bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conditional simulation of spatially variable seismic ground motions based on evolutionary spectra
Authors: Hu L. , Xu Y. L. , Zheng Y.
Published: March 2012

This paper proposes a computational procedure for the conditional simulation of spatially variable seismic ground motions for long span bridges with multiple supports. The seismic ground motions, with part of their time histories measured at some supports, are regarded as zero‐mean nonstationary random processes characterized by predefined evolutionary power spectral density. To conditionally simulate unknown seismic ground motion time histories at other supports, the Kriging method is first described briefly for the conditional simulation of a random vector comprised of zero‐mean Gaussian variables. The multivariate oscillatory processes characterized by the evolutionary power spectral density matrix are then introduced, and the Fourier coefficients of the oscillatory processes and their covariance matrix are derived. By applying the Kriging method to the random vector of the Fourier coefficients and using the inverse Fourier transform, unknown nonstationary seismic ground motion time histories can be simulated. A numerical example is selected to demonstrate capabilities of the proposed simulation procedure, and the results show that the procedure can ensure unbiased time‐varying correlation functions, especially the cross correlation between known and unknown time histories. The procedure is finally applied to the Tsing Ma suspension bridge in Hong Kong to generate ground accelerations at its multiple supports using limited seismic records. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Achievable rate region for the Gaussian MIMO MAC with cooperating encoders
Authors: Fraidenraich Gustavo , Portugheis Jaime
Published: March 2012

This paper considers a Gaussian two‐user multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) multiple access channel (MAC) with cooperating encoders. After defining a form of cooperation strategy, we derive achievable rate bounds by applying the results obtained by Willems for the MAC with generalised feedback. Then, we characterise an achievable rate region and also provide a lower bound for this region, which are very close. Although the achievable rate bounds are described by non‐concave functions, the boundary of the achievable rate region could be generated by maximising a weighted sum of the rates. Numerical results obtained generally exceed the capacity region of a MIMO MAC without cooperation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lagranges “récherches sur la libration de la lune”
Authors: Bremer Hartmut
Published: March 2012

Aus der Vielzahl der erfolgreichen Beiträge des achtzehnten Jahrhunderts beinhaltet der erste Beitrag Lagranges über die Mondbewegungen einen Durchbruch für die analytische Mechanik. Obgleich seine ureigenste Leistung, steht Lagranges dabei natürlich nicht isoliert da: Aufbauend auf den Ergebnissen früherer und in engem Kontakt mit zeitgenössischen Wissenschaftlern konnte er derart bahnbrechende Leistungen erzielen, eingebettet in die kulturell–philosophische Umwelt der Zeit. Hinter allen mit Namen versehenen Formeln stehen, auch in der heute dominanten Computer‐Programmwelt, denkende und fühlende Menschen, dessen wir uns, die wir – auch als “Anwender” – in der Traditionskette unserer wissenschaftlichen Ahnen stehen, sehr bewußt sein sollten.

Die historischen Hintergründe sind aber nicht nur spannend, sondern bieten durchaus auch reellen Nutzen: “So oft ich mich mit den grundlegenden Arbeiten unserer großen Meister unmittelbar vertraut machte, hatte ich einen Gewinn an Einsicht und Verständnis zu verzeichnen, der weit über das hinausging, was aus den sekundären Quellen zu entnehmen war”, Wilhelm Ostwald (1855–1932).Die früher oft sehr mühsame Beschaffung der Quellen ist durch das Internet bequem geworden. Diejenigen Unterlagen, die dem Autor nicht direkt in Papierform zu Verfügung standen, sind im Literaturverzeichnis mit ihrer Internetadresse angegeben. Dies möge den Leser zum “Schmökern” anreizen (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Phonological processing in first‐degree relatives of individuals with autism: An fMRI study
Authors: Wilson Lisa B. , Tregellas Jason R. , Slason Erin , Pasko Bryce E. , Hepburn Susan , Rojas Donald C.
Published: March 2012

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental disorders. Twin studies have provided heritability estimates as high as 90% for idiopathic ASD. Further evidence for the spectrum's heritability is provided by the presence of the broad autism phenotype (BAP) in unaffected first‐degree relatives. Language ability, specifically phonological processing, is proposed to be a core BAP trait. To date, however, no functional neuroimaging investigations of phonological processing in relatives of individuals with ASD have been undertaken. We conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study in parents of children with ASD utilizing a priming task probing implicit phonological processing. In our condition that placed heavier demands on phonological recoding, parents exhibited greater hemodynamic responses than controls in a network of cortical regions involved in phonological processing. Across conditions, parents exhibited enhanced priming‐induced response suppression suggesting compensatory neural processing. A nonword repetition test used in previous studies of relatives was also administered. Correlations between this measure and our functional measures also suggested compensatory processing in parents. Regions exhibiting atypical responses in parents included regions previously implicated in the spectrum's language impairments and found to exhibit structural abnormalities in a parent study. These results suggest a possible neurobiological substrate of the phonological deficits proposed to be a core BAP trait. However, these results should be considered preliminary. No previous fMRI study has investigated phonological processing in ASD, so replication is required. Furthermore, interpretation of our fMRI results is limited by the fact that the parent group failed to exhibit behavioral evidence of phonological impairments. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Human mesenchymal stem cells are recruited to injured liver in a β1-integrin and CD44 dependent manner
Authors: Aldridge Victoria , Garg Abhilok , Davies Nicholas , Bartlett David C. , Youster Janine , Beard Heather , Kavanagh Dean P. , Kalia Neena , Frampton Jon , Lalor Patricia F. , Newsome Philip N.
Published: March 2012

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have shown benefit in clinical trials of patients with liver disease. Efficient delivery of cells to target organs is critical to improving their effectiveness. This requires an understanding of the mechanisms governing cellular engraftment into the liver. Binding of hMSCs to normal/injured liver tissue, purified extracellular matrices, and human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSECs) were quantified in static and flow conditions. To define the mechanisms underpinning hMSC interactions, neutralizing adhesion molecule antibodies were used. Fluorescently labelled hMSCs were infused intraportally into CCl4–injured mice with and without neutralizing antibodies. hMSCs expressed high levels of CD29/β1-integrin and CD44. Using liver tissue binding assays, hMSC adhesion was greatest in diseased human liver versus normal liver (32.2 cells/field versus 20.5 cells/field [
P

= 0.048]). Neutralizing antibodies against CD29 and CD44 reduced hMSC binding to diseased liver by 34% and 35%, respectively (
P

= 0.05). hMSCs rolled at 528 μm/second on HSECs in flow assays. This rolling was abolished by CD29 blockade on hMSCs and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) blockade on HSECs. Firm adhesion to HSECs was reduced by CD29 (55% [
P

= 0.002]) and CD44 (51% [
P

= 0.04]) blockade. Neutralizing antibodies to CD29 and CD44 reduced hepatic engraftment of hMSCs in murine liver from 4.45 cells/field to 2.88 cells/field (
P

= 0.025) and 2.35 cells/field (
P

= 0.03), respectively. hMSCs expressed modest levels of chemokine receptors including CCR4, CCR5, and CXCR3, but these made little contribution to hMSC adhesion in this setting.

Conclusion
: hMSCs bind preferentially to injured liver. Rolling of hMSCs is regulated by CD29/VCAM-1, whereas CD29/CD44 interactions with VCAM-1, fibronectin, and hyaluronan on HSECs determine firm adhesion both

in vitro

and

in vivo

as demonstrated using a murine model of liver injury.
Systematic analysis of genotype‐specific drug responses in cancer
Authors: Kim Nayoung , He Ningning , Kim Changsik , Zhang Fan , Lu Yiling , Yu Qinghua , Stemke‐Hale Katherine , Greshock Joel , Wooster Richard , Yoon Sukjoon , Mills Gordon B
Published: March 2012

A systematic understanding of genotype‐specific sensitivity or resistance to anticancer agents is required to provide improved patient therapy. The availability of an expansive panel of annotated cancer cell lines enables comparative surveys of associations between genotypes and compounds of various target classes. Thus, one can better predict the optimal treatment for a specific tumor. Here, we present a statistical framework, cell line enrichment analysis (CLEA), to associate the response of anticancer agents with major cancer genotypes. Multilevel omics data, including transcriptome, proteome and phosphatome data, were integrated with drug data based on the genotypic classification of cancer cell lines. The results reproduced known patterns of compound sensitivity associated with particular genotypes. In addition, this approach reveals multiple unexpected associations between compounds and mutational genotypes. The mutational genotypes led to unique protein activation and gene expression signatures, which provided a mechanistic understanding of their functional effects. Furthermore, CLEA maps revealed interconnections between TP53 mutations and other mutations in the context of drug responses. The TP53 mutational status appears to play a dominant role in determining clustering patterns of gene and protein expression profiles for major cancer genotypes. This study provides a framework for the integrative analysis of mutations, drug responses and omics data in cancers.
HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, NSAIDs and risk of glioma
Authors: Ferris Jennifer S. , McCoy Lucie , Neugut Alfred I , Wrensch Margaret , Lai Rose
Published: March 2012

3‐Hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) have shown inverse associations with cancer risks, but the results have been inconsistent. As there are no previous published data in brain tumors, we conducted a case–control study to investigate statin therapy and risk of glioma. We further evaluated the use of nonsteriodal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and risk of these tumors. We recruited newly diagnosed glioma cases and frequency matched controls at Columbia University and the University of California San Francisco. Standardized questions on statins and NSAIDs were used at both institutions. Intakes of these drugs were defined as >6 months of at least twice weekly use versus less than this amount or never use. From July 2007 to January 2010, we recruited a total of 517 cases and 400 controls. Simvastatin and lovastatin showed significant inverse associations with glioma (odds ratio [OR] = 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30, 0.81 and OR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.24, 0.93, respectively). For NSAIDs, aspirin use was also inversely related to glioma risk (OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.49, 0.96). Both statins and NSAIDs showed significant inverse trends between the duration of drug use and glioma risk (trend tests p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively), and drug intake for >120 months demonstrated the most significant associations for both types of medication. The inverse association between statin therapy and risk of glioma supports the roles of Ras/Rho GTPases or inflammatory cytokines in gliomagenesis, and a similar relationship between NSAIDs and glioma highlights the importance of cyclo‐oxygenase 2 in glioma pathogenesis.
Does birth history account for educational differences in breast cancer mortality? A comparison of premenopausal and postmenopausal women in Belgium
Authors: Gadeyne Sylvie , Deboosere Patrick , Vandenheede Hadewijch , Neels Karel
Published: March 2012

This study investigates the impact of reproductive factors on the association between education and breast cancer mortality in Belgium. The role of reproductive factors has been investigated in several studies, with mixed results. Reproductive factors are either completely or partially responsible for the association between education and breast cancer mortality. The data consist of the 1991 census linked to registration data on cause‐specific mortality during the period 1991–1995, including all breast cancer deaths in Belgium during the observation period. The study population includes all women aged 35–79 at time of the census. Age‐standardized mortality rates and mortality rate ratios (Poisson regression) are computed for educational groups with and without control for reproductive factors. The population is stratified according to age (women aged 35–49 and 50–79) and according to nulliparity. The relationship between education and breast cancer is significant among postmenopausal women. Breast cancer mortality is higher among the higher educated women. These results are consistent with international findings, the gradient not being negative as in most other causes of death, but positive. Statistical control for parity and age at first birth reduces the association largely. In addition, among nonparous women, differences in breast cancer mortality by education are not consistent and generally not significant. Reproductive factors are largely responsible for the positive association between education and breast cancer mortality among postmenopausal women in Belgium. Among premenopausal women, the relation is not significant, a pattern consistent with international studies.
Mangiferin aglycone attenuates radiation‐induced damage on human intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Lei Jixiao , Zhou Chuanfeng , Hu Honggang , Hu Lina , Zhao Meijia , Yang Yanyong , Chuai Yunhai , Ni Jin , Cai Jianming
Published: March 2012

Recent studies suggest that mangiferin aglycone (norathyriol) has great potential as a novel radioprotector without any known toxic side effects. In this study, we assessed the protective effects of mangiferin aglycone against radiation‐induced injuries on normal human intestinal epithelial cells (HIECs), while using mangiferin as a reference compound. The in vitro experiments showed that pretreatment of either mangiferin aglycone or mangiferin could inhibit cytotoxic effects of ionizing irradiation (IR) on HIECs. Cellular changes were estimated by measuring cell viability, clonogenic surviving rate, and apoptotic rate. Compared to mangiferin, we found mangiferin aglycone had greater radioprotective effects of mangiferin aglycone on HIECs. It has been demonstrated that the cytotoxicity of ionizing radiation relates to its capacity to induce DNA damage. In view of this, we monitored DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) using γH2AX foci formation to test whether mangiferin aglycone and mangiferin could modulate genotoxic effects of radiation. It shows that mangiferin aglycone could eliminate 46.8% of the total DSBs of the cells exposed to 2 Gy IR, which is significantly better than mangiferin. Complementing earlier results from our group, it appears possible to conclude that mangiferin aglycone presents potential useful effects on IR‐induced damage and may be a better radioprotective agent than mangiferin therapeutically. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2633–2642, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cellulose‐Builder: A toolkit for building crystalline structures of cellulose
Authors: Gomes Thiago C. F. , Skaf Munir S.
Published: March 2012

Cellulose‐builder is a user‐friendly program that builds crystalline structures of cellulose of different sizes and geometries. The program generates Cartesian coordinates for all atoms of the specified structure in the Protein Data Bank format, suitable for using as starting configurations in molecular dynamics simulations and other calculations. Crystalline structures of cellulose polymorphs Iα, Iβ, II, and IIII of practically any size are readily constructed which includes parallelepipeds, plant cell wall cellulose elementary fibrils of any length, and monolayers. Periodic boundary conditions along the crystallographic directions are easily imposed. The program also generates atom connectivity file in PSF format, required by well‐known simulation packages such as NAMD, CHARMM, and others. Cellulose‐builder is based on the Bash programming language and should run on practically any Unix‐like platform, demands very modest hardware, and is freely available for download from ftp://ftp.iqm.unicamp.br/pub/cellulose‐builder. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Morphology of a new deep‐sea acorn worm (class Enteropneusta, phylum Hemichordata): A part‐time demersal drifter with externalized ovaries
Authors: Holland Nicholas D. , Kuhnz Linda A. , Osborn Karen J.
Published: March 2012

Ten individuals of an enteropneust in the family Torquaratoridae were videotaped between 2,900 and 3,500 m in the Eastern Pacific—one drifting a few centimeters above the bottom, two exposed on the substrate, and seven partly burrowed, reflecting a bentho‐pelagic life style. Here, we describe a captured specimen (26 cm living length) as the holotype of Allapasus aurantiacus n. gen., n. sp. The small proboscis is dome‐shaped, and the collar is only slightly wider than deep; both of these body regions are more muscular than in other torquaratorids, which presumably facilitates burrowing. The proboscis complex, in contrast to that of shallow‐living enteropneusts, lacks a pericardial sac and is located relatively posteriorly in the proboscis stalk. The stomochord is separated from the main course of the gut by the intervention of a small, plate‐like proboscis skeleton lacking posterior horns. The most anterior region of the trunk houses the pharynx, in which the pharyngeal skeletal bars are not connected by synapticles. The postpharyngeal trunk comprises three intestinal regions: prehepatic, hepatic (with conspicuous sacculations), and posthepatic. On either side of the worm, a flap of body wall (lateral wing) runs the entire length of the trunk. The two lateral wings can wrap the body so their edges meet in the dorsal midline, although they often gape open along the pharyngeal region. The holotype is a female (presumably the species is gonochoric) with numerous ovaries located in the lateral wings along the pharyngeal region. Each larger ovary contains a single primary oocyte (up to 1,500 μm in diameter) and bulges outwards in an epidermal pouch attached to the rest of the body by a slender stalk. Such externalized ovaries are unprecedented in any animal, and nothing is yet known of their role in the reproductive biology of A. aurantiacus. J. Morphol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structural diversity of nuptial pads in Phyllomedusinae (Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae)
Authors: Luna Maria Celeste , Taboada Carlos , Baêta Délio , Faivovich Julián
Published: March 2012

We studied the morphological variation of the nuptial pads using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in 26 species of phyllomedusines (Anura: Hylidae), representing the five currently recognized genera. All phyllomedusines have single nuptial pads with dark colored epidermal projections (EPs). Spine‐shaped EPs occur in Cruziohyla calcarifer, Phrynomedusa appendiculata and in one species of Phasmahyla. The other species have roundish EPs. The density of the EPs on the pad is variable. Species in the Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis Group have EPs with a density that varies between 764 ± 58/mm2 and 923 ± 160/mm2. In all other studied species (including the Phyllomedusa burmeisteri and Phyllomedusa perinesos groups, Phyllomedusa camba, Phyllomedusa boliviana, Phyllomedusa sauvagii, Phyllomedusa bicolor, and Phyllomedusa tomopterna) the density of EPs varies between 108 ± 20/mm2 and 552 ± 97/mm2. Pores were observed with SEM in C. calcarifer, Agalychnis lemur, Agalychnis moreletii, but its presence is confirmed through histological sections on several other species. Its visibility using SEM seems to be related with the level of separation between adjacent EPs. The pores in the four studied species of Agalychnis are shown with SEM and histological sections to have a characteristic epidermal rim, that is absent in the otherphyllomedusines. Unlike most previous reports on breeding glands, those of phyllomedusines are alcian blue positive, indicating the presence of acidic mucosubstances on its secretions. J. Morphol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of mid‐latitude blocking anticyclones on the weather of the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Athar H. , Almazroui Mansour , Islam M. Nazrul , Abid M. Adnan , Ehsan M. Azhar
Published: March 2012

The statistical relationships among the various 10°–70°E mid‐latitude blocking anticyclone parameters and the weather of the Arabian Peninsula (AP) (35°–60°E, 12°–32°N) over a 40‐year period (1968‐2007), on seasonal, interannual, decadal and long‐term scales, are studied. The studied parameters include the number of blocking anticyclone events, the duration, the intensity, and the longitude at the blocking anticyclone onset. It is found that 31% of the Northern Hemisphere mid‐latitude blocking anticyclone events occurred over the 10°–70°E longitudes, and out of these, the maximum number of mid‐latitude blocking anticyclone event onsets are at 30°E (24%). On the seasonal basis, the annual and decadal relationships of the 10°–70° blocking anticyclones with the El‐Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Arctic Oscillation (AO) indices are presented. The results show that the number of days the blocking anticyclones persists is sensitive to the ENSO phase. The mid‐latitude blocking anticyclone occurrence over the 10°–70°E longitudes is indicative of the reduced surface temperature variance, both upstream and downstream, during the blocking anticyclone period, over the AP. A shift in the mean surface temperature distribution occurs, in all seasons, during the blocking anticyclone period. The blocking anticyclones initiate a surface temperature change (both positive and negative) that persists even after the blocking anticyclone's decay. The AP surface weather during the months of October, November, and December is affected more by the occurrence of mid‐latitude blocking anticyclones over the 10°–70°E longitudes in the presence the of El‐Niño phase. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
The diurnal cycle of rainfall in South Africa in the austral summer
Authors: Rouault Mathieu , Roy Shouraseni Sen , Balling Robert C.
Published: March 2012

The diurnal cycle of precipitation over South Africa during summer is analysed for the first time using hourly precipitation data from 103 stations for the period 1998–2007. Using harmonic analysis, we found the presence of a distinct diurnal cycle over most of South Africa regarding both the frequency and amount of precipitation events. The standardized amplitudes, indicative of the strength of the diurnal cycle across a region, are strongest over the interior and along the east coast of South Africa with up to 70% explained variance associated with the diurnal cycle. The time of maximum precipitation is late afternoon to early evening in the interior, and midnight to early morning along the Agulhas Current as well as inland in the northeast of the county. The proximity of the warm Agulhas Current plays a role in the diurnal cycle of rainfall at coastal stations. There is an early morning maximum in precipitation in the South West of the country with small amplitude in the diurnal cycle there. On average, the peak in precipitation amount leads the peak in frequencies of precipitation by 30 min to 1 h. Together with a high resolution climatological summer rain rate presented here and a detailed table for all stations, this study is a benchmark upon which model output or satellite estimate of the diurnal cycle can be compared within the region. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Separation of the time periods with dominant climatologic parameters by multivariate statistical analysis
Authors: Paskota Mira , Todorović Nedeljko , Vujović Dragana
Published: March 2012

Climatology is one of the areas that rely on collecting huge quantities of data. The longer a time period is observed, the better; the more parameters are included, the better. But the human mind cannot easily extract useful information from the abundance of data; thus, many valuable facts may be overlooked. Having that in mind, the authors of this paper have focused on the data condensation with the goal of gathering more information about the underlying trends of the main climatologic parameters change to show climatic variability. The data from the Belgrade Meteorological Observatory are analysed using a number of different methods of multivariate statistical analysis. Separation of the years and time periods with similar weather pattern characteristics was successful and indicates that there is a trend of temperature increase, as well as a trend of the temperature range decrease. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Assessment of the effects of acid‐coated ice nuclei on the Arctic cloud microstructure, atmospheric dehydration, radiation and temperature during winter
Authors: Girard Eric , Dueymes Guillaume , Du Ping , Bertram Allan K.
Published: March 2012

Owing to the large‐scale transport of pollution‐derived aerosols from the mid‐latitudes to the Arctic, most of the aerosols are coated with acidic sulfate during winter in the Arctic. Recent laboratory experiments have shown that acid coating on dust particles substantially reduces the ability of these particles to nucleate ice crystals. Simulations performed using the Limited Area version of the Global Multiscale Environmental Model (GEM‐LAM) are used to assess the potential effect of acid‐coated ice nuclei on the Arctic cloud and radiation processes during January and February 2007. Ice nucleation is treated using a new parameterization based on laboratory experiments of ice nucleation on sulphuric acid‐coated and uncoated kaolinite particles. Results show that acid coating on dust particles has an important effect on cloud microstructure, atmospheric dehydration, radiation and temperature over the Central Arctic, which is the coldest part of the Arctic. Mid and upper ice clouds are optically thinner while low‐level mixed‐phase clouds are more frequent and persistent. These changes in the cloud microstructures affect the radiation at the top of the atmosphere with longwave negative cloud forcing values ranging between 0 and − 6 W m−2 over the region covered by the Arctic air mass. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
On the temporal clustering of US floods and its relationship to climate teleconnection patterns
Authors: Villarini Gabriele , Smith James A. , Vitolo Renato , Stephenson David B.
Published: March 2012

This article examines whether the temporal clustering of flood events can be explained in terms of climate variability or time‐varying land‐surface state variables. The point process modelling framework for flood occurrence is based on Cox processes, which can be represented as Poisson processes with randomly varying rate of occurrence. In the special case that the rate of occurrence is deterministic, the Cox process simplifies to a Poisson process. Poisson processes represent flood occurrences which are not clustered. The Cox regression model is used to examine the dependence of the rate of occurrence on covariate processes. We focus on 41 stream gauge stations in Iowa, with discharge records covering the period 1950–2009. The climate covariates used in this study are the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Pacific/North American Teleconnection (PNA). To examine the influence of land‐surface forcing on flood occurrence, the antecedent 30 d rainfall accumulation is considered. In 27 out of 41 stations, either PNA or NAO, or both are selected as significant predictors, suggesting that flood occurrence in Iowa is influenced by large‐scale climate indices. Antecedent rainfall, used as a proxy for soil moisture, plays an important role in driving the occurrence of flooding in Iowa. These results point to clustering as an important element of the flood occurrence process. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Performance properties of oil‐soluble synthetic polyalkylene glycols
Authors: Greaves Martin , Zaugg‐Hoozemans Evelyn , Khelidj Nadjet , van Voorst Ronald , Meertens Rinus
Published: March 2012

Conventional polyalkylene glycols (PAGs) that are derived from the polymerization of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide provide many performance benefits such as excellent friction control, good low temperature properties, high viscosity indices and excellent deposit control. One limitation is their poor miscibility in hydrocarbon oils. A new range of oil‐soluble PAG base oils has been developed using butylene oxide as one of the precursors, and these provide superior miscibility in hydrocarbon base stocks. The new base oils offer many of the traditional advantages of PAGs such as high viscosity indices, good low temperature properties and good traction behaviour. In addition, they can be used as a co‐base oil or additive in hydrocarbon base stocks to improve deposit control and provide good film‐forming behaviour. Examples of their structure property relationships will be discussed and also aspects of how this technology may enable application expansion of PAGs in the future. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cancer proteomics
Authors: Tan Hwee Tong , Lee Yie Hou , Chung Maxey C.M.
Published: March 2012

Cancer presents high mortality and morbidity globally, largely due to its complex and heterogenous nature, and lack of biomarkers for early diagnosis. A proteomics study of cancer aims to identify and characterize functional proteins that drive the transformation of malignancy, and to discover biomarkers to detect early‐stage cancer, predict prognosis, determine therapy efficacy, identify novel drug targets, and ultimately develop personalized medicine. The various sources of human samples such as cell lines, tissues, and plasma/serum are probed by a plethora of proteomics tools to discover novel biomarkers and elucidate mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Innovative proteomics technologies and strategies have been designed for protein identification, quantitation, fractionation, and enrichment to delve deeper into the oncoproteome. In addition, there is the need for high‐throughput methods for biomarker validation, and integration of the various platforms of oncoproteome data to fully comprehend cancer biology. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 31:583–605, 2012
Overlay mapping trend analysis technique and its application in Euphrates Basin, Turkey
Authors: Yenigun Kasim , Ecer Ruken
Published: March 2012

New investigation techniques for detecting hydro‐meteorological data trends are required due to significant changes in precipitation and streamflow affecting the planning and operation of water resources. In this study, the trends analysis is carried out for the observation of climatic and hydrologic parameters such as temperature, humidity, precipitation and streamflow in the Euphrates Basin located in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (referred to as GAP from the Turkish acronym for Güneydoǧu Anadolu Projesi) region, which is the most important integrated water resources project in Turkey. The relationships between different meteorological and hydrological parameters in the basin are evaluated using the overlay mapping technique, popular in various engineering disciplines. The significant trends are indicated on the thematic maps and the visible changes are observed in different parts of the basin. Decreasing trends are detected in minimum streamflow, while the increasing trends in the annual mean and maximum temperature and in the annual mean and maximum humidity parameters are observed for many stations. The study concludes that the overlay mapping technique can be used effectively to observe the climatic changes and trends in hydrometeorological variables. The results are expected to help water resources managers and policy makers in decision‐making for better planning in water resources planning and management.
Numerical assessment of high‐modulus columns on liquefaction triggering potential
Authors: Unutmaz Berna
Published: March 2012

Although high‐modulus columns are widely used in both soil improvement and liquefaction mitigation, there is not much research, which validates their effects numerically. The aim of this paper is to investigate the role of high‐modulus columns on liquefaction mitigation and propose an empirical and simplified formula to assess this effect. For this purpose, an intensive numerical analyses scheme has been performed. These analyses include three‐dimensional, finite difference‐based total stress analyses on generic soil, high‐modulus column and earthquake combinations. The effect of the number, length, diameter of high‐modulus columns, the replacement ratio, peak acceleration of the shaking event and soil strength has been discussed in detail. A factor, called as improvement ratio, defining the ratio of liquefaction resistance of free field to resistance of treated cases was then developed using probabilistic methods. The descriptive (input) parameters are selected based on regression analyses, and they are soil stiffness, replacement ratio, stiffness of high‐modulus column and the depth of consideration. The model coefficients were estimated through maximum likelihood methodology. A satisfactory fit was achieved among improvement ratio estimations and numerical model results. A validation of the improvement ratio with a centrifuge test also is presented at the end of the paper. As the concluding remark, it is proven that the high‐modulus column can be used safely to prevent liquefaction. The effects of these columns increase with increasing replacement ratio, stiffness of the column and increasing soil stiffness and not depend on the magnitude or the peak ground acceleration of the earthquake. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolism of [U‐13C]glucose in human brain tumors in vivo
Authors: Maher Elizabeth A. , Marin‐Valencia Isaac , Bachoo Robert M. , Mashimo Tomoyuki , Raisanen Jack , Hatanpaa Kimmo J. , Jindal Ashish , Jeffrey F. Mark , Choi Changho , Madden Christopher , Mathews Dana , Pascual Juan M. , Mickey Bruce E. , Malloy Craig R. , DeBerardinis Ralph J.
Published: March 2012

Glioblastomas and brain metastases demonstrate avid uptake of 2‐[18F]fluoro‐2‐deoxyglucose by positron emission tomography and display perturbations of intracellular metabolite pools by 1H MRS. These observations suggest that metabolic reprogramming contributes to brain tumor growth in vivo. The Warburg effect, excess metabolism of glucose to lactate in the presence of oxygen, is a hallmark of cancer cells in culture. 2‐[18F]Fluoro‐2‐deoxyglucose‐positive tumors are assumed to metabolize glucose in a similar manner, with high rates of lactate formation relative to mitochondrial glucose oxidation, but few studies have specifically examined the metabolic fates of glucose in vivo. In particular, the capacity of human brain cancers to oxidize glucose in the tricarboxylic acid cycle is unknown. Here, we studied the metabolism of human brain tumors in situ. [U‐13 C]Glucose (uniformly labeled glucose, i.e. d‐glucose labeled with 13 C in all six carbons) was infused during surgical resection, and tumor samples were subsequently subjected to 13C NMR spectroscopy. The analysis of tumor metabolites revealed lactate production, as expected. We also determined that pyruvate dehydrogenase, turnover of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, anaplerosis and de novo glutamine and glycine synthesis contributed significantly to the ultimate disposition of glucose carbon. Surprisingly, less than 50% of the acetyl‐coenzyme A pool was derived from blood‐borne glucose, suggesting that additional substrates contribute to tumor bioenergetics. This study illustrates a convenient approach that capitalizes on the high information content of 13C NMR spectroscopy and enables the analysis of intermediary metabolism in diverse cancers growing in their native microenvironment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hallux Valgus among an 18th Century Population of the Canary Islands
Authors: Trujillo‐Mederos A. , Arnay‐de‐la‐Rosa M. , González‐Reimers E. , Ordóñez A. C.
Published: March 2012

Hallux valgus is defined as the lateral deviation of the great toe. It is considered a disease mainly related to the use of boots or shoes that constrict the foot. This process usually ensues along many years and is accompanied by changes at the metatarsophalangeal joint, which serve to make the diagnosis on bare bones. Diagnostic criteria include lateral deviation of the metatarsophalangeal joint (1), lateral subluxation of the first phalanx, degenerative changes of the sesamoid articular facets, and exostosis or remodelling of the medial tuberosity. Following other authors, we have defined hallux valgus as the presence of (1) and any of the other three criteria. In a series of the 18th century burials from the church La Concepción, in Tenerife, Canary Islands, we found 35 cases of hallux valgus out of the 117 cases for which necessary data for the diagnosis could be recorded (29.91%). A significant association was found between changes in the left toe and burial site near the altar, where priests and other people of the high social status were interred. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ambulatory care connections of Medicaid‐insured children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Bundy David G. , Muschelli John , Clemens Gwendolyn D. , Strouse John J. , Thompson Richard E. , Casella James F. , Miller Marlene R.
Published: March 2012

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) requires coordinated ambulatory care from generalists and hematologists. We examined when children with SCD establish ambulatory care connections, whether these connections are maintained, and how these connections are used before and after hospitalizations.

Procedure

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Medicaid‐insured Maryland children with SCD from 2002 to 2008. For children enrolled from birth, time to first, second, and third generalist and first hematologist visits was plotted. For all children, we analyzed ambulatory visits by age group, by emergency department (ED) and hospital use, and before and after hospitalizations.

Results

The overall study cohort comprised 851 children; 178 provided data from birth. Ambulatory care connections to generalists were made rapidly; connections to hematologists occurred more slowly, if at all (38% of children had not seen a hematologist by age 2 years). Visits with generalists decreased as patients aged, as did visits with hematologists (54% of children in the 12–17 year age group had no hematology visits in 2 years). Children with higher numbers of ED visits or hospitalizations also had higher numbers of ambulatory visits (generalist and hematologist). Most children had visits with neither generalists nor hematologists in the 30 days before and after hospitalizations.

Conclusions

Medicaid‐insured children with SCD rapidly connect with generalists after birth; connections to hematologists occur more slowly. The observation that connections to generalists and hematologists diminish with time and are infrequently used around hospitalizations suggests that the ambulatory care of many Medicaid‐insured children with SCD may be inadequate. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 888–894. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cardiovascular outcomes in women with advanced breast cancer exposed to chemotherapy
Authors: Yood Marianne Ulcickas , Wells Karen E. , Alford Sharon Hensley , Dakki Heather , Beiderbeck Annette B. , Hurria Arti , Gross Cary P. , Oliveria Susan A.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

To quantify incidence of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with advanced breast cancer receiving cardiotoxic and non‐cardiotoxic chemotherapy.

Methods

This study identified all women at a Midwestern health system with initial diagnosis of American Joint Commission on Cancer Stage III/IV breast cancer (1995–2003) and random sample of 50 women initially diagnosed with Stage I/II who progressed to Stage III/IV. The rate of new cardiovascular outcomes (heart failure, dysrhythmia, and ischemia events) for cardiotoxic (anthracycline or trastuzumab) and non‐cardiotoxic agents was calculated.

Results

Of 315 patients, 90.5% (n = 285) received systemic cancer therapy; 67.7% (n = 193) received cardiotoxic drugs. Older patients were less likely to receive cardiotoxic agents (86.4%, ≤59 years vs. 31.9%, 70+ years). Adjusting for age, race, stage, surgery/radiation, estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor status, and diagnosis year, rate of new cardiac events was higher in patients exposed to cardiotoxic drugs compared with those exposed to non‐cardiotoxic drugs (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.5, 95%CI = 0.9–7.2). Patients with cardiac event history (relative risk = 3.2, 95%CI = 2.0–5.1) and those with heart failure history (relative risk = 5.9, 95%CI = 2.4–14.6) were more likely to receive non‐cardiotoxic treatment. Heart failure events occurred steadily over time; after 3 years of follow‐up, 16% exposed to cardiotoxic drugs experienced an event, and 8% of those exposed to non‐cardiotoxic drugs experienced an event.

Conclusions

Patients with cardiac comorbidity are less likely to receive cardiotoxic agents. Use of cardiotoxic agents is common; treatment is related to patient and tumor characteristics and is associated with substantial risk of cardiotoxicity that persists during patients' remaining lifespan. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resistance risk assessment within herbicide authorisation – a call for sensitivity data
Authors: Ulber Lena , Nordmeyer Henning , Zwerger Peter
Published: March 2012

In most European countries, the risk of herbicide resistance is assessed as part of the authorisation of herbicides in accordance with EPPO Standard PP 1/213(2). Because the susceptibility of weed populations to a certain herbicide may vary greatly, one part of resistance risk assessment is the testing for sensitivity variation among different populations of target weed species with a high resistance risk. This paper emphasises the importance of sensitivity data provision with regard to the recent EU Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and outlines the main technical requirements for sensitivity data. A useful principle is that sensitivity data should be provided for all herbicides with a high resistance risk regardless of whether resistance has already evolved against the herbicidal substance. Methodical details regarding the generation of sensitivity data are discussed, together with remaining questions that will need to be addressed if a harmonised assessment of herbicide resistance risk is to be achieved. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of plasma treatments on the properties of GaN/AlGaN/GaN HEMT structures
Authors: Linkohr Stefanie , Pletschen Wilfried , Polyakov Vladimir , Himmerlich Marcel , Lorenz Pierre , Krischok Stefan , Kirste Lutz , Müller Stefan , Ambacher Oliver , Cimalla Volker
Published: March 2012

We investigated the impact of fluorine and nitrogen plasma treatments on the electronic transport properties of GaN/AlGaN/GaN heterostructures by employing different plasma processes and subsequent annealing in nitrogen atmosphere at 425 °C. It is demonstrated that the plasma treatments affect the 2‐dimensional electron gas (2DEG) properties of the HEMT structure resulting in a decrease of the surface potential. In order to understand the physical mechanisms we have undertaken an extensive study of the influence of plasma processing on the 2DEG properties.

The electrical properties of the 2DEG are characterized by Hall measurements while X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is used to investigate changes in surface chemical composition. Changes of the DC bias voltage have a strong effect on the mobility presumably by incorporation of fluorine and nitrogen close to the channel. To confirm this assumption, Monte Carlo simulations were carried out, taking into account surface potential and negatively charged fluorine acceptors acting as additional scattering centers within the 2DEG (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Theory of photoinduced melting of charge order in Et2Me2Sb[Pd(dmit)2]2
Authors: Nishioka Keita , Yonemitsu Kenji
Published: March 2012

We have theoretically studied photoinduced melting in a charge‐separated (CS) phase of the dimeric radical anion salt, Et2Me2Sb[Pd(dmit)2]2, by using an extended Peierls‐Hubbard model with intra‐molecular degrees of freedom and the mean‐field approximation. Model parameters are determined to reproduce the ground‐state properties of neutral, monovalent, and divalent dimers, as well as their crystallized states.

We have calculated the dynamics of a photoexcited state in the CS phase by solving the time‐dependent Schrödinger equation. Neutral and divalent dimers are changed into a monovalent state after photoexcitation, resulting in the melting of charge order. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electronic properties and charge order transition in (TMTTF)2X under c *‐direction pressure
Authors: Nagasawa Mitsuharu , Nagasawa Tokiko , Ichimura Koichi , Nomura Kazushige
Published: March 2012

We measured the electrical conductance along the adirection σa of (TMTTF)2SbF6 under anisotropic external pressure PEc which is parallel to the c *‐direction. It is expected that PEc achieves the uniaxial strain along the c *‐direction to the sample. We found that σ a is strongly influenced by applying PEc and the charge order (CO) transition temperature TCO decreases with increasing PEc.

The tendencies of the PEc dependence of σ a and TCO is different from that of the anisotropic external pressures which are parallel to the a ‐ and the b ‐directions. We discuss the PEc effects on both σa and the CO transition. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
New copper thiophenedithiolenes for single component molecular metals
Authors: Neves Ana I. S. , Lopes Elsa B. , Almeida Manuel , Belo Dulce
Published: March 2012

The copper bisdithiolene complexes based on highly extended ligands incorporating fused TTF and thiophene moieties (α‐tdt = tiophenetetrathiafulvalenedithiolate and dtdt = dihydro‐thiophenetetrathiafulvalenedithiolate), were prepared and characterised by cyclic voltammetry and electrical transport measurements. The anionic complexes, (nBu4N)x[Cu(dtdt)2] (1) and (nBu4N)x[Cu(α‐tdt)2] (2), (1<x<2), obtained under anaerobic conditions, can be easily oxidised to the stable neutral state, [Cu(dtdt)2]0 (3) and [Cu(α‐tdt)2]0 (4), just by air or iodine exposure. Although no suitable single crystals of the neutral complexes could be obtained, room temperature conductivities measured in compressed powder pellets show values of σRT in the range of 0.10‐0.40 S/cm, a reasonable high electrical conductivity, for a powder compacted sample (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Theory of nonlinear conduction for charge‐ordered states in quasi‐two‐dimensional organic conductors
Authors: Tanaka Yasuhiro , Yonemitsu Kenji
Published: March 2012

Nonlinear conduction in quasi‐two‐dimensional organic conductors θ ‐(BEDT‐TTF)2X [BEDT‐TTF=bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene] is investigated theoretically. By using a nonequilibrium Green's function method, an extended Peierls‐Hubbard model attached to metallic electrodes is studied within the mean‐field approximation.

We show that in a coexistent state of stripe‐type and nonstripe 3‐fold charge orders, the former charge order is completely suppressed by the applied bias, whereas the latter charge order survives. This leads to selective melting of charge order of different origins. The disappearance of the stripe‐type charge order largely alters the conduction behavior, which is consistent with the experimental findings. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)