bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of time, temperature, and pH on the stability of PDU bacterial microcompartments
Authors: Kim Edward Y. , Slininger Marilyn F. , Tullman‐Ercek Danielle 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBacterial microcompartments (MCPs) are subcellular organelles that are composed of a protein shell and encapsulated metabolic enzymes. It has been suggested that MCPs can be engineered to encapsulate protein cargo for use as in vivo nanobioreactors or carriers for drug delivery. Understanding the stability of the MCP shell is critical for such applications. Here, we investigate the integrity of the propanediol utilization (Pdu) MCP shell of Salmonella enterica over time, in buffers with various pH, and at elevated temperatures. The results show that MCPs are remarkably stable. When stored at 4°C or at room temperature, Pdu MCPs retain their structure for several days, both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, Pdu MCPs can tolerate temperatures up to 60°C without apparent structural degradation. MCPs are, however, sensitive to pH and require conditions between pH 6 and pH 10. In nonoptimal conditions, MCPs form aggregates. However, within the aggregated protein mass, MCPs often retain their polyhedral outlines. These results show that MCPs are highly robust, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.
Ultrasound guidance during embryo transfer: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Teixeira D. M. , Dassunção L. A. , Vieira C. V. R. , Barbosa M. A. P. , Coelho Neto M. A. , Nastri C. O. , Martins W. P. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo summarize the current evidence on the effect of using ultrasound (US) guidance during embryo transfer (ET).MethodsIn this systematic review, we included randomized controlled trials examining the effect of the use of US guidance during ET; data from studies using the same catheter type in study arms were not pooled with the results from studies that used different catheter types.ResultsTwenty‐one studies were included in the quantitative analysis: 18 compared ‘US guidance’ with ‘clinical touch’, of which one was subsequently excluded from the quantitative meta‐analysis owing to a lack of available data, three studies compared transvaginal US guidance with transabdominal US guidance, and one study compared ‘hysterosonometry before ET’ with US guidance. Comparison of the use of US guidance with clinical touch, in studies that used the same catheter type in the study arms, indicated a benefit of using US guidance during ET on the rates of live birth (relative risk (RR), 1.48 (95% CI, 1.16–1.87)), based on two studies involving 888 women with moderate‐quality evidence, and on the rates of clinical pregnancy (RR, 1.32 (95% CI, 1.18–1.46)), based on 13 studies involving 3641 women with high‐quality evidence. However, when comparing the use of US guidance with clinical touch in studies that used different catheter types, the results suggest that using US guidance during ET has no effect on the rates of reproductive outcome: live birth (RR, 0.99 (95% CI, 0.83–1.19)), based on one study involving 1649 women with moderate‐quality evidence; clinical pregnancy (RR, 1.04 (95% CI, 0.89–1.21)), based on five studies involving 2949 women with moderate‐quality evidence. The estimates for the rate of miscarriage and for the other identified comparisons were imprecise.ConclusionsThe available evidence suggests that there is a benefit of using US guidance during ET. However, both US‐guided transfer and clinical touch should be considered acceptable, as the benefit of US is not large and should be balanced against the increased cost and need to change the catheter type. More studies are required before conclusions can be drawn regarding the effect of other techniques on reproductive outcome. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Simple solutions may still be best: on the selection of working channels in a channel‐hopping cognitive network
Authors: Mišić Vojislav B. , Islam Khan Mohammad Shahnoor , Rahman Md. Mizanur , Khojasteh Haleh , Mišić Jelena 
Published: July 2014

AbstractSpectrum decision—that is, the selection of a channel for the next hop—is one of the most important factors that affect the performance of a channel‐hopping cognitive network. In this paper, we compare the performance of a number of channel selection algorithms through the probability of collisions with primary user transmissions. The results indicate that a simple histogram‐based selection algorithm performs the best, except in the somewhat unrealistic scenario where primary users are homogeneous with respect to mean period and mean duty cycle of their channel activity, in which case selecting the next‐hop channel among those that have most recently turned idle offers the best performance. Furthermore, histogram‐based selection is shown to be quite resilient to errors inherent to channel sensing and is thus a primary candidate for a wide range of applications of channel‐hopping cognitive networks. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Theoretical Study, and Luminescence Spectroscopy of A W/Cu/S Cluster with 1, 10‐Phenanthroline
Authors: Chen Aihua , Meng Suci , Zhang Jinfang , Zhang Chi 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe reaction of [NH4]2WOS3 with Cu(CH3CN)4ClO4 and 1, 10‐phenanthroline(phen) in CH2Cl2 afforded the butterfly‐shaped cluster {[WOS3Cu2(phen)2]·CH2Cl2} (1), which was characterized by elemental analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction as well as IR and fluorescence spectroscopy. The complex crystallizes in the triclinic system with space group P$\bar{1}$ [a = 8.3976(17) Å, b = 9.6771(19) Å, c = 18.460(4) Å, α = 89.94(3)°, β = 80.33(3)°, γ = 70.38(3)°, V = 1390.5(5) Å3, and Z = 2]. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that complex 1 displays pairwise π–π stacking. Density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/LanL2DZf+6‐31G* level were performed on complex 1 to rationalize its experimental absorption spectra. Fluorescence spectroscopy reveals that complex 1 exhibits luminescence in EtOH solution at room temperature.
Use of a stress-minimisation paradigm in high cell density fed-batch Escherichia coli fermentations to optimise recombinant protein production
Authors: Wyre Chris , Overton Tim W 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Production of recombinant proteins is an industrially important technique in the biopharmaceutical sector. Many recombinant proteins are problematic to generate in a soluble form in bacteria as they readily form insoluble inclusion bodies. Recombinant protein solubility can be enhanced by minimising stress imposed on bacteria through decreasing growth temperature and the rate of recombinant protein production. In this study, we determined whether these stress-minimisation techniques can be successfully applied to industrially relevant high cell density Escherichia coli fermentations generating a recombinant protein prone to forming inclusion bodies, CheY–GFP. Flow cytometry was used as a routine technique to rapidly determine bacterial productivity and physiology at the single cell level, enabling determination of culture heterogeneity. We show that stress minimisation can be applied to high cell density fermentations (up to a dry cell weight of &gt;70 g L−1) using semi-defined media and glucose or glycerol as carbon sources, and using early or late induction of recombinant protein production, to produce high yields (up to 6 g L−1) of aggregation-prone recombinant protein in a soluble form. These results clearly demonstrate that stress minimisation is a viable option for the optimisation of high cell density industrial fermentations for the production of high yields of difficult-to-produce recombinant proteins, and present a workflow for the application of stress-minimisation techniques in a variety of fermentation protocols.
Divergent responses of flagship, keystone and resource‐limited bio‐indicators to forest structure
Authors: Segura Amalia , Castaño‐Santamaría Javier , Laiolo Paola , Obeso José Ramón 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBio‐indicators are often proposed to set conservation priorities in forest habitat owing to the difficulties of determining forest intrinsic ecological value. Here, we tested the efficacy of a number of potential bird indicator groups in monitoring beech Fagus sylvatica forest status by analyzing their associations with the spatial and structural variables of forest vegetation that indicate key ecological patterns and processes. The density of cavity nesting birds, indicating the presence of limited forest resources (resource‐limited indicators), was influenced by tree species diversity, vertical species mingling and diameter, parameters reflecting maturity, gap‐dynamic processes, as well as resource and shelter availability. Heterogeneity in shrub species composition, another parameter depending on forest dynamics, was positively associated with the occurrence of Capercaillie, a “flagship” species for forest conservation. The presence of woodpeckers, a “keystone” group that provides shelter and foraging substrate to other organisms, was positively affected by the basal area of standing dead trees that is indirectly associated with natural nutrient availability. These findings suggest that single indicators fail to provide a complete assessment of forest status, and their use in monitoring or managing forest ecosystem need to be contextualized to specific ecological patterns. The combined use of several indicators, representing various taxa, functions and life histories, appears to be preferable, and is logistically feasible if these can be surveyed together. Several indicators would likely display a wider range of sensitivities to the modification of natural processes and permit more comprehensive tracking of forest dynamics than single flagship, keystone or resource‐limited indicators.
Composite Grafting for Pediatric Fingertip Injuries
Authors: Eberlin Kyle R. , Busa Kathleen , Bae Donald S. , Waters Peter M. , Labow Brian I. , Taghinia Amir H. 
Published: July 2014

Background Fingertip injuries are common in the pediatric population. Composite grafting is a frequently used technique for distal amputations in children given the reported success rate. We sought to study the early clinical results of composite grafting for fingertip injuries in the pediatric population. Methods A retrospective review was performed over a 5-year period at a tertiary care pediatric hospital to identify those patients who underwent composite grafting of fingertip injuries. Patients were included if they were 18 years old or younger and sustained an injury distal to the distal interphalangeal joint (or thumb interphalangeal joint). Demographic information was recorded. Graft viability was characterized as no take, partial take, or complete take. The number of secondary procedures and number and duration of follow-up appointments were recorded. Hypothesis testing was done using ordinal logistic regression analysis. Results Thirty-nine patients underwent fingertip composite grafting. The mean age was 5.9 years (1–18 years); there were 24 males (61.5 %) and 15 females (38.5 %). Thirteen patients had no graft take (33.3 %), 23 patients had partial take (59.0 %), and three patients had complete take (7.7 %). Only four patients underwent secondary revision (10 %). The median number of follow-up appointments was 3 and the average follow-up time was 4.5 months. Age did not appear to have a statistically significant influence on graft take. Conclusions Fingertip composite grafts rarely take completely even in young children. Despite poor viability, however, most patients will have at least partial graft take and do not undergo additional reconstructive procedures.
PARALLEL DILEMMAS: POLIO TRANSMISSION AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
Authors: Renne Elisha P. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTNigeria is one of three countries where polio continues to be endemic. In northern Nigeria, areas with low levels of polio immunization due to persistent parental opposition as well as implementation and infrastructural problems have contributed to wild poliovirus transmission. Furthermore, political violence associated with Islamic groups opposed to the federal government has also hampered the conclusion of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) efforts. This violence, which began in Borno State and has spread to other parts of northern Nigeria, occurs precisely where poliovirus transmission continues. These two related aspects – parallel dilemmas of low immunization and political violence – confound the conclusion of GPEI efforts in Nigeria. This situation also raises ethical questions both about the final stages of eradication efforts and about military actions to contain ongoing violence. The Nigerian government's attempts to suppress opposition to the polio eradication campaign by threatening non-compliant parents with arrest and by closing down media outlets may frighten some parents into compliance but can also breed resentment and resistance, just as military and police activities, such as house-to-house sweeps and widespread arrests, may encourage sympathy for Islamic insurgents. This situation suggests that the possible solution of one problem – the ending of wild poliovirus transmission – depends upon a solution of the other, i.e. the cessation of violent anti-government activities.
TELLING THE TALE OF OSEI BONSU: AN ESSAY ON THE MAKING OF ASANTE ORAL HISTORY
Authors: McCaskie Tom 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTThis paper is about the Asante perception and understanding of Asante history as expressed in theapaeor ‘praise songs’ of Asantehene (King of the Asante) Osei Tutu Kwame, known as Osei Bonsu (1804–23). As such, it offers an indigenous portrait of kingship and the expectations and behaviours attaching to it in Asante thought. The core of the paper is centred on the role of Osei Tutu Kwame as a leader in war, against the Fante of the southern Gold Coast in 1806–07 and against the Abron of Gyaman (today in the eastern Côte d'Ivoire) in 1818–19. Both campaigns are interpreted from the point of view of Asante thinking about their own historical goals and understandings, and of the fit and proper role of an Asantehene in such matters. Throughout, extensive oral historical materials are used in conjunction with theapae, and a rich range of European sources are deployed as a counterpoint. The paper's claim to originality is that it offers an Asante view, at once intellectual and ideological, of their own constructions of their past and of the nature of their history as they themselves chose to understand it.
Pea aphid biotype performance on diverseMedicagohost genotypes indicates highly specific virulence and resistance functions
Authors: Kanvil S. , Powell G. , Turnbull C. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAphid–plant interactions depend on genotypes of both organisms, which determine the two-way molecular exchange that leads to compatible or incompatible outcomes. The underlying genes are mostly unknown, making it difficult to predict likelihood of aphid success or host resistance, and hampering crop genetic improvement. Here we screened eight pea aphid clonal genotypes collected from diverse legume hosts, on a species-wide panel ofMedicago truncatula(Mt) genotypes. Aphid virulence was measured by survival, fecundity and growth rate, together with scores for chlorosis and necrosis as host response indicators. Outcomes were highly dependent on the specific aphid–host genotype combinations. Only one Mt line was fully resistant against all clones. Aphid-induced host chlorosis and necrosis varied greatly, but correlated with resistance only in a few combinations. Bi-clustering analysis indicated that all aphid clones could be distinguished by their performance profiles across the host genotypes tested, with each clone being genetically differentiated and potentially representing a distinct biotype. Clones originating fromMedicago sativaranged from highly virulent to almost completely avirulent on bothMedicagospecies, indicating that some were well adapted, whereas others were most likely migrants. Comparisons of closely related pairs of Australian Mt genotypes differing in aphid resistance revealed no enhanced resistance to European pea aphid clones. Based on the extensive variation in pea aphid adaptation even on unfamiliar hosts, most likely reflecting multiple biotype-specific gene-for-gene interactions, we conclude that robust defences require an arsenal of appropriate resistance genes.
Estimation of genetic and crossbreeding parameters of fatty acid concentrations in milk fat predicted by mid-infrared spectroscopy in New Zealand dairy cattle
Authors: Lopez-Villalobos Nicolas , Spelman Richard J. , Melis Janine , Davis Stephen R. , Berry Sarah D. , Lehnert Klaus , Holroyd Stephen E. , MacGibbon Alastair K.H. , Snell Russell G. 
Published: July 2014

The objective of this study was to estimate heritability and crossbreeding parameters (breed and heterosis effects) of various fatty acid (FA) concentrations in milk fat of New Zealand dairy cattle. For this purpose, calibration equations to predict concentration of each of the most common FAs were derived with partial least squares (PLS) using mid-infrared (MIR) spectral data from milk samples (n=850) collected in the 2003–04 season from 348 second-parity crossbred cows during peak, mid and late lactation. The milk samples produced both, MIR spectral data and concentration of the most common FAs determined using gas chromatography (GC). The concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) between the concentration of a FA determined by GC and the PLS equation ranged from 0·63 to 0·94, suggesting that some prediction equations can be considered to have substantial predictive ability. The PLS calibration equations were then used to predict the concentration of each of the fatty acids in 26 769 milk samples from 7385 cows that were herd-tested during the 2007–08 season. Data were analysed using a single-trait repeatability animal model. Shorter chain FA (16 : 0 and below) were significantly higher (P<0·05) in Jersey cows, while longer chain, including unsaturated longer chain FA were higher in Holstein-Friesian cows. The estimates of heritabilities ranged from 0·17 to 0·41 suggesting that selective breeding could be used to ensure milk fat composition stays aligned to consumer, market and manufacturing needs.
Do large birds experience previously undetected levels of hunting pressure in the forests of Central and West Africa?
Authors: Whytock Robin C. , Buij Ralph , Virani Munir Z. , Morgan Bethan J. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe commercial bushmeat trade threatens numerous species in the forests of West and Central Africa. Hunters shoot and trap animals, which are transported to rural and urban markets for sale. Village-based surveys of hunter offtake and surveys of bushmeat markets have shown that mammals and reptiles are affected most, followed by birds. However, hunters also consume some animals in forest camps and these may have been overlooked in surveys that have focused on bushmeat extracted from the forest. A number of studies have used indirect methods, such as hunter diaries, to quantify this additional offtake but results can be difficult to verify. We examined discarded animal remains at 13 semi-permanent hunting camps in the Ebo Forest, Cameroon, over 272 days. Twenty-one species were identified from 49 carcasses, of which birds constituted 55%, mammals 43% and other taxa 2%. The mammals identified were typical of those recorded in previous bushmeat studies but we recorded several species of birds rarely recorded elsewhere. Offtake of bird species increased with mean body mass. We extrapolated our results to the 34 known hunting camps in the Ebo Forest and estimated that a minimum of 97 birds are hunted annually in a catchment area of c. 479 km2. We conclude that some bird species may be hunted more frequently than previous research suggests and this has important conservation implications for larger-bodied species such as raptors and hornbills.
Kinetic Interpretation of the Importance of OATP1B3 and MRP2 in Docetaxel‐Induced Hematopoietic Toxicity
Authors: Yamada A , Maeda K , Kiyotani K , Mushiroda T , Nakamura Y , Sugiyama Y 
Published: July 2014

Neutropenia is a lethal dose‐limiting toxicity of docetaxel. Our previous report indicated that the prevalence of severe docetaxel‐induced neutropenia is significantly associated with genetic polymorphisms in solute carrier organic anion transporter 1B3 (SLCO1B3) (encoding organic anion–transporting polypeptide 1B3 (OATP1B3)) and ATP‐binding cassette subfamily C2 (ABCC2) (encoding multidrug‐resistant–associated protein 2 (MRP2)). Therefore, we investigated their significance in docetaxel‐induced neutropenia. In vitro experiments suggested their possible involvement in the hepatic uptake of docetaxel and its efflux from bone marrow cells. To further characterize a quantitative impact of OATP1B3 and MRP2 on neutropenia, we used an in silico simulation of the neutrophil count in docetaxel‐treated subjects with functional changes in OATP1B3 and MRP2 in a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model. The clinically reported odds ratios for docetaxel‐induced neutropenia risk were explained by the decreased function of OATP1B3 and MRP2 to 41 and 32%, respectively. These results suggest that reduced activities of OATP1B3 and MRP2 associated with systemic exposure and local accumulation in bone marrow cells, respectively, account for the docetaxel‐induced neutropenia observed clinically.CPT Pharmacometrics Syst. Pharmacol. (2014) 3, e126; doi:10.1038/psp.2014.23; published online 23 July 2014
Grid‐tie inverter topology with maximum power extraction from two photovoltaic arrays
Authors: Patrao Iván , Garcerá Gabriel , Figueres Emilio , González‐Medina Raúl 
Published: July 2014

This study presents a transformerless topology for a grid‐tied single‐phase inverter capable of performing the simultaneous maximum power point tracking of two independent and series connected photovoltaic sources. This topology is derived from the neutral point clamped multilevel inverter in half‐bridge configuration. The use of a half‐bridge topology reduces the leakage current to very low values, whereas the multilevel topology presents an output voltage quality similar to that of a full‐bridge inverter. To simultaneously track the maximum power of both photovoltaic sources, a generation control circuit is used. With this topology, it is possible to improve the performance of the converter under partial shadowing conditions, very common in photovoltaic facilities operating in residential areas. A 5 kW prototype of this topology has been implemented and tested in the laboratory.
Metaproteomics reveals differential modes of metabolic coupling among ubiquitous oxygen minimum zone microbes
Authors: Hawley Alyse K. , Brewer Heather M. , Norbeck Angela D. , Paša-Tolić Ljiljana , Hallam Steven J. 
Published: July 2014

Significance
Oxygen is an important organizing principle in marine ecosystems. As oxygen levels decline, energy is increasingly diverted away from higher trophic levels into microbial community metabolism causing changes in carbon and nutrient cycling. Here we use metagenomic and metaproteomic methods to chart in situ metabolic networks linking key microbial players driving carbon and nutrient cycling in a seasonally stratified fjord, Saanich Inlet, a model ecosystem for studying microbial responses to changing levels of water column oxygen deficiency. Based on this evidence, we develop a conceptual model that describes coupling of chemotrophic energy production with dark carbon fixation along defined redox gradients with implications for primary production and possibly carbon sedimentation in expanding marine oxygen minimum zones.