bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Generalization of the Eisenstein–Dumas–Schönemann Irreducibility Criterion
Authors: Jhorar Bablesh , Khanduja Sudesh K.
Published: January 2017

In 2013, Weintraub gave a generalization of the classical Eisenstein irreducibility criterion in an attempt to correct a false claim made by Eisenstein. Using a different approach, we prove Weintraub's result with a weaker hypothesis in a more general setup that leads to an extension of the generalized Schönemann irreducibility criterion for polynomials with coefficients in arbitrary valued fields.
Convergent evidence for top-down effects from the “predictive brain”
Authors: O'Callaghan Claire , Kveraga Kestutis , Shine James M. , Adams Reginald B. , Bar Moshe
Published: January 2017

Modern conceptions of brain function consider the brain as a “predictive organ,” where learned regularities about the world are utilised to facilitate perception of incoming sensory input. Critically, this process hinges on a role for cognitive penetrability. We review a mechanism to explain this process and expand our previous proposals of cognitive penetrability in visual recognition to social vision and visual hallucinations.
Action valence and affective perception
Authors: Gerbino Walter , Fantoni Carlo
Published: January 2017

Respecting all constraints proposed by Firestone & Scholl (F&S), we have shown that perceived facial expressions of emotion depend on the congruency between bodily action (comfort/discomfort) and target emotion (happiness/anger) valence. Our studies challenge any bold claim against penetrability of perception and suggest that perceptual theory can benefit from demonstrations of how – under controlled circumstances – observer's states can mold expressive qualities.
Behavior is multiply determined, and perception has multiple components: The case of moral perception
Authors: Gantman Ana P. , Van Bavel Jay J.
Published: January 2017

We introduce two propositions for understanding top-down effects on perception. First, perception is not a unitary construct but is composed of multiple components. Second, behavior is multiply determined by cognitive processes. We call for a process-oriented research approach to perception and use our own research on moral perception as a “case study of case studies” to examine these issues.
Seeing and thinking: Foundational issues and empirical horizons
Authors: Firestone Chaz , Scholl Brian J.
Published: January 2017

The spectacularly varied responses to our target article raised big-picture questions about the nature of seeing and thinking, nitty-gritty experimental design details, and everything in between. We grapple with these issues, including the ready falsifiability of our view, neuroscientific theories that allow everything but demand nothing, cases where seeing and thinking conflict, mental imagery, the free press, an El Greco fallacy fallacy, hallucinogenic drugs, blue bananas, subatomic particles, Boeing 787s, and the racial identities of geometric shapes.
Dimensional synthesis of a 3U

P

S-

P

RU parallel robot
Authors: Zhao Yongjie , Cheng Gang
Published: January 2017

This paper introduces the methodology of the dimensional synthesis for a 3UPS-PRU parallel robot. The dimensional synthesis of the 3UPS-PRU parallel robot is proposed considering the maximum input velocity of actuating joints as the objective function and constraints on the installation dimension, robot dimension, joint rotation angle and interference. The objective of the dimensional synthesis is to minimize the maximum input velocity of actuating joints when the moving platform translates along the z-axis in the maximum linear velocity and rotates about an arbitrary axis in the maximum angular velocity in the desired workspace. The constraint on the robot dimension is included in the dimensional synthesis of the 3UPS-PRU parallel robot when pursuing the kinematic property to meet the miniaturization principle with the reduced building cost. An example of the dimensional synthesis of a 3UPS-PRU parallel robot is presented with the maximum linear velocity and angular velocity required for the moving platform in the desired workspace.
The Demand for Systematicity and the Authority of Theoretical Reason in Kant
Authors: Mudd Sasha
Published: January 2017

Kant’s notoriously unclear attempt to defend the regulative principle of systematic unity as the supreme principle of theoretical reason in the Appendix to the Transcendental Dialectic has left its status a source of controversy. According to the dominant interpretation, the principle ought to be understood as a methodologically necessary device for extending our understanding of nature. I argue that this reading is flawed. While it may correctly affirm that the principle is normative in character, it wrongly implies that it binds with mere hypothetical necessity. I offer novel grounds for thinking that if reason’s principle is normative, then it binds agents categorically instead.
The ‘Two Experiments’ of Kant’s Religion: Dismantling the Conundrum
Authors: Pasternack Lawrence
Published: January 2017

The past decade has seen a sizeable increase in scholarship on Kant’s Religion. Yet, unlike the centuries of debate that inform our study of his other major works, scholarship on the Religion is still just in its infancy. As such, it is in a particularly vulnerable state where errors made now could hinder scholarship for decades to come. It is the purpose of this article to mitigate one such danger, a danger issuing from the widely assumed view that the Religion is shaped by ‘two experiments’. I will begin with a survey of the four current interpretations of the experiments, and then propose one further interpretation, one that hopefully will help dismantle this alleged ‘conundrum’ and thereby help scholarship on the Religion move beyond this early misstep.
Co-Regulatory Failure in the Food Industry
Authors: van der Voort Haiko
Published: January 2017

Co-regulation presents an odd paradox in today's context of a shifting emphasis from government to governance. In the first place, co-regulation implies horizontal, ‘networked’ relations between government and industry. Yet at the same time, it has the hierarchical connotation inherent in regulation. The main concern addressed in this paper is what this ambiguity means for evaluations of co-regulation. What is failure here? Two contrasting interpretations of ‘governance’ are described, and a case study from the Dutch poultry sector is presented to seek explanations for failure. The two interpretations are found to provide complementary explanations for failure. This suggests that evaluations adopting a single perspective may produce all-too-easy – though misleading – conclusions.
Iudex non Calculat?
Authors: Biard Alexandre
Published: January 2017

Mass harm situations caused by corporate misbehaviour, defective products, harmful pharmaceuticals, accidents or environmental disasters nowadays multiply and create new challenges for legal actors and society at large. In its 2013 Recommendations, the EU Commission highlighted that ‘a key role should be given to courts in protecting the rights and interests of all the parties involved in collective redress actions as well as in managing the collective redress actions effectively’. The role of judges therefore turns out to be essential: they are expected to behave as watchdogs scrutinizing the overall admissibility of mass claims, as active case managers ensuring that cases make orderly progress, and as shepherds ensuring that all interests at stake are sufficiently protected. A key issue to be explored remains the influence of the mass context on decision-making which may potentially lead judges to depart from policy makers’ expectations. Interestingly, the mass context is nowadays an element often discarded by judges themselves. Yet, in the context of mass litigation, cases involve and consolidate in one lawsuit hundreds of represented claimants who have suffered a similar harm. The magnitude of the case - that is the number of people involved and/or the size of the loss at stake – is therefore likely to be considerable. Even though judges discuss and exchange with a limited number of protagonists during hearings – e.g. with representative bodies such as associations or leading counsels – judges must preserve the interests of absent parties. Behavioural studies have shed important light on ways groups are perceived by external observers, and on the impact of number and size on information processing. By investigating in greater details the effects associated with the case magnitude on decision-making, this paper aims at providing an alternative viewpoint on the issue of collective redress which will be of particular interest for courts and regulators at both national and European levels.
Vitamin D Receptor Activator Use and Cause-specific Death among dialysis Patients: a Nationwide Cohort Study using Coarsened Exact Matching
Authors: Obi Yoshitsugu , Hamano Takayuki , Wada Atsushi , Tsubakihara Yoshiharu ,   The Committee of Renal Data Registry of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy, Nakai Shigeru , Hanafusa Norio , Masakane Ikuto , Itami Noritomo , Yamagata Kunihiro , Shinoda Toshio , Kazama Junichiro James , Watanabe Yuzo , Shigematsu Takashi , Marubayashi Seiji , Morita Osamu , Kimata Naoki , Wakai Kenji , Ogata Satoshi , Iseki Kunitoshi , Yamamoto Keiichi , Shintani Ayumu
Published: January 2017

Vitamin D receptor activators (VDRA) may exert pleiotropic effects on cardiovascular disease, malignancy, and infections among dialysis patients, but recent studies have mainly focused on cardiovascular outcomes. Among 8,675 patients who started dialysis in 2007 and who survived until January 1, 2010, listed in the Renal Data Registry of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy, 5,365 VDRA users were matched to 3,203 non-users based on clinically relevant variables at the end of 2009 using the coarsened exact matching procedure. Until December 31, 2011, a total of 1,128 deaths occurred, of which 468 (42%) were cardiovascular deaths, 229 (20%) were infection-related deaths, and 141 (12%) were malignancy-related deaths. Multivariable survival analyses accounting for intra-region correlation revealed that VDRA use was significantly associated with lower rates of infection- and malignancy-related deaths [subhazard ratio 0.62 (95% CI, 0.52–0.73) and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.50–0.97), respectively] but not with cardiovascular death [subhazard ratio 0.86 (95% CI, 0.72–1.04)]. Future randomized clinical trials with a sufficient sample size and an adequate follow-up period are warranted to test the clinical effectiveness of VDRA on infection and malignancy, rather than cardiovascular disease, among dialysis patients.
A Novel Cardiotoxic Mechanism for a Pervasive Global Pollutant
Authors: Brette Fabien , Shiels Holly A. , Galli Gina L. J. , Cros Caroline , Incardona John P. , Scholz Nathaniel L. , Block Barbara A.
Published: January 2017

The Deepwater Horizon disaster drew global attention to the toxicity of crude oil and the potential for adverse health effects amongst marine life and spill responders in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The blowout released complex mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into critical pelagic spawning habitats for tunas, billfishes, and other ecologically important top predators. Crude oil disrupts cardiac function and has been associated with heart malformations in developing fish. However, the precise identity of cardiotoxic PAHs, and the mechanisms underlying contractile dysfunction are not known. Here we show that phenanthrene, a PAH with a benzene 3-ring structure, is the key moiety disrupting the physiology of heart muscle cells. Phenanthrene is a ubiquitous pollutant in water and air, and the cellular targets for this compound are highly conserved across vertebrates. Our findings therefore suggest that phenanthrene may be a major worldwide cause of vertebrate cardiac dysfunction.
Long Blood Residence and Large Tumor Uptake of Ruthenium Sulfide Nanoclusters for Highly Efficient Cancer Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Lu Zhuoxuan , Huang Feng-ying , Cao Rong , Zhang Liming , Tan Guang-hong , He Nongyue , Huang Jie , Wang Guizhen , Zhang Zhijun
Published: January 2017

Transition metal sulfide (TMS) holds great potential in cancer photothermal therapy (PTT) because of the high absorbance in the near-infrared (NIR) region. The short blood circulation time and limited tumor accumulation of TMS-based photothermal agents, however, limit their applications. Herein, we design a novel TMS-based PTT agent, ruthenium sulfide-based nanoclusters (NCs), to overcome the current limitations. We firstly develop a simple method to prepare oleic acid coated ruthenium sulfide nanodots (OA-RuS1.7 NDs) and assemble them into water-soluble NCs via sequentially coating with denatured bovine serum albumin (dBSA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The obtained PEG-dBSA-RuS1.7 NCs possess excellent photothermal conversion ability. More significantly, they exhibit enhanced blood circulation time and tumor-targeting efficiency in vivo compared with other TMS-based PTT nanoagents, which may be attributed to their appropriate hydrodynamic diameter (~70 nm) and an ideal charge (~0 mV). These characteristics help the PEG-dBSA-RuS1.7 NCs to escape the removal by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and kidney. All these advantages enable the PEG-dBSA-RuS1.7 NCs to selectively concentrate in tumor sites and effectively ablate the cancer cells upon NIR irradiation.
The crystal structure of the Sgt1-Skp1 complex: the link between Hsp90 and both SCF E3 ubiquitin ligases and kinetochores
Authors: Willhoft Oliver , Kerr Richard , Patel Dipali , Zhang Wenjuan , Al-Jassar Caezar , Daviter Tina , Millson Stefan H. , Thalassinos Konstantinos , Vaughan Cara K.
Published: January 2017

The essential cochaperone Sgt1 recruits Hsp90 chaperone activity to a range of cellular factors including SCF E3 ubiquitin ligases and the kinetochore in eukaryotes. In these pathways Sgt1 interacts with Skp1, a small protein that heterodimerizes with proteins containing the F-box motif. We have determined the crystal structure of the interacting domains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sgt1 and Skp1 at 2.8 Å resolution and validated the interface in the context of the full-length proteins in solution. The BTB/POZ domain of Skp1 associates with Sgt1 via the concave surface of its TPR domain using residues that are conserved in humans. Dimerization of yeast Sgt1 occurs via an insertion that is absent from monomeric human Sgt1. We identify point mutations that disrupt dimerization and Skp1 binding in vitro and find that the interaction with Skp1 is an essential function of Sgt1 in yeast. Our data provide a structural rationale for understanding the phenotypes of temperature-sensitive Sgt1 mutants and for linking Skp1-associated proteins to Hsp90-dependent pathways.
Identification of miRNA, lncRNA and mRNA-associated ceRNA networks and potential biomarker for MELAS with mitochondrial DNA A3243G mutation
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhuang Qianqian , Ji Kunqian , Wen Bing , Lin Pengfei , Zhao Yuying , Li Wei , Yan Chuanzhu
Published: January 2017

Researchers in the field of mitochondrial biology are increasingly unveiling of the complex mechanisms between mitochondrial dysfunction and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). However, roles of ncRNAs underlying mitochondrial myopathy remain unexplored. The aim of this study was to elucidate the regulating networks of dysregulated ncRNAs in Mitochondrial myopathy, Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like episodes (MELAS) with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) A3243G mutation, which might make contributions to the unveiling of the complex mechanisms underlying mitochondrial myopathy and, possibly, new tools applicable to clinical practice. Through high-throughput technology followed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and bioinformatics analyses, for the first time, we found that the dysregulated muscle miRNAs and lncRNAs between 20 MELAS patients with mtDNA A3243G mutation and 20 controls formed complex regulation networks and participated in immune system, signal transduction, translation, muscle contraction and other pathways in discovery and training phase. Then, selected ncRNAs were validated in muscle and serum in independent validation cohorts by qRT-PCR. Finally, ROC curve analysis indicated reduced serum miR-27b-3p had the better diagnosis value than lactate and might serve as a novel, noninvasive biomarker for MELAS. Follow-up investigation is warranted to better understand roles of ncRNAs in mitochondrial myopathy pathogenesis.
Correction: Corrigendum: Modulation of gut microbiota and delayed immunosenescence as a result of syringaresinol consumption in middle-aged mice
Authors: Cho Si-Young , Kim Juewon , Lee Ji Hae , Sim Ji Hyun , Cho Dong-Hyun , Bae Il-Hong , Lee Hyunbok , Seol Min A. , Shin Hyun Mu , Kim Tae-Joo , Kim Dae-Yong , Lee Su-Hyung , Shin Song Seok , Im Sin-Hyeog , Kim Hang-Rae
Published: January 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 39026; published online: 15 December 2016; updated: 31 January 2017. The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of Sin-Hyeog Im, which was incorrectly given as Sin-Hyeog Lm. This has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions ofthis Article.
Germline large genomic alterations on 7q in patients with multiple primary cancers
Authors: Villacis R. A. R. , Basso T. R. , Canto L. M. , Nóbrega A. F. , Achatz M. I. , Rogatto S. R.
Published: January 2017

Patients with multiple primary cancers (MPCs) are suspected to have a hereditary cancer syndrome. However, only a small proportion may be explained by mutations in high-penetrance genes. We investigate two unrelated MPC patients that met Hereditary Breast and Ovaria Cancer criteria, both presenting triple negative breast tumors and no mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2 and TP53 genes. Germline rearrangements on chromosome 7q, involving over 40 Mb of the same region, were found in both patients: one with mosaic loss (80% of cells) and the other with cnLOH (copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity) secondary to maternal allele duplication. Five children tested had no alterations on 7q. The patients shared 330 genes in common on 7q22.1-q34, including several tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) previously related to breast cancer risk and imprinted genes. The analysis of the triple negative BC from one patient revealed a mosaic gain of 7q translated for over-expressed cancer-related genes. The involvement of TSGs and imprinted genes, mapped on 7q, has the potential of being associated to MPC risk, as well as cancer progression. To our knowledge, this is the first description of patients with MPCs that harbor constitutive large alterations on 7q.
Synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy enables multiscale spatial visualization of ions involved in fungal lignocellulose deconstruction
Authors: Kirker Grant , Zelinka Sam , Gleber Sophie-Charlotte , Vine David , Finney Lydia , Chen Si , Hong Young Pyo , Uyarte Omar , Vogt Stefan , Jellison Jody , Goodell Barry , Jakes Joseph E.
Published: January 2017

The role of ions in the fungal decay process of lignocellulose biomaterials, and more broadly fungal metabolism, has implications for diverse research disciplines ranging from plant pathology and forest ecology, to carbon sequestration. Despite the importance of ions in fungal decay mechanisms, the spatial distribution and quantification of ions in lignocellulosic cell walls and fungal hyphae during decay is not known. Here we employ synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) to map and quantify physiologically relevant ions, such as K, Ca, Mn, Fe, and Zn, in wood being decayed by the model brown rot fungus Serpula lacrymans. Two-dimensional XFM maps were obtained to study the ion spatial distributions from mm to submicron length scales in wood, fungal hyphae with the dried extracellular matrix (ECM) from the fungus, and Ca oxalate crystals. Three-dimensional ion volume reconstructions were also acquired of wood cell walls and hyphae with ECM. Results show that the fungus actively transports some ions, such as Fe, into the wood and controls the distribution of ions at both the bulk wood and cell wall length scales. These measurements provide new insights into the movement of ions during decay and illustrate how synchrotron-based XFM is uniquely suited study these ions.
Photodetector based on Vernier-Enhanced Fabry-Perot Interferometers with a Photo-Thermal Coating
Authors: Chen George Y. , Wu Xuan , Liu Xiaokong , Lancaster David G. , Monro Tanya M. , Xu Haolan
Published: January 2017

We present a new type of fiber-coupled photodetector with a thermal-based optical sensor head, which enables it to operate even in the presence of strong electro-magnetic interference and in electrically sensitive environments. The optical sensor head consists of three cascaded Fabry-Perot interferometers. The end-face surface is coated with copper-oxide micro-particles embedded in hydrogel, which is a new photo-thermal coating that can be readily coated on many different surfaces. Under irradiation, photons are absorbed by the photo-thermal coating, and are converted into heat, changing the optical path length of the probing light and induces a resonant wavelength shift. For white-light irradiation, the photodetector exhibits a power sensitivity of 760 pm/mW, a power detection limit of 16.4 μW (i.e. specific detectivity of 2.2 × 105 cm.√Hz/W), and an optical damage threshold of ~100 mW or ~800 mW/cm2. The response and recovery times are 3.0 s (~90% of change within 100 ms) and 16.0 s respectively.
Estimates for the controls of the wave equation with a potential
Authors: Micu Sorin , Temereancă Laurenţiu Emanuel
Published: January 2017

This article studies the L2-norm of the boundary controls for the one dimensional linear wave equation with a space variable potential a = a(x). It is known these controls depend on a and their norms may increase exponentially with ||a||L∞. Our aim is to make a deeper study of this dependence in correlation with the properties of the initial data. The main result of the paper shows that the minimal L2−norm controls are uniformly bounded with respect to the potential a, if the initial data have only sufficiently high eigenmodes.
A Quality Improvement Initiative to Reduce the Need for Mechanical Ventilation in Extremely Low Gestational Age Neonates
Authors: Templin Ludivine , Grosse Camille , Andres Virginie , Robert Clotilde , Fayol Laurence , Simeoni Umberto , Boubred Farid
Published: January 2017

Objective Limiting early intubation and mechanical ventilation in extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGAN) may decrease neonatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the feasibility, efficacy, and tolerability of a delivery room respiratory management protocol, including delayed umbilical cord clamping (DUCC) in combination with optimized nCPAP with high PEEP levels and less invasive surfactant administration (LISA).

Study Design This cohort quality improvement study analyzed the respiratory and neonatal outcomes of all consecutive infants born between 24+0 and 26+6 weeks' gestation before (period 1, n = 40) and after (period 2, n = 52) implementing the new protocol.

Results Compared with the period 1 infants, the period 2 infants had a lower rate of intubation in the delivery room (31 vs. 90%, p = 0.001) and were less likely to need mechanical ventilation on day 3 (28 vs. 62%, p = 0.002) and during the hospital stay (75 vs. 92.5%, p < 0.05). The two groups did not differ in terms of mortality or neonatal morbidity.

Conclusion A delivery room respiratory management protocol based on DUCC, optimized nCPAP with high PEEP levels, and LISA procedure is both feasible and safe, and improved ELGAN respiratory outcomes.
Diameter control of gold nanoparticles synthesized in gas phase using atmospheric-pressure H2/Ar plasma jet and gold wire as the nanoparticle source: Control by varying the H2/Ar mixture ratio
Authors: Shimizu Yoshiki
Published: January 2017

This report describes diameter control of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) during synthesis using an atmospheric-pressure H2/Ar plasma jet drive with pulse-modulated ultrahigh frequency, employing Au wire as the NP source material. During this process, where most of the AuNPs are regarded as formed through condensation from Au vapor derived by the Au wire etching, the mean diameter varied in the approximate range of 2–12 nm with H2 volume ratios up to 3.9%. In plasma diagnostics, results showed that the H2 volume ratio influences the plasma discharge behaviour, which affects the heat flux density flowed into the Au wire, and the atomic hydrogen concentration in the plasma. Both seemed to influence the etching rate of the Au wire per unit area, which is directly related to the concentration of Au vapor in the plasma. The concentration is one factor affecting the particle size evolution because of the collisions among vapor species in reaction field. Therefore, the AuNP size variation with the H2 volume ratio was discussed from the perspective of the etching rate of the Au wire at each H2 volume ratio.
Sharing contracted resources for fire suppression: engine dispatch in the Northwestern United States
Authors: Lyon Katie M. , Huber-Stearns Heidi R. , Moseley Cassandra , Bone Christopher , Mosurinjohn Nathan A.
Published: January 2017

As demand for wildfire response resources grows across the globe, a central challenge is developing new and flexible systems and capacity to ensure that resources needed for fire response arrive when and where they are needed. Private contractors have become increasingly important in providing equipment and services to support agency wildfire suppression needs in the USA. Understanding the capacity of contracted resources for federal agency fire suppression needs is critical for preseason fire planning and response. Using National Resource Ordering and Status System data, we examined Northwest region engine dispatches from 2008 to 2015. The number of times and days engines were out on assignments increased over the study period, and dispatch centres routinely shared engines within and outside their geographic area. However, in 2015, not all of the available engines were recorded as utilised at peak demand during one of the largest fire seasons in the Northwest. This study provides insight into the ways in which fire managers share important resources such as engines and the information they have available to make decisions during an incident, and raises questions about what the right amount of capacity is to be able to respond in extreme fire years.
“Imagine” – Participative strategies of two online minorities within Italian context
Authors: D’Errico Francesca
Published: January 2017

Within the field of political psychology studies, the main goal of the present study is to investigate in depth the role played by two different forms – E-Tactics vs E-Movement – of social media activism on the quality of discourses and their possible level of acquired empowerment. Two Italian cases of e-minorities (Teatro Valle Occupato and Roars) will be analysed in terms of argumentative moves following a pragma-dialectic perspective in order to observe how they can construct a possible process of conscientization. Results, achieved by means of quanti-qualitative methods, highlight how E-Tactics (Teatro Valle Occupato), differently from E-Movement (Roars), can better promote normative but also creative forms of argumentations, as activists can claim for their rights but mainly also promote value change. This type of activism is strongly correlated to political participation, differently from E-Movement, mainly oriented to individual empowerment.
Name as a regional brand
Authors: Semian Michal , Chromý Pavel , Kučera Zdeněk
Published: January 2017

The article addresses denominations of specific regions, Local Action Groups (LAGs), in Czechia, and contributes to the academic debate regarding: relationships between formation of regions, their symbolic shape and regional identity; formation of regions by means of regional development. A set of 179 LAG names registered in the database of the National Network of Local Action Groups in the Czech Republic as of March 2014 are examined. LAG names are first analyzed in terms of the phenomena that constitute their essence, and subsequently their territorial differentiation is discussed. The analysis affirms the importance of territorial approach towards regional denomination. It has equally been affirmed that region naming strategies are spatially fragmented. Nevertheless, the territorial differentiation of names of LAG regions mirrors the elementary spatial patterns traditionally reproduced in the Czech context, namely west-east gradient of development level, distinctions between historical lands and differences between inland and borderland resettled after WWII.
A Case Study of Genecol‐99: Possible Implications for Other Single‐Use Agricultural Biotechnology Products
Authors: Walsh Marie E. , Sundquist W. Burt
Published: January 2017

Genecol‐99 is one of the first agricultural biotechnology products available commercially. Analysis of the potential market for this product may yield insights into the potential markets of future agricultural biotechnology products, which, like Genecol‐99, have single or very few uses and may only be used on specific species. In addition, analysis of returns on investment were made. This analysis suggests that marketing costs may be as significant as research and development costs.
Effects of varying laser trimming geometries on thin film resistors
Authors: Alafogianni Maria , Birkett Martin , Penlington Roger
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to study the effects of varying laser trim patterns on several performance parameters of thin film resistors such as the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and target resistance value.

Design/methodology/approach

The benefits and limitations of basic trim patterns are taken into consideration, and the plunge cut, double plunge cut and the curved L-cut were selected to be modelled and tested experimentally. A computer simulation of the laser trim patterns has been developed for the modelling process of the resistors. The influence of the trim length and resistor dimensions on the TCR performance and resistance value of the resistors is investigated.

Findings

It is found that variation in trim length, within the range of 5 to 15 mm, can give significant increases in the TCR of the thin films. Thus, for the plunge cut, TCR can reach up to 11.51 ppm/oC, for the double plunge cut up to 14.34 ppm/oC and for the curved L-cut up to 5.11 ppm/oC.

Originality/value

Research on the effects of various laser trimming geometries on the TCR and target resistance accuracy is limited, especially for patterns such as the curved L-cut, which is investigated in this paper.
Asians’ Facial Responsiveness to Basic Tastes by Automated Facial Expression Analysis System
Authors: Zhi Ruicong , Cao Lianyu , Cao Gang
Published: January 2017

Growing evidence shows that consumer choices in real life are mostly driven by unconscious mechanisms rather than conscious. The unconscious process could be measured by behavioral measurements. This study aims to apply automatic facial expression analysis technique for consumers’ emotion representation, and explore the relationships between sensory perception and facial responses. Basic taste solutions (sourness, sweetness, bitterness, umami, and saltiness) with 6 levels plus water were used, which could cover most of the tastes found in food and drink.

The other contribution of this study is to analyze the characteristics of facial expressions and correlation between facial expressions and perceptive hedonic liking for Asian consumers. Up until now, the facial expression application researches only reported for western consumers, while few related researches investigated the facial responses during food consuming for Asian consumers. Experimental results indicated that facial expressions could identify different stimuli with various concentrations and different hedonic levels. The perceived liking increased at lower concentrations and decreased at higher concentrations, while samples with medium concentrations were perceived as the most pleasant except sweetness and bitterness. High correlations were founded between perceived intensities of bitterness, umami, saltiness, and facial reactions of disgust and fear. Facial expression disgust and anger could characterize emotion “dislike,” and happiness could characterize emotion “like,” while neutral could represent “neither like nor dislike.” The identified facial expressions agree with the perceived sensory emotions elicited by basic taste solutions. The correlation analysis between hedonic levels and facial expression intensities obtained in this study are in accordance with that discussed for western consumers.
Effect of supplements during the cold season on the reproductive system in prepubertal Tibetan sheep ewes
Authors: Jing Xiaoping , Peng Quanhui , Hu Rui , Wang Hongze , Yu Xiaoqiang , Degen Allan , Zou Huawei , Bao Shanke , Zhao Suonan , Wang Zhisheng
Published: January 2017

We examined the development of the reproductive system in prepubertal Tibetan sheep ewes when fed only oat hay (CON) or supplemented with either lick blocks (BS) or concentrate feed (CS) during the cold season. The average daily gain of the CS ewes was greater than that of the BS ewes (P < 0.05), which was greater than that of the CON ewes. The same pattern was observed in the number of ovarian follicles (P < 0.001), that is, CS > BS > CON. Serum concentrations of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone, follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteotrophic hormone, estradiol and progesterone in the CS and BS groups were higher than in the CON group (P < 0.05). The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of KiSS‐1, GPR54 (G protein‐coupled receptor 54), ERα (estradiol receptor α) in the hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular area of the CS group were higher than in both the BS and CON groups (P < 0.05), while the BS group was higher than in the CON group (P < 0.05). Similar differences among groups were observed for gonadotropin‐releasing hormone receptor mRNA expression in the pituitary, follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA expression in the ovary. These results indicated that the KiSS1/GPR54 system was more active with nutrition or trace mineral supplementation during the cold season. The system stimulated the hypothalamic–pituitary‑gonadal axis and enhanced folliclar development in prepubertal Tibetan sheep ewes. We concluded that energy, protein and trace minerals supplements could improve the reproductive performance of Tibetan sheep on the Qinghai‐Tibetan plateau.
Einsatz und Wirksamkeit von Systemtherapien bei Erwachsenen mit schwerer Neurodermitis: Erste Ergebnisse des deutschen Neurodermitis‐Registers TREATgermany
Authors: Schmitt Jochen , Abraham Susanne , Trautmann Freya , Stephan Victoria , Fölster‐Holst Regina , Homey Bernhard , Bieber Thomas , Novak Natalija , Sticherling Michael , Augustin Matthias , Kleinheinz Andreas , Elsner Peter , Weidinger Stephan , Werfel Thomas
Published: January 2017

Hintergrund

Versorgungsregister dienen der Erfassung des Einsatzes und der Wirksamkeit von Therapien unter realen Versorgungsbedingungen und sind als Basis einer evidenzbasierten Gesundheitsversorgung unverzichtbar.

Methodik

Das deutsche Neurodermitis‐Register TREATgermany wurde als weltweit erstes Register für Patienten mit schwerer Neurodermitis 2011 initiiert. Erwachsene mit schwerer Neurodermitis (aktuelle/frühere antientzündliche Systemtherapie und/oder objektiver SCORAD ≥ 40) werden über einen Zeitraum von 24 Monaten prospektiv beobachtet. Anhand validierter Erhebungsinstrumente werden die klinische Erkrankungsschwere (EASI, SCORAD), Lebensqualität (DLQI), Symptome, globale Erkrankungsschwere sowie die Patientenzufriedenheit erfasst und die durchgeführten Therapien dokumentiert. Die vorliegende Analyse beschreibt die Charakteristika, Therapiewahl und Wirksamkeit der eingesetzten antiinflammatorischen Systemtherapien der bis Oktober 2014 eingeschlossenen Patienten.

Ergebnisse

An fünf Zentren wurden insgesamt 78 Patienten (Durchschnittsalter 39 Jahre, 61 % männlich) eingeschlossen. Bei den Patienten besteht eine hohe Inanspruchnahme ambulanter und stationärer Leistungen. Ciclosporin war das am häufigsten eingesetzte Systemtherapeutikum und zeigte die höchste klinische Effektivität (EASI‐50‐Ansprechrate 51 %; EASI‐75‐Ansprechrate 34 % nach zwölfwöchiger Therapie). Azathioprin, Methotrexat (MTX), Prednisolon oral, Mycophenolat, Alitretinoin und Leflunomid wurden ebenfalls bei einzelnen Patienten eingesetzt.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die vorliegende Registerauswertung gibt wichtige Hinweise zur derzeitigen Versorgung von Erwachsenen mit schwerer Neurodermitis in Deutschland, dokumentiert die hohe Erkrankungslast, den Nutzen vorhandener Therapien und den Bedarf an weiteren, effektiven und in der Langzeitanwendung sicheren Therapieoptionen.
A robust sebum, oil, and particulate pollution model for assessing cleansing efficacy of human skin
Authors: Peterson G. , Rapaka S. , Koski N. , Kearney M. , Ortblad K. , Tadlock L.
Published: January 2017

With increasing concerns over the rise of atmospheric particulate pollution globally and its impact on systemic health and skin ageing, we have developed a pollution model to mimic particulate matter trapped in sebum and oils creating a robust (difficult to remove) surrogate for dirty, polluted skin.

Objective

To evaluate the cleansing efficacy/protective effect of a sonic brush vs. manual cleansing against particulate pollution (trapped in grease/oil typical of human sebum).

Methods

The pollution model (Sebollution; sebum pollution model; SPM) consists of atmospheric particulate matter/pollution combined with grease/oils typical of human sebum. Twenty subjects between the ages of 18–65 were enrolled in a single‐centre, cleansing study comparisons between the sonic cleansing brush (normal speed) compared to manual cleansing. Equal amount of SPM was applied to the centre of each cheek (left and right). Method of cleansing (sonic vs. manual) was randomized to the side of the face (left or right) for each subject. Each side was cleansed for five‐seconds using the sonic cleansing device with sensitive brush head or manually, using equal amounts of water and a gel cleanser. Photographs (VISIA‐CR, Canfield Imaging, NJ, USA) were taken at baseline (before application of the SPM), after application of SPM (pre‐cleansing), and following cleansing. Image analysis (ImageJ, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA) was used to quantify colour intensity (amount of particulate pollutants on the skin) using a scale of 0 to 255 (0 = all black pixels; 255 = all white pixels). Differences between the baseline and post‐cleansing values (pixels) are reported as the amount of SPM remaining following each method of cleansing.

Results

Using a robust cleansing protocol to assess removal of pollutants (SPM; atmospheric particulate matter trapped in grease/oil), the sonic brush removed significantly more SPM than manual cleansing (P < 0.001). While extreme in colour, this pollution method easily allows assessment of efficacy through image analysis.
Low‐temperature synthesis of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite: Effect of Mg and Sr content
Authors: Stipniece Liga , Narkevica Inga , Salma‐Ancane Kristine
Published: January 2017

Nanocrystalline Mg‐ or Sr‐containing hydroxyapatite powders were synthesized through low‐temperature chemical precipitation. The most significant factor for reduction in particle sizes included adjusting the reaction temperature between 0°C and 50°C. Syntheses products were characterized using several analytical tools to determine purity and influence of added amount (up to 15 mol%) of Mg or Sr on the composition and structure. Qualitative analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and low intensity, broad X‐ray diffraction peaks indicated the presence of nanocrystalline and/or amorphous hydroxyapatite in all the products. Moreover, a significant decrease in the crystallinity was observed with increasing Mg (up to 2.8 ± 0.3 wt%) and Sr (up to 9.6 ± 1.0 wt%) concentration. N2 adsorption and scanning electron microscopy characterizations confirmed the nanocrystalline nature of the synthesized products. The synthesized products had nanosized spherical‐like particle morphology with the specific surface area ranging from 89 ± 7 to 150 ± 20 m2/g.
THE FEASIBILITY OF KAOLIN AS MAIN MATERIAL FOR LOW COST POROUS CERAMIC HOLLOW FIBRE MEMBRANE PREPARED USING COMBINED PHASE INVERSION AND SINTERING TECHNIQUE
Authors: Hubadillah Siti Khadijah , Othman Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan , Ismail A. F. , A. Rahman Mukhlis , Jaafar Juhana
Published: January 2017

Ceramic hollow fibre membrane (CHFM) demonstrated superior characteristics and performance in any separation application. The only problem associated with this kind of technology is the high cost. In order to effectively fabricate and produce low cost porous CHFM, a series of CHFMs made of kaolin were fabricated via combined phase inversion and sintering technique. The CHFMs from kaolin named as kaolin hollow fibre membranes (KHFMs) were studied at different kaolin contents of 35 wt.%, 37.5 wt.% and 40 wt.% sintered at 1200ºC. The result indicated that by varying kaolin contents, different morphologies were obtained due to changes in the viscosity of ceramic suspension containing kaolin. The optimum kaolin content for KHFM was identified. It was found that KHFM prepared at 37.5 wt% has a mechanical strength and pure water flux of A and B respectively.
INTEGRATION OF POLYETHERSULFONE AND HYDROXYAPATITE NANOFILTRATION MEMBRANE FOR VANILLIC ACID SEPARATION
Authors: Abdul Rahman Zaharah , ‘Ali Nora’aini , Hamzah Sofiah , Tuan Chik Syed M. Saufi
Published: January 2017

In this work, the integration of polyethersulfone and hydroxyapatite was studied for vanillic acid separation. The polyethersulfone membranes were modified with hydroxyapatite via in-situ approach in order to enhance the performance of the membrane. The membranes were further characterized concerning permeability, morphology, membrane structural details, porosity and contact angle. The addition of hydroxyapatite in mixed matrix membrane increased the permeation rate from 19.05 L/m2.hr up to 95.76 L/m2.hr due to the increasing of hydrophilicity. The membrane permeability coefficients lie in the range of 1.909 – 10.05 L/m2.hr.bar which were nanofiltration range. The performances of the membrane exhibited higher rejection which showed the vanillic acid rejection up to 69.88% for modified membrane.
MASA MENUNGGU KERANA MASA LENGAH BAS DI PUTRAJAYA
Authors: Abdul Wahab Ruslawati , Borhan Muhamad Nazri , O.K. Rahmat Riza Atiq Abdullah
Published: January 2017

Passenger waiting time is included in the estimated travel time. Waiting time will be unstable and unpredictable in estimation because of inconsistencies of bus arrival times at stops. These can result an unreliable of bus service. This paper examines the waiting time due to three factors; delay resulting from inaccuracies of bus departure time, delay during the process of boarding and alighting passengers and delay when the bus unable to maintain constant velocity because of saturated traffic flow. The research used the combination of mathematical model and Design Expert Research Methodology Surface (RSM) applications which has pivotal role in acquire optimum waiting time based on constraints delay between two arrival times at stop. The optimum waiting time obtained from the output design target in range 0-15 minutes were 4 minutes for route L01 and 5.87 minutes for L05. The estimated waiting time obtained from this research can be used as a key feature in the design of buses operating to minimize the delay and at the same time get the reliability of passengers.
Guanidine throws the riboswitch
Authors: Mushegian Alexandra A.
Published: January 2017

A bacterial riboswitch responds to endogenously produced guanidine.
Daily oxygen rhythms
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: January 2017

The hypoxia response system and circadian clock system are interconnected.
Preclinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamic Target of SCY-078, a First-in-Class Orally Active Antifungal Glucan Synthesis Inhibitor, in Murine Models of Disseminated Candidiasis
Authors: Wring Stephen A. , Randolph Ryan , Park SeongHee , Abruzzo George , Chen Qing , Flattery Amy , Garrett Graig , Peel Michael , Outcalt Russell , Powell Kendall , Trucksis Michelle , Angulo David , Borroto-Esoda Katyna
Published: January 2017

SCY-078 (MK-3118) is a novel, semisynthetic derivative of enfumafungin and represents the first compound of the triterpene class of antifungals. SCY-078 exhibits potent inhibition of β-(1,3)-
d
-glucan synthesis, an essential cell wall component of many pathogenic fungi, including
Candida
spp. and
Aspergillus
spp. SCY-078 is currently in phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of invasive fungal diseases.
In vitro
disposition studies to assess solubility, intestinal permeability, and metabolic stability were predictive of good oral bioavailability. Preclinical pharmacokinetic studies were consistent with once-daily administration to humans. After intravenous delivery, plasma clearance in rodents and dogs was low, representing <15% and <25% of hepatic blood flow, respectively. The terminal elimination-phase half-life was 5.5 to 8.7 h in rodents, and it was ∼9.3 h in dogs. The volume of distribution at steady-state was high (4.7 to 5.3 liters/kg), a finding suggestive of extensive tissue distribution. Exposure of SCY-078 in kidney tissue, a target organ for invasive fungal disease such as candidiasis, exceeded plasma by 20- to 25-fold for the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to infinity (AUC
0–∞
) and
C
max
. SCY-078 achieved efficacy endpoints following oral delivery across multiple murine models of disseminated candidiasis. The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic indices
C
max
/MIC and AUC/MIC correlated with outcome. Target therapeutic exposure, expressed as the plasma AUC
0–24
, was comparable across models, with an upper value of 11.2 μg·h/ml (15.4 μM·h); the corresponding mean value for free drug AUC/MIC was ∼0.75. Overall, these results demonstrate that SCY-078 has the oral and intravenous (i.v.) pharmacokinetic properties and potency in murine infection models of disseminated candidiasis to support further investigation as a novel i.v. and oral treatment for invasive fungal diseases.
Some Synonymous and Nonsynonymous
gyrA
Mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Lead to Systematic False-Positive Fluoroquinolone Resistance Results with the Hain GenoType MTBDR
sl
Assays
Authors: Ajileye Adebisi , Alvarez Nataly , Merker Matthias , Walker Timothy M. , Akter Suriya , Brown Kerstin , Moradigaravand Danesh , Schön Thomas , Andres Sönke , Schleusener Viola , Omar Shaheed V. , Coll Francesc , Huang Hairong , Diel Roland , Ismail Nazir , Parkhill Julian , de Jong Bouke C. , Peto Tim E. A. , Crook Derrick W. , Niemann Stefan , Robledo Jaime , Smith E. Grace , Peacock Sharon J. , Köser Claudio U.
Published: January 2017

In this study, using the Hain GenoType MTBDR
sl
assays (versions 1 and 2), we found that some nonsynonymous and synonymous mutations in
gyrA
in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
result in systematic false-resistance results to fluoroquinolones by preventing the binding of wild-type probes. Moreover, such mutations can prevent the binding of mutant probes designed for the identification of specific resistance mutations. Although these mutations are likely rare globally, they occur in approximately 7% of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis strains in some settings.