bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of catechin polyphenols and preparations from the plant–parasitic nematode Heterodera glycines on protease activity and behaviour in three nematode species
Authors: Masler E.P. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractProtease activities in preparations from the plant-parasitic nematodes Heterodera glycines and Meloidogyneincognita and the free-living nematode Panagrellus redivivus were inhibited by exposure to a series of eight catechin polyphenol analogues, (+)-catechin, ( − )-epicatechin (EC), ( − )-gallocatechin (GC), ( − )-epigallocatechin (EGC), ( − )-catechin gallate (CG), ( − )-gallocatechin gallate (GCG), ( − )-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and ( − )-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) (1 mm each), and by a preparation from H. glycines cysts. General protease activity detected with the FRET-peptide substrate QXL520-KSAYMRF-K(5-FAM)a and proteasome chymotrypsin-like (CTL) activity detected with succinyl-LLVY-AMC were each inhibited significantly more (P< 0.05) by the gallated form of the polyphenol than by the corresponding non-gallated form. Species differences in response to inhibition across all analogues were revealed with the CTL substrate, but CG was a consistently potent inhibitor across all three species and with each substrate. A heat-stable component (CE) from H. glycines cysts inhibited M. incognita CTL activity by 92.07 ± 0.68%, significantly less (P< 0.05) in H. glycines (52.86 ± 2.77%), and by only 17.24 ± 0.55% (P< 0.05) in P. redivivus preparations. CTL activity was, however, inhibited more than 60% in all preparations by the proteasome-specific inhibitor MG-132. Hatching of M. incognita infective juveniles exposed to 1 mm CG, ECG, GCG or EGCG was reduced by 83.88 ± 4.26%, 69.98 ± 9.14%, 94.93 ± 1.71% and 87.93 ± 2.89%, respectively, while hatching of H. glycines was reduced less than 25% by each analogue. CE had no effect on nematode hatch, but did cause a 60% reduction in mobility of H. glycines infective juveniles exposed overnight to CE in vitro, which was more (P< 0.05) than the reduction of M. incognita infective juvenile mobility (20%).
Ultra-intense attosecond pulses emitted from laser wakefields in non-uniform plasmas
Authors: Liu Y. , Li F.Y. , Zeng M. , Chen M. , Sheng Z.M. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractA scheme of generating ultra-intense attosecond pulses in ultra-relativistic laser interaction with under-dense plasmas is proposed. The attosecond pulse emission is caused by an oscillating transverse current sheet formed by an electron density spike composed of trapped electrons in the laser wakefield and the residual transverse momentum of electrons left behind the laser pulse when its front is strongly modulated. As soon as the attosecond pulse emerges, it tends to feed back to further enhance the transverse electron momentum and the transverse current. Consequently, the attosecond pulse is enhanced and developed into a few cycles later until the density spike is depleted out due to the pump laser depletion. To control the formation of the transverse current sheet, a non-uniform plasma slab with an up-ramp density profile in front of a uniform region is adopted, which enables one to obtain attosecond pulses with higher amplitudes than that in a uniform plasma slab.
An overview of search strategies in distributed environments
Authors: Del Val E. , Rebollo M. , Botti V. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractDistributed systems are populated by a large number of heterogeneous entities that join and leave the systems dynamically. These entities act as clients and providers and interact with each other in order to get a resource or to achieve a goal. To facilitate the collaboration between entities, the system should provide mechanisms to manage the information about which entities or resources are available in the system at a certain moment, as well as how to locate them in an efficient way. However, this is not an easy task in open and dynamic environments where there are changes in the available resources and global information is not always available. In this paper, we present a comprehensive vision of search in distributed environments. This review not only considers the approaches of the peer-to-peer area, but also the approaches from three more areas: service-oriented environments, multi-agent systems, and complex networks. In these areas, the search for resources, services, or entities plays a key role for the proper performance of the systems built on them. The aim of this analysis is to compare approaches from these areas taking into account the underlying system structure and the algorithms or strategies that participate in the search process.
Selected applications of Rietveld-XRD analysis for raw materials of the aluminum industry
Authors: Feret Frank R. 
Published: May 2013

In the last few decades, X-ray diffraction (XRD) systems have been paramount and irreplaceable in controlling bauxite exploration, as well as Bayer and reduction processes. XRD quantitative phase analysis in the aluminum industry witnessed a steady deployment of the Rietveld method, which at present progressively replaces existing methodologies in research and plant laboratories. Rietveld analysis not only helped to surpass traditional XRD calibration methods, it also opened the door for new applications previously not possible. The use of the Rietveld method to characterize selected materials unique to the aluminum industry, such as bauxite, red mud, and alumina is demonstrated and discussed. This paper also presents how synchrotron-based diffractograms obtained for bauxite and red mud samples allowed a much better understanding of mineralogical representation, and made it possible to leverage their Rietveld quantification. Despite clear advantages, the Rietveld method also has limitations that are revealed. For alumina phase quantification, a dedicated Rietveld analytical program was built with structure data for eight alumina mineralogical phases: alpha, beta (β-Al2O3 = Na2O•11Al2O3), delta, gamma (2), kappa, sigma, and theta. The paper gives unique examples of phase quantification in aluminas of various origins and phase composition.
Severe malnutrition among children under the age of 5 years admitted to a rural district hospital in southern Mozambique
Authors: Nhampossa Tacilta , Sigaúque Betuel , Machevo Sónia , Macete Eusebio , Alonso Pedro , Bassat Quique , Menéndez Clara , Fumadó Victoria 
Published: May 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the burden, clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of severe malnutrition in children under the age of 5 years.DesignRetrospective study of hospital-based data systematically collected from January 2001 to December 2010.SettingRural Mozambican district hospital.SubjectsAll children aged <5 years admitted with severe malnutrition.ResultsDuring the 10-year long study surveillance, 274 813 children belonging to Manhiça's Demographic Surveillance System were seen at out-patient clinics, almost half of whom (47 %) presented with some indication of malnutrition and 6 % (17 188/274 813) with severe malnutrition. Of these, only 15 % (2522/17 188) were eventually admitted. Case fatality rate of severe malnutrition was 7 % (162/2274). Bacteraemia, hypoglycaemia, oral candidiasis, prostration, oedema, pallor and acute diarrhoea were independently associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality, while malaria parasitaemia and breast-feeding were independently associated with a lower risk of a poor outcome. Overall minimum community-based incidence rate was 15 cases per 1000 child-years at risk and children aged 12–23 months had the highest incidence.ConclusionsSevere malnutrition among admitted children in this Mozambican setting was common but frequently went undetected, despite being associated with a high risk of death. Measures to improve its recognition by clinicians responsible for the first evaluation of patients at the out-patient level are urgently needed so as to improve their likelihood of survival. Together with this, the rapid management of complications such as hypoglycaemia and concomitant co-infections such as bacteraemia, acute diarrhoea, oral candidiasis and HIV/AIDS may contribute to reverse the intolerable toll that malnutrition poses in the health of children in rural African settings.
SYSTEMS OF ISLANDS WITH CONTINUOUS HEIGHT FUNCTIONS
Authors: LENGVÁRSZKY ZSOLT 
Published: May 2013

AbstractWe investigate island systems with continuous height functions and strongly laminar systems which are laminar systems containing sets with disjoint boundaries. In the discrete case, we show that for a maximal rectangular system of islands$ \mathcal{H} $on an$m$by$n$rectangular grid we have$\lceil \min (m, n)/ 4\rceil \leq \vert \mathcal{H} \vert \leq \lceil m/ 2\rceil \lceil n/ 2\rceil $. In the continuous case we show that under some conditions maximal strongly laminar systems$ \mathcal{H} $have cardinality${\aleph }_{0} $or${2}^{{\aleph }_{0} } $and present examples with$\vert \mathcal{H} \vert = {\aleph }_{0} $.
A review of vascular disrupting agents as a concomitant anti-tumour modality with radiation
Authors: Tran William Tyler , El Kaffas Ahmed , Al-Mahrouki Azza , Gillies Carol , Czarnota Gregory Jan 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundTumour vasculature plays an important role in the development, maintenance and sustainability of a tumour. Endothelial cells which are recruited into the tumour stroma facilitate the formation of essential blood vessels that deliver nutrients and oxygen to tumour cells. A growing body of research is showing that there are synergistic anti-tumour effects when anti-vascular agents are combined with radiation. More recent reports have described favourable radiation response as a function of vascular targeting and blood vessel breakdown, primarily through interactions of radiation with vascular endothelial cells. Vascular disrupting agents are being utilised in several forms that include molecular targeting, biophysical assault and biological interference.PurposeIn the present review, we examine current advances in anti-vascular agents to enhance tumour response when combined with radiation therapy.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted on the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health (PubMed) using the following search keywords: vascular disrupting agents, radiation sensitisation, anti-angiogenic therapy, anti-vascular therapy, radiation therapy.ConclusionCurrent research suggests the applicability of vascular disrupting agents as an effective radiation sensitisation agent. Pre-clinical and clinical trials have been well developed to form the theoretical framework to apply this powerful modality to the treatment of cancer.
White Paper: Landscape on Technical and Conceptual Requirements and Competence Framework in Drug/Disease Modeling and Simulation
Authors: Vlasakakis G , Comets E , Keunecke A , Gueorguieva I , Magni P , Terranova N , Della Pasqua O , de Lange EC , Kloft C 
Published: May 2013

Pharmaceutical sciences experts and regulators acknowledge that pharmaceutical development as well as drug usage requires more than scientific advancements to cope with current attrition rates/therapeutic failures. Drug disease modeling and simulation (DDM&S) creates a paradigm to enable an integrated and higher‐level understanding of drugs, (diseased)systems, and their interactions (systems pharmacology) through mathematical/statistical models (pharmacometrics)1—hence facilitating decision making during drug development and therapeutic usage of medicines. To identify gaps and challenges in DDM&S, an inventory of skills and competencies currently available in academia, industry, and clinical practice was obtained through survey. The survey outcomes revealed benefits, weaknesses, and hurdles for the implementation of DDM&S. In addition, the survey indicated that no consensus exists about the knowledge, skills, and attributes required to perform DDM&S activities effectively. Hence, a landscape of technical and conceptual requirements for DDM&S was identified and serves as a basis for developing a framework of competencies to guide future education and training in DDM&S.CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology (2013) 2, e40; doi:10.1038/psp.2013.16; advance online publication 1 May 2013
Responses of Nannochloropsis oceanica IMET1 to Long-Term Nitrogen Starvation and Recovery
Authors: Dong Hong-Po , Williams Ernest , Wang Da-zhi , Xie Zhang-Xian , Hsia Ru-ching , Jenck Alizée , Halden Rolf , Li Jing , Chen Feng , Place Allen R. 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
The Nannochloropsis genus contains oleaginous microalgae that have served as model systems for developing renewable biodiesel. Recent genomic and transcriptomic studies on Nannochloropsis species have provided insights into the regulation of lipid production in response to nitrogen stress. Previous studies have focused on the responses of Nannochloropsis species to short-term nitrogen stress, but the effect of long-term nitrogen deprivation remains largely unknown. In this study, physiological and proteomic approaches were combined to understand the mechanisms by which Nannochloropsis oceanica IMET1 is able to endure long-term nitrate deprivation and its ability to recover homeostasis when nitrogen is amended. Changes of the proteome during chronic nitrogen starvation espoused the physiological changes observed, and there was a general trend toward recycling nitrogen and storage of lipids. This was evidenced by a global down-regulation of protein expression, a retained expression of proteins involved in glycolysis and the synthesis of fatty acids, as well as an up-regulation of enzymes used in nitrogen scavenging and protein turnover. Also, lipid accumulation and autophagy of plastids may play a key role in maintaining cell vitality. Following the addition of nitrogen, there were proteomic changes and metabolic changes observed within 24 h, which resulted in a return of the culture to steady state within 4 d. These results demonstrate the ability of N. oceanica IMET1 to recover from long periods of nitrate deprivation without apparent detriment to the culture and provide proteomic markers for genetic modification.
Learning through work: emerging perspectives and new challenges
Authors: Billett Stephen , Choy Sarojni 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to consider and appraise current developments and emerging perspectives on learning in the circumstances of work, to propose how some of the challenges for securing effective workplace learning may be redressed.Design/methodology/approachFirst, new challenges and perspectives on learning in the circumstances of work are summarised. Then, three key emerging concepts are reviewed. These are: changes in requirements of work; conceptual understandings about the processes of learning; and more elaborated views about the relations between the social and personal attributes. The procedural contributions of learning to improve learning for occupations, and employability and working life are also appraised.FindingsThe authors suggest that current conceptual and procedural understandings of learning in the workplace, informed by fields of cognitive science, and learning and development are limited because learning in the workplace is multimodal and complex, considering the socio‐cultural nature and boundaries that influence learning in multiple ways.Research limitations/implicationsThe appraisal here draws knowledge from the education discipline, yet there is a need to reach out to other fields to extend understandings and develop appropriate responses to emerging perspectives and new challenges.Practical implicationsA broader understanding of the workplace learning environment will assist those responsible for organising learning in the workplace and worker‐ learners to facilitate and engage in learning for transformations in work practices and meet changing performance requirements.Originality/valueThe authors advocate an extension to different disciplines such as anthropology and neurological science to broaden understandings about the potential of the workplace as a learning environment for novice as well as experienced workers.
Development of Streptococcus gordonii‐specific quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction primers based on the nucleotide sequence of rpoB
Authors: Park Soon‐Nang , Kook Joong‐Ki 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTIn this study, Streptococcus gordonii‐specific quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) primers, RTSgo‐F2/RTSgo‐R2, were developed based on the nucleotide sequences of RNA polymerase β‐subunit gene (rpoB). The specificity of the RTSgo‐F2/RTSgo‐R2 primers was assessed by conventional PCR on 99 strains comprising 63 oral bacterial species, including the type strain and eight clinical isolates of S. gordonii. PCR products were amplified from the genomic DNAs of only S. gordonii strains. The qPCR primers were able to detect as little as 40 fg of S. gordonii genomic DNA at a cycle threshold value of 33. These findings suggest that these qPCR primers detect S. gordonii with high specificity and sensitivity.
‘We're here to get you sorted’: parental perceptions of the purpose, progression and outcomes of family therapy
Authors: O'Reilly Michelle 
Published: May 2013

This article reports research on family therapy interactions. The research uses discourse analysis to explore the ways in which parents construct their reasons for requiring family therapy, the outcomes they desire from it and orientations to their progress. The analysis suggests that parents often position their child as the problem and this is something that is rarely challenged or questioned by the child. Parents express a desired outcome of ‘fixing’ the child and highlight this as what they believe the purpose of family therapy to be. During therapy they emphasize their progression and consider improvements in family functioning. By understanding parental perceptions we can move research forward in understanding engagement in therapy and attrition, and integrate guidelines on service improvements with what parents feel is beneficial.Practitioner points
Parents manage their presence in family therapy in many ways and typically position the child as the reason for their attendance.
Offering the child some time alone with the therapist has potential to uncover the child's perspectives on goals and outcomes which may be inhibited by parental presence.
Anticipating that the child may be described in derogatory or negative ways at the start can help the therapist to reframe the problem in more helpful ways.
Repeated Cycles of Binge‐Like Ethanol (EtOH)‐Drinking in Male C57BL/6J Mice Augments Subsequent Voluntary EtOH Intake But Not Other Dependence‐Like Phenotypes
Authors: Cox Benjamin R. , Olney Jeffrey J. , Lowery‐Gionta Emily G. , Sprow Gretchen M. , Rinker Jennifer A. , Navarro Montserrat , Kash Thomas L. , Thiele Todd E. 
Published: May 2013

BackgroundRecently, procedures have been developed to model specific facets of human alcohol abuse disorders, including those that model excessive binge‐like drinking (i.e., “drinking‐in‐the‐dark,” or DID procedures) and excessive dependence‐like drinking (i.e., intermittent ethanol [EtOH] vapor exposure). Similar neuropeptide systems modulate excessive EtOH drinking stemming from both procedures, raising the possibility that both paradigms are actually modeling the same phenotypes and triggering the same central neuroplasticity. Therefore, the goal of this present project was to study the effects of a history of binge‐like EtOH drinking, using DID procedures, on phenotypes that have previously been described with procedures to model dependence‐like drinking.MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice first experienced 0 to 10 four‐day binge‐like drinking episodes (3 days of rest between episodes). Beginning 24 hours after the final binge‐like drinking session, mice were tested for anxiety‐like behaviors (with elevated plus maze [EPM] and open‐field locomotor activity tests), ataxia with the rotarod test, and sensitivity to handling‐induced convulsions (HICs). One week later, mice began a 40‐day 2‐bottle (water vs. EtOH) voluntary consumption test with concentration ranging from 10 to 20% (v/v) EtOH.ResultsA prior history of binge‐like EtOH drinking significantly increased subsequent voluntary EtOH consumption and preference, effects most robust in groups that initially experienced 6 or 10 binge‐like drinking episodes and completely absent in mice that experienced 1 binge‐like drinking episode. Conversely, a history of binge‐like EtOH drinking did not influence anxiety‐like behaviors, ataxia, or HICs.ConclusionsExcessive EtOH drinking stemming from DID procedures does not initially induce phenotypes consistent with a dependence‐like state. However, the subsequent increases in voluntary EtOH consumption and preference that become more robust following repeated episodes of binge‐like EtOH drinking may reflect the early stages of EtOH dependence, suggesting that DID procedures may be ideal for studying the transition to EtOH dependence.
Effect of L‐carnitine on maturation, cryo‐tolerance and embryo developmental competence of bovine oocytes
Authors: Phongnimitr Teewara , Liang Yuanyuan , Srirattana Kanokwan , Panyawai Kanchana , Sripunya Nucharin , Treetampinich Chatchai , Parnpai Rangsun 
Published: May 2013

AbstractIn this study, the effects of the addition of L‐carnitine in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium for bovine oocytes on their nuclear maturation and cryopreservation were investigated; they were matured in IVM medium supplemented with 0.0, 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 mg/mL of L‐carnitine (control, 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 groups, respectively) and some of them were vitrified by Cryotop. Moreover, the effects of L‐carnitine during in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) on the developmental potential and quality of IVF embryos were also examined. A significantly higher maturation rate of oocytes was obtained for 0.3 and 0.6 mg/mL groups compared with the control (P < 0.05). The blastocyst formation rate in the 0.6 group was significantly improved, whereas the rate in the 1.2 group was significantly decreased when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in embryo development between the control and the L‐carnitine group after oocyte vitrification. Supplementation of IVF and IVC media with L‐carnitine had no effect on development to the blastocyst stage of IVM oocytes treated with 0.6 mg/mL L‐carnitine. In conclusion, the supplementation of L‐carnitine during IVM of bovine oocytes improved their nuclear maturation and subsequent embryo development after IVF, but when they were vitrified the improving effects were neutralized.