bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring Highly Correlated Multivariate Processes Using Hotelling's T2 Statistic: Problems and Possible Solutions
Authors: Sparks Ross
Published: June 2014

Hotelling's T2 statistic is the default control statistic for continuous multivariate data, but there are dangers in applying this statistic without the appropriate level of checks and balances. This paper discusses the potential issues with using the Hotelling's T2 statistic when the quality variable measures are highly correlated and provides some solutions that will help mitigate the risks with applying the Hotelling's T2 control charts in such practical examples. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Longitudinal changes in maternal soluble endoglin and angiopoietin‐2 in women at risk for pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Khalil A. , Maiz N. , Garcia‐Mandujano R. , Elkhouli M. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: June 2014

Objective

To investigate longitudinal changes in maternal plasma levels of soluble endoglin (sEng) and angiopoietin‐2 (Ang‐2) in pregnant women who develop pre‐eclampsia (PE) and gestational hypertension (GH).

Methods

This was a nested case–control study drawn from a larger prospective longitudinal study in singleton pregnancies identified by screening at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation as being at high‐risk for PE. Blood samples were taken every 4 weeks until delivery. Values were compared in women who developed preterm PE (requiring delivery before 37 weeks), term PE, GH and those who remained normotensive.

Results

A total of 471 samples were analyzed in 122 women, comprising 85 who remained normotensive, 12 who developed GH, 13 who developed term PE and 12 who developed preterm PE. In the normotensive group, there was an increase in log10sEng levels with gestational age. In the preterm PE group, compared with the normotensive group, sEng was higher from 18 weeks onwards, and the difference increased significantly with gestational age (P < 0.001). In the GH and term PE groups, sEng did not differ significantly from that of the normotensive group (P = 0.583 and P = 0.890, respectively). The square root of Ang‐2 decreased significantly with gestational age, but did not differ significantly among the different outcome groups (P = 0.571).

Conclusion

Maternal plasma sEng, but not Ang‐2, may be a useful mid‐ and late‐gestation biomarker for the development of PE. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Plasticizer compatibility testing: Dynamic mechanical analysis and glass transition temperatures
Authors: Daniels Paul H. , Cabrera Adam
Published: June 2014

Plasticizer compatibility with the polymer, which implies that plasticizer and polymer will remain closely associated as the finished polymer product is used, is critically important in determining whether a flexible poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) product will have an acceptably long service life. However, with traditional test methods, it is often difficult to distinguish degrees of compatibility among relatively compatible ingredients (ingredients that do not dissociate themselves from the polymer in a very short time or under very mild storage conditions). Dynamic mechanical analysis is a commonly used technique for measuring glass transition temperatures, which can be a useful property in comparing additives' compatibilities. Unlike many polymers, flexible PVC shows two glass transition temperatures, one for the polymer segments that show syndiotactic (but noncrystalline) stereochemistry, and one for the polymer segments that show atactic stereochemistry. The glass transition temperature for the atactic segments of flexible PVC provides some information about the plasticizer's compatibility. When the dynamic mechanical analysis temperature sweep for a plasticized PVC compound detects a particularly low glass transition for the atactic polymer segments, this can be an indication that the plasticizer is relatively incompatible with the PVC. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 21:7–11, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Thermal, morphological, and physicomechanical properties of (chlorinated polyethylene rubber)/(chloroprene rubber) blends
Authors: Zhang Zhen Xiu , Li Ya‐Nan , Chen Qi , Lu Bingxue , Xin Zhenxiang , Kim Jin Kuk
Published: June 2014

The effect of the blend ratio on the thermal, morphological, and physicomechanical properties of (chlorinated polyethylene rubber)/(chloroprene rubber) (CPE/CR) blends was studied. Two distinct glass transition temperatures (Tg) of all blends were observed in differential scanning calorimetry curves, falling between the Tg of the two pure rubbers. Analysis of the blends by scanning electron microscopy showed both dispersed and continuous phase morphology that depended on the blend composition. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that all the compounds underwent two stages of thermal degradation. The Mooney viscosity and optimum cure times increased with the increase in CPE contents, whereas the scorch times decreased. The tensile strength and elongation at break decreased, whereas the 100% modulus, hardness, and compression set increased with the increase of CPE content; the tear strength had the lowest value for the 50/50 CPE/CR blend because of the poor miscibility. The results from thermal aging and oil resistance tests showed that pure CPE possessed better thermal aging property and oil resistance than those of pure CR. Thus, considerable improvement in oil resistance of the blend compounds was achieved with the increase of CPE content. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 21:18–23, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
A germ theory for glacial systems?
Authors: Edwards Arwyn , Irvine‐Fynn Tristram , Mitchell Andrew C. , Rassner Sara M. E.
Published: June 2014

Glacial systems in the form of glaciers and ice sheets are important actors in Earth's water cycle and climate. Improving our understanding of their structure and functionality is of considerable importance, and glaciologists have tended to apply a purely physical perspective to the study of glacial systems. However, a novel paradigm of glaciers and ice sheets as Earth's largest freshwater ecosystems is being supported by studies revealing the abundance, activity, and diversity of life in glacial ecosystems and the importance of glacial systems in global biogeochemical cycles. Nevertheless, while the importance of microbial activities in shaping their habitats and influencing landscape‐scale processes is well recognized elsewhere in our biosphere it has hitherto been overlooked in glacial systems. Here, the potential for several discrete microbial processes to interact with mass balance and landscaping in glacial systems as part of a ‘germ theory’ of glacial systems is identified. These processes range from microbial biocatalysis of ice crystal formation and structure, albedo reduction by microbial assemblages at the ice–atmosphere interface to microbe‐mediated mineral weathering at the rock–ice interface. Integrating these microbial processes with abiotic, physical processes in a framework of microbial glaciology will be required to understand the extent and significance of microbial influences upon the properties of glacial systems. Furthermore, adopting a microbial glaciology approach also complements existing physical and chemical approaches to glaciology to understand how glacial systems respond to our warming climate. WIREs Water 2014, 1:331–340. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1029

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems

Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change

Science of Water > Water Extremes
Synthesis of an Iron(II) Ethyl Complex Accompanied by Formation of an Unusual Dinitrogen‐Ligated Iron(I) Hydride
Authors: Hounjet Lindsay J. , Adhikari Debashis , Pink Maren , Carroll Patrick J. , Mindiola Daniel J.
Published: June 2014

The reaction of [(PNP)FeCl]·C7H8 [PNP– = bis(2‐(diisopropylphosphanyl)‐4‐methylphenyl)amido] with 1.0 equiv. of EtMgCl in Et2O under N2 produces the anticipated ethyl complex, [(PNP)FeEt] (1). However, the same reaction carried out using a slight excess of the Grignard, instead results in a mixture of species containing 1, but accompanied with formation of another iron‐containing species. This species was identified by single X‐ray diffraction studies, and IR spectroscopy to be the heterobimetallic complex, [(THF)2MgCl(μ‐(N)‐PNP)Fe(μ‐H)N2] (2), a rare example of a FeI hydride complex. The formation of compound 2 is proposed to result from single‐electron reduction of 1 by excess Grignard.
Self-assembly of InAs quantum dots on GaAs(001) by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Wu Ju , Jin Peng
Published: June 2014

Currently, the nature of self-assembly of three-dimensional epitaxial islands or quantum dots (QDs) in a lattice-mismatched heteroepitaxial growth system, such as InAs/GaAs(001) and Ge/Si(001) as fabricated by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), is still puzzling. The purpose of this article is to discuss how the self-assembly of InAs QDs in MBE InAs/GaAs(001) should be properly understood in atomic scale. First, the conventional kinetic theories that have traditionally been used to interpret QD self-assembly in heteroepitaxial growth with a significant lattice mismatch are reviewed briefly by examining the literature of the past two decades. Second, based on their own experimental data, the authors point out that InAs QD self-assembly can proceed in distinctly different kinetic ways depending on the growth conditions and so cannot be framed within a universal kinetic theory, and, furthermore, that the process may be transient, or the time required for a QD to grow to maturity may be significantly short, which is obviously inconsistent with conventional kinetic theories. Third, the authors point out that, in all of these conventional theories, two well-established experimental observations have been overlooked: i) A large number of “floating” indium atoms are present on the growing surface in MBE InAs/GaAs(001); ii) an elastically strained InAs film on the GaAs(001) substrate should be mechanically unstable. These two well-established experimental facts may be highly relevant and should be taken into account in interpreting InAs QD formation. Finally, the authors speculate that the formation of an InAs QD is more likely to be a collective event involving a large number of both indium and arsenic atoms simultaneously or, alternatively, a morphological/structural transformation in which a single atomic InAs sheet is transformed into a three-dimensional InAs island, accompanied by the rehybridization from the sp
2-bonded to sp
3-bonded atomic configuration of both indium and arsenic elements in the heteroepitaxial growth system.
One-Per-Mil Tumescent Technique for Bone and Joint Surgery in Hand
Authors: Prasetyono Theddeus O. H. , Saputra Debby K. A. , Astriana Windi
Published: June 2014

Background

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of one-per-mil tumescent technique in hand surgery, which involves bone and joint.

Methods

This is a case series study on 14 patients with 15 operative fields. One-per-mil solution is formulated by mixing 0.05 mL of 1:1,000 epinephrine and 100 mg lidocaine in 50-mL saline solution. The solution was injected subcutaneously into the operative area until the skin turned pale. The surgery started 7–10 min after the last injection. We classified the operative field clarity into four categories: totally bloodless, minimum bleeding, acceptable bleeding, and bloody operative field. We also recorded the amount of tumescent solution, top-ups needed, length of surgery, type of anesthesia, and intraoperative pain reported by the patients under local anesthesia.

Results

Five patients were operated on under local anesthesia while the other ten were under general anesthesia. Eight cases yielded totally bloodless operative fields, while seven were classified as acceptable bleeding. There were no top-ups and conversion of anesthesia needed during surgery.

Conclusions

We consider one-per-mil tumescent technique as a promising successor of pneumatic tourniquet in bone and joint surgery, especially for lengthy procedures on hand and upper extremity.
Composition of Commercial Bis(2‐ethylhexyl) Sulfosuccinate Surfactant By‐Products and their Effects on an Agrochemical Formulation
Authors: Glaubitz Johannes , Molt Karl , Schmidt Torsten C.
Published: June 2014

Sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (known as AOT) is a commercially available surfactant commonly used in agrochemicals. Besides the principal diester surfactant, the commercial AOT product contains two surface‐active isomeric monoester by‐products, which may influence the surfactant's overall properties. This work investigates whether the purity of the surfactant affects its ability to stabilize an agrochemical formulation. The concentrations of the diester and two monoester impurities in batches of commercial AOT product from several suppliers were determined quantitatively by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The tested batches showed different contents of the monoesters. Samples of a model agrochemical formulation containing the AOT product formed more sediment during storage when the content of monoesters in the surfactant was high. The supplier of an commercial AOT product could be traced by analysis of the monoester content of either the raw product or the aged agrochemical formulation.
Aggregation Behavior and Micellar Properties of Sodium Salts of Naphthenic Acid Mixtures
Authors: Ćirin Dejan , Poša Mihalj , Grbović Ljubica , Pavlović Ksenija , Vasiljević Bojana
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate micellar and self‐assembly properties of four sodium salts of naphthenic acid mixtures by determination and comparative analysis of their critical micelle concentration values at seven different temperatures ranging from 10 to 40 °C using spectrofluorophotometric measurements. It was concluded that fractions having the lowest percentage of aliphatic structures give the least flexible micelles due to sterically rigid structure of cyclic side chains, what makes them difficult to pack in the micellar core. Additionally, surface properties of aqueous solutions of investigated mixtures were studied by the determination of the maximum surface excess, Γmax and the minimum area per surfactant molecule (Amin) values.
Evaluation of Rheological and Thermal Properties of a New Fluorocarbon Surfactant–Polymer System for EOR Applications in High‐Temperature and High‐Salinity Oil Reservoirs
Authors: Kamal Muhammad Shahzad , Sultan Abdullah Saad , Al‐Mubaiyedh Usamah A. , Hussien Ibnelwaleed A. , Pabon Martial
Published: June 2014

Thermal stability and rheological properties of a novel surfactant–polymer system containing non‐ionic ethoxylated fluorocarbon surfactant was evaluated. A copolymer of acrylamide (AM) and 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) was used. Thermal stability and surfactant structural changes after aging at 100 °C were evaluated using TGA,1H NMR,13C NMR,19F NMR and FTIR. The surfactant was compatible with AM–AMPS copolymer and synthetic sea water. No precipitation of surfactant was observed in sea water. The surfactant was found to be thermally stable at 100 °C and no structural changes were detected after exposure to this temperature. Rheological properties of the surfactant–polymer (SP) system were measured in a high pressure rheometer. The effects of surfactant concentration, temperature, polymer concentration and salinity on rheological properties were studied for several SP solutions. At low temperature (50 °C), the viscosity initially increased slightly with the addition of the surfactant, then decreased at high surfactant concentration. At a high temperature (90 °C), an increase in the viscosity with the increase in surfactant concentration was not observed. Overall, the influence of the fluorocarbon surfactant on the viscosity of SP system was weak particularly at high temperatures and high shear rate. Salts present in sea water reduced the viscosity of the polymer due to a charge shielding effect. However, the surfactant was found to be thermally stable in the presence of salts.
Dilational Properties of an Anionic Gemini Surfactant with a Hydrophobic Spacer
Authors: Jiang Xiao‐Ming , Zhang Lu , Zhang Wen‐Qian , Zhao Sui
Published: June 2014

The dilational properties of the anionic gemini surfactant, ethanediyl‐1,2‐bis(sodium N‐decanoyl‐β‐alaninate), and the comparable conventional surfactant were investigated via the oscillation barrier technique. The oscillation frequency was varied between 0.0033 and 0.1 Hz. The dilational moduli of the gemini surfactant at low surfactant concentration show less dependence on the frequency at the air/water interface compared with the decane/water interface. The interface layer is basically elastic. The dilational moduli at the air/water interface are remarkably higher than those at the decane/water interface. The dilational moduli of the gemini surfactant show two maxima with increasing concentration, originating from the reorientation and compression of the surfactant molecules adsorbed at the interfaces. A possible schematic diagram of the adsorption of the gemini surfactant at the air/water and decane/water interfaces is proposed.
Walking, orthoses and physical effort in a Swedish population with arthrogryposis
Authors: Eriksson Marie , Villard Li , Bartonek Åsa
Published: June 2014

Purpose

Excessive movements during walking have been observed by gait analysis in children with arthrogryposis (AMC) using orthoses compared to children using only shoes. The aim of this study was to evaluate energy expenditure and functional exercise capacity in children with AMC.

Methods

Twenty-four children with AMC and 25 typically developing (TD) children underwent oxygen measurement and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Children were divided into AMC1 using knee–ankle–foot orthoses with locked knee joints (KAFO-LK); AMC2 KAFOs with open knee joints (KAFO-O) or ankle–foot orthoses (AFO); and AMC3 using shoes.

Results

The net non-dimensional oxygen cost (NNcost) was lower in TD (0.308) than in AMC2 (0.455, n = 10) ( p = 0.002). There were no differences in the net non-dimensional consumption (NNconsumption) or normalised walking velocity. The lowest NNconsumption (0.082), NNcost (0.385) and normalised walking velocity (0.214) were found in AMC1 ( n = 3), but no statistical calculation was performed. In the 6MWT, both AMC2 (402.7, n = 11) and AMC3 (476.8, n = 10) walked shorter distances (m) than TD (565.1) ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.043, respectively). AMC2 (0.435) had lower normalised walking velocity than TD (0.564) ( p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Children with AMC using open KAFOs or AFOs (AMC2) had higher energy effort represented by significantly higher NNcost than TD, whereas AMC children requiring only shoes (AMC3) did not differ significantly from TD. To maintain the NNconsumption at an acceptable level, children using locked KAFOs (AMC1) slowed down their walking velocity. Compared to TD, the exercise capacity was lower in children with AMC using open KAFOs or AFOs and shoes, represented by lower walking velocity and shorter distance walked during the 6MWT.
Of Disasters, Status, and Health
Authors: Banerjee Lopamudra
Published: June 2014

This paper examines if socioeconomic status can explain the way health is affected from exposure to environmental extremes. The paper starts with the hypothesis that deficits in health in the event of a disaster may overlap with deficits in achieved and ascribed social status at the time of the disaster event. To test this hypothesis, the paper draws upon a rich dataset from flood-devastated Bangladesh, and describes disease incidences across various poles of social and identity stratification. Causal roles of different indicators of socioeconomic status (viz., consumption expenditure, education, occupation, and asset ownership), vis-à-vis severity of disaster exposure, in affecting disease incidences are then analyzed, taking into account the differences in innate physiological status of exposed individuals (as determined by their age and gender). In light of the empirical results, the paper fails to reject its initial hypothesis, and concludes: while disaster exposure increases risk of ailment, this risk is independently affected by social deprivation and inequities embedded in a stratified society.
The Schooling of Offspring and the Survival of Parents
Authors: Friedman Esther M. , Mare Robert D.
Published: June 2014

Contemporary stratification research on developed societies usually views the intergenerational transmission of educational advantage as a one-way effect from parent to child. However, parents’ investment in their offspring’s schooling may yield significant returns for parents themselves in later life. For instance, well-educated offspring have greater knowledge of health and technology to share with their parents and more financial means to provide for them than do their less-educated counterparts. We use data from the 1992–2006 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to examine whether adult offspring’s educational attainments are associated with parents’ survival in the United States. We show that adult offspring’s educational attainments have independent effects on their parents’ mortality, even after controlling for parents’ own socioeconomic resources. This relationship is more pronounced for deaths that are linked to behavioral factors: most notably, chronic lower respiratory disease and lung cancer. Furthermore, at least part of the association between offspring’s schooling and parents’ survival may be explained by parents’ health behaviors, including smoking and physical activity. These findings suggest that one way to influence the health of the elderly is through their offspring. To harness the full value of schooling for health, then, a family and multigenerational perspective is needed.
Fitness and entropy production in a cell population dynamics with epigenetic phenotype switching
Authors: Qian Hong
Published: June 2014

Motivated by recent understandings in the stochastic natures of gene expression, biochemical signaling, and spontaneous reversible epigenetic switchings, we study a simple deterministic cell population dynamics in which subpopulations grow with different rates and individual cells can bi‐directionally switch between a small number of different epigenetic phenotypes. Two theories in the past, the population dynamics and thermodynamics of master equations, separately defined two important concepts in mathematical terms: the fitness in the former and the (non‐adiabatic) entropy production in the latter. Both of them play important roles in the evolution of the cell population dynamics. The switching sustains the variations among the subpopulation growth, thus sustains continuous natural selection. As a form of Price’s equation, the fitness increases with (i) natural selection through variations and (ii) a positive covariance between the per capita growth and switching, which represents a Lamarchian‐like behavior. A negative covariance balances the natural selection in a fitness steady state ‐‐‐ “the red queen” scenario. At the same time the growth keeps the proportions of subpopulations away from the “intrinsic” switching equilibrium of individual cells, thus leads to a continuous entropy production. A covariance, between the per capita growth rate and the “chemical potential” of subpopulation, counteracts the entropy production. Analytical results are obtained for the limiting cases of growth dominating switching and vice versa.
miR‐140‐5p suppresses BMP2‐mediated osteogenesis in undifferentiated human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Hwang Supyong , Park Seul-Ki , Lee Ha Yeon , Kim Seong Who , Lee Jung Shin , Choi Eun Kyung , You Dalsan , Kim Choung-Soo , Suh Nayoung
Published: June 2014

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have self‐renewal and differentiation capabilities but the regulatory mechanisms of MSC fate determination remain poorly understood. Here, we aimed to identify microRNAs enriched in hMSCs that modulate differentiation commitments. Microarray analysis revealed that miR‐140‐5p is commonly enriched in undifferentiated hMSCs from various tissue sources. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay validated that miR‐140‐5p directly represses bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2). Furthermore, blocking miR‐140‐5p in hMSCs increased the expression of BMP signaling components and critical regulators of osteogenic differentiation. We propose that miR‐140‐5p functionally inhibits osteogenic lineage commitment in undifferentiated hMSCs.
In vitro activation of NAD‐dependent alcohol dehydrogenases by Nudix hydrolases is more widespread than assumed
Authors: Ochsner Andrea M. , Müller Jonas E.N. , Mora Carlos A. , Vorholt Julia A.
Published: June 2014

In the Gram‐positive methylotroph Bacillus methanolicus, methanol oxidation is catalyzed by an NAD‐dependent methanol dehydrogenase (Mdh) that belongs to the type III alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) family. It was previously shown that the in vitro activity of B. methanolicus Mdh is increased by the endogenous activator protein Act, a Nudix hydrolase. Here we show that this feature is not unique, but more widespread among type III Adhs in combination with Act or other Act‐like Nudix hydrolases. In addition, we studied the effect of site directed mutations in the predicted active site of Mdh and two other type III Adhs with regard to activity and activation by Act.
Prisoner of war status, posttraumatic stress disorder, and dementia in older veterans
Authors: Meziab Omar , Kirby Katharine A. , Williams Brie , Yaffe Kristine , Byers Amy L. , Barnes Deborah E.
Published: June 2014

Background

It is not known whether prisoners of war (POWs) are more likely to develop dementia independently of the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study in 182,879 U.S. veterans age 55 years and older, and examined associations between POW status and PTSD at baseline (October 1, 2000–September 30, 2003), and incident dementia during follow‐up (October 1, 2003–September 30, 2012).

Results

A total of 484 veterans (0.3%) reported being POWs, of whom 150 (31.0%) also had PTSD. After adjusting for demographics, medical and psychiatric comorbidities, period of service, and the competing risk of death, the risk of dementia was increased in veterans who were POWs only (hazard ratio [HR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30–1.98) or had PTSD only (HR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.41–1.64) and was greatest in veterans who were POWs and also had PTSD (HR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.72–2.92).

Conclusions

POW status and PTSD increase risk of dementia in an independent, additive manner in older veterans.
Depression and dementias among military veterans
Authors: Byers Amy L. , Yaffe Kristine
Published: June 2014

Depression is very common throughout the course of veterans' lives, and dementia is common in late life. Previous studies suggest an association between depression and dementia in military veterans. The most likely biologic mechanisms that may link depression and dementia among military veterans include vascular disease, changes in glucocorticoid steroids and hippocampal atrophy, deposition of β‐amyloid plaques, inflammatory changes, and alterations of nerve growth factors. In addition, military veterans often have depression comorbid with posttraumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury. Therefore, in military veterans, these hypothesized biologic pathways going from depression to dementia are more than likely influenced by trauma‐related processes. Treatment strategies for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, or traumatic brain injury could alter these pathways and as a result decrease the risk for dementia. Given the projected increase of dementia, as well as the projected increase in the older segment of the veteran population, in the future, it is critically important that we understand whether treatment for depression alone or combined with other regimens improves cognition. In this review, we summarize the principal mechanisms of this relationship and discuss treatment implications in military veterans.
The critical need for defining preclinical biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Fiandaca Massimo S. , Mapstone Mark E. , Cheema Amrita K. , Federoff Howard J.
Published: June 2014

The increasing number of afflicted individuals with late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses significant emotional and financial burden on the world's population. Therapeutics designed to treat symptoms or alter the disease course have failed to make an impact, despite substantial investments by governments, pharmaceutical industry, and private donors. These failures in treatment efficacy have led many to believe that symptomatic disease, including both mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD, may be refractory to therapeutic intervention. The recent focus on biomarkers for defining the preclinical state of MCI/AD is in the hope of defining a therapeutic window in which the neural substrate remains responsive to treatment. The ability of biomarkers to adequately define the at‐risk state may ultimately allow novel or repurposed therapeutic agents to finally achieve the disease‐modifying status for AD. In this review, we examine current preclinical AD biomarkers and suggest how to generalize their use going forward.
A functional interplay between ZNF217 and Estrogen Receptor alpha exists in luminal breast cancers
Authors: Nguyen Nhan T. , Vendrell Julie A. , Poulard Coralie , Győrffy Balázs , Goddard-Léon Sophie , Bièche Ivan , Corbo Laura , Le Romancer Muriel , Bachelot Thomas , Treilleux Isabelle , Cohen Pascale A.
Published: June 2014

We aimed at highlighting the role of ZNF217, a Krüppel‐like finger protein, in Estrogen Receptor‐α (ERα)‐positive (ER+) and luminal breast cancers. Here we report for the first time that ZNF217 and ERα proteins bind to each other in both breast cancer cells and breast tumour samples, via the ERα hinge domain and the ZNF217 C‐terminal domain. ZNF217 enhances the recruitment of ERα to its estrogen response elements (ERE) and the ERα‐dependent transcription of the GREB1 estrogen‐regulated gene. The prognostic power of ZNF217 mRNA expression levels is most discriminatory in breast cancers classified with a “good prognosis”, particularly the Luminal‐A subclass. A new immunohistochemistry ZNF217 index, based on nuclear and cytoplasmic ZNF217 staining, also allowed the identification of intermediate/poor relapse‐free survivors in the Luminal‐A subgroup. ZNF217 confers tamoxifen resistance in ER+ breast cancer cells and is a predictor of relapse under endocrine therapy in patients with ER+ breast cancer. ZNF217 thus allows the re‐stratification of patients with ER+ breast cancers considered as cancers with good prognosis where no other biomarkers are currently available and widely used. Here we propose a model in ER+ breast cancer where ZNF217‐driven aggressiveness incorporates ZNF217 as a positive enhancer of ERα direct genomic activity and where ZNF217 possesses its highest discriminatory prognostic value.
The vorticity versus the scalar criterion for the detection of the turbulent/non-turbulent interface
Authors: Gampert Markus , Boschung Jonas , Hennig Fabian , Gauding Michael , Peters Norbert
Published: June 2014

Based on a direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a temporally evolving mixing layer, we present a detailed study of the turbulent/non-turbulent (T/NT) interface that is defined using the two most common procedures in the literature, namely either a vorticity or a scalar criterion. The different detection approaches are examined qualitatively and quantitatively in terms of the interface position, conditional statistics and orientation of streamlines and vortex lines at the interface. Computing the probability density function (p.d.f.) of the mean location of the T/NT interface from vorticity and scalar allows a detailed comparison of the two methods, where we observe a very good agreement. Furthermore, conditional mean profiles of various quantities are evaluated. In particular, the position p.d.f.s for both criteria coincide and are found to follow a Gaussian distribution. The terms of the governing equations for vorticity and passive scalar are conditioned on the distance to the interface and analysed. At the interface, vortex stretching is negligible and the displacement of the vorticity interface is found to be determined by diffusion, analogous to the scalar interface. In addition, the orientation of vortex lines at the vorticity and the scalar based T/NT interface are analyzed. For both interfaces, vorticity lines are perpendicular to the normal vector of the interface, i.e. parallel to the interface isosurface.
Use of Motivational Interviewing to Improve Return-to-work and Work-related Outcomes: A Review
Authors: Page Kathryn M. , Tchernitskaia Irina
Published: June 2014

Work-based return-to-work (RTW) interventions can help to reduce the duration and cost of work disability, and in turn, prevent the negative effects of long-term sickness absence. However, there are a number of complex cognitive, affective and behavioural factors that can impact an individual's confidence, motivation and willingness to RTW that need to be addressed to facilitate effective outcomes. This literature review investigates evidence for the use of motivational interviewing (MI) for improving return-to-work (RTW) and employment outcomes. Whilst evidence for the efficacy of MI in clinical settings to motivate health behaviour change is strong, more research is needed to determine whether MI can be usefully applied to improve RTW and other work-related outcomes.
Working Therapeutically with Parents after the Diagnosis of a Child's Cerebral Palsy: Issues and Practice Guidelines
Authors: Higginson Jodi , Matthewson Mandy
Published: June 2014

Little is known about the effectiveness of psychoeducational support groups on positive adaptation in parents and families after a child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. A systematic literature review adopting the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted to gain an understanding of the process of adaptation in parents with a child with cerebral palsy and the effects psychoeducational support programs have on this process. The databases searched were psychINFO, Taylor and Francis Online, PsychARTICLES, Medline and ProQuest. A total of 1083 papers were found and 19 of those papers were analysed. A narrative approach was used to synthesise the data extracted. A number of factors that influence adaption within a family after the diagnosis of cerebral palsy in a family member were identified in the review. These factors include, but are not limited to, providing appropriate and relevant information to parents and families, identifying community services and resources available to the family, assisting in the reduction of psychosocial distress, and encouraging the facilitation and collaboration of a strong parent-professional partnership throughout the process. Based on this information guidelines for psychoeducation programs for this client group were proposed.
How does the milk removal method affect teat tissue and teat recovery in dairy ewes?
Authors: Alejandro Manuel , Roca Amparo , Romero Gema , Díaz Jose Ramon
Published: June 2014

The aim of this work was to study how machine milking (MM) carried out in suitable conditions affects teat wall thickness and teat canal length and their return after milking to pre-milking conditions, in comparison with other milk extraction methods considered biological referents: lamb suckling (LS), milk removal by catheter (RC) and hand milking (HM). Three Latin square experiments were designed, using 11 ewes in the first experiment (LS), 13 in the second (RC) and 12 in the third (HM). Each of the Latin squares was divided into two periods: in the first, the left gland of each animal was machine milked and the corresponding treatment (LS, RC and HM) was applied to the right gland. Subsequently, in the second period the extraction methods were interchanged. During the experimental period, 4 sampling days were carried out (2 in each experimental period), where ultrasound scans were taken before (B) and immediately after milking (A) and at 1 (1 h), 2 (2 h), 3 (3 h), 4 (4 h), 6 (6 h), 8 (8 h) and 10 (10 h) hours after milking finished. Teat wall thickness (TWT), teat wall area (TWA), teat end area (TEWA) and teat canal length (TCL) were measured in all the ultrasound images. MM increased TWT after milking compared with RC. TWT, TWA, TEWA and TCL were lower (P<0·05) in HM than in MM. No significant differences (P>0·05) were found between LS and MM for any variable. The extraction method affected the recovery time of the variables, with total teat recovery at 6 h after RC and 4 h after HM. In the case of LS, the TEWA and TCL values were recovered sooner, as of 3 h. Teat recovery time after MM was similar to the extraction method with which it was compared in each experiment. Thus, considering the similar increase in wall thickness and their recovery time compared with the reference methods, it was concluded that machine milking, carried out in optimum conditions and respecting the time interval between milkings usually applied on sheep farms (8–12 h), would not affect teat integrity. Moreover, given the variability observed in teat thickness recovery time between the different experiments, further research should be carried out to study which factors intrinsic and extrinsic to the animal may affect the teat wall thickness and recovery time after machine milking.
Against a World Court for Human Rights
Authors: Alston Philip
Published: June 2014

Too much of the debate about how respect for human rights can be advanced on a global basis currently revolves around crisis situations involving so-called mass atrocity crimes and the possibility of addressing abuse through the use of military force. This preoccupation, as understandable as it is, serves to mask much harder questions of how to deal with what might be termed silent and continuous atrocities, such as gross forms of gender or ethnic discrimination or systemic police violence, in ways that are achievable, effective, and sustainable. This more prosaic but ultimately more important quest is often left to, or perhaps expropriated by, international lawyers. Where the politician often finds solace in the deployment of military force, the international lawyer turns instinctively to the creation of a new mechanism of some sort. Those of modest inclination might opt for a committee or perhaps an inquiry procedure. The more ambitious, however, might advocate the establishment of a whole new court. And surely the most “visionary” of such proposals is one calling for the creation of a World Court of Human Rights. A version of this idea was put forward in the 1940s, but garnered no support. The idea has now been revived, in great detail, and with untrammeled ambition, under the auspices of an eminent group of international human rights law specialists.
The Future of Human Rights: A View from the United Nations
Authors: Gilmour Andrew
Published: June 2014

Ever since the Charter of the United Nations was signed in 1945, human rights have constituted one of its three pillars, along with peace and development. As noted in a dictum coined during the World Summit of 2005: “There can be no peace without development, no development without peace, and neither without respect for human rights.” But while progress has been made in all three domains, it is with respect to human rights that the organization's performance has experienced some of its greatest shortcomings. Not coincidentally, the human rights pillar receives only a fraction of the resources enjoyed by the other two—a mere 3 percent of the general budget.
A typology of interpartner conflict and maternal parenting practices in high-risk families: Examining spillover and compensatory models and implications for child adjustment
Authors: Sturge-Apple Melissa L. , Davies Patrick T. , Cicchetti Dante , Fittoria Michael G.
Published: June 2014

The present study incorporates a person-based approach to identify spillover and compartmentalization patterns of interpartner conflict and maternal parenting practices in an ethnically diverse sample of 192 2-year-old children and their mothers who had experienced higher levels of socioeconomic risk. In addition, we tested whether sociocontextual variables were differentially predictive of theses profiles and examined how interpartner-parenting profiles were associated with children's physiological and psychological adjustment over time. As expected, latent class analyses extracted three primary profiles of functioning: adequate functioning, spillover, and compartmentalizing families. Furthermore, interpartner-parenting profiles were differentially associated with both sociocontextual predictors and children's adjustment trajectories. The findings highlight the developmental utility of incorporating person-based approaches to models of interpartner conflict and maternal parenting practices.
Impact of physical maltreatment on the regulation of negative affect and aggression
Authors: Shackman Jessica E. , Pollak Seth D.
Published: June 2014

Physically maltreated children are at risk for developing externalizing behavioral problems characterized by reactive aggression. The current experiment tested the relationships between individual differences in a neural index of social information processing, histories of child maltreatment, child negative affect, and aggressive behavior. Fifty boys (17 maltreated) performed an emotion recognition task while the P3b component of the event-related potential was recorded to index attention allocation to angry faces. Children then participated in a peer-directed aggression task. Negative affect was measured by recording facial electromyography, and aggression was indexed by the feedback that children provided to a putative peer. Physically maltreated children exhibited greater negative affect and more aggressive behavior, compared to nonmaltreated children, and this relationship was mediated by children's allocation of attention to angry faces. These data suggest that physical maltreatment leads to inappropriate regulation of both negative affect and aggression, which likely place maltreated children at increased risk for the development and maintenance of externalizing behavior disorders.
Insulin influences developmental competence of bovine oocytes cultured in α-MEM plus follicle-simulating hormone
Authors: Mota Gustavo Bruno , Oliveira e Silva Ingrid , de Souza Danielle Kaiser , Tuany Flavia , Pereira Michele Munk , Camargo Luiz Sergio de Almeida , Rosa e Silva Alzira Amélia Martins
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dose–response effect of insulin, plus follicle-simulating hormone (FSH) at a fixed concentration, in a serum-free defined culture medium (DCM) on the in vitro maturation of bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs). For oocyte nuclear maturation, the expression levels of GDF9, GLUT1, PRDX1 and HSP70.1 transcripts related to oocyte and embryo developmental competence were analysed. For in vitro maturation (IVM), cumulus–oocyte complexes from slaughterhouse ovaries were distributed into four groups based on insulin concentration added to serum-free DCM, which was composed of alpha minimum essential medium (α-MEM), as basal medium: (1) DCM control: 0 ng/ml; (2) DCM1: 1 ng/ml; (3) DCM10: 10 ng/ml; and (4) DCM100: 100 ng/ml. After IVM, the nuclear status of a sample of oocytes was analysed and the other oocytes were submitted for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC). Different concentrations of insulin did not affect significantly the nuclear maturation and cleavage rate (72 h post-insemination) across all groups. Blastocyst rate (192 h post-insemination) did not differ in DCM control (24.3%), DCM1 (27.0%) and DCM10 (26.3%) groups, but the DCM100 (36.1%) group showed a greater blastocyst rate (P < 0.05) than the DCM control. Insulin concentrations of 1, 10, or 100 ng/ml decreased the relative levels of GDF9 and HSP70-1 transcripts in oocytes at the end of IVM (P < 0.05). The transcripts levels of PRDX1 decreased (P < 0.05) only when 10 or 100 ng/ml insulin was added to the DCM medium. No difference in levels of GLUT1 transcripts (P > 0.05) was observed at the different insulin concentrations. The results indicated that insulin added to DCM influenced levels of transcripts related to cellular stress (HSP70-1 and PRDX1) and oocyte competence (GDF9) in bovine oocytes and at higher concentrations enhanced blastocyst production.
Mitochondrial mutations in patients with congenital heart defects by next generation sequencing technology
Authors: Abaci Neslihan , Arıkan Muzaffer , Tansel Türkan , Sahin Nazlı , Cakiris Aris , Pacal Ferda , Sırma Ekmekci Sema , Gök Emre , Üstek Duran
Published: June 2014

It has been shown that mitochondrial deoxyribo nucleic acid mutations may play an important role in the development of cardiomyopathy, and various types of cardiomyopathy can be attributed to disturbed mitochondrial oxidative energy metabolism. Several studies have described many mutations in mitochondrial genes encoding for subunits of respiratory chain complexes. Thus, recent studies confirm that pathologic mitochondrial deoxyribo nucleic acid mutations are a major reason of diseases and determining them by next-generation sequencing will improve our understanding of dysregulation of heart development. To analyse mitochondrial deoxyribo nucleic acid mutations, the entire mitochondrial deoxyribo nucleic acid was amplified in two overlapping polymerase chain reaction fragments from the cardiac tissue of the 22 patients with congenital heart disease, undergoing cardiac surgery. Mitochondrial deoxyribo nucleic acid was deep sequenced by next-generation sequencing. A total of 13 novel mitochondrial deoxyribo nucleic acid mutations were identified in nine patients. Of the patients, three have novel mutations together with reported cardiomyopathy mutations. In all, 65 mutations were found, and 13 of them were unreported. This study represents the most comprehensive mitochondrial deoxyribo nucleic acid mutational analysis in patients with congenital heart disease.
Mesalamine-induced myopericarditis in a paediatric patient with Crohn’s disease
Authors: Nair Asha G. , Cross Russell R.
Published: June 2014

Mesalamine-containing products are considered first-line treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. Myocarditis is recognised as a very rare possible side effect of these medications, but has not often been described in the paediatric population. We present a case of an adolescent with Crohn’s disease who presented with myopericarditis after recent initiation of Pentasa. Once identified as the causative agent, the drug was discontinued, with subsequent normalisation of troponin and improvement of function. This case identifies the importance of prompt evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of paediatric patients receiving mesalamine-containing medications that present with significant cardiovascular symptoms.
Geographical Indications: Some thoughts on the practice of the US Patent and Trademark Office and TRIPs
Authors: O'CONNOR BERNARD
Published: June 2014

This section is intended for occasional contributions from on-the-ground practitioners. Our hope is that the definition of this category of paper will inspire practitioners to submit notes and articles – typically in the range of 2,000 to 10,000 words – to the World Trade Review. As with all notes and articles submitted to the World Trade Review, manuscripts in this category will be reviewed by independent referees. However, the focus is intended to be practice oriented and at least one of the two referees will be a fellow practitioner.