bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of
RNA
‐Induced Toxicity in Diseases Characterised by
CAG
Repeat Expansions
Authors: Schilling Judith , Griesche Nadine , Krauß Sybille 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

Expansion disorders involving the trinucleotide CAG (cytosine–adenine–guanine) cause diverse progressive neurodegenerative phenotypes. The expanded CAG repeat can be located in the coding region, where it is translated into extended polyglutamine stretches or in the untranslated region (UTR) of the respective gene. The polyglutamine diseases are characterised by aggregate formation of polyglutamine protein, a process that is widely believed to play a role in disease development. In addition, there is emerging evidence showing that RNA (ribonucleic acid)‐mediated mechanisms also contribute to neurotoxicity in both polyglutamine diseases and diseases caused by elongated CAG repeat motifs in the UTR. Structurally, RNA with an expanded CAG repeat differs from normal RNA with a physiological CAG repeat stretch: expanded CAG repeat RNAs (CAG
ex
RNAs) fold into hairpin structures that increase in size and stability with increasing CAG repeat numbers. This article discusses how RNA molecules with expanded CAG repeats can execute abnormal functions that contribute to disease development.

Key Concepts

Several neurodegenerative diseases are caused by CAG trinucleotide repeat expansions.

Pathologically expanded CAG repeat mRNAs fold into hairpin structures, which bind to and sequester diverse proteins.

RNA‐mediated mechanisms contribute to neurotoxicity.

RNA‐mediated neurotoxic functions depend on the subcellular localisation of the RNA, including cytosolic, nuclear and nucleolar mechanisms.

Targeting pathologically expanded CAG repeat mRNAs represents a promising therapeutic approach for treating CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders.
Anatomical Relationship Between the Kidney Collecting System and the Intrarenal Arteries in the Sheep: Contribution for a New Urological Model
Authors: Buys‐Gonçalves Gabriela Faria , De Souza Diogo Benchimol , Sampaio Francisco José Barcellos , Pereira‐Sampaio Marco Aurélio 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTPrevious studies have demonstrated that the pig collecting system heals after partial nephrectomy without closure. Recently, a study in sheep showed that partial nephrectomy without closure of the collecting system resulted in urinary leakage and urinoma. The aim of this study was to present detailed anatomical findings on the intrarenal anatomy of the sheep. Forty two kidneys were used to produce tridimensional endocasts of the collecting system together with the intrarenal arteries. A renal pelvis which displayed 11–19 (mean of 16) renal recesses was present. There were no calices present. The renal artery was singular in each kidney and gave two primary branches one to the dorsal surface and one to ventral surface. Dorsal and ventral branches of the renal artery were classified based on the relationship between their branching pattern and the collecting system as: type I (cranial and caudal segmental arteries), type II (cranial, middle and caudal segmental arteries) or type III (cranial, cranial middle, caudal middle, and caudal segmental arteries). Type I was the most common branching pattern for the dorsal and ventral branches of the renal artery. The arterial supply of the caudal pole of the sheep kidney supports its use as an experimental model due to the similarity to the human kidney. However, the lack of a retropelvic artery discourages the use of the cranial pole in experiments in which the arteries are an important aspect to be considered. Anat Rec, 299:405–411, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Remedy for the Overzealous Bonferroni Technique for Multiple Statistical Tests
Authors: Drezner Zvi , Drezner Taly Dawn 
Published: January 2016

AbstractEcological research often involves multiple statistical tests. It is common practice to employ the Bonferroni technique or its more advanced sequential variant for such multiple tests. Indeed, Moran (Oikos, 100, 2003, 403) found that 13% of ecological papers apply this technique. The seminal paper by Rice (Evolution, 43, 1989, 223) that introduced this technique to the ecological community, is cited to date over 12 000 times. However, these techniques are conservative and some null hypotheses that should be rejected are not. Using order statistics we find that significant results are correlated even when the data consist of independent events. The Bonferroni methods assume independent significant results which results in Type II error with their application. We propose a simple approach, which we term the correlated Bonferroni technique, to rectify this shortcoming, which reduces rejection of significant results. Ecologists may be able to confirm the significance of their results while they are unable to confirm it using the original Bonferroni technique. Researchers may revisit their projects and find that significant results were mistakenly ignored. We provide an Excel file (see supplement) that researchers can easily use. We illustrate the correlated Bonferroni technique with an example.
Preparation of Carbon‐Nanotube‐supported TiO2 for Enhanced Dye‐degrading Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Kim Sung Phil , Choi Hyun Chul 
Published: January 2016

Titanium dioxide–carbon nanotube (TiO2‐CNT) nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by a sol–gel method. The prepared TiO2‐CNT samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The photocatalytic activity of the samples was tested by photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) in aqueous solution under UV‐light irradiation. In the photocatalytic results, the TiO2‐CNTs, as compared to the pristine TiO2
and commercial P25 TiO2
photocatalysts, exhibited the fastest degradation performance in both dye solutions. The TiO2‐CNTs’ apparent rate constants were 0.0232 and 0.0214 min–1 in the MB and MO solutions, respectively, both of which are approximately 5 times greater than that for the commercial P25 TiO2
(MB: 0.0046 min–1, MO: 0.0043 min–1). And as for the estimated electron‐transfer resistance (Rct) results from the ac impedance spectra, the values increased in the following order: TiO2‐CNT < P25 TiO2
< pristine TiO2
, indicating that CNTs can serve as electron‐transmitting paths, thus suppressing the recombination rate of photogenerated electron/hole pairs. Moreover, the degree of photodegradation inhibition was insignificant in the presence of interfering anion species (1000‐fold).
Young investigator challenge: Atypia of undetermined significance in thyroid FNA: Standardized terminology without standardized management—a closer look at repeat FNA and quality measures
Authors: Brandler Tamar C. , Aziz Mohamed S. , Coutsouvelis Constantinos , Rosen Lisa , Rafael Oana C. , Souza Fabiola , Jelloul Fatima‐Zahra , Klein Melissa A. 
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUNDThe Bethesda system (TBS) for the reporting of thyroid cytopathology established the category of atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) with a 7% target rate and a 5% to 15% implied malignancy risk. Recent literature has reported a broad range of AUS rates, subsequent malignancy rates, and discrepant results from repeat fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) versus surgical follow‐up. Therefore, this study examined AUS data from the Hofstra North Shore–LIJ School of Medicine to determine the best clinical follow‐up.METHODSThyroid aspirates interpreted as AUS in 2012‐2014 at the Hofstra North Shore–LIJ School of Medicine were collected. Repeat FNA and surgical follow‐up data were tabulated to establish AUS, secondary AUS (diagnosed upon repeat FNA follow‐up of a primary FNA AUS diagnosis), atypia of undetermined significance/malignancy (AUS:M) ratios (according to the TBS categories), and malignancy rates for AUS.RESULTSThe AUS rate was 8.5% (976/11,481), and there was follow‐up data for 545 cases. The AUS:M ratio was 2.0. Repeat FNA was performed for 281 cases; 57 proceeded to surgical intervention. Repeat FNA reclassified 71.17% of the cases. The malignancy rates for AUS cases proceeding directly to surgery and for those receiving a surgical intervention after a repeat AUS diagnosis were 33.33% and 43.75%, respectively.CONCLUSIONSRepeat FNA resulted in definitive diagnostic reclassification for 67.61% of primary AUS cases and reduced the number of patients triaged to surgery, with 56.58% of the cases recategorized as benign. Cases undergoing surgery after repeat AUS had a higher malignancy rate than those going straight to surgery, and this emphasizes the value of repeat FNA in selecting surgical candidates. In addition, this study highlights the utility of AUS rate monitoring as a quality measure that has contributed to the ability of the Hofstra North Shore–LIJ School of Medicine to adhere closely to TBS recommendations. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2016;124:37‐43. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
LogP measurement of a highly hydrophobic properfume: evaluation of extrapolation of RP‐HPLC results and impact of chemical moieties on accuracy
Authors: Begnaud F. , Larcinese J.‐P. , Fankhauser P. , Maddalena U. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe n‐octanol/water partition coefficient (LogP) of a chemical substance is a key parameter for assessing its potential (eco)‐toxicological effects and environmental fate. To measure the LogP of properfume Haloscent®D (expected LogP > 9), no direct measurement technique can be applied and the reliability of in silico models is impaired by the absence of robust datasets in the high LogP range. Indirect method using reversed‐phase‐HPLC (RP‐HPLC) is promising but we demonstrate that the lack of suitable standards lead to significant discrepancy and poor accuracy.Extrapolation of the correlation between the RP‐HPLC retention factor (logk) of low‐carbon chain homologues and their LogP measured by slow‐stir method has been studied. To select the most suitable standards, the impact of specific moiety representative of Haloscent®D (linear alkyl chain, delta‐damascone moiety, thioether function) on the logk vs. estimated LogP has been checked on different molecules and it was demonstrated that the alkyl chain had the most impact on this correlation. The stability in the molecular conformation of Haloscent®D homologue series was also verified to ensure that no folding occurred as from a certain alkyl chain length, and that consequently extrapolation is feasible up to Haloscent®D. Accuracy of the extrapolated LogP value was calculated from the prediction interval of the logk vs. LogP regression. The LogP of the Haloscent®D was concluded to be 9.7 ± 0.5. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Root cause diagnosis in error‐propagating networks
Authors: Seo Eunsoo , Dogan Gulustan , Abdelzaher Tarek , Brown Theodore 
Published: January 2016

AbstractVarious types of errors can propagate in networks, and they are usually hard to diagnose. For example, social networks spread rumors as well as useful information. Computer networks can spread Internet worms or malicious packets. In many cases, it is very hard to find the root cause (a.k.a. initial rumor spreader) of such errors without complete knowledge of the error propagation. We aim to find the root cause node when there is limited information about error propagation. We assume that there are very small number of monitor nodes in the network reporting whether error reached them or not. With this assumption, we first propose an algorithm that finds the most probable root cause node. Second, to improve the accuracy of root cause analysis, we propose another algorithm that makes use of timestamp of error reception. Finally, we study how to select monitors effectively so that root cause analysis can be accurate. With real networks from various domains, our algorithms are shown to be very effective. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eastern whip‐poor‐will breeding ecology in relation to habitat management in a pitch pine–scrub oak barren
Authors: Akresh Michael E. , King David I. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTNumerous wildlife species are dependent on the creation and maintenance of early successional forests, yet little is known about the effects of habitat management on some threatened species. One such species is the eastern whip‐poor‐will (Antrostomus vociferous), a nocturnal bird of conservation concern. We examined the effects of heavy thinning, mowing, burning, and herbicide treatments on this species by conducting point counts and nest searches on a pitch pine–scrub oak (Pinus rigida–Quercus ilicifolia) barren in western Massachusetts, USA, between 2006 and 2013. Our point‐count data showed that the abundance of calling birds was greater in managed shrublands such as scrub oak barrens and heavily thinned pitch pine stands, compared to closed‐canopy pitch pine and deciduous forest. We found a high number of whip‐poor‐will nests (n = 26) and roosts (n = 59), which we located primarily within managed shrublands. We did not search for nests in closed‐canopy forests, and we were unable to determine the extent of their use of the forest edge for nesting. Nevertheless, birds selected nest sites under residual deciduous trees within the early successional forests; therefore, canopy cover appears to be important for nest placement at the nest‐patch spatial scale, but not necessarily at a broader scale. Nests were found in both dense and sparse understory vegetation; none were found in vegetation patches that were <2 years since treatment. Estimated nest survival was 63% through incubation (daily survival rate = 0.977, n = 21), consistent with other published studies of nightjars in the United States and Canada. Creating and maintaining open‐canopy early successional forests in pitch pine–scrub oak barrens, with the retention of some residual deciduous trees, should increase the amount of habitat suitable for courtship, roosting, and nesting by eastern whip‐poor‐wills. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Peer group impulsivity moderated the individual‐level relationship between depressive symptoms and adolescent nonsuicidal self‐injury
Authors: You Jianing , Zheng Chuhua , Lin Min‐Pei , Leung Freedom 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTThis study examined the influence of impulsive friendship group contexts on nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) and how peer group impulsivity (i.e. negative urgency and premeditation) moderated the individual level relationship between depression and NSSI among 1701 Chinese secondary school students (1147 females). Participants were assessed twice over a 6‐month interval. After controlling for direct socialization effects for NSSI, multilevel analysis indicated that friendship group negative urgency exerted a significant influence on NSSI. Additionally, friendship group premeditation weakened the relation between individual depression and NSSI, while friendship group negative urgency strengthened the relation between depression and NSSI. The results suggest the contribution of indirect peer influence effects to NSSI.
SYMMETRIES IN MODAL LOGICS
Authors: ARECES CARLOS , ORBE EZEQUIEL 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn this paper we develop the theoretical foundations to exploit symmetries in modal logics. We generalize the notion of symmetries of propositional formulas in conjunctive normal form to modal formulas using the framework provided by coinductive modal models introduced in [5]. Hence, the results apply to a wide class of modal logics including, for example, hybrid logics. We present two graph constructions that enable the reduction of symmetry detection in modal formulas to the graph automorphism detection problem, and we evaluate the graph constructions on modal benchmarks.
The Spanish quest for Empire
Authors: Dillehay Tom , Deagan Kathleen 
Published: January 2016

Observance of the Columbus Quincentenary has greatest relevance when focused on historical processes at a global scale. Nevertheless, American events and circumstances of the contact period have not received from archaeologists the attention given to the more pre-Hispanic Aztec and Inca.The 16th-century efforts of Spain, and other western European powers, to extend empire overseas into the Americas led to a frontier-state expansion and confrontation among vastly different cultures. Colliding with each other and with powerful indigenous societies, the Spanish established the most extensive empire in the New World (FIGURE 1). The outcome shaped the destiny of America, Spain and the world.
Lessons from the Canaries: the first contact between Europeans and Canarians c. 1312–1477
Authors: Gaspar Antonio Tejera , Vallejo Eduardo Aznar 
Published: January 2016

The first contacts between the prehistoric cultures of the Canary Islands and western civilization occurred in the European expansion of the late Middle Ages. Their ultimate colonization was intimately related to this expansion, driven by new economic forms, including ‘commercial capitalism’ or ‘pre-capitalism’, which affected economic and intellectual structures throughout Europe, the economic characterized from then on by innovation, risk and increasing turnover; and the intellectual by the concept of ‘profit’ in place of ‘service’.The practical transition can be seen in the technology that supported expansion: transport (new types of ships, cartography, systems of navigation, etc.); financial systems (nonmonetary payment, insurance, commercial credit, etc.); and mercantile institutions (commercial societies, consulates, postal services, etc.).
Suppression technique for discrete polarisation‐dependent loss in a polarisation modulated link
Authors: Hutchinson M.N. , Thompson K.E. , Frigo N.J. 
Published: January 2016

A link employing a polarisation modulator aligned for intensity modulation applications is presented in which a discrete source of polarisation‐dependent loss (PDL) is mitigated by intentionally altering the bias phase point of the link. The experimental data is verified by an earlier theoretical approach which describes a discrete PDL impairment in an otherwise ideal RF photonic link. The cancellation technique provided as much as 20 dB suppression of second‐order distortion in the link.
Miniature 60 GHz CMOS dual balun with excellent amplitude and phase properties
Authors: Lin Yo‐Sheng , Lin Yun‐Wen 
Published: January 2016

A miniature CMOS dual balun which can be applied to a star mixer or a power amplifier for four‐way equal power dividing is reported. Compared with the four output coupled lines, the input coupled line has two‐fold metal width to achieve ideal coupling coefficient of 0.408. This is the way to achieve nearly perfect input‐port impedance matching and output‐port transmission properties. The dual balun occupies a small chip area of 0.0252 mm2 and achieves S11 smaller than −12 dB for frequencies of 50–110 GHz. For frequencies of 55–65 GHz, the dual balun achieves excellent S21 of −7.6∼−7.9 dB, S31 of −7.9∼−9 dB, S41 of −7.5∼−7.9 dB, S51 of −7.8∼−8.9 dB, magnitude of amplitude imbalance (MAI) of 0.34–1.1 dB and phase difference (PD) of 179.22°–180.78° for ports 2–3 and MAI of 0.3–1 dB and PD of 178.83°–180.48° for ports 4–5. The state‐of‐the‐art results of the dual balun indicate that it is suitable for millimetre‐wave systems.
Sensorless model predictive control scheme of wind‐driven doubly fed induction generator in dc microgrid
Authors: Bayhan Sertac , Abu‐Rub Haitham , Ellabban Omar 
Published: January 2016

This study presents a novel sensorless model predictive control (MPC) strategy of a wind‐driven doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) connected to a dc microgrid. In this configuration, the stator is directly connected to the dc microgrid through a diode rectifier, and the rotor is fed by only a voltage source converter (VSC). This connection structure brings considerable benefits such as simple control scheme and reduced power converter cost. In order to obtain sensorless operation, a simple and effective sensorless position detection technique has been proposed. It is based on the detection of the stator frequency, and it is designed to operate without any machine parameters. Thus, the proposed sensorless method offers as a model‐free solution. In addition, the MPC strategy has been used as a current controller to overcome the weaknesses of the inner control loop and to consider the discrete‐time operation of the VSC. The proposed control system is robust against machine parameters, speed, and load variations. To verify the dynamic and steady‐state performances of the proposed sensorless MPC scheme under various speed and load conditions, experimental studies are performed with 6.4 kW DFIG. Experimental results aim to show that the proposed sensorless MPC strategy works properly at steady state and in transient.
The Effects of Obesity on Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Jackson Keith L. , Devine John G. 
Published: January 2016

Study Design Literature review. Objective The aim of this literature review is to examine the effects of obesity on postoperative complications and functional outcomes after spine surgery. Methods A review of the relevant literature examining the effects of obesity and spine surgery was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases. Results Obesity contributes to disk degeneration and low back pain and potentially increases the risk of developing operative pathology. Obese patients undergoing spine surgery have a higher risk of developing postoperative complications, particularly surgical site infection and venous thromboembolism. Though functional outcomes in this population may not mirror the general population, the treatment effect associated with surgery is at least equivalent if not better in obese individuals. This reduction is primarily due to worse outcomes associated with nonoperative treatment in the obese population. Conclusion Obese individuals represent a unique patient population with respect to nonoperative treatment, postoperative complication rates, and functional outcomes. However, given the equivalent or greater treatment effect of surgery, this comorbidity should not prohibit obese patients from undergoing operative intervention. Future investigations in this area should attempt to develop strategies to minimize complications and improve outcomes in obese individuals and also examine the role of controlled weight loss preoperatively to mitigate these risks.