bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doubt and Human Nature in Descartes'sMeditations
Authors: Patterson Sarah
Published: April 2012

Descartes is well known for his employment of the method of doubt. His most famous work, theMeditations, begins by exhorting us to doubt all our opinions, including our belief in the existence of the external world. But critics have charged that this universal doubt is impossible for us to achieve because it runs counter to human nature. If this is so, Descartes must be either misguided or hypocritical in proposing it. Hume writes:

There is a species of scepticism, antecedent to all study and philosophy, which is much inculcated by Des Cartes and others, as a sovereign preservative against error and precipitate judgement. It recommends an universal doubt, not only of all our former opinions and principles, but also of our very faculties… The Cartesian doubt, …were it ever possible to be attained by any human creature (as it plainly is not)would be entirely incurable; and no reasoning could ever bring us to a state of assurance and conviction upon any subject (Enquiry12.3; emphasis added).
Being Human: Religion and Superstition in a Psychoanalytic Philosophy of Religion
Authors: Clack Beverley
Published: April 2012

At one place in his collection of essaysThe Crane Bag and Other Disputed Subjects, the novelist and mythographer Robert Graves makes the following claim that might sound rather shocking to the ears of an analytic philosopher:

I find myself far more at home with mildly superstitious people – sailors and miners, for instance – than with stark rationalists. They have more humanity.
Climate change, extreme weather events and issues of human perception
Authors: Bell Martin
Published: April 2012

The central proposition of Toby Pillatt is that in developing an understanding of past human affairs weather is as important as, or more so than, climate. Climate may be simply defined as average weather, whilst weather is the day-to-day occurrence of atmospheric phenomena which impact in perceptible ways on people's lives. The general proposition is sound enough; the challenges come in implementing these ideas in ways which advance our understanding of past people–environment relationships.
A statistical study of the relative locations of electron and proton auroral boundaries inferred from meridian scanning photometer observations
Authors: Zou Y. , Nishimura Y. , Lyons L. R. , Donovan E. F.
Published: April 2012

We present the results of a statistical study of the absolute and relative locations of the equatorward boundaries of the proton and diffuse electron auroras. The boundaries were analyzed using latitude scans of 630.0 and 486.0 nm (“Hβ”) emissions obtained with the meridian scanning photometers at Gillam and Pinawa, Canada with DMSP overflights. The aurora data were classified into three different steady geomagnetic activity states, one being long‐duration quiet intervals and the other two being moderate and active steady magnetospheric convection (SMC) events. Both case and statistical studies show that the quiet times dusk‐premidnight proton aurora extends slightly equatorward of the electron aurora. This is reversed on the dawnside. In contrast, the electron aurora during moderate and active SMC intervals lies equatorward of the proton aurora throughout the entire nightside covered in this work (20–03 MLT). There is a dawn‐dusk offset in the auroral oval location, with the proton aurora shifting toward premidnight and the electron aurora toward postmidnight. Moreover, with increasing geomagnetic activity, both of the auroras intrude to lower latitude. The penetration of the electron boundary equatorward of the proton precipitation across this MLT range has not been previously identified. We attribute this to the fact that the equatorward part of the diffuse electron aurora is produced by lower energy electrons to which the 630.0 nm emission is more responsive and so marks a more realistic location of the electron equatorward boundary than do the 557.7 nm and UV emissions used in previous intercomparisons of these boundaries.
Generation of 100‐year geomagnetically induced current scenarios
Authors: Pulkkinen A. , Bernabeu E. , Eichner J. , Beggan C. , Thomson A. W. P.
Published: April 2012

A series of 100‐year extreme geoelectric field and geomagnetically induced current (GIC) scenarios are explored by taking into account the key geophysical factors associated with the geomagnetic induction process. More specifically, we derive explicit geoelectric field temporal profiles as a function of ground conductivity structures and geomagnetic latitudes. We also demonstrate how the extreme geoelectric field scenarios can be mapped into GIC. Generated statistics indicate 20 V/km and 5 V/km 100‐year maximum 10‐s geoelectric field amplitudes at high‐latitude locations with poorly conducting and well‐conducting ground structures, respectively. We show that there is an indication that geoelectric field magnitudes may experience a dramatic drop across a boundary at about 40°–60° of geomagnetic latitude. We identify this as a threshold at about 50° of geomagnetic latitude. The sub‐threshold geoelectric field magnitudes are about an order of magnitude smaller than those at super‐threshold geomagnetic latitudes. Further analyses are required to confirm the existence and location of the possible latitude threshold. The computed extreme GIC scenarios can be used in further engineering analyses that are needed to quantify the geomagnetic storm impact on conductor systems such as high‐voltage power transmission systems. To facilitate further work on the topic, the digital data for generated geoelectric field scenarios are made publicly available.
Three‐dimensional Bayesian geostatistical aquifer characterization at the Hanford 300 Area using tracer test data
Authors: Chen Xingyuan , Murakami Haruko , Hahn Melanie S. , Hammond Glenn E. , Rockhold Mark L. , Zachara John M. , Rubin Yoram
Published: April 2012

Tracer tests performed under natural or forced gradient flow conditions can provide useful information for characterizing subsurface properties, through monitoring, modeling, and interpretation of the tracer plume migration in an aquifer. Nonreactive tracer experiments were conducted at the Hanford 300 Area, along with constant‐rate injection tests and electromagnetic borehole flowmeter tests. A Bayesian data assimilation technique, the method of anchored distributions (MAD) (Rubin et al., 2010), was applied to assimilate the experimental tracer test data with the other types of data and to infer the three‐dimensional heterogeneous structure of the hydraulic conductivity in the saturated zone of the Hanford formation.In this study, the Bayesian prior information on the underlying random hydraulic conductivity field was obtained from previous field characterization efforts using constant‐rate injection and borehole flowmeter test data. The posterior distribution of the conductivity field was obtained by further conditioning the field on the temporal moments of tracer breakthrough curves at various observation wells. MAD was implemented with the massively parallel three‐dimensional flow and transport code PFLOTRAN to cope with the highly transient flow boundary conditions at the site and to meet the computational demands of MAD. A synthetic study proved that the proposed method could effectively invert tracer test data to capture the essential spatial heterogeneity of the three‐dimensional hydraulic conductivity field. Application of MAD to actual field tracer data at the Hanford 300 Area demonstrates that inverting for spatial heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity under transient flow conditions is challenging and more work is needed.
Pollutant transport processes in the Odiel River (SW Spain) during rain events
Authors: Cánovas Carlos Ruiz , Olías Manuel , Sarmiento Aguasanta Miguel , Nieto Jose Miguel , Galván Laura
Published: April 2012

An understanding of pollutant processes in rivers under different hydrological conditions is essential to assess its long‐term evolution. This is especially relevant in Mediterranean rivers during rain events, when most of the water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and pollutants are delivered. This study investigates the hydrochemical changes and pollutant fluxes in the Odiel River (SW Spain) during rainy conditions. For this purpose, high‐resolution sampling (6 h) was performed to monitor dissolved and total concentrations of pollutants. During the rises in discharge, most dissolved elements had decreased concentrations due to the dilution effect of runoff waters and Fe precipitation processes. However, the particulate concentrations of some elements (As, Fe, Pb, Cr, Ti, V, and Ba) increased due to Fe‐rich sediment remobilization, and to a lesser extent, direct precipitation. A two end‐member mixing model applied to the collected data showed that the contribution of nonaffected waters was ∼85%–98% of the total discharge, highlighting the importance of mining lixiviates in the deterioration of Odiel water quality. An innovative methodology was applied to estimate dissolved and total pollutant loads, based on the relationships between dissolved concentrations and electrical conductivity (EC), and total concentrations and river flow. The importance of particulate metal transport during rain events in the Odiel River was significant. The total transport of Fe was 37 times higher than dissolved Fe, was almost 7 times higher for Pb, and 5 times higher for Cr, while As (1.1 t) was totally transported by particulate matter.
Tropical cyclone intensification trends during satellite era (1986–2010)
Authors: Kishtawal C. M. , Jaiswal Neeru , Singh Randhir , Niyogi D.
Published: April 2012

Using International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS, version v03r03) analysis during satellite era (1986–2010) we determined the trends of intensification of tropical cyclones (TC) over all the global basins, except the North Indian Ocean. Over all the basins, the rate of TC intensification from 64 kt to first peak of intensity maxima (global average value = 104 kt) was found to be positive. The above trends were significant for 4 out of 5 basins, except the North West Pacific. The trends indicate that the TCs now intensify from 64 kt to 104 kt nearly 9 hours earlier than they did 25 years back. The maximum reduction in intensification time is noticed over the North Atlantic Ocean where the average time needed for TC to intensify from 64 kt to 112 kt has reduced by nearly 20 hours during the past 25‐year period.
The saposin-like protein SPP-12 is an antimicrobial polypeptide in the pharyngeal neurons of Caenorhabditis elegans and participates in defence against a natural bacterial pathogen
Authors: Hoeckendorf Aylin , Stanisak Mareike , Leippe Matthias
Published: April 2012

Caenopores are antimicrobial and pore-forming polypeptides in Caenorhabditis elegans belonging to the saposin-like protein superfamily and are considered important elements of the nematode's intestinal immune system. In the present study, we demonstrate that, unlike the other members of the multifarious gene family (spps) coding for caenopores, spp-12 is expressed exclusively in two pharyngeal neurons. Recombinantly expressed SPP-12 binds to phospholipid membranes and forms pores in a pH-dependent manner characteristic of caenopores. Moreover, SPP-12 kills viable Gram-positive bacteria, yeast cells and amoebae by permeabilizing their membranes, suggesting a wide-target cell spectrum. A spp-12 knockout mutant is more susceptible to pathogenic Bacillus thuringiensis than wild-type worms and is tolerant to non-pathogenic bacteria. By contrast, SPP-1, a caenopore, whose gene is expressed only in the intestine and reported to be regulated by the same pathway as spp-12, is apparently non-protective against pathogenic B. thuringiensis, although it also does display antimicrobial activity. The transcription of spp-1 is down-regulated in wild-type worms in the presence of pathogenic B. thuringiensis and a spp-1 knockout mutant is hyposusceptible to this bacterium. This implies that SPP-12, but not SPP-1, contributes to resistance against B. thuringiensis, a natural pathogen of the nematode.
Cytokinins - recent news and views of evolutionally old molecules
Authors: Spíchal Lukáš
Published: April 2012

Cytokinins (CKs) are evolutionally old and highly conserved low-mass molecules that have been identified in almost all known organisms. In plants, they evolved into an important group of plant hormones controlling many physiological and developmental processes throughout the whole lifespan of the plant. CKs and their functions are, however, not unique to plants. In this review, the strategies and mechanisms of plants – and phylogenetically distinct plant-interacting organisms such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes and insects employing CKs or regulation of CK status in plants – are described and put into their evolutionary context. The major breakthroughs made in the last decade in the fields of CK biosynthesis, degradation and signalling are also summarised.
Global models of ant diversity suggest regions where new discoveries are most likely are under disproportionate deforestation threat
Authors: Guénard Benoit , Weiser Michael D. , Dunn Robert R.
Published: April 2012

Most of the described and probably undescribed species on Earth are insects. Global models of species diversity rarely focus on insects and none attempt to address unknown, undescribed diversity. We assembled a database representing about 13,000 records for ant generic distribution from over 350 regions that cover much of the globe. Based on two models of diversity and endemicity, we identified regions where our knowledge of ant diversity is most limited, regions we have called “hotspots of discovery.” A priori, such regions might be expected to be remote and untouched. Instead, we found that the hotspots of discovery are also the regions in which biodiversity is the most threatened by habitat destruction. Our results not only highlight the immediate need for conservation of the remaining natural habitats in these regions, but also the extent to which, by focusing on well-known groups such as vertebrates, we may fail to conserve the far greater diversity of the smaller species yet to be found.
Subcellular distribution of Lck during CD4 T-cell maturation in the thymic medulla regulates the T-cell activation threshold
Authors: Stephen Tom Li , Wilson Bridget S. , Laufer Terri M.
Published: April 2012

Mature peripheral T cells respond to foreign but not to self-antigens. During development in the thymus, deletion of high-affinity self-reactive immature thymocytes contributes to tolerance of mature T cells. However, double-positive thymocytes are positively selected to survive if they respond to self-peptide–MHC complexes; thus, there must be mechanisms to prevent overt reactivity to those same complexes in the periphery. “Developmental tuning” is the active process through which T-cell receptor (TCR)-associated signaling pathways of single-positive (SP) thymocytes are attenuated to respond appropriately to self-peptide–MHC complexes in the periphery. We previously showed that MHC class II expression in the thymic medulla was necessary to tune CD4
+
SP (CD4 SP) thymocytes. CD4 SP thymocytes from mice lacking medullary MHC class II expression had inappropriately enhanced proximal TCR signaling to low-affinity self-ligands that was associated with altered cellular distribution of the tyrosine kinase Lck. Now, we report that activation of both tuned and untuned CD4 SP thymocytes is Lck-dependent. Untuned CD4 SP cells contain a pool of Lck with increased basal phosphorylation that is not associated with the CD4 coreceptor. Phosphorylation of this pool of Lck decreases with tuning. Immunogold transmission electron microscopy of membrane sheets permitted direct visualization of Lck. In the absence of tuning, a significant proportion of Lck and the TCR subunit CD3ζ are expressed on the same protein island; this close association of Lck and the TCR probably explains the enhanced activation of untuned CD4 SP cells. Thus, changes in membrane topography during thymic maturation determine the set point for TCR responsiveness.
Krüppel-like Factor 7 engineered for transcriptional activation promotes axon regeneration in the adult corticospinal tract
Authors: Blackmore Murray G. , Wang Zimei , Lerch Jessica K. , Motti Dario , Zhang Yi Ping , Shields Christopher B. , Lee Jae K. , Goldberg Jeffrey L. , Lemmon Vance P. , Bixby John L.
Published: April 2012

Axon regeneration in the central nervous system normally fails, in part because of a developmental decline in the intrinsic ability of CNS projection neurons to extend axons. Members of the KLF family of transcription factors regulate regenerative potential in developing CNS neurons. Expression of one family member, KLF7, is down-regulated developmentally, and overexpression of KLF7 in cortical neurons in vitro promotes axonal growth. To circumvent difficulties in achieving high neuronal expression of exogenous KLF7, we created a chimera with the VP16 transactivation domain, which displayed enhanced neuronal expression compared with the native protein while maintaining transcriptional activation and growth promotion in vitro. Overexpression of VP16-KLF7 overcame the developmental loss of regenerative ability in cortical slice cultures. Adult corticospinal tract (CST) neurons failed to up-regulate KLF7 in response to axon injury, and overexpression of VP16-KLF7 in vivo promoted both sprouting and regenerative axon growth in the CST of adult mice. These findings identify a unique means of promoting CST axon regeneration in vivo by reengineering a developmentally down-regulated, growth-promoting transcription factor.
Overspill avalanching in a dense reservoir network
Authors: Mamede George L. , Araújo Nuno A. M. , Schneider Christian M. , de Araújo José Carlos , Herrmann Hans J.
Published: April 2012

Sustainability of communities, agriculture, and industry is strongly dependent on an effective storage and supply of water resources. In some regions the economic growth has led to a level of water demand that can only be accomplished through efficient reservoir networks. Such infrastructures are not always planned at larger scale but rather made by farmers according to their local needs of irrigation during droughts. Based on extensive data from the upper Jaguaribe basin, one of the world’s largest system of reservoirs, located in the Brazilian semiarid northeast, we reveal that surprisingly it self-organizes into a scale-free network exhibiting also a power-law in the distribution of the lakes and avalanches of discharges. With a new self-organized-criticality-type model we manage to explain the novel critical exponents. Implementing a flow model we are able to reproduce the measured overspill evolution providing a tool for catastrophe mitigation and future planning.
HIV-1 incorporation of host-cell–derived glycosphingolipid GM3 allows for capture by mature dendritic cells
Authors: Puryear Wendy Blay , Yu Xinwei , Ramirez Nora P. , Reinhard Björn M. , Gummuluru Suryaram
Published: April 2012

The interaction between HIV and dendritic cells (DCs) is an important early event in HIV-1 pathogenesis that leads to efficient viral dissemination. Here we demonstrate a HIV gp120-independent DC capture mechanism that uses virion-incorporated host-derived gangliosides with terminal α2–3-linked sialic acid linkages. Using exogenously enriched virus and artificial liposome particles, we demonstrate that both α2–3 gangliosides GM1 and GM3 are capable of mediating this interaction when present in the particle at high levels. In the absence of overexpression, GM3 is the primary ligand responsible for this capture mechanism, because siRNA depletion of GM3 but not GM1 from the producer cell and hence virions, resulted in a dramatic decrease in DC capture. Furthermore, HIV-1 capture by DCs was competitively inhibited by targeting virion-associated GM3, but was unchanged by targeting GM1. Finally, virions were derived from monocytoid THP-1 cells that constitutively display low levels of GM1 and GM3, or from THP-1 cells induced to express high surface levels of GM1 and GM3 upon stimulation with the TLR2/1 ligand Pam3CSK4. Compared with untreated THP-1 cells, virus produced from Pam3CSK4-stimulated THP-1 cells incorporated higher levels of GM3, but not GM1, and showed enhanced DC capture andtrans-infection. Our results identify a unique HIV-1 DC attachment mechanism that is dependent on a host-cell–derived ligand, GM3, and is a unique example of pathogen mimicry of host-cell recognition pathways that drive virus capture and dissemination in vivo.
Structural basis of human DNA polymerase η-mediated chemoresistance to cisplatin
Authors: Zhao Ye , Biertümpfel Christian , Gregory Mark T. , Hua Yue-Jin , Hanaoka Fumio , Yang Wei
Published: April 2012

Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum) and related compounds cause DNA damage and are widely used as anticancer agents. Chemoresistance to cisplatin treatment is due in part to translesion synthesis by human DNA polymerase η (hPol η). Here, we report crystal structures of hPol η complexed with intrastrand cisplatin-1,2–cross-linked DNA, representing four consecutive steps in translesion synthesis. In contrast to the generally enlarged and nondiscriminating active site of Y-family polymerases like Dpo4, Pol η is specialized for efficient bypass of UV–cross-linked pyrimidine dimers. Human Pol η differs from the yeast homolog in its binding of DNA template. To incorporate deoxycytidine opposite cisplatin–cross-linked guanines, hPol η undergoes a specific backbone rearrangement to accommodate the larger base dimer and minimizes the DNA distortion around the lesion. Our structural analyses show why Pol η is inefficient at extending primers after cisplatin lesions, which necessitates a second translesion DNA polymerase to complete bypass in vivo. A hydrophobic pocket near the primer-binding site in human Pol η is identified as a potential drug target for inhibiting translesion synthesis and, thereby, reducing chemoresistance.
Anxiety in liver X receptor β knockout female mice with loss of glutamic acid decarboxylase in ventromedial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Tan Xin-jie , Dai Yu-bing , Wu Wan-fu , Warner Margaret , Gustafsson Jan-Åke
Published: April 2012

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental disorders in adolescents in the United States. Female adolescents are more likely than males to be affected with anxiety disorders, but less likely to have behavioral and substance abuse disorders. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), amygdala, and dorsal raphe are known to be involved in anxiety disorders. Inhibitory input from the PFC to the amygdala controls fear and anxiety typically originating in the amygdala, and disruption of the inhibitory input from the PFC leads to anxiety, fear, and personality changes. Recent studies have implicated liver X receptor β (LXRβ) in key neurodevelopmental processes and neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we used elevated plus-maze, startle and prepulse inhibition, open field, and novel object recognition tests to evaluate behavior in female LXRβ KO (LXRβ
−/−
) mice. We found that the female LXRβ
−/−
mice were anxious with impaired behavioral responses but normal locomotion and memory. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed decreased expression of the enzyme responsible for GABA synthesis, glutamic acid decarboxylase (65+67), in the ventromedial PFC. Expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 in the dorsal raphe was normal. We conclude that the anxiogenic phenotype in female LXRβ
−/−
mice is caused by reduced GABAergic input from the ventromedial PFC to the amygdala.
Introduction: Italy and the emotions
Authors: Morris Penelope , Ricatti Francesco , Seymour Mark
Published: April 2012

Characterised as the country of gestural expressiveness and animated verbal exchanges, of Latin lovers and of operatic excess, Italy has long been seen as a domain of emotional intensity. However, this association between Italy and the emotions has tended to remain a matter for popular imagination and stereotypical representations, and it is only recently that the question of emotions has started to become a focus for scholarly investigation. This special issue has its origins in the Association for the Study of Modern Italy's 2009 annual conference,Italy and the Emotions: Perspectives from the Eighteenth Century to the Present, organised by the editors. The conference offered the first opportunity to bring together scholars of Italy working in a wide range of disciplines in order to hear from the pioneers of such research and to exchange ideas on the new insights and new lines of research being opened up by a focus on emotions. There is considerable interest in this emerging field of study in Italy, as the response to the conference demonstrated, but other than the widely known work of scholars such as Alberto Mario Banti, Luisa Passerini and Alessandro Portelli (discussed briefly below), little else has been published so far. With this issue we hope both to showcase some of the work that is being done, and to provide an impetus for further research.
Artemis C-terminal region facilitates V(D)J recombination through its interactions with DNA Ligase IV and DNA-PKcs
Authors: Malu Shruti , De Ioannes Pablo , Kozlov Mikhail , Greene Marsha , Francis Dailia , Hanna Mary , Pena Jesse , Escalante Carlos R. , Kurosawa Aya , Erdjument-Bromage Hediye , Tempst Paul , Adachi Noritaka , Vezzoni Paolo , Villa Anna , Aggarwal Aneel K. , Cortes Patricia
Published: April 2012

Artemis is an endonuclease that opens coding hairpin ends during V(D)J recombination and has critical roles in postirradiation cell survival. A direct role for the C-terminal region of Artemis in V(D)J recombination has not been defined, despite the presence of immunodeficiency and lymphoma development in patients with deletions in this region. Here, we report that the Artemis C-terminal region directly interacts with the DNA-binding domain of Ligase IV, a DNA Ligase which plays essential roles in DNA repair and V(D)J recombination. The Artemis–Ligase IV interaction is specific and occurs independently of the presence of DNA and DNA–protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), another protein known to interact with the Artemis C-terminal region. Point mutations in Artemis that disrupt its interaction with Ligase IV or DNA-PKcs reduce V(D)J recombination, and Artemis mutations that affect interactions with Ligase IV and DNA-PKcs show additive detrimental effects on coding joint formation. Signal joint formation remains unaffected. Our data reveal that the C-terminal region of Artemis influences V(D)J recombination through its interaction with both Ligase IV and DNA-PKcs.
Direct demonstration of CD4 T cell cooperation in the primary
in vivo
generation of CD4 effector T cells
Authors: Kroeger David R. , Rudulier Christopher D. , Peters Nathan C. , Bretscher Peter A.
Published: April 2012

Many observations bear upon the cellular and molecular requirements for CD4 T cell activation. The interaction of CD4 T cells with dendritic cells (DC), central to the induction of most immune responses, is the most studied. However, leukocytes other than DC can dramatically affect the induction and differentiation of CD4 T cells into effector cells. We recently provided indirect evidence that in vivo CD4 T cooperation facilitates the activation of CD4 T cells. Here, we demonstrate that the activation of CD4 T cells, specific for the hen egg lysozyme (HEL) 105–120 peptide, is optimally achieved when BALB/c mice are immunized with additional MHC class II-binding HEL peptides in incomplete Freund’s adjuvant. This cooperation cannot be mimicked by the coadministration of LPS or of an agonistic antibody to CD40, at the time of immunization. In contrast, OX40–OX40L interactions are necessary for CD4 T cell cooperation in that an OX40 agonistic antibody can replace, and an OX40L-blocking antibody can abrogate, CD4 T cell cooperation in situations where such cooperation would otherwise enhance the activation of CD4 T cells.
Apply Woods Model in the Predictions of Ambient Air Particles and Metallic Elements (Mn, Fe, Zn, Cr, and Cu) at Industrial, Suburban/Coastal, and Residential Sampling Sites
Authors: Fang Guor-Cheng , Huang Ci-Song
Published: April 2012

The main purpose for this study was to monitor ambient air particles and metallic elements (Mn, Fe, Zn, Cr, and Cu) in total suspended particulates (TSPs) concentration, dry deposition at three characteristic sampling sites of central Taiwan. Additionally, the calculated/measured dry deposition flux ratios of ambient air particles and metallic elements were calculated with Woods models at these three characteristic sampling sites during years of 2009-2010. As for ambient air particles, the results indicated that the Woods model generated the most accurate dry deposition prediction results when particle size was 18 μm in this study. The results also indicated that the Woods model exhibited better dry deposition prediction performance when the particle size was greater than 10 μm for the ambient air metallic elements in this study. Finally, as for Quan-xing sampling site, the main sources were many industrial factories under process around these regions and were severely polluted areas. In addition, the highest average dry deposition for Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu species occurred at Bei-shi sampling site, and the main sources were the nearby science park, fossil fuel combustion, and Taichung thermal power plant (TTPP). Additionally, as for He-mei sampling site, the main sources were subjected to traffic mobile emissions.
Sc0.43(2)Rb2Mo15S19, a partially Sc-filled variant of Rb2Mo15S19
Authors: Gougeon Patrick , Al Rahal Al Orabi Rabih , Gautier Régis , Potel Michel
Published: April 2012

The structure of scandium dirubidium pentadecamolybdenum nonadecasulfide, Sc0.43 (2)Rb2Mo15S19, constitutes a partially Sc-filled variant of Rb2Mo15S19[Picard, Saillard, Gougeon, Noel & Potel (2000),J. Solid State Chem.155, 417–426]. In the two compounds, which both crystallize in theR\overline{3}cspace group, the structural motif is characterized by a mixture of Mo6Si8Sa6and Mo9Si11Sa6cluster units (`i' is inner and `a' is apical) in a 1:1 ratio. The two components are interconnected through interunit Mo—S bonds. The cluster units are centred at Wyckoff positions 6band 6a(point-group symmetries \overline{3}. and 32, respectively). The Rb+cations occupy large voids between the different cluster units. The Rb and the two inner S atoms lie on sites with 3. symmetry (Wyckoff site 12c), and the Mo and S atoms of the median plane of the Mo9S11S6cluster unit lie on sites with .2 symmetry (Wyckoff site 18e). A unique feature of the structure is a partially filled octahedral Sc site with \overline{1} symmetry. Extended Hückel tight-binding calculations provide an understanding of the variation in the Mo—Mo distances within the Mo clusters induced by the increase in the cationic charge transfer due to the insertion of Sc.
Detection and molecular characterization of adenoviruses in Korean children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis
Authors: Lee Jae In , Lee Gyu‐Cheol , Chung Ju Young , Han Tae Hee , Lee Young Ki , Kim Moo Sang , Lee Chan Hee
Published: April 2012

Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are an important cause of acute gastroenteritis in children. However, few studies on the epidemiology or types of HAdVs associated with acute gastroenteritis have been conducted in Korea. Therefore, in the present study, the incidence of HAdV in 2064 stool samples from Korean children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis (2004–2006) was assessed and the types of viruses present determined. Polymerase chain reaction, sequencing, and phylogenic analyses revealed that 113 samples (5.5%) were HAdV‐positive. While HAdVs were mainly detected during July to October, no seasonal difference between the enteric and non‐enteric viruses in the incidence of HAdV was observed. HAdV‐41 and HAdV‐40 were found in 54 (47.8%) and 3 (2.6%) HAdV‐positive samples, respectively. HAdV‐3, HAdV‐7, HAdV‐2, HAdV‐31, HAdV‐4, and HAdV‐37 were detected in 11 (9.7%), 5 (4.4%), 2 (1.7%), 2 (1.7%), 1 (0.8%), and 1 (0.8%) of sample(s), respectively. Thus, not only enteric, but also non‐enteric, HAdVs may play an important role in acute gastroenteritis in Korean children.
Villin 1 is a predictive factor for the recurrence of high serum alpha‐fetoprotein‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy
Authors: Xieraili Maimaiti , Yasen Mahmut , Mogushi Kaoru , Obulhasim Gulanbar , Mayinuer Abudureheman , Aihara Arihiro , Tanaka Shinji , Mizushima Hiroshi , Tanaka Hiroshi , Arii Shigeki
Published: April 2012

The prognostic assessment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after resection is an important clinical issue. The present study investigated those genes associated with high serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP), and their clinical significance, including prognosis and recurrence after hepatectomy. Based on gene expression analysis of 110 training HCC cases, 20 genes whose mRNA expression levels were significantly upregulated and 50 genes that were downregulated correlated with high serum AFP‐associated HCC patients. Gene expression profiles of Villin1 (Vil1) were obtained in high serum AFP‐associated HCC tumor tissues. In the present analysis, only VIL1 was significantly correlated with the recurrence of HCC. The results were validated independently using Taqman gene expression assays and immunostaining analysis. Results showed that the upregulation of VIL1 mRNA was also correlated with high serum PIVKAII, vascular invasion (P < 0.05), poor differentiation, an advanced cancer stage (P < 0.01) and recurrence‐free survival (P = 0.017). The upregulation of VIL1 mRNA was observed more frequently in the early recurrence patients as compared to the late recurrence patients. Cox regression univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that high serum AFP levels (overall survival, HR 1.675, P = 0.002; FRS, HR 1.359, P = 0.039) and Vil1 protein expression (overall survival, HR 0.253, P = 0.009; FRS, HR 0.401, P = 0.041) were independent, unfavorable prognostic factors for overall and recurrence‐free survival of patients. We demonstrated that the VIL1 gene is a potential candidate molecular marker for high serum AFP‐associated HCC and a predictive candidate for the postoperative recurrence and poorer prognosis of HCC. (Cancer Sci, doi: 10.1111/j.1349‐7006.2012.02315.x, 2012)
England's legislation on smoking in indoor public places and work‐places: impact on the most exposed children
Authors: Sims Michelle , Bauld Linda , Gilmore Anna
Published: April 2012

Aims

To examine whether English legislation to make virtually all indoor public places and work‐places smoke‐free on 1 July 2007 displaced smoking into the home and hence increased the proportion of children exposed to levels of second‐hand smoke known to be detrimental to health.

Design

Repeated cross‐sectional study with data from 10 annual surveys undertaken from 1996 to 2008.

Setting

England.

Participants

Nationally representative samples of non‐smoking children aged 4–15 years old living in private households.

Measurements

Salivary cotinine, parental smoking status, whether smoking is allowed within the house, socio‐demographic variables.

Findings

The proportion of children exposed to damaging levels of second‐hand smoke (defined as those with cotinine levels >1.7 ng/ml) has fallen over time, from 23.5% in 1996 to 12.6% in 2008. The legislation was not associated with further changes in the proportion of children above this threshold—the odds of having cotinine >1.7 ng/ml did not change after adjustment for the pre‐legislative trend and confounders (odds ratio: 1.0, 95% confidence interval: 0.78, 1.4). Non‐significant associations were also found when examining children by parental or household smoking status.

Conclusions

Legislation to prohibit smoking in indoor public places and work‐places does not increase the proportion of children exposed to damaging levels of second‐hand smoke. Even in a country with a strong tobacco control climate, a significant proportion of children remain highly exposed to second‐hand smoke and future policies need to include interventions to reduce exposure among these children.
The sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score is an effective triage marker following staggered paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose
Authors: Craig D. G. , Zafar S. , Reid T. W. D. J. , Martin K. G. , Davidson J. S. , Hayes P. C. , Simpson K. J.
Published: April 2012

Background

The sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score is an effective triage marker following single time point paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose, but has not been evaluated following staggered (multiple supratherapeutic doses over >8 h, resulting in cumulative dose of >4 g/day) overdoses.

Aim

To evaluate the prognostic accuracy of the SOFA score following staggered paracetamol overdose.

Methods

Time‐course analysis of 50 staggered paracetamol overdoses admitted to a tertiary liver centre. Individual timed laboratory samples were correlated with corresponding clinical parameters and the daily SOFA scores were calculated.

Results

A total of 39/50 (78%) patients developed hepatic encephalopathy. The area under the SOFA receiver operator characteristic for death/liver transplantation was 87.4 (95% CI 73.2–95.7), 94.3 (95% CI 82.5–99.1), and 98.4 (95% CI 84.3–100.0) at 0, 24 and 48 h, respectively, postadmission. A SOFA score of <6 at tertiary care admission predicted survival with a sensitivity of 100.0% (95% CI 76.8–100.0) and specificity of 58.3% (95% CI 40.8–74.5), compared with 85.7% (95% CI 60.6–97.4) and 75.0% (95% CI 65.2–79.5) , respectively, for the modified Kings College criteria. Only 2/21 patients with an admission SOFA score <6 required renal replacement therapy or intracerebral pressure monitoring. SOFA significantly outperformed the Model for End‐stage Liver Disease, but not APACHE II, at 0, 24‐and 48‐h following admission.

Conclusions

A SOFA score <6 at tertiary care admission following a staggered paracetamol overdose,is associated with a good prognosis. Both the SOFA and APACHE II scores could improve triage of high‐risk staggered paracetamol overdose patients.
Genetic study on developmental dysplasia of the hip
Authors: Shi Dongquan , Dai Jin , Ikegawa Shiro , Jiang Qing
Published: April 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (10): 1121–1125

Background  Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a developmental disorder of the hip joint that results in an abnormal socket of the femoral head, ranging from instability, subluxation and complete dislocation of the hip joint. DDH has a considerable genetic component.

Design  We reviewed the recent progress on genetic study of DDH.

Results  By linkage and case–control association studies, DDH loci have been identified with several susceptibility genes that involve in bone and joint biology; however, no unequivocal genes with global significance have been detected. The current problem of the association study in DDH is discussed.

Conclusions  By advanced technologies and international collaboration, we need to find more susceptibility genes and bridge the gap between genetic evidence and molecular mechanisms.
Management of bleeding disorders in children
Authors: BERNTORP E. , HALIMEH S. , GRINGERI A. , MATHIAS M. , ESCURIOLA C. , PÉREZ R.
Published: April 2012

Summary.  Haemophilia, if not properly managed, can lead to chronic disease and lifelong disabilities. The challenges and issues in infants/young children are different from those in older children and adults although episodes of bleeding still predominate as the diagnostic trigger. Awareness of clinical manifestations and treatment complications are crucial in instituting appropriate management and implementing preventive strategies. Currently, inhibitor development is a challenging complication of paediatric haemophilia and prophylaxis is emerging as the optimal preventive care strategy. In this section we will review some important aspects of haemophilia in children including early prophylaxis, current evidence relating to inhibitor development, including the aims of the SIPPET study which is already ongoing and involves boys <6 years, and the potential of immune tolerance therapy for eradicating the inhibitor and permitting a resumption of standard dosing schedules.
Oral transmission as a route of infection for viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)
Authors: Schönherz A A , Hansen M H H , Jørgensen H B H , Berg P , Lorenzen N , Einer‐Jensen K
Published: April 2012

Surveys among wild marine fish have revealed occurrence of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) infections in a high number of diverse fish species. In marine aquaculture of rainbow trout, preying on invading wild fish might thus be a risk factor for introduction and adaptation of VHSV and subsequent disease outbreaks. Our objective was to determine whether an oral transmission route for VHSV in rainbow trout exists. Juvenile trout were infected through oral, waterborne and cohabitation transmission routes, using a recombinant virus strain harbouring Renilla luciferase as reporter gene. Viral replication in stomach and kidney tissue was detected through bioluminescence activity of luciferase and qRT‐PCR. Replication was detected in both tissues, irrespective of transmission route. Replication patterns, however, differed among transmission routes. In trout infected through oral transmission, replication was detected in the stomach prior to kidney tissue. In trout infected through waterborne or cohabitation transmission, replication was detected in kidney prior to stomach or in both tissues simultaneously. We demonstrate the existence of an oral transmission route for VHSV in rainbow trout. This implies that preying on invading infected wild fish is a risk factor for introduction of VHSV into marine cultures of rainbow trout.
Development and validation of a range of endogenous controls to support the implementation of practical Taqman real‐time PCR‐based surveillance for fish diseases within aquaculture
Authors: Bland F , McIntosh R , Bain N , Snow M
Published: April 2012

The use of Taqman real‐time PCR‐based technology has recently become more frequent in the detection of pathogens in the aquaculture industry. This interest has necessitated the development of robust and reliable pathogen‐detection assays. The development of a range of endogenous control assays to be run alongside these diagnostic assays works to further increase confidence in the latter. This study describes the design of a range of endogenous control assays based on the elongation factor 1‐α (EF1‐α) gene specific to a range of fish species including Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar; rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss; brown trout, Salmo trutta; cod, Gadus morhua; haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus; saithe, Pollachius virens; whiting, Merlangius merlangus; Norway pout, Trisopterus esmarkii; carp (family Cyprinidae), roach, Rutilus rutilus; European eel, Anguilla anguilla; and herring, Clupea harengus, as well as a number of fish cell lines. Evidence is provided of the validation of these assays for specific species, a range of tissue types and cell lines as well as an example of the potential uses of these assays.
Plasma procalcitonin and the risk of cardiovascular events and death: a prospective population‐based study
Authors: Schiopu A. , Hedblad B. , Engström G. , Struck J. , Morgenthaler N. G. , Melander O.
Published: April 2012

Abstract.  Schiopu A, Hedblad B, Engström G, Struck J, Morgenthaler NG, Melander O (Lund University, Skåne University Hospital Malmö, Malmö, Sweden; BRAHMS GmbH/Thermo Fisher Scientific, Hennigsdorf, Germany). Plasma procalcitonin and the risk of cardiovascular events and death: a prospective population‐based study. J Intern Med 2012; 272: 484–491.

Objectives:  A number of inflammatory biomarkers such as C‐reactive protein (CRP) are independent predictors of cardiovascular risk. The inflammatory biomarker procalcitonin (PCT) has previously been shown to be associated with coronary atherosclerosis and the metabolic syndrome. We evaluated the ability of PCT to predict future cardiovascular events in a population of apparently healthy individuals.

Design:  We measured plasma PCT levels in 3713 subjects with no previous history of cardiovascular disease, randomly selected from the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort. The correlation between PCT concentration and the incidence of coronary events, stroke and cardiovascular death over a median follow‐up period of 13.7 years was studied using a Cox regression analysis corrected for age, sex, CRP level, traditional risk factors and renal function.

Results:  Age and sex were strong determinants of PCT; the concentration of PCT was significantly higher in men than in women. PCT was associated with several of the established cardiovascular risk factors (CRP, hypertension, diabetes and renal function) as determined by multivariate linear regression. Of note, PCT was inversely correlated with HDL and smoking. We found significant correlations between PCT levels, coronary events and cardiovascular death. However, these relationships lost statistical significance when the analysis was corrected for CRP and the traditional risk factors.

Conclusions:  This is the largest population‐based prospective study to demonstrate a positive association between plasma PCT levels and cardiovascular risk in subjects with no previous history of acute cardiovascular events. However, the high degree of covariation between PCT and other cardiovascular risk factors limits the value of PCT as an independent cardiovascular risk predictor.
Identification of differential resistance to six Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae isolates in commercial onion cultivars through the development of a rapid seedling assay
Authors: Taylor A. , Vagany V. , Barbara D. J. , Thomas B. , Pink D. A. C. , Jones J. E. , Clarkson J. P.
Published: April 2012

Fusarium oxysporum isolates collected from onions in the UK and other countries were characterized using sequences of the transfer elongation factor 1‐α (TEF) gene and compared with published sequence data for 10 other isolates. Isolates associated with diseased onion bulbs in the UK formed two clades. Isolates from both clades were selected for pathogenicity testing and to develop a rapid seedling assay to screen commercial onion cultivars for resistance to F. oxysporum f. sp. cepae (FOC), the cause of basal rot. Differences in the levels of aggressiveness between isolates were observed and isolates from both clades were pathogenic. Differences in resistance/susceptibility were also observed amongst 10 commercial onion cultivars, with cvs Ailsa Craig Prizewinner and White Lisbon showing the highest levels of resistance. The results from the seedling assay were supported by those from a subsequent onion bulb rot assay. Thus, this study reports the development of a rapid, simple and repeatable seedling assay that can be used to screen large numbers of onion cultivars for resistance to FOC and which is indicative of resistance at the bulb stage.