bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal and regional differences in the rainfall and intensity of isolated convection over South America
Authors: Rickenbach Thomas M. , Nieto‐Ferreira Rosana , Barnhill Richard P. , Nesbitt Stephen W. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIsolated precipitating convection, though a minor contributor to total rainfall in the tropics, is important to regional and seasonal climate variability because its diabatic heating structure is characteristic of the convectively inactive phase of tropical interseasonal oscillations. This study extends a previous analysis of mesoscale convective system (MCS) variability in the South America monsoon system to examine regional differences in the annual cycle of the rainfall and vertical structure of isolated convection over the 10 year period of 1998–2007. The goal is to document the annual variation of shallow and deep isolated convection in order to provide a more complete picture of monsoon onset across South America. Over the 10 year period of 1998–2007, the average rain contribution from isolated convection (compared to MCSs) ranged from 1 to 8% of the total rainfall in the four regions depending on the season. The contribution of rainfall by isolated convection was on the high end of that range during the pre‐monsoon months of June to August in the tropical regions. Of the isolated convection rainfall, 4–9% was attributable to shallow ‘warm rain’, with the largest fraction after monsoon onset (December to February) in the coastal Mouth of Amazon region. Mean annual time series of conditional rainfall, lightning activity, 85 GHz ice‐scattering signature, and radar echo depth for isolated convective features all suggested that an oceanic regime strongly influences isolated convection at the Mouth of Amazon region in northeastern Brazil. In the interior tropical regions, there was a clear pre‐monsoon (August to September) maximum in the vertical intensity of deep isolated convection as indicated by lightning, ice scattering, and radar echo depth. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
A new high resolution absolute temperature grid for the Greater Alpine Region back to 1780
Authors: Chimani Barbara , Matulla Christoph , Böhm Reinhard , Hofstätter Michael 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTThis study presents a new gridded dataset providing absolute monthly mean temperatures across the Greater Alpine Region (GAR) of Europe at a spatial resolution of 5 arcmin (6 × 9 km in the region) from 1780 to 2008. The starting point was a set of long‐term homogenized station time series. To assure the quality of the analyses back in time, when the station density decreases, missing measurements were reconstructed by an Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis that can deal with gappy data. It is shown that the reconstructed values comprise similar statistical features to the observations and that the method produces no breaks between the reconstructions and the observations. The compound anomaly dataset was then interpolated separately for two different altitude ranges to preserve anomaly gradients between high and low elevations. This allowed for the derivation of individual anomalies at each grid point in GAR. Finally, these smooth anomalies were blended with the highly resolved monthly mean absolute temperature fields, provided by a project of the European Climate Support Network. The added value of this new high resolution and long‐term temperature dataset is shown and discussed using the examples of the height of the 0 °C altitude and vertical lapse rates. For the first time, these and other features are now available for more than two centuries in a topographically complex region like GAR.
Identifying the types of major El Niño events since 1870
Authors: Yu Jin‐Yi , Kim Seon Tae 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis study develops a pattern correlation method to determine the type of major El Niño events since 1870 from a reconstructed sea surface temperature dataset. Different from other identification methods, this method allows an El Niño event to be of the Central‐Pacific (CP) type, the Eastern‐Pacific (EP) type, or the Mixed type (i.e. the both types coexist). Application of this method to the 39 major El Niño events identified by the Ocean Niño Index during the period 1870–2010 results in 8 events that are categorized to be of the EP type, 16 of the CP type, and 15 of Mixed type. Before the 1910s, the El Niño events are mostly of the EP type, but are mostly the CP type after 2000, while in between both types occurred. The consistencies and inconsistencies between the El Niño types identified by this method and other three methods, which have been proposed recently for El Niño‐type classification, are examined and discussed. All four methods consistently identify the El Niño events occurring in the following years to be of the EP types: 1876–1877, 1881, 1884–1885, 1895–1896, 1896–1897, 1918–1919, 1982–1983, and 1997–1998; and the events occurring in the following years to be of the CP type: 1968–1969, 1977–1978, 1994–1995, 2004–2005, and 2009–2010. It is evident that the characteristics of the EP type of El Niño are more robust in the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century, whereas the characteristics of the CP type of El Niño is more robust in the late 20th century and the early 21st century. The list of the El Niño types produced by this study can be used for selecting El Niño events to further study the dynamics and climate impacts of the EP, CP, and Mixed types of El Niño. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Impact of proteoglycan‐4 and parathyroid hormone on articular cartilage
Authors: Novince Chad M. , Entezami Payam , Wilson Christopher G. , Wang Jason , Oh Seo , Koh Amy J. , Michalski Megan N. , Sinder Benjamin P. , Kozloff Kenneth M. , Taichman Russell S. , McCauley Laurie K. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractProteoglycan‐4 (Prg4) protects synovial joints from arthropathic changes by mechanisms that are incompletely understood. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), known for its anabolic actions in bone, increases Prg4 expression and has been reported to inhibit articular cartilage degeneration in arthropathic joints. To investigate the effect of Prg4 and PTH on articular cartilage, 16‐week‐old Prg4 mutant and wild‐type mice were treated with intermittent PTH (1–34) or vehicle control daily for six weeks. Analyses included histology of the knee joint, micro‐CT of the distal femur, and serum biochemical analysis of type II collagen fragments (CTX‐II). Compared to wild‐type littermates, Prg4 mutant mice had an acellular layer of material lining the surfaces of the articular cartilage and menisci, increased articular cartilage degradation, increased serum CTX‐II concentrations, decreased articular chondrocyte apoptosis, increased synovium SDF‐1 expression, and irregularly contoured subchondral bone. PTH‐treated Prg4 mutant mice developed a secondary deposit overlaying the acellular layer of material lining the joint surfaces, but PTH‐treatment did not alter signs of articular cartilage degeneration in Prg4 mutant mice. The increased joint SDF‐1 levels and irregular subchondral bone found in Prg4 mutant mice introduce novel candidate mechanisms by which Prg4 protects articular cartilage. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 183–190, 2013
The Stochastic Goal Programming Model: Theory and Applications
Authors: Aouni Belaid , Ben Abdelaziz Fouad , La Torre Davide 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTSupported by a network of researchers and practitioners, the goal programming (GP) model is alive today more than ever and is continually fed with theoretical developments and new applications with resounding success. The standard formulation of the GP model was introduced in the earliest of 1960s, and since then, important extensions and numerous applications have been proposed. One of these variants is the stochastic GP model that deals with the uncertainty of some decision‐making situations by using stochastic calculus. In such a situation, the decision maker is not able to assess with certainty the different parameters. However, he or she can provide some information regarding the likelihood of occurrence of the decision‐making parameter values. The aim of this paper is to highlight the main methodological developments of the stochastic GP model and to present an overview of its applications in several domains. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Open versus robot‐assisted sphincter‐saving operations in rectal cancer patients: techniques and comparison of outcomes between groups of 100 matched patients
Authors: Kim Jin C. , Yang Sung S. , Jang Tae Y. , Kwak Jae Y. , Yun Myung J. , Lim Seok B. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundAlthough open resection using a sphincter‐saving operation (SSO) remains the standard of care for rectal cancer, few studies have compared open and robot‐assisted (RA) SSOs. This study aimed to compare the operative features, functional outcomes, and oncological validity of open and RA SSO for rectal cancer.MethodsA total of 200 rectal cancer patients undergoing curative SSO were enrolled prospectively. The open and RA groups (n = 100, respectively) were matched for clinical stage and operation type.ResultsThe mean operation time was significantly longer in the RA group than in the open group (188 vs. 103 min, P < 0.001), but it was significantly reduced in the latter half of the RA patients compared with that in the first half (164 vs. 214 min, P < 0.001). The mean distal resection margin was significantly longer in the RA than in the open group (2.7 vs. 1.9 cm; P = 0.001), but only one patient in either group had positive circumferential resection margin. Bowel peristalsis returned one day earlier in the RA than in the open group (P < 0.001). Postoperative complication rates and anorectal functional outcomes were comparable between the two groups. The operator's physical discomfort, assessed on a visual analog scale, was significantly lower in the RA than in the open group (P < 0.001).ConclusionsAccording to this short‐term study, the RA SSO showed equivalent oncological safety, functional outcome, and morbidities to open SSO. Although the operation takes longer, the robotic system enables a technically versatile SSO with fine dissection in a limited surgical field. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Personalized image‐based templates for iliosacral screw insertions: a pilot study
Authors: Chen Bin , Zhang Yuanzhi , Xiao Shengxiang , Gu Pengcheng , Lin Xiangjin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundStabilization of rare unstable pelvic fractures in the case of sacral fractures and iliosacral joint dislocations can be tricky. 3D reconstruction and reverse engineering templates may be used to increase the accuracy of screw placement.MethodsComputed tomography (CT) images were used to design the template for 16 consecutive patients with unstable pelvic ring fractures, which were used to guide the screw placement. Another 10 patients received screw placement under conventional fluoroscopy. The screw position, radiation exposure, and surgery time were compared between the two groups.ResultsPersonalized image‐based templates had better correct screw positions (P < 0.05), reduced radiation exposure (P < 0.01), and shorter surgery time (P < 0.05) compared with the conventional group.ConclusionsPersonalized image‐based templates for iliosacral screw insertions can increase the sacral lag screw placement accuracy, reduce radiation exposure, and shorten surgery time compared with traditional fluoroscopic methods. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interplay of priors and skeletons in two‐stage continual reassessment method
Authors: Iasonos Alexia , O'Quigley John 
Published: August 2012

Model‐based dose‐finding designs such as the continual reassessment method (CRM) rely on some basic working model. In the Bayesian setting, these take the form of ‘guess estimates’ of the probabilities of toxicity at each level. In the likelihood setting, these estimates simply take the form of a model as operational characteristics are unaffected by arbitrary positive power transformations. These initial estimates are often referred to as the model skeleton. The impact of any prior distribution on the model parameter that describes the dose–toxicity curve will itself depend on the skeleton being used.We study the interplay between prior assumptions and skeleton choice in the context of two‐stage CRM designs. We consider the behavior of a two‐stage design at the point of transition from a 3 + 3 design to CRM. We study how use can be made of stage 1 data to construct a more efficient skeleton in conjunction with any prior information through an example of a clinical trial. We evaluate to what extent stage 1 data might be down weighted when the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is far from the starting level and stage 1 data is strongly informative. The results show no improvement in accuracy; thus, weighting is not necessary unless the investigators feel strongly about the location of the MTD and wish to accelerate into the vicinity of the MTD. In general, because this information is not available, we recommend that the design of two‐stage trials utilize stage 1 data to establish a skeleton. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lipid‐PEG‐Folate Encapsulated Nanoparticles with Aggregation Induced Emission Characteristics: Cellular Uptake Mechanism and Two‐Photon Fluorescence Imaging
Authors: Geng Junlong , Li Kai , Ding Dan , Zhang Xinhai , Qin Wei , Liu Jianzhao , Tang Ben Zhong , Liu Bin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractFolate functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) that contain fluorogens with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) characteristics are fabricated to show bright far‐red/near‐infrared fluorescence, a large two‐photon absorption cross section and low cytotoxicity, which are internalized into MCF‐7 cancer cells mainly through caveolae‐mediated endocytosis. One‐photon excited in vivo fluorescence imaging illustrates that these AIE NPs can accumulate in a tumor and two‐photon excited ex vivo tumor tissue imaging reveals that they can be easily detected in the tumor mass at a depth of 400 μm. These studies indicate that AIE NPs are promising alternatives to conventional TPA probes for biological imaging.
TESOL Teacher Education: Novice Teachers' Perceptions of Their Preparedness and Efficacy in the Classroom
Authors: Faez Farahnaz , Valeo Antonella 
Published: August 2012

This study examined the teacher education of novice teachers of English to speakers of other languages (ESOL). A survey and follow‐up interviews were employed to investigate novice teachers' perceptions about four aspects of their teacher preparation: (a) degree of preparedness to teach after graduating from a teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) program, (b) preparedness after classroom experience (up to 3 years), (c) sense of efficacy to complete teaching practices in adult ESOL classrooms, and (d) perceptions of what was useful to them in the TESOL program. Accredited ESOL teachers with less than 3 years of experience (N = 115) completed a questionnaire that explored their perceptions of preparedness and efficacy to teach in adult ESOL programs in Ontario, Canada. Eight teachers participated in follow‐up semistructured interviews. Findings show that although, overall, novice teachers increased their perceptions of preparedness by gaining experience in the classroom, their sense of efficacy to perform within certain teaching expectations was task specific and highly situated. The practicum and “real” teaching experiences were found to be the most influential aspects of the induction programs. These findings have implications for teacher educators, TESOL institutions, and accreditation bodies that are committed to preparing qualified teachers for adult ESOL programs.
Mitochondrial network energetics in the heart
Authors: Aon Miguel A. , Cortassa Sonia 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAt the core of eukaryotic aerobic life, mitochondrial function like ‘hubs’ in the web of energetic and redox processes in cells. In the heart, these networks—extending beyond the complex connectivity of biochemical circuit diagrams and apparent morphology—exhibit collective dynamics spanning several spatiotemporal levels of organization, from the cell, to the tissue, and the organ. The network function of mitochondria, i.e., mitochondrial network energetics, represents an advantageous behavior. Its coordinated action, under normal physiology, provides robustness despite failure in a few nodes, and improves energy supply toward a swiftly changing demand. Extensive diffuse loops, encompassing mitochondrial–cytoplasmic reaction/transport networks, control and regulate energy supply and demand in the heart. Under severe energy crises, the network behavior of mitochondria and associated glycolytic and other metabolic networks collapse, thereby triggering fatal arrhythmias. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2012, 4:599–613. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1188This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Analytical Methods
Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Cellular Models
Physiology > Mammalian Physiology in Health and Disease
“Adhesions after abdominal, pelvic and intra-uterine surgery and their prevention”
Authors: Wallwiener Markus , Brölmann Hans , Koninckx Philippe Robert , Lundorff Per , Lower Adrian M. , Wattiez Arnaud , Mara Michal , De Wilde Rudy Leon ,   The Anti-adhesions in Gynecology Expert Panel (ANGEL)
Published: August 2012

AbstractWe here present the full text of a patient leaflet we have designed, and routinely use, to provide preoperative education about adhesions to patients undergoing open or laparoscopic gynaecological surgery. The leaflet presents appropriate, patient-orientated information on the nature of adhesions, their causes and the health risks they may involve as well as on adhesiolysis and modern methods of adhesion prevention. As adhesion formation is not specific to gynaecological surgery, the leaflet can also be adapted for the purposes of general abdominal surgery.
Dicer is essential for neuronal polarity
Authors: Li Zhi , He Xi , Feng Jiexiong 
Published: August 2012

AbstractDicer, an RNase III endonuclease, is the enzyme which cleaves microRNA (miRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) precursors into 21–25 nucleotide species. This cleavage is an essential step in the biogenesis of these small noncoding RNA molecules. In their mature forms, siRNA and miRNAs function to regulate gene expression through different mechanisms (Bartel, 2004). To investigate the role of Dicer and microRNAs in neuronal polarity development, we used mice in which the RNase III domain of Dicer was conditionally floxed. To knockout Dicer gene, hippocampal neurons were electroporated with Cre together with pmaxGFP® plasmid by Amaxa® Mouse Neuron Nucleofector® Kit. Neuronal polarity was analyzed at 3 days in vitro (DIV). Neurons expressing pmaxGFP® showed normal polarity. In contrast, the majority of neurons transfected with Cre developed multiple axons. We found multiple axons were significantly increasing. Here we explore Dicer function in neuronal polarity by inactivating it in the hippocampal neuron using the Cre/loxP approach. Neurons which lack Dicer have multiple axons, demonstrating that Dicer is essential for neuron polarity, providing evidence that Dicer function is required to neuronal development.
The clinical significance of inflammatory cytokines in primary cell culture in endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Smith Harriet O. , Stephens Nicole D. , Qualls Clifford R. , Fligelman Tal , Wang Tao , Lin Chang-Yun , Burton Elizabeth , Griffith Jeffrey K. , Pollard Jeffrey W. 
Published: August 2012

Endometrial cancer is the most common malignancy of the female genital tract, and the incidence and mortality rates from this disease are increasing. Although endometrial carcinoma has been regarded as a tissue‐specific disease mediated by female sex steroid pathways, considerable evidence implicates a role for an inflammatory response in the development and propagation of endometrial cancer. We hypothesized that if specific patterns of cytokine expression were found to be predictive of adverse outcome, then selective receptor targeting may be a therapeutic option. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the relationship between cytokine production in primary cell culture and clinical outcome in endometrial adenocarcinoma. Fresh endometrial tissues were fractionated into epithelial and stromal fractions and cultured. After 6–7 days, supernatants were collected and cells enumerated. Batched aliquots were assayed using ELISA kits specific for CSF‐1, GMCSF, G‐CSF, TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐8, and VEGF. Data were compared using ANOVA, Fisher's exact, and log rank tests. Increased epithelial VEGF production was observed more often in tumors with Type 2 variants (p = 0.039) and when GPR30 receptor expression was high (p = 0.038). Although increased stromal VEGF production was detected more often in grade 3 endometrioid tumors (p = 0.050), when EGFR expression was high (p = 0.003), and/or when ER/PR expression was low (p = 0.048), VEGF production did not correlated with overall survival (OS). Increased epithelial CSF‐1 and TNF‐α production, respectively, were observed more often in tumors with deep myometrial invasion (p = 0.014) and advanced stage (p = 0.018). Increased CSF‐1 (89.5% vs. 42.9%, p = 0.032), TNF‐α (88.9% vs. 42.9%, p = 0.032, and IL‐6 (92.3% vs. 61.5%, p = 0.052) also correlated with low OS. In Cox multivariate models, CSF‐1 was an independent predictor of low survival when stratified by grade (p = 0.046) and histology (p = 0.050), and TNF‐α, when stratified by histology (p = 0.037). In this study, high CSF‐1, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 production rates identified patients at greatest risk for death, and may signify patients likely to benefit from receptor‐specific therapy.
Dynamics of gravity–capillary solitary waves in deep water
Authors: Wang Zhan , Milewski Paul A. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe dynamics of solitary gravity–capillary water waves propagating on the surface of a three-dimensional fluid domain is studied numerically. In order to accurately compute complex time-dependent solutions, we simplify the full potential flow problem by using surface variables and taking a particular cubic truncation possessing a Hamiltonian with desirable properties. This approximation agrees remarkably well with the full equations for the bifurcation curves, wave profiles and the dynamics of solitary waves for a two-dimensional fluid domain, and with higher-order truncations in three dimensions. Fully localized solitary waves are then computed in the three-dimensional problem and the stability and interaction of both line and localized solitary waves are investigated via numerical time integration of the equations. There are many solitary wave branches, indexed by their finite energy as their amplitude tends to zero. The dynamics of the solitary waves is complex, involving nonlinear focusing of wavepackets, quasi-elastic collisions, and the generation of propagating, spatially localized, time-periodic structures akin to breathers.