bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soil Organic Carbon and Its Relationship to Vegetation Communities and Soil Properties in Permafrost Areas of the Central Western Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, China
Authors: Wu Xiaodong , Zhao Lin , Chen Meijun , Fang Hongbing , Yue Guangyang , Chen Ji , Pang Qiangqiang , Wang Zhiwei , Ding Yongjian
Published: May 2012

Soil organic carbon (SOC) contents were examined beneath two grassland vegetation communities and cold desert sites in permafrost areas of the central western part of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau. Mean SOC stocks in the top 150 cm were 7.73 kg m‐2 for Stipa roborowskyi communities and 3.72 kg m‐2 for Carex moorcroftii communities, but only 1.84 kg m‐2 for cold alpine desert. More than 80 per cent of SOC stocks beneath the grasslands were in the top 100 cm. Correlation analyses showed that SOC stocks in the top 150 cm are linked to soil moisture content, and the vertical distribution of SOC is mainly affected by depth and soil moisture content. Moisture content and vegetation communities are therefore important factors associated with SOC content in this cold, arid area, while active‐layer thickness, vegetation cover and topographical factors play non‐significant roles in SOC distribution. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Taming the Beast: Measurement of the Enthalpies of Combustion and Formation of Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) and Diacetone Diperoxide (DADP) by Oxygen Bomb Calorimetry
Authors: Contini Alessandro E. , Bellamy Anthony J. , Ahad Leila N.
Published: May 2012

Low‐melting paraffin wax was successfully used as a phlegmatizing agent to perform semi‐micro oxygen bomb calorimetry of spectroscopically pure samples of the sensitive explosive peroxides TATP and DADP. The energies of combustion (ΔcU) were measured and the standard enthalpies of formation (ΔfH°) were derived using the CODATA values for the standard enthalpies of formation of the combustion products. Whilst the measured ΔfH° of DADP (ΔfH°=−598.5 ± 39.7 kJ mol−1) could not be compared to any existing literature value, the measured ΔfH° value of TATP (ΔfH°=+151.4 ± 32.7 kJ mol−1) did not correlate well with the only existing experimental value and confirmed that TATP is an endothermic cyclic peroxide.
Ultrahigh gain AlGaN/GaN high energy radiation detectors
Authors: Howgate J. D. , Hofstetter M. , Schoell S. J. , Schmid M. , Schäfer S. , Zizak I. , Hable V. , Greubel C. , Dollinger G. , Thalhammer S. , Stutzmann M. , Sharp I. D.
Published: May 2012

Due to its remarkable tolerance to high energy ionizing radiation, GaN has recently attracted attention as a promising material for dosimetry applications. However, materials issues that lead to persistent photoconductivity, poor sensitivity, and requirements for large operational voltages have been hurdles to realization of the full potential of this material. Here we demonstrate that the introduction of a two‐dimensional electron gas channel, through the addition of AlGaN/GaN heterointerfaces, can be used to create intrinsic amplification of the number of electrons that can be collected from single ionization events, yielding exceptionally large sensitivities in ultralow dose rate regimes. Furthermore, anomalous photo‐responses, which severely limit response times of GaN‐based devices, can be eliminated using these heterostructures. Measurements using focused monochromatic synchrotron radiation at 1–20 keV, as well as focused 20 MeV protons, reveal that these devices provide the capability for high sensitivity and resolution real time monitoring, which is competitive with and complementary to state‐of‐the‐art detectors. Therefore, AlGaN/GaN heterostructure devices are extremely promising for future applications in fields ranging from high energy physics to medical imaging.
Preface: Phys. Status Solidi C 5/2012
Authors: Świetlik Roman
Published: May 2012

The 9th International Symposium on Crystalline Organic Metals, Superconductors and Ferromagnets (ISCOM 2011) was held from September 25 until September 30, 2011, in the city of Gniezno. Gniezno has a peculiar importance for Polish people – it was the first capital of Poland in the 10th century. ISCOM 2011 follows an already long‐lasting series of previous meetings organized in Mittelberg (Austria, 1995), Sesimbra (Portugal, 1997), Oxford (United Kingdom, 1999), Rusutsu (Japan, 2001), Port‐Bourgenay (France, 2003), Key West (USA, 2005), Peniscola (Spain, 2007), and Niseko (Japan, 2009). ISCOM 2011 was organized by the Institute of Molecular Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Committee of Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Traditionally, each symposium of the ISCOM series is the preeminent forum for interdisciplinary discussions of chemistry, physics, materials science and technology of crystalline molecular solids, including the following main topics:

– Synthesis of New Molecules and Molecular Materials

– Physics of Low Dimensional Metals and Superconductors

– Electron Correlations in Molecular Materials

– Molecular Magnetism

– Functional Materials

– Organic Thin Films and Devices

– Organic Molecular Nanoscience

– Field‐ and Photo‐induced Phenomena

– Theory, Modeling and Computation

About 170 scientists from the following 18 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, UK, USA attended ISCOM 2011. During the symposium 16 invited lectures, 60 oral contributions and about 80 posters were presented. The ISCOM 2011 participants have focused on many hot scientific problems of organic conductors: metal–insulator transitions, nature of the Mott insulating state, charge ordering phenomena, mechanisms of superconductivity, quantum spin liquids, hybrid magnetic conductors, electronic ferroelectricity, and others.

We would like to thank all participants and the members of the International Advisory Committee for great contributions and many helpful advices.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quantitative Horizon Scanning for Mitigating Technological Surprise: Detecting the Potential for Collaboration at the Interface
Authors: Priebe Carey E. , Solka Jeffrey L. , Marchette David J. , Bryant Avory C.
Published: May 2012

‘The identification of potential breakthroughs before they happen’ is a vague data analysis problem and ‘the scientific literature’ is a massive, complex dataset. Hence QHS for MTS might seem to be prototypical of the data miner's lament: ‘Here's some data we have… can you find something interesting?’ Nonetheless, the problem is real and important, and we develop an innovative statistical approach thereto—not a final etched‐in‐stone approach, but perhaps the first complete quantitative methodology explicitly addressing QHS for MTS. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining5: 178–186, 2012
Review of statistical network analysis: models, algorithms, and software
Authors: Salter‐Townshend M. , White A. , Gollini I. , Murphy T. B.
Published: May 2012

The analysis of network data is an area that is rapidly growing, both within and outside of the discipline of statistics.

This review provides a concise summary of methods and models used in the statistical analysis of network data, including the Erdős–Renyi model, the exponential family class of network models, and recently developed latent variable models. Many of the methods and models are illustrated by application to the well‐known Zachary karate dataset. Software routines available for implementing methods are emphasized throughout.

The aim of this paper is to provide a review with enough detail about many common classes of network models to whet the appetite and to point the way to further reading. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining, 2012
Physico‐chemical characterization of starches extracted from potatoes of the group Phureja
Authors: Cáceres Marleny , Mestres Christian , Pons Brigitte , Gibert Olivier , Amoros Walter , Salas Elisa , Dufour Dominique , Bonierbale Merideth , Pallet Dominique
Published: May 2012

Starch was extracted from twenty‐four accessions of Group Phureja cultivated diploid potatoes, and from two commercial potato (Solanum tuberosum) varieties. Extracted starch samples were characterized and compared to industrial potato starch. Starch from Phureja generally exhibited smaller granule sizes and lower phosphorus content than starch from commercial potatoes. Amylose content and thermal properties (gelatinization temperature and enthalpy) were however in the same range for both groups. Starches from Phureja displayed very distinct pasting behavior from that of commercial potato. The former exhibited lower initial pasting viscosity but higher shear resistance. This may be related to lower starch granule size, causing lower swelling power and solubility. Iodine complexation results seem to indicate that phureja potatoes have higher proportion of amylopectin long chains. Phureja thus appears to be a promising new source of starch with specific physico‐chemical and functional properties intermediate between industrial potato and cereal starches.
The cognitive science of fiction
Authors: Oatley Keith
Published: May 2012

Fiction might be dismissed as observations that lack reliability and validity, but this would be a misunderstanding. Works of fiction are simulations that run on minds. They were the first kinds of simulation. All art has a metaphorical quality: a painting can be both pigments on canvas and a person. In literary art, this quality extends to readers who can be both themselves and, by empathetic processes within a simulation, also literary characters. On the basis of this hypothesis, it was found that the more fiction people read the better were their skills of empathy and theory‐of‐mind; the inference from several studies is that reading fiction improves social skills. In functional magnetic resonance imaging meta‐analyses, brain areas concerned with understanding narrative stories were found to overlap with those concerned with theory‐of‐mind. In an orthogonal effect, reading artistic literature was found to enable people to change their personality by small increments, not by a writer's persuasion, but in their own way. This effect was due to artistic merit of a text, irrespective of whether it was fiction or non‐fiction. An empirically based conception of literary art might be carefully constructed verbal material that enables self‐directed personal change. WIREs Cogn Sci 2012, 3:425–430. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1185

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Language
The many roles of the eukaryotic elongation factor 1 complex
Authors: Sasikumar Arjun N. , Perez Winder B. , Kinzy Terri Goss
Published: May 2012

The vast majority of proteins are believed to have one specific function. Throughout the course of evolution, however, some proteins have acquired additional functions to meet the demands of a complex cellular milieu. In some cases, changes in RNA or protein processing allow the cell to make the most of what is already encoded in the genome to produce slightly different forms. The eukaryotic elongation factor 1 (eEF1) complex subunits, however, have acquired such moonlighting functions without alternative forms. In this article, we discuss the canonical functions of the components of the eEF1 complex in translation elongation as well as the secondary interactions they have with other cellular factors outside of the translational apparatus. The eEF1 complex itself changes in composition as the complexity of eukaryotic organisms increases. Members of the complex are also subject to phosphorylation, a potential modulator of both canonical and non‐canonical functions. Although alternative functions of the eEF1A subunit have been widely reported, recent studies are shedding light on additional functions of the eEF1B subunits. A thorough understanding of these alternate functions of eEF1 is essential for appreciating their biological relevance. WIREs RNA 2012, 3:543–555. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1118

This article is categorized under:

Translation > Translation Mechanisms

Translation > Translation Regulation
Attitudes and motivations of Tennessee deer hunters toward quality deer management
Authors: Harper Craig A. , Shaw Christopher E. , Fly J. Mark , Beaver Jared T.
Published: May 2012

Attitudes and motivations of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) hunters are important for state wildlife agencies to consider when they are trying to meet harvest goals for the species. In recent years, interest in quality deer management (QDM) has grown, but little is known about hunter support for QDM. We surveyed hunters on private hunting clubs and Wildlife Management Areas where QDM was practiced, as well as statewide sportsman license holders in Tennessee, USA, following the 2004–2005 deer‐hunting season to identify characteristics, attitudes, and motivations of these hunter groups. Respondents in all 3 hunter groups identified QDM as a “sensible management strategy for white‐tailed deer” and a majority (>76%) of the hunters preferred hunting areas managed under QDM guidelines. Hunter groups varied in their responses related to specific QDM guidelines and implementation. Nonetheless, all 3 hunter groups were primarily interested in herd health and buck quality, wanted a reduction in the buck bag limit, and supported harvest of antlerless deer. Motivations to hunt varied by hunter group, but respondents in all 3 groups indicated that experiencing nature was the number one reason for hunting. Our survey results suggest that though opinions may vary on how QDM might be implemented, the general deer‐hunting public in Tennessee has moved away from the traditional deer‐management philosophy that allowed buck harvest without age restrictions and restricted antlerless harvest. Using biological justification along with hunter opinion, we recommend that state wildlife agencies consider providing QDM opportunities where appropriate and offer annual education programs to improve hunters' understanding of deer‐management strategies. This should help ensure hunter satisfaction and will help state wildlife agencies meet deer‐management objectives. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Primary Breast Cancer: Window to Management of the Axilla
Authors: Kumar Ashwini , Puri Ruchir , Gadgil Pranjali V. , Jatoi Ismail
Published: May 2012

In patients with primary breast cancer, several large, randomized prospective trials have shown that sentinel node biopsy (SNB) substantially reduces the morbidity associated with axillary surgery compared with formal axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Moreover, the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) B‐32 trial has demonstrated that when the sentinel node reveals no evidence of metastatic disease, then no further ALND is required. Recently, the results of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011 trial have challenged the notion that all patients with metastases to the sentinel node require ALND. The results of this trial suggest that in selected sentinel node‐positive patients, ALND can be potentially avoided. Yet, some concerns about the ACOSOG Z0011 trial have been raised, and these concerns may have implications in the widespread implementation of the results of this trial. Since the advent of the SNB technology, occult metastases within the sentinel node are frequently observed, and the significance of these findings remains controversial. Finally, this review considers special situations, such as pregnancy and the neoadjuvant setting, where the use of SNB should be applied judiciously. The SNB technology has dramatically improved the quality of life for women with breast cancer, and further modifications of its role in breast cancer treatment should be based on evidence obtained from randomized, controlled trials.
Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) kinetics in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Seto Wai-Kay , Wong Danny Ka-Ho , Fung James , Hung Ivan Fan-Ngai , Yuen John Chi-Hang , Tong Teresa , Lai Ching-Lung , Yuen Man-Fung
Published: May 2012

Background

We investigated the differences in HBsAg kinetics at different levels of viremia in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods

We compared HBsAg levels among HBeAg-negative CHB patients with persistently undetectable HBV DNA (≤20 IU/mL; Group A, n = 100), HBV DNA 20–2,000 IU/mL (Group B, n = 100), and HBV DNA >2,000 IU/mL (Group C, n = 100). HBsAg and HBV DNA levels were measured at three consecutive time points during follow-up (median 21.4 months).

Results

Median HBsAg levels were significantly lower in Group A than in Groups B and C at all time points (p < 0.001). HBV DNA and HBsAg levels were weakly correlated (r = 0.180 and 0.151 for Groups B and C, respectively). Among patients with HBsAg <100 IU/mL, Group A patients had the greatest median serum HBsAg reduction (0.341 log IU/mL/year; Group B, 0.122 log IU/mL/year; Group C, 0.057 log IU/mL/year; p = 0.002). Among Group A patients with HBsAg <100 IU/mL, baseline HBsAg achieved an AUROC of 0.876 in predicting >1 log annual HBsAg reduction; 10–100 IU/mL HBsAg was the optimal level for prediction (sensitivity 90 %; specificity 74.6 %). Serum HBsAg/HBV DNA ratios were significantly higher in Group B than in Groups A and C (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

HBV DNA and HBsAg were weakly correlated. Only patients with undetectable HBV DNA showed decline in HBsAg levels during follow-up. The greatest reduction in HBsAg levels occurred in patients with baseline HBsAg <100 IU/mL.
Mixed Cerebrovascular Disease and the Future of Stroke Prevention
Authors: Fisher Mark , Vasilevko Vitaly , Cribbs David H.
Published: May 2012

Stroke prevention efforts typically focus on either ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. This approach is overly simplistic due to the frequent coexistence of ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease. This coexistence, termed “mixed cerebrovascular disease”, offers a conceptual framework that appears useful for stroke prevention strategies. Mixed cerebrovascular disease incorporates clinical and subclinical syndromes, including ischemic stroke, subclinical infarct, white matter disease of aging (leukoaraiosis), intracerebral hemorrhage, and cerebral microbleeds. Reliance on mixed cerebrovascular disease as a diagnostic entity may assist in stratifying risk of hemorrhagic stroke associated with platelet therapy and anticoagulants. Animal models of hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease, particularly models of cerebral amyloid angiopathy and hypertension, offer novel means for identifying underlying mechanisms and developing focused therapy. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors represent a class of agents that, by targeting both platelets and vessel wall, provide the kind of dual actions necessary for stroke prevention, given the spectrum of disorders that characterizes mixed cerebrovascular disease.
Brief report: Pregnant by age 15 years and substance use initiation among US adolescent girls
Authors: Cavazos‐Rehg Patricia A. , Krauss Melissa J. , Spitznagel Edward L. , Schootman Mario , Cottler Linda B. , Bierut Laura Jean
Published: May 2012

We examined substance use onset and associations with pregnancy by age 15 years. Participants were girls ages 15 years or younger (weighted n = 8319) from the 1999–2003 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS). Multivariable logistic regression examined pregnancy as a function of substance use onset (i.e., age 10 years or younger, 11–12, 13–14, and age 15 years) for alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana, controlling for race/ethnicity and metropolitan location. Of girls pregnant by age 15 years (3% of the sample, weighted n = 243), 16% had smoked marijuana by age 10 years and over 20% had smoked cigarettes and initiated alcohol use by age 10 years. In the multivariable analysis, marijuana use by age 14 years and/or cigarette smoking by age 12 years clearly distinguished girls who became pregnant by age 15 years and is perhaps due to a common underlying risk factor.
Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a Treatment for Psychiatric Disorders: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Bersani F.S. , Minichino A. , Enticott P.G. , Mazzarini L. , Khan N. , Antonacci G. , Raccah R.N. , Salviati M. , Delle Chiaie R. , Bersani G. , Fitzgerald P.B. , Biondi M.
Published: May 2012

Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a technique of neuromodulation and neurostimulation based on the principle of electromagnetic induction of an electric field in the brain. The coil (H-coil) used in deep TMS is able to modulate cortical excitability up to a maximum depth of 6 cm and is therefore able not only to modulate the activity of the cerebral cortex but also the activity of deeper neural circuits. Deep TMS is largely used for the treatment of drug-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD) and is being tested to treat a very wide range of neurological, psychiatric and medical conditions. The aim of this review is to illustrate the biophysical principles of deep TMS, to explain the pathophysiological basis for its utilization in each psychiatric disorder (major depression, autism, bipolar depression, auditory hallucinations, negative symptoms of schizophrenia), to summarize the results presented thus far in the international scientific literature regarding the use of deep TMS in psychiatry, its side effects and its effects on cognitive functions.
Domain‐mediated protein interaction prediction: From genome to network
Authors: Reimand Jüri , Hui Shirley , Jain Shobhit , Law Brian , Bader Gary D.
Published: May 2012

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs), involved in many biological processes such as cellular signaling, are ultimately encoded in the genome. Solving the problem of predicting protein interactions from the genome sequence will lead to increased understanding of complex networks, evolution and human disease. We can learn the relationship between genomes and networks by focusing on an easily approachable subset of high‐resolution protein interactions that are mediated by peptide recognition modules (PRMs) such as PDZ, WW and SH3 domains. This review focuses on computational prediction and analysis of PRM‐mediated networks and discusses sequence‐ and structure‐based interaction predictors, techniques and datasets for identifying physiologically relevant PPIs, and interpreting high‐resolution interaction networks in the context of evolution and human disease.
Cyclic AMP‐specific phosphodiesterase, PDE8A1, is activated by protein kinase A‐mediated phosphorylation
Authors: Brown Kim M. , Lee Louisa C.Y. , Findlay Jane E. , Day Jonathan P. , Baillie George S.
Published: May 2012

The cyclic AMP‐specific phosphodiesterase PDE8 has been shown to play a pivotal role in important processes such as steroidogenesis, T cell adhesion, regulation of heart beat and chemotaxis. However, no information exists on how the activity of this enzyme is regulated. We show that under elevated cAMP conditions, PKA acts to phosphorylate PDE8A on serine 359 and this action serves to enhance the activity of the enzyme. This is the first indication that PDE8 activity can be modulated by a kinase, and we propose that this mechanism forms a feedback loop that results in the restoration of basal cAMP levels.
Ubiquitination and phosphorylation of Beclin 1 and its binding partners: Tuning class III phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase activity and tumor suppression
Authors: Abrahamsen Hilde , Stenmark Harald , Platta Harald W.
Published: May 2012

The class III phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K‐III) complex and its phosphorylated lipid product phosphatidylinositol 3‐phosphate (PtdIns3P) control the three topologically related membrane‐involution processes autophagy, endocytosis, and cytokinesis. The activity of the catalytic unit of PI3K‐III complex, the Vacuolar sorting protein 34 (VPS34), depends on the membrane targeting unit Vacuolar sorting protein 15 (VPS15), and the tumor suppressor protein Beclin 1. It is established that the overall activity of VPS34 is positively regulated by Beclin 1, whose positive influence is further controlled through the association with a set of Beclin1 interacting components, which stimulate or inhibit VPS34. The interaction between Beclin 1 and Beclin 1‐associated components are controllable and is regulated by phosphorylation in a context‐dependent manner. Here, we focus on an emerging concept whereby the activity of the PI3K‐III complex is controlled by ubiquitination of Beclin 1 or Beclin 1‐associated molecules. In summary, at least three different ubiquitin ligases can affect the positive regulatory function of Beclin 1 towards VPS34, suggesting that ubiquitination is an important and physiologically relevant event in tuning the tumor suppressor function of Beclin 1.
Novel amphiphilic compounds effectively inactivate the vaccinia virus
Authors: Fedorova A.A. , Goncharova E.P. , Ryabchikova E.I. , Vlasov V.V. , Zenkova M.A.
Published: May 2012

Recent studies demonstrated the ability of artificial ribonucleases (aRNases, small organic RNA cleaving compounds) to inactivate RNA‐viruses via the synergetic effect of viral RNA cleavage and disruption of viral envelope [1,2]. Herein, we describe the antiviral activity of aRNases against DNA‐containing vaccinia virus: screening of aRNases of various structures revealed that amphiphilic compounds built of positively charged 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2] octane substituted at the bridge nitrogen atoms with aliphatic residues efficiently inactivate this virus. The first stage was the destruction of viral membrane and structure of surface proteins (electron microscopy data). Thus, 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2] octane‐based aRNases are novel universal agents inactivating both RNA‐ and DNA‐containing viruses.
Why modules matter
Authors: Nash Piers D.
Published: May 2012

The serendipitous discovery of the SH2 domain unleashed a sea‐change in our conceptual molecular understanding of protein function. The reductionist approaches that followed from the recognition of modular protein interaction domains transformed our understanding of cellular signal transduction systems, how they evolve and how they may be manipulated. We now recognize thousands of conserved protein modules – many of which have been described in structure and function, implicated in disease, or underlie targeted therapeutics. The reductionist study of isolated protein modules has enabled the reconstruction of the protein interaction networks that underlie cellular signalling. Protein modules themselves are becoming tools to probe cellular activation states and identify key interactions hubs in both normal and diseased cells and the concept of protein modularity is central to the field of synthetic biology. This brief word of introduction serves to highlight the historical impact of the very powerful idea of protein modules and sets the stage for the exciting on‐going discoveries discussed in this issue.
Activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and PPARγ plays a role in the genistein-mediated attenuation of oxidative stress-induced endothelial cell injury
Authors: Zhang Ting , Wang Fan , Xu Hong-Xia , Yi Long , Qin Yu , Chang Hui , Mi Man-Tian , Zhang Qian-Yong
Published: May 2012

We investigate the cytoprotective effects and the molecular mechanism of genistein in oxidative stress-induced injury using an endothelial cell line (EA.hy926). An oxidative stress model was established by incubating endothelial cells with H2O2. According to the present results, genistein pretreatment protected endothelial cells against H2O2-induced decreases in cell viability and increases in apoptosis. Genistein also prevented the inhibition of B-cell lymphoma 2 and the activation of caspase-3 induced by H2O2. Genistein increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) levels and attenuated the decrease in these antioxidants during oxidative stress. We also found that genistein induced the promoter activity of both nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and PPARγ. Additionally, genistein induced the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and PPARγ. While genistein caused the up-regulation of both Nrf2 and PPARγ, it also activated and up-regulated the protein expression and transcription of a downstream protein, haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Moreover, the use of Nrf2 small interfering RNA transfection and HO-1- or PPARγ-specific antagonists (Znpp and GW9662, respectively) blocked the protective effects of genistein on endothelial cell viability during oxidative stress. Therefore, we conclude that oxidative stress-induced endothelial cell injury can be attenuated by treatment with genistein, which functions via the regulation of the Nrf2 and PPARγ signalling pathway. Additionally, the endogenous antioxidants SOD, CAT and GSH appear to play a role in the antioxidant activity of genistein. The present findings suggest that the beneficial effects of genistein involving the activation of cytoprotective antioxidant genes may represent a novel strategy in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular endothelial damage.
‘My Meal Mate’ (MMM): validation of the diet measures captured on a smartphone application to facilitate weight loss
Authors: Carter Michelle C. , Burley V. J. , Nykjaer C. , Cade J. E.
Published: May 2012

Accurate dietary assessment is an essential foundation of research in nutritional epidemiology. Due to the weaknesses in current methodology, attention is turning to strategies that automate the dietary assessment process to improve accuracy and reduce the costs and burden to participants and researchers. ‘My Meal Mate’ (MMM) is a smartphone application designed to support weight loss. The present study aimed to validate the diet measures recorded on MMM against a reference measure of 24 h dietary recalls. A sample of fifty volunteers recorded their food and drink intake on MMM for 7 d. During this period, they were contacted twice at random to conduct 24 h telephone recalls. Daily totals for energy (kJ) and macronutrients recorded on MMM were compared against the corresponding day of recall usingttests for group means and Pearson's correlations. Bland–Altman analysis was used to assess the agreement between the methods. Energy (kJ) recorded on MMM correlated well with the recalls (day 1:r0·77 (95 % CI 0·62, 0·86), day 2:r0·85 (95 % CI 0·74, 0·91)) and had a small mean difference (day 1 (MMM −  recall): − 68 kJ/d (95 % CI − 553, 418 kJ) ( − 16 kcal/d, 95 % CI − 127, 100 kcal); day 2 (MMM −  recall): − 441 kJ/d (95 % CI − 854, − 29 kJ) ( − 105 kcal/d, 95 % CI − 204, − 7 kcal)). Bland–Altman analysis showed wide limits of agreement between the methods: − 3378 to 3243 kJ/d ( − 807 to 775 kcal/d) on day 1. At the individual level, the limits of agreement between MMM and the 24 h recall were wide; however, at the group level, MMM appears to have potential as a dietary assessment tool.
Are we diagnosing too many people with coeliac disease?
Authors: Aziz Imran , Sanders David S.
Published: May 2012

This review will try to address the question of whether we are diagnosing too many people with coeliac disease. The key reasons for diagnosing coeliac disease may be that it is a common condition affecting up to 1% of the adult population. Delays in diagnosis are common. The average time delay reported by Coeliac UK (National Medical Patient Charity), for patients with symptoms prior to the diagnosis being made is 13 years. For every adult case detected, it is estimated that there are eight cases not detected. Patients with coeliac disease have an associated morbidity and mortality. In addition, quality of life studies suggest that the majority of patients benefit from a gluten-free diet (GFD). Furthermore, the GFD reduces or alleviates the risk of the associated complications. All of these facts could even be used to support the argument for screening! However, conversely the tests for coeliac disease are not 100% sensitive and specific. In addition, we do not know whether patients with milder symptoms will derive less benefit from treatment and are at less risk of complications. Furthermore, evidence presented in this review suggests that actual outcomes for screening studies in an adult population have revealed poor uptake and subsequently difficulties with adherence. What little published data that are available also infers that individuals recognised through screening programmes could have been detected if carefully questioned for symptoms. There is evidence to suggest that diagnosing celiac disease is cost-effective and that the diagnostic costs are offset by reduced medical expenditures, reduced hospital and general practice attendances, but this view depends on the population prevalence of coeliac disease. We believe on the basis of the evidence presented in this review that we are not diagnosing too many adults with coeliac disease. However, the authors consider case-finding with a low threshold for serological testing to be the optimal approach. If you look for coeliac disease you will find it.
What's in a name? Similarities and differences in international terms and meanings for older peoples' housing with services
Authors: HOWE ANNA L. , JONES ANDREW E. , TILSE CHERYL
Published: May 2012

The diversity of terms and meanings relating to housing with services for older people confounds systematic analysis, especially in international comparative research. This paper presents an analysis of over 90 terms identified in literature from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand reporting types of housing with services under the umbrella of ‘service integrated housing’ (SIH), defined as all forms of accommodation built specifically for older people in which the housing provider takes responsibility for delivery of one or more types of support and care services. A small number of generic terms covering housing for people in later life, home and community care, and institutional care are reviewed first to define the scope of SIH. Review of the remainder identifies different terms applied to similar types of SIH, similar terms applied to different types, and different terms that distinguish different types. Terms are grouped into those covering SIH focused on lifestyle and recreation, those offering only support services, and those offering care as well as support. Considerable commonality is found in underlying forms of SIH, and common themes emerge in discussion of drivers of growth and diversification, formal policies and programmes, and symbolic meanings. In establishing more commonality than difference, clarification of terminology advances policy debate, programme development, research and knowledge transfer within and between countries.
Transience and Connection in Robert Lepage's The Blue Dragon: China in the Space of Flows
Authors: HUDSON CHRIS , VARNEY DENISE
Published: May 2012

Despite the stylish blend of multimedia and live performance in Robert Lepage's The Blue Dragon, touring in 2010 and 2011, critics are surprised by the reappearance of the archetypal love story in the space of contemporary intermedial performance. This article argues that the performance, set in contemporary Shanghai, explores the lived experience of transience and mobility through a narrative in which individual lives are implicated in a transnational, transcultural and transgenerational romance. Drawing on Zygmunt Bauman's work on liquid modernity and liquid love, we argue that the performance grapples with the experience of being unbound and disconnected in a liquid world.
Differential Resin-Dentin Bonds Created after Caries Removal with Polymer Burs
Authors: Toledano Manuel , Cabello Inmaculada , Yamauti Monica , Osorio Raquel
Published: May 2012

The objective of this article was to investigate the effect of carbide and polymer burs caries removal methods on the bond strength of different adhesives to dentin. Resin restorations were performed in sound and caries-affected dentin, after using polymer or carbide burs and bonding with four different adhesive (Single bond, SB; Clearfil SE bond, SEB; FL-Bond II, FLB; and Fuji II-LC, FUJI). Microtensile bond strength (MTBS) was measured. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls tests. Debonded surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Bonded interfaces were examined using light microscopy (Masson's trichrome staining). In sound dentin, MTBS was similar for SEB and SB, and higher than that of FLB and FUJI. Bond strength to carbide bur prepared dentin was similar for SB, SEB, and FLB; FUJI presented the lowest. SB applied on polymer bur excavated dentin presented similar values to those of the carbide bur group; MTBS attained by SEB, FLB, and FUJI decreased when bonding to dentin treated with polymer burs; FUJI yielded pretesting failures in all specimens. Polymer burs created a thick smear layer that was not infiltrated by tested self-etching agents. The bonding effectiveness of self-etching and glass-ionomer-like adhesives to dentin decreased when polymer burs were used.
Profile of strong magnetic field By component in magnetotail current sheets
Authors: Rong Z. J. , Wan W. X. , Shen C. , Li X. , Dunlop M. W. , Petrukovich A. A. , Hau L.‐N. , Zhang T. L. , Rème H. , Du A. M. , Lucek E.
Published: May 2012

The strong magnetic field By component (in GSM coordinates) has been increasingly noticed to play an important role in the dynamics of tail current sheet (CS). The distribution profile of strong By components in the tail CS (i.e., those with guide field), however, is not well known. In the present work, by using the simultaneous multipoint observations of Cluster satellites, the profile of a strong By component in tail current sheets is explored, through detailed case studies, as well as in a statistical study. It is discovered that around the midnight meridian, the strength of the strong By component, i.e., |By|, is basically enhanced at the center of the CS relative to that in the CS boundaries and lobes and forms a north‐south symmetric distribution about the center of CS. Generally, however, for strong guide field cases in the non‐midnight meridian, the profile of By strength basically becomes north‐south asymmetric, the strength of the By component in the northern side of the CS is found to be either stronger or weaker than that in the counterpart southern side. By considering the modulation of the tail flaring magnetic field with magnetic local time, we propose an interpretation to account for the variation of the By‐profile, which is supported by the statistical survey. These results offer an observation basis for further studies.
Large‐eddy simulation of oxygen transfer to organic sediment beds
Authors: Scalo Carlo , Piomelli Ugo , Boegman Leon
Published: May 2012

We have developed a model for dissolved oxygen (DO) transfer from water to underlying organic sediment beds. The model couples large‐eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent transport in the water column, a biogeochemical model for DO transport and consumption in the sediment, and Darcy's Law for the pore water‐driven transport. The model highlights the spatial and temporal relationship between the turbulent bursting events, the near‐wall transport of DO, and the response of the sediment layer. The numerical results—compared to data from laboratory experiments—stress the importance of analyzing instantaneous transport events (not reproducible in a Reynolds‐averaged Navier‐Stokes model) to better characterize and model the processes that lead to oxygen depletion in the sediment layer. The model's results are compared against experimental data and the sensitivity to the governing parameters has been tested. As the current velocity increases, the sediment‐oxygen demand (SOD) increases more slowly than the friction velocity at the wall, in accordance with classic heat‐and‐mass transfer laws. The overall SOD is approximately proportional to the bacterial content of the sediment layer. The predicted mean advective flux in the porous medium and across the sediment‐water interface is negligible compared to the total dispersive flux, for permeabilities typical of the sediments used in the experiments (10−7and 10−6cm2). Higher permeabilities (10−5cm2) appear to yield results not consistent with experimental data. This computational tool will contribute toward the design of a process‐oriented parametrization for the SOD, currently missing in oceanographic applications, that can be easily extended to the transport of other bio‐limiting substances.
Single scattering albedo of fine mineral dust aerosols controlled by iron concentration
Authors: Moosmüller Hans , Engelbrecht Johann P. , Skiba Michał , Frey Garrett , Chakrabarty Rajan K. , Arnott W. Patrick
Published: May 2012

Sign and magnitude of solar aerosol direct radiative forcing are largely determined by the aerosol single scattering albedo (SSA) and the albedo of the underlying scene (e.g., surface albedo). On a global scale, mineral dust aerosol has the largest mass emission rate, average column mass burden, and average optical depth of all aerosol types. Therefore, better understanding of its optical properties with a focus on SSAis of great importance. Here, we entrain ten bulk soil samples from deserts and semi‐arid regions in the Arabian Peninsula, from locations representative of the Sahara and Sahel in North Africa, and from Northeast Africa and South‐Central Asia. We segregate the fine particle fraction (aerodynamic diameter < 2.5μm) and measure its iron content with an x‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer and its aerosolSSA and absorption, scattering, and extinction Ångström coefficients for two wavelengths (405 nm and 870 nm) with a photoacoustic instrument with integrating reciprocal nephelometer. Results show that SSA is much lower at 405 nm than at 870 nm and that SSA at both wavelengths is dominated by and linearly correlated with the iron content of the entrained mineral dust. The second result points toward potential use of SSA remote sensing to measure aerosol iron content and vice versa, measurements of iron content with simple filter sampling followed by XRF analysis, providing an assessment of SSA for aerosol radiative forcing calculations and modeling. Average Ångström coefficients were ≈3.2 for absorption, ≈−0.4 for scattering, and ≈−0.3 for extinction and showed little correlation with iron content.
Future change of daily precipitation indices in Japan: A stochastic weather generator‐based bootstrap approach to provide probabilistic climate information
Authors: Iizumi Toshichika , Takayabu Izuru , Dairaku Koji , Kusaka Hiroyuki , Nishimori Motoki , Sakurai Gen , Ishizaki Noriko N. , Adachi Sachiho A. , Semenov Mikhail A.
Published: May 2012

This study proposes the stochastic weather generator (WG)‐based bootstrap approach to provide the probabilistic climate change information on mean precipitation as well as extremes, which applies a WG (i.e., LARS‐WG) to daily precipitation under the present‐day and future climate conditions derived from dynamical and statistical downscaling models. Additionally, the study intercompares the precipitation change scenarios derived from the multimodel ensemble for Japan focusing on five precipitation indices (mean precipitation, MEA; number of wet days, FRE; mean precipitation amount per wet day, INT; maximum number of consecutive dry days, CDD; and 90th percentile value of daily precipitation amount in wet days, Q90). Three regional climate models (RCMs: NHRCM, NRAMS and TWRF) are nested into the high‐resolution atmosphere‐ocean coupled general circulation model (MIROC3.2HI AOGCM) for A1B emission scenario. LARS‐WG is validated and used to generate 2000 years of daily precipitation from sets of grid‐specific parameters derived from the 20‐year simulations from the RCMs and statistical downscaling model (SDM: CDFDM). Then 100 samples of the 20‐year of continuous precipitation series are resampled, and mean values of precipitation indices are computed, which represents the randomness inherent in daily precipitation data. Based on these samples, the probabilities of change in the indices and the joint occurrence probability of extremes (CDD and Q90) are computed. High probabilities are found for the increases in heavy precipitation amount in spring and summer and elongated consecutive dry days in winter over Japan in the period 2081–2100, relative to 1981–2000. The joint probability increases in most areas throughout the year, suggesting higher potential risk of droughts and excess water‐related disasters (e.g., floods) in a 20 year period in the future. The proposed approach offers more flexible way in estimating probabilities of multiple types of precipitation extremes including their joint probability compared to conventional approaches.
Streamflow response in small upland catchments in the Chilean coastal range to the MW 8.8 Maule earthquake on 27 February 2010
Authors: Mohr Christian H. , Montgomery David R. , Huber Anton , Bronstert Axel , Iroumé Andrés
Published: May 2012

Hydrological response to earthquakes has long been observed, yet the mechanisms responsible still remain unclear and likely vary in space and time. This study explores the base flow response in small upland catchments of the Coastal Range of south‐central Chile after the MW 8.8 Maule earthquake of 27 February 2010. An initial decline in streamflow followed by an increase of up to 400% of the discharge measured immediately before the earthquake occurred, and diurnal streamflow oscillations intensified after the earthquake. Neither response time, nor time to maximum streamflow discharge showed any relationship with catchment topography or size, suggesting non‐uniform release of water across the catchments. The fast response, unaffected stream water temperatures and a simple diffusion model point to the sandy saprolite as the source of the excess water. Base flow recession analysis reveals no evidence for substantial enhancement of lateral hydraulic conductivity in the saprolite after the earthquake. Seismic energy density reached ∼170 J/m3 for the main shock and ∼0.9 J/m3 for the aftershock, exceeding the threshold for liquefaction by undrained consolidation only during the main shock. Although increased hydraulic gradient due to ground acceleration‐triggered, undrained consolidation is consistent with empirical magnitude‐distance relationships for liquefaction, the lack of independent evidence for liquefaction means that enhanced vertical permeability (probably in combination with co‐seismic near‐surface dilatancy) cannot be excluded as a potential mechanism. Undrained consolidation may have released additional water from the saturated saprolite into the overlying soil, temporarily reducing water transfer to the creeks but enlarging the cross‐section of the saturated zone, which in turn enhanced streamflow after establishment of a new hydraulic equilibrium. The enlarged saturated zone facilitated water uptake by roots and intensified evapotranspiration.