bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The MJO Transition from Shallow to Deep Convection inCloudSat/CALIPSO Data and GISS GCM Simulations
Authors: Del Genio Anthony D. , Chen Yonghua , Kim Daehyun , Yao Mao-Sung
Published: October 2011

The relationship between convective penetration depth and tropospheric humidity is central to recent theories of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). It has been suggested that general circulation models (GCMs) poorly simulate the MJO because they fail to gradually moisten the troposphere by shallow convection and simulate a slow transition to deep convection. CloudSat and Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) data are analyzed to document the variability of convection depth and its relation to water vapor during the MJO transition from shallow to deep convection and to constrain GCM cumulus parameterizations. Composites of cloud occurrence for 10 MJO events show the following anticipated MJO cloud structure: shallow and congestus clouds in advance of the peak, deep clouds near the peak, and upper-level anvils after the peak. Cirrus clouds are also frequent in advance of the peak. The Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System (EOS) (AMSR-E) column water vapor (CWV) increases by ~5 mm during the shallow–deep transition phase, consistent with the idea of moisture preconditioning. Echo-top height of clouds rooted in the boundary layer increases sharply with CWV, with large variability in depth when CWV is between ~46 and 68 mm. International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project cloud classifications reproduce these climatological relationships but correctly identify congestus-dominated scenes only about half the time. A version of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies Model E2 (GISS-E2) GCM with strengthened entrainment and rain evaporation that produces MJO-like variability also reproduces the shallow–deep convection transition, including the large variability of cloud-top height at intermediate CWV values. The variability is due to small grid-scale relative humidity and lapse rate anomalies for similar values of CWV.
Using Genetic Algorithms to Optimize Bathymetric Sampling for Predictive Model Input
Authors: Manian Dinesh , Kaihatu James M. , Zechman Emily M.
Published: October 2011

This paper describes the use of an optimization method to effectively reduce the required bathymetric sampling for forcing a numerical forecast model by using the model’s sensitivity to this input. A genetic algorithm is developed to gradually evolve the survey path for a ship, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), or other measurement platform to an optimum, with the resulting effect of the corresponding measured bathymetry on the model used as a metric. Starting from an initial simulated set of possible random or heuristic sampling paths over the given bathymetry using certain constraints like limited length of track, the algorithm can be used to arrive at the path that would provide the best possible input to the model under those constraints. This suitability is tested by a comparison of the model results obtained by using these new simulated observations, with the results obtained using the most recent and complete bathymetric data available. Two test study areas were considered, and the algorithm was found to consistently converge to a sampling pattern that best captured the bathymetric variability critical to the model prediction.
Spatial Error Metrics for Oceanographic Model Verification
Authors: Ziegeler Sean B. , Dykes James D. , Shriver Jay F.
Published: October 2011

A common problem with modern numerical oceanographic models is spatial displacement, including misplacement and misshapenness of ocean circulation features. Traditional error metrics, such as least squares methods, are ineffective in many such cases; for example, only small errors in the location of a frontal pattern are translated to large differences in least squares of intensities. Such problems are common in meteorological forecast verification as well, so the application of spatial error metrics have been a recently popular topic there. Spatial error metrics separate model error into a displacement component and an intensity component, providing a more reliable assessment of model biases and a more descriptive portrayal of numerical model prediction skill. The application of spatial error metrics to oceanographic models has been sparse, and further advances for both meteorology and oceanography exist in the medical imaging field. These advances are presented, along with modifications necessary for oceanographic model output. Standard methods and options for those methods in the literature are explored, and where the best arrangements of options are unclear, comparison studies are conducted. These trials require the reproduction of synthetic displacements in conjunction with synthetic intensity perturbations across 480 Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM) temperature fields from various regions of the globe throughout 2009. Study results revealed the success of certain approaches novel to both meteorology and oceanography, including B-spline transforms and mutual information. That, combined with other common methods, such as quasi-Newton optimization and land masking, could best recover the synthetic displacements under various synthetic intensity changes.
Direct Assimilation of AMSR-E Brightness Temperatures for Estimating Sea Ice Concentration
Authors: Scott K. Andrea , Buehner Mark , Caya Alain , Carrieres Tom
Published: October 2011

In this paper a method to directly assimilate brightness temperatures from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) to produce ice concentration analyses within a three-dimensional variational data assimilation system is investigated. To assimilate the brightness temperatures a simple radiative transfer model is used as the forward model that maps the state vector to the observation space. This allows brightness temperatures to be modeled for all channels as a function of the total ice concentration, surface wind speed, sea surface temperature, ice temperature, vertically integrated water vapor, and vertically integrated cloud liquid water. The brightness temperatures estimated by the radiative transfer model are sensitive to the specified values for the sea ice emissivity. In this paper, two methods of specifying the sea ice emissivity are compared. The first uses a constant value for each polarization and frequency, while the second uses a simple emissivity parameterization. The emissivity parameterization is found to significantly improve the fit to the observations, reducing both the bias and the standard deviation. Results from the assimilation of brightness temperatures are compared with those from assimilating a retrieved ice concentration in the context of initializing a coupled ice–ocean model for an area along the east coast of Canada. It is found that with the emissivity parameterization the assimilation of brightness temperatures produces ice concentration analyses that are in slightly better agreement with operational ice charts than when assimilating an ice concentration retrieval, with the most significant improvements during the melt season.
Food security and gender mainstreaming: Possibilities for social transformation in Brazil
Authors: Lessa Iara , Rocha Cecilia
Published: October 2011

While gender mainstreaming strategies are promoted by major international organizations and national governments, a growing literature has reported critiques. This paper focuses on gender mainstreaming strategies as one aspect of a project implemented in Brazil and discusses the effects of the strategy in three urban areas. The analysis suggests that implementation practices can be key to increasing positive gender outcomes.
Stabilization of uncoupled PVTOL aircraft based on a Lyapunov function
Authors: Turker Turker , Gorgun Haulk , Cansever Galip
Published: October 2011

In this paper we present a stabilization procedure for PVTOL (planar vertical take off and landing) aircraft with zero coupling coefficient that is defined as the effect of rolling moment on lateral acceleration. A stabilizing control structure has been designed via Lyapunov’s direct method including almost the whole state space and its asymptotic convergence has been proven using La Salle’s invariance principle. Simulation results have illustrated the effectiveness of proposed control algorithm.
Relative surplus population and uneven development in the neoliberal era: Theory and empirical application
Authors: Neilson David , Stubbs Thomas
Published: October 2011

This paper offers the groundwork of an alternative to mainstream (un)employment theory that builds on Marx’s account of the ‘active army’ and ‘relative surplus population’. With special application to the current neoliberal era, Marx’s long-range labour market analysis is connected to a mid-range account of capitalism’s uneven development in historical practice. This alternative approach is then adapted to an ‘empirically adequate’ statistical mapping of the relative surplus population’s contemporary global composition. Under neoliberal global capitalism, the relative surplus population is identified as being larger than the active army, and is unevenly composed and distributed across developed, developing and underdeveloped countries.
The breakup of Britain?
Authors: Gall Gregor
Published: October 2011

The article examines the prospects for independence for Scotland for the SNP’s victory in the Scottish Parliament elections of May 2011, placing particular emphasis on the likely nature of the social settlement to independence.
Undocumented in a Documentary Society
Authors: Vieira Kate
Published: October 2011

While transnationalism has emerged as a growing area of interest in Writing Studies, the field has not fully examined how migrants’ movement across national borders shapes their literacy practices. This article offers one answer to this question by reporting on an ethnographic study of the transnational religious literacies of a community of undocumented Brazilian immigrants in a former mill town in Massachusetts. A grounded theory analysis of (a) participants’ accounts of their literacy experiences before and after migration, (b) their writing, and (c) ethnographic observations reveals the following: As participants crossed a border and were excluded from state documentary projects, they began to write within other literacy institutions, namely, transnational churches, that have historically documented subjects and whose reach extends across national borders. The author concludes that as the field of Writing Studies continues to explore transnational literacies, it would do well to take into account the materiality of national borders, which can shape possibilities for written communication in a global context.
Child Maltreatment Histories Among Female Inmates Reporting Inmate on Inmate Sexual Victimization in Prison
Authors: Walsh Kate , Gonsalves Valerie M. , Scalora Mario J. , King Steve , Hardyman Patricia L.
Published: October 2011

Despite data indicating that child maltreatment (CM) in various forms is associated with adult sexual victimization among community women, few studies have explicitly explored how types of CM might relate to prison sexual victimization. Because little is known about how CM might give rise to prison sexual victimization, the present study also examined emotion dysregulation emanating from early abuse experiences as a potential mediator in the link between early CM and inmate-on-inmate prison sexual victimization. Approximately 168 incarcerated women completed self-report inventories assessing various types of childhood maltreatment, emotion dysregulation, and coerced or forced sexual experiences in prison. Nearly 77% of the sample endorsed experiencing at least one form of CM, with 64% of inmates reporting that they experienced two or more forms of CM. Approximately 9% of inmates reported sexual coercion and 22% reported a forced sexual experience in prison. Each form of CM was associated with prison sexual coercion; however, fewer associations emerged between CM and forced prison sexual experiences. Emotion dysregulation was found to mediate links between CM, particularly co-occurring CM, and sexual coercion in prison, but it was unrelated to forced prison sexual experiences. Implications are discussed.
It Varies From State to State
Authors: Mancini Christina , Barnes J. C. , Mears Daniel P.
Published: October 2011

Sex crime laws seemingly have proliferated recently as part of a national “get tough” shift in criminal justice policy. However, to date, there exists no systematic account of these state-level legislative changes. Accordingly, the “tough on sex crime” characterization of states may be understated or incorrect. It may also gloss over variability in the types of laws enacted and the implications such variability has for the generalizability of assessments of these laws. Drawing on an analysis of state laws, we identify considerable variation in the type, intensity, and design of sex crime laws among states. Results suggest that not all states have uniformly embraced these reforms, that considerable caution is warranted when generalizing from evaluations of particular laws, and that the continuing expansion of sex crime policy making will make it increasingly difficult, especially in the absence of a commensurate body of empirical research, to identify the effects of specific policies.
Which factors influence the willingness to pay for electronic library services? A study of the Portuguese electronic scientific information consortium b-on
Authors: Melo Luiza Baptista , Pires Cesaltina
Published: October 2011

This paper investigates the factors that influence the value for the users of the Portuguese electronic scientific information consortium b-on (Biblioteca do Conhecimento Online). We used the contingent valuation method based on a willingness to pay scenario to estimate the value that each user is willing to pay. Data were collected through an e-survey sent to all Portuguese academic users. The main aims of this study are: (1) to investigate whether the willingness to pay is influenced by a set of factors (the frequency of use, whether the user previously knew b-on or not, the type of the user, the scientific area of the user, and the institution of the user); and (2) to estimate the demand function of b-on services as function of the price and the previously mentioned factors. In order to achieve these objectives we use several regression analysis techniques – OLS, Tobit model, linear probability model (LPM), Logit and Probit models. The results show that the factors studied are all important explanatory variables of the willingness to pay for b-on and important determinants of demand for b-on services. Moreover, the demand for b-on services is quite sensitive to the ‘price’.
Disseminated mycosis in a killer whale (Orcinus orca)
Authors: Abdo Walied , Kawachi Takeshi , Sakai Hiroki , Fukushi Hideto , Kano Rui , Shibahara Tomoyuki , Shirouzu Hiroshi , Kakizoe Yuko , Tuji Hajime , Yanai Tokuma
Published: October 2011

Hematological findings in a female killer whale ( Orcinus orca) undergoing rehabilitation after sudden severe anorexia revealed continuing increases in serum lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase activities as well as fibrinogen concentration. Serologic evidence of herpesvirus infection and skin vesicles were detected 2 weeks into the treatment regimen of antibiotics and corticosteroids. The whale showed signs of improvement after treatment with anti-herpesvirus drugs, but sudden severe anorexia reappeared, along with marked elevation of fibrinogen concentration that continued until the death. Postmortem examination revealed multiple light tan foci of necrosis in the skeletal and cardiac muscles, and lung consolidation. Microscopic findings indicated disseminated fungal granulomas in the skeletal and cardiac muscles, as well as myocarditis, mycotic embolic thromboarteritis of cardiac blood vessels, and bronchopneumonia with numerous typical Aspergillus-like fungi. Mucor-like structures in granulomas in the heart and skeletal muscle and Aspergillus-like fungi in the lungs were identified using periodic acid–Schiff, Gomori methenamine silver stain, and immunohistochemistry. The present case involves dual infection with Mucor and Aspergillus species in a killer whale with concurrent herpesvirus.
Dynamic Testing and Modeling of an MR Squeeze Mount
Authors: Zhang Xin-Jie , Farjoud Alireza , Ahmadian Mehdi , Guo Kong-Hui , Craft Michael
Published: October 2011

MR fluid squeeze mode investigations at CVeSS have shown that MR fluids show large force capabilities in squeeze mode. It was found that MR fluids in squeeze mode may be used in a wide range of applications such as engine mounts and impact dampers. In these applications, MR fluid is flowing in a dynamic environment due to the transient nature of inputs and system characteristics. The research presented in this article undertakes the problem of dynamic testing and modeling of MR fluid squeeze mounts. Dynamic tests of an MR mount are studied for different applied currents, initial gaps, frequencies, and excitation amplitudes. An effective mathematical model of the MR squeeze mount for steady-state testing was built which includes the effect of the inertia of the fluid. The results show that the compression force and the area of the hysteresis loop increase with the increase of excitation amplitude or applied current and it will decrease with the increase of frequency or initial gap. Also, the inertia effect becomes more significant for higher displacement frequencies. The mathematical model agrees with the test data very well during the compression process and it can be used for the dynamics analysis and the real-time control.
Development of Tactile Display Device Using ERG Multiple-disk Clutch
Authors: Urakami Y. , Aoyama T. , Anzai H. , Kakinuma Y.
Published: October 2011

Nowadays, due to the widespread use of rehabilitation and virtual reality technology, tactile display systems have attracted the attention of researchers from the medical and amusement fields. A clutch mechanism that employs ER and MR fluids is appropriate for force transmission in a tactile display device, because the ER and MR effects are passive and safe for the operator compared with an active actuator using motor. The developed ERG produces approximately 20 times higher shear forces than ER fluid and exhibits stable performance. In this research, an ERG multiple-disk clutch is fabricated and applied to a tactile display system. The experimental results of the control test indicate that the tactile display system with the proposed control method can exhibit the ‘sense of touch’ of various viscous fluids.
Research Motives of Faculty in Academic STEM
Authors: Deemer Eric D. , Mahoney Kevin T. , Ball Jacqueline Hebert
Published: October 2011

The authors examined the psychometric properties of the Research Motivation Scale (RMS) in a sample of faculty members ( N = 337) in university science departments. It was hypothesized that the RMS would evidence partial measurement invariance across tenure status and noninvariance across gender, given the different sociocultural factors (e.g., gender role bias) that regulate the research behavior of men and women. Gender was thus predicted to moderate the relations between the latent RMS factors and their defining items. Results of confirmatory factor analytic testing yielded support for the hypotheses, while post hoc probing of sources of noninvariance indicated that men and women differed mostly on measures of extrinsic reward and failure avoidance. Implications for motivation measurement and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career development are discussed.
Religiosity, Heavy Alcohol Use, and Vicarious Learning Networks Among Adolescents in the United States
Authors: Gryczynski Jan , Ward Brian W.
Published: October 2011

Previous research has found that religiosity may protect against risky alcohol and drug use behaviors among adolescents, but the social mechanics underpinning the relationship are not well understood. This study examined the relationship between religiosity, heavy drinking, and social norms among U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, using the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health ( n = 14,556). Based on a vicarious learning networks theoretical perspective, the effect of religiosity on heavy drinking behavior was hypothesized to be exerted indirectly through the norms of key reference groups in the social network (close friends and parents). Support was found for reference group norms as one underlying mechanism of the religiosity–alcohol relationship. Religiosity and nonpermissive drinking norms of parents, close friends, and peers maintained a strong protective association with adolescent heavy drinking. Supplementary analyses elaborated on the role of competing and complementary normative orientations among reference groups in the social network.
The role of play themes in non-directive play therapy
Authors: Ryan Virginia , Edge Andrew
Published: October 2011

Describing the processes underlying play therapy is important for evidence based practice in child therapy. Employing play themes to describe children’s play session contents is in widespread use by practitioners, but an adequate classification of these themes for non-directive play therapy practice has not yet been established. This article sets out to fill this gap by first describing how themes can be distinguished and distilled from the contents of play therapy contents. Second, a classification of main themes and sub-themes with exemplars to illustrate these concepts which is compatible with non-directive play therapy practice is set out. Finally a pilot project with experienced play therapists to test this classification in practice is suggested, along with the research questions that will need to be investigated in the shorter and longer terms.
Management of duodenal injuries
Authors: Khan Mansoor A , Garner Jeff , Kelty Clive
Published: October 2011

Injuries to the duodenum pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the surgeon. Due to the intra- and extra-peritoneal location of the duodenum, the presentation can be overt or occult, and delay in diagnosis is associated with an increased mortality rate. A range of interventions have been described and this article reviews the relevant literature, highlights the salient points and suggests a treatment algorithm.
Wh-questions used as challenges
Authors: Koshik Irene
Published: October 2011

This article uses a conversation analytic framework to describe a type of wh-question used to challenge a prior utterance, specifically to challenge the basis for or right to do an action done by the prior utterance. These wh-questions are able to do challenging because, rather than asking for new information, they are used to convey a strong epistemic stance of the questioner, a negative assertion. The utterances are designed as requests for an account for a prior claim or action, but by conveying a negative assertion, they suggest that there is no adequate account available and, thus, that there are no grounds for the prior claim or action. The use of these questions in institutional settings can display participants' orientation to institutional goals, norms and roles, showing that institutional roles can thus be enacted, and goals accomplished, by means of practices of talk which are not, themselves, institutionally specific.
Spironolactone improves nephropathy by enhancing glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and reducing oxidative stress in diabetic hypertensive rat
Authors: Pessôa Bruno S , Peixoto Elisa BMI , Papadimitriou Alexandros , Lopes de Faria Jacqueline M , Lopes de Faria José B
Published: October 2011

Spironolactone (SPR), a mineralocorticoid receptor blocker, diminishes hyperglycemia-induced reduction in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity, improving oxidative stress damage. This study investigated whether SPR ameliorates nephropathy by increasing G6PD activity and reducing oxidative stress in spontaneously hypertensive diabetic rats (SHRs). The streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats received or not SPR 50 mg/kg per day, for eight weeks. A human mesangial cell line was cultured in normal or high glucose conditions, with or without SPR, for 24 h. Plasma glucose levels and systolic blood pressure were unaltered by diabetes or by SPR treatment. Albuminuria, fibronectin expression, 8-OHdG urinary levels, lipid peroxidation and p47phox expression were higher in the diabetic rats compared with the control and were reduced by SPR. The antioxidant GSH/GSSG ratio was reduced in the diabetic rats and the treatment reestablished it. Diabetes-induced SGK1 up-regulation was inhibited by SPR. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide production induced by NADPH oxidase were increased by hyperglycemia and high glucose, in vivo and in vitro, respectively, and were reduced with SPR. Hyperglycemia and high glucose decreased G6PD activity, which was restored with SPR. These results suggest that SPR ameliorates nephropathy in diabetic SHRs by restoring G6PD activity and diminishes oxidative stress without affecting glycaemia and blood pressure.
Very long pathways to diagnosis among African Americans and Hispanics with memory and behavioral problems associated with dementia
Authors: Schrauf Robert W. , Iris Madelyn
Published: October 2011

Research shows that African Americans and Hispanics experience longer delays in dementia diagnosis than do whites. This study focuses on the duration and direction of help-seeking pathways among individuals who had either very short (median: 1 year, 9 months) or very long (median: 9 years, 2 months) times-to-diagnosis. Participants reported the frequencies of events, actions, outcomes, and results around four key time points in the pathway: First Notice of a Problem, Recognition of a Pattern, First Doctor Visit, and Final Diagnosis. Using reported frequencies of events, actions, and outcomes around these events, we constructed the modal pathway or ‘canonical narrative’ and then used correspondence analysis of the data to model short and long pathways. Short pathways were dominated by stepwise movement toward diagnosis (84.5% of inertia or variance) and some ambivalence around symptom recognition (10%). Long pathways were marked by a shift away from movement toward diagnosis (44.5%) but toward the family's taking over key quotidian tasks (55.5%). We suggest that Hispanic and African American caregivers effectively provide a kind of ‘scaffolding’ for the patient, which may in fact be adaptive rather than dysfunctional. Thus, delayed diagnoses and non-diagnosis may reflect ‘active’ choices for dealing with the disease rather than avoidance of the problem.
Creating relationships with persons with moderate to severe dementia
Authors: Ericsson Iréne , Kjellström Sofia , Hellström Ingrid
Published: October 2011

The study describes how relationships are created with persons with moderate to severe dementia. The material comprises 24 video sequences of Relational Time (RT) sessions, 24 interviews with persons with dementia and eight interviews with professional caregivers. The study method was Constructivist Grounded Theory. The categories of ‘Assigning time’, ‘Establishing security and trust’ and ‘Communicating equality’ were strategies for arriving at the core category, ‘Opening up’, which was the process that led to creating relationships. Both parties had to contribute to create a relationship; the professional caregiver controlled the process, but the person with dementia permitted the caregiver's overtures and opened up, thus making the relationship possible. Interpersonal relationships are significant to enhancing the well-being of persons with dementia. Small measures like RT that do not require major resources can open paths to creating relationships.
Supporting the friendships of people with dementia
Authors: Ward Richard , Howorth Mike , Wilkinson Heather , Campbell Sarah , Keady John
Published: October 2011

Using illustrative case examples, in this paper we explore the friendships of people with dementia in the early stages of the condition and the benefits of looking beyond the family as the ‘go to’ support network that practitioners tend to focus on in their work with people with dementia. The importance of participatory approaches in both research and practice for understanding the friendship experiences of people with dementia is highlighted. The case studies include a personal narrative on friendships from one of the authors, a person living with dementia. This is followed by an account of a peer support group for people with dementia where the interactions in the group are explored alongside consideration of the significance and outcomes of creating such social spaces for people with dementia. We pay particular attention to the emerging phenomenon of ‘facilitated friendships’ as practitioners work to support collective agency on the part of people with dementia.
The biomechanical design of a gymnastics training aid for a handstand on the rings
Authors: Yeadon M R , Rosamond E L , Hiley M J
Published: October 2011

The handstand on rings is a requirement in competition routines in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, and hence is a key skill in the development of an elite artistic gymnast. This study was carried out to establish the coaching requirements of a training aid for a handstand on the rings, to investigate the biomechanics of the handstand, to design and construct a training aid, and to assess its performance. The key requirements of a training aid for a handstand on rings were compiled from a survey of 11 national coaches. A biomechanical analysis of a handstand on rings was carried out in order to investigate the control mechanism and to inform the training aid design. The aid was designed to permit the same control mechanism to be used and was manufactured in accordance with British Standards. In order to assess the performance of the aid displacement, joint angle, and muscle activation data were used to compare handstands on the rings, floor, prototype training aid, and two other existing training aids. The results showed that a handstand on the prototype was more similar to rings than a handstand on the existing training aids. The prototype also simplified the learning of the skill.
Machinability of a near beta titanium alloy
Authors: Rahman Rashid R A , Sun S , Wang G , Dargusch M S
Published: October 2011

In this paper, the machinability of a near beta Ti25Nb3Mo3Zr2Sn titanium alloy with different heat treatment histories has been investigated in terms of cutting force, chip temperature and chip formation. A solution treatment was performed followed by ageing at different temperatures for the near beta alloy. It has been shown that the same alloy behaves differently during machining at various cutting speeds after different heat treatments. The observations have been explained in terms of friction effects and the hardness of the materials. It has been concluded that the ductility of a workpiece plays a significant role in determining its machinability. High friction at the tool–chip interface in a ductile workpiece resulted in a higher degree of chip segmentation and a larger undeformed surface length in each chip.
Psychotic exacerbation and emotional dampening in the daily life of patients with schizophrenia switched to aripiprazole therapy: a collection of standardized case reports
Authors: Lataster Johan , Myin-Germeys Inez , Wichers Marieke , Delespaul Philippe A. E. G. , van Os J. , Bak Maarten
Published: October 2011

Background: Blockade of the dopamine D2 receptor is a key mechanism in the antipsychotic treatment of patients with a psychotic disorder, but may also induce emotional deficits. The partial D2 agonistic profile of aripiprazole has, therefore, been suggested to favor emotional wellbeing compared with the pure dopamine antagonistic properties of traditional antipsychotics. Method: The current study used the experience sampling method (a structured diary technique) to assess the effects of switching from treatment with traditional dopamine antagonist antipsychotics to treatment with the partial dopamine agonist aripiprazole on emotional wellbeing in the daily life of 13 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Results: More than half of all patients experienced exacerbation of psychotic symptoms after they had switched to the aripiprazole medication regime, consequently resulting in dropout of the study. Furthermore, switching to aripiprazole treatment, when effective in terms of symptom reduction, was accompanied by decreased feelings of both positive and negative affect in daily life, suggestive of a general state of emotional dampening. Conclusions: Although the scale of the current study and the 54% dropout rate call for careful interpretation of the data, implementation of ecological monitoring in psychopharmacological research may open up new avenues for untangling the working mechanisms of compounds with regard to their impact on mental states.
A randomized trial of the effect of escitalopram versus placebo on cognitive function in healthy first-degree relatives of patients with depression
Authors: Knorr Ulla , Vinberg Maj , Gade Anders , Winkel Per , Gluud Christian , Wetterslev Jørn , Gether Ulrik , Kessing Lars
Published: October 2011

The effect of selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) on healthy individuals remains unclear. The aim of the trial was to evaluate the effect of the SSRI escitalopram on cognitive function in healthy first-degree relatives of patients with major depressive disorder (FDRs). A total of 80 FDRs were randomized to escitalopram (10 mg/day) ( n = 41) versus placebo ( n = 39) for 4 weeks. Neuropsychological tests and ratings of mood were applied at entry (T0) and at 4 weeks (T4). The main outcome measure was calculated as the change (T4–T0) in a general cognition score, which was the standardized mean of 13 test measures. Mean change in the general cognition score was not significantly increased with escitalopram compared with placebo ( p = 0.37) or for any of the specific tests. In univariate analyses no statistically significant correlations were found between change in the general cognitive score and the variables age, sex, Hamilton depression score 17 items, Danish Adult Reading Test-45, and plasma escitalopram levels, respectively. These results suggest that treatment with escitalopram does not improve or impair cognitive function in FDRs. Improvement in cognitive function following treatment of depressed patients with SSRIs seems to be related to the effects on depressive symptoms rather than to a direct effect of the SSRI.
Nodulin 41, a novel late nodulin of common bean with peptidase activity
Authors: Olivares Juan Elías , Díaz-Camino Claudia , Estrada-Navarrete Georgina , Alvarado-Affantranger Xochitl , Rodríguez-Kessler Margarita , Zamudio Fernando Z , Olamendi-Portugal Timoteo , Márquez Yamile , Servín Luis Eduardo , Sánchez Federico
Published: October 2011

Background

The legume-rhizobium symbiosis requires the formation of root nodules, specialized organs where the nitrogen fixation process takes place. Nodule development is accompanied by the induction of specific plant genes, referred to as nodulin genes. Important roles in processes such as morphogenesis and metabolism have been assigned to nodulins during the legume-rhizobium symbiosis.

Results

Here we report the purification and biochemical characterization of a novel nodulin from common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) root nodules. This protein, called nodulin 41 (PvNod41) was purified through affinity chromatography and was partially sequenced. A genomic clone was then isolated via PCR amplification. PvNod41 is an atypical aspartyl peptidase of the A1B subfamily with an optimal hydrolytic activity at pH 4.5. We demonstrate that PvNod41 has limited peptidase activity against casein and is partially inhibited by pepstatin A. A PvNod41-specific antiserum was used to assess the expression pattern of this protein in different plant organs and throughout root nodule development, revealing that PvNod41 is found only in bean root nodules and is confined to uninfected cells.

Conclusions

To date, only a small number of atypical aspartyl peptidases have been characterized in plants. Their particular spatial and temporal expression patterns along with their unique enzymatic properties imply a high degree of functional specialization. Indeed, PvNod41 is closely related to CDR1, an Arabidopsis thaliana extracellular aspartyl protease involved in defense against bacterial pathogens. PvNod41's biochemical properties and specific cell-type localization, in uninfected cells of the common bean root nodule, strongly suggest that this aspartyl peptidase has a key role in plant defense during the symbiotic interaction.
The time since last menstrual period is important as a clinical predictor for non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor-related arthralgia
Authors: Kanematsu Miyuki , Morimoto Masami , Honda Junko , Nagao Taeko , Nakagawa Misako , Takahashi Masako , Tangoku Akira , Sasa Mitsunori
Published: October 2011

Background

The clinical predictors of aromatase inhibitor-related arthralgia (AIA), a drug-related adverse reaction of aromatase inhibitors (AIs), remain unclear.

Methods

AIA was prospectively surveyed every 4 months in 328 postmenopausal breast cancer patients administered a non-steroidal AI (anastrozole). Various clinicopathological parameters were recorded and analyzed (chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression analysis).

Results

The mean observation period was 39.9 months. AIA manifested in 114 patients (34.8%), with peaks of onset at 4 (33.7%) and 8 months (11.4%) after starting AI administration. Some cases manifested even after 13 months. AIA tended to occur in younger patients (incidences of 46.3%, 37.4% and 28.0% for ages of < 55, 55-65 and > 65 years, respectively (p = 0.063)) and decreased significantly with the age at menarche (53.3%, 35.3% and 15.4% for < 12, 12-15 and > 15 years, respectively (p = 0.036)). The incidences were 45.1%, 46.3 and 25.1% for the time since the last menstrual period (LMP) < 5 years, 5-10 years and > 10 years, being significantly lower at > 10 years (p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, the AIA incidence was significantly lower in the time since LMP > 10-year group versus the < 5-year group (odds ratio 0.44, p = 0.002), but the age at menarche showed no association. AIA manifested significantly earlier (≤ 6 months) as the time since LMP became shorter (< 5 years).

Conclusion

AIA tends to manifest early after starting AI, but some cases show delayed onset. The incidence was significantly lower in patients with a duration of > 10 years since LMP. When the time since LMP was short, the onset of AIA was significantly earlier after starting AI administration.
Pb(core)/ZnO(shell) nanowires obtained by microwave-assisted method
Authors: Solis-Pomar F , Meléndrez MF , Esparza R , Pérez-Tijerina E
Published: October 2011

In this study, Pb-filled ZnO nanowires [Pb(core)/ZnO(shell)] were synthesized by a simple and novel one-step vapor transport and condensation method by microwave-assisted decomposition of zinc ferrite. The synthesis was performed using a conventional oven at 1000 W and 5 min of treatment. After synthesis, a spongy white cotton-like material was obtained in the condensation zone of the reaction system. HRTEM analysis revealed that product consists of a Pb-(core) with (fcc) cubic structure that preferentially grows in the [111] direction and a hexagonal wurtzite ZnO-(Shell) that grows in the [001] direction. Nanowire length was more than 5 μm and a statistical analysis determined that the shell and core diameters were 21.00 ± 3.00 and 4.00 ± 1.00 nm, respectively. Experimental, structural details, and synthesis mechanism are discussed in this study.
Medicinal animals used in ethnoveterinary practices of the 'Cariri Paraibano', NE Brazil
Authors: Souto Wedson MS , Mourão José S , Barboza Raynner RD , Mendonça Lívia ET , Lucena Reinaldo FP , Confessor Maine VA , Vieira Washington LS , Montenegro Paulo FGP , Lopez Luiz CS , Alves Rômulo RN
Published: October 2011

Background

Zootherapy is important in various socio-cultural environments, and innumerous examples of the use of animal derived remedies can currently be found in many urban, semi-urban and more remote localities in all parts of the world, particularly in developing countries. However, although a number of ethnobiological inventories concerning the use of medicinal animals in human health care have been compiled in Brazil in recent years, zootherapeutic practices in ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) are poorly described and neglected in favor of human ethnomedicine. In this sense, the purpose of this study was to describe the local zootherapeutic practices in ethnoveterinary medicine of semi-arid of NE Brazil (Caatinga biome) and to contribute to future research about the validation of the effects and side effects of these animal products

Methods

The information obtained through semi-structured interviews was complemented by free interviews and informal conversations. A total of 67 people were interviewed (53 men and 14 women) about the use and commercialization of medicinal animals. To determine the relative importance of each local known species, their use-values (UV) were calculated. Diversity of species utilized was compared, between localities, using rarefaction curves and diversity estimate (Chao2)

Results and Conclusions

A total of 44 animal species (37 vertebrates and 7 invertebrates), distributed among 6 taxonomic categories were found to be used to treat 30 different ailments in livestock and pets. The results of our surveys revealed a rich traditional knowledge of local residents about the use of animals in traditional veterinary medicine. Although it is gradually being discontinued, the perceived efficacy, economic and geographic accessibility were main reasons for popularity of zootherapy in studied areas.
A pair of new BAC and BIBAC vectors that facilitate BAC/BIBAC library construction and intact large genomic DNA insert exchange
Authors: Shi Xue , Zeng Haiyang , Xue Yadong , Luo Meizhong
Published: October 2011

Background

Large-insert BAC and BIBAC libraries are important tools for structural and functional genomics studies of eukaryotic genomes. To facilitate the construction of BAC and BIBAC libraries and the transfer of complete large BAC inserts into BIBAC vectors, which is desired in positional cloning, we developed a pair of new BAC and BIBAC vectors.

Results

The new BAC vector pIndigoBAC536-S and the new BIBAC vector BIBAC-S have the following features: 1) both contain two 18-bp non-palindromic I-Sce I sites in an inverted orientation at positions that flank an identical DNA fragment containing the lac Z selection marker and the cloning site. Large DNA inserts can be excised from the vectors as single fragments by cutting with I-Sce I, allowing the inserts to be easily sized. More importantly, because the two vectors contain different antibiotic resistance genes for transformant selection and produce the same non-complementary 3' protruding ATAA ends by I-Sce I that suppress self- and inter-ligations, the exchange of intact large genomic DNA inserts between the BAC and BIBAC vectors is straightforward; 2) both were constructed as high-copy composite vectors. Reliable linearized and dephosphorylated original low-copy pIndigoBAC536-S and BIBAC-S vectors that are ready for library construction can be prepared from the high-copy composite vectors pHZAUBAC1 and pHZAUBIBAC1, respectively, without the need for additional preparation steps or special reagents, thus simplifying the construction of BAC and BIBAC libraries. BIBAC clones constructed with the new BIBAC-S vector are stable in both E. coli and Agrobacterium. The vectors can be accessed through our website http://GResource.hzau.edu.cn.

Conclusions

The two new vectors and their respective high-copy composite vectors can largely facilitate the construction and characterization of BAC and BIBAC libraries. The transfer of complete large genomic DNA inserts from one vector to the other is made straightforward.
The promoting effect of byproducts from Irpex lacteus on subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis of bio-pretreated cornstalks
Authors: Du Wanqing , Yu Hongbo , Song Lili , Zhang Ji , Weng Changlong , Ma Fuying , Zhang Xiaoyu
Published: October 2011

Background

Irpex lacteus, a versatile lignin-degrading fungus with various extracellular enzymes, has been widely used for biological pretreatment. However, most studies have focused on the change of substrate structure after biological pretreatment, and the effect of these changes on the enzymatic hydrolysis, but the effect of byproducts from biological pretreatment process on subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis is not well understood.

Methods

We developed a biological pretreatment process with I. lacteus that can produce stimulatory byproducts that enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis of cornstalks.

Results

The maximum hydrolysis yield of glucan (82%) was obtained after pretreatment for 28 days. The maximum reducing sugar yield decreased from 313.5 to 200.1 mg/g raw cornstalks after water-soluble byproducts of biological pretreatment were removed from pretreated cornstalks. The effect of byproducts on enzymatic hydrolysis was also investigated. We found that the hydrolysis efficiency of commercial cellulase preparation on cornstalks could be improved by water extracts from bio-pretreated cornstalks with hydrolytic enzyme activity and iron-reducing activity.

Conclusion

The key finding suggested that byproducts from biological pretreatment play important roles in enhancing downstream hydrolysis, which might be attributable to hydrolytic enzymes and iron-reducing compounds produced by I. lacteus.
Development of a highly sensitive method for detection of JAK2V617F
Authors: Zhao Anna H , Gao Rufei , Zhao Zhizhuang J
Published: October 2011

Background

Ph- myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) represent a heterogeneous group of chronic diseases characterized by increased expansion of hematopoietic cells of the myeloid lineage. JAK2V617F, an activation mutation form of tyrosine kinase JAK2, is found in the majority of patients with MPNs. Studies have demonstrated that JAK2V617F can cause MPNs, and various methods have been developed to detect JAK2V617F for diagnostic purposes. However, a highly sensitive method is still needed for the earliest possible detection and for disease prevention and treatment.

Methods

In the present study, we developed a method dubbed restriction fragment nested allele-specific PCR (RFN-AS-PCR). The method consists of three steps: 1) initial amplification of DNA samples with PCR primers surrounding the JAK2V617F mutation site, 2) digestion of the PCR products with restriction enzyme BsaXI which only cleaves the wild type allele, and 3) detection of JAK2V617F by allele-specific PCR with nested primers.

Results

We tested the sensitivity of the method by using purified plasmid DNAs and blood cell DNAs containing known proportions of JAK2V617F. We were able to detect JAK2V617F with a sensitivity of 0.001%. We further analyzed blood cell DNA samples from 105 healthy donors with normal blood cell counts and found three JAK2V617F-positive cases, which would have remained undetected using a less sensitive method.

Conclusions

We have developed a highly sensitive method that will allow for detection of JAK2V617F at a very early stage. This method may have major implications in diagnosis and prevention of MPNs and related diseases.