bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demography of the San Francisco Gartersnake in Coastal San Mateo County, California
Authors: Halstead Brian J. , Wylie Glenn D. , Amarello Melissa , Smith Jeffrey J. , Thompson Michelle E. , Routman Eric J. , Casazza Michael L.
Published: April 2011

The San Francisco gartersnake Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia has been federally listed as endangered since 1967, but little demographic information exists for this species. We examined the demography of a San Francisco gartersnake population on approximately 213 ha of California coastal prairie in San Mateo County, California, from 2007 to 2010. The best-supported mark–recapture model indicated annual variation in daily capture probabilities and annual survival rates. Abundance increased throughout the study period, with a mean total population from 2008 to 2010 of 443 (95% CI  =  313–646) individuals. Annual survival was slightly greater than that of most other gartersnakes, with an annual probability of survival of 0.78 (0.55–0.95) in 2008–2009 and 0.75 (0.49–0.93) in 2009–2010. Mean annual per capita recruitment rates were 0.73 (0.02–2.50) in 2008–2009 and 0.47 (0.02–1.42) in 2009–2010. From 2008 to 2010, the probability of an increase in abundance at this site was 0.873, with an estimated increase of 115 (−82 to 326) individuals. The estimated population growth rate in 2008–2009 was 1.52 (0.73–3.29) and in 2009–2010 was 1.21 (0.70–2.17). Although this population is probably stable or increasing in the short term, long-term studies of the status of the San Francisco gartersnake at other sites are required to estimate population trends and to elucidate mechanisms that promote the recovery of this charismatic member of our native herpetofauna.
FAS Haploinsufficiency Is a Common Disease Mechanism in the Human Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome
Authors: Kuehn Hye Sun , Caminha Iusta , Niemela Julie E. , Rao V. Koneti , Davis Joie , Fleisher Thomas A. , Oliveira João B.
Published: April 2011

The autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is characterized by early-onset lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, immune cytopenias, and an increased risk for B cell lymphomas. Most ALPS patients harbor mutations in the FAS gene, which regulates lymphocyte apoptosis. These are commonly missense mutations affecting the intracellular region of the protein and have a dominant-negative effect on the signaling pathway. However, analysis of a large cohort of ALPS patients revealed that ∼30% have mutations affecting the extracellular region of FAS, and among these, 70% are nonsense, splice site, or insertions/deletions with frameshift for which no dominant-negative effect would be expected. We evaluated the latter patients to understand the mechanism(s) by which these mutations disrupted the FAS pathway and resulted in clinical disease. We demonstrated that most extracellular-region FAS mutations induce low FAS expression due to nonsense-mediated RNA decay or protein instability, resulting in defective death-inducing signaling complex formation and impaired apoptosis, although to a lesser extent as compared with intracellular mutations. The apoptosis defect could be corrected by FAS overexpression in vitro. Our findings define haploinsufficiency as a common disease mechanism in ALPS patients with extracellular FAS mutations.
Structural Basis of Specificity and Cross-Reactivity in T Cell Receptors Specific for Cytochrome c–I-Ek
Authors: Newell Evan W. , Ely Lauren K. , Kruse Andrew C. , Reay Philip A. , Rodriguez Stephanie N. , Lin Aaron E. , Kuhns Michael S. , Garcia K. Christopher , Davis Mark M.
Published: April 2011

T cells specific for the cytochrome c Ag are widely used to investigate many aspects of TCR specificity and interactions with peptide-MHC, but structural information has long been elusive. In this study, we present structures for the well-studied 2B4 TCR, as well as a naturally occurring variant of the 5c.c7 TCR, 226, which is cross-reactive with more than half of possible substitutions at all three TCR-sensitive residues on the peptide Ag. These structures alone and in complex with peptide-MHC ligands allow us to reassess many prior mutagenesis results. In addition, the structure of 226 bound to one peptide variant, p5E, shows major changes in the CDR3 contacts compared with wild-type, yet the TCR V-region contacts with MHC are conserved. These and other data illustrate the ability of TCRs to accommodate large variations in CDR3 structure and peptide contacts within the constraints of highly conserved TCR–MHC interactions.
Vaccine-Induced CD8+ T Lymphocytes of Rhesus Monkeys Recognize Variant Forms of an HIV Epitope but Do Not Mediate Optimal Functional Activity
Authors: Hulot Sandrine L. , Cale Evan M. , Korber Bette T. , Letvin Norman L.
Published: April 2011

The sequence diversity of HIV-1 presents a challenge for the development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine, because such a vaccine must confer protection against diverse forms of the virus. The present studies were initiated to explore how vaccine-induced clonal populations of CD8+ T lymphocytes of rhesus monkeys recognize variants of an HIV-1 envelope epitope sequence. Evaluating a subset of variants of a selected epitope peptide that retain their binding to the MHC class I molecule of rhesus monkeys that presents this epitope peptide, we show that vaccine-elicited CD8+ T lymphocytes comparably recognize the wild-type and a number of variant epitope peptides as determined by tetramer binding assays. In fact, the same clonal populations of CD8+ T lymphocytes recognize the wild-type and variant epitope peptides. However, functional assays show that many of these variant epitope peptides stimulate suboptimal cytokine production by the vaccine-elicited CD8+ T lymphocytes. These findings suggest that vaccine-induced CD8+ T lymphocyte populations may recognize diverse forms of a viral epitope, but may not function optimally to confer protection against viruses expressing many of those variant sequences.
NK Cell-Depleting Anti-Asialo GM1 Antibody Exhibits a Lethal Off-Target Effect on Basophils In Vivo
Authors: Nishikado Hideto , Mukai Kaori , Kawano Yohei , Minegishi Yoshiyuki , Karasuyama Hajime
Published: April 2011

NK cells are innate immune lymphocytes and play a key role in both innate and adaptive immunity. Their pivotal functions in vivo have been illustrated in mice by means of their ablation with NK cell-depleting Abs, particularly anti-asialo GM1 (ASGM1). In this study, we show that the whole population of basophils constitutively expresses ASGM1 as well as CD49b (DX5) as does the NK cell population and was ablated in vivo by anti-ASGM1 as efficiently as by a basophil-depleting anti-FcεRIα Ab. Anti-ASGM1–mediated basophil depletion was operative as for NK cell depletion in various mouse strains, irrespective of NK1 allotype and MHC H2 haplotype, including C57BL/6, BALB/c, C3H, and A/J mice. These results identified basophils as a previously unrecognized target of anti-ASGM1–mediated cell depletion and raised concern about possible contribution of basophils, rather than or in addition to NK cells, to some of phenotypes observed in anti-ASGM1–treated mice. Indeed, regardless of the presence or absence of NK cells in mice, anti-ASGM1 treatment abolished the development of IgE-mediated chronic cutaneous allergic inflammation as efficiently as did the treatment with basophil-depleting Ab. Given the fact that basophils have recently been shown to play crucial roles in a variety of immune responses, our finding of the off-target effect on basophils issues a grave warning about the use of anti-ASGM1 and underscores the need for careful interpretation of phenotypes observed in anti-ASGM1–treated mice.
Thyroid Tuberculosis: A Case Series and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Majid Uzma , Islam Najmul
Published: April 2011

Objective. Tuberculosis of the thyroid gland is a very rare disease. The incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis has been showing a progressive increase in the recent years. We present three cases of primary thyroid tuberculosis.Methods. Two cases were diagnosed on the basis of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), as they presented with thyroid nodule. The third case was diagnosed on histopathology as the patient underwent total thyroidectomy for the left-side nodule which was a follicular lesion on FNAC. Tuberculosis was diagnosed on the other lobe.Results. All three patients were given antituberculous treatment for nine months, and their nodular lesions completely resolved after treatment.Conclusion. Although rare the, thyroid tuberculosis should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of thyroid masses, even in patient with no history and symptom of tuberculosis disease elsewhere.
Association Study of Genetic Variants in CDKN2A/CDKN2B Genes/Loci with Late‐Onset Alzheimer′s Disease
Authors: Tedde Andrea , Piaceri Irene , Bagnoli Silvia , Lucenteforte Ersilia , Ueberham Uwe , Arendt Thomas , Sorbi Sandro , Nacmias Benedetta
Published: April 2011

Alzheimer′s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia clinically characterized by progressive impairment of memory and other cognitive functions.
Many genetic researches in AD identified one common genetic variant (ε4) in Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene as a risk factor for the disease.
Two independent genome‐wide studies demonstrated a new locus on chromosome 9p21.3 implicated in Late‐Onset Alzheimer′s Disease (LOAD) susceptibility in Caucasians.
In the present study, we investigated the role of three SNP′s in the CDKN2A gene (rs15515, rs3731246, and rs3731211) and one in the CDKN2B gene (rs598664) located in 9p21.3 using an association case‐control study carried out in a group of Caucasian subjects including 238 LOAD cases and 250 controls.
The role of CDKN2A and CDKN2B genetic variants in AD is not confirmed in our LOAD patients, and further studies are needed to elucidate the role of these genes in the susceptibility of AD.
The Archaeological Record Speaks: Bridging Anthropology and Linguistics
Authors: Balari Sergio , Benítez-Burraco Antonio , Camps Marta , Longa Víctor M. , Lorenzo Guillermo , Uriagereka Juan
Published: April 2011

This paper examines the origins of language, as treated within Evolutionary Anthropology, under the light offered by a biolinguistic approach. This perspective is presented first. Next we discuss how genetic, anatomical, and archaeological data, which are traditionally taken as evidence for the presence of language, are circumstantial as such from this perspective. We conclude by discussing ways in which to address these central issues, in an attempt to develop a collaborative approach to them.
Use of Bayesian Inference to CorrelateIn VitroEmbryo Production andIn VivoFertility in Zebu Bulls
Authors: Sudano Mateus José , Crespilho André Maciel , Fernandes Claudia Barbosa , Junior Alicio Martins , Papa Frederico Ozanam , Rodrigues Josemar , Machado Rui , Landim-Alvarenga Fernanda Da Cruz
Published: April 2011

The objective of this experiment was to testin vitroembryo production (IVP) as a tool to estimate fertility performance in zebu bulls using Bayesian inference statistics. Oocytes were matured and fertilizedin vitrousing sperm cells from three different Zebu bulls (V, T, and G). The three bulls presented similar results with regard to pronuclear formation and blastocyst formation rates. However, the cleavage rates were different between bulls. The estimated conception rates based on combined data of cleavage and blastocyst formation were very similar to the true conception rates observed for the same bulls after a fixed-time artificial insemination program. Moreover, even when we used cleavage rate data only or blastocyst formation data only, the estimated conception rates were still close to the true conception rates. We conclude that Bayesian inference is an effective statistical procedure to estimatein vivobull fertility using data from IVP.
Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis in Association with End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Kleynberg Roman L. , Kleynberg Vera M. , Kleynberg Leonid M. , Farahmandian Danny
Published: April 2011

Pericardial involvement in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is manifested most commonly as acute uremic or dialysis pericarditis and infrequently as chronic constrictive pericarditis (CCP). We report a 27-year-old patient with a history of uncontrolled hypertension, end-stage-renal disease on hemodialysis, who presented with recurrent ascites, dyspnea, and hypotension. After diagnosis with CCP, a partial pericardiectomy was performed; however, the patient did not improve and a salvage total pericardiectomy soon followed. He continued to decompensate and expired following a terminal extubation. No definitive cause of constrictive pericarditis was found. Nonetheless, we surmise it may have developed secondary to his end-stage renal disease. A literature review revealed end-stage kidney disease as a relatively uncommon cause of CCP; only a few other such associations have thus far been reported.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Molecular Mechanisms and Targeted Therapies
Authors: Downs-Kelly Erinn , Rubin Brian P.
Published: April 2011

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract and are diverse not only in their clinical behavior but also in their histologic appearance. GISTs are insensitive to conventional sarcoma chemotherapy and radiation. However GISTs are sensitive to small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors as 85–90% of GISTs haveKITorplatelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA)mutations, which drive tumorigenesis. This review will briefly touch on the clinicopathological features of GIST, while the majority of the review will focus on the clinical and treatment ramifications ofKITandPDGFRAmutations found in GIST.
Bovine Tuberculosis in a Nebraska Herd of Farmed Elk and Fallow Deer: A Failure of the Tuberculin Skin Test and Opportunities for Serodiagnosis
Authors: Waters W. Ray , Stevens Gary E. , Schoenbaum Mark A. , Orloski Kathy A. , Robbe-Austerman Suelee , Harris N. Beth , Hall S. Mark , Thomsen Bruce V. , Wilson Arach J. , Brannian Roger E. , Nelson Jeffrey T. , Schafer Shawn , Esfandiari Javan , Dutton Meghan , Greenwald Rena , Lyashchenko Konstantin P.
Published: April 2011

In 2009,Mycobacterium bovisinfection was detected in a herd of 60 elk (Cervus elaphus) and 50 fallow deer (Dama dama) in Nebraska, USA. Upon depopulation of the herd, the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (TB) was estimated at ∼71–75%, based upon histopathology and culture results. Particularly with elk, gross lesions were often severe and extensive. One year ago, the majority of the elk had been tested for TB by single cervical test (SCT), and all were negative. After initial detection of a tuberculous elk in this herd, 42 of the 59 elk were tested by SCT. Of the 42 SCT-tested elk, 28 were TB-infected with only 3/28 reacting upon SCT. After SCT, serum samples were collected from the infected elk and fallow deer from this herd at necropsy and tested by three antibody detection methods including multiantigen print immunoassay, cervidTB STAT-PAK, and dual path platform VetTB (DPP). Serologic test sensitivity ranged from 79 to 97% depending on the test format and host species. Together, these findings demonstrate the opportunities for use of serodiagnosis in the rapid detection of TB in elk and fallow deer.
AnE8Correspondence for Multiplicative Eta-Products
Authors: Cummins C. J. , Duncan J. F.
Published: April 2011

We describe anE8correspondence for the multiplicative eta-products of weight at least 4.
On the Canonical Solution of the Sturm–Liouville Problem with Singularity and Turning Point of Even Order
Authors: Neamaty A. , Mosazadeh S.
Published: April 2011

In this paper, we are going to investigate the canonical property of solutions of systems of differential equations having a singularity and turning point of even order. First, by a replacement, we transform the system to the Sturm–Liouville equation with turning point. Using of the asymptotic estimates provided by Eberhard, Freiling, and Schneider for a special fundamental system of solutions of the Sturm–Liouville equation, we study the infinite product representation of solutions of the systems. Then we transform the Sturm–Liouville equation with turning point to the equation with singularity, then we study the asymptotic behavior of its solutions. Such representations are relevant to the inverse spectral problem.
Climatology and trends in the forcing of the stratospheric zonal-mean flow
Authors: Monier E. , Weare B. C.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. The momentum budget of the Transformed Eulerian-Mean (TEM) equation is calculated using the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA-40). This study outlines the considerable contribution of unresolved waves, dominated by gravity waves, to the forcing of the zonal-mean flow. A trend analysis, from 1980 to 2001, shows that the onset and break down of the Northern Hemisphere (NH) stratospheric polar night jet has a tendency to occur later. This temporal shift is associated with long-term changes in the planetary wave activity that are mainly due to synoptic waves. In the Southern Hemisphere (SH), the polar vortex shows a tendency to persist further into the SH summertime. This is associated with a statistically significant decrease in the intensity of the stationary EP flux divergence over the 1980–2001 period. Ozone depletion is well known for strengthening westerly winds through the thermal wind balance, which in turn causes a reduction in wave activity in high latitudes. This study suggests that the decrease in planetary wave activity provides an important feedback to the zonal wind as it delays the breakdown of the polar vortex. Finally, we identify long-term changes in the Brewer-Dobson circulation that, this study suggests, are largely caused by trends in the planetary wave activity during winter and by trends in the gravity wave forcing otherwise.
Magnetic local time dependence of geomagnetic disturbances contributing to the AU and AL indices
Authors: Tomita S. , Nosé M. , Iyemori T. , Toh H. , Takeda M. , Matzka J. , Bjornsson G. , Saemundsson T. , Janzhura A. , Troshichev O. , Schwarz G.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. The Auroral Electrojet (AE) indices, which are composed of four indices (AU, AL, AE, and AO), are calculated from the geomagnetic field data obtained at 12 geomagnetic observatories that are located in geomagnetic latitude (GMLAT) of 61.7°–70°. The indices have been widely used to study magnetic activity in the auroral zone. In the present study, we examine magnetic local time (MLT) dependence of geomagnetic field variations contributing to the AU and AL indices. We use 1-min geomagnetic field data obtained in 2003. It is found that both AU and AL indices have two ranges of MLT (AU: 15:00–22:00 MLT, ~06:00 MLT; and AL: ~02:00 MLT, 09:00–12:00 MLT) contributing to the index during quiet periods and one MLT range (AU: 15:00–20:00 MLT, and AL: 00:00–06:00 MLT) during disturbed periods. These results are interpreted in terms of various ionospheric current systems, such as, Sqp, Sq, and DP2.
Downward auroral currents from the reconnection Hall-region
Authors: Treumann R. A. , Nakamura R. , Baumjohann W.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. We present a simple (stationary) mechanism capable of generating the auroral downward field-aligned electric field that is needed for accelerating the ionospheric electron component up into the magnetosphere and confining the ionospheric ions at low latitudes (as is required by observation of an ionospheric cavity in the downward auroral current region). The lifted ionospheric electrons carry the downward auroral current. Our model is based on the assumption of collisionless reconnection in the tail current sheet. It makes use of the dynamical difference between electrons and ions in the ion inertial region surrounding the reconnection X-line which causes Hall currents to flow. We show that the spatial confinement of the Hall magnetic field and flux to the ion inertial region centred on the X-point generates a spatially variable electromotive force which is positive near the outer inflow boundaries of the ion inertial region and negative in the central inflow region. Looked at from the ionosphere it functions like a localised meso-scale electric potential. The positive electromotive force gives rise to upward electron flow from the ionosphere during substorms (causing "black aurorae"). A similar positive potential is identified on the earthward side of the fast reconnection outflow region which has the same effect, explaining the observation that auroral upward currents are flanked from both sides by narrow downward currents.
Potential impact of DOC accumulation on fCO2 and carbonate ion computations in ocean acidification experiments
Authors: Koeve W. , Kim H.-C. , Lee K. , Oschlies A.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. The internal consistency of measurements and computations of components of the CO2-system, namely total alkalinity (AT), total dissolved carbon dioxide (CT), CO2 fugacity (fCO2), and pH, has been confirmed repeatedly in open ocean studies when the CO2 system had been over determined. Differences between measured and computed properties, such as ΔfCO2 (=fCO2(measured) – fCO2(computed from AT and CT))/ fCO2(measured)× 100), there are usually below 5%. Recently, Hoppe et al. (2010) provided evidence of significantly larger ΔfCO2 in experimental setups. These observations are currently not well understood. Here we discuss a case from a series of phytoplankton culture experiments with ΔfCO2 of up to about 25%. ΔfCO2 varied systematically during the course of these experiments and showed a clear correlation with the accumulation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Culture and mesocosm experiments are often carried out under very high initial nutrient concentrations, yielding high biomass concentrations that in turn often lead to a substantial build-up of DOC. DOC can reach concentrations much higher than typically observed in the open ocean. To the extent that DOC includes organic acids and bases, it will contribute to the alkalinity of the seawater contained in the experimental device. Our analysis suggests that whenever substantial amounts of DOC are produced during the experiment, standard computer programs used to compute CO2 fugacity can underestimate true fCO2 significantly when the computation is based on AT and CT. Alternative explanations for large ΔfCO2, e.g. uncertainties of pKs, are explored as well, but are found to be of minor importance. Unless the effect of DOC-alkalinity is accounted for, this might lead to significant errors in the interpretation of the system under consideration to the experimentally applied CO2 perturbation, which could misguide the development of parameterisations used in simulations with global carbon cycle models in future CO2-scenarios.
Integrating point glacier mass balance observations into hydrologic model identification
Authors: Schaefli B. , Huss M.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. The hydrology of high mountainous catchments is often predicted with conceptual precipitation-discharge models that simulate the snow accumulation and ablation behavior of a very complex environment using as only input temperature and precipitation. It is hereby often assumed that some glacier-wide annual balance estimates, in addition to observed discharge, are sufficient to reliably calibrate such a model. Based on observed data from Rhonegletscher (Switzerland), we show in this paper that information on the seasonal mass balance is a pre-requisite for model calibration. And we present a simple, but promising methodology to include point mass balance observations into a systematic calibration process. The application of this methodology to the Rhonegletscher catchment illustrates that even small samples of point observations do contain extractable information for model calibration. The reproduction of these observed seasonal mass balance data requires, however, a model structure modification, in particular seasonal lapse rates and a separate snow accumulation and rainfall correction factor. This paper shows that a simple conceptual model can be a valuable tool to project the behavior of a glacier catchment but only if there is enough seasonal information to constrain the parameters that directly affect the water mass balance. The presented multi-signal model identification framework and the simple method to calibrate a semi-lumped model on point observations has potential for application in other modeling contexts.
Increasing mass loss from Greenland's Mittivakkat Gletscher
Authors: Mernild S. H. , Knudsen N. T. , Lipscomb W. H. , Yde J. C. , Malmros J. K. , Hasholt B. , Jakobsen B. H.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. Warming in the Arctic during the past several decades has caused glaciers to thin and retreat, and recent mass loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet is well documented. Local glaciers peripheral to the ice sheet are also retreating, but few mass-balance observations are available to quantify that retreat and determine the extent to which these glaciers are out of equilibrium with present-day climate. Here, we document record mass loss in 2009/10 for the Mittivakkat Gletscher (henceforth MG), the only local glacier in Greenland for which there exist long-term observations of both the surface mass balance and glacier front fluctuations. We attribute this mass loss primarily to record high mean summer (June–August) temperatures in combination with lower-than-average winter precipitation. Also, we use the 15-yr mass-balance record to estimate present-day and equilibrium accumulation-area ratios for the MG. We show that the glacier is significantly out of balance and will likely lose at least 70% of its current area and 80% of its volume even in the absence of further climate changes. Temperature records from coastal stations in Southeast Greenland suggest that recent MG mass losses are not merely a local phenomenon, but are indicative of glacier changes in the broader region. Mass-balance observations for the MG therefore provide unique documentation of the general retreat of Southeast Greenland's local glaciers under ongoing climate warming.
The evolution of the western rift area of the Fimbul Ice Shelf, Antarctica
Authors: Humbert A. , Steinhage D.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. This paper studies the evolution of a zone in the Fimbul Ice Shelf that is characterised by large crevasses and rifts west of Jutulstraumen, an outlet glacier flowing into Fimulisen. High-resolution radar imagery and radio echo sounding data were used to study the surface and internal structure of this rift area and to define zones of similar characteristics. The western rift area is dominated by two factors: a small ice rumple that leads to basal crevasses and disturbs the homogeneity of the ice, and a zone with fibre-like blocks. Downstream of the rumple we found down-welling of internal layers and local thinning, which we explain as a result of basal crevasses due to the basal drag at the ice rumple. North of Ahlmannryggen the ice looses its lateral constraint and forms individual blocks, which are deformed like fibres under shear, where the ice stream merges with slower moving ice masses of the western side. There, the ice looses its integrity, which initiates the western rift system. The velocity difference between the slow moving western part and the fast moving extension of Jutulstraumen produces shear stress that causes the rifts to form tails and expand them to the major rifts of up to 30 km length.
Deriving mass balance and calving variations from reanalysis data and sparse observations, Glaciar San Rafael, northern Patagonia, 1950–2005
Authors: Koppes M. , Conway H. , Rasmussen L. A. , Chernos M.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. Mass balance variations of Glaciar San Rafael, the most equatorial tidewater glacier in the North Patagonian Icefield, are reconstructed over the period 1950–2005 using NCEP-NCAR reanalysis climate data together with sparse, local historical observations of air temperature, precipitation, accumulation, ablation, thinning, calving, and glacier retreat. The combined observations over the past 50 yr indicate that Glaciar San Rafael has thinned and retreated since 1959, with a total mass loss of ~22 km3 of ice equivalent. Over that period, except for a short period of cooling from 1998–2003, the climate has become progressively warmer and drier, which has resulted primarily in pervasive thinning of the glacier surface and a decrease in calving rates, with only minor acceleration in retreat of the terminus. A comparison of calving fluxes derived from the mass balance variations and from theoretical calving and sliding laws suggest that calving rates are inversely correlated with retreat rates, and that terminus geometry is more important than changes in balance fluxes to the terminus in driving calving dynamics. For Glaciar San Rafael, regional climate warming has not yet resulted in the significant changes in glacier length seen in other calving glaciers in the region, emphasizing the complex dynamics between climate inputs, topographic constraints and glacier response in calving glacier systems.
An Uncommon Ventricular Tachycardia due to Inactive PPM Lead
Authors: Datta Goutam , Sarkar A. , Haque A.
Published: April 2011

Our patient had recurrent syncope due to ventricular tachycardia (VT) after one year of VVI Pacemaker implantation. He had pacemaker pocket infection for which new pacemaker was implanted on opposite side but old lead was not explanted completely.
Flouroscopy showed redundant loop of old lead in right ventricular inflow which was snared out subsequently. He never had syncope or VT after that.
Iterative Channel Estimation for Nonbinary LDPC-Coded OFDM Signals
Authors: Bacci Giacomo , Della Maggiora Marco , Luise Marco
Published: April 2011

This work deals with the issue of channel estimation in the context of non-binary LDPC-coded
OFDM systems over doubly selective multipath channels. In particular, we show how to derive an
iterative Wiener-filter-based estimation method using both time and frequency channel correlation and
considering the particular characteristics of the channel code. The proposed algorithm can use either
soft information or hard decisions fed back by the decoder to refine the channel estimation, so as to
improve the system performance at the expense of an increased receiver complexity. Simulation results
under typical working conditions are presented to compare the performance of the proposed method
with respect to classical techniques.
Carvedilol-Afforded Protection against Daunorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathic Rats In Vivo: Effects on Cardiac Fibrosis and Hypertrophy
Authors: Arozal Wawaimuli , Sari Flori R. , Watanabe Kenichi , Arumugam Somasundaram , Veeraveedu Punniyakoti T. , Ma Meilei , Thandavarayan Rajarajan A. , Sukumaran Vijayakumar , Lakshmanan Arun Prasath , Kobayashi Yoshiyasu , Mito Sayaka , Soetikno Vivian , Suzuki Kenji
Published: April 2011

Anthracyclines, most powerful anticancer agents, suffer from their cardiotoxic effects, which may be due to the induction of oxidative stress. Carvedilol, a third-generation, nonselective β-adrenoreceptor antagonist, possesses both reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and ROS suppressive effects. It showed protective effects against daunorubicin- (DNR-) induced cardiac toxicity by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis. This study therefore was designed to examine the effects of carvedilol on DNR-induced cardiomyopathic rats, focused on the changes of left ventricular function, cardiac fibrosis, and hypertrophy. Carvedilol increased survival rate, prevented systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and attenuated myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy. DNR alone treated rats showed upregulated myocardial expression of ANP, PKC-α, OPN, and TGF-β1 and downregulation of GATA-4 in comparison with control, and treatment with carvedilol significantly reversed these changes. The results of the present study add the available evidences on the cardioprotection by carvedilol when associated with anthracyclines and explain the mechanisms underlying the benefits of their coadministration.
The Investigation of Crack's Parameters on the V-Notch Using Photoelasticity Method
Authors: Saravani M. , Azizi M.
Published: April 2011

V-notches are the most possible case for initiation of cracks in engineering structure. Cracks on the notch tip can be characterized by opening angle, tip radius, and depth of the V-notch. In this study, the effects of V-notch's opening angle on stress intensity factor and on -stress of the crack have been investigated in detail. Our calculation has been performed in a number of opening angles and various crack lengths in mode I loading using photoelasticity method. We show that as opening angle grows at constant crack's length, SIF and -stress decrease. Furthermore, as the crack's length increases,
the V-notch effect diminishes and the crack behavior can be considered as a single-edge crack specimen. Finally, the obtained results were found to be in good agreement with outcome of numerical finite element analysis.
What Happens before Syncope? Study of the Time Frame Preceding Vasovagal Syncope
Authors: Lagi Alfonso , Cencetti Simone , Cartei Alessandro
Published: April 2011

Objective. The events characterizing the very last part of the vasovagal crisis has not been determined. The aim of the study was to analyze the variations in respiratory pattern preceding the vaso-vagal syncope full-blown and the relationship between cardiovascular functions in order to assess the temporal sequence. Methods. Eleven consecutive patients were studied. Heart rate, arterial pressure, respiratory frequency, tidal volume, carbon dioxide, and oxygen saturation in time domain from supine and standing recordings were analyzed. Results. The respiratory activity is different in the time frame preceding syncope, both in VT and breathing rate, and that the increase of the lung ventilation does not influence the baroreflex control during the presyncopal period but may be cause of the baroreflex failure during the full-blown syncope.
Early Intervention: Using Assessment to Reduce Student Attrition
Authors: Vander Schee Brian A.
Published: April 2011

Brian A. Vander Schee describes how incorporating the College Student Inventory into an existing freshman seminar measurably improved student retention.
Where is the Space for Education?
Authors: Davidson Ron , Henderson Lynette K. , Knotts Greg , Swain John
Published: April 2011

More than just a degree.
Field‐Tuneable Diamagnetism in Ferromagnetic–Superconducting Core–Shell Structures
Authors: Müller André , Dale Sara E. C. , Engbarth Miles A. , Bending Simon J. , Peter Laurence M. , Knittel Andreas , Fangohr Hans
Published: April 2011

Three dimensional ferromagnet–superconductor core–shell structures are realized by electrocrystallisation and their magnetic properties investigated. We observe fully re‐entrant core superconductivity in increasing fields that survives well above the bulk critical field due to compensation effects. The net measured magnetization of optimized structures could be switched from absolute para(ferro‐)magnetic to diamagnetic by tuning the external magnetic field. Micromagnetic simulations of the structures are in good qualitative agreement with our results.
Non‐Heme Manganese Complexes Catalyzed Asymmetric Epoxidation of Olefins by Peracetic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Ottenbacher Roman V. , Bryliakov Konstantin P. , Talsi Evgenii P.
Published: April 2011

Chiral non‐heme aminopyridine manganese complexes catalyze the enantioselective epoxidation of olefins with peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide with moderate to high yields and ee valuess up to 89% (peracetic acid, AcOOH) and 84% (hydrogen peroxide, H2O2), performing as many as 1000 turnovers.
Tanning predicts bone mass but not structure in adolescent females living in Hawaii
Authors: Osborne Daniel L. , Weaver Connie M. , Mcabe Linda D. , McCabe George M. , Novotny Rachel , Boushey Carol , Savaiano Dennis A.
Published: April 2011

Objectives:

To evaluate the relationship between facultative skin pigmentation, which predicts circulating levels of plasma 25‐hydroxymitamin D, and several measures of bone mass and structure in a cross sectional sample of adolescent females living in Hawaii.

Methods:

Our sample was composed of adolescent females (n = 94) living in Hawaii where seasonal sun exposure is minimal, and who self‐identified as either white (n = 16) or Asian (n = 78). Bone mineral content (BMC) of the total body, the lumbar spine and the hip, and cross sectional area (CSA) and section modulus (Z) at the proximal femur were quantified using DXA. Facultative skin pigmentation was measured at the forehead and non‐facultative skin pigmentation was measured at the inner arm using a Chroma Meter CR‐200b colorimeter.

Results:

There were no significant differences between ethnic groups in terms of skin pigmentation. The difference between a* taken at the forehead and inner upper arm significantly predicted BMC at the lumbar spine, total hip, and total body. Other measures of skin pigmentation were not significant predictors of any other measure of skeletal integrity.

Conclusions:

The difference between facultative and non‐facultative skin pigmentation for a* is a significant predictor BMC, but not bone structure. Our findings are limited by an inability to control for long term UVA and UVB exposure and lack of a measure of serum 25(OH)D status. Further research is needed to examine these questions, particularly in populations who live at high latitudes where a winter season limits vitamin D3 synthesis. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The musculoskeletal phenotype of the RASopathies
Authors: Stevenson David A. , Yang Feng‐Chun
Published: April 2011

The Ras/MAPK signal transduction pathway is critical for the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of multiple cell types. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is caused by inactivating mutations in the NF1 gene resulting in an increased Ras signaling cascade. Subsequently, additional syndromes with some overlapping physical manifestations such as Noonan syndrome, Costello syndrome, and cardiofaciocutaneous (CFC) syndrome were also shown to be due in many cases to mutations in genes encoding for proteins interacting with the Ras/MAPK pathway. Although neurocutaneous manifestations have been considered hallmark features for these disorders, multiple organ systems including the musculoskeletal system are affected. Some of the overlapping musculoskeletal phenotypes include scoliosis, kyphosis, anterior chest wall anomalies, pes planus, osteopenia, and hand anomalies. However, there are also discordant skeletal phenotypes such as sphenoid wing dysplasia and tibial pseudarthrosis seen only in NF1. We provide an overview of the concordant and discordant musculoskeletal manifestations in the RASopathies. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neurocognitive, adaptive, and behavioral functioning of individuals with Costello syndrome: A review
Authors: Axelrad Marni E. , Schwartz David D. , Katzenstein Jennifer M. , Hopkins Elizabeth , Gripp Karen W.
Published: April 2011

Costello syndrome is a rare rasopathy resulting from germline mutations of the proto‐oncogene HRAS. Its phenotype includes severe failure‐to‐thrive, cardiac abnormalities, a predisposition to benign and malignant tumors, hypotonia, and developmental delay. Costello syndrome is associated with cognitive impairment, including intellectual functioning generally in the mild to moderate range of disability, commensurate adaptive functioning, and increased anxiety. Relative strengths have been found for nonverbal fluid reasoning (FR). Gender effects have been reported, with females showing better adaptive functioning across domains. Developmentally, nonverbal skills plateau in late childhood/early adolescence, whereas the rate of vocabulary acquisition may increase in adolescence into early adulthood. Here we review the literature assessing cognitive, adaptive, and behavioral functioning in Costello syndrome, and we provide data from an ongoing longitudinal study. Severity of cognitive impairment may depend upon the specific HRAS mutation, as three individuals with the p.G13C change showed average nonverbal FR skills and borderline‐to‐low average overall nonverbal IQ. Further, separation anxiety is more common in Costello syndrome than in the general population, affecting 39% of this cohort, and males are more often overly anxious than females. Interrelations between anxiety and cognitive and adaptive functioning were found, pointing to functional difficulties as a likely source of stress and anxiety. Taking into account data from animal models, cognitive and behavioral changes likely originate from abnormal differentiation of neuronal precursor cells, which result in structural and functional brain differences. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phylogenetic analysis of chinese rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) based on mitochondrial control region sequences
Authors: Li Di Yan , Xu Huai Liang , Smith David Glenn , Cheng An Chun , Trask Jessica Satkoski , Zhu Qing , Yao Yong Fang , Du Dan Dan , Ni Qing Yong
Published: April 2011

Between one and six subspecies of Chinese rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) have been proposed based on morphological differences and/or their geographic distribution. In this study, a 489 base pair fragment of the mitochondrial control region was amplified from 230 DNA samples collected from rhesus macaques in the Sichuan province in Western China. The fragment was then sequenced and aligned with 208 sequences from wild rhesus macaques, sampled throughout the species' geographic range in China downloaded from GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis of the 182 unique sequences identified among these samples divided Chinese rhesus macaques into two western haplogroups (haplogroups A and B) and three older eastern haplogroups (haplogroups C, D, and E), whose differentiation probably occurred during the penultimate glacial event. During the warming after the penultimate glacial event, haplogroups A, B, and E rapidly expanded and a relatively young subhaplogroup of haplogroup E, E', limited to Southern China but shared with Vietnamese rhesus macaques, was reintroduced from Indochina during the last glacial event. One haplotype most closely related to subhaplogroup E' probably represents the isolation of Hainan Island, to where it is restricted, from the mainland by the formation of the Qiongzhou Strait approximately 8,500 years ago. The distribution of haplogroups both informs the phylogeographic history of dispersal of Chinese rhesus macaques and has implications for their suitability as animal models in biomedical research. Am. J. Primatol. 73:883–895, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Figure Eights, Möbius Bands, and More: Conformation and Aromaticity of Porphyrinoids
Authors: Stępień Marcin , Sprutta Natasza , Latos‐Grażyński Lechosław
Published: April 2011

The aromatic character of porphyrins, which has significant chemical and biological consequences, can be substantially altered by judicious modifications of the parent ring system. Expansion of the macrocycle, which is achieved by introducing additional subunits, usually increases the so‐called free curvature of the ring, leading to larger angular strain. This strain is reduced by a variety of conformational changes, most notably by subunit inversion and π surface twisting. The latter effect creates a particularly convenient access to Möbius aromatic molecules, whose properties, predicted over 40 years ago, are of considerable theoretical importance. The conformational processes occurring in porphyrin analogues are often coupled to other chemical phenomena, and can thus be exploited as a means of constructing functional molecular devices. In this Review, the structural chemistry of porphyrinoids is discussed in the context of their conformational dynamics and π‐electron conjugation
The first heterogeneous Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl halides with terminal alkynes catalyzed by diatomite‐supported palladium(II) salophen complex
Authors: Bahramian Bahram , Bakherad Mohammad , Keivanloo Ali , Bakherad Zohre , Karrabi Behzad
Published: April 2011

We report here our observation that, using appropriate reaction conditions, the Sonogashira reaction can be performed without the need for copper catalyst and solvent. Our approach involves the use of diatomite‐supported palladium(II) salophen complex as a catalyst and triethylamine as a base. The methodology works, to differing extents, for aryl iodides and bromides. This heterogeneous catalyst can be reused at least five times without any decrease in activity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydroquinone modified hyper‐cross‐linked resin to be used as a polymeric adsorbent for adsorption of salicylic acid from aqueous solution
Authors: Huang Jianhan
Published: April 2011

Hydroquinone modified hyper‐cross‐linked resin (HJ‐Y15) was prepared from macroporous crosslinked chloromethylated polystyrene and the adsorption behaviors of HJ‐Y15 for salicylic acid were studied from aqueous solution. The results indicated that the surface of HJ‐Y15 was modified by formaldehyde carbonyl, quinone carbonyl, and phenolic hydroxyl groups. Freundlich model was suitable for characterizing the isotherms and the adsorption was shown to be an exothermic, spontaneous, and more ordered process. The pseudosecond‐order rate equation was appropriate for describing the kinetic curves and the intraparticle diffusion was the rate‐controlling step. Hydrogen bonding between formaldehyde carbonyl groups of HJ‐Y15 and carboxyl groups of salicylic acid was one of the primary driving forces for the adsorption. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Melt‐grafting mechanism study of maleic anhydride onto polypropylene with 1‐decene as the second monomer
Authors: Lei Caihong , Chen Dahua , Wu Bo , Xu Yunqi , Li Shanliang , Huang Weiliang
Published: April 2011

Although polypropylene (PP) grafted by maleic anhydride (MAH) has been successfully commercialized, the grafting mechanism under the existence of a second monomer is not very clear. To simulate the grafting process of MAH onto PP with 1‐decene as the second monomer, the MAH/1‐decene copolymer and Alder ene reaction product were prepared and grafted onto PP with dicumyl peroxide as the initiator. We found that the grafting of the copolymer and the reactive product greatly improved the grafting degree of MAH. Particularly, the grafting degree with a 3% content of the Alder ene reactive product was 1.89%, which was 178% higher than that of pure MAH‐g‐PP, the maximum value of which was 0.68%. The molecular weight of the synthesized product affected the grafting efficiency and crystallization behavior of the grafted system. The system grafted with the Alder ene reaction product showed a higher crystallization temperature and crystalline degree. When the molecular weight of the copolymer was higher than 1700, the improvement of the grafting degree could be neglected. For MAH‐g‐PP with 1‐decene as the second monomer, the possible grafting mechanisms were as follows: first, the formation of MAH/1‐decene copolymer or the Alder ene reaction product, and second, the grafting of the previously formed product onto PP, in which, the effect of the Alder ene reaction product was more pronounced. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Tyrannosaurus rex Redux: Tyrannosaurus Tail Portrayals
Authors: Hutchinson John R. , Bates Karl T. , Allen Vivian
Published: April 2011

An interparabronchial arteriole coursing between three parabronchi branches in the lung of domestic fowl. See Figure 1 in Wideman et al., on page 743, in this issue.