bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular modelling and quantitative structure-activity relationship studies of anatoxin-a and epibatidine derivatives with affinity to rodent nAChR receptors
Authors: Melo Eduardo , Moura e Silva Sidnei , Paula Fávero 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAnatoxin-a and epibatidine are natural toxins with a high affinity to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Nicotinic ligands have the potential to become novel therapeutic agents for various cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The determination of the physicochemical and biological properties of anatoxin-a and epibatidine derivatives is important because these might lead to the development of new cholinergic therapeutic agents. To study these features, the toxins and a set of their derivatives were subjected to a molecular modelling study and QSAR analysis. The structural analyses indicated that the geometric and steric features are important determinants of the compound’s activities. The descriptors selected for the QSAR model also highlighted the roles of the geometric and steric features, together with the importance of electronic features.
ON λ-ASYMPTOTICALLY WIJSMAN GENERALIZED STATISTICAL CONVERGENCE OF SEQUENCES OF SETS
Authors: Hazarika Bipan , Esi Ayhan 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT
The concept of Wijsman statistical convergence was defined by [Nuray, F.-Rhoades, B. E.: Statistical convergence of sequences of sets, Fasc. Math. 49 (2012), 1-9]. In this paper we present three definitions which are a natural combination of the definition of asymptotic equivalence, statistical convergence, generalized statistical convergence and Wijsman convergence. In addition, we also present asymptotically equivalent sequences of sets in sense of Wijsman and study some properties of this concept.
POWER SERIES WITH SKEW-HARMONIC NUMBERS, DILOGARITHMS, AND DOUBLE INTEGRALS
Authors: Boyadzhiev Khristo N. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT
The skew-harmonic numbers are the partial sums of the alternating harmonic series, i.e., the expansion of log 2.We evaluate in closed form various power series and numerical series with skew-harmonic numbers. This provides a simultaneous solution of two recent problems by Ovidiu Furdui in the American Mathematical Monthly and the College Mathematics Journal. We also present and discuss representations involving the dilogarithm and the trilogarithm which are related to our results. Finally, we provide the evaluations of several double integrals in terms of classical constants.
ANOTHER TWIST IN THE DINING CRYPTOGRAPHERS’ PROTOCOL
Authors: Bárász Mihály , Ligeti Péter , Lója Krisztina , Mérai László , Nagy Dániel A. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT
In this paper, we explore the Dining Cryptographers’ protocol over a cyclic group with a one-way homomorphic image, using a boardroom voting protocol as an illustration of its desirable security properties. In particular, we address the problem of anonymous disruption, which is one of the main disadvantages of DC over more usual groups like binary vectors.
A NEW STREAM CIPHER BASED ON FIALKA M-125
Authors: Antal Eugen , Hromada Viliam 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT
In 2010, a new cipher Hummingbird by [Engels, D.-Fan, X.- -Gong, G.-Hu, H.-Smith, E. M. Hummingbird: Ultra-Lightweight Cryptography for Resource-Constrained Devices, in: 1st International Workshop on Lightweight Cryptography for Resource-Constrained Devices. Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, January 2010] was proposed. It is a combination of both block and stream cipher and its design was inspired and motivated by the Enigma machine. The encryption process of the cipher can be considered as a continuous running of a rotor-cipher. Four block ciphers play the role of the rotors that apply the permutation to the 16-bit words. This cipher motivated us to investigate a new cipher design based on a Fialka cipher machine. Fialka M-125 is an Enigma based rotor-cipher machine used during the Cold War. It is considered one of the most secure cipher machines. Advantages of this cipher are based on the elimination of the Enigma’s known weaknesses. There are no known attacks on this cipher. In this paper we introduce a new cipher based on the Fialka machine. We transform the Fialka encryption algorithm to a modern stream cipher. The rotors are represented as S-boxes and shift registers are used to provide the rotor clocking. We propose three different versions of the cipher and investigate the statistical properties of their outputs. In the article we also provide basic implementation details and basic performance analysis.
SIEDM FILARÓW PIOTRA SKARGI. GENEZA I ASPEKT RETORYCZNY / PIOTR SKARGA’S SEVEN PILLARS: ITS ORIGINS AND RHETORIC
Authors: Chemperek Dariusz 
Published: February 2014

Summary
This article is concerned with the origins and the rhetoric of one of Piotr Skarga’s less known publications, Seven Pillars [of the Catholic Teaching about the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar]. Published in 1582, the treatise sums up a polemic, which went on for nine years, with Andrzej Wolan, a leading Calvinist theologian, over the nature of the sacrament of the Eucharist (the issue of real vs spiritual presence of Christ) and points of worship in the Catholic and the Reformed churches. The Seven Pillars is a fine example of highly-skilled rhetoric, especially in the elocutio and dispositio. Adjusting his tropes carefully to the perception of an average reader, Skarga chooses the mode of mocking, down-to-earth realism to counter and wreck Wolan’s symbolic constructions. In his argument he relies heavily on rhetorical amplificatio, yet in the wind-up he shifts to the questions of when an individual worshipper may receive or abstain from Communion, clearly an issue of secondary importance in this fundamental polemic.
„z językiem trzeba twardo”. Autotematyczne wymiary poezji Eugeniusza Tkaczyszyna-Dyckiego / “WITH LANGUAGE YOU HA VE TO BE FIRM ”: THE AUTOTHEMATIC DIMENSION OF THE POETRY OF EUGENIUSZ TKACZYSZYN -DYCKI
Authors: Dźwinel Kamil 
Published: February 2014

Summary
One of the characteristic features of the poetry of Eugeniusz Tkaczyszyn-Dycki is the recurrence of certain issues, especially those that autothematic and self-referential. Tkaczyszyn-Dycki is an author bent on an unending exploration of the origin and the nature of his own idiom, deliberately piling up - often in the same volume, or neighbouring pages - opposed views on the subject of writing. An extraordinarily self-conscious writer, Tkaczyszyn-Dycki never tires of examining and re-examining his writing techniques. What usually sets him off on another autothematic quest is the possibility of an antithetical turnabout whenever the resolution of a previous pursuit is safe in hand. The article distinguishes five thematic circles in his poetry: language / word, poetry in the broad sense of the word, inspiration, the poet, and the creative process. In conclusion, it can be said that poetry about poetry and the conditions of poetry-making is Tkaczyszyn-Dycki’s most important concern.
Deus ex machina, czyli o doświadczeniu fonografii w poezji Stanisława Barańczaka / DEUS EX MACHINA, OR THE EXPERIENCE OF PHONOGRAPHY IN THE POETRY OF STANISŁAW BARAŃCZAK
Authors: Puchalska Iwona 
Published: February 2014

Summary
This article deals with a new range of musical topoi that entered the literature of the 20th century following the invention of new techniques of recording and copying of sound. The phonographic revolution led to a wide-ranging revision of traditional musical terms and opened the way for new approaches to the problem of ontology of the musical work of art. Its ripples also reached the realm of poetry, giving rise to new motifs and themes of ‘poetic musicology’. Stanisław Barańczak is without doubt a typical phonographic poet, and his work both reflects the general developments in the world of music and shows a uniquely personal literary-musical profile.
In-Office, Multisinus Balloon Dilation: 1-Year Outcomes from a Prospective, Multicenter, Open Label Trial
Authors: Gould James , Alexander Ian , Tomkin Edward , Brodner David 
Published: February 2014

Background The objective of this prospective, multicenter study was to assess 1-year changes in sinonasal symptoms and health care use after office-based multisinus balloon dilation. Methods Adults diagnosed with chronic or recurrent acute rhinosinusitis per the 2007 adult sinusitis guidelines were en d in this Institutional Review Board-approved study. Balloon dilation of the maxillary sinuses/ethmoid infundibula with or without frontal or sphenoid ostial dilation was performed in the physician's office under local anesthesia. Intraoperative procedure technical success and subject procedure tolerance were recorded. Efficacy was assessed using the patient-reported 20-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20) and Rhinosinusitis Symptom Inventory (RSI). Complications and revision surgeries were also recorded. Results A total of 313 ostial dilations were attempted and 307 were successfully completed (98.1%) in 81 subjects. Mean procedure tolerance was 2.8 ± 2.2 (0 = no pain; 10 = severe pain). Clinically meaningful and statistically significant (p < 0.0001) mean SNOT-20 symptom improvement was observed at 1 and 6 months and sustained through 1 year. The RSI treatment effect for all major rhinosinusitis symptoms was “large” and improvement in each was significant (p < 0.0001). Compared with the previous 1-year period, patients reported an average of 2.3 fewer acute sinus infections (p < 0.0001), 2.4 fewer antibiotic courses taken (p < 0.0001), and 3.0 fewer sinus-related physician visits (p < 0.0 1) after balloon dilation. No serious device or procedure-related adverse events occurred. One subject (1.3%) underwent revision surgery. Conclusion In-office, multisinus balloon dilation is safe, effective, and well tolerated. Patients reported significant reductions in both sinonasal symptoms and health care use after balloon dilation. Efficacy observed at 1 and 6 month follow-up was sustained through 1 year with a very low rate of revision surgery. This study was a part of the clinical trial NCT01612780 registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov
The Investigation and Growth Kinetics of TiC Coatings on AISI D3 Steel Produced by Thermo-Reactive Diffusion Technique
Authors: Kurt B. , Sinoplu O. , Carboga C. , Demirel B. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
TiC coatings on AISI D3 cold-work tool steel were carried out by pack method thermo-reactive diffusion process (TRD) for 2 and 4 h at 950, 1 000, 1 050 and 1 100 °C, respectively. The carbide layers were evaluated based on microstructure, thickness, hardness, energy dispersive X-ray facility and X-ray diffraction analysis. Titanium carbide layer thickness on the coated specimens ranged from 6 to 23 μm, depending on treatment time and temperature. Growth kinetics of the carbide layers were analyzed measuring the depth of carbide layer as a function of temperature and time. The activation energy was estimated to be 249.42 kJ/mol. The micro-hardness value of the coating layer was obtained to be 2 470 HV in maximum.
Enhancement of Gemcitabine sensitivity in pancreatic adenocarcinoma by novel exosome‐mediated delivery of the Survivin‐T34A mutant
Authors: Aspe Jonathan R. , Diaz Osterman Carlos J. , Jutzy Jessica M.S. , Deshields Simone , Whang Sonia , Wall Nathan R. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundCurrent therapeutic options for advanced pancreatic cancer have been largely disappointing with modest results at best, and though adjuvant therapy remains controversial, most remain in agreement that Gemcitabine should stand as part of any combination study. The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein Survivin is a key factor in maintaining apoptosis resistance, and its dominant‐negative mutant (Survivin‐T34A) has been shown to block Survivin, inducing caspase activation and apoptosis.MethodsIn this study, exosomes, collected from a melanoma cell line built to harbor a tetracycline‐regulated Survivin‐T34A, were plated on the pancreatic adenocarcinoma (MIA PaCa‐2) cell line. Evaluation of the presence of Survivin‐T34A in these exosomes followed by their ability to induce Gemcitabine‐potentiative cell killing was the objective of this work.ResultsHere we show that exosomes collected in the absence of tetracycline (tet‐off) from the engineered melanoma cell do contain Survivin‐T34A and when used alone or in combination with Gemcitabine, induced a significant increase in apoptotic cell death when compared to Gemcitabine alone on a variety of pancreatic cancer cell lines.ConclusionThis exosomes/Survivin‐T34A study shows that a new delivery method for anticancer proteins within the cancer microenvironment may prove useful in targeting cancers of the pancreas.
Charge and spin transport in mesoscopic superconductors
Authors: Wolf M J , Hübler F , Kolenda S , Beckmann D 
Published: February 2014

Background: Non-equilibrium charge transport in superconductors has been investigated intensely in the 1970s and 1980s, mostly in the vicinity of the critical temperature. Much less attention has been paid to low temperatures and the role of the quasiparticle spin.Results: We report here on nonlocal transport in superconductor hybrid structures at very low temperatures. By comparing the nonlocal conductance obtained by using ferromagnetic and normal-metal detectors, we discriminate charge and spin degrees of freedom. We observe spin injection and long-range transport of pure, chargeless spin currents in the regime of large Zeeman splitting. We elucidate charge and spin transport by comparison to theoretical models.Conclusion: The observed long-range chargeless spin transport opens a new path to manipulate and utilize the quasiparticle spin in superconductor nanostructures.
Folate Levels and Polymorphisms in the Genes MTHFR, MTR, and TS in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Taflin Helena , Wettergren Yvonne , Odin Elisabeth , Carlsson Göran , Derwinger Kristoffer 
Published: February 2014

Aim The aim of the study was to explore and describe the effect of polymorphisms in folate-associated genes regarding the levels of different folate forms and their distribution in tumors and mucosa in patients with colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods Tumor and mucosa tissues from 53 patients with colorectal cancer were analyzed. The concentrations of tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5-methylTHF, and 5,10-methyleneTHF were measured by liquid chromatography—mass spectrometry. Genotyping of polymorphisms in the folate-associated genes methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR, C677T), methionine synthase ( MTR, A2756G), and thymidylate synthase ( TS, 5'-TSER 28 bp tandem repeat and 3'-TSUTR 6 bp deletion/insertion), were done by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Folate levels and distributions were determined in the total patient cohort and after subgrouping by genotypes. Results The total folate level, as well as the THF and 5,10-methyleneTHF levels, were significantly higher in the tumor compared with mucosa tissue ( P = 0.030, 0.031, and 0.015, respectively). The individual variation in folate levels in both tumor and mucosa were larger than the variation found when the patients were subgrouped by the gene polymorphisms. No significant differences in the mean concentration of any folate in the mucosa or tumor tissue were found in relation to the analyzed polymorphisms. The percentage level of 5,10-methyleneTHF in tumors was highest in patients with the MTHFR 677 CC genotype, and lowest in patients with the TT genotype ( P = 0.033). A significantly lower percentage level of the 5,10-methyleneTHF level was found in tumors of patients with the 5'-TSER 3R/3R genotype ( P = 0.0031). Conclusion A significant difference was found between the percentage level of 5,10-methyleneTHF in tumor tissues in relation to the MTHFR C677T and 5'-TSER 28 bp repeat polymorphisms. However, no differences were found in the actual tissue folate levels, or in their distribution, in relation to the polymorphisms in the MTHFR, MTR, or TS genes. These findings could be of importance for further research in the field by explaining some of the difficulties of obtaining reproducible and uniform results when using a few selected polymorphisms as predictive markers.
Evaluating the use of spatially varying versus bulk average 3D vegetation structural inputs to modelled evapotranspiration within heterogeneous land cover types
Authors: Sutherland G. , Chasmer L. E. , Petrone R. M. , Kljun N. , Devito K. J. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTThe Western Boreal Plain of north‐central Alberta is prone to water‐deficit conditions and is hydrologically sensitive to changes in climate, natural resource extraction and disturbance. Accurate measurement and modelling of the main components of the water balance are important for ecosystem and reclamation management; however, the lack of hydro‐meteorological instrumentation found within different land cover types makes quantification of changes to the water balance difficult over large areas. Remote sensing data can provide spatial estimates of land cover distribution and leaf area index (LAI) used as inputs into land surface models. However, land surface models can often suffer from inaccuracies as a result of spatial (coarse pixel) and temporal (discrete acquisition) resolutions, mis‐classification and inaccurate representation of LAI using remote sensing data. This study uses high‐resolution (1 m × 1 m) Light Detection and Ranging‐derived vegetation parameters (land cover type, LAI and 3D vegetation frictional influences on air movement) as inputs into the Penman–Monteith evapotranspiration (ET) model along with measured hydro‐meteorological variables. Comparison with eddy covariance (EC) measurements indicated that spatially explicit ET estimates at 1 m resolution (over a 5 km × 5 km study area) provided better estimates compared with bulk average ET estimates per land cover type. ET estimates scaled using spatially variable vegetation inputs only underestimated measured fluxes by 2% and 3% at 22·5 and 3 m EC instrumentation towers, respectively. Bulk averaged ET estimates underestimated measured ET by 5% at the 3 m tower and overestimated EC by 7% at the 22·5 m EC tower. Over coarser scales, the error associated with bulk input parameters can lead to error in overall water balance estimation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonal temperature prediction skill over Southern Africa and human health
Authors: Lazenby Melissa J. , Landman Willem A. , Garland Rebecca M. , DeWitt David G. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTAn assessment of probabilistic prediction skill of seasonal temperature extremes over Southern Africa is presented. Verification results are presented for six run‐on seasons; September to November, October to December, November to January, December to February, January to March, and February to April over a 15‐year retroactive period. Comparisons are drawn between downscaled seasonal 850 hPa geopotential height field forecasts of a two‐tiered system versus downscaled height forecasts from a coupled ocean–atmosphere system. The ECHAM4.5 atmospheric general circulation model (GCM) is used for both systems; in the one‐tiered system the ECHAM4.5 is directly coupled to the ocean model Modular Ocean Model version three (MOM3), and in the two‐tiered system the ECHAM4.5 is coupled with Van den Dool sea surface temperature (SST) hindcasts. Model output statistical equations are developed using canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to reduce system deficiencies. Probabilistic verification is conducted using the relative operating characteristic (ROC) and reliability diagram. The coupled model performs best in capturing seasonal maximum temperature extremes. Seasons demonstrating the highest ROC scores coincide with the period of highest seasonal temperatures found over Southern Africa. The above‐normal category of the one‐tiered system indicates the highest skill in predicting maximum temperature extremes, implying the coupled model predicts skilfully when there is a high likelihood of experiencing extremely high seasonal maximum temperatures during mid to late summer. The downscaled coupled maximum temperature hindcasts are evaluated additionally in terms of their monetary value and quality to the general public. The seasonal forecast system presented in this study should be able to reduce risks in decision making by the health industry in Southern Africa.
Antifouling potentials of eight deep-sea-derived fungi from the South China Sea
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Yong , Xu Xin-Ya , Peng Jiang , Ma Chun-Feng , Nong Xu-Hua , Bao Jie , Zhang Guang-Zhao , Qi Shu-Hua 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Marine-derived microbial secondary metabolites are promising potential sources of nontoxic antifouling agents. The search for environmentally friendly and low-toxic antifouling components guided us to investigate the antifouling potentials of eight novel fungal isolates from deep-sea sediments of the South China Sea. Sixteen crude ethyl acetate extracts of the eight fungal isolates showed distinct antibacterial activity against three marine bacteria (Loktanella hongkongensis UST950701–009, Micrococcus luteus UST950701–006 and Pseudoalteromonas piscida UST010620–005), or significant antilarval activity against larval settlement of bryozoan Bugula neritina. Furthermore, the extract of Aspergillus westerdijkiae DFFSCS013 displayed strong antifouling activity in a field trial lasting 4 months. By further bioassay-guided isolation, five antifouling alkaloids including brevianamide F, circumdatin F and L, notoamide C, and 5-chlorosclerotiamide were isolated from the extract of A. westerdijkiae DFFSCS013. This is the first report about the antifouling potentials of metabolites of the deep-sea-derived fungi from the South China Sea, and the first stage towards the development of non- or low-toxic antifouling agents from deep-sea-derived fungi.
Exenatide as a potential treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease: First steps into the clinic
Authors: Foltynie Thomas , Aviles-Olmos Iciar 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundThere is an increasing number of approaches to try and relieve the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) that focus predominantly on strategies of dopaminergic replacement or deep brain stimulation. There remains, however, a major need to slow down or reverse the relentless progression of the disease to prevent the evolution of disabling motor and nonmotor features that continue to cause disability despite the existing symptomatic approaches. Data emerging from the laboratory suggest that agonists for the glucagonlike peptide 1 (GLP‐1) receptor may have biological properties relevant to PD pathogenesis and progression.MethodsFuture progress in the evaluation of GLP‐1 agonists such as exenatide as potential disease‐modifying treatments in PD can be facilitated by collection of proof‐of‐concept data to mitigate against the risk associated with major financial investments into these agents. There are, nevertheless, multiple issues that must be considered in the planning, setup, and conduct of pilot trials of potential disease‐modifying drugs.ResultsOpen‐label proof‐of‐concept data have been collected in a small cohort of patients with moderate severity PD that suggest that this agent is well tolerated. Patients randomized to receive exenatide showed advantages on validated motor and nonmotor scales of PD that persisted after a 2‐month drug washout period.ConclusionsAlthough data must be interpreted with caution, given the strong possibility of placebo effects, the clinical evaluation of these patients supports additional investment into double‐blind trials of the GLP‐1 agonists in PD.