bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring response to therapy in melanoma by quantifying circulating tumour DNA with droplet digital PCR for BRAF and NRAS mutations
Authors: Chang-Hao Tsao Simon , Weiss Jonathan , Hudson Christopher , Christophi Christopher , Cebon Jonathan , Behren Andreas , Dobrovic Alexander 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWe assessed the utility of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to evaluate the potential of using circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) as a post therapy monitoring tool in melanoma by comparing it to serum LDH levels and RECIST scores. ddPCR was shown to be reliable in distinguishing mutant from wild type alleles with no false positives. Subsequently, we quantified ctDNA (V600EBRAF,V600KBRAF or Q61HNRAS) in 6 stage IV melanoma patients across several time points during their treatment course. All tested patients had detectable ctDNA, which exhibited dynamic changes corresponding to the changes in their disease status. The ctDNA levels fell upon treatment response and rose with detectable disease progression. In our group of patients, ctDNA was more consistent and informative than LDH as a blood-based biomarker. In addition, BRAF mutant ctDNA as detected by ddPCR could be used diagnostically where the tumour block was unavailable. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the applicability of using ddPCR to detect and quantify ctDNA in the plasma of melanoma patients.
Buckling-induced retraction of spherical shells: A study on the shape of aperture
Authors: Lin Sen , Xie Yi Min , Li Qing , Huang Xiaodong , Zhou Shiwei 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBuckling of soft matter is ubiquitous in nature and has attracted increasing interest recently. This paper studies the retractile behaviors of a spherical shell perforated by sophisticated apertures, attributed to the buckling-induced large deformation. The buckling patterns observed in experiments were reproduced in computational modeling by imposing velocity-controlled loads and eigenmode-affine geometric imperfection. It was found that the buckling behaviors were topologically sensitive with respect to the shape of dimple (aperture). The shell with rounded-square apertures had the maximal volume retraction ratio as well as the lowest energy consumption. An effective experimental procedure was established and the simulation results were validated in this study.
Dual Control of Giant Field-like Spin Torque in Spin Filter Tunnel Junctions
Authors: Tang Y. -H. , Chu F. -C. , Kioussis Nicholas 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWe predict a giant field-like spin torque, "Equation missing", in spin-filter (SF) barrier tunnel junctions in sharp contrast to existing junctions based on nonmagnetic passive barriers. We demonstrate that "Equation missing" has linear bias behavior, is independent of the SF thickness and has odd parity with respect to the SF’s exchange splitting. Thus, it can be selectively controlled via external bias or external magnetic field which gives rise to sign reversal of "Equation missing" via magnetic field switching. The underlying mechanism is the interlayer exchange coupling between the noncollinear magnetizations of the SF and free ferromagnetic electrode via the nonmagnetic insulating (I) spacer giving rise to giant spin-dependent reflection at the SF/I interface. These findings suggest that the proposed field-like-spin-torque MRAM may provide promising dual functionalities for both ‘reading’ and ‘writing’ processes which require lower critical current densities and faster writing and reading speeds.
ERβ localization influenced outcomes of EGFR-TKI treatment in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations
Authors: Wang Zhijie , Li Zhenxiang , Ding Xiaosheng , Shen Zhirong , Liu Zhentao , An Tongtong , Duan Jianchun , Zhong Jia , Wu Meina , Zhao Jun , Zhuo Minglei , Wang Yuyan , Wang Shuhang , Sun Yu , Bai Hua , Wang Jie 
Published: June 2015

AbstractEffects of estrogen receptorβ (ERβ) localization on epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are unknown. First, we analyzed the relationship between ERβ localization determined by immunohistochemistry and EGFR-TKI outcomes in 184 patients with advanced NSCLC and found that ERβ expression localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus. The frequency of cytoplasmic ERβ (c-ERβ) and nuclear ERβ (n-ERβ) co-expression was 12% (22/184). C-ERβ and n-ERβ co-expression was correlated with poor median progression-free survival compared to patients without co-expression. In subsequent in vitro experiments, PC9 cells transfected with ERβ isoform1 (ERβ1, strong expression of both c-ERβ and n-ERβ) were more resistant to gefitinib than PC9 cells transfected with ERβ isoform2 or 5 (ERβ2 or ERβ5, strong expression of ERβ in cytoplasm but not nucleus). Resistance was identified due to interactions between ERβ1 and other isoforms and mediated by activation of non-genomic pathways. Moreover, gefitinib resistance was reversed by a combination treatment with gefitinib and fulvestrant, both in cell lines and in one NSCLC patient. These results suggested that c-ERβ and n-ERβ co-expression was a potential molecular indicator of EGFR-TKI resistance, which might be overcome by combining EGFR-TKI and ER antagonist.
Open and Lys–His Hexacoordinated Closed Structures of a Globin with Swapped Proximal and Distal Sites
Authors: Teh Aik-Hong , Saito Jennifer A. , Najimudin Nazalan , Alam Maqsudul 
Published: June 2015

AbstractGlobins are haem-binding proteins with a conserved fold made up of α-helices and can possess diverse properties. A putative globin-coupled sensor from Methylacidiphilum infernorum, HGbRL, contains an N-terminal globin domain whose open and closed structures reveal an untypical dimeric architecture. Helices E and F fuse into an elongated helix, resulting in a novel site-swapped globin fold made up of helices A–E, hence the distal site, from one subunit and helices F–H, the proximal site, from another. The open structure possesses a large cavity binding an imidazole molecule, while the closed structure forms a unique Lys–His hexacoordinated species, with the first turn of helix E unravelling to allow Lys52(E10) to bind to the haem. Ligand binding induces reorganization of loop CE, which is stabilized in the closed form and helix E, triggering a large conformational movement in the open form. These provide a mechanical insight into how a signal may be relayed between the globin domain and the C-terminal domain of HGbRL, a Roadblock/LC7 domain. Comparison with HGbI, a closely related globin, further underlines the high degree of structural versatility that the globin fold is capable of, enabling it to perform a diversity of functions.
Integrin-linked Kinase is Essential for Environmental Enrichment Enhanced Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Memory
Authors: Xu Xu-Feng , Li Ting , Wang Dong-Dong , Chen Bing , Wang Yue , Chen Zhe-Yu 
Published: June 2015

AbstractEnvironment enrichment (EE) has a variety of effects on brain structure and function. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is essential for EE-induced hippocampal neurogenesis and memory enhancement. However, the intracellular pathway downstream of BDNF to modulate EE effects is poorly understood. Here we show that integrin-linked kinase (ILK) levels are elevated upon EE stimuli in a BDNF-dependent manner. Using ILK-shRNA (siILK) lentivirus, we demonstrate that knockdown of ILK impairs EE-promoted hippocampal neurogenesis and memory by increasing glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) activity. Finally, overexpressing ILK in the hippocampus could rescue the neurogenesis and memory deficits in BDNF+/− mice. These results indicate that ILK is indispensable for BDNF-mediated hippocampal neurogenesis and memory enhancement upon EE stimuli via regulating GSK3β activity. This is a new insight of the precise mechanism in EE-enhanced memory processes and ILK is a potentially important therapeutic target that merits further study.
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: implementation of a fluid dynamic model for position determination of victims
Authors: Laan Nick , de Bruin Karla G. , Slenter Denise , Wilhelm Julie , Jermy Mark , Bonn Daniel 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBloodstain Pattern Analysis is a forensic discipline in which, among others, the position of victims can be determined at crime scenes on which blood has been shed. To determine where the blood source was investigators use a straight-line approximation for the trajectory, ignoring effects of gravity and drag and thus overestimating the height of the source. We determined how accurately the location of the origin can be estimated when including gravity and drag into the trajectory reconstruction. We created eight bloodstain patterns at one meter distance from the wall. The origin’s location was determined for each pattern with: the straight-line approximation, our method including gravity and our method including both gravity and drag. The latter two methods require the volume and impact velocity of each bloodstain, which we are able to determine with a 3D scanner and advanced fluid dynamics, respectively. We conclude that by including gravity and drag in the trajectory calculation, the origin’s location can be determined roughly four times more accurately than with the straight-line approximation. Our study enables investigators to determine if the victim was sitting or standing, or it might be possible to connect wounds on the body to specific patterns, which is important for crime scene reconstruction.
A unique in vivo approach for investigating antimicrobial materials utilizing fistulated animals
Authors: Berean Kyle J. , Adetutu Eric M. , Zhen Ou Jian , Nour Majid , Nguyen Emily P. , Paull David , Mcleod Jess , Ramanathan Rajesh , Bansal Vipul , Latham Kay , Bishop-Hurley Greg J. , McSweeney Chris , Ball Andrew S. , Kalantar-zadeh Kourosh 
Published: June 2015

AbstractUnique in vivo tests were conducted through the use of a fistulated ruminant, providing an ideal environment with a diverse and vibrant microbial community. Utilizing such a procedure can be especially invaluable for investigating the performance of antimicrobial materials related to human and animal related infections. In this pilot study, it is shown that the rumen of a fistulated animal provides an excellent live laboratory for assessing the properties of antimicrobial materials. We investigate microbial colonization onto model nanocomposites based on silver (Ag) nanoparticles at different concentrations into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). With implantable devices posing a major risk for hospital-acquired infections, the present study provides a viable solution to understand microbial colonization with the potential to reduce the incidence of infection through the introduction of Ag nanoparticles at the optimum concentrations. In vitro measurements were also conducted to show the validity of the approach. An optimal loading of 0.25 wt% Ag is found to show the greatest antimicrobial activity and observed through the in vivo tests to reduce the microbial diversity colonizing the surface.
Optical regulation of cell chain
Authors: Liu Xiaoshuai , Huang Jianbin , Zhang Yao , Li Baojun 
Published: June 2015

AbstractFormation of cell chains is a straightforward and efficient method to study the cell interaction. By regulating the contact sequence and interaction distance, the influence of different extracellular cues on the cell interaction can be investigated. However, it faces great challenges in stable retaining and precise regulation of cell chain, especially in cell culture with relatively low cell concentration. Here we demonstrated an optical method to realize the precise regulation of cell chain, including removing or adding a single cell, adjusting interaction distance and changing cell contact sequence. After injecting a 980-nm wavelength laser beam into a tapered optical fiber probe (FP), a cell chain of Escherichia colis (E. colis) is formed under the optical gradient force. By manipulating another FP close to the cell chain, a targeted E. coli cell can be trapped by the FP and removed from the chain. Further, the targeted cell can be added back to the chain at different positions to change the cell contact sequence. The experiments were interpreted by numerical simulations and the impact of cell sizes and shapes on this method was analyzed.
Resistance in antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation of bacteria
Authors: Maisch Tim 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Antibiotics have increasingly lost their impact to kill bacteria efficiently during the last 10 years. The emergence and dissemination of superbugs with resistance to multiple antibiotic classes have occurred among Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains including Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter strains. These six superbugs can “escape” more or less any single kind of antibiotic treatment. That means bacteria are very good at developing resistance against antibiotics in a short time. One new approach is called photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) which already has demonstrated an efficient antimicrobial efficacy among multi-resistant bacteria. Until now it has been questionable if bacteria can develop resistance against PACT. This perspective summarises the current knowledge about the susceptibility of bacteria towards oxidative stress and sheds some light on possible strategies of the development of photodynamic inactivation of bacteria (PACT)-induced oxidative stress resistance by bacteria.
Concurrent 10.5/25 GHz CMOS power amplifier with harmonics and inter‐modulation products suppression
Authors: Wang Sen , Xiao Chang‐Yuan 
Published: June 2015

A concurrent 10.5/25 GHz power amplifier (PA) is designed and implemented in a 0.18 μm CMOS technology. This PA employs dual‐band matching networks that can suppress harmonics, inter‐modulation products, and out‐of‐band signals so as to improve linearity performances. Moreover, the driver stage of the PA utilises a current‐reused topology which increases the gain without increase of the power dissipation. The chip size of the PA is 0.95 × 0.91 mm2 including testing pads, and its power consumption is 150 mW. The PA exhibits a measured gain of 15.2 and 6.8 dB, output P1dB of 10.5 and 9 dBm, Pout,max of 11.4 and 10 dBm and power added efficiency of 9 and 4.8% at 10.5 (f1) and 25 GHz (f2), respectively. The measured rejection of signals at 4 GHz (f2–2f1), 14.5 GHz (f2 − f1) and 21 GHz (2f1) is 43, 16.5 and 10.8 dB, respectively.
Application of community treatment orders (CTOs) in adults with intellectual disability and mental disorders
Authors: Gupta Jaya , Hassiotis Angela , Bohnen Ingrid , Thakker Yogesh 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore use of community treatment orders (CTOs) in adults with intellectual disability (ID) and mental health problems across England and Wales.

Design/methodology/approach
– A web-based exploratory survey was sent to 359 consultants on the database of the Faculty of the Psychiatry of ID, Royal College of Psychiatrists who had declared ID as their main speciality. Socio-demographic details of responding consultants, clinical characteristics of adults with ID on CTO, subjective views of consultants on using CTOs in people with ID were collected and analysed.

Findings
– In total, 94 consultant questionnaires were returned providing information on 115 patients detained under CTO. More than 75 per cent of the respondents had used CTO in their clinical practice. Patients subject to CTO were generally young, white males with mild ID and living in supported accommodation. CTOs were primarily used in situations of non-engagement (52.2 per cent), non-compliance with medication (47 per cent) or non-compliance with social care supports (49.6 per cent).

Practical implications
– Responding consultants expressed concerns about encroachment of civil liberties and ethics of using CTOs in people with ID who may lack capacity and stressed that decision to use CTOs needs to be therefore done on individual basis.

Originality/value
– This is the first national study to examine the practice of applying CTOs in adults with ID and mental disorders. Current practice is based on evidence from research done in adults with normal intelligence. Further research is needed to investigate the utility of CTOs in routine clinical practice in adults with ID and mental disorders.
British construction business 1700-2000: proactive innovation or reactive evolution?
Authors: Holt Gary D. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to study the British construction sector c.1700-2000 and compare its “proactive” innovative development with “reactive” business evolution.Design/methodology/approach– Qualitative, interpretative, literature synthesis was used in this paper.Findings– Each of the three centuries observed exhibits distinct construction business (CB) characteristics resulting mainly from exogenous influences, including: macroeconomic forces, demand volatility, supply chain and allied sectors’ evolvement, division of labour, competition and technological change. For most CB organisations, innovation was principally an exogenous influencevis-à-visendogenous strategic intention.Research limitations/implications– The study adds to a dearth of historical CB research and its documentation.Practical implications– The evolvement of construction organisations will be of relevance to CB stakeholders.Originality/value– Construction history is under-researched. Contrasting CB innovation and evolution is novel.
An online platform to automate LEED energy performance evaluation and submission process
Authors: Zhao Jie , Lam Khee Poh , Biswas Tajin , Wang Haopeng 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– This study aims to develop a web-based tool – LEED Energy Performance Online Submission Tool (LEPOST) to reduce the submission cost of the leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) application process and facilitate green building design. Lifecycle cost reduction is a major driver for designing green buildings. LEED rating system has been well recognised and widely used in the green building industry. However, certification cost incurred in time and money is often a deterrent for some projects.

Design/methodology/approach
– LEPOST automatically maps EnergyPlus and eQUEST energy simulation results to the LEED energy performance requirement submission templates using an extensible markup language (XML) data structure. It incorporates the Energy Star Target Finder online engine and current utility data to calculate points required to assess LEED Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite 2 and Credit 1 automatically.

Findings
– A comparative case study is conducted using an office building project. The study results show that the tool can reduce the amount of time for the LEED energy performance evaluation and submission process from more than 6 hours to 2 minutes. The total number of manual data entries is reduced from 442 to 20.

Research limitations/implications
– Future work includes the update to support LEED V4, the development of a parametric design function that can help design teams perform design alternatives to evaluate energy performance with minimum effort, and the integration with the LEED Online system.

Practical implications
– The use of the tool by the building industry may decrease the cost of LEED certification for building owners, developers and design teams by simplifying the submission process.

Originality/value
– The overall development framework of LEPOST contributes to the knowledge of the data interoperability in the building sector by demonstrating a viable solution to extract and map digital model information for achieving code and standard compliance purposes.
Policies that make a difference: bridging the gender equity and work-family gap in academia
Authors: O'Brien Katharine Ridgway , Martinez Larry R. , Ruggs Enrica N. , Rinehart Jan , Hebl Michelle R 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to highlight interventions that promote female (and male) faculty’s ability to balance work-family issues at a specific academic institution, in response to a demand in the literature that examines the intersection between research and implementation of organizational policies within a university setting.Design/methodology/approach– Using a case study framework, the researchers present qualitative experiences and quantitative data to evaluate the successful application of a work-family balance and organizational climate improvement initiative within an academic setting.Findings– By highlighting specific examples of work-family and climate initiatives at the individual, organization, and community levels, this case study presents several ways in which academic institutions specifically, and organizations generally, can implement policies that make a difference.Practical implications– Successful implementation of work-family balance and family-friendly organizational policies can positively impact employees.Originality/value– Our goal is to highlight and provide data showing a specific example of how female (and male) faculty members’ experiences can be (and have been) improved in a prototype institution.
The symbolic meaning of artifacts for the workplace identity of women in academia
Authors: Kemp Linzi J. , Angell Linda , McLoughlin Linda 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– The aim of this paper is to investigate the symbolic meaning attributed by women in academia to workplace artifacts.Design/methodology/approach– The research approach is that of auto-ethnography, whereby the authors, as researchers and participants, explore symbolic meaning from artifacts in their working environment.Findings– Three themes emerged on the symbolic meaning from artifacts for women in academia. The theme of “affect” revealed women as uncomfortable in their surroundings; “representation”, renders women invisible within the institution; and women felt themselves to be under “surveillance”.Research limitations/implications– The investigation is limited to one university, which limits generalizability. The implication is to replicate this auto-ethnographical study in other institutions of higher education.Practical implications– This paper implies that architectural, institutional and personal artifacts play an important role in defining women’s workplace identity.Social implications– Women in academia identify themselves as “outsiders” in the workplace because of the symbolic meaning they attribute to artifacts.Originality/value– This study on women in academia is original as it is the first auto-ethnographical study on artifacts in an international institution of higher education.
Good and bad simultaneously?
Authors: Bai Yuntao , Harms Peter , Han Guohong (Helen) , Cheng Wenwen 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– This study aims to introduce a new cognitive style, dialectical thinking, to demonstrate how it can influence a leader’s impact on team conflict and employee performance. Specifically, this study intends to answer the research questions “whether and how leader’s dialectical thinking would influence employee performance” with conflict management perspective in the Chinese context.Design/methodology/approach– Multilevel structural equation modeling was used to test the theoretical model with 222 employees in 43 teams from Chinese high-tech manufacturing firms.Findings– The authors found that the leader’s dialectical thinking had positive relationships with employee creativity and in-role performance and that the relationships were mediated by the leader’s conflict management approach and team conflict in sequence.Practical implications– Selecting, recruiting or promoting of leaders with a dialectical thinking style or providing training to enhance leaders’ dialectical thinking is important for facilitating team conflict management and employee performance.Originality/value– This is the first empirical paper to introduce dialectical thinking into the leadership, conflict and employee performance literatures.