bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Transmission of Meaning by Prosodic Phrasing
Authors: Kohler Klaus J.
Published: September 2010

This paper examines the relationship between phonetic exponents of syntagmatic prosodic structuring and functions in speech communication in English, German, and French. Two strands are distinguished in this substance - function relation: the transmission of semantic structures in propositional, appellative, and expressive meaning, and the facilitation of this transfer from sender to receiver by rhythmic organization. Bundles of several weighted feature values contribute to the signalling of hierarchies of prosodic phrasing to map semantic and rhythmic structures for communicative effect. French and the Germanic languages differ more specifically in the rhythmic strand.
Effect of Procainhydrochloride on Phospholipase A2 Catalytic Activity in Sodium Taurocholate-Induced Acute Experimental Pancreatitis in Rats
Authors: Kahl S. , Mayer J. , Schuette K. , Peuravuori H. , Pross M. , Schulz H.U. , Nevalainen T.J. , Malfertheiner P.
Published: September 2010

Background: In human acute pancreatitis (AP) the local anaesthetic procainhydrochloride (procain-HCl) is given intravenously for pain treatment. Procain has been shown to inhibit catalytic activity of pancreatic (group I) phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and non-pancreatic (group II) PLA2. Both enzymes are important mediators for the local and systemic inflammatory process in AP. To determine the effect of procain, we examined serum and tissue levels of both types of PLA2 activity in the experimental rodent taurocholate model of AP. Methods: In 60 rats, severe pancreatitis was induced by taurocholate. Forty rats were treated with procain-HCl intravenously at a dosage of 2 mg/kg body weight/h either at or 1 h after induction of pancreatitis. Twenty rats served as controls. We measured catalytic activities of group I and group II PLA2 in serum and tissue samples of lung and pancreas. Results: Serum group II PLA2 catalytic activity was significantly reduced 3 and 6 h after AP induction in rats treated with procain-HCl (p < 0.001) in both treatment groups. In pancreatic and lung tissue, group II PLA2 catalytic activity was significantly reduced compared with normal values (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Procain-HCl given intravenously either at or 1 h after induction of necrotizing pancreatitis significantly inhibits group II PLA2 catalytic activity in serum and tissues.
Association between Albuminuria, Glomerular Filtration Rate and Mortality or Recurrence in Stroke Patients
Authors: Lima H.N. , Cabral N.L. , Gonçalves A.R.R. , Hauser A. , Pecoits-Filho R.
Published: September 2010

Background/Aims: In an attempt to find new predictors of stroke prognosis, we evaluated the association of albuminuria (AUr) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with the recurrence of stroke and mortality. Methods: We evaluated and followed for at least 7 months patients with first-ever stroke or transient ischemic attack admitted to a prospective cohort from March 2005 to December 2007. We analyzed traditional CV risk factors, albumin-to-creatinine ratio and eGFR (ml/min/1.73 m2) as predictors of mortality or recurrence. Results: From a total of 185 patients included [57% (104/185) men, 64 ± 13 years], 38 patients suffered from a recurrent stroke or died, with a mean follow-up of 25.1 ± 8.7 months. AUr (≧30 mg/g) was found in 50.2% (93/185), and 38.9% (72/185) presented an eGFR <60. In univariate analysis, age >65 years, eGFR ≤50, atrial fibrillation (AF), no alcohol intake and AUr >17 mg/g were associated with the composite endpoint. In a multivariate analysis, AF and AUr >17 mg/g were independent predictors of the composite endpoints, but eGFR ≤50 was not. Conclusion: The presence of AUr >17 mg/g is independently associated with death or recurrence after stroke. Further studies should consider the AUr as a predictor for a worse prognosis in these patients.
High Glucose Upregulates Upstream Stimulatory Factor 2 in Human Renal Proximal Tubular Cells through Angiotensin II-Dependent Activation of CREB
Authors: Visavadiya Nishant P. , Li Yanzhang , Wang Shuxia
Published: September 2010

Background/Aims: We have previously demonstrated that a transcription factor, upstream stimulatory factor 2 (USF2), regulates glucose-induced thrombospondin 1 expression and transforming growth factor-β activity in mesangial cells, and plays an important role in diabetic glomerulopathy. In this study, we determined whether USF2 expression in renal proximal tubular cells is regulated by glucose and contributes to diabetic tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Methods: Human renal proximal tubular cells (HK-2 cells) were treated with normal- or high-glucose medium for 24 h. After treatment, real-time PCR or immunoblotting was used to determine the expression of USF2 and other components of the renin-angiotensin system in HK-2 cells. Results: High glucose upregulated USF2 expression and increased extracellular matrix accumulation in HK-2 cells; both were inhibited by siRNA-mediated USF2 knockdown. In addition, high glucose stimulated angiotensinogen and renin expression, increased renin activity, and resulted in increased angiotensin II formation. Treatment of HK-2 cells with an angiotensin II receptor 1 (AT1) blocker – losartan – prevented high-glucose-induced USF2 expression and high-glucose-enhanced phosphorylation of CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein). Conclusion: Our data established that high glucose stimulated USF2 expression in HK-2 cells, at least in part, through angiotensin II-AT1-dependent activation of CREB, which can contribute to diabetic tubulointerstitial fibrosis.
Selective Reduction in the Sphingomyelin Content of Atherogenic Lipoproteins Inhibits Their Retention in Murine Aortas and the Subsequent Development of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Fan Yifan , Shi Fujun , Liu Jing , Dong Jibin , Bui Hai H. , Peake David A. , Kuo Ming-Shang , Cao Guoqing , Jiang Xian-Cheng
Published: September 2010

Objective—

We used the sphingomyelin (SM) synthase 2 (
Sms2
) gene knockout (KO) approach to test our hypothesis that selectively decreasing plasma lipoprotein SM can play an important role in preventing atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results—

The sphingolipid de novo synthesis pathway is considered a promising target for pharmacological intervention in atherosclerosis. However, its potential is hampered because the substance’s atherogenic mechanism is not completely understood. We prepared
Sms2
and apolipoprotein E (
Apoe
) double-KO mice. They showed a significant decrease in plasma lipoprotein SM levels (35%,
P
<0.01) and a significant increase in ceramide and dihydroceramide levels (87.5% and 27%, respectively;
P
<0.01) but no significant changes in other tested sphingolipids, cholesterol, and triglyceride. Non–high-density lipoproteins from the double-KO mice showed a reduction of SM, but not cholesterol, and displayed less tendency toward aortic sphingomyelinase-mediated lipoprotein aggregation in vitro and retention in aortas in vivo when compared with controls. More important, at the age of 19 weeks,
Sms2
KO/
Apoe
KO mice showed a significant reduction in atherosclerotic lesions of the aortic arch and root (52%,
P
<0.01) compared with controls. The
Sms2
KO/
Apoe
KO brachiocephalic artery contained significantly less SM, ceramide, free cholesterol, and cholesteryl ester (35%, 32%, 58%, and 60%, respectively;
P
<0.01) than that of the
Apoe
KO brachiocephalic artery.

Conclusion—

Decreasing plasma SM levels through decreasing SMS2 activity could become a promising treatment for atherosclerosis.
Cholesterol Intake Modulates Plasma Triglyceride Levels in Glycosylphosphatidylinositol HDL-Binding Protein 1-Deficient Mice
Authors: Weinstein Michael M. , Tu Yiping , Beigneux Anne P. , Davies Brandon S.J. , Gin Peter , Voss Constance , Walzem Rosemary L. , Reue Karen , Tontonoz Peter , Bensadoun André , Fong Loren G. , Young Stephen G.
Published: September 2010

Objective—

To determine whether plasma triglyceride levels in adult Glycosylphosphatidylinositol HDL-binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1)-deficient (
Gpihbp1
−/−
) mice would be sensitive to cholesterol intake.

Methods and Results—

Gpihbp1
−/−
mice were fed a Western diet containing 0.15% cholesterol. After 4 to 8 weeks, their plasma triglyceride levels were 113 to 135 mmol/L. When 0.005% ezetimibe was added to the diet to block cholesterol absorption,
Lpl
expression in the liver was reduced significantly, and the plasma triglyceride levels were significantly higher (>170 mmol/L). We also assessed plasma triglyceride levels in
Gpihbp1
−/−
mice fed Western diets containing either high (1.3%) or low (0.05%) amounts of cholesterol. The high-cholesterol diet significantly increased
Lpl
expression in the liver and lowered plasma triglyceride levels.

Conclusion—

Treatment of
Gpihbp1
−/−
mice with ezetimibe lowers
Lpl
expression in the liver and increases plasma triglyceride levels. A high-cholesterol diet had the opposite effects. Thus, cholesterol intake modulates plasma triglyceride levels in
Gpihbp1
−/−
mice.
Histological Features of Symptomatic Carotid Plaques in Relation to Age and Smoking
Authors: Redgrave Jessica N.E. , Lovett Joanne K. , Rothwell Peter M.
Published: September 2010

Background and Purpose—

Rates of incident and recurrent cardiovascular events rise steadily with age, due partly to more extensive atherosclerotic burden. However, in patients with similarly severe symptomatic carotid stenosis, increasing age is associated with a greater risk of ipsilateral ischemic stroke. This effect may be due to age-related differences in the pathology of symptomatic carotid plaques. However, previous studies of plaque pathology in relation to age have not accounted for potential confounders, particularly smoking, which is often less prevalent in the elderly population undergoing endarterectomy.

Method—

We related patient age (<55, 55 to 64, 65 to 74, 75+ years) and smoking habit (never, exsmoker, recent smoker, and current smoker; and number of cigarettes smoked per day) to detailed histological assessments of 526 carotid plaques from consecutive patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis.

Results—

Three hundred seventy-nine (72.1%) patients were male (mean/SD age 66.6/8.7). Current/recent smokers were on average 7 years younger at carotid endarterectomy than ex-/never smokers (
P
<0.001), and age at carotid endarterectomy decreased with increasing number of cigarettes smoked per day (
P
trend=0.005). Plaques from current/recent smokers had a lower prevalence of intraplaque hemorrhage (
P
-trend=0.01), but histology was otherwise similar to that in ex-/never smokers, and both groups showed similar changes with age. With increasing age, plaque calcification and large lipid core increased (
P
<0.001 and
P
=0.01, respectively) and fibrous tissue (
P
=0.01) decreased, but lymphocyte infiltration of the plaque (
P
=0.03) and cap (
P
=0.002) and overall plaque inflammation (
P
=0.03) also decreased such that overall plaque instability was unrelated to age.

Conclusion—

Smoking is associated with a lower age at carotid endarterectomy suggesting that it may accelerate the development and/or progression of atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms of plaque instability seem largely unrelated to smoking. Plaques from younger patients had greater inflammatory cell infiltration, whereas those from older patients had a larger lipid core, but there were no age trends in overall plaque instability suggesting the increased risk of stroke in the elderly with symptomatic carotid stenosis is due to other factors.
Estimation of the Onset Time of Cerebral Ischemia Using T
1ρ
and T
2
MRI in Rats
Authors: Jokivarsi Kimmo T. , Hiltunen Yrjö , Gröhn Heidi , Tuunanen Pasi , Gröhn Olli H.J. , Kauppinen Risto A.
Published: September 2010

Background and Purpose—

Time of ischemia onset is the most critical factor for patient selection for available drug treatment strategies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the abilities of the absolute longitudinal rotating frame (T
1ρ
) and transverse (T
2
) MR relaxation times to estimate the onset time of ischemia in rats.

Methods—

Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats was used to induce focal cerebral ischemia and animals were imaged with multiparametric MRI at several time points up to 7 hours postischemia. Ischemic parenchyma was defined as tissue with apparent diffusion coefficient of water <70% from that in the contralateral nonischemic brain.

Results—

The difference in the absolute T
1ρ
and T
2
between ischemic and contralateral nonischemic striatum increased linearly within the first 6 hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion. The slopes for T
1ρ
and T
2
fits for both tissue types were similar; however, the time offsets were significantly longer for both MR parameters in the cortex than in the striatum.

Conclusions—

T
1ρ
and T
2
MRI provide estimates for the onset time of cerebral ischemia requiring regional calibration curves from ischemic brain. Assuming that patients with suspected ischemic stroke are scanned by MRI within this timeframe, these MRI techniques may constitute unbiased tools for stroke onset time evaluation potentially aiding the decision-making for drug treatment strategies.
Validity of Movement Pattern Kinematics as Measures of Arm Motor Impairment Poststroke
Authors: Subramanian Sandeep K. , Yamanaka Juri , Chilingaryan Gevorg , Levin Mindy F.
Published: September 2010

Background and Purpose—

Upper limb motor impairment poststroke is commonly evaluated using clinical outcome measures such as the Fugl-Meyer Assessment. However, most clinical measures provide little information about motor patterns and compensations (eg, trunk displacement) used for task performance. Such information is obtained using movement quality kinematic variables (joint ranges, trunk displacement). Evaluation of movement quality may also help distinguish between levels of motor impairment severity in individuals poststroke. Our objective was to estimate concurrent and discriminant validity of movement quality kinematic variables for pointing and reach-to-grasp tasks.

Methods—

A retrospective study of kinematic data (sagittal trunk displacement, shoulder flexion, shoulder horizontal adduction, elbow extension) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores from 86 subjects (subacute to chronic stroke) performing pointing and reaching tasks was done. Multiple and logistic regression analyses were used to estimate concurrent and discriminant validity respectively. Cutoff points for distinguishing between levels of upper limb motor impairment severity (mild, moderate to severe) were estimated using sensitivity/specificity decision plots. The criterion measure used was the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (upper limb section).

Results—

The majority of variance in Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores was explained by a combination of trunk displacement and shoulder flexion (51%) for the pointing task and by trunk displacement alone (52%) for the reach-to-grasp task. Trunk displacement was the only variable that distinguished between levels of motor impairment severity. Cutoff points were 4.8 cm for pointing and 10.2 cm for reach-to-grasp movements.

Conclusion—

Movement quality kinematic variables are valid measures of arm motor impairment levels poststroke. Their use in regular clinical practice and research is justified.
Strokes With Minor Symptoms
Authors: Khatri Pooja , Kleindorfer Dawn O. , Yeatts Sharon D. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Levine Steven R. , Lyden Patrick D. , Moomaw Charles J. , Palesch Yuko Y. , Jauch Edward C. , Broderick Joseph P.
Published: September 2010

Background and Purpose—

The pivotal National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke recombinant tissue plasminogen activator trials excluded patients with ischemic stroke with specific minor presentations or rapidly improving symptoms. The recombinant tissue plasminogen activator product label notes that its use for minor neurological deficit or rapidly improving stroke symptoms has not been evaluated. As a result, patients with low National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores are not commonly treated in clinical practice. We sought to further characterize the patients with minor stroke who were included in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke trials.

Methods—

Minor strokes were defined as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤5 at baseline for this retrospective analysis, because this subgroup is most commonly excluded from treatment in clinical practice and trials. Clinical stroke syndromes were defined based on prespecified National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale item score clusters. Clinical outcomes were reviewed generally and within these cluster subgroups.

Results—

Only 58 cases had National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores of 0 to 5 in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke trials (42 recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and 16 placebo), and 2971 patients were excluded from the trials due to “rapidly improving” or “minor symptoms” as the primary reason. No patients were enrolled with isolated motor symptoms, isolated facial droop, isolated ataxia, dysarthria, isolated sensory symptoms, or with only symptoms/signs not captured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (ie, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale=0). There were ≤3 patients with each of the other isolated deficits enrolled in the trial.

Conclusions—

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke trials excluded a substantial number of strokes with minor presentations, those that were included were small in number, and conclusions about outcomes based on specific syndromes cannot be drawn. Further prospective, systematic study of this subgroup is needed.
Striking Rural-Urban Disparities Observed in Acute Stroke Care Capacity and Services in the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Shultis Wendy , Graff Robert , Chamie Chara , Hart Cherish , Louangketh Palina , McNamara Mike , Okon Nick , Tirschwell David
Published: September 2010

Background and Purpose—

The age-adjusted stroke death rate in adults aged ≥45 years is significantly higher in the Northwest region than in the rest of the United States. Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington have substantial rural and frontier areas with unique characteristics and complexities that pose challenges to timely acute stroke care and ultimately affect the patient.

Methods—

A regional needs assessment was conducted to assess acute stroke care capacity and services in the Northwest region. Hospitals with an emergency department were surveyed with a standardized online tool based on the Brain Attack Coalition recommendations and developed by stroke neurologists, emergency medical services leaders, state public health professionals, and American Stroke Association members.

Results—

Approximately 76% of hospitals completed the questionnaire. Striking rural-urban differences were seen with rural hospitals having a much lower capacity to adequately care for patients with stroke. Two thirds lacked the necessary personnel, one third lacked necessary neuroimaging equipment, and one fourth were functioning without written emergency department and tissue plasminogen activator stroke protocols.

Conclusions—

This survey represents the first comprehensive regional assessment of stroke care capacity and services both in the Northwest region and the whole United States. The findings have confirmed the need to focus on strengthening stroke personnel, increasing access to care, and promoting written protocols, especially in rural settings. Additionally, promoting stroke center certification, increasing the number of stroke registries throughout the region, encouraging use of inpatient stroke care protocols in rural hospitals, and conducting ongoing stroke care capacity and services surveys is highly recommended.
Song degradation in the hole-nesting pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca: Implications for polyterritorial behaviour in contrasting habitat-types
Authors: Dabelsteen Torben , Pedersen Simon , Lampe Helene , Larsen Ole
Published: September 2010

In the hole-nesting pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca, a male may become polyterritorial after attracting a primary female. However, the female may recognize her mate's song and attack other females that associate with him. Differences in sound degradation amongst different habitats and within nestboxes may, therefore, be important for male and female behaviour since the male may have to move outside female hearing range to avoid harassment, and the female may have to listen for the mate to be able to locate competing females. This may be difficult from inside the nest cavity. We used ten common song elements to test sound degradation with distance in a mixed coniferous and a mixed deciduous forest, measuring broadcast sounds both inside and outside nestboxes. On average, sound degradation increased to a larger extent with distance in the deciduous than the coniferous forest. This is consistent with the shorter polyterritorial distances of flycatchers in the deciduous forest. Furthermore, song degradation was stronger inside the nestboxes. Being inside may, therefore, reduce a female's possibility of detecting and recognizing songs. This may be one reason why female pied flycatchers spend little time within the nest cavity before incubation unlike some other hole nesting species.
Acquisition and development of stone handling behavior in infant Japanese macaques
Authors: Nahallage Charmalie , Huffman Michael
Published: September 2010

In this study we systematically investigate the mode of acquisition and the developmental process of stone handling, a form of solitary object play, in a captive troop of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) housed in an outdoor enclosure at the Kyoto University Primate Research Institute, Japan. This study was conducted to evaluate two alternative hypotheses regarding the mode of acquisition of stone handling in infants: (1) environmental stimuli (availability of and exposure to stones) and (2) social stimuli (exposure to stone handling individuals). Early exposure to stones in the environment had no significant effect on when infants acquired the behavior. No significant correlations were recognized between the age of stone handling acquisition and number of stones encountered per hour from birth to acquisition, or the time spent in a specific area of the enclosure as a function of the number of available stones therein. However, being exposed to a stone handling model(s) was a social stimulus that had an effect on the age of acquisition, with a significant negative correlation between a mother's stone handling frequency and the age of acquisition by her infant. Infants of non-stone handling mothers acquired the behavior much later than others. Infant peers who acquired stone handling earlier played no significant role as stone handling models. Of the factors tested here, the timing of acquisition depended mainly on the level of proximity to a demonstrator and the frequency at which those available demonstrators performed the behavior.
The Amazon Frontier of Land-Use Change: Croplands and Consequences for Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Authors: Galford Gillian L. , Melillo Jerry , Mustard John F. , Cerri Carlos E. P. , Cerri Carlos C.
Published: September 2010

The Brazilian Amazon is one of the most rapidly developing agricultural frontiers in the world. The authors assess changes in cropland area and the intensification of cropping in the Brazilian agricultural frontier state of Mato Grosso using remote sensing and develop a greenhouse gas emissions budget. The most common type of intensification in this region is a shift from single- to double-cropping patterns and associated changes in management, including increased fertilization. Using the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor, the authors created a green-leaf phenology for 2001–06 that was temporally smoothed with a wavelet filter. The wavelet-smoothed green-leaf phenology was analyzed to detect cropland areas and their cropping patterns. The authors document cropland extensification and double-cropping intensification validated with field data with 85% accuracy for detecting croplands and 64% and 89% accuracy for detecting single- and double-cropping patterns, respectively. The results show that croplands more than doubled from 2001 to 2006 to cover about 100 000 km2 and that new double-cropping intensification occurred on over 20% of croplands. Variations are seen in the annual rates of extensification and double-cropping intensification. Greenhouse gas emissions are estimated for the period 2001–06 due to conversion of natural vegetation and pastures to row-crop agriculture in Mato Grosso averaged 179 Tg CO2-e yr−1, over half the typical fossil fuel emissions for the country in recent years.
A Storm-Triggered Landslide Monitoring and Prediction System: Formulation and Case Study
Authors: Ren Diandong , Leslie Lance M. , Fu Rong , Dickinson Robert E. , Xin Xiang
Published: September 2010

Predicting the location and timing of mudslides with adequate lead time is a scientifically challenging problem that is critical for mitigating landslide impacts. Here, a new dynamic modeling system is described for monitoring and predicting storm-triggered landslides and their ecosystem implications. The model ingests both conventional and remotely sensed topographic and geologic data, whereas outputs include diagnostics required for the assessment of the physical and societal impacts of landslides.

The system first was evaluated successfully in a series of experiments under idealized conditions. In the main study, under real conditions, the system was assessed over a mountainous region of China, the Yangjiashan Creeping (YC) slope. For this data-rich section of the Changjiang River, the model estimated creeping rates that had RMS errors of ∼0.5 mm yr−1 when compared with a dataset generated from borehole measurements. A prediction of the creeping curve for 2010 was made that suggested significant slope movement will occur in the next 5 years, without any change in the current precipitation morphology. However, sliding will become imminent if a storm occurs in that 5-yr period that produces over 150 mm of precipitation. A sensitivity experiment shows that the identified location fails first, triggering domino-effect slides that progress upslope. This system for predicting storm-triggered landslides is intended to improve upon present warning lead times to minimize the impacts of shallow, fast moving, and therefore hazardous landslides.
Mapping Burned Areas in a Mediterranean Environment Using Soft Integration of Spectral Indices from High-Resolution Satellite Images
Authors: Boschetti Mirco , Stroppiana Daniela , Brivio Pietro Alessandro
Published: September 2010

This article presents a new method for burned area mapping using high-resolution satellite images in the Mediterranean ecosystem. In such a complex environment, high-resolution satellite images represent an appropriate data source for identifying fire-affected areas, and single postfire data are often the only available source of information. The method proposed here integrates several spectral indices into a fuzzy synthetic indicator of likelihood of burn. The indices are interpreted through fuzzy membership functions that have been derived with a partially data-driven approach exploiting training data and expert knowledge. The final map of fire-affected areas is produced by applying a region growing algorithm on the basis of seed pixels selected on a conservative threshold of the synthetic fuzzy score. The algorithm has been developed and tested on a set of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) scenes acquired over Southern Italy. Validation showed that the accuracy of the burned area maps is comparable or even better [overall accuracy (OA) > 90%, K > 0.76] than that obtained with approaches based on single index thresholds adapted to each image. The method described here provides an automatic approach for mapping fire-affected areas with very few false alarms (low commission error), whereas omission errors are mainly related to undetected small burned areas and are located in heterogeneous sparse vegetation cover.
Development of a New USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map for the United States
Authors: Daly Christopher , Widrlechner Mark P. , Halbleib Michael D. , Smith Joseph I. , Gibson Wayne P.
Published: September 2010

In many regions of the world, the extremes of winter cold are a major determinant of the geographic distribution of perennial plant species and of their successful cultivation. In the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM) is the primary reference for defining geospatial patterns of extreme winter cold for the horticulture and nursery industries, home gardeners, agrometeorologists, and plant scientists. This paper describes the approaches followed for updating the USDA PHZM, the last version of which was published in 1990. The new PHZM depicts 1976–2005 mean annual extreme minimum temperature, in 2.8°C (5°F) half zones, for the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Station data were interpolated to a grid with the Parameter-Elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) climate-mapping system. PRISM accounts for the effects of elevation, terrain-induced airmass blockage, coastal effects, temperature inversions, and cold-air pooling on extreme minimum temperature patterns. Climatologically aided interpolation was applied, based on the 1971–2000 mean minimum temperature of the coldest month as the predictor grid. Evaluation of a standard-deviation map and two 15-yr maps (1976–90 and 1991–2005 averaging periods) revealed substantial vertical and horizontal gradients in trend and variability, especially in complex terrain. The new PHZM is generally warmer by one 2.8°C (5°F) half zone than the previous PHZM throughout much of the United States, as a result of a more recent averaging period. Nonetheless, a more sophisticated interpolation technique, greater physiographic detail, and more comprehensive station data were the main causes of zonal changes in complex terrain, especially in the western United States. The updated PHZM can be accessed online (http://www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov).
Assimilation of Tropical Cyclone Track and Structure Based on the Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF)
Authors: Wu Chun-Chieh , Lien Guo-Yuan , Chen Jan-Huey , Zhang Fuqing
Published: September 2010

A new tropical cyclone vortex initialization method based on the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is proposed in this study. Three observed parameters that are related to the tropical cyclone (TC) track and structure—center position, velocity of storm motion, and surface axisymmetric wind structure—are assimilated into the high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model during a 24-h initialization period to develop a dynamically balanced TC vortex without employing any extra bogus schemes. The first two parameters are available from the TC track data of operational centers, which are mainly based on satellite analysis. The radial wind profile is constructed by fitting the combined information from both the best-track and the dropwindsonde data available from aircraft surveillance observations, such as the Dropwindsonde Observations for Typhoon Surveillance near the Taiwan Region (DOTSTAR).

The initialized vortex structure is consistent with the observations of a typical vertical TC structure, even though only the surface wind profile is assimilated. In addition, the subsequent numerical integration shows minor adjustments during early periods, indicating that the analysis fields obtained from this method are dynamically balanced. Such a feature is important for TC numerical integrations. The results here suggest that this new method promises an improved TC initialization and could possibly contribute to some high-resolution numerical experiments to better understand the dynamics of TC structure and to improve operational TC model forecasts. Further applications of this method with sophisticated data from The Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment (THORPEX) Pacific Asian Regional Campaign (T-PARC) will be shown in a follow-up paper.
Dialogical Constructivism: Martin Buber’s Enduring Relevance to Psychotherapy
Authors: Adame Alexandra L. , Leitner Larry M.
Published: September 2010

In this article, the authors explore the connections between a relational— existential approach to psychotherapy, called experiential constructivism, and the work of Martin Buber. They begin by describing the basic principles and philosophical underpinnings of experiential constructivism and the writings of Martin Buber, specifically his writings on the I—Thou relationship. Next, they describe the process of psychotherapy in accord with these principles as well as their thoughts about the overall goals of therapy from a relational—existential perspective. Finally, they discuss the notion of transpersonal reverence and introduce the concept of transpersonal responsibility as they describe the healing process that continues outside of the confines of the therapy relationship.
Simphony Supply Chain Simulator: a simulation toolkit to model the supply chain of construction projects
Authors: Ebrahimy Yasser , AbouRizk Simaan M , Fernando Siri , Mohamed Yasser
Published: September 2010

The supply chain management (SCM) field of research has developed a valuable set of concepts and strategies to incorporate the core competencies of suppliers into industrial systems, a trend followed by the construction industry. Research into quantifying the benefits of implementing SCM in construction has been very limited; the literature for the construction industry generally discusses how SCM concepts can be adopted, or what problems and challenges inhibit such adoption, without analyzing and quantifying the effects of these techniques on an actual construction project. No analytical approach or special-purpose simulation tool has yet been developed to facilitate such quantitative analysis for construction projects. This paper presents a construction supply chain simulation toolkit that is capable of modeling different supply chain problems and is compatible with other construction simulation tools. A detailed simulation model of the effects of supply chain issues on the productivity of a real-life construction project, constructed using this toolkit, is also presented.
Conservativeness in Rejection of the Null Hypothesis When Using the Continuity Correction in the MH Chi-Square Test in DIF Applications
Authors: Paek Insu
Published: September 2010

Conservative bias in rejection of a null hypothesis from using the continuity correction in the Mantel-Haenszel (MH) procedure was examined through simulation in a differential item functioning (DIF) investigation context in which statistical testing uses a prespecified level α for the decision on an item with respect to DIF. The standard MH chi-square test or continuity-corrected MH chi-square test consistently showed a conservative nature across different sample sizes and different significance levels in rejecting the null (No DIF) and non-null (DIF) conditions, especially in small samples. Two alternative testing approaches, the uncorrected MH chi-square and the MH delta-based z test, both showed proper control of Type I error probabilities and better power than the continuity-corrected MH chi-square test. In hypothesis testing for DIF investigations with small sample sizes, either the uncorrected MH chi-square or the MH delta-based z test is recommended rather than the continuity-corrected MH chi-square test.
Review Essay: Austrian Academic Publishing in Sociology
Authors: Fleck Christian
Published: September 2010

This overview of the publication market for sociologists in Austria also examines a few recent publications by Austrian sociologists. Writing in German, Austrian sociologists are highly dependent on the market in neighbouring Germany, where approximately one-third of the books written by Austrians are published. Particular deficiencies of books by Austrians published in Austria are careless editing, indexing and copy editing. Among types of publication, most common are volumes of collected papers and monographs. A small number of publications attempt ‘diagnoses of the era’, addressing a larger audience. Core areas are the history of sociology and the humanities, immigration and the labour market.
Pseudepigrapha Notes III: 4. Old Testament Pseudepigrapha in the Yale University Manuscript Collection
Authors: DiTommaso Lorenzo
Published: September 2010

This is the third in a series of articles intended to present the results of manuscript research or provide bibliographic updates relevant to the study of the ‘Old Testament Pseudepigrapha’. This article identi¿es and discusses the importance of manuscript copies of Old Testament Pseudepigrapha in the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, and in several cases provides editions of their texts.
Co-evolution of skills and welfare in coordinated market economies? A comparative historical analysis of Denmark, the Netherlands and Switzerland
Authors: Trampusch Christine
Published: September 2010

The Varieties of Capitalism literature argues that different forms of market economies, skill systems and welfare regimes are causally related, because preferences follow a logic of asset-specific investment. This article demonstrates the strength of comparative historical analysis in supplementing the human capital investment model by a more contextualized perspective. The main argument is that both the evolution of training regimes and the development of unemployment insurance schemes are primarily governed by a logic of organization-building by capital and labour. This logic is mediated by trajectories of industrialization, patterns of state intervention in the labour market and the institutionalization of labour relations. Our understanding of relationships between political-economic institutions should be open to variable paths leading to co-evolutionary developments.
Editorial: Organizing value
Authors: Prichard Craig , Mir Raza
Published: September 2010

In this essay, we argue that the recent financial collapse, the ensuing recession and the work of key social movements have created conditions for a reengagement of critically-inclined organizational theorists with various forms of value analysis. We then introduce the seven articles in this special issue and highlight how each makes a contribution to this reengagement.
Development and validation of a patient self-assessed questionnaire on satisfaction with communication of the multiple sclerosis diagnosis
Authors: Solari A. , Mattarozzi K. , Vignatelli L. , Giordano A. , Russo PM , Messmer Uccelli M. , D'Alessandro R. ,   on behalf of the SIMS-Trial group and of the GERONIMUS group
Published: September 2010

Background: We describe the development and clinical validation of a patient self-administered tool assessing the quality of multiple sclerosis diagnosis disclosure.

Method: A multiple sclerosis expert panel generated questionnaire items from the Doctor’s Interpersonal Skills Questionnaire, literature review, and interviews with neurology inpatients. The resulting 19-item Comunicazione medico-paziente nella Sclerosi Multipla (COSM) was pilot tested/debriefed on seven patients with multiple sclerosis and administered to 80 patients newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The resulting revised 20-item version (COSM-R) was debriefed on five patients with multiple sclerosis, field tested/debriefed on multiple sclerosis patients, and field tested on 105 patients newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis participating in a clinical trial on an information aid. The hypothesized monofactorial structure of COSM-R section 2 was tested on the latter two groups.

Results: The questionnaire was well accepted. Scaling assumptions were satisfactory in terms of score distributions, item—total correlations and internal consistency. Factor analysis confirmed section 2’s monofactorial structure, which was also test—retest reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.73; 95% CI 0.54—0.85). Section 1 had only fair test—retest reliability (ICC 0.45; 95% CI 0.12—0.69), and three items had 8—21% missed responses.

Conclusions: COSM-R is a brief, easy-to-interpret MS-specific questionnaire for use as a health care indicator.
Altered M1/M2 activation patterns of monocytes in severe relapsing experimental rat model of multiple sclerosis. Amelioration of clinical status by M2 activated monocyte administration
Authors: Mikita Joanna , Dubourdieu-Cassagno Nadège , Deloire Mathilde SA , Vekris Antoine , Biran Marc , Raffard Gérard , Brochet Bruno , Canron Marie-Hélène , Franconi Jean-Michel , Boiziau Claudine , Petry Klaus G
Published: September 2010

Objectives:We investigated proinflammatory M1 and immunomodulatory M2 activation profiles of circulating monocytes in relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of multiple sclerosis, and tested whether altered M1/M2 equilibrium promotes CNS inflammation.

Results:Approaches of MRI macrophage tracking with USPIO nanoparticles and expression patterns of M1/M2 macrophages and microglia in brain and M1/M2 monocytes in blood samples at various disease stages revealed that M1/M2 equilibrium in blood and CNS favors mild EAE, while imbalance towards M1 promotes relapsing EAE. We consequently investigated whether M2 activated monocyte restoration in peripheral blood could cure acute clinical EAE disease. Administration of ex vivo activated M2 monocytes both suppressed ongoing severe EAE and increased immunomodulatory expression pattern in lesions, confirming their role in the induction of recovery.

Conclusion:We conclude that imbalance of monocyte activation profiles and impaired M2 expression, are key factors in development of relapses. Our study opens new perspectives for therapeutic applications in MS.
Private interests and exchange rate politics: The case of British business
Authors: Duckenfield Mark , Aspinwall Mark
Published: September 2010

We use surveys of British businesses to test the relative influence of monetary and ‘real’ economic factors on private sector interests towards European monetary integration. We show that firms trading with the European Union have a preference for a fixed exchange rate (in both the European Monetary System and euro membership). On the other hand, firms not trading with the rest of the EU do not hold such preferences. In addition, firms with parent companies in other EU member states favour euro membership. However, contrary to conventional theories of political economy, firms trading more widely (that is, extra-European trade) also prefer euro membership, despite being less dependent on intra-EU trade. Moreover, in later surveys, exporting firms appear to prefer a strong pound, contrary to received wisdom.
The changing demography of the EU interest system since 1990
Authors: Berkhout Joost , Lowery David
Published: September 2010

European Union scholars have used a variety of data sources to assess the contours of the EU interest community, including directories maintained by the European Commission and commercial directories of interest organizations active in Brussels. Scholars have typically relied on only one of these sources, the least comprehensive, to assess demographic change in the EU population. We construct and then use a patched-up design focused on the more comprehensive data provided by several directories of interest groups to provide a more valid assessment of demographic changes in the EU interest system since 1990.
Book and Media Review: Foundations for Community Health Workers
Authors: Essien Joyce D. K. , McCray Gail G.
Published: September 2010

This first textbook on, by, and for community health workers (CHW) is long overdue. It adheres to its stated purpose of providing a foundation for the increasing workforce of CHWs. The voices of CHWs are heard throughout. The book is comprehensive in its 592 pages, with 22 chapters, in three sections. Those sections cover the changing world of the community health worker and core competencies for work with clients and with communities. The thoroughness is laudable, but comes at a cost. The length, small font size, and cost of the book might limit its accessibility to its primary intended audience. Overall, this is an essential contribution to the development of the CHW workforce. The reviewers make some recommendations on how to increase accessibility to CHWs.
Nogo-B receptor is essential for angiogenesis in zebrafish via Akt pathway
Authors: Zhao Baofeng , Chun Changzoon , Liu Zhong , Horswill Mark A. , Pramanik Kallal , Wilkinson George A. , Ramchandran Ramani , Miao Robert Q.
Published: September 2010

Our previous work has shown that axon guidance gene family Nogo-B and its receptor (NgBR) are essential for chemotaxis and morphogenesis of endothelial cells in vitro. To investigate NogoB-NgBR function in vivo, we cloned the zebrafish ortholog of both genes and studied loss of function in vivo using morpholino antisense technology. Zebrafish ortholog of Nogo-B is expressed in somite while expression of zebrafish NgBR is localized in intersomitic vessel (ISV) and axial dorsal aorta during embryonic development. NgBR or Nogo-B knockdown embryos show defects in ISV sprouting in the zebrafish trunk. Mechanistically, we found that NgBR knockdown not only abolished its ligand Nogo-B–stimulated endothelial cell migration but also reduced the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)–stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and vascular endothelial growth factor–induced chemotaxis and morphogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Further, constitutively activated Akt (myristoylated [myr]Akt) or human NgBR can rescue the NgBR knockdown umbilical vein endothelial cell migration defects in vitro or NgBR morpholino-caused ISV defects in vivo. These data place Akt at the downstream of NgBR in both Nogo-B– and VEGF-coordinated sprouting of ISVs. In summary, this study identifies the in vivo functional role for Nogo-B and its receptor (NgBR) in angiogenesis in zebrafish.
Role for vitamin D receptor in the neuronal control of the hematopoietic stem cell niche
Authors: Kawamori Yuriko , Katayama Yoshio , Asada Noboru , Minagawa Kentaro , Sato Mari , Okamura Atsuo , Shimoyama Manabu , Nakagawa Kimie , Okano Toshio , Tanimoto Mitsune , Kato Shigeaki , Matsui Toshimitsu
Published: September 2010

Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) are released from the bone marrow to the circulation by the cytokine, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, via sympathetic nervous system (SNS)–mediated osteoblast suppression. Because the orientation of HSPCs in their osteoblastic niche is reported to be guided by [Ca2+], we speculated on a cooperation between the calcium-regulating hormones and SNS in the regulation of HSPC trafficking. Here, we present the severe impairment of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor–induced osteoblast suppression and subsequent HSPC mobilization in vitamin D receptor (VDR)–deficient mice. In osteoblasts, functional VDR possessing, at least in part, a transcriptional activity, was specifically induced by β2-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists. While β2-AR agonists transiently increased mRNA expression of Vdr and its downstream gene, Rankl, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D3 sustained the β2-AR–induced Rankl expression at high level by stabilizing VDR protein. These data suggest that VDR is essential for durable β2-AR signaling in the stem cell niche. Our study demonstrates not only a novel function of VDR as a critical modulator of HSPC trafficking, but also the presence of a SNS-mediated, bone-remodeling mechanism through VDR. VDR contributes to brain-bone-blood integration in an unanticipated way distinct from other classical calcium-regulating hormones.