bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining Longwave Forcing and Feedback Using Infrared Spectra and GNSS Radio Occultation
Authors: Huang Yi , Leroy Stephen S. , Anderson James G.
Published: August 2010

The authors investigate whether combining a data type derived from radio occultation (RO) with the infrared spectral data in an optimal detection method improves the quantification of longwave radiative forcing and feedback. Signals derived from a doubled-CO2 experiment in a theoretical study are used. When the uncertainties in both data types are conservatively estimated, jointly detecting the feedbacks of tropospheric temperature and water vapor, stratospheric temperature, and high-level cloud from the two data types should reduce the mean errors by more than 50%. This improvement is achieved because the RO measurement helps disentangle the radiance signals that are ambiguous in the infrared spectrum. The result signifies the complementary information content in infrared spectral and radio occultation data types, which can be effectively combined in optimal detection to accurately quantify the longwave radiative forcing and feedback. The results herein show that the radiative forcing of CO2 and the longwave radiative feedbacks of tropospheric temperature, tropospheric water vapor, and stratospheric temperature can be accurately quantified from the combined data types, with relative errors in their global mean values being less than 4%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, respectively.
Significance Tests in Climate Science
Authors: Ambaum Maarten H. P.
Published: August 2010

A large fraction of papers in the climate literature includes erroneous uses of significance tests. A Bayesian analysis is presented to highlight the meaning of significance tests and why typical misuse occurs. The significance statistic is not a quantitative measure of how confident one can be of the “reality” of a given result. It is concluded that a significance test very rarely provides useful quantitative information.
Estimated Seasonal Cycle of North Atlantic Eighteen Degree Water Volume
Authors: Forget Gaël , Maze Guillaume , Buckley Martha , Marshall John
Published: August 2010

The seasonal cycle in the volume and formation rate of Eighteen Degree Water (EDW) in the North Atlantic is quantified over the 3-yr period from 2004 to 2006. The EDW layer is defined as all waters that have a temperature between 17° and 19°C. The study is facilitated by a synthesis of various observations—principally Argo profiles of temperature and salinity, sea surface temperature, and altimetry—using a general circulation model as an interpolation tool. The winter increase in EDW volume is most pronounced in February, peaking at about 8.6 Svy, where 1 Svy ≈ 3.15 × 1013 m3 corresponding to a 1 Sv (Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) flow sustained for one year. This largely reflects winter EDW formation due to air–sea heat fluxes. Over the remainder of the year, newly created EDW is consumed by air–sea heat fluxes and ocean mixing, which roughly contribute ⅔ and ⅓, respectively. The authors estimate a net annual volume increase of 1.4 Svy, averaged over the 3-yr period. It is small compared to the amplitude of the seasonal cycle (8.6 Svy) and annual formation due to air–sea fluxes (4.6 Svy). The overall EDW layer volume thus appears to fluctuate around a stable point during the study period. An estimate of the full EDW volume budget is provided along with an uncertainty estimate of 1.8 Svy, and largely resolves apparent conflicts between previous estimates.
Observational Studies of Atmospheric Aerosols over Bozeman, Montana, Using a Two-Color Lidar, a Water Vapor DIAL, a Solar Radiometer, and a Ground-Based Nephelometer over a 24-h Period
Authors: Repasky Kevin S. , Reagan John A. , Nehrir Amin R. , Hoffman David S. , Thomas Michael J. , Carlsten John L. , Shaw Joseph A. , Shaw Glenn E.
Published: August 2010

Coordinated observational data of atmospheric aerosols were collected over a 24-h period between 2300 mountain daylight time (MDT) on 27 August 2009 and 2300 MDT on 28 August 2009 at Bozeman, Montana (45.66°N, 111.04°W, elevation 1530 m) using a collocated two-color lidar, a diode-laser-based water vapor differential absorption lidar (DIAL), a solar radiometer, and a ground-based nephelometer. The optical properties and spatial distribution of the atmospheric aerosols were inferred from the observational data collected using the collocated instruments as part of a closure experiment under dry conditions with a relative humidity below 60%. The aerosol lidar ratio and aerosol optical depth retrieved at 532 and 1064 nm using the two-color lidar and solar radiometer agreed with one another to within their individual uncertainties while the scattering component of the aerosol extinction measured using the nephelometer matched the scattering component of the aerosol extinction retrieved using the 532-nm channel of the two-color lidar and the single-scatter albedo retrieved using the solar radiometer. Using existing aerosol models developed with Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) data, a thin aerosol layer observed over Bozeman was most likely identified as smoke from forest fires burning in California; Washington; British Columbia, Canada; and northwestern Montana. The intrusion of the thin aerosol layer caused a change in the atmospheric radiative forcing by a factor of 1.8 ± 0.5 due to the aerosol direct effect.
Evaluating the Snow Crystal Size Distribution and Density Assumptions within a Single-Moment Microphysics Scheme
Authors: Molthan Andrew L. , Petersen Walter A. , Nesbitt Stephen W. , Hudak David
Published: August 2010

The Canadian CloudSat/Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) Validation Project (C3VP) was a field campaign designed to obtain aircraft, surface, and radar observations of clouds and precipitation in support of improving the simulation of snowfall and cold season precipitation, their microphysical processes represented within forecast models, and radiative properties relevant to remotely sensed retrievals. During the campaign, a midlatitude cyclone tracked along the U.S.–Canadian border on 22 January 2007, producing an extensive area of snowfall. Observations of ice crystals from this event are used to evaluate the assumptions and physical relationships for the snow category within the Goddard six-class, single-moment microphysics scheme, as implemented within the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model.

The WRF model forecast generally reproduced the precipitation and cloud structures sampled by radars and aircraft, permitting a comparison between C3VP observations and model snowfall characteristics. Key snowfall assumptions in the Goddard scheme are an exponential size distribution with fixed intercept and effective bulk density, and the relationship between crystal diameter and terminal velocity. Fixed values for the size distribution intercept and density did not represent the vertical variability of naturally occurring populations of aggregates, and the current diameter and fall speed relationship underestimated terminal velocities for all sizes of crystals.
Does Increased Horizontal Resolution Improve Hurricane Wind Forecasts?
Authors: Davis Christopher , Wang Wei , Dudhia Jimy , Torn Ryan
Published: August 2010

The representation of tropical cyclone track, intensity, and structure in a set of 69 parallel forecasts performed at each of two horizontal grid increments with the Advanced Research Hurricane (AHW) component of the Weather and Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) is evaluated. These forecasts covered 10 Atlantic tropical cyclones: 6 from the 2005 season and 4 from 2007. The forecasts were integrated from identical initial conditions produced by a cycling ensemble Kalman filter. The high-resolution forecasts used moving, storm-centered nests of 4- and 1.33-km grid spacing. The coarse-resolution forecasts consisted of a single 12-km domain (which was identical to the outer domain in the forecasts with nests). Forecasts were evaluated out to 120 h. Novel verification techniques were developed to evaluate forecasts of wind radii and the degree of storm asymmetry. Intensity (maximum wind) and rapid intensification, as well as wind radii, were all predicted more accurately with increased horizontal resolution. These results were deemed to be statistically significant based on the application of bootstrap confidence intervals. No statistically significant differences emerged regarding storm position errors between the two forecasts. Coarse-resolution forecasts tended to overpredict the extent of winds compared to high-resolution forecasts. The asymmetry of gale-force winds was better predicted in the coarser-resolution simulation, but asymmetry of hurricane-force winds was predicted better at high resolution. The skill of the wind radii forecasts decayed gradually over 120 h, suggesting a synoptic-scale control of the predictability of outer winds.
Decommodification and Egalitarian Political Economy
Authors: Vail John
Published: August 2010

This article contends that decommodification is an appropriate concept for understanding diverse initiatives such as fair trade, microfinance, open source, social enterprises, and the environmental commons as component features of a common process. Decommodification is conceived as any political, social, or cultural process that reduces the scope and influence of the market in everyday life. Given recent transformations in market societies, a more expansive framework for decommodification is urgently required. Decommodification would insulate non-market spheres from market encroachments; increase the provision of public goods and expand social protection; promote democratic control over the market by creating economic circuits grounded in a logic predicated on social needs rather than profit; and undermine market hegemony by revealing the market’s true social costs and consequences. By ensuring basic needs, enhancing individual capacities and capabilities, and promoting social cooperation and collaboration, decommodification constitutes a central feature of an egalitarian agenda.
Application of computer vision in the automatic identification and classification of woven fabric weave patterns
Authors: Kuo Chung-Feng Jeffrey , Shih Chung-Yang , Ho Cheng-En , Peng Kai-Ching
Published: August 2010

Traditionally, fabric texture identification is based on visual inspection. Recent studies have proposed automatic recognition, which utilizes computer vision to recognize the texture of different fabrics. In the recognition process, the fabric weave patterns are identified by the warp and weft floats. However, due to the optical environments and the appearance differences of fabrics and yarns, the stability and fault-tolerance of the computer vision method are yet to be improved. By using the fabric weave patterns image identification system, this study analyzed the fabric image to find out the warp and weft by the pixel gray-level cumulative values. It then cut out the image of the warp and weft floats to obtain the texture feature values, and used the Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) algorithm to identify the warp and weft floats. The identification results can derive the black-white digital image and the digital matrix of the fabric weave patterns. Finally, weaves classification is conducted based on the successfully trained two-stage Back-Propagation Neural Network. This two-stage neural network can be used to construct the computer vision system to recognize fabric texture, and to increase the system reliability and accuracy. This study used the first-order and second-order co-occurrence matrix, and confirmed that fabric patterns can be identified and classified accurately with this method.
Understanding GLP-1 Analogs and Enhancing Patient Success
Authors: Kruger Davida F. , Bode Bruce , Spollett Geralyn R.
Published: August 2010

Recent research into the mechanisms of type 2 diabetes reveals intricate interactions among many hormonal processes. Ultimately, these pathways lead to hyperglycemia, pancreatic β-cell failure, and the emergence of type 2 diabetes. The incretin hormones, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), are now known to play major roles in endogenous glucose control, including regulation of insulin, glucagon, and hepatic glucose metabolism. Investigation of the incretin system has led to development of drugs that mimic or enhance the endogenous hormones, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. This supplement describes the role of incretin hormones in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes and their potential as therapeutic targets for disease management. In addition, safety and efficacy profiles of the GLP-1 receptor agonists are reviewed, and the advantages and limitations of these medications are discussed from the perspective of promoting their successful implementation in individualized treatment regimens. As understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes advances, the number of new therapeutic approaches expands. GLP-1 receptor agonists address several aspects of the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. A large body of data reveals the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of these drugs. A clear understanding of the evidence base for these drugs will translate into improved education of patients regarding their options to improve glycemic control and, ultimately, to better patient care.
Will the “Real” American Please Stand Up? The Effect of Implicit National Prototypes on Discriminatory Behavior and Judgments
Authors: Yogeeswaran Kumar , Dasgupta Nilanjana
Published: August 2010

Three studies tested whether implicit prototypes about who is authentically American predict discriminatory behavior and judgments against Americans of non-European descent. These studies identified specific contexts in which discrimination is more versus less likely to occur, the underlying mechanism driving it, and moderators of such discrimination. Studies 1 and 2 demonstrated that the more participants held implicit beliefs that the prototypical American is White, the less willing they were to hire qualified Asian Americans in national security jobs; however, this relation did not hold in identical corporate jobs where national security was irrelevant. The implicit belief—behavior link was mediated by doubts about Asian Americans’ national loyalty. Study 3 demonstrated a similar effect in a different domain: The more participants harbored race-based national prototypes, the more negatively they evaluated an immigration policy proposed by an Asian American but not a White policy writer. Political conservatism magnified this effect because of greater concerns about the national loyalty of Asian Americans.
Uncertainty in regional climate modelling: A review
Authors: Foley A.M.
Published: August 2010

For geographers engaged in activities such as environmental planning and natural resource management, regional climate models are becoming increasingly important as a source of information about the possible impacts of future climate change. However, in order to make informed adaptation decisions, the uncertainties associated with their output must be recognized and taken into account. In this paper, the cascade of uncertainty from emissions scenario to global model to regional climate model is explored. The initial part of the discussion focuses on uncertainties associated with human action, such as emissions of greenhouse gases, and the climate system’s response to increased greenhouse gas forcing, which includes climate sensitivity and feedbacks. In the second part of the discussion, uncertainties associated with climate modelling are explored with emphasis on the implications for regional scale analysis. Such uncertainties include parameterizations and resolutions, initial and boundary conditions inherited from the driving global model, intermodel variability and issues surrounding the validation or verification of models. The paper concludes with a critique of approaches employed to quantify or cater for uncertainties highlighting the strengths and limitations of such approaches.
Neoliberalism and the American State
Authors: Konings Martijn
Published: August 2010

This essay argues that neoliberalism was a return to classical, laissez-faire liberalism only on an ideological level, and that neoliberal practices were never so much about subordinating public and private actors to disembedded markets as about enhancing the American state’s infrastructural control over financial life and advancing the capacities of those actors who enjoy privileged access to its organizational mechanisms. The neoliberal era is analysed as a process of institutionalization whereby financial forms penetrated more deeply into everyday life, innovation assumed a certain systemic coherence, and authorities created more effective policy instruments. The essay concludes that the American state’s intervention in the current conjuncture (i.e. in the aftermath of the subprime crisis) should not primarily be seen as a breakdown of neoliberalism but rather as the state wielding political capacities constructed over the course of the neoliberal era.
Marxism and the Three Movements of Neoliberalism
Authors: O'Connor John
Published: August 2010

This article proposes a Marxian conceptual and empirical framework for understanding the disparate research on neoliberalism. In so doing, it examines the logic and processes of neoliberal transformation, focusing on both its theoretical and practical dimensions. As a consequence of the 1974—82 economic slump, with its crisis of profitability, advanced capitalist nations moved away from the socialization of economic activity and embraced the elements of coercive competition (market contestability, state rationalization, and factor mobility). During the early phase of neoliberalism, coercive competition recast the balance of class forces, remade the mode of production, and reorganized the accumulation process of social formations, helping to restore higher levels of profitability.
Irreversible blindness in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Almeida RT , Aikawa NE , Sallum AME , Jesus AA , Sa LCF , Silva CA
Published: August 2010

Blindness caused by severe vasculitis or uveitis is rare in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) patients. In a 27-year period, 5367 patients were followed at our Paediatric Rheumatology Division and 263 (4.9%) patients had JSLE (American College of Rheumatology criteria). Of note, two (0.8%) of them had irreversible blindness. One of them presented with cutaneous vasculitis and malar rash, associated with pain and redness in both eyes, impairment of visual acuity due to iridocyclitis and severe retinal vasculitis with haemorrhage. Another patient had peripheral polyneuropathy of the four limbs and received immunosuppressive drugs. Three weeks later, she developed diffuse herpes zoster associated with acute blindness due to bilateral retinal necrotizing vasculitis compatible with varicella zoster virus ocular infection. Despite prompt treatment, both patients suffered rapid irreversible blindness. In conclusion, irreversible blindness due to retinal vasculitis and/or uveitis is a rare and severe lupus manifestation, particularly associated with disease activity and viral infection.
Parental Social Support and the Physical Activity-Related Behaviors of Youth: A Review
Authors: Beets Michael W. , Cardinal Bradley J. , Alderman Brandon L.
Published: August 2010

Social support from parents serves as one of the primary influences of youth physical activity—related behaviors. A systematic review was conducted on the relationship of parental social support to the physical activity—related behaviors of youth. Four categories of social support were identified, falling under two distinct mechanisms—tangible and intangible. Tangible social support is divided into two categories: instrumental—purchasing equipment/payment of fees and transportation—and conditional—doing activity with and watching/supervision. Intangible social support is divided into the two categories of motivational— encouragement and praise—and informational—discussing benefits of. The majority of studies demonstrated positive associations among selected measures of parental tangible and intangible social support and youth activity. Overall, parental social support demonstrated positive effects. Many studies, however, combine social support categories and/or respondents into composite measures, making it difficult to disentangle the specific effects of parents and the type of support provided.
Adolescents Living with Cancer
Authors: Elwell Laura , Grogan Sarah , Coulson Neil
Published: August 2010

The present study sought to explore the types of social support being provided to adolescents with cancer accessing a computer-mediated support group. Three hundred and ninety-three messages posted to a computer-mediated support group aimed at adolescents with cancer were coded for instances of informational and emotional support and then subjected to thematic analysis. Analysis revealed frequent instances of both informational and emotional support provision and sub-themes included ‘treatment concerns’, ‘losing friends’ and ‘struggling with school’. Adolescents were also found to be frequently accessing the group to make requests for social support. It is concluded that health professionals need to tailor the services they provide to adolescent patients more appropriately.
Promoting Adaptive Emotion Regulation and Coping in Adolescence
Authors: Horn Andrea B. , Pössel Patrick , Hautzinger Martin
Published: August 2010

Particularly in adolescence, fostering adaptive emotion regulation is an important aim in health promotion. Expressive writing in combination with psycho-education on emotion regulation seems especially appropriate to serve this aim. In this study, school classes were randomly assigned either to a prevention ( N = 208) or to a non-treatment control group ( N = 151). The prevention group showed significant improvements regarding negative affect, grades, and days absent compared to the control-group. A combination of expressive writing with elements of psycho-education of emotion regulation might be an effective preventive tool, as it seems to improve psychosocial adjustment by establishing functional emotion regulation strategies.
Keeping Your Balance
Authors: MacNeela Pádraig , Bredin Olwen
Published: August 2010

Binge drinking is a focus for concerns about young women’s alcohol consumption at university. Twenty females, all regular binge drinkers, were interviewed individually and in focus groups to explore alcohol beliefs and exposure to harm. Four themes were identified in a thematic analysis. Alcohol use was associated with freedom but regulated by group norms. Drinking to excess was stigmatized as an abuse of freedom, yet the threshold for excess was very high. The drug effects of alcohol were enjoyed, with drinking harms managed through trivialization. As part of a problem of imbalance, peer groups must be part of the solution.
Personal Exposure to PM10 among Taxi Drivers in Iran
Authors: Mohammadyan M. , Alizadeh A. , Etemadinejad S.
Published: August 2010

A study was carried out over 30 days in one calendar year over six routes in Sari city centre to measure personal exposures to PM10 in the breathing zone of taxi drivers. The average personal exposure to PM10 was higher in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. Exposures to PM10 during heavy traffic flow in the afternoon time, were considerably higher than those in morning and evening. The numbers of passengers in the taxi, taxi model and indoor taxi temperature had a significant correlation with the exposure to PM10. Penetration of particulate matter from ambient sources and/or re-suspended particles from the surfaces because of poor maintenance, were shown to be the most probable factors for taxi drivers’ personal exposure to PM10.
Regulatory impediments jeopardizing the conduct of clinical trials in Europe funded by the National Institutes of Health
Authors: Neaton James D , Babiker Abdel , Bohnhorst Mark , Darbyshire Janet , Denning Eileen , Frishman Arnie , Grarup Jesper , Larson Gregg , Lundgren Jens
Published: August 2010

Background A number of reports have highlighted problems of conducting publicly funded trials in Europe as a consequence of the European Union (EU) Clinical Trials Directive. The impact of the EU Directive on multi-national trials, which include sites in Europe that are funded by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) have not been described.

Methods Four problems in the conduct of two international HIV treatment trials funded by NIH in the EU are described: (1) conflicting regulations on the continuing review of protocols by Institutional Review Boards/Research Ethics Committees; (2) US regulations requiring Federalwide Assurances for sites which are only partially funded by NIH; (3) EU guidance on the designation of studies as a trial of an investigational medicinal product; and (4) EU guidance on trial sponsorship and the requirements for insurance and indemnification. Following the description of the problems, recommendations for improving global collaborations are made to the US Office of Human Research Protections, to NIH, and to the EU and its Member States. Results A lack of harmonization of regulations at multiple levels caused enrollment in one study to be interrupted for several months and delayed for one year the initiation of another study aimed at obtaining definitive evidence to guide the timing of the initiation of antiretroviral therapy for individuals infected with HIV. The delays and the purchase of insurance resulted in substantial increases in trial costs and caused substantial disruption at clinical sites among staff and study participants. Limitations The problems cited and recommendations made pertain to trials funded by NIH and conducted by sites in the EU. There are many other challenges in the conduct of international research, public and private, that global harmonization would alleviate.

Conclusions Disharmony, at multiple levels, in international regulations and guidelines is stifling publicly funded global research. International scientific organizations and government groups should make the documentation and solution of these problems a priority. Clinical Trials 2010; 7: 705—718. http://ctj.sagepub.com
Women’s views and experiences of a patient preference trial in surgery: a qualitative study of the CARPET1 trial
Authors: Jackson Clare J , Dixon-Woods Mary , Eborall Helen , Kenyon Sara , Toozs-Hobson Philip , Tincello Douglas G
Published: August 2010

Background The randomized controlled trial (RCT) has a well-established role in assessing drug therapies, but its adoption in developing surgical interventions has been slow. Patients’ perspectives on surgical RCTs, especially those including a patient preference option, have received little attention.

Purpose To characterize participants’ experiences and views of recruitment to a pilot trial (CARPET1) of two surgical treatments for urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse that included a patient preference option.

Methods Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 16 women who participated in the CARPET1 trial. Data analysis was based on the constant comparative method. Main outcome measures Women’s experiences of taking part in a patient preference trial.

Results Women’s motives for participating in CARPET1 focused on the possibility of additional care and, as a secondary motive, the wish to help with research. Most participants expressed a treatment preference rather than accepting randomization. Most were pleased with the information they received, and acknowledged the principle of equipoise, but there was substantial variability in their understanding of aspects of the trial, including randomization. Randomization was considered by women to be appropriate only when both treatments were equally suitable and they had no strong preference. Women suggested that the main influence on their willingness to be randomized was the recruiting clinician’s opinion. Importantly, despite the recruiting clinicians being heavily involved in conception of CARPET1, they did not seem to be in equipoise at the level of the individual patient. Limitations This being a small study it was not possible to interview women who declined trial participation or to observe consultations between surgeons and patients.

Conclusions CARPET1 appears to have been more a surgeon preference trial than a patient preference trial. Substantial challenges may remain in conducting RCTs in surgery, particularly where surgeons have preferences about what they perceive as the best option for an individual patient. Clinical Trials 2010; 7: 696—704. http://ctj.sagepub.com
The length and position of the long axis of the scaphoid measured by analysis of three-dimensional reconstructions of computed tomography images
Authors: Guo Y. , Tian G. L.
Published: August 2010

We established the maximum length and the position of the long axis of the scaphoid from three-dimensional reconstructions of spiral computed tomography in 30 pairs of wrists. The distance between two points on the three-dimensional scaphoid surface model were calculated using commercially available software and corresponding coordinates of the two points were documented. The mean length was 29.3 (SD 1.6) mm for men and 26.6 (SD 1.8) mm for women. The location of the distal point was at the centre of the scaphoid tuberosity, with the proximal point of the long axis located at the dorsal ridge of the scapholunate facet.
Physical and radiographic identification of the bones of the wrist by junior doctors
Authors: Roche A. , Williams G. , Wharton D. , Brown D.
Published: August 2010

Accurate clinical and radiographic examination of a wrist is required to diagnose injury. Knowledge of basic wrist anatomy is the key to ensuring a complete assessment. We tested junior doctors’ basic knowledge of the bony anatomy of the wrist. We asked 102 trainees in accident and emergency and orthopaedic departments to palpate nine landmarks on uninjured subjects and then asked them to name the carpal bones on a plain wrist radiograph. No doctor identified all nine landmarks clinically. Only 60% could accurately name all eight carpal bones on a plain radiograph. This study highlights a lack of basic anatomical and radiographic knowledge that is required for examination of the wrist in the hospital setting and discusses issues that may relate to this in medical training.
Behavioral Activation Links to Creativity Because of Increased Cognitive Flexibility
Authors: Dreu Carsten K. W. De , Nijstad Bernard A. , Baas Matthijs
Published: August 2010

Previous work suggests that trait behavioral activation may link to creativity, a possibility the authors empirically examine in this article. This research is grounded in the dual pathway to creativity model and experiments on approach orientation, and the authors propose that behavioral activation potentiates creativity when and because it facilitates global and flexible processing. Four experiments support this hypothesis and also reveal that when external cues sustain or facilitate local and bottom-up processing, trait behavioral activation negatively relates to creativity. Possible explanations and avenues for new research are discussed.
Behind the NAEPP Asthma Guidelines
Authors: Rance Karen S. , O’Laughlen Mary C.
Published: August 2010

An estimated 22.9 million adults and 6.8 million children in the United States have asthma. Historically, high asthma prevalence and alarming morbidity trends continue to be a major cause of disability, placing a huge burden on children, adults, and their families. Research demonstrates that the use of clinical guidelines for the management of asthma improves patient outcomes. The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) first developed clinical practice guidelines offering specific advice for the management and treatment of asthma in 1991. Despite the availability of these evidence-based guidelines for 19 years, their recommendations for asthma management are underutilized in practice. This integrative literature review chronicles the development of NAEPP guidelines and their utilization in current practice. Database searches included MEDLINE, PubMed, OVID, and CINAHL.
Interleukin-25: a cytokine linking eosinophils and adaptive immunity in Churg-Strauss syndrome
Authors: Terrier Benjamin , Bièche Ivan , Maisonobe Thierry , Laurendeau Ingrid , Rosenzwajg Michèlle , Kahn Jean-Emmanuel , Diemert Marie-Claude , Musset Lucile , Vidaud Michel , Sène Damien , Costedoat-Chalumeau Nathalie , Le Thi-Huong Du , Amoura Zahir , Klatzmann David , Cacoub Patrice , Saadoun David
Published: August 2010

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is characterized by systemic vasculitis and blood and tissue eosinophilia. Blood eosinophilia correlates with disease activity, and activated T cells from CSS patients are predominantly T helper 2 (Th2). Interleukin (IL)-25 has been shown to link innate and adaptive immunity by enhancing Th2 cytokine production. We sought to determine the involvement of IL-25 and its receptor IL-17RB in the pathogenesis of CSS. We found increased levels of IL-25 in the serum of active CSS patients (952 ± 697 vs 75 ± 49 pg/mL in inactive patients and 47 ± 6 pg/mL in healthy donors). IL-25 was correlated with disease activity and eosinophil level. Eosinophils were the main source of IL-25, whereas activated CD4+ memory T cells were the IL-17RB–expressing cells in CSS. IL-25 enhanced the production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 by activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. IL-25 and IL-17RB were observed within the vasculitic lesions of patients with CSS, and IL-17RB colocalized with T cells. Increased expression of IL-17RB, tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 6, and JunB in vasculitic lesions of CSS underscored the IL-25–mediated activation, whereas up-regulation of GATA3 and IL-10 supported Th2 differentiation. Our findings suggest that eosinophils, through the production of IL-25, exert a critical role in promoting Th2 responses in target tissues of CSS.
Diagnosing TB infection in children: analysis of discordances usingin vitrotests and the tuberculin skin test
Authors: Altet-Gómez N. , De Souza-Galvao M. , Latorre I. , Milà C. , Jiménez M.A. , Solsona J. , Cantos A. , Zamora J.J. , Ruiz-Manzano J. , Ausina V. , Domínguez J.
Published: August 2010

The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of the interferon (IFN)-γ tests (QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-G-IT) and T-SPOT®.TB) with the tuberculin skin test (TST) in diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) infection in children, and to analyse discordant results.

This was a prospective study including 98 children from contact-tracing studies and 68 children with TST indurations ≥5 mm recruited during public health screenings.

Positive IFN-γ tests results were associated with risk of exposure (p<0.0001). T-SPOT.TBwas positive in 11 (78.6%) out of 14 cases with active TB and QFT-G-IT in nine (64.3%) out of 14 cases. Sensitised T-cells againstMycobacterium aviumwere detected in six out of 12 children not vaccinated with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), a TST induration 5–9 mm in diameter and both IFN-γ tests negative. In concordant IFN-γ tests results, a positive correlation was found (p = 0.0001) between the number of responding cells and the amount of IFN-γ released. However, in discordant IFN-γ tests results this correlation was negative (p = 0.371): an increase in the number of spot-forming cells correlated with a decrease in the amount of IFN-γ released.

The use of IFN-γ tests is helpful for the diagnosis of TB infection, avoiding cross-reactions with BCG immunisation and nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. The analysis of highly discordant results requires further investigation to elucidate possible clinical implications.
CircuitsDB: a database of mixed microRNA/transcription factor feed-forward regulatory circuits in human and mouse
Authors: Friard Olivier , Re Angela , Taverna Daniela , De Bortoli Michele , Corá Davide
Published: August 2010

Background

Transcription Factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are key players for gene expression regulation in higher eukaryotes. In the last years, a large amount of bioinformatic studies were devoted to the elucidation of transcriptional and post-transcriptional (mostly miRNA-mediated) regulatory interactions, but little is known about the interplay between them.

Description

Here we describe a dynamic web-accessible database, , supporting a genome-wide transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory network integration, for the human and mouse genomes, based on a bioinformatic sequence-analysis approach. In particular, is currently focused on the study of mixed miRNA/TF Feed-Forward regulatory Loops (FFLs), i.e. elementary circuits in which a master TF regulates an miRNA and together with it a set of Joint Target protein-coding genes. The database was constructed using an ab-initio oligo analysis procedure for the identification of the transcriptional and post-transcriptional interactions. Several external sources of information were then pooled together to obtain the functional annotation of the proposed interactions. Results for human and mouse genomes are presented in an integrated web tool, that allows users to explore the circuits, investigate their sequence and functional properties and thus suggest possible biological experiments.

Conclusions

We present , a web-server devoted to the study of human and mouse mixed miRNA/TF Feed-Forward regulatory circuits, freely available at: http://biocluster.di.unito.it/circuits/
Molecular characterization of genome segments 1 and 3 encoding two capsid proteins of Antheraea mylittacytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus
Authors: Chakrabarti Mrinmay , Ghorai Suvankar , Mani Saravana KK , Ghosh Ananta K
Published: August 2010

Background

Antheraea mylitta cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (AmCPV), a cypovirus of Reoviridae family, infects Indian non-mulberry silkworm, Antheraea mylitta, and contains 11 segmented double stranded RNA (S1-S11) in its genome. Some of its genome segments (S2 and S6-S11) have been previously characterized but genome segments encoding viral capsid have not been characterized.

Results

In this study genome segments 1 (S1) and 3 (S3) of AmCPV were converted to cDNA, cloned and sequenced. S1 consisted of 3852 nucleotides, with one long ORF of 3735 nucleotides and could encode a protein of 1245 amino acids with molecular mass of ~141 kDa. Similarly, S3 consisted of 3784 nucleotides having a long ORF of 3630 nucleotides and could encode a protein of 1210 amino acids with molecular mass of ~137 kDa. BLAST analysis showed 20-22% homology of S1 and S3 sequence with spike and capsid proteins, respectively, of other closely related cypoviruses like Bombyx mori CPV (BmCPV), Lymantria dispar CPV (LdCPV), and Dendrolimus punctatus CPV (DpCPV). The ORFs of S1 and S3 were expressed as 141 kDa and 137 kDa insoluble His-tagged fusion proteins, respectively, in Escherichia coli M15 cells via pQE-30 vector, purified through Ni-NTA chromatography and polyclonal antibodies were raised. Immunoblot analysis of purified polyhedra, virion particles and virus infected mid-gut cells with the raised anti-p137 and anti-p141 antibodies showed specific immunoreactive bands and suggest that S1 and S3 may code for viral structural proteins. Expression of S1 and S3 ORFs in insect cells via baculovirus recombinants showed to produce viral like particles (VLPs) by transmission electron microscopy. Immunogold staining showed that S3 encoded proteins self assembled to form viral outer capsid and VLPs maintained their stability at different pH in presence of S1 encoded protein.

Conclusion

Our results of cloning, sequencing and functional analysis of AmCPV S1 and S3 indicate that S3 encoded viral structural proteins can self assemble to form viral outer capsid and S1 encoded protein remains associated with it as inner capsid to maintain the stability. Further studies will help to understand the molecular mechanism of capsid formation during cypovirus replication.
Nanomaterial cytotoxicity is composition, size, and cell type dependent
Authors: Sohaebuddin Syed K , Thevenot Paul T , Baker David , Eaton John W , Tang Liping
Published: August 2010

Background

Despite intensive research efforts, reports of cellular responses to nanomaterials are often inconsistent and even contradictory. Additionally, relationships between the responding cell type and nanomaterial properties are not well understood. Using three model cell lines representing different physiological compartments and nanomaterials of different compositions and sizes, we have systematically investigated the influence of nanomaterial properties on the degrees and pathways of cytotoxicity. In this study, we selected nanomaterials of different compositions (TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles, and multi-wall carbon nanotubes [MWCNTs]) with differing size (MWCNTs of different diameters < 8 nm, 20-30 nm, > 50 nm; but same length 0.5-2 μm) to analyze the effects of composition and size on toxicity to 3T3 fibroblasts, RAW 264.7 macrophages, and telomerase-immortalized (hT) bronchiolar epithelial cells.

Results

Following characterization of nanomaterial properties in PBS and serum containing solutions, cells were exposed to nanomaterials of differing compositions and sizes, with cytotoxicity monitored through reduction in mitochondrial activity. In addition to cytotoxicity, the cellular response to nanomaterials was characterized by quantifying generation of reactive oxygen species, lysosomal membrane destabilization and mitochondrial permeability. The effect of these responses on cellular fate - apoptosis or necrosis - was then analyzed. Nanomaterial toxicity was variable based on exposed cell type and dependent on nanomaterial composition and size. In addition, nanomaterial exposure led to cell type dependent intracellular responses resulting in unique breakdown of cellular functions for each nanomaterial: cell combination.

Conclusions

Nanomaterials induce cell specific responses resulting in variable toxicity and subsequent cell fate based on the type of exposed cell. Our results indicate that the composition and size of nanomaterials as well as the target cell type are critical determinants of intracellular responses, degree of cytotoxicity and potential mechanisms of toxicity.
Meeting Report for Mobile DNA 2010
Authors: Chaconas George , Craig Nancy , Curcio M Joan , Deininger Prescott , Feschotte Cedric , Levin Henry , Rice Phoebe A , Voytas Daniel F
Published: August 2010

An international conference on mobile DNA was held 24-28 April 2010 in Montreal, Canada. Sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology, the conference's goal was to bring together researchers from around the world who study transposition in diverse organisms using multiple experimental approaches. The meeting drew over 190 attendees and most contributed through poster presentations, invited talks and short talks selected from poster abstracts. The talks were organized into eight scientific sessions, which ranged in topic from the evolutionary dynamics of mobile genetic elements to transposition reaction mechanisms. Here we present highlights from the platform sessions with a focus on talks presented by the invited speakers.
A multiparameter approach to monitor disease activity in collagen-induced arthritis
Authors: Seeuws Sylvie , Jacques Peggy , Van Praet Jens , Drennan Michael , Coudenys Julie , Decruy Tine , Deschepper Ellen , Lepescheux Lien , Pujuguet Philippe , Oste Line , Vandeghinste Nick , Brys Reginald , Verbruggen Gust , Elewaut Dirk
Published: August 2010

Introduction

Disease severity in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is commonly assessed by clinical scoring of paw swelling and histological examination of joints. Although this is an accurate approach, it is also labour-intensive and the application of less invasive and less time-consuming methods is of great interest. However, it is still unclear which of these methods represents the most discriminating measure of disease activity.

Methods

We undertook a comparative analysis in which different measurements of inflammation and tissue damage in CIA were studied on an individual mouse level. We compared the current gold standard methods - clinical scoring and histological examination - with alternative methods based on scoring of X-ray or micro-computed tomography (CT) images and investigated the significance of systemically expressed proteins, involved in CIA pathogenesis, that have potential as biomarkers.

Results

Linear regression analysis revealed a marked association of serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 levels with all features of CIA including inflammation, cartilage destruction and bone erosions. This association was improved by combined detection of MMP-3 and anti-collagen IgG2a antibody concentrations. In addition, combined analysis of both X-ray and micro-CT images was found to be predictive for cartilage and bone damage. Most remarkably, validation analysis using an independent data set proved that variations in disease severity, induced by different therapies, could be accurately represented by predicted values based on the proposed parameters.

Conclusions

Our analyses revealed that clinical scoring, combined with serum MMP-3, anti-collagen IgG2a measurement and scoring of X-ray and micro-CT images, yields a comprehensive insight into the different aspects of disease activity in CIA.
CYP2D6 gene variants: association with breast cancer specific survival in a cohort of breast cancer patients from the United Kingdom treated with adjuvant tamoxifen
Authors: Abraham Jean E , Maranian Mel J , Driver Kristy E , Platte Radka , Kalmyrzaev Bolot , Baynes Caroline , Luccarini Craig , Shah Mitul , Ingle Susan , Greenberg David , Earl Helena M , Dunning Alison M , Pharoah Paul DP , Caldas Carlos
Published: August 2010

Introduction

Tamoxifen is one of the most effective adjuvant breast cancer therapies available. Its metabolism involves the phase I enzyme, cytochrome P4502D6 (CYP2D6), encoded by the highly polymorphic CYP2D6 gene. CYP2D6 variants resulting in poor metabolism of tamoxifen are hypothesised to reduce its efficacy. An FDA-approved pre-treatment CYP2D6 gene testing assay is available. However, evidence from published studies evaluating CYP2D6 variants as predictive factors of tamoxifen efficacy and clinical outcome are conflicting, querying the clinical utility of CYP2D6 testing. We investigated the association of CYP2D6 variants with breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) in breast cancer patients receiving tamoxifen.

Methods

This was a population based case-cohort study. We genotyped known functional variants (n = 7; minor allele frequency (MAF) > 0.01) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (n = 5; MAF > 0.05) tagging all known common variants (tagSNPs), in CYP2D6 in 6640 DNA samples from patients with invasive breast cancer from SEARCH (Studies of Epidemiology and Risk factors in Cancer Heredity); 3155 cases had received tamoxifen therapy. There were 312 deaths from breast cancer, in the tamoxifen treated patients, with over 18000 years of cumulative follow-up. The association between genotype and BCSS was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

Results

In tamoxifen treated patients, there was weak evidence that the poor-metaboliser variant, CYP2D6*6 (MAF = 0.01), was associated with decreased BCSS (P = 0.02; HR = 1.95; 95% CI = 1.12-3.40). No other variants, including CYP2D6*4 (MAF = 0.20), previously reported to be associated with poorer clinical outcomes, were associated with differences in BCSS, in either the tamoxifen or non-tamoxifen groups.

Conclusions

CYP2D6*6 may affect BCSS in tamoxifen-treated patients. However, the absence of an association with survival in more frequent variants, including CYP2D6*4, questions the validity of the reported association between CYP2D6 genotype and treatment response in breast cancer. Until larger, prospective studies confirming any associations are available, routine CYP2D6 genetic testing should not be used in the clinical setting.