Size-dependent vibronic coupling in α-Fe₂O₃

O'Neal, K. R.,Patete, J. M.,Chen, P.,Holinsworth, B. S.,Smith, J. M.,Lee, N.,Cheong, S.-W.,Wong, Stanislaus S.,Marques, C.,Aronson, M. C.,Musfeldt, J. L. American Institute of Physics 2014 The Journal of chemical physics Vol.141 No.4

<P>We report the discovery of finite length scale effects on vibronic coupling in nanoscale alpha-Fe2O3 as measured by the behavior of vibronically activated d-d on-site excitations of Fe3+ as a function of size and shape. An oscillator strength analysis reveals that the frequency of the coupled symmetry-breaking phonon changes with size, a crossover that we analyze in terms of increasing three-dimensional character to the displacement pattern. These findings demonstrate the flexibility of mixing processes in confined systems and suggest a strategy for both enhancing and controlling charge-lattice interactions in other materials. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.</P>

Effects of Dietary Lycopene and Vitamin E on Egg Production, Antioxidant Status and Cholesterol Levels in Japanese Quail

N. Sahin,K. Sahin,M. Onderci,M. Karatepe,M. O. Smith,O. Kucuk 아세아·태평양축산학회 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.2

Japanese Quails were used to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin E (dl-a-tocopheryl-acetate), lycopene, and their combination on egg production, egg quality, concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin E, A and cholesterol in serum and egg yolk. Quails (n = 120; 55 d old) were divided into four groups (n = 30/group) and fed a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with lycopene (100 mg/kg diet), vitamin E (250 mg dl-慣-tocopheryl-acetate/kg diet) or a combination of lycopene and vitamin E (100 mg/kg lycopene plus 250 mg dl-慣-tocopheryl-acetate/kg diet). Vitamin E and lycopene did not affect (p>0.05) body weight, feed intake or egg weight. Egg production and Haugh unit were greater (p<0.05) in each supplemental group compared with the control group (p<0.05). Serum and liver MDA levels were decreased in supplemented groups compared with the control group. Separately or as a combination, supplemental lycopene and vitamin E increased serum and egg yolk vitamin E and A but decreased cholesterol concentrations (p<0.05). In general, when a significant effect was found for a parameter, the magnitude of the responses to vitamin and lycopene supplements was greatest with the combination of the lycopene and vitamin E, rather than that observed with each supplement separately. Results of the present study indicate that supplementing with a combination of dietary lycopene and vitamin E reduced serum and yolk cholesterol concentrations and improved antioxidant status.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern and Molecular Typing By PCR-RAPD Analysis of Clinical and Environmental Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

O. B. Oluborode,S.I. Smith,T.A. Seriki,M. Fowora,A. Ajayi,A.O. Coker 한국미생물·생명공학회 2018 한국미생물·생명공학회지 Vol.46 No.4

Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounts for a significant proportion of nosocomial infections. This study examined the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and clonal relatedness of P. aeruginosa isolates of clinical and environmental origin. These isolates displayed susceptibility to levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, imipenem, and ceftazidime of 65.0%, 62.5%, 90.0%, 100%, and 85%, respectively. PCR-RAPD analysis of the P. aeruginosa isolates revealed marked variation. No correlation was observed between the antibiotic resistance profiles and the DNA typing patterns.

Radiation dosing in the investigation and follow-up of urolithiasis: Comparison between historical and contemporary practices

Dermot O'Kane,Frank T D'Arcy,Nathan Papa,Neil Smith,Scott McClintock,Nathan Lawrentschuk,Damien M Bolton 대한비뇨의학회 2016 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.57 No.2

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard imaging modality for the diagnosis and follow-up of urolithiasis. Before the use of CT, intravenous urography (IVU) was the imaging modality of choice. CT remains contentious because of the cancer risk related to radiation exposure above a threshold level. We aimed to compare the radiation exposure dose to the average patient with urolithiasis in the era of CT with that of IVU. Materials and Methods: Our hospital medical records database was searched for patients who presented to the Emergency Department over a 1-month period in 1990 with a diagnosis of renal colic. Patients with the same presentation, from the same month, in 2013 were also identified. A total of 14 patients from each year fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The estimated effective radiation exposure dose for each patient was calculated by using data from population-based studies. Results: The median effective radiation dose per patient in the 1990 group, for initial diagnosis and subsequent follow-up, was 4.05 mSv (interquartile range [IQR], 3.7–4.4 mSv). The corresponding median dose in the 2013 group was 4.2 mSv (IQR, 4.2–4.9 mSv), and there was no evidence of a statistical difference between the groups (p=0.8). Conclusions: Despite the contentiousness related to the use of serial CT scanning, our study demonstrated that for radiological investigation and follow-up of urolithiasis, the estimated effective radiation exposure dose to each patient is only marginally higher than in the era of IVU, with improvements in length of hospital stay and time to definitive diagnosis.

Multicarbohydrase Enzymes for Non-ruminants

Masey O'Neill, H.V.,Smith, J.A.,Bedford, M.R. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.2

The first purpose of this review is to outline some of the background information necessary to understand the mechanisms of action of fibre-degrading enzymes in non-ruminants. Secondly, the well-known and understood mechanisms are described, i) eliminating the nutrient encapsulating effect of the cell wall and ii) ameliorating viscosity problems associated with certain Non Starch Polysaccharides, particularly arabinoxylans and ${\beta}$-glucans. A third, indirect mechanism is then discussed: the activity of such enzymes in producing prebiotic oligosaccharides and promoting beneficial cecal fermentation. The literature contains a wealth of information on various non starch polysaccharide degrading enzyme (NSPase) preparations and this review aims to conclude by discussing this body of work, with reference to the above mechanisms. It is suggested that the way in which multi- versus single-component products are compared is often flawed and that some continuity should be employed in methods and terminology.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern and Molecular Typing By PCR-RAPD Analysis of Clinical and Environmental Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Oluborode, O.B.,Smith, S.I.,Seriki, T.A.,Fowora, M.,Ajayi, A.,Coker, A.O. The Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnol 2018 한국미생물·생명공학회지 Vol.46 No.4

Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounts for a significant proportion of nosocomial infections. This study examined the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and clonal relatedness of P. aeruginosa isolates of clinical and environmental origin. These isolates displayed susceptibility to levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, imipenem, and ceftazidime of 65.0%, 62.5%, 90.0%, 100%, and 85%, respectively. PCR-RAPD analysis of the P. aeruginosa isolates revealed marked variation. No correlation was observed between the antibiotic resistance profiles and the DNA typing patterns.

Utilization of Vertebroplasty/ Kyphoplasty in the Management of Compression Fractures: National Trends and Predictors of Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty

Brannan E. O’Neill,Jamila A. Godil,Spencer Smith,Ali I. Rae,Christina H. Wright,James M. Wright,Donald A. Ross,Josiah N. Orina,Jesse J. Liu,Clifford Lin,Travis C. Philipp,Jonathan Kark,Jung U. Yoo,Won 대한척추신경외과학회 2023 Neurospine Vol.20 No.4

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the utilization of kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty procedures in the management of compression fractures. With the growing elderly population and the associated increase in rates of osteoporosis, vertebral compression fractures have become a daily encounter for spine surgeons. However, there remains a lack of consensus on the optimal management of this patient population. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 91 million longitudinally followed patients from 2016 to 2019 was performed using the PearlDiver Patient Claims Database. Patients with compression fractures were identified using International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision codes, and a subset of patients who received kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty were identified using Common Procedural Terminology codes. Baseline demographic and clinical data between groups were acquired. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of receiving kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty. Results: A total of 348,457 patients with compression fractures were identified with 9.2% of patients receiving kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty as their initial treatment. Of these patients, 43.5% underwent additional kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty 30 days after initial intervention. Patients receiving kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty were significantly older (72.2 vs. 67.9, p < 0.05), female, obese, had active smoking status and had higher Elixhauser Comorbidity Index scores. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that female sex, smoking status, and obesity were the 3 strongest predictors of receiving kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty (odds ratio, 1.27, 1.24, and 1.14, respectively). The annual rate of kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty did not change significantly (range, 8%–11%). Conclusion: The majority of vertebral compression fractures are managed nonoperatively. However, certain patient factors such as smoking status, obesity, female sex, older age, osteoporosis, and greater comorbidities are predictors of undergoing kyphoplasty/vertebroplasty.

Insights on co-creation in Mexico: challenges to its application of public-private partnerships

Kouassi Noé K.,Smith Heidi Jane M.,Huerta Cuervo Rocío 한국행정학회 2023 International Review of Public Administration Vol.28 No.2

Co-creation has captured the attention of policy makers and public administrators, not only in developed countries, but also in emer-ging countries. Its objective is to grant a more central role to citizens/users in the policy process to create public value. While the theory continues to be relatively dispersed in the academic literature, there have been few empirical studies evaluating its applicability in improving public management processes. This arti-cle challenges the concept of co-creation by providing an analysis of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Mexico. Theoretical reflec-tions indicate that co-creation can improve social profitability of projects by proving a participative solution to inefficiencies that are characterized by PPPs. However, the institutional and organiza-tional barriers that hinder a state’s development and progress to develop an effective bureaucracy are still prominent lacking, espe-cially in the developing country context, where corruption is pro-duce and not co-creation.

Functional cortical neurons and astrocytes from human pluripotent stem cells in 3D culture

Paş,ca, Anca M,Sloan, Steven A,Clarke, Laura E,Tian, Yuan,Makinson, Christopher D,Huber, Nina,Kim, Chul Hoon,Park, Jin-Young,O'Rourke, Nancy A,Nguyen, Khoa D,Smith, Stephen J,Huguenard, John R,Ge Nature Publishing Group 2015 NATURE METHODS Vol. No.

The human cerebral cortex develops through an elaborate succession of cellular events that, when disrupted, can lead to neuropsychiatric disease. The ability to reprogram somatic cells into pluripotent cells that can be differentiated in vitro provides a unique opportunity to study normal and abnormal corticogenesis. Here, we present a simple and reproducible 3D culture approach for generating a laminated cerebral cortex–like structure, named human cortical spheroids (hCSs), from pluripotent stem cells. hCSs contain neurons from both deep and superficial cortical layers and map transcriptionally to in vivo fetal development. These neurons are electrophysiologically mature, display spontaneous activity, are surrounded by nonreactive astrocytes and form functional synapses. Experiments in acute hCS slices demonstrate that cortical neurons participate in network activity and produce complex synaptic events. These 3D cultures should allow a detailed interrogation of human cortical development, function and disease, and may prove a versatile platform for generating other neuronal and glial subtypes in vitro.

Abundance of denitrification genes under different peizometer depths in four Irish agricultural groundwater sites.

Barrett, Maria,Jahangir, Mohammad M R,Lee, Changsoo,Smith, Cindy J,Bhreathnach, Niamh,Collins, Gavin,Richards, Karl G,O'Flaherty, Vincent Ecomed 2013 Environmental science and pollution research inter Vol.20 No.9

<P>This study examined the relationship between the abundance of bacterial denitrifiers in groundwater at four sites, differing with respect to overlaying land management and peizometer depth. Groundwater was sourced from 36 multilevel piezometers, which were installed to target different groundwater zones: (1) subsoil, (2) subsoil to bedrock interface, and (3) bedrock. The gene copy concentrations (GCCs), as gene copies per liter, for bacterial 16S rRNA genes and the denitrifying functional genes, nirK, nirS, and nosZ, were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. The results were related to gaseous nitrogen emissions and to the physicochemical properties of the four sites. Overall, nirK and nirS abundance appeared to show no significant correlation to N2O production (P?=?0.9989; P?=?0.3188); and no significant correlation was observed between nosZ and excess N2 concentrations (P?=?0.0793). In the majority of piezometers investigated, the variation of nirK and nirS gene copy concentrations was considered significant (P?<?0.0001). Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) decreased with aquifer depth and ranged from 1.0-4.0?mg?l(-1), 0.9-2.4?mg?l(-1), and 0.8-2.4?mg?l(-1) within piezometers located in the subsoil, subsoil/bedrock interface, and bedrock depths, respectively. The availability of increasing DOC and the depth of the water table were positively correlated with increasing nir and nosZ GCCs (P?=?0.0012). A significant temporal correlation was noted between nirS and piezometer depth (P?<?0.001). Interestingly, the nirK, nirS, and nosZ GCCs varied between piezometer depths within specific sites, while GCCs remained relatively constant from site to site, thus indicating no direct impact of agricultural land management strategies investigated on denitrifier abundance.</P>