bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statins and daptomycin: safety assessment of concurrent use and evaluation of drug interaction liability
Authors: Golightly Larry K. , Barber Gerard R. , Barron Michelle A. , Page II Robert L. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background: Acute muscle injury and potentially fatal rhabdomyolysis may occur with use of statins and certain interacting medications. This investigation assessed risk for myopathy in patients receiving treatment with a statin in combination with daptomycin, a medication also associated with muscle injury.

Methods: Patients hospitalized from July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2010, who received simvastatin or rosuvastatin concurrently with daptomycin were identified and their medical records were examined. Patients were judged to have treatment-related muscle injury if their records contained evidence of myalgia with or without weakness and secondarily impaired mobility together with elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels. These assessments were compared with similar data from hospitalized patients who received a statin alone.

Results: A total of 52 patients received 66 courses of concurrent treatment with simvastatin or rosuvastatin and daptomycin. Of these, no patient (0%) met evidentiary requirements for diagnosis of myopathy or related complications. No patient (0%) developed muscle pain or discomfort and none developed markedly elevated CK levels. The incidence of asymptomatic elevations of CK in these simvastatin or rosuvastatin plus daptomycin recipients (9%) was statistically indistinguishable from the incidence of CK elevations found in a cohort of 105 inpatients who received simvastatin or rosuvastatin alone (21%; p=0.135).

Conclusions: In patients receiving treatment with simvastatin or rosuvastatin and daptomycin, no symptoms or objective evidence of muscle injury attributable to a drug interaction were identified. These findings are consistent with data indicating that the myopathic effects of statins and daptomycin are incited by disparate and perhaps unique pharmacological mechanisms. Risk of muscle injury therefore appears to be no greater when a statin is administered with daptomycin than when either medication is used alone.
On the partial fraction decomposition of the restricted partition generating function
Authors: O'Sullivan Cormac 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
We provide new formulas for the coefficients in the partial fraction decomposition of the restricted partition generating function. These techniques allow us to partially resolve a recent conjecture of Sills and Zeilberger. We also describe upcoming work, giving a resolution to Rademacher's conjecture on the asymptotics of these coefficients.
Ethical challenges in the management of multiple pregnancies: the professional responsibility model of perinatal ethics
Authors: Chervenak Frank A. , McCullough Laurence B. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Ethics is an essential component for the responsible clinical management of multiple gestation and decision-making about such pregnancies with pregnant women. The ethical concept of the fetus as a patient is presented as the basis for identifying a professionally responsible approach to selective termination, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, and to discordant beneficence-based obligations that exist when one or more fetuses are adversely affected by a fetal anomaly or complication of pregnancy. The roles for directive counseling, i.e., making evidence-based recommendations, and for non-directive counseling, i.e., offering evidence-based alternatives but making no recommendations, are described. The professional responsibility model of perinatal ethics creates a practical framework to guide the clinical judgment of perinatologists and the informed process about the clinical management of multiple pregnancies.
Maternal and fetal adropin levels in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Celik Ebru , Yilmaz Ercan , Celik Onder , Ulas Mustafa , Turkcuoglu Ilgin , Karaer Abdullah , Simsek Yavuz , Minareci Yagmur , Aydin Suleyman 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate maternal and cord blood serum adropin concentrations in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Study design: Twenty pregnant women with GDM and 20 gestational age-matched healthy pregnant women participated in the study. Maternal serum and cord blood adropin levels were assessed using an enzyme immunosorbent assay, at the time of birth. The relation of maternal serum and cord blood adropin levels with metabolic parameters were also assessed.

Results: The mean maternal and cord serum adropin in the GDM group were significantly lower than those of the control women (P=0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). Maternal serum adropin levels did not correlate with either fetal serum adropin levels or maternal metabolic values.

Conclusion: The data suggest that low adropin levels may contribute to the underlying pathogenesis of GDM.
The diagnosis of rupture of fetal membranes (ROM): a meta-analysis
Authors: Ramsauer Babett , Vidaeff Alex C. , Hösli Irene , Park Joong Shin , Strauss Alexander , Khodjaeva Zulfiya , de la Cruz Ángel Aguarón , Martínez-Astorquiza Txantón , Horovitz Jacques , Coatleven Frederic , Helmer Hanns 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of tests based on the detection of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) and placental α-microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) in diagnosing rupture of fetal membranes (ROM) across different patient populations.

Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted on prospective observational or cohort studies investigating ROM tests based on the detection of IGFBP-1 and PAMG-1 meeting the following criteria: (1) performance metrics calculated by comparing results to an adequate reference method; (2) sensitivity thresholds of the investigated tests matching those of the currently available tests; (3) study population, as a minimum, included patients between 25 and 37 weeks of gestation. Sensitivities, specificities, and diagnostic odds ratios were calculated.

Results: Across all patient populations, the analyzed performance measures of the PAMG-1 test were significantly superior compared with those of the IGFBP-1 test. Of particular clinical relevance, PAMG-1 outperformed IGFBP-1 in the equivocal group, which comprised patients with uncertain rupture of membranes (sensitivity, 96.0% vs. 73.9%; specificity, 98.9% vs. 77.8%; PAMG-1 vs. IGFBP-1 tests, respectively).

Conclusions: Compared with its performance in women with known membrane status, the accuracy of the IGFBP-1 test decreases significantly when used on patients whose membrane status is unknown. In this latter clinically relevant population, the PAMG-1 test has higher accuracy than the IGFBP-1 test.
First record of a melanistic golden jackal (Canis aureus, Canidae) from Turkey
Authors: Ambarlı Hüseyin , Bilgin C. Can 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe golden jackal is a locally common mammal species widely distributed along the Black Sea and other coastal regions of Turkey. Between February 2009 and April 2010, we conducted a camera trap study in Artvin, northeastern Turkey that revealed the presence of ten medium or large mammal species. We report here the first ever photographic evidence of a melanistic golden jackal, along with its normal-colored probable mate. Dark fur color in wolves has been shown to be historically transferred from domestic dogs, and interbreeding among wolves, coyotes and dogs is well documented. However, we consider this an unlikely mechanism for the present observation, and instead suggest independent mutation as the source of this possibly adaptive trait.
Investigation of machinability in Al-MgO composites produced by melt-stirring
Authors: Pul Muharrem , Uzun Gültekin , Çalın Recep , Şeker Ulvi 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
In this study, Al-MgO reinforced metal matrix composites of 5%, 10% and 15% reinforcement-volume ratios were produced by melt-stirring and subjected to machining tests by carbide and coated carbide cutting tools. Machining tests were conducted with 150, 200, 250 and 300 m/min cutting speeds, 0.075, 0.15 and 0.225 mm/rpm feed rates and 1 mm depth of cut. Piezoelectric quartz crystal type dynamometer was used to measure cutting forces. As a result of the tests, it was observed that the increase in cutting speed first led to an increase and then a decrease in main cutting force values (Fc), and the increase in feed rate was accompanied with increased main cutting forces. The most consistent results in terms of Fc values were displayed by 10% MgO reinforced composites. While no abrasion occurred on the surfaces of cutting tools, build up edge formation was observed in the machining tests.
Insect Wing Membrane Topography Is Determined by the Dorsal Wing Epithelium
Authors: Belalcazar Andrea D , Doyle Kristy , Hogan Justin , Neff David , Collier Simon 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
The Drosophila wing consists of a transparent wing membrane supported by a network of wing veins. Previously, we have shown that the wing membrane cuticle is not flat but is organized into ridges that are the equivalent of one wing epithelial cell in width and multiple cells in length. These cuticle ridges have an anteroposterior orientation in the anterior wing and a proximodistal orientation in the posterior wing. The precise topography of the wing membrane is remarkable because it is a fusion of two independent cuticle contributions from the dorsal and ventral wing epithelia. Here, through morphological and genetic studies, we show that it is the dorsal wing epithelium that determines wing membrane topography. Specifically, we find that wing hair location and membrane topography are coordinated on the dorsal, but not ventral, surface of the wing. In addition, we find that altering Frizzled Planar Cell Polarity (i.e., Fz PCP) signaling in the dorsal wing epithelium alone changes the membrane topography of both dorsal and ventral wing surfaces. We also examined the wing morphology of two model Hymenopterans, the honeybee Apis mellifera and the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis. In both cases, wing hair location and wing membrane topography are coordinated on the dorsal, but not ventral, wing surface, suggesting that the dorsal wing epithelium also controls wing topography in these species. Because phylogenomic studies have identified the Hymenotera as basal within the Endopterygota family tree, these findings suggest that this is a primitive insect character.
Strategies for Outcrossing and Genetic Manipulation of Drosophila Compound Autosome Stocks
Authors: Martins Torcato , Kotadia Shaila , Malmanche Nicolas , Sunkel Claudio E , Sullivan William 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAmong all organisms, Drosophila melanogaster has the most extensive well-characterized collection of large-scale chromosome rearrangements. Compound chromosomes, rearrangements in which homologous chromosome arms share a centromere, have proven especially useful in genetic-based surveys of the entire genome. However, their potential has not been fully realized because compound autosome stocks are refractile to standard genetic manipulations: if outcrossed, they yield inviable aneuploid progeny. Here we describe two strategies, cold-shock and use of the bubR1 mutant alleles, to produce nullo gametes through nondisjunction. These gametes are complementary to the compound chromosome−bearing gametes and thus produce viable progeny. Using these techniques, we created a compound chromosome two C(2)EN stock bearing a red fluorescent protein-histone transgene, facilitating live analysis of these unusually long chromosomes.
Systems-Level Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Data
Authors: Farber Charles R 
Published: January 2013

AbstractGenome-wide association studies (GWAS) have emerged as the method of choice for identifying common variants affecting complex disease. In a GWAS, particular attention is placed, for obvious reasons, on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that exceed stringent genome-wide significance thresholds. However, it is expected that many SNPs with only nominal evidence of association (e.g., P &lt; 0.05) truly influence disease. Efforts to extract additional biological information from entire GWAS datasets have primarily focused on pathway-enrichment analyses. However, these methods suffer from a number of limitations and typically fail to lead to testable hypotheses. To evaluate alternative approaches, we performed a systems-level analysis of GWAS data using weighted gene coexpression network analysis. A weighted gene coexpression network was generated for 1918 genes harboring SNPs that displayed nominal evidence of association (P ≤ 0.05) from a GWAS of bone mineral density (BMD) using microarray data on circulating monocytes isolated from individuals with extremely low or high BMD. Thirteen distinct gene modules were identified, each comprising coexpressed and highly interconnected GWAS genes. Through the characterization of module content and topology, we illustrate how network analysis can be used to discover disease-associated subnetworks and characterize novel interactions for genes with a known role in the regulation of BMD. In addition, we provide evidence that network metrics can be used as a prioritizing tool when selecting genes and SNPs for replication studies. Our results highlight the advantages of using systems-level strategies to add value to and inform GWAS.
Determination of Mix Composition of Concrete Containing Fly Ash Using Gamma Spectrometry
Authors: Kovler Konstantin , Prilutsky Zakhar 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTThe information about concentrations of natural radionuclides in concrete mix and mineral raw materials used for concrete manufacture, supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) including, can be helpful for determination of concrete composition. The paper deals with the novel approach to determine concrete mix composition – using gamma-ray spectrometry.In order to determine concrete composition, the content of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) was determined in cement, FA and aggregates. Concrete compositions of both fresh and hardened mixes were determined by solving an over-determined system of four algebraic equations. The over-determined system consists of three equations, which represent activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in concrete mix as a function of activity concentrations of the same radionuclides in cement, fly ash and aggregates, and the fourth conditional equation representing a sum of volumetric concentrations of cement, fly ash, aggregates and water in concrete mix as 100%. An over-determined system of linear equations was solved by the method of Lagrange multipliers, which provides a strategy for finding the maxima and minima of a function subject to constraints.Gamma spectrometry was found very sensitive to the presence of FA in both fresh and hardened concrete, while 232Th activity concentration - well correlated with the FA content in the mixes. On the contrary, accurate determination of the rest of concrete composition was difficult.
Optimizing Pentacene Growth in Low-Voltage Organic Thin-Film Transistors Prepared by Dry Fabrication Techniques
Authors: Gupta S. , Chinnam K. C. , Zelzer M. , Ulijn R. , Gleskova H. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTWe have studied the effect of pentacene purity and evaporation rate on low-voltage organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) prepared solely by dry fabrication techniques. The maximum field-effect mobility of 0.07 cm2/Vs was achieved for the highest pentacene evaporation rate of 0.32 Å/s and four-time purified pentacene. Four-time purified pentacene also led to the lowest threshold voltage of -1.1 V and inverse subthreshold slope of ∼100 mV/decade. In addition, pentacene surface was imaged using atomic force microscopy, and the transistor channel and contact resistances for various pentacene evaporation rates were extracted and compared to field-effect mobilities.
Structural and Electrical Properties of Mg–Si Thin Films Fabricated by Radio-Frequency Magnetron Sputtering Deposition
Authors: Tani Jun-ichi , Kido Hiroyasu 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTMg–Si thin films were fabricated on glass, Si(100), Si(111), and polycrystalline Al2O3 substrates by radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering deposition using an elemental composite target composed of Si chips on a Mg disk. The effect of deposition conditions such as the composition ratio of Mg/Si in the target area, substrate temperature, and the type of substrate on the thin film deposition was investigated. By controlling the deposition conditions, pure-phase Mg2Si polycrystalline films were successfully fabricated at room temperature. The crystalline orientation of the films was strongly influenced by the Mg/Si elemental composition ratio in the targets as well as by the surface roughness and porosity of the substrate. The electron concentration and mobility of nondoped Mg2Si films were 2.2 × 1016 cm-3 and 2.0 cm2/Vs, respectively. The electron concentration of Mg2Si films was drastically increased by impurity doping with Al and Bi.
The Effect of Li on Intermetallic Fe-Al Alloys
Authors: Li Xiaolin , Stein Frank , Palm Martin 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTA couple of FeAl alloys containing up to 1.4 at.% Li have been produced by vacuum induction melting. Though previous reports indicated a significant effect of Li on the properties of FeAl, no marked changes with respect to binary FeAl are observed. Specifically, no decrease of the lattice constant and no significant increase in ductility are found by alloying with Li. If at all, there is a slight increase of the lattice constant.
Effect of Dislocation Sources on Slip in Fe2Nb Laves Phase with Ni in Solution
Authors: Takata N. , Ghassemi-Armaki H. , Terada Y. , Takeyama M. , Kumar S. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTWe have examined the compression response of a ternary Fe2Nb Laves phase by deforming micropillars with a diameter of ~2 μm produced by focused ion beam milling from a two-phase Fe-15Nb-40Ni (at.%) ternary alloy consisting of the Laves phase and γ-Fe. The Laves phase micropillars exhibit high strength of about 6 GPa (of the order of the theoretical shear strength of the material), followed by a burst of plastic strain and shear failure on the basal plane. If dislocation sources are introduced on a non-basal plane in the micropillars by nanoindentation prior to compression, yielding occurs at a significantly lower stress level of about 3 GPa and plastic deformation by slip proceeds on a pyramidal plane close to (-1-122). Furthermore, if regenerative dislocation sources for basal slip are present in the micropillar, the Laves phase can be continuously plastically deformed in a stable manner to at least 5% strain at a significantly lower stress of 800 MPa. We thus demonstrate the plastic deformation of this ternary Laves phase at the micron-scale at room temperature when sufficient dislocation sources are present.
Ceramic Immobilisation Options for Technetium
Authors: Stennett Martin C. , Backhouse Daniel J. , Freeman Colin L. , Hyatt Neil C. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTTechnetium-99 (99Tc) is a fission product produced during the burning of nuclear fuel and is particularly hazardous due to its long half life (210000 years), relatively high content in nuclear fuel (approx. 1 kg per ton of SNF), low sorption, and high mobility in aerobic environments. During spent nuclear fuel (SNF) reprocessing Tc is released either as a separate fraction or in complexes with actinides and zirconium. Although Tc has historically been discharged into the marine environment more stringent regulations mean that the preferred long term option is to immobilise Tc in a highly stable and durable matrix. This study investigated the feasibility of incorporating of Mo (as a Tc analogue) in a crystalline host matrix, synthesis by solid state synthesis under different atmospheres. Samples have been characterised with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).
Thermoelectric properties of Li-doped Cu0.95-xM0.05LixO (M=Mn, Ni, Zn)
Authors: Yoshida N. , Naito T. , Fujishiro H. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTThermoelectric properties of the Li-doped Cu0.95-xM0.05LixO (M=divalent metal ion; Mn, Ni, Zn) were investigated at the temperature up to 1273 K. In the doped divalent metal ions, Zn2+ ion was the most effective to reduce the thermal conductivity, and the Ni2+ substitution was preferable to decrease the electrical resistivity. For the Cu0.95-xNi0.05LixO sample at x=0.03, the maxima of the dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit ZT and the power factor P at 1246 K were 4.2×10-2 and 1.6 ×10-4 W/K2m, respectively. The enhancement of the thermoelectric properties of the Li-doped Cu0.95-xM0.05LixO system was discussed.
Nano-scale vacuum spaced thermo-tunnel devices for energy harvesting applications
Authors: Tiwari Amit K. , Goss Jonathan P. , Wright Nick G. , Horsfall Alton B. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTThe output power-density and the efficiency of thermo-tunnel devices are examinedas a function of inter-electrode separation, electrode work-function, and temperature. We find that these physical parameters dramatically influence the device characteristics, and under optimal conditions a thermo-tunnel device is capable of delivering a very high output power-density of ∼ 103Wcm−2. In addition, at higher temperatures, the heat-conversion efficiency of the thermo-tunnel device approaches ∼ 10%, comparable to that of a thermoelectric generator. We therefore propose that thermo-tunnel devices are promising for solid-state thermal energy conversion.
TiAlNb-alloy with a modulated B19 containing constituent produced by powder metallurgy
Authors: Gabrisch Heike , Lorenz Uwe , Oehring Michael , Paul Jonathan , Pyczak Florian , Rackel Marcus , Schimansky Frank-Peter , Stark Andreas 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTIntermetallic TiAl alloys are of interest to the aero engine industry because of their light weight, corrosion resistance and excellent high temperature strength. This justifies the continued effort to improve properties and processing of these alloys.A critical parameter that limits the practical implementation of Ti aluminides is their low ductility at room temperature. Recently, a new class of TiAl alloys based on a modulated lath structure has been introduced that exhibit an excellent combination of ductility and strength. A key component in this alloy is the orthorhombic phase B19 that is attributed to alloying with high amounts of niobium. The driving forces and mechanisms that lead to the observed modulated structures involving the B19 phase are not fully understood yet. As a first step to a better understanding we present a study of the thermal stability range of the phases involved.