bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Barriers to incident-reporting behavior among nursing staff: A study based on the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Lee Yi-Hsuan , Yang Cheng-Chia , Chen Te-Tsung 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPrevious studies have identified numerous factors that affect incident-reporting behavior. However, few studies have applied an individual psychology perspective to identify and examine the factors affecting the intention of nursing staff to report incidents. We integrate the theory of planned behavior, organizational behavior, psychological behavior, and social exchange theory to identify which factors affect the intentions of nursing staff to report incidents. Samples were collected from nursing staff at 40 regional or larger hospitals for model verification. The results of this study show that psychological safety, attitude toward reporting incidents, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control correlate positively with the intention to report incidents. The perceived cost and perceived benefit of incident reporting directly affects the attitude toward incident-reporting behavior, and self-efficacy influences perceived behavioral control. Furthermore, subjective norms and the perceived benefits of incident reporting mediate the effect of psychological safety on attitude toward incident-reporting behavior.
The lower vitamin C plasma concentrations in elderly men compared with elderly women can partly be attributed to a volumetric dilution effect due to differences in fat-free mass
Authors: Jungert Alexandra , Neuhäuser-Berthold Monika 
Published: March 2015

Women show higher vitamin C plasma concentrations than men, but the reasons for this observation still require elucidation. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether sex differences in vitamin C plasma concentrations are present in elderly subjects and whether these differences are due to sex-specific lifestyles, total antioxidant status (TAOS) and/or body composition. Fasting plasma concentrations of vitamin C were assessed by photometric detection in a cross-sectional study of 181 women and eighty-nine men aged 62–92 years. Body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Vitamin C intake was assessed with a 3 d estimated dietary record. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed to investigate whether sex is an independent predictor of vitamin C plasma concentrations by controlling for age, vitamin C intake, lifestyle factors, TAOS and body composition. Women showed higher vitamin C plasma concentrations than men (76 v. 62 μmol/l, P< 0·0001). In the multiple regression analysis, male sex was a negative predictor of vitamin C plasma concentrations (β = − 0·214), as long as absolute fat-free mass (FFM) was not considered as a confounder. When absolute FFM was included, sex was no longer a predictor of vitamin C plasma concentrations, whereas absolute FFM (β = − 0·216), physical activity level (β = 0·165), intake of vitamin C supplements (β = 0·164), age (β = 0·147) and smoking (β = − 0·125) affected vitamin C plasma concentrations. The results indicate that a higher absolute FFM, and thus a higher distribution volume of vitamin C, contributes to lower vitamin C plasma concentrations in men than women.
Short- and long-term determinants of social detachment in later life
Authors: JIVRAJ STEPHEN , NAZROO JAMES , BARNES MATT 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTThe benefits of engagement with social activities on health and wellbeing are widely reported by gerontologists. Less is known, however, about what drives withdrawal from and re-engagement with social activities in later life. This is an important area of research which has direct implications for public policies that aim to ensure equitable outcomes among older adults. Much of the existing literature supports continuity theory which assumes people will not alter their level of social engagement as they age or after life-changing events. This paper uses data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing over an eight-year period (2002–2010) to determine the effect of short-term changes in marital, employment and health status over an initial four-year period on the dynamics of social detachment over the following four years. We control for underlying socio-economic disadvantages built up during the lifecourse and find that these effects, including poor education, wealth and health, are the most important determinants of persistent detachment from social activities as well as movement into and out of social detachment. The effects are consistent in men and women. The effects of short-term changes in marital and employment status have little effect on social detachment. Recent deterioration in health, however, predicted movement into social detachment, which implies the relationship between health and social detachment is reciprocal.
New scheme to produce aneutronic fusion reactions by laser-accelerated ions
Authors: Baccou C. , Depierreux S. , Yahia V. , Neuville C. , Goyon C. , De Angelis R. , Consoli F. , Ducret J.E. , Boutoux G. , Rafelski J. , Labaune C. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe development of high-intensity lasers has opened the field of nuclear reactions initiated by laser-accelerated particles. One possible application is the production of aneutronic fusion reactions for clean fusion energy production. We propose an innovative scheme based on the use of two targets and present the first results obtained with the ELFIE facility (at the LULI Laboratory) for the proton–boron-11 (p–11B) fusion reaction. A proton beam, accelerated by the Target Normal Sheat Acceleration mechanism using a short laser pulse (12 J, 350 fs, 1.056 µm, 1019 W cm−2), is sent onto a boron target to initiate fusion reactions. The number of reactions is measured with particle diagnostics such as CR39 track-detectors, active nuclear diagnostic, Thomson Parabola, magnetic spectrometer, and time-of-flight detectors that collect the fusion products: the α-particles. Our experiment shows promising results for this scheme. In the present paper, we discuss its principle and advantages compared with another scheme that uses a single target and heating mechanisms directly with photons to initiate the same p–11B fusion reaction.
The Party's Disciples: CCP Reserve Cadres and the Perpetuation of a Resilient Authoritarian Regime
Authors: Tsai Wen-Hsuan , Kou Chien-Wen 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis article discusses the origin and consolidation of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) reserve cadre system and considers its impact on the resilience and perpetuation of the Party's authoritarian regime. Reserve cadres are essentially the Party's “disciples”; through careful selection and training, the CCP is able to build a legion of youthful political elites with exceptional administrative ability and correct political thinking. Upon assumption of Party and government posts, these reserve cadres are able to reinforce the Party's autonomy and resist outside pressures to democratize, thereby manifesting the very nature of a resilient authoritarian regime.
Analysis of intestinal microbiota in hybrid house mice reveals evolutionary divergence in a vertebrate hologenome
Authors: Wang Jun , Kalyan Shirin , Steck Natalie , Turner Leslie M. , Harr Bettina , Künzel Sven , Vallier Marie , Häsler Robert , Franke Andre , Oberg Hans-Heinrich , Ibrahim Saleh M. , Grassl Guntram A. , Kabelitz Dieter , Baines John F. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractRecent evidence suggests that natural selection operating on hosts to maintain their microbiome contributes to the emergence of new species, that is, the ‘hologenomic basis of speciation’. Here we analyse the gut microbiota of two house mice subspecies,Mus musculus musculusandM. m. domesticus, across their Central European hybrid zone, in addition to hybrids generated in the lab. Hybrid mice display widespread transgressive phenotypes (that is, exceed or fall short of parental values) in a variety of measures of bacterial community structure, which reveals the importance of stabilizing selection operating on the intestinal microbiome within species. Further genetic and immunological analyses reveal genetic incompatibilities, aberrant immune gene expression and increased intestinal pathology associated with altered community structure among hybrids. These results provide unique insight into the consequences of evolutionary divergence in a vertebrate ‘hologenome’, which may be an unrecognized contributing factor to reproductive isolation in this taxonomic group.
Polaron pair mediated triplet generation in polymer/fullerene blends
Authors: Dimitrov Stoichko D. , Wheeler Scot , Niedzialek Dorota , Schroeder Bob C. , Utzat Hendrik , Frost Jarvist M. , Yao Jizhong , Gillett Alexander , Tuladhar Pabitra S. , McCulloch Iain , Nelson Jenny , Durrant James R. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractElectron spin is a key consideration for the function of organic semiconductors in light-emitting diodes and solar cells, as well as spintronic applications relying on organic magnetoresistance. A mechanism for triplet excited state generation in such systems is by recombination of electron-hole pairs. However, the exact charge recombination mechanism, whether geminate or nongeminate and whether it involves spin-state mixing is not well understood. In this work, the dynamics of free charge separation competing with recombination to polymer triplet states is studied in two closely related polymer-fullerene blends with differing polymer fluorination and photovoltaic performance. Using time-resolved laser spectroscopic techniques and quantum chemical calculations, we show that lower charge separation in the fluorinated system is associated with the formation of bound electron-hole pairs, which undergo spin-state mixing on the nanosecond timescale and subsequent geminate recombination to triplet excitons. We find that these bound electron-hole pairs can be dissociated by electric fields.
In1-ghrelin splicing variant is overexpressed in pituitary adenomas and increases their aggressive features
Authors: Ibáñez-Costa Alejandro , Gahete Manuel D. , Rivero-Cortés Esther , Rincón-Fernández David , Nelson Richard , Beltrán Manuel , de la Riva Andrés , Japón Miguel A. , Venegas-Moreno Eva , Gálvez Ma Ángeles , García-Arnés Juan A. , Soto-Moreno Alfonso , Morgan Jennifer , Tsomaia Natia , Culler Michael D. , Dieguez Carlos , Castaño Justo P. , Luque Raúl M. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPituitary adenomas comprise a heterogeneous subset of pathologies causing serious comorbidities, which would benefit from identification of novel, common molecular/cellular biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The ghrelin system has been linked to development of certain endocrine-related cancers. Systematic analysis of the presence and functional implications of some components of the ghrelin system, including native ghrelin, receptors and the recently discovered splicing variant In1-ghrelin, in human normal pituitaries (n = 11) and pituitary adenomas (n = 169) revealed that expression pattern of ghrelin system suffers a clear alteration in pituitary adenomasas comparedwith normal pituitary, where In1-ghrelin is markedly overexpressed. Interestingly, in cultured pituitary adenoma cells In1-ghrelin treatment (acylated peptides at 100 nM; 24–72 h) increased GH and ACTH secretion, Ca2+ and ERK1/2 signaling and cell viability, whereas In1-ghrelin silencing (using a specific siRNA; 100 nM) reduced cell viability. These results indicate that an alteration of the ghrelin system, specially its In1-ghrelin variant, could contribute to pathogenesis of different pituitary adenomas types and suggest that this variant and its related ghrelin system could provide new tools to identify novel, more general diagnostic, prognostic and potential therapeutic targets in pituitary tumors.
Quantitative detection of nitric oxide in exhaled human breath by extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Pan Susu , Tian Yong , Li Ming , Zhao Jiuyan , Zhu Lanlan , Zhang Wei , Gu Haiwei , Wang Haidong , Shi Jianbo , Fang Xiang , Li Penghui , Chen Huanwen 
Published: March 2015

AbstractExhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is a useful biomarker of various physiological conditions, including asthma and other pulmonary diseases. Herein a fast and sensitive analytical method has been developed for the quantitative detection of eNO based on extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (EESI-MS). Exhaled NO molecules selectively reacted with 2-phenyl-4, 4, 5, 5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO) reagent and eNO concentration was derived based on the EESI-MS response of 1-oxyl-2-phenyl-4, 4, 5, 5-tetramethylimidazoline (PTI) product. The method allowed quantification of eNO below ppb level (~0.02 ppbv) with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 11.6%. In addition, eNO levels of 20 volunteers were monitored by EESI-MS over the time period of 10 hrs. Long-term eNO response to smoking a cigarette was recorded and the observed time-dependent profile was discussed. This work extends the application of EESI-MS to small molecules (<30 Da) with low proton affinity and collision-induced dissociation efficiency, which are usually poorly visible by conventional ion trap mass spectrometers. Long-term quantitative profiling of eNO by EESI-MS opens new possibilities for the research of human metabolism and clinical diagnosis.
Recent ecological transitions in China: greening, browning and influential factors
Authors: Lü Yihe , Zhang Liwei , Feng Xiaoming , Zeng Yuan , Fu Bojie , Yao Xueling , Li Junran , Wu Bingfang 
Published: March 2015

AbstractEcological conservation and restoration are necessary to mitigate environmental degradation problems. China has taken great efforts in such actions. To understand the ecological transition during 2000–2010 in China, this study analysed trends in vegetation change using remote sensing and linear regression. Climate and socioeconomic factors were included to screen the driving forces for vegetation change using correlation or comparative analyses. Our results indicated that China experienced both vegetation greening (restoration) and browning (degradation) with great spatial heterogeneity. Socioeconomic factors, such as human populations and economic production, were the most significant factors for vegetation change. Nature reserves have contributed slightly to the deceleration of vegetation browning and the promotion of greening; however, a large-scale conservation approach beyond nature reserves was more effective. The effectiveness of the Three-North Shelter Forest Program lay between the two above approaches. The findings of this study highlighted that vegetation trend detection is a practical approach for large-scale ecological transition assessments, which can inform decision-making that promotes vegetation greening via proper socioeconomic development and ecosystem management.
Controllable fabrication and magnetic properties of double-shell cobalt oxides hollow particles
Authors: Zhang Dan , Zhu Jianyu , Zhang Ning , Liu Tao , Chen Limiao , Liu Xiaohe , Ma Renzhi , Zhang Haitao , Qiu Guanzhou 
Published: March 2015

AbstractDouble-shell cobalt monoxide (CoO) hollow particles were successfully synthesized by a facile and effective one-pot solution-based synthetic route. The inner architecture and outer structure of the double-shell CoO hollow particles could be readily created through controlling experimental parameters. A possible formation mechanism was proposed based on the experimental results. The current synthetic strategy has good prospects for the future production of other transition-metal oxides particles with hollow interior. Furthermore, double-shell cobalt oxide (Co3O4) hollow particles could also be obtained through calcinating corresponding CoO hollow particles. The magnetic measurements revealed double-shell CoO and Co3O4 hollow particles exhibit ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic behaviour, respectively.
Comparison of the physiological characteristics of transgenic insect-resistant cotton and conventional lines
Authors: Li Xiaogang , Ding Changfeng , Wang Xingxiang , Liu Biao 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe introduction of transgenic insect-resistant cotton into agricultural ecosystems has raised concerns regarding its ecological effects. Many studies have been conducted to compare the differences in characteristics between transgenic cotton and conventional counterparts. However, few studies have focused on the different responses of transgenic cotton to stress conditions, especially to the challenges of pathogens. The aim of this work is to determine the extent of variation in physiological characteristics between transgenic insect-resistant cotton and the conventional counterpart infected by cotton soil-borne pathogens. The results showed that the difference in genetic backgrounds is the main factor responsible for the effects on biochemical characteristics of transgenic cotton when incubating with cotton Fusarium oxysporum. However, genetic modification had a significantly greater influence on the stomatal structure of transgenic cotton than the effects of cotton genotypes. Our results highlight that the differences in genetic background and/or genetic modifications may introduce variations in physiological characteristics and should be considered to explore the potential unexpected ecological effects of transgenic cotton.
Genome engineering and direct cloning of antibiotic gene clusters via phage ϕBT1 integrase-mediated site-specific recombination in Streptomyces
Authors: Du Deyao , Wang Lu , Tian Yuqing , Liu Hao , Tan Huarong , Niu Guoqing 
Published: March 2015

AbstractSeveral strategies have been used to clone large DNA fragments directly from bacterial genome. Most of these approaches are based on different site-specific recombination systems consisting of a specialized recombinase and its target sites. In this study, a novel strategy based on phage ϕBT1 integrase-mediated site-specific recombination was developed and used for simultaneous Streptomyces genome engineering and cloning of antibiotic gene clusters. This method has been proved successful for the cloning of actinorhodin gene cluster from Streptomyces coelicolor M145, napsamycin gene cluster and daptomycin gene cluster from Streptomyces roseosporus NRRL 15998 at a frequency higher than 80%. Furthermore, the system could be used to increase the titer of antibiotics as we demonstrated with actinorhodin and daptomycin and it will be broadly applicable in many Streptomyces.
Genome-wide Mapping Reveals Conservation of Promoter DNA Methylation Following Chicken Domestication
Authors: Li Qinghe , Wang Yuanyuan , Hu Xiaoxiang , Zhao Yaofeng , Li Ning 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIt is well-known that environment influences DNA methylation, however, the extent of heritable DNA methylation variation following animal domestication remains largely unknown. Using meDIP-chip we mapped the promoter methylomes for 23,316 genes in muscle tissues of ancestral and domestic chickens. We systematically examined the variation of promoter DNA methylation in terms of different breeds, differentially expressed genes, SNPs and genes undergo genetic selection sweeps. While considerable changes in DNA sequence and gene expression programs were prevalent, we found that the inter-strain DNA methylation patterns were highly conserved in promoter region between the wild and domestic chicken breeds. Our data suggests a global preservation of DNA methylation between the wild and domestic chicken breeds in either a genome-wide or locus-specific scale in chick muscle tissues.
Do Arctic breeding geese track or overtake a green wave during spring migration?
Authors: Si Yali , Xin Qinchuan , de Boer Willem F. , Gong Peng , Ydenberg Ronald C. , Prins Herbert H. T. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractGeese breeding in the Arctic have to do so in a short time-window while having sufficient body reserves. Hence, arrival time and body condition upon arrival largely influence breeding success. The green wave hypothesis posits that geese track a successively delayed spring flush of plant development on the way to their breeding sites. The green wave has been interpreted as representing either the onset of spring or the peak in nutrient biomass. However, geese tend to adopt a partial capital breeding strategy and might overtake the green wave to accomplish a timely arrival on the breeding site. To test the green wave hypothesis, we link the satellite-derived onset of spring and peak in nutrient biomass with the stopover schedule of individual Barnacle Geese. We find that geese track neither the onset of spring nor the peak in nutrient biomass. Rather, they arrive at the southernmost stopover site around the peak in nutrient biomass and gradually overtake the green wave to match their arrival at the breeding site with the local onset of spring, thereby ensuring gosling benefit from the peak in nutrient biomass. Our approach for estimating plant development stages is critical in testing the migration strategies of migratory herbivores.
Competition between cap and basal actin fiber orientation in cells subjected to contact guidance and cyclic strain
Authors: Tamiello Chiara , Bouten Carlijn V. C. , Baaijens Frank P. T. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIn vivo, adhesive cells continuously respond to a complex range of physical cues coming from the surrounding microenvironment by remodeling their cytoskeleton. Topographical and mechanical cues applied separately have been shown to affect the orientation of the actin stress fibers. Here we investigated the combined effects of contact guidance by topographical cues and uniaxial cyclic strain on actin cytoskeleton orientation of vascular derived cells. We devised a modular setup of stretchable circular and elliptic elastomeric microposts, capable to expose the cells to both contact guidance and uniaxial cyclic strain. A competition occurs between these cues when both contact guidance and strain are oriented along the same direction. For the first time we show that this competition originates from the distinct response of perinuclear basal and actin cap fibers: While basal fibers follow the contact guidance cue, actin cap fibers respond to the cyclic strain by strain avoidance. We also show that nuclear orientation follows actin cap fiber orientation, suggesting that actin cap fibers are responsible for cellular reorientation. Taken together, these findings may have broad implications in understanding the response of cells to combined topographical and mechanical cues.
X‐band low‐phase noise oscillator employing substrate integrated waveguide dual‐mode filter
Authors: Yang Ziqiang , Luo Bangyu , Dong Jun , Yang Tao 
Published: March 2015

A novel low‐phase noise oscillator employing a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) dual‐mode bandpass filter as a frequency stabilisation element within its feedback loop is proposed. The SIW dual‐mode filter is implemented based on the use of the two degenerate modes (TE102 and TE201) and has a larger group delay peak than the conventional SIW cavity resonator. By taking advantage of the large group delay peak, the phase noise of the oscillator has significant improvement. An X‐band oscillator with a GaAs HEMT packaged transistor has been designed and measured. At an oscillation frequency of 9.04 GHz, the measured phase noise is −111.9 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset. The output power is 6.1 dBm and the figure of merit is −198 dBc/Hz.