bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morita–Baylis–Hillman Approach toward Formal Total Synthesis of Tamiflu and Total Synthesis of Gabaculine
Authors: Bhowmik Subhendu , Batra Sanjay
Published: September 2013

A Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction mediated approach to the formal total synthesis of oseltamivir and the total synthesis of gabaculine is described. This strategy involves the enantiocontrolled preparation of Corey's intermediate in 22 % yield, which is prepared over 11 steps starting from N‐tert‐butoxycarbonyl‐L‐serine methyl ester.
Synthesis of Amino‐Substituted Pyrrole‐Fused Perylenebis(dicarboximide) Derivatives by a One‐Pot Azidation/Reduction/Cyclization
Authors: Li Yongjun , Xu Liang , Jiang Runsheng , Liu Huibiao , Li Yuliang
Published: September 2013

Amino‐substituted pyrrole‐fused perylenebis(dicarboximides) have been prepared from tri‐ or tetrabromoperylene prcursors by using the classical azidation conditions for the substitution of aromatic halogen, that is, NaN3, sodium ascorbate, CuI, and N,N‐dimethylethane‐1,2‐diamine in DMSO/H2O. The pyrrole‐fused dyes are highly photochemically and thermally stable, which may be useful for labelling and as building blocks for the synthesis of functional molecular materials.
Aromatic C–H Addition to Ketones: The Effect of Directing Groups
Authors: Zhang Xi‐Sha , Zhu Qi‐Lei , Luo Fei‐Xian , Chen Guihua , Wang Xin , Shi Zhang‐Jie
Published: September 2013

The first example of the transition‐metal‐catalyzed direct intermolecular C–H bond addition to ketones was achieved by using a rhodium catalyst. A significant influence of the directing group on the reactivity was observed, and sterically more hindered directing groups could promote the reaction. In addition, intermolecular hydrogen bonding played a role in stabilizing the product. The substrate scope for the quinoline derivatives was very good.
1D System identification of a 54‐story steel frame building by seismic interferometry
Authors: Rahmani Mohammadtaghi , Todorovska Maria I.
Published: September 2013

A 54‐story steel, perimeter‐frame building in downtown Los Angeles, California, is identified by a wave method using records of the Northridge earthquake of 1994 (ML = 6.4, R = 32 km). The building is represented as a layered shear beam and a torsional shaft, characterized by the corresponding velocities of vertically propagating waves through the structure. The previously introduced waveform inversion algorithm is applied, which fits in the least squares sense pulses in low‐pass filtered impulse response functions computed at different stories. This paper demonstrates that layered shear beam and torsional shaft models are valid for this building, within bands that include the first five modes of vibration for each of the North–South (NS), East–West (EW), and torsional responses (0–1.7 Hz for NS and EW, and 0–3.5 Hz for the torsional response). The observed pulse travel time from ground floor to penthouse level is τ ≈1.5 s for NS and EW and τ ≈ 0.9 s for the torsional responses. The identified equivalent uniform shear beam wave velocities are βeq ≈ 140 m/s for NS and EW responses, and 260 m/s for torsion, and the apparent Q ≈ 25 for the NS and torsional, and ≈14 for the EW response. Across the layers, the wave velocity varied 90–170 m/s for the NS, 80–180 m/s for the EW, and 170–350 m/s for the torsional responses. The identification method is intended for use in structural health monitoring. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First observations of SO2 from the satellite Suomi NPP OMPS: Widespread air pollution events over China
Authors: Yang Kai , Dickerson Russell R. , Carn Simon A. , Ge Cui , Wang Jun
Published: September 2013

Severe smog episodes over China in January 2013 received worldwide attention. This air pollution was distinguished by heavy loadings of fine particulate matter and SO2. To characterize these episodes, we employed the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite, Nadir Mapper (OMPS NM), an ultraviolet (UV) spectrometer flying on the Suomi National Polar‐orbiting Partnership (SNPP) spacecraft since October 2011. We developed an advanced algorithm to quantify SO2 in the lower troposphere and achieved high‐quality retrievals from OMPS NM, which are characterized by high precision, ∼0.2 Dobson Units (DU; 1 DU = 2.69×1016molecules/cm2) for instantaneous field of view SO2 data and low biases (within ±0.2 DU). Here we report SO2retrievals and UV aerosol index data for these pollution events. The SO2 columns and the areas covered by high pollutant concentrations are quantified; the results reveal for the first time the full extent (an area of ∼106km2 containing up to 60 kt of SO2) of these episodes.
Multiple fluvial processes detected by riverside seismic and infrasound monitoring of a controlled flood in the Grand Canyon
Authors: Schmandt Brandon , Aster Richard C. , Scherler Dirk , Tsai Victor C. , Karlstrom Karl
Published: September 2013

As rivers transport water and sediment across Earth's surface, they radiate elastic and acoustic waves. We use seismic and infrasound observations during a controlled flood experiment (CFE) in the Grand Canyon to show that three types of fluvial processes can be monitored from outside the channel. First, bed‐load transport under conditions of evolving bed mobility is identified as the dominant seismic source between 15 and 45 Hz. Two lower‐frequency seismic bands also excited by the CFE exhibited greater power increases and are consistent with source processes related to fluid rather than sediment transport. The second fluvial seismic source is inferred to be fluid tractions on the rough riverbed, which drive the maximum seismic power increase at 0.73 Hz, but do not excite infrasound. Waves at the fluid‐air interface are suggested as a third source, which generates a common 6–7 Hz peak in seismic and infrasound responses to the CFE.
From Graduate School to the STEM Workforce: An Entropic Approach to Career Identity Development for STEM Women of Color
Authors: Mack Kelly , Rankins Claudia , Woodson Kamilah
Published: September 2013

Career development programs for graduate students should acknowledge the multiple and often conflicting demands placed on underrepresented scholars.
The Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities on Doctoral Students
Authors: Joseph Joretta
Published: September 2013

Historically Black colleges and universities have long served as an important source for minority undergraduates who later go on to receive a doctoral degree.
Vitronectin—Master controller or micromanager?
Authors: Leavesley David I. , Kashyap Abhishek S. , Croll Tristan , Sivaramakrishnan Manaswini , Shokoohmand Ali , Hollier Brett G. , Upton Zee
Published: September 2013

The concept that the mammalian glycoprotein vitronectin acts as a biological ‘glue’ and key controller of mammalian tissue repair and remodelling activity is emerging from nearly 50 years of experimental in vitro and in vivo data. Unexpectedly, the vitronectin‐knockout (VN‐KO) mouse was found to be viable and to have largely normal phenotype. However, diligent observation revealed that the VN‐KO animal exhibits delayed coagulation and poor wound healing. This is interpreted to indicate that VN occupies a role in the earliest events of thrombogenesis and tissue repair. VN is the foundation upon which the thrombus grows in an organised structure. In addition to sealing the wound, the thrombus also serves to protect the underlying tissue from oxidation, is a reservoir of mitogens and tissue repair mediators, and provides a provisional scaffold for the repairing tissue. In the absence of VN (e.g., VN‐KO animal), this cascade is disrupted before it begins. A wide variety of biologically active species associate with VN. Although initial studies were focused on mitogens, other classes of bioactives (e.g., glycosaminoglycans and metalloproteinases) are now also known to specifically interact with VN. Although some interactions are transient, others are long‐lived and often result in multi‐protein complexes. Multi‐protein complexes provide several advantages: prolonging molecular interactions, sustaining local concentrations, facilitating co‐stimulation of cell surface receptors and thereby enhancing cellular/biological responses. We contend that these, or equivalent, multi‐protein complexes facilitate VN polyfunctionality in vivo. It is also likely that many of the species demonstrated to associate with VN in vitro, also associate with VN in vivo in similar multi‐protein complexes. Thus, the predominant biological function of VN is that of a master controller of the extracellular environment; informing, and possibly instructing cells ‘where’ to behave, ‘when’ to behave and ‘how’ to behave (i.e., appropriately for the current circumstance). © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(10):807‐818, 2013
Piezoelectric properties of aligned collagen membranes
Authors: Denning D. , Paukshto M. V. , Habelitz S. , Rodriguez B. J.
Published: September 2013

Electromechanical coupling, a phenomenon present in collagenous materials, may influence cell–extracellular matrix interactions. Here, electromechanical coupling has been investigated via piezoresponse force microscopy in transparent and opaque membranes consisting of helical‐like arrays of aligned type I collagen fibrils self‐assembled from acidic solution. Using atomic force microscopy, the transparent membrane was determined to contain fibrils having an average diameter of 76 ± 14 nm, whereas the opaque membrane comprised fibrils with an average diameter of 391 ± 99 nm. As the acidity of the membranes must be neutralized before they can serve as cell culture substrates, the structure and piezoelectric properties of the membranes were measured under ambient conditions before and after the neutralization process. A crimp structure (1.59 ± 0.37 µm in width) perpendicular to the fibril alignment became apparent in the transparent membrane when the pH was adjusted from acidic (pH = 2.5) to neutral (pH = 7) conditions. In addition, a 1.35‐fold increase was observed in the amplitude of the shear piezoelectricity of the transparent membrane. The structure and piezoelectric properties of the opaque membrane were not significantly affected by the neutralization process. The results highlight the presence of an additional translational order in the transparent membrane in the direction perpendicular to the fibril alignment. The piezoelectric response of both membrane types was found to be an order of magnitude lower than that of collagen fibrils in rat tail tendon. This reduced response is attributed to less‐ordered molecular assembly than is present in D‐periodic collagen fibrils, as evidenced by the absence of D‐periodicity in the membranes. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 284–292, 2014.
Estrogen‐Related Receptor ERRα Regulation of Human Hydroxysteroid Sulfotransferase (SULT2A1) Gene Expression in Human Caco‐2 Cells
Authors: Huang Chaoqun , Zhou Tianyan , Chen Yue , Sun Teng , Zhang Shunfen , Chen Guangping
Published: September 2013

Human hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase, SULT2A1, is important for xenobiotic detoxification and the maintenance of hydroxysteroid homeostasis. Our published report suggested that estrogen‐related receptor ERRα downregulates SULT2A1 in Hep G2 cells. The results shown in this study suggest that ERRα upregulates SULT2A1 transcription in Caco‐2 cells. The deletion analysis suggested that SULT2A1 promoter region between −65 and −44 is important for this upregulation. Our further investigation suggested that ERRα binding element, ERRE51, mediates ERRα activation of SULT2A1 promoter transcription in Caco‐2 cells. The interaction of ERRE51 with ERRα was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. Results also suggest that the difference of constitutive androstane receptor transcription levels in Hep G2 and Caco‐2 cells at least partially contribute to the cell type dependent ERRα modulation of SULT2A1 promoter transcription. ERRα regulates human SULT2A1 transcription by competing with other nuclear receptors binding to the DNA‐promoter region.
Trends in Prevalence of HIV‐1 Drug Resistance in Thailand 2009–2010
Authors: Sanguansittianant Sayompoo , Nooroon Nattakarn , Phaengchomduan Poonlaph , Ammaranond Palanee
Published: September 2013

Background

Treatment failure of antiretroviral therapy in HIV‐1 infection is increasing due to development of viral resistance. Trends of resistance‐associated mutation lead to the ineffective treatment in HIV‐infected individuals.

Methods

Extracted viral RNA from HIV‐infected subjects in 2009 to 2010 was performed. The genotypic resistance testing was investigated for HIV‐1 drug resistance in RT and PR genes. Frequencies of mutation were compared by a Fischer's exact test.

Results

Three hundred and sixty‐nine samples (147 in 2009 and 222 in 2010) were genotyped. At least one mutation was found in 90.8% (335/369) in PR gene and 87.0% (321/369) in RT gene. Three sequences in PR gene, M36I, H69K, and L90M, were decreased significantly in 2010 when compared to 2009. Mutations associated with resistance to nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI's) were found in 61.0% and 64.2% in nonnucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI's). A total of 49.6% was found in combined NRTI and NNRTI. In 2010, M41L was increased significantly from 7.5% to 14.9%. However, there was a decrease in the frequency of the mutations at position 67, 70, and 184 between 2009 and 2010.

Conclusions

In 2010, three mutations in PR gene, M36I, H69K, and L90M, were decreased significantly. However, only one mutation in RT gene, M41L was significantly increased.
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) Values Reflect Therapeutic Effectiveness in Zidovudine‐Receiving HIV Patients
Authors: Kim Ah Hyun , Jang Woori , Kim Yonggoo , Park Yeon‐Joon , Han Kyungja , Oh Eun‐Jee
Published: September 2013

Background

An increase of the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of erythrocytes and alterations in the lipid profiles have been described in HIV‐infected patients under combination of anti‐retroviral treatment (cART), particularly zidovudine (AZT).

Methods

In 687 sera from 179 HIV‐positive patients, MCV levels were correlated with the clinical outcome or therapeutic effectiveness. The sera were classified into three groups according to AZT treatment; cART with AZT (n = 317), cART without AZT (n = 262), and no anti‐retroviral therapy (n = 108).

Results

The MCV and lipid profile values were increased after cART. The AZT‐based cART group had higher MCV levels (111.6 ± 7.0 vs. 97.8 ± 7.0 fl, P < 0.001) and a higher incidence of macrocytosis (>99 fl; 95.3% vs. 38.2%, P < 0.001) than the non‐AZT‐based cART group. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve was 0.835 and the cut‐off of MCV (>102 fl) had a sensitivity of 96.1% and specificity of 66.7% for detecting HIV‐RNA (‐) sera in AZT‐based cART group. In the multivariate regression analysis, HIV‐viral load and HDL‐cholesterol were the only significant correlates to the MCV values in the AZT‐base cART group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The MCV values could be used as a surrogate marker to monitor the clinical outcome of HIV‐infected patients receiving AZT‐based cART.
Innovative Accountability of Tracking Test Kit as Locked Resources: A Lesson in a Restricted Resource Setting
Authors: Makuwani Ahmad M. , Msuya Sia , Haule Dunstan , Mogella Deus , Nkya Efesper
Published: September 2013

Background

To implement quality screening in a blood service requires the presence of screening strategy with a clear algorithm and supporting standard operating procedures (SOPs), skilled and motivated human resource to perform testing, infrastructure, regular available test kits, and other supplies. In developing countries, smooth supply chain management of critical transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) screening reagents is a challenge. Therefore, managing the little available kits by knowing the rate of consumption, good forecasting, and monitoring expiry date may be a key in ensuring regular supply.

Method

Test kit monitoring tool (TKMT) for Vironostika HIV Uni‐Form kit/192 1&2 Ag/Ab, Genedia kits for HBsAg and HCV, and RPR for syphilis was developed to track these reagents. This excel tool was developed to assess received reagents, quantity used, quantity remaining, and date of expiration. The tool was evaluated by assessing rerun for each test kits, match tests conducted with blood units tested, adherence to the principle of first in–first out (FIFO), and quantity remaining in the center against the need.

Results

The mean rerun for HIV ELISA Vironistika uniform II Ag/Ab observed over expected was 6.9% (n = 3.8) than 2.4% (n = 1.3), HBsAg was 9.9% (n = 5.7) than 6.7% (3.5) (expected), Genedia for HCV was 1.3% (n = 0.7) than 0.5% (n = 0.3), and RPR test for syphilis 3.3% (n = 1.5) than 0.5%. During implementation, TKMT managed to detect expiring kits in the zonal blood transfusion centers.

Conclusion

A tool‐like TKMT may capture other supplies within blood when expanded. Monitoring of supplies may enable blood service actual accounting and in forecasting supplies and reagents.
Does Prolidase Indicate Worsening of Hepatitis B Infection?
Authors: Duygu Fazilet , Aksoy Nurten , Cicek Aysegul Copur , Butun Ilknur , Unlu Sebnem
Published: September 2013

Background

Hepatitis B infection is a health problem that affects more than 400 million people all over the world. We aimed to evaluate the usability of prolidase enzyme that plays an important role in collagen synthesis. Prolidase levels increase in hepatic damage, which can be used as diagnostic parameters in the progressions to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection by evaluating it in different clinical forms of hepatitis B infection.

Methods

A total of 69 patients who presented to our clinic with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection, 72 patients with inactive hepatitis B infection (IHB), and 45 healthy volunteers were included into this study. Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and prolidase levels of patients were measured. Hepatic biopsy was performed in patients with CHB infection. Prolidase levels were evaluated in three different groups, and its correlations with fibrosis were investigated.

Results

Prolidase was different between all groups (P < 0.001). Prolidase level was found to be higher in CHB and IHB compared to the control group. There was no correlation between this enzyme, fibrosis, and histological activity index.

Conclusion

In this present study, it is shown that prolidase levels increase in hepatitis B infection. It may be used as a biochemical marker in the chronic hepatitis B.
100 days of ELF/VLF generation via HF heating with HAARP
Authors: Cohen M. B. , Gołkowski M.
Published: September 2013

Extremely low frequency/very low frequency (ELF/VLF) radio waves are difficult to generate with conventional antennas. Ionospheric high frequency (HF) heating facilities generate ELF/VLF waves via modulated heating of the lower ionosphere. HF heating of the ionosphere changes the lower ionospheric conductivity, which in the presence of natural currents such as the auroral electrojet creates an antenna in the sky when heating is modulated at ELF/VLF frequencies. We present a summary of nearly 100 days of ELF/VLF wave generation experiments at the 3.6 MW High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility near Gakona, Alaska, at a variety of ELF/VLF frequencies, seasons, and times of day. We present comprehensive statistics of generated ELF/VLF magnetic fields observed at a nearby site, in the 500–3500 Hz band. Transmissions with a specific HF beam configuration (3.25 MHz, vertical beam, amplitude modulation) are isolated so the data comparison is self‐consistent, across nearly 5 million individual measurements of either a tone or a piece of a frequency‐time ramp. There is a minimum in the average generation close to local midnight. It is found that generation during local nighttime is on average weaker but more highly variable, with a small number of very strong generation periods. Signal amplitudes from day to day may vary by as much as 20–30 dB. Generation strengthens by ∼5 dB during the first ∼30 min of transmission, which may be a signature of slow electron density changes from sustained HF heating. Theoretical calculations are made to relate the amplitude observed to the power injected into the waveguide and reaching 250 km. The median power generated by HAARP and injected into the waveguide is ∼0.05–0.1 W in this baseline configuration (vertical beam, 3.25 MHz, amplitude modulation) but may have generated hundreds of watts for brief durations. Several efficiency improvements have improved the ELF/VLF wave generation efficiency further.
Cluster observations of whistler waves correlated with ion‐scale magnetic structures during the 17 August 2003 substorm event
Authors: Tenerani A. , Contel O. Le , Califano F. , Robert P. , Fontaine D. , Cornilleau‐Wehrlin N. , Sauvaud J.‐A.
Published: September 2013

We provide evidence of the simultaneous occurrence of large‐amplitude, quasi‐parallel whistler mode waves and ion‐scale magnetic structures, which have been observed by the Cluster spacecraft in the plasma sheet at 17 Earth radii, during a substorm event. It is shown that the magnetic structures are characterized by both a magnetic field strength minimum and a density hump and that they propagate in a direction quasi‐perpendicular to the average magnetic field. The observed whistler mode waves are efficiently ducted by the inhomogeneity associated with such ion‐scale magnetic structures. The large amplitude of the confined whistler waves suggests that electron precipitations could be enhanced locally via strong pitch angle scattering. Furthermore, electron distribution functions indicate that a strong parallel heating of electrons occurs within these ion‐scale structures. This study provides new insights on the possible multiscale coupling of plasma dynamics during the substorm expansion, on the basis of the whistler mode wave trapping by coherent ion‐scale structures.
Gas‐particle partitioning of primary organic aerosol emissions: 3. Biomass burning
Authors: May Andrew A. , Levin Ezra J. T. , Hennigan Christopher J. , Riipinen Ilona , Lee Taehyoung , Collett Jeffrey L. , Jimenez Jose L. , Kreidenweis Sonia M. , Robinson Allen L.
Published: September 2013

Atmospheric organic aerosol concentrations depend in part on the gas‐particle partitioning of primary organic aerosol (POA) emissions. Consequently, heating and dilution were used to investigate the volatility of biomass‐burning smoke particles from combustion of common North American trees/shrubs/grasses during the third Fire Lab at Missoula Experiment. Fifty to eighty percent of the mass of biomass‐burning POA evaporated when isothermally diluted from plume‐ (~1000 µg m−3) to ambient‐like concentrations (~10 µg m−3), while roughly 80% of the POA evaporated upon heating to 100°C in a thermodenuder with a residence time of ~14 sec. Therefore, the majority of the POA emissions were semivolatile. Thermodenuder measurements performed at three different residence times indicated that there were not substantial mass transfer limitations to evaporation (i.e., the mass accommodation coefficient appears to be between 0.1 and 1). An evaporation kinetics model was used to derive volatility distributions and enthalpies of vaporization from the thermodenuder data. A single volatility distribution can be used to represent the measured gas‐particle partitioning from the entire set of experiments, including different fuels, organic aerosol concentrations, and thermodenuder residence times. This distribution, derived from the thermodenuder measurements, also predicts the dilution‐driven changes in gas‐particle partitioning. This volatility distribution and associated emission factors for each fuel studied can be used to update emission inventories and to simulate the gas‐particle partitioning of biomass‐burning POA emissions in chemical transport models.
Diffusion‐weighted imaging of the high‐risk breast: Apparent diffusion coefficient values and their relationship to breast density
Authors: O'Flynn Elizabeth A.M. , Wilson Robin M. , Allen Steven D. , Locke Imogen , Scurr Erica , deSouza Nandita M.
Published: September 2013

Purpose

To document the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of fibroglandular breast tissue in women at high‐risk of developing breast cancer and investigate the relationship between ADC and breast density.

Materials and Methods

Local research ethics approval was obtained. A total of 33 high‐risk women including 17 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers (mean age, 43 years) and 16 women postmantle irradiation (mean age 40 years) underwent diffusion‐weighted MRI between days 6 and 16 of their menstrual cycle. ADC histograms from a region of interest in fibroglandular tissue and mammographic breast density measurements were obtained. Mean, percentile ADC values (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th) and skew were compared for the two groups; ADC and mammographic breast density were correlated.

Results

Mean ADC values (×10−6 mm2/s) were 2017 ± 197 in postmantle irradiated women and 1827 ± 289 in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers (P = 0.035) with significant differences at all percentiles (P < 0.0001) but not skew (P = 0.44). ADC values showed weak positive correlation with mammographic breast density in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers (r = 0.51, P = 0.043) but not in postmantle radiotherapy patients (r = 0.49, P = 0.13).

Conclusion

Higher ADC values seen in fibroglandular tissue postmantle irradiation compared with BRCA1/2 mutation carriers has potential to improve tumor detection in these patients. Lack of correlation between ADC and breast density postmantle irradiation may be a result of microstructural changes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:805–811. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clusterons as a tool for monitoring populations of tick‐borne encephalitis virus
Authors: Kovalev Sergey Y. , Mukhacheva Tatyana A.
Published: September 2013

Tick‐borne encephalitis (TBE) is a natural focal viral neuroinfection that is widespread in the temperate zone of Eurasia. Knowledge of the genetic structure of tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) populations is important for understanding, not only the origin and evolution of the virus, but also the formation and maintenance of natural foci. A new approach to the differentiation of TBEV strains within subtype, with clusterons as the basis of analysis, has recently been proposed. In the present study, the genetic structure of TBEV‐Sib populations has been investigated based on 387 strains isolated in the Middle Urals (Sverdlovsk region). Fourteen of the 18 currently known TBEV‐Sib clusterons were identified. They belong to the Asian and Eastern European (Baltic) groups. It was shown that each TBE foci could be characterized by a unique clusteron profile. Three clusterons that emerged within the last 50 years have been identified which implies an active evolutionary process in the TBEV‐Sib populations. The greatest diversity of clusterons was observed in the south of the Middle Urals along the Trans‐Siberian Way. Such a pattern could reflect the history of colonization of the area and is closely related to the roads passing from Siberia to the European part of Russia through the Urals. In this article, the principles of continuous monitoring in the regional and local TBE foci are proposed, based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of TBEV‐Sib clusteron profiles. J. Med. Virol. 86:283–289, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CCR5 deficiency and severe polio infection in the 1984 outbreak in Finland
Authors: Rosenberg A.S. , Roivainen M. , Hovi T. , Liu Q. , Murphy P.M.
Published: September 2013

CCR5, a leukocyte chemoattractant receptor for chemokines CCL3, CCL4, and CCL5, promotes innate and adaptive immune responses by mediating leukocyte trafficking within lymph nodes and to peripheral tissues and is also known as a co‐receptor for HIV cell entry. Homozygous inheritance of a complete loss‐of‐function mutation in CCR5 (CCR5Δ32/CCR5Δ32) is associated with symptomatic neuroinflammatory disease in humans with West Nile and Tickborne Encephalitis flavivirus infections. This study sought to establish whether CCR5 deficiency could also be a determinant of clinical outcome after infection by poliovirus which results in central nervous system damage in only a small proportion of cases. We analyzed serum samples from seven patients and 79 controls, collected during the 1984–1985 polio outbreak in Finland, where CCR5Δ32 is relatively common in the general population. The results excluded CCR5 deficiency as the sole determinant of severe neurologic disease after poliovirus infection in this population. J. Med. Virol. 85:2139–2140, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of low‐ and high‐velocity tendon excursion on the mechanical properties of human cadaver subsynovial connective tissue
Authors: Filius Anika , Thoreson Andrew R. , Yang Tai‐Hua , Vanhees Matthias , An Kai‐Nan , Zhao Chunfeng , Amadio Peter C.
Published: September 2013

Fibrosis of the subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT) in the carpal tunnel is the most common histological finding in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Fibrosis may result from damaged SSCT. Previous studies found that with low‐velocity (2 mm/s), tendon excursions can irreversibly damage the SSCT. We investigated the effect of tendon excursion velocity in the generation of SSCT damage. Nine human cadaver wrists were used. Three repeated cycles of ramp‐stretch testing were performed simulating 40%, 60%, 90%, and 120% of the middle finger flexor tendon superficialis physiological excursion with an excursion velocity of 60 mm/s. Energy and force were calculated and normalized by values obtained in the first cycle for each excursion level. Data were compared with low‐velocity excursion data. For high‐velocity excursions, a significant drop in the excursion energy ratio was first observed at an excursion level of 60% physiological excursion (p < 0.024) and that for low‐velocity excursions was first observed at 90% physiological excursion (p < 0.038). Furthermore, the energy ratio was lower at 60% for high velocities (p ≤ 0.039). Increasing velocity lowers the SSCT damage threshold. This finding may be relevant for understanding the pathogenesis of SSCT fibrosis, such as that accompanying CTS, and a relationship with occupational factors. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:123–128, 2014.
Convenient Pd‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Large Unimolecular Star Polyethylene Nanoparticles
Authors: Landry Eric , Ye Zhibin
Published: September 2013

A simplistic convenient “arm‐first” catalytic synthesis method is demonstrated to render soft unimolecular star polyethylene nanoparticles. Low‐dispersity polyethylene arms of controllable length and topology are first synthesized via Pd‐catalyzed “living” ethylene poly­merization. The subsequent addition of norbornadiene as a unique cross‐linker renders the block polymer containing a short polynorbornadiene (PNBD) sequence. Efficient and rapid catalytic cross‐linking of the PNBD sequences occurs in the polymer precipitation and drying steps to give rise to star polyethylene nanoparticles. The star polymers are featured with tunable arm length and topology, high molecular weight (as high as 1770 kg mol−1), high arm numbers (as high as 88), and desirable average nano­particle size (29−72 nm).

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The Profit‐Maximizing Case for Corporate Social Responsibility in a Bilateral Monopoly
Authors: Goering Gregory E.
Published: September 2013

We analyze a stylized distribution channel (bilateral monopoly) model where an upstream manufacturer sells output to a downstream retailer. In a two‐stage linear demand game setting, we show that a two‐part contract, consisting of a wholesale price and corporate social responsibility (CSR) component, can be utilized by the manufacturer to fully coordinate and control its retailer. Thus, a CSR contract can be used in place of the traditional two‐part tariff scheme (wholesale price and fixed franchise fee) to optimally coordinate the marketing channel. Our model provides a novel theoretical profit‐maximizing rationale for the strategic use of CSR. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lengthening our perspective: Morphological, cellular, and molecular responses to eccentric exercise
Authors: Hyldahl Robert D. , Hubal Monica J.
Published: September 2013

The response of skeletal muscle to unaccustomed eccentric exercise has been studied widely, yet it is incompletely understood. This review is intended to provide an up‐to‐date overview of our understanding of how skeletal muscle responds to eccentric actions, with particular emphasis on the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of damage and recovery. This review begins by addressing the question of whether eccentric actions result in physical damage to muscle fibers and/or connective tissue. We next review the symptomatic manifestations of eccentric exercise (i.e., indirect damage markers, such as delayed onset muscle soreness), with emphasis on their relatively poorly understood molecular underpinnings. We then highlight factors that potentially modify the muscle damage response following eccentric exercise. Finally, we explore the utility of using eccentric training to improve muscle function in populations of healthy and aging individuals, as well as those living with neuromuscular disorders. Muscle Nerve 49: 155–170, 2014
Sibling concordance for clinical features of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies
Authors: Pettygrove Sydney , Lu Zhenqiang , Andrews Jennifer G. , Meaney F. John , Sheehan Daniel W. , Price Elinora T. , Fox Deborah J. , Pandya Shree , Ouyang Lijing , Apkon Susan D. , Powis Zoe , Cunniff Christopher
Published: September 2013

Introduction: The correlation of markers of disease severity among brothers with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy has implications for clinical guidance and clinical trials. Methods: Sibling pairs with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy (n = 60) were compared for ages when they reached clinical milestones of disease progression, including ceased ambulation, scoliosis of ≥ 20°, and development of cardiomyopathy. Results: The median age at which younger brothers reached each milestone, compared with their older brothers ranged from 25 months younger for development of cardiomyopathy to 2 months older for ceased ambulation. For each additional month of ambulation by the older brother, the hazard of ceased ambulation by the younger brother decreased by 4%. Conclusions: The ages when siblings reach clinical milestones of disease vary widely between siblings. However, the time to ceased ambulation for older brothers predicts the time to ceased ambulation for their younger brothers. Muscle Nerve 49: 814–821, 2014
Reconstructing the geometric configuration of three dimensional interface using electrical capacitance tomography
Authors: Ren Shangjie , Xu Yaoyuan , Tan Chao , Dong Feng
Published: September 2013

Electrical capacitance tomography is a promising visualization technique to image the internal permittivity distribution using boundary capacitance measurements. Because of its advantages of noninvasive, noninstructive, no radiation, and low cost, it has been successfully applied in many industrial processes. Currently, the commonly used algorithms in electrical capacitance tomography are based on the pixel/volume‐wise parameterization of the permittivity. When the permittivity is piecewise constant, it is difficult to enhance the spatial resolution. In the paper, a shape‐based algorithm is presented to directly reconstruct the geometric configuration of the smooth interface between two layered materials. By parameterizing the interface shape using Bézier surface, the unknown shape is iteratively approached using Levenberg–Marquardt method. To improve the computational efficiency, the forward problem is solved using a cornice boundary integral equation, and a fast Jacobian calculation method is derived using the reciprocity theorem and some integral transform technique. The numerical results demonstrate that the presented method has ability to reconstruct the smooth and continuous three‐dimensional interfaces with a good accuracy and high convergence, even when the permittivity values of the reconstructed substances are also unknown. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chronic sleep fragmentation promotes obesity in young adult mice
Authors: Wang Yang , Carreras Alba , Lee SeungHoon , Hakim Fahed , Zhang Shelley X. , Nair Deepti , Ye Honggang , Gozal David
Published: September 2013

Objectives

Short sleep confers a higher risk of obesity in humans. Restricted sleep increases appetite, promotes higher calorie intake from fat and carbohydrate sources, and induces insulin resistance. However, the effects of fragmented sleep (SF), such as occurs in sleep apnea, on body weight, metabolic rates, and adipose tissue distribution are unknown.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were exposed to SF for 8 weeks. Their body weight, food consumption, and metabolic expenditure were monitored over time, and their plasma leptin levels measured after exposure to SF for 1 day as well as for 2 weeks. In addition, adipose tissue distribution was assessed at the end of the SF exposure using MRI techniques.

Results

Chronic SF‐induced obesogenic behaviors and increased weight gain in mice by promoting increased caloric intake without changing caloric expenditure. Plasma leptin levels initially decreased and subsequently increased. Furthermore, increases in both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue volumes occurred.

Conclusions

These results suggest that SF, a frequent occurrence in many disorders and more specifically in sleep apnea, is a potent inducer of obesity via activation of obesogenic behaviors and possibly leptin resistance, in the absence of global changes in energy expenditure.
Impact of prenatal diagnosis of ductal origin of the left pulmonary artery
Authors: van Velzen Christine , Adriaanse Bauke , Rammeloo Lukas , Blom Nico , Hruda Jaroslav
Published: September 2013

What's already known about this topic?

Distal ductal origin of a pulmonary artery is typically diagnosed during infancy, after closure of the arterial duct. This condition is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

What does this study add?

Our case is the first to show that distal ductal origin of a pulmonary artery can be detected before birth.

Prenatal detection enables preservation of the patency of the pulmonary artery for an efficient surgical reconstruction at later age.
Hemoglobin levels and red blood cell indices in mid‐gestational fetuses with beta‐thalassemia/HbE, beta‐thalassemia trait or Hb E trait and normal fetuses
Authors: Srisupundit Kasemsri , Wanapirak Chanane , Sirichotiyakul Supatra , Tongprasert Fuanglada , Leuwan Suchaya , Traisrisilp Kuntharee , Tongsong Theera
Published: September 2013

Objective

To compare red blood cell indices among normal, beta‐thalassemia trait or hemoglobin (Hb) E trait, and beta‐thalassemia/Hb E diseases mid‐gestational fetuses.

Methods

One hundred seventy‐five fetuses at risk of beta‐thalassemia/Hb E disease undergoing cordocentesis with determination of Hb levels and red blood cell indices at mid‐pregnancy were recruited. The fetal diagnoses were based on fetal Hb typing and DNA analysis. The fetuses were divided into three groups: normal, beta‐thalassemia trait or Hb E trait, and beta‐thalassemia/Hb E disease.

Results

The prevalence of beta‐thalassemia/Hb E disease, beta‐thalassemia trait or Hb E trait, and normal fetuses was 32.6% (57 cases), 28.6% (50 cases) and 36.6% (64 cases), respectively. Mean Hb levels and red blood cell indices were not significantly different among the three groups of fetuses. However, almost 10% of beta‐thalassemia/Hb E fetuses had some degree of anemia. The most anemic fetuses had a β0 mutation.

Conclusion

There is no significant difference in Hb level and red blood cell indices among fetuses at risk of beta‐thalassemia/Hb E disease. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional analysis of a point mutation in the ryanodine receptor of Plutella xylostella (L.) associated with resistance to chlorantraniliprole
Authors: Guo Lei , Wang Yi , Zhou Xuguo , Li Zhenyu , Liu Shangzhong , Pei Liang , Gao Xiwu
Published: September 2013

BACKGROUND

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) has developed extremely high resistance to chlorantraniliprole and other diamide insecticides in the field. A glycine to glutamic acid substitution (G4946E) in the P. xylostella ryanodine receptor (PxRyR) has been found in two resistant populations collected in Thailand and Philippines and was considered associated with the diamide insecticides resistance but no experimental evidence was provided. The present study aimed to clarify the function of the reported mutation in chlorantraniliprole resistance in P. xylostella.

RESULTS

We identified the same mutation (G4946E) in PxRyR from four field collected chlorantraniliprole resistant populations of Plutella xylostella in China. Most importantly, we found that the frequency of the G4946E mutation is significantly correlated to the chlorantraniliprole resistance ratios in P. xylostella (R2 = 0.82, P = 0.0003). Ligand binding assays showed that the binding affinities of the PxRyR to the chlorantraniliprole in three field resistant populations were 2.41‐, 2.54‐ and 2.60‐times lower than that in the susceptible one.

CONCLUSION

For the first time we experimentally proved that the G4946E mutation in PxRyR confers resistance to chlorantraniliprole in Plutella xylostella. These findings pave the way for the complete understanding of the mechanisms of diamide insecticides resistance in insects. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Learning curve and early clinical outcomes for a robotic surgery novice performing robotic single site cholecystectomy
Authors: Angus Andrew A. , Sahi Saad L. , McIntosh Bruce B.
Published: September 2013

Background

A rapid training protocol has been developed for robotic surgery novices to learn robotic single‐incision techniques. This study assesses the learning curve and early clinical results for a robotic surgery novice starting single‐site cholecystectomy.

Methods

A chart review was performed on the surgeon's first 55 patients to undergo this procedure.

Results

Average patient age was 46.01 ± 4.25 (range 21–86) years and BMI was 26.57 ± 4.25 (range 19.4–36.6) kg/m2. The mean port placement with docking time was 11.34 ± 3.74 (range 7–23) min. Mean console time was 28.74 ± 11.04 (range 15–66) min. Average total OR time was 61.84 ± 14.66 (range 40–105) min. All procedures were successfully completed without conversion or added ports. Complications included several minor procedural gall bladder perforations and miscellaneous postoperative symptomatic complaints.

Conclusion

Robotic single site cholecystectomy can be safely performed by a robotic novice within a minimal learning curve and have early clinical results that are comparable to the published data of robotic experts. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On designing network‐based H ∞  controllers for stochastic systems
Authors: Zhang Xian‐Ming , Han Qing‐Long
Published: September 2013

This paper is concerned with network‐based H ∞  stabilization for stochastic systems, where network‐induced delays, packet dropouts, and packet disorders are taken into account simultaneously. The packet disorders arising from both the sampler‐to‐controller channel and the controller‐to‐actuator channel are considered by introducing a logic controller and a logic zero‐order hold. The network‐induced delays and packet dropouts are modeled as a constant delay plus a non‐differentiable time‐varying delay in the input. By employing Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional approach, we establish results that parallel well‐known bounded real Lemmas. More specifically, these results provide conditions to bound the H ∞  level of the system, which means the worst case energy of the output of the system when subjected to a unitary norm deterministic disturbance signal. On the basis of these results, suitable network‐based H ∞  controllers are designed by using cone complementary linearization method. An air vehicle system is finally taken as an example to show the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of gender and race in the relation between adolescent distress tolerance and externalizing and internalizing psychopathology
Authors: Daughters Stacey B. , Gorka Stephanie M. , Magidson Jessica F. , MacPherson Laura , Seitz‐Brown C.J.
Published: September 2013

Distress tolerance (DT) is an established construct contributing to the onset and maintenance of psychopathology in adulthood; however, few studies have examined the role of DT in older adolescent psychopathology. Emerging data suggest that gender and race may influence this relation. Therefore, the current study examined the relation between gender, race, and DT on parent‐reported internalizing and externalizing DSM‐oriented symptoms among a community sample of 128, 14–18 year old adolescents. Results indicated a moderating effect of gender on affective problems, such that females with low DT, but not males, displayed significantly greater affective problems. Findings also indicated a significant moderating effect of race, such that Caucasians with low DT, but not African Americans, displayed significantly higher somatic, oppositional defiant, and conduct problems. These findings suggest that DT is an important clinical variable in older adolescence, particularly among Caucasians and females.
Global well-posedness and exponential decay rates for a KdV–Burgers equation with indefinite damping
Authors: Cavalcanti M.M. , Domingos Cavalcanti V.N. , Komornik V. , Rodrigues J.H.
Published: September 2013

We consider the KdV–Burgers equation

u_{t} + u_{xxx}−u_{xx} + \lambda u + uu_{x} = 0

and its linearized version

u_{t} + u_{xxx}−u_{xx} + \lambda u = 0

on the whole real line. We investigate their well-posedness their exponential stability when

λ

is an indefinite damping.
Almost reduction and perturbation of matrix cocycles
Authors: Bochi Jairo , Navas Andrés
Published: September 2013

In this note, we show that if all Lyapunov exponents of a matrix cocycle vanish, then it can be perturbed to become cohomologous to a cocycle taking values in the orthogonal group. This extends a result of Avila, Bochi and Damanik to general base dynamics and arbitrary dimension. We actually prove a fibered version of this result, and apply it to study the existence of dominated splittings into conformal subbundles for general matrix cocycles.
Subcellular localization of the pyoverdine biogenesis machinery of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A membrane‐associated “siderosome”
Authors: Imperi Francesco , Visca Paolo
Published: September 2013

The peptidic siderophore pyoverdine is the primary iron uptake system of fluorescent pseudomonads, and a virulence factor in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pyoverdine biogenesis is a co‐ordinate process requiring several precursor‐generating enzymes and large nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) in the cytoplasm, followed by extracytoplasmic maturation. By using cell fractionation, protein–protein interaction, and in vivo labeling assays we obtained evidence that, in P. aeruginosa, pyoverdine NRPSs assemble with precursor‐generating enzymes into a membrane‐bound multi‐enzymatic complex, for which we propose the name “siderosome”. The pyoverdine biogenetic complex represents a novel example of subcellular compartmentalization of a secondary metabolic pathway in prokaryotes.