bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Segmental Zoster Abdominal Paresis (Zoster Pseudohernia): A Review of the Literature
Authors: Chernev Ivan , Dado David
Published: September 2013

Herpes zoster is a distinct clinical syndrome that may present with a segmental zoster paresis. Although thoracic dermatomes are the most commonly affected, paresis of the abdominal muscles has been less frequently reported. To review the existing published evidence regarding this unusual clinical entity, a literature search of PubMed and Google was performed. In total, 35 articles that described 36 individual cases were identified. The information from all the cases was tabulated for the analysis. The mean age was 67.5 years. The ratio of men to women was approximately 4:1. The left and right side were approximately equally affected. The most affected associated dermatome was T11. In 88.9% of the patients, the typical herpetic rash preceded the abdominal weakness. The mean latent period from rash to onset of abdominal muscle weakness was 3.5 weeks. Electrodiagnostic studies confirmed the diagnosis in 95% of the tested patients. Complete recovery with conservative measures occurred in 79.3% of the patients who were followed‐up for recovery, with a mean time for recovery of 4.9 months. Visceral neuropathy co‐occurred in 19.4% of the patients. Because of its self‐limited nature and good prognosis, recognition of this complication is important to prevent unnecessary diagnostic studies and procedures. Electrodiagnostic studies can be effectively used to confirm the diagnosis. Because visceral neuropathy commonly co‐occurs with segmental zoster abdominal paresis, it should be actively investigated and treated.
Total Hip Arthroplasty Surgical Approach Does Not Alter Postoperative Gait Mechanics One Year After Surgery
Authors: Queen Robin M. , Appleton J. Stephen , Butler Robert J. , Newman Erik T. , Kelley Scott S. , Attarian David E. , Bolognesi Michael P.
Published: September 2013

Objective

To investigate the differences in gait biomechanics on the basis of surgical approach 1 year after surgery.

Design

This was a descriptive laboratory study to investigate the side‐to‐side differences in walking mechanics at a self‐selected walking speed as well as a functional assessment 1 year after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Temporospatial, kinetic, and kinematic data as well as functional outcomes were collected. Two‐way analysis of variance was used to assess for between‐group differences and limb‐to‐limb asymmetries.

Setting

A controlled laboratory study.

Participants

This study examined 35 patients with primary, unilateral THA. The THA surgical approaches that were used in these patients included 12 direct lateral, 18 posterior, and 11 anterolateral. All the patients were assessed 1 year after THA. Patients were excluded from the study if they had contralateral hip pain or pathology, or any prior lower extremity total joint replacements.

Main Outcome Measurements

Three‐dimensional lower extremity kinematics and kinetics as well as spatiotemporal variables were collected. In addition, a series of physical performance measures were collected.

Results

No main effects for the physical performance measures or biomechanical variables were observed among the approach groups. Significant limb‐to‐limb asymmetries were observed among all the patients, with decreased sagittal plane range of motion, peak extension, and peak vertical ground reaction forces on the operative side.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicated that no significant differences existed among the different surgical approach groups for any study variable. However, 1 year after THA, the patients demonstrated asymmetric gait patterns regardless of surgical approach, which indicated the potential need for continued intervention through physical therapy to regain normal side‐to‐side symmetry after THA.
Privatization and elite defection in de facto states: The case of Transnistria, 1991–2012
Authors: Balmaceda Margarita M.
Published: September 2013

What factors determine the timing of elite defection in conditions of post-Soviet personalistic presidentialism? How do relations with a powerful patron state affect this process? This article analyzes these questions on the basis of a case study of Transnistria, a de facto state with strong links to Russia. It argues that privatization processes involving actors from the patron state provide a unique opening for elite defection by heightening tensions between the rent-seeking interests of the personalistic president and those of new owners; direct or indirect signals from the patron state may also affect elite’s perceptions of incumbent durability and their corresponding decisions.
Effects of acute administration of mazindol on brain energy metabolism in adult mice
Authors: Gonçalves Cinara Ludvig , Scaini Giselli , Rezin Gislaine Tezza , Jeremias Isabela Casagrande , Bez Gisele Daiane , Daufenbach Juliana Felipe , Gomes Lara Mezari , Ferreira Gabriela Kozuchovski , Zugno Alexandra Ioppi , Streck Emilio Luiz
Published: September 2013

Objectives

Mazindol is a sympathomimetic amine, widely used as an anorectic agent in the treatment of obesity. This drug causes psychostimulant effects because of its pharmacological profile similar to amphetamine, acting like a monoamine reuptake inhibitor. However, the mechanisms underlying the action of mazindol are still not clearly understood.

Methods

Swiss mice received a single acute administration of mazindol (0.25, 1.25 and 2.5 mg/kg, ip) or saline. After 2 h, the animals were killed by decapitation; the brain was removed and used for the evaluation of activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, Krebs cycle enzymes and creatine kinase.

Results

Acute administration of mazindol decreased complex I activity only in the hippocampus. Complex IV activity was increased in the cerebellum (2.5 mg/kg) and cerebral cortex (0.25 mg/kg). Citrate synthase activity was increased in the cerebellum (1.25 mg/kg) and cerebral cortex (1.25 mg/kg), and creatine kinase activity was increased in the cerebellum (1.25 mg/kg).

Conclusion

We suggest that the inhibition of complex I in the hippocampus only and activation of complex IV, citrate synthase and creatine kinase occurs because of a stimulus effect of mazindol in the central nervous system, which causes a direct impairment on energy metabolism.
WIENER INDEX OF TREES OF GIVEN ORDER AND DIAMETER AT MOST
Authors: MUKWEMBI SIMON , VETRÍK TOMÁŠ
Published: September 2013

The long-standing open problem of finding an upper bound for the Wiener index of a graph in terms of its order and diameter is addressed. Sharp upper bounds are presented for the Wiener index, and the related degree distance and Gutman index, for trees of order$n$and diameter at most$6$.
A REMARK ON THE PERMUTATION REPRESENTATIONS AFFORDED BY THE EMBEDDINGS OF IN
Authors: GUEST SIMON , PREVITALI ANDREA , SPIGA PABLO
Published: September 2013

We show that the permutation module over $ \mathbb{C} $ afforded by the action of ${\mathrm{Sp} }_{2m} ({2}^{f} )$ on its natural module is isomorphic to the permutation module over $ \mathbb{C} $ afforded by the action of ${\mathrm{Sp} }_{2m} ({2}^{f} )$ on the union of the right cosets of ${ \mathrm{O} }_{2m}^{+ } ({2}^{f} )$ and ${ \mathrm{O} }_{2m}^{- } ({2}^{f} )$.
Dietary composition and its associations with insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in youth
Authors: Henderson Mélanie , Benedetti Andrea , Gray-Donald Katherine
Published: September 2013

The objectives of the present study were to examine the associations between macronutrient intake and insulin sensitivity (IS) and insulin secretion (ISct), taking into consideration moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), fitness and sedentary behaviour. Caucasian youth (n630) aged 8–10 years at recruitment, with at least one obese biological parent, were studied (QUebec Adipose and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth cohort). IS was measured using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance and Matsuda IS index. ISct was measured using HOMA2 %-β, the ratio of the AUC of insulin:glucose over the first 30 min (AUC I/Gt= 30min) of the oral glucose tolerance test and AUC I/Gt= 120minover 2 h. Fitness was measured using VO2peak, percentage of fat mass by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and 7 d MVPA using accelerometry; screen time (ST) by average daily hours of self-reported television, video game or computer use. Dietary composition was measured using three non-consecutive dietary recalls. Non-parametric smoothing splines were used to model non-linear associations; all models were adjusted for age, sex, season, pubertal stage, MVPA, fitness, ST and adiposity. The percentage of total daily energy from dietary protein, fat, saturated fat and carbohydrate and the consumption of dietary vitamin D, sugar-sweetened beverages, fibre and portions of fruits and vegetables were taken into consideration. No dietary component was associated with any measure of IS after adjusting for MVPA, fitness, ST and adiposity. For every 1 % increase in daily protein intake (%), AUC I/Gt= 30mindecreased by 1·1 % (P= 0·033). Otherwise, dietary composition was not associated with ISct. While long-term excess of energy intake has been shown to lead to overweight and obesity, dietary macronutrient composition is not independently correlated with IS or ISct in youth.
Trends in dietary fat and high-fat food intakes from 1991 to 2008 in the Framingham Heart Study participants
Authors: Vadiveloo Maya , Scott Marc , Quatromoni Paula , Jacques Paul , Parekh Niyati
Published: September 2013

Few longitudinal studies carried out in US adults have evaluated long-term dietary fat intakes and compared them with the national recommendations during the two-decade period when the prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance increased substantively. In the present study, we examined trends in the intakes of dietary fats and rich dietary sources of fats in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort over a 17-year period. The cohort was established in 1971–75 with follow-up examinations being conducted approximately every 4 years. Dietary data were collected using a semi-quantitative FFQ beginning in 1991 (exam 5). We included 2732 adults aged ≥ 25 years with complete dietary data in at least three examinations from 1991 to 2008. Descriptive statistics were generated using SAS version 9.3, and a repeated-measures model was used to examine trends in macronutrient and food intakes using R. Over the 17 years of follow-up, the percentage of energy derived from total fat and protein increased (27·3–29·8 % of energy and 16·8–18·0 % of energy, respectively) and that derived from carbohydrate decreased (51·0–46·8 % of energy; P-trend < 0·001). Increases in the percentage of energy derived from all fat subtypes were observed, except for that derived from trans-fats, which decreased over time (P-trend < 0·001). Trends were similar between the sexes, although women exhibited a greater increase in the percentage of energy derived from saturated fat and less reduction in the percentage of energy derived from trans-fats (P interaction < 0·05). Trends in fat intake were similar across the BMI categories. The number of weekly servings of cheese, eggs, ice cream desserts, nuts, butter and sausages/processed meats increased, whereas the intake of milk, margarine, poultry, confectioneries, chips and breads decreased (P-trend < 0·001). In this cohort of predominantly Caucasian older adults, the percentage of energy derived from dietary fats increased over time, but it remained within the national recommendations of less than 35 % of total energy, on average.
Political Journalism Represented by Headline News: Canadian Public and Commercial Media Compared
Authors: Andrew Blake
Published: September 2013

Abstract.Headlines play a key role in influencing how and about what citizens are informed. In news media, their task is threefold: to represent stories, signal informational hierarchy and draw publicity for (or sell) what follows. This article examines the representative dimension of headline news content for the 2006 Canadian federal election campaign, testing whether public media headlines more faithfully reflected story-level coverage than commercial media. Comparing both public and commercial media coverage of this watershed election presents a unique opportunity to assess whether the overarching macro-incentive of commercial media—profit-making—may have influenced micro-level relationships between headlines and stories. Results of 55-day multiplatform analysis (N = 11,002) involving CBC election media and 12 commercial newsrooms reveal few differences with respect the representativeness of headlines from public and commercial media, save for the presence of journalists' opinion in headline content.

Résumé.Les titres influencent comment les citoyens sont informés, et à propos de quoi ils en pensent. Les titres ont trois objectifs dans les nouvelles : ils résument les nouvelles, signalent quelles nouvelles sont les plus importantes, et vendre l'histoire complète qui suit. L'article examine le niveau de représentativité des titres dans les nouvelles sur la campagne de l'élection fédérale canadienne de 2006. Plus précisément, il teste si les titres venant des médias publics sont plus représentatifs que les nouvelles dans le média commercial. En comparant la couverture médiatique dans cette élection structurante, nous explorons si la motivation des médias commerciaux, notamment le profit, peut influencer le lien entre les titres et les articles. Les résultats de l'analyse multiplateforme de la campagne qui durait 55 jours (N = 11 002) incluent la couverture sur la CBC et 12 médias commerciaux. Ils indiquent qu'il n'y a pas beaucoup de différence dans la représentativité des titres entre les sources publiques et commerciales, sauf la présence de l'opinion dans le contenu des titres.
Advances in understanding nitrogen flows and transformations: gaps and research pathways
Authors: MÜLLER C. , CLOUGH T. J.
Published: September 2013

The nitrogen (N) cycle is one of the best studied elemental cycles. However, the N flows and transformations, in particular in aggregated soils, at small scales and in plant–soil systems are not yet fully understood. Analytical and molecular techniques are now available to address N dynamics at small scales. The methodological advances should go hand in hand with the development of suitable mathematical models addressing the small scale and the full complexity of the many interacting effects. The importance of denitrification within the N cycle is highlighted and used as an example of the progress achieved in recent times. Research gaps and possible research pathways are outlined.
On the turbulence-induced seeding of large scale-length magnetic field during the interactions of plasma clouds
Authors: KRASHENINNIKOV S. I.
Published: September 2013

It is shown that turbulent interactions of two interpenetrating plasma clouds can cause seeding of the large scale-length magnetic field. This process becomes especially pronounced when clouds have the ions with different Z/M ratios.
Popper and Xenophanes
Authors: Attfield Robin
Published: September 2013

Karl Popper identified Xenophanes of Colophon (570–478 BCE) as the originator of the method of conjectures and refutations. This essay explores this claim, and the methods of both philosophers (section 1). Disparagement (ancient and modern) of Xenophanes has been misguided (section 2). Xenophanes, a critical rationalist and realist, pioneered philosophy of religion (section 3) and epistemology (section 4), but his method was not confined to falsificationism, and appears compatible with inductivism and abductionism (section 5). The method employed by Popper in interpreting Herodotus in support of his conjectures about Xenophanes is typical of the multiple-strand reasoning characteristic of the humanities, and is as much inductivist or abductionist as refutationist (section 6). Popper's theories about Xenophanes are convincing; but even if Popperians would claim that Popper's refutationism largely fits the natural sciences, his application of it to history is implausible, and conflicts with own practice (section 7). An appendix reflects on Popper's interest in cultured refugees.
Generation of a large cross-section electron beam in the vacuum diode with rod current returns
Authors: Abdullin E.N. , Ivanov N.G. , Losev V.F. , Morozov A.V.
Published: September 2013

The results of the experimental studies of the high-power e-beam accelerator producing six radially convergent electron beams are presented. The studies are aimed to increase the energy of the electron beam transported through the foil into the gas-filled chamber by using the rod-shaped current returns in the diode at small inter-electrode gaps. Installation of these rod current returns shields the periphery regions of the diode from the current field in the central part thus reducing the field at the diode edge. The inter-electrode distance, the shape, and the sizes of the cathodes are chosen by taking into account the magnetic field reduction in the diode. It is shown that in such type of the diode the electrons impact the foil almost normally to its surface, and the electron beams enter the output windows completely. Such type of the diode allows increasing the efficiency of the electron beam energy transfer into the gas by 30%.
Monitoring of seasonality of norovirus and other enteric viruses in Cameroon by real-time PCR: an exploratory study
Authors: AYUKEKBONG J. A. , ANDERSSON M. E. , VANSARLA G. , TAH F. , NKUO-AKENJI T. , LINDH M. , BERGSTRÖM T.
Published: September 2013

We studied the seasonal fluctuation of norovirus and other enteric viruses in Cameroon. Two hundred participants aged between 1 and 69 years were prospectively followed up. Each participant provided monthly faecal samples over a 12-month period. A total of 2484 samples were tested using multiplex real-time PCR assay for the detection of norovirus, rotavirus and enterovirus. The effect of weather variables and risk factors were analysed by Pearson correlation and bivariate analysis. Overall, enterovirus was the most commonly detected virus (21·6% of specimens), followed by norovirus (3·9%) and rotavirus (0·4%). Norovirus and enterovirus were detected throughout the year with a peak of norovirus detection at the beginning of the rainy season and a significant alternation of circulation of norovirus genogroups from one month to the next. Age <5 years and consumption of tap water were risk factors for norovirus infection. Better understanding of factors influencing transmission and seasonality may provide insights into the relationship between physical environment and risk of infection for these viruses.
Phosphorus in Antarctic surface marine sediments - chemical speciation in Admiralty Bay
Authors: Berbel Gláucia B.B. , Braga Elisabete S.
Published: September 2013

This study describes the relation of the phosphorus chemical speciation in surface sediments with input processes in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. The sediments were analysed with a sequential extraction for phosphorus fractionation to measure: exchangeable P (Pexch), iron oxyhydroxide bound P (P-Fe), authigenic P (Auth-P), detrital P (Detrital-P) and organic P (Porg). The study revealed that Detrital-P (39–70%) was the main sedimentary phosphorus forms and Auth-P (40–54%) was the second largest pool. The average percentage of each fraction of P followed the sequence: Detrital-P (41%) > Auth-P (37%) > P-Fe (12%) > Porg = Pexch (5%). Spatial differences in grain size distribution were found. Silt and clay factions were predominant in the inlets, whereas sand and gravel were the main components in Central bay (unofficial name). Values were extremely low for organic carbon (< 0.30%) and total nitrogen (< 0.17%). Total sulfur was lower than 0.15%, except for Mackellar Inlet where values were 1%. The dominance of detrital apatite in the total sedimentary phosphorus demonstrates the importance of terrestrial inputs from ice melting in governing the abundance and speciation of sedimentary phosphorus in the Admiralty Bay sediments.
Concentration of Lipschitz Functionals of Determinantal and Other Strong Rayleigh Measures
Authors: PEMANTLE ROBIN , PERES YUVAL
Published: September 2013

Let {X1 , . . , Xn} be a collection of binary-valued random variables and let f : {0, 1}n → $\mathbb{R}$ be a Lipschitz function. Under a negative dependence hypothesis known as the strong Rayleigh condition, we show that f − ${\mathbb E}$f satisfies a concentration inequality. The class of strong Rayleigh measures includes determinantal measures, weighted uniform matroids and exclusion measures; some familiar examples from these classes are generalized negative binomials and spanning tree measures. For instance, any Lipschitz-1 function of the edges of a uniform spanning tree on vertex set V (e.g., the number of leaves) satisfies the Gaussian concentration inequality

\begin{linenomath}$${{\mathbb P} (f - {\mathbb E} f \geq a) \leq \exp \biggl( - \frac{a^2}{8 \, |V|} \biggr) }.$$\end{linenomath}
We also prove a continuous version for concentration of Lipschitz functionals of a determinantal point process.
Atrioventricular valve regurgitation at diagnosis in single-ventricle patients: does it affect longitudinal outcomes?
Authors: Garnreiter Jason M. , Tani Lloyd Y. , Weng Hsin-Yi , Sheng Xiaoming , Pinto Nelangi M.
Published: September 2013

Introduction

Significant atrioventricular valve regurgitation at diagnosis in single-ventricle patients has been associated with mortality and morbidity. However, longitudinal data on the effect of valve regurgitation at diagnosis on outcomes in the era of surgical valve interventions are scarce.

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective review of single-ventricle patients admitted to a regional centre from 2005 to 2008. Data were reviewed from birth to 18 months, and association of atrioventricular valve regurgitation at diagnosis with mortality and morbidity was evaluated.

Results

A total of 118 patients were studied, 73% with a single right ventricle. At diagnosis, 37 patients (31%) had mild, 5 (4%) had mild to moderate, and 4 (3%) had ≥ moderate atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Moderate or greater valve regurgitation was associated with mortality (HR 5.51, 95% CI 1.24–24.61, p = 0.025), and all four patients with ≥ moderate valve regurgitation died. However, valve regurgitation was not associated with mortality for left ventricle patients. In all, 12 patients (10%) had surgical atrioventricular valve interventions. There were no independent predictors of valve intervention, and no patient having an intervention had > mild valve regurgitation at diagnosis. There was no association between valve regurgitation and days of hospitalisation or chest tube drainage.

Conclusion

Significant atrioventricular valve regurgitation at diagnosis remains a risk factor for mortality in single-ventricle patients, although it may be less important for single left ventricle patients. However, it is not associated with increased morbidity or surgical atrioventricular valve intervention in survivors. Reliably predicting surgical atrioventricular valve intervention remains a challenge in single-ventricle patients.
Complementary feeding and attained linear growth among 6–23-month-old children
Authors: Onyango Adelheid W , Borghi Elaine , de Onis Mercedes , Casanovas Ma del Carmen , Garza Cutberto
Published: September 2013

Objective

To examine the association between complementary feeding indicators and attained linear growth at 6–23 months.

Design

Secondary analysis of Phase V Demographic and Health Surveys data (2003–2008). Country-specific ANOVA models were used to estimate effects of three complementary feeding indicators (minimum meal frequency, minimum dietary diversity and minimum adequate diet) on length-for-age, adjusted for covariates and interactions of interest.

Setting

Twenty-one countries (four Asian, twelve African, four from the Americas and one European).

Subjects

Sample sizes ranging from 608 to 13 676.

Results

Less than half the countries met minimum meal frequency and minimum dietary diversity, and only Peru had a majority of the sample receiving a minimum adequate diet. Minimum dietary diversity was the indicator most consistently associated with attained length, having significant positive effect estimates (ranging from 0·16 to 1·40 for length-for-age Z-score) in twelve out of twenty-one countries. Length-for-age declined with age in all countries, and the greatest declines in its Z-score were seen in countries (Niger, −1·9; Mali, −1·6; Democratic Republic of Congo, −1·4; Ethiopia, −1·3) where dietary diversity was persistently low or increased very little with age.

Conclusions

There is growing recognition that poor complementary feeding contributes to the characteristic negative growth trends observed in developing countries and therefore needs focused attention and its own tailored interventions. Dietary diversity has the potential to improve linear growth. Using four food groups to define minimum dietary diversity appears to capture enough information in a simplified, standard format for multi-country comparisons of the quality of complementary diets.
Sequencing of wild crop relatives to support the conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources
Authors: Henry Robert J.
Published: September 2013

The re-sequencing of the genomes of wild crop relatives is a rapid method to determine the likely utility of the germplasm in crop improvement. The conservation of genetic resources both in situ and ex situ can be guided by information on the novelty of specific populations at the whole-genome and specific allele levels. The analysis of Australian wild relatives of rice, coffee, Macadamia and Eucalypts is being used to support crop improvement and enhance food and energy security. Rice populations that are novel sources of diversity in the A genome of rice have been characterized at the whole-genome level. This has demonstrated the novelty of these species and will support taxonomic revisions of the Oryza species. Variation in the genomes of plants from diverse environments defines strategies that might be employed to develop climate-resilient crop varieties. Eucalypt sequencing aims to support the selection of species and genotypes for use as new energy crops.
X-ray analysis of butirosin biosynthetic enzyme BtrN redefines structural motifs for AdoMet radical chemistry
Authors: Goldman Peter J. , Grove Tyler L. , Booker Squire J. , Drennan Catherine L.
Published: September 2013

Significance

AdoMet radical enzymes harness the power of radical-based chemistry to carry out complex chemical transformations. The structure of butirosin biosynthethic enzyme BtrN reveals both unforeseen differences and surprising similarities compared with other members of this rapidly expanding enzyme superfamily. In particular, variations in how BtrN binds
S
-adenosyl-
L
-methionine (AdoMet) warrant redefinition of the core fold responsible for adenosyl-radical generation whereas similarities in how BtrN binds an auxiliary iron–sulfur cluster provide the basis for assignment of a previously undescribed structural motif.
A Successful Strategy for Increasing the Influenza Vaccination Rate of Healthcare Workers without a Mandatory Policy Outside of the United States: A Multifaceted Intervention in a Japanese Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Honda Hitoshi , Sato Yumiko , Yamazaki Akinori , Padival Simi , Kumagai Akira , Babcock Hilary
Published: September 2013

Objective.

Although mandatory vaccination programs have been effective in improving the vaccination rate among healthcare workers, implementing this type of program can be challenging because of varied reasons for vaccine refusal. The purpose of our study is to measure improvement in the influenza vaccination rate from a multifaceted intervention at a Japanese tertiary care center where implementing a mandatory vaccination program is difficult.

Design.

Before-and-after trial.

Participants and Setting.

Healthcare workers at a 550-bed, tertiary care, academic medical center in Sapporo, Japan.

Interventions.

We performed a multifaceted intervention including (1) use of a declination form, (2) free vaccination, (3) hospital-wide announcements during the vaccination period, (4) prospective audit and real-time telephone interview for healthcare workers who did not receive the vaccine, (5) medical interview with the hospital executive for noncompliant (no vaccine, no declination form) healthcare workers during the vaccination period, and (6) mandatory submission of a vaccination document if vaccinated outside of the study institution.

Results.

With the new multifaceted intervention, the vaccination rate in the 2012-2013 season increased substantially, up to 97%. This rate is similar to that reported in studies with a mandatory vaccination program. Improved vaccination acceptance, particularly among physicians, likely contributed to the overall increase in the vaccination rate reported in the study.

Conclusions.

Implementation of comprehensive strategies with strong leadership can lead to substantial improvements in vaccine uptake among healthcare workers even without a mandatory vaccination policy. The concept is especially important for institutions where implementing mandatory vaccination programs is challenging.
SENP1 and SENP2 affect spatial and temporal control of sumoylation in mitosis
Authors: Cubeñas-Potts Caelin , Goeres Jacqueline D. , Matunis Michael J.
Published: September 2013

Sumoylation of centromere, kinetochore, and other mitotic chromosome-associated proteins is essential for chromosome segregation. The mechanisms regulating spatial and temporal sumoylation of proteins in mitosis, however, are not well understood. Here we show that the small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO)–specific isopeptidases SENP1 and SENP2 are targeted to kinetochores in mitosis. SENP2 targeting occurs through a mechanism dependent on the Nup107-160 subcomplex of the nuclear pore complex and is modulated through interactions with karyopherin α. Overexpression of SENP2, but not other SUMO-specific isopeptidases, causes a defect in chromosome congression that depends on its precise kinetochore targeting. By altering SENP1 kinetochore associations, however, this effect on chromosome congression could be phenocopied. In contrast, RNA interference–mediated knockdown of SENP1 delays sister chromatid separation at metaphase, whereas SENP2 knockdown produces no detectable phenotypes. Our findings indicate that chromosome segregation depends on precise spatial and temporal control of sumoylation in mitosis and that SENP1 and SENP2 are important mediators of this control.
Is the Shale Energy Boom a Bust for Nearby Residents? Evidence from Housing Values in Pennsylvania
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Sathya , Klaiber H. Allen
Published: September 2013

Profitable extraction of previously inaccessible shale energy reserves has led to the rapid expansion of shale exploration across the United States. We present one of the first empirical studies to measure the impact of early shale exploration on surrounding homeowners using data from Washington County, Pennsylvania, from 2008 to mid 2010. We find that property values are negatively impacted by shale gas exploration activity, but this impact depends on the proximity and intensity of shale activity and is largely transitory. The negative effects are larger for households located close to major highways and sourced with private well water.
Assessing the validity and reproducibility of genome-scale predictions
Authors: Sugden Lauren A. , Tackett Michael R. , Savva Yiannis A. , Thompson William A. , Lawrence Charles E.
Published: September 2013

Motivation: Validation and reproducibility of results is a central and pressing issue in genomics. Several recent embarrassing incidents involving the irreproducibility of high-profile studies have illustrated the importance of this issue and the need for rigorous methods for the assessment of reproducibility.

Results: Here, we describe an existing statistical model that is very well suited to this problem. We explain its utility for assessing the reproducibility of validation experiments, and apply it to a genome-scale study of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR)-mediated RNA editing in Drosophila. We also introduce a statistical method for planning validation experiments that will obtain the tightest reproducibility confidence limits, which, for a fixed total number of experiments, returns the optimal number of replicates for the study.

Availability: Downloadable software and a web service for both the analysis of data from a reproducibility study and for the optimal design of these studies is provided at http://ccmbweb.ccv.brown.edu/reproducibility.html

Contact: Charles_Lawrence@Brown.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
CLIPS-4D: a classifier that distinguishes structurally and functionally important residue-positions based on sequence and 3D data
Authors: Janda Jan-Oliver , Meier Andreas , Merkl Rainer
Published: September 2013

Motivation: The precise identification of functionally and structurally important residues of a protein is still an open problem, and state-of-the-art classifiers predict only one or at most two different categories.

Result: We have implemented the classifier CLIPS-4D, which predicts in a mutually exclusively manner a role in catalysis, ligand-binding or protein stability for each residue-position of a protein. Each prediction is assigned a P-value, which enables the statistical assessment and the selection of predictions with similar quality. CLIPS-4D requires as input a multiple sequence alignment and a 3D structure of one protein in PDB format. A comparison with existing methods confirmed state-of-the-art prediction quality, even though CLIPS-4D classifies more specifically than other methods. CLIPS-4D was implemented as a multiclass support vector machine, which exploits seven sequence-based and two structure-based features, each of which was shown to contribute to classification quality. The classification of ligand-binding sites profited most from the 3D features, which were the assessment of the solvent accessible surface area and the identification of surface pockets. In contrast, five additionally tested 3D features did not increase the classification performance achieved with evolutionary signals deduced from the multiple sequence alignment.

Availability: CLIPS-4D is available as a web-service at http://www-bioinf.uni-regensburg.de.

Contact:  rainer.merkl@ur.de

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Assessing gene-level translational control from ribosome profiling
Authors: Olshen Adam B. , Hsieh Andrew C. , Stumpf Craig R. , Olshen Richard A. , Ruggero Davide , Taylor Barry S.
Published: September 2013

Motivation: The translational landscape of diverse cellular systems remains largely uncharacterized. A detailed understanding of the control of gene expression at the level of messenger RNA translation is vital to elucidating a systems-level view of complex molecular programs in the cell. Establishing the degree to which such post-transcriptional regulation can mediate specific phenotypes is similarly critical to elucidating the molecular pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer. Recently, methods for massively parallel sequencing of ribosome-bound fragments of messenger RNA have begun to uncover genome-wide translational control at codon resolution. Despite its promise for deeply characterizing mammalian proteomes, few analytical methods exist for the comprehensive analysis of this paired RNA and ribosome data.

Results: We describe the Babel framework, an analytical methodology for assessing the significance of changes in translational regulation within cells and between conditions. This approach facilitates the analysis of translation genome-wide while allowing statistically principled gene-level inference. Babel is based on an errors-in-variables regression model that uses the negative binomial distribution and draws inference using a parametric bootstrap approach. We demonstrate the operating characteristics of Babel on simulated data and use its gene-level inference to extend prior analyses significantly, discovering new translationally regulated modules under mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway signaling control.

Availability: The Babel framework is freely available as source code at http://taylorlab.ucsf.edu/software_data.html.

Contact:  barry.taylor@ucsf.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Intrathecal Substance P-Saporin in the Dog
Authors: Wiese Ashley J. , Rathbun Michael , Butt Mark T. , Malkmus Shelle A. , Richter Philip J. , Osborn Kent G. , Xu Qinghao , Veesart Samantha L. , Steinauer Joanne J. , Higgins Denise , Lappi Douglas A. , Russell Brian , Yaksh Tony L.
Published: September 2013

Background:

Neurokinin-1 receptors (NK1-rs) located on superficial dorsal horn neurons are essential for integration of nociceptive input. Intrathecal injection of substance P-saporin (SP-SAP) leads to local loss of spinal NK1-r (+) neurons suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for chronic pain. The authors determined, in a canine model, effects of lumbar intrathecal SP-SAP.

Methods:

Distribution of SP-SAP and Saporin was determined in plasma, lumbar cerebrospinal fluid, and tissue. Safety of intrathecal SP-SAP was determined in four groups (six dogs each) administered 0 (0.9% saline), 1.5, 15, or 150 µg SP-SAP through lumbar intrathecal catheters. Behavioral, physiologic, and biochemical variables were assessed. Spinal tissues were collected at 7 and approximately 90 days, or earlier if significant morbidity developed, and analyzed for NK1-r (+) neuron loss and histopathology.

Results:

SP-SAP and Saporin were detectable in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid for up to 4 and 24 h, respectively. Animals receiving intrathecal saline, 1.5, or 15 µg of SP-SAP showed no persistent neurologic deficits. Three animals receiving 150 µg of SP-SAP developed pelvic limb paraparesis and were euthanized prematurely. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization cell counts confirmed a significant reduction in NK1-r (+) in superficial dorsal horn neurons from lumbar spinal cord after intrathecal administration of 15 and 150 µg of SP-SAP. A significant loss of NK1-r neurons in the lumbar ventral horn occurred only with 150-µg SP-SAP.

Conclusion:

Intrathecal 15-µg SP-SAP reduced dorsal, but not ventral, NK1-r (+) neurons at the spinal level of delivery with minimal side effects, whereas 150-µg SP-SAP resulted in motor neuron toxicity.
Is Folic Acid Supplementation Really Necessary in Preterm Infants ≤32 Weeks of Gestation?
Authors: Oncel Mehmet Yekta , Calisici Erhan , Ozdemir Ramazan , Yurttutan Sadik , Erdeve Omer , Karahan Sevilay , Dilmen Ugur
Published: September 2013

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to define whether there was folate deficiency in hospitalized preterm infants, and, second, to define the effect of feeding modalities on serum folate levels.

Methods:

Infants born ≤32 weeks of gestation were included in the study. Blood samples for the determination of serum folate levels were obtained on days 14 and 28 postnatally, as well as 36 weeks postconceptionally (or just before discharge if patients are discharged <36 weeks)—samples A, B, and C, respectively. Infants were divided into 3 groups based on mode of feeding; human breast milk (HBM), fortified HBM (fHBM), or preterm formula (PF).

Results:

A total of 162 preterm infants were enrolled: 17 (10.5%) of whom received HBM alone, 94 (58%) received fHBM, and 51 (31.5%) were fed with PF. None of the preterm infants developed folate deficiency during the study period. Preterm infants in the fHBM and PF groups had significant higher serum folate levels in samples C when compared with those receiving HBM alone (P < 0.001 for both). Multivariate analysis to evaluate the effects of maternal supplementation, smoking habit, gestational age, birth weight, and cumulative folic acid intake in samples A, B, and C suggested that maternal smoking and maternal folic acid supplementation had significant effects on serum folate levels in sample A and B.

Conclusions:

Preterm infants receiving parenteral nutrition with high folic acid content have no risk of folate deficiency during the 2 months of age; however, preterm infants fed orally from birth with HBM or PF with a low folic acid content could be at risk for folate deficiency, especially when mothers are smokers and/or do not receive folic acid supplementation during pregnancy.
Pipeline Embolization Device
Authors: Sise Adam B. , Osher James M. , Kolsky Martin P. , Stemer Andrew , Bank William O. , Garfinkel Richard A.
Published: September 2013

A 57-year-old woman underwent treatment of a left internal carotid artery aneurysm with a Pipeline embolization device. She subsequently experienced multiple branch retinal artery occlusions in her left eye. Although rare, ophthalmic complications may follow this new technique in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.
Gramella flava sp. nov., a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from seawater
Authors: Liu Keshao , Li Shuhui , Jiao Nianzhi , Tang Kai
Published: September 2013

A novel Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented, aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped marine bacterium (JLT2011T) was isolated from surface seawater. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JLT2011T could be assigned to the genus

Gramella

and was most closely related to

Gramella gaetbulicola

, with 96.2 % similarity. The genomic DNA G+C content was 42.1 %. The predominant fatty acids were C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C18 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c). The major menaquinone was MK-6. The major components of the polar lipid profile were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and sphingoglycolipid. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and taxonomic data presented, strain JLT2011T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Gramella

, for which the name Gramella flava sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is JLT2011T ( = CGMCC 1.12375T = LMG 27360T).
Thermolongibacillus altinsuensis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Thermolongibacillus kozakliensis sp. nov., aerobic, thermophilic, long bacilli isolated from hot springs
Authors: Cihan Arzu Coleri , Koc Melih , Ozcan Birgul , Tekin Nilgun , Cokmus Cumhur
Published: September 2013

Two novel endospore-forming, aerobic bacilli, strains E173aT and E265T, were isolated from soil and sediment samples from Kozakli and Altinsu hot springs, Nevsehir (Turkey). Their young cells in the exponential phase of growth were motile, Gram-stain-positive, straight rods, 0.6–1.1×3.0–8.0 µm in size, but they became strikingly long, approximately 0.6–1.2 by 9.0–35.0 µm, after the stationary phase of growth. Cells varied in tests for oxidase, and had a weakly positive reaction for catalase. Both strains could grow between 40 and 70 °C, with optimal growth at 60 °C (E173aT) and 55 °C (E265T). Growth occurred within the range pH 5.0–11.0 with optimal growth at pH 9.0 (E173aT) and pH 8.5 (E265T). Strain E173aT grew within a salinity range from 0 to1.5 % (w/v) NaCl with optimal growth at 0.5 %, while strain E265T grew within the range 0–5.0 % (w/v), with an optimum at 3.0 %. The new isolates differed from each other in some phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characters as well as repetitive extragenic palindromic element PCR (rep-PCR) fingerprints. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities suggested distant relationships with other members of the family

Bacillaceae

(<95.8 %), although the two strains showed 97.5 % sequence similarity between them, and had 55 % relatedness by DNA–DNA hybridization. The DNA G+C contents were 44.8 (E173aT) and 43.5 mol% (E265T). Moreover, the chemotaxonomic data of E173aT and E265T [presence of low amounts of meso-diaminopimelic acid, A1γ to A1γ′ cross-linkage types in peptidoglycan, fatty acids including iso-C15 : 0 (>60 %), iso-C17 : 0 and C16 : 0] supported the consideration of these isolates as members of a novel genus. Based upon phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it is proposed that new isolates represent a novel genus, Thermolongibacillus gen. nov., with two novel species: Thermolongibacillus altinsuensis sp. nov. (type strain E265T = DSM 24979T = NCIMB 14850T) and Thermolongibacillus kozakliensis sp. nov. (type strain E173aT = DSM 24978T = NCIMB 14849T).
Borrelia kurtenbachii sp. nov., a widely distributed member of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato species complex in North America
Authors: Margos Gabriele , Piesman Joseph , Lane Robert S. , Ogden Nicholas H. , Sing Andreas , Straubinger Reinhard K. , Fingerle Volker
Published: September 2013

Lyme borreliosis group spirochaetes are parasitic bacteria transmitted by vector ticks of the genusIxodesand distributed mainly between 40° and 60° northern latitudes. SinceBorrelia burgdorferisensu stricto(hereinafter,B. burgdorferi) was described in the north-eastern USA during the early 1980s, an increasing diversity has been noted within the species complex. Here, we describe a novel genomic species,Borrelia kurtenbachiisp. nov. (type strain 25015T = ATCC BAA-2495T =  DSM 26572T), that is prevalent in transmission cycles among vector ticks and reservoir hosts in North America. Confirmation of the presence of this species in Europe awaits further investigation.
Sustainability reports as simulacra? A counter-account of A and A+ GRI reports
Authors: Boiral Olivier
Published: September 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which sustainability reporting can be viewed as a simulacrum used to camouflage real sustainable-development problems and project an idealized view of the firms' situations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The method was based on the content analysis and counter accounting of 23 sustainability reports from firms in the energy and mining sectors which had received application levels of A or A+ from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The information disclosed in some 2,700 pages of reports was structured around 92 GRI indicators and compared with 116 significant news events that clearly addressed the responsibility of these firms in sustainable development problems. Moreover, the 1,258 pictures included in sustainability reports were categorized into recurring themes from an inductive perspective.

Findings

– A total of 90 per cent of the significant negative events were not reported, contrary to the principles of balance, completeness and transparency of GRI reports. Moreover, the pictures included in these reports showcase various simulacra clearly disconnected with the impact of business activities.

Originality/value

– The paper shows the relevance of the counter accounting approach in assessing the quality of sustainability reports and question the reliability of the GRI's A or A+ application levels. It contributes to debates concerning the transparency of sustainability reports in light of Debord's and Baudrillard's critical perspective. The paper reveals the underexplored role of images in the emergence of several types of simulacra.