bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utility of sarcoma-specific fusion gene analysis in paraffin-embedded material for routine diagnosis at a specialist centre
Authors: Thway Khin , Rockcliffe Sasha , Gonzalez David , Swansbury John , Min Toon , Thompson Lisa , Fisher Cyril
Published: May 2010

Aims

Diagnosis of soft tissue sarcomas can be difficult. It can be aided by detection of specific genetic aberrations in many cases. This study assessed the utility of a molecular genetics/cytogenetics service as part of the routine diagnostic service at the Royal Marsden Hospital.

Methods

A retrospective audit was performed over a 15-month period to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness for soft tissue sarcomas with translocations of fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) in paraffin-embedded (PE) material. Results were compared with histology, and evaluated.

Results

Molecular investigations were performed on PE material in 158 samples (total 194 RT-PCR and 174 FISH tests), of which 85 were referral cases. Synovial sarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma were the most commonly tested tumours. Myxoid liposarcoma showed the best histological and molecular concordance, and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma showed the best agreement between methods. FISH had a higher sensitivity for detecting tumours (73%, compared with 59% for RT-PCR) with a better success rate than RT-PCR, although the latter was specific in identifying the partner gene for each fusion. In particular, referral blocks in which methods of tissue fixation and processing were not certain resulted in higher RT-PCR failure rates.

Conclusions

FISH and RT-PCR on PE tissue are practical and effective ancillary tools in the diagnosis of soft tissue sarcomas. They are useful in confirming doubtful histological diagnoses and excluding malignant diagnoses. PCR is less sensitive than FISH, and the use of both techniques is optimal for maximising the detection rate of translocation-positive sarcomas.
Clinician gate-keeping in clinical research is not ethically defensible: an analysis
Authors: Sharkey Kerith , Savulescu Julian , Aranda Sanchia , Schofield Penelope
Published: May 2010

Clinician gate-keeping is the process whereby healthcare providers prevent access to eligible patients for research recruitment. This paper contends that clinician gate-keeping violates three principles that underpin international ethical guidelines: respect for persons or autonomy; beneficence or a favourable balance of risks and potential benefits; and justice or a fair distribution of the benefits and burdens of research. In order to stimulate further research and debate, three possible strategies are also presented to eliminate gate-keeping: partnership with professional researchers; collaborative research design and clinician education.
Comparison of soil respiration among three temperate forests in Changbai Mountains, China
Authors: Wang Xu , Jiang Yanling , Jia Bingrui , Wang Fengyu , Zhou Guangsheng
Published: May 2010

CO2 efflux from forest soils is an important process in the global carbon cycle; however, effects of stand age and successional status remain uncertain. We compared soil respiration and its relationship to soil carbon content, forest floor mass, root biomass, soil temperature, and soil moisture content among three temperate forest ecosystems in Changbai Mountains, northeastern China, from 2003 to 2005. Forest types included an old-growth, mixed coniferous and broad-leaved primary forest (MN), a middle-aged, broad-leaved secondary forest (BL), and a young coniferous plantation forest (CP). Average annual soil CO2 efflux at BL (1477.9 ± 61.8 g C·m–2·year–1) was significantly higher than at CP (830.7 ± 48.7 g C·m–2·year–1) and MN (935.4 ± 53.3 g C·m–2·year–1). Differences in soil temperature among those sites were not statistically significant but contributed to the differences in annual CO2 efflux. In addition, the temperature response of soil CO2 efflux was higher at MN (Q10 = 2.78) than that at BL (Q10 = 2.17) and CP (Q10 = 2.02). Our results suggest that successional stage affects soil respiration by the differences in substrate quantity and quality, environmental conditions, and root respiration.
Patterns of leaf area index during stand development in even-aged balsam fir – red spruce stands
Authors: DeRose R. Justin , Seymour Robert S.
Published: May 2010

Leaf area index (LAI) strongly controls forest stand production. Silviculturists can easily manage this biologically important variable by quantifying its relationship to more directly manageable stand elements, such as density. Hypothesized patterns of LAI development over relative stand density (RD) in even-aged stands of balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg.) were examined using 78 plots from the Cooperative Forestry Research Unit’s Commercial Thinning Research Network located in the Acadian forest zone in Maine. Nonlinear regression indicated that LAI was significantly related to RD, site quality, and stand top height. LAI increased nonlinearly with increasing RD holding stand top height constant. At a given RD, LAI peaked at approximately 13 m in stand top height. Site quality positively and linearly influenced LAI, but this was only apparent after crown closure, which in turn was influenced by initial stand density. Five-year trajectories of LAI–RD remeasurement data showed an increase in LAI and RD for all stands that varied by stand top height and site quality. Taken together, RD, stand top height, and site quality are strong predictors of LAI and can be used by silviculturists to manage for LAI.
A molecular approach to quantify root community composition in a northern hardwood forest — testing effects of root species, relative abundance, and diameter
Authors: Fisk Melany C. , Yanai Ruth D. , Fierer Noah
Published: May 2010

Research on root community structure is currently limited by the methodologies available. We evaluated a molecular-sequence-based approach to quantify the relative abundance of roots from different plant species in mixed samples. We extracted DNA from mixtures of roots, amplified the trnL intron by polymerase change reaction, and identified up to 60 clones from each mixture. We tested the effects of root diameter and species on sequence representation in mixtures. Species were correctly identified in our mixtures. Recovery efficiencies were low for root diameter classes >0.3 mm compared with those <0.3 mm, and species in high abundance in the mixture had relatively low recovery efficiency. American beech ( Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) was quantitatively underrepresented compared with yellow birch ( Betula alleghaniensis Britton) and white ash ( Fraxinus americana L.). Root identification by sequencing is accurate and can readily be applied to novel systems without new primer development. This technique will be attractive for documenting changes in relative abundances of species, especially as the cost of sequence-based analyses drops. However, the results of such analyses must be considered carefully, as root diameter distribution, abundances, and species can introduce quantifiable biases in the estimation of relative root abundance.
Predicting forest dieback in Maine, USA: a simple model based on soil frost and drought
Authors: Auclair Allan N.D. , Heilman Warren E. , Brinkman Blondel
Published: May 2010

Tree roots of northern hardwoods are shallow rooted, winter active, and minimally frost hardened; dieback is a winter freezing injury to roots incited by frost penetration in the absence of adequate snow cover and exacerbated by drought in summer. High soil water content greatly increases conductivity of frost. We develop a model based on the sum of z-scores of soil frost (December–February) and drought in summer (May–September) that accurately predicts timing and severity of dieback on sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.), Betula spp., Fraxinus spp., and red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg.) in Maine, USA, during 1920–1995. Discrepancies between predicted and actual dieback relate largely to tree population dynamics. Extraordinary levels of dieback on Betula during 1935–1950 occurred under low stress but in mature populations; under high climate stress during 1951–1975, younger surviving Betula proved resistant and showed little dieback. Severe dieback in Acer stands during 1975–1995 may relate to extensive partial cutting, leaving stands open to frost and high water tables. Widespread use of forwarder feller/buncher and wheeled skidders after 1960 commonly left hummocky, irregular surfaces subject to pooling and accelerated frost penetration. Silvicultural applications include modifying harvesting practices to minimize frost complications and use of the model to track and map climatic risk to avoid conditions and locales subject to dieback.
Factors affecting the availability of thick epiphyte mats and other potential nest platforms for Marbled Murrelets in British Columbia
Authors: Burger Alan E. , Ronconi Robert A. , Silvergieter Michael P. , Conroy Catherine , Bahn Volker , Manley Irene A. , Cober Alvin , Lank David B.
Published: May 2010

Nest platforms (mossy pads, limbs, and deformities >15 cm in diameter) are key requirements in the forest nesting habitat of the threatened Marbled Murrelet ( Brachyramphus marmoratus (J.F. Gmelin, 1789)). Little is known about factors that affect the availability of platforms or the growth of canopy epiphytes that provide platforms. We examined variables affecting these parameters in coastal trees in British Columbia using data from 29 763 trees at 1412 sites in 170 watersheds. Tree diameter (diameter at breast height (DBH)) was the most important predictor of platform availability in the pooled data and within each of six regions. In most regions, platforms become available at DBH > 60 cm, but on East Vancouver Island, DBH needs to be >96 cm and possibly on the Central Coast >82 cm. Other regional predictors of platforms included tree height, tree species, and to a lesser extent elevation, slope, and latitude. Most (72%) trees providing platforms had epiphytes (mainly moss) covering one third or more of branch surfaces and 81% had intermediate or thick epiphyte mats. Mistletoe deformities provided <7% of platforms. Our model predictions help to define and manage suitable habitat for nesting Marbled Murrelets and also contribute to understanding forest canopy ecosystems.
Examining conifer canopy structural complexity across forest ages and elevations with LiDAR data
Authors: Kane Van R. , Bakker Jonathan D. , McGaughey Robert J. , Lutz James A. , Gersonde Rolf F. , Franklin Jerry F.
Published: May 2010

LiDAR measurements of canopy structure can be used to classify forest stands into structural stages to study spatial patterns of canopy structure, identify habitat, or plan management actions. A key assumption in this process is that differences in canopy structure based on forest age and elevation are consistent with predictions from models of stand development. Three LiDAR metrics (95th percentile height, rumple, and canopy density) were computed for 59 secondary and 35 primary forest plots in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Hierarchical clustering identified two precanopy closure classes, two low-complexity postcanopy closure classes, and four high-complexity postcanopy closure classes. Forest development models suggest that secondary plots should be characterized by low-complexity classes and primary plots characterized by high-complexity classes. While the most and least complex classes largely confirmed this relationship, intermediate-complexity classes were unexpectedly composed of both secondary and primary forest types. Complexity classes were not associated with elevation, except that primary Tsuga mertensiana (Bong.) Carrière (mountain hemlock) plots were complex. These results suggest that canopy structure does not develop in a linear fashion and emphasize the importance of measuring structural conditions rather than relying on development models to estimate structural complexity across forested landscapes.
GENERALIZED SECOND LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS IN WARPED DGP BRANEWORLD
Authors: SHEYKHI AHMAD , WANG BIN
Published: May 2010

We investigate the validity of the generalized second law of thermodynamics on the (n - 1)-dimensional brane embedded in the (n + 1)-dimensional bulk. We examine the evolution of the apparent horizon entropy extracted through relation between gravitational equation and the first law of thermodynamics together with the matter field entropy inside the apparent horizon. We find that the apparent horizon entropy extracted through connection between gravity and the first law of thermodynamics satisfies the generalized second law of thermodynamics. This result holds regardless of whether there is the intrinsic curvature term on the brane or a cosmological constant in the bulk. The observed satisfaction of the generalized second law provides further support on the thermodynamical interpretation of gravity based on the profound connection between gravity and thermodynamics.
RE-EXAMINATION FOR THE CALCULATION OF ELLIPTIC FLOW AND OTHER FOURIER HARMONICS
Authors: LI XIAO-MEI , DONG BAO-GUO , YAN YU-LIANG , MA HAI-LIANG , ZHOU DAI-MEI , SA BEN-HAO
Published: May 2010

We have argued that the azimuthal symmetry and asymmetry components in Fourier expansion of particle momentum azimuthal distribution, vn(n = 0,1,2,…), should be calculated as an average of cos (nϕ) first over particles in an event and then over events (eventwise average) rather than "an average over all particles in all events" (particlewise average). In case of large centrality (multiplicity) bin the particlewise average is not accurate because the influence (fluctuation) of particle multiplicity was not taken into account.
SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS OF SHAPE EVOLUTION FOR Mo ISOTOPES WITH RELATIVISTIC MEAN FIELD THEORY
Authors: YAO BAO-MEI , GUO JIAN-YOU
Published: May 2010

The systematic investigation of shape evolution between spherical U(5) and γ-unstable O(6) for Mo isotopes has been carried out by the microscopic quadrupole constrained relativistic mean field model plus BCS method with all the most used interactions, i.e. PK1, NL3, TM1 and NLSH. The calculated potential energy surfaces show a clear shape evolution for the even–even Mo isotopes with N = 50~64 and 94 Mo is suggested to be the γ-unstable nucleus, which is favored by the experimental data. Similar conclusion is also drawn from the neutron single particle spectra.
NEUTRINO OSCILLATION PHASE DYNAMICALLY INDUCED BY f(R)-GRAVITY
Authors: CAPOZZIELLO SALVATORE , DE LAURENTIS MARIAFELICIA , VERNIERI DANIELE
Published: May 2010

The gravitational phase shift of neutrino oscillation can be discussed in the framework of f(R)-gravity. We show that the shift of quantum mechanical phase can depend on the given f(R)-theory that we choose. This fact is general and could constitute a fundamental test to discriminate among the various alternative relativistic theories of gravity. Estimations of ratio between the gravitational phase shift and the standard phase are carried out for the electronic Solar neutrinos.
VERTEX OPERATOR FORMULATION OF SCATTERING AROUND BLACK-HOLE
Authors: PARK I. Y.
Published: May 2010

We propose a full-fledged open string framework that seems suited to study the black hole information paradox. We set up a configuration to compute the scattering amplitude of a IIB open string around a D5-brane. The D5-brane is situated at the origin of a transverse D3-brane. A string perturbation theory is employed where the geometry of the D5-brane is treated as a potential. We reason that the setup is capable of reconciling the unitary evolution of states and information loss that is measured by an observer on the D3 brane. With the configurations of these kinds, the information loss is an apparent phenomenon: it is just a manifestation of the fact that the D3-observer does not have access to the "hair" of the D5 black brane.
An axiomatic approach to personalized ranking systems
Authors: Altman Alon , Tennenholtz Moshe
Published: May 2010

Personalized ranking systems and trust systems are an essential tool for collaboration in a multi-agent environment. In these systems, trust relations between many agents are aggregated to produce a personalized trust rating of the agents. In this article, we introduce the first extensive axiomatic study of this setting, and explore a wide array of well-known and new personalized ranking systems. We adapt several axioms (basic criteria) from the literature on global ranking systems to the context of personalized ranking systems, and fully classify the set of systems that satisfy all of these axioms. We further show that all these axioms are necessary for this result.
Asymptotically optimal allocation of stratified sampling with adaptive variance reduction by strata
Authors: Kawai Reiichiro
Published: May 2010

To enhance efficiency in Monte Carlo simulations, we develop an adaptive stratified sampling algorithm for allocation of sampling effort within each stratum, in which an adaptive variance reduction technique is applied. Given the number of replications in each batch, our algorithm updates allocation fractions to minimize the work-normalized variance of the stratified estimator of the mean. We establish the asymptotic normality of the stratified estimator of the mean as the number of batches tends to infinity. Although implementation of the proposed algorithm requires a small amount of initial work, the algorithm has the potential to yield substantial improvements in estimator efficiency. Equally important is that the adaptive framework avoids the need for frequent recalibration of the parameters of the variance reduction methods applied within each stratum when changes occur in the experimental conditions governing system performance. To illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of our algorithm, we provide numerical results for a Black--Scholes option pricing, where we stratify the underlying Brownian motion with respect to its terminal value and apply an importance sampling method to normal random variables filling in the Brownian path. Relative to the estimator variance with proportional allocation, the proposed algorithm achieved a fourfold reduction in estimator variance with a negligible increase in computing time.
Arsenic as a Food Chain Contaminant: Mechanisms of Plant Uptake and Metabolism and Mitigation Strategies
Authors: Zhao Fang-Jie , McGrath Steve P. , Meharg Andrew A.
Published: May 2010

Arsenic (As) is an environmental and food chain contaminant. Excessive accumulation of As, particularly inorganic arsenic (Asi), in rice (Oryza sativa) poses a potential health risk to populations with high rice consumption. Rice is efficient at As accumulation owing to flooded paddy cultivation that leads to arsenite mobilization, and the inadvertent yet efficient uptake of arsenite through the silicon transport pathway. Iron, phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon interact strongly with As during its route from soil to plants. Plants take up arsenate through the phosphate transporters, and arsenite and undissociated methylated As species through the nodulin 26-like intrinsic (NIP) aquaporin channels. Arsenate is readily reduced to arsenite in planta, which is detoxified by complexation with thiol-rich peptides such as phytochelatins and/or vacuolar sequestration. A range of mitigation methods, from agronomic measures and plant breeding to genetic modification, may be employed to reduce As uptake by food crops.
Protein Transport into Chloroplasts
Authors: Li Hsou-min , Chiu Chi-Chou
Published: May 2010

Most proteins in chloroplasts are encoded by the nuclear genome and synthesized as precursors with N-terminal targeting signals called transit peptides. Novel machinery has evolved to specifically import these proteins from the cytosol into chloroplasts. This machinery consists of more than a dozen components located in and around the chloroplast envelope, including a pair of GTPase receptors, a β-barrel-type channel across the outer membrane, and an AAA+-type motor in the stroma. How individual components assemble into functional subcomplexes and the sequential steps of the translocation process are being mapped out. An increasing number of noncanonical import pathways, including a pathway with initial transport through the endomembrane system, is being revealed. Multiple levels of control on protein transport into chloroplasts have evolved, including the development of two receptor subfamilies, one for photosynthetic proteins and one for housekeeping proteins. The functions or expression levels of some translocon components are further adjusted according to plastid type, developmental stage, and metabolic conditions.
Guard Cell Signal Transduction Network: Advances in Understanding Abscisic Acid, CO2, and Ca2+Signaling
Authors: Kim Tae-Houn , Böhmer Maik , Hu Honghong , Nishimura Noriyuki , Schroeder Julian I.
Published: May 2010

Stomatal pores are formed by pairs of specialized epidermal guard cells and serve as major gateways for both CO2influx into plants from the atmosphere and transpirational water loss of plants. Because they regulate stomatal pore apertures via integration of both endogenous hormonal stimuli and environmental signals, guard cells have been highly developed as a model system to dissect the dynamics and mechanisms of plant-cell signaling. The stress hormone ABA and elevated levels of CO2activate complex signaling pathways in guard cells that are mediated by kinases/phosphatases, secondary messengers, and ion channel regulation. Recent research in guard cells has led to a new hypothesis for how plants achieve specificity in intracellular calcium signaling: CO2and ABA enhance (prime) the calcium sensitivity of downstream calcium-signaling mechanisms. Recent progress in identification of early stomatal signaling components are reviewed here, including ABA receptors and CO2-binding response proteins, as well as systems approaches that advance our understanding of guard cell-signaling mechanisms.
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling in Plants
Authors: Cristina Maria , Petersen Morten , Mundy John
Published: May 2010

Eukaryotic mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades have evolved to transduce environmental and developmental signals into adaptive and programmed responses. MAPK cascades relay and amplify signals via three types of reversibly phosphorylated kinases leading to the phosphorylation of substrate proteins, whose altered activities mediate a wide array of responses, including changes in gene expression. Cascades may share kinase components, but their signaling specificity is maintained by spaciotemporal constraints and dynamic protein-protein interactions and by mechanisms that include crossinhibition, feedback control, and scaffolding. Plant MAPK cascades regulate numerous processes, including stress and hormonal responses, innate immunity, and developmental programs. Genetic analyses have uncovered several predominant MAPK components shared by several of these processes including the Arabidopsis thaliana MAPKs MPK3, 4, and 6 and MAP2Ks MKK1, 2, 4, and 5. Future work needs to focus on identifying substrates of MAPKs, and on understanding how specificity is achieved among MAPK signaling pathways.
Expression of Synaptic Proteins in the Hippocampus and Spatial Learning in Chicks following Prenatal Auditory Stimulation
Authors: Chaudhury Sraboni , Jain Suman , Wadhwa Shashi
Published: May 2010

Prenatal auditory stimulation by species-specific sound influences the expression and levels of calcium-binding proteins in the chick hippocampus, which is important to learning and memory. Stimulation by sitar music additionally produces structural changes in the hippocampus. Synapse density, which influences the synaptic plasticity, is also increased following both types of sound stimulation. Here we report the expression of mRNA as well as levels of synaptic proteins (synaptophysin, synapsin I and PSD-95) in the hippocampus of developing chicks subjected to prenatal auditory stimulation. Further, to evaluate the behavioral outcome following acoustic stimulation, posthatch day 1 (PH1) chicks were analyzed by T-maze test for spatial learning. Fertilized zero day eggs were incubated under normal conditions and subjected to patterned sounds of species-specific or sitar music at 65 dB levels for 15 min/h over 24 h at a frequency range of 100–6,300 Hz for a period of 11 days from embryonic day (E) 10 until hatching. Following both types of prenatal acoustic stimulation, a significant increase in the levels of synaptophysin mRNA and protein was found from E12, whereas that of synapsin I and PSD-95 was observed from E16, suggesting early maturation of the excitatory synapse. A significant decrease in the time taken to reach the target over the 3 trials in both sound-stimulated groups indicates improved spatial learning. In the music-stimulated group, however, the time taken to reach the target was reduced from the very first trial, which may point to an involvement of other behavioral attributes in facilitating spatial navigation.
Development of Sucking Patterns in Pre-Term Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: da Costa Saakje P. , van der Schans Cees P. , Zweens Mar J. , Boelema Sarai R. , van der Meij Eva , Boerman Mieke A. , Bos Arend F.
Published: May 2010

Background: Pre-term infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at risk of acquiring brain abnormalities. Combined with ongoing breathing difficulties, this may influence the development of their sucking patterns. Objective: To determine the longitudinal development of sucking patterns from birth until 10 weeks’ post-term age in pre-term infants with and without BPD. Methods: The sucking patterns of 16 pre-term infants with BPD and 15 pre-term infants without BPD were prospectively assessed with the Neonatal Oral-Motor Assessment Scale. The infants were matched for gestational age (<30 weeks). We recorded approximately 12 feeding episodes per infant, from 34 until 50 weeks’ post-menstrual age. We diagnosed the infants’ sucking patterns as normal, dysfunctional, or disorganized. Then, we examined the development of the sucking patterns in relation to relevant clinical characteristics. Results: Thirty (21%) of 142 feeding episodes of the pre-term infants with BPD and 36 (23%) of 156 of those without BPD were diagnosed as normal (non-significant). Of the abnormal patterns, 3 were diagnosed as dysfunctional and 229 as disorganized. Before term-equivalent age, definitely abnormal sucking patterns were more prevalent in the pre-term infants with BPD than in those without BPD: 69 (49%) and 47 (30%) episodes, respectively (χ2 = 10.7, p < 0.01). In particular, the abnormal patterns including the item ‘incoordination’, defined as the inability to coordinate sucking and swallowing with breathing, were more prevalent: 36 and 15%, respectively (χ2 = 6.37, p < 0.05). There was no difference between the two groups regarding the age at which they acquired normal sucking patterns. Relevant clinical characteristics did not influence the development of the sucking patterns. Conclusions: The developmental characteristicof sucking patterns in infants with BPD was that these infants were unable to coordinate swallowing with breathing. This was the case especially prior to term-equivalent age; after term-equivalent age, the development of sucking closely resembled that of pre-term infants without BPD.
Relative Responsibilities: Is There an Obligation to Discuss Genomics Research Participation with Family Members?
Authors: Boddington P.
Published: May 2010

One of the many ethical challenges presented by research in genomics is that, although informed consent to research has traditionally been a matter for the individual participant, genomics research carries potential implications for genetic relatives. There are specific issues that arise when research is focused around populations or around family groups; this paper deals with the place of relatives of participants in genomics research more generally. Recently, in response to this challenge, recommendations have attempted to tread a middle ground by retaining traditional models of informed consent whilst suggesting that potential research recruits should be encouraged to discuss participation with their families. It is argued here that this may produce an unfair account of the responsibilities of research participants, that it may ignore the very many difficulties of communication within families about genetics and health, and that it may create unrealistic hurdles to the ethical conduct of research. Research conducted in the context of clinical genetics and on health communication more widely is drawn upon to illustrate these points. A clear recommendation is made that providing materials that may assist research participants to communicate with family members may be beneficial and may raise ethical standards, but that it may be unwise to burden participants with the suggestion that they owe specific obligations to genetic relatives to discuss research participation with them.
Public-Private Partnerships for the Earth: Politics and Patterns of Hybrid Authority in the Multilateral System
Authors: Andonova Liliana B.
Published: May 2010

The article examines the politics and patterns of public-private partnerships for the environment in the multilateral system. It argues that two kinds of dynamics have contributed to the hybridization of environmental authority at the global level. On one hand, the fragmentation of environmental regimes and the parallel growth of non-state actors have resulted in structural pressures and opportunities for public-private collaboration. More significantly, however, international organizations have responded to the pluralization of global environmental politics selectively and acted as entrepreneurs of collaborative governance. The analysis uses a principal-agent perspective of international organizations to specify the conditions for organizational entrepreneurship of public-private partnerships. The theoretical propositions inform the comparative analysis of three “meta” partnership programs in the multilateral system: the Small Grants Program, the Prototype Carbon Fund, and the environmental portfolio of the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships. The study demonstrates that public-private partnerships represent neither a radical “powershift” from established institutions, nor are partnerships a marginal governance fad. The three partnership programs examined here emerged out of the mandates and expertise of their lead organizations and partners, but established and diffused new niches of environmental governance, particularly around community-based biodiversity management and climate-change related technology diffusion.
Extreme Events and the General Circulation: Observations and Stochastic Model Dynamics
Authors: Sura Philip , Perron Maxime
Published: May 2010

This study explores the dynamical role of non-Gaussian potential vorticity variability (extreme events) in the zonally averaged circulation of the atmosphere within a stochastic framework. First the zonally averaged skewness and kurtosis patterns of relative and potential vorticity anomalies from NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data are presented. In the troposphere, midlatitude regions of near-zero skewness coincide with regions of maximum variability. Equatorward of the Northern Hemisphere storm track positive relative/potential vorticity skewness is observed. Poleward of the same storm track the vorticity skewness is negative. In the Southern Hemisphere the relation is reversed, resulting in negative relative/potential vorticity skewness equatorward, and positive skewness poleward of the storm track. The dynamical role of extreme events in the zonally averaged general circulation is then explored in terms of the potential enstrophy budget by linking eddy enstrophy fluxes to a stochastic representation of non-Gaussian potential vorticity anomalies. The stochastic model assumes that potential vorticity anomalies are advected by a random velocity field. The assumption of stochastic advection allows for a closed expression of the meridional enstrophy flux: the potential enstrophy flux is proportional to the potential vorticity skewness. There is some evidence of this relationship in the observations. That is, potential enstrophy fluxes might be linked to non-Gaussian potential vorticity variability. Thus, extreme events may presumably play an important role in the potential enstrophy budget and the related general circulation of the atmosphere.
Characteristics of Summer Stationary Waves in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Chen Tsing-Chang
Published: May 2010

Summer stationary waves in the Northern Hemisphere are separated by a midlatitude transition zone into the subtropical monsoon regime with a vertical phase reversal and the subarctic regime with a vertically uniform structure. The dynamics and maintenance mechanism of the subtropical stationary waves have been investigated in the context of monsoon circulation. Depicted in terms of streamfunction with 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40), the dynamic characteristics of stationary waves in the transition zone and the subarctic region are thus the focus of this study. The dynamics and maintenance mechanism of these waves were explored with the streamfunction budget and the velocity potential maintenance equations.

Stationary waves across the transition region consist of anticyclonic shear zones over the North Pacific and North Atlantic and a cyclonic shear zone in east Eurasia. These transition elements are linked to subtropical oceanic anticyclones and continental thermal lows. At high latitudes, a three-wave structure emerges with a weak central Eurasian trough aligned with two deep oceanic troughs. A longitudinal phase change occurs across the transition zone, but the direction of the east–west circulation associated with the transitional anticyclonic (cyclonic) zone is the same as that of the subtropical trough (high). This phase change is caused by the dynamics transition from the Sverdrup regime to the Rossby regime because of the increasing importance of relative vorticity advection. At high latitudes, relative vorticity advection becomes the dominant dynamic process in the upper atmosphere, but is negligible in the lower troposphere. This subarctic dynamic regime results in the vertically uniform structure of stationary waves. These waves are maintained by in situ diabatic heating (cooling) ahead of three subarctic troughs (ridges). Thus, the structure of the east–west circulation of subarctic stationary waves is opposite to that of subtropical stationary waves. These findings not only disclose more detailed structure and dynamics of summer stationary waves, but also provide a more complete basis to validate summer climate simulations and to search for the cause of interannual variation in summer climate.
Composite Structure of Tropopause Polar Cyclones
Authors: Cavallo Steven M. , Hakim Gregory J.
Published: May 2010

Tropopause polar vortices are coherent circulation features based on the tropopause in polar regions. They are a common feature of the Arctic, with typical radii less than 1500 km and lifetimes that may exceed 1 month. The Arctic is a particularly favorable region for these features due to isolation from the horizontal wind shear associated with the midlatitude jet stream, which may destroy the vortical circulation. Intensification of cyclonic tropopause polar vortices is examined here using an Ertel potential vorticity framework to test the hypothesis that there is an average tendency for diabatic effects to intensify the vortices due to enhanced upper-tropospheric radiative cooling within the vortices. Data for the analysis are derived from numerical simulations of a large sample of observed cyclonic vortices over the Canadian Arctic. Results show that there is on average a net tendency to create potential vorticity in the vortex, and hence intensify cyclones, and that the tendency is radiatively driven. While the effects of latent heating are considerable, they are smaller in magnitude, and all other diabatic processes have a negligible effect on vortex intensity.
Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions and Experiences in a Gifted Education Training Model
Authors: Bangel Nancy J. , Moon Sidney M. , Capobianco Brenda M.
Published: May 2010

With the prevalence of gifted students in general education classrooms, all teachers will be responsible for providing appropriate programming for them, resulting in a need for training in the education of the gifted to be introduced at the preservice level. In this study, the researchers investigated the effectiveness of a combined intervention strategy for preservice teachers, consisting of a course in the education of the gifted and an accompanying 9-week practicum, in increasing participants’ understanding of the characteristics and needs of gifted students. Through semistructured interviews, participants’ perceptions of the effects the interventions had on their understanding of gifted students’ characteristics and needs were examined. The findings from the interviews were triangulated with classroom observations, lesson plans, and participant responses to the Survey of Practices with Students of Varying Needs. Participants perceived an increase in their understanding of the needs and characteristics of gifted students through participation in the interventions as well as increased confidence in their general teaching abilities. Implications of the study for teacher education and future research are discussed.
A further investigation of the importance of pain cognition and behaviour in pain rehabilitation: longitudinal data suggest disability and fear of movement are most important
Authors: Åsenlöf Pernilla , Söderlund Anne
Published: May 2010

Background: Tailored treatments are topical in pain rehabilitation. One key issue for correlational studies is the identification of factors having a potential causal impact on essential treatment outcomes.

Objective: To study associations between pain beliefs and disability with regard to the amount and time-frame of available data.

Design: A prospective, correlational design.

Subjects and setting: Ninety-two patients consulting physical therapists in primary care for persistent musculoskeletal pain.

Main measures: The Pain Disability Index, the Self-Efficacy Scale and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia.

Results: Functional self-efficacy and fear of movement/(re)injury explained variance in pain-related disability pretreatment (adj R2 = 0.41). Self-efficacy was the most salient predictor. Adding data from immediately post treatment decreased explained variance (adj R2 = 0.25). Functional self-efficacy and fear of movement/ (re)injury lost their significant contribution in favour of pain-related disability at baseline. Change scores in functional self-efficacy and fear of movement/(re)injury accounted for a modest share of explained variance in change scores of disability (adj R2 = 0.11). Fear of movement/(re)injury but not functional self-efficacy was related to a reliable change in pain-related disability.

Conclusions: Longitudinal data suggest that pretreatment levels of pain-related disability and changes in fear of movement/(re)injury are most important to immediate treatment outcomes and individual reliable change. Disability and elevated fear of movement/(re)injury should therefore be addressed in tailored pain treatments.
Looking beyond the importance of life goals. The personal goal model of subjective well-being in neuropsychological rehabilitation
Authors: Conrad Nico , Doering Bettina K , Rief Winfried , Exner Cornelia
Published: May 2010

Objective: To identify subjective importance, attainability and success of life goals and their predictive value for subjective well-being in patients with acquired brain injury.

Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive.

Setting: Two inpatient neurological rehabilitation centres.

Participants: Patients with non-progressive neurological disorders. Interventions: Survey using questionnaires.

Measures: Life goal characteristics were assessed using a life goal questionnaire (GOALS). Subjective well-being (composite score) was measured using the Center of the Epidemic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS).

Results: Fifty-nine patients participated in the study. The most important life goals are intimacy (4.59/5), achievement (3.96/5) and altruism (3.89/5). The intimacy goals are considered most attainable (4.19/5) and patients feel most successful in this domain (3.98/5). Two important predictions of the personal goal model of subjective well-being could be confirmed. First, goal attainability moderates the relation between goal importance and goal success. Second, the influence of goal importance on subjective well-being is mediated by experienced success. The most powerful predictors for subjective well-being are success in the achievement domain (β = 0.404) and discrepancy between importance and success in the intimacy domain (β = —0.276).

Conclusions: The subjective well-being of neurological patients depends not only on the appraised importance of life goals but also on their attainability and success.
A Study on the Attitudes and Opinions of Engineering Students From the University of Baja California, Mexico, on Science, Technology, and Society
Authors: Oliveros Ruiz Maria Amparo , Sevilla Garcia Juan Jose , Schorr Michael
Published: May 2010

A proposal is presented for the incorporation of the concepts of STS into the teaching of science and technology at the Faculty of Engineering, Mexicali Campus, of the University of Baja California. The method outlined for the development of research and the application of the “Opinions Questionnaire on Science, Technology and Society” is described. This method allows an assessment of the views and attitudes of students and teachers on STS issues to identify their strong and weak points and to detect the teaching and learning needs. Also, it is adequate to investigate the students’ attitudinal changes, their increased interest in the processes of learning, and the contribution of STS to their education and integration into the society.
Is Opioid Addiction a Sufficient Predicting Factor for Common Bile Duct Dilatation? A Sonographic Study
Authors: Rezaee Ahmad , Narouie Behzad , Ghasemi-Rad Mohammad , Nosair Emad , Mohebi Farshid , Sharareh Sanei Sistani
Published: May 2010

In the absence of hepatobiliary symptoms, opioid consumption has been shown to cause dilatation of the common bile duct (CBD). The main objective of this study was to measure with sonography CBD diameters in opioid addicts as compared with nonaddicts. The research was done on 208 individuals; 104 were opioid addicts using various routes of administration (inhalation, oral, or intravenous), and 104 had no history of addiction (control group). All patients underwent abdominopelvic sonography, and the internal diameters of the proximal part of the CBD were recorded. The average CBD diameter in the control group was 4.13 ± 1.14 mm, which significantly increased to 8.16 ± 2.54 mm in the case group. A significant increase in the average diameter of CBD in the case group with the oral route was 10.7 ± 2.26 mm, compared with 7.5 ± 1.64 mm and 7.6 ± 3.05 mm, respectively, for those using inhalation and intravenous routes. The diameter of CBD was age dependent. The dilatation of the CBD detected by sonography occurring in opioid addicts in all age groups was attributed principally to the effect of opioids. Oral administration of opioid caused the highest dilatation effect on CBD.
Rituximab plus Peg-interferon-α/ribavirin compared with Peg-interferon-α/ribavirin in hepatitis C–related mixed cryoglobulinemia
Authors: Saadoun David , Resche Rigon Mathieu , Sene Damien , Terrier Benjamin , Karras Alexandre , Perard Laurent , Schoindre Yoland , Coppéré Brigitte , Blanc François , Musset Lucile , Piette Jean-Charles , Rosenzwajg Michele , Cacoub Patrice
Published: May 2010

Treatment of hepatitis C (HCV)–mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) may target either the viral trigger (HCV) or the downstream B-cell clonal expansion. Prospective cohort study of 38 HCV-MC patients who received a combination of rituximab (375 mg/m2) once a week for 1 month followed by Peg-interferon-α (Peg-IFN-α; 2a, 180 μg or 2b, 1.5 μg/kg) weekly plus ribavirin (600-1200 mg) daily for 48 weeks were compared with 55 HCV-MC patients treated by Peg-IFN-α/ribavirin with the same modalities. In the whole population of HCV-MC patients (n = 93), a complete clinical response was achieved in 73.1% (68 of 93), cryoglobulin clearance in 52.7% (49 of 93), and a sustained virologic response in 59.1% (55 of 93). Compared with Peg-IFN-α/ribavirin, rituximab plus Peg-IFN-α/ribavirin–treated patients had a shorter time to clinical remission (5.4 ± 4 vs 8.4 ± 4.7 months, P = .004), better renal response rates (80.9% vs 40% of complete response, P = .040), and higher rates of cryoglobulin clearance (68.4% vs 43.6%, P = .001) and clonal VH1-69+ B-cell suppression (P < .01). Treatment was well tolerated with 11% of discontinuation resulting from antiviral therapy and no worsening of HCV RNA under rituximab. Our findings indicate that rituximab combined with Peg-IFN-α/ribavirin is well tolerated and more effective than Peg-IFN-α/ribavirin in HCV-MC.
Long-lasting antitumor protection by anti-CD20 antibody through cellular immune response
Authors: Abès Riad , Gélizé Emmanuelle , Fridman Wolf Herman , Teillaud Jean-Luc
Published: May 2010

The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) rituximab has been used successfully for lymphoma therapy for more than 10 years. Although several direct mechanisms by which anti-CD20 mAbs act have been characterized in vitro, their specific role in clinical efficacy is still debated. Little is known about the possible antitumor immune response that they may induce in patients, despite clinical data suggesting a “vaccinal” effect. We show here that an initial treatment with anti-CD20 induces protection against human CD20-expressing tumor cells and allows immunocompetent mice to survive tumor challenge. This long-lasting protection requires the presence of the Fc portion of the anti-CD20 mAb and is achieved through the induction of a cellular immune response. Only CD4+ cells were needed at the beginning of the treatment, but both CD4+ and CD8+ cells were required after tumor challenge to achieve protection. Finally, we show that interleukin-2 treatment, given after tumor challenge, improves the overall survival rate, compared with that obtained by anti-CD20 treatment alone. These findings demonstrate that anti-CD20 mAbs exert therapeutic effects through the induction of an adaptive cellular immune response, aside from any direct mechanisms involving effectors from innate immunity.