bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the cloud thermodynamic phase in a climate model using CALIPSO‐GOCCP
Authors: Cesana Grégory , Chepfer Hélène 
Published: April 2013

AbstractLevel 1 measurements, including cross‐polarized backscatter, from the Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization lidar, have been used to document the vertical structure of the cloud thermodynamic phase at global scale. We built a cloud phase identification (liquid, ice, or undefined) in the Global Climate Model (GCM)–oriented Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) Cloud Product (GOCCP) and analyzed the spatial distribution of liquid and ice clouds in five January, February, March (JFM) seasons of global‐scale observations (2007–2011). We developed a cloud phase diagnosis in the Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Program Observation Simulator Package to evaluate the cloud phase description in the LMDZ5B climate model. The diagnosis in the simulator is fully consistent with the CALIPSO‐GOCCP observations to ensure that differences between the observations and the “model + simulator” ensemble outputs can be attributed to model biases. We compared the liquid and ice cloud vertical distributions simulated by the model with and without the simulator to quantify the impact of the simulator. The model does not produce liquid clouds above 3 km and produces ice instead of liquid at low and middle altitudes in polar regions, as well as along the Intertropical Convergence Zone. The model is unable to replicate the observed coexistence of liquid and ice cloud between 0°C and −40°C. Liquid clouds dominate T > −21°C in the observations, T > −12°C in the model + simulator, and T > −7.5°C in the model parameterization. Even if the simulator shifts the model cloud phase parameterization to colder temperature because of the lidar instrument peculiarities, the cloud phase transition remains too warm compared to the observations.
Evaluation of a coupled event‐driven phenology and evapotranspiration model for croplands in the United States northern Great Plains
Authors: Kovalskyy V. , Henebry G. M. , Roy D. P. , Adusei B. , Hansen M. , Senay G. , Mocko D. M. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractA new model coupling scheme with remote sensing data assimilation was developed for estimation of daily actual evapotranspiration (ET). The scheme consists of the VegET, a model to estimate ET from meteorological and water balance data, and an Event Driven Phenology Model (EDPM), an empirical crop specific model trained on multiple years of flux tower data transformed into six types of environmental forcings that are called “events” to emphasize their temporally discrete character, which has advantages for modeling multiple contingent influences. The EDPM in prognostic mode supplies seasonal trajectories of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI); whereas in diagnostic mode, it can adjust the NDVI prediction with assimilated remotely sensed observations. The scheme was deployed within the croplands of the Northern Great Plains. The evaluation used 2007–2009 land surface forcing data from the North American Land Data Assimilation System and crop maps derived from remotely sensed data of NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). We compared the NDVI produced by the EDPM with NDVI data derived from the MODIS nadir bidirectional reflectance distribution function adjusted reflectance product. The EDPM performance in prognostic mode yielded a coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.8 ± 0.15and the root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.1 ± 0.035 across the entire study area. Retrospective correction of canopy attributes using assimilated MODIS NDVI values improved EDPM NDVI estimates, bringing the errors down to the average level of 0.1. The ET estimates produced by the coupled scheme were compared with the MODIS evapotranspiration product and with ET from NASA's Mosaic land surface model. The expected r2 = 0.7 ± 0.15 and RMSE = 11.2 ± 4 mm per 8 days achieved in earlier point‐based validations were met in this study by the coupling scheme functioning in both prognostic and retrospective modes. Coupled model performance was diminished at the periphery of the study area where r2 values were about 0.5 and RMSEs up to 15 ± 5 mm per 8 days. This performance degradation can be attributed both to insufficient EDPM training and to spatial heterogeneity in the accuracy of the crop maps. Overall, the experiment provided sufficient evidence of soundness of the EDPM and VegET coupling scheme, assuring its potential for spatially explicit applications.
Diagnosing evaporative fraction over land from boundary‐layer clouds
Authors: Gentine Pierre , Ferguson Craig R. , Holtslag Albert A. M. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe potential use of continental fair‐weather shallow cumuli as a way to retrieve the daily surface evaporative fraction over land is evaluated in convective conditions. The proposed method utilizes the fact that both the timing of cloud occurrence and the cloud‐base height at the time of occurrence provide strong constraints on the surface energy balance and evaporative fraction. The retrieval is especially reliable in the presence of relatively stable and humid‐free troposphere profiles. The advantage of the method is that it provides a more direct estimate of the surface evaporative fraction than indirect estimation based on inversion of a highly parameterized land‐surface model. In addition, the evaporative fraction is obtained at a scale of a few kilometers, which is more pertinent for weather and climate studies. The retrieval strategy is tested and validated for three contrasting climates: the U.S. southern Great Plains, West Africa, and the Netherlands. We suggest that the use of satellite observations of shallow cumuli can help constrain the retrieval of the surface evaporative fraction within a data assimilation scheme/reanalysis.
Simulating the effect of potassium fertilization on carbon sequestration in soil
Authors: Bar‐Yosef Bnayahu , Ben Asher Jiftah 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe impact of horticultural management on carbon sequestration in soils has been limited so far to tillage and nitrogen fertilization. Our objective was to evaluate by mathematical modeling the effect of potassium fertilization on CO2 binding in cropland soils. The developed model integrates three subunits: (1) A published simulator of crop dry‐matter (DM) production in response to N, P, K fertilization, but not DM partitioning; (2) a published soil–crop–atmosphere model predicting crop yield and DM partitioning as a function of N but not K fertilization; (3) an original model computing the organic‐inorganic carbon transformations, inorganic‐carbon reactions and transport in soil, CO2 diffusion, and soil carbon sequestration. The model described the K‐fertilization effect on C binding in soil as a function of the soil pH, the Ca2+ concentration in the soil solution, hydraulic properties, air temperature, and crop DM production, and partitioning characteristics. In scenarios of corn (Zea mays L.) growth in clayey soil and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in loam soil, the computed K‐induced CO2 sequestration amounted to ≈ 14.5 and 24 kg CO2 (kg K)–1, respectively (0 vs. 100 kg ha–1 K application). The soil CO2 sequestration declined by 8% when corn grew in sandy instead of clayey soil and by 20% when the temperature was 10°C higher than the temperature prevailing in mild semiarid zones. All predicted CO2‐sequestration results were approximately 30‐fold higher than the 0.6 kg CO2 emitted per kg of K manufactured in industry.
Discrepancies in utilization of density fractionation along with ultrasonic dispersion to obtain distinct pools of soil organic matter
Authors: Griepentrog Marco , Schmidt Michael W. I. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractDensity fractionation along with ultrasonic dispersion is widely applied in soil science to obtain distinct fractions of soil organic matter. Density cut‐off and dispersion energy are crucial parameters to yield fractions closely corresponding to their conceptual definitions. Our literature review revealed methodological discrepancies in the utilization of density‐fractionation schemes. Strikingly, reasons for the selection of specific density or dispersion energy were rarely explained. Thus, it is not known how results of different approaches relate to each other. We therefore recommend testing and reporting effects of fractionation parameters on chemical and physical properties of fractions, to achieve agreement and coherence on parameters to be used and facilitate comparability in future studies.
Effects of climatic control on tomato yield and nutritional quality in Mediterranean screenhouse
Authors: Leyva Rocío , Constán‐Aguilar Christian , Blasco Begoña , Sánchez‐Rodríguez Eva , Romero Luis , Soriano Teresa , Ruíz Juan M 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe quality of vegetables for fresh consumption is a complex issue. In this study the yield and quality of cherry tomato fruits were assessed under different environmental control conditions, namely in a screenhouse (S), in a screenhouse equipped with a fogging system (SF) and in a screenhouse with complements such as plastic sheeting to maintain the microclimate created by the fogging system (SFS), as well as under open field (OF) cultivation. Levels of vitamin C, carotenoids (lycopene, β‐carotene and lutein), phenolic compounds (flavonoids and phenolic acids), sugars (fructose, glucose and sucrose), organic acids (citric acid and malic acid) and flavour indices were measured. The aim of the study was to determine how different environmental control technologies could influence production and quality traits in tomato cherry fruits cultivated in a Mediterranean area.RESULTSThe results showed that the fogging system treatment's decline in maximum vapour pressure deficit (by 0.7 kPa compared with OF cultivation), increase in mean fruit weight (by about 4 g per fruit) and low radiation and temperature values may exert a positive effect on lycopene accumulation.CONCLUSIONFor the production and nutritional parameters measured, it is postulated that the fogging system treatment offers a better balance between production and nutritional quality. This treatment proved to be best in terms of productivity, vitamin C and lycopene contents and antioxidant capacity. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Serum miR‐19a expression correlates with worse prognosis of patients with non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lin Qunying , Chen Tingjian , Lin Qingyu , Lin Guosheng , Lin Juan , Chen Guohuan , Guo Lijing 
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the expression levels of miR‐19a in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissue and serum, and to clarify the relationships of serum miR‐19a expression with clinical factors and prognosis of NSCLC patients.MethodsExpression levels of miR‐19a in 25 paired NSCLC, paracancerous tissues and serum, and sera from 103 controls and 201 NSCLC patients were respectively detected using real‐time quantitative PCR.ResultsCompared with the paracancerous tissue, miR‐19a was overexpressed in NSCLC tissue (P = 0.006), and there was a strong correlation between expression levels of miR‐19 in 25 paired sera and tissues (P = 0.001). Serum miR‐19a expression in NSCLC patients was significantly upregulated compared with those in healthy individuals (P = 0.001). High serum miR‐19a expression was significantly correlated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.004 and 0.017, respectively). Survival analysis revealed that overall survival rate of patients with high serum miR‐19a expression was significantly worse than those of patients with low serum miR‐19a expression (hazard ratio = 1.438, 95% confidence interval 1.007–2.052, P = 0.046).ConclusionHigh serum miR‐19a expression may be an independent poor prognostic factor for survival in NSCLC patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:767–771. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Biodegradable Polymersome Containing Bcl‐xL siRNA and Doxorubicin as a Dual Delivery Vehicle for a Synergistic Anticancer Effect
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Ouk , Kim Eunjung , An Yonghee , Choi Jihye , Jang Eunji , Choi Eun Bi , Kukreja Aastha , Kim Myeong‐Hoon , Kang Byunghoon , Kim Dong‐Joo , Suh Jin‐Suck , Huh Yong‐Min , Haam Seungjoo 
Published: April 2013

AbstractCombined cancer treatment via co‐delivery of siRNAs and an anticancer drug can be a promising strategy due to the synergistic effect of simultaneously minimizing gene/drug administration. In this study, Bcl‐xL siRNA and doxorubicin (DOX) are encapsulated into designed methoxy‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(D,L‐lactic acid) (mPEG‐b‐PLA) block copolymer polymersomes (PSomes). A study of the cytotoxicity of Bcl‐xL siRNA and DOX co‐encapsulated PSomes (CPSomes) shows more inhibited proliferation of MKN‐45 and MKN‐28 human gastric cancer cell lines than only gene‐ and drug‐loaded ones. Consequently, these results demonstrate that co‐delivery of genes and drugs using PSomes results in a synergistic efficacy and indicates the potential of PSomes as efficient nanocarriers for combined cancer therapy. magnified image
The Role of Baseline Physical Similarity to Humans in Consumer Responses to Anthropomorphic Animal Images
Authors: Connell Paul M. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTWhile humans have a long history of anthropomorphizing animals and the use of animal imagery in the marketplace and popular culture is commonplace, the phenomenon has received little attention. This research investigates the role of how consumers respond to anthropomorphic portrayals of animal mascots that differ on their baseline physical resemblance to humans. In order to test this assertion, an experimental study was conducted with 62 undergraduate participants from a large state university in the Northeastern United States. Results from the study indicate that evaluations of anthropomorphic portrayals of animals with a lower baseline physical similarity to humans are less favorable than nonanthropomorphic portrayals. In contrast, evaluations of anthropomorphic portrayals of animals with a higher baseline physical similarity are more favorable than nonanthropomorphic portrayals.
Corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in various water types by zinc gluconate
Authors: Ivušić F. , Lahodny‐Šarc O. , Alar V. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe effect of zinc gluconate on the corrosion inhibition of carbon steel DIN RSt 37‐2 in various water types has been evaluated using Tafel polarization and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Experiments were performed using 6 types of water, namely, soft tap water from Dubrovnik region, hard tap water from Zagreb region, 3.5% sodium chloride solution, sea water from Dubrovnik region, biologically inert sea water from Dubrovnik region and demineralized water. The concentration of zinc gluconate varied from 0.1 to 3 gl–1. The results show that substantial corrosion inhibition using zinc gluconate can be obtained with low concentrations in tap waters along with demineralized water and with moderate concentrations in 3.5% sodium chloride solution and sea waters. EDX analysis confirmed the presence of zinc ions which are incorporated in the protective layer of carbon steel specimen. The corrosion inhibition is predominately obtained by anodic mechanism.
Detection and geographical distribution of the organophosphate resistance‐associated Δ3Qace mutation in the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi)
Authors: Kakani Evdoxia G. , Sagri Efthymia , Omirou Michalis , Ioannides Ioannis M. , Mathiopoulos Kostas D. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is the most important pest of olives. Its control is based mostly on organophosphate (OP) insecticides, a practice that has led to resistance development. OP resistance in B. oleae has been associated with three mutations in the acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the product of ace gene. The current study presents new diagnostic tests for the detection of the ace mutations and aims at monitoring the frequency of the Δ3Q mutation, which appears associated with resistance at higher OP doses in natural olive fly populations.RESULTSAn allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a PCR‐RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) and a Taq‐Man test were developed for the Δ3Q mutation detection and a new duplex quantitative PCR assay was designed for the G488S and I214V mutations. Moreover, the frequency of Δ3Q mutation was examined in ten populations of eight countries around the Mediterranean basin. The highest frequencies (10%) were found in Greece and Italy, whereas a gradual decrease of Δ3Q frequency towards the western Mediterranean was noted.CONCLUSIONRobust tests for insecticide resistance mutations at their incipient levels are essential tools to monitor the increase and geographical spread of such mutations. Three different tests were developed for AChE‐Δ3Q that indicated its association with OP applications across the Mediterranean. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Value of transvaginal sonography in diagnosing heterotopic pregnancy after in‐vitro fertilization with embryo transfer
Authors: Li X. H. , Ouyang Y. , Lu G. X. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo assess the value of transvaginal sonography (TVS) in the diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy (HP) in the first trimester after in‐vitro fertilization with embryo transfer (IVF‐ET).MethodsThis was a retrospective review of women undergoing IVF‐ET between January 2005 and December 2011. Women were diagnosed with an HP using TVS if a visible intrauterine gestational sac was observed with any of the following: (i) an inhomogeneous adnexal mass; (ii) an empty extrauterine gestational sac seen as a hyperechoic ring; or (iii) a yolk sac and/or fetal pole with or without cardiac activity in an extrauterine sac.ResultsOverall, 16 483 consecutive women who underwent IVF had TVS during the study. Of these, 174 cases were diagnosed on TVS as having an HP, and 10 cases were missed. Fifty‐two cases were treated expectantly and were excluded from the analysis. Three types of ultrasonographic presentation of ectopic pregnancy (EP) were seen in HP patients, with a gestational sac found in 70 cases, a ring sign in 21 and an adnexal mass in 31. The sensitivity and specificity of TVS for the detection of HP were 92.4 and 100%, respectively, with positive and negative predictive values of 100 and 99.9%. The HP cases comprised 103 tubal EPs and 29 non‐tubal EPs. In 93 patients (70.5%), their intrauterine pregnancy resulted in a live birth, 37 patients (28.0%) suffered an early miscarriage and two patients (1.5%) had a late miscarriage.ConclusionEarly TVS performed by an experienced sonographer has a high sensitivity for making the correct diagnosis of HP after IVF‐ET. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Development of episomal vectors carrying a nourseothricin‐resistance marker for use in minimal media for Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Ahn Jiwon , Won Misun , Kyun Mi‐Lang , Kim Yong Sung , Jung Cho‐Rock , Im Dong‐Su , Song Kyung‐Bin , Chung Kyung‐Sook 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn the post‐genomic era, an immediate challenge is to assign biological functions to novel proteins encoded by the genome. This challenge requires the use of a simple organism as a genetic tool and a range of new high‐throughput techniques. Schizosacchromyces pombe is a powerful model organism used to investigate disease‐related genes and provides useful tools for the functional analysis of heterologous genes. To expand the current array of experimental tools, we constructed two series of Sz. pombe expression vectors, i.e. general and Gateway vectors, containing nourseothricin‐resistance markers. Vectors carrying nourseothricin‐resistance markers possess advantages in that they do not limit the parental strains with auxotrophic mutations with respect to availability for use in clone selection and can be used together with vectors carrying nutrient markers in minimal media. We modified the pSLF173, pSLF273 and pSLF373 vectors carrying a triple haemagglutinin epitope (3×HA) and an Ura4 marker. The vectors described here contain the nmt1 promoter with three different episomal expression strengths for proteins fused with 3×HA, EGFP or DsRed at the N‐terminus. These vectors represent an important contribution to the genome‐wide investigation of multiple heterologous genes and for functional and genetic analysis of novel human genes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis: Understanding What Parents Plan to Tell Their Children About Their Conception
Authors: Kosicka‐Slawinska Monika , Clarke Angus , Lashwood Alison 
Published: April 2013

AbstractOver 10,000 babies have been born by PGD and PGS worldwide (Simpson, Prenatal Diagnosis 30(7): 682–695 2010). The experience of parents who have undergone this procedure and their children's well‐being are documented, but no research to date has explored whether parents intend to tell their children how they were conceived and whether this raises special issues for them. PGD practitioners recommend research in this area as parents of children born by PGD increasingly ask questions pertaining to disclosure. We conducted 30 in‐depth interviews with couples who have had a baby conceived by PGD. We explored what couples plan to tell their children about how they were conceived, when they plan to do this, and issues they anticipate may arise. The couples had a family history of a monogenic disorder or chromosome rearrangement. Six themes emerged which highlight key issues: (1) To tell or not to tell? (2) Primary reason for undergoing PGD, (3) The ideal time to tell, (4) Situations which may warrant earlier disclosure, (5) Words which parents might choose, and (6) Issues which parents anticipate may arise. We conclude that parents are likely to inform their children about PGD because there is an affected sibling or relative about whom they ask questions, and/or their children are carriers of a condition their parents feel obliged to tell them about. Parents felt they would benefit from access to a genetic counsellor at the time of disclosure and are optimistic about the future of reproductive technology for their children.
Prevalence and correlates of truancy in the US: Results from a national sample
Authors: Vaughn Michael G. , Maynard Brandy R. , Salas‐Wright Christopher P. , Perron Brian E. , Abdon Arnelyn 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTTruancy has been a persistent problem in the United States for more than 100 years. Although truancy is commonly reported as a risk factor for substance use, delinquency, dropout, and a host of other negative outcomes for youth, there has been surprisingly little empirical investigation into understanding the causes and correlates of truancy using large, nationally representative samples. Using the adolescent sample (N = 17,482) of the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), this study presents the prevalence of truancy and examines individual, school engagement, parental, and behavioral correlates of truancy. Overall, 11% of adolescents between the ages of 12–17 reported skipping school in the past 30 days. Results from multinomial logistic regression models indicate skipping school was robustly associated with an increased probability of reporting externalizing behaviors, less parental involvement, and engagement and lower grades in school. Implications for theory, prevention, and policy are discussed.