bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scutellarin‐Induced Apoptosis in HepG2 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Via a STAT3 Pathway
Authors: Xu Haitao , Zhang Songyan
Published: November 2012

Liver cancers remain one main reason for the mortality in patients with tumors. Up to now, however, the effective drugs to treat liver cancers are limited. The aim of this study was to study whether Scutellarin which was widely found in many medicinal plants can exert an inhibitory role in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, and to explore its molecular mechanisms. The MTT assay showed that Scutellarin markedly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner. Moreover, Scutellarin‐treated cells exhibited typical apoptotic appearance by staining assay. Also, Scutellarin‐treated HepG2 cells exhibited the reduction of ROS production, compared with untreated HepG2 cells. Western blot analysis displayed that STAT3 protein was obviously decreased in Scutellarin‐treated HepG2 cells. Furthermore, STAT3 transcriptional targets Bcl‐XL and Mcl‐1 were also downregulated in HepG2 cells treated by Scutellarin. In summary, we found that Scutellarin was able to inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of HepG2 cells via a STAT3 signal pathway, which provided evident support for developing Scutellarin as an alternative treatment for liver cancer. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rhodiola‐Water Extract Induces β‐endorphin Secretion to Lower Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Lee Wei‐Jing , Chung Hsien‐Hui , Cheng Yung‐Ze , Lin Hung Jung , Cheng Juei‐Tang
Published: November 2012

Rhodiola rosea (Rhodiola) is grown at high altitudes and northern latitudes. It is mainly used clinically as an adaptogen, but antihypertensive effects have been reported for the extract. These have not been well investigated, so in the present study, we evaluated the effect of Rhodiola‐water extract on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and investigated the potential mechanism(s) for this action. In conscious male SHRs, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate were recorded using the tail‐cuff method. Plasma β‐endorphin was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Rhodiola‐water extract decreased SBP in SHRs in a dose‐dependent manner, and this action was more significant than that in normal group named Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats. This reduction of SBP in SHRs was inhibited by pretreatment with the selective opioid μ‐receptor antagonist, cyprodime, but not by naloxonazine, an antagonist specific to opioid μ1‐receptor. Also, the SBP‐lowering action of Rhodiola‐water extract was attenuated in adrenalectomized SHRs. Moreover, Rhodiola‐water extract dose‐dependently increased β‐endorphin release in SHRs, and the elevation of β‐endorphin in SHRs was higher than that in WKY. Thus, we suggest that Rhodiola‐water extract can induce release of β‐endorphin to lower SBP in SHRs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Approach to Build Process‐Oriented Basis for Causation‐Based Multivariate SPC and Process Capability Analysis
Authors: Ranjan Chitta , Maiti J
Published: November 2012

Although various multivariate process monitoring techniques have been developed, they do not diagnose the process for finding the root causes of irregularities during production. There have been recent studies on a new method that involves process‐oriented basis representation, which links the process variation to its causes, and thus helps in monitoring and diagnosing a process. However, all the studies done so far focused on its application. In this paper, a method is proposed to build the process‐oriented basis for a process irrespective of the number of variables characterizing it. Along with various other statistical techniques, factor analysis and cluster analysis, with customized distance function, are used in developing the method. The built in process‐oriented basis is further used for multivariate statistical process control and process capability analysis. Multivariate solder‐paste problem from electronics industry is used for illustration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Degenerate random environments
Authors: Holmes Mark , Salisbury Thomas S.
Published: November 2012

We consider connectivity properties of certain i.i.d. random environments on, where at each location some steps may not be available. Site percolation and oriented percolation are examples of such environments. In these models, one of the quantities most often studied is the (random) set of vertices that can be reached from the origin by following a connected path. More generally, for the models we consider, multiple different types of connectivity are of interest, including: the set of vertices that can be reached from the origin; the set of vertices from which the origin can be reached; the intersection of the two. As with percolation models, many of the models we consider admit, or are expected to admit phase transitions. Among the main results of the paper is a proof of the existence of phase transitions for some two‐dimensional models that are non‐monotone in their underlying parameter, and an improved bound on the critical value for oriented site percolation on the triangular lattice. The connectivity of the random directed graphs provides a foundation for understanding the asymptotic properties of random walks in these random environments, which we study in a second paper. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 45, 111–137, 2014
Mobile user authentication system in cloud environment
Authors: Yeh Her‐Tyan , Chen Bing‐Chang , Wu Yi‐Cong
Published: November 2012

In order to reach a safe environment that can be automatically used on the Internet and to take precautions against the Internet fishing attack, the system integrates some features including one‐time password, Completely Automated Public Turing Test to tell Computers and Humans Apart, voiceprint identification of creatural features, and visual cryptography, designing a formula wherein users do not need to remember any accounts and passwords when they surf the Internet through mobile devices, and it aims at smart phones and the Cloud. The formula is able to improve the problems of rampant Internet fishing and the management of passwords. In techniques, on one hand, it uses PIN information visual passwords in cell phones to improve the security of the account; on the other hand, it uses voiceprint identification features so that the system center can ensure the user's identification with a view to improve the leak in mobile devices rather than only to check mobile devices. And then, it utilizes the voiceprint, which we use when we log in, to produce a one‐time password that is able to lower the risk of the account and passwords being attacked by Internet fishing. Through the frame of this research, it can protect our cell phones from being lost and embezzled and can prevent the account and passwords from being attacked by Internet fishing. It can also solve the problem of users forgetting accounts and passwords, and reduce the operational burden of cell phones. Besides, it is capable of preventing the Cloud servers from incurring many malicious registrations and logins, keeping them working efficiently. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preventive Cancer Stem Cell-Based Vaccination Reduces Liver Metastasis Development in a Rat Colon Carcinoma Syngeneic Model
Authors: Duarte Sonia , Momier David , Baqué Patrick , Casanova Vincent , Loubat Agnès , Samson Michel , Guigonis Jean-Marie , Staccini Pascal , Saint-Paul Marie-Christine , De Lima Maria Pedroso , Carle Georges F. , Pierrefite-Carle Valérie
Published: November 2012

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a minor population of self-renewing cancer cells that fuel tumor growth. As CSCs are generally spared by conventional treatments, this population is likely to be responsible for relapses that are observed in most cancers. In this work, we analyzed the preventive efficiency of a CSC-based vaccine on the development of liver metastasis from colon cancer in a syngeneic rat model. We isolated a CSC-enriched population from the rat PROb colon carcinoma cell line on the basis of the expression of the aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 (ALDH1) marker. Comparative analysis of vaccines containing lysates of PROb or ALDHhigh cells by mass spectrometry identifies four proteins specifically expressed in the CSC subpopulation. The expression of two of them (heat shock protein 27-kDa and aldose reductase) is already known to be associated with treatment resistance and poor prognosis in colon cancer. Preventive intraperitoneal administration of vaccines was then performed before the intrahepatic injection of PROb cancer cells. While no significant difference in tumor occurrence was observed between control and PROb-vaccinated groups, 50% of the CSC-based vaccinated animals became resistant to tumor development. In addition, CSC-based vaccination induced a 99.5% reduction in tumor volume compared to the control group. To our knowledge, this study constitutes the first work analyzing the potential of a CSC-based vaccination to prevent liver metastasis development. Our data demonstrate that a CSC-based vaccine reduces efficiently both tumor volume and occurrence in a rat colon carcinoma syngeneic model.
The parallel operation control of a modular AC to DC converter via serial communication bus
Authors: Kanthaphayao Yutthana , Kamnarn Uthen , Chunkag Viboon
Published: November 2012

This paper presents the parallel operation control of a modular AC to DC converter via a serial communication bus. In the proposed system, multiple AC to DC converters are parallel‐connected at the output end for load current sharing. Each module of the AC to DC converter is controlled by its individual microcontroller. The microcontroller of each module is employed for the voltage control loop and communicates with the microcontrollers of the other converter modules. The RS485 serial communication is used to transmit information among the controllers, which checks the number of the converter module for calculating the input inductor current command of each converter module. Moreover, the clock signal is used for synchronization to prevent data collision on the serial communication bus. The proposed parallel operation control provides fast response when the converter module connects or disconnects according to the required power. The performance evaluation of the proposed system is conducted by simulation and experimental verification on two parallel isolated CUK converters. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Smoke detection in open areas with texture analysis and support vector machines
Authors: Maruta Hidenori , Nakamura Akihiro , Kurokawa Fujio
Published: November 2012

Early and certain fire detection is one of the important issues to keep infrastructures safe. Especially, it becomes an urgent problem for open places such as port facilities, large factories, and power plants, due to its large harmful effect to the surrounding areas. In these places, direct detection of fire or flame has some difficulties because they are open and hence have problem to set sensor devices. Therefore, smoke is an important and useful sign to detect fire or flames robustly even in such cases. In this paper, we present a novel smoke detection method based on image information. First, we extract moving objects in an image sequence as smoke candidate regions in a preprocessing step. Since smoke has a characteristic pattern as image information, we focus on the texture pattern of smoke. Here, we use texture analysis to extract feature vectors of the images. To classify extracted areas of moving objects to smoke or nonsmoke, we use support vector machines (SVMs) with texture features as an input feature vector. Extraction of moving objects is sometimes easily and greatly affected by environmental conditions such as wind, background objects, and so forth. It obviously causes bad classification results. To solve this problem, we additionally accumulate the results of classification with SVM about time to obtain accurate extraction result of smoke regions under these conditions. Experimental results using real‐scene data show that our method works effectively under several different environmental conditions. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Re: Association between body mass index and pregnancy outcome in a randomized trial of cerclage for short cervix. C. K. Farinelli, D. A. Wing, J. M. Szychowski, J. Owen, G. Hankins, J. D. Iams, J. S. Sheffield, A. Perez‐Delboy, V. Berghella and E. R. Guzman; for the Vaginal Ultrasound Trial Consortium. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012; 40: 669–673
Authors: Gibson J.
Published: November 2012

Linked Comment: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012:40:669‐673
Re: Functional and morphological differences following Monarc and TVT‐O procedures. W.‐C. Huang, S.‐H. Yang, J.‐M. Yang and C.‐R. Tzeng. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012; 40: 699–705
Authors: Barry C.
Published: November 2012

Linked Comment: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2012:40:699‐705
Coarse‐grained models of protein folding as detailed tools to connect with experiments
Authors: Naganathan Athi N.
Published: November 2012

Protein folding, a process that spans a wide range of timescales and that involves complex conformational dynamics, is an extremely challenging problem to decode at the atomic level. Over the past decade, coarse‐grained (CG) models that rely on a reduced representation of the polymer chain as dictated by the native structure have been quite successful in characterizing and predicting a variety of aspects of the folding mechanism of single‐domain proteins. The ever‐increasing ability of this minimalist treatment is a primarily due to the rapid and efficient sampling afforded by coarse‐graining that smoothens the folding landscape and the simple nature of the constituent physical energy functions that can be easily cast in various forms or parameterized using experimental or knowledge‐based approaches. With the advances in computational power we have now reached a stage where CG simulations can be routinely performed to test various mechanistic hypothesis, to interpret intricate experimental observables and even suggest new experimental avenues. Here, we provide an overview of recent CG developments that have predicted experiments quantitatively and others that have sought to use experimental information as constraints to tune the energetics and answer fundamental questions in folding and conformational behavior of proteins. We further discuss open issues and point to new directions that can drive the CG models toward better agreement with experiments and to a better understanding of folding mechanisms in general. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Electronic Structure Theory > Density Functional Theory
Multi-Regge limit of the n-gluon bubble ansatz
Authors: Bartels J. , Schomerus V. , Sprenger M.
Published: November 2012

Abstract

We investigate n-gluon scattering amplitudes in the multi-Regge region of
$ \mathcal{N}=4 $
supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory at strong coupling. Through a careful analysis of the thermodynamic bubble ansatz (TBA) for surfaces in AdS
5 with n-g(lu)on boundary conditions we demonstrate that the multi-Regge limit probes the large volume regime of the TBA. In reaching the multi-Regge regime we encounter wall-crossing in the TBA for all n > 6. Our results imply that, in this limit, amplitudes at strong coupling can be calculated through an auxiliary system of algebraic Bethe ansatz equations. Their solutions are expected to determine the strong coupling analogue of Regge cut contributions to the amplitude.
Mycotic Aneurysms in the Abdominal Aorta and Iliac Arteries: CT‐based Grading and Correlation with Surgical Outcomes
Authors: Lai Chao‐Han , Chang Ruey‐Sheng , Luo Chwan‐Yau , Kan Chung‐Dann , Lin Pao‐Yen , Yang Yu‐Jen
Published: November 2012

Background

Computed tomography (CT) is the modality of choice in the diagnosis of mycotic aneurysms. The present study aimed to classify the CT findings of mycotic aneurysms, and to assess their predictive value based on the correlation of a CT‐based grading system with prognostic factors and outcomes.

Methods

Over the past 21 years, 40 consecutive patients underwent open surgery for mycotic aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries in our hospital. The CT appearances of mycotic aneurysms were categorized into four grades: grade 1, periarterial changes without destruction of the arterial wall; grade 2, presence of saccular outpouching; grade 3, extensive retroperitoneal infection; and grade 4, massive perianeurysmal hemorrhage. Clinical data were recorded for analysis.

Results

The surgical mortality and overall aneurysm‐related mortality rates were 17.5 and 25 %, respectively. The poor prognostic predictors were shock, rupture, and concomitant gastrointestinal procedures. The increasing proportions of shock and rupture status corresponded to mycotic aneurysms of higher grades in the CT‐based grading. In addition, one patient in grades 1 and 2, versus five in grades 3 and 4 (P = 0.02), required concomitant gastrointestinal procedures. The CT‐based grading exhibited a strong association with surgical mortality (Cramer’s V coefficient = 0.65; P = 0.002) and a relatively strong association with overall aneurysm‐related mortality (Cramer’s V coefficient = 0.53; P = 0.01).

Conclusions

For patients surgically treated for abdominal mycotic aneurysms, the CT‐based grading is correlated with clinical severity, surgical complexity, and outcomes, and thus it may serve as a simple scale for risk classification.
Estimating the probability of IQ impairment from blood phenylalanine for phenylketonuria patients: a hierarchical meta‐analysis
Authors: Fonnesbeck Christopher J. , McPheeters Melissa L. , Krishnaswami Shanthi , Lindegren Mary Louise , Reimschisel Tyler
Published: November 2012

Though the control of blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels is essential for minimizing impairment in individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU), the empirical basis for the selection of specific blood Phe levels as targets has not been evaluated. We evaluated the current evidence that particular Phe levels are optimal for minimizing or avoiding cognitive impairment in individuals with PKU. This work uses meta‐estimates of blood Phe‐IQ correlation to predict the probability of low IQ for a range of Phe levels. We believe this metric is easily interpretable by clinicians, and hence useful in making recommendations for Phe intake. The median baseline association of Phe with IQ was estimated to be negative, both in the context of historical (median = −0.026, 95 % BCI = [−0.040, −0.013]) and concurrent (−0.007, [−0.014, 0.000]) measurement of Phe relative to IQ. The estimated additive fixed effect of critical period Phe measurement was also nominally negative for historical measurement (−0.010, [−0.022, 0.003]) and positive for concurrent measurement (0.007, [−0.018, 0.035]). Probabilities corresponding to historical measures of blood Phe demonstrated an increasing chance of low IQ with increasing Phe, with a stronger association seen between blood Phe measured during the critical period than later. In contrast, concurrently‐measured Phe was more weakly correlated with the probability of low IQ, though the correlation is still positive, irrespective of whether Phe was measured during the critical or non‐critical period. This meta‐analysis illustrates the utility of a Bayesian hierarchical approach for not only combining information from a set of candidate studies, but also for combining different types of data to estimate parameters of interest.
Contents of Carotenoids, Tocopherols and Sterols in Acacia cyanophylla Seed Oils
Authors: Nasri Nizar , Elfalleh Walid , Tlili Nizar , Martine Lucy , Berdeaux Olivier , Salles Christian , Triki Saida , Khaldi Abdelhamid
Published: November 2012

Seeds from 12 Acacia cyanophylla ecotypes, harvested in Tunisia, were examined for their seed oil contents of carotenoids, tocopherols and phytosterols. The average carotenoid content (lutein and zeaxanthin) was ca. 102 mg kg−1 of total extracted lipids. Lutein (ca. 97 mg kg−1 of total extracted lipids) was usually more abundant than zeaxanthin (ca. 5 mg kg−1 of total extracted lipids). The mean total tocopherol content was ca. 704 mg kg−1 of total extracted lipids. The main isomer was α‐tocopherol, with more than 75 % of total tocopherols (ca. 528 mg kg−1 of total extracted lipids), followed by γ‐tocopherol (ca. 168 mg kg−1 of total extracted lipids) and δ‐tocopherol (ca. 86 mg kg−1 of total lipids). High levels of phytosterols (ca. 7.8 g kg−1 of total extracted lipids) were detected, among which β‐sitosterol was the most abundant (47 %). All these results highlight the richness of carotenoids, tocopherols and sterols in A. cyanophylla seed oil, and imply that this species might constitute a potential resource for the development of functional foods.
The Curation of Genetic Variants: Difficulties and Possible Solutions
Authors: Pandey Kapil Raj , Maden Narendra , Poudel Barsha , Pradhananga Sailendra , Sharma Amit Kumar
Published: November 2012

The curation of genetic variants from biomedical articles is required for various clinical and research purposes. Nowadays, establishment of variant databases that include overall information about variants is becoming quite popular. These databases have immense utility, serving as a user-friendly information storehouse of variants for information seekers. While manual curation is the gold standard method for curation of variants, it can turn out to be time-consuming on a large scale thus necessitating the need for automation. Curation of variants described in biomedical literature may not be straightforward mainly due to various nomenclature and expression issues. Though current trends in paper writing on variants is inclined to the standard nomenclature such that variants can easily be retrieved, we have a massive store of variants in the literature that are present as non-standard names and the online search engines that are predominantly used may not be capable of finding them. For effective curation of variants, knowledge about the overall process of curation, nature and types of difficulties in curation, and ways to tackle the difficulties during the task are crucial. Only by effective curation, can variants be correctly interpreted. This paper presents the process and difficulties of curation of genetic variants with possible solutions and suggestions from our work experience in the field including literature support. The paper also highlights aspects of interpretation of genetic variants and the importance of writing papers on variants following standard and retrievable methods.
On the relationship between supplier integration and time‐to‐market
Authors: Perols Johan , Zimmermann Carsten , Kortmann Sebastian
Published: November 2012

Recent operations management and innovation management research emphasizes the importance of supplier integration. However, the empirical results as to the relationship between supplier integration and time‐to‐market are ambivalent. To understand this important relationship, we incorporate two major recent developments. First, the literature has started to redefine supplier integration into two dimensions, supplier product integration and supplier process integration. Second, recent research has begun to examine spillover effects that extend beyond the direct costs and benefits of the supplier contract. Using survey data of 116 firms in the industrials, health care, and information technology industries, the results confirm our hypotheses and show that supplier product integration decelerates time‐to‐market while supplier process integration accelerates time‐to‐market. The results also show a positive relationship between supplier integration and the adoption of external technologies, which either decelerates or accelerates time‐to‐market depending on the level of internal exploration activities. Our research, thus, helps to open the ‘black‐box’ of the relationship between supplier integration and time‐to‐market, and provides a theoretically grounded explanation to the apparent contradictory results in prior research about the influence of supplier integration on time‐to‐market. In addition, we contribute to research on spillover effects by emphasizing that information technology adoption and assimilation is an important spillover effect of supplier integration.
Medvedev degrees of two-dimensional subshifts of finite type
Authors: SIMPSON STEPHEN G.
Published: November 2012

In this paper, we apply some fundamental concepts and results from recursion theory in order to obtain an apparently new example in symbolic dynamics. Two setsXandYare said to beMedvedev equivalentif there exist partial computable functionals fromXintoYand vice versa. TheMedvedev degreeofXis the equivalence class ofXunder Medvedev equivalence. There is an extensive recursion-theoretic literature on the lattices ℰsand ℰwof Medvedev degrees and Muchnik degrees of non-empty effectively closed subsets of {0,1}ℕ. We now prove that ℰsand ℰwconsist precisely of the Medvedev degrees and Muchnik degrees of two-dimensional subshifts of finite type. We apply this result to obtain an infinite collection of two-dimensional subshifts of finite type which are, in a certain sense, mutually incompatible.
Course of post-traumatic stress disorder following war in the Balkans: 1-year follow-up study
Authors: Priebe S. , Gavrilovic J. , Bremner S. , Ajdukovic D. , Franciskovic T. , Neri G. , Kucukalic A. , Lecic-Tosevski D. , Morina N. , Popovski M. , Schützwohl M. , Bogic M. , Matanov A.
Published: November 2012

Background

Prevalence rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the experience of war have been shown to be high. However, little is known about the course of the disorder in people who remained in the area of conflict and in refugees.

Method

We studied a representative sample of 522 adults with war-related PTSD in five Balkan countries and 215 compatriot refugees in three Western European countries. They were assessed on average 8 years after the war and reinterviewed 1 year later. We established change in PTSD symptoms, measured on the Impact of Events Scale – Revised (IES-R), and factors associated with more or less favourable outcomes.

Results

During the 1-year period, symptoms decreased substantially in both Balkan residents and in refugees. The differences were significant for IES-R total scores and for the three subscales of intrusions, avoidance and hyperarousal. In multivariable regressions adjusting for the level of baseline symptoms, co-morbidity with depression predicted less favourable symptom change in Balkan residents. More pre-war traumatic events and the use of mental health services within the follow-up period were associated with less improvement in refugees.

Conclusions

Several years after the war, people with PTSD reported significant symptom improvement that might indicate a fluctuating course over time. Co-morbid depression may have to be targeted in the treatment of people who remained in the post-conflict regions whereas the use of mental health services seems to be linked to the persistence of symptoms among refugees.
Sources of excessive saturated fat, trans fat and sugar consumption in Brazil: an analysis of the first Brazilian nationwide individual dietary survey
Authors: Pereira Rosangela A , Duffey Kiyah J , Sichieri Rosely , Popkin Barry M
Published: November 2012

Objective

To examine the patterns of consumption of foods high in solid fats and added sugars (SoFAS) in Brazil.

Design

Cross-sectional study; individual dietary intake survey. Food intake was assessed by means of two non-consecutive food records. Foods providing >9·1 % of energy from saturated fat, or >1·3 % of energy from trans fat, or >13 % of energy from added sugars per 100 g were classified as high in SoFAS.

Setting

Brazilian nationwide survey, 2008–2009.

Subjects

Individuals aged ≥10 years old.

Results

Mean daily energy intake was 8037 kJ (1921 kcal), 52 % of energy came from SoFAS foods. Contribution of SoFAS foods to total energy intake was higher among women (52 %) and adolescents (54 %). Participants in rural areas (43 %) and in the lowest quartile of per capita family income (43 %) reported the smallest contribution of SoFAS foods to total energy intake. SoFAS foods were large contributors to total saturated fat (87 %), trans fat (89 %), added sugar (98 %) and total sugar (96 %) consumption. The SoFAS food groups that contributed most to total energy intake were meats and beverages. Top SoFAS foods contributing to saturated fat and trans fat intakes were meats and fats and oils. Most of the added and total sugar in the diet was supplied by SoFAS beverages and sweets and desserts.

Conclusions

SoFAS foods play an important role in the Brazilian diet. The study identifies options for improving the Brazilian diet and reducing nutrition-related non-communicable chronic diseases, but also points out some limitations of the nutrient-based criteria.
Morphological and Histochemical Characterization of Gill Filaments of the Brazilian Endemic Bivalve Diplodon expansus (Küster, 1856) (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Hyriidae)
Authors: Nogarol Larissa Rosa , Brossi-Garcia Ana Luiza , David José Augusto de Oliveira , Fontanetti Carmem Silvia
Published: November 2012

This study presents the morphological description and histochemical characterization of gill filaments of the Brazilian endemic bivalve Diplodon expansus, aiming to broaden the morphological knowledge of this species and establish the structure of the gills that will serve as control in histopathological studies applied to biomonitoring. The gill filaments are divided into three zones: frontal, intermediate, and abfrontal. In the center of the filament, haemocytes circulate through the haemolymph vessel, which is internally lined by endothelium. The frontal surface of the filament is covered with cilia, the lateral surface exhibits aquifer ducts, and the abfrontal surface presents ciliated and nonciliated cells. The epithelium of the filaments is composed of ciliated cells, nonciliated absorptive cells, and mucocytes. The support of the filaments is made by two specialized structures called skeletal rod and skeletal loop. Based on the obtained information, the gill filaments of the studied species present some peculiar characteristics that are not yet reported in detail in the literature such as the simultaneous presence of skeletal rod and skeletal loop. On the other hand, the general constitution of the filament is similar to that described for both marine and limnic bivalves and seems to be suitable for ecotoxicological studies.
Phenotypic evaluation of the Chinese mini-mini core collection of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and assessment for resistance to bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum
Authors: Jiang Huifang , Ren Xiaoping , Chen Yuning , Huang Li , Zhou Xiaojing , Huang Jiaquan , Froenicke Lutz , Yu Jiujiang , Guo Baozhu , Liao Boshou
Published: November 2012

In order to utilize germplasm resources more efficiently for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genetic improvement, a core collection of 576 accessions and a primary mini core collection of 298 accessions were developed previously from a collection of 6839 cultivated peanut lines stored at the Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences at Wuhan. For an efficient evaluation and characterization of the most useful agronomic and disease-resistant traits, an even smaller collection of peanut accessions that represent a spectrum of phenotypes could be more desirable. For this reason, a mini-mini core collection with 99 accessions from the core accessions was developed based on the analysis of 21 morphological traits. It was demonstrated that there were no significant differences between the core and mini-mini core collections in 20 out of the 21 morphological traits studied. Further, the mini-mini core collection captured the ranges of all of the 21 traits displayed in the core collection. The newly developed mini-mini core collection was assessed for resistance to bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. Two accessions showing a high level of resistance to bacterial wilt were identified, demonstrating the usefulness of the mini-mini core collection. The mini-mini-core collection provides a more efficient means of germplasm evaluation and will be resequenced as part of the International Peanut Genome Consortium sequencing project at the UC-Davis Genome Center.
Genetic diversity of on-farm selected olive trees in Moroccan traditional olive orchards
Authors: El Bakkali Ahmed , Haouane Hicham , Hadiddou Amal , Oukabli Ahmed , Santoni Sylvain , Udupa Sripada M. , Van Damme Patrick , Khadari Bouchaib
Published: November 2012

Selecting desired agronomic traits may lead to a loss of genetic diversity in crop species. A molecular investigation was conducted to determine how well a set of olive (Olea europaeaL.) accessions sampled in Moroccan traditional orchards represented the entire Moroccan olive diversity range. We therefore collected, in traditional agroecosystems from northern and central Morocco, a total of 88 olive trees chosen for their agronomic traits based on local farmers' knowledge. Using 12 SSR loci, 45 trees (51.1%) had a genotype identical to the ‘Picholine Marocaine’ variety, while the remaining samples were classified into 27 different SSR profiles. Two categories of genotypes were identified: (i) genotypes closely related to the ‘Picholine Marocaine’ variety and probably resulting from intensive vegetative propagation from a limited number of clones, and (ii) genotypes displaying a high number of dissimilar alleles which may have originated from selected spontaneous seedlings. A significant difference in allelic richness was revealed between the 28 on-farm selected genotypes and the overall olive diversity, represented by 57 local genotypes, indicating that the on-farm selected trees represented a subsample of Moroccan genetic diversity. This could be explained by the prevalence of ‘Picholine Marocaine’ in traditional orchards, while some original genotypes with favourable agronomic traits resulting from local farmers' selection were also identified. Applying an ethnobotany approach combined with criteria to fulfil farmers' household needs could be particularly relevant and better explain the obtained results.
Early origins of longevity: prenatal exposures to food shortage among early Utah pioneers
Authors: Hanson H. A. , Smith K. R.
Published: November 2012

Undernutrition during critical or sensitive prenatal periods may ‘program’ the fetus for increased chronic disease and mortality in later life. Using birth cohorts that were or were not exposed to severe food shortage in Utah in the mid-19th century, this study examines how in utero exposure to undernutrition is associated with mortality after age 50. The Utah Population Database is used to identify 1392 prenatally exposed individuals and 29,022 individuals from subsequent, unexposed birth cohorts. Gompertz hazards with parametric frailty show that males born between April and June of the famine period (and hence exposed during critical periods in utero during the winter months) have higher mortality risks compared with post-famine cohorts. Alternative Cox non-proportional hazard models suggest that females born during the same period have higher initial mortality risks (starting at age 50) that decline over time creating a mortality crossover with unexposed women at approximately age 70, a result not found for men. An ancillary sibling analysis that uses shared frailty survival models to compare individuals with prenatal exposure to undernutrition to their younger (post-famine) same-sex siblings finds no significant differences in adult mortality for males but the pattern for females support the findings from the previous analysis. Although findings are sensitive to model choice, this study presents evidence that is consistent with an association between undernutrition in utero and adult mortality, shows that effects may be sensitive to the duration and gestational period of exposure, and illustrates the differential exposure effects between genders.
A melting model for the lowermost mantle using Clapeyron slopes derived from experimental data: Consequences for the thickness of ultralow velocity zones (ULVZs)
Authors: Beuchert Marcus J. , Schmeling Harro
Published: November 2012

Ultralow velocity zones (ULVZs) are relatively thin regions directly above the core‐mantle boundary (CMB) that exhibit marked seismic P‐ and S‐velocity reductions. A viable explanation for the reduction is the presence of melt fractions within ULVZs. Since melt was found to be denser than solid in melting experiments at lowermost mantle pressures, partially molten ULVZs should exhibit negative buoyancy. Using published experimental data, we present a melting model based on Clapeyron slopes for the formation of ULVZs as partially molten regions above the CMB and apply the resulting melting curves and latent heat effects in fully dynamic, regionally constant viscosity convection simulations of the lowermost mantle. We find that the height of the ULVZs depends only moderately on Rayleigh number but strongly decreases with increasing excess density of melt over solid. The models predict excess density of at least 1% to explain observed heights. The combined effect of topography and latent heat of melting reduces the vigor of mantle convection only very slightly, while if combined with a decrease of the ULVZ viscosity, mantle flow velocities are significantly enhanced near the CMB, and overall mantle temperatures are notably increased. ULVZ heights are found to be insensitive to ULVZ viscosity (for the range isoviscous to 1/100 the viscosity of the ambient mantle).
Resonant diffusion of energetic electrons by narrowband Z mode waves in Saturn's inner magnetosphere
Authors: Gu Xudong , Thorne Richard M. , Ni Binbin , Ye Sheng‐Yi
Published: November 2012

Banded emissions near 5 and 20 kHz are observed by the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS) instrument and are identified as Z mode waves in the regions where the plasma frequency is below the electron gyrofrequency. Using wave parameters derived from Gaussian fits to the measured power spectral density for narrow‐band Z mode waves and the ambient density and magnetic field information at L = ~4, we compute the bounce‐averaged diffusion coefficients for the Saturnian radiation belt electrons. Our results indicate that 5 kHz Z mode emissions can cause resonant scattering of electrons from ~2 MeV to tens of megaelectron volts, while 20 kHz waves can interact with electrons from hundreds of kiloelectron volts to ~2 MeV. In principle, the rate of momentum diffusion can be an order of magnitude larger than that of pitch angle diffusion and cross diffusion for electrons at equatorial pitch angles > ~10°, suggesting that Z mode waves on Saturn are responsible for local acceleration of radiation belt energetic electrons at intermediate pitch angles.
High pressure and temperature electrical resistivity of iron and implications for planetary cores
Authors: Deng Liwei , Seagle Christopher , Fei Yingwei , Shahar Anat
Published: November 2012

Electrical resistivity measurements of polycrystalline iron have been performed at 5, 7, and 15 GPa and in the temperature range 293–2200 K by employing a four‐wired method. The kinks in electrical resistivity associated with solid iron phase transitions and the solid to liquid transition were clearly observed upon increasing temperature. Geometry corrections due to volume variations with pressure and temperature were applied to the entire data set. High pressure and temperature thermal conductivity were calculated by fitting resistivity data through the Wiedemann‐Franz law. The temperature dependences of electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity for α, γ, and ε solid iron have been determined at high‐pressure conditions. Our study provides the first experimental constraint on the heat flux conducted at Mercury's outmost core, estimated to be 0.29–0.36 TW, assuming an adiabatic core. Extrapolations of our data to Martian outer core conditions yield a series of heat transport parameters (e.g., electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, and heat flux), which are in reasonable comparison with various geophysical estimates.
Reference frame transformation of satellite gravity gradients and topographic mass reduction
Authors: Bouman Johannes , Ebbing Jörg , Fuchs Martin
Published: November 2012

The Gravity field and steady state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) is the European Space Agency's mission that combines GPS tracking and gravity gradiometry to determine the Earth's mean gravity field with unprecedented, global accuracy with a spatial resolution down to 80 km. This resolution makes GOCE gravity gradient data in particular useful for lithospheric scale modeling. However, the relation between coordinates in a model frame and at satellite altitude is not straightforward, and most geophysical modeling programs require a planar approximation, which may not be appropriate for satellite data. We derive the exact relation between the model reference frame, in which gradients from lithospheric modeling are given, and the local north‐oriented frame in which GOCE gradients at 255 km altitude are given. We generated gradients from a GOCE gravity field model and assessed whether the orientation differences between local north‐oriented frame and model reference frame are relevant. In addition, we assessed the same for airborne gradiometry at an altitude of 5 km because these data are complementary to GOCE. We find that if the regional area has a longitude extension of 5°, the errors stay below 10%. For larger areas the standard deviation of the systematic errors may be 40% of the signal standard deviation. Comparing topographic mass reduction in planar and spherical approximation, one sees significant long wavelength differences in terms of gravity gradients or gradient‐tensor invariants. The maximum error is up to 1 E at satellite altitude compared with maximum signal amplitude of 3 E. Planar approximation is therefore not accurate enough for topographic mass reduction of GOCE gravity gradients.
A multimodel assessment of the influence of regional anthropogenic emission reductions on aerosol direct radiative forcing and the role of intercontinental transport
Authors: Yu Hongbin , Chin Mian , West J. Jason , Atherton Cynthia S. , Bellouin Nicolas , Bergmann Dan , Bey Isabelle , Bian Huisheng , Diehl Thomas , Forberth Gerd , Hess Peter , Schulz Michael , Shindell Drew , Takemura Toshihiko , Tan Qian
Published: November 2012

In this study, we assess changes of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and direct radiative forcing (DRF) in response to the reduction of anthropogenic emissions in four major pollution regions in the Northern Hemisphere by using results from nine global models in the framework of the Hemispheric Transport of Air Pollution (HTAP). DRF at top of atmosphere (TOA) and surface is estimated based on AOD results from the HTAP models and AOD‐normalized DRF (NDRF) from a chemical transport model. The multimodel results show that, on average, a 20% reduction of anthropogenic emissions in North America, Europe, East Asia, and South Asia lowers the global mean AOD (all‐sky TOA DRF) by 9.2% (9.0%), 3.5% (3.0%), and 9.4% (10.0%) for sulfate, particulate organic matter (POM), and black carbon (BC), respectively. Global annual average TOA all‐sky forcing efficiency relative to particle or gaseous precursor emissions from the four regions (expressed as multimodel mean ± one standard deviation) is −3.5 ± 0.8, −4.0 ± 1.7, and 29.5 ± 18.1 mW m−2 per Tg for sulfate (relative to SO2), POM, and BC, respectively. The impacts of the regional emission reductions on AOD and DRF extend well beyond the source regions because of intercontinental transport (ICT). On an annual basis, ICT accounts for 11 ± 5% to 31 ± 9% of AOD and DRF in a receptor region at continental or subcontinental scale, with domestic emissions accounting for the remainder, depending on regions and species. For sulfate AOD, the largest ICT contribution of 31 ± 9% occurs in South Asia, which is dominated by the emissions from Europe. For BC AOD, the largest ICT contribution of 28 ± 18% occurs in North America, which is dominated by the emissions from East Asia. The large spreads among models highlight the need to improve aerosol processes in models, and evaluate and constrain models with observations.
Vessel anomalies inQuercus macrocarpatree rings associated with recent floods along the Red River of the North, United States
Authors: Wertz Erika L. , St. George Scott , Zeleznik Joseph D.
Published: November 2012

Key Points

Hydrological records are often too short to estimate extreme floods accurately

Oaks growing along the Red River of the North preserve evidence of recent floods

Tree rings could be used to estimate flood history prior to the 20th century
Microbiota conservation and BMI signatures in adult monozygotic twins
Authors: Tims Sebastian , Derom Catherine , Jonkers Daisy M , Vlietinck Robert , Saris Wim H , Kleerebezem Michiel , de Vos Willem M , Zoetendal Erwin G
Published: November 2012

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract microbiota acts like a virtual organ and is suggested to be of great importance in human energy balance and weight control. This study included 40 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs to investigate the influence of the human genotype on GI microbiota structure as well as microbial signatures for differences in body mass index (BMI). Phylogenetic microarraying based on 16S rRNA genes demonstrated that MZ twins have more similar microbiotas compared with unrelated subjects (P<0.001), which allowed the identification of 35 genus-like microbial groups that are more conserved between MZ twins. Half of the twin pairs were selected on discordance in terms of BMI, which revealed an inverse correlation between Clostridium cluster IV diversity and BMI. Furthermore, relatives of Eubacterium ventriosum and Roseburia intestinalis were positively correlated to BMI differences, and relatives of Oscillospira guillermondii were negatively correlated to BMI differences. Lower BMI was associated with a more abundant network of primary fiber degraders, while a network of butyrate producers was more prominent in subjects with higher BMI. Combined with higher butyrate and valerate contents in the fecal matter of higher BMI subjects, the difference in microbial networks suggests a shift in fermentation patterns at the end of the colon, which could affect human energy homeostasis.
Anoxic carbon flux in photosynthetic microbial mats as revealed by metatranscriptomics
Authors: Burow Luke C , Woebken Dagmar , Marshall Ian P G , Lindquist Erika A , Bebout Brad M , Prufert-Bebout Leslie , Hoehler Tori M , Tringe Susannah G , Pett-Ridge Jennifer , Weber Peter K , Spormann Alfred M , Singer Steven W
Published: November 2012

Photosynthetic microbial mats possess extraordinary phylogenetic and functional diversity that makes linking specific pathways with individual microbial populations a daunting task. Close metabolic and spatial relationships between Cyanobacteria and Chloroflexi have previously been observed in diverse microbial mats. Here, we report that an expressed metabolic pathway for the anoxic catabolism of photosynthate involving Cyanobacteria and Chloroflexi in microbial mats can be reconstructed through metatranscriptomic sequencing of mats collected at Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Bay, CA, USA. In this reconstruction, Microcoleus spp., the most abundant cyanobacterial group in the mats, ferment photosynthate to organic acids, CO2 and H2 through multiple pathways, and an uncultivated lineage of the Chloroflexi take up these organic acids to store carbon as polyhydroxyalkanoates. The metabolic reconstruction is consistent with metabolite measurements and single cell microbial imaging with fluorescence in situ hybridization and NanoSIMS.