bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Broadening CD4+and CD8+T Cell Responses against Hepatitis C Virus by Vaccination with NS3 Overlapping Peptide Panels in Cross-Priming Liposomes
Authors: Filskov Jonathan , Mikkelsen Marianne , Hansen Paul R. , Christensen Jan P. , Thomsen Allan R. , Andersen Peter , Bukh Jens , Agger Else Marie 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTDespite the introduction of effective drugs to treat patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, a vaccine would be the only means to substantially reduce the worldwide disease burden. An incomplete understanding of how HCV interacts with its human host and evades immune surveillance has hampered vaccine development. It is generally accepted that in infected individuals, a narrow repertoire of exhausted T cells is a hallmark of persistent infection, whereas broad, vigorous CD4+and CD8+T cell responses are associated with control of acute hepatitis C. We employed a vaccine approach based on a mixture of peptides (pepmix) spanning the entire sequence of HCV nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) in cross-priming cationic liposomes (CAF09) to facilitate a versatile presentation of all possible T cell epitopes, regardless of the HLA background of the vaccine recipient. Here, we demonstrate that vaccination of mice with NS3 pepmix broadens the repertoire of epitope-specific T cells compared to the corresponding recombinant protein (rNS3). Moreover, vaccination with rNS3 induced only CD4+T cells, whereas the NS3 pepmix induced a far more vigorous CD4+T cell response and was as potent a CD8+T cell inducer as an adenovirus-vectored vaccine expressing NS3. Importantly, the cellular responses are dominated by multifunctional T cells, such as gamma interferon-positive (IFN-γ+) tumor necrosis factor alpha-positive (TNF-α+) coproducers, and displayed cytotoxic capacity in mice. In conclusion, we present a novel vaccine approach against HCV, inducing a broadened T cell response targeting both immunodominant and potential subdominant epitopes, which may be key elements to counter T cell exhaustion and prevent chronicity.IMPORTANCEWith at least 700,000 annual deaths, development of a vaccine against hepatitis C virus (HCV) has high priority, but the tremendous ability of the virus to dodge the human immune system poses great challenges. Furthermore, many chronic infections, including HCV infection, have a remarkable ability to drive initially strong CD4+and CD8+T cell responses against dominant epitopes toward an exhausted, dysfunctional state. Thus, new and innovative vaccine approaches to control HCV should be evaluated. Here, we report on a novel peptide-based nanoparticle vaccine strategy (NS3 pepmix) aimed at generating T cell immunity against potential subdominant T cell epitopes that are not efficiently targeted by vaccination with full-length recombinant protein (rNS3) or infection with HCV. As proof of concept, we found that NS3 pepmix excels in broadening the repertoire of epitope-specific, multifunctional, and cytotoxic CD4+and CD8+T cells compared to vaccination with rNS3, which generated only CD4+T cell responses.
New microbleed after blood–brain barrier leakage in intracerebral haemorrhage
Authors: van Nieuwenhuizen Koen M , Hendrikse Jeroen , Klijn Catharina J M 
Published: April 2017

Cerebral microbleeds are increasingly recognised as biomarkers of small vessel disease. Several preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that chronic disruption of the blood–brain barrier is one of the mechanisms for the development of cerebral microbleeds.A 51-year-old man experienced two left parieto-occipital lobar intracerebral haemorrhages (ICHs) in the timespan of 2 years. Multiple microbleeds surrounding the two haemorrhages were found on MRI, but not at location distant from the haemorrhages. Ten months after the last haemorrhage, an MRI demonstrated a right occipital focus of contrast enhancement. Twenty months after the last ICH, a new cerebral microbleed had developed exactly at the location of the earlier contrast enhancement.This case demonstrates that blood–brain barrier disruption may be an important factor preceding the development of cerebral microbleeds.
The use of multiple-criteria decision-making theory to measure students’ perceptions of high-fidelity simulation
Authors: Jersby Maureen Anne , Van-Schaik Paul , Green Stephen , Nacheva-Skopalik Lili 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundHigh-Fidelity Simulation (HFS) has great potential to improve decision-making in clinical practice. Previous studies have found HFS promotes self-confidence, but its effectiveness in clinical practice has not been established. The aim of this research is to establish if HFS facilitates learning that informs decision-making skills in clinical practice using MultipleCriteria DecisionMaking Theory (MCDMT).MethodsThe sample was 2nd year undergraduate pre-registration adult nursing students.MCDMT was used to measure the students’ experience of HFS and how it developed their clinical decision-making skills. MCDMT requires characteristic measurements which for the learning experience were based on five factors that underpin successful learning, and for clinical decision-making, an analytical framework was used. The study used a repeated-measures design to take two measurements: the first one after the first simulation experience and the second one after clinical placement. Baseline measurements were obtained from academics. Data were analysed using the MCDMT tool.ResultsAfter their initial exposure to simulation learning, students reported that HFS provides a high-quality learning experience (87%) and supports all aspects of clinical decision-making (85%). Following clinical practice, the level of support for clinical decision-making remained at 85%, suggesting that students believe HFS promotes transferability of knowledge to the practice setting.ConclusionOverall, students report a high level of support for learning and developing clinical decision-making skills from HFS. However, there are no comparative data available from classroom teaching of similar content so it cannot be established if these results are due to HFS alone.
Silicon-based hot electron emitting substrate with double tunneling
Authors: Chen Fei , Zhan Xinghua , Salcic Zoran , Wong Chee Cheong , Gao Wei 
Published: April 2017

We propose a novel silicon structure, Hot Electron Emitting Substrate (HEES), which exhibits important effect of repeated tunneling at two different voltage ranges, which we refer to as double tunneling. In ambient atmosphere and room temperature, the [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] characteristic of HEES shows two current peaks during voltage sweep from 2 to 15 V. These two peaks are formed by the Fowler–Nordheim (FN) tunneling effect and tunneling diode mechanism, respectively.
Synthesis of formamidinium lead iodide perovskite bulk single crystal and its optical properties
Authors: Zheng Hongge , Duan Junjie , Dai Jun 
Published: April 2017

Formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) is a promising hybrid perovskite material for optoelectronic devices. We synthesized bulk single crystal FAPbI3 by a rapid solution crystallization method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was performed to characterize the crystal structure. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the bulk single crystal FAPbI3 were measured from 10 to 300 K to explain PL recombination mechanism. It shows that near band edge emission blueshifts with the temperature increasing from 10 to 120 K and from 140 K to room temperature, a sudden emission band redshift demonstrates near 140 K because of the phase transition from orthorhombic phase to cubic phase. From the temperature-dependent PL spectra, the temperature coefficients of the bandgap and thermal activation energies of FAPbI3 perovskite are fitted.
Data collection, handling, and fitting strategies to optimize accuracy and precision of oxygen uptake kinetics estimation from breath-by-breath measurements
Authors: Benson Alan P. , Bowen T. Scott , Ferguson Carrie , Murgatroyd Scott R. , Rossiter Harry B. 
Published: April 2017

Phase 2 pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics (ϕ2 τV̇o2P) reflect muscle oxygen consumption dynamics and are sensitive to changes in state of training or health. This study identified an unbiased method for data collection, handling, and fitting to optimize V̇o2P kinetics estimation. A validated computational model of V̇o2P kinetics and a Monte Carlo approach simulated 2 × 105 moderate-intensity transitions using a distribution of metabolic and circulatory parameters spanning normal health. Effects of averaging (interpolation, binning, stacking, or separate fitting of up to 10 transitions) and fitting procedures (biexponential fitting, or ϕ2 isolation by time removal, statistical, or derivative methods followed by monoexponential fitting) on accuracy and precision of V̇o2P kinetics estimation were assessed. The optimal strategy to maximize accuracy and precision of τV̇o2P estimation was 1-s interpolation of 4 bouts, ensemble averaged, with the first 20 s of exercise data removed. Contradictory to previous advice, we found optimal fitting procedures removed no more than 20 s of ϕ1 data. Averaging method was less critical: interpolation, binning, and stacking gave similar results, each with greater accuracy compared with analyzing repeated bouts separately. The optimal procedure resulted in ϕ2 τV̇o2P estimates for transitions from an unloaded or loaded baseline that averaged 1.97 ± 2.08 and 1.04 ± 2.30 s from true, but were within 2 s of true in only 47–62% of simulations. Optimized 95% confidence intervals for τV̇o2P ranged from 4.08 to 4.51 s, suggesting a minimally important difference of ~5 s to determine significant changes in τV̇o2P during interventional and comparative studies. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We identified an unbiased method to maximize accuracy and precision of oxygen uptake kinetics (τV̇o2P) estimation. The optimum number of bouts to average was four; interpolation, bin, and stacking averaging methods gave similar results. Contradictory to previous advice, we found that optimal fitting procedures removed no more than 20 s of phase 1 data. Our data suggest a minimally important difference of ~5 s to determine significant changes in τV̇o2P during interventional and comparative studies.
A Pooled Analysis of 15 Prospective Cohort Studies on the Association between Fruit, Vegetable, and Mature Bean Consumption and Risk of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Petimar Joshua , Wilson Kathryn M. , Wu Kana , Wang Molin , Albanes Demetrius , van den Brandt Piet A. , Cook Michael B. , Giles Graham G. , Giovannucci Edward L. , Goodman Gary E. , Goodman Phyllis J. , Håkansson Niclas , Helzlsouer Kathy , Key Timothy J. , Kolonel Laurence N. , Liao Linda M. , Männistö Satu , McCullough Marjorie L. , Milne Roger L. , Neuhouser Marian L. , Park Yikyung , Platz Elizabeth A. , Riboli Elio , Sawada Norie , Schenk Jeannette M. , Tsugane Shoichiro , Verhage Bas , Wang Ying , Wilkens Lynne R. , Wolk Alicja , Ziegler Regina G. , Smith-Warner Stephanie A. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackground: Relationships between fruit, vegetable, and mature bean consumption and prostate cancer risk are unclear.Methods: We examined associations between fruit and vegetable groups, specific fruits and vegetables, and mature bean consumption and prostate cancer risk overall, by stage and grade, and for prostate cancer mortality in a pooled analysis of 15 prospective cohorts, including 52,680 total cases and 3,205 prostate cancer–related deaths among 842,149 men. Diet was measured by a food frequency questionnaire or similar instrument at baseline. We calculated study-specific relative risks using Cox proportional hazards regression, and then pooled these estimates using a random effects model.Results: We did not observe any statistically significant associations for advanced prostate cancer or prostate cancer mortality with any food group (including total fruits and vegetables, total fruits, total vegetables, fruit and vegetable juice, cruciferous vegetables, and tomato products), nor specific fruit and vegetables. In addition, we observed few statistically significant results for other prostate cancer outcomes. Pooled multivariable relative risks comparing the highest versus lowest quantiles across all fruit and vegetable exposures and prostate cancer outcomes ranged from 0.89 to 1.09. There was no evidence of effect modification for any association by age or body mass index.Conclusions: Results from this large, international, pooled analysis do not support a strong role of collective groupings of fruits, vegetables, or mature beans in prostate cancer.Impact: Further investigation of other dietary exposures, especially indicators of bioavailable nutrient intake or specific phytochemicals, should be considered for prostate cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(8); 1276–87. ©2017 AACR.
Cortical Venous Redness Represents Tissue Circulation Status in Patients With Moyamoya Disease
Authors: Machida Toshio , Higuchi Yoshinori , Nakano Shigeki , Ishige Satoshi , Fujikawa Atsushi , Akaogi Yuichi , Shimada Junichiro , Yoshida Yoichi , Maru Sigenori , Ono Junichi 
Published: April 2017

Background and Purpose—

Venous oxygen saturation (SO
2
) is measured in medical fields to assess tissue circulation insufficiency. This study aimed to elucidate the use of a cortical venous redness measurement to evaluate hemodynamic changes during revascularization surgery for patients with moyamoya disease.

Methods—

In this retrospective case-series analysis, we first quantitatively measured and correlated SO
2
and R intensity of 24-bit color digital red–green–blue pictures of blood samples from 3 volunteers. Subsequently, based on intraoperative digital pictures of 29 patients with moyamoya disease, we measured the R intensities of a cortical vein near the anastomosis site before and after anastomosis. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) at the site was measured using a single-photon emission computed tomography before and 1 to 3 days after surgery. Venous R intensity and CBF were measured twice by 4 raters, and their correlations were examined using generalized linear mixed effect model and linear regression analysis.

Results—

A strong linear correlation was found between blood R intensity and its SO
2
(coefficients, 0.522; 95% confidence interval, 0.364–0.680, using generalized linear mixed effect model). Venous R intensity before the anastomosis was not correlated with preoperative CBF (coefficients, 0.000352; 95% confidence interval, −0.000369 to 0.00107, by generalized linear mixed effect); however, the increases in venous R intensity after anastomosis were correlated with postoperative increases in CBF (
R
2
, 0.367; 95% confidence interval, 0.116–0.618 to 0.548; 95% confidence interval, 0.331–0.764, by linear regression analysis).

Conclusions—
Cortical venous redness represented impaired CBF and could be a useful parameter for assessing hemodynamic changes during revascularization surgery.
Key Themes in Mekkes’s Post-Critical Thought
Authors: Echeverria Eduardo J. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
This article examines J.P.A. Mekkes’s post-critical thought with respect to three areas. First, I examine the correlation between faith and hearing, and the corresponding notion of the normativity of revelation, in Mekkes’s religious epistemology. I develop Mekkes’s epistemology in light of an appeal to testimony as the epistemic basis of faith. Second, I examine his claim that there is an irresolvable conflict between the historically situated knower and his claim to make universally valid truth claims. In this context, I raise the question regarding the distinction between epistemic justification and truth, and problems that arise from Mekkes’s failure to draw that distinction. Third, I examine Mekkes’s fundamental theology regarding the meaning of creation revelation, as well as his reluctance to speak of states of affairs, structures of creation, creational law, and the like. I argue that his reluctance stems from not only the philosophical problems I raise regarding his views on justification and truth, but also Mekkes’s emphasis on a Christocentric and eschatological perspective of creation revelation.
Kinematic and Polarimetric Radar Observations of the 10 May 2010, Moore–Choctaw, Oklahoma, Tornadic Debris Signature
Authors: Griffin Casey B. , Bodine David J. , Palmer Robert D. 
Published: April 2017

Tornadoes are capable of lofting large pieces of debris that present irregular shapes, near-random orientations, and a wide range of dielectric constants to polarimetric radars. The unique polarimetric signature associated with lofted debris is called the tornadic debris signature (TDS). While ties between TDS characteristics and tornado- and storm-scale kinematic processes have been speculated upon or investigated using photogrammetry and single-Doppler analyses, little work has been done to document the three-dimensional wind field associated with the TDS. Data collected by the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (KTLX), and Norman, Oklahoma (KOUN), WSR-88D S-band radars as well as the University of Oklahoma’s (OU) Advanced Radar Research Center’s Polarimetric Radar for Innovations in Meteorology and Engineering (OU-PRIME) C-band radar are used to construct single- and dual-Doppler analyses of a tornadic supercell that produced an EF4 tornado near the towns of Moore and Choctaw, Oklahoma, on 10 May 2010. This study documents the spatial distribution of polarimetric radar variables and how each variable relates to kinematic fields such as vertical velocity and vertical vorticity. Special consideration is given to polarimetric signatures associated with subvortices within the tornado. An observation of negative differential reflectivity ([Formula: see text]) at the periphery of tornado subvortices is presented and discussed. Finally, dual-Doppler wind retrievals are compared to single-Doppler axisymmetric wind fields to illustrate the merits of each method.
Supernatural versus medical: Responses to mental illness from undergraduate university students in Trinidad
Authors: Ramkissoon AnMarie Kamanie , Donald Casswina , Hutchinson Gerard 
Published: April 2017

Background/Introduction: Perceptions about the aetiology of mental illness are likely to influence help-seeking behaviour. Understanding help-seeking behaviour will improve service provision and access. Therefore, this is likely to improve treatment outcomes. Methods: We assessed the perceptions and help-seeking behaviours surrounding mental illness in a Trinidadian population of 158 tertiary-level students (136 female, 22 male; mean age 30) by analysing their responses to a questionnaire which asked for responses regarding a case vignette of a 25-year-old young woman exhibiting symptoms suggestive of schizophrenia. Results: Of the respondents, 32.3% attributed the symptoms to supernatural causes. Specifically, 27.8% to someone doing her bad and 24.1% to evil spirits. In all, 77.2% of respondents indicated that mental illness was caused by medical problems and 63.3% to work stress. A minimum of 9.5% of the students therefore have dual perceptions regarding causation (77.2 + 32.3 = 109.5) Those who perceived causation to be supernatural said they would seek help from both medical ( p = .000) and supernatural ( p = .000) modalities. This also applied significantly to those who said the causation was medical, that is, seeking both religious intervention ( p = .000) and medical intervention (.000) as the first path in the health-seeking pathway. Conclusion: Dual help-seeking behaviour seems to be the functional result of an integration of religious and medical models of mental illness causation even in respondents who clearly identified only one of these as the likely cause of the illness behaviour.
Cost-effectiveness of the Yashoda Programme
Authors: Saha Somen , Varghese Beena 
Published: April 2017

Background: Under the Norway-India Partnership Initiative (NIPI), a pilot programme was launched in 2008 to improve the quality of institutional maternal and neonatal care through Yashodas or birth companions. Yashodas were placed at higher-level healthcare facilities across select districts of India to support mother and newborn. This article presents the additional cost of the Yashoda programme from a government perspective and models the potential cost-effectiveness of the Yashoda intervention in averting neonatal deaths. Methods: We estimated the additional costs of the Yashoda programme (2011–2012) using an activity-based costing approach from a provider perspective. Effectiveness measure was estimated as the difference in the average rate of receipt of counselling (for mothers who delivered at district hospitals) between intervention and comparison districts. The potential impact of the Yashoda programme on neonatal mortality was modelled from secondary data assuming a 30 per cent reduction in neonatal mortality among those who received counselling and practiced safe newborn care practices. Results: The additional cost of Yashoda intervention was US$26,350 per year or US$0.83 per live birth. Eighty-four per cent of mothers in the intervention group received essential postpartum newborn care counselling at the facility compared to 62 per cent of mothers in the comparison groups. Through potential change in newborn care practices, the Yashoda intervention was estimated to avert 45 neonatal deaths for a hypothetical cohort of 100,000 mothers who delivered at district hospitals. The incremental cost of the Yashoda intervention was US$1,832 per neonatal death averted or US$29 per life year saved (LYS). Sensitivity analysis showed the incremental cost per LYS of the Yashoda intervention varied between US$14 and US$59. Conclusion: This study concludes that the Yashoda intervention, when scaled up at high delivery load facilities, is a very cost-effective intervention to save newborn lives.
Government policy and private sector development in post-conflict states: Growing Cambodia’s rice production and export industries
Authors: Turner Mark , Korm Ribaun , Veara Kim 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis article deals with the rehabilitation of economies in post-conflict states, paying particular attention to the role played by the state in this process. Using the example of Cambodia and its policies on rice production and export, the article shows the prominent role that may be played by the state in prioritised areas of economic development where there has been market failure. In the Cambodian case, the government targeted rice production and export as these had great potential for promoting the major aims of national development policy – economic growth and poverty alleviation. Using a whole-of-government approach and a combination of direct involvement and the creation of an enabling environment, the government appears to have contributed to vastly increased rice production and export.
Youth survival in the labour market: Employment scarring in three transition economies
Authors: Mojsoska-Blazevski Nikica , Petreski Marjan , Bojadziev Marjan I 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study is to examine whether the prevalent and fairly long unemployment spell of young Macedonians, Serbians and Montenegrins early in their career has negative effects on their subsequent labour-market performance: the so-called employment scarring. We first model unemployment spell as a function of individual and household characteristics and work attitudes and preferences using a discrete-time duration method. Then, we estimate the survival probabilities to examine the potential existence of employment scarring. The results provide some evidence for the potential presence of employment scarring in the three countries. The scars are largest in Serbia for all durations of the unemployment spell followed by Macedonia; they are weakest in Montenegro.