bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Herpesvirus 6 Infection in Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Altay Mustafa , Akay Hatice , Ünverdi Selman , Altay Filiz , Çeri Mevlüt , Altay F. Aybala , Cesur Salih , Duranay Murat , Demiroz Ali Pekcan
Published: February 2011

Background

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection occurs worldwide and can be reactivated from latency during periods of immunosuppression, especially after organ transplantation. No previous study has evaluated the influence of dialysis type on HHV-6 infection. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of HHV-6 antibodies in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods

W e studied 36 PD patients, 35 HD patients, and 20 healthy subjects, all with no history of organ transplantation. After systematic inquiries and a physical examination, blood was drawn for determination of biochemical parameters, cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), hepatitis B surface antigen, and the hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus antibodies. Titers of HHV-6 IgM and IgG antibodies were determined by ELISA.

Results

Titers for HHV-6 IgM antibody were positive in 9 HD patients (25.7%), 8 PD patients (22.2%), and 2 control subjects (10.0%, p > 0.05). More HD patients (20.0%) than PD patients (5.6%, p = 0.07) or control subjects (0.0%, p =0.03) were positive for HHV-6 IgG antibody. In HD patients, HHV-6 IgG seropositivity and duration of dialysis were positively correlated (R = 0.33, p = 0.05).

Conclusions

Infection with HHV-6 is not rare in PD and HD patients. In addition, HHV-6 IgG seropositivity was significantly higher in H D patients than in control subjects and approached significance when compared with seropositivity in PD patients. Moreover, in HD patients, HHV-6 IgG seropositivity correlated with duration on HD. These preliminary findings provide insight into the pre-transplantation period for patients and may aid our understanding of how to best protect patients against HHV-6 after transplantation.
Accuracy in determining interproton distances using Nuclear Overhauser Effect data from a flexible molecule
Authors: Jones Catharine R , Butts Craig P , Harvey Jeremy N
Published: February 2011

The determination of accurate NOE-derived interproton distances and confirmation/prediction of relative populations in multi-conformer, flexible small molecules was investigated with the model compound 4-propylaniline. The low accuracy assumed for semi-quantitative NOE distance restraints is typically taken to suggest that large numbers of constraints need to be used in the dynamical analysis of flexible molecules, and this requires, for example, the measurement and Karplus-type analysis of scalar coupling constants (3JCH and 3JHH). Herein we demonstrate that, contrary to this common perception, NOE measurements alone are accurate enough to establish interproton distances, and hence conformational detail, in flexible molecules to within a few percent of their ensemble-averaged values, hence reducing the demand for additional restraints in such dynamic analyses.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography in Healthy Subjects and Ultrasound Criteria for Early Arthritis (The ESPOIR Cohort)
Authors: MILLOT FLORENCE , CLAVEL GAËLLE , ETCHEPARE FABIEN , GANDJBAKHCH FRÉDÉRIQUE , GRADOS FRANCK , SARAUX ALAIN , RAT ANNE-CHRISTINE , FAUTREL BRUNO , BOURGEOIS PIERRE , FARDELLONE PATRICE
Published: February 2011

Objective.

To confirm the occurrence of bone erosions and synovitis in healthy subjects detectable by ultrasound (US) and to establish US criteria for early arthritis.

Methods.

Our study involved 127 healthy subjects matched with a cohort of patients with early arthritis (the ESPOIR cohort). The second and fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and the fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint of both hands and feet were assessed with US to detect bone erosion; and the second, third, fourth, and fifth MCP and the fifth MTP were evaluated for synovial thickening in B-mode US and synovial vascularity in power Doppler. Bone erosion and synovitis were defined according to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials consensus.

Results.

Bone erosion and grade 2–3 synovial thickening in B-mode were detected in 11% and 9% of healthy subjects. To consider the diagnosis of early arthritis, a cutoff at 1 case of synovial thickening in B-mode enabled discrimination between patients with early arthritis and healthy subjects, with a good sensitivity of 74.8% (95% CI 67.2%–82.3%) and a high specificity of 90.5% (95% CI 85.4%–95.6%). If higher specificity is required to confirm the diagnosis of early arthritis, cutoff at 2 cases of synovial thickening in B-mode or at 2 cases of bone erosion gave optimal results, with specificity of 98.4% (95% CI 96.2%–100%) and 100%, respectively, and lower sensitivity of 59.8% (95% CI 51.2%–68.3%) and 17% (95% CI 10.5%–23.5%) (area under the curve = 0.85 for synovitis and 0.63 for bone erosion). Neither the combination of power Doppler signal plus bone erosion, nor bone erosions plus synovial thickening on the same joint, were seen in healthy subjects.

Conclusion.

A single case of bone erosion or synovial thickening in B-mode is common in healthy subjects. However, more than 1 case of synovial thickening in B-mode or bone erosion is a strong argument for the diagnosis of early inflammatory arthritis.
Evaluation of Clinical Measures and Different Criteria for Diagnosis of Adult-onset Still’s Disease in a Chinese Population
Authors: JIANG LINDI , WANG ZHEN , DAI XIAOMIN , JIN XUEJUAN
Published: February 2011

Objective.

To determine the value of clinical measures in diagnosis of adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD), and to identify the optimal set of proposed classification criteria, in a Chinese population.

Methods.

A total of 70 patients with AOSD and 140 non-AOSD inpatients with fever were retrospectively identified at Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, from January 2003 to December 2009. Clinical measures and 4 sets of diagnostic criteria (Yamaguchi, Calabro, Cush, and Reginato) were evaluated by sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative predictive value (PPV, NPV), and positive/negative likelihood ratio (PLR, NLR) for diagnosis of AOSD.

Results.

In our series, higher sensitivity included hyperpyrexia (temperature ≥ 39°C, 94.29%), arthralgia (80.0%), polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) ≥ 75% (84.29%), serum ferritin ≥ 2-fold the upper normal value (90.0%), negative antinuclear antibodies (85.29%), and rheumatoid factor (84.38%); while higher specificity included transient erythema (98.57%), sore throat (85.0%), leukocytes ≥ 15,000/mm3 (87.86%), and PMN ≥ 85% (85.0%). Rash, arthralgia, and sore throat were found to have better sensitivity and specificity (PLR 3.29–4.86). Leukocytes ≥ 10,000/mm3, PMN ≥ 80%, and serum ferritin ≥ 5-fold the upper normal limit were set as critical points. The Reginato criteria set had the highest specificity, 99.29%. The Yamaguchi set had the highest sensitivity, 78.57%, with a better accuracy of 87.14%.

Conclusion.

The Yamaguchi diagnostic criteria had better accuracy in Chinese patients. Indicators such as rash, arthralgia, sore throat, leukocytes ≥ 10,000/mm3, PMN ≥ 80%, and serum ferritin ≥ 5-fold the upper normal limit were helpful for diagnosis of AOSD. We recommend using these indicators in combination instead of alone.
Role of Two Adaptor Molecules SLP-76 and LAT in the PI3K Signaling Pathway in Activated T Cells
Authors: Shim Eun Kyung , Jung Seung Hee , Lee Jong Ran
Published: February 2011

Previously, we identified p85, a subunit of PI3K, as one of the molecules that interacts with the N-terminal region of Src homology 2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kDa (SLP-76). We also demonstrated that tyrosine phosphorylation either at the 113 and/or 128 position is sufficient for the association of SLP-76 with the Src homology 2 domain near the N terminus of p85. The present study further examines the role of the association of these two molecules on the activation of PI3K signaling cascade. Experiments were done to determine the role of SLP-76, either wild-type, tyrosine mutants, or membrane-targeted forms of various SLP-76 constructs, on the membrane localization and phosphorylation of Akt, which is an event downstream of PI3K activation. Reconstitution studies with these various SLP-76 constructs in a Jurkat variant cell line that lacks SLP-76 or linker for activation of T cells (LAT) show that the activation of PI3K pathway following TCR ligation requires both SLP-76 and LAT adaptor proteins. The results suggest that SLP-76 associates with p85 after T cell activation and that LAT recruits this complex to the membrane, leading to Akt activation.
A Common Haplotype of the TNF Receptor 2 Gene Modulates Endotoxin Tolerance
Authors: Fairfax Benjamin P. , Davenport Emma E. , Makino Seiko , Hill Adrian V. S. , Vannberg Fredrik O. , Knight Julian C.
Published: February 2011

Endotoxin tolerance is characterized by the suppression of further TNF release upon recurrent exposure to LPS. This phenomenon is proposed to act as a homeostatic mechanism preventing uncontrolled cytokine release such as that observed in bacterial sepsis. The regulatory mechanisms and interindividual variation of endotoxin tolerance induction in man remain poorly characterized. In this paper, we describe a genetic association study of variation in endotoxin tolerance among healthy individuals. We identify a common promoter haplotype in TNFRSF1B (encoding TNFR2) to be strongly associated with reduced tolerance to LPS (p = 5.82 × 10−6). This identified haplotype is associated with increased expression of TNFR2 (p = 4.9 × 10−5), and we find basal expression of TNFR2, irrespective of genotype and unlike TNFR1, is associated with secondary TNF release (p < 0.0001). Functional studies demonstrate a positive-feedback loop via TNFR2 of LPS-induced TNF release, confirming this previously unrecognized role for TNFR2 in the modulation of LPS response.
IL-17A and TNF-α Exert Synergistic Effects on Expression of CXCL5 by Alveolar Type II Cells In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Liu Yuhong , Mei Junjie , Gonzales Linda , Yang Guang , Dai Ning , Wang Ping , Zhang Peggy , Favara Michael , Malcolm Kenneth C. , Guttentag Susan , Worthen G. Scott
Published: February 2011

CXCL5, a member of the CXC family of chemokines, contributes to neutrophil recruitment during lung inflammation, but its regulation is poorly understood. Because the T cell-derived cytokine IL-17A enhances host defense by triggering production of chemokines, particularly in combination with TNF-α, we hypothesized that IL-17A would enhance TNF-α–induced expression of CXCL5. Intratracheal coadministration of IL-17A and TNF-α in mice induced production of CXCL1, CXCL2, and CXCL5, which was associated with increased neutrophil influx in the lung at 8 and 24 h. The synergistic effects of TNF-α and IL17A were greatly attenuated in Cxcl5−/− mice at 24 h, but not 8 h, after exposure, a time when CXCL5 expression was at its peak in wild-type mice. Bone marrow chimeras produced using Cxcl5−/− donors and recipients demonstrated that lung-resident cells were the source of CXCL5. Using differentiated alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cells derived from human fetal lung, we found that IL-17A enhanced TNF-α–induced CXCL5 transcription and stabilized TNF-α–induced CXCL5 transcripts. Whereas expression of CXCL5 required activation of NF-κB, IL-17A did not increase TNF-α–induced NF-κB activation. Apical costimulation of IL-17A and TNF-α provoked apical secretion of CXCL5 by human ATII cells in a transwell system, whereas basolateral costimulation led to both apical and basolateral secretion of CXCL5. The observation that human ATII cells secrete CXCL5 in a polarized fashion may represent a mechanism to recruit neutrophils in host defense in a fashion that discriminates the site of initial injury.
Naive T Cell Repertoire Skewing in HLA-A2 Individuals by a Specialized Rearrangement Mechanism Results in Public Memory Clonotypes
Authors: Yassai Maryam , Bosenko Dmitry , Unruh Melissa , Zacharias Gregory , Reed Erica , Demos Wendy , Ferrante Andrea , Gorski Jack
Published: February 2011

How the naive T cell repertoire arises and forms the memory repertoire is still poorly understood. This relationship was analyzed by taking advantage of the focused TCR usage in HLA-A2–restricted CD8 memory T cell responses to influenza M158–66. We analyzed rearranged BV19 genes from CD8 single-positive thymocytes, a surrogate for the naive repertoire, from 10 HLA-A2 individuals. CDR3 amino acid sequences associated with response to influenza were observed at higher frequencies than expected by chance, an indicator of preselection. We propose that a rearrangement mechanism involving long P-nucleotide addition from the J2.7 region explains part of this increase. Special rearrangement mechanisms can result in identical T cells in different individuals, referred to as public responses. Indeed, the rearrangements utilizing long P nucleotide additions were commonly observed in the response to the M158–66 epitope in 30 HLA-A2 middle-aged adults. Thus, in addition to negative and positive selection, special rearrangement mechanisms may influence the composition of the naive repertoire, resulting in more robust responses to a pathogen in some individuals.
TLR2 Hypersensitivity of Astrocytes as Functional Consequence of Previous Inflammatory Episodes
Authors: Henn Anja , Kirner Susanne , Leist Marcel
Published: February 2011

Precedent inflammatory episodes may drastically modify the function and reactivity of cells. We investigated whether priming of astrocytes by microglia-derived cytokines alters their subsequent reaction to pathogen-associated danger signals not recognized in the quiescent state. Resting primary murine astrocytes expressed little TLR2, and neither the TLR2/6 ligand fibroblast-stimulating lipopeptide-1 (FSL1) nor the TLR1/2 ligand Pam3CysSK4 (P3C) triggered NF-κB translocation or IL-6 release. We made use of single-cell detection of NF-κB translocation as easily detectable and sharply regulated upstream indicator of an inflammatory response or of c-Jun phosphorylation to measure restimulation events in astrocytes under varying conditions. Cells prestimulated with IL-1β, with a TLR3 ligand, with a complete cytokine mix consisting of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ, or with media conditioned by activated microglia responded strongly to FSL1 or P3C stimulation, whereas the sensitivity of the NF-κB response to other pattern recognition receptors was unchanged. This sensitization to TLR2 ligands was associated with an initial upregulation of TLR2, displayed a “memory” window of several days, and was largely independent of the length of prestimulation. The altered signaling led to altered function, as FSL1 or P3C triggered the release of IL-6, CCL-20, and CXCL-2 in primed cells, but not in resting astrocytes. These data confirmed the hypothesis that astrocytes exposed to activated microglia assume a different functional phenotype involving longer term TLR2 responsiveness, even after the initial stimulation by inflammatory mediators has ended.
Induction and Maintenance of IL-4 Expression Are Regulated Differently by the 3′ Enhancer in CD4 T Cells
Authors: Sofi M. Hanief , Qiao Yu , Ansel K. Mark , Kubo Masato , Chang Cheong-Hee
Published: February 2011

IL-4 expression is known to be activated in CD4 T cells when they are differentiated to Th2 but not Th1 cells. However, CD4 T cells selected by MH class II-expressing thymocytes, named thymocyte-selected CD4 T cells (T-CD4 T cells), express IL-4 under both Th1 and Th2 conditions. In this study, we investigated molecular mechanisms by which IL-4 gene expression is regulated in T-CD4 T cells. We found that T-CD4 T cells express IL-4 soon after selection in the thymus. Deficiency of DNase I hypersensitive (HS) sites HS5a and HS5 at the 3′-enhancer region in the IL-4 gene decreased IL-4 production, but T-CD4 T cells were able to make IL-4 under the Th1-inducing condition. Consistent with this, IL-4 was expressed in Th1 differentiated T-CD4 T cells in the absence of recombination signal binding protein-J that interacts with HS5. When HS5 was examined separately from other endogenous regulatory elements using a reporter system, CD4 T cells that are selected by thymic epithelial cells cannot transcribe the IL-4 reporter gene with HS5 alone. However, HS5 was able to induce the expression of the IL-4 reporter gene in T-CD4 T cells. Interestingly, the Th1 differentiating signal led to deacetylation at HS5 of the IL-4 endogenous gene, whereas the Th2-inducing environment had no effect. Therefore, in T-CD4 T cells, HS5 plays an essential role during the induction phase of IL-4 expression, but the maintenance of IL-4 expression in Th1 cells requires additional regulatory elements.
IL-6Trans-Signaling System in Intra-Amniotic Inflammation, Preterm Birth, and Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes
Authors: Lee Sarah Y. , Buhimschi Irina A. , Dulay Antonette T. , Ali Unzila A. , Zhao Guomao , Abdel-Razeq Sonya S. , Bahtiyar Mert O. , Thung Stephen F. , Funai Edmund F. , Buhimschi Catalin S.
Published: February 2011

Classic IL-6 signaling is conditioned by the transmembrane receptor (IL-6R) and homodimerization of gp130. During trans-signaling, IL-6 binds to soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R), enabling activation of cells expressing solely gp130. Soluble gp130 (sgp130) selectively inhibits IL-6 trans-signaling. To characterize amniotic fluid (AF) IL-6 trans-signaling molecules (IL-6, sIL-6R, sgp130) in normal gestations and pregnancies complicated by intra-amniotic inflammation (IAI), we studied 301 women during second trimester (n = 39), third trimester (n = 40), and preterm labor with intact (n = 131, 85 negative IAI and 46 positive IAI) or preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM; n = 91, 61 negative IAI and 30 positive IAI). ELISA, Western blotting, and real-time RT-PCR were used to investigate AF, placenta, and amniochorion for protein and mRNA expression of sIL-6R, sgp130, IL-6R, and gp130. Tissues were immunostained for IL-6R, gp130, CD15+ (polymorphonuclear), and CD3+ (T cell) inflammatory cells. The ability of sIL-6R and sgp130 to modulate basal and LPS-stimulated release of amniochorion matrix metalloprotease-9 was tested ex vivo. We showed that in physiologic gestations, AF sgp130 decreases toward term. AF IL-6 and sIL-6R were increased in IAI, whereas sgp130 was decreased in PPROM. Our results suggested that fetal membranes are the probable source of AF sIL-6R and sgp130. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR revealed increased IL-6R and decreased gp130 expression in amniochorion of women with IAI. Ex vivo, sIL-6R and LPS augmented amniochorion matrix metalloprotease-9 release, whereas sgp130 opposed this effect. We conclude that IL-6 trans-signaling molecules are physiologic constituents of the AF regulated by gestational age and inflammation. PPROM likely involves functional loss of sgp130.
Lattice Boltzmann Approach for Local Reference Frames
Authors: Zhang Raoyang , Sun Chenghai , Li Yanbing , Satti Rajani , Shock Richard , Hoch James , Chen Hudong
Published: February 2011

In this paper we present a generalized lattice Boltzmann based approach for sliding-mesh local reference frame. This scheme exactly conserves hydrodynamic fluxes across local reference frame interface. The accuracy and robustness of our scheme are demonstrated by benchmark validations.
A Memory-Saving Algorithm for Spectral Method of Three-Dimensional Homogeneous Isotropic Turbulence
Authors: Cai Qing-Dong , Chen Shiyi
Published: February 2011

Homogeneous isotropic turbulence has been playing a key role in the research of turbulence theory. And the pseudo-spectral method is the most popular numerical method to simulate this type of flow fields in a periodic box, where fast Fourier transform (FFT) is mostly effective. However, the bottle-neck in this method is the memory of computer, which motivates us to construct a memory-saving algorithm for spectral method in present paper. Inevitably, more times of FFT are needed as compensation. In the most memory-saving situation, only 6 three-dimension arrays are employed in the code. The cost of computation is increased by a factor of 4, and that 38 FFTs are needed per time step instead of the previous 9 FFTs. A simulation of isotropic turbulence on 20483 grid can be implemented on a 256G distributed memory clusters through this method.
Behaviors of Spherical and Nonspherical Particles in a Square Pipe Flow
Authors: Inamuro Takaji , Hayashi Hirofumi , Koshiyama Masahiro
Published: February 2011

The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) for multicomponent immiscible fluids is applied to the simulations of solid-fluid mixture flows including spherical or non-spherical particles in a square pipe at Reynolds numbers of about 100. A spherical solid particle is modeled by a droplet with strong interfacial tension and large viscosity, and consequently there is no need to track the moving solid-liquid boundary explicitly. Nonspherical (discoid, flat discoid, and biconcave discoid) solid particles are made by applying artificial forces to the spherical droplet. It is found that the spherical particle moves straightly along a stable position between the wall and the center of the pipe (the Segré-Silberberg effect). On the other hand, the biconcave discoid particle moves along a periodic helical path around the center of the pipe with changing its orientation, and the radius of the helical path and the polar angle of the orientation increase as the hollow of the concave becomes large.
Droplet Collision Simulation by a Multi-Speed Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Lycett-Brown Daniel , Karlin Ilya , Luo Kai H.
Published: February 2011

Realization of the Shan-Chen multiphase flow lattice Boltzmann model is considered in the framework of the higher-order Galilean invariant lattices. The present multiphase lattice Boltzmann model is used in two-dimensional simulation of droplet collisions at high Weber numbers. Results are found to be in a good agreement with experimental findings.
Fiscal Policy under Imperfect Competition with Flexible Prices: An Overview and Survey
Authors: Costa Luís F. , Dixon Huw David
Published: February 2011

This paper surveys the link between imperfect competition and the effects of fiscal policy on output, employment and welfare. We examine static and dynamic models, with and without entry under a variety of assumptions using a common analytical framework. We find that in general there is a robust relationship between the fiscal multiplier and welfare, the tantalizing possibility of Pareto improving fiscal policy is much more elusive. In general, the mechanisms are supply side, and so welfare improving policy, whilst possible, is not a general result.
Lake breezes in the southern Great Lakes region and their influence during BAQS-Met 2007
Authors: Sills D. M. L. , Brook J. R. , Levy I. , Makar P. A. , Zhang J. , Taylor P. A.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Mesoscale observations from the BAQS-Met field experiment during the summer of 2007 were integrated and manually analyzed in order to identify and characterize lake breezes in the southern Great Lakes region of North America, and assess their potential impact on air quality. Lake breezes were found to occur on 90% of study days, often occurring in conditions previously thought to impede their development. They affected all parts of the study region, including southwestern Ontario and nearby portions of southeast Michigan and northern Ohio, occasionally penetrating inland from 100 km to over 200 km. Occurrence rates and penetration distances were found to be higher than previously reported in the literature. This more accurate depiction of observed lake breezes allows a better understanding of their influence on the production and transport of pollutants in this region. The observational analyses were compared with output from subsequent runs of a high-resolution numerical weather prediction model. The model accurately predicted lake breeze occurrence in a variety of synoptic wind regimes, but selected cases showed substantial differences in the detailed timing and location of lake-breeze fronts, and with the initiation of deep moist convection. Knowledge of such strengths and weaknesses will assist with interpretation of results from air quality modelling driven by this meteorological model.
Climatology and trends in the forcing of the stratospheric ozone transport
Authors: Monier E. , Weare B. C.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. A thorough analysis of the ozone transport was carried out using the Transformed-Mean Eulerian (TEM) tracer transport equation and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA-40). In this budget analysis, the chemical net production term, which is calculated as the residual of the other terms, displays the correct features of a chemical sink and source term, including location and seasonality, and shows a good agreement in magnitude compared to other methods of calculating ozone loss rates. This study provides further insight into the role of the eddy ozone transport and underlines its fundamental role in the recovery of the ozone hole during spring. The trend analysis reveals that the ozone hole intensification over the 1980–2001 period is not directly related to the trend in chemical losses, but more specifically to the balance in the trends in chemical losses and transport. That is because, in the SH from October to December, the large increase in the chemical destruction of ozone is balanced by an equally large trend in the eddy transport, associated with a small increase in the mean transport. This study shows that the increase in the eddy transport is characterized by more poleward ozone eddy flux by transient waves in the midlatitudes and by stationary waves in the polar region. This is primarily due to the presence of storm tracks in the midlatitudes and of the asymmetric Antarctic topography and ice-sea heating contrasts near the pole. Overall, this study makes clear of the fact that without an increase in the eddy ozone transport over the 1980–2001 period, the ozone hole over Antarctica would be drastically more severe. This underlines the need for careful diagnostics of the eddy ozone transport in modeling studies of long-term changes in stratospheric ozone.
Sensitivity of a long-range numerical weather forecast model to small changes of model parameters
Authors: Gavrilov M. B. , Jovanović G. R. , Janjić Z.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Sensitivity of extended-range numerical weather forecasts to small changes of model parameters is studied for two cases. In the first case the Earth radius was perturbed. In the other case changes of the gravity were introduced. The results for the 500 hPa geopotential fields are presented on hemispheric maps and intercompared visually and using RMS differences of the perturbed and reference forecasts. During about the first 10 days of integration the results indicate modest sensitivity of the forecasts to the parameter variation. After this period the forecasts diverge rapidly and start to differ significantly. Repeated integrations on the same computer using the same model setup and the same initial conditions yield identical results.
Reply to Comment on "Using multiple observationally-based constraints to estimate climate sensitivity by Annan and Hargreaves (2006)" by Henriksson et al. (2010)
Authors: Annan J. D. , Hargreaves J. C.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Henriksson et al. (2010), hereafter HALTL10, criticise Annan and Hargreaves (2006a) (AH06) primarily on the grounds that we assumed that different sources of data were conditionally independent given the climate sensitivity. While we consider this approximation to have been a reasonable one in the circumstances (and provided arguments to justify this approach), we also acknowledged its importance in our original paper and performed several sensitivity analyses. The alternative calculations presented by HALTL10 appear to strengthen rather than contradict our conclusion. HALTL10 additionally criticise Annan and Hargreaves (2009) (AH09) for proposing a Cauchy-type prior (as an alternative to the use of a uniform prior which was widespread up to that time) "without sufficient support'', and further claim that our choice was irrationally based on an economic assessment. We are surprised by these baseless claims, especially considering that the proposed prior was justified at some length both on the basis of both the "Charney report'' (National Research Council, 1979) and basic physical arguments, and also in light of our elementary demonstration of the pathological failings of the most commonly-used alternative. Thus, these claims are factually incorrect.
The CSIRO Mk3L climate system model version 1.0 – Part 1: Description and evaluation
Authors: Phipps S. J. , Rotstayn L. D. , Gordon H. B. , Roberts J. L. , Hirst A. C. , Budd W. F.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. The CSIRO Mk3L climate system model is a coupled general circulation model, designed primarily for millennial-scale climate simulations and palaeoclimate research. Mk3L includes components which describe the atmosphere, ocean, sea ice and land surface, and combines computational efficiency with a stable and realistic control climatology. This paper describes the model physics and software, and evaluates its ability to simulate the present-day climate. Mk3L incorporates a spectral atmospheric general circulation model, a z-coordinate ocean general circulation model, a dynamic-thermodynamic sea ice model and a land surface scheme with static vegetation. The source code is highly portable, and has no dependence upon proprietary software. The model distribution is freely available to the research community. A 1000-year climate simulation can be completed in around one-and-a-half months on a typical desktop computer, with greater throughput being possible on high-performance computing facilities. Mk3L produces realistic simulations of the larger-scale features of the present-day climate, although with some biases on the regional scale. The model also produces reasonable representations of the leading modes of internal climate variability in both the tropics and extratropics. The control state of the model exhibits a high degree of stability, with only a weak cooling trend on millennial timescales. Ongoing development work aims to improve the model climatology and transform Mk3L into a comprehensive earth system model.
Developing an improved soil moisture dataset by blending passive and active microwave satellite-based retrievals
Authors: Liu Y. Y. , Parinussa R. M. , Dorigo W. A. , De Jeu R. A. M. , Wagner W. , van Dijk A. I. J. M. , McCabe M. F. , Evans J. P.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Combining information derived from satellite-based passive and active microwave sensors has the potential to offer improved estimates of surface soil moisture at global scale. We develop and evaluate a methodology that takes advantage of the retrieval characteristics of passive (AMSR-E) and active (ASCAT) microwave satellite estimates to produce an improved soil moisture product. First, volumetric soil water content (m3 m−3) from AMSR-E and degree of saturation (%) from ASCAT are rescaled against a reference land surface model data set using a cumulative distribution function matching approach. While this imposes any bias of the reference on the rescaled satellite products, it adjusts them to the same range and preserves the dynamics of original satellite-based products. Comparison with in situ measurements demonstrates that where the correlation coefficient between rescaled AMSR-E and ASCAT is greater than 0.65 ("transitional regions"), merging the different satellite products increases the number of observations while minimally changing the accuracy of soil moisture retrievals. These transitional regions also delineate the boundary between sparsely and moderately vegetated regions where rescaled AMSR-E and ASCAT, respectively, are used for the merged product. Therefore the merged product carries the advantages of better spatial coverage overall and increased number of observations, particularly for the transitional regions. The combination method developed has the potential to be applied to existing microwave satellites as well as to new missions. Accordingly, a long-term global soil moisture dataset can be developed and extended, enhancing basic understanding of the role of soil moisture in the water, energy and carbon cycles.
Spatial and temporal connections in groundwater contribution to evaporation
Authors: Lam A. , Karssenberg D. , van den Hurk B. J. J. M. , Bierkens M. F. P.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. In climate models, lateral terrestrial water fluxes are usually neglected. We estimated the contribution of vertical and lateral groundwater fluxes to the land surface water budget at a subcontinental scale, by modelling convergence of groundwater and surfacewater fluxes. We present a hydrological model of the entire Danube Basin at 5 km resolution, and use it to show the importance of groundwater for the surface climate. The contribution of groundwater to evaporation is significant, and can be upwards of 30% in summer. We show that this contribution is local by presenting the groundwater travel times and the magnitude of groundwater convergence. Throughout the Danube Basin the lateral fluxes of groundwater are negligible when modelling at this scale and resolution. Also, it is shown that the contribution of groundwater to evaporation has important temporal characteristics. An experiment with the same model shows that a wet episode influences groundwaters contribution to summer evaporation for several years afterwards. This indicates that modelling groundwater flow has the potential to augment the multi-year memory of climate models.
Effect of milling softness on basic technological parameters of wort
Authors: Frančáková Helena , Lí­šková Miriam , Bojňanská Tatiana , Mareček Ján
Published: February 2011

Crushing the malted grain in the process of milling enables extractive substances of malt to become available for water which accelerates dissolving and other chemical and physical processes during the time of mashing. The aim of this work was at the basis of performed analyses to evaluate to what extent the grist composition with regard to different proportion of meal fraction affects the amount of extract and other technological parameters of malt. Analyzed malt was made from four varieties of malting barley as are Nitran, Ebson, Malz and Xanadu coming from the harvest year 2009. Composition of malt grist in great extent influenced the entire process of mashing, lautering and the amount of extract. The highest values of extract were measured by all varieties at the variant III. with the highest content (50%) of the softest fraction meal + powder meal. The difference between variant I. with 10% content of the softest fraction and variant III. with 50% content, was already 3%. The most significant increase of this parameter was found out by varieties Ebson and Malz. Mashing and lautering parameters have not been significantly influenced by the milling variants. More significant differences were found out with regard to wort turbidity. Only variety Malz showed out the turbidity up to 4 EBC units, measured by turbidity meter under the angle 90°. The highest turbidity was measured by variant I. with the lowest proportion of the fraction meal + powder meal.
Changes in milk composition as a result of metabolic disorders of dairy cows
Authors: Filipejová Terézia , Kováčik Jaroslav , Kirchnerová Katarí­na , Foltýs Vladimí­r
Published: February 2011

The aim of our study was the determination of blood parameters and changes in milk composition of dairy cows in relation to metabolic disorders and their evaluation. Thirty dairy cows from selected agricultural farm were divided into three groups as follow: group BL: 3-4 weeks after calving (the beginning of lactation), group ML: 3-4 months after calving (the middle of lactation), group DP: 2-3 weeks before calving (the dry period). Concentrations of selected parameters of energy profile (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides); nitrogenous profile (urea, total proteins); hepatic profile (aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin) in blood serum were measured. Content of fat, proteins and lactose, Non Fat Solids, urea, freezing point, Somatic Cell Count, Fat/Protein ratio in milk were evaluated. Cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in ML (5.33±1.17 mmol.l-1; p<0.001) in comparison to BL (3.46±0.92 mmol.l-1; p<0.001) and DP (2.70±0.71 mmol.l-1; p<0.001). Concentration of triglycerides was significantly lower in ML (0.03±0.01mmol.l-1; p<0.001) in comparison to BL (0.07±0.02 mmol.l-1; p<0.001) and DP (0.09±0.04 mmol.l-1; p<0.001).  Albumin concentration in DP (36.90±2.99 g.l-1; p<0.05) was significantly higher in comparison to BL (32.80±4.07 g.l-1; p<0.05). AST concentration was significantly higher in ML (1.61±0.47µmol.l-1; p<0.001) in comparison with DP (1.01±0.18µmol.l-1; p<0.001) and BL (1.39±0.25µmol.l-1; p<0.05). Acquired results of milk composition were without significant confirmation (p>0.05). Fat/Protein ratio was lower than 1.1, in BL and ML, which cause rumen acidosis. The present observation confirmed that specific changes of milk composition lead to metabolic disorders.
Minerals, trace elements and flavonoids content in white and coloured kidney bean
Authors: Timoracká Mária , Vollmannová Alena , Ismael Dalaram
Published: February 2011

The aim of the study was to determine the contents of mineral elements (Ca, K, Mg, N, P), trace elements (Cu, Fe, Mn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co, Cr, and Zn), and certain phenolic compounds (flavonoids, isoflavones) in the fourteen varieties of cultivated raw kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).Heavy metals and mineral elements were analyzed by AAS methods, phenolics were detected by HPLC. Compared with vegetables, legumes proved to be a good source of many minerals and elements, e.g., the contents of K, Mg, P, Fe, and Zn varied in the ranges 13.02 - 23.08 g.kg-1, 1.41 - 2.52 g.kg-1, 3.81 - 5.26 g.kg-1, 0.064 - 0.121 g.kg-1, and 0.026 - 0.037 g.kg-1 dw, respectively. Kidney beans, both species, contained no or few amounts of phenolics (only four cultivars) and the levels of kaempferol and apigenin were comparable to isoflavone genistein and quite higher than isoflavon daidzein content.
Relationships among processing and rheologic parameters during wheat dough mixing and their assets for the industrial processing
Authors: Žitný Boris , Haris Ladislav , Muchová Zdenka , Lí­šková Miriam
Published: February 2011

The wheat dough mixing process today, is not perceived only as the blending process of the input materials. During the wheat dough mixing there are many factors which affect the final quality and processiblity of wheat doughs. This study describe the rheologic behaviour of doughs mixed on the Diosna SP12 kneader in particular stages of their development in dependecy from the mixing settings. The processing parameters as mixing energy, temperature increase and spiral rotation was monitored with the causal relationships to the evolving rheologic parameters of processed dough. The basic presumptions about interrealtions among rheologic and processing parameters during dough development for used flours and mixer were adumbrated. The relations among rheological and processing properties towards to product quality were determined by baking tests.
Receipt of Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Among Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in Medicare Managed Care Plans
Authors: Schmajuk Gabriela , Trivedi Amal N. , Solomon Daniel H. , Yelin Edward , Trupin Laura , Chakravarty Eliza F. , Yazdany Jinoos
Published: February 2011

Context

In 2005, the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) introduced a quality measure to assess the receipt of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objective

To identify sociodemographic, community, and health plan factors associated with DMARD receipt among Medicare managed care enrollees.

Design, Setting, and Participants

We analyzed individual-level HEDIS data for 93 143 patients who were at least 65 years old with at least 2 diagnoses of RA within a measurement year (during 2005-2008). Logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations were used to determine factors associated with DMARD receipt and logistic regression was used to adjust health plan performance for case mix.

Main Outcome Measures

Receipt or nonreceipt of DMARD.

Results

The mean age of patients was 74 years; 75% were women and 82% were white. Overall performance on the HEDIS measure for RA was 59% in 2005, increasing to 67% in 2008 (Pfor trend <.001). The largest difference in performance was based on age: patients aged 85 years and older had a 30 percentage point lower rate of DMARD receipt (95% confidence interval [CI], −29 to −32 points;P < .001), compared with patients 65 to 69 years of age, even after adjusting for other factors. Lower percentage point rates were also found for patients who were men (−3 points; 95% CI, −5 to −2 points;P < .001), of black race (−4 points; 95% CI, −6 to −2 points;P < .001), with low personal income (−6 points; 95% CI, −8 to −5 points;P < .001), with the lowest zip code–based socioeconomic status (−4 points; 95% CI, −6 to 2 points;P < .001), or enrolled in for-profit health plans (−4 points; 95% CI, −7 to 0 points;P < .001); and in the Middle Atlantic region (−7 points; 95% CI, −13 to −2 points;P < .001) and South Atlantic regions (−11 points; 95% CI, −20 to −3 points;P < .001) as compared with the Pacific region. Performance varied widely by health plan, ranging from 16% to 87%.

Conclusions

Among Medicare managed care enrollees carrying a diagnosis of RA between 2005 and 2008, 63% received a DMARD. Receipt of DMARDs varied based on demographic factors, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and health plan.
José Manuel Rivero‐Carvallo and the Tricuspid Valve
Authors: Soto‐Pérez‐de‐Celis Enrique
Published: January 2011

The author has no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Synthesis of 1‐H‐1,5‐benzodiazepines derivatives using SiO2/ZnCl2
Authors: Jacob Raquel G. , Radatz Cátia S. , Rodrigues Mariele B. , Alves Diego , Perin Gelson , Lenardão Eder J. , Savegnago Lucielli
Published: January 2011

A general and easy method for the synthesis of several 1‐H‐1,5‐benzodiazepines using SiO2/ZnCl2 under solvent‐free conditions is described. This efficient and improved method furnishes selectively and in good yields the corresponding 1‐H‐1,5‐benzodiazepines derivatives starting from o‐phenylenediamine and cyclic or acyclic ketones. The catalytic system was reused up four times, and the use of focused microwaves accelerates the reaction. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:180–185, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20674
Quantifying seasonal export and retention of nutrients in West European lowland rivers at catchment scale
Authors: de Klein Jeroen J. M. , Koelmans Albert A.
Published: February 2011

To set accurate critical values for the protection of lakes and coastal areas, it is crucial to know the seasonal variation of nutrient exports from rivers. This article presents an improved method for estimating export and in‐stream nutrient retention and its seasonal variation. For 13 lowland river catchments in Western Europe, inputs to surface water and exports were calculated on a monthly basis. The catchments varied in size (21 to 486 km2), while annual in‐stream retention ranged from 23 to 84% for N and 39 to 72% for P. A novel calculation method is presented that quantifies monthly exports from lowland rivers based on an annual load to the river system. Inputs in the calculation are annual emission to the surface waters, average monthly river discharge, average monthly water temperature and fraction of surface water area in the catchment. The method accounts for both seasonal variation of emission to the surface water and seasonal in‐stream retention. The agreement between calculated values and calibration data was high (N: r2 = 0·93; p < 0·001 and P: r2 = 0·81; p < 0·001). Validation of the model also showed good results with model efficiencies for the separate catchments ranging from 31 to 95% (average 76%). This indicates that exports of nitrogen and phosphorus on a monthly basis can be calculated with few input data for a range of West European lowland rivers. Further analysis showed that retention in summer is higher than that in winter, resulting in lower summer nutrient concentrations than that calculated with an average annual input. This implies that accurate evaluation of critical thresholds for eutrophication effects must account for seasonal variation in hydrology and nutrient loading. Our quantification method thus may improve the modelling of eutrophication effects in standing waters. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anomalous behaviour of specific electrical conductivity at a karst spring induced by variable catchment boundaries: the case of the Podstenjšek spring, Slovenia
Authors: Ravbar Nataša , Engelhardt Irina , Goldscheider Nico
Published: February 2011

Anomalous behaviour of specific electrical conductivity (SEC) was observed at a karst spring in Slovenia during 26 high‐flow events in an 18‐month monitoring period. A conceptual model explaining this anomalous SEC variability is presented and reproduced by numerical modelling, and the practical relevance for source protection zoning is discussed. After storm rainfall, discharge increases rapidly, which is typical for karst springs. SEC displays a first maximum during the rising limb of the spring hydrograph, followed by a minimum indicating the arrival of freshly infiltrated water, often confirmed by increased levels of total organic carbon (TOC). The anomalous behaviour starts after this SEC minimum, when SEC rises again and remains elevated during the entire high‐flow period, typically 20–40 µS/cm above the baseflow value. This is explained by variable catchment boundaries: When the water level in the aquifer rises, the catchment expands, incorporating zones of groundwater with higher SEC, caused by higher unsaturated zone thickness and subtle lithologic changes. This conceptual model has been checked by numerical investigations. A generalized finite‐difference model including high‐conductivity cells representing the conduit network (“discrete‐continuum approach”) was set up to simulate the observed behaviour of the karst system. The model reproduces the shifting groundwater divide and the nearly simultaneous increase of discharge and SEC during high‐flow periods. The observed behaviour is relevant for groundwater source protection zoning, which requires reliable delineation of catchment areas. Anomalous behaviour of SEC can point to variable catchment boundaries that can be checked by tracer tests during different hydrologic conditions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.