bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Neural Underpinings of Simultanagnosia: Disconnecting the Visuospatial Attention Network
Authors: Chechlacz Magdalena , Rotshtein Pia , Hansen Peter C. , Riddoch Jane M. , Deb Shoumitro , Humphreys Glyn W. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBecause of our limited processing capacity, different elements of the visual scene compete for the allocation of processing resources. One of the most striking deficits in visual selection is simultanagnosia, a rare neuropsychological condition characterized by impaired spatial awareness of more than one object at time. To decompose the neuroanatomical substrates of the syndrome and to gain insights into the structural and functional organization of visuospatial attention, we performed a systematic evaluation of lesion patterns in a group of simultanagnosic patients compared with patients with either (i) unilateral visuospatial deficits (neglect and/or extinction) or (ii) bilateral posterior lesions without visuospatial deficits, using overlap/subtraction analyses, estimation of lesion volume, and a lesion laterality index. We next used voxel-based morphometry to assess the link between different visuospatial deficits and gray matter and white matter (WM) damage. Lesion overlap/subtraction analyses, lesion laterality index, and voxel-based morphometry measures converged to indicate that bilateral parieto-occipital WM disconnections are both distinctive and necessary to create symptoms associated with simultanagnosia. We also found that bilateral gray matter damage within the middle frontal area (BA 46), cuneus, calacarine, and parieto-occipital fissure as well as right hemisphere parietal lesions within intraparietal and postcentral gyri were associated with simultanagnosia. Further analysis of the WM based on tractography revealed associations with bilateral damage to major pathways within the visuospatial attention network, including the superior longitudinal fasciculus, the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus. We conclude that damage to the parieto-occipital regions and the intraparietal sulcus, together, with bilateral WM disconnections within the visuosptial attention network, contribute to poor visual processing of multiple objects and the loss of processing speed characteristic of simultanagnosia.
Mechanisms Linking Volcanic Aerosols to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
Authors: Iwi Alan M. , Hermanson Leon , Haines Keith , Sutton Rowan T. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
This study examines the sensitivity of the climate system to volcanic aerosol forcing in the third climate configuration of the Met Office Unified Model (HadCM3). The main test case was based on the 1880s when there were several volcanic eruptions, the well-known Krakatau being the largest. These eruptions increased atmospheric aerosol concentrations and induced a period of global cooling surface temperatures. In this study, an ensemble of HadCM3 has been integrated with the standard set of radiative forcings and aerosols from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report simulations, from 1860 to present. A second ensemble removes the volcanic aerosols from 1880 to 1899. The all-forcings ensemble shows an attributable 1.2-Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) increase in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) at 45°N—with a 0.04-PW increase in meridional heat transport at 40°N and increased northern Atlantic SSTs—starting around 1894, approximately 11 years after the first eruption, and lasting a further 10 years at least. The mechanisms responsible are traced to the Arctic, with suppression of the global water cycle (high-latitude precipitation), which leads to an increase in upper-level Arctic and Greenland Sea salinities. This then leads to increased convection in the Greenland–Iceland–Norwegian (GIN) Seas, enhanced Denmark Strait overflows, and AMOC changes with density anomalies traceable southward along the western Atlantic boundary. The authors investigate whether a similar response to the Pinatubo eruption in 1991 could still be ongoing, but do not find strong evidence.
The Usefulness of Piecewise Potential Vorticity Inversion
Authors: Røsting Bjørn , Kristjánsson Jón Egill 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIt is today widely accepted that potential vorticity (PV) thinking is a highly useful approach for understanding important aspects of dynamic meteorology and for validation of output from state-of-the-art numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. Egger recently presented a critical view on piecewise potential vorticity inversion (PPVI). This was done by defining a PV anomaly by retaining the observed PV field in a specific region, while changing the observed PV fields to zero elsewhere. Inversion of such a modified PV field yields a flow vastly different from the observed. On the basis of this result it was argued that PPVI is useless for understanding the dynamics of the flow.The present paper argues that the results presented by Egger are incomplete in the context of PPVI, since the complementary cases were not considered and that the results also depend on the idealized model formulations. The complementary case is defined by changing the observed PV to zero in the specific region, while retaining the observed PV field elsewhere.By including the complementary cases, it can be demonstrated that the streamfunction fields associated with the PV and boundary temperature anomalies presented by Egger add up to yield the observed streamfunction field, as expected if PPVI is to be valid. It follows that PPVI is indeed valid and useful in these cases.
Analytic Solutions for Evolving Size Distributions of Spherical Crystals or Droplets Undergoing Diffusional Growth in Different Regimes
Authors: Lewellen D. C. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Motivated by simulations of slow-growing contrail cirrus, the solution of the diffusional growth equations for a population of spherical ice crystals or water droplets is reexamined. For forcing specified by the evolution of the total water content above saturation within a parcel (whether driven by vertical motions, radiative heating, turbulent mixing, etc.) three behavior regimes are identified: “very fast growth” that cannot equilibrate, “fast growth” with a narrowing size spectrum, and “slow growth” with a broadening spectrum. The boundaries between regimes, time scales involved, and evolution of the condensate mass, number, and supersaturation are determined. The slow-growth regime represents an example of “spectral ripening,” with crystal or droplet numbers falling in time because of surface tension effects. Surprisingly the diffusional growth equations for the size spectrum evolution can be solved exactly in this case: in appropriate coordinates the spectral shape becomes steady, crystal or droplet numbers fall as a forcing-dependent power law, and the mean particle mass grows linearly with time. Dependence on different physical variables, fluctuating forcing, and modifications due to kinetic theory corrections are all considered. In the limit of zero external forcing on the parcel the size-spectrum solution is mathematically equivalent to a classic result in the theory of Ostwald ripening of solid solutions. It is argued that the slow-growth regime may be important in the evolution of contrail cirrus and perhaps in setting upper limits on droplet number densities in stratiform boundary layer clouds. The theoretical results are compared with parcel model simulations for illustration and to study numerical issues in binned microphysics models.
Beautiful Thus Innocent? The Impact of Defendants' and Victims' Physical Attractiveness and Participants' Rape Beliefs on Impression Formation in Alleged Rape Cases
Authors: Vrij Alder , Firmin Hannah R. 
Published: November 2011

This experiment examined the possible beneficial effects of victims' and defendants' good-looks in an alleged rape case. It was hypothesized that people who especially endorsed ‘Rape Myths’ would be more favourable towards victims and defendants who are good-looking. Moreover, it was hypothesized that females would be more favourable towards the victim than males and that this gender difference would be mediated by differences in “Rape Myths Acceptance”. In the experiment, 80 observers were exposed to an extract of a victim's story about an alleged rape case. The physical attractiveness of both the victim and the defendant were systematically varied. Observers' Rape Myths Acceptance were measured with Burt's (1980) Rape Myths Acceptance scale. The results support the hypotheses; it is therefore suggested that the acceptance of these myths should be investigated in selection procedures of people who are likely to be confronted with victims of sexual offenses, such as police officers and jury members in rape or sexual harassment cases.
The classification of mRNA expression levels by the phosphorylation state of RNAPII CTD based on a combined genome-wide approach
Authors: Odawara Jun , Harada Akihito , Yoshimi Tomohiko , Maehara Kazumitsu , Tachibana Taro , Okada Seiji , Akashi Koichi , Ohkawa Yasuyuki 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Cellular function is regulated by the balance of stringently regulated amounts of mRNA. Previous reports revealed that RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), which transcribes mRNA, can be classified into the pausing state and the active transcription state according to the phosphorylation state of RPB1, the catalytic subunit of RNAPII. However, genome-wide association between mRNA expression level and the phosphorylation state of RNAPII is unclear. While the functional importance of pausing genes is clear, such as in mouse Embryonic Stem cells for differentiation, understanding this association is critical for distinguishing pausing genes from active transcribing genes in expression profiling data, such as microarrays and RNAseq. Therefore, we examined the correlation between the phosphorylation of RNAPII and mRNA expression levels using a combined analysis by ChIPseq and RNAseq.

Results
We first performed a precise quantitative measurement of mRNA by performing an optimized calculation in RNAseq. We then visualized the recruitment of various phosphorylated RNAPIIs, such as Ser2P and Ser5P. A combined analysis using optimized RNAseq and ChIPseq for phosphorylated RNAPII revealed that mRNA levels correlate with the various phosphorylation states of RNAPII.

Conclusions
We demonstrated that the amount of mRNA is precisely reflected by the phased phosphorylation of Ser2 and Ser5. In particular, even the most "pausing" genes, for which only Ser5 is phosphorylated, were detectable at a certain level of mRNA. Our analysis indicated that the complexity of quantitative regulation of mRNA levels could be classified into three categories according to the phosphorylation state of RNAPII.
Bio-physical characteristics of gastrointestinal mucosa of celiac patients: comparison with control subjects and effect of gluten free diet-
Authors: Bertolazzi Stefania , Lanzarotto Francesco , Zanini Barbara , Ricci Chiara , Villanacci Vincenzo , Lanzini Alberto 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Intestinal mucosa is leaky in celiac disease (CD), and this alteration may involve changes in hydrophobicity of the mucus surface barrier in addition to alteration of the epithelial barrier. The aims of our study were i) to compare duodenal hydrophobicity as an index of mucus barrier integrity in CD patients studied before (n = 38) and during gluten- free diet (GFD, n = 68), and in control subjects (n = 90), and ii) to check for regional differences of hydrophobicity in the gastro-intestinal tract.

Methods
Hydrophobicity was assessed by measurement of contact angle (CA) (Rame Hart 100/10 goniometer) generated by a drop of water placed on intestinal mucosal biopsies.

Results
CA (mean ± SD) of distal duodenum was significantly lower in CD patients (56° ± 10°)) than in control subjects (69° ± 9°, p < 0.0001), and persisted abnormal in patients studied during gluten free diet (56° ± 9°; p < 0.005). CA was significantly higher (62° ± 9°) in histologically normal duodenal biopsies than in biopsies with Marsh 1-2 (58° ± 10°; p < 0.02) and Marsh 3 lesions (57° ± 10°; p < 0.02) in pooled results of all patients and controls studied. The order of hydrofobicity along the gastrointestinal tract in control subjects follows the pattern: gastric antrum > corpus > rectum > duodenum > oesophagus > ileum.

Conclusions
We conclude that the hydrophobicity of duodenal mucous layer is reduced in CD patients, and that the resulting decreased capacity to repel luminal contents may contribute to the increased intestinal permeability of CD. This alteration mirrors the severity of the mucosal lesions and is not completely reverted by gluten-free diet. Intestinal hydrophobicity exhibits regional differences in the human intestinal tract.
Does laparoscopic management of deep infiltrating endometriosis improve quality of life? A prospective study
Authors: Mabrouk Mohamed , Montanari Giulia , Guerrini Manuela , Villa Gioia , Solfrini Serena , Vicenzi Claudia , Mignemi Giuseppe , Zannoni Letizia , Frasca Clarissa , Di Donato Nadine , Facchini Chiara , Del Forno Simona , Geraci Elisa , Ferrini Giulia , Raimondo Diego , Alvisi Stefania , Seracchioli Renato 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) can affect importantly patients' quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the laparoscopic management of DIE on QOL after six months from treatment.

Methods
It is a prospective cohort study. In a tertiary care university hospital, between April 2008 and December 2009, 100 patients underwent laparoscopic management of DIE and completed preoperatively and 6-months postoperatively a QOL questionnaire, the short form 36 (SF-36).
Quality of life was measured through the SF-36 scores. Intra-operative details of disease site, number of lesions, type of intervention, period of hospital stay and peri-operative complications were noted.

Results
Six months postoperatively all the women had a significant improvement in every scale of the SF-36 (p < 0,0005). Among patients with intestinal DIE, significant differences in postoperative scores of SF-36 were not detected between patients submitted to nodule shaving and segmental resection (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the SF-36 scores at 6 months from surgery between patients who received postoperative medical treatment and patients who did not (p > 0.05).

Conclusions
Laparoscopic excision of DIE lesions significantly improves general health and psycho-emotional status at six months from surgery without differences between patients submitted to intestinal segmental resection or intestinal nodule shaving.
Field modulation in Na-incorporated Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) polycrystalline films influenced by alloy-hardening and pair-annihilation probabilities
Authors: Jeong Yonkil , Kim Chae-Woong , Park Dong-Won , Jung Seung Chul , Lee Jongjin , Shim Hee-Sang 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
The influence of Na on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells was investigated. A gradient profile of the Na in the CIGS absorber layer can induce an electric field modulation and significantly strengthen the back surface field effect. This field modulation originates from a grain growth model introduced by a combination of alloy-hardening and pair-annihilation probabilities, wherein the Cu supply and Na diffusion together screen the driving force of the grain boundary motion (GBM) by alloy hardening, which indicates a specific GBM pinning by Cu and Na. The pair annihilation between the ubiquitously evolving GBMs has a coincident probability with the alloy-hardening event.

PACS: 88. 40. H-, 81. 10. Aj, 81. 40. Cd,
Some fixed point theorems for contractive multi-valued mappings induced by generalized distance in metric spaces
Authors: Hirunworakit Soawapak , Petrot Narin 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to prove some existence theorems for fixed point problem by using a generalization of metric distance, namely u-distance. Consequently, some special cases are discussed and an interesting example is also provided. Presented results are generalizations of the important results due to Ume (Fixed Point Theory Appl 2010(397150), 21 pp, 2010) and Suzuki and Takahashi (Topol Methods Nonlinear Anal 8, 371-382, 1996).2010 Mathematics Subject Classification: 47H09, 47H10.
HIV-1 predisposed to acquiring resistance to maraviroc (MVC) and other CCR5 antagonists in vitro has an inherent, low-level ability to utilize MVC-bound CCR5 for entry
Authors: Roche Michael , Jakobsen Martin R , Ellett Anne , Salimiseyedabad Hamid , Jubb Becky , Westby Mike , Lee Benhur , Lewin Sharon R , Churchill Melissa J , Gorry Paul R 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Maraviroc (MVC) and other CCR5 antagonists are HIV-1 entry inhibitors that bind to- and alter the conformation of CCR5, such that CCR5 is no longer recognized by the viral gp120 envelope (Env) glycoproteins. Resistance to CCR5 antagonists results from HIV-1 Env acquiring the ability to utilize the drug-bound conformation of CCR5. Selecting for HIV-1 resistance to CCR5-antagonists in vitro is relatively difficult. However, the CCR5-using CC1/85 strain appears to be uniquely predisposed to acquiring resistance to several CCR5 antagonists in vitro including MVC, vicriviroc and AD101.

Findings
Here, we show that Env derived from the parental CC1/85 strain is inherently capable of a low affinity interaction with MVC-bound CCR5. However, this phenotype was only revealed in 293-Affinofile cells and NP2-CD4/CCR5 cells that express very high levels of CCR5, and was masked in TZM-bl, JC53 and U87-CD4/CCR5 cells as well as PBMC, which express comparatively lower levels of CCR5 and which are more commonly used to detect resistance to CCR5 antagonists.

Conclusions
Env derived from the CC1/85 strain of HIV-1 is inherently capable of a low-affinity interaction with MVC-bound CCR5, which helps explain the relative ease in which CC1/85 can acquire resistance to CCR5 antagonists in vitro. The detection of similar phenotypes in patients may identify those who could be at higher risk of virological failure on MVC.
High sero-prevalence of caseous lymphadenitis identified in slaughterhouse samples as a consequence of deficiencies in sheep farm management in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Guimarães Alessandro S , Carmo Filipe B , Heinemann Marcos B , Portela Ricardo WD , Meyer Roberto , Lage Andrey P , Seyffert Núbia , Miyoshi Anderson , Azevedo Vasco , Gouveia Aurora MG 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, is one of the most important diseases of sheep and goats, causing considerable economic losses for herd owners.

Results
We assessed the seroprevalence of infection with C. pseudotuberculosis in 805 sheep from 23 sheep farms that supply slaughterhouses in the state of Minas Gerais; we also analyzed management practices that could be associated with CLA occurrence, used on these and nearby farms that also supplied animals to the slaughterhouse (n = 60). The serum samples for assaying CLA infection were taken at the slaughterhouse. Frequency of infection with C. pseudotuberculosis was estimated at 43.7%, and farm frequency was estimated at 100%. Management practices were analyzed through a questionnaire. All farmers (60/60) had extensive/semi-extensive rearing system; 70.0% (42/60) identified sheep individually; 11.7% (7/60) had periodical technical assistance; 41.7% (25/60) disinfected the facilities; 86.7% (52/60) used barbed wire fences and did not implement adequate CLA control measures; only 11.7% (7/60) of breeders reported vaccination against C. pseudotuberculosis; 13.3% (8/60) took note of animals with clinical signs of CLA; 1.7% (1/60) opened and sanitized abscesses, and isolated the infected animals; 10.0% (6/60) knew the zoonotic potential of this disease and 1.7% (1/60) of the farmers culled animals in case of recurrence of abscesses.

Conclusions
It can be concluded that C. pseudotuberculosis infection is widely spread in sheep flocks in Minas Gerais state in Brazil and that there is a lack of good management measures and vaccination, allowing transmission of this infectious agent throughout the production network.
Nβ-methylation changes the recognition pattern of aza-β3-amino acid containing peptidomimetic substrates by protein kinase A
Authors: Kisseljova Ksenija , Baudy-Floc'h Michèle , Kuznetsov Aleksei , Järv Jaak 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
The protein kinase A (PKA)-catalyzed phosphorylation of peptide substrate RRASVA analogs, containing N
β-Me-aza-β3-amino acid residues in all subsequent positions, was studied. This work follows along the lines of our previous research of the phosphorylation of aza-β3-analogs of RRASVA (the shortest active substrate of PKA) and allows characterizing the influence of Nβ-methylation of aza-β3-amino acid residues on substrate recognition by PKA on substrate binding and phosphorylation steps. It was found that the effect of Nβ-methylation was dependent upon the position of the structure alteration. Moreover, the presence of a single Nβ-methylation site in the substrate changed the recognition pattern of this series of peptidomimetics, strongly affecting the phosphorylation step. Structure modeling of aza-β3- and N
β-Me-aza-β3-containing substrates revealed that Nβ-methylation of aza-β3-moieties changed the peptide bond geometry from trans- to cis-configuration in -CO-NMe- fragments, with an exception for the N-terminally methylated N
β-Me-aza-β3-RRRASVA (with the N-terminal amino group not participating in the peptide bond) and RRAS-N
β-Me-aza-β3-VA. As has been shown in literature, this conformational preference of the backbone has a significant influence on the flexibility of the peptide substrate chain. Following our results, this property seems to have significant influence on the recognition of the amino acid side groups by the enzyme binding site, and in the case of PKA this structural modification was decisive for the phosphate transfer step of the catalytic process.