bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prenatal diagnosis of MPPH syndrome
Authors: De Keersmaecker Bart , Van Esch Hilde , Van Schoubroeck Dominique , Claus Filip , Moerman Philippe , De Catte Luc
Published: January 2013

We report the prenatal sonographic detection of a fetus with megalencephaly, polymicrogyria, postaxial polydactyly and hydrocephaly. Only 14 patients have been reported in the literature so far, all but one were diagnosed postnatally. The polymicrogyria in the frontoparietal lobe was confirmed by prenatal magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, a hypoplastic thymus as seen in a 22q11 deletion was present. Although polymicrogyria along with pre‐axial polydactyly has been described in 22q11 deletion, the diagnosis of Di George syndrome was ruled out. The etiology of megalencephaly, polymicrogyria, postaxial polydactyly and hydrocephaly has not been revealed yet. A dominant as well as recessive inheritance has been suggested. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal head entrapment through a spontaneous chorionic septostomy in a first trimester dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy: a case report
Authors: Reif Philipp , Haeusler Martin , Gellèn Jànos
Published: January 2013

What's already known about this topic?

Spontaneous septostomy of the chorionic membrane in dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancy is an extremely rare event with only a two reported cases, so far none with associated increased NT.

What does this study add?

This case reports a spontaneous septostomy of the chorionic membrane associated with increased NT in the first trimester with favorable pregnancy outcome. Along with an overview on the previous cases, possible etiologies and the role of genetic counseling and invasive karyotyping are discussed.
EXAFS study of GaN/AlN multiple quantum wells grown by ammonia MBE
Authors: Zhuravlev K. , Malin T. , Trubina S. , Erenburg S. , Dobos L. , Pecz B. , Davydov V. , Smirnov A. , Kyutt R.
Published: January 2013

Extended X‐ray absorption fine structure above the Ga–K edge has been used to study the local structure of heterointerfaces in GaN/AlN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) grown by ammonia molecular beam epitaxy. The thickness of AlN and GaN layers in MQWs were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Two sets of MQWs structures with the number of period about of 20 and more than 100 were studied. The Ga‐Ga interatomic distance in MQWs is lower than that in bulk GaN due to elastic compression of GaN layers in MQWs. This effect is less pronounced in thick structures because of almost full relaxation of GaN layers. The Ga‐Al interatomic distance in thick MQWs is too long, about 0.1 Å, longer than typical values for AlGaN alloys. Then number of Ga cations in the second coordination shell of Ga atoms is lower than that predicted for abrupt heterointerfaces that evidences intermixing of heterointerfaces. The intermixing degree depends on the total thickness of MQWs (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Modeling Differences in the Dimensionality of Multiblock Data by Means of Clusterwise Simultaneous Component Analysis
Authors: De Roover Kim , Ceulemans Eva , Timmerman Marieke E. , Nezlek John B. , Onghena Patrick
Published: January 2013

Given multivariate multiblock data (e.g., subjects nested in groups are measured on multiple variables), one may be interested in the nature and number of dimensions that underlie the variables, and in differences in dimensional structure across data blocks. To this end, clusterwise simultaneous component analysis (SCA) was proposed which simultaneously clusters blocks with a similar structure and performs an SCA per cluster. However, the number of components was restricted to be the same across clusters, which is often unrealistic. In this paper, this restriction is removed. The resulting challenges with respect to model estimation and selection are resolved.
Characterization of nucleolin K88 acetylation defines a new pool of nucleolin colocalizing with pre‐mRNA splicing factors
Authors: Das Sadhan , Cong Rong , Shandilya Jayasha , Senapati Parijat , Moindrot Benoit , Monier Karine , Delage Hélène , Mongelard Fabien , Kumar Sanjeev , Kundu Tapas K. , Bouvet Philippe
Published: January 2013

Nucleolin and SC35 colocalize by fluorescence microscopy (View interaction)
Evaluation der Hausarztzentrierten Versorgung in Baden-Württemberg
Authors: Götz Katja , Laux Gunter , Mergenthal Karola , Roehl Ina , Erler Antje , Miksch Antje , Beyer Martin
Published: January 2013

Einleitung

Der Vertrag zur Hausarztzentrierten Versorgung (HzV) in Baden-Württemberg von 2008 ist der erste (und in der Fläche bisher einzige) Vollversorgungsvertrag nach § 73b SGB V in Deutschland. Inzwischen liegen Evaluationsergebnisse aus der Etablierungsphase 2008-2011 vor. Evaluiert wurden die Inanspruchnahme und mögliche Steigerungen der Versorgungsqualität bei Patienten mit Herzinsuffizienz – beides im Kontrollgruppenvergleich – sowie die Hausarzt-, Mitarbeiterinnen- und Patientenzufriedenheit und der in diesem Vertrag erstmals vergütete Einsatz von Versorgungsassistentinnen in der Hausarztpraxis (VERAH).
Dermatitis Linearis: Vesicating Dermatosis Caused by Paederus Species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Case Series and Review
Authors: Cressey Brienne D. , Paniz-Mondolfi Alberto E. , Rodríguez-Morales Alfonso J. , Ayala J. Manuel , De Ascenção Da Silva Antonio Augusto
Published: January 2013

Objective

Outbreaks of dermatitis linearis have been documented worldwide. We present a case series of dermatitis linearis from Latin America to highlight the importance of this clinical entity. Clinical, historical, epidemiological, and pathological aspects of the condition are discussed, and a concise current approach to the management and treatment of this morbidity is presented.

Methods

We present a series of 4 selected cases reflecting the clinical spectrum exhibited in dermatitis linearis by Paederus along with a review of the literature.

Results

In this review we demonstrate the need for awareness of dermatitis linearis as a clinical entity that must be considered in the broad list of differential diagnosis embracing vesicating linear lesions.

Conclusions

Capture of the insect, epidemiologic features, and a high clinical suspicion can aid in making the correct diagnosis. Primary prevention through public awareness, decreased use of artificial lighting, and mosquito nets can limit the extent and severity of outbreaks.
Contribution of silver ions to the inhibition of infectivity of Schistosoma japonicum cercariae caused by silver nanoparticles
Authors: CHENG YULI , CHEN XIAO , SONG WENJIAN , KONG ZHENG , LI PEIJING , LIU YANQUN
Published: January 2013

Blockage of pathogen transmission through water decontamination is considered an important strategy for the prevention of schistosome infection. Many believe that this strategy is feasible, but it has yet to be achieved. Silver has a long history of use as a disinfectant. With the emergence of nanotechnology, silver can be shaped into nanoparticles which have been found to possess superb antimicrobial activities. In this light, we investigated the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on Schistosoma japonicum cercariae. AgNPs rapidly induced cercarial tail-shedding, agitated behaviour and a decrease in cercarial secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Prolonged treatment was found to be cercariocidal, which nevertheless might be attributable to AgNP-induced cercarial tail loss rather than to toxicity. Higher concentrations of AgNPs (125 μg mL−1 and above) completely blocked cercarial infectivity. Despite decreased infectivity, cercariae exposed to lower concentrations of AgNPs for 30 min were still found capable of infecting hosts even without their tails, suggesting that tail loss does not necessarily signify a total loss of infective ability. We also found that silver ions (Ag+) were heavily involved in the observed cercarial responses of AgNPs. Our observations provide insight into the interactions between the larvae of helminth parasites and nanoparticles.
Efficiency improvements of public hospitals under a capitation payment scheme
Authors: García-Lacalle Javier , Martín Emilio
Published: January 2013

In a context of cost containment and demands for better quality in public health care, payment systems are used as an instrument to promote efficiency improvements in service providers. Andalusia has adopted an original type of risk-adjusted capitation payment mechanism to reimburse public hospitals. This paper presents the main characteristics of the reimbursement mechanism of the Andalusian Health Service highlighting some differences with the mechanisms adopted in other parts of Europe. The paper also explores the evolution of the efficiency and quality of the hospitals after its implementation using the Malmquist index. Results indicate that hospitals have slightly improved their efficiency, particularly urban hospitals, and these improvements are not significantly related to a negative evolution of quality. However, it is not possible to assert to what extent, improvements are the consequence of the new payment system. The organisation of theServicio Andaluz de Saludand the limited competition between hospitals reduce the effectiveness of the reform.
Wnt/β-catenin signalling: from plasma membrane to nucleus
Authors: Kim Wantae , Kim Minseong , Jho Eek-hoon
Published: January 2013

Wnt/β-catenin signalling plays essential roles in embryonic development as well as tissue homoeostasis in adults. Thus abnormal regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling is linked to a variety of human diseases, including cancer, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. Owing to the importance of Wnt signalling in a wide range of biological fields, a better understanding of its precise mechanisms could provide fundamental insights for therapeutic applications. Although many studies have investigated the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, our knowledge remains insufficient due to the complexity and diversity of Wnt signalling. It is generally accepted that the identification of novel regulators and their functions is a prerequisite to fully elucidating the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling. Recently, several novel modulators of Wnt signalling have been determined through multiple genetic and proteomic approaches. In the present review, we discuss the mechanistic regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling by focusing on the roles of these novel regulators.
Strong coupling between surface plasmon polaritons and β-carotene in nanolayered system
Authors: Baieva S. , Ihalainen J. A. , Toppari J. J.
Published: January 2013

In this article we experimentally demonstrate the strong coupling between surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) and the S2 state of β-carotene. The SPPs are excited by prism coupling technique on a thin silver film with β-carotene embedded in a polymer layer on top of that. Rabi splittings with energies 80 and 130 meV are observed in the recorded dispersion relations. Both coupled oscillator model and transfer matrix method are used to fit the experimental results. The scattered radiation of the propagating strongly coupled SPP-S2 hybrids is collected and an increase of the low energy splitting to 120 meV is observed compared to the reflectivity data. In addition, we performed molecule excitation by laser and analyzed the emission patterns revealing clear surface plasmon coupled fluorescence of β-carotene. By increasing the concentration of β-carotene we are able to collect also surface plasmon coupled Raman scattering. This study substantially extends the SPP-molecular excitation strong coupling studies to biomolecules, and energy transfer and coupling properties of excited states of carotenoids.
Design and simulation of molecular nonvolatile single-electron resistive switches
Authors: Simonian Nikita , Likharev Konstantin K. , Mayr Andreas
Published: January 2013

We have carried out a preliminary design and simulation of a single-electron resistive switch based on a system of two linear, parallel, electrostatically coupled molecules: one implementing a single-electron transistor and another serving as a single-electron trap. To verify our design, we have performed a theoretical analysis of this “memristive” device, based on a combination of ab initio calculations of the electronic structures of the molecules and the general theory of single-electron tunneling in systems with discrete energy spectra. Our results show that such molecular assemblies, with a length below 10 nm and a footprint area of about 5 nm2, may combine sub-second switching times with multi-year retention times and high (>103) ON/OFF current ratios, at room temperature. Moreover, Monte Carlo simulations of self-assembled monolayers, based on such molecular assemblies, have shown that such monolayers may also be used as resistive switches, with comparable characteristics and, in addition, be highly tolerant to defects and stray offset charges.
Label-free isolation of circulating tumor cells in microfluidic devices: Current research and perspectives
Authors: Cima Igor , Wen Yee Chay , Iliescu Florina S. , Min Phyo Wai , Hon Lim Kiat , Iliescu Ciprian , Han Tan Min
Published: January 2013

This review will cover the recent advances in label-free approaches to isolate and manipulate circulating tumor cells (CTCs). In essence, label-free approaches do not rely on antibodies or biological markers for labeling the cells of interest, but enrich them using the differential physical properties intrinsic to cancer and blood cells. We will discuss technologies that isolate cells based on their biomechanical and electrical properties. Label-free approaches to analyze CTCs have been recently invoked as a valid alternative to “marker-based” techniques, because classical epithelial and tumor markers are lost on some CTC populations and there is no comprehensive phenotypic definition for CTCs. We will highlight the advantages and drawbacks of these technologies and the status on their implementation in the clinics.
Study of bandwidth enhancement and non-linear behavior in avalanche photodiodes under high power condition
Authors: Sun Wenlu , Fu Yang , Lu Zhiwen , Campbell Joe
Published: January 2013

A self-consistent Monte Carlo simulation tool based on physics-level description of carrier transport is developed to study the frequency responses of avalanche photodiodes working under high optical power conditions. Simulation is performed on an InGaAs/InAlAs SACM avalanche photodiode. Significantly enhanced bandwidth is observed at high photocurrent, which results in high gain-bandwidth product. The associated nonlinearity is characterized by measuring the mixing conversion efficiency.
On the applicability of the P-α and P-λ models to describe the dynamic compaction response of highly heterogeneous powder mixtures
Authors: Fredenburg D. A. , Thadhani N. N.
Published: January 2013

The shock consolidation response of recently obtained data for a powder mixture of Ta + Bi2O3 with previously published results for mixtures of Ni + Al, Mo + Si, and Ti + Si are investigated within the context of the P-α and P-λ models to determine the applicability of these models to highly heterogeneous powder mixtures. The mixtures were found to vary significantly in densification path and crush strength (pressures required to reach full density), and no one model offers the best fit for all the mixtures. The static spherical P-α model, which uses mechanical properties of the solid materials to predict the compaction response for the powder mixtures, was found to provide the greatest disagreement with experimental data. By modifying the yield parameter to reflect measured yield properties from quasi-static densification tests, better agreement between the model and experimental data was obtained. For the empirical fitting models, the ability of a model to separate compaction into elastic and plastic components had minimal influence on goodness of fit. Conversely, homogeneity in deformation of the constituent particles was found to promote model agreement, specifically for the Mo + Si and Ti + Si powder mixtures where dynamically recovered microstructures were available for inspection.
Electro-optic sensor for specific absorption rate measurements
Authors: Euphrasie Sébastien , Zhang Shuo , Butet Romain , Vairac Pascal
Published: January 2013

We propose a sensor system to measure the specific absorption rate at radio frequencies, using a matrix of electro-optic (EO) sensors. The aim is to replace the conventional metallic antenna scanned by a robot inside an open phantom with a matrix of small probes positioned inside a closed phantom. Results are presented for a dual sensor, showing the feasibility of the proposed approach. The two EO probes interrogated by the same laser are shown to detect electric fields smaller than 1 V/m. Measurements are conducted both with the probes in air and inside the phantom liquid.
Mapping electric field distributions in biased organic bulk heterojunctions under illumination by nonlinear optical microscopy
Authors: Morris J. D. , Atallah Timothy L. , Lombardo Christopher J. , Park Heungman , Dodabalapur Ananth , Zhu X.-Y.
Published: January 2013

How charge carriers are distributed in a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) under illumination is central to the understanding of organic photovoltics and photodetectors. Here, we apply nonlinear optical microscopy to quantitatively map the spatial distributions of electric fields in two lateral organic BHJs: poly(3-hexylthiophene) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and poly(4,4-dioctyldithieno(3,2-b:2′,3′-d)silole)-2,6-diyl-alt-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)-4,7-diyl) and PCBM. For the former, we observe the development with time of a depletion region adjacent to the electron-collecting electrode. In the latter, the device is stable and characterized by a nearly linear potential drop. We discuss the origins of field distributions and space charge accumulation in organic BHJs.
Thermoelectric properties of molten Bi2Te3, CuI, and AgI
Authors: Nishikawa Kazutaka , Takeda Yasuhiko , Motohiro Tomoyoshi
Published: January 2013

To achieve large figure of merit (ZT) and superior thermal durability at high temperatures, we have investigated thermoelectric properties of molten Bi2Te3, CuI, and AgI up to 1173 K. Molten Bi2Te3 was found to have large electrical conductivity between 1800 and 2000 (Ω ⋅ cm)−1. Molten CuI and AgI, however, exhibited small electrical conductivity less than 1 (Ω ⋅ cm)−1, nevertheless they show very large Seebeck coefficients over 800 μV/K. We estimated thermal conductivity using Wiedemann Franz law and the model established by Regel et al. [Phys. Status Solidi A 5, 13 (1971)]. The evaluated ZT for CuI is over 0.1.
Kinetic Study of the Radical Azidation with Sulfonyl Azides
Authors: Weidner Karin , Renaud Philippe
Published: January 2013

Rate constants for the reaction between a secondary alkyl radical and two different sulfonyl azides were determined using bimolecular competing radical reactions. The rates of azidation were determined by competition with hydrogen atom transfer from tris(trimethylsilyl)silane ((TMS)3SiH) of the 4-phenylcyclohexyl radical. 3-Pyridinesulfonyl azide and trifluoromethanesulfonyl azide were found to have rate constants for azidation of 2 × 105 M–1 s–1 and 7 × 105 M–1 s–1 at 80°C, respectively.
Eriocalyxin B ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by suppressing Th1 and Th17 cells
Authors: Lu Ying , Chen Bing , Song Jun-Hong , Zhen Tao , Wang Bai-Yan , Li Xin , Liu Ping , Yang Xin , Zhang Qun-Ling , Xi Xiao-Dong , Chen Sheng-Di , Zuo Jian-Ping , Chen Zhu , Chen Sai-Juan
Published: January 2013

Eriocalyxin B (EriB), a diterpenoid isolated fromIsodon eriocalyx, was previously reported to have antitumor effects via multiple pathways, and these pathways are related to immune responses. In this study, we demonstrated that EriB was efficacious in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for multiple sclerosis. Treatment with EriB led to amelioration of EAE, which correlated with reduced spinal cord inflammation and demyelination. EriB treatment abolished encephalitogenic T-cell responses to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein in an adoptive transfer EAE model. The underlying mechanism of EriB-induced effects involved inhibition of T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 cell differentiation through Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator Of Transcription and Nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways as well as elevation of reactive oxygen species. These findings indicate that EriB exerts potent antiinflammatory effects through selective modulation of pathogenic Th1 and Th17 cells by targeting critical signaling pathways. The study provides insights into the role of EriB as a unique therapeutic agent for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Functional redundancy between the XLF and DNA-PKcs DNA repair factors in V(D)J recombination and nonhomologous DNA end joining
Authors: Oksenych Valentyn , Kumar Vipul , Liu Xiangyu , Guo Chunguang , Schwer Bjoern , Zha Shan , Alt Frederick W.
Published: January 2013

Classical nonhomologous end joining (C-NHEJ) is a major mammalian DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway that is required for assembly of antigen receptor variable region gene segments by V(D)J recombination. Recombination activating gene endonuclease initiates V(D)J recombination by generating DSBs between two V(D)J coding gene segments and flanking recombination signal sequences (RS), with the two coding ends and two RS ends joined by C-NHEJ to form coding joins and signal joins, respectively. During C-NHEJ, recombination activating gene factor generates two coding ends as covalently sealed hairpins and RS ends as blunt 5′-phosphorylated DSBs. Opening and processing of coding end hairpins before joining by C-NHEJ requires the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs). However, C-NHEJ of RS ends, which do not require processing, occurs relatively normally in the absence of DNA-PKcs. The XRCC4-like factor (XLF) is a C-NHEJ component that is not required for C-NHEJ of chromosomal signal joins or coding joins because of functional redundancy with ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase, a protein that also has some functional overlap with DNA-PKcs in this process. Here, we show that XLF has dramatic functional redundancy with DNA-PKcs in the V(D)J SJ joining process, which is nearly abrogated in their combined absence. Moreover, we show that XLF functionally overlaps with DNA-PKcs in normal mouse development, promotion of genomic stability in mouse fibroblasts, and in IgH class switch recombination in mature B cells. Our findings suggest that DNA-PKcs has fundamental roles in C-NHEJ processes beyond end processing that have been masked by functional overlaps with XLF.
Yield Loss in Cereals, Caused by Fusarium culmorum and F. pseudograminearum, Is Related to Fungal DNA in Soil Prior to Planting, Rainfall, and Cereal Type
Authors: Hollaway G. J. , Evans M. L. , Wallwork H. , Dyson C. B. , McKay A. C.
Published: January 2013

In southeastern Australia, Fusarium crown rot, caused by Fusarium culmorum or F. pseudograminearum, is an increasingly important disease of cereals. Because in-crop control options are limited, it is important for growers to know prior to planting which fields are at risk of yield loss from crown rot. Understanding the relationships between crown rot inoculum and yield loss would assist in assessing the risk of yield loss from crown rot in fields prior to planting. Thirty-five data sets from crown rot management experiments conducted in the states of South Australia and Victoria during the years 2005 to 2010 were examined. Relationships between Fusarium spp. DNA concentrations (inoculum) in soil samples taken prior to planting and disease development and grain yield were evaluated in seasons with contrasting seasonal rainfall. F. culmorum and F. pseudograminearum DNA concentrations in soil prior to planting were found to be positively related to crown rot expression (stem browning and whiteheads) and negatively related to grain yield of durum wheat, bread wheat, and barley. Losses from crown rot were greatest when rainfall during September and October (crop maturation) was below the long-term average. Losses from crown rot were greater in durum wheat than bread wheat and least in barley. Yield losses from F. pseudograminearum were similar to yield losses from F. culmorum. Yield loss patterns were consistent across experiments and between states; therefore, it is reasonable to expect that similar relationships will occur over broad geographic areas. This suggests that quantitative polymerase chain reaction technology and soil sampling could be powerful tools for assessing crown rot inoculum concentrations prior to planting and predicting the risk of yield loss from crown rot wherever this disease is an issue.
First Report of Bacterial Leaf Spot on Cichorium intybus Caused by Pseudomonas cichorii in Florida
Authors: Zhang S. , Fu Y.
Published: January 2013

Italian dandelion (Cichorium intybus L.) is a leafy chicory plant grown as a fresh vegetable in salads. In August 2011, necrotic lesions were observed on leaves of about 20% of the Italian dandelion plants in an experimental field at the Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) of the University of Florida in Homestead, FL. The lesions were dark brown with a yellow halo and most were irregular in shape. Some lesions formed along the leaf edge and developed into large lesions up to 20 to 30 mm long. Symptomatic leaf tissues were cut into small pieces (2 to 3 mm), sterilized in 10% Clorox (0.6% sodium hypochlorite) for 2 min following surface disinfection in 70% ethanol for 30 s, placed on nutrient agar (NA), and incubated at 28°C in the dark for 4 to 5 days. A bacterium was consistently isolated from the leaf lesions. Colonies of these bacteria were raised, opaque, and round with a slightly irregular, colorless margin while the center was light brown. The colonies were gram-negative with yellow fluorescence appearance on Pseudomonas F agar (Becton, Dickinson and Company, Sparks, MD). LOPAT tests were carried out to further identify the species of this fluorescent pseudomonad (2). The bacterium was levan negative, oxidase positive, potato rot negative, arginine dihydrolase negative, and tobacco hypersensitivity positive. Results from this test indicated that the bacterium belongs to LOPAT group III of fluorescent pseudomonads. Bacterial identity was further confirmed as Pseudomonas cichorii by amplifying the 16S rRNA gene with the universal bacterial primers 8F and 1492R (1) and sequence analysis (GenBank Accession No. KC311733). The partial 1,361-bp 16S rRNA gene sequences had 100% identity with P. cichorii (JF951725.1), which was isolated from infected soybean plants. Pathogenicity of the isolate was tested twice by spraying a suspension of the bacterium (107 CFU/ml) onto three 4-week-old plants until runoff. The control plants were sprayed with sterile distilled water. All plants were covered with plastic bags to maintain moisture for 48 h in an air-conditioned greenhouse (22 ± 1°C). Similar lesions were observed on the inoculated plant leaves 5 to 7 days after inoculation, whereas no lesions were developed on the control plants. Bacterial colonies with same morphology were recovered from the lesions, fulfilling Koch's postulates. P. cichorii is widespread worldwide with an important economic impact on celery, chrysanthemum, and lettuce. In South Florida, P. cichorii was reported as the causal agent of bacterial leaf spot on escarole (Cichorium endivia L.) (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of bacterial leaf spot on Italian dandelion caused by P. cichorii in Florida.

References: (1) J. P. Galkiewicz and C. A. Kellogg. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 74:7828, 2008. (2) T. Goszczynska et al. Introduction to Practical Phytobacteriology. Isteg Scientific Publications, Irene, South Africa, 2000. (3) K. Pernezny and R. N. Raid. Plant Dis. 85:1208, 2001.
Tracking the long-distance dispersal of marine organisms: sensitivity to ocean model resolution
Authors: Putman Nathan F. , He Ruoying
Published: January 2013

Ocean circulation models are widely used to simulate organism transport in the open sea, where challenges of directly tracking organisms across vast spatial and temporal scales are daunting. Many recent studies tout the use of ‘high-resolution’ models, which are forced with atmospheric data on the scale of several hours and integrated with a time step of several minutes or seconds. However, in many cases, the model's outputs that are used to simulate organism movement have been averaged to considerably coarser resolutions (e.g. monthly mean velocity fields). To examine the sensitivity of tracking results to ocean circulation model output resolution, we took the native model output of one of the most sophisticated ocean circulation models available, the Global Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model, and averaged it to commonly implemented spatial and temporal resolutions in studies of basin-scale dispersal. Comparisons between simulated particle trajectories and
in situ
near-surface drifter trajectories indicated that ‘over averaging’ model output yields predictions inconsistent with observations. Further analyses focused on the dispersal of juvenile sea turtles indicate that very different inferences regarding the pelagic ecology of these animals are obtained depending on the resolution of model output. We conclude that physical processes occurring at the scale of days and tens of kilometres should be preserved in ocean circulation model output to realistically depict the movement marine organisms and the resulting ecological and evolutionary processes.
Plasticity within the αβ+CD4+T-cell lineage: when, how and what for?
Authors: Coomes Stephanie M. , Pelly Victoria S. , Wilson Mark S.
Published: January 2013

Following thymic output, αβ+CD4+T cells become activated in the periphery when they encounter peptide–major histocompatibility complex. A combination of cytokine and co-stimulatory signals instructs the differentiation of T cells into various lineages and subsequent expansion and contraction during an appropriate and protective immune response. Our understanding of the events leading to T-cell lineage commitment has been dominated by a single fate model describing the commitment of T cells to one of several helper (TH), follicular helper (TFH) or regulatory (TREG) phenotypes. Although a single lineage-committed and dedicated T cell may best execute a single function, the view of a single fate for T cells has recently been challenged. A relatively new paradigm in αβ+CD4+T-cell biology indicates that T cells are much more flexible than previously appreciated, with the ability to change between helper phenotypes, between helper and follicular helper, or, most extremely, between helper and regulatory functions. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the recent literature identifying when THor TREGcell plasticity occurs, provide potential mechanisms of plasticity and ask if T-cell plasticity is beneficial or detrimental to immunity.
Piscine reovirus encodes a cytotoxic, non-fusogenic, integral membrane protein and previously unrecognized virion outer-capsid proteins
Authors: Key Tim , Read Jolene , Nibert Max L. , Duncan Roy
Published: January 2013

Piscine reovirus (PRV) is a tentative new member of the family Reoviridae and has been linked to heart and skeletal muscle inflammation in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Recent sequence-based evidence suggests that PRV is about equally related to members of the genera Orthoreovirus and Aquareovirus. Sequence similarities have also suggested that PRV might encode a fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) protein, which in turn suggests that PRV might be the prototype of a new genus with syncytium-inducing potential. In previous support of this designation has been the absence of identifiable PRV-encoded homologues of either the virion outer-clamp protein of ortho- and aquareoviruses or the virion outer-fibre protein of most orthoreoviruses. In the current report, we have provided experimental evidence that the putative p13 FAST protein of PRV lacks the defining feature of the FAST protein family – the ability to induce syncytium formation. Instead, p13 is the first example of a cytosolic, integral membrane protein encoded by ortho- or aquareoviruses, and induces cytotoxicity in the absence of cell–cell fusion. Sequence analysis also identified signature motifs of the outer-clamp and outer-fibre proteins of other reoviruses in two of the predicted PRV gene products. Based on these findings, we conclude that PRV does not encode a FAST protein and is therefore unlikely to be a new fusogenic reovirus. The presence of a novel integral membrane protein and two previously unrecognized, essential outer-capsid proteins has important implications for the biology, evolution and taxonomic classification of this virus.
The Great Recession, jobs and social crises: policies matter
Authors: Chowdhury Anis , Islam Iyanatul , Lee Donald
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to review the social consequences of the Great Recession of 2008‐2009. In particular, it looks at impacts on the world of work – unemployment, informal and vulnerable employment, working poor and youth unemployment, and on public health – hunger and malnutrition, suicides, domestic violence and child abuse. In all fronts, the Great Recession had serious adverse impacts and morphed into a global social crisis. The situation is made worse due to obsessions with fiscal consolidation in the midst of tepid and uncertain recovery. The paper argues that policies matter and advocates for strengthening social protection and continued stimulus in order to ensure robust recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a general review and it draws on the findings of the United Nations flagship publication, Report of the World Social Situation 2011. It is an analytical narrative of impacts of on‐going economic crisis.

Findings

The paper finds a worsening employment situation – rise in unemployment, informal and vulnerable employment, youth unemployment, and working poverty. It also finds adverse public health impacts in terms of rise in malnutrition and hunger, suicide rates, domestic violence and child abuse. Finally the paper finds that policies matters in mitigating worst impacts as well as sustaining recovery.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are tentative as the social impacts of economic crisis become obvious after a long time lag.

Originality/value

The paper argues that policies matter and advocates for strengthening social protection and continued stimulus in order to ensure robust recovery.
A transcendent code of ethics for marketing professionals
Authors: Payne Dinah , Pressley Milton
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a single code of ethics that could be used regardless of the venue or specialty of the marketing professional. The paper first provides a literature review of research in the areas of ethics pertaining to marketing professionals. Then a review of a wide variety of codes of business ethics, marketing ethics, model codes, and professional ethics produces the idea that, while there are some differences in how the codal principles are presented, there are sufficient similarities in the codes' principles of professional conduct to merit the consideration of a single code of marketing ethics – one that can be used regardless of the venue or specialty of the marketing professional.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces a broad literature review followed by the development of a transcendent code of ethics for all marketers.

Findings

Using the above as well as: historically and more broadly known theories of ethics, and currently‐used codes of professional marketing ethics, including those from the American Marketing Association (AMA), the American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA), and the Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI), the authors make an attempt to determine the most prominent, efficacious principles of ethics and to shape a single code of professional conduct for marketing students, educators and practitioners – regardless of their area of specialty.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed code is subject to debate and will likely not be the model eventually used. The authors hope that the code proposed will stimulate further research, discussion and formulation.

Practical implications

A single code of ethics that could be utilized by anyone confronted with an ethical marketing issue would be useful in easing the difficulties associated with challenging ethical dilemmas in marketing.

Social implications

Drawing on traditional frames of ethics and combining those principles with principles found in the marketing ethics literature, the authors generate a single code of ethics that not only marketers can use, but that others in society can also identify with and feel confidence in – thus alleviating concerns of mistrust or misunderstanding between those marketing products and services and the stakeholders in the society in which those products and services are being marketed.

Originality/value

No transcendent code of marketing ethics currently exists. The three most prominent are unique to their fields – each leaving out portions necessary to be transcendent. Thus, the proposed code is original and has the practical social implication values noted above.
Marketing as a response to paradox and norms in the 1960s and 1970s
Authors: Bourassa Maureen A. , Cunningham Peggy H. , Handelman Jay M.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This study seeks to investigate the interaction between marketers' strategic behaviors, social norms, and societal stakeholders within a particular historical time period, the 1960s and 1970s.

Design/methodology/approach

The study's findings are based on an analysis of two dominant retail industry trade publications, Chain Store Age and Progressive Grocer.

Findings

The analysis reveals an intriguing array of strategic marketing activity throughout these two decades not captured in considerations of marketing strategy at the time. The retailers examined engaged in two interesting behaviors. First, they responded to a wide range of stakeholder demands in a paradoxical fashion. Second, as retailers were confronted with social norms, instead of conforming to these norms they worked to help influence and shape them to their own advantage. This examination of retailers' behaviors over two decades has allowed the authors to present an intriguing new dimension to the understanding of marketing strategy.

Originality/value

The study found that throughout the 1960s and 1970s, marketers appeared to be actively engaged in a social dialogue. Through this dialogue, they not only responded to norms, but also attempted to shape the norms that came to define legitimate behavior for the marketers. This kind of strategic marketing endeavor was not accounted for in the managerial school of thought that dominated marketing thinking at the time.
Random simulation method for accuracy test of grey prediction model
Authors: ke Zhang
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a random simulation method to compare the forecasting performance between grey prediction models, and between grey model and other kinds of prediction models. Then, the different performance of three grey models and linear regression prediction model is studied, based on the proposed method.

Design/methodology/approach

A random simulation method was proposed to test the modelling accuracy of grey prediction model. This method was enlightened by Monte Carlo simulation method. It regarded a class of sequences as population, and selected a large sample from population though random sampling. Then, sample sequences were modeled by grey prediction model. Through modeling error calculation, the average error of grey model for the sample was obtained. Finally, the grey model accuracy for this kind of problem was acquired by statistical inference testing model. Through the statistical significant test method, the modeling accuracy of grey models for the same problem can be compared. Also, accuracy difference between grey prediction model and regression analysis, support vector machine, neural network, and other forecasting methods can be also compared.

Findings

Though random simulation experiments, the following conclusion was obtained. First, grey model can be applied to the long sequence whose growth rate was less than 20 per cent, and the short sequence whose growth rate was less than 50 per cent. Second, GM(1,1) cannot be applied to a long sequence with high growth. Third, growth rate was a more important factor than growth length on modeling accuracy of GM(1,1). Fourth, when the sequence length was short, accuracy of GM(1,1) model was higher than linear regression. While the length of the sequence was more than 15, and the growth rate in [0‐10 per cent], two kinds of modeling error was not significantly different.

Practical implications

The method proposed in the paper can be used to compare the performance of different prediction models, and to select appropriate model for a prediction problem.

Originality/value

The paper succeeded in establishing an accuracy test method for grey models and other prediction models. It will standardize the grey modelling and contribute to application of grey models.
Finite Element Analysis of

 Sub-Cables Under Transverse Compression With Different Approaches
Authors: Wang Tiening , Chiesa Luisa , Takayasu Makoto
Published: January 2013

Currently, very few experimental results describing the behavior of Nb3Sn subcables under transverse load are available. Those results are of importance for predicting how a full-sized cable-in-conduit conductor behaves during operations. Current experimental devices used to study the effect of transverse load on the electrical performance of cables utilize concave plates to apply mechanical loads and contain the sample and subject it to mechanical loads that mimic the electromagnetic loads of full-sized cables during operation. From finite element analysis, it is found that the strain state in the strands of a triplet is greatly affected by the shape of the pressing element contact surface. We will discuss the strain state within the strands from the simulations using two pressing configurations: concave and flat plates. The strain state in each strand in a twisted triplet is investigated by considering two cross-sections of a triplet along the length of the cable. Those results can provide useful information on the electrical performance of each strand based on its location along the axis. It is verified that the load distribution is very different depending on the shape of the pressing plates.
Sewage reflects the distribution of human faecal Lachnospiraceae
Authors: McLellan Sandra L. , Newton Ryan J. , Vandewalle Jessica L. , Shanks Orin C. , Huse Susan M. , Eren A. Murat , Sogin Mitchell L.
Published: January 2013

Faecal pollution contains a rich and diverse community of bacteria derived from animals and humans, many of which might serve as alternatives to the traditional enterococci and Escherichia coli faecal indicators. We used massively parallel sequencing (MPS) of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize microbial communities from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influent sewage from 12 cities geographically distributed across the USA. We examined members of the Clostridiales, which included the families Clostridiaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae for their potential as sewage indicators. Lachnospiraceae was one of the most abundant groups of faecal bacteria in sewage, and several Lachnospiraceae high‐abundance sewage pyrotags occurred in at least 46 of 48 human faecal samples. Clone libraries targeting Clostridium coccoides (C. coccoides) in sewage samples demonstrated that Lachnospiraceae‐annotated V6 pyrotags encompassed the previously reported C. coccoides group. We used oligotyping to profile the genus Blautia within Lachnospiraceae and found oligotypes comprised of 24 entropy components that showed patterns of host specificity. These findings suggest that indicators based on Blautia might have the capacity to discriminate between different faecal pollution sources. Development of source‐specific alternative indicators would enhance water quality assessments, which leads to improved ecosystem health and reduced human health risk due to waterborne disease.
Admission rate and characteristics of hospitalized systemic connective tissue disorders: analysis from a nationwide Thailand healthcare database
Authors: Foocharoen Chingching , Thavornpitak Yupa , Mahakkanukrauh Ajanee , Suwannaroj Siraphop , Nanagara Ratanavadee
Published: January 2013

Background

Reports of hospitalized systemic connective tissue disorders (SCNTD) are mostly disease‐specific reports from institutional databases.

Objective

To clarify the admission rate, disease determination, hospital mortality rate, length of stay and hospital charges among hospitalized patients diagnosed with SCNTD.

Materials and methods

The data were extracted from the 2010 national database of hospitalized patients provided by the Thai Health Coding Center, Bureau of Policy and Strategy, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. Patients over 18 years having International Classification of Diseases (ICD)‐10 codes for a primary diagnosis related to SCNTD were included.

Results

There were 6861 admissions coded as disorders related to SCNTD during the fiscal year 2010. The admission rate was 141 per 100 000 admissions. Among these, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was the most common, followed by systemic sclerosis (SSc) and dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM‐PM). The overall mean length of hospital stay was 6.8 days. Small vessel vasculitis and Sjögren syndrome had the longest and the shortest hospital stays respectively (14.5 vs. 5.3 days). Hospital charges were highest among systemic vasculitis and DM‐PM patients.

Conclusion

The admission rate for SCNTD in Thailand was 141 per 100 000 admissions among which SLE was the most common. Overall hospital mortality was 4.1%. Although a lower prevalence was found among systemic vasculitis, it had a higher mortality rate, longer length of stay and greater therapeutic cost.
When does a firm disclose product information?
Authors: Koessler Frédéric , Renault Régis
Published: January 2013

A firm chooses a price and the product information it discloses to a consumer whose tastes are privately known. We provide a necessary and sufficient condition on the match function for full disclosure to be the unique equilibrium outcome whatever the costs and prior beliefs about product and consumer types. It allows for products with different qualities as well as some horizontal match heterogeneity. With independently distributed product and consumer types, full disclosure is always an equilibrium and a necessary and sufficient equilibrium condition is that all firm types earn at least the full‐disclosure profit.