bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The 2009 stratospheric major warming described from synergistic use of BASCOE water vapour analyses and MLS observations
Authors: Lahoz W. A. , Errera Q. , Viscardy S. , Manney G. L.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. The record-breaking major stratospheric warming of northern winter 2009 (January–February) is studied using BASCOE (Belgian Assimilation System for Chemical ObsErvation) stratospheric water vapour analyses and MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder) water vapour observations, together with meteorological data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and potential vorticity (PV) derived from ECMWF meteorological data. We focus on the interaction between the cyclonic wintertime stratospheric polar vortex and subsidiary anticyclonic stratospheric circulations during the build-up, peak and aftermath of the major warming. We show dynamical consistency between the water vapour analysed fields and the meteorological and PV fields. Using various approaches, we use the analysed water vapour fields to estimate descent in the polar vortex during this period of between ~0.5 km day−1 and ~0.7 km day−1. New results include the analysis of water vapour during the major warming and demonstration of the benefit of assimilating MLS satellite data into the BASCOE model.
Ternary homogeneous nucleation of H2SO4, NH3, and H2O under conditions relevant to the lower troposphere
Authors: Benson D. R. , Yu J. H. , Markovich A. , Lee S.-H.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Ternary homogeneous nucleation (THN) of H2SO4, NH3 and H2O has been used to explain new particle formation in various atmospheric regions, yet laboratory measurements of THN have failed to reproduce atmospheric observations. Here, we report first laboratory observations of THN made under conditions relevant to the lower troposphere ([H2SO4] of 106–107 cm−3, [NH3] of 0.08–20 ppbv, and a temperature of 288 K). Our observations show that NH3 can enhance atmospheric H2SO4 aerosol nucleation and the enhancement factor (EF) in nucleation rate (J) due to NH3 (the ratio of J measured with vs. without NH3) increases linearly with increasing [NH3] and increases with decreasing [H2SO4] and RH. Two chemical ionization mass spectrometers (CIMS) are used to measure [H2SO4] and [NH3], as well as possible impurities of amines in the nucleation system. Aerosol number concentrations are measured with a water condensation counter (CPC, TSI 3786). The slopes of Log J vs. Log [H2SO4], Log J vs. Log RH, and Log J vs. Log [NH3] are 3–5, 1–4, and 1, respectively. These slopes and the threshold of [H2SO4] required for the unity nucleation vary only fractionally in the presence and absence of NH3. These observations can be used to improve aerosol nucleation models to assess how man-made SO2 and NH3 affect aerosol formation and CCN production at the global scale.
Impacts of changes in land use and land cover on atmospheric chemistry and air quality over the 21st century
Authors: Wu S. , Mickley L. J. , Kaplan J. O. , Jacob D. J.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. The effects of future land use and land cover change on the chemical composition of the atmosphere and air quality are largely unknown. To investigate the potential effects associated with future changes in vegetation driven by atmospheric CO2 concentrations, climate, and anthropogenic land use over the 21st century, we performed a series of model experiments combining a general circulation model with a dynamic global vegetation model and an atmospheric chemical-transport model. Our results indicate that climate- and CO2-induced changes in vegetation composition and density could lead to decreases in summer afternoon surface ozone of up to 10 ppb over large areas of the northern mid-latitudes. This is largely driven by the substantial increases in ozone dry deposition associated with changes in the composition of temperate and boreal forests where conifer forests are replaced by those dominated by broadleaf tree types, as well as a CO2-driven increase in vegetation density. Climate-driven vegetation changes over the period 2000–2100 lead to general increases in isoprene emissions, globally by 15 % in 2050 and 36 % in 2100. These increases in isoprene emissions result in decreases in surface ozone concentrations where the NOx levels are low, such as in remote tropical rainforests. However, over polluted regions, such as the northeastern United States, ozone concentrations are calculated to increase with higher isoprene emissions in the future. Increases in biogenic emissions also lead to higher concentrations of secondary organic aerosols, which increase globally by 10 % in 2050 and 20 % in 2100. Surface concentrations of secondary organic aerosols are calculated to increase by up to 1 μg m−3 for large areas in Eurasia. When we use a scenario of future anthropogenic land use change, we find less increase in global isoprene emissions due to replacement of higher-emitting forests by lower-emitting cropland. The global atmospheric burden of secondary organic aerosols changes little by 2100 when we account for future land use change, but both secondary organic aerosols and ozone show large regional changes at the surface.
A comprehensive numerical study of aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions in marine stratocumulus
Authors: Chen Y.-C. , Xue L. , Lebo Z. J. , Wang H. , Rasmussen R. M. , Seinfeld J. H.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Three-dimensional large-eddy simulations (LES) with detailed bin-resolved microphysics are performed to explore the diurnal variation of marine stratocumulus (MSc) clouds under clean and polluted conditions. The sensitivity of the aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions to variation of sea surface temperature, free tropospheric humidity, large-scale divergence rate, and wind speed is assessed. The comprehensive set of simulations corroborates previous studies that (1) with moderate/heavy drizzle, an increase in aerosol leads to an increase in cloud thickness; and (2) with non/light drizzle, an increase in aerosol results in a thinner cloud, due to the pronounced effect on entrainment. It is shown that for higher SST, stronger large-scale divergence, drier free troposphere, or lower wind speed, the cloud thins and precipitation decreases. The sign and magnitude of the Twomey effect, droplet dispersion effect, cloud thickness effect, and overall cloud optical depth susceptibility to aerosol perturbations are evaluated by LES experiments and compared with analytical formulations. The Twomey effect emerges as dominant in total cloud susceptibility to aerosol perturbations. The dispersion effect, that of aerosol perturbations on the cloud droplet size spectrum, is positive (i.e., increase in aerosol leads to spectral narrowing) and accounts for 3 % to 10 % of the total cloud susceptibility at nighttime, with the largest influence in heavier drizzling clouds. The cloud thickness effect is negative (i.e., increase in aerosol leads to thinner cloud) for non/light drizzling cloud and positive for moderate/heavy drizzling clouds; the cloud thickness effect contributes 5 % to 22 % of the nighttime cloud susceptibility. The range of magnitude for each effect is more variable in the daytime owing to cloud thinning and decoupling. Overall, the cloud susceptibility is ~0.28 to 0.53 at night; an increase in aerosol concentration enhances cloud optical depth, especially with heavier precipitation and in a more pristine environment. The good agreement between LES experiments and analytical formulations suggests that the latter may be useful in evaluations of cloud susceptibility. The ratio of the magnitude of the cloud thickness effect to that of the Twomey effect depends on cloud base height and cloud thickness in unperturbed (clean) clouds.
Relativistic electron beams above thunderclouds
Authors: Füllekrug M. , Roussel-Dupré R. , Symbalisty E. M. D. , Colman J. J. , Chanrion O. , Soula S. , van der Velde O. , Odzimek A. , Bennett A. J. , Pasko V. P. , Neubert T.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Non-luminous relativistic electron beams above thunderclouds are detected by radio remote sensing with low frequency radio signals from 40–400 kHz. The electron beams occur 2–9 ms after positive cloud-to-ground lightning discharges at heights between 22–72 km above thunderclouds. The positive lightning discharges also cause sprites which occur either above or before the electron beam. One electron beam was detected without any luminous sprite occurrence which suggests that electron beams may also occur independently. Numerical simulations show that the beamed electrons partially discharge the lightning electric field above thunderclouds and thereby gain a mean energy of 7 MeV to transport a total charge of 10 mC upwards. The impulsive current associated with relativistic electron beams above thunderclouds is directed downwards and needs to be considered as a novel element of the global atmospheric electric circuit.
Surface solar irradiance from SCIAMACHY measurements: algorithm and validation
Authors: Wang P. , Stammes P. , Mueller R.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Broadband surface solar irradiances (SSI) are, for the first time, derived from SCIAMACHY (SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CartograpHY) satellite measurements. The retrieval algorithm, called FRESCO (Fast REtrieval Scheme for Clouds from the Oxygen A band) SSI, is similar to the Heliosat method. In contrast to the standard Heliosat method, the cloud index is replaced by the effective cloud fraction derived from the FRESCO cloud algorithm. The MAGIC (Mesoscale Atmospheric Global Irradiance Code) algorithm is used to calculate clear-sky SSI. The SCIAMACHY SSI product is validated against globally distributed BSRN (Baseline Surface Radiation Network) measurements and compared with ISCCP-FD (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project Flux Dataset) surface shortwave downwelling fluxes (SDF). For one year of data in 2008, the mean difference between the instantaneous SCIAMACHY SSI and the hourly mean BSRN global irradiances is −4 W m−2 (−1 %) with a standard deviation of 101 W m−2 (20 %). The mean difference between the globally monthly mean SCIAMACHY SSI and ISCCP-FD SDF is less than −12 W m−2 (−2 %) for every month in 2006 and the standard deviation is 62 W m−2 (12 %). The correlation coefficient is 0.93 between SCIAMACHY SSI and BSRN global irradiances and is greater than 0.96 between SCIAMACHY SSI and ISCCP-FD SDF. The evaluation results suggest that the SCIAMACHY SSI product achieves similar mean bias error and root mean square error as the surface solar irradiances derived from polar orbiting satellites with higher spatial resolution.
A modification of the mixed form of Richards equation and its application in vertically inhomogeneous soils
Authors: Kalinka F. , Ahrens B.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Recently, new soil data maps were developed, which include vertical soil properties like soil type. Implementing those into a multilayer Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere-Transfer (SVAT) scheme, discontinuities in the water content occur at the interface between dissimilar soils. Therefore, care must be taken in solving the Richards equation for calculating vertical soil water fluxes. We solve a modified form of the mixed (soil water and soil matric potential based) Richards equation by subtracting the equilibrium state of soil matrix potential ψE from the hydraulic potential ψh. The sensitivity of the modified equation is tested under idealized conditions. The paper will show that the modified equation can handle with discontinuities in soil water content at the interface of layered soils.
Phialemonium Curvatum Infection after Phacoemulsification: A Case Report
Authors: Freda Roberto , Dal Pizzol Melissa M. , Filho João B. Fortes
Published: May 2011

Purpose.

A case of Phialemonium curvatum wound corneal infection after phacoemulsification is reported.

Methods.

Case report.

Results.

The marked aggressiveness of this fungus is demonstrated by the absence of therapeutic response to both medical and surgical treatment.

Conclusions.

The poor outcome resulted in evisceration of the affected eye.
Phase II study of tofacitinib (CP‐690,550) combined with methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and an inadequate response to methotrexate
Authors: Tanaka Yoshiya , Suzuki Makoto , Nakamura Hiroyuki , Toyoizumi Shigeyuki , Zwillich Samuel H. ,   Tofacitinib Study Investigators
Published: May 2011

Objective

To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of 4 doses of oral tofacitinib (CP‐690,550) with placebo in Japanese patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving stable background methotrexate (MTX) who had an inadequate response to MTX alone.

Methods

A total of 140 patients were randomized to receive tofacitinib 1, 3, 5, and 10 mg twice a day or placebo in this 12‐week, phase II, double‐blind study. All patients remained on background MTX. Efficacy and safety were assessed at weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12. The primary efficacy end point was the American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (ACR20) response rate at week 12.

Results

ACR20 response rates at week 12 were significant (P < 0.0001) for all tofacitinib treatment groups: 1 mg twice a day, 64.3%; 3 mg twice a day, 77.8%; 5 mg twice a day, 96.3%; and 10 mg twice a day, 80.8% versus placebo, 14.3%. A significant dose‐response relationship for the ACR20 was observed (P < 0.0001). Low disease activity was achieved by 72.7% of patients with high baseline disease activity for tofacitinib 10 mg twice a day at week 12 (P < 0.0001). Significant improvements in the ACR50, ACR70, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, and Disease Activity Score 28‐3 (C‐reactive protein) were also reported. The most commonly reported adverse events (AEs) were nasopharyngitis (n = 13) and increased alanine aminotransferase (n = 12) and aspartate aminotransferase (n = 9) levels. These AEs were mild or moderate in severity. Serious AEs were reported by 5 patients. No deaths occurred.

Conclusion

In Japanese patients with active RA with an inadequate response to MTX, tofacitinib in combination with MTX over 12 weeks was efficacious and had a manageable safety profile.
Experience of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in neuropathy associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome: A national multicentric retrospective study
Authors: Rist Stéphanie , Sellam Jérémie , Hachulla Eric , Sordet Christelle , Puéchal Xavier , Hatron Pierre‐yves , Benhamou Claude‐laurent , Sibilia Jean , Mariette Xavier ,   Club Rhumatismes et Inflammation
Published: May 2011

Objective

Sjögren's syndrome (SS)–related peripheral neuropathy is responsible for disability, but no treatment has been shown to improve its outcome. In some cases, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy has been associated with some benefit. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of IVIG in SS‐related peripheral neuropathy.

Methods

We assessed the efficacy and tolerance of IVIG in 19 patients with primary SS–related neuropathy without any necrotizing vasculitis in a retrospective national multicentric study. The evaluation of the response was assessed using the disability Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) and a global evaluation by the practitioner.

Results

Eight patients (42%) exhibited a decrease of the MRS score corresponding to a clinical improvement, 10 patients (52%) exhibited a stable MRS score, and 1 patient (6%) showed an increase of MRS score. According to the global evaluation by the practitioner, 9 (47%) of the 19 patients were improved, 6 patients (31%) were stable, and 4 patients (21%) worsened. All the patients with sensorimotor (n = 5) or nonataxic sensory neuropathy (n = 4) were improved or stabilized. However, among the patients with ataxic neuropathy (n = 9), only 2 improved and 4 worsened. Ten of the 13 patients treated with corticosteroids could have had the prednisone dosage decreased from 15 mg/day (range 7.5–60) to 10 mg/day (range 5–20) with IVIG. Only 1 patient stopped the treatment after 1 dose because of a minor side effect and lack of initial efficacy.

Conclusion

IVIG may be useful in the treatment of SS‐associated sensorimotor neuropathies or nonataxic sensory neuropathy without any necrotizing vasculitis. The benefit of such therapy in the SS‐related ataxic neuropathy seems less clear.
A structured literature review of the direct costs of adult systemic lupus erythematosus in the US
Authors: Slawsky Katherine A. , Fernandes Ancilla W. , Fusfeld Lauren , Manzi Susan , Goss Thomas F.
Published: May 2011

Objective

A structured review of the literature was undertaken to examine the direct costs of adult systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a US population.

Methods

English‐language studies published from January 2000 to April 2010 were systematically reviewed from both Medline's PubMed and the Cochrane databases. Studies were included if they reported direct medical costs of SLE among adults in the US.

Results

Seven studies published since January 2000 that reported direct medical costs associated with SLE in the US were identified. Studies examined main cost categories of inpatient, outpatient, and pharmacy services; each contributed substantially to total costs. Wide SDs were reported, consistent with variability in disease manifestation. Mean annual direct costs of SLE patients ranged from $13,735–$20,926; the costs of those with and without nephritis ranged from $29,034–$62,651 and $12,273–$16,575, respectively. Across studies of a general SLE population, pharmaceutical costs composed 19–30% of total expenditures, with inpatient costs accounting for 16–50% and outpatient costs accounting for 24–56% of overall costs. Methodologies varied across studies, with patient self‐reported resource utilization generating the lowest estimates versus claims‐based analyses; Medicaid claims analyses generated lower incremental cost estimates for SLE patients versus control patients compared to estimates based on commercial claims analysis.

Conclusion

SLE is associated with substantial annual direct cost burden in the US; however, little research has been done examining costs associated with specific treatments or cost variation by disease severity and disease manifestations. Future research elucidating the causes in variation of costs will help in the appraisal of emerging therapies and in developing clinical management strategies.
Systemic and immune manifestations in myelodysplasia: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: de Hollanda A. , Beucher A. , Henrion D. , Ghali A. , Lavigne C. , Lévesque H. , Hamidou M. , Subra J. F. , Ifrah N. , Belizna C.
Published: May 2011

Objective

The presence of systemic and/or immune manifestations in myelodysplasia has been currently reported. The influence of these manifestations on the natural outcome of myelodysplastic syndrome has to be considered. We present a multicenter retrospective study (2002–2009) of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome disclosing systemic and/or immune manifestations.

Methods

Forty‐six patients with myelodysplasia presenting with systemic and/or immune manifestations were compared in terms of survival with 189 patients with myelodysplasia lacking these features.

Results

The clinical picture in these cases consisted of fever (13%), arthralgia or arthritis (13%), and cutaneous manifestations (67%). Four cases of systemic vasculitis have been reported in our series, and they have a worse prognosis. Immune anomalies were recorded in 29% of the cases, and the presence of cryoglobulins was also associated with a worse prognosis.

Conclusion

A difference in survival between patients with myelodysplastic syndrome with systemic manifestations and patients lacking these manifestations has been observed in the presence of systemic vasculitis and/or cryoglobulins.
Sb‐Doped SnO2 Hollow Spheres Offering Micro‐ and Nanoporosity in Fuel Cell Electrode Structures
Authors: Suffner Jens , Kaserer Sebastian , Hahn Horst , Roth Christina , Ettingshausen Frank
Published: May 2011

Sb‐doped SnO2 (ATO) is used as an alternative support material to replace carbon in the highly corrosive environment of a fuel cell cathode. Two ATO powders with different morphologies are decorated with Pt nanoparticles and afterwards used as the cathode catalyst. The commercial ATO powder exhibits crystallites in the nanometer range, while the home‐made ATO powder, which was synthesized by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, consists of polycrystalline hollow spheres. The spheres have diameters in the micrometer range and are composed of individual nanocrystallites. The unusual morphology of the home‐made ATO offers nano‐ and microporosity at the same time and opens up new possibilities for the controlled design of electrode structures in low‐temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Both materials are characterized by XRD, SEM, and TEM and tested in a single cell set‐up. While almost no current is gained from the membrane electrode assembly with the commercial ATO support, the cell with the home‐made ATO achieves a mediocre performance. This higher activity, however, is obtained with approximately half the Pt content compared to the catalyst with the commercial support. The different behaviours of both ATO powders can therefore mainly be attributed to differences in the specific support morphology.
Direct Evaluation of Intrinsic Optoelectronic Performance of Organic Photovoltaic Cells with Minimizing Impurity and Degradation Effects
Authors: Saeki Akinori , Tsuji Masashi , Seki Shu
Published: May 2011

A correlation between the photovoltaic performance and dynamics of transient photoconductivity is investigated by flash‐photolysis time‐resolved microwave conductivity (FP‐TRMC). This electrode‐less technique offers chances to mitigate barriers for direct, speedy, and robust evaluation of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) film. We examined the blend ratio, process (solvent and thermal annealing), and impurity (a metal complex of Pd) and degradation effects in BHJ films consisting of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and methanofullerene (PCBM). The minimum charge carrier mobility of 0.22 cm2V−1s−1 was found in P3HT:PCBM = 1:1 film along with 3.26% power conversion efficiency. The revealed good correlation is not only applicable to process optimization, but also expected as a facile screening method to survey the potential of optoelectronic materials.
Aggression, grooming and group‐level cooperation in white‐faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus): insights from social networks
Authors: Crofoot Margaret C. , Rubenstein Daniel I. , Maiya Arun S. , Berger‐Wolf Tanya Y.
Published: May 2011

The form of animal social systems depends on the nature of agonistic and affiliative interactions. Social network theory provides tools for characterizing social structure that go beyond simple dyadic interactions and consider the group as a whole. We show three groups of capuchin monkeys from Barro Colorado Island, Panama, where there are strong connections between key aspects of aggression, grooming, and proximity networks, and, at least among females, those who incur risk to defend their group have particular “social personalities.” Although there is no significant correlation for any of the network measures between giving and receiving aggression, suggesting that dominance relationships do not follow a simple hierarchy, strong correlations emerge for many measures between the aggression and grooming networks. At the local, but not global, scale, receiving aggression and giving grooming are strongly linked in all groups. Proximity shows no correlation with aggression at either the local or the global scale, suggesting that individuals neither seek out nor avoid aggressors. Yet, grooming has a global but not local connection to proximity. Extensive groomers who tend to direct their efforts at other extensive groomers also spend time in close proximity to many other individuals. These results indicate the important role that prosociality plays in shaping female social relationships. We also show that females who receive the least aggression, and thus pay low costs for group living, are most likely to participate in group defense. No consistent “social personality” traits characterize the males who invest in group defense. Am. J. Primatol. 73:821–833, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Male chimpanzees' grooming rates vary by female age, parity, and fertility status
Authors: Proctor Darby P. , Lambeth Susan P. , Schapiro Steven J. , Brosnan Sarah F.
Published: May 2011

Copulation preferences in our closest living relative, the chimpanzee, suggest that males prefer older females who have had previous offspring. However, this finding is counter to some behavioral models, which predict that chimpanzee males, as promiscuous breeders with minimal costs to mating, should show little or no preference when choosing mating partners (e.g. should mate indiscriminately). To determine if the preferences indicated by copulations appear in other contexts as well as how they interact, we examined how male chimpanzees' grooming patterns varied amongst females. We found that males' preferences were based on interactions among females' fertility status, age, and parity. First, grooming increased with increasing female parity. We further found an effect of the estrous cycle on grooming; when females were at the lowest point of their cycle, males preferentially groomed parous females at peak reproductive age, but during maximal tumescence, males preferred the oldest multiparous females. Nulliparous females received relatively little grooming regardless of age or fertility. Thus, male chimpanzees apparently chose grooming partners based on both female's experience and fertility, possibly indicating a two‐pronged social investment strategy. Male selectivity seems to have evolved to effectively distribute costly social resources in a pattern which may increase their overall reproductive success. Am. J. Primatol. 73:989–996, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐ phen;Liss, Inc.
Interleukin‐6 plays an essential role in hypoxia‐inducible factor 2α–induced experimental osteoarthritic cartilage destruction in mice
Authors: Ryu Je‐Hwang , Yang Siyoung , Shin Youngnim , Rhee Jinseol , Chun Churl‐Hong , Chun Jang‐Soo
Published: May 2011

Objective

Hypoxia‐inducible factor 2α (HIF‐2α) (encoded by Epas1) causes osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage destruction by regulating the expression of catabolic factor genes. We undertook this study to explore the role of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in HIF‐2α–mediated OA cartilage destruction in mice.

Methods

The expression of HIF‐2α, IL‐6, and catabolic factors was determined at the messenger RNA and protein levels in primary culture mouse chondrocytes, human OA cartilage, and mouse experimental OA cartilage. Experimental OA in wild‐type, HIF‐2α–knockdown (Epas1+/−), and Il6–/– mice was caused by intraarticular injection of Epas1 adenovirus or destabilization of the medial meniscus. The role of IL‐6 was determined by treating with recombinant IL‐6 protein or by injecting HIF‐2α adenovirus (AdEpas1) intraarticularly in mice with or without IL‐6–neutralizing antibody.

Results

We found that Il6 is a direct target gene of HIF‐2α in articular chondrocytes. Both Epas1 and Il6 were up‐regulated in human and mouse OA cartilage, whereas HIF‐2α knockdown in mice led to inhibition of both Il6 expression and cartilage destruction. Treatment with IL‐6 enhanced Mmp3 and Mmp13 expression; conversely, Il6 knockdown inhibited HIF‐2α–induced up‐regulation of Mmp3 and Mmp13. Injection of IL‐6 protein into mouse knee joints triggered OA cartilage destruction, whereas IL‐6 neutralization led to blocking of HIF‐2α–induced cartilage destruction with concomitant modulation of Mmp3 and Mmp13 expression. Moreover, Il6 knockout resulted in inhibition of AdEpas1‐induced and destabilization of the medial meniscus–induced cartilage destruction as well as inhibition of Mmp3 and Mmp13 expression.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that IL‐6 acts as a crucial mediator of HIF‐2α–induced experimental OA cartilage destruction in mice via regulation of Mmp3 and Mmp13 levels.
Association of PPP2CA polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility in multiple ethnic groups
Authors: Tan Wenfeng , Sunahori Katsue , Zhao Jian , Deng Yun , Kaufman Kenneth M. , Kelly Jennifer A. , Langefeld Carl D. , Williams Adrienne H. , Comeau Mary E. , Ziegler Julie T. , Marion Miranda C. , Bae Sang‐Cheol , Lee Joo Hyun , Lee Ji‐Seon , Chang Deh‐Ming , Song Yeong Wook , Yu Chack‐Yung , Kimberly Robert P. , Edberg Jeffrey C. , Brown Elizabeth E. , Petri Michelle A. , Ramsey‐Goldman Rosalind , Vilá Luis M. , Reveille John D. , Alarcón‐Riquelme Marta E. ,   BIOLUPUS and GENLES Networks, Harley John B. , Boackle Susan A. , Stevens Anne M. , Scofield R. Hal , Merrill Joan T. , Freedman Barry I. , Anaya Juan‐Manuel , Criswell Lindsey A. , Jacob Chaim O. , Vyse Timothy J. , Niewold Timothy B. , Gaffney Patrick M. , Moser Kathy L. , Gilkeson Gary S. , Kamen Diane L. , James Judith A. , Grossman Jennifer M. , Hahn Bevra H. , Tsokos George C. , Tsao Betty P.
Published: May 2011

Objective

T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) express increased amounts of PP2Ac, which contributes to decreased production of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2). Because IL‐2 is important in the regulation of several aspects of the immune response, it has been proposed that PP2Ac contributes to the expression of SLE. This study was designed to determine whether genetic variants of PPP2AC are linked to the expression of SLE and specific clinical manifestations and account for the increased expression of PP2Ac.

Methods

We conducted a trans‐ethnic study of 8,695 SLE cases and 7,308 controls of 4 different ancestries. Eighteen single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across PPP2CA were genotyped using an Illumina custom array. PPP2CA expression in SLE and control T cells was analyzed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

A 32‐kb haplotype comprising multiple SNPs of PPP2CA showed significant association with SLE in Hispanic Americans, European Americans, and Asians, but not in African Americans. Conditional analyses revealed that SNP rs7704116 in intron 1 showed consistently strong association with SLE across Asian, European American, and Hispanic American populations (odds ratio 1.3 [95% confidence interval 1.14‐1.31], meta‐analysis P = 3.8 × 10−7). In European Americans, the largest ethnic data set studied, the risk A allele of rs7704116 was associated with the presence of renal disease, anti–double‐stranded DNA, and anti‐RNP antibodies. PPP2CA expression was ∼2‐fold higher in SLE patients carrying the rs7704116 AG genotype than those carrying the GG genotype (P = 0.007).

Conclusion

Our data provide the first evidence of an association between PPP2CA polymorphisms and elevated PP2Ac transcript levels in T cells, which implicates a new molecular pathway for SLE susceptibility in European Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asians.
T cells stimulated with an analog peptide of type II collagen require the Fc receptor γ‐chain to secrete interleukin‐4 and suppress autoimmune arthritis in mice
Authors: Myers Linda K. , Cullins David L. , Brand David D. , Kleinau Sandra , Stuart John M. , Kang Andrew H.
Published: May 2011

Objective

To explore the characteristics of the T cell population that responds to an analog peptide (A9) of type II collagen and regulates autoimmunity, using the collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) model.

Methods

Analog peptide A9 is a 26–amino acid peptide analogous to the sequence of a segment of type II collagen (CII245–270) but with substitutions at amino acid positions 260 (alanine for isoleucine), 261 (hydroxyproline for alanine), and 263 (asparagine for phenylalanine). We previously showed that A9 profoundly suppressed CIA and immune responses to type II collagen. In order to determine the mechanism of suppression, we used transgenic mice whose T cells express a type II collagen–specific receptor (T cell receptor) and performed passive cell transfer experiments.

Results

The results demonstrated that suppression of CIA by A9 is dependent on T cells. Using multiparameter flow cytometry, we determined that the cells responsible for suppression were CD4+ and expressed high levels of Fcε receptor Iγ chain (FcRγ). To establish the significance of this finding, we obtained mice genetically deficient in FcRγ in order to perform passive transfer experiments. The resulting FcRγ−/− CD4+ T cells, when primed by culture with A9, could not transfer the suppression of arthritis or secrete cytokines in response to A9.

Conclusion

Taken together, the results of this study suggest that the suppression of arthritis and the Th2 cytokine profile elicited by A9 is dependent on the presence of FcRγ in T cells. These findings are novel and may have therapeutic potential for patients with autoimmune arthritis.
The transcription factor FBI‐1/OCZF/LRF is expressed in osteoclasts and regulates RANKL‐induced osteoclast formation in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Kukita Akiko , Kukita Toshio , Nagata Kengo , Teramachi Junpei , Li Yin‐Ji , Yoshida Hiroki , Miyamoto Hiroshi , Gay Steffen , Pessler Frank , Shobuike Takeo
Published: May 2011

Objective

Since transcription factors expressed in osteoclasts are possible targets for regulation of bone destruction in bone disorders, we investigated the expression of the transcription factor FBI‐1/OCZF/LRF (in humans, factor that binds to inducer of short transcripts of human immunodeficiency virus type 1; in rats, osteoclast‐derived zinc finger; in mice, leukemia/lymphoma‐related factor) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and assessed its role in osteoclastogenesis in vivo.

Methods

Expression of FBI‐1/OCZF was investigated in subchondral osteoclasts in human RA and in rat adjuvant‐induced arthritis (AIA) using immunostaining and in situ hybridization, respectively. Transgenic mice overexpressing OCZF (OCZF‐Tg) under the control of the cathepsin K promoter were generated, and bone mineral density and bone histomorphometric features were determined by peripheral quantitative computed tomography, calcein double‐labeling, and specific staining for osteoclasts and osteoblasts. LRF/OCZF expression and the consequence of LRF inhibition were assessed in vitro with RANKL‐induced osteoclast differentiation.

Results

FBI‐1/OCZF was detected in the nuclei of osteoclasts in rat AIA and human RA. RANKL increased the levels of LRF messenger RNA and nuclear‐localized LRF protein in primary macrophages. In OCZF‐Tg mice, bone volume was significantly decreased, the number of osteoclasts, but not osteoblasts, was increased in long bones, and osteoclast survival was promoted. Conversely, inhibition of LRF expression suppressed the formation of osteoclasts from macrophages in vitro.

Conclusion

FBI‐1/OCZF/LRF regulates osteoclast formation and apoptosis in vivo, and may become a useful marker and target in treating disorders leading to reduced bone density, including chronic arthritis.
The citation life cycle of articles published in 13 American Psychological Association journals: A 25‐year longitudinal analysis
Authors: Walters Glenn D.
Published: May 2011

The annual citation counts of 1,172 articles published in 1985 by 13 American Psychological Association journals were analyzed over a 25‐year period. Despite a 61% reduction in citation counts from the peak year (1989: Year 4) to the final year (2010: Year 25), many of these articles were still being cited 25 years after they had been published. When the sample was divided into four categories of impact using the total citation counts for each article—low impact (0–24 citations), moderate impact (25–99 citations), high impact (100–249 citations), and very high impact (250–1763 citations)—the yearly citation counts of low to high‐impact articles peaked earlier and displayed a steeper decline than the yearly citation counts of very high‐impact articles. Using 5 or more citations a years, 10 or more citations a year, and 20 or more citations a year as markers of moderate‐impact, high‐impact, and very high‐impact articles, respectively, and using the most cited articles in a journal during the first 5 years of the follow‐up period as indicators of high impact and very high impact showed promise of predicting impact over the entire 25‐year period.
Effect of duration of hemostatic compression on radial artery occlusion after transradial access
Authors: Pancholy Samir B. , Patel Tejas M.
Published: May 2011

Objectives:

To evaluate the effect of duration of hemostatic compression on the incidence of radial artery occlusion (RAO) after transradial coronary intervention. Background: RAO occurs in 2–10% of patients after transradial access. The effect of duration of hemostatic compression on occurrence of RAO is unknown.

Methods:

Four hundred consecutive patients undergoing transradial coronary intervention were retrospectively analyzed. Group I (n = 200) patients received hemostatic compression for 6 hr after completion of the procedure, and group II (n = 200) patients for 2 hr after completion of the procedure. TR band was used for hemostasis. Demographic and procedural variables as well as early (24 hr) and chronic (30 days) RAO as well as bleeding events were recorded.

Results:

Demographic as well as procedural variables were similar between group I and group II. Early radial artery occlusion (ERAO) occurred in 12% of patients in group I and 5.5% of patients in group II, the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.025). Chronic radial artery occlusion (CRAO) occurred in 8.5% of patients in group I and 3.5% of patients in group II, the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.035). Occlusive compression was the only independent predictor of radial artery occlusion [Odds ratio = 13.1, P = 0.001]. Two patients in group I and one in group II developed small hematoma (P = 0.161).

Conclusions:

Shorter duration of hemostatic compression is associated with a lower incidence of early and chronic RAO, without increase in bleeding complications, although maintaining radial patency during hemostatic compression, eliminates the adverse effect of duration of compression. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of static mixers for miscible fluids in laminar flow with the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
Authors: Joaquim C. F. , Reynol A. , Cekinski E. , Seckler M. M. , Nunhez J. R.
Published: May 2011

Static mixers with improved performance were developed from CFD simulations in a stepwise approach. The relevant geometric features of simple mixer designs and the corresponding mixing mechanisms—laminar shear, elongational flow, and distributive mixing—were identified first. This information was used to formulate guidelines for the development of new geometries. The solid elements of the static mixer should: (a) provide restrictions to the flow; (b) deflect the flow; (c) be sequentially rotated around the flow direction to provide symmetry; (d) extend from the center of the pipe to the vicinity of the walls to avoid short‐circuiting; and (e) distribute and remix the flow. Based on these guidelines, two improved mixer designs were developed: the DS A–I mixer has a good mixing efficiency and an acceptable pressure drop; the Fins 35° mixer is more efficient and compact, but requires a larger pressure drop. Their performance indicates that their use is possible on industrial applications.
Robust distributed model predictive control: A review and recent developments
Authors: Al‐Gherwi Walid , Budman Hector , Elkamel Ali
Published: May 2011

This study presents a review of distributed model predictive control (DMPC) strategies followed by recent studies conducted by the authors on the robustness of these strategies to model errors and a summary of future challenges in this area. The review identifies three key challenges for the successful application of DMPC: (i) the selection of optimal control structure for DMPC; (ii) the choice of a suitable coordination strategy among the controllers; and (iii) the robustness of DMPC strategies to model errors. Then, the study summarises recent developments related to the robustness of unconstrained and constrained DMPC algorithms. For the unconstrained case, a methodology that is based on the calculation of a performance index is proposed to balance the trade‐off between performance and structure simplicity in the presence of model errors. For the constrained case, a Jacobi iterative‐based method is used to design a robust DMPC algorithm. The proposed techniques are illustrated through case studies involving a high purity binary distillation problem.
Parameter estimation in models with hidden variables : An application to a biotech process
Authors: Jang S. S. , De la Hoz H. , Ben‐zvi A. , McCaffrey W. C. , Gopaluni R. B.
Published: May 2011

Biological processes are often characterised by significant nonlinearities, noisy measurements and hidden process variables. The dynamic behaviour of such processes can be represented by stochastic differential equations obtained from physical laws. We propose a Bayesian algorithm for parameter estimation in stochastic nonlinear biological processes with unmeasured (or hidden) variables. The proposed algorithm, involves drawing random samples iteratively from a posterior density functions of the parameters and the hidden variables. A Bayesian sampling techniques is used to approximate these posterior density functions. Both Metropolis–Hastings algorithm and Gibbs sampling are used for sample generation. The algorithm is extended to handle multiple data sets and missing observations. The algorithm is applied to an experimental data set collected from an algal bioreactor system. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Determination of the fractal dimension of alumina using adsorption: Challenges of choosing appropriate adsorbates and analysis methods
Authors: Capitaine Elsa M. R. , Hill Josephine M.
Published: May 2011

The classical method for surface characterisation of the porous structure of the catalysts is nitrogen (N2) adsorption at −196°C, which provides a catalyst surface area value valid for molecules similar in size to N2 (0.162 nm2/molecule). To complement and obtain more information about the materials, catalyst surfaces can be characterised using fractal geometry. The fractal dimension of a sample can be determined by the adsorption uptake of molecules of different sizes on the surface of interest in order to obtain a characteristic parameter of the surface geometry known as the fractal dimension, D. In this work, the value of D for a γ‐alumina catalyst support has been determined (D = 2.71 ± 0.15) using different adsorbates (argon, nitrogen, isopropanol, pyridine, and n‐butane). The decision process for choosing these adsorbates and the challenges of this type of characterisation method are discussed in this article. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Zeta potential study of natural‐ and acid‐activated sepiolites in electrolyte solutions
Authors: Dikmen Sedef , Yilmaz Gulgun , Yorukogullari Ertugrul , Korkmaz Emine
Published: May 2011

Detailed characterisation of natural sepiolite from the Eskisehir region of Turkey was performed using X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray fluorescence, field emission scanning electron microscopy, specific surface area (BET method), Fourier transform infrared spectra, derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) and differential thermal analysis. Electrokinetic properties of natural‐ and acid‐activated sepiolites were investigated as a function of the concentration of various electrolytes, such as NaCl, KCl, LiCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, NaNO3, Na2CO3, FeCl3 and Al(NO3)3. While mono and divalent cations and anions did not change the surface charge of natural‐ and acid‐activated sepiolite, trivalent cations changed the surface charge from negative to positive. Acid‐activated sepiolite samples shifted towards the positive region in nearly all electrolyte solutions when compared with the natural sepiolite. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
A solvothermal single‐step route towards shape‐controlled titanium dioxide nanocrystals
Authors: Dinh Cao‐Thang , Nguyen Thanh‐Dinh , Kleitz Freddy , Do Trong‐On
Published: May 2011

A versatile synthetic method which is based on a solvothermal technique for the fabrication of highly crystalline TiO2 nanocrystals (NC) exhibiting different shapes such as rhombic, truncated rhombic, spherical, dog‐bone, truncated, and elongated rhombic is reported. The dominant features of the present approach are first the use of water vapor as hydrolysis agent to accelerate the reaction, and second, the use of both oleic acid (OA) and oleylamine (OM) as two distinct capping surfactants having different binding strengths for the control of the growth of the TiO2 nanoparticles. It is shown that the presence of an appropriate amount of water vapor along with the desired OA/OM molar ratio plays a crucial role in controlling size and shape of TiO2 NCs. Moreover, it is also established that the thus‐obtained TiO2 NCs are excellent support for the synthesis of composite metal/TiO2 photocatalysts in which metal clusters are uniformly deposited on the surface of each individual TiO2 NC. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Distinctive chromosomal instability patterns in oral verrucous and squamous cell carcinomas detected by high‐resolution DNA flow cytometry
Authors: Pentenero Monica , Donadini Alessandra , Di Nallo Emanuela , Maffei Massimo , Marino Roberto , Familiari Ubaldo , Broccoletti Roberto , Castagnola Patrizio , Gandolfo Sergio , Giaretti Walter
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND:

Oral verrucous carcinomas (OVCs) are characterized by better prognosis than oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). Because chromosomal instability (CIN) in solid tumors is indicative of prognosis, this study investigated whether OVCs and OSCCs were characterized by differences in CIN biomarkers.

METHODS:

Fresh or frozen multiple tissue samples were submitted to high‐resolution DNA flow cytometry (hr DNA‐FCM).

RESULTS:

DNA aneuploid sublines were detected in 6 of 9 OVCs (66.7%) and in 20 of 25 OSCCs (80.0%). Multiple DNA aneuploid sublines were observed, respectively, in 2 of 6 (33.3%) DNA aneuploid OVCs and in 14 of 20 (70%) DNA aneuploid OSCCs (P = .163). OVCs were mainly characterized by DNA Index (DI) values in the near‐diploid region (DI≠1 and DI < 1.4), whereas aneuploid OSCCs carried most frequently multiple aneuploid sublines with high DI values (DI ≥ 1.4). DNA near‐diploid and high aneuploid sublines were, respectively, 87.5% and 12.5% for the OVCs versus 30% and 70% for the OSCCs (P = .004).

CONCLUSIONS:

Present data suggest that OVCs are characterized by a lower degree of CIN and tumor heterogeneity than OSCCs, such that they appear as “frozen” in an early stage of DNA near‐diploid aneuploidy, as previously observed for oral preneoplastic lesions. These DI characteristics, which can easily be obtained by hr DNA‐FCM, appear to reflect the well‐known differences in aggressiveness and prognosis of OVCs and OSCCs. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.