bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leptin Directly Depolarizes Preproglucagon Neurons in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarius
Authors: Hisadome Kazunari , Reimann Frank , Gribble Fiona M. , Trapp Stefan
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE

Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 inhibits food intake, acting both in the periphery and within the central nervous system. It is unclear if gut-derived GLP-1 can enter the brain, or whether GLP-1 from preproglucagon (PPG) cells in the lower brainstem is required to activate central GLP-1 receptors. Brainstem PPG neurons, however, have been poorly characterized, due to the difficulties in identifying these cells while viable. This study provides data on the electrical properties of brainstem PPG cells and their regulation by orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Transgenic mice expressing Venus under control of the PPG promoter were used to identify PPG neurons in vitro in brainstem slice preparations for electrophysiological recordings.

RESULTS

The majority of PPG neurons were spontaneously active. Further electrical and molecular characterization revealed that GLP-1 receptor activation had no pre- or postsynaptic effect and that PPG neurons lack GLP-1 receptors. Similarly, they were unresponsive to PYY and ghrelin. In contrast, leptin rapidly and reversibly depolarized these neurons. Responses to electrical stimulation of the solitary tract suggest that PPG cells are mostly second-order neurons, receiving direct input from vagal afferent fibers. Both evoked and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents were predominantly glutamatergic.

CONCLUSIONS

The study introduces PPG-promoter-Venus transgenic mice as a viable and important tool to study brainstem PPG cells. PPG neuron activity is directly modulated by leptin but was unaffected by other satiety or hunger peptides. Direct synaptic input from the solitary tract suggests that peripheral signals (including GLP-1) could modulate PPG cells via vagal afferents.
The checkerboard family of entangled states of two qutrits
Authors: Ðoković Dragomir
Published: June 2010

By modifying the method of Bruß and Peres, we construct two new families of entangled two qutrit states. For all density matrices ρ in these families we have ρ
ij = 0 for i + j odd. The first family depends on 27 independent real parameters and includes both PPT and NPT states. The second family consists of PPT entangled states. The number of independent real parameters of this family is ≥ 11
Simulation and analysis of exotic non-specular phenomena
Authors: Krayzel F. , Pollès R. , Moreau A. , Mihailovic M. , Granet G.
Published: June 2010

When coupled modes are excited in a multilayered structure, the profile of the reflected beam presents exotic characteristics like unexpectedly large lateral shifts or beam enlargment. These results are surprising because they are not accounted for by classical approaches (Artmann’s formula or Tamir’s description of the reflected beam’s profile). Studying such situations requires reliable numerical tools - that is why our programmes are published with this paper. Such tools can be used to understand the behaviour of any multi-layered structure.
Use of confirmatory imaging studies to illustrate adequate treatment of cerebrospinal fluid leak in spontaneous intracranial hypotension
Authors: Vogel Timothy W. , Dlouhy Brian J. , Howard Matthew A.
Published: June 2010

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a syndrome with serious neurological sequelae. As demonstrated by the following report, recurrent episodes of SIH can be difficult to diagnose when associated with other neurosurgical procedures, such as craniectomies. In this paper, the authors demonstrate SIH presenting as a subdural hematoma with recurrence of CSF leaks. Spontaneous intracranial hypotension was further complicated by paradoxical herniation following a craniectomy. Treatment of SIH necessitated multiple epidural blood patches for CSF leaks at different spinal levels and at different times. The efficacy of each epidural blood patch was confirmed with radionuclide imaging. Confirmation of effective blood patch placement may be useful for identifying patients at risk for a failed epidural blood patch or for patients whose neurological examination results have not fully improved.
Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) Wet Preparation for the Laboratory Diagnosis of Suppurative Corneal Ulcer
Authors: Laila A , Salam MA , Nurjahan B , Intekhab R , Sofikul I , Iftikhar A
Published: June 2010

Background: Suppurative keratitis is a common ophthalmic condition mostly caused by fungi. Apart from fungal culture, wet preparation using 10% Potassium hydroxide (KOH) for microscopic detection of fungal elements is a rapid and accurate method of laboratory diagnosis. Purpose: This prospective and cross sectional study was undertaken in order to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of wet preparation microscopy using KOH for detection of fungal agents from suppurative corneal ulcer patients. Methodology: Fifty six (56) consecutive clinically suspected patients of suppurative corneal ulcer attending Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) during the period from July, 06 to June, 07 were included. Corneal swabs were taken aseptically for detection of bacteria in gram-stained smear and culture. Conventional mechanical corneal scrapings were collected under topical anesthesia and utilized for microscopic detection of fungal agents in KOH wet preparation and fungal cultures in the department of Microbiology of Rajshahi Medical College. Results: Culture yielded microbial growths in 47(83.93%) out of 56 samples of corneal ulcer that included 24 (42.86%) pure fungal growths, 14 (25.0%) pure bacterial growths and 09 (16.07%) mixed microbial growths (both bacteria and fungi). Direct microscopical examination using 10% KOH wet preparation detected 28 fungal agents out of total 33 fungal cases (combining both pure and mixed fungal growths in culture). Diagnostic sensitivity of wet preparation microscopy was found to be 84.85% by comparing its performance to fungal culture yields, which is the 'gold standard' for laboratory diagnosis. Conclusion: This limited study has revealed that wet preparation can be a tentative diagnosis of fungal keratitis and can be accurately relied upon for initiating prompt anti-fungal therapy and also recommended as a cost-effective method for laboratory diagnosis especially where culture facility is not available. Key Words: Corneal ulcer; Fungi; Potassium hydroxide; Culture; Diagnostic sensitivity. DOI: 10.3329/bjms.v9i1.5228 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.09 No.1 Jan 2010 27-32
A trajectory analysis of atmospheric transport of black carbon aerosols to Canadian high Arctic in winter and spring (1990–2005)
Authors: Huang L. , Gong S. L. , Sharma S. , Lavoué D. , Jia C. Q.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) particles accumulated in the Arctic troposphere and deposited on snow have been calculated to have significant effects on radiative forcing of the Arctic regional climate. Applying cluster analysis technique on 10-day backward trajectories, seven distinct transport pathways (or clusters) affecting Alert (82.5° N, 62.5° W), Nunavut in Canada are identified in this work. Transport frequency associated with each pathway is obtained as the fraction of trajectories in that cluster. Based on atmospheric transport frequency and BC surface flux from surrounding regions (i.e. North America, Europe, and former USSR), a linear regression model is constructed to investigate the inter-annual variations of BC observed at Alert in January and April, representative of winter and spring respectively, between 1990 and 2005. Strong correlations are found between BC concentrations predicted with the regression model and measurements at Alert for both seasons (R2 equals 0.77 and 0.81 for winter and spring, respectively). Results imply that atmospheric transport and BC emission are the major contributors to the inter-annual variations in BC concentrations observed at Alert in the cold seasons for the 16-year period. Other factors, such as deposition, could also contribute to the variability in BC concentrations but were not considered in this analysis. Based on the regression model the relative contributions of regional BC emissions affecting Alert are attributed to the Eurasian sector, composed of the European Union and the former USSR, and the North American sector. Considering both seasons, the model suggests that former USSR is the major contributor to the near-surface BC levels at the Canadian high Arctic site with an average contribution of about 67% during the 16-year period, followed by European Union (18%) and North America (15%). In winter, the atmospheric transport of BC aerosols from Eurasia is found to be even more predominant with a multi-year average of 94%. The model estimates smaller contribution from the Eurasian sector in spring (70%) than that in winter. It is also found that the inter-annual variation in Eurasian contributions depends mainly on the reduction of emissions, while the changes in both emission and atmospheric transport contributed to the inter-annual variation of North American contributions.
Sources of light-absorbing aerosol in arctic snow and their seasonal variation
Authors: Hegg D. A. , Warren S. G. , Grenfell T. C. , Doherty S. J. , Clarke A. D.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Two data sets consisting of measurements of light absorbing aerosols (LAA) in arctic snow together with suites of other corresponding chemical constituents are presented; the first from Siberia, Greenland and near the North Pole obtained in 2008, and the second from the Canadian arctic obtained in 2009. A preliminary differentiation of the LAA into black carbon (BC) and non-BC LAA is done. Source attribution of the light absorbing aerosols was done using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. Four sources were found for each data set (crop and grass burning, boreal biomass burning, pollution and marine). For both data sets, the crops and grass biomass burning was the main source of both LAA species, suggesting the non-BC LAA was brown carbon. Depth profiles at most of the sites allowed assessment of the seasonal variation in the source strengths. The biomass burning sources dominated in the spring but pollution played a more significant (though rarely dominant) role in the fall, winter and, for Greenland, summer. The PMF analysis is consistent with trajectory analysis and satellite fire maps.
Black carbon measurements in the boundary layer over western and northern Europe
Authors: McMeeking G. R. , Hamburger T. , Liu D. , Flynn M. , Morgan W. T. , Northway M. , Highwood E. J. , Krejci R. , Allan J. D. , Minikin A. , Coe H.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Europe is a densely populated region that is a significant global source of black carbon (BC) aerosol, but there is a lack of information regarding the physical properties and spatial/vertical distribution of BC in the region. We present the first aircraft observations of sub-micron BC aerosol concentrations and physical properties measured by a single particle soot photometer (SP2) in the lower troposphere over Europe. The observations spanned a region roughly bounded by 50° to 60° N and from 15° W to 30° E. The measurements, made between April and September 2008, showed that average BC mass concentrations ranged from about 300 ng m−3 near urban areas to approximately 50 ng m−3 in remote continental regions, lower than previous surface-based measurements. BC represented between 0.5 and 3% of the sub-micron aerosol mass. Black carbon mass size distributions were log-normally distributed and peaked at approximately 180 nm, but shifted to smaller diameters (~160 nm) near source regions. Black carbon was correlated with carbon monoxide (CO) but had different ratios to CO depending on location and air mass. Light absorption coefficients were measured by particle soot absorption photometers on two separate aircraft and showed similar geographic patterns to BC mass measured by the SP2, but differed by at least a factor of two compared to each other. We summarize the BC and light absorption measurements as a function of longitude and air mass age and also provide profiles of BC mass concentrations and size distribution statistics. Our results will help evaluate model-predicted regional BC concentrations and properties and determine regional and global climate impacts from BC due to atmospheric heating and surface dimming.
Prediction of rainfall measurement errors using commercial microwave communication links
Authors: Zinevich A. , Messer H. , Alpert P.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Commercial microwave radio links forming cellular communication networks are known to be a valuable instrument for measuring near-surface rainfall. However, operational communication links are more uncertain relatively to the dedicated installations since their geometry and frequencies are optimized for high communication performance rather than observing rainfall. Quantification of the uncertainties for measurements that are non-optimal in the first place is essential to assure usability of the data. In this work we address modeling of environmental impairments, i.e. variability of drop size distribution along a link and spatial variability of rainfall in the link's neighborhood, as well as instrumental ones, i.e. signal variability due to antenna wetting, baseline attenuation uncertainty and digital quantization. Expressions for root mean squared error (RMSE) for estimates of path-averaged and point rainfall have been derived. To verify the RMSE expressions quantitatively, path-averaged measurements from 23 operational communication links have been compared to records of five nearby rain gauges over three rainstorm events. It has been demonstrated that the major sources of link-gauge discrepancies are spatial variability and baseline attenuation uncertainty; the former remains important for up to 120 min temporally averaged measurements. The experiments show that the predicted RMSE on the average fit the measured RMSE for various link lengths, rain rates and temporal intervals; above 90% of experimental errors for 1–60 min averages and 88% for 120 min are explained by the model. In addition, the dependence of the optimal coefficients of a conventional wet antenna attenuation model on spatial rainfall variability has been shown. The expressions for RMSE of the path-averaged rainfall estimates can be useful for integration of measurements from multiple heterogeneous links into data assimilation algorithms.
The enigmatic ichnofossil Tisoa siphonalis and widespread authigenic seep carbonate formation during the Late Pliensbachian in southern France
Authors: van de Schootbrugge B. , Harazim D. , Sorichter K. , Oschmann W. , Fiebig J. , Püttmann W. , Peinl M. , Zanella F. , Teichert B. , Hoffmann J. , Stadnitskaia A. , Rosenthal Y.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Tubular carbonate concretions of up to 1 m in length and perpendicular to bedding, occur abundantly in the Upper Pliensbachian (upper Amaltheus margaritatus Zone, Gibbosus Subzone) in outcrops (Fontaneilles section) in the vicinity of Rivière-sûr-Tarn, southern France. Stable isotope analyses of these concretions show negative &delta13C values that decrease from the rim to the center from −18.8‰ to −25.7‰ (V-PDB), but normal marine δ18O values (−1.8‰). Carbon isotope analyses of Late Pliensbachian bulk carbonate (matrix) samples from the Fontaneilles section show clearly decreasing C-isotope values across the A. margaritatus Zone, from +1‰ to −3‰ (V-PDB). Isotope analyses of coeval belemnite rostra do not document such a negative C-isotope trend with values remaining stable around +2‰ (V-PDB). Computer tomographic (CT) scanning of the tubular concretions show multiple canals that are lined or filled entirely with pyrite. Previously, the formation of these concretions with one, two, or more central tubes, has been ascribed to the activity of an enigmatic organism, possibly with annelid or arthropod affinities, known as Tisoa siphonalis. Our results suggest tisoan structures are abiogenic. Based on our geochemical analyses and sedimentological observations we suggest that these concretions formed as a combination of the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and sulfate reduction within the sediment. Fluids rich in methane and/or hydrocarbons likely altered local bulk rock carbon isotope records, but did not affect the global carbon cycle. Interestingly, Tisoa siphonalis has been described from many locations in the Grands Causses Basin in southern France, and from northern France and Luxemburg, always occurring at the same stratigraphic level. Upper Pliensbachian authigenic carbonates thus possibly cover an area of many thousand square kilometers. Greatly reduced sedimentation rates are needed to explain the stabilization of the sulfate-methane transition zone in the sedimentary column in order for the tubular concretions to form. Late Pliensbachian cooling, reducing run-off, and/or the influx of colder water and more vigorous circulation could be responsible for a halt in sedimentation. At the same time (thermogenic) methane may have destabilized during a major phase of Late Pliensbachian sea level fall. As such Tisoa siphonalis is more than a geological curiosity, and its further study could prove pivotal in understanding Early Jurassic paleoenvironmental change.
Metals releases and disinfection byproduct formation in domestic wells following shock chlorination
Authors: Walker M. , Newman J.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Shock chlorination is used for rapid disinfection to control pathogens and nuisance bacteria in domestic wells. A typical shock chlorination procedure involves adding sodium hypochlorite in liquid bleach solutions to achieve concentrations of free chlorine of up to 200 ppm in the standing water of a well. The change in pH and oxidation potential may bring trace metals from aquifer materials into solution and chlorine may react with dissolved organic carbon to form disinfection byproducts. We carried out experiments with four wells to observe and determine the persistence of increased concentrations of metals and disinfection byproducts. Water samples from shock chlorinated wells were analyzed for Pb, Cu, As, radionuclides and disinfection byproducts (haloacetic acids and trihalomethanes), immediately prior to treatment, after sufficient contact time with chlorine had elapsed, and at intervals determined by the number of casing volumes purged, for up to four times the well casing volume. Elevated concentrations of lead and copper dissipated in proportion to free chlorine (measured semi-quantitatively) during the purging process. Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids were formed in wells during disinfection. In one of two wells tested, disinfection byproducts dissipated in proportion to free chlorine during purging. However, one well retained disinfection byproducts and free chlorine after four well volumes had been purged. Although metals returned to background concentrations in this well, disinfection byproducts remained elevated, though below the MCL, likely because purging volume was insufficient. Simple chlorine test strips may be a useful method for indicating when purging is adequate to remove metals and disinfection by-products mobilized and formed by shock chlorination.
The development of the aurora of 18 January 1770
Authors: Schröder W.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The development of the great aurora of 18 January 1770 has been discussed in fundamental papers by Silberschlag, Behn and other authors. The aurora was observed in middle and low latitudes and in Northern latitude. In Central Europe it displayed all typical auroral forms, including the corona.
Statistical trend analysis and extreme distribution of significant wave height from 1958 to 1999 – an application to the Italian Seas
Authors: Martucci G. , Carniel S. , Chiggiato J. , Sclavo M. , Lionello P. , Galati M. B.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The study is a statistical analysis of sea states timeseries derived using the wave model WAM forced by the ERA-40 dataset in selected areas near the Italian coasts. For the period 1 January 1958 to 31 December 1999 the analysis yields: (i) the existence of a negative trend in the annual- and winter-averaged sea state heights; (ii) the existence of a turning-point in late 80's in the annual-averaged trend of sea state heights at a site in the Northern Adriatic Sea; (iii) the overall absence of a significant trend in the annual-averaged mean durations of sea states over thresholds; (iv) the assessment of the extreme values on a time-scale of thousand years. The analysis uses two methods to obtain samples of extremes from the independent sea states: the r-largest annual maxima and the peak-over-threshold. The two methods show statistical differences in retrieving the return values and more generally in describing the significant wave field. The r-largest annual maxima method provides more reliable predictions of the extreme values especially for small return periods (<100 years). Finally, the study statistically proves the existence of decadal negative trends in the significant wave heights and by this it conveys useful information on the wave climatology of the Italian seas during the second half of the 20th century.
Optimal and self‐tuning weighted measurement fusion Kalman filters and their asymptotic global optimality
Authors: Gao Yuan , Ran Chen‐Jian , Sun Xiao‐Jun , Deng Zi‐Li
Published: June 2010

For the multisensor linear discrete time‐invariant stochastic systems with unknown noise variances, using the correlation method, the information fusion noise variance estimators with consistency are given by taking the average of the local noise variance estimators. Substituting them into two optimal weighted measurement fusion steady‐state Kalman filters, two new self‐tuning weighted measurement fusion Kalman filters with a self‐tuning Riccati equation are presented. By the dynamic variance error system analysis (DVESA) method, it is rigorously proved that the self‐tuning Riccati equation converges to the steady‐state optimal Riccati equation. Further, by the dynamic error system analysis (DESA) method, it is proved that the steady‐state optimal and self‐tuning Kalman fusers converge to the global optimal centralized Kalman fuser, so that they have the asymptotic global optimality. Compared with the centralized Kalman fuser, they can significantly reduce the computational burden. A simulation example for the target tracking systems shows their effectiveness. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clarithromycin (Biaxin)‐lenalidomide‐low‐dose dexamethasone (BiRd) versus lenalidomide‐low‐dose dexamethasone (Rd) for newly diagnosed myeloma
Authors: Gay Francesca , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Coleman Morton , Kumar Shaji , Mark Tomer , Dispenzieri Angela , Pearse Roger , Gertz Morie A. , Leonard John , Lacy Martha Q. , Chen‐Kiang Selina , Roy Vivek , Jayabalan David S. , Lust John A. , Witzig Thomas E. , Fonseca Rafael , Kyle Robert A. , Greipp Philip R. , Stewart A. Keith , Niesvizky Ruben
Published: June 2010

The objective of this case‐matched study was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of the addition of clarithromycin (Biaxin) to lenalidomide/low‐dose dexamethasone (BiRd) vs. lenalidomide/low‐dose dexamethasone (Rd) for newly diagnosed myeloma. Data from 72 patients treated at the New York Presbyterian Hospital‐Cornell Medical Center were retrospectively compared with an equal number of matched pair mates selected among patients seen at the Mayo Clinic who received Rd. Case matching was blinded and was performed according to age, gender, and transplant status. On intention‐to‐treat analysis, complete response (45.8% vs. 13.9%, P < 0.001) and very‐good‐partial‐response or better (73.6% vs. 33.3%, P < 0.001) were significantly higher with BiRd. Time‐to‐progression (median 48.3 vs. 27.5 months, P = 0.071), and progression‐free survival (median 48.3 vs. 27.5 months, P = 0.044) were higher with BiRd. There was a trend toward better OS with BiRd (3‐year OS: 89.7% vs. 73.0%, P = 0.170). Main grade 3–4 toxicities of BiRd were hematological, in particular thrombocytopenia (23.6% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.012). Infections (16.7% vs. 9.7%, P = 0.218) and dermatological toxicity (12.5% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.129) were higher with Rd. Results of this case‐matchedanalysis suggest that there is significant additive value when clarithromycin is added to Rd. Randomized phase III trials are needed to confirm these results. Am. J. Hematol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Time‐dependent clearance and hematological pharmacodynamics upon erythropoietin multiple dosing in rats
Authors: Ait‐Oudhia Sihem , Scherrmann Jean‐Michel , Krzyzanski Wojciech
Published: June 2010

The pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) upon its repeated administrations were investigated. Two groups (A and B) of normal Wistar rats received rHuEPO intravenously at 450 or 1350 IU/kg thrice weekly for 2 and 6 weeks. PK studies were conducted following days 0 and 4 for group (A) and days 0, 17 and 28 for group (B), then, washout PK were assessed on days 11 and 36 for both groups. Reticulocytes (RET), red blood cells (RBC) and hemoglobin (Hb) were evaluated daily until day 14, then every 2 days until day 30 for group (A) and 59 for group (B). The total clearanceCLTotalincreased with the dose but decreased over time. Its decay reached 20% and 55% between the first and last full PK in both treatment arms. RET peaked on day 5 and were 77.6% and 87.3% higher than baselines for the two dosing regimen. Their nadirs occurred on days 22 and 55 and were 37.9% and 47.3% below normal values. Hb peaked on days 10 and 34 and was 28.9% and 38.6% above the baseline level, its nadirs occurred on days 25 and 57 and were 13.1% and 16% below baselines. Control animals showed stable baselines over the study but with moderate variability. In conclusion, rHuEPO exhibits a nonlinear PK with a time‐dependent decrease of itsCLTotal. During exposure, RET, RBC and Hb showed a tolerance effect. After exposure, the rebound was characterized for RET, RBC, but not Hb. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sotrastaurin and cyclosporine drug interaction study in healthy subjects
Authors: Kovarik John M. , Stitah Sylvie , Slade Alan , Vitaliti Alessandra , Straube Frank , Grenet Olivier , Winter Serge , Sfikas Nikolaos , Seiberling Michael
Published: June 2010

Introduction. Sotrastaurin is an immunosuppressant that inhibits protein kinase C and blocks T‐lymphocyte activation. The authors determined the effect of combining sotrastaurin with the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine on the pharmacokinetics and biomarker responses to both drugs. Methods. This was a randomized, 4‐period, crossover study in 20 healthy subjects who received single oral doses of (1) sotrastaurin 100 mg, (2) cyclosporine 400 mg, (3) 100 mg sotrastaurin with 100 mg cyclosporine and (4) 100 mg sotrastaurin with 400 mg cyclosporine. Blood samples were collected to measure drug levels and biomarkers of T‐lymphocyte activation (interleukin‐2 and tumor necrosis factor producing T‐cells and interleukin‐2 messenger RNA levels) and of T‐lymphocyte proliferation (thymidine uptake). Results. Sotrastaurin did not alter cyclosporine AUC; however, low‐dose and high‐dose cyclosporine increased sotrastaurin AUC by 1.2‐fold [90% confidence interval, 1.1–1.4] and 1.8‐fold [1.6–2.1], respectively. Adding high‐dose cyclosporine to a low‐therapeutic dose of sotrastaurin significantly enhanced the inhibition of cytokine production by 31% [95% confidence interval, 25–36%], of interleukin‐2 messenger RNA levels by 13% [7–19%], and of thymidine uptake by 37% [32–42%] compared with sotrastaurin alone. Addition of low‐dose cyclosporine elicited slightly lower enhancements in inhibition by 21% [14–28%], 6% [−4–16%], and 26% [21–30%], respectively, compared with sotrastaurin alone. Conclusions. Sotrastaurin did not alter the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine, but cyclosporine increased sotrastaurin AUC up to 1.8‐fold. The combined drugs elicited a significantly greater inhibition of T‐cell activation and proliferation than sotrastaurin alone. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Climate‐driven decrease in erosion in extant Mediterranean badlands
Authors: Clarke Michèle L. , Rendell Helen M.
Published: June 2010

Badland areas provide some of the highest erosion rates globally. Most studies of erosion have insufficient lengths of record to interrogate the impacts of decadal‐scale changes in precipitation on rates of badland erosion in regions such as the Mediterranean, which are known to be sensitive to land degradation and desertification. Erosion measurements, derived from field monitoring using erosion pins, in southern Italy during the period 1974–2004 are used to explore the impacts of changing precipitation patterns on badland erosion. Erosion on badland inter‐rill areas is strongly correlated with cumulative rainfall over each monitoring period. Annual precipitation has a substantial dynamic range, but both annual and winter (December, January, February) rainfall amounts in southern Italy show a steady decrease over the period 1970–2000. The persistence of positive values of the winter North Atlantic Oscillation index in the period 1980–2000 is correlated with a reduction in the winter rainfall amounts. Future climate scenarios show a reduction in annual rainfall across the western and central Mediterranean which is likely to result in a further reduction in erosion rates in existing badlands. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Geostatistical estimations of bathymetric LiDAR errors on rivers
Authors: Bailly Jean‐Stéphane , Le Coarer Yann , Languille Pascal , Stigermark Carl‐Johann , Allouis Tristan
Published: June 2010

The geometry of river channels is a key descriptive element for hydromorphology, hydraulics and hydroecology. Gravel bed rivers usually have a mean water depth of ∼0·5 m. For such shallow waters, the accuracy of bathymetric LiDAR data has to be precisely assessed. Alongside this accuracy investigation, methodological questions arise: How to assess the data quality of elevation LiDAR when comparing reference topographic points on river beds to laser beam footprints of several square metres at different locations? What are the consequences of uncertainties and scaling in accuracy estimations? In this study, we designed a methodology to assess the quality of LiDAR topographical data within rivers using a specific geostatistical method that conducts upscaling as well as interpolation of reference data that takes into account uncertainties. This method uses an anisotropic block kriging from DGPS points on LiDAR footprint areas within a channel‐fitted coordinate system. This assessment focused on a 1·5 km long reach of the Gardon gravel bed river, in the south of France. DGPS points pseudo‐regularly located along the river were acquired at the same time as the LiDAR survey with the HawkEyeII system. LiDAR accuracy results for river bottom elevation show a negative bias for high depth. Added to that bias, a random error with 0·32 m standard deviation was found by considering upscaling and uncertainties in reference data, and a 0·20 m standard deviation was found if they were not considered. Consequently, if LiDAR bias can be corrected, measuring a water depth less than 32 cm, i.e. for 28% of the river area, is unrealistic.

However, this experiment shows that LiDAR provides an accurate representation of the riverbed forms. It also provided a useful, continuous, topographic surface from the underwater river bed up to riparian areas. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
Examining the physical components of boundary shear stress for water‐worked gravel deposits
Authors: Cooper James R. , Tait Simon J.
Published: June 2010

It is argued in this commentary that, in order to understand better the physical mechanisms that generate boundary shear stress over water‐worked gravel beds, flow velocity data should be re‐evaluated by spatial averaging the Reynolds equations to produce time‐ and space‐averaged (double‐averaged) momentum equations. A series of laboratory experiments were conducted in which the flow velocities were measured using a PIV system over two water‐worked gravel deposits. Combined with detailed data on the bed surface topography and vertical porosity, the physical components of shear stress were obtained. This enabled the various momentum transfer mechanisms present above, within and at the interface of a porous, fluvial deposit, to be quantified. This included the examination of the relevant contributions of temporal and spatial fluctuations in velocity and surface drag to the overall momentum transfer. It is demonstrated that double‐averaging represents a logical framework for assessing the fluid forces responsible for sediment entrainment and for investigating intragravel flow and sediment–water interface exchange mechanisms within the roughness layer in water‐worked gravel deposits. By considering the physical components of shear stress and their relative sizes it was possible to provide a physically based explanation for existing observations of enhanced mobility of gravel–sand mixtures and the transfer of solutes into porous, gravel deposits. This analysis reveals the importance of obtaining co‐located, high quality spatial data on the flow field and bed surface topography in order to gain a physical understanding of the mechanisms which generate boundary shear stress. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Turbulent shear stresses in hydraulic jumps, bores and decelerating surges
Authors: Chanson Hubert
Published: June 2010

In an open channel, a sudden rise in water level induces a positive surge, or bore, that may develop as a hydraulic jump in translation. When the surge propagates against an adverse slope, it decelerates until it becomes a stationary hydraulic jump. Both hydraulic jumps and decelerating surges induce some intense turbulent mixing and have some major impact on the sediment transport in natural systems. Herein, a physical investigation was conducted in a relatively large rectangular channel. Hydraulic jumps and surges were generated by the rapid closure of a gate at the channel downstream end. The turbulent shear stresses were measured with high temporal and spatial resolution (200 Hz sampling rate) in the jump flow. A comparison between the stationary hydraulic jump, hydraulic jump in translation and decelerating surge measurements showed some marked differences in terms of turbulent mixing. The results highlighted some intense mixing beneath the jump front and roller for all configurations. The levels of turbulent stresses were one to two orders of magnitude larger than a critical threshold for sediment motion. The findings provide some insights into the hydraulic jump migration processes in mobile bed channels, and the complex transformation from a moving jump into a stationary jump. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural anatomy of the exhumation of high‐pressure rocks: constraints from the Tongbai Collisional Orogen and surrounding units
Authors: Liu X. , Li S.Z. , Suo Y.H. , Liu X.C. , Dai L.M. , Santosh M.
Published: June 2010

The Tongbai Collisional Orogen and associated units, located between the Qinling and Dabie orogens, can be divided into nine lithotectonic units. From north to south, these are the southern tectonic unit of the North China Plate—the Maoji Group, the Erlangping tectonic unit, the Qinling Complex unit, the Guishan and Nanwan slice, the Xiaojiamiao mélange unit, the northern high‐pressure (HP) unit, the Tongbai high‐grade Complex, the southern HP unit and the Suizhou tectonic belt. Based on structural analysis and available geochronological data, five principal episodes of deformation (D1‐D5) are distinguished in this area following the Mesozoic HP metamorphism. The first two episodes of deformation developed in various tectonic units to the south of the Xiaojiamiao mélange unit, and the subsequent episodes of deformation developed in all the units of this area. The D1 deformation is correlated to ca. 255–238 Ma generating regional penetrative foliation and WNW‐trending stretching lineation, and leading to the initial stage of eastward oblique extrusion of the HP rocks. The D2 event is characterized by top‐to‐the‐SSW thrusting which contributed to the further vertical uplift of the HP rocks sometime around 230–215 Ma. The D3 event is defined by WNW‐trending open folds, and must have taken place earlier than Lower Jurassic. The D4 event is characterized by ductile strike‐slip shearing, and during this episode the Tongbai high‐grade Complex was extruded to the east at ca. 131–119 Ma. The D5 event probably took place at ca. 100–80 Ma, and is marked by the NW and NE trending brittle faults which overprint all of the above mentioned structures. The exhumation of the Tongbai HP rocks illustrates the process of gradual extrusion and uplift, controlled by several episodes of deformation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modernization of spate irrigated agriculture: A new approach
Authors: Mehari Abraham , Van Steenbergen Frank , Schultz Bart
Published: June 2010

Spate irrigation, a floodwater harvesting and management system, has for the past 70 centuries provided a livelihood for about 13 million resource‐poor people in some 20 countries. Despite being the oldest, the system still remains the least studied and the least understood. It is only in the past two decades that the system has been subject to some modernization interventions, much of which focused on improving floodwater diversion efficiency. Effective floodwater diversion measures are necessary, but they must be supplemented with equally effective field water management and soil moisture conservation measures if sustainable improvement of land and water productivity is to be achieved.

This paper draws on studies conducted in the past 5 years, particularly in the Republic of Yemen, Pakistan and Eritrea. The studies employed both qualitative and quantitative methods and assessed the modernization package that could result in lasting enhancement of crop productivity in spate irrigated agriculture. The suggested modernization measures include: avoid overstretching the command area; limit the number of irrigation turns to two or an irrigation gift of 1000 mm; avoid field bund heights of more than 1 m; adopt a field‐to‐field water distribution system instead of an individual field water distribution system; opt for water rights and rules that entitle downstream fields to the more frequent small and medium floods thereby ensuring equity in both water quality and quantity; optimize soil water‐holding capacity and infiltration rate through pre‐and‐post irrigation tillage, combined tillage as well as soil mulching. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AN EXPLORATIVE STUDY IN QUALITATIVE REGIME TRANSITIONS
Authors: Marktanner Marcus , Salman Lana , Bekdash Hania
Published: June 2010

This paper discusses countries along the dimensions of democracy vs. autocracy, income equality vs. inequality, and economic rent‐extraction vs. creation and compares them in a regional context. Transitions within those qualitative characteristics are generally scarce. When occurring, they are limited to one aspect only. Transitions towards more democracy, income equality, and productive economic activity are most likely when relative equality is already given. Contrary to the general redistribution hypothesis of democratisation, this suggests that successful democratisation stems from initial income equality; it is not democratisation that leads to more income equality. Rising income inequality is identified as the greatest threat to the sustainability of favorable socioeconomic and political developments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fishery as a livelihood strategy in Malawi. Analyzing a small LSMS sub‐sample
Authors: Hatlebakk Magnus
Published: June 2010

We illustrate how a national household survey can be applied to analyse a subject that requires data from a small sub‐sample. Even for small sub‐samples meaningful statistical tests can be conducted. The benefits of applying sub‐samples from larger household surveys are that primary data collection is not needed and there is a large comparison group. The illustrative case is livelihood strategies among fishermen in Malawi. We find that boat‐owners do not diversify more than other households, while crew‐members appear to diversify more as they combine fishery with agriculture. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring the links between HIV/AIDS, social capital and development
Authors: David Antonio C. , Li Carmen A.
Published: June 2010

This paper attempts to quantify the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on social capital with cross‐country data. Using data from the World Values Survey (WVS), the authors estimate reduced‐form regressions of the main determinants of social capital controlling for HIV prevalence, institutional quality, social distance, and economic indicators. The results obtained indicate that HIV prevalence affects social capital negatively. The empirical estimates suggest that a one standard deviation increase in HIV prevalence will lead to a decline of at least 1 per cent in trust, controlling for other determinants of social capital. Moving from a country with a relatively low level of HIV prevalence, such as Estonia, to a country with a relatively high level, such as Uganda, there is a more than 11 per cent point decline in social capital. These results are robust in a number of dimensions and highlight the empirical importance of an additional mechanism through which HIV/AIDS hinders the development process. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of urban warming on earlier spring flowering in Korea
Authors: Jeong Jee‐Hoon , Ho Chang‐Hoi , Linderholm Hans W. , Jeong Su‐Jong , Chen Deliang , Choi Yong‐Sang
Published: June 2010

Using long‐term (1954–2004) observations of four selected species in South Korea: goldenbell (Forsythia koreana), azalea (Rhododendron mucronulatum), cherry (Prunus yedoensis), and peach (Prunus persica), the impact of urban warming on spring flowering was investigated. Trends of early spring temperatures and first‐flowering dates (FFDs) of the four plants were cross‐compared among nine differently urbanized cities. It was clearly observed that urban warming has led to an advance in the timing of first‐flowering of several days to weeks during recent decades, while the intrinsic physiology of plants to sense thermal energy has not been changed. The degree of advancement of the FFD was observed to be roughly proportional to degree of urbanization. Moreover, the sensitivity of the FFD to urban warming was estimated to be higher for the shrub species (−9.07 and −6.64 days °C−1 for goldenbell and azalea, respectively) than the tree species (−2.46 and −2.90 days °C−1 for peach and cherry, respectively). Our results suggest that the impact of urban warming should be considered as an influential factor which drives changes in the regional natural environment, especially in regions of rapid urbanization. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Studies of 21st‐century precipitation trends over West Africa
Authors: Druyan Leonard M.
Published: June 2010

West Africa includes a semi‐arid zone between the Sahara Desert and the humid Gulf of Guinea coast, approximately between 10°N and 20°N, which is irrigated by summer monsoon rains. This article refers to the region as the Sahel. Rain‐fed agriculture is the primary sustenance for Sahel populations, and severe droughts (in the 1970s and 1980s), therefore, have devastating negative societal impacts. The future frequency of Sahel droughts and the evolution of its hydrological balance are therefore of great interest. The article reviews 10 recent research studies that attempt to discover how climate changes will affect the hydrology of the Sahel throughout the 21st century. All 10 studies rely on atmosphere–ocean global climate model (AOGCM) simulations based on a range of greenhouse gas emissions scenarios. Many of the simulations are contained in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change archives for Assessment Reports #3 and #4. Two of the studies use AOGCM data to drive regional climate models. Seven studies make projections for the first half of the 21st century and eight studies make projections for the second half. Some studies make projections of wetter conditions and some predict more frequent droughts, and each describes the atmospheric processes associated with its prediction. Only one study projects more frequent droughts before 2050, and that is only for continent‐wide degradation in vegetation cover. The challenge to correctly simulate Sahel rainfall decadal trends is particularly daunting because multiple physical mechanisms compete to drive the trend upwards or downwards. A variety of model deficiencies, regarding the simulation of one or more of these physical processes, taints models' climate change projections. Consequently, no consensus emerges regarding the impact of anticipated greenhouse gas forcing on the hydrology of the Sahel in the second half of the 21st century. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Remote sensing and GIS for identification of suitable sites for soil and water conservation structures
Authors: Pandey A. , Chowdary V. M. , Mal B. C. , Dabral P. P.
Published: June 2010

Formulation of a proper watershed management plan requires reliable and up‐to‐date information about various factors such as morphologic (size and shape of the watershed, drainage parameters, topography), soil and their characteristics, land use, and land cover, etc. that affect the behavior of a watershed. Satellite based remote sensing technology and GIS meets both the requirements of reliability and speed and are ideal tools for generating spatial information needs. In this study, a locale‐specific watershed development plan was generated for the case study area of a small agricultural watershed of Karso, Hazaribagh, India using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS‐1C), Linear Imaging Self Scanner (LISS‐III) satellite data along with other datasets, e.g. existing maps and field observation data have been utilized for generating a land use/land cover map and to extract information on morphological parameters (bifurcation ratio, elongation ratio, drainage density, ruggedness number, relief ratio, and circulatory ratio) and other thematic maps which are an essential prerequisites for watershed development. Morphological parameters of subwatersheds were derived to understand its usefulness for surface water development. The conceptual framework for plan and site suitability mapping for soil and water conservation structures is developed and subsequently, these parameters were integrated with other thematic information viz., land use/cover, drainage, slope, and soil in the GIS environment to arrive at a decision regarding a suitable site for having soil and water conservation structures (nala bund, check dam, and percolation tank) in its place adopting a holistic approach. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.