bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial and temporal temperature trends in the lower stratosphere during the extended boreal winter from reanalyses
Authors: Lopez‐Bustins Joan A. , Serrano Encarna , Ayarzagüena Blanca , Sanchez‐Lorenzo Arturo 
Published: January 2015

AbstractTemperature anomalies in the lower stratosphere (namely, at 50‐hPa) poleward of 30°N (hereafter, T50) are analysed from reanalysis daily products (i.e. ERA‐40 and NCEP/NCAR) in order to detect those regions with statistically significant trends of T50 during the common 1957–2002 period. We also analyse radiosonde data in order to validate the reanalyses results. The analyses are conducted for the extended polar winter (i.e. from November to May) in order to relate T50 changes to the northern polar vortex variability. In relation to the previous literature, the novelty of this study is double: first, temporal evolution is considered according to regions with similar T50 temporal variability in the Northern Hemisphere; second, trend analyses of stratospheric temperatures are obtained with the use of running windows with variable width of each principal component series computed from monthly mean values. Two main stratospheric regions were identified from both reanalyses, with a statistically significant cooling within the study period: one over the high latitudes and a second one tracing a subtropical ring. The first one was detected in November, December and May during several decades, particularly at the beginning and in the middle of the study period (i.e. 1957–1985). The second region (i.e. the subtropical ring) showed overall cooling for all months along the study period. In addition, the lower stratospheric temperature over northern Europe exhibited an outstanding cooling in May for the whole study period. The results obtained from both reanalyses are practically identical, a fact that provides robustness thereto. Radiosonde data confirm the above‐mentioned results, but the magnitude of the trends given by reanalysis products is substantially overestimated in the winter months over high latitudes.
Spatiotemporal distribution of thunderstorm initiation in the US Great Plains from 2005 to 2007
Authors: Lock Noah A. , Houston Adam L. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTA first‐of‐its‐kind automated thunderstorm tracking algorithm that relies on radar reflectivity data and cloud‐to‐ground lighting is used to identify the spatiotemporal distribution of thunderstorm initiation over the central United States for 2005–2007. Nearly 56 000 thunderstorm initiations are identified. High concentrations of thunderstorm initiation are found near prominent topography and near the Gulf coast. The annual distribution exhibits a peak in August and the diurnal cycle exhibits a peak at the local solar noon with the majority of initiations occurring between 2 h prior to and 6 h past the local solar noon. While the results are largely expected, no previous study has documented the distribution of thunderstorm initiation over the geographic extent and period of record used to develop the results presented here.
Effect of oxidant stressors and phenolic antioxidants on the ochratoxigenic fungus Aspergillus carbonarius
Authors: Crespo‐Sempere Ana , Selma‐Lázaro Cristina , Palumbo Jeffrey D , González‐Candelas Luis , Martínez‐Culebras Pedro V 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDThere are few studies dealing with the relationship between oxidative stress and ochratoxin A (OTA) biosynthesis. In this work, we analyzed the effect of the oxidant stressor menadione and the antioxidants 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxytoluene (BHT), catechin, resveratrol and a polyphenolic extract on growth, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), OTA production and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes of Aspergillus carbonarius.RESULTSExposure to menadione concentrations higher than 20 µmol L−1 led to increases in ROS and OTA levels and a decrease in growth rate. Exposure to 2.5–10 mmol L−1 BHT also led to higher ROS and OTA levels, although growth rate was only affected above 5 mmol L−1. Naturally occurring concentrations of catechin, resveratrol and polyphenolic extract barely affected growth rate, but they produced widely different effects on OTA production level depending on the antioxidant concentration used. In general, gene expression of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxiredoxin (PRX) was downregulated after exposure to oxidant and antioxidant concentrations that enhanced OTA production level.CONCLUSIONAspergillus carbonarius responds to oxidative stress, increasing OTA production. Nevertheless, the use of naturally occurring concentrations of antioxidant phenolic compounds to reduce oxidative stress is not a valid approach by itself for OTA contamination control in grapes. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Blueberries improve glucose tolerance without altering body composition in obese postmenopausal mice
Authors: Elks Carrie M. , Terrebonne Jennifer D. , Ingram Donald K. , Stephens Jacqueline M. 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveMetabolic syndrome (MetS) risk increases significantly during menopause and remains elevated postmenopause. Several botanicals, including blueberries (BB), have been shown to delay MetS progression, but few studies have been conducted in postmenopausal animal models. Here, the effects of BB supplementation on obese postmenopausal mice using a chemically induced menopause model were examined.MethodsAfter induction of menopause, mice were fed a high‐fat diet or the same diet supplemented with 4% BB powder for 12 weeks. Body weight and body composition were measured, and mice were subjected to glucose and insulin tolerance tests. Serum triglycerides and adiponectin were measured, and liver histology and hepatic gene expression were assessed.ResultsMenopausal and BB‐supplemented mice had significantly higher body weights and fat mass than control mice, while menopausal mice had impaired glucose tolerance and higher serum triglycerides when compared with control and BB‐supplemented mice. Menopausal mice also had hepatic steatosis that was prevented by BB supplementation and correlated with expression of genes involved in hepatic fatty acid oxidation.ConclusionsBB supplementation prevents the glucose intolerance and hepatic steatosis that occur in obese postmenopausal mice, and these effects are independent of body weight.
Exercise improves quality of life in bariatric surgery candidates: Results from the Bari‐Active trial
Authors: Bond Dale S. , Thomas J. Graham , King Wendy C. , Vithiananthan Sivamainthan , Trautvetter Jennifer , Unick Jessica L. , Ryder Beth A. , Pohl Dieter , Roye G. Dean , Sax Harry C. , Wing Rena R. 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveTo examine the impact of a pre‐bariatric surgery physical activity intervention (PAI), designed to increase bout‐related (≥10 min) moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).MethodsAnalyses included 75 adult participants (86.7% female; BMI = 45.0 ± 6.5 kg m−2) who were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of PAI (n = 40) or standard pre‐surgical care (SC; n = 35). PAI received 6 individual weekly counseling sessions to increase walking exercise. Participants wore an objective PA monitor for 7 days and completed the SF‐36 Health Survey at baseline and post‐intervention to evaluate bout‐related MVPA and HRQoL changes, respectively.ResultsPAI increased bout‐related MVPA from baseline to post‐intervention (4.4 ± 5.5 to 21.0 ± 21.4 min day−1) versus no change (7.9 ± 16.6 to 7.6 ± 11.5 min day−1) for SC (P = 0.001). PAI reported greater improvements than SC on all SF‐36 physical and mental scales (P < 0.05), except role‐emotional. In PAI, better baseline scores on the physical function and general health scales predicted greater bout‐related MVPA increases (P < 0.05), and greater bout‐related MVPA increases were associated with greater post‐intervention improvements on the physical function, bodily pain, and general health scales (P < 0.05).ConclusionsIncreasing PA preoperatively improves physical and mental HRQoL in bariatric surgery candidates. Future studies should examine whether this effect improves surgical safety, weight loss outcomes, and postoperative HRQoL.
Bariatric surgery and diabetes: Implications of type 1 versus insulin‐requiring type 2
Authors: Maraka Spyridoula , Kudva Yogish C. , Kellogg Todd A. , Collazo‐Clavell Maria L. , Mundi Manpreet S. 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveTo report the impact of bariatric surgery on metabolic outcomes in patients with type 1 diabetes (DM1) versus insulin‐requiring type 2 diabetes mellitus (IRDM2).MethodsTen subjects with DM1 were compared with 118 subjects with IRDM2 at baseline and at 1 and 2 years post‐bariatric surgery for: anthropometric measures, HbA1c, and number of medications (anti‐hyperglycemic, anti‐hypertensive, lipid‐lowering).ResultsDM1 and IRDM2 groups lost similar amounts of weight 2 years post‐bariatric surgery (39.5 ± 14.7 kg vs. 40.3 ± 24.4 kg). IRDM2 subjects had significant improvements in HbA1c (7.8% ± 1.4% vs. 6.8% ± 1.4%, P value <0.0001) and decreases in number of anti‐hyperglycemic (2.4 ± 0.8 vs. 0.7 ± 0.8, P value <0.0001), anti‐hypertensive (2.2 ± 1.3 vs. 1.3 ± 1.2, P value <0.0001), and lipid‐lowering (1.1 ± 0.8 vs. 0.6 ± 0.6, P value <0.0001) medications. DM1 subjects had no improvement in HbA1c (8.2% ± 1.6% vs. 7.8% ± 0.9%) or use of anti‐hypertensive medications (2.1 ± 1.4 vs. 2.3 ± 1.5). Their use of lipid‐lowering medications improved (1.0 ± 0.5 vs. 0.5 ± 0.8, P value 0.04).ConclusionsOur study suggests that improved glycemic control may not be an expected outcome when considering bariatric surgery in patients with DM1; however, additional investigation is warranted.
Changes in gut hormones and leptin in military personnel during operational deployment in Afghanistan
Authors: Hill Neil E. , Fallowfield Joanne L. , Delves Simon K. , Ardley Christian , Stacey Michael , Ghatei Mohammad , Bloom Stephen R. , Frost Gary , Brett Stephen J. , Wilson Duncan R. , Murphy Kevin G. 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveUnderstanding the mechanisms that drive weight loss in a lean population may elucidate systems that regulate normal energy homeostasis. This prospective study of British military volunteers investigated the effects of a 6‐month deployment to Afghanistan on energy balance and circulating concentrations of specific appetite‐regulating hormones.MethodsMeasurements were obtained twice in the UK (during the Pre‐deployment period) and once in Afghanistan, at Mid‐deployment. Body mass, body composition, food intake, and appetite‐regulatory hormones (leptin, active and total ghrelin, PYY, PP, GLP‐1) were measured.ResultsRepeated measures analysis of 105 volunteers showed body mass decreased by 4.9% ± 3.7% (P < 0.0001) during the first half of the deployment. Leptin concentrations were significantly correlated with percentage body fat at each time point. The reduction in percentage body fat between Pre‐deployment and Mid‐deployment was 8.6%, with a corresponding 48% decrease in mean circulating leptin. Pre‐deployment leptin and total and active ghrelin levels correlated with subsequent change in body mass; however. no changes were observed in the anorectic gut hormones GLP‐1, PP, or PYY.ConclusionsThese data suggest that changes in appetite‐regulating hormones in front line military personnel occur in response to, but do not drive, reductions in body mass.
Adipose tissue as an immunological organ
Authors: Grant Ryan W. , Dixit Vishwa Deep 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveThis review will focus on the immunological aspects of adipose tissue and its potential role in development of chronic inflammation that instigates obesity‐associated comorbidities.MethodsThe review used PubMed searches of current literature to examine adipose tissue leukocytosis.Results and ConclusionsThe adipose tissue of obese subjects becomes inflamed and contributes to the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Numerous immune cells including B cells, T cells, macrophages, and neutrophils have been identified in adipose tissue, and obesity influences both the quantity and the nature of immune cell subtypes, which emerges as an active immunological organ capable of modifying whole‐body metabolism through paracrine and endocrine mechanisms. Adipose tissue is a large immunologically active organ during obesity and displays hallmarks of both and innate and adaptive immune response. Despite the presence of hematopoietic lineage cells in adipose tissue, it is unclear whether the adipose compartment has a direct role in immune surveillance or host defense. Understanding the interactions between leukocytes and adipocytes may reveal the clinically relevant pathways that control adipose tissue inflammation and is likely to reveal mechanisms by which obesity contributes to increased susceptibility to both metabolic and certain infectious diseases.
Field‐evolved resistance to imidacloprid and ethiprole in populations of brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens collected from across South and East Asia
Authors: Garrood William T , Zimmer Christoph T , Gorman Kevin J , Nauen Ralf , Bass Chris , Davies Thomas GE 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDWe report on the status of imidacloprid and ethiprole resistance in Nilaparvata lugens Stål collected from across South and East Asia over the period 2005–2012.RESULTSA resistance survey found that field populations had developed up to 220‐fold resistance to imidacloprid and 223‐fold resistance to ethiprole, and that many of the strains collected showed high levels of resistance to both insecticides. We also found that the cytochrome P450 CYP6ER1 was significantly overexpressed in 12 imidacloprid‐resistant populations tested when compared with a laboratory susceptible strain, with fold changes ranging from ten‐ to 90‐fold. In contrast, another cytochrome P450 CYP6AY1, also implicated in imidacloprid resistance, was underexpressed in ten of the populations and only significantly overexpressed (3.5‐fold) in a single population from India compared with the same susceptible strain. Further selection of two of the imidacloprid‐resistant field strains correlated with an approximate threefold increase in expression of CYP6ER1.CONCLUSIONSWe conclude that overexpression of CYP6ER1 is associated with field‐evolved resistance to imidacloprid in brown planthopper populations in five countries in South and East Asia. © 2015 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Attitudes and Perceptions of Urban African Americans of a “Dirty Bomb” Radiological Terror Event: Results of a Qualitative Study and Implications for Effective Risk Communication
Authors: Bass Sarah Bauerle , Greener Judith R. , Ruggieri Dominique , Parvanta Claudia , Mora Gabriella , Wolak Caitlin , Normile Rebecca , Gordon Thomas F. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectivesRadiological terror presents a real threat, but little is known about how low-income, urban African Americans may respond to such threats. The aim of this study was to understand the unique challenges of this group and to explore their knowledge of what a “dirty bomb” is, their intended behaviors should one occur, and their barriers to complying with “shelter in place” recommendations.MethodsThirty-seven 18-65-year-olds who were users of community centers in disadvantaged areas participated in 3 focus groups in Philadelphia. Results were analyzed by using the Krueger method of analyzing narrative text.ResultsThe responses highlighted little knowledge or concern about a dirty bomb. Lack of trust in local authorities was expressed, with participants indicating that they did not feel their needs were addressed. While shelter in place was understood, most said they would still check on family or talk with others to get the “whole truth” because the most trusted information sources were neighbors and community leaders.ConclusionOur results indicate that a risk communication intervention for urban minorities may support desirable behaviors in the event of a dirty bomb, but successful communication will require establishing a local leader as a spokesperson to convince people of the importance of sheltering in place.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;0:1-10)
Inertial migration of a rigid sphere in three-dimensional Poiseuille flow
Authors: Hood Kaitlyn , Lee Sungyon , Roper Marcus 
Published: January 2015

AbstractInertial lift forces are exploited within inertial microfluidic devices to position, segregate and sort particles or droplets. However, the forces and their focusing positions can currently only be predicted by numerical simulations, making rational device design very difficult. Here we develop theory for the forces on particles in microchannel geometries. We use numerical experiments to dissect the dominant balances within the Navier–Stokes equations and derive an asymptotic model to predict the lateral force on the particle as a function of particle size. Our asymptotic model is valid for a wide array of particle sizes and Reynolds numbers, and allows us to predict how focusing position depends on particle size.
Dietary fat and carbohydrate have different effects on body weight, energy expenditure, glucose homeostasis and behaviour in adult cats fed to energy requirement
Authors: Gooding Margaret A. , Atkinson Jim L. , Duncan Ian J. H. , Niel Lee , Shoveller Anna K. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe effects of dietary carbohydrate and fat on feline health are not well understood. The effects of feeding diets moderately high in fat (HF; n 10; 30 % fat, 26 % carbohydrate as fed) or carbohydrate (HC; n 10; 11 % fat, 47 % carbohydrate), for 84 d, were investigated in healthy, adult cats (3·5 (sd 0·5) years). Data on indirect calorimetry, blood biomarkers, activity, play and cognition were collected at baseline, and at intervals throughout the study. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and on day 85. There were no significant main effects of diet on body weight and composition. When data were analysed over study day within diet, cats fed HF diets experienced a significant increase in body fat (P = 0·001) and body weight (P = 0·043) in contrast to cats consuming the HC diet that experienced no change in body fat or body weight (P = 0·762) throughout the study. Overall, energy expenditure was similar between diets (P = 0·356 (fasted), P = 0·086 (postprandial)) and respiratory quotient declined with exposure to the HF diet and increased with exposure to the HC diet (P < 0·001; fasted and postprandial). There was no difference in insulin sensitivity as an overall effect of diet (P = 0·266). Activity declined from baseline with exposure to both diets (HC: P = 0·002; HF: P = 0·01) but was not different between diets (P = 0·247). There was no effect of diet on play (P = 0·387) and cats consuming either the HF or HC diet did not successfully learn the cognitive test. Overall, cats adapt to dietary macronutrient content, and the implications of feeding HC and HF diets on risk for adiposity as driven by metabolic and behavioural mechanisms are discussed.
High dietary intake of vitamin C suppresses age-related thymic atrophy and contributes to the maintenance of immune cells in vitamin C-deficient senescence marker protein-30 knockout mice
Authors: Uchio Ryusei , Hirose Yoshitaka , Murosaki Shinji , Yamamoto Yoshihiro , Ishigami Akihito 
Published: January 2015

Vitamin C (VC) is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animals. It has antioxidant properties and has been reported to ameliorate oxidative damage to lipids, DNA and proteins. However, the effects of VC on immune function are poorly understood, especially the influence of long-term high-dose VC intake on the number and function of immune cells. In the present study, to evaluate the immune effects of VC, VC-deficient senescence marker protein-30 knockout (SMP30KO) mice were fed a diet containing the recommended level of VC (20 mg/kg per d; 0·02 % VC) or a high level of VC (200 mg/kg per d; 0·2 % VC) for 1 year. The plasma VC concentration of the 0·02 % group was the same as that of age-matched C57BL/6 mice after 1 year of feeding; however, plasma VC concentration and thymus weight were significantly higher in the 0·2 % VC group than in the 0·02 % VC group. The total counts of leucocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes and monocytes in the peripheral blood, as well as the number of splenocytes and thymocytes, were all significantly higher in the 0·2 % VC group than in the 0·02 % VC group. In addition, the number of naive T cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes, the number of memory T-cell populations in splenocytes, and the number of cluster of differentiation (CD)4+CD8+or CD4+CD8−or CD4−CD8+T cells in thymocytes were all markedly higher in the 0·2 % VC group than in the 0·02 % VC group after 1 year of dietary treatment. These results suggest that a long-term high-dose intake of VC is effective in the maintenance of immune cells, partly through the suppression of age-related thymic involution in VC-deficient SMP30KO mice.
A MIDDLE FORMATIVE ARTIFACT EXCAVATED AT ARROYO PESQUERO, VERACRUZ
Authors: Wendt Carl J. , Bernard Henri Noel , Delsescaux Jeffery 
Published: January 2015

AbstractDuring a recent underwater archaeological survey of the Arroyo Pesquero, members of the Proyecto Arqueológico Arroyo Pesquero discovered an extraordinary and unusual archaeological specimen made of mottled brown and white jadeite. This artifact, most likely dating to the Middle Formative period (900–400 b.c.), is significant for two reasons. Firstly, because this object is the first find discovered at the site during a systematic archaeological investigation and thus has archaeological provenience and, secondly, because of the iconographic elements it possesses and its one-of-a-kind form. This article begins with a short background on the Arroyo Pesquero site, including its discovery, history of looting, and archaeological investigations. We then briefly describe the present investigation and the discovery of the artifact itself. This is followed by a description of the artifact—its form, iconography, and its possible functions. We conclude with some comments on the specimen within the framework of Middle Formative Olmec iconography.
TERMINAL LONG COUNT DATES AND THE DISINTEGRATION OF CLASSIC PERIOD MAYA POLITIES
Authors: Ebert Claire E. , Prufer Keith M. , Macri Martha J. , Winterhalder Bruce , Kennett Douglas J. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAnalyses of terminal long count dates from stone monuments in the Maya lowlands have played a central role in characterizing the rise and “collapse” of polities during the Late and Terminal Classic periods (a.d.730–910). Previous studies propose a directional abandonment of large political centers from west-to-east. We retest the west-to-east hypothesis, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial statistics to analyze an updated dataset of 89 terminal dates from the Maya Hieroglyphic Database (MHD). Our results do not support a directional collapse, but instead suggest a contraction of Terminal Classic polities around seven core areas in the Maya lowlands. Three regions demonstrate distinct subregional abandonments of monument carving over a period of 24 to 127 years, consistent with independent archaeological data for each region. Advances in GIS, spatial statistics, and related methods applied to an increasingly detailed and comprehensive epigraphic and archaeological database provide a foundation for examining long-term sociopolitical dynamics in the Maya lowlands.