bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of the growth process and optoelectrical properties of nanocrystalline Cu3BiS3 thin films
Authors: Mesa F. , Dussan A. , Gordillo G. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractCu3BiS3 thin films were prepared on soda‐lime glass substrates by co‐evaporation of the precursors in a two‐step process; for that, the metallic precursors were evaporated from tungsten crucibles in the presence of elemental sulphur evaporated from a tantalum effusion cell. The films were characterized by spectral transmittance, Atomic Force Microscopy, X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and electrical measurements to investigate the effect of growth conditions on the optical, morphological and electrical properties. The results revealed that the Cu3BiS3 films present p‐type conductivity, a high absorption coefficient (greater than 104 cm–1), and an energy band gap, Eg, of about 1.39 eV. We observed from Atomic Force Microscopy and electrical measurements that grain size and electric conductivity of the Cu3BiS3 samples are influenced by the copper mass ratio in this material. We found, in the high‐temperature range above room temperature, that carrier transport is thermally activated with activation energies fluctuating between 0.17 and 0.28 eV. This suggests that this compound has good properties to perform as absorbent layer in thin‐film solar cells. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Intermediate complex morphophysiological dormancy in the endemic Iberian Aconitum napellus subsp. castellanum (Ranunculaceae)
Authors: Herranz José M. , Copete Miguel Á. , Ferrandis Pablo , Copete Elena 
Published: February 2010

AbstractSeeds of Aconitum napellus subsp. castellanum were physiologically dormant at maturity in early autumn, with underdeveloped embryos. Thus they have morphophysiological dormancy (MPD). Embryos in fresh seeds were on average 1.01 mm long, and they had to grow to 3.60 mm before radicle emergence. Cold stratification at 5°C for 5 months with light enhanced the mean embryo length to 2.73 mm (SE = 0.13) and seed germination to 20%. However, with higher temperatures (15/4, 20/7, 25/10, 28/14 and 32/18°C) embryo growth was small, with no seeds germinating. Optimal germination was achieved after 4 months of cold stratification at 5°C followed by incubation at 20/7°C for 1 month with light, when germination ranged between 70 and 79%, depending on seed age, locality and year of collection. Cold stratification could be substituted by the application of GA3 solution, since mean embryo length in seeds incubated at 25/10°C for 1 month with light was 3.52 mm and the germination was 80%. Since cold stratification was the only requirement for the loss of MPD, the longest embryo growth occurred during this treatment, and GA3 promoted MPD loss, we concluded that A. napellus seeds have intermediate complex MPD. Germination was higher in 4-month stored than in freshly matured seeds. A pronounced variability in germinative patterns at inter-annual and inter-population level was recorded.
Development of a non‐invasive algorithm with transient elastography (Fibroscan) and serum test formula for advanced liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B
Authors: WONG G. L. H. , WONG V. W. S. , CHOI P. C. L. , CHAN A. W. H. , CHAN H. L. Y. 
Published: February 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1095–1103SummaryBackground  Non‐invasive assessments of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B were well established.Aim  To develop a combined algorithm of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and serum test formula to predict advanced liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B.Methods  We reported an alanine aminotransferase (AST)‐based LSM algorithm for liver fibrosis in 156 chronic hepatitis B patients, which formed the training cohort to evaluate the performance of APRI (AST‐to‐platelet‐ratio‐index), Forns index, FIB‐4 and Fibroindex against liver histology. The best combined LSM‐serum formula algorithm would be validated in another cohort of 82 chronic hepatitis B patients.Results  In the training cohort, LSM has the best performance of diagnosing advanced (≥F3) fibrosis [area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85–0.91], while Forns index has the best performance among the various serum test formulae (AUROC 0.70, 95% CI 0.62–0.78). In the combined algorithm, low LSM or low Forns index could be used to exclude advanced fibrosis as both of them had high sensitivity (>90%). To confirm advanced fibrosis, agreement between high LSM and high Forns index could improve the specificity (from 99% to 100% and from 87% to 98% in the training and validation cohorts respectively).Conclusion  A combined LSM–Forns algorithm can improve the accuracy to predict advanced liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B.
Subclinical hypercortisolism: correlation between biochemical diagnostic criteria and clinical aspects
Authors: Morelli V. , Masserini B. , Salcuni A. S. , Eller‐Vainicher C. , Savoca C. , Viti R. , Coletti F. , Guglielmi G. , Battista C. , Iorio L. , Beck‐Peccoz P. , Ambrosi B. , Arosio M. , Scillitani A. , Chiodini I. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryObjective  Subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) has been associated with increased prevalence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, central obesity, osteoporosis and vertebral fractures. We aimed to investigate the accuracy of different SH diagnostic criteria in predicting the presence of complications.Design  This was a retrospective study.Patients  We evaluated data from 231 patients (120 women and 111 men) affected with adrenal incidentalomas (AI).Measurements  We studied the accuracy of different SH diagnostic criteria (cortisol after 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test – 1mg‐DST – at different cut‐off such as 49·7, 82·8, 137·9 nmol/l, elevated urinary free cortisol, reduced adrenal corticotroph hormone (ACTH) levels alone or various combination of these parameters) in predicting the concomitant presence of the following three complications: hypertension, type 2 diabetes and vertebral fractures.Results  The criterion characterized by the presence of two of 1mg‐DST >82·8 nmol/l, elevated UFC and reduced ACTH struck the best balance between sensitivity and specificity, reaching a good accuracy in predicting the cluster of complications (61·9%; 77·1% and 75·8%, respectively). The presence of this cluster was associated with this criterion (OR 4·75, 95%CI 1·8–12·7, P = 0·002) regardless of gonadal status, body mass index (BMI) and age.Conclusions  The SH criterion characterized by the presence of two of 1mg‐DST >82·8 nmol/l, elevated UFC and reduced ACTH seems the best in predicting the presence of chronic manifestations of subtle cortisol excess.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The association of serum vitamin D level with presence of metabolic syndrome and hypertension in middle‐aged Korean subjects
Authors: Kim Mee K. , Il Kang Moo , Won Oh Ki , Kwon Hyuk S. , Lee Jin H. , Lee Won C. , Yoon Kun‐Ho , Son Ho Y. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryObjective:  To examine the association of serum vitamin D level with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hypertension (HTN) in middle‐aged Korean subjects.Design and subjects:  We conducted a population‐based, cross‐sectional survey of 1330 participants aged over 40 years (median age 65·8 years) in Chungju, Korea, in 2007. The 324 subjects, who were normotensive in 2003 and who attended a follow‐up visit 4 years later, were included in an analysis of the association of serum vitamin D level with the risk of HTN.Measurements:  Serum 25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D [25(OH)D] and PTH were measured in a central laboratory, using chemiluminescence assays.Results:  The overall prevalence of the MetS in participants of this study was 45·3%. After adjusting for various covariates, subjects in the highest quintile group (61·4–116·8 nmol/l) compared with the lowest quintile group (10·0–29·7 nmol/l) of 25(OH)D had an odds ratio (OR) for having MetS of 0·35 (95% confidence intervals, CI, 0·22–0·56; P for trend <0·001). The median level of 25(OH)D was 46·8 nmol/l among 324 subjects who were normotensive in 2003. After multiple adjustment, the OR was substantially higher for new HTN (OR 2·74; 95% CI 1·40–5·34) in subjects with serum 25(OH)D levels below the median value compared with those above median. The inverse associations of vitamin D and MetS/HTN were unchanged after adjustment for PTH and serum calcium levels. There was no association between PTH and MetS.Conclusions:  We found a strong inverse association of 25(OH)D levels with MetS and HTN in this middle‐aged Korean population. Having vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increased risk of having MetS and HTN in this demographic group.
Expansion of genes encoding a novel type of dynamin in the genome of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum
Authors: Nakabachi A. , Miyagishima S. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractScreening of the entire genome of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, detected 15 genes for putative dynamin superfamily proteins – self‐assembling large GTPases that are involved in the fission and fusion of membranes. In addition to a single gene each for Dyn, Drp1, and Opa1, orthologues that are common in Metazoa, 12 genes encoding a novel type of dynamin were found. Phylogenetic analyses showed that these novel‐class genes are monophyletic. Quantitative reverse transcription‐PCR demonstrated that expressions of four novel‐class dynamin genes are highly up‐regulated in the midgut, through which aphids take in phloem‐sap diets and plant viruses. As this type of dynamin is absent from all other fully sequenced organisms, they may function in processes unique to aphids.
Temperature‐dependent FlgM/FliA complex formation regulates Campylobacter jejuni flagella length
Authors: Wösten Marc M. S. M. , Van Dijk Linda , Veenendaal Andreas K. J. , De Zoete Marcel R. , Bleumink‐Pluijm Nancy M. C. , Van Putten Jos P. M. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryRegulation of the biosynthesis of the flagellar filament in bacteria containing multiple flagellin genes is not well understood. The major food‐borne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni possesses on both poles a flagellum that consists of two different flagellin subunits, FlaA and FlaB. Here we identify the protein Cj1464 as a regulator of C. jejuni flagellin biosynthesis. The protein shares characteristics of the FlgM family of anti‐σ factor proteins: it represses transcription of σ28‐dependent genes, forms a complex with σ factor FliA, and is secreted through the flagellar filament. However, unlike other FlgM proteins, the interaction of C. jejuni FlgM with FliA is regulated by temperature and the protein does not inhibit FliA activity during the formation of the hook‐basal body complex (HBB). Instead, C. jejuni FlgM limits the length of the flagellar filament by suppressing the synthesis of both the σ28‐ and the σ54‐dependent flagellins. The main function of the C. jejuni FlgM therefore is not to silence σ28‐dependent genes until the HBB is completed, but to prevent unlimited elongation of the flagellum, which otherwise leads to reduced bacterial motility.
Nuclear polyhedrosis virus as a biological control agent forMalacosoma americanum(Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)
Authors: Progar R. A. , Rinella M. J. , Fekedulegn D. , Butler L. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractIn addition to damaging trees, the eastern tent caterpillar is implicated in early fetal loss and late‐term abortion in horses. In a field study, we evaluated the potential biological control of the caterpillar using eastern tent caterpillar nuclear polyhedrosis virus (ETNPV), a naturally occurring virus that is nearly species‐specific. Egg masses were hatched and second instar larvae were fed virus‐inoculated foliage to propagate the virusin vivo. Then, a viral pesticide was formulated at concentrations of 104, 106and 108polyhedral inclusion bodies per ml. The pesticide was applied to foliage on which second, third and fourth instar caterpillars were feeding. When the majority of surviving larvae reached the sixth instar, colonies were collected and the surviving caterpillars counted. Mean numbers of surviving caterpillars per treatment were compared via 95% bootstrap confidence intervals. The data indicate second instar caterpillars were highly susceptible to the virus, but only at the highest concentration tested. Third instar caterpillars were also somewhat susceptible to high virus concentrations, while fourth instar caterpillars were fairly resistant. Our data provide the strongest evidence to date that ETNPV can be propagated, harvested and refined for formulation as a biological control agent for eastern tent caterpillar. Its use on this insect may be merited in circumstances where landowners and managers need to protect trees and horses.
Effects of Axial
Corrugated Roughness on Low Reynolds Number Slip Flow and Continuum Flow in
Microtubes
Authors: Duan Zhipeng , Muzychka Y.
S. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
The effect of axial corrugated surface roughness on fully developed laminar flow in microtubes is investigated. The radius of a microtube varies with the axial distance due to corrugated roughness. The Stokes equation is solved using a perturbation method with slip at the boundary. Analytical models are developed to predict friction factor and pressure drop in corrugated rough microtubes for continuum flow and slip flow. The developed model proposes an explanation on the observed phenomenon that some experimental pressure drop results for microchannel flow have shown a significant increase due to roughness. The developed model for slip flow illustrates the coupled effects between velocity slip and small corrugated roughness. Compressibility effect has also been examined and simple models are proposed to predict the pressure distribution and mass flow rate for slip flow in corrugated rough microtubes.
In Vitro
Antibacterial Activities of JNJ-Q2, a New Broad-Spectrum Fluoroquinolone
Authors: Morrow Brian J. , He Wenping , Amsler Karen M. , Foleno Barbara D. , Macielag Mark J. , Lynch A. Simon , Bush Karen 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT

JNJ-Q2, a novel fluorinated 4-quinolone, was evaluated for its antibacterial potency by broth and agar microdilution MIC methods in studies focused on skin and respiratory tract pathogens, including strains exhibiting contemporary fluoroquinolone resistance phenotypes. Against a set of 118 recent clinical isolates of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, including fluoroquinolone-resistant variants bearing multiple DNA topoisomerase target mutations, an MIC
90
value for JNJ-Q2 of 0.12 μg/ml was determined, indicating that it was 32-fold more potent than moxifloxacin. Against a collection of 345 recently collected methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) isolates, including 256 ciprofloxacin-resistant strains, the JNJ-Q2 MIC
90
value was 0.25 μg/ml, similarly indicating that it was 32-fold more potent than moxifloxacin. The activities of JNJ-Q2 against Gram-negative pathogens were generally comparable to those of moxifloxacin. In further studies, JNJ-Q2 exhibited bactericidal activities at 2× and 4× MIC levels against clinical isolates of
S. pneumoniae
and MRSA with various fluoroquinolone susceptibilities, and its activities were enhanced over those of moxifloxacin. In these studies, the activity exhibited against strains bearing
gyrA
,
parC
, or
gyrA
plus
parC
mutations was indicative of the relatively balanced (equipotent) activity of JNJ-Q2 against the DNA topoisomerase target enzymes. Finally, determination of the relative rates or frequencies of the spontaneous development of resistance to JNJ-Q2 at 2× and 4× MICs in
S. pneumoniae
, MRSA, and
Escherichia coli
were indicative of a lower potential for resistance development than that for current fluoroquinolones. In conclusion, JNJ-Q2 exhibits a range of antibacterial activities
in vitro
that is supportive of its further evaluation as a potential new agent for the treatment of skin and respiratory tract infections.
An investigation of the pre-injury risk factors associated with children who experience traumatic brain injury
Authors: McKinlay A , Kyonka E G E , Grace R C , Horwood L J , Fergusson D M , MacFarlane M R 
Published: February 2010

Background and ObjectiveTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a frequently occurring event in childhood that may have significant ongoing effects. Little is known about the child and family characteristics that predispose children to these injuries. A greater understanding of the risk factors associated with childhood TBI may provide an opportunity to prevent their occurrence.MethodsInformation provided by a large birth cohort study (n=1265) was used to determine the child and family risk factors of TBI in children aged 0–15 years (n=187). All information regarding child, family, and injury events were collected prospectively and unrelated to the injury event itself. Child variables included in the analysis were sex and the level of behavioural problems. Parental variables included were family socioeconomic status, mother's age, education level, depressive symptoms, number of adverse life events experienced by the family, and parenting style.ResultsThe most important risk factors were sex, adverse life events, and parenting style. The results suggest evidence of modest increases in the rate of TBI for those in the highest risk categories (male, ≥4 life events per annum, high maternal punitiveness) compared to the lowest risk categories, with hazard ratios in the region of 1.4–1.6.ConclusionsOverall characteristics of both the family and child predicted a TBI event. An increased understanding of risks associated with TBI in childhood will provide an avenue to prevent these injuries by targeting at-risk families and aiding the development of appropriate intervention strategies.
Factors associated with worker slipping in limited-service restaurants
Authors: Courtney Theodore K , Verma Santosh K , Huang Yueng-Hsiang , Chang Wen-Ruey , Li Kai Way , Filiaggi Alfred J 
Published: February 2010

ObjectiveSlips, trips and falls (STF) are responsible for a substantial injury burden in the global workplace. Restaurant environments are challenged by STF. This study assessed individual and work environment factors related to slipping in US limited-service restaurant workers.MethodsWorkers in 10 limited-service restaurants in Massachusetts were recruited to participate. Workers' occupational slip and/or fall history within the past 4 weeks was collected by multilingual written questionnaires. Age, gender, job tenure, work hours per week and work shift were also collected. Shoe type, condition and gross shoe contamination were visually assessed. Floor friction was measured and each restaurant's overall mean coefficient of friction (COF) was calculated. The logistic generalised estimating equations model was used to compute adjusted odds ratios (OR).ResultsOf 125 workers, 42 reported one or more slips in the past 4 weeks with two reporting a resultant fall. Results from multivariable regression showed that higher restaurant mean COF was significantly associated with a decreased risk of self-reported slipping (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.82). From the highest to the lowest COF restaurant, the odds of a positive slip history increased by a factor of more than seven. Younger age, male gender, lower weekly work hours and the presence of gross contamination on worker's shoe sole were also associated with increased odds of slip history.ConclusionPublished findings of an association between friction and slipping and falling in actual work environments are rare. The findings suggest that effective intervention strategies to reduce the risk of slips and falls in restaurant workers could include increasing COF and improving housekeeping practices.
On the Effect of Correlations on Rank Histograms: Reliability of Temperature and Wind Speed Forecasts from Finescale Ensemble Reforecasts
Authors: Marzban Caren , Wang Ranran , Kong Fanyou , Leyton Stephen 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
The rank histogram (RH) is a visual tool for assessing the reliability of ensemble forecasts (i.e., the degree to which the forecasts and the observations have the same distribution). But it is already known that in certain situations it conveys misleading information. Here, it is shown that a temporal correlation can lead to a misleading RH, but such a correlation contributes only to the sampling variability of the RH, and so it is accounted for by producing a RH that explicitly displays sampling variability. A simulation is employed to show that the variance within each ensemble member (i.e., climatological variance), the correlation between ensemble members, and the correlation between the observations and the forecasts, all have a confounding effect on the RH, making it difficult to use the RH for assessing the climatological component of forecast reliability. It is proposed that a “residual” quantile–quantile plot (denoted R-Q-Q plot) is better suited than the RH for assessing the climatological component of forecast reliability. Then, the RH and R-Q-Q plots for temperature and wind speed forecasts at 90 stations across the continental United States are computed. A wide range of forecast reliability is noted. For some stations, the nonreliability of the forecasts can be attributed to bias and/or under-or overclimatological dispersion. For others, the difference between the distributions can be traced to lighter or heavier tails in the distributions, while for other stations the distributions of the forecasts and the observations appear to be completely different. A spatial signature is also noted and discussed briefly.
Deletion of Puma protects hematopoietic stem cells and confers long-term survival in response to high-dose γ-irradiation
Authors: Yu Hui , Shen Hongmei , Yuan Youzhong , XuFeng Richard , Hu Xiaoxia , Garrison Sean P. , Zhang Lin , Yu Jian , Zambetti Gerard P. , Cheng Tao 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Molecular paradigms underlying the death of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) induced by ionizing radiation are poorly defined. We have examined the role of Puma (p53 up-regulated mediator of apoptosis) in apoptosis of HSCs after radiation injury. In the absence of Puma, HSCs were highly resistant to γ-radiation in a cell autonomous manner. As a result, Puma-null mice or the wild-type mice reconstituted with Puma-null bone marrow cells were strikingly able to survive for a long term after high-dose γ-radiation that normally would pose 100% lethality on wild-type animals. Interestingly, there was no increase of malignancy in the exposed animals. Such profound beneficial effects of Puma deficiency were likely associated with better maintained quiescence and more efficient DNA repair in the stem cells. This study demonstrates that Puma is a unique mediator in radiation-induced death of HSCs. Puma may be a potential target for developing an effective treatment aimed to protect HSCs from lethal radiation.