bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can We Predict Exchange Rate Movements at Short Horizons?
Authors: Cheong Chongcheul , Kim Young‐Jae , Yoon Seong‐Min 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper explains the unpredictability of exchange rate movements at short horizons and provides a plausible answer on the exchange rate disconnect puzzle. By generalizing Chaboud and Wright's (Journal of International Economics 2005; 66: 349–362) work, it is shown that exchange rates follow a martingale process at short horizons but over long horizons may contain some predictable structure. The empirical results applied to several major currencies of the US dollar support our hypothesis. This evidence is not coincided with the explanation of the inefficient market hypothesis under which exchange rate movements can be predictable in both short and long horizons. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Knockdown of RARB2 identifies a dual role in cancer
Authors: Pappas Jane J. , Toulouse André , Basik Mark , Lévesque Luc , Bradley W.E.C. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractTwo chemoprevention trials have shown that retinoic acid (RA) may be harmful in patients at risk for lung cancer, and RA administration to this high‐risk group results in RARB2 reactivation. Although RARB2 is thought to possess tumor suppressive activity, its expression has recently been correlated with poorer prognosis in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer. We hypothesized that RARB2 expression is necessary for the growth and maintenance of the oncogenic phenotype in lung cancer cells in which RARB2 has not been inactivated. We tested various antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ASO) against RARB2 in multiple lung cancer cell lines and used microarray technology to compare the patterns of gene expression following ASO treatment versus RA treatment in the A‐549 lung cancer cell line. We show that ASO treatment reduces proliferation and causes apoptosis in 3 RARB2‐expressing lung cancer cell lines but has no apparent effect in at least two other lung cancer cells lines having lost RARB2 expression or one normal lung RARB2‐expressing cell line; we demonstrate a correlation between resulting RARB2 expression levels and cell growth; and identify transcriptional effects related to both RA and RARB2 signaling. In particular, five genes known to contribute to carcinogenesis or chemotherapeutic resistance are down‐regulated following ASO treatment: three of these are up‐regulated following RA treatment. This work demonstrates a dual role for RARB2 (tumor suppression and tumor promotion) and identifies a challenge with respect to using RARB2 as a target for treatment or prevention strategies. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CBFB and MYH11 in inv(16)(p13q22) of acute myeloid leukemia displaying close spatial proximity in interphase nuclei of human hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Weckerle Allison B. , Santra Madhumita , Ng Maggie C.Y. , Koty Patrick P. , Wang Yuh‐Hwa 
Published: June 2011

AbstractTo gain a better understanding of the mechanism of chromosomal translocations in cancer, we investigated the spatial proximity between CBFB and MYH11 genes involved in inv(16)(p13q22) found in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Previous studies have demonstrated a role for spatial genome organization in the formation of tumorigenic abnormalities. The nonrandom localization of chromosomes and, more specifically, of genes appears to play a role in the mechanism of chromosomal translocations. Here, two‐color fluorescence in situ hybridization and confocal microscopy were used to measure the interphase distance between CBFB and MYH11 in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), where inv(16)(p13q22) is believed to occur, leading to leukemia development. The measured distances in HSCs were compared with mesenchymal stem cells, peripheral blood lymphocytes, and fibroblasts, as spatial genome organization is determined to be cell‐type specific. Results indicate that CBFB and MYH11 are significantly closer in HSCs compared with all other cell types examined. Furthermore, the CBFB‐MYH11 distance is significantly reduced compared with CBFB and a control locus in HSCs, although separation between CBFB and the control is ∼70% of that between CBFB and MYH11 on metaphase chromosomes. HSCs were also treated with fragile site‐inducing chemicals because both the genes contain translocation breakpoints within these regions. However, treatment with fragile site‐inducing chemicals did not significantly affect the interphase distance. Consistent with previous studies, our results suggest that gene proximity may play a role in the formation of cancer‐causing rearrangements, providing insight into the mechanism of chromosomal abnormalities in human tumors. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experience of tunnel construction in weak ground / Erfahrungen beim Bau von Tunneln in schlechtem Baugrund
Authors: Schubert Wulf 
Published: June 2011

AbstractA whole range of problems are generally associated with the construction of tunnels in weak ground and under high overburden. Among those are large displacements, wide variation of stresses and strains, and sudden water ingress, to name just a few. A wide variety of behaviours can be experienced, depending on the ground conditions and the influencing factors. The contribution deals with experience from the construction of several Alpine tunnels in faulted rock masses. Specific characteristics of each project are highlighted, and the lessons learned described.Eine ganze Reihe von Problemen ist mit Planung und Bau eines Tunnels in Baugrund mit schlechten Eigenschaften und hoher Überlagerung verbunden. Unter anderem sind dies große und stark anisotrope Verformungen oder plötzliche Wassereinbrüche, um nur einige wenige zu nennen. In Abhängigkeit von den Baugrundverhältnissen und den äußeren Einflüssen kann eine ganze Reihe unterschiedlicher Verhalten beobachtet werden. Der Beitrag fasst Erfahrungen zusammen, die beim Bau alpiner Tunnel im gestörten Gebirge gemacht wurden. Spezielle Charakteristika jedes Projekts werden aufgezeigt und die Lehren aus den Erfahrungen mitgeteilt.
A matching method for improving covariate balance in cost‐effectiveness analyses
Authors: Sekhon Jasjeet Singh , Grieve Richard D. 
Published: June 2011

SUMMARYIn cost‐effectiveness analyses (CEA) that use randomized controlled trials (RCTs), covariates of prognostic importance may be imbalanced and warrant adjustment. In CEA that use non‐randomized studies (NRS), the selection on observables assumption must hold for regression and matching methods to be unbiased. Even in restricted circumstances when this assumption is plausible, a key concern is how to adjust for imbalances in observed confounders. If the propensity score is misspecified, the covariates in the matched sample will be imbalanced, which can lead to conditional bias. To address covariate imbalance in CEA based on RCTs and NRS, this paper considers Genetic Matching. This matching method uses a search algorithm to directly maximize covariate balance.We compare Genetic and propensity score matching in Monte Carlo simulations and two case studies, CEA of pulmonary artery catheterization, based on an RCT and an NRS. The simulations show that Genetic Matching reduces the conditional bias and root mean squared error compared with propensity score matching. Genetic Matching achieves better covariate balance than the unadjusted analyses of the RCT data. In the NRS, Genetic Matching improves on the balance obtained from propensity score matching and gives substantively different estimates of incremental cost‐effectiveness.We conclude that Genetic Matching can improve balance on measured covariates in CEA that use RCTs and NRS, but with NRS, this will be insufficient to reduce bias; the selection on observables assumption must also hold. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical implications of acute myeloid leukemia presenting as myeloid sarcoma
Authors: Avni Batia , Rund Debora , Levin Moshe , Grisariu Sigal , Ben‐Yehuda Dina , Bar‐Cohen Sara , Paltiel Ora 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIn this retrospective study, we aim to analyze the characteristics, treatments, and overall survival of all patients presenting with isolated myeloid sarcoma (MS) or MS with concomitant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) compared with all patients with AML, treated during the same period. We identified patients with AML with or without MS at diagnosis, presenting to our medical center between the years 1990 and 2005. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding gender, age, cytogenetic risk groups, rate of complete remission, number of cycles of chemotherapy needed to achieve complete remission, and rate of first relapse. The time to death in the MS group was not significantly different (p = 0.60) from the AML group, and radiotherapy did not affect the median time to death. Transplantation prolonged survival in both groups (p = 0.018 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Patients with MS at diagnosis might benefit from upfront aggressive treatment with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding the impact of conflict on health services in Iraq: information from 401 Iraqi refugee doctors in Jordan
Authors: Burnham Gilbert , Malik Sana , Dhari Al‐Shibli Ammar S. , Mahjoub Ali Rasheed , Baqer Alya'a Qays , Baqer Zainab Qays , Qaraghuli Faraj Al , Doocy Shannon 
Published: June 2011

SUMMARYObjectivesThis study aims to assess how conflict has affected the function of Iraqi health services and its doctors.MethodsInterviews were conducted in person or by mobile phone with 401 Iraqi doctors entering Jordan since 2003, using respondent‐driven sampling methods.ResultsOf the Iraqi doctors interviewed in 2008, 94% came from Baghdad, although 25% had moved within Iraq in the past year. They reported a steady year‐by‐year decline in Iraqi health services from 2003 through 2006, with perhaps some improvement in 2007. By 2006, 67% of doctors said essential drugs were present less than half of the time (95% confidence interval [CI] 54–81), and 69% (95% CI 56–84) said essential equipment was available or working half the time or less. By 2006, 95% said their facilities lacked skilled health workers, and 90% noted reduced quality of care. Violent death rates among doctors in Baghdad reached 47.6/1000/yr (95% CI 42.0–53.7) in 2006. In the same year, migration rates for Baghdad doctors moving elsewhere in Iraq were 143.8/1000/yr (95% CI 134.0–154.1), and departure from Iraq was 299.5/1000/yr (95% CI 285.3–314.3).ConclusionsDeterioration of health services quality, staffing levels and violence against doctors continued from 2003 through 2006, although these may have improved slightly in 2007. In 2009 and 2010, reports suggest that assassinations of doctors and out‐migration have continued. Few have returned. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multicomponent synthesis of pyridazine and pyridazinoquinazoline derivatives in the presence of catalysts such as magnesium oxide (MgO) and 12‐tungstophosphoric acid (PW)
Authors: Sheibani Hassan , Esfandiarpoor Zeinab 
Published: June 2011

AbstractA series of 3‐amino‐2,5‐dihydropyridazines and fused pyridazinoquinazolines have been prepared in a one‐step procedure from three‐component reactions of (arylhydrazono)‐propan‐2‐ones, aldehydes and malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate in the presence of magnesium oxide (MgO) and 12‐tungstophosphoric acid (PW) as highly effective heterogeneous catalysts. The salient features of these methods include high conversions, short reaction times, cleaner reaction profiles, and the use of inexpensive and readily available catalysts. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 48, 1122 (2011).
Feeding mechanics and dietary implications in the fossil sloth Neocnus (Mammalia: Xenarthra: Megalonychidae) from haiti
Authors: McAfee Robert K. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractHaitian species of the extinct ground sloth genus Neocnus (Mammalia: Pilosa: Megalonychidae) have previously been hypothesized to have a much reduced jugal bone and a correspondingly reduced masseter musculature but a paucity of specimens has prevented further investigation of this hypothesis. Recent discovery of jugal bones belonging to Haitian specimens of Neocnus within the University of Florida Museum collections enables the element to be more accurately described. The discovery also makes it possible to explore mastication in these sloths. Osteological characters related to feeding were examined, along with comparative estimations of bite force with the extant tree sloths, Bradypus and Choloepus, and their known dietary habits as a means to infer aspects of the paleodiet of Neocnus. There is a significant difference in moment arm calculations for m. masseter between predicted and actual jugals, but the overall significance for bite force is lost and hampered by small sample size. Neocnus demonstrates a variety of characters that are similar to those of Bradypus and not to Choloepus, which is a close phylogenetic relative. The masticatory musculature of Neocnus enabled a chewing cycle emphasizing a grinding combination of mesiodistal and linguobuccal movements of the molariform dentition. The orientations of m. masseter and m. temporalis are estimated to produce relatively high bite force ratios that imply a masticatory system with stronger versus faster components. Because of the similarity of bite forces and jaw mechanics to those of Bradypus, in addition to a number of osteological adaptations indicative of herbivorous grazers (elevated mandibular condyle, large and complex masseter, and robust angular process), the Haitian forms of Neocnus are considered to have been selective feeders with a folivorous diet. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characteristics and origins of common chemical noise ions in negative ESI LC–MS
Authors: Trötzmüller Martin , Guo Xinghua , Fauland Alexander , Köfeler Harald , Lankmayr Ernst 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIonic chemical background noise in LC–MS has been one of the major problems encountered in trace analysis. In this study, the typical negative background ions in ESI LC–MS are investigated exemplarily. It was carried out using tandem mass spectrometry to study the products and precursors of the major background ions to examine their structures and structure relationship. Various typical LC eluents with different compositions and additives such as ammonium formate/formic acid and ammonium acetate/acetic acid have been studied. Several types of negative noise ions are concluded, which include the cluster chemical background ions only from mobile phase components and additives. Furthermore, there are also abundant clusters resulting from the solvation of some typical individual contaminants (e.g. additives and degradation products from tubing, impurities in the mobile phase, etc.), accompanied by some minor contribution from contaminants. The elemental composition of some selected ions was confirmed using the FT‐ICR accurate mass measurement. This work provides us insight into information about the structures and types of common negative background ions and will help to understand their formation and origins. More importantly, it will guide us to prevent chemical noise interference in practice and also contribute to develop methods for noise reduction based on selective ion‐molecule reactions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thymine quintets and their higher order assemblies studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and theoretical calculation
Authors: Qiu Bo , Qin Zhen , Liu Jia , Luo Hai 
Published: June 2011

AbstractWe previously reported that thymine molecules can specifically form a pentameric magic number cluster named as thymine quintet in the presence of K+, Rb+ and Cs+. Actually, thymine decamer and doubly charged thymine 15‐mer metaclusters can be observed along with thymine quintet in the ESI mass spectra of thymine with the addition of K+, Rb+ and Cs+. The product ion spectra of these metaclusters, especially the 15‐mer with hetero central ions, indicate that they are higher order assemblies of thymine quintets. The collision‐induced dissociation experiments show that the gas‐phase stabilities of these metaclusters depend on the size of the central ions, following the order Cs+ > Rb+ > K+, while K+ leads to the highest dissociation energy of a thymine quintet. The optimized structures of thymine quintet and decamer were provided by density functional theory calculations, which showed that thymine quintet is bowl‐shaped and its tilting angle increases with the size of the central ion. Furthermore, the chirality of thymine quintet was defined for the first time and the resulting different diastereoisomers of thymine decamers were also revealed by the calculation study. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous analysis of acetaminophen, p‐aminophenol and aspirin metabolites by hydrophilic interaction and strong anion exchange capillary liquid chromatography coupled to amperometric detection
Authors: Zheng Minmin , Wu Yimin , Lu Lanxiang , Ding Kang , Tang Fengxiang , Lin Zian , Wu Xiaoping 
Published: June 2011

AbstractA simple and sensitive method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of polar nonsteroidal pharmaceuticals and metabolites, including acetaminophen, p‐aminophenol and several aspirin metabolites (salicylic acid, gentisic acid, salicyluric acid and 2,3‐dihydroxybenzoic acid), by capillary liquid chromatography with amperometric detection. Using a capillary monolithic column with mixed mode stationary phases and a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and Tris buffer, rapid separation of six polar analytes was achieved within 8 min, and a hydrophilic interaction and strong anion exchange separation mechanism were exhibited. Method detection limits of six analytes ranged from 10 to 50 ng/mL. In terms of precision, the intra‐ and interday relative standard deviation values in all analytes never exceeded 3.1% for migration time and 8.9% for peak areas, respectively. This method provided a simple, rapid and cost‐effective approach for the analysis of polar pharmaceuticals. The applicability of the method in pharmacokinetics was verified by spiking human serum samples with the compounds and analyzing the recoveries.
Development and validation of an HPLC method for the determination of ten sulfonamide residues in milk according to 2002/657/EC
Authors: Tolika Evanthia P. , Samanidou Victoria F. , Papadoyannis Ioannis N. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractA HPLC method with diode‐array detection, at 265 nm, was developed and validated for the determination of ten sulfonamides (SAs): sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfathiazine (STZ), sulfamethoxine (SMTH), sulfamethizole (SMZ), sulfamethoxypyridazine (SMPZ), sulfamonomethoxine (SMMX), sulfamethoxazole (SMXZ), sulfisoxazole (SIX), sulfadimethoxine (SDMX), and sulfaquinoxaline (SQX) in milk. A mixture of ethyl acetate, n‐hexane, and isopropanol was used for the extraction of target analytes from milk. The mobile phase, a mixture of 0.1% v/v formic acid, CH3CN, and CH3OH was delivered to the analytical column under a gradient program. The procedure was validated according to the European Union regulation 2002/657/EC in terms of selectivity, stability, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. Mean recoveries of sulfonamides from milk samples spiked at three concentration levels (0.5×MRL, 1×MRL, and 1.5×MRL) (MRL, maximum residue level) were 93.9–115.9% for SDZ, 97.8–102.9% for STZ, 94.6–107.0% for SMTH, 98.3–111.5% for SMZ, 95.3–108.4% for SMPZ, 97.9–106.0% for SMMX, 97.6–111.3% for SMXZ, 94.3–104.6% for SIX, 96.4–109.1% for SDMX, and 98.2–111.2% for SQX. All RSD values were lower than 8.8%. The decision limits CCa calculated by spiking 20 blank milk samples at MRL (100 μg/kg) ranged from 101.61 to 106.84 μg/kg, whereas the detection capability CCb ranged from 105.64 to 119.01 μg/kg.
The importance of within‐year repeated counts and the influence of scale on long‐term monitoring of sage‐grouse
Authors: Fedy Bradley C. , Aldridge Cameron L. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractLong‐term population monitoring is the cornerstone of animal conservation and management. The accuracy and precision of models developed using monitoring data can be influenced by the protocols guiding data collection. The greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is a species of concern that has been monitored over decades, primarily, by counting the number of males that attend lek (breeding) sites. These lek count data have been used to assess long‐term population trends and for multiple mechanistic studies. However, some studies have questioned the efficacy of lek counts to accurately identify population trends. In response, monitoring protocols were changed to have a goal of counting lek sites multiple times within a season. We assessed the influence of this change in monitoring protocols on model accuracy and precision applying generalized additive models to describe trends over time. We found that at large spatial scales including >50 leks, the absence of repeated counts within a year did not significantly alter population trend estimates or interpretation. Increasing sample size decreased the model confidence intervals. We developed a population trend model for Wyoming greater sage‐grouse from 1965 to 2008, identifying significant changes in the population indices and capturing the cyclic nature of this species. Most sage‐grouse declines in Wyoming occurred between 1965 and the 1990s and lek count numbers generally increased from the mid‐1990s to 2008. Our results validate the combination of monitoring data collected under different protocols in past and future studies—provided those studies are addressing large‐scale questions. We suggest that a larger sample of individual leks is preferable to multiple counts of a smaller sample of leks. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Hot topic in hepatitis C virus research: The type of immunosuppression does not matter
Authors: Berenguer Marina 
Published: June 2011

Key Points
1. The natural history of recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) is highly variable. Old donor age is a factor that has consistently been shown to affect disease progression.
2. Overall, immunosuppression determines the progression of HCV-related disease; however, the type of immunosuppressive agent used for induction or maintenance is not a key factor.
3. Steroid boluses should be avoided; they are associated with increased viremia, fibrosis progression, and reduced survival.
4. Antiviral therapy, particularly if it is successful, is associated with improved outcomes for liver transplant recipients with HCV.
5. There are no convincing data for modifying the type of immunosuppression before antiviral therapy is started.