bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chl a trends in European seas estimated using ocean-colour products
Authors: Coppini G. , Lyubarstev V. , Pinardi N. , Colella S. , Santoleri R. , Christiansen T.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Ocean-colour remote-sensing products have been used to estimate Chl a trends in European seas. This work aims to develop a new indicator based on ocean-colour data for the European Environment Agency (EEA). The new indicator, called CSI023(+), produced from satellite ocean-colour products from the MyOcean Marine Core Service (www.myocean.eu) has been defined and calculated. CSI023 (+) is intended to complement the EEA CSI023 (Core Set of Indicators n.23) indicator for eutrophication, which is based on chlorophyll a (Chl a) in-situ observations. Validation of ocean-colour products has been carried out through comparison with observations of the Eionet EEA database, and we believe that such validation should continue in the future, perhaps with a dedicated data-collection exercise. Ocean colour has a much higher spatial and temporal resolution than the in-situ observations. The ocean-colour observations, however, are based on indirect measurements of the optical properties of the ocean, which are transformed to Chl a using an appropriate algorithm. This algorithm can either be a global algorithm that reproduces the average global Chl a concentrations well or one that is adjusted to specific regional conditions. In our analysis we have used both global and regional (adjusted to specific regional Mediterranean conditions) ocean-colour products, but the results highlight the fact that regional products produced with regional algorithms are recommended for the future. This work proposes a methodology for analysing trends comparable to the method EEA uses for its CSI23 indicator. Analysis has revealed the potential of ocean colour as a CSI023(+) indicator: large-scale, and in some cases even local-scale, changes appear to be captured by the satellite images even though in general the ocean-colour products underestimate the Chl a values. CSI023(+) shows, in the period 1998–2009, decreasing Chl a concentrations throughout the Black Sea, in the Eastern Mediterranean, in the southern part of the Western Mediterranean, in the English Channel and in the north part of the North Sea, whereas large areas with increasing trends are observed in the Bay of Biscay, in the North-East Atlantic regions of Ireland and the UK, in the northern part of the North Sea, in the Kattegat and in the Baltic. Specific analysis has been performed in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea: we first defined Chl a areas and then calculated the CSI023(+) for each of the Chl a areas. This last analysis reveals that about 80 % of Chl a areas do not show significant trends; increasing significant Chl a trends were detected in 3 Chl a areas in the Black Sea and 32 Chl a areas in the Mediterranean. Decreasing significant trends were detected in 6 Chl a areas in the Mediterranean and 2 Chl a areas in the Black Sea.
Thermal remote sensing of ice-debris landforms using ASTER: an example from the Chilean Andes
Authors: Brenning A. , Peña M. A. , Long S. , Soliman A.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Remote sensors face challenges in characterizing mountain permafrost and ground thermal conditions or mapping rock glaciers and debris-covered glaciers. We explore the potential of thermal imaging and in particular thermal inertia mapping in mountain cryospheric research, focusing on the relationships between ground surface temperatures and the presence of ice-debris landforms on one side and land surface temperature (LST) and apparent thermal inertia (ATI) on the other. In our case study we utilize ASTER daytime and nighttime imagery and in-situ measurements of near-surface ground temperature (NSGT) in the Mediterranean Andes during a snow-free and dry observation period in late summer. Spatial patterns of LST and NSGT were mostly consistent with each other both at daytime and at nighttime. Daytime LST over ice-debris landforms was decreased and ATI consequently increased compared to other debris surfaces under otherwise equal conditions, but NSGT showed contradictory results, which underlines the complexity and possible scale dependence of ATI in heterogeneous substrates with the presence of a thermal mismatch and a heat sink at depth. While our results demonstrate the utility of thermal imaging and ATI mapping in a mountain cryospheric context, further research is needed for a better interpretation of ATI patterns in complex thermophysical conditions.
Simulating the growth of supra-glacial lakes at the western margin of the Greenland ice sheet
Authors: Leeson A. A. , Shepherd A. , Palmer S. , Sundal A. , Fettweis X.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. We present a method of modelling the growth of supra-glacial lakes at the western margin of the Greenland ice sheet, based on routeing runoff estimated by a Regional Climate Model (RCM) across a digital elevation model (DEM) of the ice sheet surface. Using data acquired during the 2003 melt season, we demonstrate that the model is 18 times more likely to correctly predict the presence or absence of lakes identified in MODIS satellite imagery within an elevation range of 1000 to 1600 metres above sea level (m.a.s.l.) than it is to make incorrect predictions. Our model does not, however, simulate processes leading to lake stagnation or decay, such as refreezing or drainage – a process which affects approximately 17% of lakes in our study area (Selmes et al., 2011). This likely explains much of why our model over-predicts cumulative area by 32% although other factors including uncertainty in the DEM and in the MODIS derived observations used for validation contribute to this error. Simulated lake filling tends to lead observations by approximately 5 days which could be related to a filling period required to saturate cracks, crevasses and other porous space within the ice. We find that the maximum modelled lake covered ice sheet area is 6% and suggest that this is a topographic limitation for this sector. We can take this as an upper bound; given the absence of drainage in the model. In 2003, the difference between RCM estimates of runoff and the maximum volume of water simulated to be stored in lakes was 12.49 km3. This can be taken as a measure of potential water available for lubrication and is calculated to be 1.86 m3 per square metre of ice. This study has proved a good first step towards capturing the variability of supra-glacial lake evolution with a numerical model; we are optimistic that the model will develop further into a useful tool for use in analysing the behaviour of supra-glacial lakes on the Greenland ice sheet in the present day and beyond.
APCI1307K Mutations and Forkhead Box Gene (FOXO1A): Another Piece of an Interesting Correlation
Authors: Agostini Marco , Bedin Chiara , Pucciarelli Salvatore , Enzo Mariavittoria , Briarava Marta , Seraglia Roberta , Ragazzi Eugenio , Traldi Pietro , Molin Laura , Urso Emanuele Damiano , Mammi Isabella , Viel Alessandra , Lise Mario , Tasciotti Ennio , Biasiolo Alessandra , Pontisso Patrizia , Nitti Donato
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Germline nonsense and frameshift mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene are found in approximately 90% of individuals affected by familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and a genotype-phenotype relationship has been observed. Missense mutations have also been found in a few cases, even if their role in FAP is still unknown. An association between a missense mutation, APC I1307K, and the risk of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) has been reported. In order to improve the knowledge about the genetic effect of APC I1307K on the phenotype, we tried a new approach using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI/MS).

Experimental design

An APC mutation (I1307K) was found in an index case of a non-Jewish woman and her son with attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (A-FAP) and no family history of cancer. In order to evaluate whether the presence and abundance of the ionic species are related to the presence of cancer or the presence of mutation, comparative analyses of 11 healthy clean-colon subjects, 59 patients with CRC (stage II n=19, stage III n=23, stage IV n=17) without polyps, and 9 FAP patients, carriers of a nonsense mutation in the APC gene, were evaluated.

Results

Comparative analysis of serum protein profiles of the index patient and her healthy son, FAP and sporadic CRC patients, and subjects with preneoplastic lesions showed a characteristic abundance of ionic species at m/z 905, which was not present in healthy controls. Two peptides were identified from MALDI/MS/MS spectra of m/z 905 belonging to the kininogen-1 precursor and the human forkhead box protein 01A (FOXO1A). FOXO1A was present in only two subjects carrying I1307K, but not in other patients.

Conclusions

Our findings seem to suggest a relationship between m/z 905, FOXO1A and the development and growth of colorectal cancer. FOXO1A fragment determination in serum with MALDI/MS might be a promising approach for early detection of colon carcinoma or for the development of targeted therapies.
EVALUACIÓN DE CUATRO VARIEDADES DE TOMATE INDUSTRIAL (Lycopersicum esculentum, Mill) EN EL RENDIMIENTO Y TOLERANCIA AL COMPLEJO MOSCA BLANCA (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) – GEMINIVIRUS
Authors: Jiménez-Martínez Edgardo , Gutiérrez Wilber , González Carlos
Published: March 2012

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar cuatro variedades de tomate industrial con el fin de determinar el nivel de rendimiento y la tolerancia al complejo mosca blanca (Bemisia tabaci)-GEMINIVIRUS, en el municipio de Ciudad Sandino, Managua en el período comprendido de Diciembre 2007 - Marzo 2008. En este ensayo se evaluaron cuatro variedades de tomate industrial UC-82, Peto-98, INTA-L7, Padano. El estudio se llevo acabo en la propiedad de la fundación Fénix, en dicha propiedad se encuentra un microinvernadero, el cual lo utilizamos para establecer los semilleros de tomate en bandejas, ya en campo lo que se utilizó un sistema de riego por goteó debido a que este fue establecido en época seca. El diseño que se utilizó fue un diseño semiestructurado el cual constó con la participación de los productores de la zona, las variables evaluadas fueron: población de mosca blanca/pta, % de incidencia de la enfermedad de virosis, % de severidad de la enfermedad de virosis y rendimientos (kg/ha). A los datos obtenidos se les realizó un Análisis de Varianza y una separación de medias utilizando Duncan. Los resultados indicaron que en la variable adultos de mosca blanca/pta, las variedades que presentaron las mayores poblaciones de mosca blanca durante el ciclo del cultivo fueron las variedades Padano e INTA-L7 y las que presentaron menores poblaciones de mosca blanca fueron Peto-98 y UC-82. En cuanto a la incidencia de virosis la variedad INTA-L7 fue la que presentó el menor porcentaje, seguida de la variedad Padano y con mayor incidencia Peto-98 seguido de UC- 82. En la variable severidad de virosis la mejor fue INTAL7 seguido de UC-82 y siendo severamente afectadas las variedades Peto-98 y la variedad Padano. En los rendimientos obtenidos las variedades que alcanzaron mejores rendimientos fueron Peto-98 e INTA-L7. A cada una de las variedades se les realizó un análisis económico y de dominancia siendo las variedades Padano y UC-82 los que resultaron dominados por las variedades Peto-98 e INTA-L7 donde podemos decir que la variedad Peto-98 es la que resultó ser más rentable entre las demás variedades.Palabras clave: Tomate; Bemisia tabaci; incidencia; severidad; rendimiento.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/calera.v10i15.663
EVALUACIÓN DE IMPACTO DE LA ORGANIZACIÓN PARA EL DESARROLLO ECONÓMICO Y SOCIAL PARA EL ÁREA URBANA Y RURAL (ODESAR) EN CONDICIONES DE VIDA EN CINCO COMUNIDADES DEL MUNICIPIO SAN DIONISIO, MATAGALPA, NICARAGUA, EN EL PERÍODO 2000 - 2006
Authors: Guillén Fidel Guzmán , Martínez Soriano Flor Del Consuelo
Published: March 2012

El presente estudio fue realizado en el municipio San Dionisio, departamento de Matagalpa, Nicaragua, con el objetivo de conocer el impacto que ha tenido la Organización para el Desarrollo Económico y Social para el Área Urbana y Rural (ODESAR), en la mejoría de las condiciones de vida de las familias participantes en un proyecto que desarrolló en 5 comunidades en el periodo 2000 – 2006. En el estudio se definieron tres variables: Asistencia Técnica y Capacitación, Ingresos productivos, uso y manejo de los desechos orgánicos y lecciones aprendidas. El análisis de la información recopilada muestra que el componente productivo que desarrolló ODESAR con el proyecto, tuvo un impacto determinante en las familias beneficiadas, en mejorar sus condiciones de vida. En el análisis de los resultados de ingresos productivos, todos los productores reportan incrementos en el 2006 con relación al año 2000; Corozo por ejemplo, incrementó en casi 5 veces más sus ingresos y Wibuse en más de 4 veces. De igual manera el 87% de los productores mejoraron el acceso a los alimentos y el El 72% de los productores mejoraron el manejo de los desechos orgánicos. En el tema de lecciones aprendidas, los productores opinan que lo importante de sus aprendizajes es el rescate de los valores como la solidaridad, que les ha permitido avanzar en la diversificación de las parcelas, enfatizan en el aprovechamiento de la tierra para producir alimentos, vender los excedentes para poder comprar los productos que no se producen en sus fincas, de esta manera alcanzan un mejor bienestar de la familia.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/calera.v10i15.671
Morteros a base de vidrio de desecho/escoria de alto horno; activación mecanoquímica del vidrio en soluciones alcalinas.
Authors: Espinoza Lester J , Escalante García Ivan
Published: March 2012

Se investigaron cementos compósitos de escoria de alto horno (EAH) y vidrio de desecho (VD). Una fracción del VD se sometió a tratamientos de activación mecanoquímica (AMQ) para solubilizar SiO4 en una solución alcalina, para obtener soluciones de silicato de sodio (SS) con módulo de sílice mayor que cero y favorecer el desarrollo de resistencia a la compresión.  Con las soluciones obtenidas mediante AMQ se prepararon compósitos con 0, 25, 50, 75 y 100% VD como cementante, y como referencia se utilizaron cementos 100%EAH con activación alcalina convencional. La resistencia a la compresión de estos últimos disminuyó al aumentar el contenido de Na2O y disminuyó con el curado a 60°C. En contraste, los cementos 100%VD requirieron condiciones químicamente más agresivas (12%Na2O y curado a 60°C) para obtener buenas propiedades mecánicas. Los cementos compósitos con 25 y 50%VD requirieron condiciones de activación similares a los cementos 100%EAH, mientras que aquellos con 75%VD requirieron condiciones de activación similares a los cementos 100%VD. Palabras claves: vidrio de desecho, escoria de alto horno, activación mecanoquímicaDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v24i2.657
El producto distribucional de (fórmula)
Authors: Aguirre Manuel , García Marta
Published: March 2012

En este artículo se le da un sentido al producto distribucional entre (formula) y (formula) usando la transformada de Fouriere de  Como consecuencia se obtienen este producto multiplicativo  por medio de una serie de derivadas de la delta de Dirac en  En particular se obtiene el producto multiplicativo (formula)  (ver fórmula (21))Palabras claves: Distribuciones, producto de distribuciones, delta de Dirac.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v24i2.661
Psychiatric Care in Epilepsy Surgery: Who Needs It?
Authors: Rayner Genevieve , Wilson Sarah J.
Published: March 2012

At present there is considerable variability in the psychiatric evaluation and follow-up of patients in epilepsy surgery programs globally. There is a large body of research now demonstrating heightened risk for psychological disturbance in surgically remedial patients before and after surgery. This evidence provides a compelling case for the routine provision of psychiatric and psychological treatment to optimize the benefits of epilepsy surgery and patient outcomes. In a comprehensive model of care, presurgical psychiatric and psychosocial evaluation plays an integral role in shaping the team's understanding of surgical candidacy and the patient's capacity for informed consent. After surgery, efficacious treatment of psychiatric comorbidity increases the likelihood of seizure freedom as well as optimizes psychosocial functioning and quality of life. By contrast, failure to treat can allow psychiatric comorbidity to persist or psychological difficulties to develop as the patient adjusts to life after surgery.
Calculating Puddle Size
Authors: Burton Megan , Mims Patricia
Published: March 2012

First-grade students' cooperative problem solving to develop the concept of measurement gives their teacher an eye-opening preassessment.
Fair Shares, Matey, or Walk the Plank
Authors: Wilson P. Holt , Myers Marrielle , Edgington Cyndi , Confrey Jere
Published: March 2012

Teaching young children to create equal-size groups is your treasure map for building students' flexible, connected understanding of and reasoning about ratios, fractions, and multiplicative operations.
Making Sense of Fractions and Percentages
Authors: Whitin David J. , Whitin Phyllis
Published: March 2012

Constructing pie charts furnishes fifth graders with a meaningful context in a long-term study about commercial advertising during children's television programs.
Writing
Authors: Peters John Durham
Published: March 2012

The introduction of writing in its diverse forms and practices has had enormous cultural consequences. Although it generally plays a secondary role in media histories, it should be looked upon as the mother of all media. Always material and worldly, writing has assumed many forms. This chapter distinguishes semasiography from logography, notes the distinction between logographic and alphabetic scripts, and argues that phonetic practices exist in logographic scripts, while logographic practices exist in alphabetic scripts. Writing is a power technology; a means of preserving meaning; much more than simply an ancillary device for representing voice or speech; a technique that is both historically material and difficult to master; enormously diverse in its history, practice, and expression; a synthesis of visual and auditory modes of perception and of iconic and symbolic modes of signification; dependent on a complex integration of physical skills, including those of the head and hand; and, as a database manipulating spatial and temporal axes, the primordial medium.
High mitochondrial mutation rates estimated from deep‐rooting costa rican pedigrees
Authors: Madrigal Lorena , (Posthumously) Loredana Castrì , Melendez‐Obando Mauricio , Villegas‐Palma Ramon , Barrantes Ramiro , Raventos Henrieta , Pereira Reynaldo , Luiselli Donata , Pettener Davide , Barbujani Guido
Published: March 2012

Estimates of mutation rates for the noncoding hypervariable Region I (HVR‐I) of mitochondrial DNA vary widely, depending on whether they are inferred from phylogenies (assuming that molecular evolution is clock‐like) or directly from pedigrees. All pedigree‐based studies so far were conducted on populations of European origin. In this article, we analyzed 19 deep‐rooting pedigrees in a population of mixed origin in Costa Rica. We calculated two estimates of the HVR‐I mutation rate, one considering all apparent mutations, and one disregarding changes at sites known to be mutational hot spots and eliminating genealogy branches which might be suspected to include errors, or unrecognized adoptions along the female lines. At the end of this procedure, we still observed a mutation rate equal to 1.24 × 10−6, per site per year, i.e., at least threefold as high as estimates derived from phylogenies. Our results confirm that mutation rates observed in pedigrees are much higher than estimated assuming a neutral model of long‐term HVRI evolution. We argue that until the cause of these discrepancies will be fully understood, both lower estimates (i.e., those derived from phylogenetic comparisons) and higher, direct estimates such as those obtained in this study, should be considered when modeling evolutionary and demographic processes. Am J Phys Anthropol 148:327–333, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Brief communication: Short‐ and long‐term in vivo human buccal–dental microwear turnover
Authors: Romero Alejandro , Galbany Jordi , De Juan Joaquín , Pérez‐Pérez Alejandro
Published: March 2012

Buccal–dental microwear depends on the abrasive content of chewed foodstuffs and can reveal long‐term dietary trends in human populations. However, in vivo experimental analyses of buccal microwear formation processes are scarce. Here, we report the effects of an abrasive diet on microwear rates in two adult volunteers at intervals of 8 days over a period of 1 month and document long‐term turnover over 5 consecutive years in the same subjects under an ad libitum Mediterranean diet. Buccal microwear was analyzed on mandibular first molars using high‐resolution replicas and scanning electron microscopy. Microwear turnover was assessed by recording the scratches lost and gained at each time point. Our results indicate that scratch formation on enamel surfaces increased with a highly abrasive diet compared to both pre‐test and post‐test ad libitum dietary controls. In the long‐term analysis, scratch turnover was higher than expected, but no significant long‐term trends in microwear density or length were observed, because microwear formation was compensated by scratch disappearance. Our results confirm that buccal microwear patterns on mandibular molars show a dynamic formation process directly related to the chewing of abrasive particles along with ingested food. In addition, the observed long‐term stability of buccal microwear patterns makes them a reliable indicator of overall dietary habits. Am J Phys Anthropol 148:467–472, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A study of surnames in china through isonymy
Authors: Liu Yan , Chen Liujun , Yuan Yida , Chen Jiawei
Published: March 2012

The isonymy structure of 1.28 billion people registered in China's National Citizen Identity Information System was studied at the provincial, prefectural, and county administrative division levels. The isonymy was 0.026 for China as a whole. The average value of isonymy was 0.033 for the 30 provinces, 0.035 for the 334 prefectures, and 0.040 for the 2811 counties. The isonymy in China was much higher than in other countries. This finding may be partly explained by the low number of surnames in the Chinese language. Two regional features can be identified from the geographic distributions of isonymy. One feature is that the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River had the lowest values of isonymy at both the provincial and county levels. The second feature is that most counties with the highest values of isonymy were distributed in the provinces with high proportions of ethnic minorities. According to the dendrogram of surname distances, several clusters could be identified. Most provinces in a cluster were conterminous with one another. The one exception could be explained by demic migration called “braving the journey to the northeast of China.” Isolation by distance could be detected because the correlation coefficients between Nei's distance and the geographic distances at the provincial, prefectural, and county levels were 0.64, 0.43, and 0.37, respectively. Human behaviors in Chinese history that may have caused these results have been discussed, including cultural origin, migration, residential patterns, and ethnic distribution. Am J Phys Anthropol 148:341–350, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Technical note: Bone DNA extraction and purification using silica‐coated paramagnetic beads
Authors: Dukes Mary J. , Williams Audra L. , Massey Corina M. , Wojtkiewicz Patrick W.
Published: March 2012

The goal of this study was to develop a simple method to improve DNA recovery from challenging bone samples. To this end, an optimized procedure was developed that combined the demineralization and DNA extraction into a single step, followed by DNA purification using an automated silica‐coated paramagnetic bead procedure. This method replaced a previous silica‐membrane‐based procedure, which was able to recover sufficient DNA to obtain full autosomal and Y chromosome STR profiles from greater than 90% of the samples, including samples greater than 20 years old. The development process began with the evaluation of buffer and demineralization systems to determine the best reagent combination. During the developmental process, we observed that the addition of EDTA and DTT affected silica‐based DNA purification methods by raising the pH of the digest buffer. The protocols with buffer ATL, PK, EDTA, and DTT followed by lowering the pH with sodium acetate just before purification resulted in the best yields. The method reduced the extraction volume from 10 to 1.5 ml and used commercially available reagents already being utilized in forensic DNA casework. Because of the simplicity and small volume needed for the procedure, many steps where contamination could be introduced have been eliminated or minimized. This study demonstrated a new method of recovering DNA from bone samples capable of extracting trace quantities of DNA, removing potential inhibitors, and minimizing the potential for exogenous DNA contamination. Am J Phys Anthropol 148:473–482, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of age, sex, and physical activity on entheseal morphology in a contemporary Italian skeletal collection
Authors: Milella Marco , Giovanna Belcastro Maria , Zollikofer Christoph P.E. , Mariotti Valentina
Published: March 2012

Entheseal changes are traditionally included in a large array of skeletal features commonly referred to as “skeletal markers of activity.” However, medical studies and recent anthropological analyses of identified skeletal series suggest a complex combination of physiological and biomechanical factors underlying the variability of such “markers.” The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between age, sex, physical activity, and entheseal variability. To this end, 23 postcranial entheses are examined in a large (N= 484) Italian contemporary skeletal series using standardized scoring methods. The sample comprises subjects of known age, sex and, mostly, occupation. Results show a strong relationship between age and entheseal changes. Differences between sexes are also highlighted, while the effects of physical activity appear moderate. Altogether, our study indicates that entheseal morphology primarily reflects the age of an individual, while correlation with lifetime activity remains ambiguous. Am J Phys Anthropol 148:379–388, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Scurvy in the Great Irish Famine: Evidence of vitamin C deficiency from a mid‐19th century skeletal population
Authors: Geber Jonny , Murphy Eileen
Published: March 2012

Scurvy has increasingly been recognized in archaeological populations since the 1980s but this study represents the first examination of the paleopathological findings of scurvy in a known famine population. The Great Famine (1845–1852) was a watershed in Irish history and resulted in the death of one million people and the mass emigration of just as many. It was initiated by a blight which completely wiped out the potato—virtually the only source of food for the poor of Ireland. This led to mass starvation and a widespread occurrence of infectious and metabolic diseases. A recent discovery of 970 human skeletons from mass burials dating to the height of the famine in Kilkenny City (1847–1851) provided an opportunity to study the skeletal manifestations of scurvy—a disease that became widespread at this time due to the sudden lack of Vitamin C which had previously almost exclusively been provided by the potato. A three‐scale diagnostic reliance approach has been employed as a statistical aid for diagnosing the disease in the population. A biocultural approach was adopted to enable the findings to be contextualized and the etiology and impact of the disease explored. The results indicate that scurvy indirectly influenced famine‐induced mortality. A sex and stature bias is evident among adults in which males and taller individuals displayed statistically significantly higher levels of scorbutic lesions. The findings have also suggested that new bone formation at the foramen rotundum is a diagnostic criterion for the paleopathological identification of scurvy, particularly among juveniles. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chitosan/rice straw nanofibers nanocomposites: Preparation, mechanical, and dynamic thermomechanical properties
Authors: Hassan Mohammad L. , Fadel Shaimaa M. , El‐Wakil Nahla A. , Oksman Kristiina
Published: March 2012

Nanofibers were isolated from rice straw pulp using ultrahigh friction grinding and high‐pressure homogenization. Chitosan nanocomposites were prepared using the isolated nanofibers at fiber loading from 2.5 to 20% by solution casting and evaporation technique. The effect of nanofiber loading on dry and wet tensile strength, dynamic mechanical thermal properties, and cyrstallinity of chitosan were studied using tensile testing, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and X‐ray diffraction. Addition of rice straw nanofibers (RSNF) to chitosan resulted in significant improvement in wet and dry tensile strength, and shift of glass transition temperature (Tg) of chitosan matrix to higher values. Chitosan nanocomposites prepared using RSNF (CRSNF) had remarkable wet and dry tensile strength, which could be attributed to presence of both nanofibers and nanosilica particles originally present in rice straw fibers. Addition of RSNF to chitosan did not affect its onset thermal degradation temperature. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Conformation and aggregation behavior of poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(lactic acid) amphiphilic copolymer chains in dilute/semidilute THF solutions
Authors: Yao Bingjian , Zhu Qingzeng , Liu Hui , Qiao Liang , Hao Jingcheng , Qi Feng
Published: March 2012

The behavior of amphiphilic copolymer chains in a solvent is not the same as that of homopolymers. As an important synthetic biomaterial, poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(lactic acid) copolymers are often dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF) for study. Few studies have focused on the potential aggregation behavior and compact conformation of the amphiphilic macromolecules in a THF solution. In this study, a series of poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(lactic acid) diblock copolymers were synthesized and characterized using fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, and gel permeation chromatography methods. The aggregation behavior of amphiphilic molecular chains in a THF solution was studied using dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the aggregation size in solutions at a concentration of 2.0 mg/mL is within the range of 50–250 nm. It was further demonstrated that molecular chains exhibit a compact conformation in a dilute THF solution, which leads to a comparatively larger deviation in the characterization of molecular weights using GPC method. Here, a model is proposed to elucidate the dynamic evolution between compact amphiphilic single chains and aggregates. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Preparation of amino‐reserved magnetic chitosan microsphere and its application in adsorbing endotoxin
Authors: Yi Yu , Lai Canlin , Jiang Yuqi , Mei Jianfeng , Wang Hong , Ying Guoqing
Published: March 2012

In this article, we present a novel amino‐reserved magnetic chitosan microsphere (ARMCM) prepared from chitosan and Fe3O4 through inverse suspension crosslinking by formaldehyde and epichlorohydrin. The density of ARMCM was 1.47 g/mL, and the amino content was 2.44 mmol/g. The measurements data indicated that the saturation magnetization (σs) of ARMCM was 23.2 emu/g. The adsorption results showed that these magnetic chitosan microspheres had good adsorption capacity on endotoxin: the maximum absorption capacity was about 1792.1EU/g in 40 min; the endotoxin adsorption efficiency in the protein solution was close to 80% and what is more, protein adsorption efficiency was only 23.2 and 2.0%, respectively, for acidic and basic proteins. It is expected that this ARMCM will have a feasible and useful application in adsorbing endotoxin from biological products. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Complex habitat generated by marine bryozoans: a review of its distribution, structure, diversity, threats and conservation
Authors: Wood A. C. L , Probert P. K. , Rowden A. A. , Smith A. M.
Published: March 2012

Habitat‐forming bryozoans are here defined as extant, heavily‐calcified species which regularly attain sizes over 50 mm in three‐dimensions and which contribute significantly to benthic habitat structure as living colonies.

Records of habitat‐forming bryozoans were collated and mapped, together with information about the location, environment, habitat‐forming species, the nature and size of the habitat formed, any associated fauna, and relevant threats and/or conservation measures.

Records collated here indicated that habitat‐forming bryozoans occurred from ~59°N to 77°S, but that they did not occur frequently in the tropics, being found most commonly in temperate continental shelf environments, on stable substrata in places where water movement was relatively fast and consistent.

Habitat‐forming bryozoans are particularly abundant and diverse in New Zealand, where 27 species, a quarter of which are cyclostomes, provide habitat over hundreds of square kilometres of sea floor. Other areas where they are particularly rich and/or abundant include Antarctica (Weddell, Lazarev and Ross Seas), the North Pacific around Japan, the northern Mediterranean and Adriatic, and along the southern edge of the North Sea, through the English Channel and around the United Kingdom.

Large bryozoans provide habitat for diverse associated assemblages, particularly for other bryozoans, molluscs, annelids, arthropods, cnidarians, sponges, echinoderms and macroalgae.

Protected areas which include habitat‐forming bryozoans occur throughout the distribution of this frequently unrecognized habitat type, but despite this they are prone to damage by anthropogenic impacts including pollution and bottom fishing. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cortical Connections of Auditory Cortex in Marmoset Monkeys: Lateral Belt and Parabelt Regions
Authors: de la Mothe Lisa A. , Blumell Suzanne , Kajikawa Yoshinao , Hackett Troy A.
Published: March 2012

The current working model of primate auditory cortex is constructed from a number of studies of both new and old world monkeys. It includes three levels of processing. A primary level, the core region, is surrounded both medially and laterally by a secondary belt region. A third level of processing, the parabelt region, is located lateral to the belt. The marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus jacchus) has become an important model system to study auditory processing, but its anatomical organization has not been fully established. In previous studies, we focused on the architecture and connections of the core and medial belt areas (de la Mothe et al., 2006a, J Comp Neurol 496:27–71; de la Mothe et al., 2006b, J Comp Neurol 496:72–96). In this study, the corticocortical connections of the lateral belt and parabelt were examined in the marmoset. Tracers were injected into both rostral and caudal portions of the lateral belt and parabelt. Both regions revealed topographic connections along the rostrocaudal axis, where caudal areas of injection had stronger connections with caudal areas, and rostral areas of injection with rostral areas. The lateral belt had strong connections with the core, belt, and parabelt, whereas the parabelt had strong connections with the belt but not the core. Label in the core from injections in the parabelt was significantly reduced or absent, consistent with the idea that the parabelt relies mainly on the belt for its cortical input. In addition, the present and previous studies indicate hierarchical principles of anatomical organization in the marmoset that are consistent with those observed in other primates. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exact stationary axisymmetric solutions of the Euler equations on β–γ planes
Authors: Staniforth Andrew
Published: March 2012

A new set of equations on a β–γ plane has recently been proposed. It is shown herein that further useful equation sets can be easily incorporated within this framework via the introduction of binary switches. The appropriate functional form for g, the acceleration due to gravity, for these equation sets is determined. A methodology is given for deriving exact closed‐form axisymmetric solutions to the β–γ plane equations and various subsets of them. As an illustrative example, a non‐separable exact solution is developed that is suitable for numerical model validation. © 2012 British Crown copyright, the Met Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Improving the Sustainable Development of Firms: The Role of Employees
Authors: Wolf Julia
Published: March 2012

Stakeholders have been found to be an important driver of organizations' sustainable development. In particular, customers, governments and non‐governmental organizations push firms towards sustainability. But to what extent is sustainability really and deeply embedded within an organization's structures and processes? And what is the role of an important, but frequently neglected, stakeholder group for successful sustainability implementation: employees? The objective of this research is to better understand the impact that organizational change for sustainability has on firm performance. Also, this study seeks to understand how the consideration of employees into the process of organizational change for sustainability moderates the organizational change and performance relationship. Using data from 92 German companies from the manufacturing and services sector, the study finds that the structural implementation of sustainability is positively related to firm performance and that employee integration moderates this relationship to some extent. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Using subtle reminders of love to foster healthy snack choices
Authors: Raska David , Nichols Bridget S.
Published: March 2012

Employing three experiments with US college students, we examined how subtle reminders of companionate and sexual love affect consumers' healthy snack choices. Two different symbols of companionate and sexual love were used as manipulations. Results from the studies suggest that exposure to subtle reminders of companionate love lead to a greater likelihood of making healthy eating choices than subtle reminders of sexual love. These choices are likely driven by the activation of distal and proximal temporal construals. Interestingly, subtle reminders of sexual love appear to mimic a choice setting with no manipulation. This research should enlighten marketers who are interested in fostering healthy consumption. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lack of recovery from hepatic oxidative damage in rats treated with Nigerian bonny light crude oil
Authors: Adedara Isaac A. , Farombi Ebenezer O.
Published: March 2012

The use of Nigerian bonny light crude oil (BLCO) in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, burns, foot ulcers and reproductive capacity is a common practice in the southern part of Nigeria. Towards understanding the mechanism and the reversibility of hepatotoxicity induced by BLCO, adult male Wistar rats were orally administered with BLCO at 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg kg−1 for 21 days. One‐half of the rats were sacrificed on day 22, whereas the remaining half stayed for an additional 21 days without treatment. Whereas the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S‐transferase were significantly (p < 0.05) increased, gamma glutamyl transferase activity was significantly decreased in a dose‐dependent manner. The levels of glutathione, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde were significantly elevated in BLCO‐treated animals. In addition, hepatic degeneration was accompanied with elevation in serum aminotransferases activities without affecting bilirubin levels. Whereas most of the above‐mentioned parameters were consistent in animals from withdrawal experiment, both total and conjugated bilirubin levels were significantly increased after 21 days of BLCO‐treatment withdrawal. Taken together, BLCO‐induced hepatotoxicity could be due to increased oxidative stress which was not reversible upon withdrawal of treatment within the time course of investigation in male rats. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Safety and effectiveness of a selective strategy for coronary artery revascularization before transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Gasparetto Valeria , Fraccaro Chiara , Tarantini Giuseppe , Buja Paolo , D'Onofrio Augusto , Yzeiraj Ermela , Pittarello Demetrio , Isabella Giambattista , Gerosa Gino , Iliceto Sabino , Napodano Massimo
Published: March 2012

Objectives

We assessed the safety and effectiveness of a selective percutaneous revascularization strategy before TAVI in a single‐center prospective registry.

Background

Management of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) before Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is not yet established.

Methods

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) was scheduled in proximal‐to‐mid coronary segment lesions on major coronary branches. TAVI was performed by percutaneous trans‐femoral, trans‐subclavian or trans‐apical approach, using either the self‐expandable III generation CoreValve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota USA) or the Edwards SAPIEN™/SAPIEN XT balloon‐expandable prosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences Irvine, CA). Clinical and echocardiographic follow‐up was collected at 30‐day, 3,6,12‐month and yearly thereafter.

Results

Out of 191 patients who underwent TAVI, 113 (59.2%) had CAD. Mean age was 80.5 ± 6.9 years (57.6% female), logistic EuroSCORE was 21.4% ± 13.4. Twenty‐seven (14.1%) patients had previous percutaneous and 29 (15.2%) surgical revascularization. PCI was performed as scheduled before TAVI in 39 (20.4%) patients, without adverse events. Complete anatomical revascularization was obtained in 38 of 113 CAD patients (33.6%). After TAVI, 30‐day mortality was 4.2%, and was comparable between CAD and no‐CAD patients (P = ns), while 30‐day myocardial infarction incidence was 2.6% and occurred only in the CAD group (4.4%, P = 0.06). Overall mortality at follow‐up (12.9 ± 9.5 months) was 14.8%, without difference between groups (P = 0.88). At follow‐up, five patients underwent coronary revascularization.

Conclusions

In this study, the incidence of CAD is high in patients referred for TAVI. A selective, clinical based, coronary revascularization before TAVI seemed to be safe, and was associated with an outcome similar to those observed in no‐CAD TAVI patients. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Descending aorta thrombus in a neonate mimicking coarctation of the aorta: Mechanical thrombectomy using the AngioJet® catheter
Authors: Gerardin Jennifer F. , Anderson Cindy S. , Armstrong Aimee K. , Grifka Ronald G.
Published: March 2012

A 5‐day‐old neonate presented in shock, with signs and symptoms of severe coarctation of the aorta. He was diagnosed with a patent aortic arch, and a completely thrombosed abdominal aorta. The authors report the successful transcatheter removal of the entire thrombus using the AngioJet® Thrombectomy system. This represents the first published use of the AngioJet® catheter in the aorta of a pediatric patient. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Balloon angioplasty of recoarctation of the neoaortic arch after the norwood operation: Factors affecting outcome and recurrence
Authors: Bendaly Edgard A. , Lane Kathleen A. , Breinholt John P.
Published: March 2012

Background

Balloon angioplasty (BA) is effective in relieving neoaorta recoarctation (reCoa) after the Norwood procedure. However, recurrence is not uncommon and risk factors for success and recurrence require further elucidation. We report the results of BA for reCoa following the Norwood procedure. We examine acute results and risk factors associated with success and recurrence after BA.

Methods

Patients who underwent BA between November 2000 and June 2010 were studied. Factors for immediate success and recurrence after BA were determined using logistic regression. Recurrence‐free survival was evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier curve.

Results

Forty‐seven angioplasties were performed in 39 patients. Mean age at catheterization was 5.0 ± 4.1 months. BA was successful in 40 angioplasties (85.1%). A higher preprocedure gradient across the coarctation (P = 0.04) and a higher ratio of balloon to descending aorta (P = 0.01) were associated with success. Six patients required redilation. Risk factors for recurrence included older age at Norwood (P = 0.02), younger age (P = 0.03), lower weight (P = 0.04) and smaller body surface area at balloon angioplasty (BA) (P = 0.04), and shorter duration between surgery and angioplasty (P = 0.03). Freedom from recurrence from the first catheterization was 82% after 6 months and 78% after 1 year. There were no neurologic sequelae or deaths.

Conclusions

BA is effective acutely and long term with limited morbidity and mortality. Recurrence occurs usually within the first year. Delay in performing the initial angioplasty may be beneficial in reducing the risk of recurrence, but further study is needed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficient protocol design for dynamic tag population monitoring in large‐scale radio frequency identification systems
Authors: Xiao Qingjun , Bu Kai , Xiao Bin , Sun Limin
Published: March 2012

As radio frequency identification (RFID) tags become more ubiquitously available, they will stay in dynamic environments where tags can freely enter or leave RFID readers' interrogation range. With such a dynamic tag population, there arises a problem of population monitoring, whose purpose is to identify the missing tags that have departed from the reading range and the new tags that have newly entered. This problem is a new problem which cannot be well solved by the conventional tag identification protocols. In this paper, we first show that this traditional approach is inefficient, because it collects all the tag IDs in each scan and ignores the ready‐for‐use knowledge of the tag population in a previous scan. To be more efficient, we present three protocols: (i) a baseline protocol that improves the traditional tag identification protocol by optimizing its length of random number used for collision detection; (ii) a novel one‐phase protocol with easy labor to identify exactly the new tags and the missing tags by fully utilizing the knowledge of previous tag population; and (iii) a hybrid protocol that smartly combines the baseline protocol and the one‐phase protocol. Its purpose is to deal with the situation that the knowledge of previous tag population is highly inconsistent with the current tag population. This hybrid protocol, as shown by our analysis, can improve the tag monitoring accuracy by 25%, and improve the time efficiency by 55.3%, as compared with a recent work (called two‐phase protocol), which also identifies the population changes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.