bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of metabolic pathway precursors and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on poly-(gamma)-glutamic acid production by Bacillus subtilis BL53
Authors: de Cesaro Alessandra , da Silva Suse Botelho , Ayub Marco Antônio Záchia 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of the addition of metabolic precursors and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as an oxygen carrier to cultures of Bacillus subtilis BL53 during the production of γ-PGA. Kinetics analyses of cultivations of different media showed that B. subtilis BL53 is an exogenous glutamic acid-dependent strain. When the metabolic pathway precursors of γ-PGA synthesis, l-glutamine and a-ketoglutaric acid, were added to the culture medium, production of the biopolymer was increased by 20 % considering the medium without these precursors. The addition of 10 % of the oxygen carrier PDMS to cultures caused a two-fold increase in the volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient (kLa), improving γ-PGA production and productivity. Finally, bioreactor cultures of B. subtilis BL53 adopting the combination of optimized medium E, added of glutamine, α-ketoglutaric acid, and PDMS, showed a productivity of 1 g L−1 h−1 of g-PGA after only 24 h of cultivation. Results of this study suggest that the use of metabolic pathway precursors glutamine and a-ketolgutaric acid, combined with the addition of PDMS as an oxygen carrier in bioreactors, can improve γ-PGA production and productivity by Bacillus strains .
Disparities in Current and Future Childhood and Newborn Carrier Identification
Authors: Noke Melissa , Wearden Alison , Peters Sarah , Ulph Fiona 
Published: July 2014

AbstractInternational carrier testing guidelines discourage testing in childhood to preserve autonomous decision making and prevent detrimental psychosocial consequences. Despite the discouragement of autosomal recessive carrier testing during childhood, some sickle cell disease (SCD) or cystic fibrosis (CF) carriers are incidentally identified through UK and international newborn screening (NBS). This creates a scenario where parents may have knowledge of their newborn's, but not older child's carrier status. In addition, there is wide variation in the identification of CF and SCD carriers due to the screening technologies implemented by different NBS programs. The current and future availability of childhood testing are determined to some extent by the impact of testing on children and parents (whether this is beneficial or detrimental to wellbeing). However empirical research informing carrier guidance and practice is conflicting. Echoing previous calls, this discussion highlights the need for further qualitative and longitudinal research with children to consider the psychosocial impact of carrier testing on children and role of disclosure from parents on adaptation to results. It is recommended that professionals aim to minimize harms resulting from carrier identification by providing support for parents and children following NBS. Support for non‐genetics specialists from genetic counselors to enable discussion of carrier results with children is suggested.
Matrix production and remodeling as therapeutic targets for uterine leiomyoma
Authors: Fujisawa Caitlin , Castellot John J. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractUterine leiomyoma, commonly known as fibroids, is a benign neoplasm of smooth muscle in women. The incidence of clinically symptomatic fibroids in reproductive‐age women is approximately 20 %, with nearly 80 % of black women suffering from this condition. Symptoms include severe pain and hemorrhage; fibroids are also a major cause of infertility or sub‐fertility in women. Uterine leiomyoma consist of hyperplastic smooth muscle cells and an excess deposition of extracellular matrix, specifically collagen, fibronectin, and sulfated proteoglycans. Extracellular matrix components interact and signal through integrin‐β1 on the surface of uterine leiomyoma smooth muscle cells, provide growth factor storage, and act as co‐receptors for growth factor‐receptor binding. ECM and growth factor signaling through integrin‐β1 and growth factor receptors significantly increases cell proliferation and ECM deposition in uterine leiomyoma. Growth factors TGF‐β, IGF, PDGF, FGF and EGF are all shown to promote uterine leiomyoma progression and signal through multiple pathways to increase the expression of genes encoding matrix or matrix‐modifying proteins. Decreasing integrin expression, reducing growth factor action and inhibiting ECM action on uterine leiomyoma smooth muscle cells are important opportunities to treat uterine leiomyoma without use of the current surgical procedures. Both natural compounds and chemicals are shown to decrease fibrosis and uterine leiomyoma progression, but further analysis is needed to make inroads in treating this common women’s health issue.
Arendt's Jeremiad: ReadingOn Revolutionin a Time of Decline
Authors: Arnold Jeremy 
Published: July 2014

AbstractContemporary American discourse is saturated with worries about, or hopes for, America's decline. However, fears of America's decline have been a persistent theme of American writing since the second generation of New England Puritans, worries contained in the genre of the Americanized jeremiad. I will argue that Arendt'sOn Revolutionshould be read as a jeremiad that both repeats and problematizes the spiritual/material opposition of the classic American decline narrative. SeeingOn Revolutionas a jeremiad—a literary form central to American writing and dominated by a mood of despair and lamentation over decline that also issues in a positive call to remembrance and action—enables us to better account for a persistently misunderstood feature of Arendt's argument and to use the text as a political and theoretical resource for responding to powerful and unsettling political movements dominating American politics.
Churchyard and cemetery in an English industrial city: Sheffield, 1740–1900
Authors: RUGG JULIE , STIRLING FIONA , CLAYDEN ANDY 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT:Accounts of nineteenth-century burial practice in England borrow heavily from French historiography, which describes the way that scientific agendas drove a shift from traditional churchyard use to secular, municipal cemetery management. A challenge to this meta-narrative uses the example of Sheffield. In this highly industrialized city, the nineteenth century did not see a dichotomized translation from churchyard to cemetery; the Church Building Act (1818) was more effective in meeting burial demand than the 1836 General Cemetery; the formal closure of churchyards did not always lead to a cessation of burial; and by the century's end, church burial provision remained substantial.
I-DAQ: a New Test to Assess Direct and Indirect Aggression Free of Response Bias
Authors: Ruiz-Pamies Mireia , Lorenzo-Seva Urbano , Morales-Vives Fabia , Cosi Sandra , Vigil-Colet Andreu 
Published: July 2014

AbstractSelf-reports of aggression are deeply impacted by response bias, especially by social desirability, but there are no specific methods for controlling this bias. Furthermore, despite the importance of the subject few instruments have been designed to assess both direct and indirect forms of aggression. The aim of the present research was to develop a brief measure that comprises both forms of aggression and which makes it possible to obtain scores free of social desirability and acquiescence effects. The scales were created using recently developed methods for controlling response bias effects in a sample of 750 participants over a wide age range. The items were chosen by a panel of judges from among the best of the existing aggression measures. Confirmatory factor analysis showed the expected three factor structure (CFI = .98; AGFI = .97 and RSMEA = .078, 90% C.I. = .074 – .083) and the scales showed good psychometric properties in that they had good reliability (ranging from θxx = .77 to θxx = .83), and convergent and criterion validity.
Physical Perceptions and Self-Concept in Athletes with Muscle Dysmorphia Symptoms
Authors: González-Martí Irene , Fernández Bustos Juan Gregorio , Hernández-Martínez Andrea , Contreras Jordán Onofre Ricardo 
Published: July 2014

AbstractIndividuals affected by Muscle Dysmorphia (MD; body image disorder based on the sub estimation of muscle size), practice weightlifting in order to alleviate their muscular dissatisfaction. Although physical activity is associated with increased physical self-perception, we assume that this was not reproduced in full in people with MD. The study sample consisted of 734 weightlifters and bodybuilders, 562 men and 172 women, who completed the Escala de Satisfacción Muscular, the Physical Self-Concept Questionnaire, and from whom measures of body fat and Fat -Free Mass Index (FFMI) were obtained. The results showed that people suffering from MD symptoms, overall, have poorer physical self-concept perceptions (F = 18.46 - 34.77, p < .01).
The Importance of Personality and Parental Styles on Optimism in
Adolescents
Authors: Zanon Cristian , Bastianello Micheline Roat , Pacico Juliana Cerentini , Hutz Claudio Simon 
Published: July 2014

AbstractSome studies have suggested that personality factors are important to optimism
development. Others have emphasized that family relations are relevant variables
to optimism. This study aimed to evaluate the importance of parenting styles to
optimism controlling for the variance accounted for by personality factors.
Participants were 344 Brazilian high school students (44% male) with mean age of
16.2 years (SD = 1) who answered personality,
optimism, responsiveness and demandingness scales. Hierarchical regression
analyses were conducted having personality factors (in the first step) and
maternal and paternal parenting styles, and demandingness and responsiveness (in
the second step) as predictive variables and optimism as the criterion.
Personality factors, especially neuroticism (β
= –.34, p < .01), extraversion
(β = .26, p
< .01) and agreeableness (β =
.16, p < .01), accounted for 34% of the optimism
variance and insignificant variance was predicted exclusively by parental styles
(1%). These findings suggest that personality is more important to optimism
development than parental styles.
Gibt es einen Videodefiziteffekt bei Aufgaben zur Theory of Mind?
Authors: Reiß Mirjam , Becker Antje , Krist Horst 
Published: July 2014

Das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie bestand darin, einen möglichen Einfluss des Darbietungsmodus auf die Leistung von Vorschulkindern in einer Aufgabe zur Theory of Mind (ToM) zu überprüfen. Dazu wurden die Leistungen von 94 Kindern zwischen 3 und 5 Jahren in einer klassischen Ortsverlagerungsaufgabe zum Verständnis falscher Überzeugungen ( Wimmer & Perner, 1983 ) untersucht. Den Kindern wurde die Originalgeschichte entweder live oder als Videofilm präsentiert. Erstmalig konnte ein signifikanter Effekt des Darbietungsmodus in einer Aufgabe zur ToM nachgewiesen werden. Dieser ergab sich in der Altersgruppe der 4-Jährigen. Unabhängig vom Darbietungsmodus antworteten 3-Jährige überzufällig falsch und 5-Jährige überzufällig korrekt. Der nachgewiesene Effekt des Darbietungsmodus wird vor dem Hintergrund bereits bestehender Theorien zum sogenannten Videodefiziteffekt (VDE) diskutiert.
Das Musikalische Konzentrationstraining mit Pepe
Authors: Hillmer Jana-Mareike , Rothmann Kathrin 
Published: July 2014

Der Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung wird in der Forschung zusehends mehr Bedeutung beigemessen, da sie mit einer Prävalenz von 4,8 % zu den häufigsten psychischen Erkrankungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter zählt (KiGGS; Schlack, Hölling, Kurth & Huss, 2007 ). Zudem wächst der Bedarf an alternativen Behandlungsmöglichkeiten neben der Pharmakotherapie. Das hier vorgestellte Musikalische Konzentrationstraining mit Pepe stellt ein innovatives Gruppenprogramm für fünf- bis zehnjährige Kinder mit Konzentrationsproblemen dar. Angelehnt an verhaltenstherapeutische Grundlagen nutzt es Musik als Lern- und Lehrmittel, um die Neugier, Offenheit und Kreativität sowie den Bewegungsdrang der Kinder sinnvoll zu nutzen. Die strukturierten Rhythmus- und Bewegungsübungen zielen auf eine Förderung der fokussierten, geteilten und Daueraufmerksamkeit ab. Weitere Elemente des Trainings wie die Teamarbeit, die Leitfigur Pepe und seine Ampel sollen das Sozialverhalten, die Impulskontrolle sowie die Eigenverantwortlichkeit der Kinder schulen. Die Besonderheiten des Musikalischen Konzentrationstrainings mit Pepe sowie dessen Wirkfaktoren werden im vorliegenden Beitrag präsentiert.
Visualization of asymmetric wetting ridges on soft solids with X-ray microscopy
Authors: Park Su Ji , Weon Byung Mook , Lee Ji San , Lee Junho , Kim Jinkyung , Je Jung Ho 
Published: July 2014

AbstractOne of the most questionable issues in wetting is the force balance that includes the vertical component of liquid surface tension. On soft solids, the vertical component leads to a microscopic protrusion of the contact line, that is, a ‘wetting ridge’. The wetting principle determining the tip geometry of the ridge is at the heart of the issues over the past half century. Here we reveal a universal wetting principle from the ridge tips directly visualized with high spatio-temporal resolution of X-ray microscopy. We find that the cusp of the ridge is bent with an asymmetric tip, whose geometry is invariant during ridge growth or by surface softness. This singular asymmetry is deduced by linking the macroscopic and microscopic contact angles to Young and Neuman laws, respectively. Our finding shows that this dual-scale approach would be contributable to a general framework in elastowetting, and give hints to issues in cell-substrate interaction and elasto-capillary problems.
Whole-exome sequencing identifies Y1495X of SCN5A to be associated with familial conduction disease and sudden death
Authors: Tan Zhi-Ping , Xie Li , Deng Yao , Chen Jin-Lan , Zhang Wei-Zhi , Wang Jian , Yang Jin-Fu , Yang Yi-Feng 
Published: July 2014

AbstractSCN5A mutations have been reported to underlie a variety of inherited arrhythmias, while the complex overlapping phenotype, especially with congenital heart disease (CHD), is rarely reported. The 48-year-old proband underwent a recent syncope during rest. A CHD (tetralogy of Fallot) and conduction disease was revealed by echocardiogram and ultrasonic cardiogram examination. We combined whole-exome sequencing (WES) and bioinformatics strategies to identify the pathogenic gene for this autosomal-dominant cardiac conduction disease (CCD) in a multi-generation pedigree. We examined four members of this family, including three affected and one unaffected. A novel nonsense mutation (Y1495X) in SCN5A was identified in the affected family members. This mutation is predicted to generate a truncated SCN5A protein, which could result in the loss of sodium current, a defined mechanism of SCN5A related arrhythmias. Our study provides evidence that WES is a highly effective approach for genetic analyses of rare clinical phenotypes. Our study also offers accurate genetic testing information for those yet clinically negative relatives.
Generation of light with controllable spatial patterns via the sum frequency in quasi-phase matching crystals
Authors: Zhou Zhi-Yuan , Li Yan , Ding Dong-Sheng , Jiang Yun-Kun , Zhang Wei , Shi Shuai , Shi Bao-Sen , Guo Guang-Can 
Published: July 2014

AbstractLight beams with extraordinary spatial structures, such as the Airy beam (AB), the Bessel-Gaussian beam (BGB) and the Laguerre-Gaussian beam (LGB), are widely studied and applied in many optical scenarios. We report on preparation of light beams with controllable spatial structures through sum frequency generation (SFG) using two Gaussian pump beams in a quasi-phase matching (QPM) crystal. The spatial structures, including multi-ring-like BGB, donut-like LGB and super-Gaussian-like beams, can be controlled periodically via crystal phase mismatching by tuning the pump frequency or crystal temperature. This phenomenon has not been reported or discussed previously. Additionally, we present numerical simulations of the phenomenon, which agree very well with the experimental observations. Our findings give further insight into the SFG process in QPM crystals, provide a new way to generate light with unusual spatial structures and may find applications in the fields of laser optics, all-optical switching and optical manipulation and trapping.
Low‐power 25.4–33.5 GHz programmable multi‐modulus frequency divider
Authors: Liu Faen , Wang Zhigong , Li Zhiqun , Li Qin , Yang Geliang , Guo Ting 
Published: July 2014

A 25.4–33.5 GHz wideband CMOS programmable multi‐modulus divider with low power consumption is demonstrated. For a high operating frequency and low power consumption, a direct injection‐locked frequency divider is used as the prescaler and followed directly by a dual‐modulus divided‐by‐8/9 divider without any driving circuits. The dynamic‐loading CML D flip‐flips are utilised in the dual‐modulus divider which further reduces the power consumption. Implemented in a 90 nm CMOS process, a frequency division from 542 to 654 in steps of 2 is achieved. Measurements show that the self‐resonant frequency of the divider is 14.76 GHz, and the locking range is from 25.4 to 33.5 GHz for the total frequency division ratio at an input power of 0 dBm. The power consumption for the maximum division ratio and 0 dBm input power is 15.48 mW at a supply voltage of 1.2 V. The total chip size is 0.72 × 0.47 mm.
Topical application of ALK5 inhibitor A-83-01 reduces burn wound contraction in rats by suppressing myofibroblast population
Authors: Sun Xiaoyan , Kim Yang-Hyun , Phan Trong Nhat , Yang Beom-Seok 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Burn scar contracture that follows the healing of deep dermal burns causes severe deformation and functional impairment. However, its current therapeutic interventions are limited with unsatisfactory outcomes. When we treated deep second-degree burns in rat skin with activin-like kinase 5 (ALK5) inhibitor A-83-01, it reduced wound contraction and enhanced the area of re-epithelialization so that the overall time for wound closing was not altered. In addition, it reduced myofibroblast population in the dermis of burn scar with a diminished deposition of its biomarker proteins such as α-SMA and collagen. Treatment of rat dermal fibroblast with A-83-01 inhibited transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-dependent induction of α-SMA and collagen type I. Taken together, these results suggest that topical application of ALK5 inhibitor A-83-01 could be effective in preventing the contraction of burn wound without delaying the wound closure by virtue of its inhibitory activity against the TGF-β-induced increase of myofibroblast population.
Antioxidative properties of ascorbigen in using multiple antioxidant assays
Authors: Tai Akihiro , Fukunaga Kanako , Ohno Asako , Ito Hideyuki 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
The antioxidative properties of ascorbigen, one of the major indole-derived compounds of Brassica vegetables, were systematically evaluated using multiple assay systems with comparison to the well-known antioxidants ascorbic acid and Trolox. We first performed assays using model radicals, DPPH radical, galvinoxyl radical, and ABTS radical cation (ABTS•+). Ascorbigen showed stronger activity than that of ascorbic acid in the ABTS•+-scavenging assay but showed no activity in the DPPH radical- and galvinoxyl radical-scavenging assays. In the ABTS•+-scavenging assay, the indole moiety of ascorbigen contributed to scavenging of the radicals to produce indole-3-aldehyde as one of the final reaction products. The activity of ascorbigen was then evaluated by an oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay and an oxidative hemolysis inhibition assay using physiologically relevant peroxyl radicals, AAPH-derived radicals. Ascorbigen showed much stronger antioxidant activity than did ascorbic acid and Trolox. Therefore, antioxidant activity of ascorbigen might be more beneficial than has been thought for daily health care.
Determining the effectiveness of optimal time-varying hedge ratios for cattle feeders under multiproduct and single commodity settings
Authors: Tejeda Hernan , Feuz Dillon 
Published: July 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to determine and contrast the risk mitigating effectiveness from optimal multiproduct time-varying hedge ratios, applied to the margin of a cattle feedlot operation, over single commodity time-varying and naive hedge ratios.

Design/methodology/approach
– A parsimonious regime-switching dynamic correlations (RSDC) model is estimated in two-stages, where the dynamic correlations among prices of numerous commodities vary proportionally between two different regimes/levels. This property simplifies estimation methods for a large number of parameters involved.

Findings
– There is significant evidence that resulting simultaneous correlations among the prices (spot and futures) for each commodity attain different levels along the time-series. Second, for in and out-of-sample data there is a substantial reduction in the operation's margin variance provided from both multiproduct and single time-varying optimal hedge ratios over naive hedge ratios. Lastly, risk mitigation is attained at a lower cost given that average optimal multiproduct and single time-varying hedge ratios obtained for corn, feeder cattle and live cattle are significantly below the naive full hedge ratio.

Research limitations/implications
– The application studied is limited in that once a hedge position has been set at a particular period, it is not possible to modify or update at a subsequent period.

Practical implications
– Agricultural producers, specifically cattle feeders, may profit from a tool using improved techniques to determine hedge ratios by considering a larger amount of up-to-date information. Moreover, these agents may apply hedge ratios significantly lower than one and thus mitigate risk at lower costs.

Originality/value
– Feedlot operators will benefit from the potential implementation of this parsimonious RSDC model for their hedging operations, as it provides average optimal hedge ratios significantly lower than one and sizeable advantages in margin risk mitigation.