bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glycerolysis of Crude Methyl Esters with Crude Glycerol from Biodiesel Production
Authors: Echeverri David A. , Cardeño Fernando , Rios Luis A. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractGlycerolysis of crude fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) with crude glycerol derived from biodiesel production was performed. The reaction was accomplished at temperatures ranging between 160 and 200 °C and molar ratios of FAME to glycerol ranging between 1.5 and 3.0. Increasing the temperature improved the formation rate of monoglycerides (MG) and diglycerides (DG). However, increasing both the temperature and the molar ratio of glycerol to FAME diminished the formation of MG. Best results (43 % MG and 26 % DG in 10 min) were obtained at 200 °C using the lowest concentration of glycerol. The effects of soap and NaOH present in crude glycerol were controlled by carrying out the reaction with pure glycerol. In comparison with NaOH‐catalyzed reactions, soap‐catalyzed reactions resulted in a slower formation rate of products. However, soap‐catalyzed reactions were less prone to secondary reactions, affording maximum yields of MG and DG, which were higher than those obtained with NaOH‐catalyzed reactions at 180 and 200 °C.
Draft Genome Sequences of Five Yersinia pseudotuberculosis ST19 Isolates and One Isolate Variant
Authors: Platonov Mikhail E. , Blouin Yann , Evseeva Vera V. , Afanas'ev Maxim V. , Pourcel Christine , Balakhonov Sergey V. , Vergnaud Gilles , Anisimov Andrey P. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

We report the first draft genome sequences of five
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
isolates of sequence type (ST) 19 and of a variant from one of the five isolates. The total length of assemblies ranged from 4,226,485 bp to 4,274,148 bp, including between 3,808 and 3,843 predicted coding sequences.
Risk of multiple sclerosis after a first demyelinating syndrome in an Australian Paediatric cohort: clinical, radiological features and application of the McDonald 2010 MRI criteria
Authors: Tantsis Esther M , Prelog Kristina , Brilot Fabienne , Dale Russell C 
Published: April 2013

Background: The risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) is dependent on multiple variables, including geographical location. There is increasing interest in the early recognition and treatment of MS in children. Method: Using univariate and multivariate analysis, we determined the clinical and radiological features that were predictive of MS in 88 children from New South Wales, Australia, with a first acute demyelinating syndrome (ADS) who were followed for a minimum of one year. We tested the McDonald, KIDMUS, Callen and Verhey MRI criteria for paediatric MS. Results: After a mean follow-up of 5.2 years, 13/88 (15%) of children had MS. Using multivariate analysis, preceding infection was protective of MS, and corpus callosal lesions, the combined presence of both well and poorly demarcated lesions, and contrast-enhancing lesions on MRI were predictive of MS. The sensitivity and specificity of the respective radiological criteria were McDonald 2005 (69%, 68%), McDonald 2010 (58%, 95%), KIDMUS (8%, 100%), Callen (69%, 85%) and Verhey (62%, 84%). When McDonald 2010 criteria were applied to baseline and serial scans, the sensitivity and specificity was 91% and 93%. Conclusion: Despite the long follow-up, the risk of MS appears lower in New South Wales children compared to previously reported cohorts. Radiological features are more predictive than clinical features in predicting MS. The McDonald 2010 criteria performed well although the dissemination in time criteria on baseline scans is difficult to apply to children with encephalopathy.
Factors affecting the motivation of healthcare professionals providing care to Emiratis with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Alhyas Layla , Nielsen Jessica D Jones , Dawoud Dalia , Majeed Azeem 
Published: April 2013

Objective We aimed to identify facilitators of and barriers to healthcare professionals’ motivation in a diabetes centre in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Design A qualitative research approach was employed using semistructured interviews to assess perception of and attitudes regarding healthcare professionals’ motivation in providing good quality diabetes care. Setting A diabetes centre located in Abu-Dhabi, UAE. Participants Healthcare professionals including specialist physicians, dieticians, podiatrists, health educators and nurses were recruited through purposive sampling. Main outcome measures After data collection, the audiotaped interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to content analysis. Results Nine semistructured interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals of various professional backgrounds. Important facilitators and barriers related to patient, professional, organization and cultural factors were identified. Barriers that related to heavy workload, disjointed care, lack of patient compliance and awareness, and cultural beliefs and attitudes about diabetes were common. Key facilitators included the patient's role in achieving therapeutic outcomes as well as compliance, cooperation and communication. Conclusion This qualitative study provides some unique insights about factors affecting healthcare professionals’ motivation in providing good quality care. To improve the motivation of healthcare professionals in the management of diabetes and therefore the quality of diabetes care, several steps are needed. Importantly, the role of primary care should be reinforced and strengthened regarding the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, privacy of the consultation time should be highly protected and regulated, and awareness of the Emirate culture and its impact on health should be disseminated to the healthcare professionals providing care to Emirates with diabetes. Also, greater emphasis should be placed on educating Emiratis with diabetes on, and involving them in, the management of their condition.
The psychological impact of torture
Authors: de C Williams Amanda C , van der Merwe Jannie 
Published: April 2013

Many refugees in the developed world are survivors of torture and present with health needs without their traumatic experience being disclosed or identified. Chronic pain is a common problem, as are symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other distress. Current circumstances, particularly poverty, uncertainty about asylum, separation from or loss of family and roles, and difficulties settling in the host country, all contribute to current psychological problems and exacerbate existing ones. Psychological treatment studies tend to be focused either on PTSD diagnosis and use protocol-driven treatment, usually in the developed world, or on multiple problems using multimodal treatment including advocacy and welfare interventions, usually in the developing world. Reviews of both of these, and some of the major criticisms, are described. Psychological interventions tend to produce medium-sized changes in targeted measures of distress, when compared with waiting lists or standard treatment, but these may fall well short of enabling recovery, and long-term follow-up is rare. A human rights context, with reference to cultural difference in expressing distress and seeking help, and with reference to the personal meaning of torture, is essential as a basis for formulating treatment initiatives based on the evidence reviewed. Summary points Refugees with a history of torture may have a wide range of psychological and social difficulties which do not easily fit within diagnostic categories. Torture and its sequelae can have multiple meanings and, in the clinical context, it is the interpretation of the torture survivor that matters. There are doubts about applying the concept and measures of post-traumatic stress disorder: symptoms should be assessed separately. Current circumstances can be as important as trauma history in understanding the psychological state of a torture survivor. Cognitive behavioural therapy and narrative exposure therapy seem equally effective in reducing trauma symptoms, and to a lesser extent, depression.
Halting the spread of epidemic Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an adult cystic fibrosis centre: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Ashish Abdul , Shaw Matthew , Winstanley Craig , Humphreys Linda , Walshaw Martin J 
Published: April 2013

Summary Objectives To assess if cohort segregation policies are effective in preventing cross-infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) clinics. Design A prospective cohort study. Setting A large adult CF centre in Northwest England. Participants All CF patients cared for at the Liverpool adult CF centre 2003–2009. Methods Regular sputum sampling with genotyping of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Psa) isolates led to a policy of inpatient and outpatient segregation by microbiological group. Main outcome measures Prevalence and cross-infection/super-infection rates of a transmissible Psa strain, i.e. the Liverpool epidemic strain (LES) in adult CF patients at the Liverpool adult CF centre from 2003 to 2009. Results There was a decline in the proportion of patients with LES (71–53%) and an increase in those with unique strains (23–31%) and without Psa infection (6–17%) from 2003 to 2009. There were two cases of LES super-infection and one case of new chronic Psa infection (with a unique strain). There were no cases of transmissible strain infection in patients previously uninfected by Psa. Conclusions Our segregation policy has halted the spread of the commonest highly transmissible strain in the UK (LES) in our clinic, without endangering patients who were not previously infected with Psa. It confirms that if genotypic surveillance is used, it is unnecessary to segregate patients infected with unique strains from those without Psa infection.
Considerations of Microstructural Influences for Diffusion Welding of Metals in Microsystem Technology
Authors: Gietzelt Thomas , Toth Volker , Lambach Heinz , Dittmeyer Roland 
Published: April 2013

AbstractDiffusion welding is a special high‐tech solid joining technique. Most research was done and publications were written in the years between 1970 and 1980. The aim of this paper is to take a closer look at the fundamental processes inside the material during diffusion welding and to discuss the relation between the materials microstructure for diffusion processes from a material science point of view. For this, it is necessary to discuss the impact of different lattice defects and to observe the intrinsic energetically conditions of a metal originating from its delivery state and manufacturing history, as well as its surface condition. In particular, emphasis is paid to the special requirements for joining of micro process devices.
How epigenetic mutations can affect genetic evolution: Model and mechanism
Authors: Klironomos Filippos D. , Berg Johannes , Collins Sinéad 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWe hypothesize that heritable epigenetic changes can affect rates of fitness increase as well as patterns of genotypic and phenotypic change during adaptation. In particular, we suggest that when natural selection acts on pure epigenetic variation in addition to genetic variation, populations adapt faster, and adaptive phenotypes can arise before any genetic changes. This may make it difficult to reconcile the timing of adaptive events detected using conventional population genetics tools based on DNA sequence data with environmental drivers of adaptation, such as changes in climate. Epigenetic modifications are frequently associated with somatic cell differentiation, but recently epigenetic changes have been found that can be transmitted over many generations. Here, we show how the interplay of these heritable epigenetic changes with genetic changes can affect adaptive evolution, and how epigenetic changes affect the signature of selection in the genetic record.
Reduced Diurnal Variation of Heart Rate is Associated With Increased Plasma B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide Level in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Kamikawa Shigeshi , Miyoshi Toru , Doi Masayuki , Orita Naoko , Sangawa Mutsuko , Nakatsu Takaaki , Noguchi Youko , Hirohata Satoshi , Kusachi Shozo , Nakamura Kazufumi , Ito Hiroshi 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe plasma B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level has been shown to be increased in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) independent of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the plasma BNP level and heart rate variation in patients with AF.HypothesisThe plasma BNP level is associated with heart rate variation in patients with AF.MethodsA total of 102 patients with AF and preserved LVEF were included from 2 hospitals. The ambulatory electrocardiographic recording and measurement of plasma BNP levels were performed simultaneously. Echo‐Doppler parameters were measured as the average of 10 consecutive cardiac cycles.ResultsA difference in the mean heart rate between night and day (DIFF) and the standard deviation of the 5‐miniute mean R‐R interval (SDARR) were significantly associated with log‐transformed BNP levels (r = −0.411, P < 0.001 and r = −0.243, P = 0.049, respectively). In echocardiography, the ratio of E velocity to early diastolic velocity, which reflects left ventricular (LV) filling pressure, was significantly correlated with the DIFF and SDARR, along with the log‐transformed BNP level. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the DIFF and age were independent factors related with the BNP level (P < 0.01).ConclusionsThe reduced diurnal variation of heart rate was significantly associated with increased BNP, which is linked to LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with AF.
Beitragsserie: Eurocode 6 für Deutschland – Beispiele zur Bemessung von Mauerwerk
Authors: Steinigen Frank 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAnm. der Redaktion: Mit dieser Beitragsserie sollen unseren Lesern fortlaufend Beispiele für die Berechnung und Bemessung von Bauteilen aus Mauerwerk nach Eurocode 6 (DIN EN 1996‐1‐1 und ‐3 mit dem jeweiligen deutschen Nationalen Anhang) zur Verfügung gestellt werden, um dem Anwender die Einarbeitung in die neue Norm, die nunmehr seit 01. 07. 2012 in Deutschland angewendet werden darf, zu erleichtern.Editorial staff: This series presents working examples for the design of masonry members according to Eurocode 6 (DIN EN 1996‐1‐1 and ‐3 together with the German national Annex) in the future. It should facilitate our readers the adjustment to the new code which can be applied since July 1 2012 in Germany.Nachfolgend wird die Nachweisführung einer Außenwand in einem Mehrfamilienhaus nach Eurocode 6 mit NA vorgestellt. Es handelt sich dabei um einen Anwendungsfall mit kombinierter Beanspruchung aus Deckenverdrehung und Gebäudestabilisierung, bei dem der Nachweis der Doppelbiegung zu führen ist.Design of an external wall with the standard method of EC 6. The verification of an external wall of an apartment house in accordance with Eurocode 6 and NA is presented subsequently. It’s a question of an application of combined stressing because of slab rotation and stabilisation of the building, where the biaxial bending has to be proofed.
Potential of fluorescence spectroscopy for the characterisation of maple syrup flavours
Authors: Panneton Bernard , Clément Alain , Lagacé Luc 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDMaple syrup has high maket value. It is produced in North East America from the heat‐evaporated sap of Acer saccharum Marshall. For marketing purposes, there is interest in defining its flavour profile in a consistent and repeatable manner. An experiment was undertaken to explore the potential of autofluorescence of maple syrup induced at 275 and 360 nm to characterise flavours.ResultsA mixed data factor analysis revealed two independent groups of variables. One represents early season woody and late season empyreumatic flavours. The other is related to off‐flavour, confectionery and maple flavours. Maple and confectionery flavours are subtle, difficult to distinguish and opposed to off‐flavour. There were clear relationships among the two groups and fluorescence profiles. For each of the five basic flavours, discriminant models based on partial least squares regressions were developed. For each sample of syrup, flavours combined to form flavour profiles, and the results from the five discriminant models were aggregated to reproduce these profiles. For excitation at 275 nm, the woody/off‐flavour and confectionery/empyreumatic/maple flavour profiles were classified correctly 86 and 78% of the time (cross‐validation) respectively.ConclusionInduced autofluorescence spectra were shown to contain information related to maple syrup flavours. This fluorescence–flavour relationship is not considered quantitative yet, and further research avenues are proposed. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of sweeteners and hydrocolloids on quality attributes of reduced‐calorie carrot juice
Authors: Sinchaipanit Pornrat , Kerr William L , Chamchan Rungrat 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDDifferent ratios of combined sweeteners were modified to produce an acceptable reduced‐calorie carrot juice. Various hydrocolloids were investigated to improve juice cloud stability. Changes in juice quality attributes were analysed.RESULTSA combination of the sweeteners aspartame (ASP), acesulfame potassium (ACE) and sucralose (SUC) was partially used to replace the sugar in carrot juice. Sensory studies indicated that juice containing 50 g kg−1 sucrose and 160 mg kg−1 ASP/ACE/SUC (6:1.5:1) had the highest acceptability. Thermal processing at 80 °C for 1 min retained acceptable β‐carotene (4300 µg kg−1) and did not result in the cooked flavour noted at 65 °C/30 min. Pectin (PE), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), guar gum (GU) and gellan gum (GE) were used to stabilise the juice cloud during storage. The addition of 0.1–0.3 g kg−1 GE or 2.0 g kg−1 GU to reduced‐calorie carrot juice greatly improved cloud stability after storage at 4 °C for 30 days.CONCLUSIONThe formulation of reduced‐calorie carrot juice with ASP/ACE/SUC (6:1.5:1) provided synergistic sweetness and highly acceptable sensory properties. The addition of 0.3 g kg−1 GE greatly enhanced juice cloud stability during storage. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of the processing of Perna perna mussels: the influence of water quality involved in the cooling operations in the physico‐chemical and microbiological characteristics of the product
Authors: de Lima Marieli , Melo Maria Carolina Lampert , Monteiro Alcilene Rodrigues 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe state of Santa Catarina in Brazil is a large producer of Perna perna mussels. However, raw and processed mussels have a short shelf life because of their high microbiological count, such as Vibrio spp. This study evaluated the microbiological and physicochemical quality of raw and ready‐to‐eat mussels and the quality of water and ice used in the processing of mussels.RESULTSThe microbiological conditions of water and ice used in the processing are not in accordance with Brazilian legislation because of the presence of coliforms and Vibrio spp. For ready‐to‐eat mussels, counts of psychrophilic and psychrotrophic micro‐organisms reached 105 colony‐forming units g−1, a value close to the onset of product degradation during storage. Counts of coliforms, coagulase‐positive Staphylococcus, Salmonella spp. and sulfite‐reducing Clostridium in the mussels analysed during processing are in accordance with Brazilian law. The F value for the sterilisation procedure was lower than that required for Clostridium botulinum.CONCLUSIONThe study shows that microbiological cross‐contamination occurred during the processing of mussels. Rigorous control is necessary from the production area of mussels to retailers. Good manufacturing practices must be implemented in the industry and cross‐contamination avoided, mainly by Vibrio spp. after heat treatment.© 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Tensorial elastic network model for protein dynamics: Integration of the anisotropic network model with bond‐bending and twist elasticities
Authors: Srivastava Amit , Halevi Roee Ben , Veksler Alexander , Granek Rony 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWe present a tensorial elastic network model (TNM) to describe the equilibrium fluctuations of proteins near their native fold structure. The model combines the anisotropic network model (ANM), bond bending elasticity, and backbone twist elasticity, and can predict both the isotropic fluctuations, similar to the Gaussian network model (GNM), and anisotropic fluctuations, similar to the ANM. TNM performs equally well for B‐factor predictions as GNM and predicts the anisotropy of B‐factors better than ANM. The model also outperforms the ANM in its predictability of the complete anisotropic displacement parameters. Proteins 2012; © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Capturing the energetics of water insertion in biological systems: The water flooding approach
Authors: Chakrabarty Suman , Warshel Arieh 
Published: April 2013

AbstractConsistent description of the effect of internal water in proteins has been a major challenge for both simulation and experimental studies. Describing this effect has been particularly important and elusive in cases of charges in protein interiors. Here, we present a new microscopic method that provides an efficient way for simulating the energetics of water insertion. Instead of performing explicit Monte Carlo (MC) moves on the insertion process, which generally involves an enormous number of rejected attempts, our method is based on generating trial configurations with excess amount of internal water, estimating the relevant free energy by the linear response approximation, and then using a postprocessing MC treatment to filter out a limited number of configurations from a large possible set. Our approach is validated on particularly challenging test cases including the pKa of the V66D mutation in Staphylococcal nuclease, Glu286 in cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) and the energetics of a protonated water molecule in the D channel of CcO. The new postprocessing method allows us to reproduce the relevant energetics of highly unstable charges in protein interiors using fully microscopic calculations and provides a substantial improvement over regular microscopic free energy estimates. This advance established the effectiveness of our water insertion strategy in challenging cases that have not been addressed successfully by other microscopic methods. Furthermore, our study provides a new exciting view on the crucial effect of water penetration in key biological systems as well as a new view on the nature of the dielectric in protein interiors. Proteins 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Crystal structure of NirD, the small subunit of the nitrite reductase NirbD from Mycobacterium tuberculosis at 2.0 Å resolution
Authors: Izumi Atsushi , Schnell Robert , Schneider Gunter 
Published: April 2013

AbstractNirD is part of the nitrite reductase complex NirBD that catalyses the reduction of nitrite to NH3 in nitrate assimilation and anaerobic respiration. The crystal structure analysis of NirD from Mycobacterium tuberculosis shows a double β‐sandwich fold. NirD is related in three‐dimensional structure and sequence to the Rieske proteins; however, it does not contain any Fe–S cluster or other cofactors that might be involved in electron transfer. A cysteine residue at the protein surface, conserved in NirD homologues lacking the iron–sulfur cluster might be important for the interaction with NirB and possibly stabilize one of the Fe–S centers in this subunit. Proteins 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.