bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statistical Methods for Genome‐Wide and Sequencing Association Studies of Complex Traits in Related Samples
Authors: Thornton Timothy A. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractGenome‐wide association studies (GWAS) and sequencing studies are routinely conducted for the identification of genetic variants that are associated with complex traits. Many genetic studies for association mapping include related individuals. When relatives are included in an association analysis, familial correlations must be appropriately taken into account to ensure correct type I error and to increase power. This unit provides an overview of statistical methods that are available for GWAS and sequencing association studies of complex traits in samples with related individuals. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Global monthly sea surface nitrate fields estimated from remotely sensed sea surface temperature, chlorophyll, and modeled mixed layer depth
Authors: Arteaga Lionel , Pahlow Markus , Oschlies Andreas 
Published: January 2015

AbstractInformation about oceanic nitrate is crucial for making inferences about marine biological production and the efficiency of the biological carbon pump. While there are no optical properties that allow direct estimation of inorganic nitrogen, its correlation with other biogeochemical variables may permit its inference from satellite data. Here we report a new method for estimating monthly mean surface nitrate concentrations employing local multiple linear regressions on a global 1° by 1° resolution grid, using satellite‐derived sea surface temperature, chlorophyll, and modeled mixed layer depth. Our method is able to reproduce the interannual variability of independent in situ nitrate observations at the Bermuda Atlantic Time Series, the Hawaii Ocean Time series, the California coast, and the southern New Zealand region. Our new method is shown to be more accurate than previous algorithms and thus can provide improved information on temporal and spatial nutrient variations beyond the climatological mean at regional and global scales.
Near‐cloud aerosols in monsoon environment and its impact on radiative forcing
Authors: Konwar M. , Panicker A. S. , Axisa D. , Prabha T. V. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn order to understand the near‐cloud aerosol properties and their impact on radiative forcing, we utilized in situ aircraft measurements of aerosol particles and cloud droplets during the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment carried out over the Indian subcontinent in the monsoon season. From the measurement of aerosol size distribution of diameter range from 0.1 to 50 µm, we reported that aerosol concentrations could be enhanced by 81% and the effective diameter (deff, µm) by a factor of 2 near the cloud edges when compared with regions far from the cloud. These enhanced aerosol concentrations are a function of the relative humidity (RH) in the cloud‐free zone, attributed to mixing and entrainment processes in the cloud edges. It is also found that for warm clouds, RH increases exponentially in the near‐cloud regions. In addition, deff was increased linearly with RH. Through model simulations, we found that aerosol optical depth decreases with distance from the cloud edge. Further, aerosols in cloud edges were found to increase the reflected flux by 20% compared to cloud‐free regions, thus brightening the near‐cloud areas.
Satellite‐based climatology of low‐level continental clouds in southern West Africa during the summer monsoon season
Authors: van der Linden Roderick , Fink Andreas H. , Redl Robert 
Published: January 2015

AbstractSynoptic observations and various satellite products have been utilized for computing climatologies of low‐level stratus over southern West Africa for the wet monsoon seasons July–September of 2006–2011. Previous studies found inconsistencies between satellite cloud products; climate models often fail to reproduce the extensive stratus decks. Therefore, a better observational reference and an understanding of its limitations are urgently needed to better validate models. Most detailed information of the spatiotemporal characteristics of low‐level clouds was obtained from two Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellite‐based data sets. However, CALIPSO and CloudSat cross sections of cloud occurrence frequency suggest that both MSG products underestimate the low‐level cloudiness over Nigeria due to shielding by abundant upper level and midlevel clouds and reveal that the stratus is lower over the continent than over the ocean. The Terra Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer product appears to overestimate the morning extent of low‐level clouds. The climatology presented here shows that the zone of abundant low‐level stratiform clouds is at its diurnal minimum south of 6–7°N around sunset (~1800 UTC). Thereafter, it starts to spread inland and reaches its maximum northward extent of 10–11°N between 0900 and 1000 UTC. The maximum affected area is approximately 800,000 km2. After about 1000 UTC, the northern boundary gets fragmented due to the breakup of stratus decks into fair‐weather cumuli. The stratus is most frequent around Cape Palmas, over Ivory Coast, and at the windward sides of the Mampong Range (Ghana) and Oshogbo Hills (Nigeria).
Quantifying snowfall and avalanche release synchronization: A case study
Authors: Crouzy Benoît , Forclaz Romain , Sovilla Betty , Corripio Javier , Perona Paolo 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWe quantify the synchronization between snowfall and natural avalanches in relation to terrain properties at the detachment zone. We analyze field statistics of 549 avalanche events in terms of slope, aspect, timing, coordinate, and release area, identified by a georeferencing procedure applied on terrestrial photography. The information from the digital pictures, together with associated meteorological data, provides us with the input needed for model calibration, namely, the magnitude of snowfall, the snow compaction rate, and the timing of precipitation and of avalanche events. Synchronization between snowfall and avalanches is established for different slope categories. We obtain an average probability of release after a snow event of 30% and 16% for the high‐ and low‐slope categories (average slope 44° and 36°, respectively). Using the notion of information entropy, we quantify the uncertainty in predicting avalanche occurrence from a snow event. The steeper slopes correspond to a larger entropy in avalanche prediction. Further, the presented method allows us to establish the return period of avalanches without requiring a long series of data. When considering events regardless of their release depth, the avalanches had a return period of 48 days (higher slopes) and 88 days (lower slopes). Finally, we determine the average daily detachment rate as a function of snow depth and the return period of avalanches as a function of the release depth.
Density, specific surface area, and correlation length of snow measured by high‐resolution penetrometry
Authors: Proksch Martin , Löwe Henning , Schneebeli Martin 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPrecise measurements of snow structural parameters are crucial to understand the formation of snowpacks by deposition and metamorphism and to characterize the stratigraphy for many applications and remote sensing in particular. The area‐wide acquisition of structural parameters at high spatial resolution from state‐of‐the‐art methods is, however, still cumbersome, since the time required for a single profile is a serious practical limitation. As a remedy we have developed a statistical model to extract three major snow structural parameters: density, correlation length, and specific surface area (SSA) solely from the SnowMicroPen (SMP), a high‐resolution penetrometer, which allows a meter profile to be measured with millimeter resolution in less than 1 min. The model was calibrated by combining SMP data with 3‐D microstructural data from microcomputed tomography which was used to reconstruct full‐depth snow profiles from different snow climates (Alpine, Arctic, and Antarctic). Density, correlation length, and SSA were derived from the SMP with a mean relative error of 10.6%, 16.4%, and 23.1%, respectively. For validation, we compared the density and SSA derived from the SMP to traditional measurements and near‐infrared profiles. We demonstrate the potential of our method by the retrieval of a two‐dimensional stratigraphy at Kohnen Station, Antarctica, from a 46 m long SMP transect. The result clearly reveals past depositional and metamorphic events, and our findings show that the SMP can be used as an objective, high‐resolution tool to retrieve essential snow structural parameters efficiently in the field.
Do Knee Osteoarthritis and Fat‐Free Mass Interact in Their Impact on Health‐Related Quality of Life in Men? Results From a Population‐Based Cohort
Authors: Visser A. Willemien , de Mutsert Renée , Bloem Johannes L. , Reijnierse Monique , Kazato Hanako , le Cessie Saskia , den Heijer Martin , Rosendaal Frits R. , Kloppenburg Margreet ,   for the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity Study Group
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveTo investigate whether obesity and other risk factors interact with knee osteoarthritis (OA) in its adverse impact on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL).MethodsIn 1,262 participants of the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity Study, a population‐based cohort (age 45–65 years, 53% women, and median body mass index [BMI] 27 kg/m2), knee OA was defined following modified American College of Rheumatology criteria. BMI and fat‐free mass (as proxy for muscle mass) were assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and comorbidities by self‐report. HRQOL was assessed using the Short Form 36 physical component summary (PCS) score. Linear regression analyses were performed to examine associations between knee OA and PCS score, adjusting for age and sex and stratified for BMI, fat‐free mass, and comorbidities.ResultsKnee OA (prevalence 16%) was associated with a 7.2‐points lower PCS score (95% confidence interval −9.5, −4.8). PCS score was also negatively associated with obesity and comorbidities; however, no interaction with knee OA was seen. Low fat‐free mass was associated with a lower PCS score and interacted with knee OA in men. Interaction between concurring OA and low fat‐free mass attributed to 64% of the decrease in PCS score, as compared with men without OA and with high fat‐free mass.ConclusionKnee OA was associated with a lower HRQOL, as were its risk factors, obesity, comorbidities, and low fat‐free mass. In men, fat‐free mass interacted with knee OA, leading to an additional decrease of HRQOL in the case of concurrence. Especially in the former, improvement of fat‐free mass may improve HRQOL in knee OA patients.
Cultural interaction and biological distance in postclassic period Mexico
Authors: Ragsdale Corey S. , Edgar Heather J.H. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTEconomic, political, and cultural relationships connected virtually every population throughout Mexico during Postclassic period (AD 900–1520). Much of what is known about population interaction in prehistoric Mexico is based on archaeological or ethnohistoric data. What is unclear, especially for the Postclassic period, is how these data correlate with biological population structure. We address this by assessing biological (phenotypic) distances among 28 samples based upon a comparison of dental morphology trait frequencies, which serve as a proxy for genetic variation, from 810 individuals. These distances were compared with models representing geographic and cultural relationships among the same groups. Results of Mantel and partial Mantel matrix correlation tests show that shared migration and trade are correlated with biological distances, but geographic distance is not. Trade and political interaction are also correlated with biological distance when combined in a single matrix. These results indicate that trade and political relationships affected population structure among Postclassic Mexican populations. We suggest that trade likely played a major role in shaping patterns of interaction between populations. This study also shows that the biological distance data support the migration histories described in ethnohistoric sources. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:121–133, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mixed‐matrix membranes based on polyurethane containing nanohydroxyapatite and its potential applications
Authors: Ciobanu Gabriela , Ciobanu Octavian 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTIn this study, new asymmetric polyurethane (PU) mixed‐matrix membranes with different nanohydroxyapatite loadings were prepared via a dry–wet phase inversion method by the dispersion of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles in the PU matrix. The HA nanopowder was obtained by a wet chemical precipitation method; it showed an average crystallite size of 58.3 nm, a specific surface area of 261 m2/g, and a pore size of about 1.6 nm. The effects of the HA loading (10–50 wt %) on the PU membrane characteristics were studied. The scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the HA nanoparticles were well dispersed enough in the PU matrix. The average pore size in the top layer and porosity of the membranes slowly decreased, whereas the hydrophilicity and water permeability increased with increasing content of HA. The evaluation of the nanofiltration performance was performed by investigation of the NaCl rejection. The composite membranes had a higher salt‐removal capacity than the unfilled PU membrane. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2015,132, 41813.
New GH16 β‐glucanase from Paenibacillus barcinonensis BP‐23 releases a complex pattern of mixed‐linkage oligomers from barley glucan
Authors: Cerda Liliana Alexandra , Valenzuela Susana Valeria , Diaz Pilar , Pastor Francisco I. Javier 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe gene coding for a lichenase from Paenibacillus barcinonensis BP‐23, a powerful carbohydrate‐degrading strain, was obtained using a genome walking strategy and expressed in Escherichia coli for further characterization. The amino acid sequence deduced from lic16A revealed that the lichenase is a single‐domain enzyme belonging to the GH16 family. Purified recombinant Lic16A showed exclusive activity on β‐1,3–1,4‐glucans, showing a Km of 16.88 mg/mL and a Vmax of 266.09 U/mg using lichenan as a substrate. Lic16A was stable at 55 °C for at least 3 H in moderate pH conditions. Thin‐layer chromatography analysis showed that the enzyme released a complex mixture of hydrolysis products, which consisted of different length oligosaccharides of intermediate mobility among cellooligomers. The health benefits of β‐glucans's consumption and the increased interest for the use of their oligomers as prebiotics add interest to the study of Lic16A for the production of β‐glucan‐derived oligosaccharides and the evaluation of their biotechnological potential. This is the first report on β‐1,3–1,4‐glucanase produced by P. barcinonensis.
Child Neglect and Onset of Substance Use Disorders among Child Welfare‐Involved Adolescents
Authors: Lalayants Marina , Prince Jonathan D. 
Published: January 2015

In relation to child abuse, child neglect has been understudied even though it is more common and causes at least as much harm. While child maltreatment (in a single category) has been linked to substance use disorders (SUD), and while child abuse alone (without neglect) has been linked to SUD, it remains unclear whether differences exist in the link between SUD and child abuse alone (without neglect) versus SUD and child neglect alone (without abuse). Utilising the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II (NSCAW II, 2014): Wave I – 2008–09; Wave II – 18 months later: N = 5872), we used logistic regression to longitudinally assess whether past‐year abuse versus past‐year neglect in Wave I are equally influential in predicting newly diagnosed substance dependence in Wave II (among youth without SUD in Wave I). After adjusting for several factors, we found that past‐year child neglect in Wave I was a significant predictor of newly diagnosed substance dependence in Wave II among youth who did not have SUD in Wave I. Other forms of youth maltreatment were unrelated. The findings suggest that child welfare and substance abuse professionals could pay special attention to youth with past‐year neglect in order to help prevent the emergence of new substance dependence disorders. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.‘Child neglect has been understudied even though it is more common and causes at least as much harm’Key Practitioner Messages

Child neglect was found to be a significant predictor of newly diagnosed substance dependence.
Child welfare and substance abuse professionals could pay special attention to youth in the child welfare system to help prevent the emergence of new substance dependence disorders.
Models such as differential response and home visitation could help address child neglect and prevent negative outcomes.
Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.‘Neglect was found to be a significant predictor of newly diagnosed substance dependence’
Interleukin‐13 promotes expression of Alix to compromise renal tubular epithelial barrier function
Authors: Xu Chen , Sun Guangdong , Yang Jie , Sun Qianmei , Tong Zhaohui 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe epithelial barrier dysfunction plays a critical role in a number of kidney diseases. The mechanism is unclear. Alix is a protein involving in protein degradation in epithelial cells. This study aims to investigate that interleukin (IL)‐13 inhibits Alix to compromise the kidney epithelial barrier function. In this study, the murine collecting duct cell line (M‐1) was cultured in Transwell inserts to investigate the significance of Alix in compromising the epithelial barrier functions. T cell (Teff cells) proliferation assay was employed to assess the antigenicity of ovalbumin (OVA) that was transported across the M‐1 monolayer barrier. The results showed that M‐1 cells express Alix. Exposure to interleukin (IL)‐13 markedly decreased the expression of Alix in M‐1 cells, which compromised the M‐1 monolayer barrier functions by showing the increases in the permeability to OVA. Over‐expression of Alix abolished the IL‐13‐induced M‐1 monolayer barrier dysfunction. Knockdown of Alix significantly increased M‐1 monolayer permeability. The OVA collected from the Transwell basal chambers induced the OVA‐specific T cell proliferation. We conclude that IL‐13 compromises M‐1 epithelial barrier functions via inhibiting Alix expression.
Isolation, identification and differentiation of human embryonic cartilage stem cells
Authors: Fu Changhao , Yan Zi , Xu Hao , Zhang Chen , Zhang Qi , Wei Anhui , Yang Xi , Wang Yi 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWe isolated human embryonic cartilage stem cells (hECSCs), a novel stem cell population, from the articular cartilage of eight‐week‐old human embryos. These stem cells demonstrated a marker expression pattern and differentiation potential intermediate to those of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human adult stem cells (hASCs). hECSCs expressed markers associated with both hESCs (OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, SSEA‐3 and SSEA‐4) and human adult stem cells (hASCs) (CD29, CD44, CD90, CD73 and CD10). These cells also differentiated into adipocytes, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, neurons and islet‐like cells under specific inducing conditions. We identified N6, 2′‐O‐dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′:5′‐monophosphate (Bt2cAMP) as an inducer of chondrogenic differentiation in hECSCs. Similar results using N6, 2′‐O‐ dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′:5′‐ monophosphate (Bt2cAMP) were obtained for two other types of human embryonic tissue‐derived stem cells, human embryonic hepatic stem cells (hEHSCs) and human embryonic amniotic fluid stem cells (hEASCs), both of which exhibited a marker expression pattern similar to that of hECSCs. The isolation of hECSCs and the discovery that N6, 2′‐O‐ dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′:5′‐ monophosphate (Bt2cAMP) induces chondrogenic differentiation in different stem cell populations might aid the development of strategies in tissue engineering and cartilage repair.
Analysis of gene expression profiles reveals the regulatory network of cold‐inducible RNA‐binding protein mediating the growth of BHK‐21 cells
Authors: Tang Cheng , Wang Yuanwei , Lan Daoliang , Feng Xiaohui , Zhu Xin , Nie Peiting , Yue Hua 
Published: January 2015

AbstractCold‐inducible RNA‐binding protein (Cirp), the first cold‐shock protein identified in mammals, is a sensor protein whose expression increases in response to stress. Recent reports have shown that Cirp is involved in cell proliferation, development, circadian modulation under physiological conditions, and tumor formation and progression. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the activities of Cirp in the mammalian kidney cells remain unclear. In this study, we constructed BHK‐21cells overexpressing Cirp (Cirp + BHK‐21) knockdown BHK‐21 cells (Cirp − BHK‐21) to investigate the function of Cirp in cell proliferation. We analyzed the gene expression of Cirp − BHK‐21 cells using genome‐wide expression microarrays to explore the molecular mechanism of Cirp action. We found that (1) Cirp overexpression significantly enhanced cell proliferation, whereas Cirp knockdown dramatically reduced cell proliferation, suggesting that Cirp is a positive regulator of BHK‐21 cell proliferation. (2) Differentially expressed genes in Cirp − BHK‐21 and control cells were shown to be involved in many biological processes. (3) Pathway analysis showed that five enriched pathways, namely, Focal adhesion, Mapk, Wnt, Apoptosis, and Cancer‐related signaling pathways, were identified as central pathway networks regulated by Cirp. These results can provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of Cirp function.
Role of ataxia‐telangiectasia mutated (ATM) in porcine oocyte in vitro maturation
Authors: Lin Zi‐Li , Kim Nam‐Hyung 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAtaxia‐telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is critical for the DNA damage response, cell cycle checkpoints, and apoptosis. Significant effort has focused on elucidating the relationship between ATM and other nuclear signal transducers; however, little is known about the connection between ATM and oocyte meiotic maturation. We investigated the function of ATM in porcine oocytes. ATM was expressed at all stages of oocyte maturation and localized predominantly in the nucleus. Furthermore, the ATM‐specific inhibitor KU‐55933 blocked porcine oocyte maturation, reducing the percentages of oocytes that underwent germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and first polar body extrusion. KU‐55933 also decreased the expression of DNA damage‐related genes (breast cancer 1, budding uninhibited by benzimidazoles 1, and P53) and reduced the mRNA and protein levels of AKT and other cell cycle‐regulated genes that are predominantly expressed during G2/M phase, including bone morphogenetic protein 15, growth differentiation factor 9, cell division cycle protein 2, cyclinB1, and AKT. KU‐55933 treatment decreased the developmental potential of blastocysts following parthenogenetic activation and increased the level of apoptosis. Together, these data suggested that ATM influenced the meiotic and cytoplasmic maturation of porcine oocytes, potentially by decreasing their sensitivity to DNA strand breaks, stimulating the AKT pathway, and/or altering the expression of other maternal genes.