bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of West Rota Volcano, an extinct submarine volcano in the southern Mariana Arc: Evidence from sea floor morphology, remotely operated vehicle observations and 40Ar–39Ar geochronological studies
Authors: Stern Robert J. , Tamura Yoshihiko , Embley Robert W. , Ishizuka Osamu , Merle Susan G. , Basu Neil K. , Kawabata Hiroshi , Bloomer Sherman H.
Published: September 2010

Abstract  West Rota Volcano (WRV) is a recently discovered extinct submarine volcano in the southern Mariana Arc. It is large (25 km diameter base), shallow (up to 300 m below sealevel), and contains a large caldera (6 × 10 km, with up to 1 km relief). The WRV lies near the northern termination of a major NNE‐trending normal fault. This and a second, parallel fault just west of the volcano separate uplifted, thick frontal arc crust to the east from subsiding, thin back‐arc basin crust to the west. The WRV is distinct from other Mariana Arc volcanoes: (i) it consists of a lower, predominantly andesite section overlain by a bimodal rhyolite‐basalt layered sequence; (ii) andesitic rocks are locally intensely altered and mineralized; (iii) it has a large caldera; and (iv) WRV is built on a major fault. Submarine felsic calderas are common in the Izu and Kermadec Arcs but are otherwise unknown from the Marianas and other primitive, intraoceanic arcs. 40Ar–39Ar dating indicates that andesitic volcanism comprising the lower volcanic section occurred 0.33–0.55 my ago, whereas eruption of the upper rhyolites and basalts occurred 37–51 thousand years ago. Four sequences of rhyolite pyroclastics each are 20–75 m thick, unwelded and show reverse grading, indicating submarine eruption. The youngest unit consists of 1–2 m diameter spheroids of rhyolite pumice, interpreted as magmatic balloons, formed by relatively quiet effusion and inflation of rhyolite into the overlying seawater. Geochemical studies indicate that felsic magmas were generated by anatexis of amphibolite‐facies meta‐andesites, perhaps in the middle arc crust. The presence of a large felsic volcano and caldera in the southern Marianas might indicate interaction of large normal faults with a mid‐crustal magma body at depth, providing a way for viscous felsic melts to reach the surface.
First description of giant Archaea (Thaumarchaeota) associated with putative bacterial ectosymbionts in a sulfidic marine habitat
Authors: Muller Félix , Brissac Terry , Le Bris Nadine , Felbeck Horst , Gros Olivier
Published: September 2010

Archaea may be involved in global energy cycles, and are known for their ability to interact with eukaryotic species (sponges, corals and ascidians) or as archaeal–bacterial consortia. The recently proposed phylum Thaumarchaeota may represent the deepest branching lineage in the archaeal phylogeny emerging before the divergence between Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. Here we report the first characterization of two marine thaumarchaeal species from shallow waters that consist of multiple giant cells. One species is coated with sulfur‐oxidizing γ‐Proteobacteria. These new uncultured thaumarchaeal species are able to live in the sulfide‐rich environments of a tropical mangrove swamp, either on living tissues such as roots or on various kinds of materials such as stones, sunken woods, etc. These archaea and archaea/bacteria associations have been studied using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Species identification of archaeons and the putative bacterial symbiont have been assessed by 16S small subunit ribosomal RNA analysis. The sulfur‐oxidizing ability of the bacteria has been assessed by genetic investigation on alpha‐subunit of the adenosine‐5′‐phosphosulfate reductase/oxidase's (AprA). Species identifications have been confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization using specific probes designed in this study. In this article, we describe two new giant archaeal species that form the biggest archaeal filaments ever observed. One of these species is covered by a specific biofilm of sulfur‐oxidizing γ‐Proteobacteria. This study highlights an unexpected morphological and genetic diversity of the phylum Thaumarchaeota.
Association of the POU class 2 homeobox 1 gene (POU2F1) with susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes in Chinese populations
Authors: Ng M. C. Y. , Lam V. K. L. , Tam C. H. T. , Chan A. W. H. , So W.‐Y. , Ma R. C. W. , Zee B. C. Y. , Waye M. M. Y. , Mak W. W. , Hu C. , Wang C. R. , Tong P. C. Y. , Jia W. P. , Chan J. C. N. ,   for the International Type 2 Diabetes 1q Consortium
Published: September 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 1443–1449 (2010)

Aims  POU class 2 homeobox 1 (POU2F1), also known as octamer‐binding transcription factor‐1 (OCT‐1), is a ubiquitous transcription factor that plays a key role in the regulation of genes related to inflammation and cell cycles. POU2F1 is located on chromosome 1q24, a region with linkage for Type 2 diabetes in Chinese and other populations. We examined the association of POU2F1 genetic variants with Type 2 diabetes in Hong Kong Chinese using two independent cohorts.

Methods  We genotyped five haplotype‐tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms at POU2F1 in 1378 clinic‐based patients with Type 2 diabetes and 601 control subjects, as well as 707 members from 179 families with diabetes.

Results  We found significant associations of rs4657652, rs7532692, rs10918682 and rs3767434 (OR = 1.26–1.59, 0.0003 < Punadjusted < 0.035) with Type 2 diabetes in the clinic‐based case–control cohorts. Rs3767434 was also associated with Type 2 diabetes (OR = 1.55, Punadjusted = 0.013) in the family‐based cohort. Meta‐analysis revealed similar associations. In addition, the risk G allele of rs10918682 showed increased usage of insulin treatment during a mean follow‐up period of 7 years [hazard ratio = 1.50 (1.05–2.14), P = 0.025].

Conclusions  Using separate cohorts, we observed consistent results showing the contribution of multiple variants at POU2F1 to the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
More co‐morbid depression in patients with Type 2 diabetes with multiple complications. An observational study at a specialized outpatient clinic
Authors: van Steenbergen‐Weijenburg K. M. , van Puffelen A. L. , Horn E. K. , Nuyen J. , Sytze van Dam P. , van Benthem T. B. , Beekman A. T. F. , Rutten F. F. H. , Hakkaart‐van Roijen L. , van der Feltz‐Cornelis C. M.
Published: September 2010

Diabet. Med. 28, 86–89 (2011)

Aims  The impact of depression on patients with chronic medical illnesses such as diabetes is well documented. Depression is relatively common in diabetes patients with diabetes‐related complications and they are more likely to be referred to specialized outpatient facilities. Only a few studies have addressed the association between depression and multiple diabetes‐related complications at these specialized outpatient facilities. The aim of this study was to determine the association between diabetes with multiple complications and depression in patients with Type 2 diabetes at a specialized outpatient clinic.

Methods  After giving informed consent, 1194 patients were screened for depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9). Additional data on the type of diabetes and complications were taken from the medical records. Logistic regression analysis was conducted, with complications as the predictor variable and the probability of depression as the dependent variable.

Results  A total of 596 (63%) patients with Type 2 diabetes participated in the study. The presence of two or more complications (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.02–2.94) was significantly associated with depression. Neuropathy (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.10–2.77) and nephropathy (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.00–2.48) were especially related to depression.

Conclusions  Patients with Type 2 diabetes with two or more complications, especially neuropathy or nephropathy, are at high risk of depression. Knowing this can help clinicians identify patients at risk for depression and facilitate timely and adequate treatment.
A comparison of the health and related quality of life between middle‐aged Korean and Chinese women
Authors: Kim K.‐B. , Sok S.R.
Published: September 2010

KIM K.‐B. & SOK S.R. (2010) A comparison of the health and related quality of life between middle‐aged Korean and Chinese women.International Nursing Review

Background: The proportion of middle‐aged people in one's total life cycle has increased. Health providers are required to promote and manage their health, and improve the quality of their life, especially middle‐aged women. As international interchanges in nursing are growing between Korea and China, understanding of the level related to health and quality of life between middle‐aged Korean and Chinese women is critical to improve their health and quality of life.

Aim: To compare and examine the health perception, anger expression, self‐esteem and quality of life between middle‐aged Korean and Chinese women.

Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted. The participants were comprised of a total 430 middle‐aged Korean (n = 220) and Chinese (n = 210) women aged 40–64 years. The survey included a set of four questionnaires. All measures were self‐administered. Data were analysed using the statistical package, SPSS/WIN Ver16.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results: Middle‐aged Chinese women had higher health perception than middle‐aged Korean women. Anger expression, self‐esteem and quality of life of middle‐aged Korean women were higher than in middle‐aged Chinese women. Also, there were the differences in the health perception, anger expression and self‐esteem according to the general characteristics in all middle‐aged Korean and Chinese women.

Conclusions: Various nursing intervention strategies should be developed and adjusted to improve the self‐esteem and quality of life for all middle‐aged Korean and Chinese women, especially middle‐aged Chinese women. Additionally, the individual characteristics and national culture of the middle‐aged women should be considered as a basis for the nursing intervention.
Exogenous attention influences visual short‐term memory in infants
Authors: Ross‐Sheehy Shannon , Oakes Lisa M. , Luck Steven J.
Published: September 2010

Two experiments examined the hypothesis that developing visual attentional mechanisms influence infants’ Visual Short‐Term Memory (VSTM) in the context of multiple items. Five‐ and 10‐month‐old infants (N = 76) received a change detection task in which arrays of three differently colored squares appeared and disappeared. On each trial one square changed color and one square was cued; sometimes the cued item was the changing item, and sometimes the changing item was not the cued item. Ten‐month‐old infants exhibited enhanced memory for the cued item when the cue was a spatial pre‐cue (Experiment 1) and 5‐month‐old infants exhibited enhanced memory for the cued item when the cue was relative motion (Experiment 2). These results demonstrate for the first time that infants younger than 6 months can encode information in VSTM about individual items in multiple‐object arrays, and that attention‐directing cues influence both perceptual and VSTM encoding of stimuli in infants as in adults.
A new measure for assessing executive function across a wide age range: children and adults find happy‐sad more difficult than day‐night
Authors: Lagattuta Kristin Hansen , Sayfan Liat , Monsour Michael
Published: September 2010

Two experiments examined 4‐ to 11‐year‐olds’ and adults’ performance (N = 350) on two variants of a Stroop‐like card task: the day‐night task (say ‘day’ when shown a moon and ‘night’ when shown a sun) and a new happy‐sad task (say ‘happy’ for a sad face and ‘sad’ for a happy face). Experiment 1 featured colored cartoon drawings. In Experiment 2, the happy‐sad task featured photographs, and pictures for both measures were grayscale. All age groups made more errors and took longer to respond to the happy‐sad versus the day‐night versions. Unlike the day‐night task, the happy‐sad task did not suffer from ceiling effects, even in adults. The happy‐sad task provides a methodological advance for measuring executive function across a wide age range.
Carryover effect of joint attention to repeated events in chimpanzees and young children
Authors: Okamoto‐Barth Sanae , Moore Chris , Barth Jochen , Subiaul Francys , Povinelli Daniel J.
Published: September 2010

Gaze following is a fundamental component of triadic social interaction which includes events and an object shared with other individuals and is found in both human and nonhuman primates. Most previous work has focused only on the immediate reaction after following another’s gaze. In contrast, this study investigated whether gaze following is retained after the observation of the other’s gaze shift, whether this retainment differs between species and age groups, and whether the retainment depends on the nature of the preceding events. In the social condition, subjects (1‐ and 2‐year‐old human children and chimpanzees) witnessed an experimenter who looked and pointed in the direction of a target lamp. In the physical condition, the target lamp blinked but the experimenter did not provide any cues. After a brief delay, we presented the same stimulus again without any cues. All subjects looked again to the target location after experiencing the social condition and thus showed a carryover effect. However, only 2‐year‐olds showed a carryover effect in the physical condition; 1‐year‐olds and chimpanzees did not. Additionally, only human children showed spontaneous interactive actions such as pointing. Our results suggest that the difference between the two age groups and chimpanzees is conceptual and not only quantitative.
Prevalence of obesity and overweight in urban adult Nigerians
Authors: Olatunbosun S. T. , Kaufman J. S. , Bella A. F.
Published: September 2010

Obesity is increasingly a major health problem in parts of the developing world. It has reached epidemic proportions among Africans living in the Western Hemisphere; similar potential may exist in urban Africa. We explored this possibility in an urban setting in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation. A screening survey was carried out among randomly selected 998 civil servants, 581 men and 417 women, in Ibadan, a major Nigerian city. Biographical data were collected using standardized questionnaires, and measurements of anthropometric indices, blood pressures and plasma glucose concentration. Obesity and overweight were defined by body mass index based on international criteria. Prevalence of obesity was 8.82% (confidence interval [CI] = 7.13%, 10.75%), overweight 17.45% (CI = 15.12%, 19.95%), and overweight plus obesity = 26.18% (CI = 23.47%, 29.03%). Prevalence of obesity among the women was 17.27% (CI = 13.76%, 21.24%) and for men 2.75% (CI = 1.58%, 4.43%). Among the women 42% were obese or overweight compared with 15% of the male population. Obesity and overweight were associated with higher socioeconomic status. Prevalence of obesity and overweight in the study population is comparable to rates seen in many industrialized countries, and rapidly emerging urbanized populations in Africa.
Uterine rupture in the Netherlands: a nationwide population‐based cohort study
Authors: Zwart JJ , Richters JM , Öry F , de Vries JIP , Bloemenkamp KWM , van Roosmalen J
Published: September 2010

Objective  To assess incidence of uterine rupture in scarred and unscarred uteri and its maternal and fetal complications in a nationwide design.

Design  Population‐based cohort study.

Setting  All 98 maternity units in the Netherlands.

Population  All women delivering in the Netherlands between August 2004 and August 2006 (n = 371 021).

Methods  Women with uterine rupture were prospectively collected using a web‐based notification system. Data from all pregnant women in the Netherlands during the study period were obtained from Dutch population‐based registers. Results were stratified by uterine scar.

Main outcome measures  Population‐based incidences, severe maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, relative and absolute risk estimates.

Results  There were 210 cases of uterine rupture (5.9 per 10 000 pregnancies). Of these women, 183 (87.1%) had a uterine scar, incidences being 5.1 and 0.8 per 10 000 in women with and without uterine scar. No maternal deaths and 18 cases of perinatal death (8.7%) occurred. The overall absolute risk of uterine rupture was 1 in 1709. In univariate analysis, women with a prior caesarean, epidural anaesthesia, induction of labour (irrespective of agents used), pre‐ or post‐term pregnancy, overweight, non‐Western ethnic background and advanced age had an elevated risk of uterine rupture. The overall relative risk of induction of labour was 3.6 (95% confidence interval 2.7–4.8).

Conclusion  The population‐based incidence of uterine rupture in the Netherlands is comparable with other Western countries. Although much attention is paid to scar rupture associated with uterotonic agents, 13% of ruptures occurred in unscarred uteri and 72% occurred during spontaneous labour.
Inter‐observer agreement in clinical decision‐making for abnormal cardiotocogram (CTG) during labour: a comparison between CTG and CTG plus STAN
Authors: Vayssière C , Tsatsaris V , Pirrello O , Cristini C , Arnaud C , Goffinet F
Published: September 2010

Objective  To compare inter‐observer agreement for clinical decision‐making with cardiotocography (CTG) and combined CTG with ST‐segment analysis (STAN).

Design  Experimental study.

Setting  Three hospital obstetrics departments in France.

Population  Thirty randomly selected nonreassuring CTG recordings during labour of women with singleton term pregnancies in cephalic position.

Methods  Seven obstetricians independently assessed the tracings, displayed in a random order on their computers, on two separate sessions, the first without and the second with STAN information. The observers received clinical information about the labour as the tracings continued and were asked whether they would intervene. For analysis, we considered that intervention was justified for the neonates with pH < 7.05 and that nonintervention was justified for those with a pH > 7.10 after spontaneous delivery.

Main outcome measures  Kappa values and rates of inter‐observer agreement for intervention and for nonintervention.

Results  Kappa for inter‐observer agreement was 0.50 (0.29–0.69) with CTG, and 0.67 (0.48–0.81) with CTG + STAN. The rate of inter‐observer agreement for the decision to intervene was 73% (68–77%) with CTG and 70% (66–75%) with CTG + STAN (P = 0.4), and for the nonintervention decision it was 48% (42–54%) and 69% (64–74%), respectively (P < 0.0001). The rate of agreement for justified intervention was 94% (91–97%) with CTG and 85% (80–90%) with CTG + STAN (P < 0.001) and for justified nonintervention, 56% (48–63%) with CTG and 84% (79–89%) with CTG + STAN (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions  In cases with abnormal CTG, ST analysis may improve consistency in clinical decision‐making and decrease unnecessary interventions, but may also lead on rare occasions to unjustified decisions not to intervene.
Nuclear envelope alterations generate an aging‐like epigenetic pattern in mice deficient in Zmpste24 metalloprotease
Authors: Osorio Fernando G. , Varela Ignacio , Lara Ester , Puente Xose S. , Espada Jesús , Santoro Raffaella , Freije José M. P. , Fraga Mario F. , López‐Otín Carlos
Published: September 2010

Mutations in the nuclear envelope protein lamin A or in its processing protease ZMPSTE24 cause human accelerated aging syndromes, including Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome. Similarly, Zmpste24‐deficient mice accumulate unprocessed prelamin A and develop multiple progeroid symptoms, thus representing a valuable animal model for the study of these syndromes. Zmpste24‐deficient mice also show marked transcriptional alterations associated with chromatin disorganization, but the molecular links between both processes are unknown. We report herein that Zmpste24‐deficient mice show a hypermethylation of rDNA that reduces the transcription of ribosomal genes, being this reduction reversible upon treatment with DNA methyltransferase inhibitors. This alteration has been previously described during physiological aging in rodents, suggesting its potential role in the development of the progeroid phenotypes. We also show that Zmpste24‐deficient mice present global hypoacetylation of histones H2B and H4. By using a combination of RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we demonstrate that these histone modifications are associated with changes in the expression of several genes involved in the control of cell proliferation and metabolic processes, which may contribute to the plethora of progeroid symptoms exhibited by Zmpste24‐deficient mice. The identification of these altered genes may help to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying aging and progeroid syndromes as well as to define new targets for the treatment of these dramatic diseases.
Comparing the yeast retrograde response and NF‐κB stress responses: implications for aging
Authors: Srinivasan Visish , Kriete Andres , Sacan Ahmet , Michal Jazwinski S.
Published: September 2010

The mitochondrial retrograde response has been extensively described in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where it has been found to extend life span during times of mitochondrial dysfunction, damage or low nutrient levels. In yeast, the retrograde response genes (RTG) convey these stress responses to the nucleus to change the gene expression adaptively. Similarly, most classes of higher organisms have been shown to have some version of a central stress‐mediating transcription factor, NF‐κB. There have been several modifications along the phylogenetic tree as NF‐κB has taken a larger role in managing cellular stresses. Here, we review similarities and differences in mechanisms and pathways between RTG genes in yeast and NF‐κB as seen in more complex organisms. We perform a structural homology search and reveal similarities of Rtg proteins with eukaryotic transcription factors involved in development and metabolism. NF‐κB shows more sophisticated functions when compared to RTG genes including participation in immune responses and induction of apoptosis under high levels of ROS‐induced mitochondrial and nuclear DNA damage. Involvement of NF‐κB in chromosomal stability, coregulation of mitochondrial respiration, and cross talk with the TOR (target of rapamycin) pathway points to a conserved mechanism also found in yeast.
The I4895T mutation in the type 1 ryanodine receptor induces fiber‐type specific alterations in skeletal muscle that mimic premature aging
Authors: Boncompagni Simona , Loy Ryan E. , Dirksen Robert T. , Franzini‐Armstrong Clara
Published: September 2010

The I4898T (IT) mutation in type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1), the Ca2+ release channel of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is linked to a form of central core disease (CCD) in humans and results in a nonleaky channel and excitation–contraction uncoupling. We characterized age‐dependent and fiber‐type‐dependent alterations in muscle ultrastructure, as well as the magnitude and spatiotemporal properties of evoked Ca2+ release in heterozygous Ryr1I4895T/WT (IT/+) knock‐in mice on a mixed genetic background. The results indicate a classical but mild CCD phenotype that includes muscle weakness and the presence of mitochondrial‐deficient areas in type I fibers. Electrically evoked Ca2+ release is significantly reduced in single flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) fibers from young and old IT/+ mice. Structural changes are strongly fiber‐type specific, affecting type I and IIB/IIX fibers in very distinct ways, and sparing type IIA fibers. Ultrastructural alterations in our IT/+ mice are also present in wild type, but at a lower frequency and older ages, suggesting that the disease mutation on the mixed background promotes an acceleration of normal age‐dependent changes. The observed functional and structural alterations and their similarity to age‐associated changes are entirely consistent with the known properties of the mutated channel, which result in reduced calcium release as is also observed in normal aging muscle. In strong contrast to these observations, a subset of patients with the analogous human heterozygous mutation and IT/+ mice on an inbred 129S2/SvPasCrl background exhibit a more severe disease phenotype, which is not directly consistent with the mutated channel properties.
Chromatin remodeling in the aging genome of Drosophila
Authors: Wood Jason G. , Hillenmeyer Sara , Lawrence Charles , Chang Chengyi , Hosier Suzanne , Lightfoot Will , Mukherjee Eric , Jiang Nan , Schorl Christoph , Brodsky Alexander S. , Neretti Nicola , Helfand Stephen L.
Published: September 2010

Chromatin structure affects the accessibility of DNA to transcription, repair, and replication. Changes in chromatin structure occur during development, but less is known about changes during aging. We examined the state of chromatin structure and its effect on gene expression during aging in Drosophila at the whole genome and cellular level using whole‐genome tiling microarrays of activation and repressive chromatin marks, whole‐genome transcriptional microarrays and single‐cell immunohistochemistry. We found dramatic reorganization of chromosomal regions with age. Mapping of H3K9me3 and HP1 signals to fly chromosomes reveals in young flies the expected high enrichment in the pericentric regions, the 4th chromosome, and islands of facultative heterochromatin dispersed throughout the genome. With age, there is a striking reduction in this enrichment resulting in a nearly equivalent level of H3K9me3 and HP1 in the pericentric regions, the 4th chromosome, facultative heterochromatin, and euchromatin. These extensive changes in repressive chromatin marks are associated with alterations in age‐related gene expression. Large‐scale changes in repressive marks with age are further substantiated by single‐cell immunohistochemistry that shows changes in nuclear distribution of H3K9me3 and HP1 marks with age. Such epigenetic changes are expected to directly or indirectly impinge upon important cellular functions such as gene expression, DNA repair, and DNA replication. The combination of genome‐wide approaches such as whole‐genome chromatin immunoprecipitation and transcriptional studies in conjunction with single‐cell immunohistochemistry as shown here provide a first step toward defining how changes in chromatin may contribute to the process of aging in metazoans.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae coq10 null mutants are responsive to antimycin A
Authors: Busso Cleverson , Tahara Erich B. , Ogusucu Renata , Augusto Ohara , Ferreira‐Junior Jose Ribamar , Tzagoloff Alexander , Kowaltowski Alicia J. , Barros Mario H.
Published: September 2010

Deletion of COQ10 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae elicits a respiratory defect characterized by the absence of cytochrome c reduction, which is correctable by the addition of exogenous diffusible coenzyme Q2. Unlike other coq mutants with hampered coenzyme Q6 (Q6) synthesis, coq10 mutants have near wild‐type concentrations of Q6. In the present study, we used Q‐cycle inhibitors of the coenzyme QH2–cytochrome c reductase complex to assess the electron transfer properties of coq10 cells. Our results show that coq10 mutants respond to antimycin A, indicating an active Q‐cycle in these mutants, even though they are unable to transport electrons through cytochrome c and are not responsive to myxothiazol. EPR spectroscopic analysis also suggests that wild‐type and coq10 mitochondria accumulate similar amounts of Q6 semiquinone, despite a lower steady‐state level of coenzyme QH2–cytochrome c reductase complex in the coq10 cells. Confirming the reduced respiratory chain state in coq10 cells, we found that the expression of the Aspergillus fumigatus alternative oxidase in these cells leads to a decrease in antimycin‐dependent H2O2 release and improves their respiratory growth.
Retrospective evaluation of clinical outcomes in subjects with split‐thickness skin graft: comparing V.A.C.®therapy and conventional therapy in foot and ankle reconstructive surgeries
Authors: Blume Peter A , Key Jonathan J , Thakor Pratapji , Thakor Sejal , Sumpio Bauer
Published: September 2010

This retrospective study compared the clinical outcomes of negative pressure wound therapy with reticulated open cell foam (NPWT/ROCF) as delivered by Vacuum‐Assisted Therapy®(V.A.C.®Therapy, KCI Licensing Inc., San Antonio, TX) to non‐NPWT/ROCF conventional therapy (CT) in split‐thickness skin graft (STSG) survival in all patients to determine whether NPWT/ROCF affects the outcome of the graft survival, in terms of overall graft take, duration of graft take, repeated grafts and complications.

The authors conducted a 10‐year retrospective review of 142 patients admitted to a level I trauma centre and treated with an STSG in foot and ankle reconstructive surgeries. Demographic data, wound etiology, dressing type used, time to graft take, NPWT/ROCF duration, complications and outpatient treatments were analysed. There were significantly fewer repeated STSGs required in the NPWT/ROCF group compared to CT [n= 3 (3·5%) versusn= 9 (16%);P= 0·006]. In assessing safety, there were fewer complications in graft failure (seroma, hematoma and infection) in the NPWT/ROCF group as compared to the CT group at 8·9 months (range: 1–12 months). NPWT/ROCF is an excellent alternative for securing an STSG and is associated with improved graft survival as measured by a reduction in the number of repeated STSGs and graft failure complications.
Near-infrared studies of the 2010 outburst of the recurrent nova U Scorpii
Authors: Banerjee D. P. K. , Das R. K. , Ashok N. M. , Rushton M. T. , Eyres S. P. S. , Maxwell M. P. , Worters H. L. , Evans A. , Schaefer B. E.
Published: September 2010

We present near-infrared (near-IR) observations of the 2010 outburst of U Sco. JHK photometry is presented on 10 consecutive days starting from 0.59 d after outburst. Such photometry can gainfully be integrated into a larger data base of other multiwavelength data which aim to comprehensively study the evolution of U Sco. Early near-IR spectra, starting from 0.56 d after outburst, are presented and their general characteristics discussed. Early in the eruption, we see very broad wings in several spectral lines, with tails extending up to ∼10 000 km s−1 along the line of sight; it is unexpected to have a nova with ejection velocities equal to those usually thought to be exclusive to supernovae. From recombination analysis, we estimate an upper limit of for the ejected mass.
MASS TRANSFER KINETICS DURING CONVECTIVE DRYING OF RED PEPPER VAR. HUNGARIAN (CAPSICUM ANNUUM L.): MATHEMATICAL MODELING AND EVALUATION OF KINETIC PARAMETERS
Authors: VEGA‐GÁLVEZ A. , LEMUS‐MONDACA R. , BILBAO‐SÁINZ C. , YAGNAM F. , ROJAS A.
Published: September 2010

Red peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) var. Hungarian were dried at five inlet temperatures 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90C at a constant air velocity of 2.0 m/s. The equations of Newton, Henderson–Pabis, Page, Modified Page and Wang–Singh were tested for modeling drying kinetics. Besides, three newly empirical models were proposed on this study. The fit quality of the models was evaluated using linear determination coefficient, sum squared errors and chi‐square statisticals. The diffusivity increased from 0.702 to 3.783 × 10−10 m2/s, showing the effect of temperature on this parameter, and with the Arrhenius‐type equation, an activation energy of 40.80 kJ/mol was obtained for the temperature range studied. In comparing the experimental moisture values with those calculated, it was shown that the Wang–Singh model gave the best fit quality, concluding that this equation is optimal for simulating drying kinetics as well as estimating drying time of this product.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The main utility of this study is the appliance of the empirical models using Newton, Henderson–Pabis, Page, Modified Page, Wang–Singh and diffusional equations in food dehydration, which can be considered a basis for a very accurate estimation of drying time. In this research, three newly mathematical models are proposed for the study of drying kinetics of food products, through which a good fit on the data of experimental moisture content was achieved. The study of drying kinetics of red pepper var. Hungarian engages a great technological interest, as this product is used in the development of paprika worldwide.

In addition, dried red pepper var. Hungarian and others dried pepper exports from Chile have become especially important, including raisins, prunes and apples. The major markets for these products include the USA, the European community and Japan.
Subconvexity for a double Dirichlet series
Authors: Blomer Valentin
Published: September 2010

For two real characters ψ,ψ′ of conductor dividing 8 define where $\chi _d = (\frac {d}{.})$ and the subscript 2 denotes the fact that the Euler factor at 2 has been removed. These double Dirichlet series can be extended to $\Bbb {C}^2$ possessing a group of functional equations isomorphic to D12. The convexity bound for Z(s,w;ψ,ψ′) is |sw(s+w)|1/4+ε for ℜs=ℜw=1/2. It is proved that Moreover, the following mean square Lindelöf-type bound holds: for any Y1,Y2≥1.
Modular compactifications of the space of pointed elliptic curves I
Authors: Smyth David Ishii
Published: September 2010

We introduce a sequence of isolated curve singularities, the elliptic m-fold points, and an associated sequence of stability conditions, generalizing the usual definition of Deligne–Mumford stability. For every pair of integers 1≤m<n, we prove that the moduli problem of n-pointed m-stable curves of arithmetic genus one is representable by a proper irreducible Deligne–Mumford stack $\overline {\mathcal {M}}_{1,n}(m)$. We also consider weighted variants of these stability conditions, and construct the corresponding moduli stacks $\overline {\mathcal {M}}_{1,\mathcal {A}}(m)$. In forthcoming work, we will prove that these stacks have projective coarse moduli and use the resulting spaces to give a complete description of the log minimal model program for $\overline {M}_{1,n}$.
Involvement of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in the acidosis‐induced efflux of ATP from rat skeletal muscle
Authors: Tu Jie , Le Gengyun , Ballard Heather J.
Published: September 2010

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of acidosis on the efflux of ATP from skeletal muscle. Infusion of lactic acid to the perfused hindlimb muscles of anaesthetised rats produced dose‐dependent decreases in pH and increases in the interstitial ATP of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle: 10 mm lactic acid reduced the venous pH from 7.22 ± 0.04 to 6.97 ± 0.02 and increased interstitial ATP from 38 ± 8 to 67 ± 11 nm. The increase in interstitial ATP was well‐correlated with the decrease in pH (r2= 0.93; P < 0.05). Blockade of cellular uptake of lactic acid using α‐cyano‐hydroxycinnamic acid abolished the lactic acid‐induced ATP release, whilst infusion of sodium lactate failed to depress pH or increase interstitial ATP, suggesting that intracellular pH depression, rather than lactate, stimulated the ATP efflux. Incubation of cultured skeletal myoblasts with 10 mm lactic acid significantly increased the accumulation of ATP in the bathing medium from 0.46 ± 0.06 to 0.76 ± 0.08 μm, confirming the skeletal muscle cells as the source of the released ATP. Acidosis‐induced ATP efflux from the perfused muscle was abolished by CFTRinh‐172, a specific inhibitor of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), or glibenclamide, an inhibitor of both KATP channels and CFTR, but it was not affected by atractyloside, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial ATP transporter. Silencing of the CFTR gene using an siRNA abolished the acidosis‐induced increase in ATP release from cultured myoblasts. CFTR expression on skeletal muscle cells was confirmed using immunostaining in the intact muscle and Western blotting in the cultured cells. These data suggest that depression of the intracellular pH of skeletal muscle cells stimulates ATP efflux, and that CFTR plays an important role in the release mechanism.
Photoresist modifications by plasma vacuum ultraviolet radiation: The role of polymer structure and plasma chemistry
Authors: Weilnboeck F. , Bruce R. L. , Engelmann S. , Oehrlein G. S. , Nest D. , Chung T.-Y. , Graves D. , Li M. , Wang D. , Andes C. , Hudson E. A.
Published: September 2010

While vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photon irradiation has been shown to significantly contribute to material modifications of polymers during plasma exposures, the impact of radiation-induced material alterations on roughness development during plasma processing has remained unclear. The authors have studied the interaction of the radiation of Ar and C4F8/Ar plasma discharges with 193 and 248 nm advanced photoresists (PRs). Optical filters were used to vary the radiation exposure wavelength range in the ultraviolet (UV) and VUV emission spectra. This enables clarification of the respective roles of plasma photon radiation wavelength and PR polymer structure on the chemical and structural changes produced in the materials. Chemical changes in polymer composition at the film surface and in the material bulk were determined by vacuum transfer x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Morphological changes, film thickness reduction, and changes in surface and pattern morphology were characterized by ellipsometry, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The exposure of methacrylate based 193 nm PR to photon radiation in the UV/VUV spectral range (λ=112–143 nm) leads to detachment and removal of oxygen containing polymer pendant groups to a depth of about 200 nm. This causes changes in the polymer structure by chain scission, significant film thickness reduction, and reduced pattern critical dimensions and line edge roughness. Chain-scission reactions and residual detached polymer pendant groups are expected to effectively soften layers of 193 nm PR. In contrast to 193 nm PR, styrene based 248 nm PR was found to be significantly more stable under plasma-produced irradiation due to the low oxygen content, low ester linkage concentration, and absence of lactone. Small thickness reduction, reduced oxygen loss, and cross-linking were observed in the surface region of 248 nm PR. Radiation-induced material modifications of both PR materials decreased with increasing photon wavelength in Ar discharges. Increasing modification of 193 nm PR was observed for increasing photon flux at higher wavelengths (λ=143–300 nm) by the emission characteristic of fluorocarbon containing plasmas. In C4F8/Ar plasma, the authors observed strongly increased loss of oxygen at the film surface and in the COC and CO lactone bonds in the material bulk along with film thickness reduction compared to pure Ar discharges. These modifications are directly relevant to plasma processes used for pattern transfer, which often contain fluorocarbon species.
Experience-dependent development of vocalization selectivity in the auditory cortex
Authors: Razak Khaleel A. , Fuzessery Zoltan M.
Published: September 2010

Vocalization-selective neurons are present in the auditory systems of several vertebrate groups. Vocalization selectivity is influenced by developmental experience, but the underlying mechanisms are only beginning to be understood. Evidence is presented in this review for the hypothesis that plasticity of timing and strength of inhibition is a mechanism for plasticity of vocalization selectivity. The pallid bat echolocates using downward frequency modulated (FM) sweeps. Nearly 70% of neurons with tuning in the echolocation frequency range in its auditory cortex respond selectively to the direction and rate of change of frequencies present in the echolocation call. During development, FM rate selectivity matures early, while direction selectivity emerges later. Based on the time course of development it was hypothesized that FM direction, but not rate, selectivity is experience-dependent. This hypothesis was tested by altering echolocation experience during development. The results show that normal echolocation experience is required for both refinement and maintenance of direction selectivity. Interestingly, experience is required for the maintenance of rate selectivity, but not for initial development. Across all ages and experimental groups, the timing relationship between inhibitory and excitatory inputs explains sweep selectivity. These experiments suggest that inhibitory plasticity is a substrate for experience-dependent changes in vocalization selectivity.
Frequency tuning and latency organization of responses in the inferior colliculus of Japanese house bat, Pipistrellus abramus
Authors: Goto Kazuhiro , Hiryu Shizuko , Riquimaroux Hiroshi
Published: September 2010

Pipistrellus abramus emits quasi-constant frequency pulses during search, which extend the end frequency portion of the downward frequency-modulated sweep (terminal frequency; TF). If the narrowed frequency range is important for detecting a small frequency change caused by insect fluttering, the bats may need much finer frequency resolution at the TF. To test this hypothesis, the distribution of the best frequencies (BFs) in the inferior colliculus (IC) was electrophysiologically measured. The TF of the echolocation pulse was 41.44±2.62 kHz. The frequency range of 35–45 kHz was overrepresented in the IC (n=50/105; 48%), and a faint second peak was seen at 75–85 kHz (the second harmonic of the TF) in the BF distribution. The BF increased as a function of recording depth along the dorsoventral axis, except for the BFs of 35–45 and 75–85 kHz, which were found at a wide range of depths. The response latency ranged between 3.7 and 23.2 ms for the BFs of 35–45 kHz, and the maximum target range was estimated to be 3.3 m from the delay line observed in the IC. These electrophysiological measures suggest the importance of a target distance within approximately 3 m, which is consistent with behavioral measures during foraging in this species.
A computational assessment of the sensitivity of ambient noise level to ocean acidification
Authors: Joseph John E. , Chiu Ching-Sang
Published: September 2010

Low-frequency sound propagating through the ocean is partly attenuated by the pH-dependent boric acid relaxation process. Thus, the uptake of increased levels of atmospheric CO2 by seawater, leading to reduced pH, has potential to change ambient noise levels. An important question is: By how much? Here, changes in ambient noise level due to hypothetical changes in seawater pH have been calculated at three receiver locations for years 1960 and 2250. The calculations used a range dependent propagation model that was applied to realistic environments based on climatology. Model results indicate changes in noise levels less than 0.21 dB are anticipated.
Relationship of blood flow and metabolism to acoustic processing centers of the dolphin brain
Authors: Houser Dorian S. , Moore Patrick W. , Johnson Shawn , Lutmerding Betsy , Branstetter Brian , Ridgway Sam H. , Trickey Jennifer , Finneran James J. , Jensen Eric , Hoh Carl
Published: September 2010

Odontocete brain tissues associated with auditory processing are hypertrophied and modified relative to their terrestrial counterparts. The relationship between the functional demand on these tissues and metabolic substrate requirements is unknown. Using positron emission tomography (PET), relative cerebral blood flow was measured in a bottlenose dolphin. Approximately 60 mCi N13H3 was administered to the dolphin via a catheter inserted into the hepatic vein and threaded proximate to the vena cava. Radiolabel initially appeared as distributed focal points in the cerebellum. Increasing scan time resulted in an increase in the number of focal regions and in the diffusivity of label activity throughout the brain. The time course and spatial distribution of radiolabel was consistent with a cerebral blood supply dominated by the spinal meningeal arteries. Blood flow was predominantly observed in the cerebellum and neocortex, particularly the auditory and visual cortex. Differential brain glucose uptake, previously measured in a separate dolphin, showed good agreement with the differential supply of blood to brain tissues. Rates of blood supply and glucose uptake in the auditory cortex, inferior colliculus, and cerebellum are consistent with a high metabolic demand of tissues which are important to the integration of auditory and other sensory inputs.
Widespread passive acoustic detection of Yangtze finless porpoise using miniature stereo acoustic data-loggers: A review
Authors: Li Songhai , Akamatsu Tomonari , Dong Lijun , Wang Kexiong , Wang Ding , Kimura Satoko
Published: September 2010

Data on distribution, abundance, ecology, and behavior are essential for conservation and management of endangered animals in the wild. Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis) is an endangered small odontocete species, living exclusively in the Yangtze River and its connecting Poyang and Dongting Lakes. Frequent production of high-frequency bio-sonar signals allows the animal to be detectable using passive acoustic methods. Recently, a stereo acoustic event data-logger (A-tag) has been used extensively to detect the animal by using both fixed and mobile platforms. The passive acoustic monitoring methods were not only successful in detecting the presence of animals, but also in counting, localizing, and tracking phonating individuals. Underwater behavior observed acoustically helped to assess possible effects of vessels on the animals during acoustic surveys.
Flow-induced vibratory response of idealized versus magnetic resonance imaging-based synthetic vocal fold models
Authors: Pickup Brian A. , Thomson Scott L.
Published: September 2010

Recent vocal fold vibration studies have used models defined using idealized geometry. Although these models exhibit important similarities with human vocal fold vibration, some aspects of their motion are less than realistic. In this report it is demonstrated that more realistic motion may be obtained when using geometry derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. The dynamic response of both idealized and MRI-based synthetic vocal fold models are presented. MRI-based model improvements include evidence of mucosal wave-like motion and less vertical movement. Limitations of the MRI-based model are discussed and suggestions for further synthetic model development are offered.
Automatic identification of individual killer whales
Authors: Brown Judith C. , Smaragdis Paris , Nousek-McGregor Anna
Published: September 2010

Following the successful use of HMM and GMM models for classification of a set of 75 calls of northern resident killer whales into call types [Brown, J. C., and Smaragdis, P., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 125, 221–224 (2009)], the use of these same methods has been explored for the identification of vocalizations from the same call type N2 of four individual killer whales. With an average of 20 vocalizations from each of the individuals the pairwise comparisons have an extremely high success rate of 80 to 100% and the identifications within the entire group yield around 78%.
Convolutional modeling of diffraction effects in pulse-echo ultrasound imaging
Authors: Mast T. Douglas
Published: September 2010

A model is presented for pulse-echo imaging of three-dimensional, linear, weakly-scattering continuum media by ultrasound array transducers. The model accounts for the diffracted fields of focused array subapertures in both transmit and receive modes, multiple transmit and receive focal zones, frequency-dependent attenuation, and aberration caused by mismatched medium and beamformer sound speeds. For a given medium reflectivity function, computation of a B-scan requires evaluation of a depth-dependent transmit/receive beam product, followed by two one-dimensional convolutions and a one-dimensional summation. Numerical results obtained using analytic expressions for transmit and receive beams agree favorably with measured B-scan images and speckle statistics.