bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychological Outcome after Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy
Authors: Hader Walter J. , Brooks Brian L. , Partlo Lisa , Hamilton Mark 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackground:Cognitive dysfunction is a common complaint associated with obstructive hydrocephalus. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) on the neuropsychological outcome in patients presenting with cognitive decline and obstructive hydrocephalus.Methods:A retrospective review of patients who underwent ETV at the University of Calgary and had both pre and post operative neuropsychological testing, was completed. Presenting clinical features, etiology of hydrocephalus and ventricle size utilizing frontal occipital horn ratio was obtained. Outcomes and complications of the ETV were recorded. Detailed measures of intelligence, attention and concentration, executive function, visual and verbal memory, language functions and fine motor skills were completed. Post treatment change was determined utilizing Reliable Change Index.Results:A total of 13 patients were identified. Etiology of the hydrocephalus was aqueductal stenosis in 8 and tectal glioma in 4. The majority of patients (11 of 13, 85%) demonstrated cognitive dysfunction at the borderline (≤1 SD) or impairment level (≤1.5 SDs) in at least one domain. Nine patients (69%) showed reliable improvement in at least one cognitive domain. The greatest improvement was seen with visual memory (42%). One quarter to one third of patients demonstrated improvement on tests of intelligence quotient, verbal memory, attention and concentration, and executive function. Two patients declined in executive functioning. Ventricle size improved in eight patients.Conclusions:ETV is a safe effective procedure, capable of producing reliable improvements in cognitive dysfunction with hydrocephalus. Patients with cognitive complaints alone may benefit from ETV.
THE INFLUENCE OF NON-GENETIC FACTORS ON EARLY GROWTH OF HALABA KIDS UNDER SMALLHOLDER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
Authors: TALORE DERIBE G. , ABEBE GIRMA , TEGEGNE AZAGE 
Published: November 2014

SUMMARYStagnant early growth and mortality are the major constraints for goat production in Ethiopia. We evaluated the effects of non-genetic factors on early growth performance of kids in Halaba district of southern Ethiopia, on-farm monitoring with 587 kids owned by 60 households from 2008 to 2009. Body weight (kilograms) of kids at birth, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days were 2.34, 4.39, 6.61, 9.85, 11.8 and 13.7, respectively, while the average daily gain (ADG; gram) from birth to 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days were 68.3, 70.4, 82.3, 78.3 and 75.0, respectively. Season had profound effect on body weights of kids at all ages (except at 120 days) and ADG. There was significant sex effect on body weights from 30 to 120 days (P < 0.05). Parity influenced body weights of kids at birth (P < 0.01) and 30, 60, 120 and 150 days (P < 0.05). Type of birth affected pre-weaning body weights (P < 0.05) and ADG from birth to 30, 60 days (P < 0.01) and birth to 90 days (P < 0.05). There were significant (P < 0.05) effects of parity by sex and parity by type of birth on body weights and ADG at weaning. The non-genetic factors evaluated in this study are important sources of variation and need to be taken into account in the improvement plan of Halaba goats under semi-arid tropical conditions.
SOIL AND PLANT SILICON STATUS IN OIL PALM CROPS IN COLOMBIA
Authors: MUNEVAR M. F. , ROMERO F. A. 
Published: November 2014

SUMMARYA study was conducted, including 17 oil palm (Elaeis guineensisJacq) crops distributed throughout Colombia, to determine how much silicon (Si) this plant species accumulates in their leaves, and also to determine the available Si levels in the soils. The study was conceived as a preliminary step of a research project aimed at determining whether the beneficial effects of Si, which have been identified for other species also, occur in the oil palm crop. Available Si varied among soils; lower levels were found in the soils with characteristics associated with greater weathering as compared with less weathered soils. Relatively high leaf Si levels were found in all of the sites studied and this was interpreted as an indication that oil palm could be considered a Si accumulator. An increase in Si concentration with leaf age was found, indicating that this element probably behaves as a non-mobile element in the plant. A defined relationship between soil available Si and Si concentration in the leaves was not found, however. The results indicate that it is worthwhile conducting specific studies to determine the effects of Si on oil palm growth and behaviour, and provide useful criteria for the design of future studies.
Hermann von Helmholtz's Empirico-Transcendentalism Reconsidered: Construction and Constitution in Helmholtz's Psychology of the Object
Authors: De Kock Liesbet 
Published: November 2014

ArgumentThis paper aims at contributing to the ongoing efforts to get a firmer grasp of the systematic significance of the entanglement of idealism and empiricism in Helmholtz's work. Contrary to existing analyses, however, the focal point of the present exposition is Helmholtz's attempt to articulate a psychological account of objectification. Helmholtz's motive, as well as his solution to the problem of the object are outlined, and interpreted against the background of his scientific practice on the one hand, and that of empiricist and (transcendental) idealist analyses of experience on the other. The specifically psychological angle taken, not only prompts us to consider figures who have hitherto been treated as having only minor import for Helmholtz interpretation (most importantly J.S. Mill and J.G. Fichte), it furthermore sheds new light on some central tenets of the latter's psychological stance that have hitherto remained underappreciated. For one thing, this analysis reveals an explicit voluntarist tendency in Helmholtz's psychological theory. In conclusion, it is argued that the systematic significance of Helmholtz's empirico-transcendentalism with respect to questions of the mind is best understood as an attempt to found his empirical theory of perception in a second order, normative account of epistemic subjectivity.
Bedgap: where next for Antarctic subglacial mapping?
Authors: Pritchard Hamish D. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe recently published Bedmap2 datasets mark the culmination of several decades of subice and subocean Antarctic topographic surveying by many nations, but maps of the topographic data distribution show that in the global context, the Antarctic bed remains very poorly sampled. Most of the remaining large unmapped areas on Earth lie under Antarctic ice and polar surveying continues to be difficult and expensive, thus it is important to identify where future efforts should be concentrated. A survey of 75 experts in various aspects of polar science shows that a lack of adequate topographic data is an important constraint in several themes, but the data gaps and the data needs do not tend to coincide. There is strong demand for higher resolution surveying in previously visited areas, particularly in the most dynamic and most rapidly changing regions as identified by glaciologists, oceanographers, hydrologists, biologists and geomorphologists, while geologists and ice core scientists focus on the most important areas for understanding Antarctica over deeper time. The data requirements identified here could be addressed for most areas given sufficient time and funding, but the technology needed to survey the interiors of the large ice shelf cavities has only just been developed.
Inhibition of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 enhances endochondral bone formation by increasing chondrocyte survival
Authors: Eaton G J , Zhang Q-S , Diallo C , Matsuzawa A , Ichijo H , Steinbeck M J , Freeman T A 
Published: November 2014

AbstractEndochondral ossification is the result of chondrocyte differentiation, hypertrophy, death and replacement by bone. The careful timing and progression of this process is important for normal skeletal bone growth and development, as well as fracture repair. Apoptosis Signal-Regulating Kinase 1 (ASK1) is a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which is activated by reactive oxygen species and other cellular stress events. Activation of ASK1 initiates a signaling cascade known to regulate diverse cellular events including cytokine and growth factor signaling, cell cycle regulation, cellular differentiation, hypertrophy, survival and apoptosis. ASK1 is highly expressed in hypertrophic chondrocytes, but the role of ASK1 in skeletal tissues has not been investigated. Herein, we report that ASK1 knockout (KO) mice display alterations in normal growth plate morphology, which include a shorter proliferative zone and a lengthened hypertrophic zone. These changes in growth plate dynamics result in accelerated long bone mineralization and an increased formation of trabecular bone, which can be attributed to an increased resistance of terminally differentiated chondrocytes to undergo cell death. Interestingly, under normal cell culture conditions, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from ASK1 KO mice show no differences in either MAPK signaling or osteogenic or chondrogenic differentiation when compared with wild-type (WT) MEFs. However, when cultured with stress activators, H2O2 or staurosporine, the KO cells show enhanced survival, an associated decrease in the activation of proteins involved in death signaling pathways and a reduction in markers of terminal differentiation. Furthermore, in both WT mice treated with the ASK1 inhibitor, NQDI-1, and ASK1 KO mice endochondral bone formation was increased in an ectopic ossification model. These findings highlight a previously unrealized role for ASK1 in regulating endochondral bone formation. Inhibition of ASK1 has clinical potential to treat fractures or to slow osteoarthritic progression by enhancing chondrocyte survival and slowing hypertrophy.
Customized patterned substrates for highly versatile correlative light-scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Benedetti Lorena , Sogne Elisa , Rodighiero Simona , Marchesi Davide , Milani Paolo , Francolini Maura 
Published: November 2014

AbstractCorrelative light electron microscopy (CLEM) combines the advantages of light and electron microscopy, thus making it possible to follow dynamic events in living cells at nanometre resolution. Various CLEM approaches and devices have been developed, each of which has its own advantages and technical challenges. We here describe our customized patterned glass substrates, which improve the feasibility of correlative fluorescence/confocal and scanning electron microscopy.
Optimization method for obtaining nearest-neighbour DNA entropies and enthalpies directly from melting temperatures
Authors: Weber Gerald 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Motivation: Free energy nearest-neighbour (NN) thermodynamics is widely used in DNA biochemistry, ranging from the calculation of melting temperatures to the prediction of secondary structures. Methods to calculate NN parameters require the knowledge of total sequence entropies and enthalpies, which are not always available.
Results: Here, we implement and test a new melting temperature optimization method where we obtain the NN parameters directly from the temperatures. In this way, we bypass the constraints imposed by total sequence entropies and enthalpies. This enabled us to calculate the missing NN entropies and enthalpies for some published datasets, including salt-dependent parameters. Also this allowed us to combine 281 sequences from different types of melting temperature data for which we derived a new set of NN parameters, which have a smaller uncertainty and an improved predictive power.
Availability and implementation: C++ source code and compiled binaries for several Linux distributions are available from https://sites.google.com/site/geraldweberufmg/vargibbs and from OpenSuse build service at https://build.opensuse.org/package/show/home:drgweber/VarGibbs. The software package contains scripts and data files to reproduce all results presented here.
Contact: gweberbh@gmail.com
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Comprehensive physicochemical, pharmacokinetic and activity profiling of anti-TB agents
Authors: Lakshminarayana Suresh B. , Huat Tan Bee , Ho Paul C. , Manjunatha Ujjini H. , Dartois Véronique , Dick Thomas , Rao Srinivasa P. S. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Objectives
The discovery and development of TB drugs has met limited success, with two new drugs approved over the last 40 years. Part of the difficulty resides in the lack of well-established in vitro or in vivo targets of potency and physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters. In an attempt to benchmark and compare such properties for anti-TB agents, we have experimentally determined and compiled these parameters for 36 anti-TB compounds, using standardized and centralized assays, thus ensuring direct comparability across drugs and drug classes.

Methods
Potency parameters included growth inhibition, cidal activity against growing and non-growing bacteria and activity against intracellular mycobacteria. Pharmacokinetic parameters included basic physicochemical properties, solubility, permeability and metabolic stability. We then attempted to establish correlations between physicochemical, in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic indices to tentatively inform future drug discovery efforts.

Results
Two-thirds of the compounds tested showed bactericidal and intramacrophage activity. Most compounds exhibited favourable solubility, permeability and metabolic stability in standard in vitro pharmacokinetic assays. An analysis of human pharmacokinetic parameters revealed associations between lipophilicity and volume of distribution, clearance, plasma protein binding and oral bioavailability. Not surprisingly, most compounds with favourable pharmacokinetic properties complied with Lipinski's rule of five.

Conclusions
However, most attempts to detect in vitro–in vivo correlations were unsuccessful, emphasizing the challenges of anti-TB drug discovery. The objective of this work is to provide a reference dataset for the TB drug discovery community with a focus on comparative in vitro potency and pharmacokinetics.
A novel formulation by Lagrangian variational principle for rotational equilibria: towards multidimensional stellar evolutions
Authors: Yasutake Nobutoshi , Fujisawa Kotaro , Yamada Shoichi 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
We have developed a new formulation to obtain self-gravitating, axisymmetric configurations in permanent rotation. The formulation is based on the Lagrangian variational principle, and treats not only barotropic but also baroclinic equations of state, for which angular momentum distributions are not necessarily cylindrical. We adopt a Monte Carlo technique, which is analogous to those employed in other fields, e.g. nuclear physics, in minimizing the energy functional, which is evaluated on a triangulated mesh. This Letter is a proof of principle and detailed comparisons with existing results will be reported in the sequel, but some test calculations are presented, in which we have achieved an error of O(10−4) in the virial relation. We have in mind the application of this method to two-dimensional calculations of the evolutions of rotating stars, for which the Lagrangian formulation is best suited.
Expression, purification and X-ray crystallographic analysis of theHelicobacter pyloriblood group antigen-binding adhesin BabA
Authors: Subedi Suresh , Moonens Kristof , Romão Ema , Lo Alvin , Vandenbussche Guy , Bugaytsova Jeanna , Muyldermans Serge , Borén Thomas , Remaut Han 
Published: November 2014

Helicobacter pyloriis a human pathogen that colonizes about 50% of the world's population, causing chronic gastritis, duodenal ulcers and even gastric cancer. A steady emergence of multiple antibiotic resistant strains poses an important public health threat and there is an urgent requirement for alternative therapeutics. The blood group antigen-binding adhesin BabA mediates the intimate attachment to the host mucosa and forms a major candidate for novel vaccine and drug development. Here, the recombinant expression and crystallization of a soluble BabA truncation (BabA25–460) corresponding to the predicted extracellular adhesin domain of the protein are reported. X-ray diffraction data for nanobody-stabilized BabA25–460were collected to 2.25 Å resolution from a crystal that belonged to space groupP21, with unit-cell parametersa= 50.96,b = 131.41,c= 123.40 Å, α = 90.0, β = 94.8, γ = 90.0°, and which was predicted to contain two BabA25–460–nanobody complexes per asymmetric unit.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of ribosome assembly factors: the Rpf2–Rrs1 complex
Authors: Asano Nozomi , Nakamura Akiyoshi , Komoda Keisuke , Kato Koji , Tanaka Isao , Yao Min 
Published: November 2014

Rpf2 and Rrs1 are essential proteins for ribosome biogenesis. These proteins form a complex (the Rpf2-subcomplex) with 5S rRNA and two ribosomal proteins (L5 and L11). This complex is recruited to the ribosome precursor (the 90S pre-ribosome). This recruitment is necessary for the maturation of 25S rRNA. Genetic depletion of Rpf2 and Rrs1 results in accumulation of the 25S rRNA precursor. In this study, Rpf2 and Rrs1 fromAspergillus nidulanswere co-overexpressed inEscherichia coli, purified and crystallized. Subsequent analysis revealed that these crystals contained the central core region of the complex consisting of both N-terminal domains. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.35 Å resolution. Preliminary analysis revealed that the crystals belonged to space groupP212121, with unit-cell parametersa= 54.1,b= 123.3,c = 133.8 Å. There are two complexes in the asymmetric unit. Structure determination using selenomethionine-labelled protein is in progress.
Potential of fibers and solid lubricants to enhance the tribo‐utility of PEEK in adverse operating conditions
Authors: Bijwe J. , Nidhi  
Published: November 2014

PurposePoly‐ether‐ether‐ketone (PEEK), a specialty polymer, does not have any tribo‐utility as a bearing material in a virgin form since it exhibits quite a high coefficient of friction (μ) and stick‐slip behavior. The present paper seeks to deal with the adhesive wear behavior of series of PEEK composites based on inclusion of short fibers of glass (GF) and carbon (CF) and solid lubricants such as Polytetrafluoroethylene and graphite. The studies are focused to examine the role of these ingredients on enhancing PV limit, which is an indication of utility of a tribo‐polymer in severe operating conditions.Design/methodology/approachThe Adhesive wear studies were performed on a pin on disc machine fabricated for high speed, load and temperature conditions. A composite pin slid over a disc of mild steel under two selected sliding speeds (2 and 3 m/s) for an hour. The load was varied in each experiment till the pin showed failure. The performance assessment was done based on multiple parameters such as magnitude of μ and its fluctuations with time, specific wear rate, PV limit, compatibility with the counterface, etc. PV limit was judged by observing either sudden increase in μ or wear rate (or both), deformation of the pin or change in the color of the disc.FindingsIt was observed that the neat PEEK exhibited very high and fluctuating μ with very low P‐V limit value (150 Nm/s) and high wear rate (2 × 10−14 m3/Nm). Inclusion of 30 percent CF benefited the strength properties but not the tribo‐performance appreciably. Composite D with a combination of GF (25 percent) and solid lubricants (30 percent) excelled in performance with a wide margin. The highest PV limit along with the lowest μ and lowest wear rate and counterface friendliness proved it to be most promising bearing material for the selected harsh operating conditions.Practical implicationsThe composite D, which worked better than the commercial composite in almost all the selected operating conditions, indicates its commercial potential as a bearing grade material for high PV conditions.Originality/valueSynergism between reinforcement and solid lubricants in right amount led to excellent friction and wear performance which was very well analysed based on worn surface topography.
Awareness and use of OPACs in five Delhi libraries
Authors: Alam Ansari Mehtab , Amita  
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe objective of this study is to establish the opinion of users with respect to the awareness and utilisation of, as well as their satisfaction level with, the use of the online public access catalogue (OPAC).Design/methodology/approachThe paper deals with the applicability and utility of OPACs in five libraries in New Delhi, namely the Indian Institute of Technology; Jawaharlal Nehru University Library; Dr Zakir Husain Library, Jamia Millia Islamia; National Information System for Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR); and the Defence Science Information and Documentation Centre (DESIDOC). A questionnaire was developed and distributed randomly to 128 users including undergraduates and post graduate students as well as MPhil. and PhD scholars. Users returned 115 completed questionnaires of which 100 were selected for analysis.FindingsThe paper finds that the OPAC system has changed the traditional concept of access to library resources. It allows simple as well as complex searches. Document access is still one of the most important approaches of users to visit the library, and a study of the effectiveness of an OPAC is useful in this respect. Regarding results, sometimes users face problems of recall and precision. However, in some searches users are not able to find relevant documents on account of various factors. Data show that a high percentage of respondents are utilising the OPAC as a search tool for retrieving documents. Also, most of the users handle the OPAC themselves. Significantly, the satisfaction level of users was high with the OPAC facilities. Nevertheless, not many users are aware of the expert searches provided by OPAC.Originality/valueThe paper focuses on many aspects of OPACs, particularly those in India. Librarians, especially those from developing nations, may choose their library automation software packages keeping in view the user's expectation with respect to OPACs.
PCB matching based on SURF
Authors: Dong Zhi‐jie , Ye Feng , Li Di , Huang Jie‐xian 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the application of feature‐based image matching algorithm for PCB matching without using special fiducial marks.Design/methodology/approachSpeed‐up robust feature (SURF) is applied to extract the interest points in PCB images. An advanced threshold is set to reject the interest points with low responses to speed up feature computation. In order to improve the performance for rotation, the descriptors are based on multi‐orientations. The many‐to‐many tentative correspondences are determined with a maximum distance. Hough transform is used to reject the mismatches and the affine parameters are computed with a square‐least solution.FindingsResults show that the method proposed in this paper can match the PCB images without using special fiducial marks effectively. The image matching algorithm shows a better performance for image rotation than the standard SURF and it succeeds in matching the image including repetitive patterns which will deteriorate the distinctiveness of feature descriptors.Research limitations/implicationsAdditional orientations produce more descriptors so that it takes extra time for feature description and matching.Originality/valueThe paper proposes a SURF‐based image matching algorithm to match the PCB images without special fiducial marks. This can reduce the complexity of PCB production. The image matching algorithm is robust to image rotation and repetitive patterns and can be used in other applications of image matching.