bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interaction between isolated transcriptional activation domains of Sp1 revealed by heteronuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Hiramatsu Naoko , Hibino Emi , Matsuzaki Katsumi , Kuwahara Jun , Hoshino Masaru 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe promoter‐specific transcription factor Sp1 is expressed ubiquitously, and plays a primary role in the regulation of the expression of many genes. Domains A and B located in the N‐terminal half of the protein are characterized by glutamine‐rich (Q‐rich) sequences. These Q‐rich domains have been shown to be involved in the interaction between Sp1 and different classes of nuclear proteins, such as TATA‐binding protein associated factors. Furthermore, the self‐association of Sp1 via Q‐rich domains is also important for the regulation of transcriptional activity. It has been considered that an Sp1 molecule bound to a “distal” GC‐box synergistically interacts with another Sp1 molecule at a “proximal” binding site. Although the formation of multimers via Q‐rich domains seems functionally important for Sp1, little is known about the structural and physicochemical nature of the interaction between Q‐rich domains. We analyzed the structural details of isolated glutamine‐rich B (QB) domains of Sp1 by circular dichroism (CD), analytical ultracentrifugation, and heteronuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). We found the isolated QB domains to be disordered under all conditions examined. Nevertheless, a detailed analysis of NMR spectra clearly indicated interaction between the domains. In particular, the C‐terminal half was responsible for the self‐association. Furthermore, analytical ultracentrifugation demonstrated weak but significant interaction between isolated QB domains. The self‐association between QB domains would be responsible, at least in part, for the formation of multimers by full‐length Sp1 molecules that has been proposed to occur during transcriptional activation.
The calculation of vibrational energy levels of polyatomic molecules including anharmonic effect using contact transformation perturbation method
Authors: Dehestani M. , Kalantari Z. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractUsing contact transformation perturbation method based on the Taylor expansion of the potential energy function in terms of dimensionless normal coordinates up to sixth‐order, the vibrational energy levels in terms of force constants are derived. The contact transformation theory has been applied to simplify the calculation of perturbation effects. To calculate the second‐order vibrational energy correction, the third and fourth‐order terms of potential function have been placed in the first‐order perturbation Hamiltonian and the second‐order Hamiltonian contains hexatic ones. We present expressions which give relations between the fourth‐ and sixth‐order terms in dimensionless normal coordinates of the potential and the anharmonicity coefficients. For illustration, a set of vibrational energies levels of SO2, and H2O molecules including anharmonic effects has been calculated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
UV–Visible properties of oxicams in solution: A TD‐DFT and experimental study
Authors: Franco‐Pérez Marco , Reyes‐García Luis I. , Moya‐Hernández Rosario , Gómez‐Balderas Rodolfo 
Published: July 2012

AbstractMicrospecies involved in prototropic equilibria of isoxicam, piroxicam, meloxicam, tenoxicam, and lornoxicam are characterized by time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) and UV‐vis spectrophotometry, their relative Gibbs free energies in solution and Maxwell–Boltzmann populations are theoretically calculated. TD‐DFT calculations of the most intense transition energies for the microspecies involved in equilibria are compared with those obtained in solvents of different dielectric constants (1,4‐dioxane, ethanol, water, and formamide) and at various pH conditions. Our TD‐DFT results allow establishing the predominant oxicam microspecies at the experimental conditions. Geometry optimizations are performed at level of theory PCM‐PBE0/6‐31+G(d, p), and transition energies are computed using the protocol PCM‐PBE0/6‐311++G(d, p). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The BSCBAS: a Balanced Scorecard‐based appraisal system for improving the performance of software organizations
Authors: Hamouda Alaa El‐deen 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPerformance appraisals are most commonly undertaken to let an employee know how his/her performance compares to the supervisor's expectations and to identify areas that require training or development. Generally, developing an appraisal system that accurately reflects employee performance is a difficult task. In software companies, such a task is more difficult because software engineering is, by its nature, innovative work. To measure software engineers’ performance, the challenge is in having tangible key performance indicators that reflect that performance. In this paper, we present a framework for an appraisal system for software engineers using the Balanced Scorecard methodology. This framework was applied and its influence on the software engineers’ performance and the overall performance of the organization was investigated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Beetle horns and horned beetles: emerging models in developmental evolution and ecology
Authors: Kijimoto Teiya , Pespeni Melissa , Beckers Oliver , Moczek Armin P. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractMany important questions in developmental biology increasingly interface with related questions in other biological disciplines such as evolutionary biology and ecology. In this article, we review and summarize recent progress in the development of horned beetles and beetle horns as study systems amenable to the integration of a wide range of approaches, from gene function analysis in the laboratory to population ecological and behavioral studies in the field. Specifically, we focus on three key questions at the current interface of developmental biology, evolutionary biology and ecology: (1) the developmental mechanisms underlying the origin and diversification of novel, complex traits, (2) the relationship between phenotypic diversification and the diversification of genes and transcriptomes, and (3) the role of behavior as a leader or follower in developmental evolution. For each question we discuss how work on horned beetles is contributing to our current understanding of key issues, as well as highlight challenges and opportunities for future studies. WIREs Dev Biol 2013, 2:405–418. doi: 10.1002/wdev.81For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Physiological behavior of quantum dots
Authors: Xu Ligeng , Chen Chunying 
Published: July 2012

AbstractQuantum dots (QDs) have shown great potentials in biomedical applications like bioimaging, sensors and diagnostics due to various advantages such as their robust fluorescence, remarkable photostability, large absorption cross section, and tunable fluorescence emission. The fate, behavior, metabolism, and toxicities of QDs are the primary aspects to be assessed before their bio‐applications. Numerous studies concerning those aspects have been reported in the past years. However, only several reviews discussed the toxicities of QDs and various contradictory conclusions appear between these studies. In this review, the fate, metabolism, and behaviors of various QDs and crucial parameters that may determine their fate and behavior in vivo are discussed in depth. This review may provide insights for a better understanding of the biological impacts of QDs. We also propose several suggestions for how to develop QDs application in humans in the future. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2012, 4:620–637. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1187This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials
Three Nickel(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes with Two Novel Nitronyl Nitroxide Ligands: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Luminescent Properties
Authors: Zhang You‐Juan , Wang Jun‐Jie , Chen Jing 
Published: July 2012

AbstractTo explore the coordination abilities of nitronyl nitroxide ligands, two ligands substituted with quinoxaline (L1) and 2‐phenyl‐1, 2, 3‐triazole (L2) and their NiII and ZnII complexes: Ni(L1)(hfac)2 (1), Ni(L2)(hfac)2 (2), and Zn(L2)(hfac)2 (3) (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate), were synthesized and characterized. X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction analysis shows that compound 1 has a mononuclear structure, which is further linked into a three‐dimensional (3D) supramolecular network by C–H···F hydrogen‐bonding, C–H···π, and π···π stacking interactions. Complexes 2 and 3 have similar mononuclear structures, which are further linked into one‐dimensional (1D) supramolecular chains by various intermolecular weak interactions, such as C–H···F hydrogen‐bonding, and π···π stacking interactions. The results indicate that the steric bulk of L1 and L2 and the existence of hexafluoroacetylacetonate (hfac) play important roles in controlling the formation of the final frameworks of complexes 1–3. Moreover, the luminescent properties of the ligands and their complexes were investigated in detail.
Single‐Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Versus Conventional Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Meta‐analysis and Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Sajid Muhammad S. , Ladwa Nikhil , Kalra Lorain , Hutson Kristian K. , Singh Krishna K. , Sayegh Mazin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of this study was to analyze systematically the randomized, controlled trials that compared single‐incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) and conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC).MethodsThe meta‐analysis was conducted according to the Quality of Reporting of Meta‐analysis (QUORUM) standards. The included studies were analyzed systematically using the statistical software package RevMan. The summated outcomes were expressed as the risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous variables and standardized mean differences (SMD) for continuous variables.ResultsEleven randomized trials encompassing 858 patients were retrieved from the electronic databases. In the random effects model, postoperative pain, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, cosmesis score, conversion rate, and time to return to normal activities were statistically comparable between the two cholecystectomy techniques. SILC was associated with a longer operating time [SMD 0.71; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.38, 1.05; z = 4.18; p < 0.0001) and an increased requirement for additional port insertion (RR 6.54; 95 % CI 2.19, 19.57; z = 3.36; p < 0008). However, there was significant heterogeneity among the trials.ConclusionsSILC does not offer any advantage over CLC for treating benign gallbladder disorders. CLC may be used assiduously for this purpose.
Sprengel's shoulder treated by the Woodward procedure: Analysis of factors affecting functional and cosmetic outcome
Authors: Jindal Nipun , Gupta Parmanand 
Published: July 2012

Purpose To report the functional and cosmetic results of cases with Sprengel's shoulder who underwent the Woodward procedure. Materials and methods Twelve children were operated at a mean age of 5.58 years and reviewed at an average follow up of 31.83 months. Results The mean preoperative Cavendish grade for cosmetic evaluation was 3.17, which decreased to 1.25 postoperatively (statistically significant, p < 0.0005, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Similarly, the range of abduction at the shoulder increased from a mean of 115.83° preoperatively to 153.33° at final review ( p < 0.0005). Age had a negative correlation with both functional improvement ( r = −0.55, Spearman correlation coefficient) and cosmetic improvement ( r = −0.11), although the latter suggested a very weak association, if any. Cavendish grade improvement and increase in abduction had a strong positive association ( r = 0.713). However, there was no correlation between the increase in abduction and lowering of the scapula achieved ( r = 0.131). The presence of an omovertebral bar did not affect the final functional outcome, nor did the presence of associated congenital anomalies. Conclusion The Woodward procedure is a reliable method for obtaining uniformly predictable results in Sprengel's shoulder. The surgery should be performed at a younger age in order to optimise the functional outcome.
Progression of Alzheimer's disease as measured by Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes scores
Authors: Williams Monique M. , Storandt Martha , Roe Catherine M. , Morris John C. 
Published: August 2012

BackgroundThis study examined rates of dementia progression as ascertained by the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR‐SB) for symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (sAD), and assessed participant characteristics as predictors of CDR‐SB progression.MethodsParticipants (n = 792) were enrolled in longitudinal studies at an Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, received a diagnosis of sAD with a global CDR of 0.5 (n = 466) or 1 (n = 326), and had at least one follow‐up assessment. Progression in CDR‐SB over time as a function of baseline global CDR was examined.ResultsA longitudinal increase (P < .0001) in CDR‐SB was observed. The annual rate of change in CDR‐SB scores was 1.43 (standard error [SE] = 0.05) in the CDR 0.5 sample and 1.91 (SE = 0.07) in the CDR 1 sample. For participants followed from the beginning of the CDR stage, time to progression to a higher global CDR was longer for individuals who were CDR 0.5 (3.75 years; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.18–4.33) than those who were CDR 1 at baseline (2.98 years; 95% CI: 2.75–3.22). In the total CDR 0.5 sample, the significant predictors of progression to the next global CDR stage (P < .01) were age at first sAD diagnosis and apolipoprotein E4 genotype.ConclusionsThe study findings are relevant to sAD clinical trial design and accurate, reliable ascertainment of the effect of disease‐modifying treatments.
Pleasure principles: A review of research on hedonic consumption
Authors: Alba Joseph W. , Williams Elanor F. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThirty years ago, Hirschman and Holbrook (1982) advocated greater attention to hedonic consumption and the myriad ways in which consumers seek pleasure and enjoyment. A thorough review finds that the topic has much appeal and that consumer research has made significant progress toward understanding some of its parameters. However, many questions remain unanswered, particularly with regard to understanding the sources of pleasure, the manner in which consumers seek it, and the ways in which consumers might alter their hedonic consumption decisions to maximize pleasure and happiness. We assess three decades of research on hedonic consumption, emphasizing areas of greatest potential for future exploration.
The effect of evolving resource synergy beliefs on the intentions–behavior discrepancy in ethical consumption
Authors: Gupta Reetika , Sen Sankar 
Published: August 2012

AbstractConsumers are less likely to buy ethical products than their stated intentions in marketplace polls, due at least in part to the distinct temporal frames guiding their poll responses versus actual purchase decisions. We propose that as consumers' beliefs about the synergy between the resources a firm devotes to their ethical and functional attributes evolve, as part of the broader ethical marketing/corporate social responsibility movement, from negative to positive, this discrepancy between intentions and behavior is likely to disappear. Two studies provide support for this basic contention, implicating the importance consumers ascribe to a brand's ethical attribute as the driver of the temporal frame‐ and resource synergy beliefs‐based differences in their preference for that brand.
Consumption of low doses of fat prevents the postprandial rise in chylomicron particle concentration and remnant accumulation in healthy normolipidaemic males
Authors: James Anthony P. , Mamo John C. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractChylomicron particles are continually synthesised and secreted from the intestine even in the absence of ingested fat. It is possible that following consumption of low doses of fat the basal level of chylomicron secretion and subsequent metabolism are sufficient to metabolise this fat without an increase in postprandial chylomicron concentrations. To test this hypothesis, healthy male subjects were randomised to receive, on three separate occasions, meals containing a range of doses of fat (average 8·1–19 g) and effects on postprandial lipaemia and chylomicron concentration were determined. Furthermore, to delineate the effect on lipid-rich v. lipid-poor (remnant) forms lipid levels were also determined in a density <1·006 g/ml fraction. Following consumption of the very low dose of fat the postprandial concentration of chylomicrons was unaltered, whereas following the medium dose postprandial chylomicron concentrations were significantly increased. Interestingly, this increase was only detected in the lipid-rich chylomicron fraction, with postprandial levels of chylomicron remnants remaining unchanged. In conclusion, it appears that consumption of what would be considered low to medium doses of fat are not associated with transient postprandial increases in chylomicron remnants in healthy male subjects.
STATISTICAL CAUSALITY AND STABLE SUBSPACES OF
Authors: PETROVIĆ LJILJANA , VALJAREVIĆ DRAGANA 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIn this paper we consider the statistical concept of causality in continuous time between filtered probability spaces, based on Granger’s definitions of causality. Then we consider some stable subspaces of$H^p$which contain right continuous modifications of martingales$P(A \mid {\mathcal {G}}_t)$. We give necessary and sufficient conditions, in terms of statistical causality, for these spaces to coincide with$H^p$. These results can be applied to extremal measures and regular weak solutions of stochastic differential equations.
Casein glycomacropeptide in the diet may reduceEscherichia coliattachment to the intestinal mucosa and increase the intestinal lactobacilli of early weaned piglets after an enterotoxigenicE. coliK88 challenge
Authors: Gustavo Hermes Rafael , Molist Francesc , Francisco Pérez José , de Segura Arantza Gómez , Ywazaki Mauro , Davin Roger , Nofrarías Miquel , Korhonen Timo K. , Virkola Ritva , Martín-Orúe Susana María 
Published: August 2012

Casein glycomacropeptide (CGMP), a glycoprotein originating during cheese manufacture, has shown promising effects by promoting the growth of some beneficial bacteriain vitro, although its activity has not been well explored. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of CGMP against enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli(ETEC) K88in vitro(Trial 1) andin vivo(Trial 2). In Trial 1, increasing concentrations of CGMP (0, 0·5, 1·5 or 2·5 mg/ml) were tested regarding its ability to block the attachment of ETEC K88 to ileal mucosa tissues obtained from piglets. Increasing the concentration of CGMP resulted in a gradual decrease in ETEC K88 attachment to the epithelial surface. In Trial 2, seventy-two piglets were distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial combination including or omitting CGMP in the diet (control dietv.CGMP) and challenged or not with ETEC K88 (yesv.no). Inclusion of CGMP increased crude protein, ammonia and isoacid concentrations in colon digesta. CGMP also increased lactobacilli numbers in ileum and colon digesta, and reduced enterobacteria counts in mucosa scrapings and the percentage of villi withE. coliadherence measured by fluorescencein situhybridisation. The inclusion of CGMP in the diets of challenged animals also prevented the increase of enterobacteria in ileal digesta. We can conclude that CGMP may improve gut health by diminishing the adhesion of ETEC K88 to the intestinal mucosa, by increasing the lactobacilli population in the intestine and by reducing the overgrowth of enterobacteria in the digestive tract of piglets after an ETEC K88 challenge.
Identifying environmental drivers of insect phenology across space and time:Culicoidesin Scotland as a case study
Authors: Searle K.R. , Blackwell A. , Falconer D. , Sullivan M. , Butler A. , Purse B.V. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractInterpreting spatial patterns in the abundance of species over time is a fundamental cornerstone of ecological research. For many species, this type of analysis is hampered by datasets that contain a large proportion of zeros, and data that are overdispersed and spatially autocorrelated. This is particularly true for insects, for which abundance data can fluctuate from zero to many thousands in the space of weeks. Increasingly, an understanding of the ways in which environmental variation drives spatial and temporal patterns in the distribution, abundance and phenology of insects is required for management of pests and vector-borne diseases. In this study, we combine the use of smoothing techniques and generalised linear mixed models to relate environmental drivers to key phenological patterns of two species of biting midges,Culicoides pulicarisandC. impunctatus, of whichC. pulicarishas been implicated in transmission of bluetongue in Europe. In so doing, we demonstrate analytical tools for linking the phenology of species with key environmental drivers, despite using a relatively small dataset containing overdispersed and zero-inflated data. We demonstrate the importance of landcover and climatic variables in determining the seasonal abundance of these two vector species, and highlight the need for more empirical data on the effects of temperature and precipitation on the life history traits of palearcticCulicoidesspp. in Europe.
Utility of a psychological framework for carnivore conservation
Authors: Carter Neil H. , Riley Shawn J. , Liu Jianguo 
Published: July 2012

AbstractConserving threatened carnivore species increasingly depends on the capacity of local people to cohabit with those species. To examine such capacity we developed a novel psychological framework for conservation in regions of the world where there are human–carnivore conflicts, and used the Endangered tiger Panthera tigris to explore the utility of this framework. Specifically, we tested three hypotheses in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, where increasing human–tiger conflicts potentially jeopardize long-term coexistence. We administered a survey to 499 individuals living < 2 km from the Park and in nearby multiple-use forest, to record preferred future tiger population size and factors that may influence preferences, including past interactions with tigers (e.g. livestock predation) and beliefs and perceptions about tigers. Over 17% of respondents reported that a tiger had attacked their livestock or threatened them directly. Results from a structural equation model indicated that respondents who preferred fewer tigers in the future were less likely to associate tigers with beneficial attributes, more likely to associate tigers with undesirable attributes, and more likely to believe that government officials poorly manage tiger-related risks and that people are vulnerable to risks from tigers. Our framework can help address current and future conservation challenges because it (1) integrates an expansive and generalized set of psychological concepts, (2) enables the identification of conservation interventions that foster coexistence between people and carnivores, and (3) is suitable for broad application.