bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barrow-in-Furness: a large community legionellosis outbreak in the UK
Authors: BENNETT E. , ASHTON M. , CALVERT N. , CHALONER J. , CHEESBROUGH J. , EGAN J. , FARRELL I. , HALL I. , HARRISON T. G. , NAIK F. C. , PARTRIDGE S. , SYED Q. , GENT R. N.
Published: October 2013

A community outbreak of legionellosis occurred in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, during July and August 2002. A descriptive study and active case-finding were instigated and all known wet cooling systems and other potential sources were investigated. Genotypic and phenotypic analysis, and amplified fragment length polymorphism of clinical human and environmental isolates confirmed the air-conditioning unit of a council-owned arts and leisure centre to be the source of infection. Subsequent sequence-based typing confirmed this link. One hundred and seventy-nine cases, including seven deaths [case fatality rate (CFR) 3·9%] were attributed to the outbreak. Timely recognition and management of the incident very likely led to the low CFR compared to other outbreaks. The outbreak highlights the responsibility associated with managing an aerosol-producing system, with the potential to expose and infect a large proportion of the local population and the consequent legal ramifications and human cost.
Database queries and constraints via lifting problems
Authors: SPIVAK DAVID I.
Published: October 2013

Previous work has demonstrated that categories are useful and expressive models for databases. In the current paper we build on that model, showing that certain queries and constraints correspond to lifting problems, as found in modern approaches to algebraic topology. In our formulation, each SPARQL graph pattern query corresponds to a category-theoretic lifting problem, whereby the set of solutions to the query is precisely the set of lifts. We interpret constraints within the same formalism, and then investigate some basic properties of queries and constraints. In particular, to any database π, we can associate a certain derived databaseQry(π) of queries on π. As an application, we explain how giving users access to certain parts ofQry(π), rather than direct access to π, improves the ability to manage the impact of schema evolution.
The Relation Between Teachers' Diagnostic Sensitivity, their Instructional Activities, and their Students' Achievement Gains in Reading*
Authors: Behrmann Lars , Souvignier Elmar
Published: October 2013

Single studies suggest that the effectiveness of certain instructional activities depends on teachers' judgment accuracy. However, sufficient empirical data is still lacking. In this longitudinal study (N = 75 teachers and 1,865 students), we assessed if the effectiveness of teacher feedback was moderated by judgment accuracy in a standardized reading program. For the purpose of a discriminant validation, moderating effects of teachers' judgment accuracy on their classroom management skills were examined. As expected, multilevel analyses revealed larger reading comprehension gains when teachers provided students with a high number of feedbacks and simultaneously demonstrated high judgment accuracy. Neither interactions nor main effects were found for classroom management skills on reading comprehension. Moreover, no significant interactions with judgment accuracy but main effects were found for both feedback and classroom management skills concerning reading strategy knowledge gains. The implications of the results are discussed.
Multicultural Education and Inter-Ethnic Attitudes
Authors: Verkuyten Maykel , Thijs Jochem
Published: October 2013

Despite the recent retreat of multiculturalism in various European countries, forms of multicultural education are favored and practiced in many of these countries. These educational practices are considered desirable and necessary for the development of positive inter-ethnic relations. After considering conceptions of multicultural education, we discuss multilevel quantitative research on perceived multicultural education and its effects on inter-ethnic attitudes among early adolescents in the Netherlands. The positive effects of multicultural education are interpreted in terms of children’s improved cultural knowledge and understanding, and the establishment of anti-racism norms within the classroom. These two theoretical mechanisms can explain the positive impact of multicultural education on children’s inter-ethnic attitudes. The review of the research is concluded by providing directions and suggestions for future research.
Does the orbit-averaged theory require a scale separation between periodic orbit size and perturbation correlation length?
Authors: Zhang Wenlu , Lin Zhihong
Published: October 2013

Using the canonical perturbation theory, we show that the orbit-averaged theory only requires a time-scale separation between equilibrium and perturbed motions and verifies the widely accepted notion that orbit averaging effects greatly reduce the microturbulent transport of energetic particles in a tokamak. Therefore, a recent claim [Hauff and Jenko, Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 075004 (2009); Jenko et al., ibid. 107, 239502 (2011)] stating that the orbit-averaged theory requires a scale separation between equilibrium orbit size and perturbation correlation length is erroneous.
Investigating the effect of characteristic x-rays in cadmium zinc telluride detectors under breast computerized tomography operating conditions
Authors: Glick Stephen J. , Didier Clay
Published: October 2013

A number of research groups have been investigating the use of dedicated breast computerized tomography (CT). Preliminary results have been encouraging, suggesting an improved visualization of masses on breast CT as compared to conventional mammography. Nonetheless, there are many challenges to overcome before breast CT can become a routine clinical reality. One potential improvement over current breast CT prototypes would be the use of photon counting detectors with cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) (or CdTe) semiconductor material. These detectors can operate at room temperature and provide high detection efficiency and the capability of multi-energy imaging; however, one factor in particular that limits image quality is the emission of characteristic x-rays. In this study, the degradative effects of characteristic x-rays are examined when using a CZT detector under breast CT operating conditions. Monte Carlo simulation software was used to evaluate the effect of characteristic x-rays and the detector element size on spatial and spectral resolution for a CZT detector used under breast CT operating conditions. In particular, lower kVp spectra and thinner CZT thicknesses were studied than that typically used with CZT based conventional CT detectors. In addition, the effect of characteristic x-rays on the accuracy of material decomposition in spectral CT imaging was explored. It was observed that when imaging with 50-60 kVp spectra, the x-ray transmission through CZT was very low for all detector thicknesses studied (0.5–3.0 mm), thus retaining dose efficiency. As expected, characteristic x-ray escape from the detector element of x-ray interaction increased with decreasing detector element size, approaching a 50% escape fraction for a 100 μm size detector element. The detector point spread function was observed to have only minor degradation with detector element size greater than 200 μm and lower kV settings. Characteristic x-rays produced increasing distortion in the spectral response with decreasing detector element size. If not corrected for, this caused a large bias in estimating tissue density parameters for material decomposition. It was also observed that degradation of the spectral response due to characteristic x-rays caused worsening precision in the estimation of tissue density parameters. It was observed that characteristic x-rays do cause some degradation in the spatial and spectral resolution of thin CZT detectors operating under breast CT conditions. These degradations should be manageable with careful selection of the detector element size. Even with the observed spectral distortion from characteristic x-rays, it is still possible to correctly estimate tissue parameters for material decomposition using spectral CT if accurate modeling is used.
Mathematical approaches to modeling of cortical spreading depression
Authors: Miura Robert M. , Huang Huaxiong , Wylie Jonathan J.
Published: October 2013

Migraine with aura (MwA) is a debilitating disease that afflicts about 25%–30% of migraine sufferers. During MwA, a visual illusion propagates in the visual field, then disappears, and is followed by a sustained headache. MwA was conjectured by Lashley to be related to some neurological phenomenon. A few years later, Leão observed electrophysiological waves in the brain that are now known as cortical spreading depression (CSD). CSD waves were soon conjectured to be the neurological phenomenon underlying MwA that had been suggested by Lashley. However, the confirmation of the link between MwA and CSD was not made until 2001 by Hadjikhani et al. [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 98, 4687–4692 (2001)] using functional MRI techniques. Despite the fact that CSD has been studied continuously since its discovery in 1944, our detailed understandings of the interactions between the mechanisms underlying CSD waves have remained elusive. The connection between MwA and CSD makes the understanding of CSD even more compelling and urgent. In addition to all of the information gleaned from the many experimental studies on CSD since its discovery, mathematical modeling studies provide a general and in some sense more precise alternative method for exploring a variety of mechanisms, which may be important to develop a comprehensive picture of the diverse mechanisms leading to CSD wave instigation and propagation. Some of the mechanisms that are believed to be important include ion diffusion, membrane ionic currents, osmotic effects, spatial buffering, neurotransmitter substances, gap junctions, metabolic pumps, and synaptic connections. Discrete and continuum models of CSD consist of coupled nonlinear differential equations for the ion concentrations. In this review of the current quantitative understanding of CSD, we focus on these modeling paradigms and various mechanisms that are felt to be important for CSD.
Nonlinear biochemical signal processing via noise propagation
Authors: Kim Kyung Hyuk , Qian Hong , Sauro Herbert M.
Published: October 2013

Single-cell studies often show significant phenotypic variability due to the stochastic nature of intra-cellular biochemical reactions. When the numbers of molecules, e.g., transcription factors and regulatory enzymes, are in low abundance, fluctuations in biochemical activities become significant and such “noise” can propagate through regulatory cascades in terms of biochemical reaction networks. Here we develop an intuitive, yet fully quantitative method for analyzing how noise affects cellular phenotypes based on identifying a system's nonlinearities and noise propagations. We observe that such noise can simultaneously enhance sensitivities in one behavioral region while reducing sensitivities in another. Employing this novel phenomenon we designed three biochemical signal processing modules: (a) A gene regulatory network that acts as a concentration detector with both enhanced amplitude and sensitivity. (b) A non-cooperative positive feedback system, with a graded dose-response in the deterministic case, that serves as a bistable switch due to noise-induced ultra-sensitivity. (c) A noise-induced linear amplifier for gene regulation that requires no feedback. The methods developed in the present work allow one to understand and engineer nonlinear biochemical signal processors based on fluctuation-induced phenotypes.
Advances in electron kinetics and theory of gas discharges
Authors: Kolobov Vladimir I.
Published: October 2013

“Electrons, like people, are fertile and infertile: high-energy electrons are fertile and able to reproduce.”—Lev Tsendin

Modern physics of gas discharges increasingly uses physical kinetics for analysis of non-equilibrium plasmas. The description of underlying physics at the kinetic level appears to be important for plasma applications in modern technologies. In this paper, we attempt to grasp the legacy of Professor Lev Tsendin, who advocated the use of the kinetic approach for understanding fundamental problems of gas discharges. We outline the fundamentals of electron kinetics in low-temperature plasmas, describe elements of the modern kinetic theory of gas discharges, and show examples of the theoretical approach to gas discharge problems used by Lev Tsendin. Important connections between electron kinetics in gas discharges and semiconductors are also discussed. Using several examples, we illustrate how Tsendin's ideas and methods are currently being developed for the implementation of next generation computational tools for adaptive kinetic-fluid simulations of gas discharges used in modern technologies.
Constrained molecular vibration-rotation Hamiltonians: Contravariant metric tensor
Authors: Pesonen Janne
Published: October 2013

Here, I present a practical recipe for obtaining contravariant vibration-rotation metric tensors, and thus the kinetic energy operators, when some degrees of freedom are constrained rigidly. An element of the contravariant metric tensor is obtained as a sum of dot products of contravariant measuring vectors, which are obtained from their unconstrained counterparts by adding a frozen mode correction. The present method applies in principle for any choice of shape coordinates and a body-frame for which the contravariant measuring vectors can be evaluated. In contrast to the existing methods, the present method does not involve evaluation of covariant metric tensors, matrix inversions, chain rules of derivation, or numerical differentiation. It is applied in the sequel paper [L. Partanen, J. Pesonen, E. Sjöholm, and L. Halonen, J. Chem. Phys. 139, 144311 (2013)] to study the effects of several different approximations to the kinetic energy operator, when the two large-amplitude OH-torsional motions in H2SO4 are of interest.
Vibrational relaxation of chloroiodomethane in cold argon
Authors: Jain Amber , Sibert Edwin L.
Published: October 2013

Electronically exciting the C-I stretch in the molecule chloroiodomethane CH2ClI embedded in a matrix of argon at 12 K can lead to an isomer, iso-chloroiodomethane CH2Cl-I, that features a chlorine iodine bond. By temporally probing the isomer at two different frequencies of 435 nm and 485 nm, multiple timescales for isomerization and vibrational energy relaxation were inferred [T. J. Preston, et al., J. Chem. Phys. 135, 114503 (2011)]. This relaxation is studied theoretically using molecular dynamics by considering 2 and 3 dimensional models. Multiple decay rate constants of the same order of magnitude as the experiment are observed. These decay rate constants are interpreted within the context of the Landau-Teller theory. Sensitivity of the decay rate constants on the bath and system parameters shed more light into the mechanism of vibrational energy relaxation.
Numerical simulations of bubble formation from submerged needles under non-uniform direct current electric field
Authors: Sunder Shyam , Tomar Gaurav
Published: October 2013

In several chemical and space industries, small bubbles are desired for efficient interaction between the liquid and gas phases. In the present study, we show that non-uniform electric field with appropriate electrode configurations can reduce the volume of the bubbles forming at submerged needles by up to three orders of magnitude. We show that localized high electric stresses at the base of the bubbles result in slipping of the contact line on the inner surface of the needle and subsequent bubble formation occurs with contact line inside the needle. We also show that for bubble formation in the presence of highly non-uniform electric field, due to high detachment frequency, the bubbles go through multiple coalescences and thus increase the apparent volume of the detached bubbles.
Structural and electronic properties of hybrid perovskites for high-efficiency thin-film photovoltaics from first-principles
Authors: Brivio Federico , Walker Alison B. , Walsh Aron
Published: October 2013

The performance of perovskite solar cells recently exceeded 15% solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency for small-area devices. The fundamental properties of the active absorber layers, hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites formed from mixing metal and organic halides [e.g., (NH4)PbI3 and (CH3NH3)PbI3], are largely unknown. The materials are semiconductors with direct band gaps at the boundary of the first Brillouin zone. The calculated dielectric constants and band gaps show an orientation dependence, with a low barrier for rotation of the organic cations. Due to the electric dipole of the methylammonium cation, a photoferroic effect may be accessible, which could enhance carrier collection.
Solid-state framing camera with multiple time frames
Authors: Baker K. L. , Stewart R. E. , Steele P. T. , Vernon S. P. , Hsing W. W. , Remington B. A.
Published: October 2013

A high speed solid-state framing camera has been developed which can operate over a wide range of photon energies. This camera measures the two-dimensional spatial profile of the flux incident on a cadmium selenide semiconductor at multiple times. This multi-frame camera has been tested at 3.1 eV and 4.5 keV. The framing camera currently records two frames with a temporal separation between the frames of 5 ps but this separation can be varied between hundreds of femtoseconds up to nanoseconds and the number of frames can be increased by angularly multiplexing the probe beam onto the cadmium selenide semiconductor.
SIMS instrumentation and methodology for mapping of co-localized molecules
Authors: Eller M. J. , Verkhoturov S. V. , Della-Negra S. , Schweikert E. A.
Published: October 2013

We describe an innovative mode for localizing surface molecules. In this methodology, individual C60 impacts at 50 keV are localized using an electron emission microscope, EEM, synchronized with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer for the detection of the concurrently emitted secondary ions. The instrumentation and methodologies for generating ion maps are presented. The performance of the localization scheme depends on the characteristics of the electron emission, those of the EEM and of the software solutions for image analysis. Using 50 keV C60 projectiles, analyte specific maps and maps of co-emitted species have been obtained. The individual impact sites were localized within 1-2 μm. A distinctive feature of recording individual impacts is the ability to identify co-emitted ions which originate from molecules co-located within ∼10 nm.
Diffusion of In and Ga in TiN/HfO2/InGaAs nanofilms
Authors: Sanchez-Martinez A. , Ceballos-Sanchez O. , Vazquez-Lepe M. O. , Duong T. , Arroyave R. , Espinosa-Magaña F. , Herrera-Gomez A.
Published: October 2013

The structure of TiN/HfO2 nanofilms grown on InxGa1−xAs substrates was assessed through angular-resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The quantitative analysis made possible determining the thickness and composition of the various layers constituting the nanofilms treated at different temperatures (un-annealed, 500  °C/120 s and 700  °C/10 s). The TiN layer is crucial to prevent oxygen desorption from the dielectric during annealing. Small amounts of oxidized gallium and metallic arsenic are located at the HfO2/InGaAs interface. The thickness of the HfO2 layer remains stable under the thermal treatments. Annealing affects the In 3d5/2 and Ga 3p signals. From the angular dependence of the peak intensities and the detailed knowledge of the structure of the films, it was possible to determine that annealing causes In and Ga out-diffusion into the metallic layer, and also to quantify the amount of transported matter. This, along with density functional theory calculations, allowed for an estimation of the activation energy of the diffusion of indium through HfO2.
Experiments on wind-perturbed rogue wave hydrodynamics using the Peregrine breather model
Authors: Chabchoub A. , Hoffmann N. , Branger H. , Kharif C. , Akhmediev N.
Published: October 2013

Being considered as a prototype for description of oceanic rogue waves, the Peregrine breather solution of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation has been recently observed and intensely investigated experimentally in particular within the context of water waves. Here, we report the experimental results showing the evolution of the Peregrine solution in the presence of wind forcing in the direction of wave propagation. The results show the persistence of the breather evolution dynamics even in the presence of strong wind and chaotic wave field generated by it. Furthermore, we have shown that characteristic spectrum of the Peregrine breather persists even at the highest values of the generated wind velocities thus making it a viable characteristic for prediction of rogue waves.
Pulsed high-power AlGaN-cladding-free blue laser diodes on semipolar (202¯1¯) GaN substrates
Authors: Pourhashemi A. , Farrell R. M. , Hardy M. T. , Hsu P. S. , Kelchner K. M. , Speck J. S. , DenBaars S. P. , Nakamura S.
Published: October 2013

We demonstrate high-power AlGaN-cladding-free blue laser diodes (LDs) on semipolar (202¯1¯) GaN substrates with peak output powers and external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) that are comparable to state-of-the-art commercial c-plane devices. Ridge waveguide LDs were fabricated on (202¯1¯) GaN substrates using InGaN waveguiding layers and GaN cladding layers. The devices lased at 454 nm at room temperature. We measured an output power of 2.15 W, an EQE of 39%, and a differential quantum efficiency of 49% from a single facet with a pulsed drive current (current density) of 2.02 A (28.1 kA/cm2).
Plastic stability of metallic glass composites under tension
Authors: Wu F. F. , Li S. T. , Zhang G. A. , Wu X. F. , Lin P.
Published: October 2013

The plastic stability of metallic glass composites (MGCs) under tension was investigated. There exists a critical normalized strain-hardening rate determining the plastic stability of MGCs: if the normalized strain-hardening rate is smaller than the critical normalized strain-hardening rate, the plastic instability occurs, thus, leading to localized plastic strain in MGCs; otherwise the plastic stability is in charge of the plastic deformation of the MGCs, so the strain localization or necking is effectively suppressed, which results in homogeneous elongation in MGCs.
An ultrathin directional carpet cloak based on generalized Snell's law
Authors: Zhang Jing , Lei Mei Zhong , Ru Zhang Wan , Yang Fan , Jun Cui Tie
Published: October 2013

Based on generalized Snell's law, we propose an ultrathin directional carpet cloak operating in the reflection geometry. The cloak is constructed by two identical ultrathin metal-backed dielectric slabs with metallic “H” patterns on the other sides to form a triangular region. When put on an infinite ground plane and illuminated by electromagnetic waves from overhead, it can manipulate the reflected wavefronts to mimic the infinite ground plane. We fabricate a microwave sample and perform near-field scanning experiments to verify the cloaking effect. The measurement results are in good agreement with full-wave simulations and theoretical analysis.
Dielectric and optical phonon anomalies near antiferromagnetic ordering in LaCrO3: A possible near room temperature magnetodielectric system
Authors: Tiwari Brajesh , Dixit A. , Naik R. , Lawes G. , Ramachandra Rao M. S.
Published: October 2013

We report on anomalies in the dielectric and optical phonon spectra in bulk orthorhombic distorted perovskite LaCrO3 near an antiferromagnetic transition at 290 K. These anomalies were tracked using temperature dependent (200 K–320 K) dielectric and Raman spectroscopy. We observed a blue-shift for the B3g(3) optical phonon mode coincident with the onset of antiferromagnetic ordering of LaCrO3 in conjunction with a broad dielectric anomaly near the Néel temperature. The dielectric and optical phonon anomalies are discussed in the context of the observed antiferromagnetic transition in temperature dependent magnetic studies.
‘Wild Rivers, Wild Ideas’: Emerging Political Ecologies of Cape York Wild Rivers
Authors: Slater Lisa
Published: October 2013

In 2005 the Australian Queensland state government passed the Wild Rivers Act to preserve the natural heritage of rivers. My interest is not with all Wild Rivers but rather with those in Cape York where the public debate has been fierce and divisive. Prominent Cape York Aboriginal leaders and organisations condemned the bill. A coalition of north Queensland Traditional Owners support the policy and call for the ‘proper Indigenous management of country’ and the right people to speak for country. The conflict is an example of the argument put forward by some scholars that Cape York politics is being reconfigured: there is a schism between regionally focused visions of Indigenous futures and locally focused traditionalist visions held by community leaders ‘living on country’. Analysing the Wild Rivers debate in conjunction with Holmes's and Smith's findings, one is struck by the emerging political ecology: rivers are becoming political actors. By bringing the postcolonial into relation with more-than-human praxis, I want to prise open this debate to consider what the public controversy conceals, what political practices are emerging, and what this demands of scholarship. When rivers become political actors the concept and practice of social justice are potentially reconfigured. What happens when we take seriously rivers as actors in a multirealist world? We know that rivers sustain and reproduce life, but which life worlds are being considered?
Root growth and anchorage by transplanted ‘Tifgreen’ (Cynodon dactylon x C. transvaalensis) turfgrass
Authors: Amthor Jeffrey S. , Beard James B.
Published: October 2013

Field experiments quantified factors affecting root growth and anchorage by transplanted ‘Tifgreen’ (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt Davy) sod, a globally important warm-season C4 turfgrass. Vertical force required to detach recently transplanted sod from underlying soil was the measure of root anchoring strength. In early spring, date of sod harvest and transplantation was important to root growth and anchorage measured 30 days after transplantation. Delaying sod harvest/transplantation by about a month after the end of the winter shoot dormancy period increased root anchoring strength 200% and root dry mass 640% during the 30 days after sodding. The strong effect of early-spring sodding date on root anchorage was related to cumulative thermal time before sod harvesting. Root anchoring strength was directly proportional to the number, but not mass, of roots produced by transplanted sod. In late spring, anchoring of sod to very firm traffic-compacted clay was 87% greater than to loamy sand, measured 14 days after sodding. N-P-K fertilisation did not affect late-spring sod anchorage to loamy sand soil, measured 18 days after sodding, but did enhance shoot density and colour. Sod root penetration into a silt loam soil was unaffected by an initially dry surface layer when sufficient irrigation was used. Overall, root anchorage by transplanted Tifgreen sod was similar to, or greater than, values reported for cool-season C3 turfgrasses in similar circumstances.
Mediation effect of perceived behavioural control on intended condom use: applicability of the theory of planned behaviour to money boys in China
Authors: Liu Hongjie , Kennedy May , Liu Hui , Hong Fuchang , Ha Toan , Ning Zheng
Published: October 2013

BackgroundMoney boys (MBs) are male sex workers who sell sex to men who have sex with men. The objectives of this study were to assess (a) the sexual HIV risk of MBs; (b) the ability of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to predict MBs’ intentions to use condoms; and (c) the manner in which TPB constructs (attitudes towards condom use, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control) combine to influence condom use intentions. Methods: Participants came from 10 MB-frequented clubs in two cities in China. Multiple regression and path analytic models were used to test inter-relationships among the TPB constructs. Results: Seventy-eight percent of the 122 MB participants reported having used condoms for every anal sex act. About one-third reported having had female sexual partners in the past 2 months; of these MBs, half (53%) used condoms for every sex act. A revised model using TPB constructs accounted for 52% of the variance of condom use intentions and revealed that perceived behavioural control was a mediator in pathways beginning with attitudes and ending with condom use intentions, and beginning with subjective norms and ending with intentions. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a revised model of TPB applies to condom use intentions among Chinese MBs. It may be appropriate to adapt HIV interventions that are grounded in TPB and that have been shown to be effective elsewhere for use with Chinese MBs. HIV interventions for this population should give perceived behavioural control and its predictors special consideration.
Acceptability of oral and topical HIV chemoprophylaxis in India: implications for at-risk women and men who have sex with men
Authors: Chandhiok Nomita , Joshi Smita N. , Gangakhedkar Raman
Published: October 2013

With reducing HIV prevalence, India has made gains in containing the epidemic. Yet, unprotected sex and commercial sex work, unprotected anal sex between men and needle sharing among intravenous drug users continue to drive the epidemic. Development of effective, safe and acceptable topical (microbicides) and oral (pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)) chemoprophylaxis could augment the already available tools for HIV prevention. This paper reviews the acceptability of topical microbicides and oral PrEP, in the context of the nature of the HIV epidemic, the sociocultural norms and the acceptability data obtained from studies carried out in India. Overall, men and women have a positive attitude towards the concept and use of microbicide products. Self-perceptions of HIV risk, product attributes, ease and convenience of use during sex, gender norms, the sociocultural context and the potential for undisclosed use were important factors influencing acceptability. A multipurpose product that would simultaneously address women’s contraceptive and disease prevention needs would be devoid of the stigma attached to an anti-HIV product and may be more acceptable. Limited information on the acceptability of oral PrEP amongst high-risk groups merits further research, including carrying out demonstration projects for program introduction.
Self-aligned flat ultra-thin chip package for flexible circuits
Authors: Wang Liang , Cauwe Maarten , Brebels Steven , De Raedt Walter , Vanfleteren Jan
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– Ultra-thin chip packaging (UTCP) is one of the flexible assembly technologies, by which thinned dies are encapsulated inside spin-coated dielectric films. For sake of higher density integration and bending stress suppression, two UTCPs can be stacked vertically. The purpose of this paper is to present an improved UTCP process flow to embed thinned chip in a symmetric dielectric sandwich for a flat topography. The UTCP flat top surface is suitable for metallization and further 3D stacking.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the new process, a central photosensitive polyimide film is introduced, in which a cavity is made for the embedded chip. The cavity is defined by lithography using the chip itself as a photo-mask. In this way, the cavity size and position is self-aligned to the chip. The chip thickness is compensated by the surrounding central layer, and a UTCP with flat topography (flat UTCP) is realized after top dielectric deposition.

Findings

– A batch of daisy chain test vehicles was produced. The feasibility of the process flow is verified by optical and electrical measurements. The result shows 100 percent yield, which is much better than previous work. A thermal humidity test showed no significant degradation of the flat UTCPs after 1,000 hours.

Originality/value

– High yield fabrication of flat UTCP is first shown. An innovative self-alignment lithography step is introduced to make a cavity in dielectric for chip thickness compensation by using the chip itself as a photo-mask.
Adaptation of reproductive phenology to climate change with ecological feedback via dominance hierarchies
Authors: Johansson Jacob , Smith Henrik G. , Jonzén Niclas
Published: October 2013

Phenological shifts belong to the most commonly observed biological responses to recent climate change. It is, however, often unclear how these shifts are linked to demography and competitive interactions.

We develop an eco‐evolutionary model to study adaptation of timing of reproduction in organisms with social dominance hierarchies. We focus on residential birds with winter flocks, where success in competition for territories among offspring depends on ranking given by prior residence. We study the effects of environmental change on breeding population densities, ensuing selection pressures and long‐term evolutionary equilibria. We consider changes in food peak date, in winter survival, in total reproductive output and in the width of the food distribution.

We show that the evolutionarily stable hatching date will advance with increasing winter survival and reproductive output since these parameters increase habitat saturation and post‐fledging competition. Increasing the length of the breeding season also selects for earlier hatching date due to the reduced costs for producing offspring with high ranking.

Our analysis shows that there is little correlation between short‐term and long‐term population responses across different scenarios of environmental change. However, short‐term population growth consistently predicts selection for earlier reproduction. Hence, the model identifies changed breeding population density as a key factor to understanding phenological adaptation in systems with prior residence advantages.

While selection for change in reproductive phenology is often explained by changed seasonal variation in environmental variables, such as food abundance, we show that environmental change without apparent effects on seasonality can critically affect phenological adaptation. Such factors can mask or even override influences of changed seasonality on phenology. The model thus offers a conceptually new set of explanations for understanding phenological and demographic trends in a changing climate.
The geographical patterns of symbiont diversity in the invasive legume Mimosa pudica can be explained by the competitiveness of its symbionts and by the host genotype
Authors: Melkonian Rémy , Moulin Lionel , Béna Gilles , Tisseyre Pierre , Chaintreuil Clémence , Heulin Karine , Rezkallah Naïma , Klonowska Agnieszka , Gonzalez Sophie , Simon Marcelo , Chen Wen‐Ming , James Euan K. , Laguerre Gisèle
Published: October 2013

Variations in the patterns of diversity of symbionts have been described worldwide on Mimosa pudica, a pan‐tropical invasive species that interacts with both α and β‐rhizobia. In this study, we investigated if symbiont competitiveness can explain these variations and the apparent prevalence of β‐ over α‐rhizobia. We developed an indirect method to measure the proportion of nodulation against a GFP reference strain and tested its reproducibility and efficiency. We estimated the competitiveness of 54 strains belonging to four species of β‐rhizobia and four of α‐rhizobia, and the influence of the host genotype on their competitiveness. Our results were compared with biogeographical patterns of symbionts and host varieties. We found: (i) a strong strain effect on competitiveness largely explained by the rhizobial species, with Burkholderia phymatum being the most competitive species, followed by B. tuberum, whereas all other species shared similar and reduced levels of competitiveness; (ii) plant genotype can increase the competitiveness of Cupriavidus taiwanensis. The latter data support the likelihood of the strong adaptation of C. taiwanensis with the M. pudica var. unijuga and help explain its prevalence as a symbiont of this variety over Burkholderia species in some environments, most notably in Taiwan.
Myxobacterial community is a predominant and highly diverse bacterial group in soil niches
Authors: Zhou Xiu‐wen , Li Shu‐guang , Li Wei , Jiang De‐ming , Han Kui , Wu Zhi‐hong , Li Yue‐zhong
Published: October 2013

Although many molecular ecological surveys have been conducted, there is little concerning the details of specific bacterial groups, resulting in an incomplete understanding of the microorganismal composition and community structures in the environment. Myxobacteria are micropredators that are metabolically active in the soil microbial food web and have typically been considered minority components of soil bacterial communities. In this study, we surveyed the percentage of myxobacteria in a single soil sample via pyrosequencing on combined universal libraries of the V3‐V4 and V6‐V8 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Surprisingly, myxobacteria accounted for 4.10% of the bacterial community and 7.5% of the total operational taxonomic units at the 3% similarity level in the soil, containing almost all of the cultivated myxobacterial families or genera. To testify the appearance of myxobacteria in soil niches, we retrieved myxobacteria‐related 16S rRNA gene sequences of 103 high‐throughput sequencing data sets obtained from public databases. The results indicated that myxobacteria‐related sequences were among the predominant groups in these data sets accounting for 0.4–4.5% of bacterial communities. The abundance of myxobacterial communities were correlated with site temperature, carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratio and pH values. Based on these results, we discussed the survival strategies of myxobacterial community in soil.
Stem cells, tissue engineering and periodontal regeneration
Authors: Han J , Menicanin D , Gronthos S , Bartold PM
Published: October 2013

The aim of this review is to discuss the clinical utility of stem cells in periodontal regeneration by reviewing relevant literature that assesses the periodontal‐regenerative potential of stem cells. We consider and describe the main stem cell populations that have been utilized with regard to periodontal regeneration, including bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells and the main dental‐derived mesenchymal stem cell populations: periodontal ligament stem cells, dental pulp stem cells, stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, stem cells from apical papilla and dental follicle precursor cells. Research into the use of stem cells for tissue regeneration has the potential to significantly influence periodontal treatment strategies in the future.
Extensive changes in innate immune gene expression in obese Göttingen minipigs do not lead to changes in concentrations of circulating cytokines and acute phase proteins
Authors: Rødgaard T. , Skovgaard K. , Moesgaard S. G. , Cirera S. , Christoffersen B. Ø. , Heegaard P. M. H.
Published: October 2013

The usefulness of Göttingen minipigs as models for obesity and obesity‐related pathologies is well established. The low‐grade inflammation associated with obesity involves a range of innate immune factors; however, to our knowledge, the impact of obesity on innate immune factor expression has not been studied in Göttingen minipigs. Therefore, we studied the expression of innate immune genes in liver and adipose tissues as well as serum concentrations of cytokines and acute phase proteins in obese vs. lean Göttingen minipigs. In the liver, of 35 investigated genes, the expression of nine was significantly different in obese pigs (three up‐regulated, six down‐regulated). Of 33 genes in adipose tissues, obesity was associated with changed expression of 12 genes in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (three up‐regulated), 11 in the abdominal retroperitoneal adipose tissue (RPAT) (seven of these up‐regulated) and eight in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) from the neck (five of which were up‐regulated). Obesity‐associated expression changes were observed for three genes in all adipose tissues, namely chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 3‐like 1 (up‐regulated), CD200 molecule (down‐regulated) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (up‐regulated) with interleukin 1 receptor antagonist being the most highly regulated gene in both VAT and RPAT. Looking at patterns of expression across the three types of adipose tissues, obesity was associated with an increased number of acute phase proteins differentially expressed between adipose tissues and a decreased tissue‐specific expression of cytokines and chemokines. In contrast to obese humans, no changes in serum concentrations of haptoglobin, C‐reactive protein, serum amyloid A, tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin 6 were found in obese Göttingen minipigs.
Inhibition of IgE binding to cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinants enhances diagnostic selectivity
Authors: Holzweber F. , Svehla E. , Fellner W. , Dalik T. , Stubler S. , Hemmer W. , Altmann F.
Published: October 2013

Background

Allergy diagnosis by determination of allergen‐specific IgE is complicated by clinically irrelevant IgE, of which the most prominent example is IgE against cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs) that occur on allergens from plants and insects. Therefore, CCDs cause numerous false‐positive results. Inhibition of CCDs has been proposed as a remedy, but has not yet found its way into the routine diagnostic laboratory. We sought to provide a simple and affordable procedure to overcome the CCD problem.

Methods

Serum samples from allergic patients were analysed for allergen‐specific IgEs by different commercial tests (from Mediwiss, Phadia and Siemens) with and without a semisynthetic CCD blocker with minimized potential for nonspecific interactions that was prepared from purified bromelain glycopeptides and human serum albumin.

Results

Twenty two per cent of about 6000 serum samples reacted with CCD reporter proteins. The incidence of anti‐CCD IgE reached 35% in the teenage group. In patients with anti‐CCD IgE, application of the CCD blocker led to a clear reduction in read‐out values, often below the threshold level. A much better correlation between laboratory results and anamnesis and skin tests was achieved in many cases. The CCD blocker did not affect test results where CCDs were not involved.

Conclusion

Eliminating the effect of IgEs directed against CCDs by inhibition leads to a significant reduction in false‐positive in vitro test results without lowering sensitivity towards relevant sensitizations. Application of the CCD blocker may be worthwhile wherever natural allergen extracts or components are used.
Role of ADAMTS13 in the management of thrombotic microangiopathies including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
Authors: Shah Neil , Rutherford Cynthia , Matevosyan Karen , Shen Yu‐Min , Sarode Ravi
Published: October 2013

The clinical presentation of thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP) and other thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) can often be similar. The role of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13) in diagnosing TTP is accepted by most researchers but continues to be debated in a few studies. We report the experience of our single‐centre academic institution, where ADAMTS13 is used to diagnose TTP and guide plasma exchange (PLEX). Patients presenting to our institution with thrombotic microangiopathy (60 patients) between January 2006 and December 2012 were divided into two groups based on ADAMTS13 activity and clinical history. Patients with ADAMTS13 activity <10% were included in the TTP (n = 30) cohort while patients with activity >11% were classified as ‘other microangiopathies’ (TMA, n = 30). PLEX was only initiated in patients with a high likelihood of TTP and discontinued when the baseline ADAMTS13 activity was >11%. Patients with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency (TTP group) showed significant presenting differences: lower platelet counts, less renal dysfunction, higher presence of neurological abnormalities, and greater haemolysis markers as compared to non‐deficient patients (TMA group). Most importantly, patients without severe ADAMTS13 deficiency were safely managed without increased mortality despite receiving no PLEX or discontinuing PLEX after a short course (upon availability of ADAMTS13 results). In conclusion, ADAMTS13 can be used to diagnose TTP and guide appropriate PLEX therapy.
The role of commitment strength in enhancing safe water consumption: Mediation analysis of a cluster‐randomized trial
Authors: Inauen Jennifer , Tobias Robert , Mosler Hans‐Joachim
Published: October 2013

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to investigate the importance of commitment strength in the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and to test whether behaviour change techniques (BCTs) aimed at increasing commitment strength indeed promote switching to arsenic‐safe wells by changing commitment strength.

Design

A cluster‐randomized controlled trial with four arms was conducted to compare an information‐only intervention to information plus one, two, or three commitment‐enhancing BCTs.

Methods

Randomly selected households (N = 340) of Monoharganj, Bangladesh, in seven geographically separate areas, whose members were drinking arsenic‐contaminated water at baseline and had access to arsenic‐safe wells, participated in this trial. The areas were randomly allocated to the four intervention arms. Water consumption behaviour, variables of the TPB, commitment strength, and socio‐demographic characteristics were assessed at baseline and at 3‐month follow‐up by structured face‐to‐face interviews. Mediation analysis was used to investigate the mechanisms of behaviour change.

Results

Changes in commitment strength significantly increased the explanatory power of the TPB to predict well‐switching. Commitment‐enhancing BCTs – public self‐commitment, implementation intentions, and reminders – increased the behaviour change effects of information by up to 50%. Mediation analyses confirmed that the BCTs indeed increased well‐switching by increasing commitment strength. Unexpectedly, however, mediation via changes in behavioural intentions was the strongest mechanism of the intervention effects.

Conclusions

Commitment is an important construct to consider in water‐ and health‐related behaviour change and may be for other health behaviours as well. BCTs that alter behavioural intentions and commitment strength proved highly effective at enhancing the behaviour change effects of information alone.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject? Millions of people drink contaminated water even if they have access to safe water alternatives and despite increased awareness of the consequences to health. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and commitment strength are predictive of safe water consumption. The potentially commitment‐enhancing behaviour change techniques (BCTs) – reminders, implementation intentions, and public self‐commitment – can promote health behaviours, including safe water consumption.

What does this study add?

Changes in commitment strength significantly added to the prediction of switching to arsenic‐safe wells by the TPB.

Information‐plus‐BCTs aimed at increasing commitment strength led to >50% more well‐switching than information alone.

Behaviour change effects of the BCTs were mediated by changes in commitment strength and behavioural intentions.