bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A systematic comparison between 1‐D and 3‐D hemodynamics in compliant arterial models
Authors: Xiao Nan , Alastruey Jordi , Alberto Figueroa C. 
Published: October 2013

SUMMARYWe present a systematic comparison of computational hemodynamics in arteries between a one‐dimensional (1‐D) and a three‐dimensional (3‐D) formulation with deformable vessel walls. The simulations were performed using a series of idealized compliant arterial models representing the common carotid artery, thoracic aorta, aortic bifurcation, and full aorta from the arch to the iliac bifurcation. The formulations share identical inflow and outflow boundary conditions and have compatible material laws. We also present an iterative algorithm to select the parameters for the outflow boundary conditions by using the 1‐D theory to achieve a desired systolic and diastolic pressure at a particular vessel. This 1‐D/3‐D framework can be used to efficiently determine material and boundary condition parameters for 3‐D subject‐specific arterial models with deformable vessel walls. Finally, we explore the impact of different anatomical features and hemodynamic conditions on the numerical predictions. The results show good agreement between the two formulations, especially during the diastolic phase of the cycle. © 2013 The Authors. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A food effect study and dose proportionality study to assess the pharmacokinetics and safety of bardoxolone methyl in healthy volunteers
Authors: Teuscher Nathan S. , Kelley Richard J. , Dumas Emily O. , Klein Cheri Enders , Awni Walid M. , Meyer Colin J. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of food on the plasma pharmacokinetics of bardoxolone methyl, an antioxidant inflammation modulator, at a 20 mg dose, and the dose proportionality of bardoxolone methyl pharmacokinetics from 20 to 80 mg. It was a single‐dose study conducted at a single center in 32 healthy volunteers aged 18–45 years using an amorphous spray‐dried dispersion formulation of bardoxolone methyl. In Part A, 16 subjects received single 20 mg doses of bardoxolone methyl under fasting and non‐fasting conditions. In Part B, 16 subjects received a single 60 or 80 mg dose of bardoxolone methyl and a matching placebo dose under fasting conditions. Blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were taken over 120 hours following dose administration. Single dose administration of 20, 60, and 80 mg bardoxolone methyl was safe and well‐tolerated in healthy volunteers. Total bardoxolone methyl exposure was unchanged in the presence of food. However, doses of bardoxolone methyl above 20 mg appear to have a saturated dissolution or absorption process and are associated with less than proportional increases in drug exposure.
Pharmacokinetics of eicosapentaenoic acid in plasma and red blood cells after multiple oral dosing with icosapent ethyl in healthy subjects
Authors: Braeckman Rene A. , Stirtan William G. , Soni Paresh N. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjectiveIcosapent ethyl (IPE) is a prescription form of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ethyl ester. This randomized, open‐label study characterized EPA pharmacokinetics.MethodsFour healthy subject groups received IPE for 28 days: three received 2 g/day (1 × 1,000 mg BID, 2 × 1,000 mg QD, or 2 × 500 mg BID); one received 4 g/day (2 × 1,000 mg BID) administered with meals. Blood sampling was before the morning dose on days 1, 14, 26, 28, and at specified intervals during an 18‐day pharmacokinetic period. EPA was measured in plasma (total and unesterified) and red blood cells (RBCs) by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsMean plasma total EPA increased from 19 µg/mL to a peak (Cmax) of 366 µg/mL at 5 hours postdosing 4 g/day IPE on Day 28. Mean RBC EPA Cmax after 4 g/day was 89 µg/mL (baseline, 12 µg/mL). Mean steady state (SD) for half‐life, clearance, and volume of distribution of total EPA were 79 (47) hours, 757 (283) mL/h, and 82 (56) L, respectively. Steady state for total and unesterified plasma EPA was reached by Day 28, whereas RBC levels were still increasing.ConclusionsEPA pharmacokinetic profile demonstrated a slowly cleared, extensively distributed molecule with dose linearity and comparable exposures with BID and QD regimens.
Stakeholder Engagement, Corporate Social Responsibility and Integrated Reporting: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Sierra‐García Laura , Zorio‐Grima Ana , García‐Benau María A. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThere is increasing interest in integrated reporting that includes the company's financial, governance, environmental, and social performance. For this reason, the main objective of this investigation is to study why companies are producing integrated reporting, paying special attention to the links with the assurance of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) report. Based on 7144 worldwide observations, this study identifies the determinants of integrated reporting through a logistic regression model. Our results point out that the likelihood of disclosing an integrated report is positively associated with having the CSR report assured, year, size and supplement industry. Next, we tested if companies that assure their CSR report are also affected by those determining variables. This research is pioneering in analysing the determinants of integrated reporting and as far as we know no existing research has examined the links between integrated reporting and the assurance of CSR reports. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Influence of Corporate Culture on Environmental Management Performance: An Empirical Study of Japanese Firms
Authors: Sugita Masaki , Takahashi Takuya 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the relationships between the scores of 109 Japanese corporations found in the NIKKEI environmental management ranking survey and the corporate culture of each firm. Corporate culture is measured with the instrument developed by Cameron and Quinn (2006). The instrument measures corporate culture in terms of four categories: clan culture, adhocracy culture, hierarchy culture, and market culture. The results indicate that adhocracy culture has statistically significant positive relationships with the management system, product development, and climate change mitigation aspects of environmental management or sustainability management. Excessive hierarchy culture has a negative relationship with the overall score of environmental management. An appropriate combination of hierarchy culture and adhocracy culture enhances the overall score. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Learning to differentiate individuals by their voices: Infants' individuation of native‐ and foreign‐species voices
Authors: Friendly Rayna H. , Rendall Drew , Trainor Laurel J. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe ability to discriminate and identify people by their voice is important for social interaction in humans. In early development, learning to discriminate important differences in a number of socially relevant stimuli, such as phonemes and faces, has been shown to follow a common pattern of experience‐driven perceptual narrowing, where the discrimination of native stimuli improves, while the discrimination of foreign stimuli worsens. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether similar perceptual narrowing occurs for discriminating individuals by voice. We tested the ability of English‐speaking adults and English‐learning 6‐ and 12‐month‐olds to discriminate either native‐species (human) or foreign‐species (rhesus monkey [Macaca mulatta]) individuals by their vocalizations. Between 6 and 12 months of age, the ability to discriminate monkey voices decreased significantly and there was a non‐significant trend for improved ability to discriminate human voices. The results support the hypothesis of experience‐driven perceptual narrowing for voice individuation during the first year after birth. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 56: 228–237, 2014.
The emerging role of SHANK genes in neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Guilmatre Audrey , Huguet Guillaume , Delorme Richard , Bourgeron Thomas 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTThe genetic heterogeneity of neuropsychiatric disorders is high, but some pathways emerged, notably synaptic functioning. A large number of mutations have been described in genes such as neuroligins, neurexins, and SHANK that play a role in the formation and the maintenance of synapses. This review focuses on the disorders associated with mutations in SHANK3 and the other members of its family, SHANK1 and SHANK2. SHANKs are scaffolding proteins of the postsynaptic density of glutamatergic synapses. SHANK3 has been described in the Phelan‐McDermid syndrome (PMS), but also in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia associated to moderate to severe intellectual disability (ID) and poor language. The evolution of patients with PMS includes symptoms of bipolar disorder and regression. SHANK2 has been identified in patients with ASD with mild to severe ID. SHANK1 has been associated with high‐functioning autism in male patients, while carrier females only display anxiety and shyness. Finally, based on neuropathological findings in animal models and patients, a possible role of SHANK in Alzheimer's disease is discussed. Altogether, this review describes the clinical trajectories associated with different mutations of the SHANK genes and provides information to further investigate the role of the SHANK genes in neuropsychiatric disorders. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 113–122, 2014
Persistence and sorption of imazapyr in three Argentinean soils
Authors: Gianelli Valeria Rosana , Bedmar Francisco , Costa José Luis 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Imazapyr is a herbicide widely used for weed control in imidazolinone-tolerant sunflower. Imazapyr has a high potential for leaching into groundwater because it is highly water-soluble, persistent in soil, and only weakly sorbed by soils. There is a lack of information available in Argentina concerning groundwater leaching of imazapyr. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the persistence and sorption of imazapyr in 3 Argentinean soils (Tandil, Anguil, and Cerro Azul sites). The presence and concentration of imazapyr were determined and quantified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The persistence in soils followed the order: Cerro Azul &gt; Tandil &gt; Anguil, with half-life values of 121 d, 75 d, and 37 d, respectively. The half-life of imazapyr was negatively associated with soil pH and iron and aluminum content, and was positively related to clay content. Imazapyr sorption was found to be well described by the Freundlich isotherm. Soil pH and clay, iron, and aluminum contents were the main factors affecting the sorption of imazapyr. The sorption had a limiting effect on the degradation rate. Under certain conditions, the weak sorption and high persistence may increase the movement of imazapyr in the soil profile and the risk of groundwater pollution. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:29–34. © 2013 SETAC
Assessment of different reconstruction techniques for implementing the NVSF schemes on unstructured meshes
Authors: Zhang Di , Jiang Chunbo , Yang Chen , Yang Yan 
Published: October 2013

SUMMARYThree new far‐upwind reconstruction techniques, New‐Technique 1, 2, and 3, are proposed in this paper, which localize the normalized variable and space formulation (NVSF) schemes and facilitate the implementation of standard bounded high‐resolution differencing schemes on arbitrary unstructured meshes. By theoretical analysis, it is concluded that the three new techniques overcome two inherent drawbacks of the original technique found in the literature. Eleven classic high‐resolution NVSF schemes developed in the past decades are selected to evaluate performances of the three new techniques relative to the original technique. Under the circumstances of arbitrary unstructured meshes, stretched meshes, and uniform triangular meshes, for each NVSF scheme, the accuracies and convergence properties, when implementing the four aforementioned far‐upwind reconstruction techniques respectively, are assessed by the pure convection of several scalar profiles. The numerical results clearly show that New‐Technique‐2 leads to a better performance in terms of overall accuracy and convergence behavior for the 11 NVSF schemes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Health workforce in the United Arab Emirates: analytic point of view
Authors: Hannawi Suad , Salmi Issa Al 
Published: October 2013

SUMMARYA strong health system is impossible without health workers who are the ultimate resource. Money and medical supplies are needed, but these inputs require an efficient workforce. Challenges with respect to human resources vary greatly between and within countries, and are associated with the political, economical, cultural and societal context of a country. Moreover, the gaps in the workforce do not generally relate to doctors but to nurses and other classes of health worker who make up the bulk of health workforce. The difficulties caused by low staff numbers are compounded by morale problems, skill imbalances and geographical maldistribution. This paper will discuss how it is difficult for the United Arab Emirates (UAE, a Middle East federation country) to wrestle effectively with the demands of a good health system, exploring how they lack the basis of health systems—motivated, trained and supported people. Additionally, we looked at how the UAE health system further challenged by negative work environment, and weak knowledge‐base, out‐migration and inadequate investment. At the end of our discussion, we are providing some suggestions to manage human resource problems in the UAE. Highlighting how a national workforce strategic plan is important to guide investments in human resources as the core component of strengthening the UAE national health system. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Topical analgesics for neuropathic pain: Preclinical exploration, clinical validation, future development
Authors: Sawynok J. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractTopical analgesics applied locally to skin or to specialized compartments modify pain by actions on sensory nerve endings and/or adjacent cellular elements. With this approach, there are low systemic drug levels, good tolerability and few drug interactions, and combination with oral formulations is feasible. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the potential for topical analgesics to contribute to improved management of neuropathic pain. Mechanistic and preclinical studies indicate much potential for development of novel topical analgesics for neuropathic pain. In humans, two topical analgesics are approved for use in post‐herpetic neuralgia (lidocaine 5% medicated plaster, capsaicin 8% patch), and there is evidence for efficacy in other neuropathic pain conditions. Comparative trials indicate similar efficacy between topical and oral analgesics. Not all individuals respond to topical analgesics, and there is interest in determining factors (patient factors, sensory characteristics) which might predict responsiveness to topical analgesics. There is a growing number of controlled trials and case reports of investigational agents (vasodilators, glutamate receptor antagonists, α2‐adrenoreceptor agonists, antidepressants, centrally acting drugs), including combinations of several agents, indicating these produce pain relief in neuropathic pain. There is interest in compounding topical analgesics for neuropathic pain, but several challenges remain for this approach. Topical analgesics have the potential to be a valuable additional approach for the management of neuropathic pain.
Osterix and NO66 Histone Demethylase Control the Chromatin of Osterix Target Genes During Osteoblast Differentiation
Authors: Sinha Krishna M , Yasuda Hideyo , Zhou Xin , deCrombrugghe Benoit 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

Commitment of Runx2-expressing precursor osteoblasts to functional osteoblasts and then to osteocytes is triggered by Osterix (Osx), which activates its target genes in those cells during bone formation. It is not yet known whether Osx has a role in remodeling the chromatin architecture of its target genes during the transition from preosteoblast to osteoblast. In testing the hypothesis that Osx is indispensable for active chromatin architecture, we first showed that in Osx-null calvarial cells occupancy of the transcriptional activators, including lysine 4 methyl transferase (Wdr5), c-Myc, and H2A.Z, at the Osx target gene Bsp was very markedly decreased. The levels of methylation of lysines 4 and 36 and acetylation of histone H3, markers for active chromatin, were also reduced at the Bsp gene in these cells. In contrast, occupancy of the transcriptional repressors HP1 and the nucleolar protein 66 (NO66), a histone demethylase previously identified as an Osx-interacting protein, was increased at the Bsp gene in Osx-null calvarial cells. Furthermore, the Bsp promoter was hypermethylated in embryonic stem (ES) cells and in embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5) embryos but was markedly hypomethylated in the calvaria of E18.5 embryos, coinciding with robust Bsp expression. In contrast, CpG methylation in the Bsp promoter remained high in Osx-null calvaria compared to Osx–wild-type calvaria. Our data also revealed that NO66 interacted with DNA Methyltransferase 1A (DNMT1A), histone deacetylase 1A (HDAC1A), and HP1, which are known to control histone and DNA methylation. In addition, HP1 stimulated the demethylase activity of NO66 for its substrates “trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4” (H3K4me3) and “trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 36” (H3K36me3). Our findings strongly suggest that in the absence of Osx, the chromatin of Osx target genes is transcriptionally inactive. We propose that Osx is a molecular switch for the formation of an active chromatin state during osteoblast differentiation, whereas NO66 helps gene repression through histone demethylation and/or formation of a repressor complex, resulting in multilayered control of the chromatin architecture of specific osteoblast genes. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Perlecan-Containing Pericellular Matrix Regulates Solute Transport and Mechanosensing Within the Osteocyte Lacunar-Canalicular System
Authors: Wang Bin , Lai Xiaohan , Price Christopher , Thompson William R , Li Wen , Quabili Tonima R , Tseng Wei-Ju , Liu Xiaowei Sherry , Zhang Hong , Pan Jun , Kirn-Safran Catherine B , Farach-Carson Mary C , Wang Liyun 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

The pericellular matrix (PCM), a thin coating surrounding nearly all mammalian cells, plays a critical role in many cell-surface phenomena. In osteocytes, the PCM is believed to control both “outside-in” (mechanosensing) and “inside-out” (signaling molecule transport) processes. However, the osteocytic PCM is challenging to study in situ because it is thin (∼100 nm) and enclosed in mineralized matrix. To this end, we recently developed a novel tracer velocimetry approach that combined fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) imaging with hydrodynamic modeling to quantify the osteocytic PCM in young murine bone. In this study, we applied the technique to older mice expressing or deficient for perlecan/HSPG2, a large heparan-sulfate proteoglycan normally secreted in osteocytic PCM. The objectives were (1) to characterize transport within an altered PCM; (2) to test the sensitivity of our approach in detecting the PCM alterations; and (3) to dissect the roles of the PCM in osteocyte mechanosensing. We found that: (1) solute transport increases in the perlecan-deficient (hypomorphic [Hypo]) mice compared with control mice; (2) PCM fiber density decreases with aging and perlecan deficiency; (3) osteocytes in the Hypo bones are predicted to experience higher shear stress (+34%), but decreased fluid drag force (−35%) under 3-N peak tibial loading; and (4) when subjected to tibial loading in a preliminary in vivo experiment, the Hypo mice did not respond to the anabolic stimuli as the CTL mice did. These findings support the hypothesis that the PCM fibers act as osteocyte's sensing antennae, regulating load-induced cellular stimulations and thus bone's sensitivity and in vivo bone adaptation. If this hypothesis is further confirmed, osteocytic PCM could be new targets to develop osteoporosis treatments by modulating bone's intrinsic sensitivity to mechanical loading and be used to design patient-specific exercise regimens to promote bone formation. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Characterization, Isolation, and Culture of Mouse and Human Spermatogonial Stem Cells
Authors: Guo Ying , Hai Yanan , Gong Yuehua , Li Zheng , He Zuping 
Published: October 2013

AbstractSpermatogenesis is a special process by which spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) divide and differentiate to male gametes called mature spermatozoa. SSCs are the unique cells because they are adult stem cells that transmit genetic information to subsequent generations. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that SSCs can be reprogrammed to acquire pluripotency to become embryonic stem‐like cells that differentiate into all cell lineages of the three germ layers, highlighting potential important applications of SSCs for regenerative medicine. Recent studies from peers and us have made great achievements on the characterization, isolation, and culture of mouse and human SSCs, which could lead to better understanding the biology of SSCs and the applications of SSCs in both reproductive and regenerative medicine. In this review, we first compared the cell identity and biochemical phenotypes between mouse SSCs and human SSCs. Notably, the cell types of mouse and human SSCs are distinct, and human SSCs share some but not all phenotypes with mouse SSCs. The approaches for isolating SSCs as well as short‐ and long‐term culture of mouse SSCs and short‐period culture of human SSCs were also discussed. We further addressed the new advances on the self‐renewal of SSCs with an aim to establish the long‐term culture of human SSCs which has not yet been achieved. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 407–413, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ionospheric F2 region: Variability and sudden stratospheric warmings
Authors: Upadhayaya A. K. , Mahajan K. K. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe ionospheric F2 region is known to show a large day‐to‐day and hour‐to‐hour variability. Some of this variability has recently being linked to sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs). We therefore investigate the extent of ionospheric changes following SSWs of 2007, 2008, and 2009 using ionosonde data from six different stations in the Asian zone, thus covering a broad latitudinal range from 23.2°N to 45.1°N. We find that ionospheric F2 region shows some significant perturbations soon after the start of the warming. However, characteristics of these perturbations vary from event to event and from station to station. We also examine the data on equatorial electrojet strength (EEJ) during these warmings and find that there are significant changes in the EEJ strength during the SSW events. A counter electrojet coincident with the start of warming was observed for the SSW event of 2008. We then compare this SSW‐linked variability observed by us to the normal day‐to‐day and hour‐to‐hour variability seen in the ionospheric data. We find that even during times when there are no SSWs and solar and magnetic indices are quite stable and close to their minimum values, the ionospheric variability is comparable to the variability attributed to these warmings. Further, it seems to us that it is difficult to quantify with precision the changes in foF2, as well as in the ionospheric response times involved, following these events.