bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical experience of large colorectal laterally spreading tumor in a regional hospital: 2‐year results
Authors: Hsu Wen‐Hsin , Sun Meng‐Shun , Lo Hoi‐Wan , Tsai Ching‐Yang , Tsai Yu‐Jou , Chen Pao‐Huei
Published: April 2014

Background

Nonpolypoid colorectal neoplasm has been widely recognized in the past few years. Among nonpolypoid colorectal neoplasms, laterally spreading tumor (LST) is a unique and distinct category in that the tumor grows horizontally with a size >1 cm. It may be easily overlooked during colonoscopy. If the size of the colorectal LST is >2 cm, achieving definite management is also another concerning issue. The aim of this study was to improve our understanding of LST by reviewing its clinical manifestations.

Methods

All the large colorectal LSTs that were diagnosed and managed at our hospital in the past 2 years were reviewed. Basic demographic data were recorded. LSTs were divided into granular (G) and nongranular types (NG), then further subdivided into nodular mixed and homogeneous types for the G group and flat elevated and pseudodepressed types for the NG group.

Results

A total of 28 LST in 28 patients were enrolled, with males being more predominant than females (male/female: 18/10). Mean age of the patients and mean size of the LST were 62.6 ± 9.75 years and 3.4 ± 1.257 cm, respectively. Concerning morphology, 14 were diagnosed as NG and 14 as G group. The rate of malignant change was 28.6% (8/28). Twenty‐three of our patients received endoscopic treatment (5 for endoscopic piecemeal mucosal resection 18 for endoscopic submucosal dissection) and five for laparoscopy‐assisted colectomy. The cost and length of admission analysis between the endoscopic and operation treatment groups showed significant cost reduction (endoscopy/operation: NTD 28172/82516, p < 0.001) and fewer admission days in the endoscopy therapy group (4.74/9.00, days, p < 0.001). Subgroup comparison between the G and NG groups did not reveal statistical significance in age, sex ratio, tumor size, rate of malignant change, or location.

Conclusion

Although long‐term outcome comparison was lacking, endoscopic treatment should be considered firstly for colorectal LST under the consideration of shorter hospitalization. Most of our analyses between the G and NG groups were statistically insignificant, which is likely to be due to the small population base.
Fatou components with punctured limit sets
Authors: BOC-THALER LUKA , FORNÆSS JOHN ERIK , PETERS HAN
Published: April 2014

We study invariant Fatou components for holomorphic endomorphisms in $\mathbb{P}^{2}$. In the recurrent case these components were classified by Fornæss and Sibony [Classification of recurrent domains for some holomorphic maps. Math. Ann. 301(4) (1995), 813–820]. Ueda [Holomorphic maps on projective spaces and continuations of Fatou maps. Michigan Math J.56(1) (2008), 145–153] completed this classification by proving that it is not possible for the limit set to be a punctured disk. Recently Lyubich and Peters [Classification of invariant Fatou components for dissipative Hénon maps. Preprint] classified non-recurrent invariant Fatou components, under the additional hypothesis that the limit set is unique. Again all possibilities in this classification were known to occur, except for the punctured disk. Here we show that the punctured disk can indeed occur as the limit set of a non-recurrent Fatou component. We provide many additional examples of holomorphic and polynomial endomorphisms of $\mathbb{C}^{2}$ with non-recurrent Fatou components on which the orbits converge to the regular part of arbitrary analytic sets.
Superhydrophobic turbulent drag reduction as a function of surface grating parameters
Authors: Park Hyungmin , Sun Guangyi , Kim Chang-Jin “CJ”
Published: April 2014

Despite the confirmation of slip flows and successful drag reduction (DR) in small-scaled laminar flows, the full impact of superhydrophobic (SHPo) DR remained questionable because of the sporadic and inconsistent experimental results in turbulent flows. Here we report a systematic set of bias-free reduction data obtained by measuring the skin-friction drags on a SHPo surface and a smooth surface at the same time and location in a turbulent boundary layer (TBL) flow. Each monolithic sample consists of a SHPo surface and a smooth surface suspended by flexure springs, all carved out from a$2.7 \times 2.7 {\mathrm{mm}}^{2}$silicon chip by photolithographic microfabrication. The flow tests allow continuous monitoring of the plastron on the SHPo surfaces, so that the DR data are genuine and consistent. A family of SHPo samples with precise profiles reveals the effects of grating parameters on turbulent DR, which was measured to be as much as${\sim }75\, \%$.
On the need for a nonlinear subscale turbulence term in POD models as exemplified for a high-Reynolds-number flow over an Ahmed body
Authors: Östh Jan , Noack Bernd R. , Krajnović Siniša , Barros Diogo , Borée Jacques
Published: April 2014

We investigate a hierarchy of eddy-viscosity terms in proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) Galerkin models to account for a large fraction of unresolved fluctuation energy. These Galerkin methods are applied to large eddy simulation (LES) data for a flow around a vehicle-like bluff body called an Ahmed body. This flow has three challenges for any reduced-order model: a high Reynolds number, coherent structures with broadband frequency dynamics, and meta-stable asymmetric base flow states. The Galerkin models are found to be most accurate with modal eddy viscosities as proposed by Rempfer & Fasel (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 260, 1994a, pp. 351–375;J. Fluid Mech.vol. 275, 1994b, pp. 257–283). Robustness of the model solution with respect to initial conditions, eddy-viscosity values and model order is achieved only for state-dependent eddy viscosities as proposed by Noack, Morzyński & Tadmor (Reduced-Order Modelling for Flow Control, CISM Courses and Lectures, vol. 528, 2011). Only the POD system with state-dependent modal eddy viscosities can address all challenges of the flow characteristics. All parameters are analytically derived from the Navier–Stokes-based balance equations with the available data. We arrive at simple general guidelines for robust and accurate POD models which can be expected to hold for a large class of turbulent flows.
Multifractality in combustion noise: predicting an impending combustion instability
Authors: Nair Vineeth , Sujith R. I.
Published: April 2014

The transition in dynamics from low-amplitude, aperiodic, combustion noise to high-amplitude, periodic, combustion instability in confined, combustion environments was studied experimentally in a laboratory-scale combustor with two different flameholding devices in a turbulent flow field. We show that the low-amplitude, irregular pressure fluctuations acquired during stable regimes, termed ‘combustion noise’, display scale invariance and have a multifractal signature that disappears at the onset of combustion instability. Traditional analysis often treats combustion noise and combustion instability as acoustic problems wherein the irregular fluctuations observed in experiments are often considered as a stochastic background to the dynamics. We demonstrate that the irregular fluctuations contain useful information of prognostic value by defining representative measures such as Hurst exponents that can act as early warning signals to impending instability in fielded combustors.
Sociability and support in online eating disorder communities: Evidence from personal networks
Authors: TUBARO PAOLA , MOUNIER LISE
Published: April 2014

We study how people select their health support ties from their broader personal networks, taking into account the interplay of web-based and face-to-face interactions. We focus on users of self-styled Internet communities on eating disorders, often dubbed “pro-ana” and “pro-mia” and widely feared to contribute to maintaining and spreading these disorders. Despite the controversial anti-medical stances of some of them, “ana-mia” websites may channel mutual assistance, advice, and psychological and emotional support, with ultimate benefits for health.

In 2011–12 we fielded an online survey of users of French- and English-language “ana-mia” websites, mapping the composition and structure of their personal networks both online and face-to-face, and their health and eating-related support networks, for two types of health issues. We estimate binary choice models for these data and find that different health needs call for different types of support, embedded in different parts of personal networks. Specifically, online groups provide distinctive sources of help, which partly compensate for perceived shortcomings in healthcare services, although members do not overwhelmingly reject standard health systems and norms. We discuss how web-based groups constitute an important source of social support, and a potential resource for enhanced public health services provision.
A FRAGMENT OF COSMATESQUE MOSAIC FROM WIMBORNE MINSTER, DORSET
Authors: Rees Lawrence , Lewis Michael J T
Published: April 2014

It has hitherto been supposed that, north of the Alps, the elaborate medieval mosaic work known as Cosmatesque was confined to Westminster Abbey. An example with glass tesserae, however, has now come to light from Wimborne Minster, Dorset. This paper explores the circumstances of the rediscovery there in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries of pieces of ‘rich mosaic’, describes the surviving fragment and compares it in style and function to counterparts in Rome and in the Confessor's Chapel at Westminster. It concludes that it dates, like those at Westminster, to the 1270s or 1280s. It suggests that it adorned the shrine of Wimborne's Saxon founder, St Cuthburga, and that the patron who commissioned it was most likely Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, lord of the nearby manor of Kingston Lacy and close associate of Edwardi.
Geology and geochemistry of the Baijiantan–Baikouquan ophiolitic mélanges: implications for geological evolution of west Junggar, Xinjiang, NW China
Authors: ZHU YONGFENG , CHEN BO , QIU TIAN
Published: April 2014

We report two newly identified Ordovician ophiolite belts in west Junggar, NW China: Tajin–Tarbahatai–Kujibai–Honguleleng (TTKH) and Tangbale–Baijiantan–Baikouquan (TBB) ophiolitic belts. These two ophiolitic belts provide constraints for the Palaeozoic reconstruction of Central Asia and the geological evolution of this region. The TTKH and TBB ophiolitic belts are dismembered parts of different ophiolitic belts which represent relics of Ordovician oceanic floor; they subducted to the north under the Chingiz–Tarbahatai arc and to the south under the Junggar plate, respectively. The Baijiantan–Baikouquan ophiolite mélanges comprise the major part of the TBB. Flat rare Earth element (REE) patterns with positive Eu anomalies and insignificant depletion of high-field-strength elements (HFSE) relative to melts of primitive mantle suggest a mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB) origin for the metagabbro. Lherzolite samples define a Sm–Nd isotopic isochron with age of 474 Ma andɛNd(t)of +8.9. Lherzolite samples with positiveɛNd(t)values of +8.8 to +9.1 and initial87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7037–0.7040 are rather homogeneous in Sr–Nd isotopic composition, whereas metagabbro samples show wider Sr–Nd isotopic compositional ranges withɛNd(t)of +5.9 to +11.0. The Sm–Nd isotopic isochron age (c.380 Ma) for garnet amphibolite samples, consistent with a zircon U–Pb age (c.385 Ma) for metagabbro, represents a magmatic event prior to subduction. Thermodynamic calculations for garnet amphibolite yield a clockwise pressure–temperature path with peak metamorphic condition ofc.15 kbar and 520–560°C at 342 Ma, indicating a subduction-channel setting. The Rb–Sr isochron ages (335 Ma, 333 Ma) for metagabbro represent a metamorphic event during exhumation.
How Does the Market Value Toxic Assets?
Authors: Longstaff Francis A. , Myers Brett W.
Published: April 2014

How does the market value “toxic” structured-credit securities? We study the valuation of what is possibly the most toxic of all toxic assets: the equity tranche of a collateralized debt obligation (CDO). In theory, CDO equity should be similar in nature to bank stock since both represent residual claims on a portfolio of loans. We find CDO equity returns are much more related to stock returns than to fixed-income returns. CDO equity returns track the returns of financial stocks much more closely than any other industry. Nearly two-thirds of the variation in CDO returns can be explained by fundamentals.
Impacted dentures in the oesophagus
Authors: Bandyopadhyay S N , Das S , Das S K , Mandal A
Published: April 2014

Objective:

This study presents the incidence of denture impaction in the oesophagus, and discusses the difficulties of managing such cases.

Method:

A total of 262 patients with a history of foreign body ingestion (between 1999 and 2010) were reviewed; 46 of these patients had dentures impacted in the oesophagus.

Results:

The cervical section of the oesophagus was the commonest site of impaction. Dysphagia and tracheal tenderness were the most consistent features when dentures became impacted in the upper oesophagus. In most cases, rigid oesophagoscopy enabled successful removal of the impacted denture. Locating an impacted denture hidden within the oesophageal mucosal folds sometimes proved difficult.

Conclusion:

In cases of impacted dentures in the oesophagus, a positive history helps in the diagnosis, but a high degree of clinical suspicion aids early detection. Conventional radiographs are important but may not always be of assistance. Early intervention reduces complications. Dentures that are poorly maintained and old are more likely to be swallowed accidentally. The inclusion of radiopaque filler within dentures would assist localisation following accidental swallowing.
Materiam superabat opus: Lucretius Metamorphosed
Authors: Schiesaro Alessandro
Published: April 2014

Ovid's narrative of Phaethon's failed attempt prematurely to emulate his father in his unique expertise can be read as a reflection on the virtues and limits of Lucretius' philosophical poetry. The paper suggests that, while he gives much credit to theDe Rerum Natura's literary quality and its striving for the sublime, Ovid also critiques the hubristic connotations of Lucretius' rejection of divine authority and agency from the workings of nature. The second part of the article explores how this particular version of the myth touches upon issues of poetic authority, political positioning, and Oedipal competition.
PANEL STRUCTURAL MODELING WITH WEAK INSTRUMENTATION AND COVARIANCE RESTRICTIONS
Authors: Chao John C.
Published: April 2014

This paper considers estimating a panel data simultaneous equations model under both coefficient and covariance matrix restrictions in a scenario where one or the other set of identifying restrictions may be invalid or may hold only weakly. We study the limiting properties of various estimators in an asymptotic framework, which takes both the cross-sectional dimensionNand the time dimensionTto infinity. In this setting as in the pure cross-sectional setup, the performance of the 2SLS estimator depends on the strength of the identifying conditions imposed on the coefficients of the model, and it fails to be consistent once these conditions break down sufficiently resulting in instruments that are too weakly correlated with the endogenous regressors. On the other hand, the between-group (BG) estimator is consistent and asymptotically normal even when coefficient restrictions fail, but it has the shortcoming that its precision depends only on variations in the cross-sectional dimension; and, hence, it is less efficient and has slower rate of convergence than alternatives, which make better use of the large time dimension. A GMM estimator, which combines the moment conditions of theBGestimator with that of the within-group IV estimator, is more robust to instrument weakness than 2SLS and is more efficient than theBGestimator, but it has a second-order bias even under strong instruments if the assumed covariance restrictions do not hold. To remedy the deficiency of the aforementioned estimators, we propose in this paper two new model averaging estimators, which are weighted averages of the GMM estimator and a bias-corrected GMM estimator. The two proposed estimators have weighting functions that depend on alternative transformations of the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), which is employed here to assess the validity of the covariance restrictions. We show that these new estimators have some nice robustness properties against possible failure of either the coefficient restrictions or the covariance restrictions.
The maximum voltage drop in an on-chip power distribution network: analysis of square, triangular and hexagonal power pad arrangements
Authors: CARROLL TOM , ORTEGA-CERDÀ JOAQUIM
Published: April 2014

A mathematical model of the voltage drop which arises in on-chip power distribution networks is used to compare the maximum voltage drop in the case of different geometric arrangements of the pads supplying power to the chip. These include the square or Manhattan power pad arrangement, which currently predominates, as well as equilateral triangular and hexagonal arrangements. In agreement with the findings in the literature and with physical and SPICE models, the equilateral triangular power pad arrangement is found to minimize the maximum voltage drop. This headline finding is a consequence of relatively simple formulas for the voltage drop, with explicit error bounds, which are established using complex analysis techniques, and elliptic functions in particular.
Transporting functions across ornaments
Authors: DAGAND PIERRE-ÉVARISTE , McBRIDE CONOR
Published: April 2014

Programming with dependent types is a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing to be able to bake invariants into the definition of datatypes: We can finally write correct-by-construction software. However, this extreme accuracy is also a curse: A datatype is the combination of a structuring medium together with a special purpose logic. These domain-specific logics hamper any attempt to reuse code across similarly structured data. In this paper, we capitalise on the structural invariants of datatypes. To do so, we first adapt the notion of ornament to our universe of inductive families. We then show how code reuse can be achieved by ornamenting functions. Using these functional ornaments, we capture the relationship between functions such as the addition of natural numbers and the concatenation of lists. With this knowledge, we demonstrate how the implementation of the former informs the implementation of the latter: The users can ask the definition of addition to be lifted to lists and they will only be asked the details necessary to carry on adding lists rather than numbers. Our presentation is formalised in the type theory with a universe of datatypes and all our constructions have been implemented as generic programs, requiring no extension to the type theory.
Why do firms oppose entry-deterring policies? Environmental regulation and entry deterrence
Authors: Espínola-Arredondo Ana , Muñoz-García Félix
Published: April 2014

This paper investigates the design of environmental regulation under different regimes: flexible and inflexible policies. We analyze under which settings strict emission fees can be used as an entry-deterring tool, and become socially optimal. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the incentives of the social planner and the incumbent firm are aligned regarding policy regimes ifentry can be easily deterred by setting a stringent regulation. Their incentives, however, can bemisaligned when entry becomes more costly to deter, leading the incumbent to actually preferenvironmental policies that attract entry.
In-Situ Electrochemical Transmission Electron Microscopy for Battery Research
Authors: Layla Mehdi B. , Gu Meng , Parent Lucas R. , Xu Wu , Nasybulin Eduard N. , Chen Xilin , Unocic Raymond R. , Xu Pinghong , Welch David A. , Abellan Patricia , Zhang Ji-Guang , Liu Jun , Wang Chong-Min , Arslan Ilke , Evans James , Browning Nigel D.
Published: April 2014

The recent development of in-situ liquid stages for (scanning) transmission electron microscopes now makes it possible for us to study the details of electrochemical processes under operando conditions. As electrochemical processes are complex, care must be taken to calibrate the system before any in-situ/operando observations. In addition, as the electron beam can cause effects that look similar to electrochemical processes at the electrolyte/electrode interface, an understanding of the role of the electron beam in modifying the operando observations must also be understood. In this paper we describe the design, assembly, and operation of an in-situ electrochemical cell, paying particular attention to the method for controlling and quantifying the experimental parameters. The use of this system is then demonstrated for the lithiation/delithiation of silicon nanowires.
Quantitative Strain and Compositional Studies of InxGa1−xAs Epilayer in a GaAs-based pHEMT Device Structure by TEM Techniques
Authors: Sridhara Rao Duggi V. , Sankarasubramanian Ramachandran , Muraleedharan Kuttanellore , Mehrtens Thorsten , Rosenauer Andreas , Banerjee Dipankar
Published: April 2014

In GaAs-based pseudomorphic high-electron mobility transistor device structures, strain and composition of the InxGa1−xAs channel layer are very important as they influence the electronic properties of these devices. In this context, transmission electron microscopy techniques such as (002) dark-field imaging, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) imaging, scanning transmission electron microscopy-high angle annular dark field (STEM-HAADF) imaging and selected area diffraction, are useful. A quantitative comparative study using these techniques is relevant for assessing the merits and limitations of the respective techniques. In this article, we have investigated strain and composition of the InxGa1−xAs layer with the mentioned techniques and compared the results. The HRTEM images were investigated with strain state analysis. The indium content in this layer was quantified by HAADF imaging and correlated with STEM simulations. The studies showed that the InxGa1−xAs channel layer was pseudomorphically grown leading to tetragonal strain along the [001] growth direction and that the average indium content (x) in the epilayer is ~0.12. We found consistency in the results obtained using various methods of analysis.
Introduction to Special Issue: Quality of Life and Environmentalism in ASEAN
Authors: INOGUCHI TAKASHI
Published: April 2014

The Vientiane Action Program, issued in 2013, declared that the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) will enhance integration, focusing on connectivity of member states by 2015. One of the policy tasks included in the Vientiane Action program, under the heading of Society, includes health and the environment. This special issue examines how ASEAN citizens evaluate their quality of life and environmentalism in order to help ASEAN achieve its goal of improving health and the environment by 2015 and beyond.
Which Level of Government Do the ASEAN People Think that Environmental Issues Should Be Decided By? An Analysis of the ASEAN-Barometer Survey of 2009
Authors: FUJII SEIJI
Published: April 2014

This paper explores preferences and attitudes related to fiscal federalism held by the ASEAN people in the context of environmental issues. Fiscal federalism would predict that local environmental problems will be handled more efficiently by local governments, while national environmental problems will be solved more efficiently by the national government. But it is not obvious whether citizens consider in the same way as economics theory predicts. To unveil this point, I address questions of whether those who have higher consciousness toward environmental issues at the neighbor or local level prefer local governments to decide environment policies, whether those who have more consciousness about environmental issues at the national level prefer the national government to decide the policies, and whether those who have higher consciousness toward environmental problems at global level prefer higher levels government such as the United Nations to decide the policies. By fitting multi-level probit regressions to cross-national survey data collected in ASEAN countries, I found the results supporting the hypotheses. The country analyses show the results which support the hypotheses in Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
A Discussion of Laura sjoberg'sGendering Global Conflict: Toward a Feminist Theory of War
Authors: Meger Sara
Published: April 2014

Charge: War is a defining political experience, and the study of war—its causes, its dynamics, its consequences–is a central theme of political science. It is an organized activity that involves both men and women, as combatants and as civilians, as perpetrators and as victims. Laura Sjoberg'sGendering Global Conflict: Toward a Feminist Theory of War(Columbia University Press, 2013) is an important new book that argues that the fields of international relations and security studies are impoverished by an insufficient attention to the gendering of conflict, and that a “feminist theory of war” is therefore indispensable to an adequate understanding of the politics of war. This symposium brings together a range of prominent political science scholars, writing from a range of theoretical perspectives, to comment critically on Sjoberg's book and on the broader theme of the gendering of global conflict. —Jeffrey C. Isaac, Editor
Gender Inequality in Deliberation: Unpacking the Black Box of Interaction
Authors: Mendelberg Tali , Karpowitz Christopher F. , Oliphant J. Baxter
Published: April 2014

When and why do women gain from increased descriptive representation in deliberating bodies? Using a large randomized experiment, and linking individual-level speech with assessments of speaker authority, we find that decision rules interact with the number of women in the group to shape the conversation dynamics and deliberative authority, an important form of influence. With majority rule and few women, women experience a negative balance of interruptions when speaking, and these women then lose influence in their own eyes and in others’. But when the group is assigned to unanimous rule, or when women are many, women experience a positive balance of interruptions, mitigating the deleterious effect of small numbers. Men do not experience this pattern. We draw implications for a type of representation that we call authoritative representation, and for democratic deliberation.
Constructing Freedom: Institutional Pathways to Changing the Gender Division of Labor
Authors: Markovits Elizabeth K. , Bickford Susan
Published: April 2014

In recent years, there has been renewed public discussion regarding the relationship between women’s equality and their traditional responsibility for carework. In this essay, we analyze the structures of choice and constraint that continue to produce the gender division of family labor and thus women's unequal participation in the public sphere. We conceptualize this as a problem of democratic freedom, one that requires building institutional pathways to sustain women's participation. Drawing on Nancy Hirschmann's arguments about processes of social construction and their relation to freedom, we argue that gender inequality in the public sphere means that women are unfree, in the sense that they are not participating as peers in the material and discursive processes of social construction that then help to shape their own desires and decisions. We use that framework to analyze the current landscape in which different subgroups of women make decisions about paid labor and care work. Our goal is to bring into view the way the social construction of desire interacts with the material context to underwrite inequality between women and men and across different groups of women. Gender equality and the project of democracy require participatory parity between women and men in the public sphere. We therefore turn in our last section to an effort to imagine how public policies could construct pathways that can help interrupt and undo the gender division of labor, and thus better support democratic freedom.
Racial Winners and Losers in American Party Politics
Authors: Hajnal Zoltan L. , Horowitz Jeremy D.
Published: April 2014

The Democratic and Republican Parties both make strong claims that their policies benefit racial and ethnic minorities. These claims have, however, received little systematic empirical assessment. This is an important omission, because democracy rests on the ability of the electorate to evaluate the responsiveness of those who govern. We assess Democrats’ and Republicans’ claims by compiling census data on annual changes in income, poverty, and unemployment over the last half century for each of America’s racial and ethnic groups. Judged by the empirical record, it is clear which party truly benefits America’s communities of color. When the nation is governed by Democrats, racial and ethnic minority well-being improves dramatically. By contrast, under Republican administrations, blacks, Latinos, and Asian Americans generally suffer losses.
Ronald Harry Coase: institutional economist and institution builder
Authors: WILLIAMSON OLIVER E.
Published: April 2014

This essay outlines the contributions of Ronald Harry Coase (1910–2013) to institutional economics, noting his insistence on the importance of studying real world institutions and his personal contribution as an institution builder.
The Session Bridging Worksheet: impact on outcomes, homework adherence and participants’ experience
Authors: Williams Caroline , Squires Garry
Published: April 2014

This paper reports a piece of practitioner research to explore the use of a Session Bridging Worksheet (SBW) with clients on their homework adherence, experience of their therapist, and clinical outcomes. Clients were divided into two groups randomly. One group received CBT as normal (TAU group) and the other group received CBT and used a session bridging worksheet (SBW group). The perception of the therapist's ability to address potential barriers was better when the SBW was used by the client and this seems to have had a small positive effect on homework adherence. Differences in symptom measures (BDI, BAI, BHS) between the two groups are inconclusive. The limitations of the design of the study are discussed with suggestions for future research.
Understanding weekly cycles in suicide: an analysis of Austrian and Swiss data over 40 years
Authors: Ajdacic-Gross V. , Tran U. S. , Bopp M. , Sonneck G. , Niederkrotenthaler T. , Kapusta N. D. , Rössler W. , Seifritz E. , Voracek M.
Published: April 2014

Background.

Seasonal as well as weekly cycles in suicide have been described, replicated and poorly understood for a long time. In Western countries, suicides are typically least frequent on weekends and most frequent on Mondays and Tuesdays. To improve understanding of this phenomenon a strategy is required which focuses on anomalous findings beyond the regular patterns. Here, we focused on instances where the weekly suicide patterns disappear or are interrupted.

Methods.

We used data from Swiss and Austrian mortality statistics for the periods 1969–2010 and 1970–2010, respectively. First, the data were cross-tabulated by days of the week and the available socio-demographic information (sex, age, religious affiliation and region). Second, time series of cumulated daily frequencies of suicide were analysed by seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models which included intervention effects accounting for Easter and Pentecost (Whit) holidays.

Results.

First, the cross tabulations showed that weekly cycles may be smoothed above all in young persons and smoothed in drowning, jumping and car gas exhaustion suicides. Second, the ARIMA analyses displayed occasional preventive effects for holidays Saturdays and Sundays, and more systematic effects for holiday Mondays. There were no after effects on Tuesdays following holiday Mondays.

Conclusions.

In general, the weekend dip and the Monday backlog effect in suicide show striking similarities to the Advent season effect and are interpretable within the same template. The turning points between low and high frequencies possibly provide promising frames for the timing of prevention activities.
Interventionelles dezentrales Telemonitoring: Mögliche Indikationen und Perspektiven einer neuen Methode in der Telemedizin
Authors: Neumann Claas Lennart , Schulz Egbert Godehard
Published: April 2014

Telemedizin umfasst unterschiedliche Konzepte der Überbrückung einer räumlichen Distanz zwischen Arzt, medizinischen Leistungserbringern und Patient, die eine reine Datenübermittlung, Alarmierungsfunktionen, Beratung oder Therapieempfehlung beinhalten kann. Eine spezielle Form der telemedizinischen Anwendung ist das interventionelle dezentrale Telemonitoring, bei dem die individuelle Arzt-Patientenbindung die Grundlage für eine auf telemedizinisch erhobenen Daten basierende Therapiesteuerung bzw. -optimierung darstellt. Für die Identifikation von Indikationsgebieten bedarf es einer detaillierten Definition der zu transferierenden Parameter, Alarmregeln und Interventionsalgorithmen sowie einer Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse. Die Qualität der telemedizinischen Applikation hängt von der medizinischen Qualität der Handlungskonsequenz ab.
Snapshot MR Technique to Measure OEF Using Rapid Frequency Mapping
Authors: Menon Rajiv G , Walsh Edward G , Twieg Donald B , Cantrell Charles G , Vakil Parmede , Jonathan Sumeeth V , Batjer Hunt H , Carroll Timothy J
Published: April 2014

Magnetic resonance (MR)-based oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) measurement techniques that use blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD)-based approaches require the measurement of the R2′ decay rate and deoxygenated blood volume to derive the local oxygen saturation in vivo. We describe here a novel approach to measure OEF using rapid local frequency mapping. By modeling the MR decay process in the static dephasing regime as two separate dissipative and oscillatory effects, we calculate the OEF from local frequencies measured across the brain by assuming that the biophysical mechanisms causing OEF-related frequency changes can be determined from the oscillatory effects. The Parameter Assessment by Retrieval from Signal Encoding (PARSE) technique was used to acquire the local frequency change maps. The PARSE images were taken on 11 normal volunteers, and 1 patient exhibiting hemodynamic stress. The mean MR-OEF in 11 normal subjects was 36.66 ± 7.82%, in agreement with positron emission tomography (PET) literature. In regions of hemodynamic stress induced by vascular steal, OEF exhibits the predicted focal increases. These preliminary results show that it is possible to measure OEF using a rapid frequency mapping technique. Such a technique has numerous advantages including speed of acquisition, is noninvasive, and has sufficient spatial and temporal resolution.
Repeated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Causes Chronic Neuroinflammation, Changes in Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity, and Associated Cognitive Deficits
Authors: Aungst Stephanie L , Kabadi Shruti V , Thompson Scott M , Stoica Bogdan A , Faden Alan I
Published: April 2014

Repeated mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can cause sustained cognitive and psychiatric changes, as well as neurodegeneration, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We examined histologic, neurophysiological, and cognitive changes after single or repeated (three injuries) mTBI using the rat lateral fluid percussion (LFP) model. Repeated mTBI caused substantial neuronal cell loss and significantly increased numbers of activated microglia in both ipsilateral and contralateral hippocampus on post-injury day (PID) 28. Long-term potentiation (LTP) could not be induced on PID 28 after repeated mTBI in ex vivo hippocampal slices from either hemisphere. N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated responses were significantly attenuated after repeated mTBI, with no significant changes in α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor-mediated responses. Long-term potentiation was elicited in slices after single mTBI, with potentiation significantly increased in ipsilateral versus contralateral hippocampus. After repeated mTBI, rats displayed cognitive impairments in the Morris water maze (MWM) and novel object recognition (NOR) tests. Thus, repeated mTBI causes deficits in the hippocampal function and changes in excitatory synaptic neurotransmission, which are associated with chronic neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.
Endothelial Glycocalyx on Brain Endothelial Cells is Lost in Experimental Cerebral Malaria
Authors: Hempel Casper , Hyttel Poul , Kurtzhals Jørgen AL
Published: April 2014

We hypothesized that the glycocalyx, which is important for endothelial integrity, is lost in severe malaria. C57BL/6 mice were infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA, resulting in cerebral malaria, or P. chabaudi AS, resulting in uncomplicated malaria. We visualized the glycocalyx with transmission electron microscopy and measured circulating glycosaminoglycans by dot blot and ELISA. The glycocalyx was degraded in brain vasculature in cerebral and to a lesser degree uncomplicated malaria. It was affected on both intact and apoptotic endothelial cells. Circulating glycosaminoglycan levels suggested that glycocalyx disruption preceded cerebral manifestations. The contribution of this loss to pathogenesis should be studied further.
Prediction of Efficacy of Vabicaserin, a 5‐HT2C Agonist, for the Treatment of Schizophrenia Using a Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Model
Authors: Liu J , Ogden A , Comery TA , Spiros A , Roberts P , Geerts H
Published: April 2014

A quantitative systems pharmacology model that combines in vitro/preclinical neurophysiology data, human imaging data, and patient disease information was used to blindly predict steady‐state clinical efficacy of vabicaserin, a 5‐HT2C full agonist, in monotherapy and, subsequently, to assess adjunctive therapy in schizophrenia. The model predicted a concentration‐dependent improvement of positive and negative syndrome scales (PANSS) in schizophrenia monotherapy with vabicaserin. At the exposures of 100 and 200 mg b.i.d., the predicted improvements on PANSS in virtual patient trials were 5.12 (2.20, 8.56) and 6.37 (2.27, 10.40) (mean (95% confidence interval)), respectively, which are comparable to the observed phase IIa results. At the current clinical exposure limit of vabicaserin, the model predicted an ~9‐point PANSS improvement in monotherapy, and <4‐point PANSS improvement adjunctive with various antipsychotics, suggesting limited clinical benefit of vabicaserin in schizophrenia treatment. In conclusion, the updated quantitative systems pharmacology model of PANSS informed the clinical development decision of vabicaserin in schizophrenia.

CPT Pharmacometrics Syst. Pharmacol. (2014) 3, e111; doi:10.1038/psp.2014.7; published online 23 April 2014
Apoptosis Therapy in Cancer: The First Single-molecule Co-activating p53 and the Translocator Protein in Glioblastoma
Authors: Daniele Simona , Taliani Sabrina , Da Pozzo Eleonora , Giacomelli Chiara , Costa Barbara , Trincavelli Maria Letizia , Rossi Leonardo , La Pietra Valeria , Barresi Elisabetta , Carotenuto Alfonso , Limatola Antonio , Lamberti Anna , Marinelli Luciana , Novellino Ettore , Da Settimo Federico , Martini Claudia
Published: April 2014

In the complex scenario of cancer, treatment with compounds targeting multiple cell pathways has been emerging. In Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), p53 and Translocator Protein (TSPO), both acting as apoptosis inducers, represent two attractive intracellular targets. On this basis, novel indolylglyoxylyldipeptides, rationally designed to activate TSPO and p53, were synthesized and biologically characterized. The new compounds were able to bind TSPO and to reactivate p53 functionality, through the dissociation from its physiological inhibitor, murine double minute 2 (MDM2). In GBM cells, the new molecules caused Δψm dissipation and inhibition of cell viability. These effects resulted significantly higher with respect to those elicited by the single target reference standards applied alone and coherent with the synergism resulting from the simultaneous activation of TSPO and p53. Taken together, these results suggest that TSPO/MDM2 dual-target ligands could represent a new attractive multi-modal opportunity for anti-cancer strategy in GBM.
In vivo therapeutic potential of Dicer-hunting siRNAs targeting infectious hepatitis C virus.
Authors: Watanabe Tsunamasa , Hatakeyama Hiroto , Matsuda-Yasui Chiho , Sato Yusuke , Sudoh Masayuki , Takagi Asako , Hirata Yuichi , Ohtsuki Takahiro , Arai Masaaki , Inoue Kazuaki , Harashima Hideyoshi , Kohara Michinori
Published: April 2014

The development of RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapy faces two major obstacles: selecting small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequences with strong activity and identifying a carrier that allows efficient delivery to target organs. Additionally, conservative region at nucleotide level must be targeted for RNAi in applying to virus because hepatitis C virus (HCV) could escape from therapeutic pressure with genome mutations. In vitro preparation of Dicer-generated siRNAs targeting a conserved, highly ordered HCV 5′ untranslated region are capable of inducing strong RNAi activity. By dissecting the 5′-end of an RNAi-mediated cleavage site in the HCV genome, we identified potent siRNA sequences, which we designate as Dicer-hunting siRNAs (dh-siRNAs). Furthermore, formulation of the dh-siRNAs in an optimized multifunctional envelope-type nano device inhibited ongoing infectious HCV replication in human hepatocytes in vivo. Our efforts using both identification of optimal siRNA sequences and delivery to human hepatocytes suggest therapeutic potential of siRNA for a virus.
Electrodes/paper sandwich devices for in situ sensing of hydrogen peroxide secretion from cells growing in gels-in-paper 3-dimensional matrix
Authors: Shi ZhuanZhuan , Wu XiaoShuai , Gao LiXia , Tian YunLi , Yu Ling
Published: April 2014

The CNT/graphene/MnO2aerogel decorated electrode/paper sandwich device canin situsense hydrogen peroxide released from cells growing in a 3-dimensional paper matrix, offering new insights on designing of disposable biosensors for cell biology studies.
Gelatin hydrogels formed by orthogonal thiol–norbornene photochemistry for cell encapsulation
Authors: Mũnoz Zachary , Shih Han , Lin Chien-Chi
Published: April 2014

Gelatin-norbornene was synthesized for preparing cytocompatible and tunable covalent gelatin hydrogels via an orthogonal step-growth thiol–ene photoclick reaction.
The activation of Woollins' reagent. Isolation of pyridine stabilised PhPSe2
Authors: Ascherl Laura , Nordheider Andreas , Arachchige Kasun S. Athukorala , Cordes David B. , Karaghiosoff Konstantin , Bühl Michael , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Woollins J. Derek
Published: April 2014

Reaction of Woollins' reagent (WR) with pyridine yields the P(V) species PhPSe2 stabilised by pyridine coordination. Its potential as a selenation reagent under mild conditions was shown by calculations and an experimental comparison to WR.
Organocatalytic cascade reactions: diversity-oriented synthesis for the construction of hydroisoquinoline scaffolds
Authors: Gómez Clarisa Villegas , Cruz David Cruz , Mose Rasmus , Jørgensen Karl Anker
Published: April 2014

The organocatalytic enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalized hydroisoquinolines by trienamine-mediated [4+2]-cycloaddition/nucleophilic ring-closing reaction cascade sequence of cyanoacrylamides with 2,4-dienals is presented.
Probing halogen bonds with solid-state NMR spectroscopy: observation and interpretation of J(77Se,31P) coupling in halogen-bonded PSe⋯I motifs
Authors: Viger-Gravel Jasmine , Meyer Julia E. , Korobkov Ilia , Bryce David L.
Published: April 2014

Intra-halogen bondJcouplings measuredviaNMR spectroscopy and interpreted using natural localized molecular orbitals offer novel insights into this class of non-covalent interaction.
Non-contact-mode AFM induced versus spontaneous formed phenytoin crystals: the effect of layer thickness
Authors: Ehmann Heike M. A. , Kellner Thomas , Werzer Oliver
Published: April 2014

In this work the model substance phenytoin is vacuum deposited onto silica substrates resulting in amorphous films which are transferred via a non-contact AFM method into crystalline phenytoin.
Selective adsorption of bismuth telluride nanoplatelets through electrostatic attraction
Authors: Guo Lingling , Aglan Amira , Quan Haiyu , Sun Junjie , Tang Chaolong , Song Jinhui , Szulczewski Greg , Wang Hung-Ta
Published: April 2014

A controllable adsorption of solution grown Bi2Te3nanoplatelets is demonstrated.
Distinctive EPR signals provide an understanding of the affinity of bis-(3-hydroxy-4-pyridinonato) copper(ii) complexes for hydrophobic environments
Authors: Rangel Maria , Leite Andreia , Silva André M. N. , Moniz Tânia , Nunes Ana , Amorim M. João , Queirós Carla , Cunha-Silva Luís , Gameiro Paula , Burgess John
Published: April 2014

We put forward the use of EPR spectroscopy to assess the affinity of bis-(3-hydroxy-4-pyridinonato) copper(ii) complexes for a hydrophobic environment.
Ameliorative effects of Schizandra chinensis on osteoporosis via activation of estrogen receptor (ER)-α/-β
Authors: Kim Mi Hye , Choi You Yeon , Han Jae Min , Lee Hyoun-su , Hong Seong Bin , Lee Seok-geun , Yang Woong Mo
Published: April 2014

Schizandra chinensisattenuated osteoporosis with phytoestrogenic effects.
Boronate ester bond-based core–shell nanocarriers with pH response for anticancer drug delivery
Authors: Sun Lei , Zhang Xinge , An Jinxia , Su Cui , Guo Qianqain , Li Chaoxing
Published: April 2014

Currently, the major challenge for cancer treatment is to develop simple and smart nanocarriers that can efficiently retain the encapsulated drug during blood circulation, recognize tumor cells and quickly release the drug under stimulation.
Design, synthesis and mode of action of some benzothiazole derivatives bearing an amide moiety as antibacterial agents
Authors: Singh Meenakshi , Singh Sudhir K. , Gangwar Mayank , Nath Gopal , Singh Sushil K.
Published: April 2014

Schematic outline of the most potent compound, benzothiazole bearing amide moiety A07, showing antibacterial activity and its mode of action.
How flip teaching supports undergraduate chemistry laboratory learning
Authors: Teo Tang Wee , Tan Kim Chwee Daniel , Yan Yaw Kai , Teo Yong Chua , Yeo Leck Wee
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we define flip teaching as a curricular platform that uses various strategies, tools, and pedagogies to engage learners in self-directed learning outside the classroom before face-to-face meetings with teachers in the classroom. With this understanding, we adopted flip teaching in the design and enactment of one Year 1 and one Year 2 undergraduate chemistry laboratory session at a higher education institution. The undergraduates viewed videos demonstrating the practical procedures and answered pre-laboratory questions posted on the institution's mobile device application before the laboratory lessons. Analyses of the lesson videos, interviews with the undergraduates and instructors, and undergraduate artefacts showed that the undergraduates had developed a better understanding of the theory undergirding the procedures before they performed the practical, and were able to decipher the complex practical procedures. They also experienced less anxiety about the complex practical steps and setup, and subsequently, improved work efficiency. The findings of this study have implications for chemistry educators looking for ways to improve on the design and enactment of the laboratory curriculum to enhance the undergraduates' self-directed learning.