bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential methylation status of IGF2‐H19 locus does not affect the fertility of crossbred bulls but some of the CTCF binding sites could be potentially important
Authors: Jena Subas C. , Kumar Sandeep , Rajput Sandeep , Roy Bhaskar , Verma Arpana , Kumaresan Arumugam , Mohanty Tushar K. , De Sachinandan , Kumar Rakesh , Datta Tirtha K. 
Published: January 2014

SUMMARYAssociations between abnormal methylation of spermatozoan DNA with male infertility have been sought in recent years to identify a molecular explanation of differential spermatozoan function. The present work was undertaken to investigate the methylation profile of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in the IGF2‐H19 locus of Bos taurus X Bos indicus crossbred bull spermatozoa. Bulls having more than at least 100 insemination records over a period of 12 years were classified into two groups of five bulls each belonging to low‐ and high‐fertility groups. The IGF2 and H19 DMR sequences in B. indicus cattle were observed to be in absolute homology with B. taurus cattle. The DNA of crossbred bull spermatozoa was isolated, bisulfite treated, and amplified for specific DMR regions using methylation‐change‐specific primers. The overall degree of methylation at IGF2‐H19 DMRs was not found to be significantly different among two groups of bulls. The sixth CTCF binding site (CCCTC) identified in H19 DMR, however, had a significant methylation difference between the high‐ and low‐fertility bulls. It was concluded that alteration of the methylation levels at IGF2‐H19 DMRs might not be responsible for the fertility difference of crossbred bulls, although the role played by the specific CTCF binding sites at this locus, which could influence IGF2 expression during spermatogenesis and early embryonic development, deserves further attention. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 81: 350–362, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Non–ECG‐gated myocardial perfusion MRI using continuous magnetization‐driven radial sampling
Authors: Sharif Behzad , Dharmakumar Rohan , Arsanjani Reza , Thomson Louise , Bairey Merz C. Noel , Berman Daniel S. , Li Debiao 
Published: January 2014

PurposeEstablishing a high‐resolution non–ECG‐gated first‐pass perfusion (FPP) cardiac MRI technique may improve accessibility and diagnostic capability of FPP imaging. We propose a non–ECG‐gated FPP imaging technique using continuous magnetization‐driven golden‐angle radial acquisition. The main purpose of this preliminary study is to evaluate whether, in the simple case of single‐slice two‐dimensional imaging, adequate myocardial contrast can be obtained for accurate visualization of hypoperfused territories in the setting of myocardial ischemia.MethodsA T1‐weighted pulse sequence with continuous golden‐angle radial sampling was developed for non–ECG‐gated FPP imaging. A sliding‐window scheme with no temporal acceleration was used to reconstruct 8 frames/s. Canines were imaged at 3T with and without coronary stenosis using the proposed scheme and a conventional magnetization‐prepared ECG‐gated FPP method.ResultsOur studies showed that the proposed non–ECG‐gated method is capable of generating high‐resolution (1.7 × 1.7 × 6 mm3) artifact‐free FPP images of a single slice at high heart rates (92 ± 21 beats/min), while matching the performance of conventional FPP imaging in terms of hypoperfused‐to‐normal myocardial contrast‐to‐noise ratio (proposed: 5.18 ± 0.70, conventional: 4.88 ± 0.43). Furthermore, the detected perfusion defect areas were consistent with the conventional FPP images.ConclusionNon–ECG‐gated FPP imaging using optimized continuous golden‐angle radial acquisition achieves desirable image quality (i.e., adequate myocardial contrast, high spatial resolution, and minimal artifacts) in the setting of ischemia. Magn Reson Med 72:1620–1628, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Public affairs in the Czech Republic: an exploratory study of the current situation
Authors: Kollmannová Denisa Kasl , Matušková Anna 
Published: January 2014

The main goal of our research study was to describe and analyse the state of the field of public affairs (PA) in the Czech Republic. So far, PA has been outside the scope of academic interest, and no study has yet analysed the issues or development of PA in the Czech Republic. Therefore, this study not only brings a unique insight into the practice of PA professionals but is also the first of its kind.Our main focus was to describe the current situation and build a solid background of the profession and emerging field for further research: firstly, we characterise professionals working in the field (what is their professional background, education, income and goals); secondly, we want to define what are the main issues they deal with professionally (such as politics, lobbying and the energy sector); thirdly, we will describe the market itself and the level of professionalisation and institutionalisation; and finally, we wanted to analyse how PA as a field is understood and perceived by professionals. In our conclusion, we also state openly a few challenges we met during our research, and we set the next goals. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The non‐linear threshold association between aspirin use and esophageal adenocarcinoma: results of a dose–response meta‐analysis
Authors: Xiaohua Ye , Zhenjiang Yao , Weidong Liu , Pengcheng Xun , Sidong Chen 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe role of aspirin use in chemoprevention of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is still unclear. Previous meta‐analyses have reported a beneficial effect of aspirin use, whereas it remains still under debate whether there are non‐linear frequency‐risk and duration‐risk relations, such as a “threshold” effect.MethodsNine observational studies reporting the association between aspirin use and EAC risk were selected through a combined search with the PUBMED and EMBASE electronic databases of articles published before June 2013. Overall odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using fixed‐effects models, and the cubic spline regression models were performed for the study of frequency‐risk and duration‐risk relations.ResultsA monotonically decreasing relation was observed only for ≤4.5 times per week (OR = 0.75, 95%CI 0.64–0.88, for twice per week; OR = 0.59, 95%CI 0.45–0.78, for 4.5 times per week) and ≤6 years (OR = 0.82, 95%CI 0.76–0.91, for 1 year; OR = 0.53, 95%CI 0.37–0.75, for 3 years) of aspirin use using the non‐users as the reference. Once the frequency is more than 4.5 times/week or the duration is longer than 6 years, no further benefit was observed.ConclusionOur findings suggest that there may be non‐linear threshold relations of frequency and duration of aspirin use with the risk of EAC. Further data from randomized clinical trials are required. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mortality, attempted suicide, re‐hospitalisation and prescription refill for clozapine and other antipsychotics in Sweden—a register‐based study
Authors: Ringbäck Weitoft Gunilla , Berglund Mats , Lindström Eva A. , Nilsson Mikael , Salmi Peter , Rosén Måns 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTPurposeThe aim of this study was to analyse prescription refill, re‐hospitalisation, total mortality, mortality because of suicide and attempted suicide among patients who were taking various types of antipsychotics.MethodsA population‐based cohort study analysed all patients (n=26 046) in Sweden who had been treated for schizophrenia from 2006 to 2009 with regard to re‐hospitalisation and prescription refill for various types of antipsychotic treatment. A case‐control study nested within the cohort analysed all‐cause mortality, mortality because of suicide and attempted suicide in relation to antipsychotic use. The study adjusted for history of hospitalisation for psychiatric and medical care, attempted suicide and use of antidepressants.ResultsAripiprazole users were the only ones who showed significantly lower all‐cause risks of death, but so few events occurred among users of this relatively new drug that the results should be interpreted with caution. Clozapine users showed lower odds of death by suicide (odds ratio [OR] = 0.45 [95%CI 0.20–0.98]) and of attempted suicide (OR = 0.44 [0.28–0.70]) than haloperidol users after adjustment for age, sex and year of discharge. Olanzapine users showed approximately the same favourable pattern. Patients who used clozapine were most likely to refill prescriptions and had lower rates of re‐hospitalisation. Only one death and 23 cases of agranulocytosis were reported compared with 223 suicides and 831 suicide attempts. An etiologic fraction calculation suggests that the use of clozapine rather than traditional drugs could have prevented 95 suicide attempts during the period.ConclusionClozapine and olanzapine reduce the risk of suicide, attempted suicide and re‐hospitalisation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A modified rain attenuation prediction model for tropical V‐band satellite earth link
Authors: Badron Khairayu , Ismail Ahmad Fadzil , Islam Md Rafiqul , Abdullah Khaizuran , Din Jafri , Tharek Abdul Rahman 
Published: January 2014

SUMMARYRadio wave propagation plays a very important part in the design and eventually dictates performance of space communication systems. Over time, the requirements of satellite communication have grown extensively where higher capacity communications systems are needed. Escalating demands of microwave and millimetre wave communications are causing frequency spectrum congestion. Hence, existing and future satellite system operators are planning to employ frequency bands well above 10 GHz. The challenge in operating at such high frequencies for communication purposes is that there exists stronger electromagnetic interaction between the radio signals and atmospheric hydrometeors. Such instances will degrade the performance of such high frequency satellite communication systems. The development of a revised model for a better‐improved rain fade prediction of signal propagations in tropical region is considered very important. Researchers and engineers can employ the model to accurately plan the future high frequencies satellite services. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A game inspired defense mechanism against distributed denial of service attacks
Authors: Bedi Harkeerat , Shiva Sajjan , Roy Sankardas 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTGame theory offers a promising approach toward modeling cyber attacks and countermeasures as games played among attackers and system defenders. The widely accepted concept of Nash equilibrium can be used to determine the optimal strategy for all players playing the game. In this work, we demonstrate the applicability of game theory in modeling the defense against distributed denial of service attacks. In particular, we focus on attack scenarios that attempt to create congestion in bottleneck network links. We design a game model to determine the best defense strategy for the defender in such attack scenarios. In our model, the attacker uses a botnet consisting of multiple nodes to send rogue traffic in order to flood one or more links in the target network. The defender's challenge is to determine the best firewall settings to block rogue traffic while allowing legitimate traffic. We validate our game model using simulation. Furthermore, we build a comprehensive defense architecture called game inspired defense architecture and test its performance via emulation on one publicly available testbed called DeterLab. Open source software, such as Bro intrusion detection system, Dummynet network emulator, IP firewall, and Iperf network testing tool are used to build game inspired defense architecture. Our proposed defense solution exhibits promising results during both simulation and emulation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cloud‐based privacy‐preserving aggregation architecture in multi‐domain wireless networks
Authors: Jia Weiwei , Zhu Haojin , Du Suguo , Dong Xiaolei , Cao Zhenfu 
Published: January 2014

AbstractEnabling privacy preserving outsourced data aggregation is regarded as an important issue for multi‐domain wireless networks. In this paper, we present a novel hybrid cloud‐based privacy‐preserving outsourced data aggregation framework. To achieve this, we introduce a hybrid storage cloud and aggregator cloud architecture, in which both of the storage clouds and aggregator cloud are assumed to be untrusted. On the basis of this security assumption, we firstly propose two novel basic protocols, including the proactive privacy‐preserving aggregation and reactive privacy‐preserving aggregation schemes, which are based on the idea of secret sharing. The proactive scheme allows the user to proactively split their data to multiple storage clouds to avoid data leaking while the reactive scheme allows the users to store their encrypted data in storage cloud and aggregator to finish the data aggregation based on the encrypted data. Moreover, on the basis of the proactive privacy‐preserving data aggregation and reactive privacy‐preserving data aggregation, we further propose an advanced protocol, which can resist the malicious data mining attack. The detailed performance simulations are given to demonstrate the security, effectiveness, and efficiency of the proposed scheme. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methods for comparing center‐specific survival outcomes using direct standardization
Authors: He Kevin , Schaubel Douglas E. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe evaluation of center‐specific outcomes is often through survival analysis methods. Such evaluations must account for differences in the distribution of patient characteristics across centers. In the context of censored event times, it is also important that the measure chosen to evaluate centers not be influenced by imbalances in the center‐specific censoring distributions. The practice of using center indicators in a hazard regression model is often invalid, inconvenient, or undesirable to carry out. We propose a semiparametric version of the standardized rate ratio (SRR) useful for the evaluation of centers with respect to a right‐censored event time. The SRR for centerjcan be interpreted as the ratio of the expected number of deaths in the total population (if the total population were in fact subject to the centerjmortality hazard) to the observed number of events. The proposed measure is not affected by differences in center‐specific covariate or censoring distributions. Asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are derived, with finite‐sample properties examined through simulation studies. The proposed methods are applied to national kidney transplant data. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tragverhalten von Palettenregalsystemen unter Erdbebenbeanspruchung
Authors: Adamakos Kostas , Vayas Ioannis 
Published: January 2014

AbstractPalettenregalsysteme weisen unterschiedliche Merkmale bezüglich der verwendeten Profile und ihrer Verbindungen auf, wodurch sie sich von üblichen Stahlbauten unterscheiden. Sie gehören nicht zu Gebäuden, so dass ihr Erdbebennachweis nicht nach den Bestimmungen für Hochbauten ausgeführt werden kann. In diesem Beitrag wird durch Anwendung nichtlinearer statischer Berechnungsverfahren das Verhalten solcher Systeme unter Erdbebenbeanspruchung untersucht. Dabei wird das nichtlineare Tragverhalten systemspezifischer Tragwerkskomponenten mit experimentellen und rechnerischen Untersuchungen bestimmt. So lassen sich Verhaltensfaktoren (q‐Faktoren) individuell für jedes Palettenregalsystem bestimmen. Ferner lässt sich ermitteln, wie ein System auf das Bemessungserdbeben reagiert bzw. inwieweit die angenommenen inelastischen Reserven ausgenutzt wurden, wie in neun Anwendungsbeispielen gezeigt wird.Seismic performance of steel pallet racking systems. Pallet racking systems have peculiar characteristics in respect to the member’s profiles and their joints and differ from the usual steel structures. They are not buildings so that their seismic design cannot be performed according to the relevant rules for buildings. This paper presents the seismic performance of pallet racks by means of non‐linear static (pushover) analyses. The non‐linear behavior of system specific components is determined by means of experimental and numerical investigations. This allows the determination of behavior factors (q‐factors) for each individual system separately. In addition the performance of a specific system to the design earthquake may be determined as wellas how far the inelastic reserves have been exploited. The application of the method is shown by nine case studies.
Characterization of the guinea pig animal model and subsequent comparison of the behavioral effects of selective dopaminergic drugs and methamphetamine
Authors: Lee Kiera‐Nicole , Pellom Samuel T. , Oliver Ericka , Chirwa Sanika 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTAlthough not commonly used in behavior tests guinea pigs may offer subtle behavior repertoires that better mimic human activity and warrant study. To test this, 31 Hartley guinea pigs (male, 200–250 g) were evaluated in PhenoTyper cages using the video‐tracking EthoVision XT 7.0 software. Results showed that guinea pigs spent more time in the hidden zone (small box in corner of cage) than the food/water zone, or arena zone. Guinea pigs exhibited thigmotaxis (a wall following strategy) and were active throughout the light and dark phases. Eating and drinking occurred throughout the light and dark phases. An injection of 0.25 mg/kg SCH23390, the dopamine D1 receptors (D1R) antagonist, produced significant decreases in time spent in the hidden zone. There were insignificant changes in time spent in the hidden zone for guinea pigs treated with 7.5 mg SKF38393 (D1R agonist), 1.0 mg/kg sulpiride (D2R antagonist), and 1.0 or 10.0 mg/kg methamphetamine. Locomotor activity profiles were unchanged after injections of saline, SKF38393, SCH23390, and sulpiride. By contrast, a single injection or repeated administration for 7 days of low‐dose methamphetamine induced transient hyperactivity but this declined to baseline levels over the 22‐h observation period. Guinea pigs treated with high‐dose methamphetamine displayed sustained hyperactivity and travelled significantly greater distances over the circadian cycle. Subsequent 7‐day treatment with high‐dose methamphetamine induced motor sensitization and significant increases in total distances moved relative to single drug injections or saline controls. These results highlight the versatility and unique features of the guinea pig for studying brain–behavior interactions. Synapse 68:221–233, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Floods and societies: the spatial distribution of water‐related disaster risk and its dynamics
Authors: Di Baldassarre Giuliano , Kemerink Jeltsje S. , Kooy Michelle , Brandimarte Luigia 
Published: January 2014

This opinion article posits that the current lack of understanding of the dynamic interactions among the different components of risk (e.g., hazard, exposure, vulnerability, or resilience) is one of the main obstacles for the implementation of effective risk prevention measures. In state‐of‐the‐art methods for risk assessment, natural and social systems are typically treated separately by using different approaches. In flood risk studies, for instance, hydrological scientists typically focus on flood hazard, whereas socioeconomic scientists mainly examine the exposure, vulnerability, or resilience to flood events. However, we argue that these different components are deeply interconnected: for example, changes in flood hazard often trigger changes in vulnerability, and vice versa. These interconnections between the different components of risk remain largely unexplored and poorly understood. This lack of knowledge is of serious concern as it limits our ability to plan appropriate risk prevention measures. To design flood protection structures, for example, current methods can indeed provide quantitative assessments of the corresponding risk reduction associated to the reduced flood hazard. Nevertheless, traditional methods cannot estimate how, and to what extent, the reduced frequency or magnitude of floods might trigger increases of exposure or vulnerability to flooding (e.g., ‘levee effect’). Thus, while many progresses have been made in the static assessment of flood risk, the dynamics of risk are still poorly investigated. We think that this is a major issue in a rapidly changing world, and we therefore propose a transdisciplinary research agenda as a possible way out.This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Water Extremes
An open source energy system simulation model as an instrument for public participation in the development of strategies for a sustainable future
Authors: Wiese Frauke , Bökenkamp Gesine , Wingenbach Clemens , Hohmeyer Olav 
Published: January 2014

The mitigation of climate change demands a decarbonisation of the energy supply of industrialized countries by 2050. This requires fundamental changes of the energy system, high efficiency improvements and a transition to 100% renewable energy supply. A successful transition will need an extremely high acceptance of the general public to be achieved in the given time frame. The necessity of new production, transmission and storage facilities can only by analyzed by highly complex analytical models, which usually are proprietary. In general it is not transparent how the results are derived. To increase the public trust in the results of the underlying modeling, the University of Flensburg is developing the open source model renpass (renewable energy pathways simulation system), for the techno‐economic simulation of the future development of the German and European electricity system. This model is supposed to be made available to the general public to scrutinize the assumptions and results of the planning process for the German ‘Energiewende,’ the transition to a 100% renewable electricity supply. The open source energy model has the goal to fulfill the requirements of full transparency and the possibility to image 100% renewable energy target systems as well as today's system and all stages of the system transition on a high regional and time resolution basis. The data input, the simulation as well as the optimization and the output are described. In the end the application possibilities especially for the ‘Energiewende’ in Germany are described and an outlook on future development is given. WIREs Energy Environ 2014, 3:490–504. doi: 10.1002/wene.109This article is categorized under:

Energy Infrastructure > Systems and Infrastructure
Energy Policy and Planning > Systems and Infrastructure
Energy and Development > Economics and Policy
Energy and Development > Systems and Infrastructure
Synthesis and Structural Phase Transitions of Copper(II) and Iron(III) Complexes Containing [(C8H12NO)(18‐crown‐6)]+ Supramolecular Cations
Authors: Jin Yu , Yu Chun‐Hua , Wang Yu‐Feng , Li Si‐Chao , Zhang Wen 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe organic‐inorganic hybrid compounds, [Cu2Cl6]2– (1), [Fe2Cl6O]2– (2), and [FeCl4]– (3), based on [(C8H12NO)(18‐crown‐6)]+ (C8H12NO = 4‐methoxybenzylammonium) supramolecular cations, were synthesized and structurally characterized. Crystal structure analyses and thermal and dielectric studies showed that compounds 1 and 2 have similar crystal packings and undergo reversible phase transitions at 230 K and 358 K, respectively. Compound 3 shows a phase transition at 361 K, though its crystal structure is remarkably different from 1 and 2. These results indicate that the phase transitions may arise from the [(C8H12NO)(18‐crown‐6)]+ supramolecular cations. The role of the chlorometalate anions is to tune the crystal packings and thus the phase transition points and types.