bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Explanations for water whitening in secondary dispersion and emulsion polymer films
Authors: Liu Yang , Gajewicz Agata M. , Rodin Victor , Soer Willem‐Jan , Scheerder Jurgen , Satgurunathan Guru , McDonald Peter J. , Keddie Joseph L.
Published: April 2016

The loss of optical transparency when polymer films are immersed in water, which is called “water whitening,” severely limits their use as clear barrier coatings. It is found that this problem is particularly acute in films deposited from polymers synthesized via emulsion polymerization using surfactants. Water whitening is less severe in secondary dispersion (SD) polymers, which are made by dispersing solution polymers in water without the use of surfactants. NMR relaxometry in combination with optical transmission analysis and electron microscopy reveal that some of the water sorbed in emulsion polymer films is contained within nanosized “pockets” or bubbles that scatter light. In contrast, the water in SD polymer films is mainly confined at particle interfaces, where it scatters light less strongly and its molecular mobility is reduced. The addition of surfactant to a SD creates a periodic structure that displays a stop band in the optical transmission. The total amount of sorbed water is not a good indicator of polymers prone to water whitening. Instead, the particular locations of the water within the film must be considered. Both the amount of water and the size of the local water regions (as are probed by NMR relaxometry) are found to determine water whitening. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 1658–1674
Mechanism of allosteric propagation across a β‐sheet structure investigated by molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Interlandi Gianluca , Thomas Wendy E.
Published: April 2016

The bacterial adhesin FimH consists of an allosterically regulated mannose‐binding lectin domain and a covalently linked inhibitory pilin domain. Under normal conditions, the two domains are bound to each other, and FimH interacts weakly with mannose. However, under tensile force, the domains separate and the lectin domain undergoes conformational changes that strengthen its bond with mannose. Comparison of the crystallographic structures of the low and the high affinity state of the lectin domain reveals conformational changes mainly in the regulatory inter‐domain region, the mannose binding site and a large β sheet that connects the two distally located regions. Here, molecular dynamics simulations investigated how conformational changes are propagated within and between different regions of the lectin domain. It was found that the inter‐domain region moves towards the high affinity conformation as it becomes more compact and buries exposed hydrophobic surface after separation of the pilin domain. The mannose binding site was more rigid in the high affinity state, which prevented water penetration into the pocket. The large central β sheet demonstrated a soft spring‐like twisting. Its twisting motion was moderately correlated to fluctuations in both the regulatory and the binding region, whereas a weak correlation was seen in a direct comparison of these two distal sites. The results suggest a so called “population shift” model whereby binding of the lectin domain to either the pilin domain or mannose locks the β sheet in a rather twisted or flat conformation, stabilizing the low or the high affinity state, respectively. Proteins 2016; 84:990–1008. © 2016 The Authors. Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Linear models of coregionalization for multivariate lattice data: a general framework for coregionalized multivariate CAR models
Authors: MacNab Ying C.
Published: April 2016

We present a general coregionalization framework for developing coregionalized multivariate Gaussian conditional autoregressive (cMCAR) models for Bayesian analysis of multivariate lattice data in general and multivariate disease mapping data in particular. This framework is inclusive of cMCARs that facilitate flexible modelling of spatially structured symmetric or asymmetric cross‐variable local interactions, allowing a wide range of separable or non‐separable covariance structures, and symmetric or asymmetric cross‐covariances, to be modelled. We present a brief overview of established univariate Gaussian conditional autoregressive (CAR) models for univariate lattice data and develop coregionalized multivariate extensions. Classes of cMCARs are presented by formulating precision structures. The resulting conditional properties of the multivariate spatial models are established, which cast new light on cMCARs with richly structured covariances and cross‐covariances of different spatial ranges. The related methods are illustrated via an in‐depth Bayesian analysis of a Minnesota county‐level cancer data set. We also bring a new dimension to the traditional enterprize of Bayesian disease mapping: estimating and mapping covariances and cross‐covariances of the underlying disease risks. Maps of covariances and cross‐covariances bring to light spatial characterizations of the cMCARs and inform on spatial risk associations between areas and diseases. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testing of evaluation bias for progression free survival endpoint in oncology clinical trials
Authors: Sun Yan , Wu Wenting , Sargent Daniel
Published: April 2016

Progression‐free survival is an increasingly popular end point in oncology clinical trials. A complete blinded independent central review (BICR) is often required by regulators in an attempt to reduce the bias in progression‐free survival (PFS) assessment. In this paper, we propose a new methodology that uses a sample‐based BICR as an audit tool to decide whether a complete BICR is needed. More specifically, we propose a new index, the differential risk, to measure the reading discordance pattern, and develop a corresponding hypothesis testing procedure to decide whether the bias in local evaluation is acceptable. Simulation results demonstrate that our new index is sensitive to the change of discordance pattern; type I error is well controlled in the hypothesis testing procedure, and the calculated sample size provides the desired power. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating the prevalence of multiple diseases from two‐stage hierarchical pooling
Authors: Warasi Md S. , Tebbs Joshua M. , McMahan Christopher S. , Bilder Christopher R.
Published: April 2016

Testing protocols in large‐scale sexually transmitted disease screening applications often involve pooling biospecimens (e.g., blood, urine, and swabs) to lower costs and to increase the number of individuals who can be tested. With the recent development of assays that detect multiple diseases, it is now common to test biospecimen pools for multiple infections simultaneously. Recent work has developed an expectation–maximization algorithm to estimate the prevalence of two infections using a two‐stage, Dorfman‐type testing algorithm motivated by current screening practices for chlamydia and gonorrhea in the USA. In this article, we have the same goal but instead take a more flexible Bayesian approach. Doing so allows us to incorporate information about assay uncertainty during the testing process, which involves testing both pools and individuals, and also to update information as individuals are tested. Overall, our approach provides reliable inference for disease probabilities and accurately estimates assay sensitivity and specificity even when little or no information is provided in the prior distributions. We illustrate the performance of our estimation methods using simulation and by applying them to chlamydia and gonorrhea data collected in Nebraska. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dimension of model parameter space and operating characteristics in adaptive dose‐finding studies
Authors: Iasonos Alexia , Wages Nolan A. , Conaway Mark R. , Cheung Ken , Yuan Ying , O'Quigley John
Published: April 2016

Adaptive, model‐based, dose‐finding methods, such as the continual reassessment method, have been shown to have good operating characteristics. One school of thought argues in favor of the use of parsimonious models, not modeling all aspects of the problem, and using a strict minimum number of parameters. In particular, for the standard situation of a single homogeneous group, it is common to appeal to a one‐parameter model. Other authors argue for a more classical approach that models all aspects of the problem. Here, we show that increasing the dimension of the parameter space, in the context of adaptive dose‐finding studies, is usually counter productive and, rather than leading to improvements in operating characteristics, the added dimensionality is likely to result in difficulties. Among these are inconsistency of parameter estimates, lack of coherence in escalation or de‐escalation, erratic behavior, getting stuck at the wrong level, and, in almost all cases, poorer performance in terms of correct identification of the targeted dose. Our conclusions are based on both theoretical results and simulations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving power in small‐sample longitudinal studies when using generalized estimating equations
Authors: Westgate Philip M. , Burchett Woodrow W.
Published: April 2016

Generalized estimating equations (GEE) are often used for the marginal analysis of longitudinal data. Although much work has been performed to improve the validity of GEE for the analysis of data arising from small‐sample studies, little attention has been given to power in such settings. Therefore, we propose a valid GEE approach to improve power in small‐sample longitudinal study settings in which the temporal spacing of outcomes is the same for each subject. Specifically, we use a modified empirical sandwich covariance matrix estimator within correlation structure selection criteria and test statistics. Use of this estimator can improve the accuracy of selection criteria and increase the degrees of freedom to be used for inference. The resulting impacts on power are demonstrated via a simulation study and application example. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of various plasticizers and concentration on the physical, thermal, mechanical, and structural properties of cassava‐starch‐based films
Authors: Edhirej Ahmed , Sapuan Salit Mohd , Jawaid Mohammad , Zahari Nur Ismarrubie
Published: April 2016

The present study investigated the effects of plasticizers (fructose, urea, tri‐ethylene glycol, and triethanolamine) with different concentrations on the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of cassava‐starch‐based films. The film samples were prepared using casting methods. The moisture content, water solubility, and water absorption of the films increased with increasing plasticizer content. Fructose‐plasticized films show excellent water resistance compared to other plasticizers. Film plasticized with 30% fructose showed the highest density (1.74 g/cm3), but the lowest water content (10.96%) and water absorption (110%). Films containing fructose presented smooth surfaces without pores. The glass transition temperatures of the plasticized film also decreased with increased plasticizer content, irrespective of the plasticizer type. The relative crystallinity decreased with increasing plasticizer content. The film plasticized by 30% fructose presented higher relative crystallinity (0.31). The increase of plasticizer concentration resulted in a decrease of tensile strength, but increased elongation at break of the film samples. Film plasticized with 30% fructose showed the highest tensile strength (4.7 MPa) and tensile modulus (69 MPa). Thus, fructose was the most efficient plasticizer agent among the various plasticizers used in this study. High contents of plasticizer resulted in changes in the properties of the films. Overall, it can be concluded that the plasticizer type and concentration significantly influence the properties of cassava‐starch‐based film.
Functional Interference in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment by Disseminated Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Dhawan Abhishek , von Bonin Malte , Bray Laura J. , Freudenberg Uwe , Pishali Bejestani Elham , Werner Carsten , Hofbauer Lorenz C. , Wobus Manja , Bornhäuser Martin
Published: April 2016

Skeletal metastasis of breast cancer is associated with a poor prognosis and significant morbidity. Investigations in other solid tumors have revealed an impairment in hematopoietic function upon bone marrow invasion. However, the interaction between disseminated breast cancer cells and the bone marrow microenvironment which harbors them has not been addressed comprehensively. Employing advanced co-culture assays, proteomic studies, organotypic models as well as in vivo xenotransplant models, we define the consequences of this interaction on the stromal compartment of bone marrow, affected molecular pathways and subsequent effects on the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). The results showed a basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-mediated, synergistic increase in proliferation of breast cancer cells and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in co-culture. The stromal induction was associated with elevated phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling in the stroma, which coupled with elevated bFGF levels resulted in increased migration of breast cancer cells towards the MSCs. The perturbed cytokine profile in the stroma led to reduction in the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs via downregulation of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). Long term co-cultures of breast cancer cells, HSPCs, MSCs and in vivo studies in NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) mice showed a reduced support for HSPCs in the altered niche. The resultant non-conducive phenotype of the niche for HSPC support emphasizes the importance of the affected molecular pathways in the stroma as clinical targets. These findings can be a platform for further development of therapeutic strategies aiming at the blockade of bone marrow support to disseminated breast cancer cells.
The Long‐Term Prognosis of Voice Pitch Change in Female Patients After Thyroid Surgery
Authors: Park Jun‐Ook , Bae Ja‐Sung , Lee So‐Hee , Shim Mi‐Ran , Hwang Yeon‐Shin , Joo Young‐Hoon , Park Young Hak , Sun Dong‐Il
Published: April 2016

Background

Relatively large numbers of patients complain of lower‐pitched voices after thyroidectomy. However, little is known about the risk factors for, prognosis of, or progression over time of, such changes, in female patients.

Methods

We analyzed the data of 217 patients who underwent thyroid surgery and postoperative (2 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery) voice work‐ups. To identify patients with lower‐pitched voices, speaking fundamental frequencies (SFFs) were compared before and after surgery. The change was calculated for all patients (postoperative change in SFF, ΔSFF).

Results

The mean ΔSFF was 8.35 ± 17.06 Hz and significant changes in voice pitch (ΔSFF ≥12 Hz) were evident in 93 (42.85 %) patients after surgery, mostly within 6 months, and only 18.4 % of patients had lower‐pitched voices 1 year after surgery. On multivariate analysis, age (≥52 vs. <52 years) and extent of surgery remained significant predictors of lower‐pitched voice after surgery. The ΔSFFs of older patients (≥52) were significantly greater than those of younger patients (<52) at the 2‐week follow‐up, but not at the 3‐, 6‐, or 12‐month follow‐ups. The ΔSFFs of patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were significantly higher than those who underwent lobectomy at the postoperative 2‐week follow‐up, but did not differ at the 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐month follow‐ups.

Conclusions

Patients frequently experience a lower‐pitched voice after thyroid surgery. Such problems develop more frequently in the early postoperative period, in aged patients, and in those who had undergone total thyroidectomy. However, over time, the changes usually decrease to levels similar to those of patients without these risk factors.
Elucidation of Softening Mechanism in Rinse‐Cycle Fabric Softeners. Part 2: Uneven Adsorption—The Key Phenomenon to the Effect of Fabric Softeners
Authors: Igarashi Takako , Nakamura Koichi , Hoshi Masato , Hara Teruyuki , Kojima Hironori , Itou Masatsugu , Ikeda Reiko , Okamoto Yoshimasa
Published: April 2016

We investigated the actual factor determining the softening effect of a fabric softener. The adsorption area of the softener on model cotton cloths and yarns was identified using bromophenol blue. There was almost no softener at the cross‐points of the yarns in the cloth samples or in the inner part of the yarns. The softening performance was better when there was less softener at the cross‐points of the yarns than when the yarns were evenly covered by the softener. Thus we conclude that the presence of softener at the cross‐points of yarns is not a vital factor in the softening effect. In addition, more softener was found on the outer part of the yarn than the inner part, indicating gradation in the adsorption pattern of the softener. Thus, we propose that more softener is adsorbed on the exposed part of the yarn in a cloth, and the formation of a hydrogen‐bonding network containing bound water is inhibited, thus softening the outer part of the yarn. However, the presence of a small amount of softener in the inner part of the yarn preserves the hydrogen‐bonding network. Favorable elasticity, or bounce, of the yarns and cloth is realized when an appropriate amount of softener is used. Excess softener would reach the inner part of the yarn, reducing the diameter of the core part of the yarn, making the cloth appear wilted.
Physical Activity in Neurological Populations
Authors: Kuys Suzanne , Fleming Jennifer
Published: April 2016

The importance of physical activity to promote health is not new. However, the importance of physical activity in people with neurological conditions is increasingly being recognised. With many of the consequences of neurological conditions including difficulties with mobility, balance and strength; it stands to reason that optimising physical activity levels can result in many physical benefits. Physical activity can have many other flow-on effects with benefits seen in reduced mortality, and enhanced community participation and quality of life (Gordon et al., 2004). We are yet to understand the full extent to which physical activity contributes to rehabilitation outcomes; however, there is a growing body of research highlighting that the intensity of activity within rehabilitation environments is often inadequate for therapeutic gains (Kuys, Brauer, & Ada, 2006; McClanachan, Gesch, Wuthapanich, Fleming, & Kuys, 2013; Polese, Scianni, Kuys, Ada, & Teixeira-Salmela, 2014). It is not surprising therefore, that levels of physical activity continue to be poor following reintegration into the community (Morris, MacGillivray, & McFarlane, 2014). It is important that, as health care professionals, we support and encourage physical activity in all our clients. To that end, this special issue of Brain Impairment is devoted to raising the issue of physical activity in people with neurological conditions, and addressing questions such as: Why is physical activity important? How do we measure it? How do we enhance it, and what are the benefits of increased activity? This special issue brings together experts from around the world investigating and promoting physical activity across the continuum of care in various neurological populations including stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
Improving design grammar development and application through network-based analysis of transition graphs
Authors: Königseder Corinna , Stanković Tino , Shea Kristina
Published: April 2016

Design grammars enable the formal representation of a vocabulary and rules that describe how designs can be synthesized just as the grammar rules of a spoken language define how to formulate valid, i.e., grammatically correct, sentences. Design grammars have been successfully applied in numerous engineering disciplines and enable the automated synthesis of designs within a defined design language. Design grammar development, however, is challenging and lacks methodological support. In this paper, a novel method is presented that supports the development and application of design grammars using transition graphs. In these, nodes represent generated designs and edges represent grammar rules that transform one design into another. Rather than using a tree structure to represent the possible application of rules, transition graphs are automatically generated and used to help designers better understand the developed grammar. The grammar designer is given feedback on (a) the rules, and (b) rule application sequences. This feedback can be used to (a) improve the grammar, and (b) apply it more efficiently. Two case studies, a gearbox synthesis task and a sliding tile puzzle, demonstrate the method. The results show the feasibility of the method to support design grammar development and application.
Dynamics of internal jets in the merging of two droplets of unequal sizes
Authors: Tang Chenglong , Zhao Jiaquan , Zhang Peng , Law Chung K. , Huang Zuohua
Published: April 2016

The head-on collision, merging and internal mixing dynamics of two unequal-sized droplets were experimentally studied and interpreted, using water, $n$-decane and $n$-tetradecane to identify the distinguishing effects of surface tension and liquid viscosity on the merging and mixing patterns. It is shown that, upon merging of water and $n$-decane droplets, mushroom-like jets of dissimilar characteristics develop within the merged mass for small and large values of the impact Weber number (We), and that such jets are not developed for intermediate values of We. Furthermore, such jet-like mixing patterns were not observed for droplets of $n$-tetradecane, which has smaller surface tension and larger viscosity as compared to water. A regime nomogram relating the Ohnesorge and symmetric Weber numbers is constructed, providing a unified interpretation of the internal mixing patterns. Numerical simulations based on an improved volume-of-fluid method and an adaptive mesh refinement algorithm provide auxiliary diagnoses of the flow fields and the observed phenomena.
Normal stress differences, their origin and constitutive relations for a sheared granular fluid
Authors: Saha Saikat , Alam Meheboob
Published: April 2016

The rheology of the steady uniform shear flow of smooth inelastic spheres is analysed by choosing the anisotropic/triaxial Gaussian as the single-particle distribution function. An exact solution of the balance equation for the second-moment tensor of velocity fluctuations, truncated at the ‘Burnett order’ (second order in the shear rate), is derived, leading to analytical expressions for the first and second ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D615}_{1}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D615}_{2}$) normal stress differences and other transport coefficients as functions of density (i.e. the volume fraction of particles), restitution coefficient and other control parameters. Moreover, the perturbation solution at fourth order in the shear rate is obtained which helped to assess the range of validity of Burnett-order constitutive relations. Theoretical expressions for both $\unicode[STIX]{x1D615}_{1}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D615}_{2}$ and those for pressure and shear viscosity agree well with particle simulation data for the uniform shear flow of inelastic hard spheres for a large range of volume fractions spanning from the dilute regime to close to the freezing-point density (${\it\nu}\sim 0.5$). While the first normal stress difference $\unicode[STIX]{x1D615}_{1}$ is found to be positive in the dilute limit and decreases monotonically to zero in the dense limit, the second normal stress difference $\unicode[STIX]{x1D615}_{2}$ is negative and positive in the dilute and dense limits, respectively, and undergoes a sign change at a finite density due to the sign change of its kinetic component. It is shown that the origin of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D615}_{1}$ is tied to the non-coaxiality (${\it\phi}\neq 0$) between the eigendirections of the second-moment tensor $\unicode[STIX]{x1D648}$ and those of the shear tensor $\unicode[STIX]{x1D63F}$. In contrast, the origin of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D615}_{2}$ in the dilute limit is tied to the ‘excess’ temperature ($T_{z}^{ex}=T-T_{z}$, where $T_{z}$ and $T$ are the $z$-component and the average of the granular temperature, respectively) along the mean vorticity ($z$) direction, whereas its origin in the dense limit is tied to the imposed shear field.
LIVIA: SACERDOS OR FLAMINICA?
Authors: Fishwick Duncan
Published: April 2016

Dio reports that, at the time Augustus was declared Divus, Livia, who was already called Julia and Augusta, was appointed his priestess (Cassius Dio 56.46.1). The term Dio uses is hiereia, which occurs in the same passage as his account of the priests and sacred rites (en tais hierourgiais) that were assigned to Augustus on his deification. As Livia was also permitted to employ a lictor, an honour that Tiberius apparently restricted to her function as priestess, everything suggests that Livia played a part in the state cult. In contrast, the festival Livia established in honour of her deceased husband was certainly a private gathering: three days of scenic games to which were invited only persons of the highest station. To distinguish between the two is crucial to the precise title of Livia's office. Just as Mark Antony had been made flamen of Divus Iulius—to all appearances for life (Cassius Dio 44.6.4)—so Germanicus was appointed life-long flamen Augustalis (Tac. Ann. 2.83.2)—a distinctive term of office compared with the single year accorded provincial flamines in the Latin West. The office of Livia ought correspondingly to have been that of flaminica, even if it was unprecedented for a woman to serve a god who in the light of his will was technically her father. A precise parallel to all this, it is important to note, exists in the case of Divus Claudius, whose cult Agrippina was appointed to tend and who in her capacity as priestess of Divus Claudius was granted in addition two lictors. Fortunately in this case the exact terminology of her office is given by Tacitus in his account of the honours bestowed by the Senate on Agrippina, who evidently was named flaminica (Ann. 13.2.6):

… decreti et a senatu duo lictores, flamonium Claudiale, simul Claudio censorium funus et mox consecratio.
Introduction: The Global E.P. Thompson
Authors: Winant Gabriel , Gordon Andrew , Beckert Sven , Batzell Rudi
Published: April 2016

This article introduces the present Special Theme on the global reception and appropriation of E.P. Thompson’sThe Making of the English Working Class(1963). It aims to interrogate Thompson’s legacy and potential vitality at a moment of renewed social and intellectual upheavals. It emphasizes the need for an interdisciplinary and global reflection on Thompson’s work and impact for understanding how class, nation, and “the people” as subjects of historical inquiry have been repeatedly recast since the 1960s. Examining the course of Thompson’s ideas in Japan and West Germany, South Africa and Argentina, as well as Czechoslovakia and Poland, each of the following five articles in the Special Theme is situated in specific and different locations in the global historiographical matrix. Read as a whole, they show how national historiographies have been products of local processes of state and class formation on the one hand, and transnational transfers of intellectual and historiographical ideas, on the other. They highlight the remarkable ability of Thompsonian social history to inspire new lives in varying national contexts shaped by different formations of race, class, and state.
PARTIALLY CONSTRAINED SEX ALLOCATION AND THE INDIRECT EFFECTS OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES ON THE HUMAN SEX RATIO
Authors: Hardy Ian C. W. , Maalouf Walid E.
Published: April 2016

Infertility affects around 15% of human couples and in many countries approximately 1–4% of babies are born following Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). Several ART techniques are used and these differentially affect the sex ratio of offspring successfully produced. These direct effects on sex ratio also have the potential to influence, indirectly, the sex ratios of offspring born to untreated couples. This is of concern because human sex ratio bias may adversely affect public health. Here the extent of indirect effects of ART that could operate, via Fisherian frequency-dependent natural selection, on the progeny sex ratio of unassisted members of a population is heuristically modelled. Given the degrees to which ART techniques bias sex ratios directly, it is predicted that well over 20% of couples would have to reproduce via ART for there to be any discernible effect on the sex ratios produced, in response, by the remainder of the population. This value is greater than the estimated prevalence of infertility problems among human couples. It is concluded that providing ART to couples with fertility problems does not currently generate significant ethical issues or public health concern in terms of indirect effects on the offspring sex ratios of untreated couples.
E-cigarettes in ENT: what do we need to know?
Authors: Stobbs N , Lillis A , Kumar N
Published: April 2016

Background:

E-cigarette use in the UK is increasing and we are commonly encountering patients in the ENT clinic who are e-cigarette smokers. Currently, there is no regulatory body or licensing for e-cigarettes. This means that the contents, and therefore potential carcinogenic and toxic risks, can vary greatly from product to product. Patients are starting to ask about the risks of e-cigarettes and their use in smoking cessation.

Objectives:

This review aimed to examine the regulations, trends, and carcinogenic and health risks of e-cigarettes, and summarise the evidence for their use in smoking cessation. It also aimed to provide a general awareness regarding the advice and information that can be safely given to patients.
Researching the Etymology of Australian English Colloquialisms in the Digital Age: Implications for 21stCentury Lexicography
Authors: Donlan Lisa
Published: April 2016

In the December 2012 issue ofEnglish Today, Philip Durkin argues that lexis is currently a ‘Cinderella’ subject: he suggests that the methodological problems generated by the study of lexis have led to it being marginalised in contemporary linguistic research (2012: 3). Nevertheless, Durkin notes that ‘lexis (or vocabulary) is probably the area of linguistics that is most accessible and most salient for a non-specialist audience’ (2012: 3). Thus, one cannot overestimate the importance of lexical research with regards to engaging a wider audience in linguistic discourses. Prior to the advent of the internet, however, researching etymology was a laborious process for English language enthusiasts, especially when the lexical items of interest were considered to be colloquialisms or slang. Indeed, ‘non-standard’ lexis, historically, has been marginalised and sometimes even excluded from dictionaries (Durkin, 2012: 6); however, the rise of the internet and social media has led to the increased visibility of ‘non-standard’ lexis, making information about language use more accessible to researchers outside of the local speech community (Browne & Uribe-Jongbloed, 2013: 23). Moreover, the internet has given language enthusiasts unprecedented access to a range of historical and contextual information which proves invaluable when considering etymology. This article demonstrates how more conventional language resources such as theOxford English Dictionary(OED) can be used alongside a variety of other online resources and fictional and nonfictional texts to identify the etymologies of contemporary English lexical items. Specifically, this essay explores the etymologies of three Australian colloquial nouns (bogan, cobber, andsandgroper) taken from travel website TripAdvisor's (2011) user-generated glossary of Australian English colloquialisms.
On Euler's function
Authors: Liu H.-Q.
Published: April 2016

By giving some new treatments we can improve a classical result of Walfisz (1963) on the asymptotic formula of Euler's function.
Antidepressants and Driving in Older Adults: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cameron Duncan H. , Rapoport Mark J.
Published: April 2016

Avec le nombre croissant de conducteurs âgés pour lesquelles on prescrit des antidépresseurs, les conséquences potentielles de l’utilisation des antidépresseurs sur les compétences de conduite dans une population vieillissante deviennent un problème urgent. Nous avons effectué une analyse systématique en utilisant MEDLINE, ciblant des articles qui se rapportent spécifiquement aux antidépresseurs et à la conduite dans une population ou sous-groupe de personnes âgées (≥ 55 ans d’âge). La recherche a retourné 267 références, dont neuf portaient sur les effets des antidépresseurs sur la conduite chez les personnes âgées. L’étude expérimentale unique a trouvé que imipramine exerce des effets néfastes sur la conduite sur autoroute, alors que la néfazodone n’a pas fait. Sept des huit études de population ont rapporté une augmentation significative du risque d’être impliqué dans une collision associé à l’utilisation des antidépresseurs. Bien que les études ont indiqué un effet négatif des antidépresseurs sur la conduite, les conceptions épidémiologiques ne peuvent pas exclure la possibilité que la maladie sous-jacente, qui est généralement la dépression majeure, est la coupable.
Dissociating language-switch costs from cue-switch costs in bilingual language switching
Authors: HEIKOOP KARIN W. , DECLERCK MATHIEU , LOS SANDER A. , KOCH IRING
Published: April 2016

Cued language switching is used to examine language-control processes by comparing performance in language-switch trials with performance in repetition trials. In 1:1 cue-to-language mappings, language repetitions involve cue repetitions and language switches involve cue switches. Hence, the observed switch costs might reflect cue-switch costs rather than language-related control processes. By introducing a 2:1 cue-to-language mapping, we dissociated language switches (cue and language switched vs. cue switched, but language repeated) and cue switches (repeated language, with vs. without switched cue). We found cue-switch costs, but language-related switch costs were substantial, too, presumably reflecting language-control processes in cued language switching.
Genetic encoding of DNA nanostructures and their self-assembly in living bacteria
Authors: Elbaz Johann , Yin Peng , Voigt Christopher A.
Published: April 2016

The field of DNA nanotechnology has harnessed the programmability of DNA base pairing to direct single-stranded DNAs (ssDNAs) to assemble into desired 3D structures. Here, we show the ability to express ssDNAs in Escherichia coli (32–205 nt), which can form structures in vivo or be purified for in vitro assembly. Each ssDNA is encoded by a gene that is transcribed into non-coding RNA containing a 3′-hairpin (HTBS). HTBS recruits HIV reverse transcriptase, which nucleates DNA synthesis and is aided in elongation by murine leukemia reverse transcriptase. Purified ssDNA that is produced in vivo is used to assemble large 1D wires (300 nm) and 2D sheets (5.8 μm2) in vitro. Intracellular assembly is demonstrated using a four-ssDNA crossover nanostructure that recruits split YFP when properly assembled. Genetically encoding DNA nanostructures provides a route for their production as well as applications in living cells.
Dynamic and flexible H3K9me3 bridging via HP1β dimerization establishes a plastic state of condensed chromatin
Authors: Hiragami-Hamada Kyoko , Soeroes Szabolcs , Nikolov Miroslav , Wilkins Bryan , Kreuz Sarah , Chen Carol , De La Rosa-Velázquez Inti A. , Zenn Hans Michael , Kost Nils , Pohl Wiebke , Chernev Aleksandar , Schwarzer Dirk , Jenuwein Thomas , Lorincz Matthew , Zimmermann Bastian , Walla Peter Jomo , Neumann Heinz , Baubec Tuncay , Urlaub Henning , Fischle Wolfgang
Published: April 2016

Histone H3 trimethylation of lysine 9 (H3K9me3) and proteins of the heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) family are hallmarks of heterochromatin, a state of compacted DNA essential for genome stability and long-term transcriptional silencing. The mechanisms by which H3K9me3 and HP1 contribute to chromatin condensation have been speculative and controversial. Here we demonstrate that human HP1β is a prototypic HP1 protein exemplifying most basal chromatin binding and effects. These are caused by dimeric and dynamic interaction with highly enriched H3K9me3 and are modulated by various electrostatic interfaces. HP1β bridges condensed chromatin, which we postulate stabilizes the compacted state. In agreement, HP1β genome-wide localization follows H3K9me3-enrichment and artificial bridging of chromatin fibres is sufficient for maintaining cellular heterochromatic conformation. Overall, our findings define a fundamental mechanism for chromatin higher order structural changes caused by HP1 proteins, which might contribute to the plastic nature of condensed chromatin.
Dispersion and shape engineered plasmonic nanosensors
Authors: Jeong Hyeon-Ho , Mark Andrew G. , Alarcón-Correa Mariana , Kim Insook , Oswald Peter , Lee Tung-Chun , Fischer Peer
Published: April 2016

Biosensors based on the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of individual metallic nanoparticles promise to deliver modular, low-cost sensing with high-detection thresholds. However, they continue to suffer from relatively low sensitivity and figures of merit (FOMs). Herein we introduce the idea of sensitivity enhancement of LSPR sensors through engineering of the material dispersion function. Employing dispersion and shape engineering of chiral nanoparticles leads to remarkable refractive index sensitivities (1,091 nm RIU−1 at λ=921 nm) and FOMs (>2,800 RIU−1). A key feature is that the polarization-dependent extinction of the nanoparticles is now characterized by rich spectral features, including bipolar peaks and nulls, suitable for tracking refractive index changes. This sensing modality offers strong optical contrast even in the presence of highly absorbing media, an important consideration for use in complex biological media with limited transmission. The technique is sensitive to surface-specific binding events which we demonstrate through biotin–avidin surface coupling.
Calorimetry of a Bose–Einstein-condensed photon gas
Authors: Damm Tobias , Schmitt Julian , Liang Qi , Dung David , Vewinger Frank , Weitz Martin , Klaers Jan
Published: April 2016

Phase transitions, as the condensation of a gas to a liquid, are often revealed by a discontinuous behaviour of thermodynamic quantities. For liquid helium, for example, a divergence of the specific heat signals the transition from the normal fluid to the superfluid state. Apart from liquid helium, determining the specific heat of a Bose gas has proven to be a challenging task, for example, for ultracold atomic Bose gases. Here we examine the thermodynamic behaviour of a trapped two-dimensional photon gas, a system that allows us to spectroscopically determine the specific heat and the entropy of a nearly ideal Bose gas from the classical high temperature to the Bose-condensed quantum regime. The critical behaviour at the phase transition is clearly revealed by a cusp singularity of the specific heat. Regarded as a test of quantum statistical mechanics, our results demonstrate a quantitative agreement with its predictions at the microscopic level.
Dynamic and quantitative assessment of blood coagulation using optical coherence elastography
Authors: Xu Xiangqun , Zhu Jiang , Chen Zhongping
Published: April 2016

Reliable clot diagnostic systems are needed for directing treatment in a broad spectrum of cardiovascular diseases and coagulopathy. Here, we report on non-contact measurement of elastic modulus for dynamic and quantitative assessment of whole blood coagulation using acoustic radiation force orthogonal excitation optical coherence elastography (ARFOE-OCE). In this system, acoustic radiation force (ARF) is produced by a remote ultrasonic transducer and a shear wave induced by ARF excitation is detected by the optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. During porcine whole blood coagulation, changes in the elastic property of the clots increase the shear modulus of the sample, altering the propagating velocity of the shear wave. Consequently, dynamic blood coagulation status can be measured quantitatively by relating the velocity of the shear wave with clinically relevant coagulation metrics, including reaction time, clot formation kinetics and maximum shear modulus. The results show that the ARFOE-OCE is sensitive to the clot formation kinetics and can differentiate the elastic properties of the recalcified porcine whole blood, blood added with kaolin as an activator and blood spiked with fibrinogen.
Cellular uptake of exogenous calcineurin B is dependent on TLR4/MD2/CD14 complexes, and CnB is an endogenous ligand of TLR4
Authors: Yang Jinju , Qin Nannan , Zhang Hongwei , Yang Rui , Xiang Benqiong , Wei Qun
Published: April 2016

Our previous research showed that recombinant calcineurin B (rhCnB) stimulates cytokine secretion by immune cells, probably through TLR4. Exogenous CnB can be incorporated into many different tumour cellsin vitro, but the mode of uptake and receptors required remain unknown. Here, we report that exogenous CnB is taken up by cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner via clathrin-dependent receptor-mediated internalization. Our findings further confirm that uptake is mediated by the TLR4/MD2 complex together with the co-receptor CD14. The MST results revealed a high affinity between CnB and the TLR4 receptor complex. No binding was detected between CnB and LPS. CnB inhibited the uptake of LPS, and LPS also inhibited the uptake of CnB. These results indicate that the uptake of exogenous CnB did not occur through LPS and that CnB was not a chaperone of LPS. Thus, we conclude that TLR4 receptor complexes were required for the recognition and internalization of exogenous CnB. CnB could be a potential endogenous ligand of TLR4 and function as an agonist of TLR4. These properties of CnB support its potential for development as an anti-cancer drug.
A MALDI-MS-based quantitative analytical method for endogenous estrone in human breast cancer cells
Authors: Kim Kyoung-Jin , Kim Hee-Jin , Park Han-Gyu , Hwang Cheol-Hwan , Sung Changmin , Jang Kyoung-Soon , Park Sung-Hee , Kim Byung-Gee , Lee Yoo-Kyung , Yang Yung-Hun , Jeong Jae Hyun , Kim Yun-Gon
Published: April 2016

The level of endogenous estrone, one of the three major naturally occurring estrogens, has a significant correlation with the incidence of post-menopausal breast cancer. However, it is challenging to quantitatively monitor it owing to its low abundance. Here, we develop a robust and highly sensitive mass-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS)-based quantitative platform to identify the absolute quantities of endogenous estrones in a variety of clinical specimens. The one-step modification of endogenous estrone provided good linearity (R2 > 0.99) and significantly increased the sensitivity of the platform (limit of quantitation: 11 fmol). In addition, we could identify the absolute amount of endogenous estrones in cells of the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 (34 fmol/106 cells) by using a deuterated estrone as an internal standard. Finally, by applying the MALDI-MS-based quantitative method to endogenous estrones, we successfully monitored changes in the metabolic expression level of estrones (17.7 fmol/106 letrozole-treated cells) in MCF-7 cells resulting from treatment with an aromatase inhibitor. Taken together, these results suggest that this MALDI-MS-based quantitative approach may be a general method for the targeted metabolomics of ketone-containing metabolites, which can reflect clinical conditions and pathogenic mechanisms.
Three-dimensional multiway power dividers based on transformation optics
Authors: Wu Yong-Le , Zhuang Zheng , Deng Li , Liu Yuan-An
Published: April 2016

The two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) multiway power dividers based on transformation optical theory are proposed in this paper. It comprises of several nonisotropic mediums and one isotropic medium without any lumped and distributed elements. By using finite embedded coordinate transformations, the incident beam can be split and bent arbitrarily in order to achieve effective power division and transmission. In addition, the location of the split point can be employed to obtain unequal power dividers. Finally, several typical examples of the generalized power divider without limitation in 3D space are performed, which shows that the proposed power divider can implement required functions with arbitrary power division and arbitrary transmission paths. The excellent simulated results verify the novel design method for power dividers.
N7-(carboxymethyl)guanine-Lithium Crystalline Complex: A Bioinspired Solid Electrolyte
Authors: Dutta Dipak , Nagapradeep N. , Zhu Haijin , Forsyth Maria , Verma Sandeep , Bhattacharyya Aninda J.
Published: April 2016

Electrochemical device with components having direct significance to biological life processes is a potent futuristic strategy for the realization of all-round green and sustainable development. We present here synthesis design, structural analysis and ion transport of a novel solid organic electrolyte (G7Li), a compound reminiscent of ion channels, derived from regioisomeric N7-guanine-carboxylate conjugate and Li-ions. G7Li, with it’s in-built supply of Li+-ions, exhibited remarkably high lithium-ion transference number (= 0.75) and tunable room temperature ionic conductivity spanning three decades (≈10−7to 10−3 Ω−1 cm−1) as a function of moisture content. The ionic conductivity show a distinct reversible transition around 80–100 °C, from a dual Li+and H+(<100 °C) to a pure Li+conductor (>100 °C). Systematic studies reveal a transition from water-assisted Li-ion transport to Li hopping-like mechanism involving guanine-Li coordination. While as-synthesized G7Li has potential in humidity sensors, the anhydrous G7Li is attractive for rechargeable batteries.
Isoform switching and exon skipping induced by the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine
Authors: Ding Xiao-Lei , Yang Xiaojing , Liang Gangning , Wang Kai
Published: April 2016

DNA methylation in gene promoters leads to gene silencing and is the therapeutic target of methylation inhibitors such as 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR). By analyzing the time series RNA-seq data (days 5, 9, 13, 17) obtained from human bladder cells exposed to 5-Aza-CdR with 0.1 uM concentration, we showed that 5-Aza-CdR can affect isoform switching and differential exon usage (i.e., exon-skipping), in addition to its effects on gene expression. We identified more than 2,000 genes with significant expression changes after 5-Aza-CdR treatment. Interestingly, 29 exon-skipping events induced by treatment were identified and validated experimentally. Particularly, exon-skipping event in Enhancer of Zeste Homologue 2 (EZH2) along with expression changes showed significant down regulation on Day 5 and Day 9 but returned to normal level on Day 13 and Day 17. EZH2 is a component of the multi-subunit polycomb repressive complex PRC2, and the down-regulation of exon-skipping event may lead to the regain of functional EZH2 which was consistent with our previous finding that demethylation may cause regain of PRC2 in demethylated regions. In summary, our study identified pervasive transcriptome changes of bladder cancer cells after treatment with 5-Aza-CdR, and provided valuable insights into the therapeutic effects of 5-Aza-CdR in current clinical trials.