bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Origins of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Blepharitis Based on Panton-Valentine Leukocidin and Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing
Authors: Elam Angela R. , Kowalski Tyler A. , Romanowski Eric G. , Kowalski Regis P. 
Published: July 2014

Introduction: Blepharitis is a common condition, sometimes associated with Staphylococcus aureus. Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) toxin is a Staphylococcus aureus virulence factor that can be associated with skin and soft tissue infections. Hospital-acquired Staphylococcus aureus infections are generally multi-resistant to antibiotics and PVL-negative. Community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus infections tend to be broadly susceptible to antibiotics and PVL-positive. Though blepharitis is a common clinical diagnosis, the source of infection is not fully understood. Focus on the origin of disease could aid in better treatment and reduction of anti-infective resistance. The purpose of this study is to determine if Staphylococcus aureus blepharitis is predominantly a community-acquired or hospital-acquired infection based on antibiotic susceptibility and PVL testing. Materials and Methods: Fifty-nine de-identified Staphylococcus aureus isolates collected from patients with blepharitis were tested for antibiotic susceptibility by disk diffusion using multiple antibiotics from several different classes. The isolates were also tested for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus nuclear DNA and PVL toxin gene using PCR. Multi-resistance was defined as resistance to 3 or more classes of antibiotics. Results: Of the 59 isolates with PCR-identified Staphylococcus aureus DNA, 13 (22%) were multi-resistant; 12 (20%) were methicillin-resistant; and, 3(5%) were PVL-positive. Ten (17%) were multi-resistant and PVL-negative, consistent with hospital-acquired infection. None of the isolates were broadly susceptible to antibiotics and PVL-positive, which would be consistent with community-acquired infection. Forty-nine isolates (83%) (p=0.0001) could not be designated to either group. Conclusion: Based on PVL and antibiotic susceptibility testing, our results reject the hypothesis that Staphylococcus aureus blepharitis is a community-acquired infection. Staphylococcus aureus blepharitis appears not to be predominantly community- or hospital-acquired based on these parameters.
Dexamethasone 0.7 mg Implant for the Treatment of Recalcitrant Radiation Maculopathy after Proton Radiotherapy for Carcinoma of the Maxillary Sinus
Authors: Hellman Justin B. , Garcia-Gonzalez Jose M , Lewis Shawn , Hariprasad Seenu M. 
Published: July 2014

Purpose: To report the efficacy of dexamethasone 0.7 mg intravitreal implant in recalcitrant radiation retinopathy. Method: Retrospective case report of a single case describing successful treatment of radiation retinopathy with dexamethasone 0.7 mg intravitreal implant following multiple failed attempts with both bevacizumab and focal laser. Results: After the first injection of 0.7 mg dexamethasone the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 20/400 to 20/250 and central macular thickness (CMT) decreased. BCVA continued to improve after a second injection to 20/125 and remained stable through the third and fourth injection at 20/150, respectively. The intraocular pressure remained within normal limits. Conclusion: 0.7 mg dexamethasone implant showed benefit in a recalcitrant case of radiation retinopathy.
Desarrollo de una pasta untable vegetal a base de harina de grano entero de sorgo y mijo
Authors: Aimaretti Nora , Llopart Emilce , Clementz Adriana , Codevilla Agustín , Biasoli Mariana 
Published: July 2014

Introducción: las guías nutricionales recomiendan incrementar el consumo de productos a base de cereales de grano entero por su contenido en fibras y biocomponentes. Dado que las propiedades sensoriales y tecnológicas de estos productos constituyen aún un desafío se desarrolló una pasta untable tipo “paté”, apta para la creciente población celíaca.Material y Métodos: se obtuvieron harinas de grano entero de sorgo y mijo (100% de extracción), los ingredientes restantes se evaluaron y seleccionaron en función de las características deseadas. De la pasta se analizó la composición centesimal, propiedades sensoriales y vida útil.Resultados: los ingredientes seleccionados fueron (en %): margarina (16,7), proteína de soja (25,1), almidón pre-gelatinizado (2,7), ácido ascórbico (2,0), azúcar (1,1), sal (1,1), propionato de calcio (0,3) y goma xántica (0,5). La vida útil se siguió durante 28 días a través de (i) análisis de químicos de: humedad (varió entre 55,5 a 51,3%, p-value = 0,000741), índices de peróxidos (<0,1 meqO2/Kg) y de acidez (de 4,3 a 6,2 mg K(OH)/g); (ii) recuentos microbiológicos de: clostridios sulfito reductores, Escherichia coli y Salmonella spp (ausencia), mesófilos aerobios, coliformes totales, Staphylococcus aureus y mohos y levaduras cuyos recuentos fueron siempre menores a 100; (iii) evaluación sensorial (aceptable).Conclusiones: se obtuvo una pasta untable 100% vegetal con características organolépticas similares a las de un paté, estable durante al menos 28 días. Tiempo durante el cual se mantuvieron los parámetros químicos y microbiológicos dentro de los rangos aceptables por la legislación argentina y sin modificaciones negativas en la percepción sensorial.
Verkopplungsbasierte Methode zur Entkopplung nichtlinearer Deskriptorsysteme
Authors: Labisch Daniel , Konigorski Ulrich 
Published: July 2014

Zusammenfassung
Dieser Beitrag beschreibt ein neues Verfahren zur Entkopplung nichtlinearer Deskriptorsysteme. Dabei werden keine Einschränkungen bezüglich des Index, der Properheit oder spezielle Steuerbarkeitseigenschaften angenommen, da das neue Verfahren auf der Interpretation eines Deskriptorsystems als spezielles Verkopplungsproblem basiert. Zu Beginn werden neue invariante Größen des Deskriptorsystems, die maximalen Differenzordnungen, eingeführt, auf deren Basis erstmals notwendige und hinreichende Bedingungen für die Entkoppelbarkeit nichtlinearer Deskriptorsysteme hergeleitet werden.
Das Verfahren wird am Ende an einem akademischen Beispielsystem demonstriert und am realen Prüfstand eines Parallelroboters angewandt.
Model Order Reduction for Systems with Moving Loads
Authors: Lang Norman , Saak Jens , Benner Peter 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
In this contribution we present
two approaches allowing to find a reduced order approximant of a full
order model featuring a moving load term. First, we apply the Balanced
Truncation (BT) method to a switched linear system (SLS) using the
special structure given in the spatially discretized model. The second
approach treats the variability as a continuous parameter dependence
and uses the iterative rational Krylov algorithm (IRKA) to compute
a parameter preserving reduced order model.
Control of Parameter-dependent High-order Systems using Parametric Model Reduction
Authors: Geuß Matthias , Choi Cholwoo , Lohmann Boris 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
In this paper controllers and observers are designed for high-dimensional parameter-dependent LTI systems. The application of parametric model order reduction by matrix interpolation is proposed in order to use common methods of control. In the offline phase, the parameter space is sampled and a set of locally reduced systems is obtained using projection-based model order reduction, which results in a database of system matrices. In the online phase, a reduced system can be calculated for a desired parameter vector by interpolating the system matrices from the database. Controllers and observers can be obtained for the interpolated system using common methods of control design. The approach is demonstrated through a practical example on a test rig for a gantry crane operating with different loads.
Marine fungi of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Abdel-Wahab Mohamed A. , Hodhod Mohamed S. , Bahkali Ali H.A. , Jones E.B. Gareth 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
This study extends our knowledge of the diversity of marine fungi from Saudi Arabia, which is virtually unknown. Thirty-seven fungi (28 ascomycetes, eight asexual fungi, and one basidiomycete) were recorded from 457 samples of driftwood and intertidal decayed wood of Avicennia marina collected from three sites along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. The three sites include two mangrove sites, namely: Yanbu and Farasan Island, while the third site is a sandy shore nearby Yanbu city. Thirty-one fungi were new records for Saudi Arabia. Swampomyces triseptatus is the only species common to the three sites. The recorded marine fungi were latitudinally distributed with fungi recorded from Yanbu (subtropical site) largely different from those at Farasan Island mangrove (tropical site) with only six common fungi recorded. Amarenographium solium was the most common fungus at Yanbu mangrove, while Lineolata rhizophorae dominated the fungal community at Farasan Island mangrove. Swampomyces armeniacus was commonly recorded at the two mangrove sites. Torpedospora radiata was the most common species recorded from driftwood samples collected at Yanbu beach. A new collection of Diatrypasimilis australiensis enabled us to make a detailed morphological study of the fungus. Mycelia with chlamydospores were isolated from the samples and subsequently sequenced, and they grouped in the Corollospora clade with various degrees of confidence, but did not sporulate on natural material or in culture.
Synthesis and crystal structural characterization of two new 3,5-disubstituted 4-amino-1,2,4-triazoles
Authors: He Xin , Li Bin , Chen Lang , Shen Xuan , Zhu Dun-Ru 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Two new asymmetrical 3-(p-R-phenyl)-4-amino-5-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazoles (3a, R = CH3 and 3b, R = OCH3) were synthesized with a yield of 58% and 69%, respectively. The compounds 3a and 3b were characterized with FT-IR, 1H NMR, ESI-MS spectra, and elemental analysis. Additionally, their molecular and crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray analysis.
Enhancement of mechanical properties of composites made of calcium carbonate modified bamboo fibers and polypropylene
Authors: Cheng Haitao , Gao Jie , Wang Ge , Shi Sheldon Q. , Zhang Shuangbao , Cai Liping 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
The work aimed at the improvement of the mechanical properties of bamboo fiber-polypropylene composites (BaFPPC) by treatment of the fibers with CaCO3 at various concentrations of the solution (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mol l-1). CaCO3 particles were successfully deposited in situ to bamboo fibers by means of ionic reaction of Na2 CO3 and CaCl2 aqueous solution at various temperatures. Then BaFPPC were produced, and various tests on single fibers and the composites were performed. The compatibility between BaF and PP matrix was improved by the treatments. The crystallinity of inorganic materials was significantly affected by the reagent’s concentration. A 10.4% increase in tensile strength and a 16.7% increase in tensile modulus were observed after fiber treatment with CaCO3 at a concentration of 0.2 mol l-1.
Novel hydrophobization of wood by epoxidized linseed oil. Part 1. Process description and anti-swelling efficiency of the treated wood
Authors: Jebrane Mohamed , Fernández-Cano Víctor , Panov Dmitri , Terziev Nasko , Daniel Geoffrey 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
The known method of wood modification by epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) has a limiting practical application due to the rapid polymerization of ELO in the presence of acetic acid (AA) needed as a catalyst. The present study was designed to develop an alternative method by means of a two-step process to avoid the rapid polymerization. The treatment options were tested on Scots pine sapwood, with the dimensional stability (DS) of the treated samples in focus. The new method provided an anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) in the range of 40–57%, which was even better than the thermally modified (TM) reference samples with 40% ASE. The developed two-step process is a feasible and practical approach for ELO treatment of wood.
Enzymatic intracrine regulation of white adipose tissue
Authors: DiSilvestro David , Petrosino Jennifer , Aldoori Ayat , Melgar-Bermudez Emiliano , Wells Alexandra , Ziouzenkova Ouliana 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Abdominal fat formation has become a permanent risk factor for metabolic syndrome and various cancers in one-third of the world’s population of obese and even lean patients. Formation of abdominal fat involves additional mechanisms beyond an imbalance in energy intake and expenditure, which explains systemic obesity. In this review, we briefly summarized autonomous regulatory circuits that locally produce hormones from inactive precursors or nutrients for intra-/auto-/paracrine signaling in white adipose depots. Enzymatic pathways activating steroid and thyroid hormones in adipose depots were compared with enzymatic production of retinoic acid from vitamin A. We discussed the role of intracrine circuits in fat-depot functions and strategies to reduce abdominal adiposity through thermogenic adipocytes with interrupted generation of retinoic acid.
Improving Dietary Exposure Models by Imputing Biomonitoring Data through ABC Methods
Authors: Béchaux Camille , Crépet Amélie , Clémençon Stéphan 
Published: July 2014

AbstractNew data are available in the field of risk assessment: the biomonitoring data which is measurement of the chemical dose in a human tissue (e.g. blood or urine). These data are original because they represent direct measurements of the dose of chemical substances really taken up from the environment, whereas exposure is usually assessed from contamination levels of the different exposure media (e.g. food, air, water, etc.) and statistical models. However, considered alone, these data provide little help from the perspective of Public Health guidance. The objective of this paper is to propose a method to exploit the information provided by human biomonitoring in order to improve the modeling of exposure. This method is based on the Kinetic Dietary Exposure Model which takes into account the pharmacokinetic elimination and the accumulation phenomenon inside the human body. This model is corrected to account for any possible temporal evolution in exposure by adding a scaling function which describes this evolution. Approximate Bayesian Computation is used to fit this exposure model from the biomonitoring data available. Specific summary statistics and appropriate distances between simulated and observed statistical distributions are proposed and discussed in the light of risk assessment. The promoted method is then applied to measurements of blood concentration of dioxins in a group of French fishermen families. The outputs of the model are an estimation of the body burden distribution from observed dietary intakes and the evolution of dietary exposure to dioxins in France between 1930 and today. This model successfully fit to dioxins data can also be used with other biomonitoring data to improve the risk assessment to many other contaminants.
Levels of Fluoride in the Ethiopian and Imported Black Tea (Camellia sinensis) Infusions Prepared in Tap and Fluoride-Rich Natural Waters
Authors: Embiale Asamene , Chandravanshi Bhagwan Singh , Zewge Feleke 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
In this study, the possible effect of original fluoride (F) concentration in six natural waters on the fluoride release from nine brands of tea leaves (whose origin was from Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and China) during the infusion has been investigated. The capacity of tea leaves (commercially available tea) to absorb F from high-fluoride ground waters which were collected from the Ethiopia Rift Valley has also been investigated in this study. Infused F content of black (either powder or bag form) and green (bag form) teas and water from different sources were assayed. The fluoride content of waters used in this study ranged from 0.254 to 30.2 mg/L, while the fluoride in tea infusion of nine brands of tea ranged from 0.51 to 20.57 mg/L. The F content in moderately F-rich water was reduced from 12.5 to <5 mg/L in tea infusion while F content in highly F-rich water was reduced from 30.2 to <10 mg/L in tea infusion of most of the tea brands even with 3 min infusion time. Thus one can reduce the daily intake of F level by drinking tea rather than F-rich water itself.
A sequential naïve Bayes classifier for DNA barcodes
Authors: Anderson Michael P. , Dubnicka Suzanne R. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractDNA barcodes are short strands of 255–700 nucleotide bases taken from the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) region of the mitochondrial DNA. It has been proposed that these barcodes may be used as a method of differentiating between biological species. Current methods of species classification utilize distance measures that are heavily dependent on both evolutionary model assumptions as well as a clearly defined “gap” between intra- and interspecies variation. Such distance measures fail to measure classification uncertainty or to indicate how much of the barcode is necessary for classification. We propose a sequential naïve Bayes classifier for species classification to address these limitations. The proposed method is shown to provide accurate species-level classification on real and simulated data. The method proposed here quantifies the uncertainty of each classification and addresses how much of the barcode is necessary.
Non-Executive Employee Ownership and Corporate Risk
Authors: Bova Francesco , Kolev Kalin , Thomas Jacob K. , Zhang X. Frank 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT
Prior research documents a negative link between risk and executive holding of stock, but a corresponding positive link for options. We find a similar negative relation for non-executive holding of stock. Our finding is consistent with the view that non-executives not only face significant incentives to reduce risk when they hold stock, but they are also able to affect corporate risk. While endogeneity cannot be ruled out fully, the results of a battery of tests suggest that it plays a limited role. A second robust result is that the documented relation becomes more negative as option-based executive compensation increases. Overall, corporate risk is related to the incentives created by stock and options held by both executives and non-executives, as well as interactions among those incentives.
JEL Classifications: G30.
Substitution between Real and Accruals-Based Earnings Management after Voluntary Adoption of Compensation Clawback Provisions
Authors: Chan Lilian H. , Chen Kevin C. W. , Chen Tai Yuan , Yu Yangxin 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT
To deter financial misstatements, many companies have recently adopted compensation recovery policies—commonly known as “clawbacks”—that authorize the board to recoup compensation paid to executives based on misstated financial reports. Clawbacks have been shown to reduce financial misstatements and increase investors' confidence on earnings information. We show that the benefits come with an unintended consequence of certain firms substituting for accruals management with real transactions management (e.g., reduce research and development [R&D] expenditures), especially firms with strong incentives to achieve short-term earnings targets, such as firms with high growth or high transient institutional ownership. As such, the total amount of earnings management does not decrease subsequent to clawback adoption. We further show that although real transactions management temporarily boosts those clawback adopters' short-term profitability and stock performance, this trend reverses after three years. In summary, clawbacks may have unexpected effects for a subset of firms whose managers are under greater pressure to meet earnings goals.
Data Availability: All data used in the study are publicly available from the sources cited in the text.
The Effect of Vacuum Assistance on the Quality of Castings Produced by High Pressure Die Casting Method
Authors: Łągiewka M. , Konopka Z. , Nadolski M. , Zyska A. 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
The presented work is aimed to deal with the influence of changes in the value of negative (relative) pressure maintained in the die cavity of pressure die casting machine on the surface quality of pressure castings. The examinations were held by means of the modified Vertacast pressure die casting machine equipped with a vacuum system. Castings were produced for the parameters selected on the basis of previous experiments, i.e. for the plunger velocity in the second stage of injection at the level of 4 m/s, the pouring temperature of the alloy equal to 640°C, and the die temperature of 150°C. The examinations were carried on for three selected values of negative gauge pressure: - 0.03, - 0.05, and - 0.07 MPa. The quality of casting was evaluated by comparing the results of the surface roughness measurements performed for randomly selected castings. The surface roughness was measured by means of Hommel Tester T1000. After a series of measurements it was found that the smoothest surface is exhibited by castings produced at negative gauge pressure value of - 0.07 MPa.
Effect of Shortened Heat Treatment on the Hardness and Microstructure of 320.0 Aluminium Alloy
Authors: Pezda J. 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Improvement of Al-Si alloys properties in scope of classic method is connected with change of Si precipitations morphology through: using modification of the alloy, maintaining suitable temperature of overheating and pouring process, as well as perfection of heat treatment methods. Growing requirements of the market make it necessary to search after such procedures, which would quickly deliver positive results with simultaneous consideration of economic aspects. Presented in the paper shortened heat treatment with soaking of the alloy at temperature near temperature of solidus could be assumed as the method in the above mentioned understanding of the problem. Such treatment consists in soaking of the alloy to temperature of solutioning, keeping in such temperature, and next, quick quenching in water (20 °C) followed by artificial ageing. Temperature ranges of solutioning and ageing treatments implemented in the adopted testing plan were based on analysis of recorded curves from the ATD method. Obtained results relate to dependencies and spatial diagrams describing effect of parameters of the solutioning and ageing treatments on HB hardness of the investigated alloy and change of its microstructure. Performed shortened heat treatment results in precipitation hardening of the investigated 320.0 alloy, what according to expectations produces increased hardness of the material.
The Mechanism of Solid State Joining THA with AlMg3Mn Alloy
Authors: Kaczorowski M. , Goroch O. , Krzyńska A. 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
The results of experimental study of solid state joining of tungsten heavy alloy (THA) with AlMg3Mn alloy are presented. The aim of these investigations was to study the mechanism of joining two extremely different materials used for military applications. The continuous rotary friction welding method was used in the experiment. The parameters of friction welding process i.e. friction load and friction time in whole studies were changed in the range 10 to 30kN and 0,5 to 10s respectively while forging load and time were constant and equals 50kN and 5s. The results presented here concerns only a small part whole studies which were described elsewhere. These are focused on the mechanism of joining which can be adhesive or diffusion controlled. The experiment included macro- and microstructure observations which were supplemented with SEM investigations. The goal of the last one was to reveal the character of fracture surface after tensile test and to looking for anticipated diffusion of aluminum into THA matrix. The results showed that joining of THA with AlMg2Mn alloy has mainly adhesive character, although the diffusion cannot be excluded.