bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Replication and Returns to Scale in Production
Authors: Jensen Christian 
Published: February 2014

AbstractReplication alone does not yield a smooth constant-returns-to-scale production function as those usually assumed in the literature. However, such a function arises endogenously with replication, driven by profit-maximization, if the efficiency of the underlying production process varies with the intensity it is operated at, and reaches a maximum at a stationary point. The result applies when the number of production processes must be discrete, thus overcoming the so-called integer problem. When inputs are non-rival, public goods or generated by externalities, replication can lead to increasing or decreasing returns to scale.
Perceptions of communication, family adaptability and cohesion: a comparison of adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer and their parents
Authors: Phillips-Salimi Celeste R. , Robb Sheri L. , Monahan Patrick O. , Dossey Amy , Haase Joan E. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Purpose: To describe and compare adolescent and parent perspectives on communication, family adaptability and cohesion, as well as relationships among these variables, during the first month of an adolescent’s cancer diagnosis.
Methods: Seventy adolescent-parent dyads were enrolled as part of a larger multi-site study. The adolescents ranged in age from 11 to 19, and 61% were males. Parents were predominately mothers (83%). Dyads were predominately non-Hispanic Caucasian (63%). Measures included the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES II). Paired t-tests, Pearson correlations, intra-class correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression analyses were completed.
Results: Adolescent scores on communication, family adaptability and cohesion were significantly lower than parent scores. The inter-dyadic agreement between adolescents and parents was low. Communication, family adaptability and cohesion were examined separately for adolescents and for parents, and significant relationships were found. Both adolescent- and parent-perceived communication was significantly associated with family adaptability and cohesion outcomes.
Conclusions: Differences were found in adolescent and parent perceptions of communication, family adaptability and cohesion. When both adolescents and parents had better perceived communication, this was associated with better perceived family adaptability and cohesion. Results suggest that the development of interventions to enhance adolescent-parent communication could help foster better family adaptability and cohesion, which may ultimately impact their psychological adjustment. In addition, understanding the degree to which adolescents and parents disagree on their perceptions, including the results that parents generally have more favorable perceptions, may be a useful starting point when developing interventions.
Predictors of suicide ideation and risk for HIV among juvenile offenders in Georgia
Authors: Stephens Torrance , Holliday Rhonda C. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine self-reported thoughts of suicide, HIV risk behaviors and history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a sample of adolescent juvenile offenders in Georgia. Participants were 2260 juvenile offenders housed at selected youth development campuses (YDCs) in the state of Georgia. Self-reported measures of suicide ideation, HIV risk, and past occurrence of STIs were collected. Significance tests were conducted using univariate logistic regressions to examine the independent associations of lifetime self-reported thoughts of suicide and dichotomized HIV risk behaviour correlates prior to incarceration. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were presented. Significant differences were observed between juveniles in several factors for increased risk, including having been previously incarcerated (p<0.04), having had more than five alcoholic drinks in the same day (p<0.007), and having performed oral sex (p<0.028). We suggest that interventions for juvenile offenders that report thoughts of suicide, and that focus on HIV risk reduction should be developed based on the consideration of targeting factors that increase risk to specific STIs.
Prevalence of menstrual disorders among adolescent girls in Osogbo, South Western Nigeria
Authors: Amu Eyitope O. , Bamidele James O. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background: Menstrual disorders are common sources of morbidity among adolescent girls and often cause anxiety for these girls and their families.

Objective: This paper aims to determine the patterns of menstruation as well as the prevalence of menstrual disorders and their consequences among adolescent girls in Osogbo, South Western Nigeria.

Subjects: Adolescent school girls aged 10–19 years comprised the sample.

Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A pre-tested, self administered, semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from 402 adolescents selected from private secondary schools in the Osogbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Osun State, using a multistage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15.

Results: A total of 391 (97.8%) respondents had heard about menstruation before, with the three most important sources of information being their mothers (81.8%), teachers (7.4%), and peer groups (6.1%). The mean age at menarche was 12.5±1.0 years. Menstrual bleeding lasted between 2–7 days in 81.1% and cycle length lasted for 21–35 days in 81.6% of the respondents. The three most important menstrual disorders they experienced were dysmenorrhea (77.8%), menorrhagia (57.4%) and metrorrhagia (18.6%), among others. Menstrual disorders, especially dysmenorrhea, interfered with the daily activities of the respondents.

Conclusion: The prevalence of menstrual disorders among adolescents in the Osogbo LGA is high. Measures should be undertaken to educate the adolescents and their mothers about menstrual disorders and to mitigate their effects on the social and academic lives of these adolescents.
A framework for autonomic workload management in DBMSs
Authors: Zhang Mingyi , Martin Patrick , Powley Wendy , Bird Paul , Kalmuk David 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
In today's database server environments, multiple types of workloads
can be present in a system simultaneously. Workload types may include on-line
transaction processing and business intelligence. Workloads may also have
different levels of business importance and distinct performance objectives,
which are typically derived from service level agreements. An autonomic
workload management system for database management systems (DBMSs) dynamically
monitors and controls the flow of the workloads to help DBMSs achieve the
desired performance objectives. In this paper, we present a framework and
a prototype implementation for autonomic workload management in DBMSs. The
framework and the prototype provide the ability to achieve performance
objectives of workloads with diverse characteristics, different levels of
business importance and varying resource demands while protecting DBMSs
against performance failure. The prototype system is implemented on top of
IBM® DB2® Workload
Manager. Initial experiments using the prototype system are presented to
demonstrate the effectiveness of the framework.
Saffron in metabolic syndrome: its effects on antibody titers to heat-shock proteins 27, 60, 65 and 70
Authors: Shemshian Maryam , Mousavi Seyed Hadi , Norouzy Abdolreza , Kermani Tayebe , Moghiman Toktam , Sadeghi Akram , Ghayour-Mobarhan Majid , Ferns Gordon A. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background: The metabolic syndrome is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The heat shock proteins (HSPs) are highly conserved families of proteins expressed by a number of cell types following exposure to stressful environmental conditions include several known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have shown the potential of constituents of saffron in the treatment of atherosclerosis. We aimed on investigating the effect of saffron on antibody titers to HSP in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Methods: This was a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. One-hundred and five subjects with metabolic syndrome were randomly allocated to one of the three groups: the case group received 100 mg/day saffron, the placebo control group received a capsule of placebo and a non-placebo control group received no capsule, for 12 weeks.

Results: Antibodies against heat shock proteins 27, 60, 65 and 70 were determined in all patients before (week 0) and after (week 6 and 12) intervention. At 12 weeks, saffron produced a significantly decrease in AntiHSP27, 70 levels. Saffron can decrease AntiHSP27, 70 levels in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Conclusions: The results of this study indicate the efficacy of saffron in the improvement of some markers of autoimmunity HSPs in patients with metabolic syndrome.
Entropy production in simple special relativistic fluids
Authors: Brun-Battistini Dominique , Sandoval-Villalbazo Alfredo , García-Perciante Ana L. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract.
It is well known that, in the absence of external forces, simple non-relativistic
fluids involve entropy production only through heat conduction and
shear viscosity [De Groot, S. R. and Mazur, P.,
Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics, Dover, Mineola, 1984]. In this work, it is shown that a number
density gradient contributes to the local entropy production of a
simple relativistic fluid using special relativistic kinetic theory.
Also, the presence of an external field may cause strictly relativistic
contributions to the entropy production, a fact not widely recognized.
The implications of these effects are thoroughly discussed.
The Yeast Ess1 Prolyl Isomerase Controls Swi6 and Whi5 Nuclear Localization
Authors: Atencio David , Barnes Cassandra , Duncan Thomas M , Willis Ian M , Hanes Steven D 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe Ess1 prolyl isomerase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its human ortholog, Pin1, play critical roles in transcription by regulating RNA polymerase II. In human cells, Pin1 also regulates a variety of signaling proteins, and Pin1 misexpression is linked to several human diseases. To gain insight into Ess1/Pin1 function, we carried out a synthetic genetic array screen to identify novel targets of Ess1 in yeast. We identified potential targets of Ess1 in transcription, stress, and cell-cycle pathways. We focused on the cell-cycle regulators Swi6 and Whi5, both of which show highly regulated nucleocytoplasmic shuttling during the cell cycle. Surprisingly, Ess1 did not control their transcription but instead was necessary for their nuclear localization. Ess1 associated with Swi6 and Whi5 in vivo and bound directly to peptides corresponding to their nuclear localization sequences in vitro. Binding by Ess1 was significant only if the Swi6 and Whi5 peptides were phosphorylated at Ser-Pro motifs, the target sites of cyclin-dependent kinases. On the basis of these results, we propose a model in which Ess1 induces a conformational switch (cis-trans isomerization) at phospho-Ser-Pro sites within the nuclear targeting sequences of Swi6 and Whi5. This switch would promote nuclear entry and/or retention during late M and G1 phases and might work by stimulating dephosphorylation at these sites by the Cdc14 phosphatase. This is the first study to identify targets of Ess1 in yeast other than RNA polymerase II.
The Extracellular Matrix Protein Artichoke Is Required for Integrity of Ciliated Mechanosensory and Chemosensory Organs inDrosophilaEmbryos
Authors: Andrés Marta , Turiégano Enrique , Göpfert Martin C , Canal Inmaculada , Torroja Laura 
Published: February 2014

AbstractSensory cilia are often encapsulated by an extracellular matrix (ECM). In Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and vertebrates, this ECM is thought to be directly involved in ciliary mechanosensing by coupling external forces to the ciliary membrane. Drosophila mechano- and chemosensory cilia are both associated with an ECM, indicating that the ECM may have additional roles that go beyond mechanosensory cilium function. Here, we identify Artichoke (ATK), an evolutionarily conserved leucine-rich repeat ECM protein that is required for normal morphogenesis and function of ciliated sensilla in Drosophila. atk is transiently expressed in accessory cells in all ciliated sensory organs during their late embryonic development. Antibody stainings show ATK protein in the ECM that surrounds sensory cilia. Loss of ATK protein in atk null mutants leads to cilium deformation and disorientation in chordotonal organs, apparently without uncoupling the cilia from the ECM, and consequently to locomotion defects. Moreover, impaired chemotaxis in atk mutant larvae suggests that, based on ATK protein localization, the ECM is also crucial for the correct assembly of chemosensory receptors. In addition to defining a novel ECM component, our findings show the importance of ECM integrity for the proper morphogenesis of ciliated organs in different sensory modalities.
Exact vs. Approximate Computation: Reconciling Different Estimates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Epidemiological Parameters
Authors: Aandahl R Zachariah , Stadler Tanja , Sisson Scott A , Tanaka Mark M 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Exact computational methods for inference in population genetics are intuitively preferable to approximate analyses. We reconcile two starkly different estimates of the reproductive number of tuberculosis from previous studies that used the same genotyping data and underlying model. This demonstrates the value of approximate analyses in validating exact methods.
Abundant and Selective RNA-Editing Events in the Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum
Authors: Zhu Yingjie , Luo Hongmei , Zhang Xin , Song Jingyuan , Sun Chao , Ji Aijia , Xu Jiang , Chen Shilin 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
RNA editing is a widespread, post-transcriptional molecular phenomenon that diversifies hereditary information across various organisms. However, little is known about genome-scale RNA editing in fungi. In this study, we screened for fungal RNA editing sites at the genomic level in Ganoderma lucidum, a valuable medicinal fungus. On the basis of our pipeline that predicted the editing sites from genomic and transcriptomic data, a total of 8906 possible RNA-editing sites were identified within the G. lucidum genome, including the exon and intron sequences and the 5′-/3′-untranslated regions of 2991 genes and the intergenic regions. The major editing types included C-to-U, A-to-G, G-to-A, and U-to-C conversions. Four putative RNA-editing enzymes were identified, including three adenosine deaminases acting on transfer RNA and a deoxycytidylate deaminase. The genes containing RNA-editing sites were functionally classified by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment and gene ontology analysis. The key functional groupings enriched for RNA-editing sites included laccase genes involved in lignin degradation, key enzymes involved in triterpenoid biosynthesis, and transcription factors. A total of 97 putative editing sites were randomly selected and validated by using PCR and Sanger sequencing. We presented an accurate and large-scale identification of RNA-editing events in G. lucidum, providing global and quantitative cataloging of RNA editing in the fungal genome. This study will shed light on the role of transcriptional plasticity in the growth and development of G. lucidum, as well as its adaptation to the environment and the regulation of valuable secondary metabolite pathways.
Complex Craniofacial Changes in Blind Cave-Dwelling Fish Are Mediated by Genetically Symmetric and Asymmetric Loci
Authors: Gross Joshua B , Krutzler Amanda J , Carlson Brian M 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
The genetic regulators of regressive craniofacial morphologies are poorly understood. To shed light on this problem, we examined the freshwater fish Astyanax mexicanus, a species with surface-dwelling and multiple independent eyeless cave-dwelling forms. Changes affecting the skull in cavefish include morphological alterations to the intramembranous circumorbital bones encircling the eye. Many of these modifications, however, have evolved separately from eye loss, such as fragmentation of the third suborbital bone. To understand the genetic architecture of these eye-independent craniofacial alterations, we developed and scored 33 phenotypes in the context of an F2 hybrid mapping pedigree bred from Pachón cavefish and surface fish. We discovered several individuals exhibiting dramatic left–right differences in bone formation, such as extensive fragmentation on the right side only. This observation, along with well-known eye size asymmetry in natural cave-dwelling animals, led us to further evaluate left–right genetic differences for the craniofacial complex. We discovered three phenotypes, inclusive of bone fragmentation and fusion, which demonstrated a directional heritable basis only on one side. Interestingly, the overall areas of affected bones were genetically symmetric. Phenotypic effect plots of these novel craniofacial QTL revealed that cave alleles are associated with abnormal conditions such as bony fusion and fragmentation. Moreover, many linked loci overlapped with other cave-associated traits, suggesting regressive craniofacial changes may evolve through linkage or as antagonistic pleiotropic consequences of cave-associated adaptations. These novel findings illuminate significant craniofacial changes accompanying evolution in complete darkness and reveal complex changes to the skull differentially influenced by genetic changes affecting the left and right sides.
Ge quantum well plasmon-enhanced quantum confined Stark effect modulator
Authors: Chaisakul P. , Marris-Morini D. , Abadía N. , Frigerio J. , Isella G. , Chrastina D. , Olivier S. , de Lamaestre R. Espiau , Bernardin T. , Weeber J.-C. , Vivien L. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTWe theoretically and experimentally investigate a novel modulation concept on silicon (Si) based on the combination of quantum confinement and plasmon enhancement effects. We experimentally study the suitability of Ge/SiGe quantum wells (QWs) on Si as the active material for a plasmon-enhanced optical modulator. We demonstrate that in QW structures absorption and modulation of light with transverse magnetic (TM) polarization are greatly enhanced due to favorable selection rules. Later, we theoretically study the plasmon propagation at the metal-Ge/SiGe QW interface. We design a novel Ge/SiGe QW structure that allows maximized overlap between the plasmonic mode and the underlying Ge/SiGe QWs.
Modelling of Joule heating based self-alignment method for metal grid line passivation
Authors: Janka M. , Raumonen P. , Tuukkanen S. , Lupo D. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTA Joule heating based self-alignment method for solution-processable insulator structures has been modeled for the passivation of metal grid lines, for example for organic light emitting diodes or photovoltaic cells. To minimize overhang of the passivation layer from line edges, we have studied the Joule heating approach using solution-processable, cross-linkable polymer insulator films. Finite element simulations were performed to investigate the heating of the sample using glass and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrates. The sample was at room temperature and the current was selected to induce a temperature of 410 K at the conductor. It was found that the selection of substrate material is crucial for the localization of cross-linking. For a PET substrate, the temperature gradient at the edge of the conductor is approximately twice the gradient for glass. As a result, using a glass substrate demands high selectivity from the polymer cross-linking, thus making PET a more suitable substrate material for our application. A flexible PET substrate is, in addition, compatible with roll-to-roll mass-manufacturing processes.
Structural Stability of Iron Oxide Nanotubes and an Enhancement of Photo Induced Current Detected in the Complex with Fullerenols
Authors: Bandow Shunji , Shiraki Yuki 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTIron oxide nanotubes (Fe-ox-NTs) were prepared by a sol-gel technique using a mixture of an Fe(NO3)3·9H2O and a Pluronic F-127 nonionic surfactant in 1-propanol, gelatinizing at 35 °C for 5 days. Crude nanotubes thus obtained were well rinsed by deionized water in order to remove the surfactant. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the products have tubule structure with the outer (inner) diameter ∼10-15 (∼5-10) nm and the length ∼100 nm. X-ray diffraction profile of the crude nanotubes indicated a broadened feature characteristic for a defective or amorphous-like material, and whose profile may associate with the structure of ɣ-Fe2O3 (maghemite). By heating the crude nanotubes in open air, a phase transition occurs in a defective ɣ-Fe2O3 and its structure changes to a relaxed α-Fe2O3 (hematite) without morphological transformation. A further increase of the temperature results a destruction of the tube structure to the spherical nanoparticles without changing the crystallographic structure. A structurally relaxed Fe-ox-NT complex with fullerenols (C60(OH)n, n∼20) has larger photosensitive response under visible light irradiation, but the crude and defective Fe-ox-NTs and their complexes with fullerenols do not indicate noticeable response.
Low Cost Scalable Self-Assembly of Silver Nanowire Thin Films for Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Application
Authors: Chen Changfeng , Hao Jumin , Zhu Leyun , Yao Yuqin , Wang Qingwu 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTAssembly of nanowires into ordered macroscopic structures has attracted great scientific interests in the past decade. In this work, we report a rapid low-cost scalable oil-water interfacial self assembly process for fabricating aligned Ag nanowires (AgNWs) films on solid substrates. This process is much simpler than the traditional Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) techniques and allows the assembly of one–dimensional Ag nanowires onto any solid substrates without extra pretreatment of the surface of silver nanowires or the solid substrate. The present aligned AgNW films can serve as robust surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors for chemical and bimolecular detection with improved spectra quality and demonstrated uniformity of SERS signal using R6G dye as probe.
In VitroExamination of Poly(glycerol sebacate) Degradation Kinetics: Effects of Porosity and Cure Temperature
Authors: Krook Nadia M. , LeBlon Courtney , Jedlicka Sabrina S. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTPoly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) is a biodegradable and biocompatible elastomer that has been used in a wide range of biomedical applications. While a porous format is common for tissue engineering scaffolds, to allow cell ingrowth, PGS degradation has been primarily studied in a nonporous format. The purpose of this research was to investigate the degradation of porous PGS at three frequently used cure temperatures: 120°C, 140°C, and 165°C. The thermal, chemical, mechanical, and morphological changes were examined using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, compression testing, and scanning electron microscopy. Over the course of the 16-week degradation study, the samples’ pores collapsed. The specimens cured at 120°C demonstrated the most degradation and became gel-like after 16 weeks. Thermal changes were most evident in the 120°C and 140°C cure PGS specimens, as shifts in the melting and recrystallization temperatures occurred. Porous samples cured at all three temperatures displayed a decrease in compressive modulus after 16 weeks. Thisin vitrostudy helped to elucidate the effects of porosity and cure temperature on the biodegradation of PGS and will be valuable for the design of future PGS scaffolds.