bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Much Do Investors Care About Macroeconomic Risk? Evidence from Scheduled Economic Announcements
Authors: Savor Pavel , Wilson Mungo
Published: April 2013

Stock market average returns and Sharpe ratios are significantly higher on days when important macroeconomic news about inflation, unemployment, or interest rates is scheduled for announcement. The average announcement-day excess return from 1958 to 2009 is 11.4 basis points (bp) versus 1.1 bp for all the other days, suggesting that over 60% of the cumulative annual equity risk premium is earned on announcement days. The Sharpe ratio is 10 times higher. In contrast, the risk-free rate is detectably lower on announcement days, consistent with a precautionary saving motive. Our results demonstrate a trade-off between macroeconomic risk and asset returns, and provide an estimate of the premium investors demand to bear this risk.
Mobilizing Dance/Traumatizing Dance: Kongonya and the Politics of Zimbabwe
Authors: Gonye Jairos
Published: April 2013

The article analyzes kongonya dance as it occurs in everyday Zimbabwean spaces. Tracing its origins, utility, and metamorphosis, I studied kongonya dance in its performed world; observed kongonya being danced at a pungwe, a gala, and a political function; and watched kongonya being performed on state television. Through participant-observations, respondent testimonies, and personal interviews of dancers and nondancers for all these contexts, pertinent data on kongonya were collected. The article contends that kongonya has both a human and inhuman face, having been transformed from a dance for the people into a dance against the people—a phenomenon at the mercy of political manipulators. Despite kongonya having creatively promoted the nationalist cause of the 1970s Zimbabwean liberation party, kongonya has been abused in the postcolonial state in an attempt to placate citizens, suppress dissension, and (also) in the hopes of reinvigorating the waning fortunes of the ruling party, ZANU PF. Initially, kongonya reflected an apparently more national outlook than an ethnic one, but lately it has revealed rather hegemonic traits. Regrettably, politicians sought to manipulate the malleability of dance and harness kongonya's national character to an exclusionist political agenda.
Maternally deposited germline piRNAs silence the tirant retrotransposon in somatic cells
Authors: Akkouche Abdou , Grentzinger Thomas , Fablet Marie , Armenise Claudia , Burlet Nelly , Braman Virginie , Chambeyron Séverine , Vieira Cristina
Published: April 2013

Transposable elements (TEs), whose propagation can result in severe damage to the host genome, are silenced in the animal gonad by Piwi‐interacting RNAs (piRNAs). piRNAs produced in the ovaries are deposited in the embryonic germline and initiate TE repression in the germline progeny. Whether the maternally transmitted piRNAs play a role in the silencing of somatic TEs is however unknown. Here we show that maternally transmitted piRNAs from the tirant retrotransposon in Drosophila are required for the somatic silencing of the TE and correlate with an increase in histone H3K9 trimethylation an active tirant copy.
Membrane contact sites—an interesting species, an interesting mix
Authors: Miller Victoria J , Stephens David J
Published: April 2013

In this issue of EMBO reports, Loewen and colleagues reveal a role for plasma membrane–endoplasmic reticulum contact sites in regulating phosphatidylcholine synthesis in budding yeast.
Ebola virus VP35 induces high-level production of recombinant TPL-2–ABIN-2–NF-κB1 p105 complex in co-transfected HEK-293 cells
Authors: Gantke Thorsten , Boussouf Sabrina , Janzen Julia , Morrice Nicholas A. , Howell Steven , MÜHLBERGER Elke , Ley Steven C.
Published: April 2013

Activation of PKR (double-stranded-RNA-dependent protein kinase) by DNA plasmids decreases translation, and limits the amount of recombinant protein produced by transiently transfected HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells. Co-expression with Ebola virus VP35 (virus protein 35), which blocked plasmid activation of PKR, substantially increased production of recombinant TPL-2 (tumour progression locus 2)–ABIN-2 [A20-binding inhibitor of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) 2]–NF-κB1 p105 complex. VP35 also increased expression of other co-transfected proteins, suggesting that VP35 could be employed generally to boost recombinant protein production by HEK-293 cells.
The infrared spectrum of 12C2D2: The stretching-bending band system up to 5500 cm−1
Authors: Villa Mattia , Canè Elisabetta , Tamassia Filippo , Di Lonardo Gianfranco , Fusina Luciano
Published: April 2013

The infrared spectrum of the perdeuterated acetylene, 12C2D2, has been recorded from 900 cm−1 to 5500 cm−1 by Fourier transform spectroscopy at a resolution ranging between 0.004 and 0.009 cm−1. Ninety-two bands involving the ν1, ν2, and ν3 stretching modes, also associated with the ν4 and ν5 bending vibrations and 9 bands involving pure bending transitions have been observed and analysed. In total, 8345 transitions for the stretching-bending, and 862 for the pure bending modes have been assigned in the investigated spectral region. All the transitions relative to each stretching mode, i.e. the fundamental, its first overtone, and associated hot and combination bands involving bending states up to v4 + v5 = 2, were fitted simultaneously. The Hamiltonian adopted for the analysis is that appropriate to a linear molecule and includes vibration and rotation l-type interactions. The Darling−Dennison interaction between v4 = 2 and v5 = 2 levels associated with the various stretching states was also considered. The standard deviation for each global fit is smaller than 0.0006 cm−1, of the same order of magnitude of the measurement precision.
A quantum time-dependent wave-packet study of intersystem crossing effects in the O(3P0, 1, 2) + D2(v = 0, j = 0) reaction
Authors: Zhao Juan
Published: April 2013

We investigated spin–orbit-induced intersystem crossing effects in the title reaction by the time-dependent wave-packet method combined with an extended split operator scheme. We performed non-adiabatic calculations of the fine-structure-resolved cross section and adiabatic calculations of integral cross section. The calculations are based on the potential energy surfaces of 3A′ and the two degenerate 3A′′ states [S. Rogers, D. Wang, A. Kuppermann, and S. Walch, J. Phys. Chem. A 104, 2308 (2000)]10.1021/jp992985g, together with the spin–orbit coupling matrix [B. Maiti and G. C. Schatz, J. Chem. Phys. 119, 12360 (2003)]10.1063/1.1623481 and singlet 1A′ potential energy surface [J. Dobbyn and P. J. Knowles, Faraday Discuss. 110, 247 (1998)]. The results of the O(3P) + D2 are similar to those of the O(3P) + H2 reaction. The product spin state-resolved reaction cross section and the total reaction cross section both show that the adiabatic channel is dominant in all cases, and the non-adiabatic channels have cross sections of several orders of magnitude smaller than the adiabatic channels at high collision energy. Although the cross sections caused by the intersystem crossing effects in the O(3P) + D2 reaction are larger than those in the O(3P) + H2 reaction, the differences in non-adiabaticity between these two reaction systems are quite modest. Based on the results of the O(3P) + H2 reaction, we can predict that the influence of spin–orbit on the total reaction cross sections of the O(3P) + D2 reaction is also insignificant. However, these non-adiabatic effects can be reflected in the presence of some forward-scattering in the angular distribution for the OD product.
Investigation of anomalous magnetoresistance in topological insulator Bi2Te3 at the onset of superconductivity in indium contacts
Authors: Hagmann J. A. , Liu X. , Dobrowolska M. , Furdyna J. K.
Published: April 2013

Presented here is evidence that suggests induced superconductivity in topological insulator Bi2Te3 occurring at its interface with indium (In) contacts. Thin Bi2Te3 films of several thicknesses were grown by molecular beam epitaxy and were studied by magnetotransport measurements using In as contacts. Magnetotransport measurements at temperatures below the superconducting transition of In reveal an anomalous abrupt drop in resistance of the Bi2Te3 samples suggesting the formation of a superconducting region at the In/Bi2Te3 interface induced by the In contacts.
Geometric and electronic factors in the rational design of transition-metal-centered boron molecular wheels
Authors: Romanescu Constantin , Galeev Timur R. , Li Wei-Li , Boldyrev Alexander I. , Wang Lai-Sheng
Published: April 2013

The effects of the electronic and geometric factors on the global minimum structures of MB9− (M = V, Nb, Ta) are investigated using photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. Photoelectron spectra are obtained for MB9− at two photon energies, and similar spectral features are observed for all three species. The structures for all clusters are established by global minima searches and confirmed by comparison of calculated and experimental vertical electron detachment energies. The VB9− cluster is shown to have a planar C2v V©B9− structure, whereas both NbB9− and TaB9− are shown to have Cs M©B9− type structures with the central metal atom slightly out of plane. Theoretical calculations suggest that the V atom fits perfectly inside the B9 ring forming a planar D9h V©B92− structure, while the lower symmetry of V©B9− is due to the Jahn-Teller effect. The Nb and Ta atoms are too large to fit in the B9 ring, and they are squeezed out of the plane slightly even in the M©B92− dianions. Thus, even though all three M©B92− dianions fulfill the electronic design principle for the doubly aromatic molecular wheels, the geometric effect lowers the symmetry of the Nb and Ta clusters.
Mössbauer analysis of silicate Li2FeSiO4 and delithiated Li2−xFeSiO4 (x = 0.66) compounds
Authors: Lee In Kyu , Kim Sam Jin , Kouh Taejoon , Kim Chul Sung
Published: April 2013

Lithium iron silicate compounds of Li2FeSiO4 and partially delithiated Li2−xFeSiO4 (x = 0.66) were synthesized by vacuum-sealed solid-state and chemical delithiation reactions, and their magnetic properties were characterized based on Mössbauer analysis. Crystal structures of both Li2FeSiO4 and Li2−xFeSiO4 (x = 0.66) compounds are found to be γs-type (P21/n) monoclinic structures with difference in the lattice parameters due to lithium delithiation. Mössbauer spectrum of Li2FeSiO4 below TN1 = 20 K exhibits eight Lorentzians of Fe2+ with antiferromagnetic ordering. However, the spectrum of intermediate Li2−xFeSiO4 (x = 0.66) compound shows the appearance of magnetically ordered Fe3+ sextet below TN2 = 28 K. The temperature-dependent isomer shift of Li2−xFeSiO4 indicates the coexistence of nonequivalent Fe2+/Fe3+ valence states with the partial oxidation of FeO4, enhanced by the lithium ion deficiency. Also, we have observed a considerable change in electric quadrupole interaction between Fe2+/Fe3+ ions in Li2−xFeSiO4, when compared to that of Li2FeSiO4, due to the different lattice and valence electron contributions, being originated from crystalline and valence transitions caused by the lithiation/delithiation process.
First-principles study of superconductivity in the hole self-doped LiB1.1C0.9
Authors: Miao Rende , Yang Jun , Jiang Min , Zhang Qilin , Cai Dan , Fan Chunhui , Bai Zhong , Liu Cuicui , Wu Fangping , Ma Shuyun
Published: April 2013

Electronic density of states of LiBC, electronic band structure, lattice dynamics, and superconducting properties for hypothetical LiB1.1C0.9 are obtained by first-principles calculations within the virtual-crystal approximation treatment. It is found that the top of the valence band of LiBC are mainly due to the C 2p states, with sizable contributions of B 2p states and very small contributions from Li states. We thus suggest that the slight hole doping of LiBC through partial substitution of B or C atoms may more easily metallize LiBC than that of the removal of Li atoms from LiBC. For example, the partial substitution of C by B atoms can produce an insulator-metal transition and develop superconductivity. To assess the thermodynamic stability of LiB1+xC1−x, the formation energy is calculated using the supercell method. For LiB1.1C0.9, the obtained formation energy is −9.4 eV, indicating that it is energetically favorable. The electron-phonon coupling constant λ for LiB1.1C0.9 is 0.75, and superconducting transition temperature TC is as high as 36 K (μ∗=0.1).
Measurement of the indium concentration in high indium content InGaN layers by scanning transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography
Authors: Mehrtens T. , Schowalter M. , Tytko D. , Choi P. , Raabe D. , Hoffmann L. , Jönen H. , Rossow U. , Hangleiter A. , Rosenauer A.
Published: April 2013

A method for determining concentrations from high-angle annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy images is presented. The method is applied to an InGaN/GaN multi-quantum well structure with high In content, as used for the fabrication of light emitting diodes and laser diodes emitting in the green spectral range. Information on specimen thickness and In concentration is extracted by comparison with multislice calculations. Resulting concentration profiles are in good agreement with a comparative atom probe tomography analysis. Indium concentrations in the quantum wells ranging from 26 at. % to 33 at. % are measured in both cases.
Study of spontaneous and induced absorption in amorphous Ta2O5 and SiO2 dielectric thin films
Authors: Markosyan A. S. , Route R. , Fejer M. M. , Patel D. , Menoni C.
Published: April 2013

Tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) are common high-index and low-index materials used in dielectric optical coatings for high average-power lasers since high-density sputtered oxide films with absorption losses at near- and mid-infrared wavelengths of less than 1 ppm can be obtained. These oxides have been chosen to investigate the spontaneous and optically induced absorption at λ0 = 1064 nm that occurs due to simultaneous illumination at shorter wavelengths. The effect is measured using the photothermal common-path interferometric technique. This technique is capable of detecting sub-ppm levels of optical absorption and tracking its changes at a given wavelength when a second laser beam is also incident on a thin film oxide sample. In this work, dual beam experiments are employed to assess changes in the optical absorption at λ0 = 1064 nm in ion beam sputtered Ta2O5 and SiO2 thin films deposited on fused silica substrates, with stimulating illumination λ1 ranging from λ1 = 266 nm to λ1 = 780 nm. The power and wavelength of the stimulating radiation were found to affect the optical absorption at λ0 = 1064 nm. Furthermore, the relaxation dynamics of the induced infrared absorption was found to be wavelength dependent and is thought to be associated with various electron traps existing in the forbidden gap that depend essentially on the film's preparation conditions. The significantly greater effect observed in Ta2O5 at λ1 = 266 nm is attributed to band-to-band transitions.
Wind turbine positioning optimization of wind farm using greedy algorithm
Authors: Chen K. , Song M. X. , He Z. Y. , Zhang X.
Published: April 2013

In this paper, the greedy algorithm is used to solve the wind turbine positioning optimization problem. Various models are employed to describe the problem, including the linear wake model, the power-law power curve model with power control mechanisms, Weibull distribution, and the profit function. The incremental calculation method is developed to consider the influence of the adding turbine on other turbines in the wind farm and accelerate the wind power assessment process. The repeated adjustment strategy is used to improve the optimized result. Three cases with simple models and a case with realistic models are used to test the present method. The results show that the greedy algorithm with repeated adjustment can obtain a better result than bionic algorithm and genetic algorithm in less computational time. The proposed greedy algorithm is an effective solution strategy for wind turbine positioning optimization.
Wavy channel transistor for area efficient high performance operation
Authors: Fahad H. M. , Hussain A. M. , Torres Sevilla G. , Hussain M. M.
Published: April 2013

We report a wavy channel FinFET like transistor where the channel is wavy to increase its width without any area penalty and thereby increasing its drive current. Through simulation and experiments, we show the effectiveness of such device architecture is capable of high performance operation compared to conventional FinFETs with comparatively higher area efficiency and lower chip latency as well as lower power consumption.
Surface and interfacial reaction study of half cycle atomic layer deposited HfO2 on chemically treated GaSb surfaces
Authors: Zhernokletov D. M. , Dong H. , Brennan B. , Yakimov M. , Tokranov V. , Oktyabrsky S. , Kim J. , Wallace R. M.
Published: April 2013

An in situ half-cycle atomic layer deposition/X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study was conducted in order to investigate the evolution of the HfO2 dielectric interface with GaSb(100) surfaces after sulfur passivation and HCl etching, designed to remove the native oxides. With the first pulses of tetrakis(dimethylamido)hafnium(IV) and water, a decrease in the concentration of antimony oxide states present on the HCl-etched surface is observed, while antimony sulfur states diminished below the XPS detection limit on sulfur passivated surface. An increase in the amount of gallium oxide/sulfide is seen, suggesting oxygen or sulfur transfers from antimony to gallium during antimony oxides/sulfides decomposition.
Si surface passivation by Al2O3 thin films deposited using a low thermal budget atomic layer deposition process
Authors: Seguini G. , Cianci E. , Wiemer C. , Saynova D. , van Roosmalen J. A. M. , Perego M.
Published: April 2013

High-quality surface passivation of crystalline Si is achieved using 10 nm thick Al2O3 films fabricated by thermal atomic layer deposition at 100 °C. After a 5 min post deposition annealing at 200 °C, the effective carrier lifetime is 1 ms, indicating a functional level of surface passivation. The interplay between the chemical and the field effect passivation is investigated monitoring the density of interface traps and the amount of fixed charges with conductance-voltage and capacitance-voltage techniques. The physical mechanisms underlying the surface passivation are described. The combination of low processing temperatures, thin layers, and good passivation properties facilitate a technology for low-temperature solar cells.
Planar junctionless transistor with non-uniform channel doping
Authors: Mondal Partha , Ghosh Bahniman , Bal Punyasloka
Published: April 2013

We propose a planar junctionless transistor (JLT) in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) with non-uniform channel doping in vertical direction to improve the ON to OFF drain current ratio. In single gate JLT in SOI, a thin device layer is depleted in the off-state from the top of the layer and the leakage current flows through bottom of the device layer, and the leakage current depends on the device layer thickness. We show that the decrease of doping in vertical direction suppresses the leakage current flowing through the bottom of the device by decreasing conductivity at the bottom of the device layer.
Spontaneous formation of aluminum germanate on Ge(100) by atomic layer deposition with trimethylaluminum and microwave-generated atomic oxygen
Authors: Fukuda Yukio , Ishizaki Hiroki , Otani Yohei , Yamamoto Chiaya , Yamanaka Junji , Sato Tetsuya , Takamatsu Toshiyuki , Okamoto Hiroshi , Narita Hidehumi
Published: April 2013

The application of microwave-generated atomic oxygen as an oxidant is found to change the manner of atomic layer deposition (ALD) of an Al2O3 layer on a Ge substrate, leading to the spontaneous formation of aluminum germanate with a deposition rate higher than that of conventional ALD with water oxidant. Electrical characterization of the Al/aluminum germanate (11 nm)/p-Ge(100) structure indicates that both the bulk and the interface properties of the aluminum germanate are promising with small capacitance-voltage hysteresis of less than 20 mV and interface trap densities ranging from 2×1011 to 6×1011 cm−2 eV−1 in the upper half of the Ge band gap.
How Patients Understand the Term “Nonmedical Use” of Prescription Drugs: Insights from Cognitive Interviews
Authors: McNeely Jennifer , Halkitis Perry N. , Horton Ariana , Khan Rubina , Gourevitch Marc N.
Published: April 2013

Background

With rising rates of prescription drug abuse and associated overdose deaths, there is great interest in having accurate and efficient screening tools that identify nonmedical use of prescription drugs in health care settings. The authors sought to gain a better understanding of how patients interpret questions about misuse of prescription drugs, with the goal of improving the accuracy and acceptability of instruments intended for use in primary care.

Methods

A total of 27 English-speaking adult patients were recruited from an urban safety net primary care clinic to complete a cognitive interview about a 4-item screening questionnaire for tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, and misuse of prescription drugs. Detailed field notes were analyzed for overall comprehension of the screening items on illicit drug use and prescription drug misuse, the accuracy with which participants classified drugs into these categories, and whether the screening response correctly captured the participant's substance use behavior.

Results

Based on initial responses to the screening items, 6 (22%) participants screened positive for past-year prescription drug misuse, and 8 (30%) for illicit drug use. The majority (26/27) of participants correctly interpreted the item on illicit drug use, and appropriately classified drugs in this category. Eleven (41%) participants had errors in their understanding of the prescription drug misuse item. The most common error was classifying use of medications without abuse potential as nonmedical use. All cases of misunderstanding the prescription drug misuse item occurred among participants who screened negative for illicit drug use.

Conclusions

The results suggest that terminology used to describe misuse of prescription medications may be misunderstood by many primary care patients, particularly those who do not use illicit drugs. Failure to improve upon the language used to describe prescription drug misuse in screening questionnaires intended for use in medical settings could potentially lead to high rates of false-positive results.
Clupeid Response to Stressors: The Influence of Environmental Factors on Thiaminase Expression
Authors: Lepak J. M. , Kraft C. E. , Vanni M. J.
Published: April 2013

Over the past five decades, a reproductive failure related to thiamine deficiency, referred to as thiamine deficiency complex (TDC), has been observed in valuable salmonine fishes in the Great Lakes and Finger Lakes in North America and the Baltic Sea in Europe. The cause of TDC has been linked to the consumption of clupeid fish, which contain high levels of a thiamine-destroying enzyme called thiaminase I (hereafter referred to as “thiaminase”). High activities of thiaminase have been reported from clupeids such as Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus, Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum and Atlantic (Baltic) Herring Clupea harengus, but no consistent explanation has accounted for the wide range of observed variation in levels of thiaminase in clupeids. Chronic stress can suppress the immune systems of Alewife and other fishes, thereby reducing the number of circulating white blood cells available to suppress bacteria. Because the presence of thiaminase has been associated with thiaminolytic bacteria isolated from Alewife viscera, we hypothesized that stressful conditions, which can potentially limit clupeid immune response or alter internal physiological conditions, could allow for thiaminase to be produced more efficiently by bacteria or thiaminolytic bacteria could proliferate, or both events could occur, resulting in a subsequent increase in thiaminolytic activity. In this study, Alewives and Gizzard Shad were exposed to severe winter temperatures and low food availability, respectively, in replicated pond experiments to evaluate the influence of stressful conditions on clupeid thiaminase activity. Though responses in circulating white blood cell counts and metrics of fish condition indicated that experimental treatments affected these clupeids, these effects were not related to increased thiaminase activity. The only significant treatment effect on clupeid thiaminase was an increase in mean thiaminase activity in Gizzard Shad from ponds where only high quality energy sources were available. These data indicate that variability in clupeid thiaminase may be related to diet composition.

Received June 19, 2012; accepted January 15, 2013
The depletion of gas in high-redshift dwarf galaxies from an inhomogeneous reionization
Authors: Sobacchi Emanuele , Mesinger Andrei
Published: April 2013

The reionization of the intergalactic medium (IGM) was likely inhomogeneous and extended. By heating the IGM and photo-evaporating gas from the outskirts of galaxies, this process can have a dramatic impact on the growth of structures. Using a suite of spherically symetric collapse simulations spanning a large parameter space, we study the impact of an ultraviolet background (UVB) on the condensation of baryons onto dark matter haloes. We present an expression for the halo baryon fraction, fb, which is an explicit function of (i) halo mass, (ii) UVB intensity, (iii) redshift and (iv) redshift at which the halo was exposed to a UVB. We also present a corresponding expression for the characteristic or critical mass, Mcrit, defined as the halo mass which retains half of its baryons compared to the global value. Since our results are general and physically motivated, they can be broadly applied to inhomogeneous reionization models.
Hepatitis B Virus Genotype Change in Children Is Closely Related to HBeAg/Anti‐HBe Seroconversion
Authors: Wirth Stefan , Bortolotti Flavia , Brunert Carl , Postberg Jan , Hensel Kai , Jenke Andreas
Published: April 2013

Background and Objectives:

Genotype changes have been observed during long‐term follow‐up in adults with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and distribution of HBV genotype shifts in treated and untreated European children during the different phases of chronic hepatitis B.

Methods:

The initial population consisted of 85 HBeAg‐positive children who were sequentially investigated for HBV genotypes for a mean period of 7.1 years. During the survey, 65 patients seroconverted to anti‐HBe and 24 received antiviral treatment. Genotyping was done by restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Results:

Genotypes at enrollment were distributed as follows: D (n = 67), A (n = 11), B (n = 4), and C and mixed (n = 3). A genotype change was observed in 16 (19%) participants at last visit, of whom 1 of 20 (5%) remained persistently HBeAg positive and 15 of 65 (23%) children had seroconverted to anti‐HBe (P < 0.001). The genotype shift was D to A or B in 9 individuals, A to D in 5, and A to B in 1. Genotype changes were more frequent in untreated than in treated subjects; however, the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

The results of this study suggest that genotype change is a relatively frequent event in children with chronic hepatitis B after anti‐HBe seroconversion and independent of treatment. The reasons why only some patients will experience this event remain to be clarified.
Enterobacter cloacae producing an uncommon class A carbapenemase, IMI-1, from Singapore
Authors: Teo Jeanette W. P. , La My-Van , Krishnan Prabha , Ang Brenda , Jureen Roland , Lin Raymond T. P.
Published: April 2013

In this study, we describe the characterization of an infrequently encountered class A carbapenemase, IMI-1, from a clinical Enterobacter cloacae isolate. The isolate had high levels of resistance to carbapenems but retained susceptibility to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins. The bla
IMI-1 gene was chromosomally encoded. Detection of the IMI-1 producer highlights the diversity of carbapenemases in a local clinical setting.
Genetic characterization of a novel picornavirus in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) distinct from turkey galliviruses and megriviruses and distantly related to the members of the genus Avihepatovirus
Authors: Boros Ákos , Nemes Csaba , Pankovics Péter , Kapusinszky Beatrix , Delwart Eric , Reuter Gábor
Published: April 2013

This study reports the metagenomic detection and complete genome characterization of a novel turkey picornavirus from faecal samples of healthy (1/3) and affected (6/8) commercial turkeys with enteric and/or stunting syndrome in Hungary. The virus was detected at seven of the eight farms examined. The turkey/M176-TuASV/2011/HUN genome (KC465954) was genetically different from the currently known picornaviruses of turkey origin (megriviruses and galliviruses), and showed distant phylogenetic relationship and common genomic features (e.g. uncleaved VP0 and three predicted and unrelated 2A polypeptides) to duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV) of the genus Avihepatovirus. The complete genome analysis revealed multiple distinct genome features like the presence of two in-tandem aphthovirus 2A-like sequence repeats with DxExNPG/P ‘ribosome-skipping’ sites (76 %, 23/30 amino acids identical), with the first aphthovirus 2A-like sequence being located at the end of the VP1 capsid protein (VP1/2A1 ‘ribosome-skipping’ site). The phylogenetic analyses, low sequence identity (33, 32 and 36 % amino acid identity in P1, P2 and P3 regions) to DHAV, and the type II-like internal ribosome entry site suggests that this turkey picornavirus is related to, but distinct from the genus Avihepatovirus and it could be the founding member of a novel Avihepatovirus sister-clade genus. This is the third, taxonomically highly distinct picornavirus clade identified from turkeys exhibiting varied symptoms.
Identification and characterization of a linearized B-cell epitope on the pr protein of dengue virus
Authors: Song Ke-Yu , Zhao Hui , Li Shi-Hua , Li Xiao-Feng , Deng Yong-Qiang , Wang Hong-Jiang , Ye Qing , Zhu Shun-Ya , Jiang Zhen-You , Zhang Fu-Chun , Qin E-De , Qin Cheng-Feng
Published: April 2013

The four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV) represent one of the major mosquito-borne pathogens globally; so far no vaccine or specific antiviral is available. During virion maturation, the pr protein is cleaved from its precursor form the prM protein on the surface of immature DENV by host protease. Recent findings have demonstrated that the pr protein not only played critical roles in virion assembly and maturation, but was also involved in antibody-dependent enhancement of DENV infection. However, the B-cell epitopes on the pr protein of DENV have not been well characterized. In this study, a set of 11 partially overlapping peptides spanning the entire pr protein of DENV-2 were fused with glutathione S-transferase and expressed in Escherichia coli. ELISA screening with murine hyperimmune antiserum against immature DENV identified the P8 peptide (57KQNEPEDIDCWCNST71) in the pr protein as the major immunodominant epitope. Fine mapping by truncated protein assays confirmed the 8-e peptide 57KQNEPEDI64 was the smallest unit capable of antibody binding. Importantly, the 8-e epitope reacted with sera from dengue fever patients. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed the asparagine residue at position 59 was important for epitope recognition. The 8-e epitope coincided well with the B-cell epitopes predicted by Immune Epitope Database analysis, and 3D structural modelling mapped the 8-e peptide on the surface of prM-E heterodimers. Overall, our findings characterized a linearized B-cell epitope on the pr protein of DENV, which will help to understand the life cycle of DENV and pathogenesis of dengue infections in human.
Autocorrelation function of the spin misalignment in magnetic small-angle neutron scattering: application to nanocrystalline metals
Authors: Michels Andreas , Bick Jens-Peter
Published: April 2013

Real-space magnetic small-angle neutron scattering data from nanocrystalline cobalt and nickel have been analysed in terms of a recently developed micromagnetic theory for the autocorrelation function of the spin misalignment [Michels (2010).Phys. Rev. B,82, 024433]. The approach provides information on the exchange-stiffness constant and on the mean magnetic `anisotropy-field' radius.
Element-selective charge density visualization of endohedral metallofullerenes using synchrotron X-ray multi-wavelength anomalous powder diffraction data
Authors: Maki Sachiko , Nishibori Eiji , Kawaguchi Daisuke , Sakata Makoto , Takata Masaki , Inoue Takashi , Shinohara Hisanori
Published: April 2013

An algorithm for determining the element-selective charge density has been developed using the maximum entropy method (MEM), Rietveld analysis and synchrotron X-ray multi-wavelength anomalous powder diffraction data. This article describes in detail both experimental and analytical aspects of the developed method. A structural study of yttrium mono-metallofullerene, Y@C82, 1:1 co-crystallized with toluene using the present technique is reported in order to demonstrate the applicability of the method even when only medium resolution data are available (d> 1.32 Å). Element-selective MEM charge density maps, computed from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data collected at three distinct wavelengths around the yttriumK-absorption edge (∼0.727 A), are employed for determining three crystallographic sites of the disordered yttrium.
“Deference as respect” in WTO standard of review
Authors: Dye Valerie D.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

In WTO proceedings The Dispute Settlement Body has generally adopted a standard of review that is less than deferential even in the Anti‐Dumping agreement which envisages a deferential standard of review. What should be the applicable standard of review in WTO proceedings? The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of the concept of “deference as respect” as developed by David Dyzenhaus and discuss its application to the WTO. This paper argues that the WTO should apply a standard of “deference as respect” in the interest of preserving economic sovereignty and the legitimacy of the WTO.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper involves the analysis of relevant case law and also the analysis and application of the concept of “deference as respect” in WTO proceedings. It also uses a comparative methodology in that it highlights the application of domestic legal principles at the international level.

Findings

The main finding is that within the WTO there is need to balance the requirements of trade liberalisation which eschews protectionism and the requirements of sovereignty and legitimacy. This balance can partly be achieved when a standard of review akin to “deference as respect” is applied.

Originality/value

This paper is different from previous writings on WTO standard of review in that it applies the concept of “deference as respect”. This analysis and application will provide academics and members of the DSB with a new way of assessing the standard of review in the WTO.
A comparison between the Cotonou Agreement and the EU Generalized System of Preferences
Authors: Constant LaForce Vanessa
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to critically analyse the trade preferences offered by the European Union (EU) to developing countries under the Cotonou Agreement and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in relation to trade in sugar. There is a need for a timely examination of this area, given the context of the ACP‐EU Economic Partnership Agreements and the recent termination of the ACP‐EU Sugar Protocol (SP).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on the Caribbean region as a whole with a particular focus on two non‐least developed ACP Caribbean countries, Guyana and Jamaica which held the largest sugar quotas among ACP Caribbean which benefited from the SP.

Findings

The EU trade regime changes have affected the value of the African‐Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) sugar trade regime and could have a serious impact on the amount of sugar available for purchase on the global market. The paper argues that ACP Caribbean countries could find more profitable to grow sugarcane as an agricultural commodity to produce biofuel, which is currently in high demand.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis in this paper is limited to the arrangements pertaining to developing countries and therefore excludes those relating to least developed countries. Trade in more highly processed sugars such as fructose or glucose, together with the growing trade in biofuel refined from sugar beet and sugar cane are also outwith the scope of this discussion.

Originality/value

The paper deals with an intricate issue. It discusses the socio‐economic impact of the trade regime changes on the selected Caribbean countries and includes a section on recommendations given the economic weight of sugar for these countries.
Beyond a Livable and Green Neighborhood: Asserting Control, Sovereignty and Transgression in the Casc Antic of Barcelona
Authors: Anguelovski Isabelle
Published: April 2013

During the past 15 years, the Casc Antic, a traditionally low‐income and immigrant neighborhood in Barcelona, has been the site of community‐based mobilization to revitalize abandoned areas and improve local environmental conditions. The organization of residents and their supporters is situated within a broader context of urban political and socioeconomic change — the transformation of the urban economy into a decentralized, global and technology‐ and service‐focused system, accompanied by rising socioeconomic inequality and displacement in inner‐city areas. To date, few studies in the urban environmental arena have been placed within processes of urban change and offer specificity on the purposes, intents and goals that poor and minority residents develop as they understand, resist and challenge their marginality. Why do residents of marginalized neighborhoods and their supporters organize to proactively improve livability and environmental quality? To what extent do the environmental struggles of marginalized communities serve as means to advance more complex political agendas in the city? Through the examination of neighborhood organization for livability in the Casc Antic, I analyze how activists use their environmental endeavors as tools to address stigmas attached to their place, control the land and its boundaries, and build a more transgressive form of democracy.
Chronic radiation enteritis and malnutrition
Authors: Webb Gwilym James , Brooke Rachael , De Silva Aminda Niroshan
Published: April 2013

Radiation enteritis is defined as the loss of absorptive capacity of the intestine following irradiation, which is most commonly seen after radiotherapy for pelvic and abdominal malignancies. It is divided into acute and chronic forms and usually presents with diarrhea and malabsorption. Malnutrition is a common complication of chronic radiation enteritis (CRE). We reviewed the etiology, prevalence, symptoms, diagnosis and management of CRE and CRE with malnutrition in this article. Functional short bowel syndrome as a cause of malnutrition in CRE is also considered. The diagnostic work‐up includes serum markers, endoscopy, cross‐sectional imaging and the exclusion of alternative diagnoses such as recurrent malignancy. Management options of CRE include dietary manipulation, anti‐motility agents, electrolyte correction, probiotics, parenteral nutrition, surgical resection and small bowel transplantation. Treatment may also be required for coexisting conditions including vitamin B12 deficiency, bile acid malabsorption and depression.
Mixed strategies in discriminatory divisible‐good auctions
Authors: Anderson Edward J. , Holmberg Pär , Philpott Andrew B.
Published: April 2013

We introduce the concept of an offer distribution function to analyze randomized offer curves in multiunit procurement auctions. We characterize mixed‐strategy Nash equilibria for pay‐as‐bid auctions where demand is uncertain and costs are common knowledge, a setting for which pure‐strategy supply function equilibria typically do not exist. We generalize previous results on mixtures over horizontal offers as in Bertrand‐Edgeworth games and also characterize novel mixtures over partly increasing supply functions. We show that the randomization can cause considerable production inefficiencies.
Systematic review: Asian patients with chronic hepatitis C infection
Authors: Nguyen L. H. , Nguyen M. H.
Published: April 2013

Background

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection is a risk factor for both the development of end‐stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Globally, approximately 170 million people are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and the majority of these individuals come from the western Pacific and Southeast Asia regions (94.6 million persons combined). CHC is an understudied and underappreciated health problem in many Asian countries and in the US, where Asians represent one of the fastest growing groups of new Americans.

Aim

To perform a systematic review of the current literature on the epidemiology, diagnosis and screening, clinical characteristics and response to anti‐viral therapy of Asians with CHC.

Methods

Using a PubMed search of ‘hepatitis C’ and ‘Asia,’ 341 original manuscripts published in peer‐reviewed journals were identified, and 99 were selected based on their relevance.

Results

Many Asian CHC patients do not have easily identifiable risk factors and may be underdiagnosed. Rates of HCV infection in Asians on community screening in the US are unexpectedly high, and there is a high prevalence of HCV genotype 6 in Southeast Asia and Southern China. HCV‐infected Asians tend to present at older age and may have higher risk of HCC; however, they respond better to anti‐viral therapy than non‐Asians across all HCV genotypes.

Conclusions

Given the high HCV endemicity in Asia, lack of identifiable risk factors and favourable treatment response rates in Asians, we advocate the screening for HCV infection of all Asians who come from areas where HCV prevalence is ≥2%.
Histologic and Histomorphometric Behavior of Microgrooved Zirconia Dental Implants with Immediate Loading
Authors: Delgado‐Ruiz Rafael Arcesio , Calvo‐Guirado Jose Luis , Abboud Marcus , Ramirez‐Fernandez Maria Piedad , Mate‐Sanchez Jose Eduardo , Negri Bruno , Rothamel Daniel
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The study aims to assess the total soft tissue (ST) width, crestal bone level (CBL), bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC), and bone density (BD) for zirconia implants textured with microgrooved surfaces and immediately loaded.

Materials and Methods

This study included 51 implants; one implant from each study group was retained for surface characterization. The 48 remaining implants were inserted randomly in premolar areas of both sides of the healed edentulous lower jaws of foxhound dogs. They were divided into three groups of 16: control (titanium); test A (zirconia), and test B (microgrooved zirconia). The implants were splinted and covered with an acrylic bridge. A split‐mouth design was used and immediate occlusal loading was applied on one side, while the other side did not have occlusal contact. ST, CBL, BIC, and BD were evaluated after 3 months. The effects of immediate loading on these parameters were analyzed.

Results

All the implants were osseointegrated. ST was established at 3 months with mean values of 2.9 ± 0.4 mm for all groups. No differences were appreciated between loaded and unloaded sides regarding ST (p > .05). CBL showed a mean of 1.2 ± 0.3 mm for all groups without differences between loaded and unloaded sides (p > .05). BIC percentages were significantly higher for loaded all‐microgrooved implants (p < .05). BD percentages were higher in areas close to all‐microgrooved implants (p < .05) and significantly higher for loaded implants than unloaded.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of the present study, it may be concluded that for zirconia dental implants with microgrooved surfaces and immediate loading, the thickness of STs remains stable resulting in 3 mm mean biologic width, that crestal bone preservation is related to insertion depth, and that higher BIC percentages and increased BD around implants microgrooved over the entire intraosseous area may be expected at 3 months following implant insertion and immediate loading.
Left Atrial Functional Remodeling in Lone Atrial Fibrillation: A Two‐Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiographic Study
Authors: Hong Jin , Gu Xiaoyan , An Ping , Luo Taiyang , Lv Qiang , Kang Junping , He Yihua , Hu Rong , Liu Xiaohui , Ma Changsheng
Published: April 2013

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess left atrial (LA) functional remodeling in lone atrial fibrillation (LAF) patients via two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE).

Methods

Forty‐five paroxysmal LAF patients and 30 healthy controls underwent 2DSTE in sinus rhythm. Longitudinal LA strain/strain rate (LAS/LASR) of booster, reservoir, and conduit function in apical four‐ and two‐chamber views were measured and averages of the 2 views were used.

Results

The 2 groups had similarity in LA volume. LAS and LASR of the 3 phasic functions were reduced in patients. Comparing the 2 groups, LA booster strain (LASa) and strain rate were −12.31 ± 3.15 versus −15.30 ± 2.52% and −1.64 ± 0.51 versus −2.08 ± 0.48 1/sec, respectively, P < 0.05 for both. Multivariate regression confirmed that LAF was an independent determinant of LAS/LASR reduction. LASa was the most accurate parameter for differentiating LAF patients from controls (area under receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.763; cutoff value, −14.3%; sensitivity, 71.1% and specificity, 70.0%). Finally, LASa decrement was found to be the only significant predictor of early atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence (odds ratio [OR], 1.39 per unit decrement; 95% CI, 1.02–1.89; P = 0.038).

Conclusions

Remodeling of LA booster pump, reservoir, and conduit function in LAF patients can be detected by 2DSTE before structural remodeling. Occurrence of LAF is associated with impairment of LA intrinsic myocardial properties. LASa can differentiate LAF patients and lower LASa is associated with early recurrence of AF after ablation.
Behavioural responses of diverse insect groups to electric stimuli
Authors: Wijenberg Rosanna , Hayden Michael E. , Takács Stephen , Gries Gerhard
Published: April 2013

Anecdotal evidence suggests that cockroaches respond to electrical appliances or outlets. Our objectives were to determine the effect of field‐inducing sources and field attributes on attraction of German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Blattellidae), and to test those parameters found effective for attraction of B. germanica for attraction of other groups of insects. In two‐choice, large‐arena experiments, significantly more female, but not nymphal, B. germanica settled in or near electrified coils with static or fluctuating electromagnetic fields produced by low‐level direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) sources than in control coils without current. Electromagnetic fields with the magnetic, but not the electric, component of the field nulled still attracted B. germanica, suggesting that the electric component of the field may contribute to the attraction or arrestment response of B. germanica. DC‐powered coils with static electromagnetic fields also attracted/arrested brown‐banded cockroaches, Supella longipalpa (Fabricius) (Blattodea: Blattellidae), common silverfish, Lepisma saccharina (L.), firebrats, Thermobia domestica (Packard) (both Thysanura: Lepismatidae), and European earwigs, Forficula auricularia (L.) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), but they repelled American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (L.) (Blattodea: Blattidae). If proven in field experiments, electrified coils as trap baits may offer non‐toxic alternatives to pesticides for selective insect control in urban environments.