bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Focus on Sounds to Focus on Words in English Pronunciation Instruction
Authors: Szpyra-Kozłowska Jolanta , Stasiak Sławomir
Published: October 2010

The paper addresses a very important aspect of Polish-accented English, namely the issue of frequent phonetic errors made by Polish learners which do not result from their inability to produce foreign sounds correctly, but which stem from various interference factors (e.g foreign pronounced as [fo’rejn]). Following Szpyra-Kozłowska’s (in press a) claims that such errors hinder successful communication far more than other segmental and suprasegmental inaccuracies and should thus be treated as a top pedagogical priority, what is suggested is a shift in phonetic instruction from the focus on the production of sounds and prosodies to the focus on the pronunciation of problematic words. Our major goal is to demonstrate how this proposal can be implemented in the language classroom. The authors present a report on the experiment in which a group of 25 Polish secondary school pupils has undergone a special training in the pronunciation of 50 commonly mispronounced words with the use of special, teacher-designed materials. The effectiveness of the employed procedure as well as the pupils’ reactions to it are examined and pedagogical conclusions are drawn.
Sound Symbolism in Foreign Language Phonological Acquisition
Authors: Wrembel Magdalena
Published: October 2010

The paper aims at investigating the idea of a symbolic nature of sounds and its implications for in the acquisition of foreign language phonology. Firstly, it will present an overview of universal trends in phonetic symbolism, i.e. non-arbitrary representations of a phoneme by specific semantic criteria. Secondly, the results of a preliminary study on different manifestations of sound symbolism including emotionally-loaded representations of phonemes and other synaesthetic associations shall be discussed. Finally, practical pedagogical implications of sound symbolism will be explored and a number of innovative classroom activities involving sound symbolic associations will be presented.
The European Union Innovation Performance in View of the Lisbon Strategy
Authors: Kasperkiewicz Witold , Kacprzyk Andrzej
Published: October 2010

The Lisbon Strategy was accepted by the European Council in March 2000 during the Lisbon summit. The Strategy is European Union’s answer to many challenges resulting from the economic globalization and the dynamic development of information technologies. The importance of these challenges is paramount. Hence, it has turned out that new strategies based on the principle of balanced development which would modernize the European economy are indispensable. Even though in the last decade of the 20th century integration process of Union’s economies underwent considerable intensification, they still could not outweigh the American economy in the technological race. As a result European economies became less competitive in comparison with the American counterpart. The rise in innovativeness of the EU economies plays a key role in the implementation of the major aims of the Lisbon Strategy. The ability to facilitate those innovations and to put them into practice have crucial importance for minimizing the economic distance between EU and US. The main aim of the paper is to present the innovativeness of European economies and Japan. The paper also evaluates the conditions and effects of the implementation of the strategic objectives of Lisbon Strategy. The paper is divided into four parts. First deals with the characteristics of the role of knowledge-based economy and innovativeness of the economic system in Lisbon Strategy. Second is devoted to the issue of innovativeness of the EU economies as compared to the US and Japan. Third presents evaluation of the Lisbon Strategy implementation. Fourth analyses the renewed Lisbon Strategy
Japan's new competitive advantage: the arguments and proposals for structural reorientation
Authors: Młodawska Jolanta
Published: October 2010

As forecasted by the Japanese government, the country’s economy will grow, although slowly. This expectation is determined by the risk that the labour market situation and the worldwide business cycle will keep deteriorating. It is believed that the economy will not be spurred by exports growing as a result of worldwide recovery, but rather by a series of stabilization packages and gradually expanding domestic demand61. The expectations should be treated with a great deal of cautiousness, because of the highly unpredictable rate of unemployment, the concerns about deflation and the probability of the global recession turning out more serious than expected. According to the AFP (Gazeta Wyborcza of 08 Dec. 2009), in the third quarter of 2009 the Japanese economy finally showed some signs of recovery and reached positive values; unemployment also dropped from 5.3% to 5.1% between September and October. The widespread opinion is that the recovery is very fragile, as proved by the steadily falling prices, deflation, and the rising yen exchange rate (the highest in the last 14 years – 84 yen to 1 US dollar), threatening the Japanese exports.
Childhood abuse and later worries about the baby's health in pregnancy
Authors: Eide Jorid , Hovengen Ragnhild , Nordhagen Rannveig
Published: October 2010

Objective. To explore the associations between sexual and/or physical abuse in childhood and worries about the baby's health in pregnancy. Design. Cross‐sectional questionnaire study. Setting. Norwegian prospective pregnancy cohort. Sample. An original sample of 58,139 pregnancies (1999–2006) covering about 43% of the pregnant population. Methods. Two self‐reported questionnaires in the 17th and 30th week of gestation were merged with data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Associations between physical and/or sexual childhood abuse and worries about the baby's health were assessed with multiple logistic regression analyses. Main outcome measures. Strong worries about the baby's health in the 30th week of gestation among women with experience of childhood abuse. Results. Women who reported being exposed to physical or sexual childhood abuse or a combination of the two were at increased risk of strong worries about the baby's health compared to women who had not been similarly exposed (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26–2.08; adjusted OR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.03–1.64; adjusted OR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.68–2.62, respectively). Marital status, adult abuse, pelvic pain, quality of antenatal care, self‐efficacy and previous birth experiences were also associated with concern about the baby's health. Conclusions. There were significant associations between physical and/or sexual childhood abuse and strong concern about the baby's health. Worries about the baby's health are complex and associated with many elements of risk.
Case Report: Schizophrenia Discovered during the Patient Interview in a Man with Shoulder Pain Referred for Physical Therapy
Authors: Shah Nirtal , Nakamura Yuka
Published: October 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate the importance of a thorough patient interview. The case involves a man referred for physical therapy for a musculoskeletal dysfunction; during the patient interview, a psychiatric disorder was recognized that was later identified as schizophrenia. A secondary purpose is to educate physical therapists on the recognizable signs and symptoms of schizophrenia.

Client description: A 19-year-old male patient with chronic shoulder, elbow, and wrist pain was referred for physical therapy. During the interview, the patient reported that he was receiving signals from an electronic device implanted in his body.

Measures and outcome: The physical therapist's initial assessment identified a disorder requiring medical referral. Further management of the patient's musculoskeletal dysfunction was not appropriate at this time.

Intervention: The patient was referred for further medical investigation, as he was demonstrating signs suggestive of a psychiatric disorder. The patient was diagnosed with schizophrenia by a psychiatrist and was prescribed Risperdal.

Implications: This case study reinforces the importance of a thorough patient interview by physical therapists to rule out non-musculoskeletal disorders. Patients seeking neuromusculoskeletal assessment and treatment may have undiagnosed primary or secondary psychiatric disorders that require recognition by physical therapists and possible medical referral.
An Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Programme: Description and Evaluation of Outcomes
Authors: Bosy Dan , Etlin David , Corey David , Lee John W.
Published: October 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this archival report is to describe the essential elements of an intensive 8-week interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programme (IPRP) with a cognitive–behavioural emphasis and the results that can be expected in treating patients with chronic pain conditions.

Method: This report describes a private outpatient program providing treatment services to patients with long-term disabling pain arising from work- or accident-related musculoskeletal injuries. The cohort consists of 338 consecutive patients who completed the program over a 3-year period (patients discharged between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2007).

Results: Improvements in vocational status were noted in 75% of patients with chronic pain. Patients were also able to reduce their pain levels by approximately 16% and to reduce their levels of anxiety and depression by 13% and 17% respectively. At the same time, 61% of patients were able to reduce or eliminate their pain medications.

Conclusions: Outcomes are consistent with evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the management of chronic pain conditions. The published literature supports the efficacy of this interdisciplinary approach in highly disabled patients for whom effective treatment has been delayed. Early intervention in the subacute phase is recommended for prevention of long-term disability in patients with chronic pain.
Modelling Knee Range of Motion Post Arthroplasty: Clinical Applications
Authors: Stratford Paul W. , Kennedy Deborah M. , Robarts Susan F.
Published: October 2010

Purpose: To model change in knee range of motion (ROM) post total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to show how this information can be incorporated into clinical decision making.

Method: We applied a variable-occasion repeated-measures study design. Patients' knee flexion and extension ROM were assessed pre- and post arthroplasty over the ensuing 60 weeks. We examined change in ROM post TKA using linear and nonlinear mixed-effects modelling, and examined whether age, body mass index, prearthroplasty ROM, and gender were determinants of recovery in post-arthroplasty ROM.

Results: Of 93 eligible patients, 74 provided pre- and post-arthroplasty data. A random intercept nonlinear model fit the flexion data best, and a random intercept linear model fit the extension data best. Pre-arthroplasty ROM was found to be a determinant of recovery in ROM post arthroplasty. This finding was common to both flexion and extension models.

Conclusions: Our study showed that the greatest improvement for knee ROM took place during the first 12 weeks post arthroplasty. Of the variables examined, only pre-arthroplasty ROM was a determinant of outcome (p<0.05). The study results provide clinicians with data to determine expected rates of improvement for patients as well as the projected maximum ROM, facilitating improved clinical decision making.
The Effect of Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy on Spasticity and Motor Function of the Affected Arm in Patients with Chronic Stroke
Authors: Siebers A. , Öberg U. , Skargren E.
Published: October 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) in a real-world clinical setting on spasticity and functional use of the affected arm and hand in patients with spastic chronic hemiplegia.

Method: A prospective consecutive quasi-experimental study design was used. Twenty patients with spastic hemiplegia (aged 22–67 years) were tested before and after 2-week modified CIMT in an outpatient rehabilitation clinic and at 6 months. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), active range of motion (AROM), grip strength, Motor Activity Log (MAL), Sollerman hand function test, and Box and Block Test (BBT) were used as outcome measures.

Results: Reductions (p<0.05–0.001) in spasticity (MAS) were seen both after the 2-week training period and at 6-month follow-up. Improvements were also seen in AROM (median change of elbow extension 5°, dorsiflexion of hand 10°), grip strength (20 Newton), and functional use after the 2-week training period (MAL: 1 point; Sollerman test: 8 points; BBT: 4 blocks). The improvements persisted at 6-month follow-up, except for scores on the Sollerman hand function test, which improved further.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that modified CIMT in an outpatient clinic may reduce spasticity and increase functional use of the affected arm in spastic chronic hemiplegia, with improvements persisting at 6 months.
Reliability of the Assessment of Mother–Infant Sensitivity—Chinese Version for Preterm and Term Taiwanese Mother–Infant Dyads
Authors: Wu Yen-Tzu , Lin Ui-Chih , Yu Yen-Ting , Hsieh Wu-Shiun , Hsu Chyong-Hsin , Hsu Hui-Chin , Wang Li-Ying , Jeng Suh-Fang
Published: October 2010

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to translate and modify the Assessment of Mother–Infant Sensitivity scale into a Chinese version (modified AMIS-C) and to examine its reliability with preterm and term Taiwanese mother–infant dyads.

Method: A total of 241 mother–infant pairs (179 preterm dyads and 62 term dyads) were prospectively recorded and their behaviour in feeding assessed using the modified AMIS-C when infants were at 4 and 6 months corrected age. A subset of the sample was used for interrater reliability testing, and the whole sample was used for assessment of internal consistency.

Results: Interrater reliability was high for the modified AMIS-C section and total scores (intra-class correlation coefficients=0.91–0.99). Internal consistency was good to excellent for the maternal section and total score (α=0.71–0.86) and was fair to good for the infant and dyadic section score (α=0.44–0.75).

Conclusions: The modified AMIS-C scale is a clinically feasible and reliable instrument for assessing mother–infant interaction of preterm and term dyads during early infancy.
The Performance of Conditional Tests for Family Data in Associated Regions Derived from GWAS
Authors: Schäfer H. , Greene B. H.
Published: October 2010

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been used successfully to identify genetic loci associated with complex diseases and phenotypes. Often this association takes the form of several significant signals (such as small p-values) in a univariate analysis at various markers within a single genetic region. Once confirmed, these associations lead to the question if a single marker tags the association signal of another, functionally relevant variant or if the single marker tags a functionally relevant haplo-type. To deal with this question, methods for family data based on logistic regression, adaptations of the transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) or weighted haplotype likelihood (WHL) methods have been proposed in the literature.

Objectives: Objectives were to examine the effect of parameters such as sample size, inheritance model, and the effects of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the region on the ability of a selection of methods to detect an independent effect from an additional locus. Methods: All methods tested were applied to simulated genetic data of trios comprising a single affected offspring and two parents. Results: While regression-based methods have advantages such as model flexibility, potentially increasing power, the WHL method was more robust against increasing LD in the scenarios analyzed.

Conclusions: Simulation results suggest that the regression and WHL methods are better able with regard to statistical power than the adaptation of the TDT analyzed here to detect genetic effects at an additional locus while controlling for confounding at another locus.
The genesis of Typhoon Nuri as observed during the Tropical Cyclone Structure 2008 (TCS-08) field experiment – Part 1: The role of the easterly wave critical layer
Authors: Montgomery M. T. , Lussier III L. L. , Moore R. W. , Wang Z.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. An observational and real-time model forecast study of the genesis of Typhoon Nuri during the Tropical Cyclone Structure 2008 (TCS-08) field campaign in the western North Pacific sector is presented. Analysis and observational data show that the surrounding base state is an easterly trade wind flow and the precursor disturbance to Typhoon Nuri is an easterly wave that originates in the ITCZ in the Central Pacific. This disturbance can be tracked more than 10 days prior to tropical storm formation. An overview of the field data is presented here using a newly proposed dynamical framework for tropical cyclone formation within the critical layer of an easterly wave. Despite propagating through a hostile environment ripe with strong vertical wind shear and relatively dry air, the easterly wave critical layer protects the proto-vortex and allows it to gestate until it reaches a more favorable environment. Within this protective "Kelvin cat's eye flow" located within the wave's critical layer existed a sweet spot, defined as the intersection between the wave trough and critical latitude, which is the preferred location for tropical cyclogenesis. Global Forecast System Final Analyses and IR satellite imagery, which shows convective bands wrapping around the sweet spot as genesis nears, confirm that this sweet spot is the location where Typhoon Nuri's dominant low-level circulation emerges. United States Air Force C130 and Naval Research Laboratory P3 research flights on 16 and 17 August collected flight-level, dropwindsonde, and Doppler radar data that allowed an evaluation of the dynamic and thermodynamic processes within the cat's eye circulation. The dropwindsonde analyses identifies the precursor easterly wave disturbance on 16 August and identifies an area of weak low-level cyclonic circulation on 17 August. Real-time forecasts were produced using operational global prediction model data to support scientific missions during TCS-08. These forecasts were found to be useful in flight planning discussions and predicted Typhoon Nuri's eventual genesis latitude within 1.5 degrees 72 h in advance.
Interannual variability in soil nitric oxide emissions over the United States as viewed from space
Authors: Hudman R. C. , Russell A. R. , Valin L. C. , Cohen R. C.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. We examine the interannual variability in the NO2 column over North America measured by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) in 2005–2008. By comparison to a model of soil NOx emissions driven by the North American Regional Reanalysis precipitation and 0–10 cm soil temperature fields, we show the source of this observed interannual variability over much of the central United States in June is fertilizer application. We find that dry, warm conditions followed by convective precipitation induces pulsed emissions of NOx over the agricultural Great Plains. In June 2006 we infer a 50% increase in soil NOx emission and a 30% increase in the tropospheric NO2 column relative to the June 2005–2008 mean. In a case-study of fertilized corn and soybean fields over SE South Dakota, we find an associated rain-induced pulsing event reaching 4.6×1015 molec cm−2, equivalent to a surface concentration of ~2 ppbv. We calculate that soil NOx emissions resulted in a mean daily maximum 8-h ozone enhancement over the agricultural Great Plains of 5 ppbv in June 2006 (with predicted events reaching 16 ppbv) compared with a mean enhancement of 3 ppbv for soil NOx in the years 2005–2008.
Do vibrationally excited OH molecules affect middle and upper atmospheric chemistry?
Authors: von Clarmann T. , Hase F. , Funke B. , López-Puertas M. , Orphal J. , Sinnhuber M. , Stiller G. P. , Winkler H.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. Except for a few reactions involving electronically excited molecular or atomic oxygen or nitrogen, atmospheric chemistry modelling usually assumes that the temperature dependence of reaction rates is characterized by Arrhenius' law involving kinetic temperatures. It is known, however, that in the upper atmosphere the vibrational temperatures may exceed the kinetic temperatures by several hundreds of Kelvins. This excess energy has an impact on the reaction rates. We have used upper atmospheric OH populations and reaction rate coefficients for OH(v=0...9)+O3 and OH(v=0...9)+O to estimate the effective (i.e. population weighted) reaction rates for various atmospheric conditions. We have found that the effective rate coefficient for OH(v=0...9)+O3 can be larger by a factor of up to 1470 than that involving OH in its vibrational ground state only. At altitudes where vibrationally excited states of OH are highly populated, the OH reaction is a minor sink of Ox and O3 compared to other reactions involving, e.g., atomic oxygen. Thus the impact of vibrationally excited OH on the ozone or Ox sink remains small. Among quiescent atmospheres under investigation, the largest while still small (less than 0.1%) effect was found for the polar winter upper stratosphere and mesosphere. The contribution of the reaction of vibrationally excited OH with ozone to the OH sink is largest in the upper polar winter stratosphere (up to 4%), while its effect on the HO2 source is larger in the lower thermosphere (up to 1.5% for polar winter and 2.5% for midlatitude night conditions). For OH(v=0...9)+O the effective rate coefficients are lower by up to 11% than those involving OH in its vibrational ground state. The effects on the odd oxygen sink are negative and can reach −3% (midlatitudinal nighttime lowermost thermosphere), i.e. neglecting vibrational excitation overestimates the odd oxygen sink. The OH sink is overestimated by up to 10%. After a solar proton event, when upper atmospheric OH can be enhanced by an order of magnitude, the excess relative odd oxygen sink by consideration of vibrational excitation in the reaction of OH(v=0...9)+O3 is estimated at up to 0.2%, and the OH sink by OH(v=0...9)+O can be reduced by 12% in the thermosphere by vibrational excitation.
Chemical sensor resolution requirements for near-surface measurements of turbulent fluxes
Authors: Rowe M. D. , Fairall C. W. , Perlinger J. A.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. Businger and Delany (1990) presented an approach to estimate the sensor resolution required to limit the contribution of the uncertainty in the chemical concentration measurement to the flux measurement uncertainty to 10% for eddy covariance, gradient, and relaxed eddy accumulation flux measurement methods. We describe an improvement to their approach to estimate required resolution for the covariance method. In addition, we provide data to support selection of a form for the dimensionless scalar standard deviation similarity function based on observations of the variance of water vapor fluctuations from recent field experiments. We also redefine the atmospheric parameter of Businger and Delany in a more convenient, dimensionless form. To make the expression convenient for gas transfer applications, we introduce a "chemical parameter" based on the gas transfer (piston) velocity. Finally, we provide examples in which the approach is applied to measurement of carbon dioxide, dimethylsulfide, and hexachlorobenzene fluxes. The information provided here will be useful to plan field measurements of atmosphere-surface exchange fluxes of trace gases.
Modeling sea-salt aerosol in a coupled climate and sectional microphysical model: mass, optical depth and number concentration
Authors: Fan T. , Toon O. B.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. Sea-salt aerosol mass, optical depth, and number concentration over the global oceans have significant implications for aerosol direct and indirect climate effects. We modeled sea-salt aerosol in a coupled climate and sectional microphysical model, CAM/CARMA, with aerosol dynamics including sea salt emission, gravitational sedimentation, dry deposition, wet scavenging, and particle swelling. We aimed at finding an integrated sea salt source function parameterization in the global climate model to simultaneously represent mass, optical depth, and number concentration. Each of these quantities is sensitive to a different part of the aerosol size distribution, which requires a size resolved microphysical model to treat properly. The CMS source function introduced in the research, based upon several earlier source functions, reproduced measurements of mass, optical depth and number concentration as well as the size distribution better than other source function choices we tried. However, as we note, it is also important to properly set the removal rate of the particles. The source function and removal rate are coupled in producing observed abundances. We find that sea-salt mass and optical depth peak in the winter, when winds are highest. However, surprisingly, particle numbers and CCN concentrations peak in summer when rainfall is lowest. The quadratic dependence of sea salt optical depth on wind speed, observed by some, is well represented in the model. We also found good agreement with the wind speed dependency of the number concentration at the measurement location and the regional scale. The work is the basis for further investigation of the effects of sea-salt aerosol on climate and atmospheric chemistry.
Retrieval of three-dimensional wind fields from Doppler radar data using an efficient two-step approach
Authors: López Carrillo C. , Raymond D. J.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. In this work, we describe an efficient approach for wind retrieval from dual Doppler radar data. The approach produces a gridded field that not only satisfies the observations, but also satisfies the anelastic mass continuity equation. The method is based on the so-called three-dimensional variational approach to the retrieval of wind fields from radar data. The novelty consists in separating the task into steps that reduce the amount of data processed by the global minimization algorithm, while keeping the most relevant information from the radar observations. The method is flexible enough to incorporate observations from several radars, accommodate complex sampling geometries, and readily include dropsonde or sounding observations in the analysis. We demonstrate the usefulness of our method by analyzing a real case with data collected during the TPARC/TCS-08 field campaign.
Spatial and temporal variability of the dimethylsulfide to chlorophyll ratio in the surface ocean: an assessment based on phytoplankton group dominance determined from space
Authors: Masotti I. , Belviso S. , Alvain S. , Johnson J. E. , Bates T. S. , Tortell P. D. , Kasamatsu N. , Mongin M. , Marandino C. A. , Saltzman E. S. , Moulin C.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is produced in surface seawater by phytoplankton. Phytoplankton culture experiments have shown that nanoeucaryotes (NANO) display much higher mean DMSP-to-Carbon or DMSP-to-Chlorophyll (Chl) ratios than Prochlorococcus (PRO), Synechococcus (SYN) or diatoms (DIAT). Moreover, the DMSP-lyase activity of algae which cleaves DMSP into dimethylsulfide (DMS) is even more group specific than DMSP itself. Ship-based observations have shown at limited spatial scales, that sea surface DMS-to-Chl ratios (DMS:Chl) are dependent on the composition of phytoplankton groups. Here we use satellite remote sensing of Chl (from SeaWiFS) and of Phytoplankton Group Dominance (PGD from PHYSAT) with ship-based sea surface DMS concentrations (8 cruises in total) to assess this dependence on an unprecedented spatial scale. PHYSAT provides PGD (either NANO, PRO, SYN, DIAT, Phaeocystis (PHAEO) or coccolithophores (COC)) in each satellite pixel (1/4° horizontal resolution). While there are identification errors in the PHYSAT method, it is important to note that these errors are lowest for NANO PGD which we typify by high DMSP:Chl. In summer, in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean, we find that mean DMS:Chl associated with NANO + PHAEO and PRO + SYN + DIAT are 13.6±8.4 mmol g−1 (n=34) and 7.3±4.8 mmol g−1 (n=24), respectively. That is a statistically significant difference (P<0.001) that is consistent with NANO and PHAEO being relatively high DMSP producers. However, in the western North Atlantic between 40° N and 60° N, we find no significant difference between the same PGD. This is most likely because coccolithophores account for the non-dominant part of the summer phytoplankton assemblages. Meridional distributions at 22° W in the Atlantic, and 95° W and 110° W in the Pacific, both show a marked drop in DMS:Chl near the equator, down to few mmol g−1, yet the basins exhibit different PGD (NANO in the Atlantic, PRO and SYN in the Pacific). In tropical and subtropical Atlantic and Pacific waters away from the equatorial and coastal upwelling, mean DMS:Chl associated with high and low DMSP producers are statistically significantly different, but the difference is opposite of that expected from culture experiments. Hence, in a majority of cases PGD is not of primary importance in controlling DMS:Chl variations. We therefore conclude that water-leaving radiance spectra obtained simultaneously from ocean color sensor measurements of Chl concentrations and dominant phytoplankton groups can not be used to predict global fields of DMS.
Global variability of phytoplankton functional types from space: assessment via the particle size distribution
Authors: Kostadinov T. S. , Siegel D. A. , Maritorena S.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. A new method of retrieving the parameters of a power-law particle size distribution (PSD) from ocean color remote sensing data was used to assess the global distribution and dynamics of phytoplankton functional types (PFT's). The method retrieves the power-law slope, ξ, and the abundance at a reference diameter, N0, based upon the shape and magnitude of the particulate backscattering coefficient spectrum. Relating the PSD to PFT's on global scales assumes that the open ocean particulate assemblage is biogenic. The retrieved PSD's can be integrated to define three size-based PFT's by the percent volume concentration contribution of three phytoplankton size classes – picoplankton (0.5–2 μm in equivalent spherical diameter), nanoplankton (2–20 μm) and microplankton (20–50 μm). Validation with in-situ HPLC diagnostic pigments resulted in better match-ups for the pico- and micro-phytoplankton size classes as compared to nanoplankton. Global decadal averages derived from SeaWiFS monthly data reveal PFT and particle abundance spatial patterns that are consistent with current understanding. Oligotrophic gyres are characterized by lower particle abundance and higher contribution by picoplankton-sized particles than transitional or eutrophic regions. Seasonal succession patterns for size-based PFT's reveal good correspondence between increasing chlorophyll concentration and percent contribution by microplankton, as well as increasing particle abundance. Long-term trends in particle abundances are generally well correlated with the MEI index indicating increased oligotrophy (i.e. lower particle abundance and increased contribution of picoplankton-sized particles) during the warm phase of an El Niño event. This work demonstrates the utility and future potential of assessing phytoplankton functional types using remote characterization of the particle size distribution.
Clinicopathological Characteristics and Her-2/neu Status in Chinese Patients with Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma
Authors: Ren Yulan , Wang Huaying , Zhou Xiaoyan , Yang Wentao , Huang Xiaowei , Lu Yongming , Shi Daren
Published: October 2010

Objective. To analyze clinico-pathological features of Chinese patients with UPSC, and investigate roles of Her-2/neu protein expression and gene amplification in UPSC prognosis. Methods. Thirty-six patients with UPSC treated in Cancer Hospital of Fudan University from 1996 to 2006 were analysed retrospectively. Chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to evaluate Her-2/neu gene amplification and protein expression respectively.
Results. The median age was 63 years, and 61% (22/36) were late stages (stage III/IV). The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival (OS) was 73.1%, 51.9% and 43.9%, respectively. Advanced stages () and deep myometrial invasion () were significantly associtated with a shorter OS. In 36 cases, 27.8% (10/36) showed staining and 8.3% (3/36) showed by IHC. Amplification of the Her-2/neu gene was observed in 11.1% (4/36) cases. The 5-year overall survival rate in Her-2/neu IHC and cases was 12.9% and 68.6% respectively. Her-2/neu protein expression was significantly associated with advanced surgical stage and worse overall survival ( and , resp.). Conclusion. Chinese patients with UPSC showed characteristics of deep myometrial invasion, advanced stages and poor overall survival. Her-2/neu protein overexpression is associated with advanced stage and poor survival outcome.
Maximizing Downlink Bandwidth Allocation Method Based on SVC in Mobile WiMAX Networks for Generic Broadband Services
Authors: Hwang I-S. , Hwang Bor-Jiunn , Su Ruey-Rong
Published: October 2010

This paper proposes an adaptive downlink bandwidth allocation method (DBAM) for six traffic types—UGS, RT-VR, ERT-VR, NRT-VR, BE, and multicast—to maximize the throughput of broadband WiMAX networks for generic broadband services. Based on traffic throughput and the amount of traffic in different scalable video coding (SVC) layers, two adaptive resource adjustment schemes with SVC technology in the DBAM are proposed and compared. Moreover, a hierarchical priority queuing for different traffic profiles with weighted round robin (HPWRR) scheduling algorithm is proposed to achieve higher resource utilization and to meet the required quality of service (QoS) for each traffic type. Simulation results show that the proposed DBAM with HPWRR can achieve efficient throughput and bandwidth utilization and improve the delay time for RT-VR and multicast traffic.
Cyanobacterial Heterocysts
Authors: Maldener Iris , Muro‐Pastor Alicia M
Published: October 2010

Cyanobacteria are phototrophic bacteria carrying out oxygen‐producing photosynthesis. Indeed, cyanobacteria were the inventors of oxygenic photosynthesis carried out by eukaryotic algae and plants. Besides showing the capability of building their cellular carbon from carbon dioxide, available in the atmosphere, several strains of cyanobacteria have also acquired the ability to fix molecular dinitrogen (N
2
). As the enzyme responsible for nitrogen fixation (
nitrogenase
) is highly sensitive towards oxygen, nitrogen fixation and oxygenic photosynthesis cannot take place simultaneously in cyanobacterial cells. To solve this problem, some filamentous strains are able to restrict N
2
fixation to a special cell type, the heterocyst. Heterocysts are specialised, morphologically distinct, terminally differentiated cells that develop, in the absence of alternative sources of combined nitrogen, mostly in a semiregular pattern along the filament. Thus, a filament containing heterocysts provides division of labour between photosynthetic carbon dioxide fixation (in vegetative cells) and anaerobic N
2
fixation (in heterocysts). These cyanobacteria represent true multicellular organisms with profound morphological cell differentiation and sophisticated intercellular communication systems.

Key Concepts:

Although bacteria, some filamentous cyanobacteria are true multicellular organisms, showing different cell types for specialised tasks.

When starved for a source of combined nitrogen these cyanobacteria start a programme of cell differentiation resulting in a pattern of semiregularly spaced heterocysts along the filament.

Heterocysts develop from vegetative cells, the sites for oxygenic photosynthesis, and provide a microoxic environment for the oxygen‐labile nitrogenase.

Nitrogenase is the enzyme responsible for N
2
fixation and allows the organism to live from sunlight, air (carbon dioxide and N
2
) and some minerals.

Under nitrogen fixing conditions the two cell types rely on each other and exchange metabolites and signalling molecules, presumably via protein‐complex‐mediated cell‐to‐cell contact or the continuous periplasmic space that surrounds all cells of the multicellular filament.

Global nitrogen control factor NtcA controls activation of many genes involved in heterocyst differentiation and function.

HetR, the activator of heterocyst differentiation, is regulated by NtcA, known inhibitors of heterocyst differentiation PatS and HetN, as well as by proteins HetF and PatA controlling HetR turnover.

The pattern of spaced heterocysts is regulated by inhibitor gradients that promote the decay of HetR, confirming mathematical models of two‐dimensional pattern formation in heterocystous cyanobacteria.
Muscle Contraction: Regulation
Authors: Squire John M
Published: October 2010

Remarkably we can tell our arms or legs to move and they do it. We can directly control or regulate the activity of our skeletal muscles. Striated muscle movement, produced by the interaction of filaments containing the proteinsmyosinandactin, is regulated by the proteinstropomyosinandtroponinon theactinfilaments. When an electrical signal passes down the motor nerve to a muscle it triggers a depolarisation of the muscle membrane (sarcolemma). In turn this triggers the sarcoplasmic reticulum to release calcium ions into the muscle interior where they bind totroponin, thus causingtropomyosinto shift from the face of theactinfilament to whichmyosinheads need to bind to produce contraction. During relaxation calcium is pumped back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum,troponinloses its calcium andtropomyosinreverts to its off position. This is the steric blocking mechanism of muscle regulation.

Key Concepts:

Striated muscles contain repeating sarcomeres of overlapping arrays of long, thin actin and thicker myosin filaments.

Myosin filaments carry projections, the myosin heads, which are enzymes that can bind to actin and can split and make use of the energy from ATP.

During muscle contraction myosin heads bind to actin, change their configuration on actin along with releasing the products of ATP hydrolysis and cause relative sliding of the actin and myosin filaments.

Vertebrate striated muscle contraction is controlled (regulated) by the action of the proteins troponin and tropomyosin on the actin filaments.

Nervous stimulation causes a depolarisation of the muscle membrane (sarcolemma) which triggers the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Calcium ions bind to troponin and thus cause or allow the tropomyosin strands on the actin filament to move so that the part of the actin surface where myosin heads need to bind is uncovered.

Contraction (force generation) then occurs and only stops when the sarcoplasmic reticulum pumps calcium out of the muscle interior, troponin loses its bound calcium and tropomyosin shifts back to its off position.
Influenza Epidemics and Pandemics
Authors: Neumann Gabriele , Kawaoka Yoshihiro
Published: October 2010

Influenza viruses can cause epidemics or pandemics (worldwide epidemics), during which acute febrile respiratory disease spreads rapidly among all age groups, accompanied by excess hospitalisation and death. Here, we describe the recorded influenza virus pandemics, including the most recent pandemic that was caused in 2009 by a novel virus of the H1N1 subtype. Influenza virus replication and adaptation to new hosts account for much of the evolutionary success of these viruses. We review the viral proteins that are known to affect host range and pathogenicity (i.e. the
haemagglutinin protein
HA
, the
neuraminidase protein
NA
, the polymerase protein
PB2
, the nonstructural protein
NS1
and the
PB1‐F2
protein). We also discuss the clinical features of influenza virus infections, influenza virus immunology and influenza virus control, including antiviral treatment and vaccination.

Key Concepts:

Influenza A viruses cause annual epidemics that result from point mutations in the HA (and NA) proteins (antigenic drift).

At random intervals, influenza pandemics are caused by viruses that introduce HA proteins into the human population against which most humans lack immunity.

Influenza A viruses evolve through reassortment and point mutations.

Aquatic birds are the natural reservoir of influenza A viruses.

Influenza A viruses can be transmitted among species, despite host range restriction factors.

The HA protein is the major protective antigen and an important determinant of host range and pathogenicity.

The PB1, NS1 and PB1‐F2 proteins are also important determinants of pathogenicity.

For seasonal and pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza viruses, inactivated and live attenuated vaccines are available.

Two classes of antiviral compounds (ion channel inhibitors and neuraminidase inhibitors) exist: resistance to ion channel inhibitors is now widespread among circulating H1N1 and H3N2 influenza viruses; resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors has been reported for most seasonal H1N1 viruses, some pandemic 2009 H1N1 viruses and some highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses.
Predator‐induced Plasticity
Authors: Hoverman Jason T
Published: October 2010

Predator‐induced plasticity is an important mechanism enabling prey survival in complex environments. Prey alter a diversity of traits including behaviour, morphology and life history in response to predators to reduce their risk of predation. However, predator‐induced plasticity has associated costs including reduced competitive ability. To maximise fitness, prey modulate their phenotypic responses to the level of predation risk in the environment. Prey detect differences in predator densities or predators consuming more prey and track temporal variation in predation risk. Prey also detect different predator species in the environment and form predator‐specific defences. In aquatic systems, prey possess sophisticated sensory systems that enable the detection of chemical cues released by damaged prey and predators. Predator‐induced plasticity also influences interactions within larger communities and can lead to trophic cascades.

Key Concepts:

Phenotypic plasticity is one mechanism organisms use to cope with environmental heterogeneity.

Environmental heterogeneity in predation risk favours the evolution of predator‐induced plasticity in a diversity of prey species.

Prey that express predator‐induced plasticity in behavioural, morphological and life history traits can reduce their likelihood of predation, but the responses have associated costs.

To maximise fitness, prey fine‐tune their defences based on predator species identity, predator density, amount of prey consumed by predators and the prey species being consumed.

The expression of predator‐induced plasticity can impact species interactions throughout food webs.
Renal Carcinoma and von Hippel–Lindau Disease
Authors: Connor Thomas M , Maxwell Patrick H
Published: October 2010

Von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease is a rare autosomal dominant condition with a high risk of renal carcinoma. The underlying tumour suppressor gene is also mutated in most sporadic clear cell renal carcinomas. The

VHL

gene product functions as an
E3 ubiquitin ligase
that mediates the degradation of hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF). Loss of
VHL
leads to constitutive activation of HIF target genes that normally mediate responses to hypoxia, including those that regulate diverse processes such as angiogenesis and cellular metabolism. Novel therapies for renal cancer target angiogenesis mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). A number of other kidney cancer genes have been found from studying other familial cancer syndromes. These genes mediate responses to cellular stress and nutrient deprivation.

Key Concepts:

Von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease is a dominantly inherited familial cancer syndrome caused by mutations in the
VHL
tumour suppressor gene.

VHL disease exhibits striking genotype–phenotype correlation.

The great majority of sporadic clear cell renal cancers also show loss of VHL function.

The VHL gene product functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that mediates the degradation of hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) alpha.

Loss of VHL leads to constitutive activation of HIF target genes that play key roles in angiogenesis and metabolism.

Novel therapies for renal cancer target specific effects of VHL loss, including inhibitors of angiogenesis.

A number of other kidney cancer genes have been found to be involved in cellular pathways involved in cellular stress and nutrient deprivation.
Degradation of Misfolded Secretory and Membrane Proteins and Associated Diseases
Authors: Kim Ikjin , Rao Hai
Published: October 2010

Proper folding and targeting of proteins are pivotal for the functioning of cells. Misfolded secretory and membrane proteins are selected for degradation by the proteasome, a multisubunit cytosolic protease. This disposal process termed endoplasmic reticulum‐associated degradation (ERAD) includes recognition of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), retrotranslocation of substrates from the ER to the cytosol, ubiquitylation of substrates by the ubiquitylation enzymes, targeting of substrates to the proteasome, preprocessing of the substrates for efficient proteasomal degradation and final cleavage of misfolded proteins by the proteasome. Malfunctioning of ERAD components or accumulation of misfolded substrates has been found to cause various human diseases ranging from neurodegenerative disorders to cancers. Understanding the mechanism underlying ERAD provides a critical stepping‐stone to design drugs and develop preventative and therapeutic strategies against these diseases.

Key Concepts:

Misfolded secretory and membrane proteins are degraded by ERAD.

Malfunctioning of ERAD components or accumulation of misfolded substrates cause various human diseases.

ERAD is composed of multiple steps including substrates recognition, retrotranslocation, ubiquitylation, targeting of substrates to the proteasome and the cleavage of substrates by the proteasome.

ERAD substrates are recognised and sorted into different degradation pathways based on the location of the misfolded domain and the topology of the protein.

The retrotranslocation of the substrates from the ER to the cytosol is mediated by undefined channel proteins.

Retrotranslocated substrates are ubiquitylated by membrane associated E3 enzymes with the help from E1, E2 enzymes.

Postubiquitylation processes in ERAD include substrate extraction from the ER membrane, substrate delivery to the proteasome, preprocessing of the substrates and proteasomal degradation.
Nuclear Sequences of Mitochondrial Origin as Phylogenetic Markers
Authors: Hazkani‐Covo Einat
Published: October 2010

Numts
(nuclear sequence of mitochondrial origin) are fragments of mitochondrial DNA present in the nuclear genomes of most eukaryotes.
Numts
have unique characteristics that make them useful as nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenetic markers.
Numts
utilities include analysis of nuclear mutational spectra and the relative rates of the mitochondria and the nucleus. Additionally, because
numt
appearance in the same position in multiple species indicates its ancestry,
numts
are valuable for phylogentic tree reconstruction.
Numts
are also beneficial to study mitochondrial evolution as it can uncover extinct mtDNA variations. Despite the potential for confusion with

bona fide

mtDNA, the increasing number of genomes sequenced will make it easier to identify
numts
from mitochondrial DNA and to use them for taxonomy and phylogeny.

Key Concepts:

Numts
have unique characteristics that make them suitable as phylogenetic markers.

Verified
numts
are useful both for the study of mitochondrial evolution and for the study of nuclear evolution.