bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved Crystal Quality of Transparent Conductive Ga‐doped ZnO Films by Magnesium Doping Through Radio‐Frequency Magnetron Sputtering Preparation
Authors: Liu Wei‐Sheng , Chen Wei‐Ku , Wu Shen‐Yu , Hsueh Kuang‐Po 
Published: January 2014

This study investigates the enhanced structural, and optoelectronic properties of transparent conductive Ga‐doped MgxZn1−xO (GMZO) thin films with a varied magnesium (Mg) composition of 2% and 8%, respectively. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements revealed that GMZO with an 8% Mg composition shows a stronger (002) diffraction intensity and narrower linewidth than that with a 2% Mg composition. Improved crystallinity and enlarged grain size in the postgrowth thermal annealed GMZO thin films were also observed in XRD and morphological measurements by atomic force microscopy. Photoluminescence measurements were conducted to investigate the improved GMZO thin‐film quality, and the oxygen vacancy signal was found to decrease with increased Mg content, consistent with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. This study also shows high optical transmittance over 98%, and a low resistivity of 5.7 × 10−4 Ω·cm in Ga‐doped MgxZn1−xO (x = 0.02) thin film, which indicates the highly promising candidate for use in optoelectronic devices.
The coefficient of dominance is not (always) estimable with biallelic markers
Authors: García‐Cortés L.A. , Legarra A. , Toro M.A. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryThe genetic relationship among individuals at one locus is characterized by nine coefficients of identity. The coefficients of inbreeding, coancestry and dominance (or fraternity) are just linear functions of them. Here, it is shown how they can be estimated using biallelic and triallelic markers using the method of moments, and comparisons are made with other methods based on molecular coancestry or molecular covariance. It is concluded that in the general case of dominance and inbreeding with biallelic markers, only the coefficients of inbreeding and coancestry can be estimated, but neither the single coefficients of identity nor the coefficient of dominance can be estimated. More than two alleles are required for a full estimation as illustrated with the triallelic situation.
The Incidence of Phrenic Nerve Injury During Pulmonary Vein Isolation Using the Second‐Generation 28 mm Cryoballoon
Authors: METZNER ANDREAS , RAUSCH PETER , LEMES CHRISTINE , REISSMANN BRUNO , BARDYSZEWSKI ALEXANDER , TILZ ROLAND , RILLIG ANDREAS , MATHEW SHIBU , DEISS SEBASTIAN , KAMIOKA MASASHI , TOENNIS TOBIAS , LIN TINA , OUYANG FEIFAN , KUCK KARL‐HEINZ , WISSNER ERIK 
Published: January 2014

The Incidence of Phrenic Nerve InjuryIntroductionThe second‐generation cryoballoon (CB; Arctic Front Advance, Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) has demonstrated greater procedural efficacy compared to the original CB. Whether increased efficacy translates into a higher incidence of phrenic nerve (PN) injury needs further evaluation.Materials and MethodsIn patients with drug‐refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) or short‐standing persistent AF, pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was performed using the 28 mm second‐generation CB. During cryoenergy delivery along the septal PVs, continuous PN pacing was performed. The freeze cycle was aborted in case of weakening or loss of diaphragmatic contraction.ResultsA total of 115 patients (42 female, mean age 61 ± 11 years, mean LA‐diameter 43 ± 6 mm) with a history of paroxysmal AF (93/115 patients [81%]) or short‐standing persistent AF (22/115 patients [19%]) underwent CB‐based PVI. A total 445 of 448 (99%) PVs were isolated successfully. PN palsy (PNP) occurred in 4 of 115 (3.5%) patients, while applying cryoenergy to the right superior PV. Despite prompt interruption of the freezing cycle, PN function failed to recover during the periprocedural phase. PN recovery was observed as late as 10 months postablation.ConclusionsUsing the second‐generation 28 mm CB, PNP occurred in 4 of 115 (3.5%) patients. While 1 of 4 PNP recovered 10 months after ablation, long‐term outcome in the remaining 3 patients is currently unknown due to the rather short follow‐up period.
Gain‐of‐Function KCNH2 Mutations in Patients with Brugada Syndrome
Authors: WANG QI , OHNO SEIKO , DING WEI‐GUANG , FUKUYAMA MEGUMI , MIYAMOTO AKASHI , ITOH HIDEKI , MAKIYAMA TAKERU , WU JIE , BAI JIAYU , HASEGAWA KANAE , SHINOHARA TETSUJI , TAKAHASHI NAOHIKO , SHIMIZU AKIHIKO , MATSUURA HIROSHI , HORIE MINORU 
Published: January 2014

Novel KCNH2 Mutations in Brugada SyndromeBackgroundBrugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited disease characterized by right precordial ST segment elevation on electrocardiograms (ECGs) that predisposes patients to sudden cardiac death as a result of polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmia or ventricular fibrillation (VF). In BrS patients, except for SCN5A, mutations in other responsible genes are poorly elucidated.Methods and ResultsWe identified 4 KCNH2 mutations, T152I, R164C, W927G, and R1135H, in 236 consecutive probands with BrS or Brugada‐like ECG. Three of these mutation carriers showed QTc intervals shorter than 360 milliseconds and 1 experienced VF. We performed patch‐clamp analyses on IKr reconstituted with the KCNH2 mutations in Chinese hamster ovary cells and compared the phenotypes of the patients with different genotypes. Three mutations, R164C, W927G, and R1135H, increased IKr densities. Three mutations, T152I, R164C, and W927G, caused a negative shift in voltage‐dependent activation curves. Only the R1135H mutant channel prolonged the deactivation time constants. We also identified 20 SCN5A and 5 CACNA1C mutation carriers in our cohort. Comparison of probands’ phenotypes with 3 different genotypes revealed that KCNH2 mutation carriers showed shorter QTc intervals and SCN5A mutation carriers had longer QRS durations.ConclusionsAll KCNH2 mutations that we identified in probands with BrS exerted gain‐of‐function effects on IKr channels, which may partially explain the ECG findings in our patients.
CEO Ownership, Stock Market Performance, and Managerial Discretion
Authors: LILIENFELD‐TOAL ULF VON , RUENZI STEFAN 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTWe examine the relationship between CEO ownership and stock market performance. A strategy based on public information about managerial ownership delivers annual abnormal returns of 4% to 10%. The effect is strongest among firms with weak external governance, weak product market competition, and large managerial discretion, suggesting that CEO ownership can reverse the negative impact of weak governance. Furthermore, owner‐CEOs are value increasing: they reduce empire building and run their firms more efficiently. Overall, our findings indicate that the market does not correctly price the incentive effects of managerial ownership, suggesting interesting feedback effects between corporate finance and asset pricing.
Hepatic stellate cells and extracellular matrix in hepatocellular carcinoma: more complicated than ever
Authors: Carloni Vinicio , Luong Tu Vinh , Rombouts Krista 
Published: January 2014

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer death. Recent epidemiological data indicate that the mortality rate of HCC will double over the next decades in the USA and Europe. Liver cancer progresses in a large percentage of cases during the clinical course of chronic fibro‐inflammatory liver diseases leading to cirrhosis. Therefore, HCC development is regarded as the result of different environmental risk factors each involving different genetic, epigenetic‐ and chromosomal alterations and gene mutations. During tumour progression, the malignant hepatocytes and the activated hepatic stellate cells are accompanied by cancer‐associated fibroblasts, myofibroblasts and immune cells generally called tumour stromal cells. This new and dynamic milieu further enhances the responsiveness of tumour cells towards soluble mediators secreted by tumour stromal cells, thus directly affecting the malignant hepatocytes. This results in altered molecular pathways with cell proliferation as the most important mechanism of liver cancer progression. Given this contextual complexity, it is of utmost importance to characterize the molecular pathogenesis of HCC, and to identify the dominant pathways/drivers and aberrant signalling pathways. This will allow an effective therapy for HCC that should combine strategies affecting both cancer and the tumour stromal cells. This review provides an overview of the recent challenges and issues regarding hepatic stellate cells, extracellular matrix dynamics, liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and therapy, tumour microenvironment and HCC.
Familial florid cemento‐osseous dysplasia in mother and her identical twins: a report with review of the literatures
Authors: Sim Y.C. , Bakhshalian N. , Lee J‐H. , Ahn K‐M. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe objective of this study is to present a hereditary pattern of florid cemento‐osseous dysplasia. A 49‐year‐old female was diagnosed with familial florid cemento‐osseous dysplasia in 2008. Her identical twin daughters were referred for evaluation of mixed radio‐opaque/lucent lesions in both maxilla and mandible in 2009. Based on radiographic and histopathological findings, the lesions of the identical twins were diagnosed as early‐stage familial florid cemento‐osseous dysplasia. Microscopically, the tissue showed a mixture of woven trabeculae and cementum‐like calcification in the fibrous stroma. This study reports the first familial florid cemento‐osseous dysplasia in a mother and her identical twin daughters. Long‐term follow‐up is required to observe the progression of this disease.
Morphologicalversusgenetic diversity ofViola reichenbachianaandV. riviniana(sect.Viola,Violaceae) from soils differing in heavy metal content
Authors: Kuta E. , Jędrzejczyk‐Korycińska M. , Cieślak E. , Rostański A. , Szczepaniak M. , Migdałek G. , Wąsowicz P. , Suda J. , Combik M. , Słomka A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractMorphological characters,AFLPmarkers and flow cytometry were used to investigate the morphological and genetic variability and differentiation ofViola reichenbachianaandV. rivinianain non‐metallicolous (NM) and metallicolous (M) populations. The aims were to clarify the taxonomic status of plants occurring in ore‐bearing areas, to determine any relationship inV. reichenbachianaandV. rivinianafrom sites not polluted with heavy metals, and to examine the genetic variability and differentiation of M andNMpopulations of both species. Multivariate analyses based on morphological characters showed significant differences betweenV. reichenbachianaandV. rivinianafrom non‐polluted sites, high levels of intra‐ and inter‐population variability, and the occurrence of inter‐specific hybrids. Plants from M populations showed hybrid characters but also fell within the range ofV. rivinianaorV. reichenbachiana. There were no significant differences in relative genome size between plants from polluted areas andV. rivinianafromNMpopulations. Bayesian analysis of population genetic structure based onAFLPmarkers distinguished two main groups:V. reichenbachianaandV. rivinianatogether with the M populations. That analysis also revealed the occurrence of populations of inter‐specific hybrids from non‐polluted areas. Further Bayesian analysis ofV. rivinianaincludingNMand M populations separated all the studied M populations fromNMpopulations. We conclude that plants forming the M populations are well adapted to a metal‐polluted environment, and could be considered as stabilised introgressive forms resulting from unidirectional (asymmetric) introgression towardV. riviniana.
Mechanisms underlying hemodynamic and neuroendocrine stress reactivity at different phases of the menstrual cycle
Authors: Gordon Jennifer L. , Girdler Susan S. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis study examined the association of menstrual cycle phase with stress reactivity as well as the hormonal and neuroendocrine mechanisms contributing to cycle effects. Fifty‐seven women underwent a modified Trier Social Stress Test during the early follicular, late follicular, and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Greater increases in cardiac index (CI) and greater decreases in vascular resistance index (VRI) during speech were observed in the luteal phase relative to other phases, while greater increases in epinephrine (EPI) was observed during the late follicular and luteal phases compared to the early follicular phase. Luteal phase estradiol predicted luteal EPI reactivity but not CI or VRI reactivity, while luteal phase EPI reactivity predicted luteal phase CI and VRI reactivity. Thus, cycle‐related changes in EPI reactivity may be a stronger determinant of cycle effects on hemodynamic reactivity than sex hormones per se.
International Trade and Unemployment—the Worker‐selection Effect
Authors: de Pinto Marco , Michaelis Jochen 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis paper investigates the labor market effects of trade liberalization. We incorporate trade unions and heterogeneous workers into the Melitz framework. Workers differ with respect to their abilities. Our main findings are: (i) trade liberalization harms low‐ability workers, they lose their job and switch to long‐term unemployment (worker‐selection effect); (ii) high‐ability workers are better off in terms of both higher wages and higher employment; (iii) if a country is endowed with a large fraction of low‐ability workers, trade liberalization leads to a rise in aggregate unemployment—in this case, trade liberalization may harm a country's welfare; (iv) the overall employment and welfare effect crucially hinges on the characteristics of the wage bargain.
Worldwide HLA‐E nucleotide and haplotype variability reveals a conserved gene for coding and 3′ untranslated regions
Authors: Felício L. P. , Porto I. O. P. , Mendes‐Junior C. T. , Veiga‐Castelli L. C. , Santos K. E. , Vianello‐Brondani R. P. , Sabbagh A. , Moreau P. , Donadi E. A. , Castelli E. C. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe human leukocyte antigen‐E (HLA‐E) locus is a human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene associated with immune‐modulation and suppression of the immune response by the interaction with specific natural killer (NK) and T cell receptors (TCRs). It is considered one of the most conserved genes of the human MHC; however, this low nucleotide variability seems to be a consequence of the scarce number of studies focusing on this subject. In this manuscript we assessed the nucleotide variability at the HLA‐E coding and 3′ untranslated regions (3′UTRs) in Brazil and in the populations from the 1000Genomes Consortium. Twenty‐eight variable sites arranged into 33 haplotypes were detected and most of these haplotypes (98.2%) are encoding one of the two HLA‐E molecules found worldwide, E*01:01 and E*01:03. Moreover, three worldwide spread haplotypes, associated with the coding alleles E*01:01:01, E*01:03:01 and E*01:03:02, account for 85% of all HLA‐E haplotypes, suggesting that they arose early before human speciation. In addition, the low nucleotide diversity found for the HLA‐E coding and 3′UTR in worldwide populations suggests that the HLA‐E gene is in fact a conserved gene, which might be a consequence of its key role in the modulation of the immune system.
Bispectral index analysis during cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a propofol‐anesthetized calf
Authors: Aprea Francesco , Martin‐Jurado Olga , Jenni Simon , Mosing Martina 
Published: January 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo describe bispectral index (BIS) findings and compare them with cardiovascular and respiratory trends during cardiac arrest and successful CPR in a propofol‐anesthetized calf.Case SummaryA 3‐month‐old calf was anesthetized as part of a research project. A thromboxane analog drug (U46619) was administered IV to induce pulmonary hypertension. Within 10 minutes following U46619 administration, cardiac activity deteriorated, leading to asystole. At this point, BIS and suppression rate were 0 and 100, respectively. Anesthetic drug delivery was discontinued and external chest compressions were initiated. During CPR, end‐tidal CO2 concentration decreased and BIS increased, but no spontaneous cardiac activity was noted, thus IV epinephrine was administered. Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved and systemic arterial hypertension developed, while BIS briefly decreased and then increased during the following 2 minutes. The calf's cardiopulmonary variables returned to physiological ranges within 10 minutes after the return of spontaneous circulation and remained stable.Unique Information ProvidedThis is the first report in which BIS is documented together with standard monitoring techniques during cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitation in a calf. BIS varied with cardiovascular performance, and may be indicative of cerebral blood flow in this context. Further research may be warranted to define the role of BIS for monitoring cerebral activity during CPR.
Cytotoxic Activity of Major Compounds from Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl. Fruits
Authors: Md Othman Siti Nur Atiqah , Basar Norazah , Mohd Bohari Siti Pauliena 
Published: January 2014

P. macrocarpa is a well known Indonesian medicinal plant which is traditionally claimed to have anticancer properties. To date, there are numerous cytotoxic studies conducted on crude extracts of this plant. However, there are limited informations available regarding cytotoxic activity of the compounds isolated from this plant. Thus, this study investigated cytotoxic activity of two benzophenones derivatives identified as 2,6,4'-trihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (1) and 6,4'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2) isolated from the ethyl acetate extract. Cytotoxic activities of these compounds were performed against human cervical carcinoma cell line (HeLa) and mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line (3T3) using MTT assay. The result showed that benzophenone (1) exhibited low cytotoxic effect against HeLa and 3T3 cell lines with IC50 values of 132 µg/ml and 158 µg/ml, repectively while benzophenone (2) was non toxic against HeLa and 3T3 cell lines are because the IC50 is more than 250 µg/ml. These findings may sheds light on the actual properties of this plant.
RVM versus PDC Methods for Insulations’ Conductivity and Moisture Content Monitoring
Authors: Zainir R. A. , Muhamad N. A. , Adzis Z. , Piah M. A. M. , Kasri N. F. , Jamail N. A. M. 
Published: January 2014

Degradation due to ageing is a major concern for the life span of high voltage insulation. In maintaining the insulation system’s performance, it is crucial to monitor the insulation condition as it contributes to the whole system’s efficiency and safety. Many diagnostic methods have been introduced, and in use for monitoring the condition of insulation. Measurement and analysis in either frequency or time domain. Condition-based monitoring (CBM) is in growing interest lately, compared to time-based monitoring due to the increasing population of aged insulators being utilized in existing power systems. Time-based monitoring has then been integrated with CBM. CBM’s ability to enhance reliability, improve safety and reduce hazard of a system has been recognized by many researchers and utilities. This paper presents the study and comparison of two time domain CBM techniques namely the polarization and depolarization current (PDC) measurement and return voltage measurement (RVM). Findings of previous researches on determining the insulator’s moisture content and conductivity by both methods were reviewed. Moisture content and conductivity affect the dielectric response of the insulation material. Thus, condition of the insulation system can be determined based on these two characteristics.
Road Safety Initiatives in Bangladesh
Authors: Mahmud S. M. Sohel , Talukder Mohammad Mahbub Alam , Ahmed Ishtiaque , Raihan Md. Asif 
Published: January 2014

In combating the man-made epidemic on road by traffic accidents and injuries, some major initiatives have been undertaken in Bangladesh in the past decade including policy formulation, research, education, legislation & sanctions, and engineering intervention. In comparison to the magnitude of the problems, the progresses are very slow due to enormous constraints at different levels. In this paper, the authors briefly reviewed some major road safety initiatives in recent years in Bangladesh taken by different government and private organizations. The key issue of this paper is to evaluate the initial impact of some of those interventions.
High-Risk Road Accident Corridors in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Ishtiaque , Ahmed Bayes , Hainin Mohd. Rosli 
Published: January 2014

Bangladesh has one of the highest fatality rates in road accidents and to address the safety problem is a serious concern. Dhaka is the most vulnerable city of the country. Bangladesh Road Transport Authority maintains a database of accidents using outdated software that lacks in geo-referencing facility. This makes the analysis of accident locations a challenging task. The area for this study was the Dhaka Metropolitan Police area where the concerned forty one police stations are responsible for collecting traffic accident data. The Highway Safety Manual identifies the “Network Screening” as the first step of the Roadway Safety Management Process. This study focuses on locating the accidents on urban roadways in Dhaka and identifies thirty corridors and ranks them using geo-referenced data through developing and using a GIS database. Dhaka-Mymensing Road was found to be the most vulnerable road corridor followed by Airport Road and Mirpur Road respectively. The study recommended special attention and special “Diagnostic” studies as explained in the Highway Safety Manual for the high-risk corridors and to put emphasis on the accident data collection and reporting system. Adoption of modern technologies like GPS and GIS in collecting and reporting of the traffic accident data was emphasized.
Effect of Hydrophobicity Degree on PVDF Hollow Fiber Membranes for Textile Wastewater Treatment Using Direct Contact Membrane Distillation
Authors: Mokhtar N. M. , Lau W. J. , Goh P. S. 
Published: January 2014

The objectives of this study are to study the effect of hydrophobicity degree of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membranes blended with different types of additives i.e. ethylene glycol (EG) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on textile wastewater application. The degree of hydrophobicity of each membrane was analyzed using contact angle goniometer. The membrane morphology and gas permeability were characterized prior to filtration experiment. Both membranes were tested using direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) system and their performances were evaluated with respect to water flux and dye removal. This study revealed that the membrane with higher contact angle has greater stability in terms of flux and dye rejection compared to the membrane with low hydrophobic property. This is mainly due to the low surface energy obtained by the highly hydrophobic membrane that prevented the liquids from both sides to penetrate through membrane pores.