bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cryptococcus spp. isolation from excreta of pigeons (Columba livia) in and around Monterrey, Mexico
Authors: Canónico-González Yolanda , Adame-Rodríguez Juan Manuel , Mercado-Hernández Roberto , Aréchiga-Carvajal Elva Teresa 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The presence of Cryptococcus spp. has been reported in Mexico’s capital city; however, to our knowledge there are no reports of its presence in the state of Nuevo León located in northeast Mexico. This is presumed to be because the hot and dry climate in this region does not favor cryptococcal proliferation. This study confirmed the presence of C. neoformans and C. albidus in 20% (10/50) of randomly selected fecal samples of pigeons (Columba livia) in the Monterrey metropolitan area. The presence of this yeast in the state of Nuevo León is proof of its adaptation to the typically hot climate of the area and is consistent with recent reviews of cryptococcosis cases in several local hospitals. The two species were identified and characterized through microbiological tests and molecular identification by DNA extraction and PCR amplification of highly conserved 18S ribosomal DNA using ITS1 and ITS2 as target regions. The PCR products were sequenced and compared with those reported in GenBank.
Screen for abnormal mitochondrial phenotypes in mouse ES cells identifies model for Succinyl-CoA Ligase deficiency and mtDNA depletion
Authors: Donti Taraka R. , Stromberger Carmen , Ge Ming , Eldin Karen W. , Craigen William J. , Graham Brett H. 
Published: November 2013

Summary
Mutations in subunits of Succinyl-CoA Synthetase/Ligase (SCS), a component of the citric acid cycle, are associated with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, elevation of methylmalonic acid (MMA), and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion. While performing a FACS-based retroviral-mediated gene trap mutagenesis screen in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells for abnormal mitochondrial phenotypes, a gene trap allele of Sucla2 (Sucla2SAβgeo) has been isolated in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and used to generate transgenic animals. Sucla2 encodes the ADP-specific β subunit isoform of SCS. Sucla2SAβgeo homozygotes exhibit recessive lethality, with most mutants dying late in gestation (e18.5). Mutant placenta and embryonic (e17.5) brain, heart and muscle show varying degrees of mtDNA depletion (20-60%), while there is no mtDNA depletion in mutant liver, where the gene is not normally expressed. Elevated levels of MMA are observed in embryonic brain. SCS deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) demonstrate a 50% reduction in mtDNA content compared to wild type MEFs. The mtDNA depletion results in reduced steady state levels of mtDNA encoded proteins and multiple respiratory chain deficiencies, while mtDNA content can be restored by reintroduction of Sucla2. This mouse model of SCS deficiency and mtDNA depletion promises to provide insights into the pathogenesis of mitochondrial diseases with mtDNA depletion and into the biology of mtDNA maintenance. In addition, this report demonstrates the power of a genetic screen that combines gene trap mutagenesis and FACS analysis in mouse ES cells to identify mitochondrial phenotypes and to develop animal models of mitochondrial dysfunction.
Hypoxia-cadmium interactions on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) mitochondrial bioenergetics: attenuation of hypoxia-induced proton leak by low doses of cadmium
Authors: Onukwufor John O. , MacDonald Nicole , Kibenge Fred , Stevens Don , Kamunde Collins 
Published: November 2013

Summary
The goal of the present study was to elucidate the modulatory effects of cadmium (Cd) on hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in light of the limited understanding of the mechanisms of multiple stressor interactions in aquatic organisms. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver mitochondria were isolated and energized with complex I substrates, malate-glutamate, and exposed to hypoxia (0&gt;PO2 &lt;2 torr) for 0–60 min followed by reoxygenation and measurement of coupled and uncoupled respiration and complex I enzyme activity. Thereafter, 5 min hypoxia was used to probe interactions with cadmium (Cd) (0–20 µM) and to test the hypothesis that deleterious effects of hypoxia-reoxygenation on mitochondria were mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hypoxia-reoxygenation inhibited state 3 and uncoupler-stimulated (state 3u) respiration while concomitantly stimulating state 4 and 4ol (proton leak) respirations, thus reducing phosphorylation and coupling efficiencies. Low doses of Cd (≤ 5 µM) reduced, while higher doses enhanced, hypoxia-stimulated proton leak. This was in contrast to the monotonic enhancement by Cd of hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced reductions of state 3 respiration, phosphorylation efficiency and coupling. Mitochondrial complex I activity was inhibited by hypoxia-reoxygenation, hence confirming the impairment of at least one component of the electron transport chain (ETC) in rainbow trout mitochondria. Similar to the effect on state 4 and proton leak, low doses of Cd partially reversed the hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced complex I activity inhibition. The ROS scavenger and sulfhydryl group donor, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), administrated immediately prior to hypoxia exposure, reduced hypoxia-reoxygenation-stimulated proton leak without rescuing the inhibited state 3 respiration suggesting that hypoxia-reoxygenation influences distinct aspects of mitochondria via different mechanisms. Our results indicate that hypoxia-reoxygenation impairs the ETC and sensitizes mitochondria to Cd via mechanisms that involve, at least in part, ROS. Moreover we provide, for the first time in fish, evidence for hormetic effect of Cd on mitochondrial bioenergetics –the attenuation of hypoxia-reoxygenation-stimulated proton leak and partial rescue of complex I inhibition by low Cd doses.
Spontaneous locomotor activity in late-stage chicken embryos is modified by stretch of leg muscles
Authors: Bradley Nina S. , Ryu Young U. , Yeseta Marie C. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryChicks initiate bilateral alternating steps several days before hatching and adaptively walk within hours after hatching, but emergence of precocious walking skills is not well understood. One of our aims is to determine if interactions between environment and movement experience prior to hatching are instrumental in establishing precocious motor skills. However, physiological evidence of proprioceptor development in the chick has yet to be established; thus, one goal of this study was to determine when in embryogenesis proprioception circuits can code change in muscle length. A second goal was to determine if proprioception circuits can modulate leg muscle activity during repetitive limb movements for stepping (RLMs). We hypothesized that proprioception circuits code changes in muscle length and/or tension, and modulate locomotor circuits producing RLMs in anticipation of adaptive locomotion at hatching. To this end, leg muscle activity and kinematics were recorded in embryos during normal posture and after fitting one ankle with a restraint that supported the limb in an atypical posture. We tested the hypotheses by comparing leg muscle activity during spontaneous RLMs in control posture and ankle extension restraint. Results indicated that proprioceptors detect changes in muscle length and/or muscle tension 3 days before hatching. Ankle extension restraint produced autogenic excitation of the ankle flexor and reciprocal inhibition of the ankle extensor. Restraint also modified knee extensor activity during RLMs 1 day before hatching. We consider the strengths and limitations of these results and propose that proprioception contributes to precocious locomotor development during the final 3 days before hatching.
Evaluation of Time-Dependent Yield Stress Using Dynamic Rheological Property of Bentonite Suspensions
Authors: Yoon Jisuk , El Mohtar Chadi 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Permeation grouting using weak grouts such as bentonite grout is one of the effective methods to mitigate liquefaction in loose saturated sand deposits. While a flow parameter of the grout such as yield stress determines its penetrability into the deposit and resistance to groundwater flow, a dynamic parameter such as critical storage modulus evaluates post-grouting performance of the treated soils under cyclic loading condition. However, the yield stress and critical storage modulus should be obtained through two different types of rheological tests: drag and oscillatory shear test. Although previous research has suggested a method to evaluate yield stress from an oscillatory shear test, the conventional method does not consider the time-dependent nature of bentonite grout, which is one of its crucial properties as a grout. In this study, flow and dynamic rheological properties of bentonite suspensions were measured using drag (stress ramp) and oscillatory shear (strain sweep) tests with a vane geometry for various weight fractions of bentonite suspensions (5, 7.5, 10, and 12 %) and resting times (0 to 480 h). At different resting times, elastic and crossover stresses from strain sweep tests were compared to yield stresses obtained from stress ramp tests. The results showed that both the elastic and crossover stresses from strain sweep tests were significantly lower (40 %–60 %) than the yield stresses measured by stress ramp tests. The comparison also showed a dependency on particle fractions. In order to evaluate yield stress from the oscillatory shear test, a time-independent relationship between yield stress and critical storage modulus was proposed. This study suggests an economical approach to evaluate an important design parameter (“undisturbed” yield stress) in permeation grouting using bentonite grout.
A Novel Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) Technique Using Coplanar Capacitive Imaging Probes
Authors: Yin Xiaokang , Li Wei 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
A novel NDE technique, known as capacitive imaging (CI), is introduced in this work. The CI approach uses a coplanar probe with two or more electrodes in air to produce a quasi-static electric field distribution within the material. The capacitive coupling allows this technique to detect both surface and hidden defect in insulating materials, and provide indications of surface profile of conducting materials. Scanning the electrodes over the material can form an image according to the changes in the output voltage from the coplanar CI probe. In this work, a detailed description of the CI technique is presented, including the theory, modes of operation, instrumentation, and some preliminary experimental results.
Structural and electrical properties of La3+ and Gd3+ co-doped ceria (Ce0·80Gd0·20−xLaxO1·90, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0·20) prepared by microwave-assisted synthesis
Authors: Kumar Kuldeep , Srivastava Monika , Singh Nitish K. , Jaiswal Nandini , Kumar Devendra , Parkash Om 
Published: November 2013

A few compositions co-doped with Gd3+ and La3+, Ce0·80Gd0·20−xLaxO1·90 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0·2) have been prepared by microwave-assisted synthesis (MAS). Thermal response of the as-prepared samples has been studied using simultaneous differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. Samples have been characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and AC impedance spectroscopy. All the samples, calcined at 400°C for 2 h, show formation of single-phase solid solution having fluorite structure similar to ceria. FT-IR spectroscopy shows that there is no noticeable change in the bonding. MAS technique lowers the sintering temperature to 1300°C and gives more than 95% of the theoretical density. Impedance measurements have been performed on the sintered pellets coated with silver paint, in the temperature and frequency ranges 200–500°C and 1 Hz–1 MHz, respectively. Total conductivity and activation energy of conduction show that co-doped compositions have higher conductivity than the undoped and singly doped samples.
Are There Adverse Consequences of Mandatory Auditor Rotation? Evidence from the Italian Experience
Authors: Cameran Mara , Francis Jere R. , Marra Antonio , Pettinicchio Angela 
Published: November 2013

SUMMARY
Mandatory auditor rotation was recently proposed for the European Union and is also under consideration in the United States. There has been little research into either the benefits or costs of rotation in a true mandatory setting that could inform intelligent policy making. Our paper helps fill this gap by examining Italy, where mandatory rotation of auditors has been required since 1975. We find that outgoing auditors do not shirk on effort (or quality), but final-year fees are 7 percent higher than normal, which may indicate opportunistic pricing. The fees of incoming auditors are discounted by 16 percent even though they have abnormally higher engagement hours in the first year (17 percent), which is suggestive of lowballing. However, subsequent fees are abnormally higher and exceed the initial fee discount. Thus, the costs of mandatory rotation are nontrivial. Higher costs could be acceptable if rotation improves audit quality, but we find evidence of the opposite. Namely, the quality of audited earnings is lower in the first three years following rotation, relative to later years of auditor tenure. Since rotation is costly and earnings quality improves with longer auditor tenure, the evidence from Italy does not support the case for mandatory rotation.
Modification of the Audit Report: Mitigating Investor Attribution by Disclosing the Auditor's Judgment Process
Authors: Wright Arnold M. , Wright Sally 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT:
This study examines the effectiveness of disclosure in the auditor's report of the auditor's judgment process as a means to mitigate unfavorable attribution to the auditor after the occurrence of an adverse event, i.e., the tendency to ascribe the cause to a factor(s) that can be readily associated with the event (“second guessing”). Modification of the audit report in this manner is consistent with recent calls to make the audit report more responsive to user expectations and with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Improving Financial Reporting for the establishment of a professional judgment framework. We provide 72 nonprofessional investors with a case where there are both positive and negative indicators about the going-concern status of a client. The auditor issues a standard audit report, and nine months later the client files for bankruptcy. Participants are randomly assigned to two groups: judgment process information or no judgment process information. The results indicate that judgment process information significantly mitigates auditor attribution after the bankruptcy for four of five auditor performance measures. In all, the findings suggest disclosure of the auditor's judgment process is a promising tool to mitigate auditor attribution.
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Dementia Risk Among Older Type 2 Diabetic Patients: The Diabetes and Aging Study
Authors: Mayeda Elizabeth R. , Karter Andrew J. , Huang Elbert S. , Moffet Howard H. , Haan Mary N. , Whitmer Rachel A. 
Published: November 2013

OBJECTIVE
Although patients with type 2 diabetes have double the risk of dementia, potential racial/ethnic differences in dementia risk have not been explored in this population. We evaluated racial/ethnic differences in dementia and potential explanatory factors among older diabetic patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We identified 22,171 diabetic patients without preexisting dementia aged ≥60 years (14,546 non-Hispanic whites, 2,484 African Americans, 2,363 Latinos, 2,262 Asians, 516 Native Americans) from the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Diabetes Registry. We abstracted prevalent medical history (1 January 1996 to 31 December 1997) and dementia incidence (1 January 1998 to 31 December 2007) from medical records and calculated age-adjusted incidence densities. We fit Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, sex, education, diabetes duration, and markers of clinical control.

RESULTS
Dementia was diagnosed in 3,796 (17.1%) patients. Age-adjusted dementia incidence densities were highest among Native Americans (34/1,000 person-years) and African Americans (27/1,000 person-years) and lowest among Asians (19/1,000 person-years). In the fully adjusted model, hazard ratios (95% CIs) (relative to Asians) were 1.64 (1.30–2.06) for Native Americans, 1.44 (1.24–1.67) for African Americans, 1.30 (1.15–1.47) for non-Hispanic whites, and 1.19 (1.02–1.40) for Latinos. Adjustment for diabetes-related complications and neighborhood deprivation index did not change the results.

CONCLUSIONS
Among type 2 diabetic patients followed for 10 years, African Americans and Native Americans had a 40–60% greater risk of dementia compared with Asians, and risk was intermediate for non-Hispanic whites and Latinos. Adjustment for sociodemographics, diabetes-related complications, and markers of clinical control did not explain observed differences. Future studies should investigate why these differences exist and ways to reduce them.
Cystatin C– and Creatinine-Based Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, Vascular Disease, and Mortality in Persons With Diabetes in the U.S.
Authors: Tsai Ching-Wei , Grams Morgan E. , Inker Lesley A. , Coresh Josef , Selvin Elizabeth 
Published: November 2013

OBJECTIVE
Serum cystatin C is an alternative to serum creatinine for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR), since cystatin C is less influenced by age and muscle mass. Among persons with diabetes, we compared the performance of GFR estimated using cystatin C (eGFRcys) with that using creatinine (eGFRcr) for the identification of reduced kidney function and its association with diabetes complications.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We analyzed data from adult participants from the 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with available cystatin C (N = 4,457). Kidney function was dichotomized as preserved (eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or reduced (eGFR &lt;60 mL/min/1.73 m2) using the 2012 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) cystatin C and the 2009 CKD-EPI creatinine equations.

RESULTS
Among 778 persons with diabetes, the prevalence of reduced kidney function was 16.5% using eGFRcr and 22.0% using eGFRcys. More persons with diabetes were reclassified from preserved kidney function by eGFRcr to reduced kidney function by eGFRcys than persons without diabetes (odds ratio 3.1 [95% CI 1.9–4.9], P &lt; 0.001). The associations between lower eGFR and higher prevalence of albuminuria, retinopathy, peripheral arterial disease, and coronary artery disease were robust regardless of filtration marker. Similarly, the risk of all-cause mortality increased with lower eGFRcr and eGFRcys. Only lower eGFRcys was significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality.

CONCLUSIONS
More persons with diabetes had reduced kidney function by eGFRcys than by eGFRcr, and lower eGFRcys was strongly associated with diabetes complications. Whether eGFRcys is superior to eGFRcr in approximating true kidney function in a diabetic population requires additional study.
Effect of Lidocaine-soaked Nasal Packing on Pain Relief after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Authors: Mo Ji-Hun , Park Young-Min , Chung Young-Jun 
Published: November 2013

Background Nasal packing is usually performed to control bleeding after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Although new packing materials have been developed, they still cause pain. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of lidocaine-soaked packs on pain after ESS. Methods A prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial was conducted in 63 patients with CRS undergoing ESS. At the conclusion of the operation, 2% lidocaine-soaked biodegradable synthetic polyurethane foam and saline-soaked polyurethane foam were inserted in both nasal cavities of 31 patients and 32 control patients, respectively. The same lidocaine or saline was reapplied into the nasal packs at postoperative 8 hours. Pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale at postoperative 1, 4, 8, 16, 20, and 24 hour(s). The number of gauze that cleaned the blood around the nose was counted. Heart rate, rhythm, and blood pressures were checked preoperatively and postoperatively to evaluate the influence of lidocaine on vital signs. Results Postoperative pain decreased in lidocaine group at all of the postoperative time periods (p < 0.05). Lidocaine reduced postoperative bleeding at postoperative 8 and 24 hours. Changes of blood pressure from preoperative values in the lidocaine group were not different from those in the control group (p > 0.05). Heart rate in the lidocaine group was more stable than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Lidocaine-soaked packs significantly reduced postoperative pain without serious changes on vital sign. These findings suggest that topical lidocaine application to nasal packs could be a useful method to reduce pain during the early postoperative period after ESS.
Physical Exercise Increases Nasal Patency in Asthmatic and Atopic Preschool Children
Authors: Haavisto Lotta E. , Lukkarinen Minna , Lukkarinen Heikki , Jartti Tuomas , Papadopoulos Nikolaos G. , Sipilä Jukka I. 
Published: November 2013

Background Physical exercise causes a decrease in nasal mucosal congestion and hence an increase in nasal patency. This nasal response has been studied only in adults. A correlation between nasal obstruction and asthma or allergic rhinitis has been previously found. This study evaluates the influences of atopy and asthma on nasal patency and the changes in nasal patency induced by physical exercise in preschool children. Methods An 8-minute exercise challenge test was conducted in 31 children aged between 4.1 and 6.4 years: 13 children had asthma, 17 were atopic, and 13 had neither asthma nor atopy. Nasal patency was measured with acoustic rhinometry at baseline and 10 minutes after the exercise. Results At baseline, the total acoustic values were 17–25% larger in nonasthmatic children than in asthmatic children. Accordingly, the acoustic values in nonatopic children were 16–35% larger than in atopic children. After physical exercise, there was an overall increase in mean total nasal volume from 2.973 (SD = 0.647) to 3.405 cm3 (SD = 0.705), indicating an improvement of 15% in nasal volume (p = 0.025). The increase in nasal patency was similar in asthmatic and nonasthmatic children, as well as in atopic and nonatopic children. Conclusion A significant increase in total nasal volume after physical exercise was found in all preschool children. The minimal cross-sectional areas remained smaller in asthmatic and atopic children after exercise, indicating partly irreversible nasal mucosal congestion in these children.