bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Genetic Variants of Uncertain Significance: The Example of Breast Cancer
Authors: Morris Gloria J
Published: December 2013

Mutations in the
BRCA1
or
2
genes can lead to an inherited increased risk of breast, ovarian and other cancers. Molecularly, these mutations manifest primarily as frameshift or nonsense mutations, leading to prematurely truncated proteins that would otherwise function as tumour suppressors. Up to 10–20% of all
BRCA
mutations are reported as variants of uncertain significance (VUS); these manifest as missense mutations (with resultant amino acid substitution), intronic variants with resultant effect on splicing capacity or in‐frame deletions and insertions, which may or may not change the reading frame of a gene. These variant sequences can confound rather than guide the risk assessment process in the genetic counselling of patients and family members, whether afflicted or not with an actual cancer. Several molecular methods are now able to discriminate those as yet unclassified variants between high and low risk for cancer development; databases have been generated accordingly and may allow some further prediction of the probability of deleterious behaviour.

This article aims to clarify the clinical relevance of BRCA VUS, to assimilate resources and make suggestions for estimating their clinical impact, and to highlight the need for further studies in this area.

Key Concepts:

There are limited guidelines for the specific management and surveillance of patients and their family members who harbour genetic variants of uncertain significance.

Integrated models to discriminate high‐risk from low‐risk variants have been generated.

Application of these models is considered.

Further clinical trials for risk management are advocated.

Up to 20% of BRCA 1 and 2 mutations can be missense mutations which amount to variants of uncertain significance, the deleterious nature of which are unclear in clinical practice.
Dental topography of platyrrhines and prosimians: Convergence and contrasts
Authors: Winchester Julia M. , Boyer Doug M. , St. Clair Elizabeth M. , Gosselin‐Ildari Ashley D. , Cooke Siobhán B. , Ledogar Justin A.
Published: December 2013

Dental topographic analysis is the quantitative assessment of shape of three‐dimensional models of tooth crowns and component features. Molar topographic curvature, relief, and complexity correlate with aspects of feeding behavior in certain living primates, and have been employed to investigate dietary ecology in extant and extinct primate species. This study investigates whether dental topography correlates with diet among a diverse sample of living platyrrhines, and compares platyrrhine topography with that of prosimians. We sampled 111 lower second molars of 11 platyrrhine genera and 121 of 20 prosimian genera. For each tooth we calculated Dirichlet normal energy (DNE), relief index (RFI), and orientation patch count (OPCR), quantifying surface curvature, relief, and complexity respectively. Shearing ratios and quotients were also measured. Statistical analyses partitioned effects of diet and taxon on topography in platyrrhines alone and relative to prosimians. Discriminant function analyses assessed predictive diet models. Results indicate that platyrrhine dental topography correlates to dietary preference, and platyrrhine‐only predictive models yield high rates of accuracy. The same is true for prosimians. Topographic variance is broadly similar among platyrrhines and prosimians. One exception is that platyrrhines display higher average relief and lower relief variance, possibly related to lower relative molar size and functional links between relief and tooth longevity distinct from curvature or complexity. Explicitly incorporating phylogenetic distance matrices into statistical analyses of the combined platyrrhine‐prosimian sample results in loss of significance of dietary effects for OPCR and SQ, while greatly increasing dietary significance of RFI. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:29–44, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fertility and Developmental Toxicity Assessment in Rats and Rabbits with LY500307, a Selective Estrogen Receptor Beta (ERβ) Agonist
Authors: Hilbish Kim G. , Breslin William J. , Johnson Jason T. , Sloter Eddie D.
Published: December 2013

LY500307 is a selective estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) agonist that was developed for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The in vitro functional selectivity of LY500307 for ERβ agonist activity is 32‐fold above the activity at the alpha receptor (ERα). LY500307 was evaluated in a series of male (M) and female (F) rat fertility and rat and rabbit embryo‐fetal development (EFD) studies, using 20 or 25 animals/group. LY500307 was administered daily by oral gavage starting 2 weeks (F) or 10 weeks (M) before mating, during cohabitation, until necropsy (M) or through gestation day (GD) 6 (F) in the fertility studies and from GD 6 to 17 (rats) or GD 7 to 19 (rabbits) in the EFD studies. Dosage levels of LY500307 ranged from 0.03 to 10 mg/kg/day for rats and from 1 to 25 mg/kg/day for rabbits. Fertility, estrous, maternal reproductive endpoints, conceptus viability, sperm parameters, organ weights, and histopathology were evaluated in the fertility studies. Maternal reproductive endpoints and fetal viability, weight, and morphology were evaluated in the EFD studies. Toxicokinetics were assessed in satellite animals. At 10 mg/kg/day in the male fertility study, findings included decreased body weight (BW); food consumption (FC); fertility, mating, and conception indices; sperm concentration; and reproductive tissue weight (associated with atrophic histologic changes). In the female fertility study, effects included decreased BW and FC at ≥0.3 mg/kg/day and persistent diestrus, delayed mating, and reduced fertility/conception indices at 3 mg/kg/day. In the rat EFD study, findings included decreased maternal BW and FC and increased incidences of adverse clinical signs, abortion, maternal mortality/moribundity, postimplantation loss, and fetal skeletal variations at 3 mg/kg/day. Effects in the rabbit EFD study were limited to decreases in maternal BW and FC at 25 mg/kg/day. In general, systemic maternal exposure increased proportionally with dosage in rats, but less than proportionally in rabbits. In conclusion, the no‐observed adverse effect levels following LY500307 administration were 1 mg/kg/day for male rat fertility, 0.3 mg/kg/day for female rat fertility and EFD, and 25 mg/kg/day for rabbit EFD. Adverse reproductive and developmental effects only occurred at or above parentally toxic dosage levels and were considered predominantly due to off‐target ERα effects.
Evaluation of Hydroxyatrazine in the Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Program's Male and Female Pubertal Protocols
Authors: Stoker Tammy E. , Hallinger Daniel R. , Seely John C. , Zorrilla Leah M.
Published: December 2013

Two critical components of the validation of anyin vivoscreening assay are to demonstrate sensitivity and specificity. Although the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program's Tier 1 Male and Female Pubertal Protocols have been shown to be sensitive assays for the detection of weak endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), there are concerns that the assays lack specificity for EDC effects when a chemical induces systemic toxicity. A lack of specificity, or the ability to correctly identify an inactive or “negative” chemical, would increase the probability of identifying false positives. Here, we orally exposed rats to hydroxyatrazine (OH‐ATR), a biotransformation by‐product of the chlorotriazine herbicides that produced nephrotoxicity following a 13‐week dietary exposure. Based on a previous study in our laboratory, males were dosed with 11.4 to 183.4 mg/kg OH‐ATR and females were dosed with 45.75 to 183.4 mg/kg OH‐ATR. Following exposure in both sexes, there was a dose–response increase in mean kidney weights and the incidence and severity of kidney lesions. These lesions included the deposition of mineralized renal tubule concretions, hydronephrosis, renal tubule dilatation, and pyelonephritis. However, no differences in body weight, liver weight, or reproductive tissue weights, reproductive or thyroid histology, hormone concentrations or the age of pubertal onset were observed. Therefore, the results demonstrate that the endpoints included in the pubertal assay are useful for nonendocrine (systemic) effects that define an no observable effect level (NOEL) or lowest observable effect level (LOEL) and provide one example where an impact on kidney function does not alter any of the endocrine‐specific endpoints of the assay.
Liver transplantation for bile duct injury after open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Parrilla P , Robles R , Varo E , Jiménez C , Sánchez-Cabús S , Pareja E , Fabregat J , Sánchez-Turrión V , Valdivieso A , Vazquez L , Martínez-de Haro L F , Sánchez-Bueno F , Ramírez P
Published: December 2013

Background

Bile duct injury (BDI) after cholecystectomy is a serious complication. In a small subset of patients with BDI, failure of surgical or non-surgical management might lead to acute or chronic liver failure. The aim of this study was to review the indications and outcome of liver transplantation (LT) for BDI after open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

Patients with BDI after cholecystectomy who were on the waiting list for LT between January 1987 and December 2010 were identified from LT centres in Spain. A standardized questionnaire was sent to each unit for extraction of data on diagnosis, previous treatments, indication and outcome of LT for BDI.

Results

Some 27 patients with BDI after cholecystectomy in whom surgical and non-surgical management for BDI failed were scheduled for LT over the 24-year interval. Emergency LT for acute liver failure was indicated in seven patients, all after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Two patients died while on the waiting list and only one patient survived more than 30 days after LT. Elective LT for secondary biliary cirrhosis after a failed hepaticojejunostomy was performed in 13 patients after open and seven after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. One patient from the elective transplantation group died within 30 days of LT. The estimated 5-year overall survival rate was 68 per cent.

Conclusion

Emergency LT for acute liver failure was more common in patients with BDI after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and associated with a poor outcome.
The insanity defense: Historical development and present status
Authors: Weiner Barbara A.
Published: December 2013

This article provides an overview of the historical development of the insanity defense, including a discussion of the standards which have been used to excuse someone from criminal responsibility. The legal issues raised pre‐trial and at trial are presented, along with a discussion of current proposals to modify or abolish the insanity defense. The article also focuses on the disposition of insanity acquittees, including both the case and statutory law in this area. Constitutional bases for challenges to differential procedures for insanity acquittees, along with proposals to change the law relating to them are included.
Insanity defense research and treatment of insanity acquittees
Authors: Steadman Henry J.
Published: December 2013

This article is a comprehensive review of issues relevant to the insanity defense and the disposition of insanity acquittees. The characteristics of persons found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) are described. Although the locus of treatment of the NGRI acquittee varies by jurisdiction, at this time, care and detention of insanity acquittees fall mainly to state mental health agencies. Recent reforms, as they relate to locus of treatment, are reviewed and public policy issues are discussed. The author concludes that more clinical research on the insanity acquittee is necessary for the development of more informed public policy on the insanity defense.
Criticisms of the criminal justice system: A decision making analysis
Authors: Ebbesen Ebbe B. , Konečni Vladimir J.
Published: December 2013

When a decision making analysis is applied to key decisions within the criminal justice system, e.g., bail, sentencing, and plea bargaining, a wide range of evidence suggests that the decision makers believe they follow policies other than those that actually guide their decisions; that the policies that are followed are often simple ones, involving only a few decision factors; and that the decision outcomes are often assigned to defendants in a reasonable manner but that, even so, the outcomes are often ineffective. Because many proposals for the reform of the criminal justice system are based on the testimony of decision makers and “experts” whose knowledge of the system is often flawed, it is unlikely that reforms will have a beneficial impact on criminal behavior until much more is known about the day‐to‐day decisions of judges, prosecutors, and probation officers.
From tarasoff to hopper: The evolution of the therapist's duty to protect third parties
Authors: Goodman Thomas A.
Published: December 2013

The duty of therapists to protect third parties has gained national attention following the analyses of the California Supreme Court in Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California in 1974 and in 1976. The assassination attempt by John Hinckley, Jr., has spawned yet another “duty to protect” case (Hopper v. Brady). Utilizing the issues involved in Hopper, this paper discusses the psychotherapists' duty to protect from harm the patients' potential victims. Following an analysis of Hopper, Tarasoff is extensively reviewed. The evolution of Tarasoff within California and other jurisdictions is traced. Finally, an appraisal of the current status of the therapists' duty to protect as applied to Hopper and future cases is presented.
Sociological perspectives on illegal drug use: Definitional, reactional, and etiologic insights
Authors: Richman Judith
Published: December 2013

This article provides a theoretical analysis of illegal drug use, encorporating various sociological perspectives. It addresses issues involving the social determinants of licit versus illicit use, the social etiology of illicit use, and alternative societal responses.
Legal issues raised in treating sex offenders
Authors: Weiner Barbara A.
Published: December 2013

For the past 50 years the criminal justice system has distinguished sex offenders from other criminals. This has resulted in their differential treatment, with the goal being to eliminate their inappropriate behavior. This article discusses the history and status of mentally disordered sex offender (MDSO) statutes. A review of the legal issues which arise when treating a sex offender without statutory authorization is provided. A discussion of problems raised in treating the offender on both an inpatient and outpatient setting is presented. The article concludes with an analysis of the legal problems confronting the treatment provider in working with this group of individuals.
Long‐term remission in an aggressive Crooke cell adenoma of the pituitary , 18 months after discontinuation of treatment with temozolomide
Authors: Asimakopoulou Athina , Tzanela Marinela , Koletti Ageliki , Kontogeorgos George , Tsagarakis Stylianos
Published: December 2013

Key Clinical Message

The clinical course of our patient, who sustained remission status for at least 18 months highlights the chance of long‐term hormonal and tumor remission and demonstrates the efficacy and safety of discontinuation of temozolomide therapy. Prospective studies are required in order to define predictors of long‐term remission of this promising therapeutic modality.
Determination of rice type by 1H NMR spectroscopy in combination with different chemometric tools
Authors: Monakhova Yulia B. , Rutledge Douglas N. , Roßmann Andreas , Waiblinger Hans‐Ulrich , Mahler Manuela , Ilse Maren , Kuballa Thomas , Lachenmeier Dirk W.
Published: December 2013

A 400‐MHz 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis were used in the context of food surveillance to discriminate 46 authentic rice samples according to type. It was found that the optimal sample preparation consists of preparing aqueous rice extracts at pH 1.9. For the first time, the chemometric method independent component analysis (ICA) was applied to differentiate clusters of rice from the same type (Basmati, non‐Basmati long‐grain rice, and round‐grain rice) and, to a certain extent, their geographical origin. ICA was found to be superior to classical principal component analysis (PCA) regarding the verification of rice authenticity. The chemical shifts of the principal saccharides and acetic acid were found to be mostly responsible for the observed clustering. Among classification methods (linear discriminant analysis, factorial discriminant analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA), soft independent modeling of class analogy, and ICA), PLS‐DA and ICA gave the best values of specificity (0.96 for both methods) and sensitivity (0.94 for PLS‐DA and 1.0 for ICA). Hence, NMR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics could be used as a screening method in the official control of rice samples. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An enhanced multiphase Chan–Vese model for the remote sensing image segmentation
Authors: Yi Xin , Hu Yingjie , Jia Zhenhong , Wang Liejun , Yang Jie , Kasabov Nikola
Published: December 2013

The level set method has been widely used in image segmentation; however, the complexity of the computation has restricted its application field. Also, it is a big challenge to segment remote sensing image mainly because of the complex terrain. In this paper, an enhanced multiphase phase level set method based on the Chan–Vese (C‐V) model is proposed for segmenting remote sensing images. Compared with the C‐V model, two main contributions of the proposed model mainly include the following: First, we introduce a new strategy of initialization in which the contours of the first k biggest connected regions are extracted as the initial curves (k is the number of level set functions); Second, to increase the accuracy, a morphological gradient component is added to the original intensity image. To investigate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed model, we have applied it to analyze different kinds of images, including synthetic, real, and remote sensing images. The experimental results have shown that our method is able to achieve better segmentation with less computational consumption compared with the traditional multiphase C‐V model and local and global intensity fitting model. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sustainable Living
Authors: Mielecke Torsten
Published: December 2013

Einfamilienhäuser gehören zu der beliebtesten Wohnform in Deutschland. Große Teile der Bevölkerung streben den Besitz eines Einfamilienhauses an. Gleichzeitig stehen Einfamilienhäuser in der Kritik nicht nachhaltig zu sein, weil sie zu einem erhöhten Flächen‐ sowie Ressourcenverbrauch beitragen und häufig nicht an die sich wandelnden Lebensumstände der Eigentümer angepasst werden können. Um dieser Kritik entgegenzuwirken, bedarf es eines einfachen, transparenten Instrumentes zur Darstellung der Nachhaltigkeitsqualität von Einfamilienhäusern. Mit dem in diesem Beitrag vorgestellten Bewertungssystem kann die Qualität eines Einfamilienhauses in ökologischer, ökonomischer und sozial‐funktionaler Sicht mit geringem Aufwand beurteilt werden. Aufbauend darauf ist eine gezielte Optimierung des Gebäudes und damit verbunden der Nachhaltigkeit möglich.

Sustainable Living – Assessing the quality of sustainability single‐family homes. Single‐family homes are the most popular forms of living. Large parts of the population aspire to the possession of a family home. At the same time houses are in critique to not to be sustainable because they contribute to increased land‐and resource requirements, and often cannot be adapted to the changing circumstances of the owner. To counter this criticism, we need a simple transparent instrument to represent the quality of sustainable family homes. As presented in this paper, the quality evaluation system of a single‐family home may be assessed in an ecological, economic and social‐functional perspective with little effort. Based on this, a targeted optimization of the building and thereby of sustainability is possible.
Zum Eurocode 6 – Fragen und Antworten
Authors: Jäger Wolfram
Published: December 2013

Unter dieser Rubrik werden Fragen beantwortet, die bei der Einarbeitung in den EC 6 entstehen. Die Wiedergabe erfolgt in jedem Falle anonymisiert. Sofern es um Verständnisfragen und Hintergrundinformationen geht, werden sie von den Beiratsmitgliedern beantwortet. Handelt es sich um Auslegungsfragen, wird der zuständige NABau‐Ausschuss NA 005‐06‐01 AA “Mauerwerksbau“ (Sp CEN/TC 125, CEN/TC 250/SC 6) mit einbezogen.

Mit dem Leserforum zum EC 6 soll der Praxis die Einarbeitung in das neue Normenpaket mit seinen Nationalen Anhängen erleichtert werden. Auch Sie können als Leser gern von dieser Rubrik Gebrauch machen und Ihre Fragen stellen (mauerwerk@ernst‐und‐sohn.de).

Questions concerning the introduction of the EC 6. Under this heading questions are answered, arising from the application of EC 6. The questions are expressing anonymous in all cases. Provided that they concern the understanding and background information the answers will be given by members of the editorial board. If the questions are dealing with the interpretation of clauses of EC 6 the responsible code committee NA 005‐06‐01 AA “Masonry construction” (Sp CEN/TC 125, CEN/TC 250/SC 6) will be involved.

The practice should get help for the adjustment in the EC 6 and its National Annexes with this new category of contributions. The readers are invited to avail oneself of this chance very active (mauerwerk@ernst‐und‐sohn.de).

Die nachfolgenden Fragen und Antworten beziehen sich auf den Teil 1‐1 [1] sowie Teil 3 [3] von DIN EN 1996 zusammen mit dem zugehörigen Nationalen Anhang [2].
Trimeric Cage Complexes of Platinum Group and Coin Metals
Authors: Stickel Marc , Maichle‐Moessmer Caecilia , Mayer Hermann A.
Published: December 2013

The treatment of cis,cis‐1,3,5‐tris(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclohexane (tdppmcy) with Rh(CO)Cl(PPh3)2, MCl2L2 (M = Pd, Pt; L = PhCN, MeCN), Pt(CN)2, AgBF4, or Au(Cl)PPh3 in a stoichiometric ratio of 2:3 affords the trimeric macrocyclic cage compounds [M]3(tdppmcy)2 {[M] = trans‐Rh(CO)Cl (2), trans‐PdCl2 (3), trans‐Pt(CN)2 (4b), Ag+ (5), and AuCl (6)} in good yields. Only when PtCl2(PhCN)2 was used as complex precursor, the formation of coordination polymers was observed. NMR spectroscopy in solution as well as single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses demonstrate that in all cases two tdppmcy ligands coordinate three metal fragments exclusively in trans fashion.
C–H Bond Functionalization with the Formation of a C–C Bond: A Free Radical Condensation Reaction Based on the Phthalimido‐N‐oxyl Radical
Authors: Patil Shradha , Chen Liang , Tanko James M.
Published: December 2013

The development of a new chemical process that effects the conversion RH + C=C–C–X → R–C–C=C + HX, in which X is the phthalimido‐N‐oxyl radical (PINO·), is reported. The reaction yields are high, mass balances are excellent, and C–H bond functionalization and C–C bond formation are achieved in a single transformation. The byproduct of the reaction, N‐hydroxyphthalimide, precipitates from solution and can be easily removed by simple filtration (and recycled). The kinetic chain lengths are shorter and the reaction times are longer (relative to those of the analogous reactions of allyl bromides), most likely because PINO· is a less‐reactive hydrogen‐atom abstractor. There appears to be no significant difference in efficiency in the addition–elimination steps. Competition experiments reveal that Br· and PINO· are comparable in leaving group ability.
Inferior outdoor‐exposed performances of encapsulated a‐Si:H photovoltaic modules deposited with a high speed
Authors: Myong Seung Yeop , Park Jun Hyoung , Kwon Seong Won
Published: December 2013

We investigate the stabilized performance of encapsulated hydrogenated amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules depending on the deposition speed. The module products are degraded differently depending on the light‐soaking environment. The modules deposited at a high speed demonstrate significant degradation in an outdoor exposure test, despite moderate degradation during indoor light soaking. However, the modules deposited at a low speed show a relatively more stable performance against the outdoor exposure test. Notably, some modules show the trend that a higher initial performance stimulates a higher light‐induced degradation, leading to a lower performance in the outdoor environment.
Lurasidone: new development for the treatment of psychosis
Authors: Stokes Paul , Young Allan
Published: December 2013

Although we have had efficacious medications for both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder for over half a century, there remains a clear need for more effective and better‐tolerated treatments for both conditions. Current antipsychotics often have troubling side‐effect profiles particularly with respect to weight gain and cardiometabolic parameters. These drawbacks also extend to treatment of mania and there are very few evidence‐based treatments for the depressed phases of bipolar disorder. The introduction of a novel treatment with a potentially better risk‐to‐benefit profile is therefore welcome.
Promising new drugs and drug targets for HIV treatment
Authors: Duncan Sarah , Dorrell Lucy
Published: December 2013

The mortality associated with HIV has declined since the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and life expectancy for those who begin treatment early enough is now approaching that of the general population. However, key concerns in maintaining long‐term control of HIV are side‐effects and convenience/adherence. This review will discuss the available and recently introduced treatments, and the potential future therapies currently under investigation.
Hydration kinetics of direct expanded tef flour breakfast cereals in water and milk
Authors: Solomon W. K.
Published: December 2013

Hydration kinetics of tef flour breakfast cereals extruded at barrel temperatures of 110, 130, and 150°C was investigated by hydrating them in water and whole milk at 25°C (±1°C). The normalized Weibull model described the rehydration characteristics of the extrudates in water and milk adequately (R2 = 0.98–0.99). Water absorption rate was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by barrel temperature where extrudates processed at 150°C barrel temperature exhibited high water absorption rate followed by those extruded at 130 and 100°C, respectively. Hydration rate and equilibrium moisture content were higher for samples hydrated in water than those in milk. In view of the values of the shape parameter β, the hydration process is predominantly controlled by diffusion (β = 0.40–0.51) for samples extruded at 110°C whereas external resistance to mass transfer dominated (β = 0.60–0.73) those extruded using 150 and 130°C. Extrudates processed at 130 and 150°C exhibited better hydration characteristics. Thus, these temperature ranges could be used to produce extruded products from tef.
Evaluation of biocompatibility and degradation of chitosan nanofiber membrane crosslinked with genipin
Authors: Bavariya Ankit J. , Andrew Norowski P. , Mark Anderson K. , Adatrow Pradeep C. , Garcia‐Godoy Franklin , Stein Sidney H. , Bumgardner Joel D.
Published: December 2013

Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide, has demonstrated potential as a degradable biocompatible guided bone regeneration membrane. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo biocompatibility and degradation of chitosan nanofiber membranes, with and without genipin crosslinking as compared with a commercial collagen membrane in rat model. Chitosan nanofiber membranes, with and without genipin crosslinking, and collagen membrane (control) were implanted subcutaneously in the backs of 30 rats. The membranes were analyzed histologically at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks. Sections were viewed and graded by a blinded pathologist using a 4‐point scoring system (0 = absent, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, and 3 = severe) to determine the tissue reaction to the membranes and to observe membrane degradation. There was no statistically significant difference in histological scores among chitosan and collagen membranes at different time points. Absence or minimal inflammation was observed in 57–74% of the membranes across all groups. Most chitosan membranes persisted for 16–20 weeks, whereas most collagen membranes disappeared by resorption at 12–16 weeks. The general tissue response to chitosan nanofiber membranes with and without genipin crosslinking, was similar to that of control commercial collagen membrane. However, the chitosan membranes exhibited slower degradation rates than collagen membranes. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 1084–1092, 2014.
EXPLORING ADOLESCENT COMMUNITY VIOLENCE EXPOSURE AND POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS CROSS‐CULTURALLY IN ISRAEL
Authors: Klodnick Vanessa Vorhies , Guterman Neil , Haj‐Yahia Muhammad M. , Leshem Becky
Published: December 2013

Adolescent community violence exposure (CVE) has been linked to posttraumatic stress (PTS) and has been found to vary by race and ethnicity. Little is known about the relationship between adolescent CVE and PTS across ethnic groups in an international context. Arab and Jewish high school students (n = 1571) in Israel completed self‐report questionnaires. Jewish adolescents (n = 821) witnessed more community violence, while Arab adolescents (n = 750) were more likely to victimized in the community and endorse higher levels of PTS. Ethnicity was found to be a significant predictor of PTS when controlling for CVE using hierarchical multiple regression (accounting for 2% of the variance in PTS). Ethnic affiliation did not moderate the relationship between CVE and PTS. These findings add to the small body of literature exploring cross‐cultural differences in CVE and associated psychological distress. Further investigation of CVE and mental health cross‐ethnically is warranted given the disparities in CVE and PTS rates.
Synthesis of 9‐Allyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin via Suzuki Reaction
Authors: Luo Yu , Yu Shanbao , Huang Qingqing , Lu Wei
Published: December 2013

A facile and eco‐friendly approach for synthesizing 9‐allyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin (2), a key intermediate for the preparation of camptothecin analogs, is described. The product was obtained in good yield and high purity (≥99% HPLC) under mild Suzuki reaction condition.
New Synthesis and Reactions of Ethyl 5‐amino‐4‐cyano‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxylate
Authors: Gangurde Sachin A. , Kanawade Shrikant B. , Nikam Prashant S. , Bhavsar Dinesh C. , Toche Raghunath B.
Published: December 2013

Synthesis of ethyl 5‐amino‐4‐cyano‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxylate 5 has been achieved via abnormal Beckmann rearrangement of o‐chloroaldehyde 1. Reaction of o‐aminocarbonitrile 5 with concentrated H2SO4 furnished expected o‐aminocarboxamide pyrazole 6. Key intermediates o‐aminocarbonitrile 5 and o‐aminocarboxamide 6 were successfully utilized for the synthesis of pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives. The replacement of Cl in o‐chlorocarbonitrile 3 with secondary amine furnished new synthon 13, which was further used for the synthesis of polysubstituted heterocycles. The obtained new products were well characterized by IR, 1H and 13C NMR, and mass spectra.
Studies on the Reactivity of Amino‐1‐(6‐phenyl‐pyridazin‐3‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxylic Acid Hydrazide Towards Some Reagents for Biological Evaluation
Authors: Shamroukh Ahmed H. , Rashad Aymn E. , Ali Hatem S. , Awad Samir M.
Published: December 2013

Novel 5‐amino‐1‐(6‐phenyl‐pyridazin‐3‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxylic acid ethyl ester (2) was formed using (6‐phenyl‐pyridazin‐3‐yl)‐hydrazine (1) and ethyl(ethoxymethylene)cyanoacetate. The β‐enaminoester derivative 2 was in turn used as precursor for the preparation of 1‐(6‐phenyl‐pyridazin‐3‐yl)‐pyrazoles (3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16), 1‐(6‐phenyl‐pyridazin‐3‐yl)‐pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidines (5, 6, 14) and 1‐(6‐phenyl‐pyridazin‐3‐yl)‐pyrazolo[3,4‐d][1,2,3]triazine (13). The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated by measuring the inhibition zone diameters where some of them showed potent antimicrobial activity in compared with well‐known drugs (standards).
Response bias, weighting adjustments, and design effects in the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS)
Authors: Kessler Ronald C. , Heeringa Steven G. , Colpe Lisa J. , Fullerton Carol S. , Gebler Nancy , Hwang Irving , Naifeh James A. , Nock Matthew K. , Sampson Nancy A. , Schoenbaum Michael , Zaslavsky Alan M. , Stein Murray B. , Ursano Robert J.
Published: December 2013

The Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS) is a multi‐component epidemiological and neurobiological study designed to generate actionable recommendations to reduce US Army suicides and increase knowledge about determinants of suicidality. Three Army STARRS component studies are large‐scale surveys: one of new soldiers prior to beginning Basic Combat Training (BCT; n = 50,765 completed self‐administered questionnaires); another of other soldiers exclusive of those in BCT (n = 35,372); and a third of three Brigade Combat Teams about to deploy to Afghanistan who are being followed multiple times after returning from deployment (n = 9421). Although the response rates in these surveys are quite good (72.0–90.8%), questions can be raised about sample biases in estimating prevalence of mental disorders and suicidality, the main outcomes of the surveys based on evidence that people in the general population with mental disorders are under‐represented in community surveys. This paper presents the results of analyses designed to determine whether such bias exists in the Army STARRS surveys and, if so, to develop weights to correct for these biases. Data are also presented on sample inefficiencies introduced by weighting and sample clustering and on analyses of the trade‐off between bias and efficiency in weight trimming. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of weight, race, and health care experiences in care use among young men and women
Authors: Persky Susan , de Heer Hendrik D. , McBride Colleen M. , Reid Robert J.
Published: December 2013

Objective

Increases in overweight and obesity (O/O)‐related morbidities and health care costs raise questions about how weight influences patients' health care use and care experiences. Past research has been inconsistent; however, prior study designs and samples have limited exploration of how this association might be influenced by gender, race, and the joint impact of these factors.

Methods

This analysis of 1,036 young, relatively healthy, ethnically diverse, insured adults assessed the influence of O/O, gender, and race on, and the role of health care experiences in primary and preventive care use over a 12‐month period.

Results

The association of weight status with care use differed by gender. O/O men used more primary care visits; O/O women used fewer preventive care visits than their healthy weight counterparts. O/O men had poorer health care experiences than healthy weight men. African‐American women reported poorer experiences, but those who were O/O reported greater trust in their provider. Care experience ratings did not explain the associations between BMI and care use.

Conclusions

Gender, race, and visit type together provide a context for O/O patient's care that may not be explained by care experiences. This context must be considered in efforts to encourage appropriate use of services.
Flexible and Rapid Measurement
Authors: Pruss Christof , Baer Goran , Schindler Johannes , Osten Wolfgang , Siepmann Jens
Published: December 2013

Only what you can measure, you can produce. This often quoted statement aptly describes the area of aspheric lenses production in its interplay of progress in fabrication technology and metrology. Nowadays not only the pure feasibility is in focus, but also economical factors: higher flexibility, high measurement speed and high lateral resolution, ideally all combined with a low measurement uncertainty. In this context, we discuss the recently proposed tilted wave interferometer (TWI, Fig. 1), an approach to interferometrically measure steep aspheres and freeforms within a few seconds.
Quantitative analysis of protein turnover in plants
Authors: Nelson Clark J. , Li Lei , Millar A. Harvey
Published: December 2013

Proteins are constantly being synthesised and degraded as plant cells age and as plants grow, develop and adapt the proteome. Given that plants develop through a series of events from germination to fruiting and even undertake whole organ senescence, an understanding of protein turnover as a fundamental part of this process in plants is essential. Both synthesis and degradation processes are spatially separated in a cell across its compartmented structure. The majority of protein synthesis occurs in the cytosol, while synthesis of specific components occurs inside plastids and mitochondria. Degradation of proteins occurs in both the cytosol, through the action of the plant proteasome, and in organelles and lytic structures through different protease classes. Tracking the specific synthesis and degradation rate of individual proteins can be undertaken using stable isotope feeding and the ability of peptide MS to track labelled peptide fractions over time. Mathematical modelling can be used to follow the isotope signature of newly synthesised protein as it accumulates and natural abundance proteins as they are lost through degradation. Different technical and biological constraints govern the potential for the use of 13C, 15N, 2H and 18O for these experiments in complete labelling and partial labelling strategies. Future development of quantitative protein turnover analysis will involve analysis of protein populations in complexes and subcellular compartments, assessing the effect of PTMs and integrating turnover studies into wider system biology study of plants.
Recommended management of common bacterial skin infections
Authors: Ni Riain Una
Published: December 2013

Topical treatment of bacterial skin infections should be reserved for very mild cases, otherwise systemic antibiotics are recommended. Our Drug review discusses the features of common infections and their usual treatment, followed by sources of further information.
Determination of the Si Young's modulus between room and melt temperature using the impulse excitation technique
Authors: Swarnakar Akhilesh K. , Van der Biest Omer , Vanhellemont Jan
Published: December 2013

Stress induced by the thermal gradients near the meltsolid interface affects the intrinsic point defect properties and the quality of single crystal Si grown from a melt. Also during device processing, stress in the Si substrate influences point defect behavior during thermal treatments. To be able to simulate and control the stress distribution one needs to know the elastic constants of single crystal Si at high temperatures. In the present study, the vibrational properties of single crystal Si samples are studied between room and melt temperature using the impulse excitation technique.

From the measurements, the temperature dependent Young's moduli E〈ijk〉 of moderately doped Czochralski‐grown Si samples are extracted in the 〈100〉, 〈110〉 and 〈111〉 crystallographic directions. Close to the melt temperature, very high Young's moduli values between 110 and 160 GPa are obtained, depending on the crystallographic direction. Empiric expressions are derived for the temperature dependence of E〈100〉, E〈110〉 and E〈111〉 and of the elastic compliances s11 and s12 + s44/2, useful for application in process simulation. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Impedance spectroscopy of polysilicon in SOI structures
Authors: Druzhinin Anatoly , Ostrovskii Ihor , Khoverko Yuriy , Nichkalo Stepan , Kogut Iurii
Published: December 2013

Polycrystalline silicon layers on the surface of oxidized silicon substrate, i.e. SOI‐structures, with initial boron concentration (of about 2.4 × 1018 cm‐3 ÷ 1.7 × 1020 cm‐3) in the vicinity to metal‐insulator transition have been investigated. Experimentally the AC performances for both non‐recrystallized and recrystallized layers correlate with DC measurements. Conductivity caused by the hopping between localized states with energy magnitude close to the Fermi level, has a weak temperature dependence in the ranges where the Shklovskii‐Efros law applies. In this case, the percolation type of charge carrier transport is observed. In contrast, the hopping conduction between localized states near the band edges has a strong temperature dependence, where the Mott law is obeyed. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Simulation of the boron build‐up formation during melting laser thermal annealing
Authors: Hackenberg M. , Huet K. , Negru R. , Fisicaro G. , La Magna A. , Taleb N. , Quillec M. , Pichler P.
Published: December 2013

In this work, we present a model describing the boron redistribution during laser thermal annealing in the melting regime based on the adsorption of boron atoms at the solid‐liquid interface. To validate the model, we performed SIMS measurements on silicon samples implanted with boron with an energy of 3 keV and doses of 3 × 1013 cm‐2 and 4 × 1014 cm‐2 annealed with a XeCl excimer laser with a wavelength of 308 nm, a pulse duration of 160 ns, and up to 10 consecutive pulses. After calibration, our model is able to reproduce the measured profiles for the different process conditions. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Lattice kinetic Monte Carlo modeling of germanium solid phase epitaxial growth
Authors: Gomez‐Selles J. L. , Darby B. L. , Jones K. S. , Martin‐Bragado I.
Published: December 2013

Solid phase epitaxial growth (SPEG) is a common tech¬nique used in the manufacturing processes of MOSFET technology. Even though a relatively broad knowledge is found for silicon, there is a greater uncertainty when it comes to germanium, which importance is arising in the last generation of microelectronic devices. To simu¬late this process, the need of a model which reproduces anisotropic growth and is able to detect and place twin defects becomes relevant, opening the possibility to sim¬ulate the interaction of different crystallographies, as it has been observed to be an important factor for some orientations, justifying by this mechanism experimental results.

We present a Lattice Kinetic Monte Carlo (LKMC) model of Ge which is able to give an explanation of the different anisotropy effects in the recrystallization of substrate wafers through a defect formation formalism. An agreement between experimental observations and simulations is found by comparing regrowth velocities for different samples at different anneal conditions with LKMC simulations that consider twin defect formation for specific directions. Different regrowth velocities are found for distinct orientations of a solid phase epitaxial growth process within the annealed sample.

(© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermal properties of quantum devices in integrated circuits embedded in a chip environment
Authors: Käso M. , Wulf U. , Kuˇcera J. , Richter H. , Höntschel J.
Published: December 2013

We consider a thermal model for an integrated circuit including its chip environment. As the simplest choice, the active device layer (integrated circuit) consists of an array of replicas of the same quantum device with the same time depended average temperature. Modeling the chip environment we assume this active layer is sandwiched between two coplanar heat reservoirs. The top heat reservoir represents the wiring layer of the chip (‘back‐end of line’). Its temperature is predominantly determined by the dissipated Joule heat in the wiring, typically in the order of one hundred degrees of Celsius.

The bottom reservoir represents the cooling unit at about room‐temperature. We solve the coupled equations describing thermal transport between the active layer and surrounding heat reservoirs and electrical transport in the quantum devices. The stationary working temperatures of the considered quantum devices can be found from a fix‐point problem. A proper linearization of the complete time‐depended problem yields the stability of these fixpoints. Numerical solutions for a device layer consisting of identical nano‐transistors are given for selected parameters.

(© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Dopant/carrier profiling for 3D‐structures
Authors: Vandervorst Wilfried , Schulze Andreas , Kambham Ajay Kumar , Mody Jay , Gilbert Matthieu , Eyben Pierre
Published: December 2013

With the transition from planar to three‐dimensional device architectures such as FinFets, TFETs and nanowires, new metrology approaches are required to characterize the 3D‐dopant and carrier distributions precisely, as their positioning relative to gate edges, 3D‐distribution, conformality, and absolute concentration determine the device performance in great detail. Concepts like atomprobe tomography with its inherent 3D‐resolution are obviously a potential solution although its routine application is still hampered by localization problems, reconstruction artifacts due to inhomogeneous evaporation, sensitivity due to the limited statistics, poor tip yield, etc. Although on the other hand concepts like scanning spreading resistance microscopy are inherently 2D, extensions towards 3D appear possible either by the design of dedicated tests structures or by novel approaches such as mechanical scalping. Ultimately even 1D‐methods like secondary ion mass spectrometry can be used to study dopant incorporation in 3D‐structures. When assessing their performance as metrology tool for 3D‐devices and structures one needs to address not only their ability to achieve 3D‐spatial resolution but also the physical property which is probed, i.e. dopants versus carriers, as well as the complexity of the method used. An evaluation in terms of time to data is equally important as the technical capabilities. The application of these methods to 3D‐structures and confined volumes, has demonstrated that the changing surface/volume ratios in confined devices versus blanket films lead to phenomena (dopant deactivation, enhanced diffusion,..) which cannot be observed in blanket experiments. Hence more emphasis should be placed on the analysis of device and structures with the relevant dimensions relative to the exploration of blanket experiments. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A mixed numerical–analytical stable pseudo‐inversion method aimed at attaining an almost exact tracking
Authors: Jetto Leopoldo , Orsini Valentina , Romagnoli Raffaele
Published: December 2013

This paper considers the problem of computing the input u(t) of an internally asymptotically stable, possibly non‐minimum phase, linear, continuous time system Σ yielding a very accurate tracking of a pre‐specified desired output trajectory . The main purpose of the new approach proposed here is to alleviate some limitations that inherent the classical methods developed in the framework of the preview‐based stable inversion, which represents an important reference context for this class of control problems. In particular, the new method allows one to deal with arbitrary and possibly uncertain initial conditions and does not require a pre‐actuation. The desired output to be exactly tracked in steady state is here assumed to belong to the set of polynomials, exponential, and sinusoidal time functions. The desired transient response is specified to obtain a fast and smooth transition toward the steady‐state trajectory , without under and/or overshoot in the case of a set point reset. The transient control input ut(t) is a priori assumed to be given by a piecewise polynomial function. Once has been specified, this allows the computation of the unknown ut(t) as the approximate least squares solution of the Fredholm's integral equation corresponding to the explicit formula of the output forced response. The steady‐state input us(t) is analytically computed exploiting the steady‐state output response expressions for inputs belonging to the same set of . Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.