bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered horses and donkeys in Liaoning province, northeastern China
Authors: Yang Na , Mu Ming-Yang , Yuan Gao-ming , Zhang Guo-xin , Li Hong-Kui , He Jian-Bin 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background

Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic pathogen infecting humans and almost all warm-blooded animals. The most common sources of human infection are ingestion of tissue cysts in raw or undercooked meat. However, limited information is available about T. gondii infection in horses and donkeys in China. In the present study, we report the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in horses and donkeys in Liaoning province, northeastern China.

Methods
Serum samples were collected from 711 and 738 slaughtered horses and donkeys, respectively, in 13 regions of Liaoning province. The modified agglutination test (MAT) was used to test the specific antibodies to T. gondii.

Results
In this study, 178 of 711 (25.0%) horses were seropositive for T. gondii with titers of 1:25 in 81, 1:50 in 62, 1:100 in 33, and 1:200 in 2, and seroprevalence of T. gondii infection from 13 regions ranged from 8.2% to 37.0%. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 174 of 738 (23.6%) donkeys with titers of 1:25 in 66, 1:50 in 54, 1:100 in 49, and 1:200 in 5, and seroprevalence varied in 13 different regions, ranging from 9.1% to 32.6%.

Conclusions
The results of the present study indicated that the rate of infection with T. gondii in horses and donkeys is a little high in Liaoning province, northeastern China in comparison to other surveys in China, which suggests that consumption of horse and donkey meat in this area may represent a potential source for human infection with T. gondii.
Field transmission intensity of Schistosoma japonicum measured by basic reproduction ratio from modified Barbour’s model
Authors: Gao Shu-Jing , He Yu-Ying , Liu Yu-Jiang , Yang Guo-Jing , Zhou Xiao-Nong 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundSchistosomiasis japonica, caused by infection withSchistosoma japonicum,is still recognized as a major public health problem in the Peoples’ Republic of China. Mathematical modelling of schistosomiasis transmission has been undertaken in order to assess and project the effects of various control strategies for elimination of the disease. Seasonal fluctuations in transmission may have the potential to impact on the population dynamics of schistosomiasis, yet no model ofS. japonicumhas considered such effects. In this paper, we characterize the transmission dynamics ofS. japonicumusing a modified version of Barbour’s model to account for seasonal variation (SV), and investigate the effectiveness of the control strategy adopted in Liaonan village of Xingzi county, Jiangxi Province.MethodsWe use mathematical tools for stability analysis of periodic systems and derive expressions for the basic reproduction ratio ofS. japonicumin humans; we parameterise such expressions with surveillance data to investigate the conditions for persistence or elimination of the disease in the study village. We perform numerical simulations and parametric sensitivity analysis to understand local transmission conditions and compare values of the basic reproductive ratio with and without seasonal fluctuations.ResultsThe explicit formula of the basic reproduction ratio for the SV-modified Barbour’s model is derived. Results show that the value of the basic reproduction ratio,R0, of Liaonan village, Xingzi county is located between 1.064 and 1.066 (very close to 1), for schistosomiasis transmission during 2006 to 2010, after intensification of control efforts.ConclusionsOur modified version of the Barbour model to account for seasonal fluctuations in transmission has the potential to provide better estimations of infection risk than previous models. Ignoring seasonality tends to underestimateR0values albeit only marginally. In the absence of simultaneousR0estimations for villages not under control interventions (such villages do not currently exist in China), it is difficult to assess whether control strategies have had a substantial impact on levels of transmission, as the parasite population would still be able to maintain itself at an endemic level, highlighting the difficulties faced by elimination efforts.
Use of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) in biological control of intermediate host snails of fish-borne zoonotic trematodes in nursery ponds in the Red River Delta, Vietnam
Authors: Hung Nguyen M , Duc Nguyen V , Stauffer Jay R , Madsen Henry 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
The risks of fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) to human health constitute an important problem in Vietnam. The infection of humans with these trematodes, such as small liver trematodes (Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini), intestinal trematodes (Heterophyidae) and others is often thought to be linked to fish culture in areas where the habit of eating raw fish is common. Juvenile fish produced in nurseries are often heavily infected with FZT and since fishes are sold to aquaculture facilities for growth, control of FZT in these fishes should be given priority. Controlling the first intermediate host (i.e., freshwater gastropods), would be an attractive approach, if feasible. The black carp, Mylopharyngodon piceus, is a well-known predator of freshwater snails and is already used successfully for biological control of snails in various parts of the world including Vietnam. Here we report the first trials using it for biological control of intermediate host snails in nursery ponds stocked with 1-week old fry (10–12 mm in length) of Indian carp, Labeo rohita.

Methods
Semi-field and field experiments were set up to test the effect of black carp on snail populations. In the semi-field experiment a known quantity of snails was initially introduced into a pond which was subsequently stocked with black carp. In the field trial in nursery ponds, density of snails was estimated prior to a nursing cycle and at the end of the cycle (after 9 weeks).

Results
The results showed that black carp affect the density of snail populations in both semi-field and field conditions. The standing crop of snails in nursery ponds, however, was too high for 2 specimens to greatly reduce snail density within the relatively short nursing cycle.

Conclusions
We conclude that the black carp can be used in nursery ponds in Northern Vietnam for snail control. Juvenile black carp weighing 100 - 200g should be used because this size primarily prey on intermediate hosts of FZT and other studies have shown that it does not prey on fish fry of other species. It may be necessary to use a high stocking density of black carp or to reduce snail density in the nursery ponds using other measures (e.g. mud removal) prior to stocking fry in order for the black carp to keep the density of intermediate host snails at a very low level.
Novel agents for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Wu Mei , Akinleye Akintunde , Zhu Xiongpeng 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous group of B-cell neoplasm. CLL is typically sensitive to a variety of cytotoxic agents, but relapse frequently occurs with conventional approaches. The treatment of CLL is evolving rapidly with the introduction of novel drugs, such as bendamustine, ofatumumab, lenalidomide, ibrutinib, idelalisib, veltuzumab, XmAb5574, navitoclax, dasatinib, alvespimycin, and TRU-016. This review summarizes the most current clinical experiences with these agents in the treatment of CLL.
Polymorphisms of Toll-like receptor-4 and CD14 in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Dhaouadi Tarak , Sfar Imen , Haouami Youssra , Abdelmoula Leila , Turki Sami , Hassine Lamia Ben , Zouari Rafik , Khedher Adel , Khalfallah Narjess , Abdallah Taieb Ben , Gorgi Yousr 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and its co-receptor CD14 play a major role in innate immunity by recognizing PAMPs and signal the activation of adaptive responses. These receptors can recognize endogenous ligands mainly auto-antigens. In addition, TLR4 (Asp299Gly) and CD14 (C/T -159) polymorphisms (SNPs) may modify qualitatively and/or quantitatively their expression. Therefore, they could be implied in autoimmune diseases and can influence both susceptibility and severity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Patients and methods
TLR4 (Asp299Gly) and CD14 (C/T -159) SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-RFLP in 127 SLE patients, 100 RA patients, and 114 healthy controls matched in age and gender.

Results
CD14*T allele was significantly more frequent in SLE patients (0.456) comparatively to controls (0.355), p = 0.02 OR (95% CI) = 1.53 [1.04-2.24]. In RA patients, the higher frequency of CD14*T allele (0.405) failed to reach significance, p = 0.28. Investigation of the TLR4 (Asp299Gly) SNP showed no significant association neither with SLE nor with RA.
Analysis of these SNPs according to clinical and biological features showed a significant higher frequency of arthritis in SLE patients carrying CD14*T/T genotype (92%) comparatively to those with C/C and C/T genotypes (72.5%), p = 0.04. Moreover, SLE patients carrying CD14*T/T/TLR4*A/A haplotype had significantly more arthritis (91.3%) than the rest of SLE group (73%), p = 0,044 and confirmed by multivariable analysis after adjustment according to age and gender, p = 0.01.

Conclusion
The CD14 (-159)*T allele seems to be associated with susceptibility to SLE and arthritis occurrence.
Phase II monitoring of auto-correlated linear profiles using linear mixed model
Authors: Narvand A , Soleimani P , Raissi Sadigh 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
In many circumstances, the quality of a process or product is best characterized by a given mathematical function between a response variable and one or more explanatory variables that is typically referred to as profile. There are some investigations to monitor auto-correlated linear and nonlinear profiles in recent years. In the present paper, we use the linear mixed models to account autocorrelation within observations which is gathered on phase II of the monitoring process. We undertake that the structure of correlated linear profiles simultaneously has both random and fixed effects. The work enhanced a Hotelling’s T

2
statistic, a multivariate exponential weighted moving average (MEWMA), and a multivariate cumulative sum (MCUSUM) control charts to monitor process. We also compared their performances, in terms of average run length criterion, and designated that the proposed control charts schemes could effectively act in detecting shifts in process parameters. Finally, the results are applied on a real case study in an agricultural field.
Titan Tholins as Amino Acid Precursors and Their Solubility in Possible Titan Liquidospheres
Authors: Kawai Jun , Jagota Seema , Kaneko Takeo , Obayashi Yumiko , Khare Bishun N , McKay Christopher P , Kobayashi Kensei 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Experimental simulations have previously shown that tholins (complex solid organics) can be abundantly formed in Titan’s atmosphere and that they contain precursors of amino acids. In this study, we investigated their relevance to possible chemical evolution toward the generation of life in various potential Titan environments (liquidospheres), using tholins synthesized by plasma discharge at low pressure (LP, 26 Pa) and high pressure (HP, 133 Pa). We focused our study on composition of amino acids recovered from LP and HP tholins, as well as on the solubility of these tholins in solvents such as hexane, acetonitrile, ethanol, methanol, water, and ammonia water. Both hydrolyzed extracts of LP and HP tholins were composed of a wide variety of amino acids. Tholins were dissolved more easily in polar solvents than in nonpolar ones: Ammonia water, simulating a potential Titan subsurface ocean, could dissolve tholins quite efficiently. These results show thus the possibility of starting chemical evolution toward life’s origin in Titan’s environment.
Single-crystal Field-effect Transistors with a Furan-containing Organic Semiconductor Having a Twisted π-Electronic System
Authors: Nakahara Katsumasa , Mitsui Chikahiko , Okamoto Toshihiro , Yamagishi Masakazu , Miwa Kazumoto , Sato Hiroyasu , Yamano Akihito , Uemura Takafumi , Takeya Jun 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
We focus on aggregated structures and charge-transporting properties in semiconductor assemblies of a new-type twisted π-conjugated molecule, dinaphtho[2,1-b:1′,2′-d]furan (DNF-U). Single crystals were successfully grown by physical vapor transport to form a two-dimensional herringbone packing structure, which is advantageous for intermolecular charge transport. Based on the packing structure, relatively large transfer integrals were theoretically calculated to be 20 and 57 meV for C–H···π and π···π direction, respectively. The single-crystal field-effect transistors exhibited notable hole mobility of up to 1.0 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Crystal structure of bis(3-phenylpyridine-κN)bis(thiocyanato-κS) palladium(II), C24H18N4PdS2
Authors: Ha Kwang 
Published: May 2013

Abstract C24H18N4PdS2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 9.954(2) Å, b = 5.257(1) Å, c = 21.566(4) Å, β = 102.691(4)°, V = 1101.0 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0343, wRref(F2) = 0.0892, T = 200 K.
Crystal structure of bromido(2-phenylpyridine-κN)[2-(2-pyridyl)phenyl- κ2N,C]platinum(II), C22H17BrN2Pt
Authors: Ha Kwang 
Published: May 2013

Abstract C22H17BrN2Pt, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 11.971(1) Å, b = 9.522(1) Å, c = 16.987(2) Å, β = 104.757(2)°, V = 1872.4 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0224, wRref(F2) = 0.0542, T = 200 K.
Fuel Cell Membranes Based on Polymer-Modified Silica Colloidal Crystals and Glasses: Proton Conductivity and Fuel Cell Performance
Authors: Khabibullin Amir , Zharov Ilya 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTWe describe a hybrid organic-inorganic fuel cell membrane material based on silica colloidal crystal and using EEMA/SPM co-polymers. We demonstrate that there is an S-shaped dependence of proton conductivity on the amount of sulfonyl groups in the copolymer for the copolymer-modified membranes and that there is no significant increase in proton conductivity with increasing amount of sulfonated monomer content above 60%. The studies of fuel cell potential dependence on the degree of sulfonation show that the presence of non-ionic moieties improves the performance of fuel cell, likely due to the reduction of methanol cross-over through the membrane. The fuel cells using the polymer-modified silica colloidal membranes perform better than Nafion 117.
TRIP Steel Deformation Behavior by Neutron Diffraction
Authors: Harjo Stefanus , Tsuchida Noriyuki , Gong Wu , Abe Jun , Aizawa Kazuya 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTDeformation behaviors of two TRIP-type multiphase steels with different carbon contents were studied by in situ neutron diffraction measurement during tensile deformation at RT. The tensile test was conducted in a step-load controlling manner during the elastic region, and in a continuous manner with a constant crosshead speed by an initial strain rate of 1.8×10-5 s-1 during the plastic region. Austenite grains were observed to bear higher phase stresses than ferrite grains in both steels. Austenite peak intensities started to decrease at the onsets of plastic deformation in both steels, showing the occurrence of stress induced martensitic transformations. Martensite peaks were carefully analyzed to estimate phase strains, and as the results martensite grains were found to bear largest phase stresses during plastic deformation.
Magnetic Polyolefin-based Nanocomposites
Authors: He Qingliang , Wei Suying , Guo Zhanhu 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTMagnetic polyolefin-based nanocomposites were fabricated through a facile one-pot thermal decomposition of organo-metallic precursor, i.e. Fe(CO)5 in polymer-solvent solution condition. The whole fabrication includes dissolution of polyolefin-based hosting matrix in refluxing organic solvent followed by the injection of metallic precursor to perform the in-situ thermal decomposition step. The particle sizes, morphology and dispersion quality of these in-situ synthesized magnetic nanoparticles were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Room temperature mössbauer spectrum analysis was used to determine the species of these magnetic nanoparticles. Room temperature magnetic property investigation was utilized to further reveal the magnetic behaviors of these nanocomposites by specifying the saturation magnetization and coercive forces. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to determine the thermal stability of these as-prepared nanocomposites and the particle loadings. The formation mechanisms of these magnetic particles were proposed from the evidence of TEM observations and detailed evolutions are detailed as well.
Low Temperature Syntheses of Transition Metal Bronzes with an Open Structure for High Rate Energy Storage
Authors: Pétrissans X. , Augustyn V. , Giaume D. , Barboux P. , Dunn B. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTDevelopment of devices storing and delivering high-energy power such as supercapacitors is necessary to assist intermittent sources of energy. Most of the commercial systems are carbon-based, but due to their high surface charge, oxides offer a valuable alternative for high-rate energy storage. Among them, layered transition metal oxides with mixed valence properties present both good electronic and ionic conductivities suitable for application to electrochemical applications intermediate between capacitors and batteries. This work focuses on lamellar oxide bronzes based on cobalt MxCoO2 and vanadium MxV2O5 (M = H, Li, Na or K). A low temperature synthesis leads to high specific area particles (above 100 m2/g). Hydrated and anhydrous NaxCoO2 are promising cathode materials for aqueous supercapacitors, with a high capacity of more than 100 mAh/g obtained under 20 mV/s for the hydrated NaxCoO2. The MxV2O5 bronzes appear to be good candidates for organic supercapacitors, especially the LixV2O5 bronze, which shows a high stable capacity above 100 mAh/g (at 20 mV/s ie a charging time of 125 s).
A New Urban Planning Code’s Impact on Walking: The Residential Environments Project
Authors: Christian Hayley , Knuiman Matthew , Bull Fiona , Timperio Anna , Foster Sarah , Divitini Mark , Middleton Nicholas , Giles-Corti Billie 
Published: May 2013

Objectives. We examined whether people moving into a housing development designed according to a state government livable neighborhoods subdivision code engage in more walking than do people who move to other types of developments. Methods. In a natural experiment of 1813 people building homes in 73 new housing developments in Perth, Western Australia, we surveyed participants before and then 12 and 36 months after moving. We measured self-reported walking using the Neighborhood Physical Activity Questionnaire and collected perceptions of the environment and self-selection factors. We calculated objective measures of the built environment using a Geographic Information System. Results. After relocation, participants in livable versus conventional developments had greater street connectivity, residential density, land use mix, and access to destinations and more positive perceptions of their neighborhood (all P < .05). However, there were no significant differences in walking over time by type of development (P > .05). Conclusions. Implementation of the Livable Neighborhoods Guidelines produced more supportive environments; however, the level of intervention was insufficient to encourage more walking. Evaluations of new urban planning policies need to incorporate longer term follow-up to allow time for new neighborhoods to develop.
The Shale Gas Boom and the Need for Rational Policy
Authors: Finkel Madelon , Hays Jake , Law Adam 
Published: May 2013

High-volume, slick water hydraulic fracturing of shale relies on pumping millions of gallons of surface water laced with toxic chemicals and sand under high pressure to create fractures to release the flow of gas. The process, however, has the potential to cause serious and irreparable damage to the environment and the potential for harm to human and animal health. At issue is how society should form appropriate policy in the absence of well-designed epidemiological studies and health impact assessments. The issue is fraught with environmental, economic, and health implications, and federal and state governments must establish detailed safeguards and ensure regulatory oversight, both of which are presently lacking in states where hydraulic fracturing is allowed.
Descriptive inner model theory
Authors: Sargsyan Grigor 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to outline some recent progress in descriptive inner model theory, a branch of set theory which studies descriptive set theoretic and inner model theoretic objects using tools from both areas. There are several interlaced problems that lie on the border of these two areas of set theory, but one that has been rather central for almost two decades is the conjecture known as the Mouse Set Conjecture (MSC). One particular motivation for resolving MSC is that it provides grounds for solving the inner model problem which dates back to 1960s. There have been some new partial results on MSC and the methods used to prove the new instances suggest a general program for solving the full conjecture. It is then our goal to communicate the ideas of this program to the community at large.
The foundational problem of logic
Authors: Sher Gila 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe construction of a systematic philosophical foundation for logic is a notoriously difficult problem. In Part One I suggest that the problem is in large part methodological, having to do with the common philosophical conception of “providing a foundation”. I offer an alternative to the common methodology which combines a strong foundational requirement (veridical justification) with the use of non-traditional, holistic tools to achieve this result. In Part Two I delineate an outline of a foundation for logic, employing the new methodology. The outline is based on an investigation of why logic requires a veridical justification, i.e., a justification which involves the world and not just the mind, and what features or aspect of the world logic is grounded in. Logic, the investigation suggests, is grounded in the formal aspect of reality, and the outline proposes an account of this aspect, the way it both constrains and enables logic (gives rise to logical truths and consequences), logic's role in our overall system of knowledge, the relation between logic and mathematics, the normativity of logic, the characteristic traits of logic, and error and revision in logic.
Shift-complex sequences
Authors: Khan Mushfeq 
Published: May 2013

AbstractA Martin-Löf random sequence is an infinite binary sequence with the property that every initial segment σ has prefix-free Kolmogorov complexity K(σ) at least ∣σ∣ − c, for some constant c ϵ ω. Informally, initial segments of Martin-Löf randoms are highly complex in the sense that they are not compressible by more than a constant number of bits. However, all Martin-Löf randoms necessarily have contiguous substrings of arbitrarily low complexity. If we demand that all substrings of a sequence be uniformly complex, then we arrive at the notion of shift-complex sequences. In this paper, we collect some of the existing results on these sequences and contribute two new ones. Rumyantsev showed that the measure of oracles that compute shift-complex sequences is zero. We strengthen this result by proving that the Martin-Löf random sequences that do not compute shift-complex sequences are exactly the incomplete ones, in other words, the ones that do not compute the halting problem. In order to do so, we make use of the characterization by Franklin and Ng of the class of incomplete Martin-Löf randoms via a notion of randomness called difference randomness. Turning to the power of shift-complex sequences as oracles, we show that there are shift-complex sequences that do not compute Martin-Löf random (or even Kurtz random) sequences.