bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diurnal Temperature Range Variability due to Land Cover and Airmass Types in the Southeast
Authors: Scheitlin Kelsey N. , Dixon P. Grady 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
This study examines the relationship between diurnal temperature range (DTR) and land use/land cover (LULC) in a portion of the Southeast. Temperature data for all synoptically weak days within a 10-yr period are gathered from the National Climatic Data Center for 144 weather stations. Each station is classified as one of the following LULC types: urban, agriculture, evergreen forest, deciduous forest, or mixed forest. A three-way analysis of variance and paired-sample t tests are used to test for significant DTR differences due to LULC, month, and airmass type. The LULC types display two clear groups according to their DTR, with agricultural and urban areas consistently experiencing the smallest DTRs, and the forest types experiencing greater DTRs. The dry air masses seem to enhance the DTR differences between vegetated LULC types by emphasizing the differences in evapotranspiration. Meanwhile, the high moisture content of moist air masses prohibits extensive evapotranspirational cooling in the vegetated areas. This lessens the DTR differences between vegetated LULC types, while enhancing the differences between vegetated land and urban areas. All of the LULC types exhibit an annual bimodal DTR pattern with peaks in April and October. Since both vegetated and nonvegetated areas experience the bimodal pattern, this may conflict with previous research that names seasonal changes in evapotranspiration as the most probable cause for the annual trend. These findings suggest that airmass type has a larger and more consistent influence on the DTR of an area than LULC type and therefore may play a role in causing the bimodal DTR pattern, altering DTR with the seasonal distribution of airmass occurrence.
Cardioprotective effects of benazepril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, in an ischaemia-reperfusion model of myocardial infarction in rats
Authors: Charan Sahoo Kanhei , Arora Sachin , Goyal Sameer , Kishore Kamal , Ray Ruma , Chandra Nag Tapas , Singh Arya Dharamvir 
Published: December 2009

Introduction. The present study evaluated the effects of benazepril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor on haemodynamic, biochemical, and immunohistochemical (Bax and Bcl-2 protein) indices in ischaemia and reperfusion (IR) injury.Materials and methods. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups and were orally administered saline once daily (IR-sham and IR-control) or benazepril (30 mg/kg/day; IR-benazepril) for 14 days. On the 15thday, in the IR-control and IR-benazepril groups, rats were subjected to left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion for 45 minutes followed by a one-hour reperfusion. Haemodynamic parameters were recorded and rats were sacrificed; hearts were isolated for biochemical estimation and immunohistochemistry.Results. In the IR-control group, significant ventricular dysfunctions (p<0.05 vs. IR-sham group) were observed along with enhanced expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax. A decline in lactate dehydrogenase activity and increased content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, a marker of lipid peroxidation, were observed. Benazepril pretreatment significantly improved mean arterial pressure (p<0.01), reduced left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (p<0.05), and improved both inotropic and lusitropic function of the heart (+LVdP/dt and — LVdP/dt) (p<0.05; p<0.01) as compared to IR-control. Furthermore, benazepril treatment significantly decreased the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and restored the activity of lactate dehydrogenase towards normal value (p<0.05 vs. IR-control).Conclusion. This study demonstrates that benazepril upregulated Bcl-2 protein and decreased Bax protein expression, thus exhibiting anti-apoptotic effects. These beneficial effects of benazepril will have an important implication in the therapeutic use of benazepril in ischaemic heart disease.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion and angiotensin type 1 receptor A1166C polymorphisms as genetic risk factors in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer
Authors: Sierra Díaz Erick , Sánchez Corona José , Rosales Gómez Roberto Carlos , Gutierrez Rubio Susan Andrea , Vázquez Camacho José Gonzalo , Solano Moreno Héctor , Morán Moguel María Cristina 
Published: December 2009

Introduction. Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant neoplasias in developed countries. In 2003, 6,536 new cases and 4,602 related deaths were reported in Mexico. The renin-angiotensin system has been shown to play a role in prostate cancer pathology. Two previous studies investigated the association of prostate cancer with the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme ( ACE) gene; both studies reported an association between prostate cancer and the DD genotype. The present study was aimed at searching for an association of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia with the I/D polymorphism in the ACE gene and the A1166C polymorphism in the angiotensin type 1 receptor ( AGT1R) gene and at comparing allele frequencies between both groups and the general population. Materials and methods. DNA was extracted from 20 samples from individuals with a prostate cancer diagnosis and from 20 samples from individuals with a benign prostatic hyperplasia diagnosis. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP analysis. Polymorphism frequency results obtained for the test groups were compared with the frequencies in 66 individuals from the general population, which were previously obtained at the same molecular medicine laboratory in the context of other studies. Results. The comparative analysis of the three groups revealed significant differences for allele frequencies in the two genes in patients groups (prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia) versus the general population. The D allele in the ACE gene was closely associated with a significant higher risk of developing both benign prostatic hyperplasia (odds ratio [OR]=21.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.314—206.479) or prostate cancer (OR=31.66; 95% CI=0.091—1.272), and the AGT1R A1166 allele in the homozygote state was identified as a risk genotype for benign prostatic hyperplasia (OR=56.07). Conclusions. Genotypes in ACE and AGT1R polymorphisms could be considered as genetic risk markers for benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer.
Validity of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory for use in end‐stage renal disease patients
Authors: Loosman W. L. , Siegert C. E. H. , Korzec A. , Honig A. 
Published: December 2009

Objective. To validate the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for use in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) and to compare the outcome of both screening measures with each other.Design. Cross‐sectional and between‐subjects design. The independent variable was the diagnosis depression by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The dependent variables were the HADS and BDI total score.Methods. All 130 patients with ESRD who were treated with haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialyses in the Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital in Amsterdam were eligible for this study and were asked to fill out both HADS and BDI. The outcomes of both rating scales were compared with the diagnosis major depressive episode based on the MINI, which was seen as the gold standard. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to choose optimal cut‐off values.Results. Of 62 enrolled subjects, 21 (34%) were diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Optimal cut‐off values were ≥12 (HADS) and ≥13 (BDI). Sensitivity was 81.0% (HADS) and 75.0% (BDI). Specificity was 90.2% for both.Conclusions. Both HADS and BDI are valid screening instruments for the diagnosis depression in ESRD patients but there is no statistical difference found between both rating scales.
Mental Health Problems in Adults With Williams Syndrome
Authors: Stinton Chris , Elison Sarah , Howlin Patricia 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAlthough many researchers have investigated emotional and behavioral difficulties in individuals with Williams syndrome, few have used standardized diagnostic assessments. We examined mental health problems in 92 adults with Williams syndrome using the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with Developmental Disabilities—PAS-ADD (Moss, Goldberg, et al., 1996). Factors potentially associated with mental health problems were also explored. The PAS-ADD identified mental health problems in 24% of the sample. The most common were anxiety (16.5%) and specific phobias (12%). Other diagnoses included depression, agoraphobia, and social phobia. No association was found between the presence of mental health problems and either individual (e.g., age, IQ, language level) or external (life events) variables.
Socioeconomic Circumstances and Risk of Psychiatric Disorders Among Parents of Children With Early Cognitive Delay
Authors: Emerson Eric , McCulloch Andrew , Graham Hilary , Blacher Jan , Llwellyn Gwynnyth M. , Hatton Chris 
Published: December 2009

AbstractResults of previous research suggest that parents of children with intellectual disabilities are at increased risk of psychological distress and psychiatric disorder. Secondary analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study in the United Kingdom indicated that controlling for between-group differences in socioeconomic circumstances reduced the differences in probable psychiatric disorder to nonsignificance for fathers and markedly attenuated the strength of the relationship for mothers, especially for those with children who have less severe early cognitive delay. These data are consistent with the notion that greater than expected risk for psychiatric disorder among parents of young children with early cognitive delay is related to aspects of the socioeconomic circumstances of families.
Perceptions of Body Image by Persons With Prader-Willi Syndrome and Their Parents
Authors: Napolitano Deborah A. , Zarcone Jennifer , Nielsen Sarah , Wang Hongyue , Caliendo Jillian Maynard 
Published: December 2009

AbstractPrader-Willi syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by obesity. The Figure Rating Scale (Stunkard, Sorensen, & Schulsinger, 1983) was completed by 43 individuals with this syndrome to determine their level of dissatisfaction with their body. Their parents also completed this scale regarding their child to determine whether they were dissatisfied with their child's body status. Results showed that individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome were dissatisfied with their body. Parents also were dissatisfied with their child's body. Results of this study demonstrate that the responses of persons with Prader-Willi syndrome on the Figure Rating Scale show significant discrepancies between how they think they look and how they wished they looked.
Maternal Responsivity Predicts Language Development in Young Children With Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Warren Steven F. , Brady Nancy , Sterling Audra , Fleming Kandace , Marquis Janet 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe relationship between early maternal responsivity and later child communication outcomes in young children with fragile X syndrome was investigated. Data were obtained from 55 mother–child dyads over a 36-month period. Performance data were obtained at each measurement point from video observations of four different contexts. These were coded for (a) child communication behaviors, (b) parent responsivity, and (c) behavior management behaviors. Results indicate that early maternal responsivity predicts the level of four important child language outcomes at 36 months of age after controlling for child developmental level and autism symptomology.
Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulation of Helium-Bubble Evolution in ODS Steels
Authors: Takahashi Akiyuki , Sharafat Shahram , Nagasawa Koji , Ghoniem Nasr 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic/martensitic steels are being developed for high temperature applications for fission reactors and future fusion devices. ODS-Eurofer97 (Fe–9CrWVTa–0.3Y2O3) and ODS-MA957 (Fe–14CrTiMo–0.25Y2O3) have shown promising high temperature mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, toughness, fatigue, and creep rupture. Recent neutron irradiation experiments with simultaneous helium implantation indicate that helium transport is favorably impacted by the nanometer-sized oxide particles, small grain sizes, and high dislocation densities of ODS steels. Simulating helium transport in ODS steels requires a three-dimensional spatially resolved model, which takes into account discrete geometric and microstructural features of the steel. We have developed such a helium transport simulation model using an event kinetic Monte Carlo (EKMC) approach called Monte Carlo simulation of helium-bubble evolution and resolutions (McHEROS). First, a spatially resolved kinetic rate theory is used to establish helium-vacancy cluster and stable helium-bubble nuclei concentrations. The maximum helium-bubble density is then used as an initial condition for randomly distributed matrix bubbles for the EKMC simulation. Migration, coalescence, and trapping of helium bubbles by oxide particles are simulated. Matrix helium bubbles that come into contact with each other are assumed to undergo instantaneous coalescence, which leads to bubble growth. However, migrating bubbles that are intercepted by oxide particles are assumed trapped but can grow through coalescing with newly arriving bubbles. The oxide particles effectively reduce the growth rate of matrix bubbles. Helium-bubble size and spatial distributions of the EKMC simulation are compared with recent experimental measurements. As part of this study, the effectiveness of the ODS microstructure on reducing helium-bubble growth rates is presented by comparing EKMC simulations of steels with and without ODS particles. This first application of the McHEROS code has demonstrated the viability of the code as a tool in describing the behavior of helium-bubble transport in ODS alloys.
Ein nationaler Weg. Kanada und die Schaffung der UN-Blauhelme in der Suez-Krise 1956A National Path. Canada and the Creation of the UN Blue Helmets during the Suez Crisis 1956
Authors: Schulte Jan Erik 
Published: December 2009

Zusammenfassung
Die Suez-Krise von 1956 gilt als Geburtsstunde des klassischen Peacekeeping. Bei der Schaffung der UN-Blauhelme spielten Kanada und sein Außenminister Lester B. Pearson, der hierfür den Friedensnobelpreis erhielt, eine entscheidende Rolle. Im Gegensatz zur retrospektiven Betrachtung war zeitgenössisch in Kanada die Regierungspolitik höchst umstritten. Der Aufsatz analysiert, in wieweit die nationale Debatte von 1956 den Keim für die positiv besetzte Erinnerung legte. Die kanadische Regierung wandte sich in der Krise bewusst gegen die britische Position. Dieser Schritt wurde als Verrat am Mutterland und als Angriff auf die nationale Identität begriffen. Leitartikel, Leserbriefe und Briefe an Pearson geben einen Einblick in die Schärfe des Konfliktes. Langfristig setzte sich ein nationales Selbstverständnis durch, das sich von Großbritannien löste. Seit der Suez-Krise eng mit der Suche nach einer postkolonialen Identität verknüpft, avancierte das kanadische Peacekeeping zu einer Institution, die in Innen- und Außenpolitik kanadische Werte repräsentierte. Die Verbindung zwischen kanadischem Selbstverständnis und Peacekeeping führte zu einer konstanten Unterstützung der UN-Blauhelmeinsätze im 20. Jahrhundert.
Nachrichten aus der Forschung
Authors: von Dehn Rüdiger , Winkel Carmen , Lemke Bernd 
Published: December 2009

Zusammenfassung
Rüdiger von Dehn: Soldatinnen. Gewalt und Geschlecht im Krieg vom Mittelalter bis heute. Jahrestagung des »Arbeitskreis Militärgeschichte e.V.«, Jena, 13. bis 15. November 2008
Carmen Winkel: Die Kapitalisierung des Krieges. Kriegsunternehmer in Spätmittelalter und Früher Neuzeit. Internationale Konferenz im Deutschen Historischen Museum Berlin, 18. bis 20. März 2009
Bernd Lemke: Writing the History of Iraq: Historiographical and Political Challenges, Konferenz, Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement, Genf, 6. bis 8. November 2008
Broken Sperm, Cytoplasmic Droplets and Reduced Sperm Motility Are Principal Markers of Decreased Sperm Quality Due to Organophosphorus Pesticides in Rats
Authors: Okamura Ai , Kamijima Michihiro , Ohtani Katsumi , Yamanoshita Osamu , Nakamura Daichi , Ito Yuki , Miyata Maiko , Ueyama Jun , Suzuki Takayoshi , Imai Ryota , Takagi Kenji , Nakajima Tamie 
Published: December 2009

Broken Sperm, Cytoplasmic Droplets and Reduced Sperm Motility Are Principal Markers of Decreased Sperm Quality Due to Organophosphorus Pesticides in Rats: Ai Okamura, et al. Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of MedicineObjectivesRecent reports have shown significant associations between organopshophorus pesticide (OP) exposure and decreased sperm motility in workers and laboratory animals. However, the notion that OPs possess spermatotoxicity has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of OP exposure on detailed sperm toxicity markers, i.e., motility, morphology and sperm adenine nucleotide contents, and the histopathology of the testis and epididymis.MethodsTen‐week‐old Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n=10) and orally administered corn oil, dichlorvos (DDVP; 5, 10 mg/kg) or diazinon (DZN; 3 mg/kg) 6 days a week for 9 wk. Sperm motility and morphology markers were analyzed with a computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system.ResultsIn addition to a significant decrease in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities and a significant increase in urinary OP metabolites, DDVP and DZN significantly reduced sperm motility, but they did not influence sperm adenine nucleotide contents. The OPs also significantly increased the percentage of broken sperm, and DDVP significantly increased the percentage of cytoplasmic droplets. Importantly, both OPs significantly increased cytoplasmic vacuolation and nuclear shrinkage in the epithelial cells of the ductus epididymis, whereas the testes did not show significant histopathological changes.ConclusionsThe broken sperm and cytoplasmic droplets as well as reduced sperm motility were the relevant spermatotoxicity makers of DDVP and DZN. To our knowledge, this is the first report to suggest that the above‐mentioned OP‐induced spermatotoxicity is related to histopathological impairment of the caput epididymis.
A parallel-probe saturation profiler: a new technique for fast profiling of meltwater saturation in a seasonal snowpack
Authors: Kapil J.C. , Prasher Chandrika , Chasmai Moiz , Satyawali P.K. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractWe describe a parallel-probe saturation profiler (PPSP) for accurate and fast profiling of liquid-water saturations in a snowpack. This device utilizes the absorption of electrical energy, by water molecules under the action of an external electric field, due to instantaneous rotations from initially random orientations to the orientation of the applied electric field. Our observations show that the height of first peak signal (HFPS), i.e. the difference between the maxima and minima in the PPSP signal-response time series, is proportional to the liquid-water content and the water saturation of snow. The HFPS corresponding to different liquid-water contents were obtained from various naturally occurring snow types and were observed to be proportional to the water saturation of the snow, irrespective of snow types. For simultaneous measurements at corresponding depths in a snowpack, a position encoder supports the PPSP. This device was calibrated for various types of snow samples and was then tested on the snow covers under different climatic zones of the Himalaya. The operation of the PPSP is easy and fast. The distribution of liquid water within a large snow cover can be estimated speedily using the PPSP, with a vertical resolution of 7 mm.
Statistical forecasting of regional avalanche danger using simulated snow-cover data
Authors: Schirmer Michael , Lehning Michael , Schweizer Jürg 
Published: December 2009

AbstractIn the past, numerical prediction of regional avalanche danger using statistical methods with meteorological input variables has shown insufficiently accurate results, possibly due to the lack of snowstratigraphy data. Detailed snow-cover data were rarely used because they were not readily available (manual observations). With the development and increasing use of snow-cover models this deficiency can now be rectified and model output can be used as input for forecasting models. We used the output of the physically based snow-cover model SNOWPACK combined with meteorological variables to investigate and establish a link to regional avalanche danger. Snow stratigraphy was simulated for the location of an automatic weather station near Davos, Switzerland, over nine winters. Only dry-snow situations were considered. A variety of selection algorithms was used to identify the most important simulated snow variables. Data mining and statistical methods, including classification trees, artificial neural networks, support vector machines, hidden Markov models and nearest-neighbour methods were trained on the forecasted regional avalanche danger (European avalanche danger scale). The best results were achieved with a nearest-neighbour method which used the avalanche danger level of the previous day as additional input. A cross-validated accuracy (hit rate) of 73% was obtained. This study suggests that modelled snow-stratigraphy variables, as provided by SNOWPACK, are able to improve numerical avalanche forecasting.
Snow isotopic content change by sublimation
Authors: Sokratov Sergey A. , Golubev Vladimir N. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractWe present results from cold-laboratory observations of changes in isotopic (δ18O and δD) content by sublimation in snow and ice samples under nearly isothermal conditions. The results show large increases in observed δ18O and δD in snow samples within several centimeters of the surface. They contradict the assumption of a non-changing isotopic content due to layer-by-layer transport mechanisms driven by sublimation/desublimation processes. The data also do not support the idea that isotopic changes of snow and firn are limited by the possibility that the ice matrix incorporates the atmospheric water vapor and that forced water-vapor diffusion in the pore space (wind pumping) is a requirement for isotopic content change. The observations show that sublimation from ice samples results in much lower increases in heavy-isotope content in the first several millimetres near the sublimating surface over the same time period, despite sublimation intensities similar to those of the snow samples. The results suggest that continuous phase transitions inside snow (recrystallization) are the process responsible for the isotopic content change because they are the primary mass-exchange mechanism between the snow mass and the surrounding environment. Modeling the isotopic content of the ice matrix therefore requires inclusion of a two-stage process: fractionation at the ice-matrix surface due to repetitive phase transitions, and fractionation due to preferable diffusion of light water isotopes in the pore space. For interpretation of the observed natural isotopic profiles in snow, the first process can be linked to the time a snow layer undergoes recrystallization, while the second process is related to the total ice/snow mass gain/loss determined by the external environmental conditions.