bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In silico binding affinity to cyclooxygenase-II and green synthesis of benzylpyrazolyl coumarin derivatives
Authors: Saha Arijit , Payra Soumen , Verma Sant Kumar , Mandal Mou , Thareja Suresh , Banerjee Subhash
Published: November 2015

Here, we have reported enhanced molecular binding affinities of benzylpyrazolyl coumarin scaffolds with COX-II inhibitor and an ionic liquid catalyzed simple green synthetic route to access these scaffolds.
Physicochemical interface effect in Cu2O–ZnO heterojunction on photocurrent spectrum
Authors: Eom Kiryung , Kim Seunghwan , Lee Dongyoon , Seo Hyungtak
Published: November 2015

Here we study the spectral changes in the solar photocurrent upon altering the arrangement of the Cu2O and ZnO layers in oxide heterojunction solar cells.
Graphene oxide-based Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a novel scaffold for the immobilization of porcine pancreatic lipase
Authors: Shao Yongbo , Jing Tao , Tian Jingzhi , Zheng Yongjie
Published: November 2015

A chloropropyl-functionalized graphene oxide decorated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles, CPS/GO-Fe3O4@MCM-41, was made, and porcine pancreas lipase (PPL) was immobilized onto the graphene oxide based magnetic nanoparticles via covalent bonding.
Harmonic impact of high penetration photovoltaic system on unbalanced distribution networks – learning from an urban photovoltaic network
Authors: Chidurala Annapoorna , Kumar Saha Tapan , Mithulananthan N.
Published: November 2015

Solar photovoltaic (PV) system installations are rapidly increasing in distribution networks. These PV systems include power electronic devices which have an influence on the power quality of the grid in the form of harmonic distortion. The aim of this study is the harmonic impact of PV systems on distribution networks. A comprehensive harmonic behaviour analysis has been performed on the IEEE‐13 bus distribution network with high PV systems penetration. A certain level of harmonics is also injected into the IEEE network through non‐linear loads to resemble a realistic scenario. The investigation has been carried out through simulations of three case studies, namely PV system integrations at a single node in particular with and without the presence of background distortions in the supply and finally PV penetration at multiple nodes with supply distortions. Furthermore, an evaluation study has been conducted at the University of Queensland PV site to validate simulation results. This study has highlighted the PV systems harmonic contributions on real distribution networks and the impact of harmonics propagation on transformer K‐factor. Results show that the total harmonic distortions of current and voltage are exceeding the limits when the number of PV systems increases, leading to transformer overloading and heating.
Accelerating quantum instanton calculations of the kinetic isotope effects
Authors: Karandashev Konstantin , Vaníček Jiří
Published: November 2015

Path integral implementation of the quantum instanton approximation currently belongs among the most accurate methods for computing quantum rate constants and kinetic isotope effects, but its use has been limited due to the rather high computational cost. Here, we demonstrate that the efficiency of quantum instanton calculations of the kinetic isotope effects can be increased by orders of magnitude by combining two approaches: The convergence to the quantum limit is accelerated by employing high-order path integral factorizations of the Boltzmann operator, while the statistical convergence is improved by implementing virial estimators for relevant quantities. After deriving several new virial estimators for the high-order factorization and evaluating the resulting increase in efficiency, using ⋅Hα + HβHγ → HαHβ + ⋅ Hγ reaction as an example, we apply the proposed method to obtain several kinetic isotope effects on CH4 + ⋅ H ⇌ ⋅ CH3 + H2 forward and backward reactions.
Circular hydraulic jump on finite surfaces with capillary limit
Authors: Mohajer Behzad , Li Ri
Published: November 2015

A round liquid jet impinging on a circular disc with free edge generates a thin liquid film in the center surrounded by a thick film. For low flow rates, the thick film is bounded by a stable rim around the disc edge and flows off only from one spot at the edge. The outer Froude number remains constant for varied flow rates and disc sizes but changes with the surface tension of the fluid. The jump radius increases linearly with the flow rate, and the linear slope varies with the surface tension. Due to the stable-rim edge condition, the constant outer Froude numbers observed in our study are different from the constant value reported by Duchesne et al. [“Constant Froude number in a circular hydraulic jump and its implication on the jump radius selection,” Europhys. Lett. 107, 54002 (2014)]. Despite the constant outer Froude numbers being independent of the flow rate, the inner Froude number changes with the flow rate, which is due to the surface tension force at the jump location. Force analysis is conducted by taking into account the stable rim, and the derived equations provide the relationship of jump radius with the contact angle of the stable rim, disc size, and jet flow. The maximum outer Froude number and the minimum inner Froude number are theoretically analyzed. Depending on the pre-jump velocity profile and the surface tension force at the jump, the maximum outer Froude number could be larger than unity. The shape of free surface at the jump is analyzed to evaluate the theoretical assumption of steep jump.
Improved vertical optical fiber borehole strainmeter design for measuring Earth strain
Authors: DeWolf Scott , Wyatt Frank K. , Zumberge Mark A. , Hatfield William
Published: November 2015

Fiber-based interferometers provide the means to sense very small displacements over long baselines, and have the advantage of being nearly completely passive in their operation, making them particularly well suited for geophysical applications. A new 250 m, interferometric vertical borehole strainmeter has been developed based completely on passive optical components. Details of the design and deployment at the Piñon Flat Observatory are presented. Power spectra show an intertidal noise level of −130 dB (re. 1 ϵ2/Hz), consistent within 1–3 dB between redundant components. Examination of its response to Earth tides and earthquakes relative to the areal strain recorded by an orthogonal pair of collocated, 730 m horizontal laser strainmeters yield a Poisson’s ratio for local near surface material of 0.25 that is consistent with previous results.
Phase space trajectories and Lyapunov exponents in the dynamics of an alpha-helical protein lattice with intra- and inter-spine interactions
Authors: Angelin Jeba K. , Latha M. M. , Jain Sudhir R.
Published: November 2015

The nonlinear dynamics of intra- and inter-spine interaction models of alpha-helical proteins is investigated by proposing a Hamiltonian using the first quantized operators. Hamilton's equations of motion are derived, and the dynamics is studied by constructing the trajectories and phase space plots in both cases. The phase space plots display a chaotic behaviour in the dynamics, which opens questions about the relationship between the chaos and exciton-exciton and exciton-phonon interactions. This is verified by plotting the Lyapunov characteristic exponent curves.
Coupling of electrical and mechanical switching in nanoscale ferroelectrics
Authors: Cao Ye , Li Qian , Chen Long-Qing , Kalinin Sergei V.
Published: November 2015

While electric field induced ferroelectric switching has been extensively studied and broadly utilized, pure mechanical switching via flexoelectric effect has recently opened up an alternative method for domain writing due to their highly localized, electrically erasable and electric damage free characteristics. Thus far, few studies have been made on the coupling effect of electro-mechanical switching in ferroelectric materials, likely due to the experimental difficulty in the accurate definition of the tip-surface contact area and in the identification of mechanical contribution from electrical effect. Here, we employed self-consistent phase-field modeling to investigate the bi-polar switching behavior of (001) oriented Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 thin film under concurrent electric and strain field created via a piezoresponse force microscope probe. By separating the effects from electric field, homogeneous strain and strain gradient, we revealed that the homogeneous strain suppresses the spontaneous polarization and accordingly increases the coercive field, and the strain gradient favors unipolar switching and inhibit it in the reverse direction, thus causing lateral offset of the hysteresis loop. The uncertainty of flexoelectric coefficients and the influence of flexocoupling coefficients on switching have also been discussed. Our study could necessitate further understanding of the electric, piezoelectric, and flexoelectric contribution to the switching behavior in nanoscale ferroelectric oxides.
Response to “Comment on ‘Superposition of elliptic functions as solutions for a large number of nonlinear equations’” [J. Math. Phys. 56, 084101 (2015)]
Authors: Khare Avinash , Saxena Avadh
Published: November 2015

In a recent paper, Zhang and Li [J. Math. Phys. 56, 084101 (2015)] have doubted our claim that whenever a nonlinear equation has solutions in terms of the Jacobi elliptic functions cn(x, m) and dn(x, m), then the same nonlinear equation will necessarily also have solutions in terms of dn(x,m)±mcn(x,m). We point out the flaw in their argument and show why our assertion is indeed valid.
Crystalline polymers with exceptionally low thermal conductivity studied using molecular dynamics
Authors: Robbins Andrew B. , Minnich Austin J.
Published: November 2015

Semi-crystalline polymers have been shown to have greatly increased thermal conductivity compared to amorphous bulk polymers due to effective heat conduction along the covalent bonds of the backbone. However, the mechanisms governing the intrinsic thermal conductivity of polymers remain largely unexplored as thermal transport has been studied in relatively few polymers. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations to study heat transport in polynorbornene, a polymer that can be synthesized in semi-crystalline form using solution processing. We find that even perfectly crystalline polynorbornene has an exceptionally low thermal conductivity near the amorphous limit due to extremely strong anharmonic scattering. Our calculations show that this scattering is sufficiently strong to prevent the formation of propagating phonons, with heat being instead carried by non-propagating, delocalized vibrational modes known as diffusons. Our results demonstrate a mechanism for achieving intrinsically low thermal conductivity even in crystalline polymers that may be useful for organic thermoelectrics.
Production of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural and Furfural from Lignocellulosic Biomass in Water-Tetrahydrofuran Media with Sodium Bisulfate
Authors: Shi Ning , Liu Qi-ying , Wang Tie-jun , Zhang Qi , Ma Long-long , Cai Chi-liu
Published: November 2015

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural (FF), two bio-based platform chemicals, were produced from various raw lignocellulosic materials (corncob, corn stover, wheat straw, rice straw and sugarcane bagasse) in a water-tetrahydrofuran media by using NaHSO4 as catalyst. The influences of reaction temperature (160–200 °C), reaction time (30–120 min), solvent volume ratio, feedstock concentration (2.4wt%–11.1wt%) and catalyst dosage were studied. The highest HMF and FF yields obtained from corncob were 47mol% and 56mol% under condition of 190 °C, 90 min, 10/1 of THF/H2O. Besides, the lignin in the raw biomass was also depolymerized into organosolv lignin.
Controlling Coherence Transfer of Dimer Interacting with Independent Environments
Authors: Su Fang , Man Zhong-xiao
Published: November 2015

We study the coherence transfer between two pigments (donor and acceptor) of a dimer interacting with two independent environments. By means of a prior weak measurement on the donor and a post measurement, which is either a reversal measurement or a weak measurement, on the acceptor, we present a scheme to optimally control the transfer of the donor's coherence to the acceptor. We construct explicit relationships for the two measurement strengths and the evolution time, by which the coherence degree of the acceptor can approach the maximum value 0.5 at the cost of a decreased probability.
Electrochemical Synthesis and Research of Two Polymers Composed of Alternate Carbazole and Thiophene Units
Authors: Cheng Qing , Wen Qing-zhen
Published: November 2015

Two organic conjugated molecules composed of central carbazole and bithiophene groups were prepared via the Stille coupling reaction, conductive polymers were prepared by electrochemical method. Structure and photoelectric research of polymers were investigated. 1H NMR and 13C NMR of molecules were consistent with the theorical results, FT-IR showed electrochemical polymeric site were β-position of thiophene units. The smooth morphology and distributed holes were beneficial to improve the electrical conductivity by SEM. When applied voltage was from −0.1 V to 1.2 V, both of the polymer films P1 and P2 showed good electrochromic performances. Compared with P1, P2 had better electrochemical stability and thermal stability due to the better coplanarity by repeated cyclic voltammograms and TGA. The P2 was a promising material in the electrochemical field, meanwhile, it showed that the monomer structure had greatly impact on the performance of polymer.
Neptune: A Bioinformatics Tool for Rapid Discovery of Genomic Variation in Bacterial Populations
Authors: Marinier Eric , Zaheer Rahat , Berry Chrystal , Weedmark Kelly , Domaratzki Michael , Mabon Philip , Knox Natalie , Reimer Aleisha , Graham Morag , Chui Linda ,   The Canadian Listeria Detection and Surveillance using Next Generation Genomics (LiDS-NG) Consortium, Van Domselaar Gary
Published: November 2015

The ready availability of vast amounts of genomic sequence data has created the need to rethink comparative genomics algorithms using “big data” approaches. Neptune is an efficient system for rapidly locating differentially abundant genomic content in bacterial populations using an exactk-mer matching strategy, while accommodatingk-mer mismatches. Neptune’s loci discovery process identifies sequences that are sufficiently common to a group of target sequences and sufficiently absent from non-targets using probabilistic models. Neptune uses parallel computing to efficiently identify and extract these loci from draft genome assemblies without requiring multiple sequence alignments or other computationally expensive comparative sequence analyses. Tests on simulated and real data sets showed that Neptune rapidly identifies regions that are both sensitive and specific. We demonstrate that this system can identify trait-specific loci from different bacterial lineages. Neptune is broadly applicable for comparative bacterial analyses, yet will particularly benefit pathogenomic applications, owing to efficient and sensitive discovery of differentially abundant genomic loci.
Computation in electron microscopy
Authors: Kirkland Earl J.
Published: November 2015

Some uses of the computer and computation in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy are reviewed. The theory of image calculation using Bloch wave and multislice methods with and without aberration correction is reviewed and some applications are discussed. The inverse problem of reconstructing the specimen structure from an experimentally measured electron microscope image is discussed. Some future directions of software development are given.
The role of frames in a co-creation process
Authors: Säwe Filippa , Thelander Åsa
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to analyze the conditions for co-creation in a non-commercial context. The particular aim is to show how a co-creative activity is framed for the participants and the consequences of the frames for the values that are co-created in the process.

Design/methodology/approach

– Goffman’s frame analysis is applied to investigate how co-creation is used as a marketing strategy where an art event is used as an engagement platform to involve citizens in creating visions for an urban renewal area. It is a qualitative study based on observations.

Findings

– The taken-for-granted ideas of the active and creative consumer along with the focus in marketing research on the positive values achieved in a co-creative process are problematic in a public context. An unreflexive use of a co-creative strategy in a non-commercial setting and using art as an engagement platform, in combination with insufficient communication about the new framings, result in no-creation of value or even co-destruction of value.

Practical implications

– Unclear definition of the situation for co-creation results in confusion about how to interact and how to create value. Such an outcome is highly problematic for a public organization. It is of major importance that citizens can identify and understand the type of activity. The authors argue that communication in well-defined phases of an event can facilitate desired acts of co-creation.

Originality/value

– Value co-creation theory has been transferred between contexts, but there are few studies of what the transfer means in terms of consumer abilities to take part in the value creation process and its rules of engagement. This study demonstrates the difficulties of moving from theory to practice when the context changes from a commercial to a public participatory one. This opens for new research venues in value co-creation and marketing theory.
Complexity of scientific evidence in environmental forensic investigations
Authors: Spikmans Val
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– Environmental forensic investigations rely on the collection, analysis and interpretation of evidence from an environmental scene to assist in identifying the party responsible for the introduction of exogenous material. These investigations also try to elucidate if the environment and/or human health have been affected. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Environmental forensic investigations are considered a sub-category of the forensic sciences. The potential scientific evidence is subjected to the same rigour as for other forensic science disciplines, including quality control, accreditation, chain of custody and evidence integrity. The manner in which evidence is analysed and interpreted is also similar. Even though strong similarities can be drawn between environmental forensic investigations and the general forensic sciences, some important differences need to be understood.

Findings

– Environmental forensic investigations can be more complex than they first appear and identifying, analysing and interpreting scientific evidence is not always straightforward. It is crucial in the comprehension of the complexities of the environmental forensic discipline to understand the intricacies of the investigations, including the limited sample numbers, complex matrices, wide range of exogenous materials encountered, often large size of the scene, changes to the scene and, above all, the potential for degradation or transformation of evidence. In addition, scientific evidence is frequently used to gather intelligence rather than to provide knowledge that can be brought forward to determine guilt or innocence of an accused party.

Originality/value

– This paper explores the complexities of the discipline and discusses the difficulties that are encountered during environmental investigations.
Peak-end pizza: prices delay evaluations of quality
Authors: Just David R. , Sigirci Ozge , Wansink Brian
Published: November 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine if the level of payment required for consumption changed the relationship between a consumer’s overall evaluation of a hedonic consumption experience and the evaluation of first, middle, last piece and peak consumption experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Diners at an all-you-can-eat restaurant were either charged $4 or $8 for an Italian lunch buffet. Their taste, satisfaction and enjoyment evaluation of each piece of pizza they had was taken along with other measures of behavior and self-perceptions. Using regression analysis, we examine the relationship between these single event evaluations and their overall evaluations of the experience.

Findings

For the diners who paid $4 for their buffet, overall taste, satisfaction and enjoyment evaluation depend on the taste of the last piece of the pizza and the peak taste consistent with prior findings. For those paying $8 for the buffet, the first piece of pizza is more important in predicting the overall taste, satisfaction and enjoyment ratings.

Practical implications

Consumers do not evaluate their meal experience based on every moment of their experience. Rather, just a few moments appear to impact overall evaluation. Firms that sell access to a series of experiences, such as an all-you-can-eat buffet, should focus on leading customers to the best experience first particularly when prices may be considered moderate to high.

Originality/value

In this paper, we seek to unravel the relationship between price paid and the peak-end heuristic by examining the importance of peak and end experiences under two different pricing regimes. Our study also indicates that the peak-end rule may depend on specific contextual factors.
A processural consent methodology with people diagnosed with dementia
Authors: Hughes Tessa , Castro Romero Maria
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop an approach within the guidance of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) to meaningfully include people diagnosed with dementia (PDwD) in research endeavours.

Design/methodology/approach

– As part of a broader study of self-authored narratives of care experiences, PDwD were involved in the development and implementation of a process method of consent, in which consent conversations were contextual, responsive and ongoing, and were audited with the use of field diaries.

Findings

– Working within people’s relational contexts (i.e. care staff and family), eight participants with a range of dementia diagnoses and care needs made and verbally communicated research-related decisions. A desire to participate was consistently conveyed across research encounters, regardless of the extent of memory problems. Participants also demonstrated keen awareness of the links between memory problems, rights and inclusion, alongside a sense of personal identity and the capacities to clearly communicate this.

Research limitations/implications

– A process model of consent encouraged formal reflection upon ethical and pragmatic complexities, and is relevant to persons diagnosed with dementia making both care- and research-related decisions. Further work is needed to include people with a broader range of communication support needs.

Originality/value

– This research demonstrates substantial possibilities for eliciting and responding to the views of people with dementia diagnoses (previously excluded from research). Results open opportunities for genuine long-term research and care partnerships with PDwD for practice, service and policy development.
The myth of customer loyalty: why information and scale are more important during downturns
Authors: Kailasam Murali , Wongsurawat Winai
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to find out if a focus on promoting customer loyalty is a supplier’s best strategy for gaining significant immunity against customer desertions and business losses during recessions? And if not, what are the alternatives?

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors investigated how loyalty strategies played out in practice in the Indian IT-ITES industry (Information Technology – Information Technology Enabled Services) during the recent global downturn.

Findings

– Field interviews with executives of many of the major players in the industry revealed the weakness of their customer loyalty strategy and discovered some useful alternative tactics.

Practical implications

– Service providers that successfully navigated the rough recessionary waters relied not on loyalty but their superior information advantage.

Originality/value

– Field interviews suggest that hanging on to clients in a recession have less to do with investment in a loyalty strategy and more with the vendor’s superior capabilities – such as an information advantage, agile use of diverse competencies and scale–that enable it to offer the client a superior deal even in a painful business downturn.
An investigation of Facebook boredom phenomenon among college students
Authors: Yazdanparast Atefeh , Joseph Mathew , Qureshi Anita
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to provide an initial understanding of the factors influencing and emanating from Facebook boredom. Specifically, the study addresses important issues such as reasons for liking and disliking Facebook, Facebook users’ boredom states with this social networking site, factors associated with Facebook boredom and impact of boredom on the success and effectiveness of social marketing activities.

Design/methodology/approach

– A paper and pencil questionnaire was administered to undergraduate students at two local universities in exchange for course credit. Survey questions were adapted from previously validated scales, and measurement adaptations were minimal and only related to the context of questions to assure their relevance with the context of our study. Bootstrapping technique, Sobel test, ANOVA and regression techniques were used to test the hypotheses and address research questions.

Findings

– The results indicate that both genders are experiencing Facebook boredom and spend less time on Facebook. Moreover, Facebook boredom negatively impacts users’ attitudes toward this social networking site, which in turn impact attitudes towards ads on Facebook. This observation reveals an important point regarding the necessity of studying the phenomenon of Facebook boredom for marketers. Also, the findings indicate that age is an important factor impacting users’ level of boredom with Facebook, as younger users report significantly higher levels of Facebook boredom as compared to older users.

Research limitations/implications

– To capture the opinion of Facebook users, this study used a sample of college students at two universities which may not be representative of the entire population of Facebook users. Much of the existing research on Facebook, however, has focused on undergraduate college students and is primarily based on studies utilizing the undergraduate population.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to empirically examine the phenomenon of Facebook boredom by linking major theories of boredom with uses and gratification theory. The results add to the extant literature by identifying the underlying mechanism through which boredom with social media impacts effectiveness of social media marketing activities. The results shed more light on the consequences of Facebook boredom for digital marketers and reveal that age is an important factor in Facebook boredom.
Observations of food consumption in a daycare setting
Authors: Ahn Regina , Nelson Michelle R.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the behaviors and social interactions among preschool children and their teachers during food consumption at a daycare facility. Using social cognitive theory, the goal is to identify how role modeling, rules, behaviors and communication shape these young consumers’ health-related food consumption and habits.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study was conducted in a US daycare facility among preschool children (aged four years) over a three-month period. Qualitative ethnographic methods included participant and non-participant observation of meals and snack-time.

Findings

– Findings from the observations revealed that teachers’ food socialization styles and social interactions with peers cultivate children’s food consumption. In addition, commensality rules set by the childcare institution also help children learn other valuable behaviors (e.g. table manners and cleaning up).

Research limitations/implications

– The study was conducted in one location with one age group so the results may not be generalized to all children. As more young children spend time in preschools and daycare centers, the understanding of how these settings and the caregivers and peers influence them becomes more important. Preschool teachers can influence their young students’ food consumption through their actions and words. Training teachers and cultivating educational programs about ways to encourage healthy eating habits could be implemented.

Originality/value

– The paper offers observations of actual behaviors among young children in a naturalistic setting.
City slickers: poor performance does not deter Anolis lizards from using artificial substrates in human‐modified habitats
Authors: Kolbe Jason J. , Battles Andrew C. , Avilés‐Rodríguez Kevin J.
Published: November 2015

As animals move through their environments, they encounter a variety of substrates, which have important effects on their locomotor performance. Habitat modification can alter the types of substrates available for locomotion. In particular, many types of artificial substrates have been added to urban areas, but effects of these novel surfaces on animal locomotion are little known.

In this study, we assessed locomotor performance of two Anolis lizard species (A. cristatellus and A. stratulus) on substrates that varied in inclination and surface roughness. Rough substrates represented the tree trunks and branches typically used in natural forest habitats, whereas smooth, vertical substrates captured the qualities of artificial surfaces, such as posts and walls, available in human‐modified habitats. We then observed habitat use to test the habitat constraint hypothesis – that lizards should more frequently occupy portions of the habitat in which they perform better.

Increased inclination and decreased surface roughness caused lizards to run slower. Both A. cristatellus and A. stratulus ran slowest on the smooth, vertical surface, and A. cristatellus often slipped and fell on this surface. In contrast to predictions, both species frequently used smooth, vertical substrates in the wild. Anolis cristatellus occupied artificial substrates 73% of the time in human‐modified habitats despite performing worse than A. stratulus on the smooth, vertical track. We therefore rejected the habitat constraint hypothesis for anoles in these human‐modified habitats.

Despite overall poor performance on the smooth, vertical track, A. cristatellus had a significant morphology–performance relationship that supports the prediction that selection should favour smaller lizards with relatively longer limbs in human‐modified habitats. The smaller bodied A. stratulus performed better than A. cristatellus on smooth, vertical substrates and therefore may not be exposed to the same selective pressures.

We contend that habitat modification by humans may alter morphology‐performance–habitat use relationships found in natural habitats. This may lead to changes in selective pressures for some species, which may influence their ability to occupy human‐modified habitats such as cities.
Heat hardening in a tropical lizard: geographic variation explained by the predictability and variance in environmental temperatures
Authors: Phillips Ben L. , Muñoz Martha M. , Hatcher Amberlee , Macdonald Stewart L. , Llewelyn John , Lucy Vanessa , Moritz Craig
Published: November 2015

Over the coming decades, our planet will experience a dramatic increase in average temperatures and an increase in the variance around those temperatures leading to more frequent and harsher heat waves. These changes will impact most species and impose strong selection on physiological traits.

Rapid acclimation is the most direct way for organisms to respond to such extreme events, but we currently have little understanding of how the capacity to mount such plastic responses evolves. Accordingly, there is some urgency to determine how the physiological response to high temperatures varies within species, and how this variation is driven by the environment.

Here, we investigate heat‐hardening capacity – a rapid physiological response that confers a survival advantage under extreme thermal stress – across 13 populations of a rain forest lizard,Lampropholis coggeri, from the tropics of north‐eastern Australia.

Our results reveal that heat hardening is constrained in these lizards by a hard upper thermal limit for locomotor function (approximately 43 °C). Further, hardening response shows strong geographic variation associated with thermal environment: lizards from more predictable and more seasonal thermal environments exhibited greater hardening compared with those from more stochastic and less seasonal habitats. This finding – that predictability in thermal variation influences hardening capacity – aligns closely with theoretical expectations.

Our results suggest that tropical species may harbour adaptive variation in physiological plasticity that they can draw from in response to climate change, and this variation is spatially structured in locally adapted populations. Our results also suggest that, by using climatic data, we can predict which populations contain particular adaptive variants; information critical to assisted gene flow strategies.
Comparative effectiveness of intervention components for producing long‐term abstinence from smoking: a factorial screening experiment
Authors: Schlam Tanya R. , Fiore Michael C. , Smith Stevens S. , Fraser David , Bolt Daniel M. , Collins Linda M. , Mermelstein Robin , Piper Megan E. , Cook Jessica W. , Jorenby Douglas E. , Loh Wei‐Yin , Baker Timothy B.
Published: November 2015

Aims

To identify promising intervention components that help smokers attain and maintain abstinence during a quit attempt.

Design

A 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 randomized factorial experiment.

Setting

Eleven primary care clinics in Wisconsin, USA.

Participants

A total of 544 smokers (59% women, 86% white) recruited during primary care visits and motivated to quit.

Interventions

Five intervention components designed to help smokers attain and maintain abstinence: (1) extended medication (26 versus 8 weeks of nicotine patch + nicotine gum); (2) maintenance (phone) counseling versus none; (3) medication adherence counseling versus none; (4) automated (medication) adherence calls versus none; and (5) electronic medication monitoring with feedback and counseling versus electronic medication monitoring alone.

Measurements

The primary outcome was 7‐day self‐reported point‐prevalence abstinence 1 year after the target quit day.

Findings

Only extended medication produced a main effect. Twenty‐six versus 8 weeks of medication improved point‐prevalence abstinence rates (43 versus 34% at 6 months; 34 versus 27% at 1 year; P = 0.01 for both). There were four interaction effects at 1 year, showing that an intervention component's effectiveness depended upon the components with which it was combined.

Conclusions

Twenty‐six weeks of nicotine patch + nicotine gum (versus 8 weeks) and maintenance counseling provided by phone are promising intervention components for the cessation and maintenance phases of smoking treatment.
Tooth Germ‐Like Construct Transplantation for Whole‐Tooth Regeneration: An In Vivo Study in the Miniature Pig
Authors: Yang Kai‐Chiang , Kitamura Yutaka , Wu Chang‐Chin , Chang Hao‐Hueng , Ling Thai‐Yen , Kuo Tzong‐Fu
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of whole‐tooth regeneration using a tooth germ‐like construct. Dental pulp from upper incisors, canines, premolars, and molars were extracted from sexually mature miniature pigs. Pulp tissues were cultured and expanded in vitro to obtain dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), and cells were differentiated into odontoblasts and osteoblasts. Epithelial cells were isolated from gingival epithelium. The epithelial cells, odontoblasts, and osteoblasts were seeded onto the surface, upper, and lower layers, respectively, of a bioactive scaffold. The lower first and second molar tooth germs were removed bilaterally and the layered cell/scaffold constructs were transplanted to the mandibular alveolar socket of a pig. At 13.5 months postimplantation, seven of eight pigs developed two teeth with crown, root, and pulp structures. Enamel‐like tissues, dentin, cementum, odontoblasts, and periodontal tissues were found upon histological inspection. The regenerated tooth expressed dentin matrix protein‐1 and osteopontin. All pigs had regenerated molar teeth regardless of the original tooth used to procure the DPSCs. Pigs that had tooth germs removed or who received empty scaffolds did not develop teeth. Although periodontal ligaments were generated, ankylosis was found in some animals. This study revealed that implantation of a tooth germ‐like structure generated a complete tooth with a high success rate. The implant location may influence the morphology of the regenerated tooth.
Early Outcomes With HeartWare HVAD as Bridge to Transplant in Children: A Single Institution Experience
Authors: Ferro Giuseppe , Murthy Raghav , Williams Derek , Sebastian Vinod A. , Forbess Joseph M. , Guleserian Kristine J.
Published: November 2015

The HeartWare HVAD has been used as a bridge to cardiac transplantation in the pediatric population. We describe outcomes following HeartWare HVAD implantation at a single center. A retrospective chart review was performed of all HeartWare HVAD implants performed at our institution between May 2013 and March 2015. Eight children between the ages of 9 and 17 years underwent HVAD implantation as a bridge to transplant (N = 7 cardiomyopathy, N = 1 complex single ventricle). There was one operative death in the complex single ventricle patient. Seven patients (87%) were successfully bridged to transplant. Median time of support was 24.5 days (range, 6–91 days). All transplanted patients are alive and well at a median follow‐up of 448 days. Our results demonstrated that mechanical support with HeartWare HVAD is feasible in patients of varying sizes (from older children to adolescents).
Sulphated Polysaccharide Isolated from the Seaweed Gracilaria caudata Exerts an Antidiarrhoeal Effect in Rodents
Authors: Costa Douglas S. , Araújo Thiago S. L. , Sousa Nayara A. , Souza Luan K. M. , Pacífico Dvison M. , Sousa Francisca Beatriz M. , Nicolau Lucas A. D. , Chaves Luciano S. , Barros Francisco Clark N. , Freitas Ana Lúcia P. , Medeiros Jand Venes R.
Published: November 2015

Diarrhoea is a significant health problem for children in developing countries that causes more than 1 million deaths annually. This study aimed to evaluate the antidiarrhoeal effect of sulphated polysaccharide (PLS) from the alga Gracilaria caudata in rodents. For the evaluation, acute diarrhoea was induced in Wistar rats (150–200 g) by administration of castor oil (10 mg/kg). Then, different parameters, including enteropooling and gastrointestinal transit and its pharmacological modulation by opioid and cholinergic pathways, were assessed using activated charcoal in Swiss Mice (25–30 g). Secretory diarrhoea was examined using cholera toxin (CT) (1 mg/loop)‐treated, isolated intestinal loops from Swiss mice (25–30 g), which were also used to examine fluid secretion, loss of chloride ions into the intestinal lumen and absorption. In addition, a GM1‐dependent ELISA was used to evaluate the interaction between PLS, CT and the GM1 receptor. Pre‐treatment with PLS (10, 30 and 90 mg/kg) reduced faecal mass, diarrhoeal faeces and enteropooling. However, 90 mg/kg more effectively reduced these symptoms; therefore, it was used as the standard dose in subsequent experiments. Gastrointestinal transit was also reduced by PLS treatment via a cholinergic mechanism. Regarding the diarrhoea caused by CT, PLS reduced all study parameters, and the ELISA showed that PLS can interact with both the GM1 receptor and CT. These results show that PLS from G. caudata effectively improved the parameters observed in acute and secretory diarrhoea, which affects millions of people, and may lead to the development of a new alternative therapy for this disease.
The influence of social and symbolic cues on observers' gaze behaviour
Authors: Hermens Frouke , Walker Robin
Published: November 2015

Research has shown that social and symbolic cues presented in isolation and at fixation have strong effects on observers, but it is unclear how cues compare when they are presented away from fixation and embedded in natural scenes. We here compare the effects of two types of social cue (gaze and pointing gestures) and one type of symbolic cue (arrow signs) on eye movements of observers under two viewing conditions (free viewing vs. a memory task). The results suggest that social cues are looked at more quickly, for longer and more frequently than the symbolic arrow cues. An analysis of saccades initiated from the cue suggests that the pointing cue leads to stronger cueing than the gaze and the arrow cue. While the task had only a weak influence on gaze orienting to the cues, stronger cue following was found for free viewing compared to the memory task.
Genetic counselling difficulties and ethical implications of incidental findings from array‐CGH: a 7‐year national survey
Authors: Lefebvre M. , Sanlaville D. , Marle N. , Thauvin‐Robinet C. , Gautier E. , Chehadeh S.E. , Mosca‐Boidron A.‐L. , Thevenon J. , Edery P. , Alex‐Cordier M.‐P. , Till M. , Lyonnet S. , Cormier‐Daire V. , Amiel J. , Philippe A. , Romana S. , Malan V. , Afenjar A. , Marlin S. , Chantot‐Bastaraud S. , Bitoun P. , Heron B. , Piparas E. , Morice‐Picard F. , Moutton S. , Chassaing N. , Vigouroux‐Castera A. , Lespinasse J. , Manouvrier‐Hanu S. , Boute‐Benejean O. , Vincent‐Delorme C. , Petit F. , Meur N.L. , Marti‐Dramard M. , Guerrot A.‐M. , Goldenberg A. , Redon S. , Ferrec C. , Odent S. , Caignec C.L. , Mercier S. , Gilbert‐Dussardier B. , Toutain A. , Arpin S. , Blesson S. , Mortemousque I. , Schaefer E. , Martin D. , Philip N. , Sigaudy S. , Busa T. , Missirian C. , Giuliano F. , Benailly H.K. , Kien P.K.V. , Leheup B. , Benneteau C. , Lambert L. , Caumes R. , Kuentz P. , François I. , Heron D. , Keren B. , Cretin E. , Callier P. , Julia S. , Faivre L.
Published: November 2015

Microarray‐based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) is commonly used in diagnosing patients with intellectual disability (ID) with or without congenital malformation. Because aCGH interrogates with the whole genome, there is a risk of being confronted with incidental findings (IF). In order to anticipate the ethical issues of IF with the generalization of new genome‐wide analysis technologies, we questioned French clinicians and cytogeneticists about the situations they have faced regarding IF from aCGH. Sixty‐five IF were reported. Forty corresponded to autosomal dominant diseases with incomplete penetrance, 7 to autosomal dominant diseases with complete penetrance, 14 to X‐linked diseases, and 4 were heterozygotes for autosomal recessive diseases with a high prevalence of heterozygotes in the population. Therapeutic/preventive measures or genetic counselling could be argued for all cases except four. These four IF were intentionally not returned to the patients. Clinicians reported difficulties in returning the results in 29% of the cases, mainly when the question of IF had not been anticipated. Indeed, at the time of the investigation, only 48% of the clinicians used consents mentioning the risk of IF. With the emergence of new technologies, there is a need to report such national experiences; they show the importance of pre‐test information on IF.
Evaluation of radiofrequency ablation using a 1‐Fr wire electrode in porcine pancreas, liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidney, stomach, and lymph nodes: A pilot study
Authors: Yoon Won Jae , Daglilar Ebubekir S. , Kamionek Michal , Mino‐Kenudson Mari , Brugge William R.
Published: November 2015

Background and Aim

The frequency of detecting asymptomatic incidental lesions of the pancreas is increasing. A substantial number of these lesions are either malignant or premalignant, thus mandating pancreatic resection. A less invasive treatment option may be feasible for selected patients. Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may be offered as a treatment option for these patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the performance characteristics of monopolar RFA using a 1‐Fr wire electrode in porcine pancreas, liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidney, stomach, and lymph nodes.

Methods

Six Yorkshire pigs were used for this study. The internal organs were accessed after a midline laparotomy. Manual monopolar RFAs were carried out over a 90‐s period using a wide range of power settings (3, 4, 5, 10, 15, and 25 W). The pancreas was exposed at all power settings; the other organs were exposed at power settings of 3, 4, 5, and 10 W. Maximum diameter of coagulative necrosis was measured.

Results

In all study animals, RFA was carried out in the target organs without difficulty. Only the pancreas showed definite coagulative necrosis. Maximum diameter of coagulative necrosis (8.0 ± 1.7 mm) was achieved at 5 W. No definite coagulative necrosis was noted in the other organs.

Conclusions

Monopolar RFA using a 1‐Fr wire electrode resulted in coagulative necrosis in porcine pancreas. RFA at higher power settings resulted in relatively homogeneous necrosis. At a given power setting, the RFA effect is likely to differ according to electrical properties of the target tissue.
The diagnostic yield of transesophageal echocardiography in patients with cryptogenic cerebral ischaemia: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Katsanos A. H. , Giannopoulos S. , Frogoudaki A. , Vrettou A.‐R. , Ikonomidis I. , Paraskevaidis I. , Zompola C. , Vadikolias K. , Boviatsis E. , Parissis J. , Voumvourakis K. , Kyritsis A. P. , Tsivgoulis G.
Published: November 2015

Background and purpose

The diagnostic utility of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients with cryptogenic ischaemic stroke (IS) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) remains controversial.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed according to PRISMA guidelines to estimate the pooled prevalence of potential cardioembolic causes detected by TEE in prospective observational studies of cryptogenic IS/TIA. Cardiac conditions causally associated with cerebral ischaemia were considered to be intramural thrombi and intracardiac tumors according to ASCO phenotyping of IS.

Results

Thirty‐five eligible studies, comprising 5772 patients (mean age 53.6 years, 56.9% men) were identified. The most common TEE finding was ascending aorta and/or aortic arch atheroma [51.2% (27.4%–74.5%)], followed by patent foramen ovale (PFO) [43.2% (36.3%–50.4%)]. Complex aortic plaques and large PFOs were reported in 14% (10.2%–18.9%) and 19.5% (16.6%–22.8%) of TEE evaluations. The prevalence of atrial septal aneurysm was 12.3% (7.9%–18.7%) and was significantly higher in conjunction with PFO presence (risk ratio 2.04, 95% confidence interval 1.63–2.54, P < 0.001). The prevalence of left atrial thrombus [3.0% (1.1%–8.3%)] and spontaneous echo contrast [3.8% (2.3%–6.2%)] was low. The prevalence of intracardiac tumors was extremely uncommon [0.2% (0%–0.7%)]. Significant heterogeneity was identified (I2 > 60%) in the majority of analyses. Heterogeneity was not affected by cryptogenic stroke definition (TOAST versus alternative criteria). After dichotomizing available studies using a cut‐off of 50 years, PFO was significantly (P = 0.001) more prevalent in younger than in older patients.

Conclusion

Routine TEE in patients with cryptogenic IS/TIA commonly identifies abnormal findings. However, the prevalence of cardiac conditions considered to be causally associated with cerebral ischaemia (intracardiac thrombi and tumors) is low.