bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Psychometric Properties of the Test for Creative Thinking—Drawing Production: Evidence from Study in Latvia
Authors: Kālis Emīls , Roķe Līga , Krūmiņa Indra 
Published: June 2014

The Test for Creative Thinking—Drawing Production (TCT‐DP) is designed as an effective drawing‐based instrument for measuring creative potential. Many studies report adaptation efforts in other cultures pointing out good psychometric properties of the instrument nonetheless revealing also some trouble spots. The present study includes adaptation of TCT‐DP in Latvia and investigation of psychometric properties of the instrument such as measurement invariance between forms, sequence effect, gender differences, and factor structure of criteria employing methodology of structural equation modeling. Two samples were involved in the study—9th‐grade students (n = 300) and 15‐year‐old 9th‐grade students (n = 200). Results indicate that trained judges are able to achieve high reliability in evaluation of TCT‐DP total score and all criteria if some criteria are divided into subcategories. It was also found that TCT‐DP has measurement invariance between both forms but has small effect sizes regarding gender differences and method sequence. Observed differences of TCT‐DP total scores between the Latvian sample and relevant samples from Germany and Hong Kong could be considered as trivial. The study also revealed that, following original instructions, some test criteria had strong interdependence and therefore strategies in the evaluation process reducing interdependencies between criteria should be considered in future studies on the structure of TCT‐DP.
The prevalence of Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pringsheim Tamara , Jette Nathalie , Frolkis Alexandra , Steeves Thomas D.L. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractParkinson's Disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder. We sought to synthesize studies on the prevalence of PD to obtain an overall view of how the prevalence of this disease varies by age, by sex, and by geographic location. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for epidemiological studies of PD from 1985 to 2010. Data were analyzed by age group, geographic location, and sex. Geographic location was stratified by the following groups: 1) Asia, 2) Africa, 3) South America, and 4) Europe/North America/Australia. Meta‐regression was used to determine whether a significant difference was present between groups. Forty‐seven studies were included in the analysis. Meta‐analysis of the worldwide data showed a rising prevalence of PD with age (all per 100,000): 41 in 40 to 49 years; 107 in 50 to 59 years; 173 in 55 to 64 years; 428 in 60 to 69 years; 425 in 65 to 74 years; 1087 in 70 to 79 years; and 1903 in older than age 80. A significant difference was seen in prevalence by geographic location only for individuals 70 to 79 years old, with a prevalence of 1,601 in individuals from North America, Europe, and Australia, compared with 646 in individuals from Asia (P < 0.05). A significant difference in prevalence by sex was found only for individuals 50 to 59 years old, with a prevalence of 41 in females and 134 in males (P < 0.05). PD prevalence increases steadily with age. Some differences in prevalence by geographic location and sex can be detected. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Suprathreshold odor intensity perception in early‐stage Parkinson's disease
Authors: Doty Richard L. , Beals Evan , Osman Allen , Dubroff Jacob , Chung Inna , Leon‐Sarmiento Fidias E. , Hurtig Howard , Ying Gui‐Shuang 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundWhether Parkinson's disease (PD) influences suprathreshold changes in perceived odor intensity is unknown. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, patients with schizophrenia, and the elderly, such perception is reportedly normal. If generally true, this could reflect a core element of the olfactory system insulated to some degree from age‐ and disease‐related pathological conditions.MethodsOdor intensity ratings for pentyl acetate were obtained from 29 early‐stage PD patients when on and off dopamine‐related medications (DRMs) and from 29 matched controls.ResultsThe ratings were significantly attenuated at the higher odorant concentrations, with the degree of attenuation associated with overall olfactory dysfunction. Ratings were higher on the right than on the left side of the nose of both patients and controls. No associations with DRMs, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores, or striatal dopamine transporter imaging were found.ConclusionsParkinson's disease (PD) influences suprathreshold estimates of perceived odor intensity, negating the notion that such perception might be spared in this disease. No association with dopaminergic processes was apparent. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
NMR molecular dynamics study of chromonic liquid crystals Edicol Sunset Yellow doped with salts
Authors: de Almeida Martins João P. , Chávez Fabián Vaca , Sebastião Pedro J. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractWe investigate the effect of monoatomic salts on the molecular dynamics in the nematic and isotropic phases formed by the chromonic liquid crystal Edicol Sunset Yellow. The study was carried out using proton nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry. To analyse the effect of incorporation of additional sodium chloride or lithium chloride on the solutions’ molecular dynamics, the spin‐lattice relaxation time was measured for Larmor frequencies between 10kHz and 100MHz. In the nematic phase, the presence of additional sodium or lithium ions seems to contribute to an increase of the rotations/reorientations correlation times in comparison with the mixture without extra ions. The collective motions detected by proton NMR relaxometry are associated with collective fluctuations of molecules within the stacks in the nematic phase and with order parameter fluctuations in the isotropic phase. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modification of hydrophilic channels in Nafion membranes by DMBA: Mechanism and effects on proton conductivity
Authors: Wang Rujie , Yan Xiaoming , Wu Xuemei , He Gaohong , Du Lin , Hu Zhengwen , Tan Ming 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTModification of proton conductive channels (PCCs) in Nafion has been achieved with the assistance of 3, 4‐dimethylbenzaldehyde (DMBA). During annealing, ionic clusters develop from small isolated spheres (1.72 nm) to wide continuous channels (5.15 nm), and the crystallinity of Nafion/DMBA membranes is also improved from 17% to 32% as shown by X‐ray diffraction. Molecular dynamic simulation reveals that hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction between DMBA and Nafion work synergistically to achieve better phase separation. The morphology–property relationship shows that, versus various PCCs width, the corresponding proton conductivities vary greatly from 0.079 to 0.139 S/cm at 80 °C. By carefully tuning the width of PCCs, the proton conductivity shows an improvement of 22–34% as compared with pristine Nafion. A significant enhancement on the maximum power density is achieved for the membrane electrode assembly on Nafion/DMBA‐8h (as high as 1018 mW/cm−2), yielding an enhancement of 39% on pristine Nafion‐8h (730 mW/cm−2). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 52, 1107–1117
A maximum entropy approach to the study of residue‐specific backbone angle distributions in α‐synuclein, an intrinsically disordered protein
Authors: Mantsyzov Alexey B. , Maltsev Alexander S. , Ying Jinfa , Shen Yang , Hummer Gerhard , Bax Ad 
Published: June 2014

Abstractα‐Synuclein is an intrinsically disordered protein of 140 residues that switches to an α‐helical conformation upon binding phospholipid membranes. We characterize its residue‐specific backbone structure in free solution with a novel maximum entropy procedure that integrates an extensive set of NMR data. These data include intraresidue and sequential HNHα and HNHN NOEs, values for 3JHNHα, 1JHαCα, 2JCαN, and 1JCαN, as well as chemical shifts of 15N, 13Cα, and 13C′ nuclei, which are sensitive to backbone torsion angles. Distributions of these torsion angles were identified that yield best agreement to the experimental data, while using an entropy term to minimize the deviation from statistical distributions seen in a large protein coil library. Results indicate that although at the individual residue level considerable deviations from the coil library distribution are seen, on average the fitted distributions agree fairly well with this library, yielding a moderate population (20–30%) of the PPII region and a somewhat higher population of the potentially aggregation‐prone β region (20–40%) than seen in the database. A generally lower population of the αR region (10–20%) is found. Analysis of 1H1H NOE data required consideration of the considerable backbone diffusion anisotropy of a disordered protein.
Induced resistance by oxidative shifts in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) following Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) herbivory
Authors: Kaur Rimaljeet , Gupta Anil K , Taggar Gaurav K 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDOxidative responses in leaves, developing seeds and the pod wall of nine pigeonpea genotypes were investigated against Helicoverpa armigera feeding. Out of nine genotypes, four were moderately resistant, three were intermediate and two were moderately susceptible genotypes.RESULTSA significant shift in the oxidative status of pigeonpea following herbivory was depicted by the upregulation of diamine oxidase (DAO), polyamine oxidase (PAO) and lipoxygenase 2 (LOX 2) activities. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity was significantly higher in the infested pod wall and leaves of moderately resistant genotypes than in those of moderately susceptible genotypes. H. armigera infestation markedly enhanced phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and tyrosine ammonia lyase (TAL) activities in wounded tissues. The decline in ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity and ascorbate content was lower in moderately resistant genotypes than in moderately susceptible genotypes. A significant decrease in LOX 3 activity was also observed in the infested pod wall of moderately resistant and intermediate genotypes. A lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content and higher proline content of the infested pod wall and developing seeds was observed. Higher activities of PPO, PAL and proline content in leaves of uninfested moderately resistant genotypes could either be an unrelated observation or alternatively could help in identifying H. armigera‐resistant genotypes.CONCLUSIONThe increase in activities of PPO, DAO, PAO, PAL and TAL and higher proline and lower MDA content upon herbivory suggested their integrated contribution in providing resistance to pigeonpea against H. armigera. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Automated data analysis
Authors: Shyr Jing , Spisic Damir 
Published: June 2014

What do the data say? Why should we care? The insights of the data are our guiding angels for the decision‐making process. Organizations that are successfully able to embrace and evangelize analytics have been able to differentiate themselves from their competition. Where do the insights come from? Insights are extracted from the data through analytics. Did you know that 1.5 million data savvy managers and analysts will be needed in the next 5 years to drive decisions? With a lot of discussion about big data in the past few years, we know that data volume is increasing, the speed of data collection is faster than ever, data types can be really different, and that data veracity is a concern. Companies are already feeling the growing talent gap of people who can manage and manipulate big data to generate valuable business insights. Automated data analysis is the initial step to relieve the burden from humans. It provides a systematic process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, suggesting conclusions and supporting decision making for further analysis. In this article, we will use examples to demonstrate how automated data analysis can be done and what values it will bring to the knowledge consumers. We will also discuss why automated data analysis is important to big data analytics. In the summary, we will discuss the possibility of further research directions. WIREs Comput Stat 2014, 6:359–366. doi: 10.1002/wics.1318This article is categorized under:

Software for Computational Statistics > Software/Statistical Software
Software for Computational Statistics > Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems
Identification and characterization of the spiruchostatin biosynthetic gene cluster enable yield improvement by overexpressing a transcriptional activator
Authors: Potharla Vishwakanth Y , Wang Cheng , Cheng Yi-Qiang 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Spiruchostatins A and B are members of the FK228-family of natural products with potent histone deacetylase inhibitory activities and antineoplastic activities. However, their production in the wild-type strain of Pseudomonas sp. Q71576 is low. To improve the yield, the spiruchostatin biosynthetic gene cluster (spi) was first identified by rapid genome sequencing and characterized by genetic mutations. This spi gene cluster encodes a hybrid biosynthetic pathway similar to that encoded by the FK228 biosynthetic gene cluster (dep) in Chromobacterium violaceum No. 968. Each gene cluster contains a pathway regulatory gene (spiR vs. depR), but these two genes encode transcriptional activators of different classes. Overexpression of native spiR or heterologous depR in the wild-type strain of Pseudomonas sp. Q71576 resulted in 268 or 1,285 % increase of the combined titer of spiruchostatins A and B, respectively. RT-PCR analysis indicates that overexpression of heterologous depR upregulates the expression of native spiR.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Scanning and Expression of the Pig PPARGC1A Gene in Different Breeds
Authors: Li Qinggang , Wang Zhixiu , Zhang Bo , Lu Yunfeng , Yang Yuzeng , Ban Dongmei , Wu Changxin , Zhang Hao 
Published: July 2014

AbstractPeroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator 1‐alpha (PPARGC1A) is a candidate gene for lean meat production because it plays a key role in lipid metabolism. In this study, SNPs within the porcine PPARGC1A gene were investigated using PCR‐sequencing and PCR‐RFLP. Quantitative real‐time PCR and Western blot were then used to analyze mRNA and protein expression in longissimus dorsi muscle (LM), liver, and backfat tissues of Dianna small‐ear pigs (DSP, n = 6), Tibetan pigs (TP, n = 6), and large white pigs (LW, n = 6). Five novel SNPs (g.−1269A>G in the 5′‐upstream regulatory region; g.190C>T, g.218C>A and g.234C>A in exon 8; and g.20C>T in intron 10) and three previously identified SNPs (g.417A>T in exon 8; g.56C>A in exon 9; and g.34G>A in intron 9) were found. Of these, only two, g.−1269A>G and g.234C>A, had three different genotypes in the three breeds (DSP, n = 63; TP, n = 51; and LW, n = 52). Expression was highest in LM, modest in the liver, and minimal in backfat. In LM tissue, LW had higher mRNA and protein levels than DSP and TP (P < 0.05), and there was a negative correlation between gene expression and intramuscular fat (IMF) content. LW had numerically higher expression in liver and backfat tissues than DSP and TP, and the differences in protein levels were significant (P < 0.05 in liver, P < 0.01 in backfat). In conclusion, PPARGC1A may play a key role in down‐regulating lipid deposition, and the SNPs with differential genotype distribution among the three pig breeds may be related to gene expression and fat deposition.
Effects of Phosphatidylcholine on Interaction of α‐Tocopherol and β‐Carotene in Photosensitized Oxidation of Emulsions
Authors: Lee Yoosung , Lee Edwald , Choe Eunok 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe interaction between α‐tocopherol (500 mg/kg) and β‐carotene (10 mg/kg) during chlorophyll‐photosensitized oxidation of a sunflower oil emulsion was studied in the presence or absence of phosphatidylcholine (PC, 250 mg/kg) by determining peroxide (POV) and conjugated dienoic acid (CDA) values. Chlorophyll, α‐tocopherol, β‐carotene, and PC contents in the emulsion were also monitored. α‐Tocopherol and β‐carotene individually and interactively decreased the POV and CDA values of oil in the emulsion by singlet oxygen quenching. PC decreased the POV and CDA values of oil, however, the values of the emulsion with added α‐tocopherol, β‐carotene, and PC were not significantly different from those of the emulsion with added α‐tocopherol and β‐carotene without PC. Contents of α‐tocopherol did not change during 24‐h oxidation, whereas co‐present PC significantly caused α‐tocopherol and chlorophyll degradation. β‐Carotene and PC contents significantly decreased to 45.5 and 51.3 %, respectively, after 24 h, and α‐tocopherol protected β‐carotene from degradation. The results suggest that PC had no net effects on the interactive antioxidant activity of α‐tocopherol and β‐carotene during chlorophyll‐photosensitized oxidation of the emulsion through free radical generation, chlorophyll degradation, and lessening the potency of α‐tocopherol as a singlet oxygen quencher.
Risk of herpes zoster among diabetics: a matched cohort study in a US insurance claim database before introduction of vaccination, 1997–2006
Authors: Guignard A. P. , Greenberg M. , Lu C. , Rosillon D. , Vannappagari V. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Purpose
To assess whether diabetes is a risk factor for herpes zoster (HZ).

Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Integrated Health Care Information Services database, during the period 1997–2006. A type I diabetes cohort, a type II diabetes cohort and two non-diabetic cohorts matched for date of enrolment and duration of follow-up were defined. HZ and diabetes were defined using a combination of ICD-9 and prescription drug codes. Individuals with immunosuppressive conditions or treatments were excluded. Cox Proportional Hazards regression analysis using a stepwise method with backward elimination was applied to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) of HZ, including age, gender and co-morbidities as covariates.

Results
The study population comprised 380,401 and 20,397 type II and type I diabetic subjects respectively, as well as 1,521,604 and 81,588 matched controls. The median ages were 55, 35, 33 and 29 years, respectively. HZ incidence was 4.59, 2.13, 1.97, and 1.82 per 1,000 person-years, respectively. There was no evidence of an impact of type I diabetes on the risk of HZ. Type II diabetes was associated with an increased risk for HZ in subjects ≥65 (HR 3.12; 95 % CI 2.77–3.52, adjusted for gender) and in subjects between 40 and 64 (HR 1.51; 95 % CI 1.42–1.61) years of age. Cardiac disease and chronic pulmonary disease were also risk factors (HR 1.92; 95 % CI 1.73–2.13 and HR 1.52; 95 % CI 1.38–1.67) in non-diabetic subjects.

Conclusions
This study suggests that type II diabetes is associated with an increased risk of developing HZ, which was particularly high in adults 65 years and older and moderately increased in adults under 65 years of age.
Study of quality of life in epilepsy patients with psychiatric co-morbidities using QOLIE-31
Authors: Amruth Gujjar , Srikanteswara Praveen-kumar , Nataraju Boraiah , Kasturi Pandiyan 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackground Epilepsy is a neurological condition affecting both the sexes in all age groups and is associated with psychiatric co-morbid conditions. There is a paucity of available published data regarding psychiatric co-morbid conditions and quality of life in patients with Epilepsy (PWE) from developing countries.Methods We evaluated the quality of life in 80 PWE, 80 with asthma (asthma control subjects: AC) and 80 normal healthy patients (normal control subjects: NC) using the QOLIE-31 item inventory.Results Psychiatric co-morbid conditions are more common in PWE (32.50%) as compared to the AC (17.5%) and NC (7.5%). The quality of life in PWE was significantly lower when compared to control subjects and it was further low in the presence of co-morbid psychiatric disorders.Conclusion Co-morbid psychiatric disorders should be identified and documented in PWE and treating these disorders apart from the control of seizures may significantly improve their quality of life.
Coalition Against Major Diseases/European Medicines Agency biomarker qualification of hippocampal volume for enrichment of clinical trials in predementia stages of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Hill Derek L.G. , Schwarz Adam J. , Isaac Maria , Pani Luca , Vamvakas Spiros , Hemmings Robert , Carrillo Maria C. , Yu Peng , Sun Jia , Beckett Laurel , Boccardi Marina , Brewer James , Brumfield Martha , Cantillon Marc , Cole Patricia E. , Fox Nick , Frisoni Giovanni B. , Jack Clifford , Kelleher Thomas , Luo Feng , Novak Gerald , Maguire Paul , Meibach Richard , Patterson Patricia , Bain Lisa , Sampaio Cristina , Raunig David , Soares Holly , Suhy Joyce , Wang Huanli , Wolz Robin , Stephenson Diane 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundRegulatory qualification of a biomarker for a defined context of use provides scientifically robust assurances to sponsors and regulators that accelerate appropriate adoption of biomarkers into drug development.MethodsThe Coalition Against Major Diseases submitted a dossier to the Scientific Advice Working Party of the European Medicines Agency requesting a qualification opinion on the use of hippocampal volume as a biomarker for enriching clinical trials in subjects with mild cognitive impairment, incorporating a scientific rationale, a literature review and a de novo analysis of Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative data.ResultsThe literature review and de novo analysis were consistent with the proposed context of use, and the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use released an opinion in November 2011.ConclusionsWe summarize the scientific rationale and the data that supported the first qualification of an imaging biomarker by the European Medicines Agency.
APOE ε4 influences β‐amyloid deposition in primary progressive aphasia and speech apraxia
Authors: Josephs Keith A. , Duffy Joseph R. , Strand Edythe A. , Machulda Mary M. , Senjem Matthew L. , Lowe Val J. , Jack Clifford R. , Whitwell Jennifer L. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundApolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE ε4) is a risk factor for β‐amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's disease dementia. Its influence on β‐amyloid deposition in speech and language disorders, including primary progressive aphasia (PPA), is unclear.MethodsOne hundred thirty subjects with PPA or progressive speech apraxia underwent APOE genotyping and Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET scanning. The relationship between APOE ε4 and PiB status, as well as severity and regional distribution of PiB, was assessed.ResultsForty‐five subjects had an APOE ε4 allele and 60 subjects were PiB‐positive. The odds ratio for a subject with APOE ε4 being PiB‐positive compared with a subject without APOE ε4 being PiB‐positive was 10.2 (95% confidence interval, 4.4–25.5; P < .0001). The APOE ε4 allele did not influence regional PiB distribution or severity.ConclusionAPOE ε4 increases the risk of β‐amyloid deposition in PPA and progressive speech apraxia but does not influence regional β‐amyloid distribution or severity.