bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One century of sedimentation and Hg pollution at the mouth of the Sagua la Grande River (Cuba)
Authors: Díaz-Asencio Misael , Sanchez-Cabeza Joan Albert , Bolaños-Álvarez Yoelvis , Ruíz-Fernández Ana Carolina , Gómez-Batista Miguel , Morabito Roberto , Alonso-Hernandez Carlos
Published: March 2015

The Sagua la Grande River is the largest of northern Cuba. The socioeconomic development in this region during the last 100 years has caused changes in its natural conditions, such as an increase in Hg levels. In 1981, a chlor-alkali plant with mercury-cell technology was built on the river bank and has released several contaminants to the environment. Sedimentation along the river and the nearby coastal zone was reconstructed using the radionuclides 210Pb, 226Ra, 137Cs, and 239,240Pu in sediment cores. The changes in sediment accumulation were related to important changes in the river basin after 1950, such as the channeling of the river in 1955 and the construction of the Alacranes Dam in 1972. Maximum sediment accumulation rates were attributed to large floods in 1933, 1948, and 1985 (Hurricane Kate). The 210Pb chronology allowed the reconstruction of Hg pollution during the last four decades. In the locations with greatest fluvial influence, Hg concentrations increased since the early 1980s exceeding the Effects Range-Median (0.71 mg kg–1). The accumulated Hg inventories released from the plant were one order of magnitude larger than those due to other sources. These results show the impact of Hg releases from this industry on the estuary, especially in the coastal zone close to the river mouth.
Geochemical and micropaleontological evidence of recent hydrological changes in sedimentary records of Jiquilisco Bay, El Salvador
Authors: Amaya-Monterrosa Oscar Armando , Machain-Castillo María Luisa , Ruiz-Fernández Ana Carolina , Sanchez-Cabeza Joan Albert , Carranza-Edwards Arturo , Cearreta Alejandro , Cabrera-Ramírez Mayumi Amparo , Espinoza-Navarrete Jaime , Meza-Guerrero Estephanie , Pérez-Bernal Libia Hascibe , Rodríguez-Ramírez Alejandro
Published: March 2015

The geochemical, mineralogical, and micropaleontological (Foraminifera, Ostracoda, Bacillariophyta) spatial and temporal variations in marshland sediments from the Jiquilisco Bay Biosphere Reserve, El Salvador, are described. The sedimentary characteristics of two marsh sites reveal contrasting sedimentary environments: site Los Cedrones depicts a high energy environment with sandy sediments, low organic matter content, and no microfossils, while site El Gimidor represents a lower energy environment with muddy sediments rich in organic matter and more abundant and diverse microfossils. 210Pb-dated sedimentary cores showed changes over time (last 100 years) in the mineral and elemental composition, as well as in the accumulation rates, suggesting changes in the type and magnitude of sediments delivered to the sites. Sediment accumulation rates were similar at both sites, ranging from 1.2 ± 0.9 to 3.4 ± 0.5 mm yr–1 at Los Cedrones and from 0.8 ± 0.2 to 4.0 ± 0.5 mm yr–1 at El Gimidor. Even though both marshes are located 13 km apart, and depict different sedimentary environments, elemental composition, and microfossil assemblages, both sedimentary records show the influence of hydrological changes, probably due to the damming of the Lempa River and the sea-level increase during the last 100 years.
Future beam experiments in the magnetosphere with plasma contactors: The electron collection and ion emission routes
Authors: Delzanno G. L. , Borovsky J. E. , Thomsen M. F. , Moulton J. D.
Published: March 2015

Experiments where a high‐voltage electron beam emitted by a spacecraft in the low‐density magnetosphere is used to probe the magnetospheric configuration could greatly enhance our understanding of the near‐Earth environment. Their challenge, however, resides in the fact that the background magnetospheric plasma cannot provide a return current that balances the electron beam current without charging the spacecraft to such high potential that in practice prevents beam emission. In order to overcome this problem, a possible solution is based on the emission of a high‐density contactor plasma by the spacecraft prior to and after the beam. We perform particle‐in‐cell simulations to investigate the conditions under which a high‐voltage electron beam can be emitted from a magnetospheric spacecraft, comparing two possible routes that rely on the high‐density contactor plasma. The first is an “electron collection” route, where the contactor has lower current than the electron beam and is used with the goal of connecting to the background plasma and collecting magnetospheric electrons over a much larger area than that allowed by the spacecraft alone. The second is an “ion emission” route, where the contactor has higher current than the electron beam. Ion emission is then enabled over the large quasi‐spherical area of the contactor cloud, thus overcoming the space charge limits typical of ion beam emission. Our results indicate that the ion emission route offers a pathway for performing beam experiments in the low‐density magnetosphere, while the electron collection route is not viable because the contactor fails to draw a large neutralizing current from the background.
Modeling the equatorial and low‐latitude ionospheric response to an intense X‐class solar flare
Authors: Nogueira P. A. B. , Souza J. R. , Abdu M. A. , Paes R. R. , Sousasantos J. , Marques M. S. , Bailey G. J. , Denardini C. M. , Batista I. S. , Takahashi H. , Cueva R. Y. C. , Chen S. S.
Published: March 2015

We have investigated the ionospheric response close to the subsolar point in South America due to the strong solar flare (X2.8) that occurred on 13 May 2013. The present work discusses the sudden disturbances in the D region in the form of high‐frequency radio wave blackout recorded in ionograms, the E region disturbances in the form of the Sq current and equatorial electrojet intensifications, and the enhancement and decay in the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) as observed by a network of Global Navigation Satellite Systems receivers, the last of these manifestations constituting the main focuses of this study. The dayside ionosphere showed an abrupt increase of the TEC, with the region of the TEC increase being displaced away from the subsolar point toward the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest region. The decay in the ΔTEC following the decrease of the flare EUV flux varied at a slower ratio near the EIA crest than at the subsolar point. We used the Sheffield University Plasmasphere‐Ionosphere Model to simulate the TEC enhancement and the related variations as arising from the flare‐enhanced solar EUV flux and soft X‐rays. The simulations are compared with the observational data to validate our results, and it is found that a good part of the observed TEC variation features can be accounted for by the model simulation. The combined results from model and observational data can contribute significantly to advance our knowledge about ionospheric photochemistry and dynamics needed to improve our predictive capability on the low‐latitude ionospheric response to solar flares.
Visco‐poroelastic damage model for brittle‐ductile failure of porous rocks
Authors: Lyakhovsky Vladimir , Zhu Wenlu , Shalev Eyal
Published: March 2015

The coupling between damage accumulation, dilation, and compaction during loading of sandstones is responsible for different structural features such as localized deformation bands and homogeneous inelastic deformation. We distinguish and quantify the role of each deformation mechanism using new mathematical model and its numerical implementation. Formulation includes three different deformation regimes: (I) quasi‐elastic deformation characterized by material strengthening and compaction; (II) cataclastic flow characterized by damage increase and compaction; and (III) brittle failure characterized by damage increase, dilation, and shear localization. Using a three‐dimensional numerical model, we simulate the deformation behavior of cylindrical porous Berea sandstone samples under different confining pressures. The obtained stress, strain, porosity changes and macroscopic deformation features well reproduce the laboratory results. The model predicts different rock behavior as a function of confining pressures. The quasi‐elastic and brittle regimes associated with formation of shear and/or dilatant bands occur at low effective pressures. The model also successfully reproduces cataclastic flow and homogeneous compaction under high pressures. Complex behavior with overlap of common features of all regimes is simulated under intermediate pressures, resulting with localized compaction or shear enhanced compaction bands. Numerical results elucidate three steps in the formation of compaction bands: (1) dilation and subsequent shear localization, (2) formation of shear enhanced compaction band, and (3) formation of pure compaction band.
Vertical evolution of potential energy density and vertical wave number spectrum of Antarctic gravity waves from 35 to 105 km at McMurdo (77.8°S, 166.7°E)
Authors: Lu Xian , Chu Xinzhao , Fong Weichun , Chen Cao , Yu Zhibin , Roberts Brendan R. , McDonald Adrian J.
Published: March 2015

We report the first characterization of potential energy densities and vertical wave number spectra of Antarctic gravity waves (GWs) from 35 to 105 km, derived from Fe lidar temperature measurements at McMurdo (77.8°S, 166.7°E) in 2011–2013 winters. For GWs with periods of 2–10 h, the potential energy density per unit volume (Epv) decreases by 2 orders of magnitude from 35 to 105 km, while that per unit mass (Epm) increases from several to hundreds of J/kg. Epm increases with a mean scale height of ~10.4 km in the Rayleigh region (35–65 km) and of ~13.2 km in the Fe region (81–105 km), and of particular interest is the inferred severe dissipation in between (65–81 km). Overall, the vertical evolutions of Epv and Epm indicate considerable wave energy loss from the stratosphere to the lower thermosphere. The vertical wave number spectra exhibit power law forms for vertical wavelengths λz < ~10 km. The mean spectral slope in the spectral range of 2–10 km is about −2.55 and −2.26 in the Rayleigh and Fe regions with standard deviations of 0.36 and 0.38, respectively. Large variations in the power spectral densities (PSDs) are seen for λz > 10 km in 35–60 km. PSDs increase by 1 order of magnitude from the stratosphere to the lower thermosphere. Using higher temporal resolution data to include 0.5–2 h waves increase Epm by ~25–45% and increase PSDs of 2–5 km waves by a factor of 2 and of >10 km waves by less than 50%.
Forest dynamics and tip‐up pools drive pulses of high carbon accumulation rates in a tropical peat dome in Borneo (Southeast Asia)
Authors: Dommain René , Cobb Alexander R. , Joosten Hans , Glaser Paul H. , Chua Amy F. L. , Gandois Laure , Kai Fuu‐Ming , Noren Anders , Salim Kamariah A. , Su'ut N. Salihah H. , Harvey Charles F.
Published: March 2015

Peatlands of Southeast Asia store large pools of carbon but the mechanisms of peat accumulation in tropical forests remain to be resolved. Patch dynamics and forest disturbance have seldom been considered as drivers that can amplify or dampen rates of peat accumulation. Here we used a modified piston corer, noninvasive geophysical measurements, and geochemical and paleobotanical techniques to establish the effect of tree fall on carbon accumulation rates in a peat swamp forest dominated by Shorea albida in Brunei (Borneo). Carbon initially accumulated in a mangrove forest at over 300 g C m−2 yr−1 but declined to less than 50 g C m−2 yr−1 with the establishment of a peat swamp forest. A rapid accumulation pulse of 720–960 g C m−2 yr−1 occurred around 1080 years ago as a tip‐up pool infilled. Tip‐up pools are common in the peatlands of northwest Borneo where windthrow and lightning strikes produce tree falls at a rate of 4 trees ha−1 every decade. A simulation model indicates that tip‐up pools, which are formed across the entire forested peat dome, produce local discontinuities in the peat deposit, when peat is removed to create a pool that is rapidly filled with younger material. The resulting discontinuities in peat age at the base and sides of pool deposits obscure linkages between carbon accumulation rates and climate and require new approaches for paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Our results suggest that carbon accumulation in tropical peat swamps may be based on fundamentally different peat‐forming processes than those of northern peatlands.
One year of continuous measurements of soil CH4 and CO2 fluxes in a Japanese cypress forest: Temporal and spatial variations associated with Asian monsoon rainfall
Authors: Sakabe Ayaka , Kosugi Yoshiko , Takahashi Kenshi , Itoh Masayuki , Kanazawa Akito , Makita Naoki , Ataka Mioko
Published: March 2015

We examined the effects of Asian monsoon rainfall on CH4 absorption of water‐unsaturated forest soil. We conducted a 1 year continuous measurement of soil CH4 and CO2 fluxes with automated chamber systems in three plots with different soil characteristics and water content to investigate how temporal variations in CH4 fluxes vary with the soil environment. CH4 absorption was reduced by the “Baiu” summer rainfall event and peaked during the subsequent hot, dry period. Although CH4 absorption and CO2 emission typically increased as soil temperature increased, the temperature dependence of CH4 varied more than that of CO2, possibly due to the changing balance of activities between methanotrophs and methanogens occurring over a wide temperature range, which was strongly affected by soil water content. In short time intervals (30 min), the responses of CH4 and CO2 fluxes to rainfall were different for each plot. In a dry soil plot with a thick humus layer, both fluxes decreased abruptly at the peak of rainfall intensity. After rainfall, CO2 emission increased quickly, while CH4 absorption increased gradually. Release of accumulated CO2 underground and restriction and recovery of CH4 and CO2 exchange between soil and air determined flux responses to rainfall. In a wet soil plot and a dry soil plot with a thinner humus layer, abrupt decreases in CH4 fluxes were not observed. Consequently, the Asian monsoon rainfall strongly influenced temporal variations in CH4 fluxes, and the differences in flux responses to environmental factors among plots caused large variability in annual budgets of CH4 fluxes.
Child Sexual Abuse
Authors: Bernet William , Canter Jennifer , Reiman Beth
Published: March 2015

The investigation of child sexual abuse typically involves child protection workers, law enforcement, medical personnel, and mental health professionals. Sexually abused children may manifest a variety of emotional, behavioral, and somatic symptoms. The evaluation process should include a history of the allegations, a forensic interview based on a standard protocol, and a forensic medical examination. The investigators should consider the reasons why children sometimes make false denials as well as false allegations of abuse.
Confessions: Evidentiary Reliability of
Authors: Kassin Saul
Published: March 2015

In law, confession is a potent form of evidence. Yet, throughout history and in countries all over the world, innocent people have confessed to crimes they did not commit. Some false confessions are “voluntary”; others are elicited through the psychological process of interrogation, often involving weak and vulnerable suspects. Research shows that confession evidence is powerfully persuasive to judges, juries, and others—leading them to presume guilt even when the confession was coerced. Important reforms to police interrogation practices have been proposed, most notably the requirement that all interrogations be video recorded in their entirety.
Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS)
Authors: Patton Christina L. , McNally Matthew R. , Fremouw William J.
Published: March 2015

Rape trauma syndrome (RTS) is a cluster of common reactions experienced by victims of forcible rape or attempted forcible rape.RTSis often divided into two phases: an acute phase characterized by intense symptoms experienced in the days or weeks immediately following a rape and a long‐term reorganization phase of more moderate disturbances in general functioning that may last for years. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‐5) does not defineRTSas a disorder. Therefore,PTSDis more commonly considered as a possible diagnosis after a rape. Expert testimony aboutRTSis much less likely than other syndromes (e.g., battered woman syndrome) to be admitted in court proceedings, and admissibility is often split on the proposed use for the testimony itself. In the overwhelming majority of instances ofRTSuse in criminal trials, it has been used by the prosecution to explain inconsistent or contradictory statements or actions completed by the victim, though it may also be used to educate a jury about incorrect assumptions about the causes and consequences of rape, testify that the victim's psychological reactions are consistent with having been raped, or support a claim of damages.
DNA: Degraded Samples
Authors: Gilder Jason R.
Published: March 2015

Degradation and inhibition are phenomena that are frequently associated with evidence samples in forensic casework. Short tandem repeat (STR)DNAtyping is able to obtain results from tiny amounts of starting material. However, environmental effects such asUVsunlight, moisture, and bacteria can break down theDNAin a sample. Impurities in a sample can lead to the inhibition of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification ofDNA. When aDNAsample is degraded or inhibited, the signal associated with some of the typing loci (typically beginning with loci corresponding to larger fragments ofDNA) is reduced and can result in an only partial genotyping of samples. Newer technologies have been introduced to deal with the issue of degradation by examining smallerDNAfragment sizes.
Lightweight Metal Cellular Structures Fabricated via 3D Printing of Sand Cast Molds
Authors: Snelling Dean , Li Qian , Meisel Nicolas , Williams Christopher B. , Batra Romesh C. , Druschitz Alan P.
Published: March 2015

Cellular structures offer high specific strength and can offer high specific stiffness, good impact absorption, and thermal and acoustic insulation. A major challenge in fabricating cellular structures is joining various components. It is well known that joints, either welded or bolted or bonded with an adhesive, serve as stress concentrators. Here, we overcome this shortcoming by the use of metal casting into 3D printed sand molds for fabricating cellular structures and sandwich panels. Furthermore, the use of 3D printing allows for the fabrication of sand molds without the need for a pattern, and thus enables the creation of cellular structures with designed mesostructure from a bevy of metal alloys. We use the finite element method to numerically analyze the energy absorption capabilities of an octet truss cellular structure created with the proposed manufacturing process and that of a solid block of the same material and area density as the cellular structure. In the numerical simulations, mechanical properties collected through experimental quasi‐static compression testing are employed. It is found that indeed the cellular structure absorbs considerably more impact energy over that absorbed by a solid structure of the same weight.
Microstructural Features and Mechanical Properties of In Situ Formed ZrB2/Cu Composites
Authors: Zhang Zhiguo , Sheng Yinying , Xu Xiwei , Li Wei
Published: March 2015

In situ reinforced copper matrix composites with improved mechanical properties are promising materials for various applications. In this work, an attempt has been made to explore the microstructural features and properties of in situ formed ZrB2/Cu composites using a liquid metallurgy route. XRD, SEM, XPS, and TEM analysis were used for micro‐structural characterization. The results showed that ZrB2 particles could form through the reaction of Zr and B in molten Cu. The obtained composites consisted of hexagonal shaped ZrB2 and Cu(Zr) solid solution matrix. The in situ ZrB2/Cu composites exhibited improved microhardness. However, the electrical conductivity decreased with increasing weight fractions of ZrB2.
Solid–Solid Phase Transformation During the Reduction of Titanium Dioxide (Anatase) to Produce High‐Grade Titanium Powder
Authors: Ephraim Jeya K. , Patel Raj
Published: March 2015

Production of titanium is challenging and expensive due to the energy energy‐intensive and time‐consuming processes used at present. Current commercial production method reduces titanium tetrachloride with magnesium or sodium to produce titanium metal. Several researchers have attempted electro‐deposition of titanium from ionic solutions but have faced difficulties in eliminating multivalent titanium ions and highly reactive dendrite products. In this paper, we report, for the first time, the solid–solid phase transformation of titanium dioxide with calcium metal, under suitable conditions, to form solid titanium metal powder (>98% pure) without any oxygen impurity. On phase characterisation, it was found that homogeneous α‐titanium was produced. The paper also includes the results and interpretations obtained using quantitative analysis, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX) and phase diagram. The process is simple, green, rapid and cheap compared to the existing methods.
Factors that discriminate age at menopause: A study of Bengali Hindu women of West Bengal
Authors: Dasgupta Doyel , Pal Baidyanath , Ray Subha
Published: March 2015

Objective

This study aims to investigate the factors that discriminate different menopausal age groups.

Methods

We selected 715 postmenopausal Bengali‐speaking Hindu women from the State of West Bengal, India, who were married and had at least one child. We divided the participants into three groups based on the age at which they attained menopause: Group 1 (30–39 years), Group 2 (40–49 years), and Group 3 (50–55 years). A well‐tested questionnaire was used to collect information on reproductive variables.

Results

We applied discriminant function analysis to identify the factors associated with different ages at menopause. Results show that factors like age at menarche, duration of breastfeeding of the last child, and age at first pregnancy discriminate the different menopausal age groups.

Conclusion

We concluded that reproductive factors discriminate the three different menopausal age groups for this study population. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:710–715, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rank‐dependent grooming patterns and cortisol alleviation in Barbary macaques
Authors: Sonnweber Ruth S. , Ravignani Andrea , Stobbe Nina , Schiestl Gisela , Wallner Bernard , Fitch W. Tecumseh
Published: March 2015

Flexibly adapting social behavior to social and environmental challenges helps to alleviate glucocorticoid (GC) levels, which may have positive fitness implications for an individual. For primates, the predominant social behavior is grooming. Giving grooming to others is particularly efficient in terms of GC mitigation. However, grooming is confined by certain limitations such as time constraints or restricted access to other group members. For instance, dominance hierarchies may impact grooming partner availability in primate societies. Consequently specific grooming patterns emerge. In despotic species focusing grooming activity on preferred social partners significantly ameliorates GC levels in females of all ranks. In this study we investigated grooming patterns and GC management in Barbary macaques, a comparably relaxed species. We monitored changes in grooming behavior and cortisol (C) for females of different ranks. Our results show that the C‐amelioration associated with different grooming patterns had a gradual connection with dominance hierarchy: while higher‐ranking individuals showed lowest urinary C measures when they focused their grooming on selected partners within their social network, lower‐ranking individuals expressed lowest C levels when dispersing their grooming activity evenly across their social partners. We argue that the relatively relaxed social style of Barbary macaque societies allows individuals to flexibly adapt grooming patterns, which is associated with rank‐specific GC management. Am. J. Primatol. 77:688–700, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tom Andersen, Fleeting Events, the Bodily Feelings They Arouse in Us, and the Dialogical: Transitory Understandings and Action Guiding Anticipations
Authors: Shotter John
Published: March 2015

Although Tom Andersen talked a great deal of the importance of his ‘inner dialogues,’ he did not explicitly talk of himself as being a dialogical therapist. However, in trying to articulate what is important in the nature of all dialogically‐structured practices, I want to use examples of his therapeutic practices, Tom Andersen's way of being Tom Andersen, examples that in fact exhibit many relevant features of such dialogically‐structured practices. Central to them all is a move away from the Cartesian idea that events in the ‘outside’ or ‘external’ world are represented or pictured within us in some way (i.e., in our heads somewhere), and a move towards, a responsive understanding, a felt tendency or anticipation to go on in a particular way in relation to a particular circumstance out in the world at large. Something that the generalities described in theories, models, recipes, sets of principles, etc., that are common to all situations do not do.
Family Therapy in the Real World: Dialogical Practice in a Regional Australian Public Mental Health Service
Authors: Hartman David , De Courcey Josephine
Published: March 2015

This paper describes the development of a family therapy service in a regional Australian public mental health service for children and adolescents, using a service model of therapy in the family home which draws on the ‘dialogical’ and ‘collaborative’ principles of Seikkula, Anderson and others. The implementation of this service has incorporated training, peer supervision and reflective practice, which has been congruent with dialogical and collaborative principles. Clinicians from a wide range of backgrounds and levels of experience have had a positive experience of learning to work in a dialogical framework. The ‘Mobile Family Therapy Team’ consists of around 20 clinicians (nurses, allied health clinicians, consultant psychiatrists and trainee psychiatrists) who work in teams of two or three, and who work with one to four families each. Most therapy is conducted in the family home, and clinicians experience this as rewarding but also challenging. This service model is seen as acceptable and accessible to families. Our experience has been that this form of family therapy has been a useful and effective component of treatment for families with complex, severe and high risk problems who have not benefited from previous interventions. Many of these families would not have accessed traditional clinic‐based family therapy. We see supervision and reflective practice as essential to the sustainability of this service.
The Challenge of Creating Dialogical Space for Both Partners in Couple Therapy
Authors: Rober Peter
Published: March 2015

Dialogue in marital and family therapy (MFT) is by definition a multi‐actor dialogue. This raises important challenges for therapists since the conversation is often tension filled and can have dramatic real life consequences for family members. In this paper I focus on the challenges presented in working with couples. In the first part of the paper I develop a theoretical frame, which relies on the MFT literature on the therapeutic relationship as well as on the discussion in the field around the therapeutic relationship and the concept of not knowing. I question the therapeutic effectiveness of the therapist's egalitarian intentions and the idealistic view of the naturally healing dialogue implicit in not knowing. I especially highlight the validity of some of the concepts of Mikhail Bakhtin (e.g., addressivity, responsivity) to address the specific complexities of the MFT encounter. Then I present a case study, which is limited to a microanalysis of the first minutes of a first session of a marital therapy. In the third part of the paper I discuss what I have learned from the case study against the background of some of the central ideas developed in the first part. This leads to the conclusion that the marital and family therapist cannot escape the uncomfortable position of being responsible to find ways to actively contribute to a helpful dialogue with clients; a dialogue that is not a natural given, but rather a project that needs the therapist's constant consideration and care.
No Kids in the Middle: Dialogical and Creative Work with Parents and Children in the Context of High Conflict Divorces
Authors: van Lawick Justine , Visser Margreet
Published: March 2015

This article contains a description of the context, development and delivery of No kids in the middle, a group approach for divorced fighting parents and their children. After addressing the social and legal context of high conflict divorces, we describe the main characteristics of this destructive dynamic. We describe some aspects of the approach and give examples. Key principles for the project include: keeping the child in mind; working in groups; stopping legal processes; making free space for interactions; creative presentation ceremonies; and reaching out to the network. The outcomes are promising. Research on the project has started.
Is it Possible to be a Bit Dialogical? Exploring How a Dialogical Perspective Might Contribute to a Psychiatrist's Practice in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Setting
Authors: Mikes‐Liu Kristof
Published: March 2015

This article explores the potential relevance of dialogical ideas to psychiatric practice and asks: Is it possible to be a bit dialogical? A practice predicament is offered as a point of reference that is explored in light of the ideas presented. The notion of voice is used to introduce some ideas that inform dialogical approaches to clinical practice. Voice is then considered with respect to a medical setting, through examination of the biopsychosocial model, psychiatry's contract with society, the example of Open Dialogues, and Recovery. The conclusion acknowledges the possibility that tension is experienced between therapeutic ideals and contextual constraints. The original question may assist the clinician in defining a set of values that acknowledges this tension.
Asymmetric polysulfone gas separation membranes treated by low pressure DC glow discharge plasmas
Authors: Yuenyao Chalad , Tirawanichakul Yutthana , Chittrakarn Thawat
Published: March 2015

Asymmetric polysulfone (PSF) gas separation membranes were prepared at different conditions such as non‐solvent concentration, evaporation time (ET) and coagulation bath temperature (CBT). In addition, effects of low‐pressure DC glow discharge plasma on the characteristics of PSF membranes were investigated. PSF membranes both before and after plasma treatment were characterized by several techniques, including contact angle measurement, scanning electron microscope (SEM), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Furthermore, the performance of membranes was evaluated in terms of permeability of CO2, CH4, O2, and N2 gases. The ideal selectivity of CO2/CH4 and O2/N2 and surface free energy was calculated. Results showed that the EtOH concentration, ET and CBT affect the morphology of PSF membranes. For membranes prepared from a casting solution consisting of PSF 26.0, NMP 28.0, THF 28.0, and EtOH 18.0 wt % and ET for 3 min, the maximum selectivity of untreated membrane is about 69.76 and 12.59 for CO2/CH4 and O2/N2, respectively. After plasma treatment, the ideal selectivity is receded; however, the CO2/CH4 is still higher than 40.41 at pressure of 5 bars. Finally, preparation conditions and DC glow discharge plasmas have significant effects on the characteristics of the PSF membranes and result in an increase of the gas permeation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42116.
Does research with statistics have more impact? The citation rank advantage of structural equation modeling
Authors: Thelwall Mike , Wilson Paul
Published: March 2015

Statistics are essential to many areas of research and individual statistical techniques may change the ways in which problems are addressed as well as the types of problems that can be tackled. Hence, specific techniques may tend to generate high‐impact findings within science. This article estimates the citation advantage of a technique by calculating the average citation rank of articles using it in the issue of the journal in which they were published. Applied to structural equation modeling (SEM) and four related techniques in 3 broad fields, the results show citation advantages that vary by technique and broad field. For example, SEM seems to be more influential in all broad fields than the 4 simpler methods, with one exception, and hence seems to be particularly worth adding to statistical curricula. In contrast, Pearson correlation apparently has the highest average impact in medicine but the least in psychology. In conclusion, the results suggest that the importance of a statistical technique may vary by discipline and that even simple techniques can help to generate high‐impact research in some contexts.
Effect of sorbitol and glycerol on the stability of trypsin and difference between their stabilization effects in the various solvents
Authors: Pazhang Mohammad , Mehrnejad Faramarz , Pazhang Yaghub , Falahati Hanieh , Chaparzadeh Nader
Published: March 2015

The effect of glycerol and sorbitol on the stability of porcine pancreas trypsin was investigated in this work. Molecular dynamics simulation and thermostability results showed that trypsin has two flexible regions, and polyols (sorbitol and glycerol) stabilize the enzyme by decreasing the flexibility of these regions. Radial distribution function results exhibited that sorbitol and glycerol were excluded from the first water layer of the enzyme, therefore decrease the flexibility of the regions by preferential exclusion. Also, results showed that the stabilization effect of sorbitol is more than glycerol. This observation could be because of the larger decrease in the fluctuations of trypsin in the presence of sorbitol. We also examined the role of solvent's hydrophobicity in enzyme stabilization by sorbitol and glycerol. To do so, the thermostability of trypsin was evaluated in the presence of solvents with different hydrophobicity (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and n‐propanol) in addition to the polyols. Our results depicted that glycerol is a better stabilizer than sorbitol in the presence of hydrophobic solvents (n‐propanol), whereas sorbitol is a better stabilizer than glycerol in the presence of hydrophilic solvents (methanol).
Multiplexed DNA detection using a gold nanorod‐based fluorescence resonance energy transfer technique
Authors: Wu Qiang , He Yanlong , Tian Jianniao , Zhang Juanni , Hu Kun , Zhao Yanchun , Zhao Shulin
Published: March 2015

A fluorescence resonance energy transfer method for multiplex detection DNA based on gold nanorods had been successfully constructed. This method is simple, easy to operate, good selectivity, no requirement to label the probe molecule and can analyze simultaneously multiple targets of DNA in one sample. The limit of detection for the 18‐mer, 27‐mer and 30‐mer targets is 0.72, 1.0 and 0.43 nM at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3. The recoveries of three targets were 96.57–98.07%, 99.12–100.04% and 97.29–99.93%, respectively. The results show that the method can be used to analyze a clinical sample or a biological sample; it also can be used to develop new probes for rapid, sensitive and highly selective multiplex detection of analytes in real samples. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of heparin and bivalirudin in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention without use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors
Authors: Abtahian Farhad , Waldo Stephen , Jang Ik‐Kyung
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The primary objective of this study is the compare the association between bleeding and the use unfractionated heparin (UFH) versus bivalirudin during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

In patients undergoing PCI, the risk of bleeding with use of bivalirudin compared with UFH in the absence of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors is not well defined.

Methods: Patients undergoing PCI with either UFH or bivalirudin monotherapy at a single institution between 2007 and 2014 were included (n = 6,143). Propensity score matching was used to adjust for baseline characteristics yielding 2,984 well matched patients (1,492 in each group). The primary endpoint was major non‐coronary artery bypass graft (non‐CABG) related bleeding as defined by a Bleeding Academic Consortium type 3 or 5. Secondary outcomes included combined major and minor bleeding, in‐hospital death, periprocedural myocardial infarction, and recurrent ischemia requiring urgent revascularization (repeat PCI).

Results

In the propensity matched cohort, there was no difference in major bleeding between UFH and bivalirudin monotherapy (1.8% versus 2.4%, P = 0.305). Combined major and minor bleeding was also similar between the two groups (4.3% versus 4.3%, P = 1.0). Likewise, no differences were observed between the bivalirudin and UFH groups in terms of in‐hospital death (0.4% versus 0.5%, P = 0.592), periprocedural myocardial infarction (1.5% versus 2.0%, P = 0.332) and repeat PCI (0.7% versus 0.8%, P = 0.669).

Conclusion

Among patients undergoing PCI, there was no significant difference in rate of bleeding between bivalirudin and heparin monotherapy in a real‐world setting. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel X‐ray imaging technology enables significant patient dose reduction in interventional cardiology while maintaining diagnostic image quality
Authors: Eloot Liesbeth , Thierens Hubert , Taeymans Yves , Drieghe Benny , De Pooter Jan , Van Peteghem Sylvie , Buytaert Dimitri , Gijs Thomas , Lapere Régine , Bacher Klaus
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to quantify the reduction in patient radiation dose during coronary angiography (CA) by a new X‐ray technology, and to assess its impact on diagnostic image quality.

Background

Recently, a novel X‐ray imaging technology has become available for interventional cardiology, using advanced image processing and an optimized acquisition chain for radiation dose reduction.

Methods

70 adult patients were randomly assigned to a reference X‐ray system or the novel X‐ray system. Patient demographics were registered and exposure parameters were recorded for each radiation event. Clinical image quality was assessed for both patient groups.

Results

With the same angiographic technique and a comparable patient population, the new imaging technology was associated with a 75% reduction in total kerma‐area product (KAP) value (decrease from 47 Gycm2 to 12 Gycm2, P < 0.001). Clinical image quality showed an equivalent detail and contrast for both imaging systems. On the other hand, the subjective appreciation of noise was more apparent in images of the new image processing system, acquired at lower doses, compared to the reference system. However, the higher noise content did not affect the overall image quality score, which was adequate for diagnosis in both systems.

Conclusions

For the first time, we present a new X‐ray imaging technology, combining advanced noise reduction algorithms and an optimized acquisition chain, which reduces patient radiation dose in CA drastically (75%), while maintaining diagnostic image quality. Use of this technology may further improve the radiation safety of cardiac angiography and interventions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrospun Single‐Phase Na1.2V3O8 Materials with Tunable Morphologies as Cathodes for Rechargeable Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Ko Yah Wen , Teh Pei Fen , Pramana Stevin Snellius , Wong Chui Ling , Su Tanto , Li Linlin , Madhavi Srinivasan
Published: March 2015

Single‐phase Na1.2V3O8 materials with single and hierarchical nanobelt morphologies were prepared by using a versatile electrospinning technique by altering the sintering profiles. On the basis of characterization by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, the formation mechanisms of products with tunable morphologies are discussed. The products obtained are employed as cathode materials for lithium‐ion batteries. Their electrochemical activities are demonstrated through galvanostatic cycling and cyclic voltammetry. The non‐agglomerated, single nanobelts with exposed (100) facets, which serve as channels for facile lithium diffusion, are capable of exhibiting higher maximum capacities of approximately 218 mAh g−1 compared to hierarchical nanobelts with a maximum capacity of approximately 197 mAh g−1 versus Li/Li+ at a current density of 200 mA g−1. Their associated reversible capacities are approximately 207 and 173 mAh g−1, respectively, after 100 cycles. Single nanobelts with individual belt‐like structures and preferred facet orientation also exhibit better rate capabilities.
A 12‐gene signature to distinguish colon cancer patients with better clinical outcome following treatment with 5‐fluorouracil or FOLFIRI
Authors: Paquet Eric R. , Cui Jing , Davidson David , Pietrosemoli Natalia , Hassan Houssein Hajj , Tsofack Serges P. , Maltais Annie , Hallett Michael T. , Delorenzi Mauro , Batist Gerald , Aloyz Raquel , Lebel Michel
Published: March 2015

Currently, there is no marker in use in the clinical management of colon cancer to predict which patients will respond efficiently to 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), a common component of all cytotoxic therapies. Our aim was to develop and validate a multigene signature associated with clinical outcome from 5‐FU therapy and to determine if it could be used to identify patients who might respond better to alternate treatments. Using a panel of 5‐FU resistant and sensitive colon cancer cell lines, we identified 103 differentially expressed genes providing us with a 5‐FU response signature. We refined this signature using a clinically relevant DNA microarray‐based dataset of 359 formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) colon cancer samples. We then validated the final signature in an external independent DNA microarray‐based dataset of 316 stage III FFPE samples from the PETACC‐3 (Pan‐European Trails in Alimentary Tract Cancers) clinical trial. Finally, using a drug sensitivity database of 658 cell lines, we generated a list of drugs that could sensitize 5‐FU resistant patients using our signature. We confirmed using the PETACC‐3 dataset that the overall survival of subjects responding well to 5‐FU did not improve with the addition of irinotecan (FOLFIRI; two‐sided log‐rank test p = 0.795). Conversely, patients who responded poorly to 5‐FU based on our 12‐gene signature were associated with better survival on FOLFIRI therapy (one‐sided log‐rank test p = 0.039). This new multigene signature is readily applicable to FFPE samples and provides a new tool to help manage treatment in stage III colon cancer. It also provides the first evidence that a subgroup of colon cancer patients can respond better to FOLFIRI than 5‐FU treatment alone.
In‐depth molecular profiling of the biphasic components of uterine carcinosarcomas
Authors: McConechy Melissa K , Hoang Lien N , Chui Michael Herman , Senz Janine , Yang Winnie , Rozenberg Nirit , Mackenzie Robertson , McAlpine Jessica N , Huntsman David G , Clarke Blaise A , Gilks Cyril Blake , Lee Cheng‐Han
Published: March 2015

Uterine carcinosarcoma is a clinically aggressive malignancy composed of a mix of carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements. We performed targeted next‐generation sequencing of 27 uterine cancer and sarcoma genes together with immunohistochemical analyses of selected proteins in 30 uterine carcinosarcomas. This included 13 cases in which the distinct carcinoma and sarcoma components were sequenced separately and 10 cases where the metastatic tumours were analysed in addition to the primary tumours. We identified non‐synonymous somatic mutations in 90% of the cases, with 27 of 30 cases (90%) harbouring TP53 alterations. The PI3K pathway was the most commonly mutated signalling pathway with mutations identified in PIK3CA, PTEN, PIK3R1, and/or PIK3R2 in two‐thirds of the cases. Mutations in FBXW7, PPP2R1A, ARID1A and KRAS were demonstrated in a minority of cases. In cases where the carcinomatous and sarcomatous components were separately analysed, most of the mutations identified were present in both components, indicating a common origin for the two components. Furthermore, the same TP53 alterations and/or PI3K pathway mutations seen in the primary tumours were also identified in the metastatic sites. Overall, carcinosarcomas exhibited heterogeneous molecular features that resemble the heterogeneity seen in endometrial carcinomas, with some showing endometrioid carcinoma‐like and others showing serous carcinoma‐like mutation profiles. While patients with serous‐like tumours presented more frequently with advanced‐stage disease compared to patients with endometrioid‐like tumours, there was no statistical difference in outcome between the two groups. Our results provide insights into the oncogenesis of uterine carcinosarcoma and identify targetable mutations that represent early oncogenic events. The findings of the different molecular types of uterine carcinosarcoma that parallel the different molecular types in endometrial carcinoma may have future treatment implications with targeted therapies.
Analysis of the lateral geniculate nucleus in dichromatic and trichromatic marmosets
Authors: FitzGibbon Thomas , Eriköz Bahar , Grünert Ulrike , Martin Paul R.
Published: March 2015

Marmosets are diurnal New World monkeys that show sex‐linked cone photopigment polymorphism, whereby all males and some females are dichromats ("red‐green colorblind"), but most females show trichromatic color vision. Here we asked whether trichromats express chromatic‐specific circuitry in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). The volume of parvocellular (P), magnocellular (M), and koniocellular (K) layers was calculated in Nissl‐stained sections from the LGN of adult marmosets (Callithrix jacchus; 10 trichromatic females; 2 dichromatic females; and 13 dichromatic males). Retinal ganglion cell axon terminals within the P and K layers were reconstructed and measured following anterograde tracer (dextran) injections. We show that there is little difference in LGN layer volume with respect to age, weight, or sex of the animals, or between dichromatic and trichromatic phenotypes. The morphology of retinal ganglion cell terminals was largely indistinguishable on comparing dichromats and trichromats, and likewise on comparing terminals representing peripheral or foveal retina. We conclude that the LGN circuits we studied are largely independent of red‐green color vision phenotype and visual field location. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:1948–1966, 2015 © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.