bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the modulation effect of rainfall on solar radiation availability at the Earth's surface
Authors: Díaz‐Torres J. J. , Hernández‐Mena L. , Murillo‐Tovar M. A. , León‐Becerril E. , López‐López A. , Suárez‐Plascencia C. , Aviña‐Rodriguez E. , Barradas‐Gimate A. , Ojeda‐Castillo V. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTA significant proportion of the solar irradiance that reaches the Earth's surface is normally attenuated by atmospheric properties and overcast conditions related to the rainy season. The Solar Analyst (SA) model, irradiance and long term precipitation data were used to assess this relationship in Guadalajara, Mexico. A spatial analysis based on morphological and statistical criteria increased the model's certainty. The SA model explains 95.4% of the irradiation variability observed on the ground, with average uncertainties of 3.7% during clear sky conditions in the dry season and 4.4% on sunny days in the wet season. The meteorological data analysis shows that total precipitation in 2014 had an atypical temporal distribution and was slightly lower (12.6%) than the average from 1991 to 2012. A deficit of 39% in precipitation compared to the long term average was found in the first half of the season, which was later partially compensated. This deficit was interpreted as a temporary delay in high values of precipitation. Based on the potential average irradiation from the SA model and field observations, it can be concluded that overcast conditions related to rainfall through 2014 attenuated approximately 28.5% of the incoming solar energy. Taking the global energy balance into account, this fraction was higher in comparison to the energy proportion reflected by the cloud's albedo (ca 23%). These results suggest that both the high proportion of energy attenuated and atypical weather conditions may be local effects of large‐scale phenomena such as the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation.
Evaluating the performance of two global ensemble forecasting systems in predicting rainfall over India during the southwest monsoons
Authors: Dube Anumeha , Ashrit Raghavendra , Singh Harvir , Arora Kopal , Iyengar Gopal , Rajagopal E. N. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTEnsemble prediction systems help in quantifying the inherent uncertainties in numerical weather prediction models. Verification of forecasts is essential, in order to monitor and improve forecast quality. Also, verification can be used to compare the capabilities of different numerical weather prediction models in predicting the weather. This study deals with a comparison of probabilistic rainfall forecasts obtained from the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) Global Ensemble Forecast System (NGEFS) and the UK Met Office Global and Regional Ensemble Prediction System (MOGREPS) for four monsoon seasons, June–September 2012–2015. Verification is done based on the Brier score, the Brier skill score, the reliability diagram, the relative operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the ROC curve (AROC). The NMSG (India Meteorological Department NCMRWF merged satellite and gauge) observation dataset is used for verification.The Brier score values for verification of the MOGREPS are lower by approximately 6–14% across all rainfall thresholds and lead times, indicating that these forecasts match better with observations than the NGEFS. This is further reiterated by Brier skill score values of MOGREPS forecasts which are approximately 13–47% higher than the NGEFS. Furthermore, the reliability diagram shows that forecast probabilities are closer to observed frequencies for the MOGREPS than the NGEFS. The AROC for the MOGREPS is also higher than for the NGEFS, hence indicating a better skill of the MOGREPS. From this study, it can be concluded that the MOGREPS showed a better capability in predicting rainfall during the southwest monsoons of 2012–2015 over the Indian region compared to the NGEFS.
Identification of transcription factors potentially involved in human adipogenesis in vitro
Authors: Ambele Melvin Anyasi , Pepper Michael Sean 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundIncreased adiposity in humans leads to obesity, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. We previously conducted an extensive unbiased in vitro transcriptomic analysis of adipogenesis, using human adipose‐derived stromal cells (ASCs). Here, we have applied computational methods to these data to identify transcription factors (TFs) that constitute the upstream gene regulatory networks potentially, driving adipocyte formation in human ASCs.MethodsWe used Affymetrix Transcription Analysis Console™ v3.0 for calculating differentially expressed genes. MATCH™ and F‐MATCH™ algorithms for TF identification. STRING v10 to predict protein–protein interactions between TFs.ResultsA number of TFs that were reported to have a significant role in adipogenesis, as well as novel TFs that have not previously been described in this context, were identified. Thus, 32 upstream TFs were identified, with most belonging to the C2H2‐type zinc finger and HOX families, which are potentially involved in regulating most of the differentially expressed genes observed during adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, 17 important upstream TFs were found to have increased regulatory effects on their downstream target genes and were consistently up‐regulated during the differentiation process. A strong hypothetical functional interaction was observed among these TFs, which supports their common role in the downstream regulation of gene expression during adipogenesis.ConclusionOur results support several previous findings on TFs involved in adipogenesis and thereby validate the comprehensive and systematic in silico approach described in this study. In silico analysis also allowed for the identification of novel regulators of adipocyte differentiation.
Highly refractive polyimides containing pyridine and sulfur units: synthesis and thermal, mechanical, solubility and optical properties
Authors: Guan Yue , Dong Weibing , Wang Che , Shang Dejing 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTwo series of isomers containing pyridine and sulfur unit aromatic diamine monomers, 4,4′‐bis(5‐amino‐2‐pyridinylsulfanyl)diphenyl sulfide (2a), 4,4′‐bis(6‐amino‐3‐pyridinylsulfanyl)diphenyl sulfide (2b) and 4,4′‐bis(5‐amino‐6‐methyl‐2‐pyridinylsulfanyl)diphenyl sulfide (2c), 4,4′‐bis(5‐amino‐4‐methyl‐2‐pyridinylsulfanyl)diphenyl sulfide (2d), were designed and synthesized. Aimed at clarifying the structure–property relationships of pyridine‐ and sulfur‐containing high refractive polymers, 2a was polymerized with various dianhydrides to prepare polyimides PI‐1−PI‐7 and 2b, 2c, 2d were reacted with 4,4′‐[p‐thiobis(phenylenesulfanyl)]diphthalic anhydride to prepare polyimides PI‐8−PI‐10. The polyimides showed excellent optical properties with average refractive indices ranging from 1.7006 to 1.7620 and birefringence as low as 0.0056. Meanwhile, comparative studies on their properties including solubility, thermal and mechanical, and optical transparency properties were performed. Some property differences of the isomers caused by the sequence changes were found. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
A quantum chemical study on the OH radical quenching by natural antioxidant fisetin
Authors: Bayat Ahmad , Fattahi Alireza 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn this work, the antioxidant ability of fisetin was explored toward hydroxyl (•OH) radical in aqueous and lipid solution using density functional level of theory. Different reaction mechanisms have been studied: hydrogen atom transfer, single electron transfer followed by proton transfer, and radical adduct formation, and sequential proton loss electron transfer. Rate constants for all possible reaction sites have been calculated using conventional transition state theory in conjunction with the Collins‐Kimball theory. Branching ratios for the different channels of reaction are reported for the first time. Results show that the reactivity of fisetin toward hydroxyl (•OH) radical takes place almost exclusively by radical adduct formation regardless of the polarity of the environment. Also, the single‐electron transfer process seems to be thermodynamically unfavorable in both media.
Picene thin films on metal surfaces: Impact of molecular shape on interfacial coupling
Authors: Wang Qi , Xin Qian , Wang Rong‐Bin , Oehzelt Martin , Ueno Nobuo , Kera Satoshi , Duhm Steffen 
Published: March 2017

The energetics at organic‐metal interfaces are, to large extend, determined by the structure of the molecular adsorbate on the substrate surface. As shown by low‐energy electron diffraction (LEED) the zigzag shape of picene leads to a peculiar monolayer structure on Ag(111), Ag(110), and Cu(111) with one molecule in the unit cell lying essentially flat and the other one adopting an edge‐on orientation. The adsorbate‐substrate coupling is weak as shown by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). This is in striking contrast to monolayers of straight pentacene, where all molecules lie flat and are strongly coupled, involving charge transfer complex formation on most of these surfaces.The peculiar packing structure of picene leads to weak interfacial coupling on clean metal surfaces. In contrast, pentacene is chemisorbed on Ag and Cu surfaces involving electron transfer from the substrate.
Input‐to‐state stability of stochastic port‐Hamiltonian systems using stochastic generalized canonical transformations
Authors: Satoh Satoshi 
Published: March 2017

SummaryAs a practically important class of nonlinear stochastic systems, this paper considers stochastic port‐Hamiltonian systems (SPHSs) and investigates the stochastic input‐to‐state stability (SISS) property of a class of SPHSs. We clarify necessary conditions for the closed‐loop system of an SPHS to be SISS. Moreover, we provide a systematic construction of both the SISS controller and Lyapunov function so that the proposed necessary conditions hold. In the main results, the stochastic generalized canonical transformation plays a key role. The stochastic generalized canonical transformation technique enables to design both coordinate transformation and feedback controller with preserving the SPHS structure of the closed‐loop system. Consequently, the main theorem guarantees that the closed‐loop system obtained by the proposed method is SISS against both deterministic disturbance and stochastic noise. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cyclic analyses of corrugated steel plate shear walls
Authors: Zhao Qiuhong , Sun Junhao , Li Yanan , Li Zhongxian 
Published: March 2017

SummaryCorrugated steel plate shear wall (CoSPSW), which consists of a steel boundary frame and a corrugated steel wall panel with the corrugation in the horizontal or vertical direction, is a new type of lateral load‐resisting system in the family of steel plate shear walls. Compared with the unstiffened special plate shear walls (SPSW), CoSPSW would have greater elastic buckling capacity and more resistance to the gravity loads transferred to the wall panel or neatly avoid them, depending on the corrugation direction. The main research contents of this paper is on the cyclic behavior of CoSPSWs and comparison with SPSWs. Nonlinear push‐over and cyclic analyses were conducted on a group of CoSPSW and SPSW models, and parametric studies were performed with different panel and frame configuration, as well as gravity load effects. It turns out that CoSPSWs with deep corrugation have higher lateral stiffness, lateral strength, and energy dissipation than SPSWs, whereas CoSPSWs with shallow corrugation have higher lateral stiffness and ductility, but lower lateral strength than SPSWs. For all cases investigated, CoSPSWs have stable hysteric curves with no almost pinching, and they are much less sensitive to the influence of gravity loads or weaker boundary frames, compared to SPSWs.
Thioether‐derived Macrocycle for Peptide Secondary Structure Fixation
Authors: Tian Yuan , Yang Dan , Ye Xiyang , Li Zigang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractRecently, we developed methods to stabilize peptides into various secondary structures, including α‐helix, type III turn and β‐hairpin via proper thioether based macrocyclization. These conformationally constrained peptidomimetics confer enhanced biophysical properties and provide a valuable avenue towards clinically‐relevant therapeutic molecules. In this personal account, thioether‐derived macrocyclization methods developed by our group for stabilization of α‐helix, type‐III β turn and β‐hairpin conformations are discussed.
To educate engineers or to engineer educators?: Exploring access to engineering careers
Authors: Eastman Michael G. , Christman Jeanne , Zion George H. , Yerrick Randy 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAlthough studies claim increases in underrepresented populations choosing STEM majors, barriers to retention, and higher education degree completion in STEM still exist. This study examined efforts of a prominent technical university to attract and retain urban high school graduates through a tuition scholarship program. We sought to determine the trajectories of recruited urban high school graduates and explored students reasoning behind their choice of STEM majors. Findings revealed unforeseen obstacles prohibiting students from pursuing STEM degrees despite free tuition and other benefits of the diversity recruitment program. Student obstacles included: (i) logistic barriers; (ii) academic resources access; and (iii) social/cultural support. A secondary but related finding was the self‐realization of engineering faculty culpability in the attrition they observed. This critical account of race and privilege told by insiders to the engineering discipline speaks directly to the failure of educational institutions to address essential components of the economic and academic segregation which currently exists against a backdrop of reform calls which aim to diversify the engineering workforce. Implications for future research and recruitment efforts are discussed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 54: 884–913, 2017
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding: Predictive Factors for Weight Loss and Band Removal After More than 10 Years’ Follow‐Up in a Single University Unit
Authors: Tammaro Pasquale , Hansel Boris , Police Andrea , Kousouri Marina , Magnan Christophe , Marmuse Jean Pierre , Arapis Konstantinos 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundWeight loss and overall outcomes following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) are more variable than with other bariatric procedures. Our aim was to investigate the predictive value of certain parameters in a cohort of 794 patients with 10 years’ minimum follow‐up after LAGB.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the records of 794 patients undergoing LAGB performed by the authors between April 1996 and December 2004. We collected patients’ data on weight loss and band‐related complications and performed logistic regression modelling and calculated Kaplan–Meier curves for band preservation.ResultsThe follow‐up rate at 10 years was 90.4%. The mean follow‐up duration was 15.1 years (range, 120–228 months). Overall band removal with or without conversion or replacement was required in 304 (38.2%) patients. The mean survival time of the band was 148.4 months (95% confidence interval: 138.3–167.4), and there was no difference in the rate of removal by operative technique (p = 0.7). The highest rate of band removal occurred in female patients (p = 0.05), those with BMI > 50 kg/m2 (p = 0.005) and in those <40 years of age (p = 0.04). For patients with the band in situ, the success rate was significantly lower in patients with initial BMI > 50 kg/m2. Conversely, differences in success rate were not statistically significant for age (using 50 years as the cut‐off), technique or sex.ConclusionsHigher rates of removal occurred in women, younger patients and those with BMI > 50 kg/m2. Regardless of these criteria, the rate of band removal for complications rose over time. Patients should be informed of the high risk of the need for band removal long‐term.
Does Nissen Fundoplication Provide Lifelong Reflux Control? Symptomatic Outcome After 31–33 Years
Authors: Neuvonen P. , Sand J. , Matikainen M. , Rantanen T. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundA substantial number of people are suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The indication for surgical treatment is the failure of medical treatment in patients with objectively verified GERD. The use of PPIs has been noted to increase with the length of follow‐up after fundoplication, raising questions concerning the durability of surgical results. The aim of the study was to investigate the results of open Nissen fundoplication (ONF) over a follow‐up of more than 31 years.MethodsONF was performed for 38 consecutive patients. Questionnaires concerning long‐term outcome were sent on December 14, 2015, to the 24 patients still living. Long‐term symptom evaluation was carried out using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Visick grading, a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the DeMeester–Johnson reflux scale, and the 15D tool.ResultsSeventeen (70.8%) of the 24 patients still living participated in the study. The typical symptoms of GERD had resolved significantly. Dysphagia was graded as none or minimal by 13 (81.3%) patients. The mean 15D score of the patient group was clinically and statistically the same (0.896 vs. 0.899) as that of the age‐ and sex‐standardized general population (p = 0.912). Six (15.8%) patients had used antireflux medication after the operation and 4 of them (10.6%) continuously.ConclusionsPatients in the present study used PPIs less frequently than what has been reported in previous long‐term follow‐up studies. Our results indicate that successful surgery may provide lifelong relief of GERD symptoms and normalize the health‐related quality of life in GERD patients.
Clinical Prediction Rules for Appendicitis in Adults: Which Is Best?
Authors: Kularatna Malsha , Lauti Melanie , Haran Cheyaanthan , MacFater Wiremu , Sheikh Laila , Huang Ying , McCall John , MacCormick Andrew D. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundClinical prediction rules (CPRs) provide an objective method of assessment in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. There are a number of available CPRs for the diagnosis of appendicitis, but it is unknown which performs best.AimThe aim of this study was to identify what CPRs are available and how they perform when diagnosing appendicitis in adults.MethodA systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Studies that derived or validated a CPR were included. Their performance was assessed on sensitivity, specificity and area under curve (AUC) values.ResultsThirty‐four articles were included in this review. Of these 12 derived a CPR and 22 validated these CPRs. A narrative analysis was performed as meta‐analysis was precluded due to study heterogeneity and quality of included studies. The results from validation studies showed that the overall best performer in terms of sensitivity (92%), specificity (63%) and AUC values (0.84–0.97) was the AIR score but only a limited number of studies investigated at this score. Although the Alvarado and Modified Alvarado scores were the most commonly validated, results from these studies were variable. The Alvarado score outperformed the modified Alvarado score in terms of sensitivity, specificity and AUC values.ConclusionThere are 12 CPRs available for diagnosis of appendicitis in adults. The AIR score appeared to be the best performer and most pragmatic CPR.
Indeterminate Pulmonary Nodules in Resected Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer: A Comparison of Patient Outcomes
Authors: Robertson V. , Neal C. P. , Jones M. , Dennison A. R. , Garcea G. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAims
Hepatic metastasectomy remains the only potentially curative treatment for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Some of these patients develop indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPNs). This study aimed to compare outcomes of patients with and without IPN undergoing resection of CRLM to ascertain whether their presence is clinically significant.MethodsCases and controls were identified from a prospectively maintained database of CRLM resections. Patients with staging radiology demonstrating IPNs were included as cases. Controls were matched to the cases by four primary factors: age, type of resection (primary or redo), clinical risk score (CRS) and chemotherapy.ResultsThe median disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) for the cases were 7.0 months (95% CI 4.8–9.2) and 28.6 months (95% CI 21.2–36.0), respectively, and 12.0 months (95% CI 10.7–13.2) and 30.5 months (95% CI 19.4–41.6) for the controls. The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year survival rates were 92.7, 39.7 and 0.0% for the IPN group, and 92.4, 32.9 and 21.9% for those without. In total, 60.7% of IPN patients progressed to lung metastases, of which 39.3% underwent pulmonary resections. DFS was significantly shorter in the IPN group (p = 0.022), but OS was not significantly different (p = 0.421). The presence of IPN was independently associated with a shortened DFS (p = 0.027), as was a CRS of 3 or greater (p = 0.007).ConclusionThis study suggests that IPN does not significantly affect OS, but may predict earlier disease recurrence. IPN presence alone should not preclude radical resection but could be used to prompt more careful post‐operative surveillance to detect lung metastases at a potentially operable stage.
Bounded random walks as a null model for evaluating population trends
Authors: Loehle Craig , Arghami Nasser 
Published: March 2017

AbstractManagement of wildlife and protection of endangered species depend on determination of population trends. Because population changes are stochastic and autoregressive, there is reason to believe that population trends might not be properly determined by simple regression over short time periods. A bounded random walk (BRW) model is introduced as a null model for evaluating population trends. The BRW model shows long‐term stability but rising and falling sequences of up to many decades. For a given variability and survey length, there will be an expected probability of finding a greater than X% slope simply by chance. This false positive probability needs to be considered when evaluating trends. Breeding Bird Survey data for 128 species over 46 years for two states were analyzed for trends for different series lengths. Trends estimated from short series were likely to not agree with the 46‐year trends. Very short series (e.g., 5 years) tended to indicate no trend due to loss of statistical power. A 101‐year series for sandwich term (Sterna sandvicensis) revealed that even for 40 year‐long series, 33% of subset series had a negative trend compared to the strong 101 year full series positive trend. The BRW model simulations and both data sets pointed to 20 years as a minimum time period for estimating trends reliably, though this can be longer for species that tend to cycle. Proper inference should thus consider the implications of inherent time series variability.