bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Monoclonal Antibody to a Novel Differentiation Antigen on Human Macrophages Associated with the Down-Regulatory Phase of the Inflammatory Process
Authors: Zwadlo Gabriele , Voegeíi Rainer , Osthoff Klaus Schulze , Sorg Clemens
Published: October 2008

A monoclonal antibody (RM3/1), raised by immunizing mice with human monocytes, is described which detects a surface antigen on about 20% of freshly isolated peripheral blood monocytes and is increasingly expressed upon cultivation, reaching a maximum between day 2 and 3. By incubation of monocytes with interferon-γ, 12-O-tetradeca-noylphorbol-13-acetate and lipopolysaccharide, antigen expression is decreased but strongly enhanced after incubation with dexamethasone. In cryostat sections of normal tissue, the antibody detects histiocytes in the skin, Kupffer cells in the liver, few alveolar macrophages in the lung, macrophages in the red pulp of the spleen and in the cortex of the thymus, and many macrophages in the placenta. In acute inflammatory tissue, e.g. gingivitis, the antigen is preferentially expressed by macrophages appearing late in the inflammatory process. In chronic inflammation, e.g. BCG granulomas and rheumatoid arthritis, RM3/1-positive macrophages are seen to varying degrees. Double-staining experiments with the antigen 25F9, specific for resting mature macrophages, revealed that RM3/1 and 25F9 are expressed by distinct populations in normal and acute inflammatory tissues. From this it is concluded that the antibody RM3/1 specifically detects a macrophage phenotype which seems to be associated with the healing phase of the inflammatory process.
Communication between Primary Endoderm and Mesoderm for Erythroblast Differentiation in Early Chick Blastoderm
Authors: Zagris Nikolas
Published: October 2008

Blood islands are mesodermal cells which, in close association with the underlying endoderm, form blood cells and endothelium in the early embryo. The primary hypoblast (primary endoderm), separated from the epiblast of chick blastoderm at the full hypoblast stage, was labeled with 14C-protein hydrolysate. The labeled hypoblast was recombined with its denuded unlabeled epiblast. Radioautographs and uptake and incorporation measurements in the blood islands show that there is transport of label from the primary hypoblast to the erythroblasts or to some progenitor cell(s) of the erythroblasts in the epiblast. The observed cell communication between mesoderm and the endoderm is in concert with the description of the blood island cytoarchitecture in which mesodermal cells are making direct contact with the adjacent endodermal cells during erythroblast differentiation.
Characterization of Transformed Cell Lines Evolving from a Normal C3H Line
Authors: Curatolo Laura , Frascotti Gianni , Ubezio Paolo , Mannironi Cecilia , Morasca Luciano
Published: October 2008

The development of transformed cell lines evolving from an embryo fibroblastic C3H primary culture was followed before and after the ageing crisis using different techniques. By flow cytometry, alteration of subpopulations having different DNA content and altered metabolic activity was observed after the crisis, with the trend to assume a near tetraploid DNA index at higher passages. The fibrin clot retractile activity was lost in all cases during the ageing crisis, but the outcome did not present uniform values of growth characteristics or chromosome number and tumorigenicity appeared to be a nonstable property of the transformed cell lines.
Vesicle-Mediated Delivery of Membrane to Growth Cones during Neuritogenesis in Embryonic Rat Primary Neuronal Cultures
Authors: Shea Thomas B. , Sapirstein Victor S.
Published: October 2008

Single cell suspensions from 15-day embryonic rat hindbrain plated on collagen formed large clumps by day 1 in culture. Neurite outgrowth was visible within 2 days. By day 14, morphological synapses were observed in nearly all instances of contact of a neurite ending with another cell. At day 3 in culture, the Golgi apparatus consisted of relatively few, broad lamellae. By contrast, at day 7 in culture this organelle consisted of tightly packed lamellar stacks with a considerable increase in vesicles budding from lamellae. Electron-lucent vesicles, ranging in size from 60 to 180 nm, similar to those generated by the Golgi apparatus were noted in neurite shafts and growth cones, with fusion of these vesicles virtually exclusively at the growth cone leading edge. Monensin resulted in the loss of these vesicles in cell somata and neuritic profiles. The electron-dense marker horseradish peroxidase was not incorporated into these vesicles following its addition to the culture medium, indicating that the vesicles were exocytotic. The number of total vesicles increased during the first 7 days of neurite outgrowth with no further increase up to day 14. This increase was due entirely to vesicles not labeled with the impermeable electron-dense stain ruthenium red, indicating that this increase represents actual vesicular elements and not increased surface convolutions. These data suggest that the 60- to 180-nm electron lucent vesicles are derived from the Golgi apparatus and, by fusion with the growth cone plasmalemma, provide new membrane required for neuritic outgrowth and maintenance.
Progressive Loss of Neuronal src Protein in Postnatal Weaver and Staggerer Cerebellum
Authors: Wiestler Otmar D. , Trenkner Ekkhart , Walter Gernot
Published: October 2008

Two forms of the c-src protein-tyrosine kinase, pp60c-src, are detectable in the central nervous system. One form pp60+, appears to be exclusively expressed in neurons and is characterized by insertion of 6 amino acids compared to its non-neuronal counterpart, pp60. These 2 proteins were studied in the mutant mouse strains weaver and staggerer with postnatal loss of cerebellar granular neurons. We found a continuous postnatal decline of the neuronal form of pp60c-src, pp60+, in the cerebellum of both mutants concomitant with the degeneration of cerebellar granule cells. This indicates that granular neurons provide the main source for pp60+ in the cerebellar cortex.
Evaluation of Thyroid Gland Activity by Hormone Assays and Flow Cytometry in Rats
Authors: Zbinden G.
Published: October 2008

Spontaneous variations in the activity of thyroids and changes induced by methimazole, phenobarbital and 2,4-diaminoanisole sulfate were assessed in rats by repeated measurements of serum T3, T4 and TSH concentrations and cell cycle analysis in isolated nuclei of the thyroids. Methimazole caused a decrease in T3 and T4, and elevation in TSH, reduction of cells in G1 and increase in the percentage of cells in S and G2 phases. With phenobarbital T4 concentrations were decreased, but a mitogenic effect was only seen after 8 weeks. With 2,4-diaminoanisole sulfate the most prominent change observed was a decrease in T3 concentrations.
T-Cell Depletion by Monoclonal Antibodies Does Not Prevent Granuloma Formation in Mice
Authors: Pincelli Carlo , Fujioka Akira , Hashimoto Akihiko , Fukuyama Kimie , Epstein William L.
Published: October 2008

Effects of T-cell depletion on the formation of organized granulomas in mouse skin were investigated. Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to L3T4 and Lyt-2.2 were injected into euthymic BALB/c mice in order to deplete both T-helper and T-suppressor cell populations. Four days after injection, hepatic schistosome egg granulomas were transplanted into the skin. Injection of MoAbs to L3T4 and Lyt-2.2 was repeated in the recipient mice 6 days later. At the time of transplantation, flow cytometric analysis showed that the number of T cells which were positively stained with surface markers decreased on average by 68% in both regional lymph nodes and spleen. The mitogen response of spleen cells was also markedly reduced. Despite their immunosuppressed condition, development of organized granulomas was observed in the skin of recipient mice by light and electron microscopy 3 weeks after transplantation. The findings indicate that T-cell function may not be essential for initiation of organized granuloma formation.
Anti-Tumor Efficacy of Interleukin-2-Activated Killer Cells in Human Neuroblastoma ex vivo
Authors: Atzpodien Jens , Gulati Subhash C. , Kwon Jong H. , Kushner Brian H. , Shimazaki Chihiro , Bührer Christoph , Öz Sadik , Kolitz Jonathan E. , Welte Karl , Clarkson Bayard D.
Published: October 2008

We studied the ex vivo sensitivity of continuously cultured neuroblastoma cells from 3 different patients towards interleukin-2-induced cell-mediated cytotoxicity. A mean ( ± SD) target cell lysis (4 h 51Cr release) of 49 ± 11, 46 ± 8, and 32 ± 11 % in SMS-SAN, LA-N-1, and SK-N-BE2 cell lines, respectively, was achieved when neuroblastoma cells were co-cultured at an effector-to-target (E:T) ratio of 50:1 with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) that had been preincubated for 4 days in the presence of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2; 100 U/ml). Under identical conditions, 93 ± 9 % of Daudi cells (a standard target for rIL-2-activated killer cells) were lysed. Preincubation of rIL-2-induced PBMC cultures in the presence of irradiated neuroblastoma targets (LA-N-1, SK-N-BE2) resulted in a significant cytolytic augmentation. At E:T ratios of 50:1 and 10:1, day-4 rIL-2/LA-N-1-stimulated PBMC produced 69 ± 7 and 41 ± 11% lysis of LA-N-1 cells, as compared to 46 ± 8 and 22 ± (mean ± SD) 7 % lysis by untargeted PBMC that were preincubated with rIL-2 (100 U/ml) in the absence of LA-N-1 target cells (p < 0.05). Co-incubation of rIL-2-induced PBMC preparations with irradiated LA-N-1 and SK-N-BE2 cells, respectively, did not significantly enhance the cytolytic activity against other neuroblastoma targets and the standard Daudi cell line (p ≧ 0.3). In summary, our results suggest that cell-mediated cytotoxicity using rIL-2-activated effector cells may be potentially useful in the immunotherapy of human neuroblastoma.
Enhanced Survival of Motoneurons in the Chick Lateral Motor Column: Effects of Embryonic Skeletal Muscle Extracts and Myoblast-Conditioned Medium
Authors: Petruzzelli Guy , Hughes Frank
Published: October 2008

Muscle-derived factors have shown neurotrophic effects in culture, but their possible effects on the maintenance of embryonic motoneurons have not been demonstrated in vivo. Soluble extracts derived from embryonic chick muscle, or medium conditioned by chick myoblasts, were instilled onto the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) between the 5th and 11th days of incubation. Counts of the lumbar lateral motor column (LMC) at embryonic day 12 revealed modest but significant increases (12–15%) in motoneuron number for these experimental groups as compared with control treatments. The results suggest that sustaining effects of muscle-derived factors on motoneurons may be demonstrated on the developing LMC by the simple expedient delivery via the CAM, and that these factors can modify the normal program of cell death occurring during this critical period of development.
Activities of Glycolytic Enzymes in Rapidly Proliferating and Differentiated C6 Glioma Cells
Authors: Dastidar Sunanda G. , Sharma Shail K.
Published: October 2008

Comparisons of glycolytic enzymes between rapidly proliferating and Bt? cAMP-induced differentiated C6 glioma cells have been made. Rapidly proliferating cells had higher concentrations of glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate compared to morphologically differentiated cells. Under maximally activating conditions, the specific activity and Vmax of hexokinase and phosphofructokinase enzymes were reduced by approximately 3- and 28-fold, respectively, in differentiated cells, without any change in Km values. These results suggest that hexokinase and phosphofructokinase occupy special control positions and the rate of glycolysis is correlated with cellular proliferation of C6 glioma cells.
Putative Mesothelial Cell Growth-Promoting Activity of a Cytoplasmic Protein Expressed by the Mesothelial Cell
Authors: Donna Adalberto , Betta Pier-Giacomo , Cosimi Maria Fabia , Robutti Flavio , Bellingeri Domenico , Marchesini Augusto
Published: October 2008

Mesothelioma cells produce a cytoplasmic protein unique to primary tumours of the mesothelium which induces the in vitro proliferation of human mesothelial cells in a dose-dependent fashion. When a polyclonal antibody to this protein was added to cultures of human mesothelioma cells, inhibition of their growth occurred. These results provide evidence for a growth-factor-like role of this mesothelial protein that may act through an auto-crine mechanism.
Effects of TGF-Beta on Retinal Pigmented Epithelium in vitro
Authors: Opas Michał , Dziak Ewa
Published: October 2008

Embryonic chick retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) has been grown on glass derivatized with covalently bound proteins of basement membrane and treated with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). In the present paper we show that over the concentration range tested (0.1–10 ng/ml) TGF-beta has no effect on RPE cell proliferation either in the presence or the absence of serum, cell motility and the organization of cytoskeleton-extracellular matrix linkage complexes with respect to their structure and presence of actin, vinculin, talin, integrin and fibronectin. The protein profiles of total cell/ECM extracts of cells grown in the presence or the absence of TGF-beta are similar although some stimulation of protein synthesis and of production of fibronectin-containing extracellular matrix has been detected.
Phagocytic Properties of Hepatic Endothelial Cells and Splenic Macrophages Compensating for a Decreased Phagocytic Function of Kupffer Cells in the Chronically Ethanol-Fed Rats
Authors: Shiratori Yasushi , Jin’naï Hideaki , Teraoka Hitoshi , Matano Sunao , Matsumoto Kazunori , Kamii Kazuo , Tanaka Mitsugu , Okano Ken’ichi
Published: October 2008

The balance of phagocytic function among Kupffer cells, hepatic endothelial cells and splenic macrophages in the chronically ethanol-fed rats has been investigated. Clearance of latex particles in the blood was measured to estimate the function of the reticuloendothelial system. Phagocytosis of latex particles by Kupffer cells, hepatic endothelial cells or splenic macrophages in vivo was measured by counting the number of ingested particles in a cell after isolation of hepatic nonparenchymal cells or spleen cells following injection of different amounts of latex particles. Latex particle clearance was suppressed in the ethanol-fed rats, demonstrating a decreased phagocytic capacity of the reticuloendothelial system. Markedly decreased phagocytic function was found in 40% of Kupffer cells of the chronically ethanol-fed rats. In contrast, the number of latex particles in hepatic endothelial cells and in splenic macrophages was increased after injection of a triggering dose of latex particles. From these results it may be concluded that an increased phagocytosis of hepatic endothelial cells and splenic macrophages could compensate for the decreased phagocytic function of Kupffer cells.
Immunolocalization of a Subnucleolar Nucleoprotein Complex Containing RNA Polymerase 1 in Ascites Hepatoma Cells Using Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Rosenberg Nancy Lynn , Nicolson Garth L.
Published: October 2008

We have isolated a discrete subnucleolar macromolecular nucleoprotein complex by direct treatment of Novikoff ascites hepatoma nucleoli by Mspl restriction digestion. Using a monoclonal antibody made against the subnucleolar nucleoprotein complex that was shown to inhibit RNA polymerase (pol) 1 activity in vitro, we localized an Mr ∼ 55,000 protein subunit which was demonstrated previously by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting to share epitopes with the RNA pol 1 moiety of the subnucleolar complex. By indirect immunofluorescence the distribution of the Mr ∼ 55,000 component of the subnucleolar nucleoprotein complex was examined at various phases of the cell cycle. At prophase, it was localized in large (∼1.5 µm in diameter) ball-like structures associated with the nuclear periphery and nuclear peripheral chromatin, suggesting that these structures might be related to preribosomal elements. After chromatin condensation and the pairing of daughter chromosomes, the large ball-like spheres increased in size and were associated with propidium iodide staining at one side of the nucleus; whereas throughout and especially at the opposite side of the nucleus, smaller, round, punctate structures of ∼ 0.5 µm in diameter were visibly labeled that were not associated with propidium iodide staining. At later stages of the cell cycle, these small round structures were again associated with propidium iodide staining, suggesting that they may be related to prenucleolar and/or preribosomal elements which would likely contain the appropriate nucleic acid in association with RNA pol 1 and cofactors of RNA pol 1.
Nuclear Retinoic-Acid-Binding Proteins and Receptors in Retinoic-Acid-Responsive Cell Lines
Authors: Daly Ann K. , Rees Jonathan L. , Redfern Christopher P.F.
Published: October 2008

Nuclear retinoic-acid-binding activity and the expression of retinoic acid receptor mRNA (RAR-α and RAR-β) were assayed in the F9 embryonal carcinoma, HeLa, HL-60 promyelocytic leukaemia and S91 melanoma cell lines. A 4-svedberg nuclear retinoic-acid-binding activity was detected in all 4 cell lines, but the levels in the HeLa and HL-60 cells were lower than in the F9 and S91 lines. RAR-α mRNA was expressed in all 4 cell lines, although at a very low level in S91 cells. Conversely, RAR-β mRNA was expressed in S91 cells and, at a lower level, in F9 cells but was undetectable in HeLa and HL-60 cells. RAR-β, transcribed and translated in vitro from the cloned cDNA coding region, sedimented at 4 S and this suggests that the 4-svedberg nuclear retinoic-acid-binding activity may represent the retinoic acid receptors.
Establishment and Maintenance of a Human Glioma Transplanted Serially to Hereditary Asplenic-Athymic (Lasat) Mice
Authors: Yamashita Masafumi , Takeshita Iwao , Mannoji Hiromichi , Egami Hiroto , Ohta Michiya , Kitamura Katsutoshi
Published: October 2008

A tumor line in asplenic-athymic (lasat) mice designated KNS-GL-2 was established from a recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma of the cerebrum in a 15-year-old boy (NS761072). The tumor line increased in terms of the rate of tumor take and growth with serial passage, forming a nodular appearance and massive intratumoral hemorrhage at the third generation. Microscopically, tumors developed in lasat mice were similar to the original tumor and consisted of cells with round and oval nuclei and a clear cytoplasm, which was positive for S-100 and GFA proteins by the immunoperoxidase method. Large clusters of tumor cells with dark scanty cytoplasm seen at the third generation lost their astrocytic appearance and were negative for both S-100 and GFA proteins. This was considered to be evidence for dedifferentiation or malignant transformation. There was a scattering of tumor cells with clear cytoplasm in these clusters, with a positive reaction to S-100 protein. It was possible that tumor cells dedifferentiated during serial passage but still retained the potential to differentiate into astrocytes.
Studies on the Toxicity and Binding Kinetics of Abrin in Normal and Epstein Barr Virus-Transformed Lymphocyte Culture-I: Experimental Results – 3
Authors: Witten Matthew , Gordon Ian , Bennett Carol E. , Glassman Armand
Published: October 2008

The effects of treatment with varying doses of abrin, a D-galactose binding lectin, on DNA and protein synthesis of normal and Epstein Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes have been investigated. Using data on EBV-transformed lymphocyte cell density as a function of time and dose of abrin, one can demonstrate that the mean number of sites bound/EBV-lymphocyte needed to exert a biological influence upon the cell DNA synthesis lies between 59,264 and 370,000 sites/cell. Using a simple packing model, one can demonstrate that a theoretical estimate places the number of binding sites between 57,600 and 360,000 sites/cell.
Elective Use of Aortic Balloon Occlusion in Cesarean Hysterectomy for Placenta Previa Percreta
Authors: Masamoto Hitoshi , Uehara Hiroyuki , Gibo Masaki , Okubo Eiko , Sakumoto Kaoru , Aoki Yoichi
Published: October 2008

Background: Only few reports are available on the use of aortic balloon catheter for cesarean hysterectomy in placenta previa percreta. Case: A 32-year-old woman with placenta previa percreta underwent cesarean hysterectomy at 34 weeks of gestation. Before starting the surgery, an aortic occlusion balloon catheter (30 mm balloon, 5 Fr) was inserted. For total hysterectomy, the aortic balloon catheter was inflated and there was a sudden and dramatic reduction in blood loss, and the surgery was completed safely. An aortic occlusion was sustained for 80 min, with blood loss estimated at 3,200 ml. The postoperative course was uneventful. At 3 months after the operation, the mother and baby remained healthy. Conclusion: An aortic balloon is rapidly and easily inserted, and is an option for major hemorrhage in placenta previa percreta.
Successful Surgical Management of Giant Condyloma Acuminatum (Buschke-Löwenstein Tumor) in the Genitoanal Region: A Case Report and Evaluation of Current Therapies
Authors: Gholam P. , Enk A. , Hartschuh W.
Published: October 2008

Giant condyloma acuminatum (GCA; Buschke-Löwenstein tumor) is a human-papillomavirus-induced cauliflower-like tumor of the genitoanal region. It is characterized by its size, capability of local infiltration and high recurrence rate. We report on a 50-year-old patient presenting with a maximum finding of GCA with deep infiltration into the adductor and perineal musculature, the scrotum, the penis and the pararectum. After performing a temporary loop colostomy, the tumor was removed by wide radical excision following plastic reconstruction with a myocutaneous gracilis flap. During a follow-up period of more than 5 years, no recurrence developed. Many treatment strategies (e.g. chemotherapy, radiation) have been published in the literature. Most authors recommend the radical surgical excision, allowing a complete histological examination and assessment of tumor-free resection margins. Despite the benign histological pattern of GCA in most cases, transformations into verrucous carcinoma and squamous-cell carcinoma have been described. In our case, the GCA seems to represent a continuum between normal condyloma acuminatum and an initial verrucous carcinoma.
Development and Testing of Canada-Wide Interpolated Spatial Models of Daily Minimum–Maximum Temperature and Precipitation for 1961–2003
Authors: Hutchinson Michael F. , McKenney Dan W. , Lawrence Kevin , Pedlar John H. , Hopkinson Ron F. , Milewska Ewa , Papadopol Pia
Published: October 2008

The application of trivariate thin-plate smoothing splines to the interpolation of daily weather data is investigated. The method was used to develop spatial models of daily minimum and maximum temperature and daily precipitation for all of Canada, at a spatial resolution of 300 arc s of latitude and longitude, for the period 1961–2003. Each daily model was optimized automatically by minimizing the generalized cross validation. The fitted trivariate splines incorporated a spatially varying dependence on ground elevation and were able to adapt automatically to the large variation in station density over Canada. Extensive quality control measures were performed on the source data. Error estimates for the fitted surfaces based on withheld data across southern Canada were comparable to, or smaller than, errors obtained by daily interpolation studies elsewhere with denser data networks. Mean absolute errors in daily maximum and minimum temperature averaged over all years were 1.1° and 1.6°C, respectively. Daily temperature extremes were also well matched. Daily precipitation is challenging because of short correlation length scales, the preponderance of zeros, and significant error associated with measurement of snow. A two-stage approach was adopted in which precipitation occurrence was estimated and then used in conjunction with a surface of positive precipitation values. Daily precipitation occurrence was correctly predicted 83% of the time. Withheld errors in daily precipitation were small, with mean absolute errors of 2.9 mm, although these were relatively large in percentage terms. However, mean percent absolute errors in seasonal and annual precipitation totals were 14% and 9%, respectively, and seasonal precipitation upper 95th percentiles were attenuated on average by 8%. Precipitation and daily maximum temperatures were most accurately interpolated in the autumn, consistent with the large well-organized synoptic systems that prevail in this season. Daily minimum temperatures were most accurately interpolated in summer. The withheld data tests indicate that the models can be used with confidence across southern Canada in applications that depend on daily temperature and accumulated seasonal and annual precipitation. They should be used with care in applications that depend critically on daily precipitation extremes.
Variability of Local Structure Parameters in the Convective Boundary Layer
Authors: Cheinet Sylvain , Siebesma A. Pier
Published: October 2008

The propagation of optical and acoustical waves is affected by the atmospheric turbulence through the local instantaneous refractive index structure parameter in a volume of characteristic size r, denoted Cn,r2. Often r is well within the inertial–convective range. In this study, a large-eddy simulation (LES) of spatial resolution Δ is used to analyze the distribution of Cn,Δ2 in the convective boundary layer. The local formulation used to calculate Cn,Δ2 is described and is found to back up the subgrid parameterization of atmospheric LES.

The mean vertical profile behaves according to the mixed layer similarity theory. The spatial organization relates to the presence of buoyant ascending plumes. This structure is associated with some bimodal probability density functions of the inertial–convective range variables, in agreement with experimental results. The standard model of jointly lognormal statistics is challenged. The intermittency of these variables is characterized, and its inertial–convective range component quantitatively agrees with experimental estimates.

The present LES results are used to document the bias produced by averaging the dissipation rates of TKE and temperature variance to estimate the average structure parameters. Comparing with nonconvective turbulence measurements, the bias for CT,r2 is found to depend on the stability. A physical explanation is offered that emphasizes the role of the large-scale turbulence under convective conditions.
A Critical Examination of the Observed First Aerosol Indirect Effect
Authors: Shao Hongfei , Liu Guosheng
Published: October 2008

The relative change in cloud droplet number concentration with respect to the relative change in aerosol number concentration, α, is an indicator of the strength of the aerosol indirect effect and is commonly used in models to parameterize this effect. Based on Twomey’s analytical expression, the values of α derived from measurements of an individual cloud (i.e., αT) can be as large as 0.60–0.90. In contrast, the values of α derived from direct measurements of polluted and clean clouds (i.e., αΔ) typically range from 0.25 to 0.85, corresponding to a weaker but more uncertain cooling effect. Clearly, reconciling αΔ with αT is necessary to properly calculate the indirect aerosol forcing. In this study, the terms that are involved in determining αT and αΔ are first analytically examined. Then, by analyzing satellite data over subtropical oceans, the satellite-observed αΔ can be successfully related to Twomey’s analytical solution. It is found that except for the dust-influenced region of the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, injecting continental aerosols into a marine background may significantly reduce the average aerosols’ ability to act as cloud condensation nuclei. Taking this competing effect into account may reduce the cooling effect proposed by Twomey from 0.76 to 0.28. It is also found that the variability of the adiabaticity (i.e., the cloud dilution state with respect to adiabatic cloud) among different clouds accounts for ∼50% uncertainty in αΔ. Based on these results, the authors explain the claimed discrepancies in the first aerosol indirect effect (AIE) from different methods and on different scales and present an improved parameterization of the first AIE that can be used in global climate models.
Evaluation of the Daylight Cycle of Model-Predicted Cloud Amount and Condensed Water Path over Europe with Observations from MSG SEVIRI
Authors: Roebeling R. A. , van Meijgaard E.
Published: October 2008

The evaluation of the diurnal cycle of cloud amount (CA) and cloud condensed water path (CWP) as predicted by climate models receives relatively little attention, mostly because of the lack of observational data capturing the diurnal cycle of such quantities. The Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) onboard the geostationary Meteosat-8 satellite is the first instrument able to provide accurate information on diurnal cycles during daylight hours of cloud properties over land and ocean surfaces. This paper evaluates the daylight cycle of CA and CWP as predicted by the Regional Atmospheric Climate Model version 2 (RACMO2), using corresponding SEVIRI retrievals. The study is done for Europe using hourly cloud properties retrievals from SEVIRI during the summer months from May to September 2004.

The results of this study show that SEVIRI-retrieved daylight cycles of CA and CWP provide a powerful tool for identifying climate model deficiencies. Over Europe the SEVIRI retrievals of cloud condensed water paths comprise about 80% liquid water and about 20% ice water. The daylight cycles of CA and CWP from SEVIRI show large spatial variations in their mean values and time of daily maximum and daytime-normalized amplitude. In general, RACMO2 overestimates CWP by about 30% and underestimates CA by about 20% as compared to SEVIRI. The largest amplitudes are observed in the Mediterranean and northern Africa. For the greater part of the ocean and coastal areas the time of daily maximum CWP is found during morning, whereas over land this maximum is found after local solar noon. These features are reasonably well captured by RACMO2. In the Mediterranean and continental Europe RACMO2 tends to predict maximum CWP associated with convection to occur about two hours earlier than SEVIRI indicates.
Observations of Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer Transitions across the Summer Kuroshio Extension*
Authors: Tanimoto Youichi , Xie Shang-Ping , Kai Kohei , Okajima Hideki , Tokinaga Hiroki , Murayama Toshiyuki , Nonaka Masami , Nakamura Hisashi
Published: October 2008

The baiu and Kuroshio Extension (KE) fronts, both zonally oriented and nearly collocated east of Japan, are the dominant summertime features of the atmosphere and ocean, respectively, over the midlatitude northwest Pacific. An atmospheric sounding campaign was conducted on board the R/V Roger Revelle during the 2005 summer. Transects of soundings across the KE front are analyzed to study its effects on the atmosphere, along with continuous surface meteorological and ceilometer cloud-base observations. While the KE front remained nearly stationary during the cruise, the baiu front displayed large meridional displacements that changed wind direction across the KE front. The presence of sharp sea surface temperature (SST) gradients anchored by the KE enhanced the thermal and moisture advection, causing substantial changes in the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) structure. When the baiu front was displaced north of the KE front, southwesterly winds advected warm, humid air from the subtropics over the cold water, producing a surface inversion favorable to fog formation. When the baiu front was to the south, on the other hand, northerly winds across the KE front destabilized the MABL, leading to the formation of a solid low-cloud deck beneath a strong capping inversion. The wind changes with the meridional displacement of the baiu front thus caused large variations in near-surface atmospheric stability and surface turbulent heat fluxes, with potential feedback on deep convection and fog/low-cloud formation around the front.
Two Types of El Niño Events: Cold Tongue El Niño and Warm Pool El Niño
Authors: Kug Jong-Seong , Jin Fei-Fei , An Soon-Il
Published: October 2008

In this study, two types of El Niño events are classified based on spatial patterns of the sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly. One is the cold tongue (CT) El Niño, which can be regarded as the conventional El Niño, and the other the warm pool (WP) El Niño. The CT El Niño is characterized by relatively large SST anomalies in the Niño-3 region (5°S–5°N, 150°–90°W), while the WP El Niño is associated with SST anomalies mostly confined to the Niño-4 region (5°S–5°N, 160°E–150°W). In addition, spatial patterns of many atmospheric and oceanic variables are also distinctively different for the two types of El Niño events. Furthermore, the difference in the transition mechanism between the two types of El Niño is clearly identified. That is, the discharge process of the equatorial heat content associated with the WP El Niño is not efficient owing to the spatial structure of SST anomaly; as a result, it cannot trigger a cold event. It is also demonstrated that zonal advective feedback (i.e., zonal advection of mean SST by anomalous zonal currents) plays a crucial role in the development of a decaying SST anomaly associated with the WP El Niño, while thermocline feedback is a key process during the CT El Niño.
Lateral Circulation in Well-Mixed and Stratified Estuarine Flows with Curvature
Authors: Nidzieko Nicholas J. , Hench James L. , Monismith Stephen G.
Published: October 2008

A field experiment was conducted to examine stratified and unstratified curvature-generated lateral circulation and momentum balances in an estuarine tidal channel. Conductivity, temperature, depth, and current profiler data were collected vertically and laterally across the channel at a sharp bend over a fortnightly period to measure the terms of the lateral momentum budget. Well-mixed conditions allow the development of classic two-layer helical flow around a bend. Stratification strengthens curvature-induced lateral circulation, but the development of a lateral baroclinic pressure gradient opposes the resultant motions. The spatial and temporal response of this baroclinic pressure gradient is different than centrifugal acceleration, producing a three-layer profile. As the baroclinic term becomes stronger (or as centrifugal acceleration disappears as the flow exits the bend), two-layer flow with the opposite direction from curvature occurs. In both stratified and well-mixed conditions, downstream adjustment of lateral circulation (nonlinear advective acceleration) is of leading order in the lateral momentum budget; the depth-averaged term adjusts the streamline direction, while vertical deviations from the depth average account for changes in lateral circulation. The asymmetry of forcing mechanisms on flood and ebb, because of variations in stratification and strength of tidal flow, can strongly affect net lateral transport and generation of residual currents in regions of curvature.
Small Group Instruction for Students With Autism
Authors: Tekin-Iftar Elif , Birkan Bunyamin
Published: October 2008

A multiple-probe design across response chains and students was used to evaluate the combined instructional effects of progressive time delay, general case training, and observational learning on the food and drink preparation skills of three children with autism. All instruction was delivered in a group learning arrangement. The data suggested that these students acquired and maintained the targeted skills through the use of these instructional techniques. In addition, students were able to acquire response chains by observing the other student in the group and appeared to generalize the acquired skills to similar response chains. The implications for future research are discussed.
Oral Antibiotics Attenuate Bowel Segment Reversal–Induced Alterations in Subpopulation and Function of Peripheral Blood Leukocytes, Thymocytes, and Splenocytes in Massive Bowel‐Resected Rats
Authors: Lee Chien‐Hsing , Chen Jing‐Yi , Li Mei‐Ling , Chou Ming‐Chih , Lo Hui‐Chen
Published: October 2008

Background: The authors previously demonstrated that oral antibiotics significantly attenuated inflammatory response, improved intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and augmented anabolic response in massive bowel‐resected rats with bowel‐segment reversal. Herein, the effects of oral antibiotics on immune functions were investigated. Methods: Male Wistar rats were subjected to a sham operation or a 70% small bowel resection with or without a 3‐cm small bowel segment reversal. Thereafter, half numbers of animals with bowel resection and reversal were orally administered clindamycin plus amoxicillin (50 plus 50 mg/kg/day) for 3 weeks. Age‐matched nonsurgical rats were included as references. Peripheral blood, spleen, and thymus were collected for analyzing immunocyte subpopulations and function.Results: Bowel resection significantly decreased weight gain, thymic weight, and splenic helper‐T, suppressor‐T, and mature‐B cells but significantly increased splenic macrophage distribution and concanvavalin A–stimulated splenocytic proliferation and cytokine production, such as tumor‐necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interferon‐γ, and interleukin (IL)‐2 (1‐way ANOVA, P < .05). Bowel segment reversal further decreased circulating suppressor‐T cells but increased circulating natural killer cells and spontaneous splenocytic TNF‐α production. Segment reversal–induced elevations in bacterial numbers of gut content, circulating white blood cell, nitric oxide, IL‐6, splenocytic interferon‐γ and IL‐2 production, reductions in T‐thymocytic distribution, and alterations in thymocytic interferon‐γ and IL‐2 production were attenuated by oral antibiotics. Moreover, oral antibiotics significantly increased splenocytic granulocytes and spontaneous thymocytic proliferation. Conclusions: Oral antibiotics might augment the beneficial effects of bowel segment reversal on anabolism via attenuating bacterial overgrowth and inflammatory response, and restore subpopulation and function of splenocytes and thymocytes in massive bowel–resected rats.
Vocalization as paradigm of Anioma musicianship: the voice of the akpele
Authors: Ngozi Mokwunyei Josephine
Published: October 2008

Although it is generally accepted that music is universal, we can imagine that every culture has a way of describing or talking about its music. The purpose of this article is to examine some aspects peculiar to the musical traditions of the Anioma people of Southern Nigeria from indigenous perceptions of their cultural modalities. The focus is on the perspective of Anioma music that represents the voice as the most important asset of its musical tradition. This is explored through the examination of the functions of a traditional musical instrument that relates most closely with the human voice. The results of this study help to bridge a gap in the knowledge of African musical instruments by bringing to scholarly focus a little-known form of communication.
Current Concepts in Instrumented Knee-Laxity Testing
Authors: Pugh Luke , Mascarenhas Randy , Arneja Shalinder , Chin Patrick Y. K. , Leith Jordan M.
Published: October 2008

Background

Instrumented knee laxity testing devices have been used in both the clinical and research setting to evaluate persons with injuries about the knee. The ability to accurately and reproducibly quantify knee motion has the potential to greatly benefit both clinical practice and research by improving the validity of the research involving treatment of knee-ligament injuries.

Study Design

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

A thorough literature review was performed, and a systematic overview is provided evaluating the methods of use and the evidence for the use of instrumented knee laxity testing devices.

Results

Devices that provide measurements of knee laxity have evolved during the past 30 years. The authors describe in detail their proper use and the best estimates of their validity based on clinical studies.

Conclusion

The review suggests that the KT-1000 knee arthrometer and the Rolimeter provide best results when testing anterior laxity at the knee, whereas the Telos device is superior for the assessment of posterior laxity.
Between Zhdanov and Bloomsbury: the Poetry and Poetics of E. P. Thompson
Authors: Hamilton Scott
Published: October 2008

E. P. Thompson's poetry and poetics are rarely considered by commentators on his work, but they are central to his thought. Thompson, who for a long time identified as a poet rather than a historian, struggled to find an alternative to both the Bloomsburian modernism he associated with decadent British capitalism and the chilly philistinism of Stalinist socialist realism. Thompson's unique and ingenious poetics emphasizes the political nature of poetry, yet denies that poets ought to subordinate their work to political concerns. By understanding Thompson's poetics, we can understand his critique of the 'positivism and utilitarianism' which he came to believe were inherent in most forms of Marxism. Thompson's poetics also helps us to understand the peculiar forms that some of his most famous political polemics take.
Sexy like a Girl and Horny like a Boy: Contemporary Gay 'Western' Narratives about Gay Asian Men
Authors: Han Chong-suk
Published: October 2008

In recent decades, gay people of color have begun to challenge old assumptions regarding what it means to be 'gay', posing a threat to older notions of 'gay' identity. However, much of the coverage in 'mainstream' gay publications remains geared toward white readers. Using critical discourse analysis, this article analyzes the coverage in 'mainstream' gay magazines and argues that 'gay' publications have marginalized gay Asian men by simply ignoring their existence or employing existing stereotypes about Asian men in general, thereby, maintaining 'gay' as largely a 'white' category and relegating gay Asian men to the margins of the gay 'community'.
Health, Wealth, and Charitable Estate Planning
Authors: James Russell N.
Published: October 2008

Anticipated generational wealth transfers hold much potential for nonprofits. However, a weighted cross-sectional analysis of 18,469 respondents in the 2006 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and data from respondents dying between the 2004 and 2006 HRS waves indicated that 88% to 90.5% of donors (>$500/year) more than the age of 50 will die without a charitable bequest. Cross-sectional probit analysis of the 2006 HRS and longitudinal conditional fixed-effects logistic analysis of the 1995-2006 HRS indicated that charitable estate planning was positively associated with age, wealth, education, religious attendance, volunteering, charitable giving, and the absence of children or grandchildren. In all specifications, the absence of children was a dominant predictor of charitable estate planning.
The Relationship Between Confidence in Charitable Organizations and Volunteering Revisited
Authors: Bekkers René , Bowman Woods
Published: October 2008

Confidence in charitable organizations (charitable confidence) would seem to be an important prerequisite for philanthropic behavior. Previous research relying on cross-sectional data has suggested that volunteering promotes charitable confidence and vice versa. This research note, using new longitudinal panel data from the Netherlands, contradicts the suggestion generated by previous research. Volunteers indeed have more charitable confidence, but changes in one are not related to changes in the other. The authors identify generalized social trust and altruistic values as omitted variables that produce the previously observed relationship. The practical implication of this finding is that a decline in charitable confidence is unlikely to reduce volunteering. The theoretical implication is that volunteering is symbolic rather than instrumental.
Atomic Oxygen and UV Irradiation Effects on Fluorosilicone Rubber: Comparison of RF Plasma and In-Flight Exposure
Authors: Laikhtman Alex , Gouzman Irina , Verker Ronen , Grossman Eitan , Pippin H. Gary
Published: October 2008

In this work the effect of a low Earth orbit (LEO) space environment on fluorosilicone rubber polymers was studied. The emphasis was made on the influence of atomic oxygen (AO) and UV irradiation on the polymer chemical, morphological, and mechanical properties. The fluorosilicone samples were exposed to the LEO space environment during the Passive Optical Sample Assembly (POSA-II) experiment on-board the MIR space station and in a ground simulation radio frequency (RF) oxygen plasma Asher system. LEO environment was found to have a pronounced destructive effect on the fluorosilicone rubber. Exposure of the samples in space for 18 months (AO fluence of 2.1 1 1020 O-atoms cm-2 ) resulted in surface cracking and changes in chemical composition, namely a decrease in the atomic concentration of fluorine and an increase in the amount of oxygen by formation of silicon oxide. These changes induce stresses in the modified region1 the affected material is characterized by increased hardness and elastic modulus. AO fluence is a dominant factor in the sample deterioration: the specimen facing the MIR space station received a lower AO fluence (8 1 1019 O-atoms cm-2 ) and, consequently, has less damage as compared to the specimen that faced the outer space. Ground simulation of LEO environment by exposure to RF oxygen plasma produces similar effects to those of the space environment. Its impact is even stronger due to higher levels of UV irradiation. It is deduced that fluorosilicone rubber is not suitable for long duration utilization when exposed to LEO due to its chemical and mechanical instability. The undesired effects may include both the destruction of the sealing and the contamination of neighboring parts within line-of-sight with its outgassing products.
The Performance of Novel Polyetherimides in a Low Earth Orbit Environment
Authors: Stienstra Mei Mei , Dingemans Theo , Van Eesbeek Marc , Rohr Thomas
Published: October 2008

In this paper we report on the performance of a new series of all-aromatic polyetherimides (PEIs) under simulated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) conditions. In particular, the effects of the polymer backbone structure on the thermo-optical stability under simulated ultraviolet (UV) radiation and atomic oxygen (AO) exposure were investigated. Neither the number of aryloxy groups (where n = 1, 2 or 3) in the polymer backbone nor their substitution pattern i.e. para, meta or ortho, seemed to have a significant effect on the behavior of these PEIs under simulated LEO conditions. However, the PEIs designed around 3,3',4,4'oxydiphtalic dianhydride (ODPA) showed less stable thermo-optical properties under UV exposure than those utilizing 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA). The UV-induced degradation of all PEI films appears to be confined within a thin surface layer of approximately 0.5 μm, leaving the underlying material largely unaffected. In conclusion, the performance of the PEI series under simulated LEO conditions is comparable to that of commercially available polyetherimides such as UpilexTM or Kapton TM.