bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Explanations for adaptations, just‐so stories, and limitations on evidence in evolutionary biology
Authors: Smith Richard J.
Published: December 2016

Explanations of the historical origin of specific individual traits are a key part of the research program in paleontology and evolutionary biology. Why did bipedalism evolve in the human lineage? Why did some dinosaurs and related species have head crests? Why did viviparity evolve in some reptiles? Why did the common ancestor of primates evolve stereoscopic vision, grasping hands and feet, nails instead of claws, and large brains? These are difficult questions. To varying degrees, an explanation must grapple with (1) judgments about changes in fitness that might follow from a change in morphology – without actually observing behavior or measuring reproductive success, (2) the relationship between genes and traits, (3) limitations on doing relevant experiments, (4) the interpretation of causes that are almost certainly contingent, multifactorial, interactive, hierarchical, nonlinear, emergent, and probabilistic rather than deterministic, (5) limited information about variation and ontogeny, (6) a dataset based on the random fortunes of the historical record, including only partial hard‐tissue morphology and no soft‐tissue morphology, (7) an equally partial and problematic (for example, time‐averaged) record of the environment, (8) the compression of all data into a geological time scale that is likely to miss biologically important events or fluctuations, (9) dependence on a process that can only be inferred (“form and even behavior may leave fossil traces, but forces like natural selection do not”,1:130) and finally, (10) the assumption of the “adaptationist programme”2that the trait in question is in fact an adaptation rather than a consequence of genetic drift, correlated evolution, pleiotropy, exaptation, or other mechanisms.
An Empirical Analysis of the Dynamic Probability of Informed Institutional Trading: Evidence from the Taiwan Futures Exchange
Authors: Weng Pei‐Shih , Wu Ming‐Hung , Chen Miao‐Ling , Tsai Wei‐Che
Published: December 2016

Based upon a unique dataset of institutional transactions in the Taiwan index futures market, we analyze the informational role of institutional investors using the “dynamic probability of informed trading” (DPIN). Compared to “trading imbalances” (TIB) and the “volume‐synchronized probability of informed trading” (VPIN), we show that the DPIN of foreign institutional investors outperforms the alternative measures and provides more stable effects in measuring informed trading. Following the strategies highlighted by DPIN, foreign institutional investors also perform better than domestic institutional investors. Our results support the validity of DPIN and present that foreign institutional investors are more informed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 37:865–891, 2017
Role of fluorine‐18‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in evaluating breast mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: A case series
Authors: Albano Domenico , Bosio Giovanni , Orlando Emanuela , Bertagna Francesco
Published: December 2016

Mucosa‐associated lymphatic tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the breast is an extremely rare disease; its pathogenesis is not clear because of the rarity of disease, and the best diagnostic method has yet to be established. The metabolic behavior of this lymphoma is not still clear because only a few case reports are present in literature describing the possible role of fluorine‐18‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F‐FDG PET/CT) in this field. This report presents 4 cases of women with histologically proven breast MALT lymphoma who underwent 7 18F‐FDG PET/CT throughout the course of disease. All patients underwent staging PET/CT showing in all cases an FDG avid lesion corresponding to breast lymphoma; 3 patients underwent 18F‐FDG PET/CT also after chemotherapy. Our results suggest that breast MALT lymphomas are 18F‐FDG‐avid lymphomas. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed heterogeneous but high FDG uptake (mean maximum standardized uptake value 7.9), suggesting that it could be part of diagnostic workup and restaging process.
Inhibition of Anaphase‐Promoting Complex by Silence APC/CCdh1 to Enhance Radiosensitivity of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Wang Chunmiao , Su Zhengying , Hou Huaxin , Li Danrong , Pan Zhiyu , Tian Wei , Mo Chunyan
Published: December 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of APC/CCdh1 as a potential therapeutic target in the radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell CNE‐1, and explain the role of APC subunits after silence of Cdh1 combined with radiotherapy. Transfection with Cdh1 shRNA significantly increased the radiosensitivity of CNE‐1 cells and the radiation enhancement ratio (RER) of sh‐Cdh1 cells was 1.76. Knockdown of Cdh1 in CNE‐1 cells increased irradiation induced apoptosis and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. The levels of CDC20 and CylinB1 increased and the levels of Ku70 and APC3 decreased after irradiation. APC/CCdh1is involved in regulation of radiosensitivity in human NPC CNE‐1 cells. Our study may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for NPC by targeting Cdh1. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3150–3157, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of [18F]BR420 and [18F]BR351 as radiotracers for MMP‐9 imaging in colorectal cancer
Authors: Vazquez Naiara , Missault Stephan , Vangestel Christel , Deleye Steven , Thomae David , Van der Veken Pieter , Augustyns Koen , Staelens Steven , Dedeurwaerdere Stefanie , wyffels Leonie
Published: December 2016

MMP‐9 is a zinc‐dependent endopeptidase that is involved in the proteolytic degradation of the extracellular matrix and plays an important role in cancer migration, invasion, and metastasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of MMP‐tracers [18F]BR420 and [18F]BR351 for MMP‐9 imaging in a colorectal cancer xenograft model. [18F]BR420 and [18F]BR351 were synthesized using an automated synthesis module. For [18F]BR420, a novel and improved radiosynthesis was developed. Plasma stability and MMP‐9‐targeting capacity of both radiotracers was compared in the Colo205 colorectal cancer model. MMP‐9 and MMP‐2 expression levels in the tumors were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and in situ zymography. μPET imaging as well as ex vivo biodistribution revealed a higher tumor uptake for [18F]BR420 (3.15% ± 0.03% ID/g vs 0.94% ± 0.18% ID/g for [18F]BR351 at 2 hours pi) but slower blood clearance compared with [18F]BR351. [18F]BR351 was quickly metabolized in plasma with 20.28% ± 5.41% of intact tracer remaining at 15 minutes postinjection (PI). By contrast, [18F]BR420 displayed a higher metabolic stability with >86% intact tracer remaining at 2 hours PI. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of MMP‐9 and MMP‐2 in the tumor tissue, which was confirmed by in situ zymography. However, an autoradiography analysis of tracer distribution in the tumors did not correlate with MMP‐9 expression. [18F]BR420 displayed a higher tumor uptake and higher stability compared with [18F]BR351 but a low tumor‐to‐blood ratio and discrepancy between tracer distribution and MMP‐9 immunohistochemistry. Therefore, both tracers will not be usefulness for MMP‐9 imaging in colorectal cancer.
Polymorphisms in IRG1 gene associated with immune responses to hepatitis B vaccination in a Chinese Han population and function to restrain the HBV life cycle
Authors: Liu Xing , Zhang Li , Wu Xiao‐Pan , Zhu Xi‐Lin , Pan Li‐Ping , Li Tao , Yan Bing‐Yu , Xu Ai‐Qiang , Li Hui , Liu Ying
Published: December 2016

Vaccination against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is extensively used as an effective method to prevent HBV infection. However, nearly 10% of healthy adults fail to produce a protective level of antibodies against the hepatitis B vaccine, and multiple genetic variants are known to affect the immune response to the hepatitis B vaccine. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between polymorphisms in immunoresponsive gene 1 (IRG1) gene and the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination in a Chinese Han population. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the IRG1 gene were genotyped in 1230 high‐responders and 451 non‐responders to hepatitis B vaccination. The SNPs rs17470171 and rs17385627 were associated with the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination (P = 0.014 and 0.029, respectively). In addition, the haplotypes G‐A‐A‐A (rs614171‐rs17470171‐rs9530614‐rs17385627, P = 0.0042, OR = 0.68) and A‐A (rs17470171‐rs17385627, P = 0.0065, OR = 0.72) exerted a protective role in the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination. Allele ‘A’ of rs17470171 and allele ‘A’ of rs17385627 show higher levels of expression for the IRG1 gene compared with allele ‘C’ of rs17470171 and allele ‘T’ of rs17385627 as demonstrated by luciferase reporter and overexpression assays. In addition, we observed that IRG1 inhibited the HBV life cycle and that IRG1 rs17385627 allele ‘A’ was more effective than rs17385627 allele ‘T’ at eliminating HBV in HepG2.2.15 cells. These findings suggest that polymorphisms in the IRG1 gene are associated with the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination. The antiviral effect of IRG1 was confirmed using HBV infection cell models.
Zwitterionic Iron Oxide (γ‐Fe2O3) Nanoparticles Based on P(2VP‐grad‐AA) Copolymers
Authors: Billing Mark , Gräfe Christine , Saal Adrian , Biehl Philip , Clement Joachim H. , Dutz Silvio , Weidner Steffen , Schacher Felix H.
Published: December 2016

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of zwitterionic core–shell hybrid nanoparticles consisting of a core of iron oxide multicore nanoparticles (MCNPs, γ‐Fe2O3) and a shell of sultonated poly(2‐vinylpyridine‐grad‐acrylic acid) copolymers. The gradient copolymers are prepared by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of 2‐vinylpyridine (2VP), followed by the addition of tert‐butyl acrylate and subsequent hydrolysis. Grafting of P(2VP‐grad‐AA) onto MCNP results in P(2VP‐grad‐AA)@MCNP, followed by quaternization using 1,3‐propanesultone—leading to P(2VPS‐grad‐AA)@MCNP with a zwitterionic shell. The resulting particles are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and thermogravimetric analysis measurements, showing particle diameters of ≈70–90 nm and an overall content of the copolymer shell of ≈10%. Turbidity measurements indicate increased stability toward secondary aggregation after coating if compared to the pristine MCNP and additional cytotoxicity tests do not reveal any significant influence on cell viability.

image
Parkinson's disease–related increase of ‐weighted hypointensity in substantia nigra pars compacta
Authors: Langley Jason , Huddleston Daniel E. , Sedlacik Jan , Boelmans Kai , Hu Xiaoping P.
Published: December 2016

Background: In PD, at the time of diagnosis, approximately 50% of melanized dopaminergic neurons in SNpc have died, yet ongoing neuronal death and neuromelanin release with associated neuroinflammation and microglial activation continue, as does local iron accumulation. Previous studies investigating nigral iron accumulation used T2/
‐weighted contrasts to define the regions of interest in the SN. Given that T2/
‐weighted contrasts lack sensitivity to neuromelanin and thereby SNpc, neuromelanin‐sensitive MRI provides better delineation of SNpc and allows the examination of increased iron deposition in SNpc more specifically and accurately.

Objectives: To examine regions of the SNpc, defined by neuromelanin‐sensitive MRI, exhibiting iron deposition in PD.

Methods: T1‐weighted and susceptibility weighted imaging data were obtained in a cohort of 82 subjects (54 controls and 28 PD patients). The PD patients were clinically diagnosed with an average UPDRS‐III score of 37.9 ± 12.5 in the off medication state. Susceptibility weighted imaging data were analyzed using SNpc regions of interest defined by neuromelanin‐sensitive MRI.

Results: Compared to control subjects, significantly more hypointense signal was observed in the SNpc defined by neuromelanin‐sensitive MRI in the PD patients. In the PD group, the lateral ventral region of SNpc exhibited the greatest increase of hypointensity. This increase in the lateral ventral region of SNpc robustly differentiated PD patients from controls.

Conclusion:
‐weighted hypointense signal in the SNpc defined by neuromelanin‐sensitive MRI is significantly increased in PD. It is most likely a measure sensitive to PD‐related iron deposition and may serve as a robust biomarker of PD. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Recent Advances in Anticancer Activities and Drug Delivery Systems of Tannins
Authors: Cai Yuee , Zhang Jinming , Chen Nelson G. , Shi Zhi , Qiu Jiange , He Chengwei , Chen Meiwan
Published: December 2016

Tannins, polyphenols in medicinal plants, have been divided into two groups of hydrolysable and condensed tannins, including gallotannins, ellagitannins, and (–)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG). Potent anticancer activities have been observed in tannins (especially EGCG) with multiple mechanisms, such as apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of invasion and metastases. Furthermore, the combinational effects of tannins and anticancer drugs have been demonstrated in this review, including chemoprotective, chemosensitive, and antagonizing effects accompanying with anticancer effect. However, the applications of tannins have been hindered due to their poor liposolubility, low bioavailability, off‐taste, and shorter half‐life time in human body, such as EGCG, gallic acid, and ellagic acid. To tackle these obstacles, novel drug delivery systems have been employed to deliver tannins with the aim of improving their applications, such as gelatin nanoparticles, micelles, nanogold, liposomes, and so on. In this review, the chemical characteristics, anticancer properties, and drug delivery systems of tannins were discussed with an attempt to provide a systemic reference to promote the development of tannins as anticancer agents.
Algebraic interface‐based coarsening AMG preconditioner for multi‐scale sparse matrices with applications to radiation hydrodynamics computation
Authors: Xu Xiaowen , Mo Zeyao
Published: December 2016

Coarsening is a crucial component of algebraic multigrid (AMG) methods for iteratively solving sparse linear systems arising from scientific and engineering applications. Its application largely determines the complexity of the AMG iteration operator. Usually, high operator complexities lead to fast convergence of the AMG method; however, they require additional memory and as such do not scale as well in parallel computation. In contrast, although low operator complexities improve parallel scalability, they often lead to deterioration in convergence. This study introduces a new type of coarsening strategy called algebraic interface‐based coarsening that yields a better balance between convergence and complexity for a class of multi‐scale sparse matrices. Numerical results for various model‐type problems and a radiation hydrodynamics practical application are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed AMG solver.
Authoritarian Integrative Governance in China: Understanding the Crucial Role of Political Risk Aversion
Authors: Xie Qiushan
Published: December 2016

Establishing a model of public administration distinct from those of Western countries has been a long standing hope of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Chinese government. Using the Creating a National Healthy City (CNHC) campaign as a case study, this article demonstrates evidence for an emerging authoritarian integrative governance model (AIGM) in China. Given their limited and scattered resources in terms of both bureaucratic structure and geography, local government officials cannot effectively complete the numerous tasks transferred to them from higher‐level government offices. Therefore, relying on an authoritative system to integrate dispersed resources has become a rational solution. The emergence of AIGM is more contingent upon the weighing the political risks that originate from competition between different political ideologies, environmental feedback on the failure or success of solutions to bureaucratic problems are considered less significant, which furthers allow the emergence of AIGM to be an inevitable consequence. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel nanoscale‐crossbar resistive switching memory using a copper chemical displacement technique
Authors: Lin Li‐Min , Yang Wen‐Luh , Lin Yu‐Hsien , Hsiao Yu‐Ping , Chin Fun‐Tat , Kao Ming‐Fang
Published: December 2016

Nanoscale‐crossbar electrochemical‐metallization (ECM) type resistive‐switching random access memory (ReRAM) is considered promising candidates for next‐generation non‐volatile memory. However, performing nanoscale patterning with traditional Cu‐based ECM ReRAM is quite challenging, because Cu is difficult to control and pattern using lithography and etching. In this study, a nanoscale Cu‐based ReRAM with a Si3N4–SiO2 bi‐layer was fabricated successfully through a novel Cu chemical displacement technique (Cu‐CDT). Compared with other conventional Cu deposition techniques, the Cu‐CDT exhibits numerous advantages including simplicity, low‐temperature fabrication, low cost, and high displacement selectivity between poly‐Si and the Si3N4–SiO2 bi‐layer. Moreover, the developed nanoscale‐crossbar Cu‐CDT ReRAM device demonstrated stable switching and remarkable high‐temperature data retention. Therefore, the Cu‐CDT is an effective approach for overcoming Cu etching and patterning limitations.
Reduction of reverse‐leakage current in selective‐area‐grown GaN‐based core–shell nanostructure LEDs using AlGaN layers
Authors: Rishinaramangalam Ashwin K. , Nami Mohsen , Shima Darryl M. , Balakrishnan Ganesh , Brueck Steven R. J. , Feezell Daniel F.
Published: December 2016

We report a simple method to improve the p‐type doping efficiency and eliminate the diode leakage current in selective‐area‐grown GaN‐based core–shell nanostructure LEDs by growing an n‐type AlGaN layer underneath the InGaN/GaN active region. A significant reduction in reverse‐leakage current density is correlated with longer AlGaN layer growth time and higher flow rate of the aluminum precursor. A comparison of the SIMS profiles with and without the underlayer indicates a high concentration of donor‐type impurities (e.g., silicon and oxygen) in the p‐GaN layer in the structure with no AlGaN underlayer. Conversely, LEDs with an AlGaN underlayer exhibit enhanced magnesium incorporation and much lower silicon and oxygen impurity concentrations within the p‐GaN layer. The reverse current density was also reduced by the addition of a p‐type AlGaN electron blocking layer above the active region.
Electrochemical Properties of Flexible Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO)/Single–walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) Composite Electrode for Energy Storage Device
Authors: Du Jin Feng , Kim Yong Ryeol , Jeong Hyeon Taek
Published: December 2016

Acid‐treated single‐walled carbon nanotubes (ASWNTs) were obtained from single‐walled carbon nanotubes functionalized by nitric acid. The flexible electrodes based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and ASWCNTs were fabricated via spray coating technique. The electrochemical properties of the flexible electrodes were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) measurements in the aqueous electrolyte of 1 M H2SO4. The flexible rGO/ASWCNTs (optimal weight ratio between rGO and SWCNTs=1:9) electrode exhibited the highest electrochemical performance. The specific capacitance value of the unbent flexible rGO/SWCNTs electrode was 115 F g−1, which decreased to 112 F g−1 (97 % retention) after 1000 GCD cycles. The initial capacitance value (115 F g−1) decreased to 107 F g−1 (93 % retention) after 500 bending with application of 6000 GCD cycles.
Microstructure Characterization and Mechanical Properties of Modified 9Cr Steel
Authors: Mandal Anup , Bandyopadhyay Tapas Kumar
Published: December 2016

The work describes the effect of heat treatment on microstructure, and mechanical behavior titanium and niobium modified 9% chromium steel. The initial cast and forged microstructures consist of martensitic structure. The martensitic structure changes with increasing tempering temperature. Fine precipitates are found during tempering at 700 °C. Precipitates are carbides of chromium, niobium, and titanium. The room temperature tensile behavior of the steel is strongly dependent on processing and subsequent heat treatment. The tensile properties (YS and UTS) increase with increasing tempering temperature from 700 to 750 °C. The tensile properties of the steel improve in case of rolling sample compared to forging sample due to texture formation. But tensile properties decrease with increasing tempering time from 1 to 5 h at a fixed temperature (700 °C). The high‐temperature tensile test result shows that YS and UTS decrease whereas ductility increases with increasing temperature. True stress also decreases with increasing temperature.
Maternal endothelial function and vascular stiffness after HELLP syndrome: a case–control study
Authors: Orabona R. , Sciatti E. , Vizzardi E. , Bonadei I. , Prefumo F. , Valcamonico A. , Metra M. , Frusca T.
Published: December 2016

Objectives

To assess endothelial function and arterial stiffness in women with a previous pregnancy complicated by pre‐eclampsia (PE) with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome, and to compare these findings to those in women with previous PE but no HELLP and to those in controls with previous uncomplicated pregnancy, in order to investigate the influence of HELLP syndrome on subsequent cardiovascular impairment.

Methods

In this prospective single‐center case–control study, we performed peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) (using the EndoPAT method) and pulse‐wave velocity (PWV) assessment in 109 women who had had a singleton pregnancy complicated by PE with (n = 49) or without (n = 60) HELLP syndrome, as well as in 60 controls with previous uncomplicated pregnancy, between 6 months and 4 years after delivery. The following EndoPAT and PWV indices were compared between groups: reactive hyperemia index (RHI), as an indication of endothelial function, and peripheral and aortic heart‐rate‐corrected augmentation indices (AIx) standardized for a heart rate of 75 bpm (AIx@75) and carotid–femoral pulse‐wave velocity (cfPWV), as indications of arterial stiffness.

Results

PAT and arterial stiffness indices were significantly different between PE cases, with or without previous HELLP, and controls, except for carotid–femoral PWV. There were no significant differences among PE groups: women who had experienced HELLP and those with a history of PE without HELLP showed similar rates of RHI ≤ 1.67 (28.6% vs 18.3%, P = 0.254) and RHI ≤ 2.00 (61.2% vs 41.7%, P = 0.055), peripheral AIx@75 ≥ 17% (38.8% vs 30.0%, P = 0.417), aortic AIx@75 ≥ 35% (29.2% vs 20.0%, P = 0.461) and cfPWV × 0.8 > 9.6 m/s, which occurred in only three women, all in the group without previous HELLP (0% vs 5.0%, P = 0.251). On multivariate regression analysis, HELLP syndrome, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and early‐onset PE independently predicted endothelial dysfunction at 6 months to 4 years postpartum, after correcting for uterine artery pulsatility index, birth‐weight percentile, and maternal blood pressure, age and body mass index. Women with both previous HELLP and early‐onset IUGR had a significantly higher prevalence of endothelial dysfunction (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Similar vascular abnormalities were found in women previously affected by HELLP syndrome and those with previous PE without HELLP. However, a history of HELLP syndrome, IUGR and early‐onset PE seems to identify a subgroup of women with a higher risk for future development of endothelial dysfunction. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Reactivity of Hydroxamate Ions in Cationic Vesicular Media for the Cleavage of Carboxylate Esters
Authors: Kandpal Neha , Dewangan Hitesh K. , Nagwanshi Rekha , Vaishanav Sandeep K. , Ghosh Kallol K. , Satnami Manmohan L.
Published: December 2016

The hydrolysis of carboxylate esters viz. p‐nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA), p‐nitrophenyl butyrate (PNPB) and p‐nitrophenyl octanoate (PNPO) in the presence of cationic vesicles of the surfactant dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAC) by different hydroxamate ions i.e. acetohydroxamate (AHA−), benzohydroxamate (BHA−) and salicylhydroxamate (SHA−) were studied. The kinetic data was supported by spectrophotometric measurements. The effects of vesicular size on the reaction have been discussed. The differential reactivity under endo‐ and exovesicular conditions has also been evaluated. Critical vesicle concentrations (CVC) of cationic vesicular surfactants were determined from conductometric and fluorimetric measurements at 300 K. Fluorescence probe pyrene and pyrene‐1‐carboxaldehyde have been used for determination of CVC. Further, thermodynamic parameters viz. Standard Gibb's energy (∆G°), enthalpy (∆H°), and entropy (∆S°) of vesicles has also been evaluated within a temperature range of 303.15–328.15 K.
Chinese adolescents' reports of covert parental monitoring: Comparisons with overt monitoring and links with information management
Authors: Hawk Skyler T.
Published: December 2016

This study compared Chinese adolescents' reports of covert parental monitoring with the overt strategies of solicitation and control. We investigated these behaviors in terms of unique associations with adolescents' perceived privacy invasion and the information management behaviors of disclosure and secrecy. High school students (N = 455, 61.5% female; Mage = 17.39, SD = 0.83) from a predominantly rural province of Mainland China reported a high incidence of covert monitoring (60.40%). Covert monitoring predicted privacy invasion more strongly than solicitation or control. Solicitation positively predicted disclosure, while covert monitoring negatively predicted disclosure and positively predicted secrecy. Privacy invasion fully mediated links between covert monitoring and information management. These latter effects were significantly stronger for girls than for boys. Similar to Western adolescents, Chinese youth might apply selective resistance when parents violate their personal domain. The findings suggest linkage between some parental monitoring behaviors and disruptions in Chinese family communication.
Understanding how Gamification Influences Behaviour in Social Marketing
Authors: Mitchell Robert , Schuster Lisa , Drennan Judy
Published: December 2016

Purpose

In Australia and many other nations the prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing, while physical activity declines. This paper investigates the effect of gamification on consumers’ motivation and behaviour to engage in physical activity over time from a social marketing perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental design was used to determine the effect of a popular gamified fitness application (app) on both intrinsic motivation and walking behaviour over four weeks.

Findings

While the study found that gamification supported behaviour change and maintenance, there was no significant change to intrinsic motivation as a result of using the app. This finding suggests there may be an alternative mechanism underlying how gamification achieves behavioural outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

Future research is recommended to further explore the manner in which gamification influences behaviours.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the call for longitudinal studies of gamification and for studies examining both the motivational and behavioural outcomes of gamification.
Data analysis in the post‐genome‐wide association study era
Authors: Wang Qiao‐Ling , Tan Wen‐Le , Zhao Yan‐Jie , Shao Ming‐Ming , Chu Jia‐Hui , Huang Xu‐Dong , Li Jun , Luo Ying‐Ying , Peng Lin‐Na , Cui Qiong‐Hua , Feng Ting , Yang Jie , Han Ya‐Ling
Published: December 2016

Since the first report of a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) on human age‐related macular degeneration, GWAS has successfully been used to discover genetic variants for a variety of complex human diseases and/or traits, and thousands of associated loci have been identified. However, the underlying mechanisms for these loci remain largely unknown. To make these GWAS findings more useful, it is necessary to perform in‐depth data mining. The data analysis in the post‐GWAS era will include the following aspects: fine‐mapping of susceptibility regions to identify susceptibility genes for elucidating the biological mechanism of action; joint analysis of susceptibility genes in different diseases; integration of GWAS, transcriptome, and epigenetic data to analyze expression and methylation quantitative trait loci at the whole‐genome level, and find single‐nucleotide polymorphisms that influence gene expression and DNA methylation; genome‐wide association analysis of disease‐related DNA copy number variations. Applying these strategies and methods will serve to strengthen GWAS data to enhance the utility and significance of GWAS in improving understanding of the genetics of complex diseases or traits and translate these findings for clinical applications.
Preoperative serum lipid profile and outcome in nonmetastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Hong Ting‐Ting , Shen Di , Chen Xiao‐Ping , Wu Xiao‐Hong , Hua Dong
Published: December 2016

Objective

A large portion of non‐metastatic colorectal cancers (non‐mCRCs) recur after curative surgery. In addition to the traditional tumor‐related factors, host‐related factors are also required to accurately predict prognosis. A few studies have shown an association between the serum lipid profile and the survival and treatment response of patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the prognostic significance of the preoperative serum lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C)] in patients with non‐mCRC treated with curative surgery. The Spearman rank correlation test was used to analyze associations between lipid levels and categorical variables. Lipid levels were modeled as four equal‐sized quartiles based on the distribution among the whole cohort. Kaplan‐Meier curves were used to estimate survival probabilities, and the log‐rank test was used to detect differences between them. Multivariate fractional polynomial (MFP) analysis was used to model any non‐linear effects and avoid categorization. To evaluate the added prognostic value of lipids, the predictive power of two models (with and without lipids as covariates) was compared by using Harrell's C‐statistic and the Akaike information criterion (AIC).

Results

A total of 266 patients with non‐mCRC were enrolled in the present study. Spearman rank correlation test showed that TG levels inversely correlated with N stage (r = −0.20, P = 0.00) and Tumor‐Node‐Metastasis (TNM) stage (r = −0.19, P = 0.00). HDL‐C levels positively correlated with perineural invasion (PNI) (r = 0.15, P = 0.02), and LDL‐C levels inversely correlated with lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (r = −0.12, P = 0.04). None of the four lipids predicted overall survival (OS) in univariate or multivariate analyses adjusted for age, gender, T stage, N stage, TNM stage, histological grade, tumor deposits, LVI, PNI, and adjuvant treatment (all P > 0.05). In agreement, the Kaplan‐Meier curves for OS according to the lipid quartiles were not significantly different, as confirmed by the log‐rank test (all P > 0.05). MFP analysis also found no significant associations between lipid levels and OS (all P > 0.05). A prognostic model that included lipids had a higher Harrell's C‐statistic and a lower AIC value than did a model that did not include lipids (for Harrell's C‐statistic: 0.82 vs. 0.77; for AIC: 398 vs. 432).

Conclusion

Measuring preoperative serum lipid levels may be a simple and cost‐effective way of increasing prognostic accuracy in patients with non‐mCRC treated with curative surgery.
The APOE ε4 genotype modulates CSF YKL‐40 levels and their structural brain correlates in the continuum of Alzheimer's disease but not those of sTREM2
Authors: Gispert Juan Domingo , Monté Gemma C. , Suárez‐Calvet Marc , Falcon Carles , Tucholka Alan , Rojas Santiago , Rami Lorena , Sánchez‐Valle Raquel , Lladó Albert , Kleinberger Gernot , Haass Christian , Molinuevo José Luis
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Among other metabolic functions, the apolipoprotein E (APOE) plays a crucial role in neuroinflammation. We aimed at assessing whether APOE ε4 modulates levels of glial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and their structural cerebral correlates along the continuum of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were acquired in 110 participants (49 control; 19 preclinical; 27 mild cognitive impairment [MCI] due to AD; 15 mild AD dementia) and CSF concentrations of YKL‐40 and sTREM2 were determined. Differences in CSF biomarker concentrations and interactions in their association with gray‐matter volume according to APOE ε4 status were sought after.

Results

Preclinical and MCI carriers showed higher YKL‐40 levels. There was a significant interaction in the association between YKL‐40 levels and gray‐matter volume according to ε4 status. No similar effects could be detected for sTREM2 levels.

Discussion

Our findings are indicative of an increased astroglial activation in APOE ε4 carriers while both groups displayed similar levels of CSF AD core biomarkers.
Alzheimer's disease: The influence of age on clinical heterogeneity through the human brain connectome
Authors: Dickerson Bradford C. , Brickhouse Michael , McGinnis Scott , Wolk David A. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: December 2016

Introduction

One major factor that influences the heterogeneity of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is age: younger AD patients more frequently exhibit atypical forms of AD. We propose that this age‐related heterogeneity can be understood better by considering age‐related differences in atrophy in the context of large‐scale brain networks subserving cognitive functions that contribute to memory.

Methods

We examined data from 75 patients with mild AD dementia from Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. These individuals were chosen because they have cerebrospinal fluid amyloid and p‐tau levels in the range suggesting the presence of AD neuropathology, and because they were either younger than age 65 years early‐onset AD (EOAD) or age 80 years or older late‐onset AD (LOAD).

Results

In the EOAD group, the most prominent atrophy was present in the posterior cingulate cortex, whereas in the LOAD group, atrophy was most prominent in the medial temporal lobe. Structural covariance analysis showed that the magnitude of atrophy in these epicenters is strongly correlated with a distributed atrophy pattern similar to distinct intrinsic connectivity networks in the healthy brain. An examination of memory performance in EOAD dementia versus LOAD dementia demonstrated relatively more prominent impairment in encoding in the EOAD group than in the LOAD group, with similar performance in memory storage in LOAD and EOAD but greater impairment in semantic memory in LOAD than in EOAD.

Discussion

The observations provide novel insights about age as a major factor contributing to the heterogeneity in the topography of AD‐related cortical atrophy.
The relationship between deinstitutionalization and quality of care in longer-term psychiatric and social care facilities in Europe: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Taylor Salisbury T. , Killaspy H. , King M.
Published: December 2016

Background

The process of deinstitutionalization (community-based care) has been shown to be associated with better quality of life for those with longer-term mental health problems compared to long stay hospitals. This project aimed to investigate the relationship between national progress towards deinstitutionalization and (1) quality of longer-term mental health care (2) service users’ ratings of that care in nine European countries.

Methods

Quality of care was assessed in 193 longer-term hospital- and community-based facilities in Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the UK. Data on users’ ratings of care were collected from 1579 users of these services. Country level variables were compiled from publicly available data. Multilevel models were fit to assess associations with quality of care and service user experiences of care.

Results

Significant positive associations were found between deinstitutionalization and (1) five of seven quality of care domains; and (2) service user autonomy. A 10% increase in expenditure was associated with projected clinically important improvements in quality of care.

Conclusions

Greater deinstitutionalization of mental health mental health services is associated with higher quality of care and better service user autonomy.
Etiology of sinonasal inverted papilloma: A narrative review
Authors: Wang Ming‐Jie , Noel Julia E.
Published: December 2016

Objective

Sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) is a benign and uncommon tumor of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses with a tendency for recurrence and even malignant transformation. Though the morphology and clinical behavior of this lesion has been well described, its etiology remains controversial.

Methods

Computerized searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar through May 2015. In this review, etiologic factors including human papilloma virus (HPV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), cell cycle related proteins and angiogenic factors, occupational and environmental exposures, and chronic inflammation, will be discussed.

Results

Many studies indicate that HPV has been detected in a significant percentage of IP, while EBV has not been shown to be significantly associated. Certain cell cycle regulatory factors and angiogenic proteins contribute to the dysregulation of proliferation and apoptosis, and facilitate migration and tumor invasion. Occupational exposures, such as welding and organic solvents, have been implicated, and smoking seems more critical to recurrence and dysplasia rather than initial IP occurrence. Chronic inflammation may also have a causative relationship with inverted papilloma, but the mechanism is unclear.

Conclusions

Though etiology of sinonasal IP remains controversial, the studies reviewed here indicate a role for viral infection, cell cycle and angiogenic factors, environmental and occupational exposure, and chronic inflammation. Further study on etiologic factors is necessary for clinical guidance and therapeutic targets.
Doing It for Themselves: The Steel Company of Wales and the Study of American Industrial Productivity, 1945–1955
Authors: MISKELL LOUISE
Published: December 2016

This article examines the efforts of one British steel company to acquire knowledge about American industrial productivity in the first post-World War II decade. It argues that company information-gathering initiatives in this period were overshadowed by the work of the formal productivity missions of the Marshall Plan era. In particular, it compares the activities of the Steel Company of Wales with the Anglo-American Council on Productivity (AACP), whose iron and steel industry productivity team report was published in 1952. Based on evidence from its business records, this study shows that the Steel Company of Wales was undertaking its own international productivity investigations, which started earlier and were more extensive and differently focused from those of the AACP. It makes the case for viewing companies as active participants in the gathering and dissemination of productivity knowledge in Britain’s steel sector after 1945.
The Revolutionary Transformation of American Merchant Networks: Carter and Wadsworth and Their World, 1775–1800
Authors: CUTTERHAM TOM
Published: December 2016

American merchant networks facilitated, and were in turn transformed by, the War for Independence. They also played a crucial role in the establishment of financial and political institutions in the new republic. John Carter (a.k.a. John Barker Church) and Jeremiah Wadsworth were among the foremost merchants and financiers of the Revolutionary era. This article follows their careers from the beginning of their wartime activities through to the end of the Federalist Era in 1800. It explains how they created and manipulated networks of supply and credit, and how they invested the proceeds of their success in the years after the war. Through this case study, the article demonstrates how wartime requirements reshaped merchant networks, not simply by increasing risk and encouraging retrenchment, but by creating influxes of credit and pressures for expansion. It argues that war led to increased inequality among merchants in terms of wealth and credit. Furthermore, this increased inequality impacted the nature of postwar finance and commerce. It shaped the economic and political structures of the new republic, in part through the agency of successful merchants like Carter and Wadsworth.
Stress relaxation in a dilute bacterial suspension
Authors: Nambiar Sankalp , Nott P. R. , Subramanian Ganesh
Published: December 2016

In this communication, we offer a theoretical explanation for the results of recent experiments that examine the stress response of a dilute suspension of bacteria (wild-type E. coli) subjected to step changes in the shear rate (Lopez et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 115, 2015, 028301). The observations include a regime of negative apparent shear viscosities. We start from a kinetic equation that describes the evolution of the single-bacterium orientation probability density under the competing effects of an induced anisotropy by the imposed shear, and a return to isotropy on account of stochastic relaxation mechanisms (run-and-tumble dynamics and rotary diffusion). We then obtain analytical predictions for the stress response, at leading order, of a dilute bacterial suspension subject to a weak but arbitrary time-dependent shear rate profile. While the predicted responses for a step-shear compare well with the experiments for typical choices of the microscopic parameters that characterize the swimming motion of a single bacterium, use of actual experimental values leads to significant discrepancies. The incorporation of a distribution of run times leads to a better agreement with observations.
Combined Rayleigh–Taylor and Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities on an annular liquid sheet
Authors: Vadivukkarasan M. , Panchagnula Mahesh V.
Published: December 2016

This paper describes the three-dimensional destabilization characteristics of an annular liquid sheet when subjected to the combined action of Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) and Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instability mechanisms. The stability characteristics are studied using temporal linear stability analysis and by assuming that the fluids are incompressible, immiscible and inviscid. Surface tension is also taken into account at both the interfaces. Linearized equations governing the growth of instability amplitude have been derived. These equations involve time-varying coefficients and have been analysed using two approaches – direct numerical time integration and frozen-flow approximation. From the direct numerical time integration, we show that the time-varying coefficients evolve on a slow time scale in comparison with the amplitude growth. Therefore, we justify the use of the frozen-flow approximation and derive a closed-form dispersion relation from the appropriate governing equations and boundary conditions. The effect of flow conditions and fluid properties is investigated by introducing dimensionless numbers such as Bond number ($Bo$), inner and outer Weber numbers ($We_{i}$,$We_{o}$) and inner and outer density ratios ($Q_{i}$,$Q_{o}$). We show that four instability modes are possible – Taylor, sinuous, flute and helical. It is observed that the choice of instability mode is influenced by a combination of both$Bo$as well as$We_{i}$and$We_{o}$. However, the instability length scale calculated from the most unstable wavenumbers is primarily a function of$Bo$. We show a regime map in the$Bo,We_{i},We_{o}$parameter space to identify regions where the system is susceptible to three-dimensional helical modes. Finally, we show an optimal partitioning of a given total energy ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D701}$) into acceleration-induced and shear-induced instability mechanisms in order to achieve a minimum instability length scale (${\mathcal{L}}_{m}^{\ast }$). We show that it is beneficial to introduce at least 90 % of the total energy into acceleration induced RT instability mechanism. In addition, we show that when the RT mechanism is invoked to destabilize an annular liquid sheet,${\mathcal{L}}_{m}^{\ast }\sim \unicode[STIX]{x1D701}^{-3/5}$.
Experimental study of flow around polygonal cylinders
Authors: Xu S. J. , Zhang W. G. , Gan L. , Li M. G. , Zhou Y.
Published: December 2016

The wake of polygonal cylinders with side number $N=2\sim \infty$ is systematically studied based on fluid force, hot-wire, particle image velocimetry and flow visualisation measurements. Each cylinder is examined for two orientations, with a flat surface or a corner leading and facing normally to the free stream. The Reynolds number $Re$ is $1.0\times 10^{4}\sim 1.0\times 10^{5}$, based on the longitudinally projected cylinder width. The time-averaged drag coefficient $C_{D}$ and fluctuating lift coefficient on these cylinders are documented, along with the characteristic properties including the Strouhal number $St$, flow separation point and angle $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{s}$, wake width and critical Reynolds number $Re_{c}$ at which the transition from laminar to turbulent flow occurs. It is found that once $N$ exceeds 12, $Re_{c}$ depends on the difference between the inner diameter (tangent to the faces) and the outer diameter (connecting corners) of a polygon, the relationship being approximately given by the dependence of $Re_{c}$ on the height of the roughness elements for a circular cylinder. It is further found that $C_{D}$ versus $\unicode[STIX]{x1D709}$ or $St$ versus $\unicode[STIX]{x1D709}$ for all the tested cases collapse onto a single curve, where the angle $\unicode[STIX]{x1D709}$ is the corrected $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{s}$ associated with the laterally widest point of the polygon and the separation point. Finally, the empirical correlation between $C_{D}$ and $St$ is discussed.