bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Warm Season Subseasonal Variability and Climate Extremes in the Northern Hemisphere: The Role of Stationary Rossby Waves
Authors: Schubert Siegfried , Wang Hailan , Suarez Max 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
This study examines the nature of boreal summer subseasonal atmospheric variability based on the new NASA Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) for the period 1979–2010. An analysis of the June, July, and August subseasonal 250-hPa meridional υ-wind anomalies shows distinct Rossby wave–like structures that appear to be guided by the mean jets. On monthly subseasonal time scales, the leading waves [the first 10 rotated empirical orthogonal functions (REOFs) of the 250-hPa υ wind] explain about 50% of the Northern Hemisphere υ-wind variability and account for more than 30% (60%) of the precipitation (surface temperature) variability over a number of regions of the northern middle and high latitudes, including the U.S. northern Great Plains, parts of Canada, Europe, and Russia. The first REOF in particular consists of a Rossby wave that extends across northern Eurasia where it is a dominant contributor to monthly surface temperature and precipitation variability and played an important role in the 2003 European and 2010 Russian heat waves. While primarily subseasonal in nature, the Rossby waves can at times have a substantial seasonal mean component. This is exemplified by REOF 4, which played a major role in the development of the most intense anomalies of the U.S. 1988 drought (during June) and the 1993 flooding (during July), though differed in the latter event by also making an important contribution to the seasonal mean anomalies. A stationary wave model (SWM) is used to reproduce some of the basic features of the observed waves and provide insight into the nature of the forcing. In particular, the responses to a set of idealized forcing functions are used to map the optimal forcing patterns of the leading waves. Also, experiments to reproduce the observed waves with the SWM using MERRA-based estimates of the forcing indicate that the wave forcing is dominated by submonthly vorticity transients.
On the Decline of Wintertime Precipitation in the Snowy Mountains of Southeastern Australia
Authors: Chubb Thomas H. , Siems Steven T. , Manton Michael J. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractData from a precipitation gauge network in the Snowy Mountains of southeastern Australia have been analyzed to produce a new climatology of wintertime precipitation and airmass history for the region in the period 1990–2009. Precipitation amounts on the western slopes and in the high elevations (>1000 m) of the Snowy Mountains region have experienced a decline in precipitation in excess of the general decline in southeastern Australia. The contrast in the decline east and west of the ranges suggests that factors influencing orographic precipitation are of particular importance. A synoptic decomposition of precipitation events has been performed, which demonstrates that about 57% of the wintertime precipitation may be attributed to storms associated with “cutoff lows” (equatorward of 45°S). A further 40% was found to be due to “embedded lows,” with the remainder due to Australian east coast lows and several other sporadically occurring events. The declining trend in wintertime precipitation over the past two decades is most clearly seen in the intensity of precipitation due to cutoff lows and coincides with a decline in the number of systems associated with a cold frontal passage. Airmass history during precipitation events was represented by back trajectories calculated from ECMWF Interim Reanalysis data, and statistics of air parcel position were related to observations of precipitation intensity. This approach gives insight into sources of moisture during wintertime storms, identifying “moisture corridors,” which are typically important for transport of water vapor from remote sources to the Snowy Mountains region. The prevalence of these moisture corridors is associated with the southern annular mode, which corresponds to fluctuations in the strength of the westerly winds in southeastern Australia.
Spatial and Temporal Sampling of Polar Regions from Two-Satellite System on Molniya Orbit
Authors: Trishchenko Alexander P. , Garand Louis 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
There has been a significant increase of interest in the building of a comprehensive Arctic observing system in recent years to properly and timely track the environmental and climate processes in this vast region. In this regard, a satellite observing system on highly elliptical orbit (HEO) with 12-h period (Molniya type) is of particular interest, because it enables continuous coverage of the entire Arctic region (58°–90°N) from a constellation of two satellites. Canada is currently proposing to operate such a constellation by 2017. Extending the pioneering study of S. Q. Kidder and T. H. Vonder Haar, this paper presents in-depth analysis of spatiotemporal sampling properties of the imagery from this system. This paper also discusses challenges and advantages of this orbit for various applications that require high temporal resolution and angular sampling.
Dynamical Sensitivity Analysis of Tropical Cyclone Steering Using an Adjoint Model
Authors: Hoover Brett T. , Morgan Michael C. 
Published: May 2011

Through the use of an adjoint model, the sensitivity of the steering of a simulated tropical cyclone (TC) to various aspects of a model forecast trajectory can be calculated. This calculation, providing a priori information about how small perturbations to the model state will impact the steering of the TC at some future time, provides a wealth of dynamical information about the importance of synoptic-scale features and associated processes to the steering of a modeled TC that is difficult or impossible to obtain by other means. Regions of strong sensitivity to cyclone steering are regions where, if errors in the model state exist, those errors would have the largest effect on TC steering at a specified time in the future. However, without a dynamical understanding of why the steering of a simulated TC is sensitive to changes in these regions, errors in the methodology of implementing an adjoint model for calculating these sensitivities may result in sensitivity gradients that do not represent sensitivity of TC steering at all, and without a strong dynamical interpretation of these sensitivities, these errors may escape notice. An adjoint model is employed for several cases of simulated TCs in the west Pacific to determine the dynamical significance of regions for which sensitivity to TC steering is found to be particularly strong. It is found that the region of subsidence upstream of a passing midlatitude trough can play a crucial role in the development of perturbations that strongly impact a recurving TC. A dynamical interpretation of this relationship is described and tested.
High prevalence of obesity in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL): implications for differentiating agents in APL and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Tedesco Jason , Qualtieri Julianne , Head David , Savani Bipin N. , Reddy Nishitha 
Published: May 2011

Background: Between January 1999 and December 2008, 469 patients treated for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were included in this single-institution study. Methods: We performed a case–control analysis to study the rate of obesity among patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and non-APL AML. Results: A total of 81% of APL patients analyzed were obese compared with 41.7% in the non-APL group ( p < 0.001). Body mass index (BMI) >30 was seen in 57% of APL patients compared with 31% for the non-APL group ( p = 0.01). Neither obesity nor the chemotherapy dosing based on ideal body weight affected survival. Conclusions: Our findings generate the hypothesis that APL and metabolic syndromes may share a common pathogenic pathway via retinoic acid receptors (RARs), the ligand-controlled transcription factors that function as heterodimers with retinoid X receptors (RXRs) to regulate cell growth and survival. If this link is confirmed in larger studies, our data will instigate further studies using RXR and RAR modulators as a preventive strategy among obese individuals.
Aciculatin inhibits lipopolysaccharide-mediated inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression via suppressing NF-κB and JNK/p38 MAPK activation pathways
Authors: Hsieh I-Ni , Chang Anita Shin-Yuan , Teng Che-Ming , Chen Chien-Chih , Yang Chia-Ron 
Published: May 2011

AbstractObjectivesNatural products have played a significant role in drug discovery and development. Inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) have been suggested to connect with various inflammatory diseases. In this study, we explored the anti-inflammatory potential of aciculatin (8-((2R,4S,5S,6R)-tetrahydro-4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-yl)-5-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one), one of main components ofChrysopogon aciculatis, by examining its effects on the expression and activity of iNOS and COX-2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages.MethodsWe used nitrate and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) assays to examine inhibitory effect of aciculatin on nitric oxide (NO) and PGE2levels in LPS-activated mouse RAW264.7 macrophages and further investigated the mechanisms of aciculatin suppressed LPS-mediated iNOS/COX-2 expression by western blot, RT-PCR, reporter gene assay and confocal microscope analysis.ResultsAciculatin remarkably decreased the LPS (1 μg/mL)-induced mRNA and protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 as well as their downstream products, NO and PGE2respectively, in a concentration-dependent manner (1-10 μM). Such inhibition was found, via immunoblot analyses, reporter gene assays, and confocal microscope observations that aciculatin not only acts through significant suppression of LPS-induced NF-κB activation, an effect highly correlated with its inhibitory effect on LPS-induced IκB kinase (IKK) activation, IκB degradation, NF-κB phosphorylation, nuclear translocation and binding of NF-κB to the κB motif of the iNOS and COX-2 promoters, but also suppressed phosphorylation of JNK/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs).ConclusionOur results demonstrated that aciculatin exerts potent anti-inflammatory activity through its dual inhibitory effects on iNOS and COX-2 by regulating NF-κB and JNK/p38 MAPK pathways.
GDF-15 is abundantly expressed in plexiform lesions in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and affects proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary endothelial cells
Authors: Nickel Nils , Jonigk Danny , Kempf Tibor , Bockmeyer Clemens L , Maegel Lavinia , Rische Johanna , Laenger Florian , Lehmann Ulrich , Sauer Clemens , Greer Mark , Welte Tobias , Hoeper Marius M , Golpon Heiko A 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Background
Growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress-responsive, transforming growth factor-β-related cytokine, which has recently been reported to be elevated in serum of patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). The aim of the study was to examine the expression and biological roles of GDF-15 in the lung of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Methods
GDF-15 expression in normal lungs and lung specimens of PAH patients were studied by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Using laser-assisted micro-dissection, GDF-15 expression was further analyzed within vascular compartments of PAH lungs. To elucidate the role of GDF-15 on endothelial cells, human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMEC) were exposed to hypoxia and laminar shear stress. The effects of GDF-15 on the proliferation and cell death of HPMEC were studied using recombinant GDF-15 protein.

Results
GDF-15 expression was found to be increased in lung specimens from PAH patients, com-pared to normal lungs. GDF-15 was abundantly expressed in pulmonary vascular endothelial cells with a strong signal in the core of plexiform lesions. HPMEC responded with marked upregulation of GDF-15 to hypoxia and laminar shear stress. Apoptotic cell death of HPMEC was diminished, whereas HPMEC proliferation was either increased or decreased depending of the concentration of recombinant GDF-15 protein.

Conclusions
GDF-15 expression is increased in PAH lungs and appears predominantly located in vascular endothelial cells. The expression pattern as well as the observed effects on proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary endothelial cells suggest a role of GDF-15 in the homeostasis of endothelial cells in PAH patients.
Reproducibility in research
Authors: Siegel Vivian 
Published: May 2011

Summary
Progress in biomedical research depends in part on being able to build on the findings of other researchers – and thereby on being able to apply others’ methods to your own research. However, most of us have struggled to understand how to repeat or adapt another researcher’s study because of minimal or missing details in the Methods section of a published paper. In expensive and complex experiments involving animal models, clear descriptions of the methods are particularly important. In this and the accompanying Editorial in this issue, we discuss how crucial the Methods section is to the integrity and utility of a biomedical research paper, and encourage researchers working with animal models to follow the recently released ARRIVE guidelines when preparing their studies for publication.
2,2′-Diamino-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl as an Efficient Ligand in the CuI-Catalyzed Sonogashira Reaction of Aryl Iodides and Bromides with Terminal Alkynes
Authors: Wang Bin-Bin , Ye Yue-Mei , Chen Jun-Jun , Zhou Xia-Xia , Lu Jian-Mei , Shao Li-Xiong 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
2,2′-Diamino-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl (L1) was found to be a good ligand in the CuI-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reaction of various aryl iodides and bromides with terminal alkynes. Under suitable conditions, all reactions gave the desired coupling products in moderate to excellent yields.
Kinetics of the Reactions of Ozone with 2,5-Dimethylfuran and Its Atmospheric Implications
Authors: Matsumoto Jun 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
To determine the reaction rate coefficient of volatile organic compounds with ozone, the reduction of ozone through a flow-tube reactor was measured by a chemiluminescent detector. The validity of the method was confirmed by examination on isoprene. Consequently, the reaction rate coefficient of 2,5-dimethylfuran, DMF, with ozone was determined as (4.2 ± 0.9) × 10−16 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 for the first time. It was suggested that ozonolysis can be important for the fate of DMF in the atmosphere.
Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for metastatic germ cell tumours
Authors: Haldipur N , Devaraj S , Shehata A , Lewis AK , Smith MO , Hatton M , Nassef A , Beard JD 
Published: May 2011

INTRODUCTION In the North Trent Cancer Network (NTCN) patients requiring retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for metastatic testicular cancer have been treated by vascular service since 1990. This paper reviews our experience and considers the case for involvement of vascular surgeons in the management of these tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients referred by the NTCN to the vascular service for retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy between 1990 and 2009 were identified through a germ cell database. Data were supplemented by a review of case notes to record histology, intraoperative and postoperative details. RESULTS A total of 64 patients were referred to the vascular service for retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, with a median age of 29 years (16–63 years) and a median follow-up of 4.9 years. Ten patients died: eight from tumour recurrence, one from septicaemia during chemotherapy and one by suicide. Of the 54 who survived, 7 were alive with residual masses and 47 patients were disease-free at the last follow-up. Sixteen patients required vascular procedures: four had aortic repair (fascia), three had aortic replacement (spiral graft), four had inferior vena cava resection, two had iliac artery replacement and two had iliac vein resection. CONCLUSIONS Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection often involves mobilisation and/or the resection/replacement of major vessels. We recommend that a vascular surgeon should be a part of testicular germ cell multidisciplinary team.
The Effect of Observation on Cranial Computed Tomography Utilization for Children After Blunt Head Trauma
Authors: Nigrovic Lise E. , Schunk Jeff E. , Foerster Adele , Cooper Arthur , Miskin Michelle , Atabaki Shireen M. , Hoyle John , Dayan Peter S. , Holmes James F. , Kuppermann Nathan ,   the Traumatic Brain Injury Group for the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE:
Children with minor blunt head trauma often are observed in the emergency department before a decision is made regarding computed tomography use. We studied the impact of this clinical strategy on computed tomography use and outcomes.

METHODS:
We performed a subanalysis of a prospective multicenter observational study of children with minor blunt head trauma. Clinicians completed case report forms indicating whether the child was observed before making a decision regarding computed tomography. We defined clinically important traumatic brain injury as an intracranial injury resulting in death, neurosurgical intervention, intubation for longer than 24 hours, or hospital admission for 2 nights or longer. To compare computed tomography rates between children observed and those not observed before a decision was made regarding computed tomography use, we used a generalized estimating equation model to control for hospital clustering and patient characteristics.

RESULTS:
Of 42 412 children enrolled in the study, clinicians noted if the patient was observed before making a decision on computed tomography in 40 113 (95%). Of these, 5433 (14%) children were observed. The computed tomography use rate was lower in those observed than in those not observed (31.1% vs 35.0%; difference: −3.9% [95% confidence interval: −5.3 to −2.6]), but the rate of clinically important traumatic brain injury was similar (0.75% vs 0.87%; difference: −0.1% [95% confidence interval: −0.4 to 0.1]). After adjustment for hospital and patient characteristics, the difference in the computed tomography use rate remained significant (adjusted odds ratio for obtaining a computed tomography in the observed group: 0.53 [95% confidence interval: 0.43–0.66]).

CONCLUSIONS:
Clinical observation was associated with reduced computed tomography use among children with minor blunt head trauma and may be an effective strategy to reduce computed tomography use.
Characterization and Correlation of New Electrical Penetration Graph Waveforms for the Corn Leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)
Authors: Carpane Pablo , Wayadande Astri , Backus Elaine , Dolezal William , Fletcher Jacqueline 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is a vector of three maize, Zea mays L., pathogens that have become limiting factors for maize production in some areas of the Americas. Insect feeding plays an important role in vector acquisition and inoculation of pathogens and hence the disease spread. Thus, we sought to understand the different probing and stylet penetration activities performed by this insect while feeding on maize plants, with the ultimate goal of characterizing potential sources of insect resistance in maize. Using electrical penetration graph technology, six distinct waveforms were characterized and correlated with major probing activities of D. maidis via transmission of corn stunt spiroplasma and excretion of honeydew as markers. Major waveforms comprise stylet pathway (waveform 1), active ingestion in nonsieve elements (waveform 2), nonvascular probing (waveform 3), phloem contact (waveform 4, the X wave), phloem ingestion (waveform 5), and oviposition (waveform 6). Our results support most previous findings with this species, and also indicate that some waveforms (2, 4, and 5) are related to biopotentials generated during probing, as was previously found for other hemipteran species. The most important finding from this work is that D. maidis ingests from phloem sieve elements more frequently and for longer durations than seen in previous research, probably due to longer observation periods used in this study. This work provides basic information relevant to the understanding of probing behavior of D. maidis and to the characterization of potential sources of insect-resistant maize.
Comparative Behavioral and Protein Study of Salivary Secretions in Homalodisca spp. Sharpshooters (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae)
Authors: Alhaddad Hasan , Coudron Thomas A , Backus Elaine A , Schreiber Fred 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
A novel brush-induced method to physically stimulate salivation was applied to the glassy-winged and smoke tree sharpshooters (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae). This technique enabled the direct observation of salivary secretion processes, solidification of saliva, and collection of salivary secretions. For both species, brush-induced saliva was first secreted in liquid form, a portion of which gradually solidified to form the salivary sheath for both sharpshooter species. Proteins of similar molecular weight were obtained from brush-induced saliva extracts from both sharpshooters. Extracts from dried sheaths collected from Parafilm membranes over artificial diet had a different protein profile from brush-induced saliva extracts. The latter contained fewer proteins than extracts of the liquid content of salivary glands. Two proteins appeared in all three of the extracts from hemolymph, salivary glands, and brush-induced saliva, one of which also appeared in dried sheath extracts. Our findings support previous research by others that there is a limited flow of protein from hemolymph to salivary glands and brush-induced saliva. There is also some protein modification associated with saliva solidification. The quantity and composition of proteins suggest the brushinduced saliva collection method has merit for future biochemical analyses of saliva. The implications of this work could potentially include illuminating the mechanism of inoculation by the Pierce's disease bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa.
Comparative Morphology of the Immature Stages of Three Corn-Infesting Ulidiidae (Diptera)
Authors: Goyal Gaurav , Nuessly Gregg S , Steck Gary J , Capinera John L , Seal Dakshina R 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Several species of Ulidiidae (Diptera) are primary pests of maize (Zea mays L.). The ability to distinguish their immature stages would be useful for biological studies where their distributions overlap. Morphology of the immature stages was examined for three Ulidiidae that attack maíze in the southeastern United States: Chaetopsis massyla (Walker), Euxesta eluta Loew, and Euxesta stigmatias Loew. Egg, larval, and pupal characters were measured and described with the aid of light and scanning electron microscopy. Because of considerable overlap in character states, only a few traits in each stage could be used to separate these three species. C. massyla eggs had pores restricted to the posterior end, but the pores were evenly distributed in the two Euxesta species. Eggs of the two Euxesta species could not be differentiated. Larval mouth hooks of C. massyla had a distinct tooth on their ventral surface, whereas this tooth was lacking in E. eluta and E. stigmatias. Fewer oral ridges were observed on C. massyla larvae than on E. eluta or E. stigmatias. Posterior spiracular slits were apparent in E. stigmatias versus obscure in E. eluta larvae. The length and spinule arrangements on creeping welts could be used to separate E. eluta and E. stigmatias larvae. Posterior spiracular plates of C. massyla puparia were trapezoidal versus ovoid in the two Euxesta species. Puparium color varied significantly among the three species.