bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms of the pfmdr1 but not the pfnhe-1 gene is associated with in vitro quinine sensitivity in Thai isolates of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Poyomtip Teera , Suwandittakul Nantana , Sitthichot Narumon , Khositnithikul Rommanee , Tan-ariya Peerapan , Mungthin Mathirut 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe emergence ofPlasmodium falciparumresistance to most currently used anti-malarial drugs is a major problem in malaria control along the Thai-Myanmar and Thai-Cambodia borders. Quinine (QN) with tetracycline/doxycycline has been used as the second-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria. In addition, QN monotherapy has been the first-line treatment for falciparum malaria in pregnant women. However, reduced in vitro and in vivo responses to QN have been reported. To date, a few genetic markers for QN resistance have been proposed includingPlasmodium falciparumchloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt),P. falciparummultidrug resistance 1 (pfmdr1), andP. falciparum Na+/H+exchanger(pfnhe-1). This study was to investigate the role of thepfmdr1andpfnhe-1gene onin vitroQN sensitivity in Thai isolates ofP. falciparum.MethodsEighty-five Thai isolates ofP. falciparumfrom the Thai-Myanmar and Thai-Cambodia borders from 2003-2008 were determined forin vitroQN sensitivity using radioisotopic assay. Polymorphisms of thepfmdr1andpfnhe-1gene were determined by PCR-RFLP and sequence analysis. Associations between thein vitroQN sensitivity and the polymorphisms of thepfmdr1andpfnhe-1gene were evaluated.ResultsThe mean QN IC50was 202.8 nM (range 25.7-654.4 nM). Only four isolates were QN resistant when the IC50of >500 nM was used as the cut-off point. Significant associations were found between thepfmdr1mutations at codons N86Y and N1042D andin vitroQN sensitivity. However, no associations with the number of DNNND, DDNNNDNHNDD, and NHNDNHNNDDD repeats in the microsatellite ms4760 of thepfnhe-1gene were identified.ConclusionData from the present study put doubt regarding thepfnhe-1gene as to whether it could be used as the suitable marker for QN resistance in Thailand. In contrast, it confirms the influence of thepfmdr1gene onin vitroQN sensitivity.
Modeling causes of death: an integrated approach using CODEm
Authors: Foreman Kyle J , Lozano Rafael , Lopez Alan D , Murray Christopher JL 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Data on causes of death by age and sex are a critical input into health decision-making. Priority setting in public health should be informed not only by the current magnitude of health problems but by trends in them. However, cause of death data are often not available or are subject to substantial problems of comparability. We propose five general principles for cause of death model development, validation, and reporting.

Methods
We detail a specific implementation of these principles that is embodied in an analytical tool - the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) - which explores a large variety of possible models to estimate trends in causes of death. Possible models are identified using a covariate selection algorithm that yields many plausible combinations of covariates, which are then run through four model classes. The model classes include mixed effects linear models and spatial-temporal Gaussian Process Regression models for cause fractions and death rates. All models for each cause of death are then assessed using out-of-sample predictive validity and combined into an ensemble with optimal out-of-sample predictive performance.

Results
Ensemble models for cause of death estimation outperform any single component model in tests of root mean square error, frequency of predicting correct temporal trends, and achieving 95% coverage of the prediction interval. We present detailed results for CODEm applied to maternal mortality and summary results for several other causes of death, including cardiovascular disease and several cancers.

Conclusions
CODEm produces better estimates of cause of death trends than previous methods and is less susceptible to bias in model specification. We demonstrate the utility of CODEm for the estimation of several major causes of death.
Structural and optical properties of ZnO nanorods by electrochemical growth using multi-walled carbon nanotube-composed seed layers
Authors: Ko Yeong Hwan , Kim Myung Sub , Yu Jae Su 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
We reported the enhancement of the structural and optical properties of electrochemically synthesized zinc oxide [ZnO] nanorod arrays [NRAs] using the multi-walled carbon nanotube [MWCNT]-composed seed layers, which were formed by spin-coating the aqueous seed solution containing MWCNTs on the indium tin oxide-coated glass substrate. The MWCNT-composed seed layer served as the efficient nucleation surface as well as the film with better electrical conductivity, thus leading to a more uniform high-density ZnO NRAs with an improved crystal quality during the electrochemical deposition process. For ZnO NRAs grown on the seed layer containing MWCNTs (2 wt.%), the photoluminescence peak intensity of the near-band-edge emission at a wavelength of approximately 375 nm was enhanced by 2.8 times compared with that of the ZnO nanorods grown without the seed layer due to the high crystallinity of ZnO NRAs and the surface plasmon-meditated emission enhancement by MWCNTs. The effect of the MWCNT-composed seed layer on the surface wettability was also investigated.

PACS: 81.07.-b; 81.16.-c; 81.07.Pr; 61.48.De.
Effects of process parameters on sheet resistance uniformity of fluorine-doped tin oxide thin films
Authors: Hudaya Chairul , Park Ji Hun , Lee Joong Kee 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
An alternative indium-free material for transparent conducting oxides of fluorine-doped tin oxide [FTO] thin films deposited on polyethylene terephthalate [PET] was prepared by electron cyclotron resonance - metal organic chemical vapor deposition [ECR-MOCVD]. One of the essential issues regarding metal oxide film deposition is the sheet resistance uniformity of the film. Variations in process parameters, in this case, working and bubbler pressures of ECR-MOCVD, can lead to a change in resistance uniformity. Both the optical transmittance and electrical resistance uniformity of FTO film-coated PET were investigated. The result shows that sheet resistance uniformity and the transmittance of the film are affected significantly by the changes in bubbler pressure but are less influenced by the working pressure of the ECR-MOCVD system.
Investigation of a new lead-free Bi0.5(Na0.40K0.10)TiO3-(Ba0.7Sr0.3)TiO3 piezoelectric ceramic
Authors: Jaita Pharatree , Watcharapasorn Anucha , Jiansirisomboon Sukanda 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Lead-free piezoelectric compositions of the (1-x)Bi0.5(Na0.40K0.10)TiO3-x(Ba0.7Sr0.3)TiO3 system (when x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20) were fabricated using a solid-state mixed oxide method and sintered between 1,050°C and 1,175°C for 2 h. The effect of (Ba0.7Sr0.3)TiO3 [BST] content on phase, microstructure, and electrical properties was investigated. The optimum sintering temperature was 1,125°C at which all compositions had densities of at least 98% of their theoretical values. X-ray diffraction patterns that showed tetragonality were increased with the increasing BST. Scanning electron micrographs showed a slight reduction of grain size when BST was added. The addition of BST was also found to improve the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the BNKT ceramic. A large room-temperature dielectric constant, ε

r
(1,609), and piezoelectric coefficient, d
33 (214 pC/N), were obtained at an optimal composition of x = 0.10.
A novel method for crystalline silicon solar cells with low contact resistance and antireflection coating by an oxidized Mg layer
Authors: Lee Jonghwan , Lee Youn-Jung , Ju Minkyu , Ryu Kyungyul , Kim Bonggi , Yi Junsin 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
One of the key issues in the solar industry is lowering dopant concentration of emitter for high-efficiency crystalline solar cells. However, it is well known that a low surface concentration of dopants results in poor contact formation between the front Ag electrode and the n-layer of Si. In this paper, an evaporated Mg layer is used to reduce series resistance of c-Si solar cells. A layer of Mg metal is deposited on a lightly doped n-type Si emitter by evaporation. Ag electrode is screen printed to collect the generated electrons. Small work function difference between Mg and n-type silicon reduces the contact resistance. During a co-firing process, Mg is oxidized, and the oxidized layer serves as an antireflection layer. The measurement of an Ag/Mg/n-Si solar cell shows that V
oc, J
sc, FF, and efficiency are 602 mV, 36.9 mA/cm2, 80.1%, and 17.75%, respectively. It can be applied to the manufacturing of low-cost, simple, and high-efficiency solar cells.
Effects of pentacene-doped PEDOT:PSS as a hole-conducting layer on the performance characteristics of polymer photovoltaic cells
Authors: Kim Hyunsoo , Lee Jungrae , Ok Sunseong , Choe Youngson 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
We have investigated the effect of pentacene-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene:poly(4-styrenesulfonate) [PEDOT:PSS] films as a hole-conducting layer on the performance of polymer photovoltaic cells. By increasing the amount of pentacene and the annealing temperature of pentacene-doped PEDOT:PSS layer, the changes of performance characteristics were evaluated. Pentacene-doped PEDOT:PSS thin films were prepared by dissolving pentacene in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone solvent and mixing with PEDOT:PSS. As the amount of pentacene in the PEDOT:PSS solution was increased, UV-visible transmittance also increased dramatically. By increasing the amount of pentacene in PEDOT:PSS films, dramatic decreases in both the work function and surface resistance were observed. However, the work function and surface resistance began to sharply increase above the doping amount of pentacene at 7.7 and 9.9 mg, respectively. As the annealing temperature was increased, the surface roughness of pentacene-doped PEDOT:PSS films also increased, leading to the formation of PEDOT:PSS aggregates. The films of pentacene-doped PEDOT:PSS were characterized by AFM, SEM, UV-visible transmittance, surface analyzer, surface resistance, and photovoltaic response analysis.
Solution reaction design: electroaccepting and electrodonating powers of ions in solution
Authors: Li Keyan , Li Min , Xue Dongfeng 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBy considering a first-order variation in electroaccepting and electrodonating powers,ω±, induced by a change from gas to aqueous solution phase, the solvent effect onω±for charged ions is examined. The expression of electroaccepting and electrodonating powers in the solution phase,ω±s, is obtained through establishing the quantitative relationship between the change of theω±due to the solvation and the hydration free energy. It is shown that cations are poorer electron acceptors and anions are poorer electron donors in solution compared to those in gas phase. We have proven that the scaled aqueous electroaccepting power,ω+s, of cations can act as a good descriptor of the reduction reaction, which is expected to be applied in the design of solution reactions.
Synthesis and characterization of integrated layered nanocomposites for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Gim Jihyeon , Song Jinju , Park Hyosun , Kang Jungwon , Kim Kangkun , Mathew Vinod , Kim Jaekook 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
The series of Li[Ni
x
M
x
Li1/3-x
Mn2/3-x
]O2 cathodes, where M is cobalt or chromium with a wide compositional range x from 0 to 0.33, were prepared by hydroxide coprecipitation method with subsequent quenching. The sample structures were investigated using X-ray diffraction results which were indexed completely on the basis of a trigonal structure of space group

R3m

̄

with monoclinic C2/m phase as expected. The morphologies and electrochemical properties of the samples obtained were compared as the value of x and substituted transition metal. The particle sizes of cobalt-substituted Li[Ni
x
Co
x
Li1/3-x
Mn2/3-x
]O2 samples are much smaller than those of the Li[Ni
x
Cr
x
Li1/3-x
Mn2/3-x
]O2 system. The electrode containing Li[Ni
x
Co
x
Li1/3-x
Mn2/3-x
]O2 with x = 0.10 delivered a discharge capacity of above 200 mAh/g after 10 cycles due to the activation of Li2MnO3.

PACS: 82.47.Aa; 82.47.-a; 82.45.Fk.
Physical and electrochemical properties of synthesized carbon nanotubes [CNTs] on a metal substrate by thermal chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Gwon Yong Hwan , Ha Jong Keun , Cho Kwon Koo , Kim Hye Sung 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes were synthesized on a Ni/Au/Ti substrate using a thermal chemical vapor deposition process. A Ni layer was used as a catalyst, and an Au layer was applied as a barrier in order to prevent diffusion between Ni and Ti within the substrate during the growth of carbon nanotubes. The results showed that vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes could be uniformly grown on the Ti substrate (i.e., metal substrate), thus indicating that the Au buffer layer effectively prevented interdiffusion of the catalyst and metal substrate. Synthesized carbon nanotubes on the Ti substrate have the diameter of about 80 to 120 nm and the length of about 5 to 10 μm. The Ti substrate, with carbon nanotubes, was prepared as an electrode for a lithium rechargeable battery, and its electrochemical properties were investigated. In a Li/CNT cell with carbon nanotubes on a 60-nm Au buffer layer, the first discharge capacity and discharge capacity after the 50th cycle were 210 and 80 μAh/cm2, respectively.
Zenithal alignment of liquid crystal on homeotropic polyimide film irradiated by ion beam
Authors: Choi Yoonseuk , Yoon Tae-Hoon , Kwon Jin Hyuk , Yi Jonghoon , Gwag Jin Seog 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
We investigate the pretilt characteristics of a nematic liquid crystal [LC] in terms of ion beam exposure conditions on the homeotropic polyimide alignment layer. The pretilt angle of LCs in the case of high-energy ion beam treatment was decreased considerably almost the same to that of the homogenous alignment layer though we used homeotropic polyimide film at first. Increasing irradiating energy, we could control the pretilt from 90° to 1° with several steps. We believe that this is because the side chain with hydrophobicity in the used polyimide is broken by ion beam exposure. To confirm it, contact angle measurement was carried out. With this result, we can easily control the LC pretilt in the pixel with appropriate exposure conditions which is critical to achieve excellent electrooptic characteristics and good image quality.
Measurement of beta-amyloid peptides in specific cells using a photo thin-film transistor
Authors: Kim Chang-Beom , Chae Cheol-Joo , Shin Hye-Rim , Song Ki-Bong 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
The existence of beta-amyloid [Aβ] peptides in the brain has been regarded as the most archetypal biomarker of Alzheimer's disease [AD]. Recently, an early clinical diagnosis has been considered a great importance in identifying people who are at high risk of AD. However, no microscale electronic sensing devices for the detection of Aβ peptides have been developed yet. In this study, we propose an effective method to evaluate a small quantity of Aβ peptides labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate [FITC] using a photosensitive field-effect transistor [p-FET] with an on-chip single-layer optical filter. To accurately evaluate the quantity of Aβ peptides within the cells cultured on the p-FET device, we measured the photocurrents which resulted from the FITC-conjugated Aβ peptides expressed from the cells and measured the number of photons of the fluorochrome in the cells using a photomultiplier tube. Thus, we evaluated the correlation between the generated photocurrents and the number of emitted photons. We also evaluated the correlation between the number of emitted photons and the amount of FITC by measuring the FITC volume using AFM. Finally, we estimated the quantity of Aβ peptides of the cells placed on the p-FET sensing area on the basis of the binding ratio between FITC molecules and Aβ peptides.
Video analysis-based vehicle detection and tracking using an MCMC sampling framework
Authors: Arróspide Jon , Salgado Luis , Nieto Marcos 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
This article presents a probabilistic method for vehicle detection and tracking through the analysis of monocular images obtained from a vehicle-mounted camera. The method is designed to address the main shortcomings of traditional particle filtering approaches, namely Bayesian methods based on importance sampling, for use in traffic environments. These methods do not scale well when the dimensionality of the feature space grows, which creates significant limitations when tracking multiple objects. Alternatively, the proposed method is based on a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach, which allows efficient sampling of the feature space. The method involves important contributions in both the motion and the observation models of the tracker. Indeed, as opposed to particle filter-based tracking methods in the literature, which typically resort to observation models based on appearance or template matching, in this study a likelihood model that combines appearance analysis with information from motion parallax is introduced. Regarding the motion model, a new interaction treatment is defined based on Markov random fields (MRF) that allows for the handling of possible inter-dependencies in vehicle trajectories. As for vehicle detection, the method relies on a supervised classification stage using support vector machines (SVM). The contribution in this field is twofold. First, a new descriptor based on the analysis of gradient orientations in concentric rectangles is defined. This descriptor involves a much smaller feature space compared to traditional descriptors, which are too costly for real-time applications. Second, a new vehicle image database is generated to train the SVM and made public. The proposed vehicle detection and tracking method is proven to outperform existing methods and to successfully handle challenging situations in the test sequences.
suPAR as a prognostic biomarker in sepsis
Authors: Donadello Katia , Scolletta Sabino , Covajes Cecilia , Vincent Jean-Louis 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Sepsis is the clinical syndrome derived from the host response to an infection and severe sepsis is the leading cause of death in critically ill patients. Several biomarkers have been tested for use in diagnosis and prognostication in patients with sepsis. Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels are increased in various infectious diseases, in the blood and also in other tissues. However, the diagnostic value of suPAR in sepsis has not been well defined, especially compared to other more established biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). On the other hand, suPAR levels have been shown to predict outcome in various kinds of bacteremia and recent data suggest they may have predictive value, similar to that of severity scores, in critically ill patients. This narrative review provides a descriptive overview of the clinical value of this biomarker in the diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic guidance of sepsis.
Further evidence for a male-selective genetic association of synapse-associated protein 97 (SAP97) gene with schizophrenia
Authors: Uezato Akihito , Kimura-Sato Junko , Yamamoto Naoki , Iijima Yoshimi , Kunugi Hiroshi , Nishikawa Toru 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
The synapse-associated protein 97 gene (SAP97) encodes a regulatory scaffold protein for the localization of L-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA), kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type glutamate receptors. We have recently demonstrated nominally significant associations between SAP97 gene and schizophrenia among Japanese males. The present study aimed to replicate these findings using an independent and larger sample.

Methods
We investigated seven SAP97 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that displayed a significant association with schizophrenia in our preceding study in an independent Japanese population consisting of a total of 393 unrelated patients with schizophrenia (232 males and 161 females) and 393 unrelated control subjects (211 males and 182 females).

Results
The SNP rs9843659 showed a significant genotypic association with male patients in a recessive model (p = 0.037). The analysis of the combined data from the current and prior studies also demonstrated a significant association of this SNP (p = 0.0039). The meta-analysis for the allele frequency covering the two studies yielded an odds ratio of 1.38.

Conclusions
The present study replicated the previously reported male-selective genetic association between the SAP97 polymorphism and schizophrenia. These findings further support the possible involvement of the SAP97 gene variation in the susceptibility to schizophrenia in males and in the genetic basis for sex differences in the disorder.
Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis associated with risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia
Authors: Lin Chih-Hsun , Hsu Chih-Wei , Tsao Tang-Yi , Chou Jason 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIdiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare inflammatory breast disease. The etiology and treatment options of IGM remain controversial. Previous case reports have suggested that hyperprolactinemia may be associated with IGM. In the present report, we describe the first case of IGM associated with risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia.Virtual slidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here:http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/8120093785928228
A single copy integration vector that integrates at an engineered site on the Staphylococcus aureus chromosome
Authors: Lei Mei G , Cue David , Alba Jimena , Junecko Jennifer , Graham Justin W , Lee Chia Y 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Single-copy integration vectors based upon the site-specific recombination systems of bacteriophage are invaluable tools in the study of bacterial pathogenesis. The utility of such vectors is often limited, however, by the fact that integration often results in the inactivation of bacterial genes or has undesirable effects on gene transcription. The aim of this study is to develop an integration vector that does not have a detectable effect on gene transcription upon integration.

Findings
We have developed a single-copy integration system that enables the cloning vector to integrate at a specific engineered site, within an untranscribed intergenic region, in the chromosome of Staphylococcus aureus. This system is based on the lysogenic phage L54a site-specific recombination system in which the L54a phage (attP) and chromosome (attB) attachment sites, which share an 18-bp identical core sequence, were modified with identical mutations. The integration vector, pLL102, was constructed to contain the modified L54a attP site (attP 2) that was altered at 5 nucleotide positions within the core sequence. In the recipient strain, the similarly modified attB site (attB 2) was inserted in an intergenic region devoid of detectable transcription read-through. Integration of the vector, which is unable to replicate in S. aureus extrachromosomally, was achieved by providing the L54a integrase gene in a plasmid in the recipient. We showed that pLL102 integrated specifically at the engineered site rather than at the native L54a attB site and that integration did not have a significant effect on transcription of genes immediately upstream or downstream of the integration site.

Conclusions
In this work, we describe an E. coli-S. aureus shuttle vector that can be used to introduce any cloned gene into the S. aureus chromosome at a select site without affecting gene expression. The vector should be useful for genetic manipulation of S. aureus and for marking strains for in vivo studies.