bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Use of an Agile Policy Analysis Methodology in Health Information Exchange
Authors:   RTI International, Banger Alison , Rizk Stephanie , Bailey Robert
Published: March 2015

Between 2010 and 2014, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) contracted with RTI International to administer the State Health Policy Consortium (SHPC). The project objective was to provide states with resources needed to develop solutions to challenges preventing or impeding health information exchange (HIE) across state lines. The methods used to establish, fund, support, and manage consortiums, which we refer to as an “agile policy analysis methodology,” resulted in a number of successful HIE pilot and demonstration projects. The structured yet flexible framework developed by RTI helped to identify and implement high-value projects through a grassroots approach. Challenges and opportunities within the HIE environment evolve rapidly. As solutions are implemented and HIE expands, new opportunities and tipping points emerge. The flexible SHPC model allowed ONC to take advantage of these opportunities as they emerged, to make rapid progress. This report describes the agile policy analysis methodology the SHPC developed and used to support collaboration between states regarding HIE, enumerates the benefits of this methodology and the conditions under which it succeeds, and discusses how it can be employed in the future to further support both HIE and other challenges requiring multistate collaboration.
Association Mapping of Agronomic QTLs in U.S. Spring Barley Breeding Germplasm
Authors: Pauli Duke , Muehlbauer Gary J. , Smith Kevin P. , Cooper Blake , Hole David , Obert Don E. , Ullrich Steven E. , Blake Thomas K.
Published: March 2015

The use of genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling complex traits has become a popular approach for studying key traits in crop plants. The goal of this study was to identify the genomic regions of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) that impact five agronomic and one quality trait in U.S. elite barley breeding lines, as well as to identify markers tightly linked with these loci for further use in barley improvement. Advanced recombinant inbred lines submitted to the U.S. Barley Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP) were genotyped using a platform of 3072 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers from the barley oligonucleotide pool assays (BOPAs) 1 and 2. In each of 4 yr, approximately 770 lines were evaluated in a replicated, randomized complete block design under both irrigated and dryland conditions. This gave an overall population size of >3000 lines, which we analyzed in a hierarchical fashion, including analyzing the lines in aggregate using a mixed model to account for population structure and relatedness among the lines. We identified 41 significant marker–trait associations, of which 31 had been previously reported as QTL using biparental mapping techniques; 10 novel marker‐trait associations were identified. The results of this work show that genes with major effects are still segregating in U.S. barley germplasm and demonstrate the utility of GWAS in barley breeding populations.
Potential of Association Mapping and Genomic Selection to Explore PI 88788 Derived Soybean Cyst Nematode Resistance
Authors: Bao Yong , Vuong Tri , Meinhardt Clinton , Tiffin Peter , Denny Roxanne , Chen Senyu , Nguyen Henry T. , Orf James H. , Young Nevin D.
Published: March 2015

The potential of association mapping (AM) and genomic selection (GS) has not yet been explored for investigating resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN), the most destructive pest affecting soybean. We genotyped 282 representative accessions from the University of Minnesota soybean breeding program using a genome‐wide panel of 1536 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and evaluated plant responses to SCN HG type 0. After adjusting for population structure, AM detected significant signals at two loci corresponding to rhg1 and FGAM1 plus a third locus located at the opposite end of chromosome 18. Our analysis also identified a discontinuous long‐range haplotype of over 600 kb around rhg1 locus associated with resistance to SCN HG type 0. The same phenotypic and genotypic datasets were then used to access GS accuracy for prediction of SCN resistance in the presence of major genes through a sixfold cross‐validation study. Genomic selection using the full marker set produced average prediction accuracy ranging from 0.59 to 0.67 for SCN resistance, significantly more accurate than marker‐assisted selection (MAS) strategies using two rhg1‐associated DNA makers. Reducing the number of markers to 288 SNPs in the GS training population had little effect on genomic prediction accuracy. This study demonstrates that AM can be an effective genomic tool for identifying genes of interest in diverse germplasm. The results also indicate that improved MAS and GS can enhance breeding efficiency for SCN resistance in existing soybean improvement programs.
Analysis of a Complex Polyploid Plant Genome using Molecular Markers: Strong Evidence for Segmental Allooctoploidy in Garden Dahlias
Authors: Schie Stephan , Chaudhary Rajiv , Debener Thomas
Published: March 2015

In some plant genera that contain species with complex genomes, the level and type of ploidy are still unknown due to a lack of characterized reference species and contradictory results from genetic and cytogenetic studies. Herein, we present the analysis of the genome of garden dahlias using molecular markers; this species is one for which the genome ploidy has remained controversial. We generated simple‐sequence repeat (SSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data from two segregating populations of garden dahlias. The combined analysis of SSR marker segregation, the ratio of single‐dose to multidose markers, the ratio of markers linked in coupling and repulsion, and map construction revealed a predominantly autooctoploid genome with a low degree of preferential pairing. This finding indicates that dahlias are segmental allooctoploids that originated from autotetraploid ancestral genomes. Our results demonstrate that marker analysis is a suitable method for ploidy analysis in nonmodel crops. Novel marker techniques, such as restriction site associated DNA, will make this analysis even more effective before whole genome sequencing can be realized for these crops.
Genome‐Wide Genetic Dissection of Supernumerary Spikelet and Related Traits in Common Wheat
Authors: Echeverry‐Solarte Morgan , Kumar Ajay , Kianian Shahryar , Mantovani Eder E. , Simsek Senay , Alamri Mohammed S. , Mergoum Mohamed
Published: March 2015

Branched spike or supernumerary spikelet (SS) is a naturally occurring variant in wheat and holds great potential for increasing the number of grains per spike, and ultimately, increasing wheat yield. However, detailed knowledge of the molecular basis of spike branching in common wheat is lacking. In the present study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the cross of an SS accession and an elite non‐SS line was developed and evaluated over four to six environments for seven SS‐related traits to identify the genetic basis of SS in wheat. A framework linkage map was generated using 939 diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers. Composite interval mapping (CIM) identified a total of seven consistent quantitative trait loci (QTL) located on five chromosomes (2D, 5B, 6A, 6B, and 7B), suggesting a polygenic inheritance of SS. The phenotypic variation explained (PVE) by individual QTL ranged from 3.3 to 37.3%. The QTL located on 2D (QSS.ndsu‐2D) and 7B (QSS.ndsu‐7B.2) have major effects (PVE > 15%), while the remaining five QTL (QSS.ndsu‐5B, QSS.ndsu‐6A, QSS.ndsu‐6B.1, QSS.ndsu‐6B.2, QSS.ndsu‐7B.1) have minor effects (PVE < 15%). Comparison of the genomic locations of the QTL suggested that QSS.ndsu‐2D was located in the same regions on 2DS, where QTL for several traits have been reported. However, the remaining six QTL for SS are reported for the first time. Multiple interval mapping (MIM) showed that all seven QTL are involved in epistatic interaction. The major genomic regions controlling these SS‐related traits may prove invaluable for wheat improvement and could also be the target for future studies aimed at cloning these genes.
Molecular Karyotyping and Exome Analysis of Salt‐Tolerant Rice Mutant from Somaclonal Variation
Authors: Udomchalothorn Thanikarn , Plaimas Kitiporn , Comai Luca , Buaboocha Teerapong , Chadchawan Supachitra
Published: March 2015

LPT123‐TC171 is a salt‐tolerant (ST) and drought‐tolerant (DT) rice line that was selected from somaclonal variation of the original Leuang Pratew 123 (LPT123) rice cultivar. The objective of this study was to identify the changes in the rice genome that possibly lead to ST and/or DT characteristics. The genomes of LPT123 and LPT123‐TC171 were comparatively studied at the four levels of whole chromosomes (chromosome structure including telomeres, transposable elements, and DNA sequence changes) by using next‐generation sequencing analysis. Compared with LPT123, the LPT123‐TC171 line displayed no changes in the ploidy level, but had a significant deficiency of chromosome ends (telomeres). The functional genome analysis revealed new aspects of the genome response to the in vitro cultivation condition, where exome sequencing revealed the molecular spectrum and pattern of changes in the somaclonal variant compared with the parental LPT123 cultivar. Mutation detection was performed, and the degree of mutations was evaluated to estimate the impact of mutagenesis on the protein functions. Mutations within the known genes responding to both drought and salt stress were detected in 493 positions, while mutations within the genes responding to only salt stress were found in 100 positions. The possible functions of the mutated genes contributing to salt or drought tolerance were discussed. It was concluded that the ST and DT characteristics in the somaclonal variegated line resulted from the base changes in the salt‐ and drought‐responsive genes rather than the changes in chromosome structure or the large duplication or deletion in the specific region of the genome.
Novel Methods to Optimize Genotypic Imputation for Low‐Coverage, Next‐Generation Sequence Data in Crop Plants
Authors: Swarts Kelly , Li Huihui , Romero Navarro J. Alberto , An Dong , Romay Maria Cinta , Hearne Sarah , Acharya Charlotte , Glaubitz Jeffrey C. , Mitchell Sharon , Elshire Robert J. , Buckler Edward S. , Bradbury Peter J.
Published: March 2015

Next‐generation sequencing technology such as genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) made low‐cost, but often low‐coverage, whole‐genome sequencing widely available. Extensive inbreeding in crop plants provides an untapped, high quality source of phased haplotypes for imputing missing genotypes. We introduce Full‐Sib Family Haplotype Imputation (FSFHap), optimized for full‐sib populations, and a generalized method, Fast Inbred Line Library ImputatioN (FILLIN), to rapidly and accurately impute missing genotypes in GBS‐type data with ordered markers. FSFHap and FILLIN impute missing genotypes with high accuracy in GBS‐genotyped maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines and breeding populations, while Beagle v. 4 is still preferable for diverse heterozygous populations. FILLIN and FSFHap are implemented in TASSEL 5.0.
Taxonomy and Genetic Differentiation among Wild and Cultivated Germplasm of Solanum sect. Petota
Authors: Hardigan Michael A. , Bamberg John , Buell C. Robin , Douches David S.
Published: March 2015

Because of their adaptation to a diverse set of habitats and stresses, wild species of cultivated crops offer new sources of genetic diversity for germplasm improvement. Using an Infinium array representing a genome‐wide set of 8303 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), phylogenetic relationships and allelic diversity were evaluated within a diversity panel of germplasm from Solanum sect. Petota. This panel consists of 74 plant introductions (PIs) representing 25 species and provides a diverse representation of tuber‐bearing Solanum germplasm. Unlike other molecular markers, genome‐wide SNPs have not been widely implemented in potato. To determine relatedness between current species classifications and SNP‐based genetic distances, a phylogeny was generated based on random individuals from each core collection PI. With few exceptions, SNP‐based estimates of species relationships revealed general agreement with the existing taxonomic grouping of species in Solanum sect. Petota. Genotype comparisons between the Solanum sect. Petota diversity panel and a panel of 213 tetraploid cultivars and breeding lines indicated a greater extent of diversity between populations of native Andean landraces than among modern cultivated varieties. Comparison of SNP allele frequencies between the Solanum sect. Petota panel and tetraploid cultivars identified loci with extreme divergence between cultivated potato and its tuber‐bearing relatives. Several of these loci are associated with genes related to carbohydrate metabolism and tuber development, suggesting potential roles in potato domestication. The Infinium SNP data offer a new taxonomic view of potato germplasm, while further identifying candidate alleles likely to differentiate wild germplasm and cultivated potato, possibly underlying key agronomic traits.
« Avant que nature meure »... inventorier.
Authors: Manceron Vanessa
Published: March 2015

En Angleterre, la construction sociale de l’érosion de la biodiversité comme une menace qui pèse sur la vie floristique et animale prend une forme spécifique en raison de l’ampleur des collectifs sociaux qu’elle mobilise et des liens qu’elle établit entre la survie des espèces et le devenir de la campagne anglaise. Tout particulièrement concernés, les naturalistes amateurs, nombreux à arpenter les chemins pour observer la faune et la flore familière de leur environnement local, s’engagent alors dans une forme de surveillance de l’état de santé de la nature qui permet de préciser ce qu’inventorier veut dire pour faire face à la menace, à la peur et à l’affliction. conservation de la biodiversité,espèces en danger,inventaire,naturaliste amateur,Angleterre
Scenarii pour (quasi-) fin du monde. Traiter les dangers au CERN
Authors: Houdart Sophie
Published: March 2015

Au large de Genève court le plus grand dispositif expérimental jamais construit, le LHC, conçu pour comprendre comment s’est aggloméré l’univers. Les physiciens des particules, à l’échelle internationale, y expérimentent les théories physiques les plus avancées sur l’origine et le devenir du monde. Lové 100 mètres sous terre, et donc invisible dans le paysage, cette machine extraordinaire est, en surface, le point de mire de multiples attentions et l’objet de mesures incessantes. Ce dont elle traite (le Big Bang, les trous noirs, l’antimatière…), son envergure, son empreinte territoriale sont propres à nourrir des scénarios catastrophe que le CERN doit scrupuleusement désamorcer à mesure qu’ils surgissent en usant de procédés hétérogènes : mesures techniques, normes juridiques, monitoring de l’environnement.
Des difficultés de l'enquête médicale en milieu de travail contaminé
Authors: Dedieu François , Jouzel Jean-Noël
Published: March 2015

Les institutions en charge de la prévention des maladies des travailleurs agricoles exposés aux pesticides utilisent principalement des méthodes expérimentales en laboratoire pour repérer et mesurer ces intoxications. Il peut cependant arriver que les agents de ces institutions construisent des méthodes alternatives de mesure du danger. L’observation in situ des situations de travail permet notamment de découvrir des formes surprenantes d’exposition professionnelle à ces produits chimiques. En décrivant une enquête de ce type, conduite en France par la Mutualité sociale agricole sur des intoxications liées à un pesticide cancérigène, l’arsenite de soude, cet article restitue les conditions sociales qui rendent possible ce type d’initiative.
Mesurer l'air. Une fuite de phosgène à l'usine toulousaine Tolochimie en 1973
Authors: Charvolin Florian
Published: March 2015

Le 19 septembre 1973, un gaz très toxique est rejeté dans l’atmosphère à l’usine Tolochimie de Toulouse. L’analyse des archives permet de revenir sur ce type d’incident, qui interroge les manières de mesurer et de traiter l’air ambiant dans un milieu industriel. Dans l’usine, la traduction de l’incident porte sur le confinement paramétrable des gaz ; dans la ville, on parle de nuage à la mesure imprécise, au danger potentiellement débordant qu’il va falloir résorber : deux manières de contenir l’air, et qui révèlent un cas exemplaire de pollution.
Mesurer la malnutrition infantile au Niger. Entre révolution thérapeutique et transformations de la métrique des corps
Authors: Carémel Jean-Francois
Published: March 2015

La mesure de la malnutrition infantile s’opère à travers un continuum d’indices, de normes de croissance, de seuils et d’outils de mesure qui interagissent les uns avec les autres. Au cours des dix dernières années, au Niger, en lien avec une innovation thérapeutique majeure, chacun des éléments de cette métrique des corps dénutris a été renégocié par la médecine humanitaire. L’article analyse ces mutations et éclaire leurs influences sur la définition du normal et du pathologique. Sont ainsi illustrées les dynamiques de la construction du risque dans les politiques de la santé publique transnationale.
Mesurer la délinquance en France depuis 1970. Entre expertise et publicité
Authors: Didier Emmanuel
Published: March 2015

Cet article décrit les méthodes de mesure statistique de la délinquance utilisées depuis les années 1970 et les politiques publiques auxquelles elles étaient associées. Mesurant dans un premier temps l’activité policière, puis la peur du crime et la préoccupation sécuritaire, ces méthodes ont ensuite porté sur le nombre de victimes dans la population. Depuis les années 2000, les chiffres servent aussi comme mesure des performances des forces de l’ordre, ce qui pose de nombreux problèmes dénoncés par les agents eux-mêmes. On propose de les expliquer en questionnant l’articulation entre expertise et publicité.
Alarmes naturelles, alarmes rituelles. Perception et détection du danger dans le culte du palo monte (Cuba)
Authors: Kerestetzi Katerina
Published: March 2015

Cet article décrit dans le détail les concepts, les objets, les gestes et les constructions narratives que les adeptes du culte afro-cubain du palo monte mobilisent pour identifier la provenance et pour mesurer l’étendue de l’affliction qui menace les ensorcelés. Il montre que cette technologie complexe transmet à ces derniers une théorie proprement palera de la nature du danger. C’est un fait d’importance car il est au cœur du processus de recrutement des nouveaux initiés.
La quête identitaire des Caldoches en Nouvelle-Calédonie
Authors: Carteron Benoît
Published: March 2015

Comment les Caldoches, dans leur appartenance subjective, s’approprient-ils les catégories d’identification et diverses images du groupe ? Comment gèrent-ils les tensions qu’elles révèlent ou suscitent ? L’article analyse ces appartenances multiples, l’opposition aux Métropolitains et les proximités avec le monde kanak comme autant de processus d’auto-identifications pris entre affirmation singulière et construction d’un pays commun.
André Varagnac et les contraintes de l'histoire. La trajectoire tourmentée d'un folkloriste après guerre
Authors: Chandivert Arnauld
Published: March 2015

Cet article examine la seconde partie de la carrière, après 1945, d’un folkloriste et ethnologue de la France récemment « redécouvert », André Varagnac (1894-1983). A partir de la consultation de ses archives personnelles, il s’agit de relier ses pratiques et positions scientifiques aux « univers des possibles » qui s’ouvraient à lui après la guerre, dans une période de redéfinition de l’ethnologie de la France. Ce n’est pas une lecture purement chronologique de la trajectoire de ce chercheur qui a été retenue, l’objectif étant de montrer combien, en ce cas, historiographie disciplinaire, carrière scientifique et contextes historiques s’entremêlent, pour permettre de comprendre les modalités d’une reconstruction de l’ethnologie de la France après-guerre qui s’opéra sans lui.
Formes sous influences
Authors: Perpère Antoine
Published: March 2015

L’artiste-expérimentateur de drogue retranscrit ou tente de retranscrire grâce aux moyens plastiques dont il dispose ou qu’il invente un « autre lieu » visité, ouvert par l’action d’un psychotrope. On pourrait distinguer trois tactiques de création, caractérisable par trois mots : Traduire / Simuler / Représenter.
Euphorisants légaux et nouvelles drogues de synthèse : enjeux et risques sanitaires
Authors: Hogge Michaël
Published: March 2015

Le marché des drogues subit actuellement d’importantes mutations en raison de l’apparition d’un nombre croissant de nouvelles drogues de synthèse. Ces substances sont volontairement mises au point ou détournées de leur usage en recherche par certains entrepreneurs peu scrupuleux afin d’engranger d’importants profits tout en échappant aux législations nationales et internationales sur les drogues. Elles sont principalement vendues sur Internet, en l’absence de normes de production et alors que leur profil pharmacologique et toxicologique est généralement inconnu, exposant l’usager à des risques largement indéterminés. Dans cet article, nous passons en revue de manière critique l’histoire du phénomène des NDS, les données épidémiologiques relatives à leur consommation, les problèmes sanitaires qu’elles sont susceptibles de poser et les mesures prises au niveau législatif pour tenter d’en limiter l’ampleur.
DAP12-Based Activating Chimeric Antigen Receptor for NK Cell Tumor Immunotherapy
Authors: Töpfer Katrin , Cartellieri Marc , Michen Susanne , Wiedemuth Ralf , Müller Nadja , Lindemann Dirk , Bachmann Michael , Füssel Monika , Schackert Gabriele , Temme Achim
Published: March 2015

NK cells are emerging as new effectors for immunotherapy of cancer. In particular, the genetic engraftment of chimeric Ag receptors (CARs) in NK cells is a promising strategy to redirect NK cells to otherwise NK cell–resistant tumor cells. On the basis of DNAX-activation protein 12 (DAP12), a signaling adaptor molecule involved in signal transduction of activating NK cell receptors, we generated a new type of CAR targeting the prostate stem cell Ag (PSCA). We demonstrate in this article that this CAR, designated anti–PSCA-DAP12, consisting of DAP12 fused to the anti-PSCA single-chain Ab fragment scFv(AM1) confers improved cytotoxicity to the NK cell line YTS against PSCA-positive tumor cells when compared with a CAR containing the CD3ζ signaling chain. Further analyses revealed phosphorylation of the DAP12-associated ZAP-70 kinase and IFN-γ release of CAR-engineered cells after contact with PSCA-positive target cells. YTS cells modified with DAP12 alone or with a CAR bearing a phosphorylation-defective ITAM were not activated. Notably, infused YTS cells armed with anti–PSCA-DAP12 caused delayed tumor xenograft growth and resulted in complete tumor eradication in a significant fraction of treated mice. The feasibility of the DAP12-based CAR was further tested in human primary NK cells and confers specific cytotoxicity against KIR/HLA-matched PSCA-positive tumor cells, which was further enhanced by KIR-HLA mismatches. We conclude that NK cells engineered with DAP12-based CARs are a promising tool for adoptive tumor immunotherapy.
B Cell Rab7 Mediates Induction of Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase Expression and Class-Switching in T-Dependent and T-Independent Antibody Responses
Authors: Pone Egest J. , Lam Tonika , Lou Zheng , Wang Rui , Chen Yuhui , Liu Dongfang , Edinger Aimee L. , Xu Zhenming , Casali Paolo
Published: March 2015

Class switch DNA recombination (CSR) is central to the maturation of the Ab response because it diversifies Ab effector functions. Like somatic hypermutation, CSR requires activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), whose expression is restricted to B cells, as induced by CD40 engagement or dual TLR-BCR engagement (primary CSR-inducing stimuli). By constructing conditional knockout Igh+/Cγ1-creRab7fl/fl mice, we identified a B cell–intrinsic role for Rab7, a small GTPase involved in intracellular membrane functions, in mediating AID induction and CSR. Igh+/Cγ1-creRab7fl/fl mice displayed normal B and T cell development and were deficient in Rab7 only in B cells undergoing IghCγ1-cre Iγ1-Sγ1-Cγ1-cre transcription, as induced—like Igh germline Iγ1-Sγ1-Cγ1 and Iε-Sε-Cε transcription—by IL-4 in conjunction with a primary CSR-inducing stimulus. These mice could not mount T-independent or T-dependent class-switched IgG1 or IgE responses while maintaining normal IgM levels. Igh+/Cγ1-creRab7fl/fl B cells showed, in vivo and in vitro, normal proliferation and survival, normal Blimp-1 expression and plasma cell differentiation, as well as intact activation of the noncanonical NF-κB, p38 kinase, and ERK1/2 kinase pathways. They, however, were defective in AID expression and CSR in vivo and in vitro, as induced by CD40 engagement or dual TLR1/2-, TLR4-, TLR7-, or TLR9-BCR engagement. In Igh+/Cγ1-creRab7fl/fl B cells, CSR was rescued by enforced AID expression. These findings, together with our demonstration that Rab7-mediated canonical NF-κB activation, as critical to AID induction, outline a novel role of Rab7 in signaling pathways that lead to AID expression and CSR, likely by promoting assembly of signaling complexes along intracellular membranes.
Managing diabetes during Navratris with special focus on Durga pujas
Authors: Dutta Deep , Biswas Krishna , Sharma Meha , Maskey Robin , Baruah Manash , Amin Mohammod
Published: March 2015

Fasting during festivals is a common practice across all religions, believed to be associated with spiritual well-being. No literature is available addressing the challenges associated with blood glucose control in patients with diabetes during the festivals of Navratri and Durga puja, which are associated with both culinary extravagances and ritualistic fasting. Fasting alternating with binge eating can result in severe metabolic alterations, increasing both morbidity and mortality in diabetes. Dietary restraint is central to ensuring adequate glycemic control during Navratris and Durga pujas. Ritualistic fasting and dietary changes should be avoided in patients with poorly controlled diabetes with multiple comorbidities. Sulfonylureas should be avoided in case of prolonged fasting. Fast should be broken whenever blood glucose is < 70mg/dl. Target blood glucose during fasting state is 100-200mg/dl. Increasing awareness among patients, highlighting the need to enjoy festivals responsibly, and promoting healthy diet habits and exercise have an important role in maintaining glycemic control during Navratri and Durga pujas.
Klippel–Trénaunay Syndrome – A Very Rare and Interesting Syndrome
Authors: Sharma Deepak , Lamba Sachin , Pandita Aakash , Shastri Sweta
Published: March 2015

Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome (KTS or KT) is an infrequently seen dermatological syndrome, which is often viewed as a triad of vascular malformation (capillary malformations or port-wine brands), venous varicosity, and soft tissue and/or bony hypertrophy. We report a case of a 12-year-old male who presented to us with the symptoms of varicose plaques over both lower limbs and was diagnosed as a case of KTS. Management is normally conservative and includes stockings for compression of the branches to reduce edema because of chronic venous insufficiency; modern devices that cause on and off pneumatic compression; and rarely, surgical correction of varicose veins with lifelong follow-up. The orthopedic abnormalities are treated with epiphysiodesis in order to prevent (stop) overgrowing of limb and correction of bone deformity.
Identification of Medium-Sized Copy Number Alterations in Whole-Genome Sequencing
Authors: Ozer Hatice Gulcin , Usubalieva Aisulu , Dorrance Adrienne , Yilmaz Ayse Selen , Caligiuri Michael , Marcucci Guido , Huang Kun
Published: March 2015

The genome-wide discoveries such as detection of copy number alterations (CNA) from high-throughput whole-genome sequencing data enabled new developments in personalized medicine. The CNAs have been reported to be associated with various diseases and cancers including acute myeloid leukemia. However, there are multiple challenges to the use of current CNA detection tools that lead to high false-positive rates and thus impede widespread use of such tools in cancer research. In this paper, we discuss these issues and propose possible solutions. First, since the entire genome cannot be mapped due to some regions lacking sequence uniqueness, current methods cannot be appropriately adjusted to handle these regions in the analyses. Thus, detection of medium-sized CNAs is also being directly affected by these mappability problems. The requirement for matching control samples is also an important limitation because acquiring matching controls might not be possible or might not be cost efficient. Here we present an approach that addresses these issues and detects medium-sized CNAs in cancer genomes by (1) masking unmappable regions during the initial CNA detection phase, (2) using pool of a few normal samples as control, and (3) employing median filtering to adjust CNA ratios to its surrounding coverage and eliminate false positives.
On the anticyclotomic Iwasawa theory of CM forms at supersingular primes
Authors: Büyükboduk Kâzim
Published: March 2015

In this paper, we study the anticyclotomic Iwasawa theory of a CM form

f

of even weight

w ≥ 2

at a supersingular prime, generalizing the results in weight 2, due to Agboola and Howard. In due course, we are naturally lead to a conjecture on universal norms that generalizes a theorem of Perrin-Riou and Berger and another that generalizes a conjecture of Rubin (the latter seems linked to the local divisibility of Heegner points). Assuming the truth of these conjectures, we establish a formula for the variation of the sizes of the Selmer groups attached to the central critical twist of

f

as one climbs up the anticyclotomic tower. We also prove a statement which may be regarded as a form of the anticyclotomic main conjecture (without

p

-adic

L

-functions) for the central critical twist of

f

.
Elliptic systems of variable order
Authors: Krainer Thomas , Mendoza Gerardo A.
Published: March 2015

The general theory of boundary value problems for linear elliptic wedge operators (on smooth manifolds with boundary) leads naturally, even in the scalar case, to the need to consider vector bundles over the boundary together with general smooth fiberwise multiplicative group actions. These actions, essentially trivial (and therefore invisible) in the case of regular boundary value problems, are intimately connected with what passes for Poisson and trace operators, and to pseudodifferential boundary conditions in the more general situation. Here the part of the theory pertaining to pseudodifferential operators is presented in its entirety. The symbols for these are defined with the aid of an intertwining of the actions. Also presented here are the ancillary Sobolev spaces, an index theorem for the elliptic elements of the pseudodifferential calculus, and essential ingredients for analyzing boundary conditions of Atiyah–Patodi–Singer type in the more general theory.
From Researched to Centrestage: A Case Study
Authors: Newsome Jennifer K.
Published: March 2015

Applied research is a key way for music researchers to respond to the research agenda of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. Developments at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM) point to applied research as an effective response to the call for self-determination and self-representation by Indigenous peoples in research.
The Music of Uroš Krek: Towards a Definition of its Style
Authors: O’Loughlin Niall
Published: March 2015

The author defines the style of the composer Uroš Krek whose music has a reputation for high quality and emotional content. He uses the basic stylistic periods, neo-classicism, folk music influence, melodic cells, and a combination of these three, but argues that there is no clear-cut division between them.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint acquired using different parameters
Authors: Alonso M. , Gamba T. , Lopes S. , Cruz A. , Freitas D. , Haiter-Neto F.
Published: March 2015

Introduction: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the examination of choice for the diagnosis of abnormalities in the TMJ. Considering the difficulty in defining and standardizing the diagnostic criteria, and the need for more accurate and reliable diagnosis of conditions in the TMJ, the aim of the present study was to compare three different MRI parameters: Tl-weighted, T2-weighted and proton density-weighted in the diagnosis of changes in the temporomandibular joint. Materials and Methods: Fifty magnetic resonance imaging examinations of the temporomandibular joint (100 temporomandibular joints) were conducted according to a protocol that evaluates disc position, disc function and bone abnormalities. The images were obtained bilaterally in parasagittal sections in closed and open mouth positions in the three studied parameters Three trained oral radiologists assessed all the images. Reliability of the intra- and inter-examiner response was analyzed using the concordance test (Fleiss' kappa; α = 0.05). Results: The reliability of the response patterns between observers for different protocols varied from very good to good. Observers were less constant in their response patterns when assessing proton density-weighted images. There was very good agreement for disc morphology, cortical bone and bone structures/functions; however, there was wide variation for medullary bone marrow signs. Conclusion: T2-weighted imaging was found to be the best examination to assess the medullary bone. For evaluating of disc morphology, cortical bone and bone structures/functions, any protocol is indicated once the protocol does not interfere with the analysis.
Sucralose induced pancreatic toxicity in albino rats: Histomorphological evidence
Authors: Gupta S. , Kalra S. , Bharihoke V. , Dhurandhar D.
Published: March 2015

In the present world people have become conscious of the fact that sugar is one of the commonest culprits for gain in weight and blood sugar in diabetes. One of the artificial sweetener, sucralose is widely used by diabetics is still under strict scrutiny because of the contradictory feedbacks obtained from various studies, often discouraging its use. Therefore, there arises a need to check whether the use of sucralose is safe or not. The present study was designed to determine to evaluate and compare the histological changes of sucralose on the islets of pancreas in albino rats. Methods: The adult Wistar albino rats were given sucralose orally by gavage in the dose of 3gms/kg body weight/day dissolved in distilled water and only distilled water for 30 days to experimental and control groups respectively. The animals were weighed prior to and after the experiment. The animals were sacrificed on day 31. The pancreas was dissected and observed grossly. Tissue was processed; paraffin blocks were prepared and 8 micron thick sections were cut. Sections were stained with Haemotoxylin and Eosin and Gomori's stains. Results: Pancreatic toxicity was observed in the form of vaculation of islets, lymphocytic infilterate, degeneration of islets and acini of Pancreas. The commonly used non-lethal dose of sucralose induced damage to Pancreas is startling. Conclusion: The results obtained have wide implications for nutrient sensing and nutrition in the treatment of obesity and diabetes.
Estimating sources of elemental and organic carbon and their temporal emission patterns using a least squares inverse model and hourly measurements from the St. Louis–Midwest supersite
Authors: de Foy B. , Cui Y. Y. , Schauer J. J. , Janssen M. , Turner J. R. , Wiedinmyer C.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Emission inventories of elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) contain large uncertainties both in their spatial and temporal distributions for different source types. An inverse model was used to evaluate EC and OC emissions based on 1 year of hourly measurements from the St. Louis–Midwest supersite. The input to the model consisted of continuous measurements of EC and OC obtained for 2002 using two semicontinuous analyzers. High resolution meteorological simulations were performed for the entire time period using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF). These were used to simulate hourly back trajectories at the measurement site using a Lagrangian model (FLEXPART-WRF). In combination, an Eulerian model (CAMx: The Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions ) was used to simulate the impacts at the measurement site using known emissions inventories for point and area sources from the Lake Michigan Directors Consortium (LADCO) as well as for open burning from the Fire Inventory from NCAR (FINN). By considering only passive transport of pollutants, the Bayesian inversion simplifies to a single least squares inversion. The inverse model combines forward Eulerian simulations with backward Lagrangian simulations to yield estimates of emissions from sources in current inventories as well as from emissions that might be missing in the inventories. The CAMx impacts were disaggregated into separate time chunks in order to determine improved diurnal, weekday and monthly temporal patterns of emissions. Because EC is a primary species, the inverse model estimates can be interpreted directly as emissions. In contrast, OC is both a primary and a secondary species. As the inverse model does not differentiate between direct emissions and formation in the plume of those direct emissions, the estimates need to be interpreted as contributions to measured concentrations. Emissions of EC and OC in the St. Louis region from on-road, non-road, marine/aircraft/railroad (MAR), "other" and point sources were revised slightly downwards on average. In particular, both MAR and point sources had a more pronounced diurnal variation than in the inventory. The winter peak in "other" emissions was not corroborated by the inverse model. On-road emissions have a larger difference between weekday and weekends in the inverse estimates than in the inventory, and appear to be poorly simulated or characterized in the winter months. The model suggests that open burning emissions are significantly underestimated in the inventory. Finally, contributions of unknown sources seems to be from areas to the south of St. Louis and from afternoon and nighttime emissions.
Investigating a two-component model of solid fuel organic aerosol in London: processes, PM1 contributions, and seasonality
Authors: Young D. E. , Allan J. D. , Williams P. I. , Green D. C. , Harrison R. M. , Yin J. , Flynn M. J. , Gallagher M. W. , Coe H.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Solid fuel emissions, including those from biomass burning, are increasing in urban areas across the European Union due to rising energy costs and government incentives to use renewable energy sources for heating. In order to help protect human health as well as to improve air quality and pollution abatement strategies, the sources of combustion aerosols, their contributions, and the processes they undergo need to be better understood. A high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) was therefore deployed at an urban background site between January and February 2012 to investigate solid fuel organic aerosols (SFOA) in London. The variability of SFOA was examined and the factors governing the split between the two SFOA factors derived from Positive Matrix Factorisation (PMF) were assessed. The concentrations of both factors were found to increase during the night and during cold periods, consistent with domestic space heating activities. The split between the two factors is likely governed predominantly by differences in burn conditions where SFOA1 best represents more efficient burns and SFOA2 best represents less efficient burns. The differences in efficiency may be due to burner types or burn phase, for example. Different fuel types and levels of atmospheric processing also likely contribute to the two factors. As the mass spectral profile of SFOA is highly variable, the findings from this study may have implications for improving future source apportionment and factorisation analyses. During the winter, SFOA was found to contribute 38% to the total non-refractory submicron organic aerosol (OA) mass, with similar contributions from both SFOA factors (20% from SFOA1 and 18% from SFOA2). A similar contribution of SFOA was derived for the same period from a compact time-of-flight AMS (cToF-AMS), which measured for a full calendar year at the same site. The seasonality of SFOA was investigated using the year-long data set where concentrations were greatest in the autumn and winter. During the summer, SFOA contributed 11% to the organic fraction, where emissions resulted from different anthropogenic activities such as barbecues and domestic garden wood burning. The significant contribution of SFOA to total organic mass throughout the year suggests that the negative effects on health and air quality, as well as climate, are not just confined to winter as exposure to these aerosols and the associated black carbon can also occur during the summer, which may have significant implications for air-quality policies and mitigation strategies.
First quasi-Lagrangian in situ measurements of Antarctic Polar springtime ozone: observed ozone loss rates from the Concordiasi long-duration balloon campaign
Authors: Schofield R. , Avallone L. M. , Kalnajs L. E. , Hertzog A. , Wohltmann I. , Rex M.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. We present ozone measurements made using state-of-the-art ultraviolet photometers onboard three long-duration stratospheric balloons launched as part of the Concordiasi campaign in austral spring 2010. Ozone loss rates calculated by matching air parcels sampled at different times and places during the polar spring are in agreement with rates previously derived from ozonesonde measurements, for the vortex average, ranging between 2 and 7 ppbv per sunlit hour or between 25 and 110 ppbv per day. However, the geographical coverage of these long-duration stratospheric balloon platforms provides new insights into the temporal and spatial patterns of ozone loss over Antarctica. Very large ozone loss rates of up to 230 ppbv per day (16 ppbv per sunlit hour) are observed for air masses that are downwind of the Antarctic Peninsula and/or over the East Antarctic region. The ozone loss rate maximum downstream of the Antarctic Peninsula region is consistent with high PSC occurrence from CALIPSO and large ClO abundances from MLS satellite observations for 12–22 September 2010, and with a chemical box model simulation using JPL 2011 kinetics with full chlorine activation.
Effect of atmospheric ageing on volatility and ROS of biodiesel exhaust nano-particles
Authors: Pourkhesalian A. M. , Stevanovic S. , Rahman M. M. , Faghihi E. M. , Bottle S. E. , Masri A. R. , Brown R. J. , Ristovski Z. D.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. In the prospect of limited energy resources and climate change, effects of alternative biofuels on primary emissions are being extensively studied. Our two recent studies have shown that biodiesel fuel composition has a~significant impact on primary particulate matter emissions. It was also shown that particulate matter caused by biodiesels was substantially different from the emissions due to petroleum diesel. Emissions appeared to have higher oxidative potential with the increase in oxygen content and decrease of carbon chain length and unsaturation levels of fuel molecules. Overall, both studies concluded that chemical composition of biodiesel is more important than its physical properties in controlling exhaust particle emissions. This suggests that the atmospheric ageing processes, including secondary organic aerosol formation, of emissions from different fuels will be different as well. In this study, measurements were conducted on a modern common-rail diesel engine. To get more information on realistic properties of tested biodiesel particulate matter once they are released into the atmosphere, particulate matter was exposed to atmospheric oxidants, ozone and ultra-violet light; and the change in their properties was monitored for different biodiesel blends. Upon the exposure to oxidative agents, the chemical composition of the exhaust changes. It triggers the cascade of photochemical reactions resulting in the partitioning of semi-volatile compounds between the gas and particulate phase. In most of the cases, aging lead to the increase in volatility and oxidative potential, and the increment of change was mainly dependent on the chemical composition of fuels as the leading cause for the amount and the type of semi-volatile compounds present in the exhaust.
Water vapour profiles from Raman lidar automatically calibrated by microwave radiometer data during HOPE
Authors: Foth A. , Baars H. , Di Girolamo P. , Pospichal B.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. In this paper, we present a method to derive water vapour profiles from Raman lidar measurements calibrated by the integrated water vapour (IWV) from a collocated microwave radiometer during the intense observation campaign HOPE in the frame of the HD(CP)2 initiative. The simultaneous observation of a microwave radiometer and a Raman lidar allowed an operational and continuous measurement of water vapour profiles also during cloudy conditions. The calibration method provides results in a good agreement with conventional methods based on radiosondes. The calibration factor derived from the proposed IWV method is very stable with a relative uncertainty of 6%. This stability allows to calibrate the lidar even in the presence of clouds using the calibration factor determined during the closest in time clear sky interval. Based on the application of this approach, it is possible to retrieve water vapour profiles during all non-precipitating conditions. A statistical analysis shows a good agreement between the lidar measurements and collocated radiosondes. The relative biases amount to less than 6.7% below 2 km.
Increase in soil organic carbon by agricultural intensification in northern China
Authors: Liao Y. , Wu W. L. , Meng F. Q. , Smith P. , Lal R.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Agricultural intensification has contributed greatly to the sustained food supply of China's population of 1.3 billion over the 30-year period from 1982 to 2011. Intensification has several and widely recognized negative environmental impacts including depletion of water resources, pollution of water bodies, greenhouse gas emissions and soil acidification. However, there have been few studies over this period on the impacts of intensification on soil organic carbon (SOC) at the regional level. The present study was conducted in Huantai County, a typical intensive farming region in northern China, to analyze the temporal dynamics of SOC influenced by climate and farming practices. The results indicate that from 1982 to 2011, SOC content and density in the 0–20 cm layer of the cropland increased from 7.8 ± 1.6 to 11.0 ± 2.3 g kg−1 (41%) and from 21.4 ± 4.3 to 33.0 ± 7.0 Mg ha−1 (54%), respectively. The SOC stock (0–20 cm) of the farmland for the entire county increased from 0.75 to 1.2 Tg (59%). Correlation analysis revealed that incorporation of crop residues significantly increased SOC, while an increase in the mean annual temperature decreased the SOC level. Therefore, agricultural intensification has increased crop productivity and contributed to SOC sequestration in northern China. In the near future, more appropriate technologies and practices must be developed and implemented for a maintenance or enhancement of SOC in this region and elsewhere in northern China, which also reduce non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions, since the climate benefit from the additional SOC storage is estimated to be smaller than the negative climate impacts of N2O from N fertilizer additions.