bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical features of three girls with mosaic genome‐wide paternal uniparental isodisomy
Authors: Kalish Jennifer M. , Conlin Laura K. , Bhatti Tricia R. , Dubbs Holly A. , Harris Mary Catherine , Izumi Kosuke , Mostoufi‐Moab Sogol , Mulchandani Surabhi , Saitta Sulagna , States Lisa J. , Swarr Daniel T. , Wilkens Alisha B. , Zackai Elaine H. , Zelley Kristin , Bartolomei Marisa S. , Nichols Kim E. , Palladino Andrew A. , Spinner Nancy B. , Deardorff Matthew A.
Published: June 2013

Here we describe three subjects with mosaic genome‐wide paternal uniparental isodisomy (GWpUPD) each of whom presented initially with overgrowth, hemihyperplasia (HH), and hyperinsulinism (HI). Due to the severity of findings and the presence of additional features, SNP array testing was performed, which demonstrated mosaic GWpUPD. Comparing these individuals to 10 other live‐born subjects reported in the literature, the predominant phenotype is that of pUPD11 and notable for a very high incidence of tumor development. Our subjects developed non‐metastatic tumors of the adrenal gland, kidney, and/or liver. All three subjects had pancreatic hyperplasia resulting in HI. Notably, our subjects to date display minimal features of other diseases associated with paternal UPD loci. Both children who survived the neonatal period have displayed near‐normal cognitive development, likely due to a favorable tissue distribution of the mosaicism. To understand the range of UPD mosaicism levels, we studied multiple tissues using SNP array analysis and detected levels of 5–95%, roughly correlating with the extent of tissue involvement. Given the rapidity of tumor growth and the difficulty distinguishing malignant and benign tumors in these GWpUPD subjects, we have utilized increased frequency of ultrasound (US) and alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) screening in the first years of life. Because of a later age of onset of additional tumors, continued tumor surveillance into adolescence may need to be considered in these rare patients. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Silibinin binding and release activities moderated by interstices of trimesoyl, tridimethyl, and tridiethyl malonate first‐tier dendrimers
Authors: Undre Sachin B. , Singh Man , Kale R. K. , Rizwan Md.
Published: June 2013

Trimesoyl 1,3,5‐tridimethyl malonate (TTDMM), trimesoyl 1,3,5‐tridiethyl malonate (TTDEM), trimesoyl 1,3,5‐tridipropyl malonate, trimesoyl 1,3,5‐tridibutyl malonate, and trimesoyl 1,3,5‐tridihexyl malonate first‐generation dendrimers, a complete series of dialkyl malonate esters from methyl to hexyl, were synthesized by a divergent growth approach with about a 95% yield. TTDMM and TTDEM members of this series were characterized with 500‐MHz NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The 7.469353 and 8.435395 m2/g surface areas and 700.1907‐ and 792.6436‐nm pore‐average diameters of TTDMM and TTDEM, respectively, implied that they could be used as prospective drug binders. Alkyl chains from methyl to hexyl of dialkyl malonate esters had enhanced interstitial spaces to trap the drugs and toxic heavy metals for their distribution and bioremediation, respectively. Thus, the dendrimers, silibinin (SB) complexes in a 1:1 ratio with acetone, were prepared and studied with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microcopy, and atomic force microscopy. The ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy at a 330‐nm lamda max (λmax) showed about 5%/h SB released in phosphate buffered saline with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide. The objective was used to investigate the capacity of dialkyl malonate terminated dendrimers to encapsulate a maximum amount of SB and anticancer drugs and the in vitro releasing activity. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3537–3554, 2013
Control of well‐defined crater structures on the surface of biaxially oriented polypropylene film by adding nucleators
Authors: Tamura Satoshi , Kanai Toshitaka
Published: June 2013

While it is common to add anti‐blocking agents to biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films for general use in order to prevent blocking against each other, the technology of crater‐like film surface roughness formed on the BOPP films without any additives is well known in the industrial BOPP film areas. Numerous studies have been reported on the crater‐like film surface roughness on the BOPP films since the 1980s, but its formation mechanism and the controlling method of the crater‐like film surface roughness are yet to be clarified. In our previous reports, we presented a new hypothesis of crater formation mechanism from a new point of view on sheet morphology and crater shape on the BOPP film surface. It was strongly influenced by the crystal grain shape in the surface layer of PP sheet. In this report, it was clarified that a nucleator has a big influence on the formation of the crystal grains in the surface layer of PP sheets and on the formation of craters. In addition, craters did not form on the BOPP films stretched from the sheet of which the skin layer with crystal grain was shaved, even though β crystal still remained. It was clarified that the crystal grain is trans‐crystal from the observation using TEM. Therefore, it is concluded that the existence of β crystals in the surface layer of PP sheets is not essential in order to produce craters on BOPP films, but trans‐crystals are necessary to form the craters. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3555–3564, 2013
Swelling and mechanical properties of pH‐sensitive hydrogel filled with polystyrene nanoparticles
Authors: Kim Byungsoo , Hong Daesun , Chang Wenji V
Published: June 2013

We investigated the effect of organic filler and the degree of crosslinking on the performance of a hydrogel/filler system to control its diffusion and mechanical properties. A series of poly(acrylic acid) gels filled with polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles at well‐controlled filler loading levels was synthesized by free radical polymerization in the presence of a crosslinking agent. Three different concentrations of the crosslinking agent (methylene bis‐acrylamide), that is, 5 mg/(g of AAc), 10 mg/(g of AAc), and 20 mg/(g of AAc), were used. The hydrogel crosslinked to the least extent that included a high amount of PS showed fast swelling rates, high equilibrium swelling ratios, and the highest pH sensitivity. Three gel/filler combinations including the gel without filler, gel/filler mixture, and gel/filler copolymerization were considered. The PS particles of ∼40 nm in diameter, which were used as the fillers, were prepared by microemulsion polymerization. Copolymerization of styrene and AAc having different reactivities ratios was achieved by a seed‐microemulsion polymerization with the crosslinking agent. The gel/filler mixture showed the highest swelling rate and the gel/filler copolymer resulted in highly enforced mechanical properties and the highest pH sensitivity. The incorporation of filler by copolymerization to mechanically enforce the equilibrium swelling hydrogel was more efficient than the increase of crosslinking degree. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3574–3587, 2013
Optimization and investigation of the governing parameters in electrospinning the home‐made poly(l‐lactide‐co‐ε‐caprolactone‐diOH)
Authors: Liu Mengzhu , Cheng Zhiqiang , Jin Yi , Ru Xin , Ding Dawei , Li Junfeng
Published: June 2013

Poly(l‐lactide‐co‐ε‐caprolactone‐diOH) (PCLA) with (ABA)n type is synthesized using poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) di‐OH (PCL‐diOH) via chain extending method. FT‐IR, 1H‐NMR, and GPC data demonstrate that PLA and PCL‐diOH have reacted completely. The product is electrospun into ultrafine fibers subsequently. The optimum electrospinning parameters obtain from an orthogonal experiment are a solvent ratio (DMF/DCM) of 5/5, a polymer concentration of 28 wt %, a collector distance of 20 cm and a voltage of 18 kV. As a result, the average diameter of fibers is 0.77 µm and the uniformity is above 80%. Via range analysis, it is found that the order of the influence on diameter is solvent ratio, applied voltage, collector distance, and polymer concentration, successively. Single effect of the four governing factors on diameter and morphology is also experimentally investigated. This may provide clues for obtaining fibers with various structures by controlling the parameters. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3600–3610, 2013
Vibration damping characterization of linseed oil‐based elastomers for its effectiveness to attenuate structural vibration
Authors: Das Rakesh , Kumar Rajesh , Kundu Patit P.
Published: June 2013

Vibration damping properties of elastomers prepared from linseed oil were characterized by dynamic mechanical analyzer in a temperature range of −50 to 100°C and frequency range of 5 Hz to 1 kHz. The maximum damping loss factor,
varies from 0.78 to 1.32, the room temperature (25°C) loss factor,
in the range of 0.56–1.08 and the temperature range (
) for effective damping
varies from 63°C to 74.4°C in different elastomers. The elastomers behave as a good vibration damper both in lower and higher frequency range. Thus these elastomers exhibit good damping behavior in a wide range of temperature and frequency, a primary requirement for practical damping applications. A modal constrained layer damping system constructed utilizing these elastomers exhibits its potentiality to attenuate structural vibrations with respect to mild steel bare plate resonator under laboratory fabricated testing methodology. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3611–3623, 2013
Synthesis of Wurtzite Cu2ZnGeSe4 Nanocrystals and their Thermoelectric Properties
Authors: Xue Ding‐Jiang , Jiao Fei , Yan Hui‐Juan , Xu Wei , Zhu Daoben , Guo Yu‐Guo , Wan Li‐Jun
Published: June 2013

An unusual wurtzite phase of Cu2ZnGeSe4 (CZGSe) has been discovered and its corresponding nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesized by using a facile hot‐injection solution‐phase synthesis method. Moreover, the formation mechanism of this new phase of CZGSe, instead of the typically observed stannite structure, has been investigated in detail, which indicates that wurtzite CZGSe, which represents the kinetic phase, could be prepared by using a kinetic growth process without phase transformation into the thermodynamically stable stannite structure during the colloidal synthesis. In addition, the potential of wurtzite CZGSe as a thermoelectric material is demonstrated by characterizing the thermoelectric properties of as‐synthesized wurtzite CZGSe NCs. This work allows for a rational manipulation of the NCs with a desired crystal structure through adjusting the thermodynamics and kinetics without using any additives and, because of its simplicity and versatility, it may be extended to the phase‐controlled synthesis of other chalcogenide NCs.
Disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse: Delays, Non‐disclosure and Partial Disclosure. What the Research Tells Us and Implications for Practice
Authors: McElvaney Rosaleen
Published: June 2013

This paper reviews the research on disclosure of child sexual abuse with specific reference to delays in disclosing, non‐disclosure and partial disclosure of experiences of child sexual abuse. Findings from large‐scale national probability studies highlight the prevalence of both non‐disclosure and delays in disclosure, while findings from small‐scale qualitative studies portray the complexity, diversity and individuality of experiences. The possible explanations regarding why children are reluctant to disclose such experiences have significant implications for addressing the issue of child sexual abuse from the perspectives of child protection, legal and therapeutic professionals. The importance of understanding the dynamics of disclosure, in particular the needs of young people to maintain control over the disclosure process, the important role that peers play in this process, the responses of adults in both informal and formal networks, and the opportunities to tell, is key to helping young people speak more promptly about their experiences of sexual abuse. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

‘The importance of understanding the dynamics of disclosure’

Key Practitioner Messages

Children typically delay disclosing experiences of abuse.

Asking children questions about their wellbeing gives them the opportunity to tell when they are ready.

The challenge is to find the right questions at the right time.

Peers can be the right people to ask these questions.

Adolescents need to know about how to ask and what to do if someone tells.

Adolescents need to know about how to ask and what to do if someone tells.
It is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice: Country‐of‐origin's perceived warmth in product failures
Authors: Xu Huimin , Leung Ada , Yan Ruoh‐Nan (Terry)
Published: June 2013

Although a large body of research has documented country‐of‐origin effects, very few works have inquired systematic differences in the content of national stereotypes that shape attitudes toward foreign products and their manufacturers. Drawing from the stereotype content model, the authors propose that the often ignored warmth dimension of the origin country is as important as (sometimes more important than) the well‐studied competence dimension in certain situations. As shown in two studies, perceived warmth of the origin country predicts purchase intention in normal situations as well as after product failure. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chiral Discrimination of Ammonium Neurotransmitters by C3‐Symmetric Enantiopure Hemicryptophane Hosts
Authors: Schmitt Aline , Chatelet Bastien , Collin Solène , Dutasta Jean‐Pierre , Martinez Alexandre
Published: June 2013

Enantiopure hemicryptophanes efficiently discriminate chiral ammonium neurotransmitters. The ephedrine and norephedrine molecules associate with hemicryptophane hosts to form 1:1 and 1:2 host‐guest complexes. Binding constants are determined by fitting the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) titration curves to give β1 and β2 values, which are used to characterize the diastereomeric and enantiomeric discriminating potentials of the hosts. Chirality 25:47–479, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rosten gegen Gelenkschmerzen?
Authors: Pöhls Christin , Busker Maike
Published: June 2013

Das Rosten von Eisen ist ein typisches Beispiel für die Sauerstoffkorrosion von Eisen. Was beim Verrosten von Gegenständen wie beispielsweise einem Fahrrad ein Ärgernis darstellt, findet dagegen in Wärmepflastern der Firma ALTAPHARMA in nützlicher Art und Weise Verwendung. In diesem Beitrag wird eine mit schulischen Mitteln mögliche Untersuchung dieser Wärmepflaster vorgestellt sowie das Funktionsprinzip erläutert und die Verwendbarkeit anderer Metalle diskutiert.

Rusting is a typical example for corrosion caused by oxygen. In many respects, rusting of objects (e.g. bikes) can be annoying. However, the company ALTAPHARMA uses this effect in heat wraps to obtain a positive therapeutic response. In this study, different experiments are shown where high school students can investigate the working principle of heat wraps and explore the corrosion effects of other metals.
Structured Water Molecules in the Binding Site of Bromodomains Can Be Displaced by Cosolvent
Authors: Huang Danzhi , Rossini Emanuele , Steiner Sandra , Caflisch Amedeo
Published: June 2013

Bromodomains are α‐helical bundles of approximately 110 residues that recognize acetylated lysine side chains mainly on histone tails. Bromodomains are known to play an important role in cancer and inflammation, and as such, significant efforts are being made to identify small‐molecule inhibitors of these epigenetic reader proteins. Here, explicit solvent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of two bromodomains (BAZ2B and CREBBP) are used to analyze the water molecules that seem to be conserved at the bottom of the acetyl‐lysine binding site in most crystal structures of bromodomains. The MD runs suggest that the occupancy of the structured water molecules is influenced by conformational transitions of the loop that connects helices Z and A. Additional simulations in the presence of 50 molecules of cosolvent (i.e., 440 mM of dimethylsulfoxide, methanol, or ethanol) indicate that some of the structured water molecules can be displaced transiently. The residence time in the acetyl‐lysine binding site is calculated to be about 1 ns, 2–5 ns, and 10–30 ns for methanol, ethanol, and dimethylsulfoxide, respectively, while the affinity of the three cosolvents for BAZ2B and CREBBP is in the range of 50–500 mM. The results described have implications for ligand design, suggesting that only structured water molecules that do not exchange with cosolvent should be maintained in crystal structures used for docking campaigns, and that hydroxy substituents should be incorporated in the ligand so as to map the structured water molecules replaced by (m)ethanol.
Using graphics processing units to investigate molecular coevolution
Authors: Waechter Michael , Jaeger Kathrin , Thuerck Daniel , Weissgraeber Stephanie , Widmer Sven , Goesele Michael , Hamacher Kay
Published: June 2013

We present a massively parallel implementation of the computation of (co)evolutionary signals from biomolecular sequence alignments based on mutual information (MI) and a normalization procedure to neutral evolution. The MI is computed for two‐point and three‐point correlations within any multiple sequence alignment. We meet the high computational demand in the normalization procedure efficiently with an implementation on Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) using NVIDIA's CUDA framework. In particular, the normalization of the MI for three‐point ‘cliques’ of amino acids or nucleotides requires large sampling numbers in the normalization, which we achieve by using GPUs. GPU computation serves as an enabling technology here insofar as MI normalization is also possible using traditional computational methods [1] or cluster computation, but only GPU computation makes MI normalization for sequence analysis feasible in a statistically sufficient sample and in acceptable time given affordable commodity hardware. We illustrate (i) the computational efficiency and (ii) the biological usefulness of two‐point and three‐point MI by applications to the well‐known protein calmodulin and the variable surface glycoprotein (VSG) of Trypanosoma brucei, which are subject to involved evolutionary pressure. Here, we find striking coevolutionary patterns and distinct information on the molecular evolution of these molecules that question previous work that relied on non‐efficient MI computations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal power allocation for cognitive radio networks with relay‐assisted directional transmission
Authors: Nouri Narges , Noori Narges
Published: June 2013

In this paper, the problem of power allocation in a cooperative cognitive radio (CR) network is investigated. An optimal power allocation is proposed to maximize efficiency of the secondary network in which secondary users transmit simultaneously over a spectral band assigned to the primary users. The CR network employs directional relays to improve efficiency of the communication links and minimize interference introduced to the primary users. Unlike the conventional cooperative relay‐assisted network, the directional relays are grouped in clusters. This clustering technique along with directional transmission can significantly reduce interference to the primary links and improve the system performance. Two algorithms are also developed on the basis of the penalty method to determine unknown transmission powers. Some corroborant numerical examples are provided to illustrate quick convergence behavior of the proposed algorithms and great superiority of employing clustered directional relays in cooperative CR networks. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Populations at risk: conservation genetics of kangaroo mice (Microdipodops) of the Great Basin Desert
Authors: Andersen John J. , Portnoy David S. , Hafner John C. , Light Jessica E.
Published: June 2013

The Great Basin Desert of western North America has experienced frequent habitat alterations due to a complex biogeographic history and recent anthropogenic impacts, with the more recent alterations likely resulting in the decline of native fauna and flora. Dark (Microdipodops megacephalus) and pallid (M. pallidus) kangaroo mice are ecological specialists found within the Great Basin Desert and are potentially ideal organisms for assessing ecosystem health and inferring the biogeographic history of this vulnerable region. Herein, newly acquired nuclear‐encoded microsatellite loci were utilized to assess patterns of variation within and among spatially discrete groups of kangaroo mice and to evaluate gene flow, demographic trends, and genetic integrity. Results confirm that there are at least three genetically distinct units within M. megacephalus and two such units within M. pallidus. The three units of M. megacephalus appear to have different demographic histories, with effectively no gene flow among them since their divergence. Similarly, the two units of M. pallidus also appear to have experienced different demographic histories, with effectively no gene exchange. Contemporary effective population sizes of all groups within Microdipodops appear to be low (<500), suggesting that each genetic lineage may have difficulty coping with changing environmental pressures and hence may be at risk of extirpation. Results of this study indicate that each Microdipodops group should be recognized, and therefore managed, as a separate unit in an effort to conserve these highly specialized taxa that contribute to the diversity of the Great Basin Desert ecosystem.
Experimental demonstration of a parasite‐induced immune response in wild birds: Darwin's finches and introduced nest flies
Authors: Koop Jennifer A. H. , Owen Jeb P. , Knutie Sarah A. , Aguilar Maria A. , Clayton Dale H.
Published: June 2013

Ecological immunology aims to explain variation among hosts in the strength and efficacy of immunological defenses. However, a shortcoming has been the failure to link host immune responses to actual parasites under natural conditions. Here, we present one of the first experimental demonstrations of a parasite‐induced immune response in a wild bird population. The recently introduced ectoparasitic nest fly Philornis downsi severely impacts the fitness of Darwin's finches and other land birds in the Galápagos Islands. An earlier study showed that female medium ground finches (Geospiza fortis) had P. downsi‐binding antibodies correlating with presumed variation in fly exposure over time. In the current study, we experimentally manipulated fly abundance to test whether the fly does, in fact, cause changes in antibody levels. We manipulated P. downsi abundance in nests and quantified P. downsi‐binding antibody levels of medium ground finch mothers, fathers, and nestlings. We also quantified host behaviors, such as preening, which can integrate with antibody‐mediated defenses against ectoparasites. Philornis downsi‐binding antibody levels were significantly higher among mothers at parasitized nests, compared to mothers at (fumigated) nonparasitized nests. Mothers with higher antibody levels tended to have fewer parasites in their nests, suggesting that antibodies play a role in defense against parasites. Mothers showed no behavioral changes that would enhance the effectiveness of the immune response. Neither adult males, nor nestlings, had P. downsi‐induced immunological or behavioral responses that would enhance defense against flies. None of the parasitized nests fledged any offspring, despite the immune response by mothers. Thus, this study shows that, while the immune response of mothers appeared to be defensive, it was not sufficient to rescue current reproductive fitness. This study further shows the importance of testing the fitness consequences of immune defenses, rather than assuming that such responses increase host fitness.
Can migrants escape from density dependence?
Authors: Marco‐Rius Francisco , Caballero Pablo , Morán Paloma , Garcia de Leaniz Carlos
Published: June 2013

Migration is thought to maximize growth by enabling individuals to escape from density dependence, but this has rarely been tested at the individual level in natural populations. We employed linear mixed modeling of the spacing between consecutive scale growth rings to reconstruct individual growth profiles of a paradigmatic fish migrant, the sea trout (Salmo trutta) and related these to estimates of year class strength over a 13‐year period. Variation in scale growth was 1.3 times greater among individuals than within individuals in freshwater and 10 times greater at sea. Scale growth was inversely related to year class strength, both in freshwater (before migration) and at sea (after migration). Competition for patchily distributed resources is the most plausible explanation of the negative density‐dependent growth observed in freshwater and, to a lesser extent, in the marine environment. Our study provides some of the strongest evidence for a role of density dependence in determining partial migrations because although migrants can maximize growth by moving into the sea, they do not appear to become free from density dependence constraints completely. This has implications for conservation and suggests that sea trout and other anadromous fish displaying partial migrations may not be best managed on a river by river basis, but rather from a broader, coastal perspective.
End‐Group‐Differentiating Ozonolysis of Norbornene Systems To Afford Highly Substituted Cyclopentane Rings
Authors: Testero Sebastián A. , Mangione María I. , Suárez Alejandra G. , Spanevello Rolando A.
Published: June 2013

The end‐group‐differentiating ozonolysis concept is discussed, with an emphasis on norbornene systems. Different remote functional groups in endo positions in norbornene derivatives are able to direct the primary ozonide fragmentation. By analysis of the factors affecting the regioselectivity, a rule to predict the direction of the primary ozonide rupture is formulated. These reactions give access to highly substituted cyclopentane rings and provide opportunities for their subsequent regioselective manipulation.
Phospholipid profiles of Penicillium chrysogenum in different scales of fermentations
Authors: Qiao Bin , Lu Hua , Cao Ying‐Xiu , Chen Rao , Yuan Ying‐Jin
Published: June 2013

Optimizing industrial‐scale fermentation for Penicillium chrysogenum is of significance for increasing commercial production of antibiotics. Lipidomics could be a valuable tool for the investigation in the behaviors of P. chrysogenum in realistic industrial environments. In this work, the phospholipid (PL) profiles of an industrial strain of P. chrysogenum were compared in different scale processes. PL was performed on LC/ESI/MSn system. It was found that industrial P. chrysogenum cells absorbed significant amounts of exogenous saturated and (poly) unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from feedstock and incorporated them into their cell membranes during two fermentations. Results showed that the PL species that contain the PUFAs, that is, linolenic acid and hexadecadienoic acid, were quite variable between pilot and industrial scales of fermentations. Higher levels of PUFA‐containing PLs in rapid‐ and linear‐growth stages during industrial fermentation implied the occurrence of dramatic variations in cell membrane fluidity during these periods. It was speculated that this behavior was due to impacts of multiple physical and chemical factors present in the fermentation environment during this large‐scale fed‐batch process. The identified PUFA‐containing PLs could be used as valuable biomarkers for optimizing industrial‐scale fermentation for P. chrysogenum.
Levels and distribution of tetrabromobisphenol A and hexabromocyclododecane in Taihu Lake, China
Authors: Xu Jian , Zhang Yuan , Guo Changsheng , He Yan , Li Lei , Meng Wei
Published: June 2013

The occurrence and distribution characteristics of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in water and sediments from Taihu Lake, China, were investigated. The analytes were quantified by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The TBBPA levels in water ranged from below the limit of detection (LOD) to 1.12 ng/L, whereas levels in sediments were between 0.056 ng/g dry weight and 2.15 ng/g dry weight. Regarding HBCD, concentrations were from below the LOD to 0.37 ng/L for water samples and from 0.046 ng/g dry weight to 2.56 ng/g dry weight for sediments. No correlation was found between sediment total organic carbon content and TBBPA/HBCDs, while significant positive correlations (r2 = 0.63, p < 0.005) were observed between TBBPA concentrations and HBCD concentrations in sediments. The highest TBBPA (2.15 ng/g dry wt) and total HBCD concentration (2.56 ng/g dry wt) was found at sampling site 1 (S1), while total HBCD levels fell dramatically with increasing distance from S1, suggesting that the estuary inputs around Taihu Lake were important sources of TBBPA and HBCDs. Compared with the pollution levels in the other regions of the world, the concentrations of TBBPA and HBCDs in Taihu Lake were at a moderate or low level. Further study on the sources of TBBPA and HBCDs is required for both assessment of their potential risks and better pollution management in Taihu Lake. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2249–2255. © 2013 SETAC
Global analysis of the effect of fluid flow on subduction zone temperatures
Authors: Rotman Holly M. M. , Spinelli Glenn A.
Published: June 2013

Knowledge of the controls on temperature distributions at subduction zones is critical for understanding a wide range of seismic, metamorphic, and magmatic processes. Here, we present the results of ∼220 thermal model simulations covering the majority of known subduction zone convergence rates, incoming plate ages, and slab dips. We quantify the thermal effects of fluid circulation in the subducting crust by comparing results with and without advective heat transfer in the oceanic crustal aquifer. We find that hydrothermal cooling of a subduction zone is maximized when the subducting slab is young, slowly converging, steeply dipping, and the crustal aquifer is ventilated near the trench. Incoming plate age is one of the primary controls on the effectiveness of advective heat transfer in the aquifer, and the greatest temperature effects occur with an incoming plate <50 Ma. The thermal effects of fluid circulation decrease dramatically with increasing age of the incoming plate. Temperatures in the Cascadia, Nankai, southern Chile, Colombia/Ecuador, Mexico, and Solomon Islands subduction zones are likely strongly affected by fluid circulation; for these systems, only thermal models of Cascadia and Nankai have included fluid flow in subducting crust.
The association between race and gender, treatment attitudes, and antidepressant treatment adherence
Authors: Burnett‐Zeigler Inger , Kim H. Myra , Chiang Claire , Kavanagh Janet , Zivin Kara , Rockefeller Katherin , Sirey Jo Anne , Kales Helen C.
Published: June 2013

Objectives

We examined the associations between treatment attitudes and beliefs with race–gender differences in antidepressant adherence.

Methods

Subjects (n = 186) were African‐American and White subjects aged ≥60 years, diagnosed with clinically significant depression, and had a new outpatient primary care recommendation for antidepressant treatment. Antidepressant adherence was assessed using the Brief Medication Questionnaire. Attitudes and beliefs were assessed using the Patients Attitudes Toward and Ratings of Care for Depression, two items rating perceived medication importance, and a modified version of the Stigma Scale for Receiving Psychological Help.

Results

African‐American men and women had significantly greater concerns about antidepressants and significantly less understanding about treatment than White women. African‐American men had significantly more negative attitudes toward healthcare providers than African‐American and White women. African‐American women were more likely than White men and women to endorse a medication other than their antidepressant as most important. Whereas some race–gender differences were found in personal spirituality, no group differences were found in perceived stigma. In a logistic regression model adjusted for key baseline variables, White women were significantly more adherent to antidepressants than African‐American women (OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 1.06–8.81). Fewer concerns about antidepressants and indicating the antidepressant as the most important medication were both significantly associated with adherence. After including either of these two variables, the adherence difference between White women and African‐American women was no longer significant (OR = 2.56, 95% CI = 0.84–7.80).

Conclusions

Concerns about antidepressants and the importance of antidepressant medication are associated with adherence and are potentially modifiable through improved patient–provider communication, psycho‐education, and therapeutic interventions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anthropogenic contributions to Australia's record summer temperatures of 2013
Authors: Lewis Sophie C. , Karoly David J.
Published: June 2013

Anthropogenic contributions to the record hot 2013 Australian summer are investigated using a suite of climate model experiments. This was the hottest Australian summer in the observational record. Australian area‐average summer temperatures for simulations with natural forcings only were compared to simulations with anthropogenic and natural forcings for the period 1976–2005 and the RCP8.5 high emission simulation (2006–2020) from nine Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 models. Using fraction of attributable risk to compare the likelihood of extreme Australian summer temperatures between the experiments, it was very likely (>90% confidence) there was at least a 2.5 times increase in the odds of extreme heat due to human influences using simulations to 2005, and a fivefold increase in this risk using simulations for 2006–2020. The human contribution to the increased odds of Australian summer extremes like 2013 was substantial, while natural climate variations alone, including El Niño Southern Oscillation, are unlikely to explain the record temperature.
Measurement of distress and its alteration during treatment in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Deng Yao‐Tiao , Zhong Wu‐Ning , Jiang Yu
Published: June 2013

Background

We examined the criterion‐related validity of the Distress Thermometer (DT) for screening distress in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and investigated prospectively how distress changes.

Methods

In the cross‐sectional study, the DT was tested against the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in 295 patients with NPC. In the prospective study, 61 newly diagnosed patients with NPC completed the DT and HADS 6 times.

Results

Adopting HADS as the standard tool for screening distress, 31.5% of the patients with NPC had distress. A DT cutoff score ≥4 had best sensitivity (0.73) and specificity (0.85). In the prospective study, the proportion of patients with distress rose significantly during treatment.

Conclusion

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) findings provide initial support for the validity of the DT among patients with NPC. Nearly one third of patients with NPC exceeded cutoff values for distress in the cross‐sectional study. In the prospective study, the level of distress increased significantly during concurrent chemoradiotherapy for patients with NPC. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1077–1086, 2014
Heightened risk of second primary carcinoma of the head and neck following cervical neoplasia
Authors: Dost Fatima , Ford Pauline J. , Farah Camile S.
Published: June 2013

Background

Cervical cancers have been shown to increase the risk of cancers at distant sites, including the head and neck region. This study investigated the relative risk of developing head and neck cancer subsequent to cervical cancer in an Australian population.

Methods

Cervical cancers, head and neck cancers, and cervical dysplasias among women registered with the Queensland Oncology Repository were identified for the period 1982 to 2008.

Results

Over the 26‐year period, 3328 women were diagnosed with a cervical cancer and followed up for 30,375 person‐years at risk. Eighteen women (0.5%) developed head and neck cancer within a mean time of 8.1 years (SD = 5.56). The relative risk of head and neck cancer development subsequent to cervical cancer was 6.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.06–10.91).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that women with cervical cancer were almost 7 times more likely to develop head and neck cancer compared to the general female population. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1132–1137, 2014
Reforms and emerging noncommunicable disease: some challenges facing a conflict‐ridden country—the case of the Syrian Arab Republic
Authors: Sen Kasturi , Al‐Faisal Waleed
Published: June 2013

The past year witnessed considerable turbulence in the Arab world—in this case, Syria, a lower middle‐income country with a record of a strong public health infrastructure. This paper explores the current challenges facing its health system from reforms, civil strife and international sanctions all of which we argue have serious implications for population health. The health sector in Syria was little known, and until recently, it was well integrated to provide preventive and specialized care when needed. Regionally, it was one of the few countries ready and capable of addressing the challenges of demographic and epidemiologic transition with a long‐standing emphasis on primary care and prevention, unlike most countries of the region. This context has changed dramatically through the recent implementation of reforms and the current civil war.

Changes to financing, management and the delivery of health service placed access to services in jeopardy, but now, these are compounded by the destruction from an intractable and violent conflict and international sanctions. This paper explores some of the combined effects of reforms, conflict and sanctions on population health.

Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of riverine load of contaminants to european seas under policy implementation scenarios: An example with 3 pilot substances
Authors: Marinov Dimitar , Pistocchi Alberto , Trombetti Marco , Bidoglio Giovanni
Published: June 2013

An evaluation of conventional emission scenarios is carried out targeting a possible impact of European Union (EU) policies on riverine loads to the European seas for 3 pilot pollutants: lindane, trifluralin, and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The policy scenarios are investigated to the time horizon of year 2020 starting from chemical-specific reference conditions and considering different types of regulatory measures including business as usual (BAU), current trend (CT), partial implementation (PI), or complete ban (PI ban) of emissions. The scenario analyses show that the model-estimated lindane load of 745 t to European seas in 1995, based on the official emission data, would be reduced by 98.3% to approximately 12.5 t in 2005 (BAU scenario), 10 years after the start of the EU regulation of this chemical. The CT and PI ban scenarios indicate a reduction of sea loads of lindane in 2020 by 74% and 95%, respectively, when compared to the BAU estimate. For trifluralin, an annual load of approximately 61.7 t is estimated for the baseline year 2003 (BAU scenario), although the applied conservative assumptions related to pesticide use data availability in Europe. Under the PI (ban) scenario, assuming only small residual emissions of trifluralin, we estimate a sea loading of approximately 0.07 t/y. For PFOS, the total sea load from all European countries is estimated at approximately 5.8 t/y referred to 2007 (BAU scenario). Reducing the total load of PFOS below 1 t/y requires emissions to be reduced by 84%. The analysis of conventional scenarios or scenario typologies for emissions of contaminants using simple spatially explicit GIS-based models is suggested as a viable, affordable exercise that may support the assessment of implementation of policies and the identification or negotiation of emission reduction targets. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2013;X:000–000. © 2013 SETAC Integr Environ Assess Manag 2014;10:48–59. © 2013 SETAC
Evaluation and Measurement of Asymmetric Factor of a Basic Compound on C18 Bonded Silica in Supercritical Fluid Chromatography with Orthogonal Array Design
Authors: Chou Fum‐Min , Chen Po‐Hsueh , Wei Guor‐Tzo
Published: June 2013

A L18 (21 × 37) OAD was employed to investigate the effects of SFC parameters on the asymmetric factor of a basic compound on C18 columns. The effect of active sites of silanol group on SFC could be much more significant than that of HPLC due to the low viscosity and high diffusivity of the supercritical fluid. Three Waters C18 columns with different silanol activities were employed to examine the effect of the SFC parameters on the asymmetric factor of 5‐(α‐phenylethyl)‐semioxamazide. The OAD data were evaluated by ANOVA to determine significant parameters of SFC on the asymmetric factor. The results of ANOVA indicate that the silanol activity is the most dominant factor affecting the asymmetric factor. The influence of other parameters on the asymmetric factor follows the order of: modifier type > modifier concentration > additive type > pressure > temperature ∼ additive concentration > injected sample concentration.
An atomic force microscopy statistical analysis of laser‐induced azo‐polyimide periodic tridimensional nanogrooves
Authors: Stoica Iuliana , Epure Luiza , Sava Ion , Damian Victor , Hurduc Nicolae
Published: June 2013

The surface morphology of azo‐polyimide films was investigated after 355nm Nd: YAG laser irradiation with two different incident fluencies. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to correlate the laser‐induced tridimensional nanogrooved surface relief with the incident fluence and the number of irradiation pulses. The height images revealed that the grooves depth increased even tens of times by increasing the incident fluence, using the same numbers of irradiation pulses. For low incident fluence, the films were uniformly patterned till 100 pulses of irradiation. Instead, when using higher fluence, after 15 pulses of irradiation the accuracy of the surface relief definition was reduced. This behavior could be explained by means of two different mechanisms, one that suppose the film photo‐fluidization due to the cis‐trans isomerization processes of the azo‐groups and the second one responsible for the directional mass displacement. The dominant surface direction and parameters like isotropy, periodicity, and period were evaluated from the polar representation for texture analysis, revealing the appearance of ordered and directionated nanostructures for most of the experimental conditions. Also, the graphical studies of the functional volume parameters have evidenced the improvement of the relief structuration during surface nanostructuration. The correlation of these statistical texture parameters with the irradiation characteristics is important in controlling the alignment of either the liquid crystals or the cells/tissues on patterned azo‐polyimide surfaces for optoelectronic devices and implantable biomaterials, respectively. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:914–923, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Convergence depths of tectonic regions from an ensemble of global tomographic models
Authors: Jordan Thomas H. , Paulson Elizabeth M.
Published: June 2013

We project 3‐D variations in shear wave (vS) velocity from 21 whole‐mantle tomographic models onto global tectonic regionalizations. The vS profiles of oceanic and continental regions show strong upper mantle variations, as expected from plate tectonics, and most are consistent with lower mantle heterogeneity uncorrelated with surface tectonics. We construct probabilistic lower bounds for a set of convergence depths , where the vS profiles for regions X and Y become statistically indistinguishable. The lower bounds account for intraregional variances and are corrected for vertical‐smearing bias. Ensemble probability curves yield > 146 km and > 178 km at 90% confidence, where A, B, and C comprise oceanic crust of ages < 25 Ma, 25–100 Ma, and >100 Ma. These intra‐oceanic convergence depths are consistent with half‐space cooling models, showing that the mantle more than 100 km below the G discontinuity participates in conductive cooling, and they imply that the upper part of the oceanic asthenosphere is advected by the plate flow. At 95% confidence, > 350 km, where region PS comprises stable continents (platforms P and shields S) and BC comprises mature ocean basins (>25 Ma). Stable‐continent heterogeneities show high radial correlation, indicating that marks the base of a coherent tectosphere. Our results call into question the interpretation of the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary as the kinematic base of the tectonic plates. They are more consistent with a thicker tectosphere decoupled from mantle flow by a low‐viscosity layer immediately above the 410 km discontinuity.
Urban planning indicators: useful tools to measure the effect of urbanization and vegetation on summer air temperatures
Authors: Petralli Martina , Massetti Luciano , Brandani Giada , Orlandini Simone
Published: June 2013

In this article, the relationships between some urban planning indicators (GCR, green cover ratio; LCR, Lawn cover ratio; TCR, Tree cover ratio; SCR, street cover ratio; BCR, building cover ratio; BVD, Building volume density) and intra‐urban minimum and maximum average summer temperatures of Florence (Italy) were investigated. These indicators were calculated at different scales (areas of 10 m to 500 m radius) within the urban environment. Results showed that all the indicators can be used to assess the intra‐urban distribution of minimum air temperature values at all scales. Maximum air temperature was affected by GCR and TCR especially near the stations (radius up to 50 m), and by SCR at all scales, and the significance increased with radius. A 10% increase in LCR determined a reduction in minimum summer temperature from 0.14 °C (radius = 10 m; p < 0.05) to 0.53 °C (radius = 500 m; p < 0.01). A 10% increase in SCR determined an increase in minimum summer temperature from 0.22 °C (radius = 10 m; p < 0.01) to 0.66 °C (radius = 400 m; p < 0.01). The analysis of the type of green showed the significant role of forested areas on decreasing maximum temperatures and of grass areas on decreasing minimum temperatures. This research expands our scientific understanding of the effects of urban planning indicators on the intra‐urban thermal regime and can provide useful tools to urban planners and policymakers for the evaluation of the impact of an urban transformation on the thermal regime of the city at different scales.