bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual attention during neonatal imitation in newborn macaque monkeys
Authors: Simpson Elizabeth A. , Paukner Annika , Suomi Stephen J. , Ferrari Pier F.
Published: June 2013

Previous studies suggest that about 50% of rhesus macaque infants engage in neonatal imitation of facial gestures. Here we measured whether individual differences in newborn macaques' (n = 49) visual attention may explain why some infants imitate lipsmacking (LPS) and tongue protrusion (TP) gestures. LPS imitators, but not TP imitators, looked more to a human experimenter's face and to a control stimulus compared to nonimitators (p = .017). LPS imitation was equally accurate when infants were looking at faces and when they were looking away (p = .221); TP imitation was more accurate when infants were looking at faces (p = .001). Potentially, less attention is necessary for LPS imitation compared to TP imitation, as LPS is part of macaques' natural communicative repertoire. These findings suggest that facial gestures may differentially engage imitators and nonimitators, and infants' visual attention during neonatal assessments may uncover the conditions that support this skill. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 56: 864–870, 2014.
Subcutaneous cholera toxin exposure induces potent CD103+ dermal dendritic cell activation and migration
Authors: Apte Simon H. , Redmond Andrew M. , Groves Penny L. , Schussek Sophie , Pattinson David J. , Doolan Denise L.
Published: June 2013

CD103+ dermal dendritic cells (dDCs) are a recently described DC subset of the skin shown to be the principal migratory DCs capable of efficiently cross‐presenting antigens and activating CD8+ T cells. Harnessing their activity would promote vaccine efficacy, but it has been unclear how this can be achieved. We tested a panel of adjuvants for their ability to affect dDCs. In comparison to the other adjuvants tested, the capacity of cholera toxin (CT) to induce the migration of dDCs was unique. Within 24 h of CT injection, large numbers of highly activated dDCs (including CD103+ dDCs) migrated to the draining lymph nodes and cross‐presented coinjected antigens, potently activating naïve CD8+ T cells. Peptide vaccines adjuvanted with CT induced T‐cell responses uniquely characterized by dynamic cytokine responses including the production of IL‐2, and such vaccines were protective in situations reliant on CD8+ T‐cell responses, including liver‐stage Plasmodium challenge, or tumor challenge. This study is the first to examine the effects of adjuvants on CD103+ dDCs and identifies CT as a prototypical adjuvant for the activation of CD103+ dDCs, opening the way to development of vaccines and adjuvants that specifically target dDCs and generate effective CD8+ T‐cell responses.
Catalytic Transesterifications by a Zn–BisSalen MOF Containing Open Pyridyl Groups Inside 1D Channels
Authors: Kim Wan‐Seok , Lee Kyung Yeon , Ryu Eui‐Hyun , Gu Ja‐Min , Kim Youngmee , Lee Suk Joong , Huh Seong
Published: June 2013

The new ligand N,N′,N″,N″′‐tetrakis[3‐tert‐butyl‐5‐(4‐pyridinyl)salicylidene]‐1,2,4,5‐benzenetetraamine (bisSalen) containing four pyridyl groups in its periphery was prepared and subsequently used as an organic linker for a Zn–bisSalen MOF. A 2D undulated sheet structure was determined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The bisSalen ligands bridge two ZnII ions, and one of the pyridyl groups on each side of the bisSalen ligand further coordinates to a bisSalen‐coordinated ZnII ion to provide a 2D sheet structure. The undulated 2D sheets are stacked closely together to form a 3D‐like structure containing well‐defined 1D channels, the orientation of which is perpendicular to the 2D sheets. The geometry of the bisSalen in the MOF is not planar. The remaining uncoordinated pyridyl groups point toward the 1D channels. Because of these openly accessible pyridyl groups in the channels, the Zn–bisSalen MOF is a very active catalyst for transesterifications.
Tetrakis(2‐cyanoethoxy)borate – An Alternative to Tetracyanidoborate‐Based Ionic Liquids
Authors: Harloff Jörg , Karsch Markus , Lund Henrik , Schulz Axel , Villinger Alexander
Published: June 2013

This study examines the synthesis and properties of salts of the new tetrahedral [B(O–C2H4–CN)4]– anion, which can be synthesized by the reaction of tetrahedral NaBH4 and HO–C2H4–CN followed by salt metathesis. The structures of M[B(O–C2H4–CN)4] [M = Na, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium (EMIm), 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium (BMIm), 1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium (OMIm), Me4N, Et4N, and Bu4N] as well as the thermal decomposition products are discussed.
Intramolecular Bromoamination of Conjugated N‐Tosylaminodienes Using N‐Bromosuccinimide. Synthesis of Bromoallyl‐Substituted N‐Heterocycles and Their Applications as Building Blocks
Authors: Márquez‐Segovia Isabel , Baeza Alejandro , Otero Antonio , Nájera Carmen
Published: June 2013

The bromonium‐promoted cyclization of conjugated aminodienes is described. The reaction proceeds smoothly in the presence of N‐bromosuccinimide as halonium promoter, and using N‐tosyl‐protected aminodienes as substrates, to give the corresponding halocyclization products in high yields and with high diastereoselectivities. It can be envisaged that the formation of these products is the result of an SN2′‐type ring‐opening of a terminal bromonium intermediate in a 5‐exo‐trig or 6‐exo‐trig cyclization mode. The presence of an allyl bromide moiety in the haloamination products makes these molecules highly attractive from a synthetic point of view, as it opens the way for further transformations. Thus, allylic substitution reactions with different nucleophiles (acetate, azide, cyanide, and malonate), palladium‐catalysed Suzuki coupling, and silver‐mediated bromine displacement reactions were carried out successfully.
Iron‐Mediated Decarboxylative Trifluoromethylation of α,β‐Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids with Trifluoromethanesulfinate
Authors: Patra Tuhin , Deb Arghya , Manna Srimanta , Sharma Upendra , Maiti Debabrata
Published: June 2013

A sustainable FeCl3‐mediated method has been developed for the decarboxylative trifluoromethylation of α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids by using NaSO2CF3 as an economic and stable CF3 source. The reaction proceeds under mild condition and tolerates various functional groups. Advantageously, this method does not require an inert atmosphere and proceeds well in air at ambient temperature.
Palladium(0)‐Catalyzed Cross‐Couplings of 2‐Bromophosphinine
Authors: Kostenko Nataliya , Ericsson Cecilia , Engqvist Magnus , Gonzalez Susana Villa , Bayer Annette
Published: June 2013

A new Negishi‐type cross‐coupling of 2‐bromophosphinine has been developed. The new method expands the scope of palladium‐catalyzed couplings to monobromophosphinines, which have been considered as poor substrates so far. Moreover, aryl‐, alkenyl‐, and alkynylzinc bromides were found to be effective coupling partners.
Electroanalysis of Caffeic Acid in Red Wine and Investigation of Thermodynamic Parameters Using an Ag Nanoparticles Modified Poly(Thiophene) Film Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Karabiberoğlu Şükriye Ulubay , Ayan Ebru Mavioglu , Dursun Zekerya
Published: June 2013

A silver nanoparticle decorated poly(thiophene) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was prepared for determination of caffeic acid. The Ag/PTh/GCE surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The modified electrode has shown higher electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of caffeic acid. The peak current of was found linear in the concentration range from 1.00×10−8 to 4.83×10−6 M with a detection limit of 5.3×10−9 M (S/N=3). The modified electrode was used for determination of CA concentration in red wine samples. The thermodynamic constants, entropy change (ΔS), enthalpy change (ΔH) and Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) were calculated as −166.34 J/(mol K), −154.24 kJ/mol and −104.75 kJ/mol at 25 °C, respectively.
Evaluation of a Compact Differential Cell for Secondary pH Measurements by a Bilateral Interlaboratory Comparison
Authors: Gonzaga Fabiano Barbieri , Dias Júlio Cesar , Jehnert Diana , Werner Barbara , Schräpler Karin , Vyskočil Leoš
Published: June 2013

This work presents a new differential potentiometric cell for the standardization of pH buffer solutions and its evaluation, by means of a bilateral interlaboratory comparison, in relation to a traditional Baucke cell. The results obtained with the two cells were exactly the same for three of the pH buffer solutions analyzed (1.68, 4.01, and 6.86) and similar to each other for the remaining buffer solution (9.18). The new cell showed an average measurement time of only 21 minutes, in comparison with one to three hours for other cells described in the literature (including the Baucke cell).
Seismic reliability assessment of classical columns subjected to near‐fault ground motions
Authors: Psycharis Ioannis N. , Fragiadakis Michalis , Stefanou Ioannis
Published: June 2013

A methodology for the performance‐based seismic risk assessment of classical columns is presented. Despite their apparent instability, classical columns are, in general, earthquake resistant, as proven from the fact that many classical monuments have survived many strong earthquakes over the centuries. Nevertheless, the quantitative assessment of their reliability and the understanding of their dynamic behavior are not easy, because of the fundamental nonlinear character and the sensitivity of their response. In this paper, a seismic risk assessment is performed for a multidrum column using Monte Carlo simulation with synthetic ground motions. The ground motions adopted contain a high‐ and low‐frequency component, combining the stochastic method, and a simple analytical pulse model to simulate the directivity pulse contained in near source ground motions. The deterministic model for the numerical analysis of the system is three‐dimensional and is based on the Discrete Element Method. Fragility curves are produced conditional on magnitude and distance from the fault and also on scalar intensity measures for two engineering demand parameters, one concerning the intensity of the response during the ground shaking and the other the residual deformation of the column. Three performance levels are assigned to each engineering demand parameter. Fragility analysis demonstrated some of the salient features of these spinal systems under near‐fault seismic excitations, as for example, their decreased vulnerability for very strong earthquakes of magnitude 7 or larger. The analysis provides useful results regarding the seismic reliability of classical monuments and decision making during restoration process. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of Experimental Conditions on Reliability of Carbon Tolerance Studies on Ni/YSZ SOFC Anodes Operated with Methane
Authors: Singh A. , Islam S. , Buccheri M. A. , Hill J. M.
Published: June 2013

The effect of experimental parameters on carbon accumulation in the Ni/YSZ anode of SOFC operated at 1,073 K with CH4, has been described in this paper. Experimental parameters including sealing of the cell to the cell holder, operating current, surface coverage by current collector paste on the surface of the anode, and the configuration of the current collector were evaluated in terms of carbon accumulation at the Ni/YSZ anode. The carbon accumulation was quantified using temperature‐programmed oxidation and cells were examined using scanning electron microscopy. The results suggested that variations in any of these experimental parameters could significantly increase or decrease the amount of carbon accumulation on Ni/YSZ anodes, and hence, the reliability of the carbon tolerance studies. In particular, the higher the air leakage rate, the less carbon that accumulated on equivalent anodes. The extent of surface coverage by current collector paste and the configuration of current collector also impacted the amount of carbon accumulation. Less carbon accumulated directly below and near the areas of current collector paste than on the anode areas directly exposed to CH4 and far from the current collector paste. Additionally, variations in the fuel humidity and current levels also significantly influenced the carbon accumulation.
Turbulent mixing and hydraulic control of abyssal water in the Samoan Passage
Authors: Alford Matthew H. , Girton James B. , Voet Gunnar , Carter Glenn S. , Mickett John B. , Klymak Jody M.
Published: June 2013

We report the first direct turbulence observations in the Samoan Passage (SP), a 40 km wide notch in the South Pacific bathymetry through which flows most of the water supplying the North Pacific abyssal circulation. The observed turbulence is 1000 to 10,000 times typical abyssal levels —strong enough to completely mix away the densest water entering the passage—confirming inferences from previous coarser temperature and salinity sections. Accompanying towed measurements of velocity and temperature with horizontal resolution of about 250 m indicate the dominant processes responsible for the turbulence. Specifically, the flow accelerates substantially at the primary sill within the passage, reaching speeds as great as 0.55 m s−1. A strong hydraulic response is seen, with layers first rising to clear the sill and then plunging hundreds of meters downward. Turbulence results from high shear at the interface above the densest fluid as it descends and from hydraulic jumps that form downstream of the sill. In addition to the primary sill, other locations along the multiple interconnected channels through the Samoan Passage also have an effect on the mixing of the dense water. In fact, quite different hydraulic responses and turbulence levels are observed at seafloor features separated laterally by a few kilometers, suggesting that abyssal mixing depends sensitively on bathymetric details on small scales.
Zonal phase propagation of ENSO sea surface temperature anomalies: Revisited
Authors: Boucharel Julien , Timmermann Axel , Jin Fei‐Fei
Published: June 2013

Previous studies have identified a reversal in the phase propagation characteristics (from westward to eastward propagation) of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) during the 1976 climate shift. These studies relied on the assumption of a stationary seasonal cycle in Sea Surface Temperature (SST), ignoring the possible effect of ENSO and decadal variability on the seasonal cycle strength. Here we demonstrate using complex empirical orthogonal functions combined with Radon transform methods that mutidecadal amplitude modulations of the seasonal cycle, the semiannual cycle, and the El Niño Modoki mode played an important role in determining the phase propagation characteristics of equatorial SST anomalies in past decades. We find very little evidence for changes in the propagation characteristics of the Cold Tongue ENSO mode.
The regulation and function of micrornas in kidney diseases
Authors: Wei Qingqing , Mi Qing‐Sheng , Dong Zheng
Published: June 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are endogenous short noncoding RNAs, which regulate virtually all major cellular processes by inhibiting target gene expression. In kidneys, miRNAs have been implicated in renal development, homeostasis, and physiological functions. In addition, miRNAs play important roles in the pathogenesis of various renal diseases, including renal carcinoma, diabetic nephropathy, acute kidney injury, hypertensive nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease, and others. Furthermore, miRNAs may have great values as biomarkers in different kidney diseases. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(7):602–615, 2013.
Response inhibition predicts painful task duration and performance in healthy individuals performing a cold pressor task in a motivational context
Authors: Karsdorp P.A. , Geenen R. , Vlaeyen J.W.S.
Published: June 2013

Background

Long‐term avoidance of painful activities has shown to be dysfunctional in chronic pain. Pain may elicit escape or avoidance responses automatically, particularly when pain‐related fear is high. A conflict may arise between opposing short‐term escape/avoidance goals to reduce pain and long‐term approach goals to receive a reward. An inhibitory control system may resolve this conflict. It was hypothesized that reduced response inhibition would be associated with greater escape/avoidance during pain, particularly among subjects with higher pain‐related fear.

Methods

Response inhibition was measured with the stop‐signal task, and pain‐related fear with the Fear of Pain Questionnaire. Participants completed a tone‐detection task (TDT) in which they could earn money while being exposed to cold pressor pain. Escape/avoidance was operationalized as the hand immersion time during a cold pressor task (CPT) and the performance on the TDT.

Results

Poorer response inhibition was associated with shorter CPT immersion duration and with worse TDT performance. Pain after the CPT was associated with pain‐related fear, but not with response inhibition. No supportive evidence was found for the hypothesis that the relation between inhibition and escape/avoidance would be most pronounced for those with higher pain‐related fear. In contrast, the relation between response inhibition and number of hits on the TDT was most pronounced for those with lower pain‐related fear.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that individuals with a stronger ability to inhibit responses in a stop‐signal task are better able to inhibit escape/avoidance responses elicited by pain, in the service of a conflicting approach goal.
Comparing the Interpersonal Behavior of Distressed Couples With and Without Depression
Authors: Knobloch‐Fedders Lynne M. , Knobloch Leanne K. , Durbin C. Emily , Rosen Andrea , Critchfield Kenneth L.
Published: June 2013

Objective

This study compared the interpersonal behavior of distressed couples with depression in one partner (n = 23) to distressed couples without depression in either partner (n = 38).

Method

Participants (mean age = 44 years old) were recruited at an urban outpatient mental health center. Couples discussed the three best things in their relationship, and their interactions were coded using Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (Benjamin, 1987).

Results

Self‐ and partner‐focused hostility were associated with actors’ and partners’ relationship distress. Actors’ hostility towards partners was positively associated with partners’ depression status, but negatively associated with partners’ depression symptoms. Actors’ control behavior was positively associated with their relationship distress. Whereas the behavior of depressed individuals did not differ from a control sample of nondepressed individuals, partners of depressed individuals displayed more partner‐focused hostility and submissiveness than controls.

Conclusions

Results underscore the importance of considering partner effects when conceptualizing depression within distressed relationships.
The Metacognitions About Desire Thinking Questionnaire: Development and Psychometric Properties
Authors: Caselli Gabriele , Spada Marcantonio M.
Published: June 2013

Objectives

Recent research has suggested that specific metacognitions may play a role in the activation and escalation of desire thinking and craving. The goal of this research project was to develop the first self‐report instrument of metacognitions about desire thinking.

Method

We conducted three studies with nonclinical samples (N = 213, N = 279, N = 60) to construct the Metacognitions about Desire Thinking Questionnaire (MDTQ) and test its structure and psychometric properties. A fourth study was added to test the predictive validity of MDTQ in a sample of alcohol abusers (N = 75).

Results

Explorative and confirmatory factor analysis supported a 3‐factor solution: positive metacognitions about desire thinking, negative metacognitions about desire thinking, and need to control desire related thoughts. Internal consistency, divergent validity, temporal stability were also examined in a community sample and predictive validity was confirmed even in a sample of alcohol abusers.

Conclusions

The MDTQ was shown to possess good psychometric properties, as well as divergent and predictive validity within the populations that were tested.
Pseudo altitude: A new perspective on the auroral density cavity
Authors: Alm L. , Marklund G. T. , Karlsson T. , Masson A.
Published: June 2013

Studying the density distribution inside the auroral density cavity is complicated by the difficulties in achieving simultaneous measurements within the same flux tube at different altitudes. Comparisons between different events are complicated by variations in both the location of the density cavity and the location of the related potential structure. Describing the spacecraft's location inside the density cavity relative to the potential structure instead of the Earth offers a more practical and consistent frame of reference, a pseudo altitude. The pseudo altitude is determined by comparing the potential drop above the spacecraft, as determined from the characteristic energy of the downward electrons, with the parallel potential drop below the spacecraft, determined from the characteristic energy of the upward ions. A pseudo altitude of 0 corresponds to the bottom of the potential structure and a pseudo altitude of 1 to the top of the structure. Seven events from 2008 were selected, each of which corresponds to a Cluster crossing of a mainly quasi‐static potential structure. All of the events exhibit a consistent anticorrelation between the pseudo altitude and the electron density. No upper limit of the density cavity can be observed, while all cavities have a lower limit above a pseudo altitude of 0.33. These observations show that the auroral density cavity is predominately concentrated to the upper parts of the quasi‐static potential structure.
AN OLD PARTNERSHIP IN A NEW SETTING: ACP–EU RELATIONS FROM A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Pape Elisabeth
Published: June 2013

Global economic, demographic and geopolitical as well as internal developments since the signature of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement in 2000 have had a profound impact on relations between the European Union (EU) and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group. The paper analyses the process of adaptation in the areas of development cooperation and in the political and security context, reflected in two revisions in 2005 and 2010. It discusses the influence of the Lisbon Treaty on the objective of poverty reduction, and the role of EU values and security concerns. The negotiation of new trading arrangements compatible with the World Trade Organisation triggered a veritable storm in ACP–EU relations. The paper discusses factors, which proved to be major hurdles to the successful and timely conclusion of the Economic Partnership Agreements, as real trade between the two groups saw a reversal of the downward trend and the ACP recovered part of the previously lost market share of ACP goods in total EU imports. The exclusivity of the flagship partnership has started to crumble as the importance of new partners increased both on ACP and EU side. The author maintains that with the Cotonou Partnership Agreement's purpose defined as solely supporting the development of the ACP countries, it is not surprising that it does not count among the strategic partnerships from the EU perspective. Yet, it is too early to predict the future of the ACP–EU relationship beyond 2020, but both the EU and the ACP have an interest in starting off their discussions and negotiations on their future relationship on the right footing. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cloning and expression of a xylanase xynB from Aspergillus nigerIA‐001 in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Fang Wei , Gao He , Cao Yunhe , Shan Anshan
Published: June 2013

The high‐level expression of the xylanase GH11 gene from Aspergillus niger IA‐001 called xynB was successfully completed in Pichia pastoris. The xynB gene encoding a mature xylanase of 225 amino acid was subcloned into the pPICZαA vector and was transformed into P. pastoris X‐33 under the control of the alcohol oxidase I (AOX1) promoter. The xynB gene was ligated with a sequence encoding modified α‐factor signal peptide (pPICZαmA) and the recombinant xylanase activity, which was measured 1280 U ml−1, was 1.5‐fold higher than when it was inserted into pPICZαA and was 19.39‐fold greater than the native xylanase in the original strain. In a 10 L fermenter, the recombinant xylanase activity measured 10,035 U ml−1 after 114 h. The SDS–PAGE analysis revealed that the purified xynB protein migrated as a single band with an apparent molecular weight of 24 kDa. The specific activity, using beechwood xylan as a substrate, was 1916 U mg−1. The xylanase activity was optimal at pH 5.0 and at 50 °C. In addition, the xynB was active over a pH range of 2.2 to 10.0. The apparent Km and Vmax values were 4.429 mg ml−1 and 1429 U mg−1, respectively.
Dominant patterns of US warm season precipitation variability in a fine resolution observational record, with focus on the southwest
Authors: Ciancarelli Brittany , Castro Christopher L. , Woodhouse Connie , Dominguez Francina , Chang Hsin‐I , Carrillo Carlos , Griffin Daniel
Published: June 2013

Spatial patterns of interannual variability in US precipitation and their forcing mechanisms are very different between the cool and warm seasons, as determined by the recent observational record. In this work, the dominant continental scale patterns of warm season precipitation variability, in the form of the standardized precipitation index (SPI), are related to their large‐scale atmospheric teleconnection forcing patterns. To account for intraseasonal differences in atmospheric teleconnection patterns, the 2‐month SPI is considered for the separate periods of early, June–July (JJ), and late, August–September (AS), periods, as well as the 6‐month SPI for the cool season (November–April). Rotated empirical orthogonal function analysis and canonical correlation analysis are applied to determine the dominant spatial modes of SPI, their relationship to large‐scale teleconnection patterns, and their possible forcing mechanisms, as seen in anomalies of 500‐mb geopotential height, sea surface temperature (SST), and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR). Two dominant quasi‐stationary Rossby wavetrain teleconnections appear to govern US warm season precipitation variability: (1) a mode that reflects the well‐known out‐of‐phase relationship in summer precipitation between the central United States and southwest, which is related to Pacific SST forcing in early summer and Indian monsoon convection in later summer, and (2) Two phases of the Circumglobal Teleconnection pattern that are more related to precipitation variability in the south central and eastern United States The southwest United States region relating to the variability of the North American Monsoon is considered within the continental scale variability patterns associated with the warm season. This work is a subset of a larger project to determine if tree‐ring records from the southwest United States are reliable proxies for extending the warm season climate record. It also provides a benchmark for assessing how US warm season climate patterns may be assessed in regional climate models used for seasonal forecast or climate change projection purposes.
Projected changes in European extreme precipitation indices on the basis of global and regional climate model ensembles
Authors: Lehtonen Ilari , Ruosteenoja Kimmo , Jylhä Kirsti
Published: June 2013

As both global (GCM) and regional (RCM) climate models have their own advantages, the most comprehensive picture of changes in precipitation and their uncertainty ranges can be achieved by comparing the results of both model categories. Here we have evaluated seasonal changes in indices representing excess or scarcity of precipitation in Europe on the basis of simulations performed with ten GCMs with a reasonably high spatial resolution and, for comparison, with five RCMs driven by one and the same GCM. We found no fundamental differences between the GCMs and RCMs in the projected tendency towards a more extreme precipitation climate, characterized by increases both in indices representing wet conditions and also dry conditions. Most evidently in the Northern European summer and Southern European winter, the differences in the responses of the various indices between the present sets of GCMs and RCMs could be explained by the dissimilar changes in seasonal mean precipitation. The scatter among the projected changes was in general much smaller for the RCM than for the GCM simulations. The projections of individual RCMs mainly fall within the interval determined by the GCM projections. This indicates that the GCM ensemble yielded more comprehensive estimates for the uncertainty ranges in the extreme precipitation indices.
Spatio‐temporal variability of vegetation cover over Morocco (1982–2008): linkages with large scale climate and predictability
Authors: Jarlan L. , Driouech F. , Tourre Y. , Duchemin B. , Bouyssié M. , Abaoui J. , Ouldbba A. , Mokssit A. , Chehbouni G.
Published: June 2013

The dominant patterns of vegetation cover interannual variability over Morocco are isolated using rotated extended empirical orthogonal functions applied to AVHRR NDVI data (1982–2008). The three leading modes capture the NDVI signal at the vegetation peak for three distinct locations: mode 1 (18.7% of total variance) is located along the Atlantic coastline, mode 2 (13.1%) is southwest of the Riff Mountain whilst mode 3 (11.2%) is along the Mediterranean coastline. Correlations between the NDVI time coefficients for the modes ‘Atlantic’ and ‘Mediterranean’ dominated by annuals and precipitation amount during the early stage of the vegetation cycle (NDJ) are found. Significant fluctuations of NDVI time coefficients are isolated: a quasi‐biennial signal is present in the three modes and an additional quasi‐quadriennial (∼4.4 years) signal is identified for the ‘Atlantic’ mode only. Connection between vegetation activity and atmospheric and oceanic climate signals are sought using time‐lag correlation analyses. The NAO during fall‐beginning of winter (NDJ) is found to impact vegetation peak for the ‘Atlantic’ mode while the Scandinavian Pattern is related to NDVI peak over the ‘Atlantic’ and ‘Riff’ latter in the season (DJF). A significant connection is also found between vegetation over the ‘Atlantic’ mode and the ‘Riff’ and the ‘Atlantic Niño’ mode leading the SST variability in the equatorial Atlantic with a 6‐months lag. Finally, linkages between NDVI and climate information are used to build a seasonal prediction model for NDVI using multiple linear regression. The NDVI anomalies during March–April may be predicted with a reasonable accuracy from January with 79% of explained variance, 60% and 72% for the ‘Atlantic’, the ‘Riff’ and the ‘Mediterranean’ regions, respectively. Results have (1) direct impacts for a better understanding of the role of large‐scale climate signals on vegetation cover over Morocco and (2) contribute to the implementation of an agricultural early warning system.
The Elements of Leadership in a Global Environment
Authors: Bishop William H.
Published: June 2013

By facilitating connections among nations, organizations, and individuals, technology has accelerated the pace of globalization. To be effective in such an environment, leaders must do more than pay lip service to the general concept of diversity. They must first realize that diversity manifests itself in multiple ways. Then they must harness the power of the differences they uncover by addressing those nuances when developing strategies to enhance their competitive advantage. To do so, leaders must carefully develop sociotechnical systems that effectively merge the strengths of ever‐evolving technology with those of an increasingly diverse workforce—all while fulfilling their local responsibilities without losing their global perspective. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increasing both CoCrMo‐alloy particle size and surface irregularity induces increased macrophage inflammasome activation in vitro potentially through lysosomal destabilization mechanisms
Authors: Caicedo Marco S. , Samelko Lauryn , McAllister Kyron , Jacobs Joshua J. , Hallab Nadim J.
Published: June 2013

Recent investigations indicate that innate immune “danger‐signaling” pathways mediate metal implant debris induced‐inflammatory responses, for example, NALP3 inflammasome. How the physical characteristics of particles (size, shape, and chemical composition) affect this inflammatory reactivity remains controversial. We examined the role of Cobalt–Chromium–Molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloy particle shape and size on human macrophage phagocytosis, lysosomal destabilization, and inflammasome activation. Round/smooth versus irregularly shaped/rough CoCrMo‐alloy particles of ∼1 and 6–7 µm diameter were investigated for differential lysosomal damage and inflammasome activation in human monocytes/macrophages. While spherical/smooth 1 µm CoCrMo‐alloy particles did not measurably affect macrophage IL‐1β production, irregular 1 µm CoCrMo‐alloy particles induced significant IL‐1β increases over controls. Both round/smooth particles and irregular CoCrMo‐alloy particles that were 6–7 µm in size induced >10‐fold increases in IL‐1β production compared to similarly shaped smaller particles (p < 0.05). Larger irregular particles induced a greater degree of intracellular lysosomal damage and a >3‐fold increase in IL‐1β versus similarly sized round/smooth particles (at an equal dose, particles/cell). CoCrMo‐alloy particle‐size‐induced IL‐1β production was dependent on the lysosomal protease Cathepsin B, further supporting lysosomal destabilization as causative in inflammation. Phagocytosable larger/irregular shaped particles (6 µm) demonstrated the greatest lysosomal destabilization (observed immunofluorescently) and inflammatory reactivity when compared on an equal dose basis (particles/cell) to smaller/spherical 1 µm particles in vitro. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1633–1642, 2013
Anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of stevioside and steviol on colonic epithelial cells
Authors: Boonkaewwan Chaiwat , Burodom Anyanee
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND

Stevioside is a natural non‐caloric sweetener isolated from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves. We have proposed its effect on attenuation of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) and interleukin 1β (IL‐1β) release in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated monocytes. In this study, the anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of stevioside and its metabolite, steviol, on human colon carcinoma cell line (Caco‐2) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Stevioside and steviol, in the doses used in this study, had no cytotoxicity on Caco‐2 cells. Anti‐inflammatory activities of these two compounds were observed by potentially suppressed LPS‐mediated TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 release. In addition, stevioside and steviol showed immunomodulatory effects on IκBα activation and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) suppression in western blotting.

CONCLUSION

Stevioside and steviol attenuate LPS‐induced pro‐inflammatory cytokine productions by affecting cytokine gene expression via IκBα/NF‐κB signalling pathway. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Can the affected semicircular canal be predicted by the initial provoking position in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?
Authors: Shim Dae Bo , Ko Kyung Min , Kim Ji Hong , Lee Won‐Sang , Song Mee Hyun
Published: June 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

The study evaluated the relationship between the position that initially provoked vertigo and the affected semicircular canal (SCC) in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and aimed to predict the side affected by BPPV through history taking regarding the provoking position.

Study Design

Prospective study at a tertiary hospital.

Methods

A total of 521 patients with BPPV involving the posterior or horizontal SCCs performed questionnaires at initial visit asking to choose the initial provoking position among the 10 positions corresponding to one of the three planes (roll, pitch, or yaw). After excluding 45 patients showing signs of simultaneous multiple canal or anterior canal involvement, the frequency of the provoking positions and the correlation between the side of the provoking position and the ear affected by BPPV were analyzed.

Results

There were 239 patients with posterior SCC BPPV (p‐BPPV) and 237 patients with horizontal SCC BPPV (h‐BPPV). The waking‐up position was the most common provoking position in both types of BPPV. Statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between the side of the provoking position at the onset of vertigo and the affected side by BPPV (P < .01) in patients with p‐BPPV as well as h‐BPPV (geotropic type [Geo]), but not in patients with h‐BPPV (apogeotropic type [Apo]).

Conclusions

History taking regarding the side of provoking position at the onset of vertigo may help predict the side affected by BPPV in p‐BPPV and h‐BPPV (Geo). When h‐BPPV (Apo) is suspected, further detailed examinations using additional localization methods should be performed.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 123:2259–2263, 2013
1H, 13C and 15N NMR data for indolo[2,3‐b]quinolines, a novel potent anticancer drug family
Authors: Bednarek E. , Sitkowski J. , Bocian W. , Łuniewski W. , Kobylińska M. , Kaczmarek Ł. , Kozerski L.
Published: June 2013

The complete NMR signal assignment of title compounds were carried out by extensive use of 1D and 2D NMR techniques (1H, 13C, COSY, HSQC and HMBC). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Acute, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Cross‐over Study of 320 mg and 640 mg Doses of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on Multitasking Stress Reactivity and Mood
Authors: Benson Sarah , Downey Luke A. , Stough Con , Wetherell Mark , Zangara Andrea , Scholey Andrew
Published: June 2013

Little research exists in humans concerning the anxiolytic, antidepressant, sedative, and adaptogenic actions the traditional Ayurvedic medicine Bacopa monnieri (BM) possesses in addition to its documented cognitive‐enhancing effects. Preclinical work has identified a number of acute anxiolytic, nootropic, and adaptogenic effects of BM that may also co‐occur in humans. The current double‐blind, placebo‐controlled cross‐over study assessed the acute effects of a specific extract of BM (KeenMind® ‐ CDRI 08) in normal healthy participants during completion of a multitasking framework (MTF). Seventeen healthy volunteers completed the MTF, at baseline, then 1 h and 2 h after consuming a placebo, 320 mg BM and 640 mg of BM. Treatments were separated by a 7‐day washout with order determined by Latin Square. Outcome measures included cognitive outcomes from the MTF, with mood and salivary cortisol measured before and after each completion of the MTF. Change from baseline scores indicated positive cognitive effects, notably at both 1 h post and 2 h post BM consumption on the Letter Search and Stroop tasks, suggesting an earlier nootropic effect of BM than previously investigated. There were also some positive mood effects and reduction in cortisol levels, pointing to a physiological mechanism for stress reduction associated with BM consumption. It was concluded that acute BM supplementation produced some adaptogenic and nootropic effects that need to be replicated in a larger sample and in isolation from stressful cognitive tests in order to quantify the magnitude of these effects. The study was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12612000834853). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A posteriori diagnostics of the impact of observations on the AROME‐France convective‐scale data assimilation system
Authors: Brousseau Pierre , Desroziers Gérald , Bouttier François , Chapnik Bernard
Published: June 2013

AROME‐France is an operational convective‐scale numerical weather prediction system which uses a 3D‐Var assimilation scheme in order to determine its initial conditions. In addition to conventional and satellite observations, regional high‐resolution observations are assimilated, such as screen‐level observations, total zenith delays from ground‐based GPS stations and radar measurements (radial winds and reflectivities). The impact of the various observation types on AROME‐France analyses is assessed using an a posteriori diagnostic, the reduction of the estimation error variance. This diagnostic, estimated using a randomization technique, allows one to investigate observation impact depending on the control variable field, model levels, date, analysis time, and spatial scales considered. This highlights the importance of screen‐level observations (2 m temperature and relative humidity, 10 m wind) for the lowest layers, of aircraft measurements for temperature and wind field analyses and of radar observations for wind and specific humidity in middle and high troposphere. Only the last mentioned observations appear to be informative regarding the horizontal length‐scale below 200 km, while all observations are mostly informative for length‐scales above 200 km. The results from two diagnostics, namely the variance reduction and the Degrees of Freedom for Signal (DFS), are compared and found to be largely similar. The variance reduction appears to be an interesting diagnostic to improve the understanding of how observations are used.
Using Jacobian sensitivities to assess a linearization of the relaxed Arakawa–Schubert convection scheme
Authors: Holdaway D. , Errico R.
Published: June 2013

The inclusion of linearized moist physics can increase the accuracy of 4D‐Var data assimilation and adjoint‐based sensitivity analysis. Moist processes such as convection can exhibit nonlinear behaviour. As a result, representation of these processes in a linear way requires much care; a straightforward linearization may yield a poor approximation to the behaviour of perturbations of interest and could contain numerical instability. Here, an extensive numerical study of the Jacobian of the relaxed Arakawa–Schubert (RAS) convection scheme is shown. A Jacobian based on perturbations at individual model levels can be used to understand the physical behaviour of the RAS scheme, predict how sensitive that behaviour is to the prognostic variables and determine the stability of a linearization of the scheme. The linearity of the scheme is also considered by making structured perturbations, constructed from the principle components of the model variables. Based on the behaviour of the Jacobian operator and the results when using structured perturbations, a suitable method for linearizing the RAS scheme is determined. For deep, strong convection, the structures of the RAS Jacobian are reasonably simple, the rate at which finite‐amplitude estimates of the structures change with respect to input perturbations is small and the eigenmodes of the Jacobian are not prohibitively unstable. For deep convection, an exact linearization is therefore suitable. For shallow convection, the RAS scheme can be more sensitive to the input prognostic variables due to the faster time‐scales and proximity to switches. Linearization of the RAS therefore requires some simplifications to smooth the behaviour for shallow convection. It is noted that the physical understanding of the scheme gained from examining the Jacobian provides a useful tool to the developers of nonlinear physical parametrizations.
An a priori study of the subfilter‐scale conservation equations for the stably stratified atmospheric surface layer
Authors: Ramachandran S. , Wyngaard J. C.
Published: June 2013

We perform an a priori analysis of the subfilter‐scale (SFS) conservation equations for the stably stratified atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). Using data from the Horizontal Array Turbulence Studies (HATS) experiment, we build on previous studies by exploring in greater detail the scale dependence of the mean and root‐mean‐square (r.m.s.) values of the production terms in the SFS stress and flux budgets. Our analysis shows production terms that are the dominant generation mechanisms for the SFS stresses and fluxes in conditions of under‐resolved turbulence, also contribute significantly to their fluctuation levels. From the fluctuation levels of the production terms, we infer that fluctuations in terms other than the production terms (i.e. advection, transport and destruction) must be associated with strong auto‐correlations or cross‐correlations (with the production terms) for filter widths much finer than the length‐scale for the most energetic eddies. For filter widths too coarse to resolve the most energetic eddies, we are unable either to confirm or rule out this possibility.

The dominant production terms in the SFS stress budgets, upon suitable scaling, exhibit limiting values as we approach the Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) limit, i.e. when the turbulence resides entirely at the subfilter scales. The values in the RANS limit agree well with both existing analytical arguments and a previous LES study of the moderately convective ABL. The agreement between a priori and a posteriori statistics suggests consistency between the two methods is achievable in the RANS limit with the appropriate choice of scaling parameters.
Lagrangian overturning and the Madden–Julian Oscillation
Authors: Haertel Patrick , Straub Katherine , Fedorov Alexey
Published: June 2013

The Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), a planetary‐scale disturbance in zonal winds and equatorial convection that dominates intraseasonal variability in the Tropics, is a challenge to explain and notoriously difficult to simulate with conventional climate models. This study discusses numerical experiments conducted with a novel Lagrangian atmospheric model (LAM) that produce surprisingly robust and realistic MJOs, even at very low resolution. The LAM represents an atmosphere as a collection of conforming air parcels with motions that are predicted using Newtonian mechanics. The model employs a unique convective parametrization, referred to as Lagrangian overturning (LO), in which air parcels exchange vertical positions in convectively unstable regions. A key model parameter for simulating MJOs is the mixing between adjacent ascending and descending parcels, with more frequent and stronger MJOs occurring when greater mixing is prescribed. Sensitivity tests suggest that MJOs simulated with the LAM are not particularly sensitive to model resolution, but their structure and propagation speed do depend on sea‐surface temperatures, large‐scale precipitation patterns and surface fluxes. An important conclusion of this article is that the most fundamental dynamics of the MJO are captured by the LO convective parametrization coupled with large‐scale atmospheric circulations.
Directionally Sensitive Multivariate Control Charts in Practice: Application to Biosurveillance
Authors: Yahav Inbal , Shmueli Galit
Published: June 2013

Multivariate control charts are used for monitoring multiple series simultaneously, for the purpose of detecting shifts in the mean vector in any direction. In the context of disease outbreak detection, interest is in detecting only an increase in the process means. Two practical approaches for deriving directional Hotelling charts are Follmann's correction and Testik and Runger's quadratic programming. However, there has not been an extensive comparison of their practical performance. Moreover, in practice, many of the underlying method assumptions are often violated, and the theoretically guaranteed performance might not hold. In this work, we compare the two directionally sensitive approaches: a statistically based approach and an operations research solution. We evaluate Hotelling charts as well as two extensions to multivariate exponentially weighted moving average charts. We examine practical performance aspects such as robustness to often‐impractical assumptions, the amount of data required for proper performance, and computational aspects. We perform a large simulation study and examine performance on authentic biosurveillance data. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.