bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thyroid volume and Doppler evaluation of inferior thyroid artery in ultrasound: Comparison between current and previous users of oral contraceptives
Authors: Garcia Tiago Severo , Rech Tatiana Helena 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundThis study aimed to compare thyroid volume and Doppler sonographic evaluation of the inferior thyroid artery using ultrasound in current and previous users of oral contraceptives (OCs).MethodsWe evaluated 119 women who either currently use (n = 66) or have previously used OCs (n = 53) using color Doppler ultrasound for thyroid volume and resistance index, peak‐systolic, and end‐diastolic velocities of the inferior thyroid artery. Previous OC users were divided into two groups: previous OC use for <1 year and previous OC use for ≥1 year.ResultsA comparison of the thyroid volume revealed an increased volume in women with previous OC use for ≥1 year and in current users compared with those with previous OC use for <1 year (previous OC use for ≥1 year: 7.49 mL versus previous OC use for <1 year: 6.13 mL; p < 0.01). The relationship between OC use and an enlarged thyroid remained after adjusting for thyroid‐stimulating hormone levels (p = 0.03). There were no differences in the inferior thyroid artery blood flow measurements.ConclusionsIn healthy women, current use and previous OC use for ≥1 year were associated with increased thyroid volume that was unrelated to increased blood flow in the gland. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 43:312–317, 2015
When do emotionally exhausted employees speak up? Exploring the potential curvilinear relationship between emotional exhaustion and voice
Authors: Qin Xin , DiRenzo Marco S. , Xu Minya , Duan Yilong 
Published: August 2014

SummaryTwo studies were conducted to address the potential nonlinear relationship between emotional exhaustion and voice. Study 1 developed and tested a model rooted in conservation of resources theory in which responses to emotional exhaustion are determined by individual‐level and group‐level conditions that influence the perceived safety and efficacy of voice and drive prohibitive voice behaviors by giving rise to either resource‐conservation‐based or resource‐acquisition‐based motivation. Specifically, there was a curvilinear (U‐shaped) relationship between emotional exhaustion and prohibitive voice under conditions of (i) high job security and (ii) high interactional justice climate, but a linearly negative relationship when these resources were low. Study 2 replicated and extended these findings to include an empirical examination of these effects on promotive versus prohibitive voice. Results confirmed the findings of Study 1, provided evidence of differences in the nomological networks of promotive and prohibitive voice, and indicated that prohibitive voice is more salient to the experience of high emotional strain. Implications of the findings and areas for future research are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of solid‐phase extraction for the concentration of chromophores, fluorophores, and photosensitizers from lens protein digests
Authors: Argirov Ognyan K. , Hubenova Yolina , Argirova Mariana D. 
Published: August 2014

Solid‐phase extraction was applied for the separation of protein digests obtained from aged human lenses, cataractous human lenses, calf lens proteins in vitro glycated with dehydroascorbic acid and native calf lens proteins. Four fractions were collected after stepwise elution with different solvents. The first fraction contained about 80% of the digested material possessing free amino groups. At the same time, the third and the fourth fractions were enriched in chromophores, fluorophores, and photosensitizing structures that originate mainly from advanced protein glycation. The comparison between the total digest and the fourth fraction based on their UV absorption at 330 nm, intensity of fluorescence (excitation/emission 350/450 nm), and production of singlet oxygen upon UVA irradiation argues that the solid‐phase extraction was capable of concentrating the advanced glycation end‐products about a hundredfold. Thus, this technique is a useful step for separation and concentration of fluorophores, chromophores, and photosensitizers from aged and glycated lens protein digests.
A high‐resolution local RBF collocation method for steady‐state poroelasticity and hydromechanical damage analysis
Authors: Stevens D. , Power H. , Polanco J. , Cliffe A. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryIn this work, we describe a meshless numerical method based on local collocation with RBFs for the solution of the poroelasticity equation. The RBF finite collocation approach forms a series of overlapping nodal stencils, over which an RBF collocation is performed. These local collocation systems enforce the governing PDE operator throughout their interior, with the intersystem communication occurring via the collocation of field variables at the stencil periphery. The method does not rely on a generalised finite differencing approach, whereby the governing partial differential operator is reconstructed at the global level to drive the solution of the PDE. Instead, the PDE governing and boundary operators are enforced directly within the local RBF collocation systems, and the sparse global assembly is formed by reconstructing the value of the field variables at the centrepoint of the local stencils. In this way, the solution of the PDE is driven entirely by the local RBF collocation, and the method more closely resembles the approach of the full‐domain RBF collocation method. By formulating the problem in this fashion, high rates of convergence may be attained without the computational cost and numerical ill‐conditioning issues that are associated with the full‐domain RBF collocation approach.An analytical solution is formulated for a 2D poroelastic fluid injection scenario and is used to verify the proposed implementation of the method. Highly accurate solutions are produced, and convergence rates in excess of sixth order are observed for each field variable (i.e. pressure and displacement) and field‐variable derivative (i.e. pressure gradients and stresses). The stress and displacement fields resulting from the solution of the poroelasticity equation are then used to describe the formation and propagation of microfractures and microfissures, which may form in the presence of large shear strain, in terms of a continuous damage variable which modifies the mechanical and hydraulic properties of the porous medium. The formation of such hydromechanical damage, and the resulting increase in hydraulic conductivity, is investigated for a pressurised injection into sandstone. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Germline SMARCE1 mutations predispose to both spinal and cranial clear cell meningiomas
Authors: Smith Miriam J , Wallace Andrew J , Bennett Chris , Hasselblatt Martin , Elert‐Dobkowska Ewelina , Evans Linton T , Hickey William F , van Hoff Jack , Bauer David , Lee Amy , Hevner Robert F , Beetz Christian , du Plessis Daniel , Kilday John‐Paul , Newman William G , Evans D Gareth 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWe recently reported SMARCE1 mutations as a cause of spinal clear cell meningiomas. Here, we have identified five further cases with non‐NF2 spinal meningiomas and six with non‐NF2 cranial meningiomas. Three of the spinal cases and three of the cranial cases were clear cell tumours. We screened them for SMARCE1 mutations and investigated copy number changes in all point mutation‐negative samples. We identified two novel mutations in individuals with spinal clear cell meningiomas and three mutations in individuals with cranial clear cell meningiomas. Copy number analysis identified a large deletion of the 5′ end of SMARCE1 in two unrelated probands with spinal clear cell meningiomas. Testing of affected and unaffected relatives of one of these individuals identified the same deletion in two affected female siblings and their unaffected father, providing further evidence of incomplete penetrance of meningioma disease in males. In addition, we found loss of SMARCE1 protein in three of 10 paraffin‐embedded cranial clear cell meningiomas. Together, these results demonstrate that loss of SMARCE1 is relevant to cranial as well as spinal meningiomas. Our study broadens the spectrum of mutations in the SMARCE1 gene and expands the phenotype to include cranial clear cell meningiomas. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
NMR characterization of the conformational fluctuations of the human lymphocyte function‐associated antigen‐1 I‐domain
Authors: Leung Hoi Tik Alvin , Kukic Predrag , Camilloni Carlo , Bemporad Francesco , De Simone Alfonso , Aprile Francesco A. , Kumita Janet R. , Vendruscolo Michele 
Published: August 2014

AbstractLymphocyte function‐associated antigen‐1 (LFA‐1) is an integrin protein that transmits information across the plasma membrane through the so‐called inside‐out and outside‐in signaling mechanisms. To investigate these mechanisms, we carried out an NMR analysis of the dynamics of the LFA‐1 I‐domain, which has enabled us to characterize the motions of this domain on a broad range of timescales. We studied first the internal motions on the nanosecond timescale by spin relaxation measurements and model‐free analysis. We then extended this analysis to the millisecond timescale motions by measuring 15N‐1H residual dipolar couplings of the backbone amide groups. We analyzed these results in the context of the three major conformational states of the I‐domain using their corresponding X‐ray crystallographic structures. Our results highlight the importance of the low‐frequency motions of the LFA‐1 I‐domain in the inactive apo‐state. We found in particular that α‐helix 7 is in a position in the apo‐closed state that cannot be fully described by any of the existing X‐ray structures, as it appears to be in dynamic exchange between different conformations. This type of motion seems to represent an inherent property of the LFA‐1 I‐domain and might be relevant for controlling the access to the allosteric binding pocket, as well as for the downward displacement of α‐helix 7 that is required for the activation of LFA‐1.
Controlling and Monitoring Stem Cell Safety In Vivo in an Experimental Rodent Model
Authors: Leten Cindy , Roobrouck Valerie D. , Struys Tom , Burns Terry C. , Dresselaers Tom , Vande Velde G. , Santermans Jeanine , Lo Nigro Antonio , Ibrahimi Abdelilah , Gijsbers Rik , Eggermont Kristel , Lambrichts Ivo , Verfaillie Catherine M. , Himmelreich Uwe 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAdult stem cells have been investigated increasingly over the past years for multiple applications. Although they have a more favorable safety profile compared to pluripotent stem cells, they are still capable of self-renewal and differentiate into several cell types. We investigated the behavior of Oct4-positive (Oct4+) and Oct4-negative (Oct4−) murine or rat bone marrow (BM)-derived stem cells in the healthy brain of syngeneic mice and rats. Engraftment of mouse and rat Oct4-positive BM-derived hypoblast-like stem cells (m/rOct4+ BM-HypoSCs) resulted in yolk-sac tumor formation in the healthy brain which was monitored longitudinally using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bioluminescence imaging (BLI). Contrast enhanced MRI confirmed the disruption of the blood brain barrier. In contrast, m/r Oct4-negative BM-derived multipotent adult progenitor cells (m/rOct4− BM-MAPCs) did not result in mass formation after engraftment into the brain. mOct4+ BM-HypoSCs and mOct4− BM-MAPCs were transduced to express enhanced green fluorescent protein, firefly luciferase (fLuc), and herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase to follow up suicide gene expression as a potential “safety switch” for tumor-forming stem cells by multimodal imaging. Both cell lines were eradicated efficiently in vivo by ganciclovir administration indicating successful suicide gene expression in vivo, as assessed by MRI, BLI, and histology. The use of suicide genes to prevent tumor formation is in particular of interest for therapeutic approaches where stem cells are used as vehicles to deliver therapeutic genes. Stem Cells 2014;32:2833–2844
Model‐based testing for concurrent systems with labelled event structures
Authors: de León Hernán Ponce , Haar Stefan , Longuet Delphine 
Published: August 2014

SUMMARYWe propose a theoretical testing framework and a test generation algorithm for concurrent systems specified with true‐concurrency models, such as Petri nets or networks of automata. The semantic model of computation of such formalisms is labelled event structures, which allow to represent concurrency explicitly. We introduce the notions of strong and weak concurrency: strongly concurrent events must be concurrent in the implementation, while weakly concurrent ones may eventually be ordered. The ioco type conformance relations for sequential systems rely on the observation of sequences of actions and blockings; thus, they are not capable of capturing and exploiting concurrency of non‐sequential behaviours. We propose an extension of ioco for labelled event structures, named co‐ioco, allowing to deal with strong and weak concurrency. We extend the notions of test cases and test execution to labelled event structures and give a test generation algorithm building a complete test suite for co‐ioco. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical Outcome in Acute Small Bowel Obstruction after Surgical or Conservative Management
Authors: Meier Raphael P. H. , de Saussure Wassila Oulhaci , Orci Lorenzo A. , Gutzwiller Eveline M. , Morel Philippe , Ris Frédéric , Schwenter Frank 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundSmall bowel obstruction (SBO) is characterized by a high rate of recurrence. In the present study, we aimed to compare the outcomes of patients managed either by conservative treatment or surgical operation for an episode of SBO.MethodsThe outcomes of all patients hospitalized at a single center for acute SBO between 2004 and 2007 were assessed. The occurrence of recurrent hospitalization, surgery, SBO symptoms at home, and mortality was determined.ResultsAmong 221 patients admitted with SBO, 136 underwent a surgical procedure (surgical group) and 85 were managed conservatively (conservative group). Baseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups. The median follow‐up time (interquartile range) was 4.7 (3.7–5.8) years. Nineteen patients (14.0 %) of the surgical group were hospitalized for recurrent SBO versus 25 (29.4 %) of the conservative group [hazard ratio (HR), 0.5; 95 % CI, 0.3–0.9]. The need for a surgical management of a new SBO episode was similar between the two groups, ten patients (7.4 %) in the surgical group and six patients (7.1 %) in the conservative group (HR, 1.1; 95 % CI, 0.4–3.1). Five‐year mortality from the date of hospital discharge was not significantly different between the two groups (age‐ and sex‐adjusted HR, 1.1; 95 % CI, 0.6–2.1). A follow‐up evaluation was obtained for 130 patients. Among them, 24 patients (34.8 %) of the surgical group and 35 patients (57.4 %) of the conservative group had recurrent SBO symptoms (odds ratio, 0.4; 95 % CI, 0.2–0.8).ConclusionsThe recurrence of SBO symptoms and new hospitalizations were significantly lower after surgical management of SBO compared with conservative treatment.
Enhanced biotransformation of dehydroepiandrosterone to 3β,7α,15α-trihydroxy-5-androsten-17-one with Gibberella intermedia CA3-1 by natural oils addition
Authors: Li Heng , Fu Zhenzhen , Li Hui , Zhang Xiaomei , Shi Jinsong , Xu Zhenghong 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Dihydroxylation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an essential step in the synthesis of many important pharmaceutical intermediates. However, the solution to the problem of low biohydroxylation conversion in the biotransformation of DHEA has yet to be found. The effects of natural oils on the course of dihydroxylation of DHEA to 3β,7α,15α-trihydroxy-5-androsten-17-one (7α,15α-diOH-DHEA) were studied. With rapeseed oil (2 %, v/v) addition, the bioconversion efficiency was improved, and the 7α,15α-diOH-DHEA yield was increased by 40.8 % compared with that of the control at DHEA concentration of 8.0 g/L. Meantime, the ratio of 7α,15α-diOH-DHEA to 7α-OH-DHEA was also increased by 4.5 times in the rapeseed oil-containing system. To explain the mechanism underlying the increase of 7α,15α-diOH-DHEA yield, the effects of rapeseed oil on the pH of the bioconversion system, the cell growth and integrity of Gibberella intermedia CA3-1, as well as the membrane composition were systematically studied. The addition of rapeseed oil enhanced the substrate dispersion and maintained the pH of the system during bioconversion. Cells grew better with favorable integrity. The fatty acid profile of G. intermedia cells revealed that rapeseed oil changed the cell membrane composition and improved cell membrane permeability for lipophilic substrates.
Infrastructure and climate change: a study of impacts and adaptations in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia
Authors: Chinowsky Paul S. , Schweikert Amy E. , Strzepek Niko L. , Strzepek Ken 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The African Development Bank has called for $40 Billion USD per year over the coming decades to be provided to African countries to address development issues directly related to climate change. The current study addresses a key component of these issues, the effect of climate change on the road infrastructure of Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. The study incorporates a stressor-response approach to estimate the effects of projected precipitation, temperature, and flooding changes on the paved and unpaved road infrastructure of these countries. The paper highlights the result of running 425 climate scenarios for each road type and policy option from 2010 to 2050. Based on this broad analysis, it is estimated that the three southern African countries are facing a potential $596 million price tag based on median climate scenarios to maintain and repair roads as a result of damages directly related to temperature and precipitation changes from potential climate change through 2050. The challenge for policy makers is to determine the potential risk that a country is facing based on the uncertainties associated with the multiple aspects of climate change modeling.
Effects of Different Oil Sources and Residues on Biomass and Metabolite Production by Yarrowia lipolytica YB 423‐12
Authors: Saygün Ayşe , Şahin‐Yeşilçubuk Neşe , Aran Necla 
Published: August 2014

AbstractYarrowia lipolytica is known to have the ability to assimilate hydrophobic substrates like triglycerides, fats, and oils, and to produce single‐cell oils, lipases, and organic acids. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different oil sources (borage, canola, sesame, Echium, and trout oils) and oil industry residues (olive pomace oil, hazelnut oil press cake, and sunflower seed oil cake) on the growth, lipid accumulation, and lipase and citric acid production by Y. lipolytica YB 423‐12. The maximum biomass and lipid accumulation were observed with linseed oil. Among the tested oil sources and oil industry residues, hazelnut oil press cake was the best medium for lipase production. The Y. lipolytica YB 423‐12 strain produced 12.32 ± 1.54 U/mL (lipase activity) of lipase on hazelnut oil press cake medium supplemented with glucose. The best substrate for citric acid production was found to be borage oil, with an output of 5.34 ± 0.94 g/L. The biotechnological production of valuable metabolites such as single‐cell oil, lipase, and citric acid could be achieved by using these wastes and low‐cost substrates with this strain. Furthermore, the cost of the bio‐process could also be significantly reduced by the utilization of various low‐cost raw materials, residues, wastes, and renewable resources as substrates for this yeast.
Thermal Stability of Rapeseed Oil Fortified with Unsaturated Fatty Acid Sterol Esters
Authors: Qianchun Deng , Jie Shi , Mingming Zheng , Jiqu Xu , Chuyun Wan , Qingde Huang , Qi Zhou , Pingmei Guo , Fenghong Huang , Lan Wang , Hui Tian 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe thermal stability of rapeseed oil fortified with 3 % sterol linolenate, sterol linoleate, and sterol oleate was investigated using the Rancimat accelerated oxidation method. The results indicated that the sterol ester content in fortified oil displayed positive correlations (P < 0.05) with total phenols and tocopherols and significant negative correlations (P < 0.05) with acid value (AV), peroxide value (POV), conjugated diene value, value, viscosity, and polyphenols and γ‐tocopherol levels. The sterol ester content in fortified oil was found to significantly decrease when the oil was heated at 110 °C. The rate of increase of the AV, POV, value, and viscosity, and the rate of decrease of polyunsaturated fatty acid, tocopherol, and polyphenol contents were accelerated with the increase of the degree of unsaturation of fatty acid sterol esters in rapeseed oil during heating. Therefore, the oxidative stability is further reduced by increasing the degree of unsaturation, as the instability of fortified oil is mainly due to the decomposition of unsaturated fatty acid sterol esters. The addition of lipid‐soluble polyphenols is an effective method to improve the stability of rapeseed oil fortified with unsaturated fatty acid sterol esters.
The relationship between perceived emotional intelligence and depressive symptomatology: The mediating role of perceived stress
Authors: Lombas Andrés S. , Martín‐Albo José , Valdivia‐Salas Sonsoles , Jiménez Teresa I. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the mediating role of perceived stress in the relationship between perceived emotional intelligence and depressive symptoms in adolescence. A total of 661 high school Spanish students participated in the study. The analyses indicated that the effects of each of the perceived emotional intelligence sub‐scales (namely, Attention, Clarity and Repair) on depressive symptomatology were partially mediated by perceived stress. Specifically, the mediating effect was negative for Clarity and Repair, but positive for attention. The analysis also showed that the direct effects were positive for all sub‐scales. These results suggest that the promotion of stress management skills may be core in the development of prevention and treatment programs for depression in adolescents, and possibly more beneficial than the promotion of emotion regulation skills. Our findings, along with previous evidence, suggest that emotional attention, as measured in the present study, may be targeting a pathological type of attention.
High performance current and spin diode of atomic carbon chain between transversely symmetric ribbon electrodes
Authors: Dong Yao-Jun , Wang Xue-Feng , Yang Shuo-Wang , Wu Xue-Mei 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWe demonstrate that giant current and high spin rectification ratios can be achieved in atomic carbon chain devices connected between two symmetric ferromagnetic zigzag-graphene-nanoribbon electrodes. The spin dependent transport simulation is carried out by density functional theory combined with the non-equilibrium Green's function method. It is found that the transverse symmetries of the electronic wave functions in the nanoribbons and the carbon chain are critical to the spin transport modes. In the parallel magnetization configuration of two electrodes, pure spin current is observed in both linear and nonlinear regions. However, in the antiparallel configuration, the spin-up (down) current is prohibited under the positive (negative) voltage bias, which results in a spin rectification ratio of order 104. When edge carbon atoms are substituted with boron atoms to suppress the edge magnetization in one of the electrodes, we obtain a diode with current rectification ratio over 106.