bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Torcetrapib on Glucose, Insulin, and Hemoglobin A
1c
in Subjects in the Investigation of Lipid Level Management to Understand its Impact in Atherosclerotic Events (ILLUMINATE) Trial
Authors: Barter Philip J. , Rye Kerry-Anne , Tardif Jean-Claude , Waters David D. , Boekholdt S. Matthijs , Breazna Andrei , Kastelein John J.P. 
Published: July 2011

Background—
High-density lipoproteins have antidiabetic properties in vitro. Furthermore, elevated high-density lipoprotein levels accompanying a genetic deficiency of cholesteryl ester transfer protein are associated with decreased levels of plasma glucose. We now investigate effects on glucose homeostasis of inhibiting cholesteryl ester transfer protein with torcetrapib.

Methods and Results—

A post hoc analysis of the Investigation of Lipid Level Management to Understand its Impact in Atherosclerotic Events (ILLUMINATE) trial was conducted to investigate effects of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor torcetrapib on glycemic control in the 6661 diabetic patients in the trial. At baseline, there were no differences between the 2 treatment arms with respect to plasma glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A
1c
, or the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. After 3 months, the diabetic subjects taking the combination of torcetrapib plus atorvastatin had plasma glucose levels 0.34 mmol/L lower (
P
<0.0001) and insulin levels 11.7 μU/mL lower (
P
<0.0001) than in those receiving atorvastatin alone. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance values decreased from 49.1 to 47.3 (
P
<0.0001) in the torcetrapib/atorvastatin arm compared with an increase in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in the atorvastatin arm. At the 6-month time point, the mean hemoglobin A
1c
level in the atorvastatin arm was 7.29% compared with 7.06% in the torcetrapib/atorvastatin arm (
P
<0.0001). These effects of torcetrapib remained apparent for up to 12 months. Torcetrapib also lowered both glucose and insulin levels in the participants without diabetes mellitus, although the effects were not as great as in those with diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions—
Treatment with torcetrapib improves glycemic control in atorvastatin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It remains to be determined whether this effect is the consequence of raising high-density lipoprotein.at

Clinical Trial Registration—

http:www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00134264.
Polymer-Free Sirolimus- and Probucol-Eluting Versus New Generation Zotarolimus-Eluting Stents in Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Massberg Steffen , Byrne Robert A. , Kastrati Adnan , Schulz Stefanie , Pache Jürgen , Hausleiter Jörg , Ibrahim Tareq , Fusaro Massimiliano , Ott Ilka , Schömig Albert , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig , Mehilli Julinda 
Published: July 2011

Background—
Durable polymer coatings have been implicated in mid- and long-term adverse events after drug-eluting stent implantation. A polymer-free dual-drug sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stent and a new generation permanent polymer zotarolimus-eluting stent are recently developed technologies demonstrating encouraging results.

Methods and Results—
In a clinical trial with minimal exclusion criteria, we randomly assigned 3002 patients to treatment with sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stents versus zotarolimus-eluting stents. The trial was designed to demonstrate noninferiority of the sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stents. The primary end point was the combined incidence of cardiac death, target-vessel–related myocardial infarction, or target-lesion revascularization at 1-year follow-up. Follow-up angiography was scheduled at 6 to 8 months.

The sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stent was noninferior to the zotarolimus-eluting stent in terms of occurrence of the primary end point (13.1% versus 13.5%, respectively,
P
noninferiority
=0.006; hazard ratio=0.97, 95% confidence interval, 0.78 to 1.19;
P
superiority
=0.74). The incidence of definite/probable stent thrombosis was low in both groups (1.1% versus 1.2%, respectively; hazard ratio=0.91 [95% confidence interval, 0.45 to 1.84],
P
=0.80). With regard to angiographic efficacy, there were no differences between the sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stent and the zotarolimus-eluting stent in terms of either in-segment binary angiographic restenosis (13.3% versus 13.4% respectively;
P
=0.95) or in-stent late luminal loss (0.31±0.58 mm versus 0.29±0.56 mm, respectively;
P
=0.46).

Conclusion—
In this large-scale study powered for clinical end points, a polymer-free sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stent was noninferior to a new generation durable polymer-based zotarolimus-eluting stent out to 12 months.

Clinical Trial Registration—

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier NCT 00598533.
Early Treatment With Lisinopril and Spironolactone Preserves Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Mice
Authors: Rafael-Fortney Jill A. , Chimanji Neeraj S. , Schill Kevin E. , Martin Christopher D. , Murray Jason D. , Ganguly Ranjit , Stangland Jenna E. , Tran Tam , Xu Ying , Canan Benjamin D. , Mays Tessily A. , Delfín Dawn A. , Janssen Paul M.L. , Raman Subha V. 
Published: July 2011

Background—
Nearly universal cardiomyopathy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) contributes to heart failure and death. Because DMD patients show myocardial fibrosis well before functional impairment, we postulated that earlier treatment using drugs with antifibrotic effect may be beneficial.

Methods and Results—

Three groups of 10
utrn
+/−
;
mdx
, or “het” mice, deficient for dystrophin and haploinsufficient for utrophin with skeletal myopathy and cardiomyopathy that closely mimics clinical DMD were studied. One het group received spironolactone and lisinopril starting at 8 weeks of life (het-treated-8); a second received the same starting at 4 weeks of life (het-treated-4), and the third het group was untreated. At 20 weeks, all mice had normal ejection fractions though circumferential strain rate was abnormal (−0.21±0.08) in untreated hets. This improved to −0.40±0.07 in het-treated-8 mice (
P
=0.003) and further improved to −0.56±0.10 in het-treated-4 mice (
P
=0.014 for het-treated-4 versus het-treated-8). Treated mice showed less cardiomyocyte damage, with a 44% reduction in intracardiomyocyte serum immunoglobulin G localization in het-treated-8 mice (
P
<0.0001) and a further 53% reduction in het-treated-4 mice (
P
=0.0003 versus het-treated-8); matrix metalloproteinases were similarly reduced. Cardiac, limb, and diaphragm function by ex vivo muscle testing remained at 80% of normal with early treatment compared to a decline to 40% of normal skeletal muscle function without treatment.

Conclusions—
These findings offer clinically available medications with proven antifibrotic effect as a new therapeutic strategy in DMD. Early initiation greatly attenuated myocardial disease and, for the first time with these drugs, improved skeletal myopathy. Thus, early initiation of such agents warrants further clinical evaluation to maintain ambulatory, respiratory, and cardiac function for patients with DMD and related myopathies.
A Comparison of Statistical and Dynamical Downscaling of Winter Precipitation over Complex Terrain
Authors: Gutmann Ethan D. , Rasmussen Roy M. , Liu Changhai , Ikeda Kyoko , Gochis David J. , Clark Martyn P. , Dudhia Jimy , Thompson Gregory 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Statistical downscaling is widely used to improve spatial and/or temporal distributions of meteorological variables from regional and global climate models. This downscaling is important because climate models are spatially coarse (50–200 km) and often misrepresent extremes in important meteorological variables, such as temperature and precipitation. However, these downscaling methods rely on current estimates of the spatial distributions of these variables and largely assume that the small-scale spatial distribution will not change significantly in a modified climate. In this study the authors compare data typically used to derive spatial distributions of precipitation [Parameter-Elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM)] to a high-resolution (2 km) weather model [Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF)] under the current climate in the mountains of Colorado. It is shown that there are regions of significant difference in November–May precipitation totals (&gt;300 mm) between the two, and possible causes for these differences are discussed. A simple statistical downscaling is then presented that is based on the 2-km WRF data applied to a series of regional climate models [North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP)], and the downscaled precipitation data are validated with observations at 65 snow telemetry (SNOTEL) sites throughout Colorado for the winter seasons from 1988 to 2000. The authors also compare statistically downscaled precipitation from a 36-km model under an imposed warming scenario with dynamically downscaled data from a 2-km model using the same forcing data. Although the statistical downscaling improved the domain-average precipitation relative to the original 36-km model, the changes in the spatial pattern of precipitation did not match the changes in the dynamically downscaled 2-km model. This study illustrates some of the uncertainties in applying statistical downscaling to future climate.
Precise Calculations of the Existence of Multiple AMOC Equilibria in Coupled Climate Models. Part II: Transient Behavior
Authors: Sijp Willem P. , England Matthew H. 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
In Part I of this paper an evolution equation for the Atlantic salinity and the reverse cell strength in the North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) OFF state was formulated. Here, an analytical solution to this equation is used to test its validity in the context of transient solutions. In this study several transient scenarios in the general circulation model are examined to determine the accuracy of the predictions made with the material in Part I. The authors also determine how well the basic premises of Part I hold throughout these transient behaviors. The unstable equilibria that mark the upper boundary of the OFF state attraction basin are elucidated by the time-dependent behavior shown here. Transient equilibration from one stable NADW OFF state to another in response to changes in the anomalous salt flux H is accurately described by the evolution equation. The theory also explains the distribution of decay times for the NADW OFF state around the maximum critical Atlantic surface flux. Exceedingly long collapse times in excess of 50 000 years are found for surface flux values slightly in excess of the critical value.
Numerical Study on the Formation of Typhoon Ketsana (2003). Part I: Roles of the Mesoscale Convective Systems
Authors: Lu Xinyan , Cheung Kevin K. W. , Duan Yihong 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
The effects of multiple mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) on the formation of Typhoon Ketsana (2003) are analyzed in this study. Numerical simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with assimilation of Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) and Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) oceanic winds and total precipitable water are performed. The WRF model simulates well the large-scale features, the convective episodes associated with the MCSs and their periods of development, and the formation time and location of Ketsana. With the successive occurrence of MCSs, midlevel average relative vorticity is strengthened through generation of mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs) mainly via the vertical stretching mechanism. Scale separation shows that the activity of the vortical hot tower (VHT)-type meso-γ-scale vortices correlated well with the development of the MCSs. These VHTs have large values of positive relative vorticity induced by intense low-level convergence, and thus play an important role in the low-level vortex enhancement with aggregation of VHTs as one of the possible mechanisms.
Four sensitivity experiments are performed to analyze the possible different roles of the MCSs during the formation of Ketsana by modifying the vertical relative humidity profile in each MCS and consequently the strength of convection within. The results show that the development of an MCS depends substantially on that of the prior ones through remoistening of the midtroposphere, and thus leading to different scenarios of system intensification during the tropical cyclone (TC) formation. The earlier MCSs are responsible for the first stage vortex enhancement, and depending on the location can affect quite largely the simulated formation location. The extreme convection within the last MCS before formation largely determines the formation time.
Tropopause Structure and the Role of Eddies
Authors: Haqq-Misra Jacob , Lee Sukyoung , Frierson Dargan M. W. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThis paper presents a series of dynamical states using an idealized three-dimensional general circulation model with gray radiation and latent heat release. Beginning with the case of radiative–convective equilibrium, an eddy-free two-dimensional state with zonally symmetric flow is developed, followed by a three-dimensional state that includes baroclinic eddy fluxes. In both dry and moist cases, it is found that the deepening of the tropical tropospheric layer and the shape of the extratropical tropopause can be understood through eddy-driven processes such as the stratospheric Brewer–Dobson circulation. These results suggest that eddies alone can generate a realistic tropopause profile in the absence of moist convection and that stratospheric circulation is an important contributor to tropopause structure.
Climate Feedbacks and Their Implications for Poleward Energy Flux Changes in a Warming Climate
Authors: Zelinka Mark D. , Hartmann Dennis L. 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Feedbacks determine the efficiency with which the climate system comes back into equilibrium in response to a radiative perturbation. Although feedbacks are integrated quantities, the processes from which they arise have rich spatial structures that alter the distribution of top of atmosphere (TOA) net radiation. Here, the authors investigate the implications of the structure of climate feedbacks for the change in poleward energy transport as the planet warms over the twenty-first century in a suite of GCMs. Using radiative kernels that describe the TOA radiative response to small perturbations in temperature, water vapor, and surface albedo, the change in poleward energy flux is partitioned into the individual feedbacks that cause it.
This study finds that latitudinal gradients in the sum of climate feedbacks reinforce the preexisting latitudinal gradient in TOA net radiation, requiring that the climate system transport more energy to the poles on a warming planet. This is primarily due to structure of the water vapor and cloud feedbacks, which are strongly positive at low latitudes and decrease dramatically with increasing latitude. Using the change in surface fluxes, the authors partition the anomalous poleward energy flux between the atmosphere and ocean and find that reduced heat flux from the high-latitude ocean further amplifies the equator-to-pole gradient in atmospheric energy loss. This implied reduction in oceanic poleward energy flux requires the atmosphere to increase its share of the total poleward energy transport. As is the case for climate sensitivity, the largest source of intermodel spread in the change in poleward energy transport can be attributed to the shortwave cloud feedback.
Implementation and Evaluation of Dynamic Subfilter-Scale Stress Models for Large-Eddy Simulation Using WRF*
Authors: Kirkil Gokhan , Mirocha Jeff , Bou-Zeid Elie , Chow Fotini Katopodes , Kosović Branko 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
The performance of a range of simple to moderately-complex subfilter-scale (SFS) stress models implemented in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is evaluated in large-eddy simulations of neutral atmospheric boundary layer flow over both a flat terrain and a two-dimensional symmetrical transverse ridge. Two recently developed dynamic SFS stress models, the Lagrangian-averaged scale-dependent (LASD) dynamic model and the dynamic reconstruction model (DRM), are compared with the WRF model’s existing constant-coefficient linear eddy-viscosity and (as of version 3.2) nonlinear SFS stress models to evaluate the benefits of more sophisticated and accurate, but also more computationally expensive approaches.
Simulation results using the different SFS stress models are compared among each other, as well as against the Monin–Obukhov similarity theory. For the flat terrain case, vertical profiles of mean wind speed from the newly implemented dynamic models show the best agreement with the similarity solution, improving even upon the nonlinear model, which likewise yields a significant improvement compared to the Smagorinsky model. The more sophisticated SFS stress models more successfully predict the expected production and inertial range scaling of power spectra, especially near the surface, with the dynamic models achieving the best scaling overall. For the transverse ridge case, the nonlinear model predicts the greatest amount of reverse flow in the lee of the ridge, and also demonstrates the greatest ability to duplicate qualitative features of the highest-resolution simulations at coarser resolutions. The dynamic models’ flow distributions in the lee of the ridge did not differ significantly from the constant-coefficient Smagorinsky model.
Heavy Precipitation at the Alpine South Side and Saharan Dust over Central Europe: A Predictability Study Using TIGGE
Authors: Wiegand Lars , Twitchett Arwen , Schwierz Cornelia , Knippertz Peter 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Around 26 May 2008 a pronounced potential vorticity (PV) streamer penetrated from the North Atlantic into the western Mediterranean Sea followed by widespread dust mobilization over the Maghreb region of northwest Africa and a subsequent northward transport into central Europe. At the same time, strong southerly flow over the Mediterranean Sea caused heavy precipitation and flooding at the windward side of the European Alps. Using continuous and feature-based error measures, as well as ensemble correlation techniques, this study investigates the forecast quality and predictability of synoptic and mesoscale aspects of this high-impact event in operational ensemble predictions from nine meteorological centers participating in The Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment (THORPEX) Interactive Grand Global Ensemble (TIGGE) project. TIGGE is a recently established program providing ensemble forecasts in a standardized format, which allows for an exciting new multimodel approach to investigating the predictability of, for example, high-impact weather and its dynamics. The main conclusions from this study are that 1) the quality of the PV streamer forecasts degrades with lead time showing a general tendency toward too weak Rossby wave; 2) when focusing on the region around the streamer, most models show root-mean-square errors of the same magnitude or larger than the ensemble spread (underdispersive behavior); 3) errors are reduced by about 50% if the comparison is made to each center’s own analysis instead of the ECMWF analysis; 4) peak wind speeds over the Sahara tend to be underpredicted, with differences in model formulation dominating over differences in the representation of the PV streamer; and 5) ensemble-mean multimodel forecasts of 4-day accumulated precipitation appear accurate enough for a successful severe-weather warning.
Influence of fabric structure on sodium hydroxide release from woven lyocell
Authors: Široky Ján , Blackburn Richard S , Bechtold Thomas 
Published: July 2011

The sodium hydroxide release (alkali wash-off) from lyocell fabrics with different weave constructions (plain, twill, sateen) was studied by conductivity measurements in the wash bath. An alkali transport coefficient (K) was established to quantify alkali release, which represents the liquid-side mass transfer of alkali release after a pad-batch process into the wash bath. Three regions of NaOH-release behaviour were observed and two competitive phenomena related to swelling, increase of the substrate surface, and the substrate compactness, have been recognized. Firstly (up to 2.25 mol dm-3), the influence of fabric-alkali interactions and non-uniform access of NaOH determines alkali release, and also the absolute K value is mainly determined by the bulk densities (plain 0.4998, twill 0.4622 and sateen 0.4096 g cm-3) and porosities (plain 0.671, twill 0.696 and sateen 0.731) and thus, it increases continuously. The maximum swelling of cellulose fibers occurs between 2.25—3.00 mol dm-3 NaOH; here, maximum K is observed as well as dependency on fabric construction is still determining factor. Above 3.75 mol dm-3 NaOH, the treated substrates are highly swollen sheets and the K does not show dependency on fabric constructions, thus, the fabric construction is not relevant at this range anymore for the alkali-diffusion. Because materials consisting of the same type of fiber and with similar mass per area are currently considered to behave identically, the findings herein which contrast with the existing theory are of particular relevance in optimization of technical processing of regenerated cellulosic fabrics during alkalization.
The Influence of Musculoskeletal Injury on Cognition
Authors: Hutchison Michael , Comper Paul , Mainwaring Lynda , Richards Doug 
Published: July 2011

Background: Safe return-to-play decisions after concussion can be challenging for sports medicine specialists. Neuropsychological testing is recommended to objectively measure concussion-related cognitive impairments. Purpose: The objective of this study was to measure cognitive functioning among 3 specific athletic groups: (1) athletes with no injuries (n = 36), (2) athletes with musculoskeletal injuries (n = 18), and (3) athletes with concussion (n = 18). Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Seventy-two intercollegiate athletes completed preseason baseline cognitive testing and follow-up assessment using the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) test battery. Injured athletes were tested within 72 hours of injury. A 1-way analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline scores was performed to determine if differences existed in cognitive test scores among the 3 groups. Results: A group of athletes with concussion performed significantly worse than a group of athletes with no injuries on the following subtests of the ANAM at follow-up: Code Substitution Learning, Match to Sample, and Simple Reaction. Athletes with musculoskeletal injuries performed significantly worse than those with no injury on the Match to Sample subtest. No significant differences between athletes with concussion and athletes with musculoskeletal injuries were found on all ANAM subtests. Conclusion: Concussion produces cognitive impairment in the acute recovery period. Interestingly, athletes with musculoskeletal injuries also display a degree of cognitive impairment as measured by computerized tests. Clinical Relevance: Although these findings support previous research that neuropsychological tests can effectively measure concussion-related cognitive impairment, this study provides evidence that athletic injury, in general, also may produce a degree of cognitive disruption. Therefore, a narrow interpretation of scores of neuropsychological tests in a sports concussion context should be avoided.