bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrical transport properties in a single‐walled carbon nanotube network
Authors: Snoussi Karim , Vakhshouri Amin , Okimoto Haruya , Takenobu Taishi , Iwasa Yoshihiro , Maruyama Shigeo , Hashimoto Katsushi , Hirayama Yoshiro 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe measured and analysed the electronic transport properties of a single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) network on which the nanotubes were deposited by an ink‐jet method. The SWCNT network showed an Ohmic behaviour down to a temperature T of 0.5 K. Moreover, the resistance of the SWCNT network exhibited a temperature dependence which indicated a Mott variable‐range hopping transport mechanism. A localisation length was extracted and estimated to be between 3.6 and 11 nm; this indicated that the SWCNT sample constituted a 3D network. The magnetoresistance reached a minimum for a certain value of the magnetic field Bmin. With decreasing the temperature, Bmin tended linearly to 0 T. This observation was interpreted as the suppression of a quantum interference process between electronic hopping paths through neighbouring defects of the SWCNT network. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Substrate removal of dual‐colour InAs/GaSb superlattice focal plane arrays
Authors: Rehm Robert , Walther Martin , Schmitz Johannes , Wauro Matthias , Luppold Wolfgang , Niemasz Jasmin , Rutz Frank , Wörl Andreas , Masur Jan‐Michael , Kirste Lutz , Scheibner Ralf , Wendler Joachim , Ziegler Johann 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA removal, as far as possible, of the GaSb substrate is needed to optimize the quantum efficiency and the longevity, i.e., the maximum number of cool down cycles, of dual‐colour InAs/GaSb superlattice focal plane array detectors for the mid‐wavelength infrared atmospheric transmission window at 3‐5 µm. For this purpose, three different vertical detector structures have been investigated and are compared in the present paper. A basic structure, comprising only the essential layers is evaluated against two more advanced structures, which include a lattice‐matched InAsSb etch stop layer. For the basic structure the remaining substrate thickness amounts to roughly 20 µm. With a second structure, which employs an etch stop separated from the active diode structure by a sufficiently thick GaSb spacer layer, the substrate and the etch stop layer can be completely removed by combining mechanical lapping and polishing as well as different wet chemical etchants. Here, only epitaxially grown layers remain, but the spacer is still common to all pixels. A third structure combined with further optimized front‐ and backside processes is suited for the complete mechanical separation of dual‐colour detector pixels in the focal plane array arrangement (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Control of cytoplasmic translation in plants
Authors: Muench Douglas G. , Zhang Chi , Dahodwala Murtaza 
Published: January 2012

AbstractTranslational control provides cells with a mechanism to rapidly control gene expression in a reversible manner in response to environmental and developmental cues. It involves the dynamic, coordinated activity of numerous factors that direct the synthesis of proteins with precision in space and time. Translational control is primarily regulated at the level of initiation, and as such, mechanisms that regulate translation most often target the initiation machinery. Translation in plants is fundamentally similar to that of other eukaryotes. However, there are significant differences in translation factor isoforms and their associated proteins, and the types of regulation that can act upon these factors. Regulation of translation in plants can involve protein phosphorylation, variable associations of initiation factor isoforms, RNA sequence element interactions, and small RNAs. The assembly of large mRNA‐ribonucleoprotein complexes, called processing bodies and stress granules, also influences the translatability of an mRNA. mRNA–cytoskeleton interactions, as well as subcellular and intercellular transport of mRNAs, also appear to regulate translation in plants. Often working together, these control mechanisms finely tune translational expression within the cell. WIREs RNA 2012, 3:178–194. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1104This article is categorized under:

Translation > Translation Mechanisms
Translation > Translation Regulation
RNA Export and Localization > RNA Localization
Dietary supplementation withn-3 PUFA does not promote weight loss when combined with a very-low-energy diet
Authors: Munro Irene A. , Garg Manohar L. 
Published: January 2012

Obesity is associated with elevated levels of inflammation and metabolic abnormalities which are linked to CVD. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether long-chainn-3 PUFA (LCn-3PUFA), combined with a very-low-energy diet (VLED), facilitated weight loss and weight maintenance, and improvements in blood lipids and inflammatory mediators. This was a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial with two parallel groups. For 14 weeks, one group consumed 6 × 1 g capsules/d of monounsaturated oil (placebo group, PB), and the other group consumed 6 × 1 g capsules/d of LCn-3PUFA (fish oil group, FO), each comprising 70 mg EPA and 270 mg DHA. Both groups were on VLED for 4 weeks (n14 PB,n18 FO), which was then followed by 10 weeks of weight maintenance (n12 PB,n17 FO). Fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements and 3 d food diaries were collected at baseline, at 4 and 14 weeks. A greater-than-2-fold increase occurred in plasma levels of EPA and DHA in the FO group (P < 0·001). At 4 weeks, the mean weight loss was − 6·54 (sd2·08) kg ( − 6·9 %) for PB and − 6·87 (sd1·83) kg ( − 7·7 %) for FO. At week 14, after the maintenance phase, there was a further mean decrease in weight, − 1·57 (sd3·7) kg (1·85 %) for PB and − 1·69 (sd2·32) kg ( − 1·9 %) for FO. Both groups experienced improved metabolic profiles and there was a significant reduction in fat mass for the FO group at week 14 but not for PB. However, it would appear that supplementation with LCn-3PUFA had no significant effect on weight loss or weight maintenance over the 14 weeks.
Mammary gene expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes and concentration of the mammalian lignan enterolactone in milk and plasma of dairy cows fed flax lignans and infused with flax oil in the abomasum
Authors: Côrtes Cristiano , Palin Marie-France , Gagnon Nathalie , Benchaar Chaouki , Lacasse Pierre , Petit Hélène V. 
Published: January 2012

The objectives of the study were to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of flax hulls and/or flax oil on the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)) in plasma and the mammary gland and the relative mRNA abundance of antioxidant genes in the mammary gland of dairy cows. A total of eight dairy cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. There were four treatments: control with no flax hulls (CONT), 9·88 % flax hulls in the DM (HULL), control with 500 g flax oil/d infused in the abomasum (COFO), 9·88 % flax hulls in the DM and 500 g flax oil/d infused in the abomasum (HUFO). Plasma GPX activity tended to decrease with flax oil supplementation. Cows fed HULL had higher levels of CAT, GPX1 and SOD1 mRNA in the mammary gland and lower mRNA abundance of GPX3, SOD2 and SOD3 compared with those fed CONT. Abundance of CAT, GPX1, GPX3, SOD2 and SOD3 mRNA was down-regulated in the mammary gland of cows fed HUFO compared to those fed CONT. The mRNA abundance of CAT, GPX1, GPX3 and SOD3 was lower in the mammary gland of cows fed COFO than in the mammary gland of cows fed CONT. The present study demonstrates that flax hulls contribute to increasing the abundance of some antioxidant genes, which can contribute to protecting against oxidative stress damage occurring in the mammary gland and other tissues of dairy cows.
How do Older Masters Athletes Account for their Performance Preservation? A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: DIONIGI RYLEE A. , HORTON SEAN , BAKER JOSEPH 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to examine how older people make sense of their capacity to maintain sports performance. Performance maintenance is predominantly examined from a quantitative perspective, with little attention given to how people themselves account for it. We interviewed 44 competitors (23 females, 21 males) from the 2009 Sydney World Masters Games (aged 56–90 years; mean = 72 years). The major themes were: ‘Use it or lose it’ (performance preservation required specific ‘training’ and the continuation of general physical activity); ‘Adapt’/‘modify’ (participants compensated for their decline in speed, strength and endurance so they could continue competing in sport); ‘It's in my genes’ (participants attributed their ‘family history’ and/or innate ‘determination’ to performance maintenance); and ‘I like to push myself’ (participants valued improved performance, pushing their bodies and winning which motivated them to continually train and compete). The findings are discussed within a framework of three key performance maintenance theories: (a) preserved differentiation, (b) selective maintenance and (c) compensation. Although compensation and continued training are effective ways to counter decline in later life, this study extends past research by showing how older athletes tend to combine and/or generalise stable and unstable attributes of performance preservation. In particular, this research highlights the importance individuals and Western society place on self-responsibility for health, competition and performance maintenance, which act as key motivating factors.
How do older people describe others with cognitive impairment? A multiethnic study in the United States
Authors: LADITKA SARAH B. , LADITKA JAMES N. , LIU RUI , PRICE ANNA E. , FRIEDMAN DANIELA B. , WU BEI , BRYANT LUCINDA L. , CORWIN SARA J. , IVEY SUSAN L. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTWe studied how older people describe others with cognitive impairment. Forty-two focus groups represented African Americans, American Indians, Chinese Americans, Latinos, Vietnamese Americans, and Whites other than Latinos (Whites) (N = 396, ages 50+), in nine locations in the United States of America. Axial coding connected categories and identified themes. The constant comparison method compared themes across ethnic groups. African Americans, American Indians and Whites emphasised memory loss. African Americans, American Indians, Latinos and Whites stressed withdrawal, isolation and repetitive speech. African Americans, American Indians, Vietnamese Americans and Whites emphasised ‘slow thinking’. Only Whites described mood swings and personality changes. Many participants attributed dementia to stress. Terms describing others with dementia included ‘Alzheimer's’, ‘dementia’, ‘senile’ and ‘crazy’. Euphemisms were common (‘senior moment’, ‘old timer's disease’). Responses focused on memory, with limited mention of other cognitive functions. Differences among ethnic groups in descriptions of cognitive health and cognitive impairment underscore the need to tailor public health messages about cognitive health to ways that people construe its loss, and to their interest in maintaining it, so that messages and terms used are familiar, understandable and relevant to the groups for which they are designed. Health promotion efforts should develop ethnically sensitive ways to address the widely held misperception that even serious cognitive impairment is a normal characteristic of ageing and also to address stigma associated with cognitive impairment.
Source attribution of human campylobacteriosis using a meta-analysis of case-control studies of sporadic infections
Authors: DOMINGUES A. R. , PIRES S. M. , HALASA T. , HALD T. 
Published: January 2012

SUMMARYCampylobacterspp. is a widespread and important cause of human illness worldwide. Disease is frequently associated with foodborne transmission, but other routes of exposure, such as direct contact with live animals and person-to-person transmission, are also recognized. Identifying the most important sources of human disease is essential for prioritizing food safety interventions and setting public health goals. Numerous case-control studies of sporadic infections of campylobacteriosis have been published. These studies investigated a variety of potential risk factors for disease, often using different methodologies and settings. Systematic reviews (SRs) consist of a formal process for literature review focused on a specific research question, and include the identification of relevant literature, quality assessment of relevant studies, summarization or statistical analysis of data, and conclusions. With the objective of identifying the most important risk factors for human sporadic campylobacteriosis, we performed a SR of case-control studies of human sporadic cases and a meta-analysis of the obtained results. A combined SR focusing onSalmonellaandCampylobacterstudies was performed and the results analysed separately. From 1295 identified references, 131 passed the relevance screening, 73 passed the quality assessment stage, and data was extracted from 72 studies. Of these, 38 focused on campylobacteriosis. Information on exposures of cases and controls, and estimated odds ratios for investigated risk factors were collected and analysed. In the meta-analysis, heterogeneity between the studies and possible sources of bias were investigated, and pooled odds ratios for identified risk factors were estimated. Results suggest that travelling abroad, eating undercooked chicken, environmental sources, and direct contact with farm animals were significant risk factors for campylobacteriosis. Sub-analyses by geographical region, age group, and study period were performed, and differences were discussed.
Spatial and temporal patterns in antimicrobial resistance ofSalmonellaTyphimurium in cattle in England and Wales
Authors: COX R. , SU T. , CLOUGH H. , WOODWARD M. J. , SHERLOCK C. 
Published: January 2012

SUMMARYSalmonellais the second most commonly reported human foodborne pathogen in England and Wales, and antimicrobial-resistant strains ofSalmonellaare an increasing problem in both human and veterinary medicine. In this work we used a generalized linear spatial model to estimate the spatial and temporal patterns of antimicrobial resistance inSalmonellaTyphimurium in England and Wales. Of the antimicrobials considered we found a common peak in the probability that anS. Typhimurium incident will show resistance to a given antimicrobial in late spring and in mid to late autumn; however, for one of the antimicrobials (streptomycin) there was a sharp drop, over the last 18 months of the period of investigation, in the probability of resistance. We also found a higher probability of resistance in North Wales which is consistent across the antimicrobials considered. This information contributes to our understanding of the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance inSalmonella.
Lung and pleural fibrosis in asbestos-exposed workers: a risk factor for pneumonia mortality
Authors: VEHMAS T. , PALLASAHO P. , OKSA P. 
Published: January 2012

SUMMARYLungs exposed to occupational dust may be especially vulnerable to fatal infections. We followed up asbestos-exposed workers (n=590) originally screened for lung cancer with computed tomography and scored for pleuropulmonary fibrosis. We checked these workers' influenza and pneumonia mortality data (ICD-10 codes J10–J18) in the national register. In total, 191 deaths, including 43 deaths from infectious pneumonia, occurred in 6158 person-years of follow-up (mean follow-up time 10·44 years). ‘Some interstitial fibrosis’ [hazard ratio (HR) 2·26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·98–5·19, P=0·06] and ‘definite interstitial fibrosis’ (HR 3·70, 95% CI 1·22–11·23, P=0·02) were associated with an increased risk of death from pneumonia compared to no fibrosis. Asbestosis patients, i.e. those with both asbestos exposure and lung fibrosis, therefore appear to be particularly at risk for death from pneumonia. These patients should be vaccinated against influenza and Pneumococcus.
Myeloproliferative disorders in older people
Authors: Osborne Wendy , Jones Gail L , Jackson Graham H , Marr Helen 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThe term myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) describes a group of conditions in which an intrinsic stem cell defect is present in the bone marrow. This leads to hypercellularity in one or more of the myeloid cell lines (red blood cells, platelets, granulocytes and their precursors), or increased bone marrow fibrosis. MPDs are rare; combined annual incidence is 6 per 100,000.MPDs may present in asymptomatic patients as an incidental finding, or may be associated with constitutional features such as weight loss, sweats or lethargy. Splenomegaly is common but lymphadenopathy is not a feature. The most significant complications are: arterial thrombosis, venous thrombosis, secondary marrow fibrosis and transformation to acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML). Treatment aims to reduce the risk of such complications.Recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of these disorders have radically changed the approach to the diagnosis of MPD and are the focus of new treatment developments.
A New Basaltic Glass Microanalytical Reference Material for Multiple Techniques
Authors: Wilson Steve , Koenig Alan , Lowers Heather 
Published: January 2012

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been producing reference materials since the 1950s. Over 50 materials have been developed to cover bulk rock, sediment, and soils for the geological community. These materials are used globally in geochemistry, environmental, and analytical laboratories that perform bulk chemistry and/or microanalysis for instrument calibration and quality assurance testing. To answer the growing demand for higher spatial resolution and sensitivity, there is a need to create a new generation of microanalytical reference materials suitable for a variety of techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy/X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). As such, the microanalytical reference material (MRM) needs to be stable under the beam, be homogeneous at scales of better than 10–25 micrometers for the major to ultra-trace element level, and contain all of the analytes (elements or isotopes) of interest. Previous development of basaltic glasses intended for LA-ICP-MS has resulted in a synthetic basaltic matrix series of glasses (USGS GS-series) and a natural basalt series of glasses (BCR-1G, BHVO-2G, and NKT-1G). These materials have been useful for the LA-ICP-MS community but were not originally intended for use by the electron or ion beam community. A material developed from start to finish with intended use in multiple microanalytical instruments would be useful for inter-laboratory and inter-instrument platform comparisons.This article summarizes the experiments undertaken to produce a basalt glass reference material suitable for distribution as a multiple-technique round robin material. The goal of the analytical work presented here is to demonstrate that the elemental homogeneity of the new glass is acceptable for its use as a reference material. Because the round robin exercise is still underway, only nominal compositional ranges for each element are given in the article.
Progress towards no-till organic weed control in western Canada
Authors: Shirtliffe Steven J. , Johnson Eric N. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractOrganic farmers in western Canada rely on tillage to control weeds and incorporate crop residues that could plug mechanical weed-control implements. However, tillage significantly increases the risk of soil erosion. For farmers seeking to reduce or eliminate tillage, potential alternatives include mowing or using a roller crimper for terminating green manure crops (cover crops) or using a minimum tillage (min-till) rotary hoe for mechanically controlling weeds. Although many researchers have studied organic crop production in western Canada, few have studied no-till organic production practices. Two studies were recently conducted in Saskatchewan to determine the efficacy of the following alternatives to tillage: mowing and roller crimping for weed control, and min-till rotary hoeing weed control in field pea (Pisum sativum L.). The first study compared mowing and roller crimping with tillage when terminating faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and field pea green manure crops. Early termination of annual green manure crops with roller crimping or mowing resulted in less weed regrowth compared with tillage. When compared with faba bean, field pea produced greater crop biomass, suppressed weeds better and had less regrowth. Wheat yields following pea were not affected by the method of termination. Thus, this first study indicated that roller crimping and mowing are viable alternatives to tillage to terminate field pea green manure crops. The second study evaluated the tolerance and efficacy of a min-till rotary harrow in no-till field pea production. The min-till rotary hoe was able to operate in no-till cereal residues and multiple passes did not affect the level of residue cover. Field pea exhibited excellent tolerance to the min-till rotary hoe. Good weed control occurred with multiple rotary hoe passes, and pea seed yield was 87% of the yield obtained in the herbicide-treated check. Therefore, this second study demonstrated that min-till rotary hoeing effectively controls many small seeded annual weeds in the presence of crop residue and thus can reduce the need for tillage in organic-cropping systems.
The role of riparian buffer management in reducing off-site impacts from grazed dairy systems
Authors: Aarons Sharon R. , Gourley Cameron J. P. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAgriculture in general and intensive animal production in particular can degrade the environment, especially as a consequence of the overuse of nutrients. Intensively grazed dairy systems, defined by the presence of foraging animals in the landscape, are often considered a more benign approach to dairy production with perceived smaller impacts due to the reduced requirement for manure disposal. However, grazing dairy cows contribute nutrients and pathogens in excreta, and sediment through landscape deformation. These impacts can dramatically increase in parts of the farm such as feeding, watering and sacrifice areas, laneways and night paddocks where animals are concentrated and spend a disproportionate amount of time. Other practices such as the disposal of dairy shed or dairy factory effluent and cultivation of fodder crops can also pollute the environment. A common approach to reduce nutrient, pathogen and sediment losses from dairy farms is to establish buffer zones in riparian areas that act as an interface between upland land use and waterways. This is generally done by fencing riparian areas to exclude stock and revegetating with understory and overstory species, with the aim of increasing infiltration, trapping sediment and decreasing contaminant losses from upland pastures. However, poorly designed and managed riparian areas may themselves contribute to further environmental degradation. Rarely is an integrated approach, including factors such as animal behavior and dairy farm management practices, as well as an analysis of landscape and riparian hydrology used in developing riparian management recommendations for individual farms. This paper reviews the threats posed by intensively grazed dairy systems, approaches to improve riparian zone management and recommends future research needs.