bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Six‐minute walk test in healthy children: Is the leg length important?
Authors: Oliveira Andréia C. , Rodrigues Camila C. , Rolim Denise S. , Souza Altay A.L. , Nascimento Oliver A. , Jardim José R. , Rozov Tatiana
Published: November 2012

Rationale

Measures as height, age, and weight influence the six‐minute walk test (6MWT). It was shown that children's true leg length (TLL) influence the 6MWT distance but so far it has never been evaluated how much this variable could predict the distance walked related to height. Our hypothesis is that there should not have any significant difference between models including height or TLL.

Objective

To establish and to compare the predicted walked distance of healthy children in the 6MWT by two distinct models, one including TLL and other including height.

Methods

Observational cross sectional study. A total of 161 healthy children (84 girls, 52.2%), 6–13 years old from three local primary and secondary schools. Two 6MWT were performed following ATS guidelines. Weight, height, and TLL were measured. The longer walked distance was selected for statistical analysis.

Results

Anthropometric data were similar for both genders into each group of age. Mean (±SD) walked distances in whole group were: boys 704.4 m (77.7); girls 681.6 m (67.9; P = 0.049). In the univariate regression to predict the distance walked, the adjusted coefficients to TLL and height were in boys: 0.46 and 0.39; and in girls: 0.35 and 0.29, respectively. After adjusting for age and weight, the residuals of the two equations were not significantly different (P = 0.998).

Conclusion

The model including TLL to predict the walked distance by healthy children explained more of the variation on the walked distance in the 6MWT than the model using the height but without significant difference between the models. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:921–926. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhaled foreign bodies in children: A global perspective on their epidemiological, clinical, and preventive aspects
Authors: Foltran Francesca , Ballali Simonetta , Rodriguez Hugo , (Sebastian) van As Arjan B. , Passali Desiderio , Gulati Achal , Gregori Dario
Published: November 2012

Context

While several articles describe clinical management of Foreign Bodies injuries in the upper air tract, little epidemiological evidence is available from injury databases.

Objective

This article aims to understand the burden of airway FB injuries in high‐, low‐, and middle‐income countries as emerging from scientific literature.

Data Sources

One thousand six hundred ninety‐nine published articles 1978–2008.

Study Selection

A free text search on PubMed database ((foreign bodies) or (foreign body)) and ((aspiration) or (airways) or (tracheobronchial) or (nasal) or (inhalation) or (obstruction) or (choking) or (inhaled) or (aspirations) or (nose) or (throat) or (asphyxiation)) and ((children) or (child)).

Data Extraction

Information on reported injuries according to country, time period, children sex and age, FB type, site of obstruction, symptoms, signs, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, delay at the diagnosis, complications, number of deaths.

Results

Serious complications occur both in high‐income and low‐middle income countries in a considerable proportion of cases (10% and 20%, respectively). Similarly, death is not infrequent (5–7% of cases).

Conclusions

Few countries have good systematic data collection and there's a lack of sensibility in parents and clinicians in terms of acknowledge of the choking risk. On the contrary, international surveillance systems able to collect information in a standardized way need to be implemented. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:344–351. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sleep disordered breathing in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: Oktem Sedat , Karadag Bulent , Erdem Ela , Gokdemir Yasemin , Karakoc Fazilet , Dagli Elif , Ersu Refika
Published: November 2012

Background

Upper airway manifestations of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) can cause obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Also abnormalities of lung mechanics and gas exchange may lead to sleep abnormalities in these patients.

Objectives

To determine the rate of OSAS and sleep quality in PCD patients, and whether these are related to upper respiratory system manifestations and severity of lung disease in these patients.

Methods

Twenty‐nine PCD patients and healthy controls were included to the study. Respiratory symptoms within the previous month were separately scored with the severity of the symptoms. Physical examination, pulmonary function tests, and ear–nose–throat assessments were obtained. All patients completed the Turkish version of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), sleep questionnaire, and underwent overnight polysomnography. Categorical variables were compared with chi‐square and Fisher's exact test while continuous variables were compared with Student's t‐test.

Results

Eleven PCD patients reported themselves to be “poor” sleepers, compared to only one subject in the control group (P = 0.002). Sixty‐five percent of PCD patients had habitual snoring (HS). Fifty‐two percent of the PCD patients had OSAS in polysomnography. OSAS rate was higher in PCD patients who snored (P = 0.008). HS and OSAS were more common in PCD patients who had cigarette smoke exposure in their homes (P < 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively).

Conclusions

Patients with PCD have decreased sleep quality and higher rate of sleep disordered breathing compared to controls and higher rate of OSAS compared to population rates. Cigarette smoke exposure is an important risk factor for OSAS in PCD patients. Assessment and treatment of sleep disorders in PCD should be a part of disease management. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:897–903. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chest CT in bronchopulmonary dysplasia: Clinical and radiological correlations
Authors: Tonson la Tour Aude , Spadola Luca , Sayegh Yasmine , Combescure Christophe , Pfister Riccardo , Barazzone Argiroffo Constance , Rochat Isabelle
Published: November 2012

Background

Chest CT is very sensitive in assessing pulmonary damage in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and radiological findings in BPD are well described. Validated CT scores are available to assess BPD, as available in other pulmonary diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

Aim

To investigate whether there is a correlation between radiological pulmonary lesions and relevant BPD clinical data (gestational age, type and duration of mechanical ventilation, and severity of BPD) and assess the usefulness of a CT score in evaluating clinical severity.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective study of 19 premature infants with BPD born between 1998 and 2007 who underwent at least one chest CT during their first year of life. A total of 29 CT were blindly evaluated by two radiologists for the presence or absence of pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities described in BPD (areas of decreased attenuation, presence of bullae/emphysema, bronchial wall thickening, bronchiectasis, linear, and subpleural opacities). This score was then compared with the most relevant clinical data.

Results

All CT scans showed abnormalities. The most frequent lesion was bronchial wall thickening observed in all patients, followed by linear (89.5%) and subpleural (89.5%) opacities. Areas of decreased attenuation were found in 68.4%. Bullae/emphysema and bronchiectasis were the less frequent item described (26.3% and 21.1%, respectively). The presence of areas of decreased attenuation significantly correlated with BPD severity (P = 0.03). However, there was no significant correlation between the CT score and clinical data.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the potential usefulness of chest CT score to assess the severity of BPD. Areas of decreased attenuation seem the most sensitive item to predict BPD severity. More patients are needed to validate this approach and to evaluate the long‐term usefulness of CT scan. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:693–698. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) norms in healthy North African children 5–16 years old
Authors: Rouatbi Sonia , Alqodwa Ashraf , Ben Mdella Samia , Ben Saad Helmi
Published: November 2012

Aims

(i) To identify factors that influence the FeNO values in healthy North African, Arab children aged 6–16 years; (ii) to test the applicability and reliability of the previously published FeNO norms; and (iii) if needed, to establish FeNO norms in this population, and to prospectively assess its reliability.

Population and Methods

This was a cross‐sectional analytical study. A convenience sample of healthy Tunisian children, aged 6–16 years was recruited. First subjects have responded to two questionnaires, and then FeNO levels were measured by an online method with electrochemical analyzer (Medisoft, Sorinnes [Dinant], Belgium). Anthropometric and spirometric data were collected. Simple and a multiple linear regressions were determined. The 95% confidence interval (95% CI) and upper limit of normal (ULN) were defined.

Results

Two hundred eleven children (107 boys) were retained. Anthropometric data, gender, socioeconomic level, obesity or puberty status, and sports activity were not independent influencing variables. Total sample FeNO data appeared to be influenced only by maximum mid expiratory flow (l sec−1; r2 = 0.0236, P = 0.0516). For boys, only 1st second forced expiratory volume (l) explains a slight (r2 = 0.0451) but significant FeNO variability (P = 0.0281). For girls, FeNO was not significantly correlated with any children determined data. For North African/Arab children, FeNO values were significantly lower than in other populations and the available published FeNO norms did not reliably predict FeNO in our population. The mean ± SD (95% CI ULN, minimum–maximum) of FeNO (ppb) for the total sample was 5.0 ± 2.9 (5.4, 1.0–17.0). For North African, Arab children of any age, any FeNO value greater than 17.0 ppb may be considered abnormal. Finally, in an additional group of children prospectively assessed, we found no child with a FeNO higher than 17.0 ppb.

Conclusion

Our FeNO norms enrich the global repository of FeNO norms the pediatrician can use to choose the most appropriate norms based on children's location or ethnicity. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:981–995. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Altering Reactivity of Aluminum with Selective Inclusion of Polytetrafluoroethylene through Mechanical Activation
Authors: Sippel Travis R. , Son Steven F. , Groven Lori J.
Published: November 2012

Micrometer‐sized aluminum is widely used in energetics; however, performance of propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics could be significantly improved if its ignition barriers could be disrupted. We report morphological, thermal, and chemical characterization of fuel rich aluminum‐polytetrafluoroethylene (70–30 wt‐%) reactive particles formed by high and low energy milling. Average particle sizes range from 15–78 μm; however, specific surface areas range from approx. 2–7 m2 g−1 due to milling induced voids and cleaved surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy reveal uniform distribution of PTFE, providing nanoscale mixing within particles. The combustion enthalpy was found to be 20.2 kJ g−1, though a slight decrease (0.8 kJ g−1) results from extended high energy milling due to α‐AlF3 formation. For high energy mechanically activated particles, differential scanning calorimetry in argon shows a strong, exothermic pre‐ignition reaction that onsets near 440 °C and a second, more dominant exotherm that onsets around 510 °C. Scans in O2‐Ar indicate that, unlike physical mixtures, more complete reaction occurs at higher heating rates and the reaction onset is drastically reduced (approx. 440 °C). Simple flame tests reveal that these altered Al‐polytetrafluoroethylene particles light readily unlike micrometer‐sized aluminum. Safety testing also shows these particles have high electrostatic discharge (89.9–108 mJ), impact (>213 cm), and friction (>360 N) ignition thresholds. These particles may be useful for reactive liners, thermobaric explosives, and pyrolants. In particular, the altered reactivity, large particle size and relatively low specific surface area of these fuel rich particles make them an interesting replacement for aluminum in solid propellants.
Counterbalance of ligand‐ and self‐coupled motions characterizes multispecificity of ubiquitin
Authors: Dasgupta Bhaskar , Nakamura Haruki , Kinjo Akira R
Published: November 2012

Date hub proteins are a type of proteins that show multispecificity in a time‐dependent manner. To understand dynamic aspects of such multispecificity we studied Ubiquitin as a typical example of a date hub protein. Here we analyzed 9 biologically relevant Ubiquitin‐protein (ligand) heterodimer structures by using normal mode analysis based on an elastic network model. Our result showed that the self‐coupled motion of Ubiquitin in the complex, rather than its ligand‐coupled motion, is similar to the motion of Ubiquitin in the unbound condition. The ligand‐coupled motions are correlated to the conformational change between the unbound and bound conditions of Ubiquitin. Moreover, ligand‐coupled motions favor the formation of the bound states, due to its in‐phase movements of the contacting atoms at the interface. The self‐coupled motions at the interface indicated loss of conformational entropy due to binding. Therefore, such motions disfavor the formation of the bound state. We observed that the ligand‐coupled motions are embedded in the motions of unbound Ubiquitin. In conclusion, multispecificity of Ubiquitin can be characterized by an intricate balance of the ligand‐ and self‐coupled motions, both of which are embedded in the motions of the unbound form.
Natural course of splenic artery aneurysm with associated spontaneous splenorenal shunt in non‐cirrhotic liver: An 18‐year observational follow‐up and review of literature
Authors: Chen Jong‐Shyone , Chuang Shih‐Chang , Wang Shen‐Nien , Chang Wen‐Tsan , Kuo Kung‐Kai , Lee King‐Teh , Ker Chen‐Guo
Published: November 2012

Through a review of the literature, a splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) with associated spontaneous splenorenal shunt (SSRS) was only reported in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. However, a natural course of a SAA with associated SSRS was found in a non‐cirrhotic male patient during an 8‐year observational follow‐up, and thus reported. Initially, splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia were noted; SSRS was observed later with a tortuous dilated splenic artery, and a SAA was then progressively formed and found. The patient received splenectomy with aneurysm resection and SSRS was preserved. Post‐operative follow‐up revealed that the size of the SSRS was reduced. Through the course, no abnormalities of liver enzymes, portal hypertension, or esophageal‐gastric varicose were found in the patient. No positive association was demonstrated between the formation of SSRS and the severity of liver cirrhosis in patients, implying some other factors, e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mentioned in the literature, might be involved.
Getting Beyond the Plateau: Bridging the Gap Between Rehabilitation and Community‐Based Exercise
Authors: Rimmer James H.
Published: November 2012

Rehabilitation specialists have a unique opportunity to serve as the drivers of change in promoting the use of exercise facilities by people with newly acquired disabilities. Identifying programs that are effective and sustainable for extending recovery in a community‐based exercise facility after rehabilitation may reduce the risk of secondary health complications and optimize health and function. This article describes an approach for closing the gap between inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and the use of community‐based exercise facilities by people with disabilities. Extending recovery from rehabilitation to community‐based exercise requires a transitional setting (eg, hospital‐based fitness facilities and specialized fitness centers and programs for people with disabilities) that provides greater support and supervision in teaching individuals with disabilities (and, when necessary, their caregivers) how to exercise safely and effectively and access the programs, equipment, and services available in these facilities. With the shortened amount of rehabilitation time that many patients are given after acquiring a disability or being treated for a new health condition, community‐based exercise facilities and the fitness professionals who are employed in them must become part of the rehabilitation continuum and obtain additional training to better serve the needs of people with newly acquired disabilities who are leaving rehabilitation.
The Paralympic Movement: Using Sports to Promote Health, Disability Rights, and Social Integration for Athletes With Disabilities
Authors: Blauwet Cheri , Willick Stuart E.
Published: November 2012

Competitive sports for people with disabilities has grown rapidly over the past several decades, and opportunities for participation are increasingly available throughout the spectrum from developmental to elite. The Paralympic Games, seen as the pinnacle sporting event that represents the broader Paralympic Movement, has provided a platform to showcase the abilities of people with disabilities while also serving as a catalyst for disability rights through ensuring integration, equality of opportunity, and accessibility of the built environment. Concurrently, media coverage of the Paralympic Games has led to an increased awareness of opportunities for sport participation for individuals with disabilities and, with it, the adjustment of norms regarding expectations for exercise as a component of preventive health. In addition, there is evidence of the power of sports to stimulate confidence, self‐efficacy, and a self‐perceived high quality of life for individuals with disabilities above and beyond the basic benefits to cardiometabolic fitness. When taken together, the promotion of health, disability rights, and social integration through sports has the power to transform the lives of those who participate and to further stimulate the expansion of opportunities available to the next generation of athletes with disabilities.
The Role of Exercise in the Treatment of Obesity
Authors: Laskowski Edward R.
Published: November 2012

The United States is in the midst of a significant public health problem that relates to obesity and inactivity. This epidemic has far‐ranging consequences for our workforce and our children and shows no signs of slowing in the near future. Significant research has been performed on the effects of exercise for the reduction of body weight; results of most studies indicate that exercise alone has a small effect on body‐weight reduction independent of caloric restriction. However, when combined with dietary restriction, exercise has a synergistic effect and enhances weight loss beyond the effect of diet alone. In addition, exercise has been shown to have significant beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors independent of actual weight loss, and losing just a small amount of weight can have a significant beneficial effect on these parameters. Genetic factors related to obesity have been found to be positively modified when persons incorporate physical activity into their lifestyle. Sitting time appears to be an independent risk factor for the development of metabolic risk factors; persons who spend more time sitting and watching television have worse metabolic profiles, even if they achieve the recommended amount of physical activity per week, than do those who move about throughout the day. Exercise also is essential for the prevention of weight gain over a life span, although the amount required to prevent weight gain may be closer to twice the amount of exercise recommended by the current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (www.health.gov/paguidelines). In many ways, the physiatrist is the most well prepared of all the specialists to address the complex, multidimensional problems of obesity and inactivity.
Exercise for Patients With Osteoporosis: Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures and Trunk Strengthening for Fall Prevention
Authors: Sinaki Mehrsheed
Published: November 2012

Maintenance of bone health and quality requires mechanical strain, but the mechanical force needs to be within the bone's biomechanical competence. In osteoporosis, compression of vertebral bodies can be insidious. Therefore, absence of pain does not necessarily indicate absence of vertebral microfracture and deformity. Further, patients with previous vertebral fractures are at risk for further vertebral fractures and their associated morbidity. Exercise is a part of the comprehensive management of patients with osteoporosis and has been associated with improvement of quality of life and lowered risk of future fracture. The exercise prescription needs to match the needs of the patient. If exercise is not prescribed properly, then it may have negative consequences. In general, an exercise program, therapeutic or recreational, needs to address flexibility, muscle strength, core stability, cardiovascular fitness, and gait steadiness. As with pharmacotherapy, therapeutic exercises need to be individualized on the basis of musculoskeletal status and an individual's exercise interest. In osteoporosis, axial strength and stability are of primary importance. In particular, a spinal extensor strengthening program should be performed with progressive measured resistance as tolerated. To address falls and fractures, an exercise program should also include balance and lower extremity strength training. Proper dosing of oral cholecalciferol and calcium supplements can enhance the effect of strengthening exercises. Finally, a coordinated approach, such as the Spinal Proprioception Extension Exercise Dynamic (SPEED) program, can improve back extensor strength, the level of physical activity, and locomotion, and reduce back pain and fear and risk of falls.
Role of Montgomery salivary stent placement during pharyngolaryngectomy, to prevent pharyngocutaneous fistula in high-risk patients
Authors: Bondi S , Giordano L , Limardo P , Bussi M
Published: November 2012

Objective:

To evaluate the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula after pharyngolaryngectomy with and without a Montgomery salivary stent.

Design:

Retrospective analysis of patients with factors that predispose to the development of pharyngocutaneous fistula (i.e. disease extending to the supraglottic region, base of the tongue or pyriform sinuses, and/or radiochemotherapy).

Subjects:

Between 2002 and 2008, 85 pharyngolaryngectomies were performed in our clinic. Of these patients, 31 were at increased risk of fistula development, of whom 45 per cent developed fistulas post-operatively. This subgroup of 31 patients was compared with a second subgroup of 22 patients at high risk of fistula development, treated between 2009 and 2011 with pharyngolaryngectomy and with a Montgomery salivary stent placed in advance during closure of the neopharynx.

Results:

Statistical analysis showed a significant reduction in the rate of fistula development, from 45 to 9 per cent (p < 0.01), with application of the salivary stent.

Conclusion:

These data confirm the preventive effect of a salivary stent placed during pharyngolaryngectomy, for patients at high risk of fistula development.
The politics of moving beyond prejudice
Authors: Howarth Caroline , Wagner Wolfgang , Kessi Shose , Sen Ragini
Published: November 2012

Dixon et al. have highlighted the importance of a political conceptualisation of intergroup relations that challenges individualising models of social change. As important as this paper is for the development of critical debates in psychology, we can detect at least three issues that warrant further discussion: (a) the cultural and historical conditions of structural inequality and its perception, (b) the marginalisation of post-colonial works on collective mobilisation, and (c) acknowledging the complex perspectives and politics of those targeted by prejudice.
Dilated cardiomyopathy due to hypocalcaemic rickets: is it always a reversible condition?
Authors: Fabi Marianna , Gesuete Valentina , Petrucci Roberta , Ragni Luca
Published: November 2012

Nutritional rickets is still occasionally found in high-income countries, especially in populations at risk, and induced hypocalcaemia is a rare but possible cause of dilated cardiomyopathy. Although rare, physicians need to consider nutritional rickets in the differential diagnosis of hypocalcaemia cardiac failure, especially in high-risk populations such as immigrants. Despite being a reversible condition, the prognosis depends on the severity and time of diagnosis. We report two cases of exclusively breastfed infants with congestive cardiac failure due to hypokinetic dilated cardiomyopathy who had completely different outcomes. This report supports the need for prevention of this deficiency and underlies the role of vitamin D supplementation.
Proficiency modulates early orthographic and phonological processing in L2 spoken word recognition
Authors: VEIVO OUTI , JÄRVIKIVI JUHANI
Published: November 2012

The present study investigated orthographic and phonological processing in L2 French spoken word recognition by Finnish learners of French, using the masked cross-modal priming paradigm. Experiment 1 showed a repetition effect in L2 within-language priming that was most pronounced for high proficiency learners and a significant effect for French pseudohomophones. In the between-language Experiment 2, high proficiency learners showed significant facilitation from L1 Finnish to L2 French shared orthography in the absence of phonological and semantic overlap. This effect was not observed in the lower intermediate group, which showed a significant benefit of L1 pseudohomophones instead. The orthographic effect in the high proficiency group was modulated by subjective familiarity showing facilitation for less familiar but not for highly familiar words. The results suggest that with L2 learners, the extent to which orthographic information affects L2 spoken word recognition depends on their L2 proficiency.
Comparison of Spanish morphology in monolingual and Spanish–English bilingual children with and without language impairment
Authors: MORGAN GARETH P. , RESTREPO M. ADELAIDA , AUZA ALEJANDRA
Published: November 2012

This study compares Spanish morphosyntax error types and magnitude in monolingual Spanish and Spanish–English bilingual children with typical language development (TD) and language impairment (LI). Performance across groups was compared using cloze tasks that targeted articles, clitics, subjunctives, and derivational morphemes in 57 children. Significant differences were observed between bilingual TD and LI groups on all tasks; however, no differences were observed between bilinguals with TD and monolinguals with LI except on a sum-score across all tasks. There were no observed differences between bilinguals and monolinguals with TD; however, 60% of bilinguals with TD were misclassified as LI when using a cut score derived from monolingual-only data. Results support evidence that Spanish morphosyntax is vulnerable to error in monolingual and bilingual Spanish–English children with LI. However, the grammatical deficit seems clinically relevant only when children are compared to the same language peer group (i.e., bilinguals compared to bilinguals).
T-lymphocyte CREB as a potential biomarker of response to antidepressant drugs
Authors: Lim Shinn-Won , Kim Seonwoo , Carroll Bernard J. , Kim Doh Kwan
Published: November 2012

Response to drug treatment of major depression is variable and biomarkers of response are needed. Cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) is considered a key mediator of antidepressant drug effect. We studied CREB in T-lymphocytes as a potential predictor of response to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) in 69 Korean depressed patients. We determined total CREB (tCREB), phosphorylated CREB (pCREB) and CRE-DNA binding using immunoblot and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, at baseline and after 6 wk treatment. Thirty-four healthy controls were also studied. The rate of response was 36 of 69 cases (52%). Baseline levels of tCREB and pCREB were lower in the total depressed group compared to controls (p = 0.044 and p<0.001, respectively). Baseline tCREB values in responders were significantly reduced in comparison to non-responders and to controls. After 6 wk treatment, median values of change of all CREB measures were greater in responders (36) than in non-responders (33; p<0.001 for tCREB, p = 0.003 for pCREB, and p=0.072 for CRE-DNA binding). Similar but less robust changes in CREB variables distinguished remitters from non-remitters. The optimum value of baseline tCREB predicted response with a positive predicted value of 0.778 [21/27; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.621–0.935], negative predictive value of 0.643 (27/42; 95% CI 0.498–0.788) and accuracy of 0.695 (48/69; 95% CI 0.586–0.804). Patients with low baseline tCREB had a significantly greater rate of response (78%) than patients with high baseline tCREB (36%), p < 0.001. Moreover, the greatest changes in tCREB with treatment were observed in subjects who did respond. This preliminary study suggests that T-lymphocytic CREB biomarkers are reduced in depressed patients and may assist in the prediction of response to SSRI drugs in depression.
Mantle flow in regions of complex tectonics: Insights from Indonesia
Authors: Di Leo J. F. , Wookey J. , Hammond J. O. S. , Kendall J.‐M. , Kaneshima S. , Inoue H. , Yamashina T. , Harjadi P.
Published: November 2012

Indonesia is arguably one of the tectonically most complex regions on Earth today due to its location at the junction of several major tectonic plates and its long history of collision and accretion. It is thus an ideal location to study the interaction between subducting plates and mantle convection. Seismic anisotropy can serve as a diagnostic tool for identifying various subsurface deformational processes, such as mantle flow, for example. Here, we present novel shear wave splitting results across the Indonesian region. Using three different shear phases (local S, SKS, and downgoing S) to improve spatial resolution of anisotropic fabrics allows us to distinguish several deformational features. For example, the block rotation history of Borneo is reflected in coast‐parallel fast directions, which we attribute to fossil anisotropy. Furthermore, we are able to unravel the mantle flow pattern in the Sulawesi and Banda region: We detect toroidal flow around the Celebes Sea slab, oblique corner flow in the Banda wedge, and sub‐slab mantle flow around the arcuate Banda slab. We present evidence for deep, sub‐520 km anisotropy at the Java subduction zone. In the Sumatran backarc, we measure trench‐perpendicular fast orientations, which we assume to be due to mantle flow beneath the overriding Eurasian plate. These observations will allow to test ideas of, for example, slab–mantle coupling in subduction regions.
Lunar and solar tidal variabilities in mesospheric winds and EEJ strength over Tirunelveli (8.7°N, 77.8°E) during the 2009 major stratospheric warming
Authors: Sathishkumar S. , Sridharan S.
Published: November 2012

Mesospheric wind observations by the medium frequency radar and geomagnetic field observations at Tirunelveli (8.7°N, 77.8°E, 1.75°N dip angle) are used to study the relative importance of solar and lunar influences in the variabilities of mesospheric tides and equatorial electrojet (EEJ) strength during the unprecedented major stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) of 2009. It is observed that the afternoon reversal in the EEJ, popularly known as counter electrojet, occurs consecutively for several days during the SSW event, when there is an enhancement of solar semidiurnal tide in both zonal wind at 90 km and EEJ strength over Tirunelveli. Although the amplitude of lunar tides also shows enhancement, it is much less than that of solar. The diurnal tidal amplitude in zonal wind and EEJ strength also shows large enhancement just before the onset of SSW. However, solar semidiurnal tide dominates diurnal tide during the SSW. The diurnal tidal phase in zonal wind shifts to a few hours earlier during the SSW. The lunar semidiurnal tidal phase shifts to later hours in both zonal wind and EEJ strength. The main observation of the present study is that the large semidiurnal tide observed during the SSW 2009 is mostly solar driven and only partly lunar driven, although tidal planetary wave interaction also may play a vital role. Although a similar behavior is noticed during the SSW 2006 also, the large lunar semidiurnal tide observed in the EEJ strength without having large lunar semidiurnal tide in the underlying mesospheric winds needs further investigation.
The isotopic signature of particulate organic C and N in bottom ice: Key influencing factors and applications for tracing the fate of ice‐algae in the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Pineault Simon , Tremblay Jean‐Éric , Gosselin Michel , Thomas Helmuth , Shadwick Elizabeth
Published: November 2012

The isotopic, taxonomic, and nutrient dynamics of protist communities at the bottom of first‐year sea ice were studied for a wide range of ice conditions during the spring‐summer transition in the southeast Beaufort Sea. In bottom ice, total protist abundance ranged from 0.07 to 9.94 × 109 cells m–2 and chlorophyll a biomass ranged from 0.33 to 110 mg m–2. Both variables were positively related to the concentrations of nitrate, silicic acid, and phosphate at the ice‐water interface, with r2 values between 0.63 and 0.79. Results showed that the δ13C of sympagic (ice‐associated) particulate organic matter (POM) (–27.1 to –11.4‰) was mainly influenced by ice protist stocks and dissolved inorganic carbon availability. Flagellated cells maintained a low δ13C relative to diatoms. The δ15N of POM (3.9 to 9.4‰) could not be explained by any of the variables considered and showed considerable overlap with the pelagic δ15N‐POM (0.0 to 10.3‰). Detailed analyses of δ13C‐POM through size fractionation and settling experiments along with a short temporal study of the interaction between sympagic and pelagic communities confirmed or demonstrated that (1) the analysis of stable C isotopes is a valuable tool to trace the flow of ice‐derived matter, (2) sympagic POM contributes substantially to suspended pelagic biomass during release episodes, and (3) ice‐grown autotrophic flagellated cells have a strong potential to interact with the pelagic biota in the coastal Arctic Ocean. This study highlights the need to carefully evaluate stable isotope dynamics before assessing food web interactions or the fate of POM in seasonally ice‐covered waters.
The origin of graben and ridges in Rachmaninoff, Raditladi, and Mozart basins, Mercury
Authors: Blair David M. , Freed Andrew M. , Byrne Paul K. , Klimczak Christian , Prockter Louise M. , Ernst Carolyn M. , Solomon Sean C. , Melosh H. Jay , Zuber Maria T.
Published: November 2012

The Rachmaninoff, Raditladi, and Mozart peak‐ring impact basins on Mercury display a distinctive pattern of tectonic features consisting of a central zone that is either devoid of tectonic landforms or contains small ridges, a medial annulus of prominent and predominantly circumferentially oriented graben, and a distal zone displaying graben that occur in a mix of orientations and that are less evident toward the peak ring. Here we use finite element models to explore three candidate scenarios for the formation of these tectonic features: (1) thermal contraction of the interior smooth plains, (2) isostatic uplift of the basin floor, and (3) subsidence following volcanic loading. Our results suggest that only thermal contraction can account for the observed pattern of graben, whereas some combination of subsidence and global contraction is the most likely explanation for the central ridges in Rachmaninoff and Mozart. Thermal contraction models, however, predict the formation of graben in the centermost region of each basin, where no graben are observed. We hypothesize that graben in this region were buried by a thin, late‐stage flow of plains material, and images of partially filled graben provide evidence of such late‐stage plains emplacement. These results suggest that the smooth plains units in these three basins are volcanic in origin. The thermal contraction models also imply a cooling unit ~1 km thick near the basin center, further supporting the view that plains‐forming lavas on Mercury were often of sufficiently high volume and low viscosity to pool to substantial thicknesses within basins and craters.
Use of flow modeling to assess sustainability of groundwater resources in the North China Plain
Authors: Cao Guoliang , Zheng Chunmiao , Scanlon Bridget R. , Liu Jie , Li Wenpeng
Published: November 2012

Key Points

Regional groundwater model for North China Plain integrating most available data

Most comprehensive analyses to date of groundwater storage depletion in the NCP

Groundwater sustainability under complex hydrologic and socioeconomic conditions
The structure and properties of septin 3: a possible missing link in septin filament formation
Authors: Macedo Joci N. A. , Valadares Napoleão F. , Marques Ivo A. , Ferreira Frederico M. , Damalio Julio C. P. , Pereira Humberto M. , Garratt Richard C. , Araujo Ana P. U.
Published: November 2012

The human genome codes for 13 members of a family of filament-forming GTP-binding proteins known as septins. These have been divided into four different subgroups on the basis of sequence similarity. The differences between the subgroups are believed to control their correct assembly into heterofilaments which have specific roles in membrane remodelling events. Many different combinations of the 13 proteins are theoretically possible and it is therefore important to understand the structural basis of specific filament assembly. However, three-dimensional structures are currently available for only three of the four subgroups. In the present study we describe the crystal structure of a construct of human SEPT3 which belongs to the outstanding subgroup. This construct (SEPT3-GC), which includes the GTP-binding and C-terminal domains, purifies as a nucleotide-free monomer, allowing for its characterization in terms of GTP-binding and hydrolysis. In the crystal structure, SEPT3-GC forms foreshortened filaments which employ the same NC and G interfaces observed in the heterotrimeric complex of human septins 2, 6 and 7, reinforcing the notion of ‘promiscuous’ interactions described previously. In the present study we describe these two interfaces and relate the structure to its tendency to form monomers and its efficiency in the hydrolysis of GTP. The relevance of these results is emphasized by the fact that septins from the SEPT3 subgroup may be important determinants of polymerization by occupying the terminal position in octameric units which themselves form the building blocks of at least some heterofilaments.
Crystal structure of hexanoyl-CoA bound to β-ketoacyl reductase FabG4 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Dutta Debajyoti , Bhattacharyya Sudipta , Roychowdhury Amlan , Biswas Rupam , Das Amit Kumar
Published: November 2012

FabGs, or β-oxoacyl reductases, are involved in fatty acid synthesis. The reaction entails NADPH/NADH-mediated conversion of β-oxoacyl-ACP (acyl-carrier protein) into β-hydroxyacyl-ACP. HMwFabGs (high-molecular-weight FabG) form a phylogenetically separate group of FabG enzymes. FabG4, an HMwFabG from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, contains two distinct domains, an N-terminal ‘flavodoxintype’ domain and a C-terminal oxoreductase domain. The catalytically active C-terminal domain utilizes NADH to reduce β-oxoacyl-CoA to β-hydroxyacyl-CoA. In the present study the crystal structures of the FabG4–NADH binary complex and the FabG4–NAD+–hexanoyl-CoA ternary complex have been determined to understand the substrate specificity and catalytic mechanism of FabG4. This is the first report to demonstrate how FabG4 interacts with its coenzyme NADH and hexanoyl-CoA that mimics an elongating fattyacyl chain covalently linked with CoA. Structural analysis shows that the binding of hexanoyl-CoA within the active site cavity of FabG significantly differs from that of the C16 fattyacyl substrate bound to mycobacterial FabI [InhA (enoyl-ACP reductase)]. The ternary complex reveals that both loop I and loop II interact with the phosphopantetheine moiety of CoA or ACP to align the covalently linked fattyacyl substrate near the active site. Structural data ACP inhibition studies indicate that FabG4 can accept both CoA- and ACP-based fattyacyl substrates. We have also shown that in the FabG4 dimer Arg146 and Arg445 of one monomer interact with the C-terminus of the second monomer to play pivotal role in substrate association and catalysis.
Kinetics of chemical ordering in a Ag-Pt nanoalloy particle via first-principles simulations
Authors: Negreiros F. R. , Taherkhani F. , Parsafar G. , Caro A. , Fortunelli A.
Published: November 2012

The energetics and kinetic energy barriers of vacancy/atom exchange in a 37-atom truncated octahedron Ag-Pt binary cluster in the Ag-rich range of compositions are investigated via a first-principles atomistic approach. The energy of the local minima obtained considering various distributions of a single vacancy and a few Pt atoms within the cluster and the energy barriers connecting them are evaluated using accurate density-functional calculations. The effects of the simultaneous presence of a vacancy and Pt atoms are found to be simply additive when their distances are larger than first-neighbors, whereas when they can be stabilizing at low Pt content due to the release of strain by the Pt/vacancy interaction or destabilizing close to a perfect Pt(core)/Ag(shell) arrangement. It is found that alloying with Pt appreciably increases the barriers for homotops transformations, thus rationalizing the issues encountered at the experimental level in producing Ag-Pt equilibrated nanoparticles and bulk phase diagram.
Adsorption and diffusion of gold adatoms on boron nitride nanoribbons: A first-principles study
Authors: Li Guihua , Liu Xiangdong , Zhang Hongyu , Wang Xiaopeng , Bu Hongxia , Chen Ming , Li Feng , Zhao Mingwen
Published: November 2012

We have carried out first-principles calculations to explore the adsorption and diffusion of Au adatoms on boron nitride nanoribbons (BNNRs). We found that Au adatoms prefer to locate at the edge B site of the ribbons for both armchair (A-) and zigzag (Z-) BNNRs. Different diffusion paths, such as diffusion from central region to edge site, along the subedge sites or along the edge sites, are considered. The unique atomic arrangement and electronic structures of Z-BNNRs make the Au adatom tend to migrate only to B edge site rather than to the both edges. Different from the cases of graphene nanoribbons, the energy barriers for A-BNNRs are higher than those of the corresponding paths for Z-BNNRs. The electronic structure calculations indicate the wide-band-gap features are preserved in the Au-doped BNNRs as the Au concentration is low. With the increase of Au concentration, the Au adatoms form an atomic chain along the B zigzag edge, resulting in band gap closure. These results are expected to provide useful information for the development of nanoscaled electronic devices based on BNNRs.
Unexpected metastable transition in high superheating state
Authors: Chen Y. Y. , Fang T. F. , Li W. , Yan S. B. , Yao X. , Xiong J. , Tao B. W.
Published: November 2012

By high temperature microscopy, we conducted in-situ observation on the evolution of peritectic melting of YBa2Cu3O7−y thin films (denoted as the α phase). As the α phase was highly superheated above a critical temperature, we found that a non-equilibrium phase transition occurred. An unexpected metastable Y2O3 phase (denoted as the γ phase), resulted from the decomposition of the α film, nucleated preferentially to the stable phase of Y2BaCuO5 (denoted as the β phase). Both high superheating capability of the α film and low interface energy of the γ phase with substrates are responsible for the metastable phase transition in this work.
Generalized bond order parameters to characterize transient crystals
Authors: Isobe M. , Alder B. J.
Published: November 2012

Higher order parameters in the hard disk fluid are computed to investigate the number, the lifetime, and size of transient crystal nuclei in the pre-freezing phase. The methodology introduces further neighbor shells bond orientational order parameters and coarse-grains the correlation functions needed for the evaluation of the stress autocorrelation function for the viscosity. We successfully reproduce results by the previous collision method for the pair orientational correlation function, but some two orders of magnitude faster. This speed-up allows calculating the time dependent four body orientational correlation between two different pairs of particles as a function of their separation, needed to characterize the size of the transient crystals. The result is that the slow decay of the stress autocorrelation function near freezing is due to a large number of rather small crystal nuclei lasting long enough to lead to the molasses tail.
Density effect on infrared spectrum for supercritical water in the low- and medium-density region studied by molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Yoshida Ken , Matubayasi Nobuyuki , Uosaki Yasuhiro , Nakahara Masaru
Published: November 2012

The origin of the line shape of the O−H stretch vibrational spectrum is analyzed for supercritical water in the low- and medium-density region by using classical molecular dynamics simulation for the flexible point-charge model, SPC/Fw. The spectrum calculated for the water model is in good agreement with the experimental one in the low-density region. The spectral origins in the low-density region of 0.01–0.04 g cm−3 are assigned to a sharp peak due to the bond oscillation along the O−H vector and two broad bands due to the rotational coupling, by taking an isolated single molecule as a reference in the low-density limit. The bands due to the rotational coupling reduce in intensity with increasing density as the rotations are more hindered by the hydrogen-bonding interactions, and their intensities increase with increasing temperature due to the accelerated rotational motion. The O−H stretch oscillation in the time correlation function attenuates in a timescale comparable with the lifetime of the hydrogen bonds, and the spectra conditioned by the number of hydrogen bonds are dominantly controlled by the local solvation structure.