bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Verification of the ECMWF ensemble forecasts of wind speed against analyses and observations
Authors: Pinson Pierre , Hagedorn Renate 
Published: August 2011

AbstractA framework for the verification of ensemble forecasts of near‐surface wind speed is described. It is based on existing scores and diagnostic tools, though considering observations from synoptic stations as reference instead of the analysis. This approach is motivated by the idea of having a user‐oriented view of verification, for instance with the wind power applications in mind. The verification framework is specifically applied to the case of ECMWF ensemble forecasts and over Europe. Dynamic climatologies are derived at the various stations, serving as a benchmark. The impact of observational uncertainty on scores and diagnostic tools is also considered. The interest of this framework is demonstrated from its application to the routine evaluation of ensemble forecasts and to the assessment of the quality improvements brought in by the recent change in horizontal resolution of the ECMWF ensemble prediction system. The most important conclusions cover (1) the generally high skill of these ensemble forecasts of near‐surface wind speed when evaluated at synoptic stations, (2) the noteworthy improvement of scores brought by the change of horizontal resolution, and, (3) the scope for further improvements of reliability and skill of wind speed ensemble forecasts by appropriate post‐processing. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Stimulation of erythrocyte phospholipid scrambling by enniatin A
Authors: Jilani Kashif , Qadri Syed M. , Lang Elisabeth , Zelenak Christine , Rotte Anand , Bobbala Diwakar , Lang Florian 
Published: August 2011

AbstractScope: Enniatin A, a peptide antibiotic and common food contaminant, triggers mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Even though lacking mitochondria, erythrocytes may similarly undergo suicidal cell death or eryptosis. Eryptosis is characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane phospholipid scrambling. Triggers of phospholipid scrambling include energy depletion and increase in cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i). The present study explored whether enniatin A triggers phospholipid scrambling.Methods and results: Phospholipid scrambling was estimated from annexin‐V‐binding, cell volume from forward scatter (FSC), [Ca2+]i from Fluo3‐fluorescence, cytosolic ATP‐concentration ([ATP]i) using a luciferase assay and hemolysis from hemoglobin release. Exposure of erythrocytes for 48 h to enniatin A (≥2.5 μM) significantly increased [Ca2+]i, decreased [ATP]i, decreased FSC, triggered annexin‐V‐binding and elicited hemolysis. Annexin‐V‐binding affected 25%, and hemolysis 2% of treated erythrocytes. Decreased [ATP]i by glucose depletion for 48 h was similarly followed by increased [Ca2+]i, decreased FSC and annexin‐V‐binding. Enniatin A augmented the effect on [Ca2+]i and annexin‐V‐binding, but not on FSC. Annexin‐V‐binding was blunted by Ca2+ removal, by the cation channel inhibitor amiloride (1 mM), by the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine (500 nM) but not by the pancaspase inhibitor zVAD (10 μM).Conclusion: The food contaminant enniatin A triggers ATP depletion and increases cytosolic Ca2+ activity, effects resulting in suicidal erythrocyte death.
Soy food supplementation, dietary fat reduction and peripheral blood gene expression in postmenopausal women – A randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Wang Jun , Siegmund Kimberly , Tseng Chiu‐Cheng , Lee Amy S. , Wu Anna H. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractScope: The effect of soy food supplementation or dietary fat reduction on gene expression is not well studied.Methods and results: We evaluated the potential of gene expression profiling in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected at baseline and at the completion of an 8‐wk controlled dietary intervention. Healthy postmenopausal women were randomized to a very‐low‐fat diet (VLFD; 11% of energy as fat) (n=21), a Step 1 diet (25% energy as fat) supplemented with soy food (SFD; 50 mg isoflavones per day) (n=20), or a control Step 1 diet (CD; 27% energy as fat) with no SFD (n=18). All diets were prepared at the General Clinical Research Center of the University of Southern California. We did not observe any gene that showed variable response across the three dietary interventions. However, there were notable changes in gene expression associated with the intervention in the VLFD and SFD groups. Our findings suggest that the expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and genes related to Fc γ R‐mediated phagocytosis and cytokine interactions may be significantly altered in association with dietary fat reduction and soy supplementation. Gene expression changes in NAMPT were somewhat dampened with adjustment for weight but changes related to Fc γ R‐mediated phagocytosis and cytokine interactions remained largely unchanged.Conclusion: PBMCs can reveal novel gene expression changes in association with controlled dietary intervention.
Measuring use of services for mental health problems in epidemiological surveys
Authors: Sevilla‐Dedieu Christine , Kovess‐Masfety Viviane , Angermeyer Matthias , Bruffaerts Ronny , Fernandez Anna , De Girolamo Giovanni , De Graaf Ron , Haro Josep Maria , König Hans‐Helmut ,   The ESEMED/MHEDEA 2000 Investigators
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe use of services for mental problems is generally reported as being relatively low. However, the methods used for data collection in surveys may have influenced the quality of self‐reported service use. This study compares the information on recourse to physicians for mental problems reported in different sections of a survey conducted in six European countries. Thus, 5545 respondents were asked questions on contacts with physicians at least twice: (1) after the symptoms checklist in any completed diagnostic section, and (2) in a section devoted to use of care for mental problems. Of these 39.3% reported contacts with physicians about mental problems in the diagnostic sections, whereas 29.5% did so in the use‐of‐care section. Inconsistencies concerned 20.1% of participants, among whom those reporting consultations in diagnostic sections without reporting them in the use‐of‐care section represented the majority (74.4%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, marital status, educational level and country were associated with under‐reporting in the use‐of‐care section, as well as having mood or sleep problems. In conclusion, services used for mental health reasons when measured through a question referring to use of care due to the presence of a mental problem may underestimate the care people received for their problems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hybrid prospective and retrospective head motion correction to mitigate cross‐calibration errors
Authors: Aksoy Murat , Forman Christoph , Straka Matus , Çukur Tolga , Hornegger Joachim , Bammer Roland 
Published: August 2011

AbstractUtilization of external motion tracking devices is an emerging technology in head motion correction for MRI. However, cross‐calibration between the reference frames of the external tracking device and the MRI scanner can be tedious and remains a challenge in practical applications. In this study, we present two hybrid methods, both of which combine prospective, optical‐based motion correction with retrospective entropy‐based autofocusing to remove residual motion artifacts. Our results revealed that in the presence of cross‐calibration errors between the optical tracking device and the MR scanner, application of retrospective correction on prospectively corrected data significantly improves image quality. As a result of this hybrid prospective and retrospective motion correction approach, the requirement for a high‐quality calibration scan can be significantly relaxed, even to the extent that it is possible to perform external prospective motion tracking without any prior cross‐calibration step if a crude approximation of cross‐calibration matrix exists. Moreover, the motion tracking system, which is used to reduce the dimensionality of the autofocusing problem, benefits the retrospective approach at the same time. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis and correction of background velocity offsets in phase‐contrast flow measurements using magnetic field monitoring
Authors: Giese Daniel , Haeberlin Maximilian , Barmet Christoph , Pruessmann Klaas P. , Schaeffter Tobias , Kozerke Sebastian 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe value of phase‐contrast magnetic resonance imaging for quantifying tissue motion and blood flow has been long recognized. However, the sensitivity of the method to system imperfections can lead to inaccuracies limiting its clinical acceptance. A key source of error relates to eddy current‐induced phase fluctuations, which can offset the measured object velocity significantly. A higher‐order dynamic field camera was used to study the spatiotemporal evolution of background phases in cine phase‐contrast measurements. It is demonstrated that eddy current‐induced offsets in phase‐difference data are present up to the second spatial order. Oscillatory temporal behaviors of offsets in the kHz range suggest mechanical resonances of the MR system to be non‐negligible in phase‐contrast imaging. By careful selection of the echo time, their impact can be significantly reduced. When applying field monitoring data for correcting eddy current and mechanically induced velocity offsets, errors decrease to less than 0.5% of the maximum velocity for various sequence settings proving the robustness of the correction approach. In vivo feasibility is demonstrated for aortic and pulmonary flow measurements in five healthy subjects. Using field monitoring data, mean error in stroke volume was reduced from 10% to below 3%. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Is on‐demand sacral neuromodulation in patients with OAB syndrome a feasible therapy regime?
Authors: Oerlemans Dennis J.A.J. , van Voskuilen Anco C. , Marcelissen Tom , Weil Ernest H.J. , de Bie Rob A. , Van Kerrebroeck Philip E.V. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractIntroductionSacral neuromodulation (SNM) of the lower urinary tract has proven to be safe and effective in patients with complaints of OAB syndrome who are not responding to conservative therapy. After 5 years of treatment the implanted system is still effective in 56–71% of patients. The loss of effect could be caused by adaptation of the nerve system to prolonged stimulation of the sacral nerves.Materials and MethodsWe set up a pilot intervention study. After a run‐in period of 2 weeks patients were randomized into two groups: one group with on‐demand neuromodulation (intervention group) and one group with continuous neuromodulation (control group). Patients in the intervention group were instructed to switch their INS off by default and to switch it on again when they felt recurrent symptoms, patients in the control group were asked to use their system as normally.ResultsAfter 2 weeks 10 out of 16 subjects reported a comparable symptom score during on‐demand use of their neuromodulation system. Patients appreciated the comfort of being self‐determent in the need for therapy.ConclusionsPossible benefits for patients could be: more autonomy, longer battery life of the implanted INS, decreasing the chance of adaptation by the nervous system. Neurourol. Urodynam. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30: 1493–1496, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence, risk factors, and impact on health related quality of life of overactive bladder in China
Authors: Wang Yuliang , Xu Kexin , Hu Hao , Zhang Xiaopeng , Wang Xiaofeng , Na Yanqun , Kang Xiaoping 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAimsTo evaluate the prevalence, associated risk factors and the impact on health related quality of life (HRQoL) of overactive bladder (OAB) among men and women aged ≥18 years in China, using the 2002 International Continence Society (ICS) definition.MethodsThe population‐based, cross‐sectional field survey was conducted between June 2009 and February 2010 in China using questionnaires regarding demographics, the prevalence and the HRQoL. A stratified random sample of men and women aged ≥18 years residing in China who were representative of the general populations was selected for demographic questionnaires first. The individuals meeting the diagnostic criteria of OAB (urgency occurring once a week or more) were further interviewed through King's health questionnaire (KHQ) to estimate the impact of OAB on HRQoL. Data were stratified by city, age cohort, and gender.ResultsA total of 21,513 individuals were contacted to participate in the survey, and 14,844 individuals (7,614 men, 7,230 women) with complete data were included in this study. The prevalence of OAB was 6.0%, OABdry 4.2%, and OABwet 1.8%. The prevalence varied slightly among six geographical regions of China. Nocturia was the most common OAB symptom besides urgency. Advanced age, higher BMI, lower education level, manual worker, alcohol consumption, and married were associated risk factors for OAB in men. Advanced age, lower education level, manual worker, alcohol consumption, married, menopause, more parities and vaginal delivery were potential risk factors for OAB in women. The symptoms of OAB had a detrimental effect on HRQoL, especially on Coping Measures, Sleep/Energy, General Health Perceptions, and Severity of Urinary Problems.ConclusionsThe prevalence of OAB in China is lower than that of most previous reports. Many known risk factors are associated with OAB. The symptoms of OAB have a detrimental effect on HRQoL. Efforts need to be made to improve public and professional education about the problems of OAB and decrease the unnecessary burden of this condition. Neurourol. Urodynam. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30: 1448–1455, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Short‐term effects of systematized behavioral modification program for nocturia: A prospective study
Authors: Cho Sung Yong , Lee Sang Lim , Kim In Sung , Koo Dong Hun , Kim Hyeon‐jun , Oh Seung‐June 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAimsThis study is to investigate whether a repetitive education program for behavioral modification is necessary for the patients with nocturnal polyuria (NPU).Materials and MethodsA prospective single‐arm study was carried out and 82 patients with NPU were analyzed. We developed a 30‐min systematized behavioral modification program (SBMP), which consisted of (1) watching videos about normal physiology of storing and emptying function of urine, (2) regulation of fluid intake, (3) explanation by giving specific examples, and (4) discussion with a specialized nurse practitioner. Patients received reinforcement SBMP if they still had NPU after the first SBMP.ResultsMean age was 66 ± 8.3 years. Sixty‐three males (77%) and 19 females (23%) were included. The results of all questionnaires showed significant improvement of nocturia after the first SBMP. Nocturnal voids, quality of life scores, nocturia index, and nocturnal bladder capacity index were significantly improved and the decrease of nocturnal urine volume was borderline significant. No additional significant improvement was demonstrated after the second SBMP. Overall, 62 patients (78.5%) were satisfied with the first SBMP and 6 patients (7.6%) became satisfied after reinforcement SBMP. Eleven patients (13.9%) were eventually dissatisfied with SBMP.ConclusionsA single SBMP was sufficient for treating most of the patients with NPU and reinforcement SBMP was effective in some patients. Moving from two to one rises at night may significantly reduce bother and this may explain quality of life improvements rather than any decrease in amount voided. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:64–68, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stroke with transfusions changing to hydroxyurea (SWiTCH): A phase III randomized clinical trial for treatment of children with sickle cell anemia, stroke, and iron overload
Authors: Ware Russell E. , Schultz William H. , Yovetich Nancy , Mortier Nicole A. , Alvarez Ofelia , Hilliard Lee , Iyer Rathi V. , Miller Scott T. , Rogers Zora R. , Scott J. Paul , Waclawiw Myron , Helms Ronald W. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackgroundStroke occurs in 5–10% of children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) and has a high (>50%) risk of recurrence without therapy. Chronic monthly erythrocyte transfusions effectively prevent recurrent stroke, but their long‐term use is limited by serious side effects, including iron overload. An alternative to transfusion for secondary stroke prevention in SCA is needed, especially one that also improves the management of iron overload.MethodsStroke With Transfusions Changing to Hydroxyurea (SWiTCH) is an NHLBI‐sponsored Phase III multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial for children with SCA, stroke, and iron overload (NCT00122980). The primary goal of SWiTCH is to compare 30 months of alternative therapy (hydroxyurea and phlebotomy) with standard therapy (transfusions and chelation) for the prevention of secondary stroke and reduction of transfusional iron overload.DiscussionSWiTCH has several distinctive study features including novel methodological and design components: (1) composite primary endpoint including both stroke recurrence rate and iron burden; (2) non‐inferiority design with an “acceptable” increased stroke risk; (3) transfusion goals based on current academic community practices; (4) special oversight for the enrollment and randomization process; (5) overlap treatment period within the alternative treatment arm; (6) masking of the overall trial Principal Investigator to treatment results; (7) inclusive independent stroke adjudication process for all suspected new neurological events; and (8) periodic therapeutic phlebotomy program to alleviate iron overload.ConclusionInvestigation of alternative treatments in SWiTCH could lead to changes in the management of cerebrovascular disease for selected patients with SCA, stroke, and iron overload. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 1011–1017. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does surgery have a role in the treatment of local relapses of non‐metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma?
Authors: De Corti Federica , Bisogno Gianni , Dall'Igna Patrizia , Ferrari Andrea , Buffa Piero , De Paoli Angela , Cecchetto Giovanni 
Published: August 2011

AbstractPurposePatients with non‐metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) have a cure rate of 50–90%, but up to one‐third of them experience mostly a local recurrence. Second‐line treatment is not standardized as for newly diagnosed tumors. We evaluated the role of surgery on local relapses in a series of patients with RMS.MethodsThis retrospective analysis involves 70 patients enrolled in two consecutives Italian Studies, RMS88 and RMS96, who presented local recurrence. After relapse, 40/70 underwent a surgical excision (Surgery Group, SG), that was demolitive in 10/40; 24/40 had radiotherapy, 16/40 did not receive radiotherapy or data are not known. Thirty patients out of 70 did not receive any surgical treatment (No‐Surgery Group, NSG), and 20/30 received radiotherapy.ResultsOverall survival (OS) after local relapse was 41.6% (mean follow‐up 59 months, range 1–226). OS of SG patients was 54% versus 24.7% of the NSG patients (P = 0.0117). Furthermore, OS among the SG was 61.4% with and 41.8% without radiotherapy, and 37.1% with and 0% without radiotherapy among the NSG (P < 0.0001). One patient developed a second local relapse after excision without radiotherapy for the first one, and was cured with further treatment. Demolitive surgery did not improve survival compared to conservative surgery (40% vs. 58.4%, P = 0.1462).ConclusionThe treatment of recurrent RMS represents a challenge. In our experience, patients with local relapse had a poor prognosis. SG patients had a better outcome than NSG patients and those treated with resection plus radiotherapy had the best outcome; patients who did not receive any local treatment had an unfavorable outcome. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 1261–1265. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of PET‐CT on involved field radiotherapy design for pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Paulino Arnold C. , Margolin Judith , Dreyer ZoAnn , Teh Bin S. , Chiang Stephen 
Published: August 2011

AbstractPurposeTo determine how the incorporation of PET‐CT changes radiotherapy treatment in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma.ProcedureFifty‐three Hodgkin lymphoma patients with a median age of 14 years (6–21 years) underwent multiagent chemotherapy followed by involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) to initial sites of disease. All patients had conventional staging which included CT scan of the neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis, bone marrow biopsy ± MRI, Gallium scan and bone scan. All had an initial 18‐F‐fluoro‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (FDG) PET‐CT. When there was discordance between conventional staging and PET‐CT staging, true sites of disease were determined either by biopsy or response to multiagent chemotherapy.ResultsIn 19 of 53 (35.8%) patients, there was discordance between conventional staging and PET‐CT findings. The most common location for the 23 sites of discordance were the spleen in 6 (26.1%), neck in 3 (13%), inguinal nodes in 3 (13%) and mediastinum in 3 (13%). A change in stage occurred in 5 (9.4%) as a result of PET‐CT imaging. A change in IFRT fields occurred in 9 (17%); eight were more extensive while one was less extensive. For PET‐CT, the specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value and accuracy were 99.5%, 96.3%, 97.9%, and 98.9%.ConclusionIncorporation of PET‐CT information was found to influence IFRT design in 17% of patients, with most having more extensive radiotherapy fields. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 860–864. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polymer–cement composite based on recycled expanded polystyrene foam waste
Authors: Eskander S.B. , Tawfik M.E. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractA new polymer–cement composite based on a recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) resin has been developed as an effective method for EPS foam wastes management. The liquefied polymer is prepared by dissolving the foam waste in acetone, then in toluene at the ratio 113:2:1 per volume, respectively. The composite is made by incorporating the resulting resin into cement‐paste at selected water:cement ratios. At the end of defined curing periods, the physical, mechanical, and thermal characterizations of the obtained composite were evaluated under variable factors e.g., Acetone: toluene ratio, water:cement ratio (w/c), curing periods. Compressive strength, apparent porosity, bulk density, and specific gravity were determined for the composite under the various stated conditions. FT‐IR, XRD, thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were performed for the hard blocks to study the effect of the added recycled EPS resin on the microstructure of the end products. Based on the data so far obtained it can be concluded that the candidate dissolution process of EPS foam wastes is an easily environmental friendly technique that allows afterward using the resultant resin for producing an added value, low cost, promising market competitive, and multipurpose light weight cement composite. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers