bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring and forecasting drought impact on dryland farming areas
Authors: Arshad Saleh , Morid Saeed , Mobasheri Mohammad Reza , Alikhani Majid Agha , Arshad Sajjad 
Published: August 2012

AbstractFrequent drought amplifies the need for a warning system and forecasting models for damage to crop yields. This study developed an operational model to assess agricultural drought impact. The dryland areas of Kermanshah Province (Iran) were selected to test the proposed modelling system. The model predicted the consequences of drought damage on wheat crop during critical stages of growth (emergence, vegetative growth, initiation of flowering, grain filling, and maturity) as a drought loss indicator. Two types of input were evaluated to correlate climate conditions versus drought losses. The first group comprises the Palmer Drought Severity Index, Z‐index, Crop Moisture Index, Crop‐Specific Drought Index (CSDI), Standardized Precipitation Index, and Effective Drought Index with one‐ to three‐month timescales used as meteorological indices. The second group, which is consistent of the vegetation condition index and temperature condition index, is based on satellite data. Also a new satellite‐based version of CSDI, so‐called standardized CSDI (S‐CDSI), where evapotranspiration was estimated using surface energy balance algorithm for land, is used. Adaptive Neuro‐Fuzzy Inference Systems (ANFIS) technique was used for forecasting with genetic algorithms applied to select appropriate inputs from among the large number of indices. It was concluded that the combination of meteorological and satellite indices performed best in forecasting crop yield. As expected, accuracy improved over the growth stages as the crop developed. Enhancement of the model with a GIS platform made it possible to present the results more suitably, hence helping users to make more realistic decisions. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Linkages between global sea surface temperatures and decadal rainfall variability over Eastern Africa region
Authors: Omondi Philip , Ogallo Laban A. , Anyah Richard , Muthama J. M. , Ininda J. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractLinkages between dominant spatio‐temporal decadal rainfall variability modes and the global sea surface temperature (SST) modes are investigated over East Africa region for the period 1950–2008. Singular value decomposition (SVD) and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) techniques are employed to examine potential linkages and predictability of decadal rainfall variability over the region. When the ten‐year periodicity is filtered out from the observed monthly rainfall data, distinct decadal rainfall regimes are exhibited in the time series of mean seasonal rainfall anomalies. Spectral density analysis of rainfall time series showed dominance of a ten‐year periodicity, significant at 95% confidence level. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results yielded nine and seven homogeneous decadal rainfall zones for long rains; March–May (MAM), and the short rains: October–December (OND) seasons, respectively. The third season of June–August (JJA) which is mainly experienced in western and coastal sub‐regions had eight homogenous zones delineated. Results show that the leading three SVD‐coupled modes explain greater than 75% of the squared covariance between the two fields. The first SVD mode for Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans contributed to 50, 43 and 38% of the total square covariance for MAM season, respectively. The same mode accounted for 65, 48 and 40% for OND rainfall season, respectively. For the JJA season, mode one contributed to about 61, 39 and 42% of the variance. The study showed that forcing of decadal rainfall over the region is associated with El Niño mode that is prominent over the Pacific Ocean, while Indian Ocean dipole is the leading mode over the Indian Ocean basin. An inter‐hemispheric dipole mode that is common during ENSO was a prominent feature in the Atlantic Ocean forcing regional decadal rainfall. The high variability of these modes highlighted the significant roles of all the global oceans in forcing decadal rainfall variability over the region. In addition, results from multiple linear regression model showed substantial variation of the model prediction skill of the decadal rainfall variability modes within various homogenous zones and for different seasons. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Choosing a Knowledge Dissemination Approach
Authors: Kingston John 
Published: August 2012

Knowledge management has been described as ‘getting the right knowledge to the right people in the right place at the right time’. Knowledge dissemination is a crucial part of knowledge management because it ensures knowledge is available to those who need it.This paper reviews four well‐known knowledge dissemination techniques. Each technique is classified according to a recently proposed classification scheme, and advice is given regarding when it is appropriate to use each technique. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Paranasal sinus exostoses: Possible correlation with cold temperature nasal irrigation after endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Adelson Robert T. , Kennedy David W. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractExostoses of the external auditory canal (EEAC) are a commonly encountered clinical exam finding; however, exostoses in other locations are vanishingly rare. The postoperative paranasal sinuses are penetrated with cold water solutions, the reputed etiological agent for EEAC, and development of exostoses in this unexpected location may be observed endoscopically. The surprising appearance of these protuberant lesions within the sinuses could be mistaken for more ominous processes, subjecting the patient to biopsy, surgery, or unnecessary medical therapy. The radiologic appearance of exostoses within the paranasal sinuses is herein reported for the first time, and care is taken to distinguish these bony lesions from the osteoneogenesis of chronic inflammation. Laryngoscope, 2013
Copolythiophenes with Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Side Chains: Synthesis, Characterization, and Performance in Organic Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Bilkay Taybet , Schulze Kerstin , Egorov‐Brening Tatjana , Bohn Andreas , Janietz Silvia 
Published: August 2012

AbstractStatistical copolymers of regioregular polythiophene with hydrophobic hexyl side chains (P3HT) and hydrophilic 3,6‐dioxaheptyl side chains (P3DOHT) are synthesized by the GRIM method. A comparable study on the different polymers has been accomplished regarding solubility, thin film structure, and performance in organic field effect transistors (OFETs). DSC and XRD measurements are done to investigate the crystallinity of the copolymers. The novel functionalized fully π‐conjugated copolymers P(3HT‐co‐3DOHT) with feed molar ratios of 1:1, 2:1, and 1:2 show hole mobilities in the range of 10−2 cm2 V−1 s−1. Using poly(methyl methacrylate) as the dielectric layer in a top gate device architecture leads to air stable transistors without significant losses in the OFET performance over several months.
Online Coupling of Size‐Exclusion Chromatography and IR Spectroscopy to Correlate Molecular Weight with Chemical Composition
Authors: Beskers Timo F. , Hofe Thorsten , Wilhelm Manfred 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe determination of molecular weight and correlated chemical composition is of major interest for the advanced analysis of copolymers, blends, or unknown samples. In this work, we present a new way of online coupling IR spectroscopy and SEC to achieve a chemically sensitive, universally applicable SEC detector. Our method overcomes the limitations of existing spectroscopy–SEC combinations. We solved the major problems, like huge intensity of solvent signals (polymer concentration in detector <1 g L−1) and short measuring time (<30 s), by recording the IR spectra with fully optimized sensitivity and by following mathematical solvent suppression. The measuring time for a certain S/N was reduced in several optimization steps by a factor of more than 70 000. The resulting sensitivity allows online coupled IR–SEC measurements.
TOF‐SIMS analysis of cell membrane changes in functional impaired human macrophages upon nanosilver treatment
Authors: Tentschert J. , Draude F. , Jungnickel H. , Haase A. , Mantion A. , Galla S. , Thünemann A. F. , Taubert A. , Luch A. , Arlinghaus H. F. 
Published: August 2012

Silver nanoparticles (SNP) are among the most commercialized nanoparticles. Here, we show that peptide‐coated SNP cause functional impairment of human macrophages. A dose‐dependent inhibition of phagocytosis is observed after nanoparticle treatment, and pretreatment of cells with N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) can counteract the phagocytosis disturbances caused by SNP.Using the surface‐sensitive mode of time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, in combination with multivariate statistical methods, we studied the composition of cell membranes in human macrophages upon exposure to SNP with and without NAC preconditioning. This method revealed characteristic changes in the lipid pattern of the cellular membrane outer leaflet in those cells challenged by SNP. Statistical analyses resulted in 19 characteristic ions, which can be used to distinguish between NAC pretreated and untreated macrophages. The present study discusses the assignments of surface cell membrane phospholipids for the identified ions and the resulting changes in the phospholipid pattern of treated cells. We conclude that the adverse effects in human macrophages caused by SNP can be partially reversed through NAC administration. Some alterations, however, remained. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanostructured Metal‐Free Electrochemical Catalysts for Highly Efficient Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Zheng Yao , Jiao Yan , Jaroniec Mietek , Jin Yonggang , Qiao Shi Zhang 
Published: August 2012

AbstractReplacing precious and nondurable Pt catalysts with cheap and commercially available materials to facilitate sluggish cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a key issue in the development of fuel cell technology. The recently developed cost effective and highly stable metal‐free catalysts reveal comparable catalytic activity and significantly better fuel tolerance than that of current Pt‐based catalysts; therefore, they can serve as feasible Pt alternatives for the next generation of ORR electrocatalysts. Their promising electrocatalytic properties and acceptable costs greatly promote the R&D of fuel cell technology. This review provides an overview of recent advances in state‐of‐the‐art nanostructured metal‐free electrocatalysts including nitrogen‐doped carbons, graphitic‐carbon nitride (g‐C3N4)‐based hybrids, and 2D graphene‐based materials. A special emphasis is placed on the molecular design of these electrocatalysts, origin of their electrochemical reactivity, and ORR pathways. Finally, some perspectives are highlighted on the development of more efficient ORR electrocatalysts featuring high stability, low cost, and enhanced performance, which are the key factors to accelerate the commercialization of fuel cell technology.
Enhancing the Humidity Sensitivity of Ga2O3/SnO2 Core/Shell Microribbon by Applying Mechanical Strain and Its Application as a Flexible Strain Sensor
Authors: Liu Kewei , Sakurai Makoto , Aono Masakazu 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe humidity sensitivity of a single β‐Ga2O3/amorphous SnO2 core/shell microribbon on a flexible substrate is enhanced by the application of tensile strain and increases linearly with the strain. The strain‐induced enhancement originates from the increase in the effective surface area where water molecules are adsorbed. This strain dependence of humidity sensitivity can be used to monitor the external strain. The strain sensing of the microribbon device under various amounts of mechanical loading shows excellent reliability and reproducibility with a gauge factor of −41. The flexible device has high potential to detect both humidity and strain at room temperature. These findings and the mechanism involved are expected to pave the way for new flexible strain and multifunctional sensors.
Detection of Circulating Cancer Cells Using Electrocatalytic Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Maltez‐da Costa Marisa , de la Escosura‐Muñiz Alfredo , Nogués Carme , Barrios Lleonard , Ibáñez Elena , Merkoçi Arben 
Published: August 2012

AbstractA rapid cancer cell detection and quantification assay, based on the electrocatalytic properties of gold nanoparticles towards the hydrogen evolution reaction, is described. The selective labeling of cancer cells is performed in suspension, allowing a fast interaction between the gold nanoparticle labels and the target proteins expressed at the cell membrane. The subsequent electrochemical detection is accomplished with small volumes of sample and user‐friendly equipment through a simple electrochemical method that generates a fast electrochemical response used for the quantification of nanoparticle‐labeled cancer cells. The system establishes a selective cell‐detection assay capable of detecting 4 × 103 cancer cells in suspension that can be extended to several other cells detection scenarios.
Hyperbranched Conjugated Polyelectrolyte for Dual‐modality Fluorescence and Magnetic Resonance Cancer Imaging
Authors: Ding Dan , Wang Guan , Liu Jianzhao , Li Kai , Pu Kan‐Yi , Hu Yong , Ng Jason C. Y. , Tang Ben Zhong , Liu Bin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractHerein is reported the synthesis of gadolinium ion (Gd(III))‐chelated hyperbranched conjugated polyelectrolyte (HCPE‐Gd) and its application in fluorescence and magnetic resonance (MR) dual imaging in live animals. The synthesized HCPE‐Gd forms nanospheres with an average diameter of ∼42 nm measured by laser light scattering and a quantum yield of 10% in aqueous solution. The absorption spectrum of HCPE‐Gd has two maxima at 318 and 417 nm, and its photoluminescence maximum centers at 591 nm. Confocal laser scanning microscopy studies indicate that the HCPE‐Gd is internalized in MCF‐7 cancer cell cytoplasm with good photostability and low cytotoxicity. Further fluorescence and MR imaging studies on hepatoma H22 tumor‐bearing mouse model reveal that HCPE‐Gd can serve as an efficient optical/MR dual‐modal imaging nanoprobe for in vivo cancer diagnosis.
Exploiting tag similarities to discover synonyms and homonyms in folksonomies
Authors: Eynard Davide , Mazzola Luca , Dattolo Antonina 
Published: August 2012

SUMMARYTag‐based systems are widely available, thanks to their intrinsic advantages, such as self‐organization, currency, and ease of use. Although they represent a precious source of semantic metadata, their utility is still limited. The inherent lexical ambiguities of tags strongly affect the extraction of structured knowledge and the quality of tag‐based recommendation systems. In this paper, we propose a methodology for the analysis of tag‐based systems, addressing tag synonymy and homonymy at the same time in a holistic approach: in more detail, we exploit a tripartite graph to reduce the problem of synonyms and homonyms; we apply a customized version of Tag Context Similarity to detect them, overcoming the limitations of current similarity metrics; finally, we propose the application of an overlapping clustering algorithm to detect contexts and homonymies, then evaluate its performances, and introduce a methodology for the interpretation of its results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Large‐scale mouse knockouts and phenotypes
Authors: Ramírez‐Solis Ramiro , Ryder Edward , Houghton Richard , White Jacqueline K. , Bottomley Joanna 
Published: August 2012

AbstractStandardized phenotypic analysis of mutant forms of every gene in the mouse genome will provide fundamental insights into mammalian gene function and advance human and animal health. The availability of the human and mouse genome sequences, the development of embryonic stem cell mutagenesis technology, the standardization of phenotypic analysis pipelines, and the paradigm‐shifting industrialization of these processes have made this a realistic and achievable goal. The size of this enterprise will require global coordination to ensure economies of scale in both the generation and primary phenotypic analysis of the mutant strains, and to minimize unnecessary duplication of effort. To provide more depth to the functional annotation of the genome, effective mechanisms will also need to be developed to disseminate the information and resources produced to the wider community. Better models of disease, potential new drug targets with novel mechanisms of action, and completely unsuspected genotype–phenotype relationships covering broad aspects of biology will become apparent. To reach these goals, solutions to challenges in mouse production and distribution, as well as development of novel, ever more powerful phenotypic analysis modalities will be necessary. It is a challenging and exciting time to work in mouse genetics. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2012, 4:547–563. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1183This article is categorized under:

Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Genetic/Genomic Methods
Physiology > Mammalian Physiology in Health and Disease
Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Organismal Models
Physiology > Physiology of Model Organisms
From base pair to bedside: molecular simulation and the translation of genomics to personalized medicine
Authors: Wright David W. , Wan Shunzhou , Shublaq Nour , Zasada Stefan J. , Coveney Peter V. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractDespite the promises made that genomic sequencing would transform therapy by introducing a new era of personalized medicine, relatively few tangible breakthroughs have been made. This has led to the recognition that complex interactions at multiple spatial, temporal, and organizational levels may often combine to produce disease. Understanding this complexity requires that existing and future models are used and interpreted within a framework that incorporates knowledge derived from investigations at multiple levels of biological function. It also requires a computational infrastructure capable of dealing with the vast quantities of data generated by genomic approaches. In this review, we discuss the use of molecular modeling to generate quantitative and qualitative insights at the smallest scales of the systems biology hierarchy, how it can play an important role in the development of a systems understanding of disease and in the application of such knowledge to help discover new therapies and target existing ones on a personal level. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2012, 4:585–598. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1186This article is categorized under:

Biological Mechanisms > Chemical Biology
Analytical and Computational Methods > Computational Methods
Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models
Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Translational Medicine
The role of regulatory T cells in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: He Feng , Balling Rudi 
Published: August 2012

AbstractA sustained neuroinflammatory response is the hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and HIV‐associated neurodegeneration. A specific subset of T cells, currently recognized as FOXP3+CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), are pivotal in suppressing autoimmunity and maintaining immune homeostasis by mediating self‐tolerance at the periphery as shown in autoimmune diseases and cancers. A growing body of evidence shows that Tregs are not only important for maintaining immune balance at the periphery but also contribute to self‐tolerance and immune privilege in the central nervous system. In this article, we first review the current status of knowledge concerning the development and the suppressive function of Tregs. We then discuss the evidence supporting a dysfunction of Tregs in several neurodegenerative diseases. Interestingly, a dysfunction of Tregs is mainly observed in the early stages of several neurodegenerative diseases, but not in their chronic stages, pointing to a causative role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, we provide an overview of a number of molecules, such as hormones, neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, or ion channels, that affect the dysfunction of Tregs in neurodegenerative diseases. We also emphasize the effects of the intestinal microbiome on the induction and function of Tregs and the need to study the crosstalk between the enteric nervous system and Tregs in neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, we point out the need for a systems biology approach in the analysis of the enormous complexity regulating the function of Tregs and their potential role in neurodegenerative diseases. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2013, 5:153–180. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1187This article is categorized under:

Biological Mechanisms > Regulatory Biology
Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Therapeutic Methods
Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Translational Medicine
A Comparative Study of (Poly)ether Adducts of Alkaline Earth Iodides – An Overview Including New Compounds
Authors: Maudez William , Fromm Katharina M. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractNew homoligand and mixed‐ligand adducts of the heavier alkaline earth metal (Ca, Sr, Ba) halides with oxygen‐donor polyether ligands have been isolated and characterized and are compared with previously obtained compounds of the same class in order to give an overview on structures and properties. Homoligand halide adducts, discussed herein, are [CaI(DME)3]I (1), trans‐[SrI2(DME)3] (2), trans‐[BaI2(DME)3] (3), (DME = ethylene glycol dimethyl ether), [CaI(diglyme)2]I (4), cis‐[SrI2(diglyme)2] (5), trans‐[BaI2(diglyme)2] (6),(diglyme = diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, [SrI(triglyme)2]I (7), and [BaI(triglyme)2]I (8), (triglyme = triethylene glycol dimethyl ether). Introduction of the mono‐coordinating THF ligand (THF = tetrahydrofuran) in the coordination sphere of 1, 2, 3, 4 allows the formation of the new mixed‐ligand compounds trans‐[CaI2(DME)2(THF)] (9), trans‐[SrI2(DME)2(THF)] (10), trans‐[BaI2(DME)2(THF)2] (11), and trans‐[CaI2(diglyme)2(THF)2] (12). These compounds were obtained from the metal halide salts in solution with pure or mixtures of ether solvents. While compounds 1–8 appear to be very stable and non‐reactive, adducts 9–12 present a comparable reactivity to the well known THF adducts [MI2(thf)n] (M = Ca, n = 4; Sr, Ba, n = 5).
Models for inviscid wakes past a normal plate
Authors: Elcrat A. , Zannetti L. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractClosed and open hollow wakes are considered as analytic models for the two-dimensional inviscid steady flow past a plate normal to the stream. It is shown that only open configurations which satisfy the Kutta condition exist. The main argument is based on considering a plate located on the edge of a step with varying height. It is shown that solutions for open wakes exist for backward-, null and forward-facing steps, while closed wakes only exist for backward-facing steps. The occurrence of secondary separation has been modelled by adding a hollow region attached to the downstream corner. Peculiar accuracy issues of the problem are pointed out which may explain other contradictory results from the literature. It is shown how the Kirchhoff wake is a limiting solution for certain values of the governing parameters.