bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher Order Assembly of Virus‐like Particles (VLPs) Mediated by Multi‐valent Protein Linkers
Authors: Uchida Masaki , LaFrance Ben , Broomell Chris C. , Prevelige Peter E. , Douglas Trevor
Published: January 2015

Two‐ and three‐dimensional assembly of nanoparticles has generated significant interest because these higher order structures could exhibit collective behaviors/properties beyond those of the individual nanoparticles. Highly specific interactions between molecules, which biology exploits to regulate molecular assemblies such as DNA hybridization, often provide inspiration for the construction of higher order materials using bottom‐up approaches. In this study, higher order assembly of virus‐like particles (VLPs) derived from the bacteriophage P22 is demonstrated by using a small adaptor protein, Dec, which binds to symmetry specific sites on the P22 capsid. Two types of connector proteins, which have different number of P22 binding sites and different geometries (ditopic linker with liner geometry and tetratopic linker with tetrahedral geometry) have been engineered through either a point mutation of Dec or genetic fusion with another protein, respectively. Bulk assembly and layer‐by‐layer deposition of P22 VLPs from solution was successfully achieved using both of the engineered multi‐topic linker molecules, while Dec with only a single binding site does not mediate P22 assembly. Beyond the two types of linkers developed in this study, a wide range of different connector geometries could be envisioned using a similar engineering approach. This is a powerful strategy to construct higher order assemblies of VLP based nanomaterials.
Gold Nanorods Coated with Mesoporous Silica Shell as Drug Delivery System for Remote Near Infrared Light‐Activated Release and Potential Phototherapy
Authors: Liu Ji , Detrembleur Christophe , De Pauw‐Gillet Marie‐Claire , Mornet Stéphane , Jérôme Christine , Duguet Etienne
Published: January 2015

In this study, we report the synthesis of a nanoscaled drug delivery system, which is composed of a gold nanorod‐like core and a mesoporous silica shell (GNR@MSNP) and partially uploaded with phase‐changing molecules (1‐tetradecanol, TD, Tm 39 °C) as gatekeepers, as well as its ability to regulate the release of doxorubicin (DOX). Indeed, a nearly zero premature release is evidenced at physiological temperature (37 °C), whereas the DOX release is efficiently achieved at higher temperature not only upon external heating, but also via internal heating generated by the GNR core under near infrared irradiation. When tagged with folate moieties, GNR@MSNPs target specifically to KB cells, which are known to overexpress the folate receptors. Such a precise control over drug release, combining with the photothermal effect of GNR cores, provides promising opportunity for localized synergistic photothermal ablation and chemotherapy. Moreover, the performance in killing the targeted cancer cells is more efficient compared with the single phototherapeutic modality of GNR@MSNPs. This versatile combination of local heating, phototherapeutics, chemotherapeutics and gating components opens up the possibilities for designing multifunctional drug delivery systems.
Visualizing large graphs
Authors: Hu Yifan , Shi Lei
Published: January 2015

With the prevalence of big data, there is a growing need for algorithms and techniques for visualizing very large and complex graphs. In this article, we review layout algorithms and interactive exploration techniques for large graphs. In addition, we briefly look at softwares and datasets for visualization graphs, as well as challenges that need to be addressed. WIREs Comput Stat 2015, 7:115–136. doi: 10.1002/wics.1343

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Exploratory Data Analysis

Data: Types and Structure > Graph and Network Data

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Statistical Graphics and Visualization
Nutrient modulated structural design with application to growth and degradation
Authors: Klarbring Anders , Torstenfelt Bo , Satha Ganarupan
Published: January 2015

Phenomena such as biological growth and damage evolution can be thought of as time evolving processes, the directions of which are governed by descendent of certain goal functions. Mathematically this means using a dynamical systems approach to optimization. We extend such an approach by introducing a field quantity, representing nutrients or other non‐mechanical stimuli, that modulate growth and damage evolution. The derivation of a generic model is systematic, starting from a Lyaponov‐type descent condition and utilizing a Coleman‐Noll strategy. A numerical algorithm for finding stationary points of the resulting dynamical system is suggested and applied to two model problems where the influence of different levels of nutrient sensitivity are observed. The paper demonstrates the use of a new modeling technique and shows its application in deriving a generic problem of growth and damage evolution.
Buckling and postbuckling of a nonlinearly elastic tube by external pressure
Authors: Wang C.Y.
Published: January 2015

The classic problem of a circular tube or ring buckled by external pressure is investigated by including geometric nonlinearity, material nonlinearity and initial residual stress. Perturbation theory for buckling and immediate postbuckling agree well with numerical integration. It is found that for softening materials the postbuckling may be unstable and catastrophic snap through may occur.
The transverse crack problem for elastic bodies stiffened by thin elastic coating
Authors: Sobol Boris , Soloviev Arkady , Krasnoschekov Alexander
Published: January 2015

For two types of large‐scale bodies, a half‐plane and a strip, each of which is weakened by a straight transverse crack, the static problem of elasticity theory is considered. The upper boundary of each body is reinforced by a thin flexible coating. The coating is modeled by special boundary conditions on the upper faces of considered bodies. Three different cases of boundary conditions on the lower face of the strip were studied.

By application of generalized integral transforms to the equilibrium equations in displacements the problems were reduced to the solutions of singular integral equations of first kind with Cauchy kernel to the respect of derivative of the crack opening function. In all considered cases the integral equations consists of a singular term, corresponding to crack behavior in an infinite plate, and a regular term, reflecting the influence of various geometric and physical parameters.

For various sets of model parameters the solutions of the integral equations were built by small parameter and collocation methods; their structure was analyzed. The values of stress intensity factor in the vicinity of the tips of the crack were obtained and analyzed for different coating materials and geometric parameters of the crack.

From the analysis of the numerical results of the problem, it can be concluded that thin flexible coatings significantly reduce stress intensity at a crack tip and therewith significantly increase a reliability of considered elastic bodies.
Untanglings: a novel approach to analyzing concurrent systems
Authors: Polyvyanyy Artem , La Rosa Marcello , Ouyang Chun , ter Hofstede Arthur H. M.
Published: January 2015

Substantial research efforts have been expended to deal with the complexity of concurrent systems that is inherent to their analysis, e.g., works that tackle the well-known state space explosion problem. Approaches differ in the classes of properties that they are able to suitably check and this is largely a result of the way they balance the trade-off between analysis time and space employed to describe a concurrent system. One interesting class of properties is concerned with behavioral characteristics. These properties are conveniently expressed in terms of computations, or
runs
, in concurrent systems. This article introduces the theory of
untanglings
that exploits a particular representation of a collection of runs in a concurrent system. It is shown that a representative untangling of a bounded concurrent system can be constructed that captures all and only the behavior of the system. Representative untanglings strike a unique balance between time and space, yet provide a single model for the convenient extraction of various behavioral properties. Performance measurements in terms of construction time and size of representative untanglings with respect to the original specifications of concurrent systems, conducted on a collection of models from practice, confirm the scalability of the approach. Finally, this article demonstrates practical benefits of using representative untanglings when checking various behavioral properties of concurrent systems.
Ovarian endometrioma in the adolescent: a plea for early-stage diagnosis and full surgical treatment
Authors: Gordts Stephan , Puttemans Patrick , Gordts Sylvie , Brosens Ivo
Published: January 2015

The incidence and severity of endometriosis in adolescent are comparable with the incidence in adult women. The mean delay between the onset of symptoms and the final diagnosis varies between 6.4 and 11.7 years. The longer the diagnosis is delayed, the more the endometriosis can progress to a more severe stage certainly in the group of patients with pelvic pain. The evolution of endometriosis and its progressivity are not predictable, and the severity of the disease is not directly related to the degree of pain. Endometriotic cysts have a detrimental effect on the ovarian reserve by the evolution in time and the surgical excision technique. Already, in small endometriotic cysts (<4 cm), loss of follicular reserve is present together with the formation of fibrosis in the cortex of the ovary. Early diagnosis of endometriosis in the adolescent deserves our full attention. Non-invasive imaging techniques like 2-D and 3-D ultrasound are helpful in the early diagnosis. Early ablative surgery is recommendable. Although laparoscopy is traditionally recommended, transvaginal laparoscopy has been shown to be most effective in ablating endometriomas with a maximum diameter of 3 cm. Early detection and intervention will contribute to a better quality of life in these adolescents and also to a lower damage of the ovarian tissue by a less invasive ablative surgery.
In Search for the Many Faces of Community Resilience Among LGBT Individuals
Authors: Wong Frank Y.
Published: January 2015

Many countries (e.g., Egypt, Russia, and Uganda) have very draconian laws against LGBT individuals. Despite facing such adversity or hostility many LGBT individuals do strive and maintain their sense of self‐worth. How do they do it? The collection of papers in this special issue attempts to provide some answers to this question. I will attempt to analyze two overlapping issues in these papers, and how they might inform LGBT research using a resilience lens.
Acetabular Version Measurement in Total Hip Arthroplasty: The Impact of Inclination and the Value of Multi-Planar CT Reformation
Authors: Loftus Michael , Ma Yan , Ghelman Bernard
Published: January 2015

The orientation of the acetabular cup component of a total hip arthroplasty can be evaluated in a number of ways, utilizing a myriad of imaging techniques and measurement parameters, including intraoperative surgical estimates, postoperative radiographs, and cross-sectional imaging such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

How do traditional versus corrected measurements of acetabular version vary from one another based on the inclination of the cup? What is the reliability of the corrected acetabular version measurements based on interobserver and intraobserver consistency?

Two fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists reviewed CT scans on 60 total hip arthroplasties. Acetabular inclination, traditional CT acetabular version, and CT acetabular version corrected for inclination (by utilizing multi-planar reformations to measure in the plane of the cup face) were each measured. The difference was then calculated between the “traditional” axial CT and “corrected” acetabular version measurements, and the association between this difference and the acetabular inclination was assessed.

The “traditional” axial CT and “corrected” acetabular version measurements differed from one another in every case, with the traditional method yielding a version measurement that was on average 9.5° higher than the corrected technique. However, as the acetabular cup inclination angle decreased, the “traditional” measurement became more variable and increasingly discordant with the “corrected” version measurement.

There is inherent variability between the many methods utilized for defining and measuring acetabular version, with axial CT measurements often used as an accepted proxy for true cup anteversion. However, the variability between different measurement techniques is correlated with acetabular inclination, and this variability is most pronounced when acetabular inclination is low, ultimately leading to potential confusion in measurement terminology. The increasingly widespread availability of multi-planar CT reformations provides an opportunity to standardize methodology, eliminate the impact of inclination on acetabular version measurements, and potentially provide a more reliable comparison of the impact of cup orientation on surgical outcomes.
Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of Partially and Fully Epoxidized Methyl Linoleate Derived from Jatropha curcas Oil
Authors: Lye Yan Ni , Salimon Jumat
Published: January 2015

Partial epoxidation of methyl linoleate was carried out at room temperature (30 °C) using a methyltrioxorhenium catalyst in the presence of pyridine and urea‐hydrogen peroxide. Full epoxidation of methyl linoleate was carried out using the Prilezhaev method. The reactions were monitored using the oxirane oxygen content value. The products from partial and full epoxidation were analyzed using GC‐FID, FTIR, NMR and GC–MS. Methyl 9,10‐epoxy‐12Z‐octadecenoate and methyl 12,13‐epoxy‐9Z‐octadecenoate were obtained as the major products from partial epoxidation, with a percent yield of 46 %. The product from full epoxidation afforded 97 % yield with methyl 9,10‐12,13‐diepoxyoctadecanoate as the major component. Physicochemical properties such as kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, crystallization temperature and oxidative stability were examined. Fully epoxidized methyl linoleate exhibits superior kinematic viscosity and oxidative stability due to the complete conversion of double bonds to epoxy groups. Partially epoxidized methyl linoleate exhibits intermediate kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, crystallization temperature and oxidative stability.
Modeling stochastic phenotype switching and bet‐hedging in bacteria: stochastic nonlinear dynamics and critical state identification
Authors: Jia Chen , Qian Minping , Kang Yu , Jiang Daquan
Published: January 2015

Fluctuating environments pose tremendous challenges to bacterial populations. It is observed in numerous bacterial species that individual cells can stochastically switch among multiple phenotypes for the population to survive in rapidly changing environments. This kind of phenotypic heterogeneity with stochastic phenotype switching is generally understood to be an adaptive bet‐hedging strategy. Mathematical models are essential to gain a deeper insight into the principle behind bet‐hedging and the pattern behind experimental data. Traditional deterministic models cannot provide a correct description of stochastic phenotype switching and bet‐hedging, and traditional Markov chain models at the cellular level fail to explain their underlying molecular mechanisms. In this paper, we propose a nonlinear stochastic model of multistable bacterial systems at the molecular level. It turns out that our model not only provides a clear description of stochastic phenotype switching and bet‐hedging within isogenic bacterial populations, but also provides a deeper insight into the analysis of multidimensional experimental data. Moreover, we use some deep mathematical theories to show that our stochastic model and traditional Markov chain models are essentially consistent and reflect the dynamic behavior of the bacterial system at two different time scales. In addition, we provide a quantitative characterization of the critical state of multistable bacterial systems and develop an effective data‐driven method to identify the critical state without resorting to specific mathematical models.
Aberrant activation of AMP‐activated protein kinase contributes to the abnormal distribution of HuR in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Liu Yu-Ju , Lee Li-Ming , Lai Hsing-Lin , Chern Yijuang
Published: January 2015

Distorted mRNA metabolism contributes to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The human antigen R (HuR) is a major mRNA stabilizer. We report that abnormal localization of HuR was associated with enhanced AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity in the motor neurons of ALS patients. Activation of AMPK changed the location of HuR in mouse motor neurons and in a motor neuron cell line via phosphorylation of importin‐α1. Stimulation of the A2A adenosine receptor normalized the AMPK‐evoked redistribution of HuR. This suggests that aberrant activation of AMPK in motor neurons disrupts the normal distribution of HuR, which might imbalance RNA metabolism and contribute to ALS pathogenesis.
Youngest Radiocarbon Age for Jefferson's Ground Sloth, Megalonyx Jeffersonii (Xenarthra, Megalonychidae)
Authors: Gregory McDonald H. , Stafford Thomas W. , Gnidovec Dale M.
Published: January 2015

A partial skeleton of the extinct ground sloth, Megalonyx jeffersonii, recovered from a farm near Millersburg, Ohio in 1890, was radiocarbon dated for the first time. The ungual dated is part of a skeleton mounted for exhibit at the Orton Geological Museum at Ohio State University and was the first mounted skeleton of this animal. From its initial discovery the bones were treated with multiple organic compounds that had the potential to compromise the radiocarbon age and the specimen required special treatments in order to obtain a valid radiocarbon age. The 14C measurement on the ungual from this skeleton (11,235 ± 40 14C yr BP = 13,180–13,034 cal yr BP) is the youngest 14C age presently determined for M. jeffersonii.
La investigación en la educación médica moderna: ¿local o global?
Authors: Sánchez-Mendiola Melchor
Published: January 2015

“La civilización termina donde comienza la carne asada”José Vasconcelos.

Si reflexionamos unos momentos sobre la frase arriba citada de José Vasconcelos Calderón (1882-1959), quien fue Rector de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) y el primer Secretario de Educación Pública de México, no podemos menos que añorar la fascinante versatilidad de algunas de las mentes más preclaras de nuestro país (y su capacidad de capturar tantas cosas en tan pocas palabras).
El uso de escenarios clínicos y el aprendizaje de la Bioquímica en alumnos de primer año de la Carrera de Medicina
Authors: Cea-Bonilla María Alicia del Sagrado Corazón , Hernández-Espinoza Diego Rolando , Salazar-Morales Miguel Fernando , Soto-Briseño Irvin Alejandro , Matuz-Mares Deyamira
Published: January 2015

La Bioquímica es una asignatura que resulta difícil para los estudiantes de Medicina, y su aplicación en la práctica clínica no les parece evidente. El ejercicio que realizamos en el presente trabajo está relacionado con el “equilibrio hidroelectrolítico y ácido-base”. Para lograr un aprendizaje a largo plazo de la Bioquímica, se utilizó la discusión guiada de tres escenarios clínicos, basada en cuestionarios, la elaboración de mapas conceptuales y de un juego en que se analizó la regulación del pH, el equilibrio hidroelectrolítico, las moléculas implicadas y las alteraciones en estos parámetros en diferentes situaciones clínicas. El ejercicio se aplicó en tres grupos de intervención y tres grupos controles de la generación 2011-0, primera generación en que se utilizó un nuevo Plan de Estudios, donde se incorporaron competencias. Se observó un aprendizaje a largo plazo de los contenidos manejados en los escenarios clínicos (agua, equilibrio hidroelectrolítico y ácido-base, y su aplicación en situaciones clínicas), medido en exámenes posteriores a la aplicación del ejercicio, así como el desarrollo de dos competencias de las presentadas en dicho Plan de Estudios 2010, en los estudiantes de los grupos de intervención.
Evaluando el perfil de la ética, el derecho y el profesionalismo en la educación médica básica
Authors: Worthington Roger P. , Becker Greg , Hays Richard
Published: January 2015

Existen diferencias sustanciales entre las escuelas y los países en cuanto al papel de la ética, el derecho y el profesionalismo en los currículos de medicina. Entre las escuelas y los países se necesita una mayor consistencia en el enfoque para garantizar los estándares de la práctica profesional. Desde una perspectiva internacional, estos temas son el foco de creciente atención ya que la naturaleza de la práctica médica y su regulación han cambiado. Este documento ofrece sugerencias prácticas para elevar el perfil educativo y la integración de la ética, el derecho y el profesionalismo en los planes de estudio en Medicina. Hacer frente a estos temas de manera efectiva durante la formación médica temprana ayuda a proporcionar las bases apropiadas para el aprendizaje y la práctica futura.
AND THE ARITHMETIC OF A FAMILY OF NON-HYPERELLIPTIC CURVES OF GENUS 3
Authors: THORNE JACK A.
Published: January 2015

We study the arithmetic of a family of non-hyperelliptic curves of genus 3 over the field$\mathbb{Q}$of rational numbers. These curves are the nearby fibers of the semi-universal deformation of a simple singularity of type$E_{6}$. We show that average size of the 2-Selmer sets of these curves is finite (if it exists). We use this to show that a positive proposition of these curves (when ordered by height) has integral points everywhere locally, but no integral points globally.
The standardisation of the Indonesian language and its consequences for Islamic communities
Authors: Fogg Kevin W.
Published: January 2015

In the 1940s and 1950s, several organs of the newly independent Indonesian state oversaw the standardisation of the Indonesian national language. In this process, Western-oriented bureaucrats pushed the language towards European normativity, significantly decreasing the influence of Arabic. While this reform carried symbolic meaning, the practical ramifications on Indonesian orthography, spelling, and word selection also carried real, non-symbolic effects on the accessibility of this language to Indonesian Islamic leaders. Standardising orthography to use the Roman alphabet rendered many Muslims illiterate in a language they had been using for decades. Choices in word selection and spelling limited the Islamic meanings that the new language could carry, thus impacting how Muslims could use the national language for religious and other purposes. Indonesian linguistic reform carried serious social and political consequences in addition to the symbolic meanings often studied.
Is theism a simple hypothesis? The simplicity of omni-properties
Authors: MILLER CALUM
Published: January 2015

One reason for thinking that theism is a relatively simple theory – and that it is thereby more likely to be true than other theories,ceteris paribus – is to insist that infinite degrees of properties are simpler than extremely large, finite degrees of properties. This defence of theism has been championed by Richard Swinburne in recent years. I outline the objections to this line of argument present in the literature, and suggest some novel resources open to Swinburne in defence. I then argue that scientists' preference for universal nomological propositions constitutes a very strong reason for supposing that theism is simpler than parodical alternatives in virtue of its positing omni-properties rather than parallel ‘mega-properties’.
PRE-INDEPENDENCE SPANISH AMERICANS: POOR, SHORT AND UNEQUAL… OR THE OPPOSITE?
Authors: DOBADO-GONZÁLEZ RAFAEL
Published: January 2015

This paper attempts to establish a debate between alternative views of living standards in Spanish America during the viceregal period. Since 2009, a growing literature has shared a «common language» based on a similar, though not identical, methodology. As never before, this «new generation» of studies is built upon long series of quantitative data and international comparisons of nominal wages and prices which, in some cases, cover the whole Early Modern Era. Part of this literature also complements the examination of economic welfare using height as an indicator of biological welfare. Inequality is also quantitatively approached in one of the works discussed. In spite of significant similarities, some methodological differences lead to contrasting results. For the sake of simplicity, the relevant literature is divided into two views: «pessimism» and «optimism». It is my contention that the latter is more consistent with the available evidence.
The detection of toxigenicCorynebacterium ulceransfrom cats with nasal inflammation in Japan
Authors: SAEKI J. , KATSUKAWA C. , MATSUBAYASHI M. , NAKANISHI H. , FURUYA M. , TANI H. , SASAI K.
Published: January 2015

Corynebacterium ulcerans(toxigenicC. ulcerans) produces the diphtheria toxin, which causes pharyngeal and cutaneous diphtheria-like disease in people, and this bacterium is commonly detected in dogs and cats that are reared at home. It is considered dangerous when a carrier animal becomes the source of infection in people. To investigate the carrier situation of toxigenicC. ulceransof cats bred in Japan, bacteria were isolated from 37 cats with a primary complaint of rhinitis in 16 veterinary hospitals in Osaka. ToxigenicC. ulceranswas detected in two of the cats. By drug sensitivity testing, the detected bacterium was sensitive to all investigated drugs, except clindamycin. It appears necessary to create awareness regarding toxigenicC. ulceransinfection in pet owners because this bacterium is believed to be the causative organism for rhinitis in cats.
Potential coverage of circulating HPV types by current and developing vaccines in a group of women in Bosnia and Herzegovina with abnormal Pap smears
Authors: SALIMOVIĆ-BEŠIĆ I. , HUKIĆ M.
Published: January 2015

The objectives of this study were to identify human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in a group of Bosnian-Herzegovinian women with abnormal cytology and to assess their potential coverage by vaccines. HPVs were identified by multiplex real-time PCR test (HPV High Risk Typing Real-TM; Sacace Biotechnologies, Italy) of 105 women with an abnormal cervical Pap smear and positive high-risk (HR) HPV DNA screening test. The most common genotypes in the study were HPV-16 (32·6%, 48/147), HPV-31 (14·3%, 21/147), HPV-51 (9·5%, 14/147) and HPV-18 (7·5%, 11/147). The overall frequency of HR HPV-16 and/or HPV-18, covered by currently available vaccines [Gardasil® (Merck & Co., USA) and Cervarix®; (GlaxoSmithKline, UK)] was lower than the overall frequency of other HPVs detected in the study (40·1%, 59/174,P= 0·017). Group prevalence of HR HPVs targeted by a nine-valent vaccine in development (code-named V503) was higher than total frequency of other HPVs detected (68·0%, 100/147,P< 0·001). Development of cervical cytological abnormalities was independent of the presence of multiple infections (χ2= 0·598,P= 0·741). Compared to other HPVs, dependence of cervical diagnosis and HPV-16, -18 (P= 0·008) and HPV-16, -18, -31 (P= 0·008) infections were observed. Vaccines targeting HR HPV-16, -18 and -31 might be an important tool in the prevention of cervical disease in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Statistical analysis on 2D array of ion chamber performance
Authors: Anvari Akbar , Aghamiri Seyed Mahmoud Reza , Mahdavi Seyed Rabie , Alaei Parham
Published: January 2015

Purpose

In this work, dosimetric properties of the PTW Octavius detector in and out of the irradiation field have been evaluated. The 2D array of ion chambers has the potential to simplify the linear accelerator QA and pre-treatment verification.

Materials and methods

The evaluation was performed using customised written codes in Matlab and SPSS software for statistical analysis.

Results

Experiments indicate that the reproducibility and stability of the measurements were excellent; the detector showed the same signal with a maximum deviation of <0·5% in the short and long term. Comparisons of the ion chamber with the detector showed the same results with a maximum deviation of ~0·1%. As the detector response is linear with the dose, it can be used for the measurement at regions of high-dose gradient effectively. Logarithmic regression y=0·127 ln(x)+0·729 for detector signal and field size changes yielded a coefficient of determination of 0·997. The dose value decreases with increase in source-to-surface distance, which was modelled using a binomial regression with a coefficient of determination of 0·998 that agrees with the ionisation chamber measurement within 1%.

Conclusion

On the basis of the measurements and comparisons performed, this system is a reliable and accurate dosimeter for quality assurance in radiotherapy.
Farmer perspectives of Farm to Institution in Michigan: 2012 survey results of vegetable farmers
Authors: Matts Colleen , Conner David S. , Fisher Caitlin , Tyler Shakara , Hamm Michael W.
Published: January 2015

Local food purchasing programs at institutions such as K-12 schools, colleges and hospitals offer benefits including supporting farms and local economies, encouraging more healthful eating habits of patrons and fostering closer connections between farmers and consumers. Increasing in number and expanding in breadth, Farm to Institution (FTI) markets are promising outlets that may fulfill social and economic motivations for farmers. However, significant challenges and barriers have kept many from participating; farmers interested in this market will incur transaction costs, with high negotiation costs in particular due to product differentiation (in this case, by provenance) and less established markets and terms. Researchers have just begun to study farmers’ perspectives on FTI and, to date, have primarily done so through convenience sampling. By utilizing a representative farmer sample, this study provides a major contribution to FTI research. This survey study was designed to better understand Michigan vegetable farmers’ interest and willingness to participate in institutional markets and to identify perceived barriers and opportunities. Michigan is an ideal location for this research as it boasts one of the most diverse sets of agricultural crops in the US, has an economy highly reliant on the food and agriculture industry and has thriving FTI activity with extensive, ongoing outreach, education and research. Results of this survey study showed that half (50%) of the respondents (n = 311) reported interest in selling to at least one institution type (of K-12 schools, colleges and hospitals), but only a small percentage (7%) had yet sold produce to institutions. The most frequently reported motivators to sell to institutions were supplying healthy foods to customers (77%), fair, steady prices (77%) and supplying local food to consumers (76%), indicating that farmers’ motivations are largely based in social values. Smaller scale farmers (less than 25 acres) were significantly less likely to rate economic factors and help in meeting logistical challenges as important, which suggests that they see more potential social value in FTI markets while larger farmers will seek to minimize their transaction costs related to this market. This research can inform the development of scale-appropriate farmer education to foster this market opportunity and its contribution to regional food system development. As demand for local food increases, it is critical to further examine the viability of FTI markets and continue to understand the opportunities and challenges to farmers of different types and scales to participate.
Can brief mindfulness practice be of benefit? Evidence from an evaluation of group Person-based Cognitive Therapy for depression
Authors: Strauss Clara , Luke Gemma , Hayward Mark , Jones Fergal
Published: January 2015

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) was not intended for current depression, and lengthy mindfulness practices (≥30 min) can be challenging. Person-based cognitive therapy (PBCT) includes brief mindfulness practices (<10 min). While group PBCT can improve depressive symptoms whether benefits can be attributed to the brief practices is unclear. Twenty-eight participants with chronic major depression were randomly assigned to PBCT (n = 14) or treatment as usual (n = 14). Measures of mindfulness and depression were taken. Six PBCT participants were interviewed. Improvements in mindfulness in mediating the relationship between group and improvements in depressive symptoms just failed to reach statistical significance (95% confidence interval −0.97 to 14.84). Thematic analysis identified four themes: ‘altered relationship to symptoms’, ‘impact on self’, ‘the challenge of letting go’ and ‘effect of the group’. Although bootstrapped indirect effects were in the hypothesized direction they failed to reach statistical significance; this could be due to low power, but further research is needed. Qualitative themes support the potential of brief mindfulness practices and are similar to themes identified of mindfulness-based interventions with lengthier mindfulness practices. Findings suggest that some people experiencing current depression report benefit from the brief mindfulness practices included in PBCT but further research in larger samples is now needed.
GENERALIZED ALGEBRA-VALUED MODELS OF SET THEORY
Authors: LÖWE BENEDIKT , TARAFDER SOURAV
Published: January 2015

We generalize the construction of lattice-valued models of set theory due to Takeuti, Titani, Kozawa and Ozawa to a wider class of algebras and show that this yields a model of a paraconsistent logic that validates all axioms of the negation-free fragment of Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory.
Beyond the limits: involvement in illegal political activities
Authors: Dahl Viktor , Stattin Håkan
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this study is to examine the adolescents who cross the boundaries of legality, also including illegal political means in their political action repertoire. The data comprised of questionnaire responses from middle and late adolescents in a Swedish city of around 130,000 citizens. Analyses of covariance, EXACON, and logistic regression were used to examine the extent to which adolescents including illegal political activities in their political activity repertoire compare with their legally oriented counterparts. Adolescents using illegal political activity reported higher levels of political interest and goal-orientation than adolescents involved solely in legal political activity. The major contrasts with legal political activism were that illegal political activism seemed to co-occur with (a) reluctance to accept authority, irrespective of the context (societal, school, or parental) and (b) approval of violent political means. In a simultaneous model, further analysis revealed that reluctance to accept authority reduced the predictive power of illegal political activities with regard to approval of political violence. This suggests that the tendencies to approve of political violence, among adolescents involved in illegal political activities, might be partially explained by challenges toward authority. To conclude, adolescents in illegal political activism seem to have similar resources for political engagement as their legally oriented counterparts. However, adolescents involved in illegal political activity seem more likely to let ends justify the means. Most likely, this position is related to authority challenges.
CNV Concordance in 1,097 MZ Twin Pairs
Authors: Abdellaoui Abdel , Ehli Erik A. , Hottenga Jouke-Jan , Weber Zachary , Mbarek Hamdi , Willemsen Gonneke , van Beijsterveldt Toos , Brooks Andrew , Hudziak Jim J. , Sullivan Patrick F. , de Geus Eco J. , Davies Gareth E. , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: January 2015

Monozygotic (MZ) twins are genetically identical at conception, making them informative subjects for studies on somatic mutations. Copy number variants (CNVs) are responsible for a substantial part of genetic variation, have relatively high mutation rates, and are likely to be involved in phenotypic variation. We conducted a genome-wide survey for post-twinning de novo CNVs in 1,097 MZ twin pairs. Comparisons between MZ twins were made by CNVs measured in DNA from blood or buccal epithelium with the Affymetrix 6.0 microarray and two calling algorithms. In addition, CNV concordance rates were compared between the different sources of DNA, and gene-enrichment association analyses were conducted for thought problems (TP) and attention problems (AP) using CNVs concordant within MZ pairs. We found a total of 153 putative post-twinning de novo CNVs >100 kb, of which the majority resided in 15q11.2. Based on the discordance of raw intensity signals a selection was made of 20 de novo CNVs for a qPCR validation experiments. Two out of 20 post-twinning de novo CNVs were validated with qPCR in the same twin pair. The 13-year-old MZ twin pair that showed two discordances in CN in 15q11.2 in their buccal DNA did not show large phenotypic differences. From the remaining 18 putative de novo CNVs, 17 were deletions or duplications that were concordant within MZ twin pairs. Concordance rates within twin pairs of CNV calls with CN ≠ 2 were ~80%. Buccal epithelium-derived DNA showed a slightly but significantly higher concordance rate, and blood-derived DNA showed significantly more concordant CNVs per twin pair. The gene-enrichment analyses on concordant CNVs showed no significant associations between CNVs overlapping with genes involved in neuronal processes and TP or AP after accounting for the source of DNA.
Ethnicity and Altruism After Violence: The Contact Hypothesis in Kosovo
Authors: Mironova Vera , Whitt Sam
Published: January 2015

An enduring question for the social sciences is whether increasing contact and exposure between in-groups and out-groups enhances prospects for social tolerance and cooperation. Using dictator experiments with ethnic Serbs in post-war Kosovo, our research explores how norms of altruism are impacted by proximity to former rivals. In the aftermath of violence, proximity appears to amplify solidarity with the in-group but also increases empathy toward former adversaries. Based on a March 2011 study of 158 ethnic Serbs from regions across Kosovo with varying degrees of contact and separation from ethnic Albanians, we find that both out-group bridging and in-group bonding norms increase with exposure to the out-group. The inclusion of extended controls and matching for displacement by violence and other forms of victimization helps alleviate concerns about sorting and selection driving our results.
Information Spillovers: Another Look at Experimental Estimates of Legislator Responsiveness
Authors: Coppock Alexander
Published: January 2015

A field experiment carried out by Butler and Nickerson (Butler, D. M., and Nickerson, D. W. (2011). Can learning constituency opinion affect how legislators vote? Results from a field experiment.Quarterly Journal of Political Science6, 55–83) shows that New Mexico legislators changed their voting decisions upon receiving reports of their constituents’ preferences. The analysis of the experiment did not account for the possibility that legislators may share information, potentially resulting in spillover effects. Working within the analytic framework proposed by Bowers et al. (2013), I find evidence of spillovers, and present estimates of direct and indirect treatment effects. The total causal effect of the experimental intervention appears to be twice as large as reported originally.
The DNA-binding network of Mycobacterium tuberculosi s
Authors: Minch Kyle J. , Rustad Tige R. , Peterson Eliza J. R. , Winkler Jessica , Reiss David J. , Ma Shuyi , Hickey Mark , Brabant William , Morrison Bob , Turkarslan Serdar , Mawhinney Chris , Galagan James E. , Price Nathan D. , Baliga Nitin S. , Sherman David R.
Published: January 2015

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infects 30% of all humans and kills someone every 20–30 s. Here we report genome-wide binding for ~80% of all predicted MTB transcription factors (TFs), and assayed global expression following induction of each TF. The MTB DNA-binding network consists of ~16,000 binding events from 154 TFs. We identify >50 TF-DNA consensus motifs and >1,150 promoter-binding events directly associated with proximal gene regulation. An additional ~4,200 binding events are in promoter windows and represent strong candidates for direct transcriptional regulation under appropriate environmental conditions. However, we also identify >10,000 ‘dormant’ DNA-binding events that cannot be linked directly with proximal transcriptional control, suggesting that widespread DNA binding may be a common feature that should be considered when developing global models of coordinated gene expression.
A subcutaneous adipose tissue–liver signalling axis controls hepatic gluconeogenesis
Authors: Reilly Shannon M. , Ahmadian Maryam , Zamarron Brian F. , Chang Louise , Uhm Maeran , Poirier BreAnne , Peng Xiaoling , Krause Danielle M. , Korytnaya Evgenia , Neidert Adam , Liddle Christopher , Yu Ruth T. , Lumeng Carey N. , Oral Elif A. , Downes Michael , Evans Ronald M. , Saltiel Alan R.
Published: January 2015

The search for effective treatments for obesity and its comorbidities is of prime importance. We previously identified IKK-ε and TBK1 as promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity and associated insulin resistance. Here we show that acute inhibition of IKK-ε and TBK1 with amlexanox treatment increases cAMP levels in subcutaneous adipose depots of obese mice, promoting the synthesis and secretion of the cytokine IL-6 from adipocytes and preadipocytes, but not from macrophages. IL-6, in turn, stimulates the phosphorylation of hepatic Stat3 to suppress expression of genes involved in gluconeogenesis, in the process improving glucose handling in obese mice. Preliminary data in a small cohort of obese patients show a similar association. These data support an important role for a subcutaneous adipose tissue–liver axis in mediating the acute metabolic benefits of amlexanox on glucose metabolism, and point to a new therapeutic pathway for type 2 diabetes.
Multiplex Imaging and Cellular Target Identification of Kinase Inhibitors via an Affinity-Based Proteome Profiling Approach
Authors: Su Ying , Pan Sijun , Li Zhengqiu , Li Lin , Wu Xiaoyuan , Hao Piliang , Sze Siu Kwan , Yao Shao Q.
Published: January 2015

MLN8237 is a highly potent and presumably selective inhibitor of Aurora kinase A (AKA) and has shown promising antitumor activities. Like other kinase inhibitors which target the ATP-binding site of kinases, MLN8237 might be expected to have potential cellular off-targets. Herein, we report the first photoaffinity-based, small molecule AKA probe capable of both live-cell imaging of AKA activities and in situ proteome profiling of potential off-targets of MLN8237 (including AKA-associating proteins). By using two mutually compatible, bioorthogonal reactions (copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition chemistry and TCO-tetrazine ligation), we demostrate small molecule-based multiplex bioimaging for simultaneous in situ monitoring of two important cell-cycle regulating kinases (AKA and CDK1). A broad range of proteins, as potential off-targets of MLN8237 and AKA's-interacting partners, is subsequently identified by affinity-based proteome profiling coupled with large-scale LC-MS/MS analysis. From these studies, we discover novel AKA interactions which were further validated by cell-based immunoprecipitation (IP) experiments.
Microfluidic-SANS: flow processing of complex fluids
Authors: Lopez Carlos G. , Watanabe Takaichi , Martel Anne , Porcar Lionel , Cabral João T.
Published: January 2015

Understanding and engineering the flow-response of complex and non-Newtonian fluids at a molecular level is a key challenge for their practical utilisation. Here we demonstrate the coupling of microfluidics with small angle neutron scattering (SANS). Microdevices with high neutron transmission (up to 98%), low scattering background ("Equation missing"), broad solvent compatibility and high pressure tolerance (≈3–15 bar) are rapidly prototyped via frontal photo polymerisation. Scattering from single microchannels of widths down to 60 μm, with beam footprint of 500 μm diameter, was successfully obtained in the scattering vector range 0.01–0.3 Å−1, corresponding to real space dimensions of "Equation missing". We demonstrate our approach by investigating the molecular re-orientation and alignment underpinning the flow response of two model complex fluids, namely cetyl trimethylammonium chloride/pentanol/D2O and sodium lauryl sulfate/octanol/brine lamellar systems. Finally, we assess the applicability and outlook of microfluidic-SANS for high-throughput and flow processing studies, with emphasis of soft matter.
Glucopyranosyl-1,4-dihydropyridine as a new fluorescent chemosensor for selective detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol
Authors: Pinrat Oran , Boonkitpatarakul Kanokthorn , Paisuwan Waroton , Sukwattanasinitt Mongkol , Ajavakom Anawat
Published: January 2015

Glucopyranosyl-1,4-dihydropyridine (Glc-DHP) was synthesized as a new fluorescent chemosensor via cyclotrimerization of the β-amino acrylate in the presence of TiCl4.
Real-time detection of H5N1influenza virus through hyperbranched rolling circle amplification
Authors: Hamidi Seyed Vahid , Ghourchian Hedayatollah , Tavoosidana Gholamreza
Published: January 2015

In the HRCA process, by replacing heat shock by pH shock, H5N1was detected at 9 fM more easily and safely.
Forsythiaside stability in pretreated rat plasma and its pharmacokinetics after i.v. administration
Authors: Tian Jingchen , Lin Longfei , Li Xuechun , Dou Haoran , Pei Wenhui , Wang Lina , Han Jingjie , Ni Jian , Zheng Huzhan
Published: January 2015

Forsythiaside is very unstable and can be affected by different conditions.
A hierarchical meso-macroporous poly(ionic liquid) monolith derived from a single soft template
Authors: Gao Chenjue , Chen Guojian , Wang Xiaochen , Li Jing , Zhou Yu , Wang Jun
Published: January 2015

A hierarchical meso-macroporous poly(ionic liquid) monolith with tunable pore structure is synthesized through free radical self-polymerization of 1-allyl-3-vinylimidazoliumin using a soft template route.
Differential reactivity of the inner and outer positions of Au25(SCH2CH2Ph)18 dimeric staples under place exchange conditions
Authors: Pengo Paolo , Bazzo Cristian , Boccalon Mariangela , Pasquato Lucia
Published: January 2015

The site selectivity of the place exchange reaction at the two inequivalent positions of the neutral Au25(SCH2CH2Ph)18 staples depends on the nature of the incoming thiol.
Graphite sulphate – a precursor to graphene
Authors: Eigler Siegfried
Published: January 2015

Graphite sulphate is utilized as a precursor to single layers of graphene with an average density of defects of 0.06%.
Immobilization of Ag(i) into a metal–organic framework with –SO3H sites for highly selective olefin–paraffin separation at room temperature
Authors: Chang Ganggang , Huang Minhui , Su Ye , Xing Huabin , Su Baogen , Zhang Zhiguo , Yang Qiwei , Yang Yiwen , Ren Qilong , Bao Zongbi , Chen Banglin
Published: January 2015

Introduction of Ag(i) ions into a sulfonic acid functionalized MOF ((Cr)-MIL-101-SO3H) significantly enhances its olefin/paraffin separations at room temperature.
Ratiometric fluorescence and mesoporous structure dual signal amplification for sensitive and selective detection of TNT based on MIP@QD fluorescence sensors
Authors: Xu Shoufang , Lu Hongzhi
Published: January 2015

MIP@QD fluorescence sensors combined with ratiometric fluorescence techniques and mesoporous silica materials for highly sensitive detection of TNT.