bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitroandin vivoeffects of hesperidin treatment on adult worms ofSchistosoma mansoni
Authors: Allam G. , Abuelsaad A.S.A.
Published: May 2013

Hesperidin has been reported to exert a wide range of pharmacological effects, including antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic activities. Herein, the schistosomicidal activity of this compound was evaluatedin vitroandin vivo. Using anin vitroassay, a concentration of 200 μg/ml of hesperidin resulted in the mortality of 100% adult worms ofSchistosoma(S.)mansoniwithin 72 h and a partial tegumental alteration in 10% of worms. However, after 144 h incubation, 50 and 100 μg/ml concentrations showed 0% and 10% mortality in adult worms, respectively, without any changes to the tegument. Sublethal doses did not influence egg output nor the development of eggs deposited by pairs of adult worms. In anin vivostudy, mice infected withS. mansoniand treated with 600 mg hesperidin/kg body weight showed a respective reduction of 50, 45.2, 50 and 47.5% of males, females, worm pairs and total worm burden. In addition, a respective reduction, based on the number of eggs/g tissue, of 41.5, 63.7 and 58.6% was observed in the liver, intestine and liver/intestinal tissue combined. Furthermore,S. mansoni-specific IgG level significantly increased with hesperidin treatment, whereas IgA and IgE levels were not significantly changed. IgM levels decreased in response to cercarial antigen preparation but were not altered in response to soluble worm or soluble egg antigen. As in hesperidin-treated mice, praziquantel-treated mice showed a similar pattern of specific antibody response toS. mansoniantigens. The present study represents the first report on the effects of the schistosomicidal activity of hesperidin.
Acquired cholesteatoma: summary of the cascade of molecular events
Authors: Louw L
Published: May 2013

Background:

Cholesteatoma is considered a benign, gradually expanding and destructive epithelial lesion of the temporal bone. The pathogenesis of different classifications of cholesteatoma is marked by similar underlying cellular and molecular processes. Stepwise explanations of the histopathogenesis have been described previously. The current paper focuses on expounding the molecular events of cholesteatoma.

Method and results:

Cholesteatoma pathogenesis encompasses a complex network of signalling pathways during: epidermal hyperplasia, perimatrix–matrix interactions and mucosal disease. This paper presents a review of the molecular events driven by inflammatory mediators and enzymes during: cholesteatoma growth (cell proliferation and apoptosis); maintenance and deterioration (angiogenesis and hypoxia, oxidative stress and toxicity); and complications (bone erosion and hearing loss). The cascade of molecular events applicable to atelectasis and cholesteatoma that coexist with chronic otitis media and bone erosion as sequelae is summarised.

Conclusion:

The role of lipids in this disease is relatively unexplored, but there is evidence in support of fatty acid role-players that needs confirmation. Future directions in lipid research to delineate molecular mechanisms are proposed.
Residual tumour after vestibular schwannoma surgery
Authors: Hahn C H , Stangerup S E , Caye-Thomasen P
Published: May 2013

Objective:

To evaluate residual tumour occurrence after vestibular schwannoma surgery, based on intra-operative registration and magnetic resonance imaging one year post-operatively.

Methods:

Patients undergoing translabyrinthine surgery for vestibular schwannoma in Denmark between 1976 and 2008 were registered in a national database covering 5.5 million inhabitants.

Results:

Translabyrinthine surgery was undertaken on 1143 patients. Of these, 978 had total, 140 near-total and 25 subtotal tumour excision, as assessed intra-operatively by the surgeon. One year after surgery, 65 per cent of small tumour remnants and 11 per cent of large tumour remnants were not visible on magnetic resonance imaging. The mean pre-operative size was significantly smaller for totally excised tumours, compared with near-totally and subtotally excised tumours. Revision surgery was performed for 14 patients (1.2 per cent), of whom 2 had received total, 5 near-total and 6 subtotal excisions initially.

Conclusion:

Most residual tumours disappear spontaneously, probably due to devascularisation. Few patients with a small residual vestibular schwannoma will require revision surgery or secondary radiotherapy.
A rare case of Dirofilaria repens infection
Authors: Chan C C , Kermanshahi M S , Mathew B , England R J
Published: May 2013

Objective:

This paper reports a case of Dirofilaria repens infection in a patient who presented with an anterolateral neck swelling. Dirofilaria repens infection of the neck region is rare even in countries where dirofilarial infestation is endemic. The diagnosis is made by identifying the worm in surgical or pathological specimens.

Case report:

A 47-year-old man presented with an 8-week history of non-tender, right-sided, lower anterolateral neck swelling and weight loss. An ultrasound scan showed a cystic lesion containing a living worm. The cyst was excised and the patient showed full recovery at follow up.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, there has been no previous report of an anterolateral neck swelling secondary to Dirofilaria repens infection in Europe. Our case is unusual because of the rarity of Dirofilaria repens presenting as a neck swelling.
Non-thermal renormalization shielding on the electron–atom collision in partially ionized generalized Lorentzian non-thermal plasmas
Authors: JUNG YOUNG-DAE , HONG WOO-PYO
Published: May 2013

The non-thermal renormalization shielding effects on the elastic electron–atom collision process are investigated in partially ionized generalized Lorentzian non-thermal plasmas. The eikonal analysis for the Hamilton–Jacobi solution and impact parameter method are employed to obtain the eikonal scattering phase shift and eikonal cross section as functions of the collision energy, Debye length, impact parameter, and spectral index of the Lorentzian plasma. It is found that the non-thermal renormalization shielding effect enhances the eikonal scattering phase shift as well as the eikonal collision cross section, especially for small impact parameter domains. It is also found that the non-thermal renormalization shielding effect on the eikonal scattering phase shift decreases with an increase of the impact parameter. In addition, it is found that the maximum position of the eikonal collision cross section has receded from the collision center with an increase of the non-thermal character of the plasma.
Research on the compression properties of FC-3283 and FC-770 for generating pulse of hundreds picoseconds
Authors: Hasi W.L.J. , Wang X.Y. , Cheng S.X. , Zhong Z.M. , Qiao Z. , Zheng Z.X. , Lin D.Y. , He W.M. , Lu Z.W.
Published: May 2013

This paper gives out two kinds of novel well-behaved stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) mediums, FC-3283 and FC-770. Numerical calculation and experimental measurements show these two mediums both having lower absorption, higher optical loads and short phonon lifetime, which making them good candidate mediums for high-energy high-power SBS. Using them as the mediums in the compacted two-cell SBS phase-conjugation mirror, it is easily to generate ultrashort phased-conjugated Stokes pulses just with hundreds picoseconds. When the incident light energy is beyond 200 mJ, the pulse width of 8 ns can be compressed to 200 ps or less in both mediums. Especially, the FC-770 is very suitable to be chosen for generating the SBS picosecond pulses with the narrowest compression pulse width of 109 ps and the highest energy reflectivity of 80%.
Usability of the GPS Precise Point Positioning Technique in Marine Applications
Authors: Alkan R.M. , Öcalan T.
Published: May 2013

This study investigates the accuracy of an online Precise Point Positioning (PPP) service operated by the Geodetic Survey Division of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Canadian Spatial Reference System (CSRS)-PPP, by using single/dual-frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) data collected by dual-frequency geodetic-grade and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) board type single-frequency GPS receivers. In this work, a kinematic test was carried out in Halic Bay (Golden Horn), Istanbul, Turkey, to assess the performance of the PPP method in a dynamic environment. Based on this study, it can be concluded that the coordinates estimated from the online CSRS-PPP service have a potential of about metre-level accuracy by processing single frequency data collected by an OEM receiver and about a decimetre to a few centimetres level accuracy by processing dual frequency data collected by a geodetic-grade receiver. In general, results show that the PPP technique has become a significant alternative to the conventional relative (differential) positioning techniques (i.e., Differential GPS (DGPS), Real-time Kinematic (RTK)). The technique does not suffer from the drawbacks of the DGPS technique and has potential to provide the same position accuracy without the requirement for a reference station. Consequently, it has been concluded that the PPP technique may be effectively used in marine applications due to its ease of use and provision of high accuracy, as well as being able to offer reduced field operational costs.
Dysnomia, a computer program for maximum-entropy method (MEM) analysis and its performance in the MEM-based pattern fitting
Authors: Momma Koichi , Ikeda Takuji , Belik Alexei A. , Izumi Fujio
Published: May 2013

A computer program, Dysnomia, for the maximum-entropy method (MEM) has been tested for the evaluation and advancement of MEM-based pattern fitting (MPF). Dysnomia is a successor to PRIMA, which was the only program integrated with RIETAN-FP for MPF. Two types of MEM algorithms, i.e., 0th-order single-pixel approximation and a variant of the Cambridge algorithm, were implemented in Dysnomia in combination with a linear combination of the “generalizedFconstraints” and arbitrary weighting factors for them. Dysnomia excels PRIMA in computation speed, memory efficiency, and scalability owing to parallel processing and automatic switching of discrete Fourier transform and fast Fourier transform depending on sizes of grids and observed reflections. These features of Dysnomia were evaluated for MPF analyses from X-ray powder diffraction data of three different types of compounds: taurine, Cu2CO3(OH)2(malachite), and Sr9In(PO4)7. Reliability indices in MPF analyses proved to have been improved by using multipleFconstraints and weighting factors based on lattice-plane spacings,d, in comparison with those obtained with PRIMA.
Surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from urine samples collected from community patients in a large metropolitan area, 2010–2012
Authors: HORNER C. S. , ABBERLEY N. , DENTON M. , WILCOX M. H.
Published: May 2013

Antibiotic susceptibilities of large cohorts of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from urine collected in the community are scarce. We report the susceptibilities of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from urine of non-selected community populations in a metropolitan area (Leeds and Bradford, UK) over 2 years. Isolates (n = 6614) were identified as follows: Escherichia coli (n = 5436), Klebsiella spp. (n = 525), Proteus mirabilis (n = 305), and 15 other species (n = 290); 58 isolates were unidentified. Ampicillin resistance was observed in 53% E. coli and 28% P. mirabilis; ⩾34% E. coli and P. mirabilis were non-susceptible to trimethoprim compared to 20% Klebsiella spp.; nitrofurantoin resistance was observed in 3% E. coli and 15% Klebsiella spp. The occurrence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) was low (6%), as was non-susceptibility to carbapenems, cefipime and tigecycline (<2%). Further surveillance is required to monitor this level of resistance and additional clinical studies are needed to understand the impact on the outcome of current empirical prescribing decisions.
Books before Chocolate? The Insufficiency of Mill's Evidence for Higher Pleasures
Authors: SCHAUPP KRISTIN
Published: May 2013

Recent attempts to defend Mill's account of higher and lower pleasures have overlooked a critical flaw in Mill's argument. Mill considers the question of pleasure and preference as an empirical one, but the evidence he appeals to is inconclusive. Yet, this distinction plays an essential role in Mill's utilitarianism because Mill uses this evidence to support his argument that most people actually prefer pleasures resulting from higher faculties over pleasures resulting from lower faculties. If this proves to be insufficient, then Mill's claim that these pleasures are clearly of a higher quality than others is left unsubstantiated. This article highlights the problematic nature of Mill's evidence, thereby exposing a significant problem for his, and for any utilitarian system which assumes Mill's distinction without providing additional argumentation for it.
Characterization of spectral and geochemical variability within the Ferrar Dolerite of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: weathering, alteration, and magmatic processes
Authors: Salvatore M.R. , Mustard J.F. , Head J.W. , Marchant D.R. , Wyatt M.B.
Published: May 2013

Orbital spectroscopy and laboratory analyses are utilized to identify major geochemical variations throughout the Ferrar Dolerite exposed in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) of Antarctica. Our laboratory results highlight the range of primary and secondary chemical and spectral variations observed throughout the dolerite, and provide the necessary calibration for detailed orbital investigations. Pure dolerite units are identified and analysed throughout the MDV using Advanced Land Imager (ALI) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) orbital datasets. In conjunction with our laboratory analyses, orbital analyses indicate that the dolerite sills are dominated by MgO concentrations of c. 6–7 wt% except where influenced by orthopyroxene-laden magmatic injections, where MgO concentrations can reach as high as 32.5 wt%. ASTER analyses also indicate that spectrally significant alteration is limited primarily to surfaces dominated by fine-grained dolerites, which form and preserve well developed alteration rinds due to their resistance to physical erosion. The archetype of these secondary signatures is Beacon Valley, where a combination of cold, dry, and stable environmental conditions and the presence of fine-grained dolerites results in strong alteration signatures. This work provides unprecedented spatial coverage of meso- and macro-scale geochemical features that, until now, have only been identified in field and laboratory investigations.
Moments of induced spawning and embryonic development of Brycon amazonicus (Teleostei, Characidae)
Authors: Nakaghi Laura Satiko Okada , Neumann Erika , Faustino Francine , Mendes José Mário Ribeiro , de Braga Francisco Manoel
Published: May 2013

Based on the economic and ecological relevance of Brycon amazonicus, the goal of this work was to describe the diameter of oocytes and eggs of this species, as well as the chronological embryonic development. The material was provided by Buriti fish farm, Nova Mutum – MT, Brazil. Samples of both oocytes and eggs were obtained from extrusion to hatching. The material was fixed and measured under stereomicroscope, and the samples were divided for light microscopy or scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. At extrusion, the oocytes were bluish green. The frequency distribution of oocytes revealed that 87.7% of them ranged from 1.11–1.30 mm in diameter. During incubation, the total diameter of the eggs increased from 1.22 ± 0.04 mm to 3.06 ± 0.46 mm in the first 60 min post fertilization (PF), and growth ceased at 180 min PF. Between 10–30 s PF, most eggs were fertilized and fertilization cones were observed from 10 s onwards after gamete activation. The main fertilization events took place asynchronically and spermatozoa were visualized in the micropyle vestibule up to 90 s PF. The first cell was formed in the centre of the blastodisc 20 min PF. The morula stage was identified 2 h PF and, 3 h later, 70% of the yolk was covered by the blastoderm; the blastopore was almost entirely closed at 6 h PF. The cephalic and caudal regions of the embryo could be defined 8 h PF and hatching occurred after 13 h of embryonic development. The larvae hatched with undifferentiated organic systems and with a large yolk sac, free from swimming abilities or visual acuity.
Centrifugation on Percoll density gradient enhances motility, membrane integrity andin vitrofertilizing ability of frozen–thawed boar sperm
Authors: Noguchi Michiko , Yoshioka Koji , Hikono Hirokazu , Iwagami Gentaro , Suzuki Chie , Kikuchi Kazuhiro
Published: May 2013

The effects of Percoll density gradient centrifugation on sperm quality,in vitrofertilizability and developmental capacity of frozen–thawed boar sperm were evaluated. Two-step density gradient centrifugation by Percoll enhanced significantly the motility parameters of sperm compared with a simple centrifugation procedure. Percentages of motile sperm and sperm with intact plasma and acrosome membranes after Percoll separation were significantly greater than those after simple centrifugation. The rates of penetration, cleavage and blastocyst formation afterin vitrofertilization were significantly improved by Percoll separation compared with simple centrifugation and were influenced positively by the intactness of sperm head membranes, but not any sperm motility parameters. However, insemination with increased concentrations of sperm prepared by Percoll gradient centrifugation did not improve the success of fertilization and embryo developmentin vitro. Our results indicate that the integrity of sperm head membranes after Percoll separation is important for successful embryo developmentin vitro, more so than sperm motility.
Injuries and Fatalities among Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics in the United States
Authors: Maguire Brian J. , Smith Sean
Published: May 2013

Introduction

Emergency medical services personnel treat 22 million patients a year, yet little is known of their risk of injury and fatality.

Problem

Work-related injury and fatality rates among US paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are higher than the national average for all occupations.

Methods

Data collected by the Department of Labor (DOL) Bureau of Labor Statistics were reviewed to identify injuries and fatalities among EMTs and paramedics from 2003 through 2007. The characteristics of fatal injuries are described and the rates and relative risks of the non-fatal injuries were calculated and compared to the national average.

Results

Of the 21,749 reported cases, 21,690 involved non-fatal injuries or illnesses that resulted in lost work days among EMTs and paramedics within the private sector. Of the injuries, 3,710 (17%) resulted in ≥31 days of lost work time. A total of 14,470 cases (67%) involved sprains or strains; back injury was reported in 9,290 of the cases (43%); and the patient was listed as the source of injury in 7,960 (37%) cases. The most common events were overexertion (12,146, 56%), falls (2,169, 10%), and transportation-related (1,940, 9%). A total of 530 assaults were reported during the study period. Forty-five percent of the cases occurred among females (females accounted for 27% of employment in this occupation during 2007). In 2007, EMTs and paramedics suffered 349.9 injuries with days away from work per 10,000 full-time workers, compared to an average of 122.2 for all private industry occupations (Relative risk = 2.9; 95% CI: 2.7–3.0). During the study period, 59 fatalities occurred among EMTs and paramedics in both the private industry and in the public sector. Of those fatalities, 51 (86%) were transportation-related and five (8%) were assaults; 33 (56%) were classified as “multiple traumatic injuries.”

Conclusions

Data from the DOL show that EMTs and paramedics have a rate of injury that is about three times the national average for all occupations. The vast majority of fatalities are secondary to transportation related-incidents. Assaults are also identified as a significant cause of fatality. The findings also indicate that females in this occupational group may have a disproportionately larger number of injuries. Support is recommended for further research related to causal factors and for the development, evaluation and promulgation of evidence-based interventions to mitigate this problem.

MaguireBJ,SmithS.Injuries and fatalities among emergency medical technicians and paramedics in the United States.Prehosp Disaster Med.2013;28(4):1-7.
Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and symptoms of respiratory tract infection in a Norwegian population: the Tromsø Study
Authors: Robertsen Steinar , Grimnes Guri , Melbye Hasse
Published: May 2013

Objective

Previous studies have suggested anti-infection effects of vitamin D, although the associations reported between vitamin D (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration) and respiratory tract infection (RTI) are conflicting. The main aim of the present study was to explore this association in a Norwegian population.

Design

We examined the association between serum 25(OH)D and recent RTI symptoms in 6350 middle-aged and elderly participants in the Tromsø Study 6. The main outcome measurement was self-reported RTI symptoms in the previous week.

Setting

Tromsø, Norway, 69°N.

Subjects

Six thousand three hundred and fifty middle-aged and elderly residents of Tromsø.

Results

Of the 6350 included, 791 (12·5 %) reported RTI symptoms in the previous week. We classified serum 25(OH)D concentrations into quartiles and adjusted the data for current smoking habit and month of attendance. The prevalence of RTI symptoms did not increase with decreasing serum 25(OH)D level, was highest in quartile 3 (15·0 %) followed by quartile 4 (12·4 %), and was lowest in quartiles 1 and 2 (11·1 % and 11·4 %). There was no trend for increasing duration of illness with decreasing serum 25(OH)D. The prevalence of RTI symptoms was not significantly associated with the intake of fish, n-3 capsules or vitamin and/or mineral supplements, or sun exposure. Only use of cod-liver oil or fish oil capsules daily or sometimes was significantly associated with fewer RTI symptoms during the preceding 7 d (P = 0·04).

Conclusions

Low serum 25(OH)D was not associated with increased prevalence of recent RTI symptoms. Our findings do not support the idea that vitamin D supplementation can reduce the incidence of RTI in Norway.
Sociodemographic determinants of diet quality of the EU elderly: a comparative analysis in four countries
Authors: Irz Xavier , Fratiglioni Laura , Kuosmanen Nataliya , Mazzocchi Mario , Modugno Lucia , Nocella Giuseppe , Shakersain Behnaz , Traill W Bruce , Xu Weili , Zanello Giacomo
Published: May 2013

Objective

To investigate the sociodemographic determinants of diet quality of the elderly in four EU countries.

Design

Cross-sectional study. For each country, a regression was performed of a multidimensional index of dietary qualityv. sociodemographic variables.

Setting

In Finland, Finnish Household Budget Survey (1998 and 2006); in Sweden, SNAC-K (2001–2004); in the UK, Expenditure & Food Survey (2006–07); in Italy, Multi-purpose Survey of Daily Life (2009).

Subjects

One- and two-person households of over-50s (Finland,n2994; UK,n4749); over-50 s living alone or in two-person households (Italy,n7564); over-60 s (Sweden,n2023).

Results

Diet quality among the EU elderly is both low on average and heterogeneous across individuals. The regression models explained a small but significant part of the observed heterogeneity in diet quality. Resource availability was associated with diet quality either negatively (Finland and UK) or in a non-linear or non-statistically significant manner (Italy and Sweden), as was the preference for food parameter. Education, not living alone and female gender were characteristics positively associated with diet quality with consistency across the four countries, unlike socio-professional status, age and seasonality. Regional differences within countries persisted even after controlling for the other sociodemographic variables.

Conclusions

Poor dietary choices among the EU elderly were not caused by insufficient resources and informational measures could be successful in promoting healthy eating for healthy ageing. On the other hand, food habits appeared largely set in the latter part of life, with age and retirement having little influence on the healthiness of dietary choices.
The use of MuGard™, Caphosol®and Episil®in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Pettit L. , Sanghera P. , Glaholm J. , Hartley A.
Published: May 2013

Introduction

Oral mucositis is common for patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Despite the significant detrimental sequelae associated, there is no consensus on the optimum mouth care regimen. This prospective audit aims to record mucositis and dysphagia toxicity and the level of analgesia prescribed when recent products: MuGard™, Caphosol®and Episil®are compared with our standard departmental mouth care regimen.

Methods

Patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced SCCHN at University Hospital Birmingham, UK were prospectively audited weekly for 8 consecutive weeks starting from week 1 of chemoradiotherapy from June 2009 until January 2011. Patients received either standard oral care regimen of aspirin, glycerin and sucralfate, or, MuGard™, Caphosol®or Episil®. Grade of mucositis, dysphagia and analgesia score were prospectively recorded using the common toxicity criteria v3·0.

Results

One hundred and four patients were included. There was no difference in the grade and duration of mucositis (p= 0·82), dysphagia (p= 0·99) or analgesia score (p= 0·61) for either MuGard™, Caphosol®or Episil®compared with standard oral care.

Conclusion

There is no evidence from this audit that Mugard™, Caphosol®or Episil®improves mucositis and dysphagia toxicity or the level of analgesia prescribed compared with our standard departmental mouth care regimen. Randomised trials comparing these approaches are required to detect any meaningful clinical benefit.
Genetic diversity in cultured and wild marine cyanomyoviruses reveals phosphorus stress as a strong selective agent
Authors: Kelly Libusha , Ding Huiming , Huang Katherine H , Osburne Marcia S , Chisholm Sallie W
Published: May 2013

Viruses that infect marine cyanobacteria–cyanophages–often carry genes with orthologs in their cyanobacterial hosts, and the frequency of these genes can vary with habitat. To explore habitat-influenced genomic diversity more deeply, we used the genomes of 28 cultured cyanomyoviruses as references to identify phage genes in three ocean habitats. Only about 6–11% of genes were consistently observed in the wild, revealing high gene-content variability in these populations. Numerous shared phage/host genes differed in relative frequency between environments, including genes related to phosphorous acquisition, photorespiration, photosynthesis and the pentose phosphate pathway, possibly reflecting environmental selection for these genes in cyanomyovirus genomes. The strongest emergent signal was related to phosphorous availability; a higher fraction of genomes from relatively low-phosphorus environments–the Sargasso and Mediterranean Sea–contained host-like phosphorus assimilation genes compared with those from the N. Pacific Gyre. These genes are known to be upregulated when the host is phosphorous starved, a response mediated by pho box motifs in phage genomes that bind a host regulatory protein. Eleven cyanomyoviruses have predicted pho boxes upstream of the phosphate-acquisition genes pstS and phoA; eight of these have a conserved cyanophage-specific gene (PhCOG173) between the pho box and pstS. PhCOG173 is also found upstream of other shared phage/host genes, suggesting a unique regulatory role. Pho boxes are found upstream of high light-inducible (hli) genes in cyanomyoviruses, suggesting that this motif may have a broader role than regulating phosphorous-stress responses in infected hosts or that these hlis are involved in the phosphorous-stress response.
Development of an ecophysiological model for Diplosphaera colotermitum TAV2, a termite hindgut Verrucomicrobium
Authors: Isanapong Jantiya , Hambright W Sealy , Willis Austin G , Boonmee Atcha , Callister Stephen J , Burnum Kristin E , Paša-Tolić Ljiljana , Nicora Carrie D , Wertz John T , Schmidt Thomas M , Rodrigues Jorge L M
Published: May 2013

Termite hindguts are populated by a dense and diverse community of microbial symbionts working in concert to transform lignocellulosic plant material and derived residues into acetate, to recycle and fix nitrogen, and to remove oxygen. Although much has been learned about the breadth of microbial diversity in the hindgut, the ecophysiological roles of its members is less understood. In this study, we present new information about the ecophysiology of microorganism Diplosphaera colotermitum strain TAV2, an autochthonous member of the Reticulitermes flavipes gut community. An integrated high-throughput approach was used to determine the transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of cells grown under hypoxia (2% O2) or atmospheric (20% O2) concentrations of oxygen. Our results revealed that genes and proteins associated with energy production and utilization, carbohydrate transport and metabolism, nitrogen fixation, and replication and recombination were upregulated under 2% O2. The metabolic map developed for TAV2 indicates that this microorganism may be involved in biological nitrogen fixation, amino-acid production, hemicellulose degradation and consumption of O2 in the termite hindgut. Variation of O2 concentration explained 55.9% of the variance in proteomic profiles, suggesting an adaptive evolution of TAV2 to the hypoxic periphery of the hindgut. Our findings advance the current understanding of microaerophilic microorganisms in the termite gut and expand our understanding of the ecological roles for members of the phylum Verrucomicrobia.
The Thickness of Parietal Bones in a New Zealand Sample of Cadaveric Skulls in Relation to Calvarial Bone Graft
Authors: Choi Han J. , De Silva Rohana K. , Tong Darryl C. , De Silva Harsha L. , Love Robert M. , Athens Josie
Published: May 2013

Objectives

To evaluate the average thickness of the parietal bones in their different regions to identify the ideal site(s) for calvarial bone graft harvest.

Methods and Materials

Thickness of the parietal bones of 25 wet cranial vaults of New Zealand European origin was measured in 135 different locations using an electronic caliper. Analyses to identify the ideal harvest sites were conducted so that the sites fit the features of an ideal harvest site described in the literature as: (1) 6 mm of minimum thickness and (2) 2 cm away from the midline.

Results and Conclusion

The overall average thickness was 6.69 ± 0.22 mm. The average thickness at different sites within the same bone ranged from 2.85 to 6.93 mm. In keeping with previous studies, the report observed a progressive thickening of the parietal bone in medial and posterior directions. Of the 135 different locations measured, only 20% exceeded an average thickness of 6 mm as well as being 2 cm away from the sagittal midline. These locations were mainly located between 6 to 11 cm posterior to the coronal suture and 2 to 5 cm away from the sagittal suture.

Conclusion

Harvesting the calvarial bone graft in the area 6 to 11 cm posterior to the coronal suture and 2 cm away from the midline is recommended based on our study using cadaveric cranial vaults of New Zealand Europeans.
Quantum-mechanical predictions of electron-induced ionization cross sections of DNA components
Authors: Champion Christophe
Published: May 2013

Ionization of biomolecules remains still today rarely investigated on both the experimental and the theoretical sides. In this context, the present work appears as one of the first quantum mechanical approaches providing a multi-differential description of the electron-induced ionization process of the main DNA components for impact energies ranging from the target ionization threshold up to about 10 keV. The cross section calculations are here performed within the 1st Born approximation framework in which the ejected electron is described by a Coulomb wave whereas the incident and the scattered electrons are both described by a plane wave. The biological targets of interest, namely, the DNA nucleobases and the sugar-phosphate backbone, are here described by means of the GAUSSIAN 09 system using the restricted Hartree-Fock method with geometry optimization. The theoretical predictions also obtained have shown a reasonable agreement with the experimental total ionization cross sections while huge discrepancies have been pointed out with existing theoretical models, mainly developed within a semi-classical framework.
A DFT study on structural, vibrational properties, and quasiparticle band structure of solid nitromethane
Authors: Appalakondaiah S. , Vaitheeswaran G. , Lebègue S.
Published: May 2013

We report a detailed theoretical study of the structural and vibrational properties of solid nitromethane using first principles density functional calculations. The ground state properties were calculated using a plane wave pseudopotential code with either the local density approximation, the generalized gradient approximation, or with a correction to include van der Waals interactions. Our calculated equilibrium lattice parameters and volume using a dispersion correction are found to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental results. Also, our calculations reproduce the experimental trends in the structural properties at high pressure. We found a discontinuity in the bond length, bond angles, and also a weakening of hydrogen bond strength in the pressure range from 10 to 12 GPa, picturing the structural transition from phase I to phase II. Moreover, we predict the elastic constants of solid nitromethane and find that the corresponding bulk modulus is in good agreement with experiments. The calculated elastic constants show an order of C11> C22 > C33, indicating that the material is more compressible along the c-axis. We also calculated the zone center vibrational frequencies and discuss the internal and external modes of this material under pressure. From this, we found the softening of lattice modes around 8–11 GPa. We have also attempted the quasiparticle band structure of solid nitromethane with the G0W0 approximation and found that nitromethane is an indirect band gap insulator with a value of the band gap of about 7.8 eV with G0W0 approximation. Finally, the optical properties of this material, namely the absorptive and dispersive part of the dielectric function, and the refractive index and absorption spectra are calculated and the contribution of different transition peaks of the absorption spectra are analyzed. The static dielectric constant and refractive indices along the three inequivalent crystallographic directions indicate that this material has a considerable optical anisotropy.
ZnO deposition on metal substrates: Relating fabrication, morphology, and wettability
Authors: Beaini Sara S. , Kronawitter Coleman X. , Carey Van P. , Mao Samuel S.
Published: May 2013

It is not common practice to deposit thin films on metal substrates, especially copper, which is a common heat exchanger metal and practical engineering material known for its heat transfer properties. While single crystal substrates offer ideal surfaces with uniform structure for compatibility with oxide deposition, metallic surfaces needed for industrial applications exhibit non-idealities that complicate the fabrication of oxide nanostructure arrays. The following study explored different ZnO fabrication techniques to deposit a (super)hydrophobic thin film of ZnO on a metal substrate, specifically copper, in order to explore its feasibility as an enhanced condensing surface. ZnO was selected for its non-toxicity, ability to be made (super)hydrophobic with hierarchical roughness, and its photoinduced hydrophilicity characteristic, which could be utilized to pattern it to have both hydrophobic-hydrophilic regions. We investigated the variation of ZnO's morphology and wetting state, using SEMs and sessile drop contact angle measurements, as a function of different fabrication techniques: sputtering, pulsed laser deposition (PLD), electrodeposition and annealing Zn. We successfully fabricated (super)hydrophobic ZnO on a mirror finish, commercially available copper substrate using the scalable electrodeposition technique. PLD for ZnO deposition did not prove viable, as the ZnO samples on metal substrates were hydrophilic and the process does not lend itself to scalability. The annealed Zn sheets did not exhibit consistent wetting state results.
Determination of a cantilever's mechanical impedance using photon momentum
Authors: Wilkinson Paul R. , Shaw Gordon A. , Pratt Jon R.
Published: May 2013

We report the use of photon momentum as a means to measure the mechanical impedance of a mechanical oscillator with traceability to the International System of Units (SI). The optical power of a fiber coupled superluminous light emitting diode is modulated at a rms optical power of 6.5 mW, driving the cantilever at a rms value of over 10 nm on resonance in vacuum (10−3 Pa). The experimentally determined mechanical impedance of the oscillator is fit to a damped harmonic oscillator response, and the stiffness is found to be in excellent agreement with the value obtained from an SI-traceable nanoindenter.
Mode specificity in the H + H2O → H2 + OH reaction: A full-dimensional quantum dynamics study
Authors: Fu Bina , Zhang Dong H.
Published: May 2013

The initial state-selected time-dependent wave packet approach to an atom-triatom reaction is employed to study the H + H2O → H2 + OH reaction without the centrifugal sudden approximation. The total reaction probabilities and integral cross sections, which are the exact coupled-channel results, are calculated for the H2O reactant initially in the ground and several vibrationally excited states, including bending excited states, first and second stretching excited states, and simultaneous excitations of both bending and stretching modes. The reactivity enhancements from different initial states of the H2O reagent are presented and discussed in detail. The thermal rate constant for the title reaction and the contributions to this coefficient from individual vibrational states of H2O are also obtained and compared with the previous theoretical and experimental data.
Wetting at the BaTiO3/Pt interface
Authors: Fredrickson Kurt D. , Posadas Agham B. , Demkov Alexander A. , Dubourdieu Catherine , Bruley John
Published: May 2013

Using density functional theory, we analyze the wetting conditions for Pt on the (001) surface of ferroelectric BaTiO3 (BTO). We estimate the surface energy of (100), (110), and (111) Pt to be 2.42, 2.49, and 2.00 J/m2, respectively. We find the BTO surface energy to vary between 0.26 and 2.28 J/m2 depending on termination, polarization, and chemical environment. The interface energy between TiO2-terminated out-of-plane polarized BTO and (100) Pt is found to be between 1.64 and 2.62 J/m2, indicating that (100) Pt cannot wet BTO for this interface. A similar result is found for an interface with (110) Pt. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy of Pt films grown on BTO by molecular beam epitaxy with a low flux at high deposition temperature shows Volmer-Weber islands, consistent with first principles calculations.
Cation composition effects on electronic structures of In-Sn-Zn-O amorphous semiconductors
Authors: Noh Ji-Young , Kim Hanchul , Nahm Ho-Hyun , Kim Yong-Sung , Hwan Kim Dae , Ahn Byung-Du , Lim Jun-Hyung , Hee Kim Gun , Lee Je-Hun , Song Junho
Published: May 2013

Based on density-functional theory calculations, the effects of cation compositions on electronic structures of In-Sn-Zn-O amorphous semiconductors were investigated. We considered various composition ratios of In, Sn, and Zn in O stoichiometric condition, and found that the conduction band minimum (CBM) energy level decreases and the valence band tail (VBT) energy level extent increases as the sum of In and Sn ratios (RIn+RSn) increases. The CBM lowering is attributed to the increased overlap of the In-5s and Sn-5s orbitals as the RIn+RSn increases, and correspondingly the electron effective masses (me*) are found to be reduced. The VBT increase is found to be due to the increased density of the In and Sn atoms, near which the O-2p inter-site ppσ* coupling is larger than that near the Zn atoms. The acute O-(In,Sn)-O angles are suggested to be structurally important, giving the stronger O-O ppσ* coupling.
Study of nanospheres lithography technology with super-lens for fabricating nano holes
Authors: Li Shuhong , Yang Zheng , Zhang Zhiyou , Gao Fuhua , Du Jinglei , Zhang Sijie
Published: May 2013

A maskless nano-lithography method by using polystyrene spheres (PSs) self-assembled on silver slab (NSSL) was proposed by Li et al. [Opt. Express 16(19), 14397 (2008)]. In order to understand the mechanism of the lithography technology in depth and improve the experiment results, we studied the energy distribution and the frequency spectrum of incident lights passing through the PS and Ag film. To optimize parameters, the effects of several important factors on the resolution were analyzed. The curves of the optimal Ag film thickness and the highest lithography resolution versus the PS diameter were presented by calculations. Based on the results of the calculations, experiments under the optimization condition were performed and nano holes with dimension of 75 nm and a period of 600 nm were obtained.
Single transistor latch phenomenon in junctionless transistors
Authors: Singh Parihar Mukta , Ghosh Dipankar , Kranti Abhinav
Published: May 2013

In this work, we report on the single transistor latch phenomenon in junctionless transistors. In the latch condition, the device is unable to turn-off despite a reduction in gate bias. It is shown that impact ionization induced latch condition can occur due to an increase in drain bias, silicon film thickness, gate oxide thickness, and doping concentration. The latch phenomenon is explained in terms of generation–recombination rates, electrostatic potential, electric field distribution and product of current density and electric field (J·E). As latch condition is undesirable for dynamic memory applications, the work highlights the significance of (J·E) as a performance metric to avoid the junctionless transistor being driven into the latch mode.
Photoluminescence and Raman scattering spectroscopies of BaSiF6:Mn4+ red phosphor
Authors: Sekiguchi Daisuke , Nara Jun-ichi , Adachi Sadao
Published: May 2013

We report on a simple method of synthesizing BaSiF6:Mn4+ red phosphor by chemical reaction of BaCl2·2H2O in a H2SiF6 solution. The Mn4+-activated BaSiF6 phosphor exhibits sharp red emission peaks at ∼630 nm. The optical properties of BaSiF6:Mn4+ are investigated using photoluminescence (PL) analysis, PL excitation spectroscopy, luminescence decay time measurement, and Raman scattering spectroscopy. The zero-phonon line (ZPL) emission and excitation peaks in BaSiF6:Mn4+ are observed to occur at ∼1.99 eV (2E → 4A2), ∼2.43 eV (4A2 → 4T2), and ∼2.86 eV (4A2 → 4T1) at 300 K. The ZPL and phonon-assisted emission peaks show clear splittings with energy of ∼3 meV being due to the trigonal distortion of the MnF62− octahedron in the BaSiF6 host. A single exponential decay time of ∼6.5 ms is observed, which is indicative of the forbidden character of the intra-d-shell transitions in Mn4+ ions. Temperature dependence of the PL intensity is also measured between T = 20 and 300 K with steps of 10 K and interpreted by taking into consideration the Bose−Einstein phonon statistics together with the thermal quenching process.
Reordering between tetrahedral and octahedral sites in ultrathin magnetite films grown on MgO(001)
Authors: Bertram F. , Deiter C. , Schemme T. , Jentsch S. , Wollschläger J.
Published: May 2013

Magnetite ultrathin films were grown using different deposition rates and substrate temperatures. The structure of these films was studied using (grazing incidence) x-ray diffraction, while their surface structure was characterized by low energy electron diffraction. In addition to that, we performed x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and magneto optic Kerr effect measurements to probe the stoichiometry of the films as well as their magnetic properties. The diffraction peaks of the inverse spinel structure, which originate exclusively from Fe ions on tetrahedral sites are strongly affected by the preparation conditions, while the octahedral sites remain almost unchanged. With both decreasing deposition rate as well as decreasing substrate temperature, the integrated intensity of the diffraction peaks originating exclusively from Fe on tetrahedral sites is decreasing. We propose that the ions usually occupying tetrahedral sites in magnetite are relocated to octahedral vacancies. Ferrimagnetic behaviour is only observed for well ordered magnetite films.
Apparatus for measurement of acoustic wave propagation under uniaxial loading with application to measurement of third-order elastic constants of piezoelectric single crystals
Authors: Zhang Haifeng , Kosinski J. A. , Karim Afzalul
Published: May 2013

We describe an apparatus for the measurement of acoustic wave propagation under uniaxial loading featuring a special mechanism designed to assure a uniform mechanical load on a cube-shaped sample of piezoelectric material. We demonstrate the utility of the apparatus by determining the effects of stresses on acoustic wave speed, which forms a foundation for the final determination of the third-order elastic constants of langasite and langatate single crystals. The transit time method is used to determine changes in acoustic wave velocity as the loading is varied. In order to minimize error and improve the accuracy of the wave speed measurements, the cross correlation method is used to determine the small changes in the time of flight. Typical experimental results are presented and discussed.
Development of the gas-puff imaging diagnostic in the TEXTOR tokamak
Authors: Shesterikov I. , Xu Y. , Berte M. , Dumortier P. , Van Schoor M. , Vergote M. , Schweer B. , Van Oost G.
Published: May 2013

Gas puff imaging (GPI) [S. J. Zweben, D. P. Stotler et al., Phys. Plasmas 9, 1981 (2002)10.1063/1.1445179; R. J. Maqueda, G. A. Wurden et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 74, 2020 (2003)10.1063/1.1535249] is a powerful diagnostic that permits a two-dimensional measurement of turbulence in the edge region of a fusion plasma and is based on the observation of the local emission of a neutral gas, actively puffed into the periphery of the plasma. The developed in-vessel GPI telescope observes the emission from the puffed gas along local (at the puff) magnetic field lines. The GPI telescope is specially designed to operate in severe TEXTOR conditions and can be treated as a prototype for the GPI systems on next generation machines. Also, the gas puff nozzle is designed to have a lower divergence of the gas flow than previous GPI diagnostics. The resulting images show poloidally and radially propagating structures, which are associated with plasma blobs. We demonstrate that the local gas puff does not disturb plasma properties. Our results indicate also that the neutral gas emission intensity is more sensitive to the electron density than the electron temperature. Here, we present implementation details of the GPI system on TEXTOR and discuss some design and diagnostic issues related to the development of GPI systems in general.