bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulation of the multistate folding of designed TPR proteins through intrinsic and extrinsic factors
Authors: Phillips J. J. , Javadi Y. , Millership C. , Main E. R. G. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractTetratricopeptide repeats (TPRs) are a class of all alpha‐helical repeat proteins that are comprised of 34‐aa helix‐turn‐helix motifs. These stack together to form nonglobular structures that are stabilized by short‐range interactions from residues close in primary sequence. Unlike globular proteins, they have few, if any, long‐range nonlocal stabilizing interactions. Several studies on designed TPR proteins have shown that this modular structure is reflected in their folding, that is, modular multistate folding is observed as opposed to two‐state folding. Here we show that TPR multistate folding can be suppressed to approximate two‐state folding through modulation of intrinsic stability or extrinsic environmental variables. This modulation was investigated by comparing the thermodynamic unfolding under differing buffer regimes of two distinct series of consensus‐designed TPR proteins, which possess different intrinsic stabilities. A total of nine proteins of differing sizes and differing consensus TPR motifs were each thermally and chemically denatured and their unfolding monitored using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and CD/fluorescence, respectively. Analyses of both the DSC and chemical denaturation data show that reducing the total stability of each protein and repeat units leads to observable two‐state unfolding. These data highlight the intimate link between global and intrinsic repeat stability that governs whether folding proceeds by an observably two‐state mechanism, or whether partial unfolding yields stable intermediate structures which retain sufficient stability to be populated at equilibrium.
The effects of thermal annealing on the photoluminescence and DC characteristics of 1.3 µm p‐doped InAs/InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot lasers
Authors: Zhao Hanxue , Fatt Yoon Soon , Yong Ngo Chun , Wang Rui 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIn this work, we investigated the optical characteristics of 1.3 µm p ‐doped InAs/InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot (QD) lasers that consist of either as‐grown or annealed QDs. With reference to the as‐grown QD lasers, it is found that 1) the integrated intensity of the photoluminescence could be increased by 63%, and 2) the onset of excited state lasing can be significantly delayed to a higher injection current with optimum annealing conditions. In addition, the internal quantum efficiency and internal optical loss of the annealed QD lasers has been improved. The observed improvements could be attributed to the removal of defects which act as nonradiative recombination centers in the QD structure and the reduction in the Auger‐related recombination processes upon annealing (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Brachet's cleft: a model for the analysis of tissue separation in Xenopus
Authors: Gorny Anne‐Kathrin , Steinbeisser Herbert 
Published: December 2011

AbstractTissue border formation is an important process that prevents mixing of cells during embryonic development. The establishment of tissue borders is not a trivial problem, particularly in early embryos when cells and tissues are not fully differentiated. An example of an early tissue separation process is the formation of Brachet's cleft in Xenopus. During early gastrulation, this morphologically visible cleft separates mesendoderm and ectoderm. Over the last decade, it was recognized that morphogenetic processes, including tissue separation, can be experimentally uncoupled from embryonic patterning events. In this study, we summarize the data explaining the regulation of Brachet's cleft and introduce the experimental arsenal that was used for this analysis. The formation of Brachet's cleft involves the activity of transcription factors, cell adhesion molecules, and signaling modules, which act in a complex regulatory network. According to the current state of knowledge, Rho signaling seems to be the central player during this process. The mechanisms that regulate Rho during tissue separation and the experimental approaches to monitor Rho activity are discussed. WIREs Dev Biol 2012, 1:294–300. doi: 10.1002/wdev.24This article is categorized under:

Signaling Pathways > Global Signaling Mechanisms
Early Embryonic Development > Gastrulation and Neurulation
Early Embryonic Development > Development to the Basic Body Plan
A Predictive Model of Suitability for Minimally Invasive Parathyroid Surgery in the Treatment of Primary Hyperthyroidism
Authors: Kavanagh Dara O. , Fitzpatrick Patricia , Myers Eddie , Kennelly Rory , Skehan Stephen J. , Gibney Robert G. , Hill Arnold D. K. , Evoy Denis , McDermott Enda W. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundImproved preoperative localizing studies have facilitated minimally invasive approaches in the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Success depends on the ability to reliably select patients who have PHPT due to single‐gland disease. We propose a model encompassing preoperative clinical, biochemical, and imaging studies to predict a patient’s suitability for minimally invasive surgery.MethodsFor the purposes of the present study, 180 consecutive patients were included for analysis. A 5‐variable model based on preoperative ionized serum calcium (>1.4 mmol/l), intact parathyroid hormone level (≥2 times the upper limit of normal), positive sestamibi scan for a single affected gland, positive ultrasound scan for a single gland, and concordance between the two imaging modalities for single‐gland disease at a similar location was employed, where a score of 1 was allocated for each variable present.ResultsOf the 180 patients, 62 (34%) underwent bilateral exploration, 63 (36%) underwent unilateral exploration, and 55 (30%) underwent minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. The results showed that 92% had single‐gland disease, 3% had double adenomas, and 5% had hyperplasia. Biochemical cure was achieved in 98.9%. Mean follow‐up was 153 days (range: 80–342 days). With the predictive scoring model, a score of ≥3 had a positive predictive value of 100% for single‐gland disease.ConclusionsA scoring model encompassing preoperative biochemical and imaging data can be successfully employed to predict suitability for minimally invasive surgery in the majority of patients with single‐gland disease.
Language, History, and Arab National Consciousness in the Thought of Jurjî Zaidân (1861–1914)
Authors: Philipp Thomas 
Published: December 2011

The writings of Jurjî Zaidân constitute an important contribution to the secular intellectual awakening of the Arabs in the nineteenth century. The trend toward non-traditional thought had been initiated by the confrontation with the overpowering Western civilization, which threatened the established socio-political order and questioned the validity of the traditional identity and cultural values. To an increasing degree intellectual discussion in the Arab World — as in many other parts of the world — concentrated upon the concept of nationalism. It is in this context that we shall have to discuss the thought of Jurjî Zaidân. Nationalism appeared to be the most efficient means to establish an identity that could resist the Western impact:The Middle East was overwhelmed by Europe; self-affirmation in nationalistic terms was part of its defense. Backwardness could be overcome by assimilation, but assimilation would obliterate identity. Nationalism would provide the incentive to progress and at the same time a barrier to self-obliteration.
The Hauran Conflicts of the 1860s: A Chapter in the Rural History of Modern Syria
Authors: Schilcher L. Schatkowski 
Published: December 2011

This paper examines the relatively neglected rural history of Syria. It concentrates on the Hauran, a dry-farming region of hills and plains south of the Damascene oasis between the northern Jordan's tributaries and the eastern desert. Although the Hauran is today no longer a region of primary economic importance to Syria as it once was, it is of historical interest because it was the very first of greater Syria's outlying rural zones to be integrated into the developing modern Middle Eastern economy.The Hauran is, moreover, of comparative interest because it held a position in Syria's political economy then which bears many resemblances to the positions held by younger hinterland regions now. The parallels between the situation of the Hauran then and the Syrian north and northeast now, for example, are indeed many.
Engineering observation of lateral undulation in colubrid snakes for wheel-less locomotion
Authors: Barazandeh Farshad , Rahnamafard Hossein , Rajabizadeh Mehdi , Faraji Hossein 
Published: December 2011

SUMMARYNature has always inspired engineers. This research tries to understand the contribution of snake anatomy in its locomotion from engineering point of view to be adopted in the design of snake robots. Rib design and muscular structure of snake robots will have a great impact on snake robot flexibility, weight, and actuators' torque. It will help to eliminate wheels in snake robots during serpentine locomotion. The result of this research shows that snakes can establish the required peg points on smooth surfaces by deflecting the body and ribs. The results are verified by both field observations and simulation.
RESPONSIBLE CHOICES, DESERT-BASED LEGAL INSTITUTIONS, AND THE CHALLENGES OF CONTEMPORARY NEUROSCIENCE
Authors: Moore Michael S. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractNeuroscience is commonly thought to challenge the basic way we think of ourselves in ordinary thought, morality, and the law. This paper: (1) describes the legal institutions challenged in this way by neuroscience, including in that description both the political philosophy such institutions enshrine and the common sense psychology they presuppose; (2) describes the three kinds of data produced by contemporary neuroscience that is thought to challenge these commonsense views of ourselves in morals and law; and (3) distinguishes four major and several minor kinds of challenges that that data can reasonably be interpreted to present. The major challenges are: first, the challenge of reductionism, that we are merely machines; second, the challenge of determinism, that we are caused to choose and act as we do by brain states that we do not control; third, the challenge of epiphenomenalism, that our choices do not cause our actions because our brains are the real cause of those actions; and fourth, the challenge of fallibilism, that we do not have direct access to those of our mental states that do cause our actions, nor are we infallible in such knowledge as we do have of them.
Large outbreak ofSalmonellaEnteritidis PT8 in Portsmouth, UK, associated with a restaurant
Authors: SEVERI E. , BOOTH L. , JOHNSON S. , CLEARY P. , RIMINGTON M. , SAUNDERS D. , COCKCROFT P. , IHEKWEAZU C. 
Published: December 2011

SUMMARYSeventy-five individuals withSalmonellainfection were identified in the Portsmouth area during August and September 2009, predominantlySalmonellaEnteritidis phage type 8. Five patients were admitted to hospital. A case-case comparison study showed that a local restaurant was the most likely source of the infection with a risk of illness among its customers 25-fold higher than that of those who did not attend the restaurant. A case-control study conducted to investigate specific risk factors for infection at the restaurant showed that eating salad was associated with a threefold increase in probability of illness. Changing from using ready washed lettuces to lettuces requiring washing and not adhering strictly to the 48 hours exclusion policy for food handlers with diarrhoea were likely to have contributed to the initiation and propagation of this outbreak. Possibilities for cross-contamination and environmental contamination were identified in the restaurant.
Propranolol for infantile haemangiomas: initiating treatment on an outpatient basis
Authors: Dyme Joshua L. , Thampan Ashis , Han Eugenia J. , Nyirenda Themba L. , Kotb Mohy E. , Shin Helen T. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIntroductionPropranolol was recently discovered to be an effective treatment for infantile haemangiomas, and varying doses and monitoring regimens have been proposed. Adverse events, although uncommon, have been reported.Materials and methodsThis was a retrospective chart review of infants with haemangiomas who were started on propranolol at a dose of 3 milligrams per kilogram per day on an outpatient basis. After a baseline cardiac evaluation including an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram, treatment was initiated during 6 hours of observation.ResultsA total of 15 patients were identified; however, only 13 returned for at least one follow-up visit. This cohort was followed up for a median of 2.8 months with a range from 0.2 to 10.0. No hypotension, hypoglycaemia, bronchospasm, or clinically significant bradycardia occurred during treatment. All patients had clinical improvement of their haemangiomas.ConclusionsThis study suggests that initiating treatment during outpatient observation may be a reasonable alternative to inpatient admission. In addition, expensive testing may not be necessary during pre-treatment screening when the physical examination is normal.
Estimating oil concentration and flow rate with calibrated vessel-mounted acoustic echo sounders
Authors: Weber Thomas C. , De Robertis Alex , Greenaway Samuel F. , Smith Shep , Mayer Larry , Rice Glen 
Published: December 2011

As part of a larger program aimed at evaluating acoustic techniques for mapping the distribution of subsurface oil and gas associated with the
Deepwater Horizon
-Macondo oil spill, observations were made on June 24 and 25, 2010 using vessel-mounted calibrated single-beam echo sounders on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship
Thomas Jefferson
. Coincident with visual observations of oil at the sea surface, the 200-kHz echo sounder showed anomalously high-volume scattering strength in the upper 200 m on the western side of the wellhead, more than 100 times higher than the surrounding waters at 1,800-m distance from the wellhead, and weakening with increasing distance out to 5,000 m. Similar high-volume scattering anomalies were not observed at 12 or 38 kHz, although observations of anomalously low-volume scattering strength were made in the deep scattering layer at these frequencies at approximately the same locations. Together with observations of ocean currents, the acoustic observations are consistent with a rising plume of small (< 1-mm radius) oil droplets. Using simplistic but reasonable assumptions about the properties of the oil droplets, an estimate of the flow rate was made that is remarkably consistent with those made at the wellhead by other means. The uncertainty in this acoustically derived estimate is high due to lack of knowledge of the size distribution and rise speed of the oil droplets. If properly constrained, these types of acoustic measurements can be used to rapidly estimate the flow rate of oil reaching the surface over large temporal and spatial scales.
Bias in the Estimation of Impacts of Simultaneous Mark-Selective and Nonselective Fisheries on Ocean Salmon
Authors: Yuen Henry , Conrad Robert 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The management models currently used in the Pacific Fishery Management Council's preseason planning process to project mortalities during proposed fisheries for coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch and Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha produce biased estimates of the mortalities in mark-selective fisheries and concurrent nonselective fisheries. The bias is caused by (1) unmarked fish encountering fishing gear more than once because of the required release of all unmarked fish and (2) the change in the unmarked–marked ratio resulting from the selective removal of marked salmon by the mark-selective fishery. Biased estimates of mortalities in nonselective fisheries operating during the same time and area as mark-selective fisheries occur because of the increasing unmarked–marked ratio in the common pool of salmon being fished. This bias is an increasing function of the stock exploitation rate on marked fish. The expected exploitation rates must also take into account mark-recognition errors whereby marked fish are released by mistake and unmarked fish are landed by mistake. The adjustment for mark-recognition error is a function of the unmarked–marked ratio.
Received January 18, 2011; accepted June 13, 2011
Expected number of goals depending on intrinsic and extrinsic factors of a football player. An application to professional Spanish football league
Authors: Sáez Castillo Antonio , Rodríguez Avi José , Pérez Sánchez José María 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA Bayesian regression model for the number of goals scored by players in the Spanish football league during nine seasons is fitted. The model handles overdispersion in such a way that individual footballers ability for scoring may be estimated regardless of the number of minutes played, the position in the field and the team in which they play. Additionally, the posterior predictive distributions of the fitted model allow to obtain an estimation of the performance of any player in each season with reference to the number of goals scored, locating that number as a quantile in the expected distribution of the goals scored by this player in this season. The results show how the model awards the fact that defenders and midfielders score goals because it does not expect that they score many goals and evaluates a forward more strictly in relation to the expected number of goals.
Serum Retinoic Acid and Atopy Among Children of Different Ethnic Origin Living in Germany
Authors: Grüber Christoph , Taner Ceylan , Mihály Johanna , Matricardi Paolo M. , Wahn Ulrich , Rühl Ralph 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTWe hypothesized that higher provitamin A carotenoid serum levels may be associated with higher concentrations of all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and atopy. Concentration of ATRA was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography in sera from German domestic and Turkish migrants' children. ATRA serum levels were significantly higher in German children if compared with Turkish children and correlated with those of β‐carotene (rs = 0.692) and other provitamin A carotenoids. They did not differ significantly between atopic and nonatopic individuals. Serum levels of ATRA are related to those of provitamin A carotenoids but are not directly related to atopy in the present study.
MicroRNA Profiling Identifies miR‐29 as a Regulator of Disease‐associated Pathways in Experimental Biliary Atresia
Authors: Hand Nicholas J. , Horner Amber M. , Master Zankhana R. , Boateng LaTasha A. , LeGuen Claire , Uvaydova Marina , Friedman Joshua R. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTBiliary atresia (BA) is a pediatric liver disease of unknown underlying etiology, in which fibroinflammatory destruction of the extrahepatic biliary system leads to obstructive cholestasis. MicroRNAs are a class of short (18–23 nucleotide), noncoding RNA molecules, which act as negative regulators of target mRNA stability and translation. The importance of these molecules in normal and diseased liver has been demonstrated, but their potential role in the pathogenesis of BA has not been addressed. We have profiled changes in liver microRNA levels in an established mouse model of the disease, identified significantly altered transcripts, and defined the spatial expression patterns of selected microRNAs. Two of these, miR‐29a/29b1, are upregulated in experimental BA. Using antisense oligonucleotide‐mediated inhibition in mice, we have delineated the full set of hepatic genes regulated by miR‐29 and identified 2 mRNA targets of potential pathological relevance in experimental BA, Igf1 and Il1RAP. We have used reporter assays to confirm that Igf1 and Il1RAP are direct targets of miR‐29.
Effect of sesquiterpene lactone coronopilin on leukaemia cell population growth, cell type‐specific induction of apoptosis and mitotic catastrophe
Authors: Cotugno R. , Fortunato R. , Santoro A. , Gallotta D. , Braca A. , De Tommasi N. , Belisario M. A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractObjectives:  The aim of this study was to investigate anti‐leukaemic potential of coronopilin, a sesquiterpene lactone from Ambrosia arborescens, and to characterize mechanism(s) underlying its activity.Materials and methods:  The study was conducted on Jurkat and U937, two leukaemia‐derived cell lines. Apoptosis and impairment of cell cycle progression were evaluated by flow cytometry and by microscopic analysis. Changes in protein expression and activation were evaluated by western blot analysis. Coronopilin‐tubulin covalent adducts were demonstrated by mass spectrometry.Results:  Coronopilin inhibited (IC50 ≤ 20 μm) leukaemia cell population growth, but displayed poor cytotoxicity to normal white blood cells. On Jurkat cells, coronopilin exerted cell population growth inhibition activity, mainly by triggering caspase‐dependent apoptosis. Conversely, in U937 cells, coronopilin’s primary response was a robust arrest in G2/M. Marked increase in mitotic index and presence of activated cyclin B1/Cdk1 complex, phosphorylated histone H3 at Ser10, and hyperpolymerized tubulin indicated that cells accumulated in mitosis. Prolonged mitotic arrest ultimately resulted in U937 mitotic catastrophe, and dying cells exhibited the features of non‐caspase‐dependent death.Conclusions:  This study demonstrated that coronopilin efficiently inhibited leukaemia cell population growth by triggering cell type‐specific responses. Moreover, coronopilin‐mediated cell population expansion inhibition was specific to neoplastic cells, as normal white blood cell viability was not significantly affected. Thus, coronopilin may represent an interesting new chemical scaffold upon which to develop new anti‐leukaemic agents.
The epidemiology of community paediatric outpatient referrals 2006
Authors: Thompson E. , Ni Bhrolchain C. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground  Wirral University Teaching Hospital is a large district general hospital situated on the Wirral Peninsula, UK. Because of the district's geographical and demographic characteristics, Wirral is an ideal location for population‐based studies. Information on community paediatric referrals, case mix and outcomes is scarce. We took advantage of our situation to conduct an epidemiological study of referrals to community paediatrics in Wirral. A companion paper examines referrals to general paediatricians during the same period.Methods  A prospective observational study of community paediatric outpatient referrals between 1 February and 31 May 2006 for all children under the age of 15 offered a new patient appointment during the study period. The study was conducted using the same methodology as a previous population‐based study of community paediatric outpatients in Northampton, UK in 1998. We compared our results with this previous study.Results  The referral rate was 10.1 per 1000 children under 15 per annum. School nurses and health visitors made nearly half the referrals, with general practitioners referring most of the remainder. Compared with the Northampton study, more children were seen by consultants. Case mix showed a shift towards behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders, with less general paediatrics. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was the commonest disorder seen (28.2%), a significant increase from the previous study (3.4%) (P < 0.01). Autism spectrum disorder showed little change (8.1% vs. 9.6%; NS). The Wirral study showed significantly more follow‐up compared with the Northampton.Conclusions  This population‐based study gives a unique insight into the epidemiology of referrals to community paediatricians in the UK in 2006 and how these differ from those recorded in a different UK district in 1998.