bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A space–time multiscale method for computing statistical moments in strongly heterogeneous poroelastic media of evolving scales
Authors: Azevedo Juarez S. , Murad Márcio A. , Borges Marcio R. , Oliveira Saulo P. 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYA new multiscale procedure is proposed to compute flow in compressible heterogeneous porous media with geology characterized by power‐law covariance structure. At the fine scale, the deformable medium is modeled by the partially coupled formulation of poroelasticity with Young's modulus and permeability treated as stationary random fields represented by their Karhunen–Loève decompositions. The framework underlying the multiscale procedure is based on mapping these random parameters to an auxiliary domain and constructing a family of equivalent stochastic processes at different length scales characterized by the same ensemble mean and covariance function. The poromechanical variables inherit a space–time version of the scaling relations of the random input parameters which allows for constructing a set of multiscale solutions of the same governing equations posed at different space and time scales. A notable feature of the multiscale method proposed herein is the feasibility of solving both the poroelastic model and the Fredholm integral equation for the eigenpairs of the Karhunen–Loève expansion in an auxiliary domain with much lower computational effort and then derive the long term behavior at a coarser scale from a straightforward rescaling of the auxiliary solution. Within the framework of the finite element approximation, in conjunction with the Monte Carlo algorithm, numerical simulations of fluid withdrawal and injection problems in a heterogeneous poroelastic reservoir are performed to illustrate the potential of the method in drastically reducing the computational burden in the computation of the statistical moments of the poromechanical unknowns in large‐scale simulations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Female‐biased sex allocation in wild populations of the eriosomatine aphid Prociphilus oriens: local mate competition or transgenerational effects of maternal investment?
Authors: Akimoto Shin‐ichi , Mitsuhashi Ryota , Yoshino Tomoko 
Published: March 2012

AbstractSeveral aphid species exhibit female‐biased sex allocation. Local mate competition (LMC) has been postulated to be the evolutionary factor of the female‐biased sex allocation. We estimated individual sex allocation in the eriosomatine aphid Prociphilus oriens and explained the observed pattern of sex allocation based on a hypothesis other than LMC. On the basis of the relationship between maternal body size and brood size, we estimated the cost of producing a female to be 1.85 times the cost of producing a male. The population‐wide allocation to males was 22–24 %. Winged mothers exhibited a large variation in the number of male and female embryos they had, including 23–30 % of winged mothers producing only female embryos. There was polymorphism in the sex‐ratio expression. Thus, the constant male hypothesis assuming LMC was not supported. Winged mothers that produced an all‐female brood contained larger female embryos than did mothers that produced a bisexual brood. Previous studies have indicated that a large sexual female produces a single large egg, which hatches into a first‐instar larva containing a larger amount of gonads. Thus, in eriosomatine aphids, maternal investment in daughters directly affects the potential fecundity of granddaughters, whereas investment in sons does not. We propose a hypothesis that higher fitness returns from maternal investment in daughters than in sons may have primarily led to the evolution of highly female‐biased sex allocation in P. oriens.
Phospholipases A1 from Armillaria ostoyae Provide Insight into the Substrate Recognition of α/β‐Hydrolase Fold Enzymes
Authors: Dippe Martin , Müller Mathias Q. , Sinz Andrea , Ulbrich‐Hofmann Renate 
Published: March 2012

AbstractFour enzymes with phospholipase A1 (PLA1) activity were purified from the fruiting bodies of the basidiomycete Armillaria ostoyae. The enzymes (PLA1‐1, ‐2, ‐3 and ‐4) showed similar isoelectric points (4.3, 3.9, 4.0 and 4.0) and apparent molecular masses in the range of 35–47 kDa. Mass spectrometric analyses of proteolytic fragments revealed sequences homologous to α/β‐hydrolase fold enzymes. The enzymes share one conserved region with fungal phospholipases B and the active site sequence with bacterial esterases and PLA1s. PLA1‐1 cleaves phospholipids and lysophospholipids with an optimum activity at pH 5.3. In contrast, PLA1‐2, ‐3 and ‐4 are characterized by broad pH optima in the slightly acidic to neutral range and are additionally capable of hydrolyzing mono‐ and diglycerides as well as fatty acid methyl esters. All enzymes favor glycerol‐based lipids with a single medium‐sized fatty acid moiety in the sn‐1 position but show reduced activity towards the corresponding 1,2‐diacyl derivatives with bulky long‐chain or inflexible saturated fatty acid moieties in the sn‐2 position. The enzymes prefer zwitterionic phospholipid substrates and are unable to hydrolyze triglycerides. From the selectivity of these broad‐spectrum α/β‐hydrolase fold enzymes towards the different classes of their substrates a regiospecific steric hindrance and a head group recognition are concluded.
Analyst responses to stock‐index adjustments: Evidence from MSCI Taiwan Index additions
Authors: Tu Chia‐Jung , Chang Yuanchen 
Published: March 2012

AbstractUsing data from MSCI Taiwan Index adjustments, we study analyst responses to stock additions from 1999 to 2007. The empirical results show that the magnitudes of changes in analysts' earnings‐per‐share forecasts are similar to those of their two benchmarks for new additions to the index. Therefore, in our sample we find no significant information effect from the additions. We also find that the absolute forecast errors made by analysts are smaller for new additions and those foreign analysts are more accurate than local analysts. This finding demonstrates that new additions to the index exhibit significant performance improvements.
Mandibular body ostectomy for correction of mandibular prognathism – A technical note
Authors: Mori Yoshiyuki , Susami Takafumi , Saijo Hideto , Okubo Kazumi , Uchino Natsuko , Hoshi Kazuto , Takato Tsuyoshi 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe patient presented with a large mandibular body and acceptable occlusion in the molar region with no lateral crossbite.After presurgical orthodontic treatment, mandibular body ostectomy was performed in the missing second premolar region. To avoid nerve injury, we considered removal of the lateral cortical plate around the mental foramen and temporary wire fixation of the detached bone segments during contralateral body ostectomy.Neurosensory supply of the mental region recovered within 3 months after surgery. Three years after surgery, the occlusion and periodontal health were good.
Structural and Functional Changes of Carotid Wall Properties in Patients with Acromegaly are not Restored after 1 year of GH/IGF1 Normalization
Authors: Găloiu S. , Jurcuţ R. , Vlădaia A. , Florian A. , Purice M. , Popescu B. , Ginghină C. , Coculescu M. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractVascular changes are common in acromegaly (ACM). Current therapies can normalise the levels of both growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF1).To establish whether the ACM vascular changes in patients with effectively managed disease are different from those in patients with an active condition.64 ACM patients were tested for serum GH (random and during an oral glucose tolerance test) and IGF1. Ultrasonography of the right common carotid (RCC) explored structural (the carotid diameter and intima-media thickness index (IMT)) and functional (the augmentation index (AIx), elastic modulus (Ep), and local pulse wave velocity (PWV)) arterial parameters in the ACM patients (groups A and B) and an age- and sex-matched control group of 21 patients without acromegaly (group C).The ACM patients were divided into 2 subgroups that had similar cardiovascular risk factor profiles: A (n=10, with controlled ACM), and B (n=54, with active ACM). The AIx was higher in groups A (27.7% [2.2–54.3]) and B (20.0% [ − 38.2–97.1]) than in group C (3.5% [ − 11.3–31.1]), p=0.01 and 0.002, respectively. The group B patients presented with poorer functional carotid wall parameters than the control subjects: Ep-95.5 [33–280] KPa vs. 77.5 [39–146] KPa, p=0.01; and PWV-6 [3.6–10.4] m/s vs. 5.4 [3.9–7.2] m/s, p=0.03.The ACM patients had greater RCC diameters (6.4±0.6 mm vs. 5.7±0.6 mm, p<0.001) and IMT values (0.72±0.13 mm vs. 0.58±0.08 mm, p<0.001) than the subjects in group C.Both the controlled and active ACM patients showed structural arterial changes. After 1 year of disease control, the patients with controlled ACM showed improvements in the functional, but not the structural, arterial parameters compared with the patients with an active condition.
Long-range mechanical force enables self-assembly of epithelial tubular patterns
Authors: Guo Chin-Lin , Ouyang Mingxing , Yu Jiun-Yann , Maslov Jordan , Price Andrew , Shen Chih-Yu 
Published: March 2012

Enabling long-range transport of molecules, tubules are critical for human body homeostasis. One fundamental question in tubule formation is how individual cells coordinate their positioning over long spatial scales, which can be as long as the sizes of tubular organs. Recent studies indicate that type I collagen (COL) is important in the development of epithelial tubules. Nevertheless, how cell–COL interactions contribute to the initiation or the maintenance of long-scale tubular patterns is unclear. Using a two-step process to quantitatively control cell–COL interaction, we show that epithelial cells developed various patterns in response to fine-tuned percentages of COL in ECM. In contrast with conventional thoughts, these patterns were initiated and maintained by traction forces created by cells but not diffusive factors secreted by cells. In particular, COL-dependent transmission of force in the ECM led to long-scale (up to 600 μm) interactions between cells. A mechanical feedback effect was encountered when cells used forces to modify cell positioning and COL distribution and orientations. Such feedback led to a bistability in the formation of linear, tubule-like patterns. Using micro-patterning technique, we further show that the stability of tubule-like patterns depended on the lengths of tubules. Our results suggest a mechanical mechanism that cells can use to initiate and maintain long-scale tubular patterns.
GOHTAM: a website for ‘Genomic Origin of Horizontal Transfers, Alignment and Metagenomics’
Authors: Ménigaud Sabine , Mallet Ludovic , Picord Géraldine , Churlaud Cécile , Borrel Alexandre , Deschavanne Patrick 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Motivation: This website allows the detection of horizontal transfers based on a combination of parametric methods and proposes an origin by researching neighbors in a bank of genomic signatures. This bank is also used to research an origin to DNA fragments from metagenomics studies.
Results: Different services are provided like the possibility of inferring a phylogenetic tree with sequence signatures or comparing two genomes and displaying the rearrangements that happened since their separation.
Availability and implementation: http://gohtam.rpbs.univ-paris-diderot.fr/
Contact: patrick.deschavanne@univ-paris-diderot.fr; ludovic.mallet@jouy.inra.fr
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online http://gohtam.rpbs.univ-paris-diderot.fr:8080/Data/bin/GOHTAM_bin.tgz
Proteus: a web-based, context-specific modelling tool for molecular networks
Authors: Gnad Florian , Estrada Javier , Gunawardena Jeremy 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Summary: Molecular networks are often studied in diverse cellular or experimental contexts, with highly context-specific details. Modelling introduces further choices as to levels of mathematical description. The resulting possibilities are difficult to explore rapidly, hampering the integration of modelling and experiment. We have developed Proteus, a web-based, context-specific tool for building compartmentalized, ordinary differential equation (ODE) models. It is inspired by the idea of a molecular ‘toolkit’ for Ca2+ signalling. Toolkits in Proteus are context-independent representations of biological systems as sets of components, which may correspond to mechanisms of differing levels of complexity. Users pick and choose components from a toolkit and, for each component, pick and choose from different mechanisms, each of which describes a different instantiation of the component's mechanism. Proteus combines these choices into a system of ODEs, which may then be downloaded in SBML (Systems Biology Markup Language), Matlab or Fortran format and independently analyzed. Toolkits, components and mechanisms are user-constructible, either de novo or by cannibalizing existing models, including all those in the Biomodels database. A wide variety of context-specific models may thereby be rapidly built, modified and explored.
Availability and implementation: Proteus, implemented in C#, and a prototype toolkit for modelling calcium signalling are freely and universally available at www.modularmodeling.com
Contact: gnad.florian@gene.com; jeremy@hms.harvard.edu
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Protecting health care workers from tuberculosis in China: a review of policy and practice in China and the United States
Authors: Chai Shua J , Mattingly Daniel C , Varma Jay K 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Tuberculosis causes &gt;1.7 million deaths worldwide each year and is frequently transmitted in hospitals. Outbreaks of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis have led to illness and death among health care workers (HCWs) in many countries. Some countries, such as the United States, implemented occupational health policies that substantially reduced tuberculosis rates among HCWs. Inadequate tuberculosis infection control in China may contribute to its high burden of tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, which are both the second highest worldwide. Occupational health policies in China for tuberculosis control can be strengthened.
We reviewed the development and content of tuberculosis infection control policies in the United States and China. Sources included published academic literature, Chinese Ministry of Health policies, US government agency reports, legal databases, personal observations of hospitals, review of internet discussion sites, and discussions with HCWs and health care and law experts.
In the United States, slow acceptance of the tuberculosis problem in HCWs resulted in decades of inaction. Tuberculosis infection control policies, based mostly on expert opinion, were implemented only after tuberculosis resurged in the 1980s. Effective evidence-based policies were developed only after multiple cycles of policy implementation, evaluation and revision. These policies have now substantially reduced occupational tuberculosis. In China, tuberculosis has not been formally recognized as an occupational disease, and data regarding the burden in HCWs are sparse. Vagueness of current labour laws and suboptimal alignment of infection control authority and expertise result in varied and sometimes absent protection of HCWs against tuberculosis. Formal evaluations of occupational tuberculosis policies have not been reported.
By collecting data on its current HCW tuberculosis burden and infection control practices, refining policies, continually evaluating its policies based on accumulated evidence and rapidly identifying unsuspected tuberculosis cases, China can develop a more comprehensive strategy to ensure the health of HCWs and reduce transmission of tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Stereospecificity of ginsenoside Rg3 in promotion of the immune response to ovalbumin in mice
Authors: Wei Xiaojie , Chen Jian , Su Fei , Su Xiaoyan , Hu Tingjun , Hu Songhua 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Our previous investigation demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3 was active in promotion of the immune response. In this study, two epimers, 20(R)-Rg3 and 20(S)-Rg3, were compared for their adjuvant effects on the immune response against ovalbumin (OVA). BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously with 10 μg of OVA alone or with 10 μg of OVA mixed in 20(R)-Rg3 (50 μg) or 20(S)-Rg3 (50 μg) on days 1 and 15. Two weeks after the last immunization, blood was sampled to test IgG and the IgG subclasses as well as IFN-γ and IL-5; splenocytes were prepared to measure proliferative responses to stimulations with Con A, LPS and OVA and mRNA expressions of cytokines and transcription factors by reverse transcription–PCR. Results indicated that both 20(R)-Rg3 and 20(S)-Rg3 exhibited the adjuvant effect on OVA-induced immune responses. 20(R)-Rg3 promoted significantly higher serum-specific IgG and the IgG isotype responses in association with highly up-regulated serum IFN-γ and IL-5 than 20(S)-Rg3. In addition, 20(R)-Rg3 significantly enhanced splenocyte proliferative responses to Con A, LPS and OVA as well as mRNA expression of IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-4 and IL-10 and transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3 by splenocytes when compared with the 20(S)-Rg3. Therefore, ginsenoside Rg3 is stereospecific in stimulation of the immune response, and 20(R)-Rg3 has more potent adjuvant activity than 20(S)-Rg3.
ThemicroRNA156-SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE3Module Regulates Ambient Temperature-Responsive Flowering viaFLOWERING LOCUS Tin Arabidopsis
Authors: Kim Jae Joon , Lee Jeong Hwan , Kim Wanhui , Jung Hye Seung , Huijser Peter , Ahn Ji Hoon 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe flowering time of plants is affected by modest changes in ambient temperature. However, little is known about the regulation of ambient temperature-responsive flowering by small RNAs. In this study, we show that the microRNA156 (miR156)-SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE3 (SPL3) module directly regulates FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) expression in the leaf to control ambient temperature-responsive flowering. Overexpression of miR156 led to more delayed flowering at a lower ambient temperature (16°C), which was associated with down-regulation of FT and FRUITFULL expression. Among miR156 target genes, SPL3 mRNA levels were mainly reduced, probably because miR156-mediated cleavage of SPL3 mRNA was higher at 16°C. Overexpression of miR156-resistant SPL3 [SPL3(−)] caused early flowering, regardless of the ambient temperature, which was associated with up-regulation of FT and FRUITFULL expression. Reduction of miR156 activity by target mimicry led to a phenotype similar to that of SUC2::rSPL3 plants. FT up-regulation was observed after dexamethasone treatment in GVG-rSPL3 plants. Misexpression and artificial microRNA-mediated suppression of FT in the leaf dramatically altered the ambient temperature-responsive flowering of plants overexpressing miR156 and SPL3(−). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that the SPL3 protein directly binds to GTAC motifs within the FT promoter. Lesions in TERMINAL FLOWER1, SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE, and EARLY FLOWERING3 did not alter the expression of miR156 and SPL3. Taken together, our data suggest that the interaction between the miR156-SPL3 module and FT is part of the regulatory mechanism controlling flowering time in response to ambient temperature.
A study measuring the performance of electronic resources in academic libraries
Authors: Noh Younghee 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an input‐output analysis of electronic resources in academic libraries by verifying evaluation indicators and applying them to the digital library environment.Design/methodology/approachThis study measures the performance of electronic resources in academic libraries in Korea. To measure the efficiency of the input‐output ratio, evaluation indicators were divided into inputs and outputs. Inputs refer to the e‐resource use environment as well as the acquisition of e‐resources such as web DB, e‐books, e‐journals, and so on. Outputs quantify the use of each resource.FindingsFirst, the results of this study show that a large share of academic library budgets is spent on e‐resource purchases and e‐resource environment improvement for better use. Second, the measurement shows that web DB subscription, annual e‐resource development, and education for e‐resource exhibit higher efficiency, while e‐resource use, web DB and e‐journal download exhibited relatively high efficiency. Third, when the input‐output ratio is calculated in percentage terms, the efficiency of e‐resources of Korean academic libraries reaches 88.20 per cent.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, to measure performance accurately, results/effectiveness must be included. However, this study focused on quantifiable input and output factors. It is recommended that future research include user satisfaction and learning effects. Second, this study was conducted in a particular country (Korea). So it is advisable to conduct research to compare the results of this study to results in other countries.Originality/valueThis study is the first research to consider the performance of electronic resources in depth. This paper contributes to improving the reliability of library evaluation.
The impact of e‐mail on work‐life balance
Authors: Waller Aaron David , Ragsdell Gillian 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to illustrate how a company's current 24‐hour e‐mail culture impacts on employees' lives outside of their contracted working hours. There are two objectives of the study – first, to calculate the average time spent on work e‐mails by employees per day outside of working hours and, second, to identify what impact e‐mail had on employees' work‐life balance by addressing three research questions. These questions aims to focus on the relationships between: employees' thoughts about company culture and their belief that their work is dependent on them checking their e‐mails outside of working hours; employees' urges to check e‐mails out of working hours and their belief that spending time on e‐mails outside of work means they are neglecting their social life; and employees sending e‐mails out of office hours and their expectation of a quick reply or action.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach was taken. Employees from a multinational service organisation were invited to complete an online questionnaire and a seven‐day diary so as to collect qualitative and quantitative data about their use of e‐mail.FindingsData were analysed with respect to respondents' gender, role and length of service in the organisation and discussed with respect to the current literature.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the limitations of exploring a single organisation are recognised, it is likely that some of the insights and lessons generated by the study will be transferable to other organisational settings.Practical implicationsThis study identified some short‐term recommendations as to how a particular company could limit the negative impact that e‐mails have on its employees' lives outside of contracted working hours. In addition, this study will also raise awareness of the pervasion of work‐related communications into employees' personal lives and, hopefully, trigger further research into the long‐term psychological and sociological effects of a 24/7 communication culture.Originality/valueThere are two novel aspects to this study: the use of diaries as a method of data collection and the notion of exploring e‐mail use “out of hours”.