bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrafast nanoporous silica formation driven by femtosecond laser irradiation
Authors: Lancry Matthieu , Poumellec Bertrand , Canning John , Cook Kevin , Poulin Jean‐Claude , Brisset Francois 
Published: July 2013

AbstractA type of glass modifications occurring after femto‐second laser irradiation gives rise to strong (10−2) from birefringence. This form birefringence is thought to be related to index nanostructure (called nanogratings). Analyzing induced tracks in fused silica using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with nm resolution shows that nanostructures are porous nanoplanes with an average index lower than typical silica (Δn ∼ –0.20). Their origin is explained as arising from fast decomposition of the glass under localized, high‐intensity femtosecond laser radiation where strong nonlinear, multiphoton‐induced photoionization leads to plasma generation. Mechanistic details include Coulombic explosions characteristic of strong photoionization and the production of self‐trapped exciton (STE). Rapid relaxation of these STE prevents recombination and dissociated atomic oxygen instead recombines with each other to form molecular oxygen pointed out using Raman microscopy. Some of it is dissolved in the condensed glass whilst the rest is trapped within nanovoids. A chemical recombination can only occur at 1200 °C for many hours. This explains the thermal stability of such a nanostructure. Precise laser translation and control of these birefringent nanoporous structures allo arbitrarily tuning and positioning within the glass, an important tool for controlling optical properties for photonic applications, catalysts, molecular sieves, composites and more.
Characterization of all RND‐type multidrug efflux transporters in Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Authors: Matsuo Taira , Nakamura Koji , Kodama Toshio , Mikami Taro , Hiyoshi Hirotaka , Tsuchiya Tomofusa , Ogawa Wakano , Kuroda Teruo 
Published: July 2013

AbstractResistance nodulation cell division (RND)‐type efflux transporters play the main role in intrinsic resistance to various antimicrobial agents in many gram‐negative bacteria. Here, we estimated 12 RND‐type efflux transporter genes in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Because VmeAB has already been characterized, we cloned the other 11 RND‐type efflux transporter genes and characterized them in Escherichia coli KAM33 cells, a drug hypersusceptible strain. KAM33 expressing either VmeCD, VmeEF, or VmeYZ showed increased minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for several antimicrobial agents. Additional four RND‐type transporters were functional as efflux pumps only when co‐expressed with VpoC, an outer membrane component in V. parahaemolyticus. Furthermore, VmeCD, VmeEF, and VmeYZ co‐expressed with VpoC exhibited a broader substrate specificity and conferred higher resistance than that with TolC of E. coli. Deletion mutants of these transporter genes were constructed in V. parahaemolyticus. TM32 (ΔvmeAB and ΔvmeCD) had significantly decreased MICs for many antimicrobial agents and the number of viable cells after exposure to deoxycholate were markedly reduced. Strains in which 12 operons were all disrupted had very low MICs and much lower fluid accumulation in rabbit ileal loops. These results indicate that resistance nodulation cell division‐type efflux transporters contribute not only to intrinsic resistance but also to exerting the virulence of V. parahaemolyticus.
Characterization of Dry Adhesives Fabricated Using a Novel Mass Production Manufacturing Technique
Authors: Krahn Jeffrey , Menon Carlo 
Published: July 2013

AbstractSynthetic dry adhesives, designed to mimic the fibrillar structures found on geckos, have been fabricated using many different techniques ranging from indenting wax to involving photolithography and laser writing. While these techniques have been successful in the fabrication of small dry adhesive samples, they are often costly, time consuming and require specialized equipment. In this study a novel fabrication technique is proposed which utilizes readily available commercial wire mesh screens as a straightforward method of producing synthetic dry adhesives outside of a cleanroom or highly specialized facilities. The normal adhesion pressure of the dry adhesives fabricated using the wire mesh screens is examined and compared to the normal adhesion pressure of flat PDMS.
Factors Attracting Individuals to Nonprofit Management over Public and Private Sector Management
Authors: LeRoux Kelly , Feeney Mary K. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractLittle research has sought to identify the distinct advantages that nonprofits offer employees, particularly managers. Drawing upon Weisbrod's theory of managerial sorting (1988), we test a series of hypotheses about the differences among nonprofit, public, and for‐profit organizations that may explain the preference of managers to work in one sector over the other. We use pooled cross‐sectional data from the General Social Survey to test managerial sorting. We find many similarities in the perceptions of managers in the nonprofit and public sectors as compared to the for‐profit sector. However, when we examine the sorting of managers into nonprofit versus public sector jobs, we find differences in work environment. Compared to those working in the public sector, managers in nonprofits report greater freedom in deciding how to carry out their job functions, more control over their work schedules, and greater opportunities for pay increases. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of these findings for the practice of nonprofit management.
Enhanced stem cell engraftment and modulation of hepatic reactive oxygen species production in diet‐induced obesity
Authors: Nyamandi Vongai Z. , Johnsen Virginia L. , Hughey Curtis C. , Hittel Dustin S. , Khan Aneal , Newell Christopher , Shearer Jane 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveThe impact of dietary‐induced obesity (DIO) on stem cell engraftment and the respective therapeutic potential of stem cell engraftment in DIO have not been reported. The objectives of this study were to examine the impact of DIO on the survival and efficacy of intravenous bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) administration in the conscious C57BL/6 mouse.MethodsMale mice consumed either a chow (CH) or high fat (HF, 60% kcal) diet for 18 weeks and were subsequently treated with MSC over a 6‐day period. Key measurements included tissue‐specific cell engraftment, glucose and insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and oxidative stress.ResultsMSC administration had no effect on inflammatory markers, glucose, or insulin sensitivity. DIO mice showed increases in MSC engraftment in multiple tissues compared with their CH counterparts. Engraftment was increased in the HF liver where MSC administration attenuated DIO‐induced oxidative stress. These liver‐specific alterations in HF‐MSC were associated with increases in stanniocalcin‐1 (STC1) and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), which contribute to cell survival and modulate mitochondrial bioenergetics.ConclusionResults suggest that MSC administration in DIO promotes engraftment and mitigates hepatic oxidative stress. These data invite further exploration into the therapeutic potential of stem cells for the treatment of DIO oxidative stress in the liver.
Blocking alpha2A adrenoceptors, but not dopamine receptors, augments bupropion‐induced hypophagia in rats
Authors: Janhunen Sanna K. , la Fleur Susanne E. , Adan Roger A.H. 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveAnti‐obesity drugs have adverse effects which limit their use, creating a need for novel anti‐obesity compounds. We studied effects of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) reuptake inhibitor bupropion (BUP), alone and after blocking α1‐ or α2‐adrenoceptors (AR), D1/5, D2/3, or D4 receptors, to determine which receptors act downstream of BUP.Design and MethodsEffects on caloric intake, meal patterning and locomotion were assessed, using an automated weighing system and telemetry in male rats with 18‐h access to Western Human style diet.ResultsBUP (30 mg/kg) induced hypophagia by reducing meal size and postponing meal initiation. WB4101 (α1‐AR; 2 mg/kg) and imiloxan (α2B‐AR; 5 mg/kg) attenuated BUP's effect on meal size, while WB4101 and BRL 44408 (α2A/D‐AR; 2 mg/kg) counteracted effect on meal initiation. Atipamezole (α2‐AR; 1 mg/kg) and imiloxan further postponed initiation of meals. SKF 83566 (D1/5; 0.3 mg/kg), raclopride (D2/3; 0.5 mg/kg) and to a lesser extent FAUC 213 (D4; 0.5 mg/kg), attenuated BUP‐induced hypophagia. BUP stimulated locomotion, which was blocked by all antagonists, except FAUC 213 or BRL 44408.ConclusionsAlpha1‐, α2A/D‐ and α2B‐ARs, and DA receptors underlie BUP's effects on size and initiation of meals, while blocking pre‐synaptic α2‐ARs enhanced BUP‐induced hypophagia. An inverse agonist of (pre‐synaptic) α2A‐ARs could enhance BUP‐induced anorexia and treat eating disorders and obesity.
The progression of cardiometabolic disease: Validation of a new cardiometabolic disease staging system applicable to obesity
Authors: Guo Fangjian , Moellering Douglas R. , Garvey W. Timothy 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveTo validate a Cardiometabolic Disease Staging (CMDS) system for assigning risk level for diabetes, and all‐cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.Design and MethodsTwo large national cohorts, CARDIA and NHANES III, were used to validate CMDS. CMDS: Stage 0: metabolically healthy; Stage 1: one or two metabolic syndrome risk factors [other than impaired fasting glucose (IFG)]; Stage 2: IFG or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or metabolic syndrome (without IFG); Stage 3: two of three (IFG, IGT, and/or metabolic syndrome); and Stage 4: type 2 diabetes mellitus/CVD.ResultsIn the CARDIA study, compared with Stage 0 metabolically healthy subjects, adjusted risk for diabetes exponentially increased from Stage 1 [hazard ratio (HR) 2.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.76‐4.55], to Stage 2 (HR 8.06, 95% CI 4.91‐13.2), to Stage 3 (HR 23.5, 95% CI 13.7‐40.1) (P for trend <0.001). In NHANES III, both cumulative incidence and multivariable adjusted HRs markedly increased for both all‐cause and CVD mortality with advancement of the risk stage from Stages 0 to 4. Adjustment for body mass index (BMI) minimally affected the risks for diabetes and all‐cause/CVD mortality using CMDS.ConclusionCMDS can discriminate a wide range of risk for diabetes, CVD mortality, and all‐cause mortality independent of BMI, and should be studied as a risk assessment tool to guide interventions that prevent and treat cardiometabolic disease.
FIGHTING CORRUPTION WITH SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS' POTENTIAL TO REDUCE CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Authors: Schatz Florian 
Published: July 2013

SUMMARYGiven the poor track record of traditional anti‐corruption initiatives, donors and governments are increasingly looking at how civil society can fight corruption in public administration. Social accountability mechanisms intend to perform this role by holding officials directly accountable through citizen engagement. However, this article argues that social accountability mechanisms are only capable of reducing corruption systemically if they activate horizontal accountability and sustain it through the sanctioning mechanisms of electoral accountability. A comparative case study analysis using the cases of the Ugandan Public Expenditure Tracking Survey and the Bangalore Citizen Report Card is applied to test this hypothesis. The Tanzanian Public Expenditure Tracking Survey and an example of citizen engagement in Mumbai are employed as shadow cases to provide additional evidence for the hypothesis. The results indicate that social accountability mechanisms must be inclusive, broad, with public effect and embedded in other accountability relationships to fight corruption effectively. Electoral accountability is key, and support to social accountability mechanisms should therefore always be well placed within a broader agenda aimed at strengthening democratic governance. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental Evidence on the Effect of Childhood Investments on Postsecondary Attainment and Degree Completion
Authors: Dynarski Susan , Hyman Joshua , Schanzenbach Diane Whitmore 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThis paper examines the effect of early childhood investments on college enrollment and degree completion. We used the random assignment in Project STAR (the Tennessee Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio experiment) to estimate the effect of smaller classes in primary school on college entry, college choice, and degree completion. We improve on existing work in this area with unusually detailed data on college enrollment spells and the previously unexplored outcome of college degree completion. We found that assignment to a small class increases students’ probability of attending college by 2.7 percentage points, with effects more than twice as large among black students. Among students enrolled in the poorest third of schools, the effect is 7.3 percentage points. Smaller classes increased the likelihood of earning a college degree by 1.6 percentage points and shifted students toward high‐earning fields such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), business, and economics. We found that test‐score effects at the time of the experiment were an excellent predictor of long‐term improvements in postsecondary outcomes.
Molecular cloning and characterization of a ryanodine receptor gene in brown planthopper (BPH),Nilaparvata lugens(Stål)
Authors: Wang Jian , Xie Zhijuan , Gao Jingkun , Liu Yaping , Wang Wenlong , Huang Li , Wang Jianjun 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDRyanodine receptors (RyRs) are a distinct class of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) release channel. The recent discovery of diamide insecticides has prompted studies on insect RyRs. However, information about the structure and function of insect RyRs is still limited. In this study, we isolated and characterized a full‐length RyR cDNA (namedNlRyR) from the brown planthopper,Nilaparvata lugens(Stål) (Homoptera: Delphacidae), a serious rice pest throughout Asia.RESULTSThe compositeNlRyRgene contains an open reading frame of 15 423 bp encoding a protein of 5140 amino acid residues, which shares high sequence identity (78–81%) with other insect homologues, except for two regions (IDR1: 4379–4732; IDR2: 1307–1529) with markedly low identity (44–48 and 38–41%, respectively). All hallmarks of the RyR proteins are conserved in the NlRyR protein, including the RyR domain as well as mannosyltransferase, IP3R and RyR (pfam02815) (MIR) and RyR and IP3R homology (pfam01365) (RIH) domains. Expression analysis ofNlRyRrevealed significant differences in mRNA expression levels amongN. lugensdevelopmental stages. Furthermore, three alternative splicing sites were identified inNlRyR, one of which forms the mutually exclusive exons A/B and is conserved in various insect species. Diagnostic PCR assays showed that the splice variant containing exon A was predominantly detected in all developmental stages.CONCLUSIONNlRyRmay play an important role in the control of developmental processes ofN. lugens. Alternative splicing may generate the functional diversity ofNlRyR. The results provided the basis for further structural and functional characterization ofNlRyR. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Population and damage projection of Spodoptera litura (F.) on peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) under different conditions using the age‐stage, two‐sex life table
Authors: Tuan Shu‐Jen , Lee Chung‐Chieh , Chi Hsin 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe common cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Fabricus), is the most serious pest of peanuts in Taiwan. In order to devise an ecology‐based and cost‐effective control program, we collected life table data and consumption rates from larvae reared indoors at a constant temperature of 25°C, or outdoors at ambient temperatures during the spring and fall of 2010. A computer simulation was then used to project the population growth and damage potential of S. litura on peanuts.RESULTSLaboratory‐reared S. litura individuals produced 3548 eggs/female, whereas those reared outdoors produced 3452 and 3072 eggs/female in the spring and fall, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase was 0.1828, 0.1308 and 0.1545 day−1 , and the net consumption rate was 194.0, 132.2 and 166.6 cm2 larva−1 at 25°C, in spring and fall, respectively. Population projection showed a faster growth and higher damage potential of S. litura in the fall.CONCLUSIONPopulation projections based on life tables and stage‐specific consumption rates can reveal the stage structure and damage potential of the pest population. Our results showed that monitoring data obtained by using pheromone traps were not in concordance with the damage potential of the pest population. This approach offers a promising tool for pest management. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Factors influencing supercooling capacity of the koinobiont endoparasitoid Venturia canescens (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)
Authors: Andreadis Stefanos S. , Spanoudis Christos G. , Athanassiou Christos G. , Savopoulou‐Soultani Matilda 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDVenturia canescens is a parthenogenetic koinobiont endoparasitoid of several pyralid moth larvae that are major pests of stored products. Low temperatures have been extensively used to control stored‐product insects as an alternative to the application of traditional pesticides. However, most studies have focused on the cold hardiness profile of the major stored‐product pests. The objective of this study was to investigate how factors such as age, food, host availability and acclimation affect the cold tolerance of V. canescens by determining its supercooling capacity.ResultsYoung adults displayed significantly lower supercooling points (SCPs) than older adults, irrespective of the availability of a host. Host availability had a moderate effect on supercooling, whereas food consumption resulted in a significant enhancement of SCP. Acclimation to low temperatures increased the supercooling capacity considerably. Furthermore, an increase in the duration of exposure to acclimation temperature resulted in lower SCPs.ConclusionAdults of V. canescens displayed an enhanced ability to supercool, however, they appear to be less cold tolerant than their respective hosts. This information would be useful in determining the potential of using V. canescens as a biological agent in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, taking into consideration the adverse effects of low temperatures on its survival. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Processing of Agglomerated Red Filter Dust in the Converter Operation from Metallurgical Point of View
Authors: Scharf Christiane , Ditze André 
Published: July 2013

AbstractRed filter dust (RFD) from steel works contains up to 50 mass% iron, which therefore can serve as raw material for steel production. It should be possible to recycle a fraction of the RFD in the converter process of a steel works wherein also scrap for recycling is used. The aim was the investigation of the reduction behavior of the iron oxide in the RFD. This was accomplished by contact of the dust with pig iron containing up to 3.9 mass% carbon and also by addition of bio‐char to the dust, creating self‐reducing briquettes. The experimental results were compared to the theoretical achievable iron oxide reduction. The reaction time of selected briquettes was calculated by a kinetic approach. Additional the behavior of lead and zinc in the dust was investigated. The mass balance of the converter process indicated the influence of the dust recycling especially regarding the zinc mass flow.
Intraoperative Placement of External Biliary Drains for Prevention and Treatment of Bile Leaks After Extended Liver Resection Without Bilioenteric Anastomosis
Authors: Strücker B. , Stockmann M. , Denecke T. , Neuhaus P. , Seehofer D. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackgroundImproved surgical techniques, substantial preoperative diagnostics, and advanced perioperative management permit extensive and complex liver resection. Thus, hepatic malignancies that would have been considered inoperable some years ago may be curatively resected today. Despite all this progress, biliary leakage remains a clinically relevant issue, especially after extended liver resection. Intraoperative decompression of bile ducts by means of distinct biliary drains is controversial. Although drainage is rarely used as a routine procedure, it might be useful in selected patients at high risk for biliary leakage.MethodsWe describe surgical management of long‐segment exposed or injured bile ducts after extended parenchymal resection with concomitant lymphadenectomy. Because blood supply to the bile duct may be impaired, the risk of biliary necrosis and/or leakage is significant. Internal splinting of the bile duct to ensure optimum decompression plus guidance might be helpful. Thus, in selected cases after trisectionectomy we inserted an external–internal or internal–external drain into long‐segment exposed bile ducts. For internal–external drains the tube was diverted via the major duodenal papilla into the duodenum and then transfixed after the duodenojejunal flexure through the jejunal wall by means of a Witzel’s channel.ResultsBecause the entire bile duct is splinted, this technique is superior to bile duct decompression with a T‐tube. This is supported by the course of a patient suffering biliary leakage after extended right‐sided hepatectomy for colorectal metastasis. Initially, a T‐tube was inserted for decompression, but biliary leakage persisted. After inserting transhepatic external–internal drainage, bile leakage stopped immediately. The patient’s course was then uneventful. Five other patients (mostly with locally advanced hepatocellular or cholangiocellular carcinoma) treated similarly were discharged without complications. Drain removal 6 weeks postoperatively was uncomplicated in five of the 6 patients. In the sixth patient, external–internal drainage was replaced by a Yamakawa‐type prosthesis for a biliary stricture. None of the patients suffered severe complications during long‐term follow‐up.ConclusionsThe bile duct drainage technique presented in this study was useful for preventing and treating bile leakage after long‐segment exposure of extrahepatic bile ducts during major hepatectomy. Transhepatic or internal–external drains are often used for bilioenteric anastomoses, but similar drainage techniques have not been reported for the native bile duct. T‐tubes are generally used in this situation. In particular cases, however, inner splinting of the bile duct and appropriate movement of the bile via a tube can be helpful.