bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Causes and Implications of Shifts in Financial Participation in Commodity Markets
Authors: Fattouh Bassam , Mahadeva Lavan 
Published: April 2014

AbstractWe assess the causes and implications of the greater financial participation in commodity markets post‐2003. Focusing on crude oil, we build a calibrated macro‐finance model of oil prices and quantities that also determines consumer welfare. We show that shifts in the preferences and constraints of financial speculators cannot explain the observed movement in the futures spread and so are unlikely to expose consumer welfare to shocks, even in the presence of belief disagreements. Shifts in the supply and demand for spot oil can better explain many of the features often attributed to financialization including financial participation itself. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 34:757–787, 2014
Large Cross‐Free Sets in Steiner Triple Systems
Authors: Gyárfás András 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAcross‐freeset of sizemin a Steiner triple systemis three pairwise disjointm‐element subsetssuch that nointersects all the three‐s. We conjecture that for every admissiblenthere is an STS(n) with a cross‐free set of sizewhich if true, is best possible. We prove this conjecture for the case, constructing an STScontaining a cross‐free set of size 6k. We note that some of the 3‐bichromatic STSs, constructed by Colbourn, Dinitz, and Rosa, have cross‐free sets of size close to 6k(but cannot have size exactly 6k). The constructed STSshows that equality is possible forin the following result: in every 3‐coloring of the blocks of any Steiner triple system STS(n) there is a monochromatic connected component of size at least(we conjecture that equality holds for every admissiblen). The analog problem can be asked forr‐colorings as well, ifandis a prime power, we show that the answer is the same as in case of complete graphs: in everyr‐coloring of the blocks of any STS(n), there is a monochromatic connected component with at leastpoints, and this is sharp for infinitely manyn.
Hydrothermal synthesis of TiO2–yeast hybrid microspheres with controllable structures and their application for the photocatalytic reduction of Cr (VI)
Authors: Song Rui , Bai Bo , Jing Dengwei 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDNanoparticle TiO2 and biological yeast cells have been investigated in previous work. However, the formation of TiO2–yeast hybrid materials with controllable structures is rarely reported. In the present study, the hydrolysis of titanium tetrabutoxide (TBOB) on the surface of yeast cells was proposed to prepare controllable structures of TiO2–yeast hybrid microspheres. It also develops and widens the applications of TiO2–yeast hybrid microspheres for removal of Cr(VI).RESULTSFE‐SEM and EDS revealed that the TiO2–yeast hybrid microspheres have rough surface morphology and uniform diameter. The XRD pattern indicated anatase phase TiO2 nanoparticles with amorphous yeast. FT‐IR spectroscopy demonstrated that the formation of controllable TiO2–yeast composite microspheres was related to surface chemical functional groups of yeast. The composite microspheres possessed enhanced light response over the wide range 250–435 nm. The photocatalytic performance of TiO2–yeast (1.3 mL TBOB) composite microspheres exhibited a maximum removal rate of 99% for the reduction of Cr(VI) under UV light irradiation.CONCLUSIONSTiO2–yeast hybrid microspheres with controllable structures were successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method. The diameter of TiO2–yeast microspheres decreased with increase of the amount of TBOB. No significant decrease in photo‐activity was found when used for the reduction of Cr(VI) and the composites could be re‐used repeatedly without other treatment. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Polymeric Nanocarriers for siRNA Delivery to Murine Macrophages
Authors: Forbes Diane C. , Peppas Nicholas A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThis work investigates the interactions of a polycationic nanocarrier with siRNA and with cells in order to better understand the capabilities and limitations of the carrier. The polycationic nanocarriers are cross‐linked copolymer nanoparticles synthesized in a single‐step reaction using ARGET ATRP (activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization). The polycationic nanocarriers efficiently bind siRNA for polymer/siRNA mass ratios less than 1. A method to prepare fluorescently labeled polycationic nanocarriers is presented. The fluorescently labeled polycationic nanocarriers are used to investigate cellular internalization with RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells. Flow cytometry demonstrates that the uptake increased with nanoparticle concentration and incubation time. Confocal microscopy confirmed internalization of fluorescently labeled nanoparticles. The investigation of siRNA‐induced knockdown demonstrates that higher concentrations of nanoparticles and siRNA are associated with increased knockdown. For the conditions tested in the knockdown experiments, the ARGET ATRP polycationic nanocarriers outperformed a commercially available Lipofectamine control.
Highly Monodisperse Sub‐microspherical Poly(glycidyl methacrylate) Nanocomposites with Highly Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Yan Xingru , Li Maolin , Long Jun , Zhang Xi , Wei Huige , He Qingliang , Rutman Dan , Cao Dapeng , Wei Suying , Chen Guofang , Guo Zhanhu 
Published: April 2014

Sub‐micrometer spheres of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) with a layer of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) film are prepared by an easily controlled assembly method. The gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) exhibit a discontinuous structure on the PGMA@PAH particle surface, exhibiting a surface interaction between the PGMA spheres and the Au NPs. PAH not only modifies the surface of the PGMA particles but also affirmatively affects the crystallite of the PGMA particles. The real permittivity of the nanocomposite spheres is much higher than that of pure PGMA spheres. An improved thermal stability is observed in the nanocomposite spheres. The calculated bandgap (0.91 eV) of the nanocomposite spheres is observed to be lower than that (4.92 eV) of pure PGMA spheres.
image
The Thermal Behavior of Polylactide with Different D‐Lactide Content in the Presence of Dissolved CO2
Authors: Nofar Mohammadreza , Ameli Aboutaleb , Park Chul B. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe crystallization behavior of polylactide with different D‐lactide content (1.5, 4.6, and 10.1%.) was investigated in the presence of dissolved CO2 by using a high‐pressure differential scanning calorimeter. The PLA's crystallization rate was significantly increased with the dissolved CO2 and by reducing the D‐lactide content. However, the PLA with a high D‐lactide content did not reveal any crystallization during non‐isothermal and isothermal melt crystallization, even under 60 bar CO2 pressure. On the other hand, the final crystallinity of the other two PLA samples differed at various CO2 pressures and at different cooling rates. This was due to the resultant effects of CO2's plasticization and the density of the crystal nuclei on the PLA's molecular mobility, a phenomenon consistent with our earlier investigations of PLAs with different branching degrees and with PLA nano/microcomposites. Moreover, the plasticizing CO2 molecules depressed the crystallization and glass transition temperatures of the PLA samples similarly.
How Do Salespeople Make Decisions? The Role of Emotions and Deliberation on Adaptive Selling, and the Moderating Role of Intuition
Authors: Locander David A. , Mulki Jay P. , Weinberg Frankie J. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTThis research explores how salespeople make decisions and what factors influence these decisions. Research in psychology suggests that, in making decisions, people use both intuition and deliberation, often relying on some degree of both processes. This study examines the impact of emotion, intuition, and deliberation on a salesperson's adaptability and resulting performance. Intuition is found to play a significant moderating role in the relationships between both deliberation and regulation of emotions on adaptive selling. However, as anticipated, the role of this moderation variable differs for each of these relationships. Findings suggest that intuition provides an important input to deliberative and emotive thought processes, and plays an important role in salesperson adaptiveness. Implications for salesperson mentoring and training programs are explored.
Understanding the Relationship between Individualism and Word of Mouth: A Self‐Enhancement Explanation
Authors: Wien Anders Hauge , Olsen Svein Ottar 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTThis study examines factors moderating the relationship between individualism and word‐of‐mouth (WOM) transmission. The conceptual model is based on the premise that high‐individualism consumers are highly driven by the self‐enhancement motive when they transmit WOM and that they change their willingness to provide WOM based on the perceived opportunity for self‐enhancement. The results reveal that high‐individualism consumers are more willing than low‐individualism consumers to transmit WOM in relation to satisfactory consumption experiences (vs. unsatisfactory), when WOM is unsolicited (vs. solicited), and when the context involves high perceived social risk (vs. low perceived social risk). Thus, the findings indicate that self‐enhancement may indeed be the underlying mechanism in the relationship between individualism and WOM transmission.
Cognition in movement disorders: Where can we hope to be in ten years?
Authors: Burn David , Weintraub Daniel , Ravina Bernard , Litvan Irene 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTCognitive impairment and dementia associated with movement disorders represent a major management challenge and area of unmet need. This article has focused upon Parkinson's disease as an exemplar condition, but many of the roadblocks and efforts to overcome these are applicable, in a general sense, to other disorders. Short of a “penicillin moment”—a chance discovery or piece of unintended good fortune—progress is likely to be incremental. Cognitive therapies may end up being multiple and possibly multimodal, parallel with the cancer therapy field. Ultimately, benefit for one condition may extend to others as commonality in protein aggregation, synergistic pathological effects between proteins, and pathological spread emerges. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease: A cognitive neuroscience perspective
Authors: Robbins Trevor W. , Cools Roshan 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTProgress in characterization of the nature, neural basis, and treatment of cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease is reviewed from the perspective of cognitive neuroscience. An initial emphasis on fronto‐striatal executive deficits is surveyed along with the discoveries of disruption as well as remediation of certain impairments by dopaminergic mediation and their association with theories of reinforcement learning. Subsequent focus on large cohorts has revealed considerable heterogeneity in the cognitive impairments as well as a suggestion of at least two distinct syndromes, with the dopamine‐dependent fronto‐striatal deficits being somewhat independent of other signs commonly associated with Parkinson's disease dementia. The utility is proposed of a new, integrated cognitive neuroscience approach based on combining genetic and neuroimaging methodologies with neuropsychological and, ultimately, psychopharmacological approaches. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
The cognitive burden in Huntington's disease: Pathology, phenotype, and mechanisms of compensation
Authors: Papoutsi Marina , Labuschagne Izelle , Tabrizi Sarah J. , Stout Julie C. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTHuntington's disease (HD) is an inherited autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder. The most prominent sign of HD is the presence of involuntary motor movements. However, HD is also characterized by marked cognitive decline, which often precedes the onset of motor symptoms and is generally considered to be more debilitating to the patients and their families, compared to motor symptoms. Cognitive decline is widespread across most faculties of cognition in later stages of the disease, but seems to be selective in preclinical and early stages of the disease, with deficits in the HD patients' ability to multitask, their speed of processing, and executive function. It is now well established that preceding clinical diagnosis there is a preclinical stage, during which HD gene mutation carriers are relatively symptom free, despite disease pathological onset and the presence of neurodegeneration. Evidence from functional brain imaging studies suggests the presence of neural compensation in preclinical stages of HD, whereby the brain undergoes functional reorganization in response to neurodegeneration to preserve motor and cognitive performance. In this review, we will describe the underlying HD pathology with a focus on how it links to the cognitive phenotype. We will also present evidence regarding the presence of neural compensation in HD and the possible mechanisms supporting it. Finally, we will discuss current research in the field of cognitive interventions that aim to support and enhance neural compensation in HD. These research efforts could, one day, prolong the preclinical stage and assist with symptom management of those affected with HD. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Cognition in corticobasal syndrome and progressive supranuclear palsy: A review
Authors: Burrell James R. , Hodges John R. , Rowe James B. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractCorticobasal syndrome (CBS) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) represent challenging neurodegenerative disorders for clinicians and nonclinical scientists alike. Although initially lumped together as “Parkinson's‐Plus” syndromes, CBS and PSP are clinically and pathologically distinct from Parkinson's disease. It is now clear that behavioral and cognitive changes are common in both syndromes and affect impact quality of life and carer burden considerably. We briefly review the clinical, pathological, and neuroradiological features of each syndrome, followed by more detailed descriptions of the behavioral and cognitive deficits encountered in CBS and PSP. Clinically and pathologically heterogeneous, CBS is characterized by a wide range of cognitive and behavioral disturbances. impairments in executive function and memory are common, but nonspecific. In contrast, deficits in language and visuospatial abilities appear to be more distinctive features of CBS; the relevance of specific patterns of impairment to the underlying histopathology, or prognosis, remains to be fully elucidated. As in CBS, behavioral and cognitive changes are almost universal in PSP, with a wide range of reported deficits. Apathy is very common, often paradoxically accompanied by impulsivity. Executive dysfunction is prominent, but memory and visuospatial deficits also occur. An emerging field is the study of social cognition, which appears impaired in both syndromes. As therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative pathologies emerge, more specific diagnostic tools in CBS and PSP will be required. Careful clinicopathological correlation, and the development of biomarkers for specific histopathologies, will be important milestones on the road to effective treatments.
Polymorphism at the TNF‐alpha gene interacts with Mediterranean diet to influence triglyceride metabolism and inflammation status in metabolic syndrome patients: From the CORDIOPREV clinical trial
Authors: Gomez‐Delgado Francisco , Alcala‐Diaz Juan Francisco , Garcia‐Rios Antonio , Delgado‐Lista Javier , Ortiz‐Morales Ana , Rangel‐Zuñiga Oriol , Tinahones Francisco Jose , Gonzalez‐Guardia Lorena , Malagon Maria M. , Bellido‐Muñoz Enrique , Ordovas Jose M. , Perez‐Jimenez Francisco , Lopez‐Miranda Jose , Perez‐Martinez Pablo 
Published: April 2014

ScopeTo examine whether the consumption of a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), compared with a low‐fat diet, interacts with two single nucleotide polymorphisms at the tumor necrosis factor alpha gene (rs1800629, rs1799964) in order to improve triglycerides (TG), glycemic control, and inflammation markers.Methods and resultsGenotyping, biochemical measurements, dietary intervention, and oral fat load test meal were determined in 507 metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients selected from all the subjects included in CORDIOPREV clinical trial (n = 1002). At baseline, G/G subjects (n = 408) at the rs1800629 polymorphism, showed higher fasting and postprandial TG (p = 0.003 and p = 0.025, respectively), and high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) (p = 0.003) plasma concentrations than carriers of the minor A‐allele (G/A + A/A) (n = 99). After 12 months of MedDiet, baseline differences between genotypes disappeared. The decrease in TG and hsCRP was statistically significant in G/G subjects (n = 203) compared with carriers of the minor A‐allele (p = 0.005 and p = 0.034, respectively) (n = 48). No other gene–diet interactions were observed in either diet.ConclusionThese results suggest that the rs1800629 at the tumor necrosis factor alpha gene interacts with MedDiet to influence TG metabolism and inflammation status in MetS subjects. Understanding the role of gene–diet interactions may be the best strategy for personalized treatment of MetS.
Discrete simulations of a triaxial compression test for sand by DEM
Authors: Kozicki Jan , Tejchman Jacek , Mühlhaus Hans‐Bernd 
Published: April 2014

SUMMARYA quasi‐static homogeneous drained triaxial compression test on cohesionless sand under constant lateral pressure was simulated using a three‐dimensional discrete element method. Grains were modelled by means of particle clusters composed of rigid spheres or spheres with contact moments imitating irregular particle shapes. Attention was paid to the effect of initial void ratio and grain shape mixture on the shear strength, volume changes, force chains, kinetic, elastic and dissipated energies. In addition, the effect of the mean grain size, grain size distribution, grain size range, specimen size and roughness and stiffness of boundaries was numerically analysed in initially dense sand. Some numerical results were compared with available experimental results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of brown adipose tissue in the human perirenal depot
Authors: Svensson Per‐Arne , Lindberg Kristin , Hoffmann Jenny M. , Taube Magdalena , Pereira Maria J. , Mohsen‐Kanson Tala , Hafner Anne‐Laure , Rizell Magnus , Palming Jenny , Dani Christian , Svensson Maria K. 
Published: April 2014

ObjectiveTo characterize brown adipose tissue (BAT) in the human perirenal adipose tissue depot.MethodPerirenal adipose tissue biopsies were obtained from 55 healthy kidney donors. Expression analysis was performed using microarray, real‐time PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Additional studies using human stem cells were performed.ResultsUCP1 gene expression analysis revealed a large intra‐individual variation in the perirenal adipose tissue biopsies. Both multi‐ and unilocular UCP1‐positive adipocytes were detected in several of the adipose tissue samples analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Microarray analysis identified 54 genes that were overexpressed in UCP1‐positive perirenal adipose tissue. Real‐time PCR analysis of BAT candidate genes revealed a set of genes that were highly correlated to UCP1 and a set of three transcription factor genes (PRDM16, PGC1α, and RXRγ) that were highly correlated to each other. RXRγ displayed nuclear immunoreactivity in brown adipocytes and an increased gene expression during brown adipogenesis in human stem cells.ConclusionOur data provides the first molecular characterization of BAT in the perirenal adipose tissue depot. Furthermore, it highlights the transcription factor RXRγ as a new player in BAT development.
WHAT WORKS BEST AND WHEN: ACCOUNTING FOR MULTIPLE SOURCES OF PURESELECTION BIAS IN PROGRAM EVALUATIONS
Authors: Jung Haeil , Pirog Maureen A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractMost evaluations are still quasi‐experimental and most recent quasi‐experimental methodological research has focused on various types of propensity score matching to minimize conventional selection bias on observables. Although these methods create better‐matched treatment and comparison groups on observables, the issue of selection on unobservables still looms large. Thus, in the absence of being able to run randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or natural experiments, it is important to understand how well different regression‐based estimators perform in terms of minimizing pure selection bias, that is, selection on unobservables. We examine the relative magnitudes of three sources of pure selection bias: heterogeneous response bias, time‐invariant individual heterogeneity (fixed effects [FEs]), and intertemporal dependence (autoregressive process of order one [AR(1)]). Because the relative magnitude of each source of pure selection bias may vary in different policy contexts, it is important to understand how well different regression‐based estimators handle each source of selection bias. Expanding simulations that have their origins in the work of Heckman, LaLonde, and Smith (), we find that difference‐in‐differences (DID) using equidistant pre‐ and postperiods and FEs estimators are less biased and have smaller standard errors in estimating the Treatment on the Treated (TT) than other regression‐based estimators. Our data analysis using the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) program replicates our simulation findings in estimating the TT.