A colloid approach to self-assembling antibodies

Concentrated solutions of monoclonal antibodies have attracted considerable attention due to their importance in pharmaceutical formulations, yet their tendency to aggregate and the resulting high solution viscosity has posed considerable problems. It remains a very difficult task to understand and predict the phase behavior and stability of such solutions. Here we present a systematic study of the concentration dependence of the structural and dynamic properties of monoclonal antibodies using a combination of different scattering methods and microrheological experiments. To interpret these data, we use a colloid-inspired approach based on a simple patchy model, which explicitly takes into account the anisotropic shape and the charge distribution of the molecules. Combining theory, simulations and experiments, we are able to disentangle self-assembly and intermolecular interactions and to quantitatively describe the concentration dependence of structural and dynamic quantities such as the osmotic compressibility, the collective diffusion coefficient and the zero shear viscosity over the entire range of investigated concentrations. This simple patchy model not only allows us to consistently describe the thermodynamic and dynamic behavior of mAb solutions, but also provides a robust estimate of the attraction between their binding sites. It will thus be an ideal starting point for future work on antibody formulations, as it provides a quantitative assessment of the effects of additional excipients or chemical modifications on antibody interactions, and a prediction of their effect on solution viscosity

Jenis dan Distribusi Ukuran Ikan Hasil Tangkap Sampingan (By Catch) Rawai Tuna yang Didaratkan di Pelabuhan Benoa Bali

Catch of Tuna longline has two types, that is target species and by catch product. This research aims to determine the information type of target species and species by catch, calculate the composition of the fish, size of distribution analysis and determine the CPUE (Catch per unit effort) of species by catch and target species. This research is conducted in April-May 2016 following the sampling enumerator activities of Benoa port. The results of the research show that the type of target species Tuna Longline there are Big eye tuna (Thunnus obesus), Yellow fin tuna (Thunnus albacares), Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) and Albakora (Thunnus allalunga). The types of species by catch Tuna Longline dominates that is Opah (Lampris guttatus), Shark (Prionace glauca) and Escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum). Comparison of the composition target species is 69% and species by catch is 31%. The size distribution of species by catch already most the criteria of decent fish caught. CPUE of species by catch was lower than

Vad behöver eleverna undervisning i för att utveckla sitt skrivande? Förväntningsnormer och didaktiska beslut i svensklärares bedömningssamtal

I studien samtalar tre lärargrupper om elevers skrivande och skrivundervisning i ämnet svenska på gymnasiet. Det teoretiska perspektiv som läggs på dessa samtal är didaktiskt och inriktas på hur lärare formulerar och använder bedömningsinformation om elevers skrivande för beslut om skrivundervisningens innehåll. Resultatet visar att lärares bedömningar av elevers skrivande behandlar fler och delvis andra aspekter av skrivförmåga än vad deras didaktiska beslut sedan omfattar. De kvalitetsuppfattningar och förväntningsnormer som lärarna uttrycker i sina bedömningar av elevers skrivande inriktas huvudsakligen på texters kommunikativa kvaliteter, den stilistiska utformningen och textuppbyggnaden, följt av ämnesinnehåll och källanvändning. De didaktiska beslut som fattas utifrån bedömningen av elevers texter inriktas däremot i stort sett enbart på att eleverna behöver skrivundervisning i att disponera text och att använda källor. Detta gör att överensstämmelsen är låg mellan lärarnas beslut om skrivundervisningens inriktning och deras förväntningar på vad eleverna ska kunna. De didaktiska besluten omfattar i begränsad utsträckning den bedömningsinformation som lärarna själva har formulera

Epigenetic Landscape of Interacting Cells: A Model Simulation for Developmental Process

We propose a physical model for developmental process at cellular level to discuss the mechanism of epigenetic landscape. In our simplified model, a minimal model, the network of the interaction among cells generates the landscape epigenetically and the differentiation in developmental process is understood as a self-organization. The effect of the regulation by gene expression which is a key ingredient in development is renormalized into the interaction and the environment. At earlier stage of the development the energy landscape of the model is rugged with small amplitude. The state of cells in such a landscape is susceptible to fluctuations and not uniquely determined. These cells are regarded as stem cells. At later stage of the development the landscape has a funnel-like structure corresponding to the canalization in differentiation. The rewinding or stability of the differentiation is also demonstrated by substituting test cells into the time sequence of the model development.Comment: The discussion, in terms of our model, on the recently reported context-dependent behavior of STAP cells [Nature 505, 641-647 (2014)] has been added in Appendi

The impact of a parenting guidance programme for mothers with an ethnic minority background

The current mixed-method study investigates the effects of a culturally adapted version of the International Child Development Programme (ICDP) with 135 mothers – 29 ethnic Pakistani mothers residing in Norway attending Urdu-language groups and a comparison group of 105 Norwegian mothers attending Norwegian-language groups. All mothers completed questionnaires on parenting and psychosocial health before and after attending the ICDP programme. In-depth interviews with a subgroup of 12 ethnic Pakistani mothers and 8 ethnic Norwegian mothers were analysed using thematic analysis. Before the ICDP programme, the Urdu-speaking mothers spent more time with the child, scored higher on distant child management and reported poorer mental health. Most changes over time were similar but significant for the Norwegian-speaking group only, which might imply that the minority mothers were in the process of change. In the interviews, the Urdu-speaking mothers’ emphasized enhanced communication and regulation, enhanced family relationships and life quality, whereas the Norwegian-speaking group told about increased consciousness and empowerment, and a more positive focus.Funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Children, Equality, and Social Inclusion

Industry 4.0: Potential Effects and Implementation

Hensikt - Industrialisert byggeindustri møter stadig mer komplekse og krevende krav fra kunder. Innovative industrier som bilindustrien og mekaniske prosessindustrier har klart å integrere nye teknologier, som den industrialiserte byggeindustrien ikke har. For å forbedre logistikk innen industrialisert byggeindustri er undersøkelser, presentasjon av potensielle fordeler ved innovative teknologier og hvordan disse blir implementert presentert. Dette kan illustrere viktigheten ved implementering av ny teknologi og skape en holdningsendring i en ellers konservativ byggenæring. Metode - Arbeidet er utført gjennom litteratursøk av eksisterende løsninger i industrialisert bygningslogistikk, nåværende "state of the art" samt intervjuer med pionerer innen bransjen. Litteratursøket har blitt gjennomført via søk med nøkkelord i anerkjente søkemotorer, som igjen ble filtrert gjennom inkluderingskriteria. Intervjuer ble gjennomført semi-strukturert, ansikt til ansikt og via telefon. Mål og begrensinger - Fokuset i rapporten er på logistikk i en industrialisert bygningsprosess. Industrialisert bygging skiller seg fra "vanlig" bygging, ved å ta i bruk moderne systematiserte metoder ved design, produksjon, planlegging og kontrollering. Dette er også kjent som "Industry 4.0". Ni teknologier med potensiale for forbedring av logistikkprosessene innen industrialisert bygging ble funnet gjennom litteratursøk. De potensielle effektene og hvordan bevare disse gjennom en implementeringsprosess er grunnlaget for forskningsspørsmålene. Intervjuer har blitt gjennomført med representanter fra et norsk entreprenørfirma, Veidekke. Erfaringer og resultater som er presentert er tatt fra nylige prosjekter i Veidekke med et spesielt fokus på innovasjon. Resultater og implikasjoner - Bruk av og fordeler ved sentrale teknologier inkludert BIM, "CloudComputing" og "Big Data" som allerede er etablert er presentert. "Additive Manufacturing", "Augmented Reality" og "Internet of Things" med liten grad av etablering, men stort potensiale er også blant annet inkludert. Teknologiene viser seg å være knyttet sammen, og samhandling mellom dem avgjørende for optimalisering av de illustrerte fordelene innovasjonene bringer. Nevnte teknologier har ulikt modningsnivå, noen er brukt daglig, andre påvirker bare bransjen. Industrialisert byggeindustri har ennå ikke omfavnet alle mulighetene og holdningsendringer sammen med investeringsstrategier må på plass for en videre utvikling. Uansett, er de største utfordringene knyttet til opplæring, kompetanse, samhandling, samarbeid og holdingsengringer. Den beste måten å implementer innovative teknologier virker å være utvikling av strategiske planer for implementering på lang sikt, inkludert nøye undersøkelser i evaluerings-, forbredelse- og beslutningsfaser. Flere publikasjoner og forskning med reelle effekter er referert som viktige faktorer for å få til en holdningsendring og transformasjon i byggenæringen.Purpose - The industrialized construction industry is facing an ever evolving complexity and a growing customer demand. Innovative industries within the automotive and mechanical engineering sector have managed to integrate new technologies, whereas the industrialized construction industry to a lesser degree has succeeded with this. To enhance better performance for logistics in industrialized construction, a review of innovative technologies in the industry was conducted. A presentation of the potential benefitsand how the innovative technologies are implemented could illustrate the plus side of implementation, and create a change of mindset in the conservative construction industry. Methodology - The research is conducted with literature reviews of material related to existing solutions in industrialized construction logistics, the current "state of the art" and practice, combined with interviews with industry pioneers. Information gathered in the literature review was obtained through key word searches in acknowledged search engines and filtered by inclusion criteria. Interviews have been done semi structured mostly face to face, but also on phone. Scope and Limitations - The focus in this thesis is on enhancement of logistics within the industrialized construction process. Industrialized construction is modern systemized methods of design, production, planning and control as well as mechanized and automated manufacturing, also known as Industry 4.0. Based on literature reviews, nine technologies with potential benefits for the logistic process in industrialized construction were selected. Potential of these nine innovative technologies and how to maintain the potential through an implementation processes is the basis for the research questions asked. Interviews have been conducted with representatives from a large Norwegian based construction firm, Veidekke. Experience and results are taken from recent projects with a special focus on innovation within Veidekke. Results and Implications - Applications and benefits of central technologies already that have reached market maturity e.g. BIM, cloud computing and Big Data with as well as innovative technologies withlow market maturity and huge potential like e.g. Additive Manufacturing, AR and IoT are presented. The technologies are found to be interlinked, and a coherent application of the different tools instrumental to optimize the illustrated benefits that innovation brings. Moreover, these technologies have different maturity levels, some are used daily, while others just influence the industry too some degree. The industrialized construction industry has not yet fully embraced all of these opportunities, and a change in mindset and investment strategies must take place to further enhance the development. However, the main dependencies related to training, competence, investments, coherence, collaboration and mindset prevail. The best way to implement innovative technologies seems to be by development of a long-term strategic plan for implementation including a thorough investigation of evaluation, preparation and commitment phases. More publications and future research specific data of improvement are referred as important factors to change of mindsets in the industry for a commitment to transformation

The Expectation Propagation Algorithm for use in Approximate Bayesian Analysis of Latent Gaussian Models

Analyzing latent Gaussian models by using approximate Bayesian inference methods has proven to be a fast and accurate alternative to running time consuming Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations. A crucial part of these methods is the use of a Gaussian approximation, which is commonly found using an asymptotic expansion approximation. This study considered an alternative method for making a Gaussian approximation, the expectation propagation (EP) algorithm, which is known to be more accurate, but also more computationally demanding. By assuming that the latent field is a Gaussian Markov random field, specialized algorithms for factorizing sparse matrices was used to speed up the EP algorithm. The approximation methods were then compared both with regards to computational complexity and accuracy in the approximations. The expectation propagation algorithm was shown to provide some improvements in accuracy compared to the asymptotic expansion approximation when tested on a binary logistic regression model. However, tests of computational time requirement for computing approximations in simple examples show that the EP algorithm is as much as 15-20 times slower than the alternative method