bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality Assessment of the Genetic Test for Familial Hypercholesterolemia in The Netherlands
Authors: Kindt Iris , Huijgen Roeland , Boekel Marieke , van der Gaag Kristiaan J. , Defesche Joep C. , Kastelein John J. P. , de Knijff Peter
Published: July 2013

Introduction. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder associated with a severely increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Although DNA test results in FH are associated with important medical and ethical consequences, data on accuracy of genetic tests is scarce.Methods. Therefore, we performed a prospective study to assess the overall accuracy of the DNA test used in the genetic cascade screening program for FH in The Netherlands. Individuals aged 18 years and older tested for one of the 5 most prevalent FH mutations, were included consecutively. DNA samples were analyzed by the reference and a counter-expertise laboratory following a standardized procedure.Results. 1003 cases were included. In the end, 317 (32%) carried an FH mutation, whereas in 686 (69%) samples no mutation was found. The overall accuracy of the reference laboratory was 99.8%, with two false positive results identified by the counter-expertise laboratory.Conclusion. The currently used mutation analysis is associated with a very low error rate. Therefore, we do not recommend routine use of duplicate testing.
Cytotoxicity of Biologically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles in MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Gurunathan Sangiliyandi , Han Jae Woong , Eppakayala Vasuki , Jeyaraj Muniyandi , Kim Jin-Hoi
Published: July 2013

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been used as an antimicrobial and disinfectant agents. However, there is limited information about antitumor potential. Therefore, this study focused on determining cytotoxic effects of AgNPs on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and its mechanism of cell death. Herein, we developed a green method for synthesis of AgNPs using culture supernatant ofBacillus funiculus, and synthesized AgNPs were characterized by various analytical techniques such as UV-visible spectrophotometer, particle size analyzer, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The toxicity was evaluated using cell viability, metabolic activity, and oxidative stress. MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were treated with various concentrations of AgNPs (5 to 25 μg/mL) for 24 h. We found that AgNPs inhibited the growth in a dose-dependent manner using MTT assay. AgNPs showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells through activation of the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), caspase-3, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, eventually leading to induction of apoptosis which was further confirmed through resulting nuclear fragmentation. The present results showed that AgNPs might be a potential alternative agent for human breast cancer therapy.
Transcriptomic Profiling of the Four Adenosine Receptors in Human Leukocytes of Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Cabiati Manuela , Caruso Raffaele , Verde Alessandro , Sabatino Laura , Morales Maria-Aurora , Del Ry Silvia
Published: July 2013

In this study the transcriptomic profiling of adenosine receptors (ARs) in human leukocytes of heart failure (HF) patients as a function of clinical severity, assessing the possible changes with respect to healthy subjects (C), was evaluated. Total RNA was extracted from leukocytes ofC(n=8) and of HF patients (NYHA I-IIn=9; NYHA III-IVn=14) with a PAXgene Blood RNA Kit. An increase as a function of clinical severity was observed in each AR (A1R:C=0.02±0.009, NYHAI-II=0.21±0.09, NYHAIII-IV=3.6±1.3,P=0.03  Cversus NYHA III-IV,P=0.02NYHA I-II versus NYHA III-IV; A2aR:C=0.2±0.05, NYHAI-II=0.19±0.04, NYHAIII-IV=1.32±0.33,P=0.005  Cversus NYHA III-IV,P=0.003NYHA I-II versus NYHA III-IV; A2bR:C=1.78±0.36, NYHAI-II=1.35±0.29, NYHAIII-IV=4.07±1.21,P=0.03: NYHA I-II versus NYHA III-IV; A3R:C=0.76±0.21, NYHAI-II=0.94±0.19, NYHAIII-IV=3.14±0.77,P=0.01  Cversus NYHA III-IV and NYHA I-II versus NYHA III-IV, resp.). The mRNA expression of the ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (CD39) and the ecto-5′-nucleotidase (CD73) were also evaluated. They resulted up-regulated. These findings show that components of adenosine metabolism and signalling are altered to promote adenosine production and signalling in HF patients. Thus, HF may benefit from adenosine-based drug therapy after confirmation by clinical trials.
Effect of Natural Fillers on Mechanical Properties of GFRP Composites
Authors: Dhawan Vikas , Singh Sehijpal , Singh Inderdeep
Published: July 2013

Fiber reinforced plastics (FRPs) have replaced conventional engineering materials in many areas, especially in the field of automobiles and household applications. With the increasing demand, various modifications are being incorporated in the conventional FRPs for specific applications in order to reduce costs and achieve the quality standards. The present research endeavor is an attempt to study the effect of natural fillers on the mechanical characteristics of FRPs. Rice husk, wheat husk, and coconut coir have been used as natural fillers in glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRPs). In order to study the effect of matrix on the properties of GFRPs, polyester and epoxy resins have been used. It has been found that natural fillers provide better results in polyester-based composites. Amongst the natural fillers, in general, the composites with coconut coir have better mechanical properties as compared to the other fillers in glass/epoxy composites.
Mechanostimulation Protocols for Cardiac Tissue Engineering
Authors: Govoni Marco , Muscari Claudio , Guarnieri Carlo , Giordano Emanuele
Published: July 2013

Owing to the inability of self-replacement by a damaged myocardium, alternative strategies to heart transplantation have been explored within the last decades and cardiac tissue engineering/regenerative medicine is among the present challenges in biomedical research. Hopefully, several studies witness the constant extension of the toolbox available to engineer a fully functional, contractile, and robust cardiac tissue using different combinations of cells, template bioscaffolds, and biophysical stimuli obtained by the use of specific bioreactors. Mechanical forces influence the growth and shape of every tissue in our body generating changes in intracellular biochemistry and gene expression. That is why bioreactors play a central role in the task of regenerating a complex tissue such as the myocardium. In the last fifteen years a large number of dynamic culture devices have been developed and many results have been collected. The aim of this brief review is to resume in a single streamlined paper the state of the art in this field.
On the Derivation of a Closed-Form Expression for the Solutions of a Subclass of Generalized Abel Differential Equations
Authors: Nastou Panayotis E. , Spirakis Paul , Stamatiou Yannis C. , Tsiakalos Apostolos
Published: July 2013

We investigate the properties of a general class of differential equations described bydy(t)/dt=fk+1(t)y(t)k+1+fk(t)y(t)k+⋯+f2(t)y(t)2+f1(t)y(t)+f0(t),withk>1a positive integer andfi(t), 0≤i≤k+1, withfi(t), real functions oft. Fork=2, these equations reduce to the class ofAbel differential equations of the first kind,for which a standard solution procedure is available. However, fork>2no general solution methodology exists, to the best of our knowledge, that can lead to their solution. We develop a general solution methodology that for odd values ofkconnects the closed form solution of the differential equations with the existence of closed-form expressions for the roots of the polynomial that appears on the right-hand side of the differential equation. Moreover, the closed-form expression (when it exists) for the polynomial roots enables the expression of the solution of the differential equation in closed form, based on the class of Hyper-Lambert functions. However, for certain even values ofk, we prove that such closed form does not exist in general, and consequently there is no closed-form expression for the solution of the differential equation through this methodology.
Reduction of Waste Water in Erhai Lake Based on MIKE21 Hydrodynamic and Water Quality Model
Authors: Zhu Changjun , Liang Qinag , Yan Feng , Hao Wenlong
Published: July 2013

In order to study the ecological water environment in Erhai Lake, different monitoring sections were set to research the change of hydrodynamics and water quality. According to the measured data, MIKE21 Ecolab, the water quality simulation software developed by DHI, is applied to simulate the water quality in Erhai Lake. The hydrodynamics model coupled with water quality is established by MIKE21FM software to simulate the current situation of Erhai Lake. Then through the comparison with the monitoring data, the model parameters are calibrated and the simulation results are verified. Based on this, water quality is simulated by the two‐dimensional hydrodynamics and water quality coupled model. The results indicate that the level of water quality in the north and south of lake is level III, while in the center of lake, the water quality is level II. Finally, the water environment capacity and total emmision reduction of pollutants are filtered to give some guidance for the water resources management and effective utilization in the Erhai Lake.
Identification of Potential or Preclinical Cognitive Impairment and the Implications of Sophisticated Screening with Biomarkers and Cognitive Testing: Does It Really Matter?
Authors: Gordon Michael
Published: July 2013

The last decade has seen an enormous growth in the interest in the recognition of and intervention in those diagnosed and living with the whole range of cognitive impairment and frank dementia. In the western world, the recognition of the impact on patients, families, health care systems, and societies that dementia poses has led to great efforts to help define the indicators for current and future dementia with the intention to treat those already afflicted even with the primarily symptomatic medications that exist and to recognize those at future risk with the hope of providing counselling to forestall its future development. The idea of “early diagnosis” appears at first glance to be attractive for the purposes of future planning and research studies, but it is not clear what the benefits and risks might be if screening processes define people at risk when beneficial interventions might not yet be determined. The ethical as well as financial implications must be explored and defined before implementation of such screening becomes a normal standard of practice.
5-Fluorouracil, Mitomycin-C, and Polysaccharide-K versus Uracil-Ftorafur and Polysaccharide-K as Adjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy for Patients with Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer with Curative Resection
Authors: Ahn Mi-Sun , Kang Seok-Yun , Lee Hyun-Woo , Jeong Seong-Hyun , Park Joon-Seong , Lee Kwang-Jae , Cho Yong-Kwan , Han Sang-Uk , Lee Soon-Young , Lim Ho-Yeong , Choi Jin-Hyuk
Published: July 2013

Background: Despite the small but significant survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC), the optimal regimen remains to be determined. We conducted a randomized trial comparing oral (PO) chemoimmunotherapy (CITX) with intravenous (IV) CITX in LAGC patients (stages IB-IIIB) with curative resection (≥ D2 dissection). Methods: The patients were randomized to the IV (5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m2 weekly for 24 weeks, mitomycin-C 8 mg/m2 every 6 weeks × 4) or the PO (uracil-ftorafur (UFT) 400-600 mg/day for 12 months) group. Patients in both groups received PO polysaccharide-K (3 g/day for 4 months). The planned number of patients was 368 for proving the non-inferiority of PO CITX compared to IV CITX for overall survival. Results: The trial was closed prematurely after enrolling 82 patients (44 in the IV group, 38 in the PO group). With a median follow-up of 82 months, there were no significant differences in the 5-year disease-free survival (73% vs. 55%, p = 0.358) and overall survival (77% vs. 66%, p = 0.159) between the 2 groups. The IV group demonstrated a higher incidence of grade 2 or 3 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and vomiting. Conclusions: PO CITX with UFT appeared to be at least non-inferior to 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin-C CITX, with lower toxicity in the adjuvant treatment for LAGC.
Manifestations of Acute Appendicitis: A Prospective Study on Acute Abdominal Pain
Authors: Laurell H. , Hansson L.-E. , Gunnarsson U.
Published: July 2013

Background/Aims: The aim of this prospective study was to identify the clinical symptoms and signs most important for the prediction of appendicitis among patients with acute abdominal pain. Methods: Clinical findings in 2,478 patients admitted to the emergency department of Mora Hospital from February 1997 to June 2000, with acute abdominal pain of up to 7 days' duration, were registered in a database. The medical records were reviewed after 1 year. Results: A total of 432 patients were suspected of having appendicitis and in 221 this diagnosis was confirmed. Some 53 patients, with another preliminary diagnosis, were eventually found to suffer from appendicitis, making a total of 274 patients with appendicitis. Appendectomy was performed in 316 patients and was negative in 14%. Clinical diagnosis of appendicitis had a sensitivity of 0.81, a specificity of 0.90, a positive predictive value of 0.51, a positive likelihood ratio of 8.1, and a diagnostic accuracy of 0.89. The highest odds ratios were found for isolated tenderness in the right iliac fossa (3.29), rebound tenderness (3.00), right-sided rectal tenderness (2.53), migration of pain to the right iliac fossa (2.18), and local guarding (2.11). Conclusion: Clinical findings indicating localised inflammation in the right iliac fossa were reliable in predicting acute appendicitis. The patients' history of pain combined with a careful clinical examination still plays an important role in detecting appendicitis among patients with acute abdominal pain.
Location of Infarcts and Apathy in Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Tang W.K. , Chen Y.K. , Liang H.J. , Chu Winnie C.W. , Mok V.C.T. , Ungvari Gabor S. , Wong K.S.
Published: July 2013

Background: Apathy is common in stroke survivors. Unlike poststroke depression, apathy after stroke has not been extensively investigated and the significance of the location of infarcts in the development of apathy following a stroke is unknown. This study examined the association between poststroke apathy (PSA) and the location of infarcts. Methods: A cohort of 185 patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Stroke Unit of a university-affiliated regional hospital in Hong Kong was recruited. Three months after the index stroke, a psychiatrist administered the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES). PSA was defined as an AES score of 37 or above. The presence and location of infarcts were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Altogether 185 patients met the entry criteria and formed the study sample; 20 (10.8%) had PSA. PSA patients were older and had higher stroke severity and more depressive symptoms. The PSA group also had lower levels of physical and cognitive functioning. Compared with the non-PSA group, PSA patients were more likely to have acute pontine infarcts (35.0% vs. 11.5%; p = 0.011). They had a higher mean number (0.5 ± 0.7 vs. 0.1 ± 0.3; p = 0.003) and larger volume (0.6 ± 1.4 vs. 0.1 ± 0.3 ml; p = 0.002) of acute pontine infarcts. Six variables were entered into the predictive regression model: age, the presence, number and volume of acute pontine infarcts, the number of old infarcts and periventricular white matter hyperintensities scores. The volume of infarcts remained an independent predictor of PSA in the multivariate analysis, with an odds ratio of 3.9 (p = 0.007). The Geriatric Depression Scale, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Barthel Index and Mini-Mental State Examination scores were also entered into the subsequent associative regression model; the volume of acute pontine infarcts remained a significant predictor (odds ratio = 3.8). Conclusions: This is the first report of an association between pontine infarcts and the risk of PSA. The results suggest that pontine infarcts may play a role in the development of PSA. The importance of acute pontine infarcts in the pathogenesis of PSA warrants further investigation.
Congenital Glioblastoma Multiforme: Complete Resection with Long-Term Survival and a Novel Technique of Contralateral Cystoventriculostomy
Authors: Boukas A. , Panaretos P. , Cowie C. , Nicholson C. , Jenkins A.
Published: July 2013

Congenital glioblastomas are rare primary tumours of the central nervous system with poor prognosis if left untreated. We report the case of a 4-week-old infant with such a tumour treated by surgical excision and a course of postoperative chemotherapy. After the chemotherapy, the patient displayed a neurological deterioration and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed no signs of recurrence, but showed entrapment and significant distension of the right lateral ventricle. A novel technique of contralateral cystoventriculostomy was performed to attempt to decompress the cyst and improve the infant's neurological status. After surgery there was a significant neurological improvement, and 30 months after resection the child is alive, with mild hemiparesis and no signs of recurrence on follow-up MRI scan. The cystoventriculostomy is patent and continues to decompress the encapsulated ventricle.
Internal Pressure of the Conduit during Endoscopy on the Day after Esophagectomy
Authors: Okada Takuya , Kawada Kenro , Nakajima Yasuaki , Tokairin Yutaka , Nagai Kagami , Kawano Tatsuyuki
Published: July 2013

Background: In gastrointestinal surgery, anastomosis can result in various complications. Anastomosis is evaluated using classical examinations. The most reliable one is endoscopy, which provides direct information on the anastomosis and conduit. But the influence of endoscopy on anastomosis is uncertain. Methods: The internal pressure of a graft during endoscopy was measured in 36 patients who received esophagectomy, by utilizing the decompression tube which was inserted into the graft during operation. We filled the tube with water and measured the maximum water level in a centimeter water column. All examinations were routinely performed on the day after operation, and thin endoscopes were selected for reducing the stress. Results: The internal pressure before endoscopy ranged from 6 to 20 cm H2O, and during endoscopy ranged from 9 to 27 cm H2O. The difference in the internal conduit pressure in each patient ranged from 1 to 9 cm H2O. There was no increase in complications caused by endoscopy, including anastomotic leakage. Conclusion: This study is the first to report changes in internal pressure due to the endoscope by direct measurement. The pressure gradient observed was below the physiological pressure during swallowing. These results suggest that endoscopy is a safe examination even after surgery.
The Molecular and Biophysical Characterization of the Human Blood-Nerve Barrier: Current Concepts
Authors: Ubogu Eroboghene E.
Published: July 2013

The internal microenvironment in peripheral nerves is highly regulated in order to maintain normal axonal impulse transmission to or from the central nervous system. In humans, this regulation is facilitated by specialized tight junction (TJ)-forming endoneurial microvascular endothelial cells and perineurial myofibroblasts that form multiple concentric layers around nerve fascicles. The endoneurial endothelial cells come in direct contact with circulating blood and, thus, can be considered the blood-nerve barrier (BNB). Studies on the molecular and biophysical properties of the human BNB in vivo or in situ are limited. Owing to the recent isolation of primary human endoneurial endothelial cells and the development of simian virus 40 large T-antigen immortalized cell lines, data are emerging on the structural and functional characteristics of these cells. These data aim to increase our understanding of how solutes, macromolecules, nutrients and hematogenous leukocytes gain access into or are restricted from the endoneurium of peripheral nerves. These concepts have clinical relevance in understanding normal peripheral nerve homeostasis, the response of peripheral nerves to external insult and stresses such as drugs and toxins and the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathies. This review discusses current knowledge in this nascent and exciting field of microvascular biology.
Governance Strategies for Living Technologies: Bridging the Gap between Stimulating and Regulating Technoscience
Authors: van Est Rinie , Stemerding Dirk
Published: July 2013

The life sciences present a politically and ethically sensitive area of technology development. NBIC convergence—the convergence of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information and cognitive technology—presents an increased interaction between the biological and physical sciences. As a result the bio-debate is no longer dominated by biotechnology, but driven by NBIC convergence. NBIC convergence enables two bioengineering megatrends: “biology becoming technology” and “technology becoming biology.” The notion of living technologies captures the latter megatrend. Accordingly, living technology presents a politically and ethically sensitive area. This implies that governments sooner or later are faced with the challenge of both promoting and regulating the development of living technology. This article describes four current political models to deal with innovation promotion and risk regulation. Based on two specific developments in the field of living technologies—(psycho)physiological computing and synthetic biology—we reflect on appropriate governance strategies for living technologies. We conclude that recent pleas for anticipatory and deliberative governance tend to neglect the need for anticipatory regulation as a key factor in guiding the development of the life sciences from a societal perspective. In particular, when it is expected that a certain living technology will radically challenge current regulatory systems, one should opt for just such a more active biopolitical approach.
America's Immigration Policy Fiasco: Learning from Past Mistakes
Authors: Massey Douglas S.
Published: July 2013

In this essay I discuss how and why U.S. policies intended to stop Latin American immigration to the United States not only failed, but proved counterproductive by ultimately accelerating the rate of both documented and undocumented migration from Mexico and Central America to the United States. As a result, the Latino population grew much faster than demographers had originally projected and the undocumented population grew to an unprecedented size. Mass illegality is now the greatest barrier to the successful integration of Latinos, and a pathway to legalization represents a critical policy challenge. If U.S. policy-makers wish to avoid the failures of the past, they must shift from a goal of immigration suppression to one of immigration management within an increasingly integrated North American market.
Immigration Past & Present
Authors: Foner Nancy
Published: July 2013

Immigration has remade and changed American society since the nation's founding, and an understanding of the past can help illuminate the immigrant experience in the present. This essay focuses on three central questions: What is new about the most recent immigrant wave? What represents continuity or parallels with the past? And how have migrant inflows in earlier historical periods changed the social, economic, political, and cultural contexts that now greet – and shape the experiences of – the latest arrivals? In examining these questions, the focus is on the last great wave of immigration at the turn of the twentieth century, in which the newcomers were mainly from Eastern, Southern, and Central Europe, and the contemporary inflow, from the late 1960s to the present, which is made up overwhelmingly of people from Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Schools & the Diversity Transition
Authors: Alba Richard
Published: July 2013

In the next quarter century, North American and Western European societies will face a profound transformation of their working-age populations as a result of immigration, combined with the aging of native majorities. These changes will intensify the challenges of integrating the children of lowstatus immigrants. Abundant evidence reveals that most educational systems, including that in the United States, are failing to meet these challenges; and sociological theories underscore these systems' role in reproducing inequality. However, the history of assimilation in the United States shows that native-/immigrant-origin inequalities need not be enduring. An examination of variations across time and space suggests educational policy changes and innovations that can ameliorate inequalities.
The Criminalization of Immigrants & the Immigration-Industrial Complex
Authors: Douglas Karen Manges , Sáenz Rogelio
Published: July 2013

Over the last few decades, and particularly after 9/11, we have witnessed the increasing criminalization of immigrants in the United States. Changing policies have subjected immigrants to intensified apprehension and detention programs. This essay provides an overview of the context and policies that have produced the rising criminalization of immigrants. We draw on the institutional theory of migration to understand the business of detention centers and the construction of the immigration-industrial complex. We link government contracts and private corporations in the formation of the immigration-industrial complex, highlighting the increasing profits that private corporations are making through the detention of immigrants. We conclude with a discussion of how the privatization of detention centers is part of a larger trend in which basic functions of societal institutions are being farmed out to private corporations with little consideration for basic human rights.
Diagnoses and discussion of the group 1 and 2 Brazilian species of Heteragrion, with descriptions of four new species (Odonata: Megapodagrionidae)
Authors: LENCIONI F. A. A.
Published: July 2013

Heteragrion is the most speciose and complex genus of neotropical Megapodagrionidae, with 47 species and one subspecies, and many of them are poorly defined. To improve the knowledge of the Brazilian species of the genus, 179 specimens of 13 of the 17 described species were examined. Four new species are described in tribute to the 40thanniversary of the rock band Queen: Heteragrion freddiemercuryi (Holotype: Peruíbe (24º 22' 48" S & 47º 04' 40" W—10 m), São Paulo State—09-III-2000); H. brianmayi (Holotype and allotype: Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar—Núcleo Caraguatatuba, Caraguatatuba (23º 35' 36" S & 45º 25' 07" W—61 m), São Paulo State—05-II-2000 and 10-III-2002); H. rogertaylori (Holotype and allotype: Fazenda Trabiju, Pindamonhangaba (22º 50' 40" S & 45º 31' 01" W—651 m), São Paulo State—26-III-1999); and H. johndeaconi (Holotype and allotype: Alto Paraíso de Goiás (14º 10’ 55” S & 47º 38’ 36” W—1198 m), Goiás State—18-VI-2008 and 17-VI-2008), holotypes, allotypes and most paratypes deposited in FAAL.Diagnostic illustrations of all species studied are provided. Color photographs of live individuals of H. brianmayi, H. aurantiacum, H. consors, H. mantiqueirae, H. tiradentense and H. triangulare are also presented.
Daytime Heat Transfer Processes over Mountainous Terrain
Authors: Schmidli Juerg
Published: July 2013

The daytime heat transfer mechanisms over mountainous terrain are investigated by means of large-eddy simulations over idealized valleys. Two- and three-dimensional topographies, corresponding to infinite and finite valleys, are used in order to evaluate the influence of the along-valley wind and the valley surroundings on the heat transfer processes. The atmosphere is coupled to an interactive land surface, allowing for dynamic feedback on the surface fluxes.

The valley heat budget is analyzed both from a local and bulk perspective, and the flow is Reynolds decomposed into its mean and turbulent component. The analysis clarifies recent issues of contention regarding the heating of the valley atmosphere. The flow decomposition allows one to clearly distinguish between the different heating processes: those associated with the mean flow, such as advection-induced cooling by the upslope flows and the warming induced by the compensating subsidence, and those associated with the turbulent motions. The latter include the warming of the mixed layer due to the convergence of the turbulent heat flux and cooling in the capping inversion due to overshooting thermals. The analysis from the bulk perspective confirms that the net effect of the thermally induced cross-valley circulation is to export heat out of the valley and away from the mountain ridge. The valley-volume effect is confirmed as the primary cause of enhanced diurnal temperature amplitudes in valleys. The results are robust with regard to the different topographies studied.
Vertical Heat Transport by Ocean Circulation and the Role of Mechanical and Haline Forcing
Authors: Zika Jan D. , Sijp Willem P. , England Matthew H.
Published: July 2013

Vertical transport of heat by ocean circulation is investigated using a coupled climate model and novel thermodynamic methods. Using a streamfunction in temperature–depth coordinates, cells are identified by whether they are thermally direct (flux heat upward) or indirect (flux heat downward). These cells are then projected into geographical and other thermodynamic coordinates. Three cells are identified in the model: a thermally direct cell coincident with Antarctic Bottom Water, a thermally indirect deep cell coincident with the upper limb of the meridional overturning circulation, and a thermally direct shallow cell coincident with the subtropical gyres at the surface. The mechanisms maintaining the thermally indirect deep cell are investigated. Sinking water within the deep cell is more saline than that which upwells, because of the coupling between the upper limb and the subtropical gyres in a broader thermohaline circulation. Despite the higher salinity of its sinking water, the deep cell transports buoyancy downward, requiring a source of mechanical energy. Experiments run to steady state with increasing Southern Hemisphere westerlies show an increasing thermally indirect circulation. These results suggest that heat can be pumped downward by the upper limb of the meridional overturning circulation through a combination of salinity gain in the subtropics and the mechanical forcing provided by Southern Hemisphere westerly winds.
Tropical Cyclone Data Impact Studies: Influence of Model Bias and Synthetic Observations
Authors: Reynolds Carolyn A. , Langland Rolf , Pauley Patricia M. , Velden Christopher
Published: July 2013

The impacts of assimilating dropwindsonde data and enhanced atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs) on tropical cyclone track forecasts are examined using the Navy global data assimilation and forecasting systems. Enhanced AMVs have the largest impact on eastern Pacific storms, while dropwindsonde data have the largest impact on Atlantic storms. Results in the western Pacific are mixed. Two western Pacific storms, Nuri and Jangmi, are examined in detail. For Nuri, dropwindsonde data and enhanced AMVs are at least as likely to degrade as to improve forecasts. For Jangmi, additional data improve track forecasts in most cases. An erroneous weakening of the forecasted subtropical high appears to contribute to the track errors for Nuri and Jangmi. Assimilation of enhanced AMVs systematically increases the analyzed heights in this region, counteracting this model bias. However, the impact of enhanced AMVs decreases rapidly as the model biases saturate at similar levels for experiments with and without the enhanced AMVs after the first few forecast days. Experiments are also conducted in which the errors assigned to synthetic tropical cyclone observations are increased. Moderate increases in the assigned errors improve track forecasts on average, but larger increases in the assigned errors produce mixed results. Both experiments allow for reductions in innovations and residuals when compared to dropwindsonde observations. These experiments suggest that a reformulation of the synthetic tropical cyclone observation scheme may lead to improved forecasts as more in situ and remote observations become available.
Near-Surface Vortex Structure in a Tornado and in a Sub-Tornado-Strength Convective-Storm Vortex Observed by a Mobile, W-Band Radar during VORTEX2
Authors: Tanamachi Robin L. , Bluestein Howard B. , Xue Ming , Lee Wen-Chau , Orzel Krzysztof A. , Frasier Stephen J. , Wakimoto Roger M.
Published: July 2013

As part of the Second Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX2) field campaign, a very high-resolution, mobile, W-band Doppler radar collected near-surface (≤200 m AGL) observations in an EF-0 tornado near Tribune, Kansas, on 25 May 2010 and in sub-tornado-strength vortices near Prospect Valley, Colorado, on 26 May 2010. In the Tribune case, the tornado's condensation funnel dissipated and then reformed after a 3-min gap. In the Prospect Valley case, no condensation funnel was observed, but evidence from the highest-resolution radars in the VORTEX2 fleet indicates multiple, sub-tornado-strength vortices near the surface, some with weak-echo holes accompanying Doppler velocity couplets. Using high-resolution Doppler radar data, the authors document the full life cycle of sub-tornado-strength vortex beneath a convective storm that previously produced tornadoes. The kinematic evolution of these vortices, from genesis to decay, is investigated via ground-based velocity track display (GBVTD) analysis of the W-band velocity data. It is found that the azimuthal velocities in the Tribune tornado fluctuated in concert with the (dis)appearance of the condensation funnel. However, the dynamic pressure drop associated with the retrieved azimuthal winds was not sufficient to account for the condensation funnel. In the Prospect Valley case, the strongest and longest-lived sub-tornado-strength vortex exhibited similar azimuthal velocity structure to the Tribune tornado, but had weaker azimuthal winds. In both cases, the radius of maximum azimuthal wind was inversely related to the wind speed, and changes in the axisymmetric azimuthal component of velocity were consistent with independent indicators of vortex intensification and decay.
Liability of the Police for the Medical Protection of Persons in Custody
Authors: Moon Angus
Published: July 2013

The following is a transcript of a talk relating to aspects of the medical protection given to those in custody by the domestic legislation, by the common law and by the European Convention on Human Rights. So far as domestic legislation is concerned, consideration is given to the provisions of the Prison Act 1962 as amended by the Offender Management Act 2007, and the Prison Rules. The protection afforded at common law is considered by reference to some of the leading cases including Leigh v Gladstone (1909) TLR 139, Secretary of State for the Home Office v Robb [1995] 1 All ER 677 and Brooks v Home Office [1999] 2 FLR 33. The question of whether a lower standard of care in law is to be applied to those in custody compared with that applied to those who are not in custody is addressed. Cases involving suicide in prison and liability for negligent release from custody are discussed. The extent to which there may be liability for breaching a patient's confidence is considered. Lastly the talk touches upon the circumstances in which the authorities might be liable for breaches of Articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights by reference to the ECtHR decision in Tarariyeva v Russia [2009] 48 EHRR 26.
A Rare Case of Large Organized Thrombus of the Tricuspid Valve in a Normal Heart
Authors: Luigi Bonaccorso , Aniello Maiese , Roberta Molle , Lorenzo Gitto , Giorgio Bolino
Published: July 2013

Thrombosis of the tricuspid valve is a very rare cardiac pathological condition, characterized by the location and formation of thrombus near the valve edges. Clinically it can be very easy to mistake it for a myxoma or an infective endocarditis. The aetiology of this condition is an alteration of coagulation, deep venous thrombosis, cardiac structural anomalies or idiopathic forms of hearts that appear structurally normal. From a clinical point of view, the thrombosis of the tricuspid, if it is not totally occlusive, causes the development of symptoms related to the reduced flow and to cardiac congestion: easy fatigue, distension of jugular veins, hepatomegaly and pulmonary congestion with dyspnoea and haemoptysis. The case we studied is of an unexpected death in a subject whose preliminary case history did not show any cardiovascular or pulmonary pathology. It was caused by a thrombosis in the tricuspid valve, originating from a deep venous thrombosis of right iliofemoral axis. In conclusion this case highlights the importance of defining precise anatomical abnormalities in forensic pathological cases.
Hard facts and half-truths: The new archival history of China’s Great Famine
Authors: Garnaut Anthony
Published: July 2013

This article reviews two recent monographs on the history of the Great Leap famine. Yang Jisheng’s Mubei: Zhongguo liushi niandai da jihuang jishi (Tombstone: A chronicle of the Great Famine in China in the 1960s) was published in Hong Kong in 2008, and an abridged English translation was released in 2012. A monograph on the famine by Frank Dikötter was published in 2010, and a collection of documents on the famine translated by Dikötter’s long-term collaborator Zhou Xun was published in 2012. The monographs by Yang and Dikötter both present plausible accounts of the policies and institutional structures that gave rise to the famine, and provide many vivid descriptions of the suffering at the village level during the period of the famine. This review reflects critically on the nature of the sources cited and the methodologies deployed in the two books. Special attention is paid to the problem of the representativeness of evidence drawn from archival and other sources.
Montage as Tool of Political Visual Realignment
Authors: Tuggar Fatimah
Published: July 2013

All images are courtesy of BintaZarah Studios.
Visualizers of solidarity: organizational politics in humanitarian and international development NGOs
Authors: Orgad Shani
Published: July 2013

Discussion of the visual politics of solidarity, in relation specifically to the representation of suffering and development, has been grounded in analysis of images. This article seeks to expand this debate by exploring the organizational politics that shape and are shaped by these images. The article is inspired by production studies in the cultural industries and draws on interviews with 17 professionals from 10 UK-based international development and humanitarian organizations that are engaged in planning and producing imagery of international development and humanitarian issues. The author discusses how power relations, tensions and position-taking shape the arguments and choices made by NGOs producing images of suffering and development. She focuses on two arenas of struggle about how to visualize solidarity: (a) intra-organizational politics – specifically tensions within NGOs between fundraising and/or marketing departments, and communications, campaign and/or advocacy departments; and (2) inter-organizational politics: the competing tendencies towards convergence, cohesiveness and collective identity of the humanitarian sector, and competition, distinction and divergence between organizations on the other. She shows that NGOs’ visual production is an area of conflict, negotiation and compromise, and argues for the crucial need for attention to organizational politics in the production of visual representations of distant suffering in order to uncover diverse and competing motivations, and the forces driving current humanitarian and development communications.
Clinical Commissioning – what is all the fuss about?
Authors: Watson Nigel
Published: July 2013

Clinical commissioning is a broad concept which has many definitions. In its simplest terms it is the process of ensuring clinical services meet the need of the population. It is important that all clinicians have an understanding of commissioning and their role in the process. The aim of this article is explore the need for clinical commissioning and provide a simple explanation of the process and the part clinicians can and will play in changing structures of the NHS.
Spectroscopy and X-ray structure refinement of sekaninaite from Dolní Bory (Czech Republic)
Authors: Radica F. , Capitelli F. , Bellatreccia F. , Della Ventura G. , Cavallo A. , Piccinini M. , Hawthorne F. C.
Published: July 2013

The crystal chemistry of sekaninaite from Dolní Bory, Czech Republic, was characterized by a multimethod approach. Particular emphasis was put on the characterization of the channel constituents (i.e. H2O and CO2). Electron microprobe analysis shows the sample to be close to the Fe endmember [XFe = Fe/(Fe+Mg) = 94%) with significant Mn (1.48 wt.%) present; laser ablation mass-spectrometry showed the presence of 0.42 wt.% Li2O. H2O and CO2 contents (1.48 and 0.17 wt.%, respectively) were determined via secondary-ion mass-spectrometry. Sample homogeneity was checked by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) imaging using a microscope equipped with a focal plane array detector. Single-crystal FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of two types of H2O groups in different orientations (with prevalence of the type II orientation), and that CO2 is oriented preferentially normal to the crystallographic c axis. Using the Beer-Lambert relation, integrated molar coefficients, εi, were calculated for both types of H2O (εi H2O[I] = 6000±2000; εi H2O[II] = 13000±1000) and for CO2 (εiCO2 = 2000±1000).
Kûngnât, revisited. A review of five decades of research into an alkaline complex in South Greenland, with new trace-element and Nd isotopic data
Authors: Upton B. G. J. , Macdonald R. , Odling N. , Rämö O. T. , Bagiński B.
Published: July 2013

The Kûngnât Complex (1275±1.8 Ma) in the Gardar Alkaline Province, South Greenland, cuts Archaean gneisses and comprises two intersecting syenitic stocks and a gabbroic ring-dyke. The magmas, with increasingly more primitive compositions, were emplaced successively by ring-faulting and roof stoping. The syenites are orthocumulates (cumulus alkali feldspar, olivine, pyroxene, titanomagnetite and apatite; intercumulus phases include alkali amphibole, biotite, quartz and calcite). In the well dissected earlier stock, a 2.2 km-thick layered sequence displays graded modal layering, feldspar lamination and cryptic layering. Modal layering in both stocks is directed mainly inwards at 35° – 50°. Heterogeneous nucleation of the cumulus assemblage, close to steep thermal boundary layers, is inferred. The modal layering is ascribed primarily to gravitational sorting aided by the large density differential between a) feldspar and b) Fe-rich silicates and oxides. Episodic collapse of cumulus + melt slurries contributed to inward-dipping crystal pediments on the chamber floors. The Ring-Dyke (up to 100 m wide) is nearly continuous through 360°. Kûngnât exhibits a compositional nearcontinuum from olivine gabbro through syenite intermediaries to alkali granite, ascribed to protracted assimilation/fractional crystallization processes. The most radiogenic Nd isotope data from Kûngnât (εNdivalues between –3.3 and –1.0) point to a lithospheric mantle source, whereas the most unradiogenic values imply enrichment inLREEby crustal contamination of the magmas.
Gel2DE - A software tool for correlation analysis of 2D gel electrophoresis data
Authors: Øye Ola Kristoffer , Jørgensen Katarina M , Hjelle Sigrun M , Sulen André , Ulvang Dag Magne , Gjertsen Bjørn Tore
Published: July 2013

Background

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) is a powerful technique for studying protein isoforms and their modifications. Existing commercial 2D image analysis tools rely on spot detection that limits analysis of complex protein profiles, e.g. spot appearance/disappearance or overlapping spots. Pixel-by-pixel correlation analysis, an analysis technique for identifying relations between protein patterns in gel images and external variables, can overcome such limitations in spot analysis.

Results

We have implemented the first publically available pixel-by-pixel correlation analysis tool, the software Gel2DE. 2D immunoblot time course analysis of p53 protein stabilization in response to ionizing irradiation shows that pixel-by-pixel analysis can yield an overall activation biosignature for p53, despite changing spots shape, size and position.

Conclusions

Pixel-by-pixel correlation of aligned 2D images permits analysis of complex protein patterns. We anticipate that the Gel2DE correlation software will be a useful tool for future bioinformatics discoveries through 2D gel electrophoresis.
Evolutionary origins, molecular cloning and expression of carotenoid hydroxylases in eukaryotic photosynthetic algae
Authors: Cui Hongli , Yu Xiaona , Wang Yan , Cui Yulin , Li Xueqin , Liu Zhaopu , Qin Song
Published: July 2013

Background

Xanthophylls, oxygenated derivatives of carotenes, play critical roles in photosynthetic apparatus of cyanobacteria, algae, and higher plants. Although the xanthophylls biosynthetic pathway of algae is largely unknown, it is of particular interest because they have a very complicated evolutionary history. Carotenoid hydroxylase (CHY) is an important protein that plays essential roles in xanthophylls biosynthesis. With the availability of 18 sequenced algal genomes, we performed a comprehensive comparative analysis of chy genes and explored their distribution, structure, evolution, origins, and expression.

Results

Overall 60 putative chy genes were identified and classified into two major subfamilies (bch and cyp97) according to their domain structures. Genes in the bch subfamily were found in 10 green algae and 1 red alga, but absent in other algae. In the phylogenetic tree, bch genes of green algae and higher plants share a common ancestor and are of non-cyanobacterial origin, whereas that of red algae is of cyanobacteria. The homologs of cyp97a/c genes were widespread only in green algae, while cyp97b paralogs were seen in most of algae. Phylogenetic analysis on cyp97 genes supported the hypothesis that cyp97b is an ancient gene originated before the formation of extant algal groups. The cyp97a gene is more closely related to cyp97c in evolution than to cyp97b. The two cyp97 genes were isolated from the green alga Haematococcus pluvialis, and transcriptional expression profiles of chy genes were observed under high light stress of different wavelength.

Conclusions

Green algae received a β-xanthophylls biosynthetic pathway from host organisms. Although red algae inherited the pathway from cyanobacteria during primary endosymbiosis, it remains unclear in Chromalveolates. The α-xanthophylls biosynthetic pathway is a common feature in green algae and higher plants. The origination of cyp97a/c is most likely due to gene duplication before divergence of green algae and higher plants. Protein domain structures and expression analyses in green alga H. pluvialis indicate that various chy genes are in different manners response to light. The knowledge of evolution of chy genes in photosynthetic eukaryotes provided information of gene cloning and functional investigation of chy genes in algae in the future.