p.Y450C mutation in the carboxyl‐terminal region of coagulation factor IX (FIX) and, by expression of a panel of recombinant variants, demonstrated the key role of the tyrosine phenyl group for both FIX secretion and coagulant activity. Comparison among highly homologous coagulation serine proteases indicate that additive or compensatory pleiotropic effects on secretion and function by carboxyl‐terminal mutations produce life‐threatening or mild phenotypes in the presence of similarly reduced protein amounts.
Endoplasmic Reticulum stress reduces COPII vesicle formation and modifies Sec23a cycling at ERESs
Authors: Amodio Giuseppina , Venditti Rossella , De Matteis Maria Antonietta , Moltedo Ornella , Pignataro Piero , Remondelli Paolo
Published: August 2013

Exit from the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) of newly synthesized proteins is mediated by COPII vesicles that bud from the ER at the ER Exit Sites (ERESs). Disruption of ER homeostasis causes accumulation of unfolded and misfolded proteins in the ER. This condition is referred to as ER stress. Previously, we demonstrated that ER stress rapidly impairs the formation of COPII vesicles. Here, we show that membrane association of COPII components, and in particular of Sec23a, is impaired by ER stress‐inducing agents suggesting the existence of a dynamic interplay between protein folding and COPII assembly at the ER.
Bracing for demand shocks: An experimental investigation
Authors: Tokar Travis , Aloysius John , Williams Brent , Waller Matthew
Published: August 2013

We investigate inventory ordering decisions when decision makers anticipated a demand shock. Decision makers anticipating an event have been shown to brace for an uncertain negative outcome by overestimating the likelihood of that event. Decision makers faced with a spike in demand may incur increased holding costs because they may brace, exhibiting a judgment bias, and consequently a decision bias by over‐ordering inventory. Three studies span conditions of uncertainty regarding the timing and magnitude of a demand shock: Employing three between‐subjects experiments, Study 1 investigates behavior when decision makers were faced with uncertainty in timing and in magnitude of demand at the most elemental level, manipulating holding and stock out costs. The three experimental tasks feature uncertainty about the magnitude of demand (Experiment 1.1), uncertainty about the timing of demand (Experiment 1.2), and uncertainty about both the magnitude and timing of demand (Experiment 1.3). Study 2 uses a dynamic, multi‐period replenishment task and a between‐subjects manipulation regarding the uncertainty of timing and magnitude of a demand shock. Study 3 also employs a multi‐period decision environment, but compares behavior under a demand shock condition with that in a condition featuring only random variability. The collective results from the three studies identify a bias toward over‐ordering in response to a demand shock, relative to the optimal orders. The between‐subjects manipulations in Study 2 points toward a possible remedy as we found that providing information concerning the timing and magnitude of a shock ameliorated the bias. The primary revelation was that decision makers had more difficulty dealing with uncertain timing than with uncertain magnitude of demand. One implication is that it is particularly critical for retailers to carefully plan and manage how they share information with upstream supply chain partners regarding when they plan to introduce store‐level promotions.
Asymmetric adjustments in the spread of lending and deposit rates: Evidence from extended threshold unit root tests
Authors: Lee Junsoo , Strazicich Mark C. , Yu Byung Chul
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we test for asymmetric adjustments in the spread of the U.S. prime lending rate and 3‐month certificate of deposit rate. In doing so, we extend the pioneering threshold unit root tests of Enders and Granger (1998) to more flexible models where the deterministic terms and short‐run dynamics, in addition to the persistent parameters, can differ in two regimes. While some previous works have tested for asymmetric adjustments in the spread of lending and deposit rates using threshold unit root tests, the deterministic terms and short‐run dynamics were assumed to be symmetric, which can lead to bias and less accurate conclusions if these conditions do not hold. Overall, we find that the spread in lending and deposit rates is stationary but adjustment to the equilibrium is asymmetric. In particular, we find more rapid adjustment when the spread is narrowing below a threshold level than when widening above this level. Several theoretical implications are suggested.
Climatic and human controls on the late Holocene fire history of northern Israel
Authors: Quintana Krupinski Nadine B. , Marlon Jennifer R. , Nishri Ami , Street Joseph H. , Paytan Adina
Published: August 2013

Long-term fire histories provide insight into the effects of climate, ecology and humans on fire activity; they can be generated using accumulation rates of charcoal and soot black carbon in lacustrine sediments. This study uses both charcoal and black carbon, and other paleoclimate indicators from Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), Israel, to reconstruct late Holocene variations in biomass burning and aridity. We compare the fire history data with a regional biomass-burning reconstruction from 18 different charcoal records and with pollen, climate, and population data to decipher the relative impacts of regional climate, vegetation changes, and human activity on fire. We show a long-term decline in fire activity over the past 3070 years, from high biomass burning ~ 3070–1750 cal yr BP to significantly lower levels after ~ 1750 cal yr BP. Human modification of the landscape (e.g., forest clearing, agriculture, settlement expansion and early industry) in periods of low to moderate precipitation appears to have been the greatest cause of high biomass burning during the late Holocene in southern Levant, while wetter climate apparently reduced fire activity during periods of both low and high human activity.
Wege in die Abhängigkeit
Authors: Garbusow Maria , Friedel Eva , Sebold Miriam , Beck Anne , Heinz Andreas , Smolka Michael N.
Published: August 2013

Hintergrund: Riskanter Alkoholkonsum und Alkoholabhängigkeit treten in Industrieländern häufig auf und manifestieren sich oft bereits im jungen Erwachsenenalter. Wir prüfen in dieser Studie den Einfluss dysfunktionaler Lernmechanismen und deren Modulation durch verschiedene Stressoren, wie z. B. die Menge des Alkoholkonsums, auf die Entstehung, den Verlauf und ggf. die Aufrechterhaltung der Abhängigkeitserkrankung. Zielsetzung: Bisher bekannte ätiologische Faktoren, die im Zusammenhang mit der Entwicklung einer Alkoholabhängigkeit stehen, betreffen sowohl genetische (z. B. die genetisch bedingte geringe Sensitivität gegenüber der akuten Alkoholwirkung oder eine positive Familiengeschichte bezüglich Alkoholabhängigkeit) als auch umweltbedingten Faktoren (z. B. Stress, Trauma, dysfunktionale familiäre Strukturen und der Einfluss der Peers). Belohnungsabhängige Lernmechanismen könnten mit dem veränderten Alkoholkonsum in Adoleszenz und jungem Erwachsenenalter assoziiert sein und somit ebenfalls zu den prädisponierenden Faktoren für die Entwicklung einer Alkoholabhängigkeit zählen. Unser Wissen über diese Mechanismen ist bisher jedoch begrenzt. Im Rahmen der Studie „Learning in Alcohol Dependence“ (LeAD) sollen Lernmechanismen und ihre Bedeutung für die Entstehung exzessiven Alkoholkonsums untersucht werden. Zudem wird im Längsschnitt erfasst, wie sich der Alkoholkonsum selbst wieder auf diese Lernmechanismen auswirkt. Methodik: Eine Kohorte 18-jähriger Männer mit hohem versus niedrigem Risiko an einer Alkoholabhängigkeit zu erkranken, wird im Längsschnitt untersucht, wobei unter anderem bereits bekannte Risikofaktoren erfasst werden. Lernmechanismen werden mithilfe verschiedener Paradigmen (dem Pavlow’schen und instrumentellen Lernen, Habituierung und Devaluation sowie Risikoverhalten) behavioral und mittels funktioneller Bildgebung untersucht. Schlussfolgerungen: Bisher existieren keine Untersuchungen beim Menschen, in denen spezifische Veränderungen des Lernverhaltens mit prädisponierenden Faktoren für die Entwicklung einer Alkoholabhängigkeit in Zusammenhang gebracht werden. Durch die LeAD-Studie sollen diese Faktoren weiter aufgeklärt werden, wodurch eine zielgerichtete Prävention besser möglich werden könnte. Dadurch ließen sich speziell in dieser Altersgruppe Prävalenz und Schwere der Alkoholabhängigkeit beeinflussen.
Wege aus der Abhängigkeit
Authors: Sebold Miriam , Hägele Claudia , Beck Anne , Heinz Andreas
Published: August 2013

Hintergrund: Alkohol-assoziierte Reize lösen bei alkoholabhängigen Patienten konditionierte Reaktionen aus, die zu einer erhöhten Motivation der Alkoholeinnahme führen können. Klassische Konditionierungsprozesse scheinen demnach sowohl zur Aufrechterhaltung der Abhängigkeit als auch zum Rückfallgeschehen nach Entzug beizutragen. Bildgebende Studien weisen darauf hin, dass das dopaminerge Neurotransmittersystem an assoziativen Lernvorgängen beteiligt ist und Veränderungen innerhalb dieses Systems bei entgifteten alkoholabhängigen Patienten zum Rückfall beitragen könnten. Die genauen Mechanismen in diesem Zusammenhang sind bisher jedoch ungeklärt. Zielsetzung: Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Darstellung von motivationalen Veränderungen und deren (neuroadaptiven) Grundlagen bei Alkoholabhängigkeit. Ein genaueres Verständnis davon, welche neuronalen und motivationalen Prozesse im Rahmen des Rückfallgeschehens eine Rolle spielen, könnte sowohl pharmakologische als auch therapeutische Implikationen für die Behandlung der Alkoholabhängigkeit liefern. Methodik: Diese Arbeit umfasst eine Literaturanalyse über neuroadaptive Veränderungen bei Alkoholabhängigkeit mit besonderem Fokus auf Lernprozesse und deren Rolle beim Rückfallgeschehen. Die Literaturrecherche basiert auf Recherchen der Forschergruppe 1617 der Deutschen Forschungsgesellschaft (DFG; Learning and Habitization in Alcohol Dependence, LeAD). Schlussfolgerung: Bisher existieren keine Untersuchungen, in denen neuroadaptive Veränderungen der Alkoholabhängigkeit mit spezifischen Lerndefiziten in Zusammenhang gebracht werden. Die DFG Forschergruppe LeAD untersucht neuronale Korrelate von lernbezogenen Rückfallprädiktoren. Ein Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist es herauszufinden, warum alkoholabhängige Patienten nach ihrer Entgiftung oft nicht lernen, Alkohol durch alternative belohnende Reize und Situation zu ersetzen und welche neuronalen Grundlagen diesem Defizit zu Grunde liegen.
Subdiffusion Supports Joining Of Correct Ends During Repair Of DNA Double-Strand Breaks
Authors: Girst S. , Hable V. , Drexler G. A. , Greubel C. , Siebenwirth C. , Haum M. , Friedl A. A. , Dollinger G.
Published: August 2013

The mobility of damaged chromatin regions in the nucleus may affect the probability of mis-repair. In this work, live-cell observation and distance tracking of GFP-tagged DNA damage response protein MDC1 was used to study the random-walk behaviour of chromatin domains containing radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSB). Our measurements indicate a subdiffusion-type random walk process with similar time dependence for isolated and clustered DSBs that were induced by 20 MeV proton or 43 MeV carbon ion micro-irradiation. As compared to normal diffusion, subdiffusion enhances the probability that both ends of a DSB meet, thus promoting high efficiency DNA repair. It also limits their probability of long-range movements and thus lowers the probability of mis-rejoining and chromosome aberrations.
Inertial micro‐switch capable of prolonging contact time
Authors: Deng Kangfa , Su Weiguo , Li Song , Zhang Yating , Zhang Wei
Published: August 2013

A novel inertial micro‐switch capable of prolonging contact time and reducing the contact‐bouncing effect is proposed. Based on the nonlinear‐spring shock stop, both the moveable and the fixed electrodes are made flexible by using a moveable contact point and a cascaded beam, respectively. The switch was successfully fabricated by bulk micromachining process. From the drop hammer test, the switch‐on time increased with an increase of the input acceleration and reached a maximum of 335 μs, which is over 30 times larger than that of the traditional switch; and no bounce occurred.
On‐chip dual‐band bandpass filter on a GaAs substrate
Authors: Kao Hsuan‐Ling , Dai Xin , Zhang Xiu Yin , Cho Cheng‐Lin , Yeh Chih‐Sheng , Chiu Hsien‐Chin
Published: August 2013

A dual‐band bandpass filter in a millimetre‐wave band that uses 0.5 μm GaAs pHEMT technology with two sets of stepped‐impedance resonators, which results in a reduction in size, is presented. The two passband frequencies can be flexibly controlled by adjusting the lengths of the two sets of resonators. Two bandwidths can be tuned independently, using external quality factors and coupling coefficients. The fractional 1‐dB bandwidths at 60 and 77 GHz are 8.6 and 4.1%, respectively. The measured S21 values at 60 and 77 GHz are − 2.26 and − 3.9 dB. Good performance is obtained in terms of the excellent microwave properties of the semi‐insulating GaAs substrate, which makes this system attractive for wireless communication applications.
Resolving phase measurement ambiguity in presence of coloured noise
Authors: Li Wenchao , Wang Xuezhi , Wang Xinmin , Moran Bill
Published: August 2013

Recovering a distance from ambiguous phase measurements observed at multiple signal frequencies involves the estimation of both integer and scalar quantities simultaneously. The problem is optimally addressed by existing methods only when the measurement noise is IID. A noise ‘whitening’ procedure is derived with a least‐square estimation structure inherent to the Lattice method proposed previously which thus extends this Lattice‐based algorithm to cope with coloured phase measurement noise in an optimal manner demonstrated via simulation.
Miniaturised dual‐wideband bandpass filter using novel dual‐band coupled‐line sections
Authors: Xu Jin , Wu Wen
Published: August 2013

A novel dual‐wideband bandpass filter (BPF) by using the proposed dual‐band open stub‐loaded coupled‐line section is presented. The proposed dual‐band BPF has a symmetrical frequency response along the designing frequency f0, and the transmission zero at f0 improves the filter band‐to‐band isolation significantly. As an example, a dual‐wideband BPF for 2.4 GHz WLAN and 6.8 GHz RFID applications is designed, fabricated and measured. The fabricated filter has the merits of simple topology, compact size, good return loss, low insertion loss and high isolation. The measurement agrees well with the simulation.
Compact tri‐band CPW‐fed antenna for WLAN/WiMAX applications
Authors: Hua M.J. , Wang P. , Zheng Y. , Yuan S.L.
Published: August 2013

A compact triple‐band coplanar waveguide (CPW)‐fed antenna for WLAN/WiMAX applications is proposed. The radiation patch is fed by capacitive coupling of the top transmission line. By only using one metallic strip etched on the bottom of the substrate, tri‐band resonances of the antenna are generated. The proposed antenna has a compact size of 30 × 27 mm2, which can provide stable omnidirectional radiation patterns in three bands. The measured − 10 dB impedance bandwidths are 150 MHz (2.39–2.54 GHz), 360 MHz (3.37–3.73 GHz) and 1170 MHz (5.02–6.19 GHz), which is suitable for WLAN/WiMAX applications.
Low complexity lowpass linear‐phase multiplierless FIR filter
Authors: Pavlović V.D. , Antić D.S. , Nikolić S.S. , Perić S.Lj.
Published: August 2013

A new class of lowpass linear‐phase FIR filter function given in an explicit compact form is introduced. First, the general form of a new class of nth‐order difference equations with all real coefficients equals one is proposed, and after that the simple frequency sampling structure for any odd and even orders of the filter is designed. Finally, several simulation experiments have been performed in order to compare this filter with other known filters for the same values of free real integer parameters. It should be highlighted that the new filters compare favourably even with the already existing filters, because they have an insert attenuation of 158 dB, 15.1681% lower cutoff frequency of the passband of the filter, and 18.5313% lower cutoff frequency of the stopband of the filter, for an insert loss of 100 dB.
A priori‐driven multivariate statistical approach to reduce dimensionality of MEG signals
Authors: Thomaz C.E. , Hall E.L. , Giraldi G.A. , Morris P.G. , Bowtell R. , Brookes M.J.
Published: August 2013

A magnetoencephalography (MEG) multivariate data exploratory analysis is described and implemented that combines the variance criterion used in principal component analysis with some prior knowledge about the sensory experimental task. By using the idea of rearranging the data matrix in classification pairs that correspond to the time‐varying representation of either stable or stimulus phases of the specific task, the feature extraction method is constrained reducing significantly the number of principal components necessary to represent most of the total variance explained by the MEG signals.
High‐throughput CABAC codec architecture for HEVC
Authors: Choi Yongseok , Choi Jongbum
Published: August 2013

A VLSI architecture of a context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) entropy codec for high‐efficiency video coding (HEVC), the next generation video coding standard, is presented and analysis of its performance in terms of effective processing throughput, i.e. bin/s, is provided. For high throughput, the architecture is designed to process up to two regular bins per unit time while minimising pipeline stall due to inherent dependencies of CABAC through various optimisations including context forwarding and speculative decoding. The experiments show that the effective throughput is achieved up to 1.60 bins or 1.41 bits per cycle, which corresponds to 469.5 Mbit/s at the operating frequency of 333 MHz, under practical video coding environments.
Fast and efficient blind image quality index in spatial domain
Authors: Jiao Shuhong , Qi Huan , Lin Weisi , Shen Weihe
Published: August 2013

A fast and efficient method [fast efficient blind (FEB)] for no‐reference image quality assessment (IQA) is presented. Two new features, log‐energy and variance, are proposed in the spatial domain, which make the IQA algorithm faster and more efficient. FEB obviates the training process of distortion images and subjective opinion scores due to the properties of the new features. The experiment shows that the proposed method outperforms conventional methods in terms of both accuracy and execution speed and is also consistent with the subjective assessment of human beings. Owing to the simplicity of the features proposed, FEB can realise real‐time IQA completely.
Clutter rank estimation rule for MIMO radar with arbitrary transmitted waveform synthetic strategies
Authors: Feng Cunqian , Zhang Linrang , Zhang Dong , Guo Yiduo
Published: August 2013

A computational‐efficient estimated rule of clutter rank for multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) radar with arbitrary transmitted waveform synthetic strategies is presented and proved. It is suitable for both conventional phased array radar and MIMO radar with a uniform sparse or non‐uniform sparse transmitting subarray, and is also valuable for the design of optimal waveform synthetic strategies and space–time adaptive processing algorithms. The effectiveness of the proposed rule is verified by simulation results.
Wien bridge‐based calibration circuit for CDR applications
Authors: Tavernier F. , Moreira P. , Poltorak K.
Published: August 2013

A robust and fully integrated solution to calibrate the voltage controlled oscillator frequency to the data rate frequency in a clock and data recovery is described. As such, no external reference frequency or a separate reference phase‐locked loop is required. The proposed calibration circuit has been designed in a 130 nm CMOS technology. It shows a very low temperature dependency below 100 ppm °C−1.
Self‐adaptive load technology for multiple‐string LED drivers
Authors: Ning Ning , Chen Wen Bin , Yu De Jun , Feng Chun Yi , Wang Cheng Bi
Published: August 2013

A self‐adaptive load technology for multiple‐string LED drivers is presented. Directly operating from an AC voltage, the proposed technology realises soft switching with a self‐adaptive load resistor, so that the LED avoids the current glitch during current switching. Thus, the quality of lighting, the lifetime and the performance of the LED are improved. An AC LED driver using the proposed technology was fabricated in a 0.25 µm BCDMOS process and tested with a five‐string LED. The measured results show that the power factor is 0.998 (0.997) with 5.1% (7.2%) total harmonic distortion under 19 W 110 V/AC (220 V/AC) condition.