bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of a new multiple osteochondromas classification through Switching Neural Networks
Authors: Mordenti Marina , Ferrari Enrico , Pedrini Elena , Fabbri Nicola , Campanacci Laura , Muselli Marco , Sangiorgi Luca 
Published: February 2013

AbstractMultiple osteochondromas (MO), previously known as hereditary multiple exostoses (HME), is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by the formation of several benign cartilage‐capped bone growth defined osteochondromas or exostoses. Various clinical classifications have been proposed but a consensus has not been reached. The aim of this study was to validate (using a machine learning approach) an “easy to use” tool to characterize MO patients in three classes according to the number of bone segments affected, the presence of skeletal deformities and/or functional limitations. The proposed classification has been validated (with a highly satisfactory mean accuracy) by analyzing 150 different variables on 289 MO patients through a Switching Neural Network approach (a novel classification technique capable of deriving models described by intelligible rules in if‐then form). This approach allowed us to identify ankle valgism, Madelung deformity and limitation of the hip extra‐rotation as “tags” of the three clinical classes. In conclusion, the proposed classification provides an efficient system to characterize this rare disease and is able to define homogeneous cohorts of patients to investigate MO pathogenesis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of poly(butylene succinate) microspheres for delivery of levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Mohanraj Krithika , Sethuraman Swaminathan , Krishnan Uma Maheswari 
Published: February 2013

AbstractParkinson's is a major neurodegenerative disorder that occurs due to loss of dopaminergic neurons in basal ganglia. Conventional therapy includes surgery that involves lot of risk and administration of levodopa which is accompanied by poor bioavailability, short half‐life, and side effects. In the present study, poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu) microspheres‐based drug delivery system to improve the bioavailability of the drug levodopa was evaluated for the first time. Biodegradable porous and smooth PBSu microspheres were prepared by double emulsion solvent evaporation technique (W/O/W) and the effect of solvent and surfactant was studied. The maximum encapsulation efficiency achieved was 53.93% and 62.28% for porous and smooth microspheres, respectively. In vitro drug release was studied in phosphate buffered saline and simulated CSF buffer of pH 7.4. Initially a burst effect followed by sustained release of drug was obtained for about 32 h and 159 h for porous and smooth microspheres, respectively. The release rate was higher in simulated CSF when compared with PBS, due to higher concentration of sodium ions and cations in simulated CSF. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.
Enhancement of mechanical properties of experimental composite by Fuller's earth nanofibers for cervical restoration
Authors: Houshyar Aydin , Khavandi Ali Reza , Javadpour Jafar , Samani Saeed , Naimi‐Jamal Mohammad Reza , Atai Mohammad 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIn this research, we studied improvement of mechanical properties of dimethacrylate‐silica based dental composites by addition of Fuller's Earth (FE) clay. Three composites were made as base compounds consisting of 68, 58, and 48 wt % resin and 31, 41, and 51 wt % silica, respectively. Afterward, the composites were modified by adding FE. Mechanical properties including flexural strength, flexural modulus, work‐of‐fracture, fracture toughness, and microhardness were measured. Clay particles and fracture surface of composites consisting of 51 wt % silica (with and without FE) were examined by SEM. Measured results showed that flexural strength, work‐of‐fracture, flexural modulus, and microhardness of all composites increased by including FE nanofibers. Fracture toughness except for composite including 51 wt % silica had similar variations. It seems that locating FE nanofibers in weak resin region among silica particles leads to strengthening mechanisms, such as bridging and crack deflection, which cause improvement in mechanical properties. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.
Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among children and adolescents in Singapore, 2008–2010
Authors: Ang Li Wei , Tey Su Hui , Cutter Jeffery , James Lyn , Goh Kee Tai 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA national pediatric survey was undertaken to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers in Singapore. The aim was to assess the impact of the national childhood immunization program against hepatitis B implemented for all newborns since 1987. The survey involved prospective collection of residual sera from Singapore residents aged 1–17 years attending inpatient services or day surgery in two public hospitals between August 2008 and July 2010. A total of 1,200 sera were collected comprising 400 in each of the three age groups of 1–6, 7–12, and 13–17 years. The sera were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAg (anti‐HBs). Four of the 1,200 samples tested positive for HBsAg, giving an overall prevalence of 0.3%. One and three in the 7–12 years and 13–17 years age groups, respectively, were positive for HBsAg. About 40% possessed anti‐HBs (≥10 mIU/ml); the antibody prevalence decreased significantly from 63.8% in children aged 1–6 years to 32.8% in 7–12 year olds, and 23.5% in 13–17 year olds (P < 0.0005). The successful implementation of the national childhood hepatitis B immunization program over the last two decades has resulted in a low prevalence of HBsAg among children and adolescents. Singapore has achieved the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region's goal in reducing the prevalence of chronic HBV infection to below 2% among children aged 5 years and older by 2012 and to below 1% by 2017. J. Med. Virol. 85:583–588, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diurnal variations in summertime lightning activity in Tropical Asia
Authors: Sen Roy Shouraseni , Balling Robert C. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTMany meteorological phenomena exhibit distinctive diurnal variations that vary substantially from place to place. In this investigation, we use Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission data to assess spatial patterns in the diurnal variations of summertime lightning activity throughout tropical Asia. Harmonic analysis of the dataset reveals strong diurnal patterns in lightning activity with most locations exhibiting an afternoon maximum and a late‐night, early morning minimum. Notable exceptions include the eastern coastal areas of the Indian subcontinent and China, with the peak activity occurring in the early evening hours. We generally find that the diurnal patterns are related to orographic interactions as well as the seasonal wind circulation of onshore winds along the coastal areas. The strength of the cycle was relatively stronger in the interior of the continent particularly over northwestern India and the Tibetan plateau. Copyright © 2013 Royal Meteorological Society
Influence of sky temperature distribution on sky view factor and its applications in urban heat island
Authors: Zhu Shanyou , Guan Huade , Bennett John , Clay Roger , Ewenz Caecilia , Benger Simon , Maghrabi Abdullrahman , Millington Andrew C. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTThe sky view factor (SVF) is a commonly used indicator in research fields of urban microclimate such as the urban heat island (UHI). Analytical methods have been widely adapted in SVF estimation with the development of accurate three dimensional (3D) data, in which, however, the sky radiance is usually assumed to be isotropic. In this study, we discuss the sky temperature distribution and its influence on the SVF calculation based on its definition and differential geometry, and then according to the nocturnal net outgoing radiation ratio of cloudy skies to that of clear skies, the effective SVF (ESVF) is presented and defined to explain UHI intensity variance. The results of numerical computation combined with calculations from true 3D building data for Adelaide, Australia, demonstrate that the sky temperature variance has little effect on SVF estimation. While for totally overcast or cloudy sky conditions, Ts is less different from the sky temperature than for clear skies, the proposed ESVF is sensitive to the sky temperature distribution and cloud cover fraction, providing the potential ability to analyse UHI intensity for various cloudy conditions. Copyright © 2013 Royal Meteorological Society
Free‐living bacterial communities associated with tubeworm (Ridgeia piscesae) aggregations in contrasting diffuse flow hydrothermal vent habitats at the Main Endeavour Field, Juan de Fuca Ridge
Authors: Forget Nathalie L. , Kim Juniper S. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractWe systematically studied free‐living bacterial diversity within aggregations of the vestimentiferan tubeworm Ridgeia piscesae sampled from two contrasting flow regimes (High Flow and Low Flow) in the Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents Marine Protected Area (MPA) on the Juan de Fuca Ridge (Northeast Pacific). Eight samples of particulate detritus were recovered from paired tubeworm grabs from four vent sites. Most sequences (454 tag and Sanger methods) were affiliated to the Epsilonproteobacteria, and the sulfur‐oxidizing genus Sulfurovum was dominant in all samples. Gammaproteobacteria were also detected, mainly in Low Flow sequence libraries, and were affiliated with known methanotrophs and decomposers. The cooccurrence of sulfur reducers from the Deltaproteobacteria and the Epsilonproteobacteria suggests internal sulfur cycling within these habitats. Other phyla detected included Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Deinococcus–Thermus. Statistically significant relationships between sequence library composition and habitat type suggest a predictable pattern for High Flow and Low Flow environments. Most sequences significantly more represented in High Flow libraries were related to sulfur and hydrogen oxidizers, while mainly heterotrophic groups were more represented in Low Flow libraries. Differences in temperature, available energy for metabolism, and stability between High Flow and Low Flow habitats potentially explain their distinct bacterial communities.
Assessment of Phytoestrogen and Mycoestrogen Recognition by Recombinant Human Estrogen Receptor‐α Using Ligand Titration Arrays
Authors: Andres Sarah A. , Bumpus Stefanie B. , Wittliff James L. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTIntroductionExposure to phytoestrogens and mycoestrogens has emerged as a public health issue due to their potentially endocrine disruption activities resulting from direct interaction with sex‐steroid hormone receptors. There is a significant requirement for comprehensive, reproducible methods to determine the extent of estrogen mimicry by compounds encountered in the environment to estimate risk:benefit ratios, particularly in humans.ObjectiveTo develop a systematic approach for assessing recognition of chemically diverse compounds by human estrogen receptor proteins to aid in their assessment as endocrine disruptor compounds (EDCs).MethodsRecombinant human estrogen receptor‐α protein (rhERα) was expressed in Saccharomyces cervisiae as an ubiquitin fusion under control of a CUP1 promoter and partially purified with heparin affinity chromatography in the unliganded state. A novel radio‐ligand binding array was developed to evaluate structurally diverse compounds, both naturally occurring and synthetic, for estrogen binding activity and affinity.ResultsBinding affinities of suspected estrogen mimics for rhERα were calculated over a range of [3H]estradiol‐17β concentrations using Lundon OneSite® and Compete® software.Conclusionβ‐zearalanol, a mycoestrogen similar to zearalenone used as an ICCVAM validation substance for the in vitro estrogen receptor binding assays (ICCAM report), was employed as a model estrogen mimic to illustrate the approach, methods and calculations using these techniques. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cellular Plasticity Confers Migratory and Invasive Advantages to a Population of Glioblastoma-Initiating Cells that Infiltrate Peritumoral Tissue
Authors: Ruiz-Ontañon Patricia , Orgaz Jose L. , Aldaz Beatriz , Elosegui-Artola Alberto , Martino Juan , Berciano Maria T. , Montero Juan A. , Grande Lara , Nogueira Lorena , Diaz-Moralli Santiago , Esparís-Ogando Azucena , Vazquez-Barquero Alfonso , Lafarga Miguel , Pandiella Atanasio , Cascante Marta , Segura Victor , Martinez-Climent Jose A. , Sanz-Moreno Victoria , Fernandez-Luna Jose L. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractGlioblastoma (GBM) is associated with infiltration of peritumoral (PT) parenchyma by isolated tumor cells that leads to tumor regrowth. Recently, GBM stem-like or initiating cells (GICs) have been identified in the PT area, but whether these GICs have enhanced migratory and invasive capabilities compared with GICs from the tumor mass (TM) is presently unknown. We isolated GICs from the infiltrated PT tissue and the TM of three patients and found that PT cells have an advantage over TM cells in two-dimensional and three-dimensional migration and invasion assays. Interestingly, PT cells display a high plasticity in protrusion formation and cell shape and their migration is insensitive to substrate stiffness, which represent advantages to infiltrate microenvironments of different rigidity. Furthermore, mouse and chicken embryo xenografts revealed that only PT cells showed a dispersed distribution pattern, closely associated to blood vessels. Consistent with cellular plasticity, simultaneous Rac and RhoA activation are required for the enhanced invasive capacity of PT cells. Moreover, Rho GTPase signaling modulators αVβ3 and p27 play key roles in GIC invasiveness. Of note, p27 is upregulated in TM cells and inhibits RhoA activity. Gene silencing of p27 increased the invasive capacity of TM GICs. Additionally, β3 integrin is upregulated in PT cells. Blockade of dimeric integrin αVβ3, a Rac activator, reduced the invasive capacity of PT GICs in vitro and abrogated the spreading of PT cells into chicken embryos. Thus, our results describe the invasive features acquired by a unique subpopulation of GICs that infiltrate neighboring tissue.
Concise Review: The Sox2-Oct4 Connection: Critical Players in a Much Larger Interdependent Network Integrated at Multiple Levels
Authors: Rizzino Angie 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The transcription factors Sox2 and Oct4 have been a major focus of stem cell biology since the discovery, more than 10 years ago, that they play critical roles during embryogenesis. Early work established that these two transcription factors work together to regulate genes required for the self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESC). Surprisingly, small changes (∼twofold) in the levels of either Oct4 or Sox2 induce the differentiation of ESC. Consequently, ESC must maintain the levels of these two transcription factors within narrow limits. Genome-wide binding studies and unbiased proteomic screens have been conducted to decipher the complex roles played by Oct4 and Sox2 in the transcriptional circuitry of ESC. Together, these and other studies provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular machinery that sustains the self-renewal of ESC and restrains their differentiation. Importantly, these studies paint a landscape in which Oct4 and Sox2 are part of a much larger interdependent network composed of many transcription factors that are interconnected at multiple levels of function.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells with a Mitochondrial DNA Deletion
Authors: Cherry Anne B. C. , Gagne Katelyn E. , Mcloughlin Erin M. , Baccei Anna , Gorman Bryan , Hartung Odelya , Miller Justine D. , Zhang Jin , Zon Rebecca L. , Ince Tan A. , Neufeld Ellis J. , Lerou Paul H. , Fleming Mark D. , Daley George Q. , Agarwal Suneet 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
In congenital mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) disorders, a mixture of normal and mutated mtDNA (termed heteroplasmy) exists at varying levels in different tissues, which determines the severity and phenotypic expression of disease. Pearson marrow pancreas syndrome (PS) is a congenital bone marrow failure disorder caused by heteroplasmic deletions in mtDNA. The cause of the hematopoietic failure in PS is unknown, and adequate cellular and animal models are lacking. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are particularly amenable for studying mtDNA disorders, as cytoplasmic genetic material is retained during direct reprogramming. Here, we derive and characterize iPS cells from a patient with PS. Taking advantage of the tendency for heteroplasmy to change with cell passage, we isolated isogenic PS-iPS cells without detectable levels of deleted mtDNA. We found that PS-iPS cells carrying a high burden of deleted mtDNA displayed differences in growth, mitochondrial function, and hematopoietic phenotype when differentiated in vitro, compared to isogenic iPS cells without deleted mtDNA. Our results demonstrate that reprogramming somatic cells from patients with mtDNA disorders can yield pluripotent stem cells with varying burdens of heteroplasmy that might be useful in the study and treatment of mitochondrial diseases.
Exact charged black-hole solutions in D-dimensional f (T) gravity: torsion vs curvature analysis
Authors: Capozziello S. , González P. A. , Saridakis E. N. , Vásquez Y. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractWe extract exact charged black-hole solutions with flat transverse sections in the framework of D-dimensional Maxwell-f(T) gravity, and we analyze the singularities and horizons based on both torsion and curvature invariants. Interestingly enough, we find that in some particular solution subclasses there appear more singularities in the curvature scalars than in the torsion ones. This difference disappears in the uncharged case, or in the case wheref(T) gravity becomes the usual linear-in-Tteleparallel gravity, that is General Relativity. Curvature and torsion invariants behave very differently when matter fields are present, and thusf(R) gravity andf(T) gravity exhibit different features and cannot be directly re-casted each other.
Multi-centered invariants, plethysm and grassmannians
Authors: Cacciatori Sergio L. , Marrani Alessio , van Geemen Bert 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Motivated by multi-centered black hole solutions of Maxwell-Einstein theories of (super)gravity in D = 4 space-time dimensions, we develop some general methods, that can be used to determine all homogeneous invariant polynomials on the irreducible (SL

h
(p,

$ \mathbb{R} $
) ⊗ G
4)-representation (p
, R), where p denotes the number of centers, and SL

h
(p,

$ \mathbb{R} $
) is the “horizontal” symmetry of the system, acting upon the indices labelling the centers. The black hole electric and magnetic charges sit in the symplectic representation R of the generalized electric-magnetic (U -)duality group G
4.
We start with an algebraic approach based on classical invariant theory, using Schur polynomials and the Cauchy formula. Then, we perform a geometric analysis, involving Grassmannians, Plücker coordinates, and exploiting Bott’s Theorem.
We focus on non-degenerate groups G
4 “of type E
7” relevant for (super)gravities whose (vector multiplets’) scalar manifold is a symmetric space. In the triality-symmetric stu model of
$ \mathcal{N} $
= 2 supergravity, we explicitly construct a basis for the 10 linearly independent degree-12 invariant polynomials of 3-centered black holes.
Time-series modeling and prediction of global monthly absolute temperature for environmental decision making
Authors: Ye Liming , Yang Guixia , Van Ranst Eric , Tang Huajun 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
A generalized, structural, time series modeling framework was developed to analyze the monthly records of absolute surface temperature, one of the most important environmental parameters, using a deterministicstochastic combined (DSC) approach. Although the development of the framework was based on the characterization of the variation patterns of a global dataset, the methodology could be applied to any monthly absolute temperature record. Deterministic processes were used to characterize the variation patterns of the global trend and the cyclic oscillations of the temperature signal, involving polynomial functions and the Fourier method, respectively, while stochastic processes were employed to account for any remaining patterns in the temperature signal, involving seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) models. A prediction of the monthly global surface temperature during the second decade of the 21st century using the DSC model shows that the global temperature will likely continue to rise at twice the average rate of the past 150 years. The evaluation of prediction accuracy shows that DSC models perform systematically well against selected models of other authors, suggesting that DSC models, when coupled with other ecoenvironmental models, can be used as a supplemental tool for short-term (∼10-year) environmental planning and decision making.
The effect of vitamin E-bonded polysulfone membrane dialyzer on a new oxidative lipid marker
Authors: Kitamura Yuki , Kamimura Kumi , Yoshioka Noriko , Hosotani Yoko , Tsuchida Kenji , Koremoto Masahide , Minakuchi Jun 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The use of vitamin E-bonded cellulose membrane dialyzers has been reported to cause a decrease in oxidative lipid marker levels (Nakai et al., Ther Apher Dial 14:505–540, 1; Nakai et al., J Jpn Soc Dial Ther 45:1–47, 2; Mashiba et al., Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 21:1801–1808, 3). However, few studies have identified this effect with vitamin E-bonded polysulfone membranes, and no studies report the same effect on alpha (1) antitrypsin–LDL complex, a new oxidative lipid marker. This prompted us to examine the influence of use of VPS-HA vitamin E-bonded polysulfone high-flux membrane dialyzers on this new oxidative lipid marker. The subjects were 17 patients who had been dialyzed with VPS-HA for 12 months. The subjects’ baseline characteristics were as follows. Their average age was 65.6 ± 13.1 years, comprising 8 males and 9 females; hemodialysis vintage was 83.8 ± 85.4 months. Eight had chronic glomerular nephropathy and five had diabetic nephropathy. The primary outcome was defined as alpha (1) antitrypsin–LDL complex level after 12 months, as a post-study using VPS-HA. Secondary outcomes included triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. The data were analyzed pre-study and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months for alpha (1) antitrypsin–LDL complex, and pre-study and post-study for the other indicators. Twelve months after switching to VPS-HA, alpha (1) antitrypsin–LDL complex, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol had significantly decreased. Triglycerides and HDL cholesterol had not significantly changed. Hemodialysis therapy with VPS-HA was shown to decrease alpha (1) antitrypsin–LDL complex, an index of oxidative stress, and also to decrease some lipid markers.