bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prescribing potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in Germany's elderly as indicated by the PRISCUS list. An analysis based on regional claims data
Authors: Schubert Ingrid , Küpper‐Nybelen Jutta , Ihle Peter , Thürmann Petra 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTPurposeThe aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in the elderly as indicated by Germany's recently published list (PRISCUS) and to assess factors independently associated with PIM prescribing, both overall and separately for therapeutic groups.MethodsClaims data analysis (Health Insurance Sample AOK Hesse/KV Hesse, 18.75% random sample of insurants from AOK Hesse, Germany) is used in the study. The study population is composed of 73 665 insurants >64 years of age continuously insured in the last quarter of 2009 and either continuously insured or deceased in 2010. Prevalence estimates are standardized to the population of Germany (31 December 2010). The variables age, sex, polypharmacy, hospital stay and nursing care are assessed for their independent association with general PIM prescription and among 11 therapeutic subgroups using multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsIn 2010, 22.0% of the elderly received at least one PIM prescription (men: 18.3%, women: 24.8%). The highest PIM prevalence was observed for antidepressants (6.5%), antihypertensives (3.8%) and antiarrhythmic drugs (3.5%). Amitriptyline, tetrazepam, doxepin, acetyldigoxin, doxazosin and etoricoxib were the most frequently prescribed PIMs. Multivariate analyses indicate that women (OR 1.39; 95% CI: 1.34–1.44) and persons with extreme polypharmacy (≥10 vs. <5 drugs: OR 5.16; 95% CI: 4.87–5.47) were at higher risk for receiving a PRISCUS‐PIM. Risk analysis for therapeutic groups shows divergent associations.ConclusionPRISCUS‐PIMs are widely used. Educational programs should focus on drugs with high treatment prevalence and call professionals' attention to those elderly patients who are at special risk for inappropriate medication. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electric Breakdown in Liquids: Faster Ignition Using Less Energy
Authors: Yan Ting‐Ting , Zhong Xiao‐Xia , Rider Amanda E. , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe formation of vapor layers around an electrode immersed in a conducting liquid prior to generation of a plasma discharge is studied using numerical simulations. This study quantifies and explains the effects of the electrode geometry and applied voltage pulses, as well as the electrical and thermal properties of the liquids on the temporal dynamics of the pre‐breakdown conditions in the vapor layer. This model agrees well with experimental data, in particular, the time needed to reach the electrical breakdown threshold. Because the time needed for discharge ignition can be accurately predicted from the model, the parameters such as the pulse shape, voltage, and electrode configuration can be optimized under different liquid conditions, which facilitates a faster and more energy‐efficient plasma generation.magnified image
Sequence determinants of protein folding rates: Positive correlation between contact energy and contact range indicates selection for fast folding
Authors: Bastolla Ugo , Bruscolini Pierpaolo , Velasco José Luis 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn comparison with intense investigation of the structural determinants of protein folding rates, the sequence features favoring fast folding have received little attention. Here, we investigate this subject using simple models of protein folding and a statistical analysis of the Protein Data Bank (PDB). The mean‐field model by Plotkin and coworkers predicts that the folding rate is accelerated by stronger‐than‐average interactions at short distance along the sequence. We confirmed this prediction using the Finkelstein model of protein folding, which accounts for realistic features of polymer entropy. We then tested this prediction on the PDB. We found that native interactions are strongest at contact range l = 8. However, since short range contacts tend to be exposed and they are frequently formed in misfolded structures, selection for folding stability tends to make them less attractive, that is, stability and kinetics may have contrasting requirements. Using a recently proposed model, we predicted the relationship between contact range and contact energy based on buriedness and contact frequency. Deviations from this prediction induce a positive correlation between contact range and contact energy, that is, short range contacts are stronger than expected, for 2/3 of the proteins. This correlation increases with the absolute contact order (ACO), as expected if proteins that tend to fold slowly due to large ACO are subject to stronger selection for sequence features favoring fast folding. Our results suggest that the selective pressure for fast folding is detectable only for one third of the proteins in the PDB, in particular those with large contact order. Proteins 2012; © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structural and biochemical characterization of native and recombinant single insulin‐like growth factor‐binding domain protein (SIBD‐1) from the Central American Hunting Spider Cupiennius salei (Ctenidae)
Authors: Trachsel Christian , Widmer Christine , Kämpfer Urs , Bühr Claudia , Baumann Tommy , Kuhn‐Nentwig Lucia , Schürch Stefan , Schaller Johann , Baumann Ulrich 
Published: April 2013

AbstractCupiennius salei single insulin‐like growth factor binding domain protein (SIBD‐1) is an 8.6 kDa Cys‐, Pro‐, and Gly‐rich protein, discovered in the hemocytes of the Central American hunting spider Cupiennius salei. SIBD‐1 exhibits high sequence similarity to the N‐terminal domain of the insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein superfamily and has been reported to play an important role in the spider's immune system. Here, the recombinant expression and the elucidation of the three‐dimensional structure of recombinant SIBD‐1 and the characterization of the sugar moiety at Thr2 of native SIBD‐1 is described in detail. Proteins 2012; © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detection of protein complexes using a protein ranking algorithm
Authors: Zaki Nazar , Berengueres Jose , Efimov Dmitry 
Published: April 2013

AbstractDetecting protein complexes from protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network is becoming a difficult challenge in computational biology. There is ample evidence that many disease mechanisms involve protein complexes, and being able to predict these complexes is important to the characterization of the relevant disease for diagnostic and treatment purposes. This article introduces a novel method for detecting protein complexes from PPI by using a protein ranking algorithm (ProRank). ProRank quantifies the importance of each protein based on the interaction structure and the evolutionarily relationships between proteins in the network. A novel way of identifying essential proteins which are known for their critical role in mediating cellular processes and constructing protein complexes is proposed and analyzed. We evaluate the performance of ProRank using two PPI networks on two reference sets of protein complexes created from Munich Information Center for Protein Sequence, containing 81 and 162 known complexes, respectively. We compare the performance of ProRank to some of the well known protein complex prediction methods (ClusterONE, CMC, CFinder, MCL, MCode and Core) in terms of precision and recall. We show that ProRank predicts more complexes correctly at a competitive level of precision and recall. The level of the accuracy achieved using ProRank in comparison to other recent methods for detecting protein complexes is a strong argument in favor of the proposed method. Proteins 2012;. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Event detection and sub‐state discovery from biomolecular simulations using higher‐order statistics: Application to enzyme adenylate kinase
Authors: Ramanathan Arvind , Savol Andrej J. , Agarwal Pratul K. , Chennubhotla Chakra S. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBiomolecular simulations at millisecond and longer time‐scales can provide vital insights into functional mechanisms. Because post‐simulation analyses of such large trajectory datasets can be a limiting factor in obtaining biological insights, there is an emerging need to identify key dynamical events and relating these events to the biological function online, that is, as simulations are progressing. Recently, we have introduced a novel computational technique, quasi‐anharmonic analysis (QAA) (Ramanathan et al., PLoS One 2011;6:e15827), for partitioning the conformational landscape into a hierarchy of functionally relevant sub‐states. The unique capabilities of QAA are enabled by exploiting anharmonicity in the form of fourth‐order statistics for characterizing atomic fluctuations. In this article, we extend QAA for analyzing long time‐scale simulations online. In particular, we present HOST4MD—a higher‐order statistical toolbox for molecular dynamics simulations, which (1) identifies key dynamical events as simulations are in progress, (2) explores potential sub‐states, and (3) identifies conformational transitions that enable the protein to access those sub‐states. We demonstrate HOST4MD on microsecond timescale simulations of the enzyme adenylate kinase in its apo state. HOST4MD identifies several conformational events in these simulations, revealing how the intrinsic coupling between the three subdomains (LID, CORE, and NMP) changes during the simulations. Further, it also identifies an inherent asymmetry in the opening/closing of the two binding sites. We anticipate that HOST4MD will provide a powerful and extensible framework for detecting biophysically relevant conformational coordinates from long time‐scale simulations. Proteins 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Observer‐based linear parameter‐varying control with guaranteed ‐gain and ‐type performance objectives
Authors: Köroğlu Hakan 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYSynthesis of an observer‐based linear parameter‐varying controller is considered for a general linear parameter‐varying plant. The parameter vector and its derivative are both assumed to take values in known bounded domains, whereas only the parameter vector is assumed to be measurable during online operation. The synthesis problem is considered for ‐gain and ‐type performance objectives. Potentially conservative parameter‐dependent linear matrix inequality conditions are derived for the solvability of these two problems. To facilitate the reduction of conservatism, the conditions are expressed in a way to have bilinear dependence on an arbitrary positive scalar. In addition to employing a suitable relaxation scheme to reduce these conditions into finitely many constraints, a line search hence needs to be performed over the positive scalar to obtain the best achievable performance with an observer‐based controller. The online implementation of the observer‐based controller is relatively simpler if compared with a controller of unrestricted structure. Moreover, the observer‐based controller will have no dependence on the parameter derivatives irrespective of the choices of the design variables. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Road for Nanomaterials Industry: A Review of Carbon Nanotube Production, Post‐Treatment, and Bulk Applications for Composites and Energy Storage
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Huang Jia‐Qi , Qian Wei‐Zhong , Zhang Ying‐Ying , Wei Fei 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe innovation on the low dimensional nanomaterials brings the rapid growth of nano community. Developing the controllable production and commercial applications of nanomaterials for sustainable society is highly concerned. Herein, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with sp2 carbon bonding, excellent mechanical, electrical, thermal, as well as transport properties are selected as model nanomaterials to demonstrate the road of nanomaterials towards industry. The engineering principles of the mass production and recent progress in the area of CNT purification and dispersion are described, as well as its bulk application for nanocomposites and energy storage. The environmental, health, and safety considerations of CNTs, and recent progress in CNT commercialization are also included. With the effort from the CNT industry during the past 10 years, the price of multi‐walled CNTs have decreased from 45 000 to 100 $ kg−1 and the productivity increased to several hundred tons per year for commercial applications in Li ion battery and nanocomposites. When the prices of CNTs decrease to 10 $ kg−1, their applications as composites and conductive fillers at a million ton scale can be anticipated, replacing conventional carbon black fillers. Compared with traditional bulk chemicals, the controllable synthesis and applicationsof CNTs on a million ton scale are still far from being achieved due to the challenges in production, purification, dispersion, and commercial application. The basic knowledge of growth mechanisms, efficient and controllable routes for CNT production, the environmental and safety issues, and the commercialization models are still inadequate. The gap between the basic scientific research and industrial development should be bridged by multidisciplinary research for the rapid growth of CNT nano‐industry.
Physical Properties of Aqueous Solutions of Pectin Containing Sunflower Wax
Authors: Baümler Erica R. , Carelli Amalia A. , Martini Silvana 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate the physical properties of aqueous solutions of pectin (PA) containing sunflower wax (SFW), which are used as a basis for producing edible films. The stability and the rheological and microstructural characteristics of SFW/PA mixtures were evaluated. SFW/PA mixtures formed oil‐in‐water emulsions that were milky and opaque in appearance and were stable towards phase separation. Polarized micrographs revealed the presence of wax crystals, whose size decreased as pectin concentration increased. The rheological behavior of the aqueous solutions of pectin containing different amounts of SFW were best described by the generalized power law model of Herschel–Bulkley (H–B), which gave the best fit in all the range of shear rate values. Apparent viscosities and yield stress were determined using this model, and both properties increased with increasing pectin content. The apparent viscosity values were between 0.0095 and 0.1031 Pa s. SFW addition resulted in a small decrease in viscosity for emulsions formulated with 1 and 2 % PA, but the opposite effect was observed for emulsions formulated with 3 % PA. In addition, shear stress values were higher for emulsions with higher PA content, but were not affected by SFW addition.
A case of empty follicle syndrome who conceived after aspiration of an endometrial cyst
Authors: Tanaka Rieko , Murase Mariko , Aizawa Yoshino , Segino Miwa , Ishidera Yumi , Kitagawa Masakazu , Katayama Kayo , Takashima Kunitomo , Yumura Yasushi , Yoshida Hiroshi , Sakakibara Hideya , Hirahara Fumiki 
Published: April 2013

AbstractEmpty follicle syndrome (EFS) has been defined as a condition where no oocytes can be retrieved for in vitro fertilization (IVF) even though ultrasound findings and estradiol (E2) levels suggest the presence of potential follicles. The EFS is a rare condition with an incidence of 0.5–7 % of women undergoing IVF treatments. Although there are many hypotheses as to the cause of EFS, including advanced ovarian age, drug‐related problems, and dysfunctional folliculogenesis, its cause remains unknown. A 37‐year‐old woman with endometriosis and a 5‐year history of primary infertility underwent IVF treatment for 4 cycles. No oocytes were retrieved in 2 cycles and no fertilized eggs were obtained in the other 2 cycles. We assumed that endometriosis adversely affected folliculogenesis and fertilization. Aspiration of an endometrial cyst in the right ovary and subsequent administration of oral contraceptives resulted in successful folliculogenesis and fertilization. Thereafter, she conceived and delivered a 2,662 g female infant at 38 weeks of gestation. Here, we report a case of EFS who conceived in the 5th IVF cycle after aspiration of an endometrial cyst. We assumed that endometriosis might have been involved in the dysfunction of folliculogenesis and EFS.
Sinking inside the box
Authors: Pritchard David 
Published: April 2013

AbstractConvection in a closed porous domain is a temporally and spatially complex flow which evolves over long time scales as the driving buoyancy contrasts are eliminated by mixing. In a contribution that combines numerical, experimental and asymptotic approaches, Hewitt, Neufeld & Lister (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 719, 2013, pp. 551–586) demonstrate that the essential dynamics can be captured by simple ‘box’ models, both when the buoyancy supply is imposed at the upper boundary and when the domain contains a moving interface between different fluids. This work provides insights into the dynamics and viability of schemes for the geological sequestration of CO2.
Fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) insertion/deletion polymorphism impact on muscle fatty acid profile in European grayling (Thymallus thymallus)
Authors: Renaville Bénédicte , Tulli Francesca , Bruno Massimiliano , Tibaldi Emilio , Messina Maria 
Published: April 2013

An insertion (In)/deletion (Del) polymorphism in the fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) gene, which codes for Δ6-desaturase, was for the first time observed in fish. The polymorphism is located in the seventh intron ofFADS2and the insertion consists of eleven repeats of CTGT (44 bp) with an allelic frequency, for the insertion, of 39 %. The polymorphism was associated with a modulation in Δ6-desaturase activity as significant effects on the ratio of EPA or DHA to their precursors were found (P< 0·001). A different distribution of SFA, MUFA and PUFA among the In/In, In/Del and Del/Del groups was also detected in fish fillet. The results suggest that genetic selection for this marker might improve the ability of European grayling to utilise dietaryn-3 long-chain PUFA precursors, as Δ6-desaturase is the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of EPA and DHA from α-linolenic acid.
Nutritional risk, functional status and mortality in newly institutionalised elderly
Authors: Cereda Emanuele , Pedrolli Carlo , Zagami Annunciata , Vanotti Alfredo , Piffer Silvano , Faliva Milena , Rondanelli Mariangela , Caccialanza Riccardo 
Published: April 2013

Previous studies have reported a close relationship between nutritional and functional domains, but evidence in long-term care residents is still limited. We evaluated the relationship between nutritional risk and functional status and the association of these two domains with mortality in newly institutionalised elderly. In the present multi-centric prospective cohort study, involving 346 long-term care resident elderly, nutritional risk and functional status were determined upon admission by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and the Barthel Index (BI), respectively. The prevalence of high (GNRI < 92) and low (GNRI 92–98) nutritional risk were 36·1 and 30·6 %, respectively. At multivariable linear regression, functional status was independently associated with age (P= 0·045), arm muscle area (P= 0·048), the number of co-morbidities (P= 0·027) and mainly with the GNRI (P< 0·001). During a median follow-up of 4·7 years (25th–75th percentile 3·7–6·2), 230 (66·5 %) subjects died. In the risk analysis, based on the variables collected at baseline, both high (hazard ratio (HR) 1·86, 95 % CI 1·32, 2·63;P< 0·001) and low nutritional risk (HR 1·52, 95 % CI 1·08, 2·14;P= 0·016) were associated with all-cause mortality. Participants at high nutritional risk (GNRI < 92) also showed an increased rate of cardiovascular mortality (HR 1·93, 95 % CI 1·28, 2·91;P< 0·001). No association with outcome was found for the BI. Upon admission, nutritional risk was an independent predictor of functional status and mortality in institutionalised elderly. Present data support the concept that the nutritional domain is more relevant than functional status to the outcome of newly institutionalised elderly.
Three-dimensional and nonlinear analysis of efficiency enhancement in the E × B drifting electron laser with a prebunched electron beam and a planar wiggler
Authors: MARAGHECHI B. , JOKAR M. , BAHMAN F. JAFARI , NAEIMABADI A. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractA nonlinear simulation of the E × B drifting electron laser (DEL) and the free-electron laser (FEL), in three dimensions, is presented for a prebunched electron beam to study efficiency enhancement. For the planar wiggler with flat pole faces, prebunching considerably shortens the saturation length, which favors the DEL compared to the FEL. Operation of the DEL with the planar wiggler with parabolic pole faces was not found to be possible due to the modulation of the E × B drift by the wiggler. However, simulation results of the FEL with this type of wiggler are reported.
Set of wires to simulate tokamaks with poloidal divertor
Authors: KROETZ T. , MARTINS CAROLINE G. L. , ROBERTO M. , CALDAS I. L. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractSimple wire models have been proposed to simulate magnetic configurations in tokamaks. Here we consider electric currents in five parallel infinite wires to obtain double-null magnetic surfaces with specific choices of magnetic axis positions, triangularity, and elongation. As an example, we choose the position and the electric current of each wire to obtain magnetic surfaces similar to those expected in the tokamak international thermonuclear experimental reactor. Moreover, we also integrate the perturbed field line differential equation to simulate chaotic layers near the hyperbolic points and deposition patterns at the divertor plate observed in tokamaks. To simulate that, we add to the model a perturbing error field, due to asymmetries in the tokamak coils, and introduce a random collisional term to the field line mapping to reproduce escape pattern alterations due to particle collisions.
Text and formula in the Milanese cantus
Authors: HORNBY EMMA 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTThis analytical article aims to establish the melodic grammar of thein directumMilanese cantus. Deviations from the generic norms might be experienced in performance as emphasising the words with which they appear. Certain texts (particularly ‘domin-’) are often associated with melodic shapes found elsewhere in the genre on the same words, regardless of what one might expect to encounter formally. Chants that share similar liturgical functions, or which appear in close liturgical proximity, often share melodic material and formal strategies. Building on and responding to Bailey'sThe Ambrosian Cantus(1987), the present article seeks to appreciate the cantus melodies as they have been preserved, rather than using them as a lens through which to seek a putative (and entirely rationally structured) lost ancestor.