bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the SEBS‐estimated evaporative fraction from MODIS data for a complex underlying surface
Authors: Lu Jing , Li Zhao‐Liang , Tang Ronglin , Tang Bo‐Hui , Wu Hua , Yang Fengting , Labed Jelila , Zhou Guoqing 
Published: June 2012

AbstractWith the complex nature of land surfaces, more attention should be paid to the performance of remotely sensed models to estimate evapotranspiration from moderate and low spatial resolution data. Taking into account the characteristic of a stable evaporative fraction (EF) in the daytime, this paper uses the surface energy balance system (SEBS) to estimate the EF from MODIS data for a subtropical evergreen coniferous plantation in southern China and evaluates the stability of the SEBS model in estimating the EF under complex surface conditions. The results show that the SEBS‐estimated EF is larger than the measured EF partly because of the serious lack of energy‐balance closure. This difference can be largely reduced by the residual energy correction method. More evaporative land cover within the MODIS pixel is a main reason for the overestimated EF. SEBS underestimates sensible heat flux, and the underestimation of surface available energy also contributes to the overestimation of the EF. The EF estimated from MODIS/Terra data is in agreement with that from MODIS/Aqua data with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.552, a mean bias error (BIAS) of 0.028, and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.079, which is consistent with the result from in situ measurements. In addition, the estimation of surface available energy from remotely sensed data is evaluated on this complex underlying surface. Compared with in situ measurements, the available energy is underestimated by 28 W m−2 with an RMSE = 50 W m−2 and an R2 = 0.87. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vadose zone tritium tracer test to estimate aquifer recharge from irrigated areas
Authors: Jiménez‐Martínez J. , Tamoh K. , Candela L. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractEnvironmental tracers, such as tritium, have generally been used to estimate aquifer recharge under natural conditions. A tritium tracer test is presented for estimating recharge under semi‐arid and irrigated conditions. The test was performed along 429 days (June 2007–August 2008) on an experimental plot located in SE Spain with drip irrigation and annual row crops (rotation of lettuce and melon), in which common agricultural practices were followed in open air. Tritiated water was sprinkled (simulated rainfall) over the plot, soil cores were taken at different depths and a liquid scintillation analyzer was used to measure tritium concentration in soil water samples. Tritium transport, as liquid or vapor phase, was simulated with the one‐dimensional numerical code SOLVEG. Simulations show that the crop water use was below potential levels, despite regular irrigation. Continuous high water content in soil promoted a great impact of rainfall events on the aquifer recharge. The results obtained from tritium tracer test have been compared with other independent recharge assessment, soil water balance method, to evaluate the reliability of the first one. Total recharge from tracer test was 476 mm for the October 2007–September 2008 period versus 561 mm from soil water balance method for the same period, which represents 37.1% and 43.7% of the applied water (1284 mm, irrigation + precipitation), respectively. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling of benzene distribution in the subsurface of an abandoned gas plant site after a long term of groundwater table fluctuation
Authors: Yang Qingshu , Li Yan , Zhou Jinfeng , Xie Xiaoxi , Su Yu , Gu Qingbao , Kamon Masashi 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe non‐aqueous phase liquid simulator was used to model and interpret the occurrence of a thin benzene‐contaminated soil layer 9.0 m below the groundwater table in an abandoned gas plant site. The simulator was first evaluated in column tests under similar conditions to the contaminated site. Saturation–capillary pressure (S–P) relationships were extended from the laboratory scale of the column tests to the field scale of the subsurface at the abandoned site. Dynamic boundary conditions were established in order to prevent the model from generating excessive vertical velocities. The modelled benzene layer formation process agreed well with the in situ observations. With falling and then rising of the water table, benzene release from the surface migrated downward and then upward and distributed itself below and above the water table. Biochemical degradation of benzene made the distribution discontinuous in the subsurface. These two factors resulted in the thin benzene‐contaminated layer below the groundwater table. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance of a conceptual and physically based model in simulating the response of a semi‐urbanized watershed in San Antonio, Texas
Authors: El Hassan Almoutaz A. , Sharif H. O. , Jackson Terrance , Chintalapudi Singaiah 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe need for accurate hydrologic analysis and rainfall–runoff modelling tools has been rapidly increasing because of the growing complexity of operational hydrologic and hydraulic problems associated with population growth, rapid urbanization and expansion of agricultural activities. Given the recent advances in remote sensing of physiographic features and the availability of near real‐time precipitation products, rainfall–runoff models are expected to predict runoff more accurately. In this study, we compare the performance and implementation requirements of two rainfall–runoff models for a semi‐urbanized watershed. One is a semi‐distributed conceptual model, the Hydrologic Engineering Center‐Hydrologic Modelling System (HEC‐HMS). The other is a physically based, distributed‐parameter hydrologic model, the Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA). Four flood events that took place on the Leon Creek watershed, a sub‐watershed of the San Antonio River basin in Texas, were used in this study. The two models were driven by the Multisensor Precipitation Estimator radar products. One event (in 2007) was used for HEC‐HMS and GSSHA calibrations. Two events (in 2004 and 2007) were used for further calibration of HEC‐HMS. Three events (in 2002, 2004 and 2010) were used for model validation. In general, the physically based, distributed‐parameter model performed better than the conceptual model and required less calibration. The two models were prepared with the same minimum required input data, and the effort required to build the two models did not differ substantially. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of cisplatin‐loaded, EGFR‐targeted biopolymer and in vitro evaluation for targeted delivery
Authors: Geng Xu , Ye Haifeng , Feng Zhen , Lao Xun , Zhang Li , Huang Jing , Wu Zi‐Rong 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe design of smart targeted drug delivery systems that deliver drugs to specific cancer cells will give rise to cancer treatments with better efficacy and lower toxicity levels. We report the development and characterizations of maleimide‐functionalized biopolymer (Mal‐PGA‐Asp) as an effective targeted drug delivery carrier synthesized from an amidation reaction between aspartylated PGA (PGA‐Asp) and N‐(maleimidohexanoyl)‐ethylenediamine (NME). The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting peptide (TP13) was conjugated to Mal‐PGA‐Asp to obtain the targeting carrier (TP13‐Mal‐PGA‐Asp). Cisplatin was finally loaded by complexation to form a biocompatible and tumor targeted therapeutic drug (TP13‐Mal‐PGA‐Asp3‐Pt). The resultant biopolymer with an average size 87 ± 28 nm showed a sustainable release profile with a half‐maximal release time (t1/2) of approximately 15 h in physiological saline. Fluorescence imaging and flow cytometry analysis revealed that TP13 significantly enhanced the cellular uptake of TP13‐Mal‐PGA‐Asp3‐Pt in the human hepatoma cell line SMMC‐7721. The IC50 value demonstrated the superior anticancer activity of TP13‐Mal‐PGA‐Asp3‐Pt over PGA‐Asp‐Pt. Therefore, the newly developed drug carrier (TP13‐Mal‐PGA‐Asp) obtained in this study may provide an efficient and targeted delivery of anticancer drugs, presenting a promising targeted chemotherapy in EGFR‐positive cancers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A 100A:2839–2848, 2012.
Highly efficient and exact method for parallelization of grid‐based algorithms and its implementation in DelPhi
Authors: Li Chuan , Li Lin , Zhang Jie , Alexov Emil 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe Gauss–Seidel (GS) method is a standard iterative numerical method widely used to solve a system of equations and, in general, is more efficient comparing to other iterative methods, such as the Jacobi method. However, standard implementation of the GS method restricts its utilization in parallel computing due to its requirement of using updated neighboring values (i.e., in current iteration) as soon as they are available. Here, we report an efficient and exact (not requiring assumptions) method to parallelize iterations and to reduce the computational time as a linear/nearly linear function of the number of processes or computing units. In contrast to other existing solutions, our method does not require any assumptions and is equally applicable for solving linear and nonlinear equations. This approach is implemented in the DelPhi program, which is a finite difference Poisson–Boltzmann equation solver to model electrostatics in molecular biology. This development makes the iterative procedure on obtaining the electrostatic potential distribution in the parallelized DelPhi several folds faster than that in the serial code. Further, we demonstrate the advantages of the new parallelized DelPhi by computing the electrostatic potential and the corresponding energies of large supramolecular structures. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Echolucency of carotid plaques and cerebrovascular events
Authors: Aldemir Evren , Apaydin Melda , Varer Makbule , Uluc Engin 
Published: June 2012

AbstractObjectives.To assess the relationship between carotid plaque echogenicity and degree of stenosis with acute and chronic stroke.Methods.A retrospective study of cerebral MRI and carotid B‐mode and Doppler ultrasonography in 60 patients with stroke. Plaque echogenicity was graded as echolucent (1), predominantly echolucent (2), predominantly echogenic (3), or echogenic (4). Sonographic findings were compared between patients with acute (group 1) and chronic (group 2) stroke.Results.In group 1 (n = 39 patients), the carotid plaques were grade 1 in 21, grade 2 in 22, grade 3 in 9, and grade 4 in 4 carotid arteries. In group 2 (n = 21), the carotid plaques were grade 1 in 2, grade 2 in 8, grade 3 in 4, and grade 4 in 11 carotid arteries. Plaque echogenicity was lower in group 1 than in group 2 (p < 0.05). Plaque echolucency was associated independently with acute stroke from the degree of stenosis.Conclusions.Patients with acute infarcts have predominantly echolucent plaques, regardless of the degree of stenosis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 40:399–404, 2012
Molecular Cloning and Differential Expression of Three GnRH Genes during Ovarian Maturation of Spotted Halibut, Verasper variegatus
Authors: XU YONG‐JIANG , LIU XUE‐ZHOU , LIAO MEI‐JIE , WANG HAN‐PING , WANG QING‐YIN 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTIn this study, the gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) genes in spotted halibut were cloned and sequenced by isolating their cDNAs. The species expressed three molecular forms of GnRH in the brain: chicken‐type GnRH‐Ⅱ (cGnRH‐Ⅱ), seabream‐type GnRH (sbGnRH), and salmon‐type GnRH (sGnRH). Phylogenetic analysis divided the molecular forms of GnRHs into three branches: cGnRH‐Ⅱ branch, sGnRH branch, and fish‐specific GnRH branch. The spatial expression showed that they had the highest expression levels in the brain. cGnRH‐Ⅱ was exclusively detected in the brain, while sbGnRH had a global expression pattern in all examined organs. sGnRH was detected in the brain, pituitary, and ovary. The temporal changes of brain GnRH mRNA expression levels were examined during ovarian maturation and postspawning, and the serum steroid hormones and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were recorded. Amounts of sbGnRH mRNA substantially elevated (P < 0.05) during ovarian maturation, which concomitant with considerable elevation of GSI and serum steroids levels. On the contrary, neither sGnRH nor cGnRH‐Ⅱ mRNA levels showed significant changes during ovarian maturation in this study. These results suggested that these three GnRH genes are the important regulators for the differential expression of GnRH in spotted halibut, and would help us better understand the reproductive endocrine mechanism of spotted halibut. J. Exp. Zool. 00A:1‐13, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Organizational role stress across three managerial levels: A comparative study
Authors: Sinha Vinita , Subramanian K. S. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAs employees encounter problems in the performance of their jobs, they experience organizational role stress (ORS). According to this study of managers in private‐sector multinational firms in India, ORS varies across low, middle, and high management levels and is affected by such factors as inter‐role distance, role stagnation, role isolation, role expectations conflict, role erosion, role overload, personal inadequacy, self/role conflict, role ambiguity, and resource inadequacy. Human resource professionals can use the study findings to properly evaluate the causes of stress at various hier‐archical levels and ultimately develop methods to reduce stress throughout the organization. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Matrix molecule influence on chondrocyte phenotype and proteoglycan 4 expression by alginate‐embedded zonal chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Coates Emily E. , Riggin Corinne N. , Fisher John P. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractArticular cartilage resists load and provides frictionless movement at joint surfaces. The tissue is organized into the superficial, middle, deep, and calcified zones throughout its depth, each which serve distinct functions. Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), found in the superficial zone, is a critical component of the joint's lubricating mechanisms. Maintenance of both the chondrocyte and zonal chondrocyte phenotype remain challenges for in vitro culture and tissue engineering. Here we investigate the expression of PRG4 mRNA and protein by primary bovine superficial zone chondrocytes, middle/deep zone chondrocytes, and mesenchymal stem cells encapsulated in alginate hydrogels with hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) additives. Chondrogenic phenotype and differentiation markers are evaluated by mRNA expression, histochemical, and immunohistochemical staining. Results show middle/deep cells express no measurable PRG4 mRNA by day 7. In contrast, superficial zone cells express elevated PRG4 mRNA throughout culture time. This expression can be significantly enhanced up to 15‐fold by addition of both HA and CS to scaffolds. Conversely, PRG4 mRNA expression is downregulated (up to 5‐fold) by CS and HA in differentiating MSCs, possibly due to build up of entrapped protein. HA and CS demonstrate favorable effects on chondrogenesis by upregulating transcription factor Sox9 mRNA (up to 4.6‐fold) and downregulating type I collagen mRNA (up to 18‐fold). Results highlight the important relationship between matrix components and expression of critical lubricating proteins in an engineered cartilage scaffold. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1886–1897, 2012
Long‐term fertilization and manuring effects on physically separated soil organic‐matter pools under continuous wheat cropping at a rainfed semiarid site in China
Authors: Zhe E Sheng , Gang Li Xiao , Ming Chen Zhao , Hang Li Xiao , Rong Song Jian , Guggenberger Georg 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAn essential prerequisite for a sustainable soil use is to maintain a satisfactory soil organic‐matter (OM) level. This might be achieved by sound fertilization management, though impacts of fertilization on OM have been rarely investigated with the aid of physical fractionation techniques in semiarid regions. This study aimed at examining changes in organic C (OC) and N concentrations of physically separated soil OM pools after 26 y of fertilization at a site of the semiarid Loess Plateau in China. To separate sensitive OM pools, total macro‐OM (> 0.05 mm) was obtained from bulk soil by wet‐sieving and then separated into light macro‐OM (< 1.8 g cm–3) and heavy macro‐OM (> 1.8 g cm–3) subfractions; bulk soil was also differentiated into light OM (< 1.8 g cm–3) and mineral‐associated OM (> 1.8 g cm–3). Farmyard manure increased concentrations of total macro‐OC and N by 19% and 25%, and those of light fraction OC and N by 36% and 46%, compared to no manuring; both light OC and N concentrations but only total macro‐OC concentration responded positively to mineral fertilizations compared to no mineral fertilization. This demonstrated that the light‐fraction OM was more sensitive to organic or inorganic fertilization than the total macro‐OM. Mineral‐associated OC and N concentrations also increased by manuring or mineral fertilizations, indicating an increase of stable OM relative to no fertilization treatment, however, their shares on bulk soil OC and N decreased. Mineral fertilizations improved soil OM quality by decreasing C : N ratio in the light OM fraction whereas manuring led to a decline of the C : N ratio in the total macro‐OM fraction, with respect to nil treatment. Further fractionation of the total macro‐OM according to density clarified that across treatments about 3/4 of total macro‐OM was associated with minerals. Thus, by simultaneously applying particle‐size and density separation procedures, we clearly demonstrated that the macro‐OM differed from the light OM fraction not only in its chemical composition but also in associations with minerals. The proportion of the 0.5–0.25 mm water‐stable aggregates of soil was higher under organic or inorganic fertilizations than under no manure or no mineral fertilization, and increases in OC and N concentrations of water‐stable aggregates as affected by fertilization were greater for 1–0.5 and 0.5–0.25 mm classes than for the other classes. Results indicate that OM stocks in different soil pools can be increased and the loose aggregation of these strongly eroded loess soils can be improved by organic or inorganic fertilization.
Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid gland: Treatment and outcome over 13 years at one institution
Authors: Segerhammar Ivan , Larsson Catharina , Nilsson Inga‐Lena , Bäckdahl Martin , Höög Anders , Wallin Göran , Foukakis Theodoros , Zedenius Jan 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackgroundAnaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a highly aggressive malignancy of the thyroid gland. Patients at our institution are treated with external radiotherapy up to 46 Gray (Gy) and low‐dose doxorubicin prior to surgery. We retrospectively evaluated the outcome of ATC patients over a 13‐year period.MethodsClinical, histopathological, and follow‐up data for 59 patients diagnosed between 1997 and 2010 were collected and analyzed.ResultsMedian age at diagnosis was 77 years. Female‐male ratio was 2.5:1. Median survival from time of diagnosis was 3.3 months. Thirty‐six patients completed the treatment protocol (including surgery), of whom one succumbed due to local tumor growth. In multivariate analysis, the only factor significantly associated with longer survival among operated patients was absence of metastases at diagnosis (P = 0.031). No impact on survival time was found for gender, extent of surgical resection, and absence of extrathyroidal invasion.ConclusionsDespite aggressive treatment, survival rates in ATC patients remain low. Locoregional control is feasible for most patients, underscoring the importance of an intense, multimodal treatment regimen. Further oncological intervention is of crucial importance to achieve a better prognosis for ATC patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106: 981–986. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CD133 expression is correlated with chemoresistance and early recurrence of gastric cancer
Authors: Lee Han Hong , Seo Kyung Jin , An Chang Hyeok , Kim Jeong Soo , Jeon Hae Myung 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackgroundCD133 has been suggested to be a cancer stem cell (CSC) marker in various types of cancers. The present study assessed the relationship between CD133 expression and clinicopathological features of gastric cancer. In addition, the prognostic value of CD133 for gastric cancer was evaluated.MethodsIn total, 100 advanced gastric cancer patients who received curative gastrectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy were included. CD133 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry and clinicopathological results, including survival, were analyzed.ResultsCD133 was expressed in 23% of advanced gastric cancer patients (23/100). CD133 expression was significantly associated with serosal exposure (P = 0.036), venous invasion (P = 0.047), well and moderate differentiation (P = 0.002), and intestinal‐type Lauren classification (P = 0.001). CD133‐positive patients had a significantly worse 5‐year disease‐free (28.1% vs. 65.8%, P = 0.002) and overall (47.5% vs. 74.0%, P = 0.037) survival rate than those who were CD133‐negative. A multivariate analysis suggested that CD133 expression significantly affected the 5‐year disease‐free and overall survival.ConclusionsCD133 may play an important role in chemoresistance and recurrence, thus representing a promising predictive marker for the prognosis of gastric cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106: 999–1004. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Surgical approaches to gastric cancer
Authors: Russell Maria C. , Mansfield Paul F. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractWhile the incidence of gastric cancer has declined substantially, it remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Surgical resection offers the best chance for curative treatment. Despite numerous studies, surgical controversies persist including endoscopic resection, extent of gastric resection, degree of lymphadenectomy, and laparoscopic resection. Balancing the benefits with the risks of surgical morbidity and mortality is essential. This review examines these controversies and provides insight into the surgical management of gastric cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:250–258. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
AMPK inhibitor compound C suppresses cell proliferation by induction of apoptosis and autophagy in human colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Yang Weng‐Lang , Perillo William , Liou Deanna , Marambaud Philippe , Wang Ping 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesAMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a main regulator of energy metabolism through the inhibition of biosynthetic pathways and enhancement of ATP‐generating pathways. However, targeting AMPK as anti‐tumor therapy remains controversial. In this study, we examined the effect of compound C, a small molecule inhibitor of AMPK, on the proliferation of several human colorectal cancer cell lines with diverse characteristics.MethodsFour human colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT116, DLD‐1, SW480, and KM12C) were treated with compound C. Cell viability was determined by MTS assay. Cell cycle prolife was analyzed by flow cytometry. Acidic vesicular organelles were detected by acridine orange staining. Protein levels were measured by western blotting.ResultsCompound C inhibited the growth of four cell lines in a dose‐dependent manner and caused G2/M arrest. Compound C increased sub‐G1 cell population and induced chromatin condensation and cleavage of PARP in HCT116 and KM12C cells, while it induced acidic vesicular formation and conversion of LC3‐I to autophagosome‐associated LC3‐II in DLD‐1 and SW480 cells. Survivin, an anti‐apoptotic protein, was down‐regulated in all cell lines treated with compound C.ConclusionsCompound C induces apoptotic or autophagic death in colorectal cancer cells and the preferred death mode is cell type‐dependent. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:680–688. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.