bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Myristate Moiety and Amino Terminus of Vaccinia Virus L1 Constitute a Bipartite Functional Region Needed for Entry
Authors: Foo Chwan Hong , Whitbeck J. Charles , Ponce-de-León Manuel , Saw Wan Ting , Cohen Gary H. , Eisenberg Roselyn J. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT
Vaccinia virus (VACV) L1 is a myristoylated envelope protein which is required for cell entry and the fusion of infected cells. L1 associates with members of the entry-fusion complex (EFC), but its specific role in entry has not been delineated. We recently demonstrated (Foo CH, et al., Virology 385:368–382, 2009) that soluble L1 binds to cells and blocks entry, suggesting that L1 serves as the receptor-binding protein for entry. Our goal is to identify the structural domains of L1 which are essential for its functions in VACV entry. We hypothesized that the myristate and the conserved residues at the N terminus of L1 are critical for entry. To test our hypothesis, we generated mutants in the N terminus of L1 and used a complementation assay to evaluate their ability to rescue infectivity. We also assessed the myristoylation efficiency of the mutants and their ability to interact with the EFC. We found that the N terminus of L1 constitutes a region that is critical for the infectivity of VACV and for myristoylation. At the same time, the nonmyristoylated mutants were incorporated into mature virions, suggesting that the myristate is not required for the association of L1 with the viral membrane. Although some of the mutants exhibited altered structural conformations, two mutants with impaired infectivity were similar in conformation to wild-type L1. Importantly, these two mutants, with changes at A4 and A5, undergo myristoylation. Overall, our results imply dual differential roles for myristate and the amino acids at the N terminus of L1. We propose a myristoyl switch model to describe how L1 functions.
Triage of pregnant women in the emergency department: evaluation of a triage decision aid
Authors: McCarthy Mary , McDonald Susan , Pollock Wendy 
Published: March 2012

BackgroundApplying the Australasian Triage Scale to pregnant women presenting to emergency departments (EDs) is difficult as the descriptors may not reflect the urgency of the obstetric condition. This study aimed to examine whether condition-specific algorithms and triage education improved triage assessment and documentation of pregnant women presenting to the ED.MethodAlgorithms with a decision aid for triage with minimum agreed descriptors were developed to triage two pregnancy conditions (pre-eclampsia and antepartum haemorrhage). Triage documentation was then audited before (n=50) and after (n=50) a triage education programme which introduced algorithms for both conditions. Significant differences were examined using χ2test with significance set at p<0.05.ResultsThe quality of documentation of specific clinically significant symptoms of pre-eclampsia improved considerably, including the presence of headache from 58% pre-education to 80% post-education (p=0.002), visual disturbances from 58% to 90% (p<0.001), epigastric pain from 24% to 80% (p=0.002) and the presence of fetal movements from 62% to 90% (p=0.001). Documentation of descriptors for vaginal bleeding >20 weeks gestation improved for estimation of blood loss from 54% to 86% (p<0.001), patient ‘appearance’ from 32% to 62% (p=0.003) and, importantly, descriptions of patient's own assessment of their well-being from 8% to 28% (p=0.009).ConclusionThe introduction of triage education and condition-specific decision aids for triage markedly improved triage assessment and documentation. The application of algorithms may reduce clinical risk resulting from suboptimal triage of pregnant women presenting to EDs.
Comparative effectiveness of two self-collected sample kit distribution systems for chlamydia screening on a university campus
Authors: Jenkins Wiley D , Weis Rob , Campbell Paula , Barnes Mathilda , Barnes Perry , Gaydos Charlotte 
Published: March 2012

ObjectivesChlamydia trachomatis(CT) rates and incidence continue to increase, and university students are known to engage in high-risk activities, but studies of CT prevalence in this population are limited by poor screening rates. Utilisation of self-obtained sample (SoS) kits in private student residencies may reduce screening barriers. The authors sought to determine the relative effectiveness, and comparative effectiveness, of two SoS kit distribution mechanisms: one which provided kits directly to students and another encouraging students to order kits from a website.MethodsDuring 2010–2011, residents of six university dormitories were provided training sessions describing CT, the project and SoS kit use. Students in three dormitories were provided kits, and the remaining students directed to the website (http://www.iwantthekit.org).ResultsOf 391 resident students, 163 were provided with kits and 175 were directed to the website. Of provided kits, 12 (8 women) were returned and 2 (16.7%; both women) were positive. Of only three internet-requested kits, all were returned (all women) and none were positive. In a post-project survey examining non-participation, 26.2% of students were unaware of the project (no difference by dormitory or gender) and 58.5% of women cited prior testing as part of a medical exam.ConclusionsThough direct kit distribution was more effective in student screening engagement, overall participation was poor despite widespread advertising. The methodology of online testing and SoS kits has been well validated elsewhere, but research is needed to successfully engage university students in screening and refine SoS target populations in light of changing healthcare policies.
BILINEAR MAPS ON ARTINIAN MODULES
Authors: BERGMAN GEORGE M. 
Published: March 2012

It is shown that if a bilinear map f : A × B → C of modules over a commutative ring k is nondegenerate (i.e. if no nonzero element of A annihilates all of B, and vice versa), and A and B are Artinian, then A and B are of finite length. Some consequences are noted. Counterexamples are given to some attempts to generalize the above result to balanced bilinear maps of bimodules over noncommutative rings, while the question is raised whether other such generalizations are true.
HALF-ISOMORPHISMS OF MOUFANG LOOPS OF ODD ORDER
Authors: GAGOLA STEPHEN , GIULIANI MARIA DE LOURDES MERLINI 
Published: March 2012

A half-isomorphism φ : G → K between multiplicative systems G and K is a bijection from G onto K such that φ(ab) ∈ {φ(a)φ(b), φ(b)φ(a)} for any a, b ∈ G. It was shown by W. R. Scott [Half-homomorphisms of groups, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 8 (1957) 1141–1144] that if G is a group then φ is either an isomorphism or an anti-isomorphism. This is used to prove that a finite group is determined by its group determinant. Here we show that every half-isomorphism between Moufang loops of odd order is either an isomorphism or an anti-isomorphism. Such a result does not carry over to Moufang loops of even order.
A combined pharmacometric analysis of dabigatran etexilate in healthy volunteers and patients with atrial fibrillation or undergoing orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Lehr Thorsten , Liesenfeld Karl-Heinz , Haertter Sebastian , Staab Alexander , Dansirikul Chantaratsamon 
Published: March 2012

SummaryDabigatran etexilate is the orally bioavailable pro-drug of dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor. Using data from eight clinical studies in healthy volunteers and patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) or undergoing orthopaedic surgery (OS), population pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) models were developed to investigate whether the PK and PD of dabigatran differ across different populations. In both healthy volunteers (n=80) and patients (n=1,965), the PK of dabigatran was best described by a two-compartment disposition model with first-order absorption and elimination. Renal function was the only covariate shown to have a clinically relevant impact on dabig-atran exposure. The patient PK model was successfully applied in predicting exposure observed in the RE-LY trial evaluating dabigatran treatment in patients with non-valvular AF. The relationship between dabigatran plasma concentrations and activated partial thromboplastin time in healthy volunteers and patients (n=762) was best described with a combination of a linear model and a maximum effect (Emax) model, consistent with previous reports. PK/PD relationships were robust across the various populations tested and were not affected by any of the covariates examined. In summary, the PK of dabigatran is sufficiently consistent to allow extrapolation of data generated in healthy volunteers to patients with AF or undergoing OS.
Molecular analysis and genotype-phenotype correlation in patients with antithrombin deficiency from Southern Italy
Authors: Castaldo Giuseppe , Cerbone Anna , Guida Anna , Tandurella Igor , Ingino Rosaria , Ceglia Carlo , Di Minno Matteo Nicola , Ruocco Anna , Tufano Antonella , Di Minno Giovanni 
Published: March 2012

SummaryWe sequenced the SERPINC1 gene in 26 patients (11 males) with antithrombin (AT) deficiency (22 type I, 4 type II), belonging to 18 unrelated families from Southern Italy. Heterozygous mutations were identified in 15/18 (83.3%) families. Of them, eight were novel mutations, each being identified in one family. Seven clearly cause impaired protein synthesis (four frameshift, one non-stop, one splicing and one 21bp deletion). One, present in a single patient, is a missense mutation thought to be causative because: a) it is absent in 100 chromosomes from controls; b) it involves a highly conserved amino acid, whose change is predicted to impair AT activity; c) no other mutation is present in the propositus. Severe mutations (i.e. nonsense, frameshift, deletions) were invariably identified in type I patients. In type II patients, 3/4 were missense mutations; the fourth leads to a 19 nucleotides shift in the stop codon. In addition to the type of mutation, the co-existence of other predisposing factors in most patients helps explain the severity of the present type I cases (age at first event, recurrence during prophylaxis). In the five families in which there was more than one member affected, the same genotype and a concordant clinical expression of the disease were found. We conclude that the molecular bases of AT deficiency in Southern Italy are different as compared to other geographic areas, and that molecular analysis and the study of the effect of the mutation may help predict the clinical expression of the disease.
Oral anticoagulation use by patients with atrial fibrillation in Germany
Authors: Wilke Thomas , Groth Antje , Mueller Sabrina , Pfannkuche Matthias , Verheyen Frank , Linder Roland , Maywald Ulf , Kohlmann Thomas , Feng You-Shan , Breithardt Günter , Bauersachs Rupert 
Published: March 2012

SummaryAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common significant cardiac rhythm disorder. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is recommended by guidelines in the presence of a moderate to high risk of stroke. Based on an analysis of claims-based data, the aim of this contribution is to quantify the stroke-risk dependent OAC utilisation profile of German AF patients as well as the possible causes and the associated clinical outcomes of OAC under-use. Our data set was derived from two large mandatory German medical insurance funds. Risk stratification of patients was based on the CHADS2-score and the CHA2DS2-VASc-score. Two different scenarios were constructed to deal with factors potentially disfavouring OAC use. Causes of OAC under-use and its clinical consequences were analysed using multivariate analysis. Observation year was 2008. A total of 183,448 AF patients met the inclusion criteria. This represents an AF prevalence of 2.21%. The average CHADS2-score was 2.8 (CHA2DS2-VASc-score: 4.3). On between 40.5 and 48.7% of the observed patient-days, there was no antithrombotic protection by OAC, other anticoagulants or aspirin. Older female patients with a high number of comorbidities had a higher risk of OAC under-use. Patients who had already experienced a thromboembolic event had a lower risk of OAC under-use. In the observation year, 3,367 patients experienced a stroke (incidence rate 1.8%). In our multi-level Poisson random effects estimate, OAC use decreases the stroke rate by almost 80% (IRR 0.236). In conclusion, OAC under-use is widespread in the German market. It is associated with severe clinical consequences.
The Impact of Size Sorting on the Polarimetric Radar Variables
Authors: Kumjian Matthew R. , Ryzhkov Alexander V. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractDifferential sedimentation of precipitation occurs because heavier hydrometeors fall faster than lighter ones. Updrafts and vertical wind shear can maintain this otherwise transient size sorting, resulting in prolonged regions of ongoing particle sorting in storms. This study quantifies the impact of size sorting on the S-band polarimetric radar variables (radar reflectivity factor at horizontal polarization ZH, differential reflectivity ZDR, specific differential phase KDP, and the copolar cross-correlation coefficient ρhv). These variables are calculated from output of two idealized bin models: a one-dimensional model of pure raindrop fallout and a two-dimensional rain shaft encountering vertical wind shear. Additionally, errors in the radar variables as simulated by single-, double-, and triple-moment bulk microphysics parameterizations are quantified for the same size sorting scenarios.Size sorting produces regions of sparsely concentrated large drops with a lack of smaller drops, causing ZDR enhancements as large as 1 dB in areas of decreased ZH, often along a ZH gradient. Such areas of enhanced ZDR are offset from those of high ZH and KDP. Illustrative examples of polarimetric radar observations in a variety of precipitation regimes demonstrate the widespread occurrence of size sorting and are consistent with the bin model simulations. Single-moment schemes are incapable of size sorting, leading to large underestimations in ZDR (&gt;2 dB) compared to the bin model solution. Double-moment schemes with a fixed spectral shape parameter produce excessive size sorting by incorrectly increasing the number of large raindrops, overestimating ZDR by 2–3 dB. Three-moment schemes with variable shape parameters better capture the narrowing drop size distribution resulting from size sorting but can underestimate ZDR and overestimate KDP by as much as 20%. Implications for polarimetric radar data assimilation into storm-scale numerical weather prediction models are discussed.
Observational Evidences of Double Cropping Impacts on the Climate in the Northern China Plains
Authors: Ho C.-H. , Park S.-J. , Jeong S.-J. , Kim J. , Jhun J.-G. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The impacts of harvested cropland in the double cropping region (DCR) of the northern China plains (NCP) on the regional climate are examined using surface meteorological data and the satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and land surface temperature (LST). The NDVI data are used to distinguish the DCR from the single cropping region (SCR) in the NCP. Notable increases in LST in the period May–June are found in the area identified as the DCR on the basis of the NDVI data. The difference between the mean daily maximum temperature averaged over the DCR and SCR stations peaks at 1.27°C in June. The specific humidity in the DCR is significantly smaller than in the SCR. These results suggest that the enhanced agricultural production by multiple cropping may amplify regional warming and aridity to further modify the regional climate in addition to the global climate change. Results in this study may also be used as a quantitative observed reference state of the crop/vegetation effects for future climate modeling studies.
Asymmetric Modulation of Western North Pacific Cyclogenesis by the Madden–Julian Oscillation under ENSO Conditions
Authors: Li Richard C. Y. , Zhou Wen , Chan Johnny C. L. , Huang P. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The present study investigates the modulation by the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and the impact of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on tropical cyclone (TC) genesis in the western North Pacific (WNP) during the period 1975–2010. Results reveal a stronger modulation of cyclogenesis by the MJO during El Niño years, while the modulations in neutral and La Niña years are comparable to each other.
The asymmetric background modification by ENSO is found to greatly affect the extent of MJO modulation under different ENSO conditions. First, MJO activity is intensified and extends farther eastward during El Niño years, instead of being confined west of 150°E as in neutral and La Niña periods. Thus, the influence of MJO is stronger and more zonally widespread in El Niño years, causing significant differences in cyclogenesis parameters in most parts of the WNP. In El Niño years, cyclogenesis is further enhanced in the active phase due to synchronization of MJO signals with favorable background ENSO conditions. While in the inactive phase, the dominance of the strong MJO signals leads to further suppression in TC formation. This leads to overall enhancement of the MJO–TC relationship during El Niño years. On the other hand, the MJO signals confined to the western region west of 150°E in neutral and La Niña years lead to changes in TC-related parameters mainly in the western region, which contribute to the comparatively weaker TC modulations. It can thus be concluded that the MJO has an asymmetric modulation on cyclogenesis in the WNP under different ENSO conditions.
Testing the Role of Radiation in Determining Tropical Cloud-Top Temperature
Authors: Harrop Bryce E. , Hartmann Dennis L. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
A cloud-resolving model is used to test the hypothesis that radiative cooling by water vapor emission is the primary control on the temperature of tropical anvil clouds. The temperature of ice clouds in the simulation can be increased or decreased by changing only the emissivity of water vapor in the upper troposphere. The effect of the model’s fixed ozone profile on stability creates a pressure-dependent inhibition of convection, leading to a small warming in cloud-top temperature as SST is increased. Increasing stratospheric water vapor also warms the cloud-top temperature slightly. Changing the latent heat of fusion reduces the cloud fraction at high altitudes, but does not significantly change temperature at which cloud fraction peaks in the upper troposphere. The relationship between radiatively driven horizontal mass convergence and cloud fraction that causes cloud temperature to be insensitive to surface temperature is preserved when a large model domain is used so that convection aggregates in a small part of the model domain.
Visualizing Model Data Using a Fast Approximation of a Radiative Transfer Model
Authors: Lakshmanan Valliappa , Rabin Robert , Otkin Jason , Kain John S. , Dembek Scott 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Visualizing model forecasts using simulated satellite imagery has proven very useful because the depiction of forecasts using cloud imagery can provide inferences about meteorological scenarios and physical processes that are not characterized well by depictions of those forecasts using radar reflectivity. A forward radiative transfer model is capable of providing such a visible-channel depiction of numerical weather prediction model output, but present-day forward models are too slow to run routinely on operational model forecasts.
It is demonstrated that it is possible to approximate the radiative transfer model using a universal approximator whose parameters can be determined by fitting the output of the forward model to inputs derived from the raw output from the prediction model. The resulting approximation is very close to the result derived from the complex radiative transfer model and has the advantage that it can be computed in a small fraction of the time required by the forward model. This approximation is carried out on model forecasts to demonstrate its utility as a visualization and forecasting tool.
Impacts of Convectively Coupled Kelvin Waves on Environmental Conditions for Atlantic Tropical Cyclogenesis
Authors: Ventrice Michael J. , Thorncroft Christopher D. , Schreck Carl J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractHigh-amplitude convectively coupled equatorial atmospheric Kelvin waves (CCKWs) are explored over the tropical Atlantic during the boreal summer (1989–2009). Focus is given to the atmospheric environmental conditions that are important for tropical cyclogenesis.CCKWs are characterized by deep westerly vertical wind shear to the east of its convectively active phase and easterly vertical wind shear to the west of it. This dynamical signature increases vertical wind shear over the western tropical Atlantic ahead of the convectively active phase, and reduces vertical wind shear after its passage. The opposite is true over the eastern tropical Atlantic where the climatological vertical wind shear is easterly.Positive total column water vapor (TCWV) anomalies progress eastward with the convectively active phase of the CCKW, whereas negative TCWV anomalies progress eastward with the convectively suppressed phase. During the passage of the convectively active phase of the CCKW, a zonally oriented strip of low-level cyclonic relative vorticity is generated over the tropical Atlantic. Two days later, this strip becomes more wavelike and moves back toward the west. This signature resembles a train of westward-moving easterly waves and suggests CCKWs may influence such events.Strong CCKWs over the tropical Atlantic tend to occur during the decay of the active convection associated with the Madden–Julian oscillation over the Pacific. This relationship could be used to provide better long-range forecasts of tropical convective patterns and Atlantic tropical cyclogenesis.
Patterns and Predictive Factors of Lateral Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma
Authors: Kim Yon Seon 
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveTo determine the incidence and patterns of and to evaluate the predictive factors for lateral cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingAcademic university hospitalSubjects and MethodsFrom March 2007 to September 2010, a retrospective review was performed of 490 patients with PTMC who underwent total thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection with or without lateral cervical lymph node dissection. The clinicopathologic results were reviewed, and the incidence and patterns of lateral cervical lymph node metastasis were analyzed.ResultsThe overall frequency of central and lateral LNM was 39.6% and 3.0%, respectively. The incidence of lateral lymph node metastasis in level IIa, III, IV, Vb, IIb, and Va was 46.7%, 53.3%, 73.3%, 6.7%, 6.7%, and 20.0%, respectively. Lateral LNM without central LNM was observed in 3 (0.6%) cases of PTMC. A multivariate analysis revealed that the predictive factors for the presence of lateral lymph node metastasis are male sex, increased tumor size, T4 stage, and pathologic central lymph node metastasis.ConclusionAlthough lateral LNM was rare, the surgeon should perform thorough preoperative studies to look for lateral LNM in cases of PTMC if the patient is male, has a relatively larger tumor size, and has aggressive mass and also to look for the possibility of skip metastasis. Lymph node metastasis involving the spinal accessory chain (IIb) was not that rare, and careful level IIb lymph node dissection should be considered for patients who will undergo a modified radical neck dissection for lateral LNM.