bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multimodal Dreamin’
Authors: Karner Alex
Published: July 2013

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) replaced the state's Division of Highways on 1 July 1973. Consistent with the creation of other state departments of transportation throughout the U.S.A. at the time, the enabling legislation envisioned a multimodal agency that would shift transportation policy and planning away from its highway emphasis. Competing conceptions of multimodalism and regional transportation governance advanced by key actors heavily influenced the policies and plans they proposed. Eventually, public and local government opposition to the implementation of multimodal transportation policies diminished the state's role while elevating the responsibilities of voluntary regional planning agencies. California's contemporary transportation policy goals remain similar to those that prevailed when Caltrans was created – reducing automobile dependency and promoting compact urban forms – but its transportation institutions were designed precisely to oppose their achievement. Supportive public coalitions now offer the best hope for realizing the state's multimodal dreams.
Investigating Human‐Induced Changes of Elemental Cycles in the Great Lakes
Authors: Baskaran Mark , Bratton John
Published: July 2013

Food webs and associated elemental cycles in the Laurentian Great Lakes have been considerably altered over the past 30 years due to factors such as phosphorus abatement, introduction of zebra and quagga mussels, and climate change. These perturbations provide a unique opportunity to document how this natural system has responded and possibly to predict future changes in biogeochemical cycling.
Lucile Jones to Deliver Public Lecture at 2013 Fall Meeting
Authors: Adamec Bethany Holm
Published: July 2013

Lucile Jones, science advisor for risk reduction with the U.S. Geological Survey, will deliver the annual public lecture at the 2013 AGU Fall Meeting. A familiar face to many in California, Jones is frequently interviewed on television after major earthquakes in the southern part of the state. Her work, which has resulted in more than 90 publications on research seismology, focuses on foreshocks and earthquake physics. Her current Multi‐Hazards Demonstration Project aims to demonstrate to the public how science can improve society's resiliency to earthquakes.
An Interview With Chapman Conference Chair Venkat Lakshmi
Authors: McCarter‐Joseph Tricia
Published: July 2013

AGU's Chapman Conference program has been facilitating small collaborative meetings on topical and specialized subjects for more than 35 years. These meetings allow for debate and an exploration of possible solutions to scientific problems, while providing a professional networking opportunity for younger scientists. Venkat Lakshmi, professor of hydrology, climate, and water resources and former chair of the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of South Carolina, was selected in January as the Chapman Conference program chair through 2015. Lakshmi, a former Eos editor, recalls with enthusiasm organizing a 2012 Chapman Conference in Hawaii: the proposal writing, the grant writing, soliciting presenters, and gathering scientific material. He is now using his experience organizing meetings and mentoring students at his university to help advance the Chapman program. Eos spoke with him about his new role and his vision for the program.
Models without volcanic forcing underestimate sea level rise
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: July 2013

Volcanic eruptions spew sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, which tends to block incoming sunlight, sometimes cooling the planet for several years. This cooling leads to a decrease in the heat stored in the ocean and thus in the rate of ocean thermal expansion and sea level rise. These effects can be seen in simulations that include variations in volcanic aerosol.
Impaired Intervertebral Disc Development and Premature Disc Degeneration in Mice With Notochord‐Specific Deletion of CCN2
Authors: Bedore Jake , Sha Wei , McCann Matthew R. , Liu Shangxi , Leask Andrew , Séguin Cheryle A.
Published: July 2013

Objective

Currently, our ability to treat intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is hampered by an incomplete understanding of disc development and aging. The specific function of matricellular proteins, including CCN2, during these processes remains an enigma. The aim of this study was to determine the tissue‐specific localization of CCN proteins and to characterize their role in IVD tissues during embryonic development and age‐related degeneration by using a mouse model of notochord‐specific CCN2 deletion.

Methods

Expression of CCN proteins was assessed in IVD tissues from wild‐type mice beginning on embryonic day 15.5 to 17 months of age. Given the enrichment of CCN2 in notochord‐derived tissues, we generated notochord‐specific CCN2–null mice to assess the impact on the IVD structure and extracellular matrix composition. Using a combination of histologic evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), IVD health was assessed.

Results

Loss of the CCN2 gene in notochord‐derived cells disrupted the formation of IVDs in embryonic and newborn mice, resulting in decreased levels of aggrecan and type II collagen and concomitantly increased levels of type I collagen within the nucleus pulposus. CCN2‐knockout mice also had altered expression of CCN1 (Cyr61) and CCN3 (Nov). Mirroring its role during early development, notochord‐specific CCN2 deletion accelerated age‐associated degeneration of IVDs.

Conclusion

Using a notochord‐specific gene targeting strategy, this study demonstrates that CCN2 expression by nucleus pulposus cells is essential to the regulation of IVD development and age‐associated tissue maintenance. The ability of CCN2 to regulate the composition of the intervertebral disc suggests that it may represent an intriguing clinical target for the treatment of disc degeneration.
Developments in crops and management systems to improve lignocellulosic feedstock production
Authors: Coulman Bruce , Dalai Ajay , Heaton Emily , Lee Camilo Perez , Lefsrud Mark , Levin David , Lemaux Peggy G. , Neale David , Shoemaker Sharon P. , Singh Jaswinder , Smith Donald L. , Whalen Joann K.
Published: July 2013

There is an urgent need to develop viable, renewable, sustainable energy systems that can reduce global dependence on fossil fuel sources of energy. Biofuels such as ethanol are being utilized as blends in surface transportation fuels and have the potential to improve sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the short term. Bioethanol, the most widely used liquid biofuel, is currently produced by converting sugars or starches from feed crops into ethanol. Use of this fuel source displaces and draws water consumption away from agricultural crops, increases soil erosion by shifting land from perennial grasses to annual crops, and increases use of fertilizers and insecticides. In contrast, bioethanol made from lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks does not have these limitations and in addition, offers a larger resource base: the amount of cellulosic material available for potential use vastly outweighs the amount of available starch‐based feedstock. Therefore, bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass has attracted considerable interest from biofuel developers. This review is an update of some developments to optimize cellulose extraction from feedstock crops and to improve crop yields and logistics. It concludes that agricultural and forestry systems that incorporate lignocellulosic biomass crops can be designed for improved ecological function and energy use efficiency. Development of crops that have both desirable cell‐wall traits and high biomass productivity under sustainable low‐input conditions can significantly enhance the economics and efficiency of the conversion process. Optimizing the logistics of moving feedstock from field or forest to bio‐refinery can significantly reduce costs of using lignocellulosic feedstocks. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Measuring determinants of post‐compulsory participation in science: a comparative study using national data
Authors: Homer Matt , Ryder Jim , Banner Indira
Published: July 2013

Increasing post‐compulsory participation in science and science‐related subjects is seen as a key education policy priority in England and more widely. This paper uses descriptive analysis of national data to investigate the effects of science attainment at 16, gender, socio‐economic status, and school science pathway on progression into post‐16 traditional and vocational science courses in state‐funded schools in England. Comparisons are also made with progression into non‐science subjects (history, mathematics and psychology). Multi‐level statistical modelling is employed to provide independent estimates for all these effects, whilst also taking into account mathematics attainment at 16, and whether or not the 14–16 school also teaches to 18. The key findings of the descriptive analysis are that progression rates vary widely across post‐16 sciences in terms of both gender and socio‐economic status, but that other subjects too vary in these regards. Once prior attainment is accounted for, the gender differences across science and some other subjects largely remain but those due to socio‐economic status are to some extent ameliorated. In terms of school science pathways, those students doing ‘more’ science at 14–16 are found to be more likely to progress to traditional science post‐16. The statistical modelling further quantifies the relative importance of each of these effects in determining progression and shows how, in comparison to other courses, there is more variation at the school level in progression to vocational sciences. Further, the determinants of participation in these vocational sciences courses are of a different character to the non‐vocational sciences.
SNP ascertainment bias in population genetic analyses: Why it is important, and how to correct it
Authors: Lachance Joseph , Tishkoff Sarah A.
Published: July 2013

Whole genome sequencing and SNP genotyping arrays can paint strikingly different pictures of demographic history and natural selection. This is because genotyping arrays contain biased sets of pre‐ascertained SNPs. In this short review, we use comparisons between high‐coverage whole genome sequences of African hunter‐gatherers and data from genotyping arrays to highlight how SNP ascertainment bias distorts population genetic inferences. Sample sizes and the populations in which SNPs are discovered affect the characteristics of observed variants. We find that SNPs on genotyping arrays tend to be older and present in multiple populations. In addition, genotyping arrays cause allele frequency distributions to be shifted towards intermediate frequency alleles, and estimates of linkage disequilibrium are modified. Since population genetic analyses depend on allele frequencies, it is imperative that researchers are aware of the effects of SNP ascertainment bias. With this in mind, we describe multiple ways to correct for SNP ascertainment bias.
Ancestry runs deeper than blood: The evolutionary history of ABO points to cryptic variation of functional importance
Authors: Ségurel Laure , Gao Ziyue , Przeworski Molly
Published: July 2013

The ABO histo‐blood group, first discovered over a century ago, is found not only in humans but also in many other primate species, with the same genetic variants maintained for at least 20 million years. Polymorphisms in ABO have been associated with susceptibility to a large number of human diseases, from gastric cancers to immune or artery diseases, but the adaptive phenotypes to which the polymorphism contributes remain unclear. We suggest that variation in ABO has been maintained by frequency‐dependent or fluctuating selection pressures, potentially arising from co‐evolution with gut pathogens. We further hypothesize that the histo‐blood group labels A, B, AB, and O do not offer a full description of variants maintained by natural selection, implying that there are unrecognized, functionally important, antigens beyond the ABO group in humans and other primates.
Scale‐up of a Fluidized Bed Crystallizer on the Basis of Solid Suspension
Authors: Sha Z. , Xiong C. , Chen Q.
Published: July 2013

The scale‐up of a fluidized bed crystallizer was studied based on solid spatial concentration distribution in the crystallizer, which was obtained with the simulation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The variations of solid spatial concentration distributions in the crystallizers were investigated based on different specific energy inputs. A strategy for the scale‐up of the crystallizer was suggested based on the different states of solid suspension.
Experimental and Calculated CPL Spectra and Related Spectroscopic Data of Camphor and Other Simple Chiral Bicyclic Ketones
Authors: Longhi Giovanna , Castiglioni Ettore , Abbate Sergio , Lebon France , Lightner David A.
Published: July 2013

UV, circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) spectra were recorded for a set of four related [2.2.1] bicyclic compounds ((1S,4S)‐and (1R,4R)‐1,7,7‐trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan‐2‐one, namely (1S)‐ and (1R)‐camphor (1), (1S,4R)‐4,7,7‐trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐en‐2‐one, (1S)‐dehydro‐epicamphor (2), (1S,4S)‐1,7,7‐trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2,5‐dione, (1S)‐5‐oxocamphor (3), (1S,4R)‐ and (1R,4S)‐1,7,7‐trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2,3‐dione, (1S)‐ and (1R)‐camphorquinone (4)) and a set of three related [2.2.2] bicyclic compounds (1S,4S)‐bicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐2,5‐dione (saturated diketone (5)), (1R,4R)‐bicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐7‐en‐2,5‐dione (unsaturated diketone (6)), ((1S,4S)‐bicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐7‐en‐5(S)‐ol‐2‐one (which we refer to as unsaturated hydroxy‐ketone (7)). For the latter three compounds also mid‐IR vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra were recorded and are presented. Time‐Dependent Density Functional (TD‐DFT) calculations provide a satisfactory interpretation of both absorption and emission chiroptical spectra and permit insight into ground and excited state electronic properties. We discuss the applicability of the octant rule or of other approximated models to rationalize the observed sign of the CPL. Chirality 25:589–599, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conformational Equilibria of Bridled Chiroporphyrins in Solution Investigated by Vibrational Circular Dichroism
Authors: Castaings Anna , Marchon Jean‐Claude , Cavagnat Dominique , Buffeteau Thierry
Published: July 2013

A series of bridled chiroporphyrins (BCP) and their metal complexes were prepared, in which two n‐methylene straps connect adjacent meso substituents by ester linkages. These compounds can exist as four atropisomers (αααα, αβαβ, αααβ, or ααββ) depending on the position of the meso groups relative to the macrocycle (α when above and β when below). We characterized the conformation of these chiral porphyrins and their metal (Zn, Ni, Mn) complexes by vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) associated with ab initio calculations. VCD spectra of the three metalloporphyrins were recorded in CDCl3 and benzene solutions and ab initio calculations of their four atropoisomers were performed at the Density Functional Theory (DFT) level. The bridled chiroporphyrin with the longer straps (9 CH2) and its nickel(II) complex can be isolated as the αβαβ atropisomer in the solid state and were found with the same conformation in CDCl3 and benzene solutions. The bridled chiroporphyrin with the shortest straps (8 CH2) and its zinc(II) complex can be isolated as the αααα atropisomer in the solid state, but in solution they are subject to atropisomeric equilibria, resulting in atropisomer distributions that are strongly solvent‐dependent. Comparison of the experimental VCD spectra with the predicted spectra of the four atropisomers allowed the quantification of these distributions. Finally, the manganese(III) complex also exhibits an atropisomeric equilibria in solution which is slightly solvent‐dependent. Chirality 25:480–486, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of time of day on outcomes after stereotactic radiosurgery for non–small cell lung cancer brain metastases
Authors: Badiyan Shahed N. , Ferraro Daniel J. , Yaddanapudi Sridhar , Drzymala Robert E. , Lee Andrew Y. , Silver Shawgi A. , Dyk Pawel , DeWees Todd , Simpson Joseph R. , Rich Keith M. , Robinson Clifford G.
Published: July 2013

BACKGROUND

This study tested the hypothesis that time of day of treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has an effect on local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) in a large cohort of patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) brain metastases.

METHODS

At Washington University in St. Louis, 437 patients with NSCLC were treated with SRS for NSCLC brain metastases. Receiver operating characteristics analysis was used to identify an optimal cut‐point for OS relative to time of day. Kaplan‐Meier log‐rank statistics, and Cox regression univariate and multivariate analysis were employed to isolate any independent effect of treatment time on OS and LC. Matched‐pair analysis was performed to isolate any independent effect of time on OS and LC of day while controlling for confounding variables.

RESULTS

Receiver operating characteristics analysis identified a cut‐point of 11:41 AM as providing the highest predictive value for OS. On univariate analysis, late SRS was associated with decreased OS, as was age, Karnofsky performance status, risk‐stratification schemes, extracranial disease status, and overall burden of brain metastases. On univariate analysis for LC, late SRS was associated with decreased LC, as was burden of brain metastases. On multivariate analysis, only Graded Prognostic Assessment remained predictive of OS, and total number of targets and total tumor volume remained predictive of LC. Matched‐pair analysis demonstrated no significant effect of time of day on LC or OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Although earlier treatment appears to be associated with improved LC and OS, treatment time fails to remain significant when accounting for confounding variables. Cancer 2013;119:3563–3569.. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Effects of water conveyance embankments on riparian forest communities at the middle reaches of the Tarim River, Northwest China
Authors: Chen Yongjin , Li Weihong , Liu Jiazhen , Yang Yuhai
Published: July 2013

Ecohydrological research focuses on the relationship between changes in the hydrological conditions and the response of plant communities to those changes. To save the degraded riparian forests at the lower reaches of the Tarim River, water conveyance embankments (whose goal is to prevent water from overflowing the riverbanks) were constructed mid‐stream in order to guide the watercourse down to the river's destination. To investigate and evaluate the influence of these embankments on the Tarim River's riparian forest communities, we prepared three monitoring sections (five others were added later) that included six monitoring wells, six vegetation sample plots and six soil profiles at each section. From 2001 to 2007, data on groundwater depth, vegetation coverage, species diversity, total dissolved solids and concentrations of ions were collected and analysed. The results indicate that groundwater depths gradually increased, total dissolved solids and major ions in groundwater sharply increased and vegetation coverage and species diversity declined. Moreover, at the start of our investigation, the hydrological connection extended more than 1000 m from the embankments; by 2007, however, the region beyond 800 m had become a water and salinity discharging area. On the basis of these findings, the removal of the embankments should be urgently considered to protect the riparian forest ecosystems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spontaneous QBO‐like oscillations in an atmospheric model dynamical core
Authors: Yao Weiye , Jablonowski Christiane
Published: July 2013

The ability of general circulation models (GCMs) to simulate the quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO) is an important model characteristic. Typically, the moist convective parameterization is believed to be the key GCM component that triggers tropical waves, thereby forcing wave‐mean flow interactions. We show that QBO‐like oscillations can also be simulated in a dry dynamical core driven by the Held‐Suarez forcing. No gravity wave drag parameterization is applied. The simulations utilize the semi‐Lagrangian spectral transform dynamical core of National Center for Atmospheric Research's Community Atmosphere Model. The QBO‐like signal has a long period between 42–45 months and occurs in the upper stratosphere; different from observations. However, the amplitudes, asymmetries, and meridional extent closely resemble the observed QBO. Wave‐number frequency analysis shows that resolved equatorially trapped waves are abundant despite the absence of cumulus convection. A Transformed Eulerian‐Mean analysis suggests that the divergence of the Eliassen‐Palm flux and vertical advection provide most of the forcing counteracted by diffusion.
Local late Amazonian boulder breakdown and denudation rate on Mars
Authors: de Haas Tjalling , Hauber Ernst , Kleinhans Maarten G.
Published: July 2013

Inactive fan surfaces become smoother and develop desert pavement over time by weathering and erosion. We use this mechanism to estimate late Amazonian boulder breakdown and surface denudation rates on a young (∼1.25 Ma) (Schon et al., 2009) fan on Mars. This is done by comparing boulder size and surface relief between lobes of different ages. The boulder breakdown rate is 3.5 m/Myr, surface smoothing (denudation) rate is approximated as 0.89 m/Myr. These rates exceed previous estimates for the Amazonian by orders of magnitude. We attribute this to locality, high initial smoothing rates after morphological activity and obliquity and eccentricity‐driven variation in the availability of (metastable) liquid water, which acts as a catalyst for weathering during these periods. The results have major implications for process interpretation of Martian landforms, as they imply that typical small‐scale morphology may be subdued within <1 Myr.
Homogenization of spatial patterns of hydrologic response in artificially drained agricultural catchments
Authors: Boland‐Brien Samuel J. , Basu Nandita B. , Schilling Keith E.
Published: July 2013

Anthropogenic modifications to the landscape, with agricultural activities being a primary driver, have resulted in significant alterations to the hydrologic cycle. Artificial drainage, including surface and subsurface drainage (tile drains), is one of the most extensive manipulations in agricultural landscapes and thus is expected to provide a distinct signature of anthropogenic modification. This study adopts a data synthesis approach in an effort to characterize the signature of artificial subsurface drainage. Daily discharge data from 24 basins across the state of Iowa, which encapsulate a range of anthropogenic modifications, are assessed using a variety of flow metrics. Results indicate that the presence of artificial subsurface drainage leads to a homogenization of landscape hydrologic response. Non‐tiled watersheds exhibit a decrease in the area‐normalized peak discharge and an increase in the baseflow ratio (baseflow/streamflow) with increases in the spatial scale, while scale invariance is apparent in tiled basins. Within‐basin variability in hydrograph recession coefficients also appears to decrease with increases in the proportion of the catchment that is artificially drained. Finally, the differences between tiled and non‐tiled landscapes disappear at scales greater than approximately 2200 km2, indicating that this may be a threshold scale for studying the effects of tile drainage. This decrease in within‐basin variability and the scale invariance of hydrologic metrics in artificially drained watersheds are attributed to the creation of a bypass flow hydrologic pathway that bypasses the complexity of the catchment travel paths. Spatial homogeneity in responses implies that it may be possible to develop more parsimonious hydrologic models for these regions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Induction of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Chondrogenesis Through Sequential Administration of Growth Factors Within Specific Temporal Windows
Authors: Handorf Andrew M. , Li Wan‐Ju
Published: July 2013

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are capable of differentiating into chondrocyte‐like cells but fail to produce the quality or quantity of cartilage matrix compared to articular chondrocytes using current differentiation protocols. In this study, we aim to improve the chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs through the sequential administration of multiple growth factors (GFs). We began by looking at differentiating hMSCs' cell surface GF receptor expression every 3 days throughout differentiation using flow cytometry and found that not only was receptor expression dynamic throughout differentiation, but ligand sensitivity was positively correlated with receptor expression, suggesting that differentiating hMSCs may have varying GF requirements depending on their stage of differentiation. We then constructed GF sequences by administering several prochondrogenic GFs singly every 3 days throughout differentiation and assaying the expression of a variety of cartilage‐related genes using qPCR. The resulting chondrocytic phenotype of sequentially induced hMSCs was then compared to that of hMSCs induced under standard culture conditions using qPCR, dimethylmethylene blue assay, and histology. We found that while the initial GF sequence was unable to improve hMSC chondrogenesis, withdrawal of GF treatment at Day 9 of differentiation in pellet culture vastly improved the success of differentiation beyond that induced by TGFβ1 alone. Additional modifications allowed us to further improve chondrogenesis to levels comparable to that obtained by co‐administration of TGFβ1 and BMP7 throughout differentiation. Taken together, we demonstrated the ability to improve the chondrocytic phenotype of differentiated hMSCs through the sequential administration of multiple GFs. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 162–171, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
TEC evidence for near‐equatorial energy deposition by 30 keV electrons in the topside ionosphere
Authors: Suvorova A. V. , Dmitriev A. V. , Tsai L.‐C. , Kunitsyn V. E. , Andreeva E. S. , Nesterov I. A. , Lazutin L. L.
Published: July 2013

Observations of energetic electrons (10 – 300 keV) by NOAA/POES and DMSP satellites at heights <1000 km during the period from 1999 to 2010 allowed finding abnormal intense fluxes of ~106 – 107 cm−2 s−1 sr−1 for quasi‐trapped electrons appearing within the forbidden zone of low latitudes over the African, Indo‐China, and Pacific regions. Extreme fluxes appeared often in the early morning and persisted for several hours during the maximum and recovery phase of geomagnetic storms. We analyzed nine storm time events when extreme electron fluxes first appeared in the Eastern Hemisphere, then drifted further eastward toward the South‐Atlantic Anomaly. Using the electron spectra, we estimated the possible ionization effect produced by quasi‐trapped electrons in the topside ionosphere. The estimated ionization was found to be large enough to satisfy observed storm time increases in the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) determined for the same spatial and temporal ranges from global ionospheric maps. Additionally, extreme fluxes of quasi‐trapped electrons were accompanied by the significant elevation of the low‐latitude F‐layer obtained from COSMIC/FORMOSAT‐3 radio occultation measurements. We suggest that the storm time ExB drift of energetic electrons from the inner radiation belt is an important driver of positive ionospheric storms within low‐latitude and equatorial regions.
Projection of occurrence of extreme dry‐wet years and seasons in Europe with stationary and nonstationary Standardized Precipitation Indices
Authors: Russo S. , Dosio A. , Sterl A. , Barbosa P. , Vogt J.
Published: July 2013

The probabilities of the occurrence of extreme dry/wet years and seasons in Europe are estimated by using two ways of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI and SPI‐GEV) and the Standardized Nonstationary Precipitation Index (SnsPI). The latter is defined as the SPI by fitting precipitation data with a nonstationary Gamma distribution in order to model the precipitation time dependence under climate change. Bias‐corrected daily precipitation outputs from five different regional climate models (RCMs) provided by the ENSEMBLES project are used. The five RCMs are selected so as to represent the main statistical properties of the whole ENSEMBLES set and the most extreme deviation from the ensemble mean. All indicators are calculated for the ensemble of the five models over the period 1971–2098. Results show that under global warming, climate in Europe will significantly change from its current state with the probability of the occurrence of extreme dry and wet years and seasons increasing, respectively, over southern dry and northern wet regions. Comparing nonstationary and stationary indices, the SnsPI is found to be more robust than the common SPI in the prediction of precipitation changes with multimodel ensembles.
Reconciling precipitation trends in Alaska: 1. Station‐based analyses
Authors: McAfee Stephanie A. , Guentchev Galina , Eischeid Jon K.
Published: July 2013

Numerous studies have evaluated precipitation trends in Alaska and come to different conclusions. These studies differ in analysis period and methodology and do not address the issue of temporal homogeneity. To reconcile these conflicting results, we selected 29 stations with largely complete monthly records, screened them for homogeneity, and then evaluated trend over two analysis periods (1950–2010 and 1980–2010) using three methods: least absolute deviation regression, ordinary least squares regression (with and without transformation), and Mann‐Kendall trend testing following removal of first‐order autocorrelation. We found that differences in analytical period had a significant impact on trends and that the presence of inhomogeneities or step changes also posed a substantial challenge in detecting reliable long‐term trends in precipitation over Alaska, particularly in the southern part of the state. Although some of these inhomogeneities occur in the mid‐1970s and could be associated with well‐documented changes in the Pacific Ocean and the Aleutian Low at that time, many of the inhomogeneities co‐occur with changes in station location, instrumentation, or operation. These operationally induced changes make it difficult to accurately detect the impact of decadal to multidecadal climate variability on precipitation amounts and to assess historical precipitation trends in Alaska.
Melvin Calvin award lecture, Isotopic chemistry: the most varied of careers…with tritium and deuterium the most versatile of the isotopes
Authors: Lockley William J. S.
Published: July 2013

Isotopic chemistry offers the opportunity for organic chemists to explore a surprisingly large variety of scientific avenues. It lends itself naturally to multidisciplinary research projects and provides the sophisticated tools with which the most complex of processes can be investigated. This Melvin Calvin Award lecture will keep to a broadly chronological theme and will give examples of how the remarkable versatility of the two heavy hydrogen isotopes has been utilised during collaborative studies in areas as varied as plant and insect biochemistry, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, structure determination, NMR spectroscopy, reaction mechanisms, molecular energetics and novel catalyst development. Few other careers can provide the opportunity to study such varied and fundamental subjects and still provide challenges that are as compelling and exciting some 4 decades later.
Syntheses of C‐13 and C‐14‐labeled versions of the investigational proteasome inhibitor MLN9708
Authors: Plesescu Mihaela , Elliott Eric L. , Li Yuexian , Prakash Shimoga R.
Published: July 2013

MLN9708 (ixazomib citrate) is an investigational, orally bioavailable proteasome inhibitor that is under development by Millennium in clinical studies in both hematologic and nonhematologic malignancies. The stable isotope‐labeled MLN9708 was required for bio‐analytical studies. [13C9]‐MLN9708 (11) was synthesized in seven steps from the uniformly labeled [13C6]‐1,4‐dichlorobenzene (3) and [1‐13C]‐acetyl chloride. Because of the presence of two chlorine atoms and a boron atom, compound 6 was further reacted with [13C2]‐glycine to provide an internal standard that is well separated from the parent compound during mass spectrometric analysis. The radiolabeled version was prepared to support metabolite profiling and whole body autoradiography studies in experimental animals. [14C]‐MLN9708 (19) was synthesized in six steps from commercially available [14C]‐barium carbonate. The key intermediate, [carboxyl‐14C]‐2,5‐dichlorobenzoic acid (14), was prepared by selective lithiation of 1‐bromo‐2,5‐dichlorobenzene (12) followed by carbonation with [14C]‐barium carbonate. In preparation for a one‐time human absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) study, the stability of [14C]‐MLN9708 and its precursors were also evaluated. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SugarBind database (SugarBindDB): a resource of pathogen lectins and corresponding glycan targets
Authors: Shakhsheer Baddr , Anderson Mark , Khatib Khaled , Tadoori Leelapavan , Joshi Lokesh , Lisacek Frederique , Hirschman Lynette , Mullen Elaine
Published: July 2013

SugarBindDB lists pathogen and biotoxin lectins and their carbohydrate ligands in a searchable format. Information is collected from articles published in peer‐reviewed scientific journals. Help files guide the user through the search process and provide a review of structures and names of sugars that appear in human oligosaccharides. Glycans are written in the condensed form of the carbohydrate nomenclature system developed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). Since its online publication by The MITRE Corporation in 2005, the database has served as a resource for research on the glycobiology of infectious disease. SugarBindDB is currently hosted by the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics on the ExPASy server and will be enhanced and linked to related resources as part of the wider UniCarbKB initiative. Enhancements will include the option to display glycans in a variety of formats, including modified 2D condensed IUPAC and symbolic nomenclature. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atomic force microscopy study of the antigen‐antibody binding force on patient cancer cells based on ROR1 fluorescence recognition
Authors: Li Mi , Xiao Xiubin , Liu Lianqing , Xi Ning , Wang Yuechao , Dong Zaili , Zhang Weijing
Published: July 2013

Knowledge of drug–target interaction is critical to our understanding of drug action and can help design better drugs. Due to the lack of adequate single‐molecule techniques, the information of individual interactions between ligand‐receptors is scarce until the advent of atomic force microscopy (AFM) that can be used to directly measure the individual ligand‐receptor forces under near‐physiological conditions by linking ligands onto the surface of the AFM tip and then obtaining force curves on cells. Most of the current AFM single‐molecule force spectroscopy experiments were performed on cells grown in vitro (cell lines) that are quite different from the human cells in vivo. From the view of clinical practice, investigating the drug–target interactions directly on the patient cancer cells will bring more valuable knowledge that may potentially serve as an important parameter in personalized treatment. Here, we demonstrate the capability of AFM to measure the binding force between target (CD20) and drug (rituximab, an anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody targeted drug) directly on lymphoma patient cancer cells under the assistance of ROR1 fluorescence recognition. ROR1 is a receptor expressed on some B‐cell lymphomas but not on normal cells. First, B‐cell lymphoma Raji cells (a cell line) were used for ROR1 fluorescence labeling and subsequent measurement of CD20‐rituximab binding force. The results showed that Raji cells expressed ROR1, and the labeling of ROR1 did not influence the measurement of CD20‐rituximab binding force. Then the established experimental procedures were performed on the pathological samples prepared from the bone marrow of a follicular lymphoma patient. Cancer cells were recognized by ROR1 fluorescence. Under the guidance of fluorescence, with the use of a rituximab‐conjugated tip, the cellular topography was visualized by using AFM imaging and the CD20‐Rituximab binding force was measured by single‐molecule force spectroscopy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can thrombin‐activated platelet releasate compensate the age‐induced decrease in cell proliferation of MSC?
Authors: Vogl Melanie , Fischer Johannes , Jäger Marcus , Zilkens Christoph , Krauspe Rüdiger , Herten Monika
Published: July 2013

Mesenchymal progenitor cells (MSCs) are promising for cell‐based regeneration therapies. In elderly patients a reduced proliferation of MSCs has been described. Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) contains important factors necessary for osteogenic regeneration. The aim of this study was to find out whether the age‐induced decrease in cell proliferation can be compensated by the use of supernatant of centrifuged, activated PRP (tPR). MSCs of donors of three age groups (A: young, 14–16 years, B: middle age, 36–46 years, C: older, 74–83 years) were expanded with 20% FCS alone or supplemented with thrombin‐activated platelet releasate (tPR) (1%, 2.5%, and 5%) or platelet‐poor plasma (PPP 5%). Cell proliferation and differentiation was measured on days 0, 3, and 7. Proliferation increased significantly in groups A and B with tPR, and non‐significantly in group C. The generation times of MSCs of elderly patients were significantly increased in group C compared to groups A and B. Addition of 1% or 2.5% tPR significantly reduced population doubling times of all age groups. Adding tPR stimulates the proliferation rate of MSCs independent of donor age. For juvenile and middle‐aged patients this influence was significant. Cells differentiation into osteoblasts was not influenced by addition of tPR. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1786–1795, 2013
Role of Phe‐D5 isotopically labeled analogues of bradykinin on elucidation of its adsorption mode on Ag, Au, and Cu electrodes. Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy studies
Authors: Proniewicz Edyta , Ignatjev Ilja , Niaura Gediminas , Sobolewski Dariusz , Prahl Adam , Proniewicz Leonard M.
Published: July 2013

Raman (RS), surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), electrochemistry, and isotopic effect methods were used to characterize selective adsorption of two isotopically labeled bradykinin analogues, [(Phe‐D5)5]BK and [(Phe‐D5)8]BK, a hormone which is known to be involved in small‐cell and non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma and prostate cancer. The investigated analogues contain Phe residue, at position 5 or 8 in the amino acid sequence, substituted by Phe‐D5 (five protons of L‐phenylalanine ring substituted by deuterium). [(Phe‐D5)5]BK and [(Phe‐D5)8]BK were immobilized onto electrochemically roughened Ag, Au, and Cu electrode surfaces under different applied electrode potentials (−1.000 V to 0.200 V) in an aqueous solution containing 0.01 M phosphate buffer (pH = 7.0) and 0.1 M Na2SO4. Based on the analyses of the spectral profiles in the 920 – 1050 cm−1 spectral range, specific conclusions were drawn with respect to the Phe⋅⋅⋅metal interactions and changes in the interaction that occurred when the adsorption conditions were varied. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CT‐angiography prior to diep flap breast reconstruction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Teunis T. , van Voss M.R. Heerma , Kon M. , van Maurik J.F.M. Macaré
Published: July 2013

Background

Preoperative CT‐angiography (CTA) has shown to reduce operative time in deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction compared to Doppler ultrasonography (US). Although decreased flap loss has been suggested, statistical significant reduction remains indeterminate. The purpose of this review is to evaluate flap loss after preoperative CTA and Doppler US in DIEP‐flap breast reconstruction.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane libraries. All articles comparing CTA to Doppler US were selected and critically appraised; data on flap loss were extracted.

Results

From 678 studies, eight were selected for appraisal. Six case–control studies were included in the final analysis. Pooled analysis showed CTA resulted in a significant reduction in partial necrosis (odds ratio/OR 0.15; 95% confidence interval/CI 0.07–0.32, P < 0.0001) and decreased flap loss (OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.10–0.79, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Studies included in this meta‐analysis have several limitations. However, most studies find a large clinical advantage of CTA over Doppler US, which reaches statistical significance when combined. As results show that CTA prior to DIEP flap breast reconstruction offers significant clinical benefits, we suggest the routine use of preoperative CTA. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 33:496–502, 2013.
Achieving accuracy and efficiency in spherical modelling of real data
Authors: Cavoretto R. , De Rossi A.
Published: July 2013

In this paper, a hybrid approximation method on the sphere is analysed. As interpolation scheme, we consider a partition of unity method, such as the modified spherical Shepard method, which uses zonal basis functions plus spherical harmonics as local approximants. The associated algorithm is efficiently implemented and works well also when the amount of data is very large, as it is based on an optimized searching procedure. Locality of the method guarantees stability in numerical computations, and numerical results show good accuracy. Moreover, we aimed to discuss preservation of such features when the method and the related algorithm are applied to experimental data. To achieve this purpose, we considered the Magnetic Field Satellite data. The goal was reached, as efficiency and accuracy are maintained on several sets of real data. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coupling Microreaction Technologies, Polymer Chemistry, and Processing to Produce Polymeric Micro and Nanoparticles with Controlled Size, Morphology, and Composition
Authors: Serra Christophe A. , Cortese Bruno , Khan Ikram Ullah , Anton Nicolas , de Croon Mart H. J. M. , Hessel Volker , Ono Tsutomu , Vandamme Thierry
Published: July 2013

Polymeric micro‐ and nanoparticles receive the attention of researchers in different areas such as drug delivery, sensing, imaging, cosmetics, diagnostics, and biotechnology. However, processes with conventional equipment do not always allow precise control of their morphology, size, size distribution, and composition. On the other hand, microreaction technology offers improved control over the hydrodynamics, mass and heat transfer, allowing production of polymeric particles with better defined or new characteristics. Thus new horizons in polymer particle engineering arise from the use of microstructured or microfluidic devices. This article gives an insight into the latest developments and trends in the production of polymeric micro‐ and nanoparticles realized by microreaction technology directly.
Field evaluation of an entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium brunneum strain F52, against pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyri
Authors: Erler Fedai , Pradier Thierry , Aciloglu Burcu
Published: July 2013

BACKGROUND

The pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyri L. (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is one of the most serious insect pests of pears in Turkey. In recent years, psyllid management has become increasingly difficult because of the development of insecticide resistance and the withdrawal of registered chemicals from the market. In this study, the field efficacy of an emulsifiable concentrate formulation of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium brunneum Petch strain F52 (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), containing 5.5 × 109 conidia mL‐1, was evaluated against C. pyri in south‐western Turkey (Antalya) in two consecutive years, 2010 and 2011.

RESULTS

The results showed that the F52 product at 100 mL 100 L‐1 water reduced the number of psyllid eggs and young nymphs (first and second instars), causing up to 79 and 88% mortality, respectively, 7 days after treatment in the first year, and 72 and 82% mortality in the second year. However, it was less active against the older nymphs (third to fifth instars ) and achieved only up to 51% mortality 7 days after treatment in the first year, and 48% mortality in the second year.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the M. brunneum strain F52 product can be used as an alternative to conventional chemicals in controlling C. pyri early in the season. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Bayesian treed response surface models
Authors: Chipman Hugh , George Edward I. , Gramacy Robert B. , McCulloch Robert
Published: July 2013

Tree‐based regression and classification, popularized in the 1980s with the advent of the classification and regression trees (CART) has seen a recent resurgence in popularity alongside a boom in modern computing power. The new methodologies take advantage of simulation‐based inference, and ensemble methods, to produce higher fidelity response surfaces with competitive out‐of‐sample predictive performance while retaining many of the attractive features of classic trees: thrifty divide‐and‐conquer nonparametric inference, variable selection and sensitivity analysis, and nonstationary modeling features. In this paper, we review recent advances in Bayesian modeling for trees, from simple Bayesian CART models, treed Gaussian process, sequential inference via dynamic trees, to ensemble modeling via Bayesian additive regression trees (BART). We outline open source R packages supporting these methods and illustrate their use.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Statistics

Algorithmic Development > Structure Discovery

Application Areas > Data Mining Software Tools
Analytical strategies for estimating suppressed and missing data in large regional and local employment, population, and transportation databases
Authors: Guldmann Jean‐Michel
Published: July 2013

Several analytical techniques are reviewed that aim to (1) estimate suppressed employment data in large regional or local economic databases, such as County Business Patterns, using goal‐programming optimization models, (2) estimate local population data, using regional Census data, remotely sensed and traditional data, and statistical modeling, and (3) transfer individual‐level transportation data gathered in national surveys of transportation behavior to construct reliable estimates for local area units (Census tracts), using clustering and regression techniques. These methodologies are illustrative of the rapidly expanding opportunities for improving socioeconomic databases, using new data sources and new and older techniques in innovative ways, thus contributing to knowledge discovery.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Spatial and Temporal Data Mining

Algorithmic Development > Statistics

Application Areas > Government and Public Sector