bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibition by sildenafil in the pressure overloaded right heart
Authors: Andersen Asger , Nielsen Jan Møller , Peters Christian Daugaard , Schou Uffe Kjær , Sloth Erik , Nielsen‐Kudsk Jens Erik
Published: November 2008

Background:

Sustained pressure overload of the right ventricle (RV) causes RV hypertrophy and failure. Cyclic‐GMP has previously been shown to modulate left ventricular hypertrophy.

Aim:

To evaluate the effects of sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase‐5 (PDE5) inhibitor elevating c‐GMP, on myocardial hypertrophy and function in rats with RV hypertrophy.

Methods:

Rats were pulmonary trunk banded (PTB) and randomized to receive sildenafil (SIL) or vehicle (VEC) for three (n = 14) and nine weeks (n = 18). In addition, rats with established RV hypertrophy were randomized to SIL or VEC (n = 17) three weeks after PTB. Right ventricular function was evaluated by echocardiography and RV hypertrophy by histology and RV weight.

Results:

Sildenafil failed to inhibit the development of RV hypertrophy when given for both 3 and 9 weeks. On the contrary, sildenafil increased RV hypertrophy after 3 weeks (RV/bodyweight: SIL 0.099±0.016 vs. VEC 0.081±0.011; p<0.05) and total heart weight after 9 weeks (SIL 1.05±0.10 vs. VEC 0.93±0.08g; p<0.05). Sildenafil also failed to reverse established RV hypertrophy, but significantly improved RV myocardial function as measured by Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE: SIL 1.8±0.027 vs. VEC 1.39±0.037 mm; p<0.05).

Conclusion:

PDE5 inhibition by sildenafil failed to prevent or reverse RV hypertrophy in rats operated by pulmonary trunk banding. It actually increased RV hypertrophy and improved RV contractile function when given to rats with established RV hypertrophy.
Features of a twin‐arginine signal peptide required for recognition by a Tat proofreading chaperone
Authors: Buchanan Grant , Maillard Julien , Nabuurs Sander B. , Richardson David J. , Palmer Tracy , Sargent Frank
Published: November 2008

MINT‐6796225, MINT‐6796279, MINT‐6796298, MINT‐6796315, MINT‐6796332, MINT‐6796350, MINT‐6796371, MINT‐6796391, MINT‐6796410, MINT‐6796429, MINT‐6796446, MINT‐6796460:

TorD (uniprotkb:P36662) physically interacts (MI:0218) with TorA (uniprotkb:P33225) by two‐hybrid (MI:0018)

MINT‐6796515, MINT‐6796563, MINT‐6796589, MINT‐6796624, MINT‐6796648, MINT‐6796666, MINT‐6796770, MINT‐6796750:

TorA (uniprotkb:P33225) binds (MI:0407) to TorD (uniprotkb:P36662) by isothermal titration calorimetry (MI:0065)
Can the rDNA methylation pattern be used as a marker for Alzheimer's disease?
Authors: Sperança Márcia Aparecida , Batista Lisandra Mesquita , da Silva Lourenço Ricardo , Tavares Wagner Malagó , Bertolucci Paulo Henrique Ferreira , de Oliveira Santos Rigolin Valdeci , Payão Spencer Luiz Marques , de Arruda Cardoso Smith Marília
Published: November 2008

Background

Differential methylation activity of the human rDNA in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients has been demonstrated by classic cytogenetic tools, indicating a decrease in rRNA gene expression. Methylation of CpGs is an important epigenetic mechanism involved in gene expression repression of tandem repeating genes during ageing. Thus, rDNA specific methylation pattern could be involved in AD and be used as a marker of the disease or of its progression.

Methods

The methylation pattern of three rDNA regions, including the promoter, 18S, and 28S, was investigated with the use of restriction endonucleases sensitive to methylation and Southern blotting from DNA extracted from total peripheral blood cells of 28 AD patients and 28 elderly and young controls.

Results

We did not find a significant divergence in the methylation pattern of the studied regions and in the relative amount of rDNA methylated copies among the individuals' groups.

Conclusions

No differential methylation pattern of rDNA genes was observed in total peripheral blood cells in aged and AD subjects by the methodology used.
Comparing test‐specific distress of susceptibility versus deterministic genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Cassidy Michael R. , Roberts J. Scott , Bird Thomas D. , Steinbart Ellen J. , Cupples L. Adrienne , Chen Clara A. , Linnenbringer Erin , Green Robert C.
Published: November 2008

Background

Genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be conferred by the susceptibility polymorphism apolipoprotein E (APOE), where the ε4 allele increases the risk of developing late‐onset AD but is not a definitive predictor of the disease, or by autosomal dominant mutations (eg, the presenilins), which almost inevitably result in early‐onset familial AD. The purpose of this study was to compare the psychological impact of using these two different types of genetic information to disclose genetic risk for AD to family members of affected patients.

Methods

Data were compared from two separate protocols. The Risk Evaluation and Education for Alzheimer's Disease (REVEAL) Study is a randomized, multi‐site clinical trial that evaluated the impact of susceptibility testing for AD with APOE in 101 adult children of AD patients. A separate study, conducted at the University of Washington, assessed the impact of deterministic genetic testing by disclosing presenilin‐1, presenilin‐2, or TAU genotype to 22 individuals at risk for familial AD or frontotemporal dementia. In both protocols, participants received genetic counseling and completed the impact of event scale (IES), a measure of test‐specific distress. Scores were analyzed at the time point closest to 1 year after disclosure at which IES data were available. The role of genetic test result (positive vs negative) and type of genetic testing (deterministic vs susceptibility) in predicting log‐transformed IES scores were assessed with linear regression, controlling for age, gender, and time from disclosure.

Results

Subjects from the REVEAL Study who learned that they were positive for the susceptibility gene APOE ε4+ experienced similar, low levels of test‐specific distress compared with those who received positive results of deterministic testing in the University of Washington study (P = .78). APOE ε4+ individuals in the susceptibility protocol experienced more test‐specific distress than those who tested ε4– in the same study (P = .04); however, among those receiving deterministic test disclosure, the subjects who received positive results did not experience significantly higher levels of distress when compared with those who received negative results (P = .88).

Conclusions

The findings of this preliminary study, with limited sample size, suggest that the test‐related distress experienced by those receiving positive results for a deterministic mutation is similar to the distress experienced by those receiving positive results from genetic susceptibility testing, and that the majority of participants receiving genotype disclosure do not experience clinically significant distress as indicated by IES scores 1 year after learning of their test results.
Unobtrusive assessment of activity patterns associated with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Hayes Tamara L. , Abendroth Francena , Adami Andre , Pavel Misha , Zitzelberger Tracy A. , Kaye Jeffrey A.
Published: November 2008

Background

Timely detection of early cognitive impairment is difficult. Measures taken in the clinic reflect a single snapshot of performance that might be confounded by the increased variability typical in aging and disease. We evaluated the use of continuous, long‐term, and unobtrusive in‐home monitoring to assess neurologic function in healthy and cognitively impaired elders.

Methods

Fourteen older adults 65 years and older living independently in the community were monitored in their homes by using an unobtrusive sensor system. Measures of walking speed and amount of activity in the home were obtained. Wavelet analysis was used to examine variance in activity at multiple time scales.

Results

More than 108,000 person‐hours of continuous activity data were collected during periods as long as 418 days (mean, 315 ± 82 days). The coefficient of variation in the median walking speed was twice as high in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) group (0.147 ± 0.074) as compared with the healthy group (0.079 ± 0.027; t11 = 2.266, P < .03). Furthermore, the 24‐hour wavelet variance was greater in the MCI group (MCI, 4.07 ± 0.14; healthy elderly, 3.79 ± 0.23; F = 7.58, P ≤ .008), indicating that the day‐to‐day pattern of activity of subjects in the MCI group was more variable than that of the cognitively healthy controls.

Conclusions

The results not only demonstrate the feasibility of these methods but also suggest clear potential advantages to this new methodology. This approach might provide an improved means of detecting the earliest transition to MCI compared with conventional episodic testing in a clinic environment.
Factors Affecting Time to Rehospitalization in Han Chinese Patients With Schizophrenic Disorder in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Chieh‐Hsin , Chen Cheng‐Chung , Wang Shing‐Yaw , Lin Shih‐Chi , Chen Ming‐Chao , Lin Ching‐Hua
Published: November 2008

Schizophrenic disorder is a lifelong illness. Hospitalization is a major event for the patient and his/her family, often indicating that the clinical symptoms have reached an intolerable level. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors affecting the time to rehospitalization. Rehospitalization status was monitored for all schizophrenic patients discharged from Kai‐Suan Psychiatric Hospital from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002. Patients were followed‐up regarding rehospitalization until December 31, 2003. The Kaplan‐Meier method was used to calculate the mean time to rehospitalization. Risk factors associated with rehospitalization were examined by Cox proportional hazards regression model. Three hundred and thirty‐six patients were recruited for this study. The mean time to rehospitalization was 239 ± 7 days, with a rehospitalization rate of 54.5%. The mean time to discontinuation was 329 ± 5 days. Age at onset (hazard ratio = 0.978, 95% CI = 0.959—0.998, p = 0.031) and the number of previous hospitalizations (hazard ratio = 1.108, 95% CI = 1.058—1.161, p < 0.001) were found to be risk factors of shorter time to rehospitalization within 1 year after discharge. Further research should be carried out to test risk factors in a prospective study, and to assess the cost‐effectiveness of interventions to prevent rehospitalization.
LYMFASIM, a simulation model for predicting the impact of lymphatic filariasis control: quantification for African villages
Authors: STOLK WILMA A. , DE VLAS SAKE J. , BORSBOOM GERARD J. J. M. , HABBEMA J. DIK F.
Published: November 2008

LYMFASIM is a simulation model for lymphatic filariasis transmission and control. We quantified its parameters to simulate Wuchereria bancrofti transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes in African villages, using a wide variety of reported data. The developed model captures the general epidemiological patterns, but also the differences between communities. It was calibrated to represent the relationship between mosquito biting rate and the prevalence of microfilariae (mf) in the human population, the age-pattern in mf prevalence, and the relation between mf prevalence and geometric mean mf intensity. Explorative simulations suggest that the impact of mass treatment depends strongly on the mosquito biting rate and on the assumed coverage, compliance and efficacy. Our sensitivity analysis showed that some biological parameters strongly influence the predicted equilibrium pre-treatment mf prevalence (e.g. the lifespan of adult worms and mf). Other parameters primarily affect the post-treatment trends (e.g. severity of density dependence in the mosquito uptake of infection from the human blood, between-person variability in exposure to mosquito bites). The longitudinal data, which are being collected for evaluation of ongoing elimination programmes, can help to further validate the model. The model can help to assess when ongoing elimination activities in African populations can be stopped and to design surveillance schemes. It can be a valuable tool for decision making in the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis.
ORDERING p-SPACINGS OF GENERALIZED ORDER STATISTICS REVISITED
Authors: Xie Hongmei , Hu Taizhong
Published: November 2008

In this article we investigate less restrictive conditions on the model parameters and the underlying distribution function upon which the generalized order statistics are based, which enable one to establish the likelihood ratio and the hazard ratio orderings for p-spacings of generalized order statistic. Some previous works in the literature are extended.
STOCHASTIC ORDER OF SAMPLE RANGE FROM HETEROGENEOUS EXPONENTIAL RANDOM VARIABLES
Authors: Zhao Peng , Li Xiaohu
Published: November 2008

Let X1, …, Xn be independent exponential random variables with their respective hazard rates λ1, …, λn, and let Y1, …, Yn be independent exponential random variables with common hazard rate λ. Denote by Xn:n, Yn:n and X1:n, Y1:n the corresponding maximum and minimum order statistics. Xn:n−X1:n is proved to be larger than Yn:n−Y1:n according to the usual stochastic order if and only if $\lambda \geq \left({\bar{\lambda}}^{-1}\prod\nolimits^{n}_{i=1}\lambda_{i}\right)^{{1}/{(n-1)}}$ with $\bar{\lambda}=\sum\nolimits^{n}_{i=1}\lambda_{i}/n$. Further, this usual stochastic order is strengthened to the hazard rate order for n=2. However, a counterexample reveals that this can be strengthened neither to the hazard rate order nor to the reversed hazard rate order in the general case. The main result substantially improves those related ones obtained in Kochar and Rojo and Khaledi and Kochar.
A novel approach for failure modes and effects analysis based on polychromatic sets
Authors: Li Guo , Gao Jianmin , Chen Fumin
Published: November 2008

Traditional failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) methods lack sufficient semantics and structure to provide full traceability between the failure modes and the effects of the complex system. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposes a formal failure knowledge representation model combined with the structural decomposition of the complex system. The model defines the failure modes as the inherent properties of the physical entities at different hierarchical levels, and employs the individual color, unified color, and Boolean matrix of the polychromatic sets to represent the failure modes in terms of their interrelationships and their relations to the physical system. This method is a structure-based modeling technique that provides a simple, yet comprehensive framework to organize the failure modes and their causes and effects more systematically and completely. Using the iterative search process operated on the reasoning matrices, the end effects on the entire system can be achieved automatically, which allows for the consideration of both the single and multiple failures. An example is embedded in the description of the methodology for better understanding. Because of the powerful mathematical modeling capability of the polychromatic sets, the approach presented in this paper makes significant progress in FMEA formalization.
EXPLORING THE PROOF PARADOXES
Authors: Redmayne Mike
Published: November 2008

This article explores a long-running debate in evidence theory about the significance of certain puzzling cases where there is reluctance to ascribe liability despite a high probability of liability. It focuses on certain analyses of these puzzles, distinguishing between inferential, moral, and knowledge-based analyses. The article emphasizes the richness and complexity of the puzzle cases and suggests why they are difficult to resolve.
Novel approaches to discovery of antibacterial agents
Authors: Taylor Patricia L. , Wright Gerard D.
Published: November 2008

Antimicrobial resistance is a rapidly increasing problem impacting the successful treatment of bacterial infectious disease. To combat resistance, the development of new treatment options is required. Recent advances in technology have aided in the discovery of novel antibacterial agents, specifically through genome mining for novel natural product biosynthetic gene clusters and improved small molecule high-throughput screening methods. Novel targets such as lipopolysaccharide and fatty acid biosyntheses have been identified by essential gene studies, representing a shift from traditional antibiotic targets. Finally, inhibiting non-essential genes with small molecules is being explored as a method for rescuing the activity of ‘old’ antibiotics, providing a novel synergistic approach to antimicrobial discovery.
The relationship between hope and pain in a sample of hospitalized oncology patients
Authors: Utne Inger , Miaskowski Christine , Bjordal Kristin , Paul Steven M. , Jakobsen Gunnhild , Rustøen Tone
Published: November 2008

Objective:

The aims of this study were to describe hope in a sample of hospitalized oncology patients in pain and to determine if various demographic, clinical, and pain characteristics were related to hope. In addition, the individual item and total Herth Hope Index (HHI) scores for these oncology inpatients with pain were compared with those from the general Norwegian population.

Method:

Oncology inpatients in pain (n = 225) were recruited from the Norwegian Radium Hospital. The research instruments included the HHI, the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlations, and one-samplettests.

Results:

Total HHI scores in oncology inpatients with pain were comparable to a similar sample in Taiwan. The Norwegian oncology inpatients reported significantly higher total HHI scores than the general Norwegian population. The largest difference was on the item “I feel scared about my future.” No relationships were found between total HHI scores and any of the pain intensity scores. Significant relationships were found between total HHI scores and the more psychosocial interference items on BPI and sleep.

Significance of results:

The higher levels of hope in the oncology inpatients with pain compared with the general Norwegian population may reflect a “response shift” in the patients' evaluation of hope. Although the difference is relatively small, it may represent a clinically meaningful difference. The fact that significant relationships were found between HHI scores and the more psychosocial interference scores on BPI suggest that hope may be more related to psychosocial effects on pain than on its physical effects.
Colchicine mouth washings to improve oral mucositis in patients with hematological malignancies: A clinical trial
Authors: Garavito Andrés Ávila , Cardona Andrés Felipe , Reveiz Ludovic , Ospina Edgar , Yepes Andrés , Ospina Vannesa
Published: November 2008

Objective:

Oral mucositis (OM) is a frequently encountered problem as a complication of cancer treatment. We investigated whether daily washings with colchicine solution improved mucositis in patients with hematological malignancies undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods:

This study was a one-arm, nonrandomized clinical trial that used a historical control group. Patients were included in the study from the first day of mucositis and followed up until discharge. Patients received 2 mg colchicine mouthwashes daily for 5 days or saline solution. OM was assessed once daily until symptom resolution, using the WHO grading scale of 0–4 and a visual analogue scale. We determined that at least 40 patients in the colchicine group would be needed to detect a 20% difference in the duration of OM between Groups A and B, with a 95% confidence level and a power of 80%.

Results:

82 patients were included in the final analysis, 40 in the colchicine group and 42 in the control group. Median duration of OM was significantly different among groups; 9days (range 1–17days) for the control group versus 6days (range 3–13days) for those exposed to colchicine mouthwash (p = .028). The median days of regression of mucosal lesions were significantly different (p = .047) among the control group (7 days [range 3–20]) compared to the colchicine group (4 days [range 2–14]).

Significance of results:

Although our findings suggest that colchicine mouthwash is helpful in reducing the severity and duration of chemotherapy-induced OM, randomized trials are needed to confirm these results.
Depression in women with metastatic breast cancer: A review of the literature
Authors: Caplette-Gingras Aude , Savard Josée
Published: November 2008

Objective:

The aim of this article is to review the available literature on depression in women with metastatic breast cancer in terms of prevalence, potential risk factors, and consequences, as well as pharmacological and psychological interventions.

Method:

An extensive review of the literature was conducted.

Results:

The prevalence of depression appears to be especially elevated in patients with advanced cancer. Many demographic, medical, and psychosocial factors may increase the risk that women will develop depressive symptoms during the course of their illness. Despite the fact that depression appears to be associated with numerous negative consequences, this disorder remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy have been found to treat effectively depressive symptoms in this population, but cognitive-behavioral therapy appears to be the most cost-effective approach.

Significance of results:

Areas for future research are suggested.
Making or Breaking Kosovo: Applications of Dispersed State Control
Authors: Stroschein Sherrill
Published: November 2008

In this article, I make a case for a dispersed state control model as an alternative to the territorial and hierarchical principles of the Weberian state. Rather than allocating governance powers in terms of territory, dispersed state controls are based on a functional principle, in which governance is allocated to various subunits by issue area or function. This examination is informed by recent debates in international relations theory on contractual and imperial network models of control, as well as work on non-territorial autonomy in the fields of nationalism and ethnic conflict. I examine the practical application of a dispersed control model in the context of the governance structure proposed for Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. I conclude with an overview of the advantages of creative designs for states that move beyond territory and hierarchy, to deal with complex demographic and governing realities in regions such as the Balkans.
Where's the Justice? Affirmative Action's Severed Civil Rights Roots in the Age of Diversity
Authors: Lipson Daniel N.
Published: November 2008

The institutionalization of race-conscious inclusion policies in employment, education, and contracting has largely endured in post-civil rights America despite predictions of their demise. However, scholarship has continued to mislabel many of the specific policies in these organizations and governments as “affirmative action” policies, even though many such policies lack the civil rights roots necessary to warrant this label. In this article, I explain how many organizations have recast, supplemented, or replaced their rights-based affirmative action policies with utilitarian diversity policies. While the conventional, civil rights framework for analyzing affirmative action obscures the rise of such organizational diversity policies, an alternative body of scholarship that employs a diversity framework has shed light on the causes, content, and consequences of this policy and political realignment. The Supreme Court's 2003Grutter v. Bollingerdecision and the political activism surrounding Michigan's Proposal 2 in 2006 both exemplify the trademark signs of this shift from rights-based affirmative action to organizational diversity policies. The article concludes by assessing the promise and dangers of this trend of rooting racial inclusion policies in a utilitarian diversity logic rather than a civil rights logic.
Minority Candidates, Alternative Media, and Multiethnic America: Deracialization or Toggling?
Authors: Collet Christian
Published: November 2008

Conceptualizing a political world “beyond black and white” is a familiar scholarly refrain, but theoretical relics of bipolarity remain. The deracialization concept, a much-discussed phenomenon in American elections, is one example. Asian American campaigns provide an interesting case for testing the utility of deracialization in multicultural urban milieus, given the overwhelming tendency for such candidates to be elected from predominantly non-Asian constituencies. Looking in depth at two successful campaigns by Vietnamese Americans in Northern and Southern California, I argue for a broadened approach that can better account for changes in the American political mosaic—namely, increases in immigration occurring in some of the country's fastest growing regions and the availability of alternative media. I call this approachtoggling.In this article, I outline the toggling strategy. I conclude by considering the impact of toggling on equality in the American democratic process and suggest some directions for future research.
Twin Studies of Political Behavior: Untenable Assumptions?
Authors: Beckwith Jon , Morris Corey A.
Published: November 2008

Using the “classical twin method,” political scientists John Alford, Carolyn Funk, and John Hibbing conclude that political ideologies are significantly influenced by genetics, an assertion that has garnered considerable media attention. Researchers have long used human twins in attempts to assess the degree of genetic influence on various behavioral traits. Today, this methodology has been largely replaced in favor of contemporary molecular genetic techniques, and thus heritability studies have seen a diminishing role in behavioral genetic research of the twenty-first century. One important reason the twin method has been superseded is that it depends upon several questionable assumptions, the most significant of which is known as the equal environments assumption. Alford, Funk, and Hibbing argue that this crucial assumption, and thus their conclusion, holds up under empirical scrutiny. They point to several studies in support of this assumption. Here, we review the evidence presented and conclude that these attempts to test the equal environments assumption are weak, suffering significant methodological and inherent design flaws. Furthermore, much of the empirical evidence provided by these studies actually argues that, contrary to the interpretation, trait-relevant equal environments assumptions have been violated. We conclude that the equal environments assumption remains untenable, and as such, twin studies are an insufficient method for drawing meaningful conclusions regarding complex human behavior.
Twin Studies, Molecular Genetics, Politics, and Tolerance: A Response to Beckwith and Morris
Authors: Alford John R. , Funk Carolyn L. , Hibbing John R.
Published: November 2008

Beckwith and Morris raise concerns about the value of twin studies for understanding the role of genetics in complex human behavior, but virtually all of their concerns have been raised and rebutted before. When it comes to the equal environments assumption (EEA), the best approach is to test for and control possible violations of the EEA on heritability estimates rather than merely rejecting all empirical evidence because of the possibility of EEA violations. In many respects, since the study of the genetic basis of complex human behaviors now includes many methods in addition to twin studies, Beckwith and Morris's critique applies more to the behavioral genetics of a quarter century ago than to today's multifaceted behavioral genetics. Twin studies establish that there is a sizeable genetic component to political orientations, thereby giving cause to look further at the nature of that role by using other methodologies, including molecular genetics. We conclude by pointing out that the normative implications of the relevance of genes to human behavior are not nearly as worrisome as Beckwith and Morris seem to believe.
Cell contact-inhibition signaling as part of wound-healing processes in brain
Authors: Lanosa Ximena A. , Colombo Jorge A.
Published: November 2008

Cell contact-dependent signaling is a major regulatory mechanism in the organization of developing tissues and in the reorganization (post-injury responses) of specialized tissues in multicellular organisms. In this review we contribute to the further understanding of post-injury recovery processes in adult nervous tissue. We emphasize evidence that supports the involvement of cell contact-inhibition signaling in the cell proliferation, growth and differentiation that occurs during healing and neural reorganization after brain damage.
HIRDLS observations and simulation of a lower stratospheric intrusion of tropical air to high latitudes
Authors: Olsen Mark A. , Douglass Anne R. , Newman Paul A. , Gille John C. , Nardi Bruno , Yudin Valery A. , Kinnison Douglas E. , Khosravi Rashid
Published: November 2008

On 26 January 2006, the High Resolution Dynamic Limb Sounder (HIRDLS) observed low mixing ratios of ozone and nitric acid in a ∼2 km layer near 100 hPa extending from the subtropics to 55°N over North America. The subsequent evolution of the layer is simulated with the Global Modeling Initiative model and substantiated with HIRDLS observations. Air with low mixing ratios of ozone is transported poleward to 80°N. Although there is evidence of mixing with extratropical air, much of the tropical intrusion returns to the subtropics. This study demonstrates that HIRDLS and the GMI model resolve thin intrusion events. The observations combined with simulation are a first step towards development of a quantitative understanding of the lower stratospheric ozone budget.
Identifying grain‐size dependent errors on global forest area estimates and carbon studies
Authors: Zheng Daolan , Heath Linda S. , Ducey Mark J.
Published: November 2008

Satellite‐derived coarse‐resolution data are typically used for conducting global analyses. But the forest areas estimated from coarse‐resolution maps (e.g., 1 km) inevitably differ from a corresponding fine‐resolution map (such as a 30‐m map) that would be closer to ground truth. A better understanding of changes in grain size on area estimation will improve our ability to quantify bias and uncertainty, and provide more accurate estimates of forest area and associated carbon stocks and fluxes. We simulated that global forest area estimated from a 1‐km land‐cover map (the most practical and finest resolution currently used for global applications) was 947,573 km2 less than that of its corresponding 30‐m map (excluding Antarctic and Greenland). This amount of forest could produce 0.57 ± 0.01 petagrams of carbon per year (PgC/yr) as NPP or 0.11 ± 0.002 PgC/yr as NEP equivalent to 4% of the 2.9 PgC/yr missing carbon sink in the 1990s. The most significant underestimation of forest area was in the temperate zone (the more uncertain region regarding the “missing carbon sink”) while a relatively small overestimation occurred in the tropic zone as the grain size of satellite‐derived land‐cover maps increases from 30 m to 1 km.
Inter‐annual relationship between Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies and Indian summer monsoon
Authors: Rajeevan M. , Sridhar Latha
Published: November 2008

In this study, the simultaneous inter‐annual relationships between SST anomalies over the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and southwest monsoon rainfall over the monsoon core region have been examined using monthly SST and atmospheric data for the period 1951–2005. Statistical analyses reveal significant inter‐annual simultaneous relationship between the SST anomalies over North Atlantic and rainfall over the monsoon core region, but with significant epochal variations. The relationship has become stronger after mid‐1970s when the El Nino‐Indian monsoon relationship has weakened. Positive SST anomalies over the North Atlantic Ocean shift the North Atlantic Jet northwards and the associated circulation changes in the upper troposphere influence Indian monsoon through the circumglobal teleconnection across central Asia. The present study, thus highlights the important role of North Atlantic Ocean as an important source of inter‐annual variability of the Indian summer monsoon.
Topographic connections with density waves in Mars' aerobraking regime
Authors: Moudden Y. , Forbes J. M.
Published: November 2008

Atmospheric densities derived from measured acceleration of several Mars orbiters reveal large amplitude Sun‐synchronous longitudinal density variations at altitudes of about 100–160 km. These variations are associated with vertically‐propagating nonmigrating solar thermal tides that are excited near Mars' surface and propagate into the thermosphere. Excitation of these waves is associated with the zonally asymmetric component of the near‐surface heating distribution and is commonly attributed to topographic modulation of solar heating. However, there are other possible contributors to the excitation of nonmigrating tides, including zonal variations in surface properties and wave‐wave nonlinear interactions, whose relative contributions remain unexplored. In this study we use a general circulation model in combination with the Mars Global Surveyor accelerometer measurements to isolate the different waves responsible for the observed density structures. While it is evident that topography accounts for most of the waves' amplitudes, the surface thermal inertia and albedo are found to have a nonnegligible contribution to the eastward‐propagating diurnal tide with zonal wave number s = −1 and the standing s = 0 diurnal tide. Previous studies have reported the dominance of wave numbers 2 and 3 in the resulting Sun‐synchronous aerobraking density maps. We show that wave number 1 has a comparable amplitude and is mostly the result of mapping the diurnal standing wave into a near Sun‐synchronous orbit. While most of the nonmigrating tides at thermospheric altitudes are generated by an interaction between the migrating solar radiation and the dominant topography harmonics, we also find that wave‐wave interaction is necessary to explain some of the observed density features.
Protists are microbes too: a perspective
Authors: Caron David A , Worden Alexandra Z , Countway Peter D , Demir Elif , Heidelberg Karla B
Published: November 2008

Our understanding of the composition and activities of microbial communities from diverse habitats on our planet has improved enormously during the past decade, spurred on largely by advances in molecular biology. Much of this research has focused on the bacteria, and to a lesser extent on the archaea and viruses, because of the relative ease with which these assemblages can be analyzed and studied genetically. In contrast, single-celled, eukaryotic microbes (the protists) have received much less attention, to the point where one might question if they have somehow been demoted from the position of environmentally important taxa. In this paper, we draw attention to this situation and explore several possible (some admittedly lighthearted) explanations for why these remarkable and diverse microbes have remained largely overlooked in the present ‘era of the microbe’.
Cortical Bone Ontogeny: Activity, Nutritional Stress and Archaeology
Authors: Robbins Gwen
Published: November 2008

This poster introduces the idea that femoral compact bone growth and development demonstrates a very different pattern among infants and children in a contemporary sample of well-nourished active children versus archaeological samples of stressed, malnourished children.
Deciphering the phylogenetic history of neuroserpin orthologs across metazoans by analysis of synteny and rare genomic characters
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Ragg Hermann
Published: November 2008

The superfamily of serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins) is involved in wide arrays of fundamental biological processes such as blood coagulation, complement activation, fibrinolysis, angiogenesis, inflammation and tumor suppression. The average protein size of a serpin family member is 350-400 amino acids, but gene structure varies in terms of number and position of exons and introns. All known serpins can be grouped into 16 clades and 10 orphan sequences. Vertebrate serpins can be conveniently classified into six sub-groups, based on three independent biological features - genomic organization, diagnostic amino acid sites and rare indels.The objective of this study was to elucidate the phylogenetic kinships of serpins involved in surveying the secretory pathway routes against uncontrolled proteolytic activity. Though phylogenetic classification of vertebrate serpins into six groups based on gene organisation is well established, the evolutionary roots beyond the fish/tetrapod split are unresolved. This study illustrates that the analysis of microsynteny and other rare characters can provide insight into the intricate family history of metazoan serpins. Rare genomic characters/changes (RGC) are used to decipher that orthologs of neuroserpin, a prominent representative of vertebrate group 3 serpin genes, exist in early diverging deuterostomes and probably also in cnidarians, indicating that the origin of a mammalian serpin can be traced back far in the history of eumetazoans.
OPRM1 Gene Is Associated With BMI in Uyghur Population
Authors: Xu Ling , Zhang Fan , Zhang Dan‐dan , Chen Xing‐dong , Lu Ming , Lin Ren‐yong , Wen Hao , Jin Li , Wang Xiao‐feng
Published: November 2008

To test the hypothesis that µ‐opioid receptor (OPRM1) gene might be involved in the prevalence of obesity, a population‐based association study was carried out in Uyghur population. Overall 10 tagging single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs) in OPRM1 gene were genotyped. We showed that genotypes of rs1799971 in exon 1, and rs514980 and rs7773995 in intron 1 were significantly associated with the BMI. The BMI significantly decreased by the copy of minor allele carriers of rs1799971 which is a nonsynonymous functional polymorphism, whereas the BMI significantly increased by the copy of minor allele carriers of rs514980 and rs7773995. Subsequently, subjects were subsequently divided into case (BMI ≥ 28) and control group (BMI < 24). Significant associations were again observed at rs1799971, rs514980, and rs7773995, regardless of controlling for covariates age and gender or not. The stronger evidence for association was found under the additive model for each of the three SNPs. The per‐allele odds ratio of the minor allele for obesity was 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.58–0.96, P = 0.023) for rs1799971, 1.68 (95% confidence interval 1.14–2.49, P = 0.009) for rs514980, and 1.80 (95% confidence interval 1.14–2.85, P = 0.012) for rs7773995, respectively. Our observations give the evidence that OPRM1 gene is involved in the prevalence of obesity in Uyghurs.
Effect of Diets Containing Sucrose vs. D‐tagatose in Hypercholesterolemic Mice
Authors: Police Sara B. , Harris J. Clay , Lodder Robert A. , Cassis Lisa A.
Published: November 2008

Effects of functional sweeteners on the development of the metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis are unknown. The objective was to compare the effect of dietary carbohydrate in the form of sucrose (SUCR) to D‐tagatose (TAG; an isomer of fructose currently used as a low‐calorie sweetener) on body weight, blood cholesterol concentrations, hyperglycemia, and atherosclerosis in low‐density lipoprotein receptor deficient (LDLr−/−) mice. LDLr−/− male and female mice were fed either standard murine diet or a diet enriched with TAG or SUCR as carbohydrate sources for 16 weeks. TAG and SUCR diets contained equivalent amounts (g/kg) of protein, fat, and carbohydrate. We measured food intake, body weight, adipocyte diameter, serum cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations, and aortic atherosclerosis. Macrophage immunostaining and collagen content were examined in aortic root lesions. CONTROL and TAG‐fed mice exhibited similar energy intake, body weights and blood glucose and insulin concentrations, but SUCR‐fed mice exhibited increased energy intake and became obese and hyperglycemic. Adipocyte diameter increased in female SUCR‐fed mice compared to TAG and CONTROL. Male and female SUCR‐fed mice had increased serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations compared to TAG and CONTROL. Atherosclerosis was increased in SUCR‐fed mice of both genders compared to TAG and CONTROL. Lesions from SUCR‐fed mice exhibited pronounced macrophage immunostaining and reductions in collagen content compared to TAG and CONTROL mice. These results demonstrate that in comparison to sucrose, equivalent substitution of TAG as dietary carbohydrate does not result in the same extent of obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis.
Altered plasma proteome during an early phase of peritonitis-induced sepsis
Authors: Thongboonkerd Visith , Chiangjong Wararat , Mares Jan , Moravec Jiri , Tuma Zdenek , Karvunidis Thomas , Sinchaikul Supachok , Chen Shui-Tein , Opatrný Karel , Matejovic Martin
Published: November 2008

Sepsis is a systemic response to infection commonly found in critically ill patients and is associated with multi-organ failure and high mortality rate. Its pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms are complicated and remain poorly understood. In the present study, we performed a proteomics investigation to characterize early host responses to sepsis as determined by an altered plasma proteome in a porcine model of peritonitis-induced sepsis, which simulated several clinical characteristics of human sepsis syndrome. Haemodynamics, oxygen exchange, inflammatory responses, oxidative and nitrosative stress, and other laboratory parameters were closely monitored. Plasma samples were obtained from seven pigs before and 12 h after the induction of sepsis, and plasma proteins were resolved with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (n=7 gels/group; before being compared with during sepsis). The resolved proteins were stained with the SYPRO Ruby fluorescence dye and subjected to quantitative and comparative analyses. From approx. 1500 protein spots visualized in each gel, levels of 36 protein spots were significantly altered in the plasma of animals with sepsis (sepsis/basal ratios or degrees of change ranged from 0.07 to 21.24). Q-TOF (quadrupole–time-of-flight) MS and MS/MS (tandem MS) identified 30 protein forms representing 22 unique proteins whose plasma levels were increased, whereas six forms of five unique proteins were significantly decreased during sepsis. The proteomic results could be related to the clinical features of this animal model, as most of these altered proteins have important roles in inflammatory responses and some of them play roles in oxidative and nitrosative stress. In conclusion, these findings may lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms underlying the sepsis syndrome.
Variation of the feedback sensitivity in a 1.55 μm InAs/InP quantum-dash Fabry–Perot semiconductor laser
Authors: Grillot F. , Naderi N. A. , Pochet M. , Lin C.-Y. , Lester L. F.
Published: November 2008

Dynamic feedback properties of a 1.55 μm InAs/InP quantum dash laser are reported. The ground state linewidth enhancement factor (αH-factor) is found to be enhanced from ∼1 to ∼14 as the bias current is increased beyond the threshold value. As a consequence of the variation in the αH-factor, the feedback sensitivity of the quantum dash semiconductor laser is dramatically affected over the entire range of operational currents. The onset of its critical feedback regime, which is incompatible with data transmission, is shown to exhibit a variation of approximately 20 dB for the quantum dash device.
Optimization of the excitation and measurement procedures in nondestructive testing using shearography
Authors: Hofmann Daniel , Pandarese Giuseppe , Revel Gian Marco , Tomasini Enrico Primo , Pezzoni Roberto
Published: November 2008

This paper deals with the development of optimal procedures for nondestructive testing (NDT) inspections using shearography. In the new proposed method a parameter is adopted, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), which allows the quantification of the contrast of the defect to the background in the image. During the calibration of the technique, on samples with known defects, the CNR also takes into account the size and location of the identified defects, compared to those expected. The optimal measurement and loading conditions (e.g., excitation temperature level, time between image acquisitions) are determined by experimental parametric analyses aimed at maximizing the CNR on specimens with known defects. In the present work the developed methodology is described and applied to the definition of best practices for the NDT analysis of aeronautical sandwich composites structures (used in the production of helicopters) by shearography inspection with thermal excitation. In this case the attention is focused on optimizing the thermal loading procedures, but it can be clearly extended to other types of excitation methods.
Little–Parks effect for two-band superconductors
Authors: Erin Yu. S. , Kuplevakhskiĭ S. V. , Omel’yanchuk A. N.
Published: November 2008

The Ginsburg–Landau approach is used to construct a theory of the Little–Parks effect for two-band superconductors. A general relation reflecting the dependence of the relative shift Δtc of the superconducting transition temperature on the external magnetic flux Φ is obtained. In a particular case, the relation describes the classical Little–Parks effect for single-band superconductors. In spite of the assertion made in the literature, the flux dependence Δtc=Δtc(Φ) for two-band superconductors is strictly periodic, just as in the classical effect. The main difference from the classical effect, which can be checked experimentally, is a nonparabolic character of the relation Δtc=Δtc(Φ). In the case where the physical parameters are the same for both bands, additional observable features appear in the plot Δtc=Δtc(Φ). The investigation of the external properties of the free-energy functional established an important limitiation, previously unmentioned in the literature, on one of the phenomenological parameters.
Magnetic phase transformations and superconductivity in Dy0.8Y0.2Rh4B4
Authors: Dmitriev V. M. , Zaleskiĭ A. , Khlybov E. P. , Rybal’chenko L. F. , Khristenko E. V. , Ishchenko L. A. , Terekhov A. V. , Kostyleva I. E. , Lachenkov S. A.
Published: November 2008

The results of experimental studies of the magnetic and the superconducting properties of the compound Dy0.8Y0.2Rh4B4 with tetragonal body-centered crystal structure of the perovskite type (LuRu4B4) are presented. It is shown that the compound undergoes a paramagnet-ferrimagnet phase transition at the Curie temperature TC≈30.5K and its magnetic compensation temperature Tcomp≈17K. According to resistance measurements, the compound becomes a ferrimagnetic superconductor at Tconset≈5.9K which undergoes a ferrimagnet-antiferromagnet phase transition at TN≈2.7K while still remaining a superconductor. The specific heat exhibits a sharp maximum at this temperature. Point-contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy is used to measure the temperature and field dependences of the order parameter Δ(T,H) and the temperature dependence of the upper critical field Hc2(T). The dependences obtained differ radically from those generally accepted for conventional superconductors. The results obtained are discussed in connection with the possibility of triplet pairing in Dy0.8Y0.2Rh4B4.