bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of GPS radio occultation assimilation at the Met Office
Authors: Rennie M. P. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractMonitoring of global positioning system radio occultation (GPSRO) data was performed. By comparisons between coincident GRAS and FORMOSAT‐3/COSMIC occultations and coincident GPSRO refractivity and Vaisala RS92 radiosonde‐derived refractivity data, we show the consistency of GPSRO data from independent missions (and differing processing methods) and with independent insitu observation data. It was found that the bending angle and refractivity data from COSMIC is positively biased relative to that of GRAS by 0.2–0.5% in the stratosphere, which is where the GRAS refractivity agreed better with the RS92 radiosonde‐derived refractivity than COSMIC.Forecast impact experiments using GPSRO refractivity and bending angle measurements were conducted (using 1D operators). It is shown that refractivity data (from FORMOSAT‐3/COSMIC, GRAS, CHAMP and GRACE‐A) provided a large positive impact, with the greatest improvements in the Southern Hemisphere extratropics, where r.m.s. fit to radiosondes improved by up to 10% at 250 hPa. A refractivity to bending angle assimilation comparison was made. We found that bending angle assimilation (1D operator) generally provides a greater positive impact than refractivity, with a notable improvement in the Northern Hemisphere extratropics, where a ∼1% improvement in r.m.s. fit to radiosonde temperatures, geopotential heights and winds in the lower stratosphere was seen. © Crown Copyright 2010. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnosis of systematic analysis increments by using normal modes
Authors: Žagar N. , Tribbia J. , Anderson J. L. , Raeder K. , Kleist D. T. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis paper applies the normal‐mode functions for the three‐dimensional diagnosis of systematic analysis increments in the operational systems of ECMWF and NCEP, in the NCEP/NCAR reanalyses and in the ensemble data assimilation system DART/CAM which is developed at NCAR. Non‐zero systematic increments are interpreted as the analysis system bias. The main region of tropospheric biases in all systems is the Tropics; most of the large‐scale tropical bias resides in the unbalanced (inertio‐gravity) motion with the eastward‐propagating component being dominant in some datasets. The magnitudes of tropospheric wind‐field biases in July 2007 were in the range between 1 ms−1 and 2 ms−1, illustrating the importance of diagnosing analysis systems in the Tropics where magnitudes of the large‐scale variability are of the same order. The systematic increments integrated over the whole models' atmosphere appear predominantly balanced; this balance is associated with biases in the zonally averaged balanced state and, in case of ECMWF and NCEP, with the biases at the model top levels. Spectra of analysis increments averaged over one month show that, on average, 20% to 45% of total energy in increment fields belongs to the inertio‐gravity motions. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
A very simple model for the water vapour feedback on climate change
Authors: Ingram William 
Published: January 2010

AbstractClimate sensitivity is often said to be doubled by water vapour feedback. We expect the distribution of relative humidity to change little under climate change from simple physical arguments, which are confirmed by the most detailed physical models we have, and consistent with the limited observational evidence. A substantial positive feedback on climate change is then to be expected, and an approximate doubling is well established numerically. However, a physical explanation for the size of this effect is conspicuously lacking.We consider an idealized numerical model of Simpson's. Its counter‐intuitive result –that OLR does not change as climate warms –is shown to be more general than often thought, though clearly not applicable to our planet as it stands. However, with certain physical approximations a ‘partly‐Simpsonian’ generalization can be derived: that the component radiated by water vapour does not change as the climate system warms, while that radiated by everything else increases following Planck's Law. While still not quantitatively accurate, this does provide a physical explanation for the general size of the water vapour feedback, as well as for its robustness in GCMs.The partly‐Simpsonian approach also provides a physical explanation for the well‐established fact that, in water‐vapour‐dominated regions of the spectrum, the heat radiated by the climate system is a function primarily of relative humidity, not temperature. © Crown Copyright 2010. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A nudging scheme to assimilate satellite brightness temperature in a meteorological model: Impact on representation of African mesoscale convective systems
Authors: Orlandi E. , Fierli F. , Davolio S. , Buzzi A. , Drofa O. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe study presents the implementation of a nudging procedure in a mesoscale meteorological model, and its evaluation in improving the representation of mesoscale convective systems in the region of West Africa. The generation and development of convection are related to processes with different spatial scales, making it often difficult for meteorological models to reproduce their dynamics.The assimilation approach is based on the continuous assimilation of METEOSAT infrared brightness temperatures within the model in order to trigger convection, where observations show the presence of large convective systems. The nudging also inhibits convection, when the model reproduces unrealistic convective precipitation and coherently modifies the dynamical fields.Model sensitivity to the nudging scheme has been tested to evaluate the role of the forcing term. The nudging improves the geographical distribution and time evolution of mesoscale convective systems reproduced by the model; the impact of assimilation is positive up to 13 h after the end of the nudging period. It is also shown that the nudging improves the simulated amount and spatial distribution of precipitation.Finally, the assimilation is performed throughout the entire simulation, showing how the proposed approach can be used to improve meteorological analyses in terms of convective activity and rainfall. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Reliability diagrams for non‐parametric density forecasts of continuous variables: Accounting for serial correlation
Authors: Pinson Pierre , McSharry Patrick , Madsen Henrik 
Published: January 2010

AbstractReliability is seen as a primary requirement when verifying probabilistic forecasts, since a lack of reliability would introduce a systematic bias in subsequent decision‐making. Reliability diagrams comprise popular and practical diagnostic tools for the reliability evaluation of density forecasts of continuous variables. Such diagrams relate to the assessment of the unconditional calibration of probabilistic forecasts. A reason for their appeal is that deviations from perfect reliability can be visually assessed based on deviations from the diagonal. Deviations from the diagonal may, however, be caused by both sampling effects and serial correlation in the forecast‐verification pairs. We build on a recent proposal, consisting of associating reliability diagrams with consistency bars that would reflect the deviations from the diagonal that are potentially observable even if density forecasts are perfectly reliable. Our consistency bars, however, reflect potential deviations originating from the combined effects of limited counting statistics and serial correlation in the forecast‐verification pairs. They are generated based on an original surrogate consistency resampling method. Its ability to provide consistency bars with a significantly better coverage against the independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) resampling alternative is shown from simulations. Finally, a practical example of the reliability assessment of non‐parametric density forecasts of short‐term wind‐power generation is given. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
A nonstationary Markov transition model for computing the relative risk of dementia before death
Authors: Yu Lei , Griffith William S. , Tyas Suzanne L. , Snowdon David A. , Kryscio Richard J. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis paper investigates the long‐term behavior of the k‐step transition probability matrix for a nonstationary discrete‐time Markov chain in the context of modeling transitions from intact cognition to dementia with mild cognitive impairment and global impairment as intervening cognitive states. The authors derive formulas for the following absorption statistics: (1) the relative risk of absorption between competing absorbing states and (2) the mean and variance of the number of visits among the transient states before absorption. As absorption is not guaranteed, sufficient conditions are discussed to ensure that the substochastic matrix associated with transitions among transient states converges to zero in limit. Results are illustrated with an application to the Nun Study, a cohort of 678 participants, 75–107 years of age, followed longitudinally with up to 10 cognitive assessments over a 15‐year period. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bayesian adjustment for exposure misclassification in case–control studies
Authors: Chu Rong , Gustafson Paul , Le Nhu 
Published: January 2010

AbstractPoor measurement of explanatory variables occurs frequently in observational studies. Error‐prone observations may lead to biased estimation and loss of power in detecting the impact of explanatory variables on the response. We consider misclassified binary exposure in the context of case–control studies, assuming the availability of validation data to inform the magnitude of the misclassification. A Bayesian adjustment to correct the misclassification is investigated. Simulation studies show that the Bayesian method can have advantages over non‐Bayesian counterparts, particularly in the face of a rare exposure, small validation sample sizes, and uncertainty about whether exposure misclassification is differential or non‐differential. The method is illustrated via application to several real studies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating diagnostic tests: The area under the ROC curve and the balance of errors
Authors: Hand David J. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBecause accurate diagnosis lies at the heart of medicine, it is important to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of diagnostic tests. A variety of accuracy measures are used. One particularly widely used measure is the AUC, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. This measure has a well‐understood weakness when comparing ROC curves which cross. However, it also has the more fundamental weakness of failing to balance different kinds of misdiagnoses effectively. This is not merely an aspect of the inevitable arbitrariness in choosing a performance measure, but is a core property of the way the AUC is defined. This property is explored, and an alternative, the H measure, is described. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Novel 1,2,4‐Triazole‐based Cyclic Tetranuclear Nickel(II) Complex: Synthesis, Characterization, Magnetic Property and Nuclease Activity
Authors: Li Dong‐Dong , Tian Jin‐Lei , Kou Ying‐Ying , Gu Wen , Liu Xin , Yan Shi‐Ping 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA cyclic‐tetranuclear [Ni4(H–1L)2(μ‐PhCOO)2(H2O)4](ClO4)4·2H2O (1) complex has been prepared by reaction of nickel (II) perchlorate with L (L = 3,5‐bis((bis(2‐hydroxylethyl)amino)methyl)‐4H‐1,2,4,‐triazol‐4‐amine) and benzoate sodium. The X‐ray structure shows that complex 1 consists of a cyclic tetranuclear nickel(II) cation and four uncoordinated ClO4– anions and two crystalline water molecules, in which four nickel atoms have distorted octahedral coordination. Magnetic studies indicate the existence of antiferromagnetic coupling between the nickel(II) ions. The interaction of the complex with calf thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) has been investigated by UV absorption and fluorescent spectroscopy, furthermore, DNA cleavage experiments show that the complex cleavages DNA through an oxidative mechanism.
Structural and Spectroscopic Properties of Aryl Substituted Aminoboranes as Model Compounds and Synthons for B/C/N Materials and New Fluorescent Systems
Authors: Sachdev Hermann , Zahn Nina , Huch Volker 
Published: January 2010

AbstractTetraphenylaminoborane (1) and carbazonyldiphenylborane (2) are examples for isolated BN bonds completely substituted by aryl ligands, which enable π‐interactions. Such systems can serve as building blocks for new fluorescent polymers and are also suitable precursors for B/C/N materials. The compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry. Both compounds 1 and 2 are principal structures for tricoordinate, aryl substituted BN bonds. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system in the space group P21, with two formula units per unit cell with a = 9.8236(9) Å, b = 9.2743(8) Å, c = 10.7426(10) Å; α = 90°, β = 107.228(4)°, γ = 90°, Z = 2, V = 934.81(15) Å3 (final R indices [I > 2 σ(I)]: R1 = 0.0597; wR2 = 0.1489) and compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system of the space group C2/c. The unit cell contains four formula units as a set of two pairs of diastereomers. The cell parameters are a = 17.404(4) Å, b = 11.020(2) Å, c = 9.4195(19) Å; α = 90°, β = 91.45(3)°, γ = 90°, Z = 4, V = 1805.9(6) Å3 (final R indices [I > 2 σ(I)]: R1 = 0.038; wR2 = 0.0847). The UV/Vis spectra of 1 and 2 reveal strong absorptions (240 nm and 285 nm) for 1 and broad features (260 nm and 290 nm) for 2. The 11B NMR spectroscopic data of 1 (48.7 ppm) and 2 (53.0 ppm) clearly indicate tricoordinate BN systems in solution with a weaker BN π‐interaction compared to dialkylborylamines.
Social‐adaptive and psychological functioning of patients affected by Fabry disease
Authors: Laney Dawn Alyssia , Gruskin Daniel J. , Fernhoff Paul M. , Cubells Joseph F. , Ousley Opal Y. , Hipp Heather , Mehta Ami J. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryFabry disease (FD) is an X‐linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficiency of alpha‐galactosidase A. In addition to the debilitating physical symptoms of FD, there are also under‐recognized and poorly characterized psychiatric features. As a first step toward characterizing psychiatric features of FD, we administered the Achenbach adult self report questionnaire to 30 FD patients and the Achenbach adult behavior checklist questionnaire to 28 partners/parents/friends of FD patients. Data from at least one of the questionnaires were available on 33 subjects. Analysis focused on social‐adaptive functioning in various aspects of daily life and on criteria related to the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders IV (DSM‐IV). Adaptive functioning scale values, which primarily measure social and relationship functioning and occupational success, showed that eight FD patients (six female and two male) had mean adaptive functioning deficits as compared to population norms. Greater rates of depression (P < 0.01), anxiety (P = 0.05), depression and anxiety (P = 0.03), antisocial personality (P < 0.001), attention‐deficit/hyperactivity (AD/H; P < 0.01), hyperactivity–impulsivity (P < 0.01), and aggressive behavior (P = 0.03) were associated with poorer adaptive functioning. Decreased social‐adaptive functioning in this study was not statistically significantly associated to disease severity, pain, or level of vitality. This study shows for the first time that FD patients, particularly women, are affected by decreased social‐adaptive functioning. Comprehensive treatment plans for FD should consider assessments and interventions to evaluate and improve social, occupational, and psychological functioning. Attention to the behavioral aspects of FD could lead to improved treatment outcome and improved quality of life. Individuals affected by Fabry disease exhibited social‐adaptive functioning deficits that were significantly correlated with anxiety, depression, antisocial behavior, and AD/H problems in a sampling of our male and female patients aged between 18 years and 59 years.
The Clouding of an Anionic Surfactant in Acid Solution: Mechanistic and Analytical Implications
Authors: Charboneau Joey , von Wandruszka Ray 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe clouding of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in strongly acidic solutions has seen analytical use, but its mechanism has generally been misinterpreted. In the present work it was found that as SDS slowly hydrolyzes to form dodecanol, the solution passes through a series of compositions at which the aggregation of surfactant is promoted by nucleation onto traces of insoluble dodecanol. This occurred at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration of SDS and resulted in mixed aggregates that grew to macroscopic size, giving the solution a cloudy appearance. The increasing dodecanol content eventually caused coalescence into a coacervate phase which evolved into a solid layer of dehydrated dodecanol. The process, which continued over an extended period, depended on the temperature and the concentration and type of acid used. The early stages of SDS aggregation were monitored through the I1/I3 ratio of pyrene fluorescence, which confirmed the existence of micelle‐like aggregates at low surfactant concentration. The mixed SDS/dodecanol systems formed in acid hydrolysis were mimicked in neutral solution by combining the appropriate amounts of SDS, dodecanol, and NaCl. Clouding and the formation of a coacervate phase generally proceeded in a similar manner in these solutions.
Isolation and Characterization of a Stress‐Dependent Plastidial Δ12 Fatty Acid Desaturase from the Antarctic Microalga Chlorella vulgaris NJ‐7
Authors: Lu Yandu , Chi Xiaoyuan , Li Zhaoxin , Yang Qingli , Li Fuchao , Liu Shaofang , Gan Qinhua , Qin Song 
Published: January 2010

AbstractAn acclimation to the changing physicochemical conditions and high amount of Δ12‐unsaturated fatty acids of the Antarctic Chlorella vulgaris NJ‐7 prompted us to speculate about the involvement of Δ12‐fatty acid desaturases (FAD) in its adaptation to the extremely unfavorable ambience. A full‐length cDNA sequence, designated CvFAD6, was isolated from C. vulgaris NJ‐7 via RT‐PCR and RACE methods. Sequence alignment showed that the gene was homologous to corresponding Δ12‐FAD from other eukaryotes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that it was grouped with plastidial Δ12‐FAD with conserved histidine boxes. Yeast cells transformed with a plasmid construct containing CvFAD6 coding region accumulated a considerable amount of linoleic acid (18:2Δ9,12), normally not present in wild‐type yeast cells, suggesting that the isolated gene encodes a functional Δ12 enzyme. The correlation between the accumulation of CvFAD6 and temperature has been examined by real time PCR. The analysis showed a constant expression of CvFAD6 from 25 to 15 °C whereas a fourfold increased from 25 to 4 °C. Moreover, CvFAD6 transcription was more sensitive to saline stress since a 20‐fold increase at 6% NaCl was detected. Our data demonstrate that CvFAD6 is the enzyme responsible for the Δ12 fatty acids desaturation involved in low temperature and high salinity acclimation for Antarctic C. vulgaris NJ‐7.
Impact of cocoa flavanol consumption on blood pressure responsiveness to exercise
Authors: Berry Narelle M. , Davison Kade , Coates Alison M. , Buckley Jonathan D. , Howe Peter R. C. 
Published: January 2010

Impaired endothelial vasodilatation may contribute to the exaggerated blood pressure (BP) responses to exercise in individuals who are overweight/obese. The present study investigated whether consumption of cocoa flavanols, which improve endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), can modify BP responsiveness to exercise. Twenty-one volunteers (eight females and thirteen males, 54·9 (se2·2) years, BMI 31·6 (se0·8) kg/m2, systolic BP 134 (se2) mmHg, diastolic BP (DBP) 87 (se2) mmHg) were randomised to consume single servings of either a high-flavanol (HF, 701 mg) or a low-flavanol (LF, 22 mg) cocoa beverage in a double-blind, cross-over design with 3–7-d washout between treatments. Two hours after cocoa consumption, FMD was measured, followed by continuous beat-to-beat assessment (Finapres™) of BP before and during 10 min of cycling at 75 % of age-predicted maximum heart rate. Averaged data from two assessments on each type of beverage were compared by analysis of covariance using pre-exercise BP as the covariate. Pre-exercise BP was similar after taking LF and HF (153 (se3)/88 (se3)v. 153 (se4)/87 (se2) mmHg, respectively,P>0·05). However, the BP response to exercise (area under BP curve) was attenuated by HF compared with LF. BP increases were 68 % lower for DBP (P = 0·03) and 14 % lower for mean BP (P = 0·05). FMD measurements were higher after taking HF than after taking LF (6·1 (se0·6) %v. 3·4 (se0·5) %,P < 0·001). By facilitating vasodilation and attenuating exercise-induced increases in BP, cocoa flavanols may decrease cardiovascular risk and enhance the cardiovascular benefits of moderate intensity exercise in at-risk individuals.
Inter-individual variation in DNA damage and base excision repair in young, healthy non-smokers: effects of dietary supplementation and genotype
Authors: Caple Fiona , Williams Elizabeth A. , Spiers Alison , Tyson John , Burtle Brian , Daly Ann K. , Mathers John C. , Hesketh John E. 
Published: January 2010

Diets rich in fruits and vegetables are associated with lower risk of cancer which may be conferred in part by the antioxidant properties of these foods. However, antioxidant supplementation or increased consumption of antioxidant-rich foods has been reported to have inconsistent effects on DNA damage. The present work (the DART study) investigated the extent of inter-individual variation in DNA damage, the capacity for base excision repair (BER) and the responses of both variables to supplementation with an antioxidant supplement for 6 weeks. There was a wide inter-individual variation in endogenous lymphocyte DNA strand breaks (8-fold variation), in damage after a challenge with H2O2 (16-fold variation) and in DNA repair (41-fold variation) measured using the comet assay. When stratified into tertiles according to the pre-supplementation level of endogenous DNA damage, there was a statistically significant decrease in DNA damage after supplementation in the tertile with the highest pre-supplementation level of damage. There was no effect of supplementation on BER. Endogenous DNA damage level before supplementation was significantly different (P = 0·037) between the three genotypes for the Val16Ala single nucleotide polymorphism in manganese superoxide dismutase (rs4880) with individuals homozygous/wild type showing less damage than those carrying the alanine variant.
‘Umbrella’ graft tympanoplasty
Authors: Malhotra M 
Published: January 2010

AbstractObjectives:Tympanoplasty continues to pose a challenge in developing countries, where treatment cost and lack of compliance with second stage surgery are often important factors in determining the surgical strategy. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the newly developed, ‘umbrella’ autograft.Materials and methods:In 22 patients suffering chronic suppurative otitis media, in whom the incus and stapes suprastructure were found to be absent during surgery, reconstruction was achieved using cartilage-malleus umbrella graft assembly. Six-month post-operative results were evaluated on the basis of average hearing gain, measured at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 kHz.Results:At six months post-operatively, 77.3 per cent of patients showed hearing improvement. Audiography at this time indicated significant improvement (p < 0.001), suggesting that this hearing gain may stand the test of time.Conclusion:Umbrella graft tympanoplasty appears to be a promising technique in terms of cost-effectiveness and the autologous nature of implant materials.