bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil Quality Effect of Conservation Practices in Maize–Rapeseed Cropping System in Eastern Himalaya
Authors: Das Anup , Ghosh Probir Kumar , Lal Rattan , Saha Ritesh , Ngachan Shishomvanao 
Published: September 2014

AbstractSoil resources are prone to degradation in harsh hill environment. Conservation tillage and residue mulching play an important role in protecting and improving soil quality. A 4‐year study was conducted in Meghalaya, India, involving maize (Zea maysL.)–rapeseed (Brassica campestrisL.) cropping system, to evaluate the impact of no till (NT) and mulching on productivity of maize–rapeseed system and to assess the effect of management on soil organic carbon (SOC) and quality. Two tillage practices, conventional tillage (CT) and NT, were compared under six mulching rates: control (no mulching); M, maize stover retention; MA5, M + ragweed (RW;Ambrosia artemisiifolia) 5 Mg ha−1; MA10, M + RW 10 Mg ha−1; MF10, M + farmyard manure 10 Mg ha−1; and MA5P5, M + RW 5 Mg ha−1 + poultry manure 5 Mg ha−1. Grain yields of maize and rapeseed under CT were similar to those under NT. Mulching had a significant effect on the productivity of maize and rapeseed. Mulching treatment MA5P5, MF10 and MA10 produced significantly (p = 0·05) higher yield of maize and rapeseed than that of other treatments. Maize and rapeseed productivity under control was the lowest. There was a marked increase in SOC concentration (8·4%), water stable aggregates (9·3%), mean weight diameter (42·6%) and soil microbial biomass carbon (66·8%) under NT, with respect to CT. Mulching treatment MA5P5 enhanced mean SOC concentration by 30·4% and mean weight diameter by 100% compared with those under control. Thus, NT and mulching are recommended measures for protecting soil and improving its quality in the studied area. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Supramolecular Chemistry in the Formation of Self‐Assembled Nanostructures from a High‐Molecular‐Weight Rod–Coil Block Copolymer
Authors: Tu Yingfeng , Ji Zhichao , Yang Xiaoming , Wan Xinhua , Zhou Qi‐Feng 
Published: September 2014

The self‐assembled nanostructures of a high‐molecular‐weight rod–coil block copolymer, poly(styrene‐block‐(2,5‐bis[4‐methoxyphenyl]oxycarbonyl)styrene) (PS‐b‐PMPCS), inp‐xylene are studied. The cylindrical micelles, long segmental cylindrical micelle associates, spherical micelles, and spherical micelle associates are observed with increased copolymer concentration. The high molecular weight of PS leads to the entanglement between PS chains from different micelles, which is the force for supramolecular interactions. Short cylindrical micelles are connected end‐to‐end via this supramolecular chemistry to form long segmental cylindrical micelle associates, analogue to the condensation polymerization process, with direction and saturation. On the other hand, spherical micelles assemble via supramolecular chemistry to form spherical micelle associates, yet without any direction due to their isotropic properties.image
Molecular imaging coupled to pattern recognition distinguishes response to temozolomide in preclinical glioblastoma
Authors: Delgado‐Goñi Teresa , Julià‐Sapé Margarida , Candiota Ana Paula , Pumarola Martí , Arús Carles 
Published: September 2014

Non‐invasive monitoring of response to treatment of glioblastoma (GB) is nowadays carried out using MRI. MRS and MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) constitute promising tools for this undertaking.A temozolomide (TMZ) protocol was optimized for GL261 GB. Sixty‐three mice were studied by MRI/MRS/MRSI. The spectroscopic information was used for the classification of control brain and untreated and responding GB, and validated against post‐mortem immunostainings in selected animals.A classification system was developed, based on the MRSI‐sampled metabolome of normal brain parenchyma, untreated and responding GB, with a 93% accuracy. Classification of an independent test set yielded a balanced error rate of 6% or less. Classifications correlated well both with tumor volume changes detected by MRI after two TMZ cycles and with the histopathological data: a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the proliferation and mitotic rates and a 4.6‐fold increase in the apoptotic rate.A surrogate response biomarker based on the linear combination of 12 spectral features has been found in the MRS/MRSI pattern of treated tumors, allowing the non‐invasive classification of growing and responding GL261 GB. The methodology described can be applied to preclinical treatment efficacy studies to test new antitumoral drugs, and begets translational potential for early response detection in clinical studies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MERIT VERSUS KINSHIP: A CATEGORY MISTAKE? THE CASE OF THE PHILIPPINE CIVIL SERVICE
Authors: Hodder Rupert 
Published: September 2014

SUMMARYAcceptance of merit's pivotal role in establishing and maintaining effective bureaucracies has become second nature. In this paper I explore the association between merit and kinship in the Philippine civil service, although the conclusions that emerge are not peculiar either to the case of the Philippines or to the ‘developing’ world in general. I argue that merit is no less social than kinship; that its meaning for actors is broader, and the value of kinship and other ‘traditional’ social categories of behavior greater, than commentators and reformers often allow for. Indeed, when merit is narrowly defined (as it so often must be for practical reasons) and its complex dimensions ignored, it is socially divisive, produces deep inequalities, and leaves organizations less flexible and less capable of innovation. I suggest that, however paradoxical it might seem, more effective, humanitarian, flexible, and creative organizations thrive in what is often portrayed as an unsatisfactory transitional state between third‐world informality and Weberian‐style formality. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The pathogenesis of human cytomegalovirus
Authors: Griffiths Paul , Baraniak Ilona , Reeves Matt 
Published: September 2014

AbstractHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a recognized cause of disease in the fetus, the allograft recipient and AIDS patients. More recently, it has been recognized as a pathogen for those admitted to intensive care units, for the elderly and for the general population. The epidemiology and molecular and cellular pathology of this virus are summarized to provide an overarching model of pathogenesis, able to account for these varying clinical presentations. In brief, HCMV has the potential to spread in the bloodstream to all organs, but only produces overt disease if the viral load increases to high levels. This is normally prevented by a robust immune response, so that the infected individual usually remains asymptomatic. However, this benefit comes at the cost of committing more and more immunological resources to controlling HCMV with time, so that the overall function of the immune system is impaired. Fortunately, recent progress in developing novel antiviral drugs and vaccines suggests the possibility that the diverse effects of HCMV may soon become controllable at the individual and population level, respectively. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical and Experimental Studies on Blast Wave Propagation in Air
Authors: Dharma Rao Vedula , Srinivas Kumar Adapaka , Venkateswara Rao Kadiyam , Krishna Prasad Veerapaneni S. R. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractHigh pressure and temperature are produced when high explosives are detonated in open air. The heat of detonation of the explosive compound, peak pressure, and temperature of the blast wave are important blast parameters. A blast wave generated due to explosion propagates into the air medium at supersonic speed until the pressure in the blast zone is released completely. The intensity of the impact by the blast wave on any intervening solid object depends on the blast parameters and the speed of propagation of the blast wave. A theoretical analysis is carried out to predict the pressure produced in the expanding blast zone as function of distance and time by analytically solving the governing equations. The initial peak pressure and temperature of blast wave, which are required in the theoretical analysis, were calculated making use of the blast wave theory. For comparison, experiments were conducted by detonating different weights of high explosives, and pressures were recorded at various distances from the blast point. The high explosives used in the experiments were TNT (0.045, 0.5, 1, 15, and 40 kg) and Composition B (0.045, 0.5, 1, and 15 kg). The theoretical results are validated by comparison with the experimental data and empirical equations available in literature.
Preparation of an Energetic‐Energetic Cocrystal using Resonant Acoustic Mixing
Authors: Anderson Stephen R. , am Ende David J. , Salan Jerry S. , Samuels Philip 
Published: September 2014

AbstractResonant acoustic mixing (RAM) was applied to the preparation of an energetic‐energetic cocrystal comprised of CL‐20 and HMX in a 2 : 1 mol ratio. We have prepared the cocrystal using the RAM technology in a resource‐efficient manner providing near quantitative yield. The cocrystalline product from the RAM preparation is consistent with the product from solution crystallization.
Laser Initiation of Tris(carbohydrazide)metal(II) Perchlorates and Bis(carbohydrazide)diperchlorato‐copper(II)
Authors: Joas Manuel , Klapötke Thomas M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe literature‐known tris(carbohydrazide)metal(II) perchlorates [M(CHZ)3](ClO4)2 (MMg2+ (1), Mn2+ (2), Co2+ (3), Ni2+ (4), and Zn2+ (5)) and the bis(carbohydrazide)diperchloratocopper(II) (6) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and Vis/NIR spectroscopy. The sensitivities toward mechanical, thermal, and electrical stimuli were determined for all complexes 1–6. Following, confined samples of 1–6 were irradiated with a monopulsed laser beam at a wavelength of 940 nm. The function times between beginning irradiation and complete decomposition (“breakout” at the end of the device) were measured. Further, the influence of light‐absorbing additives was investigated to proof if the laser initiation mechanism might be photothermal or photochemical. Addition of 1 % active carbon to the samples decreased the function time and the correlated initiation threshold enormously. This was an indication that the initiation mechanism seems to be thermal.
Protein‐spanning water networks and implications for prediction of protein–protein interactions mediated through hydrophobic effects
Authors: Cui Di , Ou Shuching , Patel Sandeep 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTHydrophobic effects, often conflated with hydrophobic forces, are implicated as major determinants in biological association and self‐assembly processes. Protein–protein interactions involved in signaling pathways in living systems are a prime example where hydrophobic effects have profound implications. In the context of protein–protein interactions, a priori knowledge of relevant binding interfaces (i.e., clusters of residues involved directly with binding interactions) is difficult. In the case of hydrophobically mediated interactions, use of hydropathy‐based methods relying on single residue hydrophobicity properties are routinely and widely used to predict propensities for such residues to be present in hydrophobic interfaces. However, recent studies suggest that consideration of hydrophobicity for single residues on a protein surface require accounting of the local environment dictated by neighboring residues and local water. In this study, we use a method derived from percolation theory to evaluate spanning water networks in the first hydration shells of a series of small proteins. We use residue‐based water density and single‐linkage clustering methods to predict hydrophobic regions of proteins; these regions are putatively involved in binding interactions. We find that this simple method is able to predict with sufficient accuracy and coverage the binding interface residues of a series of proteins. The approach is competitive with automated servers. The results of this study highlight the importance of accounting of local environment in determining the hydrophobic nature of individual residues on protein surfaces. Proteins 2014; 82:3312–3326. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhanced repellency of binary mixtures of Calophyllum inophyllum nut oil fatty acids or their esters and three terpenoids to Stomoxys calcitrans
Authors: Hieu Tran Trung , Choi Won Sil , Kim Soon‐Il , Wang Mo , Ahn Young‐Joon 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDAn assessment was made of the repellency to female stable flies of tamanu nut oil fatty acids or their esters alone (each 0.5 mg cm−2) or in combination with cuminyl alcohol, cuminaldehyde and α‐phellandrene (each 0.25 mg cm−2), using an exposed human hand bioassay. Results were compared with those of synthetic repellent DEET (0.25 mg cm−2).RESULTSBased upon protection time (PT) (time to first bite of stable fly), oleic acid, linoleic acid, methyl oleate or methyl linoleate synergised the repellency of each monoterpenoid and DEET. For example, the binary mixture of oleic acid and cuminyl alcohol (PT 2.05 h) resulted in significantly greater repellency than either oleic acid (0.55 h), cuminyl alcohol (0.70 h) or DEET alone (1.50 h). The binary mixtures of oleic acid and cuminyl alcohol or DEET (PT 2.10 h) did not differ significantly in repellency. The structure–activity relationship indicates that the degree of saturation, the side chain length and the functional group of fatty acids appear to play a role in determining the fatty acid repellency to stable flies.CONCLUSIONMixtures formulated from fatty acid and monoterpenoid could be useful as potential repellents for protecting humans and possibly domestic animals from bites caused by stable fly. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
In‐line interference mitigation techniques for spectral coexistence of GEO and NGEO satellites
Authors: Sharma Shree Krishna , Chatzinotas Symeon , Ottersten Björn 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThe interest towards the deployment of Low Earth Orbit (LEO)/Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite systems in several frequency bands is increasing due to the requirement of low latency for real‐time systems and high demand of broadband data. When the number of usable Non‐Geostationary (NGEO) satellites, that is, LEO/MEO in space, increases, the frequency coexistence between the NGEO satellite systems with the already existing geostationary (GEO) satellite networks becomes a requisite. In this context, it is crucial to explore interference mitigation techniques between GEO and NGEO systems in order to allow their spectral coexistence. More specifically, in the coexistence scenario of GEO and NGEO satellite networks, in‐line interference may be a serious problem, especially in the equatorial region. In this paper, we provide several frequency sharing studies in the context of the coexistence of an NGEO satellite link with another NGEO/GEO satellite link. Furthermore, we carry out interference analysis between GEO and MEO satellite systems considering the case of the O3b satellite system and propose an adaptive power control technique for both the uplink and downlink scenarios in order to mitigate the in‐line interference. Moreover, we suggest several cognitive solutions for mitigating the in‐line interference and provide future research issues. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
American BRCA Outcomes and Utilization of Testing (ABOUT) Study: A Pragmatic Research Model that Incorporates Personalized Medicine/Patient‐Centered Outcomes in a Real World Setting
Authors: Armstrong Joanne , Toscano Michele , Kotchko Nancy , Friedman Sue , Schwartz Marc D. , Virgo Katherine S. , Lynch Kristian , Andrews James E. , Aguado Loi Claudia X. , Bauer Joseph E. , Casares Carolina , Teten Rachel Threet , Kondoff Matthew R. , Molina Ashley D. , Abdollahian Mehrnaz , Brand Lana , Walker Gregory S. , Sutphen Rebecca 
Published: September 2014

AbstractResearch to date regarding identification and management of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) in the U.S. has been confined primarily to academic center‐based studies with limited patient engagement. To begin to understand and address the current gaps and disparities in delivery of services for the appropriate identification and optimal risk management of individuals with HBOC, we designed and have initiated the American BRCA Outcomes and Utilization of Testing (ABOUT) Study. ABOUT relies on a collaborative patient advocacy, academic and industry partnership to recruit and engage U.S. individuals who are at increased risk for HBOC and investigate their experiences, decisions and outcomes. It utilizes an extensive research infrastructure, including an interactive web‐based data system and electronic interfaces for secure online participation and automated data exchange. We describe the novel recruitment approach that was designed for collaboration with a national commercial health plan partner to identify all individuals for whom a healthcare provider orders a BRCA test and mail to each individual an invitation to participate and study packet. The study packet contains detailed information about the study, a baseline questionnaire and informed consent for participation in the study, for release of relevant medical and health plan records and for ongoing research engagement. This approach employs patient‐reported, laboratory‐reported and health plan‐reported outcomes and facilitates longitudinal engagement. We believe that the type of innovative methodology and collaborative framework we have developed for ABOUT is an ideal foundation for a patient‐powered research network. This approach can make substantial contributions to identifying current and best practices in HBOC, leading to improved strategies for clinical care and optimal health outcomes among individuals with high inherited risk for cancer.
Salt‐Free Aqueous Extraction of a Cell‐Bound Biosurfactant: a Kinetic Study
Authors: Vecino Xanel , Bustos Guadalupe , Devesa-Rey Rosa , Cruz José Manuel , Moldes Ana Belén 
Published: September 2014

AbstractA cell‐bound biosurfactant produced by Lactobacillus pentosus was obtained under eco‐friendly conditions and used directly as an emulsifying agent in order to stabilize fluorene/water emulsions. The biosurfactant was extracted from L. pentosus cells with an aqueous phosphate buffer solution in the absence of NaCl. This is important because most the cell‐bound biosurfactants are extracted in the presence of NaCl, which is considered highly phytotoxic. A pseudo‐second order kinetic model best described the batch extraction of the biosurfactant from cells. As expected, the initial extraction rate of the biosurfactant increased with the temperature. Calculation of the activation energy with the Arrhenius equation yielded a positive value, indicating that the process is endothermic. The aqueous solution containing the biosurfactant was able to stabilize fluorene/water emulsions, with relative emulsion values of 62.2 % after 7 days of emulsion formation.
The melatonin analog 5‐MCA‐NAT increases endogenous dopamine levels by binding NRH:quinone reductase enzyme in the developing chick retina
Authors: Sampaio Lucia de Fatima Sobral , Mesquita Felipe Pantoja , de Sousa Paulo Robson Monteiro , Silva Jerônimo Lameira , Alves Claudio Nahum 
Published: September 2014

AbstractNRH:quinone reductase (QR2) is present in the retinas of embryonic and post‐hatched (PH) chicks. 5‐Methoxycarbonylamino‐N‐acetyltryptamine (5‐MCA‐NAT) is a QR2 ligand that increases cAMP levels in developing retinas, but it does not affect cAMP levels in CHO‐QR2 cells. The dopamine quinone reductase activity of QR2 retrieves dopamine, which increases cAMP levels in developing retinas. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether 5‐MCA‐NAT increases endogenous dopamine levels in retinas from chick embryos and post‐hatched chicks. Endogenous dopamine was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 5‐MCA‐NAT increased retinal endogenous dopamine levels at all developmental stages studied and in PH chicks (−log EC50 = 11.62 ± 0.34 M). This effect was inhibited by non‐selective antagonists of receptors and melatonin binding sites N‐acetyl‐2‐benzyltryptamine (luzindole, 5 μM), but it was not inhibited by the Mel1b melatonin receptor antagonist 4‐phenyl‐2‐propionamidotetralin (4‐P‐PDOT, 10 nM). The QR2 cosubstrate, N‐methyl‐dihydronicotinamide (NMH) (−log EC50 = 6.74 ± 0.26 M), increased endogenous dopamine levels in controls and in retinas stimulated with 5‐MCA‐NAT (3 nM). The QR2 inhibitor benzo[e]pyrene inhibited endogenous dopamine levels in both control (−log IC50 = 7.4 ± 0.28 M) and NMH‐stimulated (at 100 nM and 1 μM benzo[e]pyrene concentrations) retinas. Theoretical studies using Molegro Virtual Docking software corroborated these experimental results. We conclude that 5‐MCA‐NAT increases the level of endogenous dopamine via QR2. We suggest that this enzyme triggers double reduction of the dopamine quinone, recovering dopamine in retinal development.
Tract‐specific white matter degeneration in aging: The Rotterdam Study
Authors: de Groot Marius , Ikram M. Arfan , Akoudad Saloua , Krestin Gabriel P. , Hofman Albert , van der Lugt Aad , Niessen Wiro J. , Vernooij Meike W. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundLoss of brain white matter microstructure is presumed to be an early sign of neurodegenerative disease. Yet, little is known on microstructural changes of various white matter tracts with normal aging.MethodsIn 4532 nondemented elderly persons, we studied age‐related changes in tract‐specific diffusion characteristics for 25 tracts using probabilistic tractography. We studied how diffusion differs across tracts with aging, whether this depends on macrostructural white matter changes, and whether cardiovascular risk factors affect microstructure.ResultsWith increasing age, loss of microstructural organization occurred in association, commissural and limbic tracts. White matter lesions and atrophy each partially explained this loss. We observed worse microstructure with severe hypertension, current smoking and diabetes mellitus, independent from age and macrostructural white matter changes.ConclusionsMicrostructure of white matter tracts changes with age, and may mark neurodegeneration more sensitively than white matter lesion load and atrophy. Cardiovascular factors relate to loss in microstructural organization.
Plasma amyloid‐β and risk of Alzheimer's disease in the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Chouraki Vincent , Beiser Alexa , Younkin Linda , Preis Sarah Rosner , Weinstein Galit , Hansson Oskar , Skoog Ingmar , Lambert Jean‐Charles , Au Rhoda , Launer Lenore , Wolf Philip A. , Younkin Steven , Seshadri Sudha 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundPlasma amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptide levels have been examined as a low‐cost accessible marker for risk of incident Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia, but results have varied between studies. We reassessed these associations in one of the largest, prospective, community‐based studies to date.MethodsA total of 2189 dementia‐free, Framingham Study participants aged >60 years (mean age, 72 ± 8 years; 56% women) had plasma Aβ1‐42 and Aβ1‐40 measured and were followed prospectively (mean, 7.6 ± 3.0 years) for dementia/AD.ResultsIncreased plasma Aβ1‐42 levels were associated with lower risk of dementia (Aβ1‐42: hazard ratio [HR] = 0.80 [0.71‒0.90], P < .001; Aβ1‐42‐to‐Aβ1‐40 ratio: HR = 0.86 [0.76‒0.98], P = .027) and AD (Aβ1‐42: HR = 0.79 [0.69‒0.90], P < .001; Aβ1‐42‐to‐Aβ1‐40 ratio: HR = 0.83 [0.72‒0.96], P = .012).ConclusionOur results suggest that lower plasma Aβ levels are associated with risk of incident AD and dementia. They encourage further evaluation of plasma Aβ levels as a biomarker for risk of developing clinical AD and dementia.