bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heat‐related mortality in Moldova: the summer of 2007
Authors: Corobov Roman , Sheridan Scott , Opopol Nicolae , Ebi Kristie 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTHeat waves of 2007 in Chisinau (Moldova) were used to study the relationship between elevated temperatures and excess mortality caused by these events. As reference information, daily temperature and mortality data for an 8‐year reference period (2000–2008 without 2007) were used. Mean (Tmean), maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) daily air temperatures, and corresponding apparent temperatures (ATs) in the warm season (April to September) were correlated with excess total mortality in 2007, taken as the difference of daily death counts or their 7‐d moving averages with those of the reference period. Observed excess mortality was totalled about 190–200 deaths or 6.5–6.9% of the reference mortality. The average daily excess deaths above the threshold temperatures (TTs), in terms of a used ‘estimator’ (a temperature variable), were in the range of 2.0–4.4% per 1 °C. TTs were identified as the lowest 2 °C class intervals above which the excess mortality rates began a sharp increase from their zero reference value. For Tmean, Tmax and Tmin they were estimated as ∼25, 31 and 19 °C; TTs for ATs were somewhat lower. The heat waves were defined as a continuous period satisfying three conditions for daily Tmax: (1) it is above the 99th percentile of its reference distribution (2000–2008) for at least three consecutive days, (2) its average value is equal to at least this percentile for the entire period and (3) all daily values are above 90th percentile for the entire period. On the whole, eight heat events caused 146 excess deaths or about 73–77% of their total number in the warm period of 2007. Temperature–excess mortality relationships become stronger with an increasing time lag; maximal effects were revealed on the second–third days for Tmean and Tmax, and on the first–second days for Tmin. The total effect of mortality displacement was estimated as about 17–25% of ‘positive’ excess deaths.
Improved statistical downscaling of daily precipitation using SDSM platform and data‐mining methods
Authors: Tavakol‐Davani H. , Nasseri M. , Zahraie B. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTIn this paper, an extension of the statistical downscaling model (SDSM), namely data‐mining downscaling model (DMDM), has been developed. DMDM has the same platform as the most cited statistical downscaling models, namely SDSM and ASD. Multiple linear regression (MLR), ridge regression (RR), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) and model tree (MT) constitute the mathematical core of DMDM. DMDM uses linear basis functions in MARS and linear regression rules in MT to keep the linear structure of SDSM; therefore, all of the SDSM assumptions are also valid in DMDM. These methods highlight the effect of data partitioning for meteorological predictors in the downscaling procedure. Inputs and output of the presented approaches are the same as SDSM and ASD. In the case study of this research, NCEP/NCAR databases have been used for calibration and validation. According to the inherent linearity of the methods, suitable predictor selection has been done with stepwise regression as a preprocessing stage. The results of DMDM have been compared with observed precipitation in 12 rain gauge stations that are scattered in different basins in Iran and represent different climate regimes. Comparison between the results of SDSM and DMDM has indicated that the presented approach can highly improve downscaling efficiency in terms of reproducing monthly standard deviation and skewness for both calibration and validation datasets. Among the proposed methods in DMDM, the results of the case study have shown that MT has provided better performances both in modelling occurrence and amount of precipitation. Also, MT is potentially recognized as a powerful diagnostic tool that could extract information in key atmospheric drivers affecting local weather. It also has fewer parameters during dry seasons, in which the number of historical precipitation events might not be enough for calibrating SDSM model in many arid and semi‐arid regions.
Validation of TMPA and GPCP 1DD against the ground truth rain‐gauge data for Indian region
Authors: Joshi Manish K. , Rai Archana , Pandey A. C. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThe satellite datasets, namely, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) MultiSatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) product, 3B42 version 6 and Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) one‐degree‐daily (1DD) from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, have been validated against the ‘ground truth’ rain‐gauge data from the India Meteorological Department for all‐India during the period 1998–2007. The comparisons reveal that both the satellite datasets are good enough in representing the spatial rainfall distribution over India. The categorical statistics provides an insight in evaluating the satellite's ability and its accuracy in estimating the precipitation. The average bias along the heavy‐rainfall regions (e.g. Western coast, Arunachal Pradesh, Sub‐Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and east Uttaranchal) for the TMPA (GPCP 1DD) is −8.03 (−8.29) mm d−1, whereas the mean is 7.47 (6.97) mm d−1, which signifies that the satellite datasets underestimate the Indian summer monsoon rainfall in sharp rainfall regions. Albeit, the TMPA excels over GPCP 1DD where the rainfall is mainly attributed to orography, yet both fail in capturing the extreme rainfall year, 2005. The satellite datasets do capture the intraseasonal oscillations as is evident from spectral analysis, whereas the empirical orthogonal function analysis of standardized daily and seasonal anomalies exemplifies that the satellite datasets also capture the dominant modes. Additionally, the active and the break spells calculated for the months of July and August for the satellite datasets are in agreement with the ones obtained for the rain‐gauge.
Homogenization of mean monthly temperature time series of Greece
Authors: Mamara A. , Argiriou A. A. , Anadranistakis M. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTDuring the last decades due to the increased interest about climate change, many studies have been conducted trying to detect shifts in climatic series. The necessity of the homogenization of meteorological observations becomes obvious to all these studies. In practice, inhomogeneities are hardly ever avoided, because the meteorological station networks are constantly changing. A myriad of methods for detecting and adjusting inhomogeneities in climate series have been developed. In this study two homogeneity methodologies, namely MASH and Climatol, were applied to 49 monthly temperature series of synoptic stations, covering almost all climatic zones of Greece, belonging to the operational weather network of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS). Time series cover periods ranging from 35 to 45 years. Only 8.2% of the stations passed both tests successfully, another 10.2% passed the MASH homogeneity test successfully without any breakpoint, but not the Climatol test. On the other hand, 14.3% of the stations passed the Climatol test successfully but not the MASH test. The remaining stations presented one or more breaks or outliers in both homogeneity methods. Due to lack of metadata only 15% of the breaks could be explained by the stations' history. Station relocations as well as changes in observation practices caused most of the temperature anomalies. The adjustments in seasonal series were in the range from −2.54 to 1.39 °C for MASH and from −2.30 to 1.50 °C for Climatol. Seasonal and annual mean temperature trends were analyzed and their statistical significance calculated. The most pronounced seasonal trends were recorded in summer. Also, the differences of climatological normals for the period 1961–1990 between raw and homogenized annual series were computed. The absolute values of differences ranged from 0.0 to 0.8 °C for MASH and from 0.0 to 1.0 °C for Climatol.
Exploring American and Italian consumer preferences for Californian and Italian red wines
Authors: Torri Luisa , Noble Ann Curtis , Heymann Hildegarde 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundTo increase the market share of Californian wines in other countries, wine preferences need to be explored in potential markets. This work studied the preferences of American and Italian consumers for red wines produced in California and Italy, focusing on wines made from the same varieties in each location. Descriptive analysis and consumer preference tests were performed.ResultsAmericans scored each of the Californian wines significantly higher in preference than the Italian wines. In contrast, the Italian consumer preference scores for many Italian and Californian wines overlapped. By external preference mapping of the American consumer segments, the ideal flavour of one cluster was closest to the Californian Zinfandel, Merlot and Syrah, which had the ‘most balanced’ flavour profiles. Another cluster of Italians also preferred the Californian wines. In addition, one Italian cluster was driven by a dislike of the leather, band‐aid and medicinal aromas of the Italian Merlot and Refosco.ConclusionThe results provided information that can contribute to wine marketing research necessary for successfully exporting Californian red wines to Italy and vice versa.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Adoption Potential for Conservation Agriculture in Africa: A Newly Developed Assessment Approach (QAToCA) Applied in Kenya and Tanzania
Authors: Ndah H. T. , Schuler J. , Uthes S. , Zander P. , Triomphe B. , Mkomwa S. , Corbeels M. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractConservation agriculture (CA) is often promoted as a set of cropping practices to reduce soil erosion and maintain soil fertility, while decreasing production costs and increasing crop yields. However, CA adoption is extremely low in Africa. Most investigations on constraints of its adoption leave out (i) the characteristics of CA as an emerging innovation and (ii) the wider institutional context. A comprehensive self‐assessment tool for a systematic evaluation of factors influencing the CA adoption process at the field, farm and regional scale in a variety of regional contexts in Africa is still lacking. In an attempt to fill this knowledge gap, this article presents the motivation, development and testing of a Qualitative expert Assessment Tool for CA adoption in Africa (QAToCA) and its application. QAToCA is directed to regional experts, research teams and managers of development projects with a focus on CA, and allows them to assess their CA activities along a systematic, expert‐based list of questions and criteria. Specifically, it aims at assessing the adoption potential of CA under the varied agro‐ecological, socio‐economic, cultural and institutional conditions of Africa as well as the specific supporting and hindering factors influencing this process.As an example, its application in Kenya and Tanzania identified a relatively high CA adoption potential. The following factors, however, are noticed to require further improvement: accessibility of markets for CA products and inputs; adaptation of machinery and seeds to the CA practices; introduction of quality implementation measures; and a renewed motivation (interest) among CA service providers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using Local Archive Sources to Reconstruct Historical Landslide Occurrence in Selected Urban REgions of the Czech Republic: Examples from Regions with Different Historical Development
Authors: Raska P. , Klimes J. , Dubisar J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractHistorical documentary sources from two regions with contrasting historical and social development were examined for information about landslide occurrence and characteristics. The archive search was complemented with limited field work to acquire information about the degree of recent landslide activity and land use. The results from two study areas (Ústí nad Labem in North Bohemia and Zlín in East Moravia) show considerable differences in the types of historical documentary source, their availability and the information they record. It is concluded that local newspapers that include special sections focusing on regional events are the best data sources for the landslide study. The reliability of the acquired historical landslide occurrence frequencies is generally not very good, but it does show notable regional differences caused by not only the availability of documentary sources but also the dynamics of the natural processes responsible for the landslide events. A reconstruction of the landslide activity during the last 70 or more years was carried out for selected sites. The reconstruction showed that the occurrence of historical landslides is only rarely respected in recent land use within both studied urban areas. Historical landslide information could be well used for site‐specific landslide hazard assessment. Nevertheless, the use of this information to construct a historical landslide database on the regional or country level is limited only to certain regions of the Czech Republic. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tracking Injectable Microspheres in Dynamic Tissues With Encapsulated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Franklin‐Ford Travelle , Shah Nehal , Leiferman Ellen , Chamberlain Connie S. , Raval Amish , Vanderby Ray , Murphy William L. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractTrackable spheres of similar size to those typically used for sustained protein delivery are prepared by incorporating superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles into the core of poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) microspheres. The visibility of injections in static and temporally in dynamic tissue systems is demonstrated. This method improves upon other, less sensitive imaging modalities in their ability to track injectable delivery systems. The results obtained confirm the localization of microspheres to the injected target area and highlight the novelty of tracking delivery vehicles for other applications. magnified image
Characterization of Small Molecule Controlled Release From Silk Films
Authors: Hines Daniel J. , Kaplan David L. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractRelease data for several dyes from untreated, water‐annealed, and methanol‐treated silk films are collected and modeled. Through modeling, Fickian diffusion is identified as the major release mechanism. Estimated diffusivities are compared with dye properties to characterize parameter–property relationships. FTIR–ATR spectra of the silk films confirm an increase in the crystalline beta‐sheet content within the silk films for methanol‐treated and water‐annealed films. An aqueous binding study is completed and shows weak binding of three dyes to the silk films. The Langmuir equation is fit to each of the binding curves and compared. The rate of diffusion from silk films is highly impacted by the molecular structure, water solubility, and molecular charge of the releasing solute and the matrix crystallinity.
Carbon Nanopaper Enabled Shape Memory Polymer Composites for Electrical Actuation and Multifunctionalization
Authors: Lu Haibao , Liu Yanju , Leng Jinsong 
Published: November 2012

AbstractShape memory polymers (SMPs) are fascinating materials, with promising potential in a range of applications as actively moving polymers, which can undergo significant macroscopic deformation in a predefined manner between/among shapes in the presence of an appropriate stimulus. This work aims to present a systematic and up‐to‐date account of a carbon nanopaper enabled SMP composite from electrical actuation to multifunctionalization. Studies exploring nanopaper enabled SMP composites in various design principles in manufacturing, characterization, improvement, and development were included, especially for those induced by electricity and rendered multifunctional; making the article a comprehensive account of and systemic progress in SMP composite incorporated with carbon nanopaper. magnified image
Explaining freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease: Motor and cognitive determinants
Authors: Vercruysse Sarah , Devos Hannes , Munks Liesbeth , Spildooren Joke , Vandenbossche Jochen , Vandenberghe Wim , Nieuwboer Alice , Heremans Elke 
Published: November 2012

AbstractFreezing of gait (FOG) is part of a complex clinical picture in Parkinson's disease (PD) and is largely refractory to standard care. Diverging hypotheses exist about its origins, but a consolidated view on what determines FOG is lacking. The aim of this study was to develop an integrative model of FOG in people with PD. This cross‐sectional study included 51 Parkinson subjects: 24 patients without FOG and 27 with FOG matched for age, gender, and disease severity. Subjects underwent an extensive clinical test battery evaluating general disease characteristics, gait and balance, nongait freezing, and cognitive functions. The relative contribution of these outcomes to FOG was determined using logistic regression analysis. The combination of the following four independent contributors provided the best explanatory model of FOG (R2 = 0.49): nongait freezing; levodopa equivalent dose (LED); cognitive impairment; and falls and balance problems. The model yields a high‐risk profile for FOG (P > 95%) when Parkinson patients are affected by at least one type of nongait freezing (e.g., freezing of other repetitive movements), falls or balance problems during the last 3 months, and a Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease‐Cognition score below 28. A high LED further increases the risk of FOG to 99%. Nongait freezing, increased dopaminergic drug dose, cognitive deficits, and falls and balance problems are independent determinants of FOG in people with PD and may play a synergistic role in its manifestation. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Enlarged hyperechogenic substantia nigra as a risk marker for Parkinson's disease
Authors: Berg Daniela , Behnke Stefanie , Seppi Klaus , Godau Jana , Lerche Stefanie , Mahlknecht Philipp , Liepelt‐Scarfone Inga , Pausch Christoph , Schneider Niko , Gaenslen Alexandra , Brockmann Kathrin , Srulijes Karin , Huber Heiko , Wurster Isabel , Stockner Heike , Kiechl Stefan , Willeit Johann , Gasperi Arno , Fassbender Klaus , Gasser Thomas , Poewe Werner 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundSN hyperechogenicity (SN+), determined by transcranial sonography, has been proposed as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, we reported a 17.4‐fold increased risk for PD in individuals with SN+ older than 50 years within 3 years.MethodsThis is the second follow‐up of a prospective, longitudinal, three‐center observational study after 5 years. Of the initial 1,847 at baseline PD‐free participants 50 years or older, 1,271 underwent the 5‐year reassessment.ResultsWithin 5 years, 21 individuals developed incident PD. Participants with SN+ at baseline had a more than 20.6 times increased risk to develop PD in this time span than those without this echo feature.ConclusionWe thus confirm our finding of the 3‐year follow‐up examination in a longer observation time and higher number of individuals with incident PD and suggest SN+ as an important risk marker for PD. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Atypical parkinsonism and cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis: Report of a family with corticobasal syndrome and a literature review
Authors: Rubio‐Agusti Ignacio , Kojovic Maja , Edwards Mark J. , Murphy Elaine , Chandrashekar Hoskote S. , Lachmann Robin H. , Bhatia Kailash P. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractCerebrotendinous xanthomatosis is an autosomal recessive inborn error of cholesterol metabolism. It presents with systemic and neurological symptoms, rarely including parkinsonism. Presented here are a clinical description of a new family with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis and parkinsonism and a review of 13 additional cases reported in the literature. The index case developed corticobasal syndrome, previously not reported in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis. His brother had parkinsonism with cerebellar features and cognitive impairment. In a literature review, median age of onset of parkinsonism was found to be 40 years. Nearly all patients had other neurological symptoms: cognitive (93%), pyramidal (93%), or cerebellar (53%). All patients had walking difficulties, with falls in 27%. Systemic features were common: cataracts (93%) or tendon xanthomata (87%). Frequent MRI abnormalities included cerebellar atrophy (100%), cerebral atrophy (80%), and dentate nuclei signal changes (80%). Functional dopaminergic imaging often demonstrated presynaptic denervation. Improvement with levodopa was frequent (91%) but mild. Progressive neurological decline occurred in 92% of patients despite treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid. Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism, including corticobasal syndrome, particularly with early age of onset and in the context of a complex neurological phenotype. Tendon xanthomata, early‐onset cataracts, and radiological findings of cerebellar atrophy with lesions of the dentate nuclei are useful clinical clues. Symptomatic treatment with levodopa may help, but progressive neurological decline is frequent despite treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Overcoming obstacles in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Sherer Todd B. , Chowdhury Sohini , Peabody Katherine , Brooks Deborah W. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractImproved symptomatic and disease‐modifying treatments are needed for Parkinson's disease (PD). Although significant advances have been made in the understanding of PD etiology, the translation of these discoveries into novel transformative therapies has been limited as a result of systemic challenges in PD drug development. Preclinical testing lacks clear standards and prioritization criteria for advancing therapies to the clinic. Clinical testing is marked by expensive, long, and uninformative studies. In parallel to these scientific challenges, funding of late‐stage drug development has become increasingly scarce and risk averse. In this context, novel models of collaboration and funding are opening up new avenues for pursuing treatments. This review will discuss the most critical challenges in PD drug development and the innovative approaches being developed to overcome these hurdles. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Influence of age on wound healing and fibrosis
Authors: Kapetanaki Maria G , Mora Ana L , Rojas Mauricio 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe incidence and severity of fibrotic lung diseases increase with age, but very little is known about how age‐related changes affect the mechanisms that underlie disease emergence and progression. Normal ageing includes accumulation of DNA mutations, oxidative and cell stresses, mitochondria dysfunction, increased susceptibility to apoptosis, telomere length dysfunction and differential gene expression as a consequence of epigenetic changes and miR regulation. These inevitable ageing‐related phenomena may cause dysfunction and impaired repair capacity of lung epithelial cells, fibroblasts and MSCs. As a consequence, the composition of the extracellular matrix changes and the dynamic interaction between cells and their environment is damaged, resulting ultimately in predisposition for several diseases. This review summarizes what is known about age‐related molecular changes that are implicated in the pathobiology of lung fibrosis in lung tissue.