bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Spatiotemporal Land use/cover Change of Adana City
Authors: Akın A. , Erdoğan M. A. , Berberoğlu S.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. The major driving factors for land use planning are largely limited to socio-economic inputs that do not completely represent the spatio-temporal patterns and ecological inputs have often been neglected. Integration of remote sensing and GIS techniques enabled successful applications in characterizing the spatiotemporal trends of land use/land cover (LULC) change. This study demonstrated an approach that combines remote sensing, landscape metrics, and LULC change analysis as a promising tool for understanding spatiotemporal patterns of Adana city. Calculation of spatial metrics was based on a categorical, patch-based representation of the landscape. Landscape metrics are conceptual framework for sustainable landscape and ecological planning. LULC change analysis was performed by considering the metric calculation. Post-classification technique was used for the metric based change detection and two different remotely sensed data set recorded in 1967 (CORONA) and 2007 (ALOS AVNIR) were used for the analysis. Additionally, a LULC projection for the year 2023 was also generated and integrated to the change analysis. SLEUTH model was utilised as a urban growth model for the future developments of study area in the scope of Cellular Automata (CA). SLEUTH model contains the main elements that characterize the core characteristics of CA: it works in a grid space of homogeneous cells, with a neighburhood of eight cells, two cell states and five transition rules that act in sequential time steps. Most useful and relevant metrics for landscape including: percentage of landscape, patch density, edge density, largest patch index, Euclidian mean nearest neighbor distance, area weighted mean patch fractal dimension and contagion were calculated for the 1967, 2007 and 2023 LULC maps and temporal changes were determined for the study area. Most considerable change was observed on the agricultural areas. Urban sprawl is the major driving factor of the LULC change.
Comparison of support vector machine and object based classification methods for coastline detection
Authors: Kalkan K. , Bayram B. , Maktav D. , Sunar F.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. Detection of coastline is an important procedure for management of coastal zones. According to the International Geographic Data Committee (IGDC), coastlines are one of the most important environmental heritages on the earth’s surface. In the coastal areas, main challenge is to understand the present coastline dynamics and to predict its future developments. Therefore the coastal zone monitoring is an essential process for sustainable coastal management and environmental protection. Shoreline extraction is an important issue for coastal zone monitoring. In this study, efficiency of two different methods for detection of coastline features from satellite images, which cover Lakeland region of Turkey, has been tested. Firstly, object based classification method (OBC) has been used to extract shoreline automatically. Developed process based rule set extracts coastline as a vector file from satellite imagery. As a second method, support vector machine (SVM) algorithm has been used to extract coastline. For the application of these two different methods, Landsat 8 data have been used. The results of these two automatic coastline extraction methods were compared with the results derived from manual digitization process. Random control points over the coastline were used in the evaluation. Results showed that both methods have a sub-pixel accuracy to detect coastline features from Landsat 8 imagery.
An Improved Multi-Temporal Insar Method for Increasing Spatial Resolution of Surface Deformation Measurements
Authors: Li T. , Liu G. , Jia H. , Lin H. , Zhang R. , Yu B. , Luo Q.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. The multi-temporal interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technology has proven very useful in extracting surface deformation with time series of SAR images over a study area. To increase spatial resolution of deformation information, this paper presents an improved multi-temporal InSAR (MTI) method by tracking both the point-like targets (PTs) and the distributed targets (DTs) with temporal steadiness of radar backscattering. The valid pixels corresponding to PTs and DTs are identified mainly by thresholding of the amplitude dispersion index (ADI) and the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC). To efficiently reduce error propagation, a hierarchical analysis strategy is applied to extract deformation rates at the valid pixels. For the pixels with lower ADI values, the deformation rates are estimated on an optimized network by a least squared estimator and a region growing method. For the pixels with higher ADI values, they are classified into several groups by the ADI intervals, and the deformation rates are estimated through the multi-levels of processing. The nonlinear deformation values at all the valid pixels are estimated by spatiotemporally filtering and spatially integrating. The proposed MTI algorithm has been tested for subsidence detection over Tianjin in China using the 40 high resolution TerraSAR-X images acquired between 2009 and 2010, and validated by using the ground-based leveling measurements. The testing results indicate that the spatial resolution and coverage of subsidence data can be increased dramatically by the hierarchical analysis, and the accuracy in subsidence values derived from the MTI solution can reach up to a millimeter level.
Visual analytics for built-up area understanding from metric resolution Earth observation data
Authors: Lozano J. , Quartulli M. , Tamayo I. , Laka M. , Olaizola I.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. Large scale archives can benefit the application of visual analytics methodologies aimed at characterizing their contents by the effective inclusion of the human analyst in the interpretation loop. Exploiting the knowledge of users that are not remote sensing experts requires the design of easy to use applications. Applied analytical reasoning by visual representations involves methodological aspects dealing with both the design of multiple interactive visualizations as well as data representation and transformation considerations. We present examples of such methodological aspects aiming at the understanding and characterization of metric resolution datasets acquired on urban environments.
Monitoring and change detection of Wadden Sea areas using Lidar data
Authors: Schmidt A. , Soergel U.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. In coastal areas morphological changes of various kinds are caused by tidal flows, storms, climate change, and human activities. For these reasons a recurrent monitoring becomes necessary in order to detect undesired changes at early stages enabling rapid countermeasures to mitigate or minimize potential harm or hazard. The morphology of the terrain can be represented by highly precise digital terrain models (DTM). Airborne lidar (light detection and ranging) has become a standard method for DTM generation in coastal zones like Wadden Sea areas. In comparison to echo sounding systems, lidar is feasible for data acquisition of large areas. However, only the eulittoral zone can be covered by standard laser because the near-infrared laser pulses are not able to penetrate water which remains, for example, in some tidal channels even during low tide. In the framework of a German research project, we analyse the spatial and temporal variability of Wadden Sea areas in the North Sea. For a systematic monitoring and the detection of morphological changes we compare terrain models of two different epochs in order to determine height differences which can be caused by natural influences or human activities. We focus especially on the analysis of morphological changes near to tidal channels. In order to detect changes we compare the location of edges derived from each DTM based on the gray values' gradients. Our results for a test site in the German Wadden Sea show height differences up to 1 m due to the shifting of tidal channels and relocations of the channels up to 55 m within a period of two years.
One-to-Many Registration of Landsat Imagery
Authors: Barazzetti L. , Scaioni M. , Gianinetto M.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. This paper presents an innovative methodology for the registration of multiple satellite scenes by using a global Least Squares adjustment. The main advantage in relation to traditional approaches concerns the combined use of all the images of the dataset to obtain a more robust and comprehensive registration along with a statistical evaluation of the solution accuracy. This technique avoids standard matching solutions (implemented in several commercial software packages) where pairs of images are independently co-registered on the basis of an "one-to-one" approach, starting from points extracted via independent "image-to-master" matching. Once a set of corresponding multi-image features is extracted from the whole dataset, the implemented algorithm provides a global mapping function for an adjustment process that simultaneously includes all the available data. The multi-image matching process (coined "one-to-many" approach) is performed by exploiting multi-temporal image combinations to obtain features visible in as many scenes as possible. The features are then clustered to generate a regular structure of image coordinates for the following Least Squares adjustment phase. The method is able to manage features visible in as many images as possible and is therefore a powerful alternative for registering satellite data which do not directly share common features with the master. Some examples will be illustrated to report the feasibility of the registration algorithm and to prove its sub-pixel accuracy for the specific case of Landsat images.
Detecting Subsidence Along a High Speed Railway by Ultrashort Baseline TCP-InSAR with High Resolution Images
Authors: Dai K.R. , Liu G. X. , Yu B. , Jia H. G. , Ma D. Y. , Wang X. W.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. A High Speed Railway goes across Wuqing district of Tianjin, China. Historical studies showed that the land subsidence of this area was very serious, which would give rise to huge security risk to the high speed railway. For detecting the detailed subsidence related to the high speed railway, we use the multi-temporal InSAR (MT-InSAR) technique to extract regional scale subsidence of Wuqing district. Take it into consideration that Wuqing district is a suburban region with large area of low coherence farmland, we select the temporarily coherent point InSAR (TCP-InSAR) approach for MT-InSAR analysis. The TCP-InSAR is a potential approach for detecting land subsidence in low coherence areas as it can identify and analysis coherent points between just two images and can acquire a reliable solution without conventional phase unwrapping. This paper extended the TCP-InSAR with use of ultrashort spatial baseline (USB) interferograms. As thetopographic effects are negligible in the USB interferograms, an external digital elevation model (DEM) is no longer needed in interferometric processing, and the parameters needed to be estimated were simplified at the same time. With use of 17 TerraSAR-X (TSX) images acquired from 2009 to 2010 over Wuqing district, the annual subsidence rates along the high speed railway were derived by the USB-TCPInSAR approach. Two subsidence funnels were found at ShuangJie town and around Wuqing Station with subsidence rate of −17 ∼ −27 mm/year and −7 ∼ −17 mm/year, respectively. The subsidence rates derived by USB-TCPInSAR were compared with those derived by the conventional TCP-InSAR that uses an external DEM for differential interferometry. The mean and the standard deviation of the differences between two types of results at 370697 TCPs are −4.43 × 10−6 mm/year and ±1.4673 mm/year, respectively. Further comparison with the subsidence results mentioned in several other studies were made, which shows good consistencies. The results verify that even without using a DEM the USB-TCPInSAR method can detect land subsidence accurately in flat areas.
Comparing Process-Based Net Primary Productivity Models in a Mediterranean Watershed
Authors: Donmez C. , Berberoglu S. , Forrest M. , Cilek A. , Hickler T.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. The aim of this study was to compare the estimation capability of two different process-based NPP models (CASA and LPJGUESS) in a Mediterranean watershed. Remotely sensed data and climate time series (temperature, precipitation and solar radiation) were input to these models in the example of Goksu River Basin which is located in the Eastern Mediterranean Part of Turkey. The comparison of these models was based on output variables. These variables were divided into three groups; (i) spatiallyinterpolated total NPP estimations, (ii) NPP distribution of land cover classes, (iii) annual and monthly based NPP variations. Different model approaches were evaluated within their capability to prove the relationship between annual / monthly NPP and major climatic variables. The effect of vegetation distribution on the accuracy of models was examined. The uncertainities of the CASA and LPJ-GUESS model were evaluated by incorporating remotely sensed data, percent tree cover and ground measurements. The differences between model outputs were guided to enhance modelling strategies by means of remotely sensed data and other input parameters.
TopoCad – A unified system for geospatial data and services
Authors: Felus Y. A. , Sagi Y. , Regev R. , Keinan E.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. "E-government" is a leading trend in public sector activities in recent years. The Survey of Israel set as a vision to provide all of its services and datasets online. The TopoCad system is the latest software tool developed in order to unify a number of services and databases into one on-line and user friendly system. The TopoCad system is based on Web 1.0 technology; hence the customer is only a consumer of data. All data and services are accessible for the surveyors and geo-information professional in an easy and comfortable way. The future lies in Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 technologies through which professionals can upload their own data for quality control and future assimilation with the national database. A key issue in the development of this complex system was to implement a simple and easy (comfortable) user experience (UX). The user interface employs natural language dialog box in order to understand the user requirements. The system then links spatial data with alpha-numeric data in a flawless manner. The operation of the TopoCad requires no user guide or training. It is intuitive and self-taught. The system utilizes semantic engines and machine understanding technologies to link records from diverse databases in a meaningful way. Thus, the next generation of TopoCad will include five main modules: users and projects information, coordinates transformations and calculations services, geospatial data quality control, linking governmental systems and databases, smart forms and applications. The article describes the first stage of the TopoCad system and gives an overview of its future development.
Dynamics of simple earthquake model with time delay and variation of friction strength
Authors: Kostić S. , Vasović N. , Franović I. , Todorović K.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. We examine the dynamical behaviour of the phenomenological Burridge–Knopoff-like model with one and two blocks, where the friction term is supplemented by the time delay τ and the variable friction strength c. Time delay is assumed to reflect the initial quiescent period of the fault healing, considered to be a function of history of sliding. Friction strength parameter is proposed to mimic the impact of fault gouge thickness on the rock friction. For the single-block model, interplay of the introduced parameters c and τ is found to give rise to oscillation death, which corresponds to aseismic creeping along the fault. In the case of two blocks, the action of c1, c2, τ1 and τ1 may result in several effects. If both blocks exhibit oscillatory motion without the included time delay and frictional strength parameter, the model undergoes transition to quasiperiodic motion if only c1 and c2 are introduced. The same type of behaviour is observed when τ1 and τ2 are varied under the condition c1 = c2. However, if c1, and τ1 are fixed such that the given block would lie at the equilibrium while c2 and τ2 are varied, the (c2, τ2) domains supporting quasiperiodic motion are interspersed with multiple domains admitting the stationary solution. On the other hand, if (c1, τ1) warrant oscillatory behaviour of one block, under variation of c2 and τ2 the system's dynamics is predominantly quasiperiodic, with only small pockets of (c2, τ2) parameter space admitting the periodic motion or equilibrium state. For this setup, one may also find a transient chaos-like behaviour, a point corroborated by the positive value of the maximal Lyapunov exponent for the corresponding time series.
A Prospective Observational Study of Chronic Prostatitis with Emphasis on Epidemiological and Microbiological Features
Authors: Stamatiou Konstantinos , Karageorgopoulos Drosos E.
Published: October 2013

Objectives

Despite the progress made in recent years in understanding and diagnosing chronic prostatitis (CP) many cases are still underdiagnosed and undertreated for unknown reasons. The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiological data of patients with symptoms of CP and to associate data from medical history and clinical examination with the results of laboratory tests.

Methods

The study population consisted of individuals with reported pelvic discomfort and genital pain with or without lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual dysfunction visiting our department from 03/2009 to 03/2011. Patients underwent Meares-Stamey test (a few cases underwent the two-glass test). Depending on history and specific symptoms, urethral smear and sperm cultures were additionally obtained from several patients. The processes and reading of the samples were performed by a specialist microbiologist, who has not notified the patient record.

Results

114 out of 155 patients who finally enrolled into the study had a medical history, 69 had sexual behavior and 72 sexual habits that predispose to chronic prostatitis. The clinical examination was not diagnostic in 43.8% of cases. The urethral smear and sperm culture diagnosed coexistent urethral infection in 22 cases. 54 out of the 72 positive EPS/VB3/PPM cultures grew one, 11 two to three and 5 cultures grew more than three different organisms.

Conclusions

Findings of this study debate some widely accepted considerations on the etiology and diagnosis of chronic prostatitis and highlight the uncertainties and controversies regarding chronic prostatitis etiology, pathophysiology, presentation and diagnosis.
Treatment of physical disorder in children with mental disorder: A health care utilization study
Authors: Ghuttora Harleen K , Cawthorpe David
Published: October 2013

Objective: This study examines, across physician billing, ambulatory and inpatient/emergency datasets, the health care utilization of individuals under the age of 18 years for physical disorders in relationship to the existence of a physician assigned psychiatric disorder. Methods: A retrospective sample of all visit records from three datasets (physician billing, ambulatory records, and inpatient/emergency records n = 12687710) was constructed for cases (n = 26392) and comparisons (n = 205281). The mean number of visits for physical disorders (excluding psychiatric disorders) was calculated for groups defined as cases and comparisons with and without psychiatric disorders. Results: Among Cases and Comparisons with and without psychiatric disorders, physical disorders are significantly greater for any with psychiatric disorder over the 16 years study period in both physician billing and ambulatory datasets. This result differs in the inpatient/emergency dataset in that cases have about 1/3 the number of admissions for physical diagnoses. Conclusion: It was unexpected that cases with a psychiatric diagnosis in the physician billing dataset had fewer physical disorder related inpatient and emergency admissions. We explore the putative explanations for the observed treatment bias related to physical disorders of children with psychiatric disorders.
Depsidones from an Endophytic Fungus Chaetomium sp. Associated with Zanthoxylum leprieurii
Authors: Talontsi Ferdinand Mouafo , Douanla-Meli Clovis , Laatsch Hartmut
Published: October 2013

A new depsidone, namely chaetosidone A (1), together with six known fungal metabolites were obtained from a culture of Chaetomium sp., an endophytic fungus isolated from Zanthoxylum leprieurii leaves. The structure of the new compound 1 was elucidated using MS and NMR experiments, and by biosynthetic considerations. Chaetosidone A (1) is the missing link in the series of orsellinic acid-derived depsidones. Compound 1, corynesidone B (2) and corynether (3) displayed inhibitory effects on two Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, at concentrations of 40 mg per paper disk and moderate toxicity towards brine shrimp larvae (Artemia salina).
Synthesis, Structure and Properties of Lanthanide-Organic Frameworks with Imidazolylmethylisophthalate Ligands
Authors: Cheng Xiao-Chun , Zhu Xiao-Hong
Published: October 2013

Three new lanthanide-organic frameworks {[Ln(L)(OClO3)(H2O)]·0.5H2O}n [Ln=Sm (1), Eu (2), Er (3)] have been prepared by hydrothermal reactions of the corresponding lanthanide oxide (Ln2O3), silver perchlorate (AgClO4) and 5-(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)isophthalic acid. The complexes have been characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. In 1-3, the metal centers are eight-coordinated to show polyhedral coordination geometries with an LnO8 donor set. The imidazolyl groups are free of coordination, and the perchlorate and carboxylate groups bridge the Ln3+ cations leading to the formation of wave-like layer structures containing metal-chains. The fluorescence properties of complex 2 were investigated.
Solve It! Lemon Tea?
Authors: Bair Sherry L.
Published: October 2013

To elicit creative student thinking, this open-ended problem asks solvers to calculate mixtures of lemon and tea.
Dropping In on the Math of Plinko
Authors: Naresh Nirmala , Royce Bridget
Published: October 2013

Students design game boards and gather experimental data to better understand the hidden mathematics in a common television game show.
Genetically Modified Neural Stem Cells for a Local and Sustained Delivery of Neuroprotective Factors to the Dystrophic Mouse Retina
Authors: Jung Gila , Sun Jing , Petrowitz Bettina , Riecken Kristoffer , Kruszewski Katharina , Jankowiak Wanda , Kunst Frank , Skevas Christos , Richard Gisbert , Fehse Boris , Bartsch Udo
Published: October 2013

A continuous intraocular delivery of neurotrophic factors (NFs) is being explored as a strategy to rescue photoreceptor cells and visual functions in degenerative retinal disorders that are currently untreatable. To establish a cell-based intraocular delivery system for a sustained administration of NFs to the dystrophic mouse retina, we used a polycistronic lentiviral vector to genetically modify adherently cultivated murine neural stem (NS) cells. The vector concurrently encoded a gene of interest, a reporter gene, and a resistance gene and thus facilitated the selection, cloning, and in vivo tracking of the modified cells. To evaluate whether modified NS cells permit delivery of functionally relevant quantities of NFs to the dystrophic mouse retina, we expressed a secretable variant of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in NS cells and grafted the cells into the vitreous space of Pde6brd1 and Pde6brd10 mice, two animal models of retinitis pigmentosa. In both mouse lines, grafted cells attached to the retina and lens, where they differentiated into astrocytes and some neurons. Adverse effects of the transplanted cells on the morphology of host retinas were not observed. Importantly, the CNTF-secreting NS cells significantly attenuated photoreceptor degeneration in both mutant mouse lines. The neuroprotective effect was significantly more pronounced when clonally derived NS cell lines selected for high expression levels of CNTF were grafted into Pde6brd1 mice. Intravitreal transplantations of modified NS cells may thus represent a useful method for preclinical studies aimed at evaluating the therapeutic potential of a cell-based intraocular delivery of NFs in mouse models of photoreceptor degeneration.
Regards furtifs sur la fiction (1646-1754)
Authors: Sermain Jean-Paul
Published: October 2013

Les réflexions sur le roman au xviiie siècle envisagent la fiction dans un cadre assez traditionnel et stable. Il a paru préférable de suivre une série d’auteurs qui, traitant des marges du roman, de ses formes archaïques ou de petits genres, sont amenés à les défendre au nom de la fiction, et ainsi à en élaborer des conceptions fort riches ; on a tenté de les interpréter en les confrontant aux orientations futures du genre romanesque et de son appréhension. La réflexion sur le roman ne se cantonne donc pas dans les programmes qui accompagnent les pratiques dominantes, mais ce qui peut se penser dans les marges et parfois à propos d’autres objets ne peut être pleinement compris qu’en relation avec les inventions à venir des écrivains et avec les développements du genre.
Le discours sur le roman dans le panorama urbain
Authors: Boucher Geneviève
Published: October 2013

Bien que Louis Sébastien Mercier ait consacré deux ouvrages à des questions d’ordre poétique (De la littérature et Du théâtre), le panorama urbain qu’il esquisse dans le Tableau de Paris (1781-1788) lui fournit un prétexte pour réfléchir à la fonction de la littérature dans la cité ainsi qu’aux moyens de moderniser l’esthétique des oeuvres pour accroître leur portée. Si, dans son oeuvre panoramique, il consacre quelques passages au roman, ce genre ne fait pas l’objet d’une critique isolée : le discours sur le roman s’élabore essentiellement dans les interstices du discours sur le drame, dont Mercier a contribué à définir la forme moderne. Le roman se taille néanmoins une place de plus en plus importante à mesure qu’avance le projet du Tableau. C’est autour des débats sur le style que se cristallise le discours théorique sur le roman. Le style romanesque se pose en modèle en ce qu’il semble le plus à même d’établir une communication intime entre l’auteur et le lecteur et de mettre en branle une chaîne émotive par laquelle l’oeuvre peut véritablement agir sur le lecteur. Après la Révolution, dans Le nouveau Paris (1799) qui sert de suite au Tableau de Paris, le discours théorique sur le roman disparaît, mais il est réinvesti au sein de la narration. Dans plusieurs passages de cette oeuvre qui doit tracer le portrait du Paris postrévolutionnaire tout en faisant l’histoire de la Révolution, Mercier renonce à la neutralité historiographique et mobilise des procédés typiquement romanesques pour créer un effet esthétique et émouvoir le lecteur. Le romanesque devient ainsi l’un des vecteurs du sublime et du pittoresque que l’on cherche désormais à conférer à l’histoire.
La formation du lecteur de romans
Authors: Fournier Michel
Published: October 2013

En abordant la question de la formation du lecteur de romans au xviiie siècle, cet article cherche à montrer que l’héritage de la poétique classique, qui traverse l’enseignement des belles-lettres et le discours critique sur le roman, est non pas un frein au développement de la forme romanesque, mais un élément essentiel dans le développement de la culture du roman. Si le roman occupe une place marginale dans l’enseignement des belles-lettres, sa lecture n’y fait pas moins l’objet d’une certaine forme d’initiation dans le cadre de la transmission d’une culture plus vaste de la fiction. À travers la lecture de genres comme l’épopée et surtout la fable, le lecteur développe des pratiques qui intégreront, par la suite, la forme romanesque. Loin d’être les échos d’une poétique dépassée, les références à ces formes et à la poétique classique dans le discours sur le genre romanesque contribuent à ce transfert d’horizon de lecture. Équivalent de la formation « scolaire » moderne, cette formation des lecteurs est un préalable à la revendication d’une lecture romanesque plus autonome, qui accompagne l’affirmation du genre.
Berlin/London: London/Berlin — Cultural Transfer, Musical Theatre and the ‘Cosmopolitan’, 1890–1914
Authors: Platt Len , Becker Tobias
Published: October 2013

During the period 1890–1914, a highly developed system of cultural transfer saw musicals being exchanged on a global scale. Traffic was continental - between such sites as London, Paris, Vienna, Berlin and Budapest - transatlantic and across the Empire. This essay focuses on one of the least explored legs of the network, London/Berlin. The aims are to contribute to contemporary debates about cosmopolitanism and its relations with formations of modernism, to shed light on how the culture industry was formulated at this early period and to examine relations between Britain and Germany in the ‘Age of Empire’, usually viewed in terms of an essential and almost unbridgeable Anglo-German antagonism, but which, against a more everyday reality, were considerably more ambiguous and nuanced.
Growth hormone-releasing hormone disruption extends lifespan and regulates response to caloric restriction in mice
Authors: Sun Liou Y , Spong Adam , Swindell William R , Fang Yimin , Hill Cristal , Huber Joshua A , Boehm Jacob D , Westbrook Reyhan , Salvatori Roberto , Bartke Andrzej
Published: October 2013

We examine the impact of targeted disruption of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) in mice on longevity and the putative mechanisms of delayed aging. GHRH knockout mice are remarkably long-lived, exhibiting major shifts in the expression of genes related to xenobiotic detoxification, stress resistance, and insulin signaling. These mutant mice also have increased adiponectin levels and alterations in glucose homeostasis consistent with the removal of the counter-insulin effects of growth hormone. While these effects overlap with those of caloric restriction, we show that the effects of caloric restriction (CR) and the GHRH mutation are additive, with lifespan of GHRH-KO mutants further increased by CR. We conclude that GHRH-KO mice feature perturbations in a network of signaling pathways related to stress resistance, metabolic control and inflammation, and therefore provide a new model that can be used to explore links between GHRH repression, downregulation of the somatotropic axis, and extended longevity.
Global cellular response to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis
Authors: Wiita Arun P , Ziv Etay , Wiita Paul J , Urisman Anatoly , Julien Olivier , Burlingame Alma L , Weissman Jonathan S , Wells James A
Published: October 2013

How cancer cells globally struggle with a chemotherapeutic insult before succumbing to apoptosis is largely unknown. Here we use an integrated systems-level examination of transcription, translation, and proteolysis to understand these events central to cancer treatment. As a model we study myeloma cells exposed to the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, a first-line therapy. Despite robust transcriptional changes, unbiased quantitative proteomics detects production of only a few critical anti-apoptotic proteins against a background of general translation inhibition. Simultaneous ribosome profiling further reveals potential translational regulation of stress response genes. Once the apoptotic machinery is engaged, degradation by caspases is largely independent of upstream bortezomib effects. Moreover, previously uncharacterized non-caspase proteolytic events also participate in cellular deconstruction. Our systems-level data also support co-targeting the anti-apoptotic regulator HSF1 to promote cell death by bortezomib. This integrated approach offers unique, in-depth insight into apoptotic dynamics that may prove important to preclinical evaluation of any anti-cancer compound.
Quantified turbulent diffusion of suspended sediment using acoustic Doppler current profilers
Authors: Sassi M. G. , F. Hoitink A. J. , Vermeulen B.
Published: October 2013

Collocated profiles of the Reynolds stress tensor and eddy covariance fluxes are obtained to derive vertical profiles of turbulent momentum and sediment diffusivity in a tidal river, using coupled acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs). Shear and normal stresses are obtained by combining the variances in radial velocities measured by the ADCP beams. The covariances between radial velocities and calibrated acoustic backscatter allow the determination of the three Cartesian components of the turbulent flux of suspended sediment. The main advantage of this new approach is that flow velocity and sediment concentration measurements are exactly collocated, and allowing for profiling over longer ranges, in comparison to existing techniques. Results show that vertical profiles of the inverse turbulent Prandtl‐Schmidt number are coherent with corresponding profiles of the sediment diffusivity, rather than with profiles of the eddy viscosity.
Impact assessment of dam construction and forest management for Japanese macaque habitats in snowy areas
Authors: Enari Hiroto , Sakamaki‐Enari Haruka
Published: October 2013

Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) in their northernmost habitats represent a keystone species and play a central role in heavy snowfall ecosystems. However, distributions have been restricted by pre‐war hunting, and populations are facing issues of natural forest losses caused by new dam constructions and massive conifer plantations. In the present study, we predicted the influences of these environmental conditions on macaque habitats during each season, and evaluated the effect of natural forest restoration as a mitigation measure. We constructed multiple habitat suitability models on the basis of different forest change scenarios, by using maximum entropy modeling (Maxent). We predicted the influence of each scenario by calculating the habitat unit (habitat quality × habitat quantity). We made the following predictions: (1) the influences of environmental conditions on habitat models vary seasonally, but dam construction destroys the optimum macaque habitats in every season; (2) restoration of conifer plantations to semi‐natural forests does not always contribute to the improvement of total habitat unit, except in snowy seasons; and (3) in comparison with encouraging natural forest restoration in plantation areas and maintaining the standard‐rotation plantation management, the implementation of long‐rotation plantation in existing plantation areas provides more suitable alternative habitats for macaques in non‐snowy seasons. Am. J. Primatol. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reactive, intumescent, halogen‐free flame retardant for polypropylene
Authors: Li Guixun , Wang Wanjie , Cao Shaokui , Cao Yanxia , Wang Jingwu
Published: October 2013

A reactive, intumescent, halogen‐free flame retardant, 2‐({9‐[(4,6‐diamino‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)amino]‐3,9‐dioxido‐2,4,8,10‐tetraoxa‐3,9‐diphosphaspiro[5.5]undecan‐3‐yl}oxy)ethyl methacrylate (EADP), was synthesized through a simple three‐step reaction from phosphorus oxychloride, pentaerythritol, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and melamine. EADP exhibited excellent thermal stability and char‐forming ability, as revealed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The TGA results show that the temperature at 5% weight loss was 297.8°C and the char yield at 700°C was 51.75%. SEM observation revealed that the char showed a continuous and compact surface and a cellular inner structure with different sizes. Composite of polypropylene (PP) with a 25 wt % addition of EADP (PP/EADP25) passed the UL‐94 V‐0 rating and showed a limiting oxygen index value of 31.5. Compared with those of neat PP, the flexural strength and modulus values of PP/EADP25 were somewhat improved, the tensile strength was basically unchanged, and the notched Izod impact strength was slightly decreased. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2014,131, 40054.
Preparation of a magnetic chitosan composite adsorbent by ammonia fumigation
Authors: Wang Yong , Xiong Xiaopeng , Zou Weiwei
Published: October 2013

A magnetic chitosan (CS) composite material was synthesized successfully by a new procedure, ammonia fumigation, which is suitable for large‐scale production. CS dissolved in an aqueous acetic acid solution was mixed with [Fe(SO4)2]2− and [Fe(SO4)2]− ions to obtain a light yellow precipitate, which was then exposed to ammonia vapor to prepare the composite adsorbent product. The microstructure of the composite was studied by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicate that Fe3O4 particles 3–7 nm in size were formed in situ and were stabilized in the CS matrix. The composite adsorbent showed superparamagnetic properties with a saturation magnetization of about 11.0 emu/g. Moreover, the composite material displayed good adsorption of methyl orange and copper ions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40057.
Effects of Polyvinylpyrrolidone on the Preparation of Supported La2O3 Catalysts by a Modified Impregnation Method for the Oxidative Coupling of Methane
Authors: Hou Yu‐Hui , Lin Yin‐Liang , Li Qi , Weng Wei‐Zheng , Xia Wen‐Sheng , Wan Hui‐Lin
Published: October 2013

The direct transformation of methane, such as oxidative coupling of methane (OCM), is a long‐standing challenge in methane utilization. Keeping this objective in mind, we explored the dispersion and acid–base effects of the catalysts on OCM. Herein, we prepared a series of La2O3/MgO catalysts by using a modified impregnation method with polyvinylpyrrolidone added to impregnated solutions. The BET, XRD, SEM, and TEM characterizations of the samples confirm that La2O3 dispersion on MgO increases with the addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone and the particles become smaller in size and more uniform in distribution. High catalytic performances (e.g., the C2 yield ≈16 %) of the well‐dispersed La2O3/MgO catalysts for OCM are demonstrated at a lower temperature (e.g., 550 °C) and a lower loading (e.g., 1.9 wt %). In addition, with the modification of acid–base properties of the supports, we find that base properties of the supports are responsible for C2 formation and acidic properties of the supports are responsible for COx formation. These properties establish a good correlation of the dispersion and basicity of the catalysts with the catalytic performances of the catalysts for OCM.
Fluorescent genetic barcoding in mammalian cells for enhanced multiplexing capabilities in flow cytometry
Authors: Smurthwaite Cameron A. , Hilton Brett J. , O'Hanlon Ryan , Stolp Zachary D. , Hancock Bryan M. , Abbadessa Darin , Stotland Aleksandr , Sklar Larry A. , Wolkowicz Roland
Published: October 2013

The discovery of the green fluorescent protein from Aequorea victoria has revolutionized the field of cell and molecular biology. Since its discovery a growing panel of fluorescent proteins, fluorophores and fluorescent‐coupled staining methodologies, have expanded the analytical capabilities of flow cytometry. Here, we exploit the power of genetic engineering to barcode individual cells with genes encoding fluorescent proteins. For genetic engineering, we utilize retroviral technology, which allows for the expression of ectopic genetic information in a stable manner in mammalian cells. We have genetically barcoded both adherent and nonadherent cells with different fluorescent proteins. Multiplexing power was increased by combining both the number of distinct fluorescent proteins, and the fluorescence intensity in each channel. Moreover, retroviral expression has proven to be stable for at least a 6‐month period, which is critical for applications such as biological screens. We have shown the applicability of fluorescent barcoded multiplexing to cell‐based assays that rely themselves on genetic barcoding, or on classical staining protocols. Fluorescent genetic barcoding gives the cell an inherited characteristic that distinguishes it from its counterpart. Once cell lines are developed, no further manipulation or staining is required, decreasing time, nonspecific background associated with staining protocols, and cost. The increasing number of discovered and/or engineered fluorescent proteins with unique absorbance/emission spectra, combined with the growing number of detection devices and lasers, increases multiplexing versatility, making fluorescent genetic barcoding a powerful tool for flow cytometry‐based analysis. © 2013 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Diabetes mellitus with normal renal function is associated with anaemia
Authors: Grossman Chagai , Dovrish Zamir , Koren‐Morag Nira , Bornstein Gil , Leibowitz Avshalom
Published: October 2013

Background

Anaemia is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), usually related to renal failure. There is scarce information as to the levels of haemoglobin (Hb) and the rate of anaemia in diabetic patients with normal renal function. We, therefore, evaluated haemoglobin levels and the rate of anaemia in diabetic subjects with normal renal functions [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 60 mL/min].

Methods

The charts of 9250 subjects who attended the Institute of Periodic Medical Examinations at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center for a routine yearly check‐up were reviewed. Four hundred and forty‐five subjects with type 2 DM and normal renal function were indentified and compared with those without DM who were routinely examined at the same time. Subjects' electronic records were used to build a biochemical and clinical database.

Results

Mean haemoglobin levels were lower in subjects with DM than in those without (14.2 vs. 14.7 g/dL, respectively; p < 0.001). Anaemia was observed in 48 (10.8%) subjects in the diabetic group and in only 12 (2.7%) in the nondiabetic group (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, gender, history of gastrointestinal disease, use of beta blockers, renal function and DM were independent determinants of haemoglobin levels. After adjustment for age, gender, history of gastrointestinal tract diseases and renal function, DM remained a significant determinant of anaemia with an odds ratio of 2.15 (confidence interval: 1.07–4.31).

Conclusions

Anaemia is more common in diabetic patients even when eGFR > 60 mL/min. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Day‐1 chick development
Authors: Sheng Guojun
Published: October 2013

The first day of chick development takes place inside the mother hen (in utero), during which the embryo progresses from fertilization to late blastula/early gastrula formation. The salient features of developmental anatomy in this period are conserved among the sauropsids (birds and reptiles). Many of these features are also shared in prototherian (monotreme) embryos, whereas metatherian (marsupial) and eutherian (placental) embryos display significant variations. Important for understanding the evolution of early development in amniotes, the knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating in utero chick development may also offer valuable insight into early lineage specification in prototherians and conserved features in mammalian early development. This commentary provides a snapshot of what is currently known about intrauterine chick development and identifies key issues that await further clarification, including the process of cellularization, allocation of maternal determinants, zygotic gene activation, mid‐blastula transition, cell layer increase and reduction, radial symmetry breaking, early lineage segregation, and role of yolk syncytium in early patterning. Developmental Dynamics 243:357–367, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Titanium‐Mediated Addition of Grignard Reagents to Acyl Cyanohydrins: Aminocyclopropane versus 1,4‐Diketone Formation
Authors: Setzer Paul , Forcher Gwénaël , Boeda Fabien , Pearson‐Long Morwenna S. M. , Bertus Philippe
Published: October 2013

The 1,2‐dianion reactivity of the reagent generated from EtMgBr and titanium isopropoxide was illustrated when N‐acyl cyanohydrins were used as substrates (>20 examples), giving both aminocyclopropane derivatives and 1,4‐dicarbonyl compounds. When the reaction was performed in diethyl ether, 5‐hydroxy‐1,4‐diketones were the main product. Under specific conditions (use of tetrahydrofuran and a bulky carboxylic moiety), the cyclopropane derivatives were obtained in good yields. The observed dichotomy may be explained by a ring‐opening of the five‐membered titanacycle intermediate followed by a nonselective acyl addition.
Pruritus in Cholestasis: Facts and Fiction
Authors: Beuers Ulrich , Kremer Andreas E. , Bolier Ruth , Elferink Ronald P.J. Oude
Published: October 2013

Pruritus is a common symptom in patients with cholestatic liver diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, or hereditary pediatric cholestatic disorders and may accompany, although less frequently, many other liver diseases. Recent findings indicate that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a potent neuronal activator, and autotaxin (ATX; ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 2), the enzyme which forms LPA, may form a key element of the long-sought pruritogenic signaling cascade in cholestatic patients suffering from itch. Serum ATX, but no other pruritogen candidate studied so far, correlates with pruritus intensity and responds to therapeutic interventions. In this comprehensive review, we provide a short update on actual insights in signal transmission related to pruritus and discuss pruritogen candidates in cholestasis. We also summarize evidence-based and guideline-approved as well as experimental therapeutic approaches for patients suffering from pruritus in cholestasis. (Hepatology 2014;60:399–407)
Activated macrophages promote hepatitis C virus entry in a tumor necrosis factor-dependent manner
Authors: Fletcher Nicola F. , Sutaria Rupesh , Jo Juandy , Barnes Amy , Blahova Miroslava , Meredith Luke W. , Cosset Francois-Loic , Curbishley Stuart M. , Adams David H. , Bertoletti Antonio , McKeating Jane A.
Published: October 2013

Macrophages are critical components of the innate immune response in the liver. Chronic hepatitis C is associated with immune infiltration and the infected liver shows a significant increase in total macrophage numbers; however, their role in the viral life cycle is poorly understood. Activation of blood-derived and intrahepatic macrophages with a panel of Toll-like receptor agonists induce soluble mediators that promote hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry into polarized hepatoma cells. We identified tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) as the major cytokine involved in this process. Importantly, this effect was not limited to HCV; TNF-α increased the permissivity of hepatoma cells to infection by Lassa, measles and vesicular stomatitis pseudoviruses. TNF-α induced a relocalization of tight junction protein occludin and increased the lateral diffusion speed of HCV receptor tetraspanin CD81 in polarized HepG2 cells, providing a mechanism for their increased permissivity to support HCV entry. High concentrations of HCV particles could stimulate macrophages to express TNF-α, providing a direct mechanism for the virus to promote infection. Conclusion: This study shows a new role for TNF-α to increase virus entry and highlights the potential for HCV to exploit existing innate immune responses in the liver to promote de novo infection events. (HEPATOLOGY 2014;59:1320-1330)