bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrary interfacial exciton dissociation at metal/organic interface in regular and reverse configuration organic solar cells
Authors: Wu Bo , Wu Zhenghui , Tam Hoi Lam , Zhu Furong
Published: September 2014

An opposite interfacial exciton dissociation behavior at the metal (Al)/organic cathode interface in regular and inverted organic solar cells (OSCs) was analyzed using transient photocurrent measurements. It is found that Al/organic contact in regular OSCs, made with the blend layer of poly[[4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl]-[3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4-b]-thiophenediyl]] (PTB7):3′H-Cyclopropa [8,25][5,6] fullerene-C70-D5h(6)-3′-butanoicacid,3′-phenyl-,methyl ester (PC70BM), always hampers the electron collection. However, this is not observed in their reverse geometry OSCs fabricated using the same PTB7:PC70BM blend system. The detrimental interfacial exciton dissociation in regular OSCs originates the compensation of field drifted photo-generated electrons at Al/organic interface. The unfavorable interfacial exciton dissociation can be eliminated, e.g., by interposing a ZnO-based interlayer between Al and organic layer, attaining an efficient electron collection, thereby power conversion efficiency.
Low trap states in in situ SiNx/AlN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor structures grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Lu Xing , Ma Jun , Jiang Huaxing , Liu Chao , Lau Kei May
Published: September 2014

We report the use of SiNx grown in situ by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition as the gate dielectric for AlN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structures. Two kinds of trap states with different time constants were identified and characterized. In particular, the SiNx/AlN interface exhibits remarkably low trap state densities in the range of 1011–1012 cm−2eV−1. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses revealed that the in situ SiNx layer can provide excellent passivation without causing chemical degradation to the AlN surface. These results imply the great potential of in situ SiNx as an effective gate dielectric for AlN/GaN MIS devices.
Anisotropic magnetodielectric coupling behavior of Ca3Co1.4Rh0.6O6 due to geometrically frustrated magnetism
Authors: Basu Tathamay , Iyer Kartik K. , Singh Kiran , Mukherjee K. , Paulose P. L. , Sampathkumaran E. V.
Published: September 2014

We have investigated the magnetic, dielectric, and magnetodielectric (MDE) behavior of a geometrically frustrated spin-chain system, Ca3Co1.4Rh0.6O6 (related to Ca3CoRhO6), in the single crystalline form for different orientations. The results bring out that the magnetic behavior of this compound is by itself interesting in the sense that this compound exhibits an anisotropic glassy-like magnetic behavior with a huge frequency (ν) dependence of ac susceptibility (χ) peak for an orientation along the spin-chain in the range of 30–60 K; this behavior is robust to applications of large external magnetic fields (H) unlike in canonical spin-glasses. The temperature dependence of dielectric constant also shows strong ν-dependence with similar robustness to H. The isothermal H-dependent dielectric results at low temperatures establish anisotropic MDE coupling. It is intriguing to note that there is a “step” roughly at one-third of saturation values as in the case of isothermal magnetization curves for same temperatures (for orientation along spin-chain), a correlation hitherto unrealized for geometrically frustrated systems.
Generation of uniform large-area very high frequency plasmas by launching two specific standing waves simultaneously
Authors: Chen Hsin-Liang , Tu Yen-Cheng , Hsieh Cheng-Chang , Lin Deng-Lain , Leou Keh-Chyang
Published: September 2014

With the characteristics of higher electron density and lower ion bombardment energy, large-area VHF (very high frequency) plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition has become an essential manufacturing equipment to improve the production throughput and efficiency of thin film silicon solar cell. However, the combination of high frequency and large electrodes leads to the so-called standing wave effect causing a serious problem for the deposition uniformity of silicon thin film. In order to address this issue, a technique based on the idea of simultaneously launching two standing waves that possess similar amplitudes and are out of phase by 90° in time and space is proposed in this study. A linear plasma reactor with discharge length of 54 cm is tested with two different frequencies including 60 and 80 MHz. The experimental results show that the proposed technique could effectively improve the non-uniformity of VHF plasmas from >±60% when only one standing wave is applied to <±10% once two specific standing waves are launched at the same time. Moreover, in terms of the reactor configuration adopted in this study, in which the standing wave effect along the much shorter dimension can be ignored, the proposed technique is applicable to different frequencies without the need to alter the number and arrangement of power feeding points.
Current-driven perpendicular magnetization switching in Ta/CoFeB/[TaOx or MgO/TaOx] films with lateral structural asymmetry
Authors: Yu Guoqiang , Chang Li-Te , Akyol Mustafa , Upadhyaya Pramey , He Congli , Li Xiang , Wong Kin L. , Amiri Pedram Khalili , Wang Kang L.
Published: September 2014

We study the current-driven perpendicular magnetization switching in Ta/CoFeB(wedge)/[TaOx or MgO/TaOx] devices with a lateral structural asymmetry introduced by a varying CoFeB thickness. In these devices, an in-plane current can generate a field-like torque and its corresponding effective magnetic field (HzFL) is out-of-plane, which can deterministically switch perpendicular magnetization at zero magnetic field. Experimental results indicate that the method used for breaking lateral structural symmetry greatly affects the resulting field-like torque, and that the gradient of perpendicular anisotropy, resulting from the CoFeB thickness variation, is not by itself sufficient to give rise to the current-induced HzFL. Analysis of the oxidation gradient at the CoFeB/TaOx interface indicates that the oxidation gradient may play a more important role than the gradient of magnetic anisotropy for the generation of HzFL. For practical applications, the demonstration of perpendicular magnetization switching in Ta/CoFeB(wedge)/MgO/TaOx devices potentially allows for using MgO-based magnetic tunnel junctions for readout in three-terminal memory devices without the need for external magnetic fields.
Three dimensional nonlinear simulations of edge localized modes on the EAST tokamak using BOUT++ code
Authors: Liu Z. X. , Xu X. Q. , Gao X. , Xia T. Y. , Joseph I. , Meyer W. H. , Liu S. C. , Xu G. S. , Shao L. M. , Ding S. Y. , Li G. Q. , Li J. G.
Published: September 2014

Experimental measurements of edge localized modes (ELMs) observed on the EAST experiment are compared to linear and nonlinear theoretical simulations of peeling-ballooning modes using the BOUT++ code. Simulations predict that the dominant toroidal mode number of the ELM instability becomes larger for lower current, which is consistent with the mode structure captured with visible light using an optical CCD camera. The poloidal mode number of the simulated pressure perturbation shows good agreement with the filamentary structure observed by the camera. The nonlinear simulation is also consistent with the experimentally measured energy loss during an ELM crash and with the radial speed of ELM effluxes measured using a gas puffing imaging diagnostic.
Interplay of uniaxial and cubic anisotropy in epitaxial Fe thin films on MgO (001) substrate
Authors: Mallik Srijani , Chowdhury Niru , Bedanta Subhankar
Published: September 2014

Epitaxial Fe thin films were grown on annealed MgO(001) substrates at oblique incidence by DC magnetron sputtering. Due to the oblique growth configuration, uniaxial anisotropy was found to be superimposed on the expected four-fold cubic anisotropy. A detailed study of in-plane magnetic hysteresis for Fe on MgO thin films has been performed by Magneto Optic Kerr Effect (MOKE) magnetometer. Both single step and double step loops have been observed depending on the angle between the applied field and easy axis i.e. along ⟨100⟩ direction. Domain images during magnetization reversal were captured by Kerr microscope. Domain images clearly evidence two successive and separate 90° domain wall (DW) nucleation and motion along cubic easy cum uniaxial easy axis and cubic easy cum uniaxial hard axis, respectively. However, along cubic hard axis two 180° domain wall motion dominate the magnetization reversal process. In spite of having four-fold anisotropy it is essential to explain magnetization reversal mechanism in 0°< ϕ < 90° span as uniaxial anisotropy plays a major role in this system. Also it is shown that substrate rotation can suppress the effect of uniaxial anisotropy superimposed on four-fold anisotropy.
Effect of fescue toxicosis on whole body energy and nitrogen balance, in situ degradation and ruminal passage rates in Holstein steers
Authors: Koontz A. F. , Kim D. H. , McLeod K. R. , Klotz J. L. , Harmon D. L.
Published: September 2014

This study was designed to examine alteration of ruminal kinetics, as well as N and energy balance during fescue toxicosis. Six ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (bodyweight (BW) = 217 ± 7 kg) were weight matched into pairs and pair fed throughout a crossover design experiment with a 2×2 factorial treatment structure. Factors were endophyte (infected, E+ vs. uninfected, E−) and feeding level (1100 (L) or 1800 (H) kJ/kG BW.75). During each period, after 8 days of feeding level adaptation, animals were ruminally dosed twice daily with ground fescue seed for the remainder of the period. One steer per pair was dosed with ground endophyte infected fescue seed (E+), the other with ground endophyte free fescue seed. In situ degradation of ground alfalfa was determined on Days 13–16. Total faecal and urinary collections were performed on Days 17–21, with animals placed into indirect calorimetry head-boxes during Days 20 and 21. Heat production (HP) was calculated using the Brower equation. Retained energy (RE) was calculated as intakeE – (faecalE + urinaryE + gaseousE + HP). Liquid and particulate passage rates were evaluated using Cr:EDTA and iADF respectively on Days 22 and 23. There was no difference (P > 0.9) in dry matter intake (DMI)/kg.75 between endophyte treatments, and DMI/kg.75 was different (P < 0.01) between H and L intake by design. Animals on H feeding had higher (P < 0.01) water, N and energy intakes. Energy and N excretion, as well as retained DE, ME, RE, and HP were higher (P < 0.03) for H versus L. There was no difference in retained N, DE, ME, or HP (P > 0.15) between endophyte treatments. Neither rate nor extent of in situ degradation was altered by intake level or endophyte treatment (P > 0.3). DM percentage and DM weight of rumen contents were increased (P < 0.01) by E+ dosing. Particulate passage increased (P = 0.0002) during H intake and decreased (P = 0.02) with E+ dosing. Ruminal liquid passage decreased (P < 0.03) with H feeding, while liquid flow rate tended to be reduced (P < 0.14) with E+ dosing. Total VFA concentration increased with both H feeding (P < 0.01) and E+ dosing (P < 0.0001). Despite these differences, the N and energy balance data indicate that the reductions in weight gain and productivity seen during fescue toxicosis are primarily due to reduced intake.
Soil fertility, physical and chemical organic matter fractions, natural 13C and 15N abundance in biogenic and physicogenic aggregates in areas under different land use systems
Authors: Loss Arcângelo , Pereira Marcos Gervasio , Costa Elias Mendes , Beutler Sidinei Julio
Published: September 2014

The dynamics of soil aggregation, including aggregate formation by biogenic and physicogenic processes, is affected by the soil management system. The present study aimed to divide soil aggregates into biogenic and physicogenic, and to characterise the aggregates in terms of soil exchange complex, distribution of total organic carbon (TOC), nitrogen (N) levels, and natural 13C and 15N abundance, and determine C levels in the soil organic matter (SOM) fractions of the aggregates. The areas studied were under a no-till system (NTS) established 15 years before, conventional tillage system (CTS) managed with ploughing and harrowing for 56 years, and a secondary forest (Forest) and pasture grass (Axonopus compressus) (Pasture) (both ≥30 years old). Undisturbed soil samples were collected at 0–5 and 5–10 cm. CTS was unsuitable for biogenic aggregate formation, and NTS and Forest areas showed similar biogenic and physicogenic aggregate content. The Pasture area promoted the formation of biogenic aggregates. In contrast to CTS, NTS increased TOC, calcium, magnesium, nitrogen and phosphorus levels. Considering the parameters evaluated, the Forest area showed the most variation (differences) between biogenic and physicogenic aggregates. Biogenic aggregates exhibited higher TOC and nutrient levels than their physicogenic counterparts. In the CTS area, the absence of legumes and the long-term and constant use of N-fertilisers resulted in 15N soil enrichment (at 0–5 cm). In the Pasture area, the absence of legumes and the constant deposition of cattle manure also increased 15N content relative to NTS and Forest areas. The Forest area had the lowest 15N values in the two layers and aggregate types studied. The levels of 13C reflect the type of material incorporated in the soil (mostly C3 plants in Forest and NTS areas and C4 plants in Pasture and CTS areas). The Pasture area favoured the formation of stable SOM, with higher levels of C content in humin fraction (C-HUM) and mineral-associated OC (MOC). CTS compromised SOM stabilisation, producing lower levels of C-HUM, MOC, and moderately oxidisable and resistant fractions. The biogenic aggregates enhanced soil fertility and contained higher C content in SOM fractions than the physicogenic aggregates. We conclude that biogenic rather than physicogenic aggregates can be considered reliable indicators of soil quality.
Components of Brief Alcohol Interventions for Youth in the Emergency Department
Authors: Walton Maureen A. , Chermack Stephen T. , Blow Frederic C. , Ehrlich Peter F. , Barry Kristen L. , Booth Brenda M. , Cunningham Rebecca M.
Published: September 2014

Background

Alcohol brief interventions (BIs) delivered by therapists are promising among underage drinkers in the emergency department (ED); however, integration into routine ED care is lacking. Harnessing technology for identification of at-risk drinkers and delivery of interventions could have tremendous public health impact by addressing practical barriers to implementation. The paper presents baseline, within BI session, and posttest data from an ongoing randomized controlled trial (RCT) of youth in the ED.

Methods

Patients (ages 14–20) who screened positive for risky drinking were randomized to computer BI (CBI), therapist BI (TBI), or control. Measures included demographics, alcohol consumption (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test—Consumption [AUDIT-C]), process questions, BI components (e.g., strengths, tools), and psychological constructs (i.e., importance of cutting down, likelihood of cutting down, readiness to stop, and wanting help).

Results

Among 4389 youth surveyed (13.7% refused), 24.0% ( n = 1053) screened positive for risky drinking and 80.3% ( n = 836) were enrolled in the RCT; 93.7% ( n = 783) completed the posttest. Although similar in content, the TBI included a tailored, computerized workbook to structure the session, whereas the CBI was a stand-alone, offline, Facebook-styled program. As compared with controls, significant increases were found at posttest for the TBI in “importance to cut down” and “readiness to stop” and for the CBI in “importance and likelihood to cut down.” BI components positively associated with outcomes at posttest included greater identification of personal strengths, protective behavioral strategies, benefits of change, and alternative activities involving sports. In contrast, providing information during the TBI was negatively related to outcomes at posttest.

Conclusions

Initial data suggest that therapist and computer BIs are promising, increasing perceived importance of reducing drinking. In addition, findings provide clues to potentially beneficial components of BIs. Future studies are needed to identify BI components that have the greatest influence on reducing risky drinking behaviors among adolescents and emerging adults.
Just passing through? Inhibition of return in saccadic sequences
Authors: MacInnes W. Joseph , Krüger Hannah M. , Hunt Amelia R.
Published: September 2014

Responses tend to be slower to previously fixated spatial locations, an effect known as “inhibition of return” (IOR). Saccades cannot be assumed to be independent, however, and saccade sequences programmed in parallel differ from independent eye movements. We measured the speed of both saccadic and manual responses to probes appearing in previously fixated locations when those locations were fixated as part of either parallel or independent saccade sequences. Saccadic IOR was observed in independent but not parallel saccade sequences, while manual IOR was present in both parallel and independent sequence types. Saccadic IOR was also short-lived, and dissipated with delays of more than ∼1500 ms between the intermediate fixation and the probe onset. The results confirm that the characteristics of IOR depend critically on the response modality used for measuring it, with saccadic and manual responses giving rise to motor and attentional forms of IOR, respectively. Saccadic IOR is relatively short-lived and is not observed at intermediate locations of parallel saccade sequences, while attentional IOR is long-lasting and consistent for all sequence types.
Do Spanish Informal Caregivers Come to the Rescue of Dependent People with Formal Care Unmet Needs?
Authors: Jiménez‐Martín Sergi , Vilaplana Prieto Cristina
Published: September 2014

This article analyzes the effect of formal care unmet needs on informal caregiving hours in Spain using two waves of the Informal Support Survey (1994, 2004). Testing for double sample selection from formal care and the emergence of unmet needs reveals that the omission of either variable causes underestimation of the number of informal caregiving hours. In the model for 2004, the selection term of the unmet needs equation is larger than that of the formal care equation, suggesting that the number of formal care recipients as a quality indicator may be confounding, if not completed with other quality indicators.
Endogeneity Corrected Stochastic Production Frontier and Technical Efficiency
Authors: Shee Apurba , Stefanou Spiro E.
Published: September 2014

A major econometric issue in estimating production parameters and technical efficiency is the possibility that some forces influencing production are only observed by the firm and not by the econometrician. Not only can this misspecification lead to a biased inference on the output elasticity of inputs, but it also provides a faulty measure of technical efficiency. We extend the Levinsohn and Petrin (2003) approach and provide an estimation algorithm to overcome the problem of endogenous input choice in stochastic production frontier estimation by generating consistent estimates of production parameters and technical efficiency. We apply the proposed method to a plant‐level panel dataset from the Colombian food manufacturing sector for the period 1982–1998. This dataset provides the value of output and prices charged for each product, expenditures, and prices paid for each material used, energy consumption in kilowatt per hour and energy prices, number of workers and payroll, and book values of capital stock. Empirical results find that the traditional stochastic production frontier tends to underestimate the output elasticity of capital and firm‐level technical efficiency. The evidence in this research suggests that addressing the endogeneity issue matters in stochastic production frontier analysis.
Improved rat genome gene prediction by integration of ESTs with RNA-Seq information
Authors: Li Liping , Chen Enguo , Yang Chun , Zhu Jun , Jayaraman Pushkala , De Pons Jeffrey , Kaczorowski Catherine C. , Jacob Howard J. , Greene Andrew S. , Hodges Matthew R. , Cowley Allen W. , Liang Mingyu , Xu Haiming , Liu Pengyuan , Lu Yan
Published: September 2014

Motivation: RNA-Seq (also called whole-transcriptome sequencing) is an emerging technology that uses the capabilities of next-generation sequencing to detect and quantify entire transcripts. One of its important applications is the improvement of existing genome annotations. RNA-Seq provides rapid, comprehensive and cost-effective tools for the discovery of novel genes and transcripts compared with expressed sequence tag (EST), which is instrumental in gene discovery and gene sequence determination. The rat is widely used as a laboratory disease model, but has a less well-annotated genome as compared with humans and mice. In this study, we incorporated deep RNA-Seq data from three rat tissues—bone marrow, brain and kidney—with EST data to improve the annotation of the rat genome.

Results: Our analysis identified 32 197 transcripts, including 13 461 known transcripts, 13 934 novel isoforms and 4802 new genes, which almost doubled the numbers of transcripts in the current public rat genome database (rn5). Comparisons of our predicted protein-coding gene sets with those in public datasets suggest that RNA-Seq significantly improves genome annotation and identifies novel genes and isoforms in the rat. Importantly, the large majority of novel genes and isoforms are supported by direct evidence of RNA-Seq experiments. These predicted genes were integrated into the Rat Genome Database (RGD) and can serve as an important resource for functional studies in the research community.

Availability and implementation: The predicted genes are available at http://rgd.mcw.edu .

Contact:  hmxu@zju.edu.cn or pliu@mcw.edu or yanlu76@zju.edu.cn

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
EUROCarbDB(CCRC): a EUROCarbDB node for storing glycomics standard data
Authors: Al Jadda Khalifeh , Porterfield Melody P. , Bridger Robert , Heiss Christian , Tiemeyer Michael , Wells Lance , Miller John A. , York William S. , Ranzinger Rene
Published: September 2014

Motivation: In the field of glycomics research, several different techniques are used for structure elucidation. Although multiple techniques are often used to increase confidence in structure assignments, most glycomics databases allow storing of only a single type of experimental data. In addition, the methods used to prepare a sample for analysis is seldom recorded making it harder to reproduce the analytical data and results.

Results: We have extended the freely available EUROCarbDB framework to allow the submission of experimental data and the reporting of several orthogonal experimental datasets. The features aim to increase the understandability and reproducibility of the reported data.

Availability and implementation: The installation with the glycan standards is available at http://glycomics.ccrc.uga.edu/eurocarb/ . The source code of the project is available at https://code.google.com/p/ucdb/ .

Contact:  rene@ccrc.uga.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Origin of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in the Bay of Biscay
Authors: Fraile Igaratza , Arrizabalaga Haritz , Rooker Jay R.
Published: September 2014

We used carbon and oxygen isotope ratios (δ13C and δ18O) in otoliths as a tool for identifying the nursery origin of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) caught in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean (Bay of Biscay). Juvenile and adult bluefin tuna were collected over three consecutive years (2009—2011) using the regional bait boat fleet. Otolith δ13C and δ18O values of bluefin tuna were measured by mass spectrometry, and values were compared with a reference sample of yearling bluefin tuna from eastern (Mediterranean Sea) and western (Gulf of Mexico) nurseries to determine nursery origin. Maximum likelihood estimates based on otolith δ13C and δ18O values indicated that the overall contribution of western migrants to the Bay of Biscay fishery was <1% and varied over the years assessed. A small number of potential western migrants (2.7%) was detected in 2009, and most of these fish appear members of the abundant 2002 and 2003 year classes. In contrast, the Bay of Biscay fishery was composed exclusively (100%) of eastern origin bluefin tuna in 2010 and 2011, suggesting that this fishery is supported almost exclusively by the eastern spawning area but transatlantic western population may contribute to this fishery in a few years.
Mechanism of retinoic acid-induced transcription: histone code, DNA oxidation and formation of chromatin loops
Authors: Zuchegna Candida , Aceto Fabiana , Bertoni Alessandra , Romano Antonella , Perillo Bruno , Laccetti Paolo , Gottesman Max E. , Avvedimento Enrico V. , Porcellini Antonio
Published: September 2014

Histone methylation changes and formation of chromatin loops involving enhancers, promoters and 3′ end regions of genes have been variously associated with active transcription in eukaryotes. We have studied the effect of activation of the retinoic A receptor, at the RARE–promoter chromatin of CASP9 and CYP26A1 genes, 15 and 45 min following RA exposure, and we found that histone H3 lysines 4 and 9 are demethylated by the lysine-specific demethylase, LSD1 and by the JMJ-domain containing demethylase, D2A. The action of the oxidase (LSD1) and a dioxygenase (JMJD2A) in the presence of Fe++ elicits an oxidation wave that locally modifies the DNA and recruits the enzymes involved in base and nucleotide excision repair (BER and NER). These events are essential for the formation of chromatin loop(s) that juxtapose the RARE element with the 5′ transcription start site and the 3′ end of the genes. The RARE bound-receptor governs the 5′ and 3′ end selection and directs the productive transcription cycle of RNA polymerase. These data mechanistically link chromatin loops, histone methylation changes and localized DNA repair with transcription.
The management of lomustine overdose in malignant glioma patients
Authors: Wirsching Hans-Georg , Tritschler Isabel , Palla Antonella , Renner Christoph , Weller Michael , Tabatabai Ghazaleh
Published: September 2014

Lomustine is an oral alkylating drug commonly used for brain tumor patients. Recently, the lomustine-containing PCV polychemotherapy regime (procarbazine, CCNU/lomustine, and vincristine) in combination with radiotherapy has become the standard of care for anaplastic oligodendroglioma with 1p/19q codeletion and high-risk low-grade glioma. Here, we review the literature of all reported cases of lomustine overdose, highlight complications by exemplifying a case of inadvertent lomustine overdose, and outline the management of this potential complication of outpatient PCV therapy.
Evidence on Self-Stereotyping and the Contribution of Ideas
*
Authors: Coffman Katherine Baldiga
Published: September 2014

We use a lab experiment to explore the factors that predict an individual’s decision to contribute her idea to a group. We find that contribution decisions depend on the interaction of gender and the gender stereotype associated with the decision-making domain: conditional on measured ability, individuals are less willing to contribute ideas in areas that are stereotypically outside of their gender’s domain. Importantly, these decisions are largely driven by self-assessments, rather than fear of discrimination. Individuals are less confident in gender-incongruent areas and are thus less willing to contribute their ideas. Because even very knowledgeable group members undercontribute in gender-incongruent categories, group performance suffers and, ex post, groups have difficulty recognizing who their most talented members are. Our results show that even in an environment where other group members show no bias, women in male-typed areas and men in female-typed areas may be less influential. An intervention that provides feedback about a woman’s (man’s) strength in a male-typed (female-typed) area does not significantly increase the probability that she contributes her ideas to the group. A back-of-the-envelope calculation reveals that a “lean in”–style policy that increases contribution by women would significantly improve group performance in male-typed domains.
First Report of Potato virus Y Strain N-Wilga Infecting Chrysanthemum in China
Authors: Liu X. L. , Wei Q. , Hong B. , Zhao X. T.
Published: September 2014

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) is a commercially important ornamental grown worldwide, and is also extensively used as an edible and medicinal plant. In the present work, viruses and viroids infecting chrysanthemum were investigated in China in 2012 and 2013. Typical viral symptoms were observed in field-grown chrysanthemum with leaf yellowing and mottled leaves in Wenjiang District, Sichuan Province, China. The incidence of these symptoms in the field was 12.3%. Chrysanthemum virus B (CVB), Tomato aspermy virus (TAV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Tobacoo mosaic virus (TMV), Chrysanthemum stunt viroid (CSVd), and Chrysanthemum chlorotic mottle viroid (CChMVd), which had previously been reported to infect chrysanthemum in China (2,3), were not detected by RT-PCR assay. Since these symptomatic chrysanthemum plants grew next to a tobacco field, viruses affecting tobacco were suspected as possible cause. Sixteen symptomatic leaves and 12 non-symptomatic leaves were collected and tested for Potato virus Y (PVY) presence using commercial PVY-specific DAS-ELISA kits (Catalog no. PSA20001, Agdia) Six samples were found positive for PVY. RT-PCR tests using specific primers for CP gene (CP-F 5′-ACTGTGATGAATGGGCTTATG-3′; CP-R 5′-GGCATATATGGTTCCTTTTTG-3′) (4) amplified a single, expected 218-bp DNA fragment from chrysanthemum extracts from all six samples positive for PVY in ELISA. These six PCR fragments were sequenced and found 100% identical to each other. The sequence (GenBank Accession No. KJ174515) shared 99% identity with corresponding sequences of several PVY isolates (NC_001616, EF026076, HM590407, and JQ924288). The same six positive samples were subjected to a multiplex RT-PCR assay (1) to identify the PVY strain type, and all six PVY samples from Sichuan were found to belong to the PVYN-Wi strain. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the PVYN-Wi strain infecting chrysanthemum in Sichuan, China.

References: (1) M. Chikh Ali et al. Plant Dis. 10:1370, 2013. (2) E. A. Nassar et al. Int. J. Virol. 8:14, 2012. (3) H. Yamamoto et al. J. Gen. Plant Pathol. 71:156, 2005. (4) J. Q. Zhang et al. J. Phytopathol. 161:92, 2013.
Development of Rapid Isothermal Amplification Assays for Detection ofPhytophthoraspp. in Plant Tissue
Authors: Miles Timothy D. , Martin Frank N. , Coffey Michael D.
Published: September 2014

Several isothermal amplification techniques recently have been developed that are tolerant of inhibitors present in many plant extracts, which can reduce the need for obtaining purified DNA for running diagnostic assays. One such commercially available technique that has similarities with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for designing primers and a labeled probe is recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA). This technology was used to develop two simple and rapid approaches for detection of Phytophthora spp.: one genus-specific assay multiplexed with a plant internal control and the other species-specific assays for Phytophthora ramorum and P. kernoviae. All assays were tested for sensitivity (ranging from 3 ng to 1 fg of DNA) and specificity using DNA extracted from more than 136 Phytophthora taxa, 21 Pythium spp., 1 Phytopythium sp., and a wide range of plant species. The lower limit of linear detection using purified DNA was 200 to 300 fg of DNA in all pathogen RPA assays. Six different extraction buffers were tested for use during plant tissue maceration and the assays were validated in the field by collecting 222 symptomatic plant samples from over 50 different hosts. Only 56 samples were culture positive for Phytophthora spp. whereas 91 were positive using the Phytophthora genus-specific RPA test and a TaqMan real-time PCR assay. A technique for the generation of sequencing templates from positive RPA amplifications to confirm species identification was also developed. These RPA assays have added benefits over traditional technologies because they are rapid (results can be obtained in as little as 15 min), do not require DNA extraction or extensive training to complete, use less expensive portable equipment than PCR-based assays, and are significantly more specific than current immunologically based methods. This should provide a rapid, field-deployable capability for pathogen detection that will facilitate point-of-sample collection processing, thereby reducing the time necessary for accurate diagnostics and making management decisions.
Immediate Rescue Designs in Pediatric Analgesic Trials
Authors: Kossowsky Joe , Donado Carolina , Berde Charles B.
Published: September 2014

Background:

Designing analgesic clinical trials in pediatrics requires a balance between scientific, ethical, and practical concerns. A previous consensus group recommended immediate rescue designs using opioid sparing as a surrogate measure of analgesic efficacy. The authors summarize the performance of rescue analgesic designs in pediatric trials of four commonly used classes of analgesics: opioids, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and local anesthetics.

Methods:

MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, and Web of science were searched in April 2013. The 85 studies selected were randomized or controlled clinical trials using immediate rescue paradigms in postoperative pain settings. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to synthesize predefined outcomes using Hedges’ g. Difference between the means of the treatment arms were also expressed as a percentage of the corresponding value in the placebo group (placebo-treatment/placebo). Distributions of pain scores in study and control groups and relationships between opioid sparing and pain scores were examined.

Results:

For each of the four study drug classes, significant opioid sparing was demonstrated in a majority of studies by one or more of the following endpoints: (1) total dose (milligram per kilogram per hour), (2) percentage of children requiring rescue medication, and (3) time to first rescue medication (minutes). Pain scores averaged 2.4/10 in study groups, 3.4/10 in control groups.

Conclusions:

Opioid sparing is a feasible pragmatic endpoint for pediatric pain analgesic trials. This review serves to guide future research in pediatric analgesia trials, which could test whether some specific design features may improve assay sensitivity while minimizing the risk of unrelieved pain.
Radiation Therapy for Very Elderly Patients Aged 80 Years and Older With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix
Authors: Hata Masaharu , Koike Izumi , Miyagi Etsuko , Numazaki Reiko , Asai-Sato Mikiko , Kasuya Takeo , Kaizu Hisashi , Matsui Tonika , Hirahara Fumiki , Inoue Tomio
Published: September 2014

Objectives:

We carried out a retrospective review to determine the role played by radiation therapy in the treatment of very elderly patients with uterine cervical cancer.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty elderly patients aged 80 years and older with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix, at clinical stages IB-IVA, underwent radiation therapy. Of these 30 patients, 6 received external irradiation alone and 24 received external irradiation and intracavitary brachytherapy. A total median dose of 69.0 Gy (range, 45.6 to 75.4 Gy) was delivered to the cervical tumors. No patients underwent chemotherapy.

Results:

At a median follow-up time of 24 months, 7 patients had developed recurrences, including local recurrences in 3 and distant metastases in 5. The local control and distant metastasis-free rates were 88% and 79%, respectively, at 2 years. The disease-free, cause-specific, and overall survival rates were 69%, 77%, and 75%, respectively, at 2 years. Primary tumor size, T category, and clinical stage were found to be significant prognostic factors for distant metastasis. Age and primary tumor size were considered as being significant variables that affected survival. With the exception of a transient hematologic reaction, there were no therapy-related toxicities of grade ≥3.

Conclusions:

Radiation therapy was safe and effective regarding local control of uterine cervical cancer in elderly patients aged 80 years and older, and appeared to contribute to their prolonged survival. Curative radiation therapy should be considered as a viable treatment option, even in very elderly patients.
Definitive Chemoradiation for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Rectum
Authors: Sturgeon Jared D. , Crane Christopher H. , Krishnan Sunil , Minsky Bruce D. , Skibber John M. , Rodriguez-Bigas Miguel A. , Chang George J. , You Y. Nancy , Eng Cathy , Das Prajnan
Published: September 2014

Objectives:

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the rectum is a rare disease with <80 cases reported in the English literature. We reviewed outcomes in patients with SCC of the rectum treated with definitive chemoradiation at a single institution.

Materials and Methods:

We identified 14 patients treated definitively with chemoradiation for SCC of the rectum. All patients were female and the median age was 56 years at presentation. Patients were treated with external beam radiation therapy with a median dose of 54 Gy (range, 38 to 58.8 Gy). All patients received concurrent chemotherapy, with 5-flourouracil and cisplatin in 10 patients and capecitabine and cisplatin in 4 patients.

Results:

The median follow-up was 4.5 years (range, 1.8 to 16.3 y). Only 3 of the 14 patients had relapse or persistent disease, and 2 of these underwent successful salvage surgery. The remaining 11 patients had no evidence for local or distant relapse after chemoradiation. Only 1 patient died of SCC of the rectum, 1 died of a second primary, and 12 are alive with no evidence of disease. The 5-year actuarial overall survival, disease-free survival, and disease-specific survival rates were 81%, 72%, and 88% respectively.

Conclusions:

Chemoradiation is an ideal strategy for definitive therapy of SCC of the rectum with excellent disease-free survival and overall survival. In patients with local failure, salvage surgery can provide excellent outcomes.
Outcomes of Adults With Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors (ESFT) of the Kidney
Authors: Teegavarapu Purnima S. , Rao Priya , Matrana Marc R. , Cauley Diana H. , Wood Christopher G. , Patel Shreyaskumar , Tannir Nizar M.
Published: September 2014

Background:

Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) of the kidney are exceedingly rare. Given the rarity of this neoplasm and the complexity associated with its management, information regarding treatment and outcome is warranted.

Materials and Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study of patients with ESFT of the kidney who were treated at MDACC between January 1, 2001 and January 1, 2011. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results:

Thirteen patients were identified (median age, 33 y; male:female 11:2). Common presenting symptoms were back pain, flank pain, and hematuria. Six patients had metastatic disease at presentation. Initial diagnostic biopsy was performed in 6 patients. Immunohistochemistry showed strong positivity for CD99 (mic2) and cytogenetic analysis demonstrated evidence of EWSR1 fusion gene in 8 cases. Nine patients underwent nephrectomy. Frequently used chemotherapy regimens consisted of vincristine, doxorubicin, and ifosfamide. Median overall survival was 17.2 months. Three patients were alive at the time of analysis, at 2, 7, and 11 years from diagnosis (the latter without evidence of disease).

Conclusions:

Renal ESFT carry a guarded prognosis with limited response to therapy and short median overall survival. For patients with metastatic disease, diagnostic biopsy and sarcoma-based chemotherapy regimens are recommended as upfront therapeutic strategy. The role of nephrectomy in the metastatic setting is unclear. Future studies with novel therapies are needed.
Influence of Comorbidity on the Risk of Death
Authors: Elshaikh Mohamed A. , Vance Sean , Kamal Mona , Burmeister Charlotte , Hanna Rabbie K. , Rasool Nabila , Siddiqui Farzan
Published: September 2014

Purpose/Objective(s):

The impact of competing medical comorbidity on survival endpoints in women with early stage endometrial carcinoma (EC) is not well studied. The study goal was to utilize a validated comorbidity scoring system to determine its impact on all-cause mortality as well as on recurrence-free survival (RFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) in patients with early-stage EC.

Materials and Methods:

For this IRB-approved study, we reviewed our prospectively maintained uterine cancer database of 1720 patients. We identified 1132 patients with EC FIGO stages I-II who underwent hysterectomy from 1984 to 2011. Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (AACCI) at time of hysterectomy was retrospectively calculated by physician chart review. The cause of death (uterine cancer-related and unrelated) was correlated with AACCI. Univariate and multivariate modeling with Cox regression analysis was used to determine significant predictors of OS, DSS, and RFS. The Kaplan-Meier and the log-rank test methods were used to evaluate survival outcomes.

Results:

After a median follow-up of 51 months, 262 deaths were recorded (42 from EC [16%], and 220 [84%] from other causes). Median AACCI score for the study cohort was 3 (range, 0 to 15). On the basis of AACCI, patients were grouped as follows: 0 to 2 (group 1, n=379), 3 to 4 (group 2, n=532), and ≥5 (group 3, n=221). By AACCI grouping, the 5-year RFS, DSS, and OS were 95%, 98%, and 97% for group 1, 89%, 95%, and 87% for group 2, and 86%, 95% and 72% for group 3 (P<0.0001). The cause of death in the first 10 years after hysterectomy in our study was mainly non-uterine cancer-related (78% vs. 22% for uterine cancer-related) causes. On multivariate analyses, higher AACCI, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), higher tumor grade, age, and involvement of the lower uterine segment were significant predictors of shorter OS. On multivariate analysis for DSS and RFS, only high tumor grade and LVSI were significant predictors.

Conclusions:

The cause of death for women with early stage EC is mainly nonuterine cancer-related. Comorbidity score is a significant predictor of OS in our study cohort. Comorbidity scores may be useful as a stratification factor in any prospective clinical trial for women with early-stage EC.
Marinobacterium mangrovicola sp. nov., a marine nitrogen-fixing bacterium isolated from mangrove roots of Rhizophora mangle
Authors: Alfaro-Espinoza Gabriela , Ullrich Matthias S.
Published: September 2014

A nitrogen-fixing marine bacterium, designated strain Gal22T, was isolated from mangrove roots of Rhizophora mangle. Cells were Gram-stain-negative rods, motile with a single polar flagellum. Growth was observed at 4–42 °C, pH 5.5 to 10 and with 0–18 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain Gal22T was positive for catalase and oxidase. Q-8 was the predominant lipoquinone. The DNA G+C content was 57.0 mol%. Based on phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene, strain Gal22T belongs to the genus

Marinobacterium

. The closely related strains were shown to be

Marinobacterium lutimaris

DSM 22012T and

Marinobacterium litorale

IMCC1877T with 99 % and 96 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. DNA–DNA relatedness analysis indicated that strain Gal22T was different from

M. lutimaris

DSM 22012T. On the basis of genotypic, morphological and biochemical characteristics, a novel species, Marinobacterium mangrovicola sp. nov. (type strain, Gal22T = DSM 27697T = CIP 110653T), is proposed.
Virulent and attenuated strains of duck hepatitis A virus elicit discordant innate immune responses in vivo
Authors: Song Cuiping , Liao Ying , Gao Wei , Yu Shengqing , Sun Yingjie , Qiu Xvsheng , Tan Lei , Cheng Anchun , Wang Mingshu , Ma Zhiyong , Ding Chan
Published: September 2014

Previous studies of duck hepatitis A virus infection have focused only on the pathogenicity and host response of one strain. Here, we show that the virulent SH strain and the attenuated FC64 strain induced varied pathogenicity, apoptosis and immune responses in the livers of 1-day-old ducklings. SH infection caused apoptosis and visible lesions in the liver; serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltransferase and total bilirubin activities were markedly upregulated; and ducklings died at 36 h post-infection (p.i.). However, FC64 infection did not induce significant symptoms or impair liver function, and all of the infected ducklings remained healthy. In addition, both virus strains replicated well in the liver, spleen and intestine, whilst the SH strain replicated more efficiently than FC64. IFN-γ, IL-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide were strongly induced by SH infection, and may be associated with the pathogenicity of the SH strain. IFN-α, IFN-β, IFN-stimulated transmembrane protein 1, IFN-stimulated gene 12, 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase-like and IL-6 were moderately induced by SH infection at 24 h p.i., and dramatically induced by FC64 infection at 36 h p.i. The intensive induction of cytokines by FC64 may be involved in restriction of virus replication and stimulation of adaptive immune responses. Ducklings inoculated with FC64 produced high levels of antiviral antibodies within 45 days p.i. The low virulence and strong immune response of FC64 rendered this strain a good vaccine candidate, as confirmed by a protective assay in this study.
Recent developments linking retroviruses to human breast cancer: infectious agent, enemy within or both?
Authors: Salmons Brian , Lawson James S. , Günzburg Walter H.
Published: September 2014

Evidence is accumulating that one or more beta-retrovirus is associated with human breast cancer. Retroviruses can exist as an infectious (exogenous) virus or as a part of the genetic information of cells due to germline integration (endogenous). An exogenous virus with a genome that is highly homologous to mouse mammary tumour virus is gaining acceptance as possibly being associated with human breast cancer, and recently furnished evidence is discussed in this article, as is the evidence for involvement of an endogenous human beta-retrovirus, HERV-K. Modes of interaction are also reviewed and linkages to the APOBEC3 family are suggested.