bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender differences in trusting strangers: Role of the target's gender
Authors: Zhao Na , Zhang Jianxin
Published: January 2016

Previous findings on gender differences in the behaviors of individuals, including trusting behaviors, are inconsistent. A criticism is that these studies neglect contextual factors. The present study aims to examine how the target's gender, as a primary context factor, influences the trusting behavior of individuals in one survey and two experimental situations. Results indicate that people tend to trust strangers of the opposite gender more than those of the same gender in mixed‐gender situations. Furthermore, females trust females much more than males trust males. The results help people understand that when talking about gender differences in interpersonal situations, the gender identity of target persons should be considered. These findings are somewhat in conflict with those of previous studies conducted in Western cultures, and suggest that culture should also be explored in future studies on gender differences in interpersonal relationships.
Insights into regioselective metabolism of mefenamic acid by cytochrome P450 BM3 mutants through crystallography, docking, molecular dynamics, and free energy calculations
Authors: Capoferri Luigi , Leth Rasmus , ter Haar Ernst , Mohanty Arun K. , Grootenhuis Peter D. J. , Vottero Eduardo , Commandeur Jan N. M. , Vermeulen Nico P. E. , Jørgensen Flemming Steen , Olsen Lars , Geerke Daan P.
Published: January 2016

Cytochrome P450 BM3 (CYP102A1) mutant M11 is able to metabolize a wide range of drugs and drug‐like compounds. Among these, M11 was recently found to be able to catalyze formation of human metabolites of mefenamic acid and other nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Interestingly, single active‐site mutations such as V87I were reported to invert regioselectivity in NSAID hydroxylation. In this work, we combine crystallography and molecular simulation to study the effect of single mutations on binding and regioselective metabolism of mefenamic acid by M11 mutants. The heme domain of the protein mutant M11 was expressed, purified, and crystallized, and its X‐ray structure was used as template for modeling. A multistep approach was used that combines molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and binding free‐energy calculations to address protein flexibility. In this way, preferred binding modes that are consistent with oxidation at the experimentally observed sites of metabolism (SOMs) were identified. Whereas docking could not be used to retrospectively predict experimental trends in regioselectivity, we were able to rank binding modes in line with the preferred SOMs of mefenamic acid by M11 and its mutants by including protein flexibility and dynamics in free‐energy computation. In addition, we could obtain structural insights into the change in regioselectivity of mefenamic acid hydroxylation due to single active‐site mutations. Our findings confirm that use of MD and binding free‐energy calculation is useful for studying biocatalysis in those cases in which enzyme binding is a critical event in determining the selective metabolism of a substrate. Proteins 2016; 84:383–396. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of family determining residues in Jumonji‐C lysine demethylases: A sequence‐based, family wide classification
Authors: Slama Patrick
Published: January 2016

Histone post‐translational modifications play a critical role in the regulation of gene expression. Methylation of lysines at N‐terminal tails of histones has been shown to be involved in such regulation. While this modification was long considered to be irreversible, two different classes of enzymes capable of carrying out the demethylation of histone lysines were recently identified: the oxidases, such as LSD1, and the oxygenases (JmjC‐containing). Here, a family‐wide analysis of the second of these classes is proposed, with over 300 proteins studied at the sequence level. We show that a correlated evolution analysis yields some position/residue pairs which are critical at comparing JmjC sequences and enables the classification of JmjC domains into five families. A few positions appear more frequently among conditions, such as positions 23 (directly C‐terminal to the second iron ligand), 24, 252 and 253 (directly N‐terminal to a conserved Asn). Implications of family conditions are studied in detail on PHF2, revealing the meaningfulness of the sequence‐derived conditions at the structural level. These results should help obtain insights on the diversity of JmjC‐containing proteins solely by considering some of the amino acids present in their JmjC domain. Proteins 2016; 84:397–407. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parasitic weed management by using strigolactone‐degrading fungi
Authors: Boari Angela , Ciasca Biancamaria , Pineda‐Martos Rocío , Lattanzio Veronica MT , Yoneyama Koichi , Vurro Maurizio
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

Seed germination is a key phase of the parasitic plant life cycle that is stimulated by the secondary metabolites, mainly strigolactones (SLs), secreted by the host roots. Interventions during this stage would be particularly suitable for parasitic weed management practices, as blocking these chemical signals would prevent seed germination and thus parasite attack. Four fungal strains with different ecological functions were considered for their possible ability to metabolise SLs: Fusarium oxysporum and F. solani, biocontrol agents of Phelipanche ramosa; Trichoderma harzianum, a potential biopesticide; Botrytis cinerea, a phytopathogenic fungus. Four different SLs [the natural strigol, 5‐deoxystrigol (5DS) and 4‐deoxyorobanchol (4DO), and the synthetic analogue GR24] were added to fungal cultures, followed by determination of the SL content by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Differences were observed among microorganisms, treatments and SLs used. T. harzianum and F. oxysporum were the most capable of reducing the SL content; considering the whole set of fungi used, 5DS and 4DO proved to be the most degradable SLs.

CONCLUSIONS

Beneficial microscopic fungi could differently be used for biocontrolling parasitic weeds, acting as a ‘physiological’ barrier, by preventing the germination of their seeds through the ability to biotransform the stimulatory signals. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of SiC‐on‐Si template residual stress on GaN residual stress and crystal quality
Authors: Chai Jessica , Walker Glenn , Wang Li , Massoubre David , Iacopi Alan
Published: January 2016

The thermal expansion coefficient mismatch between GaN and SiC is lower than between GaN and Si. However it is usually observed that GaN on SiC/Si templates has higher tensile stress than GaN directly on Si. To provide an insight into the relationship between SiC template residual stress and GaN overlayer residual stress and crystal quality, we have analyzed the in‐plane residual stress gradient present in GaN/SiC microstructure arrays of various dimensions and shapes using micro‐Raman spectroscopy. It was found that the GaN overlayer residual stress is directly proportional to the SiC buffer layer residual stress. GaN films with lower residual stress also resulted in GaN films with improved crystal quality. Our study shows that the frequently encountered problems of high tensile stress in GaN films deposited on SiC templates is due to the high tensile residual stress in the SiC layers. The poorer GaN crystal quality deposited on SiC templates reported in literature is also likely due to the high tensile stress in the SiC templates. In order to grow GaN films with sufficient compressive stress and crystal quality for subsequent device processing, it is crucial to reduce the high tensile stress present in the SiC templates.
Listerine® Products: An Update on the Efficacy and Safety
Authors: Vlachojannis C. , Al‐Ahmad A. , Hellwig E. , Chrubasik S.
Published: January 2016

In the 19th century, the mouthwash Listerine® was formulated from four essential oils. Later, the oils were replaced by their marker substances. To keep them in solution, 24–27% ethanol was added as a vehicle. This is an update of our previous review on the efficacy and safety of Listerine®. Method: PubMed was searched for clinical studies on the therapeutic benefits and safety of Listerine® from the end of 2011 to the end of October 2015. Results: Sixteen studies were found and extracted. Three of the four 6‐month studies were of sound confirmatory design. Two of these investigated Listerine® and one Listerine Zero®. The evidence of effectiveness for Listerine®, based on the bulk of three confirmatory studies and numerous exploratory studies carried out so far, is strong, but only moderate for Listerine® Zero and poor for Listerine® Cool Blue. In the three safety studies identified, we found methodological flaws that biased the results. Conclusions: Evidence is accumulating that Listerine® is effective in improving oral health, but the absence of systematic toxicological studies means that an accurate safety assessment cannot be made. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ginkgetin Blocks Constitutive STAT3 Activation and Induces Apoptosis through Induction of SHP‐1 and PTEN Tyrosine Phosphatases
Authors: Baek Seung Ho , Lee Jae Hwi , Ko Jeong‐Hyeon , Lee Hanwool , Nam Dongwoo , Lee Seok Geun , Yang Woong Mo , Um Jae‐Young , Lee Junhee , Kim Sung‐Hoon , Shim Bum Sang , Ahn Kwang Seok
Published: January 2016

Ginkgetin, a biflavone from Ginkgo biloba leaves, is known to exhibit antiinflammatory, antifungal, neuroprotective, and antitumor activities, but its precise mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. Because the aberrant activation of STAT3 has been linked with regulation of inflammation, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of tumors, we hypothesized that ginkgetin modulates the activation of STAT3 in tumor cells. We found that ginkgetin clearly suppressed constitutive phosphorylation of STAT3 through inhibition of the activation of upstream JAK1 and c‐Src kinases and nuclear translocation of STAT3 on both A549 and FaDu cells. Treatment with sodium pervanadate reversed the ginkgetin‐induced down‐modulation of STAT3, thereby indicating a critical role for a PTP. We also found that ginkgetin strongly induced the expression of the SHP‐1 and PTEN proteins and its mRNAs. Further, deletion of SHP‐1 and PTEN genes by siRNA suppressed the induction of SHP‐1 and PTEN, and reversed the inhibition of STAT3 activation. Ginkgetin induced apoptosis as characterized by an increased accumulation of cells in subG1 phase, positive Annexin V binding, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, down‐regulation of STAT3‐regulated gene products, and cleavage of PARP. Overall, ginkgetin abrogates STAT3 signaling pathway through induction of SHP‐1 and PTEN proteins, thus attenuating STAT3 phosphorylation and tumorigenesis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phosphorylation Regulates Id2 Degradation and Mediates the Proliferation of Neural Precursor Cells
Authors: Sullivan Jaclyn M. , Havrda Matthew C. , Kettenbach Arminja N. , Paolella Brenton R. , Zhang Zhonghua , Gerber Scott A. , Israel Mark A.
Published: January 2016

Inhibitor of DNA binding proteins (Id1-Id4) function to inhibit differentiation and promote proliferation of many different cell types. Among the Id family members, Id2 has been most extensively studied in the central nervous system (CNS). Id2 contributes to cultured neural precursor cell (NPC) proliferation as well as to the proliferation of CNS tumors such as glioblastoma that are likely to arise from NPC-like cells. We identified three phosphorylation sites near the N-terminus of Id2 in NPCs. To interrogate the importance of Id2 phosphorylation, Id2-/- NPCs were modified to express wild type (WT) Id2 or an Id2 mutant protein that could not be phosphorylated at the identified sites. We observed that NPCs expressing this mutant lacking phosphorylation near the N-terminus had higher steady-state levels of Id2 when compared to NPCs expressing WT Id2. This elevated level was the result of a longer half-life and reduced proteasome-mediated degradation. Moreover, NPCs expressing constitutively de-phosphorylated Id2 proliferated more rapidly than NPCs expressing WT Id2, a finding consistent with the well-characterized function of Id2 in driving proliferation. Observing that phosphorylation of Id2 modulates the degradation of this important cell-cycle regulator, we sought to identify a phosphatase that would stabilize Id2 enhancing its activity in NPCs and extended our analysis to include human glioblastoma-derived stem cells (GSCs). We found that expression of the phosphatase PP2A altered Id2 levels. Our findings suggest that inhibition of PP2A may be a novel strategy to regulate the proliferation of normal NPCs and malignant GSCs by decreasing Id2 levels.
Loss of Folliculin Disrupts Hematopoietic Stem Cell Quiescence and Homeostasis Resulting in Bone Marrow Failure
Authors: Baba Masaya , Toyama Hirofumi , Sun Lei , Takubo Keiyo , Suh Hyung-Chan , Hasumi Hisashi , Nakamura-Ishizu Ayako , Hasumi Yukiko , Klarmann Kimberly D. , Nakagata Naomi , Schmidt Laura S. , Linehan W. Marston , Suda Toshio , Keller Jonathan R.
Published: January 2016

Folliculin (FLCN) is an autosomal dominant tumor suppressor gene that modulates diverse signaling pathways required for growth, proliferation, metabolism, survival, motility, and adhesion. FLCN is an essential protein required for murine embryonic development, embryonic stem cell (ESC) commitment, and Drosophila germline stem cell maintenance, suggesting that Flcn may be required for adult stem cell homeostasis. Conditional inactivation of Flcn in adult hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) drives hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) into proliferative exhaustion resulting in the rapid depletion of HSPC, loss of all hematopoietic cell lineages, acute bone marrow (BM) failure, and mortality after 40 days. HSC that lack Flcn fail to reconstitute the hematopoietic compartment in recipient mice, demonstrating a cell-autonomous requirement for Flcn in HSC maintenance. BM cells showed increased phosphorylation of Akt and mTorc1, and extramedullary hematopoiesis was significantly reduced by treating mice with rapamycin in vivo, suggesting that the mTorc1 pathway was activated by loss of Flcn expression in hematopoietic cells in vivo. Tfe3 was activated and preferentially localized to the nucleus of Flcn knockout (KO) HSPCs. Tfe3 overexpression in HSPCs impaired long-term hematopoietic reconstitution in vivo, recapitulating the Flcn KO phenotype, and supporting the notion that abnormal activation of Tfe3 contributes to the Flcn KO phenotype. Flcn KO mice develop an acute histiocytic hyperplasia in multiple organs, suggesting a novel function for Flcn in macrophage development. Thus, Flcn is intrinsically required to maintain adult HSC quiescence and homeostasis, and Flcn loss leads to BM failure and mortality in mice.
Measuring Outcomes of Laparoscopic Anti‐reflux Surgery: Quality of Life Versus Symptom Scores?
Authors: Koetje Jan H. , Nieuwenhuijs Vincent B. , Irvine Tanya , Mayne George C. , Watson David I.
Published: January 2016

Introduction

Outcome following fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux can be measured using objective tests, symptom scores and quality of life (QoL) measures. Which is best and how these assessments correlate is uncertain. To determine the utility of assessment measures we compared a general QoL measure (SF‐36) and a disease‐specific measure (GERD‐hr‐QoL) with symptom and satisfaction scores in individuals following fundoplication.

Methods

329 individuals underwent fundoplication between 2000 and 2015 in 2 centres in Australia and the Netherlands. Patients were assessed before and 3, 12 and 24 months after surgery using 10‐point Likert scales to assess heartburn and satisfaction, the SF‐36 questionnaire and the GERD‐hr‐QoL questionnaire. SF‐36 scores were converted into component scores: Physical Component Scale (PCS) score and Mental Component Scale (MCS) score. Correlations between QoL measures and clinical outcomes were determined.

Results

Surgery relieved heartburn (7.0 vs. 0.0 median, P < 0.001) and patients were highly satisfied with the outcome (median 9.0). PCS and MCS scores improved after surgery (PCS 40.9 vs. 46.0, P < 0.001; MCS 47.6 vs. 50.3, P = 0.027). GERD‐hr‐QoL scores also improved after surgery (15.7 vs. 3.7, P < 0.001). Correlations between PCS and MCS scores versus heartburn and satisfaction scores were generally weak or absent. However, correlations between GERD‐hr‐QoL versus heartburn and satisfaction scores were moderate to strong.

Conclusion

Despite improvements in scores, the SF‐36 correlated poorly with clinical outcome measures, and its use to measure outcome following fundoplication is questioned. However, the GERD‐hr‐QoL correlated well with the symptom scores, suggesting this disease‐specific QoL measure is a better tool for assessing anti‐reflux surgery outcome.
Induced expression of microsomal cytochrome b 5 determined at mRNA and protein levels in rats exposed to ellipticine, benzo[a]pyrene, and 1-phenylazo-2-naphthol (Sudan I)
Authors: Stiborová Marie , Moserová Michaela , Mrízová Iveta , Dračínská Helena , Martínek Václav , Indra Radek , Frei Eva , Adam Vojtěch , Kizek René , Schmeiser Heinz H. , Kubáčková Kateřina , Arlt Volker M.
Published: January 2016

The microsomal protein cytochromeb5, which is located in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum, has been shown to modulate many reactions catalyzed by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. We investigated the influence of exposure to the anticancer drug ellipticine and to two environmental carcinogens, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and 1-phenylazo-2-naphthol (Sudan I), on the expression of cytochromeb5in livers of rats, both at the mRNA and protein levels. We also studied the effects of these compounds on their own metabolism and the formation of DNA adducts generated by their activation metabolite(s) in vitro. The relative amounts of cytochromeb5mRNA, measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, were induced by the test compounds up to 11.7-fold in rat livers. Western blotting using antibodies raised against cytochromeb5showed that protein expression was induced by up to sevenfold in livers of treated rats. Microsomes isolated from livers of exposed rats catalyzed the oxidation of ellipticine, BaP, and Sudan I and the formation of DNA adducts generated by their reactive metabolite(s) more effectively than hepatic microsomes isolated from control rats. All test compounds are known to induce CYP1A1. This induction is one of the reasons responsible for increased oxidation of these xenobiotics by microsomes. However, induction of cytochromeb5can also contribute to their enhanced metabolism.

Graphical abstract
A Modified Method for the Determination of N‐Nitrosodiethanolamine in Coconut Diethanolamide Using HPLC with Dual‐Wavelength UV–Vis Detector
Authors: Mostafalu Ramin , Banaei Abbas , Riazi Mohammad Hadi , Ghorbani Fatemeh
Published: January 2016

A simple and novel method based on high‐performance liquid chromatography with dual‐wavelength ultraviolet detection at 234 and 254 nm has been developed for the determination of underivatized N‐nitrosodiethanolamine in coconut diethanolamide. The correlation coefficient obtained shows that the method is correct.
Fatty Acids Profile and Chemical Composition of Egyptian Moringa oleifera Seed Oils
Authors: Aly Amina A. , Maraei Rabab W. , Ali Hoda G. M.
Published: January 2016

Moringa oleifera is grown all over the world as a crop for its nutritious pods, leaves and seeds. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the oil percentage, density, iodine value, saponification value, acid value and fatty acid profile of Egyptian moringa Seed oils. Moringa seeds were irradiated using 60Co at dose levels of 0.0 (control), 5, 10 and 15 kGy and oil was extracted from unirradiated and irradiated samples. Results showed that the oil percentage and density were almost unaffected. Irradiation reduced the iodine value, whereas the acid and saponification values were increased in all irradiated samples. The oil was found to contain high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, especially an omega‐9‐fatty acid (oleic) (up to 76.29 %) at a dose level of 15 kGy. Also at the same dose level, the dominant saturated acids were palmitic, stearic acid and arachidic (the three up to 12.66 %). GC–MS revealed the presence of different compounds (more than 50) in the moringa oil extract, among them alkaloids, terpenoids steroids, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons and polyphenolic compounds. Phenolic and falvonoid were significantly increased by increasing irradiation dose levels. Also, the antioxidant activity of irradiated seed oil increased by increasing the phenolic and flavonoid contents. Moringa oleifera could be grown by wide scale production as a potentially valuable crop. However, isolation of individual compounds and their biological activities needs to be covered in future to enhance its pharmacological importance and to open new avenues of research.
`Measuring cognitive load: mixed results from a handover simulation for medical students
Authors: Young John Q. , Irby David M. , Barilla-LaBarca Maria-Louise , Ten Cate Olle , O’Sullivan Patricia S.
Published: January 2016

Introduction The application of cognitive load theory to workplace-based activities such as patient handovers is hindered by the absence of a measure of the different load types. This exploratory study tests a method for measuring cognitive load during handovers.

Methods The authors developed the Cognitive Load Inventory for Handoffs (CLI4H) with items for intrinsic, extraneous, and germane load. Medical students completed the measure after participating in a simulated handover. Exploratory factor and correlation analyses were performed to collect evidence for validity.

Results Results yielded a two-factor solution for intrinsic and germane load that explained 50 % of the variance. The extraneous load items performed poorly and were removed from the model. The score for intrinsic load correlated with the Paas Cognitive Load scale (r = 0.31, p = 0.004) and was lower for students with more prior handover training (p = 0.036). Intrinsic load did not, however, correlate with performance. Germane load did not correlate with the Paas Cognitive Load scale but did correlate as expected with performance (r = 0.30, p = 0.005) and was lower for those students with more prior handover training (p = 0.03).

Conclusions The CLI4H yielded mixed results with some evidence for validity of the score from the intrinsic load items. The extraneous load items performed poorly and the use of only a single item for germane load limits conclusions. The instrument requires further development and testing.
Effects of residual stresses and compressive mean stresses on the fatigue strength of longitudinal fillet-welded gussets
Authors: Hensel Jonas , Nitschke-Pagel Thomas , Dilger Klaus
Published: January 2016

Results from fatigue testing of small-scale specimens are widely used to study residual stress effects on fatigue of welded structures. It was observed from a literature that welding distortion may cover residual stress effects due to high-bending stresses from clamping. Here, presented are fatigue test results and results from residual stress measurements from welded longitudinal stiffeners in different residual stress conditions. The axial welding distortion was corrected for all samples by straightening reducing effects from clamping and making residual stress effects visible. It was found that the fatigue strength depends strongly on the stabilized residual stresses, especially at high numbers of load cycles. It could be shown that residual stresses at the weld toe either were far below the yield strength or were degraded mainly at the first load cycle but still have major effects. This was investigated at two stress ratios of R = −1 and R = −3.
Systematic Review: Effectiveness of Mirror Therapy for Lower Extremity Post-Stroke
Authors: Hung Goris Kin Nga , Li Cabbee Tsz Lui , Yiu Alexander Miles , Fong Kenneth N.K.
Published: January 2016

Background/Objective

This study reviewed the current evidence on the effectiveness of mirror therapy (MT) on improving the motor functions of the hemiplegic lower extremity (LE) in adult clients with stroke.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted of studies published in English in the 10-year period 2005–2015, retrieved from seven electronic databases: Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, Psychlnfo, Science Direct, Cochrane and TBI Rehabilitation. Only articles that focused on the effects of MT on hemiparesis affecting LE function and performance were included. The methodological quality of the studies was appraised using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale (PEDro).

Results

The literature search yielded 14 studies that satisfied the selection criteria, of which five (4 randomised controlled trials and 1 case study) were reviewed after screening. Despite the heterogeneity of the studies, they showed MT to be effective in improving some of the motor functions of the LE at different stages of stroke. However, they offered little evidence on MT's long-term effects and for when is the optimal stage to start MT after stroke onset.

Conclusion

Further research is needed to determine the best treatment regimen and optimal time to initiate MT intervention in terms of the phases of stroke. No firm conclusions can be drawn on the effectiveness of MT on the hemiplegic LE until more evidence is available.
Circulating tumor cells in breast cancer
Authors: Bidard Francois-Clement , Proudhon Charlotte , Pierga Jean-Yves
Published: January 2016

Over the past decade, technically reliable circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection methods allowed the collection of large datasets of CTC counts in cancer patients. These data can be used either as a dynamic prognostic biomarker or as tumor material for “liquid biopsy”. Breast cancer appears to be the cancer type in which CTC have been the most extensively studied so far, with level‐of‐evidence‐1 studies supporting the clinical validity of CTC count in both early and metastatic stage. This review summarizes and discusses the clinical results obtained in breast cancer patients, the issues faced by the molecular characterization of CTC and the biological findings about cancer biology and metastasis that were obtained from CTC.
The interaction of private and public regulatory governance: The case of association-led voluntary aviation safety programs
Authors: Mills Russell W
Published: January 2016

The complex and globalized nature of many industries has led to a global governance deficit that has resulted in the rise of self-regulation by private firms. Despite well-developed body of literature, we know little about the interaction of private regulation and public governance. The questions this paper addresses are: How do private self-regulatory programs either fill a vacuum of regulation or complement existing regulatory structures, and how do these programs support or crowd out the development of government regulatory programs? This paper addresses these questions by developing case studies of internal audit, voluntary reporting, and data analysis programs operated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The results suggest that when there is a congruence of goals between industry and government, private regulatory programs can complement or even replace existing public sector regulatory regimes. Additionally, the results suggest that successful private self-regulatory programs can often be threatened by competing public programs.
A Moral Argument for Substance Dualism
Authors: HARRISON GERALD K.
Published: January 2016

This paper presents a moral argument in support of the view that the mind is a nonphysical object. It is intuitively obvious that we, the bearers of conscious experiences, have an inherent value that is not reducible to the value of our conscious experiences. It remains intuitively obvious that we have inherent value even when we represent ourselves to have no physical bodies whatsoever. Given certain assumptions about morality and moral intuitions, this implies that the bearers of conscious experiences—the objects possessing inherent value—are not physical objects. This moral evidence is corroborated by introspective evidence.
Evolution of the streamwise vortices generated between leading edge tubercles
Authors: Hansen Kristy L. , Rostamzadeh Nikan , Kelso Richard M. , Dally Bassam B.
Published: January 2016

Sinusoidal modifications to the leading edge of a foil, or tubercles, have been shown to improve aerodynamic performance under certain flow conditions. One of the mechanisms of performance enhancement is believed to be the generation of streamwise vortices, which improve the momentum exchange in the boundary layer. This experimental and numerical study investigates the formation and evolution of these streamwise vortices at a low Reynolds number of $Re=2230$, providing insight into both the averaged and time-dependent flow patterns. Furthermore, the strength of the vortices is quantified through calculation of the vorticity and circulation, and it is found that the circulation increases in the downstream direction. There is strong agreement between the experimental and numerical observations, and this allows close examination of the flow structure. The results demonstrate that the presence of strong pressure gradients near the leading edge gives rise to a significant surface flux of vorticity in this region. As soon as this vorticity is created, it is stretched, tilted and diffused in a highly three-dimensional manner. These processes lead to the generation of a pair of streamwise vortices between the tubercle peaks. A horseshoe-shaped separation zone is shown to initiate behind a tubercle trough, and this region of separation is bounded by a canopy of boundary-layer vorticity. Along the sides of this shear layer canopy, a continued influx of boundary-layer vorticity occurs, resulting in an increase in circulation of the primary streamwise vortices in the downstream direction. Flow visualisation and particle image velocimetry studies support these observations and demonstrate that the flow characteristics vary with time, particularly near the trailing edge and at a higher angle of attack. Numerical evaluation of the lift and drag coefficients reveals that, for this particular flow regime, the performance of a foil with tubercles is slightly better than that of an unmodified foil.
Sedimentation of finite-size spheres in quiescent and turbulent environments
Authors: Fornari Walter , Picano Francesco , Brandt Luca
Published: January 2016

Sedimentation of a dispersed solid phase is widely encountered in applications and environmental flows, yet little is known about the behaviour of finite-size particles in homogeneous isotropic turbulence. To fill this gap, we perform direct numerical simulations of sedimentation in quiescent and turbulent environments using an immersed boundary method to account for the dispersed rigid spherical particles. The solid volume fractions considered are ${\it\phi}=0.5{-}1\,\%$, while the solid to fluid density ratio ${\it\rho}_{p}/{\it\rho}_{f}=1.02$. The particle radius is chosen to be approximately six Kolmogorov length scales. The results show that the mean settling velocity is lower in an already turbulent flow than in a quiescent fluid. The reductions with respect to a single particle in quiescent fluid are approximately 12 % and 14 % for the two volume fractions investigated. The probability density function of the particle velocity is almost Gaussian in a turbulent flow, whereas it displays large positive tails in quiescent fluid. These tails are associated with the intermittent fast sedimentation of particle pairs in drafting–kissing–tumbling motions. The particle lateral dispersion is higher in a turbulent flow, whereas the vertical one is, surprisingly, of comparable magnitude as a consequence of the highly intermittent behaviour observed in the quiescent fluid. Using the concept of mean relative velocity we estimate the mean drag coefficient from empirical formulae and show that non-stationary effects, related to vortex shedding, explain the increased reduction in mean settling velocity in a turbulent environment.
‘SANDERS OF THE RIVER, STILL THE BEST JOB FOR A BRITISH BOY’; RECRUITMENT TO THE COLONIAL ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE AT THE END OF EMPIRE
Authors: JEPPESEN CHRIS
Published: January 2016

In February 1951, the Sunday Express printed a piece extolling the virtues of a Colonial Service career, under the headline: ‘Sanders of the River, Still the Best Job for a British Boy’. This article explores the ideological and practical reasons why Sanders of the River, a character apparently so at odds with the post-Second World War Colonial Service message, continued to hold enough cultural resonance that it was considered appropriate to utilize him as a recruitment tool in 1951. Edgar Wallace's literary creation occupied a defining place in metropolitan understandings of the Colonial Service's work. Yet, by 1951, the ideological aims of the colonial project were changing. Sanders's paternalism had been dismissed in favour of a rhetoric that emphasized partnership and progress. The post-1945 district officer was expected to be a modern administrator, ready to work alongside educated Africans to prepare Britain's colonies for self-government. Exploring both Colonial Office recruitment strategies and recruits’ career motivations, this article situates the often ignored issue of Colonial Service recruitment at the end of empire within a wider cultural context to illuminate why, even as many turned away from careers in empire after 1945, a significant number of young Britons continued to apply.
Comparingin vivoandin vitroapproaches to study the hormonal regulation of sea urchin reproduction
Authors: Mercurio Silvia , Sugni Michela
Published: January 2016

Althoughin vivoandin vitroapproaches appear to be very different, they are related and complementary techniques and both are essential for the investigation of diverse biological topics. The employment of both techniques was considered particularly appropriate to investigate the role of 17β-oestradiol and testosterone in echinoid reproductive biology. The relationship between sex-steroids and echinoid reproduction has not been clearly determined yet, due to the highly variable and sometimes contrasting results obtained from steroid administration experiments. These might be due to the activation of protective metabolic mechanisms that can prevent the exogenous molecules from exerting their biological functions, as observed in our previous research. To clarify these aspects, in the present study we explored sex-steroid involvement in the reproduction of the sea urchinParacentrotus lividus, employing bothin vivoandin vitroapproaches: (1) an experiment involving hormone dietary administration was performed and different reproductive parameters were deeply analysed; (2) ovarian cells were cultured in the presence of the same steroids and morphological and biochemical analyses were carried out. According to our results, sex-steroids appear not to be involved in sea urchin gonad development and gamete maturation, as neitherin vivoadministration norin vitroexposure influenced gonad and gamete growth. In addition,in vitrohormonal treatment did not affect sea urchin Major Yolk Protein content. Overall, the present work complements our previous research providing information on sex-steroid involvement in echinoid reproduction and illustrates new methodological approaches that will be useful for future research on invertebrate biology and physiology.
Commercial shipping in the Arctic: new perspectives, challenges and regulations
Authors: Guy Emmanuel , Lasserre Frédéric
Published: January 2016

Maritime traffic is increasing in Arctic seas in the context of climate change. The rapid melting of sea ice led to the widespread belief that traffic was set to expand rapidly, challenging Canadian and Russian-claimed sovereignties over their respective Arctic passage, and underlining the risk posed by such a traffic in a risky but fragile environment. If projections on potential traffic for the medium term are probably exaggerated, the increasing traffic nevertheless challenges the adequacy of the regulatory framework.
The rearing environment and risk for drug abuse: a Swedish national high-risk adopted and not adopted co-sibling control study
Authors: Kendler K. S. , Ohlsson H. , Sundquist K. , Sundquist J.
Published: January 2016

Background

Although drug abuse (DA) is strongly familial, with important genetic influences, we need to know more about the role of rearing environment in the risk for DA. To address this question, we utilized a high-risk adopted and non-adopted co-sibling control design.

Method

High-risk offspring had one or more biological parents registered for DA, alcohol use disorders or criminal behavior. Using Swedish registries, we identified 1161 high-risk full-sibships and 3085 high-risk half-sibships containing at least one member who was adopted-away and one member who was not. Registration for DA was via national criminal, medical and pharmacy registers. In Sweden, adoptive families are screened to provide high-quality rearing environment for adoptees.

Results

Controlling for parental age at birth and gender (and, in half-siblings, high-risk status of the other parent), risk for DA was substantially lower in the full- and half-siblings who were adoptedv. not adopted [hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals: 0.55 (0.45–0·69) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.48–0.63), respectively]. The protective effect of adoption on risk for DA was significantly stronger in the full- and half-sibling pairs with very high familial liability (two high-risk parents) and significantly weaker when the adoptive family was broken by death or divorce, or contained a high-risk parent.

Conclusions

In both full- and half-sibling pairs, we found replicated evidence that rearing environment strongly impacts on risk for DA. High-quality rearing environments can substantively reduce risk for DA in those at high genetic risk.
Evaluating the need for adaptive therapy when delivering conformal bladder radiotherapy
Authors: Henry Ann M. , Summers Helen , Murray Louise , Jain Ankit , Tahir Wasif , Ali Saadat , Joseph Joji , Bastow Sarah , Artschan Rebecca , Sykes Jonathan
Published: January 2016

Background and purpose

The purpose of this study was to audit positioning errors during bladder image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) and quantify survival outcomes.

Materials and methods

We carried out a retrospective review of 141 patients treated between March 2007 and July 2010 with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. An offline imaging protocol using kV cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used. Positioning errors, clinical interventions and re-planning rates were quantified. Cancer outcomes and survival were collected by review of patient notes and a registry search.

Results

Among all, 43% of the patients required no intervention. Isocentre corrections were used for systematic bony set-up error in 13% and to improve bladder coverage in 28%. Clinical interventions to improve bladder coverage were required in 16% of the patients and repeat computed tomography planning in a further 16%. Overall, 44% of the patients demonstrated some form of organ deformation that would have resulted in inadequate dose to the bladder or significant overdose to an organ at risk if not corrected for. Post-treatment check cystoscopy was undertaken in 107 patients (76%) with 72 noted to have a complete response. Overall survival was 47·8% at 3 years.

Conclusions

Organ deformation during radiotherapy for bladder cancer is a significant problem for over 40% of patients. Strategies to compensate are essential to ensure optimal plan delivery.
Considering canopy architecture when planning cover crop mixtures
Authors: Anderson Randy L.
Published: January 2016

Producers may be able to improve growth of cover crop mixtures by selecting species to occupy different levels (zones) in the cover crop canopy. This suggestion is based on a study where we compared four cover crop treatments, comprised of one, three, six and nine species, for biomass production. Oat, dry pea and oilseed radish were present in all multi-species mixtures. Treatments were established in August, following spring wheat harvest. Biomass was harvested 9 weeks later. The most productive treatment was the oat–dry pea–oilseed radish mixture. Species of this mixture occupied different zones in the canopy and minimized interspecies competition to improve production. Cover crop mixtures of six and nine species produced 24% less biomass, which we partially attribute to unequal distribution of species in zones of the canopy. This suggestion with canopy architecture could be tested further with other cover crop species to quantify its impact.
The Generalizability of Survey Experiments
Authors: Mullinix Kevin J. , Leeper Thomas J. , Druckman James N. , Freese Jeremy
Published: January 2016

Survey experiments have become a central methodology across the social sciences. Researchers can combine experiments’ causal power with the generalizability of population-based samples. Yet, due to the expense of population-based samples, much research relies on convenience samples (e.g. students, online opt-in samples). The emergence of affordable, but non-representative online samples has reinvigorated debates about the external validity of experiments. We conduct two studies of how experimental treatment effects obtained from convenience samples compare to effects produced by population samples. In Study 1, we compare effect estimates from four different types of convenience samples and a population-based sample. In Study 2, we analyze treatment effects obtained from 20 experiments implemented on a population-based sample and Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk). The results reveal considerable similarity between many treatment effects obtained from convenience and nationally representative population-based samples. While the results thus bolster confidence in the utility of convenience samples, we conclude with guidance for the use of a multitude of samples for advancing scientific knowledge.
Farewell to JEPS!
Authors: Morton Rebecca B. , Tucker Joshua A.
Published: January 2016

It is hard to believe that we have been at this for four years, but our term as editors is coming to a close. During this time, JEPS has gone from being little more than an idea in a few people's minds to a full fledged journal with robust submissions, excellent reviewers, and valuable published research from a wide range of scholars featuring all different types of experimental analyses employed in the study of politics. We are extremely excited by what JEPS has become, and we hope you share our enthusiasm!
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma arises in thymocytes and requires transient TCR expression for thymic egress
Authors: Malcolm Tim I. M. , Villarese Patrick , Fairbairn Camilla J. , Lamant Laurence , Trinquand Amélie , Hook C. Elizabeth , Burke G. A. Amos , Brugières Laurence , Hughes Katherine , Payet Dominique , Merkel Olaf , Schiefer Ana-Iris , Ashankyty Ibraheem , Mian Shahid , Wasik Mariusz , Turner Martin , Kenner Lukas , Asnafi Vahid , Macintyre Elizabeth , Turner Suzanne D.
Published: January 2016

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a peripheral T-cell lymphoma presenting mostly in children and young adults. The natural progression of this disease is largely unknown as is the identity of its true cell of origin. Here we present a model of peripheral ALCL pathogenesis where the malignancy is initiated in early thymocytes, before T-cell receptor (TCR) β-rearrangement, which is bypassed in CD4/NPM–ALK transgenic mice following Notch1 expression. However, we find that a TCR is required for thymic egress and development of peripheral murine tumours, yet this TCR must be downregulated for T-cell lymphomagenesis. In keeping with this, clonal TCR rearrangements in human ALCL are predominantly in-frame, but often aberrant, with clonal TCRα but no comparable clonal TCRβ rearrangement, yielding events that would not normally be permissive for survival during thymic development. Children affected by ALCL may thus harbour thymic lymphoma‐initiating cells capable of seeding relapse after chemotherapy.
The H-index of a network node and its relation to degree and coreness
Authors: Lü Linyuan , Zhou Tao , Zhang Qian-Ming , Stanley H. Eugene
Published: January 2016

Identifying influential nodes in dynamical processes is crucial in understanding network structure and function. Degree, H-index and coreness are widely used metrics, but previously treated as unrelated. Here we show their relation by constructing an operator "Equation missing", in terms of which degree, H-index and coreness are the initial, intermediate and steady states of the sequences, respectively. We obtain a family of H-indices that can be used to measure a node’s importance. We also prove that the convergence to coreness can be guaranteed even under an asynchronous updating process, allowing a decentralized local method of calculating a node’s coreness in large-scale evolving networks. Numerical analyses of the susceptible-infected-removed spreading dynamics on disparate real networks suggest that the H-index is a good tradeoff that in many cases can better quantify node influence than either degree or coreness.
Periprostatic adipocytes act as a driving force for prostate cancer progression in obesity
Authors: Laurent Victor , Guérard Adrien , Mazerolles Catherine , Le Gonidec Sophie , Toulet Aurélie , Nieto Laurence , Zaidi Falek , Majed Bilal , Garandeau David , Socrier Youri , Golzio Muriel , Cadoudal Thomas , Chaoui Karima , Dray Cedric , Monsarrat Bernard , Schiltz Odile , Wang Yuan Yuan , Couderc Bettina , Valet Philippe , Malavaud Bernard , Muller Catherine
Published: January 2016

Obesity favours the occurrence of locally disseminated prostate cancer in the periprostatic adipose tissue (PPAT) surrounding the prostate gland. Here we show that adipocytes from PPAT support the directed migration of prostate cancer cells and that this event is strongly promoted by obesity. This process is dependent on the secretion of the chemokine CCL7 by adipocytes, which diffuses from PPAT to the peripheral zone of the prostate, stimulating the migration of CCR3 expressing tumour cells. In obesity, higher secretion of CCL7 by adipocytes facilitates extraprostatic extension. The observed increase in migration associated with obesity is totally abrogated when the CCR3/CCL7 axis is inhibited. In human prostate cancer tumours, expression of the CCR3 receptor is associated with the occurrence of aggressive disease with extended local dissemination and a higher risk of biochemical recurrence, highlighting the potential benefit of CCR3 antagonists in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Logic circuit prototypes for three-terminal magnetic tunnel junctions with mobile domain walls
Authors: Currivan-Incorvia J. A. , Siddiqui S. , Dutta S. , Evarts E. R. , Zhang J. , Bono D. , Ross C. A. , Baldo M. A.
Published: January 2016

Spintronic computing promises superior energy efficiency and nonvolatility compared to conventional field-effect transistor logic. But, it has proven difficult to realize spintronic circuits with a versatile, scalable device design that is adaptable to emerging material physics. Here we present prototypes of a logic device that encode information in the position of a magnetic domain wall in a ferromagnetic wire. We show that a single three-terminal device can perform inverter and buffer operations. We demonstrate one device can drive two subsequent gates and logic propagation in a circuit of three inverters. This prototype demonstration shows that magnetic domain wall logic devices have the necessary characteristics for future computing, including nonlinearity, gain, cascadability, and room temperature operation.