bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequency of NAT2 and GSTP1 polymorphisms in the Kazakh population
Authors: Iskakova Aisha , Romanova Aliya , Zholdybayeva Elena , Ramanculov Erlan , Momynaliev Kuvat 
Published: January 2014

Introduction: Phase II xenobiotic biotransformation enzymes perform detoxification of hydrophilic and often toxic Phase I products by glutathionetransferase (GST), UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDF), N-acetyltransferase (NAT) families and other enzymes. GST protein family metabolizes a large number of electrophilic xenobiotics, including drugs, by conjugating them with glutathione. Arylamine-N-acetyltransferase (NAT) catalyzes the acetylation of the aromatic and heterocyclic amines.Materials and methods: The current study has assessed the frequencies of NAT2 and GSTP1 genes polymorphisms in 326 healthy individuals from different regions of Kazakhstan by using Real-Time PCR and direct sequencing methods.Results: Allele frequencies were derived for NAT2*5 (0.54) and GSTP1 (0.27). GSTP1 alleles were in Hardy – Weinberg equilibrium (p > 0.05), while NAT2*5 (p = 0.00) were not. The population differences between North, Northeast and South Kazakhstan regions were determined. Statistically significant differences in the frequency of genotypes were not found.Conclusion: Allelic polymorphisms of NAT2*5 and GSTP1 genes vary widely in different populations. Kazakh population was significantly different from Asian, Caucasoid, African-American and Hispanic ones by NAT2*5 and GSTP1 genes. Allelic variants of the NAT2*5 were detected with a low frequency in Asian populations. Allelic frequency in other world populations varies from 30 to 50%. The differences between Kazakh (0.54) and the world population were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The frequency of GSTP1 (rs1695) in the African American population is 42%. The frequency of GSTP1 in Asian populations varies from 11% to 23%, in Caucasoid populations it is about 30%. The differences between Kazakh population (0.27) and other populations selected from the literature were statistically significant (p < 0.05).The study of mutations in GSTP1 and NAT2 genes is necessary to assess the risk of the development of various diseases, such as cancer. Information on allelic polymorphisms also might be useful for personalized drug prescription for such drugs as cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, methotrexate, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and rifampin.
Erythrocytes as Carriers for Drugs and Contrast Agents
Authors: Magnani Mauro 
Published: January 2014

Erythrocytes, also known as Red Blood Cells (RBC), are typically used in transfusion medicine to replace lost blood in patients who underwent different kinds of medical treatments as well as those involved in accidents resulting in blood loss. In addition to these common uses, RBC are being used for a variety of new applications either as therapeutics or as diagnostics. Most of these novel approaches are made possible due to the peculiar properties of these cells. We have invented a technology that allows cells to be opened and resealed without affecting their main physiological characteristics with a minimal amount of patient blood. Uses of processed RBCs in biomedical engineering include work with drugs, biomedical compounds and/or nanomaterials. These constructs are a new armamentarium available to the physicians for the release of drugs in circulation, for targeting drugs to selected sites in the body, or for in vivo diagnostic procedures based on magnetic and/or optical methods. Autologous human RBC loaded with dexamethasone (EryDex), a common corticosteroid, have been used in the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, Crohn’s Disease, and other severe inflammatory conditions. Benefits and safety of this technology have been documented in over 2,500 treatments. EryDel SpA is a company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies and diagnostics based on the use of autologous RBCs as agent carriers. More recently, EryDel SpA completed a Phase II Proof of Concept study in patients with Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT), a rare progressive neurological autosomal recessive disorder that leads to mortality in most patients at an early age, with significant benefit seen on primary and secondary end-points. EryDex treatment has received Orphan Drug Designation by EMA for the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis and both by EMA and FDA for the treatment of AT.The encapsulation of superparamagnetic nanoparticles within RBC has lead to the generation of new biomimetic constructs that now permits the use of these nanomaterials in vivo avoiding their rapid sequestration and their accumulation in unwanted districts (PCT WO 2008/003524 A3). Similarly, the encapsulation of infrared fluorescent agents into RBC gives opportunity to the measurement of vasomotion in the human retinal vasculature suggesting a possible correlation with retinal edema.In summary, the newly developed RBC-based drug delivery system is an innovative technology platform that could be used in a wide range of applications opening to unlimited new therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, the same system has been adapted to deliver contrasting agents within the body enabling the improvement of current fluorangiographic procedures and the imaging by Magnetic Resonance (MRI) and Magnetic Particle (MPI). EryDel S.p.A. has recently completed trials to bring EryDex treatment to the market and to implement the clinical applications of the RBC technology.
The Rise and Expressions of Consistency in EU Law: Legal and Strategic Implications for European Integration
Authors: Herlin-Karnell Ester , Konstadinides Theodore 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe principle of consistency has a prominent place in EU law. In the Treaty of Lisbon, it constitutes an umbrella under which a number of legal principles of EU law follow as corollaries. Consistency manifests itself within both horizontal and vertical levels of governance. This chapter will unpack this principle and will focus on the broader implications of consistency for the division of powers in EU law. In doing so, the authors aim to discuss the rise of consistency in EU law and decrypt its various constitutional expressions in order to determine its scope of application. Two notions of consistency are presented: a formal one that appears in the Treaty of Lisbon and a strategic one, prominent in the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). It is argued that consistency is relevant to both traditional (integrationist) and alternative (differentiated) routes to European integration. The chapter concludes by discussing whether the undefined nature of ‘consistency’ puts it at risk of becoming an empty vessel.
‘Beggars Can’t Be Choosers’: Spain and the Financial Crisis
Authors: González Carlos J Moreiro 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis contribution analyses the viability of the new Spanish financial landscape which has been drawn by the European authorities and the national administration in order to overcome the progressive deterioration of social wealth in Spain since the beginning of the economic crisis in 2008.The adoption and the implementation of a new legal framework during the last two years, establishing tougher requirements on capital adequacy, leverage ratios and counter-cyclical and other buffers, as well as the shaping of the Banking Union, are not enough to transform the Spanish banking system into the key tool for the creation of wealth.There is a paradox of both legal and institutional outcomes. While, on the one hand, some positive changes in the functioning and the structure of the banking industry have been prompted by the regulatory reform, there are, on the other hand, some uncertainties linked to the recapitalisation costs of a relevant group of credit institutions and the persistence of serious structural problems of the Spanish economy.Moving faster to full banking union will reduce financial market stress in Spain.
Kadiand the Role of the Court of Justice of the European Union in the International Legal Order
Authors: Fikfak Veronika 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis chapter investigates the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in the international legal order in light of its decision inKadiand the forthcomingKadi II. It focuses on establishing how the Court perceives its relationship with the UN Security Council and its position in the international legal order. The CJEU’s approach is analysed by identifying the characteristics of review adopted by it as a ‘constitutional court of a municipal legal order’. In this context, the chapter reveals how the CJEU’s review resembles that employed by domestic courts seeking to give force to the same or similar actions of international institutions and shows which motives may have led the CJEU to follow the practice of national courts in constructing its relationship with the international organs. This practice is contrasted with Advocate General Bot’s desire to depart from the image of an all-powerful but isolated CJEU, a court ignorant of other legal orders. Bot insists that what the CJEU ought to do inKadi IIis adopt both a more modest, deferential role in reviewing international sanctions and a rather more active role as a participant in the international legal order.
Chinese Curses, Lawyers’ Dreams, Political Nightmares and New Dawns: Interesting Times for the UK’s Relationship with the EU
Authors: Forwood Nicholas 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis chapter aims to explore some challenges that are likely to arise in the context of the UK’s present and future relationships with the EU. Three aspects come under scrutiny, namely the global opt-out available for the UK in the field of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (Protocol 36 to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)), the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence and the contemplated 2017 referendum on whether the UK should remain an EU Member State. The chapter stresses not only the importance of restoring objectivity in the debates surrounding these issues, but also the necessity of taking due account of the uncertainties that these processes unavoidably entail as to their end results for both the UK and Scotland.
Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Ghana and the Quality of Financial Statement Disclosures
Authors: Agyei-Mensah Ben Kwame 
Published: January 2014

According to the IASB's IFRS framework, qualitative characteristics are the attributes that make the information provided in financial statements useful to others. This study was conducted to investigate the quality of financial reports before and after adopting IFRSs in Ghana, and also the influence of firm-specific characteristics which include firm size, profitability, debt equity ratio, liquidity and audit firm size on the quality of financial information disclosed by firms listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange.The research was conducted through detailed analysis of the pre-official adoption period, (2006) and post adoption period, (2008) financial statements of the listed firms. Descriptive analysis was performed to provide the background statistics of the variables examined. This was followed by regression analysis which forms the main data analysis. The results of the quality of financial information disclosure mean of 76.80% (pre adoption) and 87.09% (post adoption) for the two years indicate that the quality of financial reports has improved significantly after adopting IFRSs. The study thus confirms that the implementation of IFRSs generally reinforce accounting disclosure quality. It also indicates listed firms' overwhelming compliance with the IASB's IFRS Framework.The results of the multiple regression analysis show that company size, represented by net assets and Auditor type were found to be associated at a statistically significant level with the quality of financial information disclosed. With the improvement in the quality of the financial reports after adopting IFRS users are assured of useful information for financial decision-making.Keywords: Quality of financial reports' disclosure, Firm-specific characteristics, International Financial Reporting Standards, Mandatory disclosure, Ghana. JEL Classifications: M40, M41, M48
Abundance of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Estuarine and Near-Shore Waters of North Carolina, USA
Authors: Urian Kim W. , Waples Danielle M. , Tyson Reny B. , Hodge Lynne E. W. , Read Andrew J. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
A capture-recapture survey of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) was conducted in the sounds, estuaries and near-shore waters of North Carolina during July 2006, using photographic identification techniques; 291 dolphins were identified from distinctive nicks and notches on their dorsal fins. The results of our photographic analyses were applied to several capture-recapture models. The best estimate of the number of bottlenose dolphins present in estuarine waters of North Carolina during July 2006 was 813 with a 95% Confidence Interval of 483–1,142. Previously in July 2000, 1,033 (95% CI: 860-1,266) dolphins were estimated to be present in the estuaries of North Carolina. When the analysis from the 2006 surveys was expanded to include adjacent coastal waters, then the estimate of abundance increased to 1,138. Therefore, the abundance of dolphins in this area remained relatively stable between the two studies. Most dolphins were found in the northern part of the study area and there was very little exchange between the northern and southern areas of the state. The recapture data was also used to identify a spatial boundary between two putative management units that may be useful for future stock delineations. Additionally, an unexpected potential bias was introduced with the transition from slide film to digital media in the evaluation of the distinctiveness scoring.
Composition and Distribution of Phosphorus Forms in Sediments of Greenfield Lake, Wilmington, North Carolina
Authors: Roman Marissa D. , Cahoon Lawrence B. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Greenfield Lake in Wilmington, NC, has experienced recent problems with algal blooms, low dissolved oxygen levels, and fish kills, although various remedial actions have been taken that led to some visible improvements over the last decade. Many of these issues have likely been caused by high nutrient loading from the lake's urbanized watershed. The role of lake sediment as a source and a sink for phosphorus (P), which is often considered the nutrient most responsible for freshwater eutrophication, has not been examined. We identified and quantified the forms of P in the lake's sediments. Fourteen sites were sampled around the lake in 2012–2013. A sequential extraction procedure allowed analysis of five P forms of varying bioavailability. Total P concentrations in the sediment averaged 51.1 µg g−1 sediment, which is low relative to other lakes. The most concentrated P forms were the reductant-extractable, acid-extractable and residual P fractions. These results, and very low concentrations of more readily bioavailable P fractions, strongly indicate that the lake's abundant plant biota (phytoplankton, filamentous algae, and macrophytes) control and sequester most of the P load in the lake's water column. Further remediation efforts should consider the role of these plant populations in regulating the lake's water quality.
The source, statistical properties, and geoeffectiveness of long‐duration southward interplanetary magnetic field intervals
Authors: Zhang X.‐Y. , Moldwin M. B. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractGeomagnetic activity is strongly controlled by solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions, especially the southward component of IMF (IMF Bs). We analyze the statistical properties of IMF Bs at 1 AU using in situ observations for more than a solar cycle (1995–2010). IMF Bs events are defined as continuous IMF Bs intervals with varying thresholds of Bs magnitude and duration and categorized by different solar wind structures, such as magnetic cloud (MC), interplanetary small‐scale magnetic flux rope, interplanetary coronal mass ejection without MC signature (ejecta), stream interacting region, and Shock, as well as events unrelated with well‐defined solar wind structures. The statistical properties of IMF Bs events and their geoeffectiveness are investigated in detail based on satellite and ground measurements. We find that the integrated duration and number of Bs events follow the sunspot number when Bz < −5 nT. We also find that in extreme Bs events (t> 6 h, Bz < −10 nT), a majority (53%) are related to MC and 10% are related with ejecta, but nearly a quarter are not associated with any well‐defined solar wind structure. We find different geomagnetic responses for Bs events with comparable duration and magnitude depending on what type of solar wind structures they are associated with. We also find that great Bs events (t> 3 h, Bz < −10 nT) do not always trigger magnetic storms.
Are age‐related differences in the consequence of work injury greater when occupational physical demands are high?
Authors: Smith Peter , Bielecky Amber , Koehoorn Mieke , Beaton Dorcas , Ibrahim Selahadin , Mustard Cameron , Saunders Ron , Scott‐Marshall Heather 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundTo examine if age differences in the consequences of work injury are exacerbated when occupational physical demands are higher.MethodsA secondary analysis of workers' compensation claims in British Columbia (N = 373,672). Regression models examined the relationship between age and health care expenditures, days of wage replacement and the occurrence of long‐term‐disability following a work‐related injury in occupations with lower and higher physical demands. Models were adjusted for individual and injury related covariates.ResultsOlder age and higher occupational physical demands were associated with worse work‐injury outcomes. The relationship between age and each outcome was not exacerbated when occupational physical demands were higher compared to when they were lower. Counter to our hypotheses age differences in health care expenditures were smaller among women in more demanding occupations.ConclusionsIn this study, we found no evidence that the relationship between age and the consequences of work injury is exacerbated when physical occupational demands are high. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:438–444, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A variant within FGF1 is associated with Alzheimer's disease in the Han Chinese population
Authors: Tao Qing‐Qing , Sun Yi‐Min , Liu Zhi‐Jun , Ni Wang , Yang Ping , Li Hong‐Lei , Lu Shen‐Ji , Wu Zhi‐Ying 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and Tau‐containing neurofibrillary tangles in vulnerable brain areas. The progression of AD is well correlated with hippocampal neuron loss which highly suggests genes associated with neuron survival would be important for AD pathogenesis. According to the recent results of genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) and other reported studies, we selected two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs3765728 within tumor protein p73 (P73), and rs34011 within fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1), both genes were related to neuron survival. We analyzed the distribution of rs3765728 and rs34011 in 1,083 Chinese subjects including 429 unrelated sporadic AD patients and 654 unrelated age and gender‐matched control subjects. We found that the genotype distribution of rs34011 was significantly different between AD and control group (χ2 = 9.048, df = 2, P = 0.011). Logistic regression manifested the risk of AD increased in TT genotype carriers in total subjects (Wald = 8.892, df = 1, P = 0.003, odds ratio [OR]:2.009, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.270–3.178). This effect was also found in APOE ϵ4 carrier group (Wald = 7.844, df = 1, P = 0.005, OR: 4.201, 95%CI: 1.539–11.472), suggesting the rs34011 has a synergetic effect of APOE on AD risk. However, no association was observed between rs3765728 and AD in the Han Chinese population (χ2 = 0.431, df = 2, P = 0.806). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation and pH‐responsive performance of silane‐modified poly(methylacrylic acid)
Authors: Bai Shiyang , Zhang Huang , Sun Jihong , Han Jing , Guo Yueyue 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTThe poly(methylacrylic acid) modified by silane [poly(methylacrylic acid‐co‐vinyl triethoxylsilane) (PMAA)] was prepared via free‐radical polymerization with different mass ratios of methylacrylic acid to vinyl triethoxylsilane (VTES). The swelling performance of the prepared PMAA in different solutions with various pH values, salt species (NaCl and CaCl2), and concentrations was investigated in detail. The results indicated that the introduction of silane boosted the stability of the obtained PMAA in aqueous solutions in the presence of an increased quantity of VTES additive. Meanwhile, the different swelling ratios of PMAA in various pH solutions showed a high pH responsivity. In addition, we found that when the PMAA underwent a number of swelling–deswelling cycles, it demonstrated the good reversibility properties when the pH value of the swelling medium was changed from 9.0 to 1.4. Moreover, the swelling mechanism of PMAA in different solutions with different pH values was investigated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40403.
Performance of novel hyperbranched poly(aryl‐ether‐urea)s doped with N3‐dye in nanocrystalline DSSC
Authors: Sathiyaraj Subramaniyan , Vanjinathan Mahalingam , Shanavas A. , Amudha Subramaniyan , Suthanthiraraj S. Austin , Nasar A. Sultan 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTAn amine‐terminated hyperbranched poly(aryl‐ether‐urea) (HBPEU) was prepared from an AB2‐type blocked isocyanate monomer and then its end groups were modified into urea (M‐HBPEU) by reaction with phenyl isocyanate. Both of the polymers were doped with N3‐dye along with KI/I2 to work as efficient polymer electrolytes in nanocrystalline dye sensitized solar cell. The increment in the conductivity of doped HBPEU and doped M‐HBPEU was very significant and reached its value at 8.2 × 10−3 and 4.1 × 10−2 S/cm, respectively. The current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of these two doped polymers measured under simulated sunlight with AM 1.5 at 60 mW/cm2 generate photocurrent of 2.5 and 3.6 mA/cm2, together with a photo voltage of 690 and 750 mV, and fill factor of 0.55 and 0.61 yielding a overall energy conversion efficiency of 2.4% and 4.1%, respectively. These results suggest that M‐HBPEU show better cell performance and conductance properties than the HBPEU. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40408.
Tribological properties of polyimide coatings filled with PTFE and surface‐modified nano‐Si3N4
Authors: Su Fenghua , Zhang Shaohua 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTPolyimide (PI) coatings filled with PTFE and nano‐Si3N4 were prepared by a spraying technique and successive curing. Nano‐Si3N4 particles were modified by grafting 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane to improve their dispersion in the as‐prepared coatings. Friction and wear performances and wear mechanisms of the coatings were evaluated. The results show that the incorporations of PTFE and modified nano‐Si3N4 particles greatly improve the friction reduction and wear resistance of PI coating. The friction and wear performance of the composite coating is significantly affected by the filler mass fraction and sliding conditions. PI coating incorporated with 20 wt % PTFE and 5 wt % modified nano‐Si3N4 displays the best tribological properties. Its wear rate is more than one order of magnitude lower and its friction coefficient is over two times smaller than that of the unfilled PI coating. Differences in the friction and wear behaviors of the hybrid coatings as a function of filler or sliding condition are attributed to the filler dispersion, the characteristic of transfer film formed on the counterpart ball and the wear mechanism of the coating under different sliding conditions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40410.