bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Composition and Antiviral Activity of the Essential Oils of Eryngium alpinum and E. amethystinum
Authors: Dunkić Valerija , Vuko Elma , Bezić Nada , Kremer Dario , Ruščić Mirko
Published: October 2013

The chemical compositions of the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of Croatian Eryngium alpinum L. and E. amethystinum L. were characterized by GC‐FID and GC/MS analyses. The main components identified were the sesquiterpene β‐caryophyllene (19.7%) in the oil of E. amethystinum and the oxygenated sesquiterpene caryophyllene oxide (21.6%) in the oil of E. alpinum. Overall, 32 and 35 constituents were detected in the essential oils of the aerial parts of E. alpinum and E. amethystinum, respectively, representing 92.4 and 93.1% of the total oil compositions. The essential oils of both Eryngium species were proved to reduce the number of lesions in the local host Chenopodium quinoa infected with cucumber mosaic virus and an associated satellite. This is the first investigation of antiphytoviral activity of essential oils of Eryngium species.
Charge‐Assisted Halogen Bonding: Donor–Acceptor Complexes with Variable Ionicity
Authors: Lieffrig Julien , Jeannin Olivier , Frąckowiak Arkadiusz , Olejniczak Iwona , Świetlik Roman , Dahaoui Slimane , Aubert Emmanuel , Espinosa Enrique , Auban‐Senzier Pascale , Fourmigué Marc
Published: October 2013

Charge‐assisted halogen bonding is unambiguously revealed from structural and electronic investigations of a series of isostructural charge‐transfer complexes derived from iodinated tetrathiafulvalene and tetracyanoquinodimethane derivatives, (EDT‐TTFI2)2(TCNQFn), n=0–2, which exhibit variable degrees of ionicity. The iodinated tetrathiafulvalene derivative, EDT‐TTFI2, associates with tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and its derivatives of increasing reduction potential (TCNQF, TCNQF2) through highly directional CI⋅⋅⋅N≡C halogen‐bond interactions. With the less oxidizing TCNQ acceptor, a neutral and insulating charge‐transfer complex is isolated whereas with the more oxidizing TCNQF2 acceptor, an ionic, highly conducting charge‐transfer salt is found, both of 2:1 stoichiometry and isostructural with the intermediate TCNQF complex, in which a neutral–ionic conversion takes place upon cooling. A correlation between the degree of charge transfer and the CI⋅⋅⋅N≡C halogen‐bond strength is established from the comparison of the structures of the three isostructural complexes at temperatures from 300 to 20 K, thus demonstrating the importance of electrostatics in the halogen‐bonding interaction. The neutral–ionic conversion in (EDT‐TTFI2)2(TCNQF) is further investigated through the temperature dependence of its magnetic susceptibility and the stretching modes of the C≡N groups.
Barriers to effective treatment of pediatric solid tumors in middle‐income countries: Can we make sense of the spectrum of nonbiologic factors that influence outcomes?
Authors: Friedrich Paola , Ortiz Roberta , Fuentes Soad , Gamboa Yéssica , Ah Chu‐Sanchez María Sabina , Arambú Ingrid Carolina , Montero Margarita , Báez Fulgencio , Rodríguez‐Galindo Carlos , Antillón‐Klussmann Federico ,   for the Central American Association of Pediatric Hematologists and Oncologists (AHOPCA)
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

The delivery of effective treatment for pediatric solid tumors poses a particular challenge to centers in middle‐income countries (MICs) that already are vigorously addressing pediatric cancer. The objective of this study was to improve the current understanding of barriers to effective treatment of pediatric solid tumors in MICs.

METHODS

An ecologic model centered on pediatric sarcoma and expanded to country as the environment was used as a benchmark for studying the delivery of solid tumor care in MICs. Data on resources were gathered from 7 centers that were members of the Central American Association of Pediatric Hematologists and Oncologists (AHOPCA) using an infrastructure assessment tool. Pediatric sarcoma outcomes data were available, were retrieved from hospital‐based cancer registries for 6 of the 7 centers, and were analyzed by country. Patients who were diagnosed from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2009 with osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and other soft tissue sarcomas were included in the analysis. To explore correlations between resources and outcomes, a pilot performance index was created.

RESULTS

The analyses identified specific deficits in human resources, communication, quality, and infrastructure. The treatment abandonment rate, the proportion of metastatic disease at diagnosis, the relapse rate, and the 4‐year abandonment‐sensitive overall survival (AOS) rate varied considerably by country, ranging from 1% to 38%, from 15% to 54%, from 24% to 52%, and from 21% to 51%, respectively. The treatment abandonment rate correlated inversely with health economic expenditure per capita (r = −0.86; P = .03) and life expectancy at birth (r = −0.93; P = .007). The 4‐year AOS rate correlated inversely with the mortality rate among children aged <5 years (r = −0.80; P = 0.05) and correlated directly with the pilot performance index (r = 0.98; P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Initiatives to improve the effectiveness of treatment for pediatric solid tumors in MICs are warranted, particularly for pediatric sarcomas. Building capacity and infrastructure, improving supportive care and communication, and fostering comprehensive, multidisciplinary teams are identified as keystones in Central America. A measure that meaningfully describes performance in delivering pediatric cancer care is feasible and needed to advance comparative, prospective analysis of pediatric cancer care and to define resource clusters internationally. Cancer 2014;120:112–125. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Colonization of islands in the Mona Passage by endemic dwarf geckoes (genus Sphaerodactylus) reconstructed with mitochondrial phylogeny
Authors: Díaz‐Lameiro Alondra M. , Oleksyk Taras K. , Bird‐Picó Fernando J. , Martínez‐Cruzado Juan Carlos
Published: October 2013

Little is known about the natural history of the Sphaerodactylus species endemic to the three islands located in the Mona Passage separating the Greater Antillean islands of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. In this study, parts of two mitochondrial genes, 16S rRNA and 12S rRNA, were sequenced to determine the relationships between the sphaerodactylids that live in the Mona Passage and other Caribbean species from the same genus. While the main goal was to identify the biogeographical origin of these species, we also identified a genetically distinct type of dwarf gecko that warrants future evaluation as a possible new species. According to the reconstructed phylogenies, we propose a stepwise model of colonization wherein S. nicholsi from southwestern Puerto Rico or a very close ancestor gave rise through a founder event to Sphaerodactylus monensis on Mona Island. In a similar fashion, S. monensis or a very close ancestor on Mona Island gave rise to S. levinsi on Desecheo Island. This study also suggests that the most recent common ancestor between the species from the islands in the Mona Passage and Puerto Rico existed approximately 3 MYA.
Template Matching by the Statistical Reach Feature Method
Authors: Ozaki Ryushi , Satoh Yutaka , Iwata Kenji , Sakaue Katsuhiko
Published: October 2013

A novel method for image template matching with robustness to various real‐world disturbances is proposed. The method is based on the statistical reach feature method. The method utilizes the set of signs of differences for selected pairs of points from the template image. The selection is performed from the statistical viewpoint. The concrete description of the method is presented plainly. The selection of thresholds in the method is argued. Experiments with various disturbances including illumination change, occlusion, and JPEG noise are described. Analyses based on the noise models are performed to show the theoretical background of the robustness of the method. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 96(11): 54–69, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.11478
Patient and Parental Self‐reports of Executive Functioning in a Sample of Young Female Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa Before and After Cognitive Remediation Therapy
Authors: Dahlgren Camilla Lindvall , Lask Bryan , Landrø Nils Inge , Rø Øyvind
Published: October 2013

Objective

Previous studies assessing the potency of cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) have largely focused on performance‐based assessments and how these change during the course of the intervention. Little is known of behavioural manifestations of such changes, and no previous studies have studied parental reports before and after CRT.

Method

Patient and parental self‐reports of executive function using the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) were obtained for 17 adolescent patients in treatment for anorexia nervosa before and after CRT.

Results

Results indicated that patients scored significantly lower on the BRIEF shift subscale after CRT, whereas parental reports revealed significantly lower scores on the shift and emotional control subscales, and on the two composite indices Behavioural Regulation Index and Global Executive Composite. Case‐wise comparisons support variations in executive functions in adolescents with anorexia nervosa.

Discussion

Changes are evaluated in light of the relationship between patients and parents and with regard to the limitations of the study design. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Temperature Effects on the Molecular Dynamics of Modified Nafion® Membranes Incorporating Ionic Liquids' Cations: A 1H NMRD Study
Authors: Martins C. F. , Neves L. , Coelhoso I. M. , Vaca Chávez F. , Crespo J. G. , Sebastião P. J.
Published: October 2013

Nafion® is the polymer electrolyte membrane most used in fuel cells (PEMFC), however Nafion® presents some limitations due to the water loss with increasing temperature. In this work is presented the study of the molecular dynamics in modified Nafion®/ionic liquids (IL) cations membranes with increasing temperature, by proton NMR relaxometry (1H NMRD). Three Nafion® membranes modified with Phenyltrimethylammonium (TMPA+), 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium (BMIM+) and n‐dodecyltrimethylammonium (DTA+) IL cations were considered. This study allowed the evaluation of the effect of the IL cations incorporation in Nafion® membranes and to assess the degree of confinement of the IL cations in the membranes matrix in relation with the water content. Thermogravimetry analysis was also performed to study the water loss with increasing temperature of the Nafion®/IL cations membranes. It was possible to establish a correlation between the water content and the IL cations self‐diffusion coefficients. The sequential order of the hydration level obtained for the studied systems was Nafion®/DTA+>Nafion®/BMIM+ ≳ Nafion®/H+>Nafion®/TMPA+, while the water loss follows the sequence Nafion®/H+>Nafion®/BMIM+∼Nafion®/DTA+>Nafion®/TMPA+. The Nafion®/BMIM+ presented the largest temperature variation of both the self‐diffusion coefficient and the hydration conditions. In terms of PEMFCs efficiency, the Nafion®/DTA+ modified membrane seems to offer the largest and stable hydration conditions with temperature.
Smokers' Strategic Responses to Sin Taxes: Evidence from Panel Data in Thailand
Authors: White Justin S. , Ross Hana
Published: October 2013

In addition to quitting and cutting consumption, smokers faced with higher cigarette prices may compensate in several ways that mute the health impact of cigarette taxes. This study examines three price avoidance strategies among adult male smokers in Thailand: trading down to a lower‐priced brand, buying individual sticks of cigarettes instead of packs, and substituting roll‐your‐own tobacco for factory‐manufactured cigarettes. Using two panels of microlevel data from the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia Study, collected in 2005 and 2006, we estimate the effects of a substantial excise tax increase implemented throughout Thailand in December 2005. We present estimates of the marginal effects and price elasticities for each of five consumer behaviors. We find that, controlling for baseline smoking characteristics, sociodemographics, and policy variables, quitting is highly sensitive to changes in cigarette prices, but so are brand choice, stick‐buying, and use of roll‐your‐own tobacco. Neglecting such strategic responses leads to overestimates of a sin tax's health impact, and neglecting product substitution distorts estimates of the price elasticity of cigarette demand. We discuss the implications for consumer welfare and several policies that mitigate the adverse impact of consumer responses. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Efficient Isocyanide‐Based Three‐Component Diastereoselective Synthesis of Chromane‐3,4‐dicarboxamides
Authors: Imanieh Hossein , Sarlak Mansooreh , Amanpour Tayebeh , Bazgir Ayoob
Published: October 2013

An efficient method for the diastereoselective synthesis of chromane‐3,4‐dicarboxamides via the three‐component reaction of 2‐oxo‐2H‐chromene‐3‐carboxylic acids, amines, and isocyanides in MeCN is reported.
Effectiveness of written hospitalist sign‐outs in answering overnight inquiries
Authors: Fogerty Robert L. , Schoenfeld Amy , Salim Al‐Damluji Mohammed , Horwitz Leora I.
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

Hospitalists are key providers of care to medical inpatients, and sign‐out is an integral part of providing safe, high‐quality inpatient care. There is little known about hospitalist‐to‐hospitalist sign‐out.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the quality of hospitalist/physician‐extender sign‐outs by assessing how well the sign‐out prepares the night team for overnight events and to determine attributes of effective sign‐out.

DESIGN

Analysis of a written‐only sign‐out protocol on a nonteaching hospitalist service using prospective data collected by an attending physician survey during overnight shifts.

SETTING

Yale–New Haven Hospital, a 966‐bed, urban, academic medical center in New Haven, Connecticut with approximately 13,700 hospitalist discharges annually.

RESULTS

We recorded 124 inquiries about 96 patients during 6 days of data collection in 2012. Hospitalists referenced the sign‐out for 89 (74%) inquiries, and the sign‐out was considered sufficient in isolation to respond to 27 (30%) of these inquiries. Hospitalists physically saw the patient for 14 (12%) of inquiries. Nurses were the originator for most inquiries (102 [82%]). The most common inquiry topics were medications (55 [45%]), plan of care (26 [21%]), and clinical changes (26 [21%]). Ninety‐five (77%) inquiries were considered to be “somewhat” or “very” clinically important by the hospitalist.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, we found that attending hospitalists rely heavily on written sign‐out to address overnight inquiries, but that those sign‐outs are not reliably effective. Future work to better understand the roles of written and verbal components in sign‐out is needed to help improve the safety of overnight care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:609–614. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
Familial history of non‐medullary thyroid cancer is an independent prognostic factor for tumor recurrence in younger patients with conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Lee Yu‐Mi , Yoon Jong Ho , Yi Onvox , Sung Tae‐Yon , Chung Ki‐Wook , Kim Won Bae , Hong Suck Joon
Published: October 2013

Background

It is not clear whether familial non‐medullary thyroid cancer (FNMTC) is more aggressive and has a poorer prognosis, than sporadic carcinoma. Therefore, the optimal clinical approach for FNMTC is yet to be established. In this study, we investigated the biological behavior and prognosis of FNMTC compared with its sporadic counterpart.

Methods

Between 1996 and 2004, 1,262 patients underwent a total thyroidectomy for conventional PTC at Asan Medical Center and 113 (9.0%) were diagnosed with FNMTC. We compared the clinico‐pathologic characteristics, treatment modalities, and prognosis between familial and sporadic NMTC.

Results

FNMTC was significantly more multi‐centric than sporadic. We also found that family history itself was an independent risk factor for recurrence. Moreover, disease‐free survival in the familial group was significantly shorter than in the sporadic group in the subgroups in which age was <45 years, and in which the tumors were multi‐centric, bilateral, and of N1b node status.

Conclusion

FNMTC may be considered as a separate clinical entity with a higher rate of recurrence and worse DFS than its sporadic counterpart. Furthermore, familial history of NMTC is an independent risk factor for recurrence, especially in younger patients with conventional PTC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:168–173. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Imaging: What can it tell us about parkinsonian gait?
Authors: Bohnen Nicolaas I. , Jahn Klaus
Published: October 2013

Functional neuroimaging has provided new tools to study cerebral gait control in Parkinson's disease (PD). First, imaging of blood flow functions has identified a supraspinal locomotor network that includes the (frontal) cortex, basal ganglia, brainstem tegmentum, and cerebellum. These studies also emphasize the cognitive and attentional dependency of gait in PD. Furthermore, gait in PD and related syndromes like progressive supranuclear palsy may be associated with dysfunction of the indirect, modulatory prefrontal–subthalamic–pedunculopontine loop of locomotor control. The direct, stereotyped locomotor loop from the primary motor cortex to the spinal cord with rhythmic cerebellar input appears to be preserved and may contribute to the unflexible gait pattern in parkinsonian gait. Second, neurotransmitter and proteinopathy imaging studies are beginning to unravel novel mechanisms of parkinsonian gait and postural disturbances. Dopamine displacement imaging studies have shown evidence for a mesofrontal dopaminergic shift from a depleted striatum in parkinsonian gait. This may place additional burden on other brain systems mediating attention functions to perform previously automatic motor tasks. For example, our preliminary cholinergic imaging studies suggest significant slowing of gait speed when additional forebrain cholinergic denervation occurs in PD. Cholinergic denervation of the pedunculopontine nucleus and its thalamic projections have been associated with falls and impaired postural control. Deposition of β‐amyloid may represent another non‐dopaminergic correlate of gait disturbance in PD. These findings illustrate the emergence of dopamine non‐responsive gait problems to reflect the transition from a predominantly hypodopaminergic disorder to a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder involving non‐dopaminergic locomotor network structures and pathologies. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Gait ataxia—specific cerebellar influences and their rehabilitation
Authors: Ilg Winfried , Timmann Dagmar
Published: October 2013

It is well known that the cerebellum is important for movement control and plays a critical role in balance and locomotion. As such, one of the most characteristic and sensitive signs of cerebellar damage is gait ataxia. However, characterizing ataxic gait is no easy task, because gait patterns are highly variable. This variability seems to result from the interaction of different factors, namely, (1) the primary motor deficits in balance control and multi‐joint coordination and oculomotor dysfunction, (2) the safety strategies used, and (3) inaccurate adjustments in patients with loss of balance. In this report, we review different approaches to analyzing ataxic gait and studies to identify and quantify the different factors contributing to this movement disorder. We also discuss the influence of the cerebellum in adaptive locomotor control, the interaction between cognitive load and gait in dual‐task paradigms, and the recent advances in rehabilitation of gait and posture for patients with cerebellar degeneration. In the second part, we discuss open questions concerning cerebellar mechanisms in multi‐joint coordination during different walking conditions. Furthermore, we point out potential future directions in motor rehabilitation, with the objective of identifying predictors of rehabilitation outcome and the development of individualized training programs that potentially involve rehabilitation technology. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Pickering‐Stabilized Latexes with High Silica Incorporation and Improved Salt Stability
Authors: González‐Matheus Karim , Leal G. Patricia , Asua Jose M.
Published: October 2013

Some of the unsolved challenges in the synthesis and performance of Pickering‐stabilized polymer dispersions (high solid content, coagulum‐free, high incorporation of silica, and salt stability) are overcome by means of a miniemulsion process using surface‐modified silica as a sole stabilizer. Coagulum‐free, 50 wt% solid‐content latexes with an incorporation of silica exceeding 90 wt% and with better salt tolerance than latexes stabilized with conventional emulsifiers (SLS, PVOH) are obtained by varying the type and concentration of silica.
A Difunctional Squarylium Indocyanine Dye Distinguishes Dead Cells through Diverse Staining of the Cell Nuclei/Membranes
Authors: Li Jie , Guo Kunru , Shen Jie , Yang Wantai , Yin Meizhen
Published: October 2013

Functionalized fluorescent dyes have attracted great interest for the specific staining of subcellular organelles in multicellular organisms. A novel nanometer‐sized water‐soluble multi‐functional squarylium indocyanine dye (D1) that contains four primary amines is synthesized. The dye exhibits good photostability, non‐toxicity and biocompatibility. Isothermal titration calorimetry demonstrates that an affinity between D1 and DNA is higher than that between D1 and analogue of phospholipids. Analysis of circular dichroism spectra indicates that D1 targets to the DNA minor groove and aggregates to a helix. Because of the distinct affinity between the dye and subcellular organelles, the dye exhibits difunctional abilities to label the cell nuclei in fixed cells/tissue and the cell membranes in live cells/tissue. By combination of the two staining capabilities, the dye is further explored as a specific marker to distinguish apoptotic cells in live cells/tissue. The research opens a new way to design novel multifunctional dyes for life science applications.
Alternating least squares in nonlinear principal components
Authors: Kuroda Masahiro , Mori Yuichi , Masaya Iizuka , Sakakihara Michio
Published: October 2013

Principal components analysis (PCA) is probably the most popular descriptive multivariate method for analyzing quantitative data with ratio and interval scale measures. When applying PCA to nominal and ordinal data, the data are processed by a method such as optimal scaling, which nonlinearly transforms nominal and ordinal data into quantitative data. Therefore, PCA with optimal scaling is called nonlinear PCA. Nonlinear PCA reveals nonlinear relationships among variables with different measurement levels and therefore presents a more flexible alternative to ordinary PCA. The alternating least squares algorithm is utilized for nonlinear PCA. The algorithm alternates between optimal scaling for quantifying nominal and ordinal data and ordinary PCA for analyzing optimally scaled data. This article discusses two nonlinear PCA algorithms, namely, PRINCIPALS and PRINCALS. WIREs Comput Stat 2013, 5:456–464. doi: 10.1002/wics.1279

This article is categorized under:

Algorithms and Computational Methods > Algorithms

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Multivariate Analysis

Algorithms and Computational Methods > Numerical Methods

Statistical Models > Nonlinear Models

Algorithms and Computational Methods > Least Squares
P2X receptor signaling in skeletal muscle health and disease
Authors: Young Christopher N. J. , Sinadinos Anthony , Gorecki Dariusz C.
Published: October 2013

Skeletal muscle (SM) is a heterogeneous and dynamic tissue that changes significantly in its form and function in response to external and internal stimuli and throughout life, from development right through to aging. The fully differentiated SM fiber is a highly specialized, complex and metabolically active cell containing finely tuned assemblies of contractile force‐generating proteins, while its growth and repair are maintained by a resident stem cell population. There is increasing evidence that extracellular ATP (ATPe) released during physiological activity and acting on P2 purinoceptors is involved in a number of muscle functions. Furthermore, very high levels of ATPe released from injured muscles can trigger further damage either by altered activation of P2 purinoceptors on muscle cells or by promoting inflammatory cell infiltration. Therefore, the effects of activation of specific P2 purinoceptors in SM can vary from physiologically beneficial to pathologically catastrophic. The most studied in SM so far have been the P2X purinoceptors, which are a family of homo/heterotrimeric ATP‐gated ion channels comprised of seven subtypes. Of these P2X1, P2X2, P2X4, P2X5, P2X6, and P2X7 have been identified, so far, predominantly in mouse SM and shown to influence cell growth, differentiation, death, and regeneration in health and disease. There is, however, a considerable diversity in expression of these receptors between different muscle groups and fiber types, which is not fully recognized yet. Understanding the roles of specific P2X purinoceptors in the physiology and pathology of different muscle groups might offer new opportunities for targeted pharmacological intervention in SM diseases. WIREs Membr Transp Signal 2013. doi: 10.1002/wmts.96

Conflict of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article.

For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Complications of Bronchial Stapling in Thoracic Surgery
Authors: Yano Motoki , Yokoi Kohei , Numanami Hiroki , Kondo Ryoichi , Ohde Yasuhisa , Sugaya Masakazu , Narita Kunio , Chihara Koji , Matsushima Yasushi , Kobayashi Ryo , Hikosaka Yu
Published: October 2013

Objective

The use of staplers for thoracic surgery has been widely accepted and regarded as a safe procedure. However, complications of stapling are occasionally experienced. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze complications of bronchial stapling.

Methods

A retrospective multi‐institutional review was conducted by the Central Japan Lung Cancer Surgery Study Group, comprising 29 institutions. All instances of bronchial stapling in thoracic surgery were reviewed during the research period.

Results

Bronchial stapling was performed 2,030 times, using 36 kinds of staplers. The total number of complications related to stapling was 36 (1.8 %); 31 events occurred intraoperatively and five events occurred postoperatively. The intraoperative complications were air leakage (N = 20) and stapling failure (N = 11), which were caused by stapler–tissue thickness mismatch (N = 17), stapler defect (N = 3), tissue fragility (N = 2), and unknown reasons (N = 9). In all 31 cases, intraoperative complications were recovered intraoperatively with additional suturing, and no further complications were observed postoperatively. The postoperative complications were bronchopleural fistula (BPF) (N = 4) and bleeding from the chest wall (intercostal artery) (N = 1). The rate of BPF was 0.2 % (4 of 2,030). Two of four BPFs induced critical conditions. Postoperative bleeding was caused by the use of Duet TRSTM. Both total complications and BPF occurred more frequently in the main bronchus than in the lobar or segmental bronchus. No relationship was seen between the incidence of complications and cartridge colors in lobar bronchial stapling. The compression types of staplers were associated with the incidence of complication.

Conclusions

Intraoperative and postoperative complications of bronchial stapling were studied. Generally, bronchial stapling in recent thoracic surgery was safe, but rare postoperative complications may induce critical conditions. Knowledge of potential complications and causes of bronchial stapling may decrease the incidence of stapling complications.
Are habitat loss, predation risk and climate related to the drastic decline in a Siberian flying squirrel population? A 15‐year study
Authors: Koskimäki Jane , Huitu Otso , Kotiaho Janne S. , Lampila Satu , Mäkelä Antero , Sulkava Risto , Mönkkönen Mikko
Published: October 2013

To devise effective conservation actions, it is important to know which factors are associated with the population parameters of a declining population. Using mark–recapture methods, we estimated the annual population size, growth rate and survival probability of an ear‐tagged flying squirrel population over a 15‐year period in a 4,500 ha study area in western Finland. The species is considered vulnerable, but detailed knowledge concerning population sizes or trends is lacking. The population parameters and changes therein were regressed against habitat availability, an indicator of predation pressure, and mean winter temperature (an indicator of climate change), to reveal potential reasons for trends in the population. The best‐fit models suggested the annual growth rate to be below one, and on average it was 0.93 (±0.06; SE) across the 15‐year period. The survival probability was about 0.22 (±0.03) for juveniles and 0.50 (±0.03) for adults. The population size of adult flying squirrels decreased from 65 (±11) individuals in 1995 to 29 (±6) individuals in 2009. The number of flying squirrels was associated with the amount of available habitat, but the decline in population size was more rapid than the loss of habitat area. If the current decreasing trend in habitat availability continues, the population might become extinct by the year 2020. To halt the population decline, it is necessary to refrain from clear‐cutting mature spruce stands until new suitable habitats develop from the maturation of younger forests.
Comparison of the diversity, composition, and host recurrence of xylariaceous endophytes in subtropical, cool temperate, and subboreal regions in Japan
Authors: Ikeda Anzu , Matsuoka Shunsuke , Masuya Hayato , Mori Akira S. , Hirose Dai , Osono Takashi
Published: October 2013

The diversity, composition, and host recurrence of endophytic fungi in the Xylariaceae were compared in subtropical (ST), cool temperate (CT), and subboreal forests (SB) in Japan based on the 28S ribosomal DNA sequences from fungal isolates. A total of 610 isolates were obtained from the leaves of 167 tree species in three sites, which were classified into 42 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the 99 % similarity level of the 28S rDNA sequence. ST, CT, and SB yielded 31, 13, and three OTUs, respectively. The OTU richness, diversity, and evenness of fungal communities were in the order: ST > CT > SB. The 42 OTUs were assigned to nine genera in the Xylariaceae: Xylaria, Annulohypoxylon, Anthostomella, Biscogniauxia, Nemania, Hypoxylon, Muscodor, Daldinia, and Rosellinia. Xylarioid isolates in the subfamily Xylarioideae outnumbered Hypoxyloid isolates in the subfamily Hypoxyloideae in ST and CT, whereas the opposite was found in SB. Sørensen's quotient of similarity was generally low between the three sites. Host recurrence of fungal OTUs was evaluated with the degree of specialization of interaction network between xylariaceous endophytes and plant species and compared between the three sites. We found that the networks in the three sites showed a significantly higher degree of specialization than simulated networks, where partners were associated randomly. Permutational multivariate analyses of variance indicated that plant family and leaf trait significantly affected the OTU composition in ST, which can account for the specialization of interaction network and host recurrence of xylariaceous endophytes.
Production of Diacylglycerol‐Mixture of Regioisomers with High Purity by Two‐Step Enzymatic Reactions Combined with Molecular Distillation
Authors: Zheng Pingyu , Xu Yang , Wang Weifei , Qin Xiaoli , Ning Zhengxiang , Wang Yonghua , Yang Bo
Published: October 2013

Pure diacylglycerol (DAG) is of vital importance for the biomedical and dietetic properties research of DAG. In this study, we aimed to develop an effective process to produce DAG‐mixture of regioisomers with high purity. Firstly, DAGs and monoacylglycerols (MAGs) were synthesized by enzymatic esterification of glycerol and free fatty acids (FFAs) from camellia oil with catalysis of Penicillium camembertii lipase, and the obtained reaction mixture was composed of 49.9 % DAG [33.4 % for 1,3‐DAG and 16.5 % for 1,2 (2,3)‐DAG], 31.6 % MAG and 18.5 % FFA. Secondly, a monoacylglycerol lipase (lipase CBD‐MGLP), which was produced by recombinant Escherichia coli in our laboratory, was employed to hydrolyze MAG in the above reaction mixture, and the MAG content decreased to 1.9 % under the optimal conditions with 375 U/g (U/w, with respect to the mass of MAG in the mixture) of CBD‐MGLP loading, temperature of 45 °C, mass ratio of esterification mixture to Tris–HCl buffer (w/w) 10:10, and pH of Tris–HCl buffer 9.0. Then, the hydrolytic products were further purified by molecular distillation at low temperature of 130 °C under a pressure of 10 Pa [equivalent to 377 °C at 101.325 kPa (1 atm)], and the DAG purity was up to 98.0 % (66.6 % for 1,3‐DAG and 31.4 % for 1,2‐DAG) in the final products. This indicated that two‐step enzymatic reactions combined with molecular distillation at low temperature could be a feasible and prospective process to produce DAG‐mixture of regioisomers with high purity.
Inflammatory response and oxidative stress in developing rat brain and its consequences on motor behavior following maternal administration of LPS and perinatal anoxia
Authors: Stigger Felipe , Lovatel Gisele , Marques Marília , Bertoldi Karine , Moysés Felipe , Elsner Viviane , Siqueira Ionara Rodrigues , Achaval Matilde , Marcuzzo Simone
Published: October 2013

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder of locomotion, posture and movement that can be caused by prenatal, perinatal or postnatal insults during brain development. An increased incidence of CP has been correlated to perinatal asphyxia and maternal infections during gestation. The effects of maternal exposure to low doses of bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) associated or not with perinatal anoxia (PA) in oxidative and inflammatory parameters were examined in cerebral cortices of newborns pups. Concentrations of TNF‐α, IL‐1, IL‐4, SOD, CAT and DCF were measured by the ELISA method. Other newborn rats were assessed for neonatal developmental milestones from day 1 to 21. Motor behavior was also tested at P29 using open‐field and Rotarod. PA alone only increased IL‐1 expression in cerebral cortex with no changes in oxidative measures. PA also induced a slight impact on development and motor performance. LPS alone was not able to delay motor development but resulted in changes in motor activity and coordination with increased levels of IL‐1 and TNF‐α expression associated with a high production of free radicals and elevated SOD activity. When LPS and PA were combined, changes on inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters were greater. In addition, greater motor development and coordination impairments were observed. Prenatal exposure of pups to LPS appeared to sensitize the developing brain to effects of a subsequent anoxia insult resulting in an increased expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and increased free radical levels in the cerebral cortex. These outcomes suggest that oxidative and inflammatory parameters in the cerebral cortex are implicated in motor deficits following maternal infection and perinatal anoxia by acting in a synergistic manner during a critical period of development of the nervous system.
Flexible body with drag independent of the flow velocity
Authors: Barois Thomas , de Langre Emmanuel
Published: October 2013

The drag of a rigid object is expected to increase with flow velocity. For wide ranges of velocities commonly encountered, the drag increases as the square of the relative velocity of the fluid. This strong dependence of the load on the velocity accounts for specific survival strategies adopted by passive living systems such as plants in wind or algae in marine environments: through elastic reconfiguration, the drag on plants is reduced when compared to a rigid configuration and the velocity exponent for the drag is typically found to be between 1 and 1.5. In this work, a membrane configuration is presented that exhibits a drag force that is almost independent of the free-stream velocity. This surprising result is shown to be remarkably robust as it is experimentally observed for a range of geometries. This study opens the way for the design of devices subjected to a drag that is independent of the flow velocity. This possibility constitutes a key point in various fields involving flexible structures that are towed or subjected to wind.
Stock Price Jumps and Cross-Sectional Return Predictability
Authors: Jiang George J. , Yao Tong
Published: October 2013

We identify large discontinuous changes, known as jumps, in daily stock prices and explore the role of jumps in cross-sectional stock return predictability. Our results show that small and illiquid stocks have higher jump returns to the extent that cross-sectional differences in jumps fully account for the size and illiquidity effects. Based on value-weighted portfolios, jumps also account for the value premium. On the other hand, jumps are not the cause of momentum or net share issue effects. The findings of our study shed new light on stock return dynamics and present challenges to conventional explanations of stock return predictability.
Real Assets and Capital Structure
Authors: Campello Murillo , Giambona Erasmo
Published: October 2013

We characterize the relation between asset structure and capital structure by exploiting variation in the salability of corporate assets. To establish this link, we distinguish across different assets in firms’ balance sheets (machinery, land, and buildings) and use an instrumental approach that incorporates market conditions for those assets. We also use a natural experiment driving differential increases in the supply of real estate assets across the United States: The Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990. Consistent with a supply-side view of capital structure, we find that asset redeployability is a main driver of leverage when credit frictions are high.
Factors influencing the illegal harvest of wildlife by trapping and snaring among the Katu ethnic group in Vietnam
Authors: MacMillan Douglas C. , Nguyen Quoc Anh
Published: October 2013

The harvest of wildlife through hunting, trapping and snaring is illegal in Vietnam but remains widespread and is understood to be the major threat to many species. Clandestine activities such as trapping and snaring, which are deeply embedded in the culture and economy, are difficult to investigate and this study is the first to carry out in-depth research into the illegal capture and sale of wildlife by a major ethnic group in Vietnam. The research focused on two villages of the Katu, a forest-dwelling people living close to the boundary of the newly created Saola Nature Reserve, and involved collecting data from a focus group, 30 semi-structured interviews with trappers, and a number of informal, unstructured interviews with local forest rangers, forest officers and village headmen. We find that trapping is widespread and motivated by financial gain and non-pecuniary benefits such as social esteem and enjoyment, rather than by poverty per se. Trappers’ awareness of wildlife protection law was low and animals were killed indiscriminately in traps and snares designed to catch a range of animal species. With demand for wildlife and wildlife products expected to increase we believe that new approaches will be required to protect threatened species in Vietnamese protected areas.
Why do depressed individuals have difficulties in their parenting role?
Authors: Psychogiou L. , Parry E.
Published: October 2013

Although existing research has shown that depression in parents has a negative effect on parent–child interactions, the mechanisms underpinning impaired parenting are still unknown. In this editorial, we review core difficulties that have been noted in depressed individuals including reduced positive and increased negative affect, poor emotion regulation, executive function deficits, reduced motivation and rumination, and discuss how each of these can alter parenting. We suggest that these causal processes are inter-related and can interact with one another in affecting parenting. We conclude that an improved understanding of these processes will have implications for the development of more specific and potentially more effective treatments that have the potential to break the intergenerational transmission of psychopathology.
An internet-based program to enhance motivation to change in females with symptoms of an eating disorder: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hötzel K. , von Brachel R. , Schmidt U. , Rieger E. , Kosfelder J. , Hechler T. , Schulte D. , Vocks S.
Published: October 2013

Background

Previous research has demonstrated an association between low motivation to change and an unfavorable treatment outcome in patients with an eating disorder. Consequently, various studies have examined the effects of motivational enhancement therapy (MET) on motivation to change and treatment outcome in eating disorders. In each of these studies, MET was administered in a face-to-face setting. However, because of its anonymity and ease of access, the internet provides several advantages as the format for such an intervention. Therefore, the current study investigated the effects of an internet-based program (‘ESS-KIMO’) to enhance motivation to change in eating disorders.

Method

In total, 212 females were accepted for participation and assigned randomly to the intervention condition (n = 103) or waiting-list control condition (n = 109). The intervention consisted of six online MET sessions. Before and after the intervention or waiting period respectively, participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), the Stages of Change Questionnaire for Eating Disorders (SOCQ-ED), the Pros and Cons of Eating Disorders Scale (P-CED), the Self-Efficacy Scale (SES), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). A total of 125 participants completed the assessment post-treatment. Completer analyses and intent-to-treat analyses were performed.

Results

Significant time × group interactions were found, indicating a stronger increase in motivational aspects and self-esteem, in addition to a stronger symptom reduction on some measures from pre- to post-treatment in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Internet-based approaches can be considered as useful for enhancing motivation to change in eating disorders and for yielding initial symptomatic improvement.
DETECTION OF NONCONSTANT LONG MEMORY PARAMETER
Authors: Lavancier Frédéric , Leipus Remigijus , Philippe Anne , Surgailis Donatas
Published: October 2013

This article deals with detection of a nonconstant long memory parameter in time series. The null hypothesis presumes stationary or nonstationary time series with a constant long memory parameter, typically an I (d) series with d > −.5 . The alternative corresponds to an increase in persistence and includes in particular an abrupt or gradual change from I (d1) to I (d2), −.5 < d1 < d2. We discuss several test statistics based on the ratio of forward and backward sample variances of the partial sums. The consistency of the tests is proved under a very general setting. We also study the behavior of these test statistics for some models with a changing memory parameter. A simulation study shows that our testing procedures have good finite sample properties and turn out to be more powerful than the KPSS-based tests (see Kwiatkowski, Phillips, Schmidt and Shin, 1992) considered in some previous works.
Annealing Effects on the Structural Properties of FIB Prepared Cu Nanopillars - an in situ TEM study
Authors: Kiener D. , Zhang Z. , Sturm S. , Cazottes S. , Imrich P.J. , Kirchlechner C. , Dehm G.
Published: October 2013

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, August 4 – August 8, 2013.
Positive and negative meanings are simultaneously ascribed to colorectal cancer: Relationship to quality of life and psychosocial adjustment
Authors: Camacho Aldo Aguirre , Garland Sheila N. , Martopullo Celestina , Pelletier Guy
Published: October 2013

Objective:

Experiencing cancer can give rise to existential concerns causing great distress, and consequently drive individuals to make sense of what cancer may mean to their lives. To date, meaning-based research in the context of cancer has largely focused on one possible outcome of this process, the emergence of positive meanings (e.g. post-traumatic growth). However, negative meanings may also be ascribed to cancer, simultaneously with positive meanings. This study focused on the nature of the co-existence of positive and negative meanings in a sample of individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer to find out whether negative meaning had an impact on quality of life and psychosocial adjustment above and beyond positive meaning.

Methods:

Participants were given questionnaires measuring meaning-made, quality of life, and psychological distress. Semi structured interviews were conducted with a subgroup from the original sample.

Results:

Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that negative meaning-made (i.e. helplessness) was a significant predictor of poor quality of life and increased levels of depression/anxiety above and beyond positive meaning-made (i.e. life meaningfulness, acceptance, and perceived benefits). Correlational analyses and interview data revealed that negative meaning-made was mainly associated with physical and functional disability, while positive meaning-made was mostly related to emotional and psychological well-being.

Significance of results:

Meanings of varying valence may simultaneously be ascribed to cancer as it impacts different life dimensions, and they may independently influence quality of life and psychosocial adjustment. The presence of positive meaning was not enough to prevent the detrimental effects of negative meaning on psychosocial adjustment and quality of life among individuals taking part in this study. Future attention to negative meaning is warranted, as it may be at least as important as positive meaning in predicting psychosocial adjustment and quality of life following a cancer diagnosis.
Use of an electronic patient-reported outcome measurement system to improve distress management in oncology
Authors: Smith Sophia K. , Rowe Krista , Abernethy Amy P.
Published: October 2013

Objective:

Management of patient distress is a critical task in cancer nursing and cancer practice. Here we describe two examples of how an electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) measurement system implemented into routine oncology care can practically aid clinical and research tasks related to distress management.

Methods:

Tablet personal computers were used to routinely complete a standardized ePRO review of systems surveys at point of care during every encounter in the Duke Oncology outpatient clinics. Two cases of use implementation are explored: (1) triaging distressed patients for optimal care, and (2) psychosocial program evaluation research.

Results:

Between 2009 and 2011, the ePRO system was used to collect information during 17,338 Duke Oncology patient encounters. The system was used to monitor patients for psychosocial distress employing an electronic clinical decision support algorithm, with 1,952 (11.3%) referrals generated for supportive services. The system was utilized to examine the efficacy of a psychosocial care intervention documenting statistically significant improvements in distress, despair, fatigue, and quality of life (QOL) in 50 breast cancer patients.

Significance of results:

ePRO solutions can guide best practice management of cancer patient distress. Nurses play a key role in implementation and utilization.