bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence of Stress Fracture in a Homo antecessor Metatarsal from Gran Dolina Site (Atapuerca, Spain)
Authors: Martin‐Francés L. , Martinon‐Torres M. , Gracia‐Téllez A. , Bermúdez de Castro J. M.
Published: February 2013

We present the palaeopathological analysis of a right fourth metatarsal (ATD6‐124) recovered from the Atapuerca–Gran Dolina site (Spain). This fossil, ca. 1 Ma, belongs to Homo antecessor, the earliest known European hominin species. The metatarsal exhibits a proliferative lesion on its medial periosteal surface. Periosteal reaction can be the bone response to a wide number of injurious processes. We describe a lesion on the basis of macroscopic and microscopic analyses, including microtomography and scanning electron microscopy. Externally, the osteoblastic lesion presents a highly porotic and disorganised morphology. Internally, we observe a series of micro‐fractures on the compact bone that do not affect the medullary canal. We provide a differential diagnosis and suggest that the ATD6‐124 lesion could correspond to a pedal stress fracture, also known as fatigue or march fracture. Stress fractures have been related to a load increase and muscular fatigue. This type of fracture has been widely reported in the foot of soldiers and athletes, which are usually engaged in strenuous, excessive or prolonged locomotive activities. Despite its high frequency in these groups, stress fractures have not been reported as such in fossil collections, with the exception of a metatarsal belonging to the Sima de los Huesos site (Atapuerca). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing multiple endpoints of atrazine ingestion on gravid northern watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) and their offspring
Authors: Neuman‐Lee Lorin A. , Gaines Karen F. , Baumgartner Kyle A. , Voorhees Jaymie R. , Novak James M. , Mullin Stephen J.
Published: February 2013

Ecotoxicological studies that focus on a single endpoint might not accurately and completely represent the true ecological effects of a contaminant. Exposure to atrazine, a widely used herbicide, disrupts endocrine function and sexual development in amphibians, but studies involving live‐bearing reptiles are lacking. This study tracks several effects of atrazine ingestion from female Northern Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) to their offspring exposed in utero. Twenty‐five gravid N. sipedon were fed fish dosed with one of the four levels of atrazine (0, 2, 20, or 200 ppb) twice weekly for the entirety of their gestation period. Endpoints for the mothers included blood estradiol levels measured weekly and survival more than 3 months. Endpoints for the offspring included morphometrics, clutch sex ratio, stillbirth, and asymmetry of dorsal scales and jaw length. Through these multiple endpoints, we show that atrazine ingestion can disrupt estradiol production in mothers, increase the likelihood of mortality from infection, alter clutch sex ratio, cause a higher proportion of stillborn offspring, and affect scale symmetry. We emphasize the need for additional research involving other reptile species using multiple endpoints to determine the full range of impacts of contaminant exposure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 1072–1082, 2014.
Reliable temperature probe monitoring ‐ Favorable esophageal motion for consistent probe contact during atrial fibrillation catheter ablation
Authors: Esato Masahiro , Kida Yoshitomi , Nishina Naoto , Mani Hiroki , Kitajima Hiroki , Sato Daisuke , Chun YeongHwa
Published: February 2013

Left atrial‐esophageal (LA‐Eso) fistula is now a well‐recognized and fatal complication of percutaneous catheter ablation performed using radiofrequency energy for atrial fibrillation (AF). We noted an important esophageal motion during temperature monitoring by a multipolar sensing probe, which could resolve several potential concerns of accurate esophageal temperature measurement and could consequently minimize esophageal injuries including LA‐Eso fistulas during catheter ablation for AF.
Fast scanning calorimetry studies of the glass transition in doped amorphous solid water: Evidence for the existence of a unique vicinal phase
Authors: McCartney Stephanie A. , Sadtchenko Vlad
Published: February 2013

The fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) was employed to investigate glass transition phenomena in vapor deposited amorphous solid water (ASW) films doped with acetic acid, pentanol, and carbon tetrachloride. In all three cases, FSC thermograms of doped ASW films show well pronounced glass transitions at temperatures near 180 K. Systematic FSC studies of the glass transition temperature and the excess heat capacity dependence on the concentration of impurities indicate the possible existence of two distinct non-crystalline phases of H2O in binary aqueous solutions. According to our conjecture, bulk pure ASW is a glass at temperatures up to its crystallization near 205 K. However, guest molecules in the ASW matrix may be enveloped in an H2O phase which undergoes a glass transition prior to crystallization. In the case of CH3COOH, we estimate that such a viscous liquid shell contains approximately 25 H2O molecules. We discuss the implications of these findings for past studies of molecular kinetics in pure vitreous water and in binary aqueous solutions.
Intense terahertz pulses from SLAC electron beams using coherent transition radiation
Authors: Wu Ziran , Fisher Alan S. , Goodfellow John , Fuchs Matthias , Daranciang Dan , Hogan Mark , Loos Henrik , Lindenberg Aaron
Published: February 2013

SLAC has two electron accelerators, the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) and the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET), providing high-charge, high-peak-current, femtosecond electron bunches. These characteristics are ideal for generating intense broadband terahertz (THz) pulses via coherent transition radiation. For LCLS and FACET respectively, the THz pulse duration is typically 20 and 80 fs RMS and can be tuned via the electron bunch duration; emission spectra span 3–30 THz and 0.5 THz–5 THz; and the energy in a quasi-half-cycle THz pulse is 0.2 and 0.6 mJ. The peak electric field at a THz focus has reached 4.4 GV/m (0.44 V/Å) at LCLS. This paper presents measurements of the terahertz pulses and preliminary observations of nonlinear materials response.
Vibrational spectroscopy of single-molecule junctions by direct current measurements
Authors: Tsutsui Makusu , Taniguchi Masateru
Published: February 2013

A practical approach based on current-voltage characteristics measurements for detecting inelastic components ΔI of tunneling current flowing through a single-molecule junction was developed. Positive and negative ΔI was obtained for Au single atom contacts and single-molecule tunneling junctions, respectively, the discrepancy of which was attributed to the difference in the total effects of elastic and inelastic processes on the junction conductance. Numerically deduced ΔI spectra were found to allow single-molecule fingerprinting, thereby proving the capability of direct-current inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy analysis as a simple technique for discriminating current-carrying single-molecules residing in an electrode gap.
Full DFT-D description of a nanoporous supramolecular network on a silicon surface
Authors: Boukari Khaoula , Duverger Eric , Sonnet Philippe
Published: February 2013

We present a full density-functional-theory study taking into account the van der Waals interactions of a 2D supramolecular network adsorbed on the Si(111)√3x√3R30°-boron surface denoted SiB. We show that, contrarily to the previous calculations [B. Baris, V. Luzet, E. Duverger, Ph. Sonnet, F. Palmino, and F. Chérioux, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 50, 4094 (2011)]10.1002/anie.201100332 molecule-molecule interactions are attractive, thanks to van der Waals corrections which are essential to describe such systems. We confirm the importance of the substrate effect to achieve the molecular network on the boron doped silicon surface without covalent bond. Our simulated STM images, calculated in the framework of the bSKAN code, give better agreement with the experimental STM images than those obtained by the integrated LDOS calculations within the Tersoff-Hamann approximation. The tungsten tip presence is essential to retrieve three paired lobes as observed experimentally. The observed protrusions arise from the phenyl arms located above silicon adatoms.
Effects of Marangoni numbers on thermocapillary drop migration: Constant for quasi-steady state?
Authors: Wu Zuo-Bing , Hu Wen-Rui
Published: February 2013

The overall steady-state energy balance with two phases in a flow domain requires that the change in energy of the domain is equal to the difference between the total energy entering the domain and that leaving the domain. From the condition, the integral thermal flux across the surface is studied for a steady thermocapillary drop migration in a flow field with uniform temperature gradient at small and large Marangoni (Reynolds) numbers. The drop is assumed to have only a slight axisymmetric deformation from a sphere. It is identified that a conservative/nonconservative integral thermal flux across the surface in the steady thermocapillary drop migration at small/large Marangoni (Reynolds) numbers. The conservative flux confirms the assumption of quasi-steady state in the thermocapillary drop migration at small Marangoni (Reynolds) numbers. The nonconservative flux may well result from the invalid assumption of quasi-steady state, which indicates that the thermocapillary drop migration at large Marangoni (Reynolds) numbers cannot reach steady state and is thus a unsteady process.
Self-generated magnetic fields in q-distributed plasmas
Authors: Li Ding-Guo , Liu San-Qiu , Li Xiao-Qing
Published: February 2013

A quasi-steady magnetic field can be generated with high-frequency electromagnetic radiation through wave–wave and wave–particle interactions in astrophysical plasmas and laser-produced plasmas. Nonlinear coupling equations of self-generated magnetic fields are obtained in nonextensive distribution frame, as a generalization for the standard Maxwellian distribution frame. The numerical results show that self-generated magnetic fields may collapse and lead to various turbulent patterns with different index q.
Low-loss NiCuZn ferrite with matching permeability and permittivity by two-step sintering process
Authors: Su Hua , Tang Xiaoli , Zhang Huaiwu , Jing Yulan , Bai Feiming , Zhong Zhiyong
Published: February 2013

Magneto-dielectric materials with matched permeability and permittivity are promising candidates as loading materials to reduce the physical dimensions of low-frequency antennas. In this study, NiCuZn ferrites were prepared by both the traditional final-stage sintering process and the two-step sintering process to obtain the magneto-dielectric materials. It was found that the samples sintered by the two-step sintering process tended to obtain microstructure with dense, homogeneous, and small average grain size, which was favorable to obtain low magnetic and dielectric losses. The sample sintered by the two-step sintering process with high temperature 950 °C and holding temperature 900 °C could obtain almost equal permeability and permittivity of around 11.8. And the magnetic and dielectric loss tangents were lower than 0.015 in a frequency range from 10 to 100 MHz. These properties make the material useful to the design of miniaturized antennas.
Maturana’s autopoietic hermeneutics versus Turing’s causal methodology for explaining cognition
Authors: Harnad Stevan
Published: February 2013

Kravchenko (2007) suggests replacing Turing’s suggestion for explaining cognizers’ cognitive capacity through autonomous robotic modelling by ‘autopoiesis’, Maturana’s extremely vague metaphor for the relations and interactions among organisms, environments, and various subordinate and superordinate systems (‘autopoietic systems’) therein. I suggest that this would be an exercise in hermeneutics rather than causal explanation.
Tumebacillus

flagellatus sp. nov., an α-amylase/pullulanase-producing bacterium isolated from cassava wastewater
Authors: Wang Qingyan , Xie Nengzhong , Qin Yan , Shen Naikun , Zhu Jing , Mi Huizhi , Huang Ribo
Published: February 2013

A novel α-amylase/pullulanase-producing bacterium, designated strain GST4T, was isolated from samples collected from the wastewater of a cassava starch factory in Nanning, Guangxi Autonomous Region, southern China. Cells of strain GST4T were rod-shaped bacilli containing ellipsoidal terminal spores and found to be Gram-reaction-positive, aerobic, motile, oxidase-positive, catalase-negative and formed light yellow colonies on agar plates. Strain GST4T was able to grow at pH 4.5–8.5 (optimum at pH 5.5), temperatures ranging from 20 to 42 °C (optimum at 37 °C) and salt concentrations of 0–1 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum at 0.5 %, w/v) on R2A medium. Strain GST4T grew heterotrophically on complex carbon substrates and chemolithoautotrophically on inorganic sulfur compounds, as demonstrated by growth on sodium thiosulfate and sulfite as sole electron donors. It can reduce nitrate and nitrite. Strain GST4T contained iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids and menaquinone 7 (MK-7) as the major respiratory quinone. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was of type A1γ. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain GST4T was 53.7 mol%. Physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics combined with phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain GST4T was a member of the genus

Tumebacillus

and most closely related to

Tumebacillus permanentifrigoris

DSM 18773T and

Tumebacillus ginsengisoli

DSM 18389T with 97.3 and 94.5 % sequence similarity, respectively. The DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain GST4T and

T. permanentifrigoris

DSM 18773T, and strain GST4T and

T. ginsengisoli

DSM 18389T were 44.0 and 60.4 %, respectively. The new isolate differed from those species of the genus

Tumebacillus

in that it has peritrichous flagella for motility. Based on the evidence obtained from this study, strain GST4T represents a novel species of the genus

Tumebacillus

, for which the name

Tumebacillus

flagellatus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GST4T ( = CGMCC 1.12170T = DSM 25748T).
Halarchaeum

rubridurum sp. nov., a moderately acidophilic haloarchaeon isolated from commercial sea salt samples
Authors: Yamauchi Yuto , Minegishi Hiroaki , Echigo Akinobu , Shimane Yasuhiro , Kamekura Masahiro , Itoh Takashi , Ohkuma Moriya , Doukyu Noriyuki , Inoue Akira , Usami Ron
Published: February 2013

Six halo-acidophilic archaeal strains were isolated from four commercial salt samples obtained from seawater in the Philippines, Indonesia (Bali) and Japan (Okinawa) on agar plates at pH 4.5. Cells of the six strains were pleomorphic, and stained Gram-negative. Two strains were pink–red pigmented, while four other strains were orange–pink pigmented. Strain MH1-16-3T was able to grow at 9–30 % (w/v) NaCl [with optimum at 18 % (w/v) NaCl], at pH 4.5–6.8 (optimum, pH 5.5) and at 20–50 °C (optimum, 42 °C). The five other strains grew at slightly different ranges. The six strains required at least 1 mM Mg2+ for growth. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the six strains were almost identical, sharing 99.9 (1–2 nt differences) to 100 % similarity. The closest relatives were

Halarchaeum acidiphilum

MH1-52-1T and

Halarchaeum salinum

MH1-34-1T with 97.7 % similarity. The DNA G+C contents of the six strains were 63.2–63.7 mol%. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness amongst the six strains were 79–86 %, while those between MH1-16-3T and

H. acidiphilum

MH1-52-1T and

H. salinum

MH1-34-1T were both 43 and 45 % (reciprocally), respectively. Based on the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, it is proposed that the six isolates represent a novel species of the genus

Halarchaeum

, for which the name

Halarchaeum

rubridurum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MH1-16-3T ( = JCM 16108T = CECT 7535T).
An immunohistochemical study of verrucous hemangiomas
Authors: Trindade Felicidade , Torrelo Antonio , Requena Luis , Tellechea Óscar , Del Pozo Jesus , Sacristán Felipe , Esteve‐Martínez Altea , de Unamuno Blanca , de Miquel Víctor Alegre , Colmenero Isabel
Published: February 2013

Background

According to the International Society for the study of vascular Anomalies, vascular anomalies are classified as vascular neoplasms and vascular malformations. In some vascular lesions, categorization as a neoplasm or malformation has not been established with confidence so far. In order to further clarify the nosology of verrucous hemangioma, we studied 13 cases.

Objective

To analyze immunohistochemical characteristics of verrucous hemangiomas in order to gain further insight in its histogenesis.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective review. Immunohistochemical expression for Wilms tumor 1 (WT1), Glut‐1 and D2‐40 was performed in 13 cases.

Results

Immunohistochemistry performed with Glut‐1 and WT1 showed positive staining in all lesions. All verrucous hemangiomas lacked D2‐40 immunostaining.

Conclusions

This is the first report in the literature investigating WT1 in verrucous hemangioma in order to further clarify the nosology of this vascular anomaly. Despite the clinical features of verrucous hemangioma, which are similar to those seen in vascular malformations, verrucous hemangioma exhibited an immunoprofile similar to vascular neoplasms, according to WT1 and Glut‐1 positivity.
Radical protection in the visible and infrared by a hyperforin‐rich cream – in vivo versus ex vivo methods
Authors: Arndt Sophia , Haag Stefan F. , Kleemann Anke , Lademann Juergen , Meinke Martina C.
Published: February 2013

The formation of radicals plays an important role in the development of atopic eczema or barrier‐disrupted skin. We evaluated the radical scavenging effect of a cream containing a Hypericum perforatum extract rich in hyperforin in a double‐blind placebo‐controlled study on 11 healthy volunteers. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was applied to determine radical formation during VIS/NIR irradiation of the inner forearm. The results were compared to ex vivo investigations on excised porcine ear skin after a single application of the creams. The non‐treated skin was measured as control. The absolute values and the kinetics are not comparable for ex vivo and in vivo radical formation. Whereas in vivo, the radical production decreases with time, it remains stable ex vivo over the investigated timescale. Nevertheless, ex vivo methods could be developed to estimate the protection efficiency of creams. In vivo as well as ex vivo, the radical formation could be reduced by almost 80% when applying the hyperforin‐rich cream onto the skin, whereas placebo resulted in about 60%. In vivo, a daylong protection effect could be validated after a 4‐week application time of the cream indicating that a regular application is necessary to obtain the full effect.
Contraception and Headache
Authors: MacGregor E. Anne
Published: February 2013

Most women have used at least 1 method of contraception during their reproductive years, with the majority favoring combined oral contraceptives. Women are often concerned about the safety of their method of choice and also ask about likely effects on their pre‐existing headache or migraine and restrictions on using their headache medication.

While there should be no restriction to the use of combined hormonal contraceptives by women with migraine without aura, the balance of risks vs benefits for women with aura are debatable. Migraine with aura, but not migraine without aura, is associated with a twofold increased risk of ischemic stroke, although the absolute risk is very low in healthy, nonsmoking women. Although ethinylestradiol has been associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke, the risk is dose‐dependent. Low‐dose pills currently used are considerably safer than pills containing higher doses of ethinylestradiol but they are not risk‐free.

This review examines the evidence available regarding the effect that different methods of contraception have on headache and migraine and identifies strategies available to minimize risk and to manage specific triggers such as estrogen “withdrawal” headache and migraine associated with combined hormonal contraceptives. The independent risks of ischemic stroke associated with migraine and with hormonal contraceptives are reviewed, and guidelines for use of contraception by women with migraine are discussed in light of the current evidence.
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 gene amplification in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Lehnen Nils C , von Mässenhausen Anne , Kalthoff Holger , Zhou Hui , Glowka Tim , Schütte Ute , Höller Tobias , Riesner Katarina , Boehm Diana , Merkelbach‐Bruse Sabine , Kirfel Jutta , Perner Sven , Gütgemann Ines
Published: February 2013

Aims

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) are chemoresistant, resulting in extremely poor survival of patients; therefore, novel molecular targets, even in small subsets of genetically characterized tumours, are urgently needed. Tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitors (TKIs) are already in clinical use. The aims of this study were to examine the gene copy number and expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) in 155 patients with PDAC, and investigate the effects of the FGFR‐specific inhibitor BGJ398 on FGFR1‐amplified pancreatic tumour cells in vitro.

Methods and results

Fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemical analysis of 155 PDACs were performed using tissue microarrays. Amplification of FGFR1 was found in 2.6% (4/155) of cases. Four per cent of tumours (5/125) were shown to express FGFR1 by immunohistochemistry. Sequence analysis demonstrated an activating KRAS mutation (exon 2) in all FGFR1‐amplified cases. The FGFR1‐amplified pancreatic carcinoma cell line PT45P1 showed high levels of FGFR1 mRNA and protein expression. Proliferation of this cell line can be inhibited using the FGFR1 inhibitor BGJ398.

Conclusions

FGFR1 represents a potential new therapeutic target in a subset of patients harbouring FGFR1‐amplified tumours. Identification of pancreatic cancers harbouring FGFR1 amplification may be important in preselecting patients and/or interpreting clinical studies using TKIs.
Human periodontal ligament fibroblast responses to compression in chronic periodontitis
Authors: El‐Awady Ahmed R. , Lapp Carol A. , Gamal Ahmed Y. , Sharawy Mohamed M. , Wenger Karl H. , Cutler Christopher W. , Messer Regina L. W.
Published: February 2013

Aim

Test whether human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) retain homeostatic responses to a physiological compressive force during chronic periodontitis.

Material and Methods

Six cell lines were established from periodontally healthy individuals (H‐PDLFs) and another six were cultured from patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis (D‐PDLFs). Compressive force at 150 psi was applied to H‐and D‐PDLFs for 3 h on 2 consecutive days. After compression, comparisons between H‐and D‐PDLFs were performed by gene expression analysis of IL‐6, proteases and 84 inflammation‐related targets using real‐time PCR.

Results

Compression of H‐PDLFs resulted in a significant increase only in MMP‐1 mRNA. In contrast, the same compressive force on D‐PDLFs produced significant increases in the expression of MMPs‐1,‐7,‐9 and ‐16. Moreover, compression of H‐PDLFs resulted in down‐regulation of IL‐6, while IL‐6 was significantly up‐regulated in compressed D‐PDLFs. Compression of H‐PDLFs slightly up‐regulated 3 and significantly down‐regulated 15 inflammation‐related genes, while the same treatment strongly up‐regulated 21 inflammation‐related genes in D‐PDLFs.

Conclusion

These results suggest a fundamental difference in the inflammatory response of healthy versus diseased PDLFs under physiological compression. Maintenance of these characteristics in vitro suggests that these cells may be at least partly responsible for the persistence of inflammation and localized susceptibility in chronic periodontitis.
Disparities in Knowledge of Mouth or Throat Cancer Among Rural Floridians
Authors: Riley Joseph L. , Pomery Elizabeth A. , Dodd Virginia J. , Muller Keith E. , Guo Yi , Logan Henrietta L.
Published: February 2013

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine risk factors for reduced mouth or throat cancer (MTC) knowledge using a sample of rural North Floridian adults.

Methods

Telephone interviews were conducted across rural census tracts throughout North Florida in 2009‐2010, using a survey adapted for cultural appropriateness. The sample consisted of 2,393 individuals (1,059 males and 1,334 females; 1,681 whites and 712 blacks).

Findings

Only 9% of the study respondents indicated they had not heard of MTC; however, only 12% endorsed knowing “a lot.” Higher education levels and health literacy indicated they had more MTC knowledge. Among female participants, whites had more knowledge than blacks (OR = 1.9). Among black participants, males had more knowledge than females (OR = 1.7). Conversely, greater concern with MTC was associated with lower education levels, health literacy, and financial status, but higher depression scores. Awareness that excessive sun exposure is a risk factor for MTC was lower than for earlier studies using more urban samples.

Conclusions

This study adds to the literature on MTC knowledge and concern because this sample was drawn exclusively from rural populations in North Florida, a group with the highest MTC morbidity and mortality. An unanticipated finding was that blacks were more concerned than their white rural counterparts. This study was also the first to report that depression was associated with increased concern about MTC. The goal is to persuade at‐risk groups to obtain MTC screenings with the goal of reducing disparities in MTC whenever they occur.
Effect of Quality Management Systems and Total Quality Management on Productivity Before and After: Empirical Evidence from the Indian Auto Component Industry
Authors: Iyer Ananth , Saranga Haritha , Seshadri Sridhar
Published: February 2013

We study the linkages between firm‐level quality initiatives such as quality management systems (QMS) and total quality management (TQM) and output productivity in the Indian auto component industry. We use externally validated quality certification and quality awards as proxies for QMS and TQM, respectively, as it is difficult to directly measure the QMS and TQM efforts of firms. We use an unbalanced panel of 220 firms and a balanced panel of 73 firms from the Indian auto component industry over the period 1993–2006 to study these links. Both parametric as well as non‐parametric approaches are used, as appropriate, to measure the rate of change in productivity and the impact of quality initiatives on productivity change during this period. We determine the proportion of productivity resulting from technical change and relative efficiency change, thus providing insights into the structure of productivity improvements. We find that TQM efforts resulted in a high rate of productivity change (11%) in the award‐winning firms after the award. On the other hand, pre‐certification productivity change due to QMS was 5% and post‐certification change was 3.6%. In the periods prior to certification, productivity change was driven mainly by technical change; whereas the source of productivity change after certification is mixed. However, prior to awards, productivity change was driven mainly by relative efficiency change, whereas post‐award productivity change was due to technical change. The results suggest that management focus on attaining certification did generate conceptual learning (linked to technical change) during the period leading to certification, but these effects were not significant after certification. The results also suggest that the TQM programs generated significant productivity gains in the long run, although setting the associated systems in place did not result in significant productivity change prior to winning awards. Thus, the study provides direct but nuanced evidence linking quality certification as well as the adoption of TQM programs to the associated conceptual and operational learning processes and their impact on the change in productivity.
Impacts of Power Structure on Supply Chains with Uncertain Demand
Authors: Shi Ruixia , Zhang Jun , Ru Jun
Published: February 2013

In this study, we use a game‐theory‐based framework to model power in a supply chain with random and price‐dependent demand and examine how power structure and demand models (expected demand and demand shock) affect supply chain members' performance. We demonstrate that whether a firm benefits from its power depends on the expected demand model but not on demand shock model. A firm benefits from its power only for linear but not for constant elasticity expected demand. The impact of power structure on supply chain efficiency depends on the models of both expected demand and demand shock. With additive shock, supply chain efficiency is highest (lowest) when neither firm dominates for linear (constant elasticity) expected demand. With multiplicative shock, the supply chain efficiency is highest with a power retailer (manufacturer) for linear (constant elasticity) expected demand. The manufacturer always benefits from a reduction in demand uncertainty. However, the retailer loses (benefits) from demand uncertainty reduction for linear (constant elasticity) expected demand. With a power retailer, the retail price is always on the higher end for linear expected demand, and the customer service level is the lowest for constant elasticity expected demand. Consequently, consumers do not necessarily benefit from a power retailer.
Citizen Control: Race at the Welfare Office
Authors: Ernst Rose , Nguyen Linda , Taylor Kamilah C.
Published: February 2013

Objectives

Individual relationships to the state are shaped through encounters with a variety of institutions. Little scholarly attention has been devoted to how citizenship is shaped through everyday interactions with the social service arm of the state through local “welfare” offices. In Washington State, one‐third of all residents are served by the state's primary social service agency. Does this state agency send different messages about citizenship to individuals according to race? We examine this question through encounters of individuals with front‐line welfare office staff.

Methods

Using a systematic audit method, we collected data from 54 Community Service Offices in Washington State to explore messages sent to individuals.

Results

We find consistent relationships between race and the quantity of information received and the quality of the interaction with the representatives of the state.

Conclusions

Our findings provide evidence that the state reinforces notions of both belonging and marginalization through patterns of racialized encounters with the state.
Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Analysis of Nanofluids in Corrugated Plate Heat Exchangers Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Jokar Amir , O'Halloran Steven P.
Published: February 2013

The effect of Al2O3 nanofluids in a corrugated plate heat exchanger (PHE) were investigated in this study using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Nanofluids have received attention recently as potential fluids to increase heat transfer in simple geometries, and work to investigate nanofluids in different systems is ongoing. In this study, a three-channel corrugated PHE with a width of 127 mm, length of 56 mm and channel thickness of 2 mm was investigated. The hot fluid in the system flows through the middle channel while the cold fluid flows through the two side channels. Three chevron angle configurations were considered for the simulation: 60 deg/60 deg, 27 deg/60 deg, and 27 deg/27 deg. Commercially available CFD software (ansys fluent) was used for the simulations. Numerical simulations were conducted for four Al2O3-water nanofluid concentrations: 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% by volume. In addition, plain water was simulated for comparison. The simulation results show that although the thermal conductivity does increase with increasing nanofluid volume fraction, heat transfer decreases slightly with increasing nanofluid volume fraction. This decrease can be attributed to increased fluid viscosity with increasing volume fraction and the complex flow regimes of nanofluids in the three-dimensional geometries of PHEs.
Theoretical Analysis of the State of Balance in Bipedal Walking
Authors: Firmani Flavio , Park Edward J.
Published: February 2013

This paper presents a theoretical analysis based on classic mechanical principles of balance of forces in bipedal walking. Theories on the state of balance have been proposed in the area of humanoid robotics and although the laws of classical mechanics are equivalent to both humans and humanoid robots, the resulting motion obtained with these theories is unnatural when compared to normal human gait. Humanoid robots are commonly controlled using the zero moment point (ZMP) with the condition that the ZMP cannot exit the foot-support area. This condition is derived from a physical model in which the biped must always walk under dynamically balanced conditions, making the centre of pressure (CoP) and the ZMP always coincident. On the contrary, humans follow a different strategy characterized by a ‘controlled fall’ at the end of the swing phase. In this paper, we present a thorough theoretical analysis of the state of balance and show that the ZMP can exit the support area, and its location is representative of the imbalance state characterized by the separation between the ZMP and the CoP. Since humans exhibit this behavior, we also present proof-of-concept results of a single subject walking on an instrumented treadmill at different speeds (from slow 0.7 m/s to fast 2.0 m/s walking with increments of 0.1 m/s) with the motion recorded using an optical motion tracking system. In order to evaluate the experimental results of this model, the coefficient of determination (R2) is used to correlate the measured ground reaction forces and the resultant of inertial and gravitational forces (anteroposterior R2 = 0.93, mediolateral R2 = 0.89, and vertical R2 = 0.86) indicating that there is a high correlation between the measurements. The results suggest that the subject exhibits a complete dynamically balanced gait during slow speeds while experiencing a controlled fall (end of swing phase) with faster speeds. This is quantified with the root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) between the CoP and the ZMP, a relationship that grows exponentially, suggesting that the ZMP exits the support area earlier with faster walking speeds (relative to the stride duration). We conclude that the ZMP is a significant concept that can be exploited for the analysis of bipedal balance, but we also challenge the control strategy adopted in humanoid robotics that forces the ZMP to be contained within the support area causing the robot to follow unnatural patterns.
Simultaneous Quantification of Multiple Food- and Waterborne Pathogens by Use of Microfluidic Quantitative PCR
Authors: Ishii Satoshi , Segawa Takahiro , Okabe Satoshi
Published: February 2013

The direct quantification of multiple pathogens has been desired for diagnostic and public health purposes for a long time. In this study, we applied microfluidic quantitative PCR (qPCR) technology to the simultaneous detection and quantification of multiple food- and waterborne pathogens. In this system, multiple singleplex qPCR assays were run under identical detection conditions in nanoliter-volume chambers that are present in high densities on a chip. First, we developed 18 TaqMan qPCR assays that could be run in the same PCR conditions by using prevalidated TaqMan probes. Specific and sensitive quantification was achieved by using these qPCR assays. With the addition of two previously validated TaqMan qPCR assays, we used 20 qPCR assays targeting 10 enteric pathogens, a fecal indicator bacterium (general
Escherichia coli
), and a process control strain in the microfluidic qPCR system. We preamplified the template DNA to increase the sensitivity of the qPCR assays. Our results suggested that preamplification was effective for quantifying small amounts of the template DNA without any major impact on the sensitivity, efficiency, and quantitative performance of qPCR. This microfluidic qPCR system allowed us to detect and quantify multiple pathogens from fecal samples and environmental water samples spiked with pathogens at levels as low as 100 cells/liter. These results suggest that the routine monitoring of multiple pathogens in food and water samples is now technically feasible. This method may provide more reliable information for risk assessment than the current fecal contamination indicator approach.
Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of the Burkholderia cepacia Tyrosine Kinase
bceF
Mutant Reveals a Role in Tolerance to Stress, Biofilm Formation, and Virulence
Authors: Ferreira Ana S. , Silva Inês N. , Oliveira Vítor H. , Becker Jörg D. , Givskov Michael , Ryan Robert P. , Fernandes Fábio , Moreira Leonilde M.
Published: February 2013

The bacterial tyrosine-kinase (BY-kinase) family comprises the major group of bacterial enzymes endowed with tyrosine kinase activity. We previously showed that the BceF protein from
Burkholderia cepacia
IST408 belongs to this BY-kinase family and is involved in the biosynthesis of the exopolysaccharide cepacian. However, little is known about the extent of regulation of this protein kinase activity. In order to examine this regulation, we performed a comparative transcriptome profile between the
bceF
mutant and wild-type
B. cepacia
IST408. The analyses led to identification of 630 genes whose expression was significantly changed. Genes with decreased expression in the
bceF
mutant were related to stress response, motility, cell adhesion, and carbon and energy metabolism. Genes with increased expression were related to intracellular signaling and lipid metabolism. Mutation of
bceF
led to reduced survival under heat shock and UV light exposure, reduced swimming motility, and alteration in biofilm architecture when grown
in vitro
. Consistent with some of these phenotypes, the
bceF
mutant demonstrated elevated levels of cyclic-di-GMP. Furthermore, BceF contributed to the virulence of
B. cepacia
for larvae of the Greater wax moth,
Galleria mellonella
. Taken together, BceF appears to play a considerable role in many cellular processes, including biofilm formation and virulence. As homologues of BceF occur in a number of pathogenic and plant-associated
Burkholderia
strains, the modulation of bacterial behavior through tyrosine kinase activity is most likely a widely occurring phenomenon.
Effect of Tannic Acid on the Transcriptome of the Soil Bacterium Pseudomonas protegens Pf-5
Authors: Lim Chee Kent , Penesyan Anahit , Hassan Karl A. , Loper Joyce E. , Paulsen Ian T.
Published: February 2013

Tannins are a diverse group of plant-produced, polyphenolic compounds with metal-chelating and antimicrobial properties that are prevalent in many soils. Using transcriptomics, we determined that tannic acid, a form of hydrolysable tannin, broadly affects the expression of genes involved in iron and zinc homeostases, sulfur metabolism, biofilm formation, motility, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis in the soil- and rhizosphere-inhabiting bacterium
Pseudomonas protegens
Pf-5.
Genome Sequencing Identifies Two Nearly Unchanged Strains of Persistent Listeria monocytogenes Isolated at Two Different Fish Processing Plants Sampled 6 Years Apart
Authors: Holch Anne , Webb Kristen , Lukjancenko Oksana , Ussery David , Rosenthal Benjamin M. , Gram Lone
Published: February 2013

Listeria monocytogenes
is a food-borne human-pathogenic bacterium that can cause infections with a high mortality rate. It has a remarkable ability to persist in food processing facilities. Here we report the genome sequences for two
L. monocytogenes
strains (N53-1 and La111) that were isolated 6 years apart from two different Danish fish processers. Both strains are of serotype 1/2a and belong to a highly persistent DNA subtype (random amplified polymorphic DNA [RAPD] type 9). We demonstrate using
in silico
analyses that both strains belong to the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) type ST121 that has been isolated as a persistent subtype in several European countries. The purpose of this study was to use genome analyses to identify genes or proteins that could contribute to persistence. In a genome comparison, the two persistent strains were extremely similar and collectively differed from the reference lineage II strain, EGD-e. Also, they differed markedly from a lineage I strain (F2365). On the proteome level, the two strains were almost identical, with a predicted protein homology of 99.94%, differing at only 2 proteins. No single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) differences were seen between the two strains; in contrast, N53-1 and La111 differed from the EGD-e reference strain by 3,942 and 3,471 SNPs, respectively. We included a persistent
L. monocytogenes
strain from the United States (F6854) in our comparisons. Compared to nonpersistent strains, all three persistent strains were distinguished by two genome deletions: one, of 2,472 bp, typically contains the gene for
inlF
, and the other, of 3,017 bp, includes three genes potentially related to bacteriocin production and transport (
lmo2774
,
lmo2775
, and the 3′-terminal part of
lmo2776
). Further studies of highly persistent strains are required to determine if the absence of these genes promotes persistence. While the genome comparison did not point to a clear physiological explanation of the persistent phenotype, the remarkable similarity between the two strains indicates that subtypes with specific traits are selected for in the food processing environment and that particular genetic and physiological factors are responsible for the persistent phenotype.
Evolution, Multiple Acquisition, and Localization of Endosymbionts in Bat Flies (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea: Streblidae and Nycteribiidae)
Authors: Morse Solon F. , Bush Sarah E. , Patterson Bruce D. , Dick Carl W. , Gruwell Matthew E. , Dittmar Katharina
Published: February 2013

Bat flies are a diverse clade of obligate ectoparasites on bats. Like most blood-feeding insects, they harbor endosymbiotic prokaryotes, but the origins and nature of these symbioses are still poorly understood. To expand the knowledge of bacterial associates in bat flies, the diversity and evolution of the dominant endosymbionts in six of eight nominal subfamilies of bat flies (Streblidae and Nycteribiidae) were studied. Furthermore, the localization of endosymbionts and their transmission across developmental stages within the family Streblidae were explored. The results show diverse microbial associates in bat flies, with at least four ancestral invasions of distantly related microbial lineages throughout bat fly evolution. Phylogenetic relationships support the presence of at least two novel symbiont lineages (here clades B and D), and extend the geographic and taxonomic range of a previously documented lineage (“CandidatusAschnera chinzeii”; here clade A). Although these lineages show reciprocally monophyletic clusters with several bat fly host clades, their phylogenetic relationships generally do not reflect current bat fly taxonomy or phylogeny. However, within some endosymbiont clades, congruent patterns of symbiont-host divergence are apparent. Other sequences identified in this study fall into the widely distributed, highly invasive, insect-associatedArsenophonuslineage and may be the result of symbiont replacements and/or transient infections (here clade C). Vertical transmission of endosymbionts of clades B and D is supported by fluorescent signal (fluorescentin situhybridization [FISH]) and microbial DNA detection across developmental stages. The fluorescent bacterial signal is consistently localized within structures resembling bacteriomes, although their anatomical position differs by host fly clade. In summary, the results suggest an obligate host-endosymbiont relationship for three of the four known symbiont clades associated with bat flies (clades A, B, and D).
Induction of the Yersinia pestis PhoP-PhoQ Regulatory System in the Flea and Its Role in Producing a Transmissible Infection
Authors: Rebeil Roberto , Jarrett Clayton O. , Driver James D. , Ernst Robert K. , Oyston Petra C. F. , Hinnebusch B. Joseph
Published: February 2013

Transmission ofYersinia pestisis greatly enhanced after it forms a bacterial biofilm in the foregut of the flea vector that interferes with normal blood feeding. Here we report that the ability to produce a normal foregut-blocking infection depends on induction of theY. pestisPhoP-PhoQ two-component regulatory system in the flea.Y. pestis phoP-negative mutants achieved normal infection rates and bacterial loads in the flea midgut but produced a less cohesive biofilm bothin vitroand in the flea and had a greatly reduced ability to localize to and block the flea foregut. Thus, not only is the PhoP-PhoQ system induced in the flea gut environment, but also this induction is required to produce a normal transmissible infection. The altered biofilm phenotype in the flea was not due to lack of PhoPQ-dependent or PmrAB-dependent addition of aminoarabinose to theY. pestislipid A, because an aminoarabinose-deficient mutant that is highly sensitive to cationic antimicrobial peptides had a normal phenotype in the flea digestive tract. In addition to enhancing transmissibility, induction of the PhoP-PhoQ system in the arthropod vector prior to transmission may preadaptY. pestisto resist the initial encounter with the mammalian innate immune response.
Host Cell Contact Induces Expression of Virulence Factors and VieA, a Cyclic di-GMP Phosphodiesterase, in Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Dey Amit K. , Bhagat Abha , Chowdhury Rukhsana
Published: February 2013

Vibrio cholerae
, a noninvasive bacterium, colonizes the intestinal epithelium and secretes cholera toxin (CT), a potent enterotoxin that causes the severe fluid loss characteristic of the disease cholera. In this study, we demonstrate that adherence of
V. cholerae
to the intestinal epithelial cell line INT 407 strongly induces the expression of the major virulence genes
ctxAB
and
tcpA
and the virulence regulatory gene
toxT
. No induction of
toxR
and
tcpP
, which encode transcriptional activators of
toxT
, was observed in adhered bacteria, and the adherence-dependent upregulation of
toxT
expression was independent of ToxR and TcpP. A sharp increase in the expression of the
vieA
gene, which encodes a cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) phosphodiesterase, was observed in INT 407-adhered
V. cholerae
immediately after infection. Induction of
toxT
,
ctxAB
, and
tcpA
in INT 407-adhered
vieA
mutant strain O395 Δ
vieA
was consistently lower than in the parent strain, although no effect was observed in unadhered bacteria, suggesting that VieA has a role in the upregulation of
toxT
expression specifically in host cell-adhered
V. cholerae
. Furthermore, though VieA has both a DNA binding helix-turn-helix domain and an EAL domain conferring c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase activity, the c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase activity of VieA is necessary and sufficient for the upregulation of
toxT
expression.
A common case of gastroenteritis in a child followed by an axial torsion of Meckel diverticulum: a rare and unusual complication
Authors: Tassinari Davide , Cimatti Anna Giulia , Tani Giovanni , Lima Mario
Published: February 2013

A 1-year-old boy presented at our hospital with common gastroenteritis symptoms such as fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. Clinical and laboratory findings were normal. An emergency ultrasound examination was performed and excluded abdominal complications. After 2 days of complete regression of symptoms, the patient began to vomit again, diarrhoea stopped with a sudden worsening of clinical conditions. Laboratory and radiological findings showed signs of an acute abdomen with differential diagnosis between an infectious and an obstructive cause. Owing to the rapid and progressive toxic condition, an emergency laparoscopy was performed. An axial torsion of a swollen and gangrenous Meckel's diverticulum was detected.