bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
African Americans With Cancer Pain Are More Likely to Receive an Analgesic With Toxic Metabolite Despite Clinical Risks: A Mediation Analysis Study
Authors: Meghani Salimah H. , Kang Youjeong , Chittams Jesse , McMenamin Erin , Mao Jun J. , Fudin Jeffrey 
Published: July 2014

Purpose Renal impairment is highly prevalent among patients with cancer, and many patients have undiagnosed chronic kidney disease (CKD) from underlying disease, treatment, or both. African American individuals have disproportionate risk factors (diabetes, hypertension) predisposing them to CKD. We investigated whether African American patients are more likely than white patients to receive morphine with 3- and 6-glucuronide metabolites, which are known to be neurotoxic and accumulate in CKD; whether insurance type mediates the relationship between race and the prescriber's opioid selection; and whether the chosen opioid has a resultant negative effect according to race. Patients and Methods Patients (N = 182) were recruited from oncology clinics within the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Inclusion was based on self-identified African American or white race, age older than 18 years, and the presence of cancer-related pain plus a prescription for morphine or oxycodone. Kidney function was estimated using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. Results Patients with CKD who received morphine reported a greater severity of analgesic-related adverse effects than patients with CKD who received oxycodone (P = .010). Controlling for health insurance type, African American patients had 71% lower odds of receiving a prescription of oxycodone than white patients (P < .001). Limiting analysis to those with CKD, the effect of private insurance became insignificant. However, race still remained a significant predictor of the prescribed opioid selection. Race was a strong predictor of adverse effect severity in the presence of CKD, and the type of opioid selection partially mediated this relationship. Conclusion Reducing racial disparities in the type of opioid prescription and understanding mechanisms of disproportionate opioid-related adverse effects in African American patients might decrease the clinical disparities in cancer pain outcomes.
Disparate Changes in Kisspeptin and Neurokinin B Expression in the Arcuate Nucleus After Sex Steroid Manipulation Reveal Differential Regulation of the Two KNDy Peptides in Rats
Authors: Overgaard Agnete , Ruiz-Pino Francisco , Castellano Juan M. , Tena-Sempere Manuel , Mikkelsen Jens D. 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Kisspeptin, neurokinin B (NKB) and dynorphin A are coexpressed in a population of neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), termed KNDy neurons, which were recently recognized as important elements for the generation of GnRH pulses. However, the topographic distribution of these peptides and their regulated expression by sex steroids are still not well understood. In this study, detailed examination of NKB and kisspeptin immunoreactivity in the rat ARC was carried out, including comparison between sexes, with and without sex steroid replacement. Neurons expressing kisspeptin and NKB were more prominent in the caudal ARC of females, whereas neurons expressing NKB, but not kisspeptin, were the most abundant in the male. Sex steroid manipulation revealed differential regulation of kisspeptin and NKB; although kisspeptin immunoreactive (ir) cells increased in response to gonadectomy, NKB remained unchanged. Furthermore, the number of NKB-ir cells increased upon sex steroid replacement compared with gonadectomy, whereas kisspeptin did not, suggesting that sex steroids differently regulate these peptides. In addition, only in females did the density of kisspeptin- and NKB-ir fibers in the ARC increase upon sex steroid replacement in relation to sham and ovariectomy, respectively, suggesting sex-specific regulation of release. In conclusion, our observations reveal sex differences in the number of kisspeptin- and NKB-ir cells, which are more prominent in the caudal ARC. The divergent regulation of kisspeptin and NKB peptide contents in the ARC as a function of sex and steroid milieu enlarge our understanding on how these neuropeptides are posttranscriptionally regulated in KNDy neurons.
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Glucose Homeostasis: The Acute Hyperglycemic and Chronic Insulin-Sensitive Effects of Nicotine Suggest Dual Opposing Roles of the Receptors in Male Mice
Authors: Vu Christine U. , Siddiqui Jawed A. , Wadensweiler Paul , Gayen Jiaur R. , Avolio Ennio , Bandyopadhyay Gautam K. , Biswas Nilima , Chi Nai-Wen , O'Connor Daniel T. , Mahata Sushil K. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractCigarette smoking causes insulin resistance. However, nicotine induces anti-inflammation and improves glucose tolerance in insulin-resistant animal models. Here, we determined the effects of nicotine on glucose metabolism in insulin-sensitive C57BL/J6 mice. Acute nicotine administration (30 min) caused fasting hyperglycemia and lowered insulin sensitivity acutely, which depended on the activation of nicotinic-acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and correlated with increased catecholamine secretion, nitric oxide (NO) production, and glycogenolysis. Chlorisondamine, an inhibitor of nAChRs, reduced acute nicotine-induced hyperglycemia. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the liver and muscle express predominantly β4 &gt; α10 &gt; α3 &gt; α7 and β4 &gt; α10 &gt; β1 &gt; α1 mRNA for nAChR subunits respectively, whereas the adrenal gland expresses β4 &gt; α3 &gt; α7 &gt; α10 mRNA. Chronic nicotine treatment significantly suppressed expression of α3-nAChR (predominant peripheral α-subunit) in liver. Whereas acute nicotine treatment raised plasma norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (Epi) levels, chronic nicotine exposure raised only Epi. Acute nicotine treatment raised both basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). After chronic nicotine treatment, basal insulin level was elevated, but GSIS after acute saline or nicotine treatment was blunted. Chronic nicotine exposure caused an increased buildup of NO in plasma and liver, leading to decreased glycogen storage, along with a concomitant suppression of Pepck and G6Pase mRNA, thus preventing hyperglycemia. The insulin-sensitizing effect of chronic nicotine was independent of weight loss. Chronic nicotine treatment enhanced PI-3-kinase activities and increased Akt and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β phosphorylation in an nAChR-dependent manner coupled with decreased cAMP response element–binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation. The latter effects caused suppression of Pepck and G6Pase gene expression. Thus, nicotine causes both insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity depending on the duration of the treatment.
Cnr2 Deficiency Confers Resistance to Inflammation-Induced Preterm Birth in Mice
Authors: Sun Xiaofei , Cappelletti Monica , Li Yingju , Karp Christopher L. , Divanovic Senad , Dey Sudhansu K. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractInfection-induced inflammation, frequently associated with increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, is considered a significant contributor to preterm birth. A G protein-coupled cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), encoded by Cnr2, is expressed in various immune cells and was shown to modulate immune responses. We show here that Cnr2, but not Cnr1, deficient mice are resistant to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-driven preterm birth and suppression of serum progesterone levels. After LPS challenge, Cnr2−/− mice exhibited increased serum levels of IL-10 with decreased IL-6 levels. These changes were associated with reduced LPS-induced Ptgs2 expression at the maternal-conceptus interface on day 16 of pregnancy. LPS stimulation of Cnr2−/− dendritic cells in vitro resulted in increased IL-10 with reduced IL-6 production and correlated with increased cAMP accumulation. Collectively, our results suggest that increased IL-10 production occurring via augmented cAMP accumulation represents a potential mechanism for the resistance of Cnr2−/− mice to LPS-induced preterm birth. These results may have clinical relevance, because currently, there are limited options to prevent preterm birth.
A Superhydrophobic Copper Mesh with Microrod Structure for Oil–Water Separation Inspired from Ramee Leaf
Authors: Zhu Huan , Guo Zhiguang 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
It is well known that superhydrophobic surfaces with unitary microstructures (such as the lotus leaf) have better surface mechanical properties than those with binary micro- and nanostructures (such as the ramee leaf). Rodlike unitary structured films are fabricated on copper meshes via a facile and simple chemical vapor corrosion method. Following the surface modification of 1-decanethiol (C10H22S), the resultant films exhibiting superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity can be applied to separate the oil–water mixture.
The effects of extremes of pH on the growth and transcriptomic profiles of three haloarchaea
Authors: Moran-Reyna Aida , Coker James A. 
Published: July 2014

The halophilic archaea (haloarchaea) live in saline environments which are found across the globe. In addition to salinity, these niches can be quite dynamic and experience extreme conditions such as low oxygen content, radiation (gamma and UV), pH and temperature. However, of all the naturally occurring stresses faced by the haloarchaea, only one, pH, has not been previously reported on. Therefore, we endeavored to determine the responses of the transcriptomes of three haloarchaea (Hla, Hvo, and NRC-1) to growth under acidic and alkaline pH. Our observations showed that the transcriptomes of Hvo and NRC-1 respond in a similar manner to each other as well as other prokaryotes when grown in an acidic environment, while the pattern for Hla was dissimilar. For alkaline stress, all three haloarchaea responded in a manner similar to well-studied archaea and bacteria and had four-times more significantly regulated transcripts in common, compared to acidic growth. Additionally, we performed an analysis on the changes in the transcriptomes of the three haloarchaea when shifting from one pH extreme to the other. The results showed that the transcriptomes of all three haloarchaea respond more similarly when moving from alkaline to acidic conditions compared to moving from an acidic to alkaline environment. Interestingly, our studies also showed that individual genes of multiple paralogous gene families (tbp,tfb,orc/cdc6, etc.) found in the haloarchaea were regulated under specific stresses thereby providing evidence that they modulate the response to various environmental stresses. The studies described here are the first to catalog the changes in the haloarchaeal transcriptomes under growth in extreme pH and help us understand how life is able to thrive under all conditions present on Earth and, if present, on extraterrestrial bodies as well.
Variation of morphology, karyotype and protein band pattern of adenium (Adenium obesum) varieties
Authors: HASTUTI DWI , SURANTO SURANTO , SETYONO PRABANG 
Published: July 2014

Hastuti D, Suranto, Setyono P. 2009. Variation of morphology, karyotype and protein band pattern of adenium (AdeniumÂ obesum) varieties. Nusantara Bioscience 1: 78-83. The aim of this research to find out the Adenium obesum variation from six varieties,Â namely: obesum, cery, red lucas, red fanta , white bigben and harry potter based on morphology, karyotype, as well as protein bandingÂ pattern. The chromosome preparation was made using semi-permanent squash method from the tip of root plant; while protein bandingÂ pattern was made using SDS-PAGE method. Qualitative data included shape and color of the leave and flower described from eachÂ variety. Data were presented in morphometry and analyzed using ANOVA and then followed by DMRT with 5% of confidence levels,Â indicated significance difference. Protein banding pattern, the root, stem, leave and all organs were analyzed using Hierarchical ClusterÂ Analysis method with Average Linkage (between Groups) using SPSS 10.0. The result of research shows that the six A. obesumÂ varieties have morphological character with no variation of light green to dark green leave, not hairy, smooth leave bone, meanwhile forÂ light red to dark red flower crown color although some of them are white and the same funnel color, yellow. All varieties of A. obesumÂ have same number of chromosome, 2n = 22 and shows the difference ranging from 2.56 to 5.13 Î¼m. In the banding pattern formedÂ qualitatively, there is variation among the six varieties.
The tension between ethics and ethnicity: Examining journalists’ ethical decision-making at the Nation Media Group in Kenya
Authors: Wasserman Herman , Mwende Maweu Jacinta 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
This article analyses how ethnicity influences the ethical decisions of journalists at the Nation Media Group (NMG) in Kenya. Ethnic identity is regarded as one of the key factors that shape the political beliefs of Kenyans in general, and for journalists and media practitioners in particular ethnic identities also influence their normative positions. The conflicting loyalties between ethnic belonging and journalistic norms of professionalism and independence especially come to the fore during democratic processes such as general elections and national referenda. Based on Shoemaker and Reese’s Hierarchy of Influences Model, the article draws on qualitative interviews of journalists at the Nation Media to argue that the highly ethnicized publics as audience and the media institution at the macro level and individual journalists at the micro level act as key levels of ethnic influence in the news production process at the NMG in Kenya. Shoemaker and Reese in their model argue that the power to shape content is not the media’s alone, but is shared with a variety of other sectors in the society, including the public. The article then proposes the inclusion of ethnicity as a ‘key level of Influence’ in Shoemaker and Reese’s model, especially when applying the model to the African media context. The article will address the following questions: How does ethnicity at the micro level of individual journalists and at the macro level of the media institution influence the ethical decisions of journalists at the NMG in Kenya? How do the highly ethnicized publics in Kenya influence the decisions of journalists at the NMG? How does this ethnic level of influence impact on the Nation Media’s capacity to fulfil its democratic roles in the society?
Oxidative degradation and corrosiveness of biodiesel
Authors: Meira Marilena , Santana Paulo Moura B. , Araújo Alexandre S. , Silva Cliciane L. , Filho Josafat R.L. Leal , Ferreira Hugo T. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBiodiesel fuels are attracting increasing attention worldwide as an environmentally friendly fuel. Despite the numerous advantages of biodiesel compared with diesel, some studies indicate that biodiesel is more susceptible to oxidation and therefore more corrosive to metals. The research indicates that stainless steel, cast iron, galvanized steel, carbon steel, and aluminum materials are relatively compatible with pure biodiesel, whereas copper, bronze, brass, lead, tin, zinc, and iron are incompatible, decreasing the stability of biodiesel and increasing its corrosiveness. The use of synthetic antioxidant additives for biodiesel is a necessity to minimize its susceptibility to oxidation. The efficiency of a given antioxidant depends on the feedstock used for biodiesel production. In general, the effectiveness of order of antioxidants was pyrogallol>propyl gallate>Ethanox4760E>N,N′-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine>2,2′-methylene-bis-(4-methyl-6-ter-butylphenol)>2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole>2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,4-benzenediol [tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)]∼2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methylphenol>2,5-di-tert-butyl-hydroquinone>α-tocopherol. There are few studies showing the effect of inhibitors on the corrosion of metals in biodiesel. Antioxidant compounds may also act as a corrosion inhibitor, but the mechanism of action of these corrosion inhibitors is the formation of a persistent adsorbed monolayer film at the metal/solution interface. For example, the antioxidant TBHQ used in biodiesel retarded the corrosion process in copper, carbon steel, and galvanized steel, acting as a corrosion inhibitor through the formation of a protective film layer.
Analysis of variability in estimates of cell proliferation parameters for cyton-based models using CFSE-based flow cytometry data
Authors: Banks H. Thomas , Kapraun Dustin F. , Link Kathryn G. , Thompson W. Clayton , Peligero Cristina , Argilaguet Jordi , Meyerhans Andreas 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
In this article we assess variability in cell proliferation dynamics observed for CD4+ and CD8+ T cells collected from two healthy donors. We review a recently developed class of models that incorporates the so-called “cyton model” for cell numbers into a conservation-based PDE model for cell population dynamics and describe a statistical model that relates CFSE-based flow cytometry data to such models. A parameter estimation scheme is summarized and then applied to a large body of data to assess experimental variability (variation in parameter estimates as identical experiments are replicated) and biological variability (differences in parameter estimates obtained for different donors and cell types) in the context of these models. Variability in the data obtained from replicated experiments is also discussed. The results of this study indicate that many of the cyton model parameters for describing cell proliferation can be reliably estimated using our approach; however, they also show that substantial changes to our mathematical model and/or experimental procedures may be required to ensure identifiability of the remaining cell proliferation parameters.
Prevention of Traumatic Stress in Mothers of Preterms: 6-Month Outcomes
Authors: Shaw Richard J. , St John Nick , Lilo Emily , Jo Booil , Benitz William , Stevenson David K. , Horwitz Sarah M. 
Published: July 2014

OBJECTIVE:
Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder are a well-recognized phenomenon in mothers of preterm infants, with implications for maternal health and infant outcomes. This randomized controlled trial evaluated 6-month outcomes from a skills-based intervention developed to reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.

METHODS:
One hundred five mothers of preterm infants were randomly assigned to (1) a 6- or 9-session intervention based on principles of trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy with infant redefinition or (2) a 1-session active comparison intervention based on education about the NICU and parenting of the premature infant. Outcome measures included the Davidson Trauma Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory II, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Participants were assessed at baseline, 4 to 5 weeks after birth, and 6 months after the birth of the infant.

RESULTS:
At the 6-month assessment, the differences between the intervention and comparison condition were all significant and sizable and became more pronounced when compared with the 4- to 5-week outcomes: Davidson Trauma Scale (Cohen's d = −0.74, P &lt; .001), Beck Anxiety Inventory (Cohen's d = −0.627, P = .001), Beck Depression Inventory II (Cohen's d = −0.638, P = .002). However, there were no differences in the effect sizes between the 6- and 9-session interventions.

CONCLUSIONS:
A brief 6-session intervention based on principles of trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy was effective at reducing symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression in mothers of preterm infants. Mothers showed increased benefits at the 6-month follow-up, suggesting that they continue to make use of techniques acquired during the intervention phase.
Inverse Modeling Approach for Evaluation of Kinetic Parameters of a Biofilm Reactor Using Tabu Search
Authors: Kumar B. Shiva , Venkateswarlu Ch. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT: The complex nature of biological reactions in biofilm reactors often poses difficulties in analyzing such reactors experimentally. Mathematical models could be very useful for their design and analysis. However, application of biofilm reactor models to practical problems proves somewhat ineffective due to the lack of knowledge of accurate kinetic models and uncertainty in model parameters. In this work, we propose an inverse modeling approach based on tabu search (TS) to estimate the parameters of kinetic and film thickness models. TS is used to estimate these parameters as a consequence of the validation of the mathematical models of the process with the aid of measured data obtained from an experimental fixed‐bed anaerobic biofilm reactor involving the treatment of pharmaceutical industry wastewater. The results evaluated for different modeling configurations of varying degrees of complexity illustrate the effectiveness of TS for accurate estimation of kinetic and film thickness model parameters of the biofilm process. The results show that the two‐dimensional mathematical model with Edward kinetics (with its optimum parameters as μmaxρs/Y = 24.57, Ks = 1.352 and KI = 102.36) and three‐parameter film thickness expression (with its estimated parameters as a = 0.289×10−5, b = 1.55×10−4 and c = 15.2×10−6) better describes the biofilm reactor treating the industry wastewater.
Facing the Consequences: Examining a Workaround Outcomes-Based Model
Authors: Drum Dawna M. , Standifer Rhetta , Bourne Kristina 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT
Increasingly, organizations are adopting Enterprise Systems (ES) in an effort to increase productivity and reduce costs. Unfortunately, system-wide implementations such as these often fail to produce the outcomes desired by those that champion them. One noted reason for unsuccessful ES utilization rests in “workarounds”—the deviation or circumvention of the ES by users (employees) of the system. Our research question asks, “How do the outcomes of a workaround impact the downstream user and the system overall?” We assert that the motivation or why workarounds are employed is not as important as the outcomes these workarounds create. Using qualitative data from a longitudinal field study of a large organization in the U.S. Midwest, we categorize workarounds based on the outcomes they generate and consider the resultant effects these workaround outcomes have for the downstream user. In particular, we explore how workaround outcomes impact the effectiveness of accounting functions.
The Rate of Increase of Mean Values of Functions in Weighted Hardy-Orlicz Spaces
Authors: Sharma Ajay K. , Bhat Ambika 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Let 0 ≤ q < ∞. For each f in the weighted Hardy-Orlicz space HΦ,q we show that grows at most like o(1/1 − r) as r → 1.
Concentrations of Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Oxides From a 25 kW Boiler Supplied Periodically and Continuously with Wood Pellets
Authors: Juszczak Marek 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
The impact of the fuel feeding mode (continuous or periodic with different stand-by/operation time ratios) on carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NO, NOx) concentration values in the flue gas was analysed for coniferous wood pellet firing. Experiments were performed in a 25 kW water boiler equipped with an over-fed wood pellet furnace located in a full scale heat station simulating real-life conditions. Influence of oxygen concentration and temperature in the combustion chamber on carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide concentrations was presented in diagrams. Dust and hydrocarbon concentrations were also monitored. It was concluded that the commonly used periodic fuel supply does not necessarily cause a significant increase of carbon monoxide concentration, as compared to the continuous fuel feeding mode. Continuous fuel supply can even induce higher carbon monoxide concentrations when fuel mass stream is not chosen properly. Each time new fuel type is used in a specific furnace, one should perform experiments to determine the adequate settings (stand-by/operation time ratio, fuel mass streams, air stream) to obtain the optimal, lowest possible emission for a certain boiler heat output