bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AFM functional imaging on vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Chtcheglova Lilia A. , Wildling Linda , Waschke Jens , Drenckhahn Detlev , Hinterdorfer Peter 
Published: June 2010

AbstractVascular endothelial (VE)‐cadherin is predominantly responsible for the mechanical linkage between endothelial cells, where VE‐cadherin molecules are clustered and linked through their cytoplasmic domain to the actin‐based cytoskeleton. Clustering and linkage of VE‐cadherin to actin filaments is a dynamic process and changes according to the functional state of the cells. Here nano‐mapping of VE‐cadherin was performed using simultaneous topography and recognition imaging (TREC) technique onto microvascular endothelial cells from mouse myocardium (MyEnd). The recognition maps revealed prominent ‘dark’ spots (domains or clusters) with the sizes from 10 to 250 nm. These spots arose from a decrease of oscillation amplitude during specific binding between VE‐cadherin cis‐dimers. They were assigned to characteristic structures of the topography images. After treatment with nocodazole so as to depolymerize microtubules, VE‐cadherin domains with a typical ellipsoidal form were still found to be collocalized with cytoskeletal filaments supporting the hypothesis that VE‐cadherin is linked to actin filaments. Compared to other conventional techniques such as immunochemistry or single molecule optical microscopy, TREC represents an alternative method to quickly obtain the local distribution of receptors on cell surface with an unprecedented lateral resolution of several nanometers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evolution of urban heat island in Khartoum
Authors: Elagib Nadir Ahmed 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA comparison is made between mean maximum and minimum temperatures, Tx and Tn, respectively, taken at Khartoum International Airport (urban) and Shambat Agrometeorological Station (rural) in the capital of Sudan. The objective was mainly to examine the influence of urbanization on the monthly, seasonal and annual temperature observations for the time period 1941–2005. Strong evidence exists for a decrease in the diurnal temperature range (DTR) in all seasons on the urban site due to different combinations of trends in Tn and Tx. A reverse tendency is notable on the rural site. The effect in Khartoum appears to be greatest in the hot season and least in the wet season, and is because of more warmth in Tn than in Tx. Significant increasing rates of Tn are apparent at both stations in the series of the hot and wet seasons as well as for the year, but the urban site (Khartoum) is warming at a faster rate than the rural one, except in the wet season because of excess rainfall in the urban site. Higher intra‐annual variability in temperature is pronounced for Shambat than for Khartoum, while mixed results are obtained with regard to inter‐annual variability. The night‐time temperature (Tn) experiences stronger urban effect than the daytime temperature (Tx). An urban heat island intensity (UHII) of up to 6.4 °C occurred at night in May (hot season) compared to a maximum UHII of 4.1 °C during the daytime in November (dry season). Significant trends of urban warming are conspicuous in Tn during the dry and hot seasons. On the other hand, significant trends towards urban cooling are observed in Tx in all the seasons. The results of the present study suggest that the estimated UHII in the temperature series for Khartoum must be removed before an assessment of climatic change is made. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Assessment of rainfall and potential evaporation from global climate models and its implications for Australian regional drought projection
Authors: Kirono Dewi G. C. , Kent David M. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThere is likely to be an increase in the area of the globe affected by drought under enhanced greenhouse gas conditions. Therefore water management and drought policy may need to be modified accordingly. Rainfall and potential evapotranspiration (PET) are the key factors defining meteorological drought, and the development of drought projections is facilitated by global climate model (GCM) simulations. This paper assesses how well a set of GCMs can reproduce observed characteristics of historical rainfall and PET on a regional basis and explores the implications for regional drought projections if the poorer performing GCMs are omitted. Fourteen of the GCMs used in the IPCC's 4th Assesment Report are considered and their results compared with 1951–2006 observed rainfall and PET over Australia. The results indicate that some GCMs can reproduce the observed spatial patterns of both the means and variability (represented as the coefficient of variation), but most GCMs fail to reproduce the linear long‐term trends. There is less clear difference between the better and poorer GCMs at a national level, but there is a clearer distinction at the regional level. The omission of the poorer GCMs leads to a clearer sign of the likely change (either increase or decrease) in future drought intensity in some regions. It also results in a decreased range of model‐to‐model uncertainty in some regions. It is hoped such uncertainty reduction can be useful to end users, particularly for those dealing with water management. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Global characteristics of pluvial and dry multi‐year episodes, with emphasis on megadroughts
Authors: Hunt B. G. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA multi‐millenial simulation with a coupled atmospheric–oceanic climatic model has been used to investigate the occurrence rate and characteristics of multi‐year dry and pluvial episodes. Such episodes are defined as having the same sign rainfall anomalies for the whole of their durations. Episodes of 5‐, 8‐ and 10‐year durations are shown to occur all over the globe. The occurrence rates are approximately in agreement with probabilistic expectations, although there are spatial variations associated with El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influences. The impacts of the dry and pluvial episodes are considerable, with 10‐year duration dry episodes resulting in a loss of at least one year's rainfall over the oceans and much larger losses over arid regions. Similar but positive outcomes are associated with pluvial episodes. Accumulated rainfall anomalies over various multi‐decadal periods indicate that regions with persistent features can occur, implying longer term impacts than might have been expected from a succession of dry and pluvial episodes. Time series of these episodes for individual model gridboxes highlight a disparity between the occurrence rates of dry and pluvial episodes and the lack of synchronicity of these episodes at the various gridboxes. These time series also clearly illustrate the rapid fall‐off in the occurrence rates of the episodes as their durations are increased. Despite claims in the literature that ‘megadroughts’ are typically associated with extended ENSO events, it is shown that for a very extended La Nina event the rainfall anomalies in a number of ENSO‐sensitive regions experienced interannual variability rather than a persistent anomaly. The role of a number of large‐scale oscillations in generating rainfall anomalies is examined, but it is concluded that stochastic processes are needed to account for the extended duration of dry and pluvial episodes, in addition to any forcing associated with such oscillations. This adds a random aspect to the determination of whether any given, say, ENSO event will become a dry or pluvial episode. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Representing the precipitation regime by means of Fourier series
Authors: Laguardia Giovanni 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWe propose the use of Fourier series for representing the precipitation regime in a certain location and predicting it in ungauged locations, allowing for map production. We analyse monthly average precipitation data of 2043 gauging stations covering the Italian territory. The Fourier series allows to represent a curve as a sum of different sinusoidal components characterized by their period, amplitude and phase. Being the different harmonics not correlated, it is possible to fit them with stepwise multiple linear regressions. The Fourier series allows for a parsimonious representation of the regime, being usually the 12‐ and 6‐month harmonics able to reproduce the observed values with little residuals [in this exercise the fitting gave an average monthly root mean square error (RMSE) of 9.21 mm and a correlation coefficient of 0.979]. Once the at‐station harmonics parameters are obtained, it is possible to map them for predicting the regime in ungauged locations. Here we use ordinary kriging and the leave‐one‐out validation scheme for evaluating the amplitudes and phases of the harmonics of the 12‐ and 6‐month periods and reconstructing the precipitation regime. We use the same scheme for the interpolation of the station data on a month‐by‐month basis, whose results are used as a benchmark. The analyses provide similar results, with overall RMSEs of 17.53 and 15.97 mm and correlation coefficients of 0.909 and 0.921, respectively. The spatial patterns of the reconstruction error are similar for the two cases. The stations having higher RMSE are clustered in the areas presenting high precipitation gradients, such as in the Appennines, or where major precipitation regime changes occur. For demonstrating that the Fourier series approach is more suitable for regionalization purposes, a k‐means cluster analysis on the Fourier parameters was performed and the effect of such stratification on the mapping of the precipitation regime by applying regression kriging was assessed. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
A characterisation of climate variability and trends in hydrological extremes in the Severn Uplands
Authors: Biggs Eloise M. , Atkinson Peter M. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractHydrological and climatic characteristics were investigated within the Severn Uplands to determine the interconnection between variables with a focus on understanding changes in hydrological extremes. Time series of precipitation and flows over a 30‐year period were analysed for trends in extremes. The Mann–Kendall (MK) non‐parametric test was used to detect trends at six rain gauges and five flow gauges across the catchment. Maxima, percentiles and N‐day maxima of precipitation and flow distributions were investigated to identify changes in extreme intensity, frequency and persistence, respectively. Results indicated some significant statistical trends at annual, seasonal, and monthly scales. The largest number of significant trends in extreme precipitation was identified at mountainous gauge locations where significant increases in extreme precipitation persistence were detected annually and during spring and winter. Additionally, significant increases in extreme precipitation frequency were observed annually and during autumn and winter. Trends in flow identified an increase in extreme intensity on an annual basis, as well as during winter and the month of July, and a decrease in extreme frequency at certain stations during spring. Changes in climate variables were investigated to identify causal relationships with precipitation and flow hydrological extremes. Extremes were found to coincide with certain weather types, generally characteristic of cyclonic conditions and/or orographic enhancement. These were largely correlated with strong positive and negative stages of the North Atlantic oscillation, particularly during winter. Snow cover records indicated rapid decline in the Severn Uplands and a reduction in snow indicated a link to changes in spring hydrological extremes. All changes seemed to be driven by the underlying climate variable of air temperature, which coincided with changes in observed national and global temperature records. Hydroclimatological changes indicated a possible temporal shift in the occurrence of extreme hydrological events, which was likely to have been affected by changes in catchment physical properties. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Effect of frontal plane tibiofemoral angle on the stress and strain at the knee cartilage during the stance phase of gait
Authors: Yang Nicholas H. , Nayeb‐Hashemi Hamid , Canavan Paul K. , Vaziri Ashkan 
Published: June 2010

AbstractSubject‐specific three‐dimensional finite element models of the knee joint were created and used to study the effect of the frontal plane tibiofemoral angle on the stress and strain distribution in the knee cartilage during the stance phase of the gait cycle. Knee models of three subjects with different tibiofemoral angle and body weight were created based on magnetic resonance imaging of the knee. Loading and boundary conditions were determined from motion analysis and force platform data, in conjunction with the muscle‐force reduction method. During the stance phase of walking, all subjects exhibited a valgus–varus–valgus knee moment pattern with the maximum compressive load and varus knee moment occurring at approximately 25% of the stance phase of the gait cycle. Our results demonstrated that the subject with varus alignment had the largest stresses at the medial compartment of the knee compared to the subjects with normal alignment and valgus alignment, suggesting that this subject might be most susceptible to developing medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA). In addition, the magnitude of stress and strain on the lateral cartilage of the subject with valgus alignment were found to be larger compared to subjects with normal alignment and varus alignment, suggesting that this subject might be most susceptible to developing lateral compartment knee OA. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:1539–1547, 2010
Expression of matrix metalloproteinase regulator, RECK, and its clinical significance in osteosarcoma
Authors: Xu Jianda , Wu Sujia , Shi Xin 
Published: June 2010

AbstractReversion‐inducing cysteine‐rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK), a novel membrane‐anchored matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, have been shown to be associated with prognosis and suppress tumor progression through angiogenesis inhibition in many cancers. In this study, the expression of RECK in osteosarcoma was examined, and its clinical significance was firstly evaluated. RECK expression was immunohistochemically examined in osteosarcoma from 49 patients. By summing intensity and proportion scores, these patients were categorized as weak and strong. RECK expression in the primary tumor was strong in 27 patients (55.1%) and was weak in the rest of the patients. The 5‐year survival rate of patients with RECK‐strong tumor (81.5%) was significantly higher than that of patients with RECK‐weak tumor (36.4%; p = 0.003). Reduced RECK expression significantly correlated with metastasis (p = 0.010) and recurrence (p = 0.004). A multivariate analysis confirmed that reduced RECK expression was an independent and significant factor to predict a poor prognosis (p = 0.017). RECK status is a useful prognostic factor in osteosarcoma, and an independent prognostic factor contributing to the determination of more adequate therapy strategies for each patient. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:1621–1625, 2010
Adjuvant external beam radiation for medullary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Martinez Steve R. , Beal Shannon H. , Chen Allen , Chen Steven L. , Schneider Philip D. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackgroundAdjuvant radiation is rarely used to treat medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). We hypothesized that external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) would improve overall survival (OS) in MTC patients.MethodsThe Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database identified patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and lymph nodes excision for MTC between 1988 and 2004. The Kaplan–Meier method was used for univariate comparisons of OS. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models controlled for gender, age, lymph node status, tumor size, extent of disease, and EBRT.ResultsAfter 12 years, EBRT did not significantly improve OS (log rank, P < 0.14). In node‐positive patients, univariate analysis demonstrated an OS benefit with EBRT (log rank, P < 0.05). In a multivariate model of node‐positive patients, only increasing age (P < 0.001) and tumor size (P < 0.001) significantly influenced OS.ConclusionsThe OS benefit attributed to EBRT in node‐positive patients by univariate analysis could not be duplicated when controlling for known prognostic factors. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:175–178. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A randomized trial of a reconciliation workshop with and without PTSD psychoeducation in Burundian sample
Authors: Yeomans Peter D. , Forman Evan M. , Herbert James D. , Yuen Erica 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) psychoeducation is increasingly offered in diverse cultural settings. As the literature offers theoretical arguments for why such information might be normalizing and distress‐reducing, or might risk morbid suggestion of greater vulnerability, a two‐sided hypothesis was proposed to examine the specific effect of PTSD psychoeducation. Participants of a trauma healing and reconciliation intervention in Burundi were randomized to conditions with and without PTSD psychoeducation, or to a waitlist control. Both interventions reduced symptoms more than the waitlist. Participants in the condition without psychoeducation experienced a greater reduction in PTSD symptoms relative to other conditions. Findings are discussed in relationship to intervention development for traumatic stress in nonindustrialized and culturally diverse settings.
Association between exposure to combat‐related stress and psychological health in aging men: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study
Authors: Williams Janice E. , Johnson Anna M. , Heiss Gerardo , Rose Kathryn M. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractExposure to military combat has been associated with myriad adverse health effects. Mechanisms are not well understood, but may include negative emotional states. The authors investigated the relationship between combat and trait anger and vital exhaustion among 5,347 middle‐aged male participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Combat was significantly associated with trait anger, although results were limited to men of the Korean and Vietnam War eras. Among men of the Korean War era, combat‐ and noncombat veterans, compared to their nonveteran counterparts, reported more trait anger. Compared to their noncombat and nonveteran counterparts, Vietnam War era combat veterans reported more trait anger. Noncombat veterans from the World War II and Vietnam War eras reported lower vital exhaustion compared to nonveterans. Anger proneness may be a mechanism through which combat stress is associated with adverse health outcomes.
Flexible endoscopic diverticulotomies for bilateral Zenker's Diverticula (with videos)
Authors: Tang Shou‐jiang , Myers Larry L. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) is the posterior pulsion diverticulum below the esophageal introitus through or above the cricopharyngeal muscle. We report a unique case of bilateral ZD that was successfully treated with an endoscopic diverticulotomies on the bilateral cricopharyngeal bars.Study Design:Case report at a tertiary referral center.Methods:A patient with bilateral ZD who failed surgery underwent two endoscopic diverticulotomies on the bilateral cricopharyngeal bars. Outcome measures were symptomatic improvement and radiological measurements.Results:After up to 18 months follow‐up, the patient enjoys near complete symptomatic resolution with associated radiological improvements.Conclusions:Endotherapy can disrupt the circular muscle of the cricopharyngeal bar, decrease the depth of bar, increase the esophageal ZD diameter, and create an opening of the diverticulum allowing diverticular drainage into the esophagus. Laryngoscope, 2010
Anisotropic Motion of Electroactive Papers Coated with PEDOT/PSS
Authors: Zhou Jian , Fukawa Tadashi , Shirai Hirofusa , Kimura Mutsumi 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWe report on an anisotropic actuation of electroactive papers with a PEDOT/PSS coating in ambient air. PEDOT/PSS‐coated papers were prepared by wetting Manila papers with a concentrated PEDOT/PSS aqueous dispersion and subsequent drying. The electroactive papers displayed a contractile stress when an external voltage was applied, the magnitude and direction of the stress depending on the relative orientation of paper fibers and the loading direction of the coating. We also demonstrated that a butterfly‐like reversible bending motion of the PEDOT/PSS coated paper occurred when the voltage switching between on and off.magnified image
Scratch Resistance Enhancement of Polymer Coatings
Authors: Sangermano Marco , Messori Massimo 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis review presents the state of the art regarding the improvement of scratch resistance of polymeric coatings. In particular, our attention is focused on the effect of inorganic nanometric fillers on the scratch resistance of organic coatings. Two main strategies are described for the achievement of such nanostructured hybrid organic/inorganic coatings: either a top‐down or a bottom‐up approach.magnified image
A Monte Carlo Simulation of Homogeneous Crystallization in Confined Spaces: Effect of Crystallization Kinetics on the Avrami Exponent
Authors: Yuryev Yury , Wood‐Adams Paula 
Published: June 2010

AbstractHomogeneous nucleation in polymers and subsequent crystallization in spaces confined relative to spherulitic dimensions in one direction has been simulated for a wide range of nucleation and growth rates. An empirical equation based on simulation results relating an Avrami exponent of crystallization to growth and nucleation rates along with the characteristic dimension of crystallizing volume has been proposed. It was found that for ideal homogeneous crystallization, the Avrami exponent can be significantly lower than the anticipated values for free unconstrained growth; therefore, all crystallization conditions and parameters must be taken into account in order to make a conclusion on the character of the observed crystallization.magnified image
Ursolic acid stimulates lipolysis in primary‐cultured rat adipocytes
Authors: Li Ying , Kang Zhen , Li Songtao , Kong Tian , Liu Xiaohong , Sun Changhao 
Published: June 2010

AbstractUrsolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpenic acid with many biological functions naturally existing in many kinds of food. To investigate whether UA can accelerate lipolysis, primary‐cultured rat adipocytes were treated with UA, and glycerol release in the culture medium was measured. UA stimulated lipolysis significantly. Furthermore, the lipolytic effect of UA was inhibited by the protein kinase A (PKA) specific inhibitor H89, suggesting that UA exerted its lipolytic function through the cAMP‐dependent PKA pathway. Downstream targets of the PKA pathway, hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL) and perilipin A were checked, UA enhanced lipolysis by promoting the translocation of HSL from the cytosol to the lipid droplets and inhibiting the expression of perilipin A. Additionally, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), a novel rate‐limiting lipase in the lipolytic catabolism, was upregulated by UA. UA‐induced expression of ATGL could not be blocked by H89, suggesting that ATGL upregulation is not regulated by the PKA pathway. These findings suggest that UA significantly stimulates lipolysis by translocating HSL, decreasing perilipin A expression by the PKA pathway, and up‐regulating ATGL in primary cultured adipocytes. Thus, UA is a promising candidate for the treatment of obesity.