bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Heart Pulse Wave Responses Measured Simultaneously at Several Sensor Placements by Two MR-Compatible Fibre Optic Methods
Authors: Myllylä Teemu , Korhonen Vesa , Vihriälä Erkki , Sorvoja Hannu , Hiltunen Tuija , Tervonen Osmo , Kiviniemi Vesa
Published: December 2012

This paper presents experimental measurements conducted using two noninvasive fibre optic methods for detecting heart pulse waves in the human body. Both methods can be used in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For comparison, the paper also performs an MRI-compatible electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement. By the simultaneous use of different measurement methods, the propagation of pressure waves generated by each heart pulse can be sensed extensively in different areas of the human body and at different depths, for example, on the chest and forehead and at the fingertip. An accurate determination of a pulse wave allows calculating the pulse transit time (PTT) of a particular heart pulse in different parts of the human body. This result can then be used to estimate the pulse wave velocity of blood flow in different places. Both measurement methods are realized using magnetic resonance-compatible fibres, which makes the methods applicable to the MRI environment. One of the developed sensors is an extraordinary accelerometer sensor, while the other one is a more common sensor based on photoplethysmography. All measurements, involving several test patients, were performed both inside and outside an MRI room. Measurements inside the MRI room were conducted using a 3-Tesla strength closed MRI scanner in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at the Oulu University Hospital.
Perturbation Analysis for the Matrix Equation X−∑i=1mAi∗XAi+∑j=1nBj∗XBj=I
Authors: Duan Xue-Feng , Wang Qing-Wen
Published: December 2012

We consider the perturbation analysis of the matrix equation . Based on the matrix differentiation, we first give a precise perturbation bound
for the positive definite solution. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the sharpness
of the perturbation bound.
Adult Ileo-Ileo-Caecal Intussusception: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Singhal Sanjeev , Singhal Anu , Arora Pankaj K. , Tugnait Rahul , Tiwari Bishwanath , Malik Pawan , Dhuria Ankur Subhash , Varghese Vineet , Bharali Mriganka Deuri , Chandrakant Singh , Pushkar  , Panwar Vishnu , Ballani Amit , Gupta Neeti , Ramteke Vijay Kumar
Published: December 2012

Adult intussusception is a rare entity accounting for only 5% of all intussusceptions and causes approximately 1% of all adult intestinal obstructions. Unlike paediatric intussusceptions which are usually idiopathic, there is usually a lead point pathology which might be malignant in up to 50% cases. We present an unusual case of adult intussusception which was not diagnosed on any investigation including computerized tomographic (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It was a case of ileo-ileo-cecal intussusception caused by a large lipoma38 mm×43 mm×61 mm. It was treated by emergency laparotomy for acute intestinal obstruction. A conservative resection with ileostomy was performed with good postoperative recovery.
Electrical Drive Radiated Emissions Estimation in Terms of Input Control Using Extreme Learning Machines
Authors: Wefky A. , Espinosa F. , de Santiago L. , Revenga P. , Lázaro J. L. , Martínez M.
Published: December 2012

With the increase of electrical/electronic equipment integration complexity, the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) becomes one of the key points to be respected in order to meet the constructor standard conformity. Electrical drives are known sources of electromagnetic interferences due to the motor as well as the related power electronics. They are the principal radiated emissions source in automotive applications. This paper shows that there is a direct relationship between the input control voltage and the corresponding level of radiated emissions. It also introduces a novel model using artificial intelligence techniques for estimating the radiated emissions of a DC‐motor‐based electrical drive in terms of its input voltage. Details of the training and testing of the developed extreme learning machine (ELM) are described. Good agreement between the electrical drive behavior and the developed model is observed.
Might Heterostyly Underlie Spider Occurrence on Inflorescences? A Case Study ofPalicourea rigida(Rubiaceae), a Common Shrub from Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Diniz Suzana , Tizo-Pedroso Everton , Lange Denise , Andrade Vilela Andréa , Justino Danielle G. , Alves Martins Fernanda , Germanos Erika , Arruda Rafael , Stefani Vanessa
Published: December 2012

We carried out a research on thePalicourea rigida(Rubiaceae) inflorescences, a distylous shrub of Brazilian Cerrado. Our objective was to compare the inflorescence architectural complexity and its quality in the two floral morphs and search for any relationship with spider occurrence. In order to assess the quality of inflorescence resources, we quantified the nectar volume and its sugar concentration and the number of fruits and flowers (intact and aborted) for both inflorescence morphs with and without spiders. For the architectural heterogeneity, we quantified floral structures and inflorescence levels of branching. Spider occurrence was higher in longistylous inflorescences than in brevistylous ones. The sampled spiders were classified into the guilds ambushers, jumpers, or orb-weavers. Ambushers, jumpers, and total richness were much higher among longistylous inflorescences. We found no difference between morphs neither in volume or nectar concentration nor in amount of fruits and flowers. However, longistylous inflorescences presented greater architectural heterogeneity than brevistylous ones. Therefore, we suggested that architectural heterogeneity is an important factor underlying the occurrence of cursorial spiders onP. rigidainflorescences, which possibly arose from the relationship between refuge availability and inflorescence architecture.
Interstitial Fluid Flow: The Mechanical Environment of Cells and Foundation of Meridians
Authors: Yao Wei , Li Yabei , Ding Guanghong
Published: December 2012

Using information from the deep dissection, microobservation, and measurement of acupoints in the upper and lower limbs of the human body, we developed a three-dimensional porous medium model to simulate the flow field using FLUENT software and to study the shear stress on the surface of interstitial cells (mast cells) caused by interstitial fluid flow. The numerical simulation results show the following: (i) the parallel nature of capillaries will lead to directional interstitial fluid flow, which may explain the long interstitial tissue channels or meridians observed in some experiments; (ii) when the distribution of capillaries is staggered, increases in the velocity alternate, and the velocity tends to be uniform, which is beneficial for substance exchange; (iii) interstitial fluid flow induces a shear stress, with magnitude of several Pa, on interstitial cell membranes, which will activate cells and lead to a biological response; (iv) capillary and interstitial parameters, such as capillary density, blood pressure, capillary permeability, interstitial pressure, and interstitial porosity, affect the shear stress on cell surfaces. The numerical simulation results suggest that in vivo interstitial fluid flow constitutes the mechanical environment of cells and plays a key role in guiding cell activities, which may explain the meridian phenomena and the acupuncture effects observed in experiments.
Stimulation of TRPV1 by Green Laser Light
Authors: Gu Quanbao , Wang Lina , Huang Fang , Schwarz Wolfgang
Published: December 2012

Low-level laser irradiation of visible light had been introduced as a medical treatment already more than 40 years ago, but its medical application still remains controversial. Laser stimulation of acupuncture points has also been introduced, and mast-cells degranulation has been suggested. Activation of TRPV ion channels may be involved in the degranulation. Here, we investigated whether TRPV1 could serve as candidate for laser-induced mast cell activation. Activation of TRPV1 by capsaicin resulted in degranulation. To investigate the effect of laser irradiation on TRPV1, we used theXenopusoocyte as expression and model system. We show that TRPV1 can functionally be expressed in the oocyte by (a) activation by capsaicin (K1/2= 1.1 μM), (b) activation by temperatures exceeding 42°C, (c) activation by reduced pH (from 7.4 to 6.2), and (d) inhibition by ruthenium red. Red (637 nm) as well as blue (406 nm) light neither affected membrane currents in oocytes nor did it modulate capsaicin-induced current. In contrast, green laser light (532 nm) produced power-dependent activation of TRPV1. In conclusion, we could show that green light is effective at the cellular level to activate TRPV1. To which extend green light is of medical relevance needs further investigation.
Herbal Compound “Songyou Yin” Renders Hepatocellular Carcinoma Sensitive to Oxaliplatin through Inhibition of Stemness
Authors: Jia Qing-An , Ren Zheng-Gang , Bu Yang , Wang Zhi-Ming , Zhang Qiang-Bo , Liang Lei , Jiang Xue-Mei , Zhang Quan-Bao , Tang Zhao-You
Published: December 2012

We investigated the effect of Chinese herbal compound Song-you Yin on HCC stemness. MHCC97H and Hep3B cell lines were pretreated with SYY for 4 weeks, and their chemosensitivity to oxaliplatin was evaluated. The expression of CSC-related markers, cell invasion and migration, and colony formation were also examined. SYY-treated orthotopic nude mouse models of human HCC were developed to explore the effect of oxaliplatin on tumor growth, metastasis, and survival. The CSC-related molecular changesin vivowere also evaluated. The result showed that MHCC97H and Hep3B cells pretreated with SYY showed significantly increased chemosensitivity to oxaliplatin and the downregulation of CSC-related markers CD90, CD24, and EPCAM. SYY also attenuated cell motility, invasion, and colony formation in MHCC97H and Hep3B cell lines. The reduced tumorigenicity and pulmonary metastasis were observed in SYY-pretreated cell lines. Combination treatment with oxaliplatin and SYY significantly reduced tumor volume and pulmonary metastasis and prolonged survival compared with oxaliplatin treatment alone. Immunohistochemical analysis showed reduced expression of CD90, ABCG2, ALDH, CD44, EPCAM, vimentin, and MMP-9 and increased the expression of E-cadherin, in HCC cells following combination treatment. These data clearly demonstrate that SYY renders hepatocellular carcinoma sensitive to oxaliplatin through the inhibition of stemness.
Effect of Surface Roughness on MHD Couple Stress Squeeze-Film Characteristics between a Sphere and a Porous Plane Surface
Authors: Rajashekar M. , Kashinath Biradar
Published: December 2012

The combined effects of couple stress and surface roughness on the MHD squeeze-film lubrication between a sphere and a porous plane surface are analyzed, based upon the thin-film magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory. Using Stoke’s theory to account for the couple stresses due to the microstructure additives and the Christensen’s stochastic method developed for hydrodynamic lubrication of rough surfaces derives the stochastic MHD Reynolds-type equation. The expressions for the mean MHD squeeze-film pressure, mean load-carrying capacity, and mean squeeze-film time are obtained. The results indicate that the couple stress fluid in the film region enhances the mean MHD squeeze-film pressure, load-carrying capacity, and squeeze-film time. The effect of roughness parameter is to increase (decrease) the load-carrying capacity and lengthen the response time for azimuthal (radial) roughness patterns as compared to the smooth case. Also, the effect of porous parameter is to decrease the load-carrying capacity and increase the squeeze-film time as compared to the solid case.
Simple Method for Surface Selective Adsorption of Semiconductor Nanocrystals with Nanometric Resolution
Authors: Koslovsky O. , Yochelis S. , Livneh N. , Harats M. G. , Rapaport R. , Paltiel Y.
Published: December 2012

Self‐assembly methods play a major role in many modern fabrication techniques for various nanotechnology applications. In this paper we demonstrate two alternatives for self‐assembled patterning within the nanoscale resolution of optically active semiconductor nanocrystals. The first is substrate selective and uses any high resolution surface patterning to achieve localized self‐assembly. The second method uses a surface with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) resist patterning adsorption of the nanocrystal with covalent bonds and liftoff.
Endovascular Treatment of Giant Splenic Artery Aneurysm
Authors: Góes Junior Adenauer Marinho de Oliveira , Góes Amanda Silva de Oliveira , de Albuquerque Paloma Cals , Palácios Renato Menezes , Abib Simone de Campos Vieira
Published: December 2012

Introduction. Visceral artery aneurysms are uncommon. Among them, splenic artery is the most common (46–60%). Most splenic artery aneurysms are asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally, but its rupture, potentially fatal, occurs in up to 8% of cases.Presentation of Case. A female patient, 64 years old, diagnosed with a giant aneurysm of the splenic artery (approximately 6.5 cm in diameter) was successfully submitted to endovascular treatment by stent graft implantation.Discussion. Symptomatic aneurysms and those larger than 2 cm represent some of the main indications for intervention. The treatment may be by laparotomy, laparoscopy, or endovascular techniques. Among the various endovascular methods discussed in this paper, there is stent graft implantation, a method still few reported in the literature.Conclusion. Although some authors still consider the endovascular approach as an exception to the treatment of SAA, in major specialized centers these techniques have been consolidated as the preferred choice, reserving the surgical approach in cases where this cannot be used. For being a less aggressive approach, it offers an opportunity of treatment to patients considered “high risk” for surgical treatment by laparotomy/laparoscopy.
Alternative Pathways of Cancer Cell Death by Rottlerin: Apoptosis versus Autophagy
Authors: Torricelli Claudia , Salvadori Sara , Valacchi Giuseppe , Souček Karel , Slabáková Eva , Muscettola Michela , Volpi Nila , Maioli Emanuela
Published: December 2012

Since the ability of cancer cells to evade apoptosis often limits the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, autophagy is emerging as an alternative target to promote cell death. Therefore, we wondered whether Rottlerin, a natural polyphenolic compound with antiproliferative effects in several cell types, can induce cell death in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The MCF-7 cell line is a good model of chemo/radio resistance, being both apoptosis and autophagy resistant, due to deletion of caspase 3 gene, high expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, and low expression of the autophagic Beclin-1 protein. The contribution of autophagy and apoptosis to the cytotoxic effects of Rottlerin was examined by light, fluorescence, and electron microscopic examination and by western blotting analysis of apoptotic and autophagic markers. By comparing caspases-3-deficient (MCF-73def) and caspases-3-transfected MCF-7 cells (MCF-73trans), we found that Rottlerin induced a noncanonical, Bcl-2-, Beclin 1-, Akt-, and ERK-independent autophagic death in the former- and the caspases-mediated apoptosis in the latter, in not starved conditions and in the absence of any other treatment. These findings suggest that Rottlerin could be cytotoxic for different cancer cell types, both apoptosis competent and apoptosis resistant.
Cry-Based Classification of Healthy and Sick Infants Using Adapted Boosting Mixture Learning Method for Gaussian Mixture Models
Authors: Farsaie Alaie Hesam , Tadj Chakib
Published: December 2012

We make use of information inside infant’s cry signal in order to identify the infant’s psychological condition. Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) are applied to distinguish between healthy full-term and premature infants, and those with specific medical problems available in our cry database. Cry pattern for each pathological condition is created by using adapted boosting mixture learning (BML) method to estimate mixture model parameters. In the first experiment, test results demonstrate that the introduced adapted BML method for learning of GMMs has a better performance than conventional EM-based reestimation algorithm as a reference system in multipathological classification task. This newborn cry-based diagnostic system (NCDS) extracted Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) as a feature vector for cry patterns of newborn infants. In binary classification experiment, the system discriminated a test infant’s cry signal into one of two groups, namely, healthy and pathological based on MFCCs. The binary classifier achieved a true positive rate of 80.77% and a true negative rate of 86.96% which show the ability of the system to correctly identify healthy and diseased infants, respectively.
In VivoandIn VitroAntinociceptive Effect ofFagopyrum cymosum(Trev.) Meisn Extracts: A Possible Action by Recovering Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction
Authors: Liu Lina , Cai Xueting , Yan Jing , Luo Yi , Shao Ming , Lu Yin , Sun Zhiguang , Cao Peng
Published: December 2012

Fagopyrum cymosum(Trev.) Meisn (Fag) is a herb rhizome which has been widely used to treat diseases. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of the Fag on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),in vivoneonatal pups maternal separation (NMS) combined with intracolonic infusion of acetic acid (AA) was employed to establish IBS rat models. Fag reduced their visceral hyperalgesia and the whole gut permeability, ameliorated colonic mucosa inflammation and injury, and upregulated the expression of decreased tight junction proteins (TJs) of claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1 (except ZO-2) in colonic epithelium. Caco-2 monolayer cells were incubated with TNF-αand IFN-γ  in vitroto establish an epithelial barrier dysfunction model whose transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) depended more on dose of Fag than that of the controls, and whose TJs levels were lower than those of the controls. Fag upregulated the NP-40 insoluble and soluble components of the four TJs markedly in a dose-dependent manner. These data suggest that Fag alleviated the hyperalgesia of IBS rats by reducing intestinal inflammation and enhancing mucosal epithelial function after regulating the structure and function of TJs.
Introduction to Higher-Order Iterative Methods for Finding Multiple Roots of Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Thukral Rajinder
Published: December 2012

We introduce two higher-order iterative methods for finding multiple zeros of nonlinear equations. Per iteration the new methods require three evaluations of function and one of its first derivatives. It is proved that the two methods have a convergence of order five or six.
Erysipelas of the Thigh and the Gluteal Region: Retrospective Multicenter Analysis of a Very Rare Entity in 39 Patients
Authors: Glatz Martin , Degen Daniela , French Lars E. , Aberer Werner , Müllegger Robert R.
Published: December 2012

Background: Erysipelas of the thigh and the gluteal region are rarely described and not well characterized. Therefore we aim to describe the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and risk factors of these erysipelas types. Methods: The files of 1,423 patients with erysipelas were analyzed. Data from patients with erysipelas of the thigh or the gluteal region were compared between the two groups and with a control group with erysipelas of the lower leg. Results: The thigh was exclusively affected in 2.1%, and the gluteal region in 0.6% of erysipelas patients. Gluteal erysipelas had conspicuous irregular borders and sometimes appeared bilaterally. Major risk factors for erysipelas of both sites were previous surgical interventions. Gluteal erysipelas was common in patients with the metabolic syndrome and required a more intense antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: Erysipelas of the thigh and the gluteal region are rare and significantly associated with prior surgical disruption of lymphatic vessels.
Effects of Exercise Training on Circulating Retinol-Binding Protein 4 and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Obese Men
Authors: Numao Shigeharu , Sasai Hiroyuki , Nomata Yasuhiro , Matsuo Tomoaki , Eto Miki , Tsujimoto Takehiko , Tanaka Kiyoji
Published: December 2012

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12-week exercise training on circulating retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) concentration and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in obese men. Methods: 29 obese men (age 48 ± 2 years; BMI 29.6 ± 0.7 kg/m2) participated in a 12-week exercise program (50–70% maximal heart rates; 3 times/week) without calorie restriction. Anthropometric parameters, CVD risk factors (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index), and circulating RBP4 and adipokine (adiponectin, leptin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6)) concentrations were measured. Results: Exercise training significantly improved in absolute peak oxygen consumption (p < 0.05), and CVD risk factors (p < 0.05), with the exception of HDLC. There was a significant decrease in circulating RBP4, leptin, and IL-6 concentrations (p < 0.05). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that changes in RBP4 concentration were independently related to the changes in TG concentration (β = 0.46, p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results demonstrate that exercise training without calorie restriction improves several CVD risk factors and circulating RBP4 and adipokine concentrations. Moreover, the change in circulating RBP4 may be more associated with the improvements in TG concentration in obese men.
A Novel Criterion for Conduction Block After Catheter Ablation of Right Atrial Tachycardia After Mitral Valve Surgery
Authors: Kanagasundram Arvindh N. , Baduashvili Amiran , Liu Christopher F. , Cheung Jim W. , Thomas George , Ip James E. , Young Shane D. , Lerman Bruce B. , Markowitz Steven M.
Published: December 2012

Background—

One operative approach to the mitral valve, the superior transseptal incision, is proarrhythmic because of extensive atriotomies. The objective of this study is to describe complex atrial tachycardias (ATs) that occur after this approach and propose methods to verify lines of block as an end point for catheter ablation.

Methods and Results—

Of the 69 patients who had electrophysiological studies for AT after mitral valve surgery, 20 patients had prior superior transseptal incisions. Of these, 14 had complex ATs involving the lateral right atrium (RA). There were 9 dual-loop, 4 single-loop, and 1 focal tachycardias. Lateral wall ablation was performed either by creating a linear lesion from the lateral atriotomy to the inferior vena cava, superior vena cava, or tricuspid annulus or by ablating focally in the lateral RA. After a single ablation procedure, conduction block in the lateral wall was verified in 10 of 14 patients using 1 of 2 distinct patterns of block. One pattern consisted of late activation in an anterolateral corridor of the RA, and a second pattern consisted of wide-spaced double potentials. Recurrent conduction through the lateral wall lesions was associated with intraprocedural and late recurrences of ATs.

Conclusions—

The optimal end point for ablating ATs after mitral valve surgery with the superior transseptal approach is to establish lines of block that can be recognized by characteristic patterns of activation in the lateral RA. A novel criterion for lateral conduction block after catheter ablation is identification of a late-activated corridor in the anterolateral RA.
Dynamics of the Stratiform Sector of a Tropical Cyclone Rainband
Authors: Didlake Anthony C. , Houze Robert A.
Published: December 2012

Airborne Doppler radar documented the stratiform sector of a rainband within the stationary rainband complex of Hurricane Rita. The stratiform rainband sector is a mesoscale feature consisting of nearly uniform precipitation and weak vertical velocities from collapsing convective cells. Upward transport and associated latent heating occur within the stratiform cloud layer in the form of rising radial outflow. Beneath, downward transport is organized into descending radial inflow in response to two regions of latent cooling. In the outer, upper regions of the rainband, sublimational cooling introduces horizontal buoyancy gradients, which produce horizontal vorticity and descending inflow similar to that of the trailing-stratiform region of a mesoscale convective system. Within the zone of heavier stratiform precipitation, melting cooling along the outer rainband edge creates a midlevel horizontal buoyancy gradient across the rainband that drives air farther inward beneath the brightband. The organization of this transport initially is robust but fades downwind as the convection dissipates.

The stratiform-induced secondary circulation results in convergence of angular momentum above the boundary layer and broadening of the storm's rotational wind field. At the radial location where inflow suddenly converges, a midlevel tangential jet develops and extends into the downwind end of the rainband complex. This circulation may contribute to ventilation of the eyewall as inflow of low-entropy air continues past the rainband in both the boundary layer and midlevels. Given the expanse of the stratiform rainband region, its thermodynamic and kinematic impacts likely help to modify the structure and intensity of the total vortex.
Dynamical Control of the Mesosphere by Orographic and Nonorographic Gravity Wave Drag during the Extended Northern Winters of 2006 and 2009
Authors: McLandress Charles , Scinocca John F. , Shepherd Theodore G. , Reader M. Catherine , Manney Gloria L.
Published: December 2012

A version of the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model (CMAM) that is nudged toward reanalysis data up to 1 hPa is used to examine the impacts of parameterized orographic and nonorographic gravity wave drag (OGWD and NGWD) on the zonal-mean circulation of the mesosphere during the extended northern winters of 2006 and 2009 when there were two large stratospheric sudden warmings. The simulations are compared to Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) observations of mesospheric temperature and carbon monoxide (CO) and derived zonal winds. The control simulation, which uses both OGWD and NGWD, is shown to be in good agreement with MLS. The impacts of OGWD and NGWD are assessed using simulations in which those sources of wave drag are removed. In the absence of OGWD the mesospheric zonal winds in the months preceding the warmings are too strong, causing increased mesospheric NGWD, which drives excessive downwelling, resulting in overly large lower-mesospheric values of CO prior to the warming. NGWD is found to be most important following the warmings when the underlying westerlies are too weak to allow much vertical propagation of the orographic gravity waves to the mesosphere. NGWD is primarily responsible for driving the circulation that results in the descent of CO from the thermosphere following the warmings. Zonal-mean mesospheric winds and temperatures in all simulations are shown to be strongly constrained by (i.e., slaved to) the stratosphere. Finally, it is demonstrated that the responses to OGWD and NGWD are nonadditive because of their dependence and influence on the background winds and temperatures.
Autumn Sea Ice Cover, Winter Northern Hemisphere Annular Mode, and Winter Precipitation in Eurasia
Authors: Li Fei , Wang Huijun
Published: December 2012

This paper examines the impacts of the previous autumn sea ice cover (SIC) on the winter Northern Hemisphere annular mode (NAM) and winter precipitation in Eurasia. The coherent variations among the Kara–Laptev autumn SIC, winter NAM, and Eurasian winter precipitation appear after the year 1982, which may prove useful for seasonal prediction of winter precipitation. From a physical point of view, the Kara–Laptev SIC and sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies develop in autumn and remain in winter. Given that winter NAM is characterized by an Arctic–midlatitude seesaw centered over the Barents Sea and Kara–Laptev Seas, it is closely linked to the Arctic forcing that corresponds to the Kara–Laptev sea ice increase (reduction) and the associated surface temperature cooling (warming). Moreover, based on both model simulations and observations, the diminishing Kara–Laptev sea ice does induce positive sea level pressure (SLP) anomalies over high-latitude Eurasia in winter, which is accompanied by a significant surface warming in northern Eurasia and cooling south of the Mediterranean. This surface air temperature (SAT) anomaly pattern facilitates increases of specific humidity in northern Eurasia with a major ridge extending southward along the East Asian coast. As a result, the anomalous Eurasian winter precipitation has a more zonal band structure.
Is the Interannual Variability of the Summer Asian–Pacific Oscillation Predictable?
Authors: Huang Yanyan , Wang Huijun , Zhao Ping
Published: December 2012

The summer (June–August) Asian–Pacific Oscillation (APO) measures the interannual variability of large-scale atmospheric circulation over the Asian–North Pacific Ocean sector. In this study, the authors assess the predictability of the summer APO index interannual variability and the associated atmospheric circulation anomalies using the 1959–2001 hindcast data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), Centre National de Recherches Météorologiques (CNRM), and the Met Office (UKMO) general circulation models from the Development of a European Multimodel Ensemble System for Seasonal-to-Interannual Prediction (DEMETER) project. The results show that these models predict the summer APO index interannual variability well and have higher skill for the North Pacific than for the Asian upper-tropospheric temperature. Meanwhile, the observed APO-related atmospheric circulation anomalies in the South Asian high, the tropical easterly wind jet over the Asian monsoon region in the upper troposphere, the subtropical anticyclone over the North Pacific, and the summer southwest monsoon over Asia in the lower troposphere are reasonably well predicted in their spatial patterns and intensities. Compared with the observations, however, these models display low skill in predicting the long-term varying trends of the upper-tropospheric temperature over the Asian–North Pacific sector or the APO index during 1959–2001.
On the Variability of Wind Power Input to the Oceans with a Focus on the Subpolar North Atlantic
Authors: Zhai Xiaoming , Wunsch Carl
Published: December 2012

Variations in power input to the ocean using a recent global “reanalysis” extending back to 1871 show a strong trend in the net power input since then, a trend dominated by the Southern Ocean region. This trend is interpreted as a spurious result of the changing observational system. Focusing therefore on the North Atlantic Ocean, where the database is somewhat more secure, it is found that the input power in the subpolar North Atlantic varies significantly in time, showing a strong relationship to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). During positive NAO index years, power input is greater owing to enhanced synoptic activity. Furthermore, cumulative power input to the subpolar North Atlantic is found to correlate significantly with both the eddy kinetic energy there and the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO), although the physical mechanism at work remains unclear. The assumption that the changing ocean can be neglected relative to the changing atmosphere in calculating the power input is found to be a usefully accurate approximation over the two decades for which changing ocean state estimates are available. Strong dependence on synoptic weather systems of monthly-mean stress distributions implies that past and future climate simulations must account properly for changes in weather systems, not just the large-scale variations.
Automatic Monitoring of the Amount of Deposited Precipitation
Authors: Fišák J. , Chum J. , Vojta J. , Bartůňková K.
Published: December 2012

An automatic device for measurement of the amount (weight) of deposited precipitation developed at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, is described. Examples of measurements of various types of deposited precipitation are presented. The paper also discusses the response of the measuring instrument to falling precipitation and the influence of wind on the measurements. The results of first measurements proved that the instrument is suitable for automatic and continuous monitoring of deposited precipitation.
Surface Wind and Upper-Ocean Variability Associated with the Madden–Julian Oscillation Simulated by the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS)
Authors: Shinoda Toshiaki , Jensen Tommy G. , Flatau Maria , Chen Sue
Published: December 2012

Simulation of surface wind and upper-ocean variability associated with the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) by a regional coupled model, the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS), is evaluated by the comparison with in situ and satellite observations. COAMPS is configured for the tropical Indian Ocean domain with the horizontal resolution of 27 km for the atmospheric component and ⅛° for the ocean component. A high-resolution nested grid (9 km) for the atmospheric component is used for the central Indian Ocean. While observational data are assimilated into the atmospheric component, no data are assimilated into the ocean component. The model was integrated during 1 March–30 April 2009 when an active episode of large-scale convection associated with the MJO passed eastward across the Indian Ocean. During this MJO event, strong surface westerly winds (~8 m s−1) were observed in the central equatorial Indian Ocean, and they generated a strong eastward jet (~1 m s−1) on the equator. COAMPS can realistically simulate these surface wind and upper-ocean variations. The sensitivity of upper-ocean variability to the atmospheric model resolution is examined by the COAMPS experiment without the high-resolution nested grid. The equatorial jet generated in this experiment is about 20% weaker than that in the first experiment, which significantly influences upper-ocean salinity and temperature. The large diurnal warming of SST during the suppressed phase of the MJO is also adequately simulated by the model. Weak winds during this period are mostly responsible for the large SST diurnal variation based on the comparison with the spatial variation of surface forcing fields.
Corrective Feedback and Learner Uptake in a Child ESOL Classroom
Authors: Choi Seung-Yi , Li Shaofeng
Published: December 2012

This study investigates the occurrence of corrective feedback and uptake in child ESOL classes. Transcripts of 8.1 hours of lessons in 6 ESOL classes in a New Zealand primary school were analysed to explore the relationship between errors, feedback, and uptake. The results revealed that there was a clear preference for recasts and explicit correction, and there was a lack of prompts. The two most frequent feedback types yielded relatively high uptake rates, which was ascribed to the fact that a high percentage of the recasts were corrective (as opposed to supportive) and many cases of explicit correction subsumed multiple, hybrid (input-providing as well as output-prompting) corrective moves. Phonological errors led to a high repair rate regardless of feedback types, and grammatical errors mainly received recasts, most of which were not followed by repairs. Overall, there are differences in the patterns of feedback and uptake between this study and previous studies, which were interpreted with reference to the unique characteristics of this instructional context. This study demonstrates a need for an interactive, situated approach to the study of corrective feedback.
Generic Patterns in Application Letters: the Context of Pakistan
Authors: Khan Ajmal , Tin Tan Bee
Published: December 2012

An increasing number of researchers rely on genre to analyse academic and professional communication and to see how members of a discourse community use language. Since Swales’ (1990) seminal genre analysis of research article introductions, many researchers have carried out genre analysis of various types of professional and academic documents including job application letters. Subscribing to the view that genre is dynamic and socially constructed (Berkenkotter and Huckin, 1995), the present study explores if genre conventions in job letters written in Pakistan have undergone any change since Bhatia’s (1989) genre analysis of job letters in South Asian context. It was found that the job applicants no longer use the self-degradation moves as noted by Bhatia (1989). However, they still resort to glorifying the employer as a move and use old-fashioned courtly expressions to appeal to the sentiments of compassion of the employer. Although making good use of the typical formulaic expressions of the genre, most of the candidates fail to use language creatively and elaborately to present themselves as individuals with unique abilities and achievements.
The function of ‘Church’ in the sociology of religion in America
Authors: Swatos William H
Published: December 2012

In large part, Max Weber’s essay ‘Church and sect in America’ was intended as a contrast between European and American societies at the turn of the 20th century. This could be pushed so far as to say that in fact the essay was not about religions at all but rather about the relationship between an old-order class system and a new-order class system in which sectarian religion provided a conduit to validate worldly success (i.e. the Protestant ethic), which directly contrasted with the institutional ‘style’ of the established churches of Europe, into whose membership one was born and through whose structures (e.g. church schools, including the universities) one’s social position was established. ‘Church,’ then, is in some respects a residual category for Weber, more of a background that would enable him to foreground what he saw as a new basis for ordering class/status within the new world. Over time, denominationalism in America hybridized churchly and sectarian elements to create a new socio-religious dynamic by which a central core of ‘nonsectarian’ religious affirmations created a variant mode of religious participation in which multiple religious options served functions historically associated with national churches in Europe. Postmodern globalization, however, has created new opportunities and challenges as institutionalized religions reach beyond historic geopolitical borders.
Culture
Authors: Florczak Kristine L.
Published: December 2012

The clarion call from the Institute of Medicine for cultural competency along with nursing standards of cultural care and education on competencies of care for diverse groups are entertained in this column. Ideas from the humanbecoming family model will also be discussed as they relate to cultural care. Finally, a simple solution to the problem of attaining cultural competence by healthcare providers is proposed.
Childhood Obesity Policy
Authors: Reed Monique
Published: December 2012

In the United States there is a prevalence of obesity among ethnic groups, especially African American girls. The author in this column examines through an ecological lens selected American federal, state, and city policies and program interventions aimed at reducing obesity. Specifically, the eating behavior of African American girls is discussed as a population subset for which significant gaps are present in current obesity policy and implementation. Policy recommendations should include parents as research has shown a significant relationship in the eating behaviors of African American girls and their parents. Opportunities for nurses in practice and research to test the effectiveness of family and community level policy and program initiatives that address the ecological perspectives of the adolescent environment are discussed.
The Deification of Mary Magdalene
Authors: Beavis Mary Ann
Published: December 2012

The past 25 years have seen an upsurge of interest in the figure of Mary Magdalene, whose image has been transformed through feminist scholarship from penitent prostitute to prominent disciple of Jesus. This article documents another, non-academic, interpretation of Mary Magdalene – the image of Mary as goddess or embodiment of the female divine. The most influential proponent of this view is Margaret Starbird, who hypothesizes that Mary was both Jesus’ wife and his divine feminine counterpart. The author suggests that feminist theologians/thealogians should (a) be aware of this popular understanding of Mary; and (b) consider what it is about Mary Magdalene as the sacred feminine/Bride of Jesus/Sophia that captures the public imagination in a way that other feminist christologies do not.
Joint optimization of product family design and supplier selection under multinomial logit consumer choice rule
Authors: Cao Yan , Luo Xing Gang , Kwong C K , Tang Jiafu Fu , Zhou Wei
Published: December 2012

In traditional product development process, supplier selection is performed in the production stage when the product design stage has finished. Recently, some scholars found that decoupling the supplier selection and product design may lead to infeasible or suboptimal solutions, and a number of research papers proposed methods integrating supplier selection into product family design. In this research, a one-step product family optimization model integrating supplier selection decision is established based on multinomial logit consumer choice rule. As a kind of widely used discrete choice model, multinomial logit consumer choice rule is regarded to be more flexible and suitable to formulate consumer choice behavior. Genetic algorithm is developed to solve the established nonlinear optimization model. The optimization result under multinomial logit rule is compared with that under the deterministic choice rule in the case study and sensitivity analysis of the model is performed.
Disconnect between discourse and behavior regarding concurrent sexual partnerships and condom use: findings from a qualitative study among youth in Malawi
Authors: Romero Stacy L. , Ellis Amy A. , Gurman Tilly A.
Published: December 2012

The practice of concurrent sexual partnerships (CP) is posited to be a contributor to the elevated risk of HIV transmission among youth in Malawi. The lens through which Malawian youth conceptualize the practices of CP and condom use has yet to be fully explored. The current study – a secondary data analysis of semi-structured in-depth interviews ( n = 19) with Malawian youth aged 18 to 22 years – addresses this gap. Participants were interviewed about their sexual relationships and behavior, as well as their perceptions and knowledge regarding condom use and CP. In order to ensure that youth engaged in CP were oversampled, the recruitment process asked potential respondents to self-identify whether they currently participated in CP. Of the total sample ( n = 19), 13 self-identified as currently engaging in CP. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach.

This qualitative study highlights a disconnect between the high level of knowledge youth exhibit about HIV prevention methods and their actual reported condom use and CP behaviors. While some youth claimed to use condoms, their discourse demonstrated fluidity in that use changed over time, or interest in changing behavior was expressed, or was inconsistent between partnerships. The disconnect between knowledge of the consequences of risky sexual behavior and actual behavior was most evident among inconsistent condom users engaged in CP. This finding indicates knowledge alone has a limited role in the adoption of lower risk behaviors such as condom use and reduction of CP among youth. Moreover, findings from this study can inform HIV prevention programs operating in Malawi and the sub-Saharan Africa region by enabling them to provide tailored, more persuasive health promotion and prevention messaging. (Global Health Promotion, 2012; 19(4): 20–28)
Alt Event Finder: a tool for extracting alternative splicing events from RNA-seq data
Authors: Zhou Ao , Breese Marcus R , Hao Yangyang , Edenberg Howard J , Li Lang , Skaar Todd C , Liu Yunlong
Published: December 2012

Background

Alternative splicing increases proteome diversity by expressing multiple gene isoforms that often differ in function. Identifying alternative splicing events from RNA-seq experiments is important for understanding the diversity of transcripts and for investigating the regulation of splicing.

Results

We developed Alt Event Finder, a tool for identifying novel splicing events by using transcript annotation derived from genome-guided construction tools, such as Cufflinks and Scripture. With a proper combination of alignment and transcript reconstruction tools, Alt Event Finder is capable of identifying novel splicing events in the human genome. We further applied Alt Event Finder on a set of RNA-seq data from rat liver tissues, and identified dozens of novel cassette exon events whose splicing patterns changed after extensive alcohol exposure.

Conclusions

Alt Event Finder is capable of identifying de novo splicing events from data-driven transcript annotation, and is a useful tool for studying splicing regulation.
Differential combinatorial regulatory network analysis related to venous metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zeng Lingyao , Yu Jian , Huang Tao , Jia Huliang , Dong Qiongzhu , He Fei , Yuan Weilan , Qin Lunxiu , Li Yixue , Xie Lu
Published: December 2012

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most fatal cancers in the world, and metastasis is a significant cause to the high mortality in patients with HCC. However, the molecular mechanism behind HCC metastasis is not fully understood. Study of regulatory networks may help investigate HCC metastasis in the way of systems biology profiling.

Methods

By utilizing both sequence information and parallel microRNA(miRNA) and mRNA expression data on the same cohort of HBV related HCC patients without or with venous metastasis, we constructed combinatorial regulatory networks of non-metastatic and metastatic HCC which contain transcription factor(TF) regulation and miRNA regulation. Differential regulation patterns, classifying marker modules, and key regulatory miRNAs were analyzed by comparing non-metastatic and metastatic networks.

Results

Globally TFs accounted for the main part of regulation while miRNAs for the minor part of regulation. However miRNAs displayed a more active role in the metastatic network than in the non-metastatic one. Seventeen differential regulatory modules discriminative of the metastatic status were identified as cumulative-module classifier, which could also distinguish survival time. MiR-16, miR-30a, Let-7e and miR-204 were identified as key miRNA regulators contributed to HCC metastasis.

Conclusion

In this work we demonstrated an integrative approach to conduct differential combinatorial regulatory network analysis in the specific context venous metastasis of HBV-HCC. Our results proposed possible transcriptional regulatory patterns underlying the different metastatic subgroups of HCC. The workflow in this study can be applied in similar context of cancer research and could also be extended to other clinical topics.