bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pelvic organ prolapse and anorectal manometry: a prospective study
Authors: Crafoord Kristina , Brynhildsen Jan , Hallböök Olof , Kjølhede Preben
Published: June 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between anal sphincter pressure and stage of prolapse and bowel and prolapse symptoms among women undergoing prolapse surgery and to determine whether anal sphincter pressure could predict symptomatic and anatomical outcomes of prolapse surgery. Fortytwo women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) stage 2-3 were included in this prospective longitudinal study. Pre- and postoperative evaluation by means of a symptom questionnaire, clinical examination and anorectal manometry. The vaginal prolapse surgery included at the very least posterior colporrhaphy. Analysis of variance and covariance and logistic regression models were used for statistical analyses. The anal sphincter pressure at rest and squeeze was significantly lower in women with the symptom vaginal protrusion than in the women without the symptom. No associations were found between anal sphincter pressure and the extent or degree of prolapse or subjective and anatomical outcomes of POP surgery. The prolapse symptom vaginal protrusion is associated with a low anal sphincter pressure but the anal sphincter pressure does not seem to predict the outcome of POP surgery, neither regarding symptoms nor anatomy.
Impact of heat and drought stress on arable crop production in Belgium
Authors: Gobin A.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Modelling approaches are needed to accelerate understanding of adverse weather impacts on crop performances and yields. The aim was to elicit biometeorological conditions that affect Belgian arable crop yield, commensurate with the scale of climatic impacts. The regional crop model REGCROP (Gobin, 2010) enabled to examine changing weather patterns in relation to the crop season and crop sensitive stages of six arable crops: winter wheat, winter barley, winter rapeseed, potato, sugar beet and maize. The sum of vapour pressure deficit during the growing season is the single best predictor of arable yields, with R2 ranging from 0.55 for sugar beet to 0.76 for wheat. Drought and heat stress, in particular during the sensitive crop stages, occur at different times in the crop season and significantly differ between two climatic periods, 1947–1987 and 1988–2008. Though average yields have risen steadily between 1947 and 2008, there is no evidence that relative tolerance to stress has improved.
"Empleo y migración en una región exportadora de América Central"
Authors: Stanley Denise
Published: June 2012

Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 4, No. 4, 2009 36-50
Factores sociodemográficos asociados con el embarazo en la adolescencia, en los departamentos de Copán, Lempira y Ocotepeque, para el año 2001
Authors: Mendoza María Victoria Ponce
Published: June 2012

Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 4, No. 4, 2009 52-71
Soporte Informático para la investigación cualitativa: caso de los programas Atlas.ti y NVIVO
Authors: Teruel Elvis Geovany Trejo
Published: June 2012

Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 4, No. 4, 2009 86-109
La pobreza en el municipio de La Ceiba según el método de Necesidades Básicas Insatisfechas NBI
Authors: Chirinos Glordina Poweri
Published: June 2012

Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 5, No. 5, 2009 44-57
Condiciones de las viviendas en la comunidad rural de Salado Barra, municipio de El Porvenir, Atlántida
Authors: Pineda Kelly Johana Alemán
Published: June 2012

Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 5, No. 5, 2009 58-69
Situación del acceso al servicio de agua potable de la población del municipio de Intibucá
Authors: Zelaya Edith Yolany
Published: June 2012

Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 5, No. 5, 2009 70-82
La reprobación escolar en el nivel medio en el municipio de La Ceiba 2005-2007
Authors: Ávila Ana Cecilia
Published: June 2012

Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 5, No. 5, 2009 98-108
Análisis de situación de población en Honduras
Authors: Chaverri Marcos Carías
Published: June 2012

El Análisis de Situación de Población (ASP), revela la importancia de las tendencias y comportamientos de la población para el análisis, diseño e implementación de las políticas sociales y de reducción de la pobreza en el marco de los ODM y del respeto a los derechos humanos. Su objetivo final es el de generar compromisos políticos y económicos del Estado e incrementar el interés de los donantes y de la sociedad civil en temas de relevancia social. En el caso de Honduras, en el año 2008 se inició la elaboración de un ASP, este análisis quedó plasmado en los “Cuadernos del Análisis de Situación de Población en Honduras” dedicados a la Transición Demográfica, el segundo a Población y Salud, y el tercero a la Distribución Geográfica de la Población. Las principales conclusiones se desarrollan en los apartados del artículo. Palabras clave: Población; transición demográfica; distribución geográfica; salud.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/pdac.v6i0.465 Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 6, No. 6, 2010 36-39
Situación de los jovenes en edad de trabajar en el municipio de Colomoncagua Intibucá
Authors: Javier María Juana , Trejo Mario , Hernández Seylin Margarita
Published: June 2012

Honduras es un país que dentro de su estructura población cuenta con un alto porcentaje de población joven. Esta misma tendencia se refleja a nivel de los municipios. Uno de los problemas de este grupo poblacional está determinado por las escasas oportunidades laborales y educativas sobre todo entre la población rural y de aquellos municipios postergados del país. La investigación refleja la situación socioeconómica de la población joven de 11 a 29 años, del municipio de Colomoncagua, Intibucá, identificando las actividades económicas a las que se dedican los jóvenes en el municipio, los y las jóvenes que se encuentran en edades de trabajar y no estudian ni trabajan y las organizaciones estatales y privadas que han apoyado a la población joven del municipio de Colomoncagua. Los resultados ponen en alerta a las autoridades locales y nacionales sobre la necesidad de implementar proyectos y programas sociales de beneficio para los y las jóvenes de tal manera que permitan crear oportunidades educativas y laborales que favorezca su nivel de vida. Palabras clave: jóvenes; mercado laboral; PEA. Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 6, No. 6, 2010 64-72
Evaluating The Relationship Between Transportation Infrastructure and Economic Activity: Evidence from Washington State
Authors: Peterson Steven K. , Jessup Eric L.
Published: June 2012

Prior analysis regarding transportation infrastructure has often focused on the aggregate effects of public investment on economic growth or activity, usually at a national or state level. Modeling efforts that attempt to treat all counties as equivalent units, while assuming a homogeneous modeling structure for all the units, may miss important information regarding the statistical and causal relationships between economic activity and transportation infrastructure. This study examines the interrelationships between infrastructure and activity using two Washington State highway infrastructure datasets in combination with county-level employment, wages, and establishment numbers for several industrial sectors for a subset of counties from 1990 to 2004. Estimates using vector autoregressions, error correction models, and directed acyclic graphs are made. The results show that the relationships between infrastructure investment and economic activity are often weak and are not uniform in effect.
Comparative Measures for Transit Network Performance Analysis
Authors: Lee Young-Jae
Published: June 2012

This paper discusses existing measures for the analysis of transit network performance and develops new measures that use a comparative approach to examine the efficiency of transit network configuration. Most measures in transit planning and operating are estimated by the transit system itself, but because transit competes with other transportation modes, comparative measures are necessary to attract more transit riders.

This paper introduces two measures: the Degree of Competitiveness and the Degree of Circuity. While these measures examine performance for each zone-to-zone travel, simple average and weighted average are also introduced to evaluate the entire transit network.
A Message from the JTRF Co-General Editors
Authors: Obeng Kofi , Babcock Michael W.
Published: June 2012

Message from the Editors
The Similarity of Motor Carriers’ and Shippers’ Perceptions of the Carrier Choice Decision Improve
Authors: Premeaux Shane R.
Published: June 2012

This study re-examines the perceived importance of 36 carrier selection variables to both motor carriers and shippers. The ranking discrepancies identified indicate that shippers and carriers classify most, but not all motor carrier selection variables similarly. Fortunately, motor carrier perceptions have improved since the original 2007 study. To enhance shipper satisfaction, carriers must emphasize the more important selection variables. Carriers now realize the importance of providing information and services through a comprehensive, Web-enhanced electronic data interchange (EDI). Currently carriers need to key on offering more flexible rates and respond effectively to emergency or unexpected situations.
Impact of U.S.-EU Open Aviation Area Treaty on U.S. Aviation: A Parametric Analysis with Simulation
Authors: Bhadra Dipasis , Schaufele Roger
Published: June 2012

The Open Aviation Area Treaty (OAA) between the European Union (EU) and the United States (U.S.) went into effect on March 30, 2008. Faced with an economic slowdown and unprecedented increase in fuel costs, factors which were uncertain a priori, the projected effects of OAA have been dampened compared to previous projections. In this paper, a framework is offered that combines a parametric approach with uncertainty in demand estimation and forecasts. This framework is then used to generate probabilistic forecasts for U.S.-EU passenger traffic for the period of 2008-2015.
Aviation Infrastructure Performance
Authors: Martin Steven
Published: June 2012

Book Review
Variations in Toll Road Impacts: Case Studies from Texas
Authors: Kalmanje Sukumar , Kockelman Kara M.
Published: June 2012

Facing funding shortfalls for infrastructure construction and maintenance, many urban regions are seeking to develop new toll roads. These can diversely impact a region's traffic, land use, economy and citizens' welfare. Regions have distinct network configurations, spatial and temporal variation in demand patterns, as well as road user characteristics affecting their response to such roads. This paper illuminates the nature of variations in impacts by consistently modeling and comparing the effects of adding toll roads to three distinct Texas regions with geographical proximity: Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and El Paso. Initial models were calibrated for the Austin region and then appropriately adapted to the DFW and El Paso regions. While impacts varied by region, all cases suggested impacts were greatest near the toll roads, with welfare improvements falling with distance in DFW and El Paso and toll road end points gaining the most in Austin.
Weak and Almost Sure Convergence for Products of Sums of Associated Random Variables
Authors: Matula Przemyslaw , Stepien Iwona
Published: June 2012

We study weak convergence of product of sums of stationary sequences of associated random variables to the log-normal law. The almost sure version of this result is also presented. The obtained theorems extend and generalize some of the results known so far for independent or associated random variables.
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oils from Nepeta cataria L. against Common Causes of Food-Borne Infections
Authors: Zomorodian Kamiar , Saharkhiz Mohammad Jamal , Shariati Samaneh , Pakshir Keyvan , Rahimi Mohammad Javad , Khashei Reza
Published: June 2012

Nepeta cataria L. is traditionally consumed as a food additive. The effects of three different harvest stages of N. cataria essential oils (EOs) against most common causes of food-borne infections were evaluated by broth microdilution method as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The chemical composition of the EOs from N. cataria has been analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The analysis of the EOs indicated that 4a-α,7-α,7a-β-nepetalactone (55–58%) and 4a-α,7-β,7a-α-nepetalactone (30–31.2%) were the major compounds of the EOs at all developmental stages. The results showed that the tested EOs exhibited antimicrobial activities against the food-borne pathogens at concentrations of 0.125–2 μL/mL. Based on these results, the EO of N. cataria can possibly be used in food products as a natural preservative agent.
Effect of Isothermal Holding on Semisolid Microstructure of Al–Mg2Si Composites
Authors: Malekan A. , Emamy M. , Rassizadehghani J. , Malekan M.
Published: June 2012

Effect of heat treatment and isothermal holding has been investigated on the microstructure and degree of globularity of Al–Mg2Si composites. Different contents of reinforcement, 15, 20, and 25% have been used in this study. Isothermal holding experiments were conducted at 585 °C for 140 min. Results showed that, upon heat treatment, grain size of dendrites was reduced while the degree of nodularity was increased. Results of nodularity were obtained using an image-analyzing software which gives the distribution of radius of curvature for different phases of particles. According to the results, in contrast to Al–15 and 25% Mg2Si, isothermal holding significantly influenced the microstructure of Al–20% Mg2Si composites. Two companion mechanisms have been proposed for the generation of globular grains. SEM investigations were also employed to confirm the optical observations.
A Novel Application of Natural Peat for Solid-Phase Extraction of Pyrimethanil, Flumetralin, and Kresoxim-Methyl in Water Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Santos Alex S. M. S. J. , Aquino Adriano , Romão Luciane P. C. , Navickiene Sandro
Published: June 2012

Natural peat was tested for extraction of pyrimethanil, flumetralin, and krexosim-methyl from water, with analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). Experiments were carried out at one fortification level (0.1 μg L−1) and resulted in recoveries in the range 41–96%, with RSD values between 6.8 and 12.6% for natural peat as sorbent. Detection and quantification limits ranged from 0.02 to 0.05 μg L−1 and from 0.07 to 0.1 μg L−1, respectively, for the different pesticides studied. The method developed was linear over the range tested (0.07–4.0 μg L−1), with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9919 to 0.9989. Comparison between peat and commercial sorbents (C18-bonded silica, ENVI-Carb, Florisil, silica gel, ENVI-Carb/LC-NH2) showed better performance of peat sorbent for flumetralin and kresoxim-methyl.
Does Maladaptive Coping Mediate the Relationship Between Borderline Personality Traits and Reactive and Proactive Aggression?
Authors: Gardner Kathryn Jane , Archer John , Jackson Sophie
Published: June 2012

The aim of this study was to identify associations between borderline personality (BP) traits and reactive and proactive aggression, and to compare the meditational effects of maladaptive coping in samples of older adolescents (n = 133) and young adults (n = 93), which has not hitherto been explored. This was a cross‐sectional study that used self‐report measures to assess BP traits on a continuum, trait‐based reactive and proactive aggression, and coping strategies. In adults, maladaptive emotional coping significantly mediated the relationship between BP and reactive aggression, and maladaptive avoidant coping mediated the relationship between BP and proactive aggression; no significant mediational effects were found for adolescents. These findings highlight potential explanations for associations between BP traits and reactive and proactive aggression in young adults, and indicate that reactive aggression in adult BPs could be decreased by reducing emotional coping, and proactive aggression by reducing avoidant coping. Aggr. Behav. 38:403‐413, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhibitors for the Immuno‐ and Constitutive Proteasome: Current and Future Trends in Drug Development
Authors: Huber Eva Maria , Groll Michael
Published: June 2012

Proteolytic degradation is an essential cellular process which is primarily carried out by the 20S proteasome core particle (CP), a protease of 720 kDa and 28 individual subunits. As a result of its central functional role, the proteasome represents an attractive drug target that has been extensively investigated during the last decade and validated by the approval of bortezomib by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Currently, several optimized second‐generation proteasome inhibitors are being explored as anticancer drugs in clinical trials, and most of them target both constitutive proteasomes (cCPs) and immunoproteasomes (iCPs). However, selective inhibition of the iCPs, a distinct class of proteasomes predominantly expressed in immune cells, appears to be a promising therapeutic rationale for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Although a few selective agents have already been identified, the recently determined crystal structure of the iCP will further promote the development and optimization of iCP‐selective compounds.
Mammalian chromosomes containcis‐acting elements that control replication timing, mitotic condensation, and stability of entire chromosomes
Authors: Thayer Mathew J.
Published: June 2012

Recent studies indicate that mammalian chromosomes contain discretecis‐acting loci that control replication timing, mitotic condensation, and stability of entire chromosomes. Disruption of the large non‐coding RNA gene ASAR6 results in late replication, an under‐condensed appearance during mitosis, and structural instability of human chromosome 6. Similarly, disruption of the mouse Xist gene in adult somatic cells results in a late replication and instability phenotype on the X chromosome. ASAR6 shares many characteristics with Xist, including random mono‐allelic expression and asynchronous replication timing. Additional “chromosome engineering” studies indicate that certain chromosome rearrangements affecting many different chromosomes display this abnormal replication and instability phenotype. These observations suggest that all mammalian chromosomes contain “inactivation/stability centers” that control proper replication, condensation, and stability of individual chromosomes. Therefore, mammalian chromosomes contain four types ofcis‐acting elements, origins, telomeres, centromeres, and “inactivation/stability centers”, all functioning to ensure proper replication, condensation, segregation, and stability of individual chromosomes.
Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Diarylheptanoids Isolated from Zingiber officinale Rhizomes
Authors: Li Ning , Wang Lingyu , Zu Lingbo , Wang Kaijin , Di Lei , Wang Zhi
Published: June 2012

One new diarylheptanoid, namely (4E,6E)‐7‐(3,4‐dihydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)‐1‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)hepta‐4,6‐dien‐3‐one (1), was isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale, along with ten known ones, tetrahydrocurcumin (2), curcumin (3), 5‐hydroxy‐1,7‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)heptan‐3‐one (4), gingerenone A (5), 7‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐5‐hydroxy‐1‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)heptan‐3‐one (6), (E)‐1,7‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)hept‐1‐ene‐3,5‐dione (7), (E)‐7‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐1‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐hept‐1‐ene‐3,5‐dione (8), shogasulfonic acid A (9), 1,5‐epoxy‐3‐hydroxy‐1‐(3,4‐dihydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)‐7‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)heptane (10), and (3S,5S)‐3,5‐diacetoxy‐1,7‐bis(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)heptane (11). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral evidence and comparisons with literature data. The free radical scavenging activity of 1–11 was evaluated by the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Most of the isolated compounds were found to be better antioxidants than the positive control ascorbic acid. These compounds were also evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HeLa and MNK‐45 cells using the MTT assay. Our results suggest that compounds 3 and 5–8 inhibited HeLa cells, and 3, 5, 7 and 8 inhibited MNK‐45 cells. It was found that compound 5 was markedly cytotoxic against HeLa and MNK‐45 cell lines with IC50 values of 6.4 and 7.8 µmol/L, respectively.
Identification and Synthesis of Impurities in Pinocembrin–A New Drug for the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Yang Qingyun , Tong Yuanfeng , Chen Feng , Qi Yan , Li Wei , Wu Song
Published: June 2012

Four minor impurities in pinocembrin (1)–a new drug to treat ischemic stroke, were analysed and identified by means of HPLC‐UV‐MS analysis, spectroscopic evidences and chemical synthetic methods. Their chemical structures were identified as 5,7‐dihydroxy‐2‐phenyl‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one (2), 3‐phenyl‐1‐(2,4,6‐trihydroxyphenyl)‐1‐propanone (3), 5,7‐dihydroxy‐2‐cyclohexyl‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one (4), and 2,3‐dihydro‐5,7‐dihydroxy‐2‐cyclohexyl‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one (5), respectively. All of the impurities were side products of excessive hydrogenation of the target product 1 or the starting material 2 in the course of synthesis, and 5 was a new compound.
Synthesis and Insecticidal Activities of Novel Analogues of Flubendiamide Containing a Hexafluoroisopropanol Moiety
Authors: Wu Mingxi , Zhao Wenwen , Jin Guanyi , Huang Qingchun , Cao Song
Published: June 2012

Ten novel analogues of flubendiamide containing a hexafluoroisopropanol moiety were designed and synthesized. Their insecticidal activities against armyworm (Pseudaletia separata Walker) were examined and compared with the commercial product flubendiamide. Compound 7b showed nearly the same insecticidal activity as flubendiamide against armyworm.
Two New Sesquiterpene Lactones from Elephantopus tomentosus
Authors: Wang Bei , Mei Wenli , Zuo Wenjian , Zhao Youxing , Dong Wenhua , Liu Guodao , Dai Haofu
Published: June 2012

Phytochemical investigation on the whole plant of Elephantopus tomentosus Linn. led to the isolation of two new sesquiterpene lactones, tomenphantopin E (1) and tomenphantopin F (2). The new compounds were completely elucidated using a combination of 1D, 2D NMR technique (COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOSEY), and HREIMS analysis.
New Triterpenoid Saponins from the Rhizomes of Anemone amurensis
Authors: Zhang Yan , Huang Xiaojun , Wang Lei , Wang Yanmei , Wang Ying , Ye Wencai
Published: June 2012

Five new oleanane‐type saponins (1–5), together with three known ones (6–8), were isolated from the rhizomes of Anemone amurensis. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence. Compounds 2–4 are three novel sulfated oleanane‐type triterpenoid glycosides.
Synthesis and characterization of acrylic fatty acid derivative and use as reactive coalescing agent
Authors: Barbosa Joana V. , Veludo Etelvina , Moniz Jorge , Magalhães Fernão D. , Bastos Margarida M.S.M.
Published: June 2012

A novel reactive coalescing agent based on vegetable oils is described. This conjugated acrylic fatty acid derivative (AcFAD) was synthesized by esterification of conjugated fatty acids (CFAs) with ethylene glycol, followed by reaction with acryloyl chloride. The reactions were monitored by monitoring the acid value and by IR spectroscopy. GC–MS and NMR were used to obtain complete spectroscopic characterization of AcFAD. The potential of this conjugated derivative as reactive coalescing agent for waterborne acrylic resin formulations was evaluated in terms of drying times, minimum film forming temperatures and solvent rubbing resistance. Significant performance improvement was observed in all tests when AcFAD was added to acrylic resin, indicating occurrence of crosslinking of conjugated double bonds upon exposure to atmospheric oxygen (i.e. oxidative cure behaviour). On the other hand, CFAs addition to acrylic resin did not enhance drying behaviour or rubbing resistance of the dry films, despite the presence of conjugated double bonds as in AcFAD. This shows that introduction of (2‐acryloyloxy)ethyl function plays an important role in insuring compatibility of the additive with the resin.
Casein kinase I epsilon interacts with mitochondrial proteins for the growth and survival of human ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Rodriguez Noah , Yang Junzheng , Hasselblatt Kathleen , Liu Shubai , Zhou Yilan , Rauh‐Hain Jose A. , Ng Shu‐Kay , Choi Pui‐Wah , Fong Wing‐Ping , Agar Nathalie Y. R. , Welch William R. , Berkowitz Ross S. , Ng Shu‐Wing
Published: June 2012

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynaecologic cancers in Western countries. Our studies have shown that casein kinase I‐epsilon (CKIε), a Wnt pathway protein, is significantly overexpressed in ovarian cancer tissues and is associated with poor survival. Ectopic expression of CKIε in normal human ovarian surface epithelial cells and inhibition of CKIε in ovarian cancer cells and in xenografts demonstrated the importance of CKIε in regulating cell proliferation and migration. Interestingly, CKIε function did not seem to involve β‐catenin activity. Instead, CKIε was found to interact with several mitochondrial proteins including adenine nucleotide translocase 2 (ANT2). Inhibition of CKIε in ovarian cancer cells resulted in suppression of ANT2, downregulation of cellular ATP and the resulting cancer cells were more susceptible to chemotherapy. Our studies indicate that, in the context of ovarian cancer, the interaction between CKIε and ANT2 mediates pathogenic signalling that is distinct from the canonical Wnt/β‐catenin pathway and is essential for cell proliferation and is clinically associated with poor survival.
CGG trinucleotide repeat length modulates neural plasticity and spatiotemporal processing in a mouse model of the fragile X premutation
Authors: Hunsaker Michael R. , Kim Kyoungmi , Willemsen Rob , Berman Robert F.
Published: June 2012

The fragile X premutation is a CGG repeat expansion on the FMR1 gene between 55 and 200 repeats in length. It has been proposed that impaired spatiotemporal function underlies cognitive deficits in genetic disorders, including the fragile X premutation. This study characterized the role of the premutation for cognitive function by demonstrating CGG KI mice with 70–198 CGG repeats show deficits across tasks requiring spatial and temporal pattern separation. To elucidate mechanisms whereby CGG repeats affect spatiotemporal processing, hippocampal slices were evaluated for LTP, LTD, and mGluR1/5 LTD. Increasing CGG repeat length modulated the induction of LTP, LTD, and mGluR1/5 LTD, as well as behavioral tasks emphasizing spatiotemporal processing. Despite the deficits in the induction of all forms of plasticity, there were no differences in expression of plasticity once evoked. These data provide evidence for a neurocognitive endophenotype in the CGG KI mouse model of the premutation in which CGG repeat length negatively modulates plasticity and spatiotemporal attention. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Links between Family Social Status and Preschoolers' Persistence: The Role of Maternal Values and Quality of Parenting
Authors: Mokrova Irina L. , O'Brien Marion , Calkins Susan D. , Leerkes Esther M. , Marcovitch Stuart
Published: June 2012

Children who develop persistence in the preschool years are likely to function more effectively during the transition into school. In this study of 231 3‐year‐old children and their mothers, we examined the relations among family social status, maternal values of self‐direction, quality of parenting, and children's persistence in challenging tasks. Results of structural equation modelling path analysis indicated that family social status was related to maternal values of self‐direction, which in turn were associated with the quality of maternal cognitive stimulation and emotional support and child persistence at preschool age. Family social status and maternal values were indirectly related to child persistence through emotional support. Focusing on parental values of self‐direction and provision of support during challenging tasks may help to reduce the gap in school success between children from lower and higher social status families. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subplasma membrane Ca2+ signals
Authors: McCarron John G. , Chalmers Susan , Olson Marnie L. , Girkin John M.
Published: June 2012

Ca2+ may selectively activate various processes in part by the cell's ability to localize changes in the concentration of the ion to specific subcellular sites. Interestingly, these Ca2+ signals begin most often at the plasma membrane space so that understanding subplasma membrane signals is central to an appreciation of local signaling. Several experimental procedures have been developed to study Ca2+ signals near the plasma membrane, but probably the most prevalent involve the use of fluorescent Ca2+ indicators and fall into two general approaches. In the first, the Ca2+ indicators themselves are specifically targeted to the subplasma membrane space to measure Ca2+ only there. Alternatively, the indicators are allowed to be dispersed throughout the cytoplasm, but the fluorescence emanating from the Ca2+ signals at the subplasma membrane space is selectively measured using high resolution imaging procedures. Although the targeted indicators offer an immediate appeal because of selectivity and ease of use, their limited dynamic range and slow response to changes in Ca2+ are a shortcoming. Use of targeted indicators is also largely restricted to cultured cells. High resolution imaging applied with rapidly responding small molecule Ca2+ indicators can be used in all cells and offers significant improvements in dynamic range and speed of response of the indicator. The approach is technically difficult, however, and realistic calibration of signals is not possible. In this review, a brief overview of local subplasma membrane Ca2+ signals and methods for their measurement is provided. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 64(7): 573–585, 2012
Germ granules and the control of mRNA translation
Authors: Sengupta Madhu S. , Boag Peter R.
Published: June 2012

Germ granules are an evolutionarily conserved feature of germ cell cytoplasm and are critical for gametogenesis and embryonic development. Germ granules are highly enriched for RNA and RNA‐binding proteins and are key centers for post‐transcriptional gene regulation in germ cells. Over the last 20 years, the molecular events in germ granule function and formation in several organisms have begun to be revealed. This review seeks to give an overview of some conserved features of germ granules and highlights a conserved strategy for regulating translation of maternal mRNAs. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 64(7): 586–594, 2012
Changes in seasonal maximum daily precipitation in China over the period 1961–2006
Authors: Yang Long , Villarini Gabriele , Smith James A. , Tian Fuqiang , Hu Heping
Published: June 2012

Daily rainfall data from 485 stations in China over the period 1961‐2006 are used to examine changes in seasonal extreme rainfall. We focus on the temporal changes in their distribution, together with examination of the dependence of seasonal extreme rainfall on elevation. The validity of the stationarity assumption is investigated by testing for nonstationarities in the form of abrupt and slowly varying changes. The nonparametric Pettitt test is used to detect change points in the mean and variance of the rainfall distribution, while the presence of monotonic trends and trend magnitude is tested using Mann‐Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator. Violation of the stationarity assumption is mostly associated with abrupt rather than gradual changes, and monotonic trends are generally not statistically significant. Most of the change points occurred in the 1980s, when China underwent a socioeconomic development. Extreme rainfall in autumn (spring and winter) points to a decreasing (increasing) tendency over the majority of the country, while summer extreme rainfall exhibits a ‘dipole‐like’ structure, with an overall tendency towards increasing trends in the south and decreasing in the north. The parameters of the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution are used to examine the dependence of extreme rainfall on elevation. The location and scale parameters are negatively correlated with elevation, while orography does not appear to be an important control on the shape parameter. The dependence of GEV parameters on elevation is more pronounced in northern rather than southern China. We also investigated the relation between summer extreme rainfall and climate variability, focusing on the East Asia Summer Monsoon (EASM) index. EASM is negatively (positively) correlated with summer extreme rainfall over South (North) China. Considering the weakening trend of EASM in recent years, there is a potential water shortage in the North China Plain and increasing flood risk in the south. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Multiplicity of Salmonella entry mechanisms, a new paradigm for Salmonella pathogenesis
Authors: Velge P. , Wiedemann A. , Rosselin M. , Abed N. , Boumart Z. , Chaussé A. M. , Grépinet O. , Namdari F. , Roche S. M. , Rossignol A. , Virlogeux‐Payant I.
Published: June 2012

The Salmonella enterica species includes about 2600 diverse serotypes, most of which cause a wide range of food‐ and water‐borne diseases ranging from self‐limiting gastroenteritis to typhoid fever in both humans and animals. Moreover, some serotypes are restricted to a few animal species, whereas other serotypes are able to infect plants as well as cold‐ and warm‐blooded animals. An essential feature of the pathogenicity of Salmonella is its capacity to cross a number of barriers requiring invasion of a large variety of phagocytic and nonphagocytic cells. The aim of this review is to describe the different entry pathways used by Salmonella serotypes to enter different nonphagocytic cell types. Until recently, it was accepted that Salmonella invasion of eukaryotic cells required only the type III secretion system (T3SS) encoded by the Salmonella pathogenicity island‐1. However, recent evidence shows that Salmonella can cause infection in a T3SS‐1‐independent manner. Currently, two outer membrane proteins Rck and PagN have been clearly identified as Salmonella invasins. As Rck mediates a Zipper‐like entry mechanism, Salmonella is therefore the first bacterium shown to be able to induce both Zipper and Trigger mechanisms to invade host cells. In addition to these known entry pathways, recent data have shown that unknown entry routes could be used according to the serotype, the host and the cell type considered, inducing either Zipper‐like or Trigger‐like entry processes. The new paradigm presented here should change our classic view of Salmonella pathogenicity. It could also modify our understanding of the mechanisms leading to the different Salmonella‐induced diseases and to Salmonella‐host specificity.
Six Predictions about the Decision Making of Animal and Human Groups
Authors: Sumpter David J.T. , Zabzina Natalia , Nicolis Stamatios C.
Published: June 2012

We review and extend theoretical and empirical studies of how groups make decisions using combinations of private information and preference copying. We give six tested or testable predictions arising from models: (i) group decisions involve both true and false cascades; (ii) a small number of leaders can heavily influence a decision; (iii) individuals in groups make accurate and fast decisions; (iv) irrelevant alternatives change preferences; (v) optimal group size depends on the number of options; and (vi) pairs of higher quality options are more difficult to distinguish than lower quality options. We discuss our approach in the context of human organisations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meal triacylglycerol profile modulates postprandial absorption of carotenoids in humans
Authors: Goltz Shellen R. , Campbell Wayne W. , Chitchumroonchokchai Chureeporn , Failla Mark L. , Ferruzzi Mario G.
Published: June 2012

Scope

Dietary lipids are considered to be primary potentiators of carotenoid absorption, yet the amount and source required to optimize bioavailability has not been systematically evaluated. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of both amount and source of triacylglycerols on postprandial absorption of carotenoids from vegetable salads.

Methods and results

Healthy subjects (n = 29) were randomized using a Latin square design (3×3) and consumed three identical salads with 3, 8, or 20 g of canola oil, soybean oil, or butter. Blood was collected from 0–10 h and triacylglycerol‐rich fractions (TRLs) were isolated by ultracentrifugation. Carotenoid contents of TRL fractions were analyzed by HPLC‐DAD. Considering all lipid sources, 20 g of lipid promoted higher absorption compared to 3 and 8 g for all carotenoid species (p < 0.05), except for α‐carotene (p = 0.07). The source of lipid had less impact on the absorption of carotenoids than amount of lipid. Pooling results from all lipid amounts, monounsaturated fatty acid rich canola oil trended toward enhancing absorption of lutein and α‐carotene compared to saturated fatty acid rich butter (p = 0.06 and p = 0.08, respectively).

Conclusion

While both amount and source of co‐consumed lipid affect carotenoid bioavailability from vegetables, amount appears to exert a stronger effect.
Distinct roles of different forms of vitamin E in DHA‐induced apoptosis in triple‐negative breast cancer cells
Authors: Xiong Ailian , Yu Weiping , Tiwary Richa , Sanders Bob G. , Kline Kimberly
Published: June 2012

Scope

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been shown to exhibit anticancer actions in vitro and in vivo in a variety of cancers. Here, we investigated the role for DHA in inducing apoptosis in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) and studied the mechanisms of action.

Methods and results

DHA induces apoptosis as detected by Annexin V‐FITC/PI assay as well as induces cleavage of caspase‐8 and ‐9, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and elevated levels of death receptor‐5 (DR5) protein expression as detected by western blot assays. Chemical inhibitors of caspase‐8 and ‐9 and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) show DHA to induce ERS/CHOP/DR5‐mediated caspase‐8 and ‐9 dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, DHA induces elevated cellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant; RRR‐α‐tocopherol (αT) blocked DHA‐induced apoptotic events. In contrast to the antagonistic impact of αT, gamma‐tocotrienol (γT3) was demonstrated to cooperate with DHA in inducing apoptotic events in TNBC cells.

Conclusion

Data, for the first time, demonstrate that DHA induces apoptosis in TNBC cells via activation of ERS/CHOP/DR5‐mediated caspase‐8 and ‐9 dependent pro‐apoptotic events, and that different forms of vitamin E exhibit distinct effects on DHA‐induced apoptosis; namely, inhibition by αT and enhancement by γT3.
Design of a waveguide power splitter based on the employment of bi‐omega resonators
Authors: Di Palma Luca , Bilotti Filiberto , Toscano Alessandro , Vegni Lucio
Published: June 2012

In this letter, we propose the design of two new narrowband power splitters in waveguide technology. The proposed layouts are based on the extraordinary transmission phenomenon, obtained using metamaterial‐inspired bi‐omega particles. In this way, the power splitters operate in a narrow frequency range and allow rejecting the undesired spectral components within the operating range of the waveguide. The proposed designs are supported by proper full‐wave numerical results. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:2091–2095, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26988
Multilayer dielectric cavity antenna design for wide bandwidth
Authors: Lee K. J. , Lee J. A. , Kim M.
Published: June 2012

The dimension optimization of a rectangular cavity antenna is presented in this letter. The cavity antenna is fabricated in a multilayer substrate. The antenna operation is based on lowest order TE101 cavity mode. The antenna performance can be predicted using a simple equivalent model for a dielectric cavity. The estimated antenna bandwidth using the quality‐factor of the cavity model indicates that the larger aperture and thinner thickness is the wider bandwidth becomes. In this letter, however, the aperture size is limited to operating in a single mode. The antenna sample is fabricated in multilayer FR4 substrates with a dielectric constant of 4.4, so that it operates at 7.2 GHz. The antenna with enhanced bandwidth has an aperture size of 32 × 10 mm2 and total thickness of 4.3 mm. The measured 10‐dB bandwidth is 12.1% and the radiation pattern confirms that it operates in a single mode. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:2046–2049, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27022
Photonic generation of microwave signal using a dual‐wavelength fiber ring laser with fiber bragg grating‐based fabry‐perot filter and saturable absorber
Authors: Li Qi , Feng Suchun , Peng Wanjing , Liu Peng , Feng Ting , Tan Siyu , Yan Fengping
Published: June 2012

In this article, a simple approach for photonic generation of microwave signal using a dual‐wavelength single longitudinal mode fiber ring laser is proposed and demonstrated.A narrow transmission band fiber Bragg grating (FBG) based Fabry‐Perot cavity is used to select the longitudinal mode. A FBG with reflectivity of 99.5% is used together with 2‐m unpumped erbium‐doped fiber acting as saturable absorber. Stable dual‐wavelength single longitudinal mode fiber lasers with a wavelength separation of approximately 0.057 nm are experimentally realized. By beating the dual‐wavelength fiber lasers at a photodetector, photonic generation of microwave signal at 7.129 GHz is successfully obtained. Both of the laser emission and generated microwave signal have good stability at room temperature. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:2074–2077, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com.). DOI 10.1002/mop.27029
Mobile terminal antenna using a planar inverted‐e feed structure for enhanced impedance bandwidth
Authors: Jeon Sinhyung , Kim Hyeongdong
Published: June 2012

This article proposes a planar inverted–E (PIE) antenna, able to attain a wide impedance bandwidth.The antenna is created by inserting a branch capacitance between the feed line and the shorting pin of a conventional planar inverted–F antenna (PIFA). Such a modification significantly enhances the impedance bandwidth while maintaining the size of the antenna element. A comparative analysis on the characteristics of both the reference PIFA and the proposed PIE antenna was conducted to demonstrate the performance improvement in the bandwidth and efficiency of the proposed antenna. In the lower frequency bands, the proposed antenna possesses a very wide impedance bandwidth, 245 MHz, from 730 to 975 MHz, under a voltage standing wave ratio of 3:1 with good antenna efficiency. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:2133–2139, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27035
Double‐wave‐vector diffusion‐weighted imaging reveals microscopic diffusion anisotropy in the living human brain
Authors: Lawrenz Marco , Finsterbusch Jürgen
Published: June 2012

Diffusion‐tensor imaging is widely used to characterize diffusion in biological tissue, however, the derived anisotropy information, e.g., the fractional anisotropy, is ambiguous. For instance, low values of the diffusion anisotropy in brain white matter voxels may reflect a reduced axon density, i.e., a loss of fibers, or a lower fiber coherence within the voxel, e.g., more crossing fibers. This ambiguity can be avoided with experiments involving two diffusion‐weighting periods applied successively in a single acquisition, so‐called double‐wave‐vector or double‐pulsed‐field‐gradient experiments. For a long mixing time between the two periods such experiments are sensitive to the cells' eccentricity, i.e., the diffusion anisotropy present on a microscopic scale. In this study, it is shown that this microscopic diffusion anisotropy can be detected in white matter in the living human brain, even in a macroscopically isotropic region‐of‐interest (fractional anisotropy = 0). The underlying signal difference between parallel and orthogonal wave vector orientations does not show up in standard diffusion‐weighting experiments but is specific to the double‐wave‐vector experiment. Furthermore, the modulation amplitude observed is very similar for regions‐of‐interest with different fractional anisotrpy values. Thus, double‐wave‐vector experiments may provide a direct and reliable access to white matter integrity independent of the actual fiber orientation distribution within the voxel. Magn Reson Med 69:1072–1082, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Excitation and geometrically matched local encoding of curved slices
Authors: Weber Hans , Gallichan Daniel , Schultz Gerrit , Cocosco Chris A. , Littin Sebastian , Reichardt Wilfried , Welz Anna , Witschey Walter , Hennig Jürgen , Zaitsev Maxim
Published: June 2012

In this work, the concept of excitation and geometrically matched local in‐plane encoding of curved slices (ExLoc) is introduced. ExLoc is based on a set of locally near‐orthogonal spatial encoding magnetic fields, thus maintaining a local rectangular shape of the individual voxels and avoiding potential problems arising due to highly irregular voxel shapes. Unlike existing methods for exciting curved slices based on multidimensional radiofrequency‐pulses, excitation and geometrically matched local encoding of curved slices does not require long duration or computationally expensive radiofrequency‐pulses. As each encoding field consists of a superposition of potentially arbitrary (spatially linear or nonlinear) magnetic field components, the resulting field shape can be adapted with high flexibility to the specific region of interest. For extended nonplanar structures, this results in improved relevant volume coverage for fewer excited slices and thus increased efficiency. In addition to the mathematical description for the generation of dedicated encoding fields and data reconstruction, a verification of the ExLoc concept in phantom experiments and examples for in vivo curved single and multislice imaging are presented. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.