bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Festkörperlaser: Diodengepumpten Lasern gehört die Zukunft
Authors: Kück Stefan , Huber Günter 
Published: February 2013

AbstractDie Forschung an Festkörperlasern erlebte nach längerem stiefmütterlichen Dasein Mitte der 80er Jahre eine Renaissance, die bis heute wirkt. Festkörperlaser haben sich in der Zwischenzeit auf dem Weltmarkt mit hohen jährlichen Zuwächsen etabliert. Vor allem diodengepumpte Festkörperlaser zeichnen sich durch kompakte Bauweise, hohe Effizienz, gute Strahlqualität, variable Wellenlängen und unterschiedlichste Betriebsarten aus. Sie sind geeignet für Materialbearbeitung, Chirurgie, Diagnostik, optische Kommunikation, Messtechnik, Ultrakurzpulserzeugung, Displaytechnik, wissenschaftliche Forschung und vieles mehr. Noch gibt es aber nicht für jede Anforderung an Wellenlänge, Leistung und Effizienz einen geeigneten diodengepumpten Laser. Durchstimmbare Lasersysteme und die Erzeugung von Wellenlängen im sichtbaren und ultravioletten Spektralbereich sind aktuelle Herausforderungen für die Forschung an diodengepumpten Lasern.
Assessment of solute fluxes beneath an orchard irrigated with treated sewage water: A numerical study
Authors: Russo David , Laufer Asher , Shapira Roi H. , Kurtzman Daniel 
Published: February 2013

Key Points
Vadose zone attenuates nitrate load in groundwater
Information from a single sampling point cannot describe 3‐D flow system
An additional sampling point improves description of flow system
Educating Genetic Counselors in Australia—Developing a Masters Program
Authors: Sahhar Margaret , Hodgson Jan , Wake Samantha 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIn 2005 a publication about genetic counseling training in Australia recommended that a 2 year Masters program be established to better equip Australian genetic counselors with increased clinical skills and genetic knowledge (Sahhar et al. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 14(4), 283–294, 2005). A 2 year Masters program, it was argued, would increase the possibility of international reciprocity, thus increasing the employment opportunities for Australian trained genetic counselors overseas. In 2008 the first 2 year professional Masters program in Australia began at the University of Melbourne. The model for how this was achieved is discussed, along with the impact of the competencies developed by the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (Australia and New Zealand), on program evolution, teaching styles and clinical supervision. The principal challenges in developing the Masters program are explored and initiatives specific to SE Asia are discussed.
Duration of Fluoroscopic‐Guided Spine Interventions and Radiation Exposure Is Increased in Overweight Patients
Authors: Smuck Matthew , Zheng Patricia , Chong Timothy , Kao Ming‐Chih , Geisser Michael E. 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundThe impact of patient body mass index (BMI) on image‐guided spine interventions remains unknown. Higher BMI is known to complicate the acquisition of radiographic images. Therefore it can be hypothesized that the patient's body habitus can influence the delivery of a spinal injection.ObjectiveTo quantify the impact of patient BMI on the length of fluoroscopy and procedure times during spine interventions.DesignSecondary analysis of 2 prospective observational studies.SettingAll injections were performed in an outpatient university setting.ParticipantsA total of 209 patients in whom spine injections were performed (99 women), with a mean age of 54.6 years.MethodsThe fluoroscopy times for 202 participants and total procedure times for 137 participants were recorded. Additional participant characteristics, including age, gender, BMI, and actual procedures performed, also were collected. Analysis of covariance and linear and nonlinear model analysis were performed to assess the effect of BMI on fluoroscopy and procedure times.Main Outcome MeasurementsFluoroscopy time and procedure duration times.ResultsParticipants had a mean age of 54.6 years, 51% were men, and 77% (n = 155) were overweight (BMI ≥25). Participants received the following interventions: 40 zygapophyseal joint injections, 33 medial branch nerve blocks, 113 transforaminal epidural injections, and 16 combined zygapophyseal joint injections and epidural injections. Gender, procedure number, and procedure type did not differ between groups. The overweight group demonstrated a 30% increase in mean fluoroscopy time and a 35% increase in mean procedure time. Controlling for other variables, we found that differences in fluoroscopy time and procedure time were significant (P = .032 and P = .031, respectively) between the 2 groups.ConclusionsSignificantly prolonged procedure time and fluoroscopy time in overweight patients increase the risks associated with spine interventions, not only to the patients but also to the operating room staff exposed to ionizing radiation.
Prediction of hammerhead ribozyme intracellular activity with the catalytic core fingerprint
Authors: Gabryelska Marta Magdalena , Wyszko Eliza , Szymański Maciej , Popenda Mariusz , Barciszewski Jan 
Published: February 2013

Hammerhead ribozyme is a versatile tool for down-regulation of gene expression in vivo. Owing to its small size and high activity, it is used as a model for RNA structure–function relationship studies. In the present paper we describe a new extended hammerhead ribozyme HH-2 with a tertiary stabilizing motif constructed on the basis of the tetraloop receptor sequence. This ribozyme is very active in living cells, but shows low activity in vitro. To understand it, we analysed tertiary structure models of substrate–ribozyme complexes. We calculated six unique catalytic core geometry parameters as distances and angles between particular atoms that we call the ribozyme fingerprint. A flanking sequence and tertiary motif change the geometry of the general base, general acid, nucleophile and leaving group. We found almost complete correlation between these parameters and the decrease of target gene expression in the cells. The tertiary structure model calculations allow us to predict ribozyme intracellular activity. Our approach could be widely adapted to characterize catalytic properties of other RNAs.
Phenotypic model for early T-cell activation displaying sensitivity, specificity, and antagonism
Authors: François Paul , Voisinne Guillaume , Siggia Eric D. , Altan-Bonnet Grégoire , Vergassola Massimo 
Published: February 2013

SignificanceEarly immune response has to discriminate a few foreign peptides rapidly from a vast excess of self-peptides, and it is unclear in quantitative terms how this is possible. We show that a generic proofreading cascade supplemented by a single negative feedback mediated by the Src homology 2 domain phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) accounts quantitatively for this discrimination. Our model, with minimal variables and parameters, can fit a large body of experimental data and accounts for phenotypes in T-cell activation. New experiments validate our predictions and provide a quantitative understanding of antagonism, the effect by which foreign ligands close to activation alter the immune response.
Using Diets to Reveal Overlap and Egg Predation among Benthivorous Fishes in Lake Michigan
Authors: Mychek‐Londer Justin G. , Bunnell David B. , Stott Wendylee , Diana James S. , French John R. P. , Chriscinske Margret A. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractEcological stability in the Laurentian Great Lakes has been altered by nonindigenous species, such as the Round Goby Neogobius melanostomus and dreissenid mussels, and by declines in native amphipods Diporeia spp. We evaluated whether these changes could influence diet overlap between three benthivorous fishes (Slimy Sculpin Cottus cognatus, Deepwater Sculpin Myoxocephalus thompsonii, and Round Goby) and whether predation on eggs of native species was occurring. We examined diets of fish collected at depths of 69–128 m in Lake Michigan offshore of Frankfort and Muskegon, Michigan, and Two Rivers and Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, during January–May 2009 and 2010. Important prey (by dry weight proportion and by percent frequency of occurrence) for Slimy Sculpin were Mysis (0.34; 45%), Diporeia (0.16; 34%), and Limnocalanus macrurus (0.22; 68%); important prey for Deepwater Sculpin were Mysis (0.74; 92%) and Diporeia (0.16; 54%). Round Goby consumed mainly bivalves (i.e., dreissenids: 0.68; 95%) and Mysis (0.15; 37%). The two sculpin species consumed the eggs of Bloaters Coregonus hoyi (Slimy Sculpin: 0.04, 11%; Deepwater Sculpin: 0.02, 7%) and the eggs of Deepwater Sculpin (Slimy Sculpin: 0.03, 13%; Deepwater Sculpin: 0.05, 16%) during February–May at all sites. Round Goby also consumed eggs of these species but at lower levels (≤0.01; <1%). Diet overlap was identified between sculpin species at Frankfort and Sturgeon Bay, suggesting possible interspecific competition, but their diets did not overlap at Two Rivers; diet overlap was never observed between Round Goby and either sculpin species. Given that (1) diet overlap varied by site and (2) diet proportions varied spatially more than temporally, benthivores appear to be exhibiting localized responses to recent ecological changes. Overall, these results reveal that egg predation and interspecific competition could be important interactions to consider in future examinations of the population dynamics of these species or in ecosystem models that forecast how fisheries will respond to possible perturbations or management scenarios.
Evaluation of Commercial Marine Fish Feeds for Production of Juvenile Cobia in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
Authors: Wills Paul S , Weirich Charles R , Baptiste Richard M , Riche Marty A 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The effect of different commercially available marine fish diets on production characteristics and body composition of juvenile Cobia Rachycentron canadum reared in production-scale recirculating aquaculture systems was evaluated in a 57-d growth trial. Juvenile Cobia (mean weight ± SE, 26.7 ± 0.9 g) were stocked at an initial density of 1.2 kg/m3. After stocking, fish were fed one of three closed-formula diets formulated for carnivorous marine finfish (coded diet A, 50% crude protein : 22% crude lipid; diet B, 49% crude protein : 17% crude lipid; and diet C, 48% crude protein : 17% crude lipid), all at a targeted feed rate of 3–5% body weight per day. At 2-week intervals, 10% of the population of each tank was sampled to determine mean weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion efficiency, and biomass. At the termination of the trial, the entire population of each tank was harvested to determine the same characteristics and survival. In addition, fish were sampled to determine relative changes in whole body composition, energy retention, protein efficiency ratio, and protein productive value. Final weight (203.3 g), specific growth rate (3.6%/d), feed conversion efficiency (92.2%), biomass (7.3 kg/m3), and protein productive value (25.2%) of fish fed the high-lipid diet A were significantly higher than those of fish fed the other two diets. No differences in whole body composition were observed among fish fed the three diets with the exception of dry matter composition. Contrary to previous reports, the results of the current study indicate that juvenile Cobia reared in production-scale recirculating aquaculture systems fed high-lipid diets exhibit protein sparing and better growth.
Association of rhizobia with a marine polychaete
Authors: Summers Mindi M. , Katz Sigrid , Allen Eric E. , Rouse Greg W. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryWe report the presence of Mesorhizobium, a genus best known for its nitrogen‐fixing symbiosis with terrestrial legumes, associated with the marine polychaete Meganerilla bactericola (Annelida: Nerillidae). Abundant epibionts were previously described as coating the exterior of M. bactericola, which is found within the anoxic sulfide‐oxidizing microbial mats of the Santa Barbara Basin, California, USA. 16S rRNA investigation of the bacterial community associated with this polychaete discovered the presence of bacteria belonging to Mesorhizobium. We identified these bacteria using phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA and three additional functional genes, nifH, atpD and recA, and group‐specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).
mTOR regulates tau phosphorylation and degradation: implications for Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies
Authors: Caccamo Antonella , Magrì Andrea , Medina David X. , Wisely Elena V. , López‐Aranda Manuel F. , Silva Alcino J. , Oddo Salvatore 
Published: February 2013

SummaryAccumulation of tau is a critical event in several neurodegenerative disorders, collectively known as tauopathies, which include Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. Pathological tau is hyperphosphorylated and aggregates to form neurofibrillary tangles. The molecular mechanisms leading to tau accumulation remain unclear and more needs to be done to elucidate them. Age is a major risk factor for all tauopathies, suggesting that molecular changes contributing to the aging process may facilitate tau accumulation and represent common mechanisms across different tauopathies. Here, we use multiple animal models and complementary genetic and pharmacological approaches to show that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulates tau phosphorylation and degradation. Specifically, we show that genetically increasing mTOR activity elevates endogenous mouse tau levels and phosphorylation. Complementary to it, we further demonstrate that pharmacologically reducing mTOR signaling with rapamycin ameliorates tau pathology and the associated behavioral deficits in a mouse model overexpressing mutant human tau. Mechanistically, we provide compelling evidence that the association between mTOR and tau is linked to GSK3β and autophagy function. In summary, we show that increasing mTOR signaling facilitates tau pathology, while reducing mTOR signaling ameliorates tau pathology. Given the overwhelming evidence that reducing mTOR signaling increases lifespan and healthspan, the data presented here have profound clinical implications for aging and tauopathies and provide the molecular basis for how aging may contribute to tau pathology. Additionally, these results provide preclinical data indicating that reducing mTOR signaling may be a valid therapeutic approach for tauopathies.
A short and validated multiple sclerosis‐specific health‐related quality of life measurement for routine medical practice
Authors: Devy R. , Lehert P. , Varlan E. , Genty M. , Edan G. 
Published: February 2013

Background and purposePatient‐reported health‐related quality of life (Hr‐QoL) is an essential end‐point to assess the efficacy of multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment. Most QoL tools were developed for clinical research, for which measurement accuracy is required, irrespective of ease of use or the human resources needed. In routine medical practice (RMP), time and resources are limited, requiring simple and quick tools. Our objective was to set up a Hr‐QoL measurement adapted for patients with MS, and providing an accurate estimate of Hr‐QoL, whilst remaining easy to use and interpret in the RMP context.MethodsLiterature searches, expert meetings and semi‐structured interviews were used to gather relevant items and dimensions of existing scales. Scale development included item reduction and dimension identification through a cross‐sectional observational study. The scale was validated on another independent representative sample. Statistically significant dimensions were identified using psychometric procedures, a Rasch polytomous model and iterative confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).ResultsFrom 12 potential dimensions, based on a sample of 331 patients with MS, the backward CFA identified physical, mental and energy dimensions, and item optimization selected 10 items constituting our Hr‐QoL scale prototype. Its validity was assessed in an independent study of 457 patients with MS, which provided statistical evidence of reliability, reproducibility in time, invariance with regard to population subgroups and overall fitting with a Rasch polytomous model.ConclusionsCompared with existing alternatives, our 10‐item three‐dimensional Hr‐QoL measurement tool is adapted to RMP, and constitutes an adequate compromise between precision and ease of use in patients with MS.
Are lizards feeling the heat? A tale of ecology and evolution under two temperatures
Authors: Meiri Shai , Bauer Aaron M. , Chirio Laurent , Colli Guarino R. , Das Indraneil , Doan Tiffany M. , Feldman Anat , Herrera Fernando‐Castro , Novosolov Maria , Pafilis Panayiotis , Pincheira‐Donoso Daniel , Powney Gary , Torres‐Carvajal Omar , Uetz Peter , Van Damme Raoul 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimTemperature influences most components of animal ecology and life history – but what kind of temperature? Physiologists usually examine the influence of body temperatures, while biogeographers and macroecologists tend to focus on environmental temperatures. We aim to examine the relationship between these two measures, to determine the factors that affect lizard body temperatures and to test the effect of both temperature measures on lizard life history.LocationWorld‐wide.MethodsWe used a large (861 species) global dataset of lizard body temperatures, and the mean annual temperatures across their geographic ranges to examine the relationships between body and mean annual temperatures. We then examined factors influencing body temperatures, and tested for the influence of both on ecological and life‐history traits while accounting for the influence of shared ancestry.ResultsBody temperatures and mean annual temperatures are uncorrelated. However, accounting for activity time (nocturnal species have low body temperatures), use of space (fossorial and semi‐aquatic species are ‘colder’), insularity (mainland species are ‘hotter’) and phylogeny, the two temperatures are positively correlated. High body temperatures are only associated with larger hatchlings and increased rates of biomass production. Annual temperatures are positively correlated with clutch frequency and annual longevity, and negatively correlated with clutch size, age at first reproduction and longevity.Main conclusionsLizards with low body temperatures do not seem to have ‘slower’ life‐history attributes than species with high body temperatures. The longer seasons prevalent in warm regions, and physiological processes that operate while lizards are inactive (but warm enough), make environmental temperatures better predictors of lizard life‐history variation than body temperatures. This surprisingly greater effect of environmental temperatures on lizard life histories hints that global warming may have a profound influence on lizard ecology and evolution.
Characteristics of CO2‐driven cold‐water geyser, Crystal Geyser in Utah: experimental observation and mechanism analyses
Authors: Han W. S. , Lu M. , McPherson B. J. , Keating E. H. , Moore J. , Park E. , Watson Z. T. , Jung N.‐H. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractGeologic carbon capture and storage (CCS) is an option for reducing CO2 emissions, but leakage to the surface is a risk factor. Natural CO2 reservoirs that erupt from abandoned oil and gas holes leak to the surface as spectacular cold geysers in the Colorado Plateau, United States. A better understanding of the mechanisms of CO2‐driven cold‐water geysers will provide valuable insight about the potential modes of leakage from engineered CCS sites. A notable example of a CO2‐driven cold‐water geyser is Crystal Geyser in central Utah. We investigated the fluid mechanics of this regularly erupting geyser by instrumenting its conduit with sensors and measuring pressure and temperature every 20 sec over a period of 17 days. Analyses of these measurements suggest that the timescale of a single‐eruption cycle is composed of four successive eruption types with two recharge periods ranging from 30 to 40 h. Current eruption patterns exhibit a bimodal distribution, but these patterns evolved during past 80 years. The field observation suggests that the geyser's eruptions are regular and predictable and reflect pressure and temperature changes resulting from Joule–Thomson cooling and endothermic CO2 exsolution. The eruption interval between multiple small‐scale eruptions is a direct indicator of the subsequent large‐scale eruption.
Impact analysis of logistics facility relocation using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP)
Authors: Opasanon Sathaporn , Lertsanti Pattarakamol 
Published: February 2013

AbstractFacility relocation has a long‐term impact on business competitiveness in terms of cost efficiency, service level, and accessibility to marketplace. This paper investigates the impacts of relocating a company's logistics facility. Specifically, a case study of a logistics service provider for a bank, whose services include cash pick‐up and deliveries, and ATM refill, is conducted. Some of the major logistics issues caused by the relocation of the company's distribution center are identified through process observation and in‐depth interview. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is implemented to evaluate and rank the importance of the logistics issues according to the needs and requirements of the company's policy makers. Four criteria considered in the AHP include cost, responsiveness, reliability, and utilization. Results show that, from the company's perspective, the development of logistics key performance indices is given the highest priority, followed by improvement of internal process, vehicle routing, network design, and inventory management, respectively.
Transarterial embolization as neo‐adjuvant therapy pretransplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tsochatzis Emmanuel , Garcovich Matteo , Marelli Laura , Papastergiou Vassilis , Fatourou Evangelia , Rodriguez‐Peralvarez Manuel L. , Germani Giacomo , Davies Neil , Yu Dominic , Luong Tu Vinh , Dhillon Amar P. , Thorburn Douglas , Patch David , O'Beirne James , Meyer Tim , Burroughs Andrew K. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsNeo‐adjuvant transarterial therapies are commonly used for patients with HCC in the waiting list for liver transplantation (LT) to delay tumour progression, however, their effectiveness is not well‐established. We studied the effect of pre‐LT transarterial therapies on post‐LT HCC recurrence, using the explanted liver histology to assess therapeutic efficacy and the predictors of response to these therapies.MethodsWe included 150 consecutive patients from our prospectively compiled database, listed for liver transplantation using the Milan criteria. Transarterial embolization without chemotherapeutic agents was the transarterial therapy used as standard of care. PVA particles were the embolizing agent of choice.ResultsSixty‐seven (45%) patients had TAE as bridging therapy to liver transplantation, of which 60 were transplanted after 2001. The majority of patients (36, 54%) had partial tumour necrosis after transarterial therapy, whereas 22 (33%) had complete tumour necrosis and 9 (13%) had no necrosis. HCC post‐transplant recurrence was independently associated with no neo‐adjuvant transarterial therapy (OR 5.395, 95% CI 1.289–22.577; P = 0.021) and the total radiological size of HCC nodules (OR 1.037, 95% CI 1.006–1.069; P = 0.020).ConclusionsPre‐transplant TAE with the more permanently occluding PVA particles significantly reduces post‐transplant HCC recurrence in patients within the Milan criteria.