bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autonomic dysfunction and plasticity in micturition reflexes in human α‐synuclein mice
Authors: Hamill Robert W. , Tompkins John D. , Girard Beatrice M. , Kershen Richard T. , Parsons Rodney L. , Vizzard Margaret A.
Published: September 2011

Although often overshadowed by the motor dysfunction associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), autonomic dysfunction including urinary bladder and bowel dysfunctions are often associated with PD and may precede motoric changes; such autonomic dysfunction may permit early detection and intervention. Lower urinary tract symptoms are common in PD patients and result in significant morbidity. This studies focus on nonmotor symptoms in PD using a transgenic mouse model with overexpression of human α‐synuclein (hSNCA), the peptide found in high concentrations in Lewy body neuronal inclusions, the histopathologic hallmark of PD. We examined changes in the physiological, molecular, chemical, and electrical properties of neuronal pathways controlling urinary bladder function in transgenic mice. The results of these studies reveal that autonomic dysfunction (i.e., urinary bladder) can precede motor dysfunction. In addition, mice with hSNCA overexpression in relevant neuronal populations is associated with alterations in expression of neurotransmitter/neuromodulatory molecules (PACAP, VIP, substance P, and neuronal NOS) within neuronal pathways regulating bladder function as well as with increased NGF expression in the urinary bladder. Changes in the electrical and synaptic properties of neurons in the major pelvic ganglia that provide postganglionic innervation to urogenital tissues were not changed as determined with intracellular recording. The urinary bladder dysfunction observed in transgenic mice likely reflects changes in peripheral (i.e., afferent) and/or central micturition pathways or changes in the urinary bladder. SYN‐OE mice provide an opportunity to examine early events underlying the molecular and cellular plasticity of autonomic nervous system pathways underlying synucleinopathies. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 72: 918–936, 2012
Application of a multidisciplinary approach for the evaluation of traceability of extra virgin olive oil
Authors: Chiavaro Emma , Cerretani Lorenzo , Di Matteo Antonietta , Barnaba Carlo , Bendini Alessandra , Iacumin Paola
Published: September 2011

In this work, a multidisciplinary approach for the evaluation of extra virgin olive oil traceability (geographical provenience and botanical differentiation) is presented. Conventional techniques such as major chemical component determination (triacylglycerols, TAG and fatty acids) and other novel approaches as stable isotopic ratio (13C/12C in combination with 18O/16O) and thermal properties obtained from cooling curves and their deconvoluted peaks by means of differential scanning calorimetry were compared. Fifty‐three samples from different Italian regions, diverse cultivars, and two Mediterranean areas (Italy and Croatia) were analyzed with all the three techniques. The oils exhibited different values especially for δ18O and thermal properties of the deconvoluted peaks of crystallization according to Italian regions and/or cultivars. Data were treated by means of linear discriminant analysis inserting all parameters as predictors in models where the potentiality to discriminate oils was tested. All models revealed a good resolution among categories with selected TAG, δ18O values, and thermal properties of the deconvoluted peak set at the highest temperature exhibiting the highest weight for the discriminant functions. These findings could give strength to the utilization of new analytical techniques supporting those traditionally employed, also sustained by proper chemometric procedures, as suitable for the resolution of extra virgin olive traceability.

Practical applications: Consumers' awareness of extra virgin olive oil traceability has recently increased the interest for new methods that can assess its geographical and botanical origins and new findings in this sector represent a key factor affecting the purchases in non‐producer countries. Multidisciplinary approaches supported by chemometric procedures enable the building of large databases and classification models for the determination of the provenience of extra virgin olive oil.
Rock warming and drying under simulated intertidal conditions, part I: experimental procedures and comparisons with field data
Authors: Coombes Martin A.
Published: September 2011

The wetting–drying and warming–cooling behaviours of rock and stone are known to influence the nature and rate of weathering. The way materials warm‐up and dry‐out also influences their suitability as biological substrata. While rock thermal behaviours have been measured under controlled laboratory conditions, previous experiments have largely been restricted to terrestrial simulations due to practical constraints. Where efforts have been made to simulate intertidal conditions, expansion and contraction of rocks or rates of breakdown (i.e. sediment production and weight loss) have been measured, while detailed observations of thermal and drying behaviours have rarely been made.

A simple, semi‐automated procedure is described that enabled measurement of surface temperatures and desorption (evaporative water loss) for different material types (rock and concrete) under simulated semidiurnal tide conditions. Some preliminary results are presented illustrating the types of data that were obtained, and comparisons are made with temperature data collected on a rock platform in the UK to assess the ability of the procedure to adequately represent field conditions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Origin and karst geomorphological significance of the enigmatic Australian Nullarbor Plain ‘blowholes’
Authors: Doerr Stefan H. , Davies Rob R. , Lewis Alexander , Pilkington Graham , Webb John A. , Ackroyd Peter J. , Bodger Owen
Published: September 2011

The Australian Nullarbor Plain, one of the world's largest limestone platforms (~200 000 km2), has few distinctive surface karst features for its size, but is known for its enigmatic ‘blowholes’, which can display strong barometric draughts. Thousands of these vertical tubes with decimetre–metre (dm–m) scale diameter puncture the largely featureless terrain. The cause and distribution of these has remained unclear, but they have been thought to originate from downward dissolution and/or salt weathering.

To elucidate blowhole distribution and mode of formation we (i) correlated existing location data with Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data, which distinguishes the subtle undulations (< 10 m per km) of the landscape, (ii) surveyed blowhole morphology and (iii) determined their rock surface hardness.

Over a sampled area of 4200 km2, the distribution of 615 known blowholes is not correlated with present topography. Blowholes are often connected to small or, in some cases extensive, but typically shallow cavities, which exhibit numerous ‘cupolas’ (dome‐shaped pockets) in their ceilings. Statistical arguments suggest that cavities with cupolas are common, but in only a few cases do these puncture the surface. Hardness measurements indicate that salt weathering is not their main cause. Our observations suggest that blowholes do not develop downwards, but occur where a cupola breaks through the surface. Lowering of the land surface is suggested to be the main cause for this breakthrough. Although cupolas may undergo some modification under the current climate, they, as well as the shallow caves they are formed in, are likely to be palaeokarst features formed under a shallower water table and wetter conditions in the past. The findings presented have implications for theories of dissolutional forms development in caves worldwide. The environmental history of the Nullarbor platform allows testing of such theories, because many other factors, which complicate karst evolution elsewhere, have not interfered with landform evolution here. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Associations of serotonergic genes with poststroke emotional incontinence
Authors: Kim Jae‐Min , Stewart Robert , Kang Hee‐Ju , Bae Kyung‐Yeol , Kim Sung‐Wan , Shin Il‐Seon , Kim Joon‐Tae , Park Man‐Seok , Cho Ki‐Hyun , Yoon Jin‐Sang
Published: September 2011

Objectives

Poststroke emotional incontinence (PSEI) has been associated with serotonergic dysfunction. Polymorphisms of serotonin transporter (5‐HTT) and serotonin 2a receptor (5‐HTR2a) genes may regulate serotonergic signaling at brain synapses, and this study was to investigate associations with PSEI in an East Asian population.

Methods

In 276 stroke cases, PSEI was diagnosed by Kim's criteria. Covariates included age, gender, education, history of depression or stroke, current depression, and stroke severity and location. Genotypes were ascertained for 5‐HTT gene‐linked promoter region (5‐HTTLPR), serotonin transporter intron 2 variable number tandem repeat, 5‐HTR2a 1438A/G, and 5‐HTR2a 102 T/C. Associations with PSEI were estimated by using logistic regression models, and gene–gene interactions were investigated by using the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction method.

Results

PSEI was present in 37 (13.4%) patients. The 5‐HTT gene‐linked promoter region s/s genotype was independently associated with PSEI. No associations with STin2 VNTR and 5‐HTR2a genes were found, and no significant gene–gene interactions were identified.

Conclusions

Stroke patients with 5‐HTTLPR s allele had higher susceptibility to PSEI, which underlines the potential role of serotonergic pathways in its etiology. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Induction of proinflammatory mediators by CHI3L1 is reduced by chitin treatment: Decreased tumor metastasis in a breast cancer model
Authors: Libreros Stephania , Garcia‐Areas Ramon , Shibata Yoshimi , Carrio Roberto , Torroella‐Kouri Marta , Iragavarapu‐Charyulu Vijaya
Published: September 2011

Disseminated metastasis accounts for over 90% of breast cancer deaths. Recently, elevated serum levels of a glycoprotein known as chitinase‐3 like‐protein‐1 (CHI3L1) has been correlated with poor prognosis and shorter survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer. In this study, we show that there are increased levels of CHI3L1 in plasma of tumor‐bearing mice and that both tumor cells and immune cells express and secrete CHI3L1. However, the biological and physiological functions of CHI3L1 are still unclear. We demonstrate that while CHI3L1 has an inhibitory role in the expression of interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), CHI3L1 up‐regulates pro‐inflammatory mediators, C‐chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), chemokine CX motif ligand 2 (CXCL2) and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) all of which contribute to tumor growth and metastasis. We found that in vitro inhibition of CHI3L1 by siRNA suppressed the production of CCL2, CXCL2 and MMP‐9 by macrophages. In vivo treatment of mammary tumor‐bearing mice with chitin (β‐(1‐4)‐poly‐N‐acetyl D‐glucosamine), a TH1 adjuvant and a ligand for CHI3L1, promoted immune effector functions with increased production of IFN‐γ and decreased CCL2, CXCL2 and MMP‐9 expression. In vivo administration of chitin to mammary tumor‐bearing mice significantly decreased lung metastasis. These studies show that CHI3L1 plays a role in tumor progression and that chitin can inhibit the pleiotropic effects of CHI3L1 giving support to the idea that CHI3L1 is a useful therapeutic target for treatment of breast cancer.
Connexin43 acts as a colorectal cancer tumor suppressor and predicts disease outcome
Authors: Sirnes Solveig , Bruun Jarle , Kolberg Matthias , Kjenseth Ane , Lind Guro E. , Svindland Aud , Brech Andreas , Nesbakken Arild , Lothe Ragnhild A , Leithe Edward , Rivedal Edgar
Published: September 2011

This article is the first to show that loss of connexin43 (Cx43) expression in colorectal tumors is correlated with significantly shorter relapse‐free and overall survival. Cx43 was further found to negatively regulate growth of colon cancer cells, in part by enhancing apoptosis. In addition, Cx43 was found to colocalize with β‐catenin and reduce Wnt signaling. The study represents the first evidence that Cx43 acts as a colorectal cancer tumor suppressor and that loss of Cx43 expression during colorectal cancer development is associated with reduced patient survival. The study has important implications for the assessment of Cx43 as a prognostic marker and target in colorectal cancer prevention and therapy. Gap junctions consist of intercellular channels that permit direct transfer of ions and small molecules between adjacent cells. The gap junction channel protein Cx43 plays important roles in cell growth control and differentiation and is frequently dysregulated in human cancers. However, the functional importance and clinical relevance of Cx43 in cancer development has remained elusive. Here, we show that Cx43 is downregulated or aberrantly localized in colon cancer cell lines and colorectal carcinomas, which is associated with loss of gap junction intercellular communication. The in situ protein expression of Cx43 was analyzed in colorectal tumors in a cohort of 674 patients and related to established clinicopathological variables and survival. A subgroup of the patients had weak or no expression of Cx43 in tumors. Loss of Cx43 expression was significantly correlated with shorter relapse‐free and overall survival. Loss of Cx43 further identified a high‐risk subgroup among stage I and stage II patients with reduced relapse‐free and overall survival. Ectopic expression of Cx43 in the colon cancer cell line HT29 was associated with reduced growth in monolayer and soft agar cultures and in tumor xenografts. Cx43 was found to colocalize with β‐catenin and negatively regulate the Wnt signaling pathway, and expression of Cx43 was associated with increased levels of apoptosis. Altogether, these data indicate that Cx43 is a colorectal cancer tumor suppressor protein that predicts clinical outcome.
Forum on aging and skeletal health: Summary of the proceedings of an ASBMR workshop
Authors: Khosla Sundeep , Bellido Teresita M , Drezner Marc K , Gordon Catherine M , Harris Tamara B , Kiel Douglas P , Kream Barbara E , LeBoff Meryl S , Lian Jane B , Peterson Charlotte A , Rosen Clifford J , Williams John P , Winer Karen K , Sherman Sherry S
Published: September 2011

With the aging of the population, the scope of the problem of age-related bone loss and osteoporosis will continue to increase. As such, it is critical to obtain a better understanding of the factors determining the acquisition and loss of bone mass from childhood to senescence. While there have been significant advances in recent years in our understanding of both the basic biology of aging and a clinical definition of age-related frailty, few of these concepts in aging research have been evaluated adequately for their relevance and application to skeletal aging or fracture prevention. The March 2011 Forum on Aging and Skeletal Health, sponsored by the NIH and ASBMR, sought to bring together leaders in aging and bone research to enhance communications among diverse fields of study so as to accelerate the pace of scientific advances needed to reduce the burden of osteoporotic fractures. This report summarizes the major concepts presented at that meeting and in each area identifies key questions to help set the agenda for future research in skeletal aging. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Controlled‐synthesis of Slightly Crosslinked Poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride)s Used as Useful Polycationic Dye‐fixatives on Cotton Fabric
Authors: Yu Yikai , Zhang Yuejun
Published: September 2011

A series of slightly crosslinked poly (dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) s (PDMs) as useful polycationic dye‐fixatives on cotton fabric were synthesized by copolymerization of triallylmethylammonium chloride (TAMAC) and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (DM). The structures of slightly crosslinked PDMs could be controlled by varying molar ratio of TAMAC to DM during polymerization, and their molecular weights were possibly controlled by adjusting different polymerization conditions. The results showed, under the same conditions that the polymerization temperatures were kept at 65 °C for 6 h and then heated to 80 °C for 2 h, when the initial monomer concentrations (w/w) were increased from 37% to 50%, the initiator amount were gradually decreased from 9% to 5%, a series of slightly crosslinked PDMs with controlled structures of 1%‐5% TAMAC molar contents and controlled intrinsic viscosities of 0.18∼0.65 dL/g were successfully synthesized, which were as designed and could be expected as novel useful polycationic dye‐fixatives on cotton fabric.
Indirect Determination of Sulfadiazine by Cloud Point Extraction/Flow Injection‐Flame Atomic Absorption (CPE/FI‐FAAS) Spectrometry
Authors: Dadfarnia Shayessteh , Hajishabani Ali Mohammad , Rad Hamid Fazeli
Published: September 2011

An indirect simple and rapid cloud point extraction is proposed for separation and preconcentration of sulfadiazine and its determination by flow injection‐flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FI‐FAAS). The sulfadiazine from 35 mL of solution was readily converted to silver sulfadiazine upon addition of silver nitrate (9.7 × 10‐5 mol/L). Then, Triton X‐114 a non ionic surfactant was added and the solution was heated to 60 °C. At this stage, two separate phases was formed and silver sulfadiazine enters the surfactant rich phase of non‐ionic micelles of Triton X‐114. The surfactant‐rich phase (∼50 μL) was then separated and diluted to 300 μL with acidic methanol. The concentration of silver in the surfactant‐rich phase which is proportional to the concentration of sulfadiazine in sample solution was determined by FI‐FAAS. The parameters affecting extraction and separation were optimized. Under the optimum conditions (i.e. pH 2‐10, silver concentration (9.7 × 10 ‐5 mol/L), Triton X‐114 (0.075% v/v) and temperature 60 °C) a preconcentration factor of 117 and a relative standard deviation of 4.9% at 37 μg L‐1 of sulfadiazine was obtained. The method was successfully applied to analysis of milk, urine and tablet samples and accuracy was determined by recovery experiments.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure Determination of [H2‐cryptand 222](Br3)2: A Unique Tribromide Catalyst for the Catalytic Chemoselective N‐Boc Protection of Amines
Authors: Chehardoli Gholamabbas , Zolfigol Mohammad Ali , Khakyzadeh Vahid , Golbedaghi Reza , Hall Nikita A. , Blackman Allan G.
Published: September 2011

The organic tribromide, [H2‐cryptand 222](Br3)2 was synthesized and characterized by X‐ray crystallography, and was utilized as an active catalyst for the N‐boc protection of amines. The method is general for the preparation of N‐boc derivatives of aliphatic (acyclic and cyclic), aromatic, primary and secondary amines. We also applied our new reaction protocols for the N‐boc protection of some new amines and spectral and physical data for the obtained products are reported.
Synthesis and Reactions of 1‐Amino‐5‐morpholin‐4‐yl‐6,7,8,9‐tetrahydrothieno[2,3‐c]isoquinoline
Authors: Zaki Remon M. , Radwan Shaban M. , El‐Dean Adel M. Kamal
Published: September 2011

The pyrazolone derivative 4 was synthesized by reaction of carbohydrazide 2 with ethyl benzoylacetate in ethanol and p‐toluene sulphonic acid followed by cyclization upon heating in acetic acid. Chloroacylation of amino ester and amino benzoyl compounds 1, 19 gave the chloro acetylamino derivatives 5 and 20 respectively which both of them react with different amines to afford compounds 6, 23a‐d. Hydrolysis and decarboxlation of compound 1 yielded the aminothienotetrahydroisoquinoline 8 which was used as versatile material for synthesizing other heterocyclic compounds 9‐18. Compound 20 react with hexamethylenetetramine and malononitrile yielded thediazepino and pyrrolo derivatives 21, 22 respectively.
Synthesis of an 18F‐labeled cyclin‐dependent kinase‐2 inhibitor
Authors: Svensson Frieda , Kniess Torsten , Bergmann Ralf , Pietzsch Jens , Wuest Frank
Published: September 2011

The radiosynthesis of N‐(5‐(((5‐(tert‐butyl)oxazol‐2‐yl)methyl)thio)thiazol‐2‐yl)‐4‐[18F]fluoro‐benzamide [18F]2 as a potential radiotracer for molecular imaging of cyclin‐dependent kinase‐2 (CDK‐2) expression in vivo by positron emission tomography is described. Two different synthesis routes were envisaged. The first approach followed direct radiofluorination of respective nitro‐ and trimethylammonium substituted benzamides as labeling precursors with no‐carrier‐added (n.c.a.) [18F]fluoride. A second synthesis route was based on the acylation reaction of 2‐aminothiazole derivative with labeling agent [18F]SFB. Direct radiofluorination afforded 18 F‐labeled CDK‐2 inhibitor in very low yields of 1%–3%, whereas acylation reaction with [18F]SFB gave 18 F‐labeled CDK‐2 inhibitor [18 F]2 in high yields of up to 85% based upon [18 F]SFB during the optimization experiments. Large scale preparation afforded radiotracer [18 F]2 in isolated radiochemical yields of 37%–44% (n = 3, decay‐corrected) after HPLC purification within 75 min based upon [18 F]SFB. This corresponds to a decay‐corrected radiochemical yield of 13%–16% based upon [18F]fluoride. The radiochemical purity exceeded 95% and the specific activity was determined to be 20 GBq/µmol. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparing ungulate dietary proxies using discriminant function analysis
Authors: Fraser Danielle , Theodor Jessica M.
Published: September 2011

A variety of tooth‐wear and morphological dietary proxies have been proposed for ungulates. In turn, they have been applied to fossil specimens with the purpose of reconstructing the diets of extinct taxa. Although these dietary proxies have been used in isolation and in combination, a consistent set of statistical analyses has never been applied to all of the available datasets. The purpose of this study is to determine how well the most commonly used dietary proxies classify ungulates as browsers, grazers, and mixed feeders individually and in combination. Discriminant function analysis is applied to individual dietary proxies (hypsodonty, mesowear, microwear, and several cranial dietary proxies) and to combinations thereof to compare rates of successful dietary classification. In general, the tooth‐wear dietary proxies (mesowear and microwear) perform better than morphological dietary proxies, though none are strong proxies in isolation. The success rates of the cranial dietary proxies are not increased substantially when ruminants and bovids are analyzed separately, and significance among the three dietary guilds is reduced when controlling for phylogenetic relatedness. The combination of hypsodonty, mesowear, and microwear is found to have a high rate of successful dietary classification, but a combination of all commonly used proxies increases the success rate to 100%. In most cases, mixed feeders bear the greatest resemblance to browsers suggesting that a morphology intermediate to browsers and grazers may represent a fitness valley resulting from the inability to exploit both browse and graze efficiently. These results are important for future paleoecological studies and should be used as a guide for determining which dietary proxies are appropriate to the research question. J. Morphol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus in non‐neoplastic cervical tissue lesion: Cervical erosion
Authors: Bayram Aysen , Erkılıç Suna , Balat Özcan , Ekşi Fahriye , Uğur Mete Gürol , Öztürk Ebru , Kaya Gülsüm
Published: September 2011

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the commonest sexually transmitted infection, which is associated with various clinical conditions, ranging from asymptomatic infection to malignant disease of the cervix. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and genotypic distribution of HPV in women with cervical erosion and to compare the results with those in women with a clinically normal cervix. A further aim was to establish the association between HPV infection and cervical cytology results in women with and without cervical erosion. Cervical samples were collected by liquid‐based method and consecutively evaluated for the presence of HPV DNA and for cervical cytology. HPV DNA was tested by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and typed by reverse dot blot genotyping. Cytological classification was made according to Bethesda 2001 criteria. The overall HPV prevalence was 16.9%; HPV DNA was positive in 20.2% of women with cervical erosion and 12.8% in women with normal cervix (P < 0.05). Multiple infections were found in 34.1% of the HPV‐positive women. Commonest types were HPV 18 (32.9%), HPV 16 (29.5%), HPV 54 (20.5%), and HPV 6 (17%). Cervical cytology results were abnormal for 5.2% of women with cervical erosion and for 1.3% with clinically normal cervix (P < 0.05). This study detected a high prevalence of HPV infection in women with cervical erosion compared to women with a normal cervix. This data may contribute to the HPV epidemiology in the southeastern Turkey. It is recommended that women with cervical erosion should be given priority in HPV screening programs. J. Med. Virol. 83:1997–2003, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prediction of the strength parameter of cohesive zone model for simulating composite delamination by the equivalent inclusion method
Authors: Ye Qiang , Chen Puhui
Published: September 2011

The cohesive strength is an important parameter in numerically modeling composite delamination via cohesive zone model‐based FEM. A micromechanical model is proposed to predict the cohesive strength based on Eshelby's equivalent inclusion method (EIM). In this model, it is considered that the cohesive strength depends heavily on the stress concentrations at the microscopic level. The cohesive strengths of T700/QY8911 and AS4/PEEK laminates at various cross‐angles of the bidirectional fibers are computed using EIM with constant eigenstrains. With the predicted cohesive strengths the FEM simulations on mixed‐mode bending and six‐point bending test are presented, and the results are in fair agreement with experimental observation. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Agave lechuguilla Torrey fiber as reinforcement of polyester resin
Authors: Velásquez‐Martínez Aníbal , Díaz‐Díaz Alberto , Hernández‐Escobar Claudia Alejandra , Zaragoza‐Contreras Erasto Armando
Published: September 2011

This study was aimed to evaluate the application of lechuguilla fiber (Agave lechuguilla Torrey), with no treatment, as reinforcement of polyester resin. Mechanical assays and pull‐out tests were performed on specimens of one fiber and strands of 10 fibers and on lechuguilla fiber/polyester composites and polyester matrix alone. The results indicated that there was no important improvement in composite rigidity, as the Young's modulus in both the fiber and the polyester resin were similar; however, an important improvement in composite resistance, in respect to the matrix alone, attributed to a good interfacial adherence fiber‐matrix, was observed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Impact of IASI assimilation at global and convective scales and challenges for the assimilation of cloudy scenes
Authors: Guidard V. , Fourrié N. , Brousseau P. , Rabier F.
Published: September 2011

Since July 2008, Infrared Atmospheric Sounder Interferometer (IASI) radiances have been assimilated in the French global model Action de Recherche Petite Echelle Grande Echelle (ARPEGE) and since April 2010 at high density in the French convective‐scale model Applications of Research to Operations at MEsoscale (AROME).

The impact of the assimilation of clear IASI data on forecast skill is found to be positive for both models. As many observed scenes are cloudy, several ways to characterize the clouds within the observed spectra are investigated. Firstly, a simple approach that enables the determination of both the cloud‐top pressure and the effective cloud amount of an equivalent single‐layer cloud is followed using a CO2‐slicing method. The first assimilation trials in overcast conditions lead to a small positive impact on forecast skill. Another approach would be to take advantage of the fact that cloud water variables are described at high resolution in the convective‐scale model AROME. Model cloud fields have to be used in conjunction with a cloudy radiative transfer model. The first simulations using this technique are performed and compared against observations. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Pseudo‐energy shaping for the stabilization of a class of second‐order systems
Authors: Chang Dong Eui
Published: September 2011

A Lyapunov direct method is presented for a class of second‐order systems that includes mechanical systems. This method shall be called a pseudo‐energy shaping method because it reduces to the energy shaping method when a given second‐order system is a mechanical system. The pseudo‐energy shaping method comprehends both the Lyapunov direct method for mechanical systems proposed by Aguilar‐Ibañez and the controlled Lagrangian method that has been successfully applied to stabilize mechanical systems.

A class of second‐order systems including mechanical systems is defined first. For this class, matching conditions are derived for the construction of an energy‐like Lyapunov function that shall be called a pseudo‐energy function. Easily verifiable conditions are then presented for stabilizability by the pseudo‐energy shaping method for a class of second‐order linear systems and for a class of second‐order nonlinear systems with one degree of under‐actuation. These results are applied to stabilize a two‐dimensional overhead crane system and a three‐link robot arm system. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lysophosphatidic Acid Induces Erythropoiesis through Activating Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor 3
Authors: Chiang Chi-Ling , Chen Swey-Shen Alex , Lee Shyh Jye , Tsao Ku-Chi , Chu Pei-Lun , Wen Cheng-Hao , Hwang Shiaw-Min , Yao Chao-Ling , Lee Hsinyu
Published: September 2011

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), an extracellular lipid mediator, exerts multiple bioactivities through activating G protein-coupled receptors. LPA receptor 3 (LPA3) is a member of the endothelial differentiation gene family, which regulates differentiation and development of the circulation system. However, the relationship among the LPA receptors (LPARs) and erythropoiesis is still not clear. In this study, we found that erythroblasts expressed both LPA1 and LPA3, and erythropoietic defects were observed in zLPA3 antisense morpholino oligonucleotide-injected zebrafish embryos. In human model, our results showed that LPA enhanced the erythropoiesis in the cord blood-derived human hematopoietic stem cells (hHSCs) with erythropoietin (EPO) addition in the plasma-free culture. When hHSCs were treated with Ki16425, an antagonist of LPA1 and LPA3, erythropoietic process of hHSCs was also blocked, as detected by mRNA and protein expressions of CD71 and GlyA. In the knockdown study, we further demonstrated that specific knockdown of LPA3, not LPA1, blocked the erythropoiesis. The translocation of β-catenin into the nucleus, a downstream response of LPAR activation, was blocked by Ki16425 treatment. In addition, upregulation of erythropoiesis by LPA was also blocked by quercetin, an inhibitor of the β-catenin/T-cell factor pathway. Furthermore, the enhancement of LPA on erythropoiesis was diminished by blocking c-Jun-activated kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT activation, the downstream signaling pathways of EPO receptor, suggested that LPA might play a synergistic role with EPO to regulate erythropoietic process. In conclusion, we first reported that LPA participates in EPO-dependent erythropoiesis through activating LPA3.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Fluorescent Property of A Chiral 2D Polymer Based on Bis(2‐benzimidazoles) and Aromatic Carboxylate Ligands
Authors: Feng Guo‐Dong , Jiang Luan , Su Zhong‐Min
Published: September 2011

We have synthesized a new complex [Zn(H2C3PIm)(BTC)H2O]n (1) [H3BTC = 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid, H2C3PIm = 2,2′‐(1,3‐propanediyl)‐bis(1H‐benzimidazole)] and determined its structure (C26H20N4O7Zn, Mr = 565.83) using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1) with a = 8.497(5), b = 16.316(5), c = 9.316(5) Å, β = 104.955(5), V = 1247.8(11) Å3, Z = 2, Dc = 1.506 g·cm–3, μ(Mo‐Kα) = 1.038 mm–1, F(000) = 580, S = 0.755, the final indices are R = 0.0386 and wR = 0.0456 for 3461 reflections with I > 2σ(I). In the asymmetric unit of complex 1, the distorted tetrahedral ZnII ion is bridged by the carboxylic oxygen atoms of the BTC ligand and the nitrogen atoms of the H2C3PIm ligand. The complex units are linked through BTC ligands into a chiral 2D layer and further connected into a 3D framework by π–π packing interactions between the adjacent H2C3PIm ligands. The complex exhibits high stablility in air at ambient temperature and strong photoluminescence at room temperature.
Ein dimeres Squarato‐Fluoroferrat(III)
Authors: Leo Roland , Massa Werner
Published: September 2011

A first squarato‐fluoro complex of iron(III) could be prepared and characterised by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction as (imidH)2[Fe2sq2F4(H2O)2]·2H2O (imid = imidazole, sq = squarate(2‐) anion). Space group P$\bar{1}$, Z = 1, a = 8.2174(8), b = 8.4306(9), c = 8.7860(9) Å, α = 63.864(9)°, β = 78.020(10)°, γ = 79.905(11)°, R1 = 0.0264. The structure is built by dimeric [Fe2sq2F4(H2O)2]2– anions where the iron atoms are bridged by two fluoride ions and two squarate anions acting as bidentate ligands. Two additional fluoride ions and two aqua ligands are in trans‐ terminal positions. These anions are implemented in a hydrogen bond network including the imidazolium cations and the free water molecules.
Residential Mobility and Prosocial Development Within a Single City
Authors: O'Brien Daniel Tumminelli , Gallup Andrew C. , Wilson David Sloan
Published: September 2011

Neighborhood social dynamics have been shown to impact behavioral development in residents, including levels of prosociality (i.e. positive social behavior). This study explores whether residential moves to neighborhoods with different social dynamics can influence further prosocial development. Prosociality, five domains of social support, and residential location were tracked between 2006 and 2009 in 397 adolescents across a small city in upstate New York. Analysis compared the role of the different forms of social support in prosocial development for movers versus non‐movers. The effects of one's neighborhood of residence at Time 2 were also compared between movers and non‐movers. Prosocial development in these two groups responded similarly to all forms of social support, including from neighbors. Movers experienced a greater increase in prosociality the more residentially stable the adolescent population of their new neighborhood of residence. Such neighborhood characteristics were not influential in the prosocial development of non‐movers.
Force and torque acting on particles in a transitionally rough open-channel flow
Authors: Chan-Braun Clemens , García-Villalba Manuel , Uhlmann Markus
Published: September 2011

Direct numerical simulation of open channel flow over a geometrically rough wall has been performed at a bulk Reynolds number of ${\mathit{Re}}_{b} \approx 2900$. The wall consisted of a layer of spheres in a square arrangement. Two cases have been considered. In the first case the spheres are small (with diameter equivalent to $10. 7$ wall units) and the limit of the hydraulically smooth flow regime is approached. In the second case the spheres are more than three times larger ($49. 3$ wall units) and the flow is in the transitionally rough flow regime. Special emphasis is given to the characterisation of the force and torque acting on a particle due to the turbulent flow. It is found that in both cases the mean drag, lift and spanwise torque are to a large extent produced at the top region of the particle surface. The intensity of the particle force fluctuations is significantly larger in the large-sphere case, while the trend differs for the fluctuations of the individual components of the torque. A simplified model is used to show that the torque fluctuations might be explained by the spheres acting as a filter with respect to the size of the flow scales which can effectively generate torque fluctuations. Fluctuations of both force and torque are found to exhibit strongly non-Gaussian probability density functions with particularly long tails, an effect which is more pronounced in the small-sphere case. Some implications of the present results for sediment erosion are briefly discussed.
Mineral partitioning in milk and milk permeates at high temperature
Authors: Kaombe Divina D , Du Yanhong , Lewis Michael J
Published: September 2011

The soluble phase of milk was separated at 20 and 80°C using ultrafiltration. The resulting permeates were then subjected to further ultrafiltration and dialysis at close to these two temperatures. It was found that pH, Ca2+ and soluble Ca decreased as the separation temperature increased both in original UF permeates and in dialysates obtained from these permeates, but P decreased only slightly. The major reason for these changes was due to the precipitation of calcium phosphate/citrate complexes onto the casein micelle with concomitant release of H+. The pH of both permeates and dialysates from milk at 20°C were slightly higher than for milk. When UF permeates collected at 20 and 80°C, were each dialysed at both these temperatures, the dialysate collected at 80°C showed much less temperature dependence for pH and ionic calcium compared with that collected at 20°C. This is in contrast to milk, which shows considerable temperature dependence for pH and ionic calcium. Further experiments revealed that the pH and Ca2+ concentration of permeates showed high temperature dependence above the temperature at which they were separated, but a much lower temperature dependence below that temperature. These findings suggest that dialysis and UF of milk at high temperature provide the best means yet for estimating the pH and ionic calcium of milk at that temperature.
The Economics of Badmouthing: Libel Law and the Underworld of the Financial Press in France Before World War I
Authors: Bignon Vincent , Flandreau Marc
Published: September 2011

This article analyzes the economics of “badmouthing” in the context of the pre-1914 French capital market. We argue that badmouthing was a means through which racketeering journals sought to secure property rights over issuers' reputation. We provide a theoretical study of the market setup that emerged to deal with such problems, and we test our predictions using new evidence from contemporary sources.

“A newspaper that wishes to make its fortune should never waste its columns and weary its readers by praising anything. Eulogy is invariably dull—a fact that Mr. Alf had discovered and utilized.”

A. Trollope, The Way We Live Now, 1875

“And did you threaten him with the newspapers?”

H. de Balzac, La maison Nucingen, 1837
Fungus ball within a mucocele of the sphenoid sinus and infratemporal fossa: case report with radiological findings
Authors: Lee D H , Kim S K , Joo Y E , Lim S C
Published: September 2011

Objective:

We report an extremely rare case of a fungus ball within a mucocele of the sphenoid sinus and infratemporal fossa.

Case report:

A 62-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of a mass lesion in the left sphenoid sinus and infratemporal fossa. Endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity was unremarkable. Computed tomography showed a non-enhancing, expansile mass with calcifications in the sphenoid and infratemporal fossa; T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed marked hypointense signals within the sphenoid sinus mass, with an intermediate signal intensity. A presumptive diagnosis of a mucocele was made. During surgery, a profuse amount of yellow fluid was drained from the mucocele. Clay-like material was noted within the mucocele, corresponding to the hypointense magnetic resonance imaging signals; this was identified as aspergillus on histopathological examination. Radiological findings for a fungus ball within a mucocele can be similar to those for allergic fungal sinusitis, which shows mixed low and high attenuation on computed tomography and low-signal intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, within an expansile, cystic lesion.

Conclusion:

Although an association between a fungus ball and a mucocele is rare in the paranasal sinuses, this disease entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of expansile, cystic sinus lesions.
Schizophrenia-related RGS4 gene variations specifically disrupt prefrontal control of saccadic eye movements
Authors: Kattoulas E. , Stefanis N. C. , Avramopoulos D. , Stefanis C. N. , Evdokimidis I. , Smyrnis N.
Published: September 2011

Background

The gene encoding the regulator of G-protein signaling subtype 4 (RGS4), located on chromosome 1q23-3, has been proposed as a possible susceptibility gene for schizophrenia and has been specifically linked to prefrontal cortical structural and functional integrity.

Method

The effects of four core single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the RGS4 gene on oculomotor parameters in a battery of oculomotor tasks (saccade, antisaccade, smooth eye pursuit, fixation) were investigated in a sample of 2243 young male military conscripts.

Results

The risk allele of RGS4SNP18 was found to be associated with two variables of antisaccade performance, increased error rate and variation in the correct antisaccade latency. By contrast, the same allele and also the risk allele of RGS4SNP4 led to an improvement in smooth eye pursuit performance (increased gain). Structural equation modeling confirmed that the combined gene variation of RGS4SNP4 and RGS4SNP18 was a significant predictor of antisaccade but not smooth eye pursuit performance.

Conclusions

These results provide evidence for a specific effect of schizophrenia-related RGS4 genotype variations to prefrontal dysfunction measured by oculomotor indices of performance in normal individuals, further validating the hypothesis that RGS4 is related to prefrontal dysfunction in schizophrenia.
A randomized trial comparing repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation given 3 days/week and 5 days/week for the treatment of major depression: is efficacy related to the duration of treatment or the number of treatments?
Authors: Galletly C. , Gill S. , Clarke P. , Burton C. , Fitzgerald P. B.
Published: September 2011

Background

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to be an effective treatment for depression. However, there has been little research to determine optimal parameters for treatment.

Method

This study compared two rTMS treatment regimes for the treatment of major depression. Seventy-seven participants were randomized to either spaced or daily treatment. Spaced rTMS was given 3 days/week for 6 weeks (18 treatments in total) and daily rTMS was given 5 days/week for 4 weeks (20 treatments in total). All participants were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. Participants in the spaced treatment group were also assessed after 6 weeks of treatment. All participants were treated at 110% of the resting motor threshold with high-frequency rTMS (10 Hz) to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) followed by low-frequency rTMS to the right DLPFC.

Results

Participants in the daily treatment group showed more improvement by week 4 than those in the spaced treatment group; however, both groups had similar improvement by treatment completion. There was significant improvement in both groups in ratings of depression and anxiety, with no significant differences between groups.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that the efficacy of rTMS is related to the number of treatments given and that spacing the treatments neither improves nor reduces efficacy.
ASYMPTOTIC DISTRIBUTION OF JIVE IN A HETEROSKEDASTIC IV REGRESSION WITH MANY INSTRUMENTS
Authors: Chao John C. , Swanson Norman R. , Hausman Jerry A. , Newey Whitney K. , Woutersen Tiemen
Published: September 2011

This paper derives the limiting distributions of alternative jackknife instrumental variables (JIV) estimators and gives formulas for accompanying consistent standard errors in the presence of heteroskedasticity and many instruments. The asymptotic framework includes the many instrument sequence of Bekker (1994, Econometrica 62, 657–681) and the many weak instrument sequence of Chao and Swanson (2005, Econometrica 73, 1673–1691). We show that JIV estimators are asymptotically normal and that standard errors are consistent provided that $\root \of {K_n } /r_n \to 0$ as n→∞, where Kn and rn denote, respectively, the number of instruments and the concentration parameter. This is in contrast to the asymptotic behavior of such classical instrumental variables estimators as limited information maximum likelihood, bias-corrected two-stage least squares, and two-stage least squares, all of which are inconsistent in the presence of heteroskedasticity, unless Kn/rn→0. We also show that the rate of convergence and the form of the asymptotic covariance matrix of the JIV estimators will in general depend on the strength of the instruments as measured by the relative orders of magnitude of rn and Kn.
Elder Abuse and Neglect in Canada: The Glass is Still Half Full
Authors: McDonald Lynn
Published: September 2011

Cet article examine les développements dans le domaine de la maltraitance et de la négligence des aînés depuis la publication deElder Abuse and Neglect in Canada(Butterworths, 1991). Les arguments présentés ici sont de deux ordres : d’abord, nous n’avons aucune idée de la taille ou de la nature du problèmes de la violence et de la négligence dans la communauté ou dans les institutions et, d’autre part, nous ne savons pas comment résoudre ces problèmes ou leurs questions connexes qui ont été masqués par la rhétorique et le recyclage de l’information pendant les 20 dernières années. C’est le temps d’avancer au-delà de la « phase de sensibilisation ». Ce à quoi nous devons nous attaquer à l’avenir est aussi évident aujourd’hui qu’il ne l’était il y a 20 ans. Notre connaissance est incomplète parce qu’il nous manque le type d’enquêtes dont le besoin se fait le plus urgent: les études de prévalence dans la communauté et les institutions, un développement théoriquement solide, et des essais cliniques randomisé pour tester à la fois nos interventions socialement et juridiquement.
Novel thromboxane A2analog-induced IUGR mouse model
Authors: Fung C. , Brown A. , Cox J. , Callaway C. , McKnight R. , Lane R.
Published: September 2011

Rodents, particularly rats, are used in the majority of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) research. An important tool that is lacking in this field is the ability to impose IUGR on transgenic mice. We therefore developed a novel mouse model of chronic IUGR using U-46619, a thromboxane A2(TXA2) analog, infusion. TXA2overproduction is prevalent in human pregnancies complicated by cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia. In this model, U-46619 micro-osmotic pump infusion in the last week of C57BL/6J mouse gestation caused maternal hypertension. IUGR pups weighed 15% less, had lighter brain, lung, liver and kidney weights, but had similar nose-to-anus lengths compared with sham pups at birth. Metabolically, IUGR pups showed increased essential branched-chain amino acids. They were normoglycemic yet hypoinsulinemic. They showed decreased hepatic mRNA levels of total insulin-like growth factor-1 and its variants, but increased level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha. IUGR offspring were growth restricted from birth (P1) through postnatal day 21 (P21). IUGR males caught up with sham males in weight byP28, whereas IUGR females caught up with sham females byP77. IUGR males surpassed sham males in weight byP238. In summary, we have a non-brain sparing IUGR mouse model that has a relative ease of surgical IUGR induction and exhibits features similar to the chronic IUGR offspring of humans and other animal models. As transgenic technology predominates in mice, this model now permits the imposition of IUGR on transgenic mice to interrogate mechanisms of fetal origins of adult disease.