bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recommendations on prenatal screening and the connections to other diseases such as thyroid dysfunction
Authors: Springer Drahomira , Potlukova Eliska , Limanova Zdenka , Zima Tomas 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The aim of general maternal-foetal care is to ensure an uncomplicated birth of a healthy baby to a healthy mother. There is a large range of screening tests used during pregnancy: for gestational diabetes, infection, rhesus-D status, thyroid dysfunction, as well as other tests. An important part of prenatal care is the screening of major aneuploidies, primarily for Down’s syndrome. This screening is possible in either the first or second trimester, or in both. Management of this type of screening is very similar around the world. Hypothyroidism can affect the psychomotor development of the child. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), autoantibodies against thyroperoxidase (TPOAb), and free thyroxin (FT4) were determined within our group of 7530 pregnant women. Elevated concentrations of TSH were found in 5.1%, suppression was found in 2.9% and 11.5% were TPOAb positive. Either a familial or personal history of thyroid or autoimmune diseases was present in 58.3% of those women who tested positive on any thyroid test. At minimum, 40% of women TPOAb positive during pregnancy have some kind of thyroid disorders after delivery. These results support the efficacy of general thyroid function screening in early pregnancy, as well as the follow-up after delivery of those women who are positive.
Heterologous production and functional and thermodynamic characterization of cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) transporters of mesophilic and hyperthermophilic origin
Authors: Goswami Devrishi , Kaur Jagdeep , Surade Sachin , Grell Ernst , Michel Hartmut 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The members of the cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) family transport heavy metal ions and play an important function in zinc ion homeostasis of the cell. A recent structure of an Escherichia coli CDF transporter protein YiiP has revealed its dimeric nature and autoregulatory zinc transport mechanism. Here, we report the cloning and heterologous production of four different CDF transporters, two each from the pathogenic mesophilic bacterium Salmonella typhimurium and from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus, in E. coli host cells. STM0758 of S. typhimurium was able to restore resistance to zinc ions when tested by complementation assays in the zinc-sensitive GG48 strain. Furthermore, copurification of bicistronically produced STM0758 and cross-linking experiments with the purified protein have revealed its possible oligomeric nature. The interaction between heavy metal ions and Aq_2073 of A. aeolicus was investigated by titration calorimetry. The entropy-driven, high-affinity binding of two Cd2+ and two Zn2+ per protein monomer with Kd values of around 100 nm and 1 μm, respectively, was observed. In addition, at least one more Zn2+ can be bound per monomer with low affinity. This low-affinity site is likely to possess a functional role contributing to Zn2+ transport across membranes.
Cyclophilin involvement in the replication of hepatitis C virus and other viruses
Authors: Baugh James , Gallay Philippe 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
In recent months, there has been a wealth of promising clinical data suggesting that a more effective treatment regimen, and potentially a cure, for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is close at hand. Leading this push are direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), currently comprising inhibitors that target the HCV protease NS3, the viral polymerase NS5B, and the non-structural protein NS5A. In combination with one another, along with the traditional standard-of-care ribavirin and PEGylated-IFNα, these compounds have proven to afford tremendous efficacy to treatment-naíve patients, as well as to prior non-responders. Nevertheless, by targeting viral components, the possibility of selecting for breakthrough and treatment-resistant virus strains remains a concern. Host-targeting antivirals are a distinct class of anti-HCV compounds that is emerging as a complementary set of tools to combat the disease. Cyclophilin (Cyp) inhibitors are one such group in this category. In contrast to DAAs, Cyp inhibitors target a host protein, CypA, and have also demonstrated remarkable antiviral efficiency in clinical trials, without the generation of viral escape mutants. This review serves to summarize the current literature on Cyps and their relation to the HCV viral life cycle, as well as other viruses.
Aminoquinolines as fluorescent labels for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography of oligosaccharides
Authors: Struwe Weston B. , Rudd Pauline M. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
In this study, we investigated the potential of four different aminoquinoline (AQ) compounds as fluorescent labels for glycan analysis using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and fluorescence detection (FLD). We confirmed the optimal excitation and emission wavelengths of 3-AQ and 6-AQ conjugated to glycan standards using three-dimensional fluorescent spectral scanning. The optimal excitation and emission wavelengths for 6-AQ were confirmed at λex=355 nm and λem=440 nm. We concluded that the optimal wavelengths for 3-AQ were λex=355 nm and λem=420 nm, which differed considerably from the wavelengths applied in previous reports. HILIC-FLD chromatograms using experimentally determined wavelengths were similar to 2-aminobenzamide controls, but the peak capacity and resolution differed significantly when published 3-AQ λex/em values were applied. Furthermore, we found that 5-AQ and 8-AQ labeled maltohexaose did not display any fluorescent pro\xadperties when used as a carbohydrate tag for HPLC analysis. Finally, we applied experimentally determined wavelengths to 3-AQ labeled N-glycans released from human IgG to illustrate changes in retention time as well as to demonstrate that AQ labeling is applicable to complex sample analysis via exoglycosidase sequencing.
Numerical inversions for space-dependent diffusion coefficient in the time fractional diffusion equation
Authors: Li Gongsheng , Gu Wenjuan , Jia Xianzheng 
Published: August 2012

Abstract.
This paper deals with
numerical inversion for space-dependent diffusion coefficient in a
one-dimensional time fractional diffusion equation with additional
boundary measurement. An implicit difference scheme for the
forward problem is presented based on discretization of Caputo
fractional derivative, and numerical stability and convergence of
the linear system are proved with the help of matrix analysis. An
optimal perturbation regularization algorithm is introduced to
determine the space-dependent diffusion coefficient numerically in
different approximate space, and numerical inversions are carried
out by several numerical examples. Furthermore, impacts of the
fractional order, approximate space, regularization parameter,
numerical differential step, and initial iterations on the
inversion algorithm are analyzed showing that the inversion is of
numerical uniqueness, and the inversion algorithm is efficient at
least to the inverse problem here. The order of fractional
derivative not only represents a global property of the forward
problem, but also indicates ill-posedness of the corresponding inverse problem.
Regularization for ill-posed parabolic evolution problems
Authors: Fury Matthew A. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract.
We prove regularization for a certain ill-posed parabolic evolution problem in a Banach space X by obtaining Hölder-continuous dependence of its solution on modeling. In particular, we consider the generally ill-posed problem , , with initial data , in X where is the infinitesimal generator of a bounded holomorphic semigroup of angle on X, and for each with for . Assuming there exists a solution of the problem adhering to certain stabilizing conditions, we approximate by the solution of an approximate well-posed problem. We then use this estimate to prove the existence of a family of regularizing operators for the given ill-posed problem. The theory has applications to the backwards heat equation and other ill-posed partial differential equations in , , with time-dependent coefficients.
A curriculum to teach and evaluate resident skills in the management of postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Quinn Kristen H. , Mackey Amy , Cohen Jerry , Smith Stephen J. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was the development of a curriculum for the management of postpartum hemorrhage and an objective assessment of technical skills (OSATS) for uterine compression sutures.

Method: Twenty-two residents participated in the study. Evaluations included the global rating scale, task-specific checklist, and pass/fail rating for the OSATS and task-specific checklist for the hemorrhage drill. The reliability and validity of the evaluation tools were calculated.

Results: The inter-rater reliability was 0.98 for the hemorrhage drill checklist, 0.77 for the global rating scale, and 0.93 for the uterine suture checklist. Construct validity evaluation revealed senior residents performed superiorly to junior residents on the global rating scale (P=0.006) and on the uterine suture checklist (P=0.04). There was an improvement in performance on the post-test in comparison to the pretest (P=0.001).

Conclusion: We present an inexpensive, reliable, and valid curriculum to teach and evaluate the medical and surgical management of postpartum hemorrhage.
Transport properties of high-performance cementitious composites incorporating micro and nano SiO2 into the binder
Authors: Jalal Mostafa 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIn this paper, transport properties of high-performance self-compacting concrete (SCC), as one of the important cementitious composites incorporating micro and nano silica (NS) (SiO2) into the binder, have been investigated. For this purpose, different mixtures were designed with different amounts of silica fume (SF) and NS admixtures. Different binder contents were also investigated to observe the binder content effect on the concrete properties. Corrosion behavior was evaluated by chloride penetration and resistivity tests. Water absorption and capillary absorption were also measured as other durability related properties. The results showed that water absorption, capillary absorption, and Cl ion percentage decreased rather significantly in the mixtures containing admixtures especially the blend of SF and NS. By addition of the admixtures, resistivity of the SCC mixtures increased, which can lead to reduction of corrosion probability.
Computationelle Neurolinguistik
Authors: beim Graben Peter , Drenhaus Heiner 
Published: August 2012

AbstractComputational neurolinguistics integrates methods from computational (psycho-)linguistics and computational neuroscience in order to model neural correlates of linguistic behavior. We illustrate these techniques using an example of the language processing of German negative polarity items (NPI) in the event-related brain potential (ERP) paradigm. To that aim, we first describe the syntactic and semantic licensing conditions of NPIs by means of slightly modified minimalist grammars. In a second step we use dynamic cognitive modeling (DCM) to map the state descriptions of a minimalist parser onto activation patterns of a neural network. Thirdly, the network’s synaptic weights are trained with the correct parse of NPI constructions. Using these weights we calculate neural harmony measures for correct and for ungrammatical NPI constructions. In a final step we correlate the harmonies of the dynamical model with experimentally obtained ERP amplitudes by means of a simple statistical model.
Sliding observer for synchronization of fractional order chaotic systems with mismatched parameter
Authors: Delavari Hadi , Senejohnny Danial , Baleanu Dumitru 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
In this paper, we propose an observer-based fractional order chaotic synchronization scheme. Our method concerns fractional order chaotic systems in Brunovsky canonical form. Using sliding mode theory, we achieve synchronization of fractional order response with fractional order drive system using a classical Lyapunov function, and also by fractional order differentiation and integration, i.e. differintegration formulas, state synchronization proved to be established in a finite time. To demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed scheme, fractional order version of a well-known chaotic system; Arnodo-Coullet system is considered as illustrative examples.
Prediction of antimicrobial activity of imidazole derivatives by artificial neural networks
Authors: Wnuk Małgorzata , Marszałł Michał , Zapęcka Anna , Nowaczyk Alicja , Krysiński Jerzy , Romaszko Jerzy , Kawczak Piotr , Bączek Tomasz , Buciński Adam 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The main goal of our study is the analysis of data obtained from molecular modeling for a series of imidazole derivatives that possess strong antifungal activity. The research was designed to use artificial neural network (ANN) analysis to determine quantitative relationships between the structural parameters and anti-Streptococcus pyogenes activity of a series of imidazole derivatives. ANN in association with quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) represents a promising tool in the search for drug candidates among the practically unlimited number of possible derivatives. In this work, a series of 286 imidazole derivatives presented as cationic three-dimensional structures was used. The activity was expressed as a logarithm of the reciprocal of the minimal inhibitory concentrations, log 1/MIC. Multilayer perceptron ANN was used for predictions of antimicrobial potency of new imidazole derivatives on the basis of their structural descriptors. The obtained correlation coefficient equaled 0.9461 for the learning set, 0.9060 for the validation set and 0.8824 for the testing set of imidazole derivatives. Hence, satisfactory and practically useful predictions of anti-Streptococcus pyogenes activity for a series of imidazole derivatives was obtained, supporting the future successful interpretation of QSAR analysis for those compounds.
Dietary Acculturation of Arab Immigrants: In the Greater Toronto Area
Authors: Hassan Dahlia Abou El , Hekmat Sharareh 
Published: August 2012

Purpose: We explored the eating habits of Arab immigrants to determine whether they have maintained their traditional diet or have consumed a more Westernized diet since immigrating to Canada. Methods: Arab immigrants who had been in Canada for at least eight years and were currently living in the Greater Toronto Area were recruited. A sample of 24 Arab immigrants completed a mailed, self-administered questionnaire, and six participated in a focus group. The focus group discussion was transcribed verbatim and results were recorded. Latent content analysis was used to analyze, code, and categorize emerging themes. Results: Arab immigrants consumed a mixture of both Arabic and Western food and perceived their current diet to be healthier than it was before they immigrated to Canada. Factors that influenced their food choices included increased nutrition health awareness, differences in food preferences and preparation methods, and preservation of dietary practices in the new environment. Conclusions: Our findings will help dietitians who work with Arab immigrants to become more aware of factors that motivate this group's food choices, and to create nutrition programs that are more culturally sensitive.
Frontal bur hole through an eyebrow incision for image-guided endoscopic evacuation of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Dye Justin A. , Dusick Joshua R. , Lee Darrin J. , Gonzalez Nestor R. , Martin Neil A. 
Published: August 2012

Object
Surgical evacuation of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) remains a subject of controversy. Minimally invasive techniques for hematoma evacuation have shown a trend toward improved outcomes. The aim of the present study is to describe a minimally invasive alternative for the evacuation of sICH and evaluate its feasibility.

Methods
The authors reviewed records of all patients who underwent endoscopic evacuation of an sICH at the UCLA Medical Center between March 2002 and March 2011. All patients in whom the described technique was used for evacuation of an sICH were included in this series. In this approach an incision is made at the superior margin of the eyebrow, and a bur hole is made in the supraorbital bone lateral to the frontal sinus. Using stereotactic guidance, the surgeon advanced the endoscopic sheath along the long axis of the hematoma and fixed it in place at two specific depths where suction was then applied until 75%–85% of the preoperatively determined hematoma volume was removed. An endoscope's camera, then introduced through the sheath, was used to assist in hemostasis. Preoperative and postoperative hematoma volumes and reduction in midline shift were calculated and recorded. Admission Glasgow Coma Scale and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores were compared with postoperative scores.

Results
Six patients underwent evacuation of an sICH using the eyebrow/bur hole technique. The mean preoperative hematoma volume was 68.9 ml (range 30.2–153.9 ml), whereas the mean postoperative residual hematoma volume was 11.9 ml (range 5.1–24.1 ml) (p = 0.02). The mean percentage of hematoma evacuated was 79.2% (range 49%–92.7%). The mean reduction in midline shift was 57.8% (p < 0.01). The Glasgow Coma Scale score improved in each patient between admission and discharge examination. In 5 of the 6 patients the mRS score improved from admission exam to last follow-up. None of the patients experienced rebleeding.

Conclusions
This minimally invasive technique is a feasible alternative to other means of evacuating sICHs. It is intended for anterior basal ganglia hematomas, which usually have an elongated, ovoid shape. The approach allows for an optimal trajectory to the long axis of the hematoma, making it possible to evacuate the vast majority of the clot with only one pass of the endoscopic sheath, theoretically minimizing the amount of damage to normal brain.
Endoscopic approaches to the trigeminal nerve and clinical consideration for trigeminal schwannomas: a cadaveric study
Authors: Komatsu Fuminari , Komatsu Mika , Di Ieva Antonio , Tschabitscher Manfred 
Published: August 2012

Object
The course of the trigeminal nerve straddles multiple fossae and is known to be very complex. Comprehensive anatomical knowledge and skull base techniques are required for surgical management of trigeminal schwannomas. The aims of this study were to become familiar with the endoscopic anatomy of the trigeminal nerve and to develop a minimally invasive surgical strategy for the treatment of trigeminal schwannomas.

Methods
Ten fresh cadavers were studied using 5 endoscopic approaches with the aid of 4-mm 0° and 30° endoscopes to identify surgical landmarks associated with the trigeminal nerve. The endoscopic approaches included 3 transcranial keyhole approaches (the extradural supraorbital, extradural subtemporal, and retrosigmoid approaches), and 2 endonasal approaches (the transpterygoid and the transmaxillary transpterygoid approaches).

Results
The trajectories of the extradural supraorbital, transpterygoid, and extradural subtemporal approaches corresponded with the course of the first, second, and third divisions of the trigeminal nerve, respectively. The 3 approaches demonstrated each division in intra- and extracranial spaces, as well as the Meckel cave in the middle cranial fossa. The interdural space at the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus was exposed by the extradural supraorbital and subtemporal approaches. The extradural subtemporal approach with anterior petrosectomy and the retrosigmoid approach visualized the trigeminal sensory root and its neighboring neurovascular structures in the posterior cranial fossa. The transmaxillary transpterygoid approach revealed the course of the third division in the infratemporal fossa.

Conclusions
The 5 endoscopic approaches effectively followed the course of the trigeminal nerve with minimal invasiveness. These approaches could provide alternative options for the management of trigeminal schwannoma.
On Hyperbolicity of Domains with Strictly
Pseudoconvex Ends
Authors: Harris Adam , Kolář Martin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis article establishes a sufficient condition for Kobayashi hyperbolicity of unbounded domains in terms of curvature. Specifically, when Ω ⊂ ℂn corresponds to a sub-level set of a smooth, real-valued function Ψ such that the form ω = is Kähler and has bounded curvature outside a bounded subset, then this domain admits a hermitian metric of strictly negative holomorphic sectional curvature.
Addendum to “Limit Sets of Typical Homeomorphisms”
Authors: Bernardes Nilson C. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractGiven an integer n ≥ 3, a metrizable compact topological n-manifold X with boundary, and a finite positive Borel measure μ on X, we prove that for the typical homeomorphism ƒ : X → X, it is true that for μ-almost every point x in X the restriction of ƒ (respectively of f-1) to the omega limit set ω( ƒ ; x) (respectively to the alpha limit set α( ƒ ; x)) is topologically conjugate to the universal odometer.
Gestão pública da UFPI: uma análise do seu Plano de Desenvolvimento Institucional (PDI)
Authors: Melo Adalgisa Costa , Sousa Delmárcio de Moura , Campelo Filho Eulálio Gomes , Ferasso Marcos 
Published: August 2012

Este estudo foi desenvolvido com o intuito de levantar dados a respeito dos modelos de gestão que se destacaram ao longo da nossa história e compreender a importância do planejamento estratégico para as instituições públicas. Pretende-se ainda identificar qual o modelo de gestão adotado pela Universidade Federal do Piauí e analisar o seu Plano de Desenvolvimento Educacional- PDI, comparando as ações propostas com os resultados até então obtidos. A metodologia utilizada foi uma pesquisa exploratória do tipo estudo de caso aliada a uma abordagem bibliográfica e documental, desenvolvidos com base em princípios de pesquisa analítica, por meio da análise temática de conteúdos. Constatou-se que a UFPI adota um modelo híbrido de gestão, apresentando elementos característicos tanto da gestão burocrática quanto da gerencialista e que é uma instituição capaz de gerir estrategicamente as suas ações.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Azaaromatic Compounds
Authors: Baxter C. Stuart , Warshawsky David 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are moderately reactive, but undergo photochemical degradation in the atmosphere, and are widely used as chemical raw materials. Aromatic hydrocarbons cause local irritation and changes in endothelial cell permeability and are absorbed rapidly. Accumulation of aromatic hydrocarbons in marine animals occurs to a greater extent and retention is longer compared to alkanes. Toxicity of polynuclear aromatics has been reported comprehensively. It has been reported that exposure to a variety of complex mixtures containing these chemicals, such as soot, coal tar and pitch, mineral oils, coal gasification residues, and cigarette smoke has historically been associated with induction of cancer. Naphthalene causes cataracts in the eyes of experimental animals. Its vapors may cause severe systemic injury. Alkylbenzenes are readily aspirated and produce instant death via cardiac arrest and respiratory paralysis. In general, the acute toxicity of alkylbenzenes is higher for toluene than that for benzene and decreases further with increasing chain length of the substituent, except for highly branched C8to C18derivatives. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are metabolized through epoxides and hydroxides and are excreted as conjugates.