bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of a hidden outbreak due to the spread of a VIM-3-producing, extensive drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (XDRPA) clone at a regional hospital in Taiwan
Authors: SHU J. C. , SU L. H. , CHIA J. H. , HUANG S. H. , KAO Y. C. , LEE S. C. , WU T. L. 
Published: November 2012

SUMMARYA review of the annual prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a regional hospital in Taiwan revealed a significant increase in the incidence of extensive drug-resistant P. aeruginosa (XDRPA) from 2·1% in 2003 to 5·8% in 2007. The first XDRPA isolate was recovered in 2001 from the emergency ward. The widespread dissemination of XDRPA isolates to more than 10 other wards was discovered the following year. Six pulsotypes of 67 XDRPA isolates from 2006 onwards were identified and 91% were a single strain, suggesting the existence of a hidden outbreak. Prior to the recognition of the outbreak, the majority of cases were not considered to be healthcare-associated infections until molecular evidence was provided. A cohort measure was launched by the infection control practitioners that effectively controlled the outbreak. Patients with XDRPA were mostly referred from neighbouring long-term care facilities, which may have been the reservoir of the XDRPA clone.
Missing pieces in protein deposition and mobilization inside legume seed storage vacuoles: calcium and magnesium ions
Authors: Santos Cláudia N. , Alves Marta M. , Bento Isabel T. , Ferreira Ricardo B. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractDuring the maturation of dicotyledonous seeds, organic carbon, nitrogen and sulphur are stored in protein storage vacuoles (PSVs) as storage globulins. Several studies point to the coexistence of storage proteins with proteases responsible for their degradation inside PSVs. Different mechanisms have been proposed to explain why there is no proteolysis during this period. Protein aggregation to form large supramolecular structures resistant to proteolytic attack could be the reason. However, during germination, and particularly following its completion, the globulin aggregates must undergo disintegration to allow protease attack for protein reserve mobilization. Based on the well-described concentration-dependent ability of Ca2+ and Mg2+ to promote in vitro aggregation and disaggregation of globulins, we explored a possible role for these alkaline earth cations in globulin packaging and mobilization. Ca2+ and Mg2+ measurements in purified PSVs [6.37 μmol and 43.9 μmol g− 1 dry weight (DW) of cotyledons, respectively] showed the presence of these two alkaline earth cations within this compartment. To our knowledge, this is the first time that Ca2+ and Mg2+ have been quantified in purified PSVs from Lupinus albus seeds. Considering the importance of these two alkaline earth cations inside PSVs, which represent 14.6% and 60.7% of the total seed Mg2+and Ca2+, respectively, globulin aggregation and disaggregation profiles were assayed using experimental conditions closer to those that are physiologically present (proportion of Ca2+ and Mg2+, and acidic pH). Based on: (1) the high in vivo abundance of Ca2+ and Mg2+ inside PSVs; and (2) globulin aggregation and disaggregation profiles, together with structural and physiological evidence already reported in the literature, an important physiological role for Ca2+ and Mg2+ in globulin packaging and mobilization inside PSVs is suggested.
Analysis of ancient DNA from in vitro grown tissues of 1600-year-old seeds revealed the species as Anagyris foetida
Authors: Özgen Murat , Özdilek Aslı , Birsin Melahat A. , Önde Sertaç , Şahin Derya , Açıkgöz Esvet , Kaya Zeki 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSeven ancient seeds, about 1600 years old, were found during an archaeological excavation in Asar Island which is located in south-western Turkey. These seeds were subjected to germination, in vitro callus induction and molecular characterization experiments to test the viability and plant origin of the seeds. Six of the seven seeds had viable seed components (such as cotyledons) and produced callus tissue in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 2 mg l− 1 6-benzylamino purine (BAP), 0.2 mg l− 1 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 20 g l− 1 sucrose, 2 mg l− 1 glycine and 7 g l− 1 agar, but the calli from these seeds failed to yield adventitious shoots. DNA samples from callus tissues produced by ancient seeds in vitro were of good quality. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region in nuclear DNA (nDNA) of ancient seeds was amplified successfully. The sequences from amplified ITS DNA products of six ancient seeds indicated that their ITS sequences matched those of Anagyris foetida after subjecting them to BLAST searches in international sequence databases (NCBI). A. foetida is a relict species endemic to the Mediterranean region and used as a herbal medicine. We believe that seed characteristics such as the very hard, extremely smooth and shiny testa, toxic anagyrine alkaloid content and their storage in a pot further improved the longevity of these ancient seeds.
Providing care for children with severe acute malnutrition in India: new evidence from Jharkhand
Authors: Aguayo Víctor M , Jacob Sangita , Badgaiyan Nina , Chandra Praveen , Kumar Ajit , Singh Karanveer 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of facility-based care for children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in malnutrition treatment centres (MTC).DesignEarly detection and treatment of SAM using locally adapted protocols; assessment of programme outcomes, including survival, default, discharge and recovery rates.SettingAll forty-eight MTC in Jharkhand, India.SubjectsChildren (n 3595) with SAM admitted to MTC (1 July 2009–30 June 2011).ResultsOf children admitted, 55·0 % were girls, 77·7 % were 6–23 months old and 68·6 % belonged to scheduled tribes or castes; 34·4 % had oedema or medical complications. Of the 3418 programme exits, the proportion of children who died was 0·6 % (n 20), the proportion of children who defaulted was 18·4 % (n 628) and the proportion of children discharged was 81·0 % (n 2770). Children's average weight gain was 9·6 (sd 8·4) g/kg body weight per d and their average length of stay was 16·0 (sd 5·7) d. Among the 2770 children who were discharged from the programme, 39·4 % (n 1090) gained 15 % or more of their initial weight while 60·6 % (n 1680) gained less than 15 % of their initial weight.ConclusionsMTC provide live-saving care for children with SAM as demonstrated by high survival rates. However, the protocols and therapeutic foods currently used need to improve to ensure the recovery of all discharged children. MTC should be reserved for children with complicated SAM; children with uncomplicated SAM should be admitted to a community-based programme for the management of SAM, at a lesser risk to children and a lesser cost to families and the health system.
Risk counselling for family members in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: Gershon Elliot S. 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
In bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ) rare and de novo chromosomal microdeletions and microduplications (CNVs) have strong effects on risk. For de novo CNVs, the risk of BD or SZ is 10% and for deletions of the q11 region on chromosome 22, the risk of either of these disorders is 77%. A not-insignificant minority of BD and SZ patients have these types of event (4–6.5%). Psychotherapeutic intervention may be needed for within-family stigma and conflicts over genetic test results. These findings also raise ethical issues on stigma prevention, population screening, and abortion based on genotype.
LEA proteins: IDPs with versatile functions in cellular dehydration tolerance
Authors: Hincha Dirk K. , Thalhammer Anja 
Published: November 2012

LEA (late embryogenesis abundant) proteins were originally described almost 30 years ago as accumulating late in plant seed development. They were later found to be induced in vegetative plant tissues under environmental stress conditions and also in desiccation-tolerant micro-organisms and invertebrates. Although they are widely assumed to play crucial roles in cellular dehydration tolerance, their physiological and biochemical functions are largely unknown. Most LEA proteins are predicted to be intrinsically disordered and this has been experimentally verified in several cases. In addition, some LEA proteins partially fold, mainly into α-helices, during drying or in the presence of membranes. Recent studies have concentrated on the potential roles of LEA proteins in stabilizing membranes or sensitive enzymes during freezing or drying, and the present review concentrates on these two possible functions of LEA proteins in cellular dehydration tolerance.
Fabrication, structure and magnetic properties of CoPt3, CoPt and Co3Pt nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Yaxin , Zhang Xiaolong , Liu Yang , Jiang Yuhong , Zhang Yongjun , Wang Jingshu , Liu Yanqing , Liu Huilian , Sun Yunfei , S D Beach Geoffrey , Yang Jinghai 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
A set of Co
x
Pt100−x
nanoparticles (NPs) was synthesized by the sol–gel method. The structure and magnetic properties of the produced samples were investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and a vibrating sample magnetometer. When the Co content ranged from 25 to 75 at%, the results of XRD, HRTEM and SAED revealed the formation of L12 CoPt3, L10 CoPt and face-centred cubic Co3Pt NPs. Magnetic measurements indicated that CoPt3 and Co3Pt had soft magnetic properties. When the Co composition was 50 at%, the sample coercivity reached a giant value of ∼470 kA m−1.
Optical behaviour of thick gold and silver films with periodic circular nanohole arrays
Authors: Hajiaboli Ahmadreza , Kahrizi Mojtaba , Truong Vo-Van 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
To better understand the enhanced optical transmission observed with an array of nanoholes on optically thick metallic films, an extensive numerical calculation is presented in this paper to relate the scattering modes observed to transmittance spectral behaviour. Surface plasmon polariton Bloch waves, Wood's anomalies and localized surface plasmon resonances at the rim of the nanoholes are investigated based on scattering modes that form the features of the transmission spectrum. The finite difference time-domain method is applied to calculate the transmission intensity from films of gold and silver subjected to variations in geometrical parameters such as film thickness, spatial period of the structures and hole diameter. Analysis of transmission spectra showed that the cut-off frequency of the array of subwavelength holes is mostly defined by the thickness of the film and the diameter of the holes rather than the periodicity of the structures.
Anion dynamics in the first 10 milliseconds of an argon–acetylene radio-frequency plasma
Authors: van de Wetering F M J H , Beckers J , Kroesen G M W 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
The time evolution of the smallest anions (C2H− and H2CC−), just after plasma ignition, is studied by means of microwave cavity resonance spectroscopy (MCRS) in concert with laser-induced photodetachment under varying gas pressure and temperature in an argon–acetylene radio-frequency (13.56 MHz) plasma. These anions act as an initiator for spontaneous dust particle formation in these plasmas. With an intense 355 nm Nd : YAG laser pulse directed through the discharge, electrons are detached only from these anions present in the laser path. This results in a sudden increase in the electron density in the plasma, which can accurately and with sub-microsecond time resolution be measured with MCRS. By adjusting the time after plasma ignition at which the laser is fired through the discharge, the time evolution of the anion density can be studied. We have operated in the linear regime: the photodetachment signal is proportional to the laser intensity. This allowed us to study the trends of the photodetachment signal as a function of the operational parameters of the plasma. The density of the smallest anions steadily increases in the first few milliseconds after plasma ignition, after which it reaches a steady state. While keeping the gas density constant, increasing the gas temperature in the range 30–120 °C limits the number of smallest anions and saturates at a temperature of about 90 °C. A reaction pathway is proposed to explain the observed trends.
Micromagnetic study of exchange spring media with a rough interface on an example of FePt films
Authors: Dymerska Barbara , Lee Jehyun , Fidler Josef , Suess Dieter 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
In this paper exchange spring media with a rough interface between magnetically hard and soft materials are considered. As an example a nanostructure of FePt L10/A1 films is analysed. The observed features, such as inclusions of L10 phase in A1 matrix, were transferred into finite element numerical models. Also, the distribution of the hard phase along the thickness of the medium was analysed. It was found to fit linear, logistic and quadratic functions in the interface region. Micromagnetic simulations show that the position and size of obstacles significantly alter the switching field of the media. Moreover, the minimal switching field of H
sw = 0.9 T was observed for a quadratic L10 distribution in an 18 nm thick interface region. The numerical results agree well with an analytical formula of the pinning field of exchange spring media, which is derived for the general case of spatially varying magnetization, anisotropy and exchange constant. It is emphasized that the applicability of the numerical methods described here is not limited to FePt L10/A1 films but could be interesting also for other exchange spring media, such as CoPt L10/A1 or FePt(L10)/FeAu(L10).
Infrared spectroscopy characterization of 3C–SiC epitaxial layers on silicon
Authors: Pluchery Olivier , Costantini Jean-Marc 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
We have measured the transmission Fourier transform infrared spectra of cubic silicon carbide (3C–SiC polytype) epitaxial layer with a 20 µm thickness on a 200 µm thick silicon substrate. Spectra were recorded in the 400–4000 cm−1 wavenumber range. A novel approach of IR spectra computations based on the recursion capability of the C programming language is presented on the basis of polarized light propagation in layered media using generalized Fresnel's equations. The complex refractive indices are the only input parameters. A remarkable agreement is found between all of the experimental SiC and Si spectral features and the calculated spectra. A comprehensive assignment of (i) the two fundamental transverse optical (TO) (790 cm−1) and longitudinal optical (LO) (970 cm−1) phonon modes of 3C–SiC, (ii) with their overtones (1522–1627 cm−1) and (iii) the two-phonon optical-acoustical summation bands (1311–1409 cm−1) is achieved on the basis of available literature data. This approach allows sorting out the respective contributions of the Si substrate and SiC upper layer. Such calculations can be applied to any medium, provided that the complex refractive index data are known.
Free-electron absorption in n-doped GaN semiconductors at mid-IR wavelengths in the strong phonon–plasmon coupling regime
Authors: Shkerdin G , Rabbaa S , Stiens J , Vounckx R 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
We have calculated the free-carrier absorption coefficient for polar III–V semiconductors with strong LO phonon–plasmon interaction. We took several mechanisms into account, which assist in the photon absorption process. At the considered doping concentrations the most important scattering mechanisms are thermal LO phonon branch scattering, impurity scattering, plasmon branch scattering and acoustic phonon scattering. For all these interaction potentials screening by conduction electrons has been included. Computations are performed for β-GaN and α-GaN doped semiconductors at different mid-IR wavelengths and doping concentrations. For all considered cases the relative difference between the Drude model calculation results based on static and dynamic damping factors is typically smaller than 25–30%.
Mechanisms for ion-irradiation-induced relaxation of stress in mosaic structured Cu thin films
Authors: Fu E G , Wang Y Q , Nastasi M 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
In this paper, helium (He) ion irradiations with various fluences were performed on sputtered Cu thin films with a mosaic structure to evolve biaxial stress. X-ray diffraction of the θ–2θ method was used to determine the residual strains in the thin films by measuring the spacing of the crystallographic planes. The results show the in-plane biaxial tensile stress has been reduced by ion irradiation. A new proposed model is discussed to explain the ion-irradiation-induced stress release in mosaic structured Cu thin films.
Numerical computation of Thomson scattering spectra for non-Maxwellian or anisotropic electron distribution functions
Authors: Pastor I. , Guasp J. , Álvarez-Estrada R.F. , Castejón F. 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Monte Carlo techniques applied to Thomson scattering (TS) power spectrum computation have been extended so as to include non-Maxwellian and anisotropic electron distribution functions (EDFs). First, a simple model has been selected for the spatial (angular) anisotropy of electron velocities (uniformly distributed around an axis of angular symmetry on a cone of semiaperture θ
anis), while the energies are distributed according to a lower-hybrid-like model function. Spectra have been computed, and their dependence with the EDF model parameters has been given. The most noticeable changes in the spectrum with respect to the isotropic Maxwellian are the broadening and blue-shift of the spectrum due to suprathermal electrons, and the presence of satellite or additional maxima (that can be either red-shifted or blue-shifted with respect to the thermal Maxwellian maximum) coming from the anisotropy of the EDF. Also, extensive numerical computations have been carried out on angularly non-separable EDFs (meaning that the sampling of the distribution function cannot be done independently on angle and energy variables), like the relativistic bi-Maxwellian (with or without drift). The connection of these results with some recent TS measurements reported by Yamada et al (2010 Rev. Sci. Instrum.
81 10D522) and more generally, with the possibility of detecting non-Maxwellian or anisotropic EDF features with TS, has been discussed.
Sequence diversity of the intergenic spacer region of the rRNA gene of Cryptococcus albidus isolated from the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis and healthy individuals
Authors: Zhang Enshi , Tajima Mami , Tsuboi Ryoji , Sugita Takashi 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe yeast species Cryptococcus albidus var. albidus was found to more often colonize the skin surface of patients with atopic dermatitis (77.0%, 47/61) than that of healthy subjects (37.5%, 15/40). The intergenic spacer 1 region of the rRNA gene of this species consists of four sequence types: I, II, III and IV. Types I and II were predominant among healthy subjects and atopic dermatitis patients, respectively.
Endotoxin injection attenuates rest‐phase hypothermia in wintering great tits through the onset of fever
Authors: Nord Andreas , Chiriac Sandra , Hasselquist Dennis , Nilsson Jan‐Åke 
Published: November 2012

Summary

Endothermic animals in the boreal region experience considerable thermoregulatory costs in winter, especially during inactive periods when high demands cannot be met by increased food intake. This might necessitate a trade‐off between resting thermoregulation and other energetically expensive processes, such as immune function, but this has rarely been investigated.

We evaluated how immune activation affected rest‐phase hypothermia (an important energy conservation mechanism in small animals), in wild great tits (Parus major L.) wintering under semi‐natural conditions in southern Sweden. The acute phase response was triggered immediately prior to sunset through intramuscular lipopolysaccharide (LPS, an endotoxin) administration in two contrasting, naturally occurring, thermal regimes (cold, mild). We then noninvasively measured the thermoregulatory response throughout the night using subcutaneously implanted temperature‐sensitive transmitters.

Despite the energetic benefits of hypothermia, immunized great tits displayed an attenuated hypothermic response manifested through the onset of fever, possibly at the expense of a higher sustained metabolic rate. In line with this, these birds lost more body mass overnight (but only in mild conditions) and consequently were in worse condition the subsequent morning.

Fever expression was remarkably similar in cold and mild conditions, despite substantial variation in the energetic cost for thermoregulation. This suggest that the degree of fever is flexible and represents a trade‐off between the minimum body temperature required to mount an adequate acute phase response and the energy expenditure needed to maintain it.

We suggest that while energy conservation and immune function may not always be exclusive activities, costs of immune defences probably constitute an important additive energetic cost during northern winter conditions, sometimes calling for trade‐offs with other important physiological processes to survive the night.
Spatial mapping of extracellular oxidant production by a white rot basidiomycete on wood reveals details of ligninolytic mechanism
Authors: Hunt Christopher G. , Houtman Carl J. , Jones Don C. , Kitin Peter , Korripally Premsagar , Hammel Kenneth E. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryOxidative cleavage of the recalcitrant plant polymer lignin is a crucial step in global carbon cycling, and is accomplished most efficiently by fungi that cause white rot of wood. These basidiomycetes secrete many enzymes and metabolites with proposed ligninolytic roles, and it is not clear whether all of these agents are physiologically important during attack on natural lignocellulosic substrates. One new approach to this problem is to infer properties of ligninolytic oxidants from their spatial distribution relative to the fungus on the lignocellulose. We grew Phanerochaete chrysosporium on wood sections in the presence of oxidant‐sensing beads based on the ratiometric fluorescent dye BODIPY 581/591. The beads, having fixed locations relative to the fungal hyphae, enabled spatial mapping of cumulative extracellular oxidant distributions by confocal fluorescence microscopy. The results showed that oxidation gradients occurred around the hyphae, and data analysis using a mathematical reaction–diffusion model indicated that the dominant oxidant during incipient white rot had a half‐life under 0.1 s. The best available hypothesis is that this oxidant is the cation radical of the secreted P. chrysosporium metabolite veratryl alcohol.
Financial statement recasting and credit risk assessment
Authors: Batta George , Ganguly Ananda , Rosett Joshua 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis article examines the importance of adjustments to corporate financial statements for credit risk assessment. Prior research has tended to examine individual adjustments one at a time. As correlations among adjustments and control variables may bias inferences when researchers examine a single adjustment and ignore other adjustments, our results provide important new information about previous research by documenting whether or not such bias exists. We find that financial statement recasting adjustments – which aim to better reflect firms' indebtedness, financing costs and recurring earnings than reported financial numbers – are reflected in bond yield spreads and have an economically significant impact on credit pricing and loss forecasting. Among individual adjustment categories, we find that those for off‐balance‐sheet leases, defined benefit pensions and securitized debt have an economically significant impact on credit pricing and loss forecasting.