bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Runout analysis of a large rockfall in the Dolomites/Italian Alps using LIDAR derived particle sizes and shapes
Authors: Haas Florian , Heckmann Tobias , Wichmann Volker , Becht Michael
Published: June 2012

LiDAR data were used to quantify and analyse a rockfall event which occurred in 2003 in the Western Dolomites (Italian Alps). In addition to previously existing airborne laserscanning (ALS) data, high resolution terrestrial laserscanning (TLS) data were collected. By using the original point clouds, the volume, axial ratio and runout length of single boulders as well as the surface roughness in the runout zone of the rockfall were derived. The total volume of the rockfall event of approximately 10 000 m³ was estimated by a reconstruction of the pre‐event surface at the detachment zone. The analysis of the laser scanning data of the accumulation zone revealed a power law scaling for boulder volumes larger than 8 m³. The dependence of runout length on boulder volume is complex; it is moderated by particle sphericity.

In addition, we used ALS and TLS data to derive the spatial distribution of surface roughness on the talus cone. TLS allow for more accurate roughness mapping than ALS data, but for most applications the point density of ALS data seems to be sufficiently high to derive measures of roughness. Different sampling approaches for plane fitting on the scale of 5 m did not show significant effects besides the computational time. The results of our analyses provide important perspectives for rockfall modelling and process understanding with potential applications in both ‘applied’ (natural hazards) and ‘pure’ geomorphological research. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of Genetic Interactions Involving Maternal and Offspring Genotypes at Different Loci: Power Simulation and Application to Testicular Cancer
Authors: Nsengimana Jérémie , Barrett Jennifer H.
Published: June 2012

The analyses of genetic interaction between maternal and offspring genotypes are usually conducted considering a single locus. Here, we propose testing maternal × offspring (M×O) and maternal × maternal (M×M) genotype interactions involving two unlinked loci. We reformulate the log‐linear approach of analyzing cases and their parents (family trios) to accommodate two loci, fit fuller models to avoid confounding in a first analysis step and propose that the model be reduced to the most prominent effects in a second step. We conduct extensive simulations to assess the validity and power of this approach under various model assumptions. We show that the approach is valid and has good power to detect M×O and M×M interactions. For example, the power to detect a dominant interaction relative risk of 1.5 (both M×O and M×M) is 70% with 300 trios and approaches 100% with 1,000 trios. Unlike the main effects, M×O and M×M interactions are conditionally independent of mating types, and consequently, their power is not affected by missing paternal genotypes. When applied to single‐locus M×O interaction, our method is as powerful as other existing methods. Applying the method to testicular cancer, we found a nominally significant M×M interaction between single nucleotide polymorphisms from C‐Kit Ligand (KITLG) and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) using 210 families (relative risk 2.2, P = 0.03). This finding supports a role of maternal hormones in offspring testicular cancer and warrants confirmation in a larger dataset.
Exploring the Hotel Service Personnel's Cognitive Implications toward Service Attributes and Ethics
Authors: Lin Chin‐Feng
Published: June 2012

It is extremely important for service personnel to have high ethical standards, be committed to the business, and be willing to serve customers well, as this can help their employer to gain a competitive advantage. This study adopted the Kano model and proposed a service ethics scale to explore service personnel's cognitive implications toward hotel service attributes and ethics. Based on a literature review and expert interviews, this study summarized 40 service ethics variables. A total of 438 responses from hotel service personnel were collected. Through factor analysis, seven dimensions (factors) of service ethic measurement were confirmed. The analytical results showed that hotel attributes within the “service attitude” and “room facilities” factors are evaluated as attractive and one‐dimensional qualities by the service personnel with high ethical standards. Such attributes should thus be a focus of hotels to increase the level of customer satisfaction. Finally, the limitations and managerial implications of this work, as well as directions for future research, are also provided. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ergonomics Improvement in Order Selection in a Refrigerated Environment
Authors: Yeow Paul H. P. , Goomas David T.
Published: June 2012

The purpose was to conduct an ergonomics improvement in the order selection process in a refrigerated dairy factory. The workers' task was to pick dairy products to fulfill orders. Plant walkthroughs, unstructured interviews, and direct observation methods were used to study the existing process and problems. Ergonomics intervention was made by introducing a wireless handheld scanning system. A field experiment was carried out to compare the conventional paper pick list with the new system. Results indicated that workers faced difficulty in the paper pick list system, that is, to grasp a clipboard, turn pages, and place marks while wearing thick gloves. The new system eliminated this problem, and because of its ergonomics visual and audio feedback properties and more efficient process, it increased productivity (by 8.4%) and workers' satisfaction, simplified tasks, improved work quality, and reduced delay in invoicing. Replicating the intervention, other process‐based manufacturing companies may reap similar benefits. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Co‐expression of CD133+/CD44+ in human colon cancer and liver metastasis
Authors: Bellizzi Antonia , Sebastian Sinto , Ceglia Pasquale , Centonze Matteo , Divella Rosa , Manzillo Elvira Foglia , Azzariti Amalia , Silvestris Nicola , Montemurro Severino , Caliandro Cosimo , De Luca Raffaele , Cicero Giuseppe , Rizzo Sergio , Russo Antonio , Quaranta Michele , Simone Giovanni , Paradiso Angelo
Published: June 2012

Although relatively good therapeutic results are achieved in non‐advanced cancer, the prognosis of the advanced colon cancer still remains poor, dependent on local or distant recurrence of the disease. One of the factors responsible for recurrence is supposed to be cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor‐initiating cells, which are a population of cancer cells with ability to perpetuate themselves through self‐renewal and to generate differentiated cells, thought to be responsible for tumor recurrence. This study globally approach the possible role of tissue‐derived stem cells in the initiation of colon cancer and its metastatic process in the liver. Fresh surgical specimens from colon cancer, non‐tumor tissue and liver metastasis were obtained directly from the operating room, examined, and immediately processed. CSCs were selected under serum‐free conditions and characterized by CD44 and CD133 expression levels. CD133+/CD44+ cell populations were then investigated in paraffin‐embedded tissues and circulating tumor cells isolated from peripheral blood of the same group of colon cancer patients. Our data demonstrate that metastatic properties of cell populations from blood and liver metastasis, differently from primitive tumors, seem to be strictly related to the phenotype CD133 positive and CD44 positive. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 408–415, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bovine lactoferricin is anti‐inflammatory and anti‐catabolic in human articular cartilage and synovium
Authors: Yan Dongyao , Chen Di , Shen Jie , Xiao Guozhi , van Wijnen Andre J. , Im Hee‐Jeong
Published: June 2012

Bovine lactoferricin (LfcinB) is a multi‐functional peptide derived from proteolytic cleavage of bovine lactoferrin. LfcinB was found to antagonize the biological effects mediated by angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF‐2) in endothelial cells. However, the effect of LfcinB on human articular cartilage remained unknown. Here, our findings demonstrate that LfcinB restored the proteoglycan loss promoted by catabolic factors (interleukin‐1β) IL‐1β and FGF‐2 in vitro and ex vivo. Mechanistically, LfcinB attenuated the effects of IL‐1β and FGF‐2 on the expression of cartilage‐degrading enzymes (MMP‐1, MMP‐3, and MMP‐13), destructive cytokines (IL‐1β and IL‐6), and inflammatory mediators (iNOS and TLR2). LfcinB induced protective cytokine expression (IL‐4 and IL‐10), and downregulated aggrecanase basal expression. LfcinB specifically activated ERK MAPK and Akt signaling pathways, which may account for its anti‐inflammatory activity. We also revealed that LfcinB exerted similar protective effects on human synovial fibroblasts challenged by IL‐1β, with minimal cytotoxicity. Collectively, our results suggest that LfcinB possesses potent anti‐catabolic and anti‐inflammatory bioactivities in human articular tissues, and may be utilized for the prevention and/or treatment of OA in the future. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 447–456, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Complexity Dichotomy for the Coloring of Sparse Graphs
Authors: Esperet Louis , Montassier Mickaël , Ochem Pascal , Pinlou Alexandre
Published: June 2012

Galluccio, Goddyn, and Hell proved in 2001 that in any minor‐closed class of graphs, graphs with large enough girth have a homomorphism to any given odd cycle. In this paper, we study the computational aspects of this problem. Let be a monotone class of graphs containing all planar graphs, and closed under clique‐sum of order at most two. Examples of such class include minor‐closed classes containing all planar graphs, and such that all minimal obstructions are 3‐connected. We prove that for any k and g, either every graph of girth at least g in has a homomorphism to , or deciding whether a graph of girth g in has a homomorphism to is NP‐complete. We also show that the same dichotomy occurs when considering 3‐Colorability or acyclic 3‐Colorability of graphs under various notions of density that are related to a question of Havel (On a conjecture of Grünbaum, J Combin Theory Ser B 7 (1969), 184–186) and a conjecture of Steinberg (The state of the three color problem, Quo Vadis, Graph theory?, Ann Discrete Math 55 (1993), 211–248) about the 3‐Colorability of sparse planar graphs.
Universal primers for species authentication of animal foodstuff in a single polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Horreo Jose L , Ardura Alba , Pola Ivan G , Martinez Jose L , Garcia‐Vazquez Eva
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: There are many DNA‐based systems for detecting animal species present in food and food products, applicable for food quality control and authentication. However, most (if not all) methods require more than one pair of primers and cannot be applied over a wide taxonomic range, e.g. identifying vertebrates and invertebrates with the same primers and protocols.

RESULTS: A pair of primers is described here that allows in a single polymerase chain reaction the identification of animal species in food and processed (precooked, canned or smoked) food products over a wide taxonomic range.

CONCLUSION: These primers permit the identification of most animal taxa employed in human nutrition, from invertebrates such as molluscs to higher vertebrates, distinguishing between species of the same genus. The short fragment amplified within the 16S rDNA exhibits phylogenetic value and could be considered universal based on the wide taxonomic range assayed. The primers are easy to use and accessible for laboratories with a modest budget, as well as being valuable for consumer information and to reveal food fraud. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Distributed Fascinating Knowledge Over an Online Travel Community
Authors: Ku Edward C. S.
Published: June 2012

The research goal of this study was to investigate how website design quality and website service quality affect participation behavior in the online travel community by moderating tacit knowledge and commitment.

The design of the questionnaire linked it to the invitation message on the three travel communities, of which 235 were returned completed. The finding of the study shows that an online travel community that allows quick manipulation capabilities is likely to attract its members. To succeed, online travel communities have to rethink the way in which they embrace a new art of dialog and collaboration with their members. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TRENDS IN VEGETATION PATCHINESS LOSS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR LANDSCAPE FUNCTION: THE CASE OF PTERONIA INCANA INVASION IN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Kakembo V. , Ndlela S. , Cammeraat E.
Published: June 2012

The invader shrub Pteronia incana has colonised extensive areas in communal villages, commercial farms and game reserves in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The spatial and temporal trends in patchiness dynamics for P. incana and their implications for landscape connectivity and functionality were analysed at the hillslope scale in one of the affected catchments. High‐resolution imagery for 2001, 2004 and 2009 was used to analyse the temporal changes in patchiness loss. Spatial metrics, namely landscape shape index (LSI), percentage of landscape (PLand) and largest patch index (LPI) were used to depict patchiness trends. Vegetation patterning was examined in the field along transects in order to determine the landscape organisation index (LOI) and characterise selected components of the landscape function analysis. Sediment sinks in the form of run‐on zones were also surveyed.

Temporal trends analysed between 2001 and 2009 showed an increase in P. incana patchiness loss, as confirmed by a 75 per cent increase in the LSI, a decrease in PLand and LPI from 42·64 to 38·02 per cent and 25·98 to 20·52 per cent, respectively. The average inter‐patch length increased, and LOI decreased in a downslope direction. A progressive increase in rill density per 200 m and the development of gullies on the lower slope elements were also observed. Such increased connectivity is an indication of a trajectory towards hillslope dysfunctionality. The presence of run‐on zones within microtopographic concavities on the hillslope units provides isolated elements of functionality in the hillslope systems. These zones are recommended as starting points in restoration efforts. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of surface forces and surface roughness on squeeze thin film of elastohydrodynamic lubricated spherical conjunction
Authors: Chu Li‐Ming , Lin Jaw‐Ren , Chang Yuh‐Ping , Li Wang‐Long
Published: June 2012

The pure squeeze thin film elastohydrodynamic lubrication motion of circular contacts with effects of surface forces and surface roughness taken into account is explored under constant load conditions. The coupled transient stochastic Reynolds, elasticity deformation, the load balance, surface forces (hydrodynamic, solvation and van der Waals pressure) and lubricant rheology equations were solved simultaneously by using the finite difference method and the Gauss–Seidel iteration method. The simulation results reveal that the differences between radial type roughness and circular type roughness problems are apparent as the film thickness is thinner than 5 nm. The oscillation phenomena in pressure and film thickness come mainly from the action of solvation forces. The effects of surface forces become significant as the film thickness becomes thinner. The film thickness with circular type roughness is thicker than that with radial type roughness. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extinction and decay estimates of solutions for a polytropic filtration equation with the nonlocal source and interior absorption
Authors: Zheng Pan , Mu Chunlai
Published: June 2012

This paper deals with the extinction properties of solutions for the homogeneous Dirichlet boundary value problem with the nonlocal source and interior absorption
urn:x-wiley:01704214:media:mma2630:mma2630-math-0001
where m,λ,k,q > 0, 0 < m(p − 1) < 1, r ≤ 1, and . By using Lp‐integral norm estimate method, we obtain the sufficient conditions of extinction solutions. Moreover, we also give the precise decay estimates of the extinction solutions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of intracellular peptides in rat adipose tissue: Insights into insulin resistance
Authors: Berti Denise A. , Russo Lilian C. , Castro Leandro M. , Cruz Lilian , Gozzo Fábio C. , Heimann Joel C. , Lima Fabio B. , Oliveira Ariclécio C. , Andreotti Sandra , Prada Patrícia O. , Heimann Andrea S. , Ferro Emer S.
Published: June 2012

Intracellular peptides generated by the proteasome and oligopeptidases have been suggested to function in signal transduction and to improve insulin resistance in mice fed a high‐caloric diet. The aim of this study was to identify specific intracellular peptides in the adipose tissue of Wistar rats that could be associated with the physiological and therapeutic control of glucose uptake. Using semiquantitative mass spectrometry and LC/MS/MS analyses, we identified ten peptides in the epididymal adipose tissue of the Wistar rats; three of these peptides were present at increased levels in rats that were fed a high‐caloric Western diet (WD) compared with rats fed a control diet (CD). The results of affinity chromatography suggested that in the cytoplasm of epididymal adipose tissue from either WD or CD rats, distinctive proteins bind to these peptides. However, despite the observed increase in the WD animals, the evaluated peptides increased insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes treated with palmitate. Thus, intracellular peptides from the adipose tissue of Wistar rats can bind to specific proteins and facilitate insulin‐induced glucose uptake in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes.
Transmission resonance induced by a δ‐like defect in the Fano–Anderson model with two Fano defects
Authors: Nguyen Ba Phi , Kim Kihong , Rotermund Fabian , Lim Hanjo
Published: June 2012

We study theoretically the propagation of waves in a discrete linear chain with two side‐coupled Fano defects and one δ‐like defect, using a modified Fano–Anderson model. Two separate cases, where the Fano defects are coupled to the chain by on‐site coupling or by inter‐site coupling, are considered. We find that the transmission behavior is very sensitive to whether the distance between the Fano defects and the δ‐like defect, l, is even or odd. In the on‐site coupling case, we find that for even values of l, the Fano–Feshbach resonance is sustained in the presence of a δ‐like defect, but the position of the transmission peak is shifted and its shape becomes asymmetric. In the inter‐site coupling case, the width of the asymmetric Fano resonance can be tuned by changing the coupling constants. When l is odd in the inter‐site coupling case, we find that there exist two resonant transmissions in addition to the perfect reflection. In general, the δ‐like defect strongly influences on the transmission resonance but does not alter the perfect reflection.
On the steady‐state error of a nonlinear regulator
Authors: Li Ranran , Khalil Hassan K.
Published: June 2012

This paper proves a new property of the nonlinear regulators that proposed in two previous papers by the second author with co‐workers. In both papers, the steady‐state control is immersed into a linear internal model. In general, the model produces the sinusoidal signals generated by an exosystem, as well as a number of their harmonics, which are induced by the system's nonlinearities. When the internal model does not account for all harmonics or when the model's characteristic frequencies are not exactly those of the exosystem, there will be an error between the steady‐state control needed to achieve zero steady‐state regulation error and the steady‐state control produced by the internal model. If the norm of this error is bounded by a constant δ, it has been shown that the steady‐state regulation error will be of the order O(δ). In this paper, we prove a shaper result where the steady‐state regulation error is shown to be of the order O(μδ), where μ is a design parameter of a continuously implemented sliding mode controller. Therefore, the regulation error can be reduced by decreasing μ. This result allows us to trade off the accuracy of the internal model versus the value of μ as means of reducing the regulation error.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced security and reliability with MIMO communications for smart grid
Authors: Wang Xin , Zhang Lijun , Deokar Amit , Liang Qilian
Published: June 2012

As a critical infrastructure element, smart grid is facing security and reliability challenges. In this paper, we have investigated the real‐time communication between a smart meter and the central control system, a component that provides centralized monitoring and performs control operations for the power grid. To combat severe communication impairments induced by malicious attacks or link failures, we propose to implement space–time block coding over multiple antennas at the transmitter and the receiver. We first investigated the security challenges from malicious attacks, in which the malicious attacks of additive pattern were primarily addressed. Reliability challenges from link failure were then considered. Finally present were extensive numerical studies on multiple‐link attacks, multiple‐link failures and receiver with detection scenarios. Simulations showed that additive malicious attacks and link failures could be effectively mitigated in virtue of space–time block coding. Meanwhile, it is verified that more antennas will give more diversity gain and better performance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blocking spam by separating end‐user machines from legitimate mail server machines
Authors: Sanchez Fernando , Duan Zhenhai , Dong Yingfei
Published: June 2012

Spamming botnets present a critical challenge in the control of spam messages because of the sheer volume and wide spread of the botnet members. In this paper, we advocate the approach for recipient mail servers to filter messages directly delivered from remote end‐user (EU) machines, given that the majority of spamming bots are EU machines. We develop a support vector machine (SVM)‐based classifier to separate EU machines from legitimate mail server (LMS) machines, using a set of machine features that cannot be easily manipulated by spammers. We investigate the efficacy and performance of the SVM‐based classifier using a number of real‐world data sets. Our performance studies show that the SVM‐based classifier is indeed a feasible and effective approach in distinguishing EU machines from LMS machines. For example, training and testing on an aggregated data set containing both EU machines and LMS machines, on average, we found that the SVM‐based classifier can achieve a 99.25 % detection accuracy, with very small false positive rate (0.35%) and false negative rate (1.27%), significantly outperforming eight Domain Name System‐based blacklists widely used today. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energy security: challenges and needs
Authors: Sovacool Benjamin K.
Published: June 2012

This review article describes four broad categories of emerging global energy security threats. After defining energy security, it discusses threats related to the availability of energy resources and fuels, the affordability of the services they provide, the efficiency of their use, and the effective management of their negative environmental and social impacts, notably climate change. It concludes by noting how the energy security of many industrialized and developing countries has eroded over the past few decades and proposes potential areas of future research.

This article is categorized under:

Energy Infrastructure > Economics and Policy

Energy Policy and Planning > Economics and Policy
Review of IPCC working group III findings on the impact of energy policy options on GHG emissions
Authors: Lee Hoesung , Haites Erik
Published: June 2012

Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has assessed mitigation options for the past 20 years. This paper reviews its assessments of bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean energy, solar, wind, nuclear, and carbon capture and storage (CCS), respectively, over that period. The assessments of hydropower, nuclear, and geothermal tend to focus on the social, economic, and environmental considerations that inhibit expansion of these mature technologies. The assessments of bioenergy, solar, and wind reflect their technological progress and market penetration. Assessments of ocean energy and CCS conclude they are likely to make only a modest contribution to mitigation efforts by 2030. The paper also reviews the assessments of policies to promote low carbon energy technologies.

This article is categorized under:

Energy and Climate > Economics and Policy

Energy and Climate > Systems and Infrastructure

Energy and Climate > Climate and Environment
Degradation of mRNAs that lack a stop codon: a decade of nonstop progress
Authors: Klauer A. Alejandra , van Hoof Ambro
Published: June 2012

Nonstop decay is the mechanism of identifying and disposing aberrant transcripts that lack in‐frame stop codons. It is hypothesized that these transcripts are identified during translation when the ribosome arrives at the 3′ end of the mRNA and stalls. Presumably, the ribosome stalling recruits additional cofactors, Ski7 and the exosome complex. The exosome degrades the transcript using either one of its ribonucleolytic activities, and the ribosome and the peptide are both released. Additional precautionary measures by the nonstop decay pathway may include translational repression of the nonstop transcript after translation, and proteolysis of the released peptide by the proteasome. This surveillance mechanism protects the cells from potentially harmful truncated proteins, but it may also be involved in mediating critical cellular functions of transcripts that are prone to stop codon read‐through. Important advances have been made in the past decade as we learn that nonstop decay may have implications in human disease. WIREs RNA 2012 doi: 10.1002/wrna.1124

This article is categorized under:

RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms
Regulation of mammalian gene expression by exogenous microRNAs
Authors: Liang Hongwei , Huang Lei , Cao Jingjing , Zen Ke , Chen Xi , Zhang Chen‐Yu
Published: June 2012

Communication between cells ensures coordination of behavior. In prokaryotes, this signaling is usually referred to as quorum sensing, while eukaryotic cells communicate through hormones. In recent years, a growing number of reports have shown that small signaling molecules produced by organisms from different kingdoms of nature can facilitate cross‐talk, communication, or signal interference. This trans‐kingdom communication (also termed as trans‐kingdom signaling or inter‐kingdom signaling) mediates symbiotic and pathogenic relationships between various organisms (e.g., microorganisms and their hosts). Strikingly, it has been discovered that microRNAs (miRNAs)—single‐stranded noncoding RNAs with an average length of 22 nt—can be transmitted from one species to another, inducing posttranscriptional gene silencing in distant species, even in a cross‐kingdom fashion. Here, we discuss several recent studies concerning miRNA‐mediated cross‐kingdom gene regulation. WIREs RNA 2012 doi: 10.1002/wrna.1127

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs

RNA Processing > Capping and 5' End Modifications

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development
Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Magnetic Properties of Three 1D Chain Metal–Nitroxide Complexes Bridged by ­Flexible Dicarboxylate Anions
Authors: Chen Yi‐Wen , Wei Hai‐Xia , Wang Xiu‐Guang , Gao Dong‐Zhao , Sun Ya‐Qiu , Zhang Guo‐Ying , Xu Yan‐Yan
Published: June 2012

Three new one‐dimensional (1D) chain metal–nitroxide complexes {[Cu(NIT4Py)2(suc)(H2O)]·3H2O}n (1), {[Cd(NIT4Py)2(suc)(H2O)]·[Cd(NIT4Py)2(suc)(H2O)2]·3H2O}n (2), and {[Zn(NIT4Py)(glu)(H2O)]·H2O}n (3) [NIT4Py = 2‐(4′‐pyridyl)‐4, 4, 5, 5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide, suc = succinate anion and glu = glutarate anion] were synthesized and structurally characterized. Single‐crystal X‐ray analyses indicate that the three complexes crystallize in neutral 1D chains in which the metal‐nitroxide units are linked by flexible dicarboxylate anions. The succinate anions only adopt trans configuration in complexes 1 and 2, whereas the glutarate anion has gauche/anti conformation in complex 3. Magnetic measurements show that complex 1 exhibits weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the copper ions and the nitroxides.
Long‐term Outcome of Local Excision after Complete Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy for Rectal Cancer
Authors: Issa Nidal , Murninkas Alejandro , Powsner Eldad , Dreznick Zeev
Published: June 2012

Background

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotion therapy (CRT) for advanced rectal cancer has improved local disease. Complete rectal wall tumor regression may be associated with the absence of viable cancer cells in the mesorectum, and thus local excision (LE) of such lesions as an alternative to radical surgery has recently gained interest. We report the long‐term outcome of LE in patients with a mural pathological complete response (ypT0) after CRT.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients with rectal cancer treated by CRT and followed by LE with pathological complete response in the specimen between 1998 and 2009 was performed.

Results

A total of 174 patients had neoadjuvant CRT, and 68 (39 %) showed complete clinical response (cCR). Thirty‐one of the cCR patients underwent LE; 23 of them resulted in ypT0 and 8 had residual disease. The ypT0 group included 12 men and 11 women with a median age of 66. The pretreatment stage was T3N1 in 4 (17 %) patients, T3N0 in 11 (48 %), T2N1 in 3 (13 %), and T2N0 in 5 (22 %). The median tumor distance from the anal verge was 6 cm. Sixteen patients (70 %) underwent transanal excision, and 7 (30 %) were treated by transanal‐endoscopic microsurgery. Three patients died: one of pneumonia, one of melanoma of the rectum, and one of lung carcinoma. No local or distant recurrences were detected in the remaining 20 patients. The median follow‐up was 87 months.

Conclusions

Although radical rectal resection is the treatment of choice, LE of complete rectal tumor regression could be a safe alternative with an acceptable result in selected patients.
A Novel Esophageal‐preserving Approach to Treat High‐grade Dysplasia and Superficial Adenocarcinoma in the Presence of Chronic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Hoppo Toshitaka , Badylak Stephen F. , Jobe Blair A.
Published: June 2012

Background

The optimal treatment strategy of esophageal high‐grade dysplasia (HGD) and superficial adenocarcinoma remains controversial.

Methods

Here, we describe endoscopic, circumferential mucosal‐submucosal en‐bloc resection of the entire abnormal esophageal epithelium with extracellular matrix (ECM) placement to regenerate neoepithelium and minimize stricture. That procedure was then followed by a laparoscopic fundoplication as a novel esophageal‐preserving approach to treat HGD and superficial adenocarcinoma in the face of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Conclusions

This approach could be an ideal option as an alternative to esophagectomy in selected patients.
Periodic solutions of fully nonlinear autonomous equations of Benjamin–Ono type
Authors: Baldi Pietro
Published: June 2012

We prove the existence of time-periodic, small amplitude solutions of autonomous quasi-linear or fully nonlinear completely resonant pseudo-PDEs of Benjamin–Ono type in Sobolev class. The result holds for frequencies in a Cantor set that has asymptotically full measure as the amplitude goes to zero.

At the first order of amplitude, the solutions are the superposition of an arbitrarily large number of waves that travel with different velocities (multimodal solutions).

The equation can be considered as a Hamiltonian, reversible system plus a non-Hamiltonian (but still reversible) perturbation that contains derivatives of the highest order.

The main difficulties of the problem are: an infinite-dimensional bifurcation equation, and small divisors in the linearized operator, where also the highest order derivatives have non-constant coefficients.

The main technical step of the proof is the reduction of the linearized operator to constant coefficients up to a regularizing rest, by means of changes of variables and conjugation with simple linear pseudo-differential operators, in the spirit of the method of Iooss, Plotnikov and Toland for standing water waves (ARMA 2005). Other ingredients are a suitable Nash–Moser iteration in Sobolev spaces, and Lyapunov–Schmidt decomposition.

Nous démontrons lʼexistence de solutions de petite amplitude, périodiques en temps, de versions quasi-linéaires ou complètement non linéaires de lʼéquation de Benjamin–Ono, dans le cas complètement résonnant. Le résultat est démontré dans lʼéchelle de Sobolev, pour des fréquences dans un ensemble de Cantor de mesure asymptotiquement pleine à lʼorigine. Nous considérons le cas général où lʼéquation peut-être vue comme un système Hamiltonien réversible perturbé par une partie réversible, mais qui nʼest pas Hamiltonienne, contenant des dérivées dʼordre maximal.

Ces solutions sont, au premier ordre, obtenues par superposition dʼun nombre arbitrairement grand dʼondes se propageant à des vitesses différentes (solutions multimodales).

Les principales difficultés du problème sont : la présence dʼun noyau de dimension infinie pour lʼéquation de bifurcation, et lʼoccurence de petits diviseurs dans la résolution de lʼéquation linéarisée, où les dérivées de plus haut degré ont des coefficients variables.

Nous montrons que lʼopérateur linéarisé est essentiellement conjugué à un opérateur à coefficients constants, modulo un terme régularisant. La démonstration, basée sur des changements de variables et des conjugaisons avec des opérateurs pseudo-différentiels, est inspirée par la méthode utilisée par Iooss, Plotnikov et Toland (ARMA 2005) pour démontrer lʼexistence dʼondes de gravité stationnaires. La démonstration utilise également un schéma de Nash–Moser adapté à ce contexte, dans lʼéchelle des espaces de Sobolev, ainsi quʼune décomposition de Lyapunov–Schmidt.
Comparative analysis of the substrate preferences of two post‐proline cleaving endopeptidases, prolyl oligopeptidase and fibroblast activation protein α
Authors: Jambunathan Kalyani , Watson Douglas S. , Endsley Aaron N. , Kodukula Krishna , Galande Amit K.
Published: June 2012

Post‐proline cleaving peptidases are promising therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric conditions, metabolic disorders, and many cancers. Prolyl oligopeptidase (POP; E.C. 3.4.21.26) and fibroblast activation protein α (FAP; E.C. 3.4.24.B28) are two post‐proline cleaving endopeptidases with very similar substrate specificities. Both enzymes are implicated in numerous human diseases, but their study is impeded by the lack of specific substrate probes. We interrogated a combinatorial library of proteolytic substrates and identified novel and selective substrates of POP and FAP. These new sequences will be useful as probes for fundamental biochemical study, scaffolds for inhibitor design, and triggers for controlled drug delivery.
Overexpression of Annexin A2 Is Associated with Abnormal Ubiquitination in Breast Cancer
Authors: Deng Shishan , Jing Baoqian , Xing Tianyong , Hou Lingmi , Yang Zhengwei
Published: June 2012

Abnormal expression of annexin A2 contributes to metastasis and infiltration of cancer cells. To elucidate the cause of abnormal expression of annexin A2, Western blotting, immunoproteomics and immunohistochemical staining were performed to analyze differentially ubiquitinated proteins between fresh breast cancer tissue and its adjacent normal breast tissue from five female volunteers. We detected an ubiquitinated protein that was up-regulated in the cancer tissue, which was further identified as annexin A2 by mass spectrometry. These results suggest that abnormal ubiquitination and/or degradation of annexin A2 may lead to presence of annexin A2 at high level, which may further promote metastasis and infiltration of the breast cancer cells.
MODELLING GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS AND DETERMINANTS OF USE OF MODERN FAMILY PLANNING METHODS AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN NIGERIA
Authors: ADEBAYO SAMSON B. , GAYAWAN EZRA , UJUJU CHINAZO , ANKOMAH AUGUSTINE
Published: June 2012

Understanding the level, trend, geographical variations and determinants of use of modern family planning (FP) plays a major role in designing effective interventions leading to increased usage. This study assessed these characteristics of FP use in Nigeria using data from the 2003, 2005 and 2007 National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey, a national population-based household survey. A Bayesian geo-additive procedure was used, which provides flexible modelling of non-linear and spatial effects at a highly disaggregated level of states. The findings reveal considerable geographical variation in the use of modern FP in Nigeria, with a distinct north–south divide. Furthermore, a significant trend in the use of modern FP was evident, with an increase between 2003 and 2005 followed by a decline between 2005 and 2007. The effect of respondent's age was non-linear, and use of modern FP was found to differ significantly between never-married and currently/formerly married respondents. Awareness of FP methods and knowledge of where to get/buy FP services/methods were found to be significantly associated with usage. The findings provide policymakers with tools to prioritize the use of scarce resources for implementing FP and reproductive health interventions.
Global Networks and Domestic Policy Convergence: A Network Explanation of Policy Changes
Authors: Cao Xun
Published: June 2012

National economies are embedded in complex networks such as trade, capital flows, and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs). These globalization forces impose differential impacts on national economies depending on a country's network positions. This article addresses the policy convergence-divergence debate by focusing on how networks at the international level affect domestic fiscal, monetary, and regulatory policies. The author presents two hypotheses: first, similarity in network positions induces convergence in domestic economic policies as a result of peer competitive pressure. Second, proximity in network positions facilitates policy learning and emulation, which result in policy convergence. The empirical analysis applies a latent-space model for relational/dyadic data and indicates that position similarity in the network of exports induces convergence in fiscal and regulatory policies; position similarity in the network of transnational portfolio investments induces convergence in fiscal policies; and position proximity in IGO networks is consistently associated with policy convergence in fiscal, monetary, and regulatory policies.
Australia announces plans for expanded marine reserve network
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: June 2012

Australia announces plans for expanded marine reserve network The Australian government has announced plans to increase the nation's network of marine reserves from 27 to 60, bringing the total size of the network to 3.1 million square kilometers, Australia's environment minister Tony Burke said on 14 June. The expansion, which would place more than one third of Australia's waters under protection, requires a 60‐day consultation before it can become law.
Coalition releases declaration for healthy and productive oceans
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: June 2012

Coalition releases declaration for healthy and productive oceans A coalition of 13 countries or federal agencies participating in a new Global Partnership for Oceans (GPO) indicated its support for a “Declaration for Healthy and Productive Oceans to Help Reduce Poverty” on 16 June, just prior to the Rio+20 conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
New AGU journal editors appointed
Authors: Major Barbara
Published: June 2012

New editors have been appointed for AGU journals Geophysical Research Letters and Radio Science.
Cardenas receives, 2011 Early Career Hydrologic Sciences Award: Response
Authors: Cardenas M. Bayani
Published: June 2012

Meinhard Bayani Cardenas received the 2011 Early Career Hydrologic Sciences Award at the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting, held 5–9 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award is for significant early career contributions to hydrologic science.
Fox‐Kemper and Willis receive Ocean Sciences Early Career Awards: Citation for Baylor Fox‐Kemper
Authors: Pedlosky Joseph
Published: June 2012

Baylor Fox‐Kemper and Josh K. Willis each received the 2011 Ocean Sciences Early Career Award at the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting, held 5–9 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes “significant contributions to and promise in the ocean sciences.”
Oxygen isotopes improve weather predictability in Niger
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: June 2012

For the African nation of Niger, the effect of seasonal atmospheric variability on the weather is poorly understood. Because most residents rely on local agriculture, improving the predictability of seasonal weather and precipitation availability is crucial. In summer 2006, researchers measured the oxygen isotope ratio of rainwater collected in the nation's capital, Niamey, to determine the connection between intraseasonal atmospheric variability and precipitation. Water containing the heavier oxygen‐18 isotope rains preferentially over the lighter oxygen‐16 version, lighter water evaporates preferentially over the heavier molecule, and the oxygen isotope ratio decreases from the equator to the poles. Thus, the oxygen isotope ratio found in a water sample can indicate the water's history. Previous research found that precipitation oxygen isotope ratios could be used to understand convective processes, but to develop a more nuanced and continuous interpretation researchers need to understand the seasonal shifts in the background atmospheric water vapor ratio.
Melt infiltration of the lower lithosphere beneath the Tanzania craton and the Albertine rift inferred from S receiver functions
Authors: Wölbern Ingo , Rümpker Georg , Link Klemens , Sodoudi Forough
Published: June 2012

The transition between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere is subject to numerous contemporary studies as its nature is still poorly understood. The thickest lithosphere is associated with old cratons and platforms and it has been shown that seismic investigations may fail to image the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary in these areas. Instead, several recent studies have proposed a mid‐lithospheric discontinuity of unknown origin existing under several cratons. In this study we investigate the Tanzania craton in East Africa which is enclosed by the eastern and western branches of the East African Rift System. We present evidence from S receiver functions for two consecutive discontinuities at depths of 50–100 km and 140–200 km, which correspond to significant S wave velocity reductions under the Tanzania craton and the Albert and Edward rift segments. By comparison with synthetic waveforms we show that the lower discontinuity coincides with the LAB exhibiting velocity reductions of 6–9%. The shallower interface reveals a velocity drop that varies from 12% beneath the craton to 24% below the Albert‐Edward rift. It is interpreted as an infiltration front marking the upper boundary of altered lithosphere due to ascending asthenospheric melts. This is corroborated by computing S velocity variations based on xenolith samples which exhibit a dense system of crystallized veins acting as pathways of the infiltrating melt. Mineral assemblages in these veins are rich in phlogopite and pyroxenite which can explain the reduced shear wave velocities. Melt infiltration represents a suitable mechanism to form a mid‐lithospheric discontinuity within cratonic lithosphere that is underlain by anomalously hot mantle.
Interactions among the winter monsoon, ocean eddy and ocean thermal front in the South China Sea
Authors: Wang Guihua , Li Jiaxun , Wang Chunzai , Yan Yunwei
Published: June 2012

Sea surface temperature (SST) in boreal winter shows a robust feature of ocean front west of Luzon Island where a cyclonic ocean eddy is associated with the winter northeast monsoon. Our analyses further show that cold (warm) water is located in the northwest (southeast) part of the Luzon eddy due to ocean advection, forming the west Luzon front. The results suggest a novel mechanism of the positive feedback among the winter monsoon, ocean eddy and ocean front over the South China Sea. A strong positive wind stress curl associated with the winter monsoon and mountainous islands produces the Luzon eddy. With eddy heat advection, the Luzon eddy is accompanied by negative (positive) SST anomalies in the northwest (southwest) part of the eddy, inducing the west Luzon thermal front. The SST anomalies can further force an anomalous wind pattern that converges onto the positive SST anomalies and diverges from the negative SST anomalies. The anomalous wind distribution in turn enhances the positive wind stress curl west of Luzon Island.
Carbon turnover rates in the One Tree Island reef: A 40‐year perspective
Authors: Silverman J. , Kline D. I. , Johnson L. , Rivlin T. , Schneider K. , Erez J. , Lazar B. , Caldeira K.
Published: June 2012

During November–December 2009 community rates of gross photosynthesis (Pg), respiration (R) and net calcification (Gnet) were estimated from low‐tide slack water measurements of dissolved oxygen, dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity at the historical station DK13 One Tree Island reef, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Compared to measurements made during the 1960s–1970s at DK13 in the same season,Pg increased from 833 to 914 mmol O2·m−2·d−1 and Pg:R increased from 1.14 to 1.30, indicating that the reef has become more autotrophic. In contrast, Gnet decreased from 133 mmol C·m−2·d−1 to 74 ± 24 mmol C·m−2·d−1. This decrease stems primarily from the threefold increase in nighttime CaCO3 dissolution from −2.5 mmol·m−2·h−1 to −7.5 mmol·m−2·h−1. Comparison of the benthic community survey results from DK13 and its vicinity conducted during this study and in studies from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s suggest that there have been no significant changes in the live coral coverage during the past 40 years. The reduced Gnet most likely reflects the almost threefold increase in dissolution rates, possibly resulting from increased bioerosion due to changes in the biota (e.g., sea cucumbers, boring organisms) and/or from greater chemical dissolution produced by changing abiotic conditions over the past 40 years associated with climate change, such as increased temperatures and ocean acidification. However, at this stage of research on One Tree Island the effects of these changes are not entirely understood.