bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inverse correspondence between hippocampal perfusion and verbal memory performance in older adults
Authors: Rane Swati , Ally Brandon A. , Hussey Erin , Wilson Tracy , Thornton‐Wells Tricia , Gore John C. , Donahue Manus J.
Published: October 2012

Understanding physiological changes that precede irreversible tissue damage in age‐related pathology is central to optimizing treatments that may prevent, or delay, cognitive decline. Cerebral perfusion is a tightly regulated physiological property, coupled to tissue metabolism and function, and abnormal (both elevated and reduced) hippocampal perfusion has been reported in a range of cognitive disorders. However, the size and location of the hippocampus complicates perfusion quantification, as many perfusion techniques acquire data with spatial resolution on the order of or beyond the size of the hippocampus, and are thus suboptimal in this region (especially in the presence of hippocampal atrophy and reduced flow scenarios). Here, the relationship between hippocampal perfusion and atrophy as a function of memory performance was examined in cognitively normal healthy older adults (n = 20; age=67 ± 7 yr) with varying genetic risk for dementia using a custom arterial spin labeling acquisition and analysis procedure. When controlling for hippocampal volume, it was found that hippocampal perfusion correlated inversely (P = 0.04) with memory performance despite absent hippocampal tissue atrophy or white matter disease. The hippocampal flow asymmetry (left hippocampus perfusion–right hippocampus perfusion) was significantly (P = 0.04) increased in APOE‐ϵ4 carriers relative to noncarriers. These findings demonstrate that perfusion correlates more strongly than tissue volume with memory performance in cognitively normal older adults, and furthermore that an inverse trend between these two parameters suggests that elevation of neuronal activity, possibly mediated by neuroinflammation and/or excitation/inhibition imbalance, may be closely associated with minor changes in memory performance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Managing FX risk during the Euro crisis
Authors: Makar Stephen , Wang Li , Alam Pervaiz
Published: October 2012

Since the start of the Great Recession in 2007, treasurers have been challenged to manage cash flow uncertainty—including the impact of exchange rate (FX) changes. Today, FX risk management has become particularly important for companies doing business in the Eurozone. But current hedge ac‐counting practices cannot accurately predict future cash flows in FX risk management. In this article, the authors help treasurers and CFOs analyze those accounting deficiencies in the Eurozone context. They also discuss the strategic implications of the hedge accounting problem. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preliminary Evaluation of an Observational Measure of Group Cohesion for Group Psychotherapy
Authors: Lerner Matthew D. , McLeod Bryce D. , Mikami Amori Y.
Published: October 2012

Objective

Group psychotherapy research would benefit from an observational measure of group cohesion to complement existing self‐report measures. This study introduces the Therapy Process Observational Coding System‐Group Cohesion scale (TPOCS‐GC), which observationally assesses cohesion between each member and the group.

Method

In total 27 parents participated in a group parent‐training social competency intervention for children with attention deficit‐hyperactivity disorder. Independent coders double‐coded group cohesion and the alliance in 144 client‐sessions. Parents, teachers, and children completed cognitive, behavioral, and therapy participation measures.

Results

The TPOCS‐GC demonstrated modest to strong item‐level interrater reliability and acceptable internal consistency. Group cohesion evidenced moderate stability over the course of treatment. Relations between TPOCS‐GC and theoretically linked and unrelated variables provided some evidence for construct and predictive validity.

Conclusions

This preliminary study suggests that the TPOCS‐GC is a reliable instrument that may help fill an instrumentation gap in the field.
The dynamics of strike votes: Perceived justice during collective bargaining
Authors: Cloutier Julie , Denis Pascale L. , Bilodeau Henriette
Published: October 2012

Why do workers decide to go on strike or change their mind during a strike? This field study aims to determine to what extent employees' perceptions of justice formed during the collective bargaining process influence their strike vote. Data were collected from a North American university faculty that went on strike 21 months after the expiration of its collective agreement. The results show that perceived justice about collective bargaining is a determinant of the strike vote. The role played by the employer and the union as a source of (in)justice and the importance of the four types of justice perceptions (procedural, distributive, interpersonal, and informational) vary depending on the context of ballots (initiate, continue, or end the strike). This suggests that the reduction of uncertainty leads to the activation of three different mechanisms: judgmental heuristics (salience), social comparison, and cognitive dissonance. The results also suggest that employees attempt to be as rational as possible when they decide to go on strike. Nevertheless, the decision to join strikers and to continue the strike is partly based on an emotional process: employees use the strike to punish the employer. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient Micromachining of Thin Films with Nanosecond Lasers
Authors: Bischoff Christian , Hellmann Ralf , Rung Stefan
Published: October 2012

Especially for micromachining, single‐mode solid state lasers are well established nowadays. Due to their ultra short pulse duration and low pulse energies picosecond and especially femtosecond lasers show a quite high precision in micromachining processes and avoid thermal effects. However, these advantages in process quality require higher investment costs for the lasers. As a consequence, in cost sensitive markets such ultra short pulse systems are only rarely used. Hence, the series production of, e.g., solar panels is still mainly based on nanosecond lasers, as these systems are available at significantly lower costs. Besides pulse duration also the wavelength and the beam profile have a strong influence on the quality of the laser ablation process. For many applications the raw Gaussian beam profile does not lead to the best result. Therefore, an adaption of the beam profile to the process is highly desired. It has been shown that especially beam profiles with a homogeneous intensity distribution, so called Top‐Hat profiles can improve the quality of an ablation process and lead to a reduction of the processing costs. This applies in particular to thin film processing. This article shows how a cost efficient micromachining process of thin film layers can be realized by using nanosecond lasers in combination with various beam shaping optics.
Laser Beam Steering not only in Ophthalmology
Authors: Arnold Steffen , Reiff Ellen‐Christine
Published: October 2012

Lasers are versatile tools. Nowadays, they are just as indispensable in materials processing as in eye surgery or super high resolution microscopy. The different areas of application have similarities, however, since a precise positioning of the laser beam is always crucial. At the same time, this laser beam steering and focusing also requires the drive systems used to be dynamic, reliable and compactly dimensioned, in order to allow simple integration in applications. It is therefore hardly surprising that piezoelectric drive components often have no serious alternative for laser beam steering.
Ultra‐fast Lasers Leave their Mark
Authors: Müller Dirk , Blumenrath Andreas , Haloui Hatim , Klimt Bernhard
Published: October 2012

“The pulse is already gone before the surrounding material ever had a chance to notice anything happened.” This analogy is often made in reference to the material interaction between an ultrafast laser pulse and the material it is impinging on. Indeed, the pulse is so short that when compared to the characteristic time constant of energy propagation in solids it is “gone before the neighbors ever got the message”. The message in this very simplistic picture of the radiation matter interaction is generally heat. While there are plenty of laser applications that benefit greatly from the fact that lasers like no other method can deposit energy easily, quickly and very locally into materials, some applications cannot tolerate precisely this: heat.
Lasers for Nanometrology
Authors: Krischke Anja , Schulz Michael , Knothe Christian , Oechsner Ulrich
Published: October 2012

Over the last few decades the interest in phenomena on nanoscale or even atomic scale has increased significantly.

A prominent, but at the same time very demanding technique is atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM can reveal surface topographies at atomic resolution or be used to measure small forces in the range of only a few piconewtons. This exacting technique requires highly stable laser sources with specific features, including low power noise and the possibility to oppress unwanted interference.

The 51nano series of lasers was specially developed to provide these indispensable features of low noise, reduced coherence and low speckle contrast in order to achieve the demanding stability standards required in nanotechnology and atomic force measurements. Particle measurements and alignment tasks are other possible applications for these stabilized, fiber‐coupled laser diode beam sources.
Theoretical Study of Twin Polymerization – From Chemical Reactivity to Structure Formation
Authors: Auer Alexander A. , Richter Antje , Berezkin Anatoly V. , Guseva Daria V. , Spange Stefan
Published: October 2012

Twin polymerization is a novel technique for synthesizing hybrid polymers with domain sizes in the nanometer range. While a broad variety of monomers have been investigated, the mechanistic details and the most important influences on the nanostructure formation are unknown. A scale bridging approach is presented to simulate the twin polymerization of 2,2'‐spirobi[4H‐1,3,2‐benzodioxasiline]. This approach is based on detailed quantum chemical calculations that yield insight into reactivity and structure at the molecular level while the kinetics of the network formation process and the influences that govern structure formation are investigated at the mesoscopic level by a coarse‐grained simulation.

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Micro‐RNA profiling as biomarkers in flap ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Chang Kao‐ping , Lai Chung‐sheng
Published: October 2012

Background: Ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is usually the key and often plays an irreversible role to induce flap compromise in microvascular tissue transfers. This article aims to profile the expression of micro‐RNAs (miRs) in free flap surgeries following IRI. Methods: The miRs expression profiling was initially surveyed in rat epigastric flap vessels using Agilent 350‐Microarrayed miRs after IRI, and then quantified by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in flap vessels and tissues (n = 5) at three intervals: before induction of ischemia (normoxia without IRI, sham), 2 and 72 hours after reperfusion following 2 hours of ischemia. Furthermore, for seven patients with free anterolateral thigh flap reconstruction, the miRs expression patterns in these flaps before induction of ischemia (normoxia), at 2 and 72 hours after reperfusion following an ischemic interval were investigated. Results: Four miRs (miR‐96, miR‐193‐3p, miR‐210, and miR‐21) of 350 tested rat miRs were found to be positively significant. In rat flap vessels, the upregulation of these miRs at 72‐hour reperfusion was statistically significant. These patterns were not noted in rat flap tissues, except for miR‐96. However, there seemed to be no significant difference in human flap vessels between normoxia and 2‐hour reperfusion following ischemia. In human flap tissue, significant upregulation of miR‐193‐3p, miR‐210, and miR‐21 was detected at 72‐hour perfusion. Conclusions: Our findings show some changes of four upregulated miRs in our model of IRI. We suggest that further investigation is needed to determine the role of miRs in IRI of microsurgical reconstruction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
Spermatozoa motility and variation in the seminal plasma proteome of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) during the reproductive season
Authors: Shaliutina A. , Hulak M. , Dzuyba B. , Linhart O.
Published: October 2012

This study evaluated physiological and functional sperm parameters and the seminal plasma proteome of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) over the course of their reproductive season. Spermatozoa velocity (169.56 ± 6.53 to 158.5 ± 7.4 µm sec−1), percent motility (95.89 ± 4.28% to 89.55 ± 4.5%), and osmolality of seminal plasma (290 ± 5 to 297 ± 12 mOsmol kg−1) remained stable throughout the reproductive season. Milt volume and protein concentration of seminal plasma gradually increased and reached the highest values late in the reproductive period. Spermatozoa concentration peaked in the mid‐reproductive season (66.90 ± 13 × 109 spermatozoa ml−1) and decreased towards the end (54 ± 10 × 109 spermatozoa ml−1). A proteomic analysis of seminal plasma using two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed 10 protein spots significantly altered over the course of the reproductive season. Subsequent protein characterization suggested that time in the reproductive season predominantly affected proteins involved in membrane trafficking, organization, cell motility, and oxido‐reductase activity. This study provides new data on physiological properties of sperm and protein patterns of seminal plasma over the course of the reproductive season that should be considered in the development of methods for artificial reproduction of perch. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79: 879–887, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence of pubovisceral muscle avulsion in a general gynecology cohort: A computed tomography (CT) study
Authors: Derpapas Alexandros , Digesu Alessandro G. , Hamady Mohamad , Gallo Pasquale , Dell'Utri Chiara , Vijaya Gopalan , Khullar Vik
Published: October 2012

Aims

To calculate the prevalence of pubovisceral muscle (PM) avulsion in a cohort of women presenting at a university hospital for non‐urogynecological conditions.

Methods

Women with or without symptoms of PFD were studied in a tertiary referral urogynecology center between February and October 2010. Women were recruited from the Department of Radiology, where they were referred for a CT pelvis scan due to various pathologies. Assessment of participants included a detailed clinical interview, completion of King's Health and Prolapse‐Quality of Life (P‐QOL) questionnaires and spiral CT scan of the pelvis. Bilateral attachments of the PM to the pubic rami were identified in the plane of minimal hiatal dimensions, when present, and measurement of the levator symphysis gap (LSG) was taken in cases with PM complete detachment. Bivariate analysis between the PM maximum thickness and different obstetric variables was performed by using Spearman's correlation test (P < 0.05).

Results

One hundred ten women were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of PM avulsion was 6.4% (7/110). In cases with confirmed avulsion, the levator sympysis gap (LSG) ranged from 17.30 to 25.40 mm. The left PM was found to be significantly thinner in parous women and in those with a history of prolonged second stage of labor.

Conclusions

The prevalence of pubovisceral muscle avulsion using CT scanning in a general gynecology cohort is 6.4%. Thinning of the pubovisceral muscle occurs with parity and protracted labor and is more prominent on the left portion of the muscle. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 359–362, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stimulation of Ideas through Compound‐Based Bibliometrics: Counting and Mapping Chemical Compounds for Analyzing Research Topics in Chemistry, Physics, and Materials Science
Authors: Barth Andreas , Marx Werner
Published: October 2012

Counting compounds (rather than papers or citations) offers a new perspective for quantitative analyses of research activities. First of all, we can precisely define (compound‐related) research topics and access the corresponding publications (scientific papers as well as patents) as a measure of research activity. We can also establish the time evolution of the publications dealing with specific compounds or compound classes. Moreover, the mapping of compounds by establishing compound‐based landscapes has some potential to visualize the compound basis of research topics for further research activities. We have analyzed the rare earth compounds to give an example of a broad compound class. We present the number of the currently existing compounds and of the corresponding publications as well as the time evolution of the papers and patents. Furthermore, we have analyzed the rare earth cuprates (copper oxides) as an example of a narrower compound class to demonstrate the potential of mapping compounds by compound‐based landscapes. We have quantified the various element combinations of the existing compounds and revealed all element combinations not yet realized in the synthesis within this compound class. Finally, we have analyzed the quasicrystal compound category as an example of a compound class that is not defined by a specific element combination or a molecular structure.
IS ALL CORRUPTION DYSFUNCTIONAL? PERCEPTIONS OF CORRUPTION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Authors: Walton GRANT W.
Published: October 2012

Many anti‐corruption organisations work from the notion that both petty and grand corruption axiomatically results in negative consequences. However, few studies have asked citizens to evaluate the effects of different scales and types of corruption. This article investigates how rural people in Papua New Guinea associate dysfunctional or functional consequences to different types and scales of corruption. It draws on findings from focus groups conducted in four provinces of the country. The article finds that most examples of corruption considered by respondents were perceived as dysfunctional; however, marginalised respondents considered small‐scale corruption as functional—if the acts described benefitted marginalised people. These findings suggest that it is critical that anti‐corruption organisations understand and respond to the constraints faced by poor and marginalised people when operating in weak states. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The rare inherited coagulation disorders
Authors: Bolton‐Maggs Paula H.B.
Published: October 2012

The rare inherited coagulation disorders (RICD) are uncommon and thus not well‐defined in terms of severity or management. Inheritance is autosomal; in some of these disorders in the heterozygote state affected individuals may be mildly symptomatic. Severe deficiencies are more common in association with consanguinity. Factor X and factor XIII deficiency have the most severe manifestations, while factor XI deficiency is the least severe. Factor VII and factor XI deficiencies show a poor relationship between the factor level and bleeding risk. Unlike hemophilia, women are equally affected by these RICD and can have problems related to menstruation and childbirth. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 60: S37–S40. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Von Willebrand disease
Authors: Berntorp Erik
Published: October 2012

Long‐term prophylaxis is not as well known in Von Willebrand disease (VWD) as in hemophilia but attempts to evaluate prophylaxis scientifically in VWD have started. A few cohort studies have been reported. In an international effort the Von Willebrand disease prophylaxis network (VWD PN) has been formed to investigate the role of prophylaxis in clinically severe VWD (e.g., patients with type 3 VWD) that is nonresponsive to other treatments. Findings from the VWD PN studies will hopefully provide more robust evidence for which patients might best benefit from prophylaxis and for appropriate dosing regimens for prophylaxis in patients with VWD. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 60: S34–S36. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hemophilia and prophylaxis
Authors: Ljung Rolf
Published: October 2012

Clinical experience over decades and numerous retrospective and, recently, also prospective studies clearly demonstrate that prophylactic treatment, albeit much more expensive, is superior to on‐demand treatment regardless of whether the outcome is number of joint‐ or life‐threatening bleeds or arthropathy optimal prophylactic treatment should be started early (primary prophylaxis) but various opinions exist on the model. The optimal model should be to individualize prophylaxis taking into account the bleeding phenotype and the individual susceptibility to arthropathy and further develop monitoring by global coagulation assays and pharmacokinetic parameters. This review covers proof of concept of primary prophylaxis in children, comparisons between prophylaxis and on demand treatment, and future trends of prophylactic treatment of hemophilia. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 60: S23–S26. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Auto‐immune lymphoproliferative disorder and other secondary immune thrombocytopenias in childhood
Authors: Price Victoria
Published: October 2012

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in childhood, typically presents as an acute self‐limiting illness. However, secondary ITP is often a chronic disorder due to an underlying disease. Combined cytopenias in childhood, that is, secondary ITP occurring with auto‐immune hemolytic anemia and/or auto‐immune neutropenia, are often associated with disorders characterized by immune dysregulation. Such disorders include systemic lupus erythematosus, auto‐immune lymphoproliferative syndrome, and common variable immune deficiency. Evans syndrome describes the combination of ITP, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and/or autoimmune neutropenia. However, it is now clear that some patients with Evans syndrome have an underlying immunodeficiency. This report focuses on combined auto‐immune cytopenias and highlights the challenges in their diagnosis and management. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 60: S12–S14. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Health promotion for adolescent childhood leukemia survivors: Building on prevention science and ehealth
Authors: Elliot Diane L. , Lindemulder Susan J. , Goldberg Linn , Stadler Diane D. , Smith Jennifer
Published: October 2012

Teenage survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have increased morbidity likely due to their prior multicomponent treatment. Habits established in adolescence can impact individuals' subsequent adult behaviors. Accordingly, healthy lifestyles, avoiding harmful actions, and appropriate disease surveillance are of heightened importance among teenage survivors. We review the findings from prevention science and their relevance to heath promotion. The capabilities and current uses of eHealth components including e‐learning, serious video games, exergaming, behavior tracking, individual messaging, and social networking are briefly presented. The health promotion needs of adolescent survivors are aligned with those eHealth aspects to propose a new paradigm to enhance the wellbeing of adolescent ALL survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 905–910. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative fluorescence PCR analysis of >40 000 prenatal samples for the rapid diagnosis of trisomies 13, 18 and 21 and monosomy X
Authors: Mann Kathy , Hills Alison , Donaghue Celia , Thomas Helen , Ogilvie Caroline Mackie
Published: October 2012

Objective

To present the results of 10 years of quantitative fluorescence PCR (QF‐PCR) analysis of prenatal samples for the rapid diagnosis of the common aneuploidies. This represents the largest QF‐PCR data set from a single testing centre.

Methods

QF‐PCR analysis using a single assay containing 17 microsatellite markers was applied to all prenatal samples for the identification of trisomies 13, 18 and 21 and triploidy. A separate assay containing 14 sex chromosome markers was targeted to prenatal samples at increased risk of monosomy X.

Results

Results from 40 624 prenatal samples comprising 14 144 chorionic villus and 26 480 amniotic fluid samples are summarised. A QF‐PCR result was not possible for 2.24% amniotic fluid and 0.25% chorionic villus samples because of the presence of an additional genotype consistent with maternal cell contamination. Just 0.08% samples were uninformative for one or more chromosomes and 0.05% of samples failed to produce a genotype. Ninety‐eight percent of samples were reported the following working day from sample receipt. Consumable costs were £5/sample.

Conclusion

QF‐PCR analysis is proven to be an accurate, robust and efficient method for the rapid diagnosis of common aneuploidies in prenatal samples. It has the advantage of detecting triploidy and mosaicism and benefits from considerable economy of scale. © 2012 Crown copyright.
Fall risk increasing drugs and injuries of the frail elderly — evidence from administrative data
Authors: Bauer Thomas K. , Lindenbaum Katharina , Stroka Magdalena A. , Engel Susanne , Linder Roland , Verheyen Frank
Published: October 2012

Background

Society benefits on a large scale from improved medical care and pharmaceuticals. The prescription of pharmaceuticals, however, also carries risks such as the possibility of an increased hazard of falls, which may lead to severe injuries and increased health expenditures associated with these injuries. This study investigates the relationship of several fall risk increasing drugs (FRIDs) and injuries of elderly persons using multivariate regression models.

Method

Routine data from the Techniker Krankenkasse of frail elderly persons aged ≥ 65 years is analysed for the year 2009 by estimating count data models, in order to take the data generating process of the number of injuries into account. The results of this model are compared to those from logistic regressions, which is the default regression model in this field of research.

Results

The empirical results suggest that the incidence of injuries strongly increases with doses of antidepressants, anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives, antiarrhythmics and drugs from the Priscus‐list. However, antihypertensives and antiparkinsonian agents show no significant association and neuroleptics indicate a significant negative association.

Conclusion

As recurrent injuries are common, the analysis of the number of injuries rather than just the probability of having an injury provides a more informative analysis of FRIDs. According to the empirical results, antidepressants, anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives, antiarrhythmics as well as drugs from the Priscus‐list should be prescribed carefully, because these drugs are positively correlated with the incidence of injuries. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Suns‐PLI as a powerful tool for spatially resolved fill factor analysis of solar cells
Authors: Michl Bernhard , Impera Davide , Bivour Martin , Warta Wilhelm , Schubert Martin C.
Published: October 2012

We show the benefits of spatially resolved pseudo fill factor analysis on multicrystalline silicon solar cells. Hereby, we present a method based on quasi‐steady‐state photoluminescence‐calibrated photoluminescence images at varying generation rate. We verify the method by a comparison with global and local Suns‐Voc measurements and apply Suns‐PLI to multicrystalline heterojunction samples with and without conductive top layer, the latter being not accessible by Suns‐Voc. Thereby, we obtain detailed insight into the influence of injection‐dependent local recombination on fill factor and of losses only due to recombination‐driven lateral balancing currents. The conclusions are supported by Spice network simulations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parenting stress and neurocognitive late effects in childhood cancer survivors
Authors: Patel Sunita K. , Wong Andrew L. , Cuevas Michelle , Van Horn Hillary
Published: October 2012

Background

Surveillance of neurocognitive late effects has typically focused on the pediatric survivor alone and rarely has focused on the potential family burden. We investigated the impact of child neurocognitive effects on parenting stress and hypothesized that parents of childhood cancer survivors with greater executive difficulties experience higher stress relative to parents of children with less adverse impact.

Methods

Parents of 44 children who survived cancer involving central nervous system‐directed treatments and who had documented neurocognitive deficits completed standardized questionnaires assessing their perceived level of stress and perception of their child's executive functioning abilities in daily life. Data from performance‐based cognitive tests were obtained on the children. Multiple regression models examined socio‐demographic, clinical, and child's executive functioning as predictors of parent stress. Differences in parenting stress based on child's level of executive functioning were evaluated.

Results

Parent stress was significantly associated with both performance‐based and parent report measures of child executive functioning. Child executive functioning significantly predicted parent stress even after controlling for socio‐demographic and clinical factors, and the final model accounted for 42% of the variance in parent stress levels. Significant differences in parent stress were found when comparing higher versus lower levels of child executive functioning. The nature of the executive difficulties, however, appears important, as we found increased parenting stress among children with behavioral regulation problems rather than metacognitive difficulties.

Conclusions

The associations between parenting stress and neurocognitive problems found in this study suggest the need for further research, along with professional monitoring and appropriate intervention. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social support and quality of life among lung cancer patients: a systematic review
Authors: Luszczynska Aleksandra , Pawlowska Izabela , Cieslak Roman , Knoll Nina , Scholz Urte
Published: October 2012

Objective

This systematic review analyzed the relationships between social support and quality of life (QOL) indicators among lung cancer patients. In particular, the patterns of relationships between different social support facets and sources (received and perceived support from healthcare professionals, family, and friends) and QOL aspects (emotional, physical symptoms, functional, and social) as well as the global QOL index were investigated.

Methods

The review yielded 14 original studies (57% applying cross‐sectional designs) analyzing data from a total of 2759 patients.

Results

Regarding healthcare professionals as support source, corroborating evidence was found for associations between received support (as well as need for and satisfaction with received support) and all aspects of QOL, except for social ones. Overall, significant relations between support from healthcare personnel and QOL were observed more frequently (67% of analyzed associations), compared with support from families and friends (53% of analyzed associations). Corroborating evidence was found for the associations between perceived and received support from family and friends and emotional aspects of QOL. Research investigating perceived social support from unspecified sources indicated few significant relationships (25% of analyzed associations) and only for the global QOL index.

Conclusions

Quantitative and qualitative differences in the associations between social support and QOL are observed, depending on the source and type of support. Psychosocial interventions may aim at enabling provision of social support from healthcare personnel in order to promote emotional, functional, and physical QOL among lung cancer patients.

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lead Free Ammunition without Toxic Propellant Gases
Authors: Moxnes John F. , Jensen Tomas L. , Smestad Eimund , Unneberg Erik , Dullum Ove
Published: October 2012

Environmental and health considerations have encouraged the development of ammunition with substitutes for lead and other heavy metals. In general, the emission products from munitions containing nitro‐based propellants are highly complex mixtures of gases, vapors, and solid particles. The major combustion products are H2O, CO, CO2, H2, and N2. In addition, compounds including hydrogen cyanide (HCN), ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4), nitrogen oxides, benzene, acrylonitrile, toluene, furan, aromatic amines, benzopyrene, and various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are detected in minor concentrations. Many of the identified chemical species have severe toxicological properties, and some of the compounds do even have mutagenic effects. Gun smoke emission is a concern because its exposure to humans may be substantial during military and civilian police training, as respiratory protection equipment is not routinely worn. In this work we study the compositions of some of the main decomposition products, experimentally as well as theoretically. The concept of frozen equilibrium at around 1500–2000 K appears to apply for CO, CO2, and H2. However, the trace species in the combustion mixtures appear theoretically to be present in negligible concentrations. Our measured results are many orders of magnitude higher than theoretical results in open space. We forecast that future development of gun powder will focus on reducing the amount of toxic trace species.
A Formula for Calculating the Velocities of Fragments from Velocity Enhanced Warhead
Authors: Wang Mafa , Lu Fangyun , Li Xiangyu , Cao Lei
Published: October 2012

A formula to predict the radial distribution of the fragment velocities of the Velocity Enhanced Warhead (VEW) is proposed. Not only the maximum velocity gains, but also the velocity gains with azimuth angle can be calculated using this formula. Its predictions are in good agreement with the experimental data from the previous literatures. This formula applies a correctional function in consideration of the directivity and initiation characteristics of the warhead fragments. The correlation between the coefficient k in the correctional function and the warhead property in terms of the ratio β of charge mass to metal casing mass is discussed. The fragment energy distribution can also be obtained from the formula and the results show that when β is equal to 1.0, half of the fragment energy is concentrated within the range of 63° in the target direction.
Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis of the vimentin tail domain reveals points of order in a largely disordered region and conformational adaptation upon filament assembly
Authors: Hess John F. , Budamagunta Madhu S. , Aziz Atya , FitzGerald Paul G. , Voss John C.
Published: October 2012

Very little data have been reported that describe the structure of the tail domain of any cytoplasmic intermediate filament (IF) protein. We report here the results of studies using site directed spin labeling and electron paramagnetic resonance (SDSL‐EPR) to explore the structure and dynamics of the tail domain of human vimentin in tetramers (protofilaments) and filaments. The data demonstrate that in contrast to the vimentin head and rod domains, the tail domains are not closely apposed in protofilaments. However, upon assembly into intact IFs, several sites, including positions 445, 446, 451, and 452, the conserved “beta‐site,” become closely apposed, indicating dynamic changes in tail domain structure that accompany filament elongation. No evidence is seen for coiled‐coil structure within the region studied, in either protofilaments or assembled filaments. EPR analysis also establishes that more than half of the tail domain is very flexible in both the assembly intermediate and the intact IF. However, by positioning the spin label at distinct sites, EPR is able to identify both the rod proximal region and sites flanking the beta‐site motif as rigid locations within the tail. The rod proximal region is well assembled at the tetramer stage with only slight changes occurring during filament elongation. In contrast, at the beta site, the polypeptide backbone transitions from flexible in the assembly intermediate to much more rigid in the intact IF. These data support a model in which the distal tail domain structure undergoes significant conformational change during filament elongation and final assembly.
Structural and optical properties of vacuum‐deposited ZnS nanostructures
Authors: Kurbatov D. , Opanasyuk A. , Sofronov D. , Khlyap H.
Published: October 2012

In this paper some structural, substructural and optical properties of zinc sulfide nanostructures obtained by a CSVS method on bulk ZnSe are investigated. Examination of optical and substructural properties was performed by infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction, respectively. The results of these studies enabled determination of the dependence of the main structural film parameters (texture, lattice parameters, grain and X‐ray scattering domain sizes, and microstrain) on the growth conditions. IR‐spectral distributions of transmission coefficient T(ν) for bilayered ZnS/ZnSe nanostructures are obtained.

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SEM image of ZnS nanowires obtained on (220) ZnSe substrate.
Transport properties of Sb2Te3/Bi2Te3 topological insulator heterostructures
Authors: Zhang Zuocheng , Feng Xiao , Guo Minghua , Ou Yunbo , Zhang Jinsong , Li Kang , Wang Lili , Chen Xi , Xue Qikun , Ma Xucun , He Ke , Wang Yayu
Published: October 2012

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We report transport studies on Sb2Te3/Bi2Te3 topological insulator heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Two devices with different Sb2Te3 thickness are fabricated and investigated. Under certain gate voltage, the Hall resistance exhibits strongly nonlinear behaviour and changes sign with increasing magnetic field, indicating the coexistence of electron‐ and hole‐type charge carriers on the opposite surfaces of the heterostructure. Gate‐tuned magnetoresistance measurements reveal the same phenomenon. This work paves the road for realizing the proposed exotic quantum phenomena that require opposite polarity of the surface Dirac fermions in topological insulator based structures. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the normality of giant components
Authors: Seierstad Taral Guldahl
Published: October 2012

We consider a general family of random graph processes, which begin with an empty graph, and where at every step an edge is added at random according to some rule. We show that when certain general conditions are satisfied, the order of the giant component tends to a normal distribution. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 43, 452–485, 2013
Changes in Cesarean section scar dimensions during pregnancy: a prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Naji O. , Daemen A. , Smith A. , Abdallah Y. , Saso S. , Stalder C. , Sayasneh A. , McIndoe A. , Ghaem‐Maghami S. , Timmerman D. , Bourne T.
Published: October 2012

Objectives

To describe changes in Cesarean section (CS) scars longitudinally throughout pregnancy, and to relate initial scar measurements, demographic variables and obstetric variables to subsequent changes in scar features and to final pregnancy outcome.

Methods

In this prospective observational study we used transvaginal sonography (TVS) to examine the CS scar of 320 consecutive pregnant women at 11–13, 19–21 and 32–34 weeks' gestation. For scars visible on TVS, the hypoechoic part was measured in three dimensions and the residual myometrial thickness (RMT) was also measured. Analyses were carried out using one‐way repeated measures ANOVA and mixed modeling. The incidence of subsequent scar rupture was recorded.

Results

The CS scar was visible in 284/320 cases (89%). Concerning length and depth of the hypoechoic part of the scar and RMT, the larger the initial scar measurement, the larger the decrease observed during pregnancy. For the hypoechoic part of the scar, the width increased on average by 1.8 mm per trimester, while the depth and length decreased by 1.8 and 1.9 mm, respectively (false discovery rate P < 0.0001). Mean RMT in the first trimester was 5.2 mm and on average decreased by 1.1 mm per trimester. Two cases (0.62%) of uterine scar rupture were confirmed following a trial of vaginal delivery; these had a mean RMT of 0.5 mm at second scan and an average decrease of 2.6 mm over the course of pregnancy.

Conclusion

This study establishes reference data and confirms that the dimensions of CS scars change throughout pregnancy. Scar rupture was associated with a smaller RMT and greater decrease in RMT during pregnancy. There is the potential to test absolute values and observed changes in CS scar measurements as predictors of uterine scar rupture and outcome in trials of vaginal birth after Cesarean section. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Building an explicit de Sitter
Authors: Louis Jan , Rummel Markus , Valandro Roberto , Westphal Alexander
Published: October 2012

Abstract

We construct an explicit example of a de Sitter vacuum in type IIB string theory that realizes the proposal of Kähler uplifting. As the large volume limit in this method depends on the rank of the largest condensing gauge group we carry out a scan of gauge group ranks over the Kreuzer-Skarke set of toric Calabi-Yau threefolds. We find large numbers of models with the largest gauge group factor easily exceeding a rank of one hundred. We construct a global model with Kähler uplifting on a two-parameter model on
$ \mathbb{CP}_{11169}^4 $
, by an explicit analysis from both the type IIB and F-theory point of view. The explicitness of the construction lies in the realization of a D7 brane configuration, gauge flux and RR and NS flux choices, such that all known consistency conditions are met and the geometric moduli are stabilized in a metastable de Sitter vacuum with spontaneous GUT scale supersymmetry breaking driven by an F-term of the Kähler moduli.
Treatment of Dorsal Perilunate Dislocations and Fracture–Dislocations Using a Standardized Protocol
Authors: Capo John T. , Corti Sandro J. , Shamian Ben , Nourbakhsh Ali , Tan Virak , Kaushal Neil , Debkowska Monika
Published: October 2012

Background

The aims of this study were to evaluate the associated injuries occurring with acute perilunate instability and to assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes of perilunate dislocations and fracture–dislocations treated with a combined dorsal and volar approach.

Methods

A total of 45 patients (46 wrist injuries) with perilunate dislocations and fracture–dislocations were prospectively evaluated. The size of the mid-carpal ligament tear, the location of the scapholunate ligament tear, and the presence of osteochondral fragments and of the dorsal radio-carpal ligament avulsions were recorded at injury. Final clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated in 25 cases (25 wrists) with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up.

Results

Intraoperative examination of the 46 cases with operative treatment showed the volar carpal ligament tear to be present 100 % of the time and to be an average length of 3.4 cm. Complete avulsion of the dorsal extrinsic radio-carpal ligaments was found in 65.2 % of cases. The scapholunate ligament was torn in 35 cases. Osteochondral fragments were found either volarly or dorsally in 74 % of the cases. The average flexion–extension arc was 82°, forearm rotation was 155°, and grip strength averaged 59 % of the uninjured hand. The average final scapholunate angle was 55° and the scapholunate gap was 2.2 mm.

Conclusion

Treatment of perilunate fracture–dislocations with a combined volar and dorsal approach results in reasonable and functional clinical results. The incidence of associated injuries with these carpal dislocations is high. Although the perilunate fracture–dislocations have a slightly better radiologic alignment than the dislocation group, the clinical outcome is similar.
Transient kinetics of aminoglycoside phosphotransferase(3′)‐IIIa reveals a potential drug target in the antibiotic resistance mechanism
Authors: Lallemand Perrine , Leban Nadia , Kunzelmann Simone , Chaloin Laurent , Serpersu Engin H. , Webb Martin R. , Barman Tom , Lionne Corinne
Published: October 2012

Aminoglycoside phosphotransferases are bacterial enzymes responsible for the inactivation of aminoglycoside antibiotics by O‐phosphorylation. It is important to understand the mechanism of enzymes in order to find efficient drugs. Using rapid‐mixing methods, we studied the transient kinetics of aminoglycoside phosphotransferase(3′)‐IIIa. We show that an ADP‐enzyme complex is the main steady state intermediate. This intermediate interacts strongly with kanamycin A to form an abortive complex that traps the enzyme in an inactive state. A good strategy to prevent the inactivation of aminoglycosides would be to develop uncompetitive inhibitors that interact with this key ADP‐enzyme complex.
Postconditioning attenuates acute intestinal ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Sengul Ilker , Sengul Demet , Guler Osman , Hasanoglu Adnan , Urhan Mustafa Kemal , Taner Ahmet Sukru , Vinten‐Johansen Jakob
Published: October 2012

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that postconditioning (POC) would reduce the detrimental effects of the acute intestinal ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) compared to those of the abrupt onset of reperfusion. POC has a protective effect on intestinal I/R injury by inhibiting events in the early minutes of reperfusion in rats. Twenty‐four Wistar–Albino rats were subjected to the occlusion of superior mesenteric artery for 30 minutes, then reperfused for 120 minutes, and randomized to the four different modalities of POC: (1) control (no intervention); (2) POC‐3 (three cycles of 10 seconds of reperfusion–reocclusion, 1 minute total intervention); (3) POC‐6 (six cycles of 10 seconds of reperfusion–reocclusion, 2 minutes total intervention); and (4) sham operation (laparotomy only). The arterial blood samples [0.3 mL total creatine kinase (CK) and 0.6 mL malondialdehyde (MDA)] and the intestinal mucosal MDA were collected from each after reperfusion. POC, especially POC‐6, was effective in attenuating postischemic pathology by decreasing the intestinal tissue MDA levels, serum total CK activity, inflammation, and total histopathological injury scores. POC exerted a protective effect on the intestinal mucosa by reducing the mesenteric oxidant generation, lipid peroxidation, and neutrophil accumulation. The six‐cycle algorithm demonstrated the best protection.
Predictive Value of Basal Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Carbon Monoxide for Acute Mountain Sickness
Authors: You Haiyan , Li Xiaoxiao , Pei Tao , Huang Qingyuan , Liu Fuyu , Gao Yuqi
Published: October 2012

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between acute mountain sickness (AMS) and the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and carbon monoxide (FeCO) before ascent to high altitude and to evaluate their predictive value for AMS.

Methods

A total of 314 healthy young male recruits were voluntarily enrolled. Before ascent to an elevation of 4300 m, their FeNO and FeCO values, demographic factors, drinking and smoking history, vital capacity, and forced vital capacity were obtained. The investigators followed the subjects in the first exposure week to obtain their Lake Louise Score (LLS) each day. Subjects with LLS > 4, headache, and at least 1 other symptom were diagnosed with AMS, and the highest LLS of each individual during 7 days was considered the final LLS score.

Results

The AMS group had lower FeNO ( P = .003) and FeCO ( P < .001) values, and a lower smoking rate ( P < .001) than the non-AMS group. Mean FeNO and FeCO values were 11.03 ppb (95% CI, 9.07 to 12.98) and 4.39 ppm (95% CI, 3.76 to 5.02), respectively, in the AMS group, and 14.74 ppb (95% CI, 13.25 to 16.23) and 6.10 ppm (95% CI, 5.49 to 6.72), respectively, in the non-AMS group ( P < .0001). Using linear regression, both FeNO and FeCO were found to be significantly associated with the group's maximal LLS. Using logistic regression, FeNO and FeCO were also found to be significantly associated with AMS.

Conclusions

Basal FeNO and FeCO are significantly negatively correlated with AMS development. However, the gases have only modest predictive value for the development of AMS.