bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple norovirus outbreaks linked to imported frozen raspberries
Authors: SARVIKIVI E. , ROIVAINEN M. , MAUNULA L. , NISKANEN T. , KORHONEN T. , LAPPALAINEN M. , KUUSI M. 
Published: March 2011

SUMMARYIn 2009, the number of foodborne norovirus outbreaks in Finland seemed markedly high, and many outbreaks seemed to be linked to imported frozen raspberries. We reviewed the data regarding all notified foodborne outbreaks in 2009 in Finland in order to assess the magnitude of the problem and to summarize the information on raspberry–linked outbreaks. Between March and August, 13 norovirus outbreaks affecting about 900 people could be linked to imported frozen raspberries. Two raspberry samples corresponding to two batches of raspberries were positive for norovirus. These two batches proved to have been the likely source in six of the 13 outbreaks. Analytical studies had not been conducted for six outbreaks, and virological test results were inconclusive in two. However, combining epidemiological and microbiological methods often enabled finding the source, as exemplified in investigation of a large school outbreak. To ensure prompt control measures in similar situations in the future, both aspects of outbreak investigations should be strengthened.
Optimal design of studies of influenza transmission in households. I: Case-ascertained studies
Authors: KLICK B. , LEUNG G. M. , COWLING B. J. 
Published: March 2011

SUMMARYCase-ascertained household transmission studies, in which households including an ‘index case’ are recruited and followed up, are invaluable to understanding the epidemiology of influenza. We used a simulation approach parameterized with data from household transmission studies to evaluate alternative study designs. We compared studies that relied on self-reported illness in household contactsvs. studies that used home visits to collect swab specimens for virological confirmation of secondary infections, allowing for the trade-off between sample sizevs. intensity of follow-up given a fixed budget. For studies estimating the secondary attack proportion, 2–3 follow-up visits with specimens collected from all members regardless of illness were optimal. However, for studies comparing secondary attack proportions between two or more groups, such as controlled intervention studies, designs with reactive home visits following illness reports in contacts were most powerful, while a design with one home visit optimally timed also performed well.
Speech style and authenticity: Quantitative evidence for the performance of identity
Authors: Guy Gregory R. , Cutler Cecelia 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe question of what constitutes an authentic speaker, particularly with regard to African American Vernacular English (AAVE), has been the subject of some debate in sociolinguistics (Butters, 1984; Labov, 1980; Sweetland, 2002) and arises anew in the case of white hip-hop–affiliated youth (WHHs) who converge toward AAVE in their speech. This paper takes a quantitative approach to this question by examining how speech style alters the relationship between the frequencies of a variable in different linguistic environments. Guy (1991b) showed that the exponential relationship in English among rates of coronal stop deletion (CSD) in several morphological categories is systematically distorted by constraints on the surface-level phonology. Because stylistic variation appears to operate at this level, such distortion provides an internal measure of a speaker's stylistic shifting away from their neutral vernacular usage. Data on CSD deletion from WHHs who style shift toward AAVE show this kind of distortion when compared with the speech of AAVE speakers. This data provide strong internal evidence in support of the idea that some WHHs are “performing” a speech style that diverges from their unmarked style.
Optimal sample size for estimating the proportion of transgenic plants using the Dorfman model with a random confidence interval
Authors: Montesinos-López Osval Antonio , Montesinos-López Abelardo , Crossa José , Eskridge Kent , Sáenz Ricardo A. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractGroup testing is a procedure in which groups that contain several units (plants) are analysed without having to inspect individual plants, with the purpose of estimating the prevalence of genetically modified plants (adventitious presence of unwanted transgenic plants, AP) in a population at a low cost, without losing precision. When pool (group) testing is used to estimate the proportion of AP (p), there are several procedures that can be used for computing the confidence interval (CI); however, they usually do not ensure precision in the estimation ofp. This research proposes a formula for determining the required number of pools (g), given a pool size (k), for estimating the proportion of AP plants using the Dorfman model. The proposed formula ensures precision in the estimated proportion of AP because it guarantees that the width (W) of the CI will be equal to, or narrower than, the desired width (ω), with a probability of γ. This probability accounts for the stochastic nature of the sample variance ofp. We give examples to show how to use the proposed sample-size formula. Simulated data were created and tables are presented showing the different scenarios that a researcher may encounter. The Monte Carlo method was used to study the coverage and the level of assurance achieved by the proposed sample sizes. An R program that reproduces the results in the tables and makes it easy for the researcher to create other scenarios is given in the Appendix.
Mathematical Skills in 3- and 5-Year-Olds with Spina Bifida and Their Typically Developing Peers: A Longitudinal Approach
Authors: Barnes Marcia A. , Stubbs Allison , Raghubar Kimberly P. , Agostino Alba , Taylor Heather , Landry Susan , Fletcher Jack M. , Smith-Chant Brenda 
Published: March 2011

AbstractPreschoolers with spina bifida (SB) were compared to typically developing (TD) children on tasks tapping mathematical knowledge at 36 months (n = 102) and 60 months of age (n = 98). The group with SB had difficulty compared to TD peers on all mathematical tasks except for transformation on quantities in the subitizable range. At 36 months, vocabulary knowledge, visual–spatial, and fine motor abilities predicted achievement on a measure of informal math knowledge in both groups. At 60 months of age, phonological awareness, visual–spatial ability, and fine motor skill were uniquely and differentially related to counting knowledge, oral counting, object-based arithmetic skills, and quantitative concepts. Importantly, the patterns of association between these predictors and mathematical performance were similar across the groups. A novel finding is that fine motor skill uniquely predicted object-based arithmetic abilities in both groups, suggesting developmental continuity in the neurocognitive correlates of early object-based and later symbolic arithmetic problem solving. Models combining 36-month mathematical ability and these language-based, visual–spatial, and fine motor abilities at 60 months accounted for considerable variance on 60-month informal mathematical outcomes. Results are discussed with reference to models of mathematical development and early identification of risk in preschoolers with neurodevelopmental disorder. (JINS, 2011, 17, 431–444)
Disruption of Emotion and Conflict Processing in HIV Infection with and without Alcoholism Comorbidity
Authors: Schulte Tilman , Müller-Oehring Eva M. , Sullivan Edith V. , Pfefferbaum Adolf 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAlcoholism and HIV-1 infection each affect components of selective attention and cognitive control that may contribute to deficits in emotion processing based on closely interacting fronto-parietal attention and frontal-subcortical emotion systems. Here, we investigated whether patients with alcoholism, HIV-1 infection, or both diseases have greater difficulty than healthy controls in resolving conflict from emotional words with different valences. Accordingly, patients with alcoholism (ALC,n= 20), HIV-1 infection (HIV,n= 20), ALC + HIV comorbidity (n= 22), and controls (CTL,n= 16) performed an emotional Stroop Match-to-Sample task, which assessed the contribution of emotion (happy, angry) to cognitive control (Stroop conflict processing). ALC + HIV showed greater Stroop effects than HIV, ALC, or CTL for negative (ANGRY) but not for positive (HAPPY) words, and also when the cue color did not match the Stroop stimulus color; the comorbid group performed similarly to the others when cue and word colors matched. Furthermore, emotionally salient face cues prolonged color-matching responses in all groups. HIV alone, compared with the other three groups, showed disproportionately slowed color-matching time when trials featured angry faces. The enhanced Stroop effects prominent in ALC + HIV suggest difficulty in exercising attentional top-down control on processes that consume attentional capacity, especially when cognitive effort is required to ignore negative emotions. (JINS, 2011,17, 537–550)
A NOTE ON BUNDLE GERBES AND INFINITE-DIMENSIONALITY
Authors: MURRAY MICHAEL , STEVENSON DANNY 
Published: March 2011

AbstractLet (P,Y ) be a bundle gerbe over a fibre bundle Y →M. We show that if M is simply connected and the fibres of Y →M are connected and finite-dimensional, then the Dixmier–Douady class of (P,Y ) is torsion. This corrects and extends an earlier result of the first author.
The Keele Congress of 1967: A Paradigm Shift in Anglican Evangelical Attitudes
Authors: Atherstone Andrew 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe National Evangelical Anglican Congress which took place at Keele University in April 1967 is widely acknowledged as a major watershed for the evangelical movement in the Church of England. This paper offers a fresh analysis of the event, based on detailed archival research. It argues that there was a decisive attitudinal shift at the congress, driven especially by the younger generation – from piety to policy, conservatism to radicalism, homogeneity to diversity, and exclusivism to ecumenism. It shows how in these four areas the Keele Congress established a new agenda for Anglican evangelicalism, a legacy which still continues today.
60 GHz short-range communications: channel measurements, analysis, and modeling
Authors: Garcia Ariza Alexis Paolo , Trautwein Uwe , Müller Robert , Wollenschläger Frank , Thomä Reiner S. , Kunisch Jürgen , de la Torre Itziar , Felbecker Robert , Peter Michael , Keusgen Wilhelm 
Published: March 2011

This article presents measurement and analysis results for 60 GHz short-range wideband radio channels. We consider two scenarios, referred to as “very-high-rate extended-range” (VHR-E) and “ultra-high-rate cordless” (UHR-C). The VHR-E measurements aimed at 60 GHz fixed networks for an Airbus A340 cabin both under static and dynamic (shadowing due to passenger movement) channel conditions. We describe the channel sounder used for the VHR-E measurements and present a simple multipath model derived from the measurements. Furthermore, simulations show the feasibility of the ray-tracing approach for this kind of channel. As a typical UHR-C use case, a data kiosk scenario was investigated. Various propagation conditions are analyzed with respect to channel gain, time dispersion, and frequency selectivity.
Slow skeletal muscle myosin-binding protein-C (MyBPC1) mediates recruitment of muscle-type creatine kinase (CK) to myosin
Authors: Chen Zhe , Zhao Tong-Jin , Li Jie , Gao Yan-Song , Meng Fan-Guo , Yan Yong-Bin , Zhou Hai-Meng 
Published: March 2011

Muscle contraction requires high energy fluxes, which are supplied by MM-CK (muscle-type creatine kinase) which couples to the myofibril. However, little is known about the detailed molecular mechanisms of how MM-CK participates in and is regulated during muscle contraction. In the present study, MM-CK is found to physically interact with the slow skeletal muscle-type MyBPC1 (myosin-binding protein C1). The interaction between MyBPC1 and MM-CK depended on the creatine concentration in a dose-dependent manner, but not on ATP, ADP or phosphocreatine. The MyBPC1–CK interaction favoured acidic conditions, and the two molecules dissociated at above pH 7.5. Domain-mapping experiments indicated that MM-CK binds to the C-terminal domains of MyBPC1, which is also the binding site of myosin. The functional coupling of myosin, MyBPC1 and MM-CK is further corroborated using an ATPase activity assay in which ATP expenditure accelerates upon the association of the three proteins, and the apparent Km value of myosin is therefore reduced. The results of the present study suggest that MyBPC1 acts as an adaptor to connect the ATP consumer (myosin) and the regenerator (MM-CK) for efficient energy metabolism and homoeostasis.
Glucan particles for selective delivery of siRNA to phagocytic cells in mice
Authors: Tesz Gregory J. , Aouadi Myriam , Prot Matthieu , Nicoloro Sarah M. , Boutet Emilie , Amano Shinya U. , Goller Anca , Wang Mengxi , Guo Chang-An , Salomon William E. , Virbasius Joseph V. , Baum Rebecca A. , O'Connor Mark J. , Soto Ernesto , Ostroff Gary R. , Czech Michael P. 
Published: March 2011

Phagocytic macrophages and dendritic cells are desirable targets for potential RNAi (RNA interference) therapeutics because they often mediate pathogenic inflammation and autoimmune responses. We recently engineered a complex 5 component glucan-based encapsulation system for siRNA (small interfering RNA) delivery to phagocytes. In experiments designed to simplify this original formulation, we discovered that the amphipathic peptide Endo-Porter forms stable nanocomplexes with siRNA that can mediate potent gene silencing in multiple cell types. In order to restrict such gene silencing to phagocytes, a method was developed to entrap siRNA–Endo-Porter complexes in glucan shells of 2–4 μm diameter in the absence of other components. The resulting glucan particles containing fluorescently labelled siRNA were readily internalized by macrophages, but not other cell types, and released the labelled siRNA into the macrophage cytoplasm. Intraperitoneal administration of such glucan particles containing siRNA–Endo-Porter complexes to mice caused gene silencing specifically in macrophages that internalized the particles. These results from the present study indicate that specific targeting to phagocytes is mediated by the glucan, whereas Endo-Porter peptide serves both to anchor siRNA within glucan particles and to catalyse escape of siRNA from phagosomes. Thus we have developed a simplified siRNA delivery system that effectively and specifically targets phagocytes in culture or in intact mice.
Combination of Poly I:C and arsenic trioxide triggers apoptosis synergistically via activation of TLR3 and mitochondrial pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Shen Peng , Jiang Tingwang , Lu Huiqi , Han Huanxing , Luo Rongcheng 
Published: March 2011

AbstractPoly I:C (polyinosinic acid:polycytidylic acid), an analogue of dsRNA (double‐stranded RNA), can lead to apoptosis in human cancer cells and has been used as an adjuvant to treat cancer patients. ATO (arsenic trioxide) is used effectively in the treatment of HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma). We sought to evaluate whether Poly I:C could enhance the potentiation of ATO in HCC. Combination of Poly I:C and ATO synergistically inhibited the growth of SMMC‐7721 cells. Treatment with Poly I:C alone or combined with ATO‐activated TLR3 (Toll‐like receptor 3) pathway, increased ROS (reactive oxygen species) generation and mitochondrial dysfunction. The combined treatment also caused caspase‐3, −8, −9 activation. Moreover, the combined therapy caused Bcl‐2 and survivin down‐regulation, Bax up‐regulation and Bid activation. In conclusion, the Poly I:C and ATO combination is potentially a novel and effective approach for the treatment of HCC.
An Accretion-Disc Model for the Algol-Type Eclipsing Binary System AV Del
Authors: Ghoreyshi S. M. R. , Ghanbari J. , Salehi F. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis study inspects the light and radial-velocity curves of the eclipsing binary AV Del. In comparison with other studies already done, the study shows that the absolute elements, fundamental orbital and physical parameters of the system can be determined using the Wilson-Devinney code. Using these parameters, the configuration of the system is presented. Then, an accretion disc model for the system is introduced by using the shellspec code. The results indicate that AV Del is a semi-detached system in which an optically thick accretion disc is surrounding the primary star. The outer radius of the disc is 8.0 R⊙, corresponding to a distance of 1.1 R⊙ from the surface of the secondary. Also, the temperature of the disc is calculated to be T = 5700 K.
Modification of deeply buried hydrophobic interfaces by ionic surfactants
Authors: Tamam Lilach , Pontoni Diego , Sapir Zvi , Yefet Shai , Sloutskin Eli , Ocko Benjamin M. , Reichert Harald , Deutsch Moshe 
Published: March 2011

Hydrophobicity, the spontaneous segregation of oil and water, can be modified by surfactants. The way this modification occurs is studied at the oil–water interface for a range of alkanes and two ionic surfactants. A liquid interfacial monolayer, consisting of a mixture of alkane molecules and surfactant tails, is found. Upon cooling, it freezes atTs, well above the alkane’s bulk freezing temperature,Tb. The monolayer’s phase diagram, derived by surface tensiometry, is accounted for by a mixtures-based theory. The monolayer’s structure is measured by high-energy X-ray reflectivity above and belowTs. A solid–solid transition in the frozen monolayer, occurring approximately 3 °C belowTs, is discovered and tentatively suggested to be a rotator-to-crystal transition.
Dendritic cell chemotaxis in 3D under defined chemokine gradients reveals differential response to ligands CCL21 and CCL19
Authors: Haessler Ulrike , Pisano Marco , Wu Mingming , Swartz Melody A. 
Published: March 2011

Dendritic cell (DC) homing to the lymphatics and positioning within the lymph node is important for adaptive immunity, and is regulated by gradients of CCL19 and CCL21, ligands for CCR7. Despite the importance of DC chemotaxis, it is not well understood how DCs interpret gradients of these chemokines in a complex 3D microenvironment. Here, we use a microfluidic device that allows rapid establishment of stable gradients in 3D matrices to show that DC chemotaxis in 3D can respond to CCR7 ligand gradients as small as 0.4%, which helps explain how DCs sense lymphatic vessels in an environment where broadcast distance for chemokine diffusion is hindered by convective flows into the vessel. Interestingly, DCs displayed similar sensitivities to both chemokines at small gradients (≤ 60 nM/mm), but migrated more efficiently towards higher gradients of CCL21, which unlike CCL19 binds strongly to matrix proteoglycans and signals without the need for internalization. Furthermore, cells preferentially migrated towards CCL21 when exposed to equal and opposite gradients of CCL21 and CCL19 simultaneously, even when matrix-binding of CCL21 was prevented. Although these ligands have similar binding affinity to CCR7, our results demonstrate that, in a 3D environment, CCL21 is a more potent directional cue for DC migration than CCL19. These findings provide new quantitative insight into DC chemotaxis in a physiological 3D environment and suggest how CCL19 and CCL21 may signal differently to fine-tune DC homing and positioning within the lymphatic system. These results also have broad relevance to other systems of cell chemotaxis, which remain poorly understood in the 3D context.
Prediction of microRNA targets in Caenorhabditis elegans using a self-organizing map
Authors: Heikkinen Liisa , Kolehmainen Mikko , Wong Garry 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Motivation: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate transcriptional processes via binding to the target gene mRNA. In animals, this binding is imperfect, which makes the computational prediction of animal miRNA targets a challenging task. The accuracy of miRNA target prediction can be improved with the use of machine learning methods. Previous work has described methods using supervised learning, but they suffer from the lack of adequate training examples, a common problem in miRNA target identification, which often leads to deficient generalization ability.
Results: In this work, we introduce mirSOM, a miRNA target prediction tool based on clustering of short 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) substrings with self-organizing map (SOM). As our method uses unsupervised learning and a large set of verified Caenorhabditis elegans 3′-UTRs, we did not need to resort to training using a known set of targets. Our method outperforms seven other methods in predicting the experimentally verified C.elegans true and false miRNA targets.
Availability: mirSOM miRNA target predictions are available at http://kokki.uku.fi/bioinformatics/mirsom.
Contact: liisa.heikkinen@uef.fi
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Rheological Properties of Starch‐Oil Composites with High Oil‐to‐Starch Ratios
Authors: Byars Jeffrey A. , Fanta George F. , Felker Frederick C. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTMany applications have been developed for aqueous dispersions of jet‐cooked starch‐oil composites prepared by excess steam jet cooking. Previous formulations have typically contained 20–50% oil by weight based on the weight of starch. To expand the range of potential applications, new preparation methods were investigated to increase the oil content to as high as four times the weight of starch. High‐amylose corn starch was cooked in an excess‐steam jet cooker in the presence of oleic acid, and soybean oil was added to form the starch‐oil composites. Amylose is removed from solution by forming helical inclusion complexes with the oleic acid and, if the materials are cooled sufficiently quickly, the helical inclusion complexes only form small aggregates and shells around the oil droplets. Depending on the composition and preparation method, a wide range of stable, high‐oil materials from low‐viscosity liquids to smooth pastes can be formed. The flow, textural, and structural properties of these materials are shown. The materials can be used in a wide range of applications, including spray lubricants, lotions, and for fat delivery in cake mixes.