bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional characterization of the complement receptor type 1 and its circulating ligands in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Arakelyan Arsen , Zakharyan Roksana , Khoyetsyan Aren , Poghosyan David , Aroutiounian Rouben , Mrazek Frantisek , Petrek Martin , Boyajyan Anna 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackgroundWhereas the complement system alterations contribute to schizophrenia, complement receptors and regulators are little studied. We investigated complement receptor type 1 (CR1) expression on blood cells, the levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC) containing ligands of CR1, C1q complement protein and fragments of C3 complement protein (C1q-CIC, C3d-CIC), and CR1 C5507G functional polymorphism in schizophrenia patients and controls.ResultsWe found an increased C1q-CIC level and CR1 expression on blood cells, elevated number of CR1 positive erythrocytes and reduced number of CR1 positive lymphocytes and monocytes in patients compared to controls. No difference in the levels of C3d-CIC between groups was observed. Higher CR1 expression on erythrocytes in CC genotype versus CG+GG for both groups was detected, whereas no difference was observed for other cell populations. Our results indicated that schizophrenia is associated with the increased CR1 expression and C1q-CIC level.ConclusionsOur study for the first time indicated that schizophrenia is associated with the increased CR1 expression and C1q-CIC level. Further studies in other ethnic groups are needed to replicate these findings.
Does adding risk-trends to survival models improve in-hospital mortality predictions? A cohort study
Authors: Wong Jenna , Taljaard Monica , Forster Alan J , van Walraven Carl 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Clinicians informally assess changes in patients' status over time to prognosticate their outcomes. The incorporation of trends in patient status into regression models could improve their ability to predict outcomes. In this study, we used a unique approach to measure trends in patient hospital death risk and determined whether the incorporation of these trend measures into a survival model improved the accuracy of its risk predictions.

Methods
We included all adult inpatient hospitalizations between 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2009 at our institution. We used the daily mortality risk scores from an existing time-dependent survival model to create five trend indicators: absolute and relative percent change in the risk score from the previous day; absolute and relative percent change in the risk score from the start of the trend; and number of days with a trend in the risk score. In the derivation set, we determined which trend indicators were associated with time to death in hospital, independent of the existing covariates. In the validation set, we compared the predictive performance of the existing model with and without the trend indicators.

Results
Three trend indicators were independently associated with time to hospital mortality: the absolute change in the risk score from the previous day; the absolute change in the risk score from the start of the trend; and the number of consecutive days with a trend in the risk score. However, adding these trend indicators to the existing model resulted in only small improvements in model discrimination and calibration.

Conclusions
We produced several indicators of trend in patient risk that were significantly associated with time to hospital death independent of the model used to create them. In other survival models, our approach of incorporating risk trends could be explored to improve their performance without the collection of additional data.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation and biofeedback therapy may improve endometrial growth for patients with thin endometrium during frozen-thawed embryo transfer: A preliminary report
Authors: Bodombossou-Djobo Madafeitom MA , Zheng Chengyu , Chen Shaoqing , Yang Dongzi 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
To investigate the effect of pelvic floor Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) Therapy in improving endometrial thickness in women with thin endometrium.

Methods
41 patients undergoing assisted reproduction with a thin endometrium (less than or equal to7 mm) were recruited and advised to go for a pelvic floor NMES in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle. PHENIX Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Therapy System was used according to the manufacturer's recommended protocol for 20 to 30 minutes of intermittent vaginal electrical stimulation on the treatment days.

Results
A total of 20 and 21 were included in the NMES and non-NMES groups respectively. 12 out of 20 (60%) patients developed endometrial thickness equal to or more than 8 mm after the NMES therapy, which was the primary outcome. The mean thickness of endometrium before and after was respectively 5.60 mm (0.82 mm) and 7.93 mm (1.42 mm) in the therapy group versus 5.50 mm (1.00) and 6.78 mm (0.47) in the control group; the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.002). There was higher pregnancy rate in the NMES group (42% versus 35%) but the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion
Neuromuscular Electrical stimulation therapy may be effective for the patients with a thin endometrium. Further studies are needed to investigate its effectiveness.
Functionalised graphene sheets as effective high dielectric constant fillers
Authors: Romasanta Laura J , Hernández Marianella , López-Manchado Miguel A , Verdejo Raquel 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
A new functionalised graphene sheet (FGS) filled poly(dimethyl)siloxane insulator nanocomposite has been developed with high dielectric constant, making it well suited for applications in flexible electronics. The dielectric permittivity increased tenfold at 10 Hz and 2 wt.% FGS, while preserving low dielectric losses and good mechanical properties. The presence of functional groups on the graphene sheet surface improved the compatibility nanofiller/polymer at the interface, reducing the polarisation process. This study demonstrates that functionalised graphene sheets are ideal nanofillers for the development of new polymer composites with high dielectric constant values.
PACS: 78.20.Ci, 72.80.Tm, 62.23.Kn
Production of silk sericin/silk fibroin blend nanofibers
Authors: Zhang Xianhua , Tsukada Masuhiro , Morikawa Hideaki , Aojima Kazuki , Zhang Guangyu , Miura Mikihiko 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Silk sericin (SS)/silk fibroin (SF) blend nanofibers have been produced by electrospinning in a binary SS/SF trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) solution system, which was prepared by mixing 20 wt.% SS TFA solution and 10 wt.% SF TFA solution to give different compositions. The diameters of the SS/SF nanofibers ranged from 33 to 837 nm, and they showed a round cross section. The surface of the SS/SF nanofibers was smooth, and the fibers possessed a bead-free structure. The average diameters of the SS/SF (75/25, 50/50, and 25/75) blend nanofibers were much thicker than that of SS and SF nanofibers. The SS/SF (100/0, 75/25, and 50/50) blend nanofibers were easily dissolved in water, while the SS/SF (25/75 and 0/100) blend nanofibers could not be completely dissolved in water. The SS/SF blend nanofibers could not be completely dissolved in methanol. The SS/SF blend nanofibers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and differential thermal analysis. FTIR showed that the SS/SF blend nanofibers possessed a random coil conformation and ß-sheet structure.
Polarization division multiple access with polarization modulation for LOS wireless communications
Authors: Cao Bin , Zhang Qin-Yu , Jin Lin 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
In this paper, we discuss a potential multiple access and modulation scheme based on polarized states (PS) of electromagnetic (EM) waves for line-of-sight (LOS) communications. The proposed scheme is theoretic different from the existing polar modulation for EDGE and WCDMA systems. We propose the detailed bit representation (modulation) and multiple access scheme using PS. Because of the inflexibility of polarization information in the time and frequency domains, as well as independence of frequency and space, the polarization information can be used independently for wireless communications, i.e., another independent resource domain that can be utilized. Due to the independence between the PS and the specific features of signals (such as waveform, bandwidth and data rate), the discussed polarization division multiple access (PDMA) and polarization modulation (PM) are expected to improve the spectrum utilization effectively. It is proved that the polarization filtering technique can be adopted in the PDMA-PM wireless communications to separate the multiuser signals and demodulate the bit information representing by PS for desired user. Some theoretical analysis is done to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed scheme, and the simulation results are made to evaluate the performance of the suggested system.
Evolutionary variation of papillomavirus E2 protein and E2 binding sites
Authors: Rogers Adam , Waltke Mackenzie , Angeletti Peter C 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
In an effort to identify the evolutionary changes relevant to E2 function, within and between papillomavirus genera, we evaluated the E2 binding sites (E2BS)s inside the long-control-region (LCR), and throughout the genomes. We identified E2BSs in the six largest genera of papillomaviruses: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Lambda, and Xi-papillomaviruses (128 genomes), by comparing the sequences with a model consensus we created from known functional E2BSs (HPV16, HPV18, BPV1). We analyzed the sequence conservation and nucleotide content of the 4-nucleotide spacer within E2BSs. We determined that there is a statistically significant difference in GC content of the four-nucleotide E2BS spacer, between Alpha and Delta-papillomaviruses, as compared to each of the other groups. Additionally, we performed multiple alignments of E2 protein sequences using members of each genus in order to identify evolutionary changes within the E2 protein.

Results
When a phylogenetic tree was generated from E2 amino acid sequences, it was discovered that the alpha-papillomavirus genera segregates into two distinct subgroups (α1 and α2). When these subgroups were individually analyzed, it was determined that the subgroup α1 consensus E2BS favored a spacer of AAAA, whereas subgroup α2 favored the opposite orientation of the same spacer; TTTT. This observation suggests that these conserved inverted linkers could have functional importance.
Increased performance uncertainty in children with ADHD? - Elevated post-imperative negative variation (PINV) over the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex
Authors: Werner Janina , Weisbrod Matthias , Resch Franz , Roessner Veit , Bender Stephan 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
We aimed to investigate the influences of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on response evaluation, as reflected by the postimperative negative variation (PINV), a slow event-related potential.

Methods
We investigated PINV as an indicator of performance uncertainty in an audio-visual contingent negative variation (CNV) paradigm with an interstimulus interval of 3 seconds. A constant, unilateral, quick motor reaction with either the right or the left thumb was required after an auditory forewarned (S1) visual imperative stimulus (S2). We examined 18 ADHD patients (combined or hyperactive-impulsive subtype) aged between 8 and 14 years and an age-, sex and IQ-matched control group of 19 healthy subjects using 64-channel high-density EEG. A first run was recorded drug-free, a second one under methylphenidate (MPH) medication in the ADHD group.

Results
We found a significantly increased negativity of the PINV-component over the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex in ADHD children compared to the healthy control group. PINV amplitude was influenced by movement side, most likely due to the slightly more difficult task when left hand responses were required. After the intake of MPH, PINV amplitudes of ADHD children normalized.

Conclusions
We conclude that children with ADHD are likely to be more uncertain about the correctness of their performance and interpret the increased PINV as a hint towards compensatory mechanisms for a deficit in the evaluation of contingencies. Further studies are needed to assess the exact extent to which remainders of eye-movement related potentials contribute to PINV amplitude despite the correction for eye-artifacts.
Environmental versatility promotes modularity in genome-scale metabolic networks
Authors: Samal Areejit , Wagner Andreas , Martin Olivier C 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
The ubiquity of modules in biological networks may result from an evolutionary benefit of a modular organization. For instance, modularity may increase the rate of adaptive evolution, because modules can be easily combined into new arrangements that may benefit their carrier. Conversely, modularity may emerge as a by-product of some trait. We here ask whether this last scenario may play a role in genome-scale metabolic networks that need to sustain life in one or more chemical environments. For such networks, we define a network module as a maximal set of reactions that are fully coupled, i.e., whose fluxes can only vary in fixed proportions. This definition overcomes limitations of purely graph based analyses of metabolism by exploiting the functional links between reactions. We call a metabolic network viable in a given chemical environment if it can synthesize all of an organism's biomass compounds from nutrients in this environment. An organism's metabolism is highly versatile if it can sustain life in many different chemical environments. We here ask whether versatility affects the modularity of metabolic networks.

Results
Using recently developed techniques to randomly sample large numbers of viable metabolic networks from a vast space of metabolic networks, we use flux balance analysis to study in silico metabolic networks that differ in their versatility. We find that highly versatile networks are also highly modular. They contain more modules and more reactions that are organized into modules. Most or all reactions in a module are associated with the same biochemical pathways. Modules that arise in highly versatile networks generally involve reactions that process nutrients or closely related chemicals. We also observe that the metabolism of E. coli is significantly more modular than even our most versatile networks.

Conclusions
Our work shows that modularity in metabolic networks can be a by-product of functional constraints, e.g., the need to sustain life in multiple environments. This organizational principle is insensitive to the environments we consider and to the number of reactions in a metabolic network. Because we observe this principle not just in one or few biological networks, but in large random samples of networks, we propose that it may be a generic principle of metabolic network organization.
Steady-state global optimization of metabolic non-linear dynamic models through recasting into power-law canonical models
Authors: Pozo Carlos , Marín-Sanguino Alberto , Alves Rui , Guillén-Gosálbez Gonzalo , Jiménez Laureano , Sorribas Albert 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Design of newly engineered microbial strains for biotechnological purposes would greatly benefit from the development of realistic mathematical models for the processes to be optimized. Such models can then be analyzed and, with the development and application of appropriate optimization techniques, one could identify the modifications that need to be made to the organism in order to achieve the desired biotechnological goal. As appropriate models to perform such an analysis are necessarily non-linear and typically non-convex, finding their global optimum is a challenging task. Canonical modeling techniques, such as Generalized Mass Action (GMA) models based on the power-law formalism, offer a possible solution to this problem because they have a mathematical structure that enables the development of specific algorithms for global optimization.

Results
Based on the GMA canonical representation, we have developed in previous works a highly efficient optimization algorithm and a set of related strategies for understanding the evolution of adaptive responses in cellular metabolism. Here, we explore the possibility of recasting kinetic non-linear models into an equivalent GMA model, so that global optimization on the recast GMA model can be performed. With this technique, optimization is greatly facilitated and the results are transposable to the original non-linear problem. This procedure is straightforward for a particular class of non-linear models known as Saturable and Cooperative (SC) models that extend the power-law formalism to deal with saturation and cooperativity.

Conclusions
Our results show that recasting non-linear kinetic models into GMA models is indeed an appropriate strategy that helps overcoming some of the numerical difficulties that arise during the global optimization task.
Preferential Fat Deposition in Subcutaneous Versus Visceral Depots Is Associated with Insulin Sensitivity
Authors: McLaughlin Tracey , Lamendola Cindy , Liu Alice , Abbasi Fahim 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background:
Studies on the relationship between regional fat and insulin resistance yield mixed results. Our objective was to determine whether regional fat distribution, independent of obesity, is associated with insulin resistance.

Design:
Subjects included 115 healthy, overweight/moderately obese adults with body mass index (BMI) 25–36.9 kg/m2 who met predetermined criteria for being insulin resistant (IR) or insulin sensitive (IS) based on the modified insulin suppression test. Computerized tomography was used to quantify visceral adipose tissue (VAT), sc adipose tissue (SAT), and thigh adipose tissue. Fat mass in each depot was compared according to IR/IS group, adjusting for BMI and sex.

Results:
Despite nearly identical mean BMI in the IR vs. IS groups, VAT and %VAT were significantly higher in the IR group, whereas SAT, %SAT, and thigh sc fat were significantly lower. In logistic regression analysis, each sd increase in VAT increased the odds of being IR by 80%, whereas each increase in SAT decreased the odds by 48%; each increase in thigh fat decreased the odds by 59% and retained significance after adjusting for other depots. When grouped by VAT tertile, IS vs. IR individuals had significantly more SAT. There was no statistically significant interaction between sex and these relationships.

Conclusion:
These data demonstrate that after adjustment for BMI and VAT mass, sc abdominal and thigh fat are protective for insulin resistance, whereas VAT, after adjustment for SAT and BMI, has the opposite effect. Whether causal in nature or a marker of underlying pathology, these results clarify that regional distribution of fat-favoring sc depots is associated with lower risk for insulin resistance.
Comparison of Specifications for Recycled Concrete Aggregate for Pavement Construction
Authors: Gabr A. R. , Cameron D. A. , Andrews R. , Mitchell P. W. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
This paper reviews existing specifications, specifically for the application of crushed concrete or recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as pavement material for unbound subbases and basecourses. While the use of recycled crushed concrete is not new internationally, its application in Australia is unique as it is being commonly used as a granular basecourse/subbase supporting thin bituminous seals (asphalt or spray seal/chip seal). Commonality of specifications is explored and differences that exist are questioned. In light of practice outside of Australia, limitations by Australian authorities placed on recycled material inclusions other than crushed concrete are raised. In this paper, two South Australian-based RCA products, which were designed for use as pavement bases, are compared with current engineering specifications. The RCA products performed well in terms of resilient modulus and permanent deformation. However, properties such as abrasion resistance and wet/dry strength may restrict the application of the material if current specifications are justifiable.
Dechlorination of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Residues for Beneficial Reuse as a Resource for Cement
Authors: Shimaoka Takayuki , Komiya Teppei , Takahashi Fumitake , Nakayama Hirofumi 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
As one of the beneficial resources reclaimable from municipal solid waste incineration residues (MSWIR), we studied the resource of cement and a dechlorination system to meet the JIS standard governing chlorine content in cement. A key problem of such a system is how to remove chlorines, especially insoluble chlorines such as Friedel’s salt, from MSWIR by means of a low-cost treatment system. To develop an innovative dechlorination system for MSWIR, a pilot plant experiment to confirm the effectiveness of organic materials as additives for the dechlorination of MSWIR was conducted using large lysimeters. In addition, to estimate the chlorine-removal efficiency and the period required for sufficient dechlorination, a numerical simulation was carried out. In cases where no organic materials had been added to MSWIR, soluble forms of chlorine could be removed, but insoluble forms of chlorine—such as Friedel’s salt, remained after treatment. On the other hand, when garbage compost was present as an organic additive, both soluble and insoluble forms of chlorine could be effectively removed. The removal of insoluble forms of chlorine was made possible by the decomposition of the insoluble forms resulting from a lowering of the pH level as a result of the decomposition of organic substances, and the generation of sulfuric acid derived from the decomposition of garbage compost. As a result, the total chlorine content of MSWIR can be decreased to 0.1 % in about two years.
Tricarbonate complex of hexavalent Am with guanidinium: synthesis and structural characterization of [C(NH2)3]4[AmO2(CO3)3]·2H2O, comparison with [C(NH2)3]4[AnO2(CO3)3] (An=U, Np, Pu)
Authors: Fedosseev A. M. , Gogolev A. V. , Charushnikova I. A. , Shilov V. P. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
A formation of Am(VI) carbonate complexes has been observed under ozonation of Am(III) in guanidinium carbonate solutions. New [C(NH2)3]4[AmO2(CO3)3]·2H2O tricarbonate complex has been isolated and studied by the X-ray analysis. The Am atom has oxygen environment as distorted hexagonal bipyramid with three CO3
2− ions in equatorial plane and oxygen atoms of the AmO2 group in the apical positions. Averaged Am–OCO3
bond length is 2.431(13) Å, the length of Am=O bond is 1.750(12) Å. In crystal hydrogen bonds between [C(NH2)3]+ cations, water molecules and [AmO2(CO3)3]4− complex anions link the fragments of structure into the three-dimensional network. To compare the peculiarities of the structure of tricarbonate complexes it was prepared [C(NH2)3]4[AnO2(CO3)3], where An = U(VI), Np(VI) and Pu(VI). In structure of [C(NH2)3]4[AnO2(CO3)3] an actinide contraction appears as a slight shortening of the bond lengths in the actinyl groups AnO2: 1.80 Å for U, 1.78 Å for Np 1.76 Å Pu. The An–OCO3
bond length in the equatorial plane of hexagonal bipyramids remains almost unchanged in the series from U to Am. An analysis of the structures showed that hydrogen bonding played an important role in crystal formation.