bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using Parent Questionnaires to Assess Neurodevelopment in Former Preterm Infants: A Validation Study
Authors: Belfort Mandy B. , Santo Eilann , McCormick Marie C. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundFormer preterm and very low birthweight infants require close neurodevelopmental surveillance after hospital discharge, but in‐person professional testing is resource‐intensive and inconvenient for families. A standardised developmental questionnaire completed by parents offers an alternative to in‐person testing, but few such questionnaires have been validated. Our aim was to validate theMotor andSocialDevelopment (MSD) scale in a sample of former preterm infants.MethodsWe studied 321 visits to a neonatal follow‐up clinic. Parents completed theMSD, which measures cognitive, motor and social abilities. Psychologists and physical therapists administered theBayleyScales ofInfantDevelopment, 3rd edition (Bayley‐III) cognitive and motor scales.ResultsThe median (range) gestational age was 28 (23, 34) weeks and birthweight 980 (400, 2700) g. Corrected age at study participation ranged 5–35 months. The mean (standard deviation)Bayley‐IIImotor score was 94 (16), cognitive 98 (16) andMSD91 (18). Internal consistency of theMSDwas moderate to high (Cronbach alpha of 0.65 to 0.88). TheMSDwas moderately correlated with theBayley‐IIImotor (Pearsonr = 0.49,P < 0.001) and cognitive (r = 0.45,P < 0.001) scales. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81, 0.95] for theMSDto detect a lowBayley‐IIImotor score (<70), and 0.88 [95%CI0.82, 0.95] for a low cognitive score, indicating good discrimination.ConclusionsTheMSDhas good internal and concurrent validity, and may be useful for neurodevelopmental assessment of former preterm and very low birthweight infants in clinical and research settings.
Relational republican regulation
Authors: Braithwaite John 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThis response refutes point (i) in the Ayres comment's abstract. It argues that at its heart responsive regulation is about seeking strategies that will render regulation more relational when it counts. This is possible even in domains like tax compliance where 99 per cent of the routine regulatory action occurs without face‐to‐face encounter. A number of critiques in the special issue are embraced. While practitioners who reject civic republican values can learn from the responsive regulation literature, regulation conduces to tyranny if it is not explicit in a value commitment to reducing domination in the world. Concern that the republican elements of the argument have been insufficiently prominent in subsequent writing of the authors is therefore embraced. Freedom as non‐domination requires a transnational regulatory vision for strategies with transnational leverage that reduce domination globally, not just nationally. A paradox advanced is that the largest regulatory errors of recent history on the global stage are best corrected by micro relational strategies invented with a global imagination for crafting micro–macro linkages.
Impact of aspiration pneumonia in patients with community‐acquired pneumonia and healthcare‐associated pneumonia: A multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Komiya Kosaku , Ishii Hiroshi , Umeki Kenji , Mizunoe Shunji , Okada Fumito , Johkoh Takeshi , Kadota Jun‐ichi 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground and objectiveAspiration pneumonia is one of the common presentations of community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) and healthcare‐associated pneumonia (HCAP). However, its significance has not yet been fully evaluated due to the difficulties associated with the diagnosis of this condition. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of objectively defined aspiration pneumonia on patients' prognosis with CAP and HCAP.MethodsThis is a multicenter retrospective cohort study consisting of 417 CAP and 220 HCAP patients. We defined aspiration pneumonia as having both risk factors for aspiration (dysphagia due to a neurological disorder, or disturbance of consciousness) and evidence of gravity‐dependent opacity on chest computed tomography (CT). The prognostic factors for 30‐day mortality were analysed.ResultsOne hundred sixteen (18%) patients met the definition of aspiration pneumonia, 72 (11%) patients had risks for aspiration alone, 129 (20%) patients had CT findings consistent with aspiration alone, and 320 (50%) patients had neither. Patients diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia had a significantly worse survival than those with risk factors alone (P = 0.001), CT findings of aspiration alone (P = 0.009) and neither (P < 0.001). A multivariate analysis indicated that aspiration pneumonia was independently associated with increased 30‐day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 5.690, P < 0.001) after adjusting for other variables, including the category of pneumonia, performance status, the severity score (CURB‐65) and treatment failure due to resistant pathogens.ConclusionAspiration pneumonia may be a significant predictor of mortality among CAP and HCAP patients. Therefore, the concept of aspiration pneumonia should be considered in the guidelines for these types of pneumonia.
Defective chloroplast development inhibits maintenance of normal levels of abscisic acid in a mutant of the Arabidopsis RH3 DEAD‐box protein during early post‐germination growth
Authors: Lee Kwang‐Hee , Park Jiyoung , Williams Donna S. , Xiong Yuqing , Hwang Inhwan , Kang Byung‐Ho 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe plastid has its own translation system, and its ribosomes are assembled through a complex process in which rRNA precursors are processed and ribosomal proteins are inserted into the rRNA backbone. DEAD‐box proteins have been shown to play roles in multiple steps in ribosome biogenesis. To investigate the cellular and physiological roles of an Arabidopsis DEAD‐box protein, RH3, we examined its expression and localization and the phenotypes of rh3–4, a T–DNA insertion mutant allele of RH3. The promoter activity of RH3 is strongest in the greening tissues of 3‐day and 1‐week‐old seedlings but reduced afterwards. Cotyledons were pale and seedling growth was retarded in the mutant. The most obvious abnormality in the mutant chloroplasts was their lack of normal ribosomes. Electron tomography analysis indicated that ribosome density in the 3‐day‐old mutant chloroplasts is only 20% that of wild‐type chloroplasts, and the ribosomes in the mutant are smaller. These chloroplast defects in rh3–4 were alleviated in 2‐week‐old cotyledons and true leaves. Interestingly, rh3–4 seedlings have lower amounts of abscisic acid prior to recovery of their chloroplasts, and were more sensitive to abiotic stresses. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that nuclear genes for chloroplast proteins are down‐regulated, and proteins mediating chloroplast‐localized steps of abscisic acid biosynthesis are expressed to a lower extent in 1‐week‐old rh3–4 seedlings. Taken together, these results suggest that conversion of eoplasts into chloroplasts in young seedlings is critical for the seedlings to start carbon fixation as well as for maintenance of abscisic acid levels for responding to environmental challenges.
Changes in phytoplankton composition in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon in the Cullera Estany (Comunitat Valenciana, Spain)
Authors: Pachés Maria , Romero Inmaculada , Martínez‐Guijarro Remedios , Martí Carmen M. , Ferrer José 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe Cullera Estany is a coastal lagoon located in a highly intensified agriculture and tourist area in Valencia. This coastal lagoon has connections with the sea that produce marine intrusion and generate a freshwater interface. Four sampling campaigns were carried out during 2010 in order to analyse the phytoplankton composition and its relation to nutrient content through a Redundancy Analysis. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrite and salinity are the main factors controlling the dynamics of phytoplankton community. During July and October, there is water column stratification; meanwhile in March, there is a well‐mixed water column. In addition, in May and July campaigns, hypoxia/anoxia conditions are detected at the bottom. The most abundant phytoplankton groups are Diatoms and Cryptophyceae. Diatoms and Cyanophyceae respond positively to temperature while Cryptophyceae, Prasinophyceae and Dinophyceae respond to high salinity and dissolved oxygen values. Furthermore, picoplankton is correlated inversely with nutrient concentrations.
Market Positioning of Remanufactured Products With Optimal Planning for Part Upgrades
Authors: Kwak Minjung , Kim Harrison 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIn a market with rapid changes in technology and customer preferences, technological obsolescence of end-of-life products poses a significant challenge to product recovery. Remanufacturing with optimal part upgrades can be a promising solution for overcoming the obsolescence. This paper proposes a model for positioning a remanufactured product. By considering original product design, target market (i.e., customer preferences and competing products), and recovery economics, the model helps to find optimal specifications and the selling price of a remanufactured product at which maximum remanufacturing profit is expected. Two versions of the model are presented under different assumptions on product takeback. The first model assumes that the remanufacturer passively accepts all returns without paying any financial incentives. The second model assumes that the remanufacturer buys back end-of-life products so as to control the quality and quantity of returns. The two models are illustrated with the example of a desktop computer.
Methodology for functional MRI of simulated driving
Authors: Kan Karen , Schweizer Tom A. , Tam Fred , Graham Simon J. 
Published: December 2012

Purpose:The developed world faces major socioeconomic and medical challenges associated with motor vehicle accidents caused by risky driving. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of individuals using virtual reality driving simulators may provide an important research tool to assess driving safety, based on brain activity and behavior.Methods:A fMRI‐compatible driving simulator was developed and evaluated in the context of straight driving, turning, and stopping in 16 young healthy adults.Results:Robust maps of brain activity were obtained, including activation of the primary motor cortex, cerebellum, visual cortex, and parietal lobe, with limited head motion (<1.5 mm deviation from mean head position in the superior/inferior direction in all subjects) and only minor correlations between head motion, steering, or braking behavior.Conclusions:These results are consistent with previous literature and suggest that with care, fMRI of simulated driving is a feasible undertaking.
Technical Note: Contrast solution density and cross section errors in inhomogeneity‐corrected dose calculation for breast balloon brachytherapy
Authors: Kim Leonard H. , Zhang Miao , Howell Roger W. , Yue Ning J. , Khan Atif J. 
Published: December 2012

Purpose:Recent recommendations by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 186 emphasize the importance of understanding material properties and their effect on inhomogeneity‐corrected dose calculation for brachytherapy. Radiographic contrast is normally injected into breast brachytherapy balloons. In this study, the authors independently estimate properties of contrast solution that were expected to be incorrectly specified in a commercial brachytherapy dose calculation algorithm.Methods:The mass density and atomic weight fractions of a clinical formulation of radiographic contrast solution were determined using manufacturers’ data. The mass density was verified through measurement and compared with the density obtained by the treatment planning system's CT calibration. The atomic weight fractions were used to determine the photon interaction cross section of the contrast solution for a commercial high‐dose‐rate (HDR) brachytherapy source and compared with that of muscle.Results:The density of contrast solution was 10% less than that obtained from the CT calibration. The cross section of the contrast solution for the HDR source was 1.2% greater than that of muscle. Both errors could be addressed by overriding the density of the contrast solution in the treatment planning system.Conclusions:The authors estimate the error in mass density and cross section parameters used by a commercial brachytherapy dose calculation algorithm for radiographic contrast used in a clinical breast brachytherapy practice. This approach is adaptable to other clinics seeking to evaluate dose calculation errors and determine appropriate density override values if desired.
Crp Is a Global Regulator of Antibiotic Production in
Streptomyces
Authors: Gao Chan , Hindra  , Mulder David , Yin Charles , Elliot Marie A. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

Cyclic AMP receptor protein (Crp) is a transcription regulator controlling diverse cellular processes in many bacteria. In
Streptomyces coelicolor
, it is well established that Crp plays a critical role in spore germination and colony development. Here, we demonstrate that Crp is a key regulator of secondary metabolism and antibiotic production in
S. coelicolor
and show that it may additionally coordinate precursor flux from primary to secondary metabolism. We found that
crp
deletion adversely affected the synthesis of three well-characterized antibiotics in
S. coelicolor
: actinorhodin (Act), undecylprodigiosin (Red), and calcium-dependent antibiotic (CDA). Using chromatin immunoprecipitation-microarray (ChIP-chip) assays, we determined that eight (out of 22) secondary metabolic clusters encoded by
S. coelicolor
contained Crp-associated sites. We followed the effect of Crp induction using transcription profiling analyses and found secondary metabolic genes to be significantly affected: included in this Crp-dependent group were genes from six of the clusters identified in the ChIP-chip experiments. Overexpressing Crp in a panel of
Streptomyces
species led to enhanced antibiotic synthesis and new metabolite production, suggesting that Crp control over secondary metabolism is broadly conserved in the streptomycetes and that Crp overexpression could serve as a powerful tool for unlocking the chemical potential of these organisms.

IMPORTANCE
Streptomyces
produces a remarkably diverse array of secondary metabolites, including many antibiotics. In recent years, genome sequencing has revealed that these products represent only a small proportion of the total secondary metabolite potential of
Streptomyces
. There is, therefore, considerable interest in discovering ways to stimulate the production of new metabolites. Here, we show that Crp (the classical regulator of carbon catabolite repression in
Escherichia coli
) is a master regulator of secondary metabolism in
Streptomyces
. It binds to eight of 22 secondary metabolic gene clusters in the
Streptomyces coelicolor
genome and directly affects the expression of six of these. Deletion of
crp
in
S. coelicolor
leads to dramatic reductions in antibiotic levels, while Crp overexpression enhances antibiotic production. We find that the antibiotic-stimulatory capacity of Crp extends to other streptomycetes, where its overexpression activates the production of “cryptic” metabolites that are not otherwise seen in the corresponding wild-type strain.
Emerging Infectious Diseases in 2012: 20 Years after the Institute of Medicine Report
Authors: Morens David M. , Fauci Anthony S. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT
Twenty years ago (1992), a landmark Institute of Medicine report entitled “Emerging Infections: Microbial Threats to Health in the United States” underscored the important but often underappreciated concept of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). A review of the progress made and setbacks experienced over the past 2 decades suggests that even though many new diseases have emerged, such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and the 2009 pandemic influenza, significant advances have occurred in EID control, prevention, and treatment. Among many elements of the increase in the capacity to control EIDs are genomics-associated advances in microbial detection and treatment, improved disease surveillance, and greater awareness of EIDs and the complicated variables that underlie emergence. In looking back over the past 20 years, it is apparent that we are in a time of great change in which both the challenge of EIDs and our responses to them are being transformed. Recent advances support guarded optimism that further breakthroughs lie ahead.
Deconstruction of Lignocellulose into Soluble Sugars by Native and Designer Cellulosomes
Authors: Moraïs Sarah , Morag Ely , Barak Yoav , Goldman Dan , Hadar Yitzhak , Lamed Raphael , Shoham Yuval , Wilson David B. , Bayer Edward A. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

Lignocellulosic biomass, the most abundant polymer on Earth, is typically composed of three major constituents: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The crystallinity of cellulose, hydrophobicity of lignin, and encapsulation of cellulose by the lignin-hemicellulose matrix are three major factors that contribute to the observed recalcitrance of lignocellulose. By means of designer cellulosome technology, we can overcome the recalcitrant properties of lignocellulosic substrates and thus increase the level of native enzymatic degradation. In this context, we have integrated six dockerin-bearing cellulases and xylanases from the highly cellulolytic bacterium,
Thermobifida fusca
, into a chimeric scaffoldin engineered to bear a cellulose-binding module and the appropriate matching cohesin modules. The resultant hexavalent designer cellulosome represents the most elaborate artificial enzyme composite yet constructed, and the fully functional complex achieved enhanced levels (up to 1.6-fold) of degradation of untreated wheat straw compared to those of the wild-type free enzymes. The action of these designer cellulosomes on wheat straw was 33 to 42% as efficient as the natural cellulosomes of
Clostridium thermocellum
. In contrast, the reduction of substrate complexity by chemical or biological pretreatment of the substrate removed the advantage of the designer cellulosomes, as the free enzymes displayed higher levels of activity, indicating that enzyme proximity between these selected enzymes was less significant on pretreated substrates. Pretreatment of the substrate caused an increase in activity for all the systems, and the native cellulosome completely converted the substrate into soluble saccharides.

IMPORTANCE
Cellulosic biomass is a potential alternative resource which could satisfy future demands of transportation fuel. However, overcoming the natural lignocellulose recalcitrance remains challenging. Current research and development efforts have concentrated on the efficient cellulose-degrading strategies of cellulosome-producing anaerobic bacteria. Cellulosomes are multienzyme complexes capable of converting the plant cell wall polysaccharides into soluble sugar products en route to biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels. Using a designer cellulosome approach, we have constructed the largest form of homogeneous artificial cellulosomes reported to date, which bear a total of six different cellulases and xylanases from the highly cellulolytic bacterium
Thermobifida fusca
. These designer cellulosomes were comparable in size to natural cellulosomes and displayed enhanced synergistic activities compared to their free wild-type enzyme counterparts. Future efforts should be invested to improve these processes to approach or surpass the efficiency of natural cellulosomes for cost-effective production of biofuels.
Planning the diffusion of a neck-injury prevention programme among community rugby union coaches
Authors: Donaldson Alex , Poulos Roslyn G 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundThis paper describes the development of a theory-informed and evidence-informed, context-specific diffusion plan for the Mayday Safety Procedure (MSP) among community rugby coaches in regional New South Wales, Australia.MethodsStep 5 of Intervention Mapping was used to plan strategies to enhance MSP adoption and implementation.ResultsCoaches were identified as the primary MSP adopters and implementers within a system including administrators, players and referees. A local advisory group was established to ensure context relevance. Performance objectives (eg, attend MSP training for coaches) and determinants of adoption and implementation behaviour (eg, knowledge, beliefs, skills and environment) were identified, informed by Social Cognitive Theory. Adoption and implementation matrices were developed and change-objectives for coaches were identified (eg, skills to deliver MSP training to players). Finally, intervention methods and specific strategies (eg, coach education, social marketing and policy and by-law development) were identified based on advisory group member experience, evidence of effective coach safety behaviour-change interventions and Diffusion of Innovations theory.ConclusionsThis is the first published example of a systematic approach to plan injury prevention programme diffusion in community sports. The key strengths of this approach were an effective researcher–practitioner partnership; actively engaging local sports administrators; targeting specific behaviour determinants, informed by theory and evidence; and taking context-related practical strengths and constraints into consideration. The major challenges were the time involved in using a systematic diffusion planning approach for the first time; and finding a planning language that was acceptable and meaningful to researchers and practitioners.
The net effect of smoking on healthcare and welfare costs. A cohort study
Authors: Tiihonen Jari , Ronkainen Kimmo , Kangasharju Aki , Kauhanen Jussi 
Published: December 2012

ObjectiveTo study the net economic effect of smoking on society.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingEastern Finland.PatientsWe studied mortality, paid income and tobacco taxes, and the cumulative costs due to pensions and medical care among tobacco smoking and non-smoking individuals in a 27-year prospective cohort study of 1976 men from Eastern Finland. These individuals were 54–60 years old at the beginning of the follow-up.Main outcome measuresThe net contribution of smoking versus non-smoking individuals to public finance balance (euros).ResultsSmoking was associated with a greater mean annual healthcare cost of €1600 per living individual during follow-up. However, due to a shorter lifespan of 8.6 years, smokers’ mean total healthcare costs during the entire study period were actually €4700 lower than for non-smokers. For the same reason, each smoker missed 7.3 years (€126 850) of pension. Overall, smokers’ average net contribution to the public finance balance was €133 800 greater per individual compared with non-smokers. However, if each lost quality adjusted life year is considered to be worth €22 200, the net effect is reversed to be €70 200 (€71.600 when adjusted with propensity score) per individual in favour of non-smoking.ConclusionsSmoking was associated with a moderate decrease in healthcare costs, and a marked decrease in pension costs due to increased mortality. However, when a monetary value for life years lost was taken into account, the beneficial net effect of non-smoking to society was about €70 000 per individual.