bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Multidetector Computed Tomography in the Assessment of Dogs with Pericardial Effusion
Authors: Scollan K.F. , Bottorff B. , Stieger‐Vanegas S. , Nemanic S. , Sisson D.
Published: October 2014

Background

Contrast‐enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) allows high spatial and temporal resolution imaging of cardiac, thoracic, and abdominal structures. Accurate determination of the cause of pericardial effusion (PE) is essential to providing appropriate treatment and prognosis. Echocardiography and pericardial fluid analysis may not differentiate between causes ofPEand cannot identify extracardiac metastasis.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Describe the thoracic and abdominalMDCTfindings and evaluate the utility ofMDCTto differentiate between neoplastic and nonneoplastic causes ofPEin dogs.

Animals

Eleven client‐owned dogs withPEdiagnosed by echocardiography.

Methods

Prospective observational study. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), 3‐view thoracic radiography, and contrast‐enhanced thoracic and abdominalMDCTimages were evaluated for the presence of cardiac masses, pulmonary metastases, and abdominal masses. Histopathology in 5 dogs and survival analysis in all dogs were evaluated.

Results

A neoplastic cause was identified in 6/11 dogs and a nonneoplastic cause was identified in 5/11. CardiacMDCTfindings were consistent withTTEfindings in all dogs with right atrial (5/5) and heart base masses (1/1). Pulmonary metastases were identified in 1/11 dogs by thoracic radiography and in 2/11 dogs byMDCT.MDCTidentified splenic or hepatic lesions consistent with neoplasia in 6/11 and 5/11 dogs, respectively. FocalMDCTpericardial changes at the pericardiocentesis site were noted in 3/11 dogs.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Multidetector computed tomography did not improve the detection of cardiac masses in dogs withPEover echocardiography. The benefit ofMDCTwas primarily in the detection of pulmonary metastases and extracardiac lesions using a single imaging modality.
Does Investment Spur Growth Everywhere? Not Where Institutions Are Weak
Authors: Dort Thibaut , Méon Pierre‐Guillaume , Sekkat Khalid
Published: October 2014

We investigate the impact of investment on growth in a sample of 85 developed and developing countries over 1984–2009, conditioning the marginal effect of investment on institutional quality. The panel structure of our dataset allows controlling for unobserved heterogeneity and dealing with the risk of endogeneity bias. We find that investment increases growth more in countries with high institutional quality than in countries with defective institutions. The results are robust to estimating the model separately for developed and developing countries, for each continent, and over two sub‐periods. A jackknife experiment shows that they do not depend on any single country. The results are essentially driven by the quartiles of countries with the lowest and the highest institutional quality, and by the Government instability, Corruption, and Rule of law sub‐components of the ICRG index.
The Impact of Religion and the Degree of Religiosity on Work Ethic: A Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Feess Eberhard , Mueller Helge , Ruhnau Sabrina G.
Published: October 2014

With data from the last available wave of the World Values Survey, we analyze the impact of different religions and the degree of religiosity on the work ethic of respondents. Following the theoretical literature, we predict that religiosity has a positive effect on work ethic for all religions (Hypothesis 1), that there is no significant difference in the work ethic of individuals from different religions (Hypothesis 2), and that the impact of religiosity on work ethic is lower for Protestants than for Catholics (Hypothesis 3). Due to the data structure, we apply a Multilevel Random Coefficient Model to test our hypotheses. While our data strongly support the first and the third hypothesis, the second hypothesis is only partially confirmed as Muslims report higher work ethic than individuals with other religions. We provide additional insights for the latter finding by disaggregating the data set by continents and levels of GDP per capita.
Open For Business? Institutions, Business Environment and Economic Development
Authors: Gillanders Robert , Whelan Karl
Published: October 2014

Recent years have seen a significant focus in the literature on growth and development on the idea that legal and political institutions are the key determinant of economic development. The main finding of this paper is that the focus on the primacy of legal and political institutions may be misplaced and that business‐friendly economic policies (proxied for here by the World Bank's Doing Business indicator) are the key determinant of the level of income per capita. We find that a country's Doing Business rank dominates a range of measures of legal and political institutional quality as an explanatory variable for income per capita. We also find the Doing Business rank to be a key explanatory variable for economic growth and that previous findings assigning a significant role to educational attainment are not robust to the inclusion of this new indicator in growth regressions.
TrhR, TrhY and HtdA, a novel regulatory circuit that modulates conjugation of the IncHI plasmids
Authors: Gibert M. , Juárez A. , Zechner E. L. , Madrid C. , Balsalobre C.
Published: October 2014

Bacterial conjugation promotes horizontal gene transfer and, consequently, the acquisition of new capabilities such as resistance to antimicrobial compounds and virulence related traits. Conjugative plasmids belonging to the incompatibility group HI are associated with multidrug resistance in Gram‐negative pathogens. IncHI plasmid conjugation is thermodependent and all transfer‐related genes are encoded in six operons (tra operons). Using R27, the prototype of IncHI1 plasmids, we reported that the plasmid‐encoded factor HtdA represses four of the six tra operons. Moreover, our results indicated that other R27 factors were required for appropriate expression of the tra genes. In this report, using R27 libraries and random mutagenesis assays, two genes – trhR and trhY – have been identified as essential for the transcriptional expression of four tra operons and, accordingly, for the R27 conjugation. TrhR and TrhY are required simultaneously and their stimulatory activity is counteracted by HtdA. Functional and physical interactions between TrhR, TrhY and HtdA suggest that they form a three‐element regulatory circuit that controls conjugation of IncHI plasmids. Expression studies suggest that H‐NS represses conjugation at high temperature by repressing trhR expression. Remarkably, we show that this regulatory circuit is highly conserved among the IncHI plasmids.
Long‐chain bases and their phosphorylated derivatives differentially regulate cryptogein‐induced production of reactive oxygen species in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) BY‐2 cells
Authors: Coursol Sylvie , Fromentin Jérôme , Noirot Elodie , Brière Christian , Robert Franck , Morel Johanne , Liang Yun‐Kuan , Lherminier Jeannine , Simon‐Plas Françoise
Published: October 2014

The proteinaceous elicitor cryptogein triggers defence reactions in Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) through a signalling cascade, including the early production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the plasma membrane (PM)‐located tobacco respiratory burst oxidase homologue D (NtRbohD). Sphingolipid long‐chain bases (LCBs) are emerging as potent positive regulators of plant defence‐related mechanisms. This led us to question whether both LCBs and their phosphorylated derivatives (LCB‐Ps) are involved in the early signalling process triggered by cryptogein in tobacco BY‐2 cells.

Here, we showed that cryptogein‐induced ROS production was inhibited by LCB kinase (LCBK) inhibitors. Additionally, Arabidopsis thaliana sphingosine kinase 1 and exogenously supplied LCB‐Ps increased cryptogein‐induced ROS production, whereas exogenously supplied LCBs had a strong opposite effect, which was not driven by a reduction in cellular viability.

Immunogold‐electron microscopy assay also revealed that LCB‐Ps are present in the PM, which fits well with the presence of a high LCBK activity associated with this fraction.

Our data demonstrate that LCBs and LCB‐Ps differentially regulate cryptogein‐induced ROS production in tobacco BY‐2 cells, and support a model in which a cooperative synergism between LCBK/LCB‐Ps and NtRbohD/ROS in the cryptogein signalling pathway is likely at the PM in tobacco BY‐2 cells.
Effects of stress and relaxation on pain perception in subjects with pain‐free occlusional disharmony compared with healthy controls
Authors: Ruscheweyh R , Becker T , Born Y , Çolak‐Ekici R , Marziniak M , Evers S , Gerlach AL , Wolowski A
Published: October 2014

Objectives

The significance of occlusal disharmony for the development of painful temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is controversial. The ongoing biomechanical strain caused by occlusal disharmony might lead to sensitization processes in the nociceptive system. Understanding these processes might be an important step toward understanding the possible relationship between occlusal disharmony and TMD. In this study, we therefore investigated whether subjects with occlusal disharmony (n = 22) differ from healthy controls (n = 26) in their pain perception and pain modulation by stress and relaxation.

Materials and Methods

Trigeminal and extratrigeminal experimental pain perception (pinprick, heat, and pressure pain) was assessed before and after stress (mental arithmetic) and relaxation (viewing of low‐arousal pictures).

Results

There were no group differences in pain perception at baseline or during the stress task. Compared with controls, the occlusal disharmony group exhibited an inadequate reduction in pain perception during relaxation, which was significant for the extratrigeminal site (P < 0.01) and reached a trend for significance at the trigeminal site (P = 0.1).

Conclusions

These results suggest that subjects with occlusal disharmony show signs of disturbed endogenous pain inhibition during relaxation.

Clinical Relevance

There is evidence for the presence of sensitization of the nociceptive system in subjects with occlusal disharmony. Possibly, deficient inhibition of extratrigeminal and trigeminal pain perception by relaxation might contribute to the development of TMD or other chronic pain disorders.
The Vindolanda Timepiece: Time and Calendar Reckoning in Roman Britain
Authors: Birth Kevin K.
Published: October 2014

In 2008 a fragment of a time‐reckoning device was found at Vindolanda. This fragment has been interpreted as part of an anaphoric water clock. There are important differences between this fragment and other objects thought to come from anaphoric water clocks. This article seeks to reinterpret the fragment in terms of a broader array of Roman time‐reckoning tools than anaphoric water clocks and also in terms of the archaeological context of Vindolanda in which the fragment was found. The emphasis on cultural context in interpreting this fragment reveals much about the temporal consciousness of its possible users and maker.
Temperature requirements for growth and maturation of the warm temperate kelp Eckloniopsis radicosa (Laminariales, Phaeophyta)
Authors: Komazawa Ichiro , Sakanishi Yoshihiko , Tanaka Jiro
Published: October 2014

The annual kelp Eckloniopsis radicosa is distributed along Japanese coasts and occurs within the area with a February isotherm ranging 15–18°C and August isotherm ranging 25–28°C. In this study, the effects of temperature on the gametophyte growth and maturation, and the young sporophyte growth of E. radicosa were examined and the results are discussed in relation to the distribution of other warm‐adapted kelp species and the potential effects of climate change. The optimal temperature ranges for growth of male and female gametophytes were 23–27°C and 20–26°C, respectively. The upper survival temperature for gametophyte growth was 31°C for males and 30°C for females, respectively. The optimal temperature range for maturation of female gametophytes was ≤23°C. The optimal temperature range for growth of young sporophytes was 14–22°C. It was clarified that E. radicosa has the most warm‐adapted characteristics for growth and maturation of gametophytes among members of the Laminariales studied so far. The natural seawater temperature ranges during the growth and maturation seasons for gametophytes of E. radicosa, as well as the growth season for young sporophytes near to the northern and southern distribution limits (Izu‐Oshima: 14.9–24.5°C, Ichiki‐kushikino: 17.1–29.6°C), agreed with the experimentally determined temperature requirements. The warm‐adapted gametophyte stage and annual lifecycle are major factors enabling survival of E. radicosa in warm waters near tropical regions along the Japanese coast.
Molecular alterations in non‐small‐cell lung cancer: Perspective for targeted therapy and specimen management for the bronchoscopist
Authors: Czarnecka‐Kujawa Kasia , Yasufuku Kazuhiro
Published: October 2014

Major advances have occurred over the past decade in our understanding of lung cancer pathobiology. Increasing knowledge of molecular aberrations in lung cancer, specifically the discovery of two driver genes in pharmacologically targetable tyrosine kinases involved in growth factor receptor signalling, epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase, has been of major therapeutic and prognostic importance. This discovery has allowed for new, personalized approach to the management of lung cancer. Recognizing the importance of molecular signatures of lung cancer, the College of American Pathologists, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and Association for Molecular Pathology released the first guidelines for molecular testing in lung cancer.

The introduction of minimally invasive needle techniques for the evaluation of lung cancer patients, such as endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration and oesophageal ultrasound–fine‐needle aspiration, has revolutionized the way lung cancer patients are assessed. Samples obtained using the minimally invasive needle approaches have been shown to be sufficient not only for routine molecular testing but also for multigenic analysis. This allows bronchoscopist to assume an increasingly important role in the diagnostic workup of patients with lung cancer at all stages of the disease and contribute to personalizing the care of lung cancer patients.
A Sticky Information Phillips Curve for South Africa
Authors: Reid Monique , du Rand Gideon
Published: October 2014

Mankiw and Reis propose the Sticky Information Phillips Curve (SIPC) as an alternative to the standard New Keynesian Phillips Curve to address empirical shortcomings in the latter. A SIPC for South Africa is estimated, and we find estimates of information updating probability between 0.69 and 0.81, somewhat higher than suggested by methods using micro‐evidence. Because the estimation requires data on expectations of current period inflation and output gap conditional on sequences of earlier period information sets, we provide a detailed analysis of the impact on our estimates of alternative proxies available in South Africa.
Seasonal dynamics in wheel load‐carrying capacity of a loam soil in the Swiss Plateau
Authors: Gut S. , Chervet A. , Stettler M. , Weisskopf P. , Sturny W. G. , Lamandé M. , Schjønning P. , Keller T.
Published: October 2014

Subsoil compaction is a major problem in modern agriculture caused by the intensification of agricultural production and the increase in weight of agricultural machinery. Compaction in the subsoil is highly persistent and leads to deterioration of soil functions. Wheel load‐carrying capacity (WLCC) is defined as the maximum wheel load for a specific tyre and inflation pressure that does not result in soil stress in excess of soil strength. The soil strength and hence WLCC is strongly influenced by soil matric potential (h). The aim of this study was to estimate the seasonal dynamics in WLCC based on in situ measurements of h, measurements of precompression stress at various h and simulations of soil stress. In this work, we concentrated on prevention of subsoil compaction. Calculations were made for different tyres (standard and low‐pressure top tyres) and for soil under different tillage and cropping systems (mouldboard ploughing, direct drilling, permanent grassland), and the computed WLCC was compared with real wheel loads to obtain the number of trafficable days (NTD) for various agricultural machines. Wheel load‐carrying capacity was higher for the top than the standard tyres, demonstrating the potential of tyre equipment in reducing compaction risks. The NTD varied between years and generally decreased with increasing wheel load of the machinery. The WLCC simulations presented here provide a useful and easily interpreted tool to guide the avoidance of soil compaction.
Forms of Al in soil and soil solution in a long‐term fertilizer application experiment
Authors: Rutkowska B. , Szulc W. , Hoch M. , Spychaj‐Fabisiak E.
Published: October 2014

Under the conditions of a long‐term fertilizer experiment, this study aimed to determine the contents of total and exchangeable aluminium in soil as well as the Al concentration in the soil solution. Additionally, Al speciation was evaluated with the use of the MINTEQA2 software. The results obtained indicated that under the conditions of long‐term application of different mineral fertilizers or farmyard manure, the soil reaction changed to a great extent (pH 3.58–6.78). At the same time, the content of total Al in soil fluctuated from 18.85 to 22.13 g/kg and that of exchangeable Al ranged from 1.42 to 102.66 mg/kg. The concentration of Al in the soil solution was highly differentiated (5.19–124.07 μmol/L) as well as that of free aluminium ions (Al3+) (0–16.9 μmol/L). In acidic soils, aluminium complexes with organic matter are the predominant forms of Al in the soil solution. In soils with neutral soil reaction, there were no free aluminium ions. Soil liming and addition of organic amendment were the treatments that restricted the presence of toxic aluminium forms in soil.
In-situ visualization of local magnetic fields using low-energy electron beam in scanning electron microscope
Authors: Yoshida Konomi , Murakami Katsuhisa , Fujita Jun-ichi
Published: October 2014

This study demonstrates clear visualization of the magnetic field around a two-dimensional magnetic material using the Lorentz deflection of a primary electron beam with low accelerating voltage. A horizontal or vertical grid, positioned downstream of the specimen, appears on the scanning microscope image where the field of view shows both the specimen edge and the grid below. An observed deformation in the grid shape is strongly correlated with the local magnetic field and is related to the beam deflection induced by the Lorentz force. A detection sensitivity of ∼0.5 G is achieved using a primary electron beam with an energy of 1 keV.
Draft Genome Sequence of Antagonistic Agent Lysobacter antibioticus 13-6
Authors: Zhou Lihong , Li Miao , Yang Jun , Wei Lanfang , Ji Guanghai
Published: October 2014

Lysobacter antibioticus
13-6, isolated from the roots of Chinese cabbage, effectively controls the pathogens
Plasmodiophora brassicae
,
Xanthomonas oryzae
pv. oryzicola,
X. oryzae
pv. oryzae,
Xanthomonas axonopodis
pv. dieffenbachiae, and
Pseudomonas syringae
pv. tabaci. We report the first draft genome sequence of the
L. antibioticus
species in China.
Genome Sequences of Parvovirus B19 Reference Strains
Authors: Trösemeier Jan-Hendrik , Branting Annika , Lukashov Vladimir V. , Blümel Johannes , Baylis Sally A.
Published: October 2014

We report here the sequences of two reference strains of parvovirus B19 (B19V) used for quantitation of B19V DNA. One reference strain has been established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the other by the European Pharmacopeia (Ph. Eur.) and belong to B19V genotype 1a1 and 1a2, respectively.
Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of Three Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O91:H21 Isolates, Two from Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Patients and One of Porcine Origin
Authors: Wu Cindy H. , Zhang Peng , Morales Christina Q. , Kiang David
Published: October 2014

This study presents three genomes of O91:H21 isolates, two from hemolytic uremic syndrome patients and one of porcine origin. Genome analyses reveal that one of the human isolates contains both Shiga toxin-encoding genes (
stx
1
and
stx
2
), and all three isolates contain putative adhesin (
iha
and
eaeH
) and antibiotic resistance (
ampC
) genes.
Draft Genome of Chilean Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Gut Strain Lactobacillus kunkeei MP2
Authors: Olmos Alejandro , Henríquez-Piskulich Patricia , Sanchez Carolina , Rojas-Herrera Marcelo , Moreno-Pino Mario , Gómez Marcela , Rodríguez Da Silva Rafael , Maracaja-Coutinho Vinicius , Aldea Patricia , Trombert Annette N.
Published: October 2014

Here, we report the first draft genome sequence of
Lactobacillus kunkeei
strain MP2, isolated from a Chilean honeybee gut. The sequenced genome has a total size of 1.58 Mb distributed into 44 contigs and 1,356 protein-coding sequences.
Genome Sequence of Nitratireductor basaltis Strain UMTGB225, a Marine Bacterium Isolated from a Green Barrel Tunicate in Bidong Island, Malaysia
Authors: Danish-Daniel Muhd , Gan Huan You , Gan Han Ming , Saari Nur Azna , Usup Gires
Published: October 2014

Nitratireductor basaltis
strain UMTGB225 is a Gram-negative bacterium isolated from a marine tunicate found in Bidong Island, Terengganu, Malaysia. In this study, the genome of
Nitratireductor basaltis
UMTGB225 was sequenced to gain insight into the role of this bacterium and its association with tunicate hosts in a coral reef habitat.
Draft Genome Sequence of Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum Strain NTOU1, a Thermophilic Bacterium Isolated from Marine Shallow Hydrothermal Vents
Authors: Tan Engkong , Chen Yusan , Kuan Jung , Lin Chiajui , Jagoda S. S. S. De S. , Lin Fupang , Tzou Wenshyong , Kinoshita Shigeharu , Watabe Shugo , Asakawa Shuichi , Liu Shiumei
Published: October 2014

Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum
strain NTOU1 has the ability to utilize several kinds of sugars in lignocellulosic biomass to produce ethanol more efficiently than other bacteria. Here, we report the draft genome sequence and annotation of this strain, which may provide insights into the possible genes and metabolic pathways related to ethanol production.
Draft Genome Sequence of Rhodococcus erythropolis JCM 6824, an Aurachin RE Antibiotic Producer
Authors: Kitagawa Wataru , Hata Miyako , Sekizuka Tsuyoshi , Kuroda Makoto , Ishikawa Jun
Published: October 2014

Rhodococcus erythropolis
JCM 6824 is the producer of the quinoline antibiotic aurachin RE. This bacterium also degrades and utilizes some aromatic compounds, such as biphenyl and benzoate. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of this strain.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Antimicrobial-Producing
Burkholderia
sp. Strains, MSh1 and MSh2, Isolated from Malaysian Tropical Peat Swamp Forest Soil
Authors: Ong Kuan Shion , Aw Yoong Kit , Gan Han Ming , Yule Catherine M. , Lee Sui Mae
Published: October 2014

We report the draft genome sequences of two antimicrobial-producing isolates,
Burkholderia
sp. strains MSh1 and MSh2, which were isolated from tropical peat swamp forest soil. Putative genes related to different antimicrobial production have been annotated in both genome sequences.
Plant poisoning in farm animals
Authors: Payne Jo , Murphy Alan
Published: October 2014

Livestock plant poisonings, per se, are relatively uncommon, but feed incidents associated with some plant components of a diet are more frequently observed and some of these can have a significant impact. It is not uncommon for a variety of very different plant by‐products to be fed to livestock, most of which can be associated with some level of risk. This paper reviews and discusses the more common plant poisonings that can occur in UK livestock.
An updated assessment of human activities, the environment, and freshwater fish biodiversity in Canada
Authors: Chu Cindy , Minns Charles K. , Lester Nigel P. , Mandrak Nicholas E.
Published: October 2014

Changes in resource development and expansions of urban centres suggest that the intensity and types of anthropogenic stressors affecting Canada’s watersheds are changing. Chu et al. (2003) integrated indices of freshwater fish biodiversity, environmental conditions, and anthropogenic stress to identify priority watersheds for conservation and management. Here, we update those indices using recent climate and census data to assess changes through time. We also applied different conservation and management scenarios to evaluate the robustness of our prioritization approach. Between time periods, the environmental and stress indices expanded northward because of warmer temperatures at higher latitudes and more intense anthropogenic stress in the northern regions of the provinces. Conservation priorities increased in northern British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario but decreased in southern British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and south-central Quebec. Under multiple scenarios, conservation priorities were consistently highest in British Columbia, the Maritimes, southern Ontario, and southern Quebec. Future research to refine this assessment should focus on developing a nationwide georeferenced assessment of freshwater fisheries stress, quantifying spatial changes in the stressors, and evaluating the sensitivity of each index to the weighting of the individual variables. This work highlights the necessity for conservation and management strategies in Canada to keep pace with changing patterns in climate and human activities.
Lattice Boltzmann modeling of water entry problems
Authors: Zarghami A. , Falcucci G. , Jannelli E. , Succi S. , Porfiri M. , Ubertini S.
Published: October 2014

This paper deals with the simulation of water entry problems using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The dynamics of the free surface is treated through the mass and momentum fluxes across the interface cells. A bounce-back boundary condition is utilized to model the contact between the fluid and the moving object. The method is implemented for the analysis of a two-dimensional flow physics produced by a symmetric wedge entering vertically a weakly-compressible fluid at a constant velocity. The method is used to predict the wetted length, the height of water pile-up, the pressure distribution and the overall force on the wedge. The accuracy of the numerical results is demonstrated through comparisons with data reported in the literature.
Study of Factors Influencing the Adoption of Agile Processes When Using Wikis
Authors: Heredia Alberto , Garcia-Guzman Javier , Amescua-Seco Antonio , Serrano Alan
Published: October 2014

The adoption of innovative Software Engineering (SE) processes by an organization implies that engineers have to learn new processes which they might not be familiar with. Social software can support and enhance this adoption process, so research needs to focus on how the exchange of knowledge among software engineers using these tools can help to perform training more effectively. We propose a framework based on social software to support the collaborative learning, adoption and improvement of SE processes through the exchange of experiences among individuals. This article examines factors influencing the adoption of new SE processes and the quality of the experiences shared using the proposed framework in comparison with similar ones. Two case studies were carried out involving junior engineers in a training course on agile software development. Anonymous surveys collected data on the perceived quality of the experiences shared during the research, their usefulness, and the simplicity of the mechanisms provided to contribute experiences. Results show that the adoption of new SE processes is influenced by several factors such as the commitment of software engineers to collaborate in the adoption of the new process, the perceived level of usefulness of the tacit knowledge elicited during the adoption process, the diversity of the topics covered by the shared knowledge, the simplicity of the mechanisms to contribute new tacit knowledge, and the amount of learning achieved by software engineers.
The Evolution Rule of Three-Dimensional Structures of Graphite During Oxidation
Authors: Wang Peicao , Sun Hongjuan , Peng Tongjiang
Published: October 2014

The graphite oxidation samples with different degrees of oxidation were prepared from natural flake graphite via a modified Hummers method with controlled addition of KMnO 4. The evolution of oxygen-containing functional groups was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The evolution rule of three-dimensional (3D) graphite structures during oxidation has been verified via X-ray diffraction (XRD). Experimental results show that the evolution of the interplanar spacing of samples during oxidation can be approximately divided into four stages. When the dosage of KMnO 4 is 0.5 g per 1 g of graphite (g/g), a graphite intercalation compound (GIC) is formed through intercalating reactions, and a slight increase is observed in the values of d100 and d110, suggesting that the π–π interactions which decrease the length of carbon–carbon bonds were partially disrupted. Adding additional KMnO 4 initiates the second stage, in which GIC begins to oxidize. The insertion of oxygen-containing functional groups in the graphene basal plane leads to dramatic changes in the values of d100 and d110. The d100 is greatly reduced while d110 increases slightly. These trends are attributed to the fact that the basal plane is stretched during the oxidation process. Further addition of KMnO 4 in the third stage leads to relatively small increases in the values of d100 and d110. This result is consistent with the evolution rule of hydroxyl groups. In this research, the evolution rule of the value of d001 is also clearly demonstrated. When the concentration of KMnO 4 is not more than 3.0 g/g, the value of products d001 keeps gradually increasing, indicating that oxygen-containing groups continue to form bonds with carbons in the basal plane, and that additional water molecules are adsorbed between the layers of the samples. All the interplanar spacing values (d001, d100 and d110) are reduced significantly in the fourth stage, when the amount of KMnO 4 added up to 4.0 g/g. FT-IR and XPS analyses demonstrate that the decrease in the values of d100 and d110 is due to a reduction in the content of external hydroxyl groups. The change in d001 is attributed to the partial release of water molecules confined in the interlayer spaces between adjacent sheets are partly released.
Synthesis and photocatalytic property of porous metal oxides nanowires based on carbon nanofiber template
Authors: Fan Weiqiang , Li Meng , Xu Jinfu , Bai Hongye , Zhang Rongxian , Chen Chao
Published: October 2014

A series of porous metal oxides nanowires ( Fe 2 O 3, Co 3 O 4, NiO and CuO ) have been successfully synthesized, where commercial carbon nanofibers were used as the template. The obtained samples were systematically characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance (UV–Vis DR) spectra and transmission electron microscope (TEM). According to the photodegradation data, the porous metal oxides nanowires exhibit significantly photocatalytic activity for degrading tetracycline (TC). Furthermore, the porous Fe 2 O 3 nanowires show the best photocatalytic performance among all the samples.
ELECTRONIC, STRUCTURAL AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF Co2FeAl THIN FILMS FOR POTENTIAL SPINTRONIC APPLICATIONS
Authors: GABOR M. S. , BELMEGUENAI M. , ZIGHEM F. , CHERIF S. M. , PETRISOR T. , PETRISOR T. , TIUSAN C. , HEHN M.
Published: October 2014

This paper presents an overview concerning the electronic, structural and magnetic properties of Co 2 FeAl (CFA) thin films. We first used ab initio calculations of the electronic structure in order to discuss the half-metallicity of this compound. Involving a correlated structural-magnetic analysis, we then illustrate, experimentally, the effect of the thickness as well as the annealing temperature on the magnetic and structural properties of CFA films epitaxially grown on MgO (001) single crystal substrates. The X-ray diffraction shows that in our samples having the CFA(001)[110]// MgO (001)[100] epitaxial relation, the chemical order is enhanced as the thickness and the annealing temperature (T a ) are increased. Ferromagnetic resonance measurements reveal further dynamic magnetic properties. The gyromagnetic factor, estimated at 29.2 GHz/T, is both thickness and annealing temperature independent. The in-plane anisotropy results from the superposition between a dominant fourfold symmetry term, as expected for cubic crystal symmetry of the alloy, and a small uniaxial term. The fourfold anisotropy decreases with increasing thickness and annealing temperature. The exchange stiffness constant is thickness independent but increases with T a . In addition, the effective magnetization varies linearly with T a and with the inverse CFA thickness. This is due to the presence of perpendicular uniaxial anisotropy, estimated around -1.8 erg/cm2 at T a = 600°C and 1.05 erg/cm2 at T a = 265°C, respectively. Frequency and angular dependences of the FMR linewidth show two magnon scattering and mosaicity contributions which depend on the CFA thickness and T a . A Gilbert damping coefficient as low as 0.0011 is found for samples annealed at 600°C. Finally, we illustrate that these films can be used as ferromagnetic electrodes in sputtered epitaxial magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ) based on MgO (001) tunnel barriers. These MTJs show an improvable TMR ratio around 95% at room temperature.
Heart rate recovery after maximal exercise is blunted in hypertensive seniors
Authors: Best Stuart A. , Bivens Tiffany B. , Dean Palmer M. , Boyd Kara N. , Melyn Galbreath M. , Okada Yoshiyuki , Carrick-Ranson Graeme , Fujimoto Naoki , Shibata Shigeki , Hastings Jeffrey L. , Spencer Matthew D. , Tarumi Takashi , Levine Benjamin D. , Fu Qi
Published: October 2014

Abnormal heart rate recovery (HRR) after maximal exercise may indicate autonomic dysfunction and is a predictor for cardiovascular mortality. HRR is attenuated with aging and in middle-age hypertensive patients, but it is unknown whether HRR is attenuated in older-age adults with hypertension. This study compared HRR among 16 unmedicated stage 1 hypertensive (HTN) participants [nine men/seven women; 68 ± 5 (SD) yr; awake ambulatory blood pressure (BP) 149 ± 10/87 ± 7 mmHg] and 16 normotensive [control (CON)] participants (nine men/seven women; 67 ± 5 yr; 122 ± 4/72 ± 5 mmHg). HR, BP, oxygen uptake (V̇o2), cardiac output (Qc), and stroke volume (SV) were measured at rest, at two steady-state work rates, and graded exercise to peak during maximal treadmill exercise. During 6 min of seated recovery, the change in HR (ΔHR) was obtained every minute and BP every 2 min. In addition, HRR and R-R interval (RRI) recovery kinetics were analyzed using a monoexponential function, and the indexes (HRRI and RRII) were calculated. Maximum V̇o2, HR, Qc, and SV responses during exercise were not different between groups. ΔHR was significantly different ( P < 0.001) between the HTN group (26 ± 8) and the CON group (36 ± 12 beats/min) after 1 min of recovery but less convincing at 2 min ( P = 0.055). BP recovery was similar between groups. HRRI was significantly lower ( P = 0.016), and there was a trend of lower RRII ( P = 0.066) in the HTN group compared with the CON group. These results show that in older-age adults, HRR is attenuated further with the presence of hypertension, which may be attributable to an impairment of autonomic function.
SelectiveIn VivoImaging of Syngeneic, Spontaneous, and Xenograft Tumors Using a Novel Tumor Cell–Specific Hsp70 Peptide-Based Probe
Authors: Stangl Stefan , Varga Julia , Freysoldt Bianca , Trajkovic-Arsic Marija , Siveke Jens T. , Greten Florian R. , Ntziachristos Vasilis , Multhoff Gabriele
Published: October 2014

Although in vivo targeting of tumors using fluorescently labeled probes has greatly gained in importance over the last few years, most of the clinically applied reagents lack tumor cell specificity. Our novel tumor cell–penetrating peptide-based probe (TPP) recognizes an epitope of Hsp70 that is exclusively present on the cell surface of a broad variety of human and mouse tumors and metastases, but not on normal tissues. Because of the rapid turnover rate of membrane Hsp70, fluorescently labeled TPP is continuously internalized into syngeneic, spontaneous, chemically/genetically induced and xenograft tumors following intravenous administration, thereby enabling site-specific labeling of primary tumors and metastases. In contrast with the commercially available nonpeptide small molecule αvβ3-integrin antagonist IntegriSense, TPP exhibits a significantly higher tumor-to-background contrast and stronger tumor-specific signal intensity in all tested tumor models. Moreover, in contrast with IntegriSense, TPP reliably differentiates between tumor cells and cells of the tumor microenvironment, such as tumor-associated macrophages and fibroblasts, which were found to be membrane-Hsp70 negative. Therefore, TPP provides a useful tool for multimodal imaging of tumors and metastases that might help to improve our understanding of tumorigenesis and allow the establishment of improved diagnostic procedures and more accurate therapeutic monitoring. TPP might also be a promising platform for tumor-specific drug delivery and other Hsp70-based targeted therapies. Cancer Res; 74(23); 6903–12. ©2014 AACR.
Dietary Intake of Acrylamide and Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Cohort
Authors: Obón-Santacana Mireia , Peeters Petra H.M. , Freisling Heinz , Dossus Laure , Clavel-Chapelon Françoise , Baglietto Laura , Schock Helena , Fortner Renée T. , Boeing Heiner , Tjønneland Anne , Olsen Anja , Overvad Kim , Menéndez Virginia , Sanchez Maria-José , Larrañaga Nerea , Huerta Castaño José María , Barricarte Aurelio , Khaw Kay-Tee , Wareham Nick , Travis Ruth C. , Merritt Melissa A. , Trichopoulou Antonia , Trichopoulos Dimitrios , Orfanos Philippos , Masala Giovanna , Sieri Sabina , Tumino Rosario , Vineis Paolo , Mattiello Amalia , Bueno-de-Mesquita H.B. , Onland-Moret N. Charlotte , Wirfält Elisabeth , Stocks Tanja , Idahl Annika , Lundin Eva , Skeie Guri , Gram Inger T. , Weiderpass Elisabete , Riboli Elio , Duell Eric J.
Published: October 2014

Acrylamide, classified in 1994 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as “probably carcinogenic” to humans, was discovered in 2002 in some heat-treated, carbohydrate-rich foods. The association between dietary acrylamide intake and epithelial ovarian cancer risk (EOC) has been previously studied in one case–control and three prospective cohort studies which obtained inconsistent results and could not further examine histologic subtypes other than serous EOC. The present study was carried out in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) subcohort of women (n = 325,006). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association between questionnaire-based acrylamide intake and EOC risk. Acrylamide was energy-adjusted using the residual method and was evaluated both as a continuous variable (per 10 μg/d) and in quintiles; when subgroups by histologic EOC subtypes were analyzed, acrylamide intake was evaluated in quartiles. During a mean follow-up of 11 years, 1,191 incident EOC cases were diagnosed. At baseline, the median acrylamide intake in EPIC was 21.3 μg/d. No associations and no evidence for a dose–response were observed between energy-adjusted acrylamide intake and EOC risk (HR10μg/d,1.02; 95% CI, 0.96–1.09; HRQ5vsQ1, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.76–1.23). No differences were seen when invasive EOC subtypes (582 serous, 118 endometrioid, and 79 mucinous tumors) were analyzed separately. This study did not provide evidence that acrylamide intake, based on food intake questionnaires, was associated with risk for EOC in EPIC. Additional studies with more reliable estimates of exposure based on biomarkers may be needed. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(1); 291–7. ©2014 AACR.
STING Contributes to Antiglioma Immunity via Triggering Type I IFN Signals in the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Ohkuri Takayuki , Ghosh Arundhati , Kosaka Akemi , Zhu Jianzhong , Ikeura Maki , David Michael , Watkins Simon C. , Sarkar Saumendra N. , Okada Hideho
Published: October 2014

Although type I IFNs play critical roles in antiviral and antitumor activity, it remains to be elucidated how type I IFNs are produced in sterile conditions of the tumor microenvironment and directly affect tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Mouse de novo gliomas show increased expression of type I IFN messages, and in mice, CD11b+ brain-infiltrating leukocytes (BIL) are the main source of type I IFNs that are induced partially in a STING (stimulator of IFN genes)-dependent manner. Consequently, glioma-bearing StingGt/Gt mice showed shorter survival and lower expression levels of Ifns compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, BILs of StingGt/Gt mice showed increased CD11b+ Gr-1+ immature myeloid suppressor and CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) and decreased IFNγ-producing CD8+ T cells. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that received direct type I IFN signals showed lesser degrees of regulatory activity and increased levels of antitumor activity, respectively. Finally, intratumoral administration of a STING agonist (cyclic diguanylate monophosphate; c-di-GMP) improved the survival of glioma-bearing mice associated with enhanced type I IFN signaling, Cxcl10 and Ccl5, and T-cell migration into the brain. In combination with subcutaneous OVA peptide vaccination, c-di-GMP increased OVA-specific cytotoxicity of BILs and prolonged their survival. These data demonstrate significant contributions of STING to antitumor immunity via enhancement of type I IFN signaling in the tumor microenvironment and suggest a potential use of STING agonists for the development of effective immunotherapy, such as the combination with antigen-specific vaccinations. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(12); 1199–208. ©2014 AACR.
Thrombosis: A major contributor to global disease burden
Authors: Raskob Gary ,   ISTH Steering Committee for World Thrombosis Day
Published: October 2014

Thrombosis is a common pathology underlying ischaemic heart disease, ischaemic stroke, and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 (GBD 2010) documented that ischaemic heart disease and stroke collectively caused one in four deaths worldwide. GBD 2010 did not report data for VTE as a cause of death and disability. We performed a systematic review of the literature on the global disease burden due to VTE in low, middle and high income countries. Studies from Western Europe, North America, Australia, and Southern Latin America (Argentina) yielded consistent results with annual incidences ranging from 0.75 to 2.69 per 1,000 individuals in the population. The incidence increased to between 2 and 7 per 1,000 among those 70 years of age or more. Although the incidence is lower in individuals of Chinese and Korean ethnicity, their disease burden is not low because of population aging. VTE associated with hospitalisation was the leading cause of disability-adjusted-lifeyears (DALYs) lost in low and middle income countries, and second in high income countries, responsible for more DALYs lost than nosocomial pneumonia, catheter-related blood stream infections, and adverse drug events. VTE causes a major burden of disease across low, middle, and high income countries. More detailed data on the global burden of VTE should be obtained to inform policy and resource allocation in health systems, and to evaluate if improved utilisation of preventive measures will reduce the burden.

Note: The copyright for the article is being held by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis under a CC-BY-NC-ND license.
Central and peripheral oxytocin profiles during milking in ewes
Authors: Bochini João Carlos , Alvisi Renato Duarte , Negrão João Alberto , Hucke Erica Engelberg Teixeira da Silva , Felicio Luciano Freitas
Published: October 2014

Foi investigada a possível relação entre as concentrações de ocitocina no líquido céfalo-raquidiano e no soro em diferentes formas de ordenha em ovinos. Foram utilizadas dez ovelhas multíparas divididas em quatro grupos de acordo com o estímulo para ejeção do leite: ordenha exclusivamente mecânica (EM), ordenha mista mecânica e mamada com os carneiros separados das mães durante a noite e reunidos a elas pela manhã para amamentação (MMS); ordenha mista com ordenha manual (MMS); apenas amamentação natural (ES). Foram coletadas amostras de fluido cerebroespinhal e de sangue simultaneamente durante as ordenhas. A média, coeficiente de variação e valores máximos e mínimos de ocitocina do plasma foram respectivamente 257,88 ± 265,90 pg/ml, 103,11%, e 11,70 e 1000,00 pg/ml. Não foram encontradas correlações entre as concentrações centrais e plasmáticas de ocitocina (EM: -0,26; ES: -0,19; MMM: 0,05; MMS: 0,04).  Não foi evidenciada influência do tipo de estímulo para ejeção do leite nas concentrações centrais de ocitocina.  Entretanto, as concentrações plasmáticas de ocitocina foram maiores nos grupos MMM (679,80 ± 25,63) e MMS (591,82 ± 30,56) quando comparadas as dos grupos EM e ES. Alem disso, as concentrações plasmáticas de ocitocina foram maiores no grupo de OME (381,04 ± 22,09) em relação ao grupo AE (218,82 ± 27,04). Os resultados obtidos sugerem que as concentrações plasmáticas de ocitocina são mais sensíveis ao tipo de ordenha que as concentrações centrais desse hormônio.
Lymphocyte Migration Into Atherosclerotic Plaque
Authors: Li Jie , Ley Klaus
Published: October 2014

Adaptive immunity is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, but the recruitment of T and B lymphocytes to atherosclerotic lesions is not as well studied as that of monocytes. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the role of lymphocyte subsets in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and discuss chemokines and chemokine receptors involved in lymphocyte homing to atherosclerotic lesions. We review evidence for involvement of the chemokines CCL5, CCL19, CCL21, CXCL10, and CXCL16 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor in lymphocyte homing in atherosclerosis. Also, we review the role of their receptors CCR5, CCR6, CCR7, CXCR3, CXCR6, and CXCR2/CXCR4 and the role of the L-selectin in mouse models of atherosclerosis.