bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Descriptive epidemiology of birth defects thought to arise by new mutation
Authors: Langlois Peter H. , Scheuerle Angela E.
Published: July 2015

Background

The current study is the first to examine the association of a broad range of sociodemographic factors with conditions thought to arise most of the time by de novo mutation.

Methods

Data were taken from 1999 to 2009 from the Texas Birth Defects Registry (TBDR), a statewide active surveillance program. We used Poisson regression to generate crude and adjusted measures of association; the latter included models with all variables and with a parsimonious subset of variables.

Results

There were 1694 cases with any of the phenotypes in the panel, 1100 cases in a subpanel with ≥90% of cases thought to arise de novo, 523 with chromosomal deletion disorders, and 243 with imprinting disorders. In the most parsimonious models, there was an increasing time trend in all groups except imprinting (p ≤ 0.01). Plurality (twins, triplets, etc.) was associated with greater risk of all groups except chromosomal deletions (p ≤ 0.01). Parental age showed strong trends with all groups; paternal age was most important for the total and imprinting groups (p ≤ 0.0001), and maternal age for the others (p ≤ 0.04). De novo mutation phenotypes were more prevalent among offspring of fathers who are non‐Hispanic White compared with some other race/ethnic groups.

Conclusion

This study suggests that birth defects arising by new mutation may be more prevalent among offspring of older parents and in plural births. The increasing time pattern and race/ethnic pattern may be related to greater use of or access to genetic tests. This approach to mutation epidemiology seems feasible for birth defects registries to consider.Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:913–927, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Characterization of Naphthalene End‐capped Triethylsilylethynyl Anthradithiophene for Organic Thin‐Film Transistors
Authors: Ha Yeon Hee , Koh Hye Jin , Shin Sung Chul , Kim Yun‐Hi
Published: July 2015

Naphthalene end‐capped triethylsilylethynyl anthradithiophene was synthesized by a Suzuki coupling reaction. The obtained compound had good solubility due to its bulky triethylsilylethynyl groups although the extended π‐conjugated backbone structure. The thermal stability of the new material was analyzed by thermogravimetry analysis and differential scanning calorimeter thermograms. The optical and electrochemical properties were examined. A thin film of compound was fabricated by spin‐coating and exhibited p‐channel organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) transport with hole mobility of 4 × 10−4 cm2/Vs.
Eight decades of mortality in an English high‐security hospital
Authors: Ferriter Michael , Gedeon Trevor , Buchan Sandra , Findlay Sharyn , Mbulawa Dumisani , Powney Melanie , Cormac Irene
Published: July 2015

Background

Psychiatric patients are known to have poorer physical health than the general population and to have premature mortality, but the impact of institutional care on the physical health of patients is less clear.

Aims

This study aimed to compare mortality rates and causes of death between a high‐security psychiatric hospital cohort and the general population in England for the periods 1920–1961 and 1972–2000.

Method

Data were obtained from various clinical and non‐clinical archives and death certificates. Standardised mortality ratios were calculated for all causes of patient death for each International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition category.

Results

Mortality rates of men ever resident in Rampton Hospital were similar to those of men in the general population, but women in Rampton Hospital had nearly twice the national death rate. Younger men in the latest time period (1972–2000), however, had a higher mortality rate. Higher mortality rates in the hospital than in the general population were accounted for by infectious and parasitic diseases as well as diseases of the nervous system; rates of neoplasms and diseases of the blood and of circulatory or respiratory diseases were lower among the patients.

Clinical implications

Specific‐cause mortality rates were compatible with our working hypothesis that the hospital could in some ways pose risks and in other ways be protective. Morbidity and causes of premature death may be environment‐specific, so recognition of the types of illness linked to premature death among high‐security hospital patients could inform improvements in the physical health of long‐stay patients. Further longitudinal studies should be undertaken to monitor trends and inform changes needed to reduce premature mortality. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Highly Active and Stable Palladium Nanoparticles Encapsulated in a Mesoporous Silica Yolk–Shell Nanoreactor for Suzuki–Miyaura Reactions
Authors: Wei Fang , Cao Changyan , Sun Yongbin , Yang Shuliang , Huang Peipei , Song Weiguo
Published: July 2015

A yolk–shell nanoreactor with nitrogen‐doped carbon spheres as the yolk and mesoporous silica (mSiO2) as the shell, together with Pd nanoparticles uniformly encapsulated in the void space, were prepared. They showed excellent catalytic activity and stability in the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction between bromobenzene and phenylboronic acid with 99 % yield in 5 min.
Separation of Ternary Mixtures by Pseudo‐Simulated Moving‐Bed Chromatography: Separation Region Analysis
Authors: Graça Nuno S. , Pais Luís S. , Rodrigues Alírio E.
Published: July 2015

The application of the pseudo‐simulated moving bed process, known as JO process of Japan Organo Co., to the separation of ternary mixtures was studied. In order to perform a desired separation, the choice of the different operation parameters such as the duration of each step and its respective flow rates requires the use of a methodology that could provide the best process performance. This issue is addressed by proposing an innovative method to determine the JO operation region, which establishes the operation limits of the process. In addition, a methodology is presented to determine the separation region where a minimum purity requirement is guaranteed. This methodology was applied to a ternary mixture considering linear adsorption isotherms. It was possible to construct a separation region for minimum purity of 99.9 % in all the outlet streams and identify the best operation point in terms of the process performance.
Excilamps and their Applications
Authors: Lomaev Mikhail I. , Sosnin Eduard A. , Tarasenko Victor F.
Published: July 2015

An innovative class of sources of spontaneous ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet radiation, the so‐called excilamps, based on the nonequilibrum radiation of exciplex or excimer molecules, is described. The design and some technical characteristics of traditional excilamps excited by a dielectric barrier discharge are presented. The data concerning newly developed types of excilamps excited by runaway‐electrons‐preionized diffuse discharge both in single and pulse‐periodic modes are given as well. Some novel applications of excilamps in photochemistry, the effect of ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet radiation on the physiological action of living organisms, photosynthesis, and growth of plants, and the use of excilamps for pre‐sowing treatment of seeds are explained in detail.
Modularisierung und automatische Anordnungsplanung der Intralogistik für modulare Containeranlagen in der Prozessindustrie
Authors: Kaczmarek Sascha , Mosblech Christian , Lier Stefan , ten Hompel Michael
Published: July 2015

Die Modularisierung von logistischen Gewerken und Entwicklung einer automatischen Anordnungsplanung von modularen Containeranlagen ist ein Ziel des Forschungsprojekts ModuLOG. Erste Untersuchungen bestätigten die Notwendigkeit neuer Förder‐ und Lagermodule für die modulare Chemieproduktion. Das in dem Forschungsprojekt konzeptionierte Containerdurchlaufregal wird dabei den Anforderungen der modularen Produktion gerecht. Neben den Produktions‐ und den entwickelten Lagermodulen existieren weitere Module in einer Containeranlage, die, für einen effizienten Betrieb, auf intelligente Weise zueinander angeordnet werden müssen. Dies wird durch die entwickelte automatische Anordnungsplanung ermöglicht.
Statistical inference for the additive hazards model under outcome‐dependent sampling
Authors: Yu Jichang , Liu Yanyan , Sandler Dale P. , Zhou Haibo
Published: July 2015

Cost‐effective study designs and proper inference procedures for data from such designs are always of particular interest to study investigators. In this article, we propose a biased sampling scheme: an outcome‐dependent sampling (ODS) design for survival data with right censoring under the additive hazards model. We develop a weighted pseudo‐score estimator for the regression parameters for the proposed design and derive the asymptotic properties of the proposed estimator. We also provide some suggestions for using the proposed method by evaluating the relative efficiency of the proposed method against simple random sampling design and derive the optimal allocation of the subsamples for the proposed design. Simulation studies show that the proposed ODS design is more powerful than other existing designs and the proposed estimator is more efficient than other estimators. We apply our method to analyze a cancer study conducted at NIEHS, the Cancer Incidence and Mortality of Uranium Miners Study, to study the risk of radon exposure to cancer. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 43: 436–453; 2015 © 2015 Statistical Society of Canada
Frontal and frontoparietal injury differentially affect the ipsilateral corticospinal projection from the nonlesioned hemisphere in monkey (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Morecraft R.J. , Ge J. , Stilwell‐Morecraft K.S. , McNeal D.W. , Hynes S.M. , Pizzimenti M.A. , Rotella D.L. , Darling W.G.
Published: July 2015

Upper extremity hemiplegia is a common consequence of unilateral cortical stroke. Understanding the role of the unaffected cerebral hemisphere in the motor recovery process has been encouraged, in part, by the presence of ipsilateral corticospinal projections (iCSP). We examined the neuroplastic response of the iCSP from the contralesional primary motor cortex (cM1) hand/arm area to spinal levels C5–T1 after spontaneous long‐term recovery from isolated frontal lobe injury and isolated frontoparietal injury. High‐resolution tract tracing, stereological, and behavioral methodologies were applied. Recovery from frontal motor injury resulted in enhanced numbers of terminal labeled boutons in the iCSP from cM1 compared with controls. Increases occurred in lamina VIII and the adjacent ventral sectors of lamina VII, which are involved in axial/proximal limb sensorimotor processing. Larger frontal lobe lesions were associated with greater numbers of terminal boutons than smaller frontal lobe lesions. In contrast, frontoparietal injury blocked this response; total bouton number was similar to controls, demonstrating that disruption of somatosensory input to one hemisphere has a suppressive effect on the iCSP from the nonlesioned hemisphere. However, compared with controls, elevated bouton numbers occurred in lamina VIII, at the expense of lamina VII bouton labeling. Lamina IX boutons were also elevated in two frontoparietal lesion cases with extensive cortical injury. Because laminae VIII and IX collectively harbor axial, proximal, and distal motoneurons, therapeutic intervention targeting the ipsilateral corticospinal linkage from cM1 may promote proximal, and possibly distal, upper‐limb motor recovery following frontal and frontoparietal injury. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:380–407, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preoperative cytological diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Arghya , Bhattacharya Shubham , Konar Karabi
Published: July 2015

Malignant mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis testis is a rare aggressive neoplasm with ∼200 cases reported so far. A correct preoperative diagnosis of this rare tumor is difficult. Fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a rapid and inexpensive diagnostic tool that may prove helpful in such cases. Very few cases have been diagnosed on cytology so far, and the descriptions of the cytological features have rarely been described in the literature. In this report we present the cytological features of malignant mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis testis which was diagnosed by FNAC and subsequently confirmed by histopatholoy and immunohistochemical (IHC) studies. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:850–854. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mast cells control insulitis and increase Treg cells to confer protection against STZ‐induced type 1 diabetes in mice
Authors: Carlos Daniela , Yaochite Juliana N. U. , Rocha Fernanda A. , Toso Vanina D. , Malmegrim Kelen C. R. , Ramos Simone G. , Jamur Maria C. , Oliver Constance , Camara Niels O. , Andrade Marcus V. M. , Cunha Fernando Q. , Silva João S.
Published: July 2015

Quantitative alterations in mast cell numbers in pancreatic lymph nodes (PLNs) have been reported to be associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D) progression, but their potential role during T1D remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the role of mast cells in T1D induced by multiple low‐dose streptozotocin (MLD‐STZ) treatments, using two strains of mast cell‐deficient mice (W/Wv or Wsh/Wsh) and the adoptive transfer of mast cells. Mast cell deficient mice developed severe insulitis and accelerated hyperglycemia, with 100% of mice becoming diabetic compared to their littermates. In parallel, these diabetic mice had decreased numbers of T regulatory (Treg) cells in the PLNs. Additionally, mast cell deficiency caused a significant reduction in IL‐10, TGF‐β, and IL‐6 expression in the pancreatic tissue. Interestingly, IL‐6‐deficient mice are more susceptible to T1D associated with reduced Treg‐cell numbers in the PLNs, but mast cell transfer from wild‐type mice induced protection to T1D in these mice. Finally, mast cell adoptive transfer prior to MLD‐STZ administration conferred resistance to T1D, promoted increased Treg cells, and decreased IL‐17‐producing T cells in the PLNs. Taken together, our results indicate that mast cells are implicated in resistance to STZ‐induced T1D via an immunological tolerance mechanism mediated by Treg cells.
Copper(II) Cyclam Complexes with N‐­Propionic Acid Pendant Arms
Authors: Kubeil Manja , Zarschler Kristof , Pietzsch Jens , Kraus Werner , Comba Peter , Stephan Holger
Published: July 2015

Four cyclam (1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane) ligands with different numbers of N‐substituted propionic acid groups lead to pentacoordinate copper(II) complexes that adopt trans‐I configurations (4+1 geometry), that is, the complexes have a d ground state with significant rhombic distortion. From the structural data (X‐ray diffraction analysis and electron paramagnetic resonance, UV/Vis and IR spectroscopy), as the number of secondary amine groups of the macrocyclic ring substituted with propionic acid groups increases, the distortion from square pyramidal to trigonal bipyramidal increases, and this is expected to lead to relatively low complex stabilities. This is confirmed by in vitro studies with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and human serum challenge experiments as well as by biodistribution data with the 64Cu‐labelled complexes. The 64Cu‐labelled complexes with cyclam monopropionic and dipropionic acid show high in vitro and in vivo stabilities, and the latter provides a comparable biodistribution profile to that of 64Cu–TETA (TETA = 1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane‐1,4,8,11‐tetraacetic acid).
Combining pelletizing to cold pressing in the rapeseed crushing process improves energy balance and the meal and oil quality
Authors: Quinsac Alain , Carré Patrick , Fine Frédéric
Published: July 2015

Cold‐pressing has well‐known adverse effects on solvent extraction performances from the resulting cakes. Here, we investigated the added value of an additional pelletizing step in a batch extractor (3.5 kg) to produce pellets with better physical quality (durability, wettability, and percolation speed) for hexane extraction and desolventization. We then led a second experiment in a pilot‐scale continuous belt extractor (250 kg/h) to evaluate the feasibility of the process and its impacts on mass balance, oil and meal quality, and energy consumption. Results showed that pelletizing cold‐pressed cakes enables suitable oil extraction and meal desolventization performances. Meal quality was preserved and press oil quality enhanced due to a very low phosphorus content (<10 ppm). The energy balance of cold‐pressing was compared to the regular process using the flaking‐cooking‐pressing preparation before solvent extraction on the basis of data obtained here or from industrial crushing plants. Results showed that cold‐pressing may lead to 69% energy savings in the preparation phase (40 vs. 131 kWh/t) and 32% energy savings at whole‐process level (192 vs. 283 kWh/t). The scheme also has benefits in terms of greenhouse gas emissions (36.8 vs. 58.5 kg CO2 t−1).

Practical applications: Industrial rapeseed oil extraction currently relies on a two‐step process of preparation (conditioning, flaking, cooking, pressing) and solvent extraction (percolation, miscella distillation, meal desolventizing). Cooking and desolventizing are the biggest energy users in the process. Using cold‐pressing to remove the cooking step was identified as a simple and effective way to reduce whole‐process energy consumption. Our results show that pelletizing cold‐pressed cakes not only avoids the adverse effects of cold‐pressing on solvent extraction performances but can also lead to significant energy savings and better‐quality pressing oil.

Cold Pressing used as an alternative to traditional preparation allows substantial energy savings.
Perinatal programming by diets with essential fatty acid deficient/high saturated fatty acids or different n‐6/n‐3 ratios for diseases in adulthood
Authors: Strandvik Birgitta
Published: July 2015

Fatty acids are active components in membranes, they and their metabolic products influence cell signaling, ion channels, receptors, enzymes, and gene expression. The latter might be of special interest for programming in the perinatal period for diseases in adulthood, which is difficult to study prospectively in humans and thus hitherto mainly illustrated in animal experimental research. By supplying the pregnant and/or lactating rodent with essential fatty acid deficient diets exclusively based on saturated fat or with different ratios of n‐6/n‐3 fatty acids, programming could be studied in the adult offspring. Growth and body composition, lipids, blood pressure and glucose‐insulin homeostasis, and bone mass were influenced in the adult animal despite supplying ordinary chow after weaning. Also, the influence on allergy development was studied. In prospective observational studies in human infants, both essential fatty acid composition and the concentrations of long‐chain saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids during early weeks of life influenced the development up to 18 months corrected age. A few studies in humans with follow up to childhood support the results of animal studies, but larger studies with longer follow ups and including mechanisms for possible epigenetic mechanisms are warranted.

Practical applications

Fatty acids influence gene expression and in the context of the global increase of non‐communicable diseases with possible relation to nutrition, studies in animals and humans to evaluate the relation between quality of dietary fatty acids and programming for adult diseases might have potential impact on public health.

Fatty acids may program for diseases by influencing gene expression. The time window is of importance for the long‐term effects, as illustrated by different results of dietary maternal intervention during pregnancy or lactation in animal models. The results are supporting findings in follow up of individuals exposed to the Dutch Famine during the Second World War and by recent reports of prospective studies in infants and children. The potential impact on public health warrants eagerly further studies including mechanisms.
The mission of addition and fission – catalytic functionalization of oleochemicals
Authors: Seidensticker Thomas , Vorholt Andreas J. , Behr Arno
Published: July 2015

Oleochemicals are used in the chemical industry in numerous processes and applications, having the largest share among all other renewable resources. Besides the well‐known transformations performed at the carboxylic moiety of the alkyl chain, many natural occurring fatty compounds offer a further opportunity for refinement, that is: catalytic functionalization of the CC double bond. In the present review, the authors describe the mission of the scientific work that is performed at the chair of Technical Chemistry at the TU Dortmund towards selective and atom economic functionalization of oleochemicals. Special emphasis lays on homogenous transition metal catalysis towards potential applications of the resulting products and their continuous production in miniplant scale. The given examples are discussed in the context of the work of other groups and summarize recent developments in the field of addition and fission reactions of oleochemicals.

The Mission of Addition and Fission—The functionalization of oleochemicals using homogeneous transition metal catalysis is a very elegant way for producing valuable chemicals via many possible pathways. In this review, recent contributions to e.g. addition or cleavage reactions by Behr's group at the TU Dortmund are presented and discussed in the context of relevant literature, highlighting their significance in this important field of oleochemistry.
Simple method for high purity acylated steryl glucosides synthesis
Authors: Jäger Sebastián N. , Mittelbach Martin , Cabrera Rodolfo , Labadie Guillermo R.
Published: July 2015

The present work covers an important gap in the field of analytic standards synthesis of the plants minor component, the acyl steryl glucosides (ASG). A simple and powerful procedure that allows the synthesis of different ASG has been introduced. The regioselective acylation of steryl glucosides on the C–6–OH of the glucose was produced using sym‐collidine and acyl chloride. The reaction was optimized analyzing the conditions to maximize the isolated yield of the monoacylated product.

Practical applications: The identification and quantification of acyl steryl glucosides (ASG) and steryl glucosides (SG) is a difficult task and has become increasingly important in the food, oil and biodiesel industries. There is a lack of simple synthetic approaches to prepare ASG and commercial sources of those compounds as analytical standards are expensive and sometime do not have the required purity. In this paper we are introducing a simple, powerful and versatile procedure that allows the synthesis of different ASG in a rapid and efficient way, producing the products in high purity that will enable them to be use as standards.

The present work covers an important gap in the field of analytic standards synthesis of the plants minor component, the acyl steryl glucosides (ASG). A simple and powerful procedure that allows the synthesis of different ASG has been introduced.
Contribution of tocopherols and squalene to the oxidative stability of cold‐pressed pumkin seed oil (Cucurbita pepo L.)
Authors: Naziri Eleni , Mitić Milan N. , Tsimidou Maria Z.
Published: July 2015

Consumption of cold‐pressed pumpkin seed oil (CPSO) is gaining ground due to increasing interest in natural products. The present study aimed at the examination of the contribution of two important classes of antioxidant compounds, tocopherols and squalene, in the course of autoxidation and photo‐oxidation of this oil. Roasted pumpkin seed oil (RPSO) was used for comparison. During autoxidation studies, CPSOs were more vulnerable to oxidation than the RPSOs. The respective losses in α‐ (24–69% and 21–59%) and γ‐ (13–21% and 18–20%) tocopherols, and squalene (12–27% and 22–28%) contents, indicated their strong participation to oil resistance. Squalene exhibited a weak antioxidant activity at the early stages of autoxidation whereas tocopherols showed their antioxidant effect after 3 weeks of storage. After that period, the content of squalene remained stable whereas loss in tocopherol content continued. The contribution of tocopherols and squalene to the stability of CPSOs oils under light exposure was also important, higher than that reported for virgin olive oil under the same conditions. Overall, CPSO is more prone to oxidation than RPSO, a finding that is important in its packing and distribution line.

Practical applications: Pumpkin seed oil comes to the market in two types. Little is known for the stability of the cold‐pressed one, which does not contain the strong antioxidants formed during seed roasting. The examination of the evolution of α‐ and γ‐tocopherols as well as squalene in the course of autoxidation and photo‐oxidation of cold‐pressed and roasted pumpkin seed oils is of scientific interest regarding their contribution to oil oxidation and of practical application in view of reducing loss in nutrients and other bioactive ingredients upon packing and distribution line.

The present study examines the contribution of tocopherols and squalene in the course of autoxidation and photo‐oxidation of cold‐pressed pumpkin seed oil. The respective losses in both tocopherols and squalene contents, indicate their strong participation to oil resistance. The findings are of practical application in view of reducing loss in nutrients and other bioactive ingredients upon packing and distribution line.
Altered regional cortical thickness and subcortical volume in women with primary dysmenorrhoea
Authors: Liu P. , Yang J. , Wang G. , Liu Y. , Liu X. , Jin L. , Liang F. , Qin W. , Calhoun V.D.
Published: July 2015

Background

There is emerging evidence that primary dysmenorrhoea (PDM) is associated with altered brain function and structure. However, few studies have investigated changes in regional cortical thickness and subcortical volumes in PDM patients. The purpose of this study was to characterize differences in both cortical thickness and subcortical volumes between PDM patients and healthy controls (HCs).

Methods

T1‐weighted magnetic resonance images were obtained from 44 PDM patients and 32 HCs matched for age and handedness. Cortical thickness was compared in multiple locations across the continuous cortical surface, and subcortical volumes were compared on a structure‐by‐structure basis. Correlation analysis was then used to evaluate relationships between the clinical symptoms and abnormal brain structure in PDM.

Results

PDM patients had significantly increased cortical thickness in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), insula (IN), primary/secondary sensory area (SI/SII), superior temporal cortex (STC), precuneus (pCUN) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Meanwhile, significantly decreased subcortical volumes of the caudate, thalamus and amygdala were found in PDM patients. Moreover, there were significant positive correlations between the PDM‐related duration and the OFC, SFC, STC and IN. The MPQ scores were positively correlated with the pCUN.

Conclusions

These findings provide further evidence for grey matter changes in patients with PDM, and in addition, the results support relationships between the structural abnormalities and their role in symptom production. All these results are likely to be potential valuable to provide us with direct information about the neural basis of PDM.
Alignment with globalized Western culture: Between inclusionary values and an exclusionary social identity
Authors: Rosenmann, PhD Amir
Published: July 2015

Reactions to globalized Western culture (GWC) are influential in shaping intergroup relations and social issues worldwide. GWC is conceptualized here as an inclusionary cultural value system but a simultaneously exclusionary social identity. Whereas GWC's inclusive values may promote the civil liberties and fair treatment of gay people, for instance, as a social identity, groups may use their alignment with GWC to buttress ingroup superiority over less aligned outgroups. Three studies (one correlational and two experimental in design) probe these opposing vectors in samples of Jewish‐Israelis, who are generally highly aligned with GWC. Results demonstrate that GWC alignment is associated with decreased anti‐gay prejudice (Studies 2 and 3) but exclusionary responses towards Arab individuals and groups (Studies 1, 2, and 3), who are perceived to be less aligned with GWC. Conducted during the 2014 Israeli‐Palestinian war, Study 3 notably demonstrated that a GWC identification prime reduced Jewish‐Israelis' willingness to offer humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in need. This may suggest that in some contexts, GWC's divisive function as a social identity supersedes its more inclusionary humanistic values. These contrary effects of GWC alignment by social target are discussed, alongside their implications on national, regional, and international levels.
Highly Sensitive and Selective Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Method Employing a Lead Film Screen‐printed Electrode for Determination of Cobalt as its Nioximate Complex
Authors: Bobrowski Andrzej , Królicka Agnieszka , Maczuga Mariola , Zarębski Jerzy
Published: July 2015

A carbon screen‐printed electrode modified in‐situ with lead film (PbF‐SPCE) was applied for the adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of Co(II) in the form of a complex with 1,2‐cyclohexanedione dioxime. Lead film was electrochemically deposited in situ on SPCE from a 0.2 M ammonia buffer solution (pH 8.7) containing 5 ⋅ 10−5 M Pb(NO3)2 and 5 ⋅ 10−5 M nioxime. Due to the very low LOD (0.003 µgL−1, i.e., 0.05 nmol L−1 Co(II); tacc=120s), the developed procedure could be rated among the most sensitive methods employing SPEs. The Ni(II) signal was significantly lower than the Co(II) one and the separation of Ni(II) and Co(II) peaks was even better at the PbF‐SPCE than at the hanging mercury drop electrode.
Mass rig system for shaking table tests of slender columns
Authors: Silva Pedro F. , Sangtarashha Arash , Burgueño Rigoberto
Published: July 2015

A new mass rig system is proposed to minimize the deficiencies in current shaking table testing setups. This is accomplished by placing the inertial mass on a convex path designed to impose P‐Delta demands on slender cantilever columns. The design and performance of the mass rig system, and the principles used in deriving the equations of motion and their analytical validation against results obtained from shaking table tests, are presented. Formulation of the governing equations of motion was based on Lagrangian mechanics and solved using an implicit linear acceleration method with an adaptive time step formulation. Friction developed in the sliding system was also incorporated in the equations of motion. Experimental results validated the accuracy in the derivation and solution of the equations of motion. Validated by analytical and experimental results, P‐Delta effects were found to increase the displacement demands on slender columns in the low‐frequency range of acceleration input, while in the high‐frequency range P‐Delta effects led to no increase and in some cases even a reduction in displacement demands. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An analytical model of a deformable cantilever structure rocking on a rigid surface: development and verification
Authors: Vassiliou Michalis F. , Truniger Rico , Stojadinović Božidar
Published: July 2015

This paper extends previously developed models to account for the influence of the column and the foundation masses on the behavior of top‐heavy deformable elastic cantilever columns rocking on a rigid support surface. Several models for energy dissipation at impact are examined and compared. A novel Vertical Velocity Energy Loss model is introduced. Rocking uplift and overturning spectra for the deformable elastic cantilever model excited by sinusoidal ground motions are constructed. The effects of non‐dimensional model parameter variations on the rocking spectra and the overturning stability of the model are presented. It is shown that the remarkable overturning stability of dynamically excited large cantilever columns is not jeopardized by their deformability. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of the spatial organization of land use on muddy flooding from cultivated catchments and recommendations for the adoption of control measures
Authors: Boardman John , Vandaele Karel
Published: July 2015

Sediment‐laden runoff from arable fields has increasingly been recognized as a threat to housing, infrastructure and watercourses in Western Europe. Research suggests that land‐use change is far more important than any changes in rainfall in explaining recent increases in muddy flooding. However, the importance of changes in the organization of fields in the catchment has been overlooked. The loss of field boundaries has led to the loss of traditional sites of sediment deposition and an increase in the risk of sediment export via valley‐bottom ephemeral gullies. Successful schemes to combat muddy flooding have been pioneered in Flanders. The installation of grassed waterways in topographically controlled concentrated runoff pathways and the creation of sediment deposition structures are effective and efficient muddy flooding control measures. A supportive legislative and financial framework is also essential. The situation in Flanders is contrasted to that in the South Downs National Park, UK, where few measures to combat muddy flooding have been introduced and a supportive framework is lacking. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Medical Cost Attributable to Obesity and Overweight in China: Estimation Based on Longitudinal Surveys
Authors: Qin Xuezheng , Pan Jay
Published: July 2015

With its rapid economic growth and fast changing lifestyle, China witnessed expansionary prevalence of obesity and overweight during the recent decades. This paper provides the first nationally representative estimate of the medical cost attributable to obesity and overweight in China. We improve upon the traditional estimation methodology (two‐part model) by jointly adopting the instrumental variable approach and the panel data methods in order to correct for the potential endogeneity of body size and the individual heterogeneity in medical expenditure. Using longitudinal data from 2000–2009 China Health and Nutrition Surveys, we find that body size has a significant impact on the individual expected medical expenditure and the per capita medical cost attributable to obesity and overweight in a single medical event is estimated to be 6.18 Yuan, or 5.29% of the total personal medical expenditure. This translates to 24.35 billion Yuan annual cost on the national scale, accounting for 2.46% of China's national health care expenditure. The subsample analyses also show that such cost is higher for the urban, women, and better educated people and increases over time. Our results contribute to the literature on the economic impact of obesity in developing countries and bear policy implications on controlling the rising health care costs in China. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of Performance‐Based Financing in a Low‐Resource Setting: A Decade of Experience in Cambodia
Authors: Van de Poel Ellen , Flores Gabriela , Ir Por , O'Donnell Owen
Published: July 2015

This paper exploits the geographic expansion of performance‐based financing (PBF) in Cambodia over a decade to estimate its effect on the utilization of maternal and child health services. PBF is estimated to raise the proportion of births occurring in incentivized public health facilities by 7.5 percentage points (25%). A substantial part of this effect arises from switching the location of institutional births from private to public facilities; there is no significant impact on deliveries supervised by a skilled birth attendant, nor is there any significant effect on neonatal mortality, antenatal care and vaccination rates. The impact on births in public facilities is much greater if PBF is accompanied by maternity vouchers that cover user fees, but there is no significant effect among the poorest women. Heterogeneous effects across schemes differing in design suggest that maintaining management authority within a health district while giving explicit service targets to facilities is more effective in raising utilization than contracting management to a non‐governmental organization while denying it full autonomy and leaving financial penalties vague. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of hepatic steatosis: Validation in ex vivo human livers
Authors: Bannas Peter , Kramer Harald , Hernando Diego , Agni Rashmi , Cunningham Ashley M. , Mandal Rakesh , Motosugi Utaroh , Sharma Samir D. , Munoz del Rio Alejandro , Fernandez Luis , Reeder Scott B.
Published: July 2015

Emerging magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers of hepatic steatosis have demonstrated tremendous promise for accurate quantification of hepatic triglyceride concentration. These methods quantify the proton density fat‐fraction (PDFF), which reflects the concentration of triglycerides in tissue. Previous in vivo studies have compared MRI‐PDFF with histologic steatosis grading for assessment of hepatic steatosis. However, the correlation of MRI‐PDFF with the underlying hepatic triglyceride content remained unknown. The aim of this ex vivo study was to validate the accuracy of MRI‐PDFF as an imaging biomarker of hepatic steatosis. Using ex vivo human livers, we compared MRI‐PDFF with magnetic resonance spectroscopy‐PDFF (MRS‐PDFF), biochemical triglyceride extraction, and histology as three independent reference standards. A secondary aim was to compare the precision of MRI‐PDFF relative to biopsy for the quantification of hepatic steatosis. MRI‐PDFF was prospectively performed at 1.5 Tesla in 13 explanted human livers. We performed colocalized paired evaluation of liver fat content in all nine Couinaud segments using single‐voxel MRS‐PDFF (n = 117) and tissue wedges for biochemical triglyceride extraction (n = 117), and five core biopsies performed in each segment for histologic grading (n = 585). Accuracy of MRI‐PDFF was assessed through linear regression with MRS‐PDFF, triglyceride extraction, and histology. Intraobserver agreement, interobserver agreement, and repeatability of MRI‐PDFF and histologic grading were assessed through Bland‐Altman analyses. MRI‐PDFF showed an excellent correlation with MRS‐PDFF (r = 0.984, confidence interval 0.978‐0.989) and strong correlation with histology (r = 0.850, confidence interval 0.791‐0.894) and triglyceride extraction (r = 0.871, confidence interval 0.818‐0.909). Intraobserver agreement, interobserver agreement, and repeatability showed a significantly smaller variance for MRI‐PDFF than for histologic steatosis grading (all P < 0.001). Conclusion: MRI‐PDFF is an accurate, precise, and reader‐independent noninvasive imaging biomarker of liver triglyceride content, capable of steatosis quantification over the entire liver. (Hepatology 2015;62:1444–1455)
Aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio and fibrosis‐4 as biomarkers in biopsy‐validated pediatric cystic fibrosis liver disease
Authors: Leung Daniel H. , Khan Mahjabeen , Minard Charles G. , Guffey Danielle , Ramm Louise E. , Clouston Andrew D. , Miller Gregory , Lewindon Peter J. , Shepherd Ross W. , Ramm Grant A.
Published: July 2015

Up to 10% of cystic fibrosis (CF) children develop cirrhosis by the first decade. We evaluated the utility of two simple biomarkers, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and FIB‐4, in predicting degree of fibrosis in pediatric CF liver disease (CFLD) validated by liver biopsy. In this retrospective, cross‐sectional study, 67 children with CFLD had dual‐pass liver biopsies and 104 age‐ and sex‐matched CF children without liver disease (CFnoLD) had serum to calculate APRI and FIB‐4 collected at enrollment. CFLD was defined as having two of the following: (1) hepatomegaly ± splenomegaly; (2) >6 months elevation of ALT (>1.5× upper limit of normal ULN); or (3) abnormal liver ultrasound findings. Biopsies were staged according to Metavir classification by two blinded pathologists. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and continuation ratio logistic regression were performed to assess the predictability of these biomarkers to distinguish CFLD from CFnoLD and determine fibrosis stage‐specific cut‐off values. The AUC for APRI was better than FIB‐4 (0.75 vs. 0.60; P = 0.005) for predicting CFLD and severe CFLD (F3‐F4) (0.81). An APRI score >0.264 demonstrated a sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 73.1% (60.9, 83.2) and specificity of 70.2% (60.4, 78.8) in predicting CFLD. A 50% increase in APRI was associated with a 2.4‐fold (95% CI: 1.7, 3.3) increased odds of having CFLD. APRI demonstrated full agreement with histology staging 37% of the time, but was within one stage 73% of the time. Only FIB‐4 predicted portal hypertension at diagnosis (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.91; P < 0.001). Conclusion: This is the first liver biopsy‐validated study of APRI and FIB‐4 in pediatric CFLD. APRI appears superior to FIB‐4 in differentiating CFLD versus CFnoLD. APRI also exhibited a high AUC in predicting severe liver fibrosis with specific cutoffs for lower stages. (Hepatology 2015;62:1576–1583)
Delineating subtypes of self‐injurious behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement
Authors: Hagopian Louis P. , Rooker Griffin W. , Zarcone Jennifer R.
Published: July 2015

Self‐injurious behavior (SIB) is maintained by automatic reinforcement in roughly 25% of cases. Automatically reinforced SIB typically has been considered a single functional category, and is less understood than socially reinforced SIB. Subtyping automatically reinforced SIB into functional categories has the potential to guide the development of more targeted interventions and increase our understanding of its biological underpinnings. The current study involved an analysis of 39 individuals with automatically reinforced SIB and a comparison group of 13 individuals with socially reinforced SIB. Automatically reinforced SIB was categorized into 3 subtypes based on patterns of responding in the functional analysis and the presence of self‐restraint. These response features were selected as the basis for subtyping on the premise that they could reflect functional properties of SIB unique to each subtype. Analysis of treatment data revealed important differences across subtypes and provides preliminary support to warrant additional research on this proposed subtyping model.
Endogenous Spatial Regression and Delineation of Submarkets: A New Framework with Application to Housing Markets
Authors: Bhattacharjee Arnab , Castro Eduardo , Maiti Taps , Marques João
Published: July 2015

Housing submarkets have been defined by different criteria: (i) similarity in house attributes; (ii) similarity in hedonic prices; and (iii) substitutability of houses. We show that spatial clustering on (i) and (ii) also satisfies criterion (iii) and develop inferences based on functional linear regression of a hedonic house price model. Then, we delineate submarkets by clustering (jointly) on the surfaces of the estimated functional partial effects and housing features. The above model incorporates both spatial heterogeneity and endogenous spatial dependence. Application to an urban conglomeration in Portugal implies submarkets that emphasize the historical and endogenous evolution of urban spatial structure. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transferability and additivity of dihedral parameters in polarizable and nonpolarizable empirical force fields
Authors: Zgarbová Marie , Rosnik Andreana M. , Luque F. Javier , Curutchet Carles , Jurečka Petr
Published: July 2015

Recent advances in polarizable force fields have revealed that major reparameterization is necessary when the polarization energy is treated explicitly. This study is focused on the torsional parameters, which are crucial for the accurate description of conformational equilibria in biomolecules. In particular, attention is paid to the influence of polarization on the (i) transferability of dihedral terms between molecules, (ii) transferability between different environments, and (iii) additivity of dihedral energies. To this end, three polarizable force fields based on the induced point dipole model designed for use in AMBER are tested, including two recent ff02 reparameterizations. Attention is paid to the contributions due to short range interactions (1‐2, 1‐3, and 1‐4) within the four atoms defining the dihedral angle. The results show that when short range 1‐2 and 1‐3 polarization interactions are omitted, as for instance in ff02, the 1‐4 polarization contribution is rather small and unlikely to improve the description of the torsional energy. Conversely, when screened 1‐2 and 1‐3 interactions are included, the polarization contribution is sizeable and shows potential to improve the transferability of parameters between different molecules and environments as well as the additivity of dihedral terms. However, to reproduce intramolecular polarization effects accurately, further fine‐tuning of the short range damping of polarization is necessary. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hypoxia Promotes the Inflammatory Response and Stemness Features in Visceral Fat Stem Cells From Obese Subjects
Authors: Petrangeli Elisa , Coroniti Giuseppe , Brini Anna T. , de Girolamo Laura , Stanco Deborah , Niada Stefania , Silecchia Gianfranco , Morgante Emanuela , Lubrano Carla , Russo Matteo A. , Salvatori Luisa
Published: July 2015

Low‐grade chronic inflammation is a salient feature of obesity and many associated disorders. This condition frequently occurs in central obesity and is connected to alterations of the visceral adipose tissue (AT) microenvironment. Understanding how obesity is related to inflammation may allow the development of therapeutics aimed at improving metabolic parameters in obese patients. To achieve this aim, we compared the features of two subpopulations of adipose‐derived stem cells (ASC) isolated from both subcutaneous and visceral AT of obese patients with the features of two subpopulations of ASC from the same isolation sites of non‐obese individuals. In particular, the behavior of ASC of obese versus non‐obese subjects during hypoxia, which occurs in obese AT and is an inducer of the inflammatory response, was evaluated. Obesity deeply influenced ASC from visceral AT (obV‐ASC); these cells appeared to exhibit clearly distinguishable morphology and ultrastructure as well as reduced proliferation, clonogenicity and expression of stemness, differentiation and inflammation‐related genes. These cells also exhibited a deregulated response to hypoxia, which induced strong tissue‐specific NF‐kB activation and an NF‐kB‐mediated increase in inflammatory and fibrogenic responses. Moreover, obV‐ASC, which showed a less stem‐like phenotype, recovered stemness features after hypoxia. Our findings demonstrated the peculiar behavior of obV‐ASC, their influence on the obese visceral AT microenvironment and the therapeutic potential of NF‐kB inhibitors. These novel findings suggest that the deregulated hyper‐responsiveness to hypoxic stimulus of ASC from visceral AT of obese subjects may contribute via paracrine mechanisms to low‐grade chronic inflammation, which has been implicated in obesity‐related morbidity. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 668–679, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.