bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of climate change on groundwater resources
Authors: Hendricks Franssen Harrie‐Jan 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to indicate the limitations of the studies that address the impact of climate change on groundwater resources and to suggest an improved approach.Design/methodology/approachA general review, both from a groundwater hydrological and a climatological viewpoint, is given, oriented on the impact of climate change on groundwater resources.FindingsThe impact of climate change on groundwater resources is not the subject of many studies in the scientific literature. Only rarely sophisticated downscaling techniques are applied to downscale estimated global circulation model (GCM) future precipitation series for a point or region of interest. Often it is not taken into account that different climate models calculate considerably different precipitation amounts (conceptual uncertainty). The joint downscaling of the meteorological variables that govern potential evapotranspiration (ET) is never done in the context of a study that assessed the impact of climate change on groundwater resources. It is desirable that actual ET is calculated in (groundwater) hydrological models on a physical basis, i.e. by coupling the energy and water balance at the Earth's surface.Originality/valueThis review signalises a number of problems with published studies on the impact of climate change on groundwater resources. In many studies the method to downscale meteorological variables from a climate model to a hydrological model is not adequate. ET is often calculated in a strongly simplified manner and not all hydrological processes are modelled in a fully coupled fashion. More sophisticated downscaling approaches, physically based schemes to calculate ET and well‐calibrated, integrative hydrological models are needed.
Urbanization effects on temperature trends of Lahore during 1950‐2007
Authors: Sajjad S.H. , Shirazi Safdar Ali , Ahmed Khan M. , Raza Asif 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the trends of changing temperature of Lahore in Pakistan due to invigorating urbanization process since 1950‐2007.Design/methodology/approachThis research is designed by using the numerical time series data of mean minimum temperature (MMiT), mean maximum temperature (MMxT) and mean annual temperature (MAT). The growth in urban population, area and transportation are also evaluated by using the available data. Linear regression method is applied to investigate the results of change in temperature. Three different approaches to examine the MAT are testified; first as an entire period (1950‐2007), and then by dividing the entire period into two equal phases as Phase I (1950‐1974) and Phase II (1975‐2207). MMiT and MMxT are analysed for the entire period without making any division.FindingsThe results of the paper are significantly indicating an increase in MAT and MMiT which have risen up to 0.89 and 2.51°C, respectively, while MMxT remained resolute throughout the study period. Change in MMiT is observed regular and brisk than other parameters of temperature. Increase in temperature in Phase I is observed only 0.062°C and in Phase II it is observed 0.94°C.Research limitations/implicationsThis research can be further worked out by using different meteorological models to study the effects of urbanization on lower surface atmosphere and urban heat island effects in Lahore.Originality/valueBy taking into consideration these results, the town planners and government can make different strategies to mitigate the urban effects on rising temperature in Pakistan.
Seasonal rainfall variability in Guinea Savanna part of Nigeria: a GIS approach
Authors: Ayanlade Ayansina 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to use geographical information systems kriging interpolation technique to examine and map the spatiotemporal variation in rainfall in Guinea Savanna of Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachRainfall data, for the periods between 1970 and 2000, are collected from the archives of the Nigerian Meteorological Services, Oshodi Lagos. In this paper, rainfall is considered as the primary and input for crop yield. It is observed that the most important climatic element is rainfall; particularly inter‐annual variation and the spatiotemporal distribution of rainfall. Three spatial interpolation methods are chosen for this research work: inverse distance weighting method and the spline (completely regularized) as the determinist methods; and ordinary kriging as the stochastic methods. In order to analyze the interpolation quality, an evaluation by cross validation has been carried out. Ordinary kriging method was discovered suitable for this paper because it allows the sharpest interpolation rainfall data and is the most representative.FindingsThe results of the analysis show that rainfall varies both in time and space. Rainfall variability is very high in most of Northern Guinea Savanna (e.g. Yola, Minna, and Ilorin) with values of coefficient of variation (CV) between 26 and 49 percent while in Southern Guinea Savanna, the CV is very low especially, in Enugu (9 percent), and Shaki (8 percent). These anomalies (such as decline in annual rainfall, change in the peak and retreat of rainfall and false start of rainfall) are detrimental to crop germination and yield, resulting in little or no harvest at the end of the season.Originality/valueThe paper concludes that geospatial techniques are powerful tools that should be explored further for realistic analysis of the effects of seasonal variability in rainfall.
Climates of the Arabian Peninsula – past, present, future
Authors: Kotwicki Vincent , Al Sulaimani Zaher 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to look into climate and climate change in a wider setting ranging from geological time through historical to instrumental records.Design/methodology/approachThe authors give an overview of the past, present, and future climates and the status of water resources of the Arabian Peninsula, and describe climatic forcings that shape the current climate, and the variables that are most prone to the change of existing atmospheric conditions.FindingsPresent weather patterns of the Peninsula are governed by Hadley circulation, and modulated by El Niño – southeastern oscillation, PDO, NAO, and IOO. The process of aridification is proceeding.Originality/valueThe global assessment of the imminent climate change is streamlined into predictions that are relevant for the Arabian Peninsula. Conclusions are drawn on the need for extended research effort based in countries of the Arabian Peninsula for the optimal preparation of management actions to tackle both climate change and resulting water resources issues in the region.
Renal function and cardiovascular risk profile after conversion from ciclosporin to tacrolimus: prospective study in 80 liver transplant recipients
Authors: BECKEBAUM S. , KLEIN C. , VARGHESE J. , SOTIROPOULOS G. C. , SANER F. , SCHMITZ K. , GERKEN G. , PAUL A. , CICINNATI V. R. 
Published: July 2009

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 30, 834–842SummaryBackground Increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease in liver transplant recipients results in particular from the side effects of calcineurin inhibitor‐based immunosuppressive therapy. Several studies have demonstrated a more favourable outcome for patients receiving tacrolimus (TAC) as compared with ciclosporin (CS).Aim To investigate the effects of conversion from CS to TAC on cardiovascular risk factors and renal function in liver transplant recipients.Methods In a prospective study, all except two patients had chronic kidney disease stages 2–4 (n = 80), according to estimated glomerular filtration rate using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation.Results Conversion was accompanied with a mean decrease of total cholesterol from 194.6 ± 54.0 mg/dL to 175.8 ± 44.2 mg/dL (P < 0.001), low density lipoprotein cholesterol from 106.7 ± 39.2 mg/dL to 90.9 ± 28.6 mg/dL (P < 0.001) and mean arterial blood pressure values from 102.2 ± 13.2 mm Hg to 95.9 ± 11.7 mm Hg (P < 0.001). Renal function remained stable. No cases ofde novodiabetes mellitus were identified. The Framingham risk score was significantly reduced from 5.2 ± 4.4 at baseline to 4.4 ± 5.3 after 12 months (P = 0.006).Conclusions Conversion from CS to TAC has been shown to improve the cardiovascular risk profile and may retard further decline of renal function after liver transplantation.
Recent incidence trends and sociodemographic features of oesophageal and gastric cancer types in an English region
Authors: GAJPERIA C. , BARBIERE J. M. , GREENBERG D. , WRIGHT K. , LYRATZOPOULOS G. 
Published: July 2009

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 30, 873–880SummaryBackground  Oesophageal and gastric cancers comprise various common tumour types with possible different aetiology and historically different incidence trends.Aim  To enhance and update evidence about the descriptive epidemiology of oesophageal and gastric cancers.Methods  Population‐based information from the East of England was available on 16 319 (65% male) incident cases of oesophago‐gastric cancer (ICD‐10 C150–169) diagnosed during 1995–2006. Age‐standardized incidence trends by gender and deprivation groups and sex ratios were compared for four different tumour types [oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC), junctional/cardia adenocarcinoma (JCA), and non‐cardia gastric adenocarcinoma (NCGA)].Results  Between 1995–1997 and 2004–2006, the age‐standardized incidence of OAC and JCA increased slightly (by 4% and 6% in men and 17% and 8% in women respectively), with a sex ratio >4 for both. Conversely, OSCC and NCGA incidence decreased (−20% and −32% in men and −15% and −26% in women respectively), with sex ratio of <2 for both. In men, OSCC and NCGA incidence was associated with increasing deprivation.Conclusions  Within the study context, there was a modest rise in OAC and JCA incidence. OAC and JCA share common incidence trends and sociodemographic features (contrasting with those of OSCC and NCGA cancers).
Hybrid mathematical model of glioma progression
Authors: Tanaka M. L. , Debinski W. , Puri I. K. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjectives:  Gliomas are an important form of brain cancer, with high mortality rate. Mathematical models are often used to understand and predict their behaviour. However, using current modeling techniques one must choose between simulating individual cell behaviour and modeling tumours of clinically significant size.Materials and Methods:  We propose a hybrid compartment‐continuum‐discrete model to simulate glioma growth and malignant cell invasion. The discrete portion of the model is capable of capturing intercellular interactions, including cell migration, intercellular communication, spatial cell population heterogeneity, phenotype differentiation, epigenetic events, proliferation, and apoptosis. Combining this with a compartment and continuum model allows clinically significant tumour sizes to be evaluated.Results and Conclusions:  This model is used to perform multiple simulations to determine sensitivity to changes in important model parameters, specifically, the fundamental length parameter, necrotic cell degradation rate, rate of cell migration, and rate of phenotype transformation. Using these values, the model is able to simulate tumour growth and invasion behaviour, observed clinically. This mathematical model provides a means to simulate various tumour development scenarios, which may lead to a better understanding of how altering fundamental parameters can influence neoplastic progression.
Context‐dependent running speed in funnel‐web spiders from divergent populations
Authors: Pruitt Jonathan N. , Husak Jerry F. 
Published: July 2009

Summary 1. Locomotor performance can influence individual fitness through several ecological contexts, such as prey capture and predator escape. One means of determining which contexts act as significant selective forces on running speed is to quantify individual speed in each context. The underlying hypothesis is that animals will exhibit their highest speeds in contexts most crucial to fitness. 2. We measured running speeds in three ecological contexts (prey capture, fleeing predators and territory defence) in lab‐reared offspring of the funnel‐web spider Agelenopsis aperta collected from two arid grassland and two riparian populations. Arid populations experience little predation pressure, are prey limited, and are highly territorial; riparian populations experience high predation, have high prey availability, and are less territorial in nature. 3. The offspring of arid individuals exhibited their highest burst speeds in territory defence, and ran more slowly in response to predator threats. The offspring of riparian populations, however, ran fastest when responding to predatory threats and displayed lower velocities in prey capture and territory defence. Thus, our findings support the hypothesis that A. aperta are selected to exhibit their highest speeds in contexts most important to their fitness. 4. Contextual use of running speed can differ among conspecific populations experiencing differing selective forces on locomotion.
Trappin‐2/Elafin: a novel innate anti‐human immunodeficiency virus‐1 molecule of the human female reproductive tract
Authors: Ghosh Mimi , Shen Zheng , Fahey John V. , Cu‐Uvin Susan , Mayer Kenneth , Wira Charles R. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryTrappin‐2/Elafin is a serine protease inhibitor that plays a major role as an anti‐inflammatory mediator at mucosal surfaces. In addition, Trappin‐2/Elafin has antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacterial and fungal pathogens. In this study we examined the production of Trappin‐2/Elafin by epithelial cells from the human upper and lower female reproductive tract as well as its activity as an anti‐human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1 molecule. We found that primary uterine, Fallopian tube, cervical and ectocervical epithelial cells produce Trappin‐2/Elafin constitutively and that production of Trappin‐2/Elafin is enhanced following stimulation with Poly(I:C), especially by the uterine cells. Given the presence of Trappin‐2/Elafin in the reproductive tract, we tested the ability of recombinant Trappin‐2/Elafin to inhibit HIV‐1, an important sexually transmitted pathogen. We found that recombinant Trappin‐2/Elafin was able to inhibit both T‐cell‐tropic X4/IIIB and macrophage‐tropic R5/BaL HIV‐1 in a dose‐dependent manner. The inhibitory activity was observed when virus was incubated with Trappin‐2/Elafin but not when Trappin‐2/Elafin was added to cells either before infection or after infection. This suggests that the mechanism of inhibition is likely to be a direct interaction between HIV‐1 and Trappin‐2/Elafin. Additionally, we measured the levels of secreted Trappin‐2/Elafin in cervico‐vaginal lavages (CVL) from both HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative women and found that average levels of secreted Trappin‐2/Elafin were higher in the CVL from HIV‐negative women, although the values did not reach statistical significance. We also found that women at the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle produced more Trappin‐2/Elafin in CVL relative to women at the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Our data suggest that Trappin‐2/Elafin might be an important endogenous microbicide of the female reproductive tract that is protective against HIV‐1.
Testing causal structure in the biogeography of avian extinctions on oceanic islands
Authors: Karels Tim J. , Dobson F. Stephen , Zimbler‐DeLorenzo Heather S. , Skibiel Amy L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn their recent comment in this journal, T. M. Blackburn and colleagues called into question the use of standardized partial regression modelling (also called path analysis and structural equation modelling) when null expectations for regression coefficients are not zero. Here, we answer their critique by showing how randomization can be used to illuminate and interpret causal modelling in analyses that have non‐zero expectations. Causal modelling is a powerful tool that can yield novel insights in biogeography when properly interpreted.
Asthma, smoking and BMI in adults with intellectual disabilities: a community‐based survey
Authors: Gale L. , Naqvi H. , Russ L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground  Recent research evidence from the general population has shown that tobacco smoking and raised body mass index (BMI) are associated with worse asthma outcomes. There are indications that asthma morbidity and mortality may be higher among people with intellectual disabilities (ID) than the general population, but the reason for this is not known. This is the first study to investigate the extent of smoking and higher than recommended BMI among adults with ID and a diagnosis of asthma.Method  Health‐related data for 1097 adults with ID were collected from 28 primary care practices in Bristol, UK.Results  Prevalence of asthma in this sample of adults with ID was 12% which was much higher than among the general population living in the region. The 132 patients with asthma were found to be nearly twice as likely to be current smokers as patients with ID who did not have asthma (29.5% vs. 15.6%). Smoking rates were higher among men than women with asthma (35.7% vs. 22.6%). Patients diagnosed with asthma were also more likely to be obese (BMI ≥ 30) than patients with ID but no asthma (42.7% vs. 31.6%). Obesity was particularly a problem among women with asthma as more than half (52.1%) had a BMI ≥ 30.Conclusions  A very high proportion of patients with ID and asthma were found to be current smokers and/or obese. There is now strong research evidence that both smoking and obesity are implicated in the development of asthma and associated with worse disease outcomes. This study highlights the urgent need for programmes aimed at providing support for people with ID and asthma to stop smoking and to achieve a healthy body weight.
A socioenvironmental composite index as a tool for identifying urban areas at risk of lymphatic filariasis
Authors: Bonfim C. , Netto M. J. E. , Pedroza D. , Portugal J. L. , Medeiros Z. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryObjective  To describe the spatial distribution of lymphatic filariasis and its relationship with the socioenvironmental risk indicator, thus identifying priority localities for interventions in endemic urban areas.Methods  The study area was the municipality of Jaboatão dos Guararapes, State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The data sources were a parasitological survey and the 2000 demographic census. From these data, a socioenvironmental composite risk indicator was constructed using the 484 census tracts (CT) as the analysis units, based on the score‐formation technique. Census tracts with higher indicator values presented higher risk of occurrences of filariasis.Results  Six thousand five hundred and seven households were surveyed and 23 673 individuals were examined, among whom 323 cases of microfilaremia were identified. The mean prevalence rate for the municipality was 1.4%. The indicator showed that 73% (237/323) of the cases of microfilaremia were in high‐risk areas (third and fourth quartiles) with worse socioenvironmental conditions (RR = 4.86, CI = 3.09–7.73, P < 0.05).Conclusions  The socioenvironmental composite risk indicator demonstrated sensitivity, since it was able to identify the localities with greater occurrence of infection. Because it can stratify spaces by using official and available data, it constitutes an important tool for use in the worldwide program for eliminating lymphatic filariasis.
Proteinuria >0.5 g/d, a prevalent prognostic factor for patient and graft survival in kidney transplantation
Authors: Cantarovich Félix , Martinez Frank , Heguilen Ricardo , Thervet Eric , Mamzer‐Bruneel Marie‐France , Gonzalez Claudio , Legendre Christophe 
Published: July 2009

Cantarovich F, Martinez F, Heguilen R, Thervet E, Mamzer Bruneel M‐F, Gonzalez C, Legendre C. Proteinuria >0.5 g/d, a prevalent prognostic factor for patient and graft survival in kidney transplantation. Clin Transplant 2009 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2009.01043.x © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Proteinuria >0.5 g/d (HP) and serum creatinine (Scr) >120 μmol/L (HSC) at three months, two and five yr were compared as prognostic factors in kidney transplantation. We retrospectively analyzed 454 first transplants (follow‐up: 100 ± 3.2 months). Donor/recipient age, sex, panel reactive antibody (PRA), HLA mismatches, cold ischemia time, delayed graft function, acute rejection, blood pressure and its treatment, diabetes and anti‐calcineurin use were also evaluated. Cox proportional hazard regression with time‐dependent covariates to control for potentially confounding factors was used to analyze survival. The Kaplan–Meier product–limit estimate for survival according to urine protein excretion (≤ or >0.5 g/d) or Scr (≤ or >120 μmol/L) along with the log‐rank test for all comparisons were computed. Statistical significance was set with p‐value < 0.05.Results:  HSC is a prognostic factor of graft survival (HR: 2.54; 95% CI: 1.98–3.10; p < 0.01) only at five yr, but it does not predict mortality at any period. HP at three months (HR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.70–2.43; p < 0.001) and at two yr 3.03 (2.54–3.51; p < 0.001) significantly predicts graft failure. HP at two yr is the prevailingly prognostic factor of patient survival in kidney transplantation (HR: 3.30; 95% CI: 1.94–5.62; p < 0.0001).
The HLA‐G 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism is a putative susceptible factor for active human cytomegalovirus infection in children
Authors: Zheng X.‐Q. , Zhu F. , Shi W.‐W. , Lin A. , Yan W.‐H. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractHuman leukocyte antigen‐G (HLA‐G) expression is a potential factor for the pathogenesis of virus infection. A 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism (rs16375) in the 3′‐untranslated region of the HLA‐G gene is involved in the stability of HLA‐G mRNA and HLA‐G protein expression. Therefore, the HLA‐G 14 bp polymorphism might be involved in human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) infection. To test a possible association between the HLA‐G 14 bp deletion/insertion polymorphism and the active hCMV infection, in this study, a total of 54 patients with active hCMV infection and 165 age‐ and sex‐matched, unrelated, normal Chinese Han population were genotyped for the 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism. Association of 14 bp polymorphism with hCMV urine DNA copies and the odds ratio (OR) of the polymorphism as a risk factor for active hCMV infection were analyzed. Our results showed that the prevalence of −14 bp/ −14 bp genotype in active hCMV patients was markedly increased [Pc = 0.00034, OR = 3.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.77–6.18], and similar significance was also observed for the frequency of −14 bp allele (P c = 0.0023, OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.38–3.64) when compared with that of healthy controls. Furthermore, urine hCMV DNA copies in patients with the −14 bp/ −14 bp genotype were significantly higher than those in patients with the +14 bp/ +14 bp genotype (P = 0.041). Our findings support a potential role of HLA‐G 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism as a susceptible factor for the active hCMV infection.