bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of nanosilver dissolution kinetics and toxicity in an environmentally relevant aqueous medium
Authors: Harmon Ashley R. , Kennedy Alan J. , Poda Aimee R. , Bednar Anthony J. , Chappell Mark A. , Steevens Jeffery A.
Published: April 2014

Assessing the dissolution of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in laboratory test media and in the aquatic environment is critical for determining toxicity. In the present study, the ion-release kinetics for 20-nm, 50-nm, and 80-nm AgNPs in environmentally relevant freshwaters with different electrical conductivity values (30 µS/cm, 150 µS/cm) were examined and related to the associated impact on Daphnia magna. The acute toxicity of the AgNP suspensions to D. magna was assessed after 0 d and 7 d of interaction time between the particles and test media. When 48-h lethal median concentrations were expressed as total silver, D. magna was more sensitive to AgNPs suspended in low ionic strength media relative to higher ionic strength media, with the exception of 50-nm AgNPs suspended in the 150-µS/cm medium. A 3.3-fold increase in hydrodynamic diameter measured by dynamic light scattering and field flow fractionation was observed over time for 20-nm particles in the 150-µS/cm medium, but only a small increase in aggregation size for 50-nm and 80-nm particles (1.4-fold and 1.2-fold increase, respectively) was observed. At a lower conductivity of 30 µS/cm, a 1.7-fold, 1.0-fold, and 1.2-fold increase in aggregation size was observed in the 20-nm, 50-nm, and 80-nm particles, respectively. Thus, the impact of higher conductivity test media on increased aggregation and decreased toxicity (after 7 d) was relatively greater for the smaller (20-nm) AgNP higher compared to the 50–80 nm AgNPs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1783–1791. Published 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Clustering and Mean Reversion in a Hawkes Microstructure Model
Authors: Da Fonseca José , Zaatour Riadh
Published: April 2014

This paper provides explicit formulas for the first and second moments and the autocorrelation function of the number of jumps over a given interval for the multivariate Hawkes process. These computations are possible thanks to the affine property of this process. We unify the stock price models of Bacry et al. (2013a, Quantitative Finance, 13, 65–77) and Da Fonseca and Zaatour (2014, Journal of Futures Markets) both of them based on the Hawkes process, the first one having a mean reverting behavior while the second one a clustering behavior, and build a model having these two properties. We compute various statistics as well as the diffusive limit for the stock price that determines the connection between the parameters driving the high‐frequency activity to the daily volatility. Lastly, the impulse function giving the impact on the stock price of a buy/sell trade is explicitly computed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 35:813–838, 2015
Analyzing task‐dependent brain network changes by whole‐brain psychophysiological interactions: A comparison to conventional analysis
Authors: Gerchen Martin Fungisai , Bernal‐Casas David , Kirsch Peter
Published: April 2014

While fMRI activation studies contrasting task conditions regularly assess the whole brain, this is usually not true for studies analyzing task‐dependent brain connectivity changes by psychophysiological interactions (PPI). Here we combine standard PPI (sPPI) and generalized PPI (gPPI) with a priori brain parcellation by spatially constrained normalized cut spectral clustering (NCUT) to analyze task‐dependent connectivity changes in a whole brain manner, and compare the results to multiseed conventional PPI analyses over all activation peaks in an episodic memory recall task. We show that, depending on the chosen parcellation frame, the whole‐brain PPI approach is able to detect a large amount of the information that is detected by the conventional approach. Over and above, whole‐brain PPI allows identification of several additional task‐modulated connections, particularly from seed regions without significant activation differences between conditions. Hum Brain Mapp 35:5071–5082, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of persistence in chemical evaluations
Authors: Mackay Donald , Hughes Dianne M , Romano M Luisa , Bonnell Mark
Published: April 2014

The initial stage in the assessment and priority setting of chemicals for their potential to cause harm to humans and the environment is usually a hazard assessment employing metrics for persistence, bioaccumulation, and inherent toxicity. This hazard assessment is followed, when necessary, by the more demanding task of risk assessment. Hazard assessment of data and processes influencing persistence are discussed, leading to a number of suggestions for more effective evaluation. These include 1) an initial focus on accurate data for intensive chemical partitioning and reaction half-life properties that are universally applicable as distinct from extensive properties that can be included later on a location-specific basis; 2) separate treatments of near-field and far-field exposures; 3) a focus on persistence and its effect on levels of exposure, especially for substances for which “time to exposure” is less than “time to degradation” and have been termed “pseudo-persistent.” We show that “continuously present” is a better descriptor of this concern. Case studies illustrate and support these suggestions. Data on the intensive properties and on exposure pathways are best combined in evaluative multimedia mass balance models that can provide a clear depiction of the likely chemical fate, exposure routes, and levels. The information generated by the mass balance models can serve to justify and direct a full risk assessment that includes region-specific information on chemical quantities, estimates of exposure, and potential for adverse effects. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2014;10:588–594. © 2014 SETAC

Key Points

We demonstrate the importance of persistence as a criterion for hazard assessment of chemicals. We show the merit of addressing intensive chemical properties before extensive properties, We show the need to address near-field and far-field exposures separately. We introduce the concept of "time to exposure" and use it to show that continuously present is a term preferable to pseudo-persistent. These key points are illustrated using hypothetical case studies involving simple mass balance calculations.
Mammalian nerve globins in search of functions
Authors: Ascenzi Paolo , Gustincich Stefano , Marino Maria
Published: April 2014

Nerve globins are present in nonvertebrates and vertebrates, the first nerve globin having been recognized in the nerve cord of the polychaete annelid Aphrodite aculeata in 1872. Later, in 2000, the first vertebrate nerve globin, named neuroglobin (Ngb), has been identified in neuronal tissues of humans and mice. Recently, cytoglobin, hemoglobin, and myoglobin have also been reported to be expressed in the mammalian nervous system. The concentration of mammalian nerve globins is ∼1 μM, with the exception of Ngb that reaches approximately 100–200 μM only in the retina rod cells. Mammalian nerve globins have been hypothesized to be involved in the excitability of the nervous system, in the metabolism of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, and in intracellular signaling pathways leading to the neuronal cell survival. Only in retina cells, mammalian Ngb may help to sustain O2 supply to mitochondria, thereby supporting the visual process in the eye. Here, the putative roles of mammalian nerve globins are reviewed. © 2014 IUBMB Life, 66(4):268–276, 2014
Surface electronic structure calculations using the MBJLDA potential: Application to Si(111)2 × 1
Authors: Smith Phillip V. , Radny Marian W. , Shah G. Ali
Published: April 2014

The Si(111)2 × 1 surface has been widely studied via a range of different experimental and theoretical techniques, and found to adopt a π‐bonded chain configuration. To determine an accurate electronic structure for this system, however, it has been found necessary to use sophisticated and very computationally expensive methods such as GW or hybrid functionals. In this article, we show that the MBJLDA approach, originally proposed by Tran and Blaha for bulk materials (Tran and Blaha, Phys. Rev. Lett. 2009, 102, 226401), yields results which are comparable to GW, and generally superior to those obtained from hybrid functional density functional theory calculations. The MBJLDA method is also substantially more computationally efficient. A procedure and justification for the application of the MBJLDA approach to surfaces in general is also provided. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
WATsite: Hydration site prediction program with PyMOL interface
Authors: Hu Bingjie , Lill Markus A.
Published: April 2014

Water molecules that mediate protein–ligand interactions or are released from the binding site on ligand binding can contribute both enthalpically and entropically to the free energy of ligand binding. To elucidate the thermodynamic profile of individual water molecules and their potential contribution to ligand binding, a hydration site analysis program WATsite was developed together with an easy‐to‐use graphical user interface based on PyMOL. WATsite identifies hydration sites from a molecular dynamics simulation trajectory with explicit water molecules. The free energy profile of each hydration site is estimated by computing the enthalpy and entropy of the water molecule occupying a hydration site throughout the simulation. The results of the hydration site analysis can be displayed in PyMOL. A key feature of WATsite is that it is able to estimate the protein desolvation free energy for any user specified ligand. The WATsite program and its PyMOL plugin are available free of charge from http://people.pnhs.purdue.edu/~mlill/software. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Different Heterocycles Functionalized s‐Triazine Analogues: Design, Synthesis and In Vitro Antimicrobial, Antituberculosis, and Anti‐HIV Assessment
Authors: Patel Paresh K. , Patel Rahul V. , Mahajan Dharmesh H. , Parikh Parimal A. , Mehta Girish N. , Pannecouque Christophe , De Clercq Erik , Chikhalia Kishor H.
Published: April 2014

Some new quinolone condensed s‐triazine derivatives endowed with different heterocycles and 4‐aminobenzonitrile moiety has been synthesized and examined for their bioactivities against eight bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Proteus vulgaris, and Shigella flexneri), two fungi (Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans) by using agar streak dilution method, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv by using Lowenstein and Jensen MIC method. Upon preliminary biological screening, it was observed that the majority of the compounds were found to possess a significant broad spectrum antimicrobial (MICs: 6.25–25 µg/mL) and antitubercular (MIC: 12.5 µg/mL) potential. Hence, anti‐HIV activity against two types of HIV viral strains [HIV‐1 (IIIB) and HIV‐2 (ROD)] has been carried out using the MTT assay. From this bioassay, we have identified some potent inhibitors acting as anti‐HIV‐1 agents (IC50: 4.45 µg/mL) with promising therapeutic index of 16 for analogue 7 h. The structural assignments of the new products were carried out on the basis of IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis.
Efficient Routes for the Synthesis of Novel Bis(s‐triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazines)
Authors: Sarhan Radwan M. , Badawy Mohamed A. , Elwahy Ahmed H. M.
Published: April 2014

Bis(triazolo[3,4‐b]thiadiazine) 4 in which the fused system is linked directly to the benzene core can be synthesized in 75% yield by, firstly, preparation of bis(s‐triazole) 2 followed by reaction with phenacyl bromide 3 in refluxing EtOH/DMF mixture containing piperidine. Bis(s‐triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazines) 8 and 11 in which the triazolothiadiazines are linked to benzene core via alkyl or ether linkage were synthesized in 70 and 72% yields, respectively, starting from dicarboxylic acids 5 and 9 upon treatment with two moles of thiocarbohydrazide 6 to give the corresponding bis(4‐amino‐5‐mercapto‐s‐triazolo‐3‐y1) derivatives 7 and 10 and subsequent reaction with two equivalents of phenacyl bromide. Bis(6‐phenyl‐7H‐[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazines) 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, which are linked to arene cores via sulfanylmethylene spacers, were prepared by the reaction of 4‐amino‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3,5‐dithiol 12 with the appropriate bis(bromomethyl)benzenes 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f to give bis(4‐amino‐5‐mercapto‐4H‐3‐sulfanylmethyl)arenes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f and subsequent reaction with phenacyl bromide. Compounds 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f were alternatively obtained in 60–70% yields by twofold substitution of 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f with two equivalents of 6‐phenyl‐7H‐[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazine‐3‐thiol 16 in refluxing EtOH/DMF mixture containing KOH. Bis(triazolothiadiazine) 22 attached to the benzene core through the thiadiazine ring via an amine linkage was prepared in 70% yield starting from p‐phenylenediamine 19 by, firstly, acylation with chloroacetyl chloride 18 followed by bis‐alkylation with 1,2,4‐triazole 20 and subsequent intramolecular ring closure upon treatment with phosphorus oxychloride.
Chemistry of Phosphorus Ylides. Part 37. The Reaction of Phosphonium Ylides with Indoles and Naphthofurans. Synthesis of Phosphanylidenes, Pyrans, Cyclobutenes, and Pyridazine as Antitumor Agents
Authors: Maigali Soher S. , El‐Hussieny Marwa , Soliman Fouad M.
Published: April 2014

The reaction of the stabilized phosphonium ylides 2a, 2b with indolinones 1a, 1b and naphthofuranone 13 afforded the corresponding propylidene and ethylidene derivatives 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and 14a, 14b. On the other hand, the active phosphacumulenes 5a, 5b react with compounds 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d by [4 + 2]‐cycloaddition to give the stable phosphanylidene indole pyranones 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h. Although compounds 14a, 14b afforded the naphthofuropyrans 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d and triphenylphosphane. Moreover, the phosphallene ylide 7 react with compounds 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and 14a, 14b to give phosphanylidenecyclobuteneindoline 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and naphthalenones 18a, 18b, respectively. In addition, the naphthofuropyridazine 21 was obtained from the reaction of the hydrazone 19 and the phosphacumulene 5a. The antitumor activity of some of the new compounds was evaluated, in vitro, against colon and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. They showed values closed to that recorded by the reference drug Doxorubicin.
Utility of 6‐Amino‐2‐thiouracils as a Core of Biologically Potent Polynitrogen–Sulfur Fused Heterocycles
Authors: Rabie Samira T. , Abdel‐Monem Reham A. , Mohamed Nadia R. , Hashem Ahmed I. , Nada Afaf A.
Published: April 2014

One pot three‐component reaction was assisted to form some new pyridopyrimidine derivatives to be investigated as antimicrobial and antitumor agents. The newly synthesized compounds showed high significant antimicrobial activity against the applied strains of both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria and fungi. The cytotoxic activity of some compounds was evaluated as inhibitor of growth in both human liver carcinoma and breast cell lines. The results showed that some compounds exhibited very high cytotoxicity against human liver cell line and breast cancer cells.
Blood culture use in the emergency department in patients hospitalized with respiratory symptoms due to a nonpneumonia illness
Authors: Makam Anil N. , Auerbach Andrew D. , Steinman Michael A.
Published: April 2014

BACKGROUND

Guidelines and performance measures recommend obtaining blood cultures in selected patients hospitalized with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP). Due to inherent diagnostic uncertainty, there may be spillover effects of these recommendations on other conditions that resemble pneumonia.

METHODS

Using data from the 2002 to 2010 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a nationally representative sample of emergency department (ED) visits in the United States, we analyzed trends in obtaining cultures in patients hospitalized with respiratory symptoms due to a nonpneumonia illness using linear regression.

RESULTS

The most common primary admission diagnoses for these visits included heart failure (16%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (13%), and chest pain (12%). The proportion of cultures collected in the ED during these visits increased from 10% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7%‐14%) in 2002 to 20% (95% CI: 16%‐26%) in 2010 (P < 0.001 for the trend). This represented a parallel increase compared to patients hospitalized with CAP (P = 0.12 for the difference in trends).

CONCLUSIONS

The increase in collecting cultures in the ED in patients hospitalized with respiratory symptoms due to a nonpneumonia illness suggests an important potential unintended consequence of blood culture recommendations for CAP. More attention to the judicious use of blood cultures to reduce harm and costs is needed. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:521–524. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
Discovering gold mines in HRM
Authors: Mitchell Jacque L.
Published: April 2014

Two of my favorite tasks as a risk management professional are to mentor new risk managers and to educate the public about our profession. This profession requires an incredible depth of knowledge and the capacity to keep an open mind. Most days are challenging, but they are rarely boring or repetitive. It's wonderful to mentor a new person, whom you've just persuaded to take a job in risk management, and help him or her to develop over time into a true risk management professional.
The Active Risk Control (ARC) toolkit: A new approach to designing risk control interventions
Authors: Card Alan J.
Published: April 2014

Current practice in healthcare risk management is supported by many tools for risk assessment (understanding problems), but none for risk control (solving problems). The results: a failure to improve safety, and a waste of the investment made in risk assessment. The Active Risk Control (ARC) Toolkit, available for free, fills this void with a systematic, structured approach to risk control.
Surgical malpractice claims in the United States
Authors: Jiam Nicole Tin‐Lok , Cooper Michol A. , Lyu Heather G. , Hirose Kenzo , Makary Martin A.
Published: April 2014

Despite ongoing reform, there is still significant physician concern regarding the impact of medical claims on their practices. It is important that physicians and healthcare risk management professionals have a good understanding of the outcomes of medical malpractice to participate in its restructuring as needed and to prevent potentially harmful practices. In our study, we reviewed National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) paid malpractice claim reports from September 1, 1990, through July 30, 2011, and identified the 10 most common surgery‐related allegations against physicians, excluding those listed as unspecified. Data were collected on the number of claims, the cost of the claims, and physician and patient characteristics.
Barriers to the implementation of checklists in the office‐based procedural setting
Authors: Shapiro Fred E. , Fernando Rohesh J. , Urman Richard D.
Published: April 2014

Background

Patient safety is critical for the patients, providers, and risk managers in the office‐based procedural setting, and the same standard of care should be maintained regardless of the healthcare environment. Checklists may improve patient safety and potentially decrease risk. This study explored utilization of checklists in the office‐based setting and the potential barriers to their implementation.

Methods

A cross‐sectional prospective study was performed by using a 19‐question anonymous survey designed with REDCap®. Medical providers including physicians and nurses from 25 different offices that performed procedures participated, and 38 individual responses were included in the study.

Results

Only 50% of offices surveyed use safety checklists in their practice. Only 34% had checklists or equivalent protocol for emergencies such as anaphylaxis or failed airway. As many as 23.7% of respondents indicated that they encountered barriers to implementing checklists. The top barriers identified in the study were no incentive to use a checklist (77.8%), no mandate from a local or federal regulatory agency (44.4%), being too time consuming (33.3%), and lack of training (33.3%). Reasons identified that would encourage providers to use checklists included a clear mandate (36.8%) and evidence‐based research (26.3%).

Conclusions

Checklists are not being universally utilized in the office‐based setting. There are barriers preventing their successful implementation. Risk managers may be able to improve patient safety and decrease risk by encouraging practitioners, possibly through incentives, to use customizable safety checklists.
Eliciting Intelligence Using the Scharff‐Technique: Closing in on the Confirmation/Disconfirmation‐Tactic
Authors: May Lennart , Granhag Pär Anders , Oleszkiewicz Simon
Published: April 2014

The current study examined interview techniques aimed at eliciting intelligence from human sources. We compared two versions of the Scharff‐technique to the Direct Approach (a combination of open and direct questions). The Scharff conditions, conceptualised into four tactics, differed only with respect to the ‘confirmation/disconfirmation‐tactic’. The participants (N = 90) received background information and took the role as a source in a phone interview. They were instructed to strike a balance between not revealing too little and too much information. As predicted, the Scharff‐technique resulted in more new information than the Direct Approach. Importantly, the sources interviewed by the Scharff‐technique perceived that they had revealed less new information than they objectively did, whereas the sources interviewed by the Direct Approach perceived that they had revealed more new information than they objectively did. Furthermore, the interviewer's information objectives were better masked with the confirmation‐tactic than with the disconfirmation‐tactic. The results highlight the Scharff‐technique as a promising human intelligence gathering technique. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A climatological assessment of Greenland blocking conditions associated with the track of Hurricane Sandy and historical North Atlantic hurricanes
Authors: Mattingly Kyle S. , McLeod Jordan T. , Knox John A. , Shepherd J. Marshall , Mote Thomas L.
Published: April 2014

In late October 2012, an extreme area of high pressure centred near Greenland, known as a ‘Greenland block’, forced Hurricane Sandy to turn westward into the Northeast coast of the United States. In light of this unusual and catastrophic event, the Greenland blocking conditions associated with Sandy and previous North Atlantic hurricane tracks are examined from a climatological perspective. Two primary questions raised by Sandy are investigated: (1) How anomalous were the Greenland blocking conditions observed prior to Sandy's landfall? (2) Were North Atlantic hurricane tracks in the historical record affected by Greenland blocking conditions in a manner similar to Sandy?

The measure of blocking strength used to answer these questions is the Greenland Blocking Index (GBI), which is calculated as the spatial average of 500 hPa heights over the Greenland region. The GBI prior to Sandy's landfall was found to be more typical of late June conditions, exceeding the 90th percentile of late October climatology during the entire preceding week and peaking at near‐record values (99.8th percentile) on 25 October. Analysis of the GBI in relation to past North Atlantic hurricane tracks shows that above‐normal GBI values were associated with a southward displacement of hurricane tracks and an increased concentration of tracks near the Northeast US coast. Additionally, composites of atmospheric conditions for ‘anomalous’ hurricane tracks (defined as tracks with an initial bearing angle between 90° and 360°) revealed an atypical area of high pressure centred over the Canadian Maritimes during these events, whereas near‐climatological conditions of atmospheric pressure over the North Atlantic prevailed for ‘normal’ hurricane tracks. However, variations in Greenland blocking conditions were not associated with significant changes in the frequency of anomalous North Atlantic hurricane tracks.
Poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐N‐methylolacrylamide‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) monolith coupled to high‐performance liquid chromatography for the determination of adenosine phosphates in royal jelly
Authors: Liu Dan , Zhang Tianbin , Cheng Yechun , Jia Qiong
Published: April 2014

A polymer monolith microextraction method coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography was developed for the determination of adenosine triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, and adenosine monophosphate. The monolithic column was synthesized inside fused‐silica capillaries using thermal initiation free‐radical polymerization with glycidyl methacrylate as the monomer, ethylene dimethacrylate as the cross‐linker, cyclohexanol, and 1‐dodecanol as the porogen. N‐Methylolacrylamide, an important hydrophilic monomer, was incorporated into the polymerization mixture to enhance the hydrophilicity of the poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) column. The obtained poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐N‐methylolacrylamide‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) monolith was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectra, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Optimum conditions for the preconcentration and separation of the target adenosines were also investigated. Under the optimum conditions, we obtained acceptable linearities, low limits of detection, and good relative standard deviations. The developed polymer monolith microextraction with high‐performance liquid chromatography method exhibited a good performance with recovery values in the range of 76.9−104.7% when applied to the determination of the adenosines in five royal jelly samples.
Green‐Light‐Emitting Poly(Spirobifluorene)s with an Electron‐Rich Unit in the Side Chain and an Electron‐Deficient Unit in the Main Chain
Authors: Yang Junwei , Zhao Lei , Wang Xuchao , Wang Shumeng , Ding Junqiao , Wang Lixiang , Jing Xiabin , Wang Fosong
Published: April 2014

Poly(spirobifluorene)s and their derivatives with three primary colors are promising for application in efficient and stable polymer light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs). Here, a novel approach is reported to tune the emission colors of blue‐light‐emitting poly(spirobifluorene)s through a charge‐transfer mechanism from the side chain to the main chain. By using the electron‐rich 2,3,6,7‐tetra‐octyloxyfluorene unit as the side chain and incorporating the electron‐deficient dibenzothiophene‐S,S‐dioxide (SO) unit into the main chain, a series of polyspirobifluorene derivatives are successfully developed. They all display efficient green photoluminescence and electroluminescence. The observed green emission can be ascribed to both intramolecular and intermolecular charge transfer from the pendant 2,3,6,7‐tetra‐octyloxyfluorene unit to the SO unit in the main chain. Single‐layer PLEDs of these polymers reveal a maximum luminance efficiency of 1.99 cd A−1 and a maximum power efficiency of 1.30 lm W−1 with Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage coordinates of (0.37, 0.54).

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Inferential Evaluations of Sustainability Attributes: Exploring How Consumers Imply Product Information
Authors: Gruber Verena , Schlegelmilch Bodo B. , Houston Michael J.
Published: April 2014

Consumers are often confronted with incomplete product information. In such instances, they can eliminate the product from further consideration due to higher associated uncertainty or ask for more information. Alternatively, they can apply subjective theories about covariation to infer the value of missing attributes. This paper investigates the latter option in the context of sustainability and provides an in‐depth exploration of consumers’ inference formations. Drawing from rich qualitative data, it offers a conceptualization of the underlying relationships consumers use to infer product sustainability based on other product attributes. The study further assesses whether these findings can be captured in a quantifiable way. To this end, inferred sustainability is conceptualized as a formative second‐order construct, thereby depicting the influence of inference‐triggering product attributes.
The Price of Envy—An Experimental Investigation of Spiteful Behavior
Authors: Wobker Inga
Published: April 2014

When receiving less resources than a competitor, envy may be evoked that may result in spiteful behavior. This paper applies evolutionary theory to understand envy and its outcomes. A theoretical framework is developed that is based on the cause–effect relationships of unequal outcomes, envy, defection of cooperation, and welfare loss. To test this framework, an experiment with 136 participants is run. The results confirm that receiving less than another can indeed lead to experiences of envy and defection of future cooperation, producing a welfare loss of one‐sixth. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cognitive impairment in “Other” movement disorders: Hidden defects and valuable clues
Authors: Walterfang Mark , van de Warrenburg Bart P.
Published: April 2014

There is a group of less‐common movement disorders in which a clear cognitive phenotype coexists alongside the motor abnormality, and the recognition of this co‐occurrence is essential to diagnose these disorders in an early phase. Examples include chorea‐acanthocytosis, Niemann‐Pick type C, some dominant ataxias, and pantothotenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration. However, also, in some more‐common movement disorders, such as primary dystonia and essential tremor, of which the perception is that these have a more or less pure motor phenotype, cognitive deficits are commonly present, although it is not clear whether these deficits—which may be mild in the more “pure” motor disorders—have a functionally relevant impact. In both scenarios, disruption of relevant frontal‐subcortical loops appears to be key, with the striatum and cerebellum as important (but not exclusive) nodes. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Cognitive impairment and dementia in Parkinson's disease: Practical issues and management
Authors: Emre Murat , Ford Paul J. , Bilgiç Başar , Uç Ergun Y.
Published: April 2014

Cognitive impairment and dementia pose particular challenges in the management of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Decision‐making capacity can render patients vulnerable in a way that requires careful ethical considerations by clinicians with respect to medical decision making, research participation, and public safety. Clinicians should discuss how future decisions will be made as early in the disease course as possible. Because of cognitive, visual, and motor impairments, PD may be associated with unsafe driving, leading to early driving cessation in many. DBS of the STN and, to a lesser degree, globus pallidus interna (GPi) has consistently been associated with decreased verbal fluency, but significant global cognitive decline is usually not observed in patients who undergo rigorous selection. There are some observations suggesting lesser cognitive decline in GPi DBS than STN DBS, but further research is required. Management of PD dementia (PDD) patients involves both pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures. Patients with PDD should be offered treatment with a cholinesterase inhibitor taking into account expected benefits and potential risks. Treatment with neuroleptics may be necessary to treat psychosis; classical neuroleptics, as well as risperidone and olanzapine, should be avoided. Quetiapine might be considered first‐line treatment because it does not need special monitoring, although the strongest evidence for efficacy exists for clozapine. Evidence from randomized, controlled studies in the PDD population is lacking; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors may be used to treat depressive features. Clonazepam or melatonin may be useful in the treatment of rapid eye movement behavior disorder. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Psychiatric issues in cognitive impairment
Authors: Aarsland Dag , Taylor John‐Paul , Weintraub Daniel
Published: April 2014

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) such as depression, hallucinations and apathy commonly occur in Parkinson's disease (PD) and have major clinical consequences including a negative impact on quality of life. This review discusses the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostic procedures and treatment issues of NPS in PD and related disorders in the perspective of cognitive impairment, focusing on depression, anxiety, visual hallucinations, apathy, sleep disturbances, impulse control disorder and non‐motor fluctuations. The majority of NPS are more common in PD patients with dementia, possibly related to shared underlying pathologies. Recent studies also suggest that NPS are associated with mild cognitive impairment in PD, in particular with the amnestic type. Accurate diagnosis of NPS is important but can be difficult, due to overlapping symptoms and similar appearance of symptoms of motor symptoms of parkinsonism, cognitive impairment, mood disorders and apathy. There are few systematic studies focusing on the management of NPS in PD with cognitive impairment. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
The tools of the trade: A state of the art “How to Assess Cognition” in the patient with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Marras Connie , Tröster Alexander I. , Kulisevsky Jaime , Stebbins Glenn T.
Published: April 2014

Cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease is heterogeneous both in severity and pattern and subject to influences both integral to and external to the disease. Diagnostic Criteria have been developed by the Movement Disorders Society that help to guide clinicians and researchers to an accurate diagnosis of Parkinson's disease — mild cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease dementia. To operationalize these criteria, and to assess the pattern and severity of cognitive dysfunction we need: (1) Valid measures of cognitive abilities covering the major domains of cognition, (2) amethod to determine whether or not the performance represents a decline from a person's previous level of functioning, and (3) an assessment of how the individual's cognitive abilities enable (or disable) function in day to day activities. This paper will discuss the methods of assessment and the measures that can be used to make a comprehensive assessment of cognition in Parkinson's disease. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
MassCascade: Visual Programming for LC‐MS Data Processing in Metabolomics
Authors: Beisken Stephan , Earll Mark , Portwood David , Seymour Mark , Steinbeck Christoph
Published: April 2014

Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) is commonly applied to investigate the small molecule complement of organisms. Several software tools are typically joined in custom pipelines to semi‐automatically process and analyse the resulting data. General workflow environments like the Konstanz Information Miner (KNIME) offer the potential of an all‐in‐one solution to process LC‐MS data by allowing easy integration of different tools and scripts. We describe MassCascade and its workflow plug‐in for processing LC‐MS data. The Java library integrates frequently used algorithms in a modular fashion, thus enabling it to serve as back‐end for graphical front‐ends. The functions available in MassCascade have been encapsulated in a plug‐in for the workflow environment KNIME, allowing combined use with e.g. statistical workflow nodes from other providers and making the tool intuitive to use without knowledge of programming. The design of the software guarantees a high level of modularity where processing functions can be quickly replaced or concatenated. MassCascade is an open‐source library for LC‐MS data processing in metabolomics. It embraces the concept of visual programming through its KNIME plug‐in, simplifying the process of building complex workflows. The library was validated using open data.
A nondigestible saccharide, fructooligosaccharide, increases the promotive effect of a flavonoid, α‐glucosyl‐isoquercitrin, on glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) secretion in rat intestine and enteroendocrine cells
Authors: Phuwamongkolwiwat Panchita , Hira Tohru , Hara Hiroshi
Published: April 2014

This study conducted in vivo and in situ experiments with rats to investigate the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) secretion in response to oral or ileal administration of α‐glucosyl‐isoquercitrin (20–40 mmol in 2 mL; Q3G), fructooligosaccharides (200 mmol in 2 mL; FOS) and Q3G + FOS. Direct effects on GLP‐1‐producing l‐cells were also examined by an in vitro study using a murine enteroendocrine cell line, GLUTag. To evaluate the plasma GLP‐1 level, blood samples from jugular cannula for in vivo and portal cannula for in situ experiments were obtained before and after administration of Q3G, FOS, or Q3G + FOS. We found tendencies for increases but transient stimulation of GLP‐1 secretion by Q3G in in vivo and in situ experiments. Although FOS alone did not have any effects, Q3G + FOS enhanced and prolonged high plasma GLP‐1 level in both experiments. In addition, application of Q3G on GLUTag cells stimulated GLP‐1 secretion while FOS enhanced the effect of Q3G. Our results suggest that Q3G + FOS possess the potential for the management or prevention of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by enhancing and prolonging the GLP‐1 secretion via direct stimulation of GLP‐1 producing l‐cell.
Resveratrol stimulates AP‐1‐regulated gene transcription
Authors: Thiel Gerald , Rössler Oliver G.
Published: April 2014

Scope

Many intracellular functions have been attributed to resveratrol, a polyphenolic phytoalexin found in grapes and in other plants, including the regulation of transcription. Here, we have analyzed the impact of resveratrol on the activity of the transcription factor activator protein‐1 (AP‐1).

Methods and results

Using a chromosomally embedded AP‐1‐responsive reporter gene, we show that the AP‐1 activity was significantly elevated in resveratrol‐treated 293 human embryonic kidney and HepG2 hepatoma cells. The 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate‐responsive element, a binding site for c‐Jun and c‐Fos, was identified as resveratrol‐responsive element. Expression of c‐Jun and c‐Fos, two proteins that constitute AP‐1, is upregulated in resveratrol‐stimulated HEK293 cells. On the transcriptional level, c‐Jun and the ternary complex factor Elk‐1 are essential for the activation of AP‐1 in resveratrol‐treated cells. In addition, mitogen‐activated protein kinases and protein kinase C are required to connect resveratrol stimulation with enhanced AP‐1 controlled transcription. Finally, we show that resveratrol increased the activities of the AP‐1 responsive cyclin D1 and tumor necrosis factor α promoters.

Conclusion

Resveratrol regulates gene transcription via activation of stimulus‐regulated protein kinases and the stimulus‐responsive AP‐1 transcription factors. The fact that resveratrol regulates AP‐1 activity may explain many of the pleiotropic intracellular alterations induced by resveratrol.
Gap junction blockade induces apoptosis in human endometrial stromal cells
Authors: Yu Jie , Berga Sarah L. , Zou Wei , Sun He‐Ying , Johnston‐MacAnanny Erika , Yalcinkaya Tamer , Sidell Neil , Bagchi Indrani C. , Bagchi Milan K. , Taylor Robert N.
Published: April 2014

One of the most dynamic adult human tissues is the endometrium. Through coordinated, cyclical proliferation, differentiation, leukocyte recruitment, apoptosis, and desquamation, the uterine lining is expanded and shed monthly, unless pregnancy is established. Errors in these steps potentially cause endometrial dysfunction, abnormal uterine bleeding, failed embryonic implantation, infertility, or endometrial carcinoma. Our prior studies showed that gap junctions comprised of Gap junction alpha‐1 (GJA1) protein, also known as connexin 43 (CX43), subunits are critical to endometrial stromal cell differentiation. The current studies were undertaken to explore the mechanism of endometrial dysfunction when gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) is disrupted. Gap junction blockade by two distinct GJIC inhibitors, 18α‐glycyrrhetinic acid (AGA) and octanol (OcOH), suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis in endometrial stromal cells, as manifested by reduced biomarkers of cell viability, increased TUNEL staining, caspase‐3 activation, sub‐G1 chromosomal DNA complement, as well as shortened telomere length. Unexpectedly, we also observed that the chemical inhibitors blocked CX43 gene expression. Moreover, when endometrial stromal cells were induced to undergo hormonal decidualization, following a 7‐day exposure to 10 nM 17β‐estradiol + 100 nM progesterone + 0.5 mM dibutyryl cAMP, characteristic epithelioid changes in cell shape and secretion of prolactin were blunted in the presence of AGA or OcOH, recapitulating effects of RNA interference of CX43. Our findings indicate that endometrial stromal cell proliferation and maintenance of decidualized endometrial function are GJIC‐dependent, and that disruption of gap junctions induces endometrial stromal cell apoptosis. These observations may have important implications for several common clinical endometrial pathologies. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 81: 666–675, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transverse seismic kinematics of single piles by a modified Vlasov model
Authors: Liu Qijian , Deng Fangjun , He Yibin
Published: April 2014

Within the framework of soil–pile interaction, a novel displacement scheme for the transverse kinematic response of single piles to vertically propagating S waves is proposed on the basis of the modified Vlasov foundation model. The displacement model contains a displacement function along the pile axis and an attenuation function along the radial direction. The governing equations and boundary conditions of the two undetermined functions are obtained in a coupled form by using Hamilton's principle. An iterative algorithm is adopted to decouple and solve the two unknown functions. In light of the governing equation of the pile kinematics, a mechanical model is proposed to evaluate the present method on a physical basis considering material damping. The coefficient of the equivalent Winkler spring is derived explicitly as function of the displacement decay parameterγand soil Poisson's ratio. A parametric study is performed to investigate the effects of the soil–pile system properties on the kinematic response of single piles. The results show that the dimensionless pile length controls the transverse kinematics of piles. In terms of the theory of beams on elastic foundation, the classification limits of the dimensionless pile length may beπ ∕ 4 andπ, respectively. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Elastic‐plastic solutions for expanding cavities embedded in two different cohesive‐frictional materials
Authors: Mo Pin‐Qiang , Marshall Alec M. , Yu Hai‐Sui
Published: April 2014

An analytical solution of cavity expansion in two different concentric regions of soil is developed and investigated in this paper. The cavity is embedded within a soil with finite radial dimension and surrounded by a second soil, which extends to infinity. Large‐strain quasi‐static expansion of both spherical and cylindrical cavities in elastic‐plastic soils is considered. A non‐associated Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion is used for both soils. Closed‐form solutions are derived, which provide the stress and strain fields during the expansion of the cavity from an initial to a final radius. The analytical solution is validated against finite element simulations, and the effect of varying geometric and material parameters is studied. The influence of the two different soils during cavity expansion is discussed by using pressure–expansion curves and by studying the development of plastic regions within the soils. The analytical method may be applied to various geotechnical problems, which involve aspects of soil layering, such as cone penetration test interpretation, ground‐freezing around shafts, tunnelling, and mining. © 2014 The Authors. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Subcutaneous adipose tissue zinc‐α2‐glycoprotein is associated with adipose tissue and whole‐body insulin sensitivity
Authors: Balaz Miroslav , Vician Marek , Janakova Zuzana , Kurdiova Timea , Surova Martina , Imrich Richard , Majercikova Zuzana , Penesova Adela , Vlcek Miroslav , Kiss Alexander , Belan Vitazoslav , Klimes Iwar , Olejnik Juraj , Gasperikova Daniela , Wolfrum Christian , Ukropcova Barbara , Ukropec Jozef
Published: April 2014

Objective

To examine the regulatory aspects of zinc‐α2‐glycoprotein (ZAG) association with obesity‐related insulin resistance.

Methods

ZAG mRNA and protein were analyzed in subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT) and circulation of lean, obese, prediabetic, and type 2 diabetic men; both subcutaneous and visceral AT were explored in lean and extremely obese. Clinical and ex vivo findings were corroborated by results of in vitro ZAG silencing experiment.

Results

Subcutaneous AT ZAG was reduced in obesity, with a trend to further decrease with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. ZAG was 3.3‐fold higher in subcutaneous than in visceral AT of lean individuals. All differences were lost in extreme obesity. Obesity‐associated changes in AT were not paralleled by alterations of circulating ZAG. Subcutaneous AT ZAG correlated with adiposity, adipocyte hypertrophy, whole‐body and AT insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial content, expression of GLUT4, PGC1α, and adiponectin. Subcutaneous AT ZAG and adipocyte size were the only predictors of insulin sensitivity, independent on age and BMI. Silencing ZAG resulted in reduced adiponectin, IRS1, GLUT4, and PGC1α gene expression in primary human adipocytes.

Conclusions

ZAG in subcutaneous, but not in visceral AT, was markedly reduced in obesity. Clinical, cellular, and molecular evidence indicate that ZAG plays an important role in modulating whole‐body and AT insulin sensitivity.
Next‐generation sequencing: a change of paradigm in molecular diagnostic validation
Authors: Salto‐Tellez Manuel , Gonzalez de Castro David
Published: April 2014

Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) is beginning to show its full potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In particular, it is enunciating its capacity to contribute to a molecular taxonomy of cancer, to be used as a standard approach for diagnostic mutation detection, and to open new treatment options that are not exclusively organ‐specific. If this is the case, how much validation is necessary and what should be the validation strategy, when bringing NGS into the diagnostic/clinical practice? This validation strategy should address key issues such as: what is the overall extent of the validation? Should essential indicators of test performance such as sensitivity of specificity be calculated for every target or sample type? Should bioinformatic interpretation approaches be validated with the same rigour? What is a competitive clinical turnaround time for a NGS‐based test, and when does it become a cost‐effective testing proposition? While we address these and other related topics in this commentary, we also suggest that a single set of international guidelines for the validation and use of NGS technology in routine diagnostics may allow us all to make a much more effective use of resources. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.