bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Up‐Regulation of Stearoyl‐CoA Desaturase 1 Increases Liver MUFA Content in Obese Zucker but Not Goto‐Kakizaki Rats
Authors: Karahashi Minako , Ishii Fumiko , Yamazaki Tohru , Imai Koichi , Mitsumoto Atsushi , Kawashima Yoichi , Kudo Naomi 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe Goto‐Kakizaki (GK) rat is an animal model for spontaneous‐onset, non‐obese type 2 diabetes. Despite abundant evidence about disorders in metabolism, little information is available about fatty acid metabolism in the liver of GK rats. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the fatty acid profile, particularly MUFA, and the mechanism underlying the alterations in fatty acid profiles in the liver of GK rats. The activities of enzymes that participate in the biosynthesis of MUFA, expressions of genes encoding these enzymes, and the fatty acid profile in the liver were compared with those of obese Zucker (fa/fa) (ZF) rats, which are obese and non‐diabetic. Stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD) activity and SCD1 gene expression were considerably up‐regulated in GK rats, and these levels were largely comparable to those in ZF rats. However, the proportions and contents of oleic acid and palmitoleic acid were very low considering the highly elevated activity of SCD in the liver of GK rats, when compared with ZF rats. Palmitoyl‐CoA chain elongation (PCE) activity and fatty acid elongase (Elovl6) gene expression were markedly up‐regulated in ZF rats, whereas PCE activity was up‐regulated much less and Elovl6 gene expression was unchanged in GK rats. These results suggest the possibility that up‐regulation of gene expression of Elovl6 along with SCD1 is indispensable to elevate the proportions and contents of oleic acid in the liver.
DDTA mode pacing in the treatment of complete conduction block from the right atrium to the ventricles and interatrial electrical dissociation after surgical procedures
Authors: Nakamura Yuichi , Suzuki Hitoshi , Takeda Hiroto , Takeishi Yasuchika 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis case report describes a 61‐year‐old man with a complete conduction block from the right atrium to both the ventricles and interatrial electrical dissociation that developed after removal of a left atrial myxoma and a maze surgery. A pacemaker was implanted with biatrial pacing using dual‐chamber DDD pacing with triggered atrial pacing (DDTA) mode to detect the right atrial potential and to pace the left atrium while simultaneously pacing the ventricles. This approach was useful for restoring the native atrioventricular conduction, based on the intrinsic pacemaker activity in the right atrium.
QT prolongation and torsades de pointes during emergency treatment with nifekalant for refractory ventricular tachyarrhythmias: Post‐hoc analysis from a large‐scale multicenter post‐marketing survey in Japan
Authors: Katoh Takao , Ogawa Satoshi , Kasanuki Hiroshi 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundNifekalant, a first‐line drug for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) in Japan, has been known to prolong the QT interval; however, the incidence of excess QT/QTc prolongation and subsequent torsades de pointes (TdP) has not yet been reported.MethodsThe QT/QTc interval and occurrence of TdP during nifekalant therapy were evaluated in 1402 emergency patients with VT/VF.ResultsThirty‐five cases (2.5%) of QT/QTc prolongation and 54 cases (3.9%) of TdP were reported. High nifekalant doses and long QTc intervals were associated with frequent TdP. The incidence of TdP was 1.4% for QTc intervals <0.43, 3.9% for those 0.44–0.49, 5.3% for those 0.50–0.55, 7.3% for those 0.56–0.61, 11.1% for those 0.62–0.67, and 12.5% for those ≥0.68. The odds ratio for TdP was elevated in women (2.48); in patients with any heart disease (4.68), New York Heart Association (NYHA) III or IV (1.81), Forrester subset 2 or worse (2.13), depressed cardiac function (1.86), or liver dysfunction (2.06); and in patients who were receiving concomitant drugs (2.67). In 42 patients (77.8%), TdP required treatment with direct current shock or a second drug.ConclusionNifekalant was effective for refractory VT/VF, although careful observation of the QT/QTc interval and possible occurrence of TdP is required, especially in high‐risk patients.
Genetic screening of KCNJ8 in Japanese patients with J‐wave syndromes or idiopathic ventricular fibrillation
Authors: Wang Qi , Ohno Seiko , Kato Koichi , Fukuyama Megumi , Makiyama Takeru , Kimura Hiromi , Naiki Nobu , Kawamura Mihoko , Hayashi Hideki , Horie Minoru 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundJ‐point elevation has been demonstrated to be associated with ventricular fibrillation (VF) and has been proposed as a cause of the J‐wave syndrome (JWS). A mutation of KCNJ8, S422L, was reported as a culprit gene. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of KCNJ8 mutations in a Japanese population with JWS or idiopathic VF (IVF).MethodsA total of 230 probands with JWS and IVF underwent genetic screening of KCNJ8. To analyze and compare clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics, the probands were divided into 4 groups: Brugada (Br) pattern only, early repolarization (ER) pattern only, Br and ER patterns, and true IVF.ResultsThe results of the genetic analysis revealed no S422L or other KCNJ8 mutations and indicated no significant difference between the groups.ConclusionThe KCNJ8 mutation showed no association with JWS or IVF among our Japanese patients.
Entrapment Neuropathies of the Lower Extremity
Authors: Craig Anita 
Published: March 2013

AbstractNeuropathies that affect the lower limbs are often encountered after trauma or iatrogenic injury or by entrapment at areas of anatomic restriction. Symptoms may initially be masked by concomitant trauma or recovery from surgical procedures. The nerves that serve the lower extremities arise from the lumbosacral plexus, formed by the L2‐S2 nerve roots. The major nerves that supply the lower extremities are the femoral, obturator, lateral femoral cutaneous, and the peroneal (fibular) and tibial, which arise from the sciatic nerve, and the superior and inferior gluteal nerves. An understanding of the motor and sensory functions of these nerves is critical in recognizing and localizing nerve injury. Electrodiagnostic studies are an important diagnostic tool. A well‐designed electromyography study can help confirm and localize a nerve lesion, assess severity, and evaluate for other peripheral nerve lesions, such as plexopathy or radiculopathy.
Transient fluid-combustion phenomena in a model scramjet
Authors: Laurence S. J. , Karl S. , Martinez Schramm J. , Hannemann K. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAn experimental and numerical investigation of the unsteady phenomena induced in a hydrogen-fuelled scramjet combustor under high-equivalence-ratio conditions is carried out, focusing on the processes leading up to unstart. The configuration for the study is the fuelled flow path of the HyShot II flight experiment. Experiments are performed in the HEG reflected-shock wind tunnel, and results are compared with those obtained from unsteady numerical simulations. High-speed schlieren and OH∗ chemiluminescence visualization, together with time-resolved surface pressure measurements, allow links to be drawn between the experimentally observed flow and combustion features. The transient flow structures signalling the onset of unstart are observed to take the form of an upstream-propagating shock train. Both the speed of propagation and the downstream location at which the shock train originates depend strongly on the equivalence ratio. The physical nature of the incipient shock system, however, appears to be similar for different equivalence ratios. Both experiments and computations indicate that the primary mechanism responsible for the transient behaviour is thermal choking, though localized boundary-layer separation is observed to accompany the shock system as it moves upstream. In the numerical simulations, the global choking behaviour is dictated by the limited region of maximum heat release around the shear layer between the injected hydrogen and the incoming air flow. This leads to the idea of ‘local’ thermal choking and results in a lower choking limit than is predicted by a simple integral analysis. Such localized choking makes it possible for new quasi-steady flow topologies to arise, and these are observed in both experiments and simulation. Finally, a quasi-unsteady one-dimensional analytical model is proposed to explain elements of the shock-propagation behaviour.
Turbulent wake past a three-dimensional blunt body. Part 1. Global modes and bi-stability
Authors: Grandemange M. , Gohlke M. , Cadot O. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe flow around the three-dimensional blunt geometry presented in the work of Ahmed, Ramm & Faitin (Tech. Rep., 1984) is investigated experimentally at $\mathit{Re}= {U}_{0} H/ \nu = 9. 2\times 1{0}^{4} $ (where ${U}_{0} $ is free-stream velocity, $H$ the height of the body and $\nu $ viscosity). The very large recirculation on the base responsible for the dominant part of the drag is characterized. The analyses of the coherent dynamics of the wake reveal the presence of two very distinctive time scales. At long time scales ${T}_{l} \sim 1{0}^{3} H/ {U}_{0} $, the recirculation region shifts between two preferred reflectional-symmetry-breaking positions leading to a statistically symmetric wake; the sequence of these asymmetric states is random. This bi-stable behaviour is independent of the Reynolds number but occurs only above a critical value of ground clearance. At short time scales ${T}_{s} \sim 5H/ {U}_{0} $, the wake presents weak coherent oscillations in the vertical and lateral directions. They are respectively associated with the interaction of the top/bottom and lateral shear layers; when normalized by the height and width of the body, the Strouhal numbers are close to 0.17. These results suggest an alternate shedding associated with the vertical oscillation and a one-sided vortex shedding in the lateral direction with an orientation linked to the current asymmetric position. Finally, the impact of these coherent wake motions on the base pressure is discussed to motivate further drag reduction strategies.
Radio Continuum Surveys with Square Kilometre Array Pathfinders
Authors: Norris Ray P. , Afonso J. , Bacon D. , Beck Rainer , Bell Martin , Beswick R. J. , Best Philip , Bhatnagar Sanjay , Bonafede Annalisa , Brunetti Gianfranco , Budavári Tamás , Cassano Rossella , Condon J. J. , Cress Catherine , Dabbech Arwa , Feain I. , Fender Rob , Ferrari Chiara , Gaensler B. M. , Giovannini G. , Haverkorn Marijke , Heald George , Van der Heyden Kurt , Hopkins A. M. , Jarvis M. , Johnston-Hollitt Melanie , Kothes Roland , Van Langevelde Huib , Lazio Joseph , Mao Minnie Y. , Martínez-Sansigre Alejo , Mary David , Mcalpine Kim , Middelberg E. , Murphy Eric , Padovani P. , Paragi Zsolt , Prandoni I. , Raccanelli A. , Rigby Emma , Roseboom I. G. , Röttgering H. , Sabater Jose , Salvato Mara , Scaife Anna M. M. , Schilizzi Richard , Seymour N. , Smith Dan J. B. , Umana Grazia , Zhao G.-B. , Zinn Peter-Christian 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn the lead-up to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, several next-generation radio telescopes and upgrades are already being built around the world. These include APERTIF (The Netherlands), ASKAP (Australia),e-MERLIN (UK), VLA (USA), e-EVN (based in Europe), LOFAR (The Netherlands), MeerKAT (South Africa), and the Murchison Widefield Array. Each of these new instruments has different strengths, and coordination of surveys between them can help maximise the science from each of them. A radio continuum survey is being planned on each of them with the primary science objective of understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies over cosmic time, and the cosmological parameters and large-scale structures which drive it. In pursuit of this objective, the different teams are developing a variety of new techniques, and refining existing ones. To achieve these exciting scientific goals, many technical challenges must be addressed by the survey instruments. Given the limited resources of the global radio-astronomical community, it is essential that we pool our skills and knowledge. We do not have sufficient resources to enjoy the luxury of re-inventing wheels. We face significant challenges in calibration, imaging, source extraction and measurement, classification and cross-identification, redshift determination, stacking, and data-intensive research. As these instruments extend the observational parameters, we will face further unexpected challenges in calibration, imaging, and interpretation. If we are to realise the full scientific potential of these expensive instruments, it is essential that we devote enough resources and careful study to understanding the instrumental effects and how they will affect the data. We have established an SKA Radio Continuum Survey working group, whose prime role is to maximise science from these instruments by ensuring we share resources and expertise across the projects. Here we describe these projects, their science goals, and the technical challenges which are being addressed to maximise the science return.
Oligomerised lychee fruit-derived polyphenol attenuates cognitive impairment in senescence-accelerated mice and endoplasmic reticulum stress in neuronal cells
Authors: Sakurai Takuya , Kitadate Kentaro , Nishioka Hiroshi , Fujii Hajime , Ogasawara Junetsu , Kizaki Takako , Sato Shogo , Fujiwara Tomonori , Akagawa Kimio , Izawa Tetsuya , Ohno Hideki 
Published: March 2013

Recently, the ability of polyphenols to reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has attracted a great deal of interest. In the present study, we investigated the attenuating effects of oligomerised lychee fruit-derived polyphenol (OLFP, also called Oligonol) on early cognitive impairment. Male senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice (4 months old) were given OLFP (100 mg/kg per d) for 2 months, and then conditioned fear memory testing was conducted. Contextual fear memory, which is considered hippocampus-dependent memory, was significantly impaired in SAMP8 mice compared with non-senescence-accelerated mice. OLFP attenuated cognitive impairment in SAMP8 mice. Moreover, the results of real-time PCR analysis that followed DNA array analysis in the hippocampus revealed that, compared with SAMP8 mice, the mRNA expression of Wolfram syndrome 1 (Wfs1) was significantly higher in SAMP8 mice administered with OLFP. Wfs1 reportedly helps to protect against endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which is thought to be one of the causes for AD. The expression of Wfs1 was significantly up-regulated in NG108-15 neuronal cells by the treatment with OLFP, and the up-regulation was inhibited by the treatment of the cells with a c-Jun N-terminal kinase-specific inhibitor rather than with an extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor. Moreover, OLFP significantly attenuated the tunicamycin-induced expression of the ER stress marker BiP (immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein) in the cells. These results suggest that OLFP has an attenuating effect on early cognitive impairment in SAMP8 mice, and diminishes ER stress in neuronal cells.
Current status of the threatened Olrog’s GullLarus atlanticus: global population, breeding distribution and threats
Authors: YORIO PABLO , PETRACCI PABLO , GARCÍA BORBOROGLU PABLO 
Published: March 2013

SummaryOlrog’s GullLarus atlanticusbreeds only in Argentina and is currently categorized as “Vulnerable”. Knowledge of the location of colonies and an updated understanding of human activities that may impact their breeding populations are crucial to the development of adequate conservation and management actions. In this paper we update the breeding distribution and abundance of Olrog’s Gull, using information from three aerial surveys (2004, 2007 and 2009) in its main breeding area, Buenos Aires Province, complemented by additional nest counts in southern Chubut Province, covering its entire breeding range. We also provide an updated and more detailed account of threats faced by Olrog’s Gulls at their nesting grounds, and summarise progress made towards their protection. The number of breeding sites was 7–12 per year, with locations differing among years. Five previously unrecorded breeding locations were identified. Colony size ranged from 5 to 3,540 breeding pairs, with the total breeding population 4,860–7,790 pairs, 98% of which nest in southern Buenos Aires Province. The main threats faced by breeding Olrog’s Gulls include coastal development, pollution, sport fishing and unregulated tourism and recreational activities. Recent strengthening of the protected area system in Argentina has resulted in all known breeding sites, with the exception of Isla Brightman, falling within protected areas. We need comprehensive, simultaneous surveys to track global population trends. Despite enhanced protection of Olrog’s Gull breeding populations, efforts are still needed to ensure that guidelines for their protection are included in management plans and that these are implemented effectively.
Frigatebirds on Aldabra Atoll: population census, recommended monitoring protocol and sustainable tourism guidelines
Authors: ŠÚR MICHAL , BUNBURY NANCY , VAN DE CROMMENACKER JANSKE 
Published: March 2013

SummaryWe report the results of a survey of breeding Greater Frigatebird Fregata minor and Lesser Frigatebird F. ariel on Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Seychelles archipelago, which hosts the largest breeding population of frigatebirds in the Indian Ocean. All four colonies across the atoll were surveyed in 2011 and 2012 by counting adults on nests and chicks, and calculating the number of fledged birds. The breeding population in 2011 consisted of approximately 4,400 pairs of Greater Frigatebird and 6,600 pairs of Lesser Frigatebird. This is a potential increase of at least 10% since the last comparable surveys in 1976/77 and 2000. However, 2012 populations were considerably less than in 2011, highlighting significant annual variation and the need for more data. We also report a new breeding colony on the island of Picard, which was last reported to host breeding frigatebirds a century ago. We outline recommendations for future frigatebird monitoring on Aldabra and elsewhere and revisions to tourist regulations resulting from the census.
Positive association between rat abundance and breeding success of the Critically Endangered Mariana Crow Corvus kubaryi
Authors: AMAR ARJUN , ESSELSTYN JACOB A. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryDiagnosing the causes of population declines of highly endangered species is vital to ensure that appropriate conservation measures are undertaken. Although experiments can provide critical information on potential causes, these can be time consuming and costly, and so it is important to determine the most plausible hypothesis for such tests. The last wild population of the Critically Endangered Mariana Crow Corvus kubaryi has been declining rapidly on Rota in the Mariana Islands. Because nest predation by introduced rats Rattus spp. has been implicated in the declines of other Pacific island birds, we tested for a correlation between breeding success of Mariana Crows and abundance of rats R. diardii surrounding their nest sites. If rats are a contributing factor in this species’s decline, we predicted that breeding success would be lower in areas where rats were more abundant. In complete contrast to this prediction, we found that breeding success was significantly higher where rats were most abundant, suggesting that rats are unlikely to be a major driving force behind the decline in this species. The positive association between crow breeding success and rat abundance suggests these species may be responding to similar habitat needs or a shared predator. This study illustrates the importance of gathering sufficient knowledge on the ecology of a species prior to undertaking costly, logistically difficult and time consuming experiments.
Robo-Polls: Taking Cues from Traditional Sources?
Authors: Clinton Joshua D. , Rogers Steven 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAfter the 2012 Republican New Hampshire primary, 159 poll results were released prior to the subsequent nomination contests in the Republican presidential primary. More than two-thirds of these polls relied on interactive voice response (IVR) software to conduct the interviews. We evaluate the ability of polls to predict the vote-share for the Republican candidates Romney, Santorum, and Gingrich. We find no overall difference in the average accuracy of IVR and traditional human polls, but IVR polls conducted prior to human polls are significantly poorer predictors of election outcomes than traditional human polls even after controlling for characteristics of the states, polls, and electoral environment. These findings provide suggestive, but not conclusive, evidence that pollsters may take cues from one another given the stakes involved. If so, reported polls should not be assumed to be independent of one another and so-called poll-of-polls will be misleadingly precise.
Vote Au Pluriel: How People Vote When Offered to Vote Under Different Rules
Authors: Van der Straeten Karine , Laslier Jean-François , Blais André 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis article reports on an Internet-based quasi-experiment that took place during the French 2012 presidential election. We designed a website where French voters could vote under different voting rules. Based on the observation of more than 8,000 participants, we find that a substantial minority (10% to 15%) vote differently under the different systems, with 17% of the voters not voting for their preferred candidate in the one-round election, this percentage dropped to 12% in the alternative vote (first choice). Compared to the two-rounds election, at the aggregate level, the top two candidates get slightly more votes under one round, while the minor candidates obtain more first choices under the alternative vote. These findings are consistent with what the literature suggests about the impact of these voting systems on voters' choice.
Sandy the Rainmaker: The Electoral Impact of a Super Storm
Authors: Velez Yamil , Martin David 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe arrival of Hurricane Sandy within a week of the 2012 presidential election caused unprecedented disruption to the final days of the campaign and Election Day in areas that were affected. The precise impact of the storm on those areas hit hardest was not necessarily clear. Contrary to prior research on the effect of disasters on electoral outcomes, we find that the president's vote share was ultimately increased in storm-affected areas by about four percentage points, plus or minus two points. While those states most heavily affected were unlikely to give their electoral vote to Romney because of other factors, we present counterfactual analyses that show that such a storm could have had a significant impact on swing states: although the storm only affected some areas, we show that Virginia would likely have been won by Romney were it not hit at all, whereas North Carolina would likely have gone for Obama had it been directly in the storm's path.