bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification and Validation of Homogeneous Rainfall Zones in India Using Correlation Analysis
Authors: Saikranthi K. , Rao T. Narayana , Rajeevan M. , Bhaskara Rao S. Vijaya 
Published: September 2012

AbstractDaily rainfall data obtained from 1025 rain gauges spread across the country over 51 years (1951–2001) are subjected to correlation analysis to identify homogeneous rainfall zones over India. In contrast to earlier studies, which were based on seasonal/annual rainfall, the present study identifies homogeneous rainfall regions with the help of seasonal [southwest monsoon (SWM) and northeast monsoon (NEM)] and annual rainfall. India is divided into 26 (20) homogeneous rainfall zones using annual and SWM (NEM) rainfall. The delineated homogeneous regions are compared and contrasted with those defined by earlier studies, employing a variety of schemes. The interseries correlations of rainfall within each zone are found to be better when the zones are identified by the present study than by other studies. The tests that are performed to evaluate coherency of zones reveal that the zones are homogeneous not only at different temporal scales (interannual and intraseasonal) but also in terms of rain amount, rain frequency, and rain type. Although the delineation of coherent zones is done using interannual/seasonal rainfall data, these zones exhibit coherency in rainfall variations at intraseasonal scale. Nevertheless, the degree of homogeneity is different for rainfall variations occurring at different temporal scales. Further, the zones show better coherency in excess rainfall years than in deficit rainfall years. Longer-term utility of the delineated zones is studied by examining delineated zones and their coherency in the first and second half of the total data period. Although the regions remain the same in both the periods, the coherency is reduced in the second half, suggesting that the homogeneity of regions may vary in the future.
Hidden Error Variance Theory. Part I: Exposition and Analytic Model
Authors: Bishop Craig H. , Satterfield Elizabeth A. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
A conundrum of predictability research is that while the prediction of flow-dependent error distributions is one of its main foci, chaos fundamentally hides flow-dependent forecast error distributions from empirical observation. Empirical estimation of such error distributions requires a large sample of error realizations given the same flow-dependent conditions. However, chaotic elements of the flow and the observing network make it impossible to collect a large enough conditioned error sample to empirically define such distributions and their variance. Such conditional variances are “hidden.” Here, an exposition of the problem is developed from an ensemble Kalman filter data assimilation system applied to a 10-variable nonlinear chaotic model and 25 000 replicate models. The 25 000 replicates reveal the error variances that would otherwise be hidden. It is found that the inverse-gamma distribution accurately approximates the posterior distribution of conditional error variances given an imperfect ensemble variance and provides a reasonable approximation to the prior climatological distribution of conditional error variances. A new analytical model shows how the properties of a likelihood distribution of ensemble variances given a true conditional error variance determine the posterior distribution of error variances given an ensemble variance. The analytically generated distributions are shown to satisfactorily fit empirically determined distributions. The theoretical analysis yields a rigorous interpretation and justification of hybrid error variance models that linearly combine static and flow-dependent estimates of forecast error variance; in doing so, it also helps justify and inform hybrid error covariance models.
Hidden Error Variance Theory. Part II: An Instrument That Reveals Hidden Error Variance Distributions from Ensemble Forecasts and Observations
Authors: Bishop Craig H. , Satterfield Elizabeth A. , Shanley Kevin T. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
In Part I of this study, a model of the distribution of true error variances given an ensemble variance is shown to be defined by six parameters that also determine the optimal weights for the static and flow-dependent parts of hybrid error variance models. Two of the six parameters (the climatological mean of forecast error variance and the climatological minimum of ensemble variance) are straightforward to estimate. The other four parameters are (i) the variance of the climatological distribution of the true conditional error variances, (ii) the climatological minimum of the true conditional error variance, (iii) the relative variance of the distribution of ensemble variances given a true conditional error variance, and (iv) the parameter that defines the mean response of the ensemble variances to changes in the true error variance. These parameters are hidden because they are defined in terms of condition-dependent forecast error variance, which is unobservable if the condition is not sufficiently repeatable. Here, a set of equations that enable these hidden parameters to be accurately estimated from a long time series of (observation minus forecast, ensemble variance) data pairs is presented. The accuracy of the equations is demonstrated in tests using data from long data assimilation cycles with differing model error variance parameters as well as synthetically generated data. This newfound ability to estimate these hidden parameters provides new tools for assessing the quality of ensemble forecasts, tuning hybrid error variance models, and postprocessing ensemble forecasts.
Shape memory and breathable waterproof properties of polyurethane nanowebs
Authors: Han Hye Ree , Chung Seung Eun , Park Chung Hee 
Published: September 2012

An intelligent textile with optimal environmental responses was developed from electrospun nanowebs with controllable pore structures via the spinning conditions. The use of shape memory polyurethane allowed the material’s shape to be retained and recovered through heating. The thickness of the electrospun nanoweb was varied so as to manufacture the membrane with various pore diameters. The samples were evaluated for shape memory performance, air and water vapor permeability. All samples showed shape recoveries of at least 99% and shape retentions of at least 94%. Increasing the thickness, increased the shape retention but slightly reduced the shape recovery. Pore size decreased with increasing thickness, thus decreasing air and water vapor permeability. Stretched nanowebs showed the greatest differences in water vapor permeability at 10°C with 90% RH and at 15°C with 90% RH compared with original nanowebs.
Shoulder Range of Motion Deficits in Baseball Players With an Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tear
Authors: Garrison J. Craig , Cole Mollie A. , Conway John E. , Macko Michael J. , Thigpen Charles , Shanley Ellen 
Published: September 2012

Background: Shoulder range of motion (ROM) deficits are associated with elbow injury in baseball players. Purpose: To compare the ROM characteristics of baseball players with a diagnosed ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tear with those of a group of age-, activity-, and position-matched healthy controls. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Sixty male competitive high school and collegiate baseball players participated. Thirty athletes (age [mean ± standard deviation], 18.20 ± 1.56 years) with a diagnosed UCL tear were compared with 30 (age, 18.57 ± 0.86 years) age-, activity-, and position-matched players without a UCL injury. Of the 60 participants, there were 44 pitchers, 4 catchers, 5 infielders, and 7 outfielders. Participants were measured for shoulder internal rotation (IR), external rotation (ER), and horizontal adduction (HA) at 90° of shoulder elevation. Participants were also measured for elbow extension in a seated position. Group comparisons were made between participants with and without a UCL injury using independent t tests with an α level set at P < .05. All measurements were taken bilaterally, and the differences (involved to uninvolved) were used to calculate means for all variables, including glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD), total rotational motion (TRM), HA, and elbow extension. Results: Baseball players with a UCL tear (UCLInj) exhibited significantly greater deficits in TRM compared with the control group of healthy baseball players (NUCLInj) (UCLInj = −6.67° ± 11.82°, NUCLInj = 0.93° ± 9.91°; P = .009). No group differences were present for GIRD (UCLInj = −12.53° ± 5.98°, NUCLInj = −13.63° ± 5.90°; P = .476), HA (UCLInj = −3.00° ± 5.01°, NUCLInj = −3.23° ± 5.15°; P = .860), or elbow extension (UCLInj = −2.63° ± 7.86°, NUCLInj = −1.17° ± 2.76°; P = .339). Pitchers with a UCL tear had significantly greater deficits in TRM (UCLInjPitch = −6.96° ± 11.20°, NUCLInjPitch = 1.29° ± 8.33°; P = .0087) and dominant shoulder ER (UCLInjPitch = 112.04° ± 14.35°, NUCLInjPitch = 121.85° ± 9.46°; P = .011) than pitchers without a UCL tear. Conclusion: A deficit in TRM is associated with a UCL tear in baseball players. Although GIRD may be prevalent in throwers, it may not be associated with a UCL injury. When examining ROM in baseball players, it is important to assess both TRM and GIRD.
Human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells overexpressing Smad4 exhibit impaired reconstitution potential in vivo
Authors: Rörby Emma , Hägerström Matilda Nifelt , Blank Ulrika , Karlsson Göran , Karlsson Stefan 
Published: September 2012

AbstractHematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) constitute a rare population of tissue-specific cells that can self-renew and differentiate into all lineages of the blood cell system. These properties are critical for tissue regeneration and clinical applications of HSCs. Cord blood is an easily accessible source of HSCs. However, the number of HSCs from one unit is too low to effectively transplant most adult patients, and expansion of HSCs in vitro has met with limited success because of incomplete knowledge regarding mechanisms regulating self-renewal. Members of the TGF-β superfamily have been shown to regulate HSCs through the Smad signaling pathway; however, its role in human HSCs has remained relatively uncharted in vivo. Therefore, we asked whether enforced expression of the common-Smad, Smad4, could reveal a role for TGF-β in human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) from cord blood. Using a lentiviral overexpression approach, we demonstrate that Smad4 overexpression sensitizes HSPCs to TGF-β, resulting in growth arrest and apoptosis in vitro. This phenotype translates in vivo into reduced HSPC reconstitution capacity yet intact lineage distribution. This suggests that the Smad pathway regulates self-renewal independently of differentiation. These findings demonstrate that the Smad signaling circuitry negatively regulates the regeneration capacity of human HSPCs in vivo.
Sequence analysis of β-subunit genes of the 20S proteasome in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma treated with bortezomib or dexamethasone
Authors: Lichter David I. , Danaee Hadi , Pickard Michael D. , Tayber Olga , Sintchak Michael , Shi Hongliang , Richardson Paul G. , Cavenagh Jamie , Bladé Joan , Façon Thierry , Niesvizky Ruben , Alsina Melissa , Dalton William , Sonneveld Pieter , Lonial Sagar , van de Velde Helgi , Ricci Deborah , Esseltine Dixie-Lee , Trepicchio William L. , Mulligan George , Anderson Kenneth C. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractVariations within proteasome β (PSMB) genes, which encode the β subunits of the 20S proteasome, may affect proteasome function, assembly, and/or binding of proteasome inhibitors. To investigate the potential association between PSMB gene variants and treatment-emergent resistance to bortezomib and/or long-term outcomes, in the present study, PSMB gene sequence variation was characterized in tumor DNA samples from patients who participated in the phase 3 Assessment of Proteasome Inhibition for Extending Remissions (APEX) study of bortezomib versus high-dose dexamethasone for treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma. Twelve new PSMB variants were identified. No associations were found between PSMB single nucleotide polymorphism genotype frequency and clinical response to bortezomib or dexamethasone treatment or between PSMB single nucleotide polymorphism allelic frequency and pooled overall survival or time to progression. Although specific PSMB5 variants have been identified previously in preclinical models of bortezomib resistance, these variants were not detected in patient tumor samples collected after clinical relapse from bortezomib, which suggests that alternative mechanisms underlie bortezomib insensitivity. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00048230.
A duck RH panel and its potential for assisting NGS genome assembly
Authors: Rao Man , Morisson Mireille , Faraut Thomas , Bardes Suzanne , Fève Katia , Labarthe Emmanuelle , Fillon Valérie , Huang Yinhua , Li Ning , Vignal Alain 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Owing to the low cost of the high throughput Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, more and more species have been and will be sequenced. However, de novo assemblies of large eukaryotic genomes thus produced are composed of a large number of contigs and scaffolds of medium to small size, having no chromosomal assignment. Radiation hybrid (RH) mapping is a powerful tool for building whole genome maps and has been used for several animal species, to help assign sequence scaffolds to chromosomes and determining their order.

Results
We report here a duck whole genome RH panel obtained by fusing female duck embryonic fibroblasts irradiated at a dose of 6,000 rads, with HPRT-deficient Wg3hCl2 hamster cells. The ninety best hybrids, having an average retention of 23.6% of the duck genome, were selected for the final panel. To allow the genotyping of large numbers of markers, as required for whole genome mapping, without having to cultivate the hybrid clones on a large scale, three different methods involving Whole Genome Amplification (WGA) and/or scaling down PCR volumes by using the Fluidigm BioMarkTM Integrated Fluidic Circuits (IFC) Dynamic ArrayTM for genotyping were tested. RH maps of APL12 and APL22 were built, allowing the detection of intrachromosomal rearrangements when compared to chicken. Finally, the panel proved useful for checking the assembly of sequence scaffolds and for mapping EST located on one of the smallest microchromosomes.

Conclusion
The Fluidigm BioMarkTM Integrated Fluidic Circuits (IFC) Dynamic ArrayTM genotyping by quantitative PCR provides a rapid and cost-effective method for building RH linkage groups. Although the vast majority of genotyped markers exhibited a picture coherent with their associated scaffolds, a few of them were discordant, pinpointing potential assembly errors. Comparative mapping with chicken chromosomes GGA21 and GGA11 allowed the detection of the first chromosome rearrangements on microchromosomes between duck and chicken. As in chicken, the smallest duck microchromosomes appear missing in the assembly and more EST data will be needed for mapping them. Altogether, this underlines the added value of RH mapping to improve genome assemblies.
Boosting immune response with the invariant chain segments via association with non-peptide binding region of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules
Authors: Chen Fangfang , Meng Fantao , Pan Ling , Xu Fazhi , Liu Xuelan , Yu Weiyi 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundBased on binding of invariant chain (Ii) to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules to form complexes, Ii-segment hybrids, Ii-key structure linking an epitope, or Ii class II-associated invariant chain peptide (CLIP) replaced with an epitope were used to increase immune response. It is currently unknown whether the Ii-segment cytosolic and transmembrane domains bind to the MHC non-peptide binding region (PBR) and consequently influence immune response. To investigate the potential role of Ii-segments in the immune response via MHC II/peptide complexes, a few hybrids containing Ii-segments and a multiepitope (F306) from Newcastle disease virus fusion protein (F) were constructed, and their binding effects on MHC II molecules and specific antibody production were compared using confocal microscopy, immunoprecipitation, western blotting and animal experiments.ResultsOne of the Ii-segment/F306 hybrids, containing ND (Asn–Asp) outside the F306 in the Ii-key structure (Ii-key/F306/ND), neither co-localized with MHC II molecules on plasma membrane nor bound to MHC II molecules to form complexes. However, stimulation of mice with the structure produced 4-fold higher antibody titers compared with F306 alone. The two other Ii-segment/F306 hybrids, in which the transmembrane and cytosolic domains of Ii were linked to this structure (Cyt/TM/Ii-key/F306/ND), partially co-localized on plasma membrane with MHC class II molecules and weakly bound MHC II molecules to form complexes. They induced mice to produce approximately 9-fold higher antibody titers compared with F306 alone. Furthermore, an Ii/F306 hybrid (F306 substituting CLIP) co-localized well with MHC II molecules on the membrane to form complexes, although it increased antibody titer about 3-fold relative to F306 alone.ConclusionsThese results suggest that Ii-segments improve specific immune response by binding to the non-PBR on MHC class II molecules and enabling membrane co-localization with MHC II molecules, resulting in the formation of relatively stable MHC II/peptide complexes on the plasma membrane, and signal transduction.
Clinical, epidemiological, and spatial characteristics of Vibrio parahaemolyticus diarrhea and cholera in the urban slums of Kolkata, India
Authors: Kanungo Suman , Sur Dipika , Ali Mohammad , You Young Ae , Pal Debottam , Manna Byomkesh , Niyogi Swapan K , Sarkar Banwarilal , Bhattacharya Sujit K , Clemens John D , Nair G Balakrish 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
There is not much information on the differences in clinical, epidemiological and spatial characteristics of diarrhea due to V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus from non-coastal areas. We investigated the differences in clinical, epidemiological and spatial characteristics of the two Vibrio species in the urban slums of Kolkata, India.

Methods
The data of a cluster randomized cholera vaccine trial were used. We restricted the analysis to clusters assigned to placebo. Survival analysis of the time to the first episode was used to analyze risk factors for V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea or cholera. A spatial scan test was used to identify high risk areas for cholera and for V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea.

Results
In total, 54,519 people from the placebo clusters were assembled. The incidence of cholera (1.30/1000/year) was significantly higher than that of V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea (0.63/1000/year). Cholera incidence was inversely related to age, whereas the risk of V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea was age-independent. The seasonality of diarrhea due to the two Vibrio species was similar. Cholera was distinguished by a higher frequency of severe dehydration, and V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea was by abdominal pain. Hindus and those who live in household not using boiled or treated water were more likely to have V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea. Young age, low socioeconomic status, and living closer to a project healthcare facility were associated with an increased risk for cholera. The high risk area for cholera differed from the high risk area for V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea.

Conclusion
We report coexistence of the two vibrios in the slums of Kolkata. The two etiologies of diarrhea had a similar seasonality but had distinguishing clinical features. The risk factors and the high risk areas for the two diseases differ from one another suggesting different modes of transmission of these two pathogens.
Optimal carbon dioxide insufflation pressure during robot-assisted thyroidectomy in patients with various benign and malignant thyroid diseases
Authors: Kim Hoon Yub , Choi Yoon Ji , Yu Hae-Na , Yoon Seung Zhoo 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Currently, data are not available concerning a safe insufflation pressure that provides a proper view of the surgical field without adverse metabolic and hemodynamic changes in humans undergoing the robot-assisted thyroidectomy bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) using the da Vinci robotic surgical system. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation pressure in patients with various benign and malignant thyroid diseases when using the da Vinci robotic surgical system.

Methods
A total of 32 patients underwent thyroid surgery at 6 (n = 15), 9 (n = 15), and 12 (n = 2) mmHg. The partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), pH, cardiac output, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure were measured at baseline, 30 min and 1, 1.5, and 2 hours after CO2 insufflation, and 30 min after desufflation.

Results
CO2 insufflation of 12 mmHg caused severe facial subcutaneous emphysema, hypercarbia, and acidosis during robot-assisted thyroidectomy with BABA. The study was stopped before completion for the patients’ safety in accordance with the study protocol. Applying 6- or 9- mmHg of CO2 insufflation pressure caused increases in PaCO2 and decreases in arterial pH. However, vital signs were stable and pH and PaCO2 were within the physiologic range during the surgery in the 6- and 9-mmHg groups.

Conclusions
We propose that a CO2 insufflation pressure under 10 mmHg in robot-assisted thyroidectomy with BABA is the optimal insufflation pressure for patient safety.
Donor impurity-related linear and nonlinear intraband optical absorption coefficients in quantum ring: effects of applied electric field and hydrostatic pressure
Authors: Barseghyan Manuk G , Restrepo Ricardo L , Mora-Ramos Miguel E , Kirakosyan Albert A , Duque Carlos A 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Abstract
The linear and nonlinear intraband optical absorption coefficients in GaAs three-dimensional single quantum rings are investigated. Taking into account the combined effects of hydrostatic pressure and electric field, applied along the growth direction of the heterostructure, the energies of the ground and first excited states of a donor impurity have been found using the effective mass approximation and a variational method. The energies of these states are examined as functions of the dimensions of the structure, electric field, and hydrostatic pressure. We have also investigated the dependencies of the linear, nonlinear, and total optical absorption coefficients as a function of incident photon energy for several configurations of the system. It is found that the variation of distinct sizes of the structure leads to either a redshift and/or a blueshift of the resonant peaks of the intraband optical spectrum. In addition, we have found that the application of an electric field leads to a redshift, whereas the influence of hydrostatic pressure leads to a blueshift (in the case of on-ring-center donor impurity position) of the resonant peaks of the intraband optical spectrum.
Photoconductivity and photoluminescence under bias in GaInNAs/GaAs MQW p-i-n structures
Authors: Khalil Hagir M , Royall Ben , Mazzucato Simone , Balkan Naci 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
The low temperature photoluminescence under bias (PLb) and the photoconductivity (PC) of a p-i-n GaInNAs/GaAs multiple quantum well sample have been investigated. Under optical excitation with photons of energy greater than the GaAs bandgap, PC and PLb results show a number of step-like increases when the sample is reverse biased. The nature of these steps, which depends upon the temperature, exciting wavelength and intensity and the number of quantum wells (QWs) in the device, is explained in terms of thermionic emission and negative charge accumulation due to the low confinement of holes in GaInNAs QWs. At high temperature, thermal escape from the wells becomes much more dominant and the steps smear out.