bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation of Methods in Small‐Scale Safety and Thermal Testing of Improvised Explosives
Authors: Sandstrom Mary M. , Brown Geoffrey W. , Preston Daniel N. , Pollard Colin J. , Warner Kirstin F. , Sorensen Daniel N. , Remmers Daniel L. , Phillips Jason J. , Shelley Timothy J. , Reyes Jose A. , Hsu Peter C. , Reynolds John G.
Published: September 2014

One of the first steps in establishing safe handling procedures for explosives is small‐scale safety and thermal (SSST) testing. To better understand the response of homemade or improvised explosives (HMEs) to SSST testing, 16 HME materials were compared to three standard military explosives in a proficiency‐type round robin study among five laboratories, two U.S. Department of Defense and three U.S. Department of Energy, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security, Science & Technology Directorate, Explosives Division. The testing included impact, friction, electrostatic discharge (ESD) and thermal. The testing matrix was designed to address problems encountered with improvised materials: powder mixtures, liquid suspensions, partially wetted solids, immiscible liquids, and reactive materials. All testing materials and/or precursors came from the same batch distributed to each of the participants and were handled, pretreated, and mixed by standardized procedures. For this proficiency test, the participants had similar equipment, usually differing by vintage. This allowed for a direct comparison of the results from each participant to the average of the results from all the participants. Some general trends observed for each series of tests were: (1) Drop hammer – LLNL usually found the materials less sensitive than the average with materials that have high sensitivity to impact and LANL usually found the materials less sensitive than the average with materials that have high sensitivity to impact; (2) friction – LLNL found the materials less sensitive than the average; (3) and ESD – IHD usually found the materials less sensitive than the average. In this report, the proficiency test data from all the participants is compared and contrasted for impact, selected friction, and ESD testing. Other friction and thermal data will be addressed elsewhere as well as the statistical analysis of several repeated measurements on the proficiency test standards.
In vitro Combinatory Antimicrobial Effect of Plumbagin with Oxacillin and Tetracycline against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Rondevaldova Johana , Novy Pavel , Kokoska Ladislav
Published: September 2014

Plumbagin (5‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone), a bicyclic naphthoquinone naturally distributed among Plumbago species, has been reported to have antimicrobial activity against a wide range of microorganisms. In this study, plumbagin was examined for its combinatory antimicrobial effect with tetracycline or oxacillin against nine strains of Staphylococcus aureus, including its methicillin‐ and multidrug‐resistant strains. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined through the broth microdilution method, whereas the combinatory effect was evaluated according to the sum of fractional inhibitory concentration (ΣFIC) indices. Additive interactions were obtained for both combinations against most of the strains tested. Synergy was obtained for combination with oxacillin against two out of seven strains (ΣFIC range 0.273–0.281), both were methicillin resistant. Our results proved plumbagin as a compound suitable for anti‐Staphylococcal combinatory testing. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of plumbagin synergy with oxacillin against S. aureus strains, including its resistant forms. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rheology of peptide‐ and protein‐based physical hydrogels: Are everyday measurements just scratching the surface?
Authors: Sathaye Sameer , Mbi Armstrong , Sonmez Cem , Chen Yingchao , Blair Daniel L. , Schneider Joel P. , Pochan Darrin J.
Published: September 2014

Rheological characterization of physically crosslinked peptide‐ and protein‐based hydrogels is widely reported in the literature. In this review, we focus on solid injectable hydrogels, which are commonly referred to as ‘shear‐thinning and rehealing’ materials. This class of what sometimes also are called ‘yield‐stress’ materials holds exciting promise for biomedical applications that require well‐defined morphological and mechanical properties after delivery to a desired site through a shearing process (e.g., syringe or catheter injection). In addition to the review of recent studies using common rheometric measurements on peptide‐ and protein‐based, physically crosslinked hydrogels, we provide experimentally obtained visual evidence, using a rheo‐confocal microscope, of the fracture and subsequent flow of physically crosslinked β‐hairpin peptide hydrogels under steady‐state shear mimicking commonly conducted experimental conditions using bench‐top rheometers. The observed fracture demonstrates that the supposed bulk shear‐thinning and rehealing behavior of physical gels can be limited to the yielding of a hydrogel layer close to the shearing surface with the bulk of the hydrogel below experiencing negligible shear. We suggest some measures to be taken while acquiring and interpreting data using bench‐top rheometers with a particular focus on physical hydrogels. In particular, the use of confocal‐rheometer assembly is intended to inspire studies on yielding behavior of hydrogels perceived as shear‐thinning and rehealing materials. A deeper insight into their yielding behavior will lead to the development of yield‐stress, injectable, solid biomaterials, and hopefully inspire the design of new shear‐thinning and rehealing hydrogels and more thorough physical characterization of such systems. Finally, more examples of bulk fracture in some physical hydrogels based on peptides and proteins are explored in the light of their behavior as yield‐stress materials. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015, 7:34–68. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1299

This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology

Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Peptide-Based Structures

Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures
Carbon black and titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce distinct molecular mechanisms of toxicity
Authors: Boland Sonja , Hussain Salik , Baeza‐Squiban Armelle
Published: September 2014

Increasing evidence link nanomaterials with adverse biological outcomes and due to the variety of applications and potential human exposures to nanoparticles, it is thus important to evaluate their toxicity for the risk assessment of workers and consumers. It is crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms of their toxicity as observation of similar effects after different nanomaterial exposures does not reflect similar intracellular processing and organelle interactions. A thorough understanding of mechanisms is needed not only for accurate prediction of potential toxicological impacts but also for the development of safer nanoapplications by modulating the physicochemical characteristics. Furthermore biomedical applications may also take advantage of an in depth knowledge about the mode of action of nanotoxicity to design new nanoparticle‐derived drugs. In the present manuscript we discuss the similarities and differences in molecular pathways of toxicity after carbon black (CB) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle exposures and identify the main toxicity mechanisms induced by these two nanoparticles which may also be indicative for the mode of action of other insoluble nanomaterials. We address the translocation, cell death induction, genotoxicity, and inflammation induced by TiO2 and CB nanoparticles which depend on their internalization, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capacities and/or protein interactions. We summarize their distinct cellular mechanisms of toxicity and the crucial steps which may be targeted to avoid adverse effects or to induce them for nanomedical purposes. Several physicochemical characteristics could influence these general toxicity pathways depicted here and the identification of common toxicity pathways could support the grouping of nanomaterials in terms of toxicity. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2014, 6:641–652. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1302

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials
Atom‐ and Group Transfers to MIV Oxo and Imido Complexes, (η5‐C5Me5)M[N(iPr)C(Me)N(iPr)](E) (M = Mo, W; E = O, NSiMe3): Orthogonal Generation of a MVI Terminal Nitride via Inter‐ligand Silyl Group Migration
Authors: Yonke Brendan L. , Reeds Jonathan P. , Zavalij Peter Y. , Sita Lawrence R.
Published: September 2014

The group 6 MIV terminal oxo complexes, Cp*M[N(iPr)C(Me)N(iPr)](O) (Cp* = η5‐C5Me5) where M = Mo (1) and W (2) react with N3SiMe3 to provide the MVI terminal nitrido complexes, Cp*M[N(iPr)C(Me)N(iPr)](N)(OSiMe3) where M = Mo (5) and W (7), respectively. A mechanism involving nitrene group transfer to generate a MVI oxo, imido intermediate, followed by inter‐ligand silyl group transfer is proposed to account for formation of 5 and 7. Compound 7 was alternatively prepared through an orthogonal route to the same proposed intermediate involving oxygen atom transfer from N2O to the WIV terminal imido complex Cp*W[N(iPr)C(Me)N(iPr)](NSiMe3) (4). The nucleophilicity of the terminal nitride 7 was further established through methylation to provide cationic {Cp*W[N(iPr)C(Me)N(iPr)](NMe)(OSiMe3)}{I} (8).
Clinicopathologic Analysis of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors in Duodenum and Small Intestine
Authors: Han In Woong , Jang Jin‐Young , Lee Kyoung Bun , Kang Mee Joo , Kwon Wooil , Park Jae Woo , Chang Ye Rim , Lee Hyuk‐Joon , Park Kyu Joo , Kim Sun‐Whe
Published: September 2014

Background

The prognosis about duodenal GISTs is debatable. The purpose of this study is to compare the characteristics and the prognostic factors in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) located in the duodenum with those located in the small intestine.

Methods

One hundred‐one patients with GIST located in the duodenum (n = 40), or small intestine (n = 61) underwent resection between 1996 and 2010. We analyzed clinicopathologic features, surgical outcomes, and prognostic factors.

Results

Five‐year survival rate in patients with GIST located in the duodenum and small intestine were 66.6 and 80.8 %, respectively (p = 0.018). After survival analysis, high mitotic count and tumor rupture were identified as independent adverse prognostic factors. Advanced T stage and absence of adjuvant imatinib treatment were adverse prognostic factors with marginal statistical significance. The rate of progressive disease was significantly higher in patients with duodenal GISTs (36.8 %) than in those with small intestinal GIST (29.6 %) (p = 0.024).

Conclusions

The clinicopathologic findings of duodenal GIST differ from those of small intestinal GIST. Patients with duodenal GIST have a worse prognosis than those with small intestinal GIST. Aggressive treatment including surgical resection should be considered for duodenal GIST, even if the risk is relatively low.
Feedback structure of cliff and shore platform morphodynamics
Authors: Payo Andres , Hall Jim W. , Dickson Mark E. , Walkden Mike J. A.
Published: September 2014

It has been suggested that studies of geomorphological systems should identify potential system feedbacks, determine their direction of influence, and assess their relative importance. In this paper we show how a core set of processes and feedback loops can be distilled from existing literature on rock coast morphodynamics. The structure has been represented using Causal Loop Diagrams and a methodology to estimate the strength of a single feedback loop is presented. The backwearing erosion rate (cliff horizontal erosion) has been found to be controlled by at least four feedback loops; three balancing (cliff toe wave energy depletion, ground-water pore pressure diminution and cliff deposit protection) and one positive loop (abrasion enhancement). The downwearing erosion rate (vertical erosion) has been found to be controlled by at least three balancing feedback loops (weathering limited, shear depletion, cover-protection). Mean sea level directly influences the downwearing rate, through the water depth relative to the wave base, and indirectly influences the backwearing erosion rate through the wave energy dissipation that determines the amount of energy reaching the cliff toe. The offshore wave non-linearity parameter is proposed to capture the complex interaction between waves and shore platform geometries. The strength of the cliff toe energy depletion loop is assessed by reasoning on its causal pathway and found to be O(−10−10 to −10−4) for poorly lithified rock coasts. By understanding how the individual and overall feedback strengths are influenced by different future environmental and human intervention scenarios we could provide better assessment at the time scales needed for coastal management.
Modulation of the unfolded protein response impedes tumor cell adaptation to proteotoxic stress: a PERK for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy
Authors: Vandewynckel Yves-Paul , Laukens Debby , Bogaerts Eliene , Paridaens Annelies , Van den Bussche Anja , Verhelst Xavier , Van Steenkiste Christophe , Descamps Benedicte , Vanhove Chris , Libbrecht Louis , De Rycke Riet , Lambrecht Bart N. , Geerts Anja , Janssens Sophie , Van Vlierberghe Hans
Published: September 2014

Background

Functional disturbances of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lead to activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), which is involved in the consecutive steps of carcinogenesis. In human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the UPR is shown to be activated; however, little is known about the UPR kinetics and effects of UPR modulation in HCC.

Methods

We sequentially monitored the UPR over time in an orthotopic mouse model for HCC and explored the effects of UPR modulation on cell viability and proliferation in vitro and in the mouse model.

Results

The expression of ER-resident chaperones peaked during tumor initiation and increased further during tumor progression, predominantly within the nodules. A peak in Ire1 signaling was observed during tumor initiation. The Perk pathway was activated during tumor progression, and the proapoptotic target Chop was upregulated from week 5 and continued to rise, especially in the tumors. The Atf6 pathway was modestly activated only after tumor initiation. Consistent with the UPR activation, electron microscopy demonstrated ER expansion and reorganization in HCC cells in vivo. Strikingly, under ER stress or hypoxia, the Perk inhibitor and not the Ire1 inhibitor reduced cell viability and proliferation via escalating proteotoxic stress in vitro. Notably, the Perk inhibitor significantly decreased tumor burden in the mouse model.

Conclusion

We provide the first evaluation of the UPR dynamics in a long-term cancer model and identified a small molecule inhibitor of Perk as a promising strategy for HCC therapy.
Continuity Across Inpatient and Outpatient Mental Health Care or Specialisation of Teams? A Systematic Review
Authors: Omer S. , Priebe S. , Giacco D.
Published: September 2014

Background:

A central question for the organisation of mental health care is whether the same clinicians should be responsible for a patient's care across inpatient and outpatient settings (continuity of care) or if there should be separate teams (specialisation). Current reforms in Europe are inconsistent on which to favour, and are based on little research evidence. This review is the first systematic appraisal of the existing evidence comparing continuity of care and specialisation across inpatient and outpatient mental health care.

Method:

A systematic search for studies of any design comparing mental health care systems based on continuity or specialisation of care was performed. Differences in clinical, social and cost-effective outcomes, and the views and experiences of patients and staff were assessed using narrative synthesis.

Results:

Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies had methodological shortcomings, but findings point towards reduced length and number of hospitalisations, and faster or more flexible transitions between services in continuity systems. Survey and qualitative findings suggest advantages of both systems, whilst patients and staff appear to prefer a continuity system.

Conclusion:

The evidence base suggests better outcomes and stakeholder preferences for continuity of care systems, but the quality of existing studies is insufficient to draw definitive conclusions. Higher quality comparative studies across various settings and population groups are urgently needed.
Changes in serum calcium and vitamin D3 levels after tibolone treatment and their correlations with health‐related quality of life
Authors: Bhattacharya Sudhindra M. , Ghosh Mainak
Published: September 2014

Objective

To assess the effects of tibolone on serum calcium and vitamin D3 levels, the effects on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), and the relationship between these variables.

Methods

An open‐label, prospective, parallel‐arm study was conducted at S.C. Das Memorial Medical and Research Center, Kolkata, India, between July 2012, and June 2013. Women aged 34–55 years were eligible when they were experiencing surgical menopause and were symptomatic. Group A comprised patients who chose to receive tibolone (2.5 mg daily for 6 months) and group B comprised those who refused treatment. At baseline and 6 months, body mass index (BMI), serum calcium and vitamin D3 levels and HRQOL were assessed.

Results

Of 79 participants, 53 were in group A and 26 in group B. After 6 months, BMI had increased significantly in both groups. The vitamin D3 level had increased significantly from baseline in group A (P = 0.02), and was higher than that in group B (P = 0.01). HRQOL had also improved significantly from baseline in group A (P = 0.001), and was significantly better than that in group B (P < 0.001). In group A, a significant correlation was found between HRQOL improvement and vitamin D3 levels (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Tibolone significantly increases the serum vitamin D3 level and improves HRQOL in menopausal women.

Clinical Trial Registry India: CTRI/2012/06/002752.
Geomagnetic induction responses of anisotropic conducting mantle
Authors: Plotkin V.V.
Published: September 2014

Phase change of dielectric magnesiowüstite in the lower mantle may leave signatures in geomagnetic records of the globally distributed array of observatories. The related features appear in EM induction responses of lower mantle, which are studied theoretically. The surface EM field corresponding to a response of the earth with conductivity anisotropy in a mantle spherical layer is presented as the sum of the magnetic and electric modes. Equations for the fields of both modes and their relationship in a weakly anisotropic earth are obtained by the perturbation method. The two field modes are analyzed jointly and separately to characterize the conductivity tensor of the anisotropic lower mantle. The tensor elements corresponding to the tangential components of the field can be estimated from the magnetic mode alone recorded currently by the global network of geomagnetic observatories. For the tensor data to be complete, observatory data on lateral variations of the electric field are required in addition to three-component geomagnetic records.
A categorical invariant of flow equivalence of shifts
Authors: COSTA ALFREDO , STEINBERG BENJAMIN
Published: September 2014

We prove that the Karoubi envelope of a shift—defined as the Karoubi envelope of the syntactic semigroup of the language of blocks of the shift—is, up to natural equivalence of categories, an invariant of flow equivalence. More precisely, we show that the action of the Karoubi envelope on the Krieger cover of the shift is a flow invariant. An analogous result concerning the Fischer cover of a synchronizing shift is also obtained. From these main results, several flow equivalence invariants—some new and some old—are obtained. We also show that the Karoubi envelope is, in a natural sense, the best possible syntactic invariant of flow equivalence of sofic shifts. Another application concerns the classification of Markov–Dyck and Markov–Motzkin shifts: it is shown that, under mild conditions, two graphs define flow equivalent shifts if and only if they are isomorphic. Shifts with property ($\mathscr{A}$) and their associated semigroups, introduced by Wolfgang Krieger, are interpreted in terms of the Karoubi envelope, yielding a proof of the flow invariance of the associated semigroups in the cases usually considered (a result recently announced by Krieger), and also a proof that property ($\mathscr{A}$) is decidable for sofic shifts.
Ideals and Actions: Do Citizens’ Patterns of Political Participation Correspond to their Conceptions of Democracy?
Authors: Bengtsson Åsa , Christensen Henrik
Published: September 2014

The interest in procedures for political decision-making has grown tremendously during recent decades. Given the intense scholarly debate and the implementation of greater opportunities for citizen participation in many democracies, there has been surprisingly little interest in citizens’ conceptions of democracy understood as their preferences concerning the processes by which the political system works. Some recent attempts do, however, suggest that it is important to expand the study of public opinion from policy output to decision-making processes, and that there are coherent patterns in citizens’ expectations of the way in which political decisions come about. What is not clear, though, is whether citizens’ different conceptions of democracy have repercussions for how they engage in politics. Using the Finnish National Election Study of 2011 (Borg and Grönlund 2011), this article explores the relationship between citizens’ conceptions of democracy and patterns of political participation. Results demonstrate a distinct association between citizens’ ideals and the actions they take.
Reciprocity Laws on Algebraic Surfaces via Iterated Integrals
Authors: Horozov Ivan , Kerr Matt
Published: September 2014

In this paper we introduce new local symbols, which we call 4-function local symbols. We formulate reciprocity laws for them. These reciprocity laws are proven using a new method - multidimensional iterated integrals. Besides providing reciprocity laws for the new 4-function local symbols, the same method works for proving reciprocity laws for the Parshin symbol. Both the new 4-function local symbols and the Parshin symbol can be expressed as a finite product of newly defined bi-local symbols, each of which satisfies a reciprocity law. TheK-theoretic variant of the first 4-function local symbol is defined in the Appendix. It differs by a sign from the one defined via iterated integrals. Both the sign and theK-theoretic variant of the 4-function local symbol satisfy reciprocity laws, whose proof is based on MilnorK-theory (see the Appendix). The relation of the 4-function local symbols to the double free loop space of the surface is given by iterated integrals over membranes.
Oats and CVD risk markers: a systematic literature review
Authors: Thies Frank , Masson Lindsey F. , Boffetta Paolo , Kris-Etherton Penny
Published: September 2014

High consumption of whole-grain food such as oats is associated with a reduced risk of CVD and type 2 diabetes. The present study aimed to systematically review the literature describing long-term intervention studies that investigated the effects of oats or oat bran on CVD risk factors. The literature search was conducted using Embase, Medline and the Cochrane library, which identified 654 potential articles. Seventy-six articles describing sixty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies lacked statistical power to detect a significant effect of oats on any of the risk factors considered: 59 % of studies had less than thirty subjects in the oat intervention group. Out of sixty-four studies that assessed systemic lipid markers, thirty-seven (58 %) and thirty-four (49 %) showed a significant reduction in total cholesterol (2–19 % reduction) and LDL-cholesterol (4–23 % reduction) respectively, mostly in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Few studies (three and five, respectively) described significant effects on HDL-cholesterol and TAG concentrations. Only three out of twenty-five studies found a reduction in blood pressure after oat consumption. None of the few studies that measured markers of insulin sensitivity and inflammation found any effect after long-term oat consumption. Long-term dietary intake of oats or oat bran has a beneficial effect on blood cholesterol. However, there is no evidence that it favourably modulates insulin sensitivity. It is still unclear whether increased oat consumption significantly affects other risk markers for CVD risk, and comprehensive, adequately powered and controlled intervention trials are required to address this question.
Oats, more than just a whole grain: an introduction
Authors: Clemens Roger , van Klinken B. Jan-Willem
Published: September 2014

In May 2012, an oats workshop was held in New York to convene a group of international experts to discuss the implications and applications of oats relative to human health. These diverse experts represented disciplines including, but not limited to, epidemiology, food regulation, nutrition and food science, grain breeding and plant genetics, food processing, medicine and public-health policy. This ensuing series addresses three important aspects pertinent to oats: a brief overview of the dynamics of oats; the spectrum of established and emerging research in agriculture and health; and the options and opportunities for future applications of oats that extend beyond dietary fibre. Oats have many unique chemical properties, potential health benefits, agricultural challenges and nutrition-policy opportunities – but global production of oats appears to be falling. This is occurring despite contemporary research in the development of drought and infestation resistance and climate-adaptive cultivars and assessments of oats’ unique components (such as dietary fibre, lipids, β-glucan and avenanthramides) that may contribute to health benefits. This suggests that oats represent a promising grain in the whole-grains landscape. New insights have been created into benefits beyond cardiovascular health. Modern milling and processing technologies have been developed to retain the nutritive value and functional properties of oats and to assure a consistent foundation for global health policies.
The future of oats in the food and health continuum
Authors: Clemens Roger , van Klinken B. Jan-Willem
Published: September 2014

A large body of clinical evidence suggests that the consumption of 3 g or more per d of β-glucan from oats or barley, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of CHD. The unique chemical and physical properties of oats and physiological responses to oat consumption contribute to their demonstrated health benefits; other health attributes are still under evaluation. Many of these benefits, such as those associated with a reduced risk of CVD, are codified in health claims by several regulatory agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration in the USA and the European Food Safety Authority in Europe. Despite these oat–health relationships, an apparent decline in agricultural production, the presence of an array of plant pathogens, and dynamics of climatic conditions may preclude the availability and subsequent consumption of this commodity worldwide. Therefore, it is incumbent on scientists from multiple disciplines to advance research in a spectrum of arenas, including physico-chemical properties of oats, the impact of oats on an array of non-communicable diseases and human microbiome, agricultural practices and environments, and processing technologies that contribute to global food policies.
Punished by Surveillance: Policing ‘dangerousness’ in colonial India, 1872–1918
Authors: SINGHA RADHIKA
Published: September 2014

This article examines the way in which legal codification, the scrutiny of the high courts, and the expansion of the ‘native Bar’ restructured colonial ‘preventive policing’. Habitual Offender legislation in England targeted the ex-convict, but in India the bad-livelihood sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC sections 109–110) permitted a far more flexible construction of ‘habituality’. They illustrate the degree to which summary judicial powers wielded by the executive head of the district were incorporated into the code, not excised from it. Educated Indians critiqued this combination of executive and judicial powers in the hands of the district magistrate, yet CrPC ‘preventive sections’ proliferated. Furthermore, in 1918 the Punjab province passed a Habitual Offender Act which, drawing upon the pattern of the Criminal Tribes Act (Act XXVII of 1871), permitted CrPC section 110 to be used to restrict the suspected ‘habitual’ to a certain area as well. Hitherto amendments to the CrPC were supposed to be matters for central not provincial legislation. The Punjab Act inaugurated an era of provincial enactments to intern or release ‘habituals’, structured around essentialist contrasts between urban and rural space. Under the surface of drives to codify colonial law a striated jurisdictional topography continued to re-form.
Links between diet, gut microbiota composition and gut metabolism
Authors: Flint Harry J. , Duncan Sylvia H. , Scott Karen P. , Louis Petra
Published: September 2014

The gut microbiota and its metabolic products interact with the host in many different ways, influencing gut homoeostasis and health outcomes. The species composition of the gut microbiota has been shown to respond to dietary change, determined by competition for substrates and by tolerance of gut conditions. Meanwhile, the metabolic outputs of the microbiota, such as SCFA, are influenced both by the supply of dietary components and via diet-mediated changes in microbiota composition. There has been significant progress in identifying the phylogenetic distribution of pathways responsible for formation of particular metabolites among human colonic bacteria, based on combining cultural microbiology and sequence-based approaches. Formation of butyrate and propionate from hexose sugars, for example, can be ascribed to different bacterial groups, although propionate can be formed via alternative pathways from deoxy-sugars and from lactate by a few species. Lactate, which is produced by many gut bacteria in pure culture, can also be utilised by certain Firmicutes to form butyrate, and its consumption may be important for maintaining a stable community. Predicting the impact of diet upon such a complex and interactive system as the human gut microbiota not only requires more information on the component groups involved but, increasingly, the integration of such information through modelling approaches.
When states appease: British appeasement in the 1930s
Authors: TRUBOWITZ PETER , HARRIS PETER
Published: September 2014

When do states appease their foes? In this article, we argue that governments are most likely to favour appeasing a foreign threat when their top leaders are severely cross–pressured: when the demands for increased security conflict sharply with their domestic political priorities. We develop the deductive argument through a detailed analysis of British appeasement in the 1930s. We show that Neville Chamberlain grappled with a classic dilemma of statecraft: how to reduce the risk of German expansionism while facing acute partisan and electoral incentives to invest resources at home. For Chamberlain, appeasement was a means to reconcile the demands for increased security with what he and his co-partisans were trying to achieve domestically. We conclude by discussing implications of the analysis for theorising about appeasement and about how leaders make grand strategy more generally.
Giardiasis in North West England: faecal specimen requesting rates by GP practice
Authors: REEVE N. F. , FANSHAWE T. R. , LAMDEN K. , DIGGLE P. J. , CHEESBROUGH J. , KEEGAN T. J.
Published: September 2014

Many cases of giardiasis in the UK are undiagnosed and among other things, diagnosis is dependent upon the readiness of GPs to request a specimen. The aim of this study is to assess the rate of specimens requested per GP practice in Central Lancashire, to examine the differences between GP practices and to estimate the pattern of unexplained spatial variation in the practice rate of specimens after adjustment for deprivation. To achieve this, we fitted a set of binomial and Poisson regression models, with random effects for GP practice. Our analysis suggests that there were differences in the rate of specimens by GP practices (P < 0·001) for a single year, but no difference in the proportion of positive tests per specimen submitted or in the rate of positive specimens per practice population. There was a difference in the cumulative rate of positive specimens per practice population over a 9-year period (P < 0·001). Neither the specimen rate per practice for a single year nor the cumulative rate of positive specimens over multiple years demonstrated significant spatial correlation. Hence, spatial variation in the incidence of giardiasis is unlikely to be confounded by variation in GP rate of specimens.
Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Ding Hongyu , Lei Lei , Zhang Xiaohong , Gong Yuling , Hou Yinglong
Published: September 2014

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is characterised by progressive, fibrofatty replacement of myocardium, and ventricular arrhythmias, and its prognosis is usually poor. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy associated with atrial septal defect is very rare, and this combination may make the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis difficult. We present a case of a patient with this association who underwent interventional treatment with a septal defect occluder. Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect in a patient with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is hitherto unreported. During a 3-year follow-up he remained relatively stable. We also review the cases reported in the medical literature describing this uncommon association between arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale.
A RESPONSE TO FORCEHIMES' ‘DOWNLOAD THIS ESSAY: A DEFENCE OF STEALING EBOOKS’
Authors: Karjiker Sadulla
Published: September 2014

Forcehimes argues that any argument concerning copyright law which favours the existence of public libraries will necessarily also justify the downloading of ebooks without the copyright owners’ authorisation. As the justification for copyright protection is an economic one, it is submitted that, economically, there is a material difference between permitting public libraries making physical books available and allowing such online distribution of ebooks. Prohibiting the online distribution of ebooks without the copyright holders' consent, while permitting access to physical books via public libraries, is a policy which, at present, is consistent with the rationale for copyright protection.
NEUROREDUCTIONISM ABOUT SEX AND LOVE
Authors: Savulescu Julian , Earp Brian D.
Published: September 2014

‘Neuroreductionism’ is the tendency to reduce complex mental phenomena to brain states, confusing correlation for physical causation. In this paper, we illustrate the dangers of this popular neuro-fallacy, by looking at an example drawn from the media: a story about ‘hypoactive sexual desire disorder’ in women. We discuss the role of folk dualism in perpetuating such a confusion, and draw some conclusions about the role of ‘brain scans’ in our understanding of romantic love.
JEAN BARBEYRAC, SUPEREROGATION, AND THE SEARCH FOR A SAFE RELIGION
Authors: CONTI GREG
Published: September 2014

Jean Barbeyrac was dismayed by the intrusion of theological controversy into the study of modern natural law theory. Yet the longest of the many annotations that he included in his own edition of Grotius was concerned with a theological matter. In this footnote, Barbeyrac attacked Grotius's understanding of Christian ethics as supererogatory; that is, as containing a distinction between the dictates of duty and the counsels of a higher holiness or perfection. The heart of his objection to this view was that it had pernicious psychological effects, that it fostered bigotry and immorality. He reiterated this psychological concern in his later work on the Christian Fathers. This objection to the real-world damages caused by the theory of supererogation was closely linked to his fear of skepticism and his quarrel with Bayle. Barbeyrac's rejection of supererogation also places him within an important strand of early modern thinking about the moral psychology of religion and about the ways in which religious belief could become an obstacle to moral behavior.
A Twin Study on Humor Appreciation
Authors: Weber Marco , Ruch Willibald , Riemann Rainer , Spinath Frank M. , Angleitner Alois
Published: September 2014

The present study focused on genetic and environmental influences on appreciation of structure and content of humor. Monozygotic (n = 135) and dizygotic (n = 60) adult twin pairs rated their trait-like humor appreciation using the 3 WD humor test (Ruch, 1992) which assesses three basic humor stimuli (incongruity-resolution humor; nonsense humor; sexual humor), and two basic components of responses to humor (funniness; aversiveness). Additionally, two indices were derived from these scales, namely structure preference and liking of sexual content (i.e., controlled for humor structure). Intraclass correlations and behavior genetic model-fitting analyses indicated a moderate genetic effect for funniness ratings of liking the sexual content. The remaining funniness scales seemed entirely influenced by environmental effects. Aversiveness scales mainly showed environmental effects represented in reduced CE models, although twin similarity coefficients showed hints of genetic influences as well, which needs to be unraveled in future research. The results demonstrated clearly that funniness ratings should be separated for structure and content, to obtain detailed information about heritability of humor appreciation. Future research should validate these promising initial findings by utilizing larger samples.
Status Consciousness
Authors: Alba Beatrice , McIlwain Doris , Wheeler Ladd , Jones Michael P.
Published: September 2014

This research examined individual differences in how people think about social status via a scale with eight proposed factors. Items designed to measure these factors were administered to an online sample (n = 1,009). A factor analysis revealed eight meaningful factors: rejection of status, high-perceived status, respect for hierarchy, low-perceived status, status display, egalitarianism, belief in hierarchy, and enjoyment of status. The 40 items forming these eight factors were then administered to a new sample of online participants (n = 303) alongside measures of self-esteem, social dominance orientation, competitiveness, assertiveness, social comparison orientation, narcissism, and hypersensitive narcissism. Confirmatory factor analyses from this subsequent study supported the model derived in the first study. A preliminary analysis of the construct validity of this new “Status Consciousness Scale” scale was undertaken by examining the correlations between the factors and other personality variables that were predicted to relate to each factor.
Impaired gamma delta T cell‐derived IL‐17A and inflammasome activation during early respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants
Authors: Huang Huaqiong , Saravia Jordy , You Dahui , Shaw Aaron J , Cormier Stephania A
Published: September 2014

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection remains a significant global health burden disproportionately affecting infants and leading to long‐term lung disease. Interleukin (IL)‐17A has been shown to be involved in regulating viral and allergic lung inflammatory responses, which has led to a more recent interest in its role in RSV infection. Using a neonatal mouse model of RSV, we demonstrate that neonates fail to develop IL‐17A responses compared with adult mice; the main immediate IL‐17A contributor in adults were γδ T cells. Antibody neutralization of IL‐17A in adult mice caused increased lung inflammation and airway mucus from RSV, whereas exogenous IL‐17A administration to RSV‐infected neonates caused decreased inflammation but no change in airway mucus. We also observed a lack of pro‐inflammatory cytokine production (IL‐1β, IL‐6) from infected neonates. Using human cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) and adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), we compared inflammasome activation by direct retinoic acid‐inducible gene I agonism; CBMCs failed to induce pro‐inflammatory cytokines or IL‐17A+ γδ T cells compared with PBMCs. Our results indicate that RSV disease severity is in part mediated by a lack of inflammasome activation and IL‐17A production in neonates.
A random six-phase switch regulates pneumococcal virulence via global epigenetic changes
Authors: Manso Ana Sousa , Chai Melissa H. , Atack John M. , Furi Leonardo , De Ste Croix Megan , Haigh Richard , Trappetti Claudia , Ogunniyi Abiodun D. , Shewell Lucy K. , Boitano Matthew , Clark Tyson A. , Korlach Jonas , Blades Matthew , Mirkes Evgeny , Gorban Alexander N. , Paton James C. , Jennings Michael P. , Oggioni Marco R.
Published: September 2014

Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is the world’s foremost bacterial pathogen in both morbidity and mortality. Switching between phenotypic forms (or ‘phases’) that favour asymptomatic carriage or invasive disease was first reported in 1933. Here, we show that the underlying mechanism for such phase variation consists of genetic rearrangements in a Type I restriction-modification system (SpnD39III). The rearrangements generate six alternative specificities with distinct methylation patterns, as defined by single-molecule, real-time (SMRT) methylomics. The SpnD39III variants have distinct gene expression profiles. We demonstrate distinct virulence in experimental infection and in vivo selection for switching between SpnD39III variants. SpnD39III is ubiquitous in pneumococci, indicating an essential role in its biology. Future studies must recognize the potential for switching between these heretofore undetectable, differentiated pneumococcal subpopulations in vitro and in vivo. Similar systems exist in other bacterial genera, indicating the potential for broad exploitation of epigenetic gene regulation.
Energy dissipation of nanoconfined hydration layer: Long-range hydration on the hydrophilic solid surface
Authors: Kim Bongsu , Kwon Soyoung , Mun Hyosik , An Sangmin , Jhe Wonho
Published: September 2014

The hydration water layer (HWL), a ubiquitous form of water on the hydrophilic surfaces, exhibits anomalous characteristics different from bulk water and plays an important role in interfacial interactions. Despite extensive studies on the mechanical properties of HWL, one still lacks holistic understanding of its energy dissipation, which is critical to characterization of viscoelastic materials as well as identification of nanoscale dissipation processes. Here we address energy dissipation of nanoconfined HWL between two atomically flat hydrophilic solid surfaces (area of ~120 nm2) by small amplitude-modulation, noncontact atomic force microscopy. Based on the viscoelastic hydration-force model, the average dissipation energy is ~1 eV at the tapping amplitude (~0.1 nm) of the tip. In particular, we determine the accurate HWL thickness of ~6 layers of water molecules, as similarly observed on biological surfaces. Such a long-range interaction of HWL should be considered in the nanoscale phenomena such as friction, collision and self-assembly.
Phase transition and phase separation in multiferroic orthorhombic Dy1−xHoxMnO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)
Authors: Zhang Na , Dong Shuai , Fu Zhaoming , Yan Zhibo , Chang Fanggao , Liu Junming
Published: September 2014

We report on structural, magnetic, ferroelectric and thermodynamic properties of polycrystalline orthorhombic manganites Dy1−xHoxMnO3 for Ho substitution levels 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. This system offers a possibility to systemically modulate the multiferroicity of RMnO3 via tuning the A-site ionic radii as well as the A-site magnetism. The successive transition of the multiferroic ground state is traced from the bc-cycloidal (DyMnO3) to the E-type antiferromagnetic phase (HoMnO3). In the middle substitution range 0.4 < x < 0.5, the phase separation is prominent, which's residual may survive in an even wider range. Accompanied with the phase transition and phase separation, obvious enhancement of both the polarization and magnetoelectric response is observed. Our experimental study also confirmed that the rare earth (Dy/Ho)-Mn exchange striction is a crucial role in deciding the multiferroicity of manganites.
Comprehensive Assessment of the Association of WNK4 Polymorphisms with Hypertension: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Guo Xiao-gang , Ding Jie , Xu Hui , Xuan Tian-ming , Jin Wei-quan , Yin Xiang , Shang Yun-peng , Zhang Fu-rong , Zhu Jian-hua , Zheng Liang-rong
Published: September 2014

The relationship between with-no-lysine [K] kinase 4 (WNK4) gene polymorphisms and hypertension has been widely investigated, However, the studies yielded contradictory results. To evaluate these inconclusive findings comprehensively, we therefore performed a meta-analysis. Ten articles encompassing 16 independent case-control studies with 6089 hypertensive cases and 4881 normotensive controls were selected for this meta-analysis. Four WNK4 gene polymorphisms were identified (G1155942T, G1156666A, T1155547C and C6749T). The results showed statistically significant associations of G1155942T polymorphism (allelic genetic model: odds ration or OR = 1.62, 95% confidence interval or CI: 1.11–2.38, P = 0.01; dominant model: OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.07–3.19, P = 0.03) and C6749T polymorphism (allele contrast: OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.60–2.59, P<0.01; dominant model: OR = 2.04, 95%CI: 1.59–2.62, P<0.01; and homozygous model: OR = 5.01, 95% CI: 1.29–19.54, P = 0.02) with hypertension risk. However, neither C1155547T nor G1156666A was associated significantly with hypertension susceptibility. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggested that WNK4 G1155942T and C6749T gene polymorphisms may contribute to the susceptibility and development of hypertension. Further well-designed studies with larger sample size are required to elucidate the association of WNK4 gene multiple polymorphisms with hypertension risk.
3D printed metal columns for capillary liquid chromatography
Authors: Sandron S. , Heery B. , Gupta V. , Collins D. A. , Nesterenko E. P. , Nesterenko P. N. , Talebi M. , Beirne S. , Thompson F. , Wallace G. G. , Brabazon D. , Regan F. , Paull B.
Published: September 2014

3D printing of metal alloys, both stainless steel and titanium, has been used for the creation of long capillary columns (600 mm) within small footprint designs (30 mm × 58 mm) for use in high-pressure liquid chromatography applications.
Deciphering the origin of cooperative catalysis by dirhodium acetate and chiral spiro phosphoric acid in an asymmetric amination reaction
Authors: Kisan Hemanta K. , Sunoj Raghavan B.
Published: September 2014

The transition state for enantioselective protonation by chiral phosphoric acid enjoys a cooperative stabilization offered by the dirhodium catalyst.
Cyclization of alkynoic acids in water in the presence of a vesicular self-assembled amphiphilic pincer palladium complex catalyst
Authors: Hamasaka Go , Uozumi Yasuhiro
Published: September 2014

Alkynoic acids were cyclized in the presence of a vesicular palladium-based catalyst in water to give the corresponding lactones.
Pillared clays as catalysts for methyl parathion removal by advanced oxidation processes
Authors: Kouraichi Salim , El-Hadi Samar Mohamed , Abbessi Mostefa , Boudouh Hassane , Balaska Adel
Published: September 2014

Mineralisation of methyl parathion by the advanced Fenton process.