bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in patients with the mitochondrial A1555G mutation
Authors: Kawashima Yoshiyuki , Noguchi Yoshihiro , Ito Taku , Kitamura Ken 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To evaluate the vestibular function in patients with the mitochondrial DNA A1555G mutation.Study Design:Data from patients with the mutation at an academic tertiary referral center were prospectively recorded.Methods:The histories of five unrelated patients with bilateral moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) carrying the A1555G (A to G substitution at 1555 nucleotide) mutation were recorded, especially their history of vestibular symptoms. Thereafter, vestibular examinations, including positional, positioning and spontaneous nystagmus testing; caloric response testing; and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing were performed. In the cases where the VEMP activity presented, the amplitudes of the first positive‐negative peak (p13‐n23) of the mutation group were compared to a healthy volunteer group and to a sudden SNHL group.Results:Four of the five patients suffered from repetitive vestibular symptoms. Positioning, positional, and spontaneous nystagmus were not observed except in one patient. Three of the five patients had normal caloric responses, but all the patients had abnormal VEMPs. The interpeak amplitudes in the mutation group were significantly lower at the intensities of 95 and 105 dB normal hearing level (nHL) in comparison to the healthy volunteer group. In addition, the amplitudes in the mutation group were significantly lower at the intensity of 95 dB nHL in comparison to the sudden SNHL groups.Conclusions:These results indicated that the A1555G mutation can cause vestibular dysfunction, especially saccular dysfunction and cochlear dysfunction. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the pathophysiological nature of the inner ear dysfunction in patients with the A1555G mutation. Laryngoscope, 2009
Differential remodeling of mono‐ and trimethylated H3K27 during porcine embryo development
Authors: Park Ki‐Eun , Magnani Luca , Cabot Ryan A. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractHistone methylation plays an important role in regulating chromatin structure and gene expression. Methylation of the lysine residue 27 of histone H3 (H3K27) is an epigenetic mark that is closely linked with transcriptional repression; global patterns of H3K27 methylation undergo dramatic changes during cleavage development in the mouse. The aim of this study was to characterize the H3K27 methylation pattern in cleavage stage porcine embryos obtained either by in vivo or in vitro fertilization or parthenogenetic activation and to determine the expression patterns of EED, EZH2, and SUZ12 (regulators of H3K27 methylation). We found that monomethylated H3K27 was detectable in the nuclei of oocytes and pronuclear, 2‐cell, 4‐cell, 8‐cell, and blastocyst stage embryos. Trimethylated H3K27 was detectable in the nuclei of GV stage oocytes, the chromosome of MII stage oocytes and a single pronucleus of the pronuclear stage embryos produced by fertilization; the signals were faint or absent in nuclei of two‐cell through blastocyst stage embryos. In addition, EED transcripts were increased from the four‐cell stage (P < 0.05) in embryos obtained by in vitro fertilization, parthenogenetic activation and in vivo fertilization. EZH2 transcript levels were highest in the GV‐stage oocyte (P < 0.05). SUZ12 transcripts were transiently increased at the four‐cell stage (P < 0.05) in parthenogenetic and in vivo derived embryos. Our results suggest that H3K27 trimethylation is an epigenetic marker of maternally derived chromatin that is globally remodeled during porcine embryogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 1033–1042, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Micro MRI of the mouse brain using a novel 400 MHz cryogenic quadrature RF probe
Authors: Baltes Christof , Radzwill Nicole , Bosshard Simone , Marek Daniel , Rudin Markus 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe increasing number of mouse models of human disease used in biomedical research applications has led to an enhanced interest in non‐invasive imaging of mice, e.g. using MRI for phenotyping. However, MRI of small rodents puts high demands on the sensitivity of data acquisition. This requirement can be addressed by using cryogenic radio‐frequency (RF) detection devices. The aim of this work was to investigate the in vivo performance of a 400 MHz cryogenic transmit/receive RF probe (CryoProbe) designed for MRI of the mouse brain. To characterize this novel probe, MR data sets were acquired with both the CryoProbe and a matched conventional receive‐only surface coil operating at room temperature (RT) using conventional acquisition protocols (gradient and spin echo) with identical parameter settings. Quantitative comparisons in phantom and in vivo experiments revealed gains in the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of 2.4 and 2.5, respectively. The increased sensitivity of the CryoProbe was invested to enhance the image quality of high resolution structural images acquired in scan times compatible with routine operation (< 45 min). In high resolution (30 × 30 × 300 µm3) structural images of the mouse cerebellum, anatomical details such as Purkinje cell and molecular layers could be identified. Similarly, isotropic (60 × 60 × 60 µm3) imaging of mouse cortical and subcortical areas revealed anatomical structures smaller than 100 µm. Finally, 3D MR angiography (52 × 80 × 80 µm3) of the brain vasculature enabled the detailed reconstruction of intracranial vessels (anterior and middle cerebral artery). In conclusion, this low temperature detection device represents an attractive option to increase the performance of small animal MR systems operating at 9.4 Tesla. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Several simultaneous formulations for transient dynamic response optimization: An evaluation
Authors: Wang Qian , Arora Jasbir S. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractSeveral simultaneous formulations for transient dynamic response optimization are described, analyzed and compared. A key feature of the formulations is that the state variables, in addition to the real design variables, are treated as independent variables in the optimization process. The state variables include different combinations of generalized displacements, velocities and accelerations. Formulations based on different discretization techniques for first‐order and second‐order differential equations are presented. Finite difference, Newmark's method and methods based on collocation are all discussed. Similar to the simultaneous analysis and design approach used for the optimization of structures subjected to static loads and the direct collocation/transcription method for optimal control, the equations of motion are treated as equality constraints. A major advantage of these formulations is that special design sensitivity analysis methods are no longer needed. However, the formulations have larger numbers of variables and constraints. Therefore, sparsity of the problem functions must be exploited in all the calculations. Advantages and disadvantages of the formulations are discussed. The numerical results for an example problem and performance features of the formulations are compared. All the formulations converge to the optimum solution for the example problem. They are quite efficient for a smaller number of time grid points; however, the computational times increase as the number of grid points is increased. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Keeping up with the Joneses: The relationship of perceived descriptive social norms, social information, and charitable giving
Authors: Croson Rachel , Handy Femida , Shang Jen 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWe study the influence of perceived descriptive social norms on subsequent giving behavior to nonprofits, explore how social information can influence these norms, and provide insight for fundraising practice. A survey conducted in a nonprofit organization first shows that donors use their beliefs about the descriptive social norm to inform their own donation behavior. Donors who believe that others make high contributions tend to make high contributions themselves. Next, a laboratory experiment demonstrates the influence of social information on the descriptive social norm and consequently on giving. These results suggest strategies for fundraising practice. Informing donors of contributions made by another person influences their perceptions about the descriptive social norm, which in turn influences their giving behavior. We conclude with a discussion of theoretical and practical implications.
“Put me in, Coach”: A pilot evaluation of executive coaching in the nonprofit sector
Authors: Fischer Robert L. , Beimers David 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe use of executive coaching within the nonprofit sector has received increased attention over the past decade as a mechanism to build capacity and address issues of burnout and turnover among executives. This article presents the results of an evaluation of a pilot six‐month executive coaching program that was implemented in 2005 in an urban metropolitan area. The evaluation collected data through surveys and semistructured interviews with nine executive directors and five coaches who participated in the pilot and analyzed the data to assess the effectiveness of the delivery and usefulness of the experience. The coaching experience was rated as very helpful and supportive of the development of executive directors as nonprofit leaders.
Synthesis, characterization, and comparison of properties of new fluorinated poly(arylene ether)s containing phthalimidine moiety in the main chain
Authors: Mohanty Aruna Kumar , Sen Suman Kumar , Ghosh Anindita , Maji Samarendra , Banerjee Susanta 
Published: June 2009

AbstractFour new poly(arylene ether)s have been prepared by the reaction of N‐phenyl‐3,3‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine (PA) with four different perfluoroalkylated monomers namely 1,3‐bis(4′‐fluoro‐3′‐trifluoromethyl benzyl) benzene, 4,4′‐bis(4′‐fluoro‐3′‐trifluoromethyl benzyl) biphenyl, 2,6‐bis(4′‐fluoro‐3′‐trifluoromethyl benzyl) pyridine, and 2,5‐bis(4′‐fluoro‐3′‐trifluoromethyl benzyl) thiophene. The poly(arylene ether)s were characterized by different spectroscopic, thermal, mechanical, and electrical techniques. The poly(arylene ether) containing quadriphenyl unit in the main chain showed very high glass transition temperature of 291°C and outstanding thermal stability upto 556°C for 10% weight loss under a 4:1 nitrogen:oxygen mixture. The polymers were soluble in a wide range of organic solvents. Transparent thin films of these polymers exhibited tensile strengths upto 75 MPa and elongation at break upto 32%. The films of these polymers showed low water absorption of 0.26%. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Signal transduction responses to lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine 1‐phosphate in human prostate cancer cells
Authors: Gibbs Terra C. , Rubio Maria V. , Zhang Zhihong , Xie Yuhuan , Kipp Kevin R. , Meier Kathryn E. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBACKGROUNDLysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) are lipid mediators that bind to G‐protein‐coupled receptors. In this study, signaling responses to 18:1 LPA and S1P were examined in parallel in three human prostate cancer cell lines: PC‐3, Du145, and LNCaP.METHODSReceptor expression was assessed by RT‐PCR, Northern blotting, and immunoblotting. Cellular responses to mediators were studied by proliferation assays, phosphoprotein immunoblotting, and phospholipid metabolism assays.RESULTSAll cell lines express mRNA for both LPA and S1P receptors. PC‐3 and Du145, but not LNCaP, proliferate in response to LPA and S1P. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA), LPA, and S1P induce activation of Erks in PC‐3 and Du145; only EGF and PMA activate Erks in LNCaP. In Du145 and PC‐3, Akt is activated by EGF, LPA, and S1P. Akt is constitutively active in LNCaP; EGF but not LPA or S1P stimulates further phosphorylation. FAK is phosphorylated in response to both LPA and S1P in PC‐3 and Du145, but not in LNCaP. LPA and S1P stimulate phospholipase D (PLD) activity to varying extents in the different cell lines. Notably, both lipid mediators activate PLD in LNCaP. In Du145, LPA, but not S1P, activates PLD and enhances cellular production of LPA.CONCLUSIONSAlthough both LPA and S1P induce signal transduction in all prostate cancer cell lines studied, a proliferation response is observed only when the Erk, Akt, and FAK pathways are activated. Other responses to the lipid mediators, such as PLD activation, likely contribute to other cellular outcomes. Prostate 69: 1493–1506, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the accuracy of inferring energetic coupling between distant sites in protein families from evolutionary imprints: Illustrations using lattice model
Authors: Liu Zhenxing , Chen Jie , Thirumalai D. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractIt is suspected that correlated motions among a subset of spatially separated residues drive conformational dynamics not only in multidomain but also in single domain proteins. Sequence and structure‐based methods have been proposed to determine covariation between two sites on a protein. The statistical coupling analysis (SCA) that compares the changes in probability at two sites in a multiple sequence alignment (MSA) and a subset of the MSA has been used to infer the network of residues that encodes allosteric signals in protein families. The structural perturbation method (SPM), that probes the response of a local perturbation at all other sites, has been used to probe the allostery wiring diagram in biological machines and enzymes. To assess the efficacy of the SCA, we used an exactly soluble two dimensional lattice model and performed double‐mutant cycle (DMC) calculations to predict the extent of physical coupling between two sites. The predictions of the SCA and the DMC results show that only residues that are in contact in the native state are accurately identified. In addition, covariations among strongly interacting residues are most easily identified by the SCA. These conclusions are consistent with the DMC experiments on the PDZ family. Good correlation between the SCA and the DMC is only obtained by performing multiple experiments that vary the nature of amino acids at a given site. In contrast, the energetic coupling found in experiments for the PDZ domain are recovered using the SPM. We also predict, using the SPM, several residues that are coupled energetically. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fast and accurate automatic structure prediction with HHpred
Authors: Hildebrand Andrea , Remmert Michael , Biegert Andreas , Söding Johannes 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAutomated protein structure prediction is becoming a mainstream tool for biological research. This has been fueled by steady improvements of publicly available automated servers over the last decade, in particular their ability to build good homology models for an increasing number of targets by reliably detecting and aligning more and more remotely homologous templates. Here, we describe the three fully automated versions of the HHpred server that participated in the community‐wide blind protein structure prediction competition CASP8. What makes HHpred unique is the combination of usability, short response times (typically under 15 min) and a model accuracy that is competitive with those of the best servers in CASP8. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural basis of typhoid: Salmonella typhi type IVb pilin (PilS) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator interaction
Authors: Balakrishna Asha M. , Saxena Anand M. , Mok Henry Yu‐Keung , Swaminathan Kunchithapadam 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe type IVb pilus of the enteropathogenic bacteria Salmonella typhi is a major adhesion factor during the entry of this pathogen into gastrointestinal epithelial cells. Its target of adhesion is a stretch of 10 residues from the first extracellular domain of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). The crystal structure of the N‐terminal 25 amino acid deleted S. typhi native PilS protein (ΔPilS), which makes the pilus, was determined at 1.9 Å resolution by the multiwavelength anomalous dispersion method. Also, the structure of the complex of ΔPilS and a target CFTR peptide, determined at 1.8 Å, confirms that residues 113–117 (NKEER) of CFTR are involved in binding with the pilin protein and gives us insight on the amino acids that are essential for binding. Furthermore, we have also explored the role of a conserved disulfide bridge in pilus formation. The subunit structure and assembly architecture are crucial for understanding pilus functions and designing suitable therapeutics against typhoid. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Performance of the Pro‐sp3‐TASSER server in CASP8
Authors: Zhou Hongyi , Pandit Shashi B. , Skolnick Jeffrey 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe performance of the protein structure prediction server pro‐sp3‐TASSER in CASP8 is described. Compared to CASP7, the major improvement in prediction is in the quality of input models to TASSER. These improvements are due to the PRO‐SP3 threading method, the improved quality of contact predictions provided by TASSER_2.0, multiple short TASSER simulations for building the full‐length model, and the accuracy of model selection using the TASSER‐QA quality assessment method. Finally, we analyze the overall performance and highlight some successful predictions of the pro‐sp3‐TASSER server. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ab‐initio theory of semiconductor band structures: New developments and progress
Authors: Bechstedt F. , Fuchs F. , Kresse G. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWe present most recent developments to calculate the electronic states of semiconductors and insulators without taking into account experimental parameters. They are based on the solution of the quasiparticle equation starting with a reasonable zeroth order approximation for the electronic states and the GW approximation for the exchange–correlation self‐energy. Due to inclusion of screened exchange effects from the very beginning, self‐consistency can be easily reached. The advantages with respect to a starting point based on single‐particle eigenfunctions and eigenvalues of the ground‐state density functional theory (DFT) are clearly shown for band gaps, positions of semicore d‐bands, and densities of states. The progress is demonstrated for compounds containing first‐row elements such as metal oxides and nitrides whose gaps are much too small or even negative within the conventional DFT. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Reliability‐based robust design optimization: A multi‐objective framework using hybrid quality loss function
Authors: Yadav Om Prakash , Bhamare Sunil S. , Rathore Ajay 
Published: June 2009

AbstractIn this globally competitive business environment, design engineers are constantly striving to establish new and effective tools and techniques to ensure a robust and reliable product design. Robust design (RD) and reliability‐based design approaches have shown the potential to deal with variability in the life cycle of a product. This paper explores the possibilities of combining both approaches into a single model and proposes a hybrid quality loss function‐based multi‐objective optimization model. The model is unique because it uses a hybrid form of quality loss‐based objective function that is defined in terms of desirable as well as undesirable deviations to obtain efficient design points with minimum quality loss. The proposed approach attempts to optimize the product design by addressing quality loss, variability, and life‐cycle issues simultaneously by combining both reliability‐based and RD approaches into a single model with various customer aspirations. The application of the approach is demonstrated using a leaf spring design example. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of Tencel treated with a cationic β‐cyclodextrin derivative
Authors: Kistamah N. , Carr C. M. , Rosunee S. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe interaction and the durability to laundering of a cationic β‐cyclodextrin derivative applied to Tencel were examined by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The N1(s) XPS spectra of the cationic β‐cyclodextrin treated substrates revealed the presence of the applied finish on the fibre surface and that the durability of the applied finish to hand‐wash was good. However, the cationic β‐cyclodextrin derivative showed poor durability to the ISO CO6/C2S wash protocol. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The design and analysis of split‐mouth studies: What statisticians and clinicians should know
Authors: Lesaffre Emmanuel , Philstrom Bruce , Needleman Ian , Worthington Helen 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe split‐mouth design is a popular design in oral health research. In the most common split‐mouth study, each of two treatments are randomly assigned to either the right or left halves of the dentition. The attractiveness of the design is that it removes a lot of inter‐individual variability from the estimates of the treatment effect. However, already about 20 years ago the pitfalls of the design have been reported in the oral health literature. Yet, many clinicians are not aware of the potential problems with the split‐mouth design. Further, it is our experience that most statisticians are not even aware of the existence of this design. Since most of the critical remarks appeared in the oral health literature, we argue that it is necessary to introduce the split‐mouth design to a statistical audience, so that both clinicians and statisticians clearly understand the advantages, limitations, statistical considerations, and implications of its use in clinical trials and advise them on its use in practice. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Corporate social responsibility and requisite holism—supported by tradable permits
Authors: Bozicnik Stane , Mulej Matjaz 
Published: June 2009

Abstract(Corporate) social responsibility (SR) is a way towards requisite holism by creation of ethics. By SR the contemporary world might create a new economy with (informal) systems thinking, including a sustainable model of dynamic management of CO2 emissions. The existing CO2 tradable permits concept does not provide it. Based of systemic thinking (by Mulej's Dialectical Systems Theory) we drafted a worldwide model of CO2 (hot‐bed‐gases) emissions management. One must limit all emissions on the Planet‐Earth‐level in equilibrium with the carrying capacity of Earth. Neither governments nor market forces alone can handle the problem, but they can handle it in inter‐disciplinary international creative cooperation, possibly guided by United Nations Organization. Our model offers a requisitely holistic basis for it: it offers a synergy of tradable emission permits and international agreement on emission cap. Then, more SR may be attainable and lead to more holism/success in sustainable‐future management. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.