bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumor necrosis factor-α causes release of cytosolic interleukin-18 from human neutrophils
Authors: Silliman Christopher C. , Kelher Marguerite R. , Gamboni-Robertson Fabia , Hamiel Christine , England Kelly M. , Dinarello Charles A. , Wyman Travis H. , Khan Samina Y. , McLaughlin Nathan J. D. , Bercovitz Rachel S. , Banerjee Anirban
Published: November 2009

Neutrophils (PMNs) are a vital part of host defense and are the principal leukocyte in innate immunity. Interleukin (IL)-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine with roles in both innate and adaptive immunity. We hypothesize that PMNs contain preformed IL-18, which is released in response to specific inflammatory stimuli. Isolated PMNs were stimulated with a battery of chemoattractants (5 min to 24 h), and IL-18 release was measured. PMNs were also separated into subcellular fractions and immunoblotted with antibodies against IL-18 or were fixed and probed with antibodies to IL-18 as well as to the contents of granules, intracellular organelles, and filamentous actin (F-actin), incubated with fluorescent secondary antibodies, and examined by digital microscopy. Quiescent PMNs contained IL-18 in the cytoplasm, associated with F-actin, as determined by positive fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET+). In turn, TNF-α stimulation disrupted the association of IL-18 with F-actin, induced a FRET+ interaction of IL-18 with lipid rafts, and elicited IL-18 release. Manipulation of F-actin status confirmed the relationship between IL-18 and F-actin in resting PMNs. Consequently, incubation with monomeric IL-18 binding protein inhibited TNF-α-mediated priming of the PMN oxidase. We conclude that human PMNs contain IL-18 associated with F-actin in the cytoplasm and TNF-α stimulation causes dissociation of IL-18 from F-actin, association with lipid rafts, and extracellular release. Extracellular IL-18 participates in TNF-α priming of the PMN oxidase as demonstrated by inhibition with the IL-18 binding protein.
Differential expression of vasoactive mediators in microparticle-challenged lungs of chickens that differ in susceptibility to pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Hamal Krishna R. , Wideman Robert F. , Anthony Nicholas B. , Erf Gisela F.
Published: November 2009

Pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS; ascites) in fast growing meat-type chickens (broilers) is characterized by the onset of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) leading to right-sided congestive heart failure and terminal ascites. Intravenous microparticle (MP) injection is a tool used by poultry geneticists to screen for the broilers that are resistant (RES) or susceptible (SUS) to IPAH in a breeding population. MPs occlude pulmonary arterioles and initiate focal inflammation, causing local tissues and responding leukocytes to release vasoactive mediators such as serotonin (5-HT), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and nitric oxide (NO). RT-PCR was used to examine the differences between RES and SUS broilers in terms of gene expression of ET-1, ET receptor types A and B (ETAand ETB), the serotonin transporter (SERT), serotonin receptors (5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2B), endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), and inducible NOS (iNOS) in the lungs of these broilers before (0 h) and after (2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h) MP injection. In SUS broilers MP injection elicited higher ( P < 0.05) pulmonary expression of 5-HT1A, 5-HT2B, and ET-1, which promote vasoconstriction and proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC). In RES broilers the MP injection elicited higher expression of eNOS, iNOS, and ETB, which promote vasodilation and inhibit PASMC proliferation. These observations support the hypothesis that the resistance of broiler chickens to IPAH may be due to the higher expression of vasoactive mediators that favor enhanced vasodilation and attenuated vasoconstriction during MP injection challenges to the pulmonary vasculature.
ANP-mediated inhibition of distal nephron fractional sodium reabsorption in wild-type and mice overexpressing natriuretic peptide receptor
Authors: Zhao Di , Pandey Kailash N. , Navar L. Gabriel
Published: November 2009

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) elicits natriuresis; however, the relative contributions of proximal and distal nephron segments to the overall ANP-induced natriuresis have remained uncertain. This study was performed to characterize the effects of ANP on distal nephron sodium reabsorption determined after blockade of the two major distal nephron sodium transporters with amiloride (5 μg/g body wt) plus bendroflumethiazide (12 μg/g body wt) in male anesthetized C57/BL6 and natriuretic peptide receptor-A gene (Npr1) targeted four-copy mice. The lower dose of ANP (0.1 ng·g body wt−1·min−1, n = 6) increased distal sodium delivery (DSD, 2.4 ± 0.4 vs. 1.6 ± 0.2 μeq/min, P < 0.05) but did not change fractional reabsorption of DSD compared with control (86.3 ± 2.0 vs. 83.9 ± 3.6%, P > 0.05), thus limiting the magnitude of the natriuresis. In contrast, the higher dose (0.2 ng·g body wt−1·min−1, n = 6) increased DSD (2.8 ± 0.3 μeq/min, P < 0.01) and also decreased fractional reabsorption of DSD (67.4 ± 4.5%, P < 0.01), which markedly augmented the natriuresis. In Npr1 gene-duplicated four-copy mice ( n = 6), the lower dose of ANP increased urinary sodium excretion (0.6 ± 0.1 vs. 0.3 ± 0.1 μeq/min, P < 0.05) and decreased fractional reabsorption of DSD compared with control (72.2 ± 3.4%, P < 0.05) at similar mean arterial pressures (91 ± 6 vs. 92 ± 3 mmHg, P > 0.05). These results provide in vivo evidence that ANP-mediated increases in DSD alone exert modest effects on sodium excretion and that inhibition of fractional reabsorption of distal sodium delivery is requisite for the augmented natriuresis in response to the higher dose of ANP or in Npr1 gene-duplicated mice.
Epac-1 activator 8-O-cAMP augments renoprotective effects of allogeneic murine EPCs in acute ischemic kidney injury
Authors: Patschan D. , Patschan S. , Wessels J. T. , Becker J. U. , David S. , Henze E. , Goligorsky M. S. , Müller G. A.
Published: November 2009

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) protect kidneys from acute ischemic damage. The aim of this study was to identify “treatment parameters” that optimize an EPC-based therapy of acute ischemic renal failure. Male C57BL/6N mice underwent unilateral nephrectomy with simultaneous contralateral renal artery clamping for 30, 35, and 40 min. Tagged murine EPCs were systemically injected at the time of reperfusion. In some experiments, EPCs were pretreated with the Epac (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP-1) activator 8-pCPT-2′- O-Me-cAMP (Epac-1 Ac) and the integrin binding antagonist cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp peptide (cRGD). Injections of 106 EPCs after 30 and 35 min of renal ischemia protected animals from acute renal failure. The same effect occurred with 0.5×106 EPCs after a 35-min period of ischemia. If ischemia lasted for 40 min, 0.5×106 cells mice did not prevent acute renal failure. To analyze whether EPC integrin receptor activation would modify the cells' renoprotective activity, EPCs were pretreated with Epac-1 Ac. Such animals did not develop acute renal failure, even if ischemia lasted for 40 min. This effect was negated if the cells were pretreated with both Epac-1 Ac and cRGD. In kidneys from those animals medullopapillary EPCs were significantly accumulated. In vitro Epac-1 Ac preactivation of EPCs did not increase the overall expression intensity but induced a redistribution of β1-integrins toward the cell membranes. We conclude that EPC pretreatment with the integrin receptor activator 8-pCPT-2′- O-Me-cAMP augments the anti-ischemic potential of the cells.
Clinically Relevant Infusion Rates of μ-Opioid Agonist Remifentanil Cause Bradypnea in Decerebrate Dogs but not Via Direct Effects in the pre-Bötzinger Complex Region
Authors: Mustapic Sanda , Radocaj Tomislav , Sanchez Antonio , Dogas Zoran , Stucke Astrid G. , Hopp Francis A. , Stuth Eckehard A. E. , Zuperku Edward J.
Published: November 2009

Systemic administration of μ-opioids at clinical doses for analgesia typically slows respiratory rate. Mu-opioid receptors (MORs) on pre-Bötzinger Complex (pre-BötC) respiratory neurons, the putative kernel of respiratory rhythmogenesis, are potential targets. The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of pre-BötC MORs to the bradypnea produced in vivo by intravenous administration of clinically relevant infusion rates of remifentanil (remi), a short-acting, potent μ-opioid analgesic. In decerebrate dogs, multibarrel micropipettes were used to record pre-BötC neuronal activity and to eject the opioid antagonist naloxone (NAL, 0.5 mM), the glutamate agonist d-homocysteic acid (DLH, 20 mM), or the MOR agonist [d-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, gly-ol5]-enkephalin (DAMGO, 100 μM). Inspiratory and expiratory durations ( TI and TE) and peak phrenic nerve activity (PPA) were measured from the phrenic neurogram. The pre-BötC was functionally identified by its rate altering response (typically tachypnea) to DLH microinjection. During intravenous remi-induced bradypnea (∼60% decrease in central breathing frequency, fB), bilateral injections of NAL in the pre-BötC did not change TI, TE, fB, and PPA. Also, NAL picoejected onto single pre-BötC neurons depressed by intravenous remi had no effect on their discharge. In contrast, ∼60 μg/kg of intravenous NAL rapidly reversed all remi-induced effects. In a separate group of dogs, microinjections of DAMGO in the pre-BötC increased fB by 44%, while subsequent intravenous remi infusion more than offset this DAMGO induced tachypnea. These results indicate that μ-opioids at plasma concentrations that cause profound analgesia produce their bradypneic effect via MORs located outside the pre-BötC region.
Interactions Between Limb and Environmental Mechanics Influence Stretch Reflex Sensitivity in the Human Arm
Authors: Krutky Matthew A. , Ravichandran Vengateswaran J. , Trumbower Randy D. , Perreault Eric J.
Published: November 2009

Stretch reflexes contribute to arm impedance and longer-latency stretch reflexes exhibit increased sensitivity during interactions with compliant or unstable environments. This increased sensitivity is consistent with a regulation of arm impedance to compensate for decreased stability of the environment, but the specificity of this modulation has yet to be investigated. Many tasks, such as tool use, compromise arm stability along specific directions, and stretch reflexes tuned to those directions could present an efficient mechanism for regulating arm impedance in a task-appropriate manner. To be effective, such tuning should adapt not only to the mechanical properties of the environment but to those properties in relation to the arm, which also has directionally specific mechanical properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the specificity of stretch reflex modulation during interactions with mechanical environments that challenge arm stability. The tested environments were unstable, having the characteristics of a negative stiffness spring. These were either aligned or orthogonal to the direction of maximal endpoint stiffness for each subject. Our results demonstrate preferential increases in reflexes, elicited within 50–100 ms of perturbation onset, to perturbations applied specifically along the direction of the destabilizing environments. This increase occurred only when the magnitude of the environmental instability exceeded endpoint stiffness along the same direction. These results are consistent with task-specific reflex modulation tuned to the mechanical properties of the environment relative to those of the human arm. They demonstrate a highly adaptable, involuntary mechanism that may be used to modulate limb impedance along specific directions.
Detection of Fastidious Vaginal Bacteria in Women with HIV Infection and Bacterial Vaginosis
Authors: Mitchell Caroline , Moreira Carla , Fredricks David , Paul Kathleen , Caliendo Angela M. , Kurpewski Jaclynn , Ingersoll Jessica , Cu-Uvin Susan
Published: November 2009

Background. Fastidious bacteria have been associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) using PCR methods. We assessed the prevalence of these bacteria in HIV-1 infected women and their relationship with vaginal pH and shedding of HIV-1 RNA.Methods. 64 cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) samples were collected from 51 women. Vaginal microbiota were characterized using 8 bacterium-specific quantitative PCR assays.Results. Women with the fastidious bacteria Bacterial Vaginosis Associated Bacterium (BVAB) 1, 2, and 3 showed a trend to increased HIV-1 shedding (OR 2.59–3.07,P=.14–.17). Absence ofLactobacillus crispatus(P<.005) and presence of BVAB2 (P<.001) were associated with elevated vaginal pH. BVAB1, 2, and 3 were highly specific indicators of BV in HIV-infected women, with specificities of 89%–93%.Conclusions. Fastidious bacteria (BVAB 1, 2, and 3) remain specific indicators of BV in HIV-infected women, and BVAB2 may contribute to the elevated vaginal pH that is a hallmark of this syndrome.
Merging Mixture Components for Cell Population Identification in Flow Cytometry
Authors: Finak Greg , Bashashati Ali , Brinkman Ryan , Gottardo Raphaël
Published: November 2009

We present a framework for the identification of cell subpopulations in
flow cytometry data based on merging mixture components using the
flowClust methodology. We show that the cluster merging algorithm
under our framework improves model fit and provides a better
estimate of the number of distinct cell subpopulations than
either Gaussian mixture models or flowClust, especially for
complicated flow cytometry data distributions. Our framework
allows the automated selection of the number of distinct cell
subpopulations and we are able to identify cases where the
algorithm fails, thus making it suitable for application in a high
throughput FCM analysis pipeline. Furthermore, we demonstrate a
method for summarizing complex merged cell subpopulations in a
simple manner that integrates with the existing flowClust
framework and enables downstream data analysis. We demonstrate the
performance of our framework on simulated and real FCM data. The
software is available in the flowMerge package through the
Bioconductor project.
Convergence Rates for Probabilities of Moderate Deviations for Multidimensionally Indexed Random Variables
Authors: Deng Dianliang
Published: November 2009

Let be a sequence of i.i.d. real‐valued random
variables, and
, . Convergence rates of moderate deviations are derived; that is, the rates of
convergence to zero of certain tail probabilities of the partial
sums are determined. For example, we obtain equivalent
conditions for the convergence of the series
, where , , ϕ and ψ are taken from a broad class of functions. These results
generalize and improve some results of Li et al. (1992)
and some previous work of Gut (1980).
Effect of Four Bleaching Regimens on Color Changes and Microhardness of Dental Nanofilled Composite
Authors: Silva Costa Simone Xavier , Becker Anne Buss , de Souza Rastelli Alessandra Nara , Monteiro Loffredo Leonor de Castro , de Andrade Marcelo Ferrarezi , Bagnato Vanderlei Salvador
Published: November 2009

Objective. The purpose of this study was to compare the color changes and microhardness of a nanocomposite after four bleaching regimens.Materials. Twenty-five specimens(n=25)were made with a nanocomposite resin (Filtek Supreme XT). The specimens were divided into five groups equally(n=5): bleaching groups and control group, as follows: G1: artificial saliva at37∘C; (control) G2: hydrogen peroxide (HP) at 7%; G3: hydrogen peroxide (HP) at 35%; G4: carbamide peroxide (CP) at 10%; G5: carbamide peroxide (CP) 35%. Color measurements were made with spectrophotometer using CIELAB color scale. The Vickers hardness (VHN) measurements were performed at the top surface. The data were analyzed with two-way Analysis of Variance.Results.ΔE and VHN mean values into the groups were not statistically different, however, the VHN mean values before and after storage and bleaching showed statistically significant differences.Conclusion. Nanocomposite samples showed no significant alteration (color and microhardness) after bleaching. Thus, no replacement of restorations is required after bleaching.
Exercise-Induced Asthma Symptoms and Nighttime Asthma: Are They Similar to AHR?
Authors: Backer V. , Rasmussen L. M.
Published: November 2009

Background. Asthma experienced during exercise and during the night is based on the presence of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). The aim of the present study was to examine whether AHR is a predictor of exercise-induced asthma (EIA) and nighttime symptoms. Material. We included 793 asthmatics subjects with symptoms and a positive asthma test.
Results. Mean (SD) FEV1 was 93% (15), 71% had rhinitis, and 62% had atopy. Both EIA and nighttime symptoms were associated with AHR; however, when including other factors of importance in a multivariate analysis, logRDR was eliminated, whereas FEV1% pred (P<.001), smoking (P<.05), atopy (P<.001), sex (P<.001), and treatment (P<.01) were associated with having EIA while dyspnoea (P<.001), cough (P<.001), and eosinophils (P<.01) were associated with frequent night symptoms. The risk of having nighttime awakenings due to asthma was more than twofold higher among those with EIA symptoms than among those without symptoms (OR (CI95%) 2.77 (2.0–3.8) (P<.001)). In Conclusion. EIA and night symptoms are associated with AHR, but other factors of importance eliminated this close association. Night asthma is more closely associated with airway inflammation than AHR.
Dielectric Behavior of Ceramic (BST)/Epoxy Thick Films
Authors: Hadik N. , Outzourhit A. , Elmansouri A. , Abouelaoualim A. , Oueriagli A. , Ameziane E. L.
Published: November 2009

Composite materials were made by mixing powders of Ba1−xSrxTiO3(x= 0.2 and 0.4) ceramics and epoxy resin with various volume fractions (vol%). Dielectric measurements of these composites were performed as a function of filler ratio in the range 100–360°K at 10 KHz. The dielectric constant of the composite increased with increasing volume fraction varies slightly with temperature. The 20 vol% of BST(0.4)‐epoxy composite had the highest dielectric constant of 19.4 and dielectric loss tangent of 0.027. Among the dielectric mixing models presented, the model of Lichtenecker shows the best fit to the experimental data for both composites.
Inverse Eigenvalue Problem of Unitary Hessenberg Matrices
Authors: Wu Chunhong , Lu Linzhang
Published: November 2009

Let H ∈ ℂn×n be an n × n unitary upper Hessenberg matrix whose subdiagonal elements are all positive, let Hk be the kth leading principal submatrix of H, and let be a modified submatrix of Hk. It is shown that when the minimal and maximal eigenvalues of (k = 1, 2, …, n) are known, H can be constructed uniquely and efficiently. Theoretic analysis, numerical algorithm, and a small example are
given.
Strong Convergence of Generalized Projection Algorithms for Nonlinear Operators
Authors: Klin-eam Chakkrid , Suantai Suthep , Takahashi Wataru
Published: November 2009

We establish strong convergence theorems for finding a common element of
the zero point set of a maximal monotone operator and the fixed point set of two relatively
nonexpansive mappings in a Banach space by using a new hybrid method. Moreover we
apply our main results to obtain strong convergence for a maximal monotone operator and
two nonexpansive mappings in a Hilbert space.
Two‐Step Relaxation Newton Method for Nonsymmetric Algebraic Riccati Equations Arising from Transport Theory
Authors: Wu Shulin , Huang Chengming
Published: November 2009

We propose a new idea to construct an effective algorithm to compute the minimal positive solution of the nonsymmetric algebraic Riccati equations arising from transport theory. For a class of these equations, an important feature is that the minimal positive solution can be obtained by computing the minimal positive solution of a couple of fixed‐point equations with vector form. Based on the fixed‐point vector equations, we introduce a new algorithm, namely,
two-step relaxation Newton, derived by combining two different relaxation Newton methods to compute the minimal positive solution. The monotone convergence of the solution sequence generated by this new algorithm is established. Numerical results are given to show the advantages of the new algorithm for the nonsymmetric algebraic Riccati equations in vector form.
On the Cauchy Problem of a Quasilinear Degenerate Parabolic Equation
Authors: Liang Zongqi , Zhan Huashui
Published: November 2009

By Oleinik′s line method, we study the existence and the uniqueness of the classical
solution of the Cauchy problem for the following equation in [0, T] × R2: ∂xxu + u∂yu − ∂tu = f(⋅, u), provided that T is suitable small. Results of numerical experiments
are reported to demonstrate that the strong solutions of the above
equation may blow up in finite time.
Toll-Like Receptor Initiated Host Defense againstToxoplasma gondii
Authors: Denkers Eric Y.
Published: November 2009

Toxoplasma gondiiis an intracellular pathogen notable for its ability to establish a stable host-parasite relationship amongst a wide range of host species and in a large percentage of the human population. Toll-like receptor signaling through MyD88 is a critical pathway in initiating defense against this opportunistic protozoan and may also be a mediator of pathology during immune dysfunction. Other MyD88 independent signaling pathways are also involved in the host-parasite interaction. These responses can be triggered by the parasite itself, but interactions with the intestinal microbiota add additional complexity during enteric infection.
Robust State‐Derivative Feedback LMI‐Based Designs for Linear Descriptor Systems
Authors: Faria Flávio A. , Assunção Edvaldo , Teixeira Marcelo C. M. , Cardim Rodrigo
Published: November 2009

Techniques for stabilization of linear descriptor systems by state‐derivative feedback are proposed. The methods are based on Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs) and assume that the plant is a controllable system with poles different from zero. They can include design constraints such as: decay rate, bounds on output peak and bounds on the state‐derivative feedback matrixK, and can be applied in a class of uncertain systems subject to structural failures. These designs consider a broader class of plants than the related results available in the literature. The LMI can be efficiently solved using convex programming techniques. Numerical examples illustrate the efficiency of the proposed methods.
On the Tropospheric Ozone Variations in a Coastal Area of Southwestern Europe under a Mesoscale Circulation
Authors: Adame J. A. , Serrano E. , Bolívar J. P. , de la Morena B. A.
Published: November 2009

It is well established that surface ozone levels are greatly affected by orography, solar radiation intensity, meteorological conditions, and the levels of their precursors. In this work, the authors study the sea–land breeze circulation in its relation with the behavior of ozone in a coastal area, located in southwestern Europe, with high levels of solar radiation and an important industrial complex emitting air pollutants. Hourly mean data over a 7-yr period (1999–2005) have been used in the study. Two patterns of sea–land breeze have been identified after analyzing 2298 days of measurements: a “pure” breeze (179 cases) and another one, called a “nonpure” breeze (284 cases), which is the resulting flow of the former and northwesterlies synoptic forcing. Among other results, the highest levels of surface ozone were observed under pure sea–land breeze, with hourly values up to 100 μg m−3 in the mean daily evolution. In contrast, for a nonpure breeze, the 24-h average daily value was lower than the corresponding one under a pure breeze by a factor of 1.16 and could reach 1.60 in representative real cases. These findings give evidence that the formation and accumulation of ozone are favored by the conditions under a pure sea–land breeze: that is, perpendicular wind directions toward the coastline, effective recirculation of air masses, and formation of ozone residual layers above the sea. Because these atmospheric conditions occur in other coastal regions in the world, the conclusions of this study could be extended to them.
Performance Assessment of New Land Surface and Planetary Boundary Layer Physics in the WRF-ARW
Authors: Gilliam Robert C. , Pleim Jonathan E.
Published: November 2009

The Pleim–Xiu land surface model, Pleim surface layer scheme, and Asymmetric Convective Model (version 2) are now options in version 3.0 of the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) Advanced Research WRF (ARW) core. These physics parameterizations were developed for the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) and have been used extensively by the air quality modeling community, so there was a need based on several factors to extend these parameterizations to WRF. Simulations executed with the new WRF physics are compared with simulations produced with the MM5 and another WRF configuration with a focus on the replication of near-surface meteorological conditions and key planetary boundary layer features. The new physics in WRF is recommended for retrospective simulations, in particular, those used to drive air quality simulations. In the summer, the error of all variables analyzed was slightly lower across the domain in the WRF simulation that used the new physics than in the similar MM5 configuration. This simulation had an even lower error than the other more common WRF configuration. For the cold season case, the model simulation was not as accurate as the other simulations overall, but did well in terms of lower 2-m temperature error in the western part of the model domain (plains and Rocky Mountains) and most of the Northeast. Both MM5 and the other WRF configuration had lower errors across much of the southern and eastern United States in the winter. The 2-m water vapor mixing ratio and 10-m wind were generally well simulated by the new physics suite in WRF when contrasted with the other simulations and modeling studies. Simulated planetary boundary layer features were compared with both wind profiler and aircraft observations, and the new WRF physics results in a more precise wind and temperature structure not only in the stable boundary layer, but also within most of the convective boundary layer. These results suggest that the WRF performance is now at or above the level of MM5. It is thus recommended to drive future air quality applications.
Investigating Time-Scale Effects on Reference Evapotranspiration from Epan Data in North China
Authors: Li Yi , Horton Robert , Ren Tusheng , Chen Chunyan
Published: November 2009

Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and pan evaporation (Epan) are key parameters in hydrological and meteorological studies. The authors’ objectives were to evaluate the ratio of ETo to Epan (kp) at daily and monthly scales and to predict average ETo in the following years using calibrated kp and observed Epan at the two time scales. Using 50 yr of data obtained at six typical sites in north China, daily and monthly ETo were calculated using the Food and Agriculture Organization estimation method (FAO-56) Penman–Monteith equation, and kp values were determined at the two time scales. Values of kp varied from 0.457 to 0.589 daily and from 0.392 to 0.528 monthly for the six sites. Both daily and monthly kp could be fitted as multilinear functions of longitude, latitude, elevation, and relative humidity. Relatively accurate predictions of daily mean ETo for the subsequent years following the calibration years at all six sites were obtained when the year number L used for calibrating daily mean kp was sufficient (>38). In cases when large deviations occurred between average kp for the L calibration years and the actual kp of the following (L + 1)th year, relatively large prediction errors resulted. For the monthly scale, soil heat flux G fluctuated periodically. When variations of G were included, the calculated monthly ETo values were smaller than the monthly ETo cumulated from daily ETo. Thus, monthly kp values were smaller than daily kp values. Predictions of monthly ETo in 2001 for the six sites were relatively accurate with relative errors ranging from −11.9% to 12.1%. In conclusion, this method is simple and accurate with a small demand for weather data.
Toward Understanding the Value of Climate Information for Multiobjective Reservoir Management under Present and Future Climate and Demand Scenarios
Authors: Graham Nicholas E. , Georgakakos Konstantine P.
Published: November 2009

Numerical simulation techniques and idealized reservoir management models are used to assess the utility of climate information for the effective management of a single multiobjective reservoir. Reservoir management considers meeting release and reservoir volume targets and minimizing wasteful spillage. The influence of reservoir size and inflow variability parameters on the management benefits is examined. The effects of climate and demand (release target) change on the management policies and performance are also quantified for various change scenarios. Inflow forecasts emulate ensembles of dynamical forecasts for a hypothetical climate system with somewhat predictable low-frequency variability. The analysis considers the impacts of forecast skill. The mathematical problem is cast in a dimensionless time and volume framework to allow generalization. The present work complements existing research results for specific applications and expands earlier analytical results for simpler management situations in an effort to draw general conclusions for the present-day reservoir management problem under uncertainty. The findings support the following conclusions: (i) reliable inflow forecasts are beneficial for reservoir management under most situations if adaptive management is employed; (ii) tolerance to forecasts of lower reliability tends to be higher for larger reservoirs; (iii) reliable inflow forecasts are most useful for a midrange of reservoir capacities; (iv) demand changes are more detrimental to reservoir management performance than inflow change effects of similar magnitude; (v) adaptive management is effective for mitigating climatic change effects and may even help to mitigate demand change effects.
Observed Trends in Summertime Precipitation over the Southwestern United States
Authors: Anderson Bruce T. , Wang Jingyun , Salvucci Guido , Gopal Suchi , Islam Shafiqul
Published: November 2009

In this paper, the authors evaluate the significance of multidecadal trends in seasonal-mean summertime precipitation and precipitation characteristics over the southwestern United States using stochastic, chain-dependent daily rainfall models. Unlike annual-mean precipitation, trends during the summertime monsoon, covering the period 1931–2000, indicate an overall increase in seasonal precipitation, the number of rainfall events, and the coverage of rainfall events in peripheral regions north of the “core” monsoon area of Arizona and western New Mexico. In addition, there is an increasing trend in intense storm activity and a decreasing trend in extreme dry-spell lengths. Over other regions of the domain, there are no discernible trends found in any of the observed characteristics. These trends are robust to the choice of start dates and, in the case of seasonal-mean precipitation, appear to persist into the current century.
Post-Partum Depression in the Community: a Qualitative Study From Rural South India
Authors: Savarimuthu R.J.S. , Ezhilarasu P. , Charles H. , Antonisamy B. , Kurian S. , Jacob K.S.
Published: November 2009

Background: Post-partum depression, although heterogeneous, is often considered a medical disease when viewed from the biomedical perspective. However, recent reports from the Indian subcontinent have documented psychosocial causal factors.

Method: This study employed qualitative methodology in a representative sample of women in rural South India. Women in the post-partum period were assessed using the Tamil versions of the Short Explanatory Model Interview, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and a semi-structured interview to diagnose ICD 10 depression. Socio-demographic and clinical details were also recorded.

Results: Some 137 women were recruited and assessed, of these, 26.3% were diagnosed to have post-partum depression. The following factors were associated with post-partum depression after adjusting for age and education: age less than 20 or over 30 years, schooling less than five years, thoughts of aborting current pregnancy, unhappy marriage, physical abuse during current pregnancy and after childbirth, husband’s use of alcohol, girl child delivered in the absence of living boys and a preference for a boy, low birth weight, and a family history of depression. Post-partum depression was also associated with an increased number of causal models of illness, a number of non-medical models, treatment models and non-medical treatment models.

Conclusion: Many social and cultural factors have a major impact on post-partum depression. Post-partum depression, when viewed from a biomedical framework, fails to acknowledge the role of context in the production of emotional distress in the post-partum period.
Clinical Characteristics of Self-Mutilating Behavior in Turkish Male Subjects With Antisocial Personality Disorder: Relationship To Psychopathy
Authors: Alpay Ates M. , Algul Ayhan , Semiz Umit B. , Gecici Omer , Basoglu Cengiz , Ebrinc Servet , Cetin Mesut
Published: November 2009

Aims: The aims of this study were to determine the characteristics of self-mutilation (SM) and examine the relationship between SM and psychopathy in male subjects with antisocial personality disorder (APD).

Methods: APD diagnosis was established by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Axis II Disorders. Subjects ( N = 116) were assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised and a semi-structured self-mutilation questionnaire form.

Results: In males with APD, the percentages of psychopathy and SM were 48.3% ( N =56) and 96.6% ( N = 112), respectively. There were positive correlations between severity of psychopathy and severity, number, and frequency of SM.

Conclusion: Considerably high rates of SM and psychopathy were found in Turkish males with APD. The features of SM were associated with comorbidity of psychopathy. These results showed the importance of exploring the self-injurious behavior and psychopathy when diagnosed with APD.
Evaluation of Engineering Properties of Geogrids for Soil Retaining Walls
Authors: Yoo Hankyu , Jeon Han-Yong , Chang Yong-Chei
Published: November 2009

This study focuses on evaluating the engineering properties of three types of geogrids (warp knitted, woven, and membrane drawn geogrid). Short-term tensile properties of the membrane drawn geogrid showed very low elongation results compared to the other types. However, estimated long-term creep deformation indicated that the 30 % of Tult loading level was the optimum value that satisfied the creep criteria in the case of membrane drawn geogrid (60 % in warp knitted geogrid and 65 % woven geogrid). The durability test results showed that the membrane drawn geogrid had good resistance to installation damage, chemical, biological and ultraviolet compared with the textile type geogrids. The total reduction factors that considered creep, installation damage and durability of the warp knitted, woven, and membrane drawn geogrid were estimated as 2.0, 1.9, and 3.6, respectively.
Aspiring, Consuming, Becoming: Youth Identity in a Culture of Consumption
Authors: Deutsch Nancy L. , Theodorou Eleni
Published: November 2009

This article focuses on how consumerism, as a social ideology, and consumption, as an individual activity, are used by adolescents to mark and mask differences in the process of identity construction. Data are drawn from an ethnographic study of urban youth. The act of consuming for the adolescents in this study forms an integral part of their identity performance across the intersectionality of the self ’s experience of gender, race, and class. For females in this study, consumption is linked to gender performances based on the maintenance of an attractive and fashionable appearance as dictated by social perceptions of femininity. Girls’ future aspirations are indirectly associated to consumptive acts through the ambition for financial emancipation. Consuming, or aspiring to consuming, for males in this study facilitates the achievement of a morality realized through the fulfillment of male responsibility toward the traditionally perceived “dependent” members of the family: mother, wife, and children.
Adolescents’ Hopes for Personal, Local, and Global Future: Insights from Ukraine
Authors: Nikolayenko Olena
Published: November 2009

This study explores adolescents’ hopes for personal, local, and global future in postcommunist Ukraine. The research is based on a survey of 200 sixth-graders in the cities of Donetsk and Lviv in fall 2005. The analysis identifies six domains related to personal aspirations of adolescents: education, career, self-actualization, personal relationships, material possessions, and physical well-being. The findings also indicate that local concerns of respondents focus on the quality of public services and the environment. The study further finds that students fear most the deterioration of crossborder interpersonal relations. In addition, the analysis suggests that Ukrainian adolescents are more concerned about domestic politics than their peers in mature democracies. Moreover, the findings reveal gender and regional variations in the content of adolescents’ hopes.
Chronic Offenders: A Life-Course Analysis of Marijuana Users
Authors: Ragan Daniel T. , Beaver Kevin M.
Published: November 2009

Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug, and the use of marijuana has been linked to a wide array of maladaptive outcomes. As a result, there is great interest in identifying the factors that are associated with the use of marijuana and with desistance from marijuana. The current study employed a life-course framework to examine the factors associated with early onset of marijuana use, with the use of marijuana during adolescence, and with desistance from marijuana use in young adulthood. Analysis of data drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health revealed that low self-control and delinquent peers were predictive of marijuana use, an early onset of marijuana use, and desistance from marijuana use. In addition, the models revealed that marriage increased the odds of desistance from marijuana use, even after controlling for delinquent peers, low self-control, and selection effects. The implications of our findings are noted.
Loyal Deviance: Testing the Normative Conflict Model of Dissent in Social Groups
Authors: Packer Dominic J. , Chasteen Alison L.
Published: November 2009

The normative conflict model predicts that expressions of dissent within groups can be motivated by the collective interest and that strongly identified members may dissent from group norms if and when they are perceived to be harmful to the collective. We present convergent evidence from four studies in support of the model. Study 1 investigated retrospective reports of disagreements and found that strongly identified members reported collectively oriented motives for expressing disagreement within their groups. Studies 2a and 2b provided experimental tests of the prediction that strongly identified group members are willing to dissent when they reflect on how a norm could harm their group but not when they reflect on negative individualistic consequences of the same norm. Finally, Study 3 replicated these effects using a correlational design that measured actual opinion expression in an ostensible online chat room.
Parental Concerns About After-School Time: Antecedents and Correlates Among Dual-Earner Parents
Authors: Chait Barnett Rosalind , Gareis Karen C. , Sabattini Laura , Carter Nancy M.
Published: November 2009

Most employed parents, many in dual-earner couples, are at work when their children get out of school, generating parental concerns about children’s welfare after school. Parental concerns are hypothesized to be related to respondent and partner work hours, respondent schedule control, and child’s unsupervised time and to give rise to job disruptions. The authors examine these links and the moderating effect of parent gender in a sample of 936 parents (310 men, 626 women) in full-time employed dual-earner couples with a school-aged (K-12) child. Parents’ long work hours, lack of schedule control, and children’s time unsupervised after school predicted high parental concerns, and parental concerns, in turn, predicted job disruptions. With one exception, results did not differ by gender.
Safety Assessment Considerations and Strategies for Targeted Small Molecule Cancer Therapeutics in Drug Discovery
Authors: Westhouse Richard A.
Published: November 2009

Less than 10% of all experimental drugs introduced into clinical trials ever achieve the approval of regulatory agencies for marketing. For experimental small molecule oncology therapeutics, the approval rate is even less (5%). Clinical safety and efficacy are the two main causes of failure for oncologic drugs in development. Because these failures of experimental drugs are tremendously expensive for pharmaceutical companies, strategies have been developed and refined for reducing this attrition. While these strategic activities can take place in drug development, more benefit may be gained by increasing efforts in drug discovery in the form of (1) target validation; (2) compound selectivity analysis from the perspective of balancing efficacy and toxicity; and (3) investigation of ancillary means to abrogate toxicity, especially with respect to undesirable target-related effects. Most pharmaceutical companies recognize the benefit of lead compound optimization, but the degree to which it is applied seems to vary greatly. This article presents concepts and strategies to reduce the attrition of small molecule oncology therapeutic drug candidates due to toxicity.
Pain exposure physical therapy may be a safe and effective treatment for longstanding complex regional pain syndrome type 1: a case series
Authors: Ek Jan-Willem , van Gijn Jan C , Samwel Han , van Egmond Jan , Klomp Frank PAJ , van Dongen Robert TM
Published: November 2009

Objective: To determine if treatment of longstanding complex regional pain syndrome type 1, focusing on functional improvement only while neglecting pain, results in clinical improvement of this syndrome.

Design: Prospective description of a case series of 106 patients.

Setting: Outpatient clinic for rehabilitation.

Interventions: Physical therapy of the affected limb directed at a functional improvement only while neglecting the pain, was performed following an extensive explanation. Normal use of the limb between the treatments was encouraged despite pain. A maximum of five of these sessions were performed in three months.

Measures: Radboud Skills Test was used to monitor functional improvement of the arms. Speed and walking distance was used as the measure of outcome for the legs.

Results: The function of the affected arm or leg improved in 95 patients. Full functional recovery was experienced in 49 (46%) of them. A reduction in pain presented in 75 patients. In 23 patients functional recovery was reached despite an increase in pain. Four patients stopped early due to pain increase.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that ‘pain exposure physical therapy’ is effective and safe for patients who are unresponsive to accepted standard therapies. Avoiding the use of a limb due to pain will result in loss of function. Forced usage of limbs restores the function, reverses these adaptive processes and leads to regain of control by practice with a reduction of pain in most cases.
Does the use of TENS increase the effectiveness of exercise for improving walking after stroke? A randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ng Shamay SM , Hui-Chan Christina WY
Published: November 2009

Objective: To investigate whether surface electrical stimulation can increase the effectiveness of task-related exercises for improving the walking capacity of patients with chronic stroke.

Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Setting: Home-based programme.

Subjects: One hundred and nine hemiparetic stroke survivors were assigned randomly to: (1) transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), (2) TENS + exercise, (3) placebo stimulation + exercise, or (4) control group.

Interventions: The TENS group received 60 minutes of electrical stimulation. Both the TENS + exercise group and placebo stimulation + exercise group did 60 minutes of exercises, followed respectively by 60 minutes of electrical and placebo stimulation. Treatment was given five days a week for four weeks. The control group had no active treatment.

Outcome measures: Comfortable gait speed was measured using a GAITRite II walkway system. Walking endurance and functional mobility were measured by the distance covered during a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and by timed up and go test scores before treatment, after two weeks and after four weeks of treatment, and at follow-up four weeks after treatment ended.

Results: When compared with the other three groups, only the combined TENS + exercise group showed significantly greater absolute and percentage increases in gait velocity (by 37.1—57.5%, all P<0.01) and reduction in timed up and go scores (by —14.9 to —23.3%, P<0.01) from week 2 onwards. When compared with the control and TENS groups, only the combined TENS + exercise group covered significantly more distance in the 6MWT (by 22.2—34.7%, P<0.01) from week 2 onwards.

Conclusion: TENS can improve the effectiveness of task-related exercise for increasing walking capacity in hemiparetic stroke survivors.
Hip abductor control in walking following stroke — the immediate effect of canes, taping and TheraTogs on gait
Authors: Maguire Clare , Sieben Judith M , Frank Matthias , Romkes Jacqueline
Published: November 2009

Objective: To confirm previous findings that hip abductor activity measured by electromyography (EMG) on the side contralateral to cane use is reduced during walking in stroke patients. To assess whether an orthosis (TheraTogs) or hip abductor taping increase hemiplegic hip abductor activity compared with activity during cane walking or while walking without aids. To investigate the effect of each condition on temporo-spatial gait parameters.

Design: Randomized, within-participant experimental study.

Setting: Gait laboratory.

Subjects: Thirteen patients following first unilateral stroke.

Intervention: Data collection over six gait cycles as subjects walked at self-selected speed during: baseline (without aids) and in randomized order with (1) hip abductor taping, (2) TheraTogs, (3) cane in non-hemiplegic hand.

Main measures: Peak EMG of gluteus medius and tensor fascia lata and temporo-spatial gait parameters.

Results: Cane use reduced EMG activity in gluteus medius from baseline by 21.86%. TheraTogs increased it by 16.47% (change cane use—TheraTogs P=0.001, effect size = -0.5) and tape by 5.8% (change cane use—tape P=0.001, effect size = -0.46). In tensor fascia lata cane use reduced EMG activity from baseline by 19.14%. TheraTogs also reduced EMG activity from baseline by 1.10% (change cane use—TheraTogs P=0.009, effect size -0.37) and tape by 3% (not significant). Gait speed (m/s) at: baseline 0.44, cane use 0.45, tape 0.48, TheraTogs 0.49.

Conclusion: Hip abductor taping and TheraTogs increase hemiplegic hip abductor activity and gait speed during walking compared with baseline and cane use.