bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protocol for a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of physical activity on delaying the progression of white matter changes on MRI in older adults with memory complaints and mild cognitive impairment: The AIBL Active trial
Authors: Cyarto Elizabeth V , Lautenschlager Nicola T , Desmond Patricia M , Ames David , Szoeke Cassandra , Salvado Olivier , Sharman Matthew J , Ellis Kathryn A , Phal Pramit M , Masters Colin L , Rowe Christopher C , Martins Ralph N , Cox Kay L 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundOlder adults free of dementia but with subjective memory complaints (SMC) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are considered at increased risk of cognitive decline. Vascular risk factors (VRF), including hypertension, heart disease, smoking, hypercholesterolemia and lack of physical activity (PA) have been identified as modifiable risk factors contributing to cognitive decline, and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) are associated with VRF, SMC and cognitive impairment. Findings from a growing number of clinical trials with older adults are providing strong evidence for the benefits of physical activity for maintaining cognitive function, but few studies are investigating these benefits in high-risk populations. The aim of AIBL Active is to determine whether a 24-month physical activity program can delay the progression of white matter changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods/designThis single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) is offered to 156 participants, aged 60 and older, in the Melbourne arm of the Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Aging (AIBL). Participants must have SMC with or without MCI and at least one VRF. The PA intervention is a modification of the intervention previously trialed in older adults with SMC and MCI (Fitness for the Ageing Brain Study). It comprises 24 months of moderate, home-based PA (150 minutes per week) and a behavioral intervention package. The primary outcome measure will be change in WMH after 24 months on MRI. Cognition, quality of life, functional fitness, level of physical activity, plasma biomarkers for cerebrovascular disease and amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) imaging comprise secondary measures.DiscussionCurrently, there is no effective pharmacological treatment available to delay cognitive decline and dementia in older adults at risk. Should our findings show that physical activity can slow down the progression of WMH, this RCT would provide an important proof of concept. Since imbedded in AIBL this RCT will also be able to investigate the interaction between vascular and Alzheimer's disease pathologies.Trial RegistrationAustralia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12611000612910
Understanding the drive to escort: a cross-sectional analysis examining parental attitudes towards children’s school travel and independent mobility
Authors: Mammen George , Faulkner Guy , Buliung Ron , Lay Jennifer 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
The declining prevalence of Active School Transportation (AST) has been accompanied by a decrease in independent mobility internationally. The objective of this study was to compare family demographics and AST related perceptions of parents who let their children walk unescorted to/from school to those parents who escort (walk and drive) their children to/from school. By comparing these groups, insight was gained into how we may encourage greater AST and independent mobility in youth living in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Canada.

Methods
This study involved a cross-sectional design, using data from a self-reported questionnaire (n =1,016) that examined parental perceptions and attitudes regarding AST. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to explore the differences between households where children travelled independently to school or were escorted.

Results
Findings revealed that unescorted children were: significantly older, the families spoke predominantly English at home, more likely to live within one kilometer from school, and their parents agreed to a greater extent that they chose to reside in the current neighborhood in order for their child to walk to/from school. The parents of the escorted children worried significantly more about strangers and bullies approaching their child as well as the traffic volume around school.

Conclusions
From both a policy and research perspective, this study highlights the value of distinguishing between mode (i.e., walking or driving) and travel independence. For policy, our findings highlight the need for planning decisions about the siting of elementary schools to include considerations of the impact of catchment size on how children get to/from school. Given the importance of age, distance, and safety issues as significant correlates of independent mobility, research and practice should focus on the development and sustainability of non-infrastructure programs that alleviate parental safety concerns.
Reduction of n-3 PUFAs, specifically DHA and EPA, and enhancement of peroxisomal beta-oxidation in type 2 diabetic rat heart
Authors: Hou Lianguo , Lian Kaoqi , Yao Min , Shi Yun , Lu Xin , Fang Lijia , He Tianbo , Jiang Lingling 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
There is overwhelming evidence that dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), mainly EPA (C20:5n-3) and DHA (C22:6n-3), has cardiovascular protective effects on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but not on healthy people. Because the T2DM heart increases fatty acid oxidation (FAO) to compensate for the diminished utilization of glucose, we hypothesize that T2DM hearts consume more n-3 PUFAs and, therefore, need more n-3 PUFAs. In the present study, we investigated the changes in cardiac n-3 PUFAs and peroxisomal beta-oxidation, which are responsible for the degradation of PUFAs in a high-fat diet (HFD) and low-dose streptozotocin- (STZ) induced type 2 diabetic rat model.

Methods and results
The capillary gas chromatography results showed that all the n-3 (or omega-3) PUFAs, especially DHA (~50%) and EPA (~100%), were significantly decreased, and the n-6/n-3 ratio (~115%) was significantly increased in the hearts of diabetic rats. The activity of peroxisomal beta-oxidation, which is crucial to very-long-chain and unsaturated FA metabolism (including DHA), was significantly elevated in DM hearts. Additionally, the real-time PCR results showed that the mRNA expression of most peroxisomal beta-oxidation key enzymes were up-regulated in T2DM rat hearts, which might contribute to the reduction of n-3 (or omega-3) PUFAs.

Conclusion
In conclusion, our results indicate that T2DM hearts consume more n-3 PUFAs, especially DHA and EPA, due to exaggerated peroxisomal beta-oxidation.
Conversion of rod-shaped gold nanoparticles to spherical forms and their effect on biodistribution in tumor-bearing mice
Authors: Akiyama Yasuyuki , Mori Takeshi , Katayama Yoshiki , Niidome Takuro 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Gold nanorods that have an absorption band in the near-infrared region and a photothermal effect have been used as nanodevices for near-infrared imaging and thermal therapy. Choice of the optimal shape of gold nanorods which relates optical properties and in vivo biodistribution is important for their applications. In the present study, to investigate the relationship between the shape of gold nanorods and their biodistribution after intravenous injection, we first prepared two types of gold nanorods that had distinct aspect ratios but had the same volume, zeta potential, and PEG density on the gold surface. Biodistributions of the two types of gold nanorods after intravenous injection into tumor-bearing mice were then compared. Although a slight difference in accumulation in the spleen was observed, no significant difference was observed in the liver, lung, kidney, and tumors. These results suggest that biodistribution of the gold nanorods in the aspect ratio range of 1.7 to 5.0, diameter of 10 to 50 nm, and volume of approximately 4 × 103 nm3 was dependent mainly on surface characteristics, PEG density, and zeta potential.
Coupled fixed point theorems on partially ordered G-metric spaces
Authors: Karapınar Erdal , Kumam Poom , Erhan Inci M 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to extend some recent coupled fixed point theorems in the context of partially ordered G-metric spaces in a virtually different and more natural way.

MSC:46N40, 47H10, 54H25, 46T99.
Characterization of sequence elements from Malvastrum yellow vein betasatellite regulating promoter activity and DNA replication
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhang Xinyue , Wang Yaqin , Hou Huwei , Qian Yajuan 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundMany monopartite begomoviruses are associated with betasatellites, but only several promoters from which were isolated and studied. In this study, theβC1promoter from Malvastrum yellow vein betasatellite (MYVB) was characterized and important sequence elements were identified to modulate promoter activity and replication of MYVB.ResultsA 991 nucleotide (nt) fragment upstream of the translation start site of theβC1open reading frame of MYVB and a series of deletions within this fragment were constructed and fused to the β-glucuronidase (GUS) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter genes, respectively.Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression assays showed that the 991 nt fragment was functional and that a 28 nt region (between −390 nt and −418 nt), which includes a 5′UTR Py-rich stretch motif, was important for promoter activity. Replication assays usingNicotiana benthamianaleaf discs and whole plants showed that deletion of the 5′UTR Py-rich stretch impaired viral satellite replication in the presence of the helper virus. Transgenic assays demonstrated that the 991 nt fragment conferred a constitutive expression pattern in transgenic tobacco plants and that a 214 nt fragment at the 3'-end of this sequence was sufficient to drive this expression pattern.ConclusionOur results showed that theβC1promoter of MYVB displayed a constitutive expression pattern and a 5′UTR Py-rich stretch motif regulated bothβC1promoter activity and MYVB replication.
Boosting the free fatty acid synthesis of Escherichia coli by expression of a cytosolic Acinetobacter baylyi thioesterase
Authors: Zheng Yanning , Li Lingling , Liu Qiang , Qin Wen , Yang Jianming , Cao Yujin , Jiang Xinglin , Zhao Guang , Xian Mo 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Thioesterases remove the fatty acyl moiety from the fatty acyl-acyl carrier proteins (ACPs), releasing them as free fatty acids (FFAs), which can be further used to produce a variety of fatty acid-based biofuels, such as biodiesel, fatty alcohols and alkanes. Thioesterases play a key role in the regulation of the fatty acid synthesis in Escherichia coli. Therefore, exploring more promising thioesterases will contribute to the development of industrial microbial lipids production.

Results
We cloned and expressed a cytosolic Acinetobacter baylyi thioesterase (‘AcTesA) in E. coli by deleting its leader sequence. Protein sequence alignment, structure modeling and site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that Ser10, Gly48, Asn77, Asp158 and His161 residues composed the active centre of ‘AcTesA. The engineered strain that overexpressed ‘AcTesA achieved a FFAs titer of up to 501.2 mg/L in shake flask, in contrast to only 20.5 mg/L obtained in wild-type E. coli, demonstrating that the expression of ‘AcTesA indeed boosted the synthesis of FFAs. The ‘AcTesA exhibited a substrate preference towards the C8-C16 acyl groups, with C14:0, C16:1, C12:0 and C8:0 FFAs being the top four components. Optimization of expression level of ‘AcTesA made the FFAs production increase to 551.3 mg/L. The FFAs production further increased to 716.1 mg/L by optimization of the culture medium. Fed-batch fermentation was also carried out to evaluate the FFAs production in a scaleable process. Finally, 3.6 g/L FFAs were accumulated within 48 h, and a maximal FFAs yield of 6.1% was achieved in 12–16 h post induction.

Conclusions
For the first time, an A. baylyi thioesterase was cloned and solubly expressed in the cytosol of E. coli. This leaderless thioesterase (‘AcTesA) was found to be capable of enhancing the FFAs production of E. coli. Without detailed optimization of the strain and fermentation, the finally achieved 3.6 g/L FFAs is encouraging. In addition, ‘AcTesA exhibited different substrate specificity from other thioesterases previously reported, and can be used to supply the fatty acid-based biofuels with high quality of FFAs. Altogether, this study provides a promising thioesterase for FFAs production, and is of great importance in enriching the library of useful thioesterases.
Shifts in human skin and nares microbiota of healthy children and adults
Authors: Oh Julia , Conlan Sean , Polley Eric C , Segre Julia A , Kong Heidi H 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Background
Characterization of the topographical and temporal diversity of the microbial collective (microbiome) hosted by healthy human skin established a reference for studying disease-causing microbiomes. Physiologic changes occur in the skin as humans mature from infancy to adulthood. Thus, characterizations of adult microbiomes might have limitations when considering pediatric disorders such as atopic dermatitis (AD) or issues such as sites of microbial carriage. The objective of this study was to determine if microbial communities at several body sites in children differed significantly from adults.

Methods
Using 16S-rRNA gene sequencing technology, we characterized and compared the bacterial communities of four body sites in relation to Tanner stage of human development. Body sites sampled included skin sites characteristically involved in AD (antecubital/popliteal fossae), a control skin site (volar forearm), and the nares. Twenty-eight healthy individuals aged from 2 to 40 years were evaluated at the outpatient dermatology clinic in the National Institutes of Health's Clinical Center. Exclusion criteria included the use of systemic antibiotics within 6 months, current/prior chronic skin disorders, asthma, allergic rhinitis, or other chronic medical conditions.

Results
Bacterial communities in the nares of children (Tanner developmental stage 1) differed strikingly from adults (Tanner developmental stage 5). Firmicutes (Streptococcaceae), Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria (β, γ) were overrepresented in Tanner 1 compared to Tanner 5 individuals, where Corynebacteriaceae and Propionibacteriaceae predominated. While bacterial communities were significantly different between the two groups in all sites, the most marked microbial shifts were observed in the nares, a site that can harbor pathogenic species, including Staphylococcusaureus and Streptococcus pneumonia.

Conclusions
Significant shifts in the microbiota associated with progressive sexual maturation as measured by Tanner staging suggest that puberty-dependent shifts in the skin and nares microbiomes may have significant implications regarding prevention and treatment of pediatric disorders involving microbial pathogens and colonization.
Frustrated Demand for Sterilization Among Low‐Income Latinas in El Paso, Texas
Authors: Potter Joseph E. , White Kari , Hopkins Kristine , McKinnon Sarah , Shedlin Michele G. , Amastae Jon , Grossman Daniel 
Published: October 2012

CONTEXTSterilization is the most commonly used contraceptive in the United States, yet access to this method is limited for some.METHODSA 2006–2008 prospective study of low‐income pill users in El Paso, Texas, assessed unmet demand for sterilization among 801 women with at least one child. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified characteristics associated with wanting sterilization. In 2010, at an 18‐month follow‐up, women who had wanted sterilization were recontacted; 120 semistructured and seven in‐depth interviews were conducted to assess motivations for undergoing the procedure and the barriers faced in trying to obtain it.RESULTSAt baseline, 56% of women wanted no more children; at nine months, 65% wanted no more children, and of these, 72% wanted sterilization. Only five of the women interviewed at 18 months had undergone sterilization; two said their partners had obtained a vasectomy. Women who had not undergone sterilization were still strongly motivated to do so, mainly because they wanted no more children and were concerned about long‐term pill use. Among women's reasons for not having undergone sterilization after their last pregnancy were not having signed the Medicaid consent form in time and having been told that they were too young or there was no funding for the procedure.CONCLUSIONSBecause access to a full range of contraceptive methods is limited for low‐income women, researchers and providers should not assume a woman's current method is her method of choice.
Investigation on Nylon 66 silicate nanocomposites modified under gamma radiation
Authors: Pradhan Rajiv , Bhattacharyya Arnab Shanker , Pramanik Nilay , Haldar Ramsankar , Niyogi Utpal Kumar , Khandal Rakesh Kumar , Bhowmik Shantanu 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
This investigation highlights the processing of Nylon 66 and the incorporation of nano-silicate into the Nylon 66 polymeric matrix. Further, radiation modification of Nylon 66 and nano-silicate dispersed Nylon 66 was carried out in order to essentially alter the physicochemical properties of the material. A combination of both the above methods of processing and modifying the neat Nylon 66 polymeric matrix provides an interesting aspect for studying the resultant effect on the variation in properties of the composite material over the virgin polymer. There was a significant improvement of physicothermal and physicomechanical properties when Nylon 66-silicate nanocomposites were further modified under gamma radiation, which was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile and water absorption studies.
The influence of level of interfacial healing on the weld-line strengths of injection molded parts
Authors: Huang Chung-Ching , Wu Yu-Yi , Chang Hui-Tang , Yang Yi-Jen 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Weld lines are commonly present within injection-molded plastic components and generally reduce strength. In designing a plastic part, the designer can often vary the wall thicknesses, or move the gate locations to position the weld line, so that its structural loading is minimized. By altering such variables as melt temperature, mold temperature, and packing pressure, slight increases in weld-line integrity can be achieved. These approaches often do not increase the part strength or performance to an acceptable level, resulting in the exclusion of numerous applications for plastic conversion. This study investigated a hot runner system, sequential valve gates, and heat degree, to achieve economical methods for predicting weld-line properties. By calculating melt front temperatures with MoldFlow analysis, we can predict the strength of the weld line according to the definition of “heat degree”, which is the effective cross-sectional area of the melt front multiplied by the temperature gradient. An effective cross-sectional area of the melt front is defined as the area of the temperature above the melting point. In contrast to the test result, when the “sum of heat degree” is lower than 1150 mm2 °C for PA6 (Mitsubishi 1030J) and 500 mm2 °C for polypropylene (PP) (FCFC K1012), the molecules cannot bond adequately at the interface of the melt fronts. Therefore, the mechanical property declines significantly.
CI-Methoden zur Koordination und Entkoppelung komplexer Systeme
Authors: Dürrbaum Axel , Kroll Andreas , Sommer Hanns-Jakob 
Published: October 2012

Zusammenfassung
Der Beitrag beschreibt die Konzeptentwicklung und das Auffinden von Koordinationsregeln für komplexe verkoppelte Systeme. Am Beispiel dieser Aufgabenstellung wird die Bedeutung der Computational Intelligence für die Systemtheorie erläutert.
Homogene Approximation der Paretofront bei mehrkriteriellen Kontrollproblemen
Authors: Rudolph Günter , Trautmann Heike , Schütze Oliver 
Published: October 2012

Zusammenfassung
Es werden mehrkriterielle evolutionäre Algorithmen (EMOA) für zwei- und höherdimensionale Probleme vorgestellt, die gleichmäßig verteilte Lösungen entlang der wahren Paretofront generieren. Dies ist insbesondere wichtig im Kontext mehrkriterieller Kontrollprobleme. Die Methodik beruht auf der Minimierung des gemittelten Hausdorff-Abstandes Δ
p
in Bezug auf die Paretofront. Die EMOA-Varianten werden vergleichend zu aktuellen Verfahren auf Benchmarkproblemen getestet.
A Comprehensive Genetic Approach for Improving Prediction of Skin Cancer Risk in Humans
Authors: Vazquez Ana I , de los Campos Gustavo , Klimentidis Yann C , Rosa Guilherme J M , Gianola Daniel , Yi Nengjun , Allison David B 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPrediction of genetic risk for disease is needed for preventive and personalized medicine. Genome-wide association studies have found unprecedented numbers of variants associated with complex human traits and diseases. However, these variants explain only a small proportion of genetic risk. Mounting evidence suggests that many traits, relevant to public health, are affected by large numbers of small-effect genes and that prediction of genetic risk to those traits and diseases could be improved by incorporating large numbers of markers into whole-genome prediction (WGP) models. We developed a WGP model incorporating thousands of markers for prediction of skin cancer risk in humans. We also considered other ways of incorporating genetic information into prediction models, such as family history or ancestry (using principal components, PCs, of informative markers). Prediction accuracy was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) estimated in a cross-validation. Incorporation of genetic information (i.e., familial relationships, PCs, or WGP) yielded a significant increase in prediction accuracy: from an AUC of 0.53 for a baseline model that accounted for nongenetic covariates to AUCs of 0.58 (pedigree), 0.62 (PCs), and 0.64 (WGP). In summary, prediction of skin cancer risk could be improved by considering genetic information and using a large number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a WGP model, which allows for the detection of patterns of genetic risk that are above and beyond those that can be captured using family history. We discuss avenues for improving prediction accuracy and speculate on the possible use of WGP to prospectively identify individuals at high risk.
Estimate of the Spontaneous Mutation Rate in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Ness Rob W , Morgan Andrew D , Colegrave Nick , Keightley Peter D 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The nature of spontaneous mutations, including their rate, distribution across the genome, and fitness consequences, is of central importance to biology. However, the low rate of mutation has made it difficult to study spontaneous mutagenesis, and few studies have directly addressed these questions. Here, we present a direct estimate of the mutation rate and a description of the properties of new spontaneous mutations in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We conducted a mutation accumulation experiment for ∼350 generations followed by whole-genome resequencing of two replicate lines. Our analysis identified a total of 14 mutations, including 5 short indels and 9 single base mutations, and no evidence of larger structural mutations. From this, we estimate a total mutation rate of 3.23 × 10−10/site/generation (95% C.I. 1.82 × 10−10 to 5.23 × 10−10) and a single base mutation rate of 2.08 × 10−10/site/generation (95% C.I., 1.09 × 10−10 to 3.74 × 10−10). We observed no mutations from A/T → G/C, suggesting a strong mutational bias toward A/T, although paradoxically, the GC content of the C. reinhardtii genome is very high. Our estimate is only the second direct estimate of the mutation rate from plants and among the lowest spontaneous base-substitution rates known in eukaryotes.