bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Stratospheric Ozone Changes on Downward Wave Coupling in the Southern Hemisphere*
Authors: Shaw Tiffany A. , Perlwitz Judith , Harnik Nili , Newman Paul A. , Pawson Steven 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
The impact of stratospheric ozone changes on downward wave coupling between the stratosphere and troposphere in the Southern Hemisphere is investigated using a suite of Goddard Earth Observing System chemistry–climate model (GEOS CCM) simulations. Downward wave coupling occurs when planetary waves reflected in the stratosphere impact the troposphere. In reanalysis data, the climatological coupling occurs from September to December when the stratospheric basic state has a well-defined high-latitude meridional waveguide in the lower stratosphere that is bounded above by a reflecting surface, called a bounded wave geometry. Reanalysis data suggests that downward wave coupling during November–December has increased during the last three decades.
The GEOS CCM simulation of the recent past captures the main features of downward wave coupling in the Southern Hemisphere. Consistent with the Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research and Application (MERRA) dataset, wave coupling in the model maximizes during October–November when there is a bounded wave geometry configuration. However, the wave coupling in the model is stronger than in the MERRA dataset, and starts earlier and ends later in the seasonal cycle. The late season bias is caused by a bias in the timing of the stratospheric polar vortex breakup.
Temporal changes in stratospheric ozone associated with past depletion and future recovery significantly impact downward wave coupling in the model. During the period of ozone depletion, the spring bounded wave geometry, which is favorable for downward wave coupling, extends into early summer, due to a delay in the vortex breakup date, and leads to increased downward wave coupling during November–December. During the period of ozone recovery, the stratospheric basic state during November–December shifts from a spring configuration back to a summer configuration, where waves are trapped in the troposphere, and leads to a decrease in downward wave coupling. Model simulations with chlorine fixed at 1960 values and increasing greenhouse gases show no significant changes in downward wave coupling and confirm that the changes in downward wave coupling in the model are caused by ozone changes. The results reveal a new mechanism wherein stratospheric ozone changes can affect the tropospheric circulation.
Conceptual Rainfall–Runoff Model Performance with Different Spatial Rainfall Inputs
Authors: Vaze J. , Post D. A. , Chiew F. H. S. , Perraud J.-M. , Teng J. , Viney N. R. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractDifferent methods have been used to obtain the daily rainfall time series required to drive conceptual rainfall–runoff models, depending on data availability, time constraints, and modeling objectives. This paper investigates the implications of different rainfall inputs on the calibration and simulation of 4 rainfall–runoff models using data from 240 catchments across southeast Australia. The first modeling experiment compares results from using a single lumped daily rainfall series for each catchment obtained from three methods: single rainfall station, Thiessen average, and average of interpolated rainfall surface. The results indicate considerable improvements in the modeled daily runoff and mean annual runoff in the model calibration and model simulation over an independent test period with better spatial representation of rainfall. The second experiment compares modeling using a single lumped daily rainfall series and modeling in all grid cells within a catchment using different rainfall inputs for each grid cell. The results show only marginal improvement in the “distributed” application compared to the single rainfall series, and only in two of the four models for the larger catchments. Where a single lumped catchment-average daily rainfall series is used, care should be taken to obtain a rainfall series that best represents the spatial rainfall distribution across the catchment. However, there is little advantage in driving a conceptual rainfall–runoff model with different rainfall inputs from different parts of the catchment compared to using a single lumped rainfall series, where only estimates of runoff at the catchment outlet is required.
Balance of the Background-Error Variances in the Ensemble Assimilation System DART/CAM
Authors: Žagar N. , Tribbia J. , Anderson J. L. , Raeder K. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
This paper quantifies the linear mass–wind field balance and its temporal variability in the global data assimilation system Data Assimilation Research Testbed/Community Atmosphere Model (DART/CAM), which is based on the ensemble adjustment Kalman filter. The part of the model state that projects onto quasigeostrophic modes represents the balanced state. The unbalanced part corresponds to inertio-gravity (IG) motions. The 80-member ensemble is diagnosed by using the normal-mode function expansion. It was found that the balanced variance in the prior ensemble is on average about 90% of the total variance and about 80% of the wave variance. Balance depends on the scale and the largest zonal scales are best balanced. For zonal wavenumbers greater than k = 30 the balanced variance stays at about the 45% level. There is more variance in the westward- than in the eastward-propagating IG modes; the difference is about 2% of the total wave variance and it is associated with the covariance inflation. The applied inflation field has a major impact on the structure of the prior variance field and its reduction by the assimilation step. The shape of the inflation field mimics the global radiosonde observation network (k = 2), which is associated with the minimum variance reduction in k = 2. Temporal variability of the ensemble variance is significant and appears to be associated with changes in the energy of the flow. A perfect-model assimilation experiment supports the findings from the real-observation experiment.
Impact of Resolution and Design on the U.S. Navy Global Ensemble Performance in the Tropics
Authors: Reynolds Carolyn A. , McLay Justin G. , Goerss James S. , Serra Efren A. , Hodyss Daniel , Sampson Charles R. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
The performance of the U.S. Navy global atmospheric ensemble prediction system is examined with a focus on tropical winds and tropical cyclone tracks. Ensembles are run at a triangular truncation of T119, T159, and T239, with 33, 17, and 9 ensemble members, respectively, to evaluate the impact of resolution versus the number of ensemble member tradeoffs on ensemble performance. Results indicate that the T159 and T239 ensemble mean tropical cyclone track errors are significantly smaller than those of the T119 ensemble out to 4 days. For ensemble forecasts of upper- and lower-tropospheric tropical winds, increasing resolution has only a small impact on ensemble mean root-mean-square error for wind speed, but does improve Brier scores for 10-m wind speed at the 5 m s−1 threshold. In addition to the resolution tests, modifications to the ensemble transform initial perturbation methodology and inclusion of stochastic kinetic energy backscatter are also evaluated. Stochastic kinetic energy backscatter substantially increases the ensemble spread and improves Brier scores in the tropics, but for the most part does not significantly reduce ensemble mean tropical cyclone track error.
Association between lifestyle and school attendance in Japanese medical students
Authors: Tanaka Masaaki , Watanabe Yasuyoshi 
Published: March 2011

Objective: Lifestyle factors are thought to be associated with students’ academic performance. Whether lifestyle factors were associated with medical students’ school attendance was determined. Design: Cross-sectional design. Setting: The study group consisted of 157 healthy second-year medical students attending Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine. Method: Participants completed a questionnaire dealing with lifestyle and school attendance. Results: On univariate logistic regression analyses, spending time with family members was more likely, and male gender, skipping breakfast, taking meals irregularly and smoking habit were less likely, to indicate school attendance in medical students. On multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusted for age and gender, spending time with family members was more likely, and skipping breakfast and taking meals irregularly were less likely, to indicate school attendance. In addition, smoking habit had a trend toward a lower likeliness to attend school. Conclusion: Certain lifestyle factors are associated with school attendance in medical students. Sharing positive lifestyle factors with these students may contribute to a higher incidence of everyday school attendance, or even to a lower incidence of school refusal.
Facial exercise therapy for facial palsy: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pereira LM , Obara K , Dias JM , Menacho MO , Lavado EL , Cardoso JR 
Published: March 2011

The effectiveness of facial exercises therapy for facial palsy has been debated in systematic reviews but its effects are still not totally explained. Objective: To perform a systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of facial exercise therapy for facial palsy. Data sources: A search was performed in the following databases: Cochrane Controlled Trials Register Library, Cochrane Disease Group Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, PEDro, Scielo and DARE from 1966 to 2010; the following keywords were used: ‘idiopathic facial palsy’, ‘facial paralysis’, ‘Bell’s palsy’, ‘physical therapy’, ‘exercise movement techniques’, ‘facial exercises’, ‘mime therapy’ ‘facial expression’, ‘massage’ and ‘randomized controlled trials’. Review methods: The inclusion criteria were studies with facial exercises, associated or not with mirror biofeedback, to treat facial palsy. Results: One hundred and thirty-two studies were found but only six met the inclusion criteria. All the studies were evaluated by two independent reviewers, following the recommendations of Cochrane Collaboration Handbook for assessment of risk of bias (kappa coefficient = 0.8). Only one study presented sufficient data to perform the meta-analysis, and significant improvements in functionality was found for the experimental group (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 13.90; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.31, 23.49; P = 0.005). Conclusion: Facial exercise therapy is effective for facial palsy for the outcome functionality.
A pharmacoeconomic modeling approach to estimate a value-based price for new oncology drugs in Europe
Authors: Dranitsaris George , Ortega Ana , Lubbe Martie S , Truter Ilse 
Published: March 2011

Background. Several European governments have recently mandated price cuts in drugs to reduce health care spending. However, such measures without supportive evidence may compromise patient care because manufacturers may withdraw current products or not launch new agents. A value-based pricing scheme may be a better approach for determining a fair drug price and may be a medium for negotiations between the key stakeholders. To demonstrate this approach, pharmacoeconomic (PE) modeling was used from the Spanish health care system perspective to estimate a value-based price for bevacizumab, a drug that provides a 1.4-month survival benefit to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The threshold used for economic value was three times the Spanish per capita GDP, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Methods. A PE model was developed to simulate outcomes in mCRC patients receiving chemotherapy ± bevacizumab. Clinical data were obtained from randomized trials and costs from a Spanish hospital. Utility estimates were determined by interviewing 24 Spanish oncology nurses and pharmacists. A price per dose of bevacizumab was then estimated using a target threshold of €78,300 per quality-adjusted life year gained, which is three times the Spanish per capita GDP. Results. For a 1.4-month survival benefit, a price of €342 per dose would be considered cost effective from the Spanish public health care perspective. The price may be increased to €733 or €843 per dose if the drug were able to improve patient quality of life or enhance survival from 1.4 to 3 months. Conclusions. This study demonstrated that a value-based pricing approach using PE modeling and the WHO criteria for economic value is feasible and perhaps a better alternative to government mandated price cuts. The former approach would be a good starting point for opening dialog between European government payers and the pharmaceutical industry.
An outbreak of group A streptococcal infection
Authors: Adams Debra , Yee Lian , Heseltine Allison , Afza Musarrat 
Published: March 2011

Group A streptococcal (GAS) infection is responsible for a wide range of infections including sore G throat, skin infections, septicaemia, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and necrotising fasciitis. During April 2010, three patients on a medical ward in a small acute hospital in the United Kingdom had GAS identified in samples obtained from a blood culture and various lesions. The investigation and management of this outbreak included effective antimicrobial management and treatment of identified cases, establishment of an outbreak control team (OCT), epidemiological investigation and screening of staff for throat carriage and staff and patients on the ward for skin lesions and dermatitis. Isolate typing by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Centre for Infections laboratory, confirmed the three cases had identical strains — type M/ emm44. The prompt treatment and effective management of the outbreak ensured that no further cases in the extended surveillance period were identified.
Safety (toxicity), pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and impact on elements of the normal immune system of recombinant human IL-15 in rhesus macaques
Authors: Waldmann Thomas A. , Lugli Enrico , Roederer Mario , Perera Liyanage P. , Smedley Jeremy V. , Macallister Rhonda P. , Goldman Carolyn K. , Bryant Bonita R. , Decker Jean M. , Fleisher Thomas A. , Lane H. Clifford , Sneller Michael C. , Kurlander Roger J. , Kleiner David E. , Pletcher John M. , Figg William D. , Yovandich Jason L. , Creekmore Stephen P. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
IL-15 uses the heterotrimeric receptor IL-2/IL-15Rβ and the γ chain shared with IL-2 and the cytokine-specific IL-15Rα. Although IL-15 shares actions with IL-2 that include activation of natural killer (NK) and CD8 T cells, IL-15 is not associated with capillary leak syndrome, activation-induced cell death, or with a major effect on the number of functional regulatory T cells. To prepare for human trials to determine whether IL-15 is superior to IL-2 in cancer therapy, recombinant human IL-15 (rhIL-15) was produced under current good manufacturing practices. A safety study in rhesus macaques was performed in 4 groups of 6 animals each that received vehicle diluent control or rhIL-15 at 10, 20, or 50 μg/kg/d IV for 12 days. The major toxicity was grade 3/4 transient neutropenia. Bone marrow examinations demonstrated increased marrow cellularity, including cells of the neutrophil series. Furthermore, neutrophils were observed in sinusoids of enlarged livers and spleens, suggesting that IL-15 mediated neutrophil redistribution from the circulation to tissues. The observation that IL-15 administration was associated with increased numbers of circulating NK and CD8 central and effector-memory T cells, in conjunction with efficacy studies in murine tumor models, supports the use of multiple daily infusions of rhIL-15 in patients with metastatic malignancies.
A differential interplay between the expression of Th1/Th2/Treg related cytokine genes in Teladorsagia circumcincta infected DRB1*1101 carrier lambs
Authors: Hassan Musa , Hanrahan James P , Good Barbara , Mulcahy Grace , Sweeney Torres 
Published: March 2011

AbstractSubstantial debate exists on whether the immune response between sheep resistant and susceptible to gastrointestinal nematodes can be differentiated into a Th1 and Th2 phenotype. The present study addresses the hypothesis that variation in resistance toTeladorsagia circumcinctabetweenDRB1*1101(associated with reduced faecal egg count and worm burden) carriers and non-carriers is due to a differential interplay in the expression of Th1/Th2 and regulatory T (Treg) related cytokine genes. Lambs from each genotype were either slaughtered at day 0 (un-infected control) or infected with 3 × 104Teladorsagia circumcinctaL3 and slaughtered at 3, 7, 21, and 35 days later. Lambs carrying theDRB1*1101allele had a significantly lower worm burden (P < 0.05) compared to the non-carriers. Abomasal mucosal cytokine gene expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and comparison made for time and genotype effects. The response generated varied through the course of infection and was affected by genotype.DRB1*1101carriers had an up-regulated expression of the Th1-related cytokine genes (IL-1β, TNFα, and IFN-γ) at day 3, but this was replaced by an up-regulated expression of Th2-related cytokine genes (IL-10 and IL-13) and Treg-related cytokine genes (IL-2RA-CD25, TGFα, TGFβ, Arg2, MIF and FOXP3) by day 7. Conversely, in the non-carriers these changes in gene expression were delayed until days 7 and 21 post infection (pi), respectively. It is concluded that resistance toTeladorsagia circumcinctain animals carrying theDRB1*1101allele is influenced by an earlier interplay between Th1, Th2 and T regulatory immune response genes.
Exceptional lability of a genomic complex in rice and its close relatives revealed by interspecific and intraspecific comparison and population analysis
Authors: Tian Zhixi , Yu Yanjun , Lin Feng , Yu Yeisoo , SanMiguel Phillip J , Wing Rod A , McCouch Susan R , Ma Jianxin , Jackson Scott A 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Background
Extensive DNA rearrangement of genic colinearity, as revealed by comparison of orthologous genomic regions, has been shown to be a general concept describing evolutionary dynamics of plant genomes. However, the nature, timing, lineages and adaptation of local genomic rearrangement in closely related species (e.g., within a genus) and haplotype variation of genomic rearrangement within populations have not been well documented.

Results
We previously identified a hotspot for genic rearrangement and transposon accumulation in the Orp region of Asian rice (Oryza sativa, AA) by comparison with its orthologous region in sorghum. Here, we report the comparative analysis of this region with its orthologous regions in the wild progenitor species (O. nivara, AA) of Asian rice and African rice (O. glaberrima) using the BB genome Oryza species (O. punctata) as an outgroup, and investigation of transposon insertion sites and a segmental inversion event in the AA genomes at the population level. We found that Orp region was primarily and recently expanded in the Asian rice species O. sativa and O. nivara. LTR-retrotransposons shared by the three AA-genomic regions have been fixed in all the 94 varieties that represent different populations of the AA-genome species/subspecies, indicating their adaptive role in genome differentiation. However, LTR-retrotransposons unique to either O. nivara or O. sativa regions exhibited dramatic haplotype variation regarding their presence or absence between or within populations/subpopulations.

Conclusions
The LTR-retrotransposon insertion hotspot in the Orp region was formed recently, independently and concurrently in different AA-genome species, and that the genic rearrangements detected in different species appear to be differentially triggered by transposable elements. This region is located near the end of the short arm of chromosome 8 and contains a high proportion of LTR-retrotransposons similar to observed in the centromeric region of this same chromosome, and thus may represent a genomic region that has recently switched from euchromatic to heterochromatic states. The haplotype variation of LTR-retrotransposon insertions within this region reveals substantial admixture among various subpopulations as established by molecular markers at the whole genome level, and can be used to develop retrotransposon junction markers for simple and rapid classification of O. sativa germplasm.
Endosomal accumulation of APP in wobbler motor neurons reflects impaired vesicle trafficking: Implications for human motor neuron disease
Authors: Palmisano Ralf , Golfi Panagiota , Heimann Peter , Shaw Christopher , Troakes Claire , Schmitt-John Thomas , Bartsch Jörg W 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Background
The cause of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is largely unknown but hypotheses about disease mechanisms include oxidative stress, defective axonal transport, mitochondrial dysfunction and disrupted RNA processing. Whereas familial ALS is well represented by transgenic mutant SOD1 mouse models, the mouse mutant wobbler (WR) develops progressive motor neuron degeneration due to a point mutation in the Vps54 gene, and provides an animal model for sporadic ALS. VPS54 protein as a component of a protein complex is involved in vesicular Golgi trafficking; impaired vesicle trafficking might also be mechanistic in the pathogenesis of human ALS.

Results
In motor neurons of homozygous symptomatic WR mice, a massive number of endosomal vesicles significantly enlarged (up to 3 μm in diameter) were subjected to ultrastructural analysis and immunohistochemistry for the endosome-specific small GTPase protein Rab7 and for amyloid precursor protein (APP). Enlarged vesicles were neither detected in heterozygous WR nor in transgenic SOD1(G93A) mice; in WR motor neurons, numerous APP/Rab7-positive vesicles were observed which were mostly LC3-negative, suggesting they are not autophagosomes.

Conclusions
We conclude that endosomal APP/Rab7 staining reflects impaired vesicle trafficking in WR mouse motor neurons. Based on these findings human ALS tissues were analysed for APP in enlarged vesicles and were detected in spinal cord motor neurons in six out of fourteen sporadic ALS cases. These enlarged vesicles were not detected in any of the familial ALS cases. Thus our study provides the first evidence for wobbler-like aetiologies in human ALS and suggests that the genes encoding proteins involved in vesicle trafficking should be screened for pathogenic mutations.