bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Varied Probability of Staying Collapsed/Extended at the Conformational Equilibrium of Monomeric Aβ40 and Aβ42
Authors: Song Wanling , Wang Yuanyuan , Colletier Jacques-Philippe , Yang Huaiyu , Xu Yechun 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn present study, we set out to investigate the conformation dynamics of Aβ40 and Aβ42 through exploring the impact of intra-molecular interactions on conformation dynamics using equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. Our 40 microsecond-scale simulations reveal heterogeneous conformation ensembles of Aβ40 and Aβ42 that encompass ~35% β-strand and ~60% unstructured coils. Two conformational states were identified in both alloforms: a collapsed state (CS) that resembles the structural motif of face-to-face hydrophobic clustering in amyloid fibrils and an extended state (ES) that features the structural characteristics of anti-parallel β-sheets in amyloid oligomers. In Aβ40, the C-terminus remains unstructured and rarely interacts with other parts, thereof the hydrophobic clustering is in loose contact and the peptide assumes ES with high probability. In contrast, the C-terminus of Aβ42 adopts a β-strand structure that strongly interacts with segments E3-R5 and V18-A21. The active association leads to a more compact hydrophobic collapse and refrain the alloform from ES. Based on the structural characterization, we propose that the fibril and oligomer assembly pathways could respectively take off from CS and ES and their aggregation propensity may be governed by the probability of visiting the corresponding conformational states at the equilibrium.
The Tie2-agonist Vasculotide rescues mice from influenza virus infection
Authors: Sugiyama Michael G. , Armstrong Susan M. , Wang Changsen , Hwang David , Leong-Poi Howard , Advani Andrew , Advani Suzanne , Zhang Haibo , Szaszi Katalin , Tabuchi Arata , Kuebler Wolfgang M. , Van Slyke Paul , Dumont Dan J. , Lee Warren L. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractSeasonal influenza virus infections cause hundreds of thousands of deaths annually while viral mutation raises the threat of a novel pandemic strain. Antiviral drugs exhibit limited efficacy unless administered early and may induce viral resistance. Thus, targeting the host response directly has been proposed as a novel therapeutic strategy with the added potential benefit of not eliciting viral resistance. Severe influenza virus infections are complicated by respiratory failure due to the development of lung microvascular leak and acute lung injury. We hypothesized that enhancing lung endothelial barrier integrity could improve the outcome. Here we demonstrate that the Tie2-agonist tetrameric peptide Vasculotide improves survival in murine models of severe influenza, even if administered as late as 72 hours after infection; the benefit was observed using three strains of the virus and two strains of mice. The effect required Tie2, was independent of viral replication and did not impair lung neutrophil recruitment. Administration of the drug decreased lung edema, arterial hypoxemia and lung endothelial apoptosis; importantly, Vasculotide is inexpensive to produce, is chemically stable and is unrelated to any Tie2 ligands. Thus, Vasculotide may represent a novel and practical therapy for severe infections with influenza.
In vivo quantification of cochlin in glaucomatous DBA/2J mice using optical coherence tomography
Authors: Wang Jianhua , Aljohani Ayman , Carreon Teresia , Gregori Giovanni , Bhattacharya Sanjoy K. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe expression of cochlin in the trabecular meshwork (TM) precedes the clinical glaucoma symptoms in DBA/2J mice. The ability to quantify cochlin in the local tissue (TM) offers potential diagnostic and prognostic values. We present two (spectroscopic and magnetomotive) optical coherence tomography (OCT) approaches for in vivo cochlin quantification in a periodic manner. The cochlin-antibody OCT signal remains stable for up to 24 hours as seen at 3.5 hours after injection allowing for repeated quantification in the living mouse eyes.
Intrinsic properties of cupric oxide nanoparticles enable effective filtration of arsenic from water
Authors: McDonald Kyle J. , Reynolds Brandon , Reddy K. J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe contamination of arsenic in human drinking water supplies is a serious global health concern. Despite multiple years of research, sustainable arsenic treatment technologies have yet to be developed. This study demonstrates the intrinsic abilities of cupric oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NP) towards arsenic adsorption and the development of a point-of-use filter for field application. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments were used to examine adsorption, desorption and readsorption of aqueous arsenite and arsenate by CuO-NP. Field experiments were conducted with a point-of-use filter, coupled with real-time arsenic monitoring, to remove arsenic from domestic groundwater samples. The CuO-NP were regenerated by desorbing arsenate via increasing pH above the zero point of charge. Results suggest an effective oxidation of arsenite to arsenate on the surface of CuO-NP. Naturally occurring arsenic was effectively removed by both as-prepared and regenerated CuO-NP in a field demonstration of the point-of-use filter. A sustainable arsenic mitigation model for contaminated water is proposed.
Lifestyle-Related Diseases Affect Surgical Outcomes after Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Sakaura Hironobu , Miwa Toshitada , Yamashita Tomoya , Kuroda Yusuke , Ohwada Tetsuo 
Published: June 2015

Study Design Retrospective study. Objective Hyperlipidemia (HL) and hypertension (HT) lead to systemic atherosclerosis. Not only atherosclerosis but also bone fragility and/or low bone mineral density result from diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The purpose of this study was to examine whether these lifestyle-related diseases affected surgical outcomes after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). Methods The subjects comprised 122 consecutive patients who underwent single-level PLIF for degenerative lumbar spinal disorders. The clinical results were assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score before surgery and at 2 years postoperatively. The fusion status was graded as union in situ, collapsed union, or nonunion at 2 years after surgery. The abdominal aorta calcification (AAC) score was assessed using preoperative lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine. Results HL did not significantly affect the JOA score recovery rate. On the other hand, HT and CKD (stage 3 to 4) had a significant adverse effect on the recovery rate. The recovery rate was also lower in the DM group than in the non-DM group, but the difference was not significant. The AAC score was negatively correlated with the JOA score recovery rate. The fusion status was not significantly affected by HL, HT, DM, or CKD; however, the AAC score was significantly higher in the collapsed union and nonunion group than in the union in situ group. Conclusions At 2 years after PLIF, the presence of HT, CKD, and AAC was associated with significantly worse clinical outcomes, and advanced AAC significantly affected fusion status.
Cervical Scoliosis: Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes
Authors: Mesfin Addisu , Bakhsh Wajeeh R. , Chuntarapas Tapanut , Riew K. Daniel 
Published: June 2015

Study Design Retrospective study. Objective Cervical scoliosis is a rare condition that can arise from various etiologies. Few reports on the surgical management of cervical scoliosis exist. Our objective was to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes following surgical management of cervical scoliosis. Methods We evaluated our cervical spine surgical database for patients with cervical scoliosis (Cobb angle > 10 degrees) from 2005 to 2010. Demographic data including age, gender, diagnoses, and primary versus revision surgery was collected. Surgical data including procedure (anterior versus posterior), estimated blood loss (EBL), length of surgery, length of hospitalization, and complications was recorded. Preoperative and postoperative Cobb angle measurements and Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores were recorded. Results Cervical scoliosis was identified in 18 patients. We excluded 5, leaving 5 men and 8 women with an average age of 50.7 (median 52, range 25 to 65). The average follow-up was 40 months (median 36.5, range 5 to 87). An anterior-only approach was used in 6 cases (average 4 levels fused), 5 cases were posterior-only approach (average 8.7 levels fused), and 2 cases were combined anterior-posterior approach. The EBL was an average of 286 mL (median 150, range 50 to 900), the average surgical time was 266 minutes (median 239, range 136 to 508), and the average hospital stay was 2.7 days (median 2, range 1 to 7). Complications occurred in 7 patients, and 2 developed adjacent segment pathology. The average coronal Cobb angle preoperatively was 35.1 degrees (median 31, range 13 to 63) and corrected was 15.7 degrees (median 10.5, range 2 to 59) postoperatively ( p < 0.005). The average NDI preoperatively was 24.9 (median 26, range 6 to 37) and was reduced to 17.8 (median 18, range 7 to 30) postoperatively ( p < 0.02). Conclusion Surgical management of cervical scoliosis can result in deformity correction and improvement in patient outcomes. Higher rates of complications may be encountered.
Factors Associated with Life Expectancy in Patients with Metastatic Spine Disease from Adenocarcinoma of the Lung
Authors: Goodwin C. Rory , Khattab Mohamed H. , Sankey Eric W. , Elder Benjamin D. , Kosztowski Thomas A. , Sarabia-Estrada Rachel , Bydon Ali , Witham Timothy F. , Wolinsky Jean-Paul , Gokaslan Ziya L. , Sciubba Daniel M. 
Published: June 2015

Study Design Retrospective study. Objective Our objective was to identify preoperative prognostic factors associated with survival in patients with spinal metastasis from lung carcinoma. Methods A retrospective analysis of 26 patients diagnosed with lung carcinoma metastatic to the spinal column was performed to determine factors associated with survival. We used 3 months survival as the clinical cutoff for whether surgical intervention should be performed. We analyzed patients who survived less than 3 months compared with those who survived more than 3 months. Demographic, preoperative, operative, and postoperative factors including functional scores were collected for analysis. Results The median survival for all patients in our study was 3.5 months. We found a statistically significant difference between the group that survived less than 3 months and the group that survived greater than 3 months in terms of extrathoracic metastasis, visceral metastasis, and average postoperative modified Rankin score. Conclusion Determining which patients with lung cancer spinal metastases will benefit from surgical intervention is often dictated by the patient's predicted life expectancy. Factors associated with poorer prognosis include age, functional status, visceral metastases, and extrathoracic metastases. Although the prognosis for patients with lung cancer spinal metastases is poor, some patients may experience long-term benefit from surgical intervention.
Ionic imbalance, in addition to molecular crowding, abates cytoskeletal dynamics and vesicle motility during hypertonic stress
Authors: Nunes Paula , Roth Isabelle , Meda Paolo , Féraille Eric , Brown Dennis , Hasler Udo 
Published: June 2015

SignificanceMaintenance of cell volume and ionic homeostasis are fundamental to cell function. Cells shrink when extracellular osmolality is increased, and although mechanisms controlling cell volume recovery are well documented, the mechanisms underlying changes in membrane trafficking that occur during adaptation to high osmolality are not well understood. Molecular crowding arising from cell shrinkage can alter protein structure and has been proposed to provoke changes in trafficking events. However, cell volume recovery involves a rapid influx of ions, and the effects of ionic imbalance on trafficking dynamics in living cells remain largely unexplored. We found that high levels of chloride and loss of ATP, in addition to molecular crowding, contribute to altered cytoskeletal and vesicular dynamics during hypertonic stress.
Analysing the moral aspect of qard: a shariah perspective
Authors: Abdullah Mohammad 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to explore the moral aspect of qard (loan) from shariah perspective, and attempts to examine whether each interest-free qard is qualified for the Quranic term qard hasan (loan par excellence)? Also, the study attempts to establish the key constituents of qard hasan in the light of the primary sources of shariah, and seeks to define the legal status of the interest-free qard which fails to qualify for the “term” qard hasan.

Design/methodology/approach
– This study uses both the primary and secondary sources of shariah to examine the desired character of qard hasan. It employs pure qualitative paradigm to analyse and interpret the data.

Findings
– This study finds that in between the qard hasan and qard ribawi, there exists a third category of qard too, which neither qualifies for the former nor does fit under the definition of later.

Originality/value
– The findings presented in this paper illuminate the blurred line of contemporary understanding of qard hasan. The study adds original value to the corpus of contemporary literature on qard; as it collects and enumerates the ten vital conditions of qard hasan, without which, even an interest-free qard holds no virtuous sanctity in the sight of shariah.
Using social welfare concepts to guarantee Islamic banks’ deposits
Authors: Maali Bassam Mohammad , Atmeh Muhannad Ahmad 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of the social welfare concepts of Takaful andTabarru’(donations) as tools to guarantee deposits in the Islamic banking industry, and the effect of such practice on the concept of risk sharing in Islamic finance.Design/methodology/approach– The study critically analyzes the Mudaraba contract used by Islamic banks to mobilize funds, the use of Profit Equalization Reserves and Investment Risk Reserves, the use of other income smoothing techniques and the insurance of Islamic banks’ by regulatory agencies in some countries based on the Takaful andTabarru’concepts.Findings– This paper shows that Islamic banks are increasingly using the concepts of Takaful andTabarru’, which are intended originally for social welfare, as tools to justify the move to more guaranteed-in-substance type of deposits, and hence, more risk shifting rather than risk sharing in the Mudaraba contract. This use, is argued, moves Islamic banking towards more market-oriented, but less Shariaa-compliant in substance.Research limitations/implications– This papers examined the behaviour of Islamic financial institutions and Islamic scholars based on the available literature. No empirical analysis was conducted.Originality/value– This paper contributes to the ongoing debate about the substance of Islamic banking transactions and the risk shifting inherent in such transactions. Furthermore, it is the first study that examines the extent of utilizing different social welfare concepts to legalize – from Shariaa perspective – Islamic banking transactions.
Integrating financial inclusion and saving motives into institutional zakat practices
Authors: Pg Md Salleh Ak Md Hasnol Alwee 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to identify how zakat institutions in Brunei can facilitate financial inclusion into their practices and assist to fulfil the saving motives of zakat recipients, notably upon creating financial products/solutions for the poor and destitute.

Design/methodology/approach
– Using mixed methods approach, structured interviews were conducted with 431 individuals (215 welfare recipients and 216 non-welfare recipients) and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 39 welfare recipients.

Findings
– This paper highlights the need for bank accounts and credit facilities that meet the needs of welfare recipients, to fulfil their daily needs, as well as saving for children/grandchildren’s education, and for welfare recipients who save.

Research limitations/implications
– Limitation includes non-random sampling.

Practical implications
– The implications of these findings point out how zakat and other social institutions in Islam can adapt to contemporary challenges in personal finance, notably in facilitating financial inclusion and understanding saving motives of recipients.

Originality/value
– This paper provides a perspective and contention for zakat institutions to adapt to contemporary aspects of personal finance, through facilitating financial inclusion and the saving motives of zakat recipients.
How and why medically-trained managers undertake postgraduate management training
Authors: Loh Erwin 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to address the research question using qualitative research methods: how and why medically trained managers choose to undertake postgraduate management training?Design/methodology/approach– This research used two qualitative methods to gather data. Both methods used purposeful sampling to select interviewees with appropriate management expertise, qualifications and experience. The first stage utilised convergent interviews and was exploratory. The five interviewees were managers and academics. The second stage used case research methodology and was confirmatory. The fifteen interviewees were medically qualified chief executives and chief medical officers. In total, 20 in-depth interviews were carried. Rigorous content analysis of data collected showed emergent themes.Findings– The first theme that emerged was that doctors move into management positions without first undertaking training. The second theme was that doctors undertake such training in the form of a masters-level degree and/or a specialist fellowship. The third theme was that effective postgraduate management training for doctors requires a combination of theory and practice. The fourth theme was that clinical experience alone does not lead to required management competencies. The fifth theme was that doctors choose to undertake training to gain credibility.Research limitations/implications– This research was exploratory and descriptive in nature and limited to analytical rather than statistical generalisation.Originality/value– This research has provided insights into the importance of understanding how and why doctors undertake postgraduate management training, and may assist policy makers and training providers in the development of such training for doctors.
Factors affecting information sharing in social networking sites amongst university students
Authors: Kim Junga , Lee Chunsik , Elias Troy 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– Drawing upon the knowledge sharing model, the purpose of this paper is to identify personal and environmental antecedents to information sharing on social networking sites (SNSs) and examines the interaction effects between the two factors.Design/methodology/approach– Data were collected via online survey with college students. Hierarchical multiple regressions were performed to test hypotheses and examine research questions.Findings– With regard to environmental factors, the more users perceive their audience to be a collection of weak ties, the more likely they are to share information on SNSs, independent of the size of their networks. Personal factors such as information self-efficacy, positive social outcome expectations, and sharing enjoyment feelings were found to be significant predictors of sharing activities. In addition, a significant interaction effect was found such that the effects of social outcome expectations on sharing activities on SNSs are manifested to a greater extent when users perceive their audience as weak ties rather than strong ties.Originality/value– This study extends the knowledge sharing model literature by applying it to the SNS context and advances SNS research by taking into consideration both environmental factors and personal factors and their interactions.
Existing plagiarism detection techniques
Authors: Eisa Taiseer Abdalla Elfadil , Salim Naomie , Alzahrani Salha 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the state-of-the-art techniques used to detect plagiarism in terms of their limitations, features, taxonomies and processes.

Design/methodology/approach
– The method used to execute this study consisted of a comprehensive search for relevant literature via six online database repositories namely; IEEE xplore, ACM Digital Library, ScienceDirect, EI Compendex, Web of Science and Springer using search strings obtained from the subject of discussion.

Findings
– The findings revealed that existing plagiarism detection techniques require further enhancements as existing techniques are incapable of efficiently detecting plagiarised ideas, figures, tables, formulas and scanned documents.

Originality/value
– The contribution of this study lies in its ability to have exposed the current trends in plagiarism detection researches and identify areas where further improvements are required so as to complement the performances of existing techniques.
Implications of scaled δ15N fractionation for community predator–prey body mass ratio estimates in size‐structured food webs
Authors: Reum Jonathan C. P. , Jennings Simon , Hunsicker Mary E. 
Published: June 2015

Summary

Nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ15N) may be used to estimate community‐level relationships between trophic level (TL) and body size in size‐structured food webs and hence the mean predator to prey body mass ratio (PPMR). In turn, PPMR is used to estimate mean food chain length, trophic transfer efficiency and rates of change in abundance with body mass (usually reported as slopes of size spectra) and to calibrate and validate food web models.

When estimating TL, researchers had assumed that fractionation of δ15N (Δδ15N) did not change with TL. However, a recent meta‐analysis indicated that this assumption was not as well supported by data as the assumption that Δδ15N scales negatively with the δ15N of prey.

We collated existing fish community δ15N–body size data for the Northeast Atlantic and tropical Western Arabian Sea with new data from the Northeast Pacific. These data were used to estimate TL–body mass relationships and PPMR under constant and scaled Δδ15N assumptions, and to assess how the scaled Δδ15N assumption affects our understanding of the structure of these food webs.

Adoption of the scaled Δδ15N approach markedly reduces the previously reported differences in TL at body mass among fish communities from different regions. With scaled Δδ15N, TL–body mass relationships became more positive and PPMR fell.

Results implied that realized prey size in these size‐structured fish communities are less variable than previously assumed and food chains potentially longer. The adoption of generic PPMR estimates for calibration and validation of size‐based fish community models is better supported than hitherto assumed, but predicted slopes of community size spectra are more sensitive to a given change or error in realized PPMR when PPMR is small.