bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statistical Analysis of the Life Cycle of Isolated Tropical Cold Cloud Systems Using MTSAT-1R and TRMM Data
Authors: Imaoka Keiji , Nakamura Kenji 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Observations from the Multifunctional Transport Satellite-1R (MTSAT-1R) and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellites are analyzed to show the universal view of the cloud life cycle, including the changes of vertical structure of rainfall, over the Maritime Continent and a part of the tropical western Pacific, with a focus on the isolated cold cloud systems. Temporally connected cold cloud systems are identified by a cloud tracking procedure and compared with the collocated observations from TRMM. Clear life cycle changes of the average reflectivity profile from the Precipitation Radar (PR), such as those of radar echo height and the brightband feature, are statistically confirmed over the ocean area. Systems with a lifetime of 5 h show a behavior similar to those of typical mesoscale convective systems, with an extension of anvil clouds up to an area of about 6000 km2 as a delayed response to the earlier intense convection, indicated by the peaks of rain rates and radar echo height at the early stages. In contrast, the 2-h lifetime systems decay rapidly and do not produce an extension of cloud and precipitation. The results also show that the difference between rainfall estimates of the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) and PR depends on the phase in the lifetime. TMI tends to provide higher conditional average rain rates at the mature phase than that of PR.
How Predictable is the Indian Ocean Dipole?
Authors: Shi Li , Hendon Harry H. , Alves Oscar , Luo Jing-Jia , Balmaseda Magdalena , Anderson David 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
In light of the growing recognition of the role of surface temperature variations in the Indian Ocean for driving global climate variability, the predictive skill of the sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies associated with the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) is assessed using ensemble seasonal forecasts from a selection of contemporary coupled climate models that are routinely used to make seasonal climate predictions. The authors assess predictions from successive versions of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Predictive Ocean–Atmosphere Model for Australia (POAMA 15b and 24), successive versions of the NCEP Climate Forecast System (CFSv1 and CFSv2), the ECMWF seasonal forecast System 3 (ECSys3), and the Frontier Research Centre for Global Change system (SINTEX-F) using seasonal hindcasts initialized each month from January 1982 to December 2006.
The lead time for skillful prediction of SST in the western Indian Ocean is found to be about 5–6 months while in the eastern Indian Ocean it is only 3–4 months when all start months are considered. For the IOD events, which have maximum amplitude in the September–November (SON) season, skillful prediction is also limited to a lead time of about one season, although skillful prediction of large IOD events can be longer than this, perhaps up to about two seasons. However, the tendency for the models to overpredict the occurrence of large events limits the confidence of the predictions of these large events. Some common model errors, including a poor representation of the relationship between El Niño and the IOD, are identified indicating that the upper limit of predictive skill of the IOD has not been achieved.
Representation of Boundary Layer Moisture Transport in Cloud-Resolving Models
Authors: Moeng Chin-Hoh , Arakawa Akio 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
One of the important roles of the PBL is to transport moisture from the surface to the cloud layer. However, how this transport process can be accounted for in cloud-resolving models (CRMs) is not sufficiently clear and has rarely been examined. A typical CRM can resolve the bulk feature of large convection systems but not the small-scale convection and turbulence motions that carry a large portion of the moisture fluxes. This study uses a large-eddy simulation of a tropical deep-convection system as a benchmark to examine the subgrid-scale (SGS) moisture transport into a cloud system.
It is shown that most of the PBL moisture transport to the cloud layer occurs in the areas under low-level updrafts, with rain, or under cloudy skies, although these PBL regimes may cover only a small fraction of the entire cloud-system domain. To develop SGS parameterizations to represent the spatial distribution of this moisture transport in CRMs, three models are proposed and tested. An updraft–downdraft model performs exceptionally well, while a statistical-closure model and a local-gradient model are less satisfactory but still perform adequately. Each of these models, however, has its own closure issues to be addressed. The updraft–downdraft model requires a scheme to estimate the mean SGS updraft–downdraft properties, the statistical-closure model needs a scheme to predict both SGS vertical-velocity and moisture variances, while the local-gradient model requires estimation of the SGS vertical-velocity variance.
Essential components for success: A smoking cessation programme in a group setting
Authors: Southard Carol , Sell Heather 
Published: May 2012

Objective: To assess long-term quit rates of a comprehensive smoking cessation group programme and identify factors that may influence outcomes. Design: Data from 199 patients who participated in the programme from June 2009 through June 2010 were evaluated regarding smoking history, nicotine dependence and attitudes toward smoking and quitting. Setting: The programme is offered at hospitals, worksites and multiple community locations. Methods: All participants were offered eight weekly group counselling sessions and cessation medication. Participants completed a programme evaluation at the end of the last session to assess smoking status and evaluate the course. Patients were contacted at three and 12 months post-programme to obtain their smoking status. Results: Over half (58%) of participants attended the majority of the eight group therapy sessions and most took pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation (173, 87%). Most (148, 76%) had successfully quit smoking at the end of the eighth session; 131 (67%) and 81 (56%) remained tobacco free at the three- and 12-month assessments respectively. Conclusion: This carefully planned programme with detailed materials and procedures provides a non-judgemental, supportive environment that fosters participant adherence in implementing the behaviours that are necessary to achieve total and enduring smoking abstinence.
“The brain is such a delicate thing”: an exploration of fear and seizures among young people with epilepsy
Authors: Ryan Sara , Räisänen Ulla 
Published: May 2012

Epilepsy is a condition where pathology, diverse manifestations and attached social understandings contribute to an emotional experience unlike many other chronic conditions. The emotional dimension to epilepsy has been little considered in existing research. Objectives: To explore the emotional experience of young people with epilepsy. Methods: A qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with 37 young people diagnosed with epilepsy. Results: Fear emerged as the key emotion and this largely related to the experience, or anticipated experience, of seizure activity. Three key features of fear and epilepsy emerged through the analysis; harm, temporality and action. The fear experienced was not only external, relating to immediate injury, but also internal in terms of potential damage to the brain. The embodied nature of epilepsy can, therefore, present a threat to conceptions of the self. Underlying this internal dimension of fear is an understanding of the brain as central to the sense of self. Conclusions: The experience of epilepsy does not only involve fear of physical harm but also fear of a loss of self. We conclude that there are broader (alternative) readings of the experience of epilepsy that are often overlooked.
Let’s prevent diabetes: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial of an educational intervention in a multi-ethnic UK population with screen detected impaired glucose regulation
Authors: Gray Laura J , Khunti Kamlesh , Williams Sian , Goldby Stephanie , Troughton Jacqui , Yates Thomas , Gray Alastair , Davies Melanie J ,   for the Let’s Prevent Collaborators
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
The prevention of type 2 diabetes is a globally recognised health care priority, but there is a lack of rigorous research investigating optimal methods of translating diabetes prevention programmes, based on the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, into routine primary care. The aim of the study is to establish whether a pragmatic structured education programme targeting lifestyle and behaviour change in conjunction with motivational maintenance via the telephone can reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes in people with impaired glucose regulation (a composite of impaired glucose tolerance and/or impaired fasting glucose) identified through a validated risk score screening programme in primary care.

Design
Cluster randomised controlled trial undertaken at the level of primary care practices. Follow-up will be conducted at 12, 24 and 36 months. The primary outcome is the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Secondary outcomes include changes in HbA1c, blood glucose levels, cardiovascular risk, the presence of the Metabolic Syndrome and the cost-effectiveness of the intervention.

Methods
The study consists of screening and intervention phases within 44 general practices coordinated from a single academic research centre. Those at high risk of impaired glucose regulation or type 2 diabetes are identified using a risk score and invited for screening using a 75 g-oral glucose tolerance test. Those with screen detected impaired glucose regulation will be invited to take part in the trial. Practices will be randomised to standard care or the intensive arm. Participants from intensive arm practices will receive a structured education programme with motivational maintenance via the telephone and annual refresher sessions. The study will run from 2009–2014.

Discussion
This study will provide new evidence surrounding the long-term effectiveness of a diabetes prevention programme conducted within routine primary care in the United Kingdom.

Trial registration
Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00677937
Relation between electrical properties of aerosol-deposited BaTiO3 thin films and their mechanical hardness measured by nano-indentation
Authors: Kim Hong-Ki , Oh Jong-Min , In Kim Soo , Kim Hyung-Jun , Lee Chang Woo , Nam Song-Min 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
To achieve a high capacitance density for embedded decoupling capacitor applications, the aerosol deposition (AD) process was applied as a thin film deposition process. BaTiO3 films were fabricated on Cu substrates by the AD process at room temperature, and the film thickness was reduced to confirm the limit of the critical minimum thickness for dielectric properties. As a result, the BaTiO3 thin films that were less than 1-μm thick showed unstable electric properties owing to their high leakage currents. Therefore, to overcome this problem, the causes of the high leakage currents were investigated. In this study, it was confirmed that by comparing BaTiO3 thin films on Cu substrates with those on stainless steels (SUS) substrates, macroscopic defects and rough interfaces between films and substrates influence the leakage currents. Moreover, based on the deposition mechanism of the AD process, it was considered that the BaTiO3 thin films on Cu substrates with thicknesses of less than 1 μm are formed with chinks and weak particle-to-particle bonding, giving rise to leakage currents. In order to confirm the relation between the above-mentioned surface morphologies and the dielectric behavior, the hardness of BaTiO3 films on Cu and SUS substrates was investigated by nano-indentation. Consequently, we proposed that the chinks and weak particle-to-particle bonding in the BaTiO3 thin films with thicknesses of less than 0.5 μm on Cu substrates could be the main cause of the high leakage currents.
Role of JNK Isoforms in the Development of Neuropathic Pain following Sciatic Nerve Transection in the Mouse
Authors: Manassero Giusi , Repetto Ivan E , Cobianchi Stefano , Valsecchi Valeria , Bonny Christophe , Rossi Ferdinando , Vercelli Alessandro 
Published: May 2012

Background: Current tools for analgesia are often only partially successful, thus investigations of new targets for pain therapy stimulate great interest. Consequent to peripheral nerve injury, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity in cells of the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) and spinal cord is involved in triggering neuropathic pain. However, the relative contribution of distinct JNK isoforms is unclear. Using knockout mice for single isoforms, and blockade of JNK activity by a peptide inhibitor, we have used behavioral tests to analyze the contribution of JNK in the development of neuropathic pain after unilateral sciatic nerve transection. In addition, immunohistochemical labelling for the growth associated protein (GAP)-43 and Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide (CGRP) in DRGs was used to relate injury related compensatory growth to altered sensory function. Results: Peripheral nerve injury produced pain–related behavior on the ipsilateral hindpaw, accompanied by an increase in the percentage of GAP43-immunoreactive (IR) neurons and a decrease in the percentage of CGRP-IR neurons in the lumbar DRGs. The JNK inhibitor, D-JNKI-1, successfully modulated the effects of the sciatic nerve transection. The onset of neuropathic pain was not prevented by the deletion of a single JNK isoform, leading us to conclude that all JNK isoforms collectively contribute to maintain neuropathy. Autotomy behavior, typically induced by sciatic nerve axotomy, was absent in both the JNK1 and JNK3 knockout mice. Conclusions: JNK signaling plays an important role in regulating pain threshold: the inhibition of all of the JNK isoforms prevents the onset of neuropathic pain, while the deletion of a single splice JNK isoform mitigates established sensory abnormalities. JNK inactivation also has an effect on axonal sprouting following peripheral nerve injury.
The Altar Machine in the Church Mother of Gangi (Palermo, Italy). Interpretation of the past uses, scientific investigation and preservation challenge
Authors: Lo Monaco Angela , Marabelli Maurizio , Pelosi Claudia , Salvo Michele 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
The aim of this work was to study the Altar Machine in the Church Mother of Gangi, a little town near Palermo (Italy) regarding the history, the technical manufacture, the constitutive materials and the state of preservation.
The Altar Machine was dated back to the second half of the 18th century; it is constituted by carved and painted wood, a complex system of winch and pulleys allows move various statues and parts of the Machine in accordance with the baroque scenography machineries.

Results
The observation and survey of the mechanisms allowed formulate hypothesis on a more ancient mode of operation of the Altar Machine.
Laboratory analysis revealed the presence of many superimposed layers constituted by several different materials (protein binders, siccative oils, natural terpene resins, shellac, calcium carbonate, gypsum, lead white, brass, zinc white, iron oxides) and different wood species employed for the original and restoration elements of the Machine. This is due to a continuous usage of the object that has got a demo-ethno-anthropological significance.
Microclimate monitoring (relative humidity RH and temperature T) put in evidence that most of the data fall outside the tolerance intervals, i.e. the RH and T limits defined by the international standards. In particular, T values were generally high (out of the tolerance range) but they appeared to be quite constant; on the other hand RH values fell almost always inside the tolerance area but they often exhibited dangerous variations.

Conclusions
The characterization of the constitutive materials provided useful information both to support the dating of the Machine proposed by the inscription and to obtain a base of data for a possible conservation work.
The microclimate monitoring put in evidence that the temperature and relative humidity values are not always suitable to correctly preserve the artefact. The careful in situ investigation confirmed an on-going climate induced damage to the Altar Machine that, associated to the deterioration caused by its usage, may have dramatic consequences on this unique and peculiar work of art.
The results of this work will have potential implications in the near future regarding a probable conservation project on the Machine.
Plasma sRAGE enables prediction of acute lung injury after cardiac surgery in children
Authors: Liu XiWang , Chen QiXing , Shi ShanShan , Shi Zhuo , Lin Ru , Tan LinHua , Yu JianGen , Shu Qiang , Fang XiangMing 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Acute lung injury (ALI) after cardiac surgery is associated with a high postoperative morbidity and mortality, but few predictors are known for the occurrence of the complication. This study evaluated whether elevated plasma levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) and S100A12 reflected impaired lung function in infants and young children after cardiac surgery necessitating cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods
Consecutive children younger than 3 years after cardiac surgery were prospectively enrolled and assigned to ALI and non-ALI groups, according to the American-European Consensus Criteria. Plasma concentrations of sRAGE and S100A12 were measured at baseline, before, and immediately after CPB, as well as 1 hour, 12 hours, and 24 hours after operation.

Results
Fifty-eight patients were enrolled and 16 (27.6%) developed postoperative ALI. Plasma sRAGE and S100A12 levels increased immediately after CPB and remained significantly higher in the ALI group even 24 hour after operation (P < 0.01). In addition, a one-way MANOVA revealed that the overall sRAGE and S100A12 levels were higher in the ALI group than in the non-ALI group immediately after CPB (P < 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the plasma sRAGE level immediately after CPB was an independent predictor for postoperative ALI (OR, 1.088; 95% CI, 1.011 to 1.171; P = 0.025). Increased sRAGE and S100A12 levels immediately after CPB were significantly correlated with a lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P < 0.01) and higher radiographic lung-injury score (P < 0.01), as well as longer mechanical ventilation time (sRAGEN: r = 0.405; P = 0.002; S100A12N: r = 0.322; P = 0.014), longer surgical intensive care unit stay (sRAGEN: r = 0.421; P = 0.001; S100A12N: r = 0.365; P = 0.005) and hospital stay (sRAGEN: r = 0.329; P = 0.012; S100A12N: r = 0.471; P = 0.001).

Conclusions
Elevated sRAGE and S100A12 levels correlate with impaired lung function, and sRAGE is a useful early biomarker of ALI in infants and young children undergoing cardiac surgery.
Brentuximab Vedotin (SGN-35) in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Systemic Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma: Results of a Phase II Study
Authors: Pro Barbara , Advani Ranjana , Brice Pauline , Bartlett Nancy L. , Rosenblatt Joseph D. , Illidge Tim , Matous Jeffrey , Ramchandren Radhakrishnan , Fanale Michelle , Connors Joseph M. , Yang Yin , Sievers Eric L. , Kennedy Dana A. , Shustov Andrei 
Published: May 2012

Purpose Systemic anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is an aggressive subtype of T-cell lymphoma characterized by the uniform expression of CD30. The antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin delivers the potent antimicrotubule agent monomethylauristatin E to CD30-positive malignant cells. A phase II multicenter trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of brentuximab vedotin in patients with relapsed or refractory systemic ALCL. Patients and Methods Patients with systemic ALCL and recurrent disease after at least one prior therapy received brentuximab vedotin 1.8 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks over 30 minutes as an outpatient infusion. The primary end point of the study was overall objective response rate as assessed by independent central review. Results Of 58 patients treated in the study, 50 patients (86%) achieved an objective response, 33 patients (57%) achieved a complete remission (CR), and 17 patients (29%) achieved a partial remission. The median durations of overall response and CR were 12.6 and 13.2 months, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events in ≥ 10% of patients were neutropenia (21%), thrombocytopenia (14%), and peripheral sensory neuropathy (12%). Conclusion Brentuximab vedotin induced objective responses in the majority of patients and CRs in more than half of patients with recurrent systemic ALCL. Targeted therapy with this CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugate may be an effective treatment for relapsed or refractory systemic ALCL and warrants further studies in front-line therapy.
Scarring, Disfigurement, and Quality of Life in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report From the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Authors: Kinahan Karen E. , Sharp Lisa K. , Seidel Kristy , Leisenring Wendy , Didwania Aarati , Lacouture Mario E. , Stovall Marilyn , Haryani Anand , Robison Leslie L. , Krull Kevin R. 
Published: May 2012

Purpose Childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk for adverse outcomes and chronic medical conditions. Treatment-related scarring, disfigurement, and persistent hair loss, in addition to their long-term impact on psychological distress or health-related quality of life (HRQOL), have received little attention. Patients and Methods Self-reported scarring/disfigurement and persistent hair loss were examined in 14,358 survivors and 4,023 siblings from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Multivariable models were used to examine associations with demographic and cancer treatment. The impact of disfigurement and hair loss on HRQOL (ie, Medical Outcomes Short Form–36) and emotional distress (ie, Brief Symptom Inventory–18) was examined. Results Survivors reported a significantly higher rate of scarring/disfigurement compared with siblings for head/neck (25.1% v 8.4%), arms/legs (18.2% v 10.2%), and chest/abdomen (38.1% v 9.1%), as well as hair loss (14.0% v 6.3%). In age-, sex-, and race-adjusted models, cranial radiation exposure ≥ 36 Gy increased risk for head/neck disfigurement (relative risk [RR], 2.42; 95% CI, 2.22 to 2.65) and hair loss (RR, 4.24; 95% CI, 3.63 to 4.95). Adjusting for cranial radiation, age, sex, race, education, and marital status, survivor hair loss increased risk of anxiety (RR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.07), whereas head/neck disfigurement increased risk of depression (RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.41). Limitations due to emotional symptoms were associated with head/neck disfigurement (RR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.41), arm/leg disfigurement (RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.35), and hair loss (RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.47). Conclusion Survivors of childhood cancer are at increased risk for disfigurement and persistent hair loss, which is associated with future emotional distress and reduced quality of life. Future studies are needed to better identify and manage functional outcomes in these patients.