bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Current state of knowledge: the canine gastrointestinal microbiome
Authors: Hooda Seema , Minamoto Yasushi , Suchodolski Jan S. , Swanson Kelly S. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractGastrointestinal (GI) microbes have important roles in the nutritional, immunological, and physiologic processes of the host. Traditional cultivation techniques have revealed bacterial density ranges from 104to 105colony forming units (CFU)/g in the stomach, from 105to 107CFU/g in the small intestine, and from 109to 1011CFU/g in the colon of healthy dogs. As a small number of bacterial species can be grown and studied in culture, however, progress was limited until the recent emergence of DNA-based techniques. In recent years, DNA sequencing technology and bioinformatics have allowed for better phylogenetic and functional/metabolic characterization of the canine gut microbiome. Predominant phyla include Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Studies using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene pyrosequencing have demonstrated spatial differences along the GI tract and among microbes adhered to the GI mucosa compared to those in intestinal contents or feces. Similar to humans, GI microbiome dysbiosis is common in canine GI diseases such as chronic diarrhea and inflammatory bowel diseases. DNA-based assays have also identified key pathogens contributing to such conditions, including variousClostridium,Campylobacter,Salmonella, andEscherichiaspp. Moreover, nutritionists have applied DNA-based techniques to study the effects of dietary interventions such as dietary fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics on the canine GI microbiome and associated health indices. Despite recent advances in the field, the canine GI microbiome is far from being fully characterized and a deeper characterization of the phylogenetic and functional/metabolic capacity of the GI microbiome in health and disease is needed. This paper provides an overview of recent studies performed to characterize the canine GI microbiome.
Structural dissimilarity of large-scale structures in turbulent flows over wavy walls
Authors: Zenklusen Adrian , Kuhn Simon , von Rohr Philipp Rudolf 
Published: May 2012

Turbulent flows over a wavy wall are investigated in channels with a wavy bottom and a flat top with different channel heights. Flow structures are determined from proper orthogonal decompositions of velocity fields measured with particle image velocimetry. Three different channel heights are considered, which are characterized by blockage ratios β (half channel height to wave amplitude ratio) 3.3, 6.7, and 10. Measurements are evaluated at comparable Reynolds numbers (Re) around 10 000. Structural similarity of large-scale structures, which is valid at β = 6.7 and 10, no longer holds at β = 3.3. Furthermore, characteristic regions of flows over wavy walls exhibit different locations in the case of the smallest channel height.
Accurate de novo structure prediction of large transmembrane protein domains using fragment-assembly and correlated mutation analysis
Authors: Nugent Timothy , Jones David T. 
Published: May 2012

A new de novo protein structure prediction method for transmembrane proteins (FILM3) is described that is able to accurately predict the structures of large membrane proteins domains using an ensemble of two secondary structure prediction methods to guide fragment selection in combination with a scoring function based solely on correlated mutations detected in multiple sequence alignments. This approach has been validated by generating models for 28 membrane proteins with a diverse range of complex topologies and an average length of over 300 residues with results showing that TM-scores > 0.5 can be achieved in almost every case following refinement using MODELLER. In one of the most impressive results, a model of mitochondrial cytochrome
c
oxidase polypeptide I was obtained with a TM-score > 0.75 and an rmsd of only 5.7 Å over all 514 residues. These results suggest that FILM3 could be applicable to a wide range of transmembrane proteins of as-yet-unknown 3D structure given sufficient homologous sequences.
Bilayer graphene anode for small molecular organic electroluminescence
Authors: Meng H , Dai Y , Ye Y , Luo J X , Shi Z J , Dai L , Qin G G 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
We demonstrate that bilayer graphene can be used as the anode of a small molecule organic light-emitting diode (OLED). In our OLEDs, bilayer graphene was used as the anode, Sm/Au as the cathode and Alq3 as the emitter. By applying Cs2CO3-doped 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline to partly substitute Alq3 as the electron injection and transport layer, the electron current injected from Sm/Au was enhanced to match the hole current injected from the bilayer graphene anode and consequently improved the light emission efficiency. The maxima of luminance efficiency and power efficiency reached 1.18 cd A−1 and 0.41 lm W−1, respectively. We think that the efficiency of the bilayer graphene anode OLED can be further optimized by finding a more efficient electron injection and transport layer and/or reducing the hole density of the graphene anode.
Characteristics of metal-induced crystallization/dopant activation and its application to junction diodes on single-crystalline silicon
Authors: Jung Woo-Shik , Park Jin-Hong , Jung Hyun-Wook , Saraswat Krishna C 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
In this work, we investigated the effect of p- and n-type dopant atoms (boron and phosphorus) on two- and one-step Ni metal-induced crystallization (MIC) of amorphous Si in the aspects of crystallization rate and crystal quality with XRD, SIMS and sheet resistance measurements. The two- and one-step MIC techniques were first applied to fabricate p+/n and n+/p junction diodes on single-crystalline Si substrates below 500 °C and we compared those with the diodes formed by the solid phase crystallization technique at 750 °C, in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the low-temperature MIC junction diodes for source/drain of p- and n-channel single-crystalline Si TFTs.
Microwave excitation of submerged plasma bubbles
Authors: Gidalevich E , Boxman R L 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Steady-state models were formulated for spherical plasma bubbles, excited in water by an external microwave radiation source. The bubbles were assumed to be at rest relative to the surrounding water, and the energy absorbed by the plasma was balanced by energy loss through thermal conductance and convection to the surrounding water. Two regimes were considered: (1) bubbles with radii R less than the skin depth δ, i.e. R < δ, and (2) bubbles with R > δ. A self-consistent system of equations was formulated. In the R < δ case, a considerable difference was found between electron temperature and the temperature of the heavy plasma components, but this difference decreased with increasing radius. The calculations showed that the bubble radius decreased with increasing electric field amplitude, but R in the R > δ case obtained for strong electric fields was larger than in the R < δ weak field case. The R > δ bubbles had an isothermal core and power from the microwave field was absorbed in a relatively thin layer in the plasma bubble.
Direct observation of keyhole plasma characteristics in deep penetration laser welding of aluminum alloy 6016
Authors: Jin Xiangzhong , Zeng Licheng , Cheng Yuanyong 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Deep penetration laser welding is associated with violent plasma generation which consists of metal vapour, ionized ions and electrons. The plasma resides both outside and inside the keyhole, known as the plasma plume and keyhole plasma, respectively. Plasma plumes have been studied extensively due to the convenience of observing them. However, very little work has been carried out on the investigation of keyhole plasmas. In this paper, a novel experimental set-up is designed to observe the keyhole plasma directly in CW and PW deep penetration laser welding of aluminum alloy 6016. Then on the basis of the experimentally obtained spectra, the electron temperature distribution of the keyhole plasma both in the radial and depth directions of the keyhole is calculated, and the effects of processing parameters such as laser power, welding velocity and defocus on the keyhole plasma temperature are studied. The results show that the electron temperature of the keyhole plasma both in the radial and depth directions is not uniformly distributed. The temperature increases as the laser power increases, decreases as the welding velocity increases and decreases as the location of the laser beam focal point is moved from within to above the keyhole.
ZnO/Cu2O heterostructure nanopillar arrays: synthesis, structural and optical properties
Authors: Guerguerian Gariné , Elhordoy Fernando , Pereyra Carlos J , Marotti Ricardo E , Martín Francisco , Leinen Dietmar , Ramos-Barrado José R , Dalchiele Enrique A 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Vertically aligned ZnO/Cu2O heterostructure nanopillar arrays consisting of a ZnO core and a Cu2O shell were fabricated by a two-step electrochemical deposition method. Morphological, structural and optical properties of the nanopillar heterojunctions were investigated. The surface of the single-crystalline ZnO nanopillars was coated uniformly, conformally and densely over the entire nanopillar length by numerous Cu2O nanocrystals (25–35 nm mean diameter), constituting a conformal shell layer 90 nm thick, integrating these two materials into an electronically intimate composite. The optical properties can be interpreted, by appropriate fittings of each feature, as being due to the properties of the bare ZnO nanopillar array plus the increased absorption of Cu2O. This study demonstrates that electrodeposition is a suitable and accessible technique for large-scale fabrication of nanopillar heterostructures and to achieve conformal coverage of nanostructured samples.
Alcohol licensing in Scotland: a historical overview
Authors: Nicholls James 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTAim  This paper provides a historical overview of licensing law in Scotland. It seeks to put important contemporary policy developments into their historical context and to draw attention to key themes in licensing policy debates across the United Kingdom.Design  Based on a survey of statutes, commissions of enquiry and consumption and retail data, this paper draws together historical evidence to present a synopsis of Scottish licensing history.Settings  The article focuses on Scotland, but also discusses UK‐wide licensing policy over a 250‐year period.Findings  Scottish licensing has diverged from licensing in England and Wales and has addressed some historical licensing weaknesses, including problems of accountability, overprovision and systemic oversight regarding off‐sales. Distinctive features of current Scottish legislation include public health protection as a statutory licensing objective; local Licensing Forums and Licensing Standards Officers; a requirement for explicit policies on the ‘overprovision’ of licensed premises; mandatory restrictions on price promotions in the on‐ and off‐trades; and limitations on opening hours for off‐licences.Conclusion  Scotland has developed alcohol policies several times addressing long‐standing licensing weaknesses throughout the United Kingdom. Some Scottish alcohol policies have later become the norm in England and Wales.
Endogenous oestradiol as a positive correlate of plasma fibrinogen among older postmenopausal women: a population‐based study (the Three‐City cohort study)
Authors: Canonico Marianne , Brailly‐Tabard Sylvie , Gaussem Pascale , Setiao Julie , Rouaud Olivier , Ryan Joanne , Carcaillon Laure , Guiochon‐Mantel Anne , Scarabin Pierre‐Yves 
Published: May 2012

SummaryBackgroundPlasma fibrinogen is a strong predictor of ischaemic arterial disease in women. Sex steroid hormones including hormone therapy may play an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease. However, whether endogenous sex steroid hormones influence the plasma fibrinogen concentrations among postmenopausal women remains unclear.ObjectivesTo investigate the association of plasma fibrinogen levels with endogenous sex steroid hormones and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) among postmenopausal women.MethodsWe used data from the French prospective Three‐City cohort study that included 9294 noninstitutionalized men and women over 65 years of age. Total 17β‐oestradiol (E2, pg/ml), total testosterone (T, ng/ml), SHBG (nm) and fibrinogen (g/l) were measured in stored plasmas in a subcohort of 602 randomly selected postmenopausal women who used neither hormone medication nor anticoagulation therapy. Multivariate linear regression models were used to estimate the regression coefficients assessed in fibrinogen unit by 1 SD increase in log‐distribution of sex steroid hormones and SHBG.ResultsE2 but neither T nor SHBG was positively associated with plasma fibrinogen levels (β = 0·148, P < 0·001). Adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes made no substantial change to the results (β = 0·145, P < 0·001). The association of fibrinogen with E2 was stronger among women with body mass index over 25 kg/m2 compared with those with normal weight (β = 0·156, P < 0·001 and β = 0·092, P = 0·02, respectively, P for interaction = 0·04).ConclusionE2 emerges as a positive and independent correlate of plasma fibrinogen among postmenopausal women, especially in subjects who are overweight. These findings suggest a deleterious effect of endogenous oestrogens on cardiovascular risk profile among postmenopausal women.
Prevalence of depression in adults with haemophilia
Authors: Iannone M. , Pennick L. , Tom A. , Cui H. , Gilbert M. , Weihs K. , Stopeck A. T. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryMultiple factors place adults with haemophilia at risk for depression. Health outcomes can be compromised in depressed patients secondary to increased risk taking behaviour and poor compliance with treatment recommendations. To assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with depression in adult patients with haemophilia treated at a haemophilia treatment centre. Adults with haemophilia were screened for depression during their annual clinic visit using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ‐9), a validated tool for depression screening in adults. Depression was defined as a PHQ‐9 score ≥ 5. Risk factors associated with depression were collected by chart review and correlated with depression scores. A total of 41 adult patients consented to the study and 37% met criteria for depression. Fifty‐three per cent of patients with depression reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression (PHQ‐9 score >10). Seventy‐six per cent of patients with depression reported suffering functional impairment due to their depressive symptoms. Lack of social support and unemployment were significantly associated with higher PHQ‐9 scores (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01 respectively). Adult patients with haemophilia have a high prevalence of depression. The addition of depression screening to the comprehensive care of adults with haemophilia may result in improved overall health outcomes and treatment adherence.
Nurse–physician communication concerning artificial nutrition or hydration (ANH) in patients with dementia: a qualitative study
Authors: Bryon Els , Gastmans Chris , de Casterlé Bernadette Dierckx 
Published: May 2012

Aims and objectives.  To explore nurses’ experiences with nurse–physician communication during artificial nutrition or hydration (ANH) decision‐making in hospitalised patients with dementia.Background.  Artificial nutrition or hydration decision‐making often occurs in patients with dementia. Effective communication between professionals is extremely challenging in this population, because these patients are unable to communicate their treatment wishes.Design.  Qualitative interview design.Methods.  Between April 2008 and June 2009, we conducted 21 interviews with nurses from nine different hospitals geographically spread throughout Flanders (Belgium). Interviews were audiotaped and later transcribed. Data processing involved (1) simultaneous and systematic data collection and analysis, (2) constant forwards–backwards wave, (3) continuous dialogue with the data and (4) interactive team processes.Results.  The interviews showed that communication with physicians is the central instrument the nurses used in their attempts to realise their perception of ‘the best possible care’. From the nurses’ perspective, we distinguished three mutually connected factors that affected the effectiveness of nurse–physician communication during artificial nutrition or hydration decision‐making: the physicians’ attitude towards the nurses, the nurses’ attitude towards the physicians and the forms of communication used by the nurses. The complex interaction between these three factors resulted in a range of nurses’ perceptions, varying from positive to negative. The direction of their perceptions depended on the extent to which they succeeded or failed to use nurse–physician communication as an instrument to realise the ‘best care’.Conclusion.  Nurse–physician communication was the most important instrument determining whether nurses succeeded or failed to actively act as a patient’s representative and whether nurses achieved the best possible care in co‐operation with physicians.Relevance to clinical practice.  To reach optimal care and nurse job satisfaction, nurse–physician communication during artificial nutrition or hydration decision‐making should be an open dialogue characterised by mutual respect and understanding.
Psychometric evaluation of a new instrument to measure disease self‐management of the early stage chronic kidney disease patients
Authors: Lin Chiu‐Chu , Wu Chia‐Chen , Wu Li‐Min , Chen Hsing‐Mei , Chang Shu‐Chen 
Published: May 2012

Aims and objectives.  This study aims to develop a valid and reliable chronic kidney disease self‐management instrument (CKD‐SM) for assessing early stage chronic kidney disease patients’ self‐management behaviours.Background.  Enhancing early stage chronic kidney disease patients’ self‐management plays a key role in delaying the progression of chronic kidney disease. Healthcare provider understanding of early stage chronic kidney disease patients’ self‐management behaviours can help develop effective interventions. A valid and reliable instrument for measuring chronic kidney disease patients’ self‐management behaviours is needed.Design.  A cross‐sectional descriptive study collected data for principal components analysis with oblique rotation.Methods.  Mandarin‐ or Taiwanese‐speaking adults with chronic kidney disease (n = 252) from two medical centres and one regional hospital in Southern Taiwan completed the CKD‐SM. Construct validity was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were estimated by Cronbach’s alpha and Pearson correlation coefficients.Results.  Four factors were extracted and labelled self‐integration, problem‐solving, seeking social support and adherence to recommended regimen. The four factors accounted for 60·51% of the total variance. Each factor showed acceptable internal reliability with Cronbach’s alpha from 0·77–0·92. The test–retest correlations for the CKD‐SM was 0·72.Conclusion.  The psychometric quality of the CKD‐SM instrument was satisfactory. Research to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis to further validate this new instrument’s construct validity is recommended.Relevance to clinical practice.  The CKD‐SM instrument is useful for clinicians who wish to identify the problems with self‐management among chronic kidney disease patients early. Self‐management assessment will be helpful to develop intervention tailored to the needs of the chronic kidney disease population.
Young people with depression and their satisfaction with the quality of care they receive from a primary care youth mental health service: a qualitative study
Authors: McCann Terence V , Lubman Dan I 
Published: May 2012

Aim.  To examine how satisfied young people with depression are with the quality of care they receive from clinicians of a primary care service for young people with mental health problems.Background.  There is a high prevalence of youth depression, but few studies have been undertaken to examine whether young people are satisfied with the care they receive in primary care youth mental health services.Design.  Qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis.Method.  Individual, semi‐structured, in‐depth, audio‐recorded interviews were carried out between March and September 2009. A purposive sample of 26 young people with depression, average age 18 years, were recruited through clinicians of a primary care service for young people with mental health problems, in Melbourne.Results.  Three overlapping themes highlight youth participants’ satisfaction with care: First, clinicians being youth‐friendly, highlights how, overall, clinicians are perceived as approachable and supportive, understanding and non‐judgemental. Second, clinicians adopting a broad‐based style of care illustrates that their use primarily of psychosocial therapies, and the judicious use of antidepressant medication, is received favourably by youth. Third, care facilitating recovery highlights that clinicians’ youth‐friendly and broad‐based approach enables a therapeutic dialogue to be established with the young people, contributing to recovery from depression; recovery, in turn, enhances satisfaction with clinicians.Conclusion.  Youth‐friendliness is an important expectation of mental health nurses and other clinicians within the youth service. This engagement style provides a useful framework for clinicians to adopt a broad‐based approach to care. Ultimately, care should facilitate recovery from depression, and this strengthens satisfaction with mental health nurses and other clinicians.Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings make an important contribution to knowledge and research in mental health nursing. In particular, youth‐friendliness is an important prerequisite for continuing engagement with services, and a broad‐based approach to care should be adopted.
Diversification and phylogeographic structure in widespread Azteca plant‐ants from the northern Neotropics
Authors: PRINGLE ELIZABETH G. , RAMÍREZ SANTIAGO R. , BONEBRAKE TIMOTHY C. , GORDON DEBORAH M. , DIRZO RODOLFO 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe Neotropical myrmecophytic tree Cordia alliodora hosts symbiotic Azteca ants in most of its widespread range. The taxonomy of the genus Azteca is notoriously difficult, which has frequently obscured species identity in ecological studies. We used sequence data from one mitochondrial and four nuclear loci to infer phylogenetic relationships, patterns of geographic distribution, and timing of diversification for 182 colonies of five C. alliodora‐dwelling Azteca species from Mexico to Colombia. All morphological species were recovered as monophyletic, but we identified at least five distinct genetic lineages within the most abundant and specialized species, Azteca pittieri. Mitochondrial and nuclear data were concordant at the species level, but not within species. Divergence time analyses estimated that C. alliodora‐dwelling Azteca shared a common ancestor approximately 10–22 million years ago, prior to the proposed arrival of the host tree in Middle America. Diversification in A. pittieri occurred in the Pleistocene and was not correlated with geographic distance, which suggests limited historical gene flow among geographically restricted populations. This contrasts with the previously reported lack of phylogeographic structure at this spatial scale in the host tree. Climatic niches, and particularly precipitation‐related variables, did not overlap between the sites occupied by northern and southern lineages of A. pittieri. Together, these results suggest that restricted gene flow among ant populations may facilitate local adaptation to environmental heterogeneity. Differences in population structure between the ants and their host trees may profoundly affect the evolutionary dynamics of this widespread ant–plant mutualism.