bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Why mountain pine beetle exacerbates a principal–agent relationship: exploring strategic policy responses to beetle attack in a mixed species forest
Authors: Bogle Tim , Cornelis van Kooten G. 
Published: March 2012

The management of public forestland is often carried out by private forest companies, in which case the landowner needs to exercise care in dealing with catastrophic natural disturbance. We use the mountain pine beetle ( Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, 1902) damage in British Columbia to explore how the public resource owner can protect future timber supply while salvaging damaged stands. We examine the variability and timing of beetle attack in a mixed species forest using mathematical programming to schedule harvest but employ the novel strategy of maximizing the timber portfolio at the end of the 20 year time horizon rather than net present value. Various financial and even-flow constraints insure a modicum of stability during the salvage period. We also model supply of adequate feedstock for electricity generation. Based on our study, the optimal short-run response to beetle damage is to increase harvests in stands with 70% or more lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Watson) that would otherwise be uneconomic to harvest, similar to operational practice reported by the BC government. The government could focus on stable supply of individual forest products over the time horizon, thereby also stabilizing short-term revenues. Alternatively, it could emphasize an even-flow of total harvest to greatly enhance revenues (which also exhibit greater volatility) and rely more heavily on future harvests of damaged timber. Regardless of the strategy chosen, optimizing future timber supply potential means that a large proportion (about 25% in this study) of damaged pine is left for future harvest, although it will not be of sufficient quality to produce lumber.
Estimating damage from selective logging and implications for tropical forest management
Authors: Picard Nicolas , Gourlet-Fleury Sylvie , Forni Éric 
Published: March 2012

The proportion of stems damaged by logging is a key parameter for the management of natural productive forests in the three tropical continents (Africa, Neotropics, and southeastern Asia). Based on a review of the literature and on a meta-analysis of published data, we estimated this logging damage rate for conventional logging and compared it across continents. Scaling coefficients were estimated to convert damage rate and logging intensity from one unit to another. Felled trees were smaller in the Neotropics (61 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) on average) than in Africa or Asia (92 cm dbh). A pantropical equation relating the proportion of trees damaged (α, no unit) to logging intensity (Nlog, in ha–1) was fitted: α = 1 – (1 + 0.09135Nlog)–0.70461. A significant residual continent effect was found, with lower damage in the Neotropics than in Africa or Asia for the same level of logging intensity, in agreement with the size of felled trees. The damage rate varied with the size of damaged trees and divided equally between destroyed and injured trees, with injured trees experiencing a threefold mortality rate during 5–10 years. Taking account at least of the relationship between logging damage and logging intensity would improve the accuracy of forecasts in forest management.
An overview of Neoproterozoic reservoirs in Pakistan
Authors: Jamil Athar , Sheikh Riaz A. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Over time, Neoproterozoic rocks in Pakistan have intermittently attracted the interest of oil and gas exploration companies. However, despite these rocks having been penetrated by nearly 40 wells and being exposed in various parts of Pakistan, no serious efforts have yet been made to investigate their reservoir potential. Neoproterozoic rocks are exposed along the outer periphery of the Salt Range and Nagar Parker in Pakistan and in Rajasthan (India). Surface and subsurface data suggest a good correlation between outcrops in Rajasthan and wells in the Punjab Platform. However, the Neoproterozoic of the Punjab Platform seems to be somewhat different from that in Potwar, suggesting the existence of a kind of barrier or palaeo-high, separating the two basins. Proterozoic stromatolite found in a number of Himalayan sequences seems to be correlatable with similar facies encountered in other parts of the world, such as in the Abalog-1 and Yarba-1 wells in the Toudeni Basin in Mauritania and Mali, respectively. Glacial Pokhran boulder beds (representing snowball Earth) in the Hazara Basin, and reportedly in Pokran and Lawan across the border in India, also correlate with similar Neoproterozoic facies found in other parts of the world. Neoproterozoic offers a complete petroleum system. Regional data demand that the Neoproterozoic reservoir potential be re-evaluated, and a proper understanding of basinal configuration may play a vital role in future exploration success in this region.
Megascopic carbonaceous compression fossils from the Neoproterozoic Bhima Basin, Karnataka, South India
Authors: Sharma Mukund , Shukla Yogmaya 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

An abundant well-preserved assemblage of annulated carbonaceous compressions and impressions has been recorded from the intra-cratonic argillaceous sedimentary sequence of the Bhima basin in south India. Impressions and carbonaceous compressions recorded in the Hulkal Formation belong to annulated forms similar to the previously reported
Sinosabellidites huainanensis
,
Protoarenicola baiguashanensis
and
Pararenicola huaiyuanensis
from China. This paper discusses the diversity, systematics, affinity, biostratigraphical potential and global significance of these remains. The previously proposed worm-like body fossil affinity for these organisms, based on similarity with the Chinese assemblage, has been reinterpreted as with pre-Ediacaran epibenthic organisms. Fresh investigations of the Indian assemblage of such specimens reveal their close proximity to the algal affinity. The occurrence of global marker events, such as phosphatization, the presence of complicated annulated carbonaceous remains in the Hulkal Formation and the absence of stromatolites in the carbonate sequences of the Bhima basin, collectively indicate a Neoproterozoic, possibly pre-Sturtian age for the Bhima Group.
Structural evolution of the frontal fold–thrust belt, NW Himalayas from sequential restoration of balanced cross-sections and its hydrocarbon potential
Authors: Mishra Premanand , Mukhopadhyay Dilip K. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Two sedimentary lithotectonic zones are traditionally recognized in the northwestern Himalayan frontal fold–thrust belt in the Nahan salient: the Lesser Himalaya Zone (LHZ) and the Sub-Himalaya Zone (SHZ). The LHZ is made up of a sequence of Proterozoic to Early Cambrian rocks and the SHZ is made up of Cenozoic rock sequences, which were deposited subsequent to the India–Asia collision. Serial balanced cross-sections show that the structural geometries become increasingly complex from independent ramp anticlines near the foreland through imbricate fan/duplex to stacked-up horses towards the hinterland. Sequential restoration suggests a structural evolution in which a foreland propagating, in-sequence thrusting event was followed by out-of-sequence thrusting in an approximately break-back style. During the out-of-sequence movement, some of the ramps formed during in-sequence thrusting were repeatedly reactivated, leading to very complex structural geometries, particularly in the LHZ. In such a complexly deformed terrain, a rigorous structural modelling approach, combined with a robust geochemical and geochronological database, should be used to carry out calibrated petroleum system modelling, and thus reduce exploration risk.
Fibre‐Optic IR‐Spectroscopy for Biomedical Diagnostics
Authors: Bindig Uwe , Gersonde Ingo , Meinke Martina , Becker Yukiyo , Müller Gerhard 
Published: March 2012

The use of microscopy is a valuable means of gaining vital information for medical diagnostics. Due to a number of recent technological developments advances have been made in IR microscopy and in particular, rapid detection methods. Microscopic examination methods usually involve sampling followed by a method of sample purification or preparation. The advantages of the IR analytical method are that it is based on a direct, non‒destructive measurement of sample material and that the resulting IR spectra provide extensive and specific information about the sample composition and structure. The course of a disease can lead to either formation or loss of organic compounds in metabolism as well as changes within the biological matrix. Corresponding changes can also be expected in the IR‒signature in view to the grading of alteration. Our preliminary IR microscopic investigations compared diseased and healthy tissue samples individually and basic information was obtained about the tissue specific spectral signature, taking account of biological variance. Human tissue samples taken from the colon were used for these studies. Given the number of endoscopic applications used in minimally invasive medicine, we hope to establish the IR fibre based procedure as an optical biopsy method for tissue diagnostics. The aqueous environment as well as the IR radiation source, signal detection and the flexible wave guide type will be a limiting factor for an IR system. The hygiene requirements are particularly high for a fibre based system to be used for in vivo applications.First experiments were used to check the transmission of the IR microspectroscopic data. Fibre supported measurements were made in ATR and remission. High powered IR laser diodes were tested in subsequent trials for application in biomedicine. First results are presented on the way to an IR‐endo‐spectroscopic system.
An NMR‐based metabolomic approach to the analysis of the effects of xenobiotics on endogenous metabolite levels in plants
Authors: Bailey Nigel J. C. , Oven Matjaz , Holmes Elaine , Zenk Meinhart H. , Nicholson Jeremy K. 
Published: March 2012

High field 1H NMR spectroscopy has been employed to obtain, in conjunction with chemometric analysis, information regarding fluctuations in endogenous metabolic profiles for Crotalaria cobalticola plant cells following exposure to cobalt chloride.Such ‘metabolomic’ type data analysis is often confounded by experimental, environmental or genetic factors that are not correlated to the classifications of interest and serve only to complicate the extraction of meaningful answers from a dataset. This work demonstrates the application of data filtering to remove extraneous data that result from spectrometer variation rather than being correlated with the classes of interest. Samples were analysed from Crotalaria cobalticola suspension cell culture following exposure to cobalt chloride using 2 spectrometers. Removal of confounding data due to spectrometer variation resulted in clear separation between control and dosed classes. It was then possible to use the model to determine key changes in biochemical status caused as a result of exposure to cobalt. Branched chain amino acids, succinate and secondary metabolite precursors phenylalanine and tyrosine were all higher in the control samples, whilst choline, glutamate, alanine and lactate were higher in the dosed samples.
Paclitaxel Enhances Therapeutic Efficacy of the F8-IL2 Immunocytokine to EDA-Fibronectin–Positive Metastatic Human Melanoma Xenografts
Authors: Moschetta Michele , Pretto Francesca , Berndt Alexander , Galler Kerstin , Richter Petra , Bassi Andrea , Oliva Paolo , Micotti Edoardo , Valbusa Giovanni , Schwager Kathrin , Kaspar Manuela , Trachsel Eveline , Kosmehl Hartwig , Bani Maria Rosa , Neri Dario , Giavazzi Raffaella 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The selective delivery of bioactive agents to tumors reduces toxicity and enhances the efficacy of anticancer therapies. In this study, we show that the antibody F8, which recognizes perivascular and stromal EDA-fibronectin (EDA-Fn), when conjugated to interleukin-2 (F8-IL2) can effectively inhibit the growth of EDA-Fn–expressing melanomas in combination with paclitaxel. We obtained curative effects with paclitaxel administered before the immunocytokine. Coadministration of paclitaxel increased the uptake of F8 in xenografted melanomas, enhancing tumor perfusion and permeability. Paclitaxel also boosted the recruitment of F8-IL2–induced natural killer (NK) cells to the tumor, suggesting a host response as part of the observed therapeutic benefit. In support of this likelihood, NK cell depletion impaired the antitumor effect of paclitaxel plus F8-IL2. Importantly, this combination reduced both the tumor burden and the number of pulmonary metastatic nodules. The combination did not cause cumulative toxicity. Together, our findings offer a preclinical proof that by acting on the tumor stroma paclitaxel potentiates the antitumor activity elicited by a targeted delivery of IL2, thereby supporting the use of immunochemotherapy in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Cancer Res; 72(7); 1814–24. ©2012 AACR.
Peptides Mimicking the Unique ARTS-XIAP Binding Site Promote Apoptotic Cell Death in Cultured Cancer Cells
Authors: Edison Natalia , Reingewertz Tali-Haviv , Gottfried Yossi , Lev Tali , Zuri Dotan , Maniv Inbal , Carp Marie-Jeanne , Shalev Gil , Friedler Assaf , Larisch Sarit 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Purpose: XIAP [X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein] is the best characterized mammalian caspase inhibitor. XIAP is frequently overexpressed in a variety of human tumors, and genetic inactivation of XIAP in mice protects against lymphoma. Therefore, XIAP is an attractive target for anticancer therapy. IAP antagonists based on a conserved IAP-binding motif (IBM), often referred to as “Smac-mimetics,” are currently being evaluated for cancer therapy in the clinic. ARTS (Sept4_i2) is a mitochondrial proapoptotic protein which promotes apoptosis by directly binding and inhibiting XIAP via a mechanism that is distinct from all other known IAP antagonists. Here, we investigated the ability of peptides derived from ARTS to antagonize XIAP and promote apoptosis in cancer cell lines.
Experimental Design: The ability of synthetic peptides, derived from the C-terminus of ARTS, to bind to XIAP, stimulate XIAP degradation, and induce apoptosis was examined. We compared the response of several cancer cell lines to different ARTS-derived peptides. Pull-down assays were used to examine binding to XIAP, and apoptosis was evaluated using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP nick end labeling, caspase activation, and Western blot analyses of caspase substrates.
Results: The C-terminus of ARTS contains a unique sequence, termed ARTS-IBM (AIBM), which is important for binding to XIAP and cell killing. AIBM peptides can bind to XIAP-BIR3, penetrate cancer cells, reduce XIAP levels, and promote apoptosis.
Conclusions: Short synthetic peptides derived from the C-terminus of ARTS are sufficient for binding to XIAP and can induce apoptosis in cancer cells. These results provide proof-of-concept for the feasibility of developing ARTS-based anticancer therapeutics. Clin Cancer Res; 18(9); 2569–78. ©2012 AACR.
The CXCR2 Antagonist, SCH-527123, Shows Antitumor Activity and Sensitizes Cells to Oxaliplatin in Preclinical Colon Cancer Models
Authors: Ning Yan , Labonte Melissa J. , Zhang Wu , Bohanes Pierre O. , Gerger Armin , Yang Dongyun , Benhaim Leonor , Paez David , Rosenberg David O. , Nagulapalli Venkata Kalyan C. , Louie Stan G. , Petasis Nicos A. , Ladner Robert D. , Lenz Heinz-Josef 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Recent studies showed that interleukin-8 (IL-8) and its receptors (CXCR1 and CXCR2) are significantly upregulated in both the tumor and its microenvironment, and act as key regulators of proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Our previous study showed that IL-8 overexpression in colorectal cancer cells triggers the upregulation of the CXCR2-mediated proliferative pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the CXCR2 antagonist, SCH-527123, inhibits colorectal cancer proliferation and if it can sensitize colorectal cancer cells to oxaliplatin both in vitro and in vivo. SCH-527123 showed concentration-dependent antiproliferative effects in HCT116, Caco2, and their respective IL-8–overexpressing variants colorectal cancer cell lines. Moreover, SCH-527123 was able to suppress CXCR2-mediated signal transduction as shown through decreased phosphorylation of the NF-κB/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/AKT pathway. These findings corresponded with decreased cell migration and invasion, while increased apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell lines. In vivo results verified that SCH-527123 treatment decreased tumor growth and microvessel density when compared with vehicle-treated tumors. Importantly, these preclinical studies showed that the combination of SCH-527123 and oxaliplatin resulted in a greater decrease in cell proliferation, tumor growth, apoptosis, and angiogenesis that was superior to single-agent treatment. Taken together, these findings suggest that targeting CXCR2 may block tumor proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. In addition, CXCR2 blockade may further sensitize colorectal cancer to oxaliplatin treatment. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(6); 1353–64. ©2012 AACR.
Human Rights in the EU Return Policy: The Case of the EU-Albania Relations
Authors: Dedja Sokol 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The examination of the approach of the EU return policy to Albania – a country to which the EU returns about one fifth of the total number of the third country nationals removed – demonstrates that the predominant focus of the EU return policy on the effectiveness and efficiency of returns has left little room for safeguarding the human rights of the returnees. The article finds that the return procedures of the readmission agreement that should guarantee the protection of human rights in the return process are not observed by the EU member states. There are insufficient guarantees that the reception and possible detention of returnees in Albania will offer a dignified treatment. Moreover, the readmission agreement opens the way for the return of asylum seekers to Albania in line with the ‘safe third country’ practice in the absence of conditions that ensure effective access to fair and efficient asylum procedures and protection in the country.
Post-Colonial Public Law: Are Current Legal Establishments Democratically Illegitimate?
Authors: Gagnon Jean-Paul 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The extant literature covering indigenous peoples resident on the African continent targets colonial law as an obstacle to the recognition of indigenous rights. Whereas colonial law is argued by a wide body of literature to be archaic and in need of review, this article takes a different route and argues the perspective that colonial law is democratically illegitimate for ordering the population it presides over – specifically in Africa. It is seen, in five case studies, that post-colonial public law structures have not considered the legitimacy of colonial law and have rather modified a variety of constitutional statutes as country contexts dictated. However, the modified statutes are based on an alien theoretical legality, something laden with connotations that hark to older and backward times. It is ultimately argued that the legal structures which underpin ex-colonies in Africa need considerable revision so as to base statutes on African theoretical legality, rather than imperialistic European ones, so as to maximise the law’s democratic legitimacy for both indigenous and non-indigenous Africans.
Convection–Climate Feedbacks in the ECHAM5 General Circulation Model: Evaluation of Cirrus Cloud Life Cycles with ISCCP Satellite Data from a Lagrangian Trajectory Perspective
Authors: Gehlot Swati , Quaas Johannes 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
A process-oriented climate model evaluation is presented, applying the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) simulator to pinpoint deficiencies related to the cloud processes in the ECHAM5 general circulation model. A Lagrangian trajectory analysis is performed to track the transitions of anvil cirrus originating from deep convective detrainment to cirrostratus and thin cirrus, comparing ISCCP observations and the ECHAM5 model. Trajectories of cloudy air parcels originating from deep convection are computed for both, the ISCCP observations and the model, over which the ISCCP joint histograms are used for analyzing the cirrus life cycle over 5 days. The cirrostratus and cirrus clouds originate from detrainment from deep convection decay and gradually thin out after the convective event over 3–4 days.
The effect of the convection–cirrus transitions in a warmer climate is analyzed in order to understand the climate feedbacks due to deep convective cloud transitions. An idealized climate change simulation is performed using a +2-K sea surface temperature (SST) perturbation. The Lagrangian trajectory analysis over perturbed climate suggests that more and thicker cirrostratus and cirrus clouds occur in the warmer climate compared to the present-day climate. Stronger convection is noticed in the perturbed climate, which leads to an increased precipitation, especially on day−2 and −3 after the individual convective events. The shortwave and the longwave cloud forcings both increase in the warmer climate, with an increase of net cloud radiative forcing (NCRF), leading to an overall positive feedback of the increased cirrostratus and cirrus clouds from a Lagrangian transition perspective.
Probabilistic Projections of Anthropogenic Climate Change Impacts on Precipitation for the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States*
Authors: Ning Liang , Mann Michael E. , Crane Robert , Wagener Thorsten , Najjar Raymond G. , Singh Riddhi 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
This study uses an empirical downscaling method based on self-organizing maps (SOMs) to produce high-resolution, downscaled precipitation projections over the state of Pennsylvania in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States for the future period 2046–65. To examine the sensitivity of precipitation change to the water vapor increase brought by global warming, the authors test the following two approaches to downscaling: one uses the specific humidity in the downscaling algorithm and the other does not. Application of the downscaling procedure to the general circulation model (GCM) projections reveals changes in the relative occupancy, but not the fundamental nature, of the simulated synoptic circulation states. Both downscaling approaches predict increases in annual and winter precipitation, consistent in sign with the “raw” output from the GCMs but considerably smaller in magnitude. For summer precipitation, larger discrepancies are seen between raw and downscaled GCM projections, with a substantial dependence on the downscaling version used (downscaled precipitation changes employing specific humidity are smaller than those without it). Application of downscaling generally reduces the inter-GCM uncertainties, suggesting that some of the spread among models in the raw projected precipitation may result from differences in precipitation parameterization schemes rather than fundamentally different climate responses. Projected changes in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) are found to be significantly related to changes in winter precipitation in the downscaled results, but not for the raw GCM results, suggesting that the downscaling more effectively captures the influence of climate dynamics on projected changes in winter precipitation.