bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Initial psychometric evaluation of the Arm Activity Measure (ArmA): a measure of activity in the hemiparetic arm
Authors: Ashford Stephen , Turner-Stokes Lynne , Siegert Richard , Slade Mike 
Published: February 2013

Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arm Activity Measure (ArmA), a patient-reported measure of active and passive function in the paretic upper limb. Design: Psychometric evaluation study. Setting: Two specialist rehabilitation and spasticity management services. Method: Patients ( n = 92) with upper limb paresis were recruited from two specialist neurorehabilitation centres. Mean age 44.5 (SD 16.7). Diagnostic distribution: stroke 48 (52%); other brain injury 28 (31%); or other neurological condition 16 (17%). Evaluation of convergent and divergent validity; unidimensionality, scaling, reliability (internal consistency and test–retest); responsiveness to change and feasibility of the ArmA were undertaken. Results: Expected convergent and divergent relationships were seen with the Leeds Adult Spasticity Impact Scale and the Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) (rho 0.5–0.63). Principal components analysis confirmed that active and passive function formed two separate constructs in each sub-scale. Mokken analysis corroborated the findings of the principal components analysis and demonstrated scaling using the monotone homogeneity model (Item H>0.5 for all items). Cronbach’s alpha was 0.85 and 0.96, respectively, for the passive and active function subscales. Item level test–retest agreement ranged from 92-97.5% (quadratic-weighted Kappa 0.71-0.94). In the subgroup treated for spasticity with botulinum toxin ( n = 58), the ArmA passive function scale identified a significant difference between responder and non-responder groups (Mann Whitney U = 0.85, p < 0.01). Respondents reported the ArmA to be relevant (77%), easy to use (90%) and timely to complete (83% under 10 minutes). Conclusion: The ArmA is a valid and reliable tool feasible for use in the evaluation of upper limb function in the context of treatment for spasticity.
Effect of spherical and platelet-like nanoparticles on physical and mechanical properties of polyethylene terephthalate
Authors: Farhoodi Mehdi , Mousavi Seyed Mohammad Ali , Sotudeh-Gharebagh Rahmat , Emam-Djomeh Zahra , Oromiehie Abdolrasul 
Published: February 2013

The influence of spherical (titanium dioxide (TiO2)) and platelet-like (Closite20A) nanofillers on the physical properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanocomposites was investigated. PET nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending of PET and nanofillers. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that PET nanocomposites had higher crystallinity than the neat PET, possibly due to the nucleating role of the nanoparticles. It was observed that the influence of nanoclays on crystallization of PET is more considerable than TiO2 nanoparticles. For PET/TiO2 and PET/clay nanocomposites, the highest value of crystallinity observed at 3 wt% and 1 wt% loading level of TiO2 and Closite20Ananoparticles, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic micrographs showed that uniform distribution and good dispersion of TiO2 through PET matrix were achieved at 1 and 3 wt% loadings but at higher loadings up to 5 wt%, nanoparticles tend to accumulate. Transmission electron microscopy and wide angle X-ray diffraction showed that the dominant structure of PET nanocomposites containing 1 wt% nanoclays was exfoliation while at higher loading levels, the shift in peak to lower angles and subsequent increase in platelet spacing suggest intercalated structure. The addition of TiO2 nanoparticles caused noticeable enhancement of PET ductility, while the incorporation of nanoclays into PET matrix developed a fragile structure with lower ductility.
Vascular Endostapling Systems for Vascular Endografts (T)EVAR—Systematic Review—Current State
Authors: Bail Dorothee H. L. , Walker Tobias , Giehl Johannes 
Published: February 2013

Purpose: Recently, vascular endostapling systems were developed to achieve better sealing at the proximal neck of the aneurysm and to prevent endograft migration. The purpose of this study was to provide a systematic review about the current state and possible options of vascular endostapling systems. Results: No randomized controlled trials were published. The results showed that the use of an endostaple system considerably reduced the rates of endoleaks type 1a and endograft migration. Regarding the use of endostaples in different types of endografts, only a few results were available. Conclusion: The results are not conclusive. With endostaple systems, patients with difficult anatomic features and high risk can potentially be treated. These systems might reduce the high reintervention rates after endovascular aneurysm repair. Controlled randomized trials with larger number of patients are warranted with endostapling use in primary endograft implantation and for use in reintervention for late endoleaks or endograft migrations.
Analysis of the storage and secretion of von Willebrand factor in blood outgrowth endothelial cells derived from patients with von Willebrand disease
Authors: Wang Jiong-Wei , Bouwens Eveline A. M. , Pintao Maria Carolina , Voorberg Jan , Safdar Huma , Valentijn Karine M. , de Boer Hetty C. , Mertens Koen , Reitsma Pieter H. , Eikenboom Jeroen 
Published: February 2013

Key Points
Isolation of BOECs from multiple patients with VWD is feasible, and the study of BOECs helps explain the pathogenic complexity of VWD. Abnormalities in WPB biogenesis and exocytosis and defects in VWF string formation correlate with the phenotypic features of patients with VWD.
Attenuation of AML1-ETO cellular dysregulation correlates with increased leukemogenic potential
Authors: DeKelver Russell C. , Yan Ming , Ahn Eun-Young , Shia Wei-Jong , Speck Nancy A. , Zhang Dong-Er 
Published: February 2013

Key Points
AML1-ETO-W692A loses interaction between NHR4 and N-CoR, decreases AML1-ETO cellular dysregulation, and promotes leukemia development in mice.
The role of 3-ketosteroid 1(2)-dehydrogenase in the pathogenicity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Brzezinska Marta , Szulc Izabela , Brzostek Anna , Klink Magdalena , Kielbik Michal , Sulowska Zofia , Pawelczyk Jakub , Dziadek Jaroslaw 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
A growing body of evidence suggests that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) uses the host’s cholesterol as a source of carbon and energy during infection. Strains defective in cholesterol transport or degradation exhibit attenuated growth in activated macrophages and diminished infectivity in animal models. The aim of this study was to evaluate intracellular replication of a cholesterol degradation-deficient Mtb mutant in human macrophages (MØ) in vitro and assess the functional responses of Mtb mutant-infected MØ.

Results
A mutant Mtb H37Rv strain containing an inactivated kstD gene (∆kstD), which encodes 3-ketosteroid 1(2)-dehydrogenase (KstD), was previously prepared using the homologous recombination-based gene-replacement technique. A control strain carrying the kstD gene complemented with an intact kstD was also previously constructed. In this study, human resting MØ were obtained after overnight differentiation of the human monocyte-macrophage cell line THP-1. Resting MØ were further activated with interferon-γ (IFN-γ). The ability of the kstD-defective Mtb mutant strain to replicate intracellularly in human MØ was evaluated using a colony-forming assay. Nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by MØ infected with wild-type or ∆kstD strains was detected using Griess reagent and chemiluminescence methods, respectively. The production of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-10 by MØ after infection with wild-type or mutant Mtb was examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
We found that replication of mutant Mtb was attenuated in resting MØ compared to the wild-type or complemented strains. Moreover, the mutant was unable to inhibit the NO and ROS production induced through Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) signaling in infected resting MØ. In contrast, mutant and wild-type Mtb behaved similarly in MØ activated with IFN-γ before and during infection.

Conclusions
The Mtb mutant ∆kstD strain, which is unable to use cholesterol as a source of carbon and energy, has a limited ability to multiply in resting MØ following infection, reflecting a failure of the ∆kstD strain to inhibit the TLR2-dependent bactericidal activity of resting MØ.
A serine/threonine phosphatase encoded by MG_207 of Mycoplasma genitalium is critical for its virulence
Authors: Martinez Mario A , Das Kishore , Saikolappan Sankaralingam , Materon Luis A , Dhandayuthapani Subramanian 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Bacterial signal transduction systems like two component system (TCS) and Serine/Threonine kinase (STK) and Serine/Threonine phosphatase (STP) play important roles in the virulence and pathogenesis of bacterial pathogens. Mycoplasma genitalium, a mollicute that causes the urogenital diseases urethritis and cervicitis in men and women, respectively, is a pathogen which lacks TCS but possesses STK/STP. In this study, we investigated the biochemical and virulence properties of an STP protein encoded by the gene MG_207 of this species.

Results
We overexpressed MG207 in Escherichia coli overexpression system as a recombinant His10MG207 protein and purified it with affinity chromatography. This recombinant protein readily hydrolyzed the substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) in a dose-dependent manner. Additional studies using synthetic peptides as substrates revealed that the recombinant protein was able to hydrolyze the threonine phosphate. Further, a transposon insertion mutant strain of M. genitalium (TIM207) that lacks the protein MG207 showed differentially phosphorylated proteins when compared to the wild type G37 strain. Mass spectrometry revealed that some of the key proteins differentially phosphorylated in TIM207 strain were putative cytoskeletal protein encoded by the gene MG_328 and pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 α chain encoded by the gene MG_274. In addition, TIM207 was noticed to be less cytotoxic to HeLa cells and this correlated with the production of less hydrogen peroxide by this strain. This strain was also less efficient in inducing the differentiation of THP-1 cell line as compared to wild type M. genitalium.

Conclusions
The results of the study suggest that MG207 is an important signaling protein of M. genitalium and its presence may be crucial for the virulence of this species.
Dealing with missing data in the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression self-report scale: a study based on the French E3N cohort
Authors: Resseguier Noémie , Verdoux Hélène , Giorgi Roch , Clavel-Chapelon Françoise , Paoletti Xavier 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
The Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression scale (CES-D) is a validated tool commonly used to screen depressive symptoms. As with any self-administered questionnaire, missing data are frequently observed and can strongly bias any inference. The objective of this study was to investigate the best approach for handling missing data in the CES-D scale.

Methods
Among the 71,412 women from the French E3N prospective cohort (Etude Epidémiologique auprès des femmes de la Mutuelle Générale de l’Education Nationale) who returned the questionnaire comprising the CES-D scale in 2005, 45% had missing values in the scale. The reasons for failure to complete certain items were investigated by semi-directive interviews on a random sample of 204 participants. The prevalence of high depressive symptoms (score ≥16, hDS) was estimated after applying various methods for ignorable missing data including multiple imputation using imputation models with CES-D items with or without covariates. The accuracy of imputation models was investigated. Various scenarios of nonignorable missing data mechanisms were investigated by a sensitivity analysis based on the mixture modelling approach.

Results
The interviews showed that participants were not reluctant to answer the CES-D scale. Possible reasons for nonresponse were identified. The prevalence of hDS among complete responders was 26.1%. After multiple imputation, the prevalence was 28.6%, 29.8% and 31.7% for women presenting up to 4, 10 and 20 missing values, respectively. The estimates were robust to the various imputation models investigated and to the scenarios of nonignorable missing data.

Conclusions
The CES-D scale can easily be used in large cohorts even in the presence of missing data. Based on the results from both a qualitative study and a sensitivity analysis under various scenarios of missing data mechanism in a population of women, missing data mechanism does not appear to be nonignorable and estimates are robust to departures from ignorability. Multiple imputation is recommended to reliably handle missing data in the CES-D scale.
On the complexity-performance trade-off in soft-decision decoding for unequal error protection block codes
Authors: de Albuquerque Rebecca C , Cunha Daniel C , Pimentel Cecilio 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Unequal error protection (UEP) codes provide a selective level of protection for different blocks of the information message. The effectiveness of two sub-optimum soft-decision decoding algorithms, namely generalized Chase-2 and weighted erasure decoding, is evaluated in this study for each protection class of UEP block codes. The performances of both algorithms are compared to that of the maximum likelihood algorithm in order to evaluate the performance loss of each protection class provided by less complex algorithms as well as their complexities are evaluated according to the number of arithmetic operations performed at each decoding step. Finally, numerical results and examples are provided which indicate that a trade-off between performance and complexity for each protection class is obtained. The results of this study can be used to select appropriate UEP coding and decoding schemes in applications that demand low energy consumption.
IMGT/Collier-de-Perles: a two-dimensional visualization tool for amino acid domain sequences
Authors: Vlachakis Dimitrios , Feidakis Christos , Megalooikonomou Vasileios , Kossida Sophia 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
IMGT/Collier-de-Perles is a tool that allows the user to analyze and draw two-dimensional graphical representations (or IMGT Collier de Perles) of protein domains (e.g., hydropathy plots). The IMGT/Collier-de-Perles specializes in the area of immunoglobulins (IG) or antibodies, T cell receptors (TR) and major histocompatibility (MH) of human and other vertebrate species as well as other proteins of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) and of the major histocompatibility superfamily (MhSF) and related proteins of the immune system of vertebrates and invertebrates.
Drahtlose Sensorsysteme für die zustandsorientierte Instandhaltung und Logistik
Authors: Thomasius Rolf , Guttowski Stephan , Brockmann Carsten , Benecke Stephan , Kravcenko Eduard , Nachsel Roman , Niedermayer Michael 
Published: February 2013

Zusammenfassung
Die Überwachung des Maschinenzustands ist die zwingende Voraussetzung für eine zustandsorientierte Instandhaltung. Hierzu sollen energieautarke Sensorsysteme nach dem Motto “Mount and forget” völlig wartungsfrei arbeiten und müssen zudem hohen Lebensdaueranforderungen gerecht werden. Batteriebasierte Lösungen scheiden dabei in der Regel aus. Sie werden ersetzt durch Systeme zur Versorgung mit Umgebungsenergie. Dieser Beitrag stellt Projekte und realisierte energieautarke Sensorsysteme vor aus den Bereichen zustandsbasierte Instandhaltung und Logistik, bespricht deren mögliche Energiequellen sowie Ultra-Low-Power Systemlösungen.
Age-associated changes in hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular function in middle-aged and older men are modified by weight change and lifestyle factors: longitudinal results from the European Male Ageing Study
Authors: Camacho E M , Huhtaniemi I T , O'Neill T W , Finn J D , Pye S R , Lee D M , Tajar A , Bartfai G , Boonen S , Casanueva F F , Forti G , Giwercman A , Han T S , Kula K , Keevil B , Lean M E , Pendleton N , Punab M , Vanderschueren D , Wu F C W , _ _ 
Published: February 2013

ObjectiveHealth and lifestyle factors are associated with variations in serum testosterone levels in ageing men. However, it remains unclear how age-related changes in testosterone may be attenuated by lifestyle modifications. The objective was to investigate the longitudinal relationships between changes in health and lifestyle factors with changes in hormones of the reproductive endocrine axis in ageing men.DesignA longitudinal survey of 2736 community-dwelling men aged 40–79 years at baseline recruited from eight centres across Europe. Follow-up assessment occurred mean (±s.d.) 4.4±0.3 years later.ResultsPaired testosterone results were available for 2395 men. Mean (±s.d.) annualised hormone changes were as follows: testosterone −0.1±0.95 nmol/l; free testosterone (FT) −3.83±16.8 pmol/l; sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) 0.56±2.5 nmol/l and LH 0.08±0.57 U/l. Weight loss was associated with a proportional increase, and weight gain a proportional decrease, in testosterone and SHBG. FT showed a curvilinear relationship to weight change; only those who gained or lost ≥15% of weight showed a significant change (in the same direction as testosterone). Smoking cessation was associated with a greater decline in testosterone than being a non-smoker, which was unrelated to weight change. Changes in number of comorbid conditions or physical activity were not associated with significant alterations in hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular (HPT) axis function.ConclusionsBody weight and lifestyle factors influence HPT axis function in ageing. Weight loss was associated with a rise, and weight gain a fall, in testosterone, FT and SHBG. Weight management appears to be important in maintaining circulating testosterone in ageing men, and obesity-associated changes in HPT axis hormones are reversible following weight reduction.
Methods To Obtain Quick Estimates of Formation Parameters in Interference Tests Derived From Features of the Line-Source Solution—Theory and Application
Authors: Maizeret Pierre-David 
Published: February 2013

Summary
Interference testing is the oldest, but still the most effective, way of establishing communication between wells and determining the interwell-reservoir transmissibility. Yet these tests are not run frequently because often the results are difficult to analyze as a result of unforeseen complications.
This paper presents practical methods derived from the properties of the line-source solution that is used to design and interpret effective interference tests. In single-well transient tests, early-time features of the exponential integral function occur too early to be observed. However, these features appear much later in an interference test and can be used in an observation well to estimate the storativity and transmissibility ratios of the reservoir. The pressure response and the log derivative of the pressure intersect on the log-log diagnostic plot, and the pressure response itself exhibits an inflection point. With these characteristics, simple geometrical methods are proposed to estimate reservoir parameters. Moreover, a new expression of the “lag time,” or delay in the response, is formulated. The particular case of falloff or buildup is studied in detail, because the time lag in the reservoir response can bring extra information. A field example is included to demonstrate the application of these methods to actual data and their usefulness to a practicing well-test engineer.
Multiple soliton solutions for the integrable couplings of the KdV and the KP equations
Authors: Wazwaz Abdul-Majid 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
In this work, we study the nonlinear integrable couplings of the KdV and the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (KP) equations. The simplified Hirota’s method will be used for this study. We show that these couplings possess multiple soliton solutions the same as the multiple soliton solutions of the KdV and the KP equations, but differ only in the coefficients of the transformation used. This difference exhibits soliton solutions for some equations and anti-soliton solutions for others.
The Inflammatory Twitch as a General Strategy for Controlling the Host Response
Authors: Pothen Joshua J. , Poynter Matthew E. , Bates Jason H. T. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Allergic inflammation is a general host-defense mechanism for dealing with perceived foreign invaders. Although most effort has been directed toward understanding how this response gets turned on, how it gets turned off again when no longer needed is just as important to an organism’s survival. We postulate that the control of the allergic inflammatory response is achieved via frequency modulation whereby a sequence of self-resolving events is repetitively invoked only so long as Ag is present. This leads to the notion of a unitary inflammatory event that we argue has formal similarity to the skeletal muscle twitch, albeit manifest over a much longer time scale. To test the plausibility of this hypothesis, we created an agent-based computational model of the allergic inflammatory response in the lungs. Continual stimulation of the model results in cycles of tissue damage and repair interspersed with periods of nonresponsiveness indicative of a refractory period. These findings are consistent with the inflammatory twitch hypothesis and the notion that the allergic inflammatory response is controlled via frequency modulation. We speculate that chronic inflammatory diseases may represent a failure of the inflammatory twitch to resolve toward baseline.