bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation of stratospheric water vapor and trends using three reanalyses
Authors: Schoeberl M. R. , Dessler A. E. , Wang T.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. The domain-filling, forward trajectory calculation model developed by Schoeberl and Dessler (2011) is extended to the 1979–2010 period. We compare results from NASA's MERRA, NCEP's CFSR, and ECMWF's ERAi reanalyses with HALOE, MLS, and balloon observations. The CFSR based simulation produces a wetter stratosphere than MERRA, and ERAi produces a drier stratosphere than MERRA. We find that ERAi temperatures are cold biased compared to Singapore sondes and MERRA, which explains the ERAi result, and the CFSR grid does not resolve the cold point tropopause, which explains its relatively higher water vapor concentration. The pattern of dehydration locations is also different among the three reanalyses. ERAi dehydration pattern stretches across the Pacific while CFSR and MERRA are concentrate dehydration activity in the West Pacific. CSFR and ERAi also show less dehydration activity in the West Pacific Southern Hemisphere than MERRA. The models' lower stratospheres tend to be dry at high northern latitudes because of too little methane-derived water appears to be descending from the middle stratosphere. Using the tropical tape recorder signal, we find that MERRA vertical ascent is 15% too weak while ERAi is 30% too strong. The models tend to reproduce the observed weakening of the 100-hPa annual cycle in zonal mean water vapor as it propagates to middle latitudes. Finally, consistent with the observations, the models show less than 0.2 ppm decade−1 trends in water vapor both at mid-latitudes and in the tropics.
Global and regional trends of aerosol optical depth over land and ocean using SeaWiFS measurements from 1997 to 2010
Authors: Hsu N. C. , Gautam R. , Sayer A. M. , Bettenhausen C. , Li C. , Jeong M. J. , Tsay S.-C. , Holben B. N.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Both sensor calibration and satellite retrieval algorithm play an important role in the ability to determine accurately long-term trends from satellite data. Owing to the unprecedented accuracy and long-term stability of its radiometric calibration, the SeaWiFS measurements exhibit minimal uncertainty with respect to sensor calibration. In this study, we take advantage of this well-calibrated set of measurements by applying a newly-developed aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrieval algorithm over land and ocean to investigate the distribution of AOD, and to identify emerging patterns and trends in global and regional aerosol loading during its 13-yr mission. Our results indicate that the averaged AOD trend over global ocean is weakly positive from 1998 to 2010 and comparable to that observed by MODIS but opposite in sign to that observed by AVHRR during overlapping years. On a smaller scale, different trends are detected for different regions. For example, large upward trends are found over the Arabian Peninsula that indicate a strengthening of the seasonal cycle of dust emission and transport processes over the whole region as well as over downwind oceanic regions. In contrast, a negative-neutral tendency is observed over the desert/arid Saharan region as well as in the associated dust outflow over the North Atlantic. Additionally, we found decreasing trends over the Eastern US and Europe, and increasing trends over countries such as China and India that are experiencing rapid economic development. In general, these results are consistent with those derived from ground-based AERONET measurements.
Physical models for class-room teaching in hydrology
Authors: Rodhe A.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Hydrology teaching benefits from the fact that many important processes can be illustrated and explained with simple physical models. A set of mobile physical models has been developed and used during many years of lecturing at basic university level teaching in hydrology. One model, with which many phenomena can be demonstrated, consists of a 1.0 m long plexiglass container containing an about 0.25 m deep open sand aquifer through which water is circulated. The model can be used for showing the groundwater table and its influence on the water content in the unsaturated zone and for quantitative determination of hydraulic properties such as the storage coefficient and the saturated hydraulic conductivity. It is also well suited for discussions on the runoff process and the significance of recharge and discharge areas for groundwater. The flowpaths of water and contaminant dispersion can be illustrated in tracer experiments using flourescent or colour dye. This and a few other physical models, with suggested demonstrations and experiments, are described in this article. The finding from using models in class-room teaching is that it creates curiosity among the students, promotes discussions and most likely deepens the understanding of the basic processes.
Prisms are Effective in Resolving Diplopia from Incomitant, Large, and Combined Strabismus
Authors: Tamhankar Madhura A. , Ying Gui-Shuang , Volpe Nicholas J.
Published: March 2012

Purpose.

To assess the effectiveness of prisms in the management of diplopia in patients with incomitant, large, and combined strabismus.

Methods.

Data were collected retrospectively from the medical records of 64 patients who were prescribed prisms for symptomatic diplopia due to restrictive strabismus. The main outcome measure was resolution of diplopia (diplopia score 1 or 2). Data on the number of patients who continued wearing prisms versus those who opted for surgery were derived based on follow-up records.

Results

Among 64 patients, 72% of patients reported complete or partial resolution of diplopia after prism use. In patients who were prescribed ≥10 PD (n=18) and those with oblique prisms (n=18), 67% and 50%, respectively, reported resolution of diplopia. More patients with vertical prism reported improvement in double vision symptoms (83%) than those who were prescribed horizontal prism (70%, p=0.04). During follow-up, 73% of the cohort continued using prisms while 23% of patients opted for strabismus surgery.

Conclusions.

Prisms are an effective modality and should be considered in the initial or interim management of patients with diplopia from complex ocular misalignments.
Understanding the Origins and Impact of the Heterogeneous Policy Environment for Egg Donations
Authors: Levine Aaron
Published: March 2012

The use of donated eggs is an important component of assisted reproduction and plays a prominent role in certain lines of scientific inquiry, particularly in the area of stem cell research. Yet despite these benefits, egg donation remains extremely controversial. One result of this ethical controversy has been the development of a heterogeneous policy environment where the rules for egg donation for both reproduction and research vary substantially from one country to the next or even within countries. In this presentation, I review the major policy options for egg donation that have been adopted around the world and discuss the justifications for these policies. Then, drawing on international data on assisted reproduction and published stem cell research using donated eggs, I offer a preliminary assessment of how these policy choices affect the availability of donated eggs for both reproduction and research purposes.
Dynamics of Myocardial Perfusion in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease and Post-infarction Cardiosclerosis After Stem Cell Therapy
Authors: Mirshahi Massoud
Published: March 2012

Objective: To study efficacy and safety of autologous bone marrow stem cell therapy for tissue and neoangiogenesis in ischemic parts of heart in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and post-infarction cardiosclerosis after macro focal myocardial infarction.

Methods: Thirty patients with a diagnosis of ischemic heart diseases and myocardial infarction were selected. Fifteen of them were treated with the standard protocol of treatment (control group). The other 15 were transplanted with their bone marrow stem cells. Stem cells CD133 were isolated from mononuclear cells using Ficoll followed by immuno-magnetic separation. Isolated cells were injected in intra-arterial into the coronary arteries under angiography in the average dose of 5ml of suspension containing 0.8-1.5 million cells. Clinical examination and current tests such as ECG, LVEF, ESV, EDV were performed. In order to evaluate the dynamics of myocardial perfusion we carried out myocardial scintigraphy using Tc99m with the ligand methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI).

Results: Key indicators of hemodynamic of heart were recorded before and after six months of the introduction of autologous stem cells. As presented in the table, the ejection fraction of left ventricle and end-diastolic volume of the left ventricle had a clear tendency to normalization.

Conclusions: Our method of stem cell transplantation is safe and does not increase mortality as a consequence of heart disease. Treatment of autologous stem cells significantly improved key indicators of heart hemodynamic. We thank J Al Majid from Dubai and H Sadeghi from Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Lausanne, for their precious help.

Z Rahimov1, A Barotov1, A Dustov2, M Khidirov3, T Gulmuradov1, G Mirojov2, B Karimzade2, N Navjuvonov 1, N Olimov1, E Rizoev1, A Gaibov2, M Rahmatov1, S Muminjonov2, A Didary3, J Irgashev3, A Therwath4,O Bobokhojaev1,
U Kurbonov3, S Rahmonov1, M Mirshahi3,4.

1 Deptartment of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Surgery and Hematology of Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tajikistan, 2Institute of Gastroenterology of Tajikistan Academy of Medical Science, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 3Deptartment of Surgical Diseases and Stem Cell Laboratory, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, 4 UMRS 872, INSERM, Paris VI Faculty of Medicine, Paris, France
Regenerating the human heart: proof of principle to patient-derived myocardial tissue
Authors: Al-Siddiqi Heba
Published: March 2012

In the United States, nearly six million people currently suffer from heart failure. Organ transplantation remains the only definitive treatment for end-organ failure. However, the supply of donor organs is limited. Lifelong immunosuppression and chronic rejection limit widespread clinical impact of organ transplantation. The creation of an autologous bioartificial heart with preserved coronary and three-dimensional architecture could theoretically bypass these issues by providing a source of donor organs. Anterograde coronary perfusion of detergents (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate: SDS, De-ionized water, and Triton-X) produced acellular heart scaffolds from small (rats) and human-sized (porcine and human) hearts. Perfusion-decellularized hearts were void of cellular content (DNA) and perfusing detergents (SDS) but had preserved coronary anatomy and gross structural integrity (sGAG quantification; immunohistochemistry for matrix proteins Collagen I, III, IV, X, Laminin, Fibronectin, Elastin).

Perfusion-decellularized whole heart scaffolds are biocompatible (ability to act as a substrate to support the appropriate cellular activity) when repopulated with neonatal rat cardiomyocytes1 or human induced-pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) as evident by cellular attachment and expansion. When seeded onto perfusion-decellularized heart scaffold slices, hiPSCs-derived cardiomyocytes form functional myocardial tissue, in vitro (visible spontaneous beating; immunofluorescence for myosin heavy chain and connexin-43).
The Embryonic Stem (ES)-specific microRNA, miR-302, is highly expressed in a rare subpopulation of glioma cell lines
Authors: Mowla Seyed Javad
Published: March 2012

MiR-302s is a cluster of polycistronic microRNAs that are exclusively expressed in embryonic stem (ES) cells. MiR-302s' promoter is functional during embryonic development, but it is turned off in later stages. Based on cancer stem cell hypothesis, some pluripotency-associated genes are re-expressed in some tumor tissues and cell lines. In the present study, we have tried to expand our knowledge about the expression pattern and functionality of miR302s by quantifying its expression in a series of glioma (A-172, 1321N1, U87MG) and medulloblastoma (DAOY) cell lines. Furthermore, to assess the functionality of miR-302 in these cell lines, we cloned its promoter core region upstream of the EGFP or luciferase encoding genes. Our data revealed a very low expression of miR-302s in glioma cell lines, compared to that of embryonal carcinoma cell line NT2 being used as a positive control. The expression of miR-302 promoter-EGFP construct in the aforementioned cell lines demonstrated GFP expression in a rare subpopulation of the cells. Serum deprivation led to the generation of tumorospheres, enrichment of miR-302 positive cells, and upregulation of a number of pluripotency genes. To find out whether miR-302 has a causative role in these events, we transfected the 1321N1 cell line with an expression vector containing the sequences of all miR-302 members. MiR-302s expression caused tumorospheres formation as well as a significant upregulation of pluripotency genes. Taken together, our data introduces a novel putative cancer stem cell marker that could potentially be used to identify and target cancer stem cells within tumor tissues.

Afsaneh Malekzadeh Shafaroudi1, Mahmoud-Reza Rafiee2, Sara Rohban3, Hamid Reza Kalhor4, Seyed Javad Mowla1,3*

1 Parsgenome Company, Tehran, Iran
2 Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
4 Omics Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Propagation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells derived from Prenatal and Postnatal Sources
Authors: Aleem Alice Kamal Abdel
Published: March 2012

The application of mesenchymal stem cells differentiated into osteogenic cells is an attractive care modality to enhance the healing process of orthopedics and spinal injuries. Objectives of the in-vitro part of our study are: 1. To isolate and propagate Mesenchymal stem cells ( MSCs) derived from different sources; Bone Marrow (BM), Dental Pulp (DP), and Amniotic Fluid (AF) and 2. Induce their osteogenic differentiation in vitro.

Methods used were the generation and optimization of in-vitro cultures for DP- BM- and AF-MSCs, followed by their osteogenic differentiation by applying three independent induction protocols; osteogenic reagents containing media, bone morphologic protein2 (BMP2), and combined BMP2 and insulin growth factor (IGF).

The results showed that MSCs derived from different sources showed a significant difference both in the proliferation rate and osteogenic differentiation potentials. Whereas, DP-MSCs showed the highest proliferation rate, the AF-MSCs showed the greatest potential to osteogenic differentiation, whereas, BM-MSCs have the least potential toward osteogenic differentiation. In conclusion, the tissue of origin of derived MSCS is greatly influenced by the lineage of differentiation of derived stem cells.
Understanding Families and Communities Hold the Key of Implementing New Technologies
Authors: Rajab Anna
Published: March 2012

Over the past few years, GCC countries have witnessed remarkable social and economic growth, which is best reflected in their well-organized and efficient health care systems. With these achievements, a shift in the pattern of disease has become evident. There has been a change in a disease pattern with a falling incidence of communicable diseases, decrease of mortality and morbidity rates of infants and children and a rise in noncommunicable conditions.

Families in GCC states can benefit from new genetic approaches, but these need to be designed to conform with the community beliefs and culture. Presently, GCC communities need help in coping with the changes and challenges that genetic knowledge brings to their lives.

Understanding social beliefs, respect of the traditions set up in an Islamic community, and understanding the psychological difficulties faced by families are essential for acceptance of new technological advances. The difficulties faced by families and proposed solutions are discussed.
Influence of Active and Non-active Protein C on Human Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Al Thawadi H , Mirshahi S , Al Farsi H , Azzazen D , Besbes S , Pujade-Laurain E , Therwath A , Soria J , Mirshahi M
Published: March 2012

Introduction: The coagulation/fibrinolysticsystem control the intravascular fibrin hemostasis;in addition to participating in a wide variety of physio-pathological processes. The components of the system have an influence on tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. This is a result of their involvement in tumor matrix construction, angiogenesis and cell migration. Several homeostatic markers are currently used to predict the advent of thrombosis. However, none of these markers directly indicate the course and progression of the disease. Destabilization of peri-tumoral matrix enhances the malignant phenotype of cancer cells. The characterization of cytokines and proteolytic enzymes, secreted in tumor microenvironment, plays an important role in the mechanism of the escape phenomenon. However, the consequence of interaction of protein C on cancer stem cells is poorly investigated.

Objective: The aim of our study was to analyze the physio-pathological response of human ovarian cancer stem cells (OVCAR-3) to active and non-active protein C.

OVCAR-3 cells were cultured in DMEM medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, penicillin (50 U/ml), and streptomycin (50 μg/ml) and incubated in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2 at 37°C, as recommended by the supplier (PAA Laboratories Inc, Etobicoke, ON, USA). Cells were characterized by flow cytometry for their propriety of stem cell like with specific anti CD133 and CD117 antibodies. The influence of active and non-active protein C (10 µg/ml, Eli Lilly) on this cell was performed by cytokine array (Ray Biotech, CliniScience) and in parallel by a wound healing test.

We demonstrated by a wound healing test that the migration of ovarian cancer cells enhanced when incubated with Active protein C compared to the cells that were incubated with Non-active protein C. Also the cytokine array showed different cytokines secreted by cells incubated with Active protein C and Non-active protein C.

It was found that Active protein C not only provides cancer cells cytoprotective effects, it may also participate in extracellular matrix local destabilization, thereby promoting metastatic dissemination.
Programming Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into White and Brown Adipocytes
Authors: Al-Siddiqi Heba
Published: March 2012

The utility of human pluripotent stem cells is dependent on efficient differentiation protocols that convert these cells into relevant adult cell types. Here we report the robust and efficient differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into white or brown adipocytes. We found that inducible expression of PPARG2 alone or combined with CEBPB and/or PRDM16 in mesenchymal progenitor cells derived from pluripotent stem cells programmed their development towards a white or brown adipocyte cell fate with efficiencies of 85–90 percent. These adipocytes retained their identity independent of transgene expression, could be maintained in culture for several weeks, expressed mature markers and had mature functional properties such as lipid catabolism and insulin-responsiveness. When transplanted into mice, the programmed cells gave rise to ectopic fat pads with the morphological and functional characteristics of white or brown adipose tissue. These results indicate that the cells could be used to faithfully model human disease.
Soluble CD40 Ligand Stimulates the Pro-Angiogenic Function of Early Endothelial Progenitor Cells by Increasing Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Release via the p38 Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Pathway
Authors: Khzam Lara Bou , Abou-Saleh Haissam , Hachem Ahmed , Zaid Younes , Mourad Walid , Merhi Yahye
Published: March 2012

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have recently been regarded as potential therapeutic targets in vascular repair. The effects of EPCs are related to their incorporation at sites of vascular lesions and to their release of various angiogenic factors. It has been shown that soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) levels are elevated in patients suffering from cardiovascular disease, which may influence the function of EPCs. We have identified the expression of the inflammatory receptor CD40 on early EPCs and aimed to study the effect of its ligand, sCD40L, on the function of early EPCs in angiogenesis.

Early EPCs derived from cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells express CD40, and their stimulation with sCD40L increased the binding of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors, TRAF1, TRAF2, but not TRAF3, to CD40, indicating the existence of a functional signaling pathway via the CD40L/CD40 axis in early EPCs. Early EPCs alone do not display any tube formation potential on matrigel, but following stimulation with sCD40L, they significantly increased the angiogenic potential of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), as determined by wound healing assay. Stimulation of early EPCs with sCD40L increased, in a concentration-dependent manner, the release of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) via the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Inhibition of p38 MAPK, by SB203580, in sCD40L-treated early EPCs, reversed their release of MMP-9 and their pro-angiogenic effect on HUVECs.

We have shown that sCD40L increases the pro-angiogenic function of early EPCs on cultured HUVECs by inducing a significant increase in MMP-9 release via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
An Application of Iterative Pushdown Automata to Contour Words of Balls and Truncated Balls in Hyperbolic Tessellations
Authors: Margenstern Maurice
Published: March 2012

We give an application of iterated pushdown automata to contour words of balls and two other domains in infinitely many tilings
of the hyperbolic plane. We also give a similar application for the tiling of the hyperbolic 3D space and for the tiling of the hyperbolic 4D space as well.
M-Connected Coverage Problem in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Mini S. , Udgata Siba K. , Sabat Samrat L.
Published: March 2012

Solving coverage problem alone is not adequate in a wireless sensor network, since data has to be transmitted to the base station. This leads to the lookout for an energy efficient method to solve connected coverage problem. This paper addresses M-connected (each sensor node will have at least M other sensor nodes within its communication range) target coverage problem in wireless sensor networks, where the required level of connectivity and coverage may be high or low as required. We propose a heuristic for M-connected target coverage problem, where initially a cover is decided and later on it is checked for M-connectivity. M-connectivity for simple coverage, k-coverage, and Q-coverage is focussed on in this paper. We use a Low-Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH) inspired model, where a cluster is considered as a set of sensor nodes satisfying M-connectivity and required level of coverage. It is enough if one among these nodes transmits the monitored information to the base station. When the required level of coverage are high, chances of nodes being connected in the cover is high. Simulation results show that our proposed method can achieve better results than Communication Weighted Greedy Cover (CWGC).
New Aspects in Immunopathology ofMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Mortaz E. , Varahram M. , Farnia P. , Bahadori M. , Masjedi MR
Published: March 2012

Our understanding of tuberculosis (TB) pathology and immunology has become extensively deeper and more refined since the identification ofMycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) as the etiologic agent of disease by Dr. Robert Koch in 1882. A great challenge in chronic disease is to understand the complexities, mechanisms, and consequences of host interactions with pathogens. TB, caused by MTB, is a major health problem in world, with 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Innate immunity is shown playing an important role in the host defense against the MTB, and the first step in this process is recognition of MTB by cells of the innate immune system. Several classes of pattern recognition receptors (PPRs) are involved in the recognition of MTB, including toll-like receptors (TLRs), C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), and nod-like receptors (NLRs). Among the TLR family, TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 and their down streams, proteins play the most prominent roles in the initiation of the immune response against MTB. Beside of TLRs signaling, recently the activation of inflammasome pathway in the pathogenesis of TB much appreciated. Knowledge about these signaling pathways is crucial for understanding the pathophysiology of TB, on one hand, and for the development of novel strategies of vaccination and treatment such as immunotherapy on the other. Given the critical role of TLRs/inflammasome signaling in innate immunity and initiation of the appropriate adaptive response, the regulation of these pathways is likely to be an important determinant of the clinical outcome of MTB infection. In this review paper we focused on the immune response, which is the recognition of MTB by inflammatory innate immune cells following infection.
Biomass models to estimate carbon stocks for hardwood tree species
Authors: Ruiz-Peinado Gertrudix R. , Montero G. , Del Rio M.
Published: March 2012

To estimate forest carbon pools from forest inventories it is necessary to have biomass models or biomass expansion factors. In this study, tree biomass models were developed for the main hardwood forest species in Spain: Alnus glutinosa, Castanea sativa, Ceratonia siliqua, Eucalyptus globulus, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus angustifolia, Olea europaea var. sylvestris, Populus x euramericana, Quercus canariensis, Quercus faginea, Quercus ilex, Quercus pyrenaica and Quercus suber. Different tree biomass components were considered: stem with bark, branches of different sizes, above and belowground biomass. For each species, a system of equations was fitted using seemingly unrelated regression, fulfilling the additivity property between biomass components. Diameter and total height were explored as independent variables. All models included tree diameter whereas for the majority of species, total height was only considered in the stem biomass models and in some of the branch models. The comparison of the new biomass models with previous models fitted separately for each tree component indicated an improvement in the accuracy of the models. A mean reduction of 20% in the root mean square error and a mean increase in the model efficiency of 7% in comparison with recently published models. So, the fitted models allow estimating more accurately the biomass stock in hardwood species from the Spanish National Forest Inventory data.
Inheritance of cotyledon storage proteins in European sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller)
Authors: Martín M.A. , Alvarez J.B. , Gutierrez J.C. , Martin L.M.
Published: March 2012

A first approximation to the inheritance of cotyledon storage proteins was studied in European sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) by evaluating the offspring of a controlled cross between two local chestnut varieties (Corriente and Pilonga) from southern Spain. The analysis was carried out in 15 polymorphic bands corresponding to the albumin fraction of the storage proteins. The relationship between bands displayed one case of allelism and four of linkage. These results should be considered as the baseline of the genetics of these proteins and suggest that they could be useful for the evaluation of the genetic variability in chestnut.
Assessing wildfire occurrence probability in Pinus pinaster Ait. stands in Portugal
Authors: Marques S. , Garcia-Gonzalo J. , Botequim B. , Ricardo A. , Borges J.G. , Tome M. , Oliveira M.M.
Published: March 2012

Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) is an important conifer from the western Mediterranean Basin extending over 22%of the forest area in Portugal. In the last three decades nearly 4% of Maritime pine area has been burned by wildfires. Yetno wildfire occurrence probability models are available and forest and fire management planning activities are thus carriedout mostly independently of each other. This paper presents research to address this gap. Specifically, it presents a modelto assess wildfire occurrence probability in regular and pure Maritime pine stands in Portugal. Emphasis was in developinga model based on easily available inventory data so that it might be useful to forest managers. For that purpose, data fromthe last two Portuguese National Forest Inventories (NFI) and data from wildfire perimeters in the years from 1998 to 2004and from 2006 to 2007 were used. A binary logistic regression model was build using biometric data from the NFI. Biometricdata included indicators that might be changed by operations prescribed in forest planning. Results showed that the probabilityof wildfire occurrence in a stand increases in stand located at steeper slopes and with high shrubs load while it decreaseswith precipitation and with stand basal area. These results are instrumental for assessing the impact of forestmanagement options on wildfire probability thus helping forest managers to reduce the risk of wildfires.
Curves for the estimation of the moisture content of ten hardwoods by means of electrical resistance measurements
Authors: Fernandez-Golfin J. I. , Conde M. , Conde M. , Fernandez-Golfin J. J. , Calvo R. , Baonza M. V. , De Palacios y Palacios P.
Published: March 2012

Accuracy in moisture content measurement is of great importance in the assurance of wood product quality and isnecessary to meet administrative and normative requirements. Improving the accuracy of resistance-type moisture meters,and meeting the normative demands of their annual calibration, requires the use of optimised curves relating electricalresistance to moisture content for the most commercially important wood types. The Samuelsson model, adjusted bylinear regression techniques, was used to describe the relationship between the electrical resistance and moisture contentof seven boreal and three tropical hardwoods available on the Spanish market. The curves produced can be used to predictthe moisture contents of these hardwoods via the measurement of their electrical resistance with an error of just ± 1.0%.These curves should also prove of great use in the calibration of wood resistance-type moisture meters.
Stand, tree and crown variables affecting cone crop and seed yield of Aleppo pine forests in different bioclimatic regions of Tunisia
Authors: Ayari A. , Zubizarreta-Gerendiain A. , Tome M. , Tome J. , Garchi S. , Henchi B.
Published: March 2012

In Tunisia, the Aleppo pine seed has a great importance, since in the last decades human consumption has risen considerable. Thus its regeneration and seed production capacities are important factors to take into account to reach the necessities of the country. To study the production of cones and seeds of Aleppo pine, Tunisia’s native Aleppo pine forests were surveyed in summer 2006, using 79 plots (40 × 25 m: 1,000 m²) spread over four bioclimatic zones. Standard tree characteristics, crown dimensions and cone/seed variables were measured from an average tree of each plot(i.e. a total of 79 trees). Recorded data were submitted to simple and multiple regression analyses for explaining the variability in crown volume and crown surface, cone number and seed yield per average tree. Results showed a negative correlation between the stand density, crown characteristics and number of cones and seeds harvested from the average tree. For crown volume and surface, age, stand density, tree height, diameter at breast height, crown diameterand crown height were important explanatory variables under multiple regression analyses. For cone number per tree, only the age, stand density and total height were the most determinant variables. Matures cone number per tree and cone mass per tree were the most informative parameters for the total seed yields per tree. Finally, forest managers should know that crown size affects cone and seed crop of the Aleppo pine individual tree grown in Tunisia, but has no effects on seed number per cone and seed mass per cone.
Primary Cardiac Synovial Sarcoma
Authors: Varma Tanya , Adegboyega Patrick
Published: March 2012

Primary cardiac synovial sarcoma is an uncommon malignant neoplasm, with only a handful of cases reported in the English literature to date. Synovial sarcomas have also been described at other unusual sites, such as the heart, pleuropulmonary region, kidney, prostate, liver, mediastinum, retroperitoneum, gastrointestinal tract, and peripheral nerve. For synovial sarcomas that arise at these unusual locations, definitive diagnosis is challenging and requires use of ancillary diagnostic procedures, such as immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and molecular genetic techniques, for confirmation of diagnosis. The nonrandom occurrence of t(X;18) has been found consistently in synovial sarcomas. It has also been found as a sole cytogenetic abnormality in some cases, suggesting it as a key molecular event in tumor development. This review highlights salient features of primary cardiac synovial sarcoma and the associated diagnostic challenges.
Trends in Pancreatic Pathology Practice Before and After Implementation of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration: An Example of Disruptive Innovation Effect?
Authors: Eltoum Isam A. , Alston Evans A. , Roberson Janie
Published: March 2012

Context.—Little has been reported on changes in pancreatic pathology practice after implementation of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA).

Objectives.—We assessed the impact of EUS-FNA on cytologic diagnosis replacing histologic diagnosis for pancreatic disease and determined whether it fulfills Christensen criteria of a disruptive innovation effect.

Design.—Pattern of utilization during 20 years, diagnostic categories, and diagnostic accuracy of pancreatic cytology were compared before and after implementation of EUS-FNA. The disruptive effect of cytology relevant to biopsy was assessed by comparing the utilization trends and the accuracy of diagnosis over time.

Results.—The mean annual volume (standard deviation) of cytologic specimens increased from 24 (11) to 231 (10) after implementation of EUS-FNA, and that of histologic specimens increased from 97 (42) to 377 (148). The average percentage of annual cases managed by following cytology alone was 19% (10) before versus 51% (8) after implementation. The percentage managed by histology alone was 56% before versus 23% after implementation. Non–endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology decreased from 36% to 1%. Needle biopsies decreased from 7% to 1%, and other biopsy types from 29% to 9%. Unsatisfactory (7% versus 1%), atypical (16% versus 4%), and suspicious (16% versus 3%) diagnoses were significantly reduced. The accuracy of cytologic diagnosis significantly improved: the sensitivity (confidence interval) and specificity (confidence interval) for cancer diagnosis were 55% (38%–70%) and 78% (58%–89%) before versus 88% (84%–91%) and 96% (93%–98%) after implementation, respectively.

Conclusions.—Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration improved the accuracy of cytologic diagnosis, reduced the number of indeterminate diagnoses, and replaced the need for tissue biopsy. Given its cost and simplicity as compared with tissue biopsy, this trend represents a disruptive innovation effect.
Difficult Differential Diagnoses in Testicular Pathology
Authors: Ye Huihui , Ulbright Thomas M.
Published: March 2012

Context.—Although relatively rare, testicular cancer is the most common solid organ malignancy in young men and remains a leading cause of cancer death in this population. Different types of testicular tumors are treated differently, with an overall very high cure rate with proper management. Pathologists must, therefore, be familiar with important diagnostic pitfalls in testicular pathology, particularly those that result in different treatments or prognoses.

Objective.—To summarize key diagnostic features and useful ancillary tools for the most frequently encountered problems in testicular tumor pathology.

Data Sources.—Current texts, PubMed (National Library of Medicine) articles, and archives at Indiana University School of Medicine and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center were all reviewed.

Conclusions.—Problematic differential diagnoses include seminoma versus nonseminomatous germ cell tumors, germ cell tumors versus non–germ cell tumors, intratubular germ cell neoplasia versus atypical germ cells with maturation arrest, pseudolymphovascular invasion versus real lymphovascular invasion in germ cell tumors, and macroscopic Sertoli cell nodules versus Sertoli cell tumors. In almost all cases, awareness of the differential diagnostic possibilities based on routine light microscopic features permits application of either additional, directed observations or immunohistochemical studies that lead to an accurate diagnosis.
Renal Cell Carcinoma With Clear Cell and Papillary Features
Authors: Ross Hillary , Martignoni Guido , Argani Pedram
Published: March 2012

Context.—The diagnosis of primary renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) with both papillary architecture and cells with clear cytoplasm can be diagnostically challenging for practicing pathologists. The 4 main neoplasms in the differential diagnosis are clear cell RCC, papillary RCC, clear cell papillary RCC, and Xp11 translocation RCC. Accurate diagnosis has both prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Objective.—To highlight the helpful cytomorphologic, immunohistochemical, and cytogenetic features of each of these entities to enable reproducible classification.

Data Sources.—Published peer-reviewed literature was reviewed, accompanied by the authors' personal experiences.

Conclusions.—Key morphologic clues and a focused immunohistochemical panel, including CK7, α-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase (AMACR), TFE3, cathepsin K, and carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), now allow most resected RCCs with papillary architecture and clear cells to be accurately classified. In other cases, cytogenetic and molecular findings can establish the diagnosis. Despite these tools, some RCCs with papillary architecture and clear cells do not fit into any of the described entities and currently remain unclassified.
Impact of Product Familiarity on Beef Quality Perception
Authors: Banović Marija , Fontes Magda Aguiar , Barreira Maria Madalena , Grunert Klaus G.
Published: March 2012

This study examines the use of intrinsic and extrinsic cues in beef quality perception at the point of purchase and upon consumption by consumers with varying levels of familiarity with a particular beef product. High‐familiarity consumers tend to use the color of the meat to assess beef quality, whereas low‐familiarity consumers tend to believe that the brand is the most valid cue for assessing beef quality. However, due to the lack of consistency in sensory beef quality, high‐familiarity consumers’ ability to form quality expectations that are predictive of their quality experience is no better than that of low‐familiarity consumers.
Do Inventories Have an Impact on Price Transmission? Evidence From the Canadian Chicken Industry
Authors: Abbassi Abdessalem , Tamini Lota D. , Gervais Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2012

This paper investigates the influence of inventories in explaining the magnitude of price transmission. Using data from the Canadian chicken industry, a flexible non‐linear inference framework detects significant non‐linearities in the relationship between farm and wholesale prices. An empirical model is proposed to estimate a price transmission elasticity and a target inventory equation in the spirit of linear‐quadratic inventory models in the macroeconomics literature. A generalized method of moments estimator measures the impact of inventories on price transmission and accounts for the potential correlation between sales and wholesale prices. The price transmission elasticity is lower (higher) when inventories are above (below) the target level.
Analysis of skeletal dysplasias in the Utah population
Authors: Stevenson David A. , Carey John C. , Byrne Janice L.B. , Srisukhumbowornchai Sivithee , Feldkamp Marcia L.
Published: March 2012

The Utah Birth Defect Network (UBDN) collects population‐based data for Utah on births from all resident women. The prevalence of skeletal dysplasias and epidemiologic characteristics/outcomes were evaluated. Cases categorized as a skeletal dysplasia from all live births, stillbirths, and pregnancy terminations (TAB) between 1999 and 2008 were reviewed by three clinical geneticists. After case review, 153 were included for analysis (88% live births, 3% stillborn, 9% TAB), and categorized by groupings defined by molecular, biochemical, and/or radiographic criteria as outlined in the 2010 Nosology and Classification of Genetic Skeletal Disorders. The overall prevalence for skeletal dysplasias was 3.0 per 10,000 births, and 20.0 per 10,000 stillbirths. The most common diagnostic groups were osteogenesis imperfecta (OI; n = 40; 0.79 per 10,000), thanatophoric dysplasia (n = 22; 0.43 per 10,000), achondroplasia (n = 18; 0.35 per 10,000), and cleidocranial dysplasia (n = 6; 0.12 per 10,000). The most common groups based on the 2010 Nosology and Classification of Genetic Skeletal Disorders were the FGFR3 chondrodysplasia group (n = 41; 0.81 per 10,000), the OI/decreased bone density group (n = 40; 0.79 per 10,000), and the type 2 collagen group (n = 10; 0.2 per 10,000). Median age of postnatal diagnosis was 30 days (range 1–2,162). Of those deceased, 88% were prenatally suspected; of those alive 29% prenatally suspected. Median age of death for live born individuals was 1 day (range 1–1,450 days). Previously reported prevalence rates vary, but our data provide a population‐based approach not limited to the perinatal/neonatal period. Understanding the range for survival within each group/diagnosis is beneficial for health care providers when counseling families. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of knitted and woven textile structures on the mechanical performance of poly(lactic acid) textile insert injection‐compression moldings
Authors: Nodo Kengo , Leong Yew Wei , Hamada Hiroyuki
Published: March 2012

The main issue concerning poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has been its brittleness, thus limiting its potential to only a minute number of applications. Some attempts have been made to modify or blend PLA with tougher materials to improve its deformability, with varying degrees of success. This study primarily concentrates on enhancing the toughness of PLA without the incorporation of any additives whatsoever, thus the end product would consist of 100% biodegradable PLA. It is shown here that the toughness of PLA can be significantly enhanced by merely improvising processing techniques. The textile‐insert molding technique was applied in this case, whereby PLA fabrics were attached to the surface of PLA resin by injection‐compression molding. It was found that the molding conditions have an adverse effect on the interfacial adhesion between the fabrics and resin, which subsequently affect the impact performance of the moldings. The fabric was able to distribute impact loads toward a larger area thus enhancing impact resistance of the substrate resin. However, knitted and woven fabrics would impart different impact load dispersion characteristics due to their inherent variation in stretchability. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Malformations of the Great Vessels in the Neonatal Rat Induced by N‐(2‐Aminoethyl)ethanolamine
Authors: Schneider Steffen , Treumann Silke , Moore Nigel P.
Published: March 2012

The reproductive and developmental toxicity of aminoethylethanolamine was evaluated in a standard screening study (OECD, 1995: Organisation for economic co‐operation and development. Paris, France), in which groups of Wistar rats (10/sex/group) were administered the test substance by gavage at dosage levels of 50, 250, or 1000 mg/kg/day (groups 2–4, respectively). A control group received the vehicle, doubly distilled water. No live pups were delivered in group 4, and there was a higher incidence of stillborn offspring and reduced postnatal survival in group 3. Macroscopic changes in groups 2 and 3 were primarily related to the great vessels and characterized by dilations, aneurysms, and altered course of the aorta, pulmonary trunk, carotids, and the ductus arteriosus. A follow‐up study was conducted to characterize the low dose‐response, using dosage levels of 0, 0.2, 1, 5, or 50 mg/kg/day (groups 1–5, respectively). Given the expected scarcity of the lesions in control offspring, each group consisted of 25 animals of each sex. Macroscopic examination revealed a high incidence (18.5%) of aneurysm‐bearing offspring in group 5 litters, and single offspring (0.3–0.4%) with aneurysms in groups 3 and 4. Microscopic examination revealed dissecting aneurysms in offspring from all aminoethylethanolamine treatment groups, without a clear dose‐response between groups 2 and 4 (0.6%, 1.2%, and 0.3%, respectively), and focal hemorrhages in all groups including the control. In comparison, the background incidence of aneurysms in untreated 4‐day old offspring was 0.2% (Treumann et al., 2011: Toxicol Pathol 39:969–974). Consequently, the findings in groups 2–4 cannot be conclusively attributed to treatment.
Modeling civil violence in Afghanistan: Ethnic geography, control, and collaboration
Authors: Bhavnani Ravi , Choi Hyun Jin
Published: March 2012

We develop a computational model to explore how ethnic geography shapes the distribution of violence in civil war. We seed the model with disaggregated data on ethnic settlement patterns in Afghanistan and calibrate the model parameters to fit empirically observed locations of violence against civilians. Our simulation suggests that (i) political actors are more likely to attack civilians in heterogeneous areas where members of one ethnic group are exposed to members of a rival group; (ii) violence directed at civilians occurs with greater frequency in locations where one political actor exercises hegemonic but incomplete territorial control (relative to areas of complete or mixed control); and (iii) geographically concentrated ethnic minorities face a higher risk of violence. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 2012
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Multidimensional Assessment of Social Anxiety (MASA)
Authors: Gros Daniel F. , Simms Leonard J. , Antony Martin M. , McCabe Randi E.
Published: March 2012

Objective

Hybrid models of psychopathology propose to combine the current categorical diagnostic system with shared symptom dimensions common across various disorders. Recently, the first empirically derived hybrid model of social anxiety was developed, including both a specific factor for the diagnostic category of social anxiety and 5 nonspecific factors for related symptoms. The present investigation developed a self‐report measure—the Multidimensional Assessment of Social Anxiety (MASA)—based on this model to further the research on hybrid models.

Method

This investigation included three studies across large undergraduate (N = 411; 52.3% male; mean [M] age = 19.6) and clinical (N = 684; 61.4% female; M age = 35.8) samples, involving the administration of the MASA item pool and existing measures of related constructs.

Results

Through a series of psychometric evaluations, the initial 466‐item pool was reduced to a final 38‐item measure that represented 6 distinct scales with adequate model fit, internal consistency, test‐retest reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity.

Conclusions

Together, these studies likely will lead to additional research and advances in the development of the hybrid models of the mood and anxiety disorders through the dissemination and administration of the MASA.