bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chivalry, subordination and courtship culture: Being a ‘Woman’ in online games
Authors: Linderoth Jonas , Öhrn Elisabet
Published: April 2014

Computer and video gaming are social activities, where people with different backgrounds, different nationalities and different ages meet. Research dating back to the early years of online gaming proposed that individual backgrounds were especially irrelevant online and that, consequently, games could be arenas for exploring new identities, gender relations and sexualities. Taking this as a starting point, we report in this article from an interview study. The results confirm that gaming is an activity where the participants’ backgrounds might be largely ignored. This also includes gender insofar as the participants can choose what gender to assume. However, whereas individual online gender (female or male) can be chosen freely, femininity and what it is like to be a woman are represented as being rather rigid. The article explores this tension between the free choice of the female position and its fixed content in relation to assumptions of the transgressive nature of computer gaming.
Re-thinking foundations: Theoretical and methodological challenges (and opportunities) in virtual worlds research
Authors: de Castell Suzanne , Jenson Jennifer , Taylor Nick , Thumlert Kurt
Published: April 2014

This article identifies a set of persistent methodological and theoretical challenges to research on Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs), and to studies of virtual worlds more generally. Critically examining some of the ontological, epistemological and ethical lacunae and, in some cases, missteps that characterize well-respected, well-publicized and oft-cited research in what is now a prominent field of scholarly enquiry, this discussion addresses the need for firmer theoretical foundations to support more innovative, more rigorous and more accountable studies of digitally re-mediated, MMOG-based work, play and sociality.
Go with the flow: The experience and affective outcomes of solo versus social gameplay
Authors: Kaye Linda K. , Bryce Jo
Published: April 2014

This study examined the extent to which there are differences in flow experiences and post-gameplay mood states (positive and negative) in solo compared with social digital gaming. This was achieved by obtaining gamers’ (N = 302) retrospective ratings of the experience of flow and post-gameplay mood based on recent solo and social gaming experiences, through the use of an online questionnaire. Positive mood was found to be significantly higher following social (e.g., playing with other players) compared with solo gameplay, suggesting that playing games with others enhances enjoyment of the activity. Different levels of flow in gameplay were also found to be related to positive mood following both solo and social gameplay. There were no observed differences in experiences of flow and post-gameplay mood between online and offline, or competitive and cooperative gaming contexts. The findings suggest that ‘group flow’ may be a useful concept in understanding the dynamics of social gaming as this has not been sufficiently examined in the current digital gaming literature.
A design study of chain reaction: Design thinking on game interaction based on problem-solving situations
Authors: Liao Guan-Ze
Published: April 2014

This study is aimed at presenting the thinking behind the design of a game and explaining how the author adopts the metaphor/image of CHAIN REACTION to devise the game. The chain reaction referred to in the study suggests a combination of various small components. The entire process of chain reaction consists of various scientific components, such as gear devices and tool modules. The game scenarios are created based on problem-solving situations. The author has developed a game by the name of Creative Gears Lab (Liao 2013), which adopts the assembly of different gear tools and components as operational rules. The key to problem-solving relies on activating the chain reaction formed by various scientific components. The players are then guided to choose correct and suitable triggers to construct gear devices with continuous motivation, and thus, achieve the game’s objective of solving problems. The purpose of this study is to use the procedures suggested in the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) model by S. J. Parnes (1967) as the analytical model in order to comprehend the circumstances of game operations during the processes of solving problem and explore the design thinking of game interaction. Future research will be conducted in the manner of narrative interview to further investigate the problem-solving process of elementary school students and explore the characteristics within the operating progress of the game.
Review
Authors: Fuchs Mathias
Published: April 2014

Games people play The Video Game Industry: Formation, Present State, and Future, Peter Zackariasson and Timothy Wilson (eds) (2012) New York: Routledge, 282 pp., ISBN: 9780415896528, h/bk, £85.00 (GBP)
Neoliberal Forms
Authors: Jeon Joseph Jonghyun
Published: April 2014

This paper examines the co-implications of CGI filmmaking, US hegemony, and neoliberal financialization as manifested in Korea’s “IMF crisis cinema.” These films are populated by what I term neoliberal forms that epitomize the effort in this cinema to reflect on the innate proximity of popular filmmaking to finance, and specifically on the proximity between its own material apparatus and the economic apparatus that the IMF crisis inserted into the center of Korean public discourse.
Efficient Molecular Marker Design Using the MaizeGDB Mo17 SNPs and Indels Track
Authors: Settles A Mark , Bagadion Alyssa M , Bai Fang , Zhang Junya , Barron Brady , Leach Kristen , Mudunkothge Janaki S , Hoffner Cassandra , Bihmidine Saadia , Finefield Erin , Hibbard Jaime , Dieter Emily , Malidelis I Alex , Gustin Jeffery L , Karoblyte Vita , Tseung Chi-Wah , Braun David M
Published: April 2014

Positional cloning in maize (Zea mays) requires development of markers in the region of interest. We found that primers designed to amplify annotated insertion–deletion polymorphisms of seven base pairs or greater between B73 and Mo17 produce polymorphic markers at a 97% frequency with 49% of the products showing co-dominant fragment length polymorphisms. When the same polymorphisms are used to develop markers for B73 and W22 or Mo17 and W22 mapping populations, 22% and 31% of markers are co-dominant, respectively. There are 38,223 Indel polymorphisms that can be converted to markers providing high-density coverage throughout the maize genome. This strategy significantly increases the efficiency of marker development for fine-mapping in maize.
After the slaughter: Reconstructing Mozambique and Rwanda
Authors: Dunne J. Paul
Published: April 2014

A comparative analysis is made of the experiences of Mozambique and Rwanda as they moved away from their respective conflicts. This provides useful information and a means of learning lessons that can inform future policy formation, particularly regarding the roles of the international community and its institutions. The most striking difference between the two is the changed role of the World Bank and the IMF in reconstruction. The move away from applying IMF structural adjustment packages for post-conflict situations to a more flexible policy focused on the Bank's Poverty Reduction Strategy meant, for example, that Rwanda did not suffer as much from structural adjustment requirements in the immediate period of reconstruction as Mozambique did. These sorts of changes have also made it easier for other international organizations to develop complementary programs. The benefits of these policy changes are readily apparent from the two countries' economic indicators.
The 'No Dirty Gold' campaign: What economists can learn from and contribute to corporate campaigns
Authors: Tepper Marlin John
Published: April 2014

The article studies NGO's successful work on corporate campaigns for higher environmental or labor standards and what applied peace economists may learn from such campaigns. By way of example, the article employs the No Dirty Gold (NDG) as a model. Two main conclusions are offered. First, a corporate campaign is likely to be more successful if a target industry or company has valuable brand names to protect and sells a non-essential product in a marketplace where substitutes are readily available. Second, economists can contribute to the success of such campaigns by using their analytical tools to raise the media profile of a corporate campaign, to reach large numbers of consumers, and to work effectively with corporations that are responsive to the issues raised in the campaign.
New Developments In Polyester Film For Flexible Electronics
Authors: MacDonald Bill A , Rollins Keith , Eveson Robert , Rakos Karl , Rustin Bob A , Handa Makoto
Published: April 2014

Polyester films are well-known substrates for a wide range of electronic applications. This contribution will describe new developments in polyester film substrates for OLED displays.
Does biodiversity protect humans against infectious disease?
Authors: Wood Chelsea L. , Lafferty Kevin D. , DeLeo Giulio , Young Hillary S. , Hudson Peter J. , Kuris Armand M.
Published: April 2014

Control of human infectious disease has been promoted as a valuable ecosystem service arising from the conservation of biodiversity. There are two commonly discussed mechanisms by which biodiversity loss could increase rates of infectious disease in a landscape. First, loss of competitors or predators could facilitate an increase in the abundance of competent reservoir hosts. Second, biodiversity loss could disproportionately affect non‐competent, or less competent reservoir hosts, which would otherwise interfere with pathogen transmission to human populations by, for example, wasting the bites of infected vectors. A negative association between biodiversity and disease risk, sometimes called the “dilution effect hypothesis,” has been supported for a few disease agents, suggests an exciting win–win outcome for the environment and society, and has become a pervasive topic in the disease ecology literature. Case studies have been assembled to argue that the dilution effect is general across disease agents. Less touted are examples in which elevated biodiversity does not affect or increases infectious disease risk for pathogens of public health concern. In order to assess the likely generality of the dilution effect, we review the association between biodiversity and public health across a broad variety of human disease agents. Overall, we hypothesize that conditions for the dilution effect are unlikely to be met for most important diseases of humans. Biodiversity probably has little net effect on most human infectious diseases but, when it does have an effect, observation and basic logic suggest that biodiversity will be more likely to increase than to decrease infectious disease risk.
Plant community response to loss of large herbivores differs between North American and South African savanna grasslands
Authors: Koerner Sally E. , Burkepile Deron E. , Fynn Richard W. S. , Burns Catherine E. , Eby Stephanie , Govender Navashni , Hagenah Nicole , Matchett Katherine J. , Thompson Dave I. , Wilcox Kevin R. , Collins Scott L. , Kirkman Kevin P. , Knapp Alan K. , Smith Melinda D.
Published: April 2014

Herbivory and fire shape plant community structure in grass‐dominated ecosystems, but these disturbance regimes are being altered around the world. To assess the consequences of such alterations, we excluded large herbivores for seven years from mesic savanna grasslands sites burned at different frequencies in North America (Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas, USA) and South Africa (Kruger National Park). We hypothesized that the removal of a single grass‐feeding herbivore from Konza would decrease plant community richness and shift community composition due to increased dominance by grasses. Similarly, we expected grass dominance to increase at Kruger when removing large herbivores, but because large herbivores are more diverse, targeting both grasses and forbs, at this study site, the changes due to herbivore removal would be muted. After seven years of large‐herbivore exclusion, richness strongly decreased and community composition changed at Konza, whereas little change was evident at Kruger. We found that this divergence in response was largely due to differences in the traits and numbers of dominant grasses between the study sites rather than the predicted differences in herbivore assemblages. Thus, the diversity of large herbivores lost may be less important in determining plant community dynamics than the functional traits of the grasses that dominate mesic, disturbance‐maintained savanna grasslands.
Infections in Prison in Low and Middle Income Countries: Prevalence and Prevention Strategies
Authors: Simooya Oscar O.
Published: April 2014

Prisoners throughout the world are at a greater risk of infectious diseases compared to communities outside.
Hepatitis C (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) have attracted great attention because of
their potential to cause great morbidity and mortality in prison populations.

However, prisons are not closed worlds. Many people enter and leave prisons every day and many prisoners themselves
stay only a short period in prison and return to their families. Giving prisoners adequate treatment for infectious diseases
is good medical practice and provides public health benefits to the community.

There are several factors that may fuel the highly infectious environment in prisons and include: 1) poor health services;
2) overcrowding and congestion; 3) high risk behaviors; 4) security vs public health concerns and 5) lack of public
empathy for prisoners. This paper looks at the challenge of infectious diseases in prisons in low and middle income
countries (LMICs).

Three percent of the world’s population is infected with HCV but in prisons the prevalence appears to be much higher
ranging from 4% in Indian prisons to 12.3% in prisoners in Nigeria. A review of HIV prevalence in 152 LMICs found
information on HIV prevalence in only 75 (50%) of these countries. HIV prevalence was greater than 10% in prisons in
20 countries. TB infection rates in prison are equally high and may be up to 100 times those outside prison.

Overcrowding is a major problem and non-custodial sentences must be considered in order to decongest prisons.
Furthermore, standard medical treatment and prevention measures for HCV, HIV and TB must be provided to prisoners in
order to reduce the burden of infections in prisons. Linkages between prison health and national health services would go
a long way in addressing the threat of infections to prison populations.

Prisoners go to jail to be punished for offending society and not to get infectious diseases. Health care equivalent to that
found outside prison must be provided to these individuals.
Research Priorities for HIV/M. tuberculosis Co-Infection
Authors: Alvarez María Alejandra , Arbelaez Patricia , Bastos Francisco Ignacio , Berkhout Ben , Bhattacharya Basudev , Bocharov Gennady , Chereshnev Valery , Cuchí Paloma , Däumer Martin , Demikhova Olga , Feldmann Knut , García Luis F. , Giehl Claudia , Gulalia Akash , Kampmann Beate , Karamov Eduard , Kebaabetswe Poloko , Kiselev Mikhail , Knellwolf Anne-Laure , Kritski Afranio L. , Lange Christoph , López-Galíndez Cecilio , Makone Albert , Martin Anandi , Mayanja-Kizza Harriet , McNerney Ruth , Meyerhans Andreas , Migliori Giovanni Battista , Morgado Mariza G. , Nachega Jean , Ngwira Bagrey , Odermarsky Michal , Ota Martin , Palomino Juan Carlos , Pfyffer Gaby E. , Preiser Wolfgang , Ritacco Viviana , Robledo Jaime , Rodrigues Camilla , Salomón Horacio , Samper Sofia , Sanchez Jorge , Sester Martina , Seth Pradeep , Seti Boniswa , Sidorovich Igor , Singla Rupak , Sonnier Laure , Torti Carlo , Tortoli Enrico , Vandevelde Wim , Vella Stefano , Veloso Valdilea , Briesen Hagen von , Walia Kamini , Walzl Gerhard , Wingfield Claire
Published: April 2014

This document summarizes priority areas for joint research and concerted actions to counteract the public
health threat of AIDS/TB as identified within the European Support Action “EUCO-Net” funded under the 7th Framework
Programme of the European Commission.
Climate Change/Global Warming and Its Impacts on Parasitology/ Entomology
Authors: Atehmengo Ngongeh, Lucas , Idika Idika Kalu , Shehu Agbede, Rowland Ibrahim
Published: April 2014

Climate change and global warming are important phenomena and do not mean the same thing as is wrongly conceived by some individuals. However, the link between the two is strong and one, global warming is strictly an average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the earth’s surface and in the troposphere, while the other, climate change is more diverse and refers to any significant change in measures of climate such as temperature, precipitation, or wind lasting for a long period of time usually several years. Climate change could thus be an increase or decrease in temperature. The most important of the two terms which is under spotlight is global warming, an increase in temperature which has been blamed largely to greenhouse effect. There can no longer be any doubt that the earth’s climate is changing. It is now obvious that even the most hardened sceptics are starting to waiver in their convictions. Climate has been thrown completely out of kilter and each day brings fresh proof such as frequent and more violent cyclones in the Caribean, floods in Africa, the Philippines, the gradual sinking of Islands in the Pacific, heat waves in Europe and the melting of glaciers. There is increase in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and rising global average sea level. Impacts of global warming include the emergence and re-emergence of some parasitic infections and diseases.
Antioxidant and Metal Chelation-Based Therapies in the Treatment of Prion Disease
Authors: Brazier Marcus , Wedd Anthony , Collins Steven
Published: April 2014

Many neurodegenerative disorders involve the accumulation of multimeric assemblies and amyloid derived from misfolded conformers of constitutively expressed proteins. In addition, the brains of patients and experimental animals afflicted with prion disease display evidence of heightened oxidative stress and damage, as well as disturbances to transition metal homeostasis. Utilising a variety of disease model paradigms, many laboratories have demonstrated that copper can act as a cofactor in the antioxidant activity displayed by the prion protein while manganese has been implicated in the generation and stabilisation of disease-associated conformers. This and other evidence has led several groups to test dietary and chelation therapy-based regimens to manipulate brain metal concentrations in attempts to influence the progression of prion disease in experimental mice. Results have been inconsistent. This review examines published data on transition metal dyshomeostasis, free radical generation and subsequent oxidative damage in the pathogenesis of prion disease. It also comments on the efficacy of trialed therapeutics chosen to combat such deleterious changes.
A Quantum Chemical and Statistical Study of Phenolic Schiff Bases with Antioxidant Activity against DPPH Free Radical
Authors: Anouar El
Published: April 2014

Phenolic Schiff bases are known as powerful antioxidants. To select the electronic, 2D and 3D descriptors responsible for the free radical scavenging ability of a series of 30 phenolic Schiff bases, a set of molecular descriptors were calculated by using B3P86 (Becke’s three parameter hybrid functional with Perdew 86 correlation functional) combined with 6-31 + G(d,p) basis set (i.e., at the B3P86/6-31 + G(d,p) level of theory). The chemometric methods, simple and multiple linear regressions (SLR and MLR), principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were employed to reduce the dimensionality and to investigate the relationship between the calculated descriptors and the antioxidant activity. The results showed that the antioxidant activity mainly depends on the first and second bond dissociation enthalpies of phenolic hydroxyl groups, the dipole moment and the hydrophobicity descriptors. The antioxidant activity is inversely proportional to the main descriptors. The selected descriptors discriminate the Schiff bases into active and inactive antioxidants.
The Impact of Windstorm Damage in the Assessment of the Carbon Balance in Even-Aged Fagus sylvatica L. Stands
Authors: Fortin Mathieu , Albrecht Axel , Kohnle Ulrich , Ningre François
Published: April 2014

Due to the fact that forest ecosystems can potentially mitigate the impact of climate change, the carbon balance of managed forests has caught the attention of a large scientific community. Some authors conclude that extending rotation lengths would actually favour the climate change mitigation effect since more carbon would be stored in the biomass on the average. However, when the occurrence of catastrophic disturbances such as windstorms is not considered, the advantage of extending the rotation length might be overestimated for some species. In this study, we addressed this issue by coupling a growth model, a windstorm damage model and a carbon assessment tool. The evolution of an even-aged European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stand was simulated under three different rotation lengths. Simulations including stochastic windstorm events were run and compared with deterministic simulations with no catastrophic disturbance. Our results indicate that when disturbances caused by storms were not taken into account, the carbon balance was actually overestimated in some cases and that this overestimation increased with the rotation length. In our case study, omitting windstorm damage resulted in an overestimation as large as 8% for the longer rotation length. Nevertheless, when windstorm damage was taken into account in the simulation, the longer rotation length still stored more carbon on the average than shorter rotation lengths. However, the marginal gain in carbon storage induced by the increase of the rotation length was reduced.
Proteomic Analysis of Etiolated Juvenile Tetraploid Robinia pseudoacacia Branches during Different Cutting Periods
Authors: Lu Nan , Xu Zhaohe , Meng Bingnan , Sun Yuhan , Zhang Jiangtao , Wang Shaoming , Li Yun
Published: April 2014

The propagation of hard-branch cuttings of tetraploid Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust) is restricted by the low rooting rate; however, etiolated juvenile tetraploid black locust branches result in a significantly higher rooting rate of cuttings compared with non-etiolated juvenile tetraploid branches. To identify proteins that influence the juvenile tetraploid branch rooting process, two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectra (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS) were used to analyze proteomic differences in the phloem of tetraploid R. pseudoacacia etiolated and non-etiolated juvenile branches during different cutting periods. A total of 58 protein spots differed in expression level, and 16 protein spots were only expressed in etiolated branches or non-etiolated ones. A total of 40 highly expressed protein spots were identified by mass spectrometry, 14 of which were accurately retrieved. They include nucleoglucoprotein metabolic proteins, signaling proteins, lignin synthesis proteins and phyllochlorin. These results help to reveal the mechanism of juvenile tetraploid R. pseudoacacia etiolated branch rooting and provide a valuable reference for the improvement of tetraploid R. pseudoacacia cutting techniques.
Design, Synthesis and Bioactivity of N-Glycosyl-N'-(5-substituted phenyl-2-furoyl) Hydrazide Derivatives
Authors: Cui Zining , Su Hang , Jiang Jiazhen , Yang Xinling , Nishida Yoshihiro
Published: April 2014

Condensation products of 5-substituted phenyl-2-furoyl hydrazide with different monosaccharides d-glucose, d-galactose, d-mannose, d-fucose and d-arabinose were prepared. The anomerization and cyclic-acyclic isomers were investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The results showed that, except for the d-glucose derivatives, which were in the presence of β-anomeric forms, all derivatives were in an acyclic Schiff base form. Their antifungal and antitumor activities were studied. The bioassay results indicated that some title compounds showed superior effects over the commercial positive controls.
5-(6-Hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-yl)-2-methyl-pentanoic Acid Methyl Ester
Authors: Chen Kuan-Hua , Dai Chang-Feng , Hwang Tsong-Long , Sung Ping-Jyun
Published: April 2014

A natural diastereomeric mixture of 5-(6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2-yl)-2-methyl-pentanoic acid methyl ester (1), was isolated from the soft coral Sinularia arborea. The structure of 1 was elucidated by spectroscopic methods and 1 displayed a significantly inhibitory effect on the generation of superoxide anion by human neutrophils.
Quantitative X-ray Elemental Imaging in Plant Materials at the Subcellular Level with a Transmission Electron Microscope: Applications and Limitations
Authors: Chen Shaoliang , Diekmann Heike , Janz Dennis , Polle Andrea
Published: April 2014

Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) is a technique for determining the distribution of elements in various materials. Here, we report a protocol for high-spatial-resolution X-ray elemental imaging and quantification in plant tissues at subcellular levels with a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). Calibration standards were established by producing agar blocks loaded with increasing KCl or NaCl concentrations. TEM-EDX images showed that the salts were evenly distributed in the agar matrix, but tended to aggregate at high concentrations. The mean intensities of K+, Cl−, and Na+ derived from elemental images were linearly correlated to the concentrations of these elements in the agar, over the entire concentration range tested (R > 0.916). We applied this method to plant root tissues. X-ray images were acquired at an actual resolution of 50 nm ´ 50 nm to 100 nm ´ 100 nm. We found that cell walls exhibited higher elemental concentrations than vacuoles. Plants exposed to salt stress showed dramatic accumulation of Na+ and Cl− in the transport tissues, and reached levels similar to those applied in the external solution (300 mM). The advantage of TEM-EDX mapping was the high-spatial-resolution achieved for imaging elemental distributions in a particular area with simultaneous quantitative analyses of multiple target elements.
A Review on Breathing Behaviors of Metal-Organic-Frameworks (MOFs) for Gas Adsorption
Authors: Alhamami Mays , Doan Huu , Cheng Chil-Hung
Published: April 2014

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a new class of microporous materials that possess framework flexibility, large surface areas, “tailor-made” framework functionalities, and tunable pore sizes. These features empower MOFs superior performances and broader application spectra than those of zeolites and phosphine-based molecular sieves. In parallel with designing new structures and new chemistry of MOFs, the observation of unique breathing behaviors upon adsorption of gases or solvents stimulates their potential applications as host materials in gas storage for renewable energy. This has attracted intense research energy to understand the causes at the atomic level, using in situ X-ray diffraction, calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations. This article is developed in the following order: first to introduce the definition of MOFs and the observation of their framework flexibility. Second, synthesis routes of MOFs are summarized with the emphasis on the hydrothermal synthesis, owing to the environmental-benign and economically availability of water. Third, MOFs exhibiting breathing behaviors are summarized, followed by rationales from thermodynamic viewpoint. Subsequently, effects of various functionalities on breathing behaviors are appraised, including using post-synthetic modification routes. Finally, possible framework spatial requirements of MOFs for yielding breathing behaviors are highlighted as the design strategies for new syntheses.
Correction: Kallifatidis, G. et al. The Marine Natural Product Manzamine A Targets Vacuolar ATPases and Inhibits Autophagy in Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Mar. Drugs 2013, 11, 3500–3516
Authors: Kallifatidis Georgios , Hoepfner Dominic , Jaeg Tiphaine , Guzmán Esther , Wright Amy
Published: April 2014

We found two errors in our previous published paper [1]. Figure 4A has a mistake in the units in the labels, where it shows mM instead of micromolar (µM). A correctly labeled Figure 4A ensues. In Figures 2 and 4, the size bar scale is micrometers (µm). We apologize for the inconvenience caused to our readers. [...]
High Efficiency Acetylcholinesterase Immobilization on DNA Aptamer Modified Surfaces
Authors: Chumphukam Orada , Le Thao , Cass Anthony
Published: April 2014

We report here the in vitro selection of DNA aptamers for electric eel acetylcholinesterase (AChE). One selected aptamer sequence (R15/19) has a high affinity towards the enzyme (Kd = 157 ± 42 pM). Characterization of the aptamer showed its binding is not affected by low ionic strength (~20 mM), however significant reduction in affinity occurred at high ionic strength (~1.2 M). In addition, this aptamer does not inhibit the catalytic activity of AChE that we exploit through immobilization of the DNA on a streptavidin-coated surface. Subsequent immobilization of AChE by the aptamer results in a 4-fold higher catalytic activity when compared to adsorption directly on to plastic.
High Plasma Homocysteine Increases Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in 6 to 8 Year Old Children in Rural Nepal
Authors: Yakub Mohsin , Schulze Kerry , Khatry Subarna , Stewart Christine , Christian Parul , West Keith
Published: April 2014

Little attention has been given to the association of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children. We have evaluated the risk of MetS with plasma Hcy in a cohort of 6 to 8 year old rural Nepalese children, born to mothers who had participated in an antenatal micronutrient supplementation trial. We assessed Hcy in plasma from a random selection of n = 1000 children and determined the relationship of elevated Hcy (>12.0 μmol/L) to MetS (defined as the presence of any three of the following: abdominal adiposity (waist circumference ≥ 85th percentile of the study population), high plasma glucose (≥85th percentile), high systolic or diastolic blood pressure (≥90th percentile of reference population), triglyceride ≥ 1.7 mmol/L and high density lipoprotein < 0.9 mmol/L.) and its components. There was an increased risk of low high-density lipoproteins (HDL), [odds ratios (OR) = 1.77, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.08–2.88; p = 0.020], high blood pressure [OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.10–2.46; p = 0.015] and high body mass index (BMI) [OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.33–2.96; p = 0.001] with elevated Hcy. We observed an increased risk of MetS (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.06–2.90; p = 0.029) with elevated Hcy in age and gender-adjusted logistic regression models. High plasma Hcy is associated with increased risk of MetS and may have implications for chronic disease later in life.
Weight Status and Psychological Distress in a Mediterranean Spanish Population: A Symmetric U-Shaped Relationship
Authors: Martínez Elena , Gutiérrez-Bedmar Mario , García-Rodríguez Antonio , Mariscal Alberto , Muñoz-Bravo Carlos , Navajas Joaquín
Published: April 2014

Psychological disorders in people with extreme weight (low weight or obesity) should be taken into consideration by health professionals in order to practice an effective treatment to these patients. This study evaluates the association between body mass index (BMI) and psychological distress in 563 inhabitants of Málaga (South of Spain). Participants were classified in four categories of BMI: Underweight (BMI <18.5 Kg/m2), Normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.99 Kg/m2), Overweight (BMI 25.0–29.99 Kg/m2) and Obesity (BMI >30 Kg/m2). Psychological distress was measured with the Spanish version of the Derogatis’ Symptoms Checklist Revised (SCL-90-R). We observed a symmetric U-shaped relationship between weight status and psychological distress in all SCL-90-R dimensions (p for quadratic trend <0.001) for both men and women. Participants with extreme weight showed the worst psychological status, and participants with normal weight exhibited the best. We found no statistically significant differences between underweight and obese participants in 9 of the 10 SCL-90-R dimensions analyzed among men, and in 8 of the 10 dimensions among women. Underweight and obese participants showed no gender differences in psychological distress levels. Psychological treatment of Mediterranean people with extreme weight, should consider underweight and obese patients at the same level of psychological distress.
Applications of Micro/Nanoparticles in Microfluidic Sensors: A Review
Authors: Jiang Yusheng , Wang Hui , Li Shunbo , Wen Weijia
Published: April 2014

This paper reviews the applications of micro/nanoparticles in microfluidics device fabrication and analytical processing. In general, researchers have focused on two properties of particles—electric behavior and magnetic behavior. The applications of micro/nanoparticles could be summarized on the chip fabrication level and on the processing level. In the fabrication of microfluidic chips (chip fabrication level), particles are good additives in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to prepare conductive or magnetic composites which have wide applications in sensors, valves and actuators. On the other hand, particles could be manipulated according to their electric and magnetic properties under external electric and magnetic fields when they are travelling in microchannels (processing level). Researchers have made a great progress in preparing modified PDMS and investigating the behaviors of particles in microchannels. This article attempts to present a discussion on the basis of particles applications in microfluidics.
Response of a New Low-Coherence Fabry-Perot Sensor to Hematocrit Levels in Human Blood
Authors: Jędrzejewska-Szczerska Małgorzata
Published: April 2014

In this paper, a low-coherence Fabry-Perot sensor with a spectrally measured signal processing response to the refractive index of liquids is presented. Optical fiber sensors are potentially capable of continuous measuring hematocrit levels in blood. Low-coherence Fabry-Perot interferometric sensors offer a robust solution, where information about the measurand is encoded in the full spectrum of light reflected from the sensing interferometer. The first step in the research on such sensor is the assessment of its performance under favorable conditions, i.e., using blood samples from healthy volunteers tested in vitro. Such an experiment was conducted using a sensor comprising a superluminescent diode source, an optical spectrum analyzer working as the detection setup and a sensing Fabry-Perot interferometer providing high interference contrast. The response of this sensor was recorded for several samples and compared with the reference laboratory method. The coefficient of determination (R2) for a linear relationship between the results given by both methods was 0.978 and the difference between these results was less than 1%. The presented results suggest that further research into the performance of the sensor is merited.
An Internet of Things Example: Classrooms Access Control over Near Field Communication
Authors: Palma Daniel , Agudo Juan , Sánchez Héctor , Macías Miguel
Published: April 2014

The Internet of Things is one of the ideas that has become increasingly relevant in recent years. It involves connecting things to the Internet in order to retrieve information from them at any time and from anywhere. In the Internet of Things, sensor networks that exchange information wirelessly via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee or RF are common. In this sense, our paper presents a way in which each classroom control is accessed through Near Field Communication (NFC) and the information is shared via radio frequency. These data are published on the Web and could easily be used for building applications from the data collected. As a result, our application collects information from the classroom to create a control classroom tool that displays access to and the status of all the classrooms graphically and also connects this data with social networks.
Measurement of Cerenkov Radiation Induced by the Gamma-Rays of Co-60 Therapy Units Using Wavelength Shifting Fiber
Authors: Jang Kyoung , Shin Sang , Kim Seon , Kim Jae , Yoo Wook , Ji Young , Lee Bongsoo
Published: April 2014

In this study, a wavelength shifting fiber that shifts ultra-violet and blue light to green light was employed as a sensor probe of a fiber-optic Cerenkov radiation sensor. In order to characterize Cerenkov radiation generated in the developed wavelength shifting fiber and a plastic optical fiber, spectra and intensities of Cerenkov radiation were measured with a spectrometer. The spectral peaks of light outputs from the wavelength shifting fiber and the plastic optical fiber were measured at wavelengths of 500 and 510 nm, respectively, and the intensity of transmitted light output of the wavelength shifting fiber was 22.2 times higher than that of the plastic optical fiber. Also, electron fluxes and total energy depositions of gamma-ray beams generated from a Co-60 therapy unit were calculated according to water depths using the Monte Carlo N-particle transport code. The relationship between the fluxes of electrons over the Cerenkov threshold energy and the energy depositions of gamma-ray beams from the Co-60 unit is a near-identity function. Finally, percentage depth doses for the gamma-ray beams were obtained using the fiber-optic Cerenkov radiation sensor, and the results were compared with those obtained by an ionization chamber. The average dose difference between the results of the fiber-optic Cerenkov radiation sensor and those of the ionization chamber was about 2.09%.
Evaluation of Urban Eco-Security—A Case Study of Mianyang City, China
Authors: Zhao Chun-rong , Zhou Bo , Su Xin
Published: April 2014

Currently, a series of ecological environmental problems have been brought about by high-intensity intervention of human beings, and ecological security is regarded as one of the most important national survival strategies. A methodology of urban eco-security evaluation has been introduced, including a conceptual framework of pressure-state-response (PSR) model, setting-up of the indicator system of urban eco-security evaluation (ISUESE) and empirical research. By virtue of the mean-deviation method, the weight coefficient of every indicator is confirmed. It has been found that the top three indicators are: per capita area of paved road, per capita area of cultivated land and green coverage rate of built-up area, which has a relatively prominent status in he urban ecological security. A calculation procedure of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) method is applied in empirical research. The Mianyang statistical data during the period of 2005–2012 shows that eco-security keeps a favorable trend, but criticality security and slight insecurity are dominant. It has also been found that insecurity membership degree (MD) of environment pressure accounts for a very large proportion of total pressure. Membership degrees of criticality security and security in environment state are increasing gradually, and as far as environment response is concerned, security is significantly increased.
High-Level Systemic Expression of Conserved Influenza Epitope in Plants on the Surface of Rod-Shaped Chimeric Particles
Authors: Petukhova Natalia , Gasanova Tatiana , Ivanov Peter , Atabekov Joseph
Published: April 2014

Recombinant viruses based on the cDNA copy of the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) genome carrying different versions of the conserved M2e epitope from influenza virus A cloned into the coat protein (CP) gene were obtained and partially characterized by our group previously; cysteines in the human consensus M2e sequence were changed to serine residues. This work intends to show some biological properties of these viruses following plant infections. Agroinfiltration experiments on Nicotiana benthamiana confirmed the efficient systemic expression of M2e peptides, and two point amino acid substitutions in recombinant CPs significantly influenced the symptoms and development of viral infections. Joint expression of RNA interference suppressor protein p19 from tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) did not affect the accumulation of CP-M2e-ser recombinant protein in non-inoculated leaves. RT-PCR analysis of RNA isolated from either infected leaves or purified TMV-M2e particles proved the genetic stability of TMV‑based viral vectors. Immunoelectron microscopy of crude plant extracts demonstrated that foreign epitopes are located on the surface of chimeric virions. The rod‑shaped geometry of plant-produced M2e epitopes is different from the icosahedral or helical filamentous arrangement of M2e antigens on the carrier virus-like particles (VLP) described earlier. Thereby, we created a simple and efficient system that employs agrobacteria and plant viral vectors in order to produce a candidate broad-spectrum flu vaccine.
QUANTIFYING THE ACCUMULATED STRESS LEVEL USING A POINT-OF-CARE TEST DEVICE
Authors: Chen Chi-Chun , Lin Shih-Chi , Young Ming-Shing , Yang Chin-Lung
Published: April 2014

This study developed a portable embedded multi-sensor fusion for point-of-care health monitoring to evaluate the accumulated stress levels of affected people. The instrument integrates numerous physiological parameters to quantify the level of accumulated stress, which is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease. The participants in this study were assigned daily mental arithmetic tasks over one week to simulate stress-accumulation conditions. Fuzzy logic rules were defined to quantify the accumulated stress level by combining electrodermal activity (EDA) and electrocardiograph (ECG) and photoplethysmograph (PPG) signals. The trends of 21 physiological parameters were analyzed and compared, from which the following four physiological parameters were identified as being representative of the effective response to cumulative stress: (1) the heart rate, (2) the ratio of low- to high-frequency powers for heart rate variability (HRV), (3) the skin conductance level (SCL) and (4) the liver harmonic proportion (i.e. the first harmonic of the peripheral blood volume pulse spectrum). Subsequently, the observed trends of these four parameters were combined to enhance the robustness and the reliability of the proposed system by adjusting the applied fuzzy logic rules. The experimental results show an 82% correlation between the measured level of accumulated stress and the social readjustment rating scale (SRRS) obtained from subject-independent testing.
INTRODUCTION OF A MULTIAGENT PARADIGM TO OPTIMIZE A CASE-BASED REASONING SYSTEM DESIGNED TO PERSONALIZE THREE-DIMENSIONAL NUMERICAL REPRESENTATIONS OF HUMAN ORGANS
Authors: Henriet Julien , Lang Christophe
Published: April 2014

The case-based reasoning (CBR) approach consists of retrieving solutions from similar past problems and adapting them to new problems. Interpolation tools can easily be used as adaptation tools in CBR systems. The accuracies of interpolated results depend on the set of known solved problems with which the interpolation tools are previously trained. EquiVox is a CBR-based system designed for retrieving and adapting three-dimensional numerical representations of human organs called phantoms. EquiVox uses an interpolation tool as an adaptation process. These phantoms are used by radiation protection experts to establish dosimetric reports in case of accidental overexposure to radiation. In addition, medical physicians need these phantoms to compute and control exposure to radiation used to treat diseases such as cancerous tumors in hospitals. The present work aims at proposing a distributed architecture for EquiVox so that a user may find a solution as quickly as possible based on the most recent available knowledge of a given community. We have designed a distributed architecture based on a multiagent paradigm and studied the theoretical performance of the new version. The ability of the new system to quickly provide and adapt solutions using the most up-to-date knowledge has been analyzed from a probabilistic angle. In the case of limited and accidental exposure to radiation, the proposed parallel processing system improves the previous and sequential version of EquiVox. Improvements are also obtained in some cases of massive exposure to radiation.
Cutting Edge: Polycomb Gene Expression Patterns Reflect Distinct B Cell Differentiation Stages in Human Germinal Centers
Authors: Raaphorst Frank M. , van Kemenade Folkert J. , Fieret Elly , Hamer Karien M. , Satijn David P. E. , Otte Arie P. , Meijer Chris J. L. M.
Published: April 2014

Polycomb group (Pc-G) proteins regulate homeotic gene expression in Drosophila, mouse, and humans. Mouse Pc-G proteins are also essential for adult hematopoietic development and contribute to cell cycle regulation. We show that human Pc-G expression patterns correlate with different B cell differentiation stages and that they reflect germinal center (GC) architecture. The transition of resting mantle B cells to rapidly dividing Mib-1(Ki-67)+ follicular centroblasts coincides with loss of BMI-1 and RING1 Pc-G protein detection and appearance of ENX and EED Pc-G protein expression. By contrast, differentiation of centroblasts into centrocytes correlates with reappearance of BMI-1/RING1 and loss of ENX/EED and Mib-1 expression. The mutually exclusive expression of ENX/EED and BMI-1/RING1 reflects the differential composition of two distinct Pc-G complexes. The Pc-G expression profiles in various GC B cell differentiation stages suggest a role for Pc-G proteins in GC development.
Role of Costimulation in the Induction of the IL-12/IL-12 Receptor Pathway and the Development of Autoimmunity
Authors: Chang John T. , Segal Benjamin M. , Shevach Ethan M.
Published: April 2014

Costimulation mediated by the interactions of the B7 Ags (CD80/CD86) on APC with CD28 on the responding T cell regulates the magnitude of the immune response and may influence Th1/Th2 development. The IL-12Rβ2 subunit plays a critical role in maintaining IL-12 responsiveness and controlling Th1 lineage commitment. We demonstrate that IL-2 and IL-12 resulting from CD28/B7 interactions both play a critical role in the induction of expression of the IL-12Rβ2 subunit and as a result the differentiation of pathogenic autoreactive effector cells. These findings suggest that targeting IL-2 and IL-12 simultaneously may be effective in the treatment of Th1-mediated autoimmunity.
Danger and OX40 Receptor Signaling Synergize to Enhance Memory T Cell Survival by Inhibiting Peripheral Deletion
Authors: Maxwell Joseph R. , Weinberg Andrew , Prell Rodney A. , Vella Anthony T.
Published: April 2014

This report defines a cell surface receptor (OX40) expressed on effector CD4 T cells, which when engaged in conjunction with a danger signal, rescues Ag-stimulated effector cells from activation-induced cell death in vivo. Specifically, three signals were necessary to promote optimal generation of long-lived CD4 T cell memory in vivo: Ag, a danger signal (LPS), and OX40 engagement. Mice treated with Ag or superantigen (SAg) alone produced very few SAg-specific T cells. OX40 ligation or LPS stimulation, enhanced SAg-driven clonal expansion and the survival of responding T cells. However, when SAg was administered with a danger signal at the time of OX40 ligation, a synergistic effect was observed which led to a 60-fold increase in the number of long-lived, Ag-specific CD4 memory T cells. These data lay the foundation for the provision of increased numbers of memory T cells which should enhance the efficacy of vaccine strategies for infectious diseases, or cancer, while also providing a potential target (OX40) to limit the number of auto-Ag-specific memory T cells in autoimmune disease.