bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Charles Bachman Moore (1920–2010)
Authors: Winn William , Krehbiel Paul
Published: February 2011

Charles B. Moore passed away 2 March 2010 at the age of 89, following a long and varied scientific career in meteorology and the atmospheric sciences. He will be remembered best for his substantial contributions in the field of atmospheric electricity and for the students and faculty he guided as chairman of Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research and professor of physics at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. He possessed a unique sense of humor and an excellent memory that served as a reservoir of scientific and historical knowledge. Like many of his generation, Charlie's career was profoundly influenced by the Second World War. Following Pearl Harbor, he interrupted his undergraduate studies in chemical engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology to enlist in the Army Air Corps, where he became the chief weather equipment officer in the 10th Weather Squadron, setting up and operating remote meteorological stations behind enemy lines in the China‐Burma‐India theater. He served with distinction alongside Athelstan Spilhaus Sr., who had been one of Charlie's instructors in the Army meteorology program.
Searching for Records of Past Earthquakes Under Water
Authors: Pantosti Daniela , Gràcia Eulàlia , Nelson C. Hans
Published: February 2011

European Science Foundation Research Conference: Submarine Paleoseismology—The Offshore Search of Large Holocene Earthquakes; Obergurgl, Austria, 11–16 September 2010; The 2004 Sumatra–Andaman Islands earthquake and tsunami highlighted the urgent need to better understand the long‐term history of underwater earthquakes and tsunamis and to better define hazards for the significant populations in coastal areas. As a result, a European Science Foundation Research Conference was convened to review research in the rapidly expanding field of marine and lake paleoseismology. The 4‐day‐long meeting brought together scientists engaged in interdisciplinary research from paleoseismology and marine science. Sixty‐six participants from 21 countries attended the conference, which took place at the Innsbruck University Centre, in Austria. The conference consisted of three main parts: (1) new techniques and results for on‐fault and off‐fault investigations, which summarized the most advanced marine methods for mapping, imaging, and dating underwater paleoseismic events; (2) case studies from different active tectonic continental margins, such as subduction zones, and from lakes or coastal environments that monitor tectonic systems; and (3) the contributions of marine and lake paleoseismology to seismic hazard assessment.
Jacob Bear Receives 2010 Robert E. Horton Medal
Authors: Berkowitz Brian , Bear Jacob
Published: February 2011

Jacob Bear was awarded the 2010 Robert E. Horton Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 15 December 2010 in San Francisco, Calif. The medal is for “outstanding contributions to hydrology.”
Evolution of the AGU Fall Meeting
Authors: Bates John , Hibbard Kathy
Published: February 2011

The Fall Meeting is AGU's flagship meeting and is the largest Earth and space sciences meeting in the world. The high quality of this meeting is due to the joint efforts of the Fall Meeting Program Committee, the professional AGU meetings staff, AGU members who serve as session chairs, and AGU members who submit abstracts and attend the meeting. The Fall Meeting in 2010 was attended by more than 19,000, including 31% from outside the United States. Attendance at the Fall Meeting has been growing at a steady rate of approximately 6–8% per year over the past decade.
Cytoskeletons by the sea
Authors: Titus Margaret A
Published: February 2011

The ESF–EMBO meeting, ‘Emergent Properties of the Cytoskeleton: Molecules to Cells’, brought together a diverse spectrum of international cytoskeletal researchers who presented on wide a range of topics.
When cells and microbes meet in Krakow
Authors: Rajalingam Krishnaraj , van der Goot F Gisou
Published: February 2011

The sixth edition of the biannual ‘At the Joint Edge of Cellular Microbiology & Cell Biology’ highlighted that research at the interface between cell biology and microbiology continues to bloom.
Different Surgical Approaches for Multiple Fractured Atrophic Mandibles
Authors: Pereira Felipe Ladeira , Gealh Walter Cristiano , Barbosa Carlos Eduardo Braga , Filho Liogi Iwaki
Published: February 2011

Atrophic edentulous mandible fractures in geriatric patients have low incidence but present several biological and biomechanical peculiarities that produce a nonunion rate of around 20%. Surgical extraoral approaches for internal fixation of these fractures can be transcervical or by one or two submandibular incisions. Two patients sustaining multiple fractures in atrophic edentulous mandible are presented: the first patient was 72-years-old, treated by two submandibular incisions, and the second was 81-years-old, treated by transcervical approach. We discuss the advantages and drawbacks of each approach and their indications according to the Luhr et al (1996) atrophy index.
Inferring long memory processes in the climate network via ordinal pattern analysis
Authors: Barreiro Marcelo , Marti Arturo C. , Masoller Cristina
Published: February 2011

We use ordinal patterns and symbolic analysis to construct global climate networks and uncover long- and short-term memory processes. Data analyzed are the monthly averaged surface air temperature (SAT field), and the results suggest that the time variability of the SAT field is determined by patterns of oscillatory behavior that repeat from time to time, with a periodicity related to intraseasonal oscillations and to El Niño on seasonal-to-interannual time scales.
Density-functional approaches to noncovalent interactions: A comparison of dispersion corrections (DFT-D), exchange-hole dipole moment (XDM) theory, and specialized functionals
Authors: Burns Lori A. , Mayagoitia Álvaro Vázquez- , Sumpter Bobby G. , Sherrill C. David
Published: February 2011

A systematic study of techniques for treating noncovalent interactions within the computationally efficient density functional theory (DFT) framework is presented through comparison to benchmark-quality evaluations of binding strength compiled for molecular complexes of diverse size and nature. In particular, the efficacy of functionals deliberately crafted to encompass long-range forces, a posteriori DFT+dispersion corrections (DFT-D2 and DFT-D3), and exchange-hole dipole moment (XDM) theory is assessed against a large collection (469 energy points) of reference interaction energies at the CCSD(T) level of theory extrapolated to the estimated complete basis set limit. The established S22 [revised in J. Chem. Phys. 132, 144104 (2010)] and JSCH test sets of minimum-energy structures, as well as collections of dispersion-bound (NBC10) and hydrogen-bonded (HBC6) dissociation curves and a pairwise decomposition of a protein–ligand reaction site (HSG), comprise the chemical systems for this work. From evaluations of accuracy, consistency, and efficiency for PBE-D, BP86-D, B97-D, PBE0-D, B3LYP-D, B970-D, M05-2X, M06-2X, ωB97X-D, B2PLYP-D, XYG3, and B3LYP-XDM methodologies, it is concluded that distinct, often contrasting, groups of these elicit the best performance within the accessible double-ζ or robust triple-ζ basis set regimes and among hydrogen-bonded or dispersion-dominated complexes. For overall results, M05-2X, B97-D3, and B970-D2 yield superior values in conjunction with aug-cc-pVDZ, for a mean absolute deviation of 0.41 – 0.49 kcal/mol, and B3LYP-D3, B97-D3, ωB97X-D, and B2PLYP-D3 dominate with aug-cc-pVTZ, affording, together with XYG3/6-311+G(3df,2p), a mean absolute deviation of 0.33 – 0.38 kcal/mol.
Interference-free superposition of nonzero order light modes: Functionalized optical landscapes
Authors: Čižmár T. , Dalgarno H. I. C. , Ashok P. C. , Gunn-Moore F. J. , Dholakia K.
Published: February 2011

In this paper, we utilize the incoherent superposition of nonzero order light modes. We show that this approach brings an additional degree of freedom to the generation of optical fields and notably the formation of superpositions that are otherwise unattainable through the use of refractive or diffractive optical elements and coherent or incoherent light sources. We employ this technique in two exemplary cases: first to create a field with tunable orbital angular momentum whose spatial intensity distribution remains unchanged and second to form an unusual type of “nondiffracting” light beam.
Exploring single and double proton transfer processes in the gas phase: A high resolution electronic spectroscopy study of 5-fluorosalicylic acid
Authors: Young Justin W. , Fleisher Adam J. , Pratt David W.
Published: February 2011

Two species that possess different absorption and emission properties have been observed in the low resolution fluorescence excitation spectrum of 5-fluorosalicylic acid (FSA) in the gas phase. The two species were identified as monomer and dimer species using high resolution techniques. Studies of these spectra in the presence of an applied electric field, together with ab initio quantum chemistry calculations, show that the monomer is a “closed” form of FSA exhibiting an intramolecular C = O⋅⋅⋅H–O–C hydrogen bond in the ground state. Absorption of light at ∼344 nm transforms this species into the tautomeric form C–O–H⋅⋅⋅O = C via a barrierless proton transfer process. The large charge rearrangement that accompanies this process results in a significantly red-shifted emission spectrum. The (FSA)2 dimer exhibits two intermolecular ${\rm C} {=} {\rm O} {\cdots} {\rm H \hbox{–} O \hbox{–} C}$C=O⋯H–O–C hydrogen bonds but in this case the double proton transfer leads to a conical intersection with the ground state and rapid nonradiative decay. The onset of this process and the time scale on which it occurs are revealed by a homogeneous broadening of the dimer's high resolution spectrum.
Static and ultrafast dynamics of defects of SrTiO3 in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures
Authors: Wang X. , Chen J. Q. , Roy Barman A. , Dhar S. , Xu Q.-H. , Venkatesan T. , Ariando
Published: February 2011

A detailed defect energy level map was investigated for heterostructures of 26 unit cells of LaAlO3 on SrTiO3 prepared at a low oxygen partial pressure of 10−6 mbar. The origin is attributed to the presence of dominating oxygen defects in SrTiO3 substrate. Using femtosecond laser spectroscopy, the transient absorption and relaxation times for various transitions were determined. An ultrafast relaxation process of 2–3 ps from the conduction band to the closest defect level and a slower process of 70–92 ps from conduction band to intraband defect level were observed. The results are discussed on the basis of the proposed defect-band diagram.
Programmable smart electron emission controller for hot filament
Authors: Flaxer Eli
Published: February 2011

In electron ionization source, electrons are produced through thermionic emission by heating a wire filament, accelerating the electrons by high voltage, and ionizing the analyzed molecules. In such a system, one important parameter is the filament emission current that determines the ionization rate; therefore, one needs to regulate this current. On the one hand, fast responses control is needed to keep the emission current constant, but on the other hand, we need to protect the filament from damage that occurs by large filaments current transients and overheating. To control our filament current and emission current, we developed a digital circuit based on a digital signal processing controller that has several modes of operation. We used a smart algorithm that has a fast response to a small signal and a slow response to a large signal. In addition, we have several protective measures that prevent the current from reaching unsafe values.
The Lie algebraic significance of symmetric informationally complete measurements
Authors: Appleby D. M. , Flammia Steven T. , Fuchs Christopher A.
Published: February 2011

Examples of symmetric informationally complete positive operator-valued measures (SIC-POVMs) have been constructed in every dimension ⩽67. However, it remains an open question whether they exist in all finite dimensions. A SIC-POVM is usually thought of as a highly symmetric structure in quantum state space. However, its elements can equally well be regarded as a basis for the Lie algebra \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\mathrm{gl}(d,\mathbb {C})$\end{document} gl (d,C). In this paper we examine the resulting structure constants, which are calculated from the traces of the triple products of the SIC-POVM elements and which, it turns out, characterize the SIC-POVM up to unitary equivalence. We show that the structure constants have numerous remarkable properties. In particular we show that the existence of a SIC-POVM in dimension d is equivalent to the existence of a certain structure in the adjoint representation of \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\mathrm{gl}(d,\mathbb {C})$\end{document} gl (d,C). We hope that transforming the problem in this way, from a question about quantum state space to a question about Lie algebras, may help to make the existence problem tractable.
Effects of rapid thermal annealing on structure and electrical properties of Gd-doped HfO2 high k film
Authors: Xiong Yuhua , Tu Hailing , Du Jun , Zhang Xinqiang , Chen Dapeng , Wang Wenwu
Published: February 2011

Effects of rapid thermal annealing (RTA) at 950 °C for 5 s in N2 on structure and electrical properties of Gd-doped HfO2 film deposited on Si(100) substrates have been studied. RTA causes partial crystallization of Gd-doped HfO2 film and slight reduction in band gap. Silicide appears in the interfacial layer and thickness of interface layer increases. Keeping Gd-doped HfO2 films at about 3 nm, the leakage current density is 3.81×10−5 A/cm2 at 1 V gate voltage without RTA while that is 8.50×10−2 A/cm2 with RTA. The permittivities are ∼14.8 and ∼17.9 and the capacitance equivalent thicknesses are 1.6 nm and 1.1 nm for the samples with and without RTA, respectively.
A host sensitized reddish-orange Gd2MoO6:Sm3+ phosphor for light emitting diodes
Authors: Chen Yan , Wang Jing , Liu Chunmeng , Kuang Xiaojun , Su Qiang
Published: February 2011

An intense reddish-orange phosphor, Gd2MoO6:Sm3+, was developed by solid state chemistry. The photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, concentration effect are investigated. The results show an efficient energy transfer from MoO66− group to Sm3+ occurs and Sm3+ ion emits an intense reddish-orange light with high color purity and an excellent reproduction quality of optical properties. These results demonstrate that Sm3+ ion with low 4f–4f absorption efficiency in near ultraviolet region can play a role of activator in narrow reddish-orange emitting phosphor potentially useful in ∼370 nm GaN-based light emitting diode through efficient energy feeding by charge transfer absorption of MoO66− group.
Electron structure and dynamics at poly(3-hexylthiophene)/fullerene photovoltaic heterojunctions
Authors: Li Zi , Zhang Xu , Lu Gang
Published: February 2011

The interfacial electronic structure and dynamics of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/fullerene (C60 and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester) heterojunctions are studied by ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamics. These junctions render ultrafast electron transfer with a time-scale of ∼70 fs and the adiabatic electron transfer is the dominant process. The backward electron transfer, however, is much longer, in a time-scale of nanoseconds. The overall electron transfer is determined by the energy evolution driven by the coupled electron-ion dynamics.
An electrically tunable focusing liquid crystal lens with a built-in planar polymeric lens
Authors: Lin Hung-Chun , Lin Yi-Hsin
Published: February 2011

An electrically tunable focusing liquid crystal (LC) lens with a built-in planar polymeric lens with a short focal length (∼4.41 to 8.82 cm) is demonstrated. The focal length of the LC lens is contributed by two parts: one is the LC layer and the other is planar polymeric layer. In the image system, the object can be continuously imaged by the LC lens when the object is at the objective distance from 360 to 17 cm as the voltage is switched from 0 to 35 Vrms. The image performance is also demonstrated. The applications are cell phones, and cameras
Self-phase modulation in high-power stimulated Brillouin compression
Authors: Erokhin A. I. , Smetanin I. V.
Published: February 2011

The spectrum of the stimulated Brillouin—compressed subnanosecond laser radiation is studied experimentally in a wide range of pump intensities up to the eightfold threshold value. It is found that at intensities increasing four times the threshold, the spectrum splits and acquires a two-humped shape, which is explained by the phase modulation near the Brillouin resonance. Analytical model of self-phase modulation in stimulated Brillouin compression is developed, which describes the observed spectral splitting and formation of the frequency chirp.
Ruthenium based metals using atomic vapor deposition for gate electrode applications
Authors: Choi Changhwan , Ando Takashi , Narayanan Vijay
Published: February 2011

The impacts of ruthenium-based metal gate electrodes (Ru,RuOx,RuSiOx) with atomic vapor deposition (AVD) on flatband voltage (VFB) and equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) are demonstrated using a low temperature (<400 °C) process. Increasing thickness of Ru and RuOx exhibits higher VFB, attributed to filling oxygen vacancies [Vo] in high-k gate dielectric with oxygen supplied from AVD metal gate electrodes upon annealing. Ru is efficient to attain a higher work-function and thinner EOT compared to RuOx and RuSiOx. Subsequent physical-vapor-deposition (PVD) TiN capping on AVD metals blocks oxygen out-diffusion, leading to higher VFB than PVD W or AVD TiN capping.
Transient photocurrent and photovoltage studies on charge transport in dye sensitized solar cells made from the composites of TiO2 nanofibers and nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Xiaoxu , Karanjit Sudeep , Zhang Lifeng , Fong Hao , Qiao Qiquan , Zhu Zhengtao
Published: February 2011

Herein, we report the transient photocurrent and photovoltage studies on the charge transport in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) made from the composites of electrospun titanium oxide (TiO2) nanofibers, and conventional TiO2 nanoparticles. The results on charge transport parameters (including the charge recombination lifetime, the electron transport lifetime, and the diffusion length) indicated that the addition of TiO2 nanofibers into composite photoanodes led to substantial improvement on the efficiency of charge collection, suggesting that the composites of nanoparticles and one-dimensional nanostructures are promising materials for the development of DSSCs with high efficiency.
Plasmonic coupling in nondipolar gold colloidal dimers
Authors: Lecarme Olivier , Pinedo-Rivera Tatiana , Berton Kevin , Berthier J. , Peyrade David
Published: February 2011

Nanoscale Gold colloidal dimers are built thanks to the convective capillary force assembly (CFA) technique. CFA efficiently demonstrates precise dimer localization, particle separation control, and object reproducibility. Darkfield microspectroscopy measurements combined with numerical modeling exhibit a redshift in the dimer surface plasmon resonance as the interdistance decreases. The study points out that metallic particles, which are not in the dipolar approximation (diameter ∼150 nm), present a similar optical behavior than that of smaller particles for the first resonance mode. Finally, local electric field simulations indicate that these dimers are valid candidates for sensing applications in the near-infrared regime.
Predictive risk modelling in health: options for New Zealand and Australia
Authors: Panattoni Laura E. , Vaithianathan Rhema , Ashton Toni , Lewis Geraint H.
Published: February 2011

Predictive risk models (PRMs) are case-finding tools that enable health care systems to identify patients at risk of expensive and potentially avoidable events such as emergency hospitalisation. Examples include the PARR (Patients-at-Risk-of-Rehospitalisation) tool and Combined Predictive Model used by the National Health Service in England. When such models are coupled with an appropriate preventive intervention designed to avert the adverse event, they represent a useful strategy for improving the cost-effectiveness of preventive health care. This article reviews the current knowledge about PRMs and explores some of the issues surrounding the potential introduction of a PRM to a public health system. We make a particular case for New Zealand, but also consider issues that are relevant to Australia.

What is known about the topic?
PRMs are an alternative method to threshold modelling and clinical knowledge for determining a patient’s risk of a future event. PRMs are already in use in New Zealand and Australia to predict the occurrence of a disease. However, Kaiser Permanente in the US, and the UK’s National Health Service are using PRMs to predict health service usage (e.g. risk of future emergency hospitalisation) at the individual level.

What does this paper add?
This paper discusses issues including model parameters, data requirements and ethical considerations for using a PRM as a service planning tool in Australia and New Zealand.

What are the implications for practitioners?
PRMs could be used as the health service equivalent of disease risk assessments. New Zealand and Australia already have routinely collected data that could be used to predict various adverse, costly and potentially preventable health service events.
Good health information - an asset not a burden!
Authors: Hanson Ralph M.
Published: February 2011

Good health information is central to informing the delivery of health care. Health has mostly struggled to promote the effective use of information to manage services on a day to day basis. Based on the experience at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, a case is made for seeing information as an asset that requires a structured approach to improving data quality, and making a concerted effort to grow a more robust information culture. Transforming Health through better health information will not happen overnight. It needs a long range plan. It should be supported by appropriate business intelligence tools and a structured approach to process improvement, built around data management.

What is known about the topic?
Good Health Information is central to informing the delivery of health care. Health has mostly struggled to promote the effective use of information to manage services on a day to day basis.

What does this paper add?
A case is made for seeing information as an asset that requires a structured approach to improving data quality and a concerted effort to grow a more robust information culture.

What are the implications for practitioners?
Health is at a point where far greater use can be made of available information assets and the development of staff. Good health information needs to be seen as an asset. Health facilities need to recognise the importance of a clear vision for information management and how it can support the overall transformation of Health.
Occupational violence in general practice: a whole-of-practice problem. Results of a cross-sectional study
Authors: Magin Parker J. , May Jenny , McElduff Patrick , Goode Susan M. , Adams Jon , Cotter Georgina L.
Published: February 2011

Objective. To examine the experiences of occupational violence in general practitioner (GP) and non-GP staff. Further objectives were to compare prevalence of violence in GP and non-GP staff and to examine levels of apprehension and perceptions of control over violence. Design. Cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Setting. A network of research general practices, New South Wales, Australia. Participants. GPs and non-GP staff – receptionist, practice-management, nursing and allied health staff. Main outcome measure(s). Experience of occupational violence during the previous 12 months. Other outcomes examined were workplace apprehension regarding violence, perception of occupational violence as a problem in general practice, and perception of control over violence in the workplace. Results. A total of125 questionnaire replies were received (response rate 55%), 59.3% of GPs and 74.6% of non-GPs had experienced work-related violence during the previous 12 months. The difference was not significant (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.20–2.06). Subjects in rural practices were more likely than those in urban practices to have experienced violence (OR 3.79, 95% CI 1.15–12.5). Personal experience of violence (OR 35.9, 95% CI 6.24–207) and a perception that violence is increasing (OR 8.33, 95% CI 1.89–36.6) were associated with apprehension regarding violence at work. What is known about the topic? The prevalence and impact upon GPs of occupational violence is well established, but occupational violence has been little-researched in non-GP staff. What does this paper add? This study demonstrates that occupational violence is a major issue for non-GP staff – at least as much as it is for GPs. What are the implications for practitioners? Apprehension and fear among general practice staff are strongly associated with experiences of violence and must be addressed at a whole-of-practice level with measures to reduce violence and improve safety.
Australia's private health insurance industry: structure, competition, regulation and role in a less than 'ideal world'
Authors: Shamsullah Ardel
Published: February 2011

Australia’s private health insurance funds have been prominent participants in the nation’s health system for 60 years. Yet there is relatively little public awareness of the distinctive origins of the health funds, the uncharacteristic organisational nature of these commercial enterprises and the peculiarly regulated nature of their industry. The conventional corporate responsibility to shareholders was, until recently, completely irrelevant, and remains marginal to the sector. However, their purported answerability to contributors, styled as ‘members’, was always doubtful for most health funds. After a long period of remarkable stability in the sector, despite significant shifts in health funding policy, recent years have brought notable changes, with mergers, acquisitions and exits from the industry. The research is based on the detailed study of the private health funds, covering their history, organisational character and industry structure. It argues that the funds have always been divorced from the disciplines of the competitive market and generally have operated complacently within a system of comprehensive regulation and generous subsidy. The prospect of the private health funds enjoying an expanded role under a form of ‘social insurance’, as suggested by the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, is not supported. What is known about the topic? Government policies promoting private health insurance have long been the subject of public debate and have received considerable academic analysis. The health funds have a high profile in the media and with the public, reflecting the extent of private health insurance coverage. What does this paper add? There is relatively little awareness of the unique nature of the private health insurance industry. This paper highlights the distinctive organisational origins of the health funds, the recent changes to the structure of the sector which have complicated their corporate identities and the complex role they play in an extraordinarily regulated private health insurance industry. What are the implications for practitioners? Awareness of the nature of the sector should take us beyond perennial concerns about premium rises and the level of private health insurance coverage to better appreciate the diverse nature of the industry, the constraints under which the funds operate and the potential they may have to deliver ‘social insurance’.
Critical arts‐based research in education: Performing undocumented historias
Authors: Bagley Carl , Castro‐Salazar Ricardo
Published: February 2011

The article seeks to elucidate and academically position the genre of critical arts‐based research in education. The article fuses Critical Race Theory (CRT), life history and performance, alongside work with undocumented American students of Mexican origin, to show how a politicised qualitative paradigmatic re envisioning can occur in which counter‐histories and counter‐stories can be co‐created into a powerful, evocative, and transformative arts‐based performance text: Undocumented Historias. The article reflects on how critical arts‐based research in education can function as a means to legitimise, empower and promote the voices of the educationally and socially marginalised; evoking an experiential and sensual means of feeling and knowing by which researcher and researched may co‐recover, interrogate and enrich an anti‐colonialist critique of the dominant social order.
Evaluation of a Pulsed-Xenon Ultraviolet Room Disinfection Device for Impact on Hospital Operations and Microbial Reduction
Authors: Stibich Mark , Stachowiak Julie , Tanner Benjamin , Berkheiser Matthew , Moore Linette , Raad Issam , Chemaly Roy F.
Published: February 2011

This study evaluated the use of pulsed-xenon ultraviolet (PX-UV) room disinfection by sampling frequently touched surfaces in vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) isolation rooms. The PX-UV system showed a statistically significant reduction in microbial load and eliminated VRE on sampled surfaces when using a 12-minute multiposition treatment cycle.
Prevention of Nosocomial Transmission of Norovirus by Strategic Infection Control Measures
Authors: Cheng Vincent C. C. , Wong Lisa M. W. , Tai Josepha W. M. , Chan Jasper F. W. , To Kelvin K. W. , Li Iris W. S. , Hung Ivan F. N. , Chan K. H. , Ho P. L. , Yuen K. Y.
Published: February 2011

Background.

Nosocomial outbreaks of norovirus infection pose a great challenge to the infection control team.

Methods.

Between November 1, 2009, and February 28, 2010, strategic infection control measures were implemented in a hospital network. In addition to timely staff education and promotion of directly observed hand hygiene, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction for norovirus was performed as an added test by the microbiology laboratory for all fecal specimens irrespective of the request for testing. Laboratory-confirmed cases were followed up by the infection control team for timely intervention. The incidence of hospital-acquired norovirus infection per 1,000 potentially infectious patient-days was compared with the corresponding period in the preceding 12 months, and the incidence in the other 6 hospital networks in Hong Kong was chosen as the concurrent control. Phylogenetic analysis of norovirus isolates was performed.

Results.

Of the 988 patients who were tested, 242 (25%) were positive for norovirus; 114 (47%) of those 242 patients had norovirus detected by our added test. Compared with the corresponding period in the preceding 12 months, the incidence of hospital-acquired norovirus infection decreased from 131 to 16 cases per 1,000 potentially infectious patient-days (P< .001 ), although the number of hospital-acquired infections was low in both the study period (n= 8) and the historical control periods (n= 11). The incidence of hospital-acquired norovirus infection in our hospital network (0.03 cases per 1,000 patient-days) was significantly lower than that of the concurrent control (0.06 cases per 1,000 patient-days) (P= .015). Forty-three (93%) of 46 norovirus isolates sequenced belonged to the genogroup II.4 variant.

Conclusions.

Strategic infection control measures with an added test maybe useful in controlling nosocomial transmission of norovirus.
Complications Associated with 2 Different Types of Percutaneously Inserted Central Venous Catheters in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Tsai Ming-Horng , Chu Shih-Ming , Lien Reyin , Huang Hsuan-Rong , Wang Jiunn-Wei , Chiang Chiao-Ching , Hsu Jen-Fu , Huang Yhu-Chering
Published: February 2011

Objective.

To identify the prevalence and risk factors for complications associated with percutaneously inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) and evaluate the effect of different catheter types and their indwelling time on catheter-related complications.

Design.

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting.

A 49-bed neonatal intensive-care teaching hospital in Taiwan.

Patients.

Between 2004 and 2007, 518 single-lumen PICCs (defined as “old type”) and 290 PICCs with a stiffening stylet and a thicker introducer (“new type”) were inserted in a total of 534 neonates with a birth body weight of 1,500 g or less.

Results.

Independent risk factors of catheter-related sepsis (CRS) were longer duration for PICC placement and PICC inserted at femoral site (compared with nonfemoral sites) (odds ratio [OR], 1.53 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.07-2.25];P= .044). An independent predictor of catheter-related noninfectious complications was time spent for PICC insertion of more than 60 minutes (compared with less than 30 minutes) (OR, 1.96 [95% CI, 1.08-3.53];P= .026). New-type PICCs were significantly associated with a higher rate of femoral site insertion, catheter-related noninfectious complications, and longer time for successful insertion than old-type PICCs. The hazard rates of CRS according to indwelling time, determined over 5-day periods by survival analysis, showed 0.05% for catheters in place for 4 days or less; 0.27% for 5-9 days; 0.40% for 10-14 days; 0.68% for 15-19 days; 1.18% for 20-24 days; 3.96% for 25-29 days; and 10.45% for 30 or more days.

Conclusions.

Different catheters do influence the complication rates. Spending more than 60 minutes for successful PICC insertion and PICCs indwelling for more than 30 days are associated with higher rates of catheter-related complications.
PrimerProspector: de novo design and taxonomic analysis of barcoded polymerase chain reaction primers
Authors: Walters William A. , Caporaso J. Gregory , Lauber Christian L. , Berg-Lyons Donna , Fierer Noah , Knight Rob
Published: February 2011

Motivation: PCR amplification of DNA is a key preliminary step in many applications of high-throughput sequencing technologies, yet design of novel barcoded primers and taxonomic analysis of novel or existing primers remains a challenging task.

Results: PrimerProspector is an open-source software package that allows researchers to develop new primers from collections of sequences and to evaluate existing primers in the context of taxonomic data.

Availability: PrimerProspector is open-source software available at http://pprospector.sourceforge.net

Contact:  rob.knight@colorado.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Assigning spectrum-specific P-values to protein identifications by mass spectrometry
Authors: Spirin Victor , Shpunt Alexander , Seebacher Jan , Gentzel Marc , Shevchenko Andrej , Gygi Steven , Sunyaev Shamil
Published: February 2011

Motivation: Although many methods and statistical approaches have been developed for protein identification by mass spectrometry, the problem of accurate assessment of statistical significance of protein identifications remains an open question. The main issues are as follows: (i) statistical significance of inferring peptide from experimental mass spectra must be platform independent and spectrum specific and (ii) individual spectrum matches at the peptide level must be combined into a single statistical measure at the protein level.

Results: We present a method and software to assign statistical significance to protein identifications from search engines for mass spectrometric data. The approach is based on asymptotic theory of order statistics. The parameters of the asymptotic distributions of identification scores are estimated for each spectrum individually. The method relies on new unbiased estimators for parameters of extreme value distribution. The estimated parameters are used to assign a spectrum-specific P-value to each peptide-spectrum match. The protein-level confidence measure combines P-values of peptide-to-spectrum matches.

Conclusion: We extensively tested the method using triplicate mouse and yeast high-throughput proteomic experiments. The proposed statistical approach improves the sensitivity of protein identifications without compromising specificity. While the method was primarily designed to work with Mascot, it is platform-independent and is applicable to any search engine which outputs a single score for a peptide-spectrum match. We demonstrate this by testing the method in conjunction with X!Tandem.

Availability: The software is available for download at ftp://genetics.bwh.harvard.edu/SSPV/.

Contact:  ssunyaev@rics.bwh.harvard.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Oxidative stress-related responses of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BBMN68 at the proteomic level after exposure to oxygen
Authors: Xiao Man , Xu Pan , Zhao Jianyun , Wang Zeng , Zuo Fanglei , Zhang Jiangwei , Ren Fazheng , Li Pinglan , Chen Shangwu , Ma Huiqin
Published: February 2011

Bifidobacterium longumsubsp.longumBBMN68, an anaerobic probiotic isolated from healthy centenarian faeces, shows low oxygen (3 %, v/v) tolerance. To understand the effects of oxidative stress and the mechanisms protecting against it in this strain, a proteomic approach was taken to analyse changes in the cellular protein profiles of BBMN68 under the following oxygen-stress conditions. Mid-exponential phase BBMN68 cells grown in MRS broth at 37 °C were exposed to 3 % O2for 1 h (I) or 9 h (II), and stationary phase cells were subjected to 3 % O2for 1 h (III). Respective controls were grown under identical conditions but were not exposed to O2. A total of 51 spots with significant changes after exposure to oxygen were identified, including the oxidative stress-protective proteins alkyl hydroperoxide reductase C22 (AhpC) and pyridine nucleotide-disulfide reductase (PNDR), and the DNA oxidative damage-protective proteins DNA-binding ferritin-like protein (Dps), ribonucleotide reductase (NrdA) and nucleotide triphosphate (NTP) pyrophosphohydrolases (MutT1). Changes in polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) plus enolase, which may play important roles in scavenging oxidatively damaged RNA, were also found. Following validation at the transcriptional level of differentially expressed proteins, the physiological and biochemical functions of BBMN68 Dps were further proven byin vitroandin vivotests under oxidative stress. Our results reveal the key oxidative stress-protective proteins and DNA oxidative damage-protective proteins involved in the defence strategy of BBMN68 against oxygen, and provide the first proteomic information toward understanding the responses ofBifidobacteriumand other anaerobes to oxygen stress.
Genetic analysis of the bacterial hook-capping protein FlgD responsible for hook assembly
Authors: Moriya Nao , Minamino Tohru , Imada Katsumi , Namba Keiichi
Published: February 2011

FlgD of Salmonella enterica is a 232 aa protein that acts as the hook cap to promote assembly of FlgE into the hook structure. The N-terminal 86 residues (FlgDN) complement flgD mutants, albeit to a small degree. However, little is known about the role of the C-terminal region of FlgD (FlgDC). Here we isolated pseudorevertants from Salmonella flgE mutants. About half of the extragenic mutations lay within FlgDC and only one in FlgDN. These suppressor mutations prevented mutant FlgE subunits from leaking out to some degree. Two weakly motile flgD mutants encoding C-terminally truncated variants, FlgD(1-195) and FlgD(1-138f-s+4aa), secreted larger amounts of FlgE into the culture medium than wild-type cells. Their hooks were shorter, and their length distributions were broader, with significant tailing towards smaller values. These results suggest that FlgDC contributes to efficient hook polymerization. Therefore, we propose that FlgDN attaches to the distal end of the hook to promote hook polymerization and that FlgDC blocks the exit of newly exported FlgE monomers into the culture medium, allowing FlgE to have more time to assemble into the hook.
Guidelines for large herbivore translocation simplified: black rhinoceros case study
Authors: Linklater Wayne L. , Adcock Keryn , du Preez Pierre , Swaisgood Ron R. , Law Peter R. , Knight Michael H. , Gedir Jay V. , Kerley Graham I.H.
Published: February 2011

1. Most hypotheses for translocation success are elaborate, hierarchical, and untested combinations of socio‐ecological predictors. Empirical support for those tested is vulnerable to spurious single‐predictor relationships and does not account for the hierarchy amongst predictors and non‐independence amongst individuals or cohorts. Testing hypotheses as a priori multi‐level models promotes stronger inference.

2. We apply a 25‐year (1981–2005) data base including 89 reintroduction and 102 restocking events that released 682 black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis into 81 reserves to test 24 hypotheses for translocation success, defined as survival to 1 year post‐release. We made information‐theoretic comparisons of hypotheses represented as hierarchical models incorporating random effects for reserve and release cohort predictors of death.

3. Mortality rates after restocking were higher than for reintroductions (13·4 cf. 7·9%, respectively) due largely to intraspecific fighting. No predictors strongly influenced reintroduction success, although cohorts consisting entirely of adult males were 8·2% of individuals but contributed 21·9% of deaths, and reserves with lowest carrying capacities (i.e. <0·1 rhino km−2) had a 16·3% mortality rate. Most models for restocking success were not supported. Only those including age class received substantial support. Age was the only predictor to strongly influence death rates. Predictors previously thought influential, like population density, reserve area and quality, and cohort size, were not supported.

4. Synthesis and applications. Simple rules succeeded where complex ecological and demographic hypotheses failed to predict survival after translocation of critically endangered black rhinoceros. Results support bold attempts by managers at translocations towards species recovery in most ways that they have historically occurred. Groups of rhinoceros of different size and composition can be successfully moved over large distances between different ecological contexts. Also, the release of cohorts into reserves that are relatively small, poorer habitat or already stocked need not be avoided so long as calves and all‐male cohorts are not reintroduced, and only adults used for restocking. Our analysis demonstrates the importance of information‐theoretic comparisons of a priori hierarchical models to test hypotheses for conservation management. We caution against interpreting simple correlations or regression amongst a large number of nested ecological and demographic variables.
An exploration of chronic pain patients’ perceptions of home telerehabilitation services
Authors: Cranen Karlijn , Drossaert Constance H. C. , Brinkman Evelien S. , Braakman‐Jansen Annemarie L. M. , IJzerman Maarten J. , Vollenbroek‐Hutten Miriam M. R.
Published: February 2011

Objectives  To explore patients’ perceptions regarding prospective telerehabilitation services and the factors that facilitate or impede patients’ intentions to use these services.

Design  Using semi‐structured interviews, patients reflected on the pros and cons of various scenarios of prospective telerehabilitation services. Patients’ arguments were first arranged according to the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Next, using inductive analysis, the data for each UTAUT component were analysed and arranged into subthemes.

Setting and participants  Twenty‐five chronic pain patients were selected from a rehabilitation centre in the Netherlands.

Results  Overall, participants considered telerehabilitation helpful as a complementary or follow‐up treatment, rather than an autonomous treatment. Arguments mainly related to the UTAUT constructs of ‘performance expectancy’ and ‘facilitating conditions’. Patients valued the benefits such as reduced transportation barriers, flexible exercise hours and the possibility to better integrate skills into daily life. However, many patients feared a loss of treatment motivation and expressed concerns about both reduced fellow sufferer contact and reduced face‐to‐face therapist contact. Few arguments related to ‘social norms’ and ‘effort expectancy’.

Conclusions  The effect of telerehabilitation on healthcare strongly depends on patients’ willingness to use. Our study showed that chronic pain patients valued the benefits of telerehabilitation but hesitate to use it as an autonomous treatment. Therefore, future initiatives should maintain traditional care to some degree and focus on patients’ attitudes as well. Either by giving information to increase patients’ confidence in telerehabilitation or by addressing reported drawbacks into the future design of these services. Further quantitative studies are needed to explore patients’ intentions to use telerehabilitation.
High prevalence of founder mutations of the succinate dehydrogenase genes in the Netherlands
Authors: Hensen EF , van Duinen N , Jansen JC , Corssmit EPM , Tops CMJ , Romijn JA , Vriends AHJT , van der Mey AGL , Cornelisse CJ , Devilee P , Bayley JP
Published: February 2011

Hensen EF, van Duinen N, Jansen JC, Corssmit EPM, Tops CMJ, Romijn JA, Vriends AHJT, van der Mey AGL, Cornelisse CJ, Devilee P, Bayley JP. High prevalence of founder mutations of the succinate dehydrogenase genes in the Netherlands.

Mutations in four genes encoding subunits or cofactors of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) cause hereditary paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma syndromes. Mutations inSDHBandSDHDare generally the most common, whereas mutations inSDHCandSDHAF2are far less frequently observed. A total of 1045 DNA samples from Dutch paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma patients and their relatives were analyzed for mutations ofSDHB,SDHC,SDHDorSDHAF2.Mutations in these genes were identified in 690 cases, 239 of which were index cases. The vast majority of mutation carriers had a mutation inSDHD(87.1%). The second most commonly affected gene wasSDHAF2(6.7%). Mutations inSDHBwere found in only 5.9% of samples, whereasSDHCmutations were found in 0.3% of samples. Remarkably, 69.1% of all carriers of a mutation in an SDH gene in the Netherlands can be attributed to a single founder mutation inSDHD, c.274G>T and p.Asp92Tyr. Moreover, 88.8% of all SDH mutation carriers carry one of just six Dutch founder mutations inSDHB,SDHDandSDHAF2. The dominance ofSDHDmutations is unique to the Netherlands, contrasting with the higher prevalence ofSDHBmutations found elsewhere. In addition, we found that most SDH mutation‐related paragangliomas–pheochromocytomas in the Netherlands can be explained by only six founder mutations inSDHAF2,SDHBandSDHD. The findings underline the regional differences in the SDH mutation spectrum, differences that should be taken into account in the development of effective screening protocols. The results show the crucial role that demographic factors play in the frequency of gene mutations.