bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Penicillin‐Binding Protein Imaging Probes
Authors: Kocaoglu Ozden , Carlson Erin E. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTPenicillin‐binding proteins (PBPs) are membrane‐associated proteins involved in the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan (PG), the main component of bacterial cell walls. These proteins were discovered and named for their affinity to bind the β‐lactam antibiotic penicillin. The importance of the PBPs has long been appreciated; however, the apparent functional redundancy of the ∼5 to 15 proteins that most bacteria possess makes determination of their individual roles difficult. Existing techniques to study PBPs are not ideal because they do not directly visualize protein activity and can suffer from artifacts. Therefore, development of new methods for studying the roles of distinct PBPs in cell wall synthesis was compulsory. Due to penicillin's covalent mode of inhibition, fluorophore‐conjugated analogs can be utilized to visualize PBP activity. Herein, we describe a general protocol to label and detect subsets of active PBPs in live, Gram‐positive bacteria using fluorescent β‐lactams. Curr. Protoc. Chem. Biol. 5:239‐250 © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Prevalence of work‐related musculoskeletal symptoms among US large‐herd dairy parlor workers
Authors: Douphrate David I. , Gimeno David , Nonnenmann Matthew W. , Hagevoort Robert , Rosas‐Goulart Cecilia , Rosecrance John C. 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundDairy production in the US is moving towards large‐herd milking operations resulting in an increase in task specialization and work demands.MethodsA modified version of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was administered to assess MSS prevalence among 452 US large‐herd parlor workers. Worker demographics and MSS prevalences were assessed, and differences based on parlor configuration (i.e., herringbone, parallel, rotary) were computed.ResultsThree‐fourths (76.4%) of parlor workers reported work‐related MSS in at least one body part. Highest prevalences were reported in the upper extremity (55%). Herringbone workers reported a higher prevalence of MSS in the wrist/hand, and rotary workers reported higher prevalences of MSS in the neck, upper back, and shoulders.ConclusionsOur findings draw attention to higher work‐related MSS in the upper extremity among dairy parlor workers. As the trend toward larger herd sizes on US dairy farms continues, the need for further health and safety research will increase. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:370–379, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation of CaCO3‐based biomineralized polyvinylpyrrolidone–carboxymethylcellulose hydrogels and their viscoelastic behavior
Authors: Shah Rushita , Saha Nabanita , Kitano Takeshi , Saha Petr 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIn the blend of natural and synthetic polymer‐based biomaterial of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), fabrication of CaCO3 was successfully accomplished using simple liquid diffusion technique. The present study emphasizes the biomimetic mineralization in PVP–CMC hydrogel, and furthermore, several properties of this regenerated and functionalized hydrogel membranes were investigated. The physical properties were studied and confirmed the presence of CaCO3 mineral in hydrogel by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the absorptivity of water and mineral by PVP–CMC hydrogel was studied to determine its absorption capacity. Further, the viscoelastic properties (storage modulus, loss modulus, and complex viscosity) of mineralized and swelled samples (time: 5–150 min) were measured against angular frequency. It is interesting to know the increase of elastic nature of mineralized hydrogel filled with CaCO3 maintaining the correlation between elastic property and viscous one of pure hydrogel. All these properties of biomineralized hydrogel suggest its application in biomedical field, like bone treatment, bone tissue regeneration, dental plaque and tissue replacement, etc. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40237.
Reef quality criteria for marine reserve selection: an example from eastern Brazil
Authors: Cruz I. C. S. , Kikuchi R. K. P. , Leão Z. M. A. N. , Done T. J. 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

A novel protocol was developed for ecological prioritization of coral reefs for inclusion in a marine reserve network. Standard benthic survey data were normalized and combined in a conservation priority index (CPI) which rates individual candidate sites according to their ecological values and their potential contributions to an effective network.
The CPI differentiates between sites on the basis of strength or weakness of surrogates for desirable attributes such as benthic biodiversity, reef‐building capacity and hard‐coral resilience.
Biodiversity and reef‐building attributes (more is better) were assigned progressive weightings (high abundance, high score), whereas neutral or detrimental attributes (less is better) were assigned regressive weightings (high abundance, low score).
Abundance of small corals (new recruits and remnants) was included as an indicator of a site's potential for recovery following disturbance.
The CPI rankings were used in conjunction with multidimensional scaling to prioritize candidate sites for a proposed reserve network near Salvador, Brazil. The information is complementary to considerations of existing uses and socio‐economic considerations, in the prioritization of reefs for protection.
The approach ensured that ecological inputs to the broader marine spatial planning process embraced both representativeness of biodiversity per se and the investigator's evaluation of key qualitative site attributes (amount, size, and resilience indicators for the critical architectural components hard coral and encrusting coralline algae). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rainfall asymmetry in the southeast Indian Ocean between positive and negative IODs and its local impact
Authors: Gao Libao , Yu Weidong , Li Tim , Adi T. R. , Budi S. , Triyono  , Salvienty M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe analysis of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) satellite observations and European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis data identify an asymmetric rainfall pattern in the southeast Indian Ocean (SEIO) between the positive and negative Indian Ocean Dipoles (IODs). During positive (negative) IODs, the precipitation anomaly is more confined to equatorial (off‐equatorial) regions, even though their associated sea surface temperature anomalies almost reside in the same region. It is argued that the rainfall pattern asymmetry is attributed to the effect of the rainfall mean state. While the negative rainfall anomalies associated with positive IODs are confined in the region of mean precipitation, the positive rainfall anomalies associated with negative IODs do not have such a constraint. The so‐induced asymmetric rainfall pattern exerts a great impact on the upper ocean salinity and bushfires over the western maritime continent.
Rapid response of atmospheric BC to anthropogenic sources: observational evidence
Authors: Kompalli Sobhan Kumar , Moorthy K. Krishna , Babu S. Suresh 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe response of Black Carbon (BC) concentrations to a near cut‐off of vehicular and industrial emissions favoured by a regional ‘strike call’ by organized trade unions, that brought to a halt of all industrial activities and commercial road traffic for 2 days is presented. In a dramatic, spectacular response to the seizure of emissions, BC concentrations dropped rapidly to ∼22% of the average concentrations that prevailed before the strike depicting the rapidity with which the concentrations deplete and the ‘rather slow’ replenishment as the emissions restart. These observations support the argument that controlling BC emissions yields quick results.
Flavonoids, derived from traditional chinese medicines, show roles in the differentiation of neurons: Possible targets in developing health food products
Authors: Xu Sherry L. , Zhu Kevin Y. , Bi Cathy W.C. , Yan Lu , Men Simon W.X. , Dong Tina T.X. , Tsim Karl W.K. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractFlavonoids, a family of phenolic compounds, are distributed in a variety of fruits, vegetables, tea, and wine. More importantly, many flavonoids are served as the active ingredients in traditional Chinese herbal medicines, which in general do not have side effects. Several lines of evidence support that flavonoids have impacts on many aspects of human health, including anti‐tumor, anti‐oxidation, and anti‐inflammation. Recently, there is significant attention focused on the neuronal beneficial effects of flavonoids, including the promotion of nervous system development, neuroprotection against neurotoxin stress, as well as the promotion of memory, learning, and cognitive functions. Here, the activities of flavonoids on the development of nervous system are being summarized and discussed. The flavonoids from diverse herbal medicines have significant effects in different developmental stages of nervous systems, including neuronal stem cell differentiation, neurite outgrowth, and neuronal plasticity. These findings imply that flavonoids are potential candidates for the development of health supplements in preventing birth defects and neuronal diseases. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 99:292–299, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MiR‐92a mediates AZD6244 induced apoptosis and G1‐phase arrest of lymphoma cells by targeting Bim
Authors: Lv Xiao‐Bin , Zhang Xing , Deng Lan , Jiang Ling , Meng Wei , Lu Zhigang , Wang Xiuju 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAZD6244, an ATP‐uncompetitive inhibitor of mitogen‐activated protein kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), has shown activity in several malignant tumours. However, whether AZD6244 has a function in lymphoma cells is not known. We report that AZD6244 treatment represses the growth of Raji and MOLT4 cells by inducing apoptosis and G1‐phase arrest. Using miRNAs array and quantitative RT‐PCR, miR‐92a was downregulated byAZD6244 treatment through the ERK1/2‐AP1 signalling pathway. Overexpression of miR‐92a abrogated AZD6244‐induced apoptosis and G1‐phase arrest, indicating that it is involved in the cytotoxicity of AZD6244 in lymphoma cells. A luciferase reporter assay showed that miR‐92a directly targetsthe 3′‐UTRs of Bim. Overexpression of miR‐92a mimics downregulated Bim mRNA and protein expression level, indicating that miR‐92a negatively regulates its expression at both levels. Silencing Bim decreases AZD6244‐induced apoptosis and G1‐phase arrest, suggesting that Bim contributes to the growth arrest. Thus, miR‐92a mediates AZD6244‐induced cytotoxicity of lymphoma cells by targeting Bim. Downregulation of miR‐92a by AZD6244 is mediated by the ERK1/2‐AP1 signalling pathway.
Synthesis and Theoretical Investigation of a 1,8‐Bis(bis(diisopropylamino)cyclopropeniminyl)naphthalene Proton Sponge Derivative
Authors: Belding Lee , Dudding Travis 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWe report herein the synthesis and characterization of a new proton sponge derivative, 1,8‐bis(bis(diisopropylamino)cyclopropeniminyl)naphthalene 4 (DACN), as well as its bis‐protonated counterpart 6. A crystal structure of 6 is presented, along with variable temperature 1H NMR data on the BF4− salt (6⋅BF4). DFT calculations were performed to investigate the structure of the monoprotonated species 7 and to gain insight into the structural and electronic nature of all three species. The proton affinity (PA) of 4, calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311G++(d,p)//B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) level, taking into account thermal corrections from the B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) method, was 282.3 kcal mol−1, while its pKa was estimated at 27.0. NICS calculations were performed to examine the changes in aromaticity within these systems upon each successive protonation. Lastly, homodesmotic reaction schemes were used in order to estimate the factors contributing to the strong PA predicted for 4.
Streptococcal Hyaluronate Lyase Reveals the Presence of a Structurally Significant CH⋅⋅⋅O Hydrogen Bond
Authors: Moore Kevin B. , Migues Angela N. , Schaefer Henry F. , Vergenz Robert A. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractCarbon‐donated hydrogen bonds (CDHBs) are weak forms of hydrogen bonding (0.5–1.0 kcal mol−1) that are difficult to detect, and thus their roles in the structure and functionality of chemical systems often go unrecognized. Utilizing a computational approach, the existence of a structurally significant CDHB in the medically relevant protein Streptococcus pneumoniae hyaluronate lyase (SpnHL) is affirmed. The structure of a tetrapeptide fragment model containing the CDHB was optimized with second‐order perturbation theory. From this, a CDHB with bond distance and angle consistent with previously discovered CDHBs and comparable to neighboring traditional HBs in the fragment model was found. The CDHB competes with another donor T253 OH, whereby the two alternate in strength between protein conformations, imbuing αHelix 3 appreciable flexibility. The CDHB seems to exist in spite of torsional and steric strain on the donor methyl group. It is postulated that the CDHB could aid in either counteracting the macrodipole of αHelix 3 or protecting the A249 CO from destabilizing interactions with the adjacent solvent. Employing the energy gradients from the optimization, the torque generated by the fragment model was computed, which accurately predicts the direction of rotation of αHelix 3 observed from experiment. A strongly correlated motion between αHelix 3 and αHelices 2, 4, and 5 was noted, which the interactions of the fragment model help drive by generating a torque much larger than necessary to rotate just αHelix 3. Considering these results, we conclude that CDHBs should be considered as possible beneficial components of chemical and biological phenomena.
Cyclization‐Induced Turn‐On Fluorescence System Applicable to Dicarboxylate Sensing
Authors: Noguchi Takao , Roy Bappaditya , Yoshihara Daisuke , Tsuchiya Youichi , Yamamoto Tatsuhiro , Shinkai Seiji 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA novel tetraphenylethene‐based fluorescence (FL) chemosensor exhibits nonlinear turn‐on FL switching though cooperative binding of L‐tartarate, where its convergent binding to form cyclic substructures is responsible for the FL increase. This binding scheme achieves selective detection of dicarboxylates over monocarboxylates, thus is potentially applicable to the preliminary screening for metabolic disorders.
Carbocations as Lewis Acid Catalysts in Diels–Alder and Michael Addition Reactions
Authors: Bah Juho , Franzén Johan 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIn general, Lewis acid catalysts are metal‐based compounds that owe their reactivity to a low‐lying empty orbital. However, one potential Lewis acid that has received negligible attention as a catalyst is the carbocation. We have demonstrated the potential of the carbocation as a highly powerful Lewis acid catalyst for organic reactions. The stable and easily available triphenylmethyl (trityl) cation was found to be a highly efficient catalyst for the Diels–Alder reaction for a range of substrates. Catalyst loadings as low as 500 ppm, excellent yields, and good endo/exo selectivities were achieved. Furthermore, by changing the electronic properties of the substituents on the tritylium ion, the Lewis acidity of the catalyst could be tuned to control the outcome of the reaction. The ability of this carbocation as a Lewis acid catalyst was also further extended to the Michael reaction.
Annual Report to the Nation on the status of cancer, 1975‐2010, featuring prevalence of comorbidity and impact on survival among persons with lung, colorectal, breast, or prostate cancer
Authors: Edwards Brenda K. , Noone Anne‐Michelle , Mariotto Angela B. , Simard Edgar P. , Boscoe Francis P. , Henley S. Jane , Jemal Ahmedin , Cho Hyunsoon , Anderson Robert N. , Kohler Betsy A. , Eheman Christie R. , Ward Elizabeth M. 
Published: December 2013

BACKGROUNDThe American Cancer Society (ACS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) collaborate annually to provide updates on cancer incidence and death rates and trends in these outcomes for the United States. This year's report includes the prevalence of comorbidity at the time of first cancer diagnosis among patients with lung, colorectal, breast, or prostate cancer and survival among cancer patients based on comorbidity level.METHODSData on cancer incidence were obtained from the NCI, the CDC, and the NAACCR; and data on mortality were obtained from the CDC. Long‐term (1975/1992‐2010) and short‐term (2001‐2010) trends in age‐adjusted incidence and death rates for all cancers combined and for the leading cancers among men and women were examined by joinpoint analysis. Through linkage with Medicare claims, the prevalence of comorbidity among cancer patients who were diagnosed between 1992 through 2005 residing in 11 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) areas were estimated and compared with the prevalence in a 5% random sample of cancer‐free Medicare beneficiaries. Among cancer patients, survival and the probabilities of dying of their cancer and of other causes by comorbidity level, age, and stage were calculated.RESULTSDeath rates continued to decline for all cancers combined for men and women of all major racial and ethnic groups and for most major cancer sites; rates for both sexes combined decreased by 1.5% per year from 2001 through 2010. Overall incidence rates decreased in men and stabilized in women. The prevalence of comorbidity was similar among cancer‐free Medicare beneficiaries (31.8%), breast cancer patients (32.2%), and prostate cancer patients (30.5%); highest among lung cancer patients (52.9%); and intermediate among colorectal cancer patients (40.7%). Among all cancer patients and especially for patients diagnosed with local and regional disease, age and comorbidity level were important influences on the probability of dying of other causes and, consequently, on overall survival. For patients diagnosed with distant disease, the probability of dying of cancer was much higher than the probability of dying of other causes, and age and comorbidity had a smaller effect on overall survival.CONCLUSIONSCancer death rates in the United States continue to decline. Estimates of survival that include the probability of dying of cancer and other causes stratified by comorbidity level, age, and stage can provide important information to facilitate treatment decisions. Cancer 2014;120:1290–1314. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Micrometer‐Scale Mixing with Pickering Emulsions: Biphasic Reactions without Stirring
Authors: Zhang Wenjuan , Fu Luman , Yang Hengquan 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA general strategy that avoids stirring for organic/aqueous reactions involving solid catalysts is reported. The strategy involves converting a conventional biphasic system into a Pickering emulsion phase with micrometer‐scale droplets ensuring good mixing. In test reactions, nitrotoluene reduction and epoxidation of allylic alcohols, the reaction efficiency is comparable to conventional stirrer‐driven biphasic catalysis reaction systems. Short diffusion distances, arising from the compartmentalization of densely packed droplets, play an important role in boosting the reaction efficiency.
Phragmites distribution relative to progressive water level decline in Lake Koronia, Greece
Authors: Crisman Thomas L. , Alexandridis Thomas K. , Zalidis George C. , Takavakoglou Vasileios 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTLake Koronia is a hypertrophic Ramsar site in northern Greece. Water level dropped progressively from approximately 6 m in the mid‐1980s to 0·8 m in 2001 associated with over extraction of groundwater for agriculture, and the open water area has decreased from 4620 to 2930 ha, respectively. The resulting annual water level loss of 0·25–0·30 m year−1 was accompanied by expansion of Phragmites australis from a littoral fringe to dominance of exposed lake bottom areas from 97 ha in 1977 to 785 ha in 2005. The aim of this work was to apply an ecohydrological approach using remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) to examine the movement of Phragmites relative to the water level retreat and to basin morphometry. Aerial expansion of Phragmites averaged 11–32 ha year−1 during the period of progressive water level decline but increased to 38–116 ha year−1 during a brief period of water level increase (2001–2003) as the plant colonized reflooded portions of the basin. The total area of Phragmites expanded 29% per annum during 1977–2005. Landward and lakeward margins of the Phragmites area followed water level retreat, moving 55 and 129 m, respectively, during the long period of progressive water level decline. Aerial movements of Phragmites in Lake Koronia are some of the highest reported in the literature. Mean water level within the Phragmites bed varied from 0·5 to 2·0 m during the period covered by this study. Very minor changes in basin slope, however, affected plant colonization rates, as evidenced by 200–250 ha/0·5 m water level drop at 0·18% basin slope to 360–1360 ha/0·5 m water level drop at 0·029% slope. The techniques applied to Lake Koronia for reconstructing past lake levels and associated distributions of Phragmites have broad application for understanding the dynamics of Phragmites elsewhere and anticipating periods of rapid plant expansion related to subtle changes in basin morphology. This study is useful for managing Phragmites populations in areas where efforts are being made to re‐establish populations as well as where elimination of invasive populations is sought. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parametric time‐domain identification of multiple‐input systems using decoupled output signals
Authors: Li Jian , Ruiz‐Sandoval Manuel , Spencer Billie F. , Elnashai Amr S. 
Published: December 2013

SUMMARYCivil engineering structures are often subjected to multidirectional actions such as earthquake ground motion, which lead to complex structural responses. The contributions from the latter multidirectional actions to the response are highly coupled, leading to a MIMO system identification problem. Compared with single‐input, multiple‐output (SIMO) system identification, MIMO problems are more computationally complex and error prone. In this paper, a new system identification strategy is proposed for civil engineering structures with multiple inputs that induce strong coupling in the response. The proposed solution comprises converting the MIMO problem into separate SIMO problems, decoupling the outputs by extracting the contribution from the respective input signals to the outputs. To this end, a QR factorization‐based decoupling method is employed, and its performance is examined. Three factors, which affect the accuracy of the decoupling result, including memory length, input correlation, and system damping, are investigated. Additionally, a system identification method that combines the autoregressive model with exogenous input (ARX) and the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) is proposed. The associated extended modal amplitude coherence and modal phase collinearity are used to delineate the structural and noise modes in the fitted ARX model. The efficacy of the ARX‐ERA method is then demonstrated through identification of the modal properties of a highway overcrossing bridge. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.