bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of protein trans‐splicing to produce active and segmentally 2H, 15N labeled mannuronan C5‐epimerase AlgE4
Authors: Buchinger Edith , Aachmann Finn L. , Aranko A. Sesilja , Valla Svein , Skjåk‐BræK Gudmund , Iwaï Hideo , Wimmer Reinhard 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAlginate epimerases are large multidomain proteins capable of epimerising C5 on β‐D‐mannuronic acid (M) turning it into α‐L‐guluronic acid (G) in a polymeric alginate. Azotobacter
vinelandii secretes a family of seven epimerases, each of which is capable of producing alginates with characteristic G distribution patterns. All seven epimerases consist of two types of modules, denoted A and R, in varying numbers. Attempts to study these enzymes with solution‐state NMR are hampered by their size—the smallest epimerase, AlgE4, consisting of one A‐ and one R‐module, is 58 kDa, resulting in heavy signal overlap impairing the interpretation of NMR spectra. Thus we obtained segmentally 2H, 15N labeled AlgE4 isotopomeres (A‐[2H, 15N]‐R and [2H, 15N]‐A‐R) by protein trans‐splicing using the naturally split intein of Nostoc punctiforme. The NMR spectra of native AlgE4 and the ligated versions coincide well proving the conservation of protein structure. The activity of the ligated AlgE4 was verified by two different enzyme activity assays, demonstrating that ligated AlgE4 displays the same catalytic activity as wild‐type AlgE4.
Stability region bifurcations of nonlinear autonomous dynamical systems: Type‐zero saddle‐node bifurcations
Authors: Amaral F. M. , Alberto L. F. C. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe behavior of stability regions of nonlinear autonomous dynamical systems subjected to parameter variation is studied in this paper. In particular, the behavior of stability regions and stability boundaries when the system undergoes a type‐zero sadle‐node bifurcation on the stability boundary is investigated in this paper. It is shown that the stability regions suffer drastic changes with parameter variation if type‐zero saddle‐node bifurcations occur on the stability boundary. A complete characterization of these changes in the neighborhood of a type‐zero saddle‐node bifurcation value is presented in this paper. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Filtering of discrete‐time Markov jump linear systems with uncertain transition probabilities
Authors: Gonçalves Alim P. C. , Fioravanti André R. , Geromel José C. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis article addresses the filtering design problem for discrete‐time Markov jump linear systems (MJLS) under the assumption that the transition probabilities are not completely known. We present the methods to determine ℋ︁2‐ and ℋ︁∞‐norm bounded filters for MJLS whose transition probability matrices have uncertainties in a convex polytope and establish an equivalence with the ones with partly unknown elements. The proposed design, based on linear matrix inequalities, allows different assumptions on Markov mode availability to the filter and on system parameter uncertainties to be taken into account. Under mode‐dependent assumption and internal model knowledge, observer‐based filters can be obtained and it is shown theoretically that our method outperforms some available ones in the literature to date. Numerical examples illustrate this claim. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fuzzy Bayesian system reliability assessment based on prior two‐parameter exponential distribution under different loss functions
Authors: Gholizadeh Ramin , Shirazi Aliakbar Mastani , Gildeh Bahram Sadeghpour 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYThe fuzzy Bayesian system reliability assessment based on prior two‐parameter exponential distribution under squared error symmetric loss function and precautionary asymmetric loss function is proposed in this paper. In order to apply the Bayesian approach, the fuzzy parameters are assumed as fuzzy random variables with fuzzy prior distributions. Because the goal of the paper is to obtain fuzzy Bayes point estimators of system reliability assessment, prior distributions of location‐scale family has been changed to scale family with change variable. On the other hand, also the computational procedures to evaluate the membership degree of any given Bayes point estimate of system reliability have been provided. In order to achieve this purpose, we transform the original problem into a non‐linear programming problem. This non‐linear programming problem is then divided into four sub‐problems for the purpose of simplifying computation. Finally, the sub‐problems can be solved by using any commercial optimizers, e.g. GAMS or LINGO. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A DFT Study of the Energetical and Structural Landscape of the Tetrahedral to Square‐Planar Conversion of Tetrahalide Complexes of Copper(II)
Authors: Atanasov Mihail , Delley Bernard , Reinen Dirk 
Published: June 2010

AbstractDFT results and the analysis of the energetic and structural landscape of the title complexes are reported. It is shown that the minima of the ground state potential energy surface occur at positions corresponding to tetragonally compressed structures of D2d symmetry, with rather distinct electronic stabilization energies in respect to the tetrahedral parent complexes. The structural distortion and the accompanying energetic effects are found to increase with increasing ligand hardness, i.e. from Br– to Cl– to F–. The results are discussed and compared by conventional vibronic coupling and angular overlap model calculations. The Jahn–Teller interaction between the 2T2 ground state and the ϵ‐vibrational mode of tetrahedral CuX42– splits the 2T2 ground state; this coupling is supported by 3d–4s mixing, which softens the ground state potential energy surface along the ϵ normal mode [formally a T2(d9) ⊕ ϵ ⊕ T2 (d8s1) pseudo Jahn–Teller coupling interaction in Td]. The vibronic activity may also occur along the trigonal τ2 modes, which leads to C3v‐ or, if both types of pathway are involved, C2v‐ [2T2 ⊕ (ϵ + τ2) coupling] distorted structures, which are very weak as compared to D2d deformations. Theoretical results are validated and used to explain the structural diversity and electronic spectra reported for CuCl42– in various crystal structures. A strain model, which differentiates between an elastic and a binding component, is qualified for getting an understanding for the appearance of structures from tetrahedral to square planar. In the considered cases, it is generally the elastic strain component, which governs the structural and energetic scene, though the binding strain increment is not negligible sometimes (e.g. Cs2CuCl4). Predictions in respect to corresponding compounds with F– and Br– ligands are made.
On sufficient conditions of blowing‐up of solution of initial‐boundary‐value problem for strongly nonlinear Sobolev type equation
Authors: Korpusov M.O. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWe consider the initial‐boundary‐value problem for the N‐dimensional, Sobolev‐type equation with source. Under some conditions, the theorems on blowup of solutions at finite time of this problem are obtained. Twosided estimates for blowing‐up time are derived.
A Typology of Youth Participation and Empowerment for Child and Adolescent Health Promotion
Authors: Wong Naima T. , Zimmerman Marc A. , Parker Edith A. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractResearch suggests that increasing egalitarian relations between young people and adults is optimal for healthy development; however, the empirical assessment of shared control in youth–adult partnerships is emerging, and the field still requires careful observation, identification, categorization and labeling. Thus, our objective is to offer a conceptual typology that identifies degrees of youth–adult participation while considering the development potential within each type. We use an empowerment framework, rooted in evidence‐based findings, to identify five types of youth participation: (1) Vessel, (2) Symbolic, (3) Pluralistic, (4) Independent and (5) Autonomous. The typology is constructed as a heuristic device to provide researchers, practitioners and policy‐makers with a common language for articulating degrees of youth participation for optimal child and adolescent health promotion.
Bradykinesia In Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Pasquini M. , Fabbrini G. , Moretti G. , Berardelli I. , Mandarelli G. , Delle Chiaie R. , Leone C. , Biondi M. , Berardelli A. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the frequency of bradykinesia in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and to see whether patients with OCD who also have bradykinesia display distinctive neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric features.MethodsWe studied 23 antipsychotic-free patients with OCD and 13 healthy controls. Bradykinesia was assessed with section III of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale. The Wechsler Adult Intelligent Scales-Revised (WAIS-R) was used to assess the Full Scale IQ and to measure visuospatial, visuoconstructional ability and psychomotor speed/mental slowness.ResultsOf the 23 patients with OCD studied, 8 (34%) had mild symptoms of bradykinesia. No relationship was found between bradykinesia and the sociodemographic variables assessed but this motor symptom was significantly associated with the severity of compulsions. Patients with bradykinesia differed from those without: they had a higher frequency of repeating compulsions, and lower IQ scores, performance scores, and WAIS-R subtest scores for similarities and picture completion. No significant differences were found between patients without bradykinesia and healthy controls in any test.ConclusionsClinical assessment of motor symptoms in adult patients with OCD often discloses mild bradykinesia sometimes associated with repeating compulsions and poor WAIS-R performance scores.
Physical coercion, perceived pressures and procedural justice in the involuntary admission and future engagement with mental health services
Authors: O’Donoghue B. , Lyne J. , Hill M. , Larkin C. , Feeney L. , O’Callaghan E. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractObjectivesWe sought to determine the level of procedural justice experienced by individuals at the time of involuntary admission and whether this influenced future engagement with the mental health services.MethodsOver a 15-month period, individuals admitted involuntarily were interviewed prior to discharge and at one-year follow-up.ResultsEighty-one people participated in the study and 81% were interviewed at one-year follow-up. At the time of involuntary admission, over half of individuals experienced at least one form of physical coercion and it was found that the level of procedural justice experienced was unrelated to the use of physical coercive measures. A total of 20% of participants intended not to voluntarily engage with the mental health services upon discharge and they were more likely to have experienced lower levels of procedural justice at the time of admission. At one year following discharge, 65% of participants were adherent with outpatient appointments and 18% had been readmitted involuntarily. Insight was associated with future engagement with the mental health services; however, the level of procedural justice experienced at admission did not influence engagement.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that the use of physical coercive measures is a separate entity from procedural justice and perceived pressures.
Isolation and genotyping of vaginal non‐albicans Candida spp. in women from two different ethnic groups in Lanzhou, China
Authors: Wei Yu‐Ping , Feng Jie , Luo Zhi‐Cheng 
Published: June 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate whether the vaginal flora of women from 2 different ethnic groups living in the same region of China harbored the same species of Candida in the same proportions.MethodsThe ethnicity of the women was determined by conventional cultural identification, and the Candida spp. harbored by the women were determined by conventional methods and DNA genotyping.ResultsCandida albicans accounted for 77.1% and 89.6%, respectively, of the Candida spp. isolated from the normal vaginal flora of Han Chinese and Tibetan women. This difference was statistically significant and may explain the differences in the rates of opportunistic infections in these 2 groups. Among the non‐albicans Candida spp. isolated were C. glabrata and C. tropicalis.ConclusionDifferent species of Candida were differently distributed in the normal vaginal flora of ethnic Han Chinese and Tibetan women living in the same geographic region.
EFFECTS OF RICE STRAW MULCH AND PLANTING DENSITY ON POTATO GROWTH AND PERFORMANCE IN LOWLANDS OF BURUNDI
Authors: HARAHAGAZWE D. , LEDENT J. F. , RUSUKU G. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYTwo types of experiments on the potato crop (Solanum tuberosum) were conducted in the lowlands of Burundi, one on the use of rice straw mulch and another on planting densities. Contrary to what was expected, effects of mulch were evident on plant emergence only, tuber yield and components being unaffected. This might be due to the use of heat tolerant genotypes. At the same time, the yields obtained with four different plant population densities corresponding to four distances between rows did not differ significantly according to the ANOVA analysis. However, a very strong correlation was found between tuber yield and distance between rows. This trial allowed us to achieve a tuber yield never previously reached in the lowlands of Burundi: an average of 23.5 t ha−1 of fresh matter equivalent to 4.2 t ha−1 of dry matter was obtained.
Is halofantrine ototoxic? Experimental study on guinea pig cochlea model
Authors: Iskander N M , Youssef T F , Ahmed M R , Mohamed A A K 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIntroduction:Halofantrine is a newly developed antimalarial drug used for the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The introduction of this drug has been delayed because of its possible side effects, and due to insufficient studies on adverse reactions in humans. There have been no studies investigating its effect on hearing.Methods:Thirty guinea pigs were divided into three groups: a control group, a halofantrine therapeutic dose group and a halofantrine double therapeutic dose group. One cochlea specimen from each animal was stained with haematoxylin and eosin and the other with toluidine blue.Results:No changes were detected in the control group. The halofantrine therapeutic dose group showed loss and distortion of inner hair cells and inner phalangeal cells, and loss of spiral ganglia cells. In the halofantrine double therapeutic dose group, the inner and outer hair cells were distorted and there was loss of spiral ganglia cells.Conclusion:Halofantrine has mild to moderate pathological effects on cochlea histology, and can be considered an ototoxic drug.
Prospective, blinded trial of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging versus computed tomography positron emission tomography in staging primary and recurrent cancer of the head and neck
Authors: O'Neill J P , Moynagh M , Kavanagh E , O'Dwyer T 
Published: June 2010

AbstractObjectives:To compare the use of computed tomography – positron emission tomography and whole-body magnetic resonance imaging for the staging of head and neck cancer.Patients and methods:From January to July 2009, 15 consecutive head and neck cancer patients (11 men and four women; mean age 59 years; age range 19 to 81 years) underwent computed tomography – positron emission tomography and whole-body magnetic resonance imaging for pre-therapeutic evaluation. All scans were staged, as per the American Joint Committee on Cancer tumour–node–metastasis classification, by two blinded consultant radiologists, in two sittings. Diagnoses were confirmed by histopathological examination of endoscopic biopsies, and in some cases whole surgical specimens.Results:Tumour staging showed a 74 per cent concordance, node staging an 80 per cent concordance and metastasis staging a 100 per cent concordance, comparing the two imaging modalities.Conclusion:This study found radiological staging discordance between the two imaging modalities. Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging is an emerging staging modality with superior visualisation of metastatic disease, which does not require exposure to ionising radiation.
Patent law and bioprospecting in Antarctica
Authors: Tvedt Morten Walløe 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTThe number of patents and patent applications related to inventions based on biological material from the Antarctic is increasing. Bioprospecting in the Antarctic is happening with no explicit regulation of property rights or benefit sharing requirements. This leaves patent law as the only legal system to establish exclusive rights to genes, bacteria, and other biological material found in the Antarctic. Patent law is general in form and is applied to all areas of invention with very few adaptations to single fields of innovation. Therefore, it is interesting to identify the issues in patent law in cases in which the biological material from the Antarctic is likely to create challenges or loopholes. The aim of this article is to couple the understanding of this particular legal regime and of biological circumstances in the Antarctic with knowledge of the international patent system for the purpose of contributing to the work of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCMs) regarding bioprospecting in the Antarctic.
Why a theory of human nature cannot be based on the distinction between universality and variability: Lessons from anthropology
Authors: Astuti Rita , Bloch Maurice 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWe welcome the critical appraisal of the database used by the behavioral sciences, but we suggest that the authors' differentiation between variable and universal features is ill conceived and that their categorization of non-WEIRD populations is misleading. We propose a different approach to comparative research, which takes population variability seriously and recognizes the methodological difficulties it engenders.
Cultural congruence between investigators and participants masks the unknown unknowns: Shame research as an example
Authors: Fessler Daniel M. T. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIn addition to questions of the representativeness of Western, educated samples vis-à-vis the rest of humanity, the prevailing practice of studying individuals who are culturally similar to the investigator entails the problem that key features of the phenomena under investigation may often go unrecognized. This will occur when investigators implicitly rely on folk models that they share with their participants.
WEIRD societies may be more compatible with human nature
Authors: Maryanski Alexandra 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAre WEIRD societies unrepresentative of humanity? According to Henrich et al., they are not useful for generalizing about humans because they are at the extreme end of the distribution for societal formations. In their vision, it is best to stick with the “tried and true” traditional societies for speculations about human nature. This commentary offers a more realistic starting point, and, oddly enough, concludes that WEIRD populations may be more compatible with humans' evolved nature than are most traditional societies.
The weirdest people in the world are a harbinger of the future of the world
Authors: Rozin Paul 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAlthough North American undergraduates represent about 0.2% of humanity, and a very unrepresentative subset, they actually provide an advance look at what humanity is becoming. In the face of globalization, this is all the more reason to study the wonderful variants of the human condition before they become homogenized.
Design criteria and validation of a vacuum load current multiplier on a mega-ampere microsecond inductive storage generator
Authors: Chuvatin A.S. , Kim A.A. , Kokshenev V.A. , Kovalchuk B.M. , Lassalle F. , Calamy H. , Krishnan M. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe load current multiplier concept (LCM) was suggested for improving the energy transfer efficiency from pulse power generators to loads. The concept was initially demonstrated at atmospheric pressure and dielectric insulation on a compact, 100 kA, microsecond capacitor bank. This paper reports on the LCM design criteria for mega-ampere vacuum pulse power when the LCM comprises a large-inductance magnetic flux extruder cavity without a magnetic core. The analytical and numerical design approach presented was experimentally validated on GIT12 mega-ampere inductive energy storage generator with a constant-inductance load. The LCM technique increased the peak load current from typically 4.6 MA at 1.87 µs on this generator, to 6.43 MA at 2.0 µs. The electromagnetic power into a ~10 nH load increased from 100 GW to 230 GW. This result is in good agreement with the presented numerical simulations and it corresponds to a 95% increase of the achievable magnetic pressure at 8 cm radius in the load. The compact, LCM hardware allows the GIT12 generator to operate more efficiently without modifying the stored energy or architecture. The demonstrated load power and energy increase using the LCM concept is of importance for further studies on power amplification in vacuum and high energy density physics.
Preventing treatment errors in radiotherapy by identifying and evaluating near misses and actual incidents
Authors: Holmberg Ola , McClean Brendan 
Published: June 2010

When preparing radiation treatment, the prescribed dose and irradiation geometry must be translated into physical machine parameters. An error in the calculations or machine settings can negatively affect the intended treatment outcome. Analysing incidents originating in the treatment preparation chain makes it possible to find weak links and prevent treatment errors. The aim of this work is to study the effectiveness of a multilayered error prevention system by analysing both near misses and actual treatment errors.The system utilised in this centre has primary and secondary checking as two layers of independent calculation-checking. We studied near misses as well as the actual errors which were not picked up by these pre-treatment checking procedures over a year (5154 treatment plans). Furthermore, the primary checking was studied in more detail over three years (15,386 treatment plans) to increase the statistical accuracy.For each reported actual treatment error originating in the treatment preparation chain, 13.8 near misses were found by primary and secondary checking and thereby prevented from becoming actual errors. The total frequency of near misses was 34.4 per 1000 treatment plans. The primary checkers reported 23 types of errors for manual treatment plans (without dose distribution) and 30 types of errors for computer plans. Computer plans also showed a near miss rate that was 42% higher than for manual plans. The high ratio of near misses per actual error demonstrates an effective error prevention system, independent of the quality of the initial treatment preparation. Complex treatment plans were shown to be particularly error-prone, thereby requiring extra vigilance when checking.
A highly efficient 3.5 GHz inverse class-F GaN HEMT power amplifier
Authors: Saad Paul , Fager Christian , Nemati Hossein Mashad , Cao Haiying , Zirath Herbert , Andersson Kristoffer 
Published: June 2010

This paper presents the design and implementation of an inverse class-F power amplifier (PA) using a high power gallium nitride high electron mobility transistor (GaN HEMT). For a 3.5 GHz continuous wave signal, the measurement results show state-of-the-art power-added efficiency (PAE) of 78%, a drain efficiency of 82%, a gain of 12 dB, and an output power of 12 W. Moreover, over a 300 MHz bandwidth, the PAE and output power are maintained at 60% and 10 W, respectively. Linearized modulated measurements using 20 MHz bandwidth long-term evolution (LTE) signal with 11.5 dB peak-to-average ratio show that −42 dBc adjacent channel power ratio (ACLR) is achieved, with an average PAE of 30%, −47 dBc ACLR with an average PAE of 40% are obtained when using a WCDMA signal with 6.6 dB peak-to-average ratio (PAR).