bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Le transfert fraternel : génocide et lien de couple
Authors: Jaïtin Rosa
Published: May 2012

Résumé L’auteur interroge la place du transfert fraternel dans la thérapie psychanalytique de couple. Il serait la réactualisation d’une structure de relation triangulaire entre le sujet, l’analyste et le partenaire comme double identitaire, et également une forme de défense face aux angoisses primitives d’effondrement. En général, ce type de transfert prédomine au début de la thérapie de couple. Mais quand un couple est fondé sur un traumatisme génocide comme forme extrême de destruction de l’humain, ces traces font obstacle à la construction du lien conjugal. Quand la réalité extérieure fait effraction, dans une génération, il peut arriver que le lien de couple ne parvienne pas à se conformer comme objet libidinal. Le couple se fonde alors sur un pacte dénégatif radical où chaque partenaire doit effacer les traces de son histoire individuelle antérieure par rapport à son insertion généalogique pour récupérer l’impensable de l’histoire sociale commune qui le précède.
Couple, couplage et sexualité dans les institutions… soignantes
Authors: Chapelier Jean-Bernard
Published: May 2012

Résumé Après avoir pris des précautions éthiques et méthodologiques, l’auteur décrit les différentes formes de couplage rencontrées dans les institutions de soin : couples institutionnalisés, réels ou symboliques (codirection, cothérapies…), couples spontanés, symétriques, officialisés, cachés, transgressifs. Puis seront étudiées à partir de faits divers les dérives perverses des couples institués. L’analyse théorique s’appuiera sur le concept de couplage défini par W.R. Bion et sur les notions d’alliances inconscientes décrites par R. Kaës.
Trois psychopathologies relatives à la maladie… et à la guérison dans le petit groupe à visée psychanalytique
Authors: Neri Claudio
Published: May 2012

Résumé Les membres du groupe développent et utilisent leur propre théorie sur l’origine de la souffrance mentale, une théorie qui fait partie de la culture du groupe. Il s’agit d’une théorie implicite. Elle est en effet utilisée par les membres du groupe sans avoir été préalablement formalisée, organisée et clairement formulée. La reconnaissance de ses contenus et de ses caractéristiques par l’analyste est importante. L’analyste qui est en mesure de les reconnaître peut également mieux comprendre comment fonctionne le groupe dans sa tentative de parvenir à la guérison. Cette reconnaissance permet aussi à l’analyste de comprendre, de manière plus générale, l’image que les membres du groupe ont d’eux-mêmes en tant que groupe.
Psychodrame pluriel, alcoolismes singuliers
Authors: Poupard Guillaume , Gimenez Guy
Published: May 2012

Résumé Nous souhaitons dans cet article rendre compte du nouage de plusieurs dimensions (individuelle, groupale, sociétale, d’équipe…) et de leur effet au décours des séances de psychodrame de groupe avec des patients addictifs à l’alcool, ainsi que de leur mise en travail par les thérapeutes et, en particulier, de la question de l’amorçage sensoriel. Après une brève présentation du psychodrame et du dispositif utilisé, nous proposerons de rendre compte de nos questionnements et de nos pistes de lecture ou théorisation à partir d’une séance clinique de psychodrame de groupe. Mais aussi, nous rendrons compte de la spécificité de notre grille de lecture clinique dans sa dimension groupale et son partage possible dans le travail d’équipe.
Sélectionner, élire, prédire : le recrutement des classes préparatoires
Authors: Darmon Muriel
Published: May 2012

Résumé À partir d'une enquête par observation et entretiens portant sur des classes préparatoires scientifiques et économiques du lycée L*, l'article propose une analyse sociologique des procédures et processus d'admission en classe préparatoire, et notamment des catégories de l'entendement professoral qui s'y manifestent. Il évoque dans un premier temps comment elles s'inscrivent dans un contexte politique et professionnel particulier, celui d'une « politisation » de la question des classes préparatoires, qui joue comme contrainte, historiquement située, dans leur énonciation. Il montre ensuite comment elles prennent place dans des luttes de classements entre enseignants (à travers le couple catégoriel central du « travail » et du « niveau ») et comment elles mêlent évaluation et prédiction des dispositions étudiantes à travers la quête de « l'énergie scolaire » des candidats.
GENERATION OF RECTANGULAR BIPHASIC WAVEFORM TO DECREASE DEFIBRILLATION THRESHOLD FOR EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR
Authors: Kavousi Ayoub , Saba Valiallah
Published: May 2012

Studies have shown that defibrillation threshold for current amplitude of biphasic truncated exponential (BTE) waveform has a hyperbolic strength–duration relationship. Theoretical and experimental results have shown that decreasing the tilt of BTE waveforms decreases the defibrillation threshold. On the other hand, low peak current waveform reduces probability of myocardium damage and burn. Therefore, achieving a waveform with low tilt and low peak current is desired. All DC defibrillators use a capacitor to store and deliver required energy. Because of capacitor discharging nature, the tilt of waveforms is high. In rectilinear biphasic waveform (RBW), which was generated by ZOLL M-series defibrillator, the tilt of the first phase was decreased using an adjustable resistor connected in series with current path. But the defibrillator cannot keep the current constant in the second phase and in the both phases for high transthoracic impedances (TTI) either. In this paper, for solving these problems, a circuit that generates rectangular biphasic waveform is designed. In this circuit, five resistors are used and connected in series. Then an IGBT switch is connected to each resistor in parallel. Also, control of minimum current ripple is applied in order to decide which resistors should be worked in each time. The circuit is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink and a prototype model is constructed. Results demonstrate that the tilt of the waveform is notably reduced to a value less than 10%.
DENOISING NONINVASIVE LASER-ULTRASOUND SIGNALS BASED ON COMBINATION OF WAVELET TRANSFORM AND INDEPENDENT COMPONENT ANALYSIS
Authors: Sadr Ali , Momtaz Amirkeyvan
Published: May 2012

One of the medical applications of noninvasive laser-ultrasound is in the diagnosis of eye diseases. In such applications, specific features are detected in the received signals produced by generation and reflection of ultrasonic pulses in the intraocular interfaces. Due to the noisy nature of the process, the desired features are typically faded in the received signal. Therefore, denoising the signal is inevitable. The noise suppression technique, with the combination of wavelet transform and independent component analysis (WICA), is widely used for biomedical signals. However, when signals are not obtained by the multichannel recording systems, independent components (ICs) of the wavelet coefficients are not extracted completely by independent component analysis, and rejecting any extracted signals will cause data loss. This paper develops a new technique using improved version of WICA to eliminate this drawback for laser-ultrasound signals obtained from a single channel recording system. The approach is based on extracting ICs of wavelet detail coefficients of the noisy signal and applying the threshold on the ICs to reduce the noise. The proposed method is evaluated on two real laser-ultrasound signals by artificially adding white Gaussian noise to study the distortion measures of the filter outputs. The results of the study demonstrate superior performance compared with conventional denoising approaches such as WICA, wavelet denoising and median, Wiener and lowpass filters over a wide range of laser-ultrasound signal-to-noise ratios.
SMALL-ANIMAL MOLECULAR IMAGING WITH PORTABLE DEVICES ON CLINICAL PINHOLE SINGLE-PHOTON EMISSION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEMS
Authors: Hu Chi-Min , Lin Ming-Shien , Su Kuan-Hao , Liu Ren-Shyan , Chen Jyh-Cheng
Published: May 2012

Objectives: We have developed a portable system compatible with various clinical gamma cameras to perform three-dimensional (3D) small-animal molecular imaging. The spatial resolution of this system is close to that of commercial animal imaging systems, although its cost is much lower. Methods: The portable system consists of a rotating stage, a leveling plate, a line source phantom, and a calibration phantom. To obtain high-resolution single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images, we developed several methods for system alignment and applied geometric calibration. The projections of the subject were reimaged according to the calibration parameters and reconstructed by the 3D ordered subsets expectation maximization (OS-EM) algorithm. Results: The resulting images of the microdeluxe phantom showed 2.4-mm cold rods. The image quality of phantom scanning was stable when the portable system was applied to various gamma cameras from different manufacturers. The resultant images of a 99mTc-MDP bone scan of a mouse showed details of the spine, femur, pelvis, and tail. Furthermore, a radiopharmaceutical study of 99mTc-HYNIC-Annexin V on a liver inflammation-induced mouse was carried out to demonstrate the feasibility of this system for small-animal molecular imaging. Conclusions: The newly developed portable system was compatible with various gamma cameras and enabled successful performance of small-animal molecular imaging.
Speciated mercury at marine, coastal, and inland sites in New England – Part 2: Relationships with atmospheric physical parameters
Authors: Mao H. , Talbot R. , Hegarty J. , Koermer J.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Long-term continuous measurements of gaseous elemental mercury (Hg0), reactive gaseous mercury (RGM), and particulate phase mercury (HgP) were conducted at coastal (Thompson Farm, denoted as TF), marine (Appledore Island, denoted as AI), and elevated inland rural (Pac Monadnock, denoted as PM) monitoring sites of the AIRMAP Observing Network. Diurnal, seasonal, annual, and interannual variability in Hg0, RGM, and HgP from the three distinctly different environments were characterized and compared in Part 1. Here in Part 2 relationships between speciated mercury (i.e., Hg0, RGM, and HgP) and climate variables (e.g., temperature, wind speed, humidity, solar radiation, and precipitation) were examined. The best point-to-point correlations were found between Hg0 and temperature in summer at TF and spring at PM, but there was no similar correlation at AI. Subsets of data demonstrated regional impacts of episodic dynamic processes such as strong cyclonic systems on ambient levels of Hg0 at all three sites, possibly through enhanced oceanic evasion of Hg0. A tendency of higher levels of RGM and HgP was identified in spring and summer under sunny conditions in all environments. Specifically, the 10th, 25th, median, 75th, and 90th percentile mixing ratios of RGM and HgP increased with stronger solar radiation at both the coastal and marine sites. These metrics decreased with increasing wind speed at AI indicating enhanced loss of RGM and HgP through deposition. RGM and HgP levels correlated with temperature positively in spring, summer and fall at the coastal and marine locations. At the coastal site relationships between RGM and relative humidity suggested a clear decreasing tendency in all metrics from <40% to 100% relative humidity in all seasons especially in spring, compared to less variability in the marine environment. The effect of precipitation on RGM at coastal and marine locations was similar. At the coastal site, RGM levels were a factor of 3–4 to two orders of magnitude higher under dry conditions than rainy conditions in all seasons. In winter RGM mixing ratios appeared to be mostly above the limit of detection (LOD) during snowfalls suggesting less scavenging efficiency of snow. Mixing ratios of HgP at the coastal and marine sites remained above the LOD under rainy conditions. Precipitation had negligible impact on the magnitude and pattern of diurnal variation of HgP in all seasons in the marine environment.
Two years of measurements of atmospheric total gaseous mercury (TGM) at a remote site in Mt. Changbai area, Northeastern China
Authors: Fu X. W. , Feng X. , Shang L. H. , Wang S. F. , Zhang H.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Total gaseous mercury (TGM) was continuously monitored at a remote site (CBS) in Mt. Changbai area, Northeastern China from 24 October 2008 to 31 October 2010. The overall mean TGM concentration was 1.60±0.51 ng m−3, which is lower than those reported from remote sites in Eastern, Southwestern, and Western China, indicating a relatively lower regional anthropogenic mercury (Hg) emission intensity in Northeastern China. Measurements at a site in the vicinity (~1.2 km) of CBS station from August 2005 to July 2006 showed a significantly higher mean TGM concentration of 3.58±1.78 ng m−3. The divergent result was partially attributed to fluctuations in the relatively frequencies of surface winds during the two study periods and moreover an effect of local emission sources. The temporal variation of TGM at CBS was influenced by regional sources as well as long-range transported Hg. Regional sources frequently contributing to episodical high TGM concentrations were pin-pointed as a large iron mining district in Northern North Korea and two large power plants and urban areas to the southwest of the sampling site. Source areas in Beijing, Tianjin, southern Liaoning, Hebei, northwestern Shanxi, and northwestern Shandong were found to contribute to elevated TGM observations at CBS via long-range transport. Diurnal pattern of TGM at CBS was mainly controlled by regional sources, likely as well as intrusion of air masses from the free troposphere during summer season. There are no consistent seasonal pattern of TGM at CBS, and the monthly TGM variations showed links with the patterns of regional air movements and long-range transport.
Seasonal changes in gaseous elemental mercury in relation to monsoon cycling over the Northern South China Sea
Authors: Tseng C. M. , Liu C. S. , Lamborg C.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. The distribution of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) was determined in the surface atmosphere of the Northern South China Sea (SCS) during 12 SEATS cruises between May 2003 and December 2005. The sampling and analysis of GEM were performed on board ship by using an on-line mercury analyzer (GEMA). Distinct annual patterns were observed for the GEM with a winter maximum of 5.7 ± 0.2 ng m−3 (n = 3) and low in summer (2.8 ± 0.2) (n = 3), with concentrations elevated 2 ∼ 3 times global background values. Source tracking through backward trajectory analysis demonstrated air masses during the northeast monsoon in winter came from Eurasia, bringing continental- and industrial-derived GEM to the SCS. In contrast, during summer southwest monsoon and inter-monsoon, air masses were from the Indochina peninsula and Indian Ocean and West Pacific Ocean. This demonstrates the impact that long-range transport, as controlled by seasonal monsoons, has on the Hg atmospheric distribution and cycling in the SCS.
The impact of differences in large-scale circulation output from climate models on the regional modeling of ozone and PM
Authors: Manders A. M. M. , van Meijgaard E. , Mues A. C. , Kranenburg R. , van Ulft L. H. , Schaap M.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Climate change may have an impact on air quality (ozone, particulate matter) due to the strong dependency of air quality on meteorology. The effect is often studied using a global climate model (GCM) to produce meteorological fields that are subsequently used by chemical transport models. However, climate models themselves are subject to large uncertainties and fail to adequately reproduce the present-day climate. The present study illustrates the impact of this uncertainty on air quality. To this end, output from the SRES-A1B constraint transient runs with two GCMs, i.e. ECHAM5 and MIROC-hires, has been dynamically downscaled with the regional climate model RACMO2 and used to force a constant emission run with the chemistry transport model LOTOS-EUROS in a one-way coupled run covering the period 1970–2060. Results from the two climate simulations have been compared with a RACMO2-LOTOS-EUROS (RLE) simulation forced by the ERA-Interim reanalysis for the period 1989–2009. Both RLE_ECHAM and RLE_MIROC showed considerable deviations from RLE_ERA in daily maximum temperature, precipitation and wind speed. Moreover, sign and magnitude of these deviations depended on the region. Differences in average concentrations for the present-day simulations were found of equal to (RLE_MIROC) or even larger than (RLE_ECHAM) the differences in concentration between present-day and future climate (2041–2060). The climate simulations agreed on a future increase in average summer ozone daily maximum concentrations (5–10 μg m−3) in parts of Southern Europe and a smaller increase in Western and Central Europe. Annual average PM10 concentrations increased (0.5–1.0 μg m−3) in North-West Europe and the Po Valley, but these numbers are rather uncertain. Overall, changes for PM10 were small, both positive and negative changes were found, and for many locations the two runs did not agree on the sign of the change. The approach taken here illustrates that results from individual climate runs can at best indicate tendencies and should therefore be interpreted with great care.
Separating agricultural and non-agricultural fire seasonality at regional scales
Authors: Magi B. I. , Rabin S. , Shevliakova E. , Pacala S.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. The timing and length of burning seasons in different parts of the world depend on climate, land cover characteristics, and human activities. In this study, global fire data from satellite-based instruments are used in conjunction with global gridded distributions of agricultural land cover types (defined as the sum of cropland and pasture area) to separate the seasonality of agricultural burning practices from that of non-agricultural fire. The results presented in this study show that agricultural and non-agricultural land experience broadly different fire seasonality patterns that are not always linked to climate conditions. We highlight these differences on a regional basis, examining variations in both agricultural land cover and associated cultural practices to help explain our results. While we discuss two land cover categories, the methods can be generalized to derive seasonality for any number of land uses or cover types. This will be useful as global fire models evolve to be fully interactive with land use and land cover change in the next generation of Earth system models.
A community diagnostic tool for Chemistry Climate Model Validation
Authors: Gettelman A. , Eyring V. , Fischer C. , Shiona H. , Cionni I. , Neish M. , Morgenstern O. , Wood S. W. , Li Z.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. This technical note presents an overview of the Chemistry-Climate Model Validation Diagnostic (CCMVal-Diag) tool for model evaluation. The CCMVal-Diag tool is a flexible and extensible open source package that facilitates the complex evaluation of global models. Models can be compared to other models, ensemble members (simulations with the same model), and/or many types of observations. The tool can also compute quantitative performance metrics. The initial construction and application is to coupled Chemistry-Climate Models (CCMs) participating in CCMVal, but the evaluation of climate models that submitted output to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) is also possible. The package has been used to assist with analysis of simulations for the 2010 WMO/UNEP Scientific Ozone Assessment and the SPARC Report on the Evaluation of CCMs. The CCMVal-Diag tool is described and examples of how it functions are presented, along with links to detailed descriptions, instructions and source code. The CCMVal-Diag tool is supporting model development as well as quantifying model improvements, both for different versions of individual models and for different generations of community-wide collections of models used in international assessments. The code allows further extensions by different users for different applications and types, e.g. to other components of the Earth System. User modifications are encouraged and easy to perform with a minimum of coding.
Management of valves to improve performance reliability of distribution systems
Authors: Deb Arun K. , Snyder Jerry K. , Grayman Walter M.
Published: May 2012

The overall reliability of a distribution system depends largely on valve reliability, location, and adequacy of number as well as the frequency of water main failure. Therefore, valve management is an essential aspect of distribution system management. This article details how a computer application, the Strategic Valve Management Model (SVMM), can be used to identify pipe segments associated with pipe breaks, determine valves to isolate the breaks, and perform analyses of valve management alternatives (including present worth costs) to reduce customer service interruptions. Valve management alternatives include the addition of new valves, improvement of valve reliability by exercising valves, or a combination of the two. A set of simple performance indicators was developed to evaluate the performance of valve isolating systems. This article demonstrates applications of the SVMM to hypothetical and actual water distribution systems.
Upregulating CXCR4 in Human Fetal Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhances Engraftment and Bone Mechanics in a Mouse Model of Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Jones Gemma N. , Moschidou Dafni , Lay Kenneth , Abdulrazzak Hassan , Vanleene Maximilien , Shefelbine Sandra J. , Polak Julia , de Coppi Paolo , Fisk Nicholas M. , Guillot Pascale V.
Published: May 2012

Stem cells have considerable potential to repair damaged organs and tissues. We previously showed that prenatal transplantation of human first trimester fetal blood mesenchymal stem cells (hfMSCs) in a mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta (oim mice) led to a phenotypic improvement, with a marked decrease in fracture rate. Donor cells differentiated into mature osteoblasts, producing bone proteins and minerals, including collagen type Iα2, which is absent in nontransplanted mice. This led to modifications of the bone matrix and subsequent decrease of bone brittleness, indicating that grafted cells directly contribute to improvement of bone mechanical properties. Nevertheless, the therapeutic effect was incomplete, attributing to the limited level of engraftment in bone. In this study, we show that although migration of hfMSCs to bone and bone marrow is CXCR4-SDF1 (SDF1 is stromal-derived factor) dependent, only a small number of cells present CXCR4 on the cell surface despite high levels of internal CXCR4. Priming with SDF1, however, upregulates CXCR4 to increase the CXCR4+ cell fraction, improving chemotaxis in vitro and enhancing engraftment in vivo at least threefold in both oim and wild-type bone and bone marrow. Higher engraftment in oim bones was associated with decreased bone brittleness. This strategy represents a step to improve the therapeutic benefits of fetal cell therapy toward being curative.
Concise Review: Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Diabetes
Authors: Domínguez-Bendala Juan , Lanzoni Giacomo , Inverardi Luca , Ricordi Camillo
Published: May 2012

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have already made their mark in the young field of regenerative medicine. Easily derived from many adult tissues, their therapeutic worth has already been validated for a number of conditions. Unlike embryonic stem cells, neither their procurement nor their use is deemed controversial. Here we review the potential use of MSCs for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus, a devastating chronic disease in which the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas (the β-cells) are the target of an autoimmune process. It has been hypothesized that stem cell-derived β-cells may be used to replenish the islet mass in diabetic patients, making islet transplantation (a form of cell therapy that has already proven effective at clinically restoring normoglycemia) available to millions of prospective patients. Here we review the most current advances in the design and application of protocols for the differentiation of transplantable β-cells, with a special emphasis in analyzing MSC potency according to their tissue of origin. Although no single method appears to be ripe enough for clinical trials yet, recent progress in reprogramming (a biotechnological breakthrough that relativizes the thus far insurmountable barriers between embryonal germ layers) bodes well for the rise of MSCs as a potential weapon of choice to develop personalized therapies for type 1 diabetes.
The Alpha Stem Cell Clinic: A Model for Evaluating and Delivering Stem Cell-Based Therapies
Authors: Trounson Alan , DeWitt Natalie D. , Feigal Ellen G.
Published: May 2012

Cellular therapies require the careful preparation, expansion, characterization, and delivery of cells in a clinical environment. There are major challenges associated with the delivery of cell therapies and high costs that will limit the companies available to fully evaluate their merit in clinical trials, and will handicap their application at the present financial environment. Cells will be manufactured in good manufacturing practice or near-equivalent facilities with prerequisite safety practices in place, and cell delivery systems will be specialized and require well-trained medical and nursing staff, technicians or nurses trained to handle cells once delivered, patient counselors, as well as statisticians and database managers who will oversee the monitoring of patients in relatively long-term follow-up studies. The model proposed for Alpha Stem Cell Clinics will initially use the capacities and infrastructure that exist in the most advanced tertiary medical clinics for delivery of established bone marrow stem cell therapies. As the research evolves, they will incorporate improved procedures and cell preparations. This model enables commercialization of medical devices, reagents, and other products required for cell therapies. A carefully constructed cell therapy clinical infrastructure with the requisite scientific, technical, and medical expertise and operational efficiencies will have the capabilities to address three fundamental and critical functions: 1) fostering clinical trials; 2) evaluating and establishing safe and effective therapies, and 3) developing and maintaining the delivery of therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration, or other regulatory agencies.
Concise Review: Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency, Dysfunction, and Distress
Authors: Ahmad Sajjad
Published: May 2012

The cornea is the clear tissue at the front of the eye that transmits light to the retina at the back of the eye. The cornea is covered by an epithelium and surrounded by a narrow band of tissue known as the limbus. The limbus has two important roles in maintaining a healthy corneal epithelium. First, stem cells for the corneal epithelium reside at the limbus and not in the cornea. Second, the limbus acts as a barrier separating the clear avascular corneal epithelium from the surrounding vascular conjunctival tissue. A failure of these limbal functions can result in the painful and blinding disease of limbal stem cell deficiency. In this disease, the corneal epithelium cannot be maintained by the stem cells, and the corneal surface becomes replaced by hazy conjunctival tissue. There are many causes of limbal stem cell deficiency, such as burns to the eye, inflammatory diseases, and hereditary diseases. Current understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease is discussed here. In particular, understanding whether the limbal stem cells are lost or become dysfunctional or indeed whether the limbal microenvironment is disturbed is important when developing appropriate management strategies for the disease.
Human Adult Dental Pulp Stem Cells Enhance Poststroke Functional Recovery Through Non-Neural Replacement Mechanisms
Authors: Leong Wai Khay , Henshall Tanya L. , Arthur Agnes , Kremer Karlea L. , Lewis Martin D. , Helps Stephen C. , Field John , Hamilton-Bruce Monica A. , Warming Scott , Manavis Jim , Vink Robert , Gronthos Stan , Koblar Simon A.
Published: May 2012

Human adult dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), derived from third molar teeth, are multipotent and have the capacity to differentiate into neurons under inductive conditions both in vitro and following transplantation into the avian embryo. In this study, we demonstrate that the intracerebral transplantation of human DPSCs 24 hours following focal cerebral ischemia in a rodent model resulted in significant improvement in forelimb sensorimotor function at 4 weeks post-treatment. At this time, 2.3 ± 0.7% of engrafted cells had survived in the poststroke brain and demonstrated targeted migration toward the stroke lesion. In the peri-infarct striatum, transplanted DPSCs differentiated into astrocytes in preference to neurons. Our data suggest that the dominant mechanism of action underlying DPSC treatment that resulted in enhanced functional recovery is unlikely to be due to neural replacement. Functional improvement is more likely to be mediated through DPSC-dependent paracrine effects. This study provides preclinical evidence for the future use of human DPSCs in cell therapy to improve outcome in stroke patients.
Concurrent learning adaptive control of linear systems with exponentially convergent bounds
Authors: Chowdhary Girish , Yucelen Tansel , Mühlegg Maximillian , Johnson Eric N.
Published: May 2012

Concurrent learning adaptive controllers, which use recorded and current data concurrently for adaptation, are developed for model reference adaptive control of uncertain linear dynamical systems. We show that a verifiable condition on the linear independence of the recorded data is sufficient to guarantee global exponential stability. We use this fact to develop exponentially decaying bounds on the tracking error and weight error, and estimate upper bounds on the control signal. These results allow the development of adaptive controllers that ensure good tracking without relying on high adaptation gains, and can be designed to avoid actuator saturation. Simulations and hardware experiments show improved performance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel Platinum–Cobalt Alloy Nanoparticles Dispersed on Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene as a Cathode Electrocatalyst for PEMFC Applications
Authors: Vinayan Bhaghavathi P. , Nagar Rupali , Rajalakshmi Natarajan , Ramaprabhu Sundara
Published: May 2012

A novel synthesis procedure is devised to obtain nitrogen‐doping in hydrogen‐exfoliated graphene (HEG) sheets. An anionic polyelectrolyte–conducting polymer duo is used to form a uniform coating of the polymer over graphene sheets. Pyrolysis of graphene coated with polypyrrole, a nitrogen‐containing polymer, in an inert environment leads to the incorporation of nitrogen atoms in the graphene network with simultaneous removal of the polymer. These nitrogen‐doped graphene (N‐HEG) sheets are used as catalyst support for dispersing platinum and platinum–cobalt alloy nanoparticles synthesized by the modified‐polyol reduction method, yielding a uniform dispersion of the catalyst nanoparticles. Compared to commercial Pt/C electrocatalyst, Pt–Co/N‐HEG cathode electrocatalyst exhibits four times higher power density in proton exchange membrane fuel cells, which is attributed to the excellent dispersion of Pt–Co alloy nanoparticles on the N‐HEG support, the alloying effect of Pt–Co, and the high electrocatalytic activity of the N‐HEG support. A stability study shows that Pt/N‐HEG and Pt–Co/N‐HEG cathode electrocatalysts are highly stable in acidic media. The study shows two promising electrocatalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, which on the basis of performance and stability present the possibility of replacing contemporary electrocatalysts.
Adjustable Hyperthermia Response of Self‐Assembled Ferromagnetic Fe‐MgO Core–Shell Nanoparticles by Tuning Dipole–Dipole Interactions
Authors: Martinez‐Boubeta Carlos , Simeonidis Konstantinos , Serantes David , Conde‐Leborán Iván , Kazakis Ioannis , Stefanou George , Peña Luis , Galceran Regina , Balcells Lluis , Monty Claude , Baldomir Daniel , Mitrakas Manassis , Angelakeris Makis
Published: May 2012

The Fe‐MgO core‐shell morphology is proposed within the single‐domain nanoparticle regime as an enhanced magnetically driven hyperthermia carrier. The combinatory use of metallic iron as a core material together with the increased particle size (37–65 nm) triggers the tuning of dipolar interactions between particles and allows for further enhancement of their collective heating efficiency via concentration control. A theoretical universal estimation of hysteresis losses reveals the role of dipolar interactions on heating efficiency and outlines the strong influence of coupling effects on hyperthermia opening a novel roadmap towards multifunctional heat‐triggered theranostics particles.
Mesoporous Carbon Incorporated Metal Oxide Nanomaterials as Supercapacitor Electrodes
Authors: Jiang Hao , Ma Jan , Li Chunzhong
Published: May 2012

Supercapacitors have attracted huge attention in recent years as they have the potential to satisfy the demand of both huge energy and power density in many advanced technologies. However, poor conductivity and cycling stability remains to be the major challenge for its widespread application. Various strategies have been developed for meeting the ever‐increasing energy and power demands in supercapacitors. This Research News article aims to review recent progress in the development of mesoporous carbon incorporated metal oxide nanomaterials, especially metal oxide nanoparticles confined in ordered mesoporous carbon and 1D metal oxides coated with a layer of mesoporous carbon for high‐performance supercapacitor applications. In addition, a recent trend in supercapacitor development – hierarchical porous graphitic carbons (HPGC) combining macroporous cores, mesoporous walls, and micropores as an excellent support for metal oxides – is also discussed.
Thiazole‐Based Organic Semiconductors for Organic Electronics
Authors: Lin Yuze , Fan Haijun , Li Yongfang , Zhan Xiaowei
Published: May 2012

Over the past two decades, organic semiconductors have been the subject of intensive academic and commercial interests. Thiazole is a common electron‐accepting heterocycle due to electron‐withdrawing nitrogen of imine (C=N), several moieties based on thiazole have been widely introduced into organic semiconductors, and yielded high performance in organic electronic devices. This article reviews recent developments in the area of thiazole‐based organic semiconductors, particularly thiazole, bithiazole, thiazolothiazole and benzobisthiazole‐based small molecules and polymers, for applications in organic field‐effect transistors, solar cells and light‐emitting diodes. The remaining problems and challenges, and the key research direction in near future are discussed.
Hornstein–Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome: A renaming and reconsideration
Authors: Happle Rudolf
Published: May 2012

The so‐called Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome, an autosomal dominant trait characterized by multiple fibrofolliculomas and extracutaneous cancer proneness, was not first recognized by Birt, Hogg, and Dubé. Hence, the presently used eponymic designation reflects a historical error. In fact, the disorder was discovered in the following way. In 1975, Hornstein and Knickenberg described a “distinct nosological entity” in two sibs with multiple perifollicular fibromas, multiple skin tags, and polyps of the colon with a tendency to malignancy. The father had similar skin lesions and “bilateral kidney cysts” and unilateral lung cysts. In 1976, Hornstein et al. informed, in two additional articles, both geneticists and gastroenterologists about the new autosomal dominant trait. When Birt et al. presented their report in 1977, they knew of Hornstein's first publication but were convinced that they had discovered “a previously unrecognized hereditary pilar hamartoma.” This was a misconception because what they called “fibrofolliculoma” has turned out to be identical with “perifollicular fibroma” as described by Hornstein et al. Moreover, Birt et al. failed to mention any associated extracutaneous cancer proneness, whereas Hornstein et al. had delineated the complete syndrome. For all of these reasons, the new term “Hornstein–Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome” appears to be appropriate. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
14q13.1‐21.1 deletion encompassing the HPE8 locus in an adolescent with intellectual disability and bilateral microphthalmia, but without holoprosencephaly
Authors: Piccione Maria , Serra Gregorio , Consiglio Valeria , Di Fiore Antonella , Cavani Simona , Grasso Marina , Malacarne Michela , Pierluigi Mauro , Viaggi Chiara , Corsello Giovanni
Published: May 2012

Interstitial deletions involving 14q13.1q21.1 are rare. In the literature at least 10 cases involving this region have been described and all patients showed a phenotype within the holoprosencephaly (HPE) spectrum. Previous studies suggested the HPE8 region as a candidate locus for HPE at 14q13. We report an adolescent with a 14q13.1q21.1 deletion encompassing the HPE8 region associated with intellectual disability (ID), bilateral microphthalmia, and coloboma, without cerebral anomalies typical of HPE. Except for ocular defects (i.e., microphthalmia, coloboma) consistent with HPE‐type anomalies, the minor facial dysmorphia was not suggestive for HPE and the absence of cerebral anomalies should rule out this diagnosis. The deletion of the potential HPE candidate genes NPAS3, EAPP, SNX6, and TULIP1, raises doubts about their pathologic role in determining HPE. It is likely that deletions of HPE genes are not sufficient to cause HPE, and that multiple genetic, chromosomal, and environmental factors interact to determine the variable clinical expression of HPE. This is the first case of a 14q deletion encompassing the HPE8 locus with the only features consistent with HPE‐type anomalies affecting the ocular system (i.e., microphthalmia, coloboma), and without cerebral anomalies specific for HPE. The inclusion of potential HPE candidate genes in the deletion raises the question whether this patient is affected by a less severe form of HPE (HPE microform), or whether he has a new ID/MCA deletion syndrome. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ambiguous genitalia: What prenatal genetic testing is practical?
Authors: Adam Margaret P. , Fechner Patricia Y. , Ramsdell Linda A. , Badaru Angela , Grady Richard E. , Pagon Roberta A. , McCauley Elizabeth , Cheng Edith Y. , Parisi Melissa A. , Shnorhavorian Margarett
Published: May 2012

Concern for ambiguous genitalia or chromosome‐phenotype discordance detected in a prenatal setting has increased over the last two decades. Practitioners faced with this prenatal finding have a variety of genetic tests available to them; however, it is unclear to what extent prenatal testing for disorders of sex development (DSD) is useful or practical. We undertook a retrospective review of the medical records of 140 individuals evaluated through the DSD clinic at Seattle Children's Hospital with birthdates from 01/01/1994 through 08/16/2011 to determine the rate of prenatal detection of ambiguous genitalia in individuals with DSD, what prenatal diagnostic workup was undertaken, and the postnatal outcome, including whether a postnatal genetic diagnosis was confirmed. Of all 140 subjects, 34 (24%) were identified prenatally. The most common postnatal diagnoses were penoscrotal hypospadias with transposition of the scrotum with no known genetic cause (24/140; 17%) and 21‐hydroxylase deficiency (20/140; 14%). Apart from these, no single diagnosis comprised more than a few cases. Prenatal diagnostic testing varied widely, from no tests to multiple molecular tests with amniotic fluid hormone concentrations. In the absence of other fetal anomalies or growth retardation on ultrasound, prenatal karyotype with fluorescence in situ hybridization for the SRY gene is the most useful test when ambiguous genitalia is suspected. Further prenatal testing for Smith‐Lemli‐Opitz syndrome in 46,XY individuals and congenital adrenal hyperplasia in 46,XX individuals may be considered. However, targeted molecular testing for rare DSD conditions in the absence of a family history of DSD has a low yield. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Extracellular matrix and platelet function in patients with musculocontractural Ehlers–Danlos syndrome caused by mutations in theCHST14gene
Authors: Mendoza‐Londono Roberto , Chitayat David , Kahr Walter H.A. , Hinek Aleksander , Blaser Susan , Dupuis Lucie , Goh Elaine , Badilla‐Porras Ramses , Howard Andrew , Mittaz Laureane , Superti‐Furga Andrea , Unger Sheila , Nishimura Gen , Bonafe Luisa
Published: May 2012

We report on a consanguineous, Afghani family with two sisters affected with characteristic facial features, multiple contractures, progressive joint and skin laxity, hemorrhagic diathesis following minor trauma and multisystem fragility‐related manifestations suggestive of a diagnosis of musculocontractural Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS). This novel form of connective tissue disorder was recently reported in patients of Japanese, Turkish, and Indian descent who were formerly classified as having EDS type VIB and has now been recognized to be a part of spectrum including patients previously classified as having adducted thumb‐clubfoot syndrome. We identified a previously unreported mutation in theCHST14gene, which codes for the enzyme dermatan 4‐O‐sulfotransferase. We discuss the prenatal presentation, detailed clinical manifestations, and neurological findings in two sisters with this newly described musculocontractural EDS‐CHST14 type. We demonstrate that fibroblasts from one of our patients produce more chondroitin sulfate than normal and show lower than normal deposition of collagens I and II and fibrillin 1‐containing microfibrills. These findings suggest that the imbalance in the glycosaminoglycan content in developing tissues might interfere with normal deposition of other extracellular matrix components and ultimately contribute to the development of the phenotype observed in these patients. Furthermore, we ruled out the contribution of intrinsic platelet factors to the bleeding diathesis observed in some affected individuals. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long‐term survival with diaphanospondylodysostosis (DSD): Survival to 5 years and further phenotypic characteristics
Authors: Scottoline Brian , Rosenthal Scott , Keisari Rami , Kirpekar Rashmi , Angell Cathy , Wallerstein Robert
Published: May 2012

We report on the natural history of diaphanospondylodysostosis (DSD) in the longest known survivor. DSD is a rare form of autosomal recessive vertebral dysotosis recently identified to be caused by a mutation in the BMPER gene. This condition is characterized by absent or severely delayed ossification of vertebral bodies, short broad thorax, short neck, protuberant abdomen, marked respiratory insufficiency, and normal appendicular skeleton. It is one of a number of spinal dysostoses, which are a heterogeneous group of axial skeletal malformations occurring during blastogenesis with continued evolution after birth. Significant medical intervention and at‐home support contributed to the long‐term survival of our patient. The patient had tracheomalacia, which resulted in respiratory insufficiency with thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS). Tracheostomy and vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) insertion operations ameliorated his symptoms. In addition, comprehensive physical and occupational therapy was performed due to chronic hypotonia. A consistent feature of all described DSD cases thus far are renal findings of dysplasia, nephrogenic rests or nephroblastomatosis, and/or cysts. The patient's renal cysts were monitored with serial ultrasounds at approximately 6‐month intervals. The patient was diagnosed with bilateral renal cysts by ultrasound as a neonate, with eventual diagnosis at approximately 20 months of age with nephroblastoma suggesting this maybe an intrinsic part of DSD. The lack of other cases with nephroblastoma is likely related to the previously reported short period of survival. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Y‐chromosome diversity in Native Mexicans reveals continental transition of genetic structure in the Americas
Authors: Sandoval Karla , Moreno‐Estrada Andres , Mendizabal Isabel , Underhill Peter A. , Lopez‐Valenzuela Maria , Peñaloza‐Espinosa Rosenda , Lopez‐Lopez Marisol , Buentello‐Malo Leonor , Avelino Heriberto , Calafell Francesc , Comas David
Published: May 2012

The genetic characterization of Native Mexicans is important to understand multiethnic based features influencing the medical genetics of present Mexican populations, as well as to the reconstruct the peopling of the Americas. We describe the Y‐chromosome genetic diversity of 197 Native Mexicans from 11 populations and 1,044 individuals from 44 Native American populations after combining with publicly available data. We found extensive heterogeneity among Native Mexican populations and ample segregation of Q‐M242* (46%) and Q‐M3 (54%) haplogroups within Mexico. The northernmost sampled populations falling outside Mesoamerica (Pima and Tarahumara) showed a clear differentiation with respect to the other populations, which is in agreement with previous results from mtDNA lineages. However, our results point toward a complex genetic makeup of Native Mexicans whose maternal and paternal lineages reveal different narratives of their population history, with sex‐biased continental contributions and different admixture proportions. At a continental scale, we found that Arctic populations and the northernmost groups from North America cluster together, but we did not find a clear differentiation within Mesoamerica and the rest of the continent, which coupled with the fact that the majority of individuals from Central and South American samples are restricted to the Q‐M3 branch, supports the notion that most Native Americans from Mesoamerica southwards are descendants from a single wave of migration. This observation is compatible with the idea that present day Mexico might have constituted an area of transition in the diversification of paternal lineages during the colonization of the Americas. Am J Phys Anthropol 148:395–405, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The investigation on the curing process of polysulfide sealant by in situ dielectric analysis
Authors: Zhou Baijie , He Dan , Quan Yiwu , Chen Qingmin
Published: May 2012

In this work, in situ dielectric analysis (DEA) was employed for the first time to the best of our knowledge, to monitor the curing process of polysulfide (PSF) sealant using manganese dioxide (MnO2) as the curing agent, where the gel point and ending point were determined. The obtained results were verified by rheological tests of dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile strength tests. It showed a significant difference between this curing process and those of usual thermosetting materials. The influences of the pH value of the samples and curing temperature were investigated and discussed in detail. Also, activation energies of the curing reaction of the samples with different pH values were calculated. The results proved DEA as a reliable and useful method for in situ monitoring PSF–MnO2 curing process. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012