bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An exact Lagrangian-mean wave activity for finite-amplitude disturbances to barotropic flow on a sphere
Authors: Solomon Abraham , Nakamura N.
Published: January 2012

The finite-amplitude Rossby wave activity introduced recently by Nakamura and co-workers measures disturbances in terms of the areal displacement of potential vorticity (PV) from zonal symmetry and possesses exact Eliassen–Palm and non-acceleration theorems. This article investigates both theoretically and numerically how this wave activity, denoted ${A}^{\ensuremath{\ast} } $, relates to previously defined quantities such as the generalized Lagrangian-mean (GLM) pseudomomentum density and the impulse-Casimir (IC) wave activity in the context of barotropic flow on a sphere. It is shown that under the barotropic constraint both the new and GLM formalisms derive the non-acceleration theorem from the conservation of Kelvin’s circulation, but the two differ in the way the circulation is partitioned into a mean flow and wave activity/pseudomomentum density. The new wave activity differs from the (negative of) GLM pseudomomentum density by the Stokes correction to angular momentum density, which is not negligible even in the small-amplitude limit. In contrast, ${A}^{\ensuremath{\ast} } $ converges to the IC wave activity and the familiar linear pseudomomentum density in the conservative small-amplitude limit, provided that their reference states are identical. Both the GLM pseudomomentum density and the zonal-mean IC wave activity may be cast in a flux conservation form in equivalent latitude, which may then be related to an exact Eliassen–Palm theorem through a gauge transformation. However, of the three wave activity forms, only ${A}^{\ensuremath{\ast} } $ satisfies an exact non-acceleration theorem for the zonal-mean zonal wind $\bar {u} $. A simple jet forcing experiment is used to examine the quantitative differences among these diagnostics. In this experiment, ${A}^{\ensuremath{\ast} } $ and the IC wave activity behave similarly in the domain average; however, they differ substantially in the local profiles, the former being more closely related to the flow modification. Despite their close conceptual relationship, the GLM pseudomomentum fails to capture the meridional structure of ${A}^{\ensuremath{\ast} } $ because the Stokes correction term dominates the former. This demonstrates various advantages of ${A}^{\ensuremath{\ast} } $ as a diagnostic of eddy–mean flow interaction.
Use of bilateral suture lateralisation technique in severe paradoxical vocal fold movement, allowing removal of long-term tracheostomy: case report
Authors: van Griethuysen J , Al Yaghchi C , Sandhu G
Published: January 2012

Objective:

We report a novel bilateral suture lateralisation technique that allowed permanent tracheostomy decannulation in a patient with severe paradoxical vocal fold movement.

Case report:

A 45-year-old woman presented to the accident and emergency department with worsening shortness of breath. Flexible nasoendoscopy revealed limited vocal fold abduction and an emergency tracheostomy was sited; this was subsequently changed to a long-term Silver Negus tube. Her tracheostomy care was complicated by discomfort and dislodgement. The diagnosis of paradoxical vocal fold movement was only made when the patient presented to our department. Cognitive behaviour therapy and botulinum toxin injection were tried without success. A right vocal fold lateralisation procedure was performed, which enabled temporary tracheostomy decannulation. A left vocal fold lateralisation procedure was subsequently performed and the patient was successfully decannulated, with significant improvement in quality of life.

Conclusion:

Paradoxical vocal fold movement is a rare condition that is most commonly managed by biofeedback sessions, relaxation manoeuvres or botulinum toxin injection. However, in cases similar to ours in which these treatments are unsuccessful, we suggest a ‘last resort’ technique to manage this rare condition.
Child maltreatment and adult violent offending: population-based twin study addressing the ‘cycle of violence’ hypothesis
Authors: Forsman M. , Långström N.
Published: January 2012

Background

Associations between child maltreatment and adult violence, often termed the ‘cycle of violence’, are well documented. However, the nature of such links after appropriate control for confounding remains uncertain. We aimed to determine whether child maltreatment causes adult violent offending or whether suggested links are due to genetic or family environment confounding.

Method

A total of 18 083 20- to 47-year-old twins from the Swedish population-based Study of Twin Adults: Genes and Environment (STAGE) participated. We linked information on self-reported child maltreatment with national register data on convictions for adult crime. We used a case-control design to elucidate associations among unrelated individuals and also conducted within-discordant twin pair analyses to estimate the influence of familial confounding on this association.

Results

The odds ratio (OR), adjusted for age, sex and education, for violent offending in maltreated children grown upversusunrelated controls was 1.98 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.52–2.57]. However, the association decreased to 1.18 (95% CI 0.62–2.25) when maltreated children were compared to their non-maltreated twins, suggesting substantial confounding by genetic or family environmental factors (within-twin OR <1.98) and a weak, non-significant causal effect (within-twin OR >1.00). Familial confounding was also pronounced for the association between child maltreatment and any offending.

Conclusions

Childhood maltreatment was found to be a weak causal risk factor for adult violent offending; hence, reducing maltreatment might decrease violent crime less than previously expected. Instead, considerable familial confounding of the link between child maltreatment and adult violent offending suggests that prevention strategies need to address overlapping genetic and/or family environmental liability for abusive and violent behavior.
On the track of evaluated programmes targeting the social participation of seniors: a typology proposal
Authors: RAYMOND ÉMILIE , SÉVIGNY ANDRÉE , TOURIGNY ANDRÉ , VÉZINA ALINE , VERREAULT RENÉ , GUILBERT ALEXIS C.
Published: January 2012

Nowadays, the social participation of seniors represents a central challenge for both individuals and collectivities. The participative perspective is indeed present in most of the contemporary discourses on ageing, and is viewed both as a way to manage the current demographic juncture and as a promising direction for enhancing seniors’ wellbeing and achievements. This article examines 32 programmes aimed at fostering the social participation of seniors that were both implemented and evaluated, and whose results were published between January 1970 and August 2011. Based on each programme's approach, a typology of social programmes is proposed. The programmes are grouped in five categories, ranging from programmes offering an individualised approach to socio-political programmes. Classification is based on the various ways the concept of social participation is defined and acted upon by the reviewed programmes. Far from being neutral, each category suggests a specific representation of the social roles of seniors. In addition, the paper discusses how the proposed typology can guide both policy and practice, linking identity and agency issues to organisational and structural considerations. Three uses for the typology are suggested: as a policy-making support, as an evaluative framework, and as an experimental space for community practice.
Gasto Público Total y Social: El Caso De Uruguay En El Siglo XX
Authors: Azar Paola , Fleitas Sebastián
Published: January 2012

This article discusses the evolution of the total and social public expenditure in Uruguay during the 20thcentury. It analyzes the growth path of the social public expenditure and the extent up to which it could be preserved from the cyclical economic downturns and the fiscal constraints of the Public Sector. The paper finds a low long-run elasticity of public spending to GDP – leading to a slow growth of social public expenditure and a remarkable procyclical pattern of total and social public expenditure. It also shows that social spending, especially education expenditure, has often been used as an instrument to curb budget deficits. No distinctive «fiscal regimes» for the period could be identified.
The decay of a swirling perturbation of pipe Poiseuille flow
Authors: SHEPHERD S. A.
Published: January 2012

Secondary flows consisting of two pairs of vortices arise when two fluid streams meet at a confluence, such as in the airways of the human lung during expiration or at the vertebrobasilar junction in the circulatory system, where the left and right vertebral arteries converge. In this paper the decay of these secondary flows is studied by considering a four-vortex perturbation from Poiseuille flow in a straight, three-dimensional pipe. A polynomial eigenvalue problem is formulated and the exact solution for the zero Reynolds numberRis derived analytically. This solution is then extended by perturbation analysis to produce an approximation to the eigenvalues forR≪ 1. The problem is also solved numerically for 0 ≤R≤ 2,000 by a spectral method, and the stability of the computed eigenvalues is analysed using pseudospectra. For all Reynolds numbers, the decay rate of the swirling perturbation is found to be governed by complex eigenvalues, with the secondary flows decaying more slowly asRincreases. A comparison with results from an existing computational study of merging flows shows that the two models give rise to similar secondary flow decay rates.
Continuity of care for recently released prisoners with mental illness: a pilot randomised controlled trial testing the feasibility of a Critical Time Intervention
Authors: Jarrett M. , Thornicroft G. , Forrester A. , Harty M. , Senior J. , King C. , Huckle S. , Parrott J. , Dunn G. , Shaw J.
Published: January 2012

Aims.

Prisoners with mental illness on release from prison often face complex challenges with little support, leading to poor clinical and social outcomes. This feasibility study aimed to see whether a Critical Time Intervention (CTI) in the first weeks post-release effectively connects mentally ill prisoners with social, clinical, housing, and welfare services on leaving prison. The study took place in 2007 and involved local prisons in London and Manchester.

Methods.

A pilot randomised controlled trial in which CTI was compared to Treatment as Usual (TAU).

Results.

Sixty prisoners were randomised in the trial, with outcome measures completed on 23. A higher proportion of prisoners in CTI group were in contact with services at follow-up than those receiving TAU. CTI prisoners were significantly more likely to be receiving medication, and be registered with a General Practitioner (GP) than those in the TAU group.

Conclusions.

Continuity of care for prisoners with severe mental illness can be improved by working with them to identify their needs prior to release, and by assisting them to engage effectively to the necessary agencies in the community.
Potential serpentinization, degassing, and gas hydrate formation at a young (<20 Ma) sedimented ocean crust of the Arctic Ocean ridge system
Authors: Rajan Anupama , Mienert Jürgen , Bünz Stefan , Chand Shyam
Published: January 2012

Global assessment of methane must consider the role of mid‐ocean ridges. Fluids from serpentinized mantle and gabbro material are noteworthy on ocean ridges, although they are not very well understood. Only a few sedimented ocean ridges exist worldwide, and they may document past and ongoing serpentinization‐driven migration of gas‐rich fluids. This study is based on two multichannel reflection seismic profiles acquired across a sedimented segment of the ultraslow spreading Knipovich Ridge offshore NW Svalbard. Seismic data allow suggesting a potential link between inferred areas of serpentinization, transfer of carbon from the deep‐seated host rocks through the sediments above by diapirism, and methane capture within the gas hydrate stability zone at the eastern flank of the Knipovich Ridge. The origin of sediment remobilization features can be related to intrusions and the degassing process from mantle serpentinization. These disturbances in sediments overlying the oceanic crust can be observed in seismic data and are interpreted as diapirs. In shallower sediments, at the predicted base of the gas hydrate stability zone, the seismic data show a bright spot with all the characteristics of a gas hydrate related bottom‐simulating reflector (BSR), such as enhanced reflection amplitude, phase reversal relative to the seabed reflection, and crosscutting of sedimentary strata. The BSR occurs at about 200 ms two‐way time within a sequence of marine sediments. Two‐dimensional concentration models of methane hydrate using the differential effective medium theory predict saturations of up to 26% of methane hydrate in the pore space of sediments in the gas hydrate reservoir.
Upwelling response to atmospheric coastal jets off central Chile: A modeling study of the October 2000 event
Authors: Renault Lionel , Dewitte Boris , Marchesiello Patrick , Illig Séréna , Echevin Vincent , Cambon Gildas , Ramos Marcel , Astudillo Orlando , Minnis Patrick , Ayers J. Kirk
Published: January 2012

The spatial and temporal variability of nearshore winds in eastern boundary current systems affect the oceanic heat balance that drives sea surface temperature changes. In this study, regional atmospheric and oceanic simulations are used to document such processes during an atmospheric coastal jet event off central Chile. The event is well reproduced by the atmospheric model and is associated with the migration of an anomalous anticyclone in the southeastern Pacific region during October 2000. A robust feature of the simulation is a sharp coastal wind dropoff, which is insensitive to model resolution. As expected, the simulated oceanic response is a significant sea surface cooling. A surface heat budget analysis shows that vertical mixing is a major contributor to the cooling tendency both in the jet core area and in the nearshore zone where the magnitude of this term is comparable to the magnitude of vertical advection. Sensitivity experiments show that the oceanic response in the coastal area is sensitive to wind dropoff representation. This is because total upwelling, i.e., the sum of coastal upwelling and Ekman pumping, depends on the scale of wind dropoff. Because the latter is much larger than the upwelling scale, coastal wind dropoff has only a weak positive effect on vertical velocities driven by Ekman pumping but has a strong negative effect on coastal upwelling. Interestingly though, the weakening of coastal winds in the dropoff zone has a larger effect on vertical mixing than on vertical advection, with both effects contributing to a reduction of cooling.
Comparison of gravity wave temperature variances from ray‐based spectral parameterization of convective gravity wave drag with AIRS observations
Authors: Choi Hyun‐Joo , Chun Hye‐Yeong , Gong Jie , Wu Dong L.
Published: January 2012

The realism of ray‐based spectral parameterization of convective gravity wave drag, which considers the updated moving speed of the convective source and multiple wave propagation directions, is tested against the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) onboard the Aqua satellite. Offline parameterization calculations are performed using the global reanalysis data for January and July 2005, and gravity wave temperature variances (GWTVs) are calculated at z = 2.5 hPa (unfiltered GWTV). AIRS‐filtered GWTV, which is directly compared with AIRS, is calculated by applying the AIRS visibility function to the unfiltered GWTV. A comparison between the parameterization calculations and AIRS observations shows that the spatial distribution of the AIRS‐filtered GWTV agrees well with that of the AIRS GWTV. However, the magnitude of the AIRS‐filtered GWTV is smaller than that of the AIRS GWTV. When an additional cloud top gravity wave momentum flux spectrum with longer horizontal wavelength components that were obtained from the mesoscale simulations is included in the parameterization, both the magnitude and spatial distribution of the AIRS‐filtered GWTVs from the parameterization are in good agreement with those of the AIRS GWTVs. The AIRS GWTV can be reproduced reasonably well by the parameterization not only with multiple wave propagation directions but also with two wave propagation directions of 45° (northeast‐southwest) and 135° (northwest‐southeast), which are optimally chosen for computational efficiency.
Deriving theoretical boundaries to address scale dependencies of triangle models for evapotranspiration estimation
Authors: Long Di , Singh Vijay P. , Scanlon Bridget R.
Published: January 2012

Satellite‐based triangle models for evapotranspiration estimation are unique in interpreting the relationship between the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)/factional vegetation cover (fc) and surface radiative temperature (Trad) across large heterogeneous areas. However, output and performance of triangle models may depend on the size of the domain being studied and resolution of the satellite images being used. The objective of this study was to assess domain and resolution dependencies of triangle models using progressively larger domains and Landsat Thematic Mapper/Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer sensors at the Soil Moisture‐Atmosphere Coupling Experiment site in central Iowa on days of year 174 and 182 in 2002. Results show domain and resolution dependencies of the triangle models with large uncertainties in evaporative fraction (EF) estimates in terms of a mean absolute percentage difference (MAPD) up to ∼50%. A trapezoid model which requires derivation of theoretical limiting edges of the NDVI‐Trad space is proposed to constrain domain and resolution dependencies of triangle models. The theoretical warm edge can be derived by solving for temperatures of the driest bare surface and the fully vegetated surface with the largest water stress implicit in both radiation budget and energy balance equations. Areal average air temperature can be taken as the theoretical cold edge. The triangle model appears to perform well across large areas (∼104 km2) but fails to predict EF over small areas (∼102 km2). The trapezoid model can effectively reduce domain and resolution dependencies and constrain errors of the EF estimates with an MAPD of ∼10%.
Dual‐Energy X‐Ray Performs as Well as Clinical Computed Tomography for the Measurement of Visceral Fat
Authors: Micklesfield Lisa K. , Goedecke Julia H. , Punyanitya Mark , Wilson Kevin E. , Kelly Thomas L.
Published: January 2012

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with adverse health effects including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. We developed a dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurement of visceral adipose tissue (DXA‐VAT) as a low cost and low radiation alternative to computed tomography (CT). DXA‐VAT was compared to VAT assessed using CT by an expert reader (E‐VAT). In addition, the same CT slice was also read by a clinical radiographer (C‐VAT) and a best‐fit anthropomorphic and demographic VAT model (A‐VAT) was developed. Whole body DXA, CT at L4–L5, and anthropometry were measured on 272 black and white South African women (age 29 ± 8 years, BMI 28 ± 7 kg/m2, waist circumference (WC) 89 ± 16 cm). Approximately one‐half of the dataset (n = 141) was randomly selected and used as a training set for the development of DXA‐VAT and A‐VAT, which were then used to estimate VAT on the remaining 131 women in a blinded fashion. DXA‐VAT (r = 0.93, standard error of the estimate (SEE) = 16 cm2) and C‐VAT (r = 0.93, SEE = 16 cm2) were strongly correlated to E‐VAT. These correlations with E‐VAT were significantly stronger (P < 0.001) than the correlations of individual anthropometry measurements and the A‐VAT model (WC + age, r = 0.79, SEE = 27 cm2). The inclusion of anthropometric and demographic measurements did not substantially improve the correlation between DXA‐VAT and E‐VAT. DXA‐VAT performed as well as a clinical read of VAT from a CT scan and better than anthropomorphic and demographic models.
The Size of Large Adipose Cells Is a Predictor of Insulin Resistance in First‐Degree Relatives of Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Yang Jian , Eliasson Bjorn , Smith Ulf , Cushman Samuel W. , Sherman Arthur S.
Published: January 2012

Early studies reported that the size of adipose cells correlates with insulin resistance. However, a recent study comparing moderately obese, sensitive and resistant subjects, with comparable BMI (∼30), did not detect any significant difference in the size of the large cells, but rather a smaller proportion of large cells in the resistant subjects, suggesting impaired adipogenesis. We hypothesize that a decreased proportion, rather than the size, of large adipose cells is also associated with insulin resistance in first‐degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients. Thirty‐five leaner (BMI 18–34) subjects who were relatively healthy were recruited. Insulin sensitivity was measured by the euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic clamp. Needle biopsies of abdominal subcutaneous fat were assayed for adipose cell size by fitting the cell size distribution with two exponentials and a Gaussian function. The fraction of large cells was defined as the area of the Gaussian peak and the size of the large cells was defined as its center (cp). Glucose infusion rate (GIR) and cp were negatively correlated, but insulin sensitivity and the proportion of large cells were not correlated. BMI and cp were also strongly correlated, but a relationship of modest correlation between the cell size and insulin resistance was still significant after correcting for BMI. In contrast to moderately obese subjects, in the first‐degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients both BMI and the size of the large adipose cells predict the degree of insulin resistance; no correlation is found between the proportion of large adipose cells and insulin resistance.
Ghrelin Levels Increase After Pictures Showing Food
Authors: Schüssler Petra , Kluge Michael , Yassouridis Alexander , Dresler Martin , Uhr Manfred , Steiger Axel
Published: January 2012

The neuropeptide ghrelin is a major signal for food intake in various species including humans. After exogenous ghrelin administration, food intake and body weight increase in rodents. In normal human subjects, ghrelin administration increases self‐rated appetite and calorie intake and prompts the imagination of favorite meals. It is unclear so far whether ghrelin levels are affected by external cues such as sight of food. We investigated the influence of pictures showing food compared to neutral pictures on ghrelin levels in young normal male subjects (n = 8). The study consisted of two consecutive sessions with a one‐week interval. During each session, blood for later analysis of plasma concentrations of ghrelin was collected between 08:15 and 13:00 every 15 min (between 10:30 and 11:30 every 10 min). Breakfast and lunch was provided at 08:30 and 12:00, respectively. Fifty pictures were presented from 10:30 to 10:45 showing neutral images during the first session and food contents during the second session. As expected, ghrelin levels increased before each meal independent of the picture contents. In addition, ghrelin levels during the 30‐min interval following the presentation of pictures with food increased significantly compared to the 30‐min interval before this presentation (area under the curve (AUC): 188 % vs. 158 %, P < 0.05). The difference in the increases between the two picture conditions was also significant (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that sight of food elevates ghrelin levels in healthy volunteers.
Activating transcription factor 4-dependent induction of FGF21 during amino acid deprivation
Authors: De Sousa-Coelho Ana Luísa , Marrero Pedro F. , Haro Diego
Published: January 2012

Nutrient deprivation or starvation frequently correlates with amino acid limitation. Amino acid starvation initiates a signal transduction cascade starting with the activation of the kinase GCN2 (general control non-derepressible 2) phosphorylation of eIF2 (eukaryotic initiation factor 2), global protein synthesis reduction and increased ATF4 (activating transcription factor 4). ATF4 modulates a wide spectrum of genes involved in the adaptation to dietary stress. The hormone FGF21 (fibroblast growth factor 21) is induced during fasting in liver and its expression induces a metabolic state that mimics long-term fasting. Thus FGF21 is critical for the induction of hepatic fat oxidation, ketogenesis and gluconeogenesis, metabolic processes which are essential for the adaptive metabolic response to starvation. In the present study, we have shown that FGF21 is induced by amino acid deprivation in both mouse liver and cultured HepG2 cells. We have identified the human FGF21 gene as a target gene for ATF4 and we have localized two conserved ATF4-binding sequences in the 5′ regulatory region of the human FGF21 gene, which are responsible for the ATF4-dependent transcriptional activation of this gene. These results add FGF21 gene induction to the transcriptional programme initiated by increased levels of ATF4 and offer a new mechanism for the induction of the FGF21 gene expression under nutrient deprivation.
AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylates and inactivates liver glycogen synthase
Authors: Bultot Laurent , Guigas Bruno , Von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff Alexander , Maisin Liliane , Vertommen Didier , Hussain Nusrat , Beullens Monique , Guinovart Joan J. , Foretz Marc , Viollet Benoît , Sakamoto Kei , Hue Louis , Rider Mark H.
Published: January 2012

Recombinant muscle GYS1 (glycogen synthase 1) and recombinant liver GYS2 were phosphorylated by recombinant AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) in a time-dependent manner and to a similar stoichiometry. The phosphorylation site in GYS2 was identified as Ser7, which lies in a favourable consensus for phosphorylation by AMPK. Phosphorylation of GYS1 or GYS2 by AMPK led to enzyme inactivation by decreasing the affinity for both UDP-Glc (UDP-glucose) [assayed in the absence of Glc-6-P (glucose-6-phosphate)] and Glc-6-P (assayed at low UDP-Glc concentrations). Incubation of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes with the pharmacological AMPK activators AICA riboside (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside) or A769662 led to persistent GYS inactivation and Ser7 phosphorylation, whereas inactivation by glucagon treatment was transient. In hepatocytes from mice harbouring a liver-specific deletion of the AMPK catalytic α1/α2 subunits, GYS2 inactivation by AICA riboside and A769662 was blunted, whereas inactivation by glucagon was unaffected. The results suggest that GYS inactivation by AMPK activators in hepatocytes is due to GYS2 Ser7 phosphorylation.
In vitro culture and induced differentiation of sheep skeletal muscle satellite cells
Authors: Wu Haiqing , Ren Yu , Li Shuo , Wang Wei , Yuan Jianlong , Guo Xudong , Liu Dongjun , Cang Ming
Published: January 2012

Skeletal muscle satellite cells are adult muscle‐derived stem cells receiving increasing attention. Sheep satellite cells have a greater similarity to human satellite cells with regard to metabolism, life span, proliferation and differentiation, than satellite cells of the rat and mouse. We have used 2‐step enzymatic digestion and differential adhesion methods to isolate and purify sheep skeletal muscle satellite cells, identified the cells and induced differentiation to examine their pluripotency. The most efficient method for the isolation of sheep skeletal muscle satellite cells was the type I collagenase and trypsin 2‐step digestion method, with the best conditions for in vitro culture being in medium containing 20% FBS+10% horse serum. Immunofluorescence staining showed that satellite cells expressed Desmin, α‐Sarcomeric Actinin, MyoD1, Myf5 and PAX7. After myogenic induction, multinucleated myotubes formed, as indicated by the expression of MyoG and fast muscle myosin. After osteogenic induction, cells expressed Osteocalcin, with Alizarin Red and ALP (alkaline phosphatase) staining results both being positive. After adipogenic induction, cells expressed PPARα2 (peroxisome‐proliferator‐activated receptor α2) and clear lipid droplets were present around the cells, with Oil Red‐O staining giving a positive result. In summary, a successful system has been established for the isolation, purification and identification of sheep skeletal muscle satellite cells.
Testing Babies: You Can Do It! Behavioral Observation Audiometry (BOA)
Authors: Madell Jane R.
Published: January 2012

Behavioral observation audiometry (BOA) is the only test protocol that provides a direct measure of hearing. This valuable technique can be used to monitor hearing and hearing aid benefit in infants who are not yet able to participate in visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA). In this article, I present a carefully developed protocol that uses changes in sucking, resulting in a reliable threshold measures. Key points include

Auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing, auditory steady state response (ASSR) testing, and otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) testing provide critical information about the status of the auditory pathways but are not direct measures of hearing.

Only behavioral testing provides a direct measure of hearing.

Behavioral testing can be used to monitor hearing and performance with hearing technology.

When carefully performed, using appropriate criteria including using changes in sucking as an indication of a response, behavioral observation audiometry can be used by clinicians to accurately measure thresholds in infants cognitively less than 6 months of age.
TeleIntervention: Improving Service Delivery to Young Children With Hearing Loss and Their Families Through Telepractice
Authors: Houston K. Todd
Published: January 2012

As telecommunication technology continues to evolve, opportunities are emerging for telepractice to meet the communication needs of children with hearing loss. As well, documented shortages of well-trained speech-language pathologists and pediatric audiologists are leading some centers to augment their service delivery through telepractice as a means to meet a need for qualified providers. For families of young children with hearing loss, obtaining services that support auditory learning and spoken language can be a challenge in some communities. One form of telepractice, teleintervention, provides early intervention services to families of children with hearing loss using internet-based videoconferencing to model and coach parents in language facilitation techniques. Though it is a relatively new service delivery model, preliminary results are promising.
Socioeconomic Correlates of Inpatient Spending for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in China: Evidence from Hangzhou
Authors: Li H. , Chen B. , Shah N. , Wang Z. , Eggleston K.
Published: January 2012

We evaluated the factors associated with inpatient costs including total costs, pharmaceutical costs and laboratory costs for diabetes-related admissions.

Using data for 960 adult patients admitted between May 2005 and April 2008 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital affiliated with Zhejiang University Medical School (SRRSH) in Hangzhou, China, we evaluate the association between patient characteristics and inpatient costs with multivariable regression analyses.

Total inpatient costs were positively associated with age, higher UKPDS stroke risk score, and presence of any complication. A regression that included patient socioeconomic and clinical characteristics explained 21.5% of the variation in total inpatient costs; regression estimates indicate that patients with coronary artery disease, retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and diabetic foot had inpatient costs that were respectively 93.7%, 14.0%, 17.5%, 11.5% and 89.0% higher than otherwise similar patients without those complications. Pharmaceutical costs did not differ by insurance coverage. Insured patients spent 7–16% more on laboratory tests than otherwise similar patients did.

Clinical factors, especially presence of diabetes-related complications, appear to be the primary determinants of variation in inpatient costs for patients with type 2 DM in China. To mitigate the health costs increases associated with China’s DM epidemic, policymakers should focus on cost-effective ways to manage patients in outpatient settings to prevent the complications associated with diabetes.
RETRACTED: Glycogen synthase kinase 3β transfers cytoprotective signaling through connexin 43 onto mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K
+
channels
Authors: Rottlaender Dennis , Boengler Kerstin , Wolny Martin , Schwaiger Astrid , Motloch Lukas J. , Ovize Michel , Schulz Rainer , Heusch Gerd , Hoppe Uta C.
Published: January 2012

Despite compelling evidence supporting key roles for glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K
+
(mitoK
ATP
) channels, and mitochondrial connexin 43 (Cx43) in cytoprotection, it is not clear how these signaling modules are linked mechanistically. By patch-clamping the inner membrane of murine cardiac mitochondria, we found that inhibition of GSK3β activated mitoK
ATP
. PKC activation and protein phosphatase 2a inhibition increased the open probability of mitoK
ATP
channels through GSK3β, and this GSK3β signal was mediated via mitochondrial Cx43. Moreover, (
i
) PKC-induced phosphorylation of mitochondrial Cx43 was reduced in GSK3β-S9A mice; (
ii
) Cx43 and GSK3β proteins associated in mitochondria; and (
iii
) SB216763-mediated reduction of infarct size was abolished in Cx43 KO mice in vivo, consistent with the notion that GSK3β inhibition results in mitoK
ATP
opening via mitochondrial Cx43. We therefore directly targeted mitochondrial Cx43 by the Cx43 C-terminal binding peptide RRNYRRNY for cardioprotection, circumventing further upstream pathways. RRNYRRNY activated mitoK
ATP
channels via Cx43. We directly recorded mitochondrial Cx43 channels that were activated by RRNYRRNY and blocked by the Cx43 mimetic peptide
43
GAP27. RRNYRRNY rendered isolated cardiomyocytes in vitro and the heart in vivo resistant to ischemia/reperfusion injury, indicating that mitochondrial Cx43- and/or mitoK
ATP
-mediated reduction of infarct size was not undermined by RRNYRRNY-related opening of sarcolemmal Cx43 channels. Our results demonstrate that GSK3β transfers cytoprotective signaling through mitochondrial Cx43 onto mitoK
ATP
channels and that Cx43 functions as a channel in mitochondria, being an attractive target for drug treatment against cardiomyocyte injury.
Sampling protein motion and solvent effect during ligand binding
Authors: Limongelli Vittorio , Marinelli Luciana , Cosconati Sandro , La Motta Concettina , Sartini Stefania , Mugnaini Laura , Da Settimo Federico , Novellino Ettore , Parrinello Michele
Published: January 2012

An exhaustive description of the molecular recognition mechanism between a ligand and its biological target is of great value because it provides the opportunity for an exogenous control of the related process. Very often this aim can be pursued using high resolution structures of the complex in combination with inexpensive computational protocols such as docking algorithms. Unfortunately, in many other cases a number of factors, like protein flexibility or solvent effects, increase the degree of complexity of ligand/protein interaction and these standard techniques are no longer sufficient to describe the binding event. We have experienced and tested these limits in the present study in which we have developed and revealed the mechanism of binding of a new series of potent inhibitors of Adenosine Deaminase. We have first performed a large number of docking calculations, which unfortunately failed to yield reliable results due to the dynamical character of the enzyme and the complex role of the solvent. Thus, we have stepped up the computational strategy using a protocol based on metadynamics. Our approach has allowed dealing with protein motion and solvation during ligand binding and finally identifying the lowest energy binding modes of the most potent compound of the series, 4-decyl-pyrazolo[1,5-
a
]pyrimidin-7-one.
Inbreeding and Allele Retention for Lake Sturgeon Populations under Different Supplementation Strategies
Authors: Schueller Amy M. , Hayes Daniel B.
Published: January 2012

Lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens once were abundant throughout the Great Lakes basin but have been reduced to less than 1% of historical levels because of habitat degradation and overexploitation. Current management plans suggest stocking as a tool to increase abundance, but stocking also has genetic implications. The objectives of this study were to determine the supplementation level that would maintain long-term population persistence with the smallest genetic impact and to determine whether different supplementation strategies would be required for different starting conditions. An individual-based model that incorporated demographics and genetics was used to explore scenarios that included three initial population sizes, two different supplementation time frames, varying sex ratios, variance in family size, and different percentages of the adult population contributing progeny for supplementation. As expected, all supplementation scenarios reduced extinction risk, increased population sizes, increased allele retention, and reduced inbreeding over time compared with scenarios involving no supplementation. Supplementation over long time frames was only necessary when supplementing large population sizes. Contrary to expectations, a skewed sex ratio and an unequal family size had little impact on the genetics of populations. When the percentage of adults contributing progeny for supplementation was reduced, allele retention decreased and inbreeding increased. Supplementing larger populations over longer time frames and capturing the greatest number of adults from the population for supplementation are the most important considerations for maintaining alleles and reducing inbreeding under the scenarios we explored.

Received December 22, 2010; accepted July 28, 2011
Survival of Juvenile Chinook Salmon during Barge Transport
Authors: McMichael Geoffrey A. , Skalski John R. , Deters Katherine A.
Published: January 2012

To estimate survival during barge transport over a distance of 470 km from Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River to a release area downstream of Bonneville Dam (the lowermost dam on the Columbia River), we used a novel adaptation of a release–recapture model with 1,494 acoustic-tagged yearling Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha smolts. Smolts were collected at Lower Granite Dam, received surgically implanted acoustic transmitters, and were divided into three groups: (1) a barge group (RB) that was released into the raceway with fish that were later loaded into transportation barges (general barge population); (2) a control group (RA) that was held in a net-pen suspended within the barge hold containing the general barge population until 5–6 h prior to barge evacuation (i.e., fish release into the river), at which time they were confirmed to be alive and then released into the barge hold; and (3) a dead group (RD) that was euthanized and then released into the barge hold 5–6 h prior to barge evacuation in order to validate a model assumption. Six replicates of each group were loaded onto fish transport barges that departed from Lower Granite Dam between 29 April and 13 May 2010. Detections on acoustic receiver arrays between 70 and 220 km downstream of the barge evacuation site served as the basis for estimation of survival within the barge. The ratio of RB: RA survival from release to river kilometer 153 provided the estimate of within-barge survival. The replicate survival estimates ranged from 0.9503 ( = 0.0253) to 1.0003 ( = 0.0155). The weighted average of the replicate estimates of survival during the barge transportation experience was 0.9833 ( = 0.0062). This study provides the first active telemetry documentation that the assumed survival rate of 98% during the barge transportation experience appears to be justified for yearling Chinook salmon smolts.

Received March 4, 2011; accepted August 30, 2011
THE BARYONIC TULLY–FISHER RELATION OF GAS-RICH GALAXIES AS A TEST OF ΛCDM AND MOND
Authors: McGaugh Stacy S.
Published: January 2012

The baryonic Tully–Fisher relation (BTFR) is an empirical relation between baryonic mass and rotation velocity in disk galaxies. It provides tests of galaxy formation models in ΛCDM and of alternative theories like modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND). Observations of gas-rich galaxies provide a measure of the slope and normalization of the BTFR that is more accurate (if less precise) than that provided by star-dominated spirals, as their masses are insensitive to the details of stellar population modeling. Recent independent data for such galaxies are consistent with Mb
= AV
4

f
with A = 47 ± 6 M
☉ km−4 s4. This is equivalent to MOND with a
0 = 1.3 ± 0.3 Å s−2. The scatter in the data is consistent with being due entirely to observational uncertainties. It is unclear why the physics of galaxy formation in ΛCDM happens to pick out the relation predicted by MOND. We introduce a feedback efficacy parameter

to relate halo properties to those of the galaxies they host.

correlates with star formation rate and gas fraction in the sense that galaxies that have experienced the least star formation have been most impacted by feedback.
Numerical analysis of particle recycling in the TEXTOR helical divertor
Authors: Frerichs H. , Clever M. , Feng Y. , Lehnen M. , Reiter D. , Schmitz O.
Published: January 2012

The TEXTOR helical divertor is a magnetic configuration created by the application of external resonant magnetic perturbations with the intention to control plasma edge transport and the resulting particle and heat fluxes to the divertor target. It is confirmed by 3D computer simulations that no high-recycling-like regime is established under TEXTOR relevant conditions, despite the fact that a transition to detachment (i.e. a saturation or even a roll-over of the recycling flux) is observed at high densities. The driving mechanisms are, distinct from apparently similar observations in poloidal divertors and stellarator divertors, a combination of volumetric power losses and enhanced upstream-to-downstream heat transport, but with no significant role of the momentum balance.
Gyrokinetic simulation model for kinetic magnetohydrodynamic processes in magnetized plasmas
Authors: Deng W. , Lin Z. , Holod I.
Published: January 2012

A nonlinear gyrokinetic simulation model incorporating equilibrium current has been formulated for studying kinetic magnetohydrodynamic processes in magnetized plasmas. This complete formulation enables gyrokinetic simulation of both pressure-gradient-driven and current-driven instabilities as well as their nonlinear interactions in multi-scale simulations. The gyrokinetic simulation model recovers the ideal magnetohydrodynamic theory in the linear long wavelength regime including ideal and kinetic ballooning modes, kink modes and shear Alfvén waves. The implementation of this model in the global gyrokinetic particle code has been verified for the simulation of the effects of equilibrium current on the reversed shear Alfvén eigenmode in tokamaks.
Fer kinase regulates cell migration through α-dystroglycan glycosylation
Authors: Yoneyama Tohru , Angata Kiyohiko , Bao Xingfeng , Courtneidge Sara , Chanda Sumit K. , Fukuda Minoru
Published: January 2012

Glycans of α-dystroglycan (α-DG), which is expressed at the epithelial cell–basement membrane (BM) interface, play an essential role in epithelium development and tissue organization. Laminin-binding glycans on α-DG expressed on cancer cells suppress tumor progression by attenuating tumor cell migration from the BM. However, mechanisms controlling laminin-binding glycan expression are not known. Here, we used small interfering RNA (siRNA) library screening and identified Fer kinase, a non–receptor-type tyrosine kinase, as a key regulator of laminin-binding glycan expression. Fer overexpression decreased laminin-binding glycan expression, whereas siRNA-mediated down-regulation of Fer kinase increased glycan expression on breast and prostate cancer cell lines. Loss of Fer kinase function via siRNA or mutagenesis increased transcription levels of glycosyltransferases, including protein O-mannosyltransferase 1, β3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1, and like-acetylglucosaminyltransferase that are required to synthesize laminin-binding glycans. Consistently, inhibition of Fer expression decreased cell migration in the presence of laminin fragment. Fer kinase regulated STAT3 phosphorylation and consequent activation, whereas knockdown of STAT3 increased laminin-binding glycan expression on cancer cells. These results indicate that the Fer pathway negatively controls expression of genes required to synthesize laminin-binding glycans, thus impairing BM attachment and increasing tumor cell migration.
Matrix rigidity regulates a switch between TGF-β1–induced apoptosis and epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Leight Jennifer L. , Wozniak Michele A. , Chen Sophia , Lynch Michelle L. , Chen Christopher S.
Published: January 2012

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway is often misregulated during cancer progression. In early stages of tumorigenesis, TGF-β acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis. However, as the disease progresses, TGF-β switches to promote tumorigenic cell functions, such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and increased cell motility. Dramatic changes in the cellular microenvironment are also correlated with tumor progression, including an increase in tissue stiffness. However, it is unknown whether these changes in tissue stiffness can regulate the effects of TGF-β. To this end, we examined normal murine mammary gland cells and Madin–Darby canine kidney epithelial cells cultured on polyacrylamide gels with varying rigidity and treated with TGF-β1. Varying matrix rigidity switched the functional response to TGF-β1. Decreasing rigidity increased TGF-β1–induced apoptosis, whereas increasing rigidity resulted in EMT. Matrix rigidity did not change Smad signaling, but instead regulated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Direct genetic and pharmacologic manipulations further demonstrated a role for PI3K/Akt signaling in the apoptotic and EMT responses. These findings demonstrate that matrix rigidity regulates a previously undescribed switch in TGF-β–induced cell functions and provide insight into how changes in tissue mechanics during disease might contribute to the cellular response to TGF-β.