bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence‐based fitness promotion in an afterschool setting: Implementation fidelity and its policy implications
Authors: Thaw Jean M. , Villa Manuela , Reitman David , DeLucia Christian , Gonzalez Vanessa , Hanson K. Lori
Published: December 2014

Little is known about how the adoption of evidence‐based physical activity (PA) curricula by out‐of‐school time (OST) programs affects children's physical fitness, and there are no clear guidelines of what constitutes reasonable gains given the types of PA instruction currently offered in these programs. Using a three‐wave, quasi‐experimental, naturalistic observation design, this study evaluated the implementation of an evidence‐based PA instruction curriculum (Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids [SPARK]) and examined whether the potential health benefits of evidence‐based PA instruction can be replicated in this context when compared to OST programs that do not use evidence‐based PA curricula. Quality of PA instruction and SPARK implementation fidelity were also assessed. Results indicated that children in the non‐evidence‐based/standard PA instruction programs engaged in higher levels of moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA) and showed greater improvements in fitness levels over time. The findings from this chapter suggest that while it is generally accepted that evidence‐based approaches yield higher levels of PA when implemented by researchers under controlled conditions, findings are inconsistent when evidence‐based PA instruction is implemented in the field, under presumably less controlled conditions. It appears that when it comes to PA instruction in afterschool, either less structured activities or well‐implemented evidence‐based practices could be the key to promoting higher PA levels and greater health and fitness for school‐aged children.
Long‐Term Follow‐Up After Non‐operative Management of Biloma Due to Blunt Liver Injury
Authors: Tamura Nobuichiro , Ishihara Satoshi , Kuriyama Akira , Watanabe Shigeru , Suzuki Koichiro
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Some case series have reported that hepatectomy was used to treat major bile leakage and biloma. However, it is unknown whether non‐operative management (NOM) can be used to treat these complications. Our hospital uses NOM primarily for blunt liver injuries. This study describes the incidence and treatment of newly developed biloma in hemodynamically stable patients with blunt liver trauma and investigates NOM as a treatment option.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted from January 2006 to May 2012 at a tertiary care hospital in Japan. The primary outcome measures were the incidence of biloma and the number of patients who required operative management. Biloma was defined as a cystic lesion with low density near the site of liver injury on contrast‐enhanced abdominal computed tomography.

Results

Chart review identified 98 patients (63 males and 35 females). Thirty‐five of 98 patients (35.7 % [95 % CI, 26.2–45.2]) developed biloma. Infected biloma in three, of whom one required percutaneous drainage. Hepatectomy was not performed.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that biloma after NOM of blunt liver injury is common (36 %), but infected biloma is rare. All patients with bilomas were treated using NOM. Most bilomas are self‐limited, and NOM is feasible.
Investigations related to scientific deep drilling to study reservoir-triggered earthquakes at Koyna, India
Authors: Gupta Harsh , Purnachandra Rao N. , Roy Sukanta , Arora Kusumita , Tiwari V. M. , Patro Prasanta K. , Satyanarayana H. V. S. , Shashidhar D. , Mallika K. , Akkiraju Vyasulu V. , Goswami Deepjyoti , Vyas Digant , Ravi G. , Srinivas K. N. S. S. S. , Srihari M. , Mishra S. , Dubey C. P. , Raju D. Ch. V. , Borah Ujjal , Chinna Reddy K. , Babu Narendra , Rohilla Sunil , Dhar Upasana , Sen Mrinal , Bhaskar Rao Y. J. , Bansal B. K. , Nayak Shailesh
Published: December 2014

Artificial water reservoir-triggered earthquakes have continued at Koyna in the Deccan Traps province, India, since the impoundment of the Shivaji Sagar reservoir in 1962. Existing models, to comprehend the genesis of triggered earthquakes, suffer from lack of observations in the near field. To investigate further, scientific deep drilling and setting up a fault zone observatory at depth of 5–7 km is planned in the Koyna area. Prior to undertaking deep drilling, an exploratory phase of investigations has been launched to constrain subsurface geology, structure and heat flow regime in the area that provide critical inputs for the design of the deep borehole observatory. Two core boreholes drilled to depths of 1,522 and 1,196 m have penetrated the Deccan Traps and sampled the granitic basement in the region for the first time. Studies on cores provide new and direct information regarding the thickness of the Deccan Traps, the absence of infra-Trappean sediments and the nature of the underlying basement rocks. Temperatures estimated at a depth of 6 km in the area, made on the basis of heat flow and thermal properties data sets, do not exceed 150 °C. Low-elevation airborne gravity gradient and magnetic data sets covering 5,012 line km, together with high-quality magnetotelluric data at 100 stations, provide both regional information about the thickness of the Deccan Traps and the occurrence of localized density heterogeneities and anomalous conductive zones in the vicinity of the hypocentral zone. Acquisition of airborne LiDAR data to obtain a high-resolution topographic model of the region has been completed over an area of 1,064 km2centred on the Koyna seismic zone. Seismometers have been deployed in the granitic basement inside two boreholes and are planned in another set of six boreholes to obtain accurate hypocentral locations and constrain the disposition of fault zones.
Antibacterial activity of a cell wall hydrolase from Lactobacillus paracasei NRRL B-50314 produced by recombinant Bacillus megaterium
Authors: Liu Siqing , Rich Joseph O , Anderson Amber
Published: December 2014

The cell-free supernatant (CFS) from Lactobacillus paracasei NRRL B-50314 culture has been previously reported as containing antibacterial activity against a wide variety of Gram-positive bacteria. The CFS protein gel slice corresponding to antibacterial activities was subjected to trypsin digestion and ion trap MASS (Gel/LC–MS/MS) analysis. BlastP search of the resulted IQAVISIAEQQIGKP sequence led to a hypothetical cell-wall associated hydrolase (designated as CWH here) from Lactobacillus paracasei ATCC 25302. Further analyses of CWH revealed that the IQAVISIAEQQIGKP belongs to a highly conserved region of the NlpC/P60 superfamily. The L. paracasei NRRL B-50314 CWH gene, cloned in pStrepHIS1525CWH477, was introduced into Bacillus megaterium MS 941. The production of CWH477 protein was induced by xylose. The CWH477 protein was purified by using NiNTA column, and elution fraction E2 showed highest antibacterial activity. This study and bioinformatics analyses suggested that the antibacterial activity of CWH could originate from its cell wall degrading enzymatic function.
Plant silicon content in forests of north China and its implications for phytolith carbon sequestration
Authors: Yang Xiaomin , Song Zhaoliang , Liu Hongyan , Bolan Nanthi S. , Wang Hailong , Li Zimin
Published: December 2014

In plants, silicon (Si) accumulates in phytoliths, which can contain 0.1–6.0 % occluded organic carbon (phytolith‐occluded organic carbon, PhytOC). Globally, phytolith formation has implications for the long‐term terrestrial carbon balance, and thus, global climate change. In this study, we analyzed the Si contents of 108 species of plants from Inner Mongolia and Hebei, China, to demonstrate the relationships between plant Si content and various phylogenetic and ecological characteristics, and to estimate PhytOC production in the forests of north China. Variations in Si content were related to the plant's higher‐level phylogenetic position, according to the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group III classification. In angiosperms, the commelinoid monocot orders accumulated substantially more Si than did the other monocot orders, and the asteroid dicot orders accumulated more Si than did the other dicot orders. In an ecological context, herbs had the highest Si content (0.47 ± 0.26 % dry weight), followed by trees (0.33 ± 0.13 % dry weight) and shrubs (0.24 ± 0.09 % dry weight). The total PhytOC production rate in the forests of north China corresponded to 0.48 ± 0.20 × 106 t CO2 year−1, approximately 44 % of which was contributed by the understory vegetation comprising herbs and shrubs. This finding indicates that the phytolith carbon sequestration potential of the forests may be further enhanced by afforestation/reforestation, preserving the understory vegetation, and maximizing the aboveground net primary productivity of all forest layers, especially herbs that accumulate high Si contents.
BMP7 Drives Human Adipogenic Stem Cells into Metabolically Active Beige Adipocytes
Authors: Okla Meshail , Ha Jung‐Heun , Temel Ryan E. , Chung Soonkyu
Published: December 2014

Adult humans have a substantial amount of inducible‐brown (or beige) fat, which is associated with increased energy expenditure and reduced weight gain via thermogenesis. Despite the identification of key regulators of beige adipogenesis, impacts of dietary factors on adaptive thermogenesis are largely unknown, partly due to a lack of validated human cell models. Bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) is known to promote brown adipogenesis in rodent and human progenitor cells. However, controversy still surrounds the cellular identity in BMP7‐mediated transition of white to brown adipocytes. The aim of this study was to confirm BMP7‐derived human adipocytes as a relevant in vitro model of human beige adipocyte by verifying the cellular lineage and metabolic activity. In this study, we hypothesized that pre‐exposure of the stromal vascular (SV) fraction of primary human adipogenic precursor cells (hASC) to BMP7 would convert metabolically active brown adipocytes. Our results showed that exposure of hASC to human BMP7 was associated with significant escalation of (1) UCP1 gene expression, a signature gene of brown adipocytes, (2) beige specific marker gene expression (i.e., CD137 and TMEM26), (3) glucose and fatty acid uptake, and (4) basal and cAMP‐stimulated oxygen consumption rate compared to white adipocyte control. Taken together, we demonstrated that BMP7 mediates conversion of hASC into metabolically active beige adipocytes. By confirming the cellular identity and metabolic activity, this BMP7‐induced human beige adipocytes from hASC should aid in the discovery and assessment of bioactive molecules to promote adaptive thermogenesis.
5,8‐Dihydroxy‐9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)‐Octadecatrienoic Acid Production by Recombinant Cells Expressing Aspergillus nidulans Diol Synthase
Authors: Seo Min‐Ju , Shin Kyung‐Chul , Jeong Yeon‐Ju , Oh Deok‐Kun
Published: December 2014

Whole cells of recombinant Escherichia coli expressing diol synthase from Aspergillus nidulans produced 5,8‐dihydroxy‐9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)‐octadecatrienoic acid from α‐linolenic acid via 8‐hydroperoxy‐9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)‐octadecatrienoic acid as an intermediate. The optimal conditions for 5,8‐dihydroxy‐9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)‐octadecatrienoic acid production using whole recombinant cells were exhibited at pH 7.0, 40 °C, and 250 rpm with 40 g/L cells, 12 g/L, α‐linolenic acid, and 5 % (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide in a 250‐mL baffled flask containing 50 mL reaction solution. Under these conditions, whole recombinant cells produced 9.1 g/L 5,8‐dihydroxy‐9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)‐octadecatrienoic acid for 100 min, with a conversion yield of 75 % (w/w), a volumetric productivity of 5.5 g/L/h, and specific productivity of 137 mg/g‐cells/h. As an intermediate, 8‐hydroperoxy‐9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)‐octadecatrienoic acid was observed at approximately 1.4 g/L after 100 min. With regard to dihydroxy fatty acid production, this is the highest reported volumetric and specific productivities thus far. This is the first report on the biotechnological production of 5,8‐dihydroxy‐9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)‐octadecatrienoic acid.
A population‐based study of the prevalence of HPV in three districts of Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Sureshkumar Belli T. , Shanmughapriya Santhanam , Das Bhudev C. , Natarajaseenivasan Kalimuthusamy
Published: December 2014

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence of HPV infection among women from three districts of Tamil Nadu (Erode, Salem, and Namakkal).

Methods

Between January 27, 2007, and December 15, 2009, 1800 women aged 20–70 years who had normal cervical cytology were enrolled into a cross‐sectional study. Participants completed interviews and provided first void urine samples for assessment of HPV infection.

Results

Among 1699 eligible samples, 179 (10.5%) were HPV positive. HPV16 was the most common type (affecting 68 [4.0%] women), followed by HPV6 (58 [3.4%]). Among the 179 HPV‐positive women, 71 (39.7%) were aged 36–45 years. An annual income of less than 25 000 INR was significantly associated with HPV infection in all three districts (P < 0.05). Regular intercourse was also associated with HPV in Erode and Salem (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Screening and prophylactic vaccines containing HPV16 and HPV6 should be promoted in western Tamil Nadu.
Supply chain management research: Key elements of study design and statistical testing
Authors: Helmuth Catherine A. , Craighead Christopher W. , Connelly Brian L. , Collier Donovan Y. , Hanna Joe B.
Published: December 2014

Over the past three decades, supply chain management (SCM) has evolved from its origins as a nascent field of study to encompass construct definition, identification of the field's central issues, and establishment of its conceptual boundaries. At this point, a sufficient body of empirical SCM research has been put forward to allow for quantitative assessment of the field. Therefore, we examine three key elements of study design to assess what has happened, what is currently happening, and where we should be heading as a field. To do so, following a pattern of reviews in similar disciplines, we begin with an examination of effect sizes of the relationships under investigation. Results show that effect sizes in SCM research have marginally increased over time and that sub‐domains within SCM that receive the most scholarly attention also have higher effect sizes. We also conduct a post hoc analysis of statistical power and empirically examine a range of factors and study contexts that could influence power. Findings suggest that average statistical power in SCM research exceeds the statistical power of most related disciplines and is particularly high in several unique contexts. Lastly, we find that measurement reliability and the use of control variables have increased over time, possibly suggesting the field has matured, instilling a degree of confidence in its research. Overall, our results show that SCM research is becoming more empirically rigorous, but we also uncover key areas that warrant improvement. We describe implications of our review for the design of future SCM empirical studies.
Rapid, Highly Discriminatory Binary Genotyping to Demonstrate Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Transmission in a Tertiary Care Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Sadler CW , Nayyar V , Stachowski ER , O’Sullivan MVN , Gilbert GL , Byth K
Published: December 2014

Objectives

No previous studies of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) epidemiology in adult intensive care units (ICUs) have assessed the utility of rapid, highly discriminatory strain typing in the investigation of transmission events.

Design

Observational.

Setting

A 22-bed medical-surgical adult ICU.

Patients

Those admissions MRSA-positive on initial screening and all admissions <48 hours in duration were excluded, leaving a cohort of 653 patients (median age, 61 years; APACHE-II, 19).

Methods

We conducted this study of MRSA transmission over 1 year (August 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012) using a multiplex PCR-based reverse line blot (mPCR/RLB) assay to genotype isolates from surveillance swabs obtained at admission and twice weekly during ICU stays. MRSA prevalence and incidence rates were calculated and transmission events were identified using strain matching. Colonization pressure was calculated daily by summation of all MRSA cases.

Results

Of 1,030 admissions to ICU during the study period, 349 patients were excluded. MRSA acquisition occurred during 31 of 681 (4.6%) remaining admissions; 19 of 31(61%) acquisitions were genotype-confirmed, including 7 (37%) due to the most commonly transmitted strain. Moving averages of MRSA patient numbers on the days prior to a documented event were used in a Poisson regression model. A significant association was found between transmission and colonization pressure when the average absolute colonization pressure on the previous day was ≥3 (χ2=7.41, P=0.01).

Conclusions

mPCR/RLB characterizes MRSA isolates within a clinically useful time frame for identification of single-source clusters within the ICU. High MRSA colonization pressure (≥3 MRSA-positive patients) on a given day is associated with an increased likelihood of a transmission event.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;00(0):1–9
Precautionary Practices of Healthcare Workers Who Disinfect Medical and Dental Devices Using High-Level Disinfectants
Authors: Henn Scott A. , Boiano James M. , Steege Andrea L.
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND

High-level disinfectants (HLDs) are used throughout the healthcare industry to chemically disinfect reusable, semicritical medical and dental devices to control and prevent healthcare-associated infections among patient populations. Workers who use HLDs are at risk of exposure to these chemicals, some of which are respiratory and skin irritants and sensitizers.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate exposure controls used and to better understand impediments to healthcare workers using personal protective equipment while handling HLDs.

DESIGN

Web-based survey.

PARTICIPANTS

A targeted sample of members of professional practice organizations representing nurses, technologists/technicians, dental professionals, respiratory therapists, and others who reported handling HLDs in the previous 7 calendar days. Participating organizations invited either all or a random sample of members via email, which included a hyperlink to the survey.

METHODS

Descriptive analyses were conducted including simple frequencies and prevalences.

RESULTS

A total of 4,657 respondents completed the survey. The HLDs used most often were glutaraldehyde (59%), peracetic acid (16%), and ortho-phthalaldehyde (15%). Examples of work practices or events that could increase exposure risk included failure to wear water-resistant gowns (44%); absence of standard procedures for minimizing exposure (19%); lack of safe handling training (17%); failure to wear protective gloves (9%); and a spill/leak of HLD during handling (5%). Among all respondents, 12% reported skin contact with HLDs, and 33% of these respondents reported that they did not always wear gloves.

CONCLUSION

Findings indicated that precautionary practices were not always used, underscoring the importance of improved employer and worker training and education regarding HLD hazards.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;00(0): 1–6
Clostridium difficileInfection (CDI) Severity and Outcome among Patients Infected with the NAP1/BI/027 Strain in a Non-Epidemic Setting
Authors: Scardina T. , Labuszewski L. , Pacheco S.M. , Adams W. , Schreckenberger P. , Johnson S.
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE

Determine whether the NAP1 strain identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based stool assay is correlated with CDI severity and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Medical records of adult patients with positive stool Xpert® Clostridium difficile PCR assay for an initial episode of CDI between January 2012 and January 2013 at a tertiary care hospital in Chicago were reviewed. Two patients diagnosed with CDI caused by a non-NAP1 strain (positive Xpert® C. difficile assay but negative Xpert® C. difficile Epi assay) were included for each patient diagnosed with CDI caused by a NAP1 strain (positive Epi assay). Patient charts were reviewed for markers of severity, risk factors, treatment regimens, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 494 stool specimens, 90 (18%) that were positive for C. difficile by PCR were positive for NAP1 strain. In total, 37 patients with CDI due to NAP1 were matched with 74 patients with CDI due to non-NAP1 strains. Multivariable model revealed individuals ≥65 years old were 3 times more likely to have NAP1 strain than individuals <65 (P=.02). Residents of a nursing home prior to hospitalization were 10 times more likely to have NAP1 strain than patients residing in their homes (P=.001). More NAP1 cases had a change in treatment from metronidazole to oral vancomycin plus intravenous metronidazole (P=.01). The severity of CDI, incidence of mortality and recurrent CDI were similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In a nonepidemic setting, NAP1 strains were more common in older patients and individuals admitted from nursing homes. Identification of NAP1 by PCR of stool specimens was associated in a change of therapy but did not predict worse outcomes. Reporting strain results may not be clinically useful in routine settings.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;00(0): 1–7
‘It Isn’t What We Don’t Know that Gives Us Trouble, It’s What We Know that Ain’t So’: Misinformation and Democratic Politics
Authors: Hochschild Jennifer , Einstein Katherine Levine
Published: December 2014

This article explores the dangers to the quality of democratic governance of those who are informed but disengaged and, especially, those who are engaged but use false ‘knowledge’. Poll data show the extent of Americans’ misinformation about, or disengagement with, climate change. The main responsibility for these problems lies with politicians, who have partisan incentives to help the disengaged become active, but also partisan incentives to keep the misinformed politically involved. Activity in accord with false ‘knowledge’ can slow needed responses to global warming and lead to concrete harm to individuals, communities and nations.
Sexual reproduction and genetic exchange in parasitic protists
Authors: WEEDALL GARETH D. , HALL NEIL
Published: December 2014

A key part of the life cycle of an organism is reproduction. For a number of important protist parasites that cause human and animal disease, their sexuality has been a topic of debate for many years. Traditionally, protists were considered to be primitive relatives of the ‘higher’ eukaryotes, which may have diverged prior to the evolution of sex and to reproduce by binary fission. More recent views of eukaryotic evolution suggest that sex, and meiosis, evolved early, possibly in the common ancestor of all eukaryotes. However, detecting sex in these parasites is not straightforward. Recent advances, particularly in genome sequencing technology, have allowed new insights into parasite reproduction. Here, we review the evidence on reproduction in parasitic protists. We discuss protist reproduction in the light of parasitic life cycles and routes of transmission among hosts.
Discovery of one of Sir John Franklin's ships– CORRIGENDUM
Authors: Barr William
Published: December 2014

We regret that there were a number of minor errors in the second paragraph of the recent publication (Barr 2014)
Conversation Analysis in Applied Linguistics
Authors: Kasper Gabriele , Wagner Johannes
Published: December 2014

For the last decade, conversation analysis (CA) has increasingly contributed to several established fields in applied linguistics. In this article, we will discuss its methodological contributions. The article distinguishes between basic and applied CA. Basic CA is a sociological endeavor concerned with understanding fundamental issues of talk in action and of intersubjectivity in human conduct. The field has expanded its scope from the analysis of talk—often phone calls—towards an integration of language with other semiotic resources for embodied action, including space and objects. Much of this expansion has been driven by applied work.

After laying out CA's standard practices of data treatment and analysis, this article takes up the role of comparison as a fundamental analytical strategy and reviews recent developments into cross-linguistic and cross-cultural directions. The remaining article focuses on applied CA, the application of basic CA's principles, methods, and findings to the study of social domains and practices that are interactionally constituted. We consider three strands—foundational, social problem oriented, and institutional applied CA—before turning to recent developments in CA research on learning and development. In conclusion, we address some emerging themes in the relationship of CA and applied linguistics, including the role of multilingualism, standard social science methods as research objects, CA's potential for direct social intervention, and increasing efforts to complement CA with quantitative analysis.
Electrophysiological Approaches to Understanding Second Language Acquisition: A Field Reaching its Potential
Authors: Morgan-Short Kara
Published: December 2014

The present article provides a review of results from electrophysiological studies of the neurocognition of second language. After a brief introduction to event-related potentials (ERPs), the article explores four sets of findings from recent second language (L2) ERP research. First, longitudinal L2 ERP research has demonstrated that L2 neurocognitive processing changes qualitatively with time. Second, research has shown that L2 learners can evidence nativelike ERP effects for L2 grammatical features that are present in their first language (L1) as well as for features that are unique to their L2 but may have more difficulty processing features that are present in their L1 but that are instantiated differently in their L2. Third, emerging research has revealed that individual differences in ERPs can be accounted for by linguistic and nonlinguistic factors. Finally, recent empirical studies have shown that explicit and implicit training contexts can lead to nativelike ERP effects at high levels of proficiency, but that implicit contexts may lead to the development of a fuller nativelike processing signature, at least for syntactic processing. With continued interdisciplinary approaches and sophisticated research designs, L2 ERP research is only beginning to reach its potential and promises to uniquely inform central questions of second language acquisition.
Case Study Research on Language Learning and Use
Authors: Duff Patricia A.
Published: December 2014

Case study research has played a very important role in applied linguistics since the field was established, particularly in studies of language teaching, learning, and use. The case in such studies generally has been a person (e.g., a teacher, learner, speaker, writer, or interlocutor) or a small number of individuals on their own or in a group (e.g., a family, a class, a work team, or a community of practice). The cases are normally studied in depth in order to provide an understanding of individuals’ experiences, issues, insights, developmental pathways, or performance within a particular linguistic, social, or educational context. Rather than discuss constructs, hypotheses, and findings in terms of statistical patterns or trends derived from a larger sample or survey of a population of language learners, as in some quantitative research, a qualitative case study of a person presents a contextualized human profile. Case study has contributed substantially to theory development, generating new perspectives or offering a refutation or refinement of earlier theories in applied linguistics by analyzing linguistic, cultural, and social phenomena associated with children, adolescents, young adults, and older adults.

In recent years, the purview of case studies in applied linguistics has expanded to include many previously underrepresented topics, linguistic situations, theoretical perspectives, and populations. This article provides an overview of some traditional areas of coverage and then newer foci in terms of methodology, thematic areas, and findings pertaining to language learners in transnational, multilingual, and diaspora contexts especially.
Reference diffraction patterns, microstructure, and pore-size distribution for the copper (II) benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate metal organic framework (Cu-BTC) compounds
Authors: Wong-Ng W. , Kaduk J.A. , Siderius D.L. , Allen A.L. , Espinal L. , Boyerinas B.M. , Levin I. , Suchomel M.R. , Ilavsky J. , Li L. , Williamson I. , Cockayne E. , Wu H.
Published: December 2014

Cu-paddle-wheel-based Cu3(BTC)2 (nicknamed Cu-BTC, where BTC ≡ benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylate) is a metal organic framework (MOF) compound that adopts a zeolite-like topology. We have determined the pore-size distribution using the Gelb and Gubbins technique, the microstructure using small-angle neutron scattering and (ultra) small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS\SAXS) techniques, and X-ray powder diffraction reference patterns for both dehydrated d-Cu-BTC [Cu3(C9H3O6)2] and hydrated h-Cu-BTC [Cu3(C9H3O6)2(H2O)6.96] using the Rietveld refinement technique. Both samples were confirmed to be cubic Fm$\bar 3$m (no. 225), with lattice parameters of a = 26.279 19(3) Å, V = 18 148.31(6) Å3 for d-Cu-BTC, and a = 26.3103(11) Å, and V = 18 213(2) Å3 for h-Cu-BTC. The structure of d-Cu-BTC contains three main pores of which the diameters are approximately, in decreasing order, 12.6, 10.6, and 5.0 Å. The free volume for d-Cu-BTC is approximately (71.85 ± 0.05)% of the total volume and is reduced to approximately (61.33 ± 0.03)% for the h-Cu-BTC structure. The d-Cu-BTC phase undergoes microstructural changes when exposed to moisture in air. The reference X-ray powder patterns for these two materials have been determined for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File.
Separate norovirus outbreaks linked to one source of imported frozen raspberries by molecular analysis, Denmark, 2010–2011
Authors: MÜLLER L. , SCHULTZ A. C. , FONAGER J. , JENSEN T. , LISBY M. , HINDSDAL K. , KRUSELL L. , ESHØJ A. , MØLLER L. T. , PORSBO L. J. , BÖTTIGER B. E. , KUHN K. , ENGBERG J. , ETHELBERG S.
Published: December 2014

Norovirus outbreaks occur frequently in Denmark and it can be difficult to establish whether apparently independent outbreaks have the same origin. Here we report on six outbreaks linked to frozen raspberries, investigated separately over a period of 3 months. Norovirus from stools were sequence-typed; including extended sequencing of 1138 bp encompassing the hypervariable P2 region of the capsid gene. Norovirus was detected in 27 stool samples. Genotyping showed genotype GI.Pb_GI.6 (polymerase/capsid) with 100% identical sequences. Samples from five outbreaks were furthermore identical over the variable capsid P2 region. In one outbreak at a hospital canteen, frozen raspberries was associated with illness by cohort investigation (relative risk 6·1, 95% confidence interval 3·2–11). Bags of raspberries suspected to be the source were positive for genogroup I and II noroviruses, one typable virus was genotype GI.6 (capsid). These molecular investigations showed that the apparently independent outbreaks were the result of one contamination event of frozen raspberries. The contaminated raspberries originated from a single producer in Serbia and were originally not considered to belong to the same batch. The outbreaks led to consultations and mutual visits between producers, investigators and authorities. Further, Danish legislation was changed to make heat-treatment of frozen raspberries compulsory in professional catering establishments.
Monetary authority independence and stability in medieval Korea: the Koryŏ monetary system through four centuries of East Asian transformations, 918-1392
Authors: Seong Ho Jun
Published: December 2014

This article surveys the monetary history of Koryŏ from the eleventh to the thirteenth century. During the first century of the dynasty, Koryŏ was at war with the Liao, prohibited trade with the enemy and pursued a policy of protecting its metal reserves. During the ban on metallic coins, rice and cloth served as commodity monies, ensuring price stability in a phase of sustained growth of the rural economy. A second phase began after the victory over the Liao in 1018. Backed by military strength, the government issued iron, bronze and silver currencies to facilitate international trade. The Koryŏ ‘silver vase’ currency, which circulated for three centuries, partly bridges the ‘black hole’ in East Asian monetary history from the Late Tang to the Ming period. The intrinsic value of the metallic currencies in conjunction with state issuance provided monetary stability. In turn monetary instability characterised the late Koryŏ, when the country came under the influence of the Mongol Yuan. The destabilising effect brought about by the introduction of Yuan paper money demonetarised the economy. By framing monetary history within a wider perspective of struggles for sovereignty and political hegemony, the article allows a better understanding of domestic and regional dynamics in East Asia.
Model Describing the Effect of Employment of the United States Military in a Complex Emergency
Authors: MacMillan Donald S.
Published: December 2014

The end of the Cold War vastly altered the worldwide political landscape. With the loss of a main competitor, the United States (US) military has had to adapt its strategic, operational, and tactical doctrines to an ever-increasing variety of non-traditional missions, including humanitarian operations. Complex emergencies (CEs) are defined in this paper from a political and military perspective, various factors that contribute to their development are described, and issues resulting from the employment of US military forces are discussed. A model was developed to illustrate the course of a humanitarian emergency and the potential impact of a military response. The US intervention in Haiti, Northern Iraq, Kosovo, Somalia, Bosnia, and Rwanda serve as examples.

A CE develops when there is civil conflict, loss of national governmental authority, a mass population movement, and massive economic failure, each leading to a general decline in food security. The military can alleviate a CE in four ways: (1) provide security for relief efforts; (2) enforce negotiated settlements; (3) provide security for non-combatants; and/or (4) employ logistical capabilities.

The model incorporates Norton and Miskel's taxonomy of identifying failing states and helps illustrate the factors that lead to a CE. The model can be used to determine if and when military intervention will have the greatest impact. The model demonstrates that early military intervention and mission assignment within the core competencies of the forces can reverse the course of a CE. Further study will be needed to verify the model.
Very Late Treatment-Related Alterations in Brain Function of Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Stouten-Kemperman Myrle M. , de Ruiter Michiel B. , Boogerd Willem , Veltman Dick J. , Reneman Liesbeth , Schagen Sanne B.
Published: December 2014

Although adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) for breast cancer (BC) is associated with very late side-effects on cognition and brain function, studies on adverse effects of specific treatment regimens are scarce. Here, neurotoxicity profiles after different treatment strategies were compared in BC survivors randomized to high-dose (HI) or conventional-dose (CON-) CT, in women treated with radiotherapy (RT) -only and a healthy control (HC) group. We administered a neurocognitive test battery, a planning fMRI task (Tower of London) and episodic memory fMRI task (Paired Associates paradigm) in BC survivors who received CON-CT (n=24) and HC (n=27). Data were compared to BC survivors who received HI-CT (n=17) and RT-only (n=15) and who were previously assessed. Testing took place ±11.5 years post-CT. Furthermore, neurocognitive data were compared to neurocognitive data acquired ≤2 years post-treatment. Cognitive assessment revealed sustained cognitive decline in 10.5% of HI-CT, 8.3% of CON-CT, 6.7% of RT-only patients and 0% in the HC. Hypoactivation was found in task-related prefrontal and parietal areas for both CT-groups versus RT-only, with HI-CT showing more pronounced hypoactivation than CON-CT, combined with worse task performance. RT-only survivors performed at a similar level to HC while showing hyperactivation in task-related brain areas. Long after treatment, CT is associated with cognitive problems and task-related hypoactivation that depend on the specific cytotoxic regimen. This worse performance in patients who received CT could be explained by impaired brain functioning that is more severe with more intense CT. (JINS, 2015, 21, 50–61)
Breakfast intake among adults with type 2 diabetes: influence on daily energy intake
Authors: Jarvandi Soghra , Schootman Mario , Racette Susan B
Published: December 2014

Objective

To assess the association between breakfast energy and total daily energy intake among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Design

Cross-sectional study. Daily energy intake was computed from a 24 h dietary recall. Multiple regression models were used to estimate the association between daily energy intake (dependent variable) and quartiles of energy intake at breakfast (independent variable), expressed in either absolute or relative (percentage of total daily energy intake) terms. Orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used to test for linear and quadratic trends. Models were controlled for sex, age, race/ethnicity, BMI, physical activity and smoking. In addition, we used separate multiple regression models to test the effect of quartiles of absolute and relative breakfast energy on energy intake at lunch, dinner and snacks.

Setting

The 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Subjects

Participants aged ≥30 years with self-reported history of diabetes (n 1146).

Results

Daily energy intake increased as absolute breakfast energy intake increased (linear trend, P<0·0001; quadratic trend, P=0·02), but decreased as relative breakfast energy intake increased (linear trend, P<0·0001). In addition, while higher quartiles of absolute breakfast intake had no associations with energy intake at subsequent meals, higher quartiles of relative breakfast intake were associated with lower energy intake during all subsequent meals and snacks (P<0·05).

Conclusions

Consuming a breakfast that provided less energy or comprised a greater proportion of daily energy intake was associated with lower total daily energy intake in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Food neophobia associates with lower dietary quality and higher BMI in Finnish adults
Authors: Knaapila Antti J , Sandell Mari A , Vaarno Jenni , Hoppu Ulla , Puolimatka Tuuli , Kaljonen Anne , Lagström Hanna
Published: December 2014

Objective

Food neophobia has been associated with decreased consumption of vegetables mainly among children. We hypothesized that food neophobia in adults is also associated with lower overall dietary quality and higher BMI.

Design

Data for the present cross-sectional analyses were derived from parents in a follow-up family study.

Setting

The STEPS study, a longitudinal study of health and development of a cohort of children born in south-west Finland.

Subjects

The parents, 1178 women (age 19–45 years, mean 32·2 years) and 1013 men (age 18–57 years, mean 34·1 years), completed a questionnaire at home when their child was 13 months old. The questionnaire included the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS; range 10–70), the Index of Diet Quality (IDQ; range 0–16) and a measure of fruit and vegetable consumption. At that time the participants’ height and weight were also measured by a research nurse to calculate BMI.

Results

Compared with the food neophilics (FNS score 10–24), the food neophobics (FNS score 40–70) consumed fewer vegetables (women: 15 v. 10 portions/week; men: 13 v. 7 portions/week), scored lower on the IDQ (women: 9·7 v. 8·5; men: 8·8 v. 7·8) and had higher BMI (women: 24·2 v. 26·0 kg/m2; men: 26·5 v. 27·5 kg/m2) as tested by one-way ANOVA, with all P values <0·001 in women and <0·05 in men. The food neophobics followed a diet lower in nutritional quality than did the food neophilics, especially regarding vegetables.

Conclusions

Food neophobia may complicate adaptation to dietary recommendations and predispose to overweight.
In Situ TEM Imaging of Defect Dynamics under Electrical Bias in Resistive Switching Rutile-TiO2
Authors: Kamaladasa Ranga J. , Sharma Abhishek A. , Lai Yu-Ting , Chen Wenhao , Salvador Paul A. , Bain James A. , Skowronski Marek , Picard Yoosuf N.
Published: December 2014

In this study, in situ electrical biasing was combined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in order to study the formation and evolution of Wadsley defects and Magnéli phases during electrical biasing and resistive switching in titanium dioxide (TiO2). Resistive switching devices were fabricated from single-crystal rutile TiO2 substrates through focused ion beam milling and lift-out techniques. Defect evolution and phase transformations in rutile TiO2 were monitored by diffraction contrast imaging inside the TEM during electrical biasing. Reversible bipolar resistive switching behavior was observed in these single-crystal TiO2 devices. Biased induced reduction reactions created increased oxygen vacancy concentrations to such an extent that shear faults (Wadsley defects) and oxygen-deficient phases (Magnéli phases) formed over large volumes within the TiO2 TEM specimen. Nevertheless, the observed reversible formation/dissociation of Wadsley defects does not appear to correlate to resistive switching phenomena at these length scales. These defect zones were found to reversibly reconfigure in a manner consistent with charged oxygen vacancy migration responding to the applied bias polarity.
Circumbinary habitability niches
Authors: Mason Paul A. , Zuluaga Jorge I. , Cuartas-Restrepo Pablo A. , Clark Joni M.
Published: December 2014

Binaries could provide the best niches for life in the Galaxy. Although counterintuitive, this assertion follows directly from stellar tidal interaction theory and the evolution of lower mass stars. There is strong evidence that chromospheric activity of rapidly rotating young stars may be high enough to cause mass loss from atmospheres of potentially habitable planets. The removal of atmospheric water is most critical. Tidal breaking in binaries could help reduce magnetic dynamo action and thereby chromospheric activity in favour of life. We call this the Binary Habitability Mechanism (BHM) that we suggest allows for water retention at levels comparable to or better than the Earth. We discuss novel advantages that life may exploit, in these cases, and suggest that life may even thrive on some circumbinary planets. We find that while many binaries do not benefit from BHM, high-quality niches do exist for various combinations of stars between 0.55 and 1.0 solar masses. For a given pair of stellar masses, BHM operates only for certain combinations of period and eccentricity. Binaries having a solar-type primary seem to be quite well-suited niches having wide and distant habitable zones with plentiful water and sufficient light for photosynthetic life. We speculate that, as a direct result of BHM, conditions may be suitable for life on several planets and possibly even moons of giant planets orbiting some binaries. Lower mass combinations, while more restrictive in parameter space, provide niches lasting many billions of years and are rich suppliers of photosynthetic photons. We provide a publicly available web-site (http://bit.ly/BHM-calculator or http://bit.ly/BHM-calculator-mirror), which calculates the BHM effects presented in this paper.
The Americas’ More Perfect Unions: New Institutional Insights from Comparative Political Theory
Authors: Simon Joshua
Published: December 2014

The disparities in per-capita wealth and national productivity that divide the United States and Latin America today have often been understood as results of institutional variations introduced during each region's period of imperial rule. According to this interpretation, path-dependent processes preserved institutions installed by Britain, Spain, and Portugal across the centuries, propagating their positive or negative economic effects, and eventually producing a marked “development gap” in the hemisphere. This article aims to improve this account by highlighting the direct and indirect economic effects of the success or failure of the political unions establishedafterindependence in both the United States and Latin America. It demonstrates that influential political theorists throughout the hemisphere understood the developmental advantages to be gained from unifying former colonies and employing the political authority newly at their disposal to abolish the stifling institutional legacies of European rule, suggesting that if Spanish America's unions had endured, or conversely, if the United States had collapsed, the two regions' economies might not have diverged as dramatically as they subsequently did. This illustrates an important contribution that the emerging subfield of “comparative political theory” can make to comparative political science in general, and to the new institutionalism in particular, by providing uniquely direct insight into the choices available to political actors in consequential moments of institutional genesis and change, and revealing the contingency of institutional variations that might otherwise appear inevitable.
Attitudes Towards Same-Sex Marriage in Portugal: Predictors and Scale Validation
Authors: de Oliveira João Manuel , Lopes Diniz , Cameira Miguel , Nogueira Conceição
Published: December 2014

The goal of the present research was to validate a Portuguese version of Pearl and Galupo’s (2007) Attitudes toward Same-Sex Marriage Scale (ATSM). Participants were 1,402 heterosexual men and women that completed an on-line questionnaire. The final 15-item scale formed a single factor showing high internal consistency (α = .95). This one factor structure was backed-up by a confirmatory factorial analysis. In a general way, the results indicate a clearly positive attitude toward same-sex marriage (overall mean was 63.79, SD = 12.66, above the scale mid-point, t(1401) = 55.55, p < .001). Furthermore, analysis of the scale’s predictors demonstrates how a left-wing orientation (β = .22, p < .001) and the level of denial of deservingness for lesbian/gay discrimination (β = .30, p < .001) prove to be the best predictors of attitudes towards same-sex marriage. On the whole, these results indicate that the Portuguese ATSM version is a reliable instrument for carrying out scientific research and measuring and monitoring public opinion on this subject.
Synaptic molecular imaging in spared and deprived columns of mouse barrel cortex with array tomography
Authors: Weiler Nicholas C , Collman Forrest , Vogelstein Joshua T , Burns Randal , Smith Stephen J
Published: December 2014

A major question in neuroscience is how diverse subsets of synaptic connections in neural circuits are affected by experience dependent plasticity to form the basis for behavioral learning and memory. Differences in protein expression patterns at individual synapses could constitute a key to understanding both synaptic diversity and the effects of plasticity at different synapse populations. Our approach to this question leverages the immunohistochemical multiplexing capability of array tomography (ATomo) and the columnar organization of mouse barrel cortex to create a dataset comprising high resolution volumetric images of spared and deprived cortical whisker barrels stained for over a dozen synaptic molecules each. These dataset has been made available through the Open Connectome Project for interactive online viewing, and may also be downloaded for offline analysis using web, Matlab, and other interfaces.
Cell membrane-inspired polymeric micelles as carriers for drug delivery
Authors: Liu Gongyan , Luo Quanqing , Gao Haiqi , Chen Yuan , Wei Xing , Dai Hong , Zhang Zongcai , Ji Jian
Published: December 2014

Cell membrane-inspired polymeric micelles were designed as drug carriers for cancer therapy.