bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulation weather types and wildland forest fires in the western Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Rivas Soriano Luis , Tomás Clemente , de Pablo Fernando , García Eulogio 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe use of six indices associated with geostrophic wind and vorticity has allowed a classification of circulation weather types to be determined. This classification was employed to study the impact of low‐level circulations at low levels on the daily number of forest fires over the western Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and the Spanish region of Galicia). It was found that easterly circulations [east (E), northeast (NE), and hybrid anticyclonic northeast (HANE)] were associated with an increase in the number of forest fires in the domain studied. The number of forest fires per day was 549, 357, and 309 for the E, NE, and HANE, respectively, whereas the average value was 299 fires per day. It was seen that this effect is the result of the low‐level heating and drying caused by easterly circulations. The possible impact of easterly circulations on the low‐level wind was also analysed, although in this case the results were not clear. The indices used to classify the circulation weather types were also employed to develop a statistical model for the daily number of forest fires. Stepwise multiple regression showed that only two indices are necessary (correlation coefficient 0.5, significant at the 0.01% level): the western component of geostrophic wind and geostrophic wind intensity. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Water vapour over the western maritime Arctic: surface inversions, intrusions and total column
Authors: Raddatz R. L. , Galley R. J. , Candlish L. M. , Asplin M. G. , Barber D. G. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA composite year of hourly microwave radiometric water vapour (WV) density profiles from November 2007 to July 2008 and August to November 2009 over the unconsolidated sea‐ice surface of the southeastern Beaufort Sea–Amundsen Gulf region was analysed. The annual cycle of monthly median total column precipitable water (PW) ranged from 1.4 mm in January to 16.8 mm in August. For all months, greater than 92% of the PW was below 5000 m. Peak PW in WV intrusions ranged from 3.4 mm in November to 37.3 mm in August. An L‐shaped relationship was found between the monthly percentages of PW in near surface WV inversions and the median total column PW. This suggested that WV inversions have a greater impact on atmospheric downwelling longwave radiation, and in turn on the climate of the western maritime Arctic, in the winter early spring and late autumn when the median PW is low than in warmer months when it is relatively high. This result, consistent with the results of others, was supported by an analysis of hourly profiles for January (low PW month), and July (high PW month); 89% of the variability in the percentage of PW in near surface inversions was explained by the height of the top of the highest inversion which was generally much higher in the January than in July. In addition, near surface WV inversions occurred more frequently in the lower PW month than in the higher PW month. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Heavy rainfall occurrences in northeast India
Authors: Mahanta Rahul , Sarma Debojit , Choudhury Amit 
Published: May 2012

AbstractIn operational meteorology, forecasting heavy rainfall (HRF) events has been a long‐standing challenge in India. This is especially true in certain regions where the physical geography lends itself to the creation of such HRF events. Northeast India (NEI) is one such region within the Asian monsoon zone, which receive very HRF during the pre‐monsoon and summer monsoon season and the summer–autumn transition month of October. These events cause flooding, damage crops and bring life to standstill. In the present work, the characteristics of HRF events in NEI are studied. The seasonal and spatial variations of HRF occurrences are analysed using 31 year (1971–2001) of daily rainfall data from 15 rainfall stations. Using the daily data obtained from the Indian Meteorological Department, the most favorable locations were found for the stations between 27.5°N and 28.1°N. The most favorable time of occurrence of these events are between 10 June and 5 August. July records the largest number of HRF events followed by June and August. The aggregate of extreme rain events over the region has a significant decreasing trend over the region. Before the monsoon sets in, there is considerable thunderstorm (TS) activity in this region in the month of April and May that are also the cause of HRF events. While many of these HRF events occur associated with the pre‐monsoon Nor'westers (tornadoes), some severe TSs may occur during the monsoon season. So, we present a climatology of severe TS days. Also we present the annual and seasonal variation of convective available potential energy (CAPE) and convective inhibition energy (CINE) at Guwahati as the index of the thermal instability. Between 1973 and 2001, CAPE shows a decreasing trend whereas CINE shows an increasing trend which seems reasonable due to the HRF events' decreasing trend. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Significance of palliative gastrectomy for late‐stage gastric cancer patients
Authors: Chen Shi , Li Yuan‐Fang , Feng Xing‐Yu , Zhou Zhi‐Wei , Yuan Xiu‐Hong , Chen Ying‐Bo 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the significance of palliative gastrectomy for different types of metastatic gastric cancer patients displaying peritoneal dissemination, hepatic metastasis, distant lymph node metastasis occurring locally during late‐stage disease, and multi‐organ metastases.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of 862 patients who were histologically diagnosed as late‐stage gastric cancer who could not undergo radical surgery at the Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center between January 1993 and December 2008. The follow‐up lasted until December 2010. Chi‐square tests and Kaplan–Meier methods were employed to compare the adverse events and prognoses.ResultsIn the peritoneal dissemination and multi‐organ metastases groups, palliative gastrectomy has no survival benefit (P = 0.705, 0.331, respectively). In the patients with distant lymph‐node metastases, liver metastasis and locally late‐stage gastric cancer patients, palliative gastrectomy was a prognostic factor (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.010, respectively). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that palliative gastrectomy was an independent prognostic factor for distant lymph‐node metastases, liver metastasis, and local late‐stage gastric cancer patients. Palliative gastrectomy combined with hepatectomy proved to be an independent prognostic factor to improve the overall survival of patients with liver metastases who underwent palliative gastrectomy (P = 0.008).ConclusionFor late‐stage gastric cancer patients, palliative gastrectomy should be considered for locally late‐stage, distant lymph node metastasis, and resectable liver metastasis patients. Especially among patients with liver metastasis, transfer medicine is essential for potentially curable patients to obtain access to radical surgery to improve the prognosis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:862–871. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Using a delphi process to develop an effective train‐the‐trainers program to train health and social care professionals throughout Europe
Authors: Pearce Jennifer , Jones Caryl , Morrison Sinead , Olff Miranda , van Buschbach Susanne , Witteveen Anke B. , Williams Richard , Orengo‐García Francisco , Ajdukovic Dean , Aker A. Tamer , Nordanger Dag , Lueger‐Schuster Brigitte , Bisson Jonathan I. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractResearch has shown that developing a Train‐the‐Trainers (TTT) program is important if agencies are to implement guidelines, but the most effective way to deliver a TTT program remains unanswered. This article presents data from a 3‐round Internet‐based Delphi process, which was used to help develop consensus‐based guidelines for a TTT programme to deliver to health and social care professionals throughout Europe a curriculum on traumatic stress. In Round 1, 74 experts rated the importance of statements relating to the TTT field and then reassessed their scores in the light of others' responses in subsequent rounds. Forty‐one (67%) of 61 statements achieved consensus (defined as having a mean score >7 or < 3 on the 0–9 rating scales used and 70% of participants scoring 7 and above or 3 and below) for inclusion. Key TTT components included interactive and practical presentations, delivery to groups of 7–12 people over 2 days, external and local expert facilitation, course manuals, refresher courses, and supervision. The Delphi process allowed a consensus to be achieved in an area in which there are limitations in the current evidence.
Fulminant epstein‐barr virus‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Bohne Silvia , Kentouche Karim , Petersen Iver , Fritzenwanger Michael , Pletz Mathias W. , Lehmberg Kai , La Rosée Paul , Guntinas‐Lichius Orlando 
Published: May 2012

AbstractHemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare, severe, and often fatal disorder. Its hereditary and sporadic form can present as a significant diagnostic challenge to the otolaryngologist. This report describes two fatal cases of adult patients with HLH initially presented as infectious mononucleosis to an otorhinolaryngologist. The clinical presentation, serological and histological features, and management are discussed.
Release Profiles of Tricalcium Phosphate Nanoparticles from Poly(L‐lactic acid) Electrospun Scaffolds with Single Component, Core–Sheath, or Porous Fiber Morphologies: Effects on hASC Viability and Osteogenic Differentiation
Authors: Asli Mahsa Mohiti , Pourdeyhimi Behnam , Loboa Elizabeth G. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractFunctional PLA scaffolds are created with single component, core–sheath, or porous fiber morphology and doped with TCP nanoparticles to study the release profiles for use in bone tissue engineering applications. Pharmacokinetic analyses are performed for the three different nanofibrous structures after doping with TCP. Results indicate that single component and porous fiber scaffolds exhibit an initial‐burst release profile whereas core–sheath fibers show a steady release. All scaffolds are then seeded with human adipose‐derived stem cells (hASC), which remain viable and continue proliferation on all nanofibrous morphologies for up to 21 d. Osteogenic differentiation of hASC and cell‐mediated calcium accretion are largest on porous fibers. magnified image
Enzymatic Mineralization of Hydrogels for Bone Tissue Engineering by Incorporation of Alkaline Phosphatase
Authors: Douglas Timothy E. L. , Messersmith Philip B. , Chasan Safak , Mikos Antonios G. , de Mulder Eric L. W. , Dickson Glenn , Schaubroeck David , Balcaen Lieve , Vanhaecke Frank , Dubruel Peter , Jansen John A. , Leeuwenburgh Sander C. G. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAlkaline phosphatase (ALP), an enzyme involved in mineralization of bone, is incorporated into three hydrogel biomaterials to induce their mineralization with calcium phosphate (CaP). These are collagen type I, a mussel‐protein‐inspired adhesive consisting of PEG substituted with catechol groups, cPEG, and the PEG/fumaric acid copolymer OPF. After incubation in Ca‐GP solution, FTIR, EDS, SEM, XRD, SAED, ICP‐OES, and von Kossa staining confirm CaP formation. The amount of mineral formed decreases in the order cPEG > collagen > OPF. The mineral:polymer ratio decreases in the order collagen > cPEG > OPF. Mineralization increases Young's modulus, most profoundly for cPEG. Such enzymatically mineralized hydrogel/CaP composites may find application as bone regeneration materials. magnified image
Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Negative‐CTE ZrW2O8 Nanoparticles for Electrical Applications
Authors: Badrinarayanan Prashanth , Rogalski Mark , Wu Hongchao , Wang Xiaofeng , Yu Wonjong , Kessler Michael R. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe potential for incorporating negative‐CTE zirconium tungstate (ZrW2O8) nanoparticles in an epoxy matrix with the aim of developing epoxy/ZrW2O8 nanocomposites with tailored CTE values for electrical applications is investigated. The ZrW2O8/epoxy nanocomposites are prepared through incorporation of up to 20 vol% unfunctionalized nanoparticles or silane‐functionalized nanoparticles containing either epoxy or amine end groups. Improvements in thermomechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of the epoxy matrix are achived with no detrimental effect on the dielectric strength, which suggests that these nanocomposites could be viable candidates for a wide range of electrical applications. magnified image
Biomimetic Modification of Polymeric Surfaces: A Promising Pathway for Tuning of Wetting and Adhesion
Authors: Shahsavan Hamed , Arunbabu Dhamodaran , Zhao Boxin 
Published: May 2012

AbstractProgress in using biomimetic micropatterning of surfaces for tuning of wetting and adhesion properties of polymeric materials is reported. Surface patterning with low aspect ratios and low surface energy leads to superhydrophobicity and low adhesion while surface patterning with high aspect ratios leads to high adhesion. The condition of high aspect ratio and/or high number density creates the risk of fibril bundling owing to the adhesion between fibrils. A thin film‐terminated structure can help overcome this problem and increase adhesion. In contrast to the spatular contacts, the conformal adhesion at interface can be enhanced significantly by creating micropatterns; the enhancement monotonically increases with the aspect ratios, where the side‐wall friction plays an important role. magnified image
Annatto prevents retinal degeneration induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Tsuruma Kazuhiro , Shimazaki Hiroki , Nakashima Ken‐ichi , Yamauchi Mika , Sugitani Sou , Shimazawa Masamitsu , Iinuma Munekazu , Hara Hideaki 
Published: May 2012

ScopeAnnatto (Bixa orellana) seeds have been used as a colorant in butter and in a variety of other foods. In this study, we investigated the amelioration of retinal damage by an acetone extract of annatto (A‐ext.), bixin (a main component of annatto), and four bixin derivatives (Bx‐1, Bx‐2, Bx‐3, and Bx‐4) that we have synthesized.Methods and resultsWe used cultured retinal ganglion cells (RGC‐5) to examine in vitro effects of A‐ext. on stress pathways, focusing on intracellular oxidation induced by reactive oxygen species, expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress‐related proteins, caspase‐3 activation, and cell membrane damage. In vivo retinal damage in mice following intravitreous injection of tunicamycin was evaluated by counting the cell numbers in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and measuring the thickness of outer nuclear layer (ONL). A‐ext., bixin, and Bx‐1 treatment inhibited both tunicamycin‐ and H2O2‐induced cell death. Bixin derivatives also inhibited tunicamycin‐induced cell death. Treatment with A‐ext., bixin, and Bx‐1 reduced tunicamycin‐induced caspase‐3 activity and inhibited the inversion of phosphatidylserine, an early apoptotic event without antioxidant effect or reduction of ER stress itself. A‐ext., bixin, and Bx‐1 significantly inhibited the tunicamycin‐induced loss of cells from the GCL, and these materials also suppressed the tunicamycin‐induced thinning of ONL.ConclusionA‐ext., its main component bixin, and bixin derivatives may therefore be useful for preventive and therapeutic treatment of retinal‐related diseases.
Lycopene attenuates LPS‐induced TNF‐α secretion in macrophages and inflammatory markers in adipocytes exposed to macrophage‐conditioned media
Authors: Marcotorchino Julie , Romier Beatrice , Gouranton Erwan , Riollet Celine , Gleize Beatrice , Malezet‐Desmoulins Christiane , Landrier Jean‐François 
Published: May 2012

ScopeAdipose tissue is infiltrated by an increasing number of macrophages during the development of obesity. These immune cells are suspected to be a major source of TNF‐α that interferes with adipocyte function. Because lycopene possesses anti‐inflammatory properties, we hypothesize that lycopene could reduce the production of TNF‐α by macrophages and thus interfere in the cross‐talk between macrophages and adipocytes.Methods and resultsWe demonstrated that physiological concentrations of lycopene were able to attenuate the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐mediated induction of TNF‐α in RAW 264.7 macrophages, at both the mRNA and protein levels. The molecular mechanism was studied. It appeared that the LPS‐activation of both JNK and NF‐κB signaling pathways was modulated by lycopene. The anti‐inflammatory effects of lycopene on macrophages were accompanied by a decrease in LPS‐stimulated macrophage migration in the presence of lycopene. Furthermore, lycopene decreased macrophage conditioned medium‐induced proinflammatory cytokine, acute phase protein, and chemokine mRNA expression in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes.ConclusionThese data indicate that lycopene displayed an anti‐inflammatory effect on macrophages that beneficially impacted adipocyte function. Thus, these results suggest that lycopene could block the vicious cycle that occurs between adipocytes and macrophages in adipose tissue during obesity.
Consumption of a grape extract supplement containing resveratrol decreases oxidized LDL and ApoB in patients undergoing primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: A triple‐blind, 6‐month follow‐up, placebo‐controlled, randomized trial
Authors: Tomé‐Carneiro Joao , Gonzálvez Manuel , Larrosa Mar , García‐Almagro Francisco J. , Avilés‐Plaza Francisco , Parra Soledad , Yáñez‐Gascón María J. , Ruiz‐Ros José A. , García‐Conesa María T. , Tomás‐Barberán Francisco A. , Espín Juan Carlos 
Published: May 2012

ScopeThe cardioprotective role of resveratrol as part of the human diet is not yet clear. Our aim was to investigate the effect of a grape supplement containing 8 mg resveratrol in oxidized LDL (LDLox), apolipoprotein‐B (ApoB), and serum lipids on statin‐treated patients in primary cardiovascular disease prevention (PCP).Methods and resultsA triple‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial was conducted. Seventy‐five patients (three parallel arms) consumed one capsule (350 mg) daily for 6 months containing resveratrol‐enriched grape extract (GE‐RES, Stilvid®), grape extract (GE, similar polyphenolic content but no resveratrol), or placebo (maltodextrin). After 6 months, no changes were observed in the placebo group and only LDL cholesterol (LDLc) decreased by 2.9% (p = 0.013) in the GE group. In contrast, LDLc (−4.5%, p = 0.04), ApoB (−9.8%, p = 0.014), LDLox (−20%, p = 0.001), and LDLox/ApoB (−12.5%, p = 0.000) decreased in the Stilvid® group, whereas the ratio non‐HDLc (total atherogenic cholesterol load)/ApoB increased (8.5%, p = 0.046). No changes were observed in hepatic, thyroid, and renal function. No adverse effects were observed in any of the patients.ConclusionThis GE‐RES reduced atherogenic markers and might exert additional cardioprotection beyond the gold‐standard medication in patients from PCP. The presence of resveratrol in the GE was necessary to achieve these effects.
Leucine induces myofibrillar protein accretion in cultured skeletal muscle through mTOR dependent and ‐independent control of myosin heavy chain mRNA levels
Authors: Haegens Astrid , Schols Annemie M. , van Essen Anon L. , van Loon Luc J. , Langen Ramon C. 
Published: May 2012

ScopeNutritional intervention during muscle wasting aims to attenuate net muscle protein loss. Branched chain amino acids, especially leucine, are able to stimulate the anabolic mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling cascade and protein synthesis. It has been suggested that muscle myofibrillar protein expression is more responsive to amino acid supplementation compared to cytoplasmic proteins, although accretion of myofibrillar proteins has not extensively been investigated. We hypothesized that leucine specifically increases myofibrillar protein synthesis in skeletal muscle.Methods and resultsThis hypothesis was investigated in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells using physiologically relevant culture conditions. Leucine supplementation specifically increased myofibrillar protein accretion, including myosin heavy chain‐slow and ‐fast and myosin light chain 1 and ‐3 in C2C12 cells. Neither total protein content, nor de novo protein synthesis was affected, despite leucine‐induced increased 4E‐BP1 and S6K1 phosphorylation. Leucine supplementation did not affect myogenesis, measured by creatine kinase activity and myoblast fusion, either. Remarkably, leucine‐induced increased myofibrillar protein accretion was accompanied by elevated MyHC mRNA levels, which involved mTOR‐dependent and ‐independent regulation of MyHC‐4 and MyHC‐7 gene‐expression, respectively.ConclusionThis study clearly demonstrates myofibrillar and not generic protein accretion in skeletal muscle following leucine supplementation, and suggests this involves pre‐translational control of MyHC expression by leucine.
β‐Glucans are involved in immune‐modulation of THP‐1 macrophages
Authors: Chanput Wasaporn , Reitsma Marit , Kleinjans Lennart , Mes Jurriaan J. , Savelkoul Huub F. J. , Wichers Harry J. 
Published: May 2012

ScopeWe aimed to examine different immunological aspects of β‐glucans derived from different food sources (oat, barley and shiitake) on phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)‐differentiated THP‐1 macrophages. Commercially purified barley β‐glucan (commercial BG) and lentinan were included to compare β‐glucans from the same origin but different degree of purity and processing.Methods and resultsChemical composition and molecular weight distribution of β‐glucan samples were determined. Inflammation‐related gene expression kinetics (IL‐1β, IL‐8, nuclear factor kappa B [NF‐κB] and IL‐10) after 3, 6 and 24 h of stimulation with 100 μg/mL β‐glucan were investigated. All tested β‐glucans mildly upregulated the observed inflammation‐related genes with differential gene expression patterns. Similar gene expression kinetics, but different fold induction values, was found for the crude β‐glucan extracts and their corresponding commercial forms. Pre‐incubation of THP‐1 macrophages with β‐glucans prior to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure decreased the induction of inflammation‐related genes compared to LPS treatment. No production of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was detected in β‐glucan stimulated THP‐1 macrophages. Phagocytic activity was not different after stimulation by β‐glucan samples.ConclusionBased on these in vitro analyses, it can be concluded that the analysed β‐glucans have varying levels of immunomodulating properties, which are likely related to structure, molecular weight and compositional characteristic of β‐glucan.
Structural‐acoustic coupling on non‐conforming meshes with quadratic shape functions
Authors: Peters Herwig , Marburg Steffen , Kessissoglou Nicole 
Published: May 2012

SUMMARYFully coupled finite element/boundary element models are a popular choice when modelling structures that are submerged in heavy fluids. To achieve coupling of subdomains with non‐conforming discretizations at their common interface, the coupling conditions are usually formulated in a weak sense. The coupling matrices are evaluated by integrating products of piecewise polynomials on independent meshes. The case of interfacing elements with linear shape functions on unrelated meshes has been well covered in the literature. This paper presents a solution to the problem of evaluating the coupling matrix for interfacing elements with quadratic shape functions on unrelated meshes. The isoparametric finite elements have eight nodes (Serendipity) and the discontinuous boundary elements have nine nodes (Lagrange). Results using linear and quadratic shape functions on conforming and non‐conforming meshes are compared for an example of a fluid‐loaded point‐excited sphere. It is shown that the coupling error decreases when quadratic shape functions are used. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.