bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Systemic versus Local Administration of Corticosteroids on Mucosal Tolerance
Authors: Kerzerho Jerome , Wunsch Daniela , Szely Natacha , Meyer Hellmuth-Alexander , Lurz Lisa , Röse Lars , Wahn Ulrich , Akbari Omid , Stock Philippe
Published: November 2011

Respiratory exposure to allergen induces T cell tolerance and protection against the development of airway hyperactivity in animal models of asthma. Whereas systemic administration of dexamethasone during the delivery of respiratory Ag has been suggested to prevent the development of mucosal tolerance, the effects of local administration of corticosteroids, first-line treatment for patients with bronchial asthma, on mucosal tolerance remain unknown. To analyze the effects of systemic versus local administration of different types of corticosteroids on the development of mucosal tolerance, mice were exposed to respiratory allergen to induce mucosal tolerance with or without systemic or intranasal application of different doses of dexamethasone or prednisolone. After the induction of mucosal tolerance, proliferation of T cells was inhibited in tolerized mice, whereas systemic applications of corticosteroids restored T cell proliferation and secretion of Th2 cytokines. In contrast, inhaled corticosteroids showed no effect on both T cell proliferation and cytokine secretion. In addition, mice systemically treated with corticosteroids showed an increased airway hyperactivity with a significant lung inflammation, but also an increased T effector cells/regulatory T cells ratio in the second lymphoid organs when compared with mice that receive corticosteroids by inhalation. These results demonstrate that local administration of corticosteroids has no effect on the development of immune tolerance in contrast to systemically applied corticosteroids. Furthermore, although different concentrations of corticosteroids are administered to patients, our results demonstrated that the route of administration rather than the doses affects the effect of corticosteroids on respiratory tolerance induction. Considering the broad application of corticosteroids in patients with allergic disease and asthma, the route of administration of steroid substances seems crucial in terms of treatment and potential side effects. These findings may help elucidate the apparently contradicting results of corticosteroid treatment in allergic diseases.
p53 Serves as a Host Antiviral Factor That Enhances Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses to Influenza A Virus
Authors: Muñoz-Fontela César , Pazos Michael , Delgado Igotz , Murk William , Mungamuri Sathish Kumar , Lee Sam W. , García-Sastre Adolfo , Moran Thomas M. , Aaronson Stuart A.
Published: November 2011

Several direct target genes of the p53 tumor suppressor have been identified within pathways involved in viral sensing, cytokine production, and inflammation, suggesting a potential role of p53 in antiviral immunity. The increasing need to identify immune factors to devise host-targeted therapies against pandemic influenza A virus (IAV) led us to investigate the role of endogenous wild-type p53 on the immune response to IAV. We observed that the absence of p53 resulted in delayed cytokine and antiviral gene responses in lung and bone marrow, decreased dendritic cell activation, and reduced IAV-specific CD8+ T cell immunity. Consequently, p53−/− mice showed a more severe IAV-induced disease compared with their wild-type counterparts. These findings establish that p53 influences the antiviral response to IAV, affecting both innate and adaptive immunity. Thus, in addition to its established functions as a tumor suppressor gene, p53 serves as an IAV host antiviral factor that might be modulated to improve anti-IAV therapy and vaccines.
Ion-Selective Electrode for Anionic Surfactants Using Hexadecyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide-Sodium Dodecylsulfate as an Active Ionophore
Authors: Wang Junwei , Du Zhiping , Wang Wanxu , Xue Wei
Published: November 2011

The construction and characteristic performance of PVC membrane electrode responsive to sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) are described in this paper. The electrode is based on hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide-Sodium dodecylsulfate (CTA+DS−) ion pair as ionophore in PVC membrane, which displays a Nernstian slope of −58 ± 0.9 mV/decade in a 5.0 × 10−6to 2.5 × 10−3 mol L−1concentration range and a limit of detection of 2.9 × 10−6 mol L−1. The electrode can be used for 3 months without showing significant changes in the value of slope or working range. Also the electrode has wide pH range of application and short response time. The electrode shows a selective response to SDS and a poor response to common inorganic anions. The selective sequence found was SDS > HCO3 −> CH3COO−> Cl−> I−> NO3 −≈Br−> F−> CO3 2−> C6H5O7 3−> C2O4 2−> SO4 2−> C4H4O6 2−> SO3 2−> PO4 3−. The potentiometric selectivity coefficients determined are indicating that common anions would not interfere in the SDS determination. The electrode has been utilized as an end point indicator electrode for potentiometric titration involving hyamine as titrant.
A Guided Tour of the Structural Biology of Gaucher Disease: Acid-β-Glucosidase and Saposin C
Authors: Lieberman Raquel L.
Published: November 2011

Mutations in both acid-β-glucosidase (GCase) and saposin C lead to Gaucher disease, the most common lysosomal storage disorder. The past several years have seen an explosion of structural and biochemical information for these proteins, which have provided new insight into the biology and pathogenesis of Gaucher disease, as well as opportunities for new therapeutic directions. Nearly 20 crystal structures of GCase are now available, from different heterologous sources, complexed with different ligands in the active site, in different glycosylation states, as well as one that harbors a prevalent disease-causing mutation, N370S. For saposin C, two NMR and 3 crystal structures have been solved, each with its unique snapshot. This review focuses on the details of these structures to highlight salient common and disparate features that contribute to our current state of knowledge of this complex orphan disease.
Foothold of NPHS2 mutations in primary nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Jaffer AT , Ahmed WU , Raju DS , Jahan P
Published: November 2011

Glomerular podocytes are highly specialized cells with a complex cytoarchitecture. Their most prominent features are interdigitated foot processes with filtration slits in between. These are bridged by the slit diaphragm, which plays a major role in establishing the selective permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier. We searched Medline and Pubmed using the combination of keywords "NPHS2", "podocin", "steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome," and "genetics" to identify studies describing an association between NPHS2 gene and renal disease. The highly dynamic foot processes contain an actin-based contractile apparatus comparable to that of smooth muscle cells. Mutations affecting several podocyte proteins lead to rearrangement of the cytoskeleton, disruption of the filtration barrier, and subsequent renal disease. The fact that the dynamic regulation of the podocyte cytoskeleton is vital to kidney function has led to podocytes emerging as an excellent model system for studying actin cytoskeleton dynamics in a physiological context. Injury to podocytes leads to proteinuria, a hallmark of most glomerular diseases. Recent studies have led to a considerable increase in our understanding of podocyte biology including composition and arrangement of the cytoskeleton involved in the control of ultrafiltration. Moreover, disturbances of podocyte architecture resulting in the retraction of foot processes and proteinuria appear to be a common theme in the progression of an acquired glomerular disease. In hereditary nephrotic syndromes identified over the last few years, all mutated gene products were localized in podocytes. This review integrates our recent physiological and molecular understanding of the role of podocytes during the maintenance and failure of the glomerular filtration barrier.
Statin intolerance
Authors: Sikka P , Kapoor S , Bindra VK , Sharma M , Vishwakarma P , Saxena KK
Published: November 2011

Statins are the most effective and widely used drugs for treating dyslipidemia, a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. These are one of the safest hypolipidemic drugs but many patients are bound to discontinue statins due to their side effects. Hepatotoxicity, myotoxicity and peripheral neuropathy are important out of them. Discontinuation of statins leads to dylipidemia and its grave consequences. Hence, there should be enough strategies for statin intolerant patients, so that they can be saved from these consequences. These side effects can be avoided by the awareness of certain factors viz. potential drug interactions and dose adjustment according to patho-physiology of the patient. Baseline investigations for liver function and muscle toxicity should be done before initiating statin therapy. Here, we are discussing various options for statin intolerant hyperlipidemic patients such as lower and intermittent dosing of statins, alternate hypolipidemic drugs, red yeast rice, supplementation with coenzyme Q10 and vitamin D. A number of hypolipidemic drugs are in trial phases and hold promise for statin intolerant patients.
Amlodipine-induced petechial rash
Authors: Murthy MB , Murthy B
Published: November 2011

A patient of essential hypertension stabilized on 10 mg amlodipine once daily developed brownish black petechial non-blanching macular rash bilaterally covering the limbs below the knee and dorsum of the feet. History, general and clinical examinations and lab investigations revealed no abnormalities. Temporal association of the onset of rash with amlodipine use, inability to explain rash by natural history of hypertension, possibility of rash with amlodipine and rash resolution on dechallenge placed this reaction in Naranjo score of 6, a probable adverse reaction to amlodipine. Hence the drug was replaced by enalapril. The rash resolved completely over a period of eight weeks.
Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Policies in Manufacturing Facilities in the Tobacco-Growing State of Kentucky
Authors: Hahn Ellen J. , Rayens Mary Kay , Okoli Chizimuzo T. C. , Love Kathy , Kim Sanggil
Published: November 2011

Purpose.

To assess workplace tobacco use prevention and cessation policies in manufacturing facilities and explore factors associated with tobacco policies and practices in the tobacco-growing state of Kentucky.

Design.

Cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational design.

Setting.

Telephone survey of Kentucky manufacturing facilities.

Subjects.

A total of 437 human resource managers (77% participation rate).

Measures.

Telephone interviews by trained local health department staff to assess indoor and outdoor smoking policies, sale of cigarettes on company property, and provision of cessation and prevention programs.

Results.

Nearly seven in 10 manufacturing facilities had a written smoking policy, but only 43% banned indoor smoking. About one-fourth of companies reimbursed for cessation treatment and/or provided cessation resources. Companies with unions were more likely than those without unions to provide cessation resources but were also more likely to allow indoor smoking. Although large companies had more than two and a half times the odds as small companies to have a written smoking policy, they were more likely to allow cigarette sales on company property.

Conclusion.

Despite the importance of smoke-free policies in the workplace, most manufacturing facilities surveyed allowed indoor smoking and few helped smokers quit. Companies with unions were more likely to cater to their smoking employees. Manufacturing facilities provide an opportunity to protect large numbers of adult workers from the hazards of secondhand smoke and to provide quit assistance for smokers.
Availability of School Physical Activity Facilities to the Public in Four U.S. Communities
Authors: Evenson Kelly R. , McGinn Aileen P.
Published: November 2011

Purpose.

This study documents the public availability of school physical activity facilities, reasons facilities were not made available to the public, and the barriers and benefits associated with having facilities available.

Design.

Cross-sectional.

Setting.

All schools located in four geographic locations (Washington County, Maryland; northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Jackson, Mississippi; and Forsyth County, North Carolina).

Subjects.

The survey was completed by 289 school representatives for a response rate of 82.3% (289/351 schools). For the nonrespondents, 61 of 62 schools were visited to obtain information on outdoor facilities.

Measures.

Information on indoor and outdoor physical activity facilities available to the public was collected for all schools (public, private, and colleges) using a telephone survey. Site visits were made to schools that did not participate in the survey to collect information on outdoor facilities only.

Results.

The schools in the four geographic areas owned a wide range and number of physical activity facilities for their students. For the schools, 27% had no indoor facilities and 11% had no outdoor facilities. Private schools and colleges were less likely to have indoor or outdoor facilities compared to public schools. Outdoor facilities were available more often to the public than indoor facilities overall, across sites, and by school type (public, private, college). Among the 313 schools with outdoor facilities, 240 (77%) allowed at least some public use, and among the 210 schools with indoor facilities, 134 (64%) allowed at least some public use. Some reasons that facilities were not made available included: for student use only, supervision and personnel requirements, safety concerns, insurance, liability, and a private or church-owned status. The most common benefits of allowing the public to use the facilities included providing a space to keep youth active and good publicity for the school.

Conclusion.

These findings suggest that safety, insurance, and liability concerns are barriers that need to be addressed with schools before indoor and outdoor facilities can be made available to the public. Furthermore, emphasizing the benefits that we found, such as providing a space to keep youth active and good publicity for the school, would also be important.
Association of Environmental Factors to Meeting Physical Activity Recommendations in Two South Carolina Counties
Authors: Sharpe Patricia A. , Granner Michelle L. , Hutto Brent , Ainsworth Barbara E.
Published: November 2011

Purpose.

The purpose of the study was to examine associations between environment and policy factors and physical activity.

Design.

A random-digit-dialed, cross-sectional telephone survey was administered.

Setting.

The setting was a two-county area of eastern South Carolina.

Subjects.

Before weighting, the sample included 1936 adults; 36.9% African-American, 63.1% white, and 60.1% women. The age group distribution was 28.8% 55+ years, 39.3% 35–54 years, and 31.9% 18–34 years of age. The response rate was 62.9%.

Measures.

Six physical activity questions (2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey [BRFSS]) were used to create a dichotomous variable, “meets/does not meet recommendation for moderate or vigorous physical activity.” Self-report items assessed knowledge, presence, and use of recreational facilities; presence of environmental and worksite supports; perceived safety; condition of sidewalks; and quality of street lighting

Results.

Linear and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Unadjusted odds for meeting the recommendation were significantly greater for well-maintained sidewalks (OR = 1.90); safe areas for walking/jogging (OR = 1.39); knowledge of routes for bicycling (OR = 1.38) and walking/jogging (OR = 1.32); and worksites with sports teams (OR = 1.53), exercise facilities (OR = 1.33), flexible time for exercise (OR = 1.33), and preventive checkups (OR = 1.26). Among persons who met the recommendation, means were greater for number of known walking/jogging routes (p = .04); number of known bicycling routes (p < .01); number of days per month uses tracks, trails, routes, pathways (p < .01); and number of days per month uses outdoor recreation areas (p < .01).

Conclusion.

The results support an association between level of physical activity and environmental and policy factors in two southeastern counties in South Carolina. Limitations of the study include self-reported data and cross-sectional design.
Association of Additional Health Risks on Medical Charges and Prevalence of Diabetes within Body Mass Index Categories
Authors: Musich Shirley , Lu Chifung , McDonald Timothy , Champagne Laura J. , Edington Dee W.
Published: November 2011

Purpose.

The prevalence of obesity and diabetes continues to increase among employee populations. Although medical costs and the prevalence of diabetes have been studied across increasing body mass index (BMI) categories, little attention has been given to the association of additional health risks within those categories. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of health risk levels on medical charges and prevalence of diabetes across BMI categories within an employee population.

Methods.

A cross-sectional study design utilized health risk appraisal data (30% response rate) to measure BMI levels, self-reported diabetes status, and selected additional health risks among 38,841 active employees under age 65 of the General Motors Corporation. Associated average annual medical charges from 1996 to 2000 were calculated for defined health risk levels across five BMI categories (<18.5; 18.5–24.9, 25–29.9, 30–34.9, and ≥35).

Results.

Higher medical charges were significantly associated with additional health risks (zero risks to four or more risks) across each of the BMI categories: $2689 to $7576 (<18.5); $2655 to $6555 (18.5–24.9); $3239 to $7118 (25–29.9); $3579 to $7758 (30–34.9); and $4151 to $8075 (≥35). Likewise, higher prevalence of diabetes was significantly associated with additional health risks (zero risks to four or more risks) across the BMI categories: 2.6% to 7.0% (<18.5); 1.3% to 2.7% (18.5–24.9); 2.4% to 5.3% (25–29.9); 5.5% to 8.3% (30–34.9); and 7.7% to 15.8% (≥35).

Discussion.

Medical costs and the prevalence of diabetes were lower when the numbers of additional health risks were lower, regardless of the BMI category. Programs to promote weight management have largely been unsuccessful in maintaining long-term weight control. The current results suggest that a strategy focused on reducing health risks within any weight category could provide an alternative strategy to achieve medical cost savings and a lower prevalence of diabetes. The implied benefits of risk reduction within BMI categories would need to be confirmed with a longitudinal study.
Efficacy of a Video for Teaching Patients about Prostate Cancer Screening and Treatment
Authors: Ruthman Jacklyn Ludwig , Ferrans Carol Estwing
Published: November 2011

Purpose.

To test the effectiveness of a video to teach patients about prostate cancer screening and treatment in a clinic setting.

Methods.

A staged, two-group, pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used. Questionnaires were completed before and after a routine doctor's appointment in a Veteran's Administration clinic. The experimental group (n = 52) viewed the video, and the control group (n = 52) received usual care only. The two groups were similar in age, education, race, and quality of life.

Results.

Knowledge increased significantly from pretest to posttest for the experimental group, but not for the control group (p < .001). More patients in the experimental group changed their preference for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening (31% experimental vs. 2% control, p = .002), indicating the patients were impacted by the information presented. Viewing the video did not stimulate increased discussion with the physician or lengthen appointment time.

Conclusion.

The video was effective in improving knowledge about a complex topic and changing some patients' preference for PSA testing without frightening or confusing patients.
Increasing Stair Use in a Worksite through Environmental Changes
Authors: Kerr Nicole Angelique , Yore Michelle M. , Ham Sandra A. , Dietz William H.
Published: November 2011

Purpose.

This study assessed the impact on stair use of four sequential environmental interventions: (1) installing new carpet and painting the walls, (2) adding framed artwork on stair landings, (3) displaying motivational signs throughout the building, and (4) adding a stereo system and playing various types of music in the stairwell.

Methods.

We conducted a longitudinal study with no comparison group to evaluate the impact of environmental changes on stairway use. The setting was the main stairwell in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Rhodes Building in Atlanta, Georgia. Proximity sensors were installed in each stairwell entry to monitor traffic. The subjects were 554 permanent CDC employees and 110 temporary employees. Changes in stairwell use by intervention were evaluated.

Results.

Both motivational signs and music significantly increased stair use by 8.9% over baseline (p < .05). The increase in sign use occurred in the first 3 months of the intervention, whereas the increase in music occurred after the first 3 months.

Discussion.

These data suggest that physical improvements to a stairwell, signage that encourages stair use, and music may increase physical activity among building occupants.
Reactive processing of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in aqueous aerosol mimics: surface tension depression and secondary organic products
Authors: Li Z. , Schwier A. N. , Sareen N. , McNeill V. F.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. The reactive uptake of carbonyl-containing volatile organic compounds (cVOCs) by aqueous atmospheric aerosols is a likely source of particulate organic material. The aqueous-phase secondary organic products of some cVOCs are surface-active. Therefore, cVOC uptake can lead to organic film formation at the gas-aerosol interface and changes in aerosol surface tension. We examined the chemical reactions of two abundant cVOCs, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, in water and aqueous ammonium sulfate (AS) solutions mimicking tropospheric aerosols. Secondary organic products were identified using Aerosol Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry (Aerosol-CIMS), and changes in surface tension were monitored using pendant drop tensiometry. Hemiacetal oligomers and aldol condensation products were identified using Aerosol-CIMS. Acetaldehyde depresses surface tension to 65(±2) dyn cm−1 in pure water (a 10% surface tension reduction from that of pure water) and 62(±1) dyn cm−1 in AS solutions (a 20.6% reduction from that of a 3.1 M AS solution). Surface tension depression by formaldehyde in pure water is negligible; in AS solutions, a 9% reduction in surface tension is observed. Mixtures of these species were also studied in combination with methylglyoxal in order to evaluate the influence of cross-reactions on surface tension depression and product formation in these systems. We find that surface tension depression in the solutions containing mixed cVOCs exceeds that predicted by an additive model based on the single-species isotherms.
Using a mobile laboratory to characterize the distribution and transport of sulfur dioxide in and around Beijing
Authors: Wang M. , Zhu T. , Zhang J. P. , Zhang Q. H. , Lin W. W. , Li Y. , Wang Z. F.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Megacities are places with intensive human activity and energy consumption. To reduce air pollution, many megacities have relocated energy supplies and polluted industries to their outer regions. However, regional transport then becomes an important source of air pollution in megacities. To improve air quality before and during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a wide range of control strategies were implemented, including the relocation of polluting industries. High sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentrations were occasionally observed during this period. Potential sources from southern regions of Beijing were indicated by backward trajectories model and urban/rural stationary measurements, but direct evidence was lacking. Here we used a mobile laboratory to characterize the spatial distribution and regional transport of SO2 to Beijing during the Campaign for Air Quality Research in Beijing and the Surrounding Region (CAREBEIJING)-2008. Among the five days chosen for the case studies during the Olympic air pollution control period, four had high SO2 concentrations (6, 20 August and 3, 4 September 2008) while one had low SO2 concentration (11 September 2008). The average values of SO2 during the low SO2 concentration day were 3.9 ppb, much lower than during the high concentration days (7.8 ppb). This result implied an impact by regional transport from outside Beijing. During these days, we captured transport events of SO2 from areas south of Beijing, with a clear decrease in SO2 concentrations southeast of the 6th to 4th Ring Roads around Beijing and along the 140 km highway from Tianjin to Beijing. The influx of SO2 through the 4th to 6th Ring Roads ranged from 2.1 to 4.6 kg s−1 on 4 September and 0.2 to 1.6 kg s−1 on 20 August 2008. The differences of influx in days were due to the variations of emission changes, transport directions and dilutions. Locally emitted SO2 from a source located along Jingshi Highway outside the southwest section of the 5th Ring Road of Beijing was identified using wind field data generated by the Weather Research and Forecasting model and the measured particle size distribution, with an estimated flux of 0.1 kg s−1 to Beijing. Estimated uncertainties for SO2 influx were approximately 31%.
Effects of model resolution on the interpretation of satellite NO2 observations
Authors: Valin L. C. , Russell A. R. , Hudman R. C. , Cohen R. C.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Inference of NOx emissions (NO+NO2) from satellite observations of tropospheric NO2 column requires knowledge of NOx lifetime, usually provided by chemical transport models (CTMs). However, it is known that species subject to non-linear sources or sinks, such as ozone, are susceptible to biases in coarse-resolution CTMs. Here we compute the resolution-dependent bias in predicted NO2 column, a quantity relevant to the interpretation of space-based observations. We use 1-D and 2-D models to illustrate the mechanisms responsible for these biases over a range of NO2 concentrations and model resolutions. We find that predicted biases are largest at coarsest model resolutions with negative biases predicted over large sources and positive biases predicted over small sources. As an example, we use WRF-CHEM to illustrate the resolution necessary to predict 10 AM and 1 PM NO2 column to 10 and 25% accuracy over three large sources, the Four Corners power plants in NW New Mexico, Los Angeles, and the San Joaquin Valley in California for a week-long simulation in July 2006. We find that resolution in the range of 4–12 km is sufficient to accurately model nonlinear effects in the NO2 loss rate.
The influence of solar variability and the quasi-biennial oscillation on lower atmospheric temperatures and sea level pressure
Authors: Roy I. , Haigh J. D.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Our fundamental aim is to investigate solar cycle signals in sea level pressure. In order to see if these may relate, especially at high latitudes, to the solar influence on the stratosphere we start by investigating the temperature of the winter polar stratosphere and its dependence on the state of the Sun and the phase of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO). We find that the choice of pressure level used to define the phase of the QBO is important in determining how the solar and QBO influences appear to act in combination. Informed by this we carry out a multiple linear regression analysis of zonal mean temperatures throughout the lower stratosphere and troposphere. A combined solar*QBO temporal index exhibits strongly in the lower stratosphere, but in much of the troposphere any influence of the QBO, either on its own or coupled to solar effects is much smaller than the pure solar signal. We use a similar approach to analyse sea level pressure (SLP) data, first using a standard QBO time series dating back to 1953. We find at high latitudes that individually the solar and QBO signals are weak but that the compound solar*QBO temporal index shows a significant signal. This is such that combinations of low solar activity with westerly QBO and high solar activity with easterly QBO are both associated with a strengthening in the polar modes; while the opposite combinations coincide with a weakening. By employing a QBO dataset reconstructed back to 1900, we extend the SLP analysis back to that date and also find a robust signal in the surface SAM; though weaker for surface NAM. Our results suggest that solar variability, modulated by the phase of QBO, influences zonal mean temperatures at high latitudes in the lower stratosphere, in the mid-latitude troposphere and sea level pressure near the poles. Thus a knowledge of the state of the Sun, and the phase of the QBO might be useful in surface climate prediction.
Meteorological modes of variability for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air quality in the United States: implications for PM2.5 sensitivity to climate change
Authors: Tai A. P. K. , Mickley L. J. , Jacob D. J. , Leibensperger E. M. , Zhang L. , Fisher J. A. , Pye H. O. T.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. We applied a multiple linear regression model to understand the relationships of PM2.5 with meteorological variables in the contiguous US and from there to infer the sensitivity of PM2.5 to climate change. We used 2004–2008 PM2.5 observations from ~1000 sites (~200 sites for PM2.5 components) and compared to results from the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model (CTM). All data were deseasonalized to focus on synoptic-scale correlations. We find strong positive correlations of PM2.5 components with temperature in most of the US, except for nitrate in the Southeast where the correlation is negative. Relative humidity (RH) is generally positively correlated with sulfate and nitrate but negatively correlated with organic carbon. GEOS-Chem results indicate that most of the correlations of PM2.5 with temperature and RH do not arise from direct dependence but from covariation with synoptic transport. We applied principal component analysis and regression to identify the dominant meteorological modes controlling PM2.5 variability, and show that 20–40% of the observed PM2.5 day-to-day variability can be explained by a single dominant meteorological mode: cold frontal passages in the eastern US and maritime inflow in the West. These and other synoptic transport modes drive most of the overall correlations of PM2.5 with temperature and RH except in the Southeast. We show that interannual variability of PM2.5 in the US Midwest is strongly correlated with cyclone frequency as diagnosed from a spectral-autoregressive analysis of the dominant meteorological mode. An ensemble of five realizations of 1996–2050 climate change with the GISS general circulation model (GCM) using the same climate forcings shows inconsistent trends in cyclone frequency over the Midwest (including in sign), with a likely decrease in cyclone frequency implying an increase in PM2.5. Our results demonstrate the need for multiple GCM realizations (because of climate chaos) when diagnosing the effect of climate change on PM2.5, and suggest that analysis of meteorological modes of variability provides a computationally more affordable approach for this purpose than coupled GCM-CTM studies.
Variability of black carbon deposition to the East Antarctic Plateau, AD 1800–2000
Authors: Bisiaux M. M. , Edwards R. , McConnell J. R. , Albert M. R. , Anschütz H. , Neumann T. A. , Isaksson E. , Penner J. E.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Refractory black carbon aerosols (rBC) from biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion are deposited to the Antarctic ice sheet and preserve a history of emissions and long-range transport from low latitudes. Antarctic ice core rBC records may thus provide information with respect to past combustion aerosol emissions and atmospheric circulation. Here, we present six East Antarctic ice core records of rBC concentrations and fluxes covering the last two centuries with approximately annual resolution (cal. yr. 1800 to 2000). The ice cores were drilled in disparate regions of the high East Antarctic ice sheet, at different elevations and net snow accumulation rates. Annual rBC concentrations were log-normally distributed and geometric means of annual concentrations ranged from 0.10 to 0.18 μg kg−1. Average rBC fluxes were determined over the time periods 1800 to 2000 and 1963 to 2000 and ranged from 3.4 to 15.5 μg kg−1 m−2 a−1 and 3.6 to 21.8 μg kg−1 m−2 a−1 respectively. Geometric-mean concentrations spanning 1800 to 2000 increased linearly with elevation at a rate of 0.025 μg kg−1/500 m. Spectral analysis of the records revealed significant decadal scale variability, which at several sites was comparable to decadal ENSO variability.
Seasonal hydrologic prediction in the United States: understanding the role of initial hydrologic conditions and seasonal climate forecast skill
Authors: Shukla S. , Lettenmaier D. P.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Seasonal hydrologic forecasts derive their skill from knowledge of initial hydrologic conditions and climate forecast skill associated with seasonal climate outlooks. Depending on the type of hydrological regime and the season, the relative contributions of initial hydrologic conditions and climate forecast skill to seasonal hydrologic forecast skill vary. We seek to quantify these contributions on a relative basis across the Conterminous United States. We constructed two experiments – Ensemble Streamflow Prediction and reverse-Ensemble Streamflow Prediction – to partition the contributions of the initial hydrologic conditions and climate forecast skill to overall forecast skill. In ensemble streamflow prediction (first experiment) hydrologic forecast skill is derived solely from knowledge of initial hydrologic conditions, whereas in reverse-ensemble streamflow prediction (second experiment), it is derived solely from atmospheric forcings (i.e. perfect climate forecast skill). Using the ratios of root mean square error in predicting cumulative runoff and mean monthly soil moisture of each experiment, we identify the variability of the relative contributions of the initial hydrologic conditions and climate forecast skill spatially throughout the year. We conclude that the initial hydrologic conditions generally have the strongest influence on the prediction of cumulative runoff and soil moisture at lead-1 (first month of the forecast period), beyond which climate forecast skill starts to have greater influence. Improvement in climate forecast skill alone will lead to better seasonal hydrologic forecast skill in most parts of the Northeastern and Southeastern US throughout the year and in the Western US mainly during fall and winter months; whereas improvement in knowledge of the initial hydrologic conditions can potentially improve skill most in the Western US during spring and summer months. We also observed that at a short lead time (i.e. lead-1) contribution of the initial hydrologic conditions in soil moisture forecasts is more extensive than in cumulative runoff forecasts across the Conterminous US.
24/7
Authors: Klinger Barbara
Published: November 2011

An integral part of American film history resides in Hollywood's extensive relationships to new media and technologies, especially as they have acted as vital forums for movie production, distribution, and exhibition. In the second half of cinema's existence, a particularly strong configuration of intimate business associations has materialized between film studios and a number of new media and technology concerns, from broadcast and cable television to DVD and the internet. Adjudicated by complex forces, these developments have clearly affected the film studios' organization and economic profile. Such advances have also had a significant impact on the very meaning of cinema as a medium and an experience, deeply influencing the aesthetics, public reputation, and modes of consumption of films, as well as their sheer presence in everyday life.
Switching on Fluorescent Emission by Molecular Recognition and Aggregation Dissociation
Authors: Lin Naibo , Liu Xiang Yang , Diao Ying Ying , Xu Hongyao , Chen Chunyan , Ouyang Xinhua , Yang Hongzhi , Ji Wei
Published: November 2011

A generic and effective approach to “switch on” and enhance the two‐photon fluorescence (TPF) emission of quenched TPF molecules, i.e., fluorene derivatives, is reported in terms of molecular recognition with a decoupling medium. Such a medium, in this case Bombyx mori silk, can recognize TPF molecules and inhibit the aggregation of the TPF molecules. The designed TPF molecules are 2,7‐bis[2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)ethenyl]‐9,9‐dibutylfluorene (4NF) and 2,7‐bis[2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)ethenyl]‐9,9‐dioctylfluorene (8NF), which exhibit suppressed TPF emission owing to molecular‐stacking‐led aggregation in the solid form. Due to the specific recognition between –NO2 in the quenched fluorescent molecules and –NH groups in silk fibroin molecules, the aggregated molecules of 4NF/8NF molecules are decoupled. This decoupling gives rise to a significant increase in TPF quantum yields. The mechanism is further confirmed by replacing the terminal group –NO2 in 8NF with –CH3 (in 2,7‐bis[2‐(4‐methylphenyl)ethenyl]‐9,9‐dioctylfluorene; 8MF) to eliminate the possibility of molecular recognition. As predicted, in the case of 8MF the switching‐on effect is eliminated. Completely new TPF silk fibers can additionally be applied in real‐time 3D high‐resolution TPF scaffold bioimaging.
Parameter estimation of industrial PET reactor using multi‐objective kernel density estimation of distribution algorithm
Authors: Luo Na , Qian Feng
Published: November 2011

With a multitude of reaction pathways, poly (ethylene‐terephthalate) (PET) polymerization of industrial practice is complex, and the quality of PET is normally described in terms of several experimentally measured indices. In this paper, parameters estimation of industrial PET reactors is presented as a multi‐objective problem to make the mathematic model consistent with the actual industrial process. Considering the interrelation among parameters and the failure of general optimization algorithms, a new multi‐objective estimation of distribution algorithm is proposed. Kernel density estimation is used to make the new population more suitable for real‐life problems instead of Gaussian model during the evolution of the algorithm. Strategies including selection of kernel width, sampling method and Pareto domination selection are used to explore and exploit the search space more efficiently. With industrial operating data identified in steady state and eliminated from gross error, kinetic parameters are estimated by minimizing carboxyl end group concentration and degree of polymerization simultaneously using the proposed algorithm. The simulation results show that the model with estimated parameters has better predictive performance compared with the experimental parameters. Copyright © 2011 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical study on flow and heat transfer of high‐pressure syngas in membrane helical‐coil heat exchanger
Authors: Yang Zhen , Zhao Zhenxing , Liu Yinhe , Wang Xiangyu , Chang Yongqiang , Cao Zidong
Published: November 2011

Numerical simulation was conducted to investigate the flow and heat transfer of high‐pressure synthesis gas (syngas) in an annular channel consisting of membrane helical coils. Effects of radial pitch, axial pitch, and inner helical coil diameter were considered. The numerical results are in a good agreement with our previous experimental results of heat transfer in membrane helical‐coil annular channels. The average heat transfer coefficient of the membrane helical coil decreases to a constant with the rise of radial pitch; meanwhile, it increases first and decreases afterwards with the increase of axial pitch. Although the local heat transfer coefficients of the inner and outer coil are irrelevant to the coil curvature, the average heat transfer coefficient of inner coil is higher than that of outer coil due to the lower finned ratio of inner coil. © 2011 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A web‐based adaptive tutor to teach PCR primer design
Authors: van Seters Janneke R. , Wellink Joan , Tramper Johannes , Goedhart Martin J. , Ossevoort Miriam A.
Published: November 2011

When students have varying prior knowledge, personalized instruction is desirable. One way to personalize instruction is by using adaptive e‐learning to offer training of varying complexity. In this study, we developed a web‐based adaptive tutor to teach PCR primer design: the PCR Tutor. We used part of the Taxonomy of Educational Objectives (the three cognitive processes: remember, understand, and apply) to design exercises of varying complexity. Using this method, we demonstrated that we were able to systematically categorize exercises. There was also a good learning effect and a positive student perception when using the PCR Tutor.
Change of Coronary Flow Velocity During the Cold Pressor Test Is Related to Endothelial Markers in Subjects With Chest Pain and a Normal Coronary Angiogram
Authors: Hwang Hui‐Jeong , Youn Ho‐Joong , Lee Man‐Young , Park Chul‐Soo , Choi Yun‐Seok , Chung Woo‐Baek , Lee Jae‐Beom , Shim ByungJu
Published: November 2011

Background:

Several studies demonstrated that endothelial or atherosclerotic biomarkers, including plasma free insulin‐like growth factor‐I(IGF‐I), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), adiponectin, and leptin have an influence on coronary endothelial function.

Hypothesis:

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether change of coronary flow velocity of the distal left anterior descending artery (LAD) during the cold pressor test (CPT) with transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTE) was associated with these biomarkers in subjects with chest pain and a normal coronary angiogram.

Methods:

In 190 subjects (mean age, 54±11 years; male:female, 113:77) with chest pain and a normal coronary angiogram, peak diastolic velocity (PDV) of the distal LAD during the CPT with TTE was assessed. Acetylcholine provocation test was performed in 58 subjects (mean age, 51±10 years) who were clinically suspected of vasospasm. CPT%PDV was defined as the percent change in PDV during the CPT. Associations between CPT%PDV and clinical parameters were analyzed.

Results:

According to multiple regression analysis, CPT%PDV was associated with plasma free IGF‐I in the entire study population (β=0.295, P<0.001 in all subjects; β=0.341, P=0.001 in males; β=0.243, P=0.037 in females; β=0.303, P=0.002 in nonsmokers; and β=0.256, P=0.047 in smokers), and sCD40L in males (β=−0.269, P=0.008)and smokers (β=−0.261, P=0.046). Subjects with vasospasm to intracoronary acetylcholine had lower plasma free IGF‐I(6.9±3.3 vs 8.9±3.4, P=0.026) and CPT%PDV (8.8±24.9 vs 52.7±26.0, P<0.001) than the others. Plasma adiponectin and leptin were not associated with CPT%PDV.

Conclusions:

Change of coronary flow velocity assessed using the CPT with TTE may be related to endothelial markers, especially plasma free IGF‐I. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article.

The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Increasing heterogeneity in the organization of synaptic inputs of mature olfactory bulb neurons generated in newborn rats
Authors: Kelsch Wolfgang , Sim Shuyin , Lois Carlos
Published: November 2011

New neurons are added into the mammalian olfactory bulb throughout life, but it remains unknown whether the properties of new neurons generated in newborn animals differ from those added during adulthood. We compared the densities of glutamatergic synapses of granule cells (GCs) generated in newborn and adult rats over extended periods of time. We observed that, whereas adult‐born GCs maintained stable cell‐to‐cell variability of synaptic densities soon after they integrated into the circuit, cell‐to‐cell variability of synaptic densities of neonatal‐born GCs increased months after their integration. We also investigated whether the synaptic reorganization induced by sensory deprivation occurred differently in mature neonatal‐ and adult‐born GCs. Sensory deprivation after new GCs had differentiated induced more pronounced changes in the synaptic densities of neonatal‐born GCs than in adult‐born GCs. These observations suggest that the synapses of mature neonatal‐born GCs retain a higher degree of malleability in response to changes in neuronal activity than adult‐born GCs. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:1327–1338, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Auditory thalamic reticular nucleus of the rat: Anatomical nodes for modulation of auditory and cross‐modal sensory processing in the loop connectivity between the cortex and thalamus
Authors: Kimura Akihisa , Yokoi Isao , Imbe Hiroki , Donishi Tomohiro , Kaneoke Yoshiki
Published: November 2011

The auditory sector of the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) plays a pivotal role in gain and/or gate control of auditory input relayed from the thalamus to cortex. The TRN is also likely involved in cross‐modal sensory processing for attentional gating function. In the present study, we anatomically examined how cortical and thalamic afferents intersect in the auditory TRN with regard to these two functional pathways. Iontophoretic injections of biocytin into subregions of the auditory TRN, which were made with the guidance of electrophysiological recording of auditory response, resulted in retrograde labeling of cortical and thalamic cells, indicating the sources of afferents to the TRN. Cortical afferents from area Te1 (temporal cortex, area 1), which contains the primary and anterior auditory fields, topographically intersected thalamic afferents from the ventral division of the medial geniculate nucleus at the subregions of the auditory TRN, suggesting tonotopically organized convergence of afferents, although they innervated a given small part of the TRN from large parts. In the caudodorsal and rostroventral parts of the auditory TRN, cortical afferents from nonprimary visual and somatosensory areas intersected thalamic afferents from auditory, visual, and somatosensory nuclei. Furthermore, afferents from the caudal insular cortex and the parvicellular part of the ventral posterior thalamic nucleus, which are associated with visceral processing, converged to the rostroventral end of the auditory TRN. The results suggest that the auditory TRN consists of anatomical nodes that mediate tonotopic and/or cross‐modal modulation of auditory and other sensory processing in the loop connectivity between the cortex and thalamus. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:1457–1480, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The sodium‐driven chloride/bicarbonate exchanger in presynaptic terminals
Authors: Burette Alain C. , Weinberg Richard J. , Sassani Patrick , Abuladze Natalia , Kao Liyo , Kurtz Ira
Published: November 2011

The sodium‐driven chloride/bicarbonate exchanger (NDCBE), a member of the SLC4 family of bicarbonate transporters, was recently found to modulate excitatory neurotransmission in hippocampus. By using light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry, we demonstrate here that NDCBE is expressed throughout the adult rat brain, and selectively concentrates in presynaptic terminals, where it is closely associated with synaptic vesicles. NDCBE is in most glutamatergic axon terminals, and is also present in the terminals of parvalbumin‐positive γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic cells. These findings suggest that NDCBE can regulate glutamatergic transmission throughout the brain, and point to a role for NDCBE as a possible regulator of GABAergic neurotransmission. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:1481–1492, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.