bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary patterns of RNA-based gene duplicates in Caenorhabditis nematodes coincide with their genomic features
Authors: Zou Ming , Wang Guoxiu , He Shunping 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
RNA-based gene duplicates (retrocopies) played pivotal roles in many physiological processes. Nowadays, functional retrocopies have been systematically identified in several mammals, fruit flies, plants, zebrafish and other chordates, etc. However, studies about this kind of duplication in Caenorhabditis nematodes have not been reported.

Findings
We identified 43, 48, 43, 9, and 42 retrocopies, of which 6, 15, 18, 3, and 13 formed chimeric genes in C. brenneri, C. briggsae, C. elegans, C. japonica, and C. remanei, respectively. At least 5 chimeric types exist in Caenorhabditis species, of which retrocopy recruiting both N and C terminus is the commonest one. Evidences from different analyses demonstrate many retrocopies and almost all chimeric genes may be functional in these species. About half of retrocopies in each species has coordinates in other species, and we suggest that retrocopies in closely related species may be helpful in identifying retrocopies for one certain species.

Conclusions
A number of retrocopies and chimeric genes exist in Caenorhabditis genomes, and some of them may be functional. The evolutionary patterns of these genes may correlate with their genomic features, such as the activity of retroelements, the high rate of mutation and deletion rate, and a large proportion of genes subject to trans-splicing.
Splenomegaly in myelofibrosis—new options for therapy and the therapeutic potential of Janus kinase 2 inhibitors
Authors: Randhawa Jasleen , Ostojic Alen , Vrhovac Radovan , Atallah Ehab , Verstovsek Srdan 
Published: August 2012

AbstractSplenomegaly is a common sign of primary myelofibrosis (PMF), post-polycythemia vera myelofibrosis (post-PV MF), and post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis (post-ET MF) that is associated with bothersome symptoms, which have a significant negative impact on patients’ quality of life. It may also be present in patients with advanced polycythemia vera (PV) or essential thrombocythemia (ET). Until recently, none of the therapies used to treat MF were particularly effective in reducing splenomegaly. The discovery of an activating Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) activating mutation (JAK2V617F) that is present in almost all patients with PV and in about 50-60 % of patients with ET and PMF led to the initiation of several trials investigating the clinical effectiveness of various JAK2 (or JAK1/JAK2) inhibitors for the treatment of patients with ET, PV, and MF. Some of these trials have documented significant clinical benefit of JAK inhibitors, particularly in terms of regression of splenomegaly. In November 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the JAK1- and JAK2-selective inhibitor ruxolitinib for the treatment of patients with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis, including PMF, post-PV MF, and post-ET MF. This review discusses current therapeutic options for splenomegaly associated with primary or secondary MF and the treatment potential of the JAK inhibitors in this setting.
Percutaneous unilateral placement of biliary covered metallic stent in patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction and contralateral portal vein occlusion
Authors: Yi Rang , Gwon Dong Il , Ko Gi-Young , Yoon Hyun-Ki , Kim Jin Hyoung , Shin Ji Hoon , Sung Kyu-Bo 
Published: August 2012

Background Unilateral biliary metallic stent placement in the lobe with patent portal vein seemed to be a safe and effective palliative treatment of patients with contralateral portal vein occlusion caused by advanced hilar malignancy, obviating bilateral stent placement in these patients, because the hepatic lobe with portal vein occlusion ceases to produce bile due to interruption of enterohepatic circulation. Purpose To investigate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous unilateral expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)-covered stent placement in malignant hilar biliary obstruction with contralateral portal vein occlusion. Material and Methods From February 2008 to March 2011, 24 consecutive patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction and unilobar portal vein occlusion were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients were treated by percutaneous placement of ePTFE-covered stents. Results Stent deployment was technically successful in all patients. Two (8%) patients experienced minor self-limiting hemobilia. No major complication was noted. Successful internal drainage was achieved in 22 (91.6%) patients. Mean serum bilirubin level, which was 12.5 mg/dl ± 8.4 before drainage, decreased significantly to 2.7 mg/dl ± 3.4, 1 month after stent placement ( P < 0.001). Median survival was 191 days (95% CI, 94–288 days) and cumulative stent patency rates at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months were 100%, 95%, 95%, 95%, and 71%, respectively. Two (8%) patients presented with stent occlusion due to sludge incrustation. Aside from two patients who had died within 30 days after stent placement, the other 22 patients demonstrated slight decrease in diameter of undrained lobe and did not experience cholangitis nor jaundice. Conclusion Unilateral placement of ePTFE-covered stent in the lobe with patent portal vein seems to be a safe and effective method for palliative treatment of patients with contralateral portal vein occlusion. In addition, ePTFE-covered stent placement can prevent tumor ingrowth without functional occlusion of segmental bile ducts.
REVIEWS
Authors: McDowell Stephen D. , Evens Tom , Tanner Giles 
Published: August 2012

RELOCATING TELEVISION: TELEVISION IN THE DIGITAL CONTEXT, JOSTEIN GRIPSRUD (ED.) (2010) London and New York: Routledge, 275+xxi pp., ISBN 978-0-415-56453-3, p/bk, $42.95, ISBN 978-0-415-56452-6, h/bk, $135.00
DIGITAL DIVIDES IN EUROPE. CULTURE, POLITICS AND THE WESTERN-SOUTHERN
DIVIDE, PANAYIOTA TSATSOU (2011) Bern: Peter Lang, 286 pp., ISBN 978-3-0343-0189-3, p/bk, £37.50
FACE THE FUTURE: TOOLS FOR THE MODERN MEDIA AGE – THE INTERNET AND JOURNALISM TODAY, JOHN MAIR AND RICHARD LANCE KEEBLE (EDS) (2011) UK: Abramis Academic Publishing, 341 pp., ISBN
978 1 84549 483 4, p/bk, £17.95
BOOK REVIEWS
Authors: Wheeler Mark , Hart Jeffrey A. , Starks Michael 
Published: August 2012

GLOBAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION POLICY, PETROS IOSIFIDIS (2011) Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, 288 pp., ISBN: 978-0-230-21879-6, h/bk, 55
WATCHING THE INTERNET: THE FUTURE OF TV?, JOSE MARIA ALVAREZ-MONZONCILLO (2011) Oporto, Portugal: Media XXI, 240 pp., ISBN: 9789898143839, p/bk,
17 euros
THE RISE AND FALL OF TELEVISION JOURNALISM, STEVEN BARNETT (2011) London: Bloomsbury Academic, 286 pp., ISBN 978-1-84966-611-4, p/bk 19.99 (also available as ebook)
Polygalacturonases of Aspergillus flavipes FP-500: A Kinetic Analysis of Batch Culture Systems Based on Unstructured Models
Authors: Martinez Trujillo Maria Aurora , Aranda Barradas Juan S. , Aguilar Osorio Guillermo 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Pectin is a widespread complex heteropolysaccharide contained in plants cell wall. The hydrolysis of this natural-occurring polymer is an important process both in food industry and pectin-rich wastewater treatment. Although pectin-degrading enzymes have been produced classically by microbial mold strains, production kinetics of the involved endo- and exo- pectinolytic enzymes is still a challenge in industrial microbiology. In order to assess the pectinases production kinetics, the strain Aspergillus flavipes FP-500 was grown in batch cultures using pectin, glucose or galacturonic acid as limiting substrates. Unstructured models were useful for describing the experimental behavior, and for estimating the kinetic parameters associated to the Logistic, Monod and Luedeking-Piret models. Our results pointed out that the exopolygalacturonases production is basically non-growth associated, suggesting an inducible nature for some exo- isoenzymes and endopolygalacturonases, even if some constitutive activity is postulated. Besides, to identify the combined effect of carbon source and pH on polygalacturonases production, several experiments were developed at different pH culture conditions. Exopectinases produced on glucose were inhibited by culture media acidification, while on galacturonic acid these enzymes are produced mainly at pH values of 5.0 or higher. Exopectinases production on pectin was not importantly affected by the established pH values during the culture. Endopectinases were produced basically at acidic conditions on pectin, but growth on galacturonic acid showed a strong inducing effect on endopectinases at pH 5.0
Study on Black Liquor Low-temperature Gasification in Fluidized Bed by Eulerian Multiphase Computationally Fluid Dynamics Modeling
Authors: Li Weiling , Zhong Wenqi , Jin Baosheng , Xiao Rui , Shao Yingjuan , Liu Hao 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
A three-dimensional Eulerian multiphase based computational model was developed to simulate the black liquor gasification processes in a fluidized bed gasifier (FBG) at low temperature. The standard k-e model and kinetic theory of granular model were used to simulate the gas phase and solid phase, respectively. Black liquor pyrolysis, homogeneous reactions and heterogeneous reactions were taken into account in chemical model. The reaction rates of homogeneous and heterogeneous reaction were determined by ArrheniusEddy dissipation reaction rate and kinetic reaction rate. Simulations were carried out at four different operating conditions, i.e. reactor temperature was kept at 550 degree centigrade or 600 degree centigrade, and nitrogen or air was used as fluidizing medium. The calculated results were in well agreement with the experiment used as calibration. Base on the simulation, gas-sold flow patterns and gas species molar fraction distributions were obtained, the relationship of gas composition profiles with the temperature and the fluidizing media were discussed.
Identifying the Optimum Process Parameters for Ultrasonic Cellular Disruption of E. Coli
Authors: Al-Juboori Raed A. , Yusaf Talal 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The aim of this work is to identify the optimum process parameters of sonication, manosonication and thermosonication for deactivating E. coli ATCC 25922 in water-based suspension. The influence of ultrasonic intensity, frequency, pressure, temperature and treatment time on the efficiency of ultrasonic treatments was investigated in this study theoretically and experimentally. The theoretical part of this study involved solving the Rayleigh-Plesset equation with different parameters and evaluating their effects on the collapse pressure of a bubble with initial radius of 0.01mm. The experimental part of the work was conducted using ultrasonic horn reactor at three levels of intensities; low (17.56 W/cm2), intermediate (21.49 W/cm2) and high (24.17 W/cm2) with fixed frequency. Thermosonication and manosonication experiments were conducted at the sub-lethal temperatures of E. coli; 45, 50, 55 and 60°C and pressures of 2, 3 and 4 bars. The optimum treatment conditions of sonication, manosonication and thermosonication were evaluated through calculating the specific energy required to obtain 5 log reduction of E. coli in each treatment. Thermosonication treatment at 21.49W/cm2 and 45°C for 4 minutes was found to be the optimum treatment conditions to deactivate E. coli in water-based suspension.
Comparison of Levenberg-Marquardt Method and Path Following Interior Point Method for the Solution of Optimal Power Flow Problem
Authors: Li Xue , Cao Jia , Du Dajun 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The Levenberg-Marquardt (L-M) method and the path following interior point (PFIP) method are two most popular methods to solve the optimal power flow (OPF) problem. The performance comparison between the L-M method and the PFIP method applied to solve the OPF problem has not been made so far. The main objective of this paper provides a more comprehensive reference for researcher by analysing, comparing and evaluating the performances of the two methods. The L-M method is employed to solve the OPF problem formulated by the nonlinear complementarity problem (NCP). After the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions of OPF model are represented in term of a set of semismooth equations by introducing the NCP function, the semismooth equations are solved by the L-M method. The PFIP method, combined logarithmic barrier function with Newton-Raphson method, has been then applied to solve the OPF problem. Finally, the two methods are tested on the 5-bus, the IEEE 30-bus and the IEEE 118-bus system, respectively. Simulation results show that the two methods get the same optimal value of the objective function under the convergent criterion, while the L-M method has higher computation precision and faster convergence speed than the PFIP method.
Extracting External Features of Sweet Peppers Using Machine Vision System on Mobile Fruits Grading Robot
Authors: Jun Qiao , Sasao Akira , Shibusawa Sakai , Kondo Naoshi 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Algorithms to extract the external features of sweet peppers were developed using the machine vision system. The objectives were to sort color, estimate size, classify shape, detect bruises and predict mass of sweet peppers. A test was performed using 372 samples of sweet pepper variety âTosahikariDâ. The results showed that the three main unacceptable colors were recognized and their percentages were calculated by the distribution of hue by saturation. The size of each sample was estimated by three parameters: Feretâs V, maximum diameter and equivalent diameter, and they ranged from 55.3mm to 116.7 mm, 23.2mm to 61.6mm and 21.8mm to 73.1mm, respectively. Five parameters were selected and a neural network model was developed to classify the shape of sweet peppers. Test results indicated that the agreement rate for Shapes A, B, and total samples was 95.12, 100 and 95.70%, respectively. All 11 samples with bruises were successfully detected. The fruit mass was predicted using projection areas; the determination and correlation coefficient was 0.93 and 0.96, respectively.
Effect of Starter Cultures on Several Chemical, Sensory and Textural Attributes of Turkish Fermented Sausage
Authors: Ergönül Bülent , Kundakçi Akif 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Two different probiotic cultures (Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus) were used in the formulation of dry fermented Turkish sausages. Proximate compositions, TBA values, residue nitrite contents, fatty acid profiles, textural and sensorial scores of sausages were determined. As results of sensorial and statistical analyses, it was concluded that the most preferred sample was the one fermented by using probiotic Lactobacillus casei strains. Also suggestions for further industrial practices were given in the text.
Protein and Sugar Extraction from Rice Bran and De-Oiled Rice Bran using Subcritical Water in a Semi-Continuous Reactor: Optimization by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Sunphorka Sasithorn , Chavasiri Warinthorn , Oshima Yoshito , Ngamprasertsith Somkiat 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The extraction of protein and sugar from rice bran and de-oiled rice bran using subcritical water was evaluated in a 30-ml semi-continuous reactor. The effects of the three main factors, operating temperature, time and pressure, on the total sugar and protein yields obtained were investigated using analysis of variance and response surface methodology. A central composite design was performed in order to determine the most likely optimum conditions for the extraction process for both substrates individually and together. The developed models had a very high regression coefficient (R2) value (0.94 – 0.98), and demonstrated that the three main factors investigated had a significant effect on the sugar yield, whilst only time and its interaction with temperature were significant factors controlling the extracted protein yield. Based on the response surface and contour plots, the optimum conditions were evaluated for maximal extracted sugar and protein yields, which reached 100% for protein, from the two materials.
Kinetics of bioactive compounds in functional spice Jiangpo during thermal processing
Authors: Dai Xiaoyan , Yu Chenhuan , Wu Qiaofeng 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Jiangpo is an increasingly popular East Asian spice which is made from Mangnolia officinalis bark and ginger juice. Since it induces bioactive compounds decomposition and has influence on final flavor and fragrance, cooking is regarded as the key operation in preparation of Jiangpo. To evaluate the bioactive compounds content changes of Jiangpo during thermal processing, kinetic parameters including reaction order, rate constant, T1/2 and activation energy of bioactive markers namely honokiol, magnolol and curcumin were determined. Cooking was set at temperatures 60, 90 and 120 °C for selected time intervals. Results displayed the thermal kinetic characteristics of the three compounds. Thermal degradation of Honokiol and magnolol both followed first order kinetic model and the loss of curcumin fitted second order. A mathematical model based on the obtained kinetic parameters has also been developed to predict the degradation of honokiol, magnolol and curcumin in non-isothermal state. All the information in this paper could contribute necessary information for optimizing the existing heat processing of Jiangpo.
Hot Air Drying and Vacuum Drying Characteristics of Scarlet Runner Beans
Authors: Muramatsu Yoshiki , Sakaguchi Eiichiro , Orikasa Takahiro , Tagawa Akio 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The drying characteristics and volume changes of scarlet runner beans were measured under various conditions to obtain useful basic information for the optimum drying method and conditions. The sample was dried using two drying methods: hot air drying and vacuum drying. The measured changes in moisture content of the sample with the hot air drying process were in good agreement with the exact solution of the infinite plane sheet model. The estimated diffusion coefficients were 3.8×10 -7 -7.4×10 -7 (m 2 h -1) for hot air drying and were related to absolute temperature by an Arrhenius-type equation. The hull of the scarlet runner bean is hard and thick, and the drying rate of the sample was much slower than that of other beans. To establish an efficient drying method without the quality loss, the vacuum drying characteristics of the sample were measured at several levels for temperature and initial moisture content. For the vacuum drying process, an exponential model could be used to estimate the changes in moisture content of the sample. The values of diffusion coefficient for vacuum drying were approximately twice as much as the values of diffusion coefficient for hot air drying at the same temperature. The effects of drying method, temperature, and initial moisture content on the sample quality were investigated, and the optimum drying method and conditions for scarlet runner beans were proposed. Volumetric changes in the sample were determined by measuring particle density. The specific volume of the sample was represented as a linear function of moisture content.
The influence of glucocorticoids on neuronal survival and synaptic function
Authors: Numakawa Tadahiro , Adachi Naoki , Richards Misty , Chiba Shuichi , Kunugi Hiroshi 
Published: August 2012

AbstractGlucocorticoids, recognized as stress-related steroid hormones secreted from adrenal glands, have multiple roles in brain function. The concentration of glucocorticoids is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and chronically elevated levels of glucocorticoids are putatively involved in the pathophysiology of mental disorders, such as depression. As corticosteroids are also widely used as medical drugs (e.g., for chronic lung disease in infants), the developmental influence of glucocorticoids on neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity is a critical concern. Although many reports suggest a biological effect of glucocorticoids on neuronal populations of the central nervous system (CNS), some reports suggest a possibility that glial responses (including regulation of neurotrophic factor expression) to glucocorticoids are different from that of neurons. In the present review, we show an overview of the current knowledge concerning the impact of glucocorticoids on behavior in animal models of depression, and on cell survival and function in the CNS.
A study of situation-bound utterances in Modern Chinese
Authors: Zhou, Hong-hui 
Published: August 2012

AbstractSituation-Bound Utterances (SBUs), as a typical kind of idiomatic expression, have been well studied mainly in English, but to date have been little studied in Mandarin. What are the unique characteristics of Mandarin SBUs? What lies behind this uniqueness? To answer these questions requires uncovering the psychological reality of SBUs among Mandarin speakers and filtering out samples based on a clear definition. In this study, the socio-cognitive approach is taken. This approach synthesizes the advantages of a pragmatic and cognitive view of language communication in which concept and lexicon are viewed as two inter-related but mutually independent entities. SBUs act as an appropriate tangent point to illustrate the relationship between concepts and linguistic forms. Under such a perspective, the study of Mandarin SBUs in this paper will reinforce and complement the cognition of this unique linguistic phenomenon. This paper first defines SBUs according to certain maxims and then demonstrates various kinds of idiomatic expressions in Mandarin and clarifies the relationships among these expressions and SBUs. Thirty samples are filtered out through three approaches: individual reflection, collective contribution and reference consulting. The paper then sets three tests to confirm and reconfirm the selected thirty quasi-SBUs. Finally, following a discussion of Mandarin SBUs vis-à-vis linguistic form, language policy and social-cultural factors, conclusions are posited as to why Mandarin SBUs are somewhat different from their English counterparts.
汉语二语习得中介词的词类属性及其认知机制
Authors: 方, 环海 
Published: August 2012

提要对外汉语教学的语法体系中，介词与动词的关系问题一直是争论的焦点，以往研究者对动词与介词的词类属性关系研究取得很大进展，但是介词能否成为一个独立的词类范畴，争议很大。文章从韵律句法学和轻动词理论的视角进行探讨，认为动词后的介词需要并入前面的动词，句子才会合法，动词前面的介词基本都具有实现轻动词的句法功能，从而在语言学理论上实现对介词的词类属性的词法与句法的解释。为了在语言的内在认知心理加工上说明介词的加工机制，文章还从认知科学角度设计了认知科学实验，实验研究发现动词与介词无论在语义还是语法上均没有显著差异，显示大脑的认知加工没有显著差异。通过理论与实验两个方面的分析，文章认为介词仍应处理为动词的一个次类，对汉语作为二语的教学与研究领域而言，语言科学的理论推演与认知科学的实验验证，二者缺一不可。