bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implications of fluoroquinolone contamination for the aquatic environment—A review
Authors: Janecko Nicol , Pokludova Lucie , Blahova Jana , Svobodova Zdenka , Literak Ivan
Published: July 2016

Until recently, the behaviors of antibiotics and their ecotoxicological impact have been overlooked in the environment. The topic is broad and encompasses a wide range of organisms including microorganisms, algae, invertebrates, and vertebrates inhabiting various aquatic ecosystems. Changing the equilibrium of any 1 component in such systems disrupts the balance of the whole system. The manufacturing and frequent use of fluoroquinolones in human and animal medicine raises great concern over the increase of antibiotic resistance prevalence in microorganisms; however, in addition, the fate of antibiotic parent and metabolite compounds entering environmental ecosystems through various pathways raises environmental impact concerns. Research has focused on the concentration of antibiotics present in environmental samples and the acute toxicity to organisms by way of animal assessment models; however, it remains unclear what role low-level chronic exposure plays in ecotoxicological effects on lifeforms in aquatic environments. The aim of the present review was to assess the levels of fluorquinolone use in animal and human medicine, to determine the pathways of dissemination, and to highlight the ecotoxicological implications in freshwater environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2647–2656. © 2016 SETAC
Characterization of quality of sediments from Paranaguá Bay (Brazil) by combined in vitro bioassays and chemical analyses
Authors: Rizzi Juliane , Pérez-Albaladejo Elisabet , Fernandes Denise , Contreras Javier , Froehner Sandro , Porte Cinta
Published: July 2016

The present study characterizes the quality of sediments from the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex (South Brazil). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were determined in sediment samples together with a series of different in vitro bioassays. The fish hepatoma cell line (PLHC-1) was used to determine the presence of cytotoxic compounds and CYP1A- and oxidative stress-inducing agents in sediment extracts. Ovarian microsomal fractions from sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were used to detect the presence of endocrine disrupters that interfered with the synthesis of estrogens (ovarian CYP19). Despite the relatively low levels of pollutants and no evidence of negative effects based on guideline levels, sediments collected close to harbors were enriched with CYP1A-inducing agents and they showed higher cytotoxicity. In contrast, sediments from internal areas inhibited CYP19 activity, which suggests the presence of endocrine disrupters at these sites. Overall, the selected bioassays and the chemistry data led to the identification of potentially impacted areas along the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex that would require further action to improve their environmental quality. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1811–1819. © 2016 SETAC
The Earthscope US transportable array 1 Hz surface pressure dataset
Authors: Jacques Alexander A. , Horel John D. , Crosman Erik T. , Vernon Frank , Tytell Jonathan
Published: July 2016

A unique set of high temporal frequency surface atmospheric pressure observations have been collected and archived from a large‐scale field campaign in the geosciences. The Earthscope U.S. Transportable Array (USArray TA) consists of approximately 400 deployable surface platforms. Stations were deployed in a Cartesian‐like gridded fashion across a section of the contiguous United States for 1–2 year then retrieved and redeployed as new platforms further east. While primarily deployed for seismic measurements, platforms also recorded surface atmospheric pressure. These pressure data, collected and stored at a temporal frequency of 1 Hz, have been made available via the Research Data Archive at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) for the time period 1 Jan 2010–31 Dec 2015. The 6 years of observations contain data from over 1000 locations ranging from the central to eastern United States, as well as some platforms in Alaska and the northwest United States. Data were organized as annual station files with supplemental metadata and quality control summary files. Several web‐based interfaces are also available to rapidly explore the pressure archive. We describe the available dataset with several prominent atmospheric events shown as usage examples.
A perspective on interaction effects in genetic association studies
Authors: Aschard Hugues
Published: July 2016

The identification of gene–gene and gene–environment interaction in human traits and diseases is an active area of research that generates high expectation, and most often lead to high disappointment. This is partly explained by a misunderstanding of the inherent characteristics of standard regression‐based interaction analyses. Here, I revisit and untangle major theoretical aspects of interaction tests in the special case of linear regression; in particular, I discuss variables coding scheme, interpretation of effect estimate, statistical power, and estimation of variance explained in regard of various hypothetical interaction patterns. Linking this components it appears first that the simplest biological interaction models—in which the magnitude of a genetic effect depends on a common exposure—are among the most difficult to identify. Second, I highlight the demerit of the current strategy to evaluate the contribution of interaction effects to the variance of quantitative outcomes and argue for the use of new approaches to overcome this issue. Finally, I explore the advantages and limitations of multivariate interaction models, when testing for interaction between multiple SNPs and/or multiple exposures, over univariate approaches. Together, these new insights can be leveraged for future method development and to improve our understanding of the genetic architecture of multifactorial traits.
A global test for gene‐gene interactions based on random matrix theory
Authors: Frost H. Robert , Amos Christopher I. , Moore Jason H.
Published: July 2016

Statistical interactions between markers of genetic variation, or gene‐gene interactions, are believed to play an important role in the etiology of many multifactorial diseases and other complex phenotypes. Unfortunately, detecting gene‐gene interactions is extremely challenging due to the large number of potential interactions and ambiguity regarding marker coding and interaction scale. For many data sets, there is insufficient statistical power to evaluate all candidate gene‐gene interactions. In these cases, a global test for gene‐gene interactions may be the best option. Global tests have much greater power relative to multiple individual interaction tests and can be used on subsets of the markers as an initial filter prior to testing for specific interactions. In this paper, we describe a novel global test for gene‐gene interactions, the global epistasis test (GET), that is based on results from random matrix theory. As we show via simulation studies based on previously proposed models for common diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and breast cancer, our proposed GET method has superior performance characteristics relative to existing global gene‐gene interaction tests. A glaucoma GWAS data set is used to demonstrate the practical utility of the GET method.
Laboratory evaluation of distributed coaxial cable temperature sensors for application in CO2 sequestration well characterization
Authors: Li Yurong , Zhu Wenge , Cheng Baokai , Nygaard Runar , Xiao Hai
Published: July 2016

Downhole monitoring plays a crucial part in a geological carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration project, especially in providing early warnings of failure. However, most downhole monitoring technologies are often low in spatial resolution and time‐consuming, or expensive and have system longevity issues. To address this issue, a robust and cost‐effective distributed coaxial cable Fabry‐Perot interferometer‐based temperature sensor is proposed for real‐time downhole monitoring. The coaxial cable sensor (CCS) was made in house and tested using a high pressure high temperature (HPHT) testing apparatus to study the sensor accuracy, sensitivity, stability, and crosstalk effect in simulated downhole conditions. The laboratory test results indicate that the sensor can work under simulated downhole conditions of pressures up to 1000 psia and temperatures up to 110°C. At 1 ATM, the sensor has an accuracy of about 1%. At 1000 psia, the hysteresis phenomenon is observed, but it is reduced and tends to stabilize after repeated heating and cooling treatments. The pressure crosstalk effect was observed on the flexible cable sensor and minimized on the rigid cable sensor. The temperature and pressure range of the distributed CCS allows long‐term in situ monitoring for a well depth up to 2500 feet, which would prove of great value in detecting temperature change associated with wellbore leakage that may lead to groundwater contamination. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Pain networks from the inside: Spatiotemporal analysis of brain responses leading from nociception to conscious perception
Authors: Bastuji Hélène , Frot Maud , Perchet Caroline , Magnin Michel , Garcia‐Larrea Luis
Published: July 2016

Conscious perception of painful stimuli needs the contribution of an extensive cortico‐subcortical network, and is completed in less than one second. While initial activities in operculo‐insular and mid‐cingulate cortices have been extensively assessed, the activation timing of most areas supporting conscious pain has barely been studied. Here we used intracranial EEG to investigate the dynamics of 16 brain regions (insular, parietal, prefrontal, cingulate, hippocampal and limbic) during the first second following nociceptive‐specific laser pulses. Three waves of activation could be defined according to their temporal relation with conscious perception, ascertained by voluntary motor responses. Pre‐conscious activities were recorded in the posterior insula, operculum, mid‐cingulate and amygdala. Antero‐insular, prefrontal and posterior parietal activities started later and developed during time‐frames consistent with conscious voluntary reactions. Responses from hippocampus, perigenual and perisplenial cingulate developed latest and persisted well after conscious perception occurred. Nociceptive inputs reach simultaneously sensory and limbic networks, probably through parallel spino‐thalamic and spino‐parabrachial pathways, and the initial limbic activation precedes conscious perception of pain. Access of sensory information to consciousness develops concomitant to fronto‐parietal activity, while late‐occurring responses in the hippocampal region, perigenual and posterior cingulate cortices likely underlie processes linked to memory encoding, self‐awareness and pain modulation. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4301–4315, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Changes to flood peaks of a mountain river: implications for analysis of the 2013 flood in the Upper Bow River, Canada
Authors: Whitfield Paul H. , Pomeroy John W.
Published: July 2016

The mountain headwater Bow River at Banff, Alberta, Canada, was subject to a large flood in June 2013, over which considerable debate has ensued regarding its probability of occurrence. It is therefore instructive to consider what information long‐term streamflow discharge records provide about environmental change in the Upper Bow River basin above Banff. Though protected as part of Banff National Park, since 1885, the basin has experienced considerable climate and land cover changes, each of which has the potential to impact observations, and hence the interpretations of flood probability. The Bow River at Banff hydrometric station is one of Canada's longest‐operating reference hydrological basin network stations and so has great value for assessing changes in flow regime over time. Furthermore, the station measures a river that provides an extremely important water supply for Calgary and irrigation district downstream and so is of great interest for assessing regional water security. These records were examined for changes in several flood attributes and to determine whether flow changes may have been related to landscape change within the basin as caused by forest fires, conversion from grasslands to forest with fire suppression, and regional climate variations and/or trends. Floods in the Upper Bow River are generated by both snowmelt and rain‐on‐snow (ROS) events, the latter type which include flood events generated by spatially and temporally large storms such as occurred in 2013. The two types of floods also have different frequency characteristics. Snowmelt and ROS flood attributes were not correlated significantly with any climate index or with burned area except that snowmelt event duration correlated negatively to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. While there is a significant negative trend in all floods over the past 100 years, when separated based on generating process, neither snowmelt floods nor large ROS floods associated with mesoscale storms show any trends over time. Despite extensive changes to the landscape of the basin and in within the climate system, the flood regime remains unchanged, something identified at smaller scales in the region but never at larger scales. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dosing targeted and cytotoxic two‐drug combinations: Lessons learned from analysis of 24,326 patients reported 2010 through 2013
Authors: Nikanjam Mina , Liu Sariah , Kurzrock Razelle
Published: July 2016

Combining agents has the potential to attenuate resistance in metastatic cancer. However, knowledge of appropriate starting doses for novel drug combinations in clinical trials and practice is lacking. Analysis of 372 published studies was used to ascertain safe starting doses for doublets involving a cytotoxic and targeted agent. Phase I–III adult oncology clinical trial publications (January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2013) were identified (PubMed). The dose of drug used in each combination was compared to the single agent recommended dose [FDA‐approved/recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D)/maximum tolerated dose (MTD)]. Dose percentages were calculated as: (safe dose of drug in combination/dose of drug as single agent at FDA/RP2D/MTD) × 100. Additive dose percentages were the sum of the dose percentage for each drug. A total of 24,326 patients (248 drug combinations) were analyzed. In 38% of studies, both drugs could be administered at 100% of their FDA‐approved/RP2D/MTD dose. The lowest safe additive dose percentage was 41% with poly‐ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) or histone deacetylase inhibitors as the targeted agents; 82%, in the absence of these agents; and 97%, with an antibody in the combination. If one drug was administered at 100% of the single agent dose, the lowest safe dose percentage for the second drug was 17% (cytotoxic at 100%) or 36% (targeted at 100%) of the FDA‐approved/RP2D/MTD dose. The current findings can help inform safe starting doses for novel two‐drug combinations (cytotoxic and targeted agents) in the context of clinical trials and practice.
Night shift work and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the MCC‐Spain case–control study
Authors: Costas Laura , Benavente Yolanda , Olmedo‐Requena Rocío , Casabonne Delphine , Robles Claudia , Gonzalez‐Barca Eva‐Maria , de la Banda Esmeralda , Alonso Esther , Aymerich Marta , Tardón Adonina , Marcos‐Gragera Rafael , Gimeno‐Vázquez Eva , Gómez‐Acebo Inés , Papantoniou Kyriaki , Castaño‐Vinyals Gemma , Aragonés Nuria , Pollán Marina , Kogevinas Manolis , de Sanjosé Silvia
Published: July 2016

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has few known modifiable risk factors. Recently, circadian disruption has been proposed as a potential contributor to lymphoid neoplasms' etiology. Serum melatonin levels have been found to be significantly lower in CLL subjects compared with healthy controls, and also, CLL prognosis has been related to alterations in the circadian molecular signaling. We performed the first investigation of an association between night shift work and CLL in 321 incident CLL cases and 1728 population‐based controls in five areas of Spain. Participants were interviewed face‐to‐face by trained interviewers to collect information on sociodemographic factors, familial, medical and occupational history, including work shifts and other lifestyle factors. We used logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Seventy‐nine cases (25%) and 339 controls (20%) had performed night work. Overall, working in night shifts was not associated with CLL (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 0.78–1.45, compared with day work). However, long‐term night shift (>20 years) was positively associated with CLL (OR(tertile 3 vs. day‐work) = 1.77; 95% = 1.14–2.74), although no linear trend was observed (P trend = 0.18). This association was observed among those with rotating (OR(tertile 3 vs. day‐work) = 2.29; 95% CI = 1.33–3.92; P trend = 0.07), but not permanent night shifts (OR(tertile 3 vs. day‐work) = 1.16; 95% CI = 0.60–2.25; P trend = 0.86). The association between CLL and long‐term rotating night shift warrants further investigation.
Cell lineage responses to photobiomodulation therapy
Authors: Engel Karl W. , Khan Imran , Arany Praveen R.
Published: July 2016

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy has been noted to promote cell proliferation and growth in many different cell types shown both in vitro and in vivo. Currently, treatment regimens are used in the clinic for a variety of ailments, including wound healing. However, most protocols treat an anatomical site without considering individual cell types constituting the target tissues. This study investigates the maximal dose threshold for oral keratinocyte and fibroblast cell types treated with near‐infrared laser therapy. We observed keratinocytes have increased sensitivity to laser irradiances (>0.047 W/cm2, 300 sec, 14.2 J/cm2) compared to the fibroblast cells (>0.057 W/cm2, 300 sec, 15.1 J/cm2) (p < 0.0001). Laser treatments were noted to generate increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in keratinocytes compared to fibroblasts that appeared to inversely correlate with higher basal catalase expression. To validate these observations, melatonin was used to treat keratinocytes to induce catalase activity (p < 0.0001). Increased melatonin‐induced catalase levels were noted to significantly improve keratinocyte survival to phototoxic laser doses. These observations suggest that clinical laser dosing should account for differential effects of lasers on individual cell types to improve safety and clinical efficacy of PBM therapy.

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Substrate‐mediated commitment of human embryonic stem cells for hepatic differentiation
Authors: Ashtiani Mohammad Kazemi , Zandi Mojgan , Barzin Jalal , Tahamtani Yaser , Ghanian Mohammad Hossein , Moradmand Azadeh , Ehsani Morteza , Nezari Hossein , Larijani Mehran Rezaei , Baharvand Hossein
Published: July 2016

Human embryonic stem cell (hESC)‐derived endodermal cells are of interest for the development of cellular therapies to treat disorders such as liver failure. The soluble form of activin A (Act) has been widely used as an in vitro inducer of definitive endoderm (DE). In this study, we have developed a nanofibrous poly (ɛ‐caprolactone) substrate, biofunctionalized with Act, for directed differentiation of hESCs into DE. Bioconjugation of Act on nanofibrous meshes was confirmed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunostaining. In order to investigate the bioactivity of immobilized Act (iAct), hESCs were cultivated on the Act‐conjugated nanofibers for five days. The nanofibers with covalent iAct significantly increased expression levels of the endodermal markers SOX17, FOXA2, and CXCR4, compared with physically adsorbed Act (aAct) or without Act (noAct). In addition, iAct retained its bioactivity after storage for five days in the absence of cell seeding. The capability of cultivated cells to generate the DE‐derived lineage was evaluated through further differentiation of seeded cells into hepatocyte‐like cells (HLCs). Interestingly, the iAct sample showed a higher level of hepatic markers compared to the aAct sample. We also demonstrated that iAct in the presence of soluble Act (sAct) could improve the conventional protocol to generate HLCs from hESCs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2861–2872, 2016.
Water molecules inside protein structure affect binding of monosaccharides with HIV‐1 antibody 2G12
Authors: Ueno‐Noto Kaori , Takano Keiko
Published: July 2016

Water molecules inside biomolecules constitute integral parts of their structure and participate in the functions of the proteins. Some of the X‐ray crystallographic data are insufficient for analyzing a series of ligand–protein complexes in the same condition. We theoretically investigated antibody binding abilities of saccharide ligands and the effects of the inner water molecules of ligand–antibody complexes. Classical molecular dynamics and quantum chemical simulations using a model with possible water molecules inside the protein were performed with saccharide ligands and Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 neutralizing antibody 2G12 complexes to estimate how inner water molecules of the protein affect the dynamics of the complexes as well as the ligand–antibody interaction. Our results indicate the fact that d‐fructose's strong affinity to the antibody was partly due to the good retentiveness of solvent water molecules of the ligand and its stability of the ligand's conformation and relative position in the active site. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association between atrial function assessed by 2D‐speckle tracking echocardiography and albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease
Authors: Moinfar Ali , Hosseinsabet Ali , Sotudeh‐Anvary Maryam
Published: July 2016

Purpose

We compared left atrial function as assessed by two‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) between patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) with or without albuminuria, nondiabetic patients without CAD, and CAD patients without type 2 diabetes.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was performed on 112 consecutive patients with CAD (28 nonalbuminuric patients without diabetes, 40 nonalbuminuric patients with type 2 diabetes, and 44 albuminuric patients with type 2 diabetes) and 30 consecutive patients with no CAD, no diabetes, and no albuminuria. Spot urine analysis was performed to measure the urine level of creatinine and albumin. Atrial mechanical variables were measured by 2DSTE.

Results

Although systolic strain and the absolute value of early diastolic strain rate were lower in the CAD groups than in the non‐CAD group, there were no significant differences between the CAD groups. Early diastolic strain was lower in the diabetic patients with CAD than in the nondiabetic non‐CAD group. There were, however, no significant differences between the CAD groups.

Conclusions

In our CAD patients, there was no significant association between the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and albuminuria and left atrial function, but the reservoir and conduit function of the left atrium were lower in the CAD patients. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:561–570, 2016
Inhibiting IL‐1 signaling pathways to inhibit catabolic processes in disc degeneration
Authors: Daniels Jodie , Binch Abbie A. L. , Le Maitre Christine L.
Published: July 2016

Intervertebral disc degeneration is characterized by an imbalance between catabolic and anabolic signaling, with an increase in catabolic cytokines particularly IL‐1β, a key regulator of IVD degeneration. This study aimed to investigate intracellular signaling pathways activated by IL‐1β, and GDF‐5 in the degenerate IVD to identify potential new therapeutic targets. Human NP cells were cultured in alginate beads to regain in vivo phenotype prior to stimulation with IL‐1β or GDF‐5 for 30 min, a proteasome profiler array was initially utilized to screen activation status of 46 signaling proteins. Immunoflourescence was used to investigate activation of the NFκB pathway. Cell‐based ELISAs were then deployed to confirm results for ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, c‐jun, and IκB signaling. IHC was utilized to investigate native activation status within human IVD tissue between grades of degeneration. Finally, cells were stimulated with IL‐1β in the absence or presence of p38 MAPK, c‐jun, JNK, and NFκB inhibitors to investigate effects on MMP3, MMP13, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐8 mRNA expression. This study demonstrated three key signaling pathways which were differentially activated by IL‐1β but not GDF‐5; namely p38 MAPK, c‐jun, and NFκB. While ERK 1/2 was activated by both GDF‐5 and IL‐1. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated p38 MAPK, c‐jun, and NFκB were activated during human IVD degeneration and inhibition of these pathways reduced or abrogated the catabolic effects of IL‐1β, with inhibition of NFκB signaling demonstrating most widespread inhibition of IL‐1β catabolic effects. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:74–85, 2017.
Degradation rates of phorbol esters in Jatropha curcas L. oil and pressed seeds under different storage conditions
Authors: Phasukarratchai Naphatsarnan , Damrongsiri Seelawut , Tongcumpou Chantra
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND

Phorbol esters (PEs), found in Jatropha curcas crude oil (JCO) and J. curcas pressed seeds (JPS), are known as bioactive compounds in agricultural and pharmaceutical applications. The degradation rates of PEs in JCO and JPS under various conditions is important for the utilisation of PEs. Thus the objective of this study was to determine the PE degradation rates in JCO and JPS under different storage conditions.

RESULTS

PE degradation rates were found to be first‐order reactions. The slowest degradation rate was at 0.9 × 10−3 d−1 for both JCO and JPS unexposed to light at 4 °C. Light intensity (1097 lx and 4690 lx, representing diffused sunlight and fluorescent lighting, respectively) and temperature (25 to 35 °C) were the significant degradation factors. Light exposure led to 280% to 380% higher degradation rates in JCO than in JPS due to light penetration through the transparent oil. Dried and sterilised JPS showed an 80% to 90% lower PE degradation rate than untreated JPS under all storage conditions since biodegradation was assembly limited.

CONCLUSION

The PEs were unstable under the studied conditions, especially when exposed to light and room temperature. To protect against PE degradation, a material should be stored in a light‐protected container and below 4 °C. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Note on Nikodym maximal in the variable Lebesgue spaces
Authors: Choi Yutae , Koh Youngwoo , Lee Jungjin
Published: July 2016

In this paper we consider the k‐plane Nikodym maximal estimates in the variable Lebesgue spaces . We first formulate the problem about the boundedness of the k‐plane Nikodym maximal and show that the maximal estimate in is equivalent to that in for . So, the optimal Nikodym maximal estimate in follows from Cordoba's estimate.
To Choose (Not) to Eat Healthy: Social Norms, Self‐affirmation, and Food Choice
Authors: Ivanic Aarti S.
Published: July 2016

With the rise of obesity in America, especially within the African‐American community, it is essential to identify strategies to encourage healthier food choices. Limited research has examined what, apart from socioeconomic indicators and targeted marketing, affects African Americans’ food choice. The current research explores how a self‐focus or racial group‐focus, in the absence of explicit eating‐norm primes, social influence, and identity threats, affects food choices and this varies by race. A group‐focus leads African Americans (Caucasians) to demonstrate unhealthy (healthy) food choices. On the contrary, a self‐focus leads African Americans to demonstrate healthier preferences while there is no change in Caucasians’ food preferences. Additionally, the current research shows how self‐affirmation, in the absence of threat, can be an effective mechanism for behavior change, for both African Americans and Caucasians. Affirming valued self‐attributes, after a group‐focus, leads to healthier food choices for individuals of both races. These findings are important as they may help identify ways to increase healthier nutrition choices in general and specifically for African Americans. Potential marketing strategies are discussed.
Investigating the Pleasures of Sin: The Contingent Role of Arousal‐Seeking Disposition in Consumers' Evaluations of Vice and Virtue Product Offerings
Authors: Verma Swati , Guha Abhijit , Biswas Abhijit
Published: July 2016

Mixed bundles of vice and virtue are an increasingly important product category. However, many mixed bundles fail in the marketplace, and so it is important to examine how consumers evaluate such mixed bundles. This paper examines consumers' affective responses and consequent purchase evaluations for a mixed vice‐virtue bundle versus a pure vice product. Results of Study 1 show that purchase intentions are higher for a pure vice product versus a mixed product; also, increased purchase intentions are mediated by differences in arousal. Given that consumers differ in their arousal‐seeking dispositions, results of Studies 2 and 3 show that individual differences in arousal‐seeking moderate the relationship between product type (pure vice product vs. mixed product) and purchase intentions, with arousal‐seeking consumers preferring pure vice bundles, and arousal‐avoidant consumers preferring mixed bundles. This paper contributes to theory on mixed vice‐virtue bundles, and also provides pointers on how to better market mixed bundles.
The experimental and numerical impacts of geometrical parameters of conical shock tube on the function, maximum pressure and generative impulses to expose equivalent mass and behavioral equation
Authors: Heshmati M. , Zamani J. , Mozafari A.
Published: July 2016

One of the methods to investigate the phenomenon of explosion underwater and its impact on the structures is to use the conical shock tube. These tubes produce a lot of pressure using a tiny explosive charge. In this essay, the geometry of the established/manufactured explosive shock tube is demonstrated first and the results of the experiments operating the tube is presented. Then, the explosion of a given amount of explosive charge in the conical shock tube is studied by benefiting the LS‐DYNA code. The numerical simulation is done by Lagrange‐Oiler selected multi‐materials solutions. To ensure the authenticity of the selected method in the software, the results of the stimulated model is compared with the experimental outcomes accordingly, after accrediting the accuracy of the results, the stimulating and scrutinizing the effects of geometrical parameters on the function of explosive shock tubes is proceeded. In this research, the effect of the cone head angel on the produced pressure inside the shock tube is analyzed first. Then, the function of shock tubes with different lengths is checked. Moreover, after changing the scale of the explosive charge and studying the outcome, stating the reasons for changes in each parameter and examining the effect of the relation between the explosive proportion and the water volume inside the shock tube, an equation for the equivalent mass for all sock tubes with different angels is exhibited and the existing theoretical relation is revised. Finally, by examining the pressure and impulses changes in different intervals, an equation is presented to anticipate the pressure and impulses in different shock tubes.
Assessment of Head Tremor with Accelerometers Versus Gyroscopic Transducers
Authors: Elble Rodger J. , Hellriegel Helge , Raethjen Jan , Deuschl Günther
Published: July 2016

Background

Accelerometers and gyroscopes are used commonly in the assessment of hand tremor, but their validity in the assessment of head tremor has not been studied. We hypothesized that gyroscopy would be superior to accelerometry because head tremor is rotational motion, and gyroscopes record rotational motion, free of gravitational artifact. We also hypothesized a strong logarithmic relationship between 0 to 4‐point tremor ratings and the transducer measures of tremor amplitude, similar to those previously reported for hand tremor.

Methods

Head tremor was recorded for 1 minute in each of the five head positions used in the Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale, using a triaxial accelerometer and triaxial gyroscope mounted at the vertex of the head. Mean and maximum 3‐second burst displacement tremor and rotation tremor were computed by spectral analysis. The minimum detectable change for the transducers was estimated using the residual mean squared error from repeated‐measures analysis of variance.

Results

Tremor displacement and rotation (T) were logarithmically related to tremor ratings (tremor rating score; TRS): log(T) = α TRS + β, where α ≈ 0.47 for displacement and ≈0.64 for rotation, and β ≈ −1.8 and −1.4. Tremor ratings correlated more strongly with gyroscopy (r = 0.83–0.87) than with accelerometry (r = 0.71–0.75). Minimum detectable change (percent reduction) was approximately 66% of the baseline geometric mean.

Conclusions

Gyroscopic transducers are superior to accelerometry for assessment of head tremor. Both measures of head tremor are logarithmically related to tremor ratings. The minimum detectable change of the transducer measures is comparable to those previously reported for hand tremor.
Structural Effects of Some Relevant Missense Mutations on the MECP2‐DNA Binding: A MD Study Analyzed by Rescore+, a Versatile Rescoring Tool of the VEGA ZZ Program
Authors: Pedretti Alessandro , Granito Cinzia , Mazzolari Angelica , Vistoli Giulio
Published: July 2016

DNA methylation plays key roles in mammalian cells and is modulated by a set of proteins which recognize symmetrically methylated nucleotides. Among them, the protein MECP2 shows multifunctional roles repressing and/or activating genes by binding to both methylated and unmethylated regions of the genome. The interest for this protein markedly increased from the observation that its mutations are the primary cause of Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder which causes mental retardation in young females. Thus, the present study is aimed to investigate the effects of some of these known pathogenic missense mutations (i.e. R106Q, R106W, R111G, R133C and R133H) on the MECP2 folding and DNA binding by molecular dynamics simulations. The effects of the simulated mutations are also parameterized by using a here proposed new tool, named Rescore+, implemented in the VEGA ZZ suite of programs, which calculates a set of scoring functions on all frames of a trajectory or on all complexes contained in a database thus allowing an easy rescoring of results coming from MD or docking simulations. The obtained results revealed that the reported loss of the MECP2 function induced by the simulated mutations can be ascribed to both stabilizing and destabilizing effect on DNA binding. The study confirms that MD simulations are particularly useful to rationalize and predict the mutation effects offering insightful information for diagnostics and drug design.
The mu (μ) and delta (δ) opioid receptors modulate boar sperm motility
Authors: Vicente‐Carrillo Alejandro , Álvarez‐Rodríguez Manuel , Rodríguez‐Martínez Heriberto
Published: July 2016

Endogenous and exogenous opioids modulate reproductive functions in target cells via opioid receptors (μ, δ, and κ). Sperm motility is a metric of gamete functionality, and serves as a suitable parameter for in vitro drug‐induced toxicity assays. This study identifies the presence and location of opioid receptors in pig spermatozoa as well as their functional response after in vitro challenge with known agonists (morphine [μ]; [D‐Pen 2,5]‐enkephanile [δ]; and U 50488 [κ]) and antagonists (naloxone [μ]; naltrindole [δ]; and nor‐binaltrorphimine [κ]). Only the μ‐ and δ‐opioid receptors were present in the boar sperm plasma membrane, overlying the acrosome, neck, and principal piece. Challenge experiments with agonists and antagonists identified both μ‐ and δ‐opioid receptors as regulators of sperm kinematics, wherein μ maintains or increases sperm movement whereas δ decreases sperm motility over time. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 724–734, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A privacy‐aware two‐factor authentication protocol based on elliptic curve cryptography for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Jiang Qi , Kumar Neeraj , Ma Jianfeng , Shen Jian , He Debiao , Chilamkurti Naveen
Published: July 2016

As one of the enabling components of Internet of things (IoT), wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have found applications in a wide range of fields, in which outside users need to directly interact with sensors to obtain sensed data. However, WSNs are vulnerable to various attacks over wireless links, such as eavesdropping and tampering. How to ensure that sensitive or critical information is only available to legal users becomes a challenging issue. Two‐factor authentication combining password and smart card perfectly matches this requirement because of its practicality. However, a dozen of two‐factor authentication protocols have been suggested in recent years. Owing to the challenging mission of reconciling efficiency and security requirements, it is still challenging to propose a privacy‐aware two‐factor protocol that is capable of providing various security features while maintaining acceptable efficiency. In this paper, we put forward a privacy‐aware two‐factor authentication protocol based on elliptic curve cryptography for WSNs. Our new protocol accomplishes various security features necessary for real‐life application environments while maintaining acceptable efficiency. We prove that the new protocol fulfills mutual authentication in the Burrows–Abadi–Needham logic. Additionally, by way of informal security analysis, we show that the new protocol can withstand a variety of attacks and provide desirable security features. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monte Carlo approximate tensor moment simulations
Authors: Arismendi Juan Carlos , Kimura Herbert
Published: July 2016

An algorithm to generate samples with approximate first‐order, second‐order, third‐order, and fourth‐order moments is presented by extending the Cholesky matrix decomposition to a Cholesky tensor decomposition of an arbitrary order. The tensor decomposition of the first‐order, second‐order, third‐order, and fourth‐order objective moments generates a non‐linear system of equations. The algorithm solves these equations by numerical methods. The results show that the optimization algorithm delivers samples with an approximate residual error of less than 1016 between the components of the objective and the sample moments. The algorithm is extended for a n‐th‐order approximate tensor moment version, and simulations of non‐normal samples replicated from distributions with asymmetries and heavy tails are presented. An application for sensitivity analysis of portfolio risk assessment with Value‐at‐Risk (VaR) is provided. A comparison with previous methods available in the literature suggests that the methodology proposed reduces the error of the objective moments in the generated samples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi‐scale modeling of plastic deformations in nano‐scale materials; Transition to plastic limit
Authors: Khoei A. R. , Jahanshahi M.
Published: July 2016

A large amount of research in computational mechanics has biased toward atomistic simulations. This trend, on one hand, is due to the increased demand to perform computations in nanoscale and, on the other hand, is due to the rather simple applications of pairwise potentials in modeling the interactions between atoms of a given crystal. The Cauchy–Born (CB) hypothesis has been used effectively to model the behavior of crystals under different loading conditions, in which the comparison with molecular dynamics simulations presents desirable coincidence between the results. A number of research works have been devoted to the validity of CB hypothesis and its application in post‐elastic limit. However, the range of application of CB hypothesis is limited, and it remains questionable whether it is still applicable beyond the validity limit. In this paper, a multi‐scale technique is developed for modeling of plastic deformations in nanoscale materials. The deformation gradient is decomposed into the plastic and elastic parts, i.e., F = FpFe. This decomposition is in contrast to the conventional decomposition, F = FeFp, generally encountered in continuum and crystal plasticity. It is shown that the former decomposition is more appropriate for the problem dealt within this work. Inspired by crystal plasticity, the plastic part is determined from the slip on potential slip systems. Based on the assumption that the CB hypothesis remains valid in the homogeneous deformation, the elastic deformation gradient resulting from the aforementioned decomposition is employed in conjunction with the CB hypothesis to update the state variables for face‐centered cubic crystals. The assumption of homogeneity of elastic deformation gradient is justified by the fact that elastic deformations are considerably smaller than the plastic deformations. The computational algorithms are derived in details, and numerical simulations are presented through several examples to demonstrate the capability of the proposed computational algorithm in the modeling of golden crystals under different loading conditions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Empowering Consumers Through Data and Smart Technology: Experimental Evidence on the Consequences of Time‐of‐Use Electricity Pricing Policies
Authors: Harding Matthew , Lamarche Carlos
Published: July 2016

This paper investigates the extent to which technology used to automate household responses to time‐of‐use pricing for electricity leads to higher energy savings than simply providing households with information on current prices and quantities. Using a large randomized field trial, we find that informed households with “smart” thermostats achieve impressive reductions in consumption during on‐peak periods of up to 48 percent, but also engage in substantial load shifting to off‐peak hours. We also document the extent to which household responses to time‐of‐use pricing are heterogeneous and vary significantly by demographics, weather, and across the usage distribution.
Effect of intercalating agents on structure and properties of dimer acid‐based polyamide modified by in situ doping of Na‐montmorillonite
Authors: Wang Xiaohui
Published: July 2016

Under the condition of 0.4% (mass), the effects of intercalating agents on conglomeration structure and thermal and mechanical properties of dimer acid‐based polyamide (DAPA) were investigated. The results show that layer‐stripped Na‐montmorillonite (MMT) with octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride caused a sharp decrease of content of the γ crystal phase in DAPA, thus bringing out decrease in mechanical properties and increase in IZOD notched impact strength while a sharp increase of content with the γ crystal phase in DAPA modified by Na‐MMT with dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride. Thus, it brought out a large increase in mechanical properties and a limited increase in IZOD notched impact strength. The decomposition reaction processes of DAPA modified by Na‐MMT and Na‐MMT with octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride were one step ranging from 410 to 500°C, respectively. The thermal decomposition reaction processes of DAPA modified by Na‐MMT with dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride were two steps. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interferon‐gamma reduces the proliferation of M. tuberculosis within macrophages from a patient with a novel hypomorphic NEMO mutation
Authors: Khan Taj Ali , Schimke Lena Friederike , Amaral Eduardo Pinheiro , Ishfaq Muhammad , Barbosa Bonfim Caio César , Rahman Hazir , Iqbal Asif , D'Império Lima Maria Regina , Costa Carvalho Beatriz Tavares , Cabral‐Marques Otavio , Condino‐Neto Antonio
Published: July 2016

X‐linked ectodermal dysplasia with immunodeficiency (XL‐EDA‐ID) is caused by mutations in the nuclear factor‐kappa B essential modulator (NEMO) gene. Here, we report the clinical and genetic features of a XL‐EDA‐ID patient who developed bacillus Calmette–Guérin infection. Patient lymphocytes failed to degrade IκB‐α, and sequencing of NEMO identified the novel mutation c.1238A>C/p.H413P. Furthermore, patient monocyte‐derived macrophages ingested Mycobacterium tuberculosis normally, but failed to control the intracellular proliferation of bacilli, a defect which was improved in the presence of interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ). This work expands the genetic spectrum of XL‐EDA‐ID and demonstrates improvement in macrophage function in a NEMO‐deficient patient by IFN‐γ.
Wrinkling in polymer film‐polymer substrate systems and a technique to minimize these surface distortions
Authors: Prasath Balamurugan G. , Pukadyil Rohan N. , Thompson Michael R. , Nielsen Kent E. , Brandys Frank A.
Published: July 2016

Thermally induced wrinkling during thermoforming of a commercial multi‐layered polymer film/substrate laminate has been reported. The differential thermal expansion of component layers coupled with phase transition of the substrate with increasing temperature, determined the critical conditions for wrinkling with a specific wavelength and amplitude. An effective technique to minimize wrinkling by biaxially stretching the samples at high temperature before the forming operation, has been proposed. The samples were biaxially stretched by inflating the samples using a specially designed blowing unit retrofitted to a conventional vacuum thermoformer. This method involved heating, inflation and forming, together to provide stretch‐assisted thermoforming. During biaxial stretching the stored compressive stresses in a wrinkled sample were relieved before the forming step, producing a decorative part without losses in surface appearance. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:31–43, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Largely restricted nucleation effect of carbon nanotubes in a miscible poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(butylene succinate) blend
Authors: Mao Hanjun , Zhang Tingting , Zhang Nan , Huang Ting , Yang Jinghui , Wang Yong
Published: July 2016

The crystallization behaviors of miscible poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(butylene succinate) (PVDF/PBS) and its blend composites with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) during non‐isothermal and isothermal processes were investigated. The results showed that CNTs acted as heterogeneous nucleation agents and further improved the nucleation ability of PBS and PVDF in blends. However, compared with the nucleation effects of CNTs in PBS/CNT or PVDF/CNT binary composites, the nucleation effect of CNTs in miscible PVDF/PBS was largely restricted and nucleation efficiency was lowered. A reasonable explanation about the restricted nucleation ability of CNTs was studied from the viewpoint of interfacial interactions between polymer components and CNTs, in which a preferential affinity of CNTs to PBS was found. Further combined with the preparation method, it is proposed that PVDF chains adsorbed on the CNT surface in the master batch were peeled off from the CNTs by incorporated PBS chains, due to the better interaction between PBS and CNTs. Finally, the PVDF chains at the interface were diluted by PBS, and most of the CNT surface was covered by PBS chains, giving rise to the nucleation of PBS on the CNTs. On the other hand, unremoved PVDF still adsorbed on the CNT surface and crystallized. Compared with PVDF/CNT and PBS/CNT binary composites, the nucleation density in the ternary composites was greatly lowered, resulting in restricted nucleation effects of CNTs. On the other hand, the preferable adsorption of PBS on CNTs induced an apparent phase fluctuation in the PVDF/PBS blend composites, which also reflected the selective adsorption of PBS on the CNT surface. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry