bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of new substrates for high‐sensitive genotyping of minority mutated alleles
Authors: Galbiati Silvia , Damin Francesco , Di Carlo Gabriele , Ferrari Maurizio , Cremonesi Laura , Chiari Marcella
Published: December 2008

An unsurpassed level of sensitivity was reached in the detection of minority mutated alleles. A low‐density microarray was printed on a substrate specifically designed to provide an interference effect which amplifies the collection of the light emitted on the support and reinforces the intensity of excitation light. Optimal performance of the array was obtained by maximizing the probe density and the binding efficiency to the target through a polymeric coating made by the adsorption of a copolymer of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (97% of moles), N,N‐acryloyloxysuccinimide (2%) and 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (1%) synthesized by free radical copolymerization. The new substrate was used in the identification of fetal mutations in the maternal plasma DNA. Amino‐modified amplicons from genomic DNA corresponding to the locus of eight β‐thalassemia mutations were immobilized and interrogated with dual‐color oligonucleotide targets. Compared with the conventional glass substrates, the new substrate showed a great enhancement of fluorescence signals thanks to the combination of the optics with the highly efficient polymeric coating, allowing specific detection of all mutations. The high sensitivity and selectivity obtained made it possible to develop assays for the identification of paternally inherited mutations on fetal DNA in the maternal plasma in couples at risk for β‐thalassemia.
High‐throughput analysis of DNA fragments using a miniaturized CE system combined with a slotted‐vial array sample introduction system
Authors: Fan Xiao‐Feng , Li Qi , Wang Shi‐Li , Xu Zhang‐Run , Du Wen‐Bin , Fang Qun , Fang Zhao‐Lun
Published: December 2008

An automated nanoliter sample introduction system was combined to a liquid‐core waveguide (LCW)‐based microfluidic CE system for high‐throughput analysis of DNA fragments. The main component of the sample introduction system was a motor‐driven plate, on which a circular array of bottom‐slotted vials containing sample/buffer solutions was placed. A 7 cm‐long LCW capillary served as both the sample probe and separation channel. The inlet terminal of the capillary could pass through the slots of the vials for electrokinetic sample introduction, and the capillary outlet was immersed in the solution of a reservoir, behind which a PMT facing directly to the outlet was positioned. A diode laser was used as excitation source for LCW LIF detection. Performance of the system was demonstrated through the separation of DNA fragments. Baseline separation was achieved for all 11 fragments of ΦX174‐HaeIII digest DNA with a throughput of 33/h. Theoretical plate number for 603 bp fragment was 7.3×106/m, corresponding to a plate height 0.14 μm. The detection limitation for 603 bp fragment was 0.4 ng/μL with a precision of 2.2% RSD for the peak height. Automated sample changing and introduction were achieved with only 0.3 nL gross sample consumption for each cycle.
Polymer systems designed specifically for DNA sequencing by microchip electrophoresis: A comparison with commercially available materials
Authors: Fredlake Christopher P. , Hert Daniel G. , Root Brian E. , Barron Annelise E.
Published: December 2008

Electrophoresis‐based DNA sequencing is the only proven technology for the de novo sequencing of large and complex genomes. Miniaturization of capillary array electrophoresis (CAE) instruments can increase sequencing throughput and decrease cost while maintaining the high quality and long read lengths that has made CAE so successful for de novo sequencing. The limited availability of high‐performance polymer matrices and wall coatings designed specifically for microchip‐sequencing platforms continues to be a major barrier to the successful development of a commercial microchip‐sequencing instrument. It has been generally assumed that the matrices and wall coatings that have been developed for use in commercial CAE instruments will be able to be implemented directly into microchip devices with little to no change in sequencing performance. Here, we show that sequencing matrices developed specifically for microchip electrophoresis systems can deliver read lengths that are 150–300 bases longer on chip than some of the most widely used polymer‐sequencing matrices available commercially. Additionally, we show that the coating ability of commercial matrices is much less effective in the borosilicate chips used in this study. These results lead to the conclusion that new materials must be developed to make high‐performance microfabricated DNA‐sequencing instruments a reality.
Advantages and limitations of next‐generation sequencing technologies: A comparison of electrophoresis and non‐electrophoresis methods
Authors: Hert Daniel G. , Fredlake Christopher P. , Barron Annelise E.
Published: December 2008

The reference human genome provides an adequate basis for biological researchers to study the relationship between genotype and the associated phenotypes, but a large push is underway to sequence many more genomes to determine the role of various specificities among different individuals that control these relationships and to enable the use of human genome data for personalized and preventative healthcare. The current electrophoretic methodology for sequencing an entire mammalian genome, which includes standard molecular biology techniques for genomic sample preparation and the separation of DNA fragments using capillary array electrophoresis, remains far too expensive ($5 million) to make genome sequencing ubiquitous. The National Human Genome Research Institute has put forth goals to reduce the cost of human genome sequencing to $100 000 in the short term and $1000 in the long term to spur the innovative development of technologies that will permit the routine sequencing of human genomes for use as a diagnostic tool for disease. Since the announcement of these goals, several companies have developed and released new, non‐electrophoresis‐based sequencing instruments that enable massive throughput in the gathering of genomic information. In this review, we discuss the advantages and limitations of these new, massively parallel sequencers and compare them with the currently developing next generation of electrophoresis‐based genetic analysis platforms, specifically microchip electrophoresis devices, in the context of three distinct types of genetic analysis.
Determining arresters best positions in power system for lightning shielding failure protection using simulation optimization approach
Authors: Vahidi B. , Tavakoli M. R. Bank , Hosseinian S. H.
Published: December 2008

The lightning stroke to power system structures especially overhead lines makes severe damages and results in less reliable power supply. The invention of surge arresters was a revolution in these systems for protecting the precise equipments from lightning stroke overvoltages. Nowadays, with ever decreasing prices, using arrester not only for protecting certain instruments but also for decreasing total risk of flashover in overall network, is investigated by academic and industrial pioneers in this area. In this paper, our goal is to introduce a heuristic method for determining optimum positions for placing transmission lines surge arresters (TLSAs) with acceptable approximation, to get lowest possible value of shielding failure risk of flashover in a selected set of overhead lines. Simulation optimization based on neural net (i.e. Meta Model) and genetic algorithm (optimization algorithm) is invoked to suggest best positions for placing TLSAs. A case study on Kerman 230 kV network shows good achievement of simulation optimization for finding optimum positions of TLSAs. Comparison is also made with the results of transient simulation to reveal the effectiveness of the method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Volatility forecasting with double Markov switching GARCH models
Authors: Chen Cathy W. S. , So Mike K. P. , Lin Edward M. H.
Published: December 2008

This paper investigates inference and volatility forecasting using a Markov switching heteroscedastic model with a fat‐tailed error distribution to analyze asymmetric effects on both the conditional mean and conditional volatility of financial time series. The motivation for extending the Markov switching GARCH model, previously developed to capture mean asymmetry, is that the switching variable, assumed to be a first‐order Markov process, is unobserved. The proposed model extends this work to incorporate Markov switching in the mean and variance simultaneously. Parameter estimation and inference are performed in a Bayesian framework via a Markov chain Monte Carlo scheme. We compare competing models using Bayesian forecasting in a comparative value‐at‐risk study. The proposed methods are illustrated using both simulations and eight international stock market return series. The results generally favor the proposed double Markov switching GARCH model with an exogenous variable. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shikonin exerts antitumor activity via proteasome inhibition and cell death induction in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Yang Huanjie , Zhou Ping , Huang Hongbiao , Chen Di , Ma Ningfang , Cui Qiuzhi Cindy , Shen Shouxing , Dong Weihua , Zhang Xiaoyan , Lian Wen , Wang Xuejun , Dou Q. Ping , Liu Jinbao
Published: December 2008

Dysregulation of the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway plays an essential role in tumor growth and development. Shikonin, a natural naphthoquinone isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Zi Cao (gromwell), has been reported to possess tumor cell‐killing activity, and results from a clinical study using a shikonin‐containing mixture demonstrated its safety and efficacy for the treatment of late‐stage lung cancer. In this study, we reported that shikonin is an inhibitor of tumor proteasome activity in vitro and in vivo. Our computational modeling predicts that the carbonyl carbons C1 and C4 of shikonin potentially interact with the catalytic site of β5 chymotryptic subunit of the proteasome. Indeed, shikonin potently inhibits the chymotrypsin‐like activity of purified 20S proteasome (IC50 12.5 μmol/L) and tumor cellular 26S proteasome (IC50 between 2–16 μmol/L). Inhibition of the proteasome by shikonin in murine hepatoma H22, leukemia P388 and human prostate cancer PC‐3 cultures resulted in accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins and several proteasome target proapoptotic proteins (IκB‐α, Bax and p27), followed by induction of cell death. Shikonin treatment resulted in tumor growth inhibition in both H22 allografts and PC‐3 xenografts, associated with suppression of the proteasomal activity and induction of cell death in vivo. Finally, shikonin treatment significantly prolonged the survival period of mice bearing P388 leukemia. Our results indicate that the tumor proteasome is one of the cellular targets of shikonin and inhibition of the proteasome activity by shikonin contributes to its antitumor property. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Factors associated with incident and fatal pancreatic cancer in a cohort of middle‐aged women
Authors: Stevens Richard J. , Roddam Andrew W. , Spencer Elizabeth A. , Pirie Kirstin L. , Reeves Gillian K. , Green Jane , Beral Valerie ,   on behalf of the Million Women Study Collaborators
Published: December 2008

Risk factors for pancreatic cancer, other than smoking and diabetes, are not well‐established, especially for women. In a cohort of 1.3 million middle‐aged women, followed for 9.2 million person‐years for cancer incidence and 11.5 million person‐years for mortality, there were 1,338 incident pancreatic cancer cases and 1,710 deaths from the disease. Using proportional hazards models, we calculated adjusted relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by smoking, height, body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption, physical activity and history of diabetes. Pancreatic cancer incidence was greater in current than never smokers (RR 2.39, CI 2.10–2.73), the risk increasing with the number of cigarettes smoked. The incidence of pancreatic cancer also increased with increasing BMI (RR 1.34, CI 1.13–1.57 for BMI ≥ 30 vs. 22.5–25 kg/m2), and with a history of diabetes (RR 1.58, CI 1.22–2.03, with vs. without such a history). These factors were also associated with increased mortality from pancreatic cancer. Height, alcohol consumption and physical activity showed little or no association with pancreatic cancer risk. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Bcl‐xL inhibitor of apoptosis is preferentially expressed in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma compared with that in keratoacanthoma
Authors: Vasiljević Natasa , Andersson Kristin , Bjelkenkrantz Kaj , Kjellström Christer , Månsson Henrik , Nilsson Elise , Landberg Goran , Dillner Joakim , Forslund Ola
Published: December 2008

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is difficult to histologically distinguish from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Therefore, although KA is a benign self‐resolving skin lesion, KA is commonly treated as SCC. Biomarkers to distinguish KA and SCC would thus be desirable. In search for specific markers, paraffin‐embedded tissue samples from 25 SCC and 64 KA were arranged in a tissue microarray (TMA) and stained for immunologic cell‐markers CD3, CD20 and CD68 as well as for proteins considered of relevance in tumorgenesis, namely NFκB/p65, IκB‐α, STAT3, p53, TRAP‐1, pRB, phosphorylated pRb, Cyld, p21, p16INK4, Survivin, Bcl‐xL, Caspase 3, Bak, FLK‐1/VEGF‐r2 and Ki‐67. In addition, the tumors were tested for presence of human papillomavirus by PCR. We detected that the two lesions differed significantly in expression of Bcl‐xL which was present in 84% of the SCC compared with only 15% in the KA (p < 0.001). The lower expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl‐xL in KA is consistent with a possible role of apoptosis in the regression of KA. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymorphic loci of E2F2, CCND1 and CCND3 are associated with HER2 status of breast tumors
Authors: Justenhoven Christina , Pierl Christiane B. , Haas Susanne , Fischer Hans‐Peter , Hamann Ute , Baisch Christian , Harth Volker , Spickenheuer Anne , Rabstein Sylvia , Vollmert Caren , Illig Thomas , Pesch Beate , Brüning Thomas , Dippon Jürgen , Ko Yon‐Dschun , Brauch Hiltrud
Published: December 2008

Overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in breast tumors is associated with bad prognosis. Therefore, it is highly relevant to further improve understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of HER2 expression. In addition to gene amplification, transcriptional regulation plays a crucial role in HER2 overexpression. In this study, we analyzed 3 polymorphisms E2F2_‐5368_A>G, CCND1_870_A>G and CCND3_‐677_C>T located in genes involved in cell cycle regulation in the GENICA population‐based and age‐matched breast cancer case‐control study from Germany. We genotyped 1,021 cases and 1,015 controls by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). Statistical analyses were performed by conditional logistic regression. We observed no differences in genotype frequencies between breast cancer cases and controls. Subgroup analysis showed associations between carriers of the E2F2_‐5368_G allele (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.42–0.85), carriers of the CCND1_870_G allele (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.45–0.96) and carriers of the CCND3_‐677_T allele (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.20–2.49) and HER2 expression in breast tumors. This finding points to an association of an increased expression of these cell cycle regulators with lower expression of HER2. An explanation for this observation might be that low expression of E2F2, CCND1 and CCND3 decrease levels of factors down‐regulating HER2. We conclude that the analyzed polymorphisms located in E2F2, CCND1 and CCND3 are potential markers for HER2 status of breast tumors. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Growth, poverty and inequality in Ethiopia: Which way for pro‐poor growth?
Authors: Geda Alemayehu , Shimeles Abebe , Weeks John
Published: December 2008

The paper examines the pattern of poverty, growth and inequality in Ethiopia in the recent decade. The result shows that growth, to a large extent depends on structural factors such as initial conditions, vagaries of nature, external shocks and peace and stability both in Ethiopia and in the region. Using a rich household panel data, the paper also shows that there is a strong correlation between growth and inequality. In such set up, the effect of implementing a pro‐poor growth strategy, compared to allowing the status quo to prevail, can be quite dramatic. On the basis of realistic assumptions, the paper shows that from a baseline in 2000 of a 30 per cent poverty share, over 10 years at growth of 4 per cent per capita, poverty would decline from 44 to 26 per cent for distribution neutral growth (DNG) (i.e. no change in the aggregate income distribution). In contrast, were the growth increment distributed equally across percentiles (equally distributed gains of growth, EDG), the poverty would decline by over half, to 15 per cent, a difference of almost eleven percentage points. Thus, ‘distribution matters’, even, or especially in a poor country like Ethiopia. On the basis of these results the paper outlines policies that could help to design a sustainable pro‐poor growth strategy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dissociation kinetics determination of yttrium(III)‐polyaminocarboxylates using free‐ion selective radiotracer extraction (FISRE)
Authors: Jurkin Denis , Gildehaus Franz Josef , Wierczinski Birgit
Published: December 2008

Free‐ion selective radiotracer extraction (FISRE) is a technique combining ion exchange and the use of radiotracers in order to determine labilities of metal complexes. The aminocarboxylate chelates 90Y‐EDTA, 90Y‐DTPA as well as 90Y‐DOTATOC, a radiopharmaceutical for neuroendocrine tumor treatment have been studied by FISRE using Chelex cation exchanger within the pH range 5.0–7.4. Time‐dependent speciation and dissociation rate constants have been determined in a time frame of 0.6 s–648 h. As indicated by thermodynamic constants, the lability decreases significantly with higher ligand denticity, cyclic coordination and upon peptide coupling resulting in the lability order Y‐EDTA>Y‐DTPA>Y‐DOTA>Y‐DOTATOC. Besides, studies of the effects of the metal/ligand ratio on FISRE suggest that – in contrast to EDTA and DTPA – cyclic ligands DOTA and DOTATOC tend to shield the ion exchanger from free yttrium ions after complex dissociation even at slight excess of metal ions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of [guanido‐13C]‐γ‐hydroxyarginine
Authors: Yoon Goo , Zabriskie T. Mark , Cheon Seung Hoon
Published: December 2008

This report describes an efficient method of synthesizing [guanido‐13C]‐γ‐hydroxyarginine HCl salt. Iodolactonization of N‐Boc‐protected allylglycine mainly provided the cis iodo compound 2. This was converted to an amine through azide 4. The amine 5 was reacted with N‐Boc‐protected [13C]thiourea to afford N‐Boc‐protected [13C]guanidine 6, which underwent base catalyzed ring opening. Removal of the N‐Boc group afforded [guanido‐13C]‐γ‐hydroxyarginine HCl salt 7 giving a 30% overall yield of the final product from N‐Boc protected allylglycine 1 in five steps. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
De novo sequence analysis and intact mass measurements for characterization of phycocyanin subunit isoforms from the blue‐green alga Aphanizomenon flos‐aquae
Authors: Rinalducci Sara , Roepstorff Peter , Zolla Lello
Published: December 2008

In this work, partial characterization of the primary structure of phycocyanin from the cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon flos‐aquae (AFA) was achieved by mass spectrometry de novo sequencing with the aid of chemical derivatization. Combining N‐terminal sulfonation of tryptic peptides by 4‐sulfophenyl isothiocyanate (SPITC) and MALDI‐TOF/TOF analyses, facilitated the acquisition of sequence information for AFA phycocyanin subunits. In fact, SPITC‐derivatized peptides underwent facile fragmentation, predominantly resulting in y‐series ions in the MS/MS spectra and often exhibiting uninterrupted sequences of 20 or more amino acid residues. This strategy allowed us to carry out peptide fragment fingerprinting and de novo sequencing of several peptides belonging to both α‐ and β‐phycocyanin polypeptides, obtaining a sequence coverage of 67% and 75%, respectively. The presence of different isoforms of phycocyanin subunits was also revealed; subsequently Intact Mass Measurements (IMMs) by both MALDI‐ and ESI‐MS supported the detection of these protein isoforms. Finally, we discuss the evolutionary importance of phycocyanin isoforms in cyanobacteria, suggesting the possible use of the phycocyanin operon for a correct taxonomic identity of this species. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of autoxidation oligomers of flavan‐3‐ols in model solutions by HPLC‐MS/MS
Authors: He Fei , Pan Qiu‐Hong , Shi Ying , Zhang Xue‐Ting , Duan Chang‐Qing
Published: December 2008

Autoxidation of flavan‐3‐ols was carried out in aqueous/methanol model solutions under mildly acidic conditions (pH 6.0), and these autoxidation products were analyzed by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The results showed that (+)‐catechins and (−)‐epicatechins generated autoxidation reaction with each other to form a series of oligomers that had the same [M − H]− molecular ions (MS1) as those of natural procyanidins, but had completely different fragment ions (MS2). According to MS/MS analysis, the major fragments of these oligomers were derived not only from the retro‐Diels–Alder (RDA) dissociations on the C‐rings of the flavan‐3‐ol units, but also from the quinone‐methide (QM) cleavage of the interflavan linkages (IFL), and thus they were identified as B‐type dehydrodicatechins, B‐type dehydrotricatechins and A‐type dehydrotricatechins, respectively. The potential structures of their [M − H]− molecular ions and partial fragment ions were deduced on the basis of the MS/MS characterization and the oxidation of flavan‐3‐ols in previous reports. Some specific fragment ions were found to be very useful for identifying the autoxidation oligomers (the B‐type dehydrodicatechins at m/z 393, the B‐type dehydrotricatechins at m/z 681 and the A‐type dehydrotricatechins at m/z 725). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A possible mechanism for the co‐variability of the boreal spring Antarctic Oscillation and the Yangtze River valley summer rainfall
Authors: Sun Jianqi , Wang Huijun , Yuan Wei
Published: December 2008

A significant correlation between the boreal spring Antarctic Oscillation (AAO) and the Yangtze River valley summer rainfall (YRVSR) has been found in previous studies, although the mechanisms that might lead to such far‐reaching teleconnection remain unresolved. In this study, one of possible mechanisms responsible for the co‐variability of the boreal spring AAO and the YRVSR is proposed. It follows that the convection activity over the region of the Maritime Continent serves as a bridge linking the boreal spring AAO and the YRVSR. This physical process can be described schematically as follows: during the boreal spring, a positive‐phase (negative‐phase) AAO is concurrent with a strong (weak) convection activity over the region of the Maritime Continent via anomalous meridional circulations along the central South Pacific and two meridional teleconnection wave train patterns, with one over the southern Indian Ocean at the lower level and the other along the central South Pacific at the upper level. Thereafter, the anomalous convection propagates northward along the seasonal cycle, and then changes the western Pacific subtropical high in the following seasons, consequently impacting on the summer rainfall in the Yangtze River valley. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Updated and extended European dataset of daily climate observations
Authors: Klok E. J. , Klein Tank A. M. G.
Published: December 2008

The European Climate Assessment (ECA) dataset of daily observations, which has been widely used for studies on climate extremes, has been updated and extended. It now contains observational series of 2191 stations located in Europe and the Mediterranean (average inter‐station distance: ∼75 km). About 1200 precipitation series and 750 temperature series cover the period 1960–2000. For a small number of stations (<15%) air pressure, cloud cover, sunshine duration, snow depth and relative humidity series have been collected. All series are quality controlled and the homogeneity of the precipitation and temperature series is assessed. About 50% of the daily series are publicly available for climate studies through the website http://eca.knmi.nl. The main potential of the ECA dataset follows from its daily resolution, enabling studies of impact relevant climate extremes and variability. To guide these studies, climate indices calculated from the ECA series are presented on the website too. Besides, gridded versions of the daily ECA data are available for easy comparison with climate model simulations. A trend analysis for the diurnal temperature range (DTR) demonstrates the utility of the dataset. Seasonal and annual DTR trends were calculated for 333 homogeneous temperature series in ECA and a Europe average trend was estimated. In spring and summer, the DTR increased from 1979 to 2005, whereas in autumn and winter the DTR generally decreased. The European average trend in annual DTR was 0.09 °C decade−1. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Inter‐annual and inter‐decadal variations of landfalling tropical cyclones in East Asia. Part I: time series analysis
Authors: Chan Johnny C. L. , Xu Ming
Published: December 2008

This paper is the first of a two‐part series that presents results of a comprehensive study of the variations in the annual number of landfalling tropical cyclones (ATCs) in various parts of East Asia during the period 1945–2004. The objective is to identify possible trends and cycles in such variations, from inter‐annual to inter‐decadal, and the possible reasons for such variations. The East Asian region is divided into three sub‐regions: South (south China, Vietnam and the Philippines), Middle (east China), and North (Korean Peninsula and Japan). Variations in the annual number on various time scales in each region are examined separately. Part I reports on the results of wavelet analyses of the time series of the annual number in each region, and Part II examines the possible reasons for the cycles identified in Part I.

An important finding from the time series analysis is that none of the ATC time series shows a significant linear trend, which suggests that global warming has not led to a higher frequency of landfalling tropical cyclones or typhoons in any of the regions in Asia. Instead, each time series shows large inter‐annual (2–8 years) and multi‐decadal (16–32 years) variations. In some periods, the annual number of ATCs varies in unison among all regions of Asia. In others, one region would have an above‐normal number of landfalling events, while the other regions have below‐normal numbers. In general, at multi‐decadal time scales, the number of ATCs in each region correlates very well with that of the total number of tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Variabilities of the spring river runoff system in East China and their relations to precipitation and sea surface temperature
Authors: Chen Wen , Wang Lin , Xue Yongkang , Sun Shufen
Published: December 2008

The annual cycle and variabilities of the spring river runoff in East China (EC) at the continental scale and their relationship with precipitation, sea surface temperature (SST), and El Niño‐Southern Oscillation(ENSO) are investigated. Monthly mean data from 72 runoff stations and 160 precipitation stations in EC, covering a period between 1951 and 1983, are used for this study. The seasonal evolution of runoff depth is generally consistent with that of the rainfall but has more regional characteristics. The dominant spatial patterns and temporal variations of spring runoff and precipitation are studied with the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. The leading EOFs of spring runoff and precipitation show the intensity of runoff and precipitation in South China and are highly correlated with each other, indicating a direct response of runoff to precipitation, which is different from the summer situation. Statistic analysis suggests that the evolution of ENSO event may exert a strong influence on these two modes. The second EOFs of runoff and precipitation present a north‐south oscillation in EC with Nanling Mountain as the boundary and are also well correlated. These modes are highly related to the distribution of topography and may not be influenced by the ENSO. The third EOFs exhibit east–west oscillations in EC in both runoff and precipitation. The interdecadal relationship between spring precipitation/runoff and SST is further studied by singular value decomposition (SVD) analysis. The results indicate that the first coupled mode is dominant with the associated SST anomalies as an ENSO‐like interdecadal SST signal and indicates pronounced warming (SST) and wetting (runoff) trends in North China after the mid‐1970s, consistent with the observed trends of SST and runoff. The second coupled mode links the subtropical SST to the main spring runoff EOF mode in South China. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Annual and seasonal surface air temperature trends in Mexico
Authors: Pavia Edgar G. , Graef Federico , Reyes Jorge
Published: December 2008

Maximum and minimum surface air temperatures (Tmax, Tmin) throughout Mexico were analysed to look for a regional sign of climate change. Temperature (T) records were divided into two periods: early (1940–1969) and recent (1970–2004); and the analysis was performed for the four seasons plus the annual average. For these 20 cases, and for each of ∼1400 selected stations, time series were constructed and their linear trends (m) were obtained. The statistical significance of m was tested by posing the null hypothesis m = 0, i.e. that there was no trend. The length of the time series (n) considered for this test was the n‐effective (neff) that takes into account the fact that consecutive values of T have non‐zero correlation. The null hypothesis was rejected in less than 25% of the stations in all cases. The principal findings are: (1) Mexico warmed up during the recent period, and this warming was more generalized in Tmax than in Tmin and in summer than in the other seasons; (2) Mexico cooled down during the early period, and this cooling was more generalized in winter than in the other seasons; (3) In neither of these two cases El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) seems to play any direct role; (4) In contrast to ENSO, the trends and phases of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) are consequent in both cases: a warming trend at the beginning of the 1970s and a warm PDO phase prevailing during the recent warming period; as well as a cooling trend at the beginning of the 1940s and a cold PDO phase prevailing during the early cooling period; and (5) north‐western and central Mexico temperature trends often contrast with those of the rest of the country. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
A standard paleoclimatological approach to temperature reconstruction in historical climatology: an example from the Czech Republic, A.D. 1718–2007
Authors: Dobrovolný Petr , Brázdil Rudolf , Valášek Hubert , Kotyza Oldřich , Macková Jarmila , Halíčková Monika
Published: December 2008

This paper addresses a standard paleoclimatological approach to reconstructing temperatures in historical climatology. Weighted monthly temperature indices on a scale from − 3 to + 3, derived from documentary evidence for the period 1718–1850 in the Czech Lands, were used to create a series of seasonal (DJF, MAM, JJA, SON) and annual temperature indices as simple sums of indices from corresponding months. The period 1771–1850, when such indices overlap with instrumental measurements taken at Prague‐Klementinum, was used to calibrate and verify relations between indices and the temperatures measured, using linear regression models (LRM) evaluated by various statistical characteristics. The most accurate LRM performance was obtained for DJF, MAM and annual temperatures, while JJA and SON temperature results proved slightly less reliable. Reconstructed data for 1718–1770 were combined with measured data to create series of seasonal and annual temperatures for the Prague‐Klementinum station covering the period 1718–2007. Various problems in temperature reconstruction are further discussed: the completeness and quality of the index series, the expression of extreme temperatures, and the selection of a reference period for calibration. The suggested standard paleoclimatological approach lends more objectivity to both verification of reconstructed temperatures and the expression of uncertainties in reconstruction. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Decadal‐scale changes in the tails of probability distribution functions of climate variables in Switzerland
Authors: Beniston Martin
Published: December 2008

An analysis of several Swiss climatological sites reveals that a substantial change in the behaviour of pressure, minimum and maximum temperature extremes has occurred in the past two decades. Extreme cold tails defined by the 10% quantiles of temperature drop by a factor of 2 or 3, while the upper tails (beyond the 90% quantile) exhibit a four‐ or five‐fold increase in all seasons. Pressure shows contrasting behaviour, with increases in wintertime highs and summertime lows, while precipitation shows little change. On the basis of the observed datasets, temperature biases related to extremes of pressure or precipitation have been computed, as well as for joint combinations of precipitation and pressure extremes. The most dominant bias is associated with periods without rainfall, during which temperatures are at least 1 °C warmer than otherwise. Changes in the behaviour of joint combinations of extreme pressure and precipitation regimes also have a discernible influence on temperatures. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Dry spell trend analysis of Isfahan Province, Iran
Authors: Nasri M. , Modarres R.
Published: December 2008

In the present study the spatiotemporal trend analysis of the annual maximum dry spell length (AMDSL) and the annual number of dry spell periods (ANDSPs) of Isfahan Province in the center of Iran has been conducted based on daily rainfall records taken from 17 rain gauge stations. The autocorrelation functions (ACFs) of dry spell time series showed the randomness of dry spells. The use of Mann‐Kendall test for trend revealed two stations with significant negative trend of the AMDSL located in east and west of the province. The trend analysis of the ANDSP showed three stations with significant upward trend in east and one station with significant negative trend in the west of the province. The sequential Mann‐Kendall test showed an evidence of an individual abrupt change in the magnitudes of dry spells from 1980s, especially in eastern arid and semi‐arid regions of the province. However, the binomial and uniform distribution of Mann‐Kendall statistics reveals that individual trend in a region is not strong enough to conclude the large‐scale regional climatic effects on dry spell characteristics in the entire Isfahan Province. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Are tourist arrivals stationary? Evidence from Singapore
Authors: Lee Chew Ging
Published: December 2008

Augmented Dickey and Fuller and Kwiatkowski et al. tests are used to test for the non‐stationarity property of inbound tourists from 12 main source countries of Singapore. The tests provide evidence of stationarity for each of these countries, except India, Malaysia and the USA. The results for these three countries are inconclusive. The results demonstrate that exogenous shocks, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome and terrorist attacks, mainly have temporary negative effects on inbound tourists from the main source countries. The results also imply that the promotional campaign of Singapore and neighbouring countries can only have transitory positive or negative effects on the tourism industry of Singapore. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Moving best practice forward: Delphi characteristics, advantages, potential problems, and solutions
Authors: Donohoe Holly M. , Needham Roger D.
Published: December 2008

In the last 30 years, there has been increasing application of the Delphi technique to tourism research. However, mystification regarding Delphi characteristics and procedures is evident in the literature. Through critical examination, this paper seeks to demystify the Delphi and advance understanding of the technique, contribute to the evolution of methodological guidelines, and provide further guidance to tourism researchers. A generic Delphi procedure is introduced, a critical review of its advantages and potential problems is presented, and critical design decisions are identified. Expert panel design and management are emphasised through example and critical review. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Double‐blind trial of levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone versus levodopa/carbidopa in early Parkinson's disease
Authors: Hauser Robert A. , Panisset Michel , Abbruzzese Giovanni , Mancione Linda , Dronamraju Nalina , Kakarieka Algirdas ,   on behalf of the FIRST‐STEP Study Group
Published: December 2008

We performed a 39‐week, randomized, double‐blind, multicenter study to compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone (LCE, Stalevo) with levodopa/carbidopa (LC, Sinemet IR) in patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD). Four hundred twenty‐three patients with early PD warranting levodopa were randomly assigned to treatment with LCE 100/25/200 or LC 100/25 three‐times daily. The adjusted mean difference in total Unified Parkinson's disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Parts II and III between groups using the analysis of covariance model (prespecified primary outcome measure) was 1.7 (standard error = 0.84) points favoring LCE (P = 0.045). Significantly greater improvement with LCE compared with LC was also observed in UPDRS Part II activities of daily living (ADL) scores (P = 0.025), Schwab and England ADL scores (blinded rater, P = 0.003; subject, P = 0.006) and subject‐reported Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores (P = 0.047). There was no significant difference in UPDRS Part III or investigator‐rated CGI scores. Wearing‐off was observed in 29 (13.9%) subjects in the LCE group and 43 (20.0%) in the LC group (P = 0.099). Dyskinesia was observed in 11 (5.3%) subjects in the LCE group and 16 (7.4%) in the LC group (P = 0.367). Nausea and diarrhea were reported more frequently in the LCE group. LCE provided greater symptomatic benefit than LC and did not increase motor complications. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Therapeutic applications of glycosidic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
Authors: Winum Jean‐Yves , Poulsen, Sally‐Ann , Supuran Claudiu T.
Published: December 2008

The zinc enzymes carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) are very efficient catalysts for the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate and hence play an important physiological role. In humans, 16 different isozymes have been described, some of them being involved in various pathological disorders. Several of these isozymes are considered as drug targets, and the design of selective inhibitors is a long‐standing goal that has captured the attention of researchers for 40 years and has lead to clinical applications against different pathologies such as glaucoma, epilepsy, and cancer. Among the different strategies developed for designing selective CA inhibitors (CAIs), the “sugar approach” has recently emerged as a new attractive and versatile tool. Incorporation of glycosyl moieties in different aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamide/sulfamides/sulfamates scaffolds has led to the development of numerous and very effective inhibitors of potential clinical value. The clinical use of a highly active carbohydrate‐based CA inhibitor, i.e., topiramate, constitutes an interesting demonstration of the validity of this approach. Other carbohydrate‐based compounds also demonstrate promising potential for the treatment of ophthalmologic diseases. This review will focus on the development of this emerging sugar‐based approach for the development of CAIs. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 29, No. 3, 419‐435, 2009
The job stress–job performance relationship in the social service encounter
Authors: Cano Cynthia Rodriguez , Sams Doreen , Schwartz Joe
Published: December 2008

The current study empirically examines job performance by considering perceived customer demands as a new antecedent of job stress (JS) and the mediating role of emotion‐focused coping (EFC) on the relationship of JS and physical consequences (PC), and in‐turn job performance. A mailed survey that solicited 2500 social service providers working in the United States rendered a useable random sample of 533. Regression analyses supported the hypothesized relationships. Findings suggest that emotions play an important role in the quality of the social service encounter evidenced by the mediating role of EFC in the relationship between JS and job performance. The introduction of an intervening variable (i.e., EFC) in the JS–job performance relationship extends affective event theory (AET). The findings offer management new insights into the service encounter by identifying a source of JS that creates barriers to value added benefit creation.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dead cert or long shot: the utility of social marketing in tackling problem gambling in the UK?
Authors: Gordon Ross , Moodie Crawford
Published: December 2008

Social marketing has grown from a fledgling discipline to one recognised as an established means of eliciting behaviour change. Concomitant with the maturation of social marketing has been an increasing focus on expansion into new and untapped areas for behaviour change. This paper examines the utility of applying social marketing to problem gambling in the UK by briefly detailing the development of social marketing and evidence of its effectiveness with traditional public health issues, and its applicability with emerging areas; outlining the situation in the UK regards problem gambling, and why this represents such a fertile testing ground for social marketers and proposing a broad agenda highlighting the potential applications of social marketing in relation to problem gambling, whilst considering the challenges that could encumber the effectiveness of such interventions.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chitosan‐g‐polycaprolactone copolymer fibrous mesh scaffolds and their related properties
Authors: Wan Ying , Wu Hua , Xiao Bo , Cao Xiaoying , Dalai Siqin
Published: December 2008

Chitosan‐g‐polycaprolactone copolymers (CPCs) with desired composition proportions were synthesized by carefully controlling the weight ratio of polycaprolactone side chains changing approximately between 45 and 48 wt% so that the obtained CPCs could be further processed via different processing techniques. Aqueous acetic acid solutions and dimethyl sulfoxide were respectively employed as solvents to fabricate CPCs into fibrous mesh scaffolds that had nearly similar parameters characterized by the average porosity and pore‐size of scaffolds as well as the average diameter of filaments under optimal processing conditions. The swelling index, surface group analysis, antibacterial activity and tensile mechanical properties of these mesh scaffolds were investigated in several ways, and the scaffolds showed quite different properties due to the different processing methods employed, although the same type of CPC was used. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A proteomic approach to identify differentially expressed plasma proteins between the fed and prolonged fasted states
Authors: Bertile Fabrice , Schaeffer Christine , Le Maho Yvon , Raclot Thierry , Van Dorsselaer Alain
Published: December 2008

Prolonged fasting is characterized by consecutive phases, a short period of adaptation (phase 1), phase 2 (P2) characterized by fat oxidation, and phase 3 (P3) during which energy requirements are mostly derived from increased protein utilization. At this latter stage, food seeking behavior is induced. Very few circulating biomolecules have been identified that are involved in the response to prolonged fasting. To this end, rat plasma samples were compared by a proteomic approach, using 2‐DE. The results revealed a selective variation of the levels of apolipoprotein A‐IV, A‐I, and E, haptoglobin, transthyretin, plasma retinol binding‐protein, and vitamin D binding‐protein in P2 and P3. The variations in protein levels were confirmed by ELISA. Changes in mRNA levels encoding these proteins did not systematically correlate well with protein concentrations, and tissue‐specific regulation of mRNA expression was observed, underlining the complex metabolic regulation in response to food deprivation. In late fasting, the marked reduction of apolipoprotein A‐IV levels could contribute to the alarm signal that triggers refeeding. The variations of the other differentially expressed proteins are more likely related to lipid metabolism and insulin signaling alterations.
Activity profiling of platelets by chemical proteomics
Authors: Wong Jason W. H. , McRedmond James P. , Cagney Gerard
Published: December 2008

Chemical proteomics or activity based proteomics is a functional proteomics technology where molecular probes are used to target a selective group of functionally related proteins. Its emergence has enabled specific targeting of subproteomes, overcoming the limitations in dynamic range of traditional large‐scale proteomics experiments. Using a chemical proteomics strategy, we attempt to differentially profile the nucleotide‐binding proteome of active and resting platelets. We apply an affinity chromatography protocol using immobilized adenosine triphosphate, cyclic adenosine monophosphate, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate. The specificity of the immobilized nucleotides was demonstrated by competitive assays and by immunoblotting. LC coupled MS/MS was applied to identify the proteins recovered by our chemical proteomics strategy. When compared to a standard set of platelet lysate proteins, we confirmed that enrichment for nucleotide‐binding proteins was indeed taking place. Finally, by employing label‐free MS‐based comparative quantification, we found a small number of platelet proteins that show statistically significant difference between the active and resting nucleotide‐binding proteome.