bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extraction of Tsunami-Flooded Areas and Damaged Buildings in the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake from TerraSAR-X Intensity Images
Authors: Liu Wen , Yamazaki Fumio , Gokon Hideomi , Koshimura Shun-ichi
Published: May 2013

The Tohoku earthquake of 11 March 2011 caused very large tsunamis and widespread devastation. Various high-resolution satellites captured details of affected areas and were utilized in emergency response. In this study, high-resolution pre- and post-event TerraSAR-X intensity images were used to identify tsunami-flooded areas and damaged buildings. Since water surface generally shows very little backscatter, flooded areas could be extracted by the difference of backscattering coefficients between the pre- and post-event images. Impacted buildings were detected by calculating the difference and correlation coefficient within the outline of each building. The damage estimates were compared with visual interpretation results, which suggest that the overall accuracy of the proposed method for flooded areas was 80%, and for damaged buildings was 94%. Since the proposed half-automated method takes less processing time and is applicable to various cases, it is expected to provide quick and useful information in emergency management.
Disaster Response to the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake: National Coordination, a Common Operational Picture, and Command and Control in Local Governments
Authors: Maki Norio
Published: May 2013

The author was a participant-observer in the Iwata Prefecture's Emergency Operations Center during the response to the Tohoku-oki earthquake and tsunami. He provides his observations, analysis, and recommendations for the response phase, with an emphasis on command and control and information management. Issues addressed include (1) national coordination, (2) multiple hazard operations, and (3) coordinated relief operations.
Estimation of Tsunami-Inundated Areas in Asahi City, Chiba Prefecture, after the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake
Authors: Maruyama Yoshihisa , Kitamura Ken , Yamazaki Fumio
Published: May 2013

The 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku-oki earthquake triggered an extremely large tsunami. The authors conducted a field survey in Asahi City, Chiba Prefecture, after the occurrence of the earthquake. Although located farther away from the source region of the earthquake, there was still significant damage in this area. Tsunami-inundated areas in Asahi City were identified from the map developed by disaster relief volunteers and the satellite images captured after the event. Polygons to demonstrate the tsunami-inundated areas were developed in the geographic information system. The authors compared the identified affected areas with the existing tsunami hazard map of Asahi City. The relationship between the tsunami-inundated areas and the locations of seawalls and tide-prevention forests was evaluated. In addition, a numerical simulation of tsunami propagation was performed and the ratio of totally collapsed buildings to the total number of buildings, that is, damage ratio, in terms of the estimated inundation depths was evaluated.
Old Age, Disability, and the Tohoku-Oki Earthquake
Authors: Tatsuki Shigeo
Published: May 2013

Since the Evacuation/Sheltering Guideline was first published in March 2005, Japan has been a leader in systematically promoting evacuation and shelter assistance initiatives for people with special needs (PSND) in times of disasters. Despite the nationwide, community-based initiatives prescribed by the Guideline, this paper first addresses the issue of evacuation by examining mortality data of the total population, the elderly, and people with disabilities (PWD). The elderly and PWD mortality rates were not even across the three disaster-hit prefectures. Their institutionalization rate was suggested as one of the causative factors; more elderly and PWD died in Miyagi because more of them resided in their own homes, due to the prefecture's socially inclusive normalization policy. A case study of Miyagi's Hachiman community responses to its 17 registered PSND illustrated the ways to overcome the issue of mainstreaming preparedness components in the everyday practice of social inclusion for the elderly and PWD.
Analysis of Tsunami Flow Velocities during the March 2011 Tohoku, Japan, Tsunami
Authors: Foytong Piyawat , Ruangrassamee Anat , Shoji Gaku , Hiraki Yu , Ezura Yoshiyuki
Published: May 2013

The March 2011 Tohoku, Japan, tsunami caused severe damage to many buildings, bridges, and lifelines along the Pacific coast of Japan. To analyze its effects on structures, the tsunami flow velocity and the tsunami flow depth are needed to estimate the force acting on structures. Videos recording tsunami flows are available on many websites. Ten cases of tsunami flow velocities and flow directions are analyzed from videos by estimating the movement distances of observed objects. The analyzed tsunami flow velocities are 3–5 m/s in Kamaishi City, 2 m/s in Ofunato City, 3–6 m/s in Kesennuma City and 1.5 m/s in Iwaki City. The analyzed velocities fall in the range of [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. A case study of tsunami simulation is performed to estimate the velocity in Kesennuma City. At the same locations as the recorded videos, the tsunami flow velocities from the simulation agree the velocities from recorded videos.
Concilier sécurité et exploitation ? Distance de réserve, périmètre d’interdiction et opposition des populations aux carrières à plâtre de Montmartre (1830-1840)
Authors: Graber Frédéric
Published: May 2013

Le sous-sol parisien, exploité pour ses pierres et son plâtre, a donné lieu à des accidents spectaculaires. Cet article propose d’étudier l’une des procédures techniques destinées à éviter les effondrements de carrières, la distance de sécurité, distance à maintenir entre l’extrémité d’une carrière et un édifice, et les débats que cette mesure provoque lorsqu’il devient manifeste qu’elle est insuffisante. Pour cela, on analyse le cas de la commune de Montmartre, dans les années 1830-40, où la question de la distance de sécurité s’avère centrale, entre une municipalité qui s’inquiète de la multiplication des effondrements et une administration qui prétend avoir la situation en main. Leurs divergences concernent d’une part la question de l’antériorité des carrières par rapport aux édifices et celle de la sécurisation des anciennes carrières, et d’autre part, les distances de sécurité et les difficultés tant à les établir, qu’à les faire respecter. L’orientation industrialiste de l’administration l’amène à considérer les accidents comme normaux, alors que les habitants cherchent à mettre en série les accidents pour faire émerger une catastrophe : l’article s’interroge donc sur ce qui constitue une catastrophe pour les acteurs et sur les temporalités impliquées dans cet exercice.

An underground weakened by quarries caused spectacular accidents in the Paris area. This article studies one of the technical procedures developed to avoid the collapse of quarries in an urban environment: safety distance, a minimal distance to be maintained between a quarry and a building, became an object of debate when its insufficiency became apparent. The article studies the case of the city of Montmartre in the 1830s, when the question of the safety distance was at stake between a municipality concerned about the increase of plaster quarry collapses and an administration that claimed to have the situation under control. This debate concerned, on the one hand, the question of the anteriority of quarries with respect to buildings and the security repair of abandoned quarries and, on the other hand, the difficulty of measuring safety distances properly and enforcing them. The administration’s industrialist tendency led it to consider quarry accidents normal, while residents supported a cumulative approach: Montmartre’s many quarry accidents constituted a catastrophe. The article is finally concerned with what constitutes a disaster in the actors’ view and the temporalities involved.
Antagonism and synergy between extracellular BMP modulators Tsg and BMPER to balance blood vessel formation
Authors: Heinke Jennifer , Juschkat Maria , Charlet Anne , Mnich Leonie , Helbing Thomas , Bode Christoph , Patterson Cam , Moser Martin
Published: May 2013

Growth and regeneration of blood vessels are crucial processes during embryonic development and in adult disease. Members of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family are growth factors known to play a key role in vascular development. The BMP pathway is controlled by extracellular BMP modulators such as BMP endothelial cell precursor derived regulator (BMPER), which we reported previously to act proangiogenic on endothelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Here, we explore the function of other BMP modulators and especially Tsg on endothelial cell behaviour and compare them to BMPER. In matrigel assays BMP modulators Chordin and Noggin had no stimulatory effect; however Gremlin and Tsg enhanced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) sprouting. As Tsg displayed similar activation dynamics as BMPER, we further investigated the proangiogenic effect of Tsg on endothelial cells. Tsg enhanced endothelial cell ingrowth in the mouse matrigel plug assay as well as HUVEC sprouting, migration and proliferation in vitro dependent on Akt, Erk and Smad signalling pathway activation in a concentration-dependent manner. Surprisingly, silencing of Tsg also increased HUVEC sprouting, migration and proliferation, which is again associated with Akt, Erk and Smad signalling pathway activation. Furthermore, we reveal that Tsg and BMPER interfere with each other to enhance proangiogenic events. However, in vivo the presence of Tsg as well as of BMPER is mandatory for regular development of the zebrafish vasculature. Taken together, our results suggest that BMPER and Tsg maintain a fine-tuned equilibrium that controls BMP pathway activity and is necessary for vascular cell homeostasis.
Lamin aggregation is an early sensor of porphyria-induced liver injury
Authors: Singla Amika , Griggs Nicholas W. , Kwan Raymond , Snider Natasha T. , Maitra D. , Ernst Stephen A. , Herrmann Harald , Omary M. Bishr
Published: May 2013

Oxidative liver injury during steatohepatitis results in aggregation and transglutaminase-2 (TG2)-mediated crosslinking of the keratin cytoplasmic intermediate filament proteins (IFs) to form Mallory-Denk body (MDB) inclusions. The effect of liver injury on lamin nuclear IFs is unknown, though lamin mutations in several human diseases result in lamin disorganization and nuclear shape changes. We tested the hypothesis that lamins undergo aggregation during oxidative liver injury using two MDB mouse models: (i) feeding the porphyrinogenic drug 3, 5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) and, (ii) mice that harbor a mutation in ferrochelatase (fch), which converts protoporphyrin-IX to heme. Dramatic aggregation of lamin A/C and B1 was noted in the livers of both models in association with changes in lamin organization and nuclear shape as determined by immunostaining and electron microscopy. The lamin aggregates sequester other nuclear proteins including transcription factors and ribosomal and nuclear pore components into high molecular weight complexes, as determined by mass-spectrometry and confirmed biochemically. Lamin aggregate formation is rapid and precedes keratin aggregation in fch livers, and is seen in liver explants of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Exposure of cultured cells to DDC, protoporphyrin-IX or N-methyl-protoporphyrin, or incubating purified lamins with protoporphyrin-IX also results in lamin aggregation. In contrast, lamin aggregation is ameliorated by TG2 inhibition. Therefore, lamin aggregation is an early sensor of porphyria-associated liver injury and may serve to buffer oxidative stress. The nuclear shape and lamin defects associated with porphyria phenocopy the changes seen in laminopathies and could result in transcriptional alterations due to sequestration of nuclear proteins.
Regulation of mTORC1 and its impact on gene expression at a glance
Authors: Laplante Mathieu , Sabatini David M.
Published: May 2013

The mechanistic (or mammalian) target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a kinase that regulates key cellular functions linked to the promotion of cell growth and metabolism. This kinase, which is part of two protein complexes termed mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and 2 (mTORC2), has a fundamental role in coordinating anabolic and catabolic processes in response to growth factors and nutrients. Of the two mTOR complexes, mTORC1 is by far the best characterized. When active, mTORC1 triggers cell growth and proliferation by promoting protein synthesis, lipid biogenesis, and metabolism, and by reducing autophagy. The fact that mTORC1 deregulation is associated with several human diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity and neurodegeneration, highlights its importance in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Over the last years, several groups observed that mTORC1 inhibition, in addition to reducing protein synthesis, deeply affects gene transcription. Here, we review the connections between mTORC1 and gene transcription by focusing on its impact in regulating the activation of specific transcription factors including including STAT3, SREBPs, PPARγ, PPARα, HIF1α, YY1–PGC1α and TFEB. We also discuss the importance of these transcription factors in mediating the effects of mTORC1 on various cellular processes in physiological and pathological contexts.
Bilateral Thalamic Infarction and DSA Demonstrated AOP after Thrombosis
Authors: Cao Wenjie , Dong Qiang , Li Linxin , Dong Yi
Published: May 2013

Bilateral paramedian thalamic stroke is a special ischemic pattern that results from occlusion of the artery of Percheron (AOP), a rare anatomic variant of the paramedian arteries. We report a case of bilateral thalamic infarctions, with a dramatic improvement after thrombolysis. DSA demonstrated recanalization of AOP with possible unreported variation.
Transcatheter arterial embolization with trisacryl gelatin microspheres (Embosphere®) leads to life-threatening tumor lysis syndrome in a rectal carcinoid patient with hepatic metastases
Authors: Lo Yuan-Hao , Tsai Ming-Tsun , Kuo Chen-Yu , Liu Wen-Sheng , Lee Rheun-Chuan , Yeh Yi-Chen , Li Chung-Pin , Chen Jinn-Yang , Chao Yee
Published: May 2013

The incidence of gastrointestinal carcinoids appears to be increasing, and the rectum is the third most common location. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with trisacryl gelatin microspheres (Embosphere®) has been reported as an effective method for hepatic metastases of rectal carcinoids. Complications are uncommon and usually of minor consequence. We report an unusual case of a 34-year-old man with tumor lysis syndrome following TAE with Embosphere® in a patient with multiple hepatic metastases of a rectal carcinoid. Early detection and effective treatment are essential for this rare but potentially catastrophic complication.
Massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage from a giant renal angiomyolipoma treated by selective arterial embolization with an Amplatzer Vascular Plug II
Authors: Teichgräber Ulf Km , De Bucourt Maximilian
Published: May 2013

We report on a 36-year-old Caucasian woman who presented to the emergency department with post-traumatic retroperitoneal bleeding diagnosed by computed tomography. After clinical stabilization of the patient, selective arterial embolization was performed. The angiomyolipoma's feeding artery was successfully treated with an 8-mm Amplatzer Vascular Plug Type II. The upper pole of the left kidney, which was supplied by a separate upper renal artery, was conserved. Consequently, the renal angiomyolipoma became necrotic and surgical resection of the entire renal angiomyolipoma was performed. This case illustrates a simple and effective application of an Amplatzer Vascular Plug occluder for vessel embolization, without additional coiling.
Macronodular hepatosplenic tuberculosis
Authors: Guidi Roberto , Bolli Valeria , Lanza Cecilia , Biagetti Chiara , Osimani Patrizia , De Benedictis Fernando Maria
Published: May 2013

Hepatosplenic involvement is a rare manifestation of abdominal tuberculosis in children. We describe the case of a 7-year-old girl with persistent fever, cough, and hepatosplenomegaly. Typical lesions were shown in the liver and spleen by ultrasound and computed tomography. Colonoscopy showed a nodular, ulcerated mass that partially obstructed the cecum. Microbiological and histopathological findings of intestinal and liver biopsy confirmed the clinical suspicion of tuberculosis.
Osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum in identical twins
Authors: Pudas Tomi , Koskinen Seppo K , Hiltunen Ari , Mattila Kimmo T
Published: May 2013

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humeral capitellum is a disorder affecting mainly boys between the ages of 12 and 15 years. The exact etiology of OCD is not clear, but it is believed that repetitive trauma is the primary cause. Genetic factors are thought to play a secondary role in the pathogenesis. We present 17-year-old identical twins with similar MRI and arthroscopic findings, suggesting that genetic components are involved in the etiology of OCD of the humeral capitellum.
Successful treatment of ruptured duodenal varices with dual balloon-occluded embolotherapy
Authors: Ikeda Osamu , Nakasone Yutaka , Beppu Toru , Baba Hideo , Yamashita Yasuyuki
Published: May 2013

Duodenal varices are ectopic portosystemic shunts that do not tend to result in gastrointestinal bleeding. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration is an established treatment for gastric varices. We report a 60-year-old man with melena due to ruptured duodenal varices originating at an inferior pancreaticoduodenal vein; drainage was into a gonadal vein. His ruptured duodenal varices were successfully treated by dual balloon-occluded embolotherapy.
FDG-PET/CT finding of benign metastasizing leiomyoma of the lung
Authors: Nakajo Masatoyo , Nakayama Hirofumi , Sato Masayuki , Fukukura Yoshihiko , Nakajo Masayuki , Kajiya Yoriko , Yanagi Masakazu , Tabata Kazuhiro , Higashi Michiyo
Published: May 2013

We report a case of multiple benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) lung nodules showing faint or non-avid uptake of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) (respective 1-hour early and 2-hour delayed maximum standardized uptake values; 1.3 or less and 1.2 or less) in a 50-year-old woman with a history of hysterectomy for uterine leiomyoma at the age of 38 years. When multiple lung nodules show faint or non-avid FDG uptake in a patient with a history of hysterectomy for uterine leiomyoma, BML should be included in the differential diagnosi.
Uterine cervical melanoma presenting with rapid progression detected by PET/CT
Authors: Tsai Ya-Ju , Shueng Pei-Wei , Chan Sheng-Chien , Chuang Wen-Yu , Shiau Yu-Chien , Hsu Chung-Huei
Published: May 2013

Malignant melanoma of the uterine cervix is a rare extracutaneous melanoma which develops aggressively and is associated with a bleak prognosis. To our knowledge, no prior published reports have discussed the role of 18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in managing this disease. Our case study involved a 66-year-old woman with a malignant melanoma of the uterine cervix. The patient received PET/CT that identified metastases and lesions which had not been detected from her MRI. Serial PET/CT elucidated that the disease was initially limited to the pelvis, but then metastasized to the abdominal para-aortic lymph nodes, followed by extensive metastases to the brain, lungs, breast, supraclavicular, neck, and other abdominal lymph nodes, as observed at 6-month follow-up. PET/CT was used to complement conventional anatomic imaging modalities, and provided a novel modality for whole body screening. Visualization of the metabolic activity of indeterminate lesions may help in staging, re-staging, treatment planning, and prognostic prediction for patients with this rare disease.
Chronic post-traumatic high-flow priapism treated with temporary gelatin sponge embolization
Authors: Teichgräber Ulf Km , De Bucourt Maximilian
Published: May 2013

We report the case of a 26-year-old man who presented with a non-painful priapism with a history of 3 months permanent erection after suffering a perineal trauma. An arteriocorporal fistula with a turbulent flow between the right cavernosal artery and the corpus cavernosum, conclusive for a high-flow priapism was initially detected by colour Doppler ultrasound. A superselective embolization with Gelatin sponge was safe and effective to treat the high-flow priapism. The use of gelatin sponge resulted in a temporary embolization with long-term effect of penile detumescence and preservation of erectile function.
Polyarteritis nodosa with uterine involvement
Authors: Hirai Chihiro , Koike Shigeomi , Hirano Motoharu , Nishimura Junichi , Akashita Shiho , Ohkoshi Takahumi , Katsumata Yasushi
Published: May 2013

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is characterized by multisystem necrotizing vasculitis, primarily affecting small-to-medium-sized muscular arteries, and it is typically found in middle-aged men. PAN is rarely found in the female genital tract (including the uterus), and imaging of the uterus with PAN has not previously been reported. Reported is a case of a 78-year-old patient with uterus enlargement who was diagnosed with PAN through clinical findings and images. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of a uterus affected by PAN are presented and reviewed, and potential characteristic findings of the uterine with PAN are discussed.
Autonomous Control Agents for Adaptive MAV Mission Profiles
Authors: Ashokkumar Chimpalthradi R.
Published: May 2013

When a mission profile of an unmanned micro air vehicle is known a priori, one of the strategies adopted in autonomous control is to first generate a compatible trajectory in off-line and then implement a controller to track the trajectory. However, in decision rich intelligent aerial robots and in 6DOF operations of unmanned aerial vehicles, the mission profiles are usually known during an operation. Hence the trajectories are instantaneously inferred. Here an adaptive controller with capabilities to track these trajectories is required. In this paper, it is shown that an extended Kalman filter is an excellent tool to design such a controller which accepts the trajectory generation module as an input and then reconstructs its trajectories. To illustrate this feature, a 3DOF micro air vehicle in pitch plane is considered and an adaptive controller (referred as autonomous control agent) using an extended Kalman filter is applied to infer typical adaptive mission profiles.
Micro-Mapping of Defect Structural Micro-Morphology in the Documentation of Fresco Wallpaintings
Authors: Tornari V. , Bernikola E. , Tsiranidou E. , Hatzigiannakis K. , Andrianakis M. , Detalle V. , Bodnar J.L.
Published: May 2013

This study proves the defect micro-morphology as a crucial parameter in conservation approaches. The study was performed on mural paintings and fresco samples which are considered as a major piece of European Cultural Heritage (CH). Nowadays the atmospheric pollution and various other extreme events provoke, more often than in the past, abrupt changes of environmental conditions, affecting negatively the murals state. Random contraction and expansion of the painting's complex structure is an important cause of extra load in its mechanical condition. This may eventually lead to the propagation of cracks within the layers, and expansion of the detachments. Furthermore, the sudden changes in the heterogeneous materials of the support can potentially trigger further damage to the multilayered painted surface. These subsurface damages may lead to unpredictable evolution of detachments and cracks, crucially affecting the painted surface. It is well known that a variety of techniques are employed to detect the location and the dimensions of the various detachments, hidden under the surface. In the present study emphasis is given on the importance of the detection and exact knowledge of the structural micro-morphology as a key factor to monitor the hidden, but ongoing, detachment processes. The precise monitoring of the detachments' micro-deformation will enhance the knowledge of the defect structure and help to visualize the interactions undergoing with the rest of the structure and thus will facilitate the choice of materials that will be used in the consolidation interventions, as well as their application guidelines. Hence, high resolution is of prior importance in monitoring the detection processes and as such laser metrology is implemented in this study.
Generalized assessment of the impact of Parkinson’s disease on functional condition
Authors: Myalovitska Olena , Lobanova Iryna
Published: May 2013

Individuals who develop Parkinson's disease are confronted not only with the physical manifestations of the disorder, but also with the psychosocial issues that impact on quality of life.

The aim of the current work was to assess the level of psychosocial and physical functioning impairment in 95 patients with Parkinson’s disease (48 men and 47 women aged 65–79, average age 70.3±0.5, stages of Parkinson’s disease acсording to Hoehn and Yahr scale - 2–2.5). This research was carried out with the help of “Functional Limitation Profile” and “Sickness Impact Profile – 68” tests.

According to the “Functional Limitation Profile” test, the patients with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease most commonly showed functional condition impairment in 3 categories: “walk” (92% of cases), “social interaction” (85% of cases) and “clarity of mind” (79% of cases). Less frequent condition impairments were changes in the categories “body care and motion” (72% of cases), “emotions” (65% of cases) and “work” (56% of cases). The least impaired were the categories “communication” (22% of cases), “leisure and entertainment” (24% of cases) and “food” (19% of cases). According to the “Sickness Impact Profile – 68” test, patients with Parkinson’s disease showed functional condition impairment most often in the categories “mobility control”, “social behavior” and “degree of mobility”. Patients showed impairment less frequently in the categories “somatic autonomy”, “psychic autonomy and communication”. The least impaired category was “emotional stability”. The highest percent in relation to the maximum possible point was shown in the category “mobility control”, and the lowest in the category “emotional stability”.

Thus, this study demonstrates significant impact of the disease on the functional condition of these patients. Functional limits, connected with the disease appearance, are most often present in the motion and social sphere of patients’ life and less frequently in the emotional sphere.
Teaching Versus Facilitating in Leadership Development: Trends in Business
Authors: Curtin Joseph L.
Published: May 2013

Businesses use both classroom and facilitation forms of leadership development. In this article I describe over 20 leadership-development methods, placing them in either of two categories, classroom or facilitation. I then provide the results of a quick survey of leadership development companies on the Internet, over 200 in all, about which group of methods they used most commonly. Results suggest that facilitation, of both groups and individuals (in the form of coaching), is more common than might be expected and as suggested in research by others.
Biopsychosociocultural Perspective on ‘Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom’ Women Veterans as Civilian Police Officers: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Challenges
Authors: Johnson Ronn
Published: May 2013

Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans constitute a large portion of police officer recruits. Women applicants present with similar gender-specific health-care practice needs. To improve the quality of care for this vulnerable and underserved veteran population, it is essential to begin with a systematic assessment using a biopsychosociocultural approach. Internationally, shortages in compensation and pension health-care professionals within Veterans Affairs have resulted in the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The health-care needs of OEF/OIF veterans can fuel psycholegal issues for police departments. These issues usually take place in the form of negligent hire and/or retention misconduct cases. Female OEF/OIF veterans may need additional health-care services for PTSD or mTBI after they enter another male-dominated culture. Although not every female veteran seeking a job in law enforcement has PTSD and mTBI, evaluating these veterans using a biopsychosociocultural approach provides a framework for early identification, intervention and prevention. This paper offers an educational and training perspective aimed at sensitising hiring authorities to clinically relevant transition and adjustment issues as female veterans shift into civilian police departments.
A Role for an Hsp70 Nucleotide Exchange Factor in the Regulation of Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis
Authors: Morgan Jennifer R. , Jiang Jianwen , Oliphint Paul A. , Jin Suping , Gimenez Luis E. , Busch David J. , Foldes Andrea E. , Zhuo Yue , Sousa Rui , Lafer Eileen M.
Published: May 2013

Neurotransmission requires a continuously available pool of synaptic vesicles (SVs) that can fuse with the plasma membrane and release their neurotransmitter contents upon stimulation. After fusion, SV membranes and membrane proteins are retrieved from the presynaptic plasma membrane by clathrin-mediated endocytosis. After the internalization of a clathrin-coated vesicle, the vesicle must uncoat to replenish the pool of SVs. Clathrin-coated vesicle uncoating requires ATP and is mediated by the ubiquitous molecular chaperone Hsc70.In vitro, depolymerized clathrin forms a stable complex with Hsc70*ADP. This complex can be dissociated by nucleotide exchange factors (NEFs) that release ADP from Hsc70, allowing ATP to bind and induce disruption of the clathrin:Hsc70 association. Whether NEFs generally play similar roles in vesicle traffickingin vivoand whether they play such roles in SV endocytosis in particular is unknown. To address this question, we used information from recent structural and mechanistic studies of Hsp70:NEF and Hsp70:co-chaperone interactions to design a NEF inhibitor. Using acute perturbations at giant reticulospinal synapses of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), we found that this NEF inhibitor inhibited SV endocytosis. When this inhibitor was mutated so that it could no longer bind and inhibit Hsp110 (a NEF that we find to be highly abundant in brain cytosol), its ability to inhibit SV endocytosis was eliminated. These observations indicate that the action of a NEF, most likely Hsp110, is normally required during SV trafficking to release clathrin from Hsc70 and make it available for additional rounds of endocytosis.
Phosducin-Like Protein 1 is Essential for G-Protein Assembly and Signaling in Retinal Rod Photoreceptors
Authors: Lai Chun Wan J. , Kolesnikov Alexander V. , Frederick Jeanne M. , Blake Devon R. , Jiang Li , Stewart Jubal S. , Chen Ching-Kang , Barrow Jeffery R. , Baehr Wolfgang , Kefalov Vladimir J. , Willardson Barry M.
Published: May 2013

G-protein β subunits perform essential neuronal functions as part of G-protein βγ and Gβ5-regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) complexes. Both Gβγ and Gβ5-RGS are obligate dimers that are thought to require the assistance of the cytosolic chaperonin CCT and a cochaperone, phosducin-like protein 1 (PhLP1) for dimer formation. To test this hypothesisin vivo, we deleted thePhlp1gene in mouse (Mus musculus) retinal rod photoreceptor cells and measured the effects on G-protein biogenesis and visual signal transduction. In the PhLP1-depleted rods, Gβγ dimer formation was decreased 50-fold, resulting in a >10-fold decrease in light sensitivity. Moreover, a 20-fold reduction in Gβ5and RGS9–1 expression was also observed, causing a 15-fold delay in the shutoff of light responses. These findings conclusively demonstratein vivothat PhLP1 is required for the folding and assembly of both Gβγ and Gβ5-RGS9.
Hypofunction of Glutamatergic Neurotransmission in the Periaqueductal Gray Contributes to Nerve-Injury-Induced Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Ho Yu-Cheng , Cheng Jen-Kun , Chiou Lih-Chu
Published: May 2013

Neuropathic pain, a chronic pain due to neuronal lesion, remains unaltered even after the injury-induced spinal afferent discharges have declined, suggesting an involvement of supraspinal dysfunction. The midbrain ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) is known to be a crucial supraspinal region for initiating descending pain inhibition, but its role in neuropathic pain remains unclear. Therefore, here we examined neuroplastic changes in the vlPAG of midbrain slices isolated from neuropathic rats induced by L5/L6 spinal nerve ligation (SNL) via electrophysiological and neurochemical approaches. Significant mechanical hypersensitivity was induced in rats 2 d after SNL and lasted for >14 d. Compared with the sham-operated group, vlPAG slices from neuropathic rats 3 and 10 days after SNL displayed smaller EPSCs with prolonged latency, less frequent and smaller miniature EPSCs, higher paired-pulse ratio of EPSCs, smaller AMPAR-mediated EPSCs, smaller AMPA currents, greater NMDAR-mediated EPSCs, greater NMDA currents, lower AMPAR-mediated/NMDAR-mediated ratios, and upregulation of the NR1 and NR2B subunits, but not the NR2A, GluR1, or GluR2 subunits, of glutamate receptors. There were no significant differences between day 3 and day 10 neuropathic groups. These results suggest that SNL leads to hypoglutamatergic neurotransmission in the vlPAG resulting from both presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms. Upregulation of NMDARs might contribute to hypofunction of AMPARs via subcellular redistribution. Long-term hypoglutamatergic function in the vlPAG may lead to persistent reduction of descending pain inhibition, resulting in chronic neuropathic pain.
Crystal structure of potassium trans-diaquabis[oxalato-κ2O,O] chromate(III) urea disolvate, K[Cr(C2O4)2(H2O)2]·2CO(NH2)2, C6H12CrKN4O12
Authors: Bebga Gouet , Ndassa Ibrahim M. , Ndong Pierre R. , Misse Patrick R. N. , Fokwa Boniface P. T.
Published: May 2013

C6H12CrKN4O12, triclinic, P1̅ (No. 2), a = 5.101(1) Å, b = 7.029(1) Å, c = 10.554(2) Å, α = 76.73(3)°, β = 77.46(3)°, γ = 81.32(3)°, V = 357.5 Å3, Z = 1, Rgt(F) = 0.0321, wRref(F2) = 0.1327, T = 293 K.
Agricultural Policy and the Feed Industry in Mexico
Authors: Huacuja Flavia Echánove
Published: May 2013

Mexico is the fourth world producer of animal feed, a highly productive and dynamic sector in the last decades. This has resulted in a growing demand for grains used as inputs for its industrial processing (maize, sorghum and soybeans), which feed producers acquire as much from the US market as in the domestic Mexican market. In this article I analyze the supply mechanisms of feed agribusiness, particularly in the case of their national purchases of sorghum, as well as the role that agricultural policies play in those mechanisms. From 1994 to 2007 the Mexican government subsidized the imports of grains by the feed producer sector, while it recently implemented the program of “contract farming” to encourage the firms to acquire national grains and to support their producers. The objective of this paper is to analyze the characteristics and problems of this subsidy program, based on two changing variables (international prices of the grains and exchange rate), which makes it highly vulnerable. The article also analyzes the geographical setting where these firms and other participating agents operate in the value chain.

México es el cuarto productor de alimentos animales a nivel mundial. Este sector se ha mostrado altamente productivo y dinámico durante las últimas décadas. Como resultado, hay una creciente demanda de granos (maíz, sorgo y frijol de soya) que se utilizan como insumos para su procesamiento industrial y que los productores de alimentos animales adquieren tanto del mercado de Estados Unidos como en el mercado doméstico mexicano. En el presente anticulo analizo los mecanismos de abastecimiento del agronegocio del alimentos animales, en particular el caso de las compras locales de sorgo, así como el papel que juegan las políticas agrícolas sobre dichos mecanismos. Entre 1994 y 2007, el gobierno mexicano subsidió las importaciones granos por parte del sector productor de alimentos animales y, recientemente, implementó el programa Agricultura por Contrato, que tiene el propósito de alentar a las compañías a adquirir granos nacionales y apoyar a sus productores. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar las características y problemas de este programa de subsidios, con base en dos variables móviles (los precios internacionales de los granos y el tipo de cambio), que lo convierten en un programa sumamente vulnerable. En el artículo también analizo el escenario geográfico donde estas compañías y sus agentes operan en la cadena de valor.
Surgery for adrenocortical carcinoma in The Netherlands: analysis of the national cancer registry data
Authors: Kerkhofs T M A , Verhoeven R H A , Bonjer H J , van Dijkum E J Nieveen , Vriens M R , De Vries J , Van Eijck C H , Bonsing B A , Van de Poll-Franse L V , Haak H R , _ _
Published: May 2013

Objective

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare disease with an estimated incidence of one to two cases per 1 million inhabitants. The Dutch Adrenal Network (DAN) was initiated with the aim to improve patient care and to stimulate scientific research on ACC. Currently, not all patients with ACC are treated in specialized DAN hospitals. The objective of the current investigation was to determine whether there are differences in survival between patients operated on in DAN hospitals and those operated on in non-DAN hospitals.

Design

The study was set up as a retrospective and population-based survival analysis.

Methods

Data on all adult ACC patients diagnosed between 1999 and 2009 were obtained from The Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR). Overall survival was calculated and a comparison was made between DAN and non-DAN hospitals.

Results

The NCR contained data of 189 patients. The median survival of patients with European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors stages I–III disease was significantly longer for patients operated on in a DAN hospital (n=46) than for those operated on in a non-DAN hospital (n=37, 5-year survival 63 vs 42%). Survival remained significantly different after correction for sex, age, year of diagnosis, and stage of disease in the multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 1.96 (95% CI 1.01–3.81), P=0.047).

Conclusion

The results associate surgery in a DAN center with a survival benefit for patients with local or locally advanced ACC. We hypothesize that a multidisciplinary approach for these patients explains the observed survival benefit. These findings should be carefully considered in view of the aim for further centralization of ACC treatment.
Características produtivas e qualitativas de ramas e raízes de batata-doce
Authors: Andrade Júnior Valter C de , Viana Daniel José S , Pinto Nísia AVD , Ribeiro Karina G , Pereira Rosana Cristina , Neiva Irã P , Azevedo Alcinei M , Andrade Paulo César de R
Published: May 2013

A batata-doce é uma hortaliça que se destaca pela versatilidade no uso, podendo ser empregada tanto na alimentação humana como animal. Seu cultivo é relativamente fácil e barato, o que, juntamente com sua adaptabilidade a variadas condições edafo-climáticas, viabiliza sua produção pelos agricultores familiares. Objetivou-se avaliar a produção de massa verde e massa seca da parte aérea para utilização na alimentação animal e a produtividade e a qualidade das raízes tuberosas de clones de batata-doce para utilização na alimentação humana. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com doze clones e quatro repetições. Foram avaliados clones de batata-doce pertencentes ao banco de germoplasma da UFVJM juntamente com as cultivares comerciais Brazlândia Roxa e Brazlândia Rosada, colhidos aos seis meses após o plantio. Foram avaliadas a produção de massa verde e massa seca da parte aérea e a produtividade e qualidade das raízes tuberosas. O clone BD-45 destacou-se na produção de massa verde, produção de massa seca e nas produtividades total e comercial de raízes com valores de 19,7; 3,3; 32,9 e 29,5 t ha-1, respectivamente. A maioria dos genótipos avaliados apresentou raízes com formato próximo ao ideal para comercialização e boa resistência a insetos de solo com valores de notas próximos a 2,0. Foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os genótipos para os teores de amido e açúcares totais e redutores. Os genótipos apresentaram composição centesimal semelhante, exceto para o teor de cinzas. Os clones BD-67 e BD-56 apresentaram teores de cinzas mais elevados que o Cambraia, e semelhantes aos demais clones.
Cleft Palate in a Mouse Model of SOX2 Haploinsufficiency
Authors: Langer Lee , Sulik Kathleen , Pevny Larysa
Published: May 2013

Objective

While SEX-determining region Y-Box 2 ( SOX2) mutations are typically recognized as yielding ocular and central nervous system abnormalities, they have also been associated with other craniofacial defects. To elucidate the genesis of the latter, Sox2 hypomorphic ( Sox2HYP) mice were examined, with particular attention to secondary palatal development.

Results

Clefts of the secondary palate were found to be highly penetrant in Sox2HYP mice. The palatal clefting occurred in the absence of mandibular hypoplasia and resulted from delayed or failed shelf elevation.

Conclusions

Sox2 hypomorphism can result in clefting of the secondary palate, an effect that appears to be independent of mandibular hypoplasia and is thus expected to result from an abnormality that is inherent to the palatal shelves and/or their progenitor tissues. Further clinical attention relative to SOX2 mutations as a basis for secondary palatal clefts appears warranted.
Ontogenetic sequence reconstruction and sequence polymorphism in extinct taxa: an example using early tetrapods (Tetrapoda: Lepospondyli)
Authors: Olori Jennifer C.
Published: May 2013

Ontogenetic sequence reconstruction is challenging particularly for extinct taxa because of when, where, and how fossils preserve. Different methods of reconstruction exist, but the effects of preservational bias, the applicability of size-independent methods, and the prevalence of sequence polymorphism (intraspecific variation) remain unexplored for paleontological data. Here I compare five different methods of ontogenetic sequence reconstruction and their effects on the detection of sequence polymorphism, using a large collection of the extinct vertebrates Microbrachis pelikani and Hyloplesion longicostatum. The postcranial ossification sequences presented here for those taxa are the first examples known for extinct lepospondyls. Sequences were reconstructed according to skull length, trunk length, increasing number of ontogenetic events, majority-rule consensus, and Ontogenetic Sequence Analysis (OSA). Results generally were in agreement, demonstrating that paleontological data may be used to robustly reconstruct developmental patterns. When reconstructing sequences based on fossils, size-based methods and OSA are more objective and less dependent on preservational bias than other techniques. Apart from the other methods, OSA also allows for statistical analysis of observed and predicted polymorphism. However, OSA requires a large sample size to yield meaningful results, and size-based methods are justified in paleontological studies when sample size is limited by poor preservation. Different methods of reconstruction detected different patterns of sequence polymorphism, although across all methods the magnitude of sequence variation for M. pelikani and H. longicostatum (1.3−3.4%) was within the lower range of values reported for extant vertebrates. Compared with other extinct and extant tetrapods, all sequence reconstruction methods consistently showed that M. pelikani and H. longicostatum exhibit advanced ossification of the pubis and delayed ossification of the scapula. However, the postcranial ossification sequences of these two taxa largely are congruent with those of other tetrapods, suggesting an underlying conservative ancestral pattern that evolved early in tetrapod history.
Recent oceanic changes in the Arctic in the context of long‐term observations
Authors: Polyakov Igor V. , Bhatt Uma S. , Walsh John E. , Abrahamsen E. Povl , Pnyushkov Andrey V. , Wassmann Paul F.
Published: May 2013

This synthesis study assesses recent changes of Arctic Ocean physical parameters using a unique collection of observations from the 2000s and places them in the context of long‐term climate trends and variability. Our analysis demonstrates that the 2000s were an exceptional decade with extraordinary upper Arctic Ocean freshening and intermediate Atlantic water warming. We note that the Arctic Ocean is characterized by large amplitude multi‐decadal variability in addition to a long‐term trend, making the link of observed changes to climate drivers problematic. However, the exceptional magnitude of recent high‐latitude changes (not only oceanic, but also ice and atmospheric) strongly suggests that these recent changes signify a potentially irreversible shift of the Arctic Ocean to a new climate state. These changes have important implications for the Arctic Ocean's marine ecosystem, especially those components that are dependent on sea ice or that have temperature‐dependent sensitivities or thresholds. Addressing these and other questions requires a carefully orchestrated combination of sustained multidisciplinary observations and advanced modeling.
A dynamic reference model: a framework for assessing biodiversity restoration goals in a fire‐dependent ecosystem
Authors: Kirkman L. Katherine , Barnett Analie , Williams Brett W. , Hiers J. Kevin , Pokswinski Scott M. , Mitchell Robert J.
Published: May 2013

The use of reference models as templates of historical or natural conditions to assess restoration progress is inherently logical; however, difficulties occur in application because of the need to incorporate temporal variation in ecosystems caused by disturbance and succession, as well as seasonal, interannual, or decadal variability. The landscape‐scale restoration of the globally threatened and fire‐dependent longleaf pine ecosystem in the southeastern United States is an example in which restoration efforts are even more complicated by the limited availability of extant reference sites. This study uses the dynamic reference conceptual framework to assess the direction and rate of recovery with respect to biodiversity restoration goals using a 15‐year vegetation data set from an experimental restoration treatment in fire‐excluded, hardwood‐encroached longleaf pine sandhills. We compared ground‐cover vegetation response to midstory hardwood removal through herbicide application, mechanical removal, and fire only. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordinations and proportional similarity analyses suggest that, while vegetation changed in all treatments over time, no differences in species composition or hardwood density in the ground cover were attributable to hardwood reduction treatments after 15 years with frequent prescribed fire. Furthermore, the results of this study indicate that considerable variability is associated with reference sites over time. Sites identified in 1994 as attainable restoration targets had become a moving target themselves, changing in magnitude consistent with alterations in restoration plots attributable to treatment effects and shaped by the modest increase in fire frequency imposed since 1998. In a broad restoration context, this study demonstrates a conceptual framework to better understand and integrate the range of spatial and temporal variation associated with the best available reference sites. It also illustrates a practical tool for statistically defining reference sites and for measuring restoration success in continually changing conditions that should be widely applicable to other ecosystems and restoration goals.