bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patterns and trends in nitrogen use and nitrogen recovery efficiency in world agriculture
Authors: Conant Richard T. , Berdanier Aaron B. , Grace Peter R.
Published: June 2013

Worldwide increases in nitrogen (N) inputs to croplands have been and will continue to be an important contributor to growing more food. But a substantial portion of N inputs to croplands are not captured in harvested products and leave the field, contributing to air and water pollution. Whether the proportion of N inputs captured in harvest grows, shrinks, or remains unchanged will have important impacts on both food production and N pollution. We created a new global N input database (fertilizer, manure, fixation, deposition, and residues) that enables evaluation of trends in nitrogen use and recovery by country and by crop from the 1960s through 2007. These data show that despite growth in yields and increased N fertilization, differences in efficiency of N use between Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD; http://www.oecd.org) and other countries have persisted over nearly 50 years and exhibit no sign of convergence. The high yield, high nitrogen input systems characteristic of rich countries have released large amounts of reactive N to the environment but have operated with greater efficiency—recovering a greater portion of added N in crops. Aggregate yields in OECD countries are 70% greater than in non‐OECD countries on N input rates just 54% greater. Variation in recovery efficiency between countries suggests that there is scope for improvements through enhanced N delivery and capture in the world's low‐yielding croplands and that increasing efficiency of N use is an important component of meeting food demand in the future.
Mylonitic deformation at the Kane oceanic core complex: Implications for the rheological behavior of oceanic detachment faults
Authors: Hansen Lars N. , Cheadle Michael J. , John Barbara E. , Swapp Susan M. , Dick Henry J. B. , Tucholke Brian E. , Tivey Maurice A.
Published: June 2013

The depth extent, strength, and composition of oceanic detachment faults remain poorly understood because the grade of deformation‐related fabrics varies widely among sampled oceanic core complexes (OCCs). We address this issue by analyzing fault rocks collected from the Kane oceanic core complex at 23°30′N on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge. A portion of the sample suite was collected from a younger fault scarp that cuts the detachment surface and exposes the interior of the most prominent dome. The style of deformation was assessed as a function of proximity to the detachment surface, revealing a ∼450 m thick zone of high‐temperature mylonitization overprinted by a ∼200 m thick zone of brittle deformation. Geothermometry of deformed gabbros demonstrates that crystal‐plastic deformation occurred at temperatures >700°C. Analysis of the morphology of the complex in conjunction with recent thermochronology suggests that deformation initiated at depths of ∼7 km. Thus we suggest the detachment system extended into or below the brittle‐plastic transition (BPT). Microstructural evidence suggests that gabbros and peridotites with high‐temperature fabrics were dominantly deforming by dislocation‐accommodated processes and diffusion creep. Recrystallized grain size piezometry yields differential stresses consistent with those predicted by dry‐plagioclase flow laws. The temperature and stress at the BPT determined from laboratory‐derived constitutive models agree well with the lowest temperatures and highest stresses estimated from gabbro mylonites. We suggest that the variation in abundance of mylonites among oceanic core complexes can be explained by variation in the depth of the BPT, which depends to a first order on the thermal structure and water content of newly forming oceanic lithosphere.
Enhanced future variability during India's rainy season
Authors: Menon Arathy , Levermann Anders , Schewe Jacob
Published: June 2013

The Indian summer monsoon shapes the livelihood of a large share of the world's population. About 80% of annual precipitation over India occurs during the monsoon season from June through September. Next to its seasonal mean rainfall, the day‐to‐day variability is crucial for the risk of flooding, national water supply, and agricultural productivity. Here we show that the latest ensemble of climate model simulations, prepared for the AR‐5 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, consistently projects significant increases in day‐to‐day rainfall variability under unmitigated climate change. The relative increase by the period 2071–2100 with respect to the control period 1871–1900 ranges from 13% to 50% under the strongest scenario (Representative Concentration Pathways, RCP‐8.5), in the 10 models with the most realistic monsoon climatology; and 13% to 85% when all the 20 models are considered. The spread across models reduces when variability increase per degree of global warming is considered, which is independent of the scenario in most models, and is 8% ± 4%/K on average. This consistent projection across 20 comprehensive climate models provides confidence in the results and suggests the necessity of profound adaptation measures in the case of unmitigated climate change.
Importance of mechanochemical effects on fault slip behavior during earthquakes
Authors: Hirono Tetsuro , Tanikawa Wataru , Honda Go , Kameda Jun , Fukuda Jun‐ichi , Ishikawa Tsuyoshi
Published: June 2013

Recent analyses of natural faults and laboratory rock friction experiments have revealed that physical transformations and chemical reactions of minerals and fluids occur in faults during earthquakes. However, exactly how these physicochemical processes affect fault weakening and earthquake energetics is not well understood. We present quantitative experimental evidence of mechanochemical changes in a clay mineral (illite) during frictional slip and evaluate the effect of those changes on slip behavior. Friction distorts the crystal structure of illite and dramatically decreases the activation energy (Ea) of the dehydroxylation reaction. Numerical modeling shows that the lower Ea allows the dehydroxylation to occur at relatively low temperatures (200–300°C), which in turn drastically reduces fault strength by pressurization of released water from the mineral. Thus, dynamic thermo‐chemo‐mechanical processes can strongly affect earthquake instability, especially along clay‐rich faults such as those in the shallow part of subduction zone plate boundaries.
Assessment of functional outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets from the perspective of the multi‐professional team: Results of 4 Delphi surveys
Authors: Kirschneck Michaela , Sabariego Carla , Singer Susanne , Tschiesner Uta
Published: June 2013

Background

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set for Head and Neck Cancer (ICF‐HNC) covers the typical spectrum of problems in functioning in head and neck cancer. This study is part of a multistep process to develop practical guidelines in Germany. The purpose of this study was to identify instruments for the assessment of functioning using the ICF‐HNC as reference.

Methods

Four Delphi surveys with physicians, physiotherapists, psychologists, and social workers were performed to identify which aspects of the ICF‐HNC are being treated and which assessment tools are recommended for the assessment of functioning.

Results

Ninety‐seven percent categories of the ICF‐HNC were treated by healthcare professionals participating in the current study. Altogether, 33 assessment tools were recommended for therapy monitoring, food intake, pain, further organic problems/laboratory tests, and psychosocial areas.

Conclusion

Although the ICF‐HNC is being currently implemented by the head and neck cancer experts, several areas are not covered regularly. Additionally, validated tools were rarely recommended. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 954–968, 2014
Ursolic acid promotes cancer cell death by inducing Atg5‐dependent autophagy
Authors: Leng Shuilong , Hao Yanli , Du Daobing , Xie Shanyan , Hong Lepeng , Gu Haigang , Zhu Xiao , Zhang Jinfang , Fan Daping , Kung Hsiang‐fu
Published: June 2013

Ursolic acid (UA) has been reported to possess anticancer activities. Although some of the anticancer activities of UA have been explained by its apoptosis‐inducing properties, the mechanisms underlying its anticancer actions are largely unknown. We have found that UA‐activated autophagy induced cytotoxicity and reduced tumor growth of cervical cancer cells TC‐1 in a concentration‐dependent manner. UA did not induce apoptosis of TC‐1 cells in vitro as determined by annexin V/propidium iodide staining, DNA fragmentation, and Western blot analysis of the apoptosis‐related proteins. We found that UA increased punctate staining of light chain 3 (LC3), which is an autophagy marker. LC3II, the processed form of LC3I which is formed during the formation of double membranes, was induced by UA treatment. These results were further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Wortmannin, an inhibitor of autophagy, and a small interfering RNA (siRNA) for autophagy‐related genes (Atg5) reduced LC3II and simultaneously increased the survival of TC‐1 cells treated with UA. We also found that LC3II was significantly reduced and that survival was increased in Atg5−/− mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells compared to Atg5+/+ MEF cells under UA treatment. However, silencing BECN1 by siRNA affected neither the expression of LC3II nor the survival of TC‐1 cells under UA treatment. These results suggest that autophagy is a major mechanism by which UA kills TC‐1 cells. It is Atg5 rather than BECN1 that plays a crucial role in UA‐induced autophagic cell death in TC‐1 cells. The activation of autophagy by UA may become a potential cancer therapeutic strategy complementing the apoptosis‐based therapies. Furthermore, regulation of Atg5 may improve the efficacy of UA in cancer treatment.
Deficiency of Kruppel‐like factor KLF4 in mammary tumor cells inhibits tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis and is accompanied by compromised recruitment of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells
Authors: Yu Fang , Shi Ying , Wang Junfeng , Li Juan , Fan Daping , Ai Walden
Published: June 2013

Increasing evidence indicates that myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) negatively regulate immune responses during tumor progression, inflammation and infection. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of their development and mobilization remain to be fully delineated. Kruppel‐like factor KLF4 is a transcription factor that has an oncogenic function in breast cancer development, but its function in tumor microenvironment, a critical component for tumorigenesis, has not been examined. By using a spontaneously metastatic 4T1 breast cancer mouse model and an immunodeficient NOD/SCID mouse model, we demonstrated that KLF4 knockdown delayed tumor development and inhibited pulmonary metastasis, which accompanied by decreased accumulation of MDSCs in bone marrow, spleens and primary tumors. Mechanistically, we found that KLF4 knockdown resulted in a significant decrease of circulating GM‐CSF, an important cytokine for MDSC biology. Consistently, recombinant GM‐CSF restored the frequency of MDSCs in purified bone marrow cells incubated with conditioned medium from KLF4 deficient cells. In addition, we identified CXCL5 as a critical mediator to enhance the expression and function of GM‐CSF. Reduced CXCL5 expression by KLF4 knockdown in primary tumors and breast cancer cells was correlated with a decreased GM‐CSF expression in our mouse models. Finally, we found that CXCL5/CXCR2 axis facilitated MDSC migration and that anti‐GM‐CSF antibodies neutralized CXCL5‐induced accumulation of MDSCs. Taken together, our data suggest that KLF4 modulates maintenance of MDSCs in bone marrow by inducing GM‐CSF production via CXCL5 and regulates recruitment of MDSCs into the primary tumors through the CXCL5/CXCR2 axis, both of which contribute to KLF4‐mediated mammary tumor development. © 2013 UICC
Tissue metabolite profiling identifies differentiating and prognostic biomarkers for prostate carcinoma
Authors: Jung Klaus , Reszka Regina , Kamlage Beate , Bethan Bianca , Stephan Carsten , Lein Michael , Kristiansen Glen
Published: June 2013

Metabolomic research offers a deeper insight into biochemical changes in cancer metabolism and is a promising tool for identifying novel biomarkers. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic potential of metabolites in prostate cancer (PCa) tissue after radical prostatectomy. In matched malignant and nonmalignant prostatectomy samples from 95 PCa patients, aminoadipic acid, cerebronic acid, gluconic acid, glycerophosphoethanolamine, 2‐hydroxybehenic acid, isopentenyl pyrophosphate, maltotriose, 7‐methylguanine and tricosanoic acid were determined within a global metabolite profiling study using gas chromatography/liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The data were related to clinicopathological variables like prostate volume, tumor stage, Gleason score, preoperative prostate‐specific antigen and disease recurrence in the follow‐up. All nine metabolites showed higher concentrations in malignant than in nonmalignant samples except for gluconic acid and maltotriose, which had lower levels in tumors. Receiver ‐operating characteristics analysis demonstrated a significant discrimination for all metabolites between malignant and nonmalignant tissue with a maximal area under the curve of 0.86 for tricosanoic acid, whereas no correlation was observed between the metabolite levels and the Gleason score or tumor stage except for gluconic acid. Univariate Cox regression and Kaplan‐Meier analyses showed that levels of aminoadipic acid, gluconic acid and maltotriose were associated with the biochemical tumor recurrence (prostate‐specific antigen > 0.2 ng/mL). In multivariate Cox regression analyses, aminoadipic acid together with tumor stage and Gleason score remained in a model as independent marker for prediction of biochemical recurrence. This study proved that metabolites in PCa tissue can be used, in combination with traditional clinicopathological factors, as promising diagnostic and prognostic tools.
Evaluation of three‐dimensional porous chitosan–alginate scaffolds in rat calvarial defects for bone regeneration applications
Authors: Florczyk Stephen J. , Leung Matthew , Li Zhensheng , Huang Jerry I. , Hopper Richard A. , Zhang Miqin
Published: June 2013

This study investigated the use of three‐dimensional porous chitosan–alginate (CA) scaffolds for critical size calvarial defect (diameter, 5.0 mm) repair in Sprague–Dawley rats. CA scaffolds have been used forin vitroculture of many cell types and demonstrated osteogenesis in ectopic locationsin vivo, but have yet to be evaluated for functional bone tissue engineering applications. CA scaffolds demonstrated the ability to support undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in culture for 14 daysin vitroand promoted spherical morphology.In vivotests were performed using CA scaffolds and CA scaffolds with treatments including undifferentiated MSCs, bone marrow aspirate, and bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) growth factor in comparison to unfilled bone defect used as a control. The samples were analyzed with MicroCT, histology, and immunohistochemical staining at 4 and 16 weeks. Partial defect closure was observed in all experimental groups at 16 weeks, with the greatest defect closure (71.56 ± 19.74%) in the animal group treated with CA scaffolds with BMP‐2 (CA + BMP‐2). The experimental samples demonstrated osteogenesis in histology and immunohistochemical staining, with the CA + BMP‐2 group, showing the greatest level of osteogenesis. Tissue engineered CA scaffolds show promise in reconstruction of critical size bone defects. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 101A: 2974–2983, 2013.
Current tissue engineering strategies in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: Leong Natalie L. , Petrigliano Frank A. , McAllister David R.
Published: June 2013

Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most common ligamentous injuries of the knee. Limitations of allografts and autografts in ACL reconstruction as well as recent advancements in biology and materials science have spurred interest in developing tissue‐engineered ACL replacements that have the potential to mimic the native ACL in terms of both biological and mechanical properties. This article reviews the current literature regarding contemporary tissue engineering strategies. The four basic components of tissue engineering, biomaterial scaffolds, cell sources, growth factors, and mechanical stimuli, as applied to the development of tissue‐engineered ACL replacement grafts, will be systematically addressed. In addition, animal models that have been used to test these tissue‐engineered ACL replacements will also be reviewed. To date, there is no tissue‐engineered ACL construct that has been successfully implanted in humans. We expect that continued progress in designing a viable tissue‐engineered ACL replacement will accompany rapidly advancing techniques in materials science and biology. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 1614–1624, 2014.
A biodegradable thermoset polymer made by esterification of citric acid and glycerol
Authors: Halpern Jeffrey M. , Urbanski Richard , Weinstock Allison K. , Iwig David F. , Mathers Robert T. , von Recum Horst A.
Published: June 2013

A new biomaterial, a degradable thermoset polymer, was made from simple, economical, biocompatable monomers without the need for a catalyst. Glycerol and citric acid, nontoxic and renewable reagents, were crosslinked by a melt polymerization reaction at temperatures from 90 to 150°C. Consistent with a condensation reaction, water was determined to be the primary byproduct. The amount of crosslinking was controlled by the reaction conditions, including temperature, reaction time, and ratio between glycerol and citric acid. Also, the amount of crosslinking was inversely proportional to the rate of degradation. As a proof‐of‐principle for drug delivery applications, gentamicin, an antibiotic, was incorporated into the polymer with preliminary evaluations of antimicrobial activity. The polymers incorporating gentamicin had significantly better bacteria clearing of Staphylococcus aureus compared to non‐gentamicin gels for up to 9 days. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 1467–1477, 2014.
Continuous development of schemes for parallel computing of the electrostatics in biological systems: Implementation in DelPhi
Authors: Li Chuan , Petukh Marharyta , Li Lin , Alexov Emil
Published: June 2013

Due to the enormous importance of electrostatics in molecular biology, calculating the electrostatic potential and corresponding energies has become a standard computational approach for the study of biomolecules and nano‐objects immersed in water and salt phase or other media. However, the electrostatics of large macromolecules and macromolecular complexes, including nano‐objects, may not be obtainable via explicit methods and even the standard continuum electrostatics methods may not be applicable due to high computational time and memory requirements. Here, we report further development of the parallelization scheme reported in our previous work (Li, et al., J. Comput. Chem. 2012, 33, 1960) to include parallelization of the molecular surface and energy calculations components of the algorithm. The parallelization scheme utilizes different approaches such as space domain parallelization, algorithmic parallelization, multithreading, and task scheduling, depending on the quantity being calculated. This allows for efficient use of the computing resources of the corresponding computer cluster. The parallelization scheme is implemented in the popular software DelPhi and results in speedup of several folds. As a demonstration of the efficiency and capability of this methodology, the electrostatic potential, and electric field distributions are calculated for the bovine mitochondrial supercomplex illustrating their complex topology, which cannot be obtained by modeling the supercomplex components alone. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Foreshocks during the nucleation of stick‐slip instability
Authors: McLaskey Gregory C. , Kilgore Brian D.
Published: June 2013

We report on laboratory experiments which investigate interactions between aseismic slip, stress changes, and seismicity on a critically stressed fault during the nucleation of stick‐slip instability. We monitor quasi‐static and dynamic changes in local shear stress and fault slip with arrays of gages deployed along a simulated strike‐slip fault (2 m long and 0.4 m deep) in a saw cut sample of Sierra White granite. With 14 piezoelectric sensors, we simultaneously monitor seismic signals produced during the nucleation phase and subsequent dynamic rupture. We observe localized aseismic fault slip in an approximately meter‐sized zone in the center of the fault, while the ends of the fault remain locked. Clusters of high‐frequency foreshocks (Mw ~ −6.5 to −5.0) can occur in this slowly slipping zone 5–50 ms prior to the initiation of dynamic rupture; their occurrence appears to be dependent on the rate at which local shear stress is applied to the fault. The meter‐sized nucleation zone is generally consistent with theoretical estimates, but source radii of the foreshocks (2 to 70 mm) are 1 to 2 orders of magnitude smaller than the theoretical minimum length scale over which earthquake nucleation can occur. We propose that frictional stability and the transition between seismic and aseismic slip are modulated by local stressing rate and that fault sections, which would typically slip aseismically, may radiate seismic waves if they are rapidly stressed. Fault behavior of this type may provide physical insight into the mechanics of foreshocks, tremor, repeating earthquake sequences, and a minimum earthquake source dimension.
Detailed chemical characterization of unresolved complex mixtures in atmospheric organics: Insights into emission sources, atmospheric processing, and secondary organic aerosol formation
Authors: Chan Arthur W. H. , Isaacman Gabriel , Wilson Kevin R. , Worton David R. , Ruehl Christopher R. , Nah Theodora , Gentner Drew R. , Dallmann Timothy R. , Kirchstetter Thomas W. , Harley Robert A. , Gilman Jessica B. , Kuster William C. , de Gouw Joost A. , Offenberg John H. , Kleindienst Tadeusz E. , Lin Ying H. , Rubitschun Caitlin L. , Surratt Jason D. , Hayes Patrick L. , Jimenez Jose L. , Goldstein Allen H.
Published: June 2013

Recent studies suggest that semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are important precursors to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in urban atmospheres. However, knowledge of the chemical composition of SVOCs is limited by current analytical techniques, which are typically unable to resolve a large number of constitutional isomers. Using a combination of gas chromatography and soft photoionization mass spectrometry, we characterize the unresolved complex mixture (UCM) of semivolatile aliphatic hydrocarbons observed in Pasadena, California (~16 km NE of downtown Los Angeles), and Bakersfield, California, during the California Research at the Nexus of Air Quality and Climate Change 2010. To the authors' knowledge, this work represents the most detailed characterization of the UCM in atmospheric samples to date. Knowledge of molecular structures, including carbon number, alkyl branching, and number of rings, provides important constraints on the rate of atmospheric processing, as the relative amounts of branched and linear alkanes are shown to be a function of integrated exposure to hydroxyl radicals. Emissions of semivolatile branched alkanes from fossil fuel‐related sources are up to an order of magnitude higher than those of linear alkanes, and the gas‐phase OH rate constants of branched alkanes are ~30% higher than their linear isomers. Based on a box model considering gas/particle partitioning, emissions, and reaction rates, semivolatile branched alkanes are expected to play a more important role than linear alkanes in the photooxidation of the UCM and subsequent transformations into SOA. Detailed speciation of semivolatile compounds therefore provides essential understanding of SOA sources and formation processes in urban areas.
Dust emission and transport mechanisms in the central Sahara: Fennec ground‐based observations from Bordj Badji Mokhtar, June 2011
Authors: Allen Christopher J. T. , Washington Richard , Engelstaedter Sebastian
Published: June 2013

A detailed analysis of the first ever high‐resolution ground‐based dust observations in the remote central Sahara is presented from observations at Bordj Badji Mokhtar (BBM), taken during the Fennec project in June 2011. Detailed case studies are presented for three dust‐producing mechanisms (cold pool outflows, low‐level jets (LLJs), and dry convective plumes). The results confirm the importance of cold pools in dust emission and transport in the region. Forty‐five percent of the dust over BBM is generated by local emission in cold pool outflows. Twenty‐seven percent of the dust is advected rather than locally emitted dust; on three occasions, it is advected over 500 km to BBM by cold pool outflows. Dust that has been in long‐range transport to the area within such cold pool outflows is found to carry larger particles and be responsible for higher dust loadings than fresh uplift. LLJs are of tertiary importance in the partitioning, responsible for 14% dust over BBM. Dry convective plumes are identifiable in the data but produce much less significant quantities of dust, approximately 2% of the June total. The cube of wind speed has a stronger correlation with dust emission than wind speed. The correlation is strongest (at 95% confidence) for LLJ‐induced emission (0.88), followed by locally emitting cold pools (0.78).
Micropulse lidar‐derived aerosol optical depth climatology at ARM sites worldwide
Authors: Kafle D. N. , Coulter R. L.
Published: June 2013

This paper focuses on climatology of the vertical distribution of aerosol optical depth (AOD (z)) from micropulse lidar (MPL) observations for climatically different locations worldwide. For this, a large data set obtained by MPL systems operating at 532 nm during the 4 year period 2007–2010 was used to derive vertical profiles of AOD (z) by combining the corresponding AOD data as an input from an independent measurement using nearly colocated multifilter rotating shadowband radiometer (MFRSR) systems at five different U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program sites—three permanent sites (SGP in north‐central Oklahoma, at 36.6°N, 97.5°W, 320 m; TWP‐Darwin in the tropical western Pacific, at 12.4°S, 130.9°E, 30 m; and NSA at Barrow on the North Slope of Alaska, at 71.3°N, 156.6°W, 8 m) and two mobile facility sites (GRW at Graciosa Island in the Azores, at 39°N, 28°W, 15 m; and FKB in the Black Forest of Germany, at 48.5°N, 8.4°E, 511 m). Therefore, amount of data used in this study is constrained by the availability of the MFRSR data. The MPL raw data were averaged for 30 s in time and 30 m in altitude. The diurnally averaged AOD (z) profiles from 4 years were combined to obtain a multiyear vertical profile of AOD (z) climatology at various ARM sites, including diurnal, day‐to‐day, and seasonal variabilities. Most aerosols were found to be confined to 0–2 km (approximately the planetary boundary layer region) at all sites; however, all sites exhibited measurable aerosols well above the mixed layer, with different height maxima. The entire data set demonstrates large day‐to‐day variability at all sites. However, there is no significant diurnal variation in AOD (z) at all sites. Significant interannual variability was observed at the SGP site. Clear seasonal variations in AOD (z) profiles exist for all five sites, but seasonal behavior was distinct. Moreover, the different seasonal variability for the lower level (0 to ~2 km) versus the level above indicates a contribution of different types of air masses from different sources. The lower annual mean AOD (z) values (0.093 ± 0.033 for daytime and 0.093 ± 0.05 for nighttime) observed near the surface at GRW are not unexpected for maritime aerosols (mostly sea salt), and the corresponding higher values at SGP (0.118 ± 0.038 for daytime and 0.11 ± 0.05 for nighttime), FKB (0.124 ± 0.042 for daytime and 0.127 ± 0.047 for nighttime), and TWP (0.13 ± 0.078 for daytime and 0.14 ± 0.073 for nighttime) are usual for continental aerosols. The annual mean AOD (z) values observed near the surface during daytime and nighttime for NSA were 0.1 ± 0.042 and 0.09 ± 0.037, respectively. These results will aid the scientific community in understanding aerosol properties and boundary layer dynamics and in improving the incorporation of aerosol radiative effects into global climate models.
Anatomical characterization of athetotic and spastic cerebral palsy using an atlas‐based analysis
Authors: Yoshida Shoko , Faria Andreia V. , Oishi Kenichi , Kanda Toyoko , Yamori Yuriko , Yoshida Naoko , Hirota Haruyo , Iwami Mika , Okano Sozo , Hsu John , Li Xin , Jiang Hangyi , Li Yue , Hayakawa Katsumi , Mori Susumu
Published: June 2013

Purpose

To analyze diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in two types of cerebral palsy (CP): the athetotic‐type and the spastic‐type, using an atlas‐based anatomical analysis of the entire brain, and to investigate whether these images have unique anatomical characteristics that can support functional diagnoses.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the DTI of seven children with athetotic‐type, 11 children with spastic‐type, and 20 healthy control children, all age‐matched. The severity of motor dysfunction was evaluated with the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). The images were normalized using a linear transformation, followed by large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping. For 205 parcellated brain areas, the volume, fractional anisotropy, and mean diffusivity were measured. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed for the Z‐scores of these parameters.

Results

The GMFCS scores in athetotic‐type were significantly higher than those in spastic‐type (P< 0.001). PCA extracted anatomical components that comprised the two types of CP, as well as the severity of motor dysfunction. In the athetotic group, the abnormalities were more severe than in the spastic group. In the spastic group, significant changes were concentrated in the lateral ventricle and periventricular structures.

Conclusion

Our results quantitatively delineated anatomical characteristics that reflected the functional findings in two types of CP. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:288–298. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Value of diffusion‐weighted MR imaging performed with quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient values for cervical lymphadenopathy
Authors: Wu Lian‐Ming , Xu Jian‐Rong , Hua Jia , Gu Hai‐Yan , Zhu Jiong , Hu Jiani
Published: June 2013

Purpose

To assess diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI‐MRI) performed with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values for the detection of cervical lymphadenopathy.

Materials and Methods

Studies evaluating DWI‐MRI for the detection of cervical lymphadenopathy were systematically searched for in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cancerlit, and Cochrane Library and other database from January 1995 to November 2010. By node‐based data analyses, Cochrane methodology was used for the results of this meta‐analysis.

Results

Eight studies enrolling a total of 229 individuals were eligible for inclusion. Significant differences were found between malignant nodes and benign nodes of the mean ADC value (WMD [weighted‐mean difference]: 1.19, 95% CI: [1.02, 1.35] × 10−3 mm2/s, [P < 0.05]). In the secondary outcomes, significant differences were found between lymphomatous nodes and benign nodes (WMD: 1.33, 95% CI: [0.89, 1.77] × 10−3 mm2/s), and nodes originating from highly or moderately differentiated cancer (WMD: 0.24, 95% CI: [0.21, 0.28] × 10−3 mm2/s, [P < 0.05]), and nodes originating from poorly differentiated cancers (WMD: 0.10, 95% CI: [0.06, 0.14] × 10−3 mm2/s, [P < 0.05]).

Conclusion

DWI‐MRI performed with ADC values shows significant differences among malignant nodes, lymphomatous nodes, and benign nodes in cervical lymphadenopathy. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;38:663–670. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Domain‐General and Domain‐Specific Creative‐Thinking Tests: Effects of Gender and Item Content on Test Performance
Authors: Hong Eunsook , Peng Yun , O'Neil Harold F. , Wu Junbin
Published: June 2013

The study examined the effects of gender and item content of domain‐general and domain‐specific creative‐thinking tests on four subscale scores of creative‐thinking (fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration). Chinese tenth‐grade students (234 males and 244 females) participated in the study. Domain‐general creative thinking was measured by using two domain‐independent items—box and newspaper. Domain‐specific creative thinking was measured in the domain of history by two history‐specific items—school uniform and health food—that were part of lessons in modern Chinese history. Domain‐general creative‐thinking scores were not different across gender in any of the four subscales. In domain‐specific creative thinking, female students produced more responses (fluency) and more categories of ideas (flexibility), and more detailed answers (elaboration) on both items than did males. Gender difference was not found in originality. Item effects were significant in both general and specific creative‐thinking scores, with higher fluency, flexibility, and elaboration for the newspaper than the box item, and higher fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration for the school uniform than the health food item. The findings on both gender and item effects support the contention that personal interest and life experience influence the generation of creative solutions. The finding that gender did not differ in domain‐general creative‐thinking was expected, as the two general items (box and newspaper) are experienced similarly by both genders. As most of the creative‐thinking tests are influenced by individuals' experience beyond creative‐thinking ability, judicial evaluation and use of creative‐thinking scores are underscored.
The Emergence of Student Creativity in Classroom Settings: A Case Study of Elementary Schools in Korea
Authors: Cho Younsoon , Chung Hye Young , Choi Kyoulee , Seo Choyoung , Baek Eunjoo
Published: June 2013

This research explores the emergence of student creativity in classroom settings, specifically within two content areas: science and social studies. Fourteen classrooms in three elementary schools in Korea were observed, and the teachers and students were interviewed. The three types of student creativity emerging in the teaching and learning process found in this research were: (a) heuristic creativity when the students express their thoughts about a new concept based on their experience, (b) interpretive creativity when the students explain the meaning of materials based on students' knowledge, and (c) integrative creativity when students generate new solutions or make new products based on their internalized knowledge. The study results will challenge teachers to find instances of student creativity in their teaching and learning situations and to facilitate student creativity when the students interpret data or materials related to the contents of the curriculum.
Adduction moment increases with age in healthy obese individuals
Authors: Blazek Katerina , Asay Jessica L. , Erhart‐Hledik Jennifer , Andriacchi Thomas
Published: June 2013

There is a need to understand how obesity and aging interact to cause an increased risk of medial knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study tested whether the knee adduction and flexion moments increase with age in healthy normal‐weight and obese adults, as well as the mechanism of this increase. We analyzed whether ground reaction force magnitude, knee alignment, step width, toe‐out angle, body volume distribution, and limb position (knee position relative to the pelvis center) are associated with the adduction moment and whether these variables also change with age. Ninety‐six healthy volunteers (60 normal‐weight and 36 obese) were tested using marker‐based gait analysis; knee alignment was based on marker positions during quiet standing. Adduction moment increased with age in obese (R2 = 0.19), but not in normal‐weight individuals (R2 = 0.01); knee flexion moment did not change with age in either group. In the obese, only knee alignment and limb position were related to the adduction moment (R2 = 0.19 and 0.51), but only limb position changed with age (R2 = 0.26). The resulting increase in adduction moment suggests greater medial compartment loads, which may combine with elevated levels of inflammation to contribute to the increased risk of medial OA in this population. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1414–1422, 2013
What Is the Typical Response to Sexual Assault? Reply to Bonanno (2013)
Authors: Steenkamp Maria M. , Litz Brett T. , Dickstein Benjamin D. , Salters‐Pedneault Kristalyn , Hofmann Stefan G.
Published: June 2013

We respond to Bonanno's (2013) comment on our longitudinal evaluation of sexual assault survivors. Bonanno posits that minor disruption in functioning is the modal response to any stressor or trauma, yet most women we studied had marked initial symptoms in the immediate months following assault, which gradually improved over time. We argue that sexual violence is one example of intentional and malicious victimization, which differs from other experiences studied by Bonanno, such as spinal cord injury. Our study also differed from most previous studies in that it specifically examined the acute reactions period, which is the only period that can distinguish between resilience and recovery: Both trajectories ultimately involve good adaptation, but are distinguished by the degree of initial postevent disruption. We address Bonanno's contention that our results should be dismissed on methodological and statistical grounds. Our findings suggest that prior research about the frequency of resilience may in part be confounded by the degree and type of stress exposure.
Cholesteatoma in cleft lip and palate: A population‐based follow‐up study of children after ventilation tubes
Authors: Spilsbury Katrina , Ha Jennifer F. , Semmens James B. , Lannigan Francis
Published: June 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

To investigate the association of cleft conditions and the development of secondary cholesteatoma following middle ear ventilation tube insertion (MEVTI) in children.

Study Design

A retrospective cohort study of all children born after 1980 who underwent at least one MEVTI in a Western Australian hospital from 1980 to 2009 using administrative health data.

Methods

The timing and number of MEVTIs, adenoidectomy, type of cleft conditions and cholesteatoma were identified along with demographic variables. Flexible parametric proportional hazards models and hazard functions using age as a time scale were used to estimate the relative rate of developing cholesteatoma.

Results

There were 56,949 children who underwent at least one MEVTI during the study period. There were 869 (1.5%) children who also had a diagnosis of a cleft condition. Overall, 594 (1.0%) children developed a secondary cholesteatoma. After taking length of follow‐up into account, 6.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.0‐9.6) of children with cleft conditions developed cholesteatoma by 18 years of age compared to 1.5% (95% CI, 1.3‐1.6) of children without cleft conditions. After adjusting for demographic and clinical variables, children with cleft conditions developed cholesteatoma 7.5 (95% CI, 3.8‐18.2) times faster after first MEVTI compared to children without cleft conditions, although by the third MEVTI this difference was no longer statistically significant (P = .257). The rate of developing cholesteatoma in 2005 to 2009 was 0.5 (95% CI, 0.3‐0.8) times that of 1980 to 1990.

Conclusions

Children with cleft conditions are at increased risk of developing cholesteatoma compared to other children who had one or two MEVTIs, although the overall rate of cholesteatoma is declining.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 123:2024–2029, 2013
Towards Tailored Porous Polymers Using Solvent Effects in Catalytic Degradation
Authors: Sedransk Kyra L. , McGregor James , Mitchell Jonathan , Moggridge Geoffrey D.
Published: June 2013

The potential for tailored synthesis of porous materials using catalytic degradation of block copolymers has been shown, employing an adaptable one‐pot method. Carefully selected solvent systems help to control the pore size and molecular weight of the product. In the degradation of PS–PB–PS, 2nd Generation Grubbs' catalyst creates scissions in the PB carbon–carbon double bonds resulting in the formation of a porous structure. Critically, methanol is used to maintain the integrity of the polymeric structure during this etching. Catalyst deactivation effected by methanol can be limited through using an excess of 1‐hexene; thereby introducing a competitive metathesis process. Altering the ratio of the co‐solvents employed further controls the degradation of PS–PB–PS and hence the resulting pore structures.
A Multicolor Photoinitiator for Cationic Polymerization and Interpenetrated Polymer Network Synthesis: 2,7‐Di‐tert‐butyldimethyldihydropyrene
Authors: Tehfe Mohamad‐Ali , Dumur Frédéric , Vilà Neus , Graff Bernadette , Mayer Cédric R. , Fouassier Jean Pierre , Gigmes Didier , Lalevée Jacques
Published: June 2013

For polymer synthesis upon visible light, actual photoinitiator operates in a restricted part of the spectrum. As a consequence, several photoinitiators are necessary to harvest all of the emitted visible photons. Herein, 2,7‐di‐tert‐butyldimethyldihydropyrene is used for the first time as a multicolor photoinitiator for the cationic polymerization of epoxides. Upon addition of diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate and optionally N‐vinylcarbazole, the originality of this approach is to allow efficient monomer conversions under various excitation light sources in the 360–650 nm wavelength range: halogen lamps, and light‐emitting and laser diodes. The synthesis of an interpenetrated polymer network from an epoxide/acrylate blend using a red light at 635 nm is also feasible. The formed polymer material exhibits a photochromic character.

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A metabolite of daidzein, 6,7,4′‐trihydroxyisoflavone, suppresses adipogenesis in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes via ATP‐competitive inhibition of PI3K
Authors: Seo Sang Gwon , Yang Hee , Shin Seung Ho , Min Soyun , Kim Yeong A. , Yu Jae Gak , Lee Dong Eun , Chung Min‐Yu , Heo Yong‐Seok , Kwon Jung Yeon , Yue Shuhua , Kim Kee Hong , Cheng Ji‐Xin , Lee Ki Won , Lee Hyong Joo
Published: June 2013

Scope

Daidzein is one of the major soy isoflavones. Following ingestion, daidzein is readily metabolized in the liver and converted into hydroxylated metabolites. One such metabolite is 6,7,4′‐trihydroxyisoflavone (6,7,4′‐THIF), which has been the focus of recent studies due to its various health benefits, however, its anti‐adipogenic activity has not been investigated. Our objective was to determine the effects of 6,7,4′‐THIF on adipogenesis in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes and elucidate the mechanisms of action involved.

Methods and results

Adipogenesis was stimulated in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. Both 6,7,4′‐THIF and daidzein were treated in the presence and absence of mixture of isobutylmethylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin (MDI). We observed that 6,7,4′‐THIF, but not daidzein, inhibited MDI‐induced adipogenesis significantly at 40 and 80 μM, associated with decreased peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ and C/EBP‐α protein expression. 6,7,4′‐THIF significantly suppressed MDI‐induced lipid accumulation in the early stage of adipogenesis, attributable to a suppression of cell proliferation and the induction of cell cycle arrest. We also determined that 6,7,4′‐THIF, but not daidzein, attenuated phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. 6,7,4′‐THIF was found to inhibit PI3K activity via direct binding in an ATP‐competitive manner.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that 6,7,4′‐THIF suppresses adipogenesis in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes by directly targeting PI3K. Soy isoflavones like 6,7,4′‐THIF may have potential for development into novel treatment strategies for chronic obesity.
Minimum‐weight subgraphs with unicyclic components and a lower‐bounded girth
Authors: Ben‐Ameur Walid , Hadji Makhlouf , Ouorou Adam
Published: June 2013

This article focuses on the problem of computing a minimum‐weight subgraph with unicyclic connected components. Although this problem is generally easy, it becomes difficult when a girth constraint is added. A polyhedral study is proposed. Many facets and valid inequalities are derived. Some of them can be exactly separated in polynomial time. Hence, the problem is solved by a cutting‐plane algorithm based on these inequalities and using a compact formulation derived from the transversality of the bicircular matroid. Numerical results are also presented. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2013
Evaluation of pregnancy outcome records in the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database (GePaRD)
Authors: Mikolajczyk RT , Kraut AA , Garbe E
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Routine health care data are a valuable source for the assessment of risks of drugs during pregnancy. Therefore, the aim of the current analysis was the evaluation of pregnancy outcome records in German health insurance data.

Methods

We used the German Pharmacoepidemiologic Research Database including data of more than 15 million insurants (about 18% of the German population). Among 10–49 year‐old women, we identified six categories of pregnancy outcomes: term births, preterm births, stillbirths, induced abortions, spontaneous abortions and ectopic pregnancies. In order to assess the validity of these records, we have set our results in relation to representative data for the corresponding outcomes in Germany. We also investigated whether pregnancy markers (diagnoses, procedures or medical services which indicate an existing pregnancy) can be used to identify pregnancies.

Results

In total, we identified 94 261 pregnancy outcomes in 2005. The percentage of births outside hospital (1.2%) and of preterm births (11.6%), the rate of stillbirths (3 per 1000 live births) and the rate of ectopic pregnancies (20 per 1000 live births) agreed well with representative data for Germany. Compared to epidemiological data, the occurrence of spontaneous abortions was underestimated (5.4% of all pregnancies). There were 4.1 induced abortions per 100 live births, compared to 18.1 in national data. Positive predictive values and sensitivities of markers varied across marker categories and for different pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions

Completeness of pregnancy outcomes recorded in the database varied by pregnancy outcome. This should be taken into account in studies of drug safety in pregnancy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.