bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CCL22-Producing CD8α− Myeloid Dendritic Cells Mediate Regulatory T Cell Recruitment in Response to G-CSF Treatment
Authors: Layseca-Espinosa Esther , Korniotis Sarantis , Montandon Ruddy , Gras Christophe , Bouillié Marie , Gonzalez-Amaro Roberto , Dy Michel , Zavala Flora
Published: July 2013

G-CSF prevents type 1 diabetes in the NOD mouse by promoting the local recruitment of T regulatory cells (Tregs). This is an indirect effect because adoptive transfer of G-CSF–induced tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) promotes Treg accumulation. However, the identity of the particular DC subset and the molecule(s) mediating this effect remain unknown. We demonstrate in this study that the adoptive transfer of CD11chighCD8α− DCs isolated from pegylated G-CSF (pegG-CSF) recipients, but not that of other DC subtypes, enhanced the pancreatic recruitment of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs, which generated increased amounts of TGF-β. Likewise, only CD11chighCD8α− DCs from pegG-CSF recipients secreted the chemokine CCL22 at levels that effectively attracted Tregs. PegG-CSF was more efficient at enhancing the synthesis of CCL22 by CD11chighCD8α− DCs from the pancreatic lymph nodes compared with those from the spleen. Accordingly, CD11chighCD8α− DCs from the pancreatic lymph nodes of pegG-CSF recipients were more efficient than their splenic counterparts in the recruitment of Tregs upon adoptive transfer. Predictably, CD11chighCD8α− DCs failed to recruit these Tregs both in vivo and in vitro following intracellular neutralization of CCL22. These data assign a key role to CD8α− DCs and CCL22 in Treg recruitment in the protection of NOD mice against type 1 diabetes following the treatment with G-CSF.
Complement Activation Associated with ADAMTS13 Deficiency in Human and Murine Thrombotic Microangiopathy
Authors: Tati Ramesh , Kristoffersson Ann-Charlotte , Ståhl Anne-lie , Rebetz Johan , Wang Li , Licht Christoph , Motto David , Karpman Diana
Published: July 2013

This study addressed the contribution of ADAMTS13 deficiency to complement activation in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Renal tissue and blood samples were available from 12 TTP patients. C3 and C5b-9 deposition were demonstrated in the renal cortex of two TTP patients, by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry, respectively. C3 was also demonstrated in the glomeruli of Shiga toxin-2–treated Adamts13−/− mice (n = 6 of 7), but less in mice that were not Shiga toxin-2 treated (n = 1 of 8, p < 0.05) or wild-type mice (n = 0 of 7). TTP patient plasma (n = 9) contained significantly higher levels of complement-coated endothelial microparticles than control plasma (n = 13), as detected by flow cytometry. Exposure of histamine-stimulated primary glomerular endothelial cells to platelet-rich plasma from patients, or patient platelet-poor plasma combined with normal platelets, in a perfusion system, under shear, induced C3 deposition on von Willebrand factor–platelet strings (on both von Willebrand factor and platelets) and on endothelial cells. Complement activation occurred via the alternative pathway. No C3 was detected when cells were exposed to TTP plasma that was preincubated with EDTA or heat-inactivated, or to control plasma. In the perfusion system, patient plasma induced more release of C3- and C9-coated endothelial microparticles compared with control plasma. The results indicate that the microvascular process induced by ADAMTS13 deficiency triggers complement activation on platelets and the endothelium, which may contribute to formation of thrombotic microangiopathy.
REXIC Project: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study of Documentation of Informed Consent for Research Biobanking in a Public Research and Teaching Hospital
Authors: Nobile Marta , Garavelli Elena , Gagliardi Barbara , Giovanelli Silvia , Rebulla Paolo , Caccami Concetta , Iemmi Diego , Saibene Federico , Castaldi Silvana
Published: July 2013

Background

The Center for Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapy and Cryobiology, Milan, Northern Italy, is the headquarter of the POLI-MI biobank. It co-ordinates the biobank activities of the Fondazione Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico of Milan. Such activities require specific safeguarding of donors’ rights and protection of sensitive and genetic data. The Fondazione Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico has set up a project on informed consent with the aim of developing awareness and understanding of this issue. Within this project, it has been decided to evaluate how consent for biobanking material is expressed.

Design and methods

The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality and completeness of consent to biobanking in the POLI-MI biobank. This was a retrospective study carried out in 2012 on samples of consent declarations collected by biobank units in 2011. Some units used a single, standard consent model available from a previous POLI-MI biobank workgroup. Other units used models which had been previouly formulated. Evaluation was made using a form that indicated the essential elements of consent.

Results

A total of 48 consent declarations were collected using the single, standard model and 84 were collected using other models. The consent declarations that used the single, standard model were found to be the most complete and were filled in better than other models.

Conclusions

Progressive adoption of a simple, standard consent model is expected to improve the quality of consent acquisition. Regular audit of the compliance of consent practices with ethical and legal requirements is mandatory to improve the quality of research biobanking.
Evaluation of number of roots and root anatomy of permanent mandibular third molars in a Korean population, using cone-beam computed tomography
Authors: Park Jun-Beom , Kim NamRyang , Park Seojin , Ko Youngkyung
Published: July 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphology and number of roots of Korean mandibular third molars, and to evaluate the prevalence of C-shaped, two-rooted, and three-rooted mandibular third molars using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: Serial axial CBCT images of the mandibles were gathered from 137 Korean patients. The total number of roots in the mandibular third molars of these patients was measured, and both the incidence and the correlations between left- and right-side occurrences, as well as between males and females, were analyzed. Results: Most of the mandibular third molars either had two roots (56.5%) or one root (37.9%). There was no significant difference regarding the incidence of the different types of roots according to gender (female versus male) or topology (right versus left side). A higher percentage (80.5%) of the patients had similar root morphology on both sides. Conclusion: The morphology and number of 214 mandibular third molars were examined using CBCT. There was a high prevalence of two-rooted mandibular and one-rooted mandibular third molars from this Korean population. Even though the anatomical variations in the mandibular third molars may not be high, these data regarding the occurrence and morphology of the roots will provide useful information to dentists performing these procedures.
Article Commentary: Kynurenine Pathway Pathologies: Do Nicotinamide and Other Pathway Co-Factors have a Therapeutic Role in Reduction of Symptom Severity, Including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FM)
Authors: Blankfield Adele
Published: July 2013

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) appear to meet the criteria of a tryptophan-kynurenine pathway disorder with potential neuroimmunological sequelae. Aspects of some of the putative precipitating factors have been previously outlined. 2 , 3 An analysis of the areas of metabolic dysfunction will focus on future directions for research and management.

The definition of dual tryptophan pathways has increased the understanding of the mind-body, body-mind dichotomy. The serotonergic pathway highlights the primary (endogenous) psychiatric disorders. The up-regulation of the kynurenine pathway by physical illnesses can cause neuropathic and immunological disorders 1 associated with secondary neuropsychiatric symptoms. Tryptophan and nicotinamide deficiencies fall within the protein energy malnutrition (PEM) spectrum. They can arise if the kynurenine pathway is stressed by primary or secondary inflammatory conditions and the consequent imbalance of available catabolic/anabolic substrates may adversely influence convalescent phase efficiency. The replacement of depleted or reduced NAD+ levels and other cofactors can perhaps improve the clinical management of these disorders.
Role of NAD+, Oxidative Stress, and Tryptophan Metabolism in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Essa Musthafa Mohamed , Subash Selvaraju , Braidy Nady , Al-Adawi Samir , Lim Chai K , Manivasagam Tamilarasan , Guillemin Gilles J
Published: July 2013

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neuro-developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, reduced/absent verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive behavior during early childhood. The etiology of this developmental disorder is poorly understood, and no biomarkers have been identified. Identification of novel biochemical markers related to autism would be advantageous for earlier clinical diagnosis and intervention. Studies suggest that oxidative stress-induced mechanisms and reduced antioxidant defense, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired energy metabolism (NAD+, NADH, ATP, pyruvate, and lactate), are major causes of ASD. This review provides renewed insight regarding current autism research related to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and altered tryptophan metabolism in ASD.
Determination of L-tryptophan and L-kynurenine in Human Serum by using LC-MS after Derivatization with (R)-DBD-PyNCS
Authors: Ohashi Hayato , Iizuka Hideaki , Yoshihara Shunsuke , Otani Hayato , Kume Misato , Sadamoto Kiyomi , Ichiba Hideaki , Fukushima Takeshi
Published: July 2013

Concentrations of L-tryptophan (L-Trp) and its metabolite, L-kynurenine (L-KYN), in sera of 19 normal subjects (age: 23.6 ± 3.5 y, male: 8, female: 11) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with mass-spectrometric detection, following their derivatization with ( R)-(–)-4-(N, N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-7-(3-isothiocyanatopyrrolidin-1-yl)-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DBD-PyNCS). A significant positive correlation between L-Trp and L-KYN concentrations was observed (r = 0.532, P < 0.05). Serum L-Trp concentration in male subjects (95.65 ± 4.27 μM) was significantly higher than that in female subjects (79.20 ± 3.34 μM; P < 0.05), while no significant differences in L-KYN concentration or the L-KYN:L-Trp ratio were observed between male and female subjects.
Species and Cell Types Difference in Tryptophan Metabolism
Authors: Murakami Yuki , Saito Kuniaki
Published: July 2013

L-Tryptophan (L-TRP) is a nutritionally essential amino acid and the kynurenine (KYN) pathway is the major route of L-TRP catabolism. Besides being synthesized for proteins, L-TRP and its metabolites have critical roles for the functions of nervous and immune systems. Many researches show that optimal amounts of L-TRP in diets depend on species, developmental stages, environmental factors and health status. We have shown that KYN pathway-related enzyme activities vary among species, tissue and cell types in physiological conditions. Furthermore, the response of these enzyme activities to systemic and/or central nervous system immune activation and inflammation depends on species and cell types. Thus, it is very important to choose appropriate animal species and cell types in which to evaluate the physiologic and pathologic effects of increased KYN pathway metabolism. We believe that understanding L-TRP metabolism among species and cell types provides a better idea for analysis of human pathological condition.
Nutritional Aspect of Tryptophan Metabolism
Authors: Fukuwatari Tsutomu , Shibata Katsumi
Published: July 2013

Mammals, including humans, can synthesize the vitamin nicotinamide from tryptophan in the liver. The resultant nicotinamide is distributed to non-hepatic tissues. We have studied the effects of changes in tryptophan–nicotinamide metabolism on niacin nutritional status. The liver plays a critical role in nicotinamide supply. Animal studies showed that the tryptophan–nicotinamide pathway is affected by physiological conditions, the presence of disease, nutrients, hormones, and chemicals. Human studies have shown that 1 mg of nicotinamide is produced from 67 mg of tryptophan intake, and that the conversion ratio of tryptophan to nicotinamide is enhanced from mid to late pregnancy. These findings have contributed to the determination of dietary reference intakes for niacin recommended in the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese 2010. Our findings suggest that the conversion of nicotinamide from tryptophan is important in maintaining niacin nutrition.
Induction of TDO2 and IDO2 in Liver by High-Fat Feeding in Mice: Discrepancies with Human Obesity
Authors: Poulain-Godefroy Odile , Eury Elodie , Leloire Audrey , Hennart Benjamin , Guillemin Gilles J. , Allorge Delphine , Froguel Philippe
Published: July 2013

Low-grade and chronic inflammation is elicited in white adipose tissue in human obesity. The presence of inflammatory molecules leads to an increased tryptophan catabolism through the induction of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1). In order to characterize the mechanisms underlying this dysregulation, we have studied 2 mouse models of obesity. Unexpectedly, we did not detect any IDO1 expression in obese or lean mice adipose tissue. In a previous study, we did not find any significant difference in the liver for IDO2 and tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) gene expression between normal weight and obese patients. IDO2 and TDO2 expression was increased in the liver of high-fat fed mice, but not in ob/ob mice, and was strongly correlated with hydroxysteroid-(11-beta) dehydrogenase-1 (HSD11B1) expression, an enzyme that generates active cortisol within tissues. In conclusion, despite a dysregulation of tryptophan metabolism, obese mice display discrepancies with human obesity metabolism, rendering them inappropriate for further investigations in this animal model.
Exploitation of the IDO Pathway in the Therapy of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Williams Richard O.
Published: July 2013

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is the first and rate-limiting step along the kynurenine pathway and is thought to play a key role in immune homeostasis through depletion of tryptophan and accumulation of kynurenines. In this review we summarize recent research into the possibility of harnessing the IDO pathway for the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis. Inhibition of IDO activity, or knockout of the gene encoding IDO, was shown to cause an increase in the severity of collagen-induced arthritis, an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis. The increased severity of disease was associated with elevated numbers of pathogenic Th1 and Th17 cells in the joints and draining lymph nodes. In another study, analysis of the kinetics of expression of downstream kynurenine pathway enzymes during the course of arthritis revealed a potential role for tryptophan metabolites in resolution of arthritis. Furthermore, the therapeutic administration of L-kynurenine or [3,4-dimethoxycinnamonyl]-anthranilic acid (a synthetic derivative of 3-hydroxy-anthranilic acid) significantly reduced both clinical and histological progression of experimental arthritis. These findings raise the possibility of exploiting the IDO pathway for the therapy of autoimmune disease.
Tryptophan-Restriction Diets Help to Maintain L-Tryptophan Homeostasis in Tryptophan 2,3-Dioxygenase Knockout Mice
Authors: Maeta Akihiro , Fukuwatari Tsutomu , Funakoshi Hiroshi , Nakamura Toshikazu , Shibata Katsumi
Published: July 2013

We hypothesized that the requirements of essential nutrients are dependent upon catabolic abilities. Mice lacking L-tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) are available. The body concentration of L-tryptophan (L-Trp) has been reported to be higher in TDO-deficient mice than in wild-type (WT) mice. We examined the requirement of an appropriate L-Trp level for TDO-deficient mice using several biomarkers. TDO-deficient mice were fed a 10% amino-acid mixture diet containing 0.06%, 0.08%, and 0.17% L-Trp. WT mice fed a 0.17% Trp diet (standard diet) were used as control mice. The concentrations of L-Trp and its metabolites via serotonin were higher in TDO-deficient mice fed the 0.17% L-Trp diet than in WT mice fed the standard diet, but the concentrations were almost identical between TDO-deficient mice fed the 0.06% L-Trp diet and WT mice fed the standard diet. Therefore, as hypothesized, requirements of essential nutrients are dependent on catabolic abilities.
Short Communication: Use of high-lipid by-product pellets as a partial replacement for barley grain and canola meal in finishing diets for beef steers
Authors: Górka P. , McKinnon J. J. , Penner G. B.
Published: July 2013

Górka, P., McKinnon, J. J. and Penner, G. B. 2013. Short Communication: Use of high-lipid by-product pellets as a partial replacement for barley grain and canola meal in finishing diets for beef steers. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 523–528. The objectives were to determine the effect of the inclusion rate (0%, CON; 30%, HLP30; 60%, HLP60) of high-lipid by-product pellets (HLP) as a partial replacement for barley grain and canola meal on feed intake and growth performance of steers (n=264). Dry matter intake and gain:feed ratio were greater (P<0.01) for HLP30 and HLP60 relative to CON. This study indicates that up to 60% of the barley grain and canola meal in finishing diets for steers can be replaced with HLP, although feed efficiency may be compromised.
Nearly complete graphs decomposable into large induced matchings and their applications
Authors: Alon Noga , Moitra Ankur , Sudakov Benjamin
Published: July 2013

We describe two constructions of (very) dense graphs which are edge disjoint unions of large
induced
matchings. The first construction exhibits graphs on

N

vertices with

{N \choose 2}-o(N^2)

edges, which can be decomposed into pairwise disjoint induced matchings, each of size

N^{1-o(1)}

. The second construction provides a covering of all edges of the complete graph

K_N

by two graphs, each being the edge disjoint union of at most

N^{2-\delta}

induced matchings, where

\delta > 0.076

. This disproves (in a strong form) a conjecture of Meshulam, substantially improves a result of Birk, Linial and Meshulam on communicating over a shared channel, and (slightly) extends the analysis of Håstad and Wigderson of the graph test of Samorodnitsky and Trevisan for linearity. Additionally, our constructions settle a combinatorial question of Vempala regarding a candidate rounding scheme for the directed Steiner tree problem.
Control for Schrödinger operators on 2-tori: rough potentials
Authors: Bourgain Jean , Burq Nicolas , Zworski Maciej
Published: July 2013

For the Schrödinger equation,

( i \partial_t + \Delta ) u = 0

on a torus, an arbitrary non-empty open set

\Omega

provides control and observability of the solution:

\| u |_{ t = 0 } \|_{ L^2 ( \mathbb T^2 ) } \leq K_T \| u \|_{ L^2 ( [0,T] \times \Omega )}

. We show that the same result remains true for

( i \partial_t + \Delta - V ) u = 0

where

V \in L^2 ( \mathbb T^2 )

, and

\mathbb T^2

is a (rational or irrational) torus. That extends the results of [1], and [8] where the observability was proved for

V \in C ( \mathbb T^2)

and conjectured for

V \in L^\infty ( \mathbb T^2 )

. The higher dimensional generalization remains open for

V \in L^\infty ( \mathbb T^n )
The null condition and global existence for nonlinear wave equations on slowly rotating Kerr spacetimes
Authors: Luk Jonathan
Published: July 2013

We study a semilinear equation with derivatives satisfying a null condition on slowly rotating Kerr spacetimes. We prove that given sufficiently small initial data, the solution exists globally in time and decays with a quantitative rate to the trivial solution. The proof uses the robust vector field method. It makes use of the decay properties of the linear wave equation on Kerr spacetime, in particular the improved decay rates in the region

\{r\leq \frac{t}{4}\}

.
Regularity of solutions of the fractional porous medium flow
Authors: Caffarelli Luis A. , Soria Fernando , Vázquez Juan Luis
Published: July 2013

We study a porous medium equation with nonlocal diffusion effects given by an inverse fractional Laplacian operator. The precise model is

u_t=\nabla\cdot(u\nabla (-\Delta)^{-s}u), \quad \ 0<s<1.

The problem is posed in

\{x\in\mathbb R^n, t\in \mathbb R\}

with nonnegative initial data

u(x,0)

that are integrable and decay at infinity. A previous paper has established the existence of mass-preserving, nonnegative weak solutions satisfying energy estimates and finite propagation. As main results we establish the boundedness and

C^\alpha

regularity of such weak solutions. Finally, we extend the existence theory to all nonnegative and integrable initial data.
On a devil’s staircase associated to the joint spectral radii of a family of pairs of matrices
Authors: Morris Ian D. , Sidorov Nikita
Published: July 2013

The joint spectral radius of a finite set of real

d \times d

matrices is defined to be the maximum possible exponential rate of growth of products of matrices drawn from that set. In previous work with K. G. Hare and J. Theys we showed that for a certain one-parameter family of pairs of matrices, this maximum possible rate of growth is attained along Sturmian sequences with a certain characteristic ratio which depends continuously upon the parameter. In this note we answer some open questions from that paper by showing that the dependence of the ratio function upon the parameter takes the form of a Devil's staircase. We show in particular that this Devil's staircase attains every rational value strictly between

0

and

1

on some interval, and attains irrational values only in a set of Hausdorff dimension zero. This result generalises to include certain one-parameter families considered by other authors. We also give explicit formulas for the preimages of both rational and irrational numbers under the ratio function, thereby establishing a large family of pairs of matrices for which the joint spectral radius may be calculated exactly.
On Zariski's theorem in positive characteristic
Authors: Tyomkin Ilya
Published: July 2013

In the current paper we show that the dimension of a family

V

of irreducible reduced curves in a given ample linear system on a toric surface

S

over an algebraically closed field is bounded from above by

-K_S.C+p_g(C)-1

, where

C

denotes a general curve in the family. This result generalizes a famous theorem of Zariski to the case of positive characteristic. We also explore new phenomena that occur in positive characteristic: We show that the equality

\dim(V)=-K_S.C+p_g(C)-1

does not imply the nodality of

C

even if

C

belongs to the smooth locus of

S

, and construct reducible Severi varieties on weighted projective planes in positive characteristic, parameterizing irreducible reduced curves of given geometric genus in a given very ample linear system.
The critical nonlinear wave equation in two space dimensions
Authors: Struwe Michael
Published: July 2013

Extending our previous work, we show that the Cauchy problem for wave equations with critical exponential nonlinearities in 2 space dimensions is globally well-posed for arbitrary smooth initial data.
On the 4-norm of an automorphic form
Authors: Blomer Valentin
Published: July 2013

We prove the optimal upper bound

\sum_f \| f \|_4^4 \ll q^{\varepsilon}

where

f

runs over an orthonormal basis of Maaß cusp forms of prime level

q

and bounded spectral parameter.
On a question of Demailly-Peternell-Schneider
Authors: Chen Meng , Zhang Qi
Published: July 2013

We give an affirmative answer to an open question posed by Demailly-Peternell-Schneider in 2001 and recently by Peternell. Let

f:X\to Y

be a surjective morphism from a log canonical pair

(X,D)

onto a

\mathbb Q

-Gorenstein variety

Y

. If

-(K_X+D)

is nef, we show that

-K_Y

is pseudo-effective.
Semi-classical standing waves for nonlinear Schrödinger equations at structurally stable critical points of the potential
Authors: Byeon Jaeyoung , Tanaka Kazunaga
Published: July 2013

We consider a singularly perturbed elliptic equation

\varepsilon^2\Delta u - V(x) u + f(u)=0, \ u(x) > 0 \text{ on } \mathbb R^N, \, \lim_{|x| \to \infty}u(x) = 0,

where

V(x) > 0

for any

x \in \mathbb R^N.

The singularly perturbed problem has corresponding limiting problems

\Delta U - c U + f(U)=0, \ U(x) > 0 \text{ on } \ \mathbb R^N, \, \lim_{|x| \to \infty}U(x) = 0, \ c > 0.

Berestycki–Lions found almost necessary and sufficient conditions on nonlinearity

f

for existence of a solution of the limiting problem. There have been endeavors to construct solutions of the singularly perturbed problem concentrating around structurally stable critical points of potential

V

under possibly general conditions on

f

. In this paper, we prove that under the optimal conditions of Berestycki–Lions on

f \in C^1

, there exists a solution concentrating around topologically stable positive critical points of

V

, whose critical values are characterized by minimax methods.
Estimates of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions in periodic homogenization
Authors: Kenig Carlos E. , Lin Fanghua , Shen Zhongwei
Published: July 2013

For a family of elliptic operators with rapidly oscillating periodic coefficients, we study the convergence rates for Dirichlet eigenvalues and bounds of the normal derivatives of Dirichlet eigenfunctions. The results rely on an

O(\varepsilon)

estimate in

H^1

for solutions with Dirichlet condition.
Greatest common divisors of $u-1, v-1$ in positive characteristic and rational points on curves over finite fields
Authors: Corvaja Pietro , Zannier Umberto
Published: July 2013

In our previous work we proved a bound for the

\gcd(u-1,v-1)

, for

S

-units

u,v

of a function field in characteristic zero. This generalized an analogous bound holding over number fields, proved in [3]. As pointed out by Silverman, the exact analogue does not work for function fields in positive characteristic. In the present work, we investigate possible extensions in that direction; it turns out that under suitable assumptions some of the results still hold. For instance we prove Theorems 2 and 3 below, from which we deduce in particular a new proof of Weil's bound for the number of rational points on a curve over finite fields. When the genus of the curve is large compared to the characteristic, we can even go beyond it. What seems a new feature is the analogy with the characteristic zero case, which admitted applications to apparently distant problems.
Generalised functions of bounded deformation
Authors: Dal Maso Gianni
Published: July 2013

We introduce the space

\operatorname{GBD}

of generalized functions of bounded deformation and study the structure properties of these functions: the rectifiability and the slicing properties of their jump sets, and the existence of their approximate symmetric gradients. We conclude by proving a compactness results for

\operatorname{GBD}

, which leads to a compactness result for the space

\operatorname{GSBD}

of generalized special functions of bounded deformation. The latter is connected to the existence of solutions to a weak formulation of some variational problems arising in fracture mechanics in the framework of linearized elasticity.
Sociocultural Determinants of Anticipated Vaccine Acceptance for Acute Watery Diarrhea in Early Childhood in Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Merten Sonja , Schaetti Christian , Manianga Cele , Lapika Bruno , Hutubessy Raymond , Chaignat Claire-Lise , Weiss Mitchell
Published: July 2013

Rotavirus and oral cholera vaccines have the potential to reduce diarrhea-related child mortality in low-income settings and are recommended by the World Health Organization. Uptake of vaccination depends on community support, and is based on local priorities. This study investigates local perceptions of acute watery diarrhea in childhood and anticipated vaccine acceptance in two sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2010, 360 randomly selected non-affected adults were interviewed by using a semi-structured questionnaire. Witchcraft and breastfeeding were perceived as potential cause of acute watery diarrhea by 51% and 48% of respondents. Despite misperceptions, anticipated vaccine acceptance at no cost was 99%. The strongest predictor of anticipated vaccine acceptance if costs were assumed was the educational level of the respondents. Results suggest that the introduction of vaccines is a local priority and local (mis)perceptions of illness do not compromise vaccine acceptability if the vaccine is affordable.
Molecular Detection of Rickettsia felis in Different Flea Species from Caldas, Colombia
Authors: Ramírez-Hernández Alejandro , Montoya Viviana , Martínez Alejandra , Pérez Jorge E. , Mercado Marcela , de la Ossa Alberto , Vélez Carolina , Estrada Gloria , Correa Maria I. , Duque Laura , Ariza Juan S. , Henao Cesar , Valbuena Gustavo , Hidalgo Marylin
Published: July 2013

Rickettsioses caused by Rickettsia felis are an emergent global threat. Historically, the northern region of the province of Caldas in Colombia has reported murine typhus cases, and recently, serological studies confirmed high seroprevalence for both R. felis and R. typhi. In the present study, fleas from seven municipalities were collected from dogs, cats, and mice. DNA was extracted and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify gltA, ompB, and 17kD genes. Positive samples were sequenced to identify the species of Rickettsia. Of 1,341 fleas, Ctenocephalides felis was the most prevalent (76.7%). Positive PCR results in the three genes were evidenced in C. felis (minimum infection rates; 5.3%), C. canis (9.2%), and Pulex irritans (10.0%). Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analyses of sequences showed high identity values (> 98%) with R. felis, and all were highly related by phylogenetic analyses. This work shows the first detection of R. felis in fleas collected from animals in Colombia.
Changes in Tuberculin Skin Test Positivity Over 20 Years in Periurban Shantytowns in Lima, Peru
Authors: Martinez Leonardo , Arman Alyssa , Haveman Nathan , Lundgren Ashley , Cabrera Lilia , Evans Carlton A. , Pelly Tom F. , Saito Mayuko , Callacondo David , Oberhelman Richard , Collazo Gisela , Carnero Andrés M. , Gilman Robert H.
Published: July 2013

A cross-sectional, community-based study was performed in 2012 with 428 residents of periurban shantytowns in Lima, Peru to study risk factors for and changes in latent tuberculosis infection in age-stratified groups compared with our data from the same region in 1990 (N = 219) and 2005 (N = 103). Tuberculin skin test positivity in these communities was highly prevalent at 52% overall, increased with age (P < 0.01) and was similar to 2005 (53%) and 1990 (48%). From 1990 to 2012, the prevalence of tuberculin positivity decreased in 5–14 and 15–24 year old groups (to 17% and 34%, respectively, both P < 0.05). However, this may be explained by cessation of Bacille Calmette-Guérin revaccination during this period, because Bacille Calmette-Guérin revaccination doubled tuberculin positivity. Over the same 22-year period, tuberculin positivity in the ≥ 25 year old group remained high (71%, P = 0.3), suggesting that prevalent latent tuberculosis infection persists in the adult population despite improving medical care and socioeconomic development in this region.
Zika Virus Infection Acquired During Brief Travel to Indonesia
Authors: Kwong Jason C. , Druce Julian D. , Leder Karin
Published: July 2013

Zika virus infection closely resembles dengue fever. It is possible that many cases are misdiagnosed or missed. We report a case of Zika virus infection in an Australian traveler who returned from Indonesia with fever and rash. Further case identification is required to determine the evolving epidemiology of this disease.
Reduced Cognitive Processing of Alcohol Cues in Alcohol-Dependent Patients Seeking Treatment: An ERP Study
Authors: Littel Marianne , Field Matt , van de Wetering Ben J. M. , Franken Ingmar H. A.
Published: July 2013

Substance-dependent individuals have been shown to display increased P3 amplitudes in response to substance-related stimuli. The P3 component of the event-related potential (ERP) has been associated with ‘motivated attention’ for substance cues. Enhanced processing of substance cues has not been unequivocally demonstrated in alcohol-dependent patients. The main goal of the present study was to further investigate electrophysiological processing of alcohol and non-alcohol (soft drink) cues in alcohol-dependent patients and controls. In addition, it was examined whether groups differed in the processing of positive emotional cues. Results showed that alcohol-dependent patients did not respond with more enlarged P3 amplitudes to alcohol cues than soft drink cues. At fronto-central sites they even showed reduced alcohol cue-elicited P3 amplitudes as compared to controls. These results are in line with results from studies using behavioral measures of cognitive processing and might be explained by the use of avoidance strategies, i.e., patients' effort to remain abstinent or control their alcohol use. There were no differences between groups regarding the processing of positive cues. Interpretations and implications of the findings are discussed.
Mechanisms Underlying the Relationship between Negative Affectivity and Problematic Alcohol Use
Authors: Coskunpinar Ayca , Dir Allyson L. , Karyadi Kenny A. , Koo ChungSeung , Cyders Melissa A.
Published: July 2013

The mechanisms that underlie how negative affective traits influence problematic alcohol use and attentional biases are not well understood. The current article sought to characterize mechanisms that drive problematic alcohol use and attentional biases. Three undergraduate student studies were conducted (n = 510, 429, and 38). Negative urgency partially mediated the effects of negative affectivity (B for indirect effect = .119, CI = .09 – .16) and affect lability (B for indirect effect = .928, CI = .47 – 1.45) on problematic alcohol use. Activation level of hostility predicted increased variance in problematic alcohol consumption (R2 change = .01, β = .16, p = .02) above trait valence. Negative urgency predicted alcohol attentional biases over and above valence and activation (β = 2.23, p = .05). Negative urgency is a prime mechanism by which negative affective traits influence problematic alcohol consumption.
Does Negative Affect Prime Alcohol in Alcohol-Dependent Inpatients? A Large-Scale Clinical Investigation of the Moderating role of Depression and Executive Control
Authors: Woud Marcella L. , Wiers Reinout W. , Pawelzcak Steffen , Becker Eni S. , Lindenmeyer Johannes , Rinck Mike
Published: July 2013

The present study tested to what extent alcohol-related concepts are automatically activated by negative affective words. Participants were alcohol-dependent inpatients (n = 847) and an inpatient control group (n = 130). An affective priming task was used to assess the automatic activation of alcohol-related memory associations. Executive control was assessed with an adapted Stroop task. We expected alcohol-dependent inpatients to show enhanced alcohol activation after negative primes. In addition, we predicted that this enhanced negative priming effect would be further qualified by participants' levels of depressive symptoms. Finally, we expected the interaction between executive control and priming effect as well as the interaction between executive control, priming effect and depressive symptoms to be predictive for group membership. Results showed that alcohol-dependent inpatients did not show an priming effect by negative words, and this effect was not moderated by levels of depressive symptoms. Moreover, group membership was not predicted by the interaction between priming effect and executive control, nor by the interaction between priming effect, executive control and depressive symptoms. We conclude that these results are most likely due to the particular population we studied (i.e., inpatients instead of at-risk populations) and to features of the priming task (i.e., low reliability, part of a test battery).
Effects of Alcohol Cues on Craving and Ad Libitum Alcohol Consumption in Social Drinkers: The Role of Disinhibition
Authors: Jones Andrew , Rose Abigail K. , Cole Jon , Field Matt
Published: July 2013

Alcohol cues increase physiological arousal, subjective craving and alcohol consumption. These effects may be mediated by state changes in disinhibition. In this study heavy social drinkers (N = 60) were exposed to alcohol cues in a simulated bar environment, or to water cues in a teaching room. Immediately after cue exposure, participants completed a measure of disinhibition (stop-signal task) followed by self-report measures of alcohol craving, and a bogus taste test as a measure of ad libitum alcohol consumption. Alcohol cues had no direct effect on disinhibition although they led to increased subjective craving and alcohol consumption, relative to water cues. Individual differences in disinhibition were associated with self-reported alcohol craving, but not with alcohol consumption, following exposure to alcohol but not water cues. These findings are the first to highlight the association between cue-reactivity and disinhibition in a semi-naturalistic setting.
Validation of ozone monthly zonal mean profiles obtained from the version 8.6 Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet algorithm
Authors: Kramarova N. A. , Frith S. M. , Bhartia P. K. , McPeters R. D. , Taylor S. L. , Fisher B. L. , Labow G. J. , DeLand M. T.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. We present the validation of ozone profiles from a number of Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet (SBUV and SBUV/2) instruments that were recently reprocessed using an updated (version 8.6) algorithm. The SBUV data record spans a 41 yr period from 1970 to 2011 with a 5 yr gap in the 1970s. The ultimate goal is to create a consistent, well-calibrated data set of ozone profiles that can be used for climate studies and trend analyses. SBUV ozone profiles have been intensively validated against satellite profile measurements from the Microwave Limb Sounders (MLS) (on board the UARS and Aura satellites) and the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE II) and ground-based observations from the microwave spectrometers, lidars, Umkehr instruments and balloon-borne ozonesondes. In the stratosphere between 25 and 1 hPa the mean biases and standard deviations are mostly within 5% for monthly zonal mean ozone profiles. Above and below this layer the vertical resolution of the SBUV algorithm decreases. We combine several layers of data in the troposphere/lower stratosphere to account for the lower resolution. The bias in the SBUV tropospheric/lower stratospheric combined layer relative to similarly integrated columns from Aura MLS, ozonesonde and Umkehr instruments varies within 5%. We also estimate the drift of the SBUV instruments and their potential effect on the long-term stability of the combined data record. Data from the SBUV instruments that collectively cover the 1980s and 2000s are very stable, with drifts mostly less than 0.5% per year. The features of individual SBUV(/2) instruments are discussed and recommendations for creating a merged SBUV data set are provided.
HIRS channel 12 brightness temperature dataset and its correlations with major climate indices
Authors: Shi L. , Schreck III C. J. , John V. O.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. A new version of the High-Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) upper tropospheric water vapor channel (channel 12) brightness temperature dataset is developed using intersatellite calibrated data. In this dataset, only those pixels affected by upper tropospheric clouds are discarded. Compared to the previous version that was based on column-clear-sky data, the new version has much better daily spatial coverage. The HIRS observation patterns are compared to microwave sounder measurements. The differences between the two types of sounders vary with respect to brightness temperature with larger differences for higher (dry) values. Correlations between the HIRS upper tropospheric water vapor channel brightness temperatures and several major climate indices show strong signals during cold seasons. The selected climate indices track climate variation signals covering regions from the tropics to the poles. Qualitatively, moist signals are correlated with troughs and ascending branches of the circulation, while dry signals occur with ridges and descent. These correlations show the potential of using the upper tropospheric water vapor channel brightness temperature dataset together with a suite of many atmospheric variables to monitor regional climate changes and locate global teleconnection patterns.
A decadal cirrus clouds climatology from ground-based and spaceborne lidars above the south of France (43.9° N–5.7° E)
Authors: Hoareau C. , Keckhut P. , Noel V. , Chepfer H. , Baray J.-L.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. This study provides an analysis of cirrus cloud properties at midlatitude in the southern part of France from ground-based and spaceborne lidars. A climatology of cirrus cloud properties and their evolution over more than 12 yr is presented and compared to other mid-latitude climatological studies. Cirrus clouds occur ~37% of the total observation time and remain quasi-constant across seasons with a variation within ~5% around the mean occurrence. Similar results are obtained from CALIOP and the ground-based lidar, with a mean difference in occurrence of ~5% between both instruments. From the ground-based lidar data, a slight decrease in occurrence of ~3% per decade is observed but found statistically insignificant. Based on a clustering analysis of cirrus cloud parameters, three distinct classes have been identified and investigations concerning their origin are discussed. Properties of these different classes are analysed, showing that thin cirrus in the upper troposphere represent ~50% of cloud cover detected in summer and fall, decreasing by 15–20% for other seasons.
Impacts of the mountain–plains solenoid and cold pool dynamics on the diurnal variation of warm-season precipitation over northern China
Authors:   Xinghua Bao,   Fuqing Zhang
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Convection-permitting numerical experiments using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model are performed to examine the impact of a thermally driven mountain–plains solenoid (MPS) on the diurnal variation of warm-season precipitation over northern China. The focus of the analyses is a 15-day simulation that uses the 8-day average of the NCEP GFS gridded analyses at 00:00 UT between 17 and 24 June 2004 for the initial conditions and the 8-day averages at 00:00, 06:00, 12:00, and 18:00 UT for the lateral boundary conditions. Despite differences in rainfall intensity and location, the control experiment captures the essence of the observed diurnal variation of warm-season precipitation in northern China. Consistent with observations, the simulated local precipitation peak initiates in the afternoon on the eastern edge and the immediate lee of the mountain ranges due to the upward branch of the MPS. The peak subsequently propagates downslope and southeastward along the steering-level mean flow, reaching the central North China Plain around midnight and early morning hours, resulting in a broad area of nocturnal precipitation maxima over the central plains. Sensitivity experiments show that, besides the impact of the MPS, cold pool dynamics play an essential role in the propagation and maintenance of the precipitation peak over the plains.
Sensitivity of air pollution simulations with LOTOS-EUROS to temporal distribution of anthropogenic emissions
Authors: Mues A. , Kuenen J. , Hendriks C. , Manders A. , Segers A. , Scholz Y. , Hueglin C. , Builtjes P. , Schaap M.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. In this study the sensitivity of the model performance of the chemistry transport model (CTM) LOTOS-EUROS to the description of the temporal variability of emissions was investigated. Currently the temporal release of anthropogenic emissions is described by European average diurnal, weekly and seasonal time profiles per sector. These default time profiles largely neglect the variation of emission strength with activity patterns, region, species, emission process and meteorology. The three sources dealt with in this study are combustion in energy and transformation industries (SNAP1), non-industrial combustion (SNAP2) and road transport (SNAP7). First the impact of neglecting the temporal emission profiles for these SNAP categories on simulated concentrations was explored. In a~second step, we constructed more detailed emission time profiles for the three categories and quantified their impact on the model performance separately as well as combined. The performance in comparison to observations for Germany was quantified for the pollutants NO2, SO2 and PM10 and compared to a simulation using the default LOTOS-EUROS emission time profiles. In general the largest impact on the model performance was found when neglecting the default time profiles for the three categories. The daily average correlation coefficient for instance decreased by 0.04 (NO2), 0.11 (SO2) and 0.01 (PM10) at German urban background stations compared to the default simulation. A systematic increase of the correlation coefficient is found when using the new time profiles. The size of the increase depends on the source category, the component and station. Using national profiles for road transport showed important improvements of the explained variability over the weekdays as well as the diurnal cycle for NO2. The largest impact of the SNAP1 and 2 profiles were found for SO2. When using all new time profiles simultaneously in one simulation the daily average correlation coefficient increased by 0.05 (NO2), 0.07 (SO2) and 0.03 (PM10) at urban background stations in Germany. This exercise showed that to improve the performance of a CTM a better representation of the distribution of anthropogenic emission in time is recommendable. This can be done by developing a dynamical emission model which takes into account regional specific factors and meteorology.