bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous saccharification and cofermentation of lignocellulosic residues from commercial furfural production and corn kernels using different nutrient media
Authors: Tang Yong , Zhao Danqing , Cristhian Carrasco , Jiang Jianxin 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
As the supply of starch grain and sugar cane, currently the main feedstocks for bioethanol production, become limited, lignocelluloses will be sought as alternative materials for bioethanol production. Production of cellulosic ethanol is still cost-inefficient because of the low final ethanol concentration and the addition of nutrients. We report the use of simultaneous saccharification and cofermentation (SSCF) of lignocellulosic residues from commercial furfural production (furfural residue, FR) and corn kernels to compare different nutritional media. The final ethanol concentration, yield, number of live yeast cells, and yeast-cell death ratio were investigated to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating cellulosic and starch ethanol.

Results
Both the ethanol yield and number of live yeast cells increased with increasing corn-kernel concentration, whereas the yeast-cell death ratio decreased in SSCF of FR and corn kernels. An ethanol concentration of 73.1 g/L at 120 h, which corresponded to a 101.1% ethanol yield based on FR cellulose and corn starch, was obtained in SSCF of 7.5% FR and 14.5% corn kernels with mineral-salt medium. SSCF could simultaneously convert cellulose into ethanol from both corn kernels and FR, and SSCF ethanol yield was similar between the organic and mineral-salt media.

Conclusions
Starch ethanol promotes cellulosic ethanol by providing important nutrients for fermentative organisms, and in turn cellulosic ethanol promotes starch ethanol by providing cellulosic enzymes that convert the cellulosic polysaccharides in starch materials into additional ethanol. It is feasible to produce ethanol in SSCF of FR and corn kernels with mineral-salt medium. It would be cost-efficient to produce ethanol in SSCF of high concentrations of water-insoluble solids of lignocellulosic materials and corn kernels. Compared with prehydrolysis and fed-batch strategy using lignocellulosic materials, addition of starch hydrolysates to cellulosic ethanol production is a more suitable method to improve the final ethanol concentration.
Lessons Learned from the hGH Era
Authors: Allen David B. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractToday, many medical interventions that begin as treatments for disease often expand into therapies that reduce disability, lessen disadvantage, or even confer advantage. Forces that propel profitable drugs, devices, and procedures dominate over considerations of efficient and equitable distribution of resources. This dominance is fueled by industry-physician collaborations often biased by prior assumptions, reliant on surrogate outcomes, and advantageous to marketing. Interventions are justified by “medicalization” of physiologic variations (e.g. short stature) as defects or disease, and nudged into “standard practice” by key opinion leaders. The story below of recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) treatment of short stature is one vivid example, but others (e.g. expansion of drug treatment to “optimize” cholesterol profiles, bone health, psychological well-being) can be found throughout medicine. In the new obesity era, lessons learned from the hGH era will be needed to keep the field of pediatric endocrinology empowered to make the key clinical decisions, and free of unintended consequences for patients and runaway health care inflation for society.
Reference Values for Aldosterone–Renin Ratios in Normotensive Individuals and Effect of Changes in Dietary Sodium Consumption
Authors: Kerstens Michiel N , Kobold Anneke C Muller , Volmer Marcel , Koerts Jan , Sluiter Wim J , Dullaart Robin PF 
Published: August 2011

BACKGROUND
Determination of the aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) in blood is the preferred screening test for primary aldosteronism. Renin can be measured as the plasma renin activity (PRA) or the plasma renin concentration (PRC). Consequently, the ARR can be measured either based on the PRA (ARRpra) or based on the PRC (ARRprc). In contrast with the ARRpra, the data on reference values for the ARRprc are limited. Moreover, whether the ARRpra or ARRprc is affected by variations in salt intake is unknown.

METHODS
We measured the PRA, the PRC, and serum aldosterone in 100 normotensive individuals between 20 and 70 years of age before and after a 3-day oral sodium-loading test (SLT). Participants were stratified according to age and sex. Data are presented as the median and interquartile range (IQR).

RESULTS
Urinary sodium excretion after the SLT was ≥200 mmol/24 h in all participants. Serum aldosterone, PRA, and PRC values were significantly reduced after the SLT. PRC and PRA results were highly correlated [Spearman rank correlation rs = 0.80 and 0.74 before and after SLT, respectively; P &lt; 0.001 for both]. The central 95% reference intervals for ARRpra before and after SLT were 0.07–1.45 h−1 and 0.06–1.84 h−1, respectively. The corresponding reference intervals for ARRprc were 4.1–81.3 pmol/ng and 3.9–74.8 pmol/ng. The median ARRprc decreased after the SLT from 19.5 pmol/ng (IQR, 13.0–29.4 pmol/ng) to 18.6 pmol/ng (IQR, 9.4–27.1 pmol/ng) (P = 0.005), whereas the median ARRpra did not change (P = 0.12). Both the ARRprc and ARRpra at baseline were higher in women than in men, whereas no sex difference was observed after sodium loading.

CONCLUSIONS
We present reference values for the ARRprc for healthy individuals. The ARR is affected to a variable degree by sex and sodium intake.
Serum Concentrations of Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)-1 and IGF Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3), IGF-1/IGFBP-3 Ratio, and Markers of Bone Turnover: Reference Values for French Children and Adolescents and z-Score Comparability with Other References
Authors: Alberti Corinne , Chevenne Didier , Mercat Isabelle , Josserand Emilie , Armoogum-Boizeau Priscilla , Tichet Jean , Léger Juliane 
Published: August 2011

BACKGROUND
A reference model for converting serum growth factor and bone metabolism markers into an SD score (SDS) is required for clinical practice. We aimed to establish reference values of serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) concentrations and bone metabolism markers in French children, to generate a model for converting values into SDS for age, sex, and pubertal stage.

METHODS
We carried out a cross-sectional study of 1119 healthy white children ages 6–20 years. We assessed concentrations of serum IGF-1, IGFBP-3, carboxyterminal telopeptide α1 chain of type I collagen (CrossLaps), and bone alkaline phosphatase concentrations and height, weight, and pubertal stage, and used semiparametric regression to develop a model.

RESULTS
A single regression model to calculate the SDSs with an online calculator was provided. A positive relationship was found between SDS for serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3, IGF/IGFBP-3 mol/L ratio, and anthropometric parameters (P &lt; 0.0001), with slightly greater effects observed for height than for body mass index (BMI). There was a negative relationship between serum CrossLaps concentration and BMI, and a positive relationship between serum CrossLaps concentration and height. A comparison of serum IGF-1 reference databases for children showed marked variation as a function of age and pubertal group; smooth changes with age and puberty were observed only in our model.

CONCLUSIONS
This new model for the assessment of SDS reference values specific for age, sex, and pubertal stage may help to increase the diagnostic power of these parameters for the assessment of growth and bone metabolism disorders. This study also provides information about the physiological role of height and BMI for the interpretation of these parameters.
Reporter gene HEK 293 cells and WNT/Frizzled fusion proteins as tools to study WNT signaling pathways
Authors: Ring Larisa , Peröbner Iris , Karow Marisa , Jochum Marianne , Neth Peter , Faussner Alexander 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
WNT/Frizzled receptor (FZD) signaling pathways are pivotal for physiological and pathophysiological processes. In humans, the complexity of WNT/FZD signaling is based on 19 WNTs, 10 FZDs and at least two (co)receptors (LRP5/6) mediating supposably four different signaling cascades. The detailed investigation of the specific function of the different initiating components is primarily hampered by the lack of most WNT proteins in a purified form. Therefore, we constructed and examined a chimeric protein of WNT3a and FZD4 as a suitable approach to overcome this obstacle for future studies of the specificity of other WNT/FZD combinations. Furthermore, we produced four different reporter HEK 293 cell lines to quantify the induced activation of the proposed signaling cascades, the β-catenin-, the NFAT-, the AP-1- and the CRE-regulated pathways. The chimera WNT3aFZD4 efficiently induced β-catenin-mediated luciferase activity. This activity was increased 40-fold compared with basal when LRP6 was stably cotransfected, proving that the chimera WNT3aFZD4 can also interact efficiently with LRP6. Our results demonstrate that the approach of using reporter gene cell lines in combination with WNT/FZD chimeras is efficient to study the β-catenin-mediated pathway and should also allow clarifying the specificity of WNT/FZD combinations in the activation of the other pathways.
Resilient Characteristics of Bottom Ash and Bottom Ash-Soil Mixtures
Authors: Coenen Aaron R. , Titi Hani H. , Elias Mohammed B. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Bottom ash, a byproduct of the coal combustion process to generate electricity by power plants, is generally underutilized and ends up in landfills or ponds. This paper aims at evaluating the characteristics of the coal combustion bottom ash for potential utilization in pavement construction materials. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive laboratory testing program was undertaken to evaluate the physical properties, compaction characteristics, and resilient modulus of bottom ash, subgrade soils, and bottom ash-soil mixtures. The investigated bottom ash was obtained from power plants in Wisconsin and Michigan. Test results showed that there is a wide spectrum of bottom ash properties pertaining to specific gravity and unit weight, while the investigated bottom ash samples were classified as granular material. Repeated load triaxial testing was performed to determine the resilient modulus of the bottom ash, subgrade soil, and bottom ash-soil mixtures. Specimens were tested at the maximum dry unit weight and optimum moisture content. Test results demonstrated that the resilient modulus values of bottom ash vary depending on the physical properties and unit weight of the bottom ash. For four bottom ash-soil mixtures, the resilient modulus values were low compared with the resilient modulus of subgrade soils, while for one type the resilient modulus was comparable/higher than that of subgrade soil. Therefore, mixing the bottom ash with subgrade soil showed increased resilient modulus values of the mixture for the bottom ash sample from Oak Creek Power Plan (OCPP). Mixing 50% of the bottom ash with subgrade soil, by dry weight, was considered an optimum amount to improve the resilient modulus of the bottom ash soil mixture for OCPP bottom ash.
Plasma omentin-1 levels are reduced in non-obese women with normal glucose tolerance and polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Choi Ji-Hun , Rhee Eun-Jung , Kim Kye-Hyun , Woo Hee-Yeon , Lee Won-Young , Sung Ki-Chul 
Published: August 2011

ObjectiveOmentin-1 is a novel adipokine that increases insulin sensitivity and is expressed in visceral adipose tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the metabolic parameters that influence plasma omentin-1 levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Design and methodsA cross-sectional study was performed in 87 women with PCOS and 53 body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy controls including 39 non-obese, normal-weight (NW) PCOS women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 44 BMI- and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-matched controls. Indices of insulin sensitivity, metabolic variables, circulating androgen levels, serum adiponectin, and omentin-1 levels were measured. A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed in all participants.ResultsPlasma omentin-1 levels were significantly lower in women with PCOS compared with those in BMI-matched controls (P<0.001). A significantly lower level of plasma omentin-1 was observed in non-obese women with PCOS and NGT compared with that in BMI- and HOMA-matched controls (P<0.001). Omentin-1 level was negatively correlated with BMI, indices of insulin sensitivity, and circulating androgens and was associated with greater 2 h postprandial glucose, C-peptide, and insulin levels compared with fasting values. Within the NW and NGT groups, omentin-1 levels remained negatively correlated with BMI, 2 h postprandial C-peptide, and circulating androgens and demonstrated a negative linear trend according to quartile of free testosterone (P=0.028).ConclusionsPlasma levels of omentin-1 were reduced in non-obese women with PCOS and NGT. Postprandial hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia contributed more to lower omentin-1 levels than did fasting values in the setting of PCOS. Increased androgen levels contributed to decreased omentin-1 levels in women with PCOS.
Publication of Noninferiority Clinical Trials: Changes Over a 20‐Year Interval
Authors: Suda Katie J. , Hurley Anne M. , McKibbin Trevor , Moroney Susannah E. Motl 
Published: August 2011

Study Objectives. The primary objective was to evaluate the change in publication rate of noninferiority trials over a 20‐year interval (1989–2009). Secondary objectives were to analyze the frequency of noninferiority trials by therapeutic category, the frequency of noninferiority trial publication by journal, the impact factors of the publishing journals, any potential special advantages of the study drug over the control, the funding sources of the trials, pharmaceutical industry affiliation of the authors, and the use of ghostwriters in the creation of manuscripts.Design. Retrospective literature review of 583 articles.Data Sources. PubMed (January 1989‐December 2009) and EMBASE (first quarter 1989‐fourth quarter 2009) databases.Measurements and Main Results. A total of 583 articles of the results of randomized controlled clinical trials with a noninferiority study design that evaluated drug therapies, published in English, between 1989 and 2009, were included in the analysis. A consistent increase was noted in their yearly publication rates, with no trials published in 1989 versus 133 in 2009. One hundred twenty‐six articles (21.6%) were in the therapeutic category of infectious diseases, followed by 78 (13.4%) in cardiology. Among the journals identified, The New England Journal of Medicine had the highest publication rate of trials with a noninferiority design, with 29 (5.0%) of the identified trials published in this journal. The median impact factor of the journals publishing noninferiority trials was 4.807 (interquartile range 3.064–7.5). The most common advantage of the study drug over the control was reduced duration of treatment or reduced pill burden (80 studies [22.9%]). A total of 425 trials (72.9%) listed the pharmaceutical industry as the only funding source. Among 369 trials with authors employed by the pharmaceutical industry, 101 (17.3%) disclosed an acknowledgment to an individual, other than those listed as authors, who contributed to writing the manuscript and who was affiliated with a medical information company and/or a pharmaceutical company (i.e., potential ghostwriters).Conclusion. The publication of noninferiority trials increased during the 20 years from 1989 until 2009, particularly in the therapeutic areas of infectious diseases and cardiology. Because of this growth, clinicians and researchers need to be familiar with the caveats of the noninferiority study design to appropriately interpret and design these clinical studies.
Correlation of Bivalirudin Dose with Creatinine Clearance During Treatment of Heparin‐Induced Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Runyan Courtney L. , Cabral Katherine P. , Riker Richard R. , Redding David , May Teresa , Seder David B. , Savic Marizela , Hedlund Jacqueline , Abramson Stuart , Fraser Gilles L. 
Published: August 2011

Study Objectives. To evaluate steady‐state bivalirudin dosing requirements in patients with a wide range of kidney function who were being treated for heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)‐related disorders.Design. Retrospective medical record review.Setting. Academic medical center.Patients. Sixty‐four adults with varying degrees of renal function who were receiving bivalirudin for at least 48 hours for HIT‐related disorders between March 2007 and May 2010.Measurements and Main Results. Steady‐state conditions were defined as a constant bivalirudin infusion dose for at least 12 hours, with serum creatinine concentration varying less than 20% for 48 hours (for patients not receiving renal replacement therapy) and at least two therapeutic activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) values (60–80 sec). Patients were assigned to five groups based on Cockcroft‐Gault‐estimated creatinine clearance (Clcr) of less than 30, 30–60, or greater than 60 ml/minute, or by type of renal replacement therapy—intermittent hemodialysis or continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH). For Clcr greater than 60 ml/minute, the median bivalirudin dose was 0.15 mg/kg/hour (interquartile range [IQR] 0.11–0.15 mg/kg/hr), which was greater than median doses for Clcr 30–60 ml/minute (0.10 mg/kg/hr, IQR 0.06–0.13 mg/kg/hr, p=0.004), Clcr less than 30 ml/minute (0.08 mg/kg/hr, IQR 0.04–0.1 mg/kg/hr, p=0.001), CVVH (0.06 mg/kg/hr, IQR 0.03–0.10 mg/kg/hr, p=0.046), and hemodialysis (0.04 mg/kg/hr, IQR 0.03–0.05 mg/kg/hr, p=0.0001). Bivalirudin doses correlated with Clcr (Spearman r = 0.58, p<0.01). The median aPTT value of 70 seconds (IQR 63–74 sec) was similar in all groups. Thrombosis was present before bivalirudin therapy in 18 (28%) of 64 patients, and two patients (3%) developed thromboemboli during bivalirudin therapy. Clinically significant bleeding related to bivalirudin and leading to discontinuation of bivalirudin occurred in four patients (6%). The median international normalized ratio increased from 1.5 (IQR 1.3–1.7) before bivalirudin therapy to 1.9 (IQR 1.8–2.1) during bivalirudin therapy (p=0.002) in 11 patients who were not receiving warfarin.Conclusion. Bivalirudin dosing requirements increased with increasing Clcr values. The high degree of variability suggests that dosing in individual patients will require careful titration to achieve adequate anticoagulation.
Corruption and Software Piracy: A Comparative Perspective
Authors: Andrés Antonio R. , Goel Rajeev K. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThis article examines the influence of corruption on software piracy across countries. Drawing on a simple theoretical model and a large sample of countries for a recent time period, it addresses three key questions: (i) What are the key determinants of software piracy?; (ii) How do nations with different piracy levels respond differently to factors that affect piracy, especially corruption?; and (iii) Is there a two‐way causality between software piracy and corruption? It is demonstrated that corruption levels help explain variations in software piracy across countries, with higher levels of corruption correlating with higher levels of software piracy. However, the influences of different factors (including democracy, economic prosperity, market size and legal factors as well as corruption) are sensitive to prevailing levels of piracy, varying across countries with different piracy rates. Policy implications are discussed; these findings suggest that anti‐piracy initiatives would need to be fine‐tuned to country context, such as existing piracy levels.
Conditional Citizenship? Electronic Networks and the New Conditionality in Public Policy
Authors: Henman Paul 
Published: August 2011

AbstractGovernments throughout the world are increasingly making use of new forms of ‘conditional’ public and social policies. While some policies have always been conditional, for example through means‐testing, these new policies are notable for making a benefit or service in one policy domain conditional on a situation or behavior in another policy domain. In addition to political rationalities and realities, this article argues that any understanding of the rise of such policies must take account of electronic information networks. Such networks not only enable such policies to be implemented, they have also stimulated networked ways of thinking among policy makers. This argument is illustrated by reference to the electronic Australian Childhood Immunisation Register and the conditional Maternity Immunisation Allowance. The article concludes by examining how this combination of electronic technologies, political ideas and political realities is reconfiguring contemporary social citizenship, making it more conditional, segmented, individualized and unequal.
Fundamental Policy Considerations for the Regulation of Internet Cross‐Border Privacy Issues
Authors: Svantesson Dan J.B. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWe are currently witnessing major changes to the regulation of privacy, both in Europe and North America, as well as in the Asia‐Pacific region. One of the most complex and controversial aspects of any regulatory scheme addressing privacy is the regulation of cross‐border data flows, and such regulation has become all the more complex in an interconnected world. After providing some necessary background observations regarding the issues surrounding the regulation of cross‐border data flows on the Internet, this article identifies and analyses eight fundamental policy considerations for any regulatory scheme addressing cross‐border privacy issues.
Gastric Bypass Surgery Enhances Glucagon-Like Peptide 1–Stimulated Postprandial Insulin Secretion in Humans
Authors: Salehi Marzieh , Prigeon Ronald L. , D’Alessio David A. 
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVE
Gastric bypass (GB) surgery is associated with postprandial hyperinsulinemia, and this effect is accentuated in postsurgical patients who develop recurrent hypoglycemia. Plasma levels of the incretin glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) are dramatically increased after GB, suggesting that its action contributes to alteration in postprandial glucose regulation. The aim of this study was to establish the role of GLP-1 on insulin secretion in patients with GB.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Twelve asymptomatic individuals with previous GB (Asym-GB), 10 matched healthy nonoperated control subjects, and 12 patients with recurrent hypoglycemia after GB (Hypo-GB) had pre- and postprandial hormone levels and insulin secretion rates (ISR) measured during a hyperglycemic clamp with either GLP-1 receptor blockade with exendin-(9–39) or saline.

RESULTS
Blocking the action of GLP-1 suppressed postprandial ISR to a larger extent in Asym-GB individuals versus control subjects (33 ± 4 vs.16 ± 5%; P = 0.04). In Hypo-GB patients, GLP-1 accounted for 43 ± 4% of postprandial ISR, which was not significantly higher than that in Asym-GB subjects (P = 0.20). Glucagon was suppressed similarly by hyperglycemia in all groups but rose significantly after the meal in surgical individuals but remained suppressed in nonsurgical subjects. GLP-1 receptor blockade increased postprandial glucagon in both surgical groups.

CONCLUSIONS
Increased GLP-1–stimulated insulin secretion contributes significantly to hyperinsulinism in GB subjects. However, the exaggerated effect of GLP-1 on postprandial insulin secretion in surgical subjects is not significantly different in those with and without recurrent hypoglycemia.