bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Future climate and runoff projections across New South Wales, Australia: results and practical applications
Authors: Vaze J. , Teng J. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis paper describes the rainfall–runoff modelling for New South Wales (NSW) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) under historical climate and the likely changes to runoff around the year 2030 for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) SRES A1B global warming scenario. Results show that the mean annual historical rainfall and runoff, averaged over the entire region, are 516 and 55 mm, respectively. There is considerable uncertainty in the global climate modelling (GCM) of rainfall response in the region to global warming. The majority of GCMs show a decrease in the mean annual rainfall and the median estimate indicates that future mean annual runoff in the region in ∼2030 relative to ∼1990 will be lower by 0–20% in the southern parts, no change to a slight reduction in the eastern parts and higher by 0–20% in the northwest corner. Averaged across the entire region, the median estimate is a 5% decrease in the mean annual runoff and the extreme estimates range from a 14% decrease to a 10% increase in mean annual runoff. This is the first comprehensive study on the hydrological impacts of climate change done in NSW that covers the entire state. Outputs from this study are being used to underpin the hydrology for a number of major climate change impact studies that are presently underway across NSW. The results and output datasets from this study will be available through a web interface and they can be used by all state government agencies and industries in NSW to plan for and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Climate change and future flows of Rocky Mountain rivers: converging forecasts from empirical trend projection and down‐scaled global circulation modelling
Authors: Shepherd Anita , Gill Karen M. , Rood Stewart B. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractTo predict future river flows, empirical trend projection (ETP) analyses and extends historic trends, while hydroclimatic modelling (HCM) incorporates regional downscaling from global circulation model (GCM) outputs. We applied both approaches to the extensively allocated Oldman River Basin that drains the North American Rocky Mountains and provides an international focus for water sharing. For ETP, we analysed monthly discharges from 1912 to 2008 with non‐parametric regression, and extrapolated changes to 2055. For modelling, we refined the physical models MTCLIM and SNOPAC to provide water inputs into RIVRQ (river discharge), a model that assesses the streamflow regime as involving dynamic peaks superimposed on stable baseflow. After parameterization with 1960–1989 data, we assessed climate forecasts from six GCMs: CGCM1‐A, HadCM3, NCAR‐CCM3, ECHAM4 and 5 and GCM2. Modelling reasonably reconstructed monthly hydrographs (R2 about 0·7), and averaging over three decades closely reconstructed the monthly pattern (R2 = 0·94). When applied to the GCM forecasts, the model predicted that summer flows would decline considerably, while winter and early spring flows would increase, producing a slight decline in the annual discharge (−3%, 2005–2055). The ETP predicted similarly decreased summer flows but slight change in winter flows and greater annual flow reduction (−9%). The partial convergence of the seasonal flow projections increases confidence in a composite analysis and we thus predict further declines in summer (about − 15%) and annual flows (about − 5%). This composite projection indicates a more modest change than had been anticipated based on earlier GCM analyses or trend projections that considered only three or four decades. For other river basins, we recommend the utilization of ETP based on the longest available streamflow records, and HCM with multiple GCMs. The degree of correspondence from these two independent approaches would provide a basis for assessing the confidence in projections for future river flows and surface water supplies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thrombin promotes actin stress fiber formation in RPE through Rho/ROCK‐mediated MLC phosphorylation
Authors: Ruiz‐Loredo Ariadna Yolanda , López Edith , López‐Colomé Ana María 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) forms the outer blood–retina barrier (BRB). Most retinal diseases involve BRB breakdown, whereupon thrombin contained in serum directly contacts the RPE. Thrombin is known to promote actin stress fiber formation, an important determinant in eye diseases involving the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration of RPE cells, such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy. We analyzed thrombin effect on signaling pathways leading to myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation and actin stress fiber formation in primary cultures of rat RPE cells, in order to support a role for thrombin in RPE transdifferentiation. MLC phosphorylation was measured by Western blot; actin cytoskeleton was visualized using immunofluorescent phalloidin, and Rho GTPase activation was assessed by ELISA. We showed that thrombin/PAR‐1 induces the time‐ and dose‐dependent phosphorylation of MLC through the activation of Rho/ROCK and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). ROCK increased phospho‐MLC by phosphorylating MLC and by inhibiting MLC phosphatase. Thrombin effect was abolished by the ROCK inhibitor Y‐27632, whereas MLCK inhibitor ML‐7 and PLC‐β inhibitor U73122 attenuated MLC phosphorylation by ≈50%, suggesting the activation of MLCK by PLC‐β‐mediated calcium increase. Additionally, thrombin‐induced MLC phosphorylation was blocked by the inhibitory PKCζ pseudosubstrate, wortmannin, and LY294002, indicating IP3/PKCζ involvement in the control of MLC phosphorylation. Moreover, we demonstrated that thrombin effect on MLC induces actin stress fiber formation, since this effect was prevented by inhibiting the pathways leading to MLC phosphorylation. We conclude that thrombin stimulation of MLC phosphorylation and actin stress fiber formation may be involved in thrombin‐induced RPE cell transformation subsequent to BRB dysfunction. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 414–423, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modulation of the development of human monocyte‐derived dendritic cells by lithium chloride
Authors: Liu Ko‐Jiunn , Lee Yueh‐Lun , Yang Yi‐Yuan , Shih Neng‐Yao , Ho Chia‐Chen , Wu Yu‐Chen , Huang Tze‐Sing , Huang Ming‐Chyi , Liu Hsing‐Cheng , Shen Winston W , Leu Sy‐Jye 
Published: July 2010

AbstractLithium has been used or explored to treat psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases that are frequently associated with an abnormal immune status. It is likely that lithium may work through modulation of immune responses in these patients. Because dendritic cells (DC) play a central role in regulating immune responses, this study investigated the influence of lithium chloride (LiCl) on the development and function of DC. Exposure to LiCl during the differentiation of human monocyte‐derived immature DCs (iDC) enhances CD86 and CD83 expression and increases the production of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, and TNF‐α. However, the presence of LiCl during LPS‐induced maturation of iDC has the opposite effect. During iDC differentiation, LiCl suppresses the activity of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)‐3β, and activates PI3K and MEK. In addition, LiCl activates peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) during iDC differentiation, a pathway not described before. Each of these signaling pathways appears to have distinct impact on the differentiating iDC. The enhanced CD86 expression by LiCl involves the PI3K/AKT and GSK‐3β pathway. LiCl modulates the expression of CD83 in iDC mainly through MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, and PPARγ pathways, while the increased production of IL‐1β and TNF‐α mainly involves the MEK/ERK pathway. The effect of LiCl on IL‐6/IL‐8/IL‐10 secretion in iDC is mediated through inhibition of GSK‐3β. We have also demonstrated that PPARγ is downstream of GSK‐3β and is responsible for the LiCl‐mediated modulation of CD86/83 and CD1 expression, but not IL‐6/8/10 secretion. The combined influence of these molecular signaling pathways may account for certain clinical effect of lithium. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 424–433, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brain natriuretic peptide modulates the delayed rectifier outward K+current and promotes the proliferation of mouse schwann cells
Authors: Fei Xiao‐Wei , Pan Chen‐Jie , He Yan‐Lin , Fang Yan‐Jia , Zhuang Jia‐Li , Mei Yan‐Ai 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBrain natriuretic peptide (BNP) may act as a neuromodulator via its associated receptors (natriuretic peptide receptors, NPRs) in the central nervous system (CNS), but few studies have reported its activity in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). In this study, we observed that BNP increased the tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA)‐sensitive delayed rectifier outward potassium current (IK) in mouse Schwann cells (SCs) using whole‐cell recording techniques. At concentrations of 1–100 nM, BNP reversibly activated IKin a dose‐dependent manner, with modulating its steady‐state activation and inactivation properties. The effect of BNP on IKwas abolished by preincubation with the specific antagonist of NPR‐A, and could not be mimicked by application of NPR‐C agonist. These results were supported by immunocytochemical findings indicating that NPR‐A was expressed in SCs. The application of 8‐Br‐guanosine 3′,5′‐monophosphate (8‐Br‐cGMP) mimicked the effect of BNP on IK, but BNP was unable to further increase IKafter the application of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Genistein blocked IKand also completely eliminated the effects of BNP and cGMP on IK. The selective KV2.1 subunit blocker, Jingzhaotoxin‐III (JZTX‐III), reduced IKamplitude by 30%, but did not abolish the increase effect of BNP on IKamplitude. In addition, BNP significantly stimulated SCs proliferation and this effect could be partly inhibited by TEA. Together these results suggest that BNP modulated IKprobably via cGMP‐ and tyrosine kinase‐dependent pathways by activation of NPR‐A. This effect of BNP on IKin SCs might partly explain its effect on cell proliferation. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 440–449, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The skin of Osedax (Siboglinidae, Annelida): An ultrastructural investigation of its epidermis
Authors: Katz Sigrid , Klepal Waltraud , Bright Monika 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe symbiotic polychaetes of the genus Osedax living on the bones of whale carcasses have become known as bone‐eating worms. It is believed that whale bones are the source of nutrition for those gutless worms and that fatty acids are produced by their symbionts and transferred to the host. However, the symbionts are of the heterotrophic group Oceanospirillales and as such are not able to synthesize organic carbon de novo. Also, they are not housed in close contact to the bone material. We studied the ultrastructure of the integument overlying the symbiont housing trophosome in the ovisac region and the roots region and of the symbiont‐free trunk region of Osedax to investigate the host's possible contribution in feeding for the whole symbiosis. The epidermis differs conspicuously between the three regions investigated and clearly points to being correlated with different functions carried out by those regions. The ultrastructure of the integument of the root region changed towards the ovisac region and corresponds with the change of the ultrastructure observed in the Osedax trophosome. We suggest that the epidermis in the root region is tightly linked to bone degradation and nutrient uptake. The trunk region possess two types of unicellular gland cells, at least one of which seems to be involved in secretion of the gelatinous tube of adult Osedax females. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
KARL STORZ's unconventional intercontinental journey to lean
Authors: Delisle Rachel , Turner Rosanne 
Published: July 2010

AbstractA U.S. medical devices manufacturer successfully executed a rapid lean implementation that defied conventional wisdom and then helped a Swiss sister company do the same, proving that lean can transcend cultures. The authors describe the burning platform of operational issues and what led to the decision to use a reversed sequence of pull system–product flow–waste reduction–process stabilization for the initiatives in both facilities. They also discuss the challenges that arose from cultural differences and similarities and the complex customer‐supplier relationship between the two manufacturing sites. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Narrative 360° assessment and stakeholder analysis: How a powerful tool drives executive coaching engagements
Authors: Koonce Richard 
Published: July 2010

AbstractA process of in‐depth targeted interviews and analysis goes where a traditional 360° assessment cannot, revealing cultural, political, and other subtle organizational and performance factors that can make or break an executive. Rich, real‐time contextual feedback helps leaders and their coaches to focus on those areas most critical to performance in a particular role and organization. The author describes the process and instrument and illustrates its use and value through two case studies. He also examines the benefits of pairing the process with the concepts of social economics and social theater and with a number of other coaching tools. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
M&A scorecard: Lessons from American‐Dutch mergers
Authors: Grotenhuis Frits D. J. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis article provides a framework for cross‐border merger‐and‐acquisition (M&A) activity. Based on an extensive study into American‐Dutch merger processes, a number of lessons can be drawn. Where many studies result in shortlists of merger “best practices,” dealing with part of the problem, this article provides an enhanced, more integral approach. Lessons learned are structured and integrated into a modified version of the Balanced Scorecard: the M&A Scorecard. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Corrosion inhibition with different protective layers in tinplate cans for food preservation
Authors: Grassino Antonela Ninčević , Grabarić Zorana , Pezzani Aldo , Squitieri Giuseppe , Berković Katarina 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND: In this work the influence of essential onion oil (EOO) on the protection of tinplates was compared with dioctyl sebacate oil (DOS) and epoxy phenolic lacquers, which are frequently used in the food canning industry.RESULTS: When EOO as the protective layer instead of DOS oil was used, tinplate porosity, measured electrochemically (7.58 ± 1.97 µA cm−2 and 23.0 ± 1.3 µA cm−2, respectively), and iron coating mass, calculated from AAS data (1.52 ± 0.15 mg m−2 and 3.14 ± 0.42, respectively), was much lower indicating better corrosion protection. At higher storing temperature (36 °C) the addition of EOO to canned tomato purée enhanced the formation of hydrogen with time. The increasing volume fraction of H2 (from 34.0 to 90.9% for cans without nitrates, and from 33.8 to 89.2% for cans with nitrates) is an indicator that corrosion takes place.CONCLUSION: As the use of EOO improves the protection of tinplate compared with DOS oil, and is almost as effective as epoxy phenolic lacquer, the addition of EOO can be recommended due to lower cost of canned food production and enhanced organoleptic properties, but the storage temperature has to be lower then 36 °C. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Predictors of cardiovascular events after liver transplantation
Authors: Coss Elizabeth , Watt Kymberly D. S. , Pedersen Rachel , Dierkhising Ross , Heimbach Julie K. , Charlton Michael R. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract

Cardiovascular complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation. Identifying candidates at highest risk of postoperative complications is a cornerstone of optimizing outcomes and utility. Using traditional cardiac risk factors in addition to C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, troponin levels, and echocardiographic parameters before transplantation, we sought to define cardiac risk so that we could predict cardiovascular events after transplantation. From December 1998 to December 2001, 230 adult patients who underwent liver transplantation with a median follow-up of 8.2 years were studied. The risk factors for cardiac disease were as follows: male gender with a mean age of approximately 50 years (57%), smoking history (60%), diabetes (23%), hypertension (19%), elevated troponin (25%), elevated CRP (25%), and preexisting cardiac disease (16%). Fifty-nine cardiac events occurred over 8.2 years. Risk factors (univariate analysis) for first cardiac events included age in decades [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.31, P = 0.047], diabetes (HR = 2.20, P = 0.004), prior cardiovascular disease (HR = 4.77, P < 0.0001), a troponin I level > 0.07 ng/mL (HR = 2.00, P = 0.023), left ventricular hypertrophy (HR = 2.06, P = 0.047), stress wall abnormalities (HR = 2.25, P = 0.018), and ischemia on stress imaging (HR = 2.89, P = 0.015). Multivariate analysis confirmed age, diabetes, a troponin I level > 0.07, and prior cardiac disease as independent risk factors for posttransplant cardiac events. In conclusion, pretransplant elevated troponin levels, diabetes, and a history of cardiovascular disease, alone or in combination, are strongly associated with the occurrence of posttransplant cardiovascular events. Liver Transpl 17:23-31, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Safety and tolerability of high‐dosage coenzyme Q10 in Huntington's disease and healthy subjects
Authors:   The Huntington Study Group Pre2CARE Investigators
Published: July 2010

AbstractCoenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a potential neuroprotective compound, was previously investigated at a dosage of 600 mg/day in Huntington's disease (HD) patients and demonstrated a trend toward slowing disease progression. Higher CoQ10 dosages may prove beneficial. We investigated the tolerability and blood levels associated with 1,200, 2,400, and 3,600 mg/day of CoQ10 in HD and healthy subjects. Twenty‐eight subjects (20 HD, 8 healthy) enrolled in a 20‐week open‐label trial. Subjects started on 1,200 mg/day of CoQ10, increasing every 4 weeks by 1,200 mg to a maximum dosage of 3,600 mg/day. Monthly evaluations included review of adverse events and CoQ10 blood levels. Twenty‐three subjects (82%) achieved the target dosage of 3,600 mg/day. Six subjects (2 healthy, 4 HD) withdrew prematurely (gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in 3, worsening HD in 2, and 1 because of a fall). All three serious adverse events occurred in a single subject, and were deemed unrelated to CoQ10. The most common adverse events seen were GI symptoms. Mean (± SD) CoQ10 blood levels achieved over the course of the trial were as follows: 1.26 ± 1.27 μg/mL (baseline, n = 28), 5.59 ± 2.24 μg/mL (1,200 mg/day, week 4, n = 26), 6.38 ± 3.25 μg/mL (2,400 mg/day, week 8, n = 25), 7.49 ± 4.09 μg/mL (3,600 mg/day, week 12, n = 23), and 6.78 ± 3.36μg/mL (3,600 mg/day, week 20, n = 20). CoQ10 was well tolerated with over 80% of subjects achieving the target dosage. Dosages of 2,400 mg/day may provide the best balance between tolerability and blood level achieved. Further studies examining the efficacy of 2,400 mg/day are planned. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society.
Specific pattern of early white‐matter changes in pure hereditary spastic paraplegia
Authors: Duning Thomas , Warnecke Tobias , Schirmacher Anja , Schiffbauer Hagen , Lohmann Hubertus , Mohammadi Siawoosh , Young Peter , Deppe Michael 
Published: July 2010

AbstractHereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP) are genetically and clinically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders. Most MR studies on HSP include very heterogeneous samples of patients, and findings were inconsistent. Here, we examined six patients with pure HSP and SPG4 mutations by clinical evaluation, detailed neuropsychological testing, and neuroimaging analyses, including conventional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and brain volumetry. Differences of voxel‐wise statistics and ROI‐based analysis of DTI data between patients and 32 healthy volunteers were evaluated. Although conventional MRI and brain volumetry were normal, DTI revealed widespread disturbance of white matter (WM) integrity (P < 0.001), mainly affecting the corticospinal tract. With longer disease duration, frontal regions were also involved. The WM changes were also present in subclinical subjects harbouring the pathogenic mutation. These subtle WM abnormalities have functional relevance because they correlated with clinical symptoms. Thus, early alterations of nerve fibres, which can be detected by DTI, might serve as a biological marker in HSP, in particular with respect to future longitudinal studies. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Typical cerebral metabolic patterns in neurodegenerative brain diseases
Authors: Teune Laura K. , Bartels Anna L. , de Jong Bauke M. , Willemsen Antoon T. M. , Eshuis Silvia A. , de Vries Jeroen J. , van Oostrom Joost C. H. , Leenders Klaus L. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative brain diseases on clinical grounds is difficult, especially at an early disease stage. Several studies have found specific regional differences of brain metabolism applying [18F]‐fluoro‐deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET), suggesting that this method can assist in early differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative brain diseases.We have studied patients who had an FDG‐PET scan on clinical grounds at an early disease stage and included those with a retrospectively confirmed diagnosis according to strictly defined clinical research criteria. Ninety‐six patients could be included of which 20 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), 21 multiple system atrophy (MSA), 17 progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), 10 corticobasal degeneration (CBD), 6 dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), 15 Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 7 frontotemporal dementia (FTD). FDG PET images of each patient group were analyzed and compared to18 healthy controls using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM5).Disease‐specific patterns of relatively decreased metabolic activity were found in PD (contralateral parietooccipital and frontal regions), MSA (bilateral putamen and cerebellar hemispheres), PSP (prefrontal cortex and caudate nucleus, thalamus, and mesencephalon), CBD (contralateral cortical regions), DLB (occipital and parietotemporal regions), AD (parietotemporal regions), and FTD (frontotemporal regions).The integrated method addressing a spectrum of various neurodegenerative brain diseases provided means to discriminate patient groups also at early disease stages. Clinical follow‐up enabled appropriate patient inclusion. This implies that an early diagnosis in individual patients can be made by comparing each subject's metabolic findings with a complete database of specific disease related patterns. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Physical activity and sedentary behavior in adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Michaliszyn Sara Fleet , Faulkner Melissa Spezia 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to describe the associations between levels of physical activity measured by accelerometry and changes in fitness, body composition, lipids, and glucose control (i.e., glycosolated hemoglobin [A1C]) in a sample of 16 adolescents with type 1 diabetes participating in a personalized exercise program. More sedentary activity was associated with lower fitness and fat free mass and increased total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL‐c), and triglycerides (p < .05). Greater amounts of moderate to vigorous activity were associated with higher fitness and fat free mass, and decreased total cholesterol, LDL‐c, triglycerides, and A1C (p < .05). Findings support the beneficial effects of increased moderate activity and decreased sedentary behavior to reduce cardiovascular risks and improve glucose control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 33:441–449, 2010