bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Comparison between Raw Ensemble Output, (Modified) Bayesian Model Averaging, and Extended Logistic Regression Using ECMWF Ensemble Precipitation Reforecasts
Authors: Schmeits Maurice J. , Kok Kees J. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Using a 20-yr ECMWF ensemble reforecast dataset of total precipitation and a 20-yr dataset of a dense precipitation observation network in the Netherlands, a comparison is made between the raw ensemble output, Bayesian model averaging (BMA), and extended logistic regression (LR). A previous study indicated that BMA and conventional LR are successful in calibrating multimodel ensemble forecasts of precipitation for a single forecast projection. However, a more elaborate comparison between these methods has not yet been made. This study compares the raw ensemble output, BMA, and extended LR for single-model ensemble reforecasts of precipitation; namely, from the ECMWF ensemble prediction system (EPS). The raw EPS output turns out to be generally well calibrated up to 6 forecast days, if compared to the area-mean 24-h precipitation sum. Surprisingly, BMA is less skillful than the raw EPS output from forecast day 3 onward. This is due to the bias correction in BMA, which applies model output statistics to individual ensemble members. As a result, the spread of the bias-corrected ensemble members is decreased, especially for the longer forecast projections. Here, an additive bias correction is applied instead and the equation for the probability of precipitation in BMA is also changed. These modifications to BMA are referred to as “modified BMA” and lead to a significant improvement in the skill of BMA for the longer projections. If the area-maximum 24-h precipitation sum is used as a predictand, both modified BMA and extended LR improve the raw EPS output significantly for the first 5 forecast days. However, the difference in skill between modified BMA and extended LR does not seem to be statistically significant. Yet, extended LR might be preferred, because incorporating predictors that are different from the predictand is straightforward, in contrast to BMA.
An Analysis of the Environments of Intense Convective Systems in West Africa in 2003
Authors: Nicholls Stephen D. , Mohr Karen I. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
The local- and regional-scale environments associated with intense convective systems in West Africa during 2003 were diagnosed from soundings, operational analysis, and space-based datasets. Convective system cases were identified from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) microwave imagery and classified by the system minimum 85-GHz brightness temperature and the estimated elapsed time of propagation from terrain greater than 500 m. The speed of the midlevel jet, the magnitude of the low-level shear, and the surface equivalent potential temperature θe were greater for the intense cases compared to the nonintense cases, although the differences between the means tended to be small: less than 3 K for surface θe and less than 2 × 10−3 s−1 for low-level wind shear. Hypothesis testing of a series of commonly used intensity prediction metrics resulted in significant results only for low-level metrics such as convective available potential energy and not for any of the mid- or upper-level metrics such as the 700-hPa θe. None of the environmental variables or intensity metrics by themselves or in combination appeared to be reliable direct predictors of intensity. In the regional-scale analysis, the majority of intense convective systems occurred in the surface baroclinic zone where surface θe exceeded 344 K and the 700-hPa zonal wind speeds were less than −6 m s−1. Fewer intense cases compared to nonintense cases were associated with African easterly wave troughs. Fewer than 25% of these cases occurred in environments with detectable Saharan dust loads, and the results for intense and nonintense cases were similar. Although the discrimination between the intense and nonintense environments was narrow, the results were robust and consistent with the seasonal movement of the West African monsoon, regional differences in topography, and African easterly wave energetics.
Integrative Health Coaching for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wolever R.Q. , Dreusicke M. , Fikkan J. , Hawkins T.V. , Yeung S. , Wakefield J. , Duda L. , Flowers P. , Cook C. , Skinner E. 
Published: June 2010

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of integrative health (IH) coaching on psychosocial factors, behavior change, and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods Fifty-six patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to either 6 months of IH coaching or usual care (control group). Coaching was conducted by telephone for fourteen 30-minute sessions. Patients were guided in creating an individualized vision of health, and goals were self-chosen to align with personal values. The coaching agenda, discussion topics, and goals were those of the patient, not the provider. Preintervention and postintervention assessments measured medication adherence, exercise frequency, patient engagement, psychosocial variables, and A1C. Results Perceived barriers to medication adherence decreased, while patient activation, perceived social support, and benefit finding all increased in the IH coaching group compared with those in the control group. Improvements in the coaching group alone were also observed for self-reported adherence, exercise frequency, stress, and perceived health status. Coaching participants with elevated baseline A1C (≥7%) significantly reduced their A1C. Conclusions A coaching intervention focused on patients’ values and sense of purpose may provide added benefit to traditional diabetes education programs. Fundamentals of IH coaching may be applied by diabetes educators to improve patient self-efficacy, accountability, and clinical outcomes.
Lubricin
Authors: Roberts Sally , Menage Janis , Flannery Carl R. , Richardson James B. 
Published: June 2010

Objective: To determine if lubricin was present in the surface layer of repair cartilage formed after autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). Design: Forty-three biopsies of repair tissue were taken from patients who had been treated with ACI 8 to 68 months previously (mean of 18.0 ± 14.4 months); 30 had flaps of periosteum and 13 of Chondro-Gide®. Cryopreserved sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue, and immunostained for lubricin and type II collagen. The quality of repair tissue was scored via OsScore, and clinical improvement in patients was assessed via change in Lysholm score. Normal/control cartilage was studied for comparison ( n = 5). Results: Patients’ Lysholm scores improved from 48.1 ± 17 preoperatively to 69.5 ± 21.5 posttreatment. The thickness of repair tissue was 2.9 ± 1.7 mm compared with 2.3 ± 0.6 mm for control cartilage, with an OsScore of 6.7 ± 1.6 (8.9 ± 1.2 for controls). Ninety-eight percent of biopsies had staining for lubricin, with 84% having some in the surface layer (60% of periosteal treated and 100% of Chondro-Gide treated). The improvement in Lysholm score was not significantly different in patients with lubricin present at the surface compared with those without. Conclusion: Lubricin was present in almost all samples of repair tissue formed post ACI, often in the surface layer, resembling the distribution that is seen in normal cartilage. The presence of lubricin in the upper layer is likely to have implications for the functioning of the tissue because, via its mucin-like repeats, it appears capable of reducing the friction that could arise in articulating joints.
A review on allogeneic stem cell transplantation for newly diagnosed pediatric acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Niewerth Denise , Creutzig Ursula , Bierings Marc B. , Kaspers Gertjan J. L. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Survival of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has improved considerably over the past decades. Since 1985, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is widely recommended for patients who have a matched sibling donor. However, it remains controversial whether allo-SCT is superior to chemotherapy for children with newly diagnosed AML. This review summarizes phase 3 clinical trials that compared allo-SCT with chemotherapy (including autologous SCT) in pediatric AML, excluding studies that did not use the intention-to-treat analysis or correct for time-to-transplantation. Although allo-SCT might prevent more relapses than chemotherapy, the number needed for transplantation (with allo-SCT) to prevent one relapse is in the order of 10 patients. Moreover, overall survival is similar with both methods in most recent studies, apparently because of increased salvagability of a relapse when initial therapy concerned chemotherapy only, and because of a higher treatment-related mortality with allo-SCT. Because allo-SCT also gives more severe side effects and results more often in secondary malignancies than chemotherapy, we do not recommend allo-SCT in first remission for pediatric AML in general. Further research should focus on the possibility that subgroups might benefit from allo-SCT, aiming at further improvements in the prognosis of pediatric AML.
A monoclonal antibody against mutated nucleophosmin 1 for the molecular diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemias
Authors: Gruszka Alicja M. , Lavorgna Serena , Consalvo Maria Irno , Ottone Tiziana , Martinelli Chiara , Cinquanta Mario , Ossolengo Giuseppe , Pruneri Giancarlo , Buccisano Francesco , Divona Mariadomenica , Cedrone Michele , Ammatuna Emanuele , Venditti Adriano , de Marco Ario , Lo-Coco Francesco , Pelicci Pier Giuseppe 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Mutations in the nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) gene are the most frequent genetic aberrations of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and define a clinically distinct subset of AML. A monoclonal antibody (T26) was raised against a 19-amino acid polypeptide containing the unique C-terminus of the type A NPM1 mutant protein. T26 recognized 10 of the 21 known NPM1 mutants, including the A, B, and D types, which cover approximately 95% of all cases, and did not cross-react with wild-type NPM1 or unrelated cellular proteins. It performed efficiently with different detection technologies, including immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Within a series of consecutive de novo AML patients, 44 of 110 (40%) and 15 of 39 (38%) cases scored positive using the T26 antibody in immunofluorescence and flow cytometry assays, respectively. T26-positive cases were found to be all carrying mutations of NPM1 exclusively, as determined by molecular analysis. T26 is the first antibody that specifically recognizes a leukemia-associated mutant protein. Immunofluorescence or flow cytometry using T26 may thus become a new tool for a rapid, simple, and cost-effective molecular diagnosis of AMLs.
Soluble Fas might serve as a diagnostic tool for gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: Boroumand-Noughabi Samaneh , Sima Hamid Reza , Ghaffarzadehgan Kamran , Jafarzadeh Mostafa , Raziee Hamid Reza , Hosseinnezhad Hanieh , Moaven Omeed , Rajabi-Mashhadi Mohammad Taghi , Azarian Amir Abbas , Mashhadinejad Mojtaba , Tavakkol-Afshari Jalil 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackgroundFas (Apo-1/CD95) and its specific ligand (FasL) are key elements in apoptosis. They have been studied in different malignancies but there are few published studies about the soluble forms of these markers (i.e. sFas/sFasL) in gastric cancer. We have compared the serum levels of sFas/sFasL in gastric adenocarcinoma patients and cases with pre-neoplastic lesions as potential markers for early diagnosis, and investigated their relation with clinicopathological characteristics.MethodsFifty-nine newly-diagnosed cases of gastric adenocarcinoma who had undergone gastrectomy, along with 62 endoscopically- and histologically-confirmed non-cancer individuals were enrolled in this study. sFas/sFasL serum levels were detected by Enzyme Linked Immunosurbent Assay.ResultsMean serum sFas level was significantly higher in gastric cancer patients than in control group (305.97 ± 63.71 (pg/ml) vs. 92.98 ± 4.95 (pg/ml), P < 0.001); while the mean serum level of sFasL was lower in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (0.138 ± 0.04 (pg/ml) vs. 0.150 ± 0.02 (pg/ml), P < 0.001). Mean serum levels of sFas/sFasL were significantly different in both intestinal/diffuse and cardiac/non-cardiac subtypes when compared to the control group (P < 0.001). There was an increase in the serum level of sFas from the first steps of pre-neoplastic lesions to gastric adenocarcinoma (P < 0.001). Patients who had no lymph node involvement (N0) showed significantly higher serum levels of sFas compared to others (P = 0.044).ConclusionsProduction of sFas may play a critical role in the carcinogenesis of intestinal-type gastric cancer. sFas serum level may serve as a non-invasive tool for early diagnosis of gastric cancer.
Synthesis and Hybridization Properties of Oligonucleotides Incorporating Bi- and Tricyclic Cytosine Derivatives
Authors: Ohkubo Akihiro , Sakaue Toshiyuki , Tsunoda Hirosuke , Seio Kohji , Sekine Mitsuo 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
DNA oligomers with cytosine bases (Cpyr, Ctpp, and Cpnx) with bi- and tricyclic ring structures were synthesized. Among the modified bases, Cpyr was found to enhance the duplex stability retaining the base recognition ability. Ctpp was effective in neither hybridization nor base recognition. Cpnx could form more strongly a matched base pair with guanine but lost more significantly base recognition than Cpyr.
1-Methylimidazolium Chlorosulfate ([HMIm]SO3Cl): A Novel Ionic Liquid with Dual Brønsted–Lewis Acidity
Authors: Bao Quanxi , Qiao Kun , Tomida Daisuke , Yokoyama Chiaki 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
A novel acidic ionic liquid, 1-methylimidazolium chlorosulfate ([HMIm]SO3Cl), with dual Brønsted–Lewis acidity was synthesized. This compound provided better catalytic performance in esterification and dehydration of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) than acidic ionic liquids with only Brønsted or Lewis acidity.
Decision Rings: Making Decision Trees Visual and non-Mathematical
Authors: Bordley Robert F. 
Published: June 2010

The decision tree is widely used to represent and solve decision problems. Because it involves the explicit use of mathematics, it tends to be used for technical audiences. This paper presents an alternative way of representing and solving the decision tree for nontechnical audiences. A common step in quantifying a decision tree is to ask subjects to quantify their beliefs about an event using a probability wheel. This procedure implies that subjects do have geometrical intuitions about uncertainties. Our new approach to decision analysis builds on this insight. Instead of representing the tree with lines, we represent the various levels of a decision tree as concentric rings. Specific events are represented as segments in those rings with the size of the segment being proportional to the probability of the event occurring. Payoffs are represented by coloring various segments. The standard expected value calculation of decision analysis corresponds to mixing the colors from outer segments to color inner segments. This new way of representing and solving a decision tree is completely visual and eliminates the need for any mathematics.
Test expectancy affects metacomprehension accuracy
Authors: Thiede Keith W. , Wiley Jennifer , Griffin Thomas D. 
Published: June 2010

Background. Theory suggests that the accuracy of metacognitive monitoring is affected by the cues used to judge learning. Researchers have improved monitoring accuracy by directing attention to more appropriate cues; however, this is the first study to more directly point students to more appropriate cues using instructions regarding tests and practice tests. Aims. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether the accuracy metacognitive monitoring was affected by the nature of the test expected. Sample and method. Students (N= 59) were randomly assigned to one of two test expectancy groups (memory vs. inference). Then after reading texts, judging learning, completed both memory and inference tests. Results. Test performance and monitoring accuracy were superior when students received the kind of test they had been led to expect rather than the unexpected test. Conclusion. Tests influence students' perceptions of what constitutes learning. Our findings suggest that this could affect how students prepare for tests and how they monitoring their own learning.
Differential contribution of MTHFR C677T variant to the risk of diabetic nephropathy in Lebanese and Bahraini Arabs
Authors: Nemr Rita , Salman Rabha A. , Jawad Lamees H. , Juma Eman A. , Keleshian Sose H. , Almawi Wassim Y. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Background: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variants and hyperhomocysteinemia have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in various ethnic groups. We investigated the association of C677T and A1298C
MTHFR gene variants and altered homocysteine concentrations in Lebanese and Bahraini type 2 diabetes (T2DM) DN patients.

Methods: Bahraini subjects comprised 224 DN patients and 328 T2DM patients with normal urine albumin [diabetes without nephropathy (DWN)]. Lebanese subjects comprised 252 DN and 309 DWN patients. C677T and A1298C genotypes were determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, and homocysteine was measured by ELISA.

Results:
A1298C allele and genotype distribution were comparable between DN and DWN patients in both communities. However, there was enrichment of the 677T allele, together with C/T and T/T genotypes in Lebanese but not Bahraini DN patients, thereby conferring DN susceptibility [odds ratio (OR) (95% CI)=2.43 (1.89–3.11) and OR (95% CI)=1.15 (0.83–1.61), respectively; heterogeneity Q=12.53, p=0.0004)].

Conclusions: The contribution of C677T single nucleotide polymorphism to increased risk of DN (presumably by increasing homocysteine concentrations) must be evaluated in the context of the ethnic background.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1091–4.
Rolling Contact Fatigue Life Test Design and Result Interpretation Methods Maintaining Compatibility of Efficiency and Reliability
Authors: Fujita Takumi 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
In this report, several methods for both rolling contact fatigue (RCF) life test design and result interpretation are introduced. These methods generate results using random numbers followed by Weibull distribution (i.e., Weibull random number). The first method illustrates a relationship between the minimum number of test specimens and the suspension time in a fixed time test required at L10 and L50 lives with an arbitrary reliability. This relationship is useful to maintain the qualitative reliability and avoid excessive quantitative testing. The second method can clarify a relationship between the given number of test specimens and resultant significant differences at L10 and L50 lives in an accelerated test with an arbitrary reliability. This relationship is also useful to estimate the appropriate number of test specimens based on statistical logic. Of note, calculations employing the Weibull random number can apply to not only RCF life test design but also estimations of the test results. The third method enables the determination of a range of L10 and L50 lives with an arbitrary reliability even if the number of test specimens is too small to estimate L10 or L50 lives from the Weibull plots. The fourth method can determine significant differences of L10 and L50 lives between any two given lots and allow a quantitative estimation of the minimum difference between their lives from data obtained by experiments. These methods provide techniques that are easier to understand as compared to the recent mathematical model, and they show enough flexibility to apply to almost all types of testing. These systems will therefore eliminate the need for qualified experiences related to the statistical design and result interpretation for RCF life testing.
The Books of Michael Muhammad Knight
Authors: Schubel Vernon James 
Published: June 2010

The Taqwacores, Soft Skull Press, Pb 256 pp., 2009. $12.95. ISBN-13: 9781593762292.
Osama Van Halen, Soft Skull Press, Pb. 224 pp., 2009. $14.95. ISBN-13: 9781593762421.
Impossible Man, Soft Skull Press, Pb. 352 pp., 2009. $15.95. ISBN-10: 1593762267.
Journey to the End of Islam, Soft Skull Press, Pb. 360 pp., 2009. $16.95. ISBN-13: 9781593762469.
The Five Percenters: Islam, Hip Hop, and the Gods of New York. Oneworld Publications, Pb. 328 pp., 2008. $19.95/£12.95. ISBN-13: 9781851686155.
Blue-eyed Devil, Autonomedia, 224 pp., Pb. 2006. $14.95. ISBN-13: 9781570271793
A System Dynamics Model for Improving Primary Education Enrollment in a Developing Country
Authors: Pedamallu Chandra , Ozdamar Linet , Ganesh L , Weber Gerhard-Wilhelm , Kropat Erik 
Published: June 2010

A System Dynamics Model for Improving Primary Education Enrollment in a Developing Country
The system dynamics approach is a holistic way of solving problems in real-time scenarios. This is a powerful methodology and computer simulation modeling technique for framing, analyzing, and discussing complex issues and problems. System dynamics modeling is often the background of a systemic thinking approach and has become a management and organizational development paradigm. This paper proposes a system dynamics approach for studying the importance of infrastructure facilities on the quality of primary education system in a developing nation. The model is built using the Cross Impact Analysis (CIA) method of relating entities and attributes relevant to the primary education system in any given community. The CIA model enables us to predict the effects of infrastructural facilities on the community's access of primary education. This may support policy makers to take more effective actions in campaigns that attempt to improve literacy.