bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quercetin Partially Preserves Development of Osteoblast Phenotype in Fetal Rat Calvaria Cells in an Oxidative Stress Environment
Authors: Messer Jonathan G. , La Stephanie , Hopkins Robin G. , Kipp Deborah E.
Published: March 2016

Studies are needed to improve understanding of the osteoblast antioxidant response, and the balance between oxidative homeostasis and osteoblast differentiation. The flavonol quercetin aglycone (QRC) up‐regulates the osteoblast antioxidant response in vitro without suppressing osteoblast phenotype, suggesting that QRC may preserve osteoblast phenotypic development in cells subsequently exposed to oxidative stress, which suppresses osteoblast differentiation. The aims of this study were to assess the extent that QRC pretreatment preserved development of the osteoblast phenotype in cells subsequently cultured with hydrogen peroxide, an oxidative stressor, and to characterize alterations in the osteoblast antioxidant response and in key antioxidant signaling pathways. We hypothesized that pretreatment with QRC would preserve phenotypic development after hydrogen peroxide treatment, suppress the hydrogen peroxide‐induced antioxidant response, and that the antioxidant response would involve alterations in Nrf2 and ERK1/2 signaling. Results showed that treating fetal rat calvarial osteoblasts for 4 days (D5‐9) with 300 μM hydrogen peroxide resulted in fewer alkaline phosphatase‐positive cells and mineralized nodules, altered cell morphology, and significantly lower osteoblast phenotypic gene expression (P < 0.05). This suppression was partially blocked when cells were pretreated 12 h with 20 μM QRC. Hydrogen peroxide also produced sustained up‐regulation of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) and γ‐glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), which was partially blocked in hydrogen peroxide‐treated cells that first received QRC pretreatment. The alterations in the antioxidant stress response coincided with alterations in phosphorylated ERK1/2, but not Nrf2. These results suggest that QRC suppresses hydrogen peroxide‐induced activation of the antioxidant response, and partially preserves osteoblast phenotypic development. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2779–2788, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Using the Verifiability lie Detection Approach in an Insurance Claim Setting
Authors: Vrij Aldert , Nahari Galit , Isitt Rebecca , Leal Sharon
Published: March 2016

In this experiment, we tested the verifiability approach in an insurance claim setting. Core of the verifiability approach is that truth tellers give more details that can be verified than liars. Fifty undergraduate students took part, who produced true and false insurance claim statements related to theft, loss, or damage. These statements were coded in terms of verifiability (the number of details that could be checked by an investigator) and witness factors (friends, police, other officials and CCTV cameras). Truth tellers provided more verifiable details than liars and liars provided more unverifiable details than truth tellers. In addition, truth tellers (versus liars) more frequently informed their friends about the incident or referred to CCTV footage of the incident. The potential and limitations of using the verifiability approach in insurance settings are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mixed‐mode chromatography integrated with high‐performance liquid chromatography for protein analysis and separation: Using bovine serum albumin and lysozyme as the model target
Authors: Xia Hai‐Feng , Don Bin‐Bin , Zheng Meng‐Jie
Published: March 2016

A type of mixed‐mode chromatography was integrated with high‐performance liquid chromatography for protein analysis and separation. The chromatographic behavior was tested using bovine serum albumin and lysozyme as model proteins. For the mixed‐mode column, the silica beads were activated with γ‐(2,3‐epoxypropoxy)‐propytrimethoxysilane and coupled with 4‐mercaptopyridine as the functional ligand. The effects of pH, salt, and the organic solvent conditions of the mobile phase on the retention behavior were studied, which provided valuable clues for separation strategy. When eluted with a suitable pH gradient, salt concentration gradient, and acetonitrile content gradient, the separation behavior of bovine serum albumin and lysozyme could be controlled by altering the conditions of the mobile phase. The results indicated this type of chromatography might be a useful method for protein analysis and separation.
Effects of Biochar and Marble mud on Mine Waste Properties to Reclaim Tailing Ponds
Authors: Muñoz Maria Angeles , Guzman Jose German , Zornoza Raul , Moreno Fabian , Faz Angel , Lal Rattan
Published: March 2016

The effects of biochar addition in improving soil physical properties are not clearly understood in mining tailings. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of three different types of biochars, in addition to marble mud (MM) and their mixtures, on the structural stability and water retention of mine wastes in Cartagena, Spain. Biochars were produced at 500 °C from pig manure (PM), cotton (Gossipium hirsutum L.) crop residues (CR) and municipal solid waste (MSW). Biochars were added to the mine waste (MW) along with MM and a control (no amendments added). These mixtures were incubated in cores for 90 days (25 °C). PM and CR mixed with MM decreased soil bulk density (from 0 · 98 g cm‐3 to 0 · 89 and 0 · 84 g cm−3, respectively). Amendments had no significant effect on total porosity whereas they increased gas diffusion by 100%, except for MSW. MM improved the plant available water from 0 · 59 to 2 · 56 cm as its combination with biochars, extremely relevant in water scarce climates. The micropores were likely replaced by mesopores when application of PM, CR, MM, and biochars + MM and they improved water retention. Total carbon (TC) and total nitrogen (TN) increased by using biochars and MM and no significant effects were assessed on aggregates. In general, MM mixed with PM and CR derived biochar improved the structural stability and exhibited a strong impact in reclaiming physical quality on mine tailings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retracted: Dental hard tissue ablation using mid‐infrared tunable nanosecond pulsed Cr:CdSe laser
Authors: Lin Taichen , Aoki Akira , Saito Norihito , Yumoto Masaki , Nakajima Sadahiro , Nagasaka Keigo , Ichinose Shizuko , Mizutani Koji , Wada Satoshi , Izumi Yuichi
Published: March 2016

Background and Objective

Mid‐infrared erbium: yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet (Er:YAG) and erbium, chromium: yttrium‐scandium‐gallium‐garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) lasers (2.94‐ and 2.78‐μm, respectively) are utilized for effective dental hard tissue treatment because of their high absorption in water, hydroxide ion, or both. Recently, a mid‐infrared tunable, nanosecond pulsed, all‐solid‐state chromium‐doped: cadmium‐selenide (Cr:CdSe) laser system was developed, which enables laser oscillation in the broad spectral range around 2.9 μm. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ablation of dental hard tissue by the nanosecond pulsed Cr:CdSe laser at a wavelength range of 2.76–3.00 μm.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Enamel, dentin, and cementum tissue were irradiated at a spot or line at a fluence of 0–11.20 J/cm2/pulse (energy output: 0–2.00 mJ/pulse) with a repetition rate of 10 Hz and beam diameter of ∼150 μm on the target (pulse width ∼250 ns). After irradiation, morphological changes, ablation threshold, depth, and efficiency, and thickness of the structurally and thermally affected layer of irradiated surfaces were analyzed using stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and light microscopy of non‐decalcified histological sections.

Results

The nanosecond pulsed irradiation without water spray effectively ablated dental hard tissue with no visible thermal damage such as carbonization. The SEM analysis revealed characteristic micro‐irregularities without major melting and cracks in the lased tissue. The ablation threshold of dentin was the lowest at 2.76 μm and the highest at 3.00 μm. The histological analysis revealed minimal thermal and structural changes ∼20 μm wide on the irradiated dentin surfaces with no significant differences between wavelengths. The efficiency of dentin ablation gradually increased from 3.00 to 2.76 μm, at which point the highest ablation efficiency was observed.

Conclusion

The nanosecond pulsed Cr:CdSe laser demonstrated an effective ablation ability of hard dental tissues, which was remarkably wavelength‐dependent on dentin at the spectral range of 2.76–3.00 μm. These results demonstrate the potential feasibility of the use of pulsed Cr:CdSe laser as a novel laser system for dental treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:965–977, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of sewage sludge addition on initial corrosion of 16Mo3 and 310S when exposed in a used wood fired boiler
Authors: Talus A. , Alipour Y. , Norling R. , Henderson P.
Published: March 2016

With an expanding use of low quality bio fuels, corrosion problems on water wall tubes are increasing. In this study, the possible corrosion reducing effect when adding digested sewage sludge to the fuel in a used wood (also known as waste or recycled wood) fired furnace has been evaluated. The low alloyed steel 16Mo3 and the stainless steel 310S were exposed for 14.25 h at the furnace wall position when firing only used wood and used wood with sewage sludge additions. The exposures were performed in a bubbling fluidized bed boiler and the metal temperature of the test samples was controlled to 350 °C. Chemical analysis of the deposits and microscopic evaluation of the metallic samples showed reduced amount of alkali metals and chlorine in the deposit together with reduced initial corrosion for both materials when co‐firing with digested sewage sludge. In the corrosion process, metal chlorides were formed for both materials when firing only used wood, iron chlorides for the low alloyed steel, and chromium chlorides for the stainless steel. When co‐firing with sewage sludge, this behavior was suppressed.
Comparison of anti‐inflammatory mechanisms of mango (Mangifera Indica L.) and pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) in a preclinical model of colitis
Authors: Kim Hyemee , Banerjee Nivedita , Ivanov Ivan , Pfent Catherine M. , Prudhomme Kalan R. , Bisson William H. , Dashwood Roderick H. , Talcott Stephen T. , Mertens‐Talcott Susanne U.
Published: March 2016

Scope

Tannin‐rich fruits have been evaluated as alternative prevention strategies for colorectal cancer based on their anti‐inflammatory properties. This study compared tannin‐rich preparations from mango (rich in gallotannins) and pomegranate (rich in ellagitannins) in the dextran sodium sulfate‐induced colitis model.

Methods and results

In rats, mango and pomegranate beverages decreased intestinal inflammation and the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in mucosa and serum. The mango beverage suppressed the ratio of phosphorylated/total protein expression of the IGF‐1R‐AKT/mTOR axis and downregulated mRNA expression of Igf1, Insr, and pik3cv. Pomegranate decreased p70S6K and RPS6, as well as Rps6ka2, Map2k2, and Mapk1 mRNA. In silico modeling indicated a high binding of docked of gallic acid to the catalytic domain of IGF‐1R, which may suppress the activity of the enzyme. Ellagic acid docked effectively into the catalytic domains of both IGF‐1R and EGFR. In vitro assays with lipopolysaccharide‐treated CCD‐18Co cells using polyphenolic extracts from each beverage, as well as pure compounds, corroborated the predictions made in silico.

Conclusion

Mango polyphenols inhibited the IGF‐1R‐ AKT/mTOR axis, and pomegranate polyphenols downregulate the mTOR downstream pathway through reductions in ERK1/2. These results suggest that extracts rich in gallo‐ and ellagitannins act on different molecular targets in the protection against ulcerative colitis.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide promotes differentiation and clock gene expression in granulosa cells from prehierarchal follicles
Authors: Kim Dongwon , Johnson Alan L.
Published: March 2016

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) signaling via cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is reported to stimulate steroidogenesis in ovarian granulosa cells from a variety of vertebrate species, including the domestic hen. Prior to follicle selection in the hen ovary (i.e., cyclic recruitment) follicle‐stimulating‐hormone (FSH)‐induced cAMP signaling is absent within the granulosa layer until immediately following follicle selection. As a consequence, granulosa cells remain in an undifferentiated state and are unable to initiate FSH‐induced steroidogenesis. VIP receptors (VPAC1 and VPAC2), like the FSH receptor, are G protein‐coupled receptors, so we predicted that VIP signaling in granulosa cells is also absent in follicles that have not yet been selected into the preovulatory hierarchy. Initial studies established that mRNA encoding VPAC1 and VPAC2 are expressed within the granulosa cells throughout follicle development. Nevertheless, undifferentiated granulosa cells from prehierarchal (6–8 mm) follicles do not accumulate cAMP in response to a 4‐hr incubation with chicken VIP; the capacity for such receptor signaling is attained only following selection within actively differentiating granulosa cells. VIP treatment did, however, increase expression of mRNA encoding the Gallus circadian clock protein, BMAL1—but only in granulosa cells collected from selected follicles. These findings provide evidence that, at follicle selection, the acquisition of VIP‐induced cAMP cell signaling helps initiate and promote the differentiation of of granulosa cells. Furthermore, we propose that VIP signaling may regulate BMAL1 expression and, thus, a daily rhythmicity within granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 455–463, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Autonomic response during bladder hydrodistention reflects the severity of symptoms in patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis
Authors: Kim Sang Woon , Son Hee Seo , Troya Irela Soto , Kim Ji Yu , Kim Myoung Joo , Fraser Matthew O. , Kim Jang Hwan
Published: March 2016

Aims

To evaluate the correlation between symptom severity of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) and autonomic nervous system activity, we examined autonomic responses during bladder hydrodistention.

Methods

Medical records were collected from a prospective database for patients who underwent bladder hydrodistention with a fixed protocol from March 2012 to December 2013. A total of 40 patients (16 males, 24 females) were included for the analysis. Hydrodistention was performed under general anesthesia (31 patients), spinal anesthesia (six patients), and both types of anesthesia (three patients) at different times. Twenty‐five patients who underwent holmium laser enucleation of the prostate served as controls. Pulse rate (PR), systolic (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were measured pre‐hydrodistention, during hydrodistention, and after drainage.

Results

The spinal anesthesia and control groups exhibited little change in BP and PR during hydrodistention, while a significant increase was demonstrated in the general anesthesia group (e.g., ΔSBP 4.89 ± 4.80, 10.40 ± 19.03, and 56.26 ± 30.38 mm Hg, respectively, P < 0.001). Under general anesthesia, autonomic response during hydrodistention was more prominent in patients with preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score ≥7, Hunner's lesion, and glomerulation grade 4. Preoperative maximal cystometric capacity negatively correlated with changes in SBP during hydrodistention (R2 = 0.294, P = 0.009), while VAS score and interstitial cystitis problem index demonstrated a positive correlation with the changes (R2 = 0.208, P = 0.012; R2 = 0.173, P = 0.015).

Conclusions

Under general anesthesia, exaggerated autonomic responses to bladder hydrodistention were demonstrated in BPS/IC patients, which reflected the severity of symptoms. These results support the hypothesis of altered activity of autonomic system in BPS/IC. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:677–682, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Treatment of Cannabis Use Disorder: Current Science and Future Outlook
Authors: Sherman Brian J. , McRae‐Clark Aimee L.
Published: March 2016

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance in the United States. Rates of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) have increased in the past decade, paralleling changes in the legal and political climate favoring legalization. Almost 20 million people 12 years or older report past‐month cannabis use, and 8 million report daily or near‐daily use. Concurrently, the perception that cannabis use poses a significant risk of negative consequences has decreased. Contrary to this perception, heavy cannabis use is associated with cognitive impairment, increased risk for psychotic disorders and other mental health problems, lower education attainment, and unemployment. Clinical trials of various treatments for CUD have likewise increased, focusing primarily on psychotherapy treatments, specifically motivational enhancement therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and contingency management. Their findings suggest that a combination of these three modalities produces the best abstinence outcomes, although abstinence rates remain modest and decline after treatment. More recently, pharmacotherapy trials have been conducted as adjunctive interventions to psychosocial treatment. N‐acetylcysteine and gabapentin are two of the most promising medications, although no pharmacologic treatment has emerged as clearly efficacious. In this review, we provide a detailed summary of clinical trials that evaluated psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for treating CUD and discuss emerging areas of clinical research and cannabis‐specific barriers to treatment.
Rapid thickness reading of CH3NH3PbI3 nanowire thin films from color maps
Authors: Spina Massimo , Grimaldi Claudio , Náfrádi Bálint , Forró László , Horváth Endre
Published: March 2016

Hybrid halide perovskite photovoltaic materials show a remarkable light conversion efficiency in various optoelectronic devices. In the fabrication of these solar cells, light emitting diodes, laser and photodetector prototypes the thickness of the perovskite is an important parameter since the light is absorbed within a thin layer of a few hundred nanometers. Nevertheless, making perovskite coatings with various solution‐based and evaporation methods showing highly reproducible thickness and area coverage is still an issue. Therefore, rapid and reliable quality‐control of the film morphology is needed. This report shows a simple, rapid, and calibration‐free method for reading the thickness directly from the color map of nanowire perovskite films seen in standard optical microscope with visible light.
An extremely highly selective flexible compliant tactile touch sensor sheet
Authors: Nakata Shogo , Kanao Kenichiro , Harada Shingo , Arie Takayuki , Akita Seiji , Takei Kuniharu
Published: March 2016

One of the major challenges toward widespread application of flexible tactile pressure sensors lies in the distinction between tactile pressure stimuli and contributions from substrate bending. To this point, this issue has been a bottleneck in further advancement of this class of devices. To address this issue, we demonstrate a flexible tactile pressure sensor sheet with extremely high selectivity between tactile pressure and substrate bending: these devices are designed with strain engineering with the goal of incorporation into artificial skin applications. In addition to characterizing the mechanical and electrical performance of the sensor, a first proof of concept for tactile pressure mapping at several mechanical flex states is conducted, demonstrating that these devices are highly compliant tactile pressure sensors well‐suited to robotic skin and prosthesis applications.
Fabrication and characterization of Au/Zn composite electrode on p‐CdZnTe (111) B plane
Authors: Liang Xiao‐yan , Min Jia‐hua , Yang Liu‐qing , Zhang Ji‐jun , Wang Lin‐jun , Zhao Yue
Published: March 2016

Electrode fabrication is a key procedure for preparation of high‐performance CdZnTe detectors, and the metal–semiconductor contact contributes greatly to the performance of detectors. In the present paper, a vacuum evaporation method was used to deposit a Au/Zn composite electrode on the (111) plane of p‐CdZnTe. Based on the AFM, SEM, current–voltage testing and the barrier‐height calculations, the effects of an Au/Zn contact on CdZnTe detector properties were investigated. The results showed that a lower Schottky barrier height was attained by depositing a Au layer on p‐CdZnTe(111) A plane and a Au/Zn double layers on (111) B plane, decreasing the influence of the Te‐enriched surface on the metal–semiconductor contact, and suggesting a better ohmic contact for CdZnTe detectors. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Reliability Analysis for Laptop Computer Under Electrical Harmonics
Authors: Mendez‐Gonzalez Luis Carlos , Rodríguez‐Borbón M. Iván , Piña‐Monarrez Manuel R. , Ambrosio Roberto , del Valle Arturo
Published: March 2016

Because of electrical variations presented in the power line, the estimated reliability of electronic devices, such as a laptop computer, differs from the real reliability. The found sources of electrical variations in the power lines were the electrical harmonics in the order of frequencies of 3, 5, 7, 11, and 13. As a consequence of these harmonics, the voltage in the power line has a time varying behavior. And because the power law model used to estimate the reliability does not consider this varying behavior, the estimated reliability differs from the real one. Thus, in this paper, a model that incorporates the electrical harmonics in the power law model is presented. The model was developed according to the Cumulative Damage Model and the time varying voltage into the power law model was modeled by using the compact form of the Fourier series. A comparative study between constant and time varying voltage is presented to analyze the effect of the electrical harmonics in the laptop computer. The conclusions of the study showed that the laptop computer reduces its lifetime by 2000 h on average and the failure rate increases when the electrical harmonics are present in the power lines. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Dinuclear Ruthenium(II) Schiff Base Complex with Dissimilar Coordination: Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Activity
Authors: Kahrović Emira , Zahirović Adnan , Turkušić Emir , Bektaš Sabaheta
Published: March 2016

A dinuclear Schiff base RuII complex derived from 5‐chlorosalicylaldehyde and 2‐aminopyridine was synthesized. The structure of the compound was analyzed by mass spectrometry as well as IR, UV/Vis, and 1H NMR spectroscopy, along with chemical analysis,as well as magnetic, cyclovoltammetric and conductivity measurements. Two RuII atoms are octahedrally coordinated by azomethine and pyridine nitrogen atoms from two tridentate monobasic Schiff bases and bridging phenol oxygen atoms. The formula of the complex is [Ru2L2Cl2(Et2NH)(H2O)] [L = N‐(2‐pyridyl)‐5‐chlorosalicylideneimine and Et2NH = isodiethylamine]. The RuII atoms in the dinuclear neutral complex species have different coordination environments, RuN3O2Cl and RuN2O3Cl. Interaction with CT DNA showed moderate hydrophobic binding. The compound demonstrates strong activity against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, and especially Enterococcus faecalis. Microbiological tests showed significant inhibition of growth and ability to kill pathogens, similar or even improved compared to reference antibiotics vancomycin.
Erythrocyte‐mediated delivery of recombinant enzymes
Authors: Leuzzi Vincenzo , Rossi Luigia , Gabucci Claudia , Nardecchia Francesca , Magnani Mauro
Published: March 2016

The possibility to clone, express and purify recombinant enzymes have originated the opportunity to dispose of a virtually infinite array of proteins that could be used in the clinics to treat several inherited and acquired pathological conditions. However, the direct administration of these recombinant proteins faces some intrinsic difficulties, such as degradation by circulating proteases and/or inactivation by the patient immune system. The use of drug delivery systems may overcome these limitations. Concerning recombinant enzyme therapy, the present review will mainly focus on the exploitation of erythrocytes as a carrier system for enzymes removing potentially noxious metabolites from the circulation, either as limiting treatment strategy for auxotrophic tumours or as a detoxing approach for some intoxication type inherited metabolic disorders. Moreover, the possibility of using RBCs as a potential delivering system addressing the enzymes to the monocyte–macrophages of reticular endothelial system for the treatment of diseases associated with this cell lineage, e.g. lysosome storage diseases, will be briefly discussed.
Physical Characteristics of Peanut Butter Influenced by Fully Hydrogenated Flixweed Seed Oil (Descurainia sophia L.) as a Stabilizer
Authors: Ahmadi Latifeh , Shahmir Fariba
Published: March 2016

The functional benefits provided by flixweed seed oil (FSO) warrant its application as an alternative to current commercial stabilizers used in peanut butter. The extracted FSO was fully hydrogenated and added to the lab‐made peanut butter in quantities of 1, 1.5, and 2 % (w/w). Samples were stored at 4, 21, and 40 °C, and tested at 2, 6, 16, and 24 weeks for oil separation tests and texture characteristics including hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, and gumminess. Fully hydrogenated flixweed seed oil (FHFO) improved the oil holding capacity of peanut butter at 1, 1.5 and 2 % (w/w). Peanut butter containing FHFO, at a quantity of 2 % (w/w), showed the least oil separation and had comparable or less oil separation than the sample containing 1.5 % commercial stabilizer. Other physical properties were comparable between these two samples.
The Relationship Between Body Image and Domains of Sexual Functioning Among Heterosexual, Emerging Adult Women
Authors: Quinn-Nilas Christopher , Benson Lindsay , Milhausen Robin R. , Buchholz Andrea C. , Goncalves Melissa
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Research suggests that body image affects sexual functioning, but the relationship between specific types of body image (evaluative, affective, and behavioral) and domains of sexual functioning (desire, arousal, and orgasm) has not been investigated.

Aim

To determine whether, and to what degree, body image concerns (evaluative, affective, and behavioral) influence aspects of women’s sexual functioning (desire, arousal, and orgasm).

Methods

Eighty-eight sexually active women in heterosexual romantic relationships completed surveys assessing evaluative, affective, and behavioral body image and sexual functioning. Body composition data also were collected using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Main Outcome Measures

Sexual functioning was assessed using the desire, arousal, and orgasm subscales of the Female Sexual Functioning Index.

Results

Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that poor evaluative, affective, and behavioral body image were detrimental to women's sexual functioning. Specifically, dissatisfaction with one's body predicted decrements in desire (β = −0.31, P < .05) and arousal (β = −0.35, P < .01). Similarly, feeling that others evaluate one's body negatively predicted decrements in desire (β = 0.22, P < .05) and arousal (β = 0.35, P < .01). Feeling negatively about one’s appearance predicted decrements in arousal (β = 0.26, P < .05). Negative thoughts and feelings about one’s body during a sexual encounter (body image self-consciousness) predicted decrements in arousal (β = −0.37, P < .01) and orgasm (β = −0.25, P < .05).

Conclusion

Findings from this study suggest important linkages between body image and sexual functioning constructs and indicates that interventions to improve body image could have concomitant benefits related to sexual experience.
A life‐cycle perspective of professionalism in services
Authors: Lawrence Benjamin , Zhang Jie J. , Heineke Janelle
Published: March 2016

In this article, we develop a professional service life cycle model to describe the changes in professional work over time. We explore the drivers of these changes through an in‐depth longitudinal case study of one specific professional service – Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) consulting. We focus on understanding the evolutionary path of LEED consulting work as a result of its knowledge base, community and response to market and technological forces. Case evidence demonstrates an inherent tension between innovation and commodification resulting from multiple demands through various developmental stages. The life cycle model has important implications for value‐creation in professional service operations management. First, it broadens the theoretical investigation of professional services to consider all processes and people along the professional continuum – from most innovative to commodified. Coordinated effort along the professional continuum is the key to delivering both effectiveness and efficiency. Second, proactively managing the transitions along the evolutionary path is both possible and desirable. Standardization and specialization improve talent allocation and boost future innovation. We suggest future opportunities to test and enrich the model.
A comparison of random walks in dependent random environments
Authors: Scheinhardt Werner R. W. , Kroese Dirk P.
Published: March 2016

We provide exact computations for the drift of random walks in dependent random environments, includingk-dependent and moving average environments. We show how the drift can be characterized and evaluated using Perron–Frobenius theory. Comparing random walks in various dependent environments, we demonstrate that their drifts can exhibit interesting behavior that depends significantly on the dependency structure of the random environment.
Markov-modulated Ornstein–Uhlenbeck processes
Authors: Huang G. , Jansen H. M. , Mandjes M. , Spreij P. , De Turck K.
Published: March 2016

In this paper we consider an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) process (M(t))t≥0 whose parameters are determined by an external Markov process (X(t))t≥0 on a finite state space {1, . . ., d}; this process is usually referred to as Markov-modulated Ornstein–Uhlenbeck. We use stochastic integration theory to determine explicit expressions for the mean and variance of M(t). Then we establish a system of partial differential equations (PDEs) for the Laplace transform of M(t) and the state X(t) of the background process, jointly for time epochs t = t1, . . ., tK. Then we use this PDE to set up a recursion that yields all moments of M(t) and its stationary counterpart; we also find an expression for the covariance between M(t) and M(t + u). We then establish a functional central limit theorem for M(t) for the situation that certain parameters of the underlying OU processes are scaled, in combination with the modulating Markov process being accelerated; interestingly, specific scalings lead to drastically different limiting processes. We conclude the paper by considering the situation of a single Markov process modulating multiple OU processes.
Joint distribution of a spectrally negative Lévy process and its occupation time, with step option pricing in view
Authors: Guérin Hélène , Renaud Jean-François
Published: March 2016

We study the distribution Ex[exp(-q∫0t1(a,b)(Xs)ds); Xt ∈ dy], where -∞ ≤ a < b < ∞, and where q, t > 0 and x ∈ R for a spectrally negative Lévy process X. More precisely, we identify the Laplace transform with respect to t of this measure in terms of the scale functions of the underlying process. Our results are then used to price step options and the particular case of an exponential spectrally negative Lévy jump-diffusion model is discussed.
Queues with advanced reservations: an infinite-server proxy for the bookings diary
Authors: Maillardet R. J. , Taylor P. G.
Published: March 2016

Queues with advanced reservations are endemic in the real world. In such a queue, the 'arrival' process is an incoming stream of customer 'booking requests', rather than actual customers requiring immediate service. We consider a model with a Poisson booking request process with rate λ. Associated with each request is a pair of independent random variables (Ri, Si) constituting a request for service over a period Si, starting at a time Ri into the future. Our interest is in the probability that a customer will be rejected due to capacity constraints. We present a simulation of a finite-capacity queue in which we record the proportion of rejected customers, and then move to an analysis of a queue with infinitely-many servers. Obviously no customers are rejected in the latter case. However, the event that the arrival of the extra customer will cause the number of customers in the queue to exceed C at some point during its service can be used as a proxy for the event that the customer would have been rejected in a system with finite capacity C. We start by calculating the transient and stationary distributions for some performance measures for the infinite-server queue. By observing that the stationary measure for the bookings diary (that is, the list of customers currently on hand, together with their start times and service times) is the same as the law for the entire sample path of an infinite server queue with a specified nonhomogenous Poisson input process, which we call the bookings queue, we are able to write down expressions for the abovementioned probability that, at some time during a requested service, the number of customers exceeds C. This measure serves as a bound for the probability that an incoming arrival would be refused admission in a system with C servers and, for a well-dimensioned system, it is to be hoped that it is a good approximation. We test the quality of this approximation by comparing our analytical results for the infinite-server case against simulation results for the finite-server case.
Predictors of Hospitalization in Patients With Transient Ischemic Attack or Minor Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kapral Moira K. , Hall Ruth , Fang Jiming , Austin Peter C. , Silver Frank L. , Casaubon Leanne K. , Gladstone David J. , Stamplecoski Melissa , Tu Jack V.
Published: March 2016

Background:Transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke are associated with a substantial risk of subsequent stroke; however, there is uncertainty about whether such patients require admission to hospital for their initial management. We used data from a clinical stroke registry to determine the frequency and predictors of hospitalization for TIA or minor stroke across the province of Ontario, Canada.Methods:The Ontario Stroke Registry collects information on a population-based sample of all patients seen in the emergency department with acute stroke or TIA in Ontario. We identified patients with minor ischemic stroke or TIA included in the registry between April 1, 2008, and March 31, 2011, and used multivariable analyses to evaluate predictors of hospitalization.Results:Our study sample included 8540 patients with minor ischemic stroke or TIA, 47.2% of whom were admitted to hospital, with a range of 37.6% to 70.3% across Ontario’s 14 local health integration network regions. Key predictors of admission were preadmission disability, vascular risk factors, presentation with weakness, speech disturbance or prolonged/persistent symptoms, arrival by ambulance, and presentation on a weekend or during periods of emergency department overcrowding.Conclusions:More than one-half of patients with minor stroke or TIA were not admitted to the hospital, and there were wide regional variations in admission patterns. Additional work is needed to provide guidance to health care workers around when to admit such patients and to determine whether discharged patients are receiving appropriate follow-up care.
Thin, binary liquid droplets, containing polymer: an investigation of the parameters controlling film shape
Authors: Eales A. D. , Dartnell N. , Goddard S. , Routh A. F.
Published: March 2016

For the fabrication of P-OLED displays, using inkjet printing, it is important to control the final shape resulting from evaporation of droplets containing polymer. Due to peripheral pinning and consequent outward capillary flow, a ring-like final shape is typically observed. This is often undesirable, with a spatially uniform film usually required. Several experimental studies have shown that binary liquid inks can prevent ring formation. There is no consensus of opinion on the mechanism behind this improvement. We have developed a model for the drying of thin, binary liquid droplets, based on thin-film lubrication theory, and we solve the governing equations to predict the final shape. White-light interferometry experiments are conducted to verify the findings. In addition, we present the results of a linear stability analysis that identifies the onset of an instability driven by a difference in surface tension. If the more volatile liquid is more abundant, an instability becomes increasingly likely.
Sample-Path Optimal Stationary Policies in Stable Markov Decision Chains with the Average Reward Criterion
Authors: Cavazos-Cadena Rolando , Montes-De-Oca Raúl , Sladký Karel
Published: March 2016

This paper concerns discrete-time Markov decision chains with denumerable state and compact action sets. Besides standard continuity requirements, the main assumption on the model is that it admits a Lyapunov function ℓ. In this context the average reward criterion is analyzed from the sample-path point of view. The main conclusion is that if the expected average reward associated to ℓ2is finite under any policy then a stationary policy obtained from the optimality equation in the standard way is sample-path average optimal in a strong sense.
The DFR Property for Counting Processes Stopped at an Independent Random Time
Authors: Badía F. G. , Sangüesa C.
Published: March 2016

In this paper we consider general counting processes stopped at a random timeT, independent of the process. Provided thatThas the decreasing failure rate (DFR) property, we present sufficient conditions on the arrival times so that the number of events occurring beforeTpreserves the DFR property ofT. In particular, when the interarrival times are independent, we consider applications concerning the DFR property of the stationary number of customers waiting in queue for specific queueing models.
50 years of the Applied Probability Trust, 1964–2014
Authors: Gani Joe
Published: March 2016

2014 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Applied Probability Trust (APT), an event celebrated by the present volume. This article sketches the APT's history from its beginnings in 1964 to the present.
Λ-coalescents: a survey
Authors: Gnedin Alexander , Iksanov Alexander , Marynych Alexander
Published: March 2016

Λ-coalescents model the evolution of a coalescing system in which any number of components randomly sampled from the whole may merge into larger blocks. This survey focuses on related combinatorial constructions and the large-sample behaviour of the functionals which characterize in some way the speed of coalescence.
The front of the epidemic spread and first passage percolation
Authors: Bhamidi Shankar , van der Hofstad Remco , Komjáthy Júlia
Published: March 2016

We establish a connection between epidemic models on random networks with general infection times considered in Barbour and Reinert (2013) and first passage percolation. Using techniques developed in Bhamidi, van der Hofstad and Hooghiemstra (2012), when each vertex has infinite contagious periods, we extend results on the epidemic curve in Barbour and Reinert (2013) from bounded degree graphs to general sparse random graphs with degrees having finite second moments asn→ ∞, with an appropriateX2log+Xcondition. We also study the epidemic trail between the source and typical vertices in the graph.
Optimal claims with fixed payoff structure
Authors: Bernard Carole , Rüschendorf Ludger , Vanduffel Steven
Published: March 2016

Dybvig (1988) introduced the interesting problem of how to construct in the cheapest possible way a terminal wealth with desired distribution. This idea has induced a series of papers concerning generality, consequences, and applications. As the optimized claims typically follow the trend in the market, they are not useful for investors who wish to use them to protect an existing portfolio. For this reason, Bernard, Moraux, Rüschendorf and Vanduffel (2014b) imposed additional state-dependent constraints as a way of controlling the payoff structure. The present paper extends this work in various ways. In order to obtain optimal claims in general models we allow in this paper for extended contracts. We deal with general multivariate price processes and dispense with several of the regularity assumptions in the previous work (in particular, we omit any continuity assumption). State dependence is modeled by requiring terminal wealth to have a fixed copula with a benchmark wealth. In this setting, we are able to characterize optimal claims. We apply the theoretical results to deal with several hedging and expected utility maximization problems of interest.
Aspects of prediction
Authors: Bingham N. H. , Missaoui Badr
Published: March 2016

We survey some aspects of the classical prediction theory for stationary processes, in discrete time in Section 1, turning in Section 2 to continuous time, with particular reference to reproducing-kernel Hilbert spaces and the sampling theorem. We discuss the discrete-continuous theories of ARMA-CARMA, GARCH-COGARCH, and OPUC-COPUC in Section 3. We compare the various models treated in Section 4 by how well they model volatility, in particular volatility clustering. We discuss the infinite-dimensional case in Section 5, and turn briefly to applications in Section 6.
Aggregation of log-linear risks
Authors: Embrechts Paul , Hashorva Enkelejd , Mikosch Thomas
Published: March 2016

In this paper we work in the framework of a k-dimensional vector of log-linear risks. Under weak conditions on the marginal tails and the dependence structure of a vector of positive risks, we derive the asymptotic tail behaviour of the aggregated risk and present an application concerning log-normal risks with stochastic volatility.
Size distributions in random triangles
Authors: Daley D. J. , Ebert Sven , Swift R. J.
Published: March 2016

The random triangles discussed in this paper are defined by having the directions of their sides independent and uniformly distributed on (0, π). To fix the scale, one side chosen arbitrarily is assigned unit length; let a and b denote the lengths of the other sides. We find the density functions of a / b, max{a, b}, min{a, b}, and of the area of the triangle, the first three explicitly and the last as an elliptic integral. The first two density functions, with supports in (0, ∞) and (½, ∞), respectively, are unusual in having an infinite spike at 1 which is interior to their ranges (the triangle is then isosceles).
Continuum AB percolation and AB random geometric graphs
Authors: Penrose Mathew D.
Published: March 2016

Consider a bipartite random geometric graph on the union of two independent homogeneous Poisson point processes in d-space, with distance parameter r and intensities λ and μ. We show for d ≥ 2 that if λ is supercritical for the one-type random geometric graph with distance parameter 2r, there exists μ such that (λ, μ) is supercritical (this was previously known for d = 2). For d = 2, we also consider the restriction of this graph to points in the unit square. Taking μ = τ λ for fixed τ, we give a strong law of large numbers as λ → ∞ for the connectivity threshold of this graph.
The M/M/c queue with mass exodus and mass arrivals when empty
Authors: Zhang Lina , Li Junping
Published: March 2016

In this paper we consider an M/M/c queue modified to allow both mass arrivals when the system is empty and the workload to be removed. Properties of queues which terminate when the server becomes idle are firstly developed. Recurrence properties, equilibrium distribution, and equilibrium queue-size structure are studied for the case of resurrection and no mass exodus. All of these results are then generalized to allow for the removal of the entire workload. In particular, we obtain the Laplace transformation of the transition probability for the absorptive M/M/c queue.
Poisson superposition processes
Authors: Crane Harry , Mccullagh Peter
Published: March 2016

Superposition is a mapping on point configurations that sends the n-tuple into the n-point configuration , counted with multiplicity. It is an additive set operation such that the superposition of a k-point configuration in is a kn-point configuration in . A Poisson superposition process is the superposition in of a Poisson process in the space of finite-length -valued sequences. From properties of Poisson processes as well as some algebraic properties of formal power series, we obtain an explicit expression for the Janossy measure of Poisson superposition processes, and we study their law under domain restriction. Examples of well-known Poisson superposition processes include compound Poisson, negative binomial, and permanental (boson) processes.
Phylogenetic confidence intervals for the optimal trait value
Authors: Bartoszek Krzysztof , Sagitov Serik
Published: March 2016

We consider a stochastic evolutionary model for a phenotype developing amongst n related species with unknown phylogeny. The unknown tree is modelled by a Yule process conditioned on n contemporary nodes. The trait value is assumed to evolve along lineages as an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process. As a result, the trait values of the n species form a sample with dependent observations. We establish three limit theorems for the sample mean corresponding to three domains for the adaptation rate. In the case of fast adaptation, we show that for large n the normalized sample mean is approximately normally distributed. Using these limit theorems, we develop novel confidence interval formulae for the optimal trait value.
First exit time of a Lévy flight from a bounded region in ℝN
Authors: Kim Yoora , Koprulu Irem , Shroff Ness B.
Published: March 2016

In this paper we characterize the mean and the distribution of the first exit time of a Lévy flight from a bounded region in N-dimensional spaces. We characterize tight upper and lower bounds on the tail distribution of the first exit time, and provide the exact asymptotics of the mean first exit time for a given range of step-length distribution parameters.
Backward stochastic difference equations for dynamic convex risk measures on a binomial tree
Authors: Elliott Robert J. , Siu Tak Kuen , Cohen Samuel N.
Published: March 2016

Using backward stochastic difference equations (BSDEs), this paper studies dynamic convex risk measures for risky positions in a simple discrete-time, binomial tree model. A relationship between BSDEs and dynamic convex risk measures is developed using nonlinear expectations. The time consistency of dynamic convex risk measures is discussed in the binomial tree framework. A relationship between prices and risks is also established. Two particular cases of dynamic convex risk measures, namely risk measures with stochastic distortions and entropic risk measures, and their mathematical properties are discussed.
Central limit theorem for a class of SPDEs
Authors: Fatheddin Parisa
Published: March 2016

In this paper we establish the central limit theorem for a class of stochastic partial differential equations and as an application derive this theorem for two widely studied population models: super-Brownian motion and the Fleming-Viot process.
Component importance in coherent systems with exchangeable components
Authors: Eryilmaz Serkan
Published: March 2016

This paper is concerned with the Birnbaum importance measure of a component in a binary coherent system. A representation for the Birnbaum importance of a component is obtained when the system consists of exchangeable dependent components. The results are closely related to the concept of the signature of a coherent system. Some examples are presented to illustrate the results.