bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impaired finger dexterity in patients with parkinson's disease correlates with discriminative cutaneous sensory dysfunction
Authors: Lee Myung Sik , Lyoo Chul Hyoung , Lee Myung Jun , Sim Jaeeun , Cho Hanna , Choi Yun Ho
Published: August 2010

To study the influence of discriminative cutaneous sensory dysfunction on impaired finger dexterity in Parkinson's disease (PD), we evaluated 48 right‐handed PD patients during a practically defined off‐medication period and 24 healthy age‐matched controls. With visual deprivation, a finger tapping task (FTT) was performed to assess the speed of simple repetitive finger movements and a coin rotation task (CRT) was used to assess finger dexterity. The tasks were performed with the right hand. We measured the somesthetic temporal discrimination threshold (sTDT) in the right index finger. The mean ± SD FTT score of the patient group was lower than that of the control group (24.0 ± 8.0 vs. 29.8 ± 7.8; P < 0.01). The patient group performed worse on the CRT than the control group (8.5 ± 3.5 vs. 12.6 ± 1.7; P < 0.001). The mean sTDT value of the patient group was longer than that of the control group (124.0 ± 44.8 vs. 78.1 ± 26.2 ms; P < 0.001). The CRT scores correlated with the sTDT values (Pearson's correlation coefficient = −0.43; P < 0.01), but not with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) finger bradykinesia scores or FTT scores. Multiple regression analysis showed that the sTDT values (parameter estimate = −0.03, SE = 0.01; P < 0.01), but not patient age, UPDRS finger bradykinesia score, or FTT score, affected the CRT score. Slowness of simple repetitive finger movements did not have a strong impact on the impaired manual dexterity of PD. Discriminative sensory dysfunction and consequent abnormal sensorimotor integration seem to be involved in the impaired finger dexterity of PD. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society.
Clinical expression of LRRK2 G2019S mutations in the elderly
Authors: Luciano Marta San , Lipton Richard B. , Wang Cuiling , Katz Mindy , Zimmerman Molly E. , Sanders Amy E. , Ozelius Laurie J. , Bressman Susan B. , Saunders‐Pullman Rachel
Published: August 2010

Mutations in the leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 gene (LRRK2, PARK8) are the most commonly identified monogenic etiology of Parkinson disease (PD). Over‐represented in the Ashkenazi Jewish population, these mutations are transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner with age‐dependent reduced penetrance. The natural history and penetrance of these mutations in the elderly is controversial and inadequately studied. We conducted a nested cohort study in a community‐based aging study (the Einstein Aging Study). Six elderly, initially nonmanifesting carriers (NMC) of the LRKK2 G2019S mutation were identified (average age 82.1 ± 7.0, range 72.7–90.8), and five had available longitudinal data. We matched five noncarrier controls to each NMC and followed them for an average of 4.7 years with annual cognitive and motor examinations. PD was identified in one NMC at age 95 and in no control subjects. The remaining carriers did not differ from controls on motor scores at baseline or follow‐up. The baseline Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor subscore (UPDRS‐III) in cases was 6.2 ± 6.9 (range 1–19) and in controls was 4.5 ± 6.6 (1–30), P = 0.6; the mean difference in UPDRS‐III slopes over time between cases and controls was 0.1 ± 1.3 and was not statistically significant. Our data, while limited by a small sample size, show that in LRKK2 G2019S mutation carriers, phenoconversion to PD can occur late in life. However, most NMC have motor decline which is indistinguishable from their age mates, suggesting that the larger subset of elderly NMC is not on the motor trajectory to disease. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society.
Peptides from water buffalo cheese whey induced senescence cell death via ceramide secretion in human colon adenocarcinoma cell line
Authors: De Simone Carmela , Ferranti Pasquale , Picariello Gianluca , Scognamiglio Ilaria , Dicitore Alessandra , Addeo Francesco , Chianese Lina , Stiuso Paola
Published: August 2010

Scope: Milk proteins are a source of bioactive peptides. Recent studies have indicated that protein‐derived peptides released in buffalo cheese acid whey exert a cytomodulatory effect in human epithelial colon cancer (CaCo2) cells. The aim of the present study was to explain the molecular mechanism involved in the response of CaCo2 cells to oxidative stress in the presence of peptide fractions of buffalo cheese whey, purified and characterized by mass spectrometry.

Methods and results: We demonstrated that treatment of CaCo2 treated with H2O2 (H‐CaCo2) cells with a partially purified peptide sub‐fraction (f3) from buffalo cheese acid whey induced a reduction of mitochondrial superoxide anion with subsequent decrease in heat shock protein 70 and 90 expression. Moreover, we observed a 5‐fold decrease in cyclin A expression and cell cycle arrest in G1/G0 phases. These responses were associated with increased activity of alkaline phosphatase and beta‐galactosidase, markers of differentiation and senescence respectively.

Conclusions: The structural characterization of the active peptide fraction and the elucidation of the effects induced by its treatment on H‐CaCo2 cells in vitro demonstrated an activity of this peptide sub‐fraction in the modulation of cell cycle, thus suggesting potential application for the development of nutraceuticals as well as health‐promoting functional foods.
A general framework for the analysis of vessel encoded arterial spin labeling for vascular territory mapping
Authors: Chappell Michael A. , Okell Thomas W. , Jezzard Peter , Woolrich Mark W.
Published: August 2010

Vessel encoded arterial spin labeling provides a way to perform non‐invasive vascular territory imaging. By uniquely encoding the blood within feeding arteries over a number of images, the territories of each can be identified. Here, a new approach for the analysis of vessel encoded arterial spin labeling data is presented. The method includes a full description of how the geometry of arteries and spatial label modulation affects the measured signal. It also incorporates an artery‐based classification that considers multiple arteries in each class, explicitly permitting a voxel to be supplied by multiple arteries. The developed framework is cast within a Bayesian inference procedure allowing both flow contributions and the locations of the arteries in the labeling plane to be inferred. By using simulated data, the method was shown to provide more accurate estimates of blood contribution in areas of mixed supply, such as would be found in watershed regions, than conventional methods. It was also able to estimate the location of arteries within the labeling plane, accounting for motion between sequence prescription and acquisition. Similar performance was found for data acquired using a pseudo‐continuous labeling scheme both in the neck and above the Circle of Willis. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decay rates of select magnetic quadrupole transitions in helium
Authors: Alexander S. A. , Coldwell R. L.
Published: August 2010

Using a set of explicitly correlated trial wavefunctions that describe the three lowest singlet and triplet states of the helium atom with symmetry S, P, and D, we calculate the decay rates for all possible magnetic quadrupole (M2) transitions: m3P2→n1S0, m1P1→n3S1, m3D3→n1P1, and m1D2→n3P2. Our values are in excellent agreement with the best results in the literature. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Structural and electronic properties of cubic CeO2: Unpaired electrons in CeO2
Authors: Quintanar Carlos , Caballero Reyna , Barreto Jorge , Chavira Elizabeth , Marinero Ernesto E.
Published: August 2010

The high performance of cerium dioxide (CeO2) as support for Au in catalysis relies on its ability to anchor Au clusters and transfer charge to the gold nanoparticles. These two processes are governed by oxygen vacancy formation. To study the localization and the mobility of the electrons left behind by the vacancy from the relaxed oxygen, an experimental and theoretical study is hereby reported. CeO2 powder was synthesized by the polyacrylamide gel method and its microstructure was characterized by X‐ray diffraction and high resolution scanning electron microscopy. We have determined the presence of only the fluorite cubic phase in our samples and the formation of acicular particles of ∼1 μm in length. In the electron spin resonance study, we observed that the unpaired electrons are quasi free. A single‐line paramagnetic signal is observed that exhibits spin characteristics with a g‐value of 2.0039 at room temperature. This compares well to the value of 2.0023 determined for free electrons. In addition, we have conducted a theoretical study using a density functional theory cluster approach and calculate the electron spin density of CeO2 clusters. We find that spin density clouds are localized around the cerium ions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
The sirtuins in the pathogenesis of cancer
Authors: Voelter-Mahlknecht Susanne , Mahlknecht Ulrich
Published: August 2010

Aging is the natural trace that time leaves behind on life during blossom and maturation, culminating in senescence and death. This process is accompanied by a decline in the healthy function of multiple organ systems, leading to increased incidence and mortality from diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration. Based on the fact that both sirtuin expression and activity appear to be upregulated in some types of cancer while they are being downregulated in others, there is quite some controversy stirring up as to the role of sirtuins, acting as cancer suppressors in some cases while under other circumstances they may promote cellular malignancy. It is therefore currently quite unclear as to what extent and under which particular circumstances sirtuin activators and/or inhibitors will find their place in the treatment of age-related disease and cancer. In this review, we take an effort to bring together the highlights of sirtuin research in order to shed some light on the mechanistic impact that sirtuins have on the pathogenesis of cellular malignancy.
Extracting compound terms from domain corpora
Authors: Lopes Lucelene , Vieira Renata , Finatto Maria José , Martins Daniel
Published: August 2010

The need for domain ontologies motivates the research on structured information extraction from texts. A foundational part of this process is the identification of domain relevant compound terms. This paper presents an evaluation of compound terms extraction from a corpus of the domain of Pediatrics. Bigrams and trigrams were automatically extracted from a corpus composed by 283 texts from a Portuguese journal, Jornal de Pediatria, using three different extraction methods. Considering that these methods generate an elevated number of candidates, we analyzed the quality of the resulting terms according to different methods and cut-off points. The evaluation is reported by metrics such as precision, recall and f-measure, which are computed on the basis of a hand-made reference list of domain relevant compounds.
Suspected choledochal cyst in a domestic shorthair cat
Authors: Best Elisa J. , Bush Damien J. , Dye Charlotte
Published: August 2010

A 9-year-old female neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented with a history of polyphagia, weight loss and inappropriate urination. Clinical examination revealed jaundice and a mid-cranial abdominal mass. Further investigations revealed a large extra-hepatic cyst originating from the biliary tract (choledochal cyst). Concurrent chronic, active neutrophilic cholangitis and chronic lymphoplasmacytic pancreatitis were also noted. Surgical drainage, subtotal resection and omentalisation of the cyst, along with supportive medical management, were successful in relieving the clinical signs.
Thermoacoustic-wave equations for gas in a channel and a tube subject to temperature gradient
Authors: SUGIMOTO N.
Published: August 2010

This paper develops a general theory for linear propagation of acoustic waves in a gas enclosed in a two-dimensional channel and in a circular tube subject to temperature gradient axially and extending infinitely. A ‘narrow-tube approximation’ is employed by assuming that a typical axial length is much longer than a span length, but no restriction on a thickness of thermoviscous diffusion layer is made. For each case, basic equations in this approximation are reduced to a spatially one-dimensional equation in terms of an excess pressure by making use of a method of Fourier transform. This equation, called a thermoacoustic-wave equation, is given in the form of an integro-differential equation due to memory by thermoviscous effects. Approximations of the equations for a short-time and a long-time behaviour from an initial state are discussed based on the Deborah number and the Reynolds number. It is shown that the short-time behaviour is well approximated by the equation derived previously by the boundary-layer theory, while the long-time behaviour is described by new diffusion equations. It is revealed that if the diffusion layer is thicker than the span length, the thermoviscous effects give rise to not only diffusion but also wave propagation by combined action with temperature gradient, and that negative diffusion may occur if the gradient is steep.
Effect of compressibility on the global stability of axisymmetric wake flows
Authors: MELIGA P. , SIPP D. , CHOMAZ J.-M.
Published: August 2010

We study the linear dynamics of global eigenmodes in compressible axisymmetric wake flows, up to the high subsonic regime. We consider both an afterbody flow at zero angle of attack and a sphere, and find that the sequence of bifurcations destabilizing the axisymmetric steady flow is independent of the Mach number and reminiscent of that documented in the incompressible wake past a sphere and a disk (Natarajan & Acrivos, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 254, 1993, p. 323), hence suggesting that the onset of unsteadiness in this class of flows results from a global instability. We determine the boundary separating the stable and unstable domains in the (M, Re) plane, and show that an increase in the Mach number yields a stabilization of the afterbody flow, but a destabilization of the sphere flow. These compressible effects are further investigated by means of adjoint-based sensitivity analyses relying on the computation of gradients or sensitivity functions. Using this theoretical formalism, we show that they do not act through specific compressibility effects at the disturbance level but mainly through implicit base flow modifications, an effect that had not been taken into consideration by previous studies based on prescribed parallel base flow profiles. We propose a physical interpretation for the observed compressible effects, based on the competition between advection and production of disturbances, and provide evidence linking the stabilizing/destabilizing effect observed when varying the Mach number to a strengthening/weakening of the disturbance advection mechanism. We show, in particular, that the destabilizing effect of compressibility observed in the case of the sphere results from a significant increase of the backflow velocity in the whole recirculating bubble, which opposes the downstream advection of disturbances.
Laboratory observations of wave evolution, modulation and blocking due to spatially varying opposing currents
Authors: MA Y. , DONG G. , PERLIN M. , MA X. , WANG G. , XU J.
Published: August 2010

The nonlinear evolution of waves propagating on a spatially varying opposing current has been observed in a wave–current flume. Regular waves with different initial periods and different initial steepness, s (0.05 < s < 0.19), were generated and observed. Frequency downshift, even with very small initial steepness, was identified. As expected, it was found that opposing currents can have significant interactions with wavetrains. The ultimate frequency downshift increases with the increase in initial steepness. The evolution of frequency modulation was observed via the instantaneous frequency extracted by the Morlet-wavelet transform. The instantaneous frequency showed that often the process of frequency downshift can be local in time and gradual, but abrupt changes of local frequency were also detected. The presence of an opposing current can gradually block the primary wave energy and destroy the conservation of the wave action at downwave locations, thus increasing the asymmetric modulation and accelerating the effective frequency downshift.
Energy dissipation in electrosprays and the geometric scaling of the transition region of cone–jets
Authors: GAMERO-CASTAÑO M.
Published: August 2010

The characterization of electrosprayed droplets by means of retarding potential and time-of-flight techniques yields relevant information on the physics of the cone–jet itself. The experimental data reveal that a significant fraction of the electric power injected in the cone–jet is degraded by ohmic and viscous dissipations, as well as converted into surface energy. The degradation of energy can be cast in the form of a measurable voltage deficit that depends on the fluid's viscosity, electrical conductivity and dielectric constant, but is independent of its flow rate. These experimental facts require an identical scaling rt for both the characteristic radial and axial lengths of the cone-to-jet transition, the region where conduction current is transformed into convected surface charge. This fundamental scale is the geometric mean of the electrical relaxation length and the distance from the Taylor cone apex where the dynamic and capillary pressures become comparable. These two lengths are of the same order in a wide range of operational conditions, which further confirms the importance of the role played by electrical relaxation phenomena in the physics of cone–jets. The validity of rt is further supported by the numerical results of Higuera (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 484, 2003, pp. 303–327), whose profiles of the transition region non-dimensionalized with rt remain unchanged when the flow rate is varied. Finally, the dissipation of energy significantly increases the temperature of fluids with high conductivities, and future models for the cone–jets of these liquids will need to account for thermal effects.
Energy-efficient gait generation for biped robot based on the passive inverted pendulum model
Authors: Li Jian , Chen Weidong
Published: August 2010

From the viewpoint of the system's mechanical energy, the passive inverted pendulum model (PIPM) is proposed for the generation of more energy-efficient biped gait pattern. The generated walking pattern, based on the PIPM, enables the fully actuated biped robots to closely mimic the behavior of stable passive walking, so that it can have good energy-efficiency, which is the inherent advantage of the passive system. Furthermore, the pattern generation method is extended to any desired terrain as well. As for SHR-1, the first-generation biped robot of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, gait synthesis is clarified in detail. Finally, the walking experiments are carried out on SHR-1, and the effectiveness of the proposed pattern generation method is confirmed.
RATIO BETWEEN AVERAGE SOJOURN TIMES UNDER PROCESSOR SHARING AND FAIR SOJOURN PROTOCOL
Authors: Lu Yingdong
Published: August 2010

Under very general assumptions, we prove that the ratio between the average sojourn time in a queue under the processor sharing (PS) and the same queue under the fair sojourn protocol (FSP) can be bounded above, and we derive such a bound in terms of the long-run average system size of the PS queue seen by arrivals.
BUGS ON A BUDGET: DISTRIBUTED SENSING WITH COST FOR REPORTING AND NONREPORTING
Authors: Pozdnyakov Vladimir , Steele J. Michael
Published: August 2010

We consider a simple model of sequential decisions made by a fusion agent that receives binary-passive reports from distributed sensors. The main result is an explicit formula for the probability of making a decision before a fixed budget is exhausted. These results depend on the relationship between a special ruin problem for a “lazy random walk” and a traditional biased walk.
METHODS FOR SYMMETRIZING RANDOM VARIABLES
Authors: Withers Christopher S. , Nadarajah Saralees
Published: August 2010

Let X be a random variable with nonsymmetric density p(x). We give the symmetric density q(x) closest to it in the sense of Kulback–Liebler and Hellinger distances. (All symmetries are around zero.) For the first distance, we show that q(x) is proportional to the geometric mean of p(x) and p(−x). For example, a symmetrized shifted exponential is a centered uniform, and a symmetrized shifted gamma is a centered beta random variable. For the second distance, q(x) is proportional to the square of the arithmetic mean of p(x)1/2 and p(−x)1/2. Sample versions are also given for each. We also give the optimal random function f such that f(X) is symmetrically distributed and minimizes |f(X)−X|. Finally, we show how to optimize the Hellinger distance for vector X subject to supersymmetry and for scalar X subject to being monotone about zero in each half-line.
Behaviorally spontaneous confabulation in limbic encephalitis: The roles of reality filtering and strategic monitoring
Authors: NAHUM LOUIS , PTAK RADEK , LEEMANN BÉATRICE , LALIVE PATRICE , SCHNIDER ARMIN
Published: August 2010

Behaviorally spontaneous confabulation is characterized by a confusion of reality evident in currently inappropriate acts that patients justify with confabulations and in disorientation. Here, we describe a 38-year-old woman lawyer hospitalized because of non-herpetic, presumably autoimmune, limbic encephalitis. For months, she considered herself at work and desperately tried to respect her falsely believed professional obligations. In contrast to a completely erroneous concept of reality, she did not confabulate about her remote personal past. In tasks proposed to test strategic retrieval monitoring, she produced no confabulations. As expected, she failed in tasks of reality filtering, previously shown to have high sensitivity and specificity for behaviorally spontaneous confabulation and disorientation: she failed to suppress the interference of currently irrelevant memories and she had deficient extinction capacity. The observation underscores the special status of behaviorally spontaneous confabulation among confabulatory phenomena and of reality filtering as a thought control mechanism. We suggest that different processes may underlie the generation of false memories and their verbal expression. We also emphasize the need to present theories of confabulation together with experimental tasks that allow one to empirically verify the theories and to explore underlying physiological mechanisms. (JINS, 2010, 16, 995–1005.)
Reduction spots in the Mesoproterozoic age: implications for life in the early terrestrial record
Authors: Spinks Samuel C. , Parnell John , Bowden Stephen A.
Published: August 2010

Reduction spots are common within continental red beds in the geological record. The method of formation of reduction spots is a subject of debate, but they are thought to be the result of the reducing nature of microbial life present in the sediment during burial, which caused localized reduction in sediment that was otherwise oxidized during diagenesis. Reduction spots often have dark concretionary cores commonly enriched in elements such as vanadium and uranium. This enrichment is also believed to be associated with the microbial reduction of the sediment. Isotopic data from sulphides present in the cores of analogue Triassic reduction spots are consistent with a potential microbial formation mechanism.

Here we report the presence of reduction spots with vanadium-rich mica (roscoelite) – enriched cores within a terrestrial red bed sequence of the Mesoproterozoic age. These findings may be a possible indicator of life within the terrestrial geological record during the Mesoproterozoic age, a time when such evidence is otherwise very rare. These findings suggest that life had not only colonized terrestrial environments during the Mesoproterozoic age, but had established a deep biosphere in the sediment.
Dynamical simulations of the HR8799 planetary system
Authors: Marshall J. , Horner J. , Carter A.
Published: August 2010

HR8799 is a young (20–160 Myr) A-dwarf main sequence star with a debris disc detected by IRAS (InfraRed Astronomical Satellite). In 2008, it was one of two stars around which exoplanets were directly imaged for the first time. The presence of three Jupiter-mass planets around HR8799 provoked much interest in modelling the dynamical stability of the system. Initial simulations indicated that the observed planetary architecture was unstable on timescales much shorter than the lifetime of the star (~105 yr). Subsequent models suggested that the system could be stable if the planets were locked in a 1:2:4 mutual mean motion resonance (MMR). In this work, we have examined the influence of varying orbital eccentricity and the semi-major axis on the stability of the three-planet system, through dynamical simulations using the MERCURY n-body integrator. We find that, in agreement with previous work on this system, the 1:2:4 MMR is the most stable planetary configuration, and that the system stability is dominated by the interaction between the inner pair of planets. In contrast to previous results, we find that with small eccentricities, the three-planet system can be stable for timescales comparable to the system lifetime and, potentially, much longer.
Implications of stellar activity for exoplanetary atmospheres
Authors: Odert P. , Leitzinger M. , Hanslmeier A. , Lammer H. , Khodachenko M.L. , Ribas I.
Published: August 2010

Stellar X-ray and extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation is an important driver of the escape of planetary atmospheres. Young stars emit high XUV fluxes that decrease as they age. Since the XUV emission of a young star can be orders of magnitude higher compared to an older one, this evolution has to be taken into account when studying the mass-loss history of a planet. The temporal decrease of activity is closely related to the operating magnetic dynamo, which depends on rotation and convection in Sun-like stars. Using a sample of nearby M dwarfs, we study the relations between age, rotation and activity and discuss the influence on planets orbiting these low-mass stars.
Robust road-to-car communications by means of an active Ku-band RF Self-IDentification (RFSID) system
Authors: Roselli Luca , Palazzari Valeria , Alimenti Federico , Mezzanotte Paolo , Comez Matteo , Porzi Nicola
Published: August 2010

This paper deals with a robust RFSID (Radio Frequency Self IDentification) system for road-to-car communications. The RFSID-based system operates in Ku-band and consists of a fixed transmitter, located at the road side, and of a receiver unit placed on the moving target, i.e. a car in its first proposed application. A slotted waveguide antenna array is used to illuminate the moving object at the desired position, whereas a four-patch array antenna is adopted at the receiver side. Both the antennas have been designed using numerical simulations based on a Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) algorithm. When the moving object crosses the antenna beam a triggering pulse is generated by the receiver; such a pulse can be used to reset or update the electronics aboard the vehicle and to log specific information coming from location-based systems (LBSs), into the car equipments. A digital transmission of gold sequences and a post-processing unit have been exploited so far to increase the robustness and the accuracy of the system. At this stage of the development the system benefit of extensive field tests, being adopted for some years by many top Formula 1 racing teams as a lap trigger system, used to reset the on-board electronics when the car crosses either the finishing line and peculiar path reference points. The temporal accuracy exhibited is better than 1 ms with a coverage of about 90 m.
Face Inversion Effect Emerges Under Critical Configural Discrepancy
Authors: Yang Jisien , Schwaninger Adrian
Published: August 2010

Configural processing has been considered the major contributor to the face inversion effect (FIE) in face recognition. However, most researchers have only obtained the FIE with one specific ratio of configural alteration. It remains unclear whether the ratio of configural alteration itself can mediate the occurrence of the FIE. We aimed to clarify this issue by manipulating the configural information parametrically using six different ratios, ranging from 4% to 24%. Participants were asked to judge whether a pair of faces were entirely identical or different. The paired faces that were to be compared were presented either simultaneously (Experiment 1) or sequentially (Experiment 2). Both experiments revealed that the FIE was observed only when the ratio of configural alteration was in the intermediate range. These results indicate that even though the FIE has been frequently adopted as an index to examine the underlying mechanism of face processing, the emergence of the FIE is not robust with any configural alteration but dependent on the ratio of configural alteration.
Valentine Street Promotes Chivalrous Helping
Authors: Lamy Lubomir , Fischer-Lokou Jacques , Guéguen Nicolas
Published: August 2010

In a field setting, male passersby (N = 120) were asked by a female confederate to indicate the direction of Valentine Street (Martin Street in the control group). Thirty meters ahead, the participant encountered another female confederate who asked for help, claiming that a group of four disreputable-looking male confederates had taken her mobile telephone and refused to give it back. Participants primed with the cognition of “Valentine” helped the female confederate get her mobile phone back more frequently than those primed with the cognition of “Martin.” Results are explained in light of the gender role theory of helping, mood maintenance effects, and mood-elicited depth of information processing.
Analytical solutions for efficient interpretation of single‐well push‐pull tracer tests
Authors: Huang Junqi , Christ John A. , Goltz Mark N.
Published: August 2010

Single‐well push‐pull tracer tests have been used to characterize the extent, fate, and transport of subsurface contamination. Analytical solutions provide one alternative for interpreting test results. In this work, an exact analytical solution to two‐dimensional equations describing the governing processes acting on a dissolved compound during a modified push‐pull test (advection, longitudinal and transverse dispersion, first‐order decay, and rate‐limited sorption/partitioning in steady, divergent, and convergent flow fields) is developed. The coupling of this solution with inverse modeling to estimate aquifer parameters provides an efficient methodology for subsurface characterization. Synthetic data for single‐well push‐pull tests are employed to demonstrate the utility of the solution for determining (1) estimates of aquifer longitudinal and transverse dispersivities, (2) sorption distribution coefficients and rate constants, and (3) non‐aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) saturations. Employment of the solution to estimate NAPL saturations based on partitioning and non‐partitioning tracers is designed to overcome limitations of previous efforts by including rate‐limited mass transfer. This solution provides a new tool for use by practitioners when interpreting single‐well push‐pull test results.
Evidence from three‐dimensional seismic tomography for a substantial accumulation of gas hydrate in a fluid‐escape chimney in the Nyegga pockmark field, offshore Norway
Authors: Plaza‐Faverola Andreia , Westbrook Graham K. , Ker Stephan , Exley Russell J. K. , Gailler Audrey , Minshull Tim A. , Broto Karine
Published: August 2010

In recent years, it has become evident that features commonly called gas chimneys provide major routes for methane to pass through the methane‐hydrate stability zone in continental margins and escape to the ocean. One of many such chimneys lying beneath pockmarks in the southeastern Vøring Plateau off Norway was investigated with a high‐resolution seismic experiment employing a 2‐D array of sixteen 4‐component ocean bottom seismic recorders at approximately 100 m separation and a dense network of shots to define the 3‐D variation of the chimney's structure and seismic properties. The tomographic model derived from P wave travel times shows that P wave velocity inside the chimney is up to 300 m/s higher than in the surrounding strata within the methane‐hydrate stability zone. The zone of anomalously high velocity, about 500 m wide near its base, narrowing to about 200 m near the seabed, extends to a depth of 250 m below the seafloor. The depth extent of this zone and absence of high velocity beneath the base of the methane‐hydrate stability field make it more likely that it contains hydrate rather than carbonate. If a predominantly fracture‐filling model is appropriate for the formation of hydrate in low‐permeability sediment, the maximum hydrate concentration in the chimney is estimated to be 14%–27% by total volume, depending on how host‐sediment properties are affected by hydrate formation. Doming of the strata penetrated by the chimney appears to be associated with the emplacement of hydrate, accompanying the invasion of the gas hydrate stability zone by free gas.
Lagrangian modeling of large volcanic particles: Application to Vulcanian explosions
Authors: de' Michieli Vitturi M. , Neri A. , Esposti Ongaro T. , Lo Savio S. , Boschi E.
Published: August 2010

A new 2D/3D Lagrangian particle model (named LPAC) for the dynamics of clasts ejected during explosive eruptions is presented. The novelty of the model lies in the one‐way coupling of the carrier flow field, given by a Eulerian multiphase flow code, and the particles. The model is based on a simplification of the Basset‐Boussinesq‐Oseen equation, expressing the Lagrangian equation of a particle as the sum of the forces exerted on it along its trajectory. It is assumed that particles are non‐interacting and do not affect the background carrier flow and that the drag coefficient is constant. The model was applied to large clasts produced by Vulcanian explosions, in particular those occurring in August 1997 at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat (West Indies, UK). Simulation results allowed parametric studies as well as semi‐quantitative comparisons between modeling results and field evidence. Major results include (1) the carrier flow was found to play a fundamental role even for meter‐sized particles—a 1 m diameter block is predicted to reach a distance that is about 70% greater than that predicted without the effect of the carrier flow (assuming the same initial velocity), (2) assumption of the initial velocity of the particle was dropped thanks to the description of both the acceleration and deceleration phases along the particle trajectory, (3) by adopting experimentally based drag coefficients, large particles were able to reach greater distances with respect to smaller particles consistently with field observations and (4) the initial depth of the particle in the conduit was found to mainly influence the ejection velocity while the initial radial position with respect to the conduit axis was found to play a major role on the distance reached by the particle.
Rain‐Induced Soil NOx Emission From India During the Onset of the Summer Monsoon: A Satellite Perspective
Authors: Ghude Sachin D. , Lal D. M. , Beig G. , van der A Ronald , Sable Dipali
Published: August 2010

Rain‐induced soil NOx emission in the rural regions in India has been investigated using satellite observations of daily tropospheric NO2 columns from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). We selected three rural regions with low population density where industrial and transportation activities are notably less in comparison to other regions of India. We show that OMI‐derived tropospheric NO2 columns capture the NOx pulses from soil during the onset of the rainy season (June) over the regions considered in our analysis. Strong enhancements in tropospheric NO2 columns after the active spell of precipitation and subsequent decrease during the break spell have been observed. We argue that this enhancement is due to rain‐induced soil NOx pulsing after the onset of summer monsoon rainfall over the dry soil in the study regions. Relating OMI tropospheric NO2 columns to surface NOx emission, soil emission accounts for an average emission flux of ∼23–28 ng N m−1 s−1 during the pulsing event. Lightning is unlikely to account for the enhanced OMI tropospheric NO2 columns over the study regions.
What causes the irregular cycle of the atmospheric tape recorder signal in HCN?
Authors: Pommrich R. , Müller R. , Grooß J.‐U. , Günther G. , Konopka P. , Riese M. , Heil A. , Schultz M. , Pumphrey H.‐C. , Walker K. A.
Published: August 2010

Variations in the mixing ratio of long‐lived trace gases entering the stratosphere in the tropics are carried upward with the rising air with the signal being observable throughout the tropical lower stratosphere. This phenomenon, referred to as “atmospheric tape recorder” has previously been observed for water vapor, CO2, and CO which exhibit an annual cycle. Recently, based on Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) and the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE‐FTS) satellite measurements, the tape recorder signal has been observed for hydrogen cyanide (HCN) but with an approximately two‐year period. Here we report on a model simulation of the HCN tape recorder for the time period 2002–2008 using the Chemical Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS). The model can reproduce the observed pattern of the HCN tape recorder signal if time‐resolved emissions from fires in Indonesia are used as lower boundary condition. This finding indicates that inter‐annual variations in biomass burning in Indonesia, which are strongly influenced by El Niño events, control the HCN tape recorder signal. A longer time series of tropical HCN data will probably exhibit an irregular cycle rather than a regular biannual cycle.
Ensemble forecast of Indo‐Pacific SST based on IPCC twentieth‐century climate simulations
Authors: Wu Qiaoyan , Chen Dake
Published: August 2010

A set of Markov models is developed based on a statistical linearization of 5 coupled ocean‐atmosphere general circulation models used in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC AR4), and is applied to ensemble prediction of the tropical Indo‐Pacific sea surface temperature variations. By taking advantage of the long data records of IPCC simulations, the linear model is statistically robust, and exhibits a level of ENSO prediction skill comparable to other forecast models. More importantly, the model shows much higher skill in the western Pacific and the tropical Indian Ocean than previously achieved, thus providing new insight and optimism for the predictability of the short‐term climate change in the whole tropical Indo‐Pacific region.
Relationship between median intensities of electromagnetic emissions in the VLF range and lightning activity
Authors: Němec F. , Santolík O. , Parrot M. , Rodger C. J.
Published: August 2010

We present results of a survey of VLF electromagnetic waves observed by the DEMETER spacecraft (altitude about 700 km, launched in June 2004, and still operating). The median value of the power spectral density of electric field fluctuations in the frequency range 1–10 kHz is evaluated as a function of the position of the spacecraft, frequency, magnetic local time, and season of the year. It is shown that there are significant seasonal differences between the satellite observed wave intensities throughout the year and it is demonstrated that these are due to the lightning activity changes of the Earth. The frequency spectrum at frequencies 0–20 kHz of electromagnetic emissions caused by the lightning activity is investigated as a function of geomagnetic latitude. It is shown that the effect of the lightning activity is most pronounced at frequencies larger than about 2 kHz, forming a continuous band of emissions and being the strongest during the nighttime because of the better coupling efficiency of electromagnetic waves through the ionosphere.
Leptin Modulated Changes in Adipose Tissue Protein Expression in ob/ob Mice
Authors: Zhang Wei , Ambati Suresh , Della‐Fera Mary Anne , Choi Yang‐Ho , Baile Clifton A. , Andacht Tracy M.
Published: August 2010

Comparative proteomic analyses were performed in adipose tissue of leptin‐deficient ob/ob mice treated with leptin or control buffer in order to identify the protein expression changes as the potential targets of leptin. Mice were treated with either phosphate‐buffered saline (control) or 10 µg/day leptin for 14 days via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps. Total protein from white adipose tissue was extracted and labeled with different fluorescent cyanine dyes for analysis by two‐dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE). Spots that were differentially expressed and appeared to have sufficient material for mass spectrometry analysis were picked and digested with trypsin and subjected to MALDI‐TOF MS for protein identification. Twelve functional protein groups were found differentially expressed in adipose tissue of leptin‐treated vs. control ob/ob mice, including molecular chaperones and redox proteins such as calreticulin (CALR), protein disulfide isomerase‐associated 3 (PDIA3), prohibitin (PHB), and peroxiredoxin‐6 (PRDX6); cytoskeleton proteins such as β actin, desmin, and α‐tubulin; and some other proteins. The mRNA levels of CALR, PDIA3, and PHB were measured by real‐time reverse transcription‐PCR and found to be upregulated (P < 0.05), consistent with the fold change in protein expression level. Our findings suggest that leptin's effects on lipid metabolism and apoptosis may be mediated in part by alterations in expression of molecular chaperones and redox proteins for regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and cytoskeleton proteins for regulating mitochondrial morphology.
MC4R Variant Is Associated With BMI but Not Response to Resistance Training in Young Females
Authors: Orkunoglu‐Suer Funda E. , Harmon Brennan T. , Gordish‐Dressman Heather , Clarkson Priscilla M. , Thompson Paul D. , Angelopoulos Theodore J. , Gordon Paul M. , Hubal Monica J. , Moyna Niall M. , Pescatello Linda S. , Visich Paul S. , Zoeller Robert F. , Hoffman Eric P. , Devaney Joseph M.
Published: August 2010

Recently, a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) that identified eight single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with BMI highlighted a possible neuronal influence on the development of obesity. We hypothesized these SNPs would govern the response of BMI and subcutaneous fat to resistance training in young individuals (age = 24 years). We genotyped the eight GWAS‐identified SNPs in the article by Willer et al. in a cohort (n = 796) that undertook a 12‐week resistance‐training program. Females with a copy of the rare allele (C) for rs17782313 (MC4R) had significantly higher BMIs (CC/CT: n = 174; 24.70 ± 0.33 kg/m2, TT: n = 278; 23.41 ± 0.26 kg/m2, P = 0.002), and the SNP explained 1.9% of overall variation in BMI. Males with a copy of the rare allele (T) for rs6548238 (TMEM18) had lower amounts of subcutaneous fat pretraining (CT/TT: n = 65; 156,534 ± 7,415 mm3, CC: n = 136; 177,825 ± 5,139 mm3, P = 0.019) and males with a copy of the rare allele (A) for rs9939609 (FTO) lost a significant amount of subcutaneous fat with exercise (AT/AA: n = 83; −798.35 ± 2,624.30 mm3, TT: n = 47; 9,435.23 ± 3,494.44 mm3, P = 0.021). Females with a copy of the G allele for a missense variant in the SH2B1 (rs7498665) was associated with less change of subcutaneous fat volume with exercise (AG/GG: n = 191; 9,813 ± 2,250 mm3 vs. AA: n = 126; 770 ± 2,772 mm3; P = 0.011). These data support the original finding that there is an association between measures of obesity and a variant near the MC4R gene and extends these results to a younger population and implicates FTO, TMEM18, and SH2B1 polymorphisms in subcutaneous fat regulation.
Measuring Goodness of Story Narratives
Authors: Lê Karen , Coelho Carl , Mozeiko Jennifer , Grafman Jordan
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this article was to evaluate a new measure of story narrative performance: story completeness. It was hypothesized that by combining organizational (story grammar) and completeness measures, story “goodness” could be quantified.

Method

Discourse samples from 46 typically developing adults were compared with those from 24 adults with acquired brain injuries. Story retellings were elicited and analyzed for episode structure (story grammar). Each story was also evaluated for the presence of 5 key components, yielding the story completeness score. Story goodness was quantified by combining the story grammar and completeness measures using a 2-coordinate grid system. A multivariate analysis of variance was performed as well as correlational analyses between the story grammar and story completeness scores.

Results

There were significant group differences on both story grammar and story completeness. Moderate correlations were noted between the 2 measures, suggesting that the indices were not entirely measuring the same abilities. Plotting the 2 sets of scores into quadrants discriminated the comparison group and the group with brain injury into 4 distinct categories of story “goodness.”

Conclusion

The combination of measures provided a more accurate depiction of discourse performance than either measure alone. Results suggest the measure is sensitive, is reliable, and has potential utility for investigating discourse deficits in clinical populations.
Feasibility, Efficacy, and Social Validity of Home-Based Storybook Reading Intervention for Children With Language Impairment
Authors: Justice Laura M. , Skibbe Lori E. , McGinty Anita S. , Piasta Shayne B. , Petrill Stephen
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This study evaluated the feasibility, efficacy, and social validity of a parent-implemented intervention for promoting print knowledge in preschoolers with language impairment.

Method

This trial involved 62 children and their parents. Each dyad completed a 12-week intervention program. Parents in the treatment group implemented print-focused reading sessions; parents in two comparison groups implemented sessions focused on either storybook pictures (picture-focused condition) or phonological concepts (sound-focused condition).

Results

Many parents completed the program successfully, but attrition was high; 23% of families dropped out of the program. Children who remained in the treatment group demonstrated significantly greater gains on 1 of 2 measures of print knowledge compared with those in the picture-focused condition but not the sound-focused condition. Parents generally reported favorable impressions of the program, although several aspects of the program received higher ratings from parents in the print-focused group.

Conclusion

Study results raise questions about the feasibility of home-based intervention for some families; future research that examines the characteristics of families that may affect completion are needed. The causal effects of print-focused reading sessions are promising for addressing children’s print-concept knowledge but not alphabet knowledge. Home-based reading intervention has considerable social validity as a therapeutic approach.