bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigating the effects of metals on phenol oxidase‐producing nitrogen‐fixing Azotobacter chroococcum
Authors: Herter Susanne , Schmidt Marlen , Thompson Mark L. , Mikolasch Annett , Schauer Frieder 
Published: September 2012

AbstractExpression of phenol oxidases (PO) in bacteria is often observed during physiological and morphological changes; in the nitrogen‐fixing strain Azotobacter chroococcum SBUG 1484, it is accompanied by the formation of encysted cells and melanin. Herein, we studied the effects of copper and the depletion of the nitrogenase‐relevant metals molybdenum and iron on physiological characteristics such as culture pigmentation, release of ortho‐dihydroxylated melanin precursors, and expression of PO activity in A. chroococcum. Biomass production and melanogenic appearance were directly affected by the depletion of either iron or molybdenum, or in the absence of both metals. Only nitrogen‐fixing cells growing in the presence of both metals and cultures supplemented with iron (molybdenum starved) showed the ability to produce an intensively brown‐black melanin pigment typically associated with A. chroococcum. Accordingly, PO production was only detected in the presence of both metals and in iron‐supplemented cultures starved of molybdenum. The total amount of catecholate siderophores produced by nitrogen‐fixing melanogenic cells was considerably higher than in cultures starved of metal ions. Induction of enhanced PO activity was stimulated by additional copper sulfate, possibly related to cellular processes involved in the detoxification of this particular metal, and revealed distinct release of the ortho‐dihydroxylated melanin precursors catechol and 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid.
Background ozone level in the Sydney basin: assessment and trend analysis
Authors: Duc Hiep , Azzi Merched , Wahid Herman , Ha Q. P. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIt has been recognized that the background ozone concentration in urban areas is changing over the years. This article aims to determine the background ozone level (BOL) using ambient air quality data measurements collected at some monitoring stations in the Sydney basin, Australia. A definition of background ozone in the context of the Sydney region is proposed. With this definition, it is possible to estimate the background ozone using ambient measurements of ozone and its precursors. The trend of the BOL is also estimated from the temporal ambient monitoring records as of early 1998‐2005. These ozone level changes at different monitoring stations are assessed using the linear regression method. The results are shown to vary between different monitoring sites. This demonstrates that the local conditions at each site are important in determining as to whether an air quality management plan for reducing the ozone level to below the exceedance level is effective and achievable or not. Furthermore, the results obtained are compared with those obtained by the Clapp–Jenkin method, which is based on the relationship between oxidant and nitrogen oxides, assuming a stationary state of photochemical smog function.
Long intergenic non‐coding RNA TUG1 is overexpressed in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Han Yonghua , Liu Yuchen , Gui Yaoting , Cai Zhiming 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesLong intergenic non‐coding RNAs (lincRNAs) are a class of non‐coding RNAs that regulate gene expression via chromatin reprogramming. Taurine Up‐regulated Gene 1 (TUG1) is a lincRNA that is associated with chromatin‐modifying complexes and plays roles in gene regulation. In this study, we determined the expression patterns of TUG1 and the cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induced by silencing TUG1 in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.MethodsThe expression levels of TUG1 were determined using Real‐Time qPCR in a total of 44 patients with bladder urothelial carcinomas. Bladder urothelial carcinoma T24 and 5637 cells were transfected with TUG1 siRNA or negative control siRNA. Cell proliferation was evaluated using MTT assay. Apoptosis was determined using ELISA assay.ResultsTUG1 was up‐regulated in bladder urothelial carcinoma compared to paired normal urothelium. High TUG1 expression levels were associated with high grade and stage carcinomas. Cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction were observed in TUG1 siRNA‐transfected bladder urothelial carcinoma T24 and 5637 cells.ConclusionsOur data suggest that lincRNA TUG1 is emerging as a novel player in the disease state of bladder urothelial carcinoma. TUG1 may have potential roles as a biomarker and/or a therapeutic target in bladder urothelial carcinoma. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:555–559. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acute mastoiditis: The role of imaging for identifying intracranial complications
Authors: Luntz Michal , Bartal Keren , Brodsky Alexander , Shihada Rabia 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Brain CT is performed in patients presenting with acute mastoiditis (AM) to identify intracranial complications (ICC). Recently, however, the need for CT scans in such patients has been questioned owing to concerns regarding long‐term effects of brain irradiation, with some clinicians claiming that the decision to scan should be based on a patient's clinical presentation. This study was aimed at characterizing the typical clinical presentation of patients who already have ICCs when diagnosed with AM, and to compare it to that of AM patients presenting without ICCs.Study Design:Prospective case series.Methods:All patients hospitalized with AM between July 1997 and December 2009 in an otologic tertiary referral center were divided into those with and those without ICCs on presentation. Prereferral clinical characteristics and the signs, symptoms, and inflammatory indexes at presentation were compared between the two groups.Results:Of 71 patients presenting with AM, 10 had at least one ICC (sigmoid sinus thrombosis [nine patients], perisinus empyema [five patients], subdural abscess [one patient], and epidural abscess [one patient]). Patients with and without ICCs did not differ regarding most clinical characteristics or presenting signs and symptoms. None presented with neurological signs or cranial nerve deficits.Conclusions:It is not possible to define an evidence‐based index of suspicion for ICCs in patients with AM. Diagnostic imaging at presentation accordingly remains mandatory.
THE INFLUENCE OF BLOWING SOIL TRAPPED BY SHRUBS ON FERTILITY IN TABERNAS DISTRICT (SE SPAIN)
Authors: Lozano F. J. , Soriano M. , Martínez S. , Asensio C. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to relate soil properties affected by the deposit of materials by the wind to the percentage of vegetation surface that facilitates their accumulation. To do this, we applied artificial wind and compared its effects to natural conditions by making use of the ‘fertility islands’ generated by some species of bushes under their canopies in semiarid environments and, which according to many publications, modify soil characteristics substantially.Two very common species in our flat semiarid study area, Hammada articulata and Artemisia barrelieri, were chosen for comparison. Soil was sampled in gaps between shrubs and under canopies. Some shrubs were subjected to extra wind, whereas others were kept under natural conditions. At the end of this first stage, the islands under the canopies were sampled again, and any differences found in the data were studied. Increased retention of material affects the fertility of soils. Thus, we observed, for example, an increase in biomass carbon showing greater biological activity. Finally, we performed a statistical analysis, which resolved our hypothesis on the influence of the percentage of plant surface on the soil parameters. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Turán type inequalities for the partial sums of the generating functions of Bernoulli and Euler numbers
Authors: Koumandos Stamatis , Pedersen Henrik Laurberg 
Published: September 2012

AbstractTurán type inequalities for the partial sums of the generating functions of the Bernoulli and Euler numbers are established. They are shown to follow from a general result relating Turán inequalities of partial sums with Turán inequalities of the corresponding remainders in any Maclaurin expansion. Remainders in asymptotic expansions of the β‐function are shown to be completely monotonic of positive order.
Algebraic methods applied to shortest path and maximum flow problems in stochastic networks
Authors: Hastings K. C. , Shier D.R. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractWe present an algebraic approach for computing the distribution of the length of a shortests‐tpath, as well as the distribution of the capacity of a minimums‐tcut, in a network where the arc values (lengths and capacities) have known (discrete) probability distributions. For each problem, both exact and approximating algorithms are presented. These approximating algorithms are shown to yield upper and lower bounds on the distribution of interest. This approach likewise provides exact and bounding distributions on the maximum flow value in stochastic networks. We also obtain bounds on the expected shortest path length as well as the expected minimum cut capacity (and the expected maximum flow value). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2013
Rapid Identification of Unstable Acyl Glucoside Flavonoids of Oxytropis racemosa Turcz by High‐performance Liquid Chromatography–Diode Array Detection–Electrospray Ionisation/Multi‐stage Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Song Shuang , Zheng Xiu‐Ping , Liu Wei‐Dong , Du Rui‐Fang , Feng Zi‐Ming , Zhang Pei‐Cheng , Bi Li‐Fu 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIntroductionOxytropis racemosa Turcz is an important minority medicine that is used mainly to improve children's indigestion, especially in inner Mongolia and Tibet. Previous studies indicated that the characteristic constituents of this plant are acylated flavonoids.ObjectiveRapidly identify the characteristic chemical constituents of O. racemosa by high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection–electrospray ionisation/multi‐stage mass spectrometry (HPLC–DAD–ESI/MSn) and suggest a useful method to control the quality of this medicinal plant.MethodsIn the HPLC fingerprint, 32 flavonoids were tentatively identified by a detailed analysis of their mass spectra, UV spectra and retention times. Furthermore, 13 flavonoids were confirmed by comparison with previously isolated compounds obtained from O. racemosa.ResultsIn total, 32 flavonoids, including 13 flavonoids with 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaric acid (HMG) moieties and four flavonoids with 3‐malonyl moieties, were identified in the extract of O. racemosa. Among the compounds identified, 10 were characterised as new compounds for their particular acylated sugar moieties.ConclusionsThe method described is effective for obtaining a comprehensive phytochemical profile of plants containing unstable acylated flavonoids. The method is also useful for constructing the chromatographic fingerprint of the minority medicine –O. racemosa Turcz for quality control. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry and obstetric outcomes in connective tissue diseases diagnosed during the first trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Beneventi Fausta , Locatelli Elena , Ramoni Véronique , Caporali Roberto , Montecucco Carlo Maurizio , Simonetta Margherita , Cavagnoli Chiara , Ferrari Maria , Spinillo Arsenio 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of connective tissue disease (CTD) diagnosed during the first trimester on uterine arteries (UtA) Doppler velocities and on pregnancy outcomes.MethodPregnant women were screened for CTDs during the first trimester, using a questionnaire, testing for autoantibodies, rheumatologic examination and UtA Doppler evaluations.ResultsOut of 3932 women screened, 491 (12.5%) were screened positive at the questionnaire; of them, 165(33.6%) tested positive for autoantibodies, including 66 eventually diagnosed with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD), 28 with a definite CTD and 71 with insufficient criteria for a diagnosis. Controls were 326 women screened negative for autoantibodies. In logistic analysis, women diagnosed with either UCTD (OR = 7.9, 95% CI = 2.3–27.3) or overt CTD (OR = 24.9, 95% CI = 6.7–92.4), had increased rates of first trimester bilateral UtA notches compared with controls. The rates of bilateral UtA notches persisting in the second (15/94 vs 0/326, p < 0.001) and third trimesters (7/94 vs 0/326, p < .001) were higher among women with CTDs than in controls. The risk of complications (preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, prematurity, diabetes, fetal loss) was higher (OR = 7.8, 95% CI = 3.6‐17.0) among women with CTDs than in controls.ConclusionWomen with undiagnosed CTDs have higher rates of bilateral UtA Doppler notches throughout pregnancy and increased rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes than controls. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Omnidirectional study of nanostructured glass packaging for solar modules
Authors: Sakhuja Mridul , Son Jaesung , Verma Lalit K. , Yang Hyunsoo , Bhatia Charanjit S. , Danner Aaron J. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTAntireflective light trapping glass nanostructures fabricated by a non‐lithographic process are investigated for their angle dependent properties to improve the omnidirectional performance of solar modules. Optical transmission and solar cell module I‐V measurements are used to understand the dependence of angular performance of nanostructures in the packaging glass. Nanostructures 100–400 nm in height demonstrate an increase in solar light transmission both for normal as well as oblique incidence and measurements show that a ~200‐400 nm nanostructure height is optimum for solar modules, providing an absolute increase of 1% in the power conversion efficiency at normal incidence and a gain in short circuit current density over a 120° angular cone of solar incidence. This shows that packaging glass texturing can be an important and often‐overlooked method to yield substantial gain in solar module efficiency. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The efficacy of mindfulness‐based stress reduction on mental health of breast cancer patients: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Zainal Nor Zuraida , Booth Sara , Huppert Felicia A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the evidence of the efficacy of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) in improving stress, depression and anxiety in breast cancer patients.MethodsAn extensive systematic electronic review (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsyArticles, PsycINFO, Scopus, Ovid, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library) and a hand search were carried out from 15 October 2011 to 30 November 2011 to retrieve relevant articles using ‘mindfulness’ or ‘mindfulness‐based stress reduction’ and ‘breast cancer’ as keywords. Information about the baseline characteristics of the participants, interventions and findings on perceived stress, depression and anxiety was extracted from each study.ResultsNine published studies (two randomised controlled trials, one quasi‐experimental case–control study and six one‐group, pre‐intervention and post‐intervention studies) up to November 2011 that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were analysed. The pooled effect size (95% CI) for MBSR on stress was 0.710 (0.511–0.909), on depression was 0.575 (0.429–0.722) and on anxiety was 0.733 (0.450–1.017).ConclusionOn the basis of these findings, MBSR shows a moderate to large positive effect size on the mental health of breast cancer patients and warrants further systematic investigation because it has a potential to make a significant improvement on mental health for women in this group. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new route for fabrication of silicon QDs in a dielectric matrix of silica and silicate
Authors: Castaldo Anna , Addonizio Maria Luisa , Antonaia Alessandro , Nicotra Giuseppe 
Published: September 2012

AbstractStarting from stratification of alternating thin films of Si and ZnO produced by sputtering technique, followed by an annealing process at a sufficiently low temperature (560 °C) under vacuum (10–4 mbar), we were able to form crystalline nano‐aggregates of Si and ZnO in a dielectric matrix of zinc silicate and silicon oxide. The grain size of the Si crystallites depended on the Si/ZnO ratio in the starting material and on the annealing duration. Materials with tuned band gaps have been produced (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Extending the known range of glycerol ether lipids in the environment: structural assignments based on tandem mass spectral fragmentation patterns
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Lei , Summons Roger E. , Hinrichs Kai‐Uwe 
Published: September 2012

RATIONALEGlycerol‐based alkyl ether lipids are ubiquitous components in marine sediments. In order to explore their structural diversity and biological sources, marine sediment samples from diverse environments were analyzed and the mass spectra of widely distributed, novel glycerol di‐ and tetraethers were examined systematically.METHODSLipid extracts of twelve globally distributed marine subsurface sediments were analyzed by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI‐MS). Tandem mass (MS/MS) spectra of compounds were obtained with a quadrupole time‐of‐flight (qTOF) mass spectrometer.RESULTSIn addition to the well‐established isoprenoidal glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (isoprenoidal GDGT) and branched GDGT, suites of novel lipids were detected in all studied samples. These lipids include the following classes of tentatively identified compounds: isoprenoidal glycerol dialkanol diether (isoprenoidal GDD), hydroxylated isoprenoidal GDGT (OH‐GDGT), hybrid isoprenoidal/branched GDGT (IB‐GDGT), hydroxylated isoprenoidal GDD (OH‐GDD), overly branched GDGT (OB‐GDGT), sparsely branched GDGT (SB‐GDGT) and an abundant H‐shaped GDGT with the [M+H]+ ion of m/z 1020 (H‐1020).CONCLUSIONSCharacteristic MS/MS fragmentation patterns provided mass spectral 'fingerprints' for the recognition of diverse and prominent glycerol ether lipids. The ubiquitous distribution and substantial abundance of these glycerol ethers, as well as their structural variability, suggest a significant ecological role of their source organisms in various marine environments. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive Markov chain Monte Carlo forward projection for statistical analysis in epidemic modelling of human papillomavirus
Authors: Korostil Igor A. , Peters Gareth W. , Cornebise Julien , Regan David G. 
Published: September 2012

A Bayesian statistical model and estimation methodology based on forward projection adaptive Markov chain Monte Carlo is developed in order to perform the calibration of a high‐dimensional nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations representing an epidemic model for human papillomavirus types 6 and 11 (HPV‐6, HPV‐11). The model is compartmental and involves stratification by age, gender and sexual‐activity group. Developing this model and a means to calibrate it efficiently is relevant because HPV is a very multi‐typed and common sexually transmitted infection with more than 100 types currently known. The two types studied in this paper, types 6 and 11, are causing about 90% of anogenital warts.We extend the development of a sexual mixing matrix on the basis of a formulation first suggested by Garnett and Anderson, frequently used to model sexually transmitted infections. In particular, we consider a stochastic mixing matrix framework that allows us to jointly estimate unknown attributes and parameters of the mixing matrix along with the parameters involved in the calibration of the HPV epidemic model. This matrix describes the sexual interactions between members of the population under study and relies on several quantities that are a priori unknown. The Bayesian model developed allows one to estimate jointly the HPV‐6 and HPV‐11 epidemic model parameters as well as unknown sexual mixing matrix parameters related to assortativity.Finally, we explore the ability of an extension to the class of adaptive Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms to incorporate a forward projection strategy for the ordinary differential equation state trajectories. Efficient exploration of the Bayesian posterior distribution developed for the ordinary differential equation parameters provides a challenge for any Markov chain sampling methodology, hence the interest in adaptive Markov chain methods. We conclude with simulation studies on synthetic and recent actual data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bayesian modeling of time‐dependent vulnerability to environmental hazards: an example using autism and pesticide data
Authors: Roberts Eric M. , English Paul B. 
Published: September 2012

Background: Flexible modeling of time‐dependent effects is required when vulnerability to hazards can be expected to vary over time, but the nature of this temporal dependency cannot be specified in advance. We present an analytic approach requiring minimal a priori assumptions about temporal parameters and producing measures of uncertainty for these parameters.Methods: As a demonstration, we employ data describing autism spectrum disorders and applications of organochlorine pesticides in proximity to maternal residence before, during, and after pregnancy. We formulate a Bayesian model specifying temporal vulnerability as a flexible step function and constrain the dose–response relationship to be linear. We separately pooled information regarding hazard frequency and magnitude among cases and controls and used it as inputs for a Metropolis‐within‐Gibbs algorithm. To assess statistical significance, we conduct Monte Carlo simulations based on parameters calculated in the Gibbs portion of the algorithm.Results: This method delineated two discrete periods of association between hazard and outcome. The first corresponded to a previously noted period of vulnerability with the added information of wide credible intervals, suggesting a high degree of uncertainty with respect to timing. Parameters for the second, previously unobserved period displayed slightly higher precision. Assessment of model fit favored the simultaneous inclusion of both these periods, and both periods appeared statistically significant on the basis of posterior distributions of specific parameters using Monte Carlo simulations.Conclusions: This method enabled a fuller accounting of time‐dependent associations between hazards and outcomes without specifying temporal structure in advance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.