bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rates of Disturbance vary by data resolution: implications for conservation schedules using the Alberta Boreal Forest as a case study
Authors: Komers P. E. , Stanojevic Z.
Published: May 2013

Investigations of biophysical changes on earth caused by anthropogenic disturbance provide governments with tools to generate sustainable development policy. Canada currently experiences one of the fastest rates of boreal forest disturbance in the world. Plans to conserve the 330 000 km2boreal forest in the province of Alberta exist but conservation targets and schedules must be aligned with rates of forest disturbance. We explore how disturbance rate, and the accuracy with which we detect it, may affect conservation success. We performed a change detection analysis from 1992 to 2008 using Landsat andSPOTsatellite image data processing. Canada's recovery strategy for boreal caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) states that ≤35% of a caribou range can be either burned or within 500 m of a man‐made feature for caribou to recover. Our analyses show that by 2008 78% of the boreal forest was disturbed and that, if the current rate continues, 100% would be disturbed by 2028. Alberta plans to set aside 22% for conservation in a region encompassing oil sands development to balance economic, environmental, and traditional indigenous land‐use goals. Contrary to the federal caribou recovery strategy, provincial conservation plans do not consider wildfire a disturbance. Based on analyses used in the provincial plan, we apply a 250 m buffer around anthropogenic footprints. Landsat image analysis indicates that the yearly addition of disturbance is 714 km2(0.8%). The higher resolutionSPOTimages show fine‐scale disturbance indicating that actual disturbance was 1.28 times greater than detected by Landsat. If theSPOTimage based disturbance rates continue, the 22% threshold may be exceeded within the next decade, up to 20 years earlier than indicated by Landsat‐based analysis. Our results show that policies for sustainable development will likely fail if governments do not develop time frames that are grounded by accurate calculations of disturbance rates.
Consuming nostalgia? The appreciation of authenticity in local food production
Authors: Autio Minna , Collins Rebecca , Wahlen Stefan , Anttila Marika
Published: May 2013

Many consumers consider local food a more sustainable choice than conventional food because of the shorter transport distances involved as well as the support provided to local economies. In addition, consumers value the perceived safety benefits, ethical associations and improved taste of local food. In this study, we focus on the cultural meanings of locally produced food among Finnish consumers. Based on interviews with 22 consumers, our analysis suggests that, besides consumers valuing sustainable, healthy and tasty locally produced food, they perceived self‐produced, self‐processed items, including those they have gathered, hunted and fished themselves, as the most authentic local food. Furthermore, local food is associated with craftsmanship and artisan production. We also found that interviewees tended to historicize their relationship to food through local production. Thus, consumers seem to be in search of ‘real’ or ‘true’ food that is embedded in their personal and shared social histories.
Consciousness for fair consumption: conceptualization, scale development and empirical validation
Authors: Balderjahn Ingo , Peyer Mathias , Paulssen Marcel
Published: May 2013

Sustainable consumption means that consumers act in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Compared with the vast amount of studies concerning environmentally conscious consumer behaviour, relatively little is known about socially conscious consumption. The present paper focuses on fair consumption as an important aspect of social consumption. In our study, consciousness for fair consumption (CFC) is defined as a latent disposition of consumers to prefer products that are produced and traded in compliance with fair labour and business practices. A scale to measure CFC was conceptualized and tested in three independent empirical studies. Two studies were conducted at European universities (2010 and 2012) and used 352 and 362 undergraduate business students respectively. The third study, conducted in 2011, used 141 employees at a European university. The results confirmed the reliability and validity of the new CFC scale across samples. While being moderately related to other aspects of sustainable consumption such as ecological concern and moral reasoning, CFC was significantly distinct from those concepts. Most importantly, it was established that the CFC, as measured by the new CFC scale, is a strong determinant of consumption of fair trade products that has been neglected in existing research.
Effect of frozen storage on thermal stability of sarcoplasmic protein and myofibrillar protein from common carp (Cyprinus carpio) muscle
Authors: Wang Hang , Luo Yongkang , Shen Huixing
Published: May 2013

Thermal stability of sarcoplasmic protein and myofibrillar protein extracted from fresh and frozen common carp was comparatively studied. Total sulphydryl content (SH) in sarcoplasmic protein solution from 5‐month frozen carp decreased by 19.43% compared with fresh sample. The SDS‐PAGE patterns showed that all the bands of sarcoplasmic protein from frozen‐stored samples were almost invisible at 80 °C. Myofibrillar protein from fresh sample exhibited lower turbidity and surface hydrophobicity and higher Ca2+‐ATPase activity and SH content than frozen‐stored sample when heated from 20 to 80 °C. The Ca2+‐ATPase activity from fresh (M0), 2 (M2)‐ and 5 (M5)‐month frozen‐stored carp was completely lost at 48, 46 and 46 °C, respectively. When heated to 80 °C, the SH content of myofibrillar solutions in M0, M2 and M5 decreased by 26%, 60% and 70%, respectively. Sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins from frozen carp were more susceptible to aggregate during heating treatment.
The Spatial Distribution of Atrial Fibrillation Termination Sites in the Right Atrium During Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms‐Guided Ablation in Patients with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: CHEN YUNG‐LUNG , BAN JI‐EUN , PARK YAE‐MIN , CHOI JONG‐IL , PARK SANG‐WEON , KIM YOUNG‐HOON
Published: May 2013

AF Termination Sites During RA CFAE Ablation

Background

The role of right atrial (RA) ablation guided by complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) in atrial fibrillation (AF) has been debated. This study evaluated the spatial distribution of RA CFAE, the critical sites, and the predictors of successful termination of longstanding persistent AF during RA ablation.

Methods

A total of 97 patients with persistent AF who received automated detection of CFAE mapping and ablation at the RA for sustained AF after pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial (LA) CFAE‐guided ablation were analyzed. The AF termination patterns and CFAE areas were analyzed.

Results

Forty‐eight (49%) patients successfully converted to atrial tachycardia (AT) or sinus rhythm (SR) during CFAE‐guided ablation at the RA. Of these, 7 (15%) patients converted directly to SR, and 41 (85%) converted via AT. The crista terminalis (CT) was the most common site for AT conversion during RA CFAE ablation, followed by the RA appendage and RA septum. Patients with larger RA volumes (>145 mm3) had lower rates of SR or AT conversion during RA CFAE ablation. Patients with AF termination during RA CFAE ablation had less late recurrence than those without AF termination (P = 0.003).

Conclusion

A half of patients with persistent AF refractory to LA ablation successfully converted to AT or SR during automated CFAE‐guided ablation at the RA. The most common critical sites for AF termination were the CT and RA appendage and septum. Patients with AF termination during procedure whether LA CFAE only or after RA CFAE ablation had better outcome with less late recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia compared to those without AF termination.
Super‐resolution fluorescence imaging of directly labelled DNA: from microscopy standards to living cells
Authors: FLORS C.
Published: May 2013

Super‐resolution fluorescence microscopy is ideally suited to study the complex organization of cell DNA in the 10–100 nm range. Novel methods to image directly labelled DNA, instead of DNA‐associated proteins, are being developed and refined. This minireview provides an update of recent progress in super‐resolution fluorescence imaging methods for DNA. These developments should allow a deeper understanding of chromatin structure and widen the scope of biological processes that may be investigated with super‐resolution fluorescence microscopy.
Unique Factors Rural Veterans’ Affairs Hospitals Face When Implementing Health Care‐Associated Infection Prevention Initiatives
Authors: Harrod Molly , Manojlovich Milisa , Kowalski Christine P. , Saint Sanjay , Krein Sarah L.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Health care‐associated infection (HAI) is costly to hospitals and potentially life‐threatening to patients. Numerous infection prevention programs have been implemented in hospitals across the United States. Yet, little is known about infection prevention practices and implementation in rural hospitals. The purpose of this study was to understand the infection prevention practices used by rural Veterans’ Affairs (VA) hospitals and the unique factors they face in implementing these practices.

Methods

This study used a sequential, mixed methods approach. Survey data to identify the HAI prevention practices used by rural VA hospitals were collected, analyzed, and used to inform the development of a semistructured interview guide. Phone interviews were conducted followed by site visits to rural VA hospitals.

Findings

We found that most rural VA hospitals were using key recommended infection prevention practices. Nonetheless, a number of challenges with practice implementation were identified. The 3 most prominent themes were: (1) lack of human capital including staff with HAI expertise; (2) having to cultivate needed resources; and (3) operating as a system within a system.

Conclusions

Rural VA hospitals are providing key infection prevention services to ensure a safe environment for the veterans they serve. However, certain factors, such as staff expertise, limited resources, and local context impacted how and when these practices were used. The creative use of more accessible alternative resources as well as greater flexibility in implementing HAI‐related initiatives may be important strategies to further improve delivery of these important services by rural VA hospitals.
The Association of Intimate Partner Violence and Depressive Symptoms in a Cohort of Rural Couples
Authors: Renner Lynette M. , Habib Leah , Stromquist Ann M. , Peek‐Asa Corinne
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of physical and emotional intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and victimization among adult, cohabitating couples. The association between IPV and depressive symptoms, as well as the severity of depressive symptoms, was reported for both males and females.

Methods

In a rural cohort study, 548 couples completed survey items concerning physical and emotional IPV, and mental health.

Findings

Males and females who perpetrated physical IPV were 17.7 and 11.5 times more likely, respectively, to also be victims of physical IPV. Male and female perpetrators of emotional IPV were 18.7 and 5.2 times as likely, respectively, to also be victims of emotional IPV. Males and females with IPV histories were 3.0 and 2.4 times more likely, respectively, to have depressive symptoms (P < .001) than those without abuse histories. Females reported higher scores than males on the depressive symptoms index.

Conclusions

This study suggests that many couples in rural areas use physical and emotional violence against each other in their relationships, and that both males and females who report a history of IPV are more likely to report depressive symptoms. These findings support IPV screening for physical and emotional violence among all patients and providing follow‐up intervention programs in health care settings.
Acquisition of omptin reveals cryptic virulence function of autotransporter YapE in Yersinia pestis
Authors: Lawrenz Matthew B. , Pennington Jarrod , Miller Virginia L.
Published: May 2013

Autotransporters, the largest family of secreted proteins in Gram‐negative bacteria, perform a variety of functions, including adherence, cytotoxicity and immune evasion. In Yersinia pestis the autotransporter YapE has adhesive properties and contributes to disease in the mouse model of bubonic plague. Here, we demonstrate that omptin cleavage of Y. pestis YapE is required to mediate bacterial aggregation and adherence to eukaryotic cells. We demonstrate that omptin cleavage is specific for the Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis YapE orthologues but is not conserved in the Yersinia enterocolitica protein. We also show that cleavage of YapE occurs in Y. pestis but not in the enteric Yersinia species, and requires the omptin Pla (plasminogen activator protease), which is encoded on the Y. pestis‐specific plasmid pPCP1. Together, these data show that post‐translation modification of YapE appears to be specific to Y. pestis, was acquired along with the acquisition of pPCP1 during the divergence of Y. pestis from Y. pseudotuberculosis, and are the first evidence of a novel mechanism to regulate bacterial adherence.
Molecular and structural basis of glutathione import in Gram‐positive bacteria via GshT and the cystine ABC importer TcyBC of Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Vergauwen Bjorn , Verstraete Kenneth , Senadheera Dilani B. , Dansercoer Ann , Cvitkovitch Dennis G. , Guédon Eric , Savvides Savvas N.
Published: May 2013

Glutathione (GSH) protects cells against oxidative injury and maintains a range of vital functions across all branches of life. Despite recent advances in our understanding of the transport mechanisms responsible for maintaining the spatiotemporal homeostasis of GSH and its conjugates in eukaryotes and Gram‐negative bacteria, the molecular and structural basis of GSH import into Gram‐positive bacteria has remained largely uncharacterized. Here, we employ genetic, biochemical and structural studies to investigate a possible glutathione import axis in Streptococcus mutans, an organism that has hitherto served as a model system. We show that GshT, a type 3 solute binding protein, displays physiologically relevant affinity for GSH and glutathione disulfide (GSSG). The crystal structure of GshT in complex with GSSG reveals a collapsed structure whereby the GS‐I‐leg of GSSG is accommodated tightly via extensive interactions contributed by the N‐ and C‐terminal lobes of GshT, while the GS‐II leg extends to the solvent. This can explain the ligand promiscuity of GshT in terms of binding glutathione analogues with substitutions at the cysteine‐sulfur or the glycine‐carboxylate. Finally, we show that GshT primes glutathione import via the l‐cystine ABC transporter TcyBC, a membrane permease, which had previously exclusively been associated with the transport of l‐cystine.
Impact of a Pregabalin Step Therapy Policy Among Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
Authors: Suehs Brandon T. , Louder Anthony , Udall Margarita , Cappelleri Joseph C. , Joshi Ashish V. , Patel Nick C.
Published: May 2013

Background

Managed healthcare organizations often utilize formulary management strategies such as prior authorization and step therapy to guide appropriate medication use and to control medication expenditures. The objective of this study was to examine clinical and economic outcomes associated with implementation of a pregabalin step therapy (ST) policy among Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) members.

Methods

Pharmacy and medical claims data from Humana (restricted cohort; ST policy implemented 01/01/2009) and Thomson Reuters MarketScan® (unrestricted cohort) were analyzed for MAPD members aged 65 to 89 years receiving treatment for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN), postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) or fibromyalgia (FM). Difference‐in‐differences (DID) was used to examine year‐over‐year changes in disease‐related and all‐cause utilization and costs. Regression analyses examined medication utilization and healthcare expenditures after controlling for between‐group compositional differences.

Results

We identified 13,911 members in the restricted cohort and matched to members from unrestricted health plans. FM (51.0%) and pDPN (41.8%) were the most common diagnoses. Members in the unrestricted cohort were older and had a greater level of comorbidity than members in the restricted cohort. The restricted cohort demonstrated greater year‐over‐year decrease in pregabalin utilization and increase in year‐over‐year gabapentin utilization compared with the unrestricted cohort. ST restriction was associated with an increase in disease‐related pharmacy costs and a decrease in total medical costs for the restricted cohort compared with the unrestricted cohort. There was no difference between cohorts in total healthcare cost.

Conclusion

After controlling for differences in age and comorbidity burden between the groups, implementation of a pregabalin ST restriction was associated with increased disease‐related pharmacy costs and decreased total medical costs; however, there was no net difference in total healthcare cost or total pharmacy cost.
Pathogenic mechanisms of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection elucidated on gene expression profiling
Authors: Yamashita Nobuko , Tsukahara Hirokazu , Tsuge Mitsuru , Nagaoka Yoshiharu , Yashiro Masato , Saito Yukie , Fujii Yosuke , Oka Takashi , Morishima Tsuneo
Published: May 2013

Background

The pathogenic mechanisms underlying influenza A(H1N1)pdm09‐associated central nervous system (CNS) manifestations and pneumonia remain unclear. This study examined A(H1N1)pdm09 host responses using gene expression profiles of patients’ peripheral blood.

Methods

Sixteen A(H1N1)pdm09‐infected children in three groups were examined: a CNS group, with convulsion and altered consciousness (n = 6); a pneumonia (Pneu) group (n = 5); and a group of infected control patients (n = 5). The signal ratios of the acute to recovery phases in CNS or Pneu were analyzed versus those of the control.

Results

The CNS (619 transcripts) and Pneu (656 transcripts) groups had significantly increased signal ratios compared to the control group. Regarding the increased ratios of transcripts shown by multiple probes, contactin‐associated protein‐like 3 transcripts, oleoyl‐ACP hydrolase transcripts, and interleukin 1 type 1 receptor were observed in CNS and Pneu. Increased ratios of prostaglandin‐endoperoxide synthase 2 and α‐synuclein were characteristic of CNS. Alkaline phosphatase and the Fc fragment of IgA receptor were characteristic of Pneu. Regarding enriched gene ontology terms, ‘response to lipopolysaccharide’, ‘innate immune response’, and ‘intrinsic to membrane’ were observed commonly in CNS and Pneu. Enriched gene ontology terms related to ‘hemoglobin’ and ‘hemostasis’ were, respectively, characteristic of CNS and Pneu.

Conclusion

These symptom‐associated transcripts might be some clues to the pathogenesis of the A(H1N1)pdm09 infection.
Optimization of Ram Semen Cryopreservation Using a Chemically Defined Soybean Lecithin‐Based Extender
Authors: Emamverdi M , Zhandi M , Zare Shahneh A , Sharafi M , Akbari‐Sharif A
Published: May 2013

Contents

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a chemically defined soybean lecithin‐based semen extender as a substitute for egg yolk‐based extenders in ram semen cryopreservation. In this study, 28 ejaculates were collected from fourZandi rams in the breeding season and then pooled together. The pooled semen was divided into six equal aliquots and diluted with six different extenders: (i) Tris‐based extender (TE) containing 0.5% (w/v) soybean lecithin (SL0.5), (ii)TEcontaining 1% (w/v) soybean lecithin (SL1), (iii)TEcontaining 1.5% (w/v) soybean lecithin (SL1.5), (iv)TEcontaining 2% (w/v) soybean lecithin (SL2), (v)TEcontaining 2.5% (w/v) soybean lecithin (SL2.5) and (vi)TEcontaining 20% (v/v) egg yolk (EYT). After thawing, sperm motility and motion parameters, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, apoptosis status and mitochondrial activity were evaluated. The results shown that total and progressive motility (54.43 ± 1.33% and 25.43 ± 0.96%, respectively) were significantly higher inSL1.5 when compared to other semen extenders. Sperm motion parameters (VAP,VSL,VCL,ALHandSTR) were significantly higher inSL1.5 compared to other extender, with the exception ofSL1 extender. Plasma membrane integrity (48.86 ± 1.38%) was significantly higher inSL1.5 when compared to other semen extenders. Also, percentage of spermatozoa with intact acrosome inSL1.5 (85.35 ± 2.19%) extender was significantly higher than that inSL0.5,SL2.5 andEYTextenders. The results showed that the proportion of live post‐thawed sperm was significantly increased inSL1.5 extender compared toSL0.5,SL2 andEYTextenders. In addition,SL1,SL1.5 andSL2.5 extenders resulted in significantly lower percentage of early‐apoptotic sperm than that inEYTextender. There were no significant differences in different semen extenders for percentage of post‐thawed necrotic and late‐apoptotic spermatozoa. Also, the results indicated that there are slight differences for percentage of live spermatozoa with active mitochondria between extenders. In conclusion,SL1.5 extender was better than other extenders in mostin vitroevaluated sperm parameters.
Identifying the Magnitude and Location of a Load on a Slender Beam Using a Strain Gauge Based Force Transducer
Authors: Bednarz E. T. , Zhu W. D. , Smith S. A.
Published: May 2013

A unique strain gauge based method is developed to identify the magnitude and location of a load on a slender beam with variable cross sections, and pinned, firm rest, soft rest, pinned‐fixed, and fixed boundary conditions. Four uniaxial strain gauges are mounted to the bottom surface of the beam, and the bending moment diagram of the beam can be constructed using measured strains on the beam. By combining individually scaled strain gauge outputs, the magnitude and location of the load can be accurately identified. The strain gauge based force transducer methodology is experimentally validated on prismatic beams with firm rest, soft rest, firm rest‐fixed, and fixed boundary conditions, and a continuously tapered beam with rest boundary conditions. The force transducer methodology is independent of the boundary conditions of the beam, and the error from strain gauge drift due to uniform thermal expansion on a prismatic beam can cancel out.
Economic Rewards to Motivate Blood Donations
Authors: Lacetera Nicola , Macis Mario , Slonim Robert
Published: May 2013

Field-based evidence suggests that guidelines against economic rewards to motivate blood donors should be reconsidered.
Comment on “ApoE-Directed Therapeutics Rapidly Clear β-Amyloid and Reverse Deficits in AD Mouse Models”
Authors: Tesseur Ina , Lo Adrian C. , Roberfroid Anouk , Dietvorst Sofie , Van Broeck Bianca , Borgers Marianne , Gijsen Harrie , Moechars Diederik , Mercken Marc , Kemp John , D’Hooge Rudi , De Strooper Bart
Published: May 2013

Cramer
et al
. (Reports, 23 March 2012, p. 1503; published online 9 February 2012) tested bexarotene as a potential β-amyloid–lowering drug for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We were not able to reproduce the described effects in several animal models. Drug formulation appears very critical. Our data call for extreme caution when considering this compound for use in AD patients.
All Change for Nanocrystals
Authors: Ibáñez Maria , Cabot Andreu
Published: May 2013

A chemical method allows the composition of oxide nanocrystals to be changed while maintaining their size and shape uniformity.

[Also see Report by

Oh
et al.

]
François Jacob (1920–2013)
Authors: Shapiro Lucy , Losick Richard
Published: May 2013

The French Nobel laureate ushered in the field of molecular genetics by defining the regulated cellular pathway that translates DNA into proteins.
Streptococcus sanguinis Isolate Displaying a Phenotype with Cross-Resistance to Several rRNA-Targeting Agents
Authors: Mendes Rodrigo E. , Deshpande Lalitagauri M. , Kim Jihye , Myers Debra S. , Ross James E. , Jones Ronald N.
Published: May 2013

This study describes a clinical case of a 71-year-old male with a history of ischemic cardiomyopathy after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) endocarditis caused by methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus epidermidis
(MRSE) and a rare linezolid-resistant
Streptococcus sanguinis
strain (MIC, 32 μg/ml). The patient received courses of several antimicrobial agents, including linezolid for 79 days. The
S. sanguinis
strain had mutations in the 23S rRNA (T2211C, T2406C, G2576T, C2610T) and an amino acid substitution (N56D) in L22 and exhibited cross-resistance to ribosome-targeting agents.
Microscopic Examination of Gallbladder Stones Improves Rate of Detection of Clonorchis sinensis Infection
Authors: Qiao Tie , Ma Rui-hong , Luo Xiao-bing , Zheng Pei-ming , Luo Zhen-liang , Yang Liu-qing
Published: May 2013

To improve the rate of detection of
Clonorchis sinensis
infection, we compared different specimens from patients with cholecystolithiasis. Feces, gallbladder bile, and gallbladder stones collected from 179 consecutive patients with cholecystolithiasis underwent microscopic examination, and according to the results, 30 egg-positive and 30 egg-negative fecal, gallbladder bile, and gallbladder stone specimens, respectively, underwent real-time fluorescent PCR. The detection rates of eggs in feces, bile, and gallbladder stones were 30.7%, 44.7%, and 69.8%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (
P
< 0.01). The PCR results confirmed that the eggs in the specimens were
C. sinensis
eggs. Eggs in the feces were “fresh” and in the gallbladder stones were “old.” Microscopic examination of gallbladder stones may improve the detection rates of
C. sinensis
infection, which is important for developing individualized treatments to prevent the recurrence of gallbladder stones and to prevent the occurrence of severe liver damage and cholangiocarcinoma.
Adult Invasive and Noninvasive Infections Due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis in France from 2006 to 2010
Authors: Loubinoux Julien , Plainvert Céline , Collobert Gislène , Touak Gérald , Bouvet Anne , Poyart Claire
Published: May 2013

We characterized 182
Streptococcus dysgalactiae
subsp.
equisimilis
isolates and analyzed the epidemiological data on the corresponding infections.
stG6
,
stG485
, and
stG6792
were the 3 most prevalent invasive
emm
types among the 27 different
emm
types recovered. High rates of antimicrobial resistance were observed for macrolides (26.4%) and tetracycline (34.6%).
Reverse Genetics Identifies the Product of Open Reading Frame 4 as an Essential Particle Assembly Factor of Nyamanini Virus
Authors: Herrel Marieke , Haag Lars , Nilsson Josefina , Staeheli Peter , Schneider Urs
Published: May 2013

We established a reverse genetics system for Nyamanini virus (NYMV) and recovered green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing virus from full-length cDNA. Using this technology, we assessed the functions of two poorly characterized viral genes. NYMV lacking open reading frame 2 (ORF2) could not be rescued, whereas virus lacking ORF4 was replication competent. ORF4-deficient NYMV readily established a persisting noncytolytic infection but failed to produce infectious viral particles, supporting the view that ORF4 represents an essential factor for NYMV particle assembly.
CD4+and CD8+T-Cell Responses to Latent Antigen EBNA-1 and Lytic Antigen BZLF-1 during Persistent Lymphocryptovirus Infection of Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Leskowitz R. M. , Zhou X. Y. , Villinger F. , Fogg M. H. , Kaur A. , Lieberman P. M. , Wang F. , Ertl H. C.
Published: May 2013

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection leads to lifelong viral persistence through its latency in B cells. EBV-specific T cells control reactivations and prevent the development of EBV-associated malignancies in most healthy carriers, but infection can sometimes cause chronic disease and malignant transformation. Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) is the only viral protein consistently expressed during all forms of latency and in all EBV-associated malignancies and is a promising target for a therapeutic vaccine. Here, we studied the EBNA-1-specific immune response using the EBV-homologous rhesus lymphocryptovirus (rhLCV) infection in rhesus macaques. We assessed the frequency, phenotype, and cytokine production profiles of rhLCV EBNA-1 (rhEBNA-1)-specific T cells in 15 rhesus macaques and compared them to the lytic antigen of rhLCV BZLF-1 (rhBZLF-1). We were able to detect rhEBNA-1-specific CD4+and/or CD8+T cells in 14 of the 15 animals screened. In comparison, all 15 animals had detectable rhBZLF-1 responses. Most peptide-specific CD4+T cells exhibited a resting phenotype of central memory (TCM), while peptide-specific CD8+T cells showed a more activated phenotype, belonging mainly to the effector cell subset. By comparing our results to the human EBV immune response, we demonstrate that the rhLCV model is a valid system for studying chronic EBV infection and for the preclinical development of therapeutic vaccines.
Structure and Functional Analysis of the Host Recognition Device of Lactococcal Phage Tuc2009
Authors: Collins Barry , Bebeacua Cecilia , Mahony Jennifer , Blangy Stéphanie , Douillard François P. , Veesler David , Cambillau Christian , van Sinderen Douwe
Published: May 2013

Many phages employ a large heteropolymeric organelle located at the tip of the tail, termed the baseplate, for host recognition. Contrast electron microscopy (EM) of the lactococcal phage Tuc2009 baseplate and its host-binding subunits, the so-called tripods, allowed us to obtain a low-resolution structural image of this organelle. Structural comparisons between the baseplate of the related phage TP901-1 and that of Tuc2009 demonstrated that they are highly similar, except for the presence of an additional protein in the Tuc2009 baseplate (BppA
Tuc2009
), which is attached to the top of the Tuc2009 tripod structure. Recombinantly produced Tuc2009 or TP901-1 tripods were shown to bind specifically to their particular host cell surfaces and are capable of almost fully and specifically eliminating Tuc2009 or TP901-1 phage adsorption, respectively. In the case of Tuc2009, such adsorption-blocking ability was reduced in tripods that lacked BppA
Tuc2009
, indicating that this protein increases the binding specificity and/or affinity of the Tuc2009 tripod to its host receptor.
Massive Activation of Archaeal Defense Genes during Viral Infection
Authors: Quax Tessa E. F. , Voet Marleen , Sismeiro Odile , Dillies Marie-Agnes , Jagla Bernd , Coppée Jean-Yves , Sezonov Guennadi , Forterre Patrick , van der Oost John , Lavigne Rob , Prangishvili David
Published: May 2013

Archaeal viruses display unusually high genetic and morphological diversity. Studies of these viruses proved to be instrumental for the expansion of knowledge on viral diversity and evolution. The
Sulfolobus islandicus
rod-shaped virus 2 (SIRV2) is a model to study virus-host interactions in
Archaea
. It is a lytic virus that exploits a unique egress mechanism based on the formation of remarkable pyramidal structures on the host cell envelope. Using whole-transcriptome sequencing, we present here a global map defining host and viral gene expression during the infection cycle of SIRV2 in its hyperthermophilic host
S. islandicus
LAL14/1. This information was used, in combination with a yeast two-hybrid analysis of SIRV2 protein interactions, to advance current understanding of viral gene functions. As a consequence of SIRV2 infection, transcription of more than one-third of
S. islandicus
genes was differentially regulated. While expression of genes involved in cell division decreased, those genes playing a role in antiviral defense were activated on a large scale. Expression of genes belonging to toxin-antitoxin and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas systems was specifically pronounced. The observed different degree of activation of various CRISPR-Cas systems highlights the specialized functions they perform. The information on individual gene expression and activation of antiviral defense systems is expected to aid future studies aimed at detailed understanding of the functions and interplay of these systems
in vivo
.
Role of the Phosphatidylserine Receptor TIM-1 in Enveloped-Virus Entry
Authors: Moller-Tank Sven , Kondratowicz Andrew S. , Davey Robert A. , Rennert Paul D. , Maury Wendy
Published: May 2013

The cell surface receptor T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain 1 (TIM-1) dramatically enhances filovirus infection of epithelial cells. Here, we showed that key phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) binding residues of the TIM-1 IgV domain are critical for Ebola virus (EBOV) entry through direct interaction with PtdSer on the viral envelope. PtdSer liposomes but not phosphatidylcholine liposomes competed with TIM-1 for EBOV pseudovirion binding and transduction. Further, annexin V (AnxV) substituted for the TIM-1 IgV domain, supporting a PtdSer-dependent mechanism. Our findings suggest that TIM-1-dependent uptake of EBOV occurs by apoptotic mimicry. Additionally, TIM-1 enhanced infection of a wide range of enveloped viruses, including alphaviruses and a baculovirus. As further evidence of the critical role of enveloped-virion-associated PtdSer in TIM-1-mediated uptake, TIM-1 enhanced internalization of pseudovirions and virus-like proteins (VLPs) lacking a glycoprotein, providing evidence that TIM-1 and PtdSer-binding receptors can mediate virus uptake independent of a glycoprotein. These results provide evidence for a broad role of TIM-1 as a PtdSer-binding receptor that mediates enveloped-virus uptake. Utilization of PtdSer-binding receptors may explain the wide tropism of many of these viruses and provide new avenues for controlling their virulence.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a cause of paraneoplastic cholestasis
Authors: Alirhayim Zaid , Dyal Herman , Alarhayem Abdulqader , Donthireddy Vijayalakshmi
Published: May 2013

We describe a 79-year-old gentleman with a longstanding history of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia who presented with subacute onset of cholestatic jaundice. Comprehensive review of the patient's data and medications failed to reveal any obvious causes. Exhaustive testing including abdominal CT and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography failed to reveal any obstruction. A liver biopsy demonstrated scattered non-caseating granulomas. The patient was diagnosed with granulomatous hepatitis and treated with oral steroids and eventually improved. It was thought to be due to paraneoplastic cholestasis as an extrahepatic manifestation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
A greenstick fracture of the patella: a unique fracture in CP crouch gait
Authors: Elhassan Yahya , Mahon Judy , Kiernan Damien , O Brien Tim
Published: May 2013

We report a greenstick fracture of the patella in an ambulant boy with diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). The boy was known to have knee crouch which was documented in our gait laboratory. Greenstick fractures usually occur in the long bones of children and are caused by a bending force. This is the first report of a patellar greenstick fracture and provides a unique insight into the propagation of patellar fractures in CP crouch.
Aesthetic management of dental fluorosis
Authors: Khandelwal Vishal , Nayak Ullal Anand , Nayak Prathibha Anand , Ninawe Nupur
Published: May 2013

Significant numbers of patients visiting the paediatric dental clinics have aesthetically objectionable brown stains and desire treatment for them. Intrinsic tooth discolouration can be a significant aesthetic, and in some instances, functional, problem. Dental fluorosis, tetracycline staining, localised and chronological hypoplasia, and both amelogenesis and dentinogenesis imperfecta can all produce a cosmetically unsatisfactory dentition. The aetiology of intrinsic discolouration of enamel may sometimes be deduced from the patient's history, and one factor long associated with the problem has been a high level of fluoride intake. Optimal use of topical fluorides leads to a decrease in the caries prevalence but may show an increase in the prevalence of fluorosis staining because of metabolic alterations in the ameloblasts, causing a defective matrix formation and improper calcification. A 12-year-old male patient was screened at the dental clinic for routine dental care. He wanted us to remove and/or minimise the noticeable brown/yellow staining of his teeth. He requested the least invasive and most cost-effective treatment to change his smile. Various treatment modalities are present for the treatment of fluorosis stains. This report discusses the microabrasion technique in the patient having dental fluorosis.
Recurrent ascending cholangitis due to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, gastrointestinal dysmotility and an afferent loop
Authors: Harrison Elizabeth , Stokes Wendy , Martin Joanne E , Cooper Sheldon C
Published: May 2013

We report a complex case involving an extremely rare cause of gastrointestinal dysmotility and an afferent loop, which together predisposed to the development of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. The bacteria subsequently became multi-resistant. As a further consequence of the dysmotility, repeated bile duct reflux occurred despite the afferent loop being unobstructed. This bile duct reflux produced recurrent sepsis through repeated episodes of ascending cholangitis. Ultimately, the patient was referred to a National Small Intestinal Transplant Centre for consideration for enterectomy and subsequent transplantation. We describe the difficulties encountered in managing this unique case and discuss the underlying aetiology.
Solutions of the Dirac equation with an improved expression of the Rosen–Morse potential energy model including Coulomb-like tensor interaction
Authors: Aguda Ekele V.
Published: May 2013

In this study, we obtain the approximate analytical solutions of the Dirac equation for an improved expression of the Rosen–Morse potential energy model including the Coulomb-like tensor under the condition of spin and pseudospin symmetry. The analytical approach of parametric generalization of the Nikiforov–Uvarov method has been applied to the problem and the problem is discussed in a quite detailed manner.
PRICING EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN OPTIONS IN THE HESTON MODEL WITH ACCELERATED EXPLICIT FINITE DIFFERENCING METHODS
Authors: O'SULLIVAN CONALL , O'SULLIVAN STEPHEN
Published: May 2013

We present an acceleration technique, effective for explicit finite difference schemes describing diffusive processes with nearly symmetric operators, called Super-Time-Stepping (STS). The technique is applied to the two-factor problem of option pricing under stochastic volatility. It is shown to significantly reduce the severity of the stability constraint known as the Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy condition whilst retaining the simplicity of the chosen underlying explicit method.

For European and American put options under Heston's stochastic volatility model we demonstrate degrees of acceleration over standard explicit methods sufficient to achieve comparable, or superior, efficiency to benchmark implicit schemes. We conclude that STS accelerated methods are powerful numerical tools for the pricing of options which inherit the simplicity of explicit methods whilst achieving high accuracy at low computational cost and offer a compelling alternative to conventional implicit techniques.
QUANTUM STATE TRANSFER AND HADAMARD GATE FOR COHERENT STATES
Authors: PRUDÊNCIO THIAGO
Published: May 2013

We propose a quantum state transfer from an atomic qubit to a cat-like qubit by means of one degenerate Raman interaction and one Hadamard gate operation for coherent states. We show that the coefficients of the atomic qubit can be mapped onto coherent state qubit, with an effective qubit state transfer.
Resolved
Authors: Geer Dan
Published: May 2013

Risk is a necessary consequence of dependence.
Clinical programming software to manage patient's data with a Cochlear implantat
Authors: Rao V. Bhujanga , Ramaiah P. Seetha , Kumar K. Raja
Published: May 2013

Auditory prostheses (AP) using Cochlear Implant System a.k.a bionic ears are widely used electronic devices that electrically stimulate the auditory nerve using an electrode array, surgically placed in the inner ear for patients suffering from severe to profound senosorineural deafness. The AP mainly contains an external Body Worn Speech Processor (BWSP) and an internal Implantable Receiver Stimulator (IRS). The BWSP receives an external sound or speech and generates encoded speech data bits for transmission to the IRS via a Radio Frequency transcutaneous link to excite the electrode array. After surgical placement of the electrode array in the inner ear, the BWSP should be fine-tuned to achieve the 80 to 100% speech reception abilities of the patient by an audiologist using Clinical Programming Software (CPS). The tuning process involves several tasks such as identifying the active electrode contacts, determining the detection and pain threshold of each active electrode, and loading these values into BWSP by reprogramming the BWSP. The main objective of this paper is to describe a simple personal-computer based, user-friendly CPS, which fine tunes the BWSP to achieve the best possible speech reception abilities of each patient and to perform post-operative fitting procedures by an audiologist. The CPS was developed to perform the post-operative fine tuning procedures such as (i) measurement of electrode tissue impedance, (ii) fitting to determine the hearing threshold and comfort levels for each active electrode, and (iii) reprogramming the speech processor using the identified threshold and comfort values. Finally, experimental results are presented.
PPCA-based license plate detection algorithm
Authors: Meng Zhang
Published: May 2013

Detection of license plates is a critical part of License Plate Recognition (LPR) systems. In this paper we employ methods based on Probabilistic Principal Component Analysis (PPCA) to extract license plate areas out of vehicle images, and apply an im- proved normalization step to data preprocessing. The analysis of our experiment shows that this algorithm achieves good accuracy dealing with still vehicle images.
Porous GDC Scaffold Anodes for Lower Temperature, Hydrocarbon-Fueled Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Gore Colin M. , Lee Kang Taek , Yoon Hee Sung , Wachsman Eric D.
Published: May 2013

Porous gadolinia doped ceria (GDC) anode supports were employed to alleviate thermal and chemical expansion mismatches between the anode and GDC electrolyte. The ceramic support also prevents structural damage caused by oxidation of state-of-the-art nickel cermet anodes. Nickel metal was infiltrated into the porous freestanding scaffold as a catalyst and electronic conductor. Cells based on these anodes were characterized by current-voltage measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to determine their polarizations, maximum power densities, and stability when using hydrogen or methane fuel. Ohmic polarization was similar to a cermet anode, despite ~80% smaller metal loading. Current-voltage plots showed no appreciable degradation in performance in long-term methane operation or after thermal cycling, indicating this anode is suitable for use with hydrocarbon fuels.
Thin Film Gadolinia Doped Ceria (GDC) Anode for Direct Conversion of Carbon Black Particles in a Single Planar SOFC
Authors: Werhahn Michael G. , Schneider Oliver , Stimming Ulrich
Published: May 2013

Direct electrochemical conversion of carbon black particles in hydrogen, CO, CO2 and inert gas environments is investigated in a solid oxide direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC). At temperatures ranging from 750-950°C, measurements with a gadolinia doped ceria (GDC) thin film DCFC anode and measurements without this film for comparison are carried out. Direct partial and complete carbon electro-oxidation is observed in contrast to indirect oxidation via carbon gasification and subsequent CO electro-oxidation. It was found that the impact of the Boudouard gasification reaction at the anode is insignificant below 800°C for the specific carbon used. The kinetics of the direct carbon oxidation reaction is faster for the cell with the GDC thin film anode than for the cell without, but nonetheless sluggish. Thus the integration of appropriate catalysts into the anode is necessary in the future.
Including Magnetic Contributions in LaMnO3 Defect Models
Authors: Lee Yueh-Lin , Morgan Dane
Published: May 2013

This work demonstrates how magnetic free energy terms can be incorporated into defects models, with a focus on those used to study solid oxide fuel cell materials. We apply the approach to extending a LaMnO3 defect model recently published in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 14 (1), 290-302 (2012). The magnetic contributions to the defect reactions energies are found to be much smaller than the total defect reaction energetics, and are close to the accuracy range of the adopted modeling approaches. These results show that the magnetic contributions are relatively minor and can often be ignored without significant loss of accuracy.
Electrochemical Operation of La(Ni,Fe)O3 under Cr-Poisoning Conditions
Authors: Stodolny Maciej Krzysztof , Boukamp Bernard A. , Blank Dave H.A. , van Berkel Frans P.F.
Published: May 2013

This study demonstrates the significant impact of Cr-poisoning on the electrochemical operation of the LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3 (LNF) SOFC cathode under current load. Volatile Cr-species, originating from a porous metallic foam, enter the working electrode and modify both the LNF cathode layer and the Gd0.4Ce0.6O1.8 (GDC) barrier layer, causing increasing overpotential and cell impedance. The increase of the ohmic resistance is caused by a decrease of the in-plane electronic conductivity of the LNF layer combined with a deterioration of the ionic conductivity of the GDC barrier layer. The increase of the polarisation resistance is caused by a decrease of the electrochemical activity of the LNF surface towards oxygen reduction reaction at the triple phase boundary (TPB) due to Cr-incorporation in the outer shell of the LNF grains. Chemical reaction and electrochemically-driven reaction of volatile Cr-species with LNF and GDC contributes to the extrinsic degradation of the LNF cathodes under current load.
Magnesium Manganese Spinel Coatings for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Interconnects
Authors: Joshi Simon , Silva Catherine , Petric Anthony
Published: May 2013

Magnesium and manganese were electrodeposited on stainless steel 430 and oxidized in air at 800°C to form a spinel coating. Electrical conductivity of MgMn2O4 spinel was determined to be ~2 S/cm at 800°C. An under layer of copper aided uniform manganese deposition and uniform spinel formation. Copper in the spinel also increased conductivity (Cu0.7Mg0.3Mn2O4 ~60 S/cm at 800°C). The ternary Cu-Mg-Mn system has a wide spinel stability region compared to binary systems. CuMn2O4 spinel without magnesium has higher conductivity (~100 S/cm at 800°C) but this coating tended to bubble and detach from the substrate. The bubbling effect was reduced when magnesium was co-deposited.
Conditions for Formation and Rupture of Multiple Conductive Cu and VO Filaments in a Cu/TaOx/Pt Device
Authors: Kang Yuhong , Verma Mohini , Potnis T. , Liu Tong , Orlowski Marius
Published: May 2013

In a Cu/TaOx/Pt resistive device multiple copper (Cu) and oxygen vacancy (VO) conductive nanofilaments (CF) can be formed and ruptured successively between the active Cu and inert Pt electrodes. The key parameters to repeatable multi-bridge switching cycles are an appropriate choice of compliance current window for individual bridge formation and the choice of bipolar and unipolar reset. Controlled formation and rupture of multiple filaments may enable multilevel storage capability in a single CBRAM cell. The investigation of multi-bridge switching points to a new quality of CF called fragility.