bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
pH‐dependent immobilization of urease on glutathione‐capped gold nanoparticles
Authors: Garg Seema , De Arnab , Mozumdar Subho 
Published: September 2014

AbstractUrease is a nickel‐dependent metalloenzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea to form ammonia and carbon dioxide. Although the enzyme serves a significant role in several detoxification and analytical processes, its usability is restricted due to high cost, availability in small amounts, instability, and a limited possibility of economic recovery from a reaction mixture. Hence, there is a need to develop an efficient, simple, and reliable immobilization strategy for the enzyme. In this study, the carboxyl terminated surface of glutathione‐capped gold nanoparticles have been utilized as a solid support for the covalent attachment of urease. The immobilization has been carried out at different pH conditions so as to elucidate its effect on the immobilization efficiency and enzyme bioactivity. The binding of the enzyme has been quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed through techniques like ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, intrinsic steady state fluorescence, and circular dichorism. The bioactivity of the immobilized enzyme was investigated with respect to the native enzyme under different thermal conditions. Recyclability and shelf life studies of the immobilized enzyme have also been carried out. Results reveal that the immobilization is most effective at pH of 7.4 followed by that in an acidic medium and is least in alkaline environment. The immobilized enzyme also exhibits enhance activity in comparison to the native form at physiological temperature. The immobilized urease (on gold glutathione nanoconjugates surface) can be effectively employed for biosensor fabrication, immunoassays and as an in vivo diagnostic tool in the future. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 1771–1783, 2015.
Anthropogenic influence on summer precipitation trends over South America in CMIP5 models
Authors: Vera Carolina S. , Díaz Leandro 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTAustral summer rainfall trends are analysed over South America from observations and simulations of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project version 5 between 1902 and 2005. Positive trends in southeastern South America (SESA) and negative ones in the southern Andes (SAn) are the most significant observed features. Mean trends obtained from an ensemble of 59 simulations from 14 models for the historical experiment (including both natural and anthropogenic forcings) are able to reproduce those precipitation changes, although weaker than observed. Most of the simulations reproduce the right sign of the precipitation changes at both regions. However, associated uncertainty ranges (due to both inter‐model dispersion and internal climate variability) are still large. Mean trends for the historical experiment are statistically distinguishable from those obtained for the natural‐forcing‐only experiment, which exhibit negligible mean values at both regions. Results allow concluding that the anthropogenic forcing has at least a partial contribution in explaining the precipitation changes observed in both SESA and SAn regions during the last century.
Investigating the Attractiveness of an Emerging Long‐Haul Destination: Implications for Loyalty
Authors: Vigolo Vania 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAlthough several studies have demonstrated a positive relationship between destination attractiveness and loyalty, most published research has focused on travellers from geographically close markets and on mature destinations. This study adopts a demand‐side perspective to investigate these concepts for an emerging long‐haul destination (South Africa). A survey was conducted among a sample of Italian tourists to explore the determinants of destination attractiveness and to investigate the effect of destination attractiveness on tourists' loyalty. Moreover, this study considers the moderating role of previous travel experience on the relationship between attractiveness and loyalty. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of a new contralateral routing of signal microphone in established unilateral cochlear implant recipients
Authors: Grewal Amandeep S. , Kuthubutheen Jafri , Smilsky Kari , Nedzelski Julian M. , Chen Joseph M. , Friesen Lendra , Lin Vincent Y.W. 
Published: September 2014

Objectives/HypothesisTo investigate whether a contralateral routing of signal (CROS) microphone combined with a unilateral cochlear implant (CI) results in hearing improvement after a prolonged trial period.Study DesignA prospective experimental trial was undertaken on a group of 10 postlingually deafened adults who are experienced CI users.MethodsParticipants completed audiometric testing and validated questionnaires with their unilateral CI alone, followed by addition of a CROS microphone (CI‐CROS). This was worn daily for the 2‐week trial, after which hearing performance was reevaluated using the same measures. Objective tests included AzBio sentences in quiet and noise and consonant–vowel nucleus–consonant (CNC) words. Subjective measures included the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB); Speech, Spatial, Qualities of Hearing Index (SSQ); Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index; an institutional questionnaire; and a daily log sheet.ResultsThere is statistically significant enhanced speech discrimination with the CI‐CROS when speech is presented on the CROS side. However, scores are markedly diminished when background noise is introduced, particularly to the CROS side. Subjective results indicate lower satisfaction scores for the global and ease of communication subdomains of the APHAB with the CI‐CROS, but increased scores on the spatial hearing subdomain of the SSQ (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe CI‐CROS provides significant benefit in certain situations, particularly speech recognition in quiet. CI‐CROS performance with background noise is poor, leading to low satisfaction scores. Further refinement of the device may yield a useful tool for unilateral CI users in the future.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 125:197–202, 2015
Lower plasma apolipoprotein A1 levels are found in Parkinson's disease and associate with apolipoprotein A1 genotype
Authors: Swanson Christine R. , Li Katherine , Unger Travis L. , Gallagher Michael D. , Van Deerlin Vivianna M. , Agarwal Pinky , Leverenz James , Roberts John , Samii Ali , Gross Rachel Goldmann , Hurtig Howard , Rick Jacqueline , Weintraub Daniel , Trojanowski John Q. , Zabetian Cyrus , Chen‐Plotkin Alice S. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTThe discovery of novel plasma‐based biomarkers could lead to new approaches in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we explore the role of plasma apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) as a risk marker for PD and evaluate the influence of APOA1 promoter variation on plasma ApoA1 levels. Plasma ApoA1 and the single‐nucleotide polymorphism, rs670, were assayed in a discovery cohort (cohort 1) of 301 PD patients, 80 normal controls (NCs), and 165 subjects with other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as a cohort (cohort 2) of 158 PD patients from a second clinical site. Additionally, rs670 was genotyped in a third cohort of 1,494 PD and 925 NC subjects from both clinical sites. Compared to both normal and disease controls, PD patients have lower plasma ApoA1 (P < 0.001 for both comparisons). Moreover, in PD patients, plasma ApoA1 levels are correlated with genotype at the APOA1 promoter polymorphism, rs670. Specifically, lower plasma ApoA1 levels were found in rs670 major allele (G) homozygotes in both cohort 1 (P = 0.009) and in a replication cohort (cohort 2; n = 158 PD patients; P = 0.024). Finally, evaluating rs670 genotype frequencies in 1,930 PD cases versus 997 NCs, the rs670 GG genotype shows a trend toward association (odds ratio: 1.1; P = 0.10) with PD. Our results are compatible with a model whereby circulating ApoA1 levels may be useful in risk‐stratifying subjects for the development of PD, with higher ApoA1 levels suggesting relative protection. Future studies evaluating modulation of ApoA1 as a novel therapeutic strategy in PD are warranted. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Balanced SSFP Dixon imaging with banding‐artifact reduction at 3 Tesla
Authors: Quist Brady , Hargreaves Brian A. , Daniel Bruce L. , Saranathan Manojkumar 
Published: September 2014

PurposeTo develop a three‐dimensional (3D) balanced steady‐state free‐precession (bSSFP) two‐point Dixon method with banding‐artifact suppression to offer robust high‐resolution 3D bright‐fluid imaging.MethodsA complex sum reconstruction that combines phase‐cycled bSSFP images acquired at specific echo times for robust fat/water separation without banding was investigated and compared with a magnitude‐based method. Bloch simulations using both single‐peak and multiple‐peak fat models were performed to predict the performance of these methods for a wide range of echo times and repetition times. The quality and degree of fat/water separation was evaluated in both simulations and using in vivo imaging.ResultsSimulations predicted that both effective banding‐artifact suppression and substantial improvements in fat/water separation are possible at echo times that are different from conventional echo times, enabling improved spatial resolution. Comparisons between various echo times and repetition times in vivo validated the improved fat/water separation and effective banding‐artifact removal predicted by the simulations.ConclusionThe proposed complex sum Dixon 3D bSSFP method is able to effectively separate fat and water at different sets of echo times, while removing banding‐artifacts, providing a fast, high‐resolution, T2‐like sequence without blurring. Magn Reson Med 74:706–715, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intra‐population variation and geographic correlation in Canthon humectus hidalgoensis using FTIR‐ATR spectroscopy
Authors: Verdú José R. , Gallego Belén , Lobo Jorge M. , Ortiz Antonio J. , Cortez Vieyle , Halffter Gonzalo 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIn some cases external morphology is not sufficient to discern between populations of a species, as occurs in the dung beetle Canthon humectus hidalgoensis Bates; and much less to determine phenotypic distances between them. FTIR‐ATR spectroscopy show several advantages over other identification techniques (e.g. morphological, genetic, and cuticular hydrocarbons analysis) due to the non‐invasive manner of the sample preparation, the relative speed of sample analysis and the low‐cost of this technology. The infrared spectrum obtained is recognized to give a unique ‘fingerprint’ because vibrational spectra are specific and unique to the molecular nature of the sample. In our study, results showed that proteins, amino acids and aromatic ethers of insect exocuticle have promising discriminative power to discern between different populations of C. h. hidalgoensis. Furthermore, the correlation between geographic distances between populations and the chemical distances obtained by proteins + amino acids + aromatic ethers was statistically significant, showing that the spectral and spatial information available of the taxa together with appropriated chemometric methods may help to a better understanding of the identity, structure, dynamics and diversity of insect populations.
Synthesis and Micellization of Organosilicon Gemini Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants
Authors: Li Junying , Yang Pengfei , Sha Zuoliang , Li Tianduo , Liu Yaming 
Published: September 2014

AbstractA novel class of organosilicon gemini quaternary ammonium surfactant alkyl‐α, ω‐bis(diethyl‐methyl‐dimethoxy‐silopropyl ammonium bromide) (α, ω = 1,4; 1,6; 1,8) was synthesized and characterized by 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and elemental analysis. It is found that the quaternization reaction has two steps: first single quaternization and then double quaternization. The effect of solvent on convert ratio has the following sequence: polar aprotic solvents > polar protic solvents > aromatic solvents. The electrical conductivity of aqueous solution was measured at 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C, and the thermodynamic properties of , and were calculated according to the mass action model and Gibbs equation. It is shown that the enthalpy driven and entropy driven are almost equal in the micellization of [SiC3‐4‐SiC3]Br2 and [SiC3‐6‐SiC3]Br2, but in the micellization of [SiC3‐8‐SiC3]Br2, the enthalpic contribution becomes significant and the effect of thermal is greater than the degree of order in the micellization.
The state of routine and emergency obstetric and neonatal care in Southern Province, Zambia
Authors: Owens Lauren , Semrau Katherine , Mbewe Reuben , Musokotwane Kebby , Grogan Caroline , Maine Deborah , Hamer Davidson H. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the capacity of health facilities in Southern Province, Zambia, to perform routine obstetric care and emergency obstetric and neonatal care (EmONC).MethodsSurveys were completed at 90 health centers and 10 hospitals between September 1, 2011, and February 28, 2012. An expanded set of signal functions for routine care and EmONC was used to assess the facilities’ capacity to provide obstetric and neonatal care.ResultsInterviews were completed with 172 health workers. Comprehensive EmONC was available in only six of 10 hospitals; the remaining four hospitals did not perform all basic EmONC signal functions. None of the 90 health centers performed the basic set of EmONC signal functions. Performance of routine obstetric care functions, health worker EmONC training, and facility infrastructure and staffing varied.ConclusionAssessment of the indicators for routine care revealed that several low‐cost interventions are currently underused in Southern Province. There is substantial room for improvement in emergency and routine obstetric and neonatal care at the surveyed facilities. Efforts should focus on improving infrastructure and supplies, EmONC training, and adherence to the UN guidelines for routine and emergency obstetric care.
K-theory, reality, and duality
Authors: Heard Drew , Stojanoska Vesna 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWe present a new proof of Anderson's result that the realK-theory spectrum is Anderson self-dual up to a fourfold suspension shift; more strongly, we show that the Anderson dual of the complexK-theory spectrumKUisC2-equivariantly equivalent to Σ4KU, whereC2acts by complex conjugation. We give an algebro-geometric interpretation of this result in spectrally derived algebraic geometry and apply the result to calculate 2-primary Gross-Hopkins duality at height 1. From the latter we obtain a new computation of the group of exotic elements of theK(1)-local Picard group.
Frustration in biomolecules
Authors: Ferreiro Diego U. , Komives Elizabeth A. , Wolynes Peter G. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBiomolecules are the prime information processing elements of living matter. Most of these inanimate systems are polymers that compute their own structures and dynamics using as input seemingly random character strings of their sequence, following which they coalesce and perform integrated cellular functions. In large computational systems with finite interaction-codes, the appearance of conflicting goals is inevitable. Simple conflicting forces can lead to quite complex structures and behaviors, leading to the concept offrustrationin condensed matter. We present here some basic ideas about frustration in biomolecules and how the frustration concept leads to a better appreciation of many aspects of the architecture of biomolecules, and especially how biomolecular structure connects to function by means of localized frustration. These ideas are simultaneously both seductively simple and perilously subtle to grasp completely. The energy landscape theory of protein folding provides a framework for quantifying frustration in large systems and has been implemented at many levels of description. We first review the notion of frustration from the areas of abstract logic and its uses in simple condensed matter systems. We discuss then how the frustration concept applies specifically to heteropolymers, testing folding landscape theory in computer simulations of protein models and in experimentally accessible systems. Studying the aspects of frustration averaged over many proteins provides ways to infer energy functions useful for reliable structure prediction. We discuss how frustration affects folding mechanisms. We review here how the biological functions of proteins are related to subtle local physical frustration effects and how frustration influences the appearance of metastable states, the nature of binding processes, catalysis and allosteric transitions. In this review, we also emphasize that frustration, far from being always a bad thing, is an essential feature of biomolecules that allows dynamics to be harnessed for function. In this way, we hope to illustrate howFrustrationis a fundamental concept in molecular biology.
Thermal time model ofSolanum sarrachoidesgermination
Authors: del Monte J.P. , Aguado P.L. , Tarquis A.M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractA population-based modelling approach was used to predict the occurrence of germination inSolanum sarrachoides(SOLSA) for different treatments. Seeds collected in Toledo (Spain) were exposed to constant temperatures, to temperatures alternating between 10 and 30°C and to gibberellins (GAs; 0, 50, 100, 150 and 1000 ppm) during a 24-h imbibition period. The following parameters were measured: base temperature (Tb), mean thermal time (θT(50)) and the standard deviation of thermal time (σθT). The SOLSA seeds only germinated at constant temperatures when the highest GA concentration was applied. The thermal model suggests that the induction and loss of physiological dormancy following seed dispersal is achieved when temperatures vary and when a mean thermal time of 66 growing degree-days (d°C) and aTbvalue of 16°C are achieved when no GA treatment was added. The concentration of GA applied under conditions of alternating temperatures has an additive effect, reducing θT(50) up to threefold, from basal level (66 d°C) to 19.40 d°C, when the 1000 ppm GA treatment was applied. In this last case, the germination was accelerated by reducingTbto 14°C. A 5–10°C change in temperature and a range of average temperatures of 20–27.5°C promoted the germination of SOLSA seeds to the greatest extent in the absence of GA. However, these conditions are not frequently encountered in the irrigated areas of the studied region; this finding could explain the limited ability of SOLSA to expand its range within this area.
Pulmonary vasodilator therapy and early postoperative outcome after modified Fontan operation
Authors: Mendoza Alberto , Albert Leticia , Belda Sylvia , Casanueva Lidia , Herrera Dolores , Granados Miguel A. , Velasco José M. , García Enrique , Aguilar Juan M. , Comas Juan V. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAlthough mortality is low after the modified Fontan procedure, there is a significant percentage of patients with prolonged postoperative recovery. The objective of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of postoperative administration of oral sildenafil and inhaled nitric oxide on early postoperative outcome.A prospective interventional and comparison study with a historical cohort was conducted. Between January, 2010 and March, 2013, 16 patients received oral sildenafil during immediate modified Fontan postoperative period. Inhaled nitric oxide was also administered if the patient was kept intubated 12 hours after surgery. Early postoperative outcome was compared with a historical cohort of 32 patients on whom the modified Fontan procedure was performed between March, 2000 and December, 2009.Postoperative administration of sildenafil and nitric oxide had no influence on early postoperative outcome after the modified Fontan procedure in terms of duration of pleural effusions, mechanical ventilation time, length of stay in the ICU, and length of hospital stay.
Natural disasters, migration and education: an empirical analysis in developing countries
Authors: Drabo Alassane , Mbaye Linguère Mously 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThis paper aims to assess the effect of natural disasters closely related to climate change on migration rates in developing countries, observing how this effect varies according to the level of education. We investigate this relationship by using panel data that measure international migration from developing countries to the main OECD destination countries. Estimations are made with a pair-country fixed effects estimator. The results show that natural disasters are positively associated with emigration rates. Furthermore, we show that natural disasters may exacerbate the brain drain in developing countries when they are at their most vulnerable and need greater support from skilled workers. We also find that the effect of natural disasters on migration varies depending on the geographical location of countries, as well as according to the type of disaster.
A Brief Description of the Collection of Rawlinson Papers at the Royal Asiatic Society
Authors: PARSONS ROGER 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe contents of the Rawlinson papers have now been sorted into a meaningful order and the contents listed, this note contains a brief description of its contents, in order to make clear what it does and does not contain. Henry Creswicke Rawlinson (1810–1895) is mainly remembered as a pioneer in the decipherment of cuneiform scripts but it will be seen from the documents in the collection that his interests covered a rather wider range of topics.
STALNAKER’S THESIS IN CONTEXT
Authors: BACON ANDREW 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIn this paper I present a precise version of Stalnaker’s thesis and show that it is both consistent and predicts our intuitive judgments about the probabilities of conditionals. The thesis states that someone whose total evidence is E should have the same credence in the proposition expressed by ‘if A then B’ in a context where E is salient as they have conditional credence in the proposition B expresses given the proposition A expresses in that context. The thesis is formalised rigorously and two models are provided that demonstrate that the new thesis is indeed tenable within a standard possible world semantics based on selection functions. Unlike the Stalnaker–Lewis semantics the selection functions cannot be understood in terms of similarity. A probabilistic account of selection is defended in its place.I end the paper by suggesting that this approach overcomes some of the objections often levelled at accounts of indicatives based on the notion of similarity.