bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Limits of peripheral acuity and implications for VR system design
Authors: Hoffman David , Meraz Zoe , Turner Eric
Published: August 2018

At different retinal locations, we measured the visual system's sensitivity to a number of artifacts that can be introduced in near‐eye display systems. One study examined the threshold level of downsampling that an image can sustain at different positions in the retina and found that temporally stable approaches, both blurred and aliased, were much less noticeable than temporally volatile approaches. Also, boundaries between zones of different resolution had low visibility in the periphery. We also examined the minimum duration needed for the visual system to detect a low‐resolution region in an actively tracked system and found that low‐resolution images presented for less than 40 ms before being replaced with a high‐resolution image are unlikely to be visibly degraded. We also found that the visual system shows a rapid falloff in its ability to detect chromatic aberration in the periphery. These findings can inform the design on high performance and computationally efficient near‐eye display systems.
Surgical oncology at a major referral center in Ghana: Burden, staging, and outcomes
Authors: Gyedu Adam , Gaskill Cameron E. , Agbedinu Kwabena , Salazar Daniela Rebollo , Kingham T. Peter
Published: August 2018

Background and Objectives

Outcome data after surgery for cancer in Sub‐Saharan Africa are insufficient. We aimed to describe the presentation and outcomes of patients with solid cancers managed at a tertiary hospital in Ghana.

Methods

Records of cancer patients admitted to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital general surgery wards from 2013 to 2016 were reviewed for data on presentation, staging, management, and mortality. Patients discharged alive were followed‐up by biannual telephone calls to establish their postdischarge status. Survival analysis was performed for patients with pathologic or radiologic confirmation of cancer and adequate staging.

Results

A total of 343 patients were included. Of these, 76% were female. The most common diagnoses were breast 136 (40%), foregut 70 (20%), and colorectal 63 (18%) cancers. Cancer diagnosis was confirmed by pathology or radiology in 281 (82%) patients, but only 112 (40%) had adequate staging. Seventy‐four (66%) patients were stage IV. Two‐year overall survival for all 343 patients was 22% to 69%, depending on cancer site. Among those with adequate staging who were alive after postoperative 90 days, 3‐year survival was similar for curative compared with palliative operations (P = 0.64).

Conclusions

Improved capacity for both therapeutic and palliative cancer care is needed to achieve better outcomes by more appropriate allocation of surgery with respect to the goal of treatment.
Kinetics and mechanistic aspects on electron‐transfer process for permanganate oxidation of poly(ethylene glycol) in aqueous acidic solutions in the presence and absence of Ru(III) catalyst
Authors: Hassan Refat , Ibrahim Samia , Sayed Suzan
Published: August 2018

The kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) by the permanganate ion as a multiequivalent oxidant in aqueous perchlorate solutions at an ionic strength of 2.0 mol dm−3 has been investigated spectrophotometrically. The reaction kinetics was found to be of complex in nature. The pseudo–first‐order plots showed curves of inverted S‐shape, consisting of two distinct stages throughout the entire course of reaction. The first stage was relatively slow, followed by a fast reaction rate at longer time periods. The first‐order dependence in [MnO4−], fractional first‐order dependence in [H+], and fractional first‐order kinetics in the PEG concentration for the first stage have been revealed in the absence of the Ru(III) catalyst. The influence of the Ru(III) catalyst on the oxidation kinetics has been examined. The oxidation was found to be catalyzed by the added Ru(III) catalyst. The First‐order dependence on the catalyst and zero order with respect to the oxidant concentrations have been observed. The kinetic parameters have been evaluated, and a tentative reaction mechanism consistent with the kinetic results is suggested and discussed.
Land degradation monitoring using terrestrial ecosystem carbon sinks/sources and their response to climate change in China
Authors: Chuai Xiaowei , Qi Xinxian , Zhang Xiuying , Li Jiasheng , Yuan Ye , Guo Xiaomin , Huang Xianjin , Park Soojin , Zhao Rongqin , Xie Xianli , Feng Jianxi , Tang Shuangshuang , Zuo Tianhui , Lu Junyu , Li Jianbao , Lv Xiao
Published: August 2018

Global warming, which is mainly caused by greenhouse gases, can greatly aggravate land degradation; therefore, the examination of the NEP (net ecosystem productivity) and the analysis of its response to climate change are very critical for understanding carbon cycling. Based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer data, meteorological data, and soil organic carbon data, this study examined the NEP from 2000 to 2013 and investigated how ongoing climate change affects the NEP. The study results indicate that the terrestrial ecosystems in China generally act as net carbon sinks with increasing NEP values. The western inland region and part of northeast China mainly act as carbon sources, with the NEP exhibiting an increasing trend, whereas the other regions mainly act as carbon sinks, with the NEP showing a decreasing trend across large areas of southern China, where the most obvious land degradation occurs. Homogeneity and heterogeneity co‐occur. The general pattern is that ecosystems with high biomass usually have a high NEP value, acting as high carbon sinks in relatively wet and warm environments, but have a low value and even act as carbon sources in dry and cold environments. Both moderate precipitation and temperature are essential in increasing the NEP, whereas lower precipitation and temperatures might have negative effects. Heterogeneity also widely breaks up the general pattern. Temporally, more NEP grids were positively correlated with changes in temperature and showed stronger correlation coefficients with temperature than with precipitation, but the grids showing a significant correlation with these factors accounted for only a small proportion of the total for both precipitation and temperature.
Measuring diel and spatial variation in biogenic N2 delivery, production, and loss with natural tracers: Application to watershed‐scale estimation of denitrification
Authors: Knee Karen L. , Gardner John , Brenner Dana C. , Fox Rebecca J. , Thompson Joshua , Gustafson Anne B. , Fisher Thomas R. , Jordan Thomas E.
Published: August 2018

Complete understanding of the nitrogen cycle is hindered by the challenges of measuring denitrification at watershed scales. Here, we refine the open‐channel approach, a fundamental field method in stream biogeochemistry that can be used to quantify denitrification in streams based on N2 and N2O production. We explicitly consider biogenic, groundwater‐derived N2 inputs to a stream, investigate patterns of diel and spatial variability in stream N2 fluxes, and explore the use of two potential natural tracers of gas exchange, argon and radon, in place of the artificial tracers often employed in open‐channel studies. We conducted two open‐channel studies, 12 h and 24 h in duration, in a channelized stream on the eastern shore of Maryland. Twenty‐two to forty‐three percent of total N2 inputs from groundwater and stream sediments to the stream were biogenic, with the remainder coming from atmospheric N2 in groundwater recharge. Of biogenic N2 (bN2) inputs, 37–100% came from groundwater and the remaining 0–63% were from in‐stream production. Radon can be measured continuously in the field and, unlike other potential natural tracers of gas exchange (Ar and O2), has a negligible atmospheric concentration. This provides more consistent estimates of the evasion coefficient K (min−1) and lower uncertainty than argon. Furthermore, the relative constancy of N2 fluxes during nighttime hours suggested the possibility of a simplified radon‐based sampling procedure requiring ∼ 6–8 h per site. This approach enables quantification of bN2 at many points within a stream system and estimation of watershed‐scale bN2 fluxes from stream beds and inflowing groundwater.
Picking a loser: Strategic surprise in a design and development game
Authors: Campbell James D.
Published: August 2018

We take a setting in which upstream players produce design ideas and downstream players select among these ideas to develop finished products. Design diversity is valuable at the upstream stage and coordination is valuable at the downstream stage. However, this outcome is not always realized. We show that an intermediary between upstream and downstream can improve on equilibrium outcomes by acting as a coordination and commitment device whose optimal policy must sometimes reward inferior ideas. We apply the model to technology standards, trend‐driven industries, political primaries, and the management of process innovation. We discuss incentives to vertically integrate.
Baseline characteristics and outcomes of children with cancer in the English‐speaking Caribbean: A multinational retrospective cohort
Authors: Gibson T. N. , Beeput S. , Gaspard J. , George C. , Gibson D. , Jackson N. , Leandre‐Broome V. , Palmer‐Mitchell N. , Alexis C. , Bird‐Compton J. , Bodkyn C. , Boyle R. , McLean‐Salmon S. , Reece‐Mills M. , Quee‐Brown C. Sin , Allen U. , Weitzman S. , Blanchette V. , Gupta S.
Published: August 2018

Background

English‐speaking Caribbean (ESC) childhood cancer outcomes are unknown.

Procedure

Through the SickKids‐Caribbean Initiative (SCI), we established a multicenter childhood cancer database across seven centers in six ESC countries. Data managers entered patient demographics, disease, treatment, and outcome data. Data collection commenced in 2013, with retrospective collection to 2011 and subsequent prospective collection.

Results

A total of 367 children were diagnosed between 2011 and 2015 with a median age of 5.7 years (interquartile range 2.9–10.6 years). One hundred thirty (35.4%) patients were diagnosed with leukemia, 30 (8.2%) with lymphoma, and 149 (40.6%) with solid tumors. A relative paucity of children with brain tumors was seen (N = 58, 15.8%). Two‐year event‐free survival (EFS) for the cohort was 48.5% ± 3.2%; 2‐year overall survival (OS) was 55.1% ± 3.1%. Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and Wilms tumor (WT) experienced better 2‐year EFS (62.1% ± 6.4% and 66.7% ± 10.1%), while dismal outcomes were seen in children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML; 22.7 ± 9.6%), rhabdomyosarcoma (21.0% ± 17.0%), and medulloblastoma (21.4% ± 17.8%). Of 108 deaths with known cause, 58 (53.7%) were attributed to disease and 50 (46.3%) to treatment complications. Death within 60 days of diagnosis was relatively common in acute leukemia [13/98 (13.3%) ALL, 8/26 (30.8%) AML]. Despite this, traditional prognosticators adversely impacted outcome in ALL, including higher age, higher white blood cell count, and T‐cell lineage.

Conclusions

ESC childhood cancer outcomes are significantly inferior to high‐income country outcomes. Based on these data, interventions for improving supportive care and modifying treatment protocols are under way. Continued data collection will allow evaluation of interventions and ensure maximal outcome improvements.
Prediction of mechanical properties of PP/EVA polymer blends governed by EVA phase change in the presence of environmentally‐friendly inorganic tungsten disulfide nanotubes (INT‐WS2)
Authors: Nikoomanesh Reza , Naderpour Navid , Goodarzi Vahabodin , Jafari Seyed Hassan , Saeb Mohammad Reza , Abdouss Majid , Khonakdar Hossin Ali
Published: August 2018

Anticipating dynamic mechanical behavior of polymeric materials over long period of time and under different frequencies is the first step to be taken to afford load‐bearing applications. Nevertheless, what we know about dynamic mechanical behavior of polymers is only limited to experiments, which necessitates large pools of data spending too much money, time, and energy. Environmentally‐friendly inorganic tungsten disulfide nanotube (INT‐WS2), was introduced to polypropylene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (PP/EVA, 75/25 wt/wt) blends through melt mixing, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) frequency sweep tests were performed to obtain master curves based on time‐temperature superposition (TTS) theorem. The influence of EVA phase change (solid, semi solid, and melt domains) on the creep and recovery behavior of nanocomposites in linear region was then studied. It was found that using INT‐WS2along with PP‐g‐MA results in distinctive improvement in creep‐recovery response of nanocomposites. Burger and Weibull models were used to mimic viscoelastic behavior of the nanocomposites. Creep compliance master curves predicted creep compliance, while analysis of cyclic creep‐recovery at 30 °C revealed almost constant permanent strain parameters for sample having 5 wt% INT‐WS2and PP‐g‐MA after three times repeating test cycles. Influence of phase change phenomenon of EVA domains on creep‐recovery behavior of nanocomposites was mechanistically demonstrated. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1964–1978, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Thiazide but not loop diuretics is associated with hypomagnesaemia in the general population
Authors: Kieboom Brenda C.T. , Zietse Robert , Ikram M. Arfan , Hoorn Ewout J. , Stricker Bruno H.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Hypomagnesaemia has been associated with various adverse outcomes. Loop and thiazide diuretics promote urinary magnesium excretion. However, it is unknown if this links to hypomagnesaemia. We study if loop or thiazide diuretic use affects serum magnesium levels and if it associates with hypomagnesaemia. In addition, we study the effect of combining a potassium‐sparing diuretic with a thiazide diuretic on the presence of hypomagnesaemia.

Methods

The study performed a cross‐sectional analysis within 9820 participants from the prospective Rotterdam Study. Hypomagnesaemia was defined as a serum magnesium level ≤0.72 mmol/L. Participants were categorized by defined daily dose (DDD), and all analyses were adjusted for age, sex, BMI, eGFR, serum potassium levels, proton pump inhibitor use, and comorbidities.

Results

Loop diuretic use was associated with higher serum magnesium levels (<1 DDD: 0.004 mmol/L 95% CI: −0.008; 0.017; 1 DDD: 0.023 mmol/L 95% CI: 0.013; 0.032; >1 DDD: 0.043 mmol/L 95% CI: 0.028; 0.057). Thiazide diuretic use was associated with lower serum magnesium levels (<1 DDD: −0.013 mmol/L 95% CI: −0.023; −0.002; ≥1 DDD: −0.018 mmol/L 95% CI: −0.028; −0.010), resulting in an increased odds ratio of hypomagnesaemia of 3.14 (95% CI: 1.67; 5.92) and 2.74 (95% CI: 1.57; 4.77), respectively. These effects were predominantly seen in participants using diuretics for more than 390 days. Combining thiazide diuretics with a potassium‐sparing agent was not associated with lower serum magnesium levels or hypomagnesaemia.

Conclusions

Thiazide diuretic use is associated with lower serum magnesium levels and an increased risk of hypomagnesaemia. This increased risk is not seen in participants using a combination of thiazide diuretics with a potassium‐sparing agent. The use of loop diuretics is not associated with an increased risk of hypomagnesaemia.
Understanding the water droplet initiated discharges on gamma irradiated silicone rubber insulation
Authors: Mishra Palash , Gautam Ribhu , Vinu Ravikrishnan , Sarathi Ramanujam
Published: August 2018

Corona inception voltage (CIV) due to water droplet on gamma‐irradiated silicone rubber indicates that its value reduces with increase of conductivity and with number of droplet in the electrode gap along the axis of the electrode. Increase in dosage of gamma irradiation to silicone rubber reduces the CIV. The UHF signal generated during corona inception due to water droplet has frequency bandwidth in the range of 0.3–1.2 GHz. The discharges occur in the phase range of 30°–130° in the positive half cycle and about 210°–270° in the negative half cycle. The water droplet shape gets altered on application of voltage. Surface charge accumulation studies indicate characteristic change with gamma irradiated specimen. In the presence of water droplet, the charge decay occurs rapidly with a single droplet and with three droplets. Thermal analysis of gamma radiation dosed samples reveals the destabilization of silicone material and the formation of higher order cyclic siloxane oligomers and oxygenated organics, which are expected to act as potential charge trapping sites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:182–191, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of areal density and fiber orientation on the deformation of thermomechanical bonds in a nonwoven fabric
Authors: Rittenhouse Joseph , Wijeratne Roshelle , Orler E. Bruce , Dillard David A. , Moore Robert B. , De Vita Raffaella
Published: August 2018

This study proposes a novel method to mechanically characterize the performance of individual bonds in low‐density, thermomechanically bonded nonwoven fabrics. Commercial bicomponent, polyethylene/polypropylene (PE/PP), nonwoven fabric was laser cut into bowtie‐shaped specimens for uniaxial tensile testing so that the central region of each specimen contained an individual bond. Three groups, each composed of 20 specimens, were tested with their longitudinal axes oriented along the machine direction (MD), the cross direction (CD), and at 45° between these two directions (DD). Prior to testing, the intrinsic variation in areal density and fiber orientation in the region surrounding the individual bond were quantified via orientation and relative basis weight parameters. During testing, images of the specimens were acquired to determine the occurrence of fiber breakage, bond deformation, and bond cohesive failure. Maximum force, stiffness, and orientation parameters were found to be significantly different among the three specimen groups (p < 0.01) but the relative basis weight was not (p > 0.01). The stiffness and maximum load were linearly correlated with both the areal density and fiber orientation. Pre‐existing voids or windows within the bond lowered the maximum force for specimens with the longitudinal axes aligned with the MD. These voids had no influence on the maximum force achieved by the specimens aligned with the CD and DD. The bonds in these specimens were observed to deform less than the bonds in the specimens with the longitudinal axes aligned with the MD. The results indicate the importance of the fiber structure surrounding the bond on the tensile properties, deformation and failure mode of individual bonds within the nonwoven fabric. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:311–322, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Physicochemical properties of reduced graphite oxide conglomerated polyethylene nanocomposites
Authors: Toh Guat Yee , Ong Hui Lin , Bindumadhavan Kartick , Doong Ruey‐an
Published: August 2018

The variation in physicochemical properties on incorporation of unmodified reduced graphite oxide (rGO) into a low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix has received much attention. Herein, a simple method is developed for the fabrication of LDPE/rGO nanocomposites using a solvent casting method. The UV‐visible spectra showed that addition of rGO can effectively cut off the short‐wavelength UV‐B light, which resists the occurrence of photoreaction. The stiffness of the LDPE/rGO nanocomposites was improved by 45% with an increase of modulus of elasticity as the rGO content increases. This is slightly opposite to the small decrease of the nanocomposite tensile strength. The addition of rGO to LDPE improved the thermal stability and degree of crystallization of LDPE/rGO nanocomposites when the rGO content increases from 0.025 to 1 wt%. The gas barrier property was also improved by 26% with 0.3 wt% of rGO. The dielectric property of the LDPE/rGO nanocomposites was also evaluated for industrial electronics application and the dielectric constant increases 50% compared with the neat LDPE when 0.1–1 wt% rGO was added. Results obtained clearly indicate the feasibility of using unmodified rGO to improve the properties of LDPE matrix for meeting the performance requirements for intended use in packaging industries. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
PV‐GO: A multiobjective and robust optimization approach for the grid metallization design of Si‐based solar cells and modules
Authors: Rodríguez‐Gallegos Carlos D. , Singh Jai Prakash , Yacob Ali Jaffar Moideen , Gandhi Oktoviano , Nalluri Srinath , Kumar Abhishek , Shanmugam Vinodh , Aguilar Ma. Luisa , Bieri Monika , Reindl Thomas , Panda S. K.
Published: August 2018

This paper proposes a new optimization approach for the metallization design of solar cells and modules. While previous works have only optimized a maximum of two parameters at a time (which might lead to the loss of the optimal solution), we developed a graphic user interface tool in MATLAB called Photovoltaic Grid Optimizer (PV‐GO) which is able to optimize several parameters in parallel (fingers, busbars, silver pads, and ribbons) with the objectives to enhance the efficiency of the solar cell/module and to reduce the silver consumption. The fabrication cost is subsequently estimated. Two multiobjective optimization algorithms are used: Non‐dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA‐II) and Multi‐objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) as well as a robust condition to ensure that the results are not severely affected by slight changes on the input parameters. The solar cell/module performance is estimated based on the two‐diode model considering the influence of the optimization variables under standard test conditions (STC). To evaluate our methodology, we present the optimization design for industrial Cz‐Si–based p‐type Al‐BSF monofacial and PERT bifacial, full‐cell (15.6 × 15.6 cm2) and half‐cell (15.6 × 7.8 cm2), solar cells and modules. Our methodology provides an optimal design suitable for different market situations that should be considered by the PV manufactures to enhance their electrical performance and reduce their silver consumption, and ultimately improve their profitability.
Proteome Profiles of Head Kidney and Spleen of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss)
Authors: Kumar Gokhlesh , Hummel Karin , Razzazi‐Fazeli Ebrahim , El‐Matbouli Mansour
Published: August 2018

The head kidney and spleen are major lymphoid organs of the teleost fish. The authors identify proteome profiles of head kidney and spleen of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using a shotgun proteomic approach. Gene ontology annotation of proteins is predicted using bioinformatic tools. This study represents detailed proteome profiles of head kidney and spleen of rainbow trout, with a total of 3241 and 2542 proteins identified, respectively. It is found that lymphoid organs are equipped with a variety of functional proteins related to defense, receptor, signal transduction, antioxidant, cytoskeleton, transport, binding, and metabolic processes. The identified proteome profiles will serve as a template for understanding lymphoid organ functions in salmonids and will increase the amount of spectra information of rainbow trout proteins in the public data repository PRIDE. This data can be accessed via ProteomeXchange with identifiers PXD008473 and PXD008478.
Proteomic Profiling Analysis of Male Infertility inSpodoptera LituraLarvae Challenged with Azadirachtin and its Potential‐Regulated Pathways in the Following Stages
Authors: Sun Ranran , Cui Gaofeng , Chen Yaoyao , Shu Benshui , Zhong Guohua , Yi Xin
Published: August 2018

Biopesticides are considered as an alternative to synthetic pesticide with a focus on increasing agricultural productivity as well as maintaining the ecosystem. Prior to application, its potential mechanism should be clearly addressed. Here, the effects of azadirachtin on the reproductive behavior in maleSpodoptera litura(Fabricius) are determined. To further explore its molecular mechanism, an iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation) based approach is applied to identify the differentially expressed proteins regulated by azadirachtin at two developmental stages. The results demonstrate that many proteins in the pathway of focal adhesion are regulated to exert influences in detachment of cell attachment, the loss of cell–cell interactions and inducing apoptosis at pupal stage, and many proteins in adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase pathway are also changed at the adult stage after azadirachtin‐treatment as larvae. Moreover, based on their important roles, it is suggested that some proteins, such as ACTB‐G1, ste20‐related adaptor protein alpha, and regulatory‐associated protein of mTOR (mTORC1) could serve as potential target proteins of azadirachtin to induce male infertility. The results of this study could provide evidence to illuminate the mechanism of male infertility induced by azadirachtin and potential targets for the development of environmentally friendly pesticides.
“Therapeutic applications of the ‘NPGP’ family of viral 2As”
Authors: Luke Garry A. , Ryan Martin D.
Published: August 2018

Oligopeptide “2A” and “2A‐like” sequences (“2As”; 18‐25aa) are found in a range of RNA virus genomes controlling protein biogenesis through “recoding” of the host‐cell translational apparatus. Insertion of multiple 2As within a single open reading frame (ORF) produces multiple proteins; hence, 2As have been used in a very wide range of biotechnological and biomedical applications. During translation, these 2A peptide sequences mediate a eukaryote‐specific, self‐“cleaving” event, termed “ribosome skipping” with very high efficiency. A particular advantage of using 2As is the ability to simultaneously translate a number of proteins at an equal level in all eukaryotic systems although, naturally, final steady‐state levels depend upon other factors—notably protein stability. By contrast, the use of internal ribosome entry site elements for co‐expression results in an unbalanced expression due to the relative inefficiency of internal initiation. For example, a 1:1 ratio is of particular importance for the biosynthesis of the heavy‐chain and light‐chain components of antibodies: highly valuable as therapeutic proteins. Furthermore, each component of these “artificial polyprotein” systems can be independently targeted to different sub‐cellular sites. The potential of this system was vividly demonstrated by concatenating multiple gene sequences, linked via 2A sequences, into a single, long, ORF—a polycistronic construct. Here, ORFs comprising the biosynthetic pathways for violacein (five gene sequences) and β‐carotene (four gene sequences) were concatenated into a single cistron such that all components were co‐expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. In this review, we provide useful information on 2As to serve as a guide for future utilities of this co‐expression technology in basic research, biotechnology, and clinical applications.
Assisted gene expression‐based clustering with AWNCut
Authors: Li Yang , Bie Ruofan , Teran Hidalgo Sebastian J , Qin Yichen , Wu Mengyun , Ma Shuangge
Published: August 2018

In the research on complex diseases, gene expression (GE) data have been extensively used for clustering samples. The clusters so generated can serve as the basis for disease subtype identification, risk stratification, and many other purposes. With the small sample sizes of genetic profiling studies and noisy nature of GE data, clustering analysis results are often unsatisfactory. In the most recent studies, a prominent trend is to conduct multidimensional profiling, which collects data on GEs and their regulators (copy number alterations, microRNAs, methylation, etc.) on the same subjects. With the regulation relationships, regulators contain important information on the properties of GEs. We develop a novel assisted clustering method, which effectively uses regulator information to improve clustering analysis using GE data. To account for the fact that not all GEs are informative, we propose a weighted strategy, where the weights are determined data‐dependently and can discriminate informative GEs from noises. The proposed method is built on the NCut technique and effectively realized using a simulated annealing algorithm. Simulations demonstrate that it can well outperform multiple direct competitors. In the analysis of TCGA cutaneous melanoma and lung adenocarcinoma data, biologically sensible findings different from the alternatives are made.
When It Rains, It Pours: Under What Circumstances Does Job Loss Lead to Divorce
Authors: Banzhaf Melissa Ruby
Published: August 2018

Much of the previous research that has examined the effect of job loss on the probability of divorce either rely on data from the 1970s–80s, data from European countries, or focus on aggregate divorce rates. This study uses U.S. micro‐data from 2000 to 2012 (thus including effects of the Great Recession) to examine how displacement (i.e., exogenous job loss) affects the probability of divorce. The author finds displacement significantly increases the probability of divorce but only if the husband is the spouse that is displaced, and his earnings represented approximately half or less of the household's earnings prior to displacement. Similarly, results show that the probability of divorce increases if the wife is employed and as her earnings increase. While the mechanism behind these asymmetric results remains unclear, these results are consistent with recent research that finds a destabilizing effect on marriages when a wife earns more than her husband.
Risk Preferences, Time Preferences, and Smoking Behavior
Authors: Harrison Glenn W. , Hofmeyr Andre , Ross Don , Swarthout J. Todd
Published: August 2018

There is a rich theoretical literature in economics which models habit‐forming behaviors, of which addiction is the exemplar, but there is a paucity of experimental economic studies eliciting and comparing the preferences that economic theory suggests may differ between addicts and nonaddicts. We evaluate an incentive‐compatible risk and time preference experiment conducted on a sample of student smokers and nonsmokers at the University of Cape Town in 2012. We adopt a full information maximum likelihood statistical framework, which is consistent with the data generating processes proposed by structural theories and accounts for subject errors in decision making, to explore the relationship between risk preferences, time preferences, and addiction. Across different theories and econometric specifications, we find no differences in the risk preferences of smokers and nonsmokers but do find that smokers discount significantly more heavily than nonsmokers. We also identify a nonlinear effect of smoking intensity on discounting behavior and find that smoking intensity increases the likelihood of discounting hyperbolically, which means heavier smokers may be more prone to time inconsistency and more recalcitrant to treatment. These results highlight the importance of the theory‐experimental design‐econometric trinity and have important implications for theories of addiction.
Experimental and theoretical studies on the mechanical and structural changes imposed by the variation of clay loading on poly(vinyl alcohol)/cloisite® 93A nanocomposites
Authors: Kabalan Lara , Zagho Moustafa M. , Al‐Marri Mohammed J. , Khader Mahmoud M.
Published: August 2018

Polymer nanocomposites (PNC) structures are promising materials due to their novel properties. However, many of their characteristic physical, mechanical, and chemical behavior have not been quantified. Depending on the interface interactions between polymeric chains and clay sheets, various classes of polymer/clay nanocomposite exist: Intercalated, flocculated and exfoliated nanocomposites. In this work, we present an experimental study of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)‐cloisite® 93A followed by a classical molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The structural properties of the system were studied using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), nanoscanning electron microscopy (NSEM). Both revealed intercalation between PVA chains and cloisite® 93A nanoclay. Another evidence of the intercalation between PVA and cloisite® 93A nanoclay was realized from the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) which confirmed as surge in crystallinity upon intercalation. A main focus for the intercalated structure was to investigate the impact of nanofillers content on the mechanical performance. Intercalation significantly influenced both Young's modulus and the % of elongation of PVA/cloisite® 93A blends. Young's modulus and tensile stress were raised with the content of the filler content up to 3 wt%. For higher content, opposite observations are addressed owing to the formation of aggregates of nanofillers and as consequence construction of microvoids. From the MD simulations, the intercalation has been shown by the increase of the d‐spacing with the clay loading. By calculating the density profile, it has been demonstrated that in case of low clay loading, the cloisite® 93A has its nitrogen groups on the clay surface and the long tails form layers. For the high loading of clay, nitrogen and carbon groups are together on the surface. Young modulus calculated theoretically follows the same experimental trend where an increase of the values has been observed with a clay loading up to 3 wt%, followed by a decrease of the values for higher clay loading. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:172–181, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Cover Image, Volume 8, Issue 5
Authors: Don Charleen G. , Smieško Martin
Published: August 2018

The cover image, by Charleen G. Don and Martin Smieško, is based on the Advanced Review Out‐compute drug side effects: Focus on cytochrome P450 2D6 modeling, DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1366. Design Credit: Charleen G. Don

image
Indirect monitoring of TORC1 signalling pathway reveals molecular diversity among different yeast strains
Authors: Kessi‐Pérez Eduardo I. , Salinas Francisco , Molinet Jennifer , González Asier , Muñiz Sara , Guillamón José M. , Hall Michael N. , Larrondo Luis F. , Martínez Claudio
Published: August 2018

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the main species responsible for the alcoholic fermentation in wine production. One of the main problems in this process is the deficiency of nitrogen sources in the grape must, which can lead to stuck or sluggish fermentations. Currently, yeast nitrogen consumption and metabolism are under active inquiry, with emphasis on the study of the TORC1 signalling pathway, given its central role responding to nitrogen availability and influencing growth and cell metabolism. However, the mechanism by which different nitrogen sources activates TORC1 is not completely understood. Existing methods to evaluate TORC1 activation by nitrogen sources are time‐consuming, making difficult the analyses of large numbers of strains. In this work, a new indirect method for monitoring TORC1 pathway was developed on the basis of the luciferase reporter gene controlled by the promoter region of RPL26A gene, a gene known to be expressed upon TORC1 activation. The method was tested in strains representative of the clean lineages described so far in S. cerevisiae. The activation of the TORC1 pathway by a proline‐to‐glutamine upshift was indirectly evaluated using our system and the traditional direct methods based on immunoblot (Sch9 and Rps6 phosphorylation). Regardless of the different molecular readouts obtained with both methodologies, the general results showed a wide phenotypic variation between the representative strains analysed. Altogether, this easy‐to‐use assay opens the possibility to study the molecular basis for the differential TORC1 pathway activation, allowing to interrogate a larger number of strains in the context of nitrogen metabolism phenotypic differences.
Acoustic emission characterization of sliding wear under condition of direct and inverse transformations in low-temperature degradation aged Y-TZP and Y-TZP-AL2O3
Authors: Savchenko Nikolai L. , Filippov Andrey V. , Tarasov Sergei Yu , Dmitriev Andrey I. , Shilko Evgeny V. , Grigoriev Aleksandr S.
Published: August 2018

In this research, results of the investigation of the sliding friction and wear of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline (Y-TZP) and Y-TZP-Al2O3 samples preliminarily subjected to low-temperature degradation are reported. The investigation was carried out using a pin-on-disk tribometer with simultaneous recording of acoustic emission (AE) and vibration acceleration. The sliding wear process was found to be determined by dynamic direct and inverse Y-TZP transformations detected by monoclinic and tetragonal X-ray diffraction peak ratios. The AE signals generated under direct and inverse transformations can be used to characterize wear and friction mechanisms as well as direct and inversed sliding-induced phase transformations. The AE signal energy grows with the friction coefficient and the inverse transformation degree. Reduction of the AE signal energy indicates establishing the mild wear stage caused by effective stress-induced direct martensitic transformation. The AE signal median frequency increases in the case of lower friction. Numerical studies of wear subsurface fracture under conditions of stress-induced martensitic transformation were used to elucidate the role played by the phase transformation in Y-TZP and Y-TZP-Al2O3. Martensitic transformation in Y-TZP was described with use of the non-associated dilatant plasticity model. Simulation results particularly show that increase in the value of dilatancy coefficient from 0 to 0.2 is accompanied by 25%−30% reduce in characteristic length and penetration depth of sliding-induced subsurface cracks. As shown the AE may be an effective tool for in-situ monitoring the subsurface wear of materials experiencing both direct and inverse transformations.
The conceptual relevance of assessment measures in patients with mild/mild‐moderate Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Hartry Ann , Aldhouse Natalie V.J. , Al‐Zubeidi Tamara , Sanon Myrlene , Stefanacci Richard G. , Knight Sarah L.
Published: August 2018

Introduction

This study aims to evaluate the conceptual relevance of four measures of disease activity in patients with mild/mild‐moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD): (1) the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive Subscale; (2) the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study–Activities of Daily Living Inventory; (3) the Neuropsychiatry Inventory; and (4) the Dependence Scale.

Methods

A conceptual model depicting patient experience of mild AD was developed via literature review; concepts were compared with the items of the four measures. Relevance of the concepts included in the four measures was evaluated by patients with mild AD in a survey and follow‐up interviews.

Results

The four measures assessed few of the symptoms/impacts of mild AD identified within the literature. Measured items addressing emotional impacts were deemed most relevant by participants but were included in the measures only superficially.

Discussion

The four assessment measures do not appear to capture the concepts most relevant to/important to patients with mild/mild‐moderate AD.
Real analyticity for random dynamics of transcendental functions
Authors: MAYER VOLKER , URBAŃSKI MARIUSZ , ZDUNIK ANNA
Published: August 2018

Analyticity results of expected pressure and invariant densities in the context of random dynamics of transcendental functions are established. These are obtained by a refinement of work by Rugh [On the dimension of conformal repellors, randomness and parameter dependency. Ann. of Math. (2) 168(3) (2008), 695–748] leading to a simple approach to analyticity. We work under very mild dynamical assumptions. Just the iterates of the Perron–Frobenius operator are assumed to converge. We also provide Bowen’s formula expressing the almost sure Hausdorff dimension of the radial fiberwise Julia sets in terms of the zero of an expected pressure function. Our main application establishes real analyticity for the variation of this dimension for suitable hyperbolic random systems of entire or meromorphic functions.
Dynamical sets whose union with infinity is connected
Authors: SIXSMITH DAVID J.
Published: August 2018

Suppose that $f$ is a transcendental entire function. In 2011, Rippon and Stallard showed that the union of the escaping set with infinity is always connected. In this paper we consider the related question of whether the union with infinity of the bounded orbit set, or the bungee set, can also be connected. We give sufficient conditions for these sets to be connected and an example of a transcendental entire function for which all three sets are simultaneously connected. This function lies, in fact, in the Speiser class.

It is known that for many transcendental entire functions the escaping set has a topological structure known as a spider’s web. We use our results to give a large class of functions in the Eremenko–Lyubich class for which the escaping set is not a spider’s web. Finally, we give a novel topological criterion for certain sets to be a spider’s web.
A two-layer model for buoyant displacement flows in a channel with wall slip
Authors: Taghavi S. M.
Published: August 2018

We study theoretically buoyant displacement flows of two generalized Newtonian fluids in a two-dimensional (2-D) channel with wall slip. We assume that a pseudo-interface separates two miscible (immiscible) fluids at the limit of negligible molecular diffusion (negligible surface tension). A heavy fluid displaces a light fluid at near-horizontal channel inclinations, implying that a stratified flow assumption is relevant. We develop a classical lubrication approximation model as a semi-analytical framework that includes a number of dimensionless parameters, such as a buoyancy number, the viscosity ratio, the non-Newtonian properties and the upper and lower wall slip coefficients. For specified interface heights and slopes, the reduced model can furnish the flux and velocity functions in displacing and displaced phases. We numerically solve the interface kinematic condition for four different wall slip cases: no slip (Case I), slip at the lower wall (Case II), slip at the upper wall (Case III) and slip at both walls (Case IV). The solutions for these cases deliver the interface propagation in time, for which leading and trailing displacement front heights, shapes and speeds and several key displacement features, such as front characteristic spreading lengths and short time behaviours, can be directly predicted by simplified analyses. The results reveal in detail how the presence of a channel wall slip may significantly affect the overall displacement flow and the interface evolution characteristics, for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. Regarding the latter, our analysis quantifies in particular the appearance and removal of static residual wall layers of the displaced phase, versus the wall slip cases.
Network Neuroscience and Personality
Authors: Markett Sebastian , Montag Christian , Reuter Martin
Published: August 2018

Personality and individual differences originate from the brain. Despite major advances in the affective and cognitive neurosciences, however, it is still not well understood how personality and single personality traits are represented within the brain. Most research on brain-personality correlates has focused either on morphological aspects of the brain such as increases or decreases in local gray matter volume, or has investigated how personality traits can account for individual differences in activation differences in various tasks. Here, we propose that personality neuroscience can be advanced by adding a network perspective on brain structure and function, an endeavor that we label personality network neuroscience.

With the rise of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the establishment of connectomics as a theoretical framework for structural and functional connectivity modeling, and recent advancements in the application of mathematical graph theory to brain connectivity data, several new tools and techniques are readily available to be applied in personality neuroscience. The present contribution introduces these concepts, reviews recent progress in their application to the study of individual differences, and explores their potential to advance our understanding of the neural implementation of personality.

Trait theorists have long argued that personality traits are biophysical entities that are not mere abstractions of and metaphors for human behavior. Traits are thought to actually exist in the brain, presumably in the form of conceptual nervous systems. A conceptual nervous system refers to the attempt to describe parts of the central nervous system in functional terms with relevance to psychology and behavior. We contend that personality network neuroscience can characterize these conceptual nervous systems on a functional and anatomical level and has the potential do link dispositional neural correlates to actual behavior.
Some Metatheoretical Principles for Personality Neuroscience
Authors: McNaughton Neil , Smillie Luke D.
Published: August 2018

Theories in personality neuroscience must aim to be consistent with several levels of explanation. If we view personality traits as constructs located only at the psychological level, we must still make their explanations compatible with observations and theories at lower levels, particularly with what we know at the neural level. If we view personality traits as constructs located only at the neural level, we will still need to predict their emergent effects at the psychological level. Personality theory at present treats traits as psychological-level constructs, with even the recent neurally oriented Cybernetic Big Five Theory specified in terms of a “conceptual nervous system” and not requiring complete or immediate translation into neural mechanisms. Here, we argue for the existence of phylogenetically old, neural-level traits that are substantially conserved across many vertebrate species. We first ask what known mechanisms control trait-like properties of neural systems: Focusing on hormones, the GABAAreceptor, and amine neurotransmitter systems. We derive from what we know about these sources of neuronal modulation some metatheoretical principles to guide the future development of those aspects of personality theory, starting with neural-level trait constructs and drawing implications for higher-level trait psychology observations. Current descriptive approaches such as the Big Five are an essential precursor to personality neuroscience, but may not map one-to-one to the mechanisms and constructs of a neuroscience-based approach to traits.