bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct effect of dsRNA mimetics on cancer cells induces endogenous IFN‐β production capable of improving dendritic cell function
Authors: Gatti Gerardo , Nuñez Nicolás Gonzalo , Nocera David Andrés , Dejager Lien , Libert Claude , Giraudo Constancio , Maccioni Mariana
Published: May 2013

Viral double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) mimetics have been explored in cancer immunotherapy to promote antitumoral immune response. Polyinosine–polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) and polyadenylic–polyuridylic acid (poly A:U) are synthetic analogs of viral dsRNA and strong inducers of type I interferon (IFN). We describe here a novel effect of dsRNA analogs on cancer cells: besides their potential to induce cancer cell apoptosis through an IFN‐β autocrine loop, dsRNA‐elicited IFN‐β production improves dendritic cell (DC) functionality. Human A549 lung and DU145 prostate carcinoma cells significantly responded to poly I:C stimulation, producing IFN‐β at levels that were capable of activating STAT1 and enhancing CXCL10, CD40, and CD86 expression on human monocyte‐derived DCs. IFN‐β produced by poly I:C‐activated human cancer cells increased the capacity of monocyte‐derived DCs to stimulate IFN‐γ production in an allogeneic stimulatory culture in vitro. When melanoma murine B16 cells were stimulated in vitro with poly A:U and then inoculated into TLR3−/− mice, smaller tumors were elicited. This tumor growth inhibition was abrogated in IFNAR1−/− mice. Thus, dsRNA compounds are effective adjuvants not only because they activate DCs and promote strong adaptive immunity, but also because they can directly act on cancer cells to induce endogenous IFN‐β production and contribute to the antitumoral response.
Engineering an industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain with the inulinase gene for more efficient ethanol production from Jerusalem artichoke tubers
Authors: Yuan Wen‐Jie , Li Nan‐Nan , Zhao Xin‐Qing , Chen Li‐Jie , Kong Liang , Bai Feng‐Wu
Published: May 2013

Engineering industrial microbial strains with inulinase production for developing a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) strategy is a desirable solution to biofuel production from Jerusalem artichoke tubers. In this study, the integrative vector pFA6a‐rDNA‐PGK‐INU was generated by fusing the 3.3‐kb ribosomal DNA fragment with the phosphoglycerate kinase promoter to regulate the expression of the inulinase gene isolated from Kluyveromyces marxianus, which was then integrated into the chromosome of an industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain for ethanol production from Jerusalem artichoke tubers. Compared to the host strain, no significant difference was observed in the growth of the recombinant yeast, but its inulinase production was enhanced: 22.9 versus 10.6 U/mL for aerobic seed cultures and 14.5 versus 10.0 U/mL for ethanol fermentation, which consequently facilitated the CBP process for ethanol production: 72.5 g/L ethanol produced in a fermentation time of 48 h, while only 67.0 g/L ethanol was produced by the host strain in a fermentation time of 60 h. Thus, the ethanol productivity was increased from 1.12 to 1.51 g/L/h, presenting an increase of 34.8%.
The interactive effect of an emerging infectious disease and an emerging contaminant on Woodhouse's toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) tadpoles
Authors: Brown Jennifer R. , Miiller Tyler , Kerby Jacob L.
Published: May 2013

Two factors that influence amphibian population declines are infectious diseases and exposure to anthropogenic contaminants. The authors examined an emerging fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), and its interaction with an emerging contaminant, the antimicrobial triclosan. They first conducted a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial study to examine the interactive impacts of dragonfly predator cues, Bd, and triclosan (0 µg/L, 10 µg/L, 100 µg/L, and 1000 µg/L) on Woodhouse's toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) tadpoles. The authors measured the lethal and sublethal impacts of these stressors on tadpoles over 4 wk. All tadpoles in the 100-µg/L and 1000-µg/L concentrations of triclosan died within 24 h of exposure, but tadpoles in the low concentration (10 µg/L) survived. Tadpoles exposed to only Bd (no triclosan) exhibited a low survival rate (67.5%), whereas those exposed to both 10 µg/L triclosan and Bd exhibited a high survival rate (91.1%), implying that triclosan inhibits effects of Bd on tadpoles. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and predator cue exposure individually increased the developmental rate of the surviving tadpoles, but this effect was absent when these factors were combined with triclosan. In a follow-up study, the authors found Bd growth in culture was significantly inhibited at the 10-µg/L concentration of triclosan and completely inhibited at 100 µg/L. These findings suggest that interactions among multiple stressors can be complex and require examination in conjunction with one another to evaluate actual impacts to aquatic fauna. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2003–2008. © 2013 SETAC
Testing for Modes of Inheritance Involving Compound Heterozygotes
Authors: Bacanu Silviu‐Alin
Published: May 2013

Functional variants change the protein product or the expression of genes. Due to the latest advances in sequencing technology, most known functional variants can now be assayed in a cost‐effective manner. However, to fully use the information from functional variants, researchers need to model the joint effect of these variants. In this article, we propose methods that model the action/interaction of loss‐of‐function (LOF) mutations, i.e., those mutations that eliminate the protein product of a gene. When multiple LOFs occur in the same causal gene/region, their effect on a phenotype might depend on whether these mutations lie on the same DNA strand/haplotype. When compared to LOFs occurring on the same strand, if these mutations lie on different strands, both copies of the gene are impaired and the impact on the relevant phenotypes is likely to be more severe. To use the information from LOF strand colocalization, we propose three methods that utilize the information from the estimated number of affected strands. We compare the performance of the proposed and competing methods by using simulations of common and rare LOF variants. Two of the proposed methods exhibited desirable power profiles, the first for both common and rare LOFs and the second only for common LOFs. One of the existing methods, collapsed double heterozygosity, exhibits good power to detect compound models for rare variants, especially when no haplotype harbors two or more rare alleles. Consequently, we recommend these three methods to be used for the analysis of functional variants coming from sequencing studies.
Observations of core‐mantle boundary Stoneley modes
Authors: Koelemeijer Paula , Deuss Arwen , Ritsema Jeroen
Published: May 2013

Core‐mantle boundary (CMB) Stoneley modes represent a unique class of normal modes with extremely strong sensitivity to wave speed and density variations in the D” region. We measure splitting functions of eight CMB Stoneley modes using modal spectra from 93 events with Mw> 7.4 between 1976 and 2011. The obtained splitting function maps correlate well with the predicted splitting calculated for S20RTS+Crust5.1 structure and the distribution of Sdiff and Pdiff travel time anomalies, suggesting that they are robust. We illustrate how our new CMB Stoneley mode splitting functions can be used to estimate density variations in the Earth's lowermost mantle.
Is the trend in TEJ reversing over the Indian subcontinent?
Authors: Venkat Ratnam M. , Krishna Murthy B. V. , Jayaraman A.
Published: May 2013

Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) is mainly characterized by seasonal wind reversal in low level jet stream and tropical easterly jet (TEJ) among several other elements of monsoon systems. TEJ is observed in general between 100 and 150 hPa during June–September over the Indian region and its strength is directly related to the monsoon rainfall. In the context of changing climate, large reduction in its extent and weakening of its strength were reported. Using high resolution measurements, we report here the observation of a sharp strengthening of the TEJ during the recent warmest decade (2001–2010), reaching its 1970s value. We also show that this change is reflected in the tropical cyclone systems and finally on the precipitation patterns over the Indian region as they are interlinked. We attribute this unusual change partly to the change in the circulation due to the tropospheric warming and lower stratospheric ozone recovery.
Variability of central United States April–May tornado day likelihood by phase of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation
Authors: Barrett Bradford S. , Gensini Victor A.
Published: May 2013

April–May tornado day likelihood from 1990 to 2011 was calculated for the central United States for phases of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO). An April tornado day was found more likely during MJO phases 6 and 8 and less likely during phases 3, 4, and 7. A May tornado day was found more likely during phases 5 and 8 and less likely in phases 2 and 3. During phases with above‐normal tornado day likelihoods, positive anomalies of convective available potential energy, bulk vertical wind shear, and storm‐relative helicity were found in the central United States. Negative anomalies were found during phases with below‐normal tornado day likelihoods. Anomalies of such environmental parameters were connected to the MJO via variability in tropospheric circulation. These results provide an important starting point for extended range prediction of U.S. tornado activity.
Prospective associations between benzodiazepine use and later life satisfaction, somatic pain and psychological health among the elderly
Authors: Nordfjærn Trond
Published: May 2013

Objective

This study aimed to investigate prospective associations between benzodiazepine use and later life satisfaction, sleep difficulties, perceived general health, anxiety symptoms and somatic pain among the elderly.

Methods

A 13‐year prospective cohort study was conducted in a Norwegian population‐based sample of 15 830 elderly individuals. Baseline control measures of the investigated psychological constructs and a wide range of demographic and health‐relevant covariates were obtained from the Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT 2, 1995–1997). Follow‐up data were obtained from the third wave (HUNT 3, 2006–2008) of the same epidemiological study. The Norwegian Prescription Database (2004–2008) was used to link pharmacy prescription records of benzodiazepines for each case to the HUNT 2 and HUNT 3 materials.

Results

Use of benzodiazepines was associated with less life satisfaction and more sleep difficulties at follow‐up. These tendencies increased by more frequent patterns of use. Benzodiazepine use had relatively weak relations to perceived general health, but intermittent and chronic use was related to higher anxiety symptoms at follow‐up. Such patterns were also modestly related to somatic pain at follow‐up.

Discussion and conclusion

Benzodiazepines should be dispensed at a high‐threshold policy among the elderly. By developing clear‐cut discontinuation plans, clinicians could avoid chronic use and focus on psychosocial treatment for psychological disorders. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proposal for a “Harmonized” strategy for the assessment of the HP 14 property
Authors: Pandard Pascal , Römbke Jörg
Published: May 2013

In Europe, the decision whether waste is hazardous or not is based on 15 properties, among them the HP 14 property (“ecotoxic”: waste that presents or may present immediate or delayed risks for 1 or more sectors of the environment). This document describes a strategy for assessing the HP 14 property, based on a combination of 2 approaches: the summation of classified compounds in the waste carried out according to the regulation on Classification, Labeling and Packaging (CLP) of substances and mixtures and the usage of the results of biotests performed on waste eluates and solid wastes. The proposal is based mainly on recommendations of a European ring test carried out in 2007, the work performed in the CEN/TC 292/WG 7 standardization working group, and the results of various research projects regarding the ecotoxicological characterization of waste carried out mainly in France and Germany. Examples are provided showing that, using this approach, a distinction between hazardous and nonhazardous wastes is possible, independent of which type of threshold values is used (currently, both effect concentrations [EC] or lowest ineffective dilutions [LID] values have been used successfully). Furthermore, a battery of tests (3 using waste eluates and 3 using solid waste samples, plus, under certain conditions, a genotoxicity test) is recommended for the ecotoxicological testing of wastes. We propose to consider this combined approach when defining the legal requirements for the ecotoxicological classification of wastes. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2013;9:665–672. © 2013 SETAC
Do invasive populations of topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva, Temminck and Schlegel) from disturbed and undisturbed habitats follow different life‐histories?
Authors: Záhorská Eva , Švolíková Kristína , Kováč Vladimír
Published: May 2013

Life‐histories of organisms are closely associated with their ontogenetic trajectories that result from an interplay between genes and environment. Ontogeny supplies the organisms with a potential to generate a variety of phenotypes, an emergent property that is essential for species to survive in various environments and/or to establish self‐sustaining populations in novel environments. Topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) is one of the most invasive species in Europe. Life‐history traits of three populations of topmouth gudgeon from habitats exposed to disturbances of different intensity were analysed in this study. The main aim was to execute the first statistical test of the hypothesis of alternative ontogenies and invasive potential. To test this hypothesis, quantitative life‐history traits, such as absolute and relative fecundity, size of oocytes, size at maturation, and annual gonadosomatic index variation in the three populations of topmouth gudgeon were examined and evaluated statistically. Two of three quantitative parameters of life‐history traits support the hypothesis, whereas the third one remains equivocal but not enough to falsify it.
Professional Resources
Authors: Draper Roni Jo
Published: May 2013

This column provides reviews of adolescent and adult professional resources and provides a valuable resource for professional resource selection in‒ and outside the classroom.
Writing in the Wild: Writers’ Motivation in Fan‐Based Affinity Spaces
Authors: Curwood Jen Scott , Magnifico Alecia Marie , Lammers Jayne C.
Published: May 2013

In order to understand the culture of the physical, virtual, and blended spheres that adolescents inhabit, we build on Gee's concept of affinity spaces. Drawing on our ethnographic research of adolescent literacies related to The Hunger Games novels, the Neopets online game, and The Sims videogames, this article explores the nature of interest‐driven writing in these spaces. We argue that fan‐based affinity spaces motivate young adults to write because they offer multiple modes of representation, diverse pathways to participation, and an authentic audience. As scholars and educators, we posit that these out‐of‐school spaces can offer youth new purposes, modes, and tools for their written work.
Critical Literacy and the Ethical Responsibilities of Student Media Production
Authors: Parker Jessica K.
Published: May 2013

Today's complex literate environments require contemporary authors to focus on the ethical responsibilities of media creation. This study highlights 12th graders in California who produced a documentary on Latino immigration and chronicles the complex interactions between student‐generated media, critical literacy, and ethics. Findings highlight two interrelated ethical tensions related to the filmmaker–subject relationship: the intertwined issues related to reciprocity and relations of power and the personal and political representation of Latino immigration to the United States. An essential component of critical literacy is for students to develop meta‐awareness of the choices they make within media production: to reflect on one's choices and the potential impact of these choices on others. Educators should recognize the ethical responsibilities of media making such as students’ interpersonal relationships and potential sociopolitical issues of representation.
From Playbuilding to Devising in Literacy Education: Aesthetic and Pedagogical Approaches
Authors: Perry Mia , Wessels Anne , Wager Amanda C.
Published: May 2013

The field of literacy education encompasses many different modalities of reading and writing the world, including those of drama, theatre, and performance practiced in both school and community settings. As contemporary theatre practices have broadened performance creation approaches available to literacy and arts educators working with youth and adults, playbuilding and devising offer two modes of creating student‐authored collective performance. Although the processes of playbuilding and devising overlap, they differ in both intention and practice. Both approaches include important frameworks and possibilities for work across literacy education. Following a discussion on the connections between literacy and drama in education, this paper introduces the forms of playbuilding and devising, followed by step‐by‐step illustrations of the practices at work in classrooms. This article, then, acts as an invitation to explore these two vehicles of performance creation in educational and literacy contexts.
Appropriating Language in Urban Classes via Rap Parties
Authors: Scott Lakia
Published: May 2013

This column features essays written by current middle school and high school teachers, media specialists, librarians, literacy coaches, curriculum specialists, administrators, preservice teachers, teacher educators, and adolescent and adult learners. They highlight diverse perspectives on teaching and/or learning with literacies to inspire reader reflection.
Inferring the Evolution of Teleostean zp Genes Based on Their Sites of Expression
Authors: SANO KAORI , KAWAGUCHI MARI , WATANABE SATOSHI , NAGAKURA YOSHITOMO , HIRAKI TAKASHI , YASUMASU SHIGEKI
Published: May 2013

Fish egg envelopes consist of several glycoproteins, called zona pellucida (ZP) proteins, which are conserved among chordates. Euteleosts synthesize ZP proteins in the liver, while elopomorphs synthesize them in the ovaries. In Cypriniformes, zp genes are expressed in the ovaries. We investigated the zp genes of two Otocephalan orders: Clupeiformes (Pacific herring and Japanese anchovy) and Gonorynchiformes (milkfish), which diverged earlier than Cypriniformes. cDNA cloning of zp gene homologs revealed that Pacific herring and Japanese anchovy possessed both ovary‐ and liver‐expressed zp genes; however, the zp genes of milkfish were only expressed in the ovaries. Molecular phylogenetic analysis showed that ovary‐ and liver‐expressed zpc genes of two the Clupeiformes formed independent clades. Based on this, we hypothesized the evolution of teleostean zp genes, focusing on the organ expressing zp gene. As in other chordates, the original site of expression of zp genes was likely the ovary. In the early stage of teleostean evolution, the ancestral zp genes acquired the ability to express in the liver. Later, one of the two expression sites became dominant. The liver‐expressed zp genes are component proteins of the egg envelope in the Euteleostei. In Otocephala, Clupeiformes possess both ovary‐ and liver‐expressed genes that presumably participate in egg envelope formation, whereas the Gonorynchiformes and Cypriniformes have primarily preserved ovary expressed zp genes. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 320B:332–343, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanistic and functional aspects of the interaction of AR‐23 with mammalian cell membrane and improvement of branched polyethylenimine‐mediated gene transfection
Authors: Ma Qian , Tan Ying‐Xia , Chen Chong , Wang Ying‐Li , Li Su‐Bo , Gao Hong‐Wei , Bao Guo‐Qiang , Gong Feng , Ji Shou‐Ping
Published: May 2013

Background

Previous studies have suggested that reducing the positive charge of melittin could increase endosomal release activity and improve branched polyethylenimine (BPEI)‐mediated transfection. AR‐23 is a melittin‐related peptide from Rana tagoi, which shows 81% sequence identity with melittin but has less positively‐charged residues than melittin. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanistic and functional aspects of the interaction of AR‐23 with mammalian cells and thus improve BPEI‐mediated gene transfection.

Methods

AR23 and two AR‐23 analogs (AR‐20 without positively‐charged residues and AR‐26 with the same positively‐charged residues as melittin) were analyzed. Circular dichroism (CD) spectrometry was used to analyze the secondary structures of the peptides. Peptide‐induced depolarization of cell membrane, the membrane‐lytic activity of the peptides, and their potency with respect to enhancing the cellular uptake of calcein were evaluated. The physicochemical characters of complexes were measured and the effect of the peptides on BPEI‐mediated transfection was determined.

Results

The CD spectra results indicated that a positive charge in AR‐23 played a crucial role in maintaining the α‐helical conformation, whereas an extra positive charge could not increase α‐helical formation. AR‐23 displayed a similar depolarization ability to melittin. However, AR‐23 showed a lower membrane lytic activity under physiological conditions and a higher lytic activity at endosomal pH than melittin and AR‐26, which possess more positive charges. Compared to melittin and AR‐26, AR‐23, with a higher endosomal escaping activity, resulted in a higher enhancement of BPEI‐mediated gene transfection, as well as the maintainance of a lower cytotoxicity.

Conclusions

We suggest that AR‐23 may be considered as a potential enhancer for improving the transfection efficiency of cationic polymers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Persistent, widespread pulsating aurora: A case study
Authors: Jones S. L. , Lessard M. R. , Rychert K. , Spanswick E. , Donovan E. , Jaynes A. N.
Published: May 2013

Observations of a pulsating aurora event occurring on 11 February 2008, using the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) All‐Sky Imager (ASI) array, indicate a spatially and temporally continuous event with a duration of greater than 15 h and covering a region with a maximum size of greater than 10 h magnetic local time. The optical pulsations are at times locally interrupted or drowned out by auroral substorm activity but are observed in the same location once the discrete aurora recedes. The pulsations following the auroral breakup appear to be brighter and have a larger patch size than before breakup. This suggests that, while the onset of pulsating aurora is not necessarily dependent upon a substorm precursor, the pulsations are affected and possibly enhanced by the substorm process. The long duration of this pulsating aurora event, lasting approximately 8 h without interruption as imaged from Gillam station, is significantly longer than the typical 2–3 h substorm recovery phase, suggesting that pulsating aurora is not strictly a recovery phase phenomenon. This paper is accompanied by a movie of the THEMIS ASI array data, from 0000 to 1715 UT, plotted in mosaic and superimposed onto a map of North America.
Heliolatitudinal and time variations of the solar wind mass flux: Inferences from the backscattered solar Lyman‐alpha intensity maps
Authors: Katushkina O. A. , Izmodenov V. V. , Quemerais E. , Sokół J. M.
Published: May 2013

Recently Sokół et al. (2012) have presented a reconstruction of heliolatitudinal and time variations of the solar wind speed and density. Method of the reconstruction was based on the following: (i) measurements of the interplanetary scintillations, (ii) OMNI‐2 solar wind data in the ecliptic plane, and (iii) Ulysses solar wind data out of the ecliptic plane. In this paper we use hydrogen charge exchange rates derived from their results as input parameters to calculate the interstellar hydrogen distribution in the heliosphere in the frame of our 3‐D time‐dependent kinetic model. The hydrogen distribution is then used to calculate the backscattered solar Lyman‐alpha intensity maps. The theoretical Lyman‐alpha maps are compared with the SOHO/SWAN measurements during maximum and minimum of the solar cycle activity. We found that in the solar minimum there is a quite good agreement between the model results and the SWAN data, but in the solar maximum sky maps of the Lyman‐alpha, intensities are qualitatively different for the model results and observations. Physical reasons of the differences are discussed.
On the influence of open magnetic flux on substorm intensity: Ground‐ and space‐based observations
Authors: Clausen L. B. N. , Milan S. E. , Baker J. B. H. , Ruohoniemi J. M. , Glassmeier K.‐H. , Coxon J. C. , Anderson B. J.
Published: May 2013

Using the location of maximum region 1 current determined by the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment as a proxy for the open/closed field line boundary, we monitor the evolution of the amount of open magnetic flux inside the magnetosphere during 772 substorms. We then divide all substorms into three classes, depending on the amount of open flux at expansion phase onset. Studying the temporal variations during the substorms of each class for a number of related geophysical parameters, we find that substorms occurring while the amount of open flux is large are generally more intense. By intense we mean that the auroral electrojet, region 1 current, auroral brightness, tail dipolarization and flow speed, ground magnetic signatures, Pi2 wave power, as well as the intensity and extent of the substorm current wedge (SCW) are all larger than during substorms that occur on a contracted polar cap. The SCW manifests itself as an intensification of the nightside R1 and R2 current system after onset. Our analysis shows that to dispose of large amounts of accumulated open magnetic flux, large substorms are triggered in the terrestrial magnetosphere.
Estimating the direct radiative effect of absorbing aerosols overlying marine boundary layer clouds in the southeast Atlantic using MODIS and CALIOP
Authors: Meyer Kerry , Platnick Steven , Oreopoulos Lazaros , Lee Dongmin
Published: May 2013

Absorbing aerosols such as smoke strongly absorb solar radiation, particularly at ultraviolet and visible/near‐infrared (VIS/NIR) wavelengths, and their presence above clouds can have considerable implications. It has been previously shown that they have a positive (i.e., warming) direct aerosol radiative effect (DARE) when overlying bright clouds. Additionally, they can cause biased passive instrument satellite retrievals in techniques that rely on VIS/NIR wavelengths for inferring the cloud optical thickness (COT) and effective radius (re) of underlying clouds, which can in turn yield biased above‐cloud DARE estimates. Here we investigate Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud optical property retrieval biases due to overlying absorbing aerosols observed by Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) and examine the impact of these biases on above‐cloud DARE estimates. The investigation focuses on a region in the southeast Atlantic Ocean during August and September (2006–2011), where smoke from biomass burning in southern Africa overlies persistent marine boundary layer stratocumulus clouds. Adjusting for above‐cloud aerosol attenuation yields increases in the regional mean liquid COT (averaged over all ocean‐only liquid clouds) by roughly 6%; mean re increases by roughly 2.6%, almost exclusively due to the COT adjustment in the non‐orthogonal retrieval space. It is found that these two biases lead to an underestimate of DARE. For liquid cloud Aqua MODIS pixels with CALIOP‐observed above‐cloud smoke, the regional mean above‐cloud radiative forcing efficiency (DARE per unit aerosol optical depth (AOD)) at time of observation (near local noon for Aqua overpass) increases from 50.9Wm−2AOD−1 to 65.1Wm−2AOD−1 when using bias‐adjusted instead of nonadjusted MODIS cloud retrievals.
Legacy mercury and stoichiometry with C, N, and S in soil, pore water, and stream water across the upland‐wetland interface: The influence of hydrogeologic setting
Authors: Demers Jason D. , Yavitt Joseph B. , Driscoll Charles T. , Montesdeoca Mario R.
Published: May 2013

Mechanisms influencing retention, biogeochemical cycling, and release of legacy mercury within soils of forests and wetlands remain poorly understood. We quantified mercury pool size and stoichiometry with carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur across forest‐wetland transects and among wetlands of different hydrogeologic settings in the Adirondack region of New York State. Average total mercury pool size in soils (to 50 cm depth) was greater in forests (17.5 mg/m2) than in wetlands (6.1 mg/m2; p < 0.010). The average mercury pool size (to 50 cm depth) in shallow‐peat riparian wetlands (9.3 mg/m2) was greater than in deep‐peat riparian (5.4 mg/m2; p = 0.099) or headwater wetlands (3.6 mg/m2; p = 0.046). Accumulation of mercury was enhanced at the forest‐wetland interface. In mineral horizons of the forest soil and in shallow‐peat riparian wetlands, mercury was positively correlated with carbon (r2 = 0.73‐0.96) and nitrogen (r2 = 0.82‐0.93), but not sulfur. In contrast, mercury and sulfur were strongly correlated in headwater wetland peat (r2 = 0.73). Dissolved mercury was correlated with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in pore water and stream water of deep‐peat and shallow‐peat riparian wetlands (r2 = 0.46‐0.73), but not in headwater wetland pore water. In headwater outlet streams, dissolved mercury was correlated with DOC (r2 = 0.62), but the slope was only one third that in riparian streams. Hydrogeologic setting influences decomposition processes, biogeochemical cycling of mercury, and hydrologic transport that in turn, govern the size and stoichiometry of mercury pools across the upland‐wetland interface and among different wetland types. Ultimately, mobilization of legacy mercury into aquatic ecosystems from forest soils and wetlands likely depends upon decomposition dynamics and hydrologic flow paths.
Highly accelerated cardiac cine phase‐contrast MRI using an undersampled radial acquisition and temporally constrained reconstruction
Authors: Hulet Jordan P. , Greiser Andreas , Mendes Jason K. , McGann Chris , Treiman Gerald , Parker Dennis L.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

To evaluate a method to enable single‐slice or multiple‐slice cine phase contrast (cine‐PC) acquisition during a single breath‐hold using a highly sparsified radial acquisition ordering and temporally constrained image reconstruction with a spatially varying temporal constraint.

Materials and Methods

Simulated and in vivo cine‐PC datasets of the proximal ascending aorta were obtained at different acceleration factors using a view projection acquisition order optimized for temporally constrained reconstruction (TCR). Reconstruction of the sparse cine‐PC data performed with TCR was compared to reconstructions using zero‐filled regridding and temporal interpolation.

Results

TCR resulted in more accurate velocity measurements than regridding or temporal interpolation. In one dataset, TCR of undersampled in vivo data (16 views per cardiac phase) resulted in a peak systolic velocity within 3.3% of the value measured by Doppler ultrasound while shortening the scan time to 13 seconds. High temporal‐resolution undersampled TCR was also compared lower temporal‐resolution, more highly sampled, regridding in three normal volunteers.

Conclusion

TCR proved to be an effective method for reconstructing undersampled radial PC data. Although TCR utilizes a temporal constraint, temporal blurring was minimized by using appropriate constraint weights in addition to a spatially varying temporal constraint. TCR allowed for the acquisition time to be reduced to the duration of a breath‐hold, while still resulting in accurate velocity measurements. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:455–462. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Background parenchymal enhancement on breast MRI: Influence of menstrual cycle and breast composition
Authors: Kang Seok Seon , Ko Eun Young , Han Boo‐Kyung , Shin Jung Hee , Hahn Soo Yeon , Ko Eun Sook
Published: May 2013

Purpose

To evaluate the menstrual cycle and breast composition influence on background parenchymal enhancement of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to investigate the optimal time for breast MR examinations.

Materials and Methods

We evaluated the dynamic contrast‐enhanced breast MR images of 238 women who had completed a questionnaire survey about menstrual status. On MRI, the degree of enhancement (DE) of normal parenchyma was measured in the images 2 minutes and 6 minutes after contrast injection. A comparison between premenopausal and postmenopausal women and a separate comparison between dense breasts and fatty breasts were analyzed according to the premenopausal women's menstrual cycle.

Results

Premenopausal women showed significantly higher DE than the postmenopausal women (P < 0.001). In premenopausal women, overall DE of fatty breasts and dense breasts was not different. However, fatty breasts showed the highest DE in the 4th week and lowest DE in the 2nd week, while dense breasts showed the highest DE in the 3rd week and the lowest DE in the 4th week of menstrual cycle.

Conclusion

The influence of menstrual cycle on the enhancement of breast parenchyma is different according to the breast composition. The optimal time for breast MRI could be different for dense and fatty breasts.J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:526–534. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High‐power Full Penetration Welding Behavior
Authors: Romminger Volker , Haug Patrick , Speker Nicolai , Holzer Marco
Published: May 2013

Due to their different physical beam characteristics, there are fundamental differences in the process behavior of CO2 lasers and solid‐state lasers during deep penetration welding. High‐quality full penetration welds can be achieved in thick sheet metal with both beam sources. However, the beam sources differ in regards to productivity, process stability, and seam quality depending on the material being welded.
Three Instruments — One Result
Authors: Cary Allen
Published: May 2013

Measuring the propagation parameters of a laser beam is an important method of understanding the quality of the laser beam and predicting its performance for various laser applications. For this reason, it is one of the major specifications required by laser users and reported by laser manufacturers. There are three different types of instruments commercially available, and in this article we will explain the differences between them and the reasons for there being these different approaches to making this measurement. For purposes of illustration we will discuss the Spiricon M2‐200S, the Photon NanoModeScan, and the Photon M2‐1780.
Anti‐periodic solutions for a gradient system with resonance via a variational approach
Authors: Tian Yu , Henderson Johnny
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we investigate a second‐order resonance anti‐periodic boundary value problem

urn:x-wiley:dummy:mana201200110:equation:mana201200110-math-0001where is the m‐th eigenvalue of the corresponding eigenvalue problem. By using the dual least action principle, we obtain an existence result. In addition, we obtain the existence of 2T‐periodic solutions for .
Effect of platelet rich plasma and platelet rich fibrin on sciatic nerve regeneration in a rat model
Authors: Lichtenfels Martina , Colomé Lucas , Sebben Alessandra Deise , Braga‐Silva Jefferson
Published: May 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) on peripheral nerve repair. Thirty‐two Wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal treatments groups: autologous nerve grafts (ANG), silicon tube plus saline solution (SS), silicon tube plus PRP, and silicon tube plus PRF. In ANG group, 10 mm segment from sciatic nerve was excised and reimplanted between the nerve stumps. In the SS, PRP, and PRF groups, 5 mm segment from sciatic nerve was excised and bridged with a 12 mm silicone conduit to create a 10 mm nerve gap. The conduit was filled in accordance with the different treatments. Walking track analysis was performed periodically and on the 90th post‐operative day histomorphometric analysis was performed. The ANG, PRF, and PRP groups presented a significant functional improvement in relation to the SS group (P = 0.001) on 90 days after surgery. Histomorphometric analysis demonstrated that the ANG group achieved a larger nerve fiber diameter in proximal stump while comparing with the SS group (P =0.037) and showed larger fiber diameter in median stump in comparison to the PRP group (P = 0.002) and PRF group (P = 0.001). Axonal diameter and myelin sheath thickness showed no statistical significant difference between the groups in the three stumps (P ≥ 0.05). This study suggests that PRP and PRF have positive effects on the functional nerve recovery; however, these groups don't achieve a significant improvement on the histomorphometric analysis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 33:383–390, 2013.
Computation of the optimal value function in time‐dependent networks
Authors: Kluge Sebastian , Reif Konrad , Brokate Martin
Published: May 2013

We consider a time‐dependent network with a continuous‐time variable, in which time constraints are imposed both on the arrival times and on the waiting times at the nodes. Under certain continuity assumptions, we prove the existence of optimal paths, and we show that the optimal value function is lower‐semicontinuous. We present an exact solution algorithm, which computes both the optimal value function and the corresponding optimal paths. This algorithm is based on a Dijkstra‐like interpretation of a decreasing order of time algorithm, which allows the generalization of this method to a heuristic search algorithm. Moreover, we present an approximation procedure for the computation of the optimal value function and the corresponding optimal paths in a time‐dependent first‐in first‐out (FIFO) network. This method allows for the iterative construction of paths of monotone decreasing cost, starting from a path that is computable in polynomial time. We prove the correctness and termination of both algorithms. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2013
A coupled two‐scale shell model with applications to layered structures
Authors: Gruttmann F. , Wagner W.
Published: May 2013

In this paper a coupled two‐scale shell model is presented. A variational formulation and associated linearization for the coupled global–local boundary value problem is derived. For small strain problems, various numerical solutions are computed within the so‐called FE 2 method. The discretization of the shell is performed with quadrilaterals, whereas the local boundary value problems at the integration points of the shell are discretized using 8‐noded or 27‐noded brick elements or so‐called solid shell elements. At the bottom and top surface of the representative volume element stress boundary conditions are applied, whereas at the lateral surfaces the in‐plane displacements are prescribed. For the out‐of‐plane displacements link conditions are applied. The coupled nonlinear boundary value problems are simultaneously solved within a Newton iteration scheme. With an important test, the correct material matrix for the stress resultants assuming linear elasticity and a homogeneous continuum is verified.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Different or Equal Treatment? Donor Priority Strategy and Fundraising Performance Assessed by a Propensity Score Matching Study
Authors: Scherhag Christian , Boenigk Silke
Published: May 2013

Many nonprofit organizations apply a priority strategy to their donors instead of treating donors equally. The underlying assumption of this strategy is that different and preferential treatment of donors according to their donation amount positively affects fundraising performance. We conducted a propensity score matching study to analyze the fundraising strategies of seventy‐three cultural organizations in Germany. The empirical findings are discussed and complemented by qualitative data from twenty interviews with fundraising managers and private donors. The results show that, in terms of fundraising performance, nonprofit organizations that apply a donor priority strategy outperform organizations that treat donors equally. A donor priority strategy ultimately leads to a 125 euro higher total revenue per donor and an 87 euro higher profit per donor due to cost savings via better use of fundraising resources.
Terminal Pleistocene Later Stone Age Human Remains from the Mlambalasi Rock Shelter, Iringa Region, Southern Tanzania
Authors: Sawchuk Elizabeth A. , Willoughby Pamela R.
Published: May 2013

This paper introduces research at the Mlambalasi rock shelter in the Iringa Region of southern Tanzania. The deposits are composed of a historic and Iron Age occupation, a microlithic Holocene Later Stone Age (LSA), and then a macrolithic Late Pleistocene LSA. Middle Stone Age deposits are also present on the slope in front of the rock shelter. Excavations in A.D. 2002, 2006, and 2010 yielded fragmentary human remains as well as pottery, iron, stone tools, faunal bone, and glass and ostrich eggshell beads. Among the human remains, four individuals are present: two adults and a juvenile were found in the same LSA context, and another adult associated with the Iron Age/historic period. The most complete skeleton is an adult of indeterminate sex that was foundin situin an LSA deposit. Charcoal in proximity to the bone was AMS radiocarbon dated to 12,925 cal BC (OxA‐24620), which is consistent with radiocarbon dates on giant land snail shells from above and below the remains. The skeleton exhibits a series of pathological changes such as extensive dental wear and carious lesions, as well as damage most likely caused by termites, post‐mortem. The most striking aspect of this individual is its small size; stature and body mass estimations place it in the range of historic Khoesan from southern Africa. Consequently, this research adds to the discourse regarding the existence of small‐bodied people in the East African LSA. Findings from this new skeletal sample will contribute to studies of human biology and variation in Africa during the terminal Pleistocene and Holocene. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure and properties of heat‐resistant ABS resins innovated by NSM random copolymer
Authors: Dong Jianting , Zhao Chenyang , Tan Zaishang , Li Suming , Fan Zhongyong
Published: May 2013

N‐phenylmaleimide(NPMI)‐styrene(St)‐maleic anhydride (MAH) copolymer was synthesized in xylene solution by one‐step free radical copolymerization, using di‐tert‐butyl diperoxyterephthalate as initiator. The resulting heat‐resistant NPMI‐St‐MAH (NSM) copolymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, elemental analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐NMR and 13C‐NMR). The results show that NPMI‐St‐MAH exhibits a random sequence distribution with a NPMI: St: MAH weight ratio of 47:51:2. The glass transition temperature (Tg) is about 190.0°C. Blends of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) with various contents of NSM were prepared using a twin‐screw extruder, and the effects of NSM content on the thermal and mechanical properties of ABS blends were investigated. It was found that the Vicat softening point, tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and Rockwell hardness of the ABS/NSM blends were all significantly enhanced with increasing NSM content, whereas the impact strength shows the opposite trend. The impact fracture surface morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscope. It was revealed that cavitation and cavity coalescence resulted in the toughening of the material, which well accounts for the decrease of impact strength with increasing NSM content. In addition, the rheological properties of the blends were examined using a capillary rheometer. The blends present excellent processing property and are suitable for injection molding, although a pseudoplastic behavior was observed in all cases. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:920–928, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Validity of diagnostic codes and prevalence of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in a managed care population, 1996–2009
Authors: Asgari Maryam M. , Wu Jashin J. , Gelfand Joel M. , Salman Craig , Curtis Jeffrey R. , Harrold Leslie R. , Herrinton Lisa J.
Published: May 2013

Background

Few population‐based studies have reported the prevalence of psoriatic disease.

Objective

We validated computerized diagnoses to estimate the prevalence of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Method

We identified adults with ≥1 ICD‐9 diagnosis codes of 696.0 (psoriatic arthritis) or 696.1 (psoriasis) in clinical encounter data during 1996–2009 and used chart review to confirm the diagnoses in random samples of patients. We then used the best performing case‐finding algorithms to estimate the point prevalence of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Results

The number of persons with a diagnosis for psoriasis (ICD‐9 code 696.1) was 87 827. Chart review of a random sample of 101 cases with at least one dermatologist‐rendered psoriasis code revealed a positive predictive value (PPV) of 90% (95% CI, 83–95) with sensitivity of 88% (95% CI, 80–93). Psoriatic arthritis (code 696.0) was recorded for 5187 patients, with the best performing algorithm requiring ≥2 diagnoses recorded by a rheumatologist or ≥1 diagnosis recorded by a rheumatologist together with ≥1 psoriasis diagnoses recorded by a dermatologist; the PPV was 80% (95% CI, 70–88) with sensitivity 73% (95% CI, 63–82). Among KPNC adults, the point prevalence of psoriasis, with or without psoriatic arthritis, was 939 (95% CI, 765–1142) per 100 000, and the overall prevalence of psoriatic arthritis, with or without psoriasis, was 68 (95% CI, 54–84) per 100 000.

Conclusion

Within an integrated health care delivery system, the use of computerized diagnoses rendered by relevant disease specialists is a valid method for identifying individuals with psoriatic disease. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optische Wirbel
Authors: Zürch Michael , Kern Christian , Spielmann Christian
Published: May 2013

Wirbel sind ein bekanntes natürliches Phänomen, bei dem Masse in eine stabile Rotationsbewegung versetzt wird. Weniger bekannt ist, dass auch Lichtstrahlen in einen Zustand versetzt werden können, der in vielen Eigenschaften mit einem Wirbel vergleichbar ist. Unser Experiment hat gezeigt, dass sich solche optischen Verwirbelungen über einen großen Teil des elektromagnetischen Spektrums verpflanzen lassen, ohne dass sie dabei zusammenbrechen. Man kann diese Wirbel also im langwelligeren Bereich an starken Laserpulsen erzeugen und sie mit deren Hilfe theoretisch bis in den Röntgenbereich hoch transformieren. Gelungen ist dies bislang bis ins extreme Ultraviolette. Damit werden die Lichtwirbel für die Spektroskopie bestimmter Elektronenzustände, die Dunkelzustände, hochinteressant.
Zerstäuben großer Wassertropfen
Authors: Vollmer Michael , Möllmann Klaus‐Peter
Published: May 2013

In der Natur kommen Wassertropfen in verschiedenen Größen vor. Kleine Tröpfchen von etwa 10 μm sind üblich in Nebel und Wolken, während Regentropfen bis zu 5 mm Durchmesser erreichen können. Größere Tropfen können oszillieren, während kleinere im Allgemeinen kugelförmig sind. Offensichtlich können Wassertropfen nicht beliebig groß werden. Welche Faktoren beschränken die mögliche Größe?
Ton und Klang mit Audio Kit
Authors: Vogt Patrik , Kuhn Jochen , Wilhelm Thomas , Lück Stephan
Published: May 2013

Die App Audio Kit (für iPhone, iPod touch und iPad) ermöglicht es, Schallsignale zu analysieren und Töne definierter Frequenz zu generieren. Daraus ergeben sich vielfältige Experimentiermöglichkeiten im Bereich der Akustik. So lassen sich verschiedene Schallarten und die Klangfarbe von Instrumenten beispielsweise mit Fourier‐Analysen studieren.