bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estradiol promotes the development of a fibrotic phenotype and is increased in the serum of patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Aida-Yasuoka Keiko , Peoples Christine , Yasuoka Hidekata , Hershberger Pamela , Thiel Katelynn , Cauley Jane A , Medsger Thomas A , Feghali-Bostwick Carol A 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is more prevalent in women. Our goal is to determine the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) on the development of fibrosis and to compare circulating levels of estrogens in SSc patients and healthy controls.

Methods
Using primary human dermal fibroblasts, we evaluated the effect of E2 on fibronectin (FN) expression with and without the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182,780, inhibitors of signaling, propyl-pyrazole-triol, an ERα specific ligand, and genistein, an ERβ selective ligand, to identify the signaling pathways mediating E2's effect. We confirmed the fibrotic effect of E2 in human skin using an ex vivo organ culture model. Lastly, we measured levels of E2 and estrone in serum samples from SSc patients with diffuse cutaneous involvement and healthy controls using mass spectrometry.

Results
E2 increased expression of FN in dermal fibroblasts. ICI 182,780, inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate inhibitor, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor blocked the effects of E2 on FN. Propyl-pyrazole-triol, but not genistein, significantly increased FN expression. Ex vivo, E2 induced fibrosis of human skin. The effects of E2 were abrogated by ICI 182,780. Circulating levels of E2 and estrone were significantly increased in sera of patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc.

Conclusion
Our findings implicate estrogens in the fibrotic process and may explain the preponderance of SSc in women. ICI 182,780 or other ER signaling antagonists may be effective agents for the treatment of fibrosis.
Observation of Dynamic Behavior of Self-Assembled N-Icosyl-Substituted Indigo by STM
Authors: Urano Kazuki , Ohno Toshikazu , Tomono Kazuaki , Miyamura Kazuo 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Indigo dye molecules substituted by hexadecyl (C16IND) and icosyl (C20IND) chains were prepared. Crystallographic analysis revealed that C16IND tends to form lamellar structure constituted of dimers. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) also revealed that two-dimensional (2D) lamellar structure constituted of C16IND and C20IND dimers were formed at the surface as in crystal. Two different homochiral domains (λ- or δ-domain) could be distinguished by the relative orientation to underlying substrate, and there was a “mosaic region” composed of a number of small (λ/δ)-grains in the self-assembly. Furthermore, time-dependent STM observation for C20IND showed that the interconversion between grains of opposite chirality proceeded in the mosaic region while frustrated at the boundary between ordered chiral domains of opposite chirality.
Parent Assessments of Self-determination Importance and Performance for Students with Autism or Intellectual Disability
Authors: Carter Erik W. , Lane Kathleen Lynne , Cooney Molly , Weir Katherine , Moss Colleen K. , Machalicek Wendy 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Fostering student self-determination is now considered an essential element of special education and transition services for children and youth with intellectual disability and/or autism. Yet, little is known about the pivotal role parents might play beyond the school campus in fostering self-determination among their children with developmental disabilities. We examined how 627 parents of children with intellectual disability or autism attending one of 34 randomly selected school districts (a) rated the importance of 7 component skills associated with self-determination, (b) assessed their children's performance in relation to those 7 skills, and (c) evaluated the overall self-determination capacities of their children. Although parents highly valued all of the self-determination skills, the degree to which their children were reported to perform the skills well was fairly low. Several factors predicted higher levels of self-determination, including educational setting, the presence of challenging behaviors, and perceived disability severity. We conclude by offering recommendations for equipping parents to better support their children's self-determination development.
Delineating the Profile of Autism Spectrum Disorder Characteristics in Cornelia de Lange and Fragile X Syndromes
Authors: Moss Joanna , Oliver Chris , Nelson Lisa , Richards Caroline , Hall Scott 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
An atypical presentation of autism spectrum disorder is noted in Cornelia de Lange and Fragile X syndromes, but there are few detailed empirical descriptions. Participants in this study were individuals with Cornelia de Lange syndrome (n  =  130, M age  =  17.19), Fragile X syndrome (n  =  182, M age  =  16.94), and autism spectrum disorder (n  =  142, M age  =  15.19), who were comparable on chronological age. Using the Social Communication Questionnaire, the proportion meeting cutoff for autism spectrum disorder and autism was 78.6%, and 45.6%, respectively, in Cornelia de Lange syndrome and 83.6% and 48.6% in Fragile X syndrome. Domain and item analyses indicate differing, atypical autism spectrum disorder profiles in Fragile X and Cornelia de Lange syndromes. A limited association between adaptive behavior and autism spectrum disorder was identified in all groups. The findings have implications for intervention in genetic syndromes and conceptualization of autism spectrum disorder in the wider population.
The Importance of How: Directing Shakespeare with Michael Chekhov’s Technique
Authors: Cornford Tom 
Published: January 2013

In this article, Tom Cornford reflects on his experience of using approaches derived from Michael Chekhov's artistic technique to direct Shakespeare's plays. His account is contextualised with references to Chekhov's own writings and illustrated with examples of exercises developed specifically to address the challenges of finding a contemporary performance-vocabulary for Shakespeare. Cornford argues that, 'by concentrating our attention on the importance of how we work, Chekhov's technique is a means both of liberating and expanding the art of performance as well as of appreciating Shakespeare as a complete artist of the theatre.'
Rehearsal: The Pleasures of the Flesh
Authors: Conkie Rob 
Published: January 2013

This article argues that rehearsal potentially exceeds performance as a means of imaginative, affective and interpretive engagement with Shakespeare's plays. The argument is showcased through analysis of a rehearsal period for a production of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1 . Rehearsal is characterised as embodied and embedded repetition, a practice that affords intimate and unique engagement with the Shakespearean text. Moreover, rehearsal offers the opportunity, not just of repetition, but of variation, and thus the relative fixity of finished Shakespearean production is rendered more fluid by the varied experimentation-a production history all of itself-that rehearsal offers.
Shakespeare and the Lecoq Tradition
Authors: Tunstall Darren 
Published: January 2013

This essay describes how an actor trained in what I call 'the Lecoq tradition' may approach Shakespearean performance. After giving a brief context for Lecoq's influence, I indicate some ways in which the actor uses his or her body in a playful and rhythmically precise manner to construct and perform meanings in the theatre. I show how a conception of theatre as 'game' can be transposed into the dramatic dimension. The primary impulse behind Lecoq-influenced work is a search for form, and I discuss how this can reveal itself through an eclectic approach to style and genre that sometimes leads to accusations of 'intercultural tourism'. Examples of Lecoq-inflected practice are drawn from Shakespearean productions by Ariane Mnouchkine ( Richard II ) and Complicite ( The Winter's Tale, Measure for Measure ) as well as my own work for the University of Central Lancashire in Preston ( A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth ). At the close, I reflect upon some of the issues at stake in the agendas and practices of the Lecoq tradition.
When Do Politicians Lie?
Authors: Armstrong-Taylor Paul 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
When do politicians lie? A politician who admits to wrongdoing will likely suffer some loss of popularity, but probably not as great as if he denied wrong doing and was subsequently discovered to have lied. This simple observation has a number of implications. For example, a politician in a marginal seat may have little choice but to risk lying as admitting will lose him too much popularity to survive. On the other hand, a politician in a relatively safe seat might survive the loss from admitting, but not from lying and being caught. Therefore we might predict the likelihood that a politician admits to a scandal to be positively related (over some range at least) to the security of his seat. This paper tests this prediction, and some others, with data from House bank scandal of 1991-92.
Testing for the Role of Prejudice in Emergency Departments Using Bounceback Rates
Authors: Anwar Shamena , Fang Hanming 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
We propose and empirically implement a test for the presence of racial prejudice among emergency department (ED) physicians based on the bounceback rates of patients discharged after receiving diagnostic tests during their initial ED visit. A bounceback is defined as a return to the ED within 72 hours of being initially discharged. Applying the test to administrative data of ED visits from California and New Jersey, we do not find evidence of prejudice against black and Hispanic patients, but we find evidence of prejudice against Asians in California. We also find evidence of prejudice against male patients.
The automorphism group of the generalized Giulietti–Korchmáros function field
Authors: Güneri Cem , Özdemiry Mehmet , Stichtenoth Henning 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
The Giulietti-Korchmáros (GK) function field is the first example of a maximal function field which is not a subfield of the Hermitian function field over the same constant field. The generalized GK function field Cn was later introduced by Garcia, Güneri and Stichtenoth and was shown to be maximal too. In the present article we determine the automorphism group of the generalized GK function field. We prove that all the automorphisms of Cn fix the unique rational place at infinity and they are exactly the lifts of automorphisms of the Hermitian subfield Hn ⊂ Cn which fix the infinite place of Hn
Influence of spurious hemolysis on blood gas analysis
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Fontana Rossana , Avanzini Paola , Sandei Franca , Ippolito Luigi 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackground:Although the prevalence of hemolyzed samples referred for blood gas analysis is as high as 4%, no studies have assessed the bias introduced by spurious erythrocyte breakdown, nor it is known which parameters are mostly influenced and to what extent. This study was hence planned to assess the influence of spurious hemolysis on venous blood gas analysis.Methods:Venous blood was collected from nine healthy volunteers in sodium heparin tubes and divided in two aliquots of 3 mL. The former aliquot was mechanically hemolyzed by aspiration with 0.5 mL insulin syringe equipped with 30 gauge needle. One milliliter of all aliquots was tested for hemoglobin, pH, oxygen partial pressure (pO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), bicarbonate (HCO3–), oxygen tension at 50% hemoglobin saturation (p50), oxygen saturation (sO2), actual base excess (ABE), carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), methemoglobin (metHb), ionized calcium (Ca2+) and potassium, on ABL800 flex. The remaining 2 mL of blood were centrifuged, plasma separated and tested for hemolysis index.Results:The concentration of cell-free hemoglobin increased from <0.5 g/L to 8.9±1.5 g/L in hemolyzed aliquots. In hemolyzed blood, significant decreases were found for pH (−0.2%), pO2(−4.9%), sO2(−4.9%), COHb (−11%) and Ca2+(−7.0%), whereas significant increases were observed for pCO2(+4.1%), HCO3–(+1.4%) and potassium (+152%). Clinically meaningful bias was found for pO2, pCO2, Ca2+and potassium.Conclusions:Spurious hemolysis is likely to introduce meaningful biases in blood gas analysis, hence manufacturers of blood gas analyzers should develop instrumentation capable of identifying interfering substances in whole blood. The presence of spurious hemolysis should also be suspected whenever test results do not reflect the clinics.
Rate and Mechanism of Reduction-Dissolution of Chromite in Liquid Slags
Authors: Demir Orhan , Eric Rauf Hurman 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe dissolution of chromite from the Bushveld Complex of South Africa in liquid slags was studied in the temperature range 1550° to 1665°C under argon gas. The slag compositions were similar to those of ferrochromium production and stainless steel making. Empirical relations between the slag composition and the dissolution of chromite were established through the use of a statistical model. The dissolution process was investigated by using the rotating cylinder technique and measured by the chemical analysis of the samples taken from the melt and the SEM-EDAX analysis of the reacted chromite cylinder samples. The chromite grains were depleted in iron and chromium as the dissolution progressed, leaving behind an alumina and magnesia rich spinel. The experimental data was evaluated by using kinetic models and mass transfer coefficients of chromium, iron and oxygen ions through the phase boundary between the solid chromite cylinder and the liquid slag were determined.The dissolution of chromite in liquid slags increases with increasing stirring rate. SEM-EDAX studies on the reacted chromite cylinders showed that coring took place within the chromite grains subjected to dissolution for sufficient length of time. Chromium and iron concentrations in the chromite were decreasing from the centre towards the surface of the grains while aluminum and magnesium contents were increasing at the edges compared to the centre of the chromite grains. Furthermore, the slag rich in alumina and magnesia diffuses in bulk into the chromite with a net result of increase in the concentration of these elements.The rate of dissolution of chromite in liquid slags was found to be controlled by the mass transfer of oxygen ions (O2−) through the liquid phase boundary between the solid chromite and the liquid slag. The activation energy for the mass transfer of O2− ions was calculated as 30.61 kCal/mol (128.07 kJ/mol).
Unique determination of potentials and semilinear terms of
semilinear elliptic equations from partial Cauchy data
Authors: Imanuvilov Oleg , Yamamoto Masahiro 
Published: January 2013

Abstract.
For a semilinear elliptic equation, we prove
uniqueness results in determining potentials and semilinear terms
from partial Cauchy data on an arbitrary subboundary.
On a multidimensional integral equation with data supported by low-dimensional analytic manifolds
Authors: Kokurin Mikhali Y. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract.
This paper is concerned with a 3D linear integral equation of the
first kind which arises when solving nonlinear coefficient inverse
problems for second order hyperbolic PDEs. We prove that the
integral equation has at most one solution when its right part is
given on appropriate analytic 2D and 1D manifolds. As compared to
known uniqueness theorems, the dimension of a smooth manifold
supporting problem data is decreased here from four to one. As
auxiliary results, we give examples of 1D analytic manifolds of
uniqueness and examples of minimal countable sets of uniqueness
for harmonic functions in 3D domains.
Spain retains its title and sets a new record – generalized linear mixed models on European football championships
Authors: Groll Andreas , Abedieh Jasmin 
Published: January 2013

AbstractNowadays many approaches that analyze and predict the results of football matches are based on bookmakers’ ratings. It is commonly accepted that the models used by the bookmakers contain a lot of expertise as the bookmakers’ profits and losses depend on the performance of their models. One objective of this article is to analyze the role of bookmakers’ odds together with many additional, potentially influental covariates with respect to a national team’s success at European football championships and especially to detect covariates, which are able to explain parts of the information covered by the odds. Therefore a pairwise Poisson model for the number of goals scored by national teams competing in European football championship matches is used. Moreover, the generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) approach, which is a widely used tool for modeling cluster data, allows to incorporate team-specific random effects. Two different approaches to the fitting of GLMMs incorporating variable selection are used, subset selection as well as a Lasso-type technique, including an L1-penalty term that enforces variable selection and shrinkage simultaneously. Based on the two preceeding European football championships a sparse model is obtained that is used to predict all matches of the current tournament resulting in a possible course of the European football championship (EURO) 2012.
The impact of selected granulometric properties of poly(vinyl chloride) on the effectiveness of the extrusion process
Authors: Samujło Bronisław , Sikora Janusz W. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
The article presents results of a study of the effect of selected granulometric features of plastified poly(vinyl chloride) granule on the basic parameters of extrusion. In the study, it was determined how mass polymer flow rate, power supplied to the extruder, power transmitted by the polymer, unit energy consumption, and energy efficiency of the extrusion process were related to pellet length and bulk pellet density. The tests were carried out using an extruder with a screw diameter of 25 mm and a length-to-diameter ratio of 25, and involved processing of pellets of different lengths at variable rotational speeds of the screw. It was established that the granulometric features of plastified poly(vinyl chloride) considered in this study, i.e., pellet length and pellet bulk density, affect the effectiveness of the extrusion process. It was shown that best effectiveness of extrusion is achieved with the use of a granule characterized by a pellet length that is close to the other characteristic dimension of granule – its pellet diameter.
Common Variants ofDrosophila melanogasterCyp6d2 Cause Camptothecin Sensitivity and Synergize With Loss of Brca2
Authors: Thomas Adam M , Hui Carrie , South Adam , McVey Mitch 
Published: January 2013

AbstractMany chemotherapeutic agents selectively target rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells, by causing DNA damage that leads to genome instability and cell death. We used Drosophila melanogaster to study how mutations in key DNA repair genes affect an organism’s response to chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, we focused on camptothecin and its derivatives, topotecan and irinotecan, which are type I topoisomerase inhibitors that create DNA double-strand breaks in rapidly dividing cells. Here, we describe two polymorphisms in Drosophila Cyp6d2 that result in extreme sensitivity to camptothecin but not topotecan or irinotecan. We confirmed that the sensitivity was due to mutations in Cyp6d2 by rescuing the defect with a wild-type copy of Cyp6d2. In addition, we showed that combining a cyp6d2 mutation with mutations in Drosophila brca2 results in extreme sensitivity to camptothecin. Given the frequency of the Cyp6d2 polymorphisms in publcly available Drosophila stocks, our study demonstrates the need for caution when interpreting results from drug sensitivity screens in Drosophila and other model organisms. Furthermore, our findings illustrate how genetic background effects can be important when determining the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in various DNA repair mutants.
Toward a Molecular Cytogenetic Map for Cultivated Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) by Landed BAC/BIBAC Clones
Authors: Feng Jiuhuan , Liu Zhao , Cai Xiwen , Jan Chao-Chien 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Conventional karyotypes and various genetic linkage maps have been established in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., 2n = 34). However, the relationship between linkage groups and individual chromosomes of sunflower remains unknown and has considerable relevance for the sunflower research community. Recently, a set of linkage group-specific bacterial /binary bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC/BIBAC) clones was identified from two complementary BAC and BIBAC libraries constructed for cultivated sunflower cv. HA89. In the present study, we used these linkage group-specific clones (∼100 kb in size) as probes to in situ hybridize to HA89 mitotic chromosomes at metaphase using the BAC- fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. Because a characteristic of the sunflower genome is the abundance of repetitive DNA sequences, a high ratio of blocking DNA to probe DNA was applied to hybridization reactions to minimize the background noise. As a result, all sunflower chromosomes were anchored by one or two BAC/BIBAC clones with specific FISH signals. FISH analysis based on tandem repetitive sequences, such as rRNA genes, has been previously reported; however, the BAC-FISH technique developed here using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)−derived BAC/BIBAC clones as probes to apply genome-wide analysis is new for sunflower. As chromosome-specific cytogenetic markers, the selected BAC/BIBAC clones that encompass the 17 linkage groups provide a valuable tool for identifying sunflower cytogenetic stocks (such as trisomics) and tracking alien chromosomes in interspecific crosses. This work also demonstrates the potential of using a large-insert DNA library for the development of molecular cytogenetic resources.
The Effect on Concrete Resistivity of Sulfate Content in Water
Authors: Rendon Luis Emilio , Rendon Montserrat , Ramirez Norma 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTSulfate attack on concrete has been studied worldwide for more than 60 years. However, the mechanisms of attack are still not entirely understood, and deterioration of concrete from sulfates still occurs. The source of the sulfates may be either external or internal. External sources are the naturally occurring sulfates in the environment or those sulfates that are the product of industrial processes or various human activities (e.g. fertilizers often release sulfates into the soil and groundwater). Internal sources of sulfates may include the sulfates introduced in the cements from which concrete is made. The purpose of this study is to find out the amount of sulfates that concrete can withstand in the water. Standards tests have been developed to evaluate the resistance of concretes to sulfate attack. Some, but not all of these tests, take into account the mechanisms of sulfate attack so far discovered in research work. The tests range from those that monitor changes in the strength of concrete specimens after set periods of immersion in known compositions sulfate solutions, to those that use x- ray diffraction to examine concrete specimens for expansive products (e.g. ettringite and thaumasite) that have resulted from sulfate attack.