bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal extension of meteorological records for hydrological modelling of Lake Chad Basin (Africa) using satellite rainfall data and reanalysis datasets
Authors: Bastola Satish , François Delclaux
Published: April 2011

The inability to estimate reliable meteorological data for the hydrological modelling of the Lake Chad Basin (LCB) over the present decade hinders the use and evaluation of a wide range of hydrological information that can be extracted from satellite altimetry, gravitometry, and imagery. This is mainly due to the sparse distribution of gauging stations and difficulty in data assessment. Therefore, two key chronological records of rainfall and potential evapotranspiration (PET) were constructed for flow simulation modelling in the LCB. Rainfall estimates were extracted from two satellite‐based precipitation products for the period 1998–2007 and combined with available chronological rainfall data. Similarly, PET records were derived over the period 1948–2007 using the meteorological variables extracted from reanalysis datasets, and the Hargreaves method. Subsequently, they were evaluated, first by pairwise comparison against available gridded datasets, and second by analyzing the error propagated through a distributed hydrological model.

The satellite products strongly agree with the rain gauges. Compared to gridded rainfall estimates from the Climate Research Unit (CRU), satellite products tend to underestimate the values in the southern and eastern mountainous regions of the LCB and overestimate them within the central part of the LCB. Furthermore, flows simulated using the satellite products are in closer agreement with observed discharges than those modelled using CRU data. Concerning PET, the estimates from the Hargreaves method were compared with two gridded PET datasets: Penman PET data derived using climate data of the CRU, and climatological PET data from the Food and Agriculture Organization. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Erratum: Multi‐pH QSAR: A Method to Differentiate the Activity of Neutral and Ionized Species and Obtain True Correlations when Both Species are Involved
Authors: Scherrer Robert A. , Leo Albert J.
Published: April 2011

The inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) by n‐alkylamines was incorrectly analyzed because datasets containing both pH adjusted and unadjusted rate constants were combined. The correct analysis supports the findings of the original McEwen paper that inhibition is due to the neutral species and a hydrophobic binding site is evident for chain lengths greater than C4. Contrary to our original paper, no significant role was found for the protonated amine.
Packet‐level open‐digest fingerprinting for spam detection on middleboxes
Authors: Marsono Muhammad N.
Published: April 2011

This paper proposes a stateless open‐digest spam fingerprinting at the packet level (layer 3) based on an open‐digest fingerprinting algorithm Nilsimsa. Spam emails show several characteristics when viewed at gateway level, which are suitable for spam fingerprinting: (a) content invariance and (b) recipient address dispersion. In this paper, Nilsimsa is adapted to support both fingerprinting and fast email class estimation, on a per‐packet basis. Email packets are incrementally fingerprinted on a per‐packet basis, without the need for reassembly. Spam detection status is tagged to the last packet of each email. This in turn allows fast email class estimation (spam detection) at receiving email servers to support more effective spam handling on both inbound and outbound (relayed) emails. The work presented in this paper focuses on evaluating the accuracy of spam fingerprinting at the packet level with consideration on the constraints of processing byte streams over the network, including packet reordering, fragmentation, overlapped bytes, different packet sizes, and possibilities of random addition attacks. Results show that the proposed packet‐level fingerprinting can detect spam with 100% random addition when the similarity threshold is set to between 36 and 59. This method gives 0% false positive and 100% true negative, which equals the performance attained for spam fingerprinting at full email abstraction (layer 7). This shows that classifying emails at the packet level can differentiate non‐spam from spam with high confidence for a viable spam control implementation on middleboxes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atmospheric Plasma Processing of Polymers in Helium‐Water Vapor Dielectric Barrier Discharges
Authors: Rodriguez‐Santiago Victor , Bujanda Andres A. , Stein Benjamin E. , Pappas Daphne D.
Published: April 2011

In this study, the surfaces of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films were treated with a helium‐water vapor plasma at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. Surface changes related to hydrophilicity, chemical funtionalization, surface energy, and adhesive strength after plasma treatment were investigated using water contact angle (WCA) measurements, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and mechanical T‐peel tests. Results indicate increased surface energy accompanied with enhanced hydrophilicity. WCA decreased by 36, 50, and 16% for UHMWPE, PET, and PTFE, respectively, after only 0.4 s treatment. For UHMWPE, it is shown that the surface functionalization can be tailored depending on the plasma exposure time. Aging studies performed for these three polymers show the stability of the surface groups as indicated by a small increase in WCA values of plasma treated samples which can be attributed to cross‐linking of surface and subsurface polymer chains. XPS analysis of the surfaces show increased oxygen content via the formation of polar, hydroxyl‐based functional groups. Furthermore, major changes in the polymer structure of PET are observed, possibly due to the opening of the aromatic rings caused by the plasma energetic species. T‐peel test results show an 8, 7.5, and 400‐fold increase in peel strength for UHMWPE, PET, and PTFE, respectively. Most importantly, it is shown that water‐vapor based plasmas can be a promising, “green,” inexpensive route to promote the surface activation of polymers.

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On‐tissue identification of insulin: In situ reduction coupled with mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Green‐Mitchell Shamina M. , Cazares Lisa H. , Semmes O. John , Nadler Jerry L. , Nyalwidhe Julius O.
Published: April 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to use on‐tissue reduction followed by MALDI‐MS imaging (MSI) to identify an m/z 5812.85 peak, which is over‐expressed in healthy human pancreatic tissue compared with type one Diabetes (T1D) tissue.

Experimental design: A major constraint of MALDI‐MSI is identification of compounds with m/z ≥4000. On‐tissue reduction using tris (2‐carboxyethyl) phosphine (TCEP) breaks the inter‐domain disulphide bonds generating low‐molecular‐weight peptides amenable to direct MS/MS analysis. Pancreatic tissues from healthy (n=4) and diabetic subjects (n=4) were profiled by MALDI‐MSI with/without reduction.

Results: On‐tissue reduction resulted in the loss of the over‐expressed 5812.85 m/z peak and the simultaneous appearance of a 3430.664 m/z peak in healthy tissues. The latter peak presumably derived from the 5812.85 m/z peak was identified as the insulin B chain by MS/MS. MALDI‐MSI images show that both the 5812.85 insulin peak before reduction and the 3430.664 peak after reduction co‐localized with the healthy pancreatic islets.

Conclusion and clinical relevance: On‐tissue reduction followed by MALDI‐MSI resulted in the identification of insulin and localization of pancreatic islets of langerhans. The approach will be useful in the future identification of novel therapeutic molecular targets to β‐cells lost during type one diabetes.
Lepton mixing induced by flavour symmetry and Leptogenesis constraints
Authors: de Medeiros Varzielas I.
Published: April 2011

Flavour models may display a relation between the CP‐violating asymmetry for leptogenesis and low‐energy parameters. If the flavour symmetry produces an exact mass independent lepton mixing scheme at leading order (with type I see‐saw) the CP‐violating asymmetry would vanish in the absence of corrections. We present a model displaying the link between deviations from the mixing scheme and leptogenesis.
De Sitter hunting in a classical landscape
Authors: Danielsson U.H. , Haque S.S. , Koerber P. , Shiu G. , Van Riet T. , Wrase T.
Published: April 2011

We elaborate on the construction of de Sitter solutions from IIA orientifolds of SU(3)‐structure manifolds that solve the 10‐dimensional equations of motion at tree‐level in the approximation of smeared sources. First we classify geometries that are orbifolds of a group manifold covering space which, upon the proper inclusion of O6 planes, can be described within the framework of 𝒩 = 1 supergravity in 4D. Then we scan systematically for de Sitter solutions, obtained as critical points of an effective 4D potential. Apart from finding many new solutions we emphasize the challenges in constructing explicit classical de Sitter vacua, which have sofar not been met. These challenges are interesting avenues for further research and include finding solutions that are perturbatively stable, satisfy charge and flux quantization, and have genuine localized (versus smeared) orientifold sources. This paper intends to be self‐contained and pedagogical, and thus can serve as a guide to the necessary technical tools required for this line of research. In an appendix we explain how to study flux and charge quantization in the presence of a non‐trivial H‐field using twisted homology.
In silico predictions of LH2 ring sizes from the crystal structure of a single subunit using molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Janosi Lorant , Keer Harindar , Cogdell Richard J. , Ritz Thorsten , Kosztin Ioan
Published: April 2011

Most of the currently known light‐harvesting complexes 2 (LH2) rings are formed by 8 or 9 subunits. As of now, questions like “what factors govern the LH2 ring size?” and “are there other ring sizes possible?” remain largely unanswered. Here, we investigate by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and stochastic modeling the possibility of predicting the size of an LH2 ring from the sole knowledge of the high resolution crystal structure of a single subunit. Starting with single subunits of two LH2 rings with known size, that is, an 8‐ring from Rs. moliscianum (MOLI) and a 9‐ring from Rps. acidophila (ACI), and one with unknown size (referred to as X), we build atomic models of subunit dimers corresponding to assumed 8‐, 9‐, and 10‐ring geometries. After inserting each of the dimers into a lipid‐water environment, we determine the preferred angle between the corresponding subunits by three methods: (1) energy minimization, (2) free MD simulations, and (3) potential of mean force calculations. We find that the results from all three methods are consistent with each other, and when taken together, it allows one to predict with reasonable level of confidence the sizes of the corresponding ring structures. One finds that X and ACI very likely form a 9‐ring, while MOLI is more likely to form an 8‐ring than a 9‐ring. Finally, we discuss both the merits and limitations of all three prediction methods. Proteins 2011; © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Corrosion inhibition of ammonium molybdate for AA6061 alloy in NaCl solution and its synergistic effect with calcium gluconate
Authors: Zhang Da Quan , Jin Xing , Xie Bin , Goun Joo Hyung , Gao Li Xin , Lee Kang Yong
Published: April 2011

The corrosion inhibition of ammonium heltamolybdate (AH) and calcium gluconate (CG) for AA6061 alloy in 3% NaCl solution was investigated by the electrochemical measurements. It indicates that AH inhibits the corrosion of AA6061 alloy and acts as an anodic inhibitor. Maximum inhibition efficiency reaches 74.3% at the concentration of 1 × 10−4 mol.l−1 AH. The results of the electrochemical studies reveal AH is physically adsorbed on the AA6061 alloy surface and the adsorption follows Langmuir isotherm. The combination of AH and CG enhances the inhibition efficiency to 95.9%. The enhanced inhibition is attributed to the promotion of AH adsorption by CG. The mixture of AH and CG is a mixed‐type inhibitor and renders the corrosion potential to more positive values. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Macroscopic Carbon Nanotube Assemblies: Preparation, Properties, and Potential Applications
Authors: Liu Luqi , Ma Wenjun , Zhang Zhong
Published: April 2011

As classical 1D nanoscale structures, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess remarkable mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties. In the past several years, considerable attention has been paid to the use of CNTs as building blocks for novel high‐performance materials. In this way, the production of macroscopic architectures based on assembled CNTs with controlled orientation and configurations is an important step towards their application. So far, various forms of macroscale CNT assemblies have been produced, such as 1D CNT fibers, 2D CNT films/sheets, and 3D aligned CNT arrays or foams. These macroarchitectures, depending on the manner in which they are assembled, display a variety of fascinating features that cannot be achieved using conventional materials. This review provides an overview of various macroscopic CNT assemblies, with a focus on their preparation and mechanical properties as well as their potential applications in practical fields.
Thin‐Film‐Based Nanoarchitectures for Soft Matter: Controlled Assemblies into Two‐Dimensional Worlds
Authors: Sakakibara Keita , Hill Jonathan P. , Ariga Katsuhiko
Published: April 2011

Controlling the organization of molecular building blocks at the nanometer level is of utmost importance, not only from the viewpoint of scientific curiosity, but also for the development of next‐generation organic devices with electrical, optical, chemical, or biological functions. Self‐assembly offers great potential for the manufacture of nanoarchitectures (nanostructures and nanopatterns) over large areas by using low‐energy and inexpensive spontaneous processes. However, self‐assembled structures in 3D media, such as solutions or solids, are not easily incorporated into current device‐oriented nanotechnology. The scope of this review is therefore to introduce the expanding methodology for the construction of thin‐film‐based nanoarchitectures on solid surfaces and to try to address a general concept with emphasis on the availability of dynamic interfaces for the creation and manipulation of nanoarchitectures. In this review, the strategies for the construction of nanostructures, the control and manipulation of nanopatterns, and the application of nanoarchitectures are described; the construction strategies are categorized into three classes: i) π‐conjugated molecular assembly in two dimensions, ii) bio‐directed molecular assembly on surfaces, and iii) recent thin‐film preparation technologies.
Nanoscaled Surface Patterning of Conducting Polymers
Authors: Jiang Lin , Wang Xing , Chi Lifeng
Published: April 2011

In continuing the steady development of integrated‐circuit‐related fabrication, the ability to pattern conducting polymers into smaller and smaller sizes in order to realize devices with enhanced performance or even wholly new properties begins to take a more prominent role in their advanced applications. This review summarizes the recent advances in top‐down and bottom‐up patterning of conducting polymers on surfaces with different approaches including direct writing, in‐situ synthesis or assembly, etching, and nanoscratching. All of the latest emerging strategies have the potential to go beyond the current state of the art towards real progress in terms of high‐precision positioning, high resolution, high throughout, higher stability, facile processing, and lower‐cost production.
Superamphiphiles as Building Blocks for Supramolecular Engineering: Towards Functional Materials and Surfaces
Authors: Wang Chao , Wang Zhiqiang , Zhang Xi
Published: April 2011

Superamphiphiles refer to amphiphiles that are constructed on the basis of noncovalent interactions or dynamic covalent bonds. Superamphiphiles are a new kind of building block for well‐defined nanostructured soft materials. This article summarizes different ways to fabricate superamphiphiles, including low‐molecular‐weight and polymeric superamphiphiles. In addition, the noncovalent nature of superamphiphiles facilitates the incorporation of functional groups, thus opening a new avenue for supramolecular engineering of functional soft materials.
Reprogramming of Postnatal Neurons into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells by Defined Factors
Authors: Kim Jongpil , Lengner Christopher J. , Kirak Oktay , Hanna Jacob , Cassady John P. , Lodato Michael A. , Wu Su , Faddah Dina A. , Steine Eveline J. , Gao Qing , Fu Dongdong , Dawlaty Meelad , Jaenisch Rudolf
Published: April 2011

Pluripotent cells can be derived from different types of somatic cells by nuclear reprogramming through the ectopic expression of four transcription factors, Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc. However, it is unclear whether postmitotic neurons are susceptible to direct reprogramming. Here, we show that postnatal cortical neurons, the vast majority of which are postmitotic, are amenable to epigenetic reprogramming. However, ectopic expression of the four canonical reprogramming factors is not sufficient to reprogram postnatal neurons. Efficient reprogramming was only achieved after forced cell proliferation by p53 suppression. Additionally, overexpression of repressor element-1 silencing transcription, a suppressor of neuronal gene activity, increased reprogramming efficiencies in combination with the reprogramming factors. Our findings indicate that terminally differentiated postnatal neurons are able to acquire the pluripotent state by direct epigenetic reprogramming, and this process is made more efficient through the suppression of lineage specific gene expression.
Dissection of the Biphasic Nature of Hypoxia-Induced Motogenic Action in Bone Marrow-Derived Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Busletta Chiara , Novo Erica , Valfrè Di Bonzo Lorenzo , Povero Davide , Paternostro Claudia , Ievolella Monica , Mareschi Katia , Ferrero Ivana , Cannito Stefania , Compagnone Alessandra , Bandino Andrea , Colombatto Sebastiano , Fagioli Franca , Parola Maurizio
Published: April 2011

Hypoxic conditions have been reported to facilitate preservation of undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) phenotype and positively affect their colony-forming potential, proliferation, and migration/mobilization. In this study, designed to dissect mechanisms underlying hypoxia-dependent migration of bone marrow-derived human MSC (hMSC), signal transduction, and molecular mechanisms were evaluated by integrating morphological, molecular, and cell biology techniques, including the wound healing assay (WHA) and modified Boyden's chamber assay (BCA) to monitor migration. Exposure of hMSCs to moderate hypoxia resulted in a significant increase of migration of hMSCs in both WHA (from 6 to 20 hours) and BCA (within 6 hours). Mechanistic experiments outlined the following sequence of hypoxia-dependent events: (a) very early (15 minutes) increased generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which (b) was sufficient to switch on activation of extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase 1/2, found to be relevant for the early phase of hMSC migration; (c) hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1)–dependent increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (facilitated by ROS) and its progressive release that was responsible for (d) a delayed and sustained migration of hMSCs. These results suggest that hypoxia-dependent migration relies on a previously unrecognized biphasic scenario involving an early phase, requiring generation of ROS, and a delayed phase sustained by HIF-1-dependent expression and release of VEGF.
Concise Review: Quiescent and Active States of Endogenous Adult Neural Stem Cells: Identification and Characterization
Authors: Wang Ya-Zhou , Plane Jennifer M. , Jiang Peng , Zhou Chengji J. , Deng Wenbin
Published: April 2011

The adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) lacks the capacity for regeneration, making it a highly sought-after topic for researchers. The identification of neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult CNS wiped out a long-held dogma that the adult brain contains a set number of neurons and is incapable of replacing them. The discovery of adult NSCs (aNSCs) stoked the fire for researchers who dream of brain self-repair. Unfortunately, the quiescent nature and limited plasticity of aNSCs diminish their regenerative potential. Recent studies evaluating aNSC plasticity under pathological conditions indicate that a switch from quiescent to active aNSCs in neurogenic regions plays an important role in both repairing the damaged tissue and preserving progenitor pools. Here, we summarize the most recent findings and present questions about characterizing the active and quiescent aNSCs in major neurogenic regions, and factors for maintaining their active and quiescent states, hoping to outline an emerging view for promoting the endogenous aNSC-based regeneration.
Concise Review: Mesenchymal Stem Cell Tumor-Homing: Detection Methods in Disease Model Systems
Authors: Reagan Michaela R. , Kaplan David L.
Published: April 2011

Despite the decline in U.S. cancer incidence and mortality rates, cancer remains the number one cause of death for people under the age of 85 and one in four people in the U.S. will die of cancer, mainly because of metastasis. Recently, interest in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) tumor-homing has led to inquires into: (a) why MSCs home to tumors, (b) what the inherent protumor and antitumor consequences are, and (c) how to best capitalize on MSC tumor-homing for cell-based diagnostics and therapy. Here, these questions are reviewed and method for addressing them using animal models and tracking methodologies (or, synonymously, detection methodologies) are discussed. First, MSCs in a regenerative and tumor-homing context are reviewed, followed by MSC delivery and genetic labeling methods for tissue model systems. Finally, the use of the nonoptical methods, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and single photon emission computed tomography, along with optical methods, fluorescence imaging and bioluminescent imaging, are reviewed related to tracking MSCs within disease model settings. The benefits and drawbacks of each detection method in animal models is reviewed along with the utility of each for therapeutic use.
Concise Review: Emerging Concepts in Clinical Targeting of Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Rasheed Zeshaan A. , Kowalski Jeanne , Smith B. Douglas , Matsui William
Published: April 2011

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are functionally defined by their ability to self-renew and recapitulate tumors in the ectopic setting. They have been identified in a growing number of human malignancies and their association with poor clinical outcomes has suggested that they are the major factors in dictating clinical outcomes. Moreover, recent studies have demonstrated that CSCs may display other functional attributes, such as drug resistance and invasion and migration, that implicate a broad role in clinical oncology spanning initial tumor formation, relapse following treatment, and disease progression. Although our knowledge regarding the basic biology of CSCs continues to improve, proof that they are clinically relevant is still lacking, and translation of the CSC hypothesis from the laboratory to the clinic is of paramount importance. We will review current evidence supporting the role of CSCs in clinical oncology and discuss potential barriers and strategies in designing trials examining CSC-targeting agents.
Single Transcription Factor Reprogramming of Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells to Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Tsai Su-Yi , Bouwman Britta Am , Ang Yen-Sin , Kim Soo Jeong , Lee Dung-Fang , Lemischka Ihor R. , Rendl Michael
Published: April 2011

Reprogramming patient-specific somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has great potential to develop feasible regenerative therapies. However, several issues need to be resolved such as ease, efficiency, and safety of generation of iPS cells. Many different cell types have been reprogrammed, most conveniently even peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, they typically require the enforced expression of several transcription factors, posing mutagenesis risks as exogenous genetic material. To reduce this risk, iPS cells were previously generated with Oct4 alone from rather inaccessible neural stem cells that endogenously express the remaining reprogramming factors and very recently from fibroblasts with Oct4 alone in combination with additional small molecules. Here, we exploit that dermal papilla (DP) cells from hair follicles in the skin express all but one reprogramming factors to show that these accessible cells can be reprogrammed into iPS cells with the single transcription factor Oct4 and without further manipulation. Reprogramming was already achieved after 3 weeks and with efficiencies similar to other cell types reprogrammed with four factors. Dermal papilla-derived iPS cells are comparable to embryonic stem cells with respect to morphology, gene expression, and pluripotency. We conclude that DP cells may represent a preferred cell type for reprogramming accessible cells with less manipulation and for ultimately establishing safe conditions in the future by replacing Oct4 with small molecules.
Attenuated methamphetamine induced neurotoxicity by modafinil administration in mice
Authors: Raineri Mariana , Peskin Viviana , Goitia Belén , Taravini Irene R.E. , Giorgeri Sergio , Urbano Francisco J. , Bisagno Verónica
Published: April 2011

Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive drug that might induce neurotoxicity. Clinical trials have reported that modafinil, a wake‐promoting agent used to treat sleep disorders, may have some efficacy for the treatment of psychostimulant addiction. In this study we tested possible neuroprotective effects of modafinil after toxic METH administration in mice. We evaluated the effect of modafinil (two injections of either 90 or 180 mg/kg) and METH binge (3 × 7 mg/kg i.p. injections, 3‐h apart) coadministration on DA striatal content, TH immunoreactivity in striatal areas and spontaneous locomotor activity. We also investigated acute locomotor activity and stereotypy profile in mice treated with a single METH dose (2 and 7 mg/kg) pretreated with modafinil (90 and 180 mg/kg). We found that mice treated with a METH binge showed a marked decrease in DA and dopaminergic metabolites as well as lower levels of TH immunoreactivity in the dorsal striatum. Pretreatment with modafinil (both 90 and 180 mg/kg) attenuated these effects but did not prevent METH induced decrease in locomotion. We also found that groups that received the combination of both modafinil and single dose METH showed a decrease in total distance traveled in an open field compared with METH groups. We observed an increment in the time mice expended doing stereotypic movements (continuous sniffing) in the group that received the combination of both METH and modafinil (i.e., decreasing locomotion). Our results suggest a possible protective role of modafinil against METH acute striatal toxicity. Synapse 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adapting climate research for development in Africa
Authors: Conway Declan
Published: April 2011

This paper reviews research on African climate from the major Sahel droughts in the early 1970s to current interest in improving the use of climate science within societal decision‐making processes. During the last decade, and particularly since the mid‐2000s, the development community has begun to engage seriously with the issue of climate change and its implications for the world's poor. This has led to a growing interaction with the climate research community.

Recent climate literature is used to explore four research themes and identify knowledge gaps and areas with potential to adapt climate research for development needs. The first theme considers the development and use of seasonal forecasts and their portrayal by some as a relative success story, but with important skill limitations and need for much greater interaction with users. Forecast use is set within a wider context of generally low scientific understanding of the drivers of Africa's high climate variability and low research capacity. The second theme addresses the main influences on African climate variability and their response to climate change; high levels of uncertainty for future rainfall in some regions where remote influences are poorly resolved in global climate models. The third theme summarizes key elements of climate impacts research and shows a situation of rather ad hoc case studies and little engagement with decision‐makers. Recent studies reveal an important move to couple more effectively impacts research with adaptation by focusing on the near future and drawing on current climate–society relationships. The fourth theme looks at the emerging evidence of anthropogenic climate change and secondary effects on African environments and, apart from widespread warming, shows an equivocal situation with evidence for anthropogenic ocean warming affecting regional rainfall. Detection is hampered by data availability and high levels of background variability.

Finally, three emergent issues are discussed: (1) reflection on African climate research capacity and international collaboration suggests it is timely to review experiences from recent climate programs in Africa; (2) attempts to untangle climate signals from within complex livelihood systems face significant methodological challenges. These include the need to reconcile scientific observations and local perceptions and to clarify views that may over‐simplify climate–society interactions, to avoid construction of a crisis narrative on Africa and climate change; (3) the challenge of linking climate science with decision‐making to inform adaptation. Demand for information and confidence often exceeds what climate science can realistically achieve in many parts of Africa. WIREs Clim Change 2011 2 428–450 DOI: 10.1002/wcc.115

This article is categorized under:

Climate and Development > Knowledge and Action in Development

Trans‐Disciplinary Perspectives > Regional Reviews
Distress and Psychosocial Needs of a Heterogeneous High Risk Familial Cancer Population
Authors: Power Tara E. , Robinson John W. , Bridge Peter , Bernier Francois P. , Gilchrist Dawna M.
Published: April 2011

In order to assess the levels of distress and psychosocial support needs of a high risk population, we undertook a study to look at both the objective and subjective levels of distress and the wants and needs of individuals from a high familial cancer risk population. Three hundred and eighteen individuals (160 affected, 158 unaffected) completed several distress and psychosocial needs questionnaires (including the Brief Symptom Inventory‐18). Sixty key informants were also surveyed about their perspective on the support needs of this population. In the largely female (90%), largely HBOC syndrome group (approximately 90%), 20% had significant levels of generalized distress, with no significant differences between affected and unaffected individuals. Generalized distress was also not significantly different as a function of mutation status. Individuals who received inconclusive test results, however, were more likely to indicate somatic symptoms of distress. Those individuals who did not have social support were more likely to be those who had never had cancer and who either had a mutation, received inconclusive test results, or were not tested. Key informants were most likely to indicate that patients need more support. These results provide evidence for the importance of establishing regular psychosocial distress screening, including a focus on somatic symptoms, in such high risk populations.
Interactive influences of climate and parent material on soil microbial community structure in Bornean tropical forest ecosystems
Authors: Wagai Rota , Kitayama Kanehiro , Satomura Takami , Fujinuma Ryosuke , Balser Teri
Published: April 2011

Climate and parent material strongly control vegetation structure and function, yet their control over the belowground microbial community is poorly understood. We assessed variation in microbial lipid profiles in undisturbed forest soils (organic and surface mineral horizons) along an altitudinal gradient (700, 1,700, and 2,700 m a.s.l. mean annual temperature of 12–24°C) on two contrasting parent materials (acidic metasedimentary vs. ultrabasic igneous rock) in Mt. Kinabalu, Borneo. Soil organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations were generally higher at higher altitudes and, within a site, at upper soil horizons. Soil pH ranged from 3.9 to 5.3, with higher values for the ultrabasic soils especially at higher altitudes. The major shifts in microbial community structure observed were the decline in the ratio of fungal to bacterial lipid markers both with increasing soil depth and decreasing altitude. The positive correlation between this ratio with soil C and N concentrations suggested a strong substrate control in accord with the literature from mid to high‐latitude ecosystems. Principal component analysis using seven groups of signature lipids suggested a significant altitude by parent material interaction—the significant difference in microbial community structure between the two rock types found at 2,700‐m sites developed on weakly weathered soils diminished with decreasing altitude towards 700‐m sites where soils were strongly weathered. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that parent material effect on soil microbial community (either directly via soil geochemistry or indirectly via floristic composition) is stronger at an earlier stage of ecosystem development.
Responses of soil microbial communities to prescribed burning in two paired vegetation sites in southern China
Authors: Sun Yuxin , Wu Jianping , Shao Yuanhu , Zhou Lixia , Mai Bixian , Lin Yongbiao , Fu Shenglei
Published: April 2011

Prescribed burning is a common site preparation practice for forest plantation in southern China. However, the effects of prescribed burning on soil microbial communities are poorly understood. This study examined changes in microbial community structure, measured by phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), after a single prescribed burning in two paired vegetation sites in southern China. The results showed that the total amount of PLFA (totPLFA) was similar under two vegetation types in the wet season but differed among vegetation type in the dry season, and was affected significantly by burning treatment only in the wet season. Bacterial PLFA (bactPLFA) and fungal PLFA (fungPLFA) in burned plots all decreased compared to the unburned plots in both seasons (P = 0.059). Fungi appeared more sensitive to prescribed burning than bacteria. Both G+ bacterial PLFA and G− bacterial PLFA were decreased by the burning treatment in both dry and wet seasons. Principal component analysis of PLFAs showed that the burning treatment induced a shift in soil microbial community structure. The variation in soil microbial community structure was correlated significantly to soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium. Our results suggest that prescribed burning results in short‐term changes in soil microbial communities but the long‐term effects of prescribed burning on soil microbial community remain unknown and merit further investigation.
Paleoenvironmental and Biostratigraphic Significance of Uvigerinids and other Foraminifera from the Bhuban Formation, Assam-Arakan Basin, Mizoram
Authors: Lokho Kapesa , Raju D. S. N. , Azmi R. J.
Published: April 2011

Planktic and benthic foraminifera including uvigerinids are documented from the Upper Bhuban Formation, exposed at Thingdawl village, Kolasib district, Mizoram. The foraminiferal assemblage is poorly preserved and consists of index fossils useful for precise biochronology and interpretation of the depositional environment. A total of ten benthic and six planktic foraminiferal species are described. Six species belong to the genus Uvigerina, four to Ammonia, one species each of Globorotalia, Globigerinoides, Clavatorella, Praeorbulina and two species of the genus Orbulina. Based on lithological and foraminiferal assemblage, middle neritic to upper part of outer neritic paleobathymetry is inferred for the deposition of this part of the Upper Bhuban Formation. The foraminiferal assemblage suggests late Early Miocene to early Middle Miocene, (~16 Ma) equivalent to planktic foraminiferal zones N8-N9 for the Upper Bhuban Formation.
Facies Controlled Diagenetic Evolution of the Delhi Group Sandstones, Bayana Basin, Rajasthan
Authors: Saikia C. , Ahmad A. H. M. , Wasim S. M.
Published: April 2011

The Bayana Basin forms the eastern most limit of north Delhi fold belt covering parts of northeastern Rajasthan. The deposition of sediments took place during middle Proterozoic in fluvial and shallow marine environments. The rocks are mainly clastics and include conglomerate, sandstone and shale. During mechanical compaction rearrangement of grains took place and point and long contacts were formed. The sandstones are cemented by iron oxide, silica, carbonate and barite. The porosity has developed due to dissolution of iron, carbonate cement and feldspar grains. Dissolution of quartz along grain boundaries and silica rich compaction pore water seems to be the main source of silica. These observations suggest progressive compaction which initiated at the sediment water interface and continued till deep burial diagenesis in a rapidly subsiding basin.
Measuring Consultant Radiologist workload: method and results from a national survey
Authors: Brady Adrian P.
Published: April 2011

Objectives

The role of the Consultant Radiologist has changed substantially in recent decades, yet manpower planning is often based on older inappropriate methods of measuring Radiologist workload. We report a nationwide survey of Consultant Radiologist workload in Ireland in 2009.

Methods

Relative value units (RVUs) were assigned to easily countable studies. Hospitals’ activity was collated for the full calendar year of 2009. Radiologist time engaged in activities not easily counted (interventional and procedural work, multi-disciplinary meetings, teaching, administration, etc.) was separately measured.

Results

Data were obtained from 28 of 38 public hospital radiology departments. Mean Consultant Radiologist workload across all hospitals was 57,659.1 crude RVUs/WTE and 103,987 net RVUs/WTE. A mean of 32.47% of WTEs are engaged in non-countable activity. Means of 85.35% and 65.73% of the required numbers of WTEs were available in 2009 to achieve respectively annual crude and net RVU/WTE figures of 45,000. Excluding Specialist Centres, plain films accounted for 28–41% of recorded activity, mammography for 0.8–5.8%, US for 16–20%, CT for 27–32% and MR for 5.9–15.8%.

Conclusions

Irish Consultant Radiologist staffing levels are well below appropriate international benchmarks for the current workload. Approximately one-third of radiologist time is engaged in activity not easily counted in study numbers.
More Evidence for Trends in the Intergenerational Transmission of Divorce: A Completed Cohort Approach Using Data From the General Social Survey
Authors: Wolfinger Nicholas H.
Published: April 2011

Many studies have demonstrated that the children of divorce are disproportionately likely to end their own marriages. In previous work, I showed that the transmission of divorce between generations weakened substantially for General Social Survey (GSS) respondents interviewed between 1973 and 1996 (Wolfinger 1999); Li and Wu (2006, 2008) contended that my finding is a methodological artifact of the GSS’s lack of marriage duration data. This article presents a completed-cohort approach to studying divorce using the GSS. The results confirm a decline in the probability of divorce transmission that cannot be explained by the right-censoring bias alleged by Li and Wu. This finding contributes to an ongoing debate about trends in the negative consequences of parental divorce, as well as demonstrating a useful approach to right-censored phenomena when event history data are not available.
Ion channels in autoimmune neurodegeneration
Authors: Ehling Petra , Bittner Stefan , Budde Thomas , Wiendl Heinz , Meuth Sven G.
Published: April 2011

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by widespread inflammation, focal demyelination and a variable degree of axonal and neuronal loss. Ionic conductances regulate T cell activation as well as neuronal function and thus have been found to play a crucial role in MS pathogenesis. Since present therapeutical approaches are only partially effective so far, ion channel modulation as a future strategy was brought into focus. Here, we review the status quo concerning recent findings from ion channel research in MS and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Soybean isoflavone alleviates β‐amyloid 1‐42 induced inflammatory response to improve learning and memory ability by down regulation of Toll‐like receptor 4 expression and nuclear factor‐κB activity in rats
Authors: Ding B.J. , Ma W.W. , He L.L. , Zhou X. , Yuan L.H. , Yu H.L. , Feng J.F. , Xiao R.
Published: April 2011

β‐amyloid 1‐42 (Aβ1‐42)‐induced learning and memory impairment in rats is believed to be associated with inflammation. Cytokine production is a key pathologic event in the progression of inflammatory processes.

In this rat study, soybean isoflavones (SIF) was used to investigate it's protective effects on inflammation caused by β‐amyloid 1‐42 (Aβ1‐42), which is associated with learning and memory impairment in Alzheimer disease. We characterized the learning and memory ability. cytokine profiles of circulating interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in the serum and the expression of Toll like receptor4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor‐κB p65 (NF‐κB p65) mRNA and protein in the brain tissue following intracerebroventricular administration of Aβ1‐42 by miniosmotic pump for 14 days. The results showed that functional deficits of learning and memory in SIF treatment groups were significantly improved compared to the control group without SIF treatment in water maze test. The serum IL‐1β and TNF‐α level were significantly increased, and the expressions of TLR4 and NF‐κB p65 mRNA and protein in the brain were up‐regulated, indicating inflammation response was initiated following administration of Aβ1‐42. After intragastric pre‐treatment with SIF, inflammatory cytokines was significantly reduced and also SIF reversed the Aβ1‐42 induced up‐regulation of TLR4 and NF‐κB p65 mRNA and protein expression in the brain and expression of NF‐κB p65 in nuclei. These results suggested that SIF reduced the cytokine cascade and inflammatory response induced by Aβ1‐42 which could result in the improvement of spatial learning and memory ability impairment in the rats.
Cor triatriatum sinister with incomplete atrioventricular septal defect in a cat
Authors: Nakao Shu , Tanaka Ryou , Hamabe Lina , Suzuki Shuji , Hsu Huai-Che , Fukushima Ryuji , Machida Noboru
Published: April 2011

An 11-month-old, 3 kg, female domestic shorthair cat was referred to evaluate cardiac structure and function. Echocardiography revealed the membrane dividing the left atrium into two chambers, a large defect in the lower part of the atrial septum, and turbulent blood flow from the distal left atrium into the right atrium. These findings suggested cor triatriatum sinister (CTS) with incomplete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD). The cat was treated with medications for management of congestive heart failure. In the end, she died from right-sided heart failure 17 months after the initial presentation. At necropsy, a fibromuscular membrane with a round orifice in the left atrium and an ostium primum defect were confirmed, and the definitive diagnosis of CTS with incomplete AVSD was made. To our knowledge, this study presents the first case report of CTS with incomplete AVSD in a cat.
Time to Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital Admission and Functional Outcomes of Stroke Patients
Authors: Wang Hua , Camicia Michelle , Terdiman Joe , Hung Yun‐Yi , Sandel M. Elizabeth
Published: April 2011

Objective

To study the association of time to inpatient rehabilitation hospital (IRH) admission and functional outcomes of patients who have had a stroke.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

A regional IRH.

Participants

Moderately (n = 614) and severely (n = 1294) impaired patients who had a stroke who were admitted to the facility between 2002 and 2006.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Change in total, motor, and cognitive Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores between IRH admission and discharge.

Results

After controlling for patient demographics and initial medical conditions and functional status, shorter periods from stroke onset to IRH admission were significantly associated with greater functional gains for these patients during IRH hospitalization. Moderately impaired patients achieved a greater total FIM gain when admitted to an IRH within 21 days of stroke. Severely impaired patients showed a gradient relationship between time to IRH admission and total FIM gain, with significantly different functional gain if admitted to an IRH within 30 and 60 days after stroke diagnosis. Results of multiple regression analysis also showed that age, race/ethnicity, side of stroke, history of a previous stroke, functional measures at IRH admission, IRH length of stay, and selected medications were associated with total, motor, and cognitive FIM score changes. In addition, certain factors such as older age, diagnosis of a hemorrhagic stroke or a previous history of stroke, and initial functional status were associated with longer periods between diagnosis and admission to an IRH after the stroke occurred.

Conclusions

Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that earlier transfer to an IRH may lead to better functional improvement after stroke. However, certain factors such as age, race/ethnicity, initial medical conditions and functional status, and length of stay at an IRH contributed to functional gain. Factors affecting the time to IRH admission also were addressed.