bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Future changes in summertime precipitation amounts associated with topography in the Japanese islands
Authors: Tsunematsu Nobumitsu , Dairaku Koji , Hirano Junpei
Published: April 2013

This study investigates future changes in summertime precipitation amounts over the Japanese islands and their relations to the topographical heights by analyzing data from 20 km resolution regional climate model downscalings of MIROC3.2(hires) 20C3M and Special Report on Emission Scenarios A1B scenario data for the periods of 1981–2000 and 2081–2100. Results of the analyses indicate that future increases in June‐July‐August mean daily precipitation amounts are noticeable in the west and south sides (windward sides) of the mountainous regions, especially in western Japan where heavy rainfall is frequently observed in the recent climate. The large precipitation increases are likely to occur not only in high altitude areas but also at low altitudes where many urban areas are located. In such areas, the occurrence frequencies of precipitation amounts greater than 100 mm d−1 would also increase under the future climate scenario (A1B). One of the main causes of these precipitation changes appears to be the intensification of southwesterly moist air flows in the lower troposphere, which is likely to be associated with future increases in the north‐south atmospheric pressure gradient, especially at latitudes south of 35°N. The intensified southwesterly moist air flows that impinge on the western and southern slopes of the mountains can generate stronger upslope flows and well‐developed clouds, leading to increased precipitation. In contrast, future precipitation changes in the lee sides of the mountainous regions would be comparatively small. These results indicate that future precipitation changes strongly depend on the topography and prevailing wind direction.
Impact of sea surface temperature trend on late summer Asian rainfall in the twentieth century
Authors: Bian Qiying , Lu Riyu
Published: April 2013

The impact of the global sea surface temperature (SST) warming trend, which is the leading mode of SST variability, on late summer Asian rainfall is analyzed based on the simulations of five atmospheric general circulation models, which are performed by the U. S. Climate Variability and Predictability Drought Working Group. Our evaluations of the model outputs indicate that these models roughly capture the main features of climatological rainfall and circulations over Asia and the western North Pacific (WNP), but they simulate a too strong monsoon trough and a too northward shifted in the subtropical anticyclone in the WNP and fail to reproduce the rain belt over East Asia. It is found that all of the models simulate an intensified WNP subtropical high (WNPSH) in late summer, an enhanced precipitation in the tropical Indian Ocean and the maritime continent, and a suppressed precipitation in the South Asian monsoon region, the South China Sea, and the Philippine Sea, when the models are forced with the SST trend, which is characterized by a significant increase in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific. All these changes are suggested to be dynamically coherent. The warmer SST trend in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific may suppress precipitation over the Philippine Sea and thus result in a lower tropospheric anticyclonic circulation over the subtropical WNP. The warmer SSTs in the Indian Ocean may also be responsible for the anomalous easterlies and resultant less rainfall over the South Asian monsoon region. The precipitation changes forced by the SST trend are similar in the maritime continent but show an apparent difference over East Asia, in comparison with the observed rainfall trend over lands. The possible reasons for this difference are discussed.
Intensification of premonsoon tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and its impacts on Myanmar
Authors: Wang Shih‐Yu , Buckley Brendan M. , Yoon Jin‐Ho , Fosu Boniface
Published: April 2013

We analyze multiple global reanalysis and precipitation datasets in order to explain the dynamic mechanisms that lead to an observed intensification of the monsoon trough and associated tropical cyclone (TC) activity over the Bay of Bengal (BOB) during the premonsoon month of May. We find that post‐1979 increases in both premonsoon precipitation and TC intensity are a result of enhanced large‐scale monsoon circulation, characterized by lower‐level cyclonic and upper‐level anticyclonic anomalies. Such circulation anomalies are manifest of the tropospheric expansion that is caused by regional warming. The deepened monsoon trough in the BOB not only affects TC frequency and timing, but also acts to direct more cyclones towards Myanmar. We propose that increasing sea surface temperature in the BOB has contributed to an increase in cyclone intensity. Our analyses of the Community Earth System Model single‐forcing experiments suggest that tropospheric warming and a deepening of the monsoon trough can be explained by two discreet anthropogenic causes—an increase in absorption due to aerosol loading and an increase in the land‐ocean thermal contrast that results from increased greenhouse gases. The ensuing circulation changes provide favorable conditions for TCs to grow and to track eastward towards Myanmar.
Overview of the 2009 and 2011 Sayarim Infrasound Calibration Experiments
Authors: Fee David , Waxler Roger , Assink Jelle , Gitterman Yefim , Given Jeffrey , Coyne John , Mialle Pierrick , Garces Milton , Drob Douglas , Kleinert Dan , Hofstetter Rami , Grenard Patrick
Published: April 2013

Three large‐scale infrasound calibration experiments were conducted in 2009 and 2011 to test the International Monitoring System (IMS) infrasound network and provide ground truth data for infrasound propagation studies. Here we provide an overview of the deployment, detonation, atmospheric specifications, infrasound array observations, and propagation modeling for the experiments. The experiments at the Sayarim Military Range, Israel, had equivalent TNT yields of 96.0, 7.4, and 76.8 t of explosives on 26 August 2009, 24 January 2011, and 26 January 2011, respectively. Successful international collaboration resulted in the deployment of numerous portable infrasound arrays in the region to supplement the IMS network and increase station density. Infrasound from the detonations is detected out to ~3500 km to the northwest in 2009 and ~6300 km to the northeast in 2011, reflecting the highly anisotropic nature of long‐range infrasound propagation. For 2009, the moderately strong stratospheric wind jet results in a well‐predicted set of arrivals at numerous arrays to the west‐northwest. A second set of arrivals is also apparent, with low celerities and high frequencies. These arrivals are not predicted by the propagation modeling and result from unresolved atmospheric features. Strong eastward tropospheric winds (up to ~70 m/s) in 2011 produce high‐amplitude tropospheric arrivals recorded out to >1000 km to the east. Significant eastward stratospheric winds (up to ~80 m/s) in 2011 generate numerous stratospheric arrivals and permit the long‐range detection (i.e., >1000 km). No detections are made in directions opposite the tropospheric and stratospheric wind jets for any of the explosions. Comparison of predicted transmission loss and observed infrasound arrivals gives qualitative agreement. Propagation modeling for the 2011 experiments predicts lower transmission loss in the direction of the downwind propagation compared to the 2009 experiment, consistent with the greater detection distance. Observations also suggest a more northerly component to the stratospheric winds for the 2009 experiment and less upper atmosphere attenuation. The Sayarim infrasound calibration experiments clearly demonstrate the complexity and variability of the atmosphere, and underscore the utility of large‐scale calibration experiments with dense networks for better understanding infrasound propagation and detection. Additionally, they provide a rich data set for future scientific research.
Impact of the quasi‐biweekly oscillation over the western North Pacific on East Asian subtropical monsoon during early summer
Authors: Jia Xiaolong , Yang Song
Published: April 2013

The impact of quasi‐biweekly oscillation (QBWO) over the western North Pacific on East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) is investigated. The life cycle of QBWO is divided into eight phases defined by the two leading principal components (PC1 and PC2) of an empirical orthogonal function analysis. Subtropical rainfall shows significant changes, with a northwestward propagation of convection from equatorial regions to the South China Sea (SCS). The most significant variations occur in QBWO phases 3 and 4 (enhanced convection over SCS) and phases 7 and 8 (reduced convection over SCS). The East Asia Mei‐yu significantly decreases in QBWO phases 3 and 4 but increases in phases 7 and 8. The QBWO influences EASM through modulating the subtropical monsoon flow and extratropical circulation. The response of lower tropospheric atmosphere to QBWO shows a northwestward propagation and a downstream wave train that extends northward into the western North Pacific, modulating the SCS monsoon trough and the EASM flow associated with moisture transportation. The mid‐tropospheric extratropical circulation and the western Pacific subtropical high also show obvious changes accompanying QBWO evolution, resulting in circulation patterns associated with cold air activity. Moreover, changes with QBWO are found in the upper tropospheric East Asian westerly jet stream and the South Asian high, and these changes contribute to upper level divergence over subtropical East Asia.
Evaluation of multidecadal variability in CMIP5 surface solar radiation and inferred underestimation of aerosol direct effects over Europe, China, Japan, and India
Authors: Allen R. J. , Norris J. R. , Wild M.
Published: April 2013

Observations from the Global Energy Balance Archive indicate regional decreases in all sky surface solar radiation from ∼1950s to 1980s, followed by an increase during the 1990s. These periods are popularly called dimming and brightening, respectively. Removal of the radiative effects of cloud cover variability from all sky surface solar radiation results in a quantity called “clear sky proxy” radiation, in which multidecadal trends can be seen more distinctly, suggesting aerosol radiative forcing as a likely cause. Prior work has shown climate models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 3 (CMIP3) generally underestimate the magnitude of these trends, particularly over China and India. Here we perform a similar analysis with 173 simulations from 42 climate models participating in the new CMIP5. Results show negligible improvement over CMIP3, as CMIP5 dimming trends over four regions—Europe, China, India, and Japan—are all underestimated. This bias is largest for both India and China, where the multimodel mean yields a decrease in clear sky proxy radiation of −1.3±0.3 and −1.2±0.2 W m−2decade−1, respectively, compared to observed decreases of −6.5±0.9 and −8.2±1.3 W m−2decade−1. Similar underestimation of the observed dimming over Japan exists, with the CMIP5 mean dimming ∼20% as large as observed. Moreover, not a single simulation reproduces the magnitude of the observed dimming trend for these three regions. Relative to dimming, CMIP5 models better simulate the observed brightening, but significant underestimation exists for both China and Japan. Overall, no individual model performs particularly well for all four regions. Model biases do not appear to be related to the use of prescribed versus prognostic aerosols or to aerosol indirect effects. However, models exhibit significant correlations between clear sky proxy radiation and several aerosol‐related fields, most notably aerosol optical depth (AOD) and absorption AOD. This suggests model underestimation of the observed trends is related to underestimation of aerosol direct radiative forcing and/or deficient aerosol emission inventories.
Improving bulk microphysics parameterizations in simulations of aerosol effects
Authors: Wang Yuan , Fan Jiwen , Zhang Renyi , Leung L. Ruby , Franklin Charmaine
Published: April 2013

To improve the microphysical parameterizations for simulations of the aerosol effects in regional and global climate models, the Morrison double‐moment bulk microphysical scheme presently implemented in the Weather Research and Forecasting model is modified by replacing the prescribed aerosols in the original bulk scheme (Bulk‐OR) with a prognostic double‐moment aerosol representation to predict both aerosol number concentration and mass mixing ratio (Bulk‐2M). Sensitivity modeling experiments are performed for two distinct cloud regimes: maritime warm stratocumulus clouds (Sc) over southeast Pacific Ocean from the VOCALS project and continental deep convective clouds in the southeast of China. The results from Bulk‐OR and Bulk‐2M are compared against atmospheric observations and simulations produced by a spectral bin microphysical scheme (SBM). The prescribed aerosol approach (Bulk‐OR) produces unreliable aerosol and cloud properties throughout the simulation period, when compared to the results from those using Bulk‐2M and SBM, although all of the model simulations are initiated by the same initial aerosol concentration on the basis of the field observations. The impacts of the parameterizations of diffusional growth and autoconversion of cloud droplets and the selection of the embryonic raindrop radius on the performance of the bulk microphysical scheme are also evaluated by comparing the results from the modified Bulk‐2M with those from SBM simulations. Sensitivity experiments using four different types of autoconversion schemes reveal that the autoconversion parameterization is crucial in determining the raindrop number, mass concentration, and drizzle formation for warm stratocumulus clouds. An embryonic raindrop size of 40 µm is determined as a more realistic setting in the autoconversion parameterization. The saturation adjustment employed in calculating condensation/evaporation in the bulk scheme is identified as the main factor responsible for the large discrepancies in predicting cloud water in the Sc case, suggesting that an explicit calculation of diffusion growth with predicted supersaturation is necessary to improve the bulk microphysics scheme. Lastly, a larger rain evaporation rate below clouds is found in the bulk scheme in comparison to the SBM simulation, which may contribute to a lower surface precipitation in the bulk scheme.
Interannual variability in the surface energy budget and evaporation over a large southern inland water in the United States
Authors: Zhang Qianyu , Liu Heping
Published: April 2013

Understanding how the surface energy budget and evaporation over inland waters respond to climate change and variability remains limited. Here we report 2 year measurements of the surface energy budget using the eddy covariance method over Ross Barnett Reservoir, Mississippi, USA, for 2008 and 2009. Annual mean sensible (H) and latent (LE) heat fluxes in 2008 were 9.5%, and 10.0% greater than in 2009, respectively. Most of the interannual variations in the surface energy fluxes and meteorological variables primarily occurred in the cool seasons from October to March, which was enhanced by frequent large wind events associated with cold front passages. These large wind events greatly promoted H and LE exchange and produced H and LE pulses that increased variations in H and LE between these two cool seasons. In the warm seasons from April to September, H and LE pulses were also present, which largely increased variations in LE and dampened those in H between the two warm seasons. The H and LE pulses contributed to approximately 50% of the annual H and 28% of the annual LE, although they only covered about 16% of the entire year. The interannual variations in H and LE pulses contributed to about 78% of the interannual variations in H and 40% of those in LE. Our results imply that the increased interannual variability in cold front activities as a result of climate change would amplify interannual variations in the evaporation and the surface energy exchange over inland waters in this region.
Modeling nutrient retention at the watershed scale: Does small stream research apply to the whole river network?
Authors: Aguilera Rosana , Marcé Rafael , Sabater Sergi
Published: April 2013

Nutrients are conveyed from terrestrial and upstream sources through drainage networks. Streams and rivers contribute to regulate the material exported downstream by means of transformation, storage, and removal of nutrients. It has been recently suggested that the efficiency of process rates relative to available nutrient concentration in streams eventually declines, following an efficiency loss (EL) dynamics. However, most of these predictions are based at the reach scale in pristine streams, failing to describe the role of entire river networks. Models provide the means to study nutrient cycling from the stream network perspective via upscaling to the watershed the key mechanisms occurring at the reach scale. We applied a hybrid process‐based and statistical model (SPARROW, Spatially Referenced Regression on Watershed Attributes) as a heuristic approach to describe in‐stream nutrient processes in a highly impaired, high stream order watershed (the Llobregat River Basin, NE Spain). The in‐stream decay specifications of the model were modified to include a partial saturation effect in uptake efficiency (expressed as a power law) and better capture biological nutrient retention in river systems under high anthropogenic stress. The stream decay coefficients were statistically significant in both nitrate and phosphate models, indicating the potential role of in‐stream processing in limiting nutrient export. However, the EL concept did not reliably describe the patterns of nutrient uptake efficiency for the concentration gradient and streamflow values found in the Llobregat River basin, posing in doubt its complete applicability to explain nutrient retention processes in stream networks comprising highly impaired rivers.
ASHRM member benefits and programs enhance patient safety
Authors: Oppenberg Andrew A.
Published: April 2013

ASHRM's 2013 ongoing theme—“Everyone is a Risk Manager” (ERM)—emphasizes the vital role that all healthcare workers hold as guardians of patient safety, every single day. Each and every employee must take ownership of risk and recognize their part in the patient safety process.
High‐throughput determination of Sudan Azo‐dyes within powdered chili pepper by paper spray mass spectrometry
Authors: Taverna Domenico , Di Donna Leonardo , Mazzotti Fabio , Policicchio Barbara , Sindona Giovanni
Published: April 2013

A high‐throughput mass spectrometric method is presented for the simultaneous detection of Sudan I, II, III, IV and Para‐Red azo‐dyes in foodstuff. The method is based on the use of paper spray mass spectrometry (MS) and deuterium‐labeled internal standards on a triple‐quadrupole instrument. A detailed assay of each azo‐dye was performed by the isotope dilution method, through the precursor ion scan approach, using deuterium‐labeled internal standards. The gas‐phase breakdown pattern of each labeled and unlabeled analogue displays the naphthoic moiety as a common fragment. Sudan dyes can be determined above the threshold of 1 ppm. Paper spray allows for a wide range of analytes and samples to be investigated by MS in the open air and without sample preparation and bypassing chromatography. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of reducing and nonreducing neutral carbohydrates by laser‐enhanced in‐source decay (LEISD) MALDI MS
Authors: Yang Hongmei , Li Zong‐Jun , Wan Debin , Lian Wenhui , Liu Shuying
Published: April 2013

In this work, laser‐enhanced in‐source decay (LEISD) technique of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (MALDI‐FT‐ICR‐MS) was used to distinguish reducing and nonreducing carbohydrates. Interestingly, easier cleavage of (1 → 2)‐linked glycosidic bonds for nonreducing carbohydrates containing D‐fructofuranosyl units was observed in MALDI‐FT‐ICR‐MS, which was in agreement with the result of theoretical calculation by the software package Gaussian 09. Importantly, no cross‐ring cleavage of fructofuranosyl residues was detected in the LEISD spectra of nonreducing carbohydrates. LEISD method therefore offers an attractive alternative for fast and efficient differentiation of reducing and nonreducing carbohydrates, and the positions of nonreducing monosaccharide residues in a carbohydrate chain could be easily speculated. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Presynaptic protein synaptotagmin1 regulates the activity‐induced remodeling of synaptic structures in cultured hippocampal neurons
Authors: Inoue Yuriko , Takayanagi Masaaki , Sugiyama Hiroyuki
Published: April 2013

Activity‐dependent reorganizations of central neuronal synapses are thought to play important roles in learning and memory. Although the precise mechanisms of how neuronal activities modify synaptic connections in neurons remain to be clarified, the activity‐induced neuronal presynaptic proteins such as synaptotagmin1 may contribute to the onset of synaptic remodeling. To understand better the physiological roles of synaptotagmin1, we first examined the prolonged effects of neuronal stimulation capable of inducing synaptotagmin1 on the distribution of a postsynaptic proteins (PSD) protein Homer1c by immunostaining. Previously we found that glutamate stimulation induced other postsynaptic proteins, such as postsynaptic density‐95 (PSD95), a biphasic change with an initially diffuse distribution after 30 min to 1 hr, followed by reassembly to more than the original level after 4–8 hr, suggesting that glutamate stimulation induces a global biphasic alteration in synaptic structures. To dissect further the functions of synaptotagmin1 in the activity‐induced synaptic remodeling, short hairpin RNA (shRNA) vectors that specifically block the expression of endogenous synaptotagmin1 were constructed. When the shRNA of synaptotagmin1 was introduced to the neurons, the activity‐induced changes were almost completely suppressed. We found that synaptotagmin1 contributes to the postsynaptic remodeling in a retrograde manner. Our data indicate that synaptotagmin1 regulates the activity‐induced biphasic changes of post‐ and presynaptic sites. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Choline acetyltransferase activity in the hamster central auditory system and long‐term effects of intense tone exposure
Authors: Godfrey Donald A. , Kaltenbach James A. , Chen Kejian , Ilyas Omer
Published: April 2013

Acoustic trauma often leads to loss of hearing of environmental sounds, tinnitus, in which a monotonous sound not actually present is heard, and/or hyperacusis, in which there is an abnormal sensitivity to sound. Research on hamsters has documented physiological effects of exposure to intense tones, including increased spontaneous neural activity in the dorsal cochlear nucleus. Such physiological changes should be accompanied by chemical changes, and those chemical changes associated with chronic effects should be present at long times after the intense sound exposure. Using a microdissection mapping procedure combined with a radiometric microassay, we have measured activities of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the enzyme responsible for synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, in the cochlear nucleus, superior olive, inferior colliculus, and auditory cortex of hamsters 5 months after exposure to an intense tone compared with control hamsters of the same age. In control hamsters, ChAT activities in auditory regions were never more than one‐tenth of the ChAT activity in the facial nerve root, a bundle of myelinated cholinergic axons, in agreement with a modulatory rather than a dominant role of acetylcholine in hearing. Within auditory regions, relatively higher activities were found in granular regions of the cochlear nucleus, dorsal parts of the superior olive, and auditory cortex. In intense‐tone‐exposed hamsters, ChAT activities were significantly increased in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus granular region and the lateral superior olivary nucleus. This is consistent with some chronic upregulation of the cholinergic olivocochlear system influence on the cochlear nucleus after acoustic trauma. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterizing farming systems around Kakamega Forest, Western Kenya, for targeting soil fertility–enhancing technologies
Authors: Diwani Thuweba N. , Asch Folkard , Becker Mathias , Mussgnug Frank
Published: April 2013

Kakamega district in Western Kenya represents the smallholder farming systems typical for much of the densely populated humid highlands in East Africa. A specific feature, however, is the presence of a protected forest reserve (Kakamega Forest National Park), covering some 20% of the district area. Year‐round crop production with little use of external inputs is resulting in declining soil fertility and crop yields. Technologies to counteract fertility constraints are rarely implemented, as they do not consider system diversity or farm‐specific characteristics. We surmised that farm type–specific targeting of technology options to address soil fertility–related production constraints would reduce the anthropogenic pressure on the resources of the adjacent Kakamega rainforest reserve. Based on Kenyan national census data, we selected 168 farms in physical proximity of the Kakamega forest and characterized them regarding production system and soil attributes. Cluster and principal component analyses identified five distinct farm categories. Three representative farms from each cluster group were subsequently selected to establish labor‐use patterns, draw resource‐flow maps, and determine NPK balances.

Small subsistence‐oriented farms were most common (> 50%), with maize yields of 0.9 t ha–1 (Cluster 1). Most farmers relied on the forest to provide fire wood, animal feed, and medicinal plants. Mixed farms, combining subsistence maize with industrial crops, were differentiated by soil type, with tea being grown on Ferralsol (Cluster 3), and sugar cane being grown on Acrisol (cluster 4). The dependence on forest resources was limited to animal grazing and the collection of feed stuff (Cluster 3), or the extraction of medicinal plants (Cluster 4). Only few farms showed a high degree of market orientation of the food‐crop production. These comprised either small farms with high investments in fertilizer and maize yields close to 2 t ha–1 (Cluster 2), or larger farms (1.6–3.9 ha) with low fertilizer but high hired‐labor use (Cluster 5). Their reliance on forest resources was generally low. Resource flows showed mainly patterns of nutrient export in subsistence farms, and more complex flow patterns, involving several farm compartments, in the diversified farms. Partial nutrient balances were strongly negative for N and K, irrespective of soil or farm type. Soil‐fertility characteristics reflected the nutrient balances with generally low C and N in all farms on Acrisol, and low P in farms not applying mineral fertilizers or farmyard manure. The proposed typology is expected to improve the targeting of technologies addressing soil fertility–related production constraints, and to reduce the pressure on forest resources. This is of particular importance in the case of small‐scale subsistence and mixed farms close to the forest margin.
Improving potassium acquisition and utilisation by crop plants
Authors: White Philip J.
Published: April 2013

To avoid loss of yield, crops must maintain tissue potassium (K) concentrations above 5–40 mg K (g DM)–1. The supply of K from the soil is often insufficient to meet this demand and, in many agricultural systems, K fertilisers are applied to crops. However, K fertilisers are expensive. There is interest, therefore, in reducing applications of K fertilisers either by improving agronomy or developing crop genotypes that use K fertilisers more efficiently. Agronomic K fertiliser use efficiency is determined by the ability of roots to acquire K from the soil, which is referred to as K uptake efficiency (KUpE), and the ability of a plant to utilise the K acquired to produce yield, which is referred to as K utilisation efficiency (KUtE). There is considerable genetic variation between and within crop species in both KUpE and KUtE, and chromosomal loci affecting these characteristics have been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana and several crop species. Plant traits that increase KUpE include (1) exudation of organic compounds that release more non‐exchangeable soil K, (2) high root K uptake capacity, (3) early root vigour, high root‐to‐shoot ratios, and high root length densities, (4) proliferation of roots throughout the soil volume, and (5) high transpiration rates. Plant traits that increase KUtE include (1) effective K redistribution within the plant, (2) tolerance of low tissue K concentrations, and, at low tissue K concentrations, (3) maintenance of optimal K concentrations in metabolically active cellular compartments, (4) replacement of K in its non‐specific roles, (5) redistribution of K from senescent to younger tissues, (6) maintenance of water relations, photosynthesis and canopy cover, and (7) a high harvest index. The development of crop genotypes with these traits will enable K fertiliser applications to be reduced.
Abrupt variability of the last 24 ka BP recorded by coccolithophore assemblages off the Iberian Margin (core MD03‐2699)
Authors: PALUMBO ELIANA , FLORES JOSÉ A. , PERUGIA CARMEN , EMANUELE DARIO , PETRILLO ZACCARIA , RODRIGUES TERESA , VOELKER ANTJE H. L. , AMORE FILOMENA O.
Published: April 2013

A high‐resolution coccolithophore study allowed reconstructing sea surface conditions during the last 24 ka BP off the Iberian Margin. Variations in nannoplankton accumulation rate, cold‐water species, Florisphaera profunda, Umbilicosphaera sibogae and Coccolithus pelagicus ssp. azorinus trends suggest the occurrence of substantial changes in surface water dynamics. Palaeoproductivity shows changes during the glacial and the interglacial transition from intense glacial upwelling to persistent interglacial stratification. A drastic productivity decline occurred between ∼18 and 13 ka BP related to the arrival of subpolar waters indicated by the presence of the subarctic subspecies C. pelagicus pelagicus and increased percentages of tetra‐unsaturated alkenones. Abrupt variability at core MD03‐2699 during the last 24 ka BP was observed in palaeoproductivity and sea surface temperatures proxies. Increases of reworked species fluxes were observed during the Last Glacial Maximum and during the transition to the Holocene, likely connected to turbidity currents and/or contourites formed by Mediterranean outflow intensification. In addition, C. pelagicus ssp. pelagicus presence, Gephyrocapsa muellerae and tetra‐alkenone percentages reveal rapid coolings coeval with the Holocene Bond cycles and rapid climate coolings recognized for the Northern Hemisphere between 11.02 and 1.7 ka BP and associated with subpolar water arrival at the site. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quality of life after transoral laser microresection of laryngeal cancer: A longitudinal study
Authors: Vilaseca Isabel , Ballesteros Ferran , Martínez‐Vidal Brígida Meritxell , Lehrer Eduardo , Bernal‐Sprekelsen Manuel , Blanch José Luis
Published: April 2013

Background and Methods

In the treatment of early to moderate laryngeal carcinoma, both, transoral laser surgery and radiation‐based protocols have demonstrated good survival and preservation rates. In this scenario, quality of life (QOL) may become an important tool for treatment planning. We aimed to evaluate QOL changes after transoral laser microsurgery (TLM). Prospective longitudinal study. Ninety‐three consecutive disease‐free patients were evaluated using UW‐QOL v4 and SF‐12, before and 12 months after treatment. Changes over time were assessed according to age, gender, location, tumor size, and adjuvant treatment.

Results

UW‐QOL improved from 1,051.5 ± 133.7 to 1,121.7 ± 92.1 (P = 0.000), suggesting that the impact of the treatment was favorable in most of the patients. Voice quality significantly improved after TLM, but speech was still the most important variable for 46% of the patients. Tumor location (P = 0.002) was an independent factor for preoperative total score of UW‐QOL, whereas adjuvant radiation (P = 0.03) and neck dissection (P = 0.02), were the only postoperative negative factors.

Conclusion

One year after TLM patients present a very good QOL. Relevant voice impairment is detected especially in locally advanced tumors, reinforcing the necessity of preoperative counseling and postoperative rehabilitation. Adjuvant radiotherapy and neck dissection negatively influenced disease‐specific QOL. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013 108:52–56. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ideal Standards and Attitude Formation: A Tourism Destination Perspective
Authors: White Christopher J.
Published: April 2013

This study investigates the way attributes of an individual's ideal destination influence attitudes towards a holiday destination. Traditionally, ideals are used as comparison standards or to weight perception measures, but literature from outside the tourism and business management domains suggest new possibilities exist. A conceptual model was developed and empirically tested using path analysis, and the results indicate that ideal attributes directly influence perceptions of a holiday destination and indirectly influence attitude components of emotion and conation. The implications of the findings are discussed from both a practical and theoretical perspective and raise a number of interesting future research possibilities. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tunable Properties of Inclusion Complexes Between Amylose and Polytetrahydrofuran
Authors: Rachmawati Rachmawati , Woortman Albert J. J. , Loos Katja
Published: April 2013

Amylose and polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF) are mixed in an aqueous solution to form inclusion complexes. DSC shows that immediate mixing results in complexes having lower melting temperatures compared with complexes prepared with longer mixing times. The washed complexes melt at higher temperatures compared with the corresponding unwashed complexes. XRD indicates that amylose–PTHF complexes diffract similar to amylose–fatty acids complexes (V6I‐amylose helices), with additional diffractions correlating with amylose–alcohol complexes (V6II‐amylose helices). This suggests that the structure of amylose–PTHF complexes is an intermediate or a mixture between V6I‐ and V6II‐amylose. This shows that, besides residing inside the amylose helices, some PTHF chains are located in between the amylose helices.

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Microstructuring of thermal sprayed Mo layers with fields of applications of friction and wear
Authors: Hübsch C. , Erne M. , Möhwald K. , Bach F.‐W. , Abo‐Namous O. , Kästner M. , Reithmeier E.
Published: April 2013

Die Eigenschaften thermisch gespritzter Schichten sind von vielen Parametern wie der Spritzwerkstoff‐ und Substrateigenschaften als auch der Spritzparameter abhängig. In dieser Studie wird der Einfluss zweier variabler Spritzparameter (Spritzabstand und Stromstärke) auf Molybdän‐haltige thermische Spritzschichten untersucht. Dabei werden in erster Line werkstoffkundliche und oberflächencharakterisierende Eigenschaften analysiert und deren Abhängigkeit voneinander geprüft. Wichtige Oberflächenparameter stellen hierbei die Porosität und die Porentiefe der Schichten dar. Im Anschluss an die Korrelation zwischen Spritzparametern und Schichteigenschaften wird insbesondere auf den Einfluss der Schichteigenschaften auf deren tribologisches Verhalten im Vergleich zu einer unbeschichteten Stahloberfläche eingegangen.
Failure behaviour of metallic sleeves in riveted CFRP joints
Authors: Hasselbruch H. , Schimanski K. , von Hehl A. , Jendrny J.
Published: April 2013

Die hervorragenden spezifischen, mechanischen Eigenschaften von Faserverbundkunststoffen (FVK) führen, insbesondere bei der Substitution primärer Metallstrukturen, zu einem steigenden Bedarf im Flugzeugbau. Gleichzeitig erhöhen sich die Anforderungen konventionell eingesetzter Nietverbindungen, wie etwa dem Schließringbolzensystem. Notwendige Nietbohrungen der Fügepartner stören allerdings die natürlichen Faserverläufe und bringen Imperfektionen in den Werkstoff ein. Zusätzlich können während des Einpressens der Schließringbolzen unerwünschte Delaminationen bzw. Faserausbrüche in der Bohrungsrandzone hervorgerufen werden, was einen weiteren negativen Einfluss auf die Verbindungsfestigkeit hat. Mit dem Einbringen einer Stahlhülse in die Nietbohrung weitet diese sich während des Einpressvorgangs radial, wodurch kritische Schub‐ und Scherspannungen beim Einpressen der Bolzen vermieden werden. Die gestiegene Komplexität des Systems führt allerdings zur Einhaltung engerer Prozessgrenzen, da anderenfalls Beschädigungen an der Hülse und somit an der gesamten Verbindung zu erwarten sind. Ziel dieser Untersuchung war daher die eingehende Charakterisierung des Hülsenwerkstoffs sowie des gesamten Prozesses mit seinen Prozessgrenzen. Die Methode der finiten Elemente dient dabei als wichtiges Instrument für die Wahl richtiger Prozessparameter. Aus Zugversuchen wurde ein Materialmodell mit Versagenskriterium für die Stahlhülse definiert und diese in die Simulation des Einpressvorgangs implementiert. Verglichen mit experimentellen Versuchen zeigen die numerischen Ergebnisse bei ungünstiger Kombination der Prozessparameter ein realitätsnahes Hülsenversagen.
The Composition of Kwermin Design
Authors: Eggertsson Sveinn
Published: April 2013

This paper is about designs placed on house‐boards, shields and drums in the Min cultural sphere of Papua New Guinea. It is argued that the shields and drums can be understood as extensions of the Taro Mother ritual house built in the last of seven male initiation rituals performed in the area. The drum grows taro like the ritual house grows men, the shield attracts ancestral support to warriors like the façade of the ritual house attracts ancestral benevolence to the novices inside. In order to accomplish this the objects, and importantly their designs, are imbued with qualities considered agreeable to the ancestral spirits. It is suggested that as much as these qualities can be understood as part of the visual aspect of the designs, they are also, and importantly so, inherent in the substances used in their composition.
Pollapese Catholicism as Strategy
Authors: Flinn Juliana
Published: April 2013

Indigenous groups creatively incorporate outside institutions, including Christianity, for local purposes. Furthermore, people who see themselves as observing tradition may also construe themselves as being Christian and citizens of a nation. Despite the original external origins of Christianity, meaning becomes locally constructed and asserted for local purposes so that religion as practiced is about local, regional, or national concerns rather than commitment to particular dogmas, institutions, and hierarchy. A case in point are the people of Pollap in the Caroline Islands of Micronesia, who converted to Christianity in the middle of the twentieth century through the efforts of a Catholic catechist. Today the islanders practice a vibrant version of Catholicism in which local symbols and beliefs infuse imported Catholic ritual, and in which biblical verses and imagery support secular, political strategies. Pollapese seem less concerned with theology and more with behavior that demonstrates good character. As they attempt to exploit and reconcile potentially conflicting guides for behavior from the realms of religion, tradition, and government, they make strategic use of their understandings of Catholicism's dictates for political and social purposes.
The stability of cylindrin β‐barrel amyloid oligomer models—A molecular dynamics study
Authors: Berhanu Workalemahu M. , Hansmann Ulrich H. E.
Published: April 2013

Small‐soluble amyloid oligomers are believed to play a significant role in the pathology of amyloid diseases. Recently, the atomic structure of a toxic oligomer formed by an 11 residue and its tandem repeat was found to have an out‐off register antiparallel β‐strands in the shape of a β‐barrel. In the present article we investigate the effect of mutations in the hydrophobic cores on the structure and dynamic of the β‐barrels using all atom multiple molecular dynamics simulations with an explicit solvent. Extending previous experiments with molecular dynamics simulations we systematically test how stability and formation of cylindrin depends on the interplay between hydrophobicity and steric effects of the core residues. We find that strong hydrophobic interactions between geometrically fitting residues keep the strands (both in register and out‐off‐register interface) in close proximity, which in turn stabilizes the side‐chain and main‐chain hydrogen bonds, and the salt bridges on the outer surface along the weak out‐of‐register interface. Our simulations also indicate presence of water molecules in the hydrophobic interior of the cylindrin β‐barrel.Proteins 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fungal skin infections: current approaches to management
Authors: Salmon Nicola , Fuller Claire
Published: April 2013

The dermatophyte skin infections tinea capitis, tinea pedis and onychomycosis are common and challenging to treat. Our Drug review focusses on key points and advances in their management, followed by further sources of information.
Initial bioadhesion on medical glass packaging materials investigated by dynamic contact angle measurements
Authors: Köhler Oliver , Müller Christine , Hermsdörfer Anne , Röhl Holger , Ziegler Christiane
Published: April 2013

Glass is one of the most important materials in medical packaging. Protein adsorption at the glass walls leads to loss of the active substance in the glass vials and thus to high costs for the pharmaceutical industry, in particular in the case of expensive drugs. Thus more knowledge about the basic mechanisms and the involved parameters in protein interaction with glass surfaces is desirable. In this context, the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA), fibrinogen (FIB), and lysozyme (LYS) on typical glass surfaces (borosilicate glass, quartz glass) was investigated by dynamic contact angle (DCA) measurements as a function of pH value. DCA allows the determination of the relative amount of adsorbed protein and of the reversibility of the adsorption process. It will be shown that the amount of adsorbed protein is governed by electrostatics on quartz glass while on borosilicate glass no influence of the pH value (and hence the electrostatics) can be seen. This can be explained by the different surface composition which has apparently an important influence on the adsorption process. In addition it could be determined that on both glass surfaces, none of the investigated proteins shows a complete reversibility of the adsorption process, i.e., desorption is never complete. In conclusion the interaction with glass surfaces cannot be generalized but electrostatics play a major role and thus the interaction of proteins with glass surfaces may be changed by shifting the pH value of the solutions or the isoelectric point (IEP) of the surfaces.
The Beneficial Effect of Total Glucosides of Paeony on Psoriatic Arthritis Links to Circulating Tregs and Th1 Cell Function
Authors: Wang Yi Na , Zhang Yu , Wang Yan , Zhu Ding Xian , Xu Li Qin , Fang Hong , Wu Wei
Published: April 2013

Total glycosides of peony (TGP) is a natural immuno‐modulatory drug extracted from traditional Chinese herb peony. It has been approved by State Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, data of TGP effect on psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is still scarce. In this study, 19 patients with PsA received 12‐week treatment of TGP, and clinical efficacy in joint manifestations was evaluated by DAS28 at weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12. Peripheral percentages of Tregs, Th1, Th2 and NK cells were analyzed, and serum Th1‐type cytokines (IL‐12, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α), Th2‐type cytokines (IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐10) as well as pro‐inflammatory factors (IL‐2, IL‐6 and IL‐8) were concomitantly examined. Six patients (32%) exhibited ≥25% decrease of DAS28 (responders). Interestingly, all responders displayed a continuous decrease in Treg and Th1 numbers during TGP treatment, concomitant with significant decreases in Th1‐type cytokine levels. Serum IL‐6 also showed a significant decline in responders. Non‐responders lacked these sequential alterations. Thus, TGP merits further consideration as a promising therapeutic option for PsA. The result indicated that recovery of Tregs and Th1 may serve as prognostic markers to assess responsiveness to TGP treatment in PsA. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Virological and immunological mechanisms in the pathogenesis of human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1
Authors: Satou Yorifumi , Matsuoka Masao
Published: April 2013

Human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) was the first retrovirus shown to cause human disease, such as adult T‐cell leukemia and HTLV‐1 associated myelopathy/tropic spastic paraparesis. HTLV‐1 mainly infects CD4 T cells and deregulates their differentiation, function and homeostasis, which should contribute to the pathogenesis of HTLV‐1, for example, inducing transformation of infected CD4 T cells and chronic inflammatory diseases. Therefore, not only virological approach but also immunological approach regarding CD4 T cells are required to understand how HTLV‐1 causes related human diseases. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the interaction between HTLV‐1 and the main host cell, CD4 T cells, which should provide us some clue to the mechanisms of HTLV‐1 mediated pathogenesis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating a marginal causal odds ratio in a case‐control design: analyzing the effect of low birth weight on the risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Persson Emma , Waernbaum Ingeborg
Published: April 2013

Estimation of marginal causal effects from case‐control data has two complications: (i) confounding due to the fact that the exposure under study is not randomized, and (ii) bias from the case‐control sampling scheme. In this paper, we study estimators of the marginal causal odds ratio, addressing these issues for matched and unmatched case‐control designs when utilizing the knowledge of the known prevalence of being a case. The estimators are implemented in simulations where their finite sample properties are studied and approximations of their variances are derived with the delta method. Also, we illustrate the methods by analyzing the effect of low birth weight on the risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus using data from the Swedish Childhood Diabetes Register, a nationwide population‐based incidence register. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Priority Mismatch Between Space Science and Satellite Operations
Authors: O'Brien T. P. , Mazur J. E. , Fennell J. F.
Published: April 2013

Key Points

Scientists prioritize forecasting higher than do satellite operators

Scientists deemphasize some phenomena vital to satellite operations

Understanding priorities can expand the societal return on science investment