bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A directed-overflow and damage-control N-glycosidase in riboflavin biosynthesis
Authors: Frelin Océane , Huang Lili , Hasnain Ghulam , Jeffryes James G. , Ziemak Michael J. , Rocca James R. , Wang Bing , Rice Jennifer , Roje Sanja , Yurgel Svetlana N. , Gregory Jesse F. , Edison Arthur S. , Henry Christopher S. , de Crécy-Lagard Valérie , Hanson Andrew D. 
Published: December 2014

Plants and bacteria synthesize the essential human micronutrient riboflavin (vitamin B2) via the same multi-step pathway. The early intermediates of this pathway are notoriously reactive and may be overproduced in vivo because riboflavin biosynthesis enzymes lack feedback controls. In the present paper, we demonstrate disposal of riboflavin intermediates by COG3236 (DUF1768), a protein of previously unknown function that is fused to two different riboflavin pathway enzymes in plants and bacteria (RIBR and RibA respectively). We present cheminformatic, biochemical, genetic and genomic evidence to show that: (i) plant and bacterial COG3236 proteins cleave the N-glycosidic bond of the first two intermediates of riboflavin biosynthesis, yielding relatively innocuous products; (ii) certain COG3236 proteins are in a multi-enzyme riboflavin biosynthesis complex that gives them privileged access to riboflavin intermediates; and (iii) COG3236 action in Arabidopsis thaliana and Escherichia coli helps maintain flavin levels. COG3236 proteins thus illustrate two emerging principles in chemical biology: directed overflow metabolism, in which excess flux is diverted out of a pathway, and the pre-emption of damage from reactive metabolites.
The activation of mTOR is required for monocyte pro-inflammatory response in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Gao Shanshan , Liu Weimin , Zhuo Xiaozhen , Wang Lijun , Wang Gang , Sun Tao , Zhao Zhao , Liu Junhui , Tian Yuling , Zhou Juan , Yuan Zuyi , Wu Yue 
Published: December 2014

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a key regulator of systematic inflammation in atherosclerosis (AS). The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a serine/threonine protein kinase, has emerged as an important regulator of chronic inflammation. However, the relationship between mTOR and NF-κB remains poorly defined. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of mTOR in the pro-inflammatory pathway of human monocytes (HMCs) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and to determine the interaction between mTOR and NF-κB signalling in the inflammatory state. HMCs were isolated from fasting blood samples of 68 patients with CAD and 59 subjects without CAD (non-CAD) to test the activity of NF-κB, p65 nuclear translocation and mTOR phosphorylation, which were all significantly elevated in the CAD group compared with those in the non-CAD group. The concentrations of serum interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were higher in the CAD group than in the non-CAD group. In an in vitro experiment, HMCs isolated from non-CAD subjects were used as culture model and were treated with sera extracted from CAD patients (CAD sera) or non-CAD subjects (con sera). CAD sera induced time-dependent phosphorylation of mTOR, aberrant NF-κB activation, as well as up-regulation of inflammatory factors. Moreover, inhibition of mTOR by pharmacological or genetic means abolished the CAD sera-triggered NF-κB activation and pro-inflammatory response. Furthermore, lipid-lowering drug statins partly blocked the CAD sera-activated mTOR and pro-inflammatory response. Our results show that CAD patients are in the pro-inflammatory state with increased NF-κB binding activity and enhanced mTOR phosphorylation. We also found that the activation of mTOR is required for the pro-inflammatory response via NF-κB-dependent pathway in HMCs, which unveils the underlying mechanism of AS and potential strategies to attenuate AS in clinical practice.
2‐tap pre‐emphasis SST transmitter with skin effect loss equalisation in 65 nm CMOS technology
Authors: Huang Ke , Wang Ziqiang , Zheng Xuqiang , Zhang Chun , Wang Zhihua 
Published: December 2014

A 2‐tap pre‐emphasis SST transmitter with skin effect loss equalisation is presented. The transmitter features the ability of compensating the low frequency loss caused by the channel skin effect. The transmitter equalisation coefficient setting and driver impedance adjustment are mutually decoupled. Fabricated in 65 nm CMOS technology, the transmitter can operate up to 20 Gbit/s while consuming 39 mW of power under a 1 V power supply. The skin effect loss equalisation is verified with a 24‐inch FR4 channel under an 8 and 9 Gbit/s data rate.
Real‐time lossless ECG compression for low‐power wearable medical devices based on adaptive region prediction
Authors: Li Ke , Pan Yun , Chen Fangjian , Cheng Kwang‐Ting , Huan Ruohong 
Published: December 2014

A real‐time lossless compression technique for ECG signals, which benefits wearable medical devices with stringent low‐power requirements, is presented. The real‐time ECG waveform is automatically classified into four regions according to its fluctuation features and the most suitable prediction method is adaptively selected from several linear prediction methods for different regions. Further proposed is the use of a modified variable length code to encode the prediction difference for a simpler transmit format. Experimental results based on three publically available test databases show that the proposed method achieves a better compression ratio with a lower prediction difference than existing state‐of‐the‐art approaches. A very large‐scale integration implementation is also demonstrated which can be used as an intellectual property core with a core area of 25 809 μm2 and which achieves a power consumption of 127 μW at 100 MHz in a 0.18 μm CMOS technology.
Effect of reference electrode in the nanoFET (field‐effect transistor)‐based biosensor experiment
Authors: Seo Yeong‐Tai , Jang Kuk Jin , Lee Min‐Ho , Seong Woo‐Kyeong , Lee Kook‐Nyung , Kim Yong‐Kweon 
Published: December 2014

The reference electrode in an electrolyte solution affects the surface potential of the nanoFET (field‐effect transistor) channel which can result in a false signal to be measured in the FET channel during bio‐ and chemical sensing experiments. In this reported work, it was demonstrated that different sensing results that were obtained were affected by the choice of the reference electrode through a pH and ion concentration sensing experiment. Three types of reference electrodes were compared: the SCE (saturated calomel reference electrode), the Ag/AgCl tube and the integrated Ag/AgCl electrode. The pH sensitivity equivalent to the surface potential was evaluated: 32.3, 34.6 and 16.3 mV/pH in the case of the SCE, the refillable tube type Ag/AgCl and the integrated Ag/AgCl, respectively.
A Simulation-Based Evaluation of In-Season Management Tactics for Anadromous Fisheries: Accounting for Risk in the Yukon River Fall Chum Salmon Fishery
Authors: Catalano Matthew J. , Jones Michael L. 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Salmon fisheries are managed under uncertainties in abundance, population dynamics, and fishery implementation. These uncertainties create risk, which can be accounted for using probabilistic harvest control rules. Probabilistic control rules ensure management actions are consistent with the level of acceptable risk. Within a fishing season, managers seek to meet escapement objectives by using preseason forecasts and in-season data to set fishery openings and catch targets. We used a stochastic simulation model of the Yukon River fall Chum Salmon Oncorhynchus keta fishery to evaluate the effects on fishery performance of (1) the degree of in-season risk tolerance and (2) two methods for estimating daily abundance projections. We defined risk in terms of the probability of failing to meet escapement objectives, which is consistent with the emphasis on meeting escapement objectives in Alaska's Sustainable Salmon Fisheries Policy. The analysis revealed expected trade-offs between harvest and escapement objectives. However, risk tolerance did not strongly influence fishery performance mainly because outcomes were highly uncertain due to process errors. Average subsistence harvest decreased from 97,000 to 88,000 Chum Salmon and the probability of failing to meet escapement goals in four of the five most recent years decreased from 0.04 to 0.01 when a risk-averse approach was implemented. However, when preseason forecasts were relatively low and close to thresholds where no fishing would be allowed, then a risk-averse approach increased the probability of meeting escapement objectives. A Bayesian approach to estimating the projected run abundance performed similarly to a simpler approach that relied entirely on the preseason forecast until the average first quarter point of the run. Our results suggest that assessment approaches and the degree of in-season risk tolerance are likely less important in determining fishery performance for Yukon River Fall Chum Salmon than are the escapement goals used to manage the fishery.
Received November 18, 2013; accepted July 28, 2014
Social intrapreneurship at Natura
Authors: Alt Elisa de Resende , Spitzeck Heiko 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
Innovation and Intrapreneurship.

Study level/applicability
MSc, MBA and Executive Education Programmes.

Case overview
The case on Priscila Matta focuses on the role of social intrapreneurship and social inclusion at Natura, the largest cosmetics company in Brazil and a corporate responsibility leader. Centred in the complexity stemming from dealing with a local community which supplies key ingredients to the Ekos product line, the company's most prominent and innovative brand, it illustrates the difficulties of establishing inclusive forms of business with a traditional community in the northeast of Brazil. Ekos builds on the rich Brazilian biodiversity and traditional knowledge. Brazilian law requires Natura to share the benefits obtained from the access to genetic heritage and associated traditional knowledge with those communities who supply such resources. Implicitly, the case focuses on the role of the social intrapreneur – Priscila Matta – and how she navigated corporate politics to structure the company's community relations. The case demonstrates the difficulties of social intrapreneurs who aim to create sustainable innovations to execute shared value strategies.

Expected learning outcomes
The case has the following four learning objectives: to illustrate best practices in intrapreneurial activities that aim to create shared value – in this case, value for Natura and for the community; to define the role and characteristics of social intrapreneurs – people inside big corporations who drive sustainable innovation; to discuss obstacles the corporate environment presents in the process of social innovation; and to illustrate how individuals within companies can implement a shared value strategy.

Supplementary materials
Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Towards a unified descriptive theory for spatial ecology: predicting biodiversity patterns across spatial scales
Authors: Azaele Sandro , Maritan Amos , Cornell Stephen J. , Suweis Samir , Banavar Jayanth R. , Gabriel Doreen , Kunin William E. 
Published: December 2014

Summary

A key challenge for both ecological researchers and biodiversity managers is the measurement and prediction of species richness across spatial scales. Typically, biodiversity is assessed at fine scales (e.g. in quadrats or transects) for practical reasons, but often we are interested in coarser‐scale (field, regional, global) diversity issues. Moreover, the pressures affecting biodiversity patterns are often scale specific, making multiscale assessment a crucial methodological priority. As species richness is not additive, it is difficult to translate from the scale of measurement to the scale(s) of interest. A number of methods have been proposed to tackle this problem, but most are too model specific or too rigid to allow general application. Here, we present a general framework (and a specific implementation of it) that allows such scale translations to be performed.

Building on the intrinsic relationships among patterns of species richness, abundance and spatial turnover, we introduce a framework that links and predicts the profile of the species‐area relationship and the species‐abundance distributions across scales when a limited number of fine‐scale scattered samples are available. Using the correlation in species' abundances between pairs of samples as a function of the distance between them, we are able to link the effects of aggregation, similarity decay, species richness and species abundances across scales.

Our approach allows one to draw inferences about biodiversity scaling under very general assumptions pertaining to the nature of interactions, the geographical distributions of individuals and ecological processes.

We demonstrate the accuracy of our predictions using data from two well‐studied forest stands and also demonstrate the potential value of such methods by examining the effects of management on farmland insects across scales. The framework has important applications to biodiversity research and conservation practice.
Reduced striatal dopamine transporter density associated with working memory deficits in opioid‐dependent male subjects: a SPECT study
Authors: Liang Chih‐Sung , Ho Pei‐Shen , Yen Che‐Hung , Yeh Yi‐Wei , Kuo Shin‐Chang , Huang Chang‐Chih , Chen Chun‐Yen , Shih Mei‐Chen , Ma Kuo‐Hsing , Huang San‐Yuan 
Published: December 2014

AbstractResearch on the effects of repeated opioid use on striatal dopamine transporters has yielded inconsistent results, possibly confounded by a history of methamphetamine or methadone exposure in opioid‐dependent individuals. Previous studies have shown that striatal dopamine transporter density is positively correlated with the cognitive performance of healthy volunteers. This study aimed to investigate changes in striatal dopamine transporter density and their functional significance in opioid‐dependent individuals. Single‐photon emission computed tomography with [99mTc]TRODAT‐1 as a ligand was used to measure striatal dopamine transporter levels in 20 opioid‐dependent individuals and 20 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Opioid‐dependent individuals had no history of methamphetamine or methadone use. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) was performed to assess neurocognitive function. We found that compared with healthy controls, opioid‐dependent individuals showed a significant reduction in striatal dopamine transporter density. They also showed poorer performance on the WCST in terms of the trials administered, total errors, perseverative responses, perseverative errors, and non‐perseverative errors. Striatal dopamine transporter levels negatively correlated with non‐perseverative errors not only in opioid‐dependent individuals but also in healthy controls. These findings suggest that in human, repeated opioid exposure reduces striatal dopamine transporter density, which can be associated with non‐perseverative errors. Non‐perseverative errors may be one of the more sensitive parameters in WCST to identify working memory deficits associated with striatal dopamine transporter reduction. Moreover, we suggest that whether opioid‐associated neurotoxicity is reversible depends on the brain region.
Point‐of‐care monitoring of haemostasis
Authors: Mallett S. V. , Armstrong M. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryRecent research in the management of haemorrhage has led to several changes in clinical practice. Evidence is accumulating that point‐of‐care testing results in fewer transfusions, improved patient outcomes, and reduced hospital costs. However, there is still insufficient high quality evidence to support transfusion guidelines and algorithms based on point‐of‐care tests alone, and more robust studies are needed. The implementation of point‐of‐care testing requires institutional support and senior clinical leadership to realise the benefits, with educational programmes, audit, and feedback regarding transfusion practice. A change in philosophy is required, from performing testing only when there is an obvious bleeding problem, towards the concept of routinely monitoring high‐risk patients throughout the surgical procedure. This informs clinical practice, establishes normal ranges for that population, identifies patients at risk and allows early identification and treatment of evolving coagulopathy.
The current place of tranexamic acid in the management of bleeding
Authors: Hunt B. J. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThere has been an explosion of interest in the ability of tranexamic acid to reduce morbidity and mortality in surgical and traumatic bleeding. Tranexamic acid has been shown to reduce mortality due to traumatic bleeding by a third, without apparent safety issues. It is now clearly established that intravenous tranexamic acid reduces blood loss in patients with surgical bleeding and the need for transfusion. It can also be used topically to reduce bleeding. Its use is being explored further in large pragmatic trials in traumatic head injury, postpartum haemorrhage and in upper gastro‐intestinal haemorrhage. There are few side effects from the use of tranexamic acid except when administered in high dose where neurological events have been noted, possibly relating to tranexamic acid interfering with cerebral GABA and glycine receptors. However, clinical studies suggest that there is no increased efficacy in using a higher dose, and that a dose of 1 g intravenously in an adult patient has maximal efficacy, which is not increased by higher doses. The CRASH‐2 trauma trial clearly showed no increase in thrombotic events after its use in trauma, indeed there was a significant reduction in myocardial infarction. However, trials of tranexamic acid in surgery have failed to adequately study its effects on the risk of postoperative venous and possible reduction in arterial thrombo‐embolism, and this needs to be the subject of future research.
The pathogenesis of traumatic coagulopathy
Authors: Cap A. , Hunt B. J. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryOver the last 10 years, the management of major haemorrhage in trauma patients has changed radically. This is mainly due to the recognition that many patients who are bleeding when they come in to the emergency department have an established coagulopathy before the haemodilution effects of fluid resuscitation. This has led to the use of new terminology: acute traumatic coagulopathy, acute coagulopathy of trauma shock or trauma‐induced coagulopathy. The recognition of acute traumatic coagulopathy is important, because we now understand that its presence is a prognostic indicator, as it is associated with poor clinical outcome. This has driven a change in clinical management, so that the previous approach of maintaining an adequate circulating volume and oxygen carrying capacity before, as a secondary event, dealing with coagulopathy, has changed to haemostatic resuscitation as early as possible. While there is as yet no universally accepted assay or definition, many experts use prolongation of the prothrombin time to indicate that there is, indeed, a coagulopathy. Hypoxia, acidosis and hypothermia and hormonal, immunological and cytokine production, alongside consumption and blood loss, and the dilutional effects of resuscitation may occur to varying extents depending on the type of tissue damaged, the type and extent of injury, predisposing to, or amplifying, activation of coagulation, platelets, fibrinolysis. These are discussed in detail within the article.
Perineal support and risk of obstetric anal sphincter injuries: a Delphi survey
Authors: Ismail Khaled M. K. , Paschetta Elena , Papoutsis Dimitrios , Freeman Robert M. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the views of a multidisciplinary group of experts and achieve consensus on the importance of perineal support in preventing obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS).DesignA three‐generational Delphi survey.SettingAUK‐wide survey of experts.PopulationA panel of 20 members consisting of obstetricians, midwives and urogynecologists recommended byUKprofessional bodies.MethodsA 58‐item web‐based questionnaire was sent to all participants who were asked to anonymously rate the importance of each item on a six‐point Likert scale. They were asked to rate their level of agreement on statements related to hands‐on/hands‐poised techniques, the association of hands‐poised/hands‐off approach withOASIS, the need to implement perineal support and the need to improve the evidence to support it. Systematic feedback of responses from previous rounds was provided to participants.Main outcome measuresTo achieve consensus on key areas related to perineal support.ResultsThe response rate was 100% in all three iterations. There was consensus that currentUKpractice regarding perineal protection was not based on robust evidence. The respondents agreed that hands‐poised/hands‐off andOASISare causally related and that hands‐poised was misinterpreted by clinicians as hands‐off. Although 90% of experts agreed that some form of randomized trial was required and that all would be prepared to take part, there was also consensus (75%) that in the meantime, hands‐on should be the recommended technique.ConclusionsOur results highlight the current lack of evidence to support policies of perineal support at time of birth and the need to address this controversial issue.
Insulin‐independent actions of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 in wethers
Authors: El‐Sabagh Mabrouk , Taniguchi Dai , Sugino Toshihisa , Obitsu Taketo , Taniguchi Kohzo 
Published: December 2014

AbstractInsulin‐independent actions of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) are not yet clear in ruminants. Four Suffolk mature wethers (60.0 ± 6.7 kg body weight (BW)) were intravenously infused with insulin (0.5 mU/kg BW/min; from 0 to 90 min) and GLP‐1 (0.5 μg/kg BW/min; from 60 to 150 min) with both hormones co‐administered from 60 to 90 min, in a repeated‐measure design under euglycemic clamp for 150 min, to investigate whether GLP‐1 has insulin‐independent actions. Jugular blood samples were taken at 15‐min intervals for plasma hormones and metabolites analysis. Compared to baseline concentrations (at 0 min), insulin infusion decreased (P < 0.05) plasma concentrations of glucagon, non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), lactate, nonessential amino acids (NEAA), branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA), total amino acids (TAA) and urea nitrogen (UN). Insulin plus GLP‐1 infusion induced a greater increase (P < 0.05) in plasma concentrations of insulin and triglyceride (TG), but decreased (P < 0.05) glucagon, total cholesterol (T‐Cho), NEAA and UN plasma concentrations. GLP‐1 infusion increased (P < 0.05) NEFA, β‐hydroxybutyrate and TG, but decreased (P < 0.05) glucagon, T‐Cho, NEAA, BCAA and UN plasma concentrations. In conclusion, GLP‐1 exerts extrapancreatic roles in ruminants not only insulin‐independent but probably, in contrast to non‐ruminants, antagonistic to insulin effects.
Enhancing the Executive Functions of 3‐Year‐Olds in the Dimensional Change Card Sort Task
Authors: Perone Sammy , Molitor Stephen J. , Buss Aaron T. , Spencer John P. , Samuelson Larissa K. 
Published: December 2014

Executive functions enable flexible thinking, something young children are notoriously bad at. For instance, in the dimensional change card sort (DCCS) task, 3‐year‐olds can sort cards by one dimension (shape), but continue to sort by this dimension when asked to switch (to color). This study tests a prediction of a dynamic neural field model that prior experience with the postswitch dimension can enhance 3‐year‐olds' performance in the DCCS. In Experiment 1A, a matching game was used to preexpose 3‐year‐olds (n = 36) to color. This facilitated switching from sorting by shape to color. In , 3‐year‐olds (n = 18) were preexposed to shape. This did not facilitate switching from sorting by color to shape. The model was used to explain this asymmetry.