bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Higher platelet cytochrome oxidase specific activity in surviving than in non-surviving septic patients
Authors: Lorente Leonardo , Martín María M , López-Gallardo Esther , Iceta Ruth , Blanquer José , Solé-Violán Jordi , Labarta Lorenzo , Díaz César , Jiménez Alejandro , Montoya Julio , Ruiz-Pesini Eduardo 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Introduction
In a previous study with 96 septic patients, we found that circulating platelets in 6-months surviving septic patients showed higher activity and quantity of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) normalized by citrate synthase (CS) activity at moment of severe sepsis diagnosis than non-surviving septic patients. The objective of this study was to estimate whether COX specific activity during the first week predicts 1-month sepsis survival in a larger cohort of patients.

Methods
Using a prospective, multicenter, observational study carried out in six Spanish intensive care units with 198 severe septic patients, we determined COX activity per proteins (COXact/Prot) in circulating platelets at day 1, 4 and 8 of the severe sepsis diagnosis. Endpoints were 1-month and 6-months mortality.

Results
Survivor patients (n = 130) showed higher COXact/Prot (P < 0.001) than non-survivors (n = 68) at day 1, 4 and 8 of severe sepsis diagnosis. More than a half of the 6-months survivor patients showed an increase in their COXact/Prot from day 1 to 8. However, most of the 1-month non-survivors exhibited a decrease in their COXact/Prot from day 1 to 8. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that of platelet COXact/Prot > 0.30 mOD/min/mg at day 1 (P = 0.002), 4 (P = 0.006) and 8 (P = 0.02) was associated independently with 1-month mortality. Area under the curve of COXact/Prot at day 1, 4 and 8 to predict 30-day survival were 0.70 (95% CI = 0.63-0.76; P < 0.001), 0.71 (95% CI = 0.64-0.77; P < 0.001) and 0.71 (95% CI = 0.64-0.78; P < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions
The new findings of our study, to our knowledge the largest series reporting data about mitochondrial function during follow-up in septic patients, were that septic patients that survive 1-month have a higher platelet cytochrome oxidase activity at moment of sepsis diagnosis and during the first week than non-survivors, and that platelet cytochrome oxidase activity at moment of sepsis diagnosis and during the first week could be used as biomarker to predict the clinical outcome in septic patients.
Insulator function and topological domain border strength scale with architectural protein occupancy
Authors: Van Bortle Kevin , Nichols Michael H , Li Li , Ong Chin-Tong , Takenaka Naomi , Qin Zhaohui S , Corces Victor G 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Background
Chromosome conformation capture studies suggest that eukaryotic genomes are organized into structures called topologically associating domains. The borders of these domains are highly enriched for architectural proteins with characterized roles in insulator function. However, a majority of architectural protein binding sites localize within topological domains, suggesting sites associated with domain borders represent a functionally different subclass of these regulatory elements. How topologically associating domains are established and what differentiates border-associated from non-border architectural protein binding sites remain unanswered questions.

Results
By mapping the genome-wide target sites for several Drosophila architectural proteins, including previously uncharacterized profiles for TFIIIC and SMC-containing condensin complexes, we uncover an extensive pattern of colocalization in which architectural proteins establish dense clusters at the borders of topological domains. Reporter-based enhancer-blocking insulator activity as well as endogenous domain border strength scale with the occupancy level of architectural protein binding sites, suggesting co-binding by architectural proteins underlies the functional potential of these loci. Analyses in mouse and human stem cells suggest that clustering of architectural proteins is a general feature of genome organization, and conserved architectural protein binding sites may underlie the tissue-invariant nature of topologically associating domains observed in mammals.

Conclusions
We identify a spectrum of architectural protein occupancy that scales with the topological structure of chromosomes and the regulatory potential of these elements. Whereas high occupancy architectural protein binding sites associate with robust partitioning of topologically associating domains and robust insulator function, low occupancy sites appear reserved for gene-specific regulation within topological domains.
Life history traits of the Chinese minnow Rhynchocypris oxycephalus in the upper branch of Yangtze River, China
Authors: Liang Yangyang , Sui Xiaoyun , Chen Yifeng , Jia Yintao , He Dekui 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundStudy of the life history traits of any species plays an essential role for understanding their relationship with the surrounding environment and scientific management. The Chinese minnowRhynchocypris oxycephalus, an ecologically and economically important species which was widely distributed in East Asia, is currently diminishing. In the present study, we depicted the main life history traits ofR. oxycephalusfor the first time.ResultsA total of 442 individuals were collected from April 2012 to March 2013, with total length (TL) ranging from 32.2 to 158.0 mm. The otolith (lapillus) was proved suitable for age determination. Moreover, the results from marginal increment ratio (MIR) analyses demonstrated its unusual growth pattern: two pairs of opaque and transparent bands were formed each year, which might provide some implications for the age determination of other species. The maximum age for females (4 years) was higher than for males (3 years), while 1- and 2-year-old individuals dominated the population. Both females and males reached maturity at 1 year, and the TL at first maturity was 78.8 mm for females and 60.3 mm for males. Obvious sexual dimorphism was observed as females growing faster and larger than males after maturity. As a multiple spawner,R. oxycephalusreleases batches of eggs from April to August. The fecundity ofR. oxycephaluswas higher, and the size of eggs was larger than that of its closely related species.ConclusionsR. oxycephalusis a short-lived, fast-growing, highly fecund, and early-maturing species; therefore, even a short recovery time after overexploitation or disturbance would be of great use for their restoration. Some life history traits ofR. oxycephalusdemonstrate obvious differences with its closely related species, indicating that latitude and local environment conditions are important selective forces for this species.
Ovarian cancer: risk factors, treatment and management
Authors: Rooth Carolyn 
Published: June 2014

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer affecting women in the UK today, with associated statistics illustrating a steadily increasing rate, particularly in women aged 65 and over ( Cancer Research UK, 2013 ). There are no recognised preventative measures and no effective screening tool. Although evidence suggests that the majority of women experience a variety of non-specific symptoms in the year before diagnosis, the disease it is not commonly recognised until an advanced stage, leading to increased mortality and morbidity. This highlights the need to raise awareness among health professionals and women as a whole, as early recognition undoubtedly improves ovarian cancer survival. Best clinical practice in the UK for the recognition and initial management of ovarian cancer is provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline CG 122 ( NICE, 2011 ) and quality standard QS 18 ( NICE, 2012 ) use relevant clinical evidence to define high-quality care standards for ovarian cancer management. Accurate staging of ovarian cancer is essential to the provision of individualised care and management. However, there is currently no single test that provides a reliable indicator of ovarian malignancy. At present, risk-of-malignancy scores are calculated by serum cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) levels, ultrasound score and menopausal status. These are widely used to identify women who are at high risk and require referral to a specialised gynaecological oncology service. Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer require information and support. The clinical nurse specialist acts as a key worker, providing communication, support and holistic care throughout a woman's cancer journey. The value of this role cannot be underestimated. Surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy is the usual standard treatment pathway, although individualised assessment and management may deviate from it. Early disease may be successfully treated with surgery alone; advanced disease may require complex management and treatment. New treatments such as bevacizumab show promise of improving ovarian cancer outcomes.
Graph Based and Multifractal Analysis of Financial Time Series Model by Continuum Percolation
Authors: Xiao Di , Wang Jun 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Applying multifractal centered moving average and two graph based analysis, we investigate and compare statistical behaviors of return time series of some Chinese market data and a financial model developed by the continuum percolation system. The local interaction or influence among traders in the actual market is constructed by the continuum percolation, and a cluster of continuum percolation is applied to define the cluster of traders sharing the same opinion about the market. The empirical research shows that the simulation data of the model exhibits fractal and multifractal features. Further, we find that the degree distribution of visibility graph for the simulation series has power-law tails, and the corresponding mean path length growth shows the “small-world” effect. All these features are in agreement with real market data.
Quasi-actions and generalised Cayley–Abels graphs of locally compact groups
Authors: Salmi Pekka 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
We define the notion of generalised Cayley–Abels graph for
compactly generated locally compact groups in terms
of quasi-actions. This extends the notion of Cayley–Abels graph
of a compactly generated totally disconnected locally compact
group, studied in particular by Krön and Möller
under the name of rough Cayley graph (and relative Cayley graph).
We construct a generalised Cayley–Abels graph for
any compactly generated locally compact group using quasi-lattices
and show uniqueness up to quasi-isometry. A class of examples is given
by the Cayley graphs of cocompact lattices in compactly generated
groups. As an application, we show that a compactly generated group
has polynomial growth if and only if its generalised Cayley–Abels graph
has polynomial growth (same for intermediate and exponential
growth). Moreover, a unimodular compactly generated group
is amenable if and only if its generalised Cayley–Abels graph
is amenable as a metric space.
Favorable long-term outcomes of bilateral adrenalectomy in Cushing's disease
Authors: Oßwald Andrea , Plomer Eva , Dimopoulou Christina , Milian Monika , Blaser Rainer , Ritzel Katrin , Mickisch Anne , Knerr Ferengis , Stanojevic Milan , Hallfeldt Klaus , Schopohl Jochen , Kuhn Klaus A , Stalla Günter , Beuschlein Felix , Reincke Martin 
Published: June 2014

ObjectiveBilateral adrenalectomy (BADX) is an important treatment option for patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS). Our aim is to analyze the long-term outcomes, surgical, biochemical, and clinical as well as morbidity and mortality, of patients who underwent BADX.DesignA total of 50 patients who underwent BADX since 1990 in two German centers were identified. Of them, 34 patients had Cushing's disease (CD), nine ectopic CS (ECS), and seven ACTH-independent bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH).MethodsStandardized follow-up examination was performed in 36 patients with a minimum follow-up time of 6 months after BADX and a median follow-up time of 11 years.ResultsSurgical morbidity and mortality were 6 and 4% respectively. All patients were found to be in remission after BADX. Almost all Cushing's-specific comorbidities except for psychiatric diseases improved significantly. Health-related quality of life remained impaired in 45.0% of female and 16.7% of male patients compared with a healthy population. The median number of adrenal crises per 100 patient-years was four. Nelson tumor occurred in 24% of CD patients after a median time span of 51 months. Long-term mortality after 10 years was high in ECS (44%) compared with CD (3%) and BAH (14%).ConclusionsBADX is an effective and relatively safe treatment option especially in patients with CD. The majority of patients experience considerable improvement of Cushing's symptoms.
Preparations of Ethosome-like Catanionic Vesicles from Ion-Pair Amphiphiles( IPAs ) for Dermal Drug Delivery
Authors: Yang Yu-Min 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTEthosomes which are phospholipid vesicular systems embodying ethanol in relatively high concentrations have ever been discovered for enhanced skin delivery of drugs. The development of competent ethosome-like catanionic vesicles for dermal drug delivery is demonstrated in this work. Double-chained ion-pair-amphiphiles (IPAs or catanionic surfactants) were prepared from single-chained cationic and anionic surfactants by the precipitation method. These lipid-like surfactants were thereafter used as the material to prepare the catanionic vesicles with the aid of ethanol as the cosolvent in aqueous buffer solution by a simple semispontaneous process. Formability and physical stability of the as-prepared ethosome-like catanionic vesicles were discussed based on the viewpoint of mixed solvent dielectric constant. The potential application of the ethosome-like catanionic vesicles as nano-carriers in dermal drug delivery was illustrated by the encapsulation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. Furthermore, effects of ethanol and cholesterol addition on physical stability, bilayer membrane rigidity, encapsulation efficiency, and release rate of the ethosome-like catanionic vesicles were systematically studied. The performance of ethosome-like catanionic vesicles as drug delivery nano-carriers, eventually, can be tailored by the concentrations of ethanol and. cholesterol. The results of gelation of drugs loaded ethosome-like catanionic vesicles by water soluble polymers with and without hydrophobical modifications, as revealed by the phase maps and the rheological properties, then provide useful information for practical use of the ethosome-like catanionic vesicles in dermal delivery of drugs.
Bursting photosynthesis: designing ad-hoc fluorophores to complement the light harvesting capability of the photosynthetic reaction center
Authors: Ragni Roberta , Omar Omar Hassan , Tangorra Rocco Roberto , Milano Francesco , Vona Danilo , Operamolla Alessandra , La Gatta Simona , Agostiano Angela , Trotta Massimo , Farinola Gianluca M. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTThe covalent functionalization of photosynthetic proteins with properly tailored organic molecular antennas represents a powerful approach to build a new generation of hybrid systems capable of exploiting solar energy. In this paper the strategy for the synthesis of the tailored aryleneethynylene organic fluorophore (AE) properly designed to act as light harvesting antenna is presented along with its successful bioconjugation to the photosynthetic reaction center RC from the bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides .
Projecting Risk into the Future: Failure of a Geologic Repository and the Sinking of the Titanic
Authors: Ewing Rodney C. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTThis year marks the 101st anniversary of the sinking of the “unsinkable” RMS Titanic. On April 15, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean on its maiden voyage from Southampton, UK, to New York City. There was no single cause for the loss of the Titanic, rather the improbable combination of errors in human design and decision combined with unforeseeable circumstance lead to the loss of over 1,500 lives. The failure appears to have occurred over a range of spatial and temporal scales – from the atomic-scale process of embrittlement of iron rivets to global-scale fluctuations in climate and ocean currents. Regardless of the specific combination of causes, this failure in design and practice led to impressive improvements in both. Disaster and tragedy are harsh teachers, but critical to improvement and progress.The important question for the nuclear waste management community is how do we learn and improve our waste management strategies in the absence of being able to fail. A geologic repository “operates” over a very distant time frame, and today’s scientists and engineers will never have the benefit of studying a failed system. In place of a failure that is followed by improvement and progress, we can only offer a general consensus on disposal strategies supported by a wide array of evidence and risk assessments. However, it may well be that consensus leads to complacency and compromise, both of which are harbingers of disaster. With this concern in mind, this is the time to review our fundamental approach, particularly the methodologies used in risk assessments that have us calculate risk out to one million years. The structure of standards and implementing regulations, as well as the standard-of-proof for compliance, should be reexamined in order to determine whether their requirements are scientifically possible or reasonable. The demonstration of compliance must not only be compelling, but must also be able to sustain scientific scrutiny and public inquiry. We should benefit from the sobering reality of how difficult it is to anticipate future failures even over a few decades. We should be humbled by the realization that for a geologic repository we are analyzing the performance, success vs. failure, over spatial and temporal scales that stretch over tens of kilometers and out to a hundreds of thousands of years.
Construction of Microbial Kinetics Database for PA of HLW disposal
Authors: Yoshikawa Hideki , Ito Tsuyoshi , Ise Kotaro , Sasaki Yoshito 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTTo evaluate a change of chemical species of groundwater composition by the metabolism of microbes, which will be introduced to deep underground from the surface and be in a deep underground, is important for the discussion of the microbial effects on the performance assessment of the high-level radioactive waste repository. The purpose of this study is to develop of a microbial kinetics database to evaluate their activities in the deep underground environment.Some microbial metabolism data were collected and constructed their kinetics database for aerobic, denitrifying, manganese reducing, iron reducing, sulfate reducing, methanogenic and acetogenic bacteria to evaluate above groundwater chemistry. About 1260 data were selected by literature survey for some journals and books published from 1960s and summarized in this microbial kinetics database. Some sensitivity analyses were performed for some parameter of metabolism of microbes.
The DR-A in-situ diffusion experiment at Mont Terri: Effects of changing salinity on diffusion and retention properties.
Authors: Soler Josep M. , Leupin Olivier X. , Gimmi Thomas , Van Loon Luc R. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTIn the new DR-A in-situ diffusion experiment at Mont Terri, a perturbation (replacement of the initial synthetic porewater in the borehole with a high-salinity solution) has been induced to study the effects on solute transport and retention, and more importantly, to test the predictive capability of reactive transport codes. Reactive transport modeling is being performed by different teams (IDAEA-CSIC, PSI, Univ. Bern, Univ. British Columbia, Lawrence Berkeley Natl. Lab.). Initial modeling results using the CrunchFlow code and focusing on Cs+ behavior are reported here.
Fast/Instant Radionuclide Release: Effects inherent to the experiment
Authors: Kienzler B. , Loida A. , González-Robles E. , Müller N. , Metz V. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTThe release of radionuclides measured during washing cycles of spent nuclear fuel samples in a series of experiments using different solutions are analyzed with respect to the fission products Cs, Sr, and Tc and the actinides U, Pu, and Am. Based on the concentrations of the dissolved radionuclides, their release rates are evaluated in terms of fraction of inventory in the aquatic phase per day. The application of this information on the fast/instant radionuclide release fraction (IRF) is discussed and following issues are addressed: Duration of the wash steps, solution chemistry, and radionuclide sorption onto surface of the experimental vessels. Data for the IRF are given and the correlation between the mobilization of the various elements is analyzed.
Preparation and characterization of UO2-based AGR SIMFuel
Authors: Hiezl Zoltan , Hambley David , Lee William E. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTPreparation and characterization of a Simulated Spent Nuclear Fuel (SIMFuel), which replicates the chemical state and microstructure of Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) discharged from UK Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) after a cooling time of 100 years is described. Thirteen stable elements were added to depleted UO2 and sintered to simulate the composition of fuel pellets after burn-ups of 25 and 43 GWd/tU and, as a reference, pure UO2 pellets were also investigated. The fission product distribution was calculated using the Fispin code provided by NNL. SIMFuel pellets exhibit a microstructure up to 92% TD. During the sintering process in H2 atmosphere Mo-Ru-Rh-Pd metallic precipitates and grey-phase ((Ba, Sr)(Zr, RE)O3 oxide precipitates) formed within the UO2 matrix. These secondary phases are present in real PWR and AGR SNF, although they are smaller in size than those examined in this study. The grain size of the produced SIMFuel is in good agreement with literature references.
The role of interfaces in thin-film CdTe solar cells
Authors: Romero M. J. , Gessert T. A. , Al-Jassim M. M. , Dhere R. G. , Albin D.S. , Moutinho H. R. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThin-film CdTe solar cells are very promising for future cost-effective photovoltaics. The photovoltaic effect in these cells is based on the extraction of photoexcited carriers by the field provided by the CdTe/CdS heterojunction. An additional interface with non-rectifying characteristics is needed to close the external circuit on the other side of the CdTe thin film. Finally, the transport of photoexcited carriers is influenced by the presence of grain boundaries (GBs). In this contribution, we investigate several aspects of these interfaces and their effects on the operation of CdTe solar cells by electron-beam-induced current (EBIC) and cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements.