bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paul Auster’s Poland- Related Constructs of Death in Timbuktu and Oracle Night
Authors: Aleksandrowicz- Pędich Lucyna
Published: April 2015

Although the portrayal of Poland as a land of death is common in Jewish- American fiction, the theme is given subtle and restrained treatment in the fiction of Paul Auster, within the context of the emphasis on death that permeates his work. In Timbuktu and Oracle Night, Auster associated Poland with death in an indirect and symbolic fashion. His evocation of Poland is poetic and imaginative as well as highly effective as a literary device.
DISCLOSURE VOLUNTÁRIO DE RESPONSABILIDADE SOCIAL CORPORATIVA DAS EMPRESAS LISTADAS NA BM&FBOVESPA
Authors: Almeida Moisés Araújo , Santos Joséte Florencio dos
Published: April 2015

O estudo tem por objetivo mensurar o nível de divulgação voluntária de informações de responsabilidade social das empresas listadas na BM&FBOVESPA. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, cuja amostra foi composta pelas empresas brasileiras não financeiras de capital aberto listadas na BM&FBOVESPA, com informações disponíveis de 2008 a 2012. Os dados foram coletados através de fontes secundárias, sendo as informações contábeis obtidas das bases de dados Economatica e Datastream e as informações sobre responsabilidade social corporativa obtidas dos relatórios de sustentabilidade publicados nos websites das empresas e da Comissão de Valores Mobiliários. Para mensurar a divulgação voluntária de informações de responsabilidade social corporativa, construiu-se um índice (IRSC) composto por 24 questões objetivas compreendendo aspectos de (i) estrutura de governança e sistemas de gestão, (ii) credibilidade, (iii) indicadores de desempenho ambiental e (iv) gastos ambientais. Para o tratamento dos dados utilizou-se estatística descritiva. A pontuação média das empresas no IRSC se manteve em torno de 12 pontos. Os resultados mostram que, dada a sua não obrigatoriedade de publicação do relatório de responsabilidade social corporativa, muitas empresas deixam para fazê-lo apenas no segundo semestre do ano seguinte. Observou-se também que os itens mais divulgados pelas empresas são sobre uso de energia e água, emissões atmosféricas e geração e/ou gestão de resíduos. Percebeu-se que as divulgações devem primar por uma maior acreditação externa, e, além disso, elas necessitam informar mais sobre seus esforços de preservação ambiental e sobre a produção de efluentes e resíduos tóxicos.
ANÁLISE DOS GASTOS PÚBLICOS COM GESTÃO AMBIENTAL NO BRASIL
Authors: Dantas Marina Kolland , Pacheco Larissa Marchiori , Liboni Lara Bartocci , Caldana Adriana Cristina Ferreira
Published: April 2015

A proteção do meio ambiente, em maior ou menor escala, tem sido objeto de discussão de todas as sociedades ao longo do tempo, porém, neste século, a pauta ambiental passou a ocupar uma posição de destaque nas reflexões globais. Esta situação decorre da influência humana na quebra do equilíbrio ecossistêmico, gerando impactos negativos que afetam os limites de regeneração do planeta, tornando evidente a necessidade de se acompanhar e avaliar o desempenho dos países na conservação de seus recursos naturais. Especificamente quanto à tutela do Estado, é fundamental identificar e caracterizar a parcela de investimento público, garantindo a transparência e a melhoria na tomada de decisão quanto à alocação destes recursos. A pesquisa realizada possui caráter quantitativo descritivo e empregou como método a análise documental e estatística descritiva, sendo desenvolvido um conjunto de análises sobre os gastos públicos brasileiros com a função gestão ambiental e suas subfunções, ao longo do período de 2004 a 2011. Complementarmente, a análise do panorama nacional se estendeu para o cenário internacional por meio da comparação com a China e os países da União Europeia. Os resultados permitiram concluir que os dispêndios ambientais ainda são incipientes frente às despesas públicas totais do país e pouco representativos quando comparados internacionalmente, evidenciando uma lacuna entre as demandas por proteção ambiental e o direcionamento aos princípios da sustentabilidade diante da forma atual de ação estatal.
The Impact of Public Transport Network Accessibility on Trip Generation Model
Authors: Krasić Davor , Novačko Luka
Published: April 2015

The most commonly used model in transport planning is the four-step model of transport demand. Although a number of improvements have been made to this model over the past six decades of use, its main weakness remains that the characteristics of the transport network are not included in the sub-model of trip generation. In the research presented in this paper the authors investigated the possibility of improving this key model. Based on the results of correlation and regression analysis it has been proven that the public transport network accessibility significantly affects the total number of generated trips. This opens up new possibilities for improving this model as well as the process of transport planning.
C-terminal threonines and serines play distinct roles in the desensitization of rhodopsin, a G protein-coupled receptor
Authors: Azevedo Anthony W , Doan Thuy , Moaven Hormoz , Sokal Iza , Baameur Faiza , Vishnivetskiy Sergey A , Homan Kristoff T , Tesmer John JG , Gurevich Vsevolod V , Chen Jeannie , Rieke Fred
Published: April 2015

Rod photoreceptors generate measurable responses to single-photon activation of individual molecules of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), rhodopsin. Timely rhodopsin desensitization depends on phosphorylation and arrestin binding, which quenches G protein activation. Rhodopsin phosphorylation has been measured biochemically at C-terminal serine residues, suggesting that these residues are critical for producing fast, low-noise responses. The role of native threonine residues is unclear. We compared single-photon responses from rhodopsin lacking native serine or threonine phosphorylation sites. Contrary to expectation, serine-only rhodopsin generated prolonged step-like single-photon responses that terminated abruptly and randomly, whereas threonine-only rhodopsin generated responses that were only modestly slower than normal. We show that the step-like responses of serine-only rhodopsin reflect slow and stochastic arrestin binding. Thus, threonine sites play a privileged role in promoting timely arrestin binding and rhodopsin desensitization. Similar coordination of phosphorylation and arrestin binding may more generally permit tight control of the duration of GPCR activity.
Recurrent gain of function mutation in calcium channel CACNA1H causes early-onset hypertension with primary aldosteronism
Authors: Scholl Ute I , Stölting Gabriel , Nelson-Williams Carol , Vichot Alfred A , Choi Murim , Loring Erin , Prasad Manju L , Goh Gerald , Carling Tobias , Juhlin C Christofer , Quack Ivo , Rump Lars C , Thiel Anne , Lande Marc , Frazier Britney G , Rasoulpour Majid , Bowlin David L , Sethna Christine B , Trachtman Howard , Fahlke Christoph , Lifton Richard P
Published: April 2015

Many Mendelian traits are likely unrecognized owing to absence of traditional segregation patterns in families due to causation by de novo mutations, incomplete penetrance, and/or variable expressivity. Genome-level sequencing can overcome these complications. Extreme childhood phenotypes are promising candidates for new Mendelian traits. One example is early onset hypertension, a rare form of a global cause of morbidity and mortality. We performed exome sequencing of 40 unrelated subjects with hypertension due to primary aldosteronism by age 10. Five subjects (12.5%) shared the identical, previously unidentified, heterozygous CACNA1HM1549V mutation. Two mutations were demonstrated to be de novo events, and all mutations occurred independently. CACNA1H encodes a voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV3.2) expressed in adrenal glomerulosa. CACNA1HM1549V showed drastically impaired channel inactivation and activation at more hyperpolarized potentials, producing increased intracellular Ca2+, the signal for aldosterone production. This mutation explains disease pathogenesis and provides new insight into mechanisms mediating aldosterone production and hypertension.
Identification of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Medically Underserved Regions of South America and Vietnam
Authors: Jacobs Robin J. , Collias Belinda A. , Rana Arif M. , Wallace Elaine M. , Michael N. Kane , Boesler David R.
Published: April 2015

Context: Musculoskeletal disorders have been implicated as the leading cause of disability throughout the world, representing a high percentage of the disease burden in many nations. Anecdotal evidence suggests that musculoskeletal pain has become increasingly pervasive, especially among rural populations of developing countries.

Objective: To characterize specific musculoskeletal disorders in medically under-served regions where these issues have not yet been thoroughly examined.

Methods: The sample comprised adult residents receiving care during brief medical outreach trips to South America (Peru, Ecuador, and Argentina) and Vietnam from December 2010 to March 2013. Patients completed an anonymous questionnaire on musculoskeletal pain, self-reported health status, were associated with acute and health care-seeking behavior. Demographic information was also obtained.

Results: In Vietnam, 295 patients aged 20 to 88 years (mean [SD], 59 [14.7] years) completed the survey, 204 (69%) of whom were women. In South America, 552 patients aged 18 to 86 years (mean [SD], 44 [17.24] years) completed the survey, 398 (72.1%) of whom were women. Among the Vietnamese patients, acute pain was most frequently felt in the knees (132 [44.7%]), which were also the most frequent site of chronic pain (122 [41.4%]). Among the South American patients, acute pain was felt most frequently in the lower back (225 [47%]), and the upper back (253 [46.6%]) was the most frequent site of chronic pain. Associations were found between sex and chronic pain, with women reporting more chronic pain than men in the shoulder (17 [53%] vs 15 [47%], respectively), upper back (85 [79%] vs 22 [21%]), hand/wrist (153 [85%] vs 52 [15%]), and knee (40 [80%] vs 7 [20%]). Men reported more acute knee pain than women (73 [48%] vs 148 [38%], respectively). For patients in both samples, acute pain was associated with chronic pain in the same location for all body parts (P<.01).

Conclusion: This study characterized specific musculoskeletal disorders in selected poor and underserved regions in Vietnam and South America. Owing to reported regional differences, the authors recommend that global treatment protocols be developed with a population-specific approach after conducting a needs assessment for musculoskeletal disorders. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2015;115(1):12-22 doi:10.7556/jaoa.2015.003
Resolution of Hypothyroidism After Correction of Somatovisceral Reflex Dysfunction by Refusion of the Cervical Spine
Authors: Berkowitz Murray R.
Published: April 2015

Psychosis is a rare initial presentation of new-onset hypothyroidism. The author describes the case of a 29-year-old woman who presented with psychosis caused by hypothyroidism, or myxedema madness. Although the patient's psychosis resolved after standard monotherapy using levothyroxine sodium, her hypothyroidism persisted. Imaging of the patient's cervical spine showed that previous C5-C6 and C6-C7 fusions had failed. The failed fusions were corrected, and the patient's hypothyroidism resolved, suggesting that the somatovisceral reflex was the cause of the patient's hypothyroidism. Although somatovisceral reflex dysfunctions are rare, physicians should consider them as potential underlying causes of their patients' presenting medical conditions.
J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2015;115(1):46-49 doi:10.7556/jaoa.2015.007
Conceptualisations of the use of records
Authors: Sundqvist Anneli
Published: April 2015

The archival community has an ambivalent attitude towards use of record. In one sense, use could be said to be the ultimate purpose of keeping records, on the other hand, it has not been theorized in archives and records management discourse. The purpose of this study is to contribute to an enhanced understanding of the use of records by an empirically underpinned analysis of the concept. Based on an analysis of theoretical conceptualizations of use and an analysis of data from two major case studies of contemporary public organizations, several dimensions of use covering different aspects of user behaviour were identified. The most important of them were the purposes of use, the objects of use, and the applications, i.e. the actual use. As a result, a conceptual model was constructed. Transformed into more abstract conceptual categories, the findings of the case studies could be applicable in other contexts, and the model used as an analytical framework in different settings.
Does Adding Diffuse Optical Tomography to Sonography Improve Differentiation Between Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions?
Authors: La Yun Bo , Kim Sun Mi , Jang Mijung , Ahn Hye Shin , Lyou Chae Yeon , Kim Mi Sun , Kim Sun Ah , Song Tai-Kyong , Yoo Yangmo , Chang Jin Ho , Kim Youngmi
Published: April 2015

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the added value of diffuse optical tomographic categories combined with conventional sonography for differentiating between benign and malignant breast lesions.

Methods

In this retrospective database review, we included 145 breast lesions (116 benign and 29 malignant) from 145 women (mean age, 46 years; range, 16–86 years). Five radiologists independently reviewed sonograms with and without a diffuse optical tomographic category. Each lesion was scored on a scale of 0% to 100% for suspicion of malignancy and rated according to the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System classification. Diagnostic performance was analyzed by comparing area under receiver operating characteristic curve values. Reader agreement was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients.

Results

In the multireader multicase receiver operating characteristic analysis, adding a diffuse optical tomographic category to sonography improved the diagnostic accuracy of sonography (mean areas under the curve, 0.923 for sonography alone and 0.969 for sonography with diffuse optical tomography; P = .039). The interobserver correlation was also improved (0.798 for sonography alone and 0.904 for sonography with diffuse optical tomography). The specificity increased for 4 reviewers from a mean of 19.5% to 45.8% (P < .001 for reviewers 1–4; P = .238 for reviewer 5) with no significant change in the sensitivity. When the diffuse optical tomographic category was applied strictly, the specificity increased for all reviewers from a mean of 19.5% to 68.3% (P < .001 for all reviewers) with no significant change in the sensitivity.

Conclusions

The addition of diffuse optical tomographic categories to sonography may improve diagnostic performance and markedly decrease false‐positive biopsy recommendations.
A New Insight for Evaluation of the Inferior Turbinate With Ultrasound Elastography
Authors: Kısmalı Erkan , Göde Sercan , Turhal Göksel , Öztürk Kerem , Midilli Rașit
Published: April 2015

Objectives

There are diseases that affect the stroma of the inferior turbinate and many surgical interventions that alter it. However, an objective method that can evaluate the turbinate's stromal structure in detail has not been defined yet. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and reliability of ultrasound elastography for objective evaluation of the inferior turbinate stroma and define the most suitable elastographic technique.

Methods

Twenty inferior turbinates in 10 healthy participants were included. Five of the participants (50%) were male, and 5 (50%) were female, with a mean age ± SD of 28.3 ± 3.2 years (range, 26–35) years. To obtain reliable and reproducible results, elastography was performed twice, 3 days apart, with and without a topical decongestant to evaluate the effects of the nasal cycle and mucosal edema. Two previously described valid elastographic outcome measures were reevaluated for the inferior turbinate. The tissue strain ratio and sound wave propagation speed were calculated for each measurement.

Results

Median propagation speeds without and with the decongestant for the first and second measurements were 2.125 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.85), 2.175 (IQR, 0.53), 2.520 (IQR, 0.79), and 2.555 (IQR, 0.53) m/s, respectively. Median turbinate stroma‐to‐subcutaneous tissue strain ratios without and with the decongestant for the first and second measurements were 1.402 (IQR, 0.96), 0.942 (IQR, 0.24), 1.035 (IQR, 0.98), and 1.427 (IQR, 1.68).

Conclusions

We suggest that elastography is a reliable and reproducible method that is not substantially affected by mucosal edema. It is a novel technique that can evaluate the inferior turbinate stroma and might be used in concordance with other objective functional techniques such as acoustic rhinometry. Therefore, it can be used in further studies regarding diagnosis of turbinate diseases and objective evaluation of previous surgical treatments.
Radiologic Features of Hydatid Disease
Authors: Pendse Himanshu Ajay , Nawale Ajita Jaywant , Deshpande Sneha Satish , Merchant Suleman Adam
Published: April 2015

Hydatid disease is commonly encountered in specific geographic areas of the world. Hydatidosis affects multiple organs and has diverse radiologic presentations. Sonography remains an important modality for diagnosing this condition, as it optimally detects cystic structures, floating membranes, and debris. Sonography forms the crux of radiologic diagnosis of hydatid disease. It not only helps diagnose the disease but also aids in guiding therapeutic interventions. The main objective of this article is to describe the imaging features of hydatid disease in its various stages. This article gives an overview of the spectrum of sonographic manifestations of hydatid disease in various locations, along with common differential diagnoses. A brief description of therapeutic management is also presented.
Observed interannual variability of near‐surface salinity in the Bay of Bengal
Authors: Pant Vimlesh , Girishkumar M. S. , Udaya Bhaskar T. V. S. , Ravichandran M. , Papa Fabrice , Thangaprakash V. P.
Published: April 2015

An in situ gridded data of salinity, comprising Argo and CTD profiles, has been used to study the interannual variability of near‐surface salinity (within 30 m from sea surface) in the Bay of Bengal (BoB) during the years 2005–2013. In addition to the broad agreement with earlier studies on the north‐to‐south gradient of surface salinity and general features of seasonal variability of salinity, the data also revealed few episodes of enhanced freshening in the BoB. The observations showed distinct anomalous low salinity (< 2 psu) waters in the northern BoB during June–February of the years 2006–2007 (Y67), 2011–2012 (Y12), and 2012–2013 (Y23). The anomalous freshening during these years showed similar life cycle, such as, it starts in the northern BoB during July–September of current summer and extends up to February–March of next winter with a southward propagation. Analysis showed that the oceanic and atmospheric conditions associated with positive Indian Ocean Dipole (pIOD) lead to these freshening events, and IOD rather than El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) controls the interannual variability of salinity in the BoB. The mixed layer salt budget analysis indicated the dominant role of local fresh water flux (horizontal advection) on the observed salinity tendency during summer (winter) monsoon season. Enhanced precipitation associated with pIOD lead to enhanced freshening in northern BoB during June–September, which remained to this region with prevailing summer monsoon circulation. The weakening or absence of southward east India coastal current (EICC) during October–December of these freshening years trapped anomalous freshwater in the northern BoB.
CALIPSO inferred most probable heights of global dust and smoke layers
Authors: Huang Jingfeng , Guo Jianping , Wang Fu , Liu Zhaoyan , Jeong Myeong‐Jae , Yu Hongbin , Zhang Zhibo
Published: April 2015

The vertical location of aerosol layers is critical for determining predominance of aerosol radiative and microphysical effects in aerosol‐cloud‐precipitation‐climate interaction. The spaceborne lidar system, the Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO), provides an unprecedented opportunity to observe vertical distributions of global aerosol layers. In this study we examine the most probable height (MPH) of dust and smoke layers, which are calculated either from aerosol occurrence frequency (OF) in vertical feature mask or aerosol extinction profile. The study focuses on six high‐aerosol‐loading regions where aerosols are of great interest in a range of scientific topics: Saharan Air Layer (SAL) over Tropical Atlantic, West African Monsoon region (WAM), Southeast Atlantic Ocean (SAO), Southeast Asia (SEA) and South China Sea, Amazon (AMZ), and Northwestern Pacific (NWP). The analysis revealed interesting spatial and seasonal variability of different vertical mixture features over these regions: seasonal migration of dust layers over SAL, separation and mixture of dust and smoke layers over WAM and NWP, and smoke layer above clouds over SAO, SEA, and AMZ. Results also indicated that the OF‐based MPH tends to be much higher than the aerosol optical depth (AOD)‐based MPH, owing to the predominating near‐surface sources. Within the same vertical resolution grid of CALIPSO, aerosols are found with higher OF at higher levels but AOD tends to increase toward lower levels, because most aerosol sources are near the surface and the aerosol layers transported to high altitudes are generally much more diluted over larger spatial domain than those near the surface.
Style of rifting and the stages of Pangea breakup
Authors: Frizon de Lamotte Dominique , Fourdan Brendan , Leleu Sophie , Leparmentier François , de Clarens Philippe
Published: April 2015

Pangea results from the progressive amalgamation of continental blocks achieved at 320 Ma. Assuming that the ancient concept of “active” versus “passive” rifting remains pertinent as end‐members of more complex processes, we show that the progressive Pangea breakup occurred through a succession of rifting episodes characterized by different tectonic evolutions. A first episode of passive continental rifting during the Upper Carboniferous and Permian led to the formation of the Neo‐Tethys Ocean. Then at the beginning of Triassic times, two short episodes of active rifting associated to the Siberian and Emeishan large igneous provinces (LIPs) failed. The true disintegration of Pangea resulted from (1) a Triassic passive rifting leading to the emplacement of the central Atlantic magmatic province (200 Ma) LIP and the subsequent opening of the central Atlantic Ocean during the lowermost Jurassic and from (2) a Lower Jurassic active rifting triggered by the Karoo‐Ferrar LIP (183 Ma), which led to the opening of the West Indian Ocean. The same sequence of passive then active rifting is observed during the Lower Cretaceous with, in between, the Parana‐Etendeka LIP at 135 Ma. We show that the relationships between the style of rifts and their breakdown or with the type of resulting margins (as magma poor or magma dominated) are not straightforward. Finally, we discuss the respective role of mantle global warming promoted by continental agglomeration and mantle plumes in the weakening of the continental lithosphere and their roles as rifting triggers.
Partitioning of evapotranspiration using high‐frequency water vapor isotopic measurement over a rice paddy field
Authors: Wei Zhongwang , Yoshimura Kei , Okazaki Atsushi , Kim Wonsik , Liu Zhongfang , Yokoi Masaharu
Published: April 2015

Partitioning ecosystem evapotranspiration (ET) into soil evaporation (E) and transpiration (T) is crucial for understanding hydrological processes. In this study, by using high‐frequency isotope measurements and continuous surface water measurements, we investigated the isotope ratios in soil‐vegetation‐atmosphere transfer and the physical mechanisms involved over a paddy field for a full growing season. The isotopic signals of δET, δT, and δE were determined by the Keeling plot method, surface water isotopic measurements, and the Craig‐Gordon model, respectively. The fraction of transpiration in evapotranspiration (FT) ranged from 0.2 to 1, with an almost continuous increase in the early growing season and a relatively constant value close to 1 later in the year. The result was supported by FT derived from simulated T and eddy correlation measured ET. The seasonal change in the transpiration fraction could be described quite well as a function of the LAI (FT = 0.67LAI0.25, R2 = 0.80), implying that transpiration plays a dominant role in the soil‐vegetation‐atmosphere continuum during the growing season. The two end‐member uncertainty analysis suggested that further improvement in the estimation of δT and δET is necessary for partitioning evapotranspiration using the isotopic method. In the estimation of δET, the assumptions underlying Keeling plot method were rarely met and the uncertainty was quite large. A high frequency of precise isotopic measurements in surface water was also necessary for δT estimation. Furthermore, special care must be taken concerning the kinetic fractionation parameter in the Craig and Gordon Equation for δE estimation under low‐LAI conditions. The results demonstrated the robustness of using isotope measurements for partitioning evapotranspiration.
Sea ice floe size distribution in the marginal ice zone: Theory and numerical experiments
Authors: Zhang Jinlun , Schweiger Axel , Steele Michael , Stern Harry
Published: April 2015

To better describe the state of sea ice in the marginal ice zone (MIZ) with floes of varying thicknesses and sizes, both an ice thickness distribution (ITD) and a floe size distribution (FSD) are needed. In this work, we have developed a FSD theory that is coupled to the ITD theory of Thorndike et al. (1975) in order to explicitly simulate the evolution of FSD and ITD jointly. The FSD theory includes a FSD function and a FSD conservation equation in parallel with the ITD equation. The FSD equation takes into account changes in FSD due to ice advection, thermodynamic growth, and lateral melting. It also includes changes in FSD because of mechanical redistribution of floe size due to ice ridging and, particularly, ice fragmentation induced by stochastic ocean surface waves. The floe size redistribution due to ice fragmentation is based on the assumption that wave‐induced breakup is a random process such that when an ice floe is broken, floes of any smaller sizes have an equal opportunity to form, without being either favored or excluded. To focus only on the properties of mechanical floe size redistribution, the FSD theory is implemented in a simplified ITD and FSD sea ice model for idealized numerical experiments. Model results show that the simulated cumulative floe number distribution (CFND) follows a power law as observed by satellites and airborne surveys. The simulated values of the exponent of the power law, with varying levels of ice breakups, are also in the range of the observations. It is found that floe size redistribution and the resulting FSD and mean floe size do not depend on how floe size categories are partitioned over a given floe size range. The ability to explicitly simulate multicategory FSD and ITD together may help to incorporate additional model physics, such as FSD‐dependent ice mechanics, surface exchange of heat, mass, and momentum, and wave‐ice interactions.
Distributions of ice supersaturation and ice crystals from airborne observations in relation to upper tropospheric dynamical boundaries
Authors: Diao Minghui , Jensen Jorgen B. , Pan Laura L. , Homeyer Cameron R. , Honomichl Shawn , Bresch James F. , Bansemer Aaron
Published: April 2015

Ice supersaturation (ISS) is the prerequisite condition for cirrus cloud formation. To examine multiscale dynamics' influences on ISS formation, we analyze in situ aircraft observations (~200 m scale) over North America in coordinates relative to dynamical boundaries in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Two case studies demonstrate that ISS formation is likely influenced by mesoscale uplifting, small‐scale waves, and turbulence. A collective analysis of 15 flights in April–June 2008 shows that the top layers of ISS and ice crystal distributions are strongly associated with thermal tropopause height. In addition, the average occurrence frequencies of ISS and ice crystals on the anticyclonic side of the jet stream are ~1.5–2 times of those on the cyclonic side. By defining five cirrus evolution phases based on the spatial relationships between ice‐supersaturated and in‐cloud regions, we find that their peak occurrence frequencies are located at decreasing altitudes with respect to the thermal tropopause: (phase 1) clear‐sky ISS around the tropopause, (phase 2) nucleation phase around 2 km below the tropopause, (phases 3 and 4) early and later growth phases around 6 km below the tropopause, and (phase 5) sedimentation/sublimation around 2–6 km below the tropopause. Consistent with this result, chemical tracer correlation analysis shows that the majority (~80%) of the earlier cirrus phases (clear‐sky ISS and nucleation) occurs inside the chemical tropopause transition layer, while the later phases happen mostly below that layer. These results shed light on the role of dynamical environment in facilitating cirrus cloud formation and evolution.
Convective response to changes in the thermodynamic environment in idealized weak temperature gradient simulations
Authors: Sessions Sharon L. , Herman Michael J. , Sentić Stipo
Published: April 2015

We investigate the response of convection to idealized perturbations in the thermodynamic environment in simulations which parameterize the large‐scale circulations using the weak temperature gradient (WTG) approximation. The perturbations include a combination of modifying the environmental moisture and atmospheric stability via imposing anomalies in reference moisture and temperature profiles. We find that changes in atmospheric stability strongly influence the character of convection by drastically modifying the vertical motion profile, whereas changes to atmospheric moisture modulate the intensity of precipitation produced by the convection, but do not qualitatively change the shape of the vertical motion profile. An important question is how does horizontal moisture advection into the domain affect convection? We test several different parameterizations of this process; these include lateral entrainment by circulations induced by enforcing WTG, a moisture relaxation which parameterizes the advection of moisture by large‐scale nondivergent circulations, and control simulations in which both of these mechanisms are turned off so horizontal advection is assumed negligible compared to vertical advection. Interestingly, the most significant differences resulting from the choice of horizontal moisture advection scheme appear in environmental conditions which suppress–rather than support–the development of deep tropical convection. In this case, lateral entrainment related to WTG circulations is the only parameterization which results in extreme drying of the troposphere in environments which suppress convection. Consequently, this is the only parameterization which permits multiple equilibria—dry or precipitating steady states—in convection.
Geophysical and geochemical nature of relaminated arc‐derived lower crust underneath oceanic domain in southern Mongolia
Authors: Guy Alexandra , Schulmann Karel , Janoušek Vojtěch , Štípská Pavla , Armstrong Robin , Belousova Elena , Dolgopolova Alla , Seltmann Reimar , Lexa Ondrej , Jiang Yingde , Hanžl Pavel
Published: April 2015

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) in southern Mongolia consists of E‐W trending Neoproterozoic cratons and Silurian‐Devonian oceanic tectonic zones. Previous study revealed that the Early Paleozoic accretionary wedge and the oceanic tectonic zone are underlain by a layer giving a homogeneous gravity signal. Forward gravity modelling suggests that this layer is not formed of high‐density material typical of lower oceanic crust but is composed of low‐ to intermediate‐density rocks resembling continental crust. The nature of this lower crust is constrained by the whole‐rock geochemistry and zircon Hf isotopic signature of abundant Late Carboniferous high‐K calc‐alkaline and Early Permian A‐type granitoids intruding the two Early Paleozoic domains. It is possible to explain the genesis of these granitoids by anatexis of juvenile, metaigneous (tonalitic‐gabbroic) rocks of Late Cambrian age, the source of which is presumed to lie in the “Khantaishir” arc (520–495 Ma) further north. In order to test this hypothesis, the likely modal composition and density of Khantaishir arc‐like protoliths are thermodynamically modelled at granulite‐ and higher amphibolite‐facies conditions. It is shown that the current average density of the lower crust inferred by gravity modelling (2730 ± 20 kg/m3) matches best metamorphosed leucotonalite to diorite. Based on these results, it is now proposed that Mongolian CAOB has an architecture in which the accretionary wedge and oceanic upper crust is underlain by allochthonous lower crust that originated in a Cambrian arc. A tectonic model explaining relamination of allochthonous felsic to intermediate lower crust beneath mafic upper crust is proposed.
Pyridylimine Cobalt(II) and Nickel(II) Complex Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Their Catalytic Activities for Ethylene Oligomerization
Authors: Alshehri Saad M. , Ahamad Tansir , Aldalbahi Ali , Alhokbany Norah
Published: April 2015

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were covalently functionalized with pyridylimine and its metal complexes. The synthesized compounds were characterized by several analytical techniques. The pyridylimine metal complex–functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes [Pyr‐M(II)‐MWCNTs] were evaluated as catalyst precursors for ethylene oligomerization with methylaluminoxane (MAO) used as an activator at different Al/M [M(II) = Co(II) and Ni(II)] ratios and at two different ethylene pressures. [Pyr‐Co(II)‐MWCNTs] (C1) and (Pyr‐Ni(II)‐MWCNTs] (C2) were isolated as solid materials in good yield. Complex C2 was found to be a more effective precatalyst than C1 in the presence of MAO. Thus, C2 exhibited a maximum catalytic activity of 1.89 × 106 g mol−1(Ni) h−1 bar−1 with an Al/Ni ratio of 2000:1 at room temperature with a 5‐atm pressure of ethylene, whereas C1 exhibited a maximum activity of 1.87 × 106 g mol−1(Co) h−1 bar−1 in a similar condition. When the Al/Co ratio was increased at a 1‐atm pressure of ethylene, the catalytic activity of the precatalyst increased and the process became more selective toward higher oligomers. The catalytic activity and selectivity with 1‐decene using C1 were 3.02 × 105 g mol−1(Co) h1 bar−1 and 72%, respectively, with 5 atm ethylene and an Al/Co ratio of 200:1.
Itraconazole and clarithromycin inhibit P‐glycoprotein activity in primary human sinonasal epithelial cells
Authors: Lam Allen , Hoang John D. , Singleton Amy , Han Xue , Bleier Benjamin S.
Published: April 2015

Background

Itraconazole and clarithromycin are clinically effective in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) through incompletely understood anti‐inflammatory properties. P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) is overexpressed in CRS and inhibition results in decreased inflammatory cytokine secretion. Both itraconazole and clarithromycin have also been shown to have P‐gp inhibitory properties in other tissues, suggesting a novel explanation for their immunomodulatory effects in CRS. The purpose of this study is to therefore confirm whether these drugs are capable of inhibiting P‐gp specifically in sinonasal epithelial cells.

Methods

This was an institutional review board (IRB)‐approved study in which primary sinonasal epithelial cells were cultured in 96‐well plates. A Calcein AM assay was used to quantify P‐gp inhibition as determined by an increase in intracellular fluorescence. A dose‐response curve was generated for itraconazole and clarithromycin (maximal concentration 100 μM) and compared to that of Zosuquidar, a highly specific known P‐gp inhibitor. Results were compared using a Student t test with a significance defined as p < 0.05.

Results

Both itraconazole and clarithromycin demonstrated a dose‐response curve for P‐gp inhibition similar to that of Zosuquidar. The respective maximal inhibitory concentrations of Zosuquidar, itraconazole, and clarithromycin prior to induction of cytotoxicity were 0.31, 3.13, and 1.56 μM, respectively, as demonstrated by a statistically significant increase in total intracellular fluorescence (p < 0.05 in all groups).

Conclusion

Both itraconazole and clarithromycin are capable of inhibiting sinonasal epithelial cell associated P‐gp. The anti‐inflammatory effects of these agents in CRS may be attributable, in part, to their heretofore unrecognized P‐gp modulatory properties.
Computed tomography imaging practice patterns in adult chronic rhinosinusitis: survey of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and American Rhinologic Society membership
Authors: Batra Pete S. , Setzen Michael , Li Yan , Han Joseph K. , Setzen Gavin
Published: April 2015

Background

The objective of this study was to assess the current practice patterns of computed tomography (CT) imaging for diagnosis and management of adult chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Methods

A 29‐item, electronic, Web‐based physician survey was disseminated to the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO‐HNS) and American Rhinologic Society (ARS) membership from November 2012 to January 2013.

Results

A total of 331 otolaryngologists completed the survey. Seventy‐five percent of respondents did not obtain confirmatory CT imaging prior to initiating medical therapy for CRS. A typical diagnostic scan was considered to be a 3‐mm coronal CT with or without 3‐mm axial images for 50.6% of participants. On average, the respondents obtained 1 (58.8%) or 2 (36.6%) CT scans prior to proceeding with sinus surgery. CT scanning was most commonly performed in a hospital radiology department (76.4%), followed by a free‐standing imaging center (44.5%). An in‐office CT scanner was owned by 24.5% of the respondents, mostly commonly a cone beam CT (74.0%) scanner. Most respondents (87.1%) did not experience problems with carriers denying ability to image or reimbursing for scans. Overall, 68.4% of the respondents were unaware of the dosage of radiation delivered by the scanner used for CT acquisition.

Conclusion

This survey provides a snapshot of the current utility of CT imaging in the management paradigm for CRS. Given that most are unaware of the delivered radiation dose, this clearly represents an important area of improvement in the knowledge gap.
Outcomes of complete vs targeted approaches to endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: DeConde Adam S. , Suh Jeffrey D. , Mace Jess C. , Alt Jeremiah A. , Smith Timothy L.
Published: April 2015

Background

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) was historically predicated on targeted widening of narrow anatomic structures that caused postobstructive persistent sinus inflammation. It is now clear that chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifactorial disease with subsets of patients which may require a more extensive surgical approach. This study compares quality‐of‐life (QOL) and disease severity outcomes after FESS based on the extent of surgical intervention.

Methods

Participants with CRS were prospectively enrolled into an ongoing, multi‐institutional, observational, cohort study. Surgical extent was determined by physician discretion. Participants undergoing bilateral frontal sinusotomy, ethmoidectomy, maxillary antrostomy, and sphenoidotomy were considered to have undergone “complete” surgery, whereas all other participants were categorized as receiving “targeted” surgery. Improvement was evaluated between surgical subgroups with at least 6‐month follow‐up using the 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22) and the Brief Smell Inventory Test (B‐SIT).

Results

A total of 311 participants met inclusion criteria with 147 subjects undergoing complete surgery and 164 targeted surgery. A higher prevalence of asthma, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) sensitivity, nasal polyposis, and a history of prior sinus surgery (p ≤ 0.002) was present in participants undergoing complete surgery. Mean improvement in SNOT‐22 (28.1 ± 21.9 vs 21.9 ± 20.6; p = 0.011) and B‐SIT (0.8 ± 3.1 vs 0.2 ± 2.4; p = 0.005) was greater in subjects undergoing complete surgery. Regression models demonstrated a 5.9 ± 2.5 greater relative mean improvement on SNOT‐22 total scores with complete surgery over targeted approaches (p = 0.016).

Conclusion

Complete surgery was an independent predictor of greater postoperative SNOT‐22 score improvement, yet did not achieve clinical significance. Further study is needed to determine the optimal surgical extent.
Changes in Cytokines and Aggrecan ARGS Neoepitope in Synovial Fluid and Serum and in C‐Terminal Crosslinking Telopeptide of Type II Collagen and N‐Terminal Crosslinking Telopeptide of Type I Collagen in Urine Over Five Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture: An Exploratory Analysis in the Knee Anterior Cruciate Ligament, Nonsurgical Versus Surgical Treatment Trial
Authors: Struglics André , Larsson Staffan , Kumahashi Nobuyuki , Frobell Richard , Lohmander L. Stefan
Published: April 2015

Objective

To prospectively monitor levels of proinflammatory cytokines and aggrecan ARGS neoepitope in synovial fluid and serum as well as levels of C‐terminal crosslinking telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX‐II) and N‐terminal crosslinking telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX‐I) in urine after acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture.

Methods

Synovial fluid, serum, and urine were collected from 121 adults on 6 occasions over 5 years after acute ACL injury. Reference samples were obtained from subjects without knee injury. Concentrations of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐8, IL‐10, interferon‐γ (IFNγ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), aggrecan ARGS neoepitope, CTX‐II, and NTX‐I were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Shortly after ACL injury, cytokine concentrations in synovial fluid were elevated 6‐fold (TNF) to 1,050‐fold (IL‐6) compared to reference levels, while concentrations of aggrecan ARGS neoepitope in synovial fluid and serum and CTX‐II in urine were elevated 1.4‐fold to 8‐fold. Thereafter, concentrations of cytokines and aggrecan ARGS neoepitope in synovial fluid decreased with different half‐lives (in years: IL‐6 0.9, IL‐8 2.2, IL‐10 2.3, IFNγ 3.1, TNF 3.6, aggrecan ARGS neoepitope 4.0). After 5 years, the TNF concentration in synovial fluid remained higher than the reference level. There was a correlation between the concentrations of aggrecan ARGS neoepitope in synovial fluid and serum (rs = 0.36). Concentrations of aggrecan ARGS neoepitope in synovial fluid and of CTX‐II and NTX‐I in urine were correlated with concentrations of cytokines in synovial fluid (rs = 0.41–0.49 and rs = 0.21–0.31, respectively).

Conclusion

Acute ACL injury induced highly increased levels of inflammatory cytokines in the joint, and these were associated with proteolysis of aggrecan and type II collagen. Cytokine levels remained increased up to 5 years after injury, indicative of extended local inflammation in the joint.
Large‐scale adenovirus and poxvirus‐vectored vaccine manufacturing to enable clinical trials
Authors: Kallel Héla , Kamen Amine A.
Published: April 2015

Efforts to make vaccines against infectious diseases and immunotherapies for cancer have evolved to utilize a variety of heterologous expression systems such as viral vectors. These vectors are often attenuated or engineered to safely deliver genes encoding antigens of different pathogens. Adenovirus and poxvirus vectors are among the viral vectors that are most frequently used to develop prophylactic vaccines against infectious diseases as well as therapeutic cancer vaccines. This mini‐review describes the trends and processes in large‐scale production of adenovirus and poxvirus vectors to meet the needs of clinical applications. We briefly describe the general principles for the production and purification of adenovirus and poxvirus viral vectors. Currently, adenovirus and poxvirus vector manufacturing methods rely on well‐established cell culture technologies. Several improvements have been evaluated to increase the yield and to reduce the overall manufacturing cost, such as cultivation at high cell densities and continuous downstream processing. Additionally, advancements in vector characterization will greatly facilitate the development of novel vectored vaccine candidates.
The stage‐specific in vitro efficacy of a malaria antigen cocktail provides valuable insights into the development of effective multi‐stage vaccines
Authors: Spiegel Holger , Boes Alexander , Kastilan Robin , Kapelski Stephanie , Edgue Güven , Beiss Veronique , Chubodova Ivana , Scheuermayer Matthias , Pradel Gabriele , Schillberg Stefan , Reimann Andreas , Fischer Rainer
Published: April 2015

Multicomponent vaccines targeting different stages of Plasmodium falciparum represent a promising, holistic concept towards better malaria vaccines. Additionally, an effective vaccine candidate should demonstrate cross‐strain specificity because many antigens are polymorphic, which can reduce vaccine efficacy. A cocktail of recombinant fusion proteins (VAMAX‐Mix) featuring three diversity‐covering variants of the blood‐stage antigen PfAMA1, each combined with the conserved sexual‐stage antigen Pfs25 and one of the pre‐erythrocytic‐stage antigens PfCSP_TSR or PfCelTOS, or the additional blood‐stage antigen PfMSP1_19, was produced in Pichia pastoris and used to immunize rabbits. The immune sera and purified IgG were used to perform various assays determining antigen specific titers and in vitro efficacy against different parasite stages and strains. In functional in vitro assays we observed robust inhibition of blood‐stage (up to 90%), and sexual‐stage parasites (up to 100%) and biased inhibition of pre‐erythrocytic parasites (0–40%). Cross‐strain blood‐stage efficacy was observed in erythrocyte invasion assays using four different P. falciparum strains. The quantification of antigen‐specific IgGs allowed the determination of specific IC50 values. The significant difference in antigen‐specific IC50 requirements, the direct correlation between antigen‐specific IgG and the relative quantitative representation of antigens within the cocktail, provide valuable implementations for future multi‐stage, multi‐component vaccine designs.
The Irony of Social Trust: Individual‐level and Contextual‐level Links with Protest Intention and Radical Right Support in Switzerland
Authors: Glaeser Stephanie
Published: April 2015

This research examines how social trust translates into dynamics of mobilisation for inclusion or exclusion in Swiss cantons by studying how social trust is linked to equality‐directed protest intention versus radical right support, comparing individual‐level and contextual‐level relationships. The study is based on data from the Swiss Household Panel collected between 2002 and 2008. The impact of individual‐level and contextual‐level social trust is analysed in three‐level regression models of repeated observations, nested in individuals who are nested in cantons. The results indicate complex patterns that depend on the level at which social trust is assessed and confirm the need for a contextualised view of social trust and social capital. For individuals, higher social trust is associated with higher protest intention and lower radical right support. However, in cantons characterised by higher rates of social trust, individuals are less likely to engage in protest actions and more likely to support the radical right. Further analyses show that canton‐level social trust is intertwined with other contextual factors, suggesting that in certain configurations, that is, combined with low levels of cultural and social diversity, climates of social trust may be linked to more restricted forms of solidarity and the persistence of inequality. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.