bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ensemble prediction of regional droughts using climate inputs and the SVM–copula approach
Authors: Ganguli Poulomi , Reddy M. Janga 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIn this study, the climate teleconnections with meteorological droughts are analysed and used to develop ensemble drought prediction models using a support vector machine (SVM)–copula approach over Western Rajasthan (India). The meteorological droughts are identified using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). In the analysis of large‐scale climate forcing represented by climate indices such as El Niño Southern Oscillation, Indian Ocean Dipole Mode and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation on regional droughts, it is found that regional droughts exhibits interannual as well as interdecadal variability. On the basis of potential teleconnections between regional droughts and climate indices, SPI‐based drought forecasting models are developed with up to 3 months' lead time. As traditional statistical forecast models are unable to capture nonlinearity and nonstationarity associated with drought forecasts, a machine learning technique, namely, support vector regression (SVR), is adopted to forecast the drought index, and the copula method is used to model the joint distribution of observed and predicted drought index. The copula‐based conditional distribution of an observed drought index conditioned on predicted drought index is utilized to simulate ensembles of drought forecasts. Two variants of drought forecast models are developed, namely a single model for all the periods in a year and separate models for each of the four seasons in a year. The performance of developed models is validated for predicting drought time series for 10 years' data. Improvement in ensemble prediction of drought indices is observed for combined seasonal model over the single model without seasonal partitions. The results show that the proposed SVM–copula approach improves the drought prediction capability and provides estimation of uncertainty associated with drought predictions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A stochastic framework to assess the performance of flood warning systems based on rainfall‐runoff modeling
Authors: Yazdi J. , Salehi Neyshabouri S. A. A. , Golian S. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractNowadays, Flood Forecasting and Warning Systems (FFWSs) are known as the most inexpensive and efficient non‐structural measures for flood damage mitigation in the world. Benefit to cost of the FFWSs has been reported to be several times of other flood mitigation measures. Beside these advantages, uncertainty in flood predictions is a subject that may affect FFWS's reliability and the benefits of these systems. Determining the reliability of advanced flood warning systems based on the rainfall–runoff models is a challenge in assessment of the FFWS performance which is the subject of this study. In this paper, a stochastic methodology is proposed to provide the uncertainty band of the rainfall–runoff model and to calculate the probability of acceptable forecasts. The proposed method is based on Monte Carlo simulation and multivariate analysis of the predicted time and discharge error data sets. For this purpose, after the calibration of the rainfall–runoff model, the probability distributions of input calibration parameters and uncertainty band of the model are estimated through the Bayesian inference. Then, data sets of the time and discharge errors are calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation, and the probability of acceptable model forecasts is calculated by multivariate analysis of data using copula functions. The proposed approach was applied for a small watershed in Iran as a case study. The results showed using rainfall–runoff modeling based on real‐time precipitation is not enough to attain high performance for FFWSs in small watersheds, and it seems using weather forecasts as the inputs of rainfall–runoff models is essential to increase lead times and the reliability of FFWSs in small watersheds. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Environmental epigenetics: from novelty to scientific discipline
Authors: Burris Heather H. , Baccarelli Andrea A. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTEpigenetic phenomena have sparked much interest resulting in an exponential increase in scientific investigation in the last two decades. While growing, the field of environmental epigenetics remains small when compared to other areas of epigenetic inquiry such as cancer research. In this paper, our objective is to describe the status of the field of environmental epigenetics and lay out our vision for its future. While environmental epigenetic studies represent fewer than 5% of all epigenetic publications, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences ranks second in proportion of dollars spent on epigenetics of all NIH Institutes. Such investment highlights the hypothesis that epigenetic marks are modified by environmental exposures and the hope that interventions targeted at epigenetic mechanisms may ultimately lead to improved health outcomes. The road to achieve this vision will require: (1) attention to tissue specificity; (2) focused interventional studies; (3) collaboration among cohorts; (4) inclusion of environmental exposures in new large‐scale epigenomic studies; and (5) understanding of multiple mechanisms beyond DNA methylation and histone modifications. The investment in environmental epigenetic inquiry will lead to great rewards if we can understand the biology of how phenotype results from environmental stimuli and genetic code. Understanding the epigenetic implications of our actions and exposures may benefit generations to come. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of adverse human lung function effects in controlled ozone exposure studies
Authors: Goodman Julie E. , Prueitt Robyn L. , Chandalia Juhi , Sax Sonja N. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTThe US EPA is evaluating controlled human ozone exposure studies to determine the adequacy of the current ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 75 ppb. These studies have shown that ozone exposures of 80 ppb and greater are associated with lung function decrements. Here, we critically review studies with exposures below 80 ppb to determine the lowest ozone concentration at which decrements are causally associated with ozone exposure and could be considered adverse using the Adverse Effects/Causation Framework. Regarding causation, the framework includes consideration of whether exposure‐related effects are primary or secondary, statistically significant, isolated or independent, or due to study limitations. Regarding adversity, the framework indicates one should consider whether effects are adaptive, compensatory, precursors to an apical effect, severe, transient and/or reversible. We found that, at exposures below 72 ppb ozone, lung function effects are primary effects, but are isolated, independent and not statistically different compared to effects observed during filtered air exposure, indicating a lack of causation. Up to 72 ppb, lung function effects may be precursors to an apical effect, but are not likely adverse because they are transient, reversible, of low severity, do not interfere with normal activity and do not result in permanent respiratory injury or progressive respiratory dysfunction. Overall, these studies do not demonstrate a causal association between ozone concentrations in the range of the current National Ambient Air Quality Standard and adverse effects on lung function. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metal Uptake in Plants and Health Risk Assessments in Metal‐Contaminated Smelter Soils
Authors: Roy Mimi , McDonald Louis M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractMetal pollution is an important concern because of its potential to affect human health. Metals such as lead and cadmium can enter soil via the food chain and exceed normal limits, producing harmful effects. In this study, six common garden and residential plant species were grown in soils from Spelter, WV, USA, contaminated with a variety of metals including lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu). Plant species included radish, carrot, chicory, spinach, lettuce, and clover. Metal concentrations in plant tissues were compared with metal concentration in soil by a multi‐step chemical extraction. The largest accumulation of Pb (126 mg kg−1) and Zn (1493 mg kg−1) was seen in radish roots, with Cd (40 mg kg−1) having the largest accumulation in carrot roots. Comparisons of plant availability with soil chemical extractions indicated that the combined soluble and exchangeable fractions could estimate available Zn and Cd for all six plant species. For Pb and Cu, however, the comparisons indicate that these two elements were not readily available in Spelter soils. A health risk assessment was carried out for residents at Spelter on the basis of edible tissue concentrations and publicly available consumption data. Uptake of Cd by carrot roots was about five times more than the regulatory limits for men, eight times more for women, and 12 times more for children. On the basis of the results, carrot and lettuce grown in these soils have the potential to cause toxicological problems in men, women, and young children resulting from Cd and Zn accumulation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bottom‐up engineering of diamond micro‐ and nano‐structures
Authors: Aharonovich Igor , Lee Jonathan C. , Magyar Andrew P. , Bracher David O. , Hu Evelyn L. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractEngineering nanostructures from the bottom up enables the creation of carefully sculpted complex structures that are not accessible via top down fabrication techniques, in particular, complex periodic structures for applications in photonics and sensing. In this work a proof of principle that bottom up approach can be adopted and utilized for sculpting devices from diamond is proposed and demonstrated. A realization of periodic structures is achieved by growing nanoscale single crystal diamond through a defined pattern. Optical wave‐guiding of a narrow band emission attributed to the SiV defects in diamond is demonstrated by overgrowth on a thin diamond membrane. In addition, an array of hexagonal microdisks with diameter sizes ranging from 1 to 4 μm is demonstrated. The bottom up approach for diamond opens up new avenues for devices fabrication and sculpting three dimensional structures.
Biodegradable Coumaric Acid‐Based Poly(anhydride‐ester) Synthesis and Subsequent Controlled Release
Authors: Ouimet Michelle A. , Stebbins Nicholas D. , Uhrich Kathryn E. 
Published: July 2013

To overcome drug delivery issues associated with its short half‐life in vivo, p‐coumaric acid (pCA), a naturally occurring bioactive, has been chemically incorporated into a poly(anhydride‐ester) backbone through solution polymerization. Nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies indicated that pCA was successfully incorporated without noticeable alterations in structural integrity. The polymer's weight‐average molecular weight and thermal properties were determined, exhibiting a molecular weight of over 26 000 Da and a glass transition temperature of 57 °C. In addition, in vitro hydrolytic release studies demonstrated pCA release over 30 d with maintained antioxidant activity, demonstrating the polymer's potential as a controlled release system.
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Directing the Self‐Assembly of Semiconducting Copolymers: The Consequences of Grafting Linear or Hyperbranched Polyether Side Chains
Authors: zur Borg Lisa , Schüll Christoph , Frey Holger , Zentel Rudolf 
Published: July 2013

The synthesis and self‐assembly of novel semiconducting rod–coil type graft block copolymers based on poly(para‐phenylene vinylene) (PPV) copolymers is presented, focusing on the ordering effect of linear versus hyperbranched side chains. Using an additional reactive ester block, highly polar, linear poly(ethylene glycol), and hyperbranched polyglycerol side chains are attached in a grafting‐to approach. Remarkably, the resulting novel semiconducting graft copolymers with polyether side chains show different solubility and side‐chain directed self‐assembly behavior in various solvents, e.g., cylindrical or spherical superstructures in the size range of 10 to 120 nm, as shown by TEM. By adjusting the molecular weight and the topology of the polyether segments, self‐assembly into defined superstructures can be achieved, which is important for the efficient charge transport in potential electronic applications.
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Light‐Induced Disintegration of Robust Physically Cross‐Linked Polymer Networks
Authors: Zhu Congcong , Bettinger Christopher J. 
Published: July 2013

Photodegradable physically cross‐linked polymer networks are prepared from self‐assembly of photolabile triblock copolymers. Linear triblock copolymers composed of poly (o‐nitrobenzyl methacrylate) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segments of variable molecular weights were synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization. Triblock polymers with low‐molecular‐weight PEG segments form solid films upon hydration with robust mechanical properties including a Young's modulus of 76 ± 12 MPa and a toughness of 108 ± 31 kJ m−3. Triblock polymers with high‐molecular‐weight PEG segments form physically cross‐linked hydrogels at room temperature with a dynamic storage modulus of 13 ± 0.6 kPa and long‐term stability in hydrated environments. Both networks undergo photodegradation upon irradiation with long wave UV light.
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Comparison between suture and fibrin glue on repair by direct coaptation or tubulization of injured mouse sciatic nerve
Authors: Félix Severina P. , Pereira Lopes Fátima R. , Marques Suelen A. , Martinez Ana M.B. 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of classical suture and sutureless repair with fibrin glue, by using or not a resorbable collagen tube, after sciatic nerve transection.Material and methodsTwenty‐five mice were used in this study, divided in five groups. They were submitted to sciatic nerve transection and immediate repair of the nerve stumps by either direct suture or fibrin glue adhesion or by the tubulization technique in which the nerves stumps were sutured or glued to a collagen tube (experimental groups). A control group was designed as the best regeneration condition, by using a crush lesion (control group). After eight weeks, the regenerated nerves were processed for light and electron microscopy. Motor function analysis was performed using the sciatic functional index.ResultsQuantitative analysis of regenerated nerves between experimental groups showed that those repaired by direct contact of the stumps with fibrin glue showed significant increase in the myelin and fiber areas. The tubulization groups, repaired by suture or fibrin glue, provided similar results. G‐ratio analysis revealed that the regenerating axons of all experimental groups presented values equivalent to control (crushing group).ConclusionsThese results suggest that the use of fibrin glue in nerve repair by either direct coaptation or tubulization is an alternative to conventional suture repair, particularly in case of small‐size‐nerve reconstruction. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 33:468–477, 2013.
Existence of global weak solutions for a phase–field model of a vesicle moving into a viscous incompressible fluid
Authors: Liu Yuning , Takahashi Takéo 
Published: July 2013

AbstractWe consider in this article a model of vesicle moving into a viscous incompressible fluid. The vesicle is described through a phase–field equation and through a transport equation modeling the local incompressibility of its membrane. The equations for the fluid are the classical Navier–Stokes equations with a force resulting from the presence of the vesicle. Our main result states the existence of weak solutions for the corresponding system. The proof is based on compactness/monotonicity arguments. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Individualistic philanthropy: the paradox of embodied participation for health‐related fund‐raising campaigns
Authors: Robert Julie 
Published: July 2013

Movember and Julyna have emerged as examples of health‐related fund‐raising and awareness campaigns that require embodied participation in the form of temporary body modification. Reaching a younger demographic not traditionally motivated by appeals to altruism, these campaigns have capitalized on the signifying power of the body to reflect and construct identities and self‐perceptions to motivate participation. Taking a cultural studies approach and employing visual, textual, and discursive analyses of the campaigns' websites, a primary vector for information dissemination and recruitment, this study highlights how philanthropic activity has been successfully coded as making participants more physically, sexually, and socially desirable. In promoting such individualistic motives for philanthropy, however, these campaigns further a mentality that philanthropy is foremost about personal gain. The challenge these initiatives pose is how to convert participants from individualistic to altruistic models of philanthropy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social integration and the role of student societies in higher education: an exploratory study in the UK
Authors: Gallagher Damian , Gilmore Audrey 
Published: July 2013

This paper reports the research findings of an exploratory study designed to examine the role that planned efforts to establish and cultivate a student society play in the social integration of undergraduate students in higher education institutions (HEIs) in the UK. It identifies and explores the potential positive and negative benefits and outcomes that the operation of such a society can provide. The study aimed to achieve a better understanding of the role that a student society can play in the social integration of students. A qualitative methodology using 12 in‐depth interviews was employed. Data were analysed in relation to the key theme of the study, that is, student‐peer and student‐staff interactions. In addition, emergent themes were recorded and evaluated. The findings demonstrated that involvement in a student society did contribute to the social integration of students, it was found to be a key factor in reducing student attrition and dropout rates. The findings also demonstrate that a student society can make a meaningful and positive contribution to the management and administration of HEIs in terms of the perceived employability of students and the potential for student recruitment. It would appear that perhaps the value of a student society is currently under‐realised. Student societies could be viewed as a resource that with proper attention and development and could provide real benefits for both students and institutions across the entire HEI environment of the UK. Although there is a danger of student marginality occurring, there are ways to address this potential drawback. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trends in the association of parental history of obesity over 60 years
Authors: Fox Caroline S. , Pencina Michael J. , Heard‐Costa Nancy L. , Shrader Peter , Jaquish Cashell , O'Donnell Christopher J. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Cupples L. Adrienne , D'Agostino Ralph B. 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveThe association of familial as compared to genetic factors in the current obesogenic environment, compared with earlier, leaner time periods, is uncertain.MethodsParticipants from the Framingham Heart Study were classified according to parental obesity status in the Original, Offspring, and Third Generation cohorts; mean BMI levels were estimated and we compared the association of parental history across generations. Finally, a genetic risk score comprised of 32 well‐replicated single nucleotide polymorphisms for BMI was examined in association with BMI levels in 1948, 1971, and 2002.ResultsBMI was 1.49 kg/m2 higher per each affected parent among the Offspring, and increased to 2.09 kg/m2 higher among the Third Generation participants (P‐value for the cohort comparison=0.007). Parental history of obesity was associated with increased weight gain (P < 0.0001) and incident obesity (P = 0.009). Despite a stronger association of parental obesity with offspring BMI in more contemporary time periods, we observed no change in the effect size of a BMI genetic risk score from 1948 to 2002 (P = 0.11 for test of trend across the time periods).ConclusionsThe association of parental obesity has become stronger in more contemporary time period, whereas the association of a BMI genetic risk score has not changed.
Hepatopoietin Cn reduces ethanol‐induced hepatoxicity via sphingosine kinase 1 and sphingosine 1‐phosphate receptors
Authors: Liu Yang , Saiyan Saiyan , Men Tong‐Yi , Gao Hui‐Ying , Wen Chuan , Liu Yong , Zhou Xu , Wu Chu‐Tse , Wang Li‐Sheng , Cui Chun‐Ping 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe hepatic growth factor hepatopoietin Cn (HPPCn) prevents liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats. Sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid produced by sphingosine kinase (SphK). S1P and S1P receptors (S1PRs) are involved in liver fibrogenesis and oxidative injury. This work sought to understand the mechanism by which SphK/S1P/S1PRs are involved in the protective effects of HPPCn on ethanol‐induced liver injury and fibrosis. Transgenic mice with liver‐specific overexpression of HPPCn (HPPCnliver+/+) were generated. Two ethanol feeding protocols were used to assess the protective effect of HPPCn on acute and chronic liver injury in mice. Specific inhibitors of S1PR1, S1PR2 and S1PR3 and siRNA were used to examine the roles of S1PRs in hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and hepatocyte apoptosis. Increased HPPCn expression in transgenic mice attenuated fibrosis induced by ethanol and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Treatment with recombinant human HPPCn prevented human hepatocyte apoptosis and HSC activation. JTE‐013 or S1PR2‐siRNA attenuated the effect of HPPCn on HSC activation induced by tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Consistent with the effect of N,N‐dimethylsphingosine (DMS), suramin or S1PR3‐siRNA treatment blocked HPPCn‐induced Erk1/2 phosphorylation in human hepatocytes. This study demonstrated that HPPCn attenuated oxidative injury and fibrosis induced by ethanol feeding and that the SphK1/S1P/S1PRs signalling pathway contributes to the protective effect of HPPCn on hepatocyte apoptosis and HSC activation. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.