bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced signal intensity in matrix‐free laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry by chemical modification of bionanostructures from diatom cell walls
Authors: Jaschinski Tino , Thume Kathleen , Klein Moritz , Richter Phillipp , Popp Jürgen , Svatoš Aleš , Pohnert Georg 
Published: May 2014

RATIONALELaser desorption ionization for mass spectrometric measurements (LDI MS) is supported by nanostructured materials. This technique helps to overcome known limitations of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and especially avoids interfering signals caused by matrix components. LDI can be supported by bionanostructures from the cell walls of diatoms. We explore how ionization efficiency can be improved by chemical modification of the cell walls.METHODSWe introduce procedures to chemically modify these nanopatterned silicate structures using perfluorooctyldimethylchlorosilane or pentafluorophenylpropyldimethylchlorosilane. Using a conventional MALDI‐MS instrument we compare ionization using the novel materials with that of unmodified cell walls. The functionalized bionanomaterial is comprehensively evaluated for the use in LDI MS using a broad range of analytes and two commercial drugs.RESULTSChemical modifications lead to materials that support LDI significantly better than unmodified diatom cell walls. LDI signal intensity was up to 25‐fold increased using the modified preparations. No interfering signals in the lower molecular weight range down to m/z 100 were observed, demonstrating the suitability of the method for small analytes. Crude solutions of commercial drugs, such as Aspirin complex® and IbuHEXAL® could be directly investigated without additional sample preparation.CONCLUSIONSChemically modified diatom cell walls represent a powerful tool to support ionization in LDI MS. The lack of background signals in the low molecular weight region of the mass spectra allows also the investigations of small analytes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new certificateless signature scheme under enhanced security models
Authors: Kim Kee Sung , Jeong Ik Rae 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn identity‐based signatures, the key generation center (KGC) always knows user private key, and thus, it can always impersonate the user. Certificateless signatures were introduced by Al‐Riyami and Paterson to solve this key escrow problem of identity‐based signatures in 2003. In certificateless signatures, the private key is determined by neither the user nor the KGC. In 2007, Huang et al. revisited the security models of certificateless signatures. They divided potential adversaries according to their attack power into normal, strong and super adversaries. On the other hand, Au et al. introduced a new attack called malicious‐but‐passive KGC attack in the same year. In the new attack, KGC that holds the master secret key is assumed malicious at the very beginning of the setup phase of the system. The previous schemes that can be proven secure against malicious‐but‐passive KGC attack provided only the security against strong adversaries. In this paper, we construct the first certificateless signature scheme that can be proven secure against malicious‐but‐passive KGC attack of super adversaries. Moreover, our scheme is still secure when the adversary is allowed to obtain valid signatures on the target identity and message. Our construction is based on the hard lattice problems in the random oracle model.Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Candida glabrata: a deadly companion?
Authors: Bolotin‐Fukuhara Monique , Fairhead Cécile 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe yeast Candida glabrata has become a major fungal opportunistic pathogen of humans since the 1980s. Contrary to what its name suggests, it is much closer, phylogenetically, to the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae than to the most prevalent human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans. Its similarity to S. cerevisiae fortunately extends to their amenability to molecular genetics methods. C. glabrata is now described as part of the Nakaseomyces clade, which includes two new pathogens and other environmental species. C. glabrata is likely a commensal species of the human digestive tract, but systemic infections of immunocompromised patients are often fatal. In addition to being the subject of active medical research, other studies on C. glabrata focus on fundamental aspects of evolution of yeast genomes and adaptation. For example, the genome of C. glabrata has undergone major gene and intron loss compared to S. cerevisiae. It is also an apparently asexual species, a feature that inevitably leads to questions about the species' evolutionary past, present and future. On‐going research with this yeast continues to address various aspects of adaptation to the human host and mechanisms of evolution in the Saccharomycetaceae, major model organisms for biology. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A newly discovered wildlife migration in Namibia and Botswana is the longest in Africa
Authors: Naidoo R. , Chase M. J. , Beytell P. , Du Preez P. , Landen K. , Stuart-Hill G. , Taylor R. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractMigrations of most animal taxa are declining as a result of anthropogenic pressures and land-use transformation. Here, we document and characterize a previously unknown multi-country migration of Burchell's zebraEquus quaggathat is the longest of all recorded large mammal migrations in Africa. Our data from eight adult female zebras collared on the border of Namibia and Botswana show that in December 2012 all individuals crossed the Chobe River and moved due south to Nxai Pan National Park in Botswana, where they spent a mean duration of 10 weeks before returning, less directly, to their dry season floodplain habitat. The same southward movements were also observed in December 2013. Nxai Pan appeared to have similar environmental conditions to several possible alternative wet season destinations that were closer to the dry season habitat on the Chobe River, and water availability, but not habitat or vegetation biomass, was associated with higher-use areas along the migratory pathway. These results suggest a genetic and/or cultural basis for the choice of migration destination, rather than an environmental one. Regardless of the cause, the round-trip, straight-line migration distance of 500 km is greater than that covered by wildebeestConnochaetes taurinusduring their well-known seasonal journey in the Serengeti ecosystem. It merits conservation attention, given the decline of large-scale ecological processes such as animal migrations.
Urban consumers' attitudes towards locally grown produce
Authors: Lockeretz William 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn areas where farmland is under heavy development pressure but where farms are too small to compete in major marketing channels with larger farms in other regions, producers must use channels that capitalize on their proximity to consumers. This advantage is greatest for fresh fruits and vegetables, provided farmers understand their urban customers' purchasing preferences. This study interviewed more than 600 customers at farmers' markets and supermarkets in six urban and suburban communities in eastern Massachusetts and at agricultural fairs. Respondents were asked about their reasons for purchasing fruits and vegetables at various sites, about their preferences, if any, for produce grown locally, and about changes that might cause them to purchase more local produce. The results suggest that for local origin to be taken into account by consumers, the produce should be sold in a locally oriented environment, e.g., a farmers' market. Although the particular supermarkets in this study featured locally grown produce in their advertising, this seems to have had little effect on consumers' buying. Conversely, consumers' highly favorable opinion of farmers' markets involved several factors besides the localness of the produce in a purely geographic sense. These included the pleasant environment, the (presumed) short time since the produce was picked, and the opportunity to purchase directly from the producer in a face-to-face transaction.
Conversation therapy for aphasia: a qualitative review of the literature
Authors: Simmons‐Mackie Nina , Savage Meghan C. , Worrall Linda 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundA diverse literature addresses elements of conversation therapy in aphasia including intervention rooted in conversation analysis, partner training, group therapy and behavioural intervention. Currently there is no resource for clinicians or researchers that defines and organizes this information into a coherent synopsis describing various conversation therapy practices.AimsTo organize information from varied sources into a descriptive overview of conversation therapy for aphasia.Methods & ProceduresAcademic search engines were employed to identify research articles published between 1950 and September 2013 reporting on conversation therapy for aphasia. Thirty articles met criteria for review and were identified as primary sources for the qualitative review. Using qualitative methodology, relevant data were extracted from articles and categories were identified to create a descriptive taxonomy of conversation therapy for aphasia.Main ContributionConversation interventions were divided into descriptive categories including: treatment participants (person with aphasia, partner, dyad), primary guiding orientation (conversation analysis, social model, behavioural, relationship centred), service delivery (individual, group), focus of intervention (generic/individualized; problem/solution oriented; compensatory), training methods (explicit/implicit; external/embedded), activities or tasks, and outcomes measured. Finally, articles were categorized by research design. There was marked variation in conversation therapy approaches and outcome measures reported and a notable gap in information about one‐on‐one conversation therapy for individuals with aphasia.Conclusions & ImplicationsThis review provides a description of various conversation therapy approaches and identified gaps in the existing literature. Valid measures of natural conversation, research on one‐on‐one conversation approaches for individuals with aphasia, and a systematic body of evidence consisting of high quality research are needed.
Investigation of the ability of dairy nonstarter lactic acid bacteria to grow using cell lysates of other lactic acid bacteria as the exclusive source of nutrients
Authors: Sgarbi Elisa , Bottari Benedetta , Gatti Monica , Neviani Erasmo 
Published: May 2014

A new device named a cell sonicated substrate membrane system (CSSMS), consisting of a tissue culture insert that supplies nutrients, in the form of starter lactic acid bacteria (SLAB) lysate extract, through a polycarbonate membrane which isolates it from the nonstarter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) inoculum and serves as a support for bacterial growth, was developed. The CSSMS was used to demonstrate that the Lactobacillus helveticus SLAB lysate provides sufficient nutrients to allow the growth of L. casei and L. rhamnosus NSLAB in vitro. The results support the hypothesis that NSLAB could grow in aged cheese using only SLAB cell lysate as nutrients.
The Year 2013 in Sociocultural Anthropology: Cultures of Circulation and Anthropological Facts
Authors: Carse Ashley 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTIn this review essay, I explore the relationship between cultures of circulation and anthropological facts. Research published in 2013 advanced the field by attending to the coproduction of globally circulating things (commodities, race, brands, authenticity, blood) and specific cultural landscapes. Building on the field's renewed interest in materiality, scholars showed how anthropological facts are produced at the intersection of interlocking cultural classification systems and a world that is heterogeneous and dynamic. Moving beyond the notion that shared meanings and categories are attached to or layered on people and things, this approach conceptualized such relations recursively. Scholars suggested that race—as an anthropological fact—becomes biological through social practice and, similarly, that cultural assumptions and political biases become environmental because they are embedded in our infrastructures and built landscapes. This approach permeates many of the articles reviewed and links the clusters into which I have grouped them: “Value and Incommensurability,” “Brands and Authenticity,” “Race and Blood,” and “Infrastructure and Citizenship.” I conclude by discussing the challenges and opportunities for a sociocultural anthropology that recognizes the transformative power of global connection while refusing to give up its long‐running pursuit of cultural wisdom and more humane social configurations.
Clinical and laboratory indices of severe renal lesions in children with febrile urinary tract infection
Authors: Koufadaki AM , Karavanaki KA , Soldatou A , Tsentidis Ch , Sourani MP , Sdogou T , Haliotis FA , Stefanidis CJ 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimTo evaluate the predictive value of various clinical and laboratory parameters on the identification of acute extensive and/or multifocal renal involvement in children with febrile urinary tract infections (UTI).MethodsThe medical records of 148 children (median age: 2.4 months, range: 11 days–24 months), who were admitted during a 3‐year period with a first episode of febrile UTI, were analysed. Acute dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy (DMSA), clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated.ResultsSeventy six children (51%) had abnormal findings on the acute DMSA. Of them, 20 had DMSA grade 2, while 56 had grade 3 and 4. Patients with a DMSA grade 3 and 4 were more likely to have shivering (OR 3.4), white blood count (WBC) ≥ 18 000/μL (OR 2.4), absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 9300/μL (OR 4.4), C‐reactive protein (CRP) ≥ 50 mg/L (OR 2.7) and procalcitonin (PCT) ≥ 1.64 ng/mL (OR diagnostic). There was a significant difference of WBC (p = 0.004), ANC, CRP and PCT levels (p < 0.001) between children with normal and grade 2 aDMSA versus those with aDMSA grade 3 and 4.ConclusionsShivering and elevated inflammatory markers increase the risk of acute extensive and/or multifocal kidney involvement in children with febrile UTI. Procalcitonin seems to be an excellent marker of the severity of acute parenchymal involvement.
A nationwide register study of the characteristics, incidence and validity of diagnosed Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders
Authors: Leivonen Susanna , Voutilainen Arja , Hinkka‐Yli‐Salomäki Susanna , Timonen‐Soivio Laura , Chudal Roshan , Gissler Mika , Huttunen Jukka , Sourander Andre 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and incidence rates of diagnosed tic disorders in the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register, including changing incidence rates between 1991 and 2010. We also aimed to validate the diagnoses of Tourette's syndrome recorded in the register.MethodsChildren born between January 1, 1991 and December 31, 2010, who were diagnosed with tic disorders, were identified from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register (n = 3003). We studied the validity of the Tourette's syndrome diagnoses by reviewing the medical charts of 88 children born since 1997 and carrying out telephone interviews with 55 of their guardians.ResultsThe incidence rates of all diagnosed tic disorders increased during the study period. A comorbid diagnosis of hyperkinetic disorder diagnosis was recorded in 28.2% of the children with Tourette's syndrome, and the validity of the register‐based Tourette's syndrome diagnosis was approximately 95%.ConclusionThis is the first nationwide study to demonstrate the increasing incidence of all register‐based tic disorder diagnoses. The validity of the Tourette's syndrome diagnoses in the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register was good, and the data provided are suitable for use in further register‐based studies of tic disorders.
Prevalence of desexed cats in relation to age in a convenience sample of Western Australian cats
Authors: Johnson J , Calver MC 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundDesexing percentages for pet cats in Australia are nearly 95%, but the high numbers of unwanted kittens surrendered to animal shelters suggest that many pet cats breed before the owners consider desexing, or that the mothers of many of these kittens are stray or feral.Methods and ResultsA convenience sample of Western Australian pet cats of known age presented for microchipping (584 in 2012 and 316 in 2013) found that younger cats were less likely to be desexed. In 2012, 93.2% of cats aged ≥2 years were desexed compared with 49.4% of cats <2 years old, with the data for 2013 being 97.4% and 28%, respectively.ConclusionIf these results are reflected nationally, desexing of prepubescent cats up to 4 months old could significantly reduce the numbers of unwanted kittens born to pet cats.
Is Mycoplasma bovis a missing component of the bovine respiratory disease complex in Australia?
Authors: Horwood PF , Schibrowski ML , Fowler EV , Gibson JS , Barnes TS , Mahony TJ 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundBovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is a multi‐factorial disease in which numerous factors, such as animal management, pathogen exposure and environmental conditions, contribute to the development of acute respiratory illness in feedlot cattle. The role of specific pathogens in the development of BRDC has been difficult to define because of the complex nature of the disease and the presence of implicated bacterial pathogens in the upper respiratory tract of healthy animals. Mycoplasma bovis is an important pathogen of cattle and recognised as a major contributor to cases of mastitis, caseonecrotic bronchopneumonia, arthritis and otitis media. To date, the role of M. bovis in the development of BRDC of Australian feeder cattle has not been investigated.MethodsIn this review, the current literature pertaining to the role of M. bovis in BRDC is evaluated. In addition, preliminary data are presented that identify M. bovis as a potential contributor to BRDC in Australian feedlots, which has not been considered previously.Results and ConclusionThe preliminary results demonstrate detection of M. bovis in samples from all feedlots studied. When considered in the context of the reviewed literature, they support the inclusion of M. bovis on the list of pathogens to be considered during investigations into BRDC in Australia.
Storage mite contamination of commercial dry dog food in south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Hibberson CE , Vogelnest LJ 
Published: May 2014

ObjectiveTo evaluate contamination of unopened and opened stored sources of commercial dry dog food by viable storage mites.DesignProspective laboratory and field study.Material and methodsSamples were collected from nine brands of previously unopened bags (new bags) of dry food and 20 field sources of stored dry food in homes in Sydney and Canberra, Australia. All samples were initially examined for the presence of mites using a stereo‐binocular microscope and then placed in separate filter‐paper‐sealed containers. Field samples were incubated at an average temperature of 29°C and 78% relative humidity (RH) for 5 weeks and then at average 26°C/83% RH for 8 weeks. Paired new‐bag samples were stored under room conditions (average 23°C/47% RH) and controlled incubator conditions (average 26°C/80% RH) for 6 weeks. All samples were thoroughly examined for mites, mite eggs and visible mould once weekly using a stereo‐binocular microscope.ResultsStorage mites were not visualised in any of the field samples or in new‐bag samples stored at room temperature. Storage mites, identified as Tyrophagus putrescentiae, were visualised in increasing numbers in seven of nine new‐bag samples after incubation, with first mites and then eggs evident after 3 weeks of incubation.ConclusionsWe confirmed the presence of viable storage mites in a range of previously unopened commercial dry dog foods in Australia and confirmed the possibility of heavy storage mite contamination for dry food stored under conditions of moderate temperature and high humidity. These findings have relevance to storage mite and/or dust mite sensitivity in canine atopic dermatitis.
[3H]‐L685,458 Binding Sites are Abundant in Multiple Peripheral Organs in Rats: Implications for Safety Assessment of Putative γ‐Secretase Targeting Drugs
Authors: Yang Zhi‐Ying , Li Jian‐Ming , Xiao Ling , Mou Lin , Cai Yan , Huang He , Luo Xue‐Gang , Yan Xiao‐Xin 
Published: May 2014

Abstractγ‐Secretase is a multimeric enzyme complex that carries out proteolytic processing to a variety of cellular proteins. It is currently explored as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cancer. Mechanism‐based toxicity needs to be thoroughly evaluated for γ‐secretase inhibitory and/or modulatory drugs. This study comparatively assessed putative γ‐secretase catalytic sites in rat peripheral tissues relative to brain and explored an effort of its pharmacological inhibition on hair regeneration. Using [3H]‐labelled L685,458, a potent γ‐secretase inhibitor, as probe, we found more abundant presence of γ‐secretase binding sites in the liver, gastrointestinal tract, hair follicle, pituitary gland, ovary and testis, as compared to the brain. Local application of L658,458 delayed vibrissal regrowth following whisker removal. These results suggest that γ‐secretase may execute important biological functions in many peripheral systems, as in the brain. The development of γ‐secretase inhibitors/modulators for AD and cancer therapy should include close monitoring of toxicological panels for hepatic, gastrointestinal, endocrinal and reproductive functions.
The spleen and sickle cell disease: the sick(led) spleen
Authors: Brousse Valentine , Buffet Pierre , Rees David 
Published: May 2014

SummaryThe spleen has a combined function of immune defence and quality control of senescent or altered red cells. It is the first organ injured in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) with evidence of hyposplenism present before 12 months in the majority of children. Repeated splenic vaso‐occlusion leads to fibrosis and progressive atrophy of the organ (autosplenectomy), which is generally complete by 5 years in SCA. The precise sequence of pathogenic events leading to hyposplenism is unknown. Splenic injury is generally silent and progressive. It can be clinically overt with acute splenic sequestration of red cells, an unpredictable and life‐threatening complication in infants. Splenomegaly, with or without hypersplenism, can also occur and can coexist with loss of function. Hyposplenism increases the susceptibility of SCA children to infection with encapsulated bacteria, which is notably reduced by penicillin prophylaxis and immunization. Whether hyposplenism indirectly increases the risk of vaso‐occlusion or other circulatory complications remains to be determined.