bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microscopic evaluation of vesicles shed by erythrocytes at elevated temperatures
Authors: Moore Timothy , Sorokulova Iryna , Pustovyy Oleg , Globa Ludmila , Pascoe David , Rudisill Mary , Vodyanoy Vitaly 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThe images of human erythrocytes and vesicles were analyzed by a light microscopy system with spatial resolution of better than 90 nm. The samples were observed in an aqueous environment and required no freezing, dehydration, staining, shadowing, marking, or any other manipulation. Temperature elevation resulted in significant concentration increase of structurally transformed erythrocytes (echinocytes) and vesicles in the blood. The process of vesicle separation from spiculated erythrocytes was video recorded in real time. At a temperature of 37°C, mean vesicle concentrations and diameters were found to be 1.50 ± 0.35 × 106 vesicles per microliter and 0.365 ± 0.065 μm, respectively. The vesicle concentration increased approximately threefold as the temperature increased from 37 to 40°C. It was estimated that 80% of all vesicles found in the blood are smaller than 0.4 μm. Accurate account of vesicle numbers and dimensions suggest that 86% of the lost erythrocyte material is lost not by vesiculation but by another, as yet, unknown mechanism. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:1163–1170, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the Polarity and Monopolarity of Graphs
Authors: Churchley Ross , Huang Jing 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPolarity and monopolarity are properties of graphs defined in terms of the existence of certain vertex partitions; graphs with polarity and monopolarity are respectively called polar and monopolar graphs. These two properties commonly generalize bipartite and split graphs, but are hard to recognize in general. In this article we identify two classes of graphs, triangle‐free graphs and claw‐free graphs, restricting to which provide novel impact on the complexity of the recognition problems. More precisely, we prove that recognizing polarity or monopolarity remains NP‐complete for triangle‐free graphs. We also show that for claw‐free graphs the former is NP‐complete and the latter is polynomial time solvable. This is in sharp contrast to a recent result that both polarity and monopolarity can be recognized in linear time for line graphs. Our proofs for the NP‐completeness are simple reductions. The polynomial time algorithm for recognizing the monopolarity of claw‐free graphs uses a subroutine similar to the well‐known breadth‐first search algorithm and is based on a new structural characterization of monopolar claw‐free graphs, a generalization of one for monopolar line graphs obtained earlier.
Average Distance, Independence Number, and Spanning Trees
Authors: Mukwembi Simon 
Published: August 2013

AbstractLet G be a connected graph of order n and independence number α. We prove that G has a spanning tree with average distance at most , if , and at most , if . As a corollary, we obtain, for n sufficiently large, an asymptotically sharp upper bound on the average distance of G in terms of its independence number. This bound, apart from confirming and improving on a conjecture of Graffiti [8], is a strengthening of a theorem of Chung [1], and that of Fajtlowicz and Waller [8], on average distance and independence number of a graph.
Strategic Change and Decision Making in an Emerging Nation: An Exploratory Assessment of Iranian Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Zamani Somayeh , Parnell John A. , Labbaf Hassan , O'Regan Nicholas 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBusinesses that combined cost leadership and differentiation strategies reported the greatest satisfaction with overall performance, but political and economic instability associated with trade sanctions continue to be a key concern for executives in Iran.
Purification, characterization, and properties of an alkaline protease produced bySerratia marcescensS3‐R1inhabiting Korean ginseng rhizosphere
Authors: Nam Myoung Soo , Whang Kyung Sook , Choi Seong Hyun , Bae Hyoung Churl , Kim Yoo Kyeong , Park Young W 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDAn alkaline protease produced by theSerratia marcescensS3‐R1which inhabits in the Korean ginseng rhizosphere was investigated. The purposes of this study were to characterize and purify the bacterial enzyme by four different purification steps: precipitation of enzyme fraction by ammonium sulfate, loading the enzyme pellets on aDEAE–Sepharose anion‐exchange chromatograph, separation of the fraction containing enzyme activity by fast protein liquid Mono Q chromatography and identification of the single‐band fraction by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and then quantification of the single‐band fraction by reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography.RESULTSThe molecular weight of the purified protease was estimated as 50 308 Da by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight analysis. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence of the protease was identified as Ala‐Val‐Thr‐Ile‐Glu‐Asp‐Ala‐Val‐Asp‐Asp, and the enzyme belongs to the metalloprotease family. The optimal activities of the protease occurred atpH7–9 and a temperature 40 °C. The ranges ofpHand thermal stability of the enzyme were at 7–10 and 30–40 °C, respectively.CONCLUSIONThe alkaline protease was successfully purified and characterized from the bacteriumSerratia marcescensS3‐R1, which has potential for industrial application, including milk protein hydrolysates. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Metastable β‐Bi2O3 Nanoparticles with Potential for Photocatalytic Water Purification Using Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Schlesinger Maik , Weber Marcus , Schulze Steffen , Hietschold Michael , Mehring Michael 
Published: August 2013

AbstractInvited for this month′s cover is the group of Prof. Michael Mehring. The cover picture shows the degradation of the model dye rhodamine B (RhB) in water using β‐Bi2O3 nanoparticles as photocatalyst, which was prepared from pre‐organized bismuth oxido clusters. For more details, see the Full Paper on p. 146 ff.Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/open.201300013
US‐based emergency department visits for fluoroquinolone‐associated hypersensitivity reactions
Authors: Jones S. Christopher , Budnitz Daniel S. , Sorbello Alfred , Mehta Hina 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTPurposeTo estimate the rate of hypersensitivity reactions per 100,000 prescription dispensings of fluoroquinolones based on care rendered in a nationally representative sample of US hospital emergency departments (ED).MethodsWe analyzed the frequency of fluoroquinolone‐associated hypersensitivity reactions using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System‐Cooperative Adverse Drug Event Surveillance system (2004–2010) in conjunction with US retail outpatient prescription data from IMS Health (2004–2010). We further categorized reaction severity into three subgroups (mild, moderate, and severe).ResultsBased on 1422 cases of fluoroquinolone‐associated hypersensitivity reactions and national drug utilization projections, we estimated risk of hypersensitivity reactions for moxifloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin. The absolute risk of a fluoroquinolone‐related hypersensitivity reaction of any severity was low (44.0 (95% CI 34.8–53.3) ED visits/100,000 prescriptions); however, we identified a statistically significant difference in the relative risk (rate ratios) of seeking care in an ED attributed to moxifloxacin hypersensitivity compared to either levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin. For all reaction severities, the estimated ED visits/100,000 prescriptions were 141.3 (95% CI 99.9–182.7) for moxifloxacin, 40.8 (95% CI 31.5–50.0) for levofloxacin, and 26.3 (95% CI 20.8–31.9) for ciprofloxacin. When the rates were stratified by reaction severity category (mild or moderate–severe), moxifloxacin continued to be implicated in more ED visits per 100,000 prescriptions dispensed than either levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin.ConclusionFluoroquinolones may cause hypersensitivity reactions requiring care in an ED, and relative to use, the rate of moxifloxacin‐related hypersensitivity reactions is higher compared to levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Mutagenic dissection of the sequence determinants of protein folding, recognition, and machine function
Authors: Sauer Robert T. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractUnderstanding the relationship between the amino‐acid sequence of a protein and its ability to fold and to function is one of the major challenges of protein science. Here, cases are reviewed in which mutagenesis, biochemistry, structure determination, protein engineering, and single‐molecule biophysics have illuminated the sequence determinants of folding, binding specificity, and biological function for DNA‐binding proteins and ATP‐fueled machines that forcibly unfold native proteins as a prelude to degradation. In addition to structure‐function relationships, these studies provide information about folding intermediates, mutations that accelerate folding, slow unfolding, and stabilize proteins against denaturation, show how new binding specificities and folds can evolve, and reveal strategies that proteolytic machines use to recognize, unfold, and degrade thousands of distinct substrates.
How long does it take to equilibrate the unfolded state of a protein?
Authors: Levy Ronald M. , Dai Wei , Deng Nan‐Jie , Makarov Dmitrii E. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractHow long does it take to equilibrate the unfolded state of a protein? The answer to this question has important implications for our understanding of why many small proteins fold with two state kinetics. When the equilibration within the unfolded state U is much faster than the folding, the folding kinetics will be two state even if there are many folding pathways with different barriers. Yet the mean first passage times (MFPTs) between different regions of the unfolded state can be much longer than the folding time. This seems to imply that the equilibration within U is much slower than the folding. In this communication we resolve this paradox. We present a formula for estimating the time to equilibrate the unfolded state of a protein. We also present a formula for the MFPT to any state within U, which is proportional to the average lifetime of that state divided by the state population. This relation is valid when the equilibration within U is very fast as compared with folding as it often is for small proteins. To illustrate the concepts, we apply the formulas to estimate the time to equilibrate the unfolded state of Trp‐cage and MFPTs within the unfolded state based on a Markov State Model using an ultra‐long 208 microsecond trajectory of the miniprotein to parameterize the model. The time to equilibrate the unfolded state of Trp‐cage is ∼100 ns while the typical MFPTs within U are tens of microseconds or longer.
Surface adsorption considerations when working with amyloid fibrils in multiwell plates and Eppendorf tubes
Authors: Murray Amber N. , Palhano Fernando L. , Bieschke Jan , Kelly Jeffery W. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe accumulation of cross‐β‐sheet amyloid fibrils is the hallmark of amyloid diseases. Recently, we reported the discovery of amyloid disaggregase activities in extracts from mammalian cells and Caenorhabditis elegans. However, we have discovered a problem with the interpretation of our previous results as Aβ disaggregation in vitro. Here, we show that Aβ fibrils adsorb to the plastic surface of multiwell plates and Eppendorf tubes. This adsorption is markedly increased in the presence of complex biological mixtures subjected to a denaturing air‐water interface. The time‐dependent loss of thioflavin T fluorescence that we interpreted previously as disaggregation is due to increased adsorption of Aβ amyloid to the surfaces of multiwell plates and Eppendorf tubes in the presence of biological extracts. As the proteins in biological extracts denature over time at the air‐water interface due to agitation/shaking, their adsorption increases, in turn promoting adsorption of amyloid fibrils. We delineate important control experiments that quantify the extent of amyloid adsorption to the surface of plastic and quartz containers. Based on the results described in this article, we conclude that our interpretation of the kinetic fibril disaggregation assay data previously reported in Bieschke et al., Protein Sci 2009;18:2231–2241 and Murray et al., Protein Sci 2010;19:836–846 is invalid when used as evidence for a disaggregase activity. Thus, we correct the two prior publications reporting that worm or mammalian cell extracts disaggregate Aβ amyloid fibrils in vitro at 37°C (see Corrigenda in this issue of Protein Science). We apologize for misinterpreting our previous data and for any confounding experimental efforts this may have caused.
Effects of subclass change on the structural stability of chimeric, humanized, and human antibodies under thermal stress
Authors: Ito Takahiko , Tsumoto Kouhei 
Published: August 2013

AbstractTo address how changes in the subclass of antibody molecules affect their thermodynamic stability, we prepared three types of four monoclonal antibody molecules (chimeric, humanized, and human) and analyzed their structural stability under thermal stress by using size‐exclusion chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), circular dichroism (CD), and differential scanning fluoroscopy (DSF) with SYPRO Orange as a dye probe. All four molecules showed the same trend in change of structural stability; the order of the total amount of aggregates was IgG1 < IgG2 < IgG4. We thus successfully cross‐validated the effects of subclass change on the structural stability of antibodies under thermal stress by using four methods. The Th values obtained with DSF were well correlated with the onset temperatures obtained with DSC and CD, suggesting that structural perturbation of the CH2 region could be monitored by using DSF. Our results suggested that variable domains dominated changes in structural stability and that the physicochemical properties of the constant regions of IgG were not altered, regardless of the variable regions fused.
Refinement patterns for ASTDs
Authors: Frappier Marc , Gervais Frédéric , Laleau Régine , Milhau Jérémy 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

This paper introduces three refinement patterns for algebraic state-transition diagrams (
astds
): state refinement, transition refinement and loop-transition refinement. These refinement patterns are derived from practice in using
astds
for specifying information systems and security policies in two industrial research projects. Two refinement relations used in these patterns are formally defined. For each pattern, proof obligations are proposed to ensure preservation of behaviour through refinement. The proposed refinement relations essentially consist in preserving scenarios by replacing abstract events with concrete events, or by introducing new events. Deadlocks cannot be introduced; divergence over new events is allowed in one of the refinement relation. We prove congruence-like properties for these three patterns, in order to show that they can be applied to a subpart of a specification while preserving global properties. These three refinement patterns are illustrated with a simple case study of a complaint management system.
A framework for understanding quality of life in individuals without capacity
Authors: Round Jeff , Sampson Elizabeth L. , Jones Louise 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPurposeThe wide range of tools and methods developed for measuring and valuing health-related quality of life for use in economic evaluations are appropriate for use in most populations. However, for certain populations, specific tools may need to be developed to reflect the particular needs of that population. Patients without capacity—particularly patients with severe dementia—are such a population. At present, the tools available to economists for measuring and valuing quality of life in these patients lack validity. Here, we seek to understand the framework within which common instruments have been developed, critique these instruments with respect to patients with severely restricted capacity and to develop a new way of thinking about how to value health-related quality of life in such patients.MethodIn this essay, we describe and critique the conceptual framework by which common instruments used for measuring and valuing quality of life have been developed.ResultsWe show that current common instruments used for measuring and valuing quality of life in general populations are not appropriate for populations with severely restricted capacity.ConclusionsWe propose a new framework for thinking about quality of life in this population, based on notions of observable person-centred outcomes and utility derived from processes of care.
Expert groups in the European Union: A sui generis phenomenon?
Authors: Metz Julia 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThis paper challenges the assumption that the European Union's (EU) unique multi-level governance system leads to distinct policy advisory structures. It focuses on the expert groups that advise the European Commission and examines how they are used in the policy process. Theoretically the relationship between the European Commission and its expert groups is conceptualised as determined by resource dependencies: the EU Commission uses expert groups to acquire expertise, political support and consensus. The assumption that the EU Commission uses its expert groups for multiple purposes beyond the technocratic acquisition of advice is confirmed by a quantitative analysis of their development over time and a qualitative analysis of their use in legislative drafting. These findings reflect those from studies undertaken at other levels of government, which indicates that the role of expert groups in the EU policy process is not a phenomenon sui generis.
CONDOM USE AT SEXUAL DEBUT AMONG CHINESE YOUTH
Authors: GUO WEI , WU ZHENG , SCHIMMELE CHRISTOPH M. , ZHENG XIAOYING 
Published: August 2013

SummaryChinese youth represent a high-risk group for sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies, but there is little understanding of their sexual behaviours. Using nationally representative data, this study examines the social and demographic correlates of condom use by Chinese youth at sexual debut. It also examines the relationship context of condom use at sexual debut. The results indicate that condom use at sexual debut is very low in China, confirming that youth are a high-risk group. The results demonstrate that age and educational attainment are the primary indicators of condom use. Early sexual debut associates with a greater risk of unsafe sex at sexual debut and higher educational attainment increases the likelihood of self-protecting behaviours. The likelihood of self-protection also increases when sexual partners plan their sexual debut or discuss contraception beforehand. The results suggest that interventions are needed to provide youth with better knowledge about self-protection.
Taeniases and cysticercosis in Indonesia: past and present situations
Authors: WANDRA TONI , ITO AKIRA , SWASTIKA KADEK , DHARMAWAN NYOMAN S , SAKO YASUHITO , OKAMOTO MUNEHIRO 
Published: August 2013

SUMMARYThe main aim of this study is to overview the past and present situations of human taeniases and cysticercosis in Indonesia and including future perspectives. Through joint projects from 1996, we have confirmed the occurrence ofTaenia saginata(beef tapeworm) in Bali, ofTaenia solium(pork tapeworm) mainly in Papua and sporadically in Bali, and ofTaenia asiaticain North Sumatra. These taeniases were caused through eating uncooked pork and pig viscera forT. soliumandT. asiatica, respectively, and beef forT. saginata. The distribution of these tapeworms in Indonesia is basically highly restricted by the traditional cultural and religious backgrounds in each island.T. saginatais relatively common in Bali although people consume pork ‘lawar’more than beef ‘lawar’. Taeniases due toT. saginataorT. asiaticaandT. soliumand cysticercosis due toT. soliumhave also been sporadically reported in some other islands. Among these species,T. soliumis exceptional since humans can be infected not only by larval stages (cysticerci) in pork but also by eggs released from human tapeworm carriers. Cysticercosis has been confirmed in Indonesia in humans, pigs and even dogs.
Parasitism and phenotypic change in colonial hosts
Authors: HARTIKAINEN HANNA , FONTES INÊS , OKAMURA BETH 
Published: August 2013

SUMMARYChanges in host phenotype are often attributed to manipulation that enables parasites to complete trophic transmission cycles. We characterized changes in host phenotype in a colonial host–endoparasite system that lacks trophic transmission (the freshwater bryozoan Fredericella sultana and myxozoan parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae). We show that parasitism exerts opposing phenotypic effects at the colony and module levels. Thus, overt infection (the development of infectious spores in the host body cavity) was linked to a reduction in colony size and growth rate, while colony modules exhibited a form of gigantism. Larger modules may support larger parasite sacs and increase metabolite availability to the parasite. Host metabolic rates were lower in overtly infected relative to uninfected hosts that were not investing in propagule production. This suggests a role for direct resource competition and active parasite manipulation (castration) in driving the expression of the infected phenotype. The malformed offspring (statoblasts) of infected colonies had greatly reduced hatching success. Coupled with the severe reduction in statoblast production this suggests that vertical transmission is rare in overtly infected modules. We show that although the parasite can occasionally infect statoblasts during overt infections, no infections were detected in the surviving mature offspring, suggesting that during overt infections, horizontal transmission incurs a trade-off with vertical transmission.
Seroepidemiological survey for canine angiostrongylosis in dogs from Germany and the UK using combined detection of Angiostrongylus vasorum antigen and specific antibodies
Authors: SCHNYDER M. , SCHAPER R. , BILBROUGH G. , MORGAN E. R. , DEPLAZES P. 
Published: August 2013

SUMMARYDogs infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum, a potentially lethal parasite parasitizing the heart and pulmonary arteries, may present severe respiratory, haematological and neurological signs. In this first large-scale seroepidemiological survey, 4003 sera originating from Germany and 4030 from the UK were tested by an ELISA for the detection of circulating antigen of A. vasorum, and by a separate ELISA detecting specific antibodies. In Germany, where mainly western federal states were sampled, 0·3% (n = 13, CI: 0·2–0·6%) of dogs were positive in both ELISAs, whereas in total 0·5% (n = 20, CI: 0·3–0·8%) were antigen-positive and 2·25% (n = 90, CI: 1·8–2·8%) were positive for specific antibodies. Regions with antigen- and antibody-positive animals were overlapping. In the UK, where mainly the south of the country was sampled, 0·97% (n = 39, CI: 0·7–1·3%) of dogs were antigen- and antibody positive. In total, 1·32% (n = 53, CI: 1·0–1·7%) were antigen-positive, and 3·2% (n = 129, CI: 2·7–3·8%) were positive for specific antibodies, again in overlapping regions. These results confirm the occurrence of A. vasorum in a random dog population originating from large parts of the countries investigated. The use of the tests alone or in combination was considered as a function of their sensitivities and specificities, in order to guide efficient clinical and epidemiological application.