bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring the Epoxidation of Canola Oil by Non‐aqueous Reversed Phase Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry for Process Optimization and Control
Authors: Anuar Sabiqah Tuan , Zhao Yuan Yuan , Mugo Samuel M. , Curtis Jonathan M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractNon‐aqueous reversed phase liquid chromatography/electrospray mass spectrometry (NARP‐LC/ESI–MS) was used to monitor the epoxidation of canola oil by performic acid. The reaction was sampled at regular intervals over 28 h and analyzed by NARP‐LC/ESI–MS in order to observe the formation of partially epoxidized reaction intermediates and the fully epoxidized products. The experiment focused on the transformation of triacylglycerols (TAG) with 54 carbons in the fatty acyl chains and between 2 and 7 double bonds which account for >93 % of the oil. NARP‐LC/ESI–MS allowed determination of the time required for full epoxidation of the oil. It was shown that complete epoxidation of TAG with low numbers of double bonds occurs more rapidly than for those with many double bonds. Furthermore, it was observed that epoxidation of multiply unsaturated TAG occurs via a sequential process in which partially epoxidized intermediates are consumed to form other more highly epoxidized compounds as the reaction proceeds. Data obtained by flow‐injection ESI–MS was found to be comparable to that obtained from NARP‐LC/ESI–MS for monitoring intermediates and products and could be adapted for in‐process reaction monitoring.
The nature and correlates of paid and unpaid work among service users of London Community Mental Health Teams
Authors: Lloyd-Evans B. , Marwaha S. , Burns T. , Secker J. , Latimer E. , Blizard R. , Killaspy H. , Totman J. , Tanskanen S. , Johnson S. 
Published: October 2012

Aims.Little is known about how the rates and characteristics of mental health service users in unpaid work, training and study compare with those in paid employment.Methods.From staff report and patient records, 1353 mental health service users of seven Community Mental Health Teams in two London boroughs were categorized as in paid work, unpaid vocational activity or no vocational activity. Types of work were described using Standard Occupational Classifications. The characteristics of each group were reported and associations with vocational status were explored.Results.Of the sample, 5.5% were in paid work and 12.7% were in unpaid vocational activity, (including 5.3% in voluntary work and 8.1% in study or training). People in paid work were engaged in a broader range of occupations than those in voluntary work and most in paid work (58.5%) worked part-time. Younger age and high educational attainment characterized both groups. Having sustained previous employment was most strongly associated with being in paid work.Conclusions.Rates of vocational activity were very low. Results did not suggest a clear clinical distinction between those in paid and unpaid activity. The motivations for and functions of unpaid work need further research.
Chronic activation of cannabinoid receptors in vitro does not compromise mouse islet function
Authors: Vilches-Flores Alonso , Hauge-Evans Astrid C. , Jones Peter M. , Persaud Shanta J. 
Published: October 2012

We have demonstrated previously that mouse and human islets express ECS (endocannabinoid system) elements, and that short-term activation of islet cannabinoid CB1r and CB2r (cannabinoid type 1 and 2 receptors respectively) stimulates insulin secretion in vitro. There is evidence that the ECS is overactive in Type 2 diabetes, impairing glucose homoeostasis, but little is known about whether it is implicated in islet dysfunction. Therefore the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of chronic exposure of isolated mouse islets to cannabinoid receptor agonists on islet gene expression and function. Quantitative RT–PCR (reverse transcription–PCR) indicated that mRNAs encoding synthesis [NAPE-PLD (N-acyl-phosphatidyl ethanolamide-hydrolysing phospholipase D)] and degradation [FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase)] of the endocannabinoid AEA (anandamide) were the most abundant ECS elements in mouse islets, with much lower levels of CB1r, CB2r, DAGL (diacylglycerol lipase) and MAGL (monoacylglycerol lipase) mRNAs. Maintenance of islets for up to 7 days in the presence of the CB1r agonist ACEA [N-(2-chloroethyl)-5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-eiscosatetraenamide] or the CB2r agonist JWH015 [(2-methyl-1propyl-1H-indol3-yl)-1-napthalenylmethanone] did not compromise islet viability, as assessed by islet morphology and caspase activities, but there were some changes in mRNAs encoding ECS components. Neither glucose-stimulated insulin secretion nor acute insulin secretory responses to ACEA or JWH015 at 16 mM glucose were substantially modified by a 48 h or 7 day pre-exposure to these cannabinoid receptor agonists, but the stimulation of secretion at 3 mM glucose by 100 nM ACEA was significantly reduced after prolonged treatment with ACEA. Despite JWH015-induced reductions in islet glucagon content at 48 h and 7 days, there were no reductions in arginine-induced glucagon secretion from islets pre-exposed to JWH015 or ACEA. These data indicate that treatment of islets with agonists of CB1r and CB2r for up to 7 days does not have any major impact on islet function, suggesting that the impairments in glucose homoeostasis observed following overactivation of the ECS should be sought in relation to insulin resistance rather than β-cell dysfunction.
Contracting in a newsvendor problem
Authors: Chen Jing 
Published: October 2012

PurposeContracting is an important issue in supply chain management. In this paper, the authors aim to discuss and compare the manufacturer's contracting options when the retailer faces a traditional newsvendor problem with a fixed retail price: a wholesale price only contract, a wholesale price discount contract, a returns policy contract, and a returns policy with the wholesale price discount contract. The paper also aims to examine how these contracting options affect decisions of the manufacturer and the retailer, as well as the supply chain efficiency.Design/methodology/approachModels are developed based on the manufacturer's four contracting options. The manufacturer's optimal wholesale prices have been obtained. The ordering decisions of the retailer are discussed in each of the manufacturer's four contracting options. The paper also uses numerical examples to illustrate the author's managerial insights and results.FindingsAs compared to the wholesale price only contract, it is found that implementing a wholesale price discount policy effectively encourages the retailer to order more product and enhances the retailer's profit at the expense of lowering the manufacturer's profit. It is also found that when the manufacturer offers a returns policy and if this policy cannot enhance the retailer's profit, a returns policy with the wholesale price discount contract can lead to a win‐win situation for both the manufacturer and the retailer.Originality/valueThe research provides managerial insights on how different contracts affect decisions and efficiency of the supply chain.
External economies in banking
Authors: Shaffer Sherrill 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide the first empirical study of external economies (agglomeration economies) in the banking industry.Design/methodology/approachThe author extends a standard specification of banking costs to control for community and market characteristics.FindingsBanks' costs are a decreasing function of the number of rival banks and an increasing function of market population. Estimated magnitudes of these effects, modest at the bank level, are large in aggregate. Multimarket operation of rival banks is also important.Originality/valueThese findings suggest a previously unrecognized cost‐side benefit of structure‐based antitrust policies, and have additional implications for public policy toward banking structure, as well as calling for a re‐interpretation of previous studies of scale economies, cost efficiency, and price‐cost margins in banking.
Public‐key coding system based on grey generation and braid group
Authors: Shouwei Li , Qiang Mei 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThis paper attempts to construct a public‐key coding system using grey generation and braid group.Design/methodology/approachThe identification (ID) codes of both sides for communication are public for everyone and considered as public keys. Starting from the ID code of both sides of communication, the temporary secret key of communication can be obtained by the grey 1‐AGO algorithm first. Then the new formal common secret key can be obtained by using the element exchangeability of the braid group during the exchanging process of the temporary secret key between two sides of communication. The paper presents an exchange protocol of secret key based on grey data generation and braid group. It also constructs a cipher communication system by using Hash function based on the exchange protocol of secret key last.FindingsThe exchange protocol of secret key and the system of cipher communication which are proposed in this paper make use of the difficult problem of resolving disper se logarithm from generated code to ID code and the conjugate problem which is not ever resolved in braid group, which can ensure the security of the algorithm theoretically.Practical implicationsThe main steps of the exchange protocol and cipher communication system in this paper can be achieved through a computer program. They can be used in many communication processes on the internet.Originality/valueThe paper succeeds in realising both secret key generation and exchanging protocol of communication by using grey systems theory and braid group properties.
The Impact of Hospital Pay‐for‐Performance on Hospital and Medicare Costs
Authors: Kruse Gregory B. , Polsky Daniel , Stuart Elizabeth A. , Werner Rachel M. 
Published: October 2012

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Medicare's hospital pay‐for‐performance demonstration project on hospital revenues, costs, and margins and on Medicare costs.Data Sources/Study SettingAll health care utilization for Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI; ICD‐9‐CM code 410.x1) in fiscal years 2002–2005 from Medicare claims, containing 420,211 admissions with AMI.Study DesignWe test for changes in hospital costs and revenues and Medicare payments among 260 hospitals participating in the Medicare hospital pay‐for‐performance demonstration project and a group of 780 propensity‐score‐matched comparison hospitals. Effects were estimated using a difference‐in‐difference model with hospital fixed effects, testing for changes in costs among pay‐for‐performance hospitals above and beyond changes in comparison hospitals.Principal FindingsWe found no significant effect of pay‐for‐performance on hospital financials (revenues, costs, and margins) or Medicare payments (index hospitalization and 1 year after admission) for AMI patients.ConclusionsPay‐for‐performance in the CMS hospital demonstration project had minimal impact on hospital financials and Medicare payments to providers. As P4P extends to all hospitals under the Affordable Care Act, these results provide some estimates of the impact of P4P and emphasize our need for a better understanding of the financial implications of P4P on providers and payers if we want to create sustainable and effective programs to improve health care value.
NMDA receptor dysfunction contributes to impaired brain‐derived neurotrophic factor‐induced facilitation of hippocampal synaptic transmission in a Tau transgenic model
Authors: Burnouf Sylvie , Martire Alberto , Derisbourg Maxime , Laurent Cyril , Belarbi Karim , Leboucher Antoine , Fernandez‐Gomez Francisco J. , Troquier Laetitia , Eddarkaoui Sabiha , Grosjean Marie‐Eve , Demeyer Dominique , Muhr‐Tailleux Anne , Buisson Alain , Sergeant Nicolas , Hamdane Malika , Humez Sandrine , Popoli Patrizia , Buée Luc , Blum David 
Published: October 2012

SummaryWhile the spatiotemporal development of Tau pathology has been correlated with occurrence of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's patients, mechanisms underlying these deficits remain unclear. Both brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its tyrosine kinase receptor TrkB play a critical role in hippocampus‐dependent synaptic plasticity and memory. When applied on hippocampal slices, BDNF is able to enhance AMPA receptor‐dependent hippocampal basal synaptic transmission through a mechanism involving TrkB and N‐methyl‐d‐Aspartate receptors (NMDAR). Using THY‐Tau22 transgenic mice, we demonstrated that hippocampal Tau pathology is associated with loss of synaptic enhancement normally induced by exogenous BDNF. This defective response was concomitant to significant memory impairments. We show here that loss of BDNF response was due to impaired NMDAR function. Indeed, we observed a significant reduction of NMDA‐induced field excitatory postsynaptic potential depression in the hippocampus of Tau mice together with a reduced phosphorylation of NR2B at the Y1472, known to be critical for NMDAR function. Interestingly, we found that both NR2B and Src, one of the NR2B main kinases, interact with Tau and are mislocalized to the insoluble protein fraction rich in pathological Tau species. Defective response to BDNF was thus likely related to abnormal interaction of Src and NR2B with Tau in THY‐Tau22 animals. These are the first data demonstrating a relationship between Tau pathology and synaptic effects of BDNF and supporting a contribution of defective BDNF response and impaired NMDAR function to the cognitive deficits associated with Tauopathies.
Arterial Blood Pressure, Proteinuria, and Renal Histopathology in Clinically Healthy Retired Racing Greyhounds
Authors: Surman S. , Couto C.G. , DiBartola S.P. , Chew D.J. 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundPhysiologic peculiarities of Greyhounds as compared to other dogs make interpretation of laboratory results in this breed challenging for veterinarians. Hypertension in retired racing Greyhounds (RRG) can contribute to microalbuminuria (MA), overt proteinuria, and renal histologic lesions.ObjectivesTo evaluate clinicopathologic findings, hemodynamic status, and renal histology in a population of healthyRRG.AnimalsRRGpresented to Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine for inclusion in a spay and neuter program.MethodsCross‐sectional study.RRGwere classified as normotensive (<160 mmHg) or hypertensive (>160 mmHg) based on blood pressure (BP) determinations using Doppler and oscillometric methods. Of the dogs evaluated, 62% (n = 29) were hypertensive and 38% (n = 18) were normotensive. Health status was evaluated using routine clinicopathologic tests (CBC, serum biochemistry, urinalysis) as well as evaluation of fractional excretion of electrolytes andMAdeterminations. Adequate renal biopsy specimens (n = 15) were evaluated using light, immunofluoresence, and electron microscopy.ResultsAll serum biochemistry results were normal in 45/49 dogs, butMAwas more common in hypertensive (84% positive forMA) as compared with normotensive (18% positive forMA)RRG. Observed renal lesions were mild and renal biopsy scores were low in this sample ofRRG.ConclusionsHypertension is common inRRGand might be breed‐related. It is associated withMA, but observed renal lesions are mild. Whether or not hypertension andMAinRRGleads to progressive renal damage requires longitudinal study.
Interpersonal Features and Functions of Nonsuicidal Self‐injury
Authors: Muehlenkamp Jennifer , Brausch Amy , Quigley Katherine , Whitlock Janis 
Published: October 2012

Etiological models of nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) suggest interpersonal features may be important to understand this behavior, but social functions and correlates have not been extensively studied. This study addresses existing limitations by examining interpersonal correlates and functions of NSSI within a stratified random sample of 1,243 predominantly Caucasian college students (mean age = 21.52, SD = 4.15 years). Participants completed an anonymous online survey assessing NSSI features, perceived social support, and disclosure experiences. Approximately 15% of the students endorsed NSSI. Interpersonal reasons were endorsed proportionally more often for initiating rather than repeating the behavior. Individuals with repetitive NSSI reported significantly lower perceived social support from family members and fewer individuals to seek advice from than single‐act and control participants. Fifty‐nine percent had disclosed their NSSI, but rarely to mental health professionals. Conversations with others about NSSI were rated as being mostly unhelpful. These results emphasize the importance of interpersonal features and functions of NSSI, suggesting treatments should focus on strengthening interpersonal bonds alongside emotion regulation. Improving responses to disclosures of NSSI is needed to promote communication about this behavior and perceived helpfulness of such conversations.
Microglial and astroglial activation by 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in mice depends on S(+) enantiomer and is associated with an increase in body temperature and motility
Authors: Frau Lucia , Simola Nicola , Plumitallo Antonio , Morelli Micaela 
Published: October 2012

AbstractEvidence is accumulating to suggest that 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory properties. MDMA is composed of two enantiomers with different biological activities. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo effects of S(+)‐MDMA, R(−)‐MDMA, and S(+)‐MDMA in combination with R(−)‐MDMA on microglial and astroglial activation compared with racemic MDMA, by assessment of complement type 3 receptor (CD11b) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity in the mouse striatum, nucleus accumbens, motor cortex, and substantia nigra. Motor activity and body temperature were also measured, to elucidate the physiological modifications paired with the observed glial changes. Similar to racemic MDMA (4 × 20 mg/kg), S(+)‐MDMA (4 × 10 mg/kg) increased both CD11b and GFAP in the striatum, although to a lower degree, whereas R(−)‐MDMA (4 × 10 mg/kg) did not induce any significant glial activation. Combined administration of S(+) plus R(−)‐MDMA did not induce any further activation compared with S(+)‐MDMA. In all other areas, only racemic MDMA was able to slightly activate the microglia, but not the astroglia, whereas enantiomers had no effect, either alone or in combination. Racemic MDMA and S(+)‐MDMA similarly increased motor activity and raised body temperature, whereas R(−)‐MDMA affected neither body temperature nor motor activity. Interestingly, the increase in body temperature was correlated with glial activation. The results show that no synergism, but only additivity of effects, is caused by the combined administration of S(+)‐ and R(−)‐MDMA, and underline the importance of investigating the biochemical and behavioral properties of the two MDMA enantiomers to understand their relative contribution to the neuroinflammatory and neurotoxic effects of MDMA.
Rapid color change in fish and amphibians – function, regulation, and emerging applications
Authors: Nilsson Sköld Helen , Aspengren Sara , Wallin Margareta 
Published: October 2012

SummaryPhysiological color change is important for background matching, thermoregulation as well as signaling and is in vertebrates mediated by synchronous intracellular transport of pigmented organelles in chromatophores. We describe functions of and animal situations where color change occurs. A summary of endogenous and external factors that regulate this color change in fish and amphibians is provided, with special emphasis on extracellular stimuli. We describe not only color change in skin, but also highlight studies on color change that occurs using chromatophores in other areas such as iris and on the inside of the body. In addition, we discuss the growing field that applies melanophores and skin color in toxicology and as biosensors, and point out research areas with future potential.
OsVIL2 functions with PRC2 to induce flowering by repressing OsLFL1 in rice
Authors: Yang Jungil , Lee Shinyong , Hang Runlai , Kim Sung‐Ryul , Lee Yang‐Seok , Cao Xiaofeng , Amasino Richard , An Gynheung 
Published: October 2012

SummaryFlowering is exquisitely regulated by both promotive and inhibitory factors. Molecular genetic studies with Arabidopsis have verified several epigenetic repressors that regulate flowering time. However, the roles of chromatin remodeling factors in developmental processes have not been well explored in Oryza sativa (rice). We identified a chromatin remodeling factor OsVIL2 (O. sativa VIN3‐LIKE 2) that promotes flowering. OsVIL2 contains a plant homeodomain (PHD) finger, which is a conserved motif of histone binding proteins. Insertion mutations in OsVIL2 caused late flowering under both long and short days. In osvil2 mutants OsLFL1 expression was increased, but that of Ehd1, Hd3a and RFT1 was reduced. We demonstrated that OsVIL2 is bound to native histone H3 in vitro. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses showed that OsVIL2 was directly associated with OsLFL1 chromatin. We also observed that H3K27me3 was significantly enriched by OsLFL1 chromatin in the wild type, but that this enrichment was diminished in the osvil2 mutants. These results indicated that OsVIL2 epigenetically represses OsLFL1 expression. We showed that OsVIL2 physically interacts with OsEMF2b, a component of polycomb repression complex 2. As observed from osvil2, a null mutation of OsEMF2b caused late flowering by increasing OsLFL1 expression and decreasing Ehd1 expression. Thus, we conclude that OsVIL2 functions together with PRC2 to induce flowering by repressing OsLFL1.
Relationship between Abundance and Specific Activity of Bacterioplankton in Open Ocean Surface Waters
Authors: Hunt Dana E. , Lin Yajuan , Church Matthew J. , Karl David M. , Tringe Susannah G. , Izzo Lisa K. , Johnson Zackary I. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

Marine microbial communities are complex and dynamic, and their ecology impacts biogeochemical cycles in pelagic ecosystems. Yet, little is known about the relative activities of different microbial populations within genetically diverse communities. We used rRNA as a proxy for activity to quantify the relative specific activities (rRNA/ribosomal DNA [rDNA or rRNA genes]) of the eubacterial populations and to identify locations or clades for which there are uncouplings between specific activity and abundance. After analyzing 1.6 million sequences from 16S rDNA and rRNA (cDNA) libraries from two euphotic depths from a representative site in the Pacific Ocean, we show that although there is an overall positive relationship between the abundances (rDNAs) and activities (rRNAs) among populations of the bacterial community, for some populations these measures are uncoupled. Different ecological strategies are exemplified by the two numerically dominant clades at this site: the cyanobacterium
Prochlorococcus
is abundant but disproportionately more active, while the heterotrophic SAR11 is abundant but less active. Other rare populations, such as
Alteromonas
, have high specific activities in spite of their low abundances, suggesting intense population regulation. More detailed analyses using a complementary quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based approach of measuring relative specific activity for
Prochlorococcus
populations in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans also show that specific activity, but not abundance, reflects the key drivers of light and nutrients in this system; our results also suggest substantial top-down regulation (e.g., grazing, viruses, or organismal interactions) or transport (e.g., mixing, immigration, or emigration) of these populations. Thus, we show here that abundance and specific activity can be uncoupled in open ocean systems and that describing both is critical to characterizing microbial communities and predicting marine ecosystem functioning and responses to change.