bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Chemical Relaxation Study of Base Pairing through Self‐Association of Uracil and its Hetero‐Association with Adenine
Authors: Hopmann Rudolf F. W. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractA chemical relaxation study of base pairing through self‐association of 1‐isobutyl‐6‐methyl‐uracil (I) and its hetero‐association with 5‐O‐acetyl‐2′,3′‐O‐isopropylidene‐adenosine (II) in benzene has been carried out by means of the dipolar chemical field effect. The measurements have been interpreted in terms of kinetic parameters as well as with respect to the structures of these hydrogen bonded complexes. The rate constants and dipole moments are: magnified image the self‐association being a dimerization process. The dimerization constant (K0 = 1151/mol) has been checked by i.r. spectrophotometric measurements, and a comparison has been made between I and 5′‐O‐acetyl‐2′,3′‐O‐isopropylidene‐uridine in tetrachloromethane, chloroform, and benzene. In benzene, the dimer of I acquires most probably structure IV, and the A = U‐base pair will be the so‐called Hoogsteenassociate X.
Response of nonlinear soil‐MDOF structure systems subjected to distinct frequency‐content components of near‐fault ground motions
Authors: Khoshnoudian Faramarz , Ahmadi Ehsan , Sohrabi Sina 
Published: September 2013

SUMMARYThis paper is devoted to investigate the effects of near‐fault ground motions on the seismic responses of nonlinear MDOF structures considering soil‐structure interaction (SSI). Attempts are made to take into account the effects of different frequency‐content components of near‐fault records including pulse‐type (PT) and high‐frequency (HF) components via adopting an ensemble of 54 near‐fault ground motions. A deep sensitivity analysis is implemented based on the main parameters of the soil‐structure system. The soil is simulated based on the Cone model concept, and the superstructure is idealized as a nonlinear shear building. The results elucidate that SSI has approximately increasing and mitigating effects on structural responses to the PT and HF components, respectively. Also, a threshold period exists above which the HF component governs the structural responses. As the fundamental period of the structure becomes shorter and structural target ductility reduces, the contribution of the HF component to the structural responses increases, elaborately. Soil flexibility makes the threshold period increase, and the effect of the PT component becomes more significant than the HF one. In the case of soil‐structure system, slenderizing the structure also increases this threshold period and causes the PT component to be dominant. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visualizing Qualitative Data in Evaluation Research
Authors: Henderson Stuart , Segal Eden H. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis chapter introduces data visualization techniques for qualitative data. These techniques can be used in most stages of evaluations, including early planning and design, data analysis, and reporting. Qualitative data visualization can also be used in different approaches to evaluation, for instance, traditional process and summative, developmental, utilization, participatory, and mixed‐methods evaluations. The authors first describe a conceptual framework for understanding the different types of qualitative data visualizations before providing examples of visualizations in various evaluation contexts. The chapter concludes with a discussion of challenges or issues evaluators should consider when visualizing qualitative data. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
Toolography
Authors: Kistler Susan J. , Evergreen Stephanie , Azzam Tarek 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis chapter offers descriptions of a selection of the tools mentioned in this issue and the next, as well as others in use in the field, and provides readers with a general estimate of their ease of use, whether they are available for free, and their strengths and weaknesses, along with information on how to access further information and alternatives to the tool. The number of tools available for data visualization is both extensive and growing rapidly. We will look at example tools in several categories—data visualization suites, mapping tools, finishing tools, qualitative visualization tools, word cloud generators, and social network analysis tools—but want to reiterate that these are only a starting point. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
Ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐ and meso‐lactide initiated by indium bis(phenolate) isopropoxy complexes
Authors: Kapelski Andreas , Okuda Jun 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACTRing‐opening polymerization of rac‐ and meso‐lactide initiated by indium bis(phenolate) isopropoxides {1,4‐dithiabutanediylbis(4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenolate)}(isopropoxy)indium (1) and {1,4‐dithiabutanediylbis(4,6‐di(2‐phenyl‐2‐propyl)phenolate)}(isopropoxy)indium (2) is found to follow first‐order kinetics for monomer conversion. Activation parameters ΔH‡ and ΔS‡ suggest an ordered transition state. Initiators 1 and 2 polymerize meso‐lactide faster than rac‐lactide. In general, compound 2 with the more bulky cumyl ortho‐substituents in the phenolate moiety shows higher polymerization activity than 1 with tert‐butyl substituents. meso‐Lactide is polymerized to syndiotactic poly(meso‐lactides) in THF, while polymerization of rac‐lactide in THF gives atactic poly(rac‐lactides) with solvent‐dependent preferences for heterotactic (THF) or isotactic (CH2Cl2) sequences. Indium bis(phenolate) compound rac‐(1,2‐cyclohexanedithio‐2,2′‐bis{4,6‐di(2‐phenyl‐2‐propyl)phenolato}(isopropoxy)indium (3) polymerizes meso‐lactide to give syndiotactic poly(meso‐lactide) with narrow molecular weight distributions and rac‐lactide in THF to give heterotactically enriched poly(rac‐lactides). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 4983–4991
Sex Differences in Interpersonal Violence in Malawi: Analysis of a Hospital‐Based Trauma Registry
Authors: Kiser Michelle , Escamilla Veronica , Samuel Jonathan , Eichelberger Kacey , Mkwaila Judith , Cairns Bruce , Charles Anthony 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBackgroundAlthough interpersonal violence (“assault”) exists in every society, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 90 % of the exposure burden occurs in low‐ and middle‐income countries. The objectives of this study were to define the incidence of assault‐related injuries among subjects presenting for emergency room care secondary to sustained trauma in Lilongwe, Malawi; to measure the impact of sex on incidence, injury type, and care received; and to measure the effect of both sex and geographic location of the injury on time to presentation for medical care.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort analysis of data prospectively collected in the Kamuzu Central Hospital Trauma Surveillance Registry from July 2008 to December 2010 (n = 23,625). We used univariate, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses to measure association of sex with variables of interest, and geospatial mapping to evaluate the association of location of assault on time to presentation for care.ResultsThe mean age of our trauma cohort was 27.7 years. Assaults accounted for 26.8 % of all injuries. Of those assaulted, 21.0 % (1299) were female, who were younger (26.2 vs. 28.1 years, p < 0.001), more likely to arrive to the hospital by minibus (p < 0.001), and less likely to arrive by police (p < 0.001). Altogether 62 % of the females were assaulted in their homes—much more often than their male counterparts (p < 0.001). Females were more likely to sustain contusions (p < 0.001) and males more likely to have lacerations and penetrating stab wounds (p < 0.001) or head injury (p < 0.001). Females had delayed hospital presentation following assault (p = 0.001) and were more likely to be treated as outpatients after adjusting for age, injury type, and injury location (adjusted odds ratio 1.74, 95 % CI 1.3–2.3, p < 0.001). Assaults clustered geographically in the Lilongwe district. Delayed presentation of females occurred irrespective of proximity to the hospital.ConclusionsThis study brings attention to sex differences in assault victims. A prevention strategy focusing on sex roles and domestic abuse of women is paramount. Efforts are needed to stop dischargin female assault victims back into a potentially unsafe, abusive environment.
Improvement of NADPH bioavailability in Escherichia coli by replacing NAD+-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase GapA with NADP+-dependent GapB from Bacillus subtilis and addition of NAD kinase
Authors: Wang Yipeng , San Ka-Yiu , Bennett George N 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Enzymatic synthesis of some industrially important compounds depends heavily on cofactor NADPH as the reducing agent. This is especially true in the synthesis of chiral compounds that are often used as pharmaceutical intermediates to generate the correct stereochemistry in bioactive products. The high cost and technical difficulty of cofactor regeneration often pose a challenge for such biocatalytic reactions. In this study, to increase NADPH bioavailability, the native NAD+-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gapA gene in Escherichia coli was replaced with a NADP+-dependent gapB from Bacillus subtilis. To overcome the limitation of NADP+ availability, E. coli NAD kinase, nadK was also coexpressed with gapB. The recombinant strains were then tested in three reporting systems: biosynthesis of lycopene, oxidation of cyclohexanone with cyclohexanone monooxygenase (CHMO), and an anaerobic system utilizing 2-haloacrylate reductase (CAA43). In all the reporting systems, replacing NAD+-dependent GapA activity with NADP+-dependent GapB activity increased the synthesis of NADPH-dependent compounds. The increase was more pronounced when NAD kinase was also overexpressed in the case of the one-step reaction catalyzed by CAA43 which approximately doubled the product yield. These results validate this novel approach to improve NADPH bioavailability in E. coli and suggest that the strategy can be applied in E. coli or other bacterium-based production of NADPH-dependent compounds.
Impact of ganglionated plexi ablation on high‐frequency stimulation‐induced changes in atrial fibrillation cycle length in the pulmonary vein
Authors: Takami Mitsuru , Yamashiro Kohei , Sakamoto Yuichiro , Satoh Koyo , Suzuki Takahiko 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBackgroundWe assessed high‐frequency stimulation (HFS)‐induced changes in the atrial fibrillation (AF) cycle length (AFCL) in the pulmonary vein (PV) after ganglionated plexi (GP) ablation.MethodsTwenty‐two patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF were retrospectively enrolled. Sites showing a vagal response (VR) to HFS were defined as GP‐positive sites. AFCL was determined in the adjacent PV, distant PV, coronary sinus, and right atrium. Twenty cycles were counted before and after each HFS. After radiofrequency application to the GP site, HFS was repeated.ResultsAt GP‐positive sites (n=57), significant shortening of the AFCL was detected in the adjacent PV (17% shortening, 165±38 to 137±27 ms, p<0.001) and distant PV (4.8% shortening, p<0.001), but not in the coronary sinus (0.8% shortening, p=0.27) or right atrium (1.8% shortening, p=0.06). However, no significant shortening was observed at GP‐negative sites (n=25). At 41 of the 57 sites where VR disappeared after a single radiofrequency application, no significant shortening was observed in the adjacent PV (2.1% shortening, p=0.25). At 16 of the 57 sites where VR was still present, significant shortening was observed in the adjacent PV (16% shortening, p<0.001).ConclusionsHFS of the GP has a strong influence on AFCL in the PV.
Ultrasound Examination of the Serratus Anterior During Scapular Protraction in Asymptomatic Individuals: Reliability and Changes With Contraction
Authors: Talbott Nancy R. , Witt Dexter W. 
Published: September 2013

ObjectiveTo determine the ability of 2 clinicians to reliably measure the thickness of the serratus anterior (SA) muscle using ultrasound during scapular protraction and to determine whether that thickness changes during activation of the SA.DesignA cross‐sectional observational study.SettingAn outpatient biomechanical laboratory.ParticipantsTwenty healthy, asymptomatic adults between the ages of 23 and 28 years.MethodsUltrasound imaging measurements were recorded during 3 conditions: (1) with the subject in a side‐lying position and resting in a supported position of 90° of shoulder flexion; (2) with the subject in a side‐lying position and the shoulder in 90° of shoulder flexion and actively protracting; and (3) with the subject in a side‐lying position and the shoulder in 90° of shoulder flexion while holding the protracted position against 15 lb of force.Main Outcome MeasurementsReproducibility was examined with use of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and standard error of measurements. The thickness of the SA muscle measured during each condition was compared.ResultsIntratester and intertester ICC values were high. Ranges for ICCs were 0.892‐0.979 for intratester reliability within a session, 0.900‐0.912 for intratester reliability between sessions, and 0.929‐0.939 for intertester reliability. Statistically significant differences in the thickness of the SA were found between the rest condition and the hold with resistance condition but not between the rest condition and the active hold condition.ConclusionFindings of this study document the high reliability of ultrasound imaging in determining SA muscle thickness and thickness changes at rest and during contraction of the SA. Clinicians should be aware that resistance may need to be added to active scapular protraction in a side‐lying position to produce a significant change in SA thickness from the rest position. This information can be used by clinicians who assess the SA and treat scapular dysfunction when activation or facilitation of the SA is required.
Attitudes and practices in the management of ADHD among healthcare professionals who responded to a European survey
Authors: Fitzgerald M. , McNicholas F. 
Published: September 2013

ObjectivesTo examine attitudes and practices in the management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among health professionals across seven European countries.MethodsThe web-based survey was developed by an international steering committee of ADHD experts and consisted of 64 multiple-choice questions relating to ADHD, covering the following topics: attitudes, diagnosis, referral, treatment and improving care. Health professionals working with ADHD were identified using a medical marketing database (Medical Marketing Service Inc., IL, USA) and invited via email to participate in the survey. No incentive was offered for participation and the survey was only available in English.ResultsOver 22 000 emails and postal invitations were sent. One hundred and thirty-four (0.6%) health professionals completed the survey. Results highlighted significant differences by profession and country. In general, ADHD is considered a clinically important and valid disorder (n = 111, 84%), with biological underpinnings (n = 82, 62%), continuing into adulthood (n = 123, 93%) and responsive to treatment. Respondents from France were less likely to be convinced about biological validity (n = 4, 27%) and those from Italy and France were more likely to be concerned about the risk of underdiagnosis (n = 9, 64% and n = 9, 60%, respectively). Psychologists were the specialty who most frequently reported not believing in the diagnostic validity of ADHD (n = 4, 19%). One-third (n = 25, 35%) of respondents recommended medical tests before prescribing medication, with differences emerging by country despite the lack of support for such routine assessments in the guidelines.ConclusionsDespite the very low response rate, intriguing country- and profession-specific differences emerged in this study and warrant further exploration.
A Lactobacillus casei Shirota probiotic drink reduces antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in patients with spinal cord injuries: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wong Samford , Jamous Ali , O'Driscoll Jean , Sekhar Ravi , Weldon Mike , Yau Chi Y. , Hirani Shashivadan P. , Grimble George , Forbes Alastair 
Published: September 2013

Certain probiotics may prevent the development of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD), but their effectiveness depends on both strain and dose. There are few data on nutritional interventions to control AAD/CDAD in the spinal cord injury (SCI) population. The present study aimed to assess (1) the efficacy of consuming a commercially produced probiotic containing at least 6·5 × 109 live Lactobacilluscasei Shirota (LcS) in reducing the incidence of AAD/CDAD, and (2) whether undernutrition and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are risk factors for AAD/CDAD. A total of 164 SCI patients (50·1 (sd 17·8) years) with a requirement for antibiotics (median 21 d, range 5–366) were randomly allocated to receive LcS (n 76) or no probiotic (n 82). LcS was given once daily for the duration of the antibiotic course and continued for 7 days thereafter. Nutritional risk was assessed by the Spinal Nutrition Screening Tool. The LcS group had a significantly lower incidence of AAD (17·1 v. 54·9 %, P< 0·001). At baseline, 65 % of patients were at undernutrition risk. Undernutrition (64·1 v. 33·3 %, P< 0·01) and the use of PPI (38·4 v. 12·1 %, P= 0·022) were found to be associated with AAD. However, no significant difference was observed in nutrient intake between the groups. The multivariate logistic regression analysis identified poor appetite ( < 1/2 meals eaten) (OR 5·04, 95 % CI 1·28, 19·84) and no probiotic (OR 8·46, 95 % CI 3·22, 22·20) as the independent risk factors for AAD. The present study indicated that LcS could reduce the incidence of AAD in hospitalised SCI patients. A randomised, placebo-controlled study is needed to confirm this apparent therapeutic success in order to translate into improved clinical outcomes.
Spatial sensitivity, responsivity, and surround suppression of LGN cell responses in the macaque
Authors: SEIM THORSTEIN , VALBERG ARNE 
Published: September 2013

AbstractResponses of cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the macaque monkey have been measured for different sizes of chromatic and achromatic stimuli, with relative luminance spanning a range of 3–6 log units. Homogeneous illuminated test fields, centered on the receptive field, were used. Responses to these stimuli deviated from what is expected for the grating stimuli used to study the contrast-sensitive mechanisms in the visual pathway. For test fields smaller than the center of the receptive field, both the excitatory and the inhibitory cone-opponent components were present in the response, and the sensitivity to both components increased with the same factor when the test field increased in size (area summation). For test field areas extending into the suppressive surround of the extraclassical receptive field, the excitatory and the inhibitory cone opponents were both suppressed, again by the same factor. This suppression of the cell’s responsiveness, as a function of test spot area, was described by a logarithmic function, and the spatial sensitivity of attenuation could therefore be described by a power function of radius. The logarithmic suppression was clear for parvocellular and koniocellular cells but was more prominent for magnocellular cells. The surround field suppression was also found for the prepotential inputs to LGN cells, indicating a retinal origin. The difference of Gaussian (DOG) model has been used successfully to describe the cells’ contrast behavior for grating stimuli. However, this model fails to describe the constant excitatory/inhibitory response balance needed to obtain color (hue) stability for light stimuli of different sizes but with the same Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity and luminance factor. Neither the constant responsiveness found in the center of the receptive field nor the suppressive response in the surround can be described by the DOG model.
Habitat alteration enables hybridisation between Lesser Spotted and Greater Spotted Eagles in north-east Poland
Authors: MACIOROWSKI GRZEGORZ , MIRSKI PAWEŁ 
Published: September 2013

SummaryWetlands in the Biebrza Valley, north-east Poland, are inhabited by two closely related Aquila species: the more numerous Lesser Spotted Eagle A. pomarina prefers human-transformed landscapes, whereas the very rare Greater Spotted Eagle A. clanga is associated with natural marshy landscapes. At least since the last decade of the 20th century, these two species have been known to hybridise in the broad zone of their sympatric occurrence in Europe. The aim of the present study was to compare habitat preferences of both spotted eagle species in order to detect which environmental factors could increase the probability of hybridisation. We analysed nesting and hunting habitats for 148 breeding territories (61 of A. pomarina, 56 of A. clanga and 31 of mixed pairs). As expected, the presence of breeding Greater Spotted Eagles was associated with non-transformed marshy landscapes, whereas Lesser Spotted Eagles clearly preferred human-transformed areas. We hypothesised that mixed pairs should occur in intermediate habitat, confirming this assumption by analysing several variables: distance to human settlements, distance to open areas, and proportion of wetlands, shrublands, grasslands, agricultural mosaic and arable land. Results of this study suggest that some landscape changes can enable two species with different habitat requirements to inhabit the same area and hybridise. This scenario has potential conservation implications for the rarer species, Greater Spotted Eagle, which has narrower habitat preferences.
Initial use of endothelial progenitor cells capturing stents in paediatric congenital heart disease
Authors: Cabanelas Nuno , Martins José D. F. , Pinto Fátima 
Published: September 2013

AbstractIntroductionStenosis, mediated by neointimal hyperplasia and thrombosis, is a major limiting factor in successful stent implantation. The introduction of a stent, coated in its endoluminal surface by antihuman CD34 antibodies with endothelial progenitor cell-capturing properties, opens the possibility of promoting a rapid and normal functioning coverage by endothelium and thus avoids both an excessive cell proliferation within stent and the need for long-term dual antiplatelet therapy. These stents, developed for adult coronary artery disease, have not yet been implanted in children or in those with congenital heart disease.Objective and methodsIn this paper, we describe the implantation of Genous®stents in three children with cyanotic congenital heart disease and obstructed systemic-to-pulmonary shunts. We describe the use of this stent and address its potential feasibility in paediatric congenital heart disease.ResultsTo maintain the patency of two modified Blalock–Taussig shunts and one ductus arteriosus, four Genous®stents were implanted in three infants with cyanotic heart disease. All procedures were immediately successful, with resolution of stenosis and improvement in transcutaneous oxygen saturation from 66% ± 3.6% to 92% ± 2.6%. In the follow-up, one stent had no occlusion; however, the remaining two had partial occlusion after 5 and 5.5 months, which were successfully managed with balloon dilatation preceding elective definitive surgical correction.ConclusionIn our preliminary experience, we demonstrated that Genous®stent implantation was feasible in infants with complex congenital heart disease. Additional studies with larger samples and longer follow-up are required to confirm the potential benefits of this technology in this clinical setting.