bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combination Mode Dynamics of the Anomalous Northwest Pacific Anticyclone*
Authors: Stuecker Malte F. , Jin Fei-Fei , Timmermann Axel , McGregor Shayne 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Nonlinear interactions between ENSO and the western Pacific warm pool annual cycle generate an atmospheric combination mode (C-mode) of wind variability. The authors demonstrate that C-mode dynamics are responsible for the development of an anomalous low-level northwest Pacific anticyclone (NWP-AC) during El Niño events. The NWP-AC is embedded in a large-scale meridionally antisymmetric Indo-Pacific atmospheric circulation response and has been shown to exhibit large impacts on precipitation in Asia. In contrast to previous studies, the authors find the role of air–sea coupling in the Indian Ocean and northwestern Pacific only of secondary importance for the NWP-AC genesis. Moreover, the NWP-AC is clearly marked in the frequency domain with near-annual combination tones, which have been overlooked in previous Indo-Pacific climate studies. Furthermore, the authors hypothesize a positive feedback loop involving the anomalous low-level NWP-AC through El Niño and C-mode interactions: the development of the NWP-AC as a result of the C-mode acts to rapidly terminate El Niño events. The subsequent phase shift from retreating El Niño conditions toward a developing La Niña phase terminates the low-level cyclonic circulation response in the central Pacific and thus indirectly enhances the NWP-AC and allows it to persist until boreal summer. Anomalous local circulation features in the Indo-Pacific (e.g., the NWP-AC) can be considered a superposition of the quasi-symmetric linear ENSO response and the meridionally antisymmetric annual cycle modulated ENSO response (C-mode). The authors emphasize that it is not adequate to assess ENSO impacts by considering only interannual time scales. C-mode dynamics are an essential (extended) part of ENSO and result in a wide range of deterministic high-frequency variability.
A Novel “FlocDrifter” Platform for Observing Flocculation and Turbulence Processes in a Lagrangian Frame of Reference
Authors: MacDonald Iain T. , Mullarney Julia C. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractA novel drifter platform was used to measure the properties of aggregated particles called flocs—a key component of sediment transport in muddy environments. Also concurrently measured were turbulence, suspended sediment concentration (SSC), velocity, and salinity in both Lagrangian and Eulerian frames of reference. In Lagrangian mode the system performed well in a heavily sediment-laden river, providing measurements over a large spatial scale. The platform navigated itself through a complex geometry encompassing many bends and significant depth changes. Observed velocities relative to the drifter and salinities indicated that the drifter motion was almost Lagrangian with minimal slippage between the drifter and the water motion. The small amount of slippage that did occur was sufficient to ensure that the drifter oriented itself into the oncoming flow.High-quality in situ images of flocs were collected using a high-magnification floc camera (FlocCam). An automatic image analysis routine was developed to identify and characterize flocs within each FlocCam image, employing an artificial neural network (ANN) to ensure that only in-focus particles were included in the analyses. The results indicated that the FlocCam system had an upper working SSC limit of around 350–400 mg L−1.The SSC estimates show that the drifters encountered considerable variability as they were advected downstream; however, concentrations predominantly remained under the image processing threshold of 350–400 mg L−1. The system captured the evolution of floc characteristics over short spatial scales (hundreds of meters). The median floc size (d50) was found to be positively correlated with SSC (r2 = 0.5). A comparison between Eulerian and Lagrangian floc histories can then be used to evaluate the role of antecedent conditions within the flocculation process.
A single poly-Si gate-all-around junctionless fin field-effect transistor for use in one-time programming nonvolatile memory
Authors: Yeh Mu-Shih , Wu Yung-Chun , Liu Kuan-Cheng , Chung Ming-Hsien , Jhan Yi-Ruei , Hung Min-Feng , Chen Lun-Chun 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis work demonstrates a feasible single poly-Si gate-all-around (GAA) junctionless fin field-effect transistor (JL-FinFET) for use in one-time programming (OTP) nonvolatile memory (NVM) applications. The advantages of this device include the simplicity of its use and the ease with which it can be embedded in Si wafer, glass, and flexible substrates. This device exhibits excellent retention, with a memory window maintained 2 V after 104s. By extrapolation, 95% of the original charge can be stored for 10 years. In the future, this device will be applied to multi-layer Si ICs in fully functional systems on panels, active-matrix liquid-crystal displays, and three-dimensional (3D) stacked flash memory.
Preconditioning of mesenchymal stem cells for improved transplantation efficacy in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Perdoni Christopher , McGrath John A , Tolar Jakub 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Introduction
The use of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has previously been shown to ameliorate cutaneous blistering in pediatric patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), an inherited skin disorder that results from loss-of-function mutations in COL7A1 and manifests as deficient or absent type VII collagen protein (C7) within the epidermal basement membrane. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) found within the HCT graft are believed to be partially responsible for this amelioration, in part due to their intrinsic immunomodulatory and trophic properties and also because they have been shown to restore C7 protein following intradermal injections in models of RDEB. However, MSCs have not yet been demonstrated to improve disease severity as a stand-alone systemic infusion therapy. Improving the efficacy and functional utility of MSCs via a pre-transplant conditioning regimen may bring systemic MSC infusions closer to clinical practice.

Methods
MSCs were isolated from 2- to 4-week-old mice and treated with varying concentrations of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ; 5-20 ng/mL), tumor necrosis factor- α (TNFα; 10-40 ng/mL), and stromal cell-derived factor 1-α (SDF-1α; 30 ng/mL) for 24-72 hours.

Results
We demonstrate that treating murine MSCs with exogenous TGFβ (15 ng/mL) and TNFα (30 ng/mL) for 48 hours induces an 8-fold increase in Col7a1 expression and a significant increase in secretion of C7 protein, and that the effects of these cytokines are both time and concentration dependent. This cytokine treatment also promotes a 4-fold increase in Tsg-6 expression, a gene whose product is associated with improved wound-healing and immunosuppressive features. Finally, the addition of exogenous SDF-1α to this regimen induces a simultaneous upregulation of Col7a1, Tsg-6, and Cxcr4 expression.

Conclusions
These data suggest that preconditioning represents a feasible method for improving the functional utility of MSCs in the context of RDEB stem cell transplantation, and also highlight the applicability of preconditioning principles toward other cell-based therapies aimed at treating RDEB patients.
Anogenital Distance Plasticity in Adulthood: Implications for Its Use as a Biomarker of Fetal Androgen Action
Authors: Mitchell Rod T. , Mungall Will , McKinnell Chris , Sharpe Richard M. , Cruickshanks Lyndsey , Milne Laura , Smith Lee B. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Androgen action during the fetal masculinization programming window (MPW) determines the maximum potential for growth of androgen-dependent organs (eg, seminal vesicles, prostate, penis, and perineum) and is reflected in anogenital distance (AGD). As such, determining AGD in postnatal life has potential as a lifelong easily accessible biomarker of overall androgen action during the MPW. However, whether the perineum remains androgen responsive in adulthood and thus responds plastically to perturbed androgen drive remains unexplored. To determine this, we treated adult male rats with either the antiandrogen flutamide or the estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) for 5 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout period of no treatment. We determined AGD and its correlate anogenital index (AGI) (AGD relative to body weight) at weekly intervals across this period and compared these with normal adult rats (male and female), castrated male rats, and appropriate vehicle controls. These data showed that, in addition to reducing circulating testosterone and seminal vesicle weight, castration significantly reduced AGD (by ∼17%), demonstrating that there is a degree of plasticity in AGD in adulthood. Flutamide treatment increased circulating testosterone yet also reduced seminal vesicle weight due to local antagonism of androgen receptor. Despite this suppression, surprisingly, flutamide treatment had no effect on AGD at any time point. In contrast, although DES treatment suppressed circulating testosterone and reduced seminal vesicle weight, it also induced a significant reduction in AGD (by ∼11%), which returned to normal 1 week after cessation of DES treatment. We conclude that AGD in adult rats exhibits a degree of plasticity, which may be mediated by modulation of local androgen/estrogen action. The implications of these findings regarding the use of AGD as a lifelong clinical biomarker of fetal androgen action are discussed.
Safety, efficacy and utility of methods of transferring adhesive and cohesive Escherichia coli cells to microplates to avoid aerosols
Authors: Ericksen Bryan 
Published: November 2014

The virtual colony count (VCC) microbiological assay has been utilized for over a decade to measure the antimicrobial activity of peptides such as defensins and LL-37 against biosafety level (BSL)-1 and BSL-2 bacteria including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Enterobacter aerogenes. In addition, a modified pipetting technique was presented in a 2011 study of defensin activity against the BSL-3 pathogen Bacillus anthracis. Both studies were published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Here we report that the method can also detect cross-contamination caused by aerosols utilizing the VCC method of data analysis by quantitative growth kinetics (QGK). The QGK threshold time, or Tt, equivalent to the cycle time Ct reported in 1996 by Heid et al., precisely identifies when wells were inoculated.
Influence of superabsorbent dressings on non-healing ulcers: a multicentre case series from the Netherlands and the UK
Authors: van Leen M. , Rondas A. , Neyens J. , Cutting K. , Schols J.M.G.A. 
Published: November 2014

Objective: To record and assess the application and the progression of wound healing in patients who received Sorbion sachet S or Sorbion Sana wound dressings. Method: A convenience sample of patients with chronic wounds was recruited from nursing homes or community wound clinics in the Netherlands and the UK. Wound surface area measurements, pain assessment using a visual analogue scale score, patient affect (mood) and social interaction were recorded using a specifically designed evaluation template. Results: Pressure ulcer (PU) (n=11) and leg ulcer (LU) (n=20) patients had a mean age of 64.6 years and 71.7 years, respectively. Mean PU surface area decreased from 15.27cm2 in week 0 to 7.63cm2 in week 8, while mean LU surface area decreased from 19.43cm2 in week 0 to 7.19cm2 in week 8. Mean PU pain decreased from 3.69 in week 0 to 0.67 in week 8, while pain at dressing change decreased from 3.23 in week 0 to 0.75 in week 8. Furthermore, mean LU pain decreased from 3.45 in week 0 to 1.90 in week 8, and pain at dressing change decreased from 3.4 in week 0 to 1.3 in week 8. The number of patients experiencing a negative influence of the PU on affect reduced from 6 in week 0 to 2 in week 8 and on social interaction from 6 in week 0 to 2 in week 8. The number of patients experiencing a negative influence of their LU on affect reduced from 7 in week 0 to zero in week 8 and on social interaction from 7 in week 0 to 2 in week 8. Conclusion: This case series records the response of patients’ chronic wounds in terms of wound progress, patient pain and additional psycho-social factors following the application of the superabsorbent dressings and indicates that the dressings have a positive role to play in creating an environment conductive to the promotion of healing in LUs and PUs. Declaration of interest: Keith Cutting Ltd received an unrestricted research grant for participating in the collation of the two case series.
Maximal and Calderón–Zygmund operators in grand variable exponent Lebesgue spaces
Authors: Kokilashvili Vakhtang , Meskhi Alexander 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
New function spaces

L

p
(

·

)
,
θ

$L^{ p(\,\cdot \,), \theta }$

,

ℒ

p
(

·

)
,
θ

${\mathcal {L}}^{ p(\,\cdot \,), \theta }$

unifying grand Lebesgue spaces and variable exponent Lebesgue spaces are introduced. The boundedness of maximal and Calderón–Zygmund operators in these spaces defined on spaces of homogeneous type are derived. The Sobolev type theorem for fractional integrals is also established in the class of functions which is narrower than the space

L

p
(

·

)
,
θ

$L^{ p(\,\cdot \,),\theta }$

.
Is there a relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in childhood obesity?
Authors: Akyürek Nesibe , Atabek Mehmet Emre , Eklioglu Beray Selver , Alp Hayrullah 
Published: November 2014

AbstractIn this study, parameters of metabolic syndrome and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels in obese children and adolescents were evaluated and the associations between these factors were analyzed.One hundred obese and 40 healthy children/adolescents were included in the study. Pubertal stages, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were recorded. Levels of fasting serum lipids, glucose, insulin, and DHEAS, and liver function tests were determined. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) was measured using two-dimensional echocardiography. Steatorrhoeic hepatosis was evaluated using abdominal ultrasonography in the obese group.Mean body weight, body mass index, waist, hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine transferase, DHEAS, and CIMT values were significantly higher in the obese group than in the controls. DHEAS levels were found to be positively correlated with waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, and CIMT.Early determination of metabolic and cardiac dysfunction in obese children is important for the prevention of future complications. Since in this study we found a strong association between DHEAS levels and obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors, we believe that this may lead to increased interest in further studies of DHEAS in the search for new treatment approaches.
A new missense mutation in the BCKDHB gene causes the classic form of maple syrup urine disease (MSUD)
Authors: Miryounesi Mohammad , Ghafouri-Fard Soudeh , Goodarzi Hamedreza , Fardaei Majid 
Published: November 2014

AbstractMaple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disease caused by mutations in the
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids enhance cytokine production and oxidative stress in a mouse model of preterm labor
Authors: Boulis Tharwat Stewart , Rochelson Burton , Novick Olivia , Xue Xiangying , Chatterjee Prodyot K. , Gupta Madhu , Solanki Malvika H. , Akerman Meredith , Metz Christine N. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractOmega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) supplementation during pregnancy remains controversial. We sought to examine the effects of ω-3 PUFA on inflammation and oxidative stressFemale Swiss Webster mice were fed a normal diet or a 5% fish oil (FO) diet for 3 weeks then mated with normal-fed males. On gestational day 15, dams were injected with either saline (n=10 per group) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS, intrauterine) (n=10 per group). Maternal plasma, amniotic fluid, placentas, and uteri were collected 4 h later and assessed for cytokines; maternal plasma and amniotic fluids were analyzed for oxidative stress.. Administration of the 5% FO diet enhanced LPS-induced cytokines in the placenta (P<0.05–0.01) and increased tumor necrosis factor-α in the uterus (P<0.05) and amniotic fluid (P<0.01) when compared to LPS-treated normal-fed animals. Maternal plasma obtained from FO-fed dams showed higher LPS-induced oxidative stress than control-fed animals (P<0.035). However, no differences in oxidative stress were observed in the amniotic fluid.Supplementation with FO for prior to and during pregnancy significantly increased LPS-induced inflammation in the amniotic fluid, uterus, and placenta and significantly increased maternal systemic oxidative stress
First-principles investigation of boron incorporation into CRUD under Pressurized Water Reactor conditions
Authors: Rák Zs. , O’Brien C. J. , Brenner D. W. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTThe accumulation of boron within the porous nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4, NFO) deposits on nuclear fuel rods is a major technological problem with important safety and economical implications. In this work, first-principles results are combined with experimental thermochemical data to analyze the energetics of vacancy formation in NFO and the possibility of B incorporation into the structure of NFO. Under solid-solid equilibrium conditions, the calculations suggest that vacancy formation and B incorporation into the NFO structure is energetically unfavorable, the main limiting factors being the narrow stability domain of NFO and the precipitation of B2O3, Fe3BO5, and Ni3B2O6 as secondary phases. Assuming solid-liquid equilibrium between NFO and the surrounding aqueous solution saturated with respect to NFO, the calculations predict that in operating PWR environment, Ni vacancies are likely to form. Under these conditions the possibility of B incorporation at the Ni vacancy sites cannot be excluded.
Świadomość kobiet w zakresie żywności powodującej alergię u niemowląt i małych dzieci
Authors: Dziuba Anna , Suwała Grzegorz 
Published: November 2014

The subject of this study was issues related to the food that causes allergies in infants and young children. The study gathered information on the awareness of mothers and future mothers on the risk of food allergies and knowledge of major products that cause allergies in infants and young children. A hundred correctly completed questionnaires were analysed, allowing the authors to determine the level of knowledge the women possessed on this subject. They also concluded that there was a range of ability, depending on the age of the respondents, to recognise early symptoms of allergy, the predisposition to inherit allergies and the duration of an allergy. There was no correlation between knowledge and the place of residence or the level of educational of either present or future mothers.
Assessment of Beta-Cell Function During Pregnancy and after Delivery
Authors: Genova M. P. , Todorova-Ananieva K. , Atanasova B. , Tzatchev K. 
Published: November 2014

Summary
The aim of the present study was to assess β-cell function using homeostasis model (HOMA-B) and disposition index (DI) in pregnant women with/without gestational diabetes, and after delivery. A total of 102 pregnant women between 24-28 gestational weeks (53 with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 49 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 22 GDM postpartum women (8-12 weeks after delivery) were included in the study. All postpartum women had a history of GDM. HOMA indexes (insulin resistance - HOMA-IR and HOMA-B for assessing β-cell function) were calculated from fasting glucose and insulin concentrations. To estimate insulin secretion independent of insulin sensitivity, DI was calculated using glucose and insulin levels at 0 and 60 min during the course of a 2 h 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). In GDM pregnant women HOMA-B was significantly lower compared to NGT women (p = 0.017), but there was no significant difference compared to women after birth (NS). There was difference between NGT and postpartum women (p < 0.05). DI was significantly lower for GDM pregnant women in comparison to NGT and postpartum women (p < 0.0001; p = 0.011), between NGT and women after birth (p < 0.04). In our study, comparison of НОМА-В in NGT and GDM pregnant women demonstrated that the OR of developing GDM was 0.989 (95% CI, 0.980-0.998, P = 0.013), and comparison of DI in healthy pregnant and GDM showed that the OR of developing GDM was 0.967 (95% CI, 0.947-0.988, P = 0.002). Therefore, HOMA-B and DI appear to be protective factors in the risk of developing GDM. According to our results, assessment of β-cell function, using HOMA-B and DI, showed that they are lower in GDM than NGT group and postpartum women. It is important to note that HOMA-B did not show significant difference between GDM pregnant and women after delivery with a history for GDM. We assume that pregnant women with GDM have a pancreatic β-cell defect that remains after birth. These women are at increased risk for developing diabetes mellitus, the most frequent type 2 diabetes, in the future after birth.