bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Orally Administered Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus on the Well-Being and Salmonella Colonization of Young Chicks
Authors: Atterbury Robert J. , Hobley Laura , Till Robert , Lambert Carey , Capeness Michael J. , Lerner Thomas R. , Fenton Andrew K. , Barrow Paul , Sockett R. Elizabeth
Published: June 2011

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus
is a bacterium which preys upon and kills Gram-negative bacteria, including the zoonotic pathogens
Escherichia coli
and
Salmonella. Bdellovibrio
has potential as a biocontrol agent, but no reports of it being tested in living animals have been published, and no data on whether
Bdellovibrio
might spread between animals are available. In this study, we tried to fill this knowledge gap, using
B. bacteriovorus
HD100 doses in poultry with a normal gut microbiota or predosed with a colonizing
Salmonella
strain. In both cases,
Bdellovibrio
was dosed orally along with antacids. After dosing non-
Salmonella
-infected birds with
Bdellovibrio
, we measured the health and well-being of the birds and any changes in their gut pathology and culturable microbiota, finding that although a
Bdellovibrio
dose at 2 days of age altered the overall diversity of the natural gut microbiota in 28-day-old birds, there were no adverse effects on their growth and well-being. Drinking water and fecal matter from the pens in which the birds were housed as groups showed no contamination by
Bdellovibrio
after dosing. Predatory
Bdellovibrio
orally administered to birds that had been predosed with a gut-colonizing
Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis phage type 4 strain (an important zoonotic pathogen) significantly reduced
Salmonella
numbers in bird gut cecal contents and reduced abnormal cecal morphology, indicating reduced cecal inflammation, compared to the ceca of the untreated controls or a nonpredatory Δ
pilA
strain, suggesting that these effects were due to predatory action. This work is a first step to applying
Bdellovibrio
therapeutically for other animal, and possibly human, infections.
Life, Death, and In-Between: Meanings and Methods in Microbiology
Authors: Davey Hazel M.
Published: June 2011

Determination of microbial viability by the plate count method is routine in microbiology laboratories worldwide. However, limitations of the technique, particularly with respect to environmental microorganisms, are widely recognized. Many alternatives based upon viability staining have been proposed, and these are often combined with techniques such as image analysis and flow cytometry. The plethora of choices, however, adds to confusion when selecting a method. Commercial staining kits aim to simplify the performance of microbial viability determination but often still need adaptation to the specific organism of interest and/or the instruments available to the researcher. This review explores the meaning of microbial viability and offers guidance in the selection and interpretation of viability testing methods.
Introduced Siberian Chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus barberi) Harbor More-Diverse Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Genospecies than Native Bank Voles (Myodes glareolus)
Authors: Marsot M. , Sigaud M. , Chapuis J. L. , Ferquel E. , Cornet M. , Vourc'h G.
Published: June 2011

Little attention has been given in scientific literature to how introduced species may act as a new host for native infectious agents and modify the epidemiology of a disease. In this study, we investigated whether an introduced species, the Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus barberi), was a potentially new reservoir host forBorrelia burgdorferisensu lato, the causative agent of Lyme disease. First, we ascertained whether chipmunks were infected by all of theB. burgdorferisensu lato genospecies associated with rodents and available in their source of infection, questing nymphs. Second, we determined whether the prevalence and diversity ofB. burgdorferisensu lato in chipmunks were similar to those of a native reservoir rodent, the bank vole (Myodes glareolus). Our research took place between 2006 and 2008 in a suburban French forest, where we trapped 335 chipmunks and 671 voles and collected 743 nymphs of ticks that were questing for hosts by dragging on the vegetation. We assayed forB. burgdorferisensu lato with ear biopsy specimens taken from the rodents and in nymphs using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Chipmunks were infected by the threeBorreliagenospecies that were present in questing nymphs and that infect rodents (B. burgdorferisensu stricto,B. afzelii, andB. garinii). In contrast, voles hosted onlyB. afzelii. Furthermore, chipmunks were more infected (35%) than voles (16%). These results may be explained by the higher exposure of chipmunks, because they harbor more ticks, or by their higher tolerance of otherB. burgdorferisensu lato genospecies than ofB. afzelii. If chipmunks are competent reservoir hosts forB. burgdorferisensu lato, they may spill backB. burgdorferisensu lato to native communities and eventually may increase the risk of Lyme disease transmission to humans.
Generation of Targeted Deletions in the Genome of Rhodothermus marinus
Authors: Bjornsdottir Snaedis H. , Fridjonsson Olafur H. , Hreggvidsson Gudmundur O. , Eggertsson Gudmundur
Published: June 2011

The aim of this work was to develop an approach for chromosomal engineering of the thermophile
Rhodothermus marinus
. A selection strategy for
R. marinus
had previously been developed; this strategy was based on complementing a restriction-negative
trpB
strain with the
R. marinus
trpB
gene. The current work identified an additional selective marker,
purA
, which encodes adenylosuccinate synthase and confers adenine prototrophy. In a two-step procedure, the available Trp
+
selection was used during the deletion of
purA
from the
R. marinus
chromosome. The alternative Ade
+
selection was in turn used while deleting the endogenous
trpB
gene. Since both deletions are unmarked, the
purA
and
trpB
markers may be reused. Through the double deletant SB-62 (Δ
trpB
Δ
purA
), the difficulties that are associated with spontaneous revertants and unintended chromosomal integration of marker-containing molecules are circumvented. The selection efficiency in
R. marinus
strain SB-62 (Δ
trpB
Δ
purA
) was demonstrated by targeting putative carotenoid biosynthesis genes,
crtBI
, using a linear molecule containing a marked deletion with 717 and 810 bp of 5′ and 3′ homologous sequences, respectively. The resulting Trp
+
transformants were colorless rather than orange-red. The correct replacement of an internal
crtBI
fragment with the
trpB
marker was confirmed by Southern hybridization analysis of the transformants. Thus, it appears that target genes in the
R. marinus
chromosome can be readily replaced with linear molecules in a single step by double-crossover recombination.
Randomized, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial for Human Norovirus Inactivation in Oysters by High Hydrostatic Pressure Processing
Authors: Leon Juan S. , Kingsley David H. , Montes Julia S. , Richards Gary P. , Lyon G. Marshall , Abdulhafid Gwen M. , Seitz Scot R. , Fernandez Marina L. , Teunis Peter F. , Flick George J. , Moe Christine L.
Published: June 2011

Contamination of oysters with human noroviruses (HuNoV) constitutes a human health risk and may lead to severe economic losses in the shellfish industry. There is a need to identify a technology that can inactivate HuNoV in oysters. In this study, we conducted a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial to assess the effect of high hydrostatic pressure processing (HPP) on Norwalk virus (HuNoV genogroup I.1) inactivation in virus-seeded oysters ingested by subjects. Forty-four healthy, positive-secretor adults were divided into three study phases. Subjects in each phase were randomized into control and intervention groups. Subjects received Norwalk virus (8FIIb, 1.0 × 10
4
genomic equivalent copies) in artificially seeded oysters with or without HPP treatment (400 MPa at 25°C, 600 MPa at 6°C, or 400 MPa at 6°C for 5 min). HPP at 600 MPa, but not 400 MPa (at 6° or 25°C), completely inactivated HuNoV in seeded oysters and resulted in no HuNoV infection among these subjects, as determined by reverse transcription-PCR detection of HuNoV RNA in subjects' stool or vomitus samples. Interestingly, a white blood cell (granulocyte) shift was identified in 92% of the infected subjects and was significantly associated with infection (
P
= 0.0014). In summary, these data suggest that HPP is effective at inactivating HuNoV in contaminated whole oysters and suggest a potential intervention to inactivate infectious HuNoV in oysters for the commercial shellfish industry.
Repression of the Antifungal Activity of Pseudomonas sp. Strain DF41 by the Stringent Response
Authors: Manuel Jerrylynn , Berry Chrystal , Selin Carrie , Fernando W. G. Dilantha , de Kievit Teresa R.
Published: June 2011

The stringent response (SR) enables bacteria to adapt to nutrient limitation through production of the nucleotides guanosine tetraphosphate and guanosine pentaphosphate, collectively known as (p)ppGpp. Two enzymes are responsible for the intracellular pools of (p)ppGpp: RelA acts as a synthetase, while SpoT can function as either a synthetase or a hydrolase. We investigated how the SR affects the ability of the biological control agent
Pseudomonas
sp. strain DF41 to inhibit the fungal pathogen
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
(Lib.) de Bary. Strain DF41
relA
and
relA spoT
mutants were generated and found to exhibit increased antifungal activity. Strain DF41 produces a lipopeptide (LP) molecule that is essential for
Sclerotinia
biocontrol. LP production and protease activity were both elevated in the
relA
and
relA spoT
mutants. Addition of
relA
but not
spoT
in
trans
restored the mutant phenotype to that of the parent. Next, we investigated whether an association exists between the SR and known regulators of biocontrol, including the Gac system and RpoS. A
gacS
mutant of strain DF41 produced less (p)ppGpp and exhibited a 1.7-fold decrease in
relA
expression compared to the wild type, suggesting that
relA
forms part of the Gac regulon. We discovered that
rpoS
transcription was reduced significantly in the SR mutants. Furthermore,
rpoS
provided in
trans
restored protease activity to wild-type levels but did not attenuate antifungal activity. Finally,
relA
expression was decreased in the mutants, indicating that the SR is required for maximum expression of
relA
.
Identification of Xanthomonas fragariae, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli, and Xanthomonas fuscans subsp. fuscans with Novel Markers and Using a Dot Blot Platform Coupled with Automatic Data Analysis
Authors: Albuquerque Pedro , Caridade Cristina M. R. , Marcal Andre R. S. , Cruz Joana , Cruz Leonor , Santos Catarina L. , Mendes Marta V. , Tavares Fernando
Published: June 2011

Phytosanitary regulations and the provision of plant health certificates still rely mainly on long and laborious culture-based methods of diagnosis, which are frequently inconclusive. DNA-based methods of detection can circumvent many of the limitations of currently used screening methods, allowing a fast and accurate monitoring of samples. The genus
Xanthomonas
includes 13 phytopathogenic quarantine organisms for which improved methods of diagnosis are needed. In this work, we propose 21 new
Xanthomonas
-specific molecular markers, within loci coding for
Xanthomonas
-specific protein domains, useful for DNA-based methods of identification of xanthomonads. The specificity of these markers was assessed by a dot blot hybridization array using 23 non-
Xanthomonas
species, mostly soil dwelling and/or phytopathogens for the same host plants. In addition, the validation of these markers on 15
Xanthomonas
spp. suggested species-specific hybridization patterns, which allowed discrimination among the different
Xanthomonas
species. Having in mind that DNA-based methods of diagnosis are particularly hampered for unsequenced species, namely,
Xanthomonas fragariae
,
Xanthomonas axonopodis
pv. phaseoli, and
Xanthomonas fuscans
subsp.
fuscans
, for which comparative genomics tools to search for DNA signatures are not yet applicable, emphasis was given to the selection of informative markers able to identify
X. fragariae
,
X. axonopodis
pv. phaseoli, and
X. fuscans
subsp.
fuscans
strains. In order to avoid inconsistencies due to operator-dependent interpretation of dot blot data, an image-processing algorithm was developed to analyze automatically the dot blot patterns. Ultimately, the proposed markers and the dot blot platform, coupled with automatic data analyses, have the potential to foster a thorough monitoring of phytopathogenic xanthomonads.
Cofermentation of Cellobiose and Galactose by an Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strain
Authors: Ha Suk-Jin , Wei Qiaosi , Kim Soo Rin , Galazka Jonathan M. , Cate Jamie , Jin Yong-Su
Published: June 2011

We demonstrate improved ethanol yield and productivity through cofermentation of cellobiose and galactose by an engineered
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
strain expressing genes coding for cellodextrin transporter (
cdt-1
) and intracellular β-glucosidase (
gh1
-
1
) from
Neurospora crassa
. Simultaneous fermentation of cellobiose and galactose can be applied to producing biofuels from hydrolysates of marine plant biomass.
Genome Sequences of the Biotechnologically Important Bacillus megaterium Strains QM B1551 and DSM319
Authors: Eppinger Mark , Bunk Boyke , Johns Mitrick A. , Edirisinghe Janaka N. , Kutumbaka Kirthi K. , Koenig Sara S. K. , Huot Creasy Heather , Rosovitz M. J. , Riley David R. , Daugherty Sean , Martin Madeleine , Elbourne Liam D. H. , Paulsen Ian , Biedendieck Rebekka , Braun Christopher , Grayburn Scott , Dhingra Sourabh , Lukyanchuk Vitaliy , Ball Barbara , Ul-Qamar Riaz , Seibel Jürgen , Bremer Erhard , Jahn Dieter , Ravel Jacques , Vary Patricia S.
Published: June 2011

Bacillus megaterium
is deep-rooted in the
Bacillus
phylogeny, making it an evolutionarily key species and of particular importance in understanding genome evolution, dynamics, and plasticity in the bacilli.
B. megaterium
is a commercially available, nonpathogenic host for the biotechnological production of several substances, including vitamin B
12
, penicillin acylase, and amylases. Here, we report the analysis of the first complete genome sequences of two important
B. megaterium
strains, the plasmidless strain DSM319 and QM B1551, which harbors seven indigenous plasmids. The 5.1-Mbp chromosome carries approximately 5,300 genes, while QM B1551 plasmids represent a combined 417 kb and 523 genes, one of the largest plasmid arrays sequenced in a single bacterial strain. We have documented extensive gene transfer between the plasmids and the chromosome. Each strain carries roughly 300 strain-specific chromosomal genes that account for differences in their experimentally confirmed phenotypes.
B. megaterium
is able to synthesize vitamin B
12
through an oxygen-independent adenosylcobalamin pathway, which together with other key energetic and metabolic pathways has now been fully reconstructed. Other novel genes include a second
ftsZ
gene, which may be responsible for the large cell size of members of this species, as well as genes for gas vesicles, a second β-galactosidase gene, and most but not all of the genes needed for genetic competence. Comprehensive analyses of the global
Bacillus
gene pool showed that only an asymmetric region around the origin of replication was syntenic across the genus. This appears to be a characteristic feature of the
Bacillus
spp. genome architecture and may be key to their sporulating lifestyle.
Bacteriophage Infection in Rod-Shaped Gram-Positive Bacteria: Evidence for a Preferential Polar Route for Phage SPP1 Entry in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Jakutytė Lina , Baptista Catarina , São-José Carlos , Daugelavičius Rimantas , Carballido-López Rut , Tavares Paulo
Published: June 2011

Entry into the host bacterial cell is one of the least understood steps in the life cycle of bacteriophages. The different envelopes of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, with a fluid outer membrane and exposing a thick peptidoglycan wall to the environment respectively, impose distinct challenges for bacteriophage binding and (re)distribution on the bacterial surface. Here, infection of the Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium
Bacillus subtilis
by bacteriophage SPP1 was monitored in space and time. We found that SPP1 reversible adsorption occurs preferentially at the cell poles. This initial binding facilitates irreversible adsorption to the SPP1 phage receptor protein YueB, which is encoded by a putative type VII secretion system gene cluster. YueB was found to concentrate at the cell poles and to display a punctate peripheral distribution along the sidewalls of
B. subtilis
cells. The kinetics of SPP1 DNA entry and replication were visualized during infection. Most of the infecting phages DNA entered and initiated replication near the cell poles. Altogether, our results reveal that the preferentially polar topology of SPP1 receptors on the surface of the host cell determines the site of phage DNA entry and subsequent replication, which occurs in discrete foci.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Crohn's Disease-Associated Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coliStrain HM605
Authors: Clarke David J. , Chaudhuri Roy R. , Martin Helen M. , Campbell Barry J. , Rhodes Jonathan M. , Constantinidou Chrystala , Pallen Mark J. , Loman Nicholas J. , Cunningham Adam F. , Browning Douglas F. , Henderson Ian R.
Published: June 2011

Adherent-invasive
Escherichia coli
strains are increasingly being associated with intestinal pathologies. Here we present the genome sequence of
E. coli
HM605, a strain isolated from colonic biopsy specimens of a patient with Crohn's disease.
Complete Genome Sequences of Four Mammalian Isolates of Chlamydophila psittaci
Authors: Schöfl Gerhard , Voigt Anja , Litsche Katrin , Sachse Konrad , Saluz Hans Peter
Published: June 2011

Chlamydia psittaci
is an obligate intracellular zoonotic pathogen primarily of birds, but it is also known to infect a variety of mammalian species. Here we report the genomes of four strains isolated from sheep (C19/98), pigs (01DC11), cattle (02DC15), and humans (08DC60).
Genome Sequence of Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides KCTC 3652
Authors: Kim Dong-Wook , Choi Sang-Haeng , Kang Aram , Nam Seong-Hyeuk , Kim Ryong Nam , Kim Aeri , Kim Dae-Soo , Park Hong-Seog
Published: June 2011

We announce the genome sequence of one of the most prevalent lactic acid bacteria present during the manufacturing process of cane juice, the type strain
Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides
KCTC 3652 (3,244,985 bp, with a G+C content of 38.3%), which consists of 1,160 large contigs (>100 bp in size). All of the contigs were assembled by the Newbler Assembler 2.3 software program (454 Life Sciences).
Emergency department coding of bicycle and pedestrian injuries during the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10
Authors: Karkhaneh M , Hagel B E , Couperthwaite A , Saunders L D , Voaklander D C , Rowe B H
Published: June 2011

Background

The international classification of diseases version 10 (ICD-10) uses alphanumeric expanded codes and external cause of injury codes (E-codes).

Objective

To examine the reliability and validity of emergency department (ED) coders in applying E-codes in ICD-9 and -10.

Methods

Bicycle and pedestrian injuries were identified from the ED information system from one period before and two periods after transition from ICD-9 to -10 coding. Overall, 180 randomly selected bicycle and pedestrian injury charts were reviewed as the reference standard (RS). Original E-codes assigned by ED coders (ICD-9 in 2001 and ICD-10 in 2004 and 2007) were compared with charts (validity) and also to ICD-9 and -10 codes assigned from RS chart review, to each case by an independent (IND) coder (reliability). Sensitivity, specificity, simple, and chance-corrected agreements (κ statistics) were calculated.

Results

Sensitivity of E-coding bicycle injuries by the IND coder in comparison with the RS ranged from 95.1% (95% CI 86.3 to 99.0) to 100% (95% CI 94.0 to 100.0) for both ICD-9 and -10. Sensitivity of ED coders in E-coding bicycle injuries ranged from 90.2% (95% CI 79.8 to 96.3) to 96.7% (95% CI 88.5 to 99.6). The sensitivity estimates for the IND coder ranged from 25.0% (95% CI 14.7 to 37.9) to 45.0% (95% CI 32.1 to 58.4) for pedestrian injuries for both ICD-9 and -10.

Conclusion

Bicycle injuries are coded in a reliable and valid manner; however, pedestrian injuries are often miscoded as falls. These results have important implications for injury surveillance research.
(Invited) Vertical Channel Thin Film Transistor: Improvement Approach Similar to Multigate Monolithic CMOS Technology
Authors: Bonnaud Olivier , Zhang Peng , Jacques Emmanuel , Rogel Régis
Published: June 2011

The silicon based thin film transistors (TFTs) technology evolution is governed by electrical performances that are needed for many applications. Previous papers highlighted the influence of the process, the quality and the nature of the channel material on their electrical properties. TFTs had as well channel parallel to the substrate surface as quasi-vertical channels. This last choice allows an increase of the equivalent current density flowing in the circuit thanks to a shorter channel length and a higher channel width, for the same lithographical node. However, the drain-source leakage current was measured proportional to the source-drain face-to-face area, while Ion is proportional to channel width. This behavior was also observed in vertical monolithic structures. To minimize this effect two main ways are proposed: decreasing the scale, or including a physical barrier between source and drain. We will see that these approaches are really similar to ULSI technology ones.
(Invited) Similarities between µc-Si TFT with Very Thin Active Layer and FD-SOI FETs
Authors: Mohammed-Brahim Tayeb , Kandoussi Khalid , Belarbi Khaled , Lhermite Herve , Coulon Nathalie , Simon Claude
Published: June 2011

The subthreshold slope of microcrystalline silicon Thin Film Transistor is shown to be highly improved when the thickness of the active layer is enough decreased. In the same manner, the threshold voltage of these TFTs with very thin active layer is shown to be controlled dynamically with high efficiency by a second gate in front of the first one. These behaviours are explained considering the similarities between these TFTs and fully depleted SOI-MOSFETs as well as with dual-gate SOI-MOSFETS.
Source-Gated Transistors for Versatile Large Area Electronic Circuit Design and Fabrication
Authors: Sporea Radu A. , Guo Xiaojun , Shannon John M. , Silva S. R.
Published: June 2011

Source-gated transistors (SGTs) comprise a blocking contact or potential barrier at the source, which control the current. The paper describes how SGTs can be optimized for particular applications and for specific semiconductor material systems. It is shown how the saturation voltage can be designed to be an order of magnitude smaller than in equivalent FETs to give power savings of over 50% for the same current output. The SGT also achieves a better saturation regime, with lower output conductance over a larger range of drain voltages. Flat-panel lighting, remote sensing and signal processing and large-area circuits made using inexpensive but imprecise patterning techniques are some of the applications which could benefit from incorporating these devices.
Low Power 6.0-Inch Extended Graphics Array Reflective Liquid Crystal Display using Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide Semiconductor with Electronic Paper Function
Authors: Kaneyasu Makoto , Miyake Hiroyuki , Nishi Takeshi , Hirakata Yoshiharu , Koyama Jun , Sato Rai , Sakakura Masayuki , Yamazaki Shunpei
Published: June 2011

We focused on the ultra-low leakage current of indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) field-effect transistors (FETs). The power consumption of an liquid crystal display (LCD) panel can be markedly reduced by significantly lowering frame frequency, i.e., stopping unnecessary data rewrites at the time of displaying still images. We successfully fabricated a 6.0-in. extended graphics array (XGA) reflective liquid crystal display (RLCD) panel integrally including a data selection demultiplexer and a scan driver and capable of displaying still images at 1/180 fps. Thus, the panel is suitable for electronic paper displays.
Low Power 6.0-inch Extended Graphics Array Transmissive Liquid Crystal Display using Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide Semiconductor with Variable Frame Frequency
Authors: Amano Seiko , Miyake Hiroyuki , Nishi Takeshi , Hirakata Yoshiharu , Koyama Jun , Okazaki Kenichi , Sakakura Masayuki , Yamazaki Shunpei
Published: June 2011

An oxide semiconductor thin film transistor (TFT) has much higher mobility than an amorphous silicon (a-Si) TFT, which leads to realization of larger displays with higher definition. Moreover, it has much lower off leak current than the a-Si TFT. We have focused on this feature and successfully fabricated a low-power 6.0-inch extended graphics array (XGA) transmissive liquid crystal display (LCD) with source and scan drivers integrated on a glass substrate. In order to realize low power consumption, unnecessary rewriting is not performed at the time of still image display. The interval between rewrite operations in our panel could be extended to about 1 min (= 1/60 fps) at the time of displaying still images. The power consumption of the drivers at 1/60 fps can be about 1/3,600 of that at 60 fps. We also discuss burn-in and flickers, which might be observed when this driving method is applied.
(Keynote) Recent Progress in Facile Preparation of Graphene
Authors: Lin Ziyin , Yao Yagang , Li Zhuo , Moon Kyoungsik , Wong C. P.
Published: June 2011

The preparation of graphene is a major topic of interest in graphene research. We report a rapid reduction of graphene oxide (GO) by microwave radiation, and a mild solvothermal method for controllable reduction. These methods are useful for producing reduced GO for supercapacitor electrode materials. Moreover, we also demonstrate the single layer graphene growth in an atmosphere CVD system on a Cu substrate using a liquid carbon precursor.
(Invited) Silicon Grow-in-Place Nanowires and Their Applications
Authors: Wu Jian , Garg Pranav , Pan Suxing , Winter Chris , Scott Dana , Fonash Stephen
Published: June 2011

Grow-in-place VLS Silicon nanowires have been used since 2007 to produce accumulation metal oxide semiconductor accumulation field effect transistors. Since their inception, the in-template version of these devices has suffered from surface quality control whereas the extruded version suffered from control of growth direction. Both of these issues now appear to be solvable. However, doping control remains a problem due to the inadvertent doping of the VLS catalyst. Purposeful doping to overcome this inadvertent doping may be the practical solution to this problem. These devices may have display applications and their simplicity and small size makes them very attractive for sensor applications.
(Invited) Understanding the Switching Mechanism in RRAM Devices and the Dielectric Breakdown of Ultrathin High-k Gate Stacks from First Principles Calculations
Authors: Magyari-Köpe Blanka , Park Seong-Geon , Lee Hyung Dong , Nishi Yoshio
Published: June 2011

RRAM devices received increased interest lately as advanced non-volatile memory technologies in terms of low operating power, high density, better non-volatility, fast switching speed, and compatibility with conventional CMOS process. However, up to date the fundamental physical principles controlling the switching are not well understood. We have employed first-principles simulations based on density functional theory (DFT) to elucidate the effect of oxygen vacancy defects on the electronic structure of rutile TiO2 and NiO using the local density approximation with correction of on-site Coulomb interactions (LDA+U). The vacancy filament induces several defect states within the band gap, which can lead to the defect-assisted electron transport and account for on-state low resistance conduction in bulk rutile TiO2 and NiO. For CMOS devices on the other hand the reliability of the gate stack is becoming a significant challenge with the continuous scaling of transistors, due to the ultrathin oxides and defects in the gate stack. The degradation of the gate oxides has been observed under electrical stress, due to traps generated by defects, e.g. oxygen vacancies present in these materials. First principles methods based on density functional theory are used to determine the location of the defect states in the band gap when these defects are at the various interfaces of the gate stack and how they contribute to the oxide breakdown in ultrathin gate stacks.
(Keynote) Unipolar CMOS Logic for Post-Si ULSI and TFT Technologies
Authors: Ma T. P. , Sun Xiao
Published: June 2011

This article introduces a novel "unipolar CMOS" logic circuit scheme based on an inverter that consists of two N-channel (or P-channel) enhancement-mode MOSFET's, where one has a positive threshold voltage and the other a negative threshold voltage. In contrast, the conventional CMOS inverter consists of a N-channel and a P-channel MOSFET, where the P-channel MOSFET can significantly limit its overall switching speed, due to the low hole mobility, especially for such III-V semiconductors as InAs, GaInAs, and GaAs, where there is a huge disparity between the electron and the hole mobility. This mobility mismatch issue is even more severe for thin-film transistors that are difficult to make either p-channel or n-channel transistors, such as zinc oxide, amorphous Si, and many organic transistors. The implementation of the "unipolar CMOS" logic will obviate the need for a P-channel MOSFET in the CMOS inverter switch, and takes full advantage of the higher drive current that N-channel MOSFET's offer. .
(Invited) Spin-based MOSFET and Its Applications
Authors: Saito Yoshiaki
Published: June 2011

We developed a novel spintronic device "Spin-transfer-Torque Switching-MOSFET (STS-MOSFET)" which offers non-volatile memory and transistor functions that are CMOS compatible and have high endurance and a fast write time. STS-MOSFETs with Heusler alloy (Co2FeAl0.5Si0.5) were prepared and reconfigurability of the novel spintronics-based STS-MOSFET was successfully realized in the transport properties. The device showed clear magnetocurrent (MC) and write characteristics with the endurance of over 105 cycles. Moreover, the area and speed of million-gate spin FPGAs are numerically benchmarked with CMOS FPGA for 22, 32, and 45 nm technologies including a 20% transistor size variation. We showed that the performance of spin field programmable gate array (FPGA) becomes superior to that of conventional CMOS FPGA as transistor size decreases and MC ratio increases. The overall properties of the STS-MOSFETs show great potentialities for future reconfigurable integrated circuits based on CMOS technology.
Association between Apolipoprotein E ε4 and Longitudinal Cognitive Decline: Nested Case-Control Study among Chinese Community-Dwelling Elders
Authors: Ma Fei , Wang Jianhua , Miao Rujuan , Zhao Wei , Wang Qian
Published: June 2011

Background/Aims: Cognitive decline in the elderly is an early predictor of dementia. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) Ε4 allele is considered an important genetic determinant of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and strongly suspected to play a role in cognitive variation. However, its effects upon predicting the progression of cognitive decline more generally remain unclear. Our aim was to explore the role of APOE Ε4 in longitudinal cognitive decline, considering sociodemographics, vascular disease, and lipid profile. Methods: We chose a nested case-control design, and prospectively collected demographic and clinical data, determined APOE genotypes, and obtained follow-up information on cognitive variation (measured by a spectrum of cognitive tests) for 3 years. Cognitive decline was predefined as an increase in Clinical Dementia Rating Scale class, or at least a 4-point decrease (>1 SD) in MMSE, between baseline and follow-ups. Results: Among 600 follow-up subjects with mild cognitive impairment and aged 65 years or older, 114 pairs of cognitive decline and stable subjects were identified and matched for sex, age, and educational level in a 1:1 ratio. The APOE Ε4 frequency in the cognitive decline group was significantly higher than that in the stable group (p < 0.05), while the APOE Ε2 and Ε3 prevalence in the cognitive decline group did not differ significantly from that in controls (p > 0.05). At the first follow-up, modest but significant declines only in the memory domain were associated with APOE Ε4. At the last follow-up, significant associations were noted between APOE Ε4 and cognitive decline from 5 of the 6 cognitive outcomes, which included story recall, memory, spatial recognition, naming, and sustained attention. Conditional logistic regression showed that the presence of APOE Ε4 was significantly associated with the cognitive decline group, as compared to the stable group, adjusting for vascular diseases and lipid profile. Conclusions: APOE Ε4 offered information on the risk of cognitive decline in this longitudinal study, and may exert detectable effects early in a long prodromal AD trajectory.
Reduced Cortical Inhibition in Violent Offenders: A Study with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Authors: Philipp-Wiegmann Florence , Rösler Michael , Römer Konstanze D. , Schneider Marc , Baumgart Sibylle , Retz Wolfgang
Published: June 2011

Background: Aggression and violent behaviour are often regarded as a threat to society. Therefore, understanding violent behaviour has high social relevance. We performed a study with transcranial magnetic stimulation on a sample of violent offenders in order to measure cortical inhibition in the motor neuron system that is part of the frontal cortex. Methods: To investigate intracortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation, we conducted paired-pulse stimulation according to the technique of Kujirai and his group (see Method). The investigation sample comprised 62 right-handers: 32 prisoners who had committed severe violent crimes and 30 controls with no history of violence. All subjects were male and matched for age. Results: Using the paired-pulse paradigm with interstimulus intervals (ISI) of 1–15 ms, a reduced cortical inhibition (ISI: 3 ms) was found in the left cortex of violent offenders compared with control subjects. Conclusions: These findings corroborate the hypothesis of inhibition deficits and frontal cortex dysfunction in violent offenders when compared with non-violent control subjects.
A Detailed Meta-Analysis Shows No Association between TNF-α –308G/A Polymorphism and Different Forms of Glaucoma
Authors: Yu Qian-Qian , Yao Yong
Published: June 2011

Objective: Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. To date, several publications have evaluated the association between the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) –308G/A polymorphism and glaucoma risk. However, the results remain inconclusive. The aim of our study was to clarify the effect of the TNF-α –308G/A polymorphism on glaucoma risk. Method: We conducted searches of the published literature in the PubMed database updated to May 2010. A meta-analysis was performed by critically reviewing 7 publications with a total of 1,199 glaucoma cases and 1,189 controls on the –308G/A polymorphism. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of this relationship. Results: Overall, no association between the TNF-α –308G/A polymorphism and primary open-angle glaucoma or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma risk was found in the A allele versus G allele genetic model (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 0.78–3.59 or OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 0.40–15.04, respectively), the same as genetic models in AG versus GG and AA + AG versus GG. In the stratified analysis by ethnicity and source of control subgroups, a significant association was still not observed in all genetic models. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis provides strong evidence that the TNF-α –308G/A polymorphism is not associated with different forms of glaucoma risk.
Aortic Regurgitation and Coronary Microfistulae: Double Jeopardy Causing Myonecrosis
Authors: Chattopadhyay Sudipta , John Joseph
Published: June 2011

We describe a 3-case series of patients with a rare combination of mild-to-moderate aortic regurgitation and coronary microfistulae but nonobstructed epicardial coronary arteries who presented with symptoms of unstable angina and had confirmed myonecrosis. A plausible pathophysiological mechanism for this phenomenon and its clinical implication are discussed.
Associations between Endothelin-1 and Adiponectin in Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Yin Wei-Hsian , Chen Yung-Hsiang , Wei Jeng , Jen Hsu-Lung , Huang Wen-Ping , Young Mason Shing , Chen Der-Cherng , Liu Po-Len
Published: June 2011

Objectives: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) induces cardiac hypertrophy, whereas adiponectin may elicit protective effects in the vasculature and myocardium. We therefore evaluated the relationship between plasma ET-1 and adiponectin levels in heart failure (HF) patients, and the association between adiponectin expression and ET-1-induced hypertrophy of human cardiomyocytes (HCM) in vitro. Methods: One hundred seventeen patients with chronic HF were enrolled into this study. A group of 7 patients with end-stage HF undergoing heart transplantation was included in the histopathological study. Baseline clinical evaluations and laboratory measurements were performed. HCM cultures were studied to investigate the effect of ET-1 on cell size and adiponectin expression. Results: Plasma ET-1, adiponectin, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) increased with the severity of HF. Higher New York Heart Association functional class, plasma ET-1, adiponectin, and NT-proBNP levels were significant predictors of adverse outcomes in these patients. The myocardial expression of adiponectin was significantly higher in the recipient hearts of patients undergoing emergency or urgent heart transplantation. In cell culture, ET-1 significantly increased cell size and adiponectin expression in HCM. Conclusions: Adiponectin was significantly elevated in HF and was significantly associated with ET-1. The study provides a basis for further investigation of ET-1 and adiponectin modulation as a therapeutic strategy for ventricular remodeling in HF.
The Decline in Stroke Mortality
Authors: Kunst Anton E. , Amiri Masoud , Janssen Fanny
Published: June 2011

Background and Purpose—

This article aims to make projections of future trends in stroke mortality in the Year 2030 based on recent trends in stroke mortality in 7 Western European countries.

Methods—

Mortality data were obtained from national cause of death registries. Annual rates of decline in stroke mortality of 1980 to 2005 were determined for men and women in the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and 4 Nordic countries on the basis of regression analysis. Estimated rates of decline were extrapolated until 2030. Cause-elimination life tables were used to determine the effect of stroke in 2030 in terms of potential gain in life expectancy. The absolute numbers of stroke deaths in 2030 were estimated using national population projections of Eurostat.

Results—

In all countries, stroke mortality rates declined incessantly until 2005 among both men and women. If these trends were to continue, age-adjusted mortality rates would decline by approximately half between 2005 and 2030 with larger declines in France (approximately two thirds) and smaller declines in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden (approximately one fourth). Similar rates of decline would be observed in terms of potential gain in life expectancy. Because of population aging, the absolute number of stroke deaths would decline slowly in the United Kingdom and France and stabilize or even increase in other countries.

Conclusions—

In the near future, stroke may lose much of its effects on life expectancy but remain a frequent cause of death among elderly populations. The prevention of stroke-related disability instead of mortality may become increasingly more important.
Comparison of Plasmin With Recombinant Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator in Lysis of Cerebral Thromboemboli Retrieved From Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Marder Victor J. , Blinc Ales , Gruber Theresa , Tratar Gregor , Sabovic Miso , Starkman Sidney , Jahan Reza , Duckwiler Gary , Vinuela Fernando , Tateshima Satoshi , Liebeskind David , Ovbiagele Bruce , Ali Letisha , Kim Doojin , Gonzalez Nestor , Vespa Paul M. , Saver Jeffrey L.
Published: June 2011

Background and Purpose—

Plasmin is a direct-acting thrombolytic with a better safety profile than recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPA) in animal models. With the application of retrieval devices for managing acute ischemic stroke, extracted thromboemboli are available for ex vivo examination. We ask whether such thrombi are amenable to plasmin thrombolysis and whether such activity is different with rtPA.

Methods—

Thromboembolic fragments (total 29) were retrieved from the intracranial carotid artery system of 15 patients with acute ischemic stroke and randomly assigned to ex vivo thrombolysis with plasmin or rtPA. After an initial 2-hour exposure, residual material was exposed to the other agent for an additional 2 hours. Thrombolysis was quantified by change in thrombus area and released
d
-dimer.

Results—

Plasmin induced significant ex vivo thrombolysis of cerebral arterial thromboemboli, decreasing area by 45.9%±29.4% and 69.2%±52.5% and inducing median
d
-dimer release of 108 180 μg/L (range, 16 780 to 668 050 μg/L) and 16 905 μg/L (range, 240 to 403 085 μg/L) during the first and second 2-hour incubation periods, respectively. These changes were not different from those obtained with rtPA, which decreased area by 34.7%±57.8% (
P
=0.63) and by 68.4%±26.9% (
P
=0.97) and induced median
d
-dimer release of 151 990 μg/L (range, 9870 to 338 350 μg/L;
P
=0.51) and 34 520 μg/L (range 3794 to 325 400 μg/L;
P
=0.19) during the first and second 2-hour incubations.

Conclusions—

Retrieved human cerebral thromboemboli were amenable to ex vivo lysis by plasmin, the rate and degree of which was not different than that achieved with rtPA.
Limited Ability to Activate Protein C Confers Left Atrial Endocardium A Thrombogenic Phenotype
Authors: Cerveró Jorge , Montes Ramón , España Francisco , Esmon Charles T. , Hermida José
Published: June 2011

Background and Purpose—

Atrial fibrillation is the most important risk factor for cardioembolic stroke. Thrombi form in the left atrial appendage rather than in the right. The causes of this different thrombogenicity are not well-understood. The goal herein was to compare the activation of the anticoagulant protein C and the thrombomodulin and endothelial protein C receptor/activated protein C receptor expression on the endocardium between right and left atria.

Methods—

We harvested the atria of 6 monkeys (
Macaca fascicularis
) and quantified their ability to activate protein C ex vivo and we measured the thrombomodulin and endothelial protein C receptor expression by immunofluorescence.

Results—

We found the ability to activate protein C decreased by half (
P
=0.028) and there was lower expression of thrombomodulin in the left atrial endocardium than the right (52.5±19.9 and 72.1±18.8 arbitrary intensity units, mean±standard deviation;
P
=0.028). No differences were detected in endothelial protein C receptor expression.

Conclusions—

Impaired protein C activation on the left atrial endocardium attributable to low thrombomodulin expression may explain its higher thrombogenicity and play a role in cardioembolic stroke.
A Demonstration of the Impact of Outliers on the Decisions About the Number of Factors in Exploratory Factor Analysis
Authors: Liu Yan , Zumbo Bruno D. , Wu Amery D.
Published: June 2011

Previous studies have rarely examined the impact of outliers on the decisions about the number of factors to extract in an exploratory factor analysis. The few studies that have investigated this issue have arrived at contradictory conclusions regarding whether outliers inflated or deflated the number of factors extracted. By systematically inducing outliers as well as computer simulations based on real data, the present study demonstrated how outliers affected the decisions about the number of factors to extract using four commonly used and/or recommended decision methods. The studies revealed that both inflation and deflation of the number of factors were found, but the effect depended on (a) the decision methods used and (b) the magnitude and amount of outliers, hence resolving the apparent contradictory conclusions in the previous literature.
The Validity and Interrater Reliability of Video-Based Posture Observation During Asymmetric Lifting Tasks
Authors: Xu Xu , Chang Chien-chi , Faber Gert S. , Kingma Idsart , Dennerlein Jack T.
Published: June 2011

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the validity and interrater reliability of a video-based posture observation method for the major body segment angles during asymmetric lifting tasks.

Background: Observational methods have been widely used as an awkward-posture assessment tool for ergonomics studies. Previous research proposed a video-based posture observation method with estimation of major segment angles during lifting tasks. However, it was limited to symmetric lifting tasks. The current study extended this method to asymmetric lifting tasks and investigated the validity and the interrater reliability.

Method: Various asymmetric lifting tasks were performed in a laboratory while a side-view video camera recorded the lift, and the body segment angles were measured directly by a motion tracking system. For this study, 10 raters estimated seven major segment angles using a customized program that played back the video recording, thus allowing users to enter segment angles. The validity of estimated segment angles was evaluated in relation to measured segment angles. Interrater reliability was assessed among the raters.

Results: For all the segment angles except trunk lateral bending, the estimated segment angles were strongly correlated with the measured segment angles (r > .8), and the intraclass correlation coefficient was greater than 0.75.

Conclusion: The proposed observational method was able to provide a robust estimation of major segment angles for asymmetric lifting tasks based on side-view video clips. The estimated segment angles were consistent among raters.

Application: This method can be used for assessing posture during asymmetric lifting tasks. It also supports developing a video-based rapid joint loading estimation method.
Audiovisual Cues and Perceptual Learning of Spectrally Distorted Speech
Authors: Pilling Michael , Thomas Sharon
Published: June 2011

Two experiments investigate the effectiveness of audiovisual (AV) speech cues (cues derived from both seeing and hearing a talker speak) in facilitating perceptual learning of spectrally distorted speech. Speech was distorted through an eight channel noise-vocoder which shifted the spectral envelope of the speech signal to simulate the properties of a cochlear implant with a 6 mm place mismatch. Experiment 1 found that participants showed significantly greater improvement in perceiving noise-vocoded speech when training gave AV cues than when it gave auditory cues alone. Experiment 2 compared training with AV cues with training which gave written feedback. These two methods did not significantly differ in the pattern of training they produced. Suggestions are made about the types of circumstances in which the two training methods might be found to differ in facilitating auditory perceptual learning of speech.