bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scale up the collection area of luminescent solar concentrators towards metre‐length flexible waveguiding photovoltaics
Authors: Correia Sandra F. H. , Lima Patrícia P. , Pecoraro Edison , Ribeiro Sidney J. L. , André Paulo S. , Ferreira Rute A. S. , Carlos Luís D. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractLuminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are cost‐effective components easily integrated in photovoltaics (PV) that can enhance solar cells' performance and promote the integration of PV architectural elements into buildings, with unprecedented possibilities for energy harvesting in façade design, urban furnishings and wearable fabrics. The devices' performance is dominated by the concentration factor (F), which is higher in cylindrical LSCs compared with planar ones (with equivalent collection area and volume). The feasibility of fabricating long‐length LSCs has been essentially limited up to ten of centimetres with F < 1. We use a drawing optical fibre facility to easily scale up large‐area LSCs (length up to 2.5 m) based on bulk and hollow‐core plastic optical fibres (POFs). The active layers used to coat the bulk fibres or fill the hollow‐core ones are Rhodamine 6G‐ or Eu3+‐doped organic–inorganic hybrids. For bulk‐coated LSCs, light propagation occurs essentially at the POFs, whereas for hollow‐core device light is also guided within the hybrid. The lower POFs' attenuation (~0.1 m−1) enables light propagation in the total fibre length (2.5 m) for bulk‐coated LSCs with maximum optical conversion efficiency (ηopt) and F of 0.6% and 6.5, respectively. For hollow‐core LSCs, light propagation is confined to shorter distances (6–9 × 10−2 m) because of the hybrids' attenuation (1–15 m−1). The hollow‐core optimised device displays ηopt = 72.4% and F = 12.3. The F values are larger than the best ones reported in the literature for large‐area LSCs (F = 4.4), illustrating the potential of this approach for the development of lightweight flexible high‐performance waveguiding PV. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The MedITNet assessment framework: development and validation of a framework for improving risk management of medical IT networks
Authors: MacMahon Silvana Togneri , McCaffery Fergal , Keenan Frank 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe use of networked medical devices can provide a number of benefits such as improved patient safety, a reduction in adverse events and reduced costs of care. Today, medical devices are increasingly designed for incorporation into a hospital's general IT network, which allows devices to exchange critical information. However, connecting devices in this way can introduce risks potentially negating the benefits to patients. While the IEC 80001‐1 standard has been developed to aid Healthcare Delivery Organisations (HDOs) in addressing these risks, HDOs often struggle to understand and implement the requirements. The MedITNet framework has been developed to allow HDOs to assess the capability of their risk management processes against the requirements of IEC 80001‐1. MedITNet provides a flexible assessment framework enabling HDOs to gain a greater understanding of the requirements of the standard and to improve risk management processes by determining their current state and highlighting areas for improvement. This paper examines the challenges faced by HDOs in the risk management of medical IT networks and briefly explains the components of the MedITNet framework and how the framework addresses these challenges. The use of Action Design Research (ADR) in the development and validation of MedITNet is also discussed focusing on a pilot implementation of the assessment method and expert review of the overall framework. The changes to the framework and its components as a result of the validation process are also discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid quantification of underivatized amino acids in plasma by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled with tandem mass‐spectrometry
Authors: Prinsen Hubertus C. M. T. , Schiebergen‐Bronkhorst B. G. M. , Roeleveld M. W. , Jans J. J. M. , de Sain‐van der Velden M. G. M. , Visser G. , van Hasselt P. M. , Verhoeven‐Duif N. M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundAmino acidopathies are a class of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) that can be diagnosed by analysis of amino acids (AA) in plasma. Current strategies for AA analysis include cation exchange HPLC with post‐column ninhydrin derivatization, GC‐MS, and LC‐MS/MS‐related methods. Major drawbacks of the current methods are time‐consuming procedures, derivative problems, problems with retention, and MS‐sensitivity. The use of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) columns is an ideal separation mode for hydrophilic compounds like AA. Here we report a HILIC‐method for analysis of 36 underivatized AA in plasma to detect defects in AA metabolism that overcomes the major drawbacks of other methods.MethodsA rapid, sensitive, and specific method was developed for the analysis of AA in plasma without derivatization using HILIC coupled with tandem mass‐spectrometry (Xevo TQ, Waters).ResultsExcellent separation of 36 AA (24 quantitative/12 qualitative) in plasma was achieved on an Acquity BEH Amide column (2.1×100 mm, 1.7 μm) in a single MS run of 18 min. Plasma of patients with a known IEM in AA metabolism was analyzed and all patients were correctly identified.ConclusionThe reported method analyzes 36 AA in plasma within 18 min and provides baseline separation of isomeric AA such as leucine and isoleucine. No separation was obtained for isoleucine and allo‐isoleucine. The method is applicable to study defects in AA metabolism in plasma.
Design and Feasibility of an Intervention to Support Cancer Genetic Counselees in Informing their At‐Risk Relatives
Authors: de Geus Eveline , Eijzenga Willem , Menko Fred H. , Sijmons Rolf H. , de Haes Hanneke C. J. M. , Aalfs Cora M. , Smets Ellen M. A. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractCancer genetic counselees receive individualized information regarding heightened risks and medical recommendations which is also relevant for their at‐risk relatives. Unfortunately, counselees often insufficiently inform these relatives. We designed an intervention aimed at improving counselees’ knowledge regarding which at‐risk relatives to inform and what information to disclose, their motivation to disclose, and their self‐efficacy. The intervention, offered by telephone by trained psychosocial workers, is based on the principles of Motivational Interviewing. Phase 1 of the intervention covers agenda setting, exploration, and evaluation, and phase 2 includes information provision, enhancing motivation and self‐efficacy, and brainstorming for solutions to disseminate information within the family. Fidelity and acceptability of the intervention were assessed using recordings of intervention sessions and by counselee self‐report. A total of 144 counselees participated. Psychosocial workers (n = 5) delivered the intervention largely as intended. Counselees highly appreciated the content of the intervention and the psychosocial workers who delivered the intervention. In the sessions, psychosocial workers provided additional and/or corrective information, and brainstorming for solutions was performed in 70 %. These results indicate that this intervention is feasible and warrants testing in clinical practice. For this, a randomized controlled trial is currently in progress to test the intervention's efficacy.
The effect of postpartum intravenous immunoglobulins on the relapse rate among patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Brandt‐Wouters Evelyn , Gerlach Oliver H.H. , Hupperts Raymond M.M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) on the expected increase in postpartum relapse rate (RR) among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).MethodsIn a retrospective study, data were analyzed from patients with relapsing remitting MS who received postpartum IVIG at the Academic MS Center Limburg, Sittard‐Geleen, Netherlands, between April 2005 and January 2015. Patients received 10 g IVIG (Nanogam) for 3 consecutive days after childbirth, and then once monthly until 5 months after delivery. Data were compared with results from the Pregnancy in Multiple Sclerosis (PRIMS) I and II studies, which followed the natural outcomes of patients with MS with no intervention.ResultsOverall, 42 pregnancies were evaluated. The RR in the first 3 months after delivery was 0.48 ± 1.31, as compared with 1.2 in the PRIMS studies. The RR also remained low at 3–6, 6–9, and 9–12 months after delivery for patients who received IVIG.ConclusionPostpartum administration of IVIG could be beneficial in preventing childbirth‐associated relapses among patients with MS. It led to a substantial decrease in RR.
Predictors of stillbirths and neonatal deaths in rural western Uganda
Authors: Moyer Cheryl A. , Kolars Candace K. , Oppong Samuel A. , Bakari Ashura , Bell April , Busingye Priscilla 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo explore pregnancy outcomes at a referral hospital in rural western Uganda.MethodsA retrospective study was undertaken using data for all deliveries at Virika Hospital, Fort Portal, Uganda, between July 1, 2009, and October 22, 2011. A detailed review of delivery logs was conducted. Categories were created for obstetric risk factors (e.g. grand multipara, history of hypertension), maternal delivery complications (e.g. eclampsia, hemorrhage), and neonatal complications (e.g. fetal distress, birth defects).ResultsOverall, 4883 deliveries were included. Of the 517 neonates who did not survive, 430 (83.2%) had been stillborn. After controlling for parity, gestational age, obstetric risk factors, and neonatal complications, risk factors for stillbirth included maternal delivery complications (risk ratio [RR] 3.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.34–4.71; P < 0.001) and living 51–100 km from the hospital (RR 3.37, 95% CI 2.41–4.74; P < 0.001). Risk factors for neonatal death included neonatal complications (RR 5.79, 95% CI 2.49–13.46; P = 0.001) and maternal delivery complications (RR 3.17, 95% CI 1.47–6.82; P = 0.003).ConclusionQualified providers need to be deployed to rural areas of Uganda to facilitate the prompt identification and management of pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal complications.
Managing unethical behavior in organizations: The need for a behavioral business ethics approach
Authors: De Cremer David , Vandekerckhove Wim 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIssues of morality and ethics have increasingly become more important in organizations and business settings. Traditionally, these issues of ethics and social responsibility in business settings have been discussed and commented on by prescriptive approaches that are grounded in philosophical traditions. Building on the idea that we need to develop a more comprehensive and complete understanding of the value that people assign to ethics and how it influences their actions and decisions, in the present article we discuss and review the importance and relevance of adopting also a descriptive approach that is grounded in the behavioral sciences (referred to as behavioral business ethics). This approach has the advantages to promote our insights into how people can show both good and bad behavior and why this is the case. Behavioral business ethics therefore represents an important research challenge for organizational researchers to pursue and engage more meaningfully with more prescriptive approaches.
Node-independent elementary signaling modes: A measure of redundancy in Boolean signaling transduction networks
Authors: SUN ZHONGYAO , ALBERT RÉKA 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe redundancy of a system denotes the amount of duplicate components or mechanisms in it. For a network, especially one in which mass or information is being transferred from an origin to a destination, redundancy is related to the robustness of the system. Existing network measures of redundancy rely on local connectivity (e.g. clustering coefficients) or the existence of multiple paths. As in many systems there are functional dependencies between components and paths, a measure that not only characterizes the topology of a network, but also takes into account these functional dependencies, becomes most desirable.We propose a network redundancy measure in a prototypical model that contains functionally dependent directed paths: a Boolean model of a signal transduction network. The functional dependencies are made explicit by using an expanded network and the concept of elementary signaling modes (ESMs). We define the redundancy of a Boolean signal transduction network as the maximum number of node-independent ESMs and develop a methodology for identifying all maximal node-independent ESM combinations. We apply our measure to a number of signal transduction network models and show that it successfully distills known properties of the systems and offers new functional insights. The concept can be easily extended to similar related forms, e.g. edge-independent ESMs.
The Use and Abuse of Theodicy
Authors: Tilley Terrence W. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe present essay distinguishes two ways to “settle” the problem of evil, “defense” and “theodicy,” as practiced in contemporary Christian philosophical theology. It argues that Christian theology can defend Christian belief from the charge of inconsistency, but that when it attempts to explain why and how God permits or wills evil in his world, it stumbles over denying the reality of evil or the goodness of God. The essay concludes by arguing that the Christian theologian cannot and should not attempt to make Christianity plausible by constructing theodicies but should concentrate on other methods of demonstrating the plausibility of Christianity.
Prevalence of neutralizing antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV) in monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi and Alouatta pigra) and crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus and C. acutus–C. moreletti hybrids) in Mexico
Authors: LOZA-RUBIO E. , ROJAS-ANAYA E. , LÓPEZ-RAMÍREZ R. DEL C. , SAIZ J. C. , ESCRIBANO-ROMERO E. 
Published: April 2016

SUMMARYWest Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne neurotropic viral pathogen maintained in an enzootic cycle between mosquitoes (vectors) and birds (natural hosts) with equids, humans, and other vertebrates acting as dead-end hosts. WNV activity in Mexico has been reported in several domestic and wild fauna and in humans, and the virus has been isolated from birds, mosquitoes, and humans. However, no serological studies have been conducted in monkeys, and only two in a limited number of crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii). Here we present data on the prevalence of neutralizing antibodies against WNV in 53 healthy wild monkeys (49 Ateles geoffroyi and four Alouatta pigra), and 80 semi-captive healthy crocodiles (60 C. acutus and 20 C. acutus–C. moreletti hybrids) sampled during 2012. None of the monkey sera neutralized WNV, whereas 55% of the crocodile sera presented neutralizing antibodies against WNV. These results can contribute to the design of surveillance programmes in Mexico.
Simplified material assignment for cone beam computed tomography-based dose calculations of prostate radiotherapy with hip prostheses
Authors: Almatani Turki , Hugtenburg Richard P. , Lewis Ryan , Barley Susan , Edwards Mark 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectiveCone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images contain more scatter than a conventional computed tomography (CT) image and therefore provide inaccurate Hounsfield units (HUs). Consequently, CBCT images cannot be used directly for dose calculation. The aim of this study is to enable dose calculations to be performed with the use of CBCT images taken during radiotherapy and potentially avoid the necessity of re-planning.MethodologyA phantom and prostate cancer patient with a metallic prosthetic hip replacement were imaged using both CT and CBCT. The multilevel threshold algorithm was used to categorise pixel values in the CBCT images into segments of homogeneous HU. The variation in HU with position in the CBCT images was taken into consideration and the benefit of using a larger number of materials than typically used in previous work has been explored. This segmentation method relies upon the operator dividing the CBCT data into a set of volumes where the variation in the relationship between pixel values and HUs is small. A field-in-field treatment plan was generated from the CT of the phantom. An intensity-modulated radiation therapy plan was generated from CT images of the patient. These plans were then copied to the segmented CBCT datasets with identical settings and the doses were recalculated and compared.ResultsIn the phantom study,γevaluation showed that the percentage of points falling in planning target volume, rectum and bladder withγ<1 (3%/3 mm) was 100%. In the patient study, increasing the number of bins to define the material type from seven materials to eight materials required 50% more operator time to improve the accuracy by 0·01% using pencil beam and collapsed cone and 0·05% when using Monte Carlo algorithms.ConclusionThe segmentation of CBCT images using the method in this study can be used for dose calculation. For a simple phantom, 2 values of HU were needed to improve dose calculation accuracy. In challenging circumstances such as that of a prostate patient with hip prosthesis, 5 values of HU were found to be needed, giving a reasonable balance between dose accuracy and operator time.
Galectin-1 induces hepatocellular carcinoma EMT and sorafenib resistance by activating FAK/PI3K/AKT signaling
Authors: Zhang P-F , Li K-S , Shen Y-h , Gao P-T , Dong Z-R , Cai J-B , Zhang C , Huang X-Y , Tian M-X , Hu Z-Q , Gao D-M , Fan J , Ke A-W , Shi G-M 
Published: April 2016

AbstractGalectin-1 (Gal-1) is involved in several pathological activities associated with tumor progression and chemoresistance, however, the role and molecular mechanism of Gal-1 activity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and sorafenib resistance remain enigmatic. In the present study, forced Gal-1 expression promoted HCC progression and sorafenib resistance. Gal-1 elevated αvβ3-integrin expression, leading to AKT activation. Moreover, Gal-1 overexpression induced HCC cell EMT via PI3K/AKT cascade activation. Clinically, our data revealed that Gal-1 overexpression is correlated with poor HCC survival outcomes and sorafenib response. These data suggest that Gal-1 may be a potential therapeutic target for HCC and a biomarker for predicting response to sorafenib treatment.
Virtual memory T cells develop and mediate bystander protective immunity in an IL-15-dependent manner
Authors: White Jason T. , Cross Eric W. , Burchill Matthew A. , Danhorn Thomas , McCarter Martin D. , Rosen Hugo R. , O’Connor Brian , Kedl Ross M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractVirtual memory cells (VM) are an antigen-specific, memory phenotype CD8 T-cell subset found in lymphoreplete, unchallenged mice. Previous studies indicated that VM cells were the result of homeostatic proliferation (HP) resembling the proliferation observed in a lymphopenic environment. Here we demonstrate that HP is ongoing in lymphoreplete mice, the degree of which is dictated by the number of naive CD8 T cells with a sufficiently high affinity for self-antigen interacting with peripheral IL-15. VM cell transcriptional profiles suggest a capacity to mediate protective immunity via antigen non-specific bystander killing, a function we show is dependent on IL-15. Finally, we show a VM-like population of human cells that accumulate with age and traffic to the liver, displaying phenotypic and functional attributes consistent with the bystander protective functions of VM cells identified in the mouse. These data identify developmental and functional attributes of VM cells, including their likely role in protective immunity.
Realistic noise-tolerant randomness amplification using finite number of devices
Authors: Brandão Fernando G. S. L. , Ramanathan Ravishankar , Grudka Andrzej , Horodecki Karol , Horodecki Michał , Horodecki Paweł , Szarek Tomasz , Wojewódka Hanna 
Published: April 2016

AbstractRandomness is a fundamental concept, with implications from security of modern data systems, to fundamental laws of nature and even the philosophy of science. Randomness is called certified if it describes events that cannot be pre-determined by an external adversary. It is known that weak certified randomness can be amplified to nearly ideal randomness using quantum-mechanical systems. However, so far, it was unclear whether randomness amplification is a realistic task, as the existing proposals either do not tolerate noise or require an unbounded number of different devices. Here we provide an error-tolerant protocol using a finite number of devices for amplifying arbitrary weak randomness into nearly perfect random bits, which are secure against a no-signalling adversary. The correctness of the protocol is assessed by violating a Bell inequality, with the degree of violation determining the noise tolerance threshold. An experimental realization of the protocol is within reach of current technology.
CRL4Wdr70 regulates H2B monoubiquitination and facilitates Exo1-dependent resection
Authors: Zeng Ming , Ren Laifeng , Mizuno Ken'Ichi , Nestoras Konstantinos , Wang Haibin , Tang Zizhi , Guo Liandi , Kong Daochun , Hu Qiwen , He Qun , Du Lilin , Carr Antony M. , Liu Cong 
Published: April 2016

AbstractDouble-strand breaks repaired by homologous recombination (HR) are first resected to form single-stranded DNA, which binds replication protein A (RPA). RPA attracts mediators that load the Rad51 filament to promote strand invasion, the defining feature of HR. How the resection machinery navigates nucleosome-packaged DNA is poorly understood. Here we report that in Schizosaccharomyces pombe a conserved DDB1-CUL4-associated factor (DCAF), Wdr70, is recruited to DSBs as part of the Cullin4-DDB1 ubiquitin ligase (CRL4Wdr70) and stimulates distal H2B lysine 119 mono-ubiquitination (uH2B). Wdr70 deletion, or uH2B loss, results in increased loading of the checkpoint adaptor and resection inhibitor Crb253BP1, decreased Exo1 association and delayed resection. Wdr70 is dispensable for resection upon Crb253BP1 loss, or when the Set9 methyltransferase that creates docking sites for Crb2 is deleted. Finally, we establish that this histone regulatory cascade similarly controls DSB resection in human cells.
Epidermal Notch1 recruits RORγ+ group 3 innate lymphoid cells to orchestrate normal skin repair
Authors: Li Zhi , Hodgkinson Tom , Gothard Elizabeth J. , Boroumand Soulmaz , Lamb Rebecca , Cummins Ian , Narang Priyanka , Sawtell Amy , Coles Jenny , Leonov German , Reboldi Andrea , Buckley Christopher D. , Cupedo Tom , Siebel Christian , Bayat Ardeshir , Coles Mark C. , Ambler Carrie A. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractNotch has a well-defined role in controlling cell fate decisions in the embryo and the adult epidermis and immune systems, yet emerging evidence suggests Notch also directs non-cell-autonomous signalling in adult tissues. Here, we show that Notch1 works as a damage response signal. Epidermal Notch induces recruitment of immune cell subsets including RORγ+ ILC3s into wounded dermis; RORγ+ ILC3s are potent sources of IL17F in wounds and control immunological and epidermal cell responses. Mice deficient for RORγ+ ILC3s heal wounds poorly resulting from delayed epidermal proliferation and macrophage recruitment in a CCL3-dependent process. Notch1 upregulates TNFα and the ILC3 recruitment chemokines CCL20 and CXCL13. TNFα, as a Notch1 effector, directs ILC3 localization and rates of wound healing. Altogether these findings suggest that Notch is a key stress/injury signal in skin epithelium driving innate immune cell recruitment and normal skin tissue repair.