bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk computing based on capacity of risk‐absorbing in virtual community environment
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Zhikui , Lv Xiaoning
Published: April 2014

The security issues are extremely popular in the virtual community (VC) environment because of the uncertainties. Many works use trust mechanisms as the enhancement. However, trust has flaws in some aspects, making it uncontrollable. Discussed in this paper is the reason that risk is chosen to evaluate individual's credit. Then, risk in VC environment has several properties that are helpful to understand the relationship between VC and members. A new concept is that the capacity of risk absorbing is introduced to make the model more reasonable for usual scenario. In order to compute the capacity of risk absorbing problem, shapley value approach is utilized to equalize the risk of individuals who join the game in series. The evaluation result can provide VC computed evidence to control the individual's behavior. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lipid nanocarriers based on natural compounds: An evolving role in plant extract delivery
Authors: Lacatusu Ioana , Badea Nicoleta , Niculae Gabriela , Bordei Natalita , Stan Raluca , Meghea Aurelia
Published: April 2014

The vegetable oils and extracts known for their beneficial effects should be identified and used in various forms for the development of new healthy products. This study was designed to provide further investigation on new nanocarriers made with hempseed oil or a blend of amaranth and hempseed oils, for a concomitant encapsulation and release of the carotenoids enriched plant extract. The size of plant extract loaded lipid nanocarriers ranging between 109 and 130 nm was found to be less influenced by the different ratios of hempseed and amaranth oils. For all of the synthesized nanocarriers, zeta potential values were negative (−33.4 ÷ −38.1 mV). The scanning calorimetry study has shown that lipid nanocarriers have favorable lattice defects for plant extract encapsulation. Entrapment efficiency results revealed an increase of carotenoids entrapment from 57.6 to 83.5% as the amaranth oil percent has been increased. High ability to scavenge the free oxygenated radicals was distinguished for all free and loaded nanocarriers. The level of antioxidant activity increase was proportional to the extent of vegetable oil and was ranging between 93.4 and 98.1%. The nanocarriers made with amaranth and hempseed oils have shown a more sustained release over time than those prepared with hempseed oil only in association with solid lipids.

Practical applications: The applicability of lipophilic plant extracts enriched in bioactive compounds encounters serious problems in the food and pharmaceutical sector due to poor bioavailability. Using the concept of exploiting natural resources in combination with soft nanotechnology, valuable bioactive vegetable mixtures could be formulated into solid colloidal nanoparticles. The bioavailability and the therapeutic benefit of hempseed and amaranth oils in association with lipophilic plant extract enriched in carotenoids are increased by incorporation into the same nanostructured formulation. These formulations result in unique precursors of health products, particularly for nutraceutical industry. The lipid nanocarriers based on natural compounds offer potential applications as natural, low cost and innovative delivery systems to improve quality and extend shelf‐life of food products. The developed vegetable based lipid nanocarriers offer advantages of a minimum carrier cytotoxicity, good storage stability, synergistic effects, antioxidant and sustained release, easy to scale up production.

Lipid nanocarriers made with hempseed and amaranth oils and loaded with carotenoids extract from marigold plant. Influence of vegetable oils on in vitro antioxidant activity of developed lipid nanocarriers.
Discriminating eggs from different poultry species by fatty acids and volatiles profiling: Comparison of SPME‐GC/MS, electronic nose, and principal component analysis method
Authors: Wang Qingling , Jin Guofeng , Jin Yongguo , Ma Meihu , Wang Ning , Liu Chunyou , He Liyuan
Published: April 2014

Fatty acid profiles and volatile composition in the yolks of conventional eggs from seven different species (duck, free‐range chicken, silky chicken, quail, pigeon, goose, and chicken) were compared using GC–MS and electronic nose (E‐nose). The results showed that there were significant differences among the fatty acid profiles of the seven avian eggs. Goose eggs contained the highest contents of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids but the lowest content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and the differences were significant (p<0.05). The PUFA proportion was the highest in the free‐range chicken eggs of all the tested avian eggs. The ω‐3 PUFA content and the ω‐6/ω‐3 ratio were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the yolks of goose and silky chicken. The volatile compositions of egg yolks are esters, alcohols, alkenes, and nitrogenous compounds, and the major compounds that contributed to discrimination of different species of eggs were ethyl acetate, pathalic acid butyl isohexyl ester, O‐methylisourea hydrogen sulfate, 1‐butanol, and N‐isopropylbenzamide. In addition, seven different species of eggs were distinguished from each other through principal component analysis of E‐nose data, suggesting that the E‐nose may be a potential technology for discriminating different species of eggs.

Practical applications: The results showed that the major volatile components could be used as chemical markers to distinguish different species of eggs by the chemometric method. The results obtained from the electronic nose analysis agreed well with the GC–MS results, suggesting the potential application of the E‐nose technique in the market quality control and the detection of counterfeit eggs.

Twenty‐two fatty acids were detected and significant differences were found in the fatty acid proportions of different poultry eggs. A total of 41 volatiles were identified by GC–MS, and E‐nose can successfully discrimination different species of eggs.
Using visual evoked potentials for the early detection of amnestic mild cognitive impairment: a pilot investigation
Authors: Fix Spencer T. , Arruda James E. , Andrasik Frank , Beach Jameson , Groom Kevin
Published: April 2014

Objective

Amnesic mild cognitive impairment (MCIa) is often characterized as an early stage of Alzheimer's dementia (AD). The latency of the P2, an electroencephalographic component of the flash visual evoked potential (FVEP), is significantly longer in those with AD or MCIa when compared with controls. The present investigation examined the diagnostic accuracy of several FVEP‐P2 procedures in distinguishing people with MCIa and controls.

Methods

The latency of the FVEP‐P2 was measured in participants exposed to a single flash condition and five double flash conditions. The double flash conditions had different inter‐stimulus intervals between the pair of strobe flashes.

Results

Significant group differences were observed in the single flash and two of the double flash conditions. One of the double flash conditions (100 ms) displayed a higher predictive accuracy than the single flash condition, suggesting that this novel procedure may have more diagnostic potential. Participants with MCIa displayed similar P2 latencies across conditions, while controls exhibited a consistent pattern of P2 latency differences. These differences demonstrate that the double stimulation procedure resulted in a measurable refractory effect for controls but not for those with MCIa.

Conclusions

The pattern of P2 group differences suggests that those with MCIa have compromised cholinergic functioning that results in impaired visual processing. Results from the present investigation lend support to the theory that holds MCIa as an intermediate stage between normal healthy aging and the neuropathology present in AD. Measuring the FVEP‐P2 during several double stimulation conditions could provide diagnostically useful information about the health of the cholinergic system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of Physical Activity on Bone Strength in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis
Authors: Tan Vina PS , Macdonald Heather M , Kim SoJung , Nettlefold Lindsay , Gabel Leigh , Ashe Maureen C , McKay Heather A
Published: April 2014

A preponderance of evidence from systematic reviews supports the effectiveness of weight-bearing exercises on bone mass accrual, especially during the growing years. However, only one systematic review (limited to randomized controlled trials) examined the role of physical activity (PA) on bone strength. Thus, our systematic review extended the scope of the previous review by including all PA intervention and observational studies, including organized sports participation studies, with child or adolescent bone strength as the main outcome. We also sought to discern the skeletal elements (eg, mass, structure, density) that accompanied significant bone strength changes. Our electronic-database, forward, and reference searches yielded 14 intervention and 23 observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We used the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) tool to assess the quality of studies. Due to heterogeneity across studies, we adopted a narrative synthesis for our analysis and found that bone strength adaptations to PA were related to maturity level, sex, and study quality. Three (of five) weight-bearing PA intervention studies with a strong rating reported significantly greater gains in bone strength for the intervention group (3% to 4%) compared with only three significant (of nine) moderate intervention studies. Changes in bone structure (eg, bone cross-sectional area, cortical thickness, alone or in combination) rather than bone mass most often accompanied significant bone strength outcomes. Prepuberty and peripuberty may be the most opportune time for boys and girls to enhance bone strength through PA, although this finding is tempered by the few available studies in more mature groups. Despite the central role that muscle plays in bones' response to loading, few studies discerned the specific contribution of muscle function (or surrogates) to bone strength. Although not the focus of the current review, this seems an important consideration for future studies. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
A GROUNDED THEORY STUDY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC–PRIVATE ALLIANCES IN OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES
Authors: Baxter Leslie
Published: April 2014

This paper uses a grounded theory methodology to develop a conceptual model of the main concerns of the partners and the social and decision‐making processes associated with establishing public–private alliances in official development assistance programmes. The results suggest that the establishment of PPAs is the result of the complex interaction of ‘Processes and Process Issues’, ‘Alliance Initiation’, ‘Alliance Leadership’, ‘Modifiers’ and ‘Alliance Relationships’. Although individual alliance is context specific, there are five key areas where attention should be focussed during the establishment and where the participants can potentially influence the establishment to optimise the chance of success. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cadmium fractions in an acid sandy soil and Cd in soil solution as affected by plant growth
Authors: Stritsis Christos , Steingrobe Bernd , Claassen Norbert
Published: April 2014

In a previous experiment, plants were able to immobilize or solubilize Cadmium (Cd) in a sandy acid soil enriched with 40 μmol Cd kg–1, because Cd solution concentration was decreased by maize (Zea mays) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus), and increased by flax (Linum usitatissimum L. ssp. usitatissimum) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea). It is assumed that the equilibrium with Cd fractions in the soil solid phase and the chemical form of Cd in the soil solution were affected. In the present study, the effect of the four plant species mentioned above on Cd binding in soil was investigated by means of a fractionation of soil Cd with a sequential extraction of seven steps. The seven fractions of Cd are operationally defined by the extraction sequence that follows the order of increasing acidity with extractants of different complexing and redox properties. In the unplanted soil, Cd was predominantly present in the exchangeable Fraction I (F. I) and easily mobilizable Fraction II (F. II) (64%). Significant concentrations of Cd were found in F. III (occluded in Mn oxides; 22%) and F. IV (organically bound; 10%). Fractions V (occluded in poorly crystalline Fe oxides), F. VI (occluded in well crystallized Fe oxides), and F. VII (residual fraction) amounted to less than 5% of the total soil Cd concentration. The plants changed the binding of Cd in soil in a different manner. All plants decreased F. I, but F. II was increased by maize and spinach, decreased by flax or remained unaffected by sunflower. Fraction III was not affected by maize and flax, but decreased by sunflower and spinach, and F. IV was not affected by sunflower and spinach, but was increased by maize and flax. These changes of Cd fractions were not related to the changes the plants had caused in total Cd or Cd2+ concentration of the soil solution. These results show that plant species differ in how they affect Cd binding to the soil solid phase, but this effect is not related to how they affect Cd in soil solution. The mechanisms by which plants affect the relationship between the soil solid and liquid phase are still unclear.
Temporal patterns in the foraging behavior of sea otters in Alaska
Authors: Esslinger George G. , Bodkin James L. , Breton André R. , Burns Jennifer M. , Monson Daniel H.
Published: April 2014

Activity time budgets in apex predators have been proposed as indicators of population status relative to resource limitation or carrying capacity. We used archival time‐depth recorders implanted in 15 adult female and 4 male sea otters (Enhydra lutris) from the northernmost population of the species, Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA, to examine temporal patterns in their foraging behavior. Sea otters that we sampled spent less time foraging during summer (females 8.8 hr/day, males 7.9 hr/day) than other seasons (females 10.1–10.5 hr/day, males 9.2–9.5 hr/day). Both sexes showed strong preferences for diurnal foraging and adjusted their foraging effort in response to the amount of available daylight. One exception to this diurnal foraging mode occurred after females gave birth. For approximately 3 weeks post‐partum, females switched to nocturnal foraging, possibly in an effort to reduce the risk of predation by eagles on newborn pups. We used multilevel mixed regression models to assess the contribution of several biological and environmental covariates to variation in the daily foraging effort of parous females. In the random effects only model, 87% of the total variation in foraging effort was within‐otter variation. The relatively small among‐otter variance component (13%) indicates substantial consistency in the foraging effort of sea otters in this northern population. In the top 3 models, 17% of the within‐otter variation was explained by reproductive stage, day length, wind speed, air temperature and a wind speed × air temperature interaction. This study demonstrates the potential importance of environmental and reproductive effects when using activity budgets to assess population status relative to carrying capacity. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Altered vimentin protein expression in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells after ultraviolet or intense pulsed light treatment
Authors: Shin Jung U , Lee Won Jai , Oh Sang Ho , Kim Do Young , Kim Dae Suk , Jung Inhee , Lee Ju Hee
Published: April 2014

Background

Endothelial cell senescence is closely related to tissue aging and age‐related vascular disease. Detailed pathophysiology and essential biomarkers of skin aging are not well known. A recent report suggests that advanced glycosylation end products, especially Nϵ‐(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) modification of vimentin, accelerate the aging process.

Objectives

To identify protein biomarkers of aging in skin.

Materials and Methods

Proteomics analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed proteins in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) treated with ultraviolet (UV) or intense pulsed light (IPL). Proteome maps of UV‐treated, IPL‐treated, and untreated HDMEC were constructed, with identification of altered protein spots by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Differential expression and glycation modification of vimentin were found by this approach and further examined by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting.

Results

Twenty‐two differentially expressed protein spots were identified. Among them, vimentin was specifically up‐regulated in UV‐treated HDMECs. On the other hand, it was down‐regulated after IPL. Increased expression of CML‐vimentin in HDMEC during culture (Passage 6 vs. 12) was noted, and this effect was reversed by IPL treatment.

Conclusion

Vimentin and CML should be useful markers for cell senescence, as well as for evaluating the level of aging. Also, targeting increased vimentin expression and its advanced glycation end products could present a target for the treatment of skin aging. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:431–438, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of graphene functionalized with zinc dimethacrylate on the mechanical and thermal properties of natural rubber nanocomposites
Authors: Lin Yong , Liu Konghua , Chen Yizhong , Liu Lan
Published: April 2014

An effective approach is developed to synthesize zinc dimethacrylate functionalized graphene (ZDMA‐GE) as reinforcing nanofiller for natural rubber (NR). The morphology and structure of ZDMA‐GE were characterized to confirm the exfoliation and functionalization of GE. The as‐prepared nanocomposites were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, mechanical analysis, crosslinked network analysis, and the analysis of thermal conductivity. The results demonstrated that there is strong interfacial interaction between GE and rubber matrix due to good dispersion and special two‐dimensional structure of GE. The crosslink density of the nanocomposites is greatly improved with the introduction of ZDMA‐GE because of the homopolymerization and graft polymerization of ZDMA. It is also noticed that the tensile strength, tear strength, and modulus at 300% elongation of NR nanocomposites with 15 phr ZDMA‐GE have been improved by 133, 42, and 174%, respectively. The thermal conductivity of nanocomposites with 40 phr ZDMA‐GE is enhanced 1.3 times as that of the pure NR. This remarkable improvement is attributed to the formation of covalent crosslinked network and ionic crosslinked network, good dispersion of GE, and efficient interfacial interaction between GE and NR matrix. This method provides the potential applications of functionalized GE in the polymer composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1775–1785, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry and Chemometric Analysis of Ricinus communis Extracts for Cultivar Identification
Authors: Ovenden Simon P. B. , Pigott Eloise J. , Rochfort Simone , Bourne David J.
Published: April 2014

Introduction

Seeds of Ricinus communis contain the toxic protein ricin, a 64 kD heterodimeric type II ribosome‐inactivating protein that has been used in several high‐profile poisoning incidents. The ability to determine which cultivar the toxin was isolated from via an LC–MS method would be of significant use to law enforcement and forensic agencies.

Objective

To analyse via LC–MS and chemometrics (principal components analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial‐least‐squares discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA)) extracts of R. communis to identify compounds specific to a particular cultivar.

Methods

Seeds from eight specimens of six cultivars of R. communis (‘carmencita’, ‘dehradun’, ‘gibsonii’, ‘impala’, ‘sanguineus’ and ‘zanzibariensis’) were extracted using a standard methodology. These extracts were analysed by LC–MS then subjected to chemometric analysis (PCA and OPLS‐DA). Identified compounds of importance were subjected to high‐resolution Fourier transform (HRFT) MS and MS/MS to elucidate their structures.

Results

This analysis identified 17 ions as potential cultivar determinators. Through accurate mass measurement and MS/MS, molecular formulae for 13 ions were determined, including two known and 11 new peptides.

Conclusion

Unique ions in extracts of ‘carmencita’, ‘dehradun’, ‘gibsonii’, ‘impala’ and ‘zanzibariensis’ were identified that would allow an individual cultivar to be distinguished from other cultivars in this study. Although ‘sanguineus’ extracts contained no unique compounds, a unique LC–MS profile would allow for cultivar assignment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Superparamagnetism and superspin glass behaviors in multiferroic NiMn‐based magnetic shape memory alloys
Authors: Cong D. Y. , Roth S. , Wang Y. D.
Published: April 2014

NiMn‐based Heusler‐type multiferroic alloys have attracted intensive attention due to their fascinating multifunctional properties such as magnetic shape memory, magnetocaloric effect, and magnetoresistance. The recently elucidated superparamagnetism and superspin glass behaviors in these alloys could greatly impact their multifunctional properties. This article provides an overview on the recent research progress on superparamagnetism and superspin glass behaviors in NiMn‐based multifunctional alloys. The corroboration of these magnetic behaviors in the low‐temperature phase is demonstrated and the possible origin of the magnetic clusters responsible for these magnetic behaviors is discussed. The open scientific issues in this research area are highlighted.
Magnetocaloric effect in an Ising–Heisenberg diamond chain with direct monomer spin couplings
Authors: Qi Yan , Du An
Published: April 2014

We study the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in a spin’ distorted Ising–Heisenberg diamond chain with direct monomer spin couplings. The ground state, isoentropy curves, and adiabatic cooling rate are examined within an exact analytical approach based on the transfer‐matrix technique. We find that the enhancing MCE in the vicinity of the critical field is very sensitive to the nature of field‐induced phase transitions. When the ground‐state phase transitions result from breaking up quantum entanglement states of Heisenberg spins, close to these critical fields, the signal associated with the cooling rate is very small and strongly suppressed by thermal fluctuations. By contrast, the one near the saturation field corresponding to the destruction of antiferromagnetic Ising spin order is considerably large and presents a complex temperature dependence. Interestingly, it can even be enhanced by temperature; this property reflects the intrinsic properties of the antiferromagnetic Ising spin chain and favors the use of frustrated antiferromagnets as promising working substances in low‐temperature magnetic refrigeration.
Phase‐coexistence and glass‐like behavior in magnetic and dielectric solids with long‐range order
Authors: Roy S. B. , Chaddah P.
Published: April 2014

Phase‐coexistence in the manganese‐oxide compounds or manganites with colossal magneto‐resistance (CMR) has been generally considered to be an inhomogeneous ground state. An alternative explanation of phase‐coexistence as the manifestation of a disorder‐broadened first‐order magnetic phase transition being interrupted by the glass‐like arrest of kinetics is now gradually gaining ground. This kinetic arrest of a first‐order phase transitions, between two states with long‐range magnetic order, has actually been observed in various other classes of magnetic materials in addition to the CMR manganites. The underlying common features of this kinetic arrest of a first‐order phase transition are discussed in terms of the phenomenology of glasses. The possible manifestations of such glass‐like arrested states across disorder‐influenced first‐order phase transitions in dielectric solids and in multiferroic materials, are also discussed.
TRF2-Mediated Stabilization of hREST4 Is Critical for the Differentiation and Maintenance of Neural Progenitors
Authors: Ovando-Roche Patrick , Yu Jason S.L. , Testori Sarah , Ho Chloe , Cui Wei
Published: April 2014

Telomere repeat binding factor 2 (TRF2) is a component of the shelterin complex that is known to bind and protect telomeric DNA, yet the detection of TRF2 in extra-telomeric regions of chromosomes suggests other roles for TRF2 besides telomere protection. Here, we demonstrate that TRF2 plays a critical role in antagonizing the repressive function of neuron-restrictive silencer factor, also known as repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST), during the neural differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) by enhancing the expression of a truncated REST splice isoform we term human REST4 (hREST4) due to its similarity to rodent REST4. We show that TRF2 is specifically upregulated during hESC neural differentiation concordantly with an increase in the expression of hREST4 and that both proteins are highly expressed in NPCs. Overexpression of TRF2 in hESCs increases hREST4 levels and induces their neural differentiation, whereas TRF2 knockdown in hESCs and NPCs reduces hREST4 expression, hindering their ability to differentiate to the neural lineage. Concurrently, we show that TRF2 directly interacts with the C-terminal of hREST4 through its TRF2 core binding motif [F/Y]xL, protecting hREST4 from ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation and consequently furthering neural induction. Thus, the TRF2-mediated counterbalance between hREST4 and REST is vital for both the generation and maintenance of NPCs, suggesting an important role for TRF2 in both neurogenesis and function of the central nervous system. Stem Cells  2014;32:2111–2122
Crystal structure of FtsA from Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Fujita Junso , Maeda Yoko , Nagao Chioko , Tsuchiya Yuko , Miyazaki Yuma , Hirose Mika , Mizohata Eiichi , Matsumoto Yoshimi , Inoue Tsuyoshi , Mizuguchi Kenji , Matsumura Hiroyoshi
Published: April 2014

The bacterial cell‐division protein FtsA anchors FtsZ to the cytoplasmic membrane. But how FtsA and FtsZ interact during membrane division remains obscure. We have solved 2.2 Å resolution crystal structure for FtsA from Staphylococcus aureus. In the crystals, SaFtsA molecules within the dimer units are twisted, in contrast to the straight filament of FtsA from Thermotoga maritima, and the half of S12–S13 hairpin regions are disordered. We confirmed that SaFtsZ and SaFtsA associate in vitro, and found that SaFtsZ GTPase activity is enhanced by interaction with SaFtsA.
Structural basis for recognition of the type VI spike protein VgrG3 by a cognate immunity protein
Authors: Zhang Jiulong , Zhang Heng , Gao Zengqiang , Hu Haidai , Dong Cheng , Dong Yu-Hui
Published: April 2014

VgrG3 and TsaB bind by x ray scattering (View interaction)
Mining the 3′UTR of Autism-Implicated Genes for SNPs Perturbing MicroRNA Regulation
Authors: Vaishnavi Varadharajan , Manikandan Mayakannan , Munirajan Arasambattu Kannan
Published: April 2014

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders with polygenic etiology. The expression of many genes implicated in ASD is tightly regulated by various factors including microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of noncoding RNAs ∼22 nucleotides in length that function to suppress translation by pairing with ‘miRNA recognition elements’ (MREs) present in the 3′untranslated region (3′UTR) of target mRNAs. This emphasizes the role played by miRNAs in regulating neurogenesis, brain development and differentiation and hence any perturbations in this regulatory mechanism might affect these processes as well. Recently, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present within 3′UTRs of mRNAs have been shown to modulate existing MREs or even create new MREs. Therefore, we hypothesized that SNPs perturbing miRNA-mediated gene regulation might lead to aberrant expression of autism-implicated genes, thus resulting in disease predisposition or pathogenesis in at least a subpopulation of ASD individuals. We developed a systematic computational pipeline that integrates data from well-established databases. By following a stringent selection criterion, we identified 9 MRE-modulating SNPs and another 12 MRE-creating SNPs in the 3′UTR of autism-implicated genes. These high-confidence candidate SNPs may play roles in ASD and hence would be valuable for further functional validation.
Toward a structural view of co‐opetition in supply networks
Authors: Pathak Surya D. , Wu Zhaohui , Johnston David
Published: April 2014

Co‐opetition, or simultaneous competition and cooperation, in the supply chain management literature has been treated as a dyadic relational phenomenon where the buyer's strategy is considered to be the primary driver. In this paper, we move beyond the dyadic view and propose a theory of co‐opetition in supply networks. We argue that as firms within a supply network interact over time to access, share, and transform resources, new ties between firms are formed and existing ties dissolve, giving rise to co‐opetition dynamics at the network level. Taking a configurational approach, we employ the inter‐related dimensions of ties between firm, firm‐level task, network‐level objective, and governance to specify four practical supply network archetypes that cover a wide range of economic activities. We then explain how coopetitive relationships may evolve in these supply network archetypes. Specifically, we discuss how relationships form or dissolve in these archetypes and how local structural changes lead to co‐opetition dynamics at the network level. We also discuss the implications of such dynamics from a managerial perspective.
Becoming Digital: Using Personal Digital Histories to Engage Teachers in Contemporary Understandings of Teaching Social Studies
Authors: Lee John K. , Molebash Philip E.
Published: April 2014

Given that social studies pedagogy often runs in direct opposition to how students best learn, social studies teacher preparation must intervene by providing teachers robust experiences for inquiry, interpretation, creation, and personal meaning making. Digital history represents an area of innovation in social studies that can be a useful context for providing such interventions. This research applies a design-based methodology to develop a teacher education activity that reflects research on digital history and how students learn best by constructing and extending prior knowledge, processing information into knowledge, and scaffolding. Design-based research has proven to be suitable as an intervention for classroom settings in that it can be rapidly refined in response to ongoing research on an intervention. The research asked what methods and tools can teacher educators use to promote digital history in their classrooms. Through the project, 200 teacher education students, over four iterative design phases, learned to process historical information into knowledge using technology to communicate refined versions of their knowledge to outside audiences. Seven design factors and six commonalities and differences were identified as influencing the design process. The results of this design-based research informed the development of generalizations and guidelines for designing similar digital history projects.
Corneal biomechanical properties in thyroid eye disease
Authors: Karabulut Gamze Ozturk , Kaynak Pelin , Altan Cıgdem , Ozturker Can , Aksoy Ebru Funda , Demirok Ahmet , Yılmaz Omer Faruk
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of thyroid eye disease (TED) on the measurement of corneal biomechanical properties and the relationship between these parameters and disease manifestations. A total of 54 eyes of 27 individuals with TED and 52 eyes of 30 healthy control participants were enrolled. Thyroid ophthalmopathy activity was defined using the VISA (vision, inflammation, strabismus, and appearance/exposure) classification for TED. The intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement with Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), axial length (AL), keratometry, and central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements were taken from each patient. Corneal biomechanical properties, including corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) and noncontact IOP measurements, Goldmann‐correlated IOP (IOPg) and corneal‐compensated IOP (IOPcc) were measured with the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) using the standard technique. Parameters such as best corrected visual acuity, axial length, central corneal thickness, and corneal curvature were not statistically significant between the two groups (p > 0.05). IOP measured with GAT was higher in participants with TED (p < 0.001). The CH of TED patients was significantly lower than that of the control group. There was no significant difference in the corneal resistance factor between groups. However, IOPg and IOPcc were significantly higher in TED patients. CH and VISA grading of TED patients showed a negative correlation (p = 0.007). In conclusion, TED affects the corneal biomechanical properties by decreasing CH. IOP with GAT and IOPg is found to be increased in these patients. As the severity of TED increases, CH decreases in these patients.
Involvement of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase in acquired gemcitabine‐resistant human urothelial carcinoma sublines
Authors: Kao Yu‐Ting , Hsu Wei‐Chi , Hu Huei‐Ting , Hsu Shih‐Hsien , Lin Chang‐Shen , Chiu Chien‐Chih , Lu Chi‐Yu , Hour Tzyh‐Chyuan , Pu Yeong‐Shiau , Huang A‐Mei
Published: April 2014

Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is one of the major challenges in the treatment of cancer. A better understanding of how resistance arises and what molecular alterations correlate with resistance is the key to developing novel effective therapeutic strategies. To investigate the underlying mechanisms of gemcitabine (Gem) resistance and provide possible therapeutic options, three Gem‐resistant urothelial carcinoma sublines were established (NG0.6, NG0.8, and NG1.0). These cells were cross‐resistant to arabinofuranosyl cytidine and cisplatin, but sensitive to 5‐fluorouracil. The resistant cells expressed lower values of [hENT1 × dCK/RRM1 × RRM2] mRNA ratio. Two adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette proteins ABCD1 as well as multidrug resistance protein 1 were elevated. Moreover, cyclin D1, cyclin‐dependent kinases 2 and 4 were upregulated, whereas extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity were repressed significantly. Administration of p38 MAPK inhibitor significantly reduced the Gem sensitivity in NTUB1 cells, whereas that of an extracellular signal‐regulated kinase MAPK inhibitor did not. Furthermore, the Gem‐resistant sublines also exhibited higher migration ability. Forced expression of p38 MAPK impaired the cell migration activity and augmented Gem sensitivity in NG1.0 cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that complex mechanisms were merged in acquiring Gem resistance and provide information that can be important for developing therapeutic targets for treating Gem‐resistant tumors.
Effects of metabolic syndrome, apolipoprotein E, and CYP46 on cognition among Taiwanese Chinese
Authors: Lai Chiou‐Lian , Liou Li‐Min , Liu Ching‐Kuan , Yang Yuan‐Han , Lin Ruey‐Tay
Published: April 2014

The combined effects of metabolic syndrome and the apolipoprotein E and CYP46 genotypes on the risk of cognitive decline has yet to be determined among Taiwanese Chinese. Two hundred and nine mentally healthy middle‐aged and older adults were assessed for metabolic syndrome, cognitive function using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument, Mini‐Mental State Examination, ApoE, and CYP46 polymorphisms. There were no differences in cognitive performance, ApoE epsilon4 (ε4) carrier status, or CYP46 genotypes between participants with and those without metabolic syndrome. The ε4 carriers and participants with the AA allele of CYP46 had significantly lower mental manipulation score. Metabolic syndrome and ε4 had synergistic effects on cognitive decline. Therefore, the ε4 carriers and participants with the AA allele of CYP46 have decreased mental manipulation ability. The metabolic syndrome may play a role in subtle cognitive dysfunction in ε4 carriers among Taiwanese Chinese.
The efficacy of shock wave therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis and popliteal cyamella
Authors: Chen Tien‐Wen , Lin Cheng‐Wei , Lee Chia‐Ling , Chen Chia‐Hsin , Chen Yi‐Jen , Lin Tz‐Yan , Huang Mao‐Hsiung
Published: April 2014

This randomized, controlled study was performed to compare the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and ultrasound on the rehabilitation of knee osteoarthritis with popliteal cyamella. One hundred and twenty patients with bilateral moderate knee osteoarthritis (Altman III) and popliteal cyamella were selected and randomly assigned to four groups (GI–GIV). Patients in Groups I–III received isokinetic muscular strengthening exercises three times weekly for 8 weeks. Group II received pulse ultrasound treatment for popliteal cyamella three times weekly for 8 weeks, Group III received weekly shock wave therapy for popliteal cyamella for the first 6 weeks, and Group IV acted as controls. The therapeutic effects were evaluated by changes in the arthritic knees range of motion (ROM), visual analogue scale, Lequesne's index, and muscle peak torques after treatment and at follow‐up 6 months later. Each treated group exhibited increased muscle peak torques and significantly reduced pain and disability after treatment and at follow‐ups. However, only patients in Groups II and III showed significant improvements in ROM after treatment, and only participants in Group III showed immediate improvement in ROM after each treatment. Patients in Group III also showed the greatest increase in muscular strength and the greatest decrease in disability after treatment and at the follow‐ups. ESWT is better than pulse ultrasound in rehabilitation of patients with knee osteoarthritis and popliteal cyamella results in more functional improvements.
Enhancement of paclitaxel and carboplatin therapies by CCL2 blockade in ovarian cancers
Authors: Moisan Francois , Francisco Edgar B. , Brozovic Anamaria , Duran George E. , Wang Yan C. , Chaturvedi Shalini , Seetharam Shobha , Snyder Linda A. , Doshi Parul , Sikic Branimir I.
Published: April 2014

Ovarian cancer is associated with a leukocyte infiltrate and high levels of chemokines such as CCL2. We tested the hypothesis that CCL2 inhibition can enhance chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel. Elevated CCL2 expression was found in three non‐MDR paclitaxel resistant ovarian cancer lines ES‐2/TP, MES‐OV/TP and OVCAR‐3/TP, compared to parental cells. Mice xenografted with these cells were treated with the anti‐human CCL2 antibody CNTO 888 and the anti‐mouse MCP‐1 antibody C1142, with and without paclitaxel or carboplatin. Our results show an additive effect of CCL2 blockade on the efficacy of paclitaxel and carboplatin. This therapeutic effect was largely due to inhibition of mouse stromal CCL2. We show that inhibition of CCL2 can enhance paclitaxel and carboplatin therapy of ovarian cancer.
Introducing the Great Successor: North Korean English language news coverage of Kim Jong Un 2010–2011
Authors: Rich Timothy S.
Published: April 2014

How did North Korea initially frame coverage of the “Great Successor” Kim Jong Un for an international audience? This paper argues that North Korea’s daily English language news reports, while commonly dismissed as purely propaganda, provides potential insights into such framing. Through automated content analysis of daily news reports from 2010 through 2011 coupled with regression analysis, this analysis both suggests an increased focus on Kim Jong Un’s formal positions and less on his pedigree.
LYKOPHRON AND EPIGRAPHY: THE VALUE AND FUNCTION OF CULT EPITHETS IN THEALEXANDRA
Authors: Hornblower Simon
Published: April 2014

The subject of this paper is a striking and unavoidable feature of theAlexandra: Lykophron's habit of referring to single gods not by their usual names, but by multiple lists of epithets piled up in asyndeton. This phenomenon first occurs early in the 1474-line poem, and this occurrence will serve as an illustration. At 152–3, Demeter has five descriptors in a row: Ἐνναία ποτὲ | Ἕρκυνν' Ἐρινὺς Θουρία Ξιφηφόρος, ‘Ennaian … Herkynna, Erinys, Thouria, Sword-bearing’. In the footnote I give the probable explanations of these epithets. Although in this sample the explanations to most of the epithets are not to be found in inscriptions, my main aim in what follows will be to emphasize the relevance of epigraphy to the unravelling of some of the famous obscurity of Lykophron. In this paper, I ask why the poet accumulates divine epithets in this special way. I also ask whether the information provided by the ancient scholiasts, about the local origin of the epithets, is of good quality and of value to the historian of religion. This will mean checking some of that information against the evidence of inscriptions, beginning with Linear B. It will be argued that it stands up very well to such a check. TheAlexandrahas enjoyed remarkable recent vogue, but this attention has come mainly from the literary side. Historians, in particular historians of religion, and students of myths relating to colonial identity, have been much less ready to exploit the intricate detail of the poem, although it has so much to offer in these respects. The present article is, then, intended primarily as a contribution to the elucidation of a difficult literary text, and to the history of ancient Greek religion. Despite the article's main title, there will, as the subtitle is intended to make clear, be no attempt to gather and assess all the many passages in Lykophron to which inscriptions are relevant. There will, for example, be no discussion of 1141–74 and the early Hellenistic ‘Lokrian Maidens inscription’ (IG9.12706); or of the light thrown on 599 by the inscribed potsherds carrying dedications to Diomedes, recently found on the tiny island of Palagruza in the Adriatic, and beginning as early as the fifth centuryb.c.(SEG48.692bis–694); or of 733–4 and their relation to the fifth-centuryb.c.Athenian decree (n. 127) mentioning Diotimos, the general who founded a torch race at Naples, according to Lykophron; or of 570–85 and the epigraphically attested Archegesion or cult building of Anios on Delos, which shows that this strange founder king with three magical daughters was a figure of historical cult as well as of myth.
DRACONTIUS (LD3.279–95) AND THE SOURCE OF THE THERMOPYLAENYKTOMACHIA
Authors: Murray Jeffrey
Published: April 2014

The account of the Battle of Thermopylae found in Diodorus Siculus (11.8.4–10.4) is remarkably different from the more commonly known Herodotean version of events (7.201–33). Most strikingly, his account includes details of a night raid on the Persian camp made by Leonidas and his men. Diodorus’ principal source for this section of the narrative, historians generally agree, was Ephorus of Cyme (c. 405–330b.c.). This tradition was later taken up also by Justin (2.11.12–18) and Plutarch (De malignitate Herodoti866a). But who was Ephorus’ source? Many believe that Ephorus simply made it up. However, Michael Flower, in a discussion of Ephorus and his sources, rightly I think, dismisses this verdict on a number of accounts. Firstly, he questions the willingness of Ephorus’ audience to accept this novel version without Ephorus providing a suitable source for it. Secondly, he points out that scholars have never conclusively demonstrated that Ephorus simply fabricated the events that he related. Instead, dismissing the Greek physician Ctesias of Cnidus (‘It could not have come from Ctesias’), who was active during the last decades of the fifth and early part of the fourth centuryb.c., Flower argues for the possibility that the lyric poetry of Simonides of Ceos was Ephorus’ source. It is the argument of this paper that Flower dismisses Ctesias as a source for the Thermopylaenyktomachiatoo quickly, and that by combining information found in Dracontius (De laudibus Dei3.279–95) and Tertullian (Apologeticum9.6) it is probable to conclude that Ctesias is indeed the source for this alternative tradition.
Covers of Acts Over Monoids and Pure Epimorphisms
Authors: Bailey Alex , Renshaw James H.
Published: April 2014

In 2001, Enochs's celebrated flat cover conjecture was finally proven, and the proofs (two different proofs were presented in the same paper) have since generated a great deal of interest among researchers. The results have been recast in a number of other categories and, in particular, for additive categories. In 2008, Mahmoudi and Renshaw considered a similar problem for acts over monoids but used a slightly different definition of cover. They proved that, in general, their definition was not equivalent to that of Enochs, except in the projective case, and left open a number of questions regarding the ‘other’ definition. This ‘other’ definition is the subject of the present paper and we attempt to emulate some of Enochs's work for the category of acts over monoids, and concentrate, in the main, on strongly flat acts. We hope to extend this work to other classes of acts, such as injective, torsion free, divisible and free, in a future report.
EFFICIENCY IN LARGE DYNAMIC PANEL MODELS WITH COMMON FACTORS
Authors: Gagliardini Patrick , Gourieroux Christian
Published: April 2014

This paper deals with asymptotically efficient estimation in exchangeable nonlinear dynamic panel models with common unobservable factors. These models are relevant for applications to large portfolios of credits, corporate bonds, or life insurance contracts. For instance, the Asymptotic Risk Factor (ARF) model is recommended in the current regulation in Finance (Basel II and Basel III) and Insurance (Solvency II) for risk prediction and computation of the required capital. The specification accounts for both micro- and macrodynamics, induced by the lagged individual observations and the common stochastic factors, respectively. For large cross-sectional and time dimensionsnandT, we derive the efficiency bound and introduce computationally simple efficient estimators for both the micro- and macroparameters. The results are based on an asymptotic expansion of the log-likelihood function in powers of 1/n, and are linked to granularity theory. The results are illustrated with the stochastic migration model for credit risk analysis.
Electronic and Magnetic Structure of LaSr-2×4 Manganese Oxide Molecular Sieve Nanowires
Authors: Gazquez Jaume , Carretero-Genevrier Adrián , Gich Martí , Mestres Narcís , Varela María
Published: April 2014

In this study we combine scanning transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy and electron magnetic circular dichroism to get new insights into the electronic and magnetic structure of LaSr-2×4 manganese oxide molecular sieve nanowires integrated on a silicon substrate. These nanowires exhibit ferromagnetism with strongly enhanced Curie temperature (Tc>500 K), and we show that the new crystallographic structure of these LaSr-2×4 nanowires involves spin orbital coupling and a mixed-valence Mn3+/Mn4+, which is a must for ferromagnetic ordering to appear, in line with the standard double exchange explanation.