bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term projections of temperature, precipitation and soil moisture using non‐stationary oscillation processes over the UAE region
Authors: Basha Ghouse , Ouarda T. B.M.J. , Marpu P. R. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTThis study discusses the evolution of temperature, precipitation and soil moisture patterns over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) region, which is characterized by hot climate and scarce precipitation. A stochastic model that reproduces non‐stationary oscillation (NSO) processes by utilizing ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and non‐parametric techniques is used to predict the evolution of temperature, precipitation and soil moisture. The long‐term gridded temperature, precipitation and soil moisture data from the Global Historic Climatic Network, Global Precipitation Climatology Center and Climate Prediction Center are used in this study. The data consists of 65 years of average monthly temperature and soil moisture measurements and 110 years of average monthly precipitation over the UAE. The last 20 years of observations of temperature, precipitation and soil moisture are reserved for the validation of the methodology and the rest of the data is used for prediction. The results show that future long‐term patterns are well captured by the model and hence confirm the potential of the EEMD technique and the NSO resampling (NSOR) modelling process. The model is also used for forecasting the evolution of temperature, precipitation and soil moisture patterns for the next 30 years. This procedure is finally used to produce the spatial patterns of temperature, precipitation and soil moisture. Significant increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation and soil moisture are observed particularly over Abu Dhabi. The spatial map shows strong increase (decrease) in temperature (precipitation and soil moisture) over most of the UAE. The results are quite different for the south eastern part of the UAE. Western parts of the UAE are projected to see larger temperature increases than other parts. The results are coherent with the previous findings over this region.
Seasonal prediction systems based on CCSM3 and their evaluation
Authors: Liu Shan , Wang Huijun 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTIn this study, two seasonal scale prediction systems were established based on the Community Climate System Model Version 3 (CCSM3) distributed by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) of the United States . The initialization schemes are different between the two systems: one is based on sea surface temperature and the other is based on ocean assimilation data of the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR). Two sets of hindcasts aiming at summer season (JJA) were generated to verify the predictive ability of the two systems for 1983–2011. The results indicate that both prediction systems perform generally well in predicting sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA), geopotential height fields, and the typical Asian summer monsoon indices. Their prediction skills of the systems for 2‐m air temperature and precipitation are generally confined to the low and middle latitudes. The system based on CFSR ocean assimilation data obtained more accurate results for SSTA, geopotential height fields, and surface weather elements compared with the other system.
Influence of eastern Pacific and central Pacific El Niño events on winter climate extremes over the eastern and central United States
Authors: Ning Liang , Bradley Raymond S. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTDifferent influences of the eastern‐Pacific (EP) El Niño and central‐Pacific (CP) El Niño on nine winter extreme indices over the eastern and central United States are examined through composite analysis of high‐resolution daily maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and precipitation for the period 1950–2010. During EP El Niño winters, there are usually more warm days and warm nights, fewer frost days, cold days, and cold nights over the eastern and central United States than in winters with a CP El Niño, especially for the Ohio Valley, around the Great Lakes, and southern New England. For precipitation extremes, compared with CP El Niño, EP El Niño usually brings more extreme precipitation amounts, more days with large precipitation amounts, larger amounts of maximum consecutive 5‐day total precipitation, and a shorter duration of consecutive dry days around the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. The 500 hPa geopotential height anomalies show that wave train patterns differ when the maximum tropical sea surface heating locations are displaced. The corresponding wind field and moisture convergence anomalies are examined to analyse the mechanisms that drive the anomaly fields associated with the two types of El Niño events.
Anti‐influenza virus effects of cocoa
Authors: Kamei Masanori , Nishimura Hiroshi , Takahashi Toshio , Takahashi Nobuaki , Inokuchi Koichi , Mato Takashi , Takahashi Kazuo 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDCocoa contains biologically active ingredients that have broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity, which includes an inhibitory effect on influenza virus infection.RESULTSA cocoa extract (CE) was prepared by treating defatted cocoa powder with boiling water. The extract demonstrated dose‐dependent inhibition of infection in Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells infected with human influenza virus A (H1N1, H3N2), human influenza virus B and avian influenza viruses (H5N1, H5N9). CE inhibited viral adsorption to MDCK cells. Animal experiments showed that CE significantly improved survival in mice after intra‐nasal administration of a lethal dose of influenza virus. In human intervention trials, participants were allocated to two groups, one in which the participants ingested cocoa for 3 weeks before and after vaccination against A(H1N1)pdm2009 influenza virus and another in which the participants did not ingest cocoa. Neutralizing antibody titers against A(H1N1)pdm2009 influenza virus increased significantly in both groups; however, the extent of the increase was not significantly different between the two groups. Although natural killer cell activity was also elevated in both groups, the increase was more substantial in the cocoa intake group.CONCLUSIONDrinking cocoa activates natural immunity and enhances vaccination‐induced immune response, providing stronger protection against influenza virus infection and disease onset. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects and mechanism of ultrasound pretreatment on rapeseed protein enzymolysis
Authors: Jin Jian , Ma Haile , Wang Weiwei , Luo Min , Wang Bei , Qu Wenjuan , He Ronghai , Owusu John , Li Yunliang 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe disadvantages which stem from the use of traditional enzymolysis of protein has necessitated the need to employ sweeping frequency and pulsed ultrasound (SFPU) in the pretreatment of rapeseed protein prior to proteolysis in order to bring about improvement in enzymolysis efficiency. Further, in order to determine the mechanism of ultrasound‐accelerated enzymolysis of RP, the effects of SFPU on the kinetics, thermodynamics, molecular conformation and microstructure of RP were investigated.RESULTSKinetic studies showed that SFPU pretreatment on RP improved enzymolysis by decreasing the apparent constant KM significantly (P < 0.05) by 32.8% and reducing the thermodynamic parameters Ea, ΔH and ΔS by 16.6%, 17.7% and 9.2% respectively. Fluorescence spectra revealed that SFPU pretreatment induced molecular unfolding, causing more hydrophobic groups and regions inside the molecules to be exposed to the outside. Circular dichroism analysis indicated that SFPU pretreatment decreased the α‐helix content by 16.1% and increased the random coil content by 3.6%. In addition, scanning electron microscopy showed that SFPU pretreatment increased the specific surface area of RP.CONCLUSIONUltrasound pretreatment is an efficient method in RP proteolysis to produce peptides through its impact on the molecular conformation and microstructure of proteins. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Fully Integrated Process Control
Authors: Franz Christoph , Ungers Michael 
Published: April 2015

AbstractLaser beam brazing and welding are well established joining techniques in the automotive industry; in particular for the body in white production. These processes are mainly used to join two‐piece trunk lids as well as to connect the roof and sidewall with a visible seam or to weld doors in steel or aluminum. Hence, the requirements upon the optical appearance of the brazed seams are very high and quality monitoring is essential. In cooperation of Scansonic MI GmbH and Fraunhofer ILT, a first prototype of a fully integrated on‐line process control system has been developed — SCeye.
Comparison of stress‐induced and LPS‐induced depressive‐like behaviors and the alterations of central proinflammatory cytokines mRNA in rats
Authors: Guan Xi‐ting , Lin Wen‐juan , Tang Ming‐ming 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAlthough proinflammatory cytokine changes in depression have been studied widely, few investigations have searched for specific and common changes in cytokines. In the present study, two animal models of depression were compared: a chronic stress model using forced swim stress and an immune activation model using repeated central lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐6 mRNA were examined in the brain regions of the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). It was found that both chronic swim stress and repeated central LPS infusion induced depressive‐like behaviors, including decreased body weight, reduced saccharin preference, and increased immobility time or shortened latency of immobility in the tail suspension test. Central TNF‐α mRNA expression was elevated in both models and central IL‐6 mRNA expression was unchanged in both models. Central IL‐1β mRNA expression was increased only in the chronic immune activation model. The findings from this study suggest that TNF‐α may be a common risk factor for inflammation in depressive disorders.
The impact of alkali elements on the degradation of CIGS solar cells
Authors: Theelen Mirjam , Hans Vincent , Barreau Nicolas , Steijvers Henk , Vroon Zeger , Zeman Miro 
Published: April 2015

AbstractUnencapsulated CIGS solar cells with high and low contents of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) were simultaneously exposed to damp heat and illumination. The solar cells with a high alkali (Na, K) content exhibited higher initial conversion efficiencies, but degraded severely within 100 h, while the alkali poor samples kept relatively stable performance under damp heat and illumination. The degradation of the samples with a high alkali content resulted in the formation of sodium rich spots on the top ZnO:Al surface of the samples. This is likely caused by light‐induced Na+ migration via the grain boundaries in the absorber to the depletion region, where the Na+ accumulated. This allowed subsequent Na+ transport through the depletion region due to the lowering of the internal electric field caused both by the Na+ accumulation and illumination. The migration resulted in the formation of shunt paths, which reduced the shunt resistance and open circuit voltage. Furthermore, ingression of water into the ZnO:Al is expected to be responsible for a slow but steady increase in series resistance for both high and low alkali solar cells. Additionally, sodium migration led to a severe increase of the series resistance in case of alkali rich samples. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mirror Therapy and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Management of Phantom Limb Pain in Amputees — A Single Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tilak Merlyn , Isaac Serin Anna , Fletcher Jebaraj , Vasanthan Lenny Thinagaran , Subbaiah Rajalakshmi Sankaran , Babu Andrew , Bhide Rohit , Tharion George 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackground and PurposePhantom limb pain (PLP) can be disabling for nearly two thirds of amputees. Hence, there is a need to find an effective and inexpensive treatment that can be self administered. Among the non‐pharmacological treatment for PLP, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applied to the contralateral extremity and mirror therapy are two promising options. However, there are no studies to compare the two treatments. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare mirror therapy and TENS in the management of PLP in subjects with amputation.MethodsThe study was an assessor blinded randomized controlled trial conducted at Physiotherapy Gymnasium of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Christian Medical College, Vellore. Twenty‐six subjects with PLP consented to participate. An initial assessment of pain using visual analogue scale (VAS) and universal pain score (UPS) was performed by a therapist blinded to the treatment given. Random allocation into Group I‐mirror therapy and Group II‐TENS was carried out. After 4 days of treatment, pain was re‐assessed by the same therapist. The mean difference in Pre and Post values were compared among the groups. The change in pre–post score was analyzed using the paired t test.ResultsParticipants of Group I had significant decrease in pain [VAS ( p = 0.003) and UPS ( p = 0.001)]. Group II also showed a significant reduction in pain [VAS ( p = 0.003) and UPS ( p = 0.002)]. However, no difference was observed between the two groups [VAS ( p = 0.223 and UPS ( p = 0.956)].DiscussionBoth Mirror Therapy and TENS were found to be effective in pain reduction on a short‐term basis. However, no difference between the two groups was found. Substantiation with long‐term follow‐up is essential to find its long‐term effectiveness. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design and experimental study of a dynamical adaptive backstepping–sliding mode control scheme for position tracking and regulating of a low‐cost pneumatic cylinder
Authors: Rahman Ramhuzaini Abd. , He Liang , Sepehri Nariman 
Published: April 2015

SummaryA dynamical adaptive backstepping–sliding mode control scheme is designed and implemented for the first time, to track and regulate the position of a low‐cost pneumatically driven single‐rod, double‐acting cylinder. The mass flow rate of compressed air into and out of the cylinder is regulated by a 5/3‐way proportional directional control valve. The derivation of the controller, utilizing a design procedure that guarantees stability of the control system, is presented first. Next, experimental evaluation of the controller is conducted with respect to performance and robustness to parametric uncertainties. Experiments employ a sinusoidal reference trajectory with tracking frequencies of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 Hz; a multiple‐step polynomial reference trajectory having step sizes of 0.0125, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 m; and three external loads of 4.4, 9, and 16 kg operating in two modes (motion assisting and resisting). From over 70 experiments involving various operating conditions, average root mean square of tracking error of 1.73 mm and steady‐state error of 0.71 mm are achieved for the position tracking and regulating, respectively. As compared with the classical sliding mode control scheme alone, the new controller outperforms by more than twofold. The adaptive LuGre‐based friction observer applied in this control scheme significantly assists in compensating the adverse effect of friction with the average of 55% less tracking error. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Einwirkungskombinationen für Flachbodentanks nach Eurocode – Beispiele (Teil 2)
Authors: Ball Peter 
Published: April 2015

AbstractFür den der Nachweis Standsicherheit von Flachbodentanks müssen Statiker und Hersteller insbesondere kombinierte Lasteinwirkungen zuverlässig ermitteln. Dazu zählen unter anderem Wind‐ oder Schneelasten genauso wie Verkehrslasten auf den Dächern oder Drücke und Sogwirkungen. Das Tragverhalten von Flachbodentanks ist aufgrund ihrer Konstruktion komplex. Die verschiedenen Einwirkungen werden zunächst individuell und dann in Kombination bestimmt, um wiederum ihre Auswirkungen auf das Bauwerk zu ermitteln. Die Herausforderung: Bautechnische Standsicherheitsnachweise sind mit Einführung des Eurocodes teilweise aufwändiger. Außerdem weichen dessen Regeln, um die Kombination von Lasten zu bestimmen, von jenen der DIN 18800 ab. Während der erste Teil dieses Beitrags [1] eine einheitliche Anwendung und ein praxisgerechtes, allgemein abgestimmtes Vorgehen diskutiert hat, stehen im zweiten Teil die Beispiele im Vordergrund.Load combinations for flat‐bottom storage tanks according to Eurocodes – Examples (part 2). Structural engineers and manufacturers must produce reliable calculations, particularly of load combinations, to establish the structural integrity of flat‐bottom storage tanks. Load types include for example wind or snow and live loads on tank roofs as well as pressure and suction. Given by the design and construction of flat‐bottom tanks, their load‐bearing characteristics are complex. The various load types must be determined, first individually and then in combination, before their impact on the structure can be calculated. The challenging nature of the task is exacerbated by the increased complexity of structural stability analyses that has accompanied the introduction of the Eurocode. In addition, the rules specified in the Code for the calculation of load combinations deviate from those in the DIN 18800 standard. The first part of the article [1] examined possibilities for uniform application and a practical procedure in line with general consensus, while the second section focuses on examples.
FUCCI sensors: powerful new tools for analysis of cell proliferation
Authors: Zielke N. , Edgar B. A. 
Published: April 2015

Visualizing the cell cycle behavior of individual cells within living organisms can facilitate the understanding of developmental processes such as pattern formation, morphogenesis, cell differentiation, growth, cell migration, and cell death. Fluorescence Ubiquitin Cell Cycle Indicator (FUCCI) technology offers an accurate, versatile, and universally applicable means of achieving this end. In recent years, the FUCCI system has been adapted to several model systems including flies, fish, mice, and plants, making this technology available to a wide range of researchers for studies of diverse biological problems. Moreover, a broad range of FUCCI‐expressing cell lines originating from diverse cell types have been generated, hence enabling the design of advanced studies that combine in vivo experiments and cell‐based methods such as high‐content screening. Although only a short time has passed since its introduction, the FUCCI technology has already provided fundamental insight into how cells establish quiescence and how G1 phase length impacts the balance between pluripotency and stem cell differentiation. Further discoveries using the FUCCI technology are sure to come. WIREs Dev Biol 2015, 4:469–487. doi: 10.1002/wdev.189This article is categorized under:

Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Methods and Principles
Technologies > Generating Chimeras and Lineage Analysis
Technologies > Analysis of Cell, Tissue, and Animal Phenotypes
Robust estimation of (partial) autocorrelation
Authors: Dürre Alexander , Fried Roland , Liboschik Tobias 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe autocorrelation function (acf) and the partial autocorrelation function (pacf) are elementary tools of linear time series analysis. The sensitivity of the conventional sample acf and pacf to outliers is well known. We review robust estimators and evaluate their performances in different data situations considering Gaussian scenarios with and without outliers as well as times series with heavy tails in a simulation study.WIREs Comput Stat2015, 7:205–222. doi: 10.1002/wics.1351This article is categorized under:Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Robust MethodsData: Types and Structure > Time Series, Stochastic Processes, and Functional Data
Nest‐niche differentiation in two sympatric Streptopelia species from a North African agricultural area: the role of human presence
Authors: Hanane Saâd 
Published: April 2015

AbstractStudies of niche partitioning among Columbidae species have mainly addressed food habits and foraging activities, while partitioning in relation to nest‐niche differentiation has been little studied. The recent expansion of Laughing dove Streptopelia senegalensis distribution throughout Morocco has raised concerns regarding its effects on native species, particularly Turtle doves S. turtur. The study, conducted in May 2008 and 2009, attempted to determine the factors that may play a role in nest‐niche differentiation among the two sympatric dove species in the Tadla's agricultural area (central Morocco). I used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) to test the relevance of nest placement and human presence variables in the nest distribution of the two species. The results show substantial niche segregation in the olive nest‐trees selected by Turtle and Laughing doves, with selection depending primarily on human presence and, to a lesser extent, the vertical distribution of nests. Observed nest‐niche partitioning may diminish the potential for competition between these species and enhance opportunities for their coexistence. I further suggest guidelines for future studies that seek to understand the spatio‐temporal dynamics of Laughing and Turtle dove coexistence in the region.
Case report: clues to the diagnosis of an unsuspected massive levothyroxine overdose
Authors: Allen Kirstie M. , Crawford Veronica B. , Conaglen John V. , Elston Marianne S. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThere is currently little literature pertaining to levothyroxine overdose apart from minor or accidental overdoses in the pediatric population. In particular, there is little information available on how to confidently differentiate levothyroxine overdose from endogenous causes of thyrotoxicosis when there is no history available at the time of assessment.We report a levothyroxine (15,800 mcg) and citalopram (2,460 mg) overdose in a 55-year-old woman presenting with seizure and tachycardia in which the diagnosis was not initially suspected. Clinical data, including a long history of treated hypothyroidism and lack of a goiter; and biochemical findings, such as an incompletely suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, despite a markedly elevated free thyroxine level (FT4), a normal sex hormone-binding globulin level at baseline, and an undetectable thyroglobulin, supported the diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis due to a massive exogenous thyroid hormone overdose. Treatment was given to decrease free triiodothyronine (FT3) conversion and increase thyroid hormone clearance with dexamethasone and cholestyramine. The patient made a full recovery.Levothyroxine overdose can result in subtle symptoms and signs clinically, even when in massive quantities. This can make diagnosis challenging. Biochemical features, such as the pattern of thyroid hormone elevation and thyroglobulin levels, help differentiate exogenous thyroid hormone overdose from endogenous causes of thyrotoxicosis.