bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tank Testing of a New Concept of Floating Offshore Wind Turbine
Authors: Le Boulluec Marc , Ohana Jérémy , Martin Alexis , Houmard Anne
Published: November 2013

The WINFLO project (Wind turbine with INnovative design for Floating Lightweight Offshore) aims at the development of competitive floating offshore wind turbines, by a consortium of 3 industrial partners (Nass&Wind Industrie, DCNS and Vergnet SA) and 2 scientific partners (IFREMER and ENSTA Bretagne). The design of the floater is an innovative semi-submersible free floating platform with particular aspects. Classical steps toward the assessment of the hydrodynamic and energy production performance include numerical modeling, model scale tank testing and intermediate or full scale tests at sea. The present study describes the wave tank tests including wind generation compared to some numerical modeling results of the coupled system composed of the support floater and the wind turbine.
Maintenance Planning of an Offshore Wind Turbine Using Stochastic Petri Nets With Predicates
Authors: dos Santos Fernando P. , Teixeira Ângelo P. , Guedes Soares C.
Published: November 2013

Operation and maintenance (O&M) activities have a significant impact on the energy cost for offshore wind turbines. Analytical methods such as reliability block diagrams and Markov processes along with simulation approaches have been widely used in planning and optimizing O&M actions in industrial systems. Generalized stochastic Petri Nets (GSPN) with predicates coupled with Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) are applied in this paper to model the planning of O&M activities of an offshore wind turbine. The merits of GSPN in modeling complex, multi-state and multi-component systems are addressed. Three maintenance categories classified according to the size and weight of the components to be replaced and the logistics involved, such as vessels, maintenance crew and spares and, the associated delays and costs are included in the model. The weather windows for accessing the wind turbine are also modeled. Corrective maintenance based on replacements and age imperfect preventive maintenance are modeled and compared in terms of the wind turbine’s performance (e.g. availability and loss production) and of the O&M costs.
Potential Fate of Ingested Lactobacillus plantarum and Its Occurrence in Human Feces
Authors: Costa Giselle Nobre , Marcelino-Guimarães Francismar Corrêa , Vilas-Bôas Gislayne Trindade , Matsuo Tiemi , Miglioranza Lucia Helena S.
Published: November 2013

Lactobacillus
plantarum
has been used in human clinical trials to promote beneficial effects in the immune system, to alleviate intestinal disorders, and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is also involved in many fermentation processes in the food industry. However, information on the fate of ingested
L. plantarum
is limited. In this study, 61 subjects received daily doses of fermented milk containing 2 × 10
11
cells of
L. plantarum
Lp115 for different periods of time. The target microorganism was monitored in the fecal microbiota via quantitative PCR (qPCR).
L. plantarum
was detected and quantified in all of the subjects during the ingestion periods. The differences between the
L. plantarum
levels at time zero and during all the different ingestion periods were statistically significant (
P
= 0.001). However, at 15 and 45 days after discontinuing supplementation, the number of lactobacilli was reduced to the baseline level (those at time zero). A longer period with
L. plantarum
in the diet did not result in increased levels of this bacterium in the stool, based on postconsumption evaluations (
P
= 0.001). The qPCR method was specific and sensitive for
L. plantarum
quantification in such a complex microbial environment as the gastrointestinal tract.
RNA Sequencing Reveals Differences between the Global Transcriptomes of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Strains with High and Low Pathogenicities
Authors: Shah Devendra H.
Published: November 2013

Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis is one of the important causes of bacterial food-borne gastroenteritis worldwide. Field strains of
S
. Enteritidis are relatively genetically homogeneous; however, they show extensive phenotypic diversity and differences in virulence potential. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to characterize differences in the global transcriptome between several genetically similar but phenotypically diverse poultry-associated field strains of
S
. Enteritidis grown in laboratory medium at avian body temperature (42°C). These
S
. Enteritidis strains were previously characterized as high-pathogenicity (HP;
n
= 3) and low-pathogenicity (LP;
n
= 3) strains based on both
in vitro
and
in vivo
virulence assays. Using the negative binomial distribution-based statistical tools edgeR and DESeq, 252 genes were identified as differentially expressed in LP strains compared with their expression in the HP strains (
P
< 0.05). A majority of genes (235, or 93.2%) showed significantly reduced expression, whereas a few genes (17, or 6.8%) showed increased expression in all LP strains compared with HP strains. LP strains showed a unique transcriptional profile that is characterized by significantly reduced expression of several transcriptional regulators and reduced expression of genes involved in virulence (e.g.,
Salmonella
pathogenicity island 1 [SPI-1], SPI-5, and fimbrial and motility genes) and protection against osmotic, oxidative, and other stresses, such as iron-limiting conditions commonly encountered within the host. Several functionally uncharacterized genes also showed reduced expression. This study provides a first concise view of the global transcriptional differences between field strains of
S
. Enteritidis with various levels of pathogenicity, providing the basis for future functional characterization of several genes with potential roles in virulence or stress regulation of
S
. Enteritidis.
Planctomycetes in Lakes: Poor or Strong Competitors for Phosphorus?
Authors: Pollet Thomas , Humbert Jean-François , Tadonléké Rémy D.
Published: November 2013

Experiments were conducted with water samples from two perialpine lakes with differing eutrophication status in order to examine the effects of inorganic-nutrient amendments (nitrogen as NO
3
−
or NH
4
+
and phosphorus as PO
4
3−
) on the dynamics, structure, and composition of
Planctomycetes
and to test the hypothesis that the community structure of
Planctomycetes
members and that of the other bacteria (without
Planctomycetes
, here referred to as bacteria-wP, the most represented groups within the community) would be similarly impacted by nutrient additions. Initial samples were characterized by high total nitrogen-to-total phosphorus ratios (range, 39 to 55), suggesting P rather than N was the limiting nutrient for microbial communities. Consistent with this, P additions stimulated phytoplankton growth and affected the community structure of bacteria-wP but, surprisingly, not that of
Planctomycetes
. N additions did not significantly affect the community structures of bacteria-wP and
Planctomycetes
or the
Planctomycetes
phylotype composition. The estimated generation time of
Planctomycetes
was 123 h. These findings could suggest that the generally well-accepted statement that bacteria (as a whole) are superior to phytoplankton in the ability to obtain phosphorus under P limitation might actually not hold for
Planctomycetes
.
Planctomycetes
might be poor competitors for P that do not respond quickly to the nutrient supply, which may help explain why their abundance is low in aquatic systems. The alternative view that
Planctomycetes
could be strong competitors for P (storing it) is also discussed. Our findings highlight the need for further studies examining
Planctomycetes
-phosphorus relationships in aquatic ecosystems.
Impacts of Sample Preparation Methods on Solubility and Antilisterial Characteristics of Essential Oil Components in Milk
Authors: Chen Huaiqiong , Davidson P. Michael , Zhong Qixin
Published: November 2013

Essential oil components (EOCs) have limited water solubility and are used at much higher concentrations in complex food matrices than in growth media to inhibit pathogens. However, the correlation between solubility and activity has not been studied. The objective of this work was to characterize the solubility of EOCs in solvents and milk and correlate solubility with antilisterial activity. The solubilities of four EOCs, thymol, carvacrol, eugenol, and
trans
-cinnamaldehyde, in water was significantly increased in the presence of 5% (vol/vol) ethanol. In milk, the solubility of EOCs was lower than in water, with lower solubility in higher-fat milk. EOCs applied to milk as stock solutions (in 95% aqueous ethanol) enabled quicker dissolution and higher solubility in milk serum than other methods of mixing, such as end to end, and greater reductions of
Listeria monocytogenes
Scott A after 0 and 24 h. When the EOC concentration detected in milk serum was above the minimum bactericidal concentration, complete inhibition of
L. monocytogenes
in tryptic soy broth resulted. Therefore, the antilisterial properties in milk could be correlated with the solubility by comparison to the minimum inhibitory or bactericidal concentrations of EOCs. While the EOCs applied using ethanol generally had solubility and activity characteristics superior to those of other mixing methods, ethanol is not used to a great extent in nonfermented foods. Therefore, mixing methods without an organic solvent may be more readily adaptable to enhancing the distribution of EOCs in complex food systems.
Lactobacillus buchneri Genotyping on the Basis of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) Locus Diversity
Authors: Briner Alexandra E. , Barrangou Rodolphe
Published: November 2013

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) in combination with associated sequences (
cas
) constitute the CRISPR-Cas immune system, which uptakes DNA from invasive genetic elements as novel “spacers” that provide a genetic record of immunization events. We investigated the potential of CRISPR-based genotyping of
Lactobacillus buchneri
, a species relevant for commercial silage, bioethanol, and vegetable fermentations. Upon investigating the occurrence and diversity of CRISPR-Cas systems in
Lactobacillus buchneri
genomes, we observed a ubiquitous occurrence of CRISPR arrays containing a 36-nucleotide (nt) type II-A CRISPR locus adjacent to four
cas
genes, including the universal
cas1
and
cas2
genes and the type II signature gene
cas9
. Comparative analysis of CRISPR spacer content in 26
L. buchneri
pickle fermentation isolates associated with spoilage revealed 10 unique locus genotypes that contained between 9 and 29 variable spacers. We observed a set of conserved spacers at the ancestral end, reflecting a common origin, as well as leader-end polymorphisms, reflecting recent divergence. Some of these spacers showed perfect identity with phage sequences, and many spacers showed homology to
Lactobacillus
plasmid sequences. Following a comparative analysis of sequences immediately flanking protospacers that matched CRISPR spacers, we identified a novel putative protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM), 5′-AAAA-3′. Overall, these findings suggest that type II-A CRISPR-Cas systems are valuable for genotyping of
L. buchneri
.
Enhancement of Ethanol Fermentation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sake Yeast by Disrupting Mitophagy Function
Authors: Shiroma Shodai , Jayakody Lahiru Niroshan , Horie Kenta , Okamoto Koji , Kitagaki Hiroshi
Published: November 2013

Saccharomyces cerevisiae
sake yeast strain Kyokai no. 7 has one of the highest fermentation rates among brewery yeasts used worldwide; therefore, it is assumed that it is not possible to enhance its fermentation rate. However, in this study, we found that fermentation by sake yeast can be enhanced by inhibiting mitophagy. We observed mitophagy in wild-type sake yeast during the brewing of Ginjo sake, but not when the mitophagy gene (
ATG32
) was disrupted. During sake brewing, the maximum rate of CO
2
production and final ethanol concentration generated by the
atg32
Δ laboratory yeast mutant were 7.50% and 2.12% higher than those of the parent strain, respectively. This mutant exhibited an improved fermentation profile when cultured under limiting nutrient concentrations such as those used during Ginjo sake brewing as well as in minimal synthetic medium. The mutant produced ethanol at a concentration that was 2.76% higher than the parent strain, which has significant implications for industrial bioethanol production. The ethanol yield of the
atg32
Δ mutant was increased, and its biomass yield was decreased relative to the parent sake yeast strain, indicating that the
atg32
Δ mutant has acquired a high fermentation capability at the cost of decreasing biomass. Because natural biomass resources often lack sufficient nutrient levels for optimal fermentation, mitophagy may serve as an important target for improving the fermentative capacity of brewery yeasts.
Evaluation of Phytate-Degrading Lactobacillus Culture Administration to Broiler Chickens
Authors: Askelson Tyler E. , Campasino Ashley , Lee Jason T. , Duong Tri
Published: November 2013

Probiotics have been demonstrated to promote growth, stimulate immune responses, and improve food safety of poultry. While widely used, their effectiveness is mixed, and the mechanisms through which they contribute to poultry production are not well understood. Microbial phytases are increasingly supplemented in feed to improve digestibility and reduce antinutritive effects of phytate. The microbial origin of these exogenous enzymes suggests a potentially important mechanism of probiotic functionality. We investigated phytate degradation as a novel probiotic mechanism using recombinant
Lactobacillus
cultures expressing
Bacillus subtilis
phytase.
B. subtilis phyA
was codon optimized for expression in
Lactobacillus
and cloned into the expression vector pTRK882. The resulting plasmid, pTD003, was transformed into
Lactobacillus acidophilus
,
Lactobacillus gallinarum
, and
Lactobacillus gasseri
. SDS-PAGE revealed a protein in the culture supernatants of
Lactobacillus
pTD003 transformants with a molecular weight similar to that of the
B. subtilis
phytase. Expression of
B. subtilis
phytase increased phytate degradation of
L. acidophilus
,
L. gasseri
, and
L. gallinarum
approximately 4-, 10-, and 18-fold over the background activity of empty-vector transformants, respectively. Phytase-expressing
L. gallinarum
and
L. gasseri
were administered to broiler chicks fed a phosphorus-deficient diet. Phytase-expressing
L. gasseri
improved weight gain of broiler chickens to a level comparable to that for chickens fed a control diet adequate in phosphorus, demonstrating proof of principle that administration of phytate-degrading probiotic cultures can improve performance of livestock animals. This will inform future studies investigating whether probiotic cultures are able to provide both the performance benefits of feed enzymes and the animal health and food safety benefits traditionally associated with probiotics.
Engineering the Xylan Utilization System in Bacillus subtilis for Production of Acidic Xylooligosaccharides
Authors: Rhee Mun Su , Wei Lusha , Sawhney Neha , Rice John D. , St. John Franz J. , Hurlbert Jason C. , Preston James F.
Published: November 2013

Xylans are the predominant polysaccharides in hemicelluloses and an important potential source of biofuels and chemicals. The ability of
Bacillus subtilis
subsp.
subtilis
strain 168 to utilize xylans has been ascribed to secreted glycoside hydrolase family 11 (GH11) and GH30 endoxylanases, encoded by the
xynA
and
xynC
genes, respectively. Both of these enzymes have been defined with respect to structure and function. In this study, the effects of deletion of the
xynA
and
xynC
genes, individually and in combination, were evaluated for xylan utilization and formation of acidic xylooligosaccharides. Parent strain 168 depolymerizes methylglucuronoxylans (MeGX

n

), releasing the xylobiose and xylotriose utilized for growth and accumulating the aldouronate methylglucuronoxylotriose (MeGX
3
) with some methylglucuronoxylotetraose (MeGX
4
). The combined GH11 and GH30 activities process the products generated by their respective actions on MeGX

n

to release a maximal amount of neutral xylooligosaccharides for assimilation and growth, at the same time forming MeGX
3
in which the internal xylose is substituted with methylglucuronate (MeG). Deletion of
xynA
results in the accumulation of β-1,4-xylooligosaccharides with degrees of polymerization ranging from 4 to 18 and an average degree of substitution of 1 in 7.2, each with a single MeG linked α-1,2 to the xylose penultimate to the xylose at the reducing terminus. Deletion of the
xynC
gene results in the accumulation of aldouronates comprised of 4 or more xylose residues in which the MeG may be linked α-1,2 to the xylose penultimate to the nonreducing xylose. These
B. subtilis
lines may be used for the production of acidic xylooligosaccharides with applications in human and veterinary medicine.
Investigating the Responses of Cronobacter sakazakii to Garlic-Drived Organosulfur Compounds: a Systematic Study of Pathogenic-Bacterium Injury by Use of High-Throughput Whole-Transcriptome Sequencing and Confocal Micro-Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Feng Shaolong , Eucker Tyson P. , Holly Mayumi K. , Konkel Michael E. , Lu Xiaonan , Wang Shuo
Published: November 2013

We present the results of a study using high-throughput whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and vibrational spectroscopy to characterize and fingerprint pathogenic-bacterium injury under conditions of unfavorable stress. Two garlic-derived organosulfur compounds were found to be highly effective antimicrobial compounds againstCronobacter sakazakii, a leading pathogen associated with invasive infection of infants and causing meningitis, necrotizing entercolitis, and bacteremia. RNA-seq shows changes in gene expression patterns and transcriptomic response, while confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy characterizes macromolecular changes in the bacterial cell resulting from this chemical stress. RNA-seq analyses showed that the bacterial response to ajoene differed from the response to diallyl sulfide. Specifically, ajoene caused downregulation of motility-related genes, while diallyl sulfide treatment caused an increased expression of cell wall synthesis genes. Confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy revealed that the two compounds appear to have the same phase I antimicrobial mechanism of binding to thiol-containing proteins/enzymes in bacterial cells generating a disulfide stretching band but different phase II antimicrobial mechanisms, showing alterations in the secondary structures of proteins in two different ways. Diallyl sulfide primarily altered the α-helix and β-sheet, as reflected in changes in amide I, while ajoene altered the structures containing phenylalanine and tyrosine. Bayesian probability analysis validated the ability of principal component analysis to differentiate treated and controlC. sakazakiicells. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed cell injury, showing significant morphological variations in cells following treatments by these two compounds. Findings from this study aid in the development of effective intervention strategies to reduce the risk ofC. sakazakiicontamination in the food production environment and on food contact surfaces, reducing the risks to susceptible consumers.
Core Lipopolysaccharide-Specific Phage SSU5 as an Auxiliary Component of a Phage Cocktail for Salmonella Biocontrol
Authors: Kim Minsik , Kim Sujin , Park Bookyung , Ryu Sangryeol
Published: November 2013

Salmonella
spp. are among the major food-borne pathogens that cause mild diarrhea to severe bacteremia. The use of bacteriophages to control various food-borne pathogens, including
Salmonella
, has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional chemotherapy. We isolated the
Siphoviridae
family phage SSU5, which can infect only rough strains of
Salmonella
. The blocking of SSU5 adsorption by periodate treatment of host
Salmonella
cells and spotting and adsorption assays with mutants that contain various truncations in their lipopolysaccharide (LPS) cores revealed that the outer core region of the LPS is a receptor of SSU5. SSU5 could infect O-antigen (O-Ag)-deficient
Salmonella
mutants that developed by challenging of O-Ag-specific phages, and consequently, it delayed the emergence of the phage-resistant
Salmonella
population in broth culture when treated together with phages using O-Ag as a receptor. Therefore, these results suggested that phage SSU5 would be a promising auxiliary component of a phage cocktail to control rough strains of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium, which might emerge as resistant mutants upon infection by phages using O-Ag as a receptor.
Biogenesis of YidC Cytoplasmic Membrane Substrates Is Required for Positioning of Autotransporter IcsA at Future Poles
Authors: Gray Andrew N. , Li Zaoping , Henderson-Frost Josephine , Goldberg Marcia B.
Published: November 2013

Localization of proteins to specific sites within bacterial cells is often critical to their function. In rod-shaped bacteria, proteins involved in diverse and important cell processes localize to the cell poles. The molecular mechanisms by which these proteins are targeted to the pole, however, are poorly understood. TheShigellaautotransporter protein IcsA, which is localized to the pole on the surface of the bacterium, is targeted to the pole in the cytoplasm by a mechanism that is conserved across multiple Gram-negative bacterial species and has thus served as an important and informative model for studying polar localization. We present evidence that inEscherichia coli, the establishment of polar positional information recognized by IcsA requires the activity of the cytoplasmic membrane protein insertase YidC. We show that the role of YidC in IcsA localization is independent of the cell septation and cytokinesis proteins FtsQ and FtsEX. FtsQ is required for polar localization of IcsA and, based on cross-linking studies, is inserted in the vicinity of YidC, but, we find, is not dependent on YidC for membrane insertion. FtsEX is a YidC substrate, but we find that it is not required for polar localization of IcsA. These findings indicate that polar positional information recognized by IcsA depends on one or more membrane proteins that require YidC for proper membrane insertion.
Genome-Scale Analyses of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica AraC Reveal Noncanonical Targets and an Expanded Core Regulon
Authors: Stringer Anne M. , Currenti Salvatore , Bonocora Richard P. , Baranowski Catherine , Petrone Brianna L. , Palumbo Michael J. , Reilly Andrew A. , Zhang Zhen , Erill Ivan , Wade Joseph T.
Published: November 2013

Escherichia coli
AraC is a well-described transcription activator of genes involved in arabinose metabolism. Using complementary genomic approaches, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-chip, and transcription profiling, we identify direct regulatory targets of AraC, including five novel target genes:
ytfQ
,
ydeN
,
ydeM
,
ygeA
, and
polB
. Strikingly, only
ytfQ
has an established connection to arabinose metabolism, suggesting that AraC has a broader function than previously described. We demonstrate arabinose-dependent repression of
ydeNM
by AraC, in contrast to the well-described arabinose-dependent activation of other target genes. We also demonstrate unexpected read-through of transcription at the Rho-independent terminators downstream of
araD
and
araE
, leading to significant increases in the expression of
polB
and
ygeA
, respectively. AraC is highly conserved in the related species
Salmonella enterica
. We use ChIP sequencing (ChIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to map the AraC regulon in
S. enterica
. A comparison of the
E. coli
and
S. enterica
AraC regulons, coupled with a bioinformatic analysis of other related species, reveals a conserved regulatory network across the family
Enterobacteriaceae
comprised of 10 genes associated with arabinose transport and metabolism.
Intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiographic diagnosis and successful management of mycotic aortitis and pseudoaneurysm
Authors: Tan Chong Oon , Weinberg Laurence , Pillai Parameswan , Fernandes Jon
Published: November 2013

A 38-year-old intravenous drug using man was scheduled for urgent pericardial window surgery to treat pericardial effusion and tamponade. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) during the procedure revealed a minor residual effusion and an atypical heterogenous thickened appearance of the pericardium and adjoining aortic root. Interrogation of the aortic valve with a ‘panning’ manoeuvre from the mid-oesophageal aortic valve short axis view showed a small hypoechoic lesion between the right and non-coronary cusp at the level of the sinus of Valsalva. Postoperative high-resolution contrast CT confirmed the anaesthesia TOE findings of a small pseudoaneurysm. The decision was then made to proceed to formal aortic root replacement after 5 days of directed antibiotic therapy and evidence of an increase in aneurysm size to 2.7 cm on repeat CT angiogram. The patient made a good postoperative recovery and was eventually discharged from the hospital 3 weeks after his second operation.
A colorectal carcinoma imitating a primary ovarian carcinoma in a postpartum woman
Authors: Aiyer Rohit , Sweetman Kieran , Larsen-Disney Peter , Fish Andrew
Published: November 2013

This is a case report of a 33-year-old woman who presented 5 days post-partum with abdominal distension, abdominal discomfort, increased bladder pressure and fatigue. These symptoms prompted a pelvic ultrasound and CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis which showed a large 20 cm left-sided adnexal mass. Following this imaging, blood tests revealed elevated tumour markers CA-125 and lactate dehydrogenase, resulting in referral to and surgical intervention by the gynaecology oncology team. Pathology and immunohistochemistry indicated that the tumour was a metastasis from the colon, that prompted for colonoscopy which confirmed that the carcinoma was a metastases from the sigmoid.
Pesticide poisoning in Zhejiang, China: a retrospective analysis of adult cases registration by occupational disease surveillance and reporting systems from 2006 to 2010
Authors: Zhang Meibian , Fang Xinglin , Zhou Lifang , Su Liling , Zheng Jiajia , Jin Minjuan , Zou Hua , Chen Guangdi
Published: November 2013

Objective

Despite the rapid industrialisation and urbanisation over the past 30 years, agriculture is one of the largest economic sectors in China and the unregulated use of pesticides result in extensive pesticide poisoning. The objective of this study was to analyse pesticide poisoning cases registration received by Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China.

Design

Register-based study.

Setting

Cases registered regarding pesticide poisoning. Data were obtained from the Occupational Disease Surveillance and Reporting Systems in Zhejiang province from 2006 to 2010, which contains anonymous records representing general population of Zhejiang province, China.

Participants

All cases registered as pesticide poisoning were identified.

Primary outcome

Monthly and age-group pesticide poisoning death rates were calculated.

Results

A total of 20 097 pesticide poisoning cases with 1413 deaths were recorded during the study period. There were 10 513 male pesticide poisoning cases with 782 deaths, and 9584 females with 631 deaths. Pesticide poisoning occurred mostly in non-occupational exposure (79.86%), in which the majority (85.77%) of the cases was of intentional pesticide poisoning. The occupational exposure was most common in men during the farming season. The death rate increased stepwise with age, and the pesticide suicide rate was higher in the older age group.

Conclusions

Pesticide poisoning remains a major health problem in China, and further recommendations to reduce the pesticide poisoning are required.
The relationship between active ageing and health using longitudinal data from Denmark, France, Italy and England
Authors: Di Gessa Giorgio , Grundy Emily
Published: November 2013

Background

‘Active ageing’ has been promoted as a strategy for extending quality of life and healthy life expectancy. However, there is limited evidence from nationally representative longitudinal studies on whether engagement among older adults is associated with better outcomes and few studies have considered possible bias arising from differential study attrition.

Methods

We investigate associations between the engagement of people aged 50–69 in three types of activity with self-rated health and depression 2 years later using nationally representative longitudinal data from four European countries (Denmark, France, Italy and England). Data were drawn from waves 1 and 2 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Multivariable analysis was used to analyse associations between baseline activity and outcomes at follow-up controlling for socioeconomic, demographic and health-related variables at baseline. Multiple imputation techniques and sensitivity analyses were undertaken to investigate possible bias arising from sample attrition.

Results

Respondents in paid work at baseline were less likely to be depressed or to report poor or fair health at follow-up than those who were ‘inactive’, although not in Italy. Engagement in formal and informal activities was not significantly associated with health at follow-up. Sensitivity analyses showed that assuming that those in bad health were over-represented among study attritors weakened the association between work at baseline and health at follow-up.

Conclusions

Engagement in paid work may help maintain health in later life, although mechanisms and contextual influences need further investigation.
An early evaluation of clinical and economic costs and benefits of implementing point of care NAAT tests forChlamydia trachomatisandNeisseria gonorrhoeain genitourinary medicine clinics in England
Authors: Turner Katherine M E , Round Jeff , Horner Patrick , Macleod John , Goldenberg Simon , Deol Arminder , Adams Elisabeth J
Published: November 2013

Objectives

To estimate the costs and benefits of clinical pathways incorporating a point of care (POC) nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics compared with standard off-site laboratory testing.

Method

We simulated 1.2 million GUM clinic attendees in England. A simulation in Microsoft Excel was developed to compare existing standard pathways of management for chlamydia and gonorrhoea with a POC NAAT. We conducted scenario analyses to evaluate the robustness of the model findings. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Secondary outcomes included the number of inappropriate treatments, complications and transmissions averted.

Results

The baseline cost of using the point of POC NAAT was £103.9 million compared with £115.6 million for standard care. The POC NAAT was also associated with a small increase of 46 quality adjusted life years, making the new test both more effective and cheaper. Over 95 000 inappropriate treatments might be avoided by using a POC NAAT. Patients receive diagnosis and treatment on the same day as testing, which may also prevent 189 cases of pelvic inflammatory disease and 17 561 onward transmissions annually.

Discussion

Replacing standard laboratory tests for chlamydia and gonorrhoea with a POC test could be cost saving and patients would benefit from more accurate diagnosis and less unnecessary treatment. Overtreatment currently accounts for about a tenth of the reported treatments for chlamydia and gonorrhoea and POC NAATs would effectively eliminate the need for presumptive treatment.
Electronic and geometric structure ofAuxCuyclusters studied by density functional theory
Authors: Kadioglu Y. , Üzengi Aktürk O. , Tomak M.
Published: November 2013

We have determined the stable structures of Au Cun, Au2Cun, Au3Cunand AuxCu8-xclusters. It has been observed that Au Cun, Au2Cunand Au3Cunsystems have two-dimensional (2D) structures up to six atoms and they become three-dimensional (3D) afterwards. AuxCu8-xclusters favor 3D structures till the Au7Cu1cluster. We have found a lowest energy isomer of Au6Cu2from the literature. Bond lengths, binding energies, density of states (DOS), highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) gaps, ionization potential (IP) and electron affinity (EA) have been calculated for these structures using the first principles density functional theory (DFT) within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and the local density approximation (LDA). Generally, we have observed the overlap between s electrons of Cu and p electrons of Au near the Fermi level. Charge transfers are calculated by using the Löwdin analysis. It is observed that one Cu atom does not significantly modify the clusters which have more gold atoms. It is also seen that these clusters generally have nonmagnetic properties and results are consistent with the hybridization between s and d orbitals of Au in AuxCu8-xclusters.
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN UNIVERSITY AND INDUSTRY: THREE MECHANISMS FOR INNOVATION EFFICIENCY
Authors: WALLIN JOHANNA , ISAKSSON OLA , LARSSON ANDREAS , ELFSTRÖM BENGT-OLOF
Published: November 2013

A key challenge for competence networking is the difficulty of contextual understanding between people from different organizations. Despite close collaboration, full insight into a company is difficult, although desirable, for university partners to achieve and vice versa. The case study described in this paper is of a company with long experience of university–industry collaboration. The paper reports on a designerly approach to overcome barriers of university–industry collaboration. The approach is combined with strategic, tactic and operational dimensions. It builds on three corresponding mechanisms: a tool to facilitate strategic understanding, workshops to facilitate tactical co-creation, and prototyping to facilitate operational ideation.
Strain analysis in dilatational shear zones, with examples from Marloes, SW Wales
Authors: Lisle Richard J.
Published: November 2013

New and existing methods for the analysis of finite strains in shear zones involving volume changes are reviewed. By assuming that the wall rocks are undeformed, the position gradients tensor can be determined from data derived from deformed passive markers with or without knowledge of the orientation of cleavage within the shear zone. The new methods are both algebraic and graphical and include those based on off-axis Mohr circles. Application of these methods to deformed sandstones at Marloes Sands reveals important volume changes that would invalidate an approach that assumes simple shear.
Inducible cardiac arrhythmias caused by enhanced β1-adrenergic autoantibody expression in the rabbit
Authors: Li Hongliang , Scherlag Benjamin J. , Kem David C. , Benbrook Alexandria , Shen Xiaohua , Cunningham Madeleine W. , Lazzara Ralph , Aston Christopher E. , Yu Xichun
Published: November 2013

Previous studies demonstrated burst pacing and intravenous infusion of ACh induced sustained atrial tachycardia when rabbits were immunized to produce β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR)-activating autoantibodies. The objective of this study was to examine the arrhythmogenic effect of β1-adrenergic receptor (β1AR)-activating autoantibodies in the rabbit. Eight New Zealand white rabbits were immunized with a β1AR second extracellular loop peptide to raise β1AR antibody titers. A catheter-based electrophysiological study was performed on anesthetized rabbits before and after immunization. Arrhythmia occurrence was determined in response to burst pacing before and after ACh infusion in incremental concentrations of 10 μM, 100 μM, and 1 mM. The baseline sinus heart rate before and after immunization averaged 149 ± 17 per min and 169 ± 16 per min, respectively ( P < 0.05). In the preimmune studies, there were five sustained (≥10 s) arrhythmias in 32 induction attempts, which occurred in only four of eight rabbits. In the postimmune studies, there were 22 sustained arrhythmias in 32 induction attempts, which occurred in all eight rabbits ( P < 0.0001 for the independent effect of immunization). Of the 22 sustained arrhythmias postimmunization, 15 were sinus tachycardia compared with only two before immunization ( P < 0.01 for the independent effect of immunization). Postimmune (but not preimmune) rabbit sera demonstrated specific binding to β1AR and induced significant β1AR activation in transfected cells in vitro. No cross-reactivity with β2AR was observed. In conclusion, in contrast with rabbits with β2AR-activating autoantibodies that demonstrate predominantly atrial tachycardias, enhanced autoantibody activation of β1AR in the rabbit leads to tachyarrhythmias mainly in the form of sustained sinus tachycardia.
Ethanol exposure alters early cardiac function in the looping heart: a mechanism for congenital heart defects?
Authors: Karunamuni Ganga , Gu Shi , Doughman Yong Qiu , Peterson Lindsy M. , Mai Katherine , McHale Quinn , Jenkins Michael W. , Linask Kersti K. , Rollins Andrew M. , Watanabe Michiko
Published: November 2013

Alcohol-induced congenital heart defects are frequently among the most life threatening and require surgical correction in newborns. The etiology of these defects, collectively known as fetal alcohol syndrome, has been the focus of much study, particularly involving cellular and molecular mechanisms. Few studies have addressed the influential role of altered cardiac function in early embryogenesis because of a lack of tools with the capability to assay tiny beating hearts. To overcome this gap in our understanding, we used optical coherence tomography (OCT), a nondestructive imaging modality capable of micrometer-scale resolution imaging, to rapidly and accurately map cardiovascular structure and hemodynamics in real time under physiological conditions. In this study, we exposed avian embryos to a single dose of alcohol/ethanol at gastrulation when the embryo is sensitive to the induction of birth defects. Late-stage hearts were analyzed using standard histological analysis with a focus on the atrio-ventricular valves. Early cardiac function was assayed using Doppler OCT, and structural analysis of the cardiac cushions was performed using OCT imaging. Our results indicated that ethanol-exposed embryos developed late-stage valvuloseptal defects. At early stages, they exhibited increased regurgitant flow and developed smaller atrio-ventricular cardiac cushions, compared with controls (uninjected and saline-injected embryos). The embryos also exhibited abnormal flexion/torsion of the body. Our evidence suggests that ethanol-induced alterations in early cardiac function have the potential to contribute to late-stage valve and septal defects, thus demonstrating that functional parameters may serve as early and sensitive gauges of cardiac normalcy and abnormalities.
System Dynamics Model for VMI&TPL Integrated Supply Chains
Authors: Li Guo , Wang Xiaojing , Wang Zhaohua
Published: November 2013

This paper establishes VMI-APIOBPCS II model by extending VMI-APIOBPCS model from serial supply chain to distribution supply chain. Then TPL is introduced to this VMI distribution supply chain, and operational framework and process of VMI&TPL integrated supply chain are analyzed deeply. On this basis VMI-APIOBPCS II model is then changed to VMI&TPL-APIOBPCS model and VMI&TPL integrated operation mode is simulated. Finally, compared with VMI-APIOBPCS model, the TPL’s important role of goods consolidation and risk sharing in VMI&TPL integrated supply chain is analyzed in detail from the aspects of bullwhip effect, inventory level, service level, and so on.
Annealing Effect on the Thermoelectric Properties of Bi2Te3 Thin Films Prepared by Thermal Evaporation Method
Authors: Lin Jyun-Min , Chen Ying-Chung , Lin Chi-Pi
Published: November 2013

Bismuth telluride‐based compounds are known to be the best thermoelectric materials within room temperature region, which exhibit potential applications in cooler or power generation. In this paper, thermal evaporation processes were adopted to fabricate the n‐type Bi2Te3 thin films on SiO2/Si substrates. The influence of thermal annealing on the microstructures and thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 thin films was investigated in temperature range 100–250°C. The crystalline structures and morphologies were characterized by X‐ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscope analyses. The Seebeck coefficients, electrical conductivity, and power factor were measured at room temperature. The experimental results showed that both the Seebeck coefficient and power factor were enhanced as the annealing temperature increased. When the annealing temperature increased to 250°C for 30 min, the Seebeck coefficient and power factor of n‐type Bi2Te3‐based thin films were found to be about −132.02 μV/K and 6.05 μW/cm·K2, respectively.
Numerical Simulation of the Effects of Grassland Degradation on the Surface Climate in Overgrazing Area of Northwest China
Authors: Li Yanfei , Li Zhaohua , Li Zhihui , Geng Xiaoli , Deng Xiangzheng
Published: November 2013

The climatic effects of LUCC have been a focus of current researches on global climate change. The objective of this study is to investigate climatic effects of grassland degradation in Northwest China. Based on the stimulation of the conversion from grassland to other land use types during the next 30 years, the potential effects of grassland degradation on regional climate in the overgrazing area of Northwest China from 2010 to 2040 have been explored with Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF). The analysis results show that grassland will mainly convert into barren land, croplands, and urban land, which accounts for 42%, 48%, and 10% of the total converted grassland area, respectively. The simulation results indicate that the WRF model is appropriate for the simulation of the impact of grassland degradation on climate change. The grassland degradation during the next 30 years will result in the decrease of latent heat flux, which will further lead to the increase of temperature in summer, with an increment of 0.4–1.2°C, and the decrease of temperature in winter, with a decrement of 0.2°C. In addition, grassland degradation will cause the decrease of precipitation in both summer and winter, with a decrement of 4–20 mm.
Combinations of TLR Ligands: A Promising Approach in Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Stier Saskia , Maletzki Claudia , Klier Ulrike , Linnebacher Michael
Published: November 2013

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a family of pattern recognition receptors recognizing molecules expressed by pathogens, are typically expressed by immune cells. However, several recent studies revealed functional TLR expression also on tumor cells. Their expression is a two-sided coin for tumor cells. Not only tumor-promoting effects of TLR ligands are described but also direct oncopathic and immunostimulatory effects. To clarify TLRs’ role in colorectal cancer (CRC), we tested the impact of the TLR ligands LPS, Poly I:C, R848, and Taxol on primary human CRC cell lines (HROC40, HROC60, and HROC69)in vitroandin vivo(CT26). Taxol, not only a potent tumor-apoptosis-inducing, but also TLR4-activating chemotherapeutic compound, inhibited growth and viability of all cell lines, whereas the remaining TLR ligands had only marginal effects (R848 > LPS > Poly I:C). Combinations of the substances here did not improve the results, whereas antitumoral effects were dramatically boosted when human lymphocytes were added. Here, combining the TLR ligands often diminished antitumoral effects.In vivo, best tumor growth control was achieved by the combination of Taxol and R848. However, when combined with LPS, Taxol accelerated tumor growth. These data generally prove the potential of TLR ligands to control tumor growth and activate immune cells, but they also demonstrate the importance of choosing the right combinations.
IRS1,TCF7L2,ADRB1,PPARG, andHHEXPolymorphisms Associated with Atherogenic Risk in Mexican Population
Authors: Estrada-Velasco B. I. , Cruz M. , Madrid-Marina V. , Martínez-Nava G. A. , Gomez-Zamudio J. , Burguete-García A. I.
Published: November 2013

Objective. We aimed to explore the association between polymorphisms ofIRS1(rs1801278),TCF7L2(rs7903146 and rs12255372),ADRB1(rs1801253),PPARG(rs1801282), andHHEX(rs5015480) genes with atherogenic risk (AI = Total cholesterol/HDL) in MetS, T2D, and healthy populations from the Mexican Social Security Institute.Methodology and Results. Four hundred thirty-five MetS, 517 T2D, and 547 healthy individuals were selected. The association between the SNPs and the atherogenic index was evaluated by multiple linear regression and multinomial logistic regression models. TheADRB1gene showed a statistically significant association with high-risk atherogenic index,OR=2.94(IC 95% 1.64–5.24;P<0.0001) for the Arg/Gly variant, under the dominant model anOR=2.96(IC 95% 1.67–5.25;P<0.0001), and under the Log additive model anOR=2.52(IC 95% 1.54–4.15;P<0.0001).Conclusions. The Arg389Gly polymorphism of theADRB1gene may be a worthy biological marker to predict the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases given a high-risk atherogenic index.
Antiproliferative Action of Conjugated Linoleic Acid on Human MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells Mediated by Enhancement of Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication through Inactivation of NF-κB
Authors: Rakib Md. Abdur , Lee Won Sup , Kim Gon Sup , Han Jae Hee , Kim Jeong Ok , Ha Yeong Lae
Published: November 2013

The major conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers,c9,t11-CLA andt10,c12-CLA, have anticancer effects; however, the exact mechanisms underlying these effects are unknown. Evidence suggests that reversal of reduced gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in cancer cells inhibits cell growth and induces cell death. Hence, we determined that CLA isomers enhance GJIC in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. The CLA isomers significantly enhanced GJIC of MCF-7 cells at 40 μM concentration, whereas CLA inhibited cell growth and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis. CLA increased connexin43 (Cx43) expression both at the transcriptional and translational levels. CLA inhibited nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity and enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. No significant difference was observed in the efficacy ofc9,t11-CLA andt10,c12-CLA. These results suggest that the anticancer effect of CLA is associated with upregulation of GJIC mediated by enhanced Cx43 expression through inactivation of NF-κB and generation of ROS in MCF-7 cells.
Selective Cooperative Transmission in Ad Hoc Networks with Directional Antennas
Authors: Kim Eui-Jik , Youm Sungkwan
Published: November 2013

This paper presents a selective cooperative transmission scheme (abbreviated SCT) for ad hoc network with directional antennas that leverages the benefits of directional-only antenna approach and cooperative communication. The main feature of SCT is its adaptability to the channel condition in the network. In other words, when the node sends data, SCT determines its transmission strategy on either direct or cooperative transmission via a relay node called a forwarder, depending on the transmission time. Simulation results are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.