bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic and Pathotypic Characterization of Newcastle Disease Viruses Circulating in West Africa and Efficacy of a Current Vaccine
Authors: Samuel Arthur , Nayak Baibaswata , Paldurai Anandan , Xiao Sa , Aplogan Gilbert L. , Awoume Kodzo A. , Webby Richard J. , Ducatez Mariette F. , Collins Peter L. , Samal Siba K. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT
Newcastle disease (ND) is a deadly avian disease worldwide. In Africa, ND is enzootic and causes large economic losses, but little is known about the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains circulating in African countries. In this study, 27 NDV isolates collected from apparently healthy chickens in live-bird markets of the West African countries Benin and Togo in 2009 were characterized. All isolates had polybasic fusion (F)-protein cleavage sites and were shown to be highly virulent in standard pathogenicity assays. Infection of 2-week-old chickens with two of the isolates resulted in 100% mortality within 4 days. Phylogenetic analysis of the 27 isolates based on a partial F-protein gene sequence identified three clusters: one containing all the isolates from Togo and one from Benin (cluster 2), one containing most isolates from Benin (cluster 3), and an outlier isolate from Benin (cluster 1). All the three clusters are related to genotype VII strains of NDV. In addition, the cluster of viruses from Togo contained a recently identified 6-nucleotide insert between the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and large polymerase (L) genes in a complete genome of an NDV isolate from this geographical region. Multiple strains that include this novel element suggest local emergence of a new genome length class. These results reveal genetic diversity within and among local NDV populations in Africa. Sequence analysis showed that the F and HN proteins of six West African isolates share 83.2 to 86.6% and 86.5 to 87.9% identities, respectively, with vaccine strain LaSota, indicative of considerable diversity. A vaccine efficacy study showed that the LaSota vaccine protected birds from morbidity and mortality but did not prevent shedding of West African challenge viruses.
Real-Time PCR Quantification of Methanobrevibacter oralis in Periodontitis
Authors: Bringuier Amélie , Khelaifia Saber , Richet Hervé , Aboudharam Gérard , Drancourt Michel 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

A real-time PCR assay developed to quantify
Methanobrevibacter oralis
indicated that its inoculum significantly correlated with periodontitis severity (
P
= 0.003), despite a nonsignificant difference in prevalence between controls (3/10) and patients (12/22) (
P
= 0.2, Fisher test). The
M. oralis
load can be used as a biomarker for periodontitis.
Dissecting the Role of COPI Complexes in Influenza Virus Infection
Authors: Sun Eileen , He Jiang , Zhuang Xiaowei 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT
As an obligate pathogen, influenza virus requires host cell factors and compartments to mediate productive infection and to produce infectious progeny virus. Recently, several small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown screens revealed influenza virus host dependency proteins, all of which identified at least two subunits of the coat protein I (COPI) complex. COPI proteins oligomerize to form coated vesicles that transport contents between the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum, and they have also been reported to mediate endosomal trafficking. However, it remains unclear which steps in the influenza virus infection cycle rely on the COPI complex. Upon systematic dissection of the influenza virus infection cycle, from entry to progeny virion production, we found that prolonged exposure to COPI complex disruption through siRNA depletion resulted in significant defects in virus internalization and trafficking to late endosomes. Acute inhibition of COPI complex recruitment to the Golgi apparatus with pharmacological compounds failed to recapitulate the same entry defects as observed with the COPI-depleted cells but did result in specific decreases in viral membrane protein expression and assembly, leading to defects in progeny virion production. Taken together, our findings suggest that COPI complexes likely function indirectly in influenza virus entry but play direct roles in viral membrane protein expression and assembly.
Peptide length determines the outcome of TCR/peptide-MHCI engagement
Authors: Ekeruche-Makinde Julia , Miles John J. , van den Berg Hugo A. , Skowera Ania , Cole David K. , Dolton Garry , Schauenburg Andrea J. A. , Tan Mai Ping , Pentier Johanne M. , Llewellyn-Lacey Sian , Miles Kim M. , Bulek Anna M. , Clement Mathew , Williams Tamsin , Trimby Andrew , Bailey Mick , Rizkallah Pierre , Rossjohn Jamie , Peakman Mark , Price David A. , Burrows Scott R. , Sewell Andrew K. , Wooldridge Linda 
Published: December 2012

Key Points
MHCI-restricted TCRs exhibit an explicit preference for a single MHCI-peptide length. Effective CD8+ T-cell immunity can only be achieved by length-matched Ag-specific T-cell clonotypes.
Information Acquisition During Online Decision Making: A Model-Based Exploration Using Eye-Tracking Data
Authors: Shi Savannah Wei , Wedel Michel , Pieters F. G. M. (Rik) 
Published: December 2012

We propose a model of eye-tracking data to understand information acquisition patterns on attribute-by-product matrices, which are common in online choice environments such as comparison websites. The objective is to investigate how consumers gather product and attribute information from moment to moment. We propose a hierarchical hidden Markov model that consists of three connected layers: a lower layer that describes the eye movements, a middle layer that identifies information acquisition processes, and an upper layer that captures strategy switching. The proposed model accounts for the data better than several alternative models. The results show that consumers switch frequently between acquisition strategies, and they obtain information on only two or three attributes or products in a particular acquisition strategy before switching. Horizontal and contiguous eye movements play an important role in information acquisition. Furthermore, our results shed new light on the phenomenon of gaze cascades during choice. We discuss the implications for Web design, online retailing, and new directions for research on online choice. This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta, marketing.
State Medicaid Spending and Financial Burden of Families Raising Children with Autism
Authors: Parish Susan L. , Thomas Kathleen C. , Rose Roderick , Kilany Mona , Shattuck Paul T. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
We examined the association between state Medicaid spending for children with disabilities and the financial burden reported by families of children with autism. Child and family data were from the 2005–2006 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (n  =  2,011 insured children with autism). State characteristics were from public sources. The 4 outcomes included any out-of-pocket health care expenditures during the past year, expenditure amount, expenditures as a proportion of family income, and whether additional income was needed to care for a child. We modeled the association between state per capita Medicaid spending for children with disabilities and families' financial burden, controlling for child, family, and state characteristics. Overall, 78% of families raising children with autism had health care expenditures for their child for the prior 12 months; 42% reported expenditures over $500, with 34% spending over 3% of their income. Families living in states with higher per capita Medicaid spending for children with disabilities were significantly less likely to report financial burden. There is a robust relationship between state Medicaid spending for children with disabilities and the financial burdens incurred by families raising children with autism.
Thinking About Challenging Behavior: A Repertory Grid Study of Inpatient Staff Beliefs
Authors: Hare Dougal Julian , Durand Marianne , Hendy Steve , Wittkowski Anja 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Studies examining staff attitudes toward people with intellectual disability have traditionally used pre-determined categories and models or been open to researcher bias. The use of methods derived from personal construct psychology permits an objective investigation of staff views and attitudes without such limitations. Fourteen staff from an inpatient intellectual disability service were interviewed about their perceptions of clients with challenging behavior primarily using the repertory grid technique as developed from personal construct theory. Staff was found to construe their clients and their behaviors in a heterogeneous manner that was not readily reducible to a group average, and they did not make or use attributions about them in a consistent manner. Future research should incorporate work culture and the staff–client relationship. The results have implications for clinical decision making, team working, and clinical supervision.
Refining Diagnostic MicroRNA Signatures by Whole-miRNome Kinetic Analysis in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Vogel Britta , Keller Andreas , Frese Karen S , Kloos Wanda , Kayvanpour Elham , Sedaghat-Hamedani Farbod , Hassel Sarah , Marquart Sabine , Beier Markus , Giannitsis Evangelos , Hardt Stefan , Katus Hugo A , Meder Benjamin 
Published: December 2012

BACKGROUND
Alterations in microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns in whole blood may be useful biomarkers of diverse cardiovascular disorders. We previously reported that miRNAs are significantly dysregulated in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and applied machine-learning techniques to define miRNA subsets with high diagnostic power for AMI diagnosis. However, the kinetics of the time-dependent sensitivity of these novel miRNA biomarkers remained unknown.

METHODS
To characterize temporal changes in the expressed human miRNAs (miRNome), we performed here the first whole-genome miRNA kinetic study in AMI patients. We measured miRNA expression levels at multiple time points (0, 2, 4, 12, 24 h after initial presentation) in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction by using microfluidic primer extension arrays and quantitative real-time PCR. As a prerequisite, all patients enrolled had to have cardiac troponin T concentrations &lt;50 ng/L on admission as measured with a high-sensitivity assay.

RESULTS
We found a subset of miRNAs to be significantly dysregulated both at initial presentation and during the course of AMI. Additionally, we identified novel miRNAs that are dysregulated early during myocardial infarction, such as miR-1915 and miR-181c*.

CONCLUSIONS
The present proof-of-concept study provides novel insights into the dynamic changes of the human miRNome during AMI.
Water Maze Testing to Identify Compounds for Cognitive Enhancement
Authors: Rose Gregory M. , Rowe Wayne B. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe water maze task is widely used to evaluate spatial learning and memory in rodents. The basic paradigm requires an animal to swim in a pool until it finds a hidden escape platform. The animals learn to find the platform using extra‐maze cues and, after several training trials, are able to swim directly to it from any starting location. Memory for the platform location is assessed by examining swimming behavior with the platform removed from the maze, while sensory, motor and motivational aspects of the task can be examined by making the platform visible to the animals. Described in this unit is the use of the water maze to identify rats with age‐related spatial learning and memory impairments. The efficacy of potential pharmacological treatments for alleviating these deficits is then evaluated. This assay provides a means for studying the neurobiology of spatial learning and memory, and to identify potential pharmacotherapies for treating memory‐impaired humans. While the use of aged rats is described in this unit, the protocol can also be employed for compound screening with other rodent models that have spatial learning and memory impairments, such as transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol. 59:5.63.1‐5.63.12. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Magnetic properties and domain structure of nonoriented electrical steel under stress
Authors: Senda Kunihiro , Fujita Akira , Honda Atsuhito , Kuroki Naoki , Yagi Masaaki 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe influence of stresses on the magnetic properties of nonoriented electrical steels was studied. The dependence of iron loss on compressive stress was affected by grain size. The magnetic polarization J in strong magnetic fields such as 5000 and 10,000 A/m increased due to compressive stresses and decreased due to tensile stresses in samples with low Si content. Using Kerr‐effect domain observation, it was found that the reduction in J caused by tensile stresses was attributable to residual striped domains. Magnetostriction measurements in strong magnetic fields indicated that the increase in J under compressive stresses originated from the Villari effect (inverse magnetostrictive effect) due to negative magnetostriction in low‐Si materials. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 182(4): 10–18, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22320
DC‐linked hybrid generation system with an energy storage device including photovoltaic generation and gas engine cogeneration for residential houses
Authors: Lung Chienru , Miyake Shota , Kakigano Hiroaki , Miura Yushi , Ise Toshifumi , Momose Toshinari , Hayakawa Hideki 
Published: December 2012

AbstractFor the past few years, hybrid generation systems including solar panel and gas cogeneration have been used for residential houses. Solar panels can generate electronic power at daytime but not at night. But the power consumption of residential houses usually peaks in the evening. The gas engine cogeneration system can generate electronic power without such a restriction, and it also can generate heat power to warm up a house or to produce hot water. In this paper we propose a solar panel and gas engine cogeneration hybrid system with an energy storage device, combined by a DC bus. If a blackout occurs, the system still can supply electronic power for special house loads. We propose a control scheme for the system related to the charging level of the energy storage device and the voltage of the utility grid, which can be applied to both grid‐connected and standalone operation. Finally, we report experiments designed to demonstrate system operation and calculations for loss estimation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 182(4): 29–46, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com).DOI 10.1002/eej.22321
A basic study toward optimization of LFC resources in future power systems
Authors: Kataoka Yoshihiko , Masuda Ryoichi , Sugita Shinya 
Published: December 2012

AbstractLoad frequency control (LFC) in future power systems, in which a large amount of solar photovoltaic generation is introduced, is studied. The constraints on LFC resources are classified as rate, simple, and energy limits. First, the nonlinear transfer functions of the limiters are modeled using random noise input. Second, the transfer functions of limiters are characterized by the coefficients of necessary facilities (CoNF). Third, the appropriateness of the concept and the identified value of CoNF is demonstrated through numerical simulations using a simple power system model. A way to control the contribution of existing and introduced resources to regulation of frequency fluctuation is proposed and demonstrated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 182(4): 47–59, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22355
Alkaline hydrolysis of ethiofencarb: Kinetic study and mechanism degradation
Authors: Ouertani Randa , El Atrache Latifa Latrous , Hamida Nejib Ben 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe present paper deals with the hydrolysis of ethiofencarb [2‐ethylthiomethyl(phenyl)‐N‐methylcarbamate] in alkaline solution. The reaction kinetics has been investigated using spectrophotometric and liquid chromatographic techniques. The rate constants were determined following a proposed first‐order kinetic model. The positive activation entropy Δ S≠ = +100.07 J mol−1 K−1 and the absence of general basic catalysis indicated an E1cB hydrolytic mechanism, involving the formation of methyl isocyanate. This result was confirmed by the fact that ethiofencarb fits well into Brönsted and Hammett lines, obtained for a series of substituted N‐methylcarbamate whose decomposition in aqueous media was established to follow an E1cB mechanism. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 45: 118–124, 2013
Synthesis and Characterization of Polysulfone/POSS Hybrid Networks by Photoinduced Crosslinking Polymerization
Authors: Dizman Cemil , Uyar Tamer , Tasdelen Mehmet Atilla , Yagci Yusuf 
Published: December 2012

AbstractCrosslinked polysulfone/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) hybrid networks were synthesized in this work by photoinduced copolymerization of polysulfone dimethacrylate (PSU‐DMA) and multifunctional POSS‐methacrylamide (POSS‐MAAm) with various feed ratios. The morphology of the nanocomposites was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which suggests the random dispersion of POSS in the PSU matrix without macroscopic agglomeration. Thermogravimetric analysis results confirmed that the thermal stability and char yield of PSU‐DMA/POSS‐MAAm nanocomposites increased with the increase of POSS loading. Enhanced glass transition temperatures and storage modulus of the networks were observed to be higher than its precursor polymer.
Increased Prostaglandin Response to Oxytocin in Ewes Fed a Diet High in Omega‐6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
Authors: Gulliver Catherine E. , Friend Michael A. , King Belinda J. , Robertson Susan M. , Wilkins John F. , Clayton Edward H. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDiets high in omega‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐6) are associated with increased prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) synthesis in cattle, however, the specific effects on the potential prostaglandin response to an oxytocin challenge in sheep have not been reported. The aim of the current study was to determine whether oxytocin‐stimulated PGF2α was significantly increased when ewes were fed a diet high in n‐6 compared with a control diet low in n‐6. Merino x Border Leicester ewes (n = 30) received one of two dietary treatments, either high in n‐6 (70 % oat grain) or low in n‐6 (control diet, 100 % cereal/legume silage). Ewes consumed the diets for 44 days prior to two consecutive oxytocin challenges. Plasma n‐6 and PGF2α metabolite (PGFM) concentrations following oxytocin challenge were greater (P < 0.05) when ewes were fed a diet high in n‐6 compared with the control diet. A higher availability of n‐6 may have lead to an increased in vivo synthesis of PGF2α, however, further research is required to determine the exact mechanisms involved.
Insights into Holocene megafauna survival and extinction in southeastern Brazil from new AMS 14C dates
Authors: Hubbe Alex , Hubbe Mark , Karmann Ivo , Cruz Francisco W. , Neves Walter A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe extinction of late Quaternary megafauna in South America has been extensively debated in past decades. The majority of the hypotheses explaining this phenomenon argue that the extinction was the result of human activities, environmental changes, or even synergism between the two. Although still limited, a good chronological framework is imperative to discuss the plausibility of the available hypotheses. Here we present six new direct AMS 14C radiocarbon dates from the state of São Paulo (Brazil) to further characterize the chronological distribution of extinct fauna in this part of South America. The new dates make evident that ground sloths, toxodonts, and saber-toothed cats lived in the region around the Pleistocene/Holocene transition, and in agreement with previous studies, also suggest an early Holocene survival for the ground sloth Catonyx cuvieri. Taken together with local paleoclimatic and archaeological data, the new dates do not support hunting or indirect human activities as a major cause for megafauna extinction. Although more data are required, parsimony suggests that climatic changes played a major role in this extinction event.
Clustering of ions at atomic dimensions in quantum plasmas
Authors: SHUKLA PADMA K. , ELIASSON BENGT 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBy means of particle simulations of the equations of motion for ions interacting among themselves under the influence of newly discovered Shukla–Eliasson attractive force (SEAF) in a dense quantum plasma, we demonstrate that the SEAF can bring ions closer at atomic dimensions. We present simulation results of the dynamics of an ensemble of ions in the presence of the SEAF without and with confining external potentials and collisions between ions and degenerate electrons. Our particle simulations reveal that under the SEAF, ions attract each other, come closer, and form ionic clusters in the bath of degenerate electrons that shield ions. Furthermore, an external confining potential produces robust ion clusters that can have cigar- and ball-like shapes, which remain stable when the confining potential is removed. The stability of ion clusters is discussed. Our results may have applications to solid density plasmas (density exceeding 1023 per cm3), where the electrons will be degenerate and quantum forces due to the electron recoil effect caused by the overlapping of electron wave functions and electron tunneling through the Bohm potential, electron-exchange and electron-exchange and electron correlations associated with electron-1/2 spin effect, and the quantum statistical pressure of the degenerate electrons play a decisive role.
Parents' preferred care-givers in rural China: gender, migration and intergenerational exchanges
Authors: CONG ZHEN , SILVERSTEIN MERRIL 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTThis study examines how intergenerational exchanges affect elders' choice of preferred care-givers in the case of sickness among adult children in rural China. The sample derived from a four-wave longitudinal study in Anhui Province, China, based on which we constructed three time intervals (i.e.2001–2003, 2003–2006 and 2006–2009) and stacked them. Our working sample included 10,181 observations from these three stacked intervals, representing 4,927 children with 1,170 elder parents. We used fixed-effects logistic regression to predict elders' favouritism among their children. Results show that those children who received more help with grandchild care from parents, who provided instrumental support to parents and whose spouses provided instrumental support to parents were more likely to be named the preferred care-givers. On average, parents favoured sons. For mothers, this favouritism was completely explained by proximity and intergenerational exchanges, and even reversed under certain circumstances. For fathers, this favouritism of sons was partially explained by proximity and intergenerational exchanges. Migrant children were less likely to be preferred care-givers. This effect was moderated by elder parents' help with caring for grandchildren. Particularly, mothers favoured daughters over sons if the above moderation effect was considered. We discuss these findings in the context of social changes including increased importance of daughters in elder parents' support networks and the large-scale rural to urban migration.