bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two Tweedie distributions that are near‐optimal for modelling monthly rainfall in Australia
Authors: Hasan Md Masud , Dunn Peter K. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractStatistical models for total monthly rainfall used for forecasting, risk management and agricultural simulations are usually based on gamma distributions and variations. In this study, we examine a family of distributions (called the Tweedie family of distributions) to determine if the choice of the gamma distribution is optimal within the family. We restrict ourselves to the exponential family of distributions as they are the response distributions used for generalized linear models (GLMs), which has numerous advantages. Further, we restrict ourselves to distributions where the variance is proportional to some power of the mean, as these distributions also have desirable properties. Under these restrictions, an infinite number of distributions exist for modelling positive continuous data and include the gamma distribution as a special case. Results show that for positive monthly rainfall totals in the data history for a particular station, monthly rainfall is optimally or near‐optimally modelled using the gamma distribution by varying the parameters of the gamma distribution; using different distributions for each month cannot improve on this approach. In addition, under the same model restrictions, monthly rainfall totals that include zeros are also well modelled by the same family of distributions. Hence monthly rainfall can be suitably modelled using one of two Tweedie distributions depending on whether exact zeros appear in the rainfall history. We propose a slight variation of the gamma distribution for use in practice. This model fits the data almost as well as the gamma distribution but admits the possibility that future months may have zero rainfall. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Areal analysis of oscillations in 500‐hPa temperature field: a pseudo‐2D wavelet transform approach
Authors: Pisoft Petr , Miksovsky Jiri , Kalvova Jaroslava , Raidl Ales , Zak Michal 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis article introduces areal analysis of regular changes in 500‐hPa temperature fields with pseudo‐2D wavelet transform (p2D‐WT). p2D‐WT is a new technique, a practical approach based on the 1D continuous wavelet transform (CWT), designed to describe frequency characteristics of studied datasets in terms of their evolution in both time and space. The algorithm transforms datasets defined in a grid into a multidimensional object, which is subsequently interpreted by time and frequency slices. In this study, we describe the transformation fundamentals and application of the transform on the 500‐hPa temperature field. Two types of reanalysis data are studied: time series from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (denoted as ERA‐40) and datasets from National Centers for Environmental Prediction and National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR). The analysis of the climatological data shows the presence of various periodicities among which the most distinct are the annual cycle (AC), semi‐annual cycle, quasi‐quadrennial oscillation (QQO) and quasi‐decadal oscillation (QDO). The article also provides a comparison of frequency characteristics of the NCEP/NCAR and ERA‐40 reanalysis datasets; it shows that the frequency patterns found in the particular reanalysis datasets differ only in limited areas. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Projected changes in thermal seasons and the growing season in Finland
Authors: Ruosteenoja Kimmo , Räisänen Jouni , Pirinen Pentti 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe durations of the thermal seasons and the growing season till the end of this century are inferred from projected monthly mean temperatures, separately for the SRES A2 and B1 scenarios. For the baseline period 1971‐2000, we use a high‐resolution observational data set covering Finland, and an average of the temperature responses simulated by 19 global climate models (GCMs) is added to the observed temperatures to obtain projections for the future. Daily climatological temperatures, needed for the determination of the onset and end dates of the seasons and the effective temperature sum, are derived from the monthly means employing a Fourier algorithm that can reproduce monthly mean temperatures perfectly.Under baseline conditions, there are four thermal seasons everywhere in Finland apart from the elevated area in north‐western Lapland. Under the A2 scenario, thermal winter will disappear in the South‐western part of the country by the period 2070‐2099. Elsewhere winter shortens by 2‐4 months. Summer lengthens by slightly over 1 month. Intermediate seasons become longer everywhere except in northernmost Lapland. The thermal growing season lengthens in inland areas by 40‐50 days, on the south‐western coast even more. The effective temperature sum doubles in the north and increases 1.5‐fold in the south. Conditions in Lapland would thus resemble those currently prevailing in southern Finland. Under the B1 scenario the change is smaller, especially in the second half of the century.The robustness of the findings was assessed by considering the differences between the temperature change projections of the various models. The uncertainty in the onset and termination dates was typically of the order of ±2 weeks. Regional downscaling based on regional climate model (RCM) data did not alter the main conclusions. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Identification of periodicity in the relationship between PDO, El Niño and peak monsoon rainfall in India using S‐transform analysis
Authors: Sen Roy Shouraseni 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPeak monsoon rainfall (PMR) data have been examined 135 years for five rainfall regions of the Indian subcontinent. S‐transform analysis was used to analyse the non‐stationarity in the periodicity of rainfall patterns over the study period. The results of the analyses revealed the presence of a 2–3 year cycle corresponding to the El Niño cycle, with periodic strengthening at the decadal scale across most of the regions as well as at the all India level. Further examination revealed that the 2–3 year cycle usually strengthened a few years before the beginning of the cold phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and this cycle continued through most of the cold phase. This 2–3 year cycle, however, was almost negligible during the subsequent warm phase of PDO for all regions except the central northeast region. Such a periodic strengthening of the periodicity in PMR during the cool phase of PDO is possibly caused by the differences in temperatures in different parts of the Pacific Ocean. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Interaction of periosteal explants with articular chondrocytes alters expression profile of matrix metalloproteinases
Authors: Rickert Matthias , Dreier Rita , Radons Jürgen , Opolka Alfred , Grifka Joachim , Anders Sven , Grässel Susanne 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPeriosteal tissue is a source of growth factors and of osteochondral progenitor cells which makes it suitable for implantation in chondral defects as known in autologous chondrocyte implantation. The aim of this study was to determine the interaction between periosteal tissue and articular chondrocytes with respect to catabolic effectors such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and IL‐6. Human articular chondrocytes were cultured for up to 28 days as micromass pellets in coculture either with physical contact to periosteal explants or allowing paracrine interactions only. Expression, secretion, and activation of MMPs and IL‐6 were analyzed in chondrocytes, periosteum, and culture supernatants. Both coculture conditions influence gene expression levels of MMPs and IL‐6 in a time‐, culture‐, and tissue‐dependent manner. Coculturing of periosteum with chondrocytes promotes gene expression and secretion of IL‐6. In periosteum, physical contact inhibits MMP‐2 and MMP‐13 gene expression while paracrine coculture induces expression of IL‐6, MMP‐2, ‐7, and ‐13. Pro‐MMP‐2, ‐7, and ‐13 were detected in supernatants of all culture regimens whereas pro‐MMP‐9 was secreted from periosteum only. As a balanced amount of MMP activity is likely required to achieve sufficient integration of the regenerate tissue with the surrounding healthy cartilage, an exceeding expression of proteinases might result in degradation, hypertrophy or rejection of the graft. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:1576–1585, 2010
Bile cultures: A guide to infectious complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Augenstein Vedra A. , Reuter Nathan P. , Bower Matthew R. , McMasters Kelly M. , Scoggins Charles R. , Martin Robert C.G. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of intraoperative bile cultures on the outcome of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.Study DesignA review of a hepato‐pancreato‐biliary database was performed to identify all patients who had a pancreaticoduodenectomy from 1/1998 to 8/2008.ResultsTwo hundred twenty‐eight patients were evaluated, with preoperative biliary stenting performed in 129 out of 229 patients (57%), with 63/129(49%) had bile cultures taken intraoperatively, 39/129(30%) having positive bile cultures. Neither preoperative biliary stenting (incidence of complication: 54% with stent vs. 51% without, P = 0.9) nor positive bile culture (incidence of complication: 54% with positive bile culture vs. 53% without, P = 0.9) were predictors of overall complications. Length of operating time, length of hospital stay, blood loss, blood transfusion, and severity of complications were similar in the group with and without stent. There were 19 different organisms identified with not a single species was a statistically significant predictor of neither severity of complication nor increased length of stay.ConclusionsPreoperative biliary stenting correlates with similar rate of biliary infections, however, intraoperative bile culture allows for early appropriate antibiotic use, which maintains a similar morbidity and infectious incidence as in patients without stents. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:478–481. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intratumoral macrophage counts correlate with tumor progression in colorectal cancer
Authors: Kang Jung‐Cheng , Chen Jin‐Shuen , Lee Chien‐Hsing , Chang Jao‐Jen , Shieh Yi‐Shing 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe role of intratumoral tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is not clear. We aim to examine the relationships of TAMs and the clinicopathologic features of CRC and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9.MethodsImmunohistochemical staining of CD68, MMP‐2, and MMP‐9 was determined in tissue samples from CRC patients. To test the biological effect of macrophages on tumor cells, cancer cells were cocultured with macrophages and function change of cancer cells were examined.ResultsIntratumoral TAM count correlated with depth of invasion (P = 0.048), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.0001), and staging (P < 0.0001) of CRC. MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and staging. A significant association between intratumoral TAM counts and MMP‐2 (P < 0.0001) and MMP‐9 (P < 0.0001) expression was noted. When cocultured with macrophages, cancer cells increased their invasiveness and migration and elevated MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 secretion.ConclusionsIntratumoral TAMs cause cancer cells to have a more aggressive behavior, and this may be due to an upregulation of tumor cell‐derived MMP‐2 and MMP‐9. Examination of intratumoral TAMs can serve as a progressive marker for CRC patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:242–248. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surgical resection with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination
Authors: Li Chen , Yan Min , Chen Jun , Xiang Min , Zhu Zheng Gang , Yin Hao Ran , Lin Yan Zheng 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe prognosis for gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination is very poor. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival benefit from gastrectomy with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination.MethodsFrom 1992 to 2002, 128 gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination underwent surgery at the Department of Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China. The clinicopathological characteristics and survival were compared between the resection and the non‐resection groups, and between the resection alone and the resection with HIPEC groups.ResultsThe 5‐year survival rates were 5.5% for patients in the resection group and 0% for patients in the non‐resection group (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed surgical resection was significantly associated with better prognosis in gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination. In the patients who underwent resection, the survival difference between the resection alone and the resection with HIPEC groups was significant (P = 0.025), and HIPEC was an independent prognostic factor by multivariate analysis.ConclusionsThe HIPEC procedure was an independent prognostic factor after resection for patients with peritoneal dissemination. Therefore, gastrectomy with HIPEC may be an option for those patients. The survival benefit of this strategy should be validated by large cohort prospective clinical trials. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:361–365. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A 20‐year retrospective study of small‐cell carcinomas in Taiwan
Authors: Li Anna Fen‐Yau , Hsu Han‐Shui , Hsu Chih‐Yi , Li Alice Chia‐Heng , Li Win‐Yin , Liang Wen‐Yih , Chen Jeou‐Yuan 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesSmall‐cell carcinomas (SCC) develop most commonly in the lung (small‐cell lung carcinoma, SCLC) and only small percentages are present at extra‐pulmonary sites. This study aimed to examine the distribution, treatment, and survival of SCCs.MethodsThe records for 922 SCC cases of various origins between January 1989 and December 2008 were retrieved and analyzed.ResultsThe lung (89.2%) was the most common location, followed by the esophagus (1.8%), urinary bladder (1.6%), uterine cervix (1.5%), colorectum (1.4%), skin (1.0%), stomach (0.9%), head and neck (0.7%), prostate (0.3%), and small intestine (0.1%). Limited disease (LD) SCLC patients underwent surgery and chemotherapy had significantly higher survival rates than those who received chemotherapy alone, those who underwent combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and those who were administered supportive treatment. Actuarial 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year survival rate was 28.9%, 9.4%, and 4.8% for total SCLC cases, 41.3%, 17.5%, and 9.6% for LD‐SCLC patients, and 21.9%, 4.2%, and 1.8% for extensive disease (ED)‐SCLC patients (P < 0.001). The survival rates for lung and stomach SCC patients with LD were significantly better than for patients with ED; cervical SCC stages I and IIa patients had better survival rates than patients with stage IIb and above (P = 0.034).ConclusionThe lung was the most common location of SCCs, with 9.3% of cases being extra‐pulmonary in origin. The need for combined surgery and chemotherapy in LD‐SCLC patients deserves further evaluation. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:497–502. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aggressive and unsafe driving in male veterans receiving residential treatment for PTSD
Authors: Kuhn Eric , Drescher Kent , Ruzek Josef , Rosen Craig 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAggressive and unsafe driving was examined in 474 male veterans receiving Veterans Affairs residential treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Specifically, the authors evaluated if PTSD was associated with aggressive and unsafe driving and if Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans were at higher risk than other war veterans. Approximately two thirds of the sample reported lifetime aggressive driving and one third reported current aggressive driving. Posttraumatic stress disorder severity was associated with aggressive driving, but not other forms of unsafe driving. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans endorsed higher rates of and more frequent aggressive driving than did other veterans. After accounting for PTSD severity, age, income, and marital status being an Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran predicted aggressive driving frequency and infrequent seatbelt use.
Inferior retrotympanum revisited: An endoscopic anatomic study
Authors: Marchioni Daniele , Alicandri‐Ciufelli Matteo , Piccinini Alessia , Genovese Elisabetta , Presutti Livio 
Published: June 2010

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To describe the inferior retrotympanic anatomy from an endoscopic perspective.Study Design:This was an anatomic study on a retrospective case series.Methods:During November 2009 and December 2009, videos from endoscopic middle ear procedures carried out between June 2007 and November 2009 and stored in our database were retrospectively reviewed. Surgeries in which the inferior retrotympanic region was visualized were included in the study. Accurate descriptions of the anatomic findings were made for each ear included in the study group.Results:The final study group consisted of 25 videos from 25 ear procedures. In 14/25 subjects, a bony ridge connecting the inferior portion of the styloid prominence to the anterior and inferior lip of the round window niche (Proctor's sustentaculum promontory) was identified and renamed the finiculus (from the Latin finis, ‐is: borderline), representing the ideal limit between the inferior retrotympanum and hypotympanum. In 14/25 patients, a complete sinus subtympanicus could be identified, lying between the subiculum and finiculus.Conclusions:Endoscopic exploration of the middle ear might guarantee a very good exposure of the inferior retrotympanum, allowing detailed anatomic descriptions of this hidden area. Improvement in our knowledge of its anatomy might decrease the possibility of residual disease during cholesteatoma surgery. Laryngoscope, 2010
Use of acoustic doppler sonography to ascertain the feasibility of the pedicled nasoseptal flap after prior bilateral sphenoidotomy
Authors: Pinheiro‐Neto Carlos D. , Carrau Ricardo L. , Prevedello Daniel M. , Fernandez‐Miranda Juan C. , Snyderman Carl S. , Gardner Paul A. , Kassam Amin B. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Blood supply to the Hadad‐Bassagasteguy pedicled nasoseptal flap may be interrupted by surgery of the pterygopalatine fossa, posterior septectomy, or large sphenoidotomies. This would preclude its use for reconstruction of skull base defects after expanded endonasal approaches (EEA). We present a novel method to ascertain the patency of the nasoseptal artery after prior surgery, and consequently the availability of the nasoseptal flap, using acoustic Doppler sonography.Study Design:Retrospective clinical review.Methods:Four patients who underwent EEAs were evaluated intraoperatively with acoustic Doppler sonography. The mucosa that covers the inferior aspect of the rostrum of the sphenoid sinus was scanned with the tip of the probe. Reflection of sound waves representing intravascular blood flow was assessed.Results:In three patients, the artery was identified in at least one side. One remaining patient showed no acoustic signal suggesting loss of the nasoseptal artery bilaterally, therefore necessitating the use of a fat graft for the reconstruction.Conclusions:Acoustic Doppler sonography seems to be a feasible and effective way to ascertain the availability of the nasoseptal artery. It is a relatively inexpensive and simple technique that can be performed by any endoscopic surgeon. Laryngoscope, 2010
Combinatorial treatments enhance recovery following facial nerve crush
Authors: Sharma Nijee , Moeller Carl W. , Marzo Sam J. , Jones Kathryn J. , Foecking Eileen M. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To investigate the effects of various combinatorial treatments, consisting of a tapering dose of prednisone (P), a brief period of nerve electrical stimulation (ES), and systemic testosterone propionate (TP) on improving functional recovery following an intratemporal facial nerve crush injury.Study Design:Prospective, controlled animal study.Methods:After a right intratemporal facial nerve crush, adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into the following eight treatment groups: 1) no treatment, 2) P only, 3) ES only, 4) ES + P, 5) TP only, 6) TP + P, 7) ES + TP, and 8) ES + TP + P. For each group n = 4–8. Recovery of the eyeblink reflex and vibrissae orientation and movement were assessed. Changes in peak amplitude and latency of evoked response, in response to facial nerve stimulation, was also recorded weekly.Results:Brief ES of the proximal nerve stump most effectively accelerated the initiation of functional recovery. Also, ES or TP treatments enhanced recovery of some functional parameters more than P treatment. When administered alone, none of the three treatments improved recovery of complete facial function. Only the combinatorial treatment of ES + TP, regardless of the presence of P, accelerated complete functional recovery and return of normal motor nerve conduction.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that a combinatorial treatment strategy of using brief ES and TP together promises to be an effective therapeutic intervention for promoting regeneration following facial nerve injury. Administration of P neither augments nor hinders recovery. Laryngoscope, 2010
Factors influencing the outcome of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the management of salivary calculi
Authors: Escudier Michael P. , Brown Jackie E. , Putcha Venkata , Capaccio Pasquale , McGurk Mark 
Published: June 2010

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To identify the factors that affect outcome (stone clearance, partial clearance without symptoms, and residual stone with symptoms unchanged) of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). To develop and validate a predictive model for outcome of treatment.Study Design:Prospective controlled trial.Methods:There were 142 salivary calculi (78 submandibular, 64 parotid) entered into a prospective clinical trial of ESWL. The results were analyzed and a predictive model generated, which was validated using a second group of patients treated by the same technique.Results:ESWL achieved complete success (stone and symptom free) in 67 (47.15%) of cases (submandibular 28/78, 35.9%; parotid 39/64, 60.9%). Partial success (residual stone and symptom free) was obtained in a further 49 (34.5%) (submandibular 29/78, 37.2%; parotid 20/64, 31.3%). Failure occurred in 26 (18.3%) of cases (submandibular 21/78, 26.9%; parotid 5/64, 7.8%).Conclusions:ESWL can eradicate salivary calculi but its effectiveness is dependant mainly on size of the stone. Using a regression analysis model stone clearance can be reliably predicted based on stone size. A less important factor is the radiodensity of the stone, whereas a greater proportion of parotid calculi are eliminated by ESWL than submandibular calculi. Laryngoscope, 2010