bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic variants in BRIP1 (BACH1) contribute to risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate
Authors: Mostowska Adrianna , Hozyasz Kamil K. , Wójcicki Piotr , Galas‐Filipowicz Daria , Lasota Agnieszka , Dunin‐Wilczyńska Izabella , Lianeri Margarita , Jagodziński Paweł P.
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND: The etiology of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) is very complex and still not well elucidated. Given the critical role of DNA damage repair in the embryonic development, we decided to test the hypothesis that polymorphisms of selected DNA repair genes might contribute to the risk of NSCL/P in the Polish population. METHODS: Analysis of 36 polymorphisms in 12 DNA damage repair genes (ATM, BLM, BRCA1, BRIP1, E2F1, MLH1, MRE11A, MSH2, MSH6, NBN, RAD50, and RAD51) was conducted using TaqMan assays in a group of 263 NSCL/P patients and matched control group (n = 526). RESULTS: Statistical analysis of genotyping results revealed that nucleotide variants in the BRIP1 (BACH1) gene were associated with the risk of NSCL/P. Under assumption of a dominant model, the calculated odds ratios (ORs) for BRIP1 rs8075370 and rs9897121 were 1.689 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.249–2.282; p = 0.0006) and 1.621 (95% CI, 1.200–2.191; p = 0.0016), respectively. These results were statistically significant even after applying multiple testing correction. Additional evidence for a causative role of BRIP1 in NSCL/P etiology was provided by haplotype analysis. Borderline association with a decreased risk of this anomaly was also observed for BLM rs401549 (ORrecessive = 0.406; 95% CI, 0.223–1.739; p = 0.002) and E2F1 rs2071054 (ORdominant = 0.632; 95% CI, 0.469–0.852; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that polymorphic variants of DNA damage repair genes play a role in the susceptibility to NSCL/P. BRIP1 might be novel candidate gene for this common developmental anomaly. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 100:670–678, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Missing genetic risk in neural tube defects: Can exome sequencing yield an insight?
Authors: Krupp Deidre R. , Soldano Karen L. , Garrett Melanie E. , Cope Heidi , Ashley‐Koch Allison E. , Gregory Simon G.
Published: July 2014

Background: Neural tube defects (NTD) have a strong genetic component, with up to 70% of variance in human prevalence determined by heritable factors. Although the identification of causal DNA variants by sequencing candidate genes from functionally relevant pathways and model organisms has provided some success, alternative approaches are demanded. Methods: Next generation sequencing platforms are facilitating the production of massive amounts of sequencing data, primarily from the protein coding regions of the genome, at a faster rate and cheaper cost than has previously been possible. These platforms are permitting the identification of variants (de novo, rare, and common) that are drivers of NYTD etiology, and the cost of the approach allows for the screening of increased numbers of affected and unaffected individuals from NTD families and in simplex cases. Conclusion: The next generation sequencing platforms represent a powerful tool in the armory of the genetics researcher to identify the causal genetic basis of NTDs. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 100:642–646, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of methanol on lipases: Molecular, kinetic and process issues in the production of biodiesel
Authors: Lotti Marina , Pleiss Jürgen , Valero Francisco , Ferrer Pau
Published: July 2014

The biotechnological production of biodiesel is based on transesterification/esterification reactions between a source of fatty acids and a short‐chain alcohol, usually methanol, catalysed by enzymes belonging to the class known as lipases. Several lipases used in industrial processes, although stable in the presence of other organic solvents, are inactivated by methanol at or below the concentration optimal for biodiesel production, making it necessary to use stepwise methanol feeding or pre‐treatment of the enzyme. In this review article we focus on what is currently know about methanol inactivation of lipases, a phenomenon which is not common to all lipase enzymes, with the goal of improving the biocatalytic process. We suggest that different mechanisms can lead to inactivation of different lipases, in particular substrate inhibition and protein unfolding. Attempts to improve the performances of methanol sensitive lipases by mutagenesis as well as process engineering approaches are also summarized
Heat Production of Noninteracting Fermions Subjected to Electric Fields
Authors: Bru Jean‐Bernard , de Siqueira Pedra Walter , Hertling Carolin
Published: July 2014

Electric resistance in conducting media is related to heat (or entropy) production in the presence of electric fields. In this paper, by using Araki's relative entropy for states, we mathematically define and analyze the heat production of free fermions within external potentials. More precisely, we investigate the heat production of the nonautonomous C*‐dynamical system obtained from the fermionic second quantization of a discrete Schrödinger operator with bounded static potential in the presence of an electric field that is time‐ and space‐dependent. It is a first preliminary step towards a mathematical description of transport properties of fermions from thermal considerations. This program will be carried out in several papers. The regime of small and slowly varying in space electric fields is important in this context and is studied the present paper. We use tree‐decay bounds of the n‐point, n ∊ 2ℕ, correlations of the many‐fermion system to analyze this regime. We verify below the first law of thermodynamics for the system under consideration. The latter implies, for systems doing no work, that the heat produced by the electromagnetic field is exactly the increase of the internal energy resulting from the modification of the (infinite volume) state of the fermion system. The identification of heat production with an energy increment is, among otheg things, technically convenient. We initially focus our study on noninteracting (or free) fermions, but our approach will be later applied to weakly interacting fermions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Poverty Reduction through Empowerment for Sustainable Development: A Proactive Strategy of Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Kao Tzu‐Yi , Chen Jason C. H. , Wu Ji‐Tsung Ben , Yang Ming‐Hsien
Published: July 2014

Targeting the serious poverty problem of the world, this study proposes a proactive strategy for enterprises to fulfill their corporate social responsibility (CSR). The study interprets the cause of poverty from the perspectives of human capital theory and labor market theory, and examines the business functions that can be deployed in helping the poor from an empowerment theory perspective. The study includes the development of a model for enterprises to help poverty reduction and illustrates how this model has been implemented using the case study method. The results show that from an individual perspective, corporations can enhance the working abilities of the poor by sharing technologies and resources and providing skills training and education. From a social/structural perspective, corporations can establish poverty reduction businesses to provide poor people with job opportunities, or introduce social network resources to assist poor people in starting a business. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Cognitive deficits as an endophenotype for anorexia nervosa: An accepted fact or a need for re‐examination?
Authors: Talbot Amy , Hay Phillipa , Buckett Geoffrey , Touyz Stephen
Published: July 2014

Objective

To investigate whether impaired set shifting and weak central coherence represent state or trait characteristics and, therefore, candidate endophenotypes of anorexia nervosa (AN).

Method

Forty‐nine individuals with lifetime AN (24 acutely unwell, 10 weight recovered, and 15 fully recovered) and 43 healthy controls completed the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Matching Familiar Figures Test, and the Rey Complex Figure Task measuring cognitive flexibility, local processing, and global processing, respectively. Participants also completed questionnaires assessing eating disorder, anxiety and depressive symptoms, obsessional traits, interpersonal functioning, and quality of life. Body mass index was calculated from height and weight measurements.

Results

Participants with lifetime AN demonstrated poorer set shifting ability than healthy controls as evidenced by a greater number of perseverative errors on the WCST. When participants were grouped according to illness status, only those in the two recovered groups demonstrated poorer set shifting ability than healthy controls while patients with acute AN performed comparably to all other groups. There were no significant differences between groups on measures of local and global processing. No relationship was found between specific clinical features of AN and cognitive performance.

Discussion

The results of this study are consistent with a global trend toward set shifting difficulties in patients with AN but do not support weak central coherence as a candidate endophenotype for AN. These findings have clinical implications in terms of treatment selection and planning, particularly in relation to the use of cognitive remediation therapy with patients with AN. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:15–25)
Innovation and the Role of Collaborative Planning in Local Clean Energy Policy
Authors: Pitt Damian , Bassett Ellen
Published: July 2014

The adoption of clean energy policies is becoming more common among US localities, but is still far from universal. Policy innovation theory suggests that some shared internal characteristics should distinguish the localities that adopt those policies from others that do not. Based on a survey of US local government officials, and supplementary data from the US Census, we use multiple regression analysis to identify those distinguishing characteristics. We find that collaborative planning approaches play a crucial role in helping localities build the local civic capacity necessary to adopt these innovative policies. Our results reinforce prior studies which have found that citizen participation and stakeholder participation in planning processes can help to foster the development of innovative local policies for sustainability and climate change mitigation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Cross‐Scale Linkages in Connectivity Conservation: Adaptive governance challenges in spatially distributed networks
Authors: Wyborn Carina
Published: July 2014

Adaptive governance aspires to support learning and experimentation through polycentric and collaborative approaches. Collaborative decision‐making focused around a particular problem or region, the ideal suggests, enables actors to have greater flexibility to experiment, learn and respond to the particularities of their landscape. This paper examines the theoretical promise of adaptive governance through an in‐depth case study of a connectivity conservation initiative in Australia. Habitat 141° is a network of public, private and civil society actors seeking to align conservation actions dispersed across large spatial scales. In addition to well‐established challenges to collaborative practice, sustaining the complex governance arrangements intended to connect local‐to‐regional scales undermined Habitat 141°’s capacity to provide vertical and horizontal connections between scales of decision‐making. Without these linkages, Habitat 141°’s envisaged governance structure was unable to support the necessary functions of coordination and self‐organization critical to polycentric governance. This paper highlights challenges to collective action in spatially distributed networks, providing critical empirical insight into the practical challenges of adaptive governance in nested, collaborative, polycentric networks. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
T‐bet modulates the antibody response and immune protection during murine malaria
Authors: Oakley Miranda S. , Sahu Bikash R. , Lotspeich‐Cole Leda , Majam Victoria , Thao Pham Phuong , Sengupta Banerjee Aditi , Kozakai Yukiko , Morris Sheldon L. , Kumar Sanjai
Published: July 2014

CD4+ T‐cell subtypes govern the synthesis of different Ab isotypes and other immune functions. The influence of CD4+ T‐cell differentiation programs on isotype switching and other aspects of host immunological networks during malaria infection are currently poorly understood. Here, we used Tbx21−/− mice deficient for T‐bet, a regulator of Th1 CD4+ T‐cell differentiation, to examine the effect of Th1 CD4+ T cells on the immune protection to nonlethal murine malaria Plasmodium yoelii 17XNL. We found that Tbx21−/− mice exhibited significantly lower parasite burden that correlated with elevated levels of IgG1, indicating that T‐bet‐dependent Ab isotype switching may be responsible for lower parasite burden. Absence of T‐bet was also associated with a transient but significant loss of T cells during the infection, suggesting that T‐bet may suppress malaria‐induced apoptosis or induce proliferation of T cells. However, Tbx21−/− mice produced greater numbers of Foxp3+CD25+ regulatory CD4+ T cells, which may contribute to the early contraction of T cells. Lastly, Tbx21−/− mice exhibited unimpaired production of IFN‐γ by a diverse repertoire of immune cell subsets and a selective expansion of IFN‐γ‐producing T cells. These observations may have implications in malaria vaccine design.
Aerial CO2 Trapped as CO32– Ions in a Dimeric Capsule That Efficiently Extracts Chromate, Sulfate, and Thiosulfate from Water by Anion‐Exchange Metathesis
Authors: Dutta Ranjan , Chakraborty Sourav , Bose Purnandhu , Ghosh Pradyut
Published: July 2014

The tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine‐based (tren‐based) 3‐cyanophenyl‐substituted tripodal urea L1, one of the familiar urea‐based anion receptors, has shown encapsulation of CO32– ions as the carbonate capsule [(L1)2·(CO3)·(TBA)2] (1, TBA = tetrabutylammonium) by the fixation of aerial carbon dioxide from basic dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution. Single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis confirmed the encapsulation of CO32– ions in the cavity of a dimeric capsular assembly of L1 (9.62 Å) through the formation of twelve strong N–H···O hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The excellent CHCl3 and CH2Cl2 solubility of 1 has been exploited for the liquid–liquid (L–L) extraction of CrO42–, SO42–, and S2O32– ions from water by anion‐exchange metathesis. The extraction of these anions from water was unambiguously confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, powder XRD (PXRD), and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis of the bulk extracts supports the formation of 2:1 (host–guest) complexes. For the CrO42– ion, the 53Cr NMR spectrum of the bulk extract shows a characteristic peak at δ = –99.98 ppm. The complexes of CrO42–, S2O32–, and SO42– ions with L1 (i.e., 2–4, respectively) were obtained from crystallization of the bulk extracts and show anion‐assisted dimeric capsular assemblies of L1 through multiple N–H···X (X = O, S) interactions. The dimensions of the anion‐encapsulated capsular assemblies are quite similar to that of the carbonate capsule and are 9.70 Å for [(L1)2·(CrO4)·(TBA)2] (2), 9.61 Å for [(L1)2·(S2O3)·(TBA)2] (3), and 9.71 Å for [(L1)2·(SO4)·(TBA)2] (4). Quantification by weighing the bulk extract shows that 1 can separately extract ca. 90 % of the above three anions from water by anion‐exchange metathesis. The quantitative estimations of the extractions of SO42– and CrO42– ions were further verified by gravimetric analysis by BaSO4 and BaCrO4 precipitation techniques, respectively. The extraction of SO42– ions from water was also demonstrated under alkaline conditions (pH 12.5) and in the presence of an excess of nitrate ions. Further, the quantification of CrO42– extraction was established by solution‐state UV/Vis studies.
Iron‐Promoted Domino Annulation of α‐Enolic Dithioesters with Ninhydrin under Solvent‐Free Conditions: Chemoselective Direct Access to Indeno[1,2‐b]thiophenes
Authors: Koley Suvajit , Chowdhury Sushobhan , Chanda Tanmoy , Ramulu B. Janaki , Nandi Ganesh Chandra , Singh Maya Shankar
Published: July 2014

An efficient, straightforward, and highly chemoselective strategy has been devised for the synthesis of a broad range of indeno[1,2‐b]thiophenes through the annulation of α‐enolic dithioesters with ninhydrin under solvent‐free conditions. The advantages of this nucleophilic domino substitution/cyclization sequence are highlighted by the use of inexpensive and readily available FeCl3·6H2O as the catalyst, the operational simplicity, a short reaction time, its functional‐group tolerance, and the concomitant formation of the C–C and C–S bonds to give a thiophene ring in a single operation. The method is economic with regard to the number of steps as well as to being a one‐pot carbon‐efficient process that is devoid of toxic reagents and solvents. Importantly, one of the newly synthesized indeno[1,2‐b]thiophene compounds exhibited a high selectivity and sensitivity towards the Fe3+ ion over other metal ions.
A Three‐Component Reaction for the Synthesis of Diverse, Densely Substituted 2′,3′‐Dihydrospiro[indoline‐3,6′‐[1,3]oxazine]s
Authors: Zhang Jing , Gao Hong , Sun Jing , Yan Chao‐Guo
Published: July 2014

A simple synthetic protocol has been developed for the efficient synthesis of structurally diverse 3′‐aryl‐2′‐styryl‐2′,3′‐dihydrospiro[indoline‐3,6′‐[1,3]oxazine]‐4′,5′‐dicarboxylate derivatives through readily accessible three‐component reactions of α,β‐unsaturated N‐arylaldimines, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate, and N‐alkylisatins. When simple N‐arylaldimines were utilized in the reactions, the corresponding 2′,3′‐diaryl‐2′,3′‐dihydrospiro[indoline‐3,6′‐[1,3]oxazine]s were obtained in good yields. This reaction provides a potential synthetic application of the reactive 1,4‐dipolar intermediates generated from the reaction of aromatic imines with electron‐deficient alkynes.
Centralized semi‐active control of post‐tensioned steel frames
Authors: Eljajeh Yasser , Petkovski Mihail
Published: July 2014

Centralized semi‐active control is a technique for controlling the whole structure using one main computer. Centralized control systems introduce better control for relatively short to medium high structures where the response of any story cannot be separated from the adjacent ones. In this paper, two centralized control approaches are proposed for controlling the seismic response of post‐tensioned (PT) steel frames. The first approach, the stiffness control approach, aims to alter the stiffness of the PT frame so that it avoids large dynamic amplifications due to earthquake excitations. The second approach, deformation regulation control approach, aims at redistributing the demand/strength ratio in order to provide a more uniform distribution of deformations over the height of the structure. The two control approaches were assessed through simulations of the earthquake response of semi‐actively and passively controlled six‐story post‐tensioned steel frames. The results showed that the stiffness control approach is efficient in reducing the frame deformations and internal forces. The deformation regulation control approach was found to be efficient in reducing the frame displacements and generating a more uniform distribution of the inter‐story drifts. These results indicate that centralized semi‐active control can be used to improve the seismic performance of post‐tensioned steel frames. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation on a coupled Navier–Stokes–Direct Simulation Monte Carlo method for the simulation of plume flowfield of a conical nozzle
Authors: Tang Zhenyu , He Bijiao , Cai Guobiao
Published: July 2014

To assess the plume effects of space thrusters, the accurate plume flowfield is indispensable. The plume flow of thrusters involves both continuum and rarefied flow regimes. Coupled Navier–Stokes–Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (NS–DSMC) method is a major approach to the simulation of continuum‐rarefied flows. An axisymmetric coupled NS–DSMC solver, possessing adaptive‐interface and two‐way coupling features, is investigated in this paper for the simulation of the nozzle and plume flows of thrusters. The state‐based coupling scheme is adopted, and the gradient local Knudsen number is used to indicate the breakdown of continuum solver. The nitrogen flows in a conical nozzle and its plume are chosen as the reference case to test the coupled solver. The threshold value of the continuum breakdown parameter is studied based on both theoretical kinetic velocity sampling and coupled numerical tests. Succeeding comparisons between coupled and full DSMC results demonstrate their conformities, meanwhile, the former saves 58.8% computational time. The pitot pressure evaluated from the coupled simulation result is compared with the experimental data proposed in literatures, revealing that the coupled method makes precise predictions on the experimental pitot pressure. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dietary patterns and cognitive decline in Taiwanese aged 65 years and older
Authors: Tsai Hsin‐Jen
Published: July 2014

Objective

This study examines the association between dietary patterns and cognitive decline in Taiwanese aged 65 years and older.

Methods

Data were from a population‐based longitudinal study, the Taiwan Longitudinal Study of Aging, with a nationally representative sample.

Results

Nearly 2%, 8%, and 3% of participants had a western, traditional, and healthy dietary pattern, respectively. Western and traditional dietary patterns were negatively associated with subsequent short portable mental state questionnaire score over 4 and/or 8 years (all p < 0.05), whereas a healthy dietary pattern was not. Western dietary patterns significantly increased, by nearly threefold, the risk of subsequent cognitive decline over 8 years (adjusted odds ratio = 4.35, 95% confidence interval = 1.52–12.50, p < 0.05). For elders aged 65–74 years, a western dietary pattern was positively associated with increased, by eightfold, risk of cognitive decline over 8 years (adjusted odds ratio = 9.35, 95% confidence interval = 2.38–36.67, p < 0.05), whereas traditional and healthy dietary patterns were not. For elders aged ≥75 years, none of western, traditional, or healthy dietary patterns were associated with cognitive decline over 4 and 8 years.

Conclusions

Dietary patterns correlate with cognitive function in Taiwanese aged 65 years and older and can predict the occurrence of subsequent cognitive decline. Western dietary pattern increases the risk of cognitive decline over 8 years. This study suggests that a diet that involves frequent consumption of meat/poultry and eggs and infrequent consumption of fish, beans/legumes, and vegetables and fruits may adversely affect cognitive function in older Taiwanese. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DNA methylation pattern of gene promoters of major neurotransmitter systems in older patients with schizophrenia with severe and mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Alelú‐Paz Raúl , González‐Corpas Ana , Ashour Nadia , Escanilla Ana , Monje Alfonso , Guerrero Márquez Carmen , Algora Weber Manuel , Ropero Santiago
Published: July 2014

Objective

To analyze, in older patients with schizophrenia, the methylation status of a set of genes associated with the pathophysiology of the disorder but including anatomical, clinical, and cognitive criteria in the experimental design that, in conjunction with the epigenetic status of specific genes, allows us to derive an integrative model.

Method

This study included 29 human brain samples from older schizophrenic patients with severe and mild cognitive impairment. We administered a comprehensive battery of neurocognitive tests to determine the size of the impairment across different cognitive domains. We focused our study on the analysis of the methylation pattern of 19 genes of major neurotransmitter systems using methylation‐specific PCR and bisulfite genomic sequencing.

Results

Our results highlight an absence of hypermethylation and hypomethylation in older patients with schizophrenia and in healthy controls, irrespective of the degree of the cognitive deficit measured in the neuropsychological assessment (Fisher's exact test; p<0.05).

Conclusion

mRNA or protein expression level differences in genes of major neurotransmitter systems that are known to be altered in schizophrenia must be because of regulatory mechanisms other than the DNA methylation of its promoter regions, although our results highlight the idea that the analysis of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in schizophrenia represents a new approach that has the possibility of uncovering molecular mechanisms of dysregulated gene expression in this complex disorder. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immunological aspects of antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections
Authors: Rehermann Barbara , Bertoletti Antonio
Published: July 2014

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) cause a large proportion of acute and chronic liver disease worldwide. Over the past decades many immunological studies defined host immune responses that mediate spontaneous clearance of acute HBV and HCV infection. However, host immune responses are also relevant in the context of treatment‐induced clearance of chronic HBV and HCV infection. First, the pretreatment level of interferon‐stimulated genes as well as genetic determinants of innate immune responses, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms near the IFNL3 gene, are strong predictors of the response to interferon‐alpha (IFN‐α)‐based therapy. Second, IFN‐α, which has been a mainstay of HBV and HCV therapy over decades, and ribavirin, which has also been included in interferon‐free direct antiviral therapy for HCV, modulate host immune responses. Third, both IFN‐α‐based and IFN‐α‐free treatment regimens of HBV and HCV infection alter the short‐term and long‐term adaptive immune response against these viruses. Finally, treatment studies have not just improved the clinical outcomes, but also provided opportunities to study virus‐host interaction. This review summarizes our current knowledge on how a patient's immune response affects the treatment outcome of HBV and HCV infection and how innate and adaptive immune responses themselves are altered by the different treatment regimens. ( Hepatology 2015;61:712‐721)
We thought it was a secret! An approach to the management of emotional disorder in children with parents in marital conflict
Authors: Tonge Bruce J.
Published: July 2014

The relationship of marital conflict with emotional disorder in children is well known. The disturbed behaviour at these children is a reaction to, and at times may be the only manifestation of, the parent's conflict. The author has developed an interview technique, based on drawing a dream, which enables children to effectively communicate their understanding of the stressful events in their lives that contribute to their emotional disorder. These drawings and the child's perceptions of their parents' conflict are then discussed with the parents. This often sharply focuses the problem for the parents and may facilitate a resolution of the marital conflict, thereby allowing a more appropriate realignment of family relationships, with a consequent improvement of the child's emotional disorder.
Family Therapy for Chronic Childhood Asthma†
Authors: White Michael , Heins Terry , Cooper David , Petrovic Lea
Published: July 2014

Family therapy has been increasingly advocated in the management of chronic severe childhood asthma. At the Adelaide Children's Hospital we are currently engaged in a trial of family therapy in chronic childhood asthma. Effectiveness of family therapy is judged with a twelve‐month follow‐up on reduction of symptoms, drug use, emergency physician visits and hospital admissions and on improvement in school attendance and social and family functioning compared to the previous two years experience of the treated patients and compared to a cohort of untreated patients Of similar severity. We are particularly interested in studying different patterns of conflict detouring (child centredness, triangulation and fixed coalition) and the different therapeutic strategies required.
Family Process and Child Development in Unlabeled (Normal) Families*
Authors: Bell David C. , Bell Linda G.
Published: July 2014

Preliminary data are reported from an ongoing project devoted to the study of normal families. The research emphasizes the effects of system‐level variables and the micro patterns of conversational interaction on the development of children within the family. Our theoretical model focuses on the individuation process, and the way in which accuracy of interpersonal perception and mutual validation among family members contribute to and are affected by the personal development and functioning of individual family members. The data derive from two‐hour interviews with 99 families in their homes, plus psychological, sociometric and achievement data on an adolescent girl in each family. We have found both structural factors and patterns of conversational interaction among parents that distinguish families of the adolescent girls who score high on the individual functioning measures from families of adolescent girls who score low on these same measures.
An Aspect of Live Supervision: The Pathological Triangle
Authors: Westheafer Charles
Published: July 2014

A model of live supervision is developed that asserts that when live supervision is ineffective in producing change in the trainee's behaviour and consequently in the family's problem behaviour, this can be the result of the formation of a pathological triangle in the therapeutic system, consisting of the family, the trainee and the supervisor. The pathological triangle, with its incongruent hierarchy, is seen as a defence against issues of attachment‐detachment in the supervisor and the trainee. The triangle formed in the therapeutic system is characterised by the same systemic metaphor as that presented by the family. Intervening in. and disrupting the triangle is seen as resolving issues of attachment‐detachment in the therapeutic members. The role of the live supervisor and the supervisor of supervision is discussed.
Interspecific variation in the microanatomy of cosmetid harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones, Laniatores)
Authors: Rodriguez Andrea L. , Townsend Victor R. , Johnson Megan B. , White Tara B.
Published: July 2014

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a useful tool for identifying interspecific variation in often overlooked structures that may represent useful sources for informative phylogenetic characters. In this study, we used SEM to compare the morphology of 12 cosmetid species from Central America, the Caribbean, and North America including multiple species for the genera Cynorta, Erginulus, and Paecilaema. To determine if microanatomical structures were unique to the cosmetid taxa under examination, we investigated the microanatomical structures of six additional species of gonyleptoidean harvestmen representing the families Agoristenidae, Cranaidae, Gonyleptidae, Manaosbiidae, and Stygnidae. Our results indicate that the shape of the ocularium (narrow, intermediate, or broad) did not vary within cosmetid genera, whereas the morphology of the rough pit glands on the eye mound varied considerably between species. Each cosmetid species had 10–20 rough pit glands on the ocularium whereas only the eye mounds of Avima intermedia (Agoristenidae) and Glysterus sp. (Gonyleptidae) had similar structures. With regards to the surface texture of the dorsal scutum, cosmetid harvestmen exhibited a rivulose‐microgranulate morphology (6 species), a microtuberculate‐rivulose‐microrgranulate morphology (4 species), or a microgranulate morphology (2 species). In contrast, each of the gonyleptoidean species exhibited a microgranulate pattern, with the exception of Stygnoplus clavotibialis, which had a rivulose‐microgranulate surface texture. For cosmetid harvestmen, we observed considerable interspecific variation in the shape and number of teeth on the fixed and moveable fingers of the male chelicerae. Similarly, we also observed interspecific variation in the distribution and shape of tubercles on the ventral and dorsal surfaces of the femur of the pedipalp. Overall, our results indicate that there are several microanatomical structures associated with the ocularium, dorsal scutum, male chelicera, and pedipalp that could represent informative phylogenetic characters in future taxonomic studies of cosmetid harvestmen. J. Morphol. 275:1386–1405, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Climatic variations in Central America: further exploration
Authors: Polzin Dierk , Guirola Luis Garcia , Hastenrath Stefan
Published: July 2014

Resuming earlier work and based on recently available data sources, this study explores interannual rainfall variability in Central America and underlying circulation mechanisms during 1958–2012. With the changes of circulation in the annual cycle, precipitation increases into May–June, become scarcer in July–August (JA), yet most abundant in September–October; the edge of the Atlantic subtropical high extending westward most markedly and the Pacific Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) retreating southward in JA. Interannual variations of rainfall are accompanied with circulation changes involving vertical motion over Central America. Overall, with weaker Atlantic trade winds southerly wind component over Pacific tends to be stronger and Central America rains more abundant. Regarding long‐term variations from protracted dry regime 1971–1978 to protracted wet regime 2005–2012, on the Atlantic side ocean surface warmed, pressure dropped, trade winds weakened, whereas over the Pacific northward pressure gradient and winds increased. The study builds on work half a century ago and extends analysis into the most recent decades, using recent and updated circulation and raingauge data sets.
Altitudinal and latitudinal dependence of future warming in Taiwan simulated by WRF nested with ECHAM5/MPIOM
Authors: Lin Chuan‐Yao , Chua Ying‐Jea , Sheng Yang‐Fan , Hsu Huang‐Hsiung , Cheng Chao‐Tzuen , Lin Yi‐Yin
Published: July 2014

It is difficult and inadequate to use a global model alone for projecting future climate changes in areas such as Taiwan, a complex geographic nature island, due to its coarse resolution. In this study, we have performed dynamic downscaling of Taiwan's climate in the recent past (1979–2003) and climate change projection for the near and distant future (2015–2039 and 2075–2099, respectively) by using the Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model. The simulation is forced by the Max Plank Institute Hamburg, global model, ECHAM5/MPIOM. Simulation results showed close correlation between fine‐resolution downscaling by WRF nested with ECHAM5/MPIOM and the actual observation data for the period 1979–2003. Projection of future climate changes revealed both altitudinal and latitudinal variations in warming trend, with more significant temperature increase in mountain areas than in plain areas towards the end of the 21st century and more obvious warming in the north than in the south of Taiwan. The results obtained in this study can be applied to other regions of similar latitudes and with comparable relief.
Effect of ethanol, dry extract and reducing sugars on density and viscosity of Brazilian red wines
Authors: Neto Flávia SPP , de Castilhos Maurício BM , Telis Vânia RN , Telis‐Romero Javier
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND

Density and viscosity are properties that exert great influence on the body of wines. The present work aimed to evaluate the influence of the alcoholic content, dry extract, and reducing sugar content on density and viscosity of commercial dry red wines at different temperatures. The rheological assays were carried out on a controlled stress rheometer, using concentric cylinder geometry at seven temperatures (2, 8, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 26 °C).

RESULTS

Wine viscosity decreased with increasing temperature and density was directly related to the wine alcohol content, whereas viscosity was closely linked to the dry extract. Reducing sugars did not influence viscosity or density. Wines produced from Italian grapes were presented as full‐bodied with higher values for density and viscosity, which was linked to the higher alcohol content and dry extract, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results highlighted the major effects of certain physicochemical properties on the physical properties of wines, which in turn is important for guiding sensory assessments. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Cancer staging in outcomes assessment
Authors: Greene Frederick L.
Published: July 2014

The T N M staging system created by a surgeon in the 1950s continues to be a major benchmark for assessing long‐term outcomes in adult solid tumors. Although several major changes have occurred in this anatomical staging system, the tenets of TNM staging remain constant. Recently molecular markers and biologic modifiers have been added to this anatomical staging system to create a more robust outcomes tool. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 110:616–620. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biomarkers distinguish apoptotic and necrotic cell death during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice
Authors: Yang Min , Antoine Daniel J. , Weemhoff James L. , Jenkins Rosalind E. , Farhood Anwar , Park Kevin B. , Jaeschke Hartmut
Published: July 2014

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (IRP) injury is a significant clinical problem during tumor-resection surgery (Pringle maneuver) and liver transplantation. However, the relative contribution of necrotic and apoptotic cell death to the overall liver injury is still controversial. To address this important issue with a standard murine model of hepatic IRP injury, plasma biomarkers of necrotic cell death such as micro-RNA 122, full-length cytokeratin 18 (FK18), and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein and plasma biomarkers of apoptosis such as plasma caspase-3 activity and caspase-cleaved fragment of cytokeratin 18 (CK18) coupled with markers of inflammation (hyperacetylated HMGB1) were compared by histological features in hematoxylin and eosin–stained and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL)–stained liver sections. After 45 minutes of hepatic ischemia and 1 to 24 hours of reperfusion, all necrosis markers increased dramatically in plasma by 40- to >10,000-fold over the baseline with a time course similar to that of alanine aminotransferase. These data correlated well with histological characteristics of necrosis. Within the area of necrosis, most cells were TUNEL positive; initially (≤3 hours of reperfusion), the staining was restricted to nuclei, but it later spread to the cytosol, and this is characteristic of karyorrhexis during necrotic cell death. In contrast, the lack of morphological evidence of apoptotic cell death and relevant caspase-3 activity in the postischemic liver correlated well with the absence of caspase-3 activity and CK18 (except for a minor increase at 3 hours of reperfusion) in plasma. A quantitative comparison of FK18 (necrosis) and CK18 (apoptosis) release indicated dominant cell death by necrosis during IRP and only a temporary and very minor degree of apoptosis. These data suggest that the focus of future research should be the elucidation of necrotic signaling mechanisms to identify relevant targets, which may be used to attenuate hepatic IRP injury. Liver Transpl 20:1372-1382, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Redefining the vascular anatomy of the peroneus brevis muscle flap
Authors: Ensat Florian , Weitgasser Laurenz , Hladik Michaela , Larcher Lorenz , Heinrich Klemens , Skreiner Anna , Russe Elisabeth , Fuerntrath Frank , Kamp Jonas , Cotofana Sebastian , Wechselberger Gottfried
Published: July 2014

The peroneus brevis flap can be used as either proximally or distally based flap for coverage of small to medium‐sized defects in the lower leg. The purpose of this study was to clarify the vascular anatomy of the peroneus brevis muscle. An anatomical dissection was performed on 17 fixed adult cadaver lower legs. Altogether, 87 segmental branches (mean 5.1 ± 1.6 per leg) either from the fibular or anterior tibial artery to the muscle were identified. Sixty‐two were branches from the fibular artery (mean 3.4 ± 1.1 per fibular artery), whereas 25 (mean 1.4 ± 0.9 per anterior tibial artery) originated from the anterior tibial artery. The distance between the most distal vascular branch and the malleolar tip averaged 4.3 ± 0.6 cm. An axial vascular bundle to the muscle could be identified in all cadavers; in one leg two axial supplying vessels were found. Their average length was 5.5 ± 2.4 cm and the average arterial diameter was 1.1 ± 0.5 mm, the average venous diameter was 1.54 ± 0.7 mm. The constant blood supply to the peroneus brevis muscle by segmental branches from the fibular and tibial artery make this muscle a viable option for proximally or distally pedicled flap transfer. The location of the most proximal and distal branches to the muscle and conclusively the pivot points for flap transfer could be determined. Furthermore, a constant proximal axial vascular pedicle to the muscle may enlarge the clinical applications. Perfusion studies should be conducted to confirm these findings. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:39–44, 2015.
Exome sequencing as a second‐tier diagnostic approach for clinically suspected dysferlinopathy patients
Authors: Bartoli Marc , Desvignes Jean‐Pierre , Nicolas Levy , Martin Krahn
Published: July 2014

Introduction: Autosomal recessive muscular dystrophies are heterogeneous genetic disorders, with 39 genes currently implicated. Genetic diagnosis using targeted single‐gene analysis by Sanger sequencing yields negative results in 10−20% of samples, warranting clinical re‐evaluation and time‐consuming testing of additional genes. This applies to dysferlinopathies caused by mutations in the gene encoding dysferlin (DYSF), which presents mainly as limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) or distal myopathy. Methods: We evaluated exome sequencing associated with data filtering for selected genes as a second‐tier approach for genetic diagnosis in a cohort of 37 patients with an initial negative result on targeted DYSF analysis. Results: Exome sequencing allowed for establishing (16%) or suggesting (8%) the molecular diagnosis by implicating other known LGMD or distal myopathy genes or by revealing DYSF mutations previously missed using mutation‐screening techniques with incomplete detection yields. Conclusions: Exome sequencing associated with data filtering constitutes an efficient second‐tier analysis for genes implicated in LGMD or distal myopathies. Muscle Nerve 50: 1007–1010, 2014
Performance comparisons of greedy algorithms in compressed sensing
Authors: Blanchard Jeffrey D. , Tanner Jared
Published: July 2014

Compressed sensing has motivated the development of numerous sparse approximation algorithms designed to return a solution to an underdetermined system of linear equations where the solution has the fewest number of nonzeros possible, referred to as the sparsest solution. In the compressed sensing setting, greedy sparse approximation algorithms have been observed to be both able to recover the sparsest solution for similar problem sizes as other algorithms and to be computationally efficient; however, little theory is known for their average case behavior. We conduct a large‐scale empirical investigation into the behavior of three of the state of the art greedy algorithms: Normalized Iterative Hard Thresholding (NIHT), Hard Thresholding Pursuit (HTP), and CSMPSP. The investigation considers a variety of random classes of linear systems. The regions of the problem size in which each algorithm is able to reliably recover the sparsest solution is accurately determined, and throughout this region, additional performance characteristics are presented. Contrasting the recovery regions and the average computational time for each algorithm, we present algorithm selection maps, which indicate, for each problem size, which algorithm is able to reliably recover the sparsest vector in the least amount of time. Although no algorithm is observed to be uniformly superior, NIHT is observed to have an advantageous balance of large recovery region, absolute recovery time, and robustness of these properties to additive noise across a variety of problem classes. A principle difference between the NIHT and the more sophisticated HTP and CSMPSP is the balance of asymptotic convergence rate against computational cost prior to potential support set updates. The data suggest that NIHT is typically faster than HTP and CSMPSP because of greater flexibility in updating the support that limits unnecessary computation on incorrect support sets. The algorithm selection maps presented here are the first of their kind for compressed sensing. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rheological methods to investigate graphene/amorphous polyamide nanocomposites: Aspect ratio, processing, and crystallization
Authors: Canales Jorge , Fernández Mercedes , Peña Juan Jose , Eugenia Muñoz María , Santamaría Antxon
Published: July 2014

Nanocomposites obtained by melt mixing commercial graphene in an amorphous polyamide are investigated. No symptoms of percolation are observed, which is attributed to the low aspect ratio (fs = 20) deduced from elastic modulus data. The study of the effect of temperature and pressure on viscosity, carried out combining extrusion rheometry and PVT tests, reveals that the nanocomposites can be extruded and injected under similar conditions to pure polyamide. The time evolution of the dynamic viscoelastic functions are analyzed to investigate the crystallization process, observing that it is considerably accelerated in nanocomposites. The results represent a valuable outcome for practical applications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1142–1151, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
A computational study on the steric effects of naphthenic moieties on aggregation interactions of nonconventional petroleum constituents
Authors: Seidl Peter R. , Oliveira Jackeline S. C. , da Costa Leonardo M. , Stoyanov Stanislav R.
Published: July 2014

Nonconventional oil is usually heavy and extra heavy crude or light oil that is relatively unstable. This oil contains varying proportions of larger, more aromatic constituents rather than molecules that can be distilled directly into fuels and petrochemicals. We perform density functional theory (ωB97X‐D/6‐31G(d,p)) calculations to study the contributions of steric effects and dispersion interactions in a series of dimers and trimers of model hydrocarbons containing fused aromatic and cyclohexyl (referred to in the petroleum literature as naphthenic) rings. The aggregation behavior of these molecules is analyzed in terms of the optimized geometry, atomic charges, interaction enthalpy (∆H), and Gibbs free energy (∆G298). The ∆H and ∆G298 values show that all the dimerization and trimerization processes are exothermic, and only a few are spontaneous at 298 K. The naphthenic hydrogen atoms have a key role in the orientation of the monomers in dimer and trimer aggregates. The interaction among naphthenic hydrogen atoms belonging to adjacent monomers causes steric repulsion. The interaction of naphthenic hydrogen atoms with the π‐electronic clouds of aromatic rings in adjacent molecules causes attraction. In both cases, the naphthenic hydrogen atoms cause deviation of the monomer from the initial parallel displaced configuration in dimers and trimers. These results reflect the importance of naphthenic rings and their steric interactions in determining the relationship between structures of nonconventional petroleum constituents and their tendency to aggregate and cause fouling. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.