bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitigating External Barriers to Implementing Green Supply Chain Management: A Grounded Theory Investigation of Green‐Tech Companies' Rare Earth Metals Supply Chains
Authors: Rauer Johan , Kaufmann Lutz
Published: August 2014

The supply chain management literature has investigated myriad barriers to implementing green supply chain management (GSCM). However, little research has analyzed the role of capabilities to mitigate such barriers, a research gap we address in this study using an inductive research approach. Following a Straussian approach to grounded theory, the study analyzes data generated from ten Western green‐tech companies sourcing technically indispensable rare earth metals from Chinese suppliers. Our interpretive research findings show that these companies face two categories of salient, external barriers toGSCM–supply chain structure‐related and environmental standards‐related implementation barriers. To cope with these barriers, we argue that firms require three categories of dynamic capabilities: sensing capabilities, alignment capabilities, and resilience capabilities. By connecting our research findings with the dynamic capabilities literature, we derive theoretical propositions to guide further research on studying the role of dynamic capabilities in the implementation ofGSCM.
Effects of Cooking Methods on Textural Properties and Water‐Holding Capacity of Broiler Breast Meat Deboned at Various Postmortem Times
Authors: Lee Youngseung , Xiong Rui , Chang Yoon Hyuk , Owens Casey M. , Meullenet Jean‐Francois
Published: August 2014

The effects of oven‐baking (OB) and water‐cooking (WC) methods on the textural properties and water‐holding capacity (WHC) of broiler breast meat were investigated. A total of 1,008 broilers processed and deboned at nine different postmortem (0.25, 1.25, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 6.0 and 24.0 h) duration were cooked by two different cooking methods. Textural properties of cooked meat were predicted by the Meullenet–Owens razor shear method, descriptive analysis and consumer testing. Moisture and expressible moisture contents were also evaluated. Results showed that postmortem deboning time played more important roles on the development of texture in broiler breast meat than the cooking methods. The WC‐cooked samples had higher moisture and expressible moisture contents across most of postmortem deboning times than the OB‐cooked samples, indicating a better WHC for the WC method.

Practical Applications

This research provides practical information regarding how different cooking methods (oven baking and water cooking) relate to the textural properties and water‐holding capacity (WHC) of broiler breast meat. Significant findings would include that quality of broiler breast meat was more significantly influenced by postmortem deboning times than the cooking methods. However, some of quality indicators associated with WHC varied according to the cooking methods. This information would be of benefit to poultry processors or users who would like to optimize the quality of broiler breast meat being cooked.
Serotonin Concentrations in Platelets, Plasma, Mitral Valve Leaflet, and Left Ventricular Myocardial Tissue in Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease
Authors: Cremer S.E. , Singletary G.E. , Olsen L.H. , Wallace K. , Häggström J. , Ljungvall I. , Höglund K. , Reynolds C.A. , Pizzinat N. , Oyama M.A.
Published: August 2014

Hypothesis/Objectives

Altered serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) signaling is postulated in development and progression of canine myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Little is known regarding platelet, plasma, valvular, or myocardial 5HT concentration ([5HT]) in affected dogs. We quantified [5HT] in platelet‐rich plasma (PRP), platelet‐poor plasma (PPP), mitral valve leaflets (MV), and left ventricular myocardium (LV).

Animals

Forty‐five dogs comprised 4 plasma groups of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) or non‐CKCS, either healthy (CON) or MMVD affected: CKCS CON (n = 12); non‐CKCS CON (n = 8); CKCS MMVD (n = 14); non‐CKCS MMVD (n = 11). Twenty‐four dogs comprised 3 tissue groups: MMVD (n = 8); other‐HD (heart disease) (n = 7); non‐HD, extracardiac disease (n = 9).

Methods

High‐performance liquid chromatography measured PRP, PPP, MV, and LV [5HT].

Results

Platelet‐rich plasma platelet [5HT] was greater in CKCS CON (1.83 femtograms/platelet [fg/plt]; range, 0.20–4.76; P = .002), CKCS MMVD (1.58 fg/plt; range, 0.70–4.03; P = .005), and non‐CKCS MMVD (1.72 fg/plt; range, 0.85–4.44; P = .003) versus non‐CKCS CON (0.92 fg/plt; range, 0.63–1.30). There was no group difference in PPP [5HT]. MV [5HT] was significantly higher in MMVD (32.4 ng/mg; range, 8.4–106.7) versus non‐HD (3.6 ng/mg; range, 0–28.3; P = .01) and LV [5HT] was significantly higher in MMVD (11.9 ng/mg; range, 4.0–104.8) versus other‐HD (0.9 ng/mg; range, 0–10.1; P = .011) and non‐HD (2.5 ng/mg; range, 0–6.9; P = .001).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Platelet [5HT] was highest in healthy CKCS and both MMVD groups, but plasma [5HT] showed no group differences. Tissue [5HT] was highest in MV and LV of MMVD‐affected dogs, suggesting altered 5HT signaling as a potential feature of MMVD. Interactions of platelet, valvular, and myocardial 5HT signaling warrant further investigation.
Loss of hepatitis B surface antigen in a real‐life clinical cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Habersetzer François , Moenne‐Loccoz Rémy , Meyer Nicolas , Schvoerer Evelyne , Simo‐Noumbissie Pauline , Dritsas Stavros , Baumert Thomas F. , Doffoël Michel
Published: August 2014

Background & Aims

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance is the main indicator of viral cure in patients infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). We sought to identify the parameters associated with HBsAg loss in a well‐characterized real‐life clinical cohort of chronically HBV‐infected patients.

Methods

Patients with chronic HBV infection were prospectively included, classified according to the disease stage, and followed up to determine parameters associated with HBsAg clearance.

Results

In total, 315 patients were followed up for a mean of almost 6 years. At study entry, 109 (34.6%) were inactive HBsAg carriers, 204 (64.8%) had chronic active hepatitis (CAH), and two (0.6%) were immune‐tolerant carriers. During follow‐up, 128 (62.7%) of the 204 patients with CAH received antiviral therapy. Sixty‐nine had HBeAg‐positive CAH: 55 (79.7%) were treated and 14 (20.3%) untreated. One hundred thirty‐five had HBeAg‐negative CAH: 73 (54.1%) were treated and 62 (45.9%) untreated. Inactive carriers showed an annual HBsAg clearance incidence rate of 23.4 cases per 1000 persons‐years, which was higher than that of CAH groups. The clearance incidence rates (in cases per 1000 persons‐years) of CAH groups were: treated HBeAg‐positive (20.7), untreated HBeAg‐positive (19.1), treated HBeAg‐negative (10.1), and untreated HBeAg‐negative (8.1). Older age (P = 0.001) and inactive carrier status (P = 0.019) were independent predictors of HBsAg clearance.

Conclusion

In a well‐characterized real‐life clinical cohort of chronically HBV‐infected patients in various disease phases, older age, and inactive HBsAg carrier status were the only predictors of HBsAg clearance, whereas anti‐HBV therapy only marginally increased annual incidence of HBsAg loss.
Financial Stability and the Role of the Financial Policy Committee
Authors: Farmer Roger E. A.
Published: August 2014

This paper distinguishes institutional from systemic explanations for the cause of financial instability. I argue that financial crises are systemic, and as a consequence, the maintenance of financial stability requires more than simple regulation of existing institutions. The newly created Financial Policy Committee of the Bank of England, should actively manage the asset portfolio of the Treasury, with the aim of stabilizing the price to earning (PE) ratio of a broad stock market index.
From policy coherence to 21st century convergence: a whole‐of‐society paradigm of human and economic development
Authors: Dubé Laurette , Addy Nii A. , Blouin Chantal , Drager Nick
Published: August 2014

The 20th century saw accelerated human and economic development, with increased convergence in income, wealth, and living standards around the world. For a large part, owing to the well‐entrenched Western‐centric linear and siloed industrialization pattern, this positive transformation has also been associated with complex societal challenges at the nexus of agricultural, industrial, and health sectors. Efforts at cross‐sectoral policy coherence have been deployed with limited success. To go beyond what has been possible thus far, the whole‐of‐society (WoS) paradigm for human and economic development proposes a 21st century convergence where, instead of the rest (of the world) converging with the West, sectoral and cross‐sectoral efforts converge in their single and collective policy and action on a common target of human and economic development. In this paper, we first review and discuss contributions and limitations of policy coherence approaches. We then elaborate the institutional foundation of the WoS paradigm, taking as an anchor the well‐established model of polycentric governance that views individuals, and state, market, and community, forming society as part of the same complex adaptive system. Actors within such systems self‐organize into nested hierarchies that operate at multiple scales and move toward 21st century convergence of human and economic development.
Disparity in sexual behaviour between wild and mass‐reared Mexican fruit flies
Authors: Meza José S. , Arredondo José , Orozco Dina , Pérez‐Staples Diana
Published: August 2014

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is currently used to control Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae). However, mass‐rearing can alter the quality of released males. If males that are mass‐reared have behaviours different from those of their wild counterparts, then this may diminish the effectiveness of SIT. Questions remain as to whether wild females may be able to detect the male condition before, during and/or after copulation with a mass‐reared male. In the present study, copula duration, female remating, female fecundity and fertility of both mass‐reared and wild A. ludens are evaluated. Marked differences are found between mass‐reared and wild females. Specifically, mating latency is longer and copula duration is shorter for wild females compared with mass‐reared females. Importantly, there are no significant differences in mating latency, copula duration or remating probability between wild females paired with either mass‐reared or wild males. All mass‐reared females remate, whereas only approximately half of the wild females remate after first mating with either a wild or mass‐reared male. Fecundity of wild females mated to either wild or mass‐reared males is approximately one‐third lower than that of mass‐reared females, confirming that mass‐reared females may have been selected for high fecundity and are adapted to laboratory conditions. Fertility of females that mate with a wild male for only 10 min is not significantly different from that achieved via a full‐length copulation. By contrast, females mating with mass‐reared males need copulation durations of at least 40 min to achieve fertility comparable with that achieved via a full‐length copulation. The findings of the present study have important implications for A. ludens controlled through SIT and broaden our understanding on the copulatory and post‐copulatory behaviours between wild females and mass‐reared males.
Esophageal adenocarcinoma arising in cervical inlet patch with synchronous Barrett's esophagus‐related dysplasia
Authors: Tanaka Mariko , Ushiku Tetsuo , Ikemura Masako , Shibahara Junji , Seto Yasuyuki , Fukayama Masashi
Published: August 2014

Esophageal adenocarcinomas usually develop in Barrett's esophagus, typically through the metaplasia–dysplasia–carcinoma sequence, but adenocarcinomas can occur from heterotopic gastric mucosa in cervical esophagus (inlet patch). This report describes the first case of synchronous presentation of adenocarcinoma arising from cervical inlet patch and Barrett's esophagus‐related dysplasia in a 76‐year‐old man. Surveillance CT detected a 3‐cm polypoid mass in the cervical esophagus. Endoscopic biopsies confirmed a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the cervical esophagus. Barrett's esophagus was present also in the lower esophagus. Histologic examination of the surgically resected specimen revealed the polypoid mass as composed of tubular adenocarcinoma, and was associated with non‐neoplastic columnar mucosa representing pre‐existing inlet patch. Another isolated cervical inlet patch with intestinal metaplasia was also recognized. In the lower esophagus, high‐grade dysplasia was noted within the Barrett's esophagus. Immunohistochemically, the adenocarcinoma associated with inlet patch had intestinal immunophenotype (CDX2‐, CD10‐ and MUC2‐positive), whereas the Barrett's esophagus‐related high‐grade dysplasia showed mixed immunophenotype (MUC5AC‐ and MUC6‐positive, with scattered MUC2‐positive goblet cells). Previous studies and our findings suggest that intestinal metaplasia might predispose to the development of adenocarcinoma in the inlet patch. Therefore, endoscopists and pathologists should be aware of rare malignant transformation of inlet patches, especially those with intestinal metaplasia.
Expression of developing neural transcription factors in lung carcinoid tumors
Authors: Endo Tetsuya , Yazawa Takuya , Shishido‐Hara Yukiko , Fujiwara Masachika , Shimoyamada Hiroaki , Ishii Jun , Sato Hanako , Tachibana Keisei , Takei Hidefumi , Kondo Haruhiko , Goya Tomoyuki , Endo Shunsuke , Kamma Hiroshi
Published: August 2014

In lung tumors, the association between carcinoids and high‐grade neuroendocrine tumors (HGNETs) is controversial. To understand the phenotypic similarities/differences between lung carcinoids and HGNETs, we comparatively investigated the expression of three kinds of developing neural transcription factors (DNTFs: BRN2, TTF1 and ASCL1) and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) as well as RB1 and P53 using 18 carcinoids and 16 HGNETs. The DNTFs were expressed in 10 of the 18 carcinoids and in all the HGNETs, while normal neuroendocrine cells, which are considered the major cell origin of lung carcinoids and small cell carcinomas, did not express DNTFs. Both the DNTF‐ and DNTF+ carcinoids contained typical and atypical carcinoids. All the DNTF‐ carcinoids examined were formed in the bronchial wall. All the MEN1‐ carcinoids examined were classified into the DNTF‐ carcinoids, while all the HGNETs expressed MEN1. This finding suggests that DNTF‐ MEN1‐ carcinoids are unlikely to be precursors of HGNETs. Although the status of RB1 and P53 between carcinoids and HGNETs were apparently different, the DNTF+ carcinoids of two male patients and one female patient revealed morphologies resembling HGNET cells and relatively high Ki67 indices. Further investigation of DNTF expression in carcinoids might provide important clues to understand the association between carcinoids and HGNETs.
The impact of subjective memory complaints on quality of life in community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Maki Yohko , Yamaguchi Tomoharu , Yamagami Tetsuya , Murai Tatsuhiko , Hachisuka Kenji , Miyamae Fumiko , Ito Kae , Awata Shuichi , Ura Chiaki , Takahashi Ryutaro , Yamaguchi Haruyasu
Published: August 2014

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of memory complaints on quality of life (QOL) in elderly community dwellers with or without mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

Participants included 120 normal controls (NC) and 37 with MCI aged 65 and over. QOL was measured using the Japanese version of Satisfaction in Daily Life, and memory complaints were measured using a questionnaire consisting of four items. The relevance of QOL was evaluated with psychological factors of personality traits, sense of self‐efficacy, depressive mood, self‐evaluation of daily functioning, range of social activities (Life‐Space Assessment), social network size, and cognitive functions including memory. The predictors of QOL were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

QOL was not significantly different between the NC and MCI groups. In both groups, QOL was positively correlated with self‐efficacy, daily functioning, social network size, Life‐Space Assessment, and the personality traits of extraversion and agreeableness; QOL was negatively correlated with memory complaints, depressive mood, and the personality trait of neuroticism. In regression analysis, memory complaints were a negative predictor of QOL in the MCI group, but not in the NC group. The partial correlation coefficient between QOL and memory complaints was −0.623 (P < 0.05), after scores of depressive mood and self‐efficacy were controlled. Depressive mood was a common negative predictor in both groups. Positive predictors were Life‐Space Assessment in the NC group and sense of self‐efficacy in the MCI group.

Conclusions

Memory complaints exerted a negative impact on self‐rated QOL in the MCI group, whereas a negative correlation was weak in the NC group. Memory training has been widely practised in individuals with MCI to prevent the development of dementia. However, such approaches inevitably identify their memory deficits and could aggravate their awareness of memory decline. Thus, it is critical to give sufficient consideration not to reduce QOL in the intervention for those with MCI.
Spatial Extent Models for Natural Language Phrases Involving Directional Containment
Authors: Singh Gaurav , de By Rolf A.
Published: August 2014

We study the problem of assigning a spatial extent to a text phrase such as ‘central northernCalifornia’, with the objective of allowing spatial interpretations of natural language, and consistency testing of complex utterances that involve multiple phrases from which spatial extent can be derived. The work presented addresses alternative spatial extent assignations, and the evaluation of those alternatives to decide on the best performing ones. Three important classes of these phrases are identified and we call themfull direction phrases,half‐direction phrases, andextreme direction phrases, respectively. Examples of these are: ‘north‐westernCalifornia’, ‘central northernCalifornia’, and ‘extreme south‐easternCalifornia’. Such descriptions vaguely delineate a spatial extent, and we attempt to derive a region‐representation for them. Our approach is to identify a number of extent assignation parameters, which are used to derive a variety of spatial extent models, each of which we evaluate against a large gazetteer corpus. Three example assignation parameters used are: choice of center, choice of shape of central sector, and choice of shape of outer sectors. The corpus used for the evaluation is the two‐volumeOrnithologicalGazetteer ofBrazil (Paynter andTraylor 1991a, b). It allows us to compare the spatial extent assignations and derive recommendations for such assignations for future use.
Altered expression of Aurora kinases in Arabidopsis results in aneu‐ and polyploidization
Authors: Demidov Dmitri , Lermontova Inna , Weiss Oda , Fuchs Joerg , Rutten Twan , Kumke Katrin , Sharbel Timothy F. , Van Damme Daniel , De Storme Nico , Geelen Danny , Houben Andreas
Published: August 2014

Aurora is an evolutionary conserved protein kinase family involved in monitoring of chromosome segregation via phosphorylation of different substrates. In plants, however, the involvement of Aurora proteins in meiosis and in sensing microtubule attachment remains to be proven, although the downstream components leading to the targeting of spindle assembly checkpoint signals to anaphase‐promoting complex have been described. To analyze the three members of Aurora family (AtAurora1, ‐2, and ‐3) of Arabidopsis we employed different combinations of T‐DNA insertion mutants and/or RNAi transformants. Meiotic defects and the formation of unreduced pollen were revealed including plants with an increased ploidy level. The effect of reduced expression of Aurora was mimicked by application of the ATP‐competitive Aurora inhibitor II. In addition, strong overexpression of any member of the AtAurora family is not possible. Only tagged or truncated forms of Aurora kinases can be overexpressed. Expression of truncated AtAurora1 resulted in a high number of aneuploids in Arabidopsis, while expression of AtAurora1‐TAPi construct in tobacco resulted in 4C (possible tetraploid) progeny. In conclusion, our data demonstrate an essential role of Aurora kinases in the monitoring of meiosis in plants.
Mobilization characteristics and strategies to improve hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization and collection in patients with chronic granulomatous disease and severe combined immunodeficiency
Authors: Panch Sandhya R. , Yau Yu Ying , Kang Elizabeth M. , De Ravin Suk See , Malech Harry L. , Leitman Susan F.
Published: August 2014

Background

Granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF)‐mobilized autologous hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) may be collected by apheresis of patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) for use in gene therapy trials. CD34+ cell mobilization has not been well characterized in such patients.

Study Design and Methods

We retrospectively evaluated CD34+ cell mobilization and collection in 73 consecutive CGD and SCID patients and in 99 age‐, weight‐, and G‐CSF dose–matched healthy allogeneic controls.

Results

In subjects aged not more than 20 years, Day 5 preapheresis circulating CD34+ counts were significantly lower in CGD and SCID patients than in controls; mean peak CD34+ cell counts were 58 × 106, 64 × 106, and 87 × 106/L, respectively (p = 0.01). The SCIDs had lower CD34+ collection efficiency than CGDs and controls; mean efficiencies were 40, 63, and 57%, respectively (p = 0.003). In subjects aged more than 20 years, the CGDs had significantly lower CD34+ cell mobilization than controls; mean peak CD34+ cell counts were 41 × 106 and 113 × 106/L, respectively (p < 0.0001). In a multivariate analysis, lower erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at mobilization was significantly correlated with better CD34+ cell mobilization (p = 0.007). In SCIDs, CD34 collection efficiency was positively correlated with higher red blood cell (RBC) indices (mean RBC volume, R2 = 0.77; mean corpuscular hemoglobin [Hb], R2 = 0.94; mean corpuscular Hb concentration, R2 = 0.7; p < 0.007) but not Hb.

Conclusions

CGD and SCID populations are characterized by significantly less robust CD34+ HPC mobilization than healthy controls. The presence of active inflammation or infection as suggested by an elevated ESR may negatively impact mobilization. Among SCIDs, markedly reduced CD34 collection efficiencies were related to iron deficiency, wherein decreased RBC size and density may impair apheresis cell separation mechanics.
Humidity Effects on Experimental Compressor Performance—Corrected Conditions for Real Gases
Authors: Berdanier Reid A. , Smith Natalie R. , Fabian John C. , Key Nicole L.
Published: August 2014

The effects of humid air on the performance of a multistage research compressor and new methods of humidity accounting to ensure appropriate representation of performance parameters are investigated in this paper. Turbomachinery textbooks present methods of correcting speed and mass flow rate using perfect gas assumptions, but these methods can reduce the ability to achieve repeatable compressor performance when using unconditioned air in a climate where absolute humidity may vary. Instead, a new method is introduced, which models humid air as a real gas and circumvents the need for assumptions in the correction process. In the area of compressor research, the ability to measure small changes in performance parameters and ensure repeatable results is essential. Errors of more than 0.5% can result from using perfect gas assumptions to calculate corrected speed, which can lead to misrepresented performance parameters beyond the uncertainty of the measurements. Multiplicative correction factors based on analytical data are also introduced as an alternate method of applying the new real-gas method, and these correction factors are compared to those derived by previous authors applying ideal gas methods for humidity accounting. This is the first time in open literature that experimental results for a component of a gas turbine engine are presented comparing a humid air correction method with traditional correction methods.
Measurement of Laminar Burning Speeds and Investigation of Flame Stability of Acetylene (C2H2)/Air Mixtures
Authors: Rokni Emad , Moghaddas Ali , Askari Omid , Metghalchi Hameed
Published: August 2014

Laminar burning speeds and flame structures of spherically expanding flames of mixtures of acetylene (C2H2) with air have been investigated over a wide range of equivalence ratios, temperatures, and pressures. Experiments have been conducted in a constant volume cylindrical vessel with two large end windows. The vessel was installed in a shadowgraph system equipped with a high speed CMOS camera, capable of taking pictures up to 40,000 frames per second. Shadowgraphy was used to study flame structures and transition from smooth to cellular flames during flame propagation. Pressure measurements have been done using a pressure transducer during the combustion process. Laminar burning speeds were measured using a thermodynamic model employing the dynamic pressure rise during the flame propagation. Burning speeds were measured for temperature range of 300–590 K and pressure range of 0.5–3.3 atm, and the range of equivalence ratios covered from 0.6 to 2. The measured values of burning speeds compared well with existing data and extended for a wider range of temperatures. Burning speed measurements have only been reported for smooth and laminar flames.
A Comprehensive Investigation of Preswirled Flow Through Rotating Radial Holes
Authors: Riedmüller Daniel , Sousek Jan , Pfitzner Michael
Published: August 2014

This paper reports on the flow (centrifugal = radially outward, centripetal = radially inward) through rotating radial orifices with and without preswirl in the flow approaching the orifice in the outer annulus. The aerodynamical behavior of flow through radial rotating holes is different from the one through axial and stationary holes due to the presence of centrifugal and Coriolis forces. To investigate the flow phenomena and the discharge coefficient of these orifices in detail, an existing test rig containing two independently rotating shafts (corotating and counter rotating) was used. To simulate conditions of real gas turbines, where the flow is often influenced by upstream components, various preswirl angles were used in the test rig. Measurements of the flow discharge coefficient in both flow directions through the orifices (centripetal and centrifugal), with and without preswirl generation in the outer annulus, are presented at various flow conditions (pressure ratios across orifices, Mach numbers of approaching flow) and for different geometric parameters (length to diameter ratios, sharp/rounded inlet edges). Flow effects that occur with preswirled flow are clarified. A comparison of the experimental data, for both flow directions, shows a similar behavior of the discharge coefficients with increasing shaft speeds. To supplement the experimental data and to better understand the experimental findings, numerical simulations were performed, which show a good agreement with the experimental results. Furthermore, an optimization model with complete automatic grid generation, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, and postprocessing, was built to enable large parametric studies, e.g., grid independence of the solutions.
Low temperature atomic layer deposited ZnO photo thin film transistors
Authors: Oruc Feyza B. , Aygun Levent E. , Donmez Inci , Biyikli Necmi , Okyay Ali K. , Yu Hyun Yong
Published: August 2014

ZnO thin film transistors (TFTs) are fabricated on Si substrates using atomic layer deposition technique. The growth temperature of ZnO channel layers are selected as 80, 100, 120, 130, and 250 °C. Material characteristics of ZnO films are examined using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction methods. Stoichiometry analyses showed that the amount of both oxygen vacancies and interstitial zinc decrease with decreasing growth temperature. Electrical characteristics improve with decreasing growth temperature. Best results are obtained with ZnO channels deposited at 80 °C; Ion/Ioff ratio is extracted as 7.8 × 109 and subthreshold slope is extracted as 0.116 V/dec. Flexible ZnO TFT devices are also fabricated using films grown at 80 °C. ID–VGS characterization results showed that devices fabricated on different substrates (Si and polyethylene terephthalate) show similar electrical characteristics. Sub-bandgap photo sensing properties of ZnO based TFTs are investigated; it is shown that visible light absorption of ZnO based TFTs can be actively controlled by external gate bias.
Influence of Prior Knowledge of Exercise Duration on Pacing Strategies During Game-Based Activities
Authors: Gabbett Tim J. , Walker Ben , Walker Shane
Published: August 2014

Purpose:

To investigate the influence of prior knowledge of exercise duration on the pacing strategies employed during gamebased activities.

Methods:

Twelve semiprofessional team-sport athletes (mean ± SD age 22.8 ± 2.1 y) participated in this study. Players performed 3 small-sided games in random order. In one condition (Control), players were informed that they would play the small-sided game for 12 min and then completed the 12-min game. In a 2nd condition (Deception), players were told that they would play the small-sided game for 6 minutes, but after completing the 6-min game, they were asked to complete another 6 min. In a 3rd condition (Unknown), players were not told how long they would be required to play the small-sided game, but the activity was terminated after 12 min. Movement was recorded using a GPS unit sampling at 10 Hz. Post hoc inspection of video footage was undertaken to count the number of possessions and the number and quality of disposals.

Results:

Higher initial intensities were observed in the Deception (130.6 ± 3.3 m/min) and Unknown (129.3 ± 2.4 m/min) conditions than the Control condition (123.3 ± 3.4 m/min). Greater amounts of high-speed running occurred during the initial phases of the Deception condition, and more low-speed activity occurred during the Unknown condition. A moderately greater number of total skill involvements occurred in the Unknown condition than the Control condition.

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that during game-based activities, players alter their pacing strategy based on the anticipated endpoint of the exercise bout.
Reverse-engineering censorship in China: Randomized experimentation and participant observation
Authors: King Gary , Pan Jennifer , Roberts Margaret E.
Published: August 2014

Censorship of social media in China

Figuring out how many and which social media comments are censored by governments is difficult because those comments, by definition, cannot be read. King
et al.
have posted comments to social media sites in China and then waited to see which of these never appeared, which appeared and were then removed, and which appeared and survived. About 40% of their submissions were reviewed by an army of censors, and more than half of these never appeared. By varying the content of posts across topics, they conclude that any mention of collective action is selectively suppressed.

Science
, this issue
10.1126/science.1251722
Facet development during platinum nanocube growth
Authors: Liao Hong-Gang , Zherebetskyy Danylo , Xin Huolin , Czarnik Cory , Ercius Peter , Elmlund Hans , Pan Ming , Wang Lin-Wang , Zheng Haimei
Published: August 2014

Watching platinum nanocube growth

Size and shape drive the properties of metal nanoparticles. Understanding the factors that affect their growth is central to making use of the particles in a range of applications. Liao
et al.
tracked the growth of platinum nanoparticle shapes at high resolution using state-of-the-art liquid cells for in situ monitoring inside an electron microscope. The authors tracked changes in the growth rates at different crystal facets caused by differences in the mobility of the capping ligand.

Science
, this issue p.
916
A swan in the making
Authors: Gardner Timothy
Published: August 2014

Reproducibility is the ugly duckling of science. It provokes distress, denial, and passionate calls for action. With $1.5 trillion spent globally each year on R&D,
*
the idea that 80% of it is irreproducible
†
can cause downright dread. It threatens the foundations and credibility of the scientific enterprise. But look past the surface, and reproducibility may well be a swan in the making.
Study exposes Chinese censors' deepest fears
Authors: Hvistendahl Mara
Published: August 2014

The power of the masses proves most unnerving.
Comparison of Five Chromogenic Media for Recovery of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci from Fecal Samples
Authors: Suwantarat Nuntra , Roberts Ava , Prestridge Jamie , Seeley Renee , Speser Sharon , Harmon Christopher , Zhang Chi , Henciak Susan , Stamper Paul D. , Ross Tracy , Carroll Karen C.
Published: August 2014

Five chromogenic agars, evaluated using 400 stool specimens, were found to be superior in sensitivity (range, 89.9 to 93.9%) to bile esculin azide agar with vancomycin (BEAV) agar (84.8%) for detecting vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and the results were available 24 to 48 h sooner. The time to detection, need for supplemental testing, color distinction, and breakthrough of non-VRE organisms vary among the chromogenic media tested and may factor into the decision to use a particular medium.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Changes over Time and across Facilities of Serial Colonizing and Infecting Escherichia coli Isolates Recovered from Injured Service Members
Authors: Mende Katrin , Beckius Miriam L. , Zera Wendy C. , Yu Xin , Cheatle Kristelle A. , Aggarwal Deepak , Li Ping , Lloyd Bradley A. , Tribble David R. , Weintrob Amy C. , Murray Clinton K.
Published: August 2014

Escherichia coli
is the most common colonizing and infecting organism isolated from U.S. service members injured during deployment. Our objective was to evaluate the phenotypic and genotypic changes of infecting and colonizing
E. coli
organisms over time and across facilities to better understand their transmission patterns.
E. coli
isolates were collected via surveillance cultures and infection workups from U.S. military personnel injured during deployment (June 2009 to May 2011). The isolates underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and multiplex PCR for phylotyping to determine their resistance profiles and clonality. A total of 343 colonizing and 136 infecting
E. coli
isolates were analyzed, of which 197 (57%) and 109 (80%) isolates, respectively, produced extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL). Phylogroup A was predominant among both colonizing (38%) and infecting isolates (43%). Although 188 unique pulsed-field types (PFTs) were identified from the colonizing isolates, and 54 PFTs were identified from the infecting isolates, there was a lack of PFT overlap between study years, combat zones, and military treatment facilities. On a per-subject basis, 26% and 32% of the patients with serial colonizing isolates and 10% and 21% with serial infecting isolates acquired changes in their phylogroup and PFT profiles, respectively, over time. The production of ESBL remained high over time and across facilities, with no substantial changes in antimicrobial susceptibilities. Overall, our results demonstrated an array of genotypic and phenotypic differences for the isolates without large clonal clusters; however, the same PFTs were occasionally observed in the colonizing and infecting isolates, suggesting that the source of infections may be endogenous host organisms.
Major Intercontinentally Distributed Sequence Types of Kingella kingae and Development of a Rapid Molecular Typing Tool
Authors: Basmaci Romain , Bidet Philippe , Yagupsky Pablo , Muñoz-Almagro Carmen , Balashova Nataliya V. , Doit Catherine , Bonacorsi Stéphane
Published: August 2014

Although
Kingella kingae
is the most common etiology of osteoarticular infections in young children, is a frequent cause of bacteremia in those younger than 4 years, and has been involved in clusters of invasive infections among daycare center attendees, the population structure of the species has not been systematically studied. Using multilocus sequence typing, we investigated the genetic diversity of the largest intercontinental collection of
K. kingae
strains to date. To facilitate typing of bacterial isolates, we developed a novel genotyping tool that targets the DNA uptake sequence (DUS). Among 324 strains isolated from asymptomatic carriers and patients from Israel, Europe, North America, and Australia with various invasive forms of the disease from 1960 to 2013, we identified 64 sequence types (STs) and 12 ST complexes (STcs). Five predominant STcs, comprising 72.2% of all strains, were distributed intercontinentally. ST-6 was the most frequent, showing a worldwide distribution, and appeared genotypically isolated by exhibiting few neighboring STs, suggesting an optimal fitness. ST-14 and ST-23 appeared to be the oldest groups of bacteria, while ST-25 probably emerged more recently from the highly evolutive ST-23. Using the DUS typing method, randomly chosen isolates were correctly classified to one of the major STcs. The comprehensive description of
K. kingae
evolution would help to detect new emerging clones and decipher virulence and fitness mechanisms. The rapid and reproducible DUS typing method may serve in the initial investigation of
K. kingae
outbreaks.
Highly Sensitive Detection of Small Ruminant Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy within Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Mixes by Serial Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification
Authors: Gough Kevin C. , Bishop Keith , Maddison Ben C.
Published: August 2014

It is assumed that sheep and goats consumed the same bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)-contaminated meat and bone meal that was fed to cattle and precipitated the BSE epidemic in the United Kingdom that peaked more than 20 years ago. Despite intensive surveillance for cases of BSE within the small ruminant populations of the United Kingdom and European Union, no instances of BSE have been detected in sheep, and in only two instances has BSE been discovered in goats. If BSE is present within the small ruminant populations, it may be at subclinical levels, may manifest as scrapie, or may be masked by coinfection with scrapie. To determine whether BSE is potentially circulating at low levels within the European small ruminant populations, highly sensitive assays that can specifically detect BSE, even within the presence of scrapie prion protein, are required. Here, we present a novel assay based on the specific amplification of BSE PrP
Sc
using the serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification assay (sPMCA), which specifically amplified small amounts of ovine and caprine BSE agent which had been mixed into a range of scrapie-positive brain homogenates. We detected the BSE prion protein within a large excess of classical, atypical, and CH1641 scrapie isolates. In a blind trial, this sPMCA-based assay specifically amplified BSE PrP
Sc
within brain mixes with 100% specificity and 97% sensitivity when BSE agent was diluted into scrapie-infected brain homogenates at 1% (vol/vol).
Molecular Typing of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Isolates from Swedish Cattle and Human Cases: Population Dynamics and Virulence
Authors: Söderlund R. , Jernberg C. , Ivarsson S. , Hedenström I. , Eriksson E. , Bongcam-Rudloff E. , Aspán A.
Published: August 2014

While all verotoxin-producing
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 bacteria are considered potential pathogens, their genetic subtypes appear to differ in their levels of virulence. The aim of this study was to compare the distribution of subtypes of
E. coli
O157:H7 in the cattle reservoir and in human cases with and without severe complications in order to gain clues about the relationship between subtype and relative virulence. A lineage-specific polymorphism assay (LSPA-6), multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA), and a novel real-time PCR assay to identify clade 8 were applied to a large and representative set of isolates from cattle from 1996 to 2009 (
n
= 381) and human cases from 2008 to 2011 (
n
= 197) in Sweden. Draft genome sequences were produced for four selected isolates. The
E. coli
O157:H7 isolates in Swedish cattle generally belonged to four groups with the LSPA-6 profiles 211111 (clade 8/non-clade 8), 213111, and 223323. The subtype composition of the cattle isolates changed dramatically during the study period with the introduction and rapid spread of the low-virulence 223323 subtype. The human cases presumed to have been infected within the country predominantly carried isolates with the profiles 211111 (clade 8) and 213111. Cases progressing to hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) were mostly caused by clade 8, with MLVA profiles consistent with Swedish cattle as the source. In contrast, infections contracted abroad were caused by diverse subtypes, some of which were associated with a particular region. The work presented here confirms the high risk posed by the clade 8 variant of
E. coli
O157:H7. It also highlights the dynamic nature of the
E. coli
O157:H7 subtype composition in animal reservoirs and the importance of this composition for the human burden of disease.
Limited Utility of Dried-Blood- and Plasma Spot-Based Screening for Antiretroviral Treatment Failure with Cobas Ampliprep/TaqMan HIV-1 Version 2.0
Authors: Sawadogo Souleymane , Shiningavamwe Andreas , Chang Joy , Maher Andrew D. , Zhang Guoqing , Yang Chunfu , Gaeb Esegiel , Kaura Harold , Ellenberger Dennis , Lowrance David W.
Published: August 2014

The 2013 WHO antiretroviral therapy (ART) guidelines recommend dried blood spots (DBS) as an alternative specimen type for viral load (VL) monitoring. We assessed the programmatic utility of screening for antiretroviral (ARV) treatment failure (TF) at 5,000 and 1,000 copies/ml using DBS and dried plasma spots (DPS) with a commonly used VL assay, the Roche Cobas Ampliprep/Cobas TaqMan V.2.0 (CAP/CTM). Plasma, DBS, and DPS were prepared from 839 whole-blood specimens collected from patients on ART for ≥6 months at three public facilities in Namibia. Using the CAP/CTM test, VL were measured in plasma, DBS, and DPS, and the results were compared using the plasma VL as the reference standard. The clinical sensitivities, specificities, and positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of DBS at ARV TF diagnostic thresholds of 5,000 copies/ml and 1,000 copies/ml were 0.99, 0.55, 0.33, and 0.99 and 0.99, 0.26, 0.29, and 0.99, respectively, and for DPS at TF diagnostic thresholds of 5,000 copies/ml and 1,000 copies/ml, they were 0.88, 0.98, 0.92, and 0.97 and 0.91, 0.96, 0.89, and 0.97, respectively. The prevalences of TF were overestimated in DBS by 33% and 57% at these two thresholds, respectively. A high rate of false-positive results would occur if the CAP/CTM with DBS were to be used to screen for ARV TF. WHO recommendations for DBS-based VL monitoring should be specific to the VL assay version and type. Despite the better performance of DPS, the programmatic utility for TF screening may be limited by requirements for processing the whole blood at the collection site.
Development and Validation of a Sensitive and Specific
sodB
-Based Quantitative PCR Assay for Molecular Detection of Ehrlichia Species
Authors: Qurollo Barbara A. , Riggins Dana , Comyn Alaire , Zewde Merone T. , Breitschwerdt Edward B.
Published: August 2014

We developed a sensitive and specific
sodB
-based quantitative PCR assay to detect
Ehrlichia
spp. The assay's limit of detection was 5 copies/reaction, and it did not amplify nonspecific DNA. Compared with a 16S rRNA gene PCR target, the
sodB
target may offer an improved molecular diagnostic assay to detect
Ehrlichia
spp.
Organization of Capsid-Associated Tegument Components in Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus
Authors: Dai Xinghong , Gong Danyang , Wu Ting-Ting , Sun Ren , Zhou Z. Hong
Published: August 2014

Capsid-associated tegument proteins have been identified in alpha- and betaherpesviruses to play an essential role in viral DNA packaging. Whether and how such tegument proteins exist in gammaherpesviruses have been mysteries. Here, we report a 6-Å-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) virion, a member of the oncogenic gammaherpesvirus subfamily. The KSHV virion structure reveals, for the first time, how capsid-associated tegument proteins are organized in a gammaherpesvirus, with five tegument densities capping each penton vertex, a pattern highly similar to that in alphaherpesvirus but completely different from that in betaherpesvirus. Each KSHV tegument density can be divided into three prominent regions: a penton-binding globular region, a helix-bundle stalk region, and a β-sheet-rich triplex-binding region. Fitting of the crystal structure of the truncated HSV-1 UL25 protein (the KSHV ORF19 homolog) and secondary structure analysis of the full-length ORF19 established that ORF19 constitutes the globular region with an N-terminal, 60-amino-acid-long helix extending into the stalk region. Matching secondary structural features resolved in the cryo-EM density with secondary structures predicted by sequence analysis identifies the triplex-binding region to be ORF32, a homolog of alphaherpesvirus UL17. Despite the high level of tegument structural similarities between KSHV and alphaherpesvirus, an ORF19 monomer in KSHV, in contrast to a UL25 dimer in alphaherpesviruses, binds each penton subunit, an observation that correlates with conformational differences in their pentons. This newly discovered organization of triplex-ORF32-ORF19 also resolves a long-standing mystery surrounding the virion location and conformation of alphaherpesvirus UL25 protein.

IMPORTANCE
Several capsid-associated tegument proteins have been identified in the alpha- and betaherpesvirus subfamilies of the
Herpesviridae
. These tegument proteins play essential roles in viral propagation and are potential drug targets for curbing herpesvirus infections. However, no such tegument proteins have been identified for gammaherpesviruses, the third herpesvirus subfamily, which contains members causing several human cancers. Here, by high-resolution cryo-EM, we show the three-dimensional structure of the capsid-associated tegument proteins in the prototypical member of gammaherpesviruses, KSHV. The cryo-EM structure reveals that the organization of KSHV capsid-associated tegument proteins is highly similar to that in alphaherpesvirus but completely different from that in betaherpesvirus. Structural analyses further localize ORF19 and ORF32 proteins (the alphaherpesvirus UL25 and UL17 homologs in KSHV, respectively) in the KSHV capsid-associated tegument cryo-EM structure. These findings also resolve a long-standing mystery regarding the location and conformation of alphaherpesvirus UL25 protein inside the virion.