bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maximizing, choice freedom, and duration judgments in choice making
Authors: Rogge Nicky 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis paper examines (a) whether people are less accurate in judging choice time as choice tasks involve more choice options, more choice information, or a combination of both and (b) whether people with a higher tendency to look for the best option in choice making (maximizers) have less accurate duration judgments of choice time as compared to people who are more easily settling for a choice outcome that is satisfactory (satisficers). A multilevel analysis is used to explore the relationships of interest using data collected through a series of choice tasks. In general, the results suggest that people seem to misjudge time durations when making choices. Moreover, empirical evidence demonstrates that people with an outspoken tendency to maximize in choice making do not differ significantly in estimating choice time accurately as compared to people who experience almost no need to maximize.
Correlations between psychopathology and self‐reported quality of life among adolescents in youth correctional facilities in Lagos, Nigeria: A short report
Authors: Atilola Olayinka , Ola Bolanle , Abiri Gbonjubola , Adewuya Abiodun O. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe relationship between psychopathology and quality of life (QoL) and well‐being among young incarcerated offenders has hardly been explored.AimsOur aim was to test the hypothesis that higher self‐rated psychopathology would be associated with lower QoL among adolescents resident within youth correctional facilities in Lagos.MethodsPsychopathology was assessed using the Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ), while QoL was measured by using the Paediatric Quality of Life.ResultsOne hundred and sixty‐five adolescents completed the study, mostly boys (n = 124; 75%) with a mean age of 14.3 ± 2.1 years. Nearly, a fifth (30, 18%) of respondents had abnormal total SDQ scores (≥17), suggestive of definite psychiatric disorder, while another 44 (27%) had highly probable psychopathology (total SDQ scores 15–16). There was strong negative correlation (r = −0.51, p < 0.001) between total SDQ scores and overall self‐reported QoL among respondents.Conclusions and implications for practiceAlthough we were unable to infer direction of relationship between psychopathology and QoL among these adolescents, it is plausible to suppose that treatment of mental health problems could have a positive impact on rehabilitation and reintegration. Given the rate of likely psychopathology, mental health screening within young offender institutions should be routine, and followed, as necessary with full assessment and resultant treatment. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isovalent AgIII/AgIII, AgII/AgII, Mixed‐Valent AgII/AgIII, and Corrolato‐Based Mixed‐Valency in β,β′‐Linked [Bis{corrolato‐silver}]n Complexes
Authors: Patra Bratati , Sobottka Sebastian , Sinha Woormileela , Sarkar Biprajit , Kar Sanjib 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMixed‐valent compounds are fascinating entities that are useful as models for investigating electron‐transfer reactions, and find use in a host of biologically relevant redox processes. Though the bio‐relevant metal copper is well established in mixed‐valent chemistry, the AgII/AgIII mixed‐valent combination of its higher congener in a molecular complex has rarely been reported before. This work reports the synthesis of a new β,β′‐linked bis{corrolato‐silver(III)} complex and its characterization in five different redox states. A combination of electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry, and DFT calculations point to the existence of a mixed‐valent AgII/AgIII and an isovalent AgII/AgII form. Additionally, characterization of the AgIII/AgIII form and ligand‐based corrolato‐centered mixed‐valency is presented as well. These results thus open new avenues for bis‐corrolato ligands and for mixed‐valency in disilver compounds.
Cell protrusion and retraction driven by fluctuations in actin polymerization: A two‐dimensional model
Authors: Ryan Gillian L. , Holz Danielle , Yamashiro Sawako , Taniguchi Daisuke , Watanabe Naoki , Vavylonis Dimitrios 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAnimal cells that spread onto a surface often rely on actin‐rich lamellipodial extensions to execute protrusion. Many cell types recently adhered on a two‐dimensional substrate exhibit protrusion and retraction of their lamellipodia, even though the cell is not translating. Travelling waves of protrusion have also been observed, similar to those observed in crawling cells. These regular patterns of protrusion and retraction allow quantitative analysis for comparison to mathematical models. The periodic fluctuations in leading edge position of XTC cells have been linked to excitable actin dynamics using a one‐dimensional model of actin dynamics, as a function of arc‐length along the cell. In this work we extend this earlier model of actin dynamics into two dimensions (along the arc‐length and radial directions of the cell) and include a model membrane that protrudes and retracts in response to the changing number of free barbed ends of actin filaments near the membrane. We show that if the polymerization rate at the barbed ends changes in response to changes in their local concentration at the leading edge and/or the opposing force from the cell membrane, the model can reproduce the patterns of membrane protrusion and retraction seen in experiment. We investigate both Brownian ratchet and switch‐like force‐velocity relationships between the membrane load forces and actin polymerization rate. The switch‐like polymerization dynamics recover the observed patterns of protrusion and retraction as well as the fluctuations in F‐actin concentration profiles. The model generates predictions for the behavior of cells after local membrane tension perturbations.
A novel method for rapid and quantitative mechanical assessment of soft tissue for diagnostic purposes: A computational study
Authors: Palacio‐Torralba Javier , Good Daniel W. , Stewart Grant D. , McNeill S. Alan , Reuben Robert L. , Chen Yuhang 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBiological tissues often experience drastic changes in their microstructure due to their pathophysiological conditions. Such microstructural changes could result in variations in mechanical properties, which can be used in diagnosing or monitoring a wide range of diseases, most notably cancer. This paves the avenue for non‐invasive diagnosis by instrumented palpation although challenges remain in quantitatively assessing the amount of diseased tissue by means of mechanical characterization. This paper presents a framework for tissue diagnosis using a quantitative and efficient estimation of the fractions of cancerous and non‐cancerous tissue without a priori knowledge of tissue microstructure. First, the sample is tested in a creep or stress relaxation experiment, and the behavior is characterized using a single term Prony series. A rule of mixtures, which relates tumor fraction to the apparent mechanical properties, is then obtained by minimizing the difference between strain energy of a heterogeneous system and an equivalent homogeneous one. Finally, the percentage of each tissue constituent is predicted by comparing the observed relaxation time with that calculated from the rule of mixtures. The proposed methodology is assessed using models reconstructed from histological samples and magnetic resonance imaging of prostate. Results show that estimation of cancerous tissue fraction can be obtained with a maximum error of 12% when samples of different sizes, geometries, and tumor fractions are presented. The proposed framework has the potential to be applied to a wide range of diseases such as rectal polyps, cirrhosis, or breast and prostate cancer whose current primary diagnosis remains qualitative.
The impact of future forest dynamics on climate: interactive effects of changing vegetation and disturbance regimes
Authors: Thom Dominik , Rammer Werner , Seidl Rupert 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCurrently, the temperate forest biome cools the earth's climate and dampens anthropogenic climate change. However, climate change will substantially alter forest dynamics in the future, affecting the climate regulation function of forests. Increasing natural disturbances can reduce carbon uptake and evaporative cooling, but at the same time increase the albedo of a landscape. Simultaneous changes in vegetation composition can mitigate disturbance impacts, but also influence climate regulation directly (e.g., via albedo changes). As a result of a number of interactive drivers (changes in climate, vegetation, and disturbance) and their simultaneous effects on climate‐relevant processes (carbon exchange, albedo, latent heat flux) the future climate regulation function of forests remains highly uncertain. Here we address these complex interactions to assess the effect of future forest dynamics on the climate system. Our specific objectives were (1) to investigate the long‐term interactions between changing vegetation composition and disturbance regimes under climate change, (2) to quantify the response of climate regulation to changes in forest dynamics, and (3) to identify the main drivers of the future influence of forests on the climate system. We investigated these issues using the individual‐based forest landscape and disturbance model (iLand). Simulations were run over 200 yr for Kalkalpen National Park (Austria), assuming different future climate projections, and incorporating dynamically responding wind and bark beetle disturbances. To consistently assess the net effect on climate the simulated responses of carbon exchange, albedo, and latent heat flux were expressed as contributions to radiative forcing. We found that climate change increased disturbances (+27.7% over 200 yr) and specifically bark beetle activity during the 21st century. However, negative feedbacks from a simultaneously changing tree species composition (+28.0% broadleaved species) decreased disturbance activity in the long run (−10.1%), mainly by reducing the host trees available for bark beetles. Climate change and the resulting future forest dynamics significantly reduced the climate regulation function of the landscape, increasing radiative forcing by up to +10.2% on average over 200 yr. Overall, radiative forcing was most strongly driven by carbon exchange. We conclude that future changes in forest dynamics can cause amplifying climate feedbacks from temperate forest ecosystems.
Rocking bodies with arbitrary interface defects: Analytical development and experimental verification
Authors: Wittich C.E. , Hutchinson T.C. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryThe rocking response of a rigid, freestanding block in two dimensions typically assumes perfect contact at the base of the block with instantaneous impacts at two distinct, symmetric rocking points. This paper extends the classical two‐dimensional rocking model to account for an arbitrary number of rocking points at the base representing geometric interface defects. The equations of motion of this modified rocking system are derived and presented in general terms. Energy dissipation is modeled assuming instantaneous point impacts, yielding a discrete angular velocity adjustment. Whereas this factor is always less than unity in the classical model, it is possible for this factor to exceed unity in the presented model, yielding a finite increase in the angular velocity at impact and a markedly different rotational response than the classical model predicts. The derived model and the classical model are numerically integrated and compared to the results of recent shake table tests. These comparisons show that the new model significantly enhances agreement in both peak angular displacement and motion decay. The equations of motion and the energy dissipation of the presented model are further investigated parametrically considering the size of the defect, the number of rocking points, and the aspect ratio and size of the block.
Artificial Wombs and Abortion Rights
Authors: Cohen I. Glenn 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn a study published in late April in Nature Communications, the authors were able to sustain 105‐ to 115‐day‐old premature lamb fetuses—whose level of development was comparable to that of a twenty‐three‐week‐old human fetus—for four weeks in an artificial womb, enabling the lambs to develop in a way that paralleled age‐matched controls. The oldest lamb of the set, more than a year old at the time the paper came out, appeared completely normal. This kind of research brings us one step closer to providing excellent quality of life for premature newborns, but it also portends major legal and ethical questions, especially for abortion rights in America.
Normalized CES supply systems: Replication of Klump, McAdam, and Willman (2007)
Authors: Stewart Kenneth G. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryThe analysis of Klump, McAdam, and Willman (Review of Economics and Statistics, 2007, 89, 183–192) is replicated using alternative software. Their results are verified substantively and, in large measure, numerically. Contributions include a more explicit consideration of the nested testing structure than has appeared previously, and the appropriate means of imposing and testing the special case of logarithmic growth in technology. Also, plots of the likelihood serve to emphasize that maxima in the neighborhood of a unitary elasticity of substitution are often a spurious artifact of the singularity of the model at this point, of which empirical researchers should beware.
Effect of organic silicon, methylsulfonylmethane, and glucosamine sulfate in mandibular bone defects in rats
Authors: de Sousa Rosa Flávia Santiago , Stuepp Rúbia Teodoro , Modolo Filipe , Biz Michelle Tillmann 
Published: July 2017

AbstractOrganic silicon (OS), glucosamine sulfate (GS), and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) have been related to bone and connective tissue health and have been considered as basic therapy for osteoarthrosis disorders. Therefore, the aim was to analyze the effect of the association of these three components in mandibular bone defects in rats. Nine rats were used for histocompatibility test. In each animal was implanted the composition (70% OS, 15% GS, 15% MSM) and gutta percha (control) under the dorsal subcutaneous tissue. The samples were collected at 7, 14, and 21 days post‐surgery and inflammatory events analyzed. In sequence, the composition was engrafted in mandibular bone defects of nine rats; bone defects without treatment were the control group. Analyses were performed at 7, 14, and 28 days post‐surgery and samples were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For the histocompatibility test, both groups had a moderate inflammatory process at 7 days post‐surgery and mild inflammatory process at 14 and 21 days. But in SEM analysis, the composition promotes an extensive reabsorption in cortical and crest alveolar bone, and great tooth root reabsorption. In conclusion, although the composition had positive result in the histocompatibility test, its direct application in mandibular bone defects caused intense resorption.
Purinergic receptor P2Y6 contributes to 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium‐induced oxidative stress and cell death in neuronal SH‐SY5Y cells
Authors: Qian Yiwei , Xu Shaoqing , Yang Xiaodong , Xiao Qin 
Published: July 2017

AbstractOxidative stress and neural degeneration have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). The P2Y6 purinergic receptor (P2Y6R) has been shown to participate in the activation of microglia and the production of pro‐inflammatory factors induced by lipopolysaccharide to cause neuronal loss. However, the function of P2Y6R during oxidative stress in neurons is unclear. In the present study, 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+) treatment increased the level of UDP/P2Y6R on neuronal SH‐SY5Y cells. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of P2Y6R or knockdown of P2Y6R using a siRNA exerted an increased protective effect by preventing MPP+‐induced increases in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide anion, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and down‐regulation of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) expression. UDP, an agonist of P2Y6R, enhanced the effects of MPP+, which was also inhibited by apyrase or MRS2578. Additionally, P2Y6R knockdown also significantly reversed both the loss of cell viability and the increase in the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (p‐ERK1/2) and p38 (p‐p38) caused by MPP+ stimulation. However, the inhibition of the ERK1/2 and p38 kinase signaling pathways had no effect on P2Y6R expression. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that P2Y6R expressed on neuronal SH‐SY5Y cell is associated with the progression of oxidative stress and cell death induced by MPP+, suggesting that P2Y6R may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD.
A rapid method for the determination of brominated flame retardant concentrations in plastics and textiles entering the waste stream
Authors: Abdallah Mohamed Abou‐Elwafa , Drage Daniel S. , Sharkey Martin , Berresheim Harald , Harrad Stuart 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDue to new European legislation, products going to waste are subject to ‘low persistent organic pollutant concentration limits’. Concentrations of restricted brominated flame retardants in waste products must be determined. A rapid extraction and clean‐up method was developed for determination of brominated flame retardants in various plastics and textiles. The optimised method used vortexing and ultrasonication in dichloromethane followed by sulfuric acid clean‐up to determine target compounds. Poly‐brominated diphenyl ethers were determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and hexabromocyclododecane by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Good recoveries of target analytes were obtained after three extraction cycles. The method was validated using poly‐propylene and poly‐ethylene certified reference materials as well as previously characterised textiles, expanded and extruded poly‐styrene samples. Measured concentrations of target compounds showed good agreement with the certified values indicating good accuracy and precision. Clean extracts provided low noise levels resulting in low limits of quantification (0.8–1.5 ng/g for poly‐brominated diphenyl ethers and 0.3 ng/g for α‐, β‐ and γ‐hexabromocyclododecane). The developed method was applied successfully to real consumer products entering the waste stream and it provided various advantages over traditional methods, including reduced analysis time, solvent consumption, minimal sample contamination and high sample throughput, which is crucial to comply with the implemented legislation.
Effect of compensatory immigration on the genetic structure of coyotes
Authors: Kierepka Elizabeth M. , Kilgo John C. , Rhodes Olin E. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTDespite efforts to reduce their effects on livestock and native ungulates within the southeastern United States, coyotes (Canis latrans) can recover from control programs. It is unknown how coyotes compensate for high mortality following trapping, so there is great interest to identify methods that can provide insight into coyote response to intensive trapping. To investigate if population genetic tools can decipher how coyotes recover from intensive trapping, we combined an empirical test of how genetic differentiation, diversity, and familial structure changed following trapping on the Savannah River Site (SRS), South Carolina, USA, with spatially explicit genetic simulations. The pre‐ and post‐trapping periods had similar genetic diversities and were not genetically differentiated as expected by either compensatory reproduction or immigration from a single genetic source. The post‐trapping coyote populations exhibited weaker signatures of philopatry with little evidence for increased dispersal distances of young coyotes, which suggests immigration caused a decrease in familial structure. Our simulations indicated that spatial autocorrelation coefficients and observed heterozygosities change as immigration increases, whereas population differentiation, allelic richness, and displacement distances do not. Collectively, our results suggest that coyotes recover from intensive trapping via reproduction and immigration, which likely makes preventing compensation difficult. Monitoring post‐trapping populations may offer more insight into maximizing the effectiveness of control efforts, and based on our simulations, population genetics can provide critical information about the amount of compensatory immigration following trapping. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Prognostic nutritional index predicts initial response to treatment and prognosis in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer patients treated with abiraterone
Authors: Fan Liancheng , Wang Xiao , Chi Chenfei , Wang Yanqing , Cai Wen , Shao Xiaoguang , Xu Fan , Pan Jiahua , Zhu Yinjie , Shangguan Xun , Xin Zhixiang , Hu Jianian , Xie Shaowei , Wang Rui , Zhou Lixin , Dong Baijun , Xue Wei 
Published: July 2017

ObjectiveTo determine if prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and its variation could predict initial response to treatment and prognosis in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients treated with Abiraterone (AA).Patients and MethodsOne‐hundred‐twelve chemotherapy pretreated or chemotherapy‐naive patients were scheduled for systemic treatment with AA. PNI levels were measured before and after one month of AA treatment. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictive factors of initial response to AA treatment. Univariable and Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to determine prognostic factors that were associated with PSA progression‐free survival (PSA‐PFS), radiographic PFS (rPFS) and overall survival (OS). The Harrell concordance index with variables only or combined PNI data were used to evaluate the prognostic accuracy.ResultsEighty‐one (72.3%) of 112 patients showed initial response to AA treatment, in which 15 experienced PSA flare during AA treatment. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, high baseline PNI level, PSA level decrease during the first month of AA treatment and PNI level elevation during the first month of AA treatment were significantly correlated with initial response to AA treatment. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, low PNI level remained significant predictors of OS, rPFS and PSA‐PFS. The estimated c‐index of the multivariate model for OS increased from 0.82 without PNI to 0.83 when PNI added.ConclusionIndependent of PSA level variation, PNI level elevation during the first month of AA treatment and high baseline PNI level were significantly correlated with initial response to AA treatment. In addition, low pretreatment PNI level is a negative independent prognosticator of survival outcomes in mCRPC treated with AA and also increases the accuracy of established prognostic model.