bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Automakers' Short-Run Responses to Changing Gasoline Prices*
Authors: Langer Ashley , Miller Nathan H. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
We provide empirical evidence that automobile manufacturers use cash incentives to offset how gasoline price fluctuations affect the expected fuel expenses of automobile buyers. Regressions based on a database of incentives over 2003 to 2006 suggest that on average, manufacturers offset 40% of the change in relative fuel costs between vehicles due to gasoline price fluctuations. The results highlight that carbon taxes and emissions trading programs likely would generate substantial substitution within vehicle classes, and studies that ignore manufacturer discounting likely underestimate consumer demand for fuel economy. The results also have implications for the optimal design of feebate programs.
Consumption Smoothing after the Final Mortgage Payment: Testing the Magnitude Hypothesis
Authors: Scholnick Barry 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
We examine whether the magnitude of an anticipated income change affects consumption smoothing (the magnitude hypothesis). Although this hypothesis has been discussed for fifty years, we are one of the first to provide formal statistical evidence to support it. We consider the natural experiment of an individual's final mortgage payment, an anticipated income change, and examine how it affects credit card expenditure. We can identify causality because the dates of final mortgage payments across individuals are uncorrelated with unobserved determinants of consumption. Using an event study methodology, we provide evidence to support the magnitude hypothesis.
Short-Term Climate Extremes: Prediction Skill and Predictability
Authors: Becker Emily J. , van den Dool Huug , Peña Malaquias 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Forecasts for extremes in short-term climate (monthly means) are examined to understand the current prediction capability and potential predictability. This study focuses on 2-m surface temperature and precipitation extremes over North and South America, and sea surface temperature extremes in the Niño-3.4 and Atlantic hurricane main development regions, using the Climate Forecast System (CFS) global climate model, for the period of 1982–2010. The primary skill measures employed are the anomaly correlation (AC) and root-mean-square error (RMSE). The success rate of forecasts is also assessed using contingency tables.
The AC, a signal-to-noise skill measure, is routinely higher for extremes in short-term climate than those when all forecasts are considered. While the RMSE for extremes also rises, especially when skill is inherently low, it is found that the signal rises faster than the noise. Permutation tests confirm that this is not simply an effect of reduced sample size. Both 2-m temperature and precipitation forecasts have higher anomaly correlations in the area of South America than North America; credible skill in precipitation is very low over South America and absent over North America, even for extremes. Anomaly correlations for SST are very high in the Niño-3.4 region, especially for extremes, and moderate to high in the Atlantic hurricane main development region. Prediction skill for forecast extremes is similar to skill for observed extremes. Assessment of the potential predictability under perfect-model assumptions shows that predictability and prediction skill have very similar space–time dependence. While prediction skill is higher in CFS version 2 than in CFS version 1, the potential predictability is not.
Biocatalytic synthesis of flavones and hydroxyl-small molecules by recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing the cyanobacterial CYP110E1 gene
Authors: Makino Takuya , Otomatsu Toshihiko , Shindo Kazutoshi , Kitamura Emi , Sandmann Gerhard , Harada Hisashi , Misawa Norihiko 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Cyanobacteria possess several cytochrome P450s, but very little is known about their catalytic functions. CYP110 genes unique to cyanaobacteria are widely distributed in heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria including nitrogen-fixing genera Nostoc and Anabaena. We screened the biocatalytic functions of all P450s from three cyanobacterial strains of genus Nostoc or Anabaena using a series of small molecules that contain flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, low-molecular-weight drugs, and other aromatic compounds.

Results

Escherichia coli cells carrying each P450 gene that was inserted into the pRED vector, containing the RhFRed reductase domain sequence from Rhodococcus sp. NCIMB 9784 P450RhF (CYP116B2), were co-cultured with substrates and products were identified when bioconversion reactions proceeded. Consequently, CYP110E1 of Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120, located in close proximity to the first branch point in the phylogenetic tree of the CYP110 family, was found to be promiscuous for the substrate range mediating the biotransformation of various small molecules. Naringenin and (hydroxyl) flavanones were respectively converted to apigenin and (hydroxyl) flavones, by functioning as a flavone synthase. Such an activity is reported for the first time in prokaryotic P450s. Additionally, CYP110E1 biotransformed the notable sesquiterpene zerumbone, anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and flurbiprofen (methylester forms), and some aryl compounds such as 1-methoxy and 1-ethoxy naphthalene to produce hydroxylated compounds that are difficult to synthesize chemically, including novel compounds.

Conclusion
We elucidated that the CYP110E1 gene, C-terminally fused to the P450RhF RhFRed reductase domain sequence, is functionally expressed in E. coli to synthesize a robust monooxygenase, which shows promiscuous substrate specificity (affinity) for various small molecules, allowing the biosynthesis of not only flavones (from flavanones) but also a variety of hydroxyl-small molecules that may span pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.
Ultrafine particles affect the balance of endogenous pro- and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators in the lung: in-vitro and in-vivo studies
Authors: Beck-Speier Ingrid , Karg Erwin , Behrendt Heidrun , Stoeger Tobias , Alessandrini Francesca 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundExposure to ultrafine particles exerts diverse harmful effects including aggravation of pulmonary diseases like asthma. Recently we demonstrated in a mouse model for allergic airway inflammation that particle-derived oxidative stress plays a crucial role during augmentation of allergen-induced lung inflammation by ultrafine carbon particle (UfCP) inhalation. The mechanisms how particle inhalation might change the inflammatory balance in the lungs, leading to accelerated inflammatory reactions, remain unclear. Lipid mediators, known to be immediately generated in response to tissue injury, might be strong candidates for priming this particle-triggered change of the inflammatory balance.MethodsWe hypothesize that inhalation of UfCP may disturb the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators in: i) a model for acute allergic pulmonary inflammation, exposing mice for 24 h before allergen challenge to UfCP inhalation (51.7 nm, 507 μg/m3), and ii) anin-vitromodel with primary rat alveolar macrophages (AM) incubated with UfCP (10 μg/1 x 106cells/ml) for 1 h. Lungs and AM were analysed for pro- and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators, namely leukotriene B4(LTB4), prostaglandin E2(PGE2), 15(S)-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (15(S)-HETE), lipoxin A4(LXA4) and oxidative stress marker 8-isoprostane by enzyme immunoassays and immunohistochemistry.ResultsIn non-sensitized mice UfCP exposure induced a light non-significant increase of all lipid mediators. Similarly but significantly in rat AM all lipid mediators were induced already within 1 h of UfCP stimulation. Also sensitized and challenge mice exposed to filtered air showed a partially significant increase in all lipid mediators. In sensitized and challenged mice UfCP exposure induced highest significant levels of all lipid mediators in the lungs together with the peak of allergic airway inflammation on day 7 after UfCP inhalation. The levels of LTB4, 8-isoprostane and PGE2were significantly increased also one day after UfCP exposure. Immunohistochemistry localized highest concentrations of PGE2especially in AM one day after UfCP exposure.ConclusionOur results suggest that UfCP exposure affects the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators. In allergic mice, where the endogenous balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators is already altered, UfCP exposure aggravates the inflammation and the increase in anti-inflammatory, pro-resolving lipid mediators is insufficient to counterbalance the extensive inflammatory response. This may be a contributing mechanism that explains the increased susceptibility of asthmatic patients towards particle exposure.
Screening for in planta protein-protein interactions combining bimolecular fluorescence complementation with flow cytometry
Authors: Berendzen Kenneth Wayne , Böhmer Maik , Wallmeroth Niklas , Peter Sébastien , Vesić Marko , Zhou Ying , Tiesler Franziska KatharinaElisabeth , Schleifenbaum Frank , Harter Klaus 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Understanding protein and gene function requires identifying interaction partners using biochemical, molecular or genetic tools. In plants, searching for novel protein-protein interactions is limited to protein purification assays, heterologous in vivo systems such as the yeast-two-hybrid or mutant screens. Ideally one would be able to search for novel protein partners in living plant cells. We demonstrate that it is possible to screen for novel protein-protein interactions from a random library in protoplasted Arabidopsis plant cells and recover some of the interacting partners. Our screen is based on capturing the bi-molecular complementation of mYFP between an YN-bait fusion partner and a completely random prey YC-cDNA library with FACS. The candidate interactions were confirmed using in planta BiFC assays and in planta FRET-FLIM assays. From this work, we show that the well characterized protein Calcium Dependent Protein Kinase 3 (CPK3) interacts with APX3, HMGB5, ORP2A and a ricin B-related lectin domain containing protein At2g39050. This is one of the first random
in planta screens to be successfully employed.
Effects of intensivist coverage in a post-anaesthesia care unit on surgical patients' case mix and characteristics of the intensive care unit
Authors: Kastrup Marc , Seeling Matthes , Barthel Stefan , Bloch Andy , le Claire Marie , Spies Claudia , Scheller Matthias , Braun Jan 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Introduction
There is an increasing demand for intensive care in hospitals, which can lead to capacity limitations in the intensive care unit (ICU). Due to postponement of elective surgery or delayed admission of emergency patients, outcome may be negatively influenced. To optimize the admission process to intensive care, the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) was staffed with intensivist coverage around the clock. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the impact of the PACU on the structure of ICU-patients and the contribution to overall hospital profit in terms of changes in the case mix index for all surgical patients.

Methods
The administrative data of all surgical patients (n = 51,040) 20 months prior and 20 months after the introduction of a round-the-clock intensivist staffing of the PACU were evaluated and compared.

Results
The relative number of patients with longer length of stay (LOS) (more than seven days) in the ICU increased after the introduction of the PACU. The average monthly number of treatment days of patients staying less than 24 hours in the ICU decreased by about 50% (138.95 vs. 68.19 treatment days, P <0.005). The mean LOS in the PACU was 0.45 (± 0.41) days, compared to 0.27 (± 0.2) days prior to the implementation. The preoperative times in the hospital decreased significantly for all patients. The case mix index (CMI) per hospital day for all surgical patients was significantly higher after the introduction of a PACU: 0.286 (± 0.234) vs. 0.309 (± 0.272) P <0.001 CMI/hospital day.

Conclusions
The introduction of a PACU and the staffing with intensive care staff might shorten the hospital LOS for surgical patients. The revenues for the hospital, as determined by the case mix index of the patients per hospital day, increased after the implementation of a PACU and more patients can be treated in the same time, due to a better use of resources.
CIDeR: multifactorial interaction networks in human diseases
Authors: Lechner Martin , Höhn Veit , Brauner Barbara , Dunger Irmtraud , Fobo Gisela , Frishman Goar , Montrone Corinna , Kastenmüller Gabi , Waegele Brigitte , Ruepp Andreas 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe pathobiology of common diseases is influenced by heterogeneous factors interacting in complex networks. CIDeR http://mips.helmholtz-muenchen.de/cider/ is a publicly available, manually curated, integrative database of metabolic and neurological disorders. The resource provides structured information on 18,813 experimentally validated interactions between molecules, bioprocesses and environmental factors extracted from the scientific literature. Systematic annotation and interactive graphical representation of disease networks make CIDeR a versatile knowledge base for biologists, analysis of large-scale data and systems biology approaches.
RNA processing in the minimal organism Nanoarchaeum equitans
Authors: Randau Lennart 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Background
The minimal genome of the tiny, hyperthermophilic archaeon Nanoarchaeum equitans contains several fragmented genes and revealed unusual RNA processing pathways. These include the maturation of tRNA molecules via the trans-splicing of tRNA halves and genomic rearrangements to compensate for the absence of RNase P.

Results
Here, the RNA processing events in the N. equitans cell are analyzed using RNA-Seq deep sequencing methodology. All tRNA half precursor and tRNA termini were determined and support the tRNA trans-splicing model. The processing of CRISPR RNAs from two CRISPR clusters was verified. Twenty-seven C/D box small RNAs (sRNAs) and a H/ACA box sRNA were identified. The C/D box sRNAs were found to flank split genes, to form dicistronic tRNA-sRNA precursors and to be encoded within the tRNAMet intron.

Conclusions
The presented data provide an overview of the production and usage of small RNAs in a cell that has to survive with a highly reduced genome. N. equitans lost many essential metabolic pathways but maintains highly active CRISPR/Cas and rRNA modification systems that appear to play an important role in genome fragmentation.
Psychotropic-Related Hip Fractures: Meta-Analysis of First-Generation and Second-Generation Antidepressant and Antipsychotic Drugs
Authors: Oderda Lynda H , Young Jason R , Asche Carl V , Pepper Ginette A 
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND: In 2007, more than 18,000 adults aged 65 or older died from injuries related to falls, with up to 30% experiencing severe injuries such as hip fracture or head trauma. The economic impact of falls and fractures among older people is substantial, with direct economic consequences totaling $19 billion in 2000. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between antipsychotic and antidepressant agents and the risk of hip fracture in older adults, across multiple studies. METHODS: An English-language PubMed/MEDLINE search for studies from January 1966 to January 2011 was conducted, using key words including aged, hip fracture, fractures, antidepressive agents, and antipsychotic agents, as well as individual drug names. Criteria for study inclusion were mean subject age greater than or equal to 65 years, adjusted for age and sex, hip fracture-specific results provided, data specific to a drug class, subclass, or single agents, and cohort or case-controlled study design. Two authors reviewed all studies for inclusion/exclusion. A random effects model was used to calculate summary odds ratios. RESULTS: A total of 166 studies were identified in the initial search. Ten antipsychotic-related and 14 antidepressant-related studies, representing more than 70,000 hip fracture cases and approximately 270,000 subjects from 4 continents, met the inclusion criteria. Summary odds ratios (95% CI) were first-generation (conventional) antipsychotics 1.68 (1.43 to 1.99), second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics 1.30 (1.14 to 1.49), first-generation (tricyclic) antidepressants 1.71 (1.43 to 2.04), and second-generation (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and unique agents such as bupropion, mirtazapine, and trazodone) antidepressants 1.94 (1.37 to 2.76). Clear evidence of heterogeneity was noted among all antidepressant study analyses (I2 > 87%; Q statistic p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: All drug classes studied—first- and second-generation antipsychotics and antidepressants—were associated with an increased risk of hip fracture in predominantly older adult populations.
Echinocandin Resistance in Candida Species: Mechanisms of Reduced Susceptibility and Therapeutic Approaches
Authors: Beyda Nicholas D , Lewis Russell E , Garey Kevin W 
Published: July 2012

OBJECTIVE: To summarize published data regarding mechanisms of reduced echinocandin susceptibility in Candida spp., the impact of echinocandin resistance on the fitness and virulence of Candida isolates, and current and future treatment approaches. DATA SOURCES: A search of MEDLINE databases (1966-September 2011) was conducted. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Databases were searched using the terms echinocandin, resistance, and Candida. Citations from publications were reviewed for additional references. DATA SYNTHESIS: Echinocandins have in vitro activity against most Candida spp. and are first-line agents in the treatment of candidemia. However, case reports describing echinocandin treatment failure due to resistant isolates have been published. Reduced echinocandin susceptibility has been shown to occur via 3 main mechanisms: (1) adaptive stress responses, which result in elevated cell wall chitin content and paradoxical growth in vitro at supra minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs); (2) acquired FKS mutations, which confer reduced glucan synthase sensitivity, elevated MICs, and are associated with clinical failure; and (3) intrinsic FKS mutations, which are naturally occurring mutations in C. parapsilosis and C. guilliermondii, which confer elevated MIC levels but a lower level of reduced glucan synthase sensitivity compared with acquired FKS mutations. Some FKS mutants have been shown to have significantly reduced fitness and virulence versus wild type isolates and may contribute to the low incidence of echinocandin resistance reported in large surveillance studies. Treatment strategies evaluated for FKS mutants include echinocandin dose escalation and combination with agents such as calcineurin inhibitors, HSP90 inhibitors, and chitin synthase inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: While the incidence of echinocandin resistance in Candida spp. is low, it can present a significant therapeutic challenge, especially in multidrug-resistant Candida isolates. Dose escalation is unlikely to be effective in treating FKS mutant isolates, and significant adverse effects limit the clinical use of agents evaluated as combination therapy. Patients with infections failing to respond to echinocandin therapy should undergo susceptibility testing and be treated with an alternative antifungal agent if possible.
Moisture profiles in drying concrete
Authors: Parrott L. J. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis The effects of moisture upon concrete properties and performance are briefly reviewed. A system for nondestructively measuring the development of relative humidity and water content profiles in a uniaxially drying concrete cube is described. Relative humidities are measured with a purpose-built, miniature probe. Preliminary results show that the surface layers of concrete dry rapidly enough to impair curing of the cover zone that protects reinforcing steel. At depths greater than 20 mm drying was relatively slow. Water content results indicate that the surface layers are more porous than the underlying concrete. The measured effects of depth, OPC replacement and water/binder ratio upon the variations of relative humidity with time can be described with a simple empirical equation that incorporates a hyperbolic time function. The relative humidity dropped faster the lower the water/binder ratio and the higher the level of OPC replacement with pulverized-fuel ash or ground granulated blastfurnace slag.
A consolidation model for bleeding of cement paste
Authors: Tan T. S. , Wee T. H. , Tan S. A. , Tam C. T. , Lee S. L. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis Bleeding of freshly mixed cement paste, mortar or concrete is the result of a complicated interaction between various physical and chemical forces. In this paper, a self-weight consolidation model is proposed to explain this phenomenon. This model arises from the observation that, in the usual range of water/cement ratio by volume of 10-2-0, the concentration of cement paste is high and the cement particles are expected to be in close contact with each other, thus suggesting the presence of inter-particle forces. This is akin to the concept of effective stress in soil mechanics. The existence of such forces implies that bleeding must be governed by consolidation and not sedimentation as previously thought. Two series of tests were conducted and the results compared with the theoretical predictions. The very good agreement represents an improvement over traditional sedimentation models and suggests that the bleeding phenomenon may indeed be governed by the mechanics of consolidation.
Formation of Portland clinker—studies on synthetic raw meals
Authors: Rivera M. , Odler I. , Abdul-Maula S. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis On a series of laboratory made raw meals that contained only the four main oxides CaO, SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3the sequence of reactions leading to the formation of Portland clinker was studied. Pellets made from raw meals of different composition were heated to different temperatures and analysed after quenching in air. It was found that the sequence of reactions taking place in the burning process and the temperatures at which new phases became detectable were virtually independent of the A/F ratio (Al2O3/Fe2O3) in the raw meal whereas the rate of C2S and C3S formation was distinctly accelerated with increasing iron content.
A comparison between semi-isothermal and semi-adiabatic calorimetry of retarded cement mixes
Authors: Egan P. J. 
Published: July 2012

Synopsis A comparative study has been made of the effect of three retarding admixtures, representing the main commercially available materials, on the rate of heat evolution from hydrating cement. Two methods of calorimetry have been used, semi-isothermal and semi-adiabatic, to enable a preliminary assessment to be made of any major differences between the methods. Because of experimental differences, the results from the two test methods are not directly comparable, but significant differences are seen between the two sets of data. This emphasizes the need to take into account the effect of temperature rise during cement hydration and the differing effects of various admixtures.