bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrocrystallisation of (Per)2 [Pd(mnt)2]
Authors: Afonso Mónica L. , Silva Rafaela A. , Pereira Laura C. , Coutinho Joana T. , Freitas Rui R. , Lopes Elsa B. , Matos Manuel , Henriques Rui T. , Viana Ana , Almeida Manuel
Published: March 2012

The conditions that allowed for the first time the growth of (Per)2[Pd(mnt)2] crystals by electrocrystallisation are described. The electrocrystallisation is limited by close proximity of the oxidation potentials of the perylene donor and [Pd(mnt)2]‐ anion. Depending on the experimental conditions different morphologies can be obtained. (Per)2[Pd(mnt)2] crystals were found to be mainly of the β‐polymorph with properties comparable to the Cu, Ni and Pt previously described. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quantum Hall effect in bilayer and trilayer graphene
Authors: Cobaleda C. , Rossella F. , Pezzini S. , Diez E. , Bellani V. , Maude D. K. , Blake P.
Published: March 2012

We have performed magneto‐transport experiments in bilayer and trilayer graphene, at temperatures between 2 and 190 K and magnetic fields up to 22 T. Here we study the observation of the quantum Hall effect in bilayer and trilayer graphene. We have observed the quantum Hall plateaus at ν = 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 in bilayer graphene and the quantum Hall plateaus ν = ±6 and studied their temperature dependence. We have also studied the symmetry properties which are related with different contact configurations and describe the method used to study inho‐mogeneous samples (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermoelectric and thermal properties of novel τ ‐type organic conductors as thermoelectric materials
Authors: Yoshino Harukazu , Nakada Haruki , Krivickas Sara J. , Mori Hatsumi , Anyfantis George C. , Papavassiliou George C. , Murata Keizo
Published: March 2012

Electrical resistivity φ and thermopower S were measured for novel τ ‐type organic conductors τ ‐(EDT‐S,S ‐DMEDT‐TTF)2(AuBr2)1+y and τ ‐(ETO‐R,R ‐DMEDT‐TTF)2(AuBr2)1+y to explore highly efficient organic thermoelectric materials. Electrical resistivity is nonmetallic below room temperature for both the materials in contrast to τ ‐(EDO‐S,S ‐DMEDT‐TTF)2(AuBr2)1+y that shows metallic resistivity and the highest dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit ZT = 0.042 in organic crystals so far. On the other hand, it was found that S of these materials are very similar to one another in temperature dependence as well as in magnitude. The sign of S is negative and |S | shows maximum of about 130 µV · K–1 at 125 and 150 K for the EDT‐S,S ‐DMEDT‐TTF and ETO‐R,R ‐DMEDT‐TTF salts, respectively. Thermal conductivity κ was also measured for the latter material. It was found that κ is about 1 W · K–1 · m–1 and weakly dependent on temperature. Combining these transport coefficients as ZT = S2T /φκ the maximum of ZT is obtained as 0.044 at 190 K for the ETO‐R,R ‐DMEDT‐TTF salt. This is the highest ZT in organic molecular conductors. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Challenge for STM observation of dopant activation process on Si(001): in‐situ ion irradiation and hydrogenation
Authors: Kamioka Takefumi , Isono Fumiya , Yoshida Takahiro , Ohdomari Iwao , Watanabe Takanobu
Published: March 2012

We propose a new strategy for in‐situ observation of dopant activation process using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) technology. Two factor techniques are established within our original STM system combined with liquid‐metal‐ion‐source ion‐gun (LMIS‐IG/STM): (1) in‐situ real‐time observation of Si(001)‐2×1 surface modified with dopant ions, and (2) in‐situ hydrogen passivation of Si(001)‐2×1 surface. Sequential STM images of the surface morphological changes are successfully obtained with keeping the original observation area. The hydrogenated Si(001)‐2×1 surface is stable enough even under the degraded vacuum conditions which are unavoidable in ion irradiation processes. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Interdisciplinarity in Sustainability Studies: A Review
Authors: Lam Jacqueline C. K. , Walker Richard M. , Hills Peter
Published: March 2012

This article offers an exploratory and descriptive analysis of the characteristics of inter‐disciplinary sustainability studies (ISSs). The paper explores the academic and disciplinary nature of inter‐disciplinary inquiry and studies themes, imperatives and methodologies, together with institutional characteristics. Our analysis of 70 articles published between 2003 and 2008 suggests that the publication of ISSs is growing and that this effort is largely based upon attempts to integrate aspects of different disciplines. These studies mostly relate to resource management studies and typically adopt qualitative, case study or mixed methodologies. The articles reviewed have a practical orientation, with nearly two‐thirds of studies explicitly addressing policy‐making issues, and over half cover the orientations, mechanisms and institutions towards people's participation in decision‐making. The research effort is typically made in Europe and North America, and by scholars working in inter‐disciplinary teams. The implications of these findings for research in, and the practice of, sustainability studies are discussed in conclusion. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Modeling between‐subject and within‐subject variances in ecological momentary assessment data using mixed‐effects location scale models
Authors: Hedeker Donald , Mermelstein Robin J. , Demirtas Hakan
Published: March 2012

Ecological momentary assessment and/or experience sampling methods are increasingly used in health studies to study subjective experiences within changing environmental contexts. In these studies, up to 30 or 40 observations are often obtained for each subject. Because there are so many measurements per subject, one can characterize a subject's mean and variance and can specify models for both. In this article, we focus on an adolescent smoking study using ecological momentary assessment where interest is on characterizing changes in mood variation. We describe how covariates can influence the mood variances and also extend the statistical model by adding a subject‐level random effect to the within‐subject variance specification. This permits subjects to have influence on the mean, or location, and variability, or (square of the) scale, of their mood responses. These mixed‐effects location scale models have useful applications in many research areas where interest centers on the joint modeling of the mean and variance structure. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incremental Growth of Short SWNT Arrays by Pulsed Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Puretzky Alexander A. , Geohegan David B. , Jackson Jeremy J. , Pannala Sreekanth , Eres Gyula , Rouleau Christopher M. , More Karren L. , Thonnard Norbert , Readle Jason D.
Published: March 2012

Very short arrays of continuous single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are grown incrementally in steps as small as 25 nm using pulsed chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In‐situ optical extinction measurements indicate that over 98% of the nanotubes reinitiate growth on successive gas pulses, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM) images show that the SWNTs do not exhibit segments, caps, or noticeable sidewall defects resulting from repeatedly stopping and restarting growth. Time‐resolved laser reflectivity (3‐ms temporal resolution) is used to record the nucleation and growth kinetics for each fast (0.2 s) gas pulse and to measure the height increase of the array in situ, providing a method to incrementally grow short nanotube arrays to precise heights. Derivatives of the optical reflectivity signal reveal distinct temporal signatures for both nucleation and growth kinetics, with their amplitude ratio on the first gas pulse serving as a good predictor for the evolution of the growth of the nanotube ensemble into a coordinated array. Incremental growth by pulsed CVD is interpreted in the context of autocatalytic kinetic models as a special processing window in which a sufficiently high flux of feedstock gas drives the nucleation and rapid growth phases of a catalyst nanoparticle ensemble to occur within the temporal period of the gas pulse, but without inducing growth termination.
Selective Oxidation of TWIP Steel During Continuous Annealing
Authors: Cho Lawrence , De Cooman Bruno C.
Published: March 2012

The selective oxidation of Al‐free and Al‐added TWIP steel after full austenitic annealing at 800°C in a N2 + 10%H2 gas atmosphere with a dew point of −17°C was investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy. A thick MnO layer was formed at the surface of Al‐free TWIP steel after the recrystallization annealing. Small crystalline c‐xMnO · SiO2 (x > 2) particles and amorphous a‐xMnO · SiO2 (x < 0.9) particles were found at the MnO/steel interface. In the subsurface, the Mn depletion resulted in the formation of a narrow ferrite layer. The annealing of the Al‐added TWIP steel also resulted in the formation of a thick MnO surface layer. At the MnO/steel interface, Kirkendall voids were formed between the amorphous a‐xMnO · SiO2 (x < 0.9) oxide and crystalline c‐xMnO · Al2O3 oxide in the case of Al‐added TWIP steel. In the subsurface, a thin layer was depleted of Mn and the original austenite had transformed into ferrite. Internal oxidation of Al to Al2O3 and the formation of crystalline c‐xMnO · Al2O3 (x > 1) compound oxide particles were found to occur at the grain boundaries of the Mn‐depleted ferritic zone. The present contribution highlights the implications of the selective oxidation of TWIP steels for their processing in continuous annealing and continuous hot dip galvanizing lines.
Model‐based cluster analysis
Authors: Stahl Daniel , Sallis Hannah
Published: March 2012

Cluster analysis seeks to identify homogeneous subgroups of cases in a population. This article provides an introduction to model‐based clustering using finite mixture models and extensions. Finite mixtures have been successfully used for more than a hundred years for clustering and classification, but have become increasingly popular in the last decade due to recent advances in computer technology and software availability. Unlike traditional methods of cluster analysis, which are based on heuristic or distance‐based procedures, finite mixture modeling provides a formal statistical framework on which to base the clustering procedure. Finite mixture models assume that the population is made up of several distinct subsets (or clusters), each following a different multivariate probability density distribution. Model‐based cluster analysis can deal with a mix of nominal, ordinal, count, or continuous variables, any of which may contain missing values. We will demonstrate how the problems of determining the number of clusters and choosing an appropriate clustering method reduce to a model selection problem, for which objective procedures exist. We briefly discuss how model‐based cluster analysis can be used to analyze complex and structured (e.g., longitudinal) datasets.WIREs Comput Stat2012 doi: 10.1002/wics.1204

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Clustering and Classification

Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Modeling Methods
Visualization of inflammation using 19F‐magnetic resonance imaging and perfluorocarbons
Authors: Stoll Guido , Basse‐Lüsebrink Thomas , Weise Gesa , Jakob Peter
Published: March 2012

Inflammation plays a central pathophysiological role in a large number of diseases. While conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can depict gross tissue alterations due to proton changes, specific visualization of inflammation is an unmet task in clinical medicine. 19F/1H MRI is a novel technology that allows tracking of stem and immune cells in experimental disease models after labelling with perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsions. 19F markers such as PFC compounds provide a unique signal in vivo due to the negligible 19F background signal of the body. Concomitant acquisition of 1H images places the labelled cells into their anatomical context. This novel imaging technique has been applied to monitor immune cell responses in myocardial infarction, pneumonia, bacterial abscess formation, peripheral nerve injury, and rejection of donor organs after transplantation. Upon systemic application PFC nanoparticles are preferentially phagozytosed by circulating monocytes/macrophages and, thus, the fluorine signal in inflamed organs mainly reflects macrophage infiltration. Moreover, attenuation of the inflammatory response after immunosuppressive or antibiotic treatments could be depicted based on 19F/1H‐MRI. Compared to other organ systems 19F‐MRI of neuroinflammation is still challenging, mainly because of lack in sensitivity. In focal cerebral ischemia early application of PFCs revealed ongoing thrombotic vessel occlusion rather than cell migration indicating that timing of contrast agent application is critical. Current restrictions of 19F/1H‐MRI in sensitivity may be overcome by improved imaging hardware, imaging sequences and reconstruction techniques, as well as improved label development and cell labelling procedures in the future. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2012, 4:438–447. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1168

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
Verification of Early Removal of the Chest Tube after Absorbable Mesh‐based Pneumostasis Subsequent to Video‐assisted Major Lung Resection for Cancer
Authors: Ueda Kazuhiro , Tanaka Toshiki , Hayashi Masataro , Li Tao‐Sheng , Hamano Kimikazu
Published: March 2012

Background

We previously reported that the combined use of absorbable mesh and fibrin glue is superior to the use of fibrin glue alone to stop intraoperative air leaks. However, concern remains about whether mesh‐based pneumostasis can induce the recurrence of air leaks after chest tube removal.

Methods

We reviewed our prospective database of selected patients (n = 206) who underwent video‐assisted major lung resection for cancer. Exclusion criteria included simultaneous combined resection, induction radiotherapy, entire intrathoracic adhesion, or a history of prior ipsilateral thoracotomy. We sealed any intraoperative air leaks with absorbable mesh and fibrin glue and then carried out prophylactic chest‐tube drainage for 1 day.

Results

Intraoperative air leaks were detected in 133 (65%) patients. Overall, air leaks were not detected postoperatively in 186 (91%) patients, allowing chest tube removal on the day after the operation. The mean length of time for chest tube drainage was 1.2 days. A prolonged air leak (>7 days) was observed in one (0.5%) patient, and this leak resolved by itself. After chest tube removal, an air leak recurred in six (2.9%) patients during the 30 day follow‐up period, necessitating chest tube reinsertion. Although the recurrence was observed more frequently after segmentectomy than after lobectomy (p = 0.04), the recurrence was not observed more frequently in patients who had an intraoperative air leak than in patients who did not (p = 0.3).

Conclusion

Early removal of the chest tube after pneumostasis with absorbable mesh is verified in selected patients who underwent video‐assisted major lung resection for cancer. However, further attempts should be made to prevent air leaks after anatomical segmentectomy.
Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation Use and Evolution of Hydrochemical Facies in the Markanda River Basin, Northwestern India
Authors: Kshetrimayum K. S. , Bajpai V. N.
Published: March 2012

The Markanda river basin occupying an area of about 1547 km2 is a part of the alluvial deposits of the Indo-Gangetic plain near the Himalayan foothills in the northwest India. The region is associated with active agricultural activities and makes significant contribution to the country’s agricultural products. Assessment of groundwater quality for irrigation use and hydrochemical evolution of groundwater has been studied. Hydrochemical analysis has been carried out based on concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl−, SO42-, CO32- and HCO3−. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), percent sodium (%Na), permeability index (PI) and Trilinear diagram have been studied to evaluate suitability of irrigation use. Hydrochemical evolution has been analyzed based on the Chebotarev sequence and expanded Durov diagram. SAR, %Na and PI results indicate that the groundwater in the basin is suitable for irrigation use. Analysis on Trilinear diagram reveals that hydrochemical facies are dominated by HCO3−- Ca2+- Mg2+ facies indicating that the groundwater is associated with recharge waters percolating through sandstone and limestone rocks which are exposed in the northern part of the basin. Studies based on Chebotarev anion sequence and expanded Durov diagram indicate that the evolution of groundwater belongs to initial to intermediate stage indicating fresh water quality. Thus, the present work reveals that groundwater in the Markanda basin is of good quality and is suitable for all uses including interbasin water transfer in the region.
Tectonic Morphometric Studies as a Tool for Terrain Characterization in the Himalayan Foothill Region – A Case Study
Authors: Chaudhri A. R.
Published: March 2012

The Himalayan foothill region is traversed by the Main Boundary Thrust, the Himalayan Frontal Thrust and the Piedmont Fault which make the entire densely populated foothill region vulnerable to seismic damages. Tectonic morphometric studies of selected active tectonic indices in conjunction with analysis of multispectral satellite imagery of the foothill terrain from North of Chandigarh to West of Dehradun have revealed the presence of two major active faults. The Jainti Devi Fault, in the vicinity of Chandigarh, has offset nearly all the drainage channels by about 780 m while the Trilokpur Fault, in the vicinity of Nahan, has offset the streams and rivulets by about 1500 m. The values of ratio of valley floor width to valley height, the stream length gradient index, stream sinuosity index and mountain front sinuosity index have been computed and these reaffirm the active tectonic setup of the foothill terrain. The digital terrain model and field investigations reveal the presence of offset streams, sag ponds, linear valleys, shutter ridges and pressure ridges along the fault trace. Trenching carried out in the region has revealed the presence of numerous seismites.
Societal Application of Geophysics as an Aid to a Rescue Operation at Jaipur
Authors: Chandra Subash , Atal Surendra , Ahmeduddin Md. , Ahmed Shakeel
Published: March 2012

Geophysical techniques are normally employed to explore the subsurface and determine the anomalies but they are always much larger in dimension. However, a very precise measurement was needed to pin point a misaligned horizontal tunnel made at 47 m depth to intercept an old bore well and rescue a four year child fallen accidently on 9th November at Jagatpura village in Jaipur, India. Due to the greater depth and presence of iron casing, electric power, etc., no equipment could work to determine the orientation of the tunnel that has lost its direction. The dimension of the site and many other constrains didn’t allow conventional geophysical methods to be used. An innovative method was then designed and successfully applied, which determined 1.92 m deviation of the tunnel end point to the east from the old bore well. The digging was redirected accordingly and the bore well was intercepted. This paper describes the theoretical background, forward simulations and the field experiment of the newly designed geophysical method.
E.B. Tylor, religion and anthropology
Authors: LARSEN TIMOTHY
Published: March 2012

Edward Burnett Tylor (1832–1917) is often considered the father of the discipline of anthropology. Despite such eminence, his biography has never been written and the connections between his life and his work have been largely obscured or ignored. This article presents Tylor's main theories in the field of anthropology, especially as presented in his four published books, the most famous of which is Primitive Culture, and in the manuscript sources for his last, unpublished, one on ‘The natural history of religion’. One of Tylor's major areas of interest was the use of anthropological evidence to discover how religion arose. This preoccupation resulted in his influential account of ‘animism’. Drawing upon biographical information not known by previous scholars, Tylor's Quaker formation, later religious scepticism and personal life are connected to his intellectual work. Assumptions such as his evolutionary view of human culture and intellectualist approach to ‘savage’ customs, his use of the comparative method, and distinctive notions of his such as ‘survivals’ are first explained, and then the discussion is taken a step further in order to demonstrate how they were deployed to influence contemporary religious beliefs and practices. Tylor argued that the discipline of anthropology was a ‘reformer's science’. Working within the warfare model of the relationship between faith and science, I reveal the extent to which this meant for him using the tools of this new field of inquiry to bring about changes in the religious convictions of his contemporaries.
Rapid genetic turnover in populations of the insect pestBemisia tabaciMiddle East: Asia Minor 1 in an agricultural landscape
Authors: Dinsdale A. , Schellhorn N.A. , De Barro P. , Buckley Y.M. , Riginos C.
Published: March 2012

Organisms differ greatly in dispersal ability, and landscapes differ in amenability to an organism's movement. Thus, landscape structure and heterogeneity can affect genetic composition of populations. While many agricultural pests are known for their ability to disperse rapidly, it is unclear how fast and over what spatial scale insect pests might respond to the temporally dynamic agricultural landscapes they inhabit. We used population genetic analyses of a severe crop pest, a member of theBemisia tabaci(Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodoidea: Aleyrodidea) cryptic species complex known as Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (commonly known as biotype B), to estimate spatial and temporal genetic diversity over four months of the 2006–2007 summer growing season. We examined 559 individuals from eight sites, which were scored for eight microsatellite loci. Temporal genetic structure greatly exceeded spatial structure. There was significant temporal change in local genetic composition from the beginning to the end of the season accompanied by heterozygote deficits and inbreeding. This temporal structure suggests entire cohorts of pests can occupy a large and variable agricultural landscape but are rapidly replaced. These rapid genetic fluctuations reinforce the concept that agricultural landscapes are dynamic mosaics in time and space and may contribute to better decisions for pest and insecticide resistance management.
Proposed DSM-5 mixed features are associated with greater likelihood of remission in out-patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Perlis R. H. , Cusin C. , Fava M.
Published: March 2012

Background

Draft DSM-5 criteria for a mixed major depressive episode have been proposed, but their predictive validity has not yet been established. We hypothesized that such symptoms would be associated with poorer antidepressant treatment outcomes.

Method

We examined outcomes among individuals with major depressive disorder participating in the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) study, an effectiveness study conducted at primary and specialty care centers in the USA. Mixed features were derived from the six self-report items of the mania subscale of the Psychiatric Diagnosis Screening Questionnaire. Primary analyses examined the association between the presence of at least two of these in the 6 months before study entry, and remission across up to four sequential treatment trials, as well as adverse outcomes.

Results

Of the 2397 subjects with a major depressive episode of at least 6 months' duration, 449 (18.7%) reported at least two mixed symptoms. The presence of such symptoms was associated with a greater likelihood of remission across up to four sequential treatments, which persisted after adjustment for potential confounding clinical and demographic variables (adjusted hazard ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.28). Two individual items, expansive mood and cheerfulness, were strongly associated with a greater likelihood of remission.

Conclusions

Proposed DSM-5 mixed state features were associated with a greater rather than a lesser likelihood of remission. While unexpected, this result suggests the potential utility of further investigation of depressive mixed states in major depression.
Genetic analysis ofprecore/coreand partialpolgenes in an unprecedented outbreak of fulminant hepatitis B in India
Authors: KHARE S. , NEGI S. S. , SINGH S. , SINGHAL M. , KUMAR S. , PRAKASH C. , VENUGOPAL R. , RAWAT D. S. , CHAUHAN L. S. , RAI A.
Published: March 2012

We investigated an unprecedented outbreak of fulminant hepatitis B virus (HBV) that occurred in Modasa, Gujarat (India) in 2009. Genomic analysis of all fulminant hepatic failure cases confirmed exclusive predominance of subgenotype D1. A1762T, G1764A basal core promoter (BCP) mutations, insertion of isoleucine after nt 1843, stop codon mutation G1896A, G1862T transversion plus seven other mutations in the core gene caused inhibition of HBeAg expression implicating them as circulatingprecore/BCP mutant virus. Two rare mutations at amino acids 89 (Ile→Ala) and 119 (Leu→Ser) in addition to other mutations in thepolymerase (pol)gene may have caused some alteration in either of fourpolgene domains to affect encapsidation of pregenomic RNA to enhance pathogenicity. Sequence similarity among patients' sequences suggested an involvement of a single hepatitis B mutant strain/source to corroborate the finding of gross and continued usage of HBV mutant-contaminated syringes/needles by a physician which resulted in this unprecedented outbreak of fulminant hepatitis B. The fulminant exacerbation of the disease might be attributed to mutations in the BCP/precore/coreandpolgenes that may have occurred due to selection pressure during rapid spread/mutation of the virus.
Causes of hyperferritinaemia classified by HIV status in a tertiary-care setting in South Africa
Authors: VISSER A. , MOSTERT C.
Published: March 2012

This study included all patients, with known HIV-1 status, admitted to hospital over a 5-year period with serum ferritin values exceeding 1500 μg/l. Markedly elevated serum ferritin levels are associated with a host of causes which poses a diagnostic dilemma, as the aetiology is often highly dependent on local epidemiology. We evaluated patients' records retrospectively to determine underlying causes of possible hyperferritinaemia. Aetiologies associated with hyperferritinaemia varied significantly depending on HIV-1 status. In patients infected with the HIV-1 virus, infectious causes predominated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis accounting for more than 50% of the patient population with an odds ratio of 17·98 (95% confidence interval 8·31–38·88) in HIV-positive compared to HIV-negative patients. Of the HIV-1-negative patients, hereditary haemochromatosis accounted for less than 2% of patients and chronic renal failure was the most common diagnosis. The finding of hyperferritinaemia should prompt determination of HIV-1 status, as this impacts significantly on aetiological epidemiology. In HIV-1-positive patients, aggressive investigation for mycobacterial infection should be undertaken in cases of combined hyperferritinaemia and positive HIV-1 serology.
What are the most sensitive and specific sign and symptom combinations for influenza in patients hospitalized with acute respiratory illness? Results from western Kenya, January 2007–July 2010
Authors: MURRAY E. L. , KHAGAYI S. , OPE M. , BIGOGO G. , OCHOLA R. , MUTHOKA P. , NJENGA K. , ODHIAMBO F. , BURTON D. , LASERSON K. F. , BREIMAN R. F. , FEIKIN D. R. , KATZ M. A.
Published: March 2012

Influenza causes severe illness and deaths, and global surveillance systems use different clinical case definitions to identify patients for diagnostic testing. We used data collected during January 2007–July 2010 at hospital-based influenza surveillance sites in western Kenya to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for eight clinical sign/symptom combinations in hospitalized patients with acute respiratory illnesses, including severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) (persons aged 2–59 months: cough or difficulty breathing with an elevated respiratory rate or a danger sign; persons aged ⩾5 years: temperature ⩾38 °C, difficulty breathing, and cough or sore throat) and influenza-like illness (ILI) (all ages: temperature ⩾38 °C and cough or sore throat). Overall, 4800 persons aged ⩾2 months were tested for influenza; 416 (9%) had laboratory-confirmed influenza infections. The symptom combination of cough with fever (subjective or measured ⩾38 °C) had high sensitivity [87·0%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 83·3–88·9], and ILI had high specificity (70·0%, 95% CI 68·6–71·3). The case definition combining cough and any fever is a simple, sensitive case definition for influenza in hospitalized persons of all age groups, whereas the ILI case definition is the most specific. The SARI case definition did not maximize sensitivity or specificity.
Value of history taking in children and adolescents with cardiac syncope
Authors: Zhang Qingyou , Zhu Lulu , Wang Cheng , Du Zhongdong , Hu Xiufen , Tian Hong , Todd Ochs , Zhang Fengwen , Du Junbao , Jin Hongfang
Published: March 2012

Aim

This study was designed to investigate the value of history taking in identifying children with cardiac syncope, and to improve diagnostic efficiency and accuracy in children with cardiac syncope.

Methods and Results

We compared the characteristics of a group of children and adolescents with cardiac syncope at the Pediatric Syncope Unit of five hospitals in China with those with typical vasovagal syncope. We included a cohort of 275 patients in Pediatric Syncope Unit. A cardiac cause of syncope was established in 31 patients, autonomic-mediated reflex syncope in 214, non-syncopal attacks in 15, and in the remaining 15 the cause of syncope remained unexplained. Cardiac syncope was triggered by exercise, whereas vasovagal syncope by prolonged standing, warm-crowded place, and fear or pain emotion. Syncopal spells occurred at various positions in cardiac syncope. Children who had prodromal symptoms with cardiac syncope were significantly fewer than those with vasovagal syncope. Most children with cardiac syncope had history of abnormal electrocardiogram findings when compared with children suffering from vasovagal syncope. On multivariable analysis, history of abnormal electrocardiogram findings and exercise-triggered syncope were independent predictors of cardiac syncope.

Conclusion

Children and adolescents with a history of abnormal electrocardiogram findings and exercise-related syncope spells were at high risk for cardiac syncope.
The role of microglia at synapses in the healthy CNS: novel insights from recent imaging studies
Authors: Tremblay Marie-Ève
Published: March 2012

In the healthy brain, quiescent microglia continuously remodel their shape by extending and retracting highly motile processes. Despite a seemingly random sampling of their environment, microglial processes specifically interact with subsets of synaptic structures, as shown by recent imaging studies leading to proposed reciprocal interactions between microglia and synapses under non-pathological conditions. These studies revealed that various modalities of microglial dynamic behavior including their interactions with synaptic elements are regulated by manipulations of neurotransmission, neuronal activity and sensory experience. Conversely, these observations implied an unexpected role for quiescent microglia in the elimination of synaptic structures by specialized mechanisms that include the phagocytosis of axon terminals and dendritic spines. In light of these recent discoveries, microglia are now emerging as important effectors of neuronal circuit reorganization.
Gender, structure, and war: what Waltz couldn't see
Authors: Sjoberg Laura
Published: March 2012

This article theorizes Waltz's ‘third image,’ international system structure, through feminist lenses. After briefly reviewing International Relations (IR) analysis of the relationship between anarchy, structure, and war, it introduces gender analysis in IR with a focus on its theorizing of war(s). From this work, it sketches an approach to theorizing international structure through gendered lenses and provides an initial plausibility case for the argument that the international system structure is gender-hierarchical, focusing on its influence on unit (state) function, the distribution of capabilities among units, and the political processes which consistently govern unit interaction. It outlines the implications of an account of the international system as gender-hierarchical for theorizing the causes of war generally and wars specifically, with a focus on potentially testable hypotheses. The article concludes with some ideas about the potential significance of a theorizing gender from a structural perspective and of theorizing structure from through gendered lenses.
Hind limb osteology of Gracilisuchus stipanicicorum (Archosauria: Pseudosuchia)
Authors: Lecuona A. , Desojo J. B.
Published: March 2012

Gracilisuchus stipanicicorum Romer, 1972, from the Middle-Late Triassic of the Ischigualasto–Villa Unión Basin of Argentina, is an extinct pseudosuchian archosaur on the stem to Crocodylomorpha. The pelvic girdle and hind limb anatomy of a referred specimen of Gracilisuchus stipanicicorum is described and compared with that from a broad range of archosauriform taxa, including basal members such as crurotarsans and basal ornithodirans. The description of this specimen reveals new information on the anatomy of the pelvic girdle and hind limb of Gracilisuchus, through a detailed examination of some anatomical regions barely or not previously described, as well as reinterpretations of previous features. The phylogenetic affinities of Gracilisuchus within the Archosauria remain to be tested, but Gracilisuchus shares two putative synapomorphies with some non-crocodyliform crocodylomorphs, providing tentative support for the monophyly of Sphenosuchia (e.g., Sereno & Wild 1992; Wu & Chatterjee 1993) and the close relationship of Gracilisuchus to that clade. These characteristics are: (i) the morphology and poor development of the femoral fourth trochanter, closely resembling the condition of Pseudhesperosuchus and Trialestes; and (ii) a poor anterior development of the femoral head, shared with Pseudhesperosuchus. On the other hand there are characters that reject the inclusion of Gracilisuchus within Crocodylomorpha (Nesbitt 2011), such as the absence of an imperforated acetabulum, and that rather suggests a sister-taxon position to Crocodylomorpha.
Comparing the protests of undocumented migrants beyond contexts: collective actions as acts of emancipation
Authors: Monforte Pierre , Dufour Pascale
Published: March 2012

In this article, we demonstrate that the collective actions of undocumented migrants possess similar symbolic dimensions, even if the contexts of their actions differ. We explain this finding by focusing on the power relations that undocumented migrants face. Given that they occupy a very specific position in society (i.e., they are neither included in nor completely excluded from citizenship), they experience similar forms of power relations vis-à-vis public authorities in different countries. We argue that this leads them to participate in collective actions as acts of emancipation. Our analysis illustrates this argument by comparing marches by undocumented migrants in three countries: France, Germany and Canada-Quebec. Through an in-depth analysis, we demonstrate that these marches redefine the legal order and politicize the presence of undocumented migrants in the public sphere. By highlighting the cognitive, emotional and relational dimensions of collective actions, we show that the symbolic dimension of these three marches relates to the empowerment, pride and solidarity of undocumented migrants.
Statistical evaluation of electric field and neutral wind results from beam‐swing incoherent scatter measurements
Authors: Nygrén T. , Aikio A. T. , Voiculescu M. , Kuula R.
Published: March 2012

When ionospheric electric field and neutral wind are determined from ion velocities given by monostatic beam swing incoherent scatter measurements, a stationary and horizontally homogeneous ionosphere is assumed. These assumptions are not necessarily valid during a single beam cycle or within the whole measurement region. Disturbances in the receiver may also cause errors. Thus the results may contain errors which are not of statistical nature. If most of the data come from regions where temporal and spatial variations are small, more reliable results are expected, if observations which violate the basic assumptions are rejected. This paper shows a means of finding such measurements. Electric fields and neutral winds with their standard deviations are first determined from measured ion velocities, and these results are used backwards to calculate reconstructed ion velocities and their standard deviations. Then the differences between the measured velocities and the reconstructed ones as well as the standard deviations of these differences are computed. If a given difference lies beyond a selected statistical limit, the corresponding measurement is regarded as unreliable and is rejected. New results are obtained by repeating the analysis with the cleaned data set. The process is repeated until either all remaining measurements are statistically reliable or the determination of the parameters fails. In the latter case, there will be a gap in the results. The paper presents the underlying statistical theory, the statistical evaluation of the results, and demonstrates the use of the method with incoherent scatter data.
Regional trends in active diapirism revealed by mountain range‐scale InSAR time series
Authors: Barnhart William D. , Lohman Rowena B.
Published: March 2012

We construct an orogen‐wide InSAR time series over the Zagros Mountains and eastern Markan Subduction Zone in southern Iran from 19 Envisat tracks spanning 2003–2010. We observe active salt diapirism of the infra‐Cambrian Hormuz Salt at 20 locations and identify several diapirs that are not moving. All active diapirs reach the surface within the Asmari Limestone or older rock units while we do not observe any active diapirism occurring within younger exposures, reflecting a complex vertical accumulation of the basal salt and reactivation of diapirs by erosion. Diapir reactivation of this sort may be a critical factor affecting the feasibility of sequestering nuclear waste and CO2 in evaporite sequences over geologic time scales. The distribution of active diapirism is indifferent to increases in mean elevation, suggesting a relatively uniform thickness of the Zagros Fold Belt above the basal salt with steps in topography driven by basement thickening. We do not observe aseismic uplift of anticlines because rates are likely below the detection threshold of our time series. This suggests that uplift is accommodated at small rates (<2–3 mm/yr) over numerous structures instead of focused at the deformation front.
The potential role of stratospheric ozone in the stratosphere‐ionosphere coupling during stratospheric warmings
Authors: Goncharenko L. P. , Coster A. J. , Plumb R. A. , Domeisen D. I. V.
Published: March 2012

The recent discovery of large ionospheric disturbances associated with sudden stratospheric warmings (SSW) has challenged the current understanding of mechanisms coupling the stratosphere and ionosphere. Non‐linear interaction of planetary waves and tides has been invoked as a primary mechanism for such coupling. Here we show that planetary waves may play a more complex role than previously thought. Planetary wave forcing induces a global circulation that leads to the build‐up of ozone density in the tropics at 30–50 km altitude, the primary region responsible for the generation of the migrating semidiurnal tide. The increase in the ozone density reaches 25% and lasts for ∼35 days following the SSW, long after the collapse of the planetary waves. Ozone enhancements are not only associated with SSW but are also observed after other amplifications in planetary waves. In addition, the longitudinal distribution of the ozone becomes strongly asymmetric, potentially leading to the generation of non‐migrating semidiurnal tides. We report a persistent increase in the variability of ionospheric total electron content that coincides with the increase in stratospheric ozone and we suggest that the ozone fluctuations affect the ionosphere through the modified tidal forcing.
Distinct and diverse anaerobic bacterial communities in boreal lakes dominated by candidate division OD1
Authors: Peura Sari , Eiler Alexander , Bertilsson Stefan , Nykänen Hannu , Tiirola Marja , Jones Roger I
Published: March 2012

Lakes have a central role in the carbon cycle of the boreal landscape. These systems typically stratify in summer and their hypolimnetic microbial communities influence burial of biogenic organic matter in sediments. The composition of bacterial communities in these suboxic habitats was studied by pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons from five lakes with variable dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations. Bacterioplankton communities in the hypolimnetic waters were clearly different from the surface layer with candidate division OD1, Chlorobi and Bacteroidetes as dominant community members. Several operational taxonomic units (OTUs) affiliated with candidate division OD1 were abundant and consistently present in the suboxic hypolimnion in these boreal lakes. The overall representation of this group was positively correlated with DOC and methane concentrations. Network analysis of time-series data revealed contrasting temporal patterns but suggested similar ecological roles among the abundant OTUs affiliated with candidate division OD1. Together, stable isotope data and taxonomic classification point to methane oxidation and autotrophic denitrification as important processes in the suboxic zone of boreal lakes. Our data revealed that while hypolimnetic bacterial communities are less dynamic, they appear to be more diverse than communities from the oxic surface layer. An appreciable proportion of the hypolimnetic bacteria belong to poorly described phyla.
Genomic Replikin Counts of Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus (ISAV) in Canada Exceed the Counts in Lethal Outbreaks in Norway, Chile, and Scotland. Real-Time Tracking of the Evolution of the ISAV Genome and the Resultant Replikins Solid Phase ISAV Vaccine Make ISAV Pandemic Prevention Possible.
Authors: Bogoch Samuel , Bogoch Elenore
Published: March 2012

Genomic Replikin CountsTM of Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus (ISAV) in Canada Exceed the Counts in Lethal Outbreaks in Norway, Chile, and Scotland. Real-Time Tracking of the Evolution of the ISAV Genome and the Resultant Replikins Solid Phase ISAV Vaccine Make ISAV Pandemic Prevention Possible.
HCV Core‐Induced Nonobese Hepatic Steatosis Is Associated With Hypoadiponectinemia and Is Ameliorated by Adiponectin Administration
Authors: Chang Ming‐Ling , Yeh Huei‐Chung , Tsou Yung‐Kuan , Wang Chao‐Jan , Cheng Hsiao‐yang , Sung Chang‐Mu , Ho Yu‐Pin , Chen Tsung‐Hsing , Yeh Chau‐Ting
Published: March 2012

Obesity‐related hepatic steatosis is commonly associated with central fat accumulation and alterations in adipocytokine secretion; however, the connection between nonobese hepatic steatosis and adipocytokines remains unclear. We aim to investigate this connection using an animal model of conditional hepatitis C virus (HCV) core‐transgenic mice. Double transgenic mice (DTM) with doxycycline (dox)‐regulated hepatic overexpression of the HCV core protein were fed standard rodent chow ad libitum following 1 month of a dox‐rich diet. The mice exhibited nonobese hepatic steatosis at 2 months of age. The levels of leptin and adiponectin were assessed in 2‐month‐old DTM (i.e., HCV core‐tetracycline transactivator (tTA)) and single transgenic mice (STM; i.e., tTA). The total fat mass and the body fat distribution of the mice were evaluated using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Microarray analyses and quantitative real‐time PCR were conducted using RNA obtained from the visceral fat of paired DTM and STM. Adiponectin was administered intraperitoneally to the 2‐month‐old DTM. No significant differences of the various fat components were noted between the DTM and STM. Leptin mRNA was downregulated in the visceral fat of DTM (P = 0.011), and serum adiponectin protein levels were reduced in the DTM compared with those in the STM (P = 0.035). Adiponectin treatment also significantly ameliorated hepatic steatosis in the DTM compared to the controls (P = 0.024). In conclusion, HCV core‐induced nonobese hepatic steatosis is associated with downregulation of the leptin gene in visceral fat and concurrent hypoadiponectinemia; however, these effects may be ameliorated by adiponectin treatment.
Ivermectin is a specific inhibitor of importin α/β-mediated nuclear import able to inhibit replication of HIV-1 and dengue virus
Authors: Wagstaff Kylie M. , Sivakumaran Haran , Heaton Steven M. , Harrich David , Jans David A.
Published: March 2012

The movement of proteins between the cytoplasm and nucleus mediated by the importin superfamily of proteins is essential to many cellular processes, including differentiation and development, and is critical to disease states such as viral disease and oncogenesis. We recently developed a high-throughput screen to identify specific and general inhibitors of protein nuclear import, from which ivermectin was identified as a potential inhibitor of importin α/β-mediated transport. In the present study, we characterized in detail the nuclear transport inhibitory properties of ivermectin, demonstrating that it is a broad-spectrum inhibitor of importin α/β nuclear import, with no effect on a range of other nuclear import pathways, including that mediated by importin β1 alone. Importantly, we establish for the first time that ivermectin has potent antiviral activity towards both HIV-1 and dengue virus, both of which are strongly reliant on importin α/β nuclear import, with respect to the HIV-1 integrase and NS5 (non-structural protein 5) polymerase proteins respectively. Ivermectin would appear to be an invaluable tool for the study of protein nuclear import, as well as the basis for future development of antiviral agents.