bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional PV power prediction for improved grid integration
Authors: Lorenz Elke , Scheidsteger Thomas , Hurka Johannes , Heinemann Detlev , Kurz Christian
Published: September 2010

The contribution of power production from PV systems to the electricity supply is constantly increasing. An efficient use of the fluctuating solar power production will highly benefit from forecast information on the expected power production, as a basis for management of the electricity grids and trading on the energy market. We present and evaluate the regional PV power prediction system of University of Oldenburg and Meteocontrol GmbH providing forecasts of up to 2 days ahead with hourly resolution. The proposed approach is based on forecasts of the global model of the European Centre for Medium‐Range Forecasts (ECMWF). It includes a post‐processing procedure to derive optimised, site‐specific irradiance forecasts and explicit physical modelling steps to convert the predicted irradiances to PV power. Finally, regional power forecasts are derived by up‐scaling from a representative set of PV systems. The investigation of proper up‐scaling is a special focus of this paper. We introduce a modified up‐scaling approach, modelling the spatial distribution of the nominal power with a resolution of 1° × 1°. The operational PV power prediction system is evaluated in comparison to the modified up‐scaling approach for the control areas of the two German transmission system operators ‘transpower’ and ‘50 Hertz’ for the period 2.7.2009–30.4.2010. rmse values of the operational forecasts are in the range of 4–5% with respect to the nominal power for intra‐day and day‐ahead forecast horizons. Further improvement is achieved with the modified up‐scaling approach. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolic alteration of HepG2 in scaffold‐based 3‐D culture: Proteomic approach
Authors: Pruksakorn Dumnoensun , Lirdprapamongkol Kriengsak , Chokchaichamnankit Daranee , Subhasitanont Pantipa , Chiablaem Khajeelak , Svasti Jisnuson , Srisomsap Chantragan
Published: September 2010

3‐D cell culture models are important in cancer biology since they provide improved understanding of tumor microenvironment. We have established a 3‐D culture model using HepG2 in natural collagen‐based scaffold to mimic the development of small avascular tumor in vivo. Morphological characterization showed that HepG2 colonies grew within the interior of the scaffold and showed enhanced extracellular matrix deposition. High levels of cell proliferation in the outermost regions of the scaffold created a hypoxic microenvironment in the 3‐D culture system, as indicated by hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α stabilization, detectable by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Proteomic studies showed decreased expression of several mitochondrial proteins and increased expression of proteins in anaerobic glycolysis under 3‐D culture compared to monolayer culture. Creatine kinase was also upregulated in 3‐D culture, indicating its possible role as an important energy buffer system under hypoxic microenvironment. Increased levels of proteins in nucleotide metabolism may relate to cellular energy. Thus, our results suggest that HepG2 cells under 3‐D culture adapt their energy metabolism in response to hypoxic conditions. Metabolic alterations in the 3‐D culture model may relate to physiological changes relevant to development of small avascular tumor in vivo and their study may improve future therapeutic strategies.
An improved method to unravel phosphoacceptors in Ser/Thr protein kinase‐phosphorylated substrates
Authors: Molle Virginie , Leiba Jade , Zanella‐Cléon Isabelle , Becchi Michel , Kremer Laurent
Published: September 2010

Identification of the phosphorylated residues of bacterial Ser/Thr protein kinase (STPK) substrates still represents a challenging task. Herein, we present a new strategy allowing the rapid determination of phosphoacceptors in kinase substrates, essentially based on the dual expression of the kinase with its substrate in the surrogate E. coli, followed by MS analysis in a single‐step procedure. The performance of this strategy is illustrated using two distinct proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis as model substrates, the GroEL2 and HspX chaperones. A comparative analysis with a standard method that includes mass spectrometry analysis of in vitro phosphorylated substrates is also addressed.
Proteome mining for novel IgE‐binding proteins from the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) and allergen profiling of patients
Authors: Chuang Jiing‐Guang , Su Song‐Nan , Chiang Bor‐Luen , Lee How‐Jing , Chow Lu‐Ping
Published: September 2010

Although cockroaches are known to produce allergens that can cause IgE‐mediated hypersensitivity reactions, including perennial rhinitis and asthma, the various cockroach allergens have not yet been fully studied. Many proteins from the German cockroach show high IgE reactivity, but have never been comprehensively characterized. To identify these potential allergens, proteins were separated by 2‐DE and IgE‐binding proteins were analyzed by nanoLC‐MS/MS or N‐terminal sequencing analysis. Using a combination of proteomic techniques and bioinformatic allergen database analysis, we identified a total of ten new B. germanica IgE‐binding proteins. Of these, aldolase, arginine kinase, enolase, Hsp70, triosephosphate isomerase, and vitellogenin have been reported as allergens in species other than B. germanica. Analysis of the Food Allergy Research and Resource Program allergen database indicated that arginine kinase, enolase, and triosephosphate isomerase showed significant potential cross‐reactivity with other related allergens. This study revealed that vitellogenin is an important novel B. germanica allergen. Personalized profiling and reactivity of IgE Abs against the panel of IgE‐binding proteins varied between cockroach‐allergic individuals. These findings make it possible to monitor the individual IgE reactivity profile of each patient and facilitate personalized immunotherapies for German cockroach allergy disorders.
Asthma: tips and pitfalls in diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Corrigan Chris
Published: September 2010

Perfect control of asthma is now a realistic goal for many patients and several management guidelines are available. Here, Professor Corrigan considers some aspects of diagnosis and treatment and gives some tips and pitfalls in management, followed by sources of further information and an analysis of prescription data.
The role of noncollinear magnetic order and magnetic anisotropy for the transport properties through nanowires
Authors: Czerner Michael , Yavorsky Bogdan , Mertig Ingrid
Published: September 2010

The magnetic structure and the electronic transport properties of domain walls (DWs) in magnetic transition metal nanocontacts Ni, Co, and Fe are investigated from first principles. In particular, the shape of the DW pinned in a monatomic nanowire, which is suspended between two semi‐infinite leads, and the effect on the magnetotransport are discussed in detail. For the calculation, a modification of the Korringa–Kohn–Rostoker (KKR) method is used to treat noncollinear magnetic systems fully self‐consistently. It is shown that the DW profile differs from the known Bloch and Néel walls.
Comparison of the effect of oligonol, a new lychee fruit‐derived low molecular form of polyphenol, and epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate on lipolysis in rat primary adipocytes
Authors: Ogasawara Junetsu , Kitadate Kentaro , Nishioka Hiroshi , Fujii Hajime , Sakurai Takuya , Kizaki Takako , Izawa Tetsuya , Ishida Hitoshi , Ohno Hideki
Published: September 2010

Several polyphenols have been shown to be beneficial in preventing the accumulation of body fat in mammals. This paper reports that adding oligonol, a lychee fruit‐derived low‐molecular form of polyphenol mixture, has a greater effect on lipolysis in primary adipocytes compared with tea (−)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) alone, accompanied by a significant increase in activation of extracellular signalling‐related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). However, neither phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), a molecule upstream of ERK1/2, nor the level of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), a molecule downstream of ERK1/2 was significantly changed between oligonol and EGCG, although the addition of oligonol and EGCG significantly increased the levels of phosphorylated MEK1/2 and HO‐1 compared with the non‐treated control cells. These results suggest that the coordinated direct effect of mixed polyphenol, which comprises oligonol, on ERK1/2 plays a key role in a greater lipolytic response to oligonol than EGCG alone. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving quality of prediction in highly dynamic environments using approximate dynamic programming
Authors: Ganesan, Rajesh , Balakrishna Poornima , Sherry Lance
Published: September 2010

In many applications, decision making under uncertainty often involves two steps—prediction of a certain quality parameter or indicator of the system under study and the subsequent use of the prediction in choosing actions. The prediction process is severely challenged by highly dynamic environments that particularly involve sequential decision making, such as air traffic control at airports in which congestion prediction is critical for smooth departure operations. Taxi‐out time of a flight is an excellent indicator of surface congestion and is a quality parameter used in the assessment of airport delays. The regression, queueing, and moving average models have been shown to perform poorly in predicting taxi‐out times because they are slow in adapting to the changing airport dynamics. This paper presents an approximate dynamic programming approach (reinforcement learning, RL) to taxi‐out time prediction. The taxi‐out prediction performance was tested on flight data obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Aviation System Performance Metrics (ASPM) database on Detroit International (DTW), Washington Reagan National (DCA), Boston (BOS), New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Tampa International (TPA) airports. For example, at the Boston airport (presented in detail) the prediction accuracy by RL model was 14running‐average model. In general, the RL model was 35–50% more accurate than the regression model for all of the above airports. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DNA structure and dynamics: Potential of interactions between two complementary DNA bases
Authors: Yakushevich L. V.
Published: September 2010

Specific interaction between two complementary nucleic acid bases, in which adenine forms two hydrogen bonds with thymine and guanine forms three hydrogen bonds with cytosine, is of great interest because it stabilizes the double helical DNA structure and because it determines the dynamics of the base pair opening that in turn is considered as one of important elements of the process of the DNA–protein recognition. To obtain the form of the potential of the interaction, investigators use many different methods including the most accurate ab initio quantum‐chemical calculations, approximate method of atom–atom potential functions, approximate mathematical formulas like the Morse potential, or empirical potentials. In this article, we derive a new mathematical formula of the potential. The formula is well grounded and advantageously differs from others because of its simplicity and convenience in practice. To derive the formula, we use a simple mechanical analog of two complementary DNA bases that consists of two coupled pendulums oscillating in the horizontal plane. We illustrate the applications of the formula to study small amplitude oscillations of the DNA complementary bases. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Robotic‐assisted laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for anal cancer: feasibility and technical considerations
Authors: Patel Chirag B. , Ramos‐Valadez Diego I. , Haas Eric M.
Published: September 2010

Background

Robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery is an emerging technology that may prove advantageous for complex colorectal procedures involving the irradiated pelvis, such as abdominoperineal resection for recurrent anal cancer. The authors' initial experience is presented, with assessment of feasibility, safety, and oncologic principles.

Methods

Over a 6 month period, five abdominoperineal resections were performed using the da Vinci® robot for recurrent anal cancer in patients initially treated with definitive chemoradiation therapy. Demographics, intraoperative parameters, pathology, and outcomes were assessed.

Results

Five patients underwent surgery with a mean age of 58.8 years and body mass index of 24.9 kg m−2. The interval between chemoradiation and salvage APR was 14.2 ± 10.0 months. Operative time was 204 ± 39.1 min with robotic docking time 12.2 ± 2.8 min and console time 93.0 ± 24.9 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 150 cc and there were no intraoperative complications. The mean hospital length of stay was 5.4 days. Pathology analysis revealed that all surgical margins were adequate. There was one postoperative complication consisting of a seroma.

Conclusion

Robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery for anal cancer was found to be a safe and feasible procedure. It facilitated enhanced visualization and dissection through deep irradiated pelvic structures. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Current issues regarding treatment of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation disorders
Authors: Spiekerkoetter Ute , Bastin Jean , Gillingham Melanie , Morris Andrew , Wijburg Frits , Wilcken Bridget
Published: September 2010

Treatment recommendations in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (FAO) defects are diverse. With implementation of newborn screening and identification of asymptomatic patients, it is necessary to define whom to treat and how strictly. We here discuss critical questions that are currently under debate. For some asymptomatic long‐chain defects, long‐chain fat restriction plays a minor role, and a normal diet may be introduced. For patients presenting only with myopathic symptoms, e.g., during exercise, treatment may be adapted to energy demand. As a consequence, patients with exercise‐induced myopathy may be able to return to normal activity when provided with medium‐chain triglycerides (MCT) prior to exercise. There is no need to limit participation in sports. Progression of retinopathy in disorders of the mitochondrial trifunctional protein complex is closely associated with hydroxyacylcarnitine accumulation. A strict low‐fat diet with MCT supplementation is recommended to slow or prevent progression of chorioretinopathy. Additional docosahexanoic acid does not prevent the decline in retinal function but does promote nonspecific improvement in visual acuity and is recommended. There is no evidence that L‐carnitine supplementation is beneficial. Thus, supplementation with L‐carnitine in a newborn identified by screening with either a medium‐chain or long‐chain defect is not supported. With respect to the use of the odd‐chain medium‐chain triglyceride triheptanoin in myopathic phenotypes, randomized trials are needed to establish whether triheptanoin is more effective than even‐chain MCT. With increasing pathophysiological knowledge, new treatment options have been identified and are being clinically evaluated. These include the use of bezafibrates in myopathic long‐chain defects.
Fatty acid profile in patients with phenylketonuria and its relationship with bone mineral density
Authors: Lage Sergio , Bueno María , Andrade Fernando , Prieto José Ángel , Delgado Carmen , Legarda María , Sanjurjo Pablo , Aldámiz‐Echevarría Luis Jose
Published: September 2010

Background

Patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) undergo a restrictive vegan‐like diet, with almost total absence of n‐3 fatty acids, which have been proposed as potential contributors to bone formation in the healthy population. The PKU diet might lead these patients to bone mass loss and, consequently, to the development of osteopenia/osteoporosis. Therefore, we proposed to analyze their plasma fatty acid profile status and its relationship with bone health.

Methods

We recruited 47 PKU patients for this cross‐sectional study and divided the cohort into three age groups (6–10 years, 11–18 years, 19–42 years). We measured their plasma fatty acid profile and bone mineral density (BMD) (both at the femoral neck and the lumbar spine). Seventy‐seven healthy controls also participated as reference values of plasma fatty acids.

Results

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and total n‐3 fatty acids were significantly diminished in PKU patients compared with healthy controls. DHA, EPA, and total n‐3 fatty acids were also positively associated with bone mineral density (r = 0.83, p = 0.010; r = 0.57, p = 0.006; r = 0.73, p = 0.040, respectively). There was no association between phenylalanine (Phe), Index of Dietary Control (IDC), calcium, 25‐hydroxivitamin D concentrations, daily calcium intake, and BMD.

Conclusion

Our results suggest a possible influence of essential fatty acids over BMD in PKU patients. The lack of essential n‐3 fatty acids intake in the PKU diet might affect bone mineralization. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm the effect of the n‐3 essential fatty acids on bone accrual in a cohort of PKU patients.
Long‐term follow‐up results in enzyme replacement therapy for Pompe disease: a case report
Authors: Del Rizzo Monica , Fanin Marina , Cerutti Alessia , Cazzorla Chiara , Milanesi Ornella , Nascimbeni Anna Chiara , Angelini Corrado , Giordano Laura , Bordugo Andrea , Burlina Alberto B.
Published: September 2010

Pompe disease (PD) is a metabolic myopathy caused by a deficiency of acid‐alpha glucosidase (GAA), a lysosomal enzyme that cleaves glycogen. The classic infantile‐onset form is characterised by severe hypotonia and cardiomyopathy. Untreated patients usually die within the first year of life due to cardiorespiratory failure. Several studies involving patients with infantile‐onset PD have shown that enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with alglucosidase alfa, recombinant human GAA (rhGAA), significantly prolongs survival, decreases cardiomegaly, and improves cardiac function and conduction abnormalities. However, the efficacy on motor, cognitive and social milestones appears to be more related to the condition of the patient before the start of treatment. To date, the sample of early diagnosed and treated patients is small and the length of follow‐up is still limited. We report the results of a long‐term follow‐up of one patient presenting severe bradycardia and cardiomyopathy at birth, diagnosed in the third day of life and successfully treated by ERT. Serum muscle enzymes at diagnosis were AST 200 U/L, ALT 99 U/L and CPK 731 U/L (n.v. 0‐295); the molecular study identified the homozygous missense mutation c.1933 G> A p.Asp645Asn (GAA exon 14). Left Ventricular Mass Index (LVMI) at baseline was 171 g/m2 (Z‐score = 4.3) and decreased to normal values since the 3‐month follow‐up. A muscle biopsy performed at 18 months after the start of therapy, showed only a low degree of muscle involvement. To our knowledge, this is the longest ERT treatment follow‐up in a symptomatic neonatal patient with Pompe disease.
Treatment of cobalamin C (cblC) deficiency during pregnancy
Authors: Brunel‐Guitton Catherine , Costa Teresa , Mitchell Grant A. , Lambert Marie
Published: September 2010

Objective

To report the successful pregnancy of a woman with methylmalonic acidemia and hyperhomocysteinemia, cblC type [cobalamin C (cblC) deficiency] (MIM 277400).

Method

Retrospective chart review.

Results

A 24‐year‐old woman presented at 14 weeks gestation with nausea, self‐restricted protein diet, and weight loss. She had a past history of asymptomatic methylmalonic acidemia but had been lost to follow‐up since the age of 15 years. Biochemical evaluation revealed combined methylmalonic acidemia and hyperhomocysteinemia. Complementation analysis confirmed cblC deficiency. One copy of the most common mutations in the MMACHC gene, c.271dupA, was identified. The women was treated from 15 weeks of gestation with a low protein diet (64 g/day) (1.1 g /kg of weight/day), L‐carnitine (1 g per os 3 times daily to 3 g per os 3 times daily in the third trimester), aspirin (salicylic acid) 80 mg per day, folic acid 5 mg per day, and hydroxocobalamin 1 mg intramuscular every week to two times per week in the third trimester. The pregnancy was uneventful and the delivery at term. The newborn was healthy at delivery and at follow‐up.

Conclusion

We report on the successful outcome of pregnancy in a treated woman with cblC disease. The pregnancy was uneventful for both fetus and mother with the delivery of a term healthy boy. There is a need for an international registry on the management and outcomes of pregnancy in women with inborn errors of metabolism.
Dietary Lecithin Source Affects Growth Potential and Gene Expression in Sparus aurata Larvae
Authors: Alves Martins Dulce , Estévez Alicia , Stickland Neil C. , Simbi Bigboy H. , Yúfera Manuel
Published: September 2010

Soybean lecithin (SBL), used as a phospholipid source in larval fish diets, may compromise growth and survival in marine species, and affect gene expression, due to differences in fatty acid composition relative to marine lecithins (ML). The potential of SBL as a phospholipid source in gilthead seabream microdiets as compared to ML was evaluated. Two stocking densities were tested in order to exacerbate possible dietary effects: 5 and 20 larvae L−1. Larvae reflected dietary fatty acid profiles: linoleic acid was higher, whereas eicosapentaenoic and arachidonic acids were lower in SBL fed groups than in ML fed larvae. Highest stocking density decreased survival, and led to elevated saturates and lower docosahexaenoic acid levels in polar lipid. Muscle histology observations showed hindered growth potential in SBL fed larvae. Despite similar cortisol levels between treatments, higher glucocorticoid receptor (GR), as well as hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL) mRNA levels in SBL fed groups revealed a role for fatty acids in gene regulation. Further analysed genes suggested these effects were independent from the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐interrenal axis control and the endocannabinoid system. Cyclooxygenase‐2 and gluconeogenesis seemed unaffected. For the first time in fish, a link between dietary lecithin nature and HSL gene transcription, perhaps regulated through GR fatty acid‐induced activation, is suggested. Enhanced lipolytic activity could partly explain lower growth in marine fish larvae when dietary ML is not provided.
Regime Change and Revolutionary Entrepreneurs
Authors: DE MESQUITA ETHAN BUENO
Published: September 2010

I study how a revolutionary vanguard might use violence to mobilize a mass public. The mechanism is informational—the vanguard uses violence to manipulate population member's beliefs about the level of antigovernment sentiment in society. The model has multiple equilibria, one equilibrium in which there may be revolution and another in which there is certain not to be. In the former, structural factors influence expected mobilization, whereas in the latter they do not. Hence, the model is consistent with structural factors influencing the likelihood of revolution in some societies but not others, offering a partial defense of structural accounts from common critiques. The model also challenges standard arguments about the role of revolutionary vanguards. The model is consistent with vanguard violence facilitating mobilization and even sparking spontaneous uprisings. However, it also predicts selection effects—an active vanguard emerges only in societies that are already coordinated on a participatory equilibrium. Hence, a correlation between vanguard activity and mass mobilization may not constitute evidence for the causal efficacy of vanguards—be it through creating focal points, providing selective incentives, or communicating information.
Trypanorhynch cestodes of teleost fish from the Persian Gulf, Iran
Authors: Haseli M. , Malek M. , Valinasab T. , Palm H.W.
Published: September 2010

A total of 299 fish belonging to ten teleost species were studied in Iranian waters at the north-eastern coast of the Persian Gulf for larval trypanorhynch cestode infection. The following trypanorhynch species were identified: Callitetrarhynchus gracilis Pintner, 1931, Pseudogilquinia thomasi (Palm, 2000), Pterobothrium lesteri Campbell and Beveridge, 1996 and Pseudolacistorhynchus shipleyi (Southwell, 1929). The most abundant parasite was C. gracilis which was isolated from seven teleost species. The highest prevalence (62.9%) and dominance (0.98) were demonstrated for P. thomasi with a maximum intensity of 22 in Indian halibut Psettodes erumei. Collections of P. lesteri and P. shipleyi from the Persian Gulf represent new locality records, thus extending the known range of distribution for both species. Four new host records are established. The recorded combination of trypanorhynch species and the established host range correspond to other regions, such as off the Brazilian coast. In terms of species distribution, the north-western part of the Indian Ocean, together with the Gulf of Bengal and the Indonesian archipelago, share the same species, resulting from connected water bodies. All trypanorhynch species were isolated from the body cavity, except for P. thomasi which was recorded from the musculature of P. erumei. Relatively high intensities of infection in P. erumei may be of public health concern in the region, necessitating the consumption of well-cooked fish products.
Transitional Justice and Victims' Rights before the End of a Conflict: The Unusual Case of Colombia
Authors: GARCÍA-GODOS JEMIMA , LID KNUT ANDREAS O.
Published: September 2010

In a context of continuing armed conflict, a comprehensive scheme of transitional justice has been developed in Colombia since 2005 through the Law of Justice and Peace, with the aim of achieving peace with one of the armed actors in the conflict, the paramilitary groups. The clear link between the demobilisation of illegal armed groups and the rights of the victims is the main feature of the Colombian process. This article provides a systematic review of the implementation of the law, focusing on the institutions, mechanisms and procedures put in place to fulfil its goals. Emphasis is given to the legal category of ‘victim’, victims' rights and victim reparation measures. By exploring how the scheme works in principle and in practice, we are able to assess the prospects for victims' rights in Colombia today.
US Labour and Management Fight It Out in Post-1954 Guatemala
Authors: BROCKETT CHARLES D.
Published: September 2010

The differing perspectives and actions of US government, business and labour towards the Guatemalan government and Guatemalan trade unionists themselves in the half-decade or so following the overthrow of the Arbenz administration in 1954 are the focus of this study. Few areas were more important to the US project for Guatemala following the Castillo Armas invasion than helping the Guatemalans to create a ‘free’ and ‘democratic’ labour movement – and few areas would prove more frustrating. Part of the problem was the intransigent stance of Guatemalan elites. An additional challenge was strong opposition from the major US-based companies operating in Guatemala, most notably the United Fruit Company and its affiliates. This work contests interpretations that regard US policy towards countries like Guatemala at the time as simply beholden to business interests or as seeking domination. Rather, as Washington's interest in the transition diminished, officials in the US embassy and representatives of US labour in Guatemala were left isolated, unable to fulfil their vision for a democratic labour movement in the teeth of such opposition.
Agrarian Reform and Revolutionary Justice in Soconusco, Chiapas:Campesinosand the Mexican State, 1934–1940
Authors: NOLAN-FERRELL CATHERINE
Published: September 2010

During the mid- to late 1930s, rural activism surged in the coffee-growing region of southern Chiapas and north-western Guatemala. This article examines the causes and impacts of sustained campesino protests at the grassroots level on the Mexican side of the border. The porous border between the two nations hindered the development of centralised power networks that prevailed in other parts of Chiapas. Campesinos and reformist federal government officials such as teachers and agrarian engineers built alliances that challenged the power of the coffee growers. This article explores the process of negotiation that occurred among campesinos, federal bureaucrats, regional authorities and elite coffee planters in order both to implement and to challenge agrarian reform.
Anthelmintic resistance: markers for resistance, or susceptibility?
Authors: BEECH R. N. , SKUCE P. , BARTLEY D. J. , MARTIN R. J. , PRICHARD R. K. , GILLEARD J. S.
Published: September 2010

The Consortium for Anthelmintic Resistance and Susceptibility (CARS) brings together researchers worldwide, with a focus of advancing knowledge of resistance and providing information on detection methods and treatment strategies. Advances in this field suggest mechanisms and features of resistance that are shared among different classes of anthelmintic. Benzimidazole resistance is characterized by specific amino acid substitutions in beta-tubulin. If present, these substitutions increase in frequency upon drug treatment and lead to treatment failure. In the laboratory, sequence substitutions in ion-channels can contribute to macrocyclic lactone resistance, but there is little evidence that they are significant in the field. Changes in gene expression are associated with resistance to several different classes of anthelmintic. Increased P-glycoprotein expression may prevent drug access to its site of action. Decreased expression of ion-channel subunits and the loss of specific receptors may remove the drug target. Tools for the identification and genetic analysis of parasitic nematodes and a new online database will help to coordinate research efforts in this area. Resistance may result from a loss of sensitivity as well as the appearance of resistance. A focus on the presence of anthelmintic susceptibility may be as important as the detection of resistance.
Compression of FeSi, Fe3C, Fe0.95O, and FeS under the core pressures and implication for light element in the Earth's core
Authors: Sata Nagayoshi , Hirose Kei , Shen Guoyin , Nakajima Yoichi , Ohishi Yasuo , Hirao Naohisa
Published: September 2010

The light alloying element in the Earth's core has not been identified yet. Here we determined the pressure‐volume equations of state of FeSi, Fe3C, and Fe0.95O in the core pressure range by a combination of diamond‐anvil cell and synchrotron X‐ray diffraction techniques. Both B2‐type FeSi and Fe3C cementite were preserved to 180 and 187 GPa, respectively. The rhombohedrally‐distorted B1 phase of Fe0.95O was measured up to 186 GPa, and the distorted B8‐type Fe0.95O was observed between 170 and 226 GPa. Combined with our previous data on FeS VI and B2‐type VII phases to 270 GPa, we discuss the light element in the outer core by comparing the densities and compressibilities of these iron compounds with seismologically‐estimated density profile in the core. Substitution of light element, particularly carbon and oxygen, in iron not only reduces the density but also enhances the compressibility remarkably. The core profile is therefore not reconciled with Fe‐C and Fe‐O compounds, while the densities and compressibilities of Fe‐Si and Fe‐S alloys match the observations. Carbon and oxygen may not be a predominant light element in the Earth's outer core, leaving silicon and sulfur as strong candidates.
Low‐ozone bubbles observed in the tropical tropopause layer during the TC4 campaign in 2007
Authors: Petropavlovskikh I. , Ray E. , Davis S. M. , Rosenlof K. , Manney G. , Shetter R. , Hall S. R. , Ullmann K. , Pfister L. , Hair J. , Fenn M. , Avery M. , Thompson A. M.
Published: September 2010

In the summer of 2007, the NASA DC‐8 aircraft took part in the Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling campaign based in San Jose, Costa Rica. During this campaign, multiple in situ and remote‐sensing instruments aboard the aircraft measured the atmospheric composition of the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) in the equatorial region around Central and South America. During the 17 July flight off the Ecuadorian coast, well‐defined “bubbles” of anomalously low‐ozone concentration (less than 75 ppbv) were detected above the aircraft in the TTL at the altitude near 365 K (between 14 and 16 km) and at ∼3°S and ∼82°W. Backward trajectories from meteorological analyses and the aircraft in situ measurements suggest that the ozone‐depleted air mass originated from deep convection in the equatorial eastern Pacific and/or Panama Bight regions at least 5 days before observation by the DC‐8; this was not a feature produced by local convection. Given uncertainties known in regard to trajectories calculated from global reanalysis, it is not possible to identify the exact convective system that produced this particular low‐ozone anomaly, but only the general origin from a region of high convective activity. However, the fact that the feature apparently maintained its coherency for at least 5 days suggests a significant contribution to the chemical composition of the tropical upper troposphere portion of the TTL from convective systems followed by quasi‐horizontal transport. It also suggests that mixing time scales for these relatively small spatial features are greater than 5 days.
In situ and lidar observations of tropopause subvisible cirrus clouds during TC4
Authors: Davis Sean , Hlavka Dennis , Jensen Eric , Rosenlof Karen , Yang Qiong , Schmidt Sebastian , Borrmann Stephan , Frey Wiebke , Lawson Paul , Voemel Holger , Bui T. P.
Published: September 2010

During the Tropical Composition, Clouds, and Climate Coupling (TC4) experiment in July–August 2007, the NASA WB‐57F and ER‐2 aircraft made coordinated flights through a tropopause subvisible cirrus (SVC) layer off the Pacific Coast of Central America. The ER‐2 aircraft was equipped with a remote sensing payload that included the cloud physics lidar (CPL). The WB‐57F payload included cloud microphysical and trace gas measurements, and the aircraft made four vertical profiles through the SVC layer shortly after the ER‐2 flew over. The in situ and remotely sensed data are used to quantify the meteorological and microphysical properties of the SVC layer, and these data are compared to the limited set of SVC measurements that have previously been made. It is found that the layer encountered was particularly tenuous, with optical depths (τ) between about 10−4 and 10−3. From the in situ and other meteorological data, radiative heating rate perturbations of ∼0.05–0.1 K day−1 are calculated. These heating rates are smaller than previous estimates for tropopause SVC, consistent with the smaller τ in the present study. Coverage statistics based on CPL data from other TC4 flights indicate that this cloud was not an outlier among the sampled population. SVC with properties similar to the one presented here are below the detection limit of space‐based lidars such as CALIPSO, and a comparison with the TC4 statistics suggests that a majority (>50%) of tropopause SVC (with τ < 0.01) could be unaccounted for in studies using CALIPSO data.
Columnar aerosol optical properties in the Po Valley, Italy, from MFRSR data
Authors: Mazzola M. , Lanconelli C. , Lupi A. , Busetto M. , Vitale V. , Tomasi C.
Published: September 2010

The Po Valley is one of the most polluted areas in Europe. In order to provide a further contribution to the characterization of aerosol optical properties in this area, a more than 2 yr set of Multi Filter Rotating Shadow‐band Radiometer (MFRSR) measurements performed from September 2006 to May 2009 at Bologna, in northern Italy, were analyzed, paying particular attention to calibration, cloud screening, and uncertainty assessment of the measurements. The results show that daily mean aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 500 nm varies between 0.02 and 0.78, with an overall average value of 0.20 ± 0.11, and that daily mean values of Ångström's exponent α range between 0.21 and 1.86, with an overall average value of 1.23 ± 0.30. The annual variations of these parameters are evidence of the large variability of aerosol content and size distribution shape parameters throughout the year. Interannual seasonal statistics show a cyclic behavior of AOD, with monthly median values increasing from winter to autumn. In late spring and summer, several episodes of Saharan dust transport from North Africa were associated with high values of AOD and low values of α, contributing to an appreciable modification of the seasonal mean values of these two optical parameters. The high temporal resolution of daily field measurements allowed the definition of the average features of daily cycles for both parameters AOD and α, on a seasonal basis. Comparison of MFRSR results with those obtained from three AERONET stations in the Po Valley shows good agreement for both optical parameters. Absolute values of biases and root‐mean‐square differences between the MFRSR results and those of the AERONET stations were found to be lower than 0.05 and 0.20, respectively, for AOD at 500 nm and lower than 0.30 and 0.44 for α, indicating that aerosol optical characteristics are quite homogeneous over the whole region.
Importance of deposition processes in simulating the seasonality of the Arctic black carbon aerosol
Authors: Huang L. , Gong S. L. , Jia C. Q. , Lavoué D.
Published: September 2010

Anthropogenic aerosol components in the Arctic troposphere, such as black carbon (BC), show a strong seasonal variation characterized by a peak in later winter and early spring. The seasonality, however, is not properly simulated by most existing global aerosol models. Using the Canadian global air quality model with an online aerosol algorithm‐Global Environmental Multiscale model with Air Quality processes (GEM‐AQ), this work investigates the mechanisms of the seasonal variation of the Arctic BC. Through enhancements to parameterizations of wet and dry depositions in the Canadian Aerosol Module (CAM), the GEM‐AQ model is able to simulate the observed seasonality of BC over the Arctic. The observed seasonality of Arctic BC is mainly attributed to the seasonal changes in aerosol wet scavenging. Seasonal injection of aerosols (e.g., BC from the European and the former USSR sectors and to a less extent from the North Atlantic sector) also contributes to the seasonality of Arctic aerosols in the lower troposphere. Although dry deposition has little effect on the seasonal pattern of BC in the Arctic lower troposphere, it significantly changes BC surface concentration in the Arctic. The enhanced model suggests an annual budget of BC deposition to the Arctic of 0.11 Tg, a 10% increase over the original estimation. The enhanced GEM‐AQ model also suggests that the below‐cloud scavenging dominates the contribution of BC removal over the Arctic with an estimation of 48% for 2001, whereas the contributions of in‐cloud scavenging and dry deposition contribute about 27% and 25%, respectively. The estimated global BC burden is 0.28 Tg, which implies a global average BC lifetime of 9.2 days, whereas the AeroCom project suggests a range of 4.9–11.4 days.
Extreme value modeling of areal rainfall from weather radar
Authors: Overeem A. , Buishand T. A. , Holleman I. , Uijlenhoet R.
Published: September 2010

An 11 year high‐quality radar rainfall data set is used to abstract annual maximum rainfall depths for durations of 15 min to 24 h and area sizes of 6 to 1.7 × 103km2for the Netherlands. Generalized extreme value (GEV) distributions are fitted to the annual maxima. A new method is presented to describe the distribution of extreme areal rainfall depths by modeling GEV parameters as a function of both duration and area size. This leads to a semiempirical expression from which quantiles of extreme rainfall depths can be obtained for a chosen duration, area size, and return period. The uncertainties in these quantiles are calculated using the bootstrap method. Radar‐based areal reduction factors (ARFs) are derived. These ARFs are comparable to those based on high‐density rain gauge networks derived from the literature. It is concluded that radar data, after careful quality control, are suitable to estimate extreme areal rainfall depths.
Slip distribution of the February 27, 2010 Mw = 8.8 Maule Earthquake, central Chile, from static and high‐rate GPS, InSAR, and broadband teleseismic data
Authors: Delouis Bertrand , Nocquet Jean‐Mathieu , Vallée Martin
Published: September 2010

The shallow depth underthrust earthquake of February 27, 2010 (Mw 8.8) ruptured the subduction plate interface in central Chile between 34°S and 38°S. We retrieve the spatial and temporal distribution of slip during this mega‐earthquake through a joint inversion of teleseismic records, InSAR and High Rate GPS (HRGPS) data. Additionally, our model is shown to agree with broadband surface waves. Rupture initiated at about 32 km depth and propagated bilaterally resulting in two main slip zones located SSW and NNE of the hypocenter. Nucleation did not take place within or at the edge of one of these main asperities, but in between. During the first 30s, slip propagated predominantly southwards. Later on, the rupture evolved more slowly and more symmetrically. Eventually, the northern asperity became predominant with maximum slip reaching about 20 m. Most of the seismic moment was released within 110s, a relatively short time, explained by the bilateral propagation. The overall average rupture velocity is 2.6 km/s but propagation occurred initially faster towards the south (3.2 km/s). Large slip did not reach the trench, a result consistent with the moderate size of the tsunami. Down‐dip, rupture stopped at about 50 km depth, in agreement with the lower limit of the locked zone inferred by Ruegg et al. (2009) from pre‐seismic GPS data.
Diatom-associated bacteria are required for aggregation of Thalassiosira weissflogii
Authors: Gärdes Astrid , Iversen Morten H , Grossart Hans-Peter , Passow Uta , Ullrich Matthias S
Published: September 2010

Aggregation of algae, mainly diatoms, is an important process in marine systems leading to the settling of particulate organic carbon predominantly in the form of marine snow. Exudation products of phytoplankton form transparent exopolymer particles (TEP), which acts as the glue for particle aggregation. Heterotrophic bacteria interacting with phytoplankton may influence TEP formation and phytoplankton aggregation. This bacterial impact has not been explored in detail. We hypothesized that bacteria attaching to Thalassiosira weissflogii might interact in a yet-to-be determined manner, which could impact TEP formation and aggregate abundance. The role of individual T. weissflogii-attaching and free-living new bacterial isolates for TEP production and diatom aggregation was investigated in vitro. T. weissflogii did not aggregate in axenic culture, and striking differences in aggregation dynamics and TEP abundance were observed when diatom cultures were inoculated with either diatom-attaching or free-living bacteria. The data indicated that free-living bacteria might not influence aggregation whereas bacteria attaching to diatom cells may increase aggregate formation. Interestingly, photosynthetically inactivated T. weissflogii cells did not aggregate regardless of the presence of bacteria. Comparison of aggregate formation, TEP production, aggregate sinking velocity and solid hydrated density revealed remarkable differences. Both, photosynthetically active T. weissflogii and specific diatom-attaching bacteria were required for aggregation. It was concluded that interactions between heterotrophic bacteria and diatoms increased aggregate formation and particle sinking and thus may enhance the efficiency of the biological pump.
Effects of Diabetes and Obesity on Vascular Reactivity, Inflammatory Cytokines, and Growth Factors
Authors: Doupis John , Rahangdale Shilpa , Gnardellis Charalambos , Pena Salvador E. , Malhotra Atul , Veves Aristidis
Published: September 2010

We examined the influences of obesity and diabetes on endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent vasodilation, inflammatory cytokines, and growth factors. We included 258 subjects, age 21–80 years in four groups matched for age and gender: 40 healthy nonobese (BMI <30 kg·m−2) nondiabetic subjects, 76 nonobese diabetic patients, 37 obese (BMI >30) nondiabetic subjects, and 105 obese (BMI >30) diabetic patients. The flow‐mediated dilation (FMD, endothelium‐dependent) and nitroglycerin‐induced dilation (NID, endothelium‐independent) in the brachial artery, the vascular reactivity at the forearm skin and serum growth factors and inflammatory cytokines were measured. FMD was reduced in the nonobese diabetic patients, obese nondiabetic controls, and obese diabetic patients (P < 0.0001). NID was different among all four groups, being highest in the obese nondiabetic subjects and lowest in the obese diabetic patients (P < 0.0001). The resting skin forearm blood flow was reduced in the obese nondiabetic subjects (P < 0.01). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was higher in the obese nondiabetic subjects (P < 0.05), tumor necrosis factor–α was higher in the obese diabetic patients (P < 0.0001) and C‐reactive protein was higher in both the obese nondiabetic and diabetic subjects (P < 0.0001). Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 was elevated in the two diabetic groups and the obese nondiabetic subjects (P < 0.05). We conclude that diabetes and obesity affect equally the endothelial cell function but the smooth muscle cell function is affected only by diabetes. In addition, the above findings may be related to differences that were observed in the growth factors and inflammatory cytokines.
Prevention of diabetic nephropathy in Ins2+/−AkitaJ mice by the mitochondria-targeted therapy MitoQ
Authors: Chacko Balu K. , Reily Colin , Srivastava Anup , Johnson Michelle S. , Ye Yaozu , Ulasova Elena , Agarwal Anupam , Zinn Kurt R. , Murphy Michael P. , Kalyanaraman Balaraman , Darley-Usmar Victor
Published: September 2010

Mitochondrial production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) is thought to be associated with the cellular damage resulting from chronic exposure to high glucose in long-term diabetic patients. We hypothesized that a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant would prevent kidney damage in the Ins2+/−AkitaJ mouse model (Akita mice) of Type 1 diabetes. To test this we orally administered a mitochondria-targeted ubiquinone (MitoQ) over a 12-week period and assessed tubular and glomerular function. Fibrosis and pro-fibrotic signalling pathways were determined by immunohistochemical analysis, and mitochondria were isolated from the kidney for functional assessment. MitoQ treatment improved tubular and glomerular function in the Ins2+/−AkitaJ mice. MitoQ did not have a significant effect on plasma creatinine levels, but decreased urinary albumin levels to the same level as non-diabetic controls. Consistent with previous studies, renal mitochondrial function showed no significant change between any of the diabetic or wild-type groups. Importantly, interstitial fibrosis and glomerular damage were significantly reduced in the treated animals. The pro-fibrotic transcription factors phospho-Smad2/3 and β-catenin showed a nuclear accumulation in the Ins2+/−AkitaJ mice, which was prevented by MitoQ treatment. These results support the hypothesis that mitochondrially targeted therapies may be beneficial in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. They also highlight a relatively unexplored aspect of mitochondrial ROS signalling in the control of fibrosis.