bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Galectin-3 Deficiency Accelerates High-Fat Diet–Induced Obesity and Amplifies Inflammation in Adipose Tissue and Pancreatic Islets
Authors: Pejnovic Nada N. , Pantic Jelena M. , Jovanovic Ivan P. , Radosavljevic Gordana D. , Milovanovic Marija Z. , Nikolic Ivana G. , Zdravkovic Nemanja S. , Djukic Aleksandar L. , Arsenijevic Nebojsa N. , Lukic Miodrag L.
Published: January 2013

Obesity-induced diabetes is associated with low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue and macrophage infiltration of islets. We show that ablation of galectin-3 (Gal-3), a galactoside-binding lectin, accelerates high-fat diet–induced obesity and diabetes. Obese LGALS3−/− mice have increased body weight, amount of total visceral adipose tissue (VAT), fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and markers of systemic inflammation compared with diet-matched wild-type (WT) animals. VAT of obese LGALS3−/− mice exhibited increased incidence of type 1 T and NKT lymphocytes and proinflammatory CD11c+CD11b+ macrophages and decreased CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells and M2 macrophages. Pronounced mononuclear cell infiltrate, increased expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in macrophages, and increased accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and receptor for AGE (RAGE) expression were present in pancreatic islets of obese LGALS3−/− animals accompanied with elevated phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 and mature caspase-1 protein expression in pancreatic tissue and VAT. In vitro stimulation of LGALS3−/− peritoneal macrophages with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and saturated fatty acid palmitate caused increased caspase-1–dependent IL-1β production and increased phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 compared with WT cells. Transfection of LGALS3−/− macrophages with NLRP3 small interfering RNA attenuated IL-1β production in response to palmitate and LPS plus palmitate. Obtained results suggest important protective roles for Gal-3 in obesity-induced inflammation and diabetes.
Reduction of Reactive Oxygen Species Ameliorates Metabolism-Secretion Coupling in Islets of Diabetic GK Rats by Suppressing Lactate Overproduction
Authors: Sasaki Mayumi , Fujimoto Shimpei , Sato Yuichi , Nishi Yuichi , Mukai Eri , Yamano Gen , Sato Hiroki , Tahara Yumiko , Ogura Kasane , Nagashima Kazuaki , Inagaki Nobuya
Published: January 2013

We previously demonstrated that impaired glucose-induced insulin secretion (IS) and ATP elevation in islets of Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a nonobese model of diabetes, were significantly restored by 30–60-min suppression of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. In this study, we investigated the effect of a longer (12 h) suppression of ROS on metabolism-secretion coupling in β-cells by exposure to tempol, a superoxide (O2−) dismutase mimic, plus ebselen, a glutathione peroxidase mimic (TE treatment). In GK islets, both H2O2 and O2− were sufficiently reduced and glucose-induced IS and ATP elevation were improved by TE treatment. Glucose oxidation, an indicator of Krebs cycle velocity, also was improved by TE treatment at high glucose, whereas glucokinase activity, which determines glycolytic velocity, was not affected. Lactate production was markedly increased in GK islets, and TE treatment reduced lactate production and protein expression of lactate dehydrogenase and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α). These results indicate that the Warburg-like effect, which is characteristic of aerobic metabolism in cancer cells by which lactate is overproduced with reduced linking to mitochondria metabolism, plays an important role in impaired metabolism-secretion coupling in diabetic β-cells and suggest that ROS reduction can improve mitochondrial metabolism by suppressing lactate overproduction through the inhibition of HIF1α stabilization.
The Type 2 Diabetes–Associated Gene Ide Is Required for Insulin Secretion and Suppression of α-Synuclein Levels in β-Cells
Authors: Steneberg Pär , Bernardo Lisandro , Edfalk Sara , Lundberg Lisa , Backlund Fredrik , Östenson Claes-Göran , Edlund Helena
Published: January 2013

Genome-wide association studies have identified several type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk loci linked to impaired β-cell function. The identity and function of the causal genes in these susceptibility loci remain, however, elusive. The HHEX/IDE T2D locus is associated with decreased insulin secretion in response to oral glucose stimulation in humans. Here we have assessed β-cell function in Ide knockout (KO) mice. We find that glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) is decreased in Ide KO mice due to impaired replenishment of the releasable pool of granules and that the Ide gene is haploinsufficient. We also show that autophagic flux and microtubule content are reduced in β-cells of Ide KO mice. One important cellular role for IDE involves the neutralization of amyloidogenic proteins, and we find that α-synuclein and IDE levels are inversely correlated in β-cells of Ide KO mice and T2D patients. Moreover, we provide evidence that both gain and loss of function of α-synuclein in β-cells in vivo impair not only GSIS but also autophagy. Together, these data identify the Ide gene as a regulator of GSIS, suggest a molecular mechanism for β-cell degeneration as a consequence of Ide deficiency, and corroborate and extend a previously established important role for α-synuclein in β-cell function.
Promotion of Autoimmune Diabetes by Cereal Diet in the Presence or Absence of Microbes Associated With Gut Immune Activation, Regulatory Imbalance, and Altered Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide
Authors: Patrick Christopher , Wang Gen-Sheng , Lefebvre David E. , Crookshank Jennifer A. , Sonier Brigitte , Eberhard Chandra , Mojibian Majid , Kennedy Christopher R. , Brooks Stephen P.J. , Kalmokoff Martin L. , Maglio Mariantonia , Troncone Riccardo , Poussier Philippe , Scott Fraser W.
Published: January 2013

We are exposed to millions of microbial and dietary antigens via the gastrointestinal tract, which likely play a key role in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We differentiated the effects of these two major environmental factors on gut immunity and T1D. Diabetes-prone BioBreeding (BBdp) rats were housed in specific pathogen-free (SPF) or germ-free (GF) conditions and weaned onto diabetes-promoting cereal diets or a protective low-antigen hydrolyzed casein (HC) diet, and T1D incidence was monitored. Fecal microbiota 16S rRNA genes, immune cell distribution, and gene expression in the jejunum were analyzed. T1D was highest in cereal-SPF (65%) and cereal-GF rats (53%) but inhibited and delayed in HC-fed counterparts. Nearly all HC-GF rats remained diabetes-free, whereas HC-fed SPF rats were less protected (7 vs. 29%). Bacterial communities differed in SPF rats fed cereal compared with HC. Cereal-SPF rats displayed increased gut CD3+ and CD8α+ lymphocytes, ratio of Ifng to Il4 mRNA, and Lck expression, indicating T-cell activation. The ratio of CD3+ T cells expressing the Treg marker Foxp3+ was highest in HC-GF and lowest in cereal-SPF rats. Resident CD163+ M2 macrophages were increased in HC-protected rats. The cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (Camp) gene was upregulated in the jejunum of HC diet–protected rats, and CAMP+ cells colocalized with CD163. A cereal diet was a stronger promoter of T1D than gut microbes in association with impaired gut immune homeostasis.
Enhanced NF-κB Activity Impairs Vascular Function Through PARP-1–, SP-1–, and COX-2–Dependent Mechanisms in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Kassan Modar , Choi Soo-Kyoung , Galán Maria , Bishop Alexander , Umezawa Kazuo , Trebak Mohamed , Belmadani Souad , Matrougui Khalid
Published: January 2013

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with vascular dysfunction. We hypothesized that increased nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling contributes to vascular dysfunction in T2D. We treated type 2 diabetic (db−/db−) and control (db−/db+) mice with two NF-κB inhibitors (6 mg/kg dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin twice a week and 500 μg/kg/day IKK-NBD peptide) for 4 weeks. Pressure-induced myogenic tone was significantly potentiated, while endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) was impaired in small coronary arterioles and mesenteric resistance artery from diabetic mice compared with controls. Interestingly, diabetic mice treated with NF-κB inhibitors had significantly reduced myogenic tone potentiation and improved EDR. Importantly, vascular function was also rescued in db−/db−p50NF-κB−/− and db−/db−PARP-1−/− double knockout mice compared with db−/db− mice. Additionally, the acute in vitro downregulation of NF-κB–p65 using p65NF-κB short hairpin RNA lentivirus in arteries from db−/db− mice also improved vascular function. The NF-κB inhibition did not affect blood glucose level or body weight. The RNA levels for Sp-1 and eNOS phosphorylation were decreased, while p65NF-κB phosphorylation, cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression were increased in arteries from diabetic mice, which were restored after NF-κB inhibition and in db−/db−p50NF-κB−/− and db−/db−PARP-1−/− mice. In the current study, we provided evidence that enhanced NF-κB activity impairs vascular function by PARP-1–, Sp-1–, and COX-2–dependent mechanisms in male type 2 diabetic mice. Therefore, NF-κB could be a potential target to overcome diabetes-induced vascular dysfunction.
The Effect of Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Pregnant Women With Diabetes
Authors: Secher Anna L. , Ringholm Lene , Andersen Henrik U. , Damm Peter , Mathiesen Elisabeth R.
Published: January 2013

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether intermittent real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) improves glycemic control and pregnancy outcome in unselected women with pregestational diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 123 women with type 1 diabetes and 31 women with type 2 diabetes were randomized to use real-time CGM for 6 days at 8, 12, 21, 27, and 33 weeks in addition to routine care, including self-monitored plasma glucose seven times daily, or routine care only. To optimize glycemic control, real-time CGM readings were evaluated by a diabetes caregiver. HbA1c, self-monitored plasma glucose, severe hypoglycemia, and pregnancy outcomes were recorded, with large-for-gestational-age infants as the primary outcome.

RESULTS

Women assigned to real-time CGM (n = 79) had baseline HbA1c similar to that of women in the control arm (n = 75) (median 6.6 [range 5.3–10.0] vs. 6.8% [5.3–10.7]; P = 0.67) (49 [34–86] vs. 51 mmol/mol [34–93]). Forty-nine (64%) women used real-time CGM per protocol. At 33 weeks, HbA1c (6.1 [5.1–7.8] vs. 6.1% [4.8–8.2]; P = 0.39) (43 [32–62] vs. 43 mmol/mol [29–66]) and self-monitored plasma glucose (6.2 [4.7–7.9] vs. 6.2 mmol/L [4.9–7.9]; P = 0.64) were comparable regardless of real-time CGM use, and a similar fraction of women had experienced severe hypoglycemia (16 vs. 16%; P = 0.91). The prevalence of large-for-gestational-age infants (45 vs. 34%; P = 0.19) and other perinatal outcomes were comparable between the arms.

CONCLUSIONS

In this randomized trial, intermittent use of real-time CGM in pregnancy, in addition to self-monitored plasma glucose seven times daily, did not improve glycemic control or pregnancy outcome in women with pregestational diabetes.
Zeolite and potting soil sorption of CO2 and NH3 evolved during co-composting of grape and tobacco waste
Authors: Kučić Dajana , Kopčić Nina , Briški Felicita
Published: January 2013

The gaseous byproducts produced during the composting of different kinds of solid waste are carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3). CO2 is a greenhouse gas and NH3 is a toxic and corrosive air pollutant so, they must be removed from exhaust gases prior to release into the atmosphere. The purpose of this work was to investigate the sorption of CO2 and NH3, evolved during composting, on zeolite and potting soil. The composting of the mixture of grape waste (GW) and tobacco waste (TW) in the mass ratio GW: TW = 55: 45 (dry mass basis) was carried out under forced aeration (0.645 L min−1 kg−1) in a column reactor (10 L) under adiabatic conditions over 21 days. Adsorption of the gases evolved was carried out in the fixed-bed column reactor (0.166 L). The most important physical-chemical characteristics of the composting mass and adsorbents and the evolved CO2 and NH3 were closely monitored. The highest CO2 and NH3 concentrations were measured at the thermophilic stage and the cooling stage of composting, respectively. The results showed that zeolite and potting soil were good adsorbents for the sorption of CO2 and NH3. The zeolite adsorbed 31 % of the evolved CO2 and the entire concentration of ammonia, whilst the potting soil adsorbed 3 % of CO2 and 49 % of NH3 from the exhaust gases.
Risk factors, pathophysiology, and treatment of hot flashes in cancer
Authors: Fisher William I. , Johnson Aimee K. , Elkins Gary R. , Otte Julie L. , Burns Debra S. , Yu Menggang , Carpenter Janet S.
Published: January 2013

Answer questions and earn CME/CNE

Hot flashes are prevalent and severe symptoms that can interfere with mood, sleep, and quality of life for women and men with cancer. The purpose of this article is to review existing literature on the risk factors, pathophysiology, and treatment of hot flashes in individuals with cancer. Electronic searches were conducted to identify relevant English‐language literature published through June 15, 2012. Results indicated that risk factors for hot flashes in cancer include patient‐related factors (eg, age, race/ethnicity, educational level, smoking history, cardiovascular risk including body mass index, and genetics) and disease‐related factors (eg, cancer diagnosis and dose/type of treatment). In addition, although the pathophysiology of hot flashes has remained elusive, these symptoms are likely attributable to disruptions in thermoregulation and neurochemicals. Therapies that have been offered or tested fall into 4 broad categories: pharmacological, nutraceutical, surgical, and complementary/behavioral strategies. The evidence base for this broad range of therapies varies, with some treatments not yet having been fully tested or showing equivocal results. The evidence base surrounding all therapies is evaluated to enhance hot flash treatment decision‐making by clinicians and patients. CA Cancer J Clin 2013. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
MicroRNA Target Identification—Experimental Approaches
Authors: Martinez-Sanchez Aida , Murphy Chris
Published: January 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules of 21–23 nucleotides that control gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. They have been shown to play a vital role in a wide variety of biological processes and dysregulated expression of miRNAs is observed in many pathologies. Understanding the mechanism of action and identifying functionally important mRNA targets of a specific miRNA are essential to unravelling its biological function and to assist miRNA-based drug development. This review summarizes the current understanding of the mechanistic aspects of miRNA-mediated gene repression and focuses on the different approaches for miRNA target identification that have been proposed in recent years.
Green-Roof Effects on Neighborhood Microclimate and Human Thermal Sensation
Authors: Peng Lilliana , Jim C.
Published: January 2013

Green roofs have been recognized as an effective sustainable design tool to mitigate urban heat island (UHI) effects. Previous studies have identified green-roof benefits in cooling and energy-conservation at the building scale, with limited exploration of the wider influence on neighborhood microclimate and human thermal comfort (HTC). This paper investigated the impacts of community-scale green-roof installation on air temperature and HTC in five typical residential neighborhoods of subtropical Hong Kong. The microclimate models ENVI-met and RayMan permitted studies of two main green-roof scenarios, namely extensive (EGR) and intensive (IGR). Microclimatic monitoring data from a local experimental green-roof site validated the modeling methods. The results verified that green-roof cooling effects were not restricted to rooftops, but extended to the ground to improve neighborhood microclimate. EGR reduced pedestrian-level air temperature by 0.4–0.7 °C, and IGR by 0.5–1.7 °C, with maximum effect in open-set low rise sites. Coverage by building footprints and building height dampened lateral and vertical advection of cool air generated by green roofs. Roof greening also improved notably the rooftop-podium level HTC. Diurnal duration of high heat stress was reduced by 6–9 h for EGR scenarios, and 9–11 h for IGR. The findings indicated that large-scale green-roof installation could bring neighborhood-wide cooling, mitigate urban heat island effect, and furnish more comfortable thermal environment for urban residents.
Synthesis of Thiophene and NO-Curcuminoids for Antiinflammatory and Anti-Cancer Activities
Authors: Ahmed Mahera , Khan M. , Rainsford Kim
Published: January 2013

In search of better NSAIDs four novel nitric oxide donating derivatives of curcumin (compounds 9a–d), and four thiophene curcuminoids (compounds 10a–c, 11) have been synthesised. The cytotoxic effects of these compounds along with the lead compound curcumin (7) and their effect on the production of the reactive oxygen species nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α and chemokine CXCL-8 were evaluated using human monocytic THP-1 and colon adenocarcinoma CACO-2 cell lines. All of the nitric oxide donating curcuminoids 9a–d and the thiophene curcuminoids 10a–c and 11 were non-cytotoxic to THP-1 cells over a concentration range of 10-100 μM and compared with curcumin compounds 10b and 10c, were more toxic. In CACO-2 cells, 10b and 11 appeared to be non-toxic at 10 to 50 μM, whereas 10a and 10c were non-cytotoxic at 10 μM only. These results clearly indicate that the introduction of a nitroxybutyl moiety to curcumin and replacement of phenyl rings with thiophene units reduces the cytotoxic effect of the parent curcumin, whereas a methyl substituted thiophene increases the cytotoxic effects. In THP-1 cells, drugs 10a and 11 significantly decreased IL-1-β production at their non-cytotoxic concentrations, whereas, they did not decrease TNF-α production in CACO-2 cells. Compound 11 showed a significant decrease in CXCL-8 production.
Fast Classification of Meat Spoilage Markers Using Nanostructured ZnO Thin Films and Unsupervised Feature Learning
Authors: Längkvist Martin , Coradeschi Silvia , Loutfi Amy , Rayappan John
Published: January 2013

This paper investigates a rapid and accurate detection system for spoilage in meat. We use unsupervised feature learning techniques (stacked restricted Boltzmann machines and auto-encoders) that consider only the transient response from undoped zinc oxide, manganese-doped zinc oxide, and fluorine-doped zinc oxide in order to classify three categories: the type of thin film that is used, the type of gas, and the approximate ppm-level of the gas. These models mainly offer the advantage that features are learned from data instead of being hand-designed. We compare our results to a feature-based approach using samples with various ppm level of ethanol and trimethylamine (TMA) that are good markers for meat spoilage. The result is that deep networks give a better and faster classification than the feature-based approach, and we thus conclude that the fine-tuning of our deep models are more efficient for this kind of multi-label classification task.
Leyes de pureza ritual en judeoespañol: entre la normativa rabínica y las prácticas de las mujeres
Authors: Šmid Katja
Published: January 2013

Este artículo ofrece un estudio de algunas de las leyes, costumbres y consideraciones morales acerca de la pureza ritual de la mujer judía. Para ello, se recopilan textos tomados de las obras halájicas escritas en judeoespañol por el autor sefardí Eli ͑éźer Šem Tob Papo (Sarajevo, ? – Jerusalén, 1898), más en concreto, del Séfer Damésec Eli ͑éźer: Yoré de ͑á (Belgrado, 1865) y Séfer Damésec Eli ͑éźer: Yoré de ͑á (Jerusalén, 1884). Los textos normativos recogidos interpretan el fenómeno de la menstruación desde la perspectiva rabínica. Al mismo tiempo revelan algunas prácticas de las mujeres sefardíes del Imperio otomano, relacionadas con la separación entre hombre y mujer durante el periodo de impureza, la cuenta de siete días limpios, la inspección corporal, los preparativos para la inmersión y la purificación en el baño ritual.
Le retour du primetime
Authors: Barthes Séverine
Published: January 2013

Séverine Barthes revient sur un préjugé couramment répandu parmi les amateurs de séries télévisées, qu’ils soient téléspectateurs ou professionnels des médias. On entend souvent dire que la principale innovation dans la programmation des séries télévisées étrangères ces dernières années a été leur diffusion le dimanche en première partie de soirée sur TF1, qui aurait peu à peu contaminé le reste de la grille de toutes les chaînes. Or, une vision rétrospective de leur programmation montre que ces fictions ont toujours été présentes en primetime à la télévision française. Séverine Barthes revient avec précision sur l’histoire de la programmation des séries télévisées étrangères à la télévision française, en s’intéressant notamment aux conditions économiques et juridiques dans lesquelles se développent les stratégies de production et de diffusion.
Agency relations and managed performance in public universities in Uganda
Authors: Kagaari James R.K. , Munene John C. , Ntayi Joseph M.
Published: January 2013

Orientation: This article focused on the need for improved employer-employee relationships in order for public universities in Uganda to achieve their intended objectives.Research purpose: The purpose of this article was to review the need for appropriate employer-employee relationships that will ensure quality services and service delivery in public universities in Uganda.Motivation for the study: The researchers set out to examine why managers of public universities in Uganda were continuously paying less attention to the needs of the employees.Research design, approach and method: A descriptive research design was employed and 12 respondents, purposively selected from 4 public universities, were interviewed. Data were recorded, transcribed and analysed using Nvivo software. This article is based on the perspective of agency theory, and discussed the contractual relationship between management and employees. The agency theory was deemed necessary because of its contribution to organisational literature.Main findings: There is a need to create and nurture a collegial working climate that promotes quality interactions through information sharing. This results in creating and retaining motivated and committed employees, and also helps to overcome the paradox of balancing the high demand for university education whilst offering quality services.Practical/managerial implications: Managers have to continuously monitor and accommodate employee needs and demands.Contribution/value-add: The potential value of the paper is its function as a guide for public universities to have visionary managers that will introduce new approaches to managing public universities in a competitive global environment.
Two-Level Stabilized Finite Volume Methods for the Stationary Navier-Stokes Equations
Authors: Zhang Tong , Xu Shunwei
Published: January 2013

In this work, two-level stabilized finite volume formulations for the 2D steady Navier-Stokes equations are considered. These methods are based on the local Gauss integration technique and the lowest equal-order finite element pair. Moreover, the two-level stabilized finite volume methods involve solving one small Navier-Stokes problem on a coarse mesh with mesh size H, a large general Stokes problem for the Simple and Oseen two-level stabilized finite volume methods on the fine mesh with mesh size or a large general Stokes equations for the Newton two-level stabilized finite volume method on a fine mesh with mesh size . These methods we studied provide an approximate solution with the convergence rate of same order as the standard stabilized finite volume method, which involve solving one large nonlinear problem on a fine mesh with mesh size h. Hence, our methods can save a large amount of computational time.
Numerical Solution of Blow-Up Problems for Nonlinear Wave Equations on Unbounded Domains
Authors: Brunner Hermann , Li Hongwei , Wu Xiaonan
Published: January 2013

The numerical solution of blow-up problems for nonlinear wave equations on unbounded spatial domains is considered. Applying the unified approach, which is based on the operator splitting method, we construct the efficient nonlinear local absorbing boundary conditions for the nonlinear wave equation, and reduce the nonlinear problem on the unbounded spatial domain to an initial-boundary-value problem on a bounded domain. Then the finite difference method is used to solve the reduced problem on the bounded computational domain. Finally, a broad range of numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of our method, and some interesting propagation and behaviors of the blow-up problems for nonlinear wave equations are observed.
Determination of gaseous and particulate carbonyls (glycolaldehyde, hydroxyacetone, glyoxal, methylglyoxal, nonanal and decanal) in the atmosphere at Mt. Tai
Authors: Kawamura K. , Okuzawa K. , Aggarwal S. G. , Irie H. , Kanaya Y. , Wang Z.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Gaseous and particulate semi-volatile carbonyl compounds were determined every three hours in the atmosphere of Mount Tai (elevation, 1534 m) in the North China Plain during 2–5, 23–24 and 25 June, 2006 under a clear sky condition. Using two-step filter cartridge in a series, particulate carbonyls were first collected on a quartz filter and then gaseous carbonyls were collected on a quartz filter impregnated with O-benzylhydroxylamine (BHA). After the two-step derivatization with BHA and N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA), carbonyl derivatives were measured using a gas chromatography. The gaseous concentrations were obtained as follow: glycolaldehyde (range 0–1271 ng m−3, average 555 ng m−3), hydroxyacetone (0–707 ng m−3, 163 ng m−3), glyoxal (198–1396 ng m−3, 720 ng m−3), methylglyoxal (410–3170 ng m−3, 1376 ng m−3), n-nonanal (0–236 ng m−3, 71 ng m−3), and n-decanal (0–159 ng m−3, 31 ng m−3). These concentrations are among the highest ever reported in the urban and forest atmosphere. We found that gaseous carbonyls are more than 10 times more abundant than particulate carbonyls. Time-resolved variations of carbonyls did not show any a clear diurnal pattern, except for hydroxyacetone. We found that glyoxal, methylglyoxal and glycolaldehyde positively correlated with levoglucosan (a tracer of biomass burning), suggesting that a contribution from field burning of agricultural wastes (wheat crops) is significant for the bifunctional carbonyls in the atmosphere of Mt. Tai. Upward transport of the pollutants to the mountaintop from the low lands in the North China Plain is a major process to control the distributions of carbonyls in the upper atmosphere over Mt. Tai.
Nested atmospheric inversion for the terrestrial carbon sources and sinks in China
Authors: Jiang F. , Wang H. , Chen J. M. , Ju W. , Ding A.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. In this study, we establish a~nested atmospheric inversion system with a focus on China using the Bayes theory. The global surface is separated into 43 regions based on the 22 TransCom large regions, with 13 small regions in China. Monthly CO2 concentrations from 130 GlobalView sites and a Hong Kong site are used in this system. The core component of this system is atmospheric transport matrix, which is created using the TM5 model with a horizontal resolution of 3° × 2°. The net carbon fluxes over the 43 global land and ocean regions are inverted for the period from 2002 to 2009. The inverted global terrestrial carbon sinks mainly occur in Boreal Asia, South and Southeast Asia, eastern US and southern South America (SA). Most China areas appear to be carbon sinks, with strongest carbon sinks located in Northeast China. From 2002 to 2009, the global terrestrial carbon sink has an increasing trend, with the lowest carbon sink in 2002. The inter-annual variation (IAV) of the land sinks shows remarkable correlation with the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). However, no obvious trend is found for the terrestrial carbon sinks in China. The IAVs of carbon sinks in China show strong relationship with drought and temperature. The mean global and China terrestrial carbon sinks over the period 2002–2009 are −3.15 ± 1.48 and −0.21 ± 0.23 Pg C yr−1, respectively. The uncertainties in the posterior carbon flux of China are still very large, mostly due to the lack of CO2 measurement data in China.
Global high-resolution simulations of CO2 and CH4 using a NIES transport model to produce a priori concentrations for use in satellite data retrievals
Authors: Saeki T. , Saito R. , Belikov D. , Maksyutov S.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. The Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) measures column-averaged dry air mole fractions of carbon dioxide and methane (XCO2 and XCH4, respectively). Since the launch of GOSAT, model-simulated three-dimensional concentrations from a National Institute for Environmental Studies offline tracer Transport Model (NIES TM) have been used as a priori concentration data for operational near real-time retrievals of XCO2 and XCH4 from GOSAT short-wavelength infrared spectra at NIES. Although the choice of a priori profile has only a minor effect on retrieved XCO2 or XCH4, a realistic simulation with minimal deviation from observed data is desirable. In this paper, we describe the newly developed version of NIES TM that has been adapted to provide global and near real-time concentrations of CO2 and CH4 using a high-resolution meteorological dataset, the Grid Point Value (GPV) prepared by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The spatial resolution of the NIES TM is set to 0.5° × 0.5° in the horizontal in order to utilise GPV data, which have a resolution of 0.5° × 0.5°, 21 pressure levels and a time interval of 3 h. GPV data are provided to the GOSAT processing system with a delay of several hours, and the near real-time model simulation produces a priori concentrations driven by diurnally varying meteorology. A priori variance–covariance matrices of CO2 and CH4 are also derived from the simulation outputs and observation-based reference data for each month of the year at a resolution of 0.5° × 0.5° and 21 pressure levels. Model performance is assessed by comparing simulation results with the GLOBALVIEW dataset and other observational data. The overall root-mean-square differences between model predictions and GLOBALVIEW analysis are estimated to be 1.45 ppm and 12.52 ppb for CO2 and CH4, respectively, and the seasonal correlation coefficients are 0.87 for CO2 and 0.53 for CH4. The model showed good performance particularly at oceanic and free tropospheric sites. The high-resolution model also performs well in reproducing both the observed synoptic variations at some sites and stratospheric profiles over Japan. These results give us confidence that the performance of our GPV-forced high-resolution NIES TM is adequate for use in satellite retrievals.
The Earth as a living planet: human-type diseases in the earthquake preparation process
Authors: Contoyiannis Y. F. , Potirakis S. M. , Eftaxias K.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. The new field of complex systems supports the view that a number of systems arising from disciplines as diverse as physics, biology, engineering, and economics may have certain quantitative features that are intriguingly similar. The Earth is a living planet where many complex systems run perfectly without stopping at all. The earthquake generation is a fundamental sign that the Earth is a living planet. Recently, analyses have shown that human-brain-type disease appears during the earthquake generation process. Herein, we show that human-heart-type disease appears during the earthquake preparation of the earthquake process. The investigation is mainly attempted by means of critical phenomena, which have been proposed as the likely paradigm to explain the origins of both heart electric fluctuations and fracture-induced electromagnetic fluctuations. We show that a time window of the damage evolution within the heterogeneous Earth's crust and the healthy heart's electrical action present the characteristic features of the critical point of a thermal second-order phase transition. A dramatic breakdown of critical characteristics appears in the tail of the fracture process of heterogeneous system and the injured heart's electrical action. Analyses by means of Hurst exponent and wavelet decomposition further support the hypothesis that a dynamical analogy exists between the geological and biological systems under study.
Seismic hazard assessment in Polyphyto Dam area (NW Greece) and its relation with the "unexpected" earthquake of 13 May 1995 (Ms = 6.5, NW Greece)
Authors: Pavlou K. , Kaviris G. , Chousianitis K. , Drakatos G. , Kouskouna V. , Makropoulos K.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Seismic hazard assessment and seismicity changes are investigated in the Kozani–Grevena area, at the western margin of internal Hellenides in NW Greece. The region is of great interest, since it was characterized by very low seismic activity until 1995, when the "unexpected" Kozani–Grevena earthquake (Ms = 6.5) occurred. This event is of significant importance for Greece, since it, along with the 1999 Athens earthquake, initiated the modification of the Greek Building Code. In order to detect any seismicity changes, the seismicity of the region was divided into three time windows: the first up to 1973, the second from 1900 to 1994 and the third covering the entire instrumental period. For the above mentioned time windows, seismic hazard assessment was performed using the extreme values method. The results indicate an increase of the peak ground acceleration (PGA) values after the impoundment, with the exception of the area in the vicinity of the NE edge of the Dam. Before the occurrence of the 1995 event, the epicentral region also exhibited higher PGA values than before the impoundment. The most significant increase in PGA values is observed SE of the Polyphyto artificial lake, where the largest values are observed for the second and the third period. The coincident increase in the number of earthquakes and in the PGA values may be attributed to the impoundment of the Polyphyto Dam. The maximum expected magnitude is calculated by the extreme values method and Gumbel's third asymptotic distribution. The results reveal similar values of maximum expected magnitudes (Mmax = 6.5), independent of the seismicity rate, indicating that the 13 May 1995 earthquake was not an "unexpected" event, since the magnitude of an oncoming earthquake depends mainly on the tectonics of the region and the characteristics of the active faults.
Ocular Adnexal Lymphoma Staging and Treatment: American Joint Committee on Cancer versus Ann Arbor
Authors: Graue Gerardo F. , Finger Paul T. , Maher Elizabeth , Rocca David Della , Rocca Robert Della , Lelli Gary J. , Milman Tatyana
Published: January 2013

Purpose

To evaluate the prognostic utility of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL).

Methods

A multicenter, consecutive case series of patients with biopsy-proven conjunctival, orbit, eyelid, or lacrimal gland/sac lymphoma was performed. The electronic pathology and clinical records were reviewed for new or recurrent cases of ocular adnexal lymphoma. The main outcome measures included pathology and clinical staging (AJCC and Ann Arbor systems), treatment, and recurrence (local and systemic). Statistical analysis included demographic evaluations and the Kaplan-Meier survival probability method.

Results

Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue were the most common (n=60/83, 72%). The most common Ann Arbor clinical stages were IE (76%) followed by IIE (17%) and IIIE (7%). Pathology identified 13 cases (15%) that were upstaged to group IV (p=0.017). Similarly, AJCC clinical stages were cT1NOMO (21.7%), cT2NOMO (44.6%), cT3N0M0 (5%), and cT4NOMO (2.4%). Local control was achieved in 75% of treated patients. There were 19 local recurrences from which 14 (74%) belonged to the non–radiation treatment groups. Lower-risk groups (T1 and T2 without lymph node involvement or metastatic disease of AJCC and IE of Ann Arbor) had longer disease-free survival than the higher-risk groups (AJCC T1, T2 with nodal involvement or metastatic disease, T3, and T4 as well as Ann Arbor II, III, and IV). The overall mean follow-up was 43.3 months (range 6–274).

Conclusions

Regardless of stage, recurrence and disease-free survival were more closely related to treatment and histopathology rather than tumor size or site-specific location.
Blame Conformity: Leading Eyewitness Statements can Influence Attributions of Blame for an Accident
Authors: Thorley Craig , Rushton‐Woods Jayne
Published: January 2013

The present experiment examined whether attributions of blame for an incident can be shifted between individuals as a result of a leading eyewitness statement. Participants watched a video of an accident involving two men and then read either a non‐leading eyewitness statement that blamed no one for the accident or a leading eyewitness statement that blamed one of the two men for the accident. Participants' attributions of blame for the accident were then assessed either immediately or after a 1 week delay. Regardless of the time delay, just over one‐third of participants who read a leading statement subsequently blamed the same person as the eyewitness. In contrast, less than 4% of participants who read a non‐leading statement blamed one of the men. This research is the first to demonstrate blame conformity, where blame for an incident can be shifted between individuals as a result of a leading eyewitness statement. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A New Method for Intramolecular Chloroamination of Unfunctionalized Olefins
Authors: Liu Gong‐Qing , Li Wei , Li Yue‐Ming
Published: January 2013

A new method for the intramolecular chloroamination of unfunctionalized olefins is reported. The reactions were carried out at room temperature for 3 h using hydrated copper(II) chloride as both promoter and chlorine source, and the corresponding vincinal haloamines were obtained in good isolated yields.
Genome scan in familial late‐onset Alzheimer's disease: A locus on chromosome 6 contributes to age‐at‐onset
Authors: Zhao Wei , Marchani Elizabeth E. , Cheung Charles Y.K. , Steinbart Ellen J. , Schellenberg Gerard D. , Bird Thomas D. , Wijsman Ellen M.
Published: January 2013

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common, genetically complex, fatal neurodegenerative disorder of late life. Although several genes are known to play a role in early‐onset AD, identification of the genetic basis of late onset AD (LOAD) has been challenging, with only the APOE gene known to have a high contribution to both AD risk and age‐at‐onset. Here, we present the first genome‐scan analysis of the complete, well‐characterized University of Washington LOAD sample of 119 pedigrees, using age‐at‐onset as the trait of interest. The analysis approach used allows for a multilocus trait model while at the same time accommodating age censoring, effects of APOE as a known genetic covariate, and full pedigree and marker information. The results provide strong evidence for linkage of loci contributing to age‐at‐onset to genomic regions on chromosome 6q16.3, and to 19q13.42 in the region of the APOE locus. There was evidence for interaction between APOE and the locus on chromosome 6q and suggestive evidence for linkage to chromosomes 11p13, 15q12‐14, and 19p13.12. These results provide the first independent confirmation of an AD age‐at‐onset locus on chromosome 6 and suggest that further efforts towards identifying the underlying causal locus or loci are warranted. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On Designing Time‐delay Feedback Controller for Master‐Slave Synchronization of Lur'e Systems
Authors: Ji Xiaofu , Ren Mingwei , Su Hongye
Published: January 2013

This paper is concerned with the problem of designing a time‐delay output feedback controller for master‐slave synchronization of Lur'e systems. The time delay is divided into two intervals and different energy functions are defined in each interval, which together provide a new Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional and derive a new delay‐dependent synchronization criterion. A sufficient condition for the existence of such a feedback controller is given, and an explicit expression of such a controller is also achieved. These algorithms are formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities that can be solved easily. Chua's circuit is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the design method.
Effects of exposure to a 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field during the early adolescent period on spatial memory in mice
Authors: Wang Xiusong , Zhao Ke , Wang Dong , Adams Wendy , Fu Yu , Sun Huaying , Liu Xiaofen , Yu Hualin , Ma Yuanye
Published: January 2013

Adolescence is a critical developmental stage during which substantial remodeling occurs in brain areas involved in emotional and learning processes. Although a robust literature on the biological effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF‐MFs) has been documented, data on the effects of ELF‐MF exposure during this period on cognitive functions remain scarce. In this study, early adolescent male mice were exposed from postnatal day (P) 23–35 to a 50 Hz MF at 2 mT for 60 min/day. On P36–45, the potential effects of the MF exposure on spatial memory performance were examined using the Y‐maze and Morris water maze tasks. The results showed that the MF exposure did not affect Y‐maze performance but improved spatial learning acquisition and memory retention in the water maze task under the present experimental conditions. Bioelectromagnetics 34:275–284, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrochemiluminescence of luminol at the titanate nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode
Authors: Xu Guifang , Zeng Xiaoxue , Lu Shuangyan , Dai Hong , Gong Lingshan , Lin Yanyu , Wang Qingping , Tong Yuejin , Chen Guonan
Published: January 2013

A new strategy for the construction of a sensitive and stable electrochemiluminescent platform based on titanate nanotubes (TNTs) and Nafion composite modified electrode for luminol is described, TNTs contained composite modified electrodes that showed some photocatalytic activity toward luminol electrochemiluminescence emission, and thus could dramatically enhance luminol light emission. This extremely sensitive and stable platform allowed a decrease of the experiment electrochemiluminescence luminol reagent. In addition, in luminol solution at low concentrations, we compared the capabilities of a bare glassy carbon electrode with the TNT composite modified electrode for hydrogen peroxide detection. The results indicated that compared with glassy carbon electrode this platform was extraordinarily sensitive to hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, by combining with an appropriate enzymatic reaction, this platform would be a sensitive matrix for many biomolecules. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of scoring models for computerised mental health screening for federal prison inmates
Authors: Martin Michael S. , Wamboldt Ashley D. , O'Connor Shannon L. , Fortier Julie , Simpson Alexander I.F.
Published: January 2013

Background

There are high rates of mental disorder in correctional environments, so effective mental health screening is needed. Implementation of the computerised mental health screen of the Correctional Service of Canada has led to improved identification of offenders with mental health needs but with high rates of false positives.

Aims

The goal of this study is to evaluate the use of an iterative classification tree (ICT) approach to mental health screening compared with a simple binary approach using cut‐off scores on screening tools.

Methods

A total of 504 consecutive admissions to federal prison completed the screen and were also interviewed by a mental health professional. Relationships between screening results and more extended assessment and clinical team discussion were tested.

Results

The ICT was more parsimonious in identifying probable ‘cases’ than standard binary screening. ICT was also highly accurate at detecting mental health needs (AUC = 0.87, 95% CI 0.84–0.90). The model identified 118 (23.4%) offenders as likely to need further assessment or treatment, 87% of whom were confirmed cases at clinical interview. Of the 244 (48.4%) offenders who were screened out, only 9% were clinically assessed as requiring further assessment or treatment. Standard binary screening was characterised by more false positives and a comparable false negative rate.

Conclusions

The use of ICTs to interpret screening data on the mental health of prisoners needs further evaluation in independent samples in Canada and elsewhere. This first evaluation of the application of such an approach offers the prospect of more effective and efficient use of the scarce resource of mental health services in prisons. Although not required, the use of computers can increase the ease of implementing an ICT model. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal design method with thermomagnetic field coupling analysis for miniaturization of permanent magnet synchronous motor
Authors: Kitamura Hideki , Iwasaki Norihisa , Kitamura Masashi , Mori Hideaki , Yamasaki Masahide , Nihei Hideki
Published: January 2013

A straightforward solution for minimizing the cost of major materials used in motors, such as permanent magnets and silicon steel sheets, is to reduce the motor size as far as possible. However, there is a trade‐off between the motor size and temperature rise in the motor that should be taken into account while reducing the motor size. For achieving this, we have been developing an optimal design method based on a combination of a thermomagnetic field coupling analysis and a direct search algorithm. This paper reports the details of this design method. A multipole permanent magnet synchronous motor of an outer rotor is the test motor. The results of the torque‐density‐maximization problem involving constraints on the terminal voltage, coil‐temperature rise, and demagnetization of the permanent magnet are shown. The usefulness of our method is also demonstrated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 183(2): 29–38, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22346
A Phosphane‐Free, Atom‐Efficient Cross‐Coupling Reaction of Triarylbismuths with Acyl Chlorides Catalyzed by MCM‐41‐Immobilized Palladium Complex
Authors: Zhao Hong , Yin Lin , Cai Mingzhong
Published: January 2013

The first phosphane‐free, heterogeneous, atom‐efficient cross‐coupling reaction of triarylbismuths and acyl chlorides was achieved in N‐methylpyrrolidone (NMP) with Bu3N as the base at 80 °C in the presence of 1.5 mol‐% MCM‐41‐immobilized bidentate nitrogen palladium complex [MCM‐41–2N‐Pd(OAc)2, MCM = mobile crystalline material] to yield a variety of unsymmetrical biaryl ketones in good to excellent yields. This heterogeneous palladium catalyst exhibited a high activity, which was similar to that of Pd(PPh3)4. The catalyst can be recovered by a simple filtration of the reaction solution and recycled in at least 10 consecutive trials without any decrease in activity. Our system not only avoids the use of phosphane ligands, but also solves the basic problem of palladium catalyst recovery and reuse.