bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Transient Circulation Response to Radiative Forcings and Sea Surface Warming*
Authors: Staten Paul W. , Reichler Thomas , Lu Jian
Published: September 2014

Tropospheric circulation shifts have strong potential to impact surface climate. However, the magnitude of these shifts in a changing climate and the attending regional hydrological changes are difficult to project. Part of this difficulty arises from the lack of understanding of the physical mechanisms behind the circulation shifts themselves. To better delineate circulation shifts and their respective causes the circulation response is decomposed into 1) the “direct” response to radiative forcings themselves and 2) the “indirect” response to changing sea surface temperatures. Using ensembles of 90-day climate model simulations with immediate switch-on forcings, including perturbed greenhouse gas concentrations, stratospheric ozone concentrations, and sea surface temperatures, this paper documents the direct and indirect transient responses of the zonal-mean general circulation, and investigates the roles of previously proposed mechanisms in shifting the midlatitude jet. It is found that both the direct and indirect wind responses often begin in the lower stratosphere. Changes in midlatitude eddies are ubiquitous and synchronous with the midlatitude zonal wind response. Shifts in the critical latitude of wave absorption on either flank of the jet are not indicted as primary factors for the poleward-shifting jet, although some evidence for increasing equatorward wave reflection over the Southern Hemisphere in response to sea surface warming is seen. Mechanisms for the Northern Hemisphere jet shift are less clear.
An Improved Second-Moment Closure Model of Langmuir Turbulence
Authors: Harcourt Ramsey R.
Published: September 2014

A prior second-moment closure (SMC) model of Langmuir turbulence in the upper ocean is modified by introduction of inhomogeneous pressure–strain rate and pressure–scalar gradient closures that are similar to the high Reynolds number, near-wall treatments for solid wall boundaries. This repairs several near-surface defects in the algebraic Reynolds stress model (ARSM) of the prior SMC by redirecting Craik–Leibovich (CL) vortex force production of turbulent kinetic energy out of the surface-normal vertical component and into a horizontal one, with an associated reduction in near-surface CL production of vertical momentum flux. A surface-proximity function introduces a new closure parameter that is tuned to previous results from large-eddy simulations (LES), and a numerical SMC model based on stability functions from the new ARSM produces improved comparisons with mean profiles of momentum and TKE components from steady-state LES results forced by aligned wind and waves. An examination of higher-order quasi-homogeneous closures and a numerical simulation of Langmuir turbulence away from the boundaries both show the near-surface inhomogeneous closure to be both necessary for consistency and preferable for simplicity.
Simultaneous Radar and Satellite Data Storm-Scale Assimilation Using an Ensemble Kalman Filter Approach for 24 May 2011
Authors: Jones Thomas A. , Stensrud David , Wicker Louis , Minnis Patrick , Palikonda Rabindra
Published: September 2014

Assimilating high-resolution radar reflectivity and radial velocity into convection-permitting numerical weather prediction models has proven to be an important tool for improving forecast skill of convection. The use of satellite data for the application is much less well understood, only recently receiving significant attention. Since both radar and satellite data provide independent information, combing these two sources of data in a robust manner potentially represents the future of high-resolution data assimilation. This research combines Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 13 (GOES-13) cloud water path (CWP) retrievals with Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) reflectivity and radial velocity to examine the impacts of assimilating each for a severe weather event occurring in Oklahoma on 24 May 2011. Data are assimilated into a 3-km model using an ensemble adjustment Kalman filter approach with 36 members over a 2-h assimilation window between 1800 and 2000 UTC. Forecasts are then generated for 90 min at 5-min intervals starting at 1930 and 2000 UTC. Results show that both satellite and radar data are able to initiate convection, but that assimilating both spins up a storm much faster. Assimilating CWP also performs well at suppressing spurious precipitation and cloud cover in the model as well as capturing the anvil characteristics of developed storms. Radar data are most effective at resolving the 3D characteristics of the core convection. Assimilating both satellite and radar data generally resulted in the best model analysis and most skillful forecast for this event.
Beyond the Basics: Evaluating Model-Based Precipitation Forecasts Using Traditional, Spatial, and Object-Based Methods
Authors: Wolff Jamie K. , Harrold Michelle , Fowler Tressa , Gotway John Halley , Nance Louisa , Brown Barbara G.
Published: September 2014

While traditional verification methods are commonly used to assess numerical model quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) using a grid-to-grid approach, they generally offer little diagnostic information or reasoning behind the computed statistic. On the other hand, advanced spatial verification techniques, such as neighborhood and object-based methods, can provide more meaningful insight into differences between forecast and observed features in terms of skill with spatial scale, coverage area, displacement, orientation, and intensity. To demonstrate the utility of applying advanced verification techniques to mid- and coarse-resolution models, the Developmental Testbed Center (DTC) applied several traditional metrics and spatial verification techniques to QPFs provided by the Global Forecast System (GFS) and operational North American Mesoscale Model (NAM). Along with frequency bias and Gilbert skill score (GSS) adjusted for bias, both the fractions skill score (FSS) and Method for Object-Based Diagnostic Evaluation (MODE) were utilized for this study with careful consideration given to how these methods were applied and how the results were interpreted. By illustrating the types of forecast attributes appropriate to assess with the spatial verification techniques, this paper provides examples of how to obtain advanced diagnostic information to help identify what aspects of the forecast are or are not performing well.
The Effect of Climate Change on Natural Disasters: A College Student Perspective
Authors: Phillips Melissa C. K. , Cinderich Adam B. , Burrell Jennifer L. , Ruper Jennifer L. , Will Rachel G. , Sheridan Scott C.
Published: September 2014

Climate change is currently a topic of debate that is discussed not only within the physical science community but also by those in policy. Outside of these communities lies the American public, often not seeking out climate change research, but rather ingesting information interpreted by a third party, most likely through a political lens. Given the increased attention to natural disasters, one area of concern is the possible relationship between climate change and natural disasters. An assessment of the public’s opinion on this relationship has seen minimal research and none regarding college students. College students are a unique subset of the populace for their age, media sensitivity, and possible future in policy or research. This study surveyed college students in geography courses at Kent State University regarding their opinion of the effect of climate change on various natural disasters, while given examples of recently occurring natural disasters. The natural disasters included both atmospheric-related and nonatmospheric-related phenomena. The results show similar responses for those natural disasters that are atmospheric related. However, disparities exist between atmospheric-related and nonatmospheric-related natural disasters, illustrating a lack of knowledge between climate change and nonatmospheric natural disasters, especially tsunamis. Finally, females were found more likely to agree with the effect of climate change on natural disasters, while males were more likely to disagree.
Sustainable African Urban Futures
Authors: Grant Richard
Published: September 2014

African cities are receiving increased attention from corporate interests, investors, and property developers, and urban scholars and planners are beginning to reflect what kinds of cities are in the making and which urban projects should be emphasized to produce sustainable environments. There is groundswell of interest in promoting new satellite cities, new central business districts, and retrofitting existing urban development through the application of green technologies. At the same time, urban scholars and civic organizations are vocal in promoting an alternative agenda based on the inclusion of slum urbanism in any future city equation that seeks to embrace sustainability. The core ideas of these opposing camps are the antithesis of each other. A more productive way forward is to pursue a dual track that allows for showcase and iconic new urban projects while focusing special attention on slum urbanism and creative thinking that links the two approaches and situates urban projects within a sustainable development paradigm.
The Detroit Future City
Authors: Clement Daniel , Kanai Miguel
Published: September 2014

This article critiques the Detroit Future City (DFC) strategic framework concerning municipal service provision and land use over the next few decades. Relying on policy and media documents, we show that the DFC exhibits narrow, market-oriented logics characteristic of the pervasive hegemony of neoliberal urbanism in American city governance. We address the corporate orientation of the Detroit Works Project, the public–private partnership behind DFC, and argue that the plan may exacerbate the racialized spatial injustices produced in Detroit by 20th-century exclusionary metropolitan growth, ineffective governance, and decades-long flawed approaches to economic development. Furthermore, DFC not only advances previous planned-shrinkage attempts but also seeks to repurpose major areas of the city for global investment, reversing their zoning for agriculture and green space. Our analysis of census data shows that Detroit’s most disadvantaged residents disproportionately reside in areas designated as future “innovation landscapes.” Exploratory spatial data analysis indicates that these zones are not internally homogeneous and engulf resilient residential land usage. Moreover, greening serves the symbolic purpose of reconstituting problematically racialized “Black” areas as purified, investment-ready spaces. We urge neoliberal urban research to continue tracing its global embedding and relational evolution, but also to reorganize the pernicious sociospatial reality on the ground.
Calculation of limits for significant bidirectional changes in two or more serial results of a biomarker based on a computer simulation model
Authors: Lund Flemming , Petersen Per Hyltoft , Fraser Callum G , Sölétormos György
Published: September 2014

Background

Reference change values provide objective tools to assess the significance of a change in two consecutive results of a biomarker from an individual. However, in practice, more results are usually available and using the reference change value concept on more than two results will increase the number of false positive results.

Methods

A computer simulation model was developed using Excel. Based on 10,000 simulated measurements among healthy individuals, a series of up to 20 results of a biomarker from each individual was generated using different values for the within-subject biological variation plus the analytical variation. Each new result in this series was compared to the initial result. These successive serial differences were computed to give limits for significant bidirectional changes with constant cumulated maximum probabilities of 95% (p < 0.05) and 99% (p < 0.01).

Results

From an individual factors used to multiply the first result were calculated to create limits for constant cumulated significant changes. The factors were shown to become a function of the number of results included and the total coefficient of variation.

Conclusions

The first result should be multiplied by the appropriate factors for increase and decrease to give the limits for a significant bidirectional change in several consecutive measurements.
Cold War Politics in Britain and the Contested Legacy of the Spanish Civil War
Authors: Corthorn Paul
Published: September 2014

This article offers a sustained examination of how the vicissitudes of the Cold War shaped changing interpretations of the Spanish Civil War in Britain. Considering the perspectives of participants and historians, it focuses on the diverse strands of the Left that frequently drew on the civil war to attack each other and to make wider arguments about the global Cold War. First, with the aim of criticizing Communist take-overs in Eastern Europe in the late 1940s, the article analyzes retrospective assaults on Communist party tactics and Soviet foreign policy in Spain. Second, in order to argue that the Soviet Union took a counter-revolutionary line after 1956, it investigates the re-emergence of debates over the Spanish revolution. Third, to express disapproval of the United States, it examines the increasing use of the civil war as an analogy in Cold War international affairs from the 1960s. Fourth, in support of non-Soviet Left-of-Centre collaboration, most notably Eurocommunism in the 1970s and opposition to Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government in the 1980s, it considers the renewed emphasis on the popular front. The trajectories of these debates reveal that, over time, the weight of the Left’s criticism moved from the Soviet Union towards the United States.
Liberal Theocracy in the Italian Risorgimento
Authors: Romani Roberto
Published: September 2014

The article deals with the place of religion in the Risorgimento moderates’ theorizing. It is contended that ultramontanism should be viewed as the proper starting point of moderatism. If the political divorce between the two patterns of thought was sharp, the cultural one was nuanced. The chief element of continuity was a ‘theocratic’ argument: the course of history is governed by divine laws. This argument featured not only in the 1840s, when a current of ‘liberal Catholicism’ first developed, but also in secularizing Piedmont in the 1850s. Therefore liberty was not rooted in the interplay of social interests – as Benjamin Constant for example had argued – but resulted from a transcendental philosophy of history interpreting divine Providence. This approach had a series of ‘illiberal’ implications, such as a failure to accept pluralism, in both the political and the religious spheres, and a shaky appreciation of individual rights. The article also shows that Taparelli d’Azeglio’s version of ultramontanism accommodated important elements of economic and political modernity.
Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with atrial septal defects
Authors: Julliard W , Niles SD , Maloney JD
Published: September 2014

Two patients presented in profound respiratory distress unresponsive to maximal support and were placed on venovenous ECMO. Subsequently, both were found to have a patent foramen ovale and high pulmonary artery pressures, resulting in a right to left shunt. Both patients had a better than expected response to ECMO, likely related to their shunts allowing oxygenated blood to bypass the high pulmonary artery pressures and go directly to the left heart. Both patients were successfully weaned from ECMO and discharged to home in good condition.
Complementary currencies: History, theory, prospects
Authors: Peacock Mark S
Published: September 2014

This essay examines the history and theory of complementary currencies before considering the prospects for increasing their current scope to become significant economic entities through which people – particularly those marginalised in, or excluded from, the formal economy – can secure their livelihood. A model of tax-driven money, based on the tax anticipation schemes of the 1930s is proposed.
Estimating informal household food waste in developed countries: The case of Australia
Authors: Reynolds Christian J , Mavrakis Vicki , Davison Sandra , Høj Stine B , Vlaholias Elisha , Sharp Anne , Thompson Kirrilly , Ward Paul , Coveney John , Piantadosi Julia , Boland John , Dawson Drew
Published: September 2014

Food waste is a global problem. In Australia alone, it is estimated that households throw away AU$5.2 billion worth of food (AU$616 per household) each year. Developed countries have formal waste management systems that provide measures of food waste. However, much remains unknown about informal food waste disposal routes and volumes outside of the formal system. This article provides indicative metrics of informal food waste by identifying, in detail, five of the dominant informal food waste disposal routes used by Australian households: home composting, feeding scraps to pets, sewer disposal, giving to charity, and dumping or incineration. Informal waste generation rates are then calculated from three primary data sources, in addition to data from previous Australian and UK surveys, using a weighted average method in conjunction with a Monte-Carlo simulation. We find that the average Australian household disposes of 2.6 kgs of food waste per week through informal routes (1.7 kgs via household composting, 0.2 kgs via animals, and 0.6 kgs via sewage). This represents 20% of Australian household food waste flows. Our results highlight that informal food waste is a sizable food waste flow from Australian homes, deserving of greater research and government attention. Our examination of the full extent of food waste by disposal mode provides waste managers and policy makers with clear disposal routes to target for behaviour change and positive environmental outcomes.
“It’ll Never Be the White Kids, It’ll Always Be Us”
Authors: Hope Elan C. , Skoog Alexandra B. , Jagers Robert J.
Published: September 2014

We examine how Black high school students, participants in a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) program, understand issues of racial discrimination and inequality in their schools. Through semi-structured individual interviews conducted early in the program, eight students (six boys and two girls) recount experiences of racial stereotyping, discrimination from teachers and staff, lack of institutional support for a positive racial climate, and lack of racial diversity in curricular offerings. Further, through evolving critical analysis supported by the YPAR experience, these students describe rationale for and implications of such negative race-based educational experiences. Findings reveal how Black adolescents interpret the racial discrimination and inequality they experience in school and the implications of parental and community socialization on the development of a critical understanding of race-based social inequalities.
The difference between HIV and syphilis prevalence and incidence cases: results from a cohort study in Nanjing, China, 2008–2010
Authors: Tang Weiming , Babu Giridhara R , Li Jianjun , Zhang Ye , Fu Gengfeng , Huan Xiping , Tucker Joseph D , Zhao Jinkou , Detels Roger
Published: September 2014

The available estimates of incidence and prevalence of syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Mainland China are high. We used respondent-driven sampling to recruit MSM in the study population. The participants were followed up to monitor the incidence and change of risk behaviours. A face-to-face interview was used to collect information about high-risk behaviours, demographics and recreational drug use. To test the difference between prevalent and incident cases, two nested matched case-control studies were carried out. The cases were the HIV or syphilis positives found at baseline and during follow-up. We used density sampling to sample six controls for each case. Our results indicate that compared to incident cases, prevalent cases had a higher proportion of reported unprotected anal intercourse for both HIV and syphilis. Regression analysis indicated that unprotected anal intercourse was the main risk factor among HIV-prevalent cases but not in HIV-incident cases. These differences could possibly be explained by the implementation of the risk reduction interventions. Syphilis was not a risk factor for HIV-prevalent cases but was highly associated with HIV-incident cases. Tailored interventions addressing unprotected anal intercourse and other risk factors can help to reduce the prevalence and incidence of HIV and syphilis.
Pakistani Children’s Experiences of Growing Up With Beta-Thalassemia Major
Authors: Mufti Gul-E-Rana , Towell Tony , Cartwright Tina
Published: September 2014

In this study, we explored the lived experiences of children with beta-thalassemia major (β-TM). We considered children as experts on their experiences in contrast to the prevalent approach of asking parents or other adults about children’s perspectives. The sample consisted of 12 children aged 8 to12 years. There were two stages to data collection. In Stage 1 we employed two focus group discussions and two role plays and analyzed the data thematically. This directly informed Stage 2, consisting of 12 in-depth interviews subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. From our findings we show that living with β-TM involves a continuous struggle between feelings of being different and strategies to minimize these differences to strive for normalcy. We suggest that understanding the experiences of living with β-TM from children’s perspectives can provide unique insights into their experiences, which can fill the gap in the existing, predominantly adult-oriented research on chronic illness.
The Stanford Prison Experiment
Authors: Onishi So L. , Hebert Randy S.
Published: September 2014

Approximately 15% of patients are perceived by clinicians as “difficult.” Early theories about difficult patients focused on patients’ and clinicians’ characteristics, often underemphasizing the influence of the environment on patients’ behavior. The Stanford Prison Experiment, a classic experiment in the psychology of human behavior, provides a broader systems approach for understanding the environmental influences on patient behavior. A systems approach to the care of the difficult patient takes into consideration not only the patient’s characteristics but also the health care environment and the more distal environments (ie, familial, societal, and cultural). Clinicians who are aware of the multilevel impact of these various environments on the behavior of patients are better equipped to understand, address, and hopefully even prevent difficult patient encounters.
Radiographic Analysis of Diabetic Midfoot Charcot Neuroarthropathy With and Without Midfoot Ulceration
Authors: Wukich Dane K. , Raspovic Katherine M. , Hobizal Kimberlee B. , Rosario Bedda
Published: September 2014

Background:

The aim of this study was to evaluate weight-bearing radiographs in patients with and without foot ulcers diagnosed with midfoot Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) secondary to diabetes mellitus.

Methods:

One hundred fourteen patients with midfoot CN (50 with foot ulcers and 64 without ulcers) were identified and included in this study. Nine radiographic measurements were made (7 in the sagittal plane and 2 in the transverse plane).

Results:

CN patients with foot ulcers had significantly greater deformity when assessing the lateral-talar first metatarsal angle, calcaneal pitch, cuboid height, medial column height, calcaneal-fifth metatarsal angle, talar declination, and lateral tibiotalar angle. Two measurements in the transverse plane (hindfoot-forefoot angle and AP talar first metatarsal angle) were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Of patients with foot ulcers, 24% had a lateral talar first metatarsal angle of less than −27 degrees and 80% had a negative cuboid height.

Conclusion:

Sagittal plane deformities were more likely to be associated with foot ulceration in patients with CN than transverse plane deformities. Lateral column involvement was associated with a worse prognosis than medial column involvement, thus we believe progressive deformity of the lateral column should be monitored closely to prevent foot ulceration. Lateral column involvement could be identified by a decrease in the cuboid height, decreased calcaneal pitch, and decreased lateral calcaneal fifth metatarsal angle. This study can assist physicians in stratifying the risk for both ulceration and need for surgery in patients with CN based on reproducible radiographic measurements.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, comparative series.
Clopidogrel Plus Aspirin Prevents Early Neurologic Deterioration and Improves 6-Month Outcome in Patients With Acute Large Artery Atherosclerosis Stroke
Authors: Wang Chun , Yi Xingyang , Zhang Biao , Liao Duanxiu , Lin Jing , Chi Lifen
Published: September 2014

Aims:

To evaluate the effects of treatments with clopidogrel plus aspirin (dual therapy) on early neurological deterioration (END) and outcomes at 6 months in patients with acute large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) stroke.

Methods:

A total of 574 patients with LAA stroke were randomly assigned to receive either dual therapy or aspirin alone (monotherapy). The primary outcome was END. Secondary outcomes included recurrent ischemic stroke (RIS) and outcomes at 6 months.

Results:

The prevalence of END and RIS was lower in patients on dual therapy than in those on monotherapy during the 30 days. At 6 months, dual therapy improved outcomes among older patients and those with symptomatic stenosis in the posterior circulation and basilar artery.

Conclusion:

Clopidogrel plus aspirin is superior to aspirin alone for reducing END and RIS within 30 days and improves outcomes in certain subgroups at 6 months.
Physicochemical and microbiological changes during the refrigerated storage of lamb loins sous-vide cooked at different combinations of time and temperature
Authors: Roldán Mar , Antequera Teresa , Hernández Alejandro , Ruiz Jorge
Published: September 2014

This study aimed to determine the influence of cooking temperature (either 60 ℃ or 80 ℃) and time (6 h or 24 h) on the physicochemical (weight loss, moisture content, instrumental color, instrumental texture, lipid and protein oxidation) and microbiological changes underwent by sous-vide cooked lamb loins during refrigerated storage for 30 days. There was a slight trend to decreasing weight losses in some of the cooking treatments, but only in samples cooked at 60 ℃ for 6 h it was paralleled with an increase in moisture content. The only noteworthy oxidative change was a marked decrease in conjugated dienes after two weeks of storage in samples cooked at 80 ℃ for 24 h. Neither instrumental texture nor color showed noticeable variations during the storage. Microbial population remained quite low during the whole refrigerated storage. Overall, most of the studied parameters showed only scarce changes throughout 30 days of refrigerated storage that most likely would not influence the quality of sous-vide cooked loin lambs.
Enabling communication concurrency through flexible MPI endpoints
Authors: Dinan James , Grant Ryan E , Balaji Pavan , Goodell David , Miller Douglas , Snir Marc , Thakur Rajeev
Published: September 2014

MPI defines a one-to-one relationship between MPI processes and ranks. This model captures many use cases effectively; however, it also limits communication concurrency and interoperability between MPI and programming models that utilize threads. This paper describes the MPI endpoints extension, which relaxes the longstanding one-to-one relationship between MPI processes and ranks. Using endpoints, an MPI implementation can map separate communication contexts to threads, allowing them to drive communication independently. Endpoints also enable threads to be addressable in MPI operations, enhancing interoperability between MPI and other programming models. These characteristics are illustrated through several examples and an empirical study that contrasts current multithreaded communication performance with the need for high degrees of communication concurrency to achieve peak communication performance.
Development and validation of the Communicating with Family about Brain Death Scale
Authors: Bresnahan Mary , Zhuang Jie
Published: September 2014

This study reports development of a scale assessing communication with family about brain-dead organ donation. Two cross-sectional studies demonstrated scale validity. Tests of internal, external, and predictive validity were conducted using confirmatory factor analysis. In both studies, the same 6 items were shown to be unidimensional with acceptable reliability. Parallelism was shown between the Brain Death Scale and a measure of communication with family. Predictive validity was exhibited between participants’ donor status and the Brain Death Scale. The scale was associated with knowledge about brain death confirming misconceptions about brain-dead organ donation.
Oral health research: A source for innovative new statistical developments
Authors: Lesaffre Emmanuel , Declerck Dominique
Published: September 2014

This article reviews the challenges and opportunities that oral health research may offer to a statistician. To illustrate this, we focus on the Signal Tandmobiel® study, a longitudinal oral health survey that triggered many statistical explorations and developments over the last two decades. For example, non-standard distributions are more the rule than the exception in oral health research. In addition, often measurement error problems need to be addressed. The hierarchical structure of the oral health data also poses non-standard challenges. For instance, caries experience in the mouth is spatially correlated with, however, a specific metric defining the distance between two occurrences. In addition, since caries experience in the context of an epidemiological study is only measured at intervals, analysis of survival involves interval-censoring. Finally, when analyzing a realistic data set in oral health, all the above issues may have to be dealt with simultaneously.
You Lose, I Feel Better
Authors: Demir Ender , Rigoni Ugo
Published: September 2014

This study considers the game-related performance of two listed soccer clubs in Italy which share the same stadium: Roma and Lazio. We introduce the performance of the archrival in the analysis. The high level of rivalry in sports should lead to a feeling of pleasure at the suffering of another group (known in German as Schadenfreude) and we assume to see the satisfaction of investor fans with the defeat of the archrival. Likewise, the win of the archrival can have a negative impact on the mood of investors. This study shows that, when club supporters experience the negative performance of their team, the results of their archrival can affect their investment decisions. It is therefore proven that, at least in this respect, the investors (also widely represented by club supporters) are driven by the sentiments conveyed by rivalry which, considered to be a source of emotion, may be relevant to the market.
The Shark in the Vitrine
Authors: Samaras Anastasia P. , Karczmarczyk Diana , Smith Lesley , Woodville Louisa , Harmon Laurie , Nasser Ilham , Parsons Seth A. , Smith Toni M. , Borne Kirk , Constantine Lynne Scott , Mendoza Esperanza Roman , Suh Jennifer , Swanson Ryan
Published: September 2014

The Scholars of Studying Teaching Collaborative engaged a dozen faculty members from 12 specializations and 4 colleges at a large public university in a 2-year teaching and research project with the goal of learning about and enacting a self-study of professional practice. Participants were selected from various disciplines to provoke alternative perspectives in whole group and critical friend teams. While we each conducted a self-study, we also designed and enacted a meta-study to assess our professional development within the context of the collaborative. We analyze the potential of engaging in collective self-study and report how the methodological challenges initiated transformational learning that bridged theory and praxis. Learning the self-study methodology was complex, but such concentration multiplied the impact of both personal and professional transformation. The study benefits faculty from a broad range of disciplines, at diverse stages in their academic careers, and working at every level of the academic hierarchy.
Clinical Outcome 3 Years After Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation Does Not Correlate With the Expression of a Predefined Gene Marker Set in Chondrocytes Prior to Implantation but Is Associated With Critical Signaling Pathways
Authors: Stenberg Johan , de Windt Tommy S. , Synnergren Jane , Hynsjö Lars , van der Lee Josefine , Saris Daniel B.F. , Brittberg Mats , Peterson Lars , Lindahl Anders
Published: September 2014

Background:

There is a need for tools to predict the chondrogenic potency of autologous cells for cartilage repair.

Purpose:

To evaluate previously proposed chondrogenic biomarkers and to identify new biomarkers in the chondrocyte transcriptome capable of predicting clinical success or failure after autologous chondrocyte implantation.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study and case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Five patients with clinical improvement after autologous chondrocyte implantation and 5 patients with graft failures 3 years after implantation were included. Surplus chondrocytes from the transplantation were frozen for each patient. Each chondrocyte sample was subsequently thawed at the same time point and cultured for 1 cell doubling, prior to RNA purification and global microarray analysis. The expression profiles of a set of predefined marker genes (ie, collagen type II α1 [COL2A1], bone morphogenic protein 2 [BMP2], fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 [FGFR3], aggrecan [ACAN], CD44, and activin receptor–like kinase receptor 1 [ACVRL1]) were also evaluated.

Results:

No significant difference in expression of the predefined marker set was observed between the success and failure groups. Thirty-nine genes were found to be induced, and 38 genes were found to be repressed between the 2 groups prior to autologous chondrocyte implantation, which have implications for cell-regulating pathways (eg, apoptosis, interleukin signaling, and β-catenin regulation).

Conclusion:

No expressional differences that predict clinical outcome could be found in the present study, which may have implications for quality control assessments of autologous chondrocyte implantation. The subtle difference in gene expression regulation found between the 2 groups may strengthen the basis for further research, aiming at reliable biomarkers and quality control for tissue engineering in cartilage repair.

Clinical Relevance:

The present study shows the possible limitations of using gene expression before transplantation to predict the chondrogenic and thus clinical potency of the cells. This result is especially important as the chondrogenic potential of the chondrocytes is currently part of quality control measures according to European and American legislations regarding advanced therapies.
Ras pathway mutations are prevalent in relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and confer sensitivity to MEK inhibition
Authors: Irving Julie , Matheson Elizabeth , Minto Lynne , Blair Helen , Case Marian , Halsey Christina , Swidenbank Isabella , Ponthan Frida , Kirschner-Schwabe Renate , Groeneveld-Krentz Stefanie , Hof Jana , Allan James , Harrison Christine , Vormoor Josef , von Stackelberg Arend , Eckert Cornelia
Published: September 2014

Key Points

RAS pathway mutations are prevalent in relapsed childhood ALL, and KRAS mutations are associated with a poorer overall survival. RAS pathway mutations confer sensitivity to mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitors.
Properties of q-shift difference-differential polynomials of meromorphic functions
Authors: Wang Xin-Li , Xu Hong-Yan , Zhan Tang-Sen
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we deal with the zeros of the q-shift difference-differential polynomials

[
P
(
f
)

∏

j
=
1

d

f

(

q
j

z
+

c
j

)

s
j

]

(
k
)

−
α
(
z
)

and

(
P
(
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)

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j
=
1

d

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(

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j

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+

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)
−
f
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)
]

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)

(
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α
(
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)

, where

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(
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)

is a nonzero polynomial of degree n,

q
j

,

c
j

∈
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∖
{
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(

j
=
1
,
…
,
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) are constants,

n
,
d
,

s
j

(
j
=
1
,
…
,
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)
∈

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+

and

α
(
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is a small function of f. The results of this paper are an extension of the previous theorems given by Chen and Chen and Qi. We also investigate the value sharing for q-shift difference polynomials of entire functions and obtain some results which extend the recent theorem given by Liu, Liu and Cao.

MSC:39A50, 30D35.
A word of caution regarding proposed benefits of albumin from ALBIOS: a dose of healthy skepticism
Authors: Flannery Alexander H , Kane Sean P , Coz-Yataco Angel O
Published: September 2014

No abstract.
Feasibility of tailored treatment based on risk stratification in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Markusse Iris M , de Vries-Bouwstra Jeska K , Han K Huub , van der Lubbe Peter AHM , Schouffoer Anne A , Kerstens Pit JSM , Lems Willem F , Huizinga Tom WJ , Allaart Cornelia F
Published: September 2014

Introduction

Personalized medicine is the holy grail of medicine. The EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) support differential treatment between patients with baseline characteristics suggestive of a non-poor prognosis (non-PP) or poor prognosis (PP) (presence of autoantibodies, a high inflammatory activity and damage on radiographs). We aimed to determine which prognostic risk groups benefit more from initial monotherapy or initial combination therapy.

Methods

508 patients were randomized to initial monotherapy (iMono) or initial combination therapy (iCombo). Disease outcomes of iMono and iCombo were compared within non-PP or PP groups as determined on baseline characteristics

Results

PP patients treated with iCombo after three months more often achieved ACR20 (70% vs 38%, P <0.001), ACR50 (48% vs 13%, P <0.001) and ACR70 response (24% vs 4%, P <0.001) than those treated with iMono, and had more improvement in HAQ (median decrease 0.75 vs 0.38, P <0.001). After 1 year, differences in ACR20 response and DAS-remission remained; PP patients treated with iCombo (vs iMono) had less radiographic progression (median 0.0 vs 1.5, P =0.001).

Non-PP patients treated with iCombo after three months more often achieved an ACR response (ACR20: 71% versus 44%, P <0.001; ACR50: 49% vs 13%, P <0.001; ACR70: 17% vs 3%, P =0.001) than with iMono, and functional ability showed greater improvement (median decrease in HAQ 0.63 vs 0.38, P <0.001). After 1 year, differences in ACR20 and ACR50 response remained; radiographic progression was comparable between the groups.

Non-PP and PP patients responded equally well to iCombo in terms of improvement of functional ability, with similar toxicity.

Conclusions

Since PP and non-PP patients benefit equally from iCombo through earlier clinical response and functional improvement than with iMono, we conclude that personalized medicine as suggested in the guidelines is not yet feasible. The choice of treatment strategy should depend more on rapid relief of symptoms than on prognostic factors.

Trial registration

Netherlands Trial Register NTR262 (registered 7 September 2005) and NTR265 (8 September 2005).
Tissue specific CD4+ T cell priming determines the requirement for interleukin-23 in experimental arthritis
Authors: Olalekan Susan A , Cao Yanxia , Finnegan Alison
Published: September 2014

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease with striking heterogeneity in (i) clinical presentation, (ii) autoantibody profiles and (iii) responses to treatment suggesting that distinct molecular mechanisms may underlie the disease process. Proteoglycan-induced arthritis (PGIA) is induced by two pathways either by intraperitoneal (i.p.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) exposure to PG. CD4+ T cells primed by the i.p. route are T helper (Th)1 cells expressing interferon gamma (IFN-γ) whereas CD4+ T cells primed by the s.c. route are Th17 cells expressing interleukin (IL)-17. IL-23 is necessary for maintaining the phenotype of Th17 cells; however, IL-23 is inflammatory independent of IL-17. The aim of this study was to determine if PGIA induced by different routes of immunization is dependent on IL-23.

Methods

BALB/c wild type (WT), IL-12p40−/− and IL-23p19−/− littermate mice were immunized with recombinant G1 (rG1) domain of human PG in adjuvant either i.p. or s.c. and development of arthritis monitored. Joint histology was assessed. CD4+ T cell cytokines in spleen, lymph node (LN), and joint were assessed by intracellular staining and cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RNA transcripts for cytokines and transcription factors were examined.

Results

PGIA was suppressed in the p40−/− and p19−/− mice immunized by the s.c. route but only inhibited in p40−/− mice by the i.p. route. The joints of s.c. but not i.p. sensitized mice contained a population of CD4+ T cells expressing single positive IFN-γ and IL-17 and double positive IFN-γ/IL-17 which were dependent on IL-23 expression. The IFN-γ and IL-17 response in spleen and inguinal LN was inhibited in p19−/− mice and p40−/− mice after s.c. immunization, whereas in i.p. immunized p19−/− mice, IL-17 but not IFN-γ was reduced. Inguinal LN CD11c+ dendritic cells (DC) from s.c. immunized, but not spleen DC from i.p. immunized mice, produced IL-23, IL-1β, and IL-6 and activated T cells to produce IL-17.

Conclusion

IL-23 is necessary for the activity of Th17 after s.c. immunization and does not play a role independent of IL-17 after i.p. immunization. These data demonstrate that the molecular pathways IL-23/17 and IL-12/IFN-γ may represent subtypes of arthritis determined by the mode of induction.
Solvability for nonlocal boundary value problems on a half line with "Equation missing"
Authors: Jeong Jeongmi , Kim Chan-Gyun , Lee Eun Kyoung
Published: September 2014

The existence of at least one solution to the second-order nonlocal boundary value problems on a half line is investigated by using Mawhin’s continuation theorem.

MSC: 34B10, 34B40, 34B15.
Low-frequency amplitude analysis for oil detection within the Middle Jurassic sediments in the southern part of Western Siberia
Authors: Goloshubin Gennady , Tsimbalyuk Yury , Privalova Irina , Rusakov Pavel
Published: September 2014

The structural element of a prospect is not a key factor in the detection of hydrocarbon deposits within the Jurassic formations of the southern parts of the West Siberian province. We investigated a method of mapping oil-saturated zones within the Middle Jurassic reservoirs. We evaluated the quantitative criteria between oil-saturated versus water-saturated zones. The methodology was based on amplitude analysis of seismic data and information obtained from the data and well testing.
Mapping the Shh long-range regulatory domain
Authors: Anderson Eve , Devenney Paul S. , Hill Robert E. , Lettice Laura A.
Published: September 2014

Coordinated gene expression controlled by long-distance enhancers is orchestrated by DNA regulatory sequences involving transcription factors and layers of control mechanisms. The Shh gene and well-established regulators are an example of genomic composition in which enhancers reside in a large desert extending into neighbouring genes to control the spatiotemporal pattern of expression. Exploiting the local hopping activity of the Sleeping Beauty transposon, the lacZ reporter gene was dispersed throughout the Shh region to systematically map the genomic features responsible for expression activity. We found that enhancer activities are retained inside a genomic region that corresponds to the topological associated domain (TAD) defined by Hi-C. This domain of approximately 900 kb is in an open conformation over its length and is generally susceptible to all Shh enhancers. Similar to the distal enhancers, an enhancer residing within the Shh second intron activates the reporter gene located at distances of hundreds of kilobases away, suggesting that both proximal and distal enhancers have the capacity to survey the Shh topological domain to recognise potential promoters. The widely expressed Rnf32 gene lying within the Shh domain evades enhancer activities by a process that may be common among other housekeeping genes that reside in large regulatory domains. Finally, the boundaries of the Shh TAD do not represent the absolute expression limits of enhancer activity, as expression activity is lost stepwise at a number of genomic positions at the verges of these domains.
Phenotyping structural abnormalities in mouse embryos using high-resolution episcopic microscopy
Authors: Weninger Wolfgang J. , Geyer Stefan H. , Martineau Alexandrine , Galli Antonella , Adams David J. , Wilson Robert , Mohun Timothy J.
Published: September 2014

The arrival of simple and reliable methods for 3D imaging of mouse embryos has opened the possibility of analysing normal and abnormal development in a far more systematic and comprehensive manner than has hitherto been possible. This will not only help to extend our understanding of normal tissue and organ development but, by applying the same approach to embryos from genetically modified mouse lines, such imaging studies could also transform our knowledge of gene function in embryogenesis and the aetiology of developmental disorders. The International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium is coordinating efforts to phenotype single gene knockouts covering the entire mouse genome, including characterising developmental defects for those knockout lines that prove to be embryonic lethal. Here, we present a pilot study of 34 such lines, utilising high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) for comprehensive 2D and 3D imaging of homozygous null embryos and their wild-type littermates. We present a simple phenotyping protocol that has been developed to take advantage of the high-resolution images obtained by HREM and that can be used to score tissue and organ abnormalities in a reliable manner. Using this approach with embryos at embryonic day 14.5, we show the wide range of structural abnormalities that are likely to be detected in such studies and the variability in phenotypes between sibling homozygous null embryos.
Novel Panchromatic Absorption Material, Isoindigo-based A–π–A–π–A Small Molecule
Authors: Liu Qian , Du Zhengkun , Qiu Meng , Sun Liang , Liu Wei , Chen Weichao , Sun Mingliang , Yang Renqiang
Published: September 2014

One A–π–A–π–A small molecule [I(TPTA)2], containing two planar acceptor units, isoindigo, and 2,4,6-triphenyl-1,3,5-triazine (TPTA) with thiophene as bridge, was synthesized by the Suzuki coupling reaction. The obtained molecule exhibits panchromatic absorption between 300 and 720 nm with a large half band width up to 350 nm in thin solid film. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels of [I(TPTA)2] are −5.50 and −3.82 eV. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that the structure of [I(TPTA)2] is quite planar and that the electron density is mainly delocalized over the central isoindigo and thiophene units.