bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Turban pin aspiration: New fashion, new syndrome
Authors: Ilan Ophir , Eliashar Ron , Hirshoren Nir , Hamdan Kasem , Gross Menachem 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Turban pin aspiration syndrome is a new clinical entity afflicting young Islamic girls wearing a turban.The goal of this study was to present our experience in diagnosis and treatment of this new entity, define its clinical and epidemiologic features, and shed a new light on the role of fashion in the increased incidence.Study Design:A retrospective study in a tertiary university hospital.Methods:Review of clinical parameters and epidemiologic features of 26 patients diagnosed with turban pin aspiration syndrome admitted to the Hadassah‐Hebrew University Hospitals in Jerusalem from 1990 to 2010.Results:All patients were Muslim females with an average age of 16 years. In all cases, the history was positive for accidental aspiration. Most of the pins were located in the trachea (42%). In 20 cases, the pins were extracted by rigid bronchoscopy without major complications. Fluoroscopy‐assisted rigid bronchoscopy was used successfully in three cases. In one case, the object was self‐ejected by coughing before the bronchoscopy, and two patients were referred to the chest unit for thoracotomy.Conclusions:Clinicians should be aware of this distinct form of foreign body aspiration, its method of diagnosis, and extraction techniques. A cultural investigation showed a difference in the turban‐fastening technique of young girls as compared with their mothers. Removal by rigid bronchoscopy is a safe method with a high success rate and should be considered as the preferred extraction method of choice. Laryngoscope, 2012
New evidence on innovation and market structure
Authors: Jadlow Joseph M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractArrow and Demsetz have disagreed on theoretical grounds as to whether the incentive to invent is likely to be greater in a competitive industry or a monopoly one. Past empirical studies of the relationship between the rate of innovation and market structure have suggested that innovation occurs at a faster rate within a competitive market structure. This paper employs more detailed data and a larger sample of markets than have most previous studies of this relationship. Using a sales‐weighted measure of innovation, the paper finds a positive and statistically significant relationship between the overall rate of innovation In individual markets and the level of seller concentration. This implies that public policy which reduces concentration may, through its impact on incentives, have the side effect of reducing the rate of innovation in the markets involved.
Workers' co‐operatives in Denmark
Authors: George Donald A. R. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe paper describes the growth and organization of workers' production co‐operatives in Denmark. Various theoretical propositions concerning workers' co‐operatives are tested empirically. All these propositions entail comparisons between co‐operatives and conventional firms in the same industry and are concerned with firms' lifespans, scale elasticities, factor intensities and productivity. In the light of empirical findings the paper briefly discusses the applicability to workers' co‐operatives of the theory of labour‐managed firms.
Strategic groupings as competitive benchmarks for formulating future competitive strategy: A modelling approach
Authors: Kumar K. Ravi , Thomas Howard , Fiegenbaum Avi 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPrevious studies on strategic groups have examined issues such as the identification of strategic groups, the relationship between strategic groups structure and industry performance, and the movement of strategic groups over time. In contrast to previous studies, this paper uses the analytical concepts of game theory to explore the question of what strategic groups will exist in the future. These benchmark (future) strategic groups represent long‐run strategic positions available within an industry and thus reference points for firms in developing sustainable competitive strategies. The benchmark strategic groups are discussed and comments are offered to illustrate how firms can use the benchmark information to redirect their strategic positions in order to survive and remain competitive in the long run.
Evaluation of motor unit potential wavelet analysis in the electrodiagnosis of neuromuscular disorders
Authors: Tomczykiewicz Kazimierz , Dobrowolski Andrzej P. , Wierzbowski Mariusz 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIntroduction:Electrophysiological studies of human motor units can use various electromyographic techniques. Together with the development of new techniques for analysis and processing of bioelectric signals, motor unit action potential (MUAP) wavelet analysis represents an important change in the development of electromyographic techniques.Methods:The proposed approach involves isolating single MUAPs, computing their scalograms, taking the maximum values of the scalograms in 5 selected scales, and averaging across MUAPs to give a single five‐dimensional feature vector per muscle. After Support Vector Machine analysis, the feature vector is reduced to a single decision parameter that allows the subject to be assigned to 1 of 3 groups: myogenic, healthy, or neurogenic. The software is available as freeware.Results:MUAP wavelet analysis yielded consistent results for the diagnostic index and muscle classification, with only 7 incorrect classifications out of a total of 1,015 samples.Conclusions:This proposed approach provides a sensitive and reliable method for evaluating and characterizing MUAPs. Muscle Nerve 46: 63–69, 2012
Electromyographs of the flexor digitorum profundus muscle are useful for the diagnosis of inclusion body myositis
Authors: Hokkoku Keiichi , Sonoo Masahiro , Higashihara Mana , Stålberg Erik , Shimizu Teruo 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIntroduction: The frequent observation of high‐amplitude and long‐duration motor unit potentials (MUPs) in inclusion body myositis (IBM) is problematic, because it may lead to a misdiagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Objective: To document the diagnostic utility of EMG from the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) muscle for IBM. Methods: Quantitative analyses of MUP parameters were performed in the FDP and biceps brachii (BB) muscles from 7 biopsy‐confirmed IBM patients. Results: In the FDP muscle, all MUP parameters were significantly decreased in IBM patients, which indicated the predominance of low‐amplitude and short‐duration MUPs in this muscle. In the BB muscle, most parameters were increased, suggesting the frequent contamination of high‐amplitude and long‐duration MUPs. Conclusions: Low‐amplitude MUPs in the FDP muscle indicate the presence of an advanced myopathy in this muscle that was extremely weak for all subjects. Examining the FDP muscle would reduce the chance of misdiagnosing IBM as ALS. Muscle Nerve 46: 181–186, 2012
Poly(L‐lactic acid) with added α‐tocopherol and resveratrol: optical, physical, thermal and mechanical properties
Authors: Hwang Sung Wook , Shim Jin Kie , Selke Susan EM , Soto‐Valdez Herlinda , Matuana Laurent , Rubino Maria , Auras Rafael 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPoly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) films containing various concentrations of two natural antioxidants, α‐tocopherol and resveratrol, were fabricated by a melt compounding and compression molding process. The influence of the antioxidants on the optical properties such as color and UV‐visible light transmission was analyzed. The thermal, mechanical, rheological and physical properties of PLLA films with added antioxidants were assessed. PLLA films with added α‐tocopherol and resveratrol showed a yellowish brown color and the lightness was influenced by the presence of the antioxidants. The glass transition and melting temperatures were significantly reduced with the addition of antioxidants while enhanced thermal stability was observed, which could be a benefit and important for processing and production. PLLA films with added antioxidants were slightly more hydrophobic than neat PLLA. The combination effect of plasticizing and enhancement of the elastic modulus with differing concentrations of two antioxidants played a critical role in the mechanical and thermomechanical properties of PLLA films. The melt viscosity of the PLLA films with added antioxidants was substantially higher than that of neat PLLA. The higher melt viscosity and G′(ω) could be an indication of formation of entanglement between PLLA and the two antioxidants. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of Acid Orange 7 Degradation in Solution by Gliding Arc Discharge with Different Forms of TiO2
Authors: Liu Hui , Du Chang Ming , Wang Jing , Li Hong Xia , Zhang Lu , Zhang Lu Lu 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPlasma catalysis for wastewater treatment is an emerging advanced oxidation process. In the present work, the performances of photocatalyst nanoparticles‐assisted and immobilized photocatalysts‐assisted gliding arc discharge (GAD) plasma reactors have been tested with the acid orange 7 (AO7) solution selected as the target wastewater. Immobilized photocatalysts of γ‐Al2O3–TiO2 were made by a sol–gel and immersion method with activated alumina balls used as carriers. Through the analysis of XRD, it was found that TiO2 surface was mainly anatase crystal‐based. Compared with TiO2 nanoparticles, the immobilized catalysts did not have the defects of inhibiting GAD which catalysts would be caused by suspended, therefore, showing a better catalytic performance. In the available range of dosage of catalysts, the catalytic effect of γ‐Al2O3–TiO2 was increased with dosage. When the catalyst amount was 10.0 g, COD of the target solution decreased with a rate constant of 0.0487 min−1 and an abatement rate of 39.2% in 40 min with TiO2 nanoparticles (0.375 g · L−1) as catalysts, but was decreased with a rate constant of 0.0573 min−1 and an abatement rate of 43.6% in 40 min with γ‐Al2O3–TiO2 as catalysts. The system of plasma and γ‐Al2O3–TiO2 catalysts is suitable for high concentration organic wastewater treatment and, moreover, can degrade and mineralize wastewater effectively.magnified image
Increased TGF‐β1‐mediated suppression of growth and motility in castrate‐resistant prostate cancer cells is consistent with Smad2/3 signaling
Authors: Miles Fayth L. , Tung Navpreet S. , Aguiar Adam A. , Kurtoglu Senem , Sikes Robert A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDElevated TGF‐β levels are associated with prostate cancer progression. Although TGF‐β is a tumor suppressor for normal epithelial and early‐stage cancer cells, it may act paradoxically as a tumor promoter in more advanced cancers, although its effects are largely cell and context dependent. This study analyzed prostate cancer responses to TGF‐β signaling in an isogenic model of androgen‐sensitive and castration‐resistant prostate cancer cells.METHODSPhosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2 and Smad3 were analyzed using immunoblotting. Proliferation and cell cycle responses to TGF‐β1 (5 ng/ml) were assessed using growth assays and flow cytometry for DNA content, as well as Western blot and immunoprecipitation of cell cycle proteins.RESULTSBoth androgen‐sensitive (LNCaP) and castration‐resistant (C4‐2 and C4‐2B) prostate cancer cell lines demonstrated TGF‐β1‐induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2/3 that was robust in metastatic lines. Smad phosphorylation was completely abrogated with inhibition of ALK‐5 kinase activity using the kinase inhibitor, SB‐431542. Increased sensitivity to TGF‐β1‐mediated growth inhibition was observed in C4‐2 and C4‐2B cells, as compared to LNCaP cells. This was paralleled with downregulation of Cyclin D and increased association of p15Ink4b or p27Kip with CDK's. Additionally, TGF‐β1 inhibited motility and invasion of metastatic cell lines.CONCLUSIONSTGF‐β‐mediated suppression of growth and motility is enhanced in metastatic, castration‐resistant prostate cancer cells. Enhanced TGF‐β1‐induced Smad2 and ‐3 signaling in prostate cancer cells may correlate with tumor suppressive activity. Therefore, the direct effects of TGF‐β1 on prostate cancer cells post‐castration may be anti‐tumorigenic and growth‐suppressive. Prostate 72:1339–1350, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dose–response relationships for the antifeedant effects of Humulus lupulus extracts against larvae and adults of the Colorado potato beetle
Authors: Gökçe Ayhan , Isaacs Rufus , Whalon Mark E 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Dose–response relationships for antifeedant effects of H. lupulus extracts against larvae and adults of the Colorado potato beetle (CPB) were determined in laboratory conditions. The larval and adult beetles were fed on potato leaflets treated with H. lupulus extract ranging from 0.4 to 40 mg mL−1 in a no‐choice situation. Their feeding behavior was recorded, and larval growth and antifeedant indexes were calculated.RESULTS: H. lupulus treatments significantly affected larval growth rate, and at higher concentrations the larval weights were significantly reduced over the course of the assay. Adults of CPB were more sensitive to the extracts than the larvae, and, even at lower doses, adult beetles were arrested for longer periods than larvae.CONCLUSION: These results indicate that H. lupulus extracts may have potential for control of CPB, particularly in organic farms where conventional insecticides are not available. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Interaction of proteinase inhibitors with Cry1Ac toxicity and the presence of 15 chymotrypsin cDNAs in the midgut of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Zhu Yu Cheng , West Sandy , Liu Fanny X. , He Yueping 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The potential development of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton and surging of non‐targeted insects is a major risk in the durability of Bt plant technology. Midgut proteinases are involved in Bt activation and degradation. Proteinase inhibitors may be used to control a wide range of insects and delay Bt resistance development. Proactive action to examine proteinase inhibitors for synergistic interaction with Bt toxin and cloning of proteinase cDNAs for RNAi is necessary to make transgenic cotton more versatile and durable.RESULTS: A sublethal dose (15 ppb) of Cry1Ac, 0.5% benzamidine and 0.02% phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride significantly suppressed midgut azocaseinase, tryptic and chymotryptic activities, and resulted in reductions in larval and pupal length and mass of Heliothis virescens. The combination of proteinase inhibitor and Bt suppressed 20–37% more larval body mass and 26–80% more enzymatic activities than the inhibitor only or Bt only. To facilitate knockdown‐resistance‐related proteinase genes, 15 midgut chymotrypsin cDNAs were sequenced. Most predicted chymotrypsins contained the conserved N‐termini IVGG, three catalytic center residues (His, Asp and Ser), substrate specificity determinant (Ser or Gly) and cysteines for disulfide bridges. These putative chymotrypsins were separated into three distinct groups, indicating the diverse proteinases evolved in this polyphagous insect.CONCLUSION: H. virescens has evolved diverse midgut proteinase genes. Proteinase inhibitors have potential insecticidal activity, and the interaction of Bt with proteinase inhibitors is desirable for enhancing Bt toxicity and delaying resistance development. Intensive sequencing of chymotrypsin cDNAs will facilitate future functional examinations of individual roles in Bt toxicity and resistance development and facilitate targeted control using RNAi and/or proteinase inhibitors. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Larvicidal activity of Cnidium monnieri fruit coumarins and structurally related compounds against insecticide‐susceptible and insecticide‐resistant Culex pipiens pallens and Aedes aegypti
Authors: Wang Zhangqian , Kim Jun‐Ran , Wang Mo , Shu Shaohua , Ahn Young‐Joon 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: An assessment was made of the toxicity of imperatorin and osthole identified in Cnidium monnieri fruit, 11 related compounds and five insecticides to larvae from insecticide‐susceptible Culex pipiens pallens (KS‐CP strain) and Aedes aegypti and wild C.p. pallens (YS‐CP colony) using a direct‐contact mortality bioassay. Results were compared with those of the conventional larvicide temephos.RESULTS: Imperatorin (LC50 = 3.14 and 2.88 mg L−1) was 1.9‐, 3.7‐ and 4.2‐fold and 2.4‐, 4.5‐ and 4.6‐fold more toxic than isopimpinellin, isoimperatorin and osthole against susceptible C. p. pallens and A. aegypti larvae respectively. Overall, all of the compounds were less toxic than temephos (0.011 and 0.019 mg L−1). The toxicity of these compounds was virtually identical against larvae from the two Culex strains, even though YS‐CP larvae were resistant to fenthion (resistance ratio RR = 390), deltamethrin (RR = 164), cyfluthrin (RR = 14) and temephos (RR = 14). This finding indicates that the coumarins and the insecticides do not share a common mode of action. The structure–activity relationship indicates that the chemical structure and alkoxy substitution and length of the alkoxyl side chain at the C8 position are essential for imparting toxicity.CONCLUSION: The C. monnieri fruit‐derived coumarins and the related coumarins described merit further study as potential insecticides or lead molecules for the control of insecticide‐resistant mosquito populations. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
The oxygen isotope relationship between the phosphate and structural carbonate fractions of human bioapatite
Authors: Chenery Carolyn A. , Pashley Vanessa , Lamb Angela L. , Sloane Hilary J. , Evans Jane A. 
Published: January 2012

RATIONALEOxygen isotope analysis of archaeological human dental enamel is widely used as a proxy for the drinking water composition (δ18ODW) of the individual and thus can be used as an indicator of their childhood place of origin. In this paper we demonstrate the robustness of structural carbonate oxygen isotope values (δ18OC) in bioapatite to preserve the life signal of human tooth enamel by comparing it with phosphate oxygen isotope values (δ18OP) derived from the same archaeological human tooth enamel samples.METHODSδ18OC analysis was undertaken on 51 archaeological tooth enamel samples previously analysed for δ18OP values and strontium isotopes. δ18OC values were determined on a GV IsoPrime dual inlet mass spectrometer, following a series of methodological tests to assess: (1) The reaction time needed to ensure complete release of CO2 from structural carbonate in the enamel; (2) The effect of an early pre‐treatment with dilute acetic acid to remove diagenetic carbonate; (3) Analytical error; (4) Intra‐tooth variation; and (5) Diagenetic alteration.RESULTSThis study establishes a direct relationship between δ18OC and δ18OP values from human tooth enamel (δ18OP = 1.0322 × δ18OC – 9.6849). We have combined this equation with the drinking water equation of Daux et al. (J. Hum. Evol. 2008, 55, 1138) to allow direct calculation of δ18ODW values from human bioapatite δ18OC (δ18ODW = 1.590 × δ18OC – 48.634).CONCLUSIONSThis is the first comprehensive study of the relationship between the ionic forms of oxygen (phosphate oxygen and structural carbonate) in archaeological human dental enamel. The new equation will allow direct comparison of data produced by the different methods and allow drinking water values to be calculated from structural carbonate data with confidence. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subcellular Tracking of Drug Release from Carbon Nanotube Vehicles in Living Cells
Authors: Kang Bin , Li Jun , Chang Shuquan , Dai Mingzhu , Ren Chao , Dai Yaodong , Chen Da 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe direct observation of drug release from carbon nanotube vehicles in living cells is realized through a unique two‐dye labeling approach. Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are firstly marked with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to track their location and movement inside the cell. Then a fluorescent anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) is attached by means of π‐stacking onto SWNTs. Delivered by SWNTs into cells, DOX will detach from the vehicle in an acidic environment due to the pH‐dependent π–π stacking interaction between DOX and SWNTs. From observation of the two different kinds of fluorescence (green and red) that respectively represent the carrier SWNTs and drug DOX, the process of drug release inside the living cell can be monitored under a confocal microscope. Results show that the drug DOX detaches from SWNTs inside the lysosomes to yield free molecules and escape into the cytoplasm and finally into the nucleus, while the vehicle SWNTs are trapped inside the lysosomes, without entering the nucleus. The current observations confirm previously proposed mechanisms for drug/DOX release inside cells. The experimental establishment of drug‐release mechanisms in living cells here might provide important insights for future design of new drug‐delivery and release systems.
Structural modification of waxy, regular, and high‐amylose maize and hulless barley starches on partial acid hydrolysis and their impact on physicochemical properties and chemical modification
Authors: Gao Jun , Vasanthan Thava , Hoover Ratnajothi , Li Jihong 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWaxy (WX), regular (RA), and high‐amylose (HA) maize and hulless barley (HB) starches were subjected to partial acid hydrolysis with 1.0 and 2.2 N HCl for 30–240 min. In both starches, the extent of hydrolysis with 1.0 N HCl followed the order: HA>WX>RA, whereas with 2.2 N HCl, the order was: HA>WX>RA (maize) and WX>HA>RA (HB), respectively. The relative crystallinity increased (HA>WX>RA) and the X‐ray pattern remained unchanged, whereas the swelling factor decreased (WX>RA>HA in maize and WX>HA>RA in HB) at both acid concentrations. Starches hydrolyzed with 1.0 N HCl exhibited increased gelatinization temperatures (WX>RA>HA in maize, WX>HA ∼ RA in HB), a narrower gelatinization temperature range (WX>RA>HA in maize, WX>RA ∼ HA in HB) and a decreased gelatinization enthalpy (WX>HA>RA in maize and HB). Acid hydrolysis increased the accessibility of the phosphorylating reagent into the amorphous regions. The extent of phosphorylation was more pronounced (maize>HB) in starches hydrolyzed with 1.0 N HCl for 60–90 min. The bound phosphorus content (BPC) followed the order: HA>WX>RA in maize and HB starches hydrolyzed with 1.0 N HCl for 240 min. In both starches, the extent of cationization was not influenced either by acid concentration or hydrolysis time. In general, acid hydrolysis significantly affected the reactivity of starch towards phosphorylation, where the optimum hydrolysis condition differed with starch source. The results would benefit the starch industry, since the amount of the phosphorylating reagent required for increasing thermal stability and/or freeze‐thaw stability could be decreased substantially, if starches are subjected to partial acid hydrolysis prior to derivatization.
A Family Experience of Personal Genomics
Authors: Corpas Manuel 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis article presents a personal journey of a close‐knit family from Málaga, Spain who engaged with direct‐to‐consumer (DTC) genomic testing. Whilst the testing was initiated by one member of the family who works as a genome bioinformatician, none of the remaining family had any prior experience with DTC genetic testing. A thoughtful account, written in the first person, is offered on the experience of genome testing across the various members of the family together with a reflection on how it felt to be a custodian of the ‘family genome’. The way the family processed their genome information is explored and the difficulties and challenges that resulted are discussed. Whilst there is a wealth of literature that describes how families communicate information surrounding single genes, there is very little which explores the experience of communication about whole, shared genomes. The experiences described in this paper provide an insight into this new territory.