bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Revisiting Swiss temperature trends 1959–2008
Authors: Ceppi Paulo , Scherrer Simon C. , Fischer Andreas M. , Appenzeller Christof 
Published: December 2010

AbstractTemperature is a key variable for monitoring global climate change. Here we perform a trend analysis of Swiss temperatures from 1959 to 2008, using a new 2 × 2 km gridded data‐set based on carefully homogenised ground observations from MeteoSwiss. The aim of this study is twofold: first, to discuss the spatial and altitudinal temperature trend characteristics in detail, and second, to quantify the contribution of changes in atmospheric circulation and local effects to these trends.The seasonal trends are all positive and mostly significant with an annual average warming rate of 0.35 °C/decade (∼1.6 times the northern hemispheric warming rate), ranging from 0.17 in autumn to 0.48 °C/decade in summer. Altitude‐dependent trends are found in autumn and early winter where the trends are stronger at low altitudes (<800 m asl), and in spring where slightly stronger trends are found at altitudes close to the snow line.Part of the trends can be explained by changes in atmospheric circulation, but with substantial differences from season to season. In winter, circulation effects account for more than half the trends, while this contribution is much smaller in other seasons. After removing the effect of circulation, the trends still show seasonal variations with higher values in spring and summer. The circulation‐corrected trends are closer to the values simulated by a set of ENSEMBLES regional climate models, with the models still tending towards a trend underestimation in spring and summer.Our results suggest that both circulation changes and more local effects are important to explain part of recent warming in spring, summer, and autumn. Snow‐albedo feedback effects could be responsible for the stronger spring trends at altitudes close to the snow line, but the overall effect is small. In autumn, the observed decrease in fog frequency might be a key process in explaining the stronger temperature trends at low altitudes. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Climatology of the annual maximum daily precipitation in the La Plata Basin
Authors: Naumann Gustavo , Llano María Paula , Vargas Walter Mario 
Published: December 2010

AbstractImportant features of extreme precipitation in the La Plata Basin are studied on daily, seasonal, and annual time scales, using information from 1861 to 2005 and a common period from 1959 to 1998. A relation between the daily precipitation annual maximum and different time scales is developed. The points that make up part of the association field, the location of the maximum annual frequencies, the maximum annual precipitation totals, and the years in which they occur in the basin region are also presented.Owing to the increase in precipitation documented in the region during the last decades of the twentieth century, this work will attempt to estimate the trends during the time periods studied in each of the basin stations prior to analysing the trend estimators calculated for different periods. Conditioning over the physical inference of the trends is related to the previous estimation results. Indeed, trend estimators may identify a long wavelength with a small amplitude at a physical level or the presence of waves during the calculation period with wavelengths longer than the period itself.Due to the fluctuations present in the selection of the daily precipitation maximum, the three annual maxima and the mean of the three absolute maxima for each year are analysed. This procedure is sound, whereby the frequency distribution models are the same for the individual maxima as well as for the mean values. The most suitable models for the adjustment of extreme precipitation events in the basin are the GEV and Gamma distributions. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Using econometric methods to test for trends in the HadCRUT3 global and hemispheric data
Authors: Coggin T. Daniel 
Published: December 2010

AbstractIn this note I present and illustrate recently developed econometric trend tests using the HadCRUT3 global and hemispheric surface temperature data updated through 2009, specifically allowing statistical complications of structural change, serial correlation, and unit roots. My results confirm the general finding of earlier studies: the HadCRUT3 data present a consistent pattern of warming in recent years (post‐1975). Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Genotypingmdx,mdx3cv, andmdx4cvmice by primer competition polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Shin Jin‐Hong , Hakim Chady H. , Zhang Keqing , Duan Dongsheng 
Published: December 2010

Abstractmdx,mdx3cv, andmdx4cvmice are among the most commonly used models for the study of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Their disease is caused by point mutations in the dystrophin gene. Despite widespread use of these models, genotyping has not always been straightforward. Current methods require multiple polymerase chain reactions (PCRs), post‐PCR manipulations, and/or special equipment/reagents. Herein we report a simple, robust PCR genotyping method based on primer competition. This approach could also be applied in genotyping other point‐mutation models. Muscle Nerve , 2010
Fibrillin‐1 genetic deficiency leads to pathological ageing of arteries in mice
Authors: Mariko Boubacar , Pezet Mylène , Escoubet Brigitte , Bouillot Stéphanie , Andrieu Jean‐Pierre , Starcher Barry , Quaglino Daniela , Jacob Marie‐Paule , Huber Philippe , Ramirez Francesco , Faury Gilles 
Published: December 2010

AbstractFibrillin‐1, the major component of extracellular microfibrils that associate with insoluble elastin in elastic fibres, is mainly synthesized during development and postnatal growth and is believed to guide elastogenesis. Mutations in the fibrillin‐1 gene cause Marfan syndrome, a multisystem disorder characterized by aortic aneurysms and dissections. The recent finding that early deficiency of elastin modifies vascular ageing has raised the possibility that fibrillin‐1 deficiency could also contribute to late‐onset pathology of vascular remodelling. To address this question, we examined cardiovascular function in 3‐week‐old, 6‐month‐old, and 24‐month‐old mice that are heterozygous for a hypomorphic structural mutation of fibrillin‐1 (Fbn1$^{+/{\rm{mg}}\Delta}$ mice). Our results indicate that Fbn1$^{+/{\rm{mg}}\Delta}$ mice, particularly those that are 24 months old, are slightly more hypotensive than wild‐type littermates. Additionally, aneurysm and aortic insufficiency were more frequently observed in ageing Fbn1$^{+/{\rm{mg}}\Delta}$ mice than in the wild‐type counterparts. We also noted substantial fragmentation and decreased number of elastic lamellae in the aortic wall of Fbn1$^{+/{\rm{mg}}\Delta}$ mice, which were correlated with an increase in aortic stiffness, a decrease in vasoreactivity, altered expression of elastic fibre‐related genes, including fibrillin‐1 and elastin, and a decrease in the relative ratio between tissue elastin and collagen. Collectively, our findings suggest that the heterozygous mgΔ mutation accelerates some aspects of vascular ageing and eventually leads to aortic manifestations resembling those of Marfan syndrome. Importantly, our data also indicate that vascular abnormalities in Fbn1$^{+/{\rm{mg}}\Delta}$ mice are opposite to those induced by elastin haploinsufficiency during ageing that affect blood pressure, vascular dimensions, and number of elastic lamellae. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of the c‐statistic in variable selection for propensity score models
Authors: Westreich Daniel , Cole Stephen R. , Funk Michele Jonsson , Brookhart M. Alan , Stürmer Til 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe applied literature on propensity scores has often cited the c‐statistic as a measure of the ability of the propensity score to control confounding. However, a high c‐statistic in the propensity model is neither necessary nor sufficient for control of confounding. Moreover, use of the c‐statistic as a guide in constructing propensity scores may result in less overlap in propensity scores between treated and untreated subjects; this may require the analyst to restrict populations for inference. Such restrictions may reduce precision of estimates and change the population to which the estimate applies. Variable selection based on prior subject matter knowledge, empirical observation, and sensitivity analysis is preferable and avoids many of these problems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of key informants and direct patient interviews in epidemiological studies of substance abuse
Authors: Cicero Theodore J. , Ellis Matthew S. , Paradis Alethea , Ortbal Zachary 
Published: December 2010

AbstractPurposeThe present study was undertaken to assess the degree to which key informants' perceptions of relative abuse liability of opioids in their communities correspond to actual drug use in their patients.MethodsKey informants (n = 49) and their patients (n = 738) were asked to complete anonymous, independent paper surveys about perceived or actual abuse of nine targeted opioid drugs: buprenorphine, fentanyl, heroin, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone and tramadol.ResultsThere was a strong correspondence (R = 0.98) between KI rankings of relative abuse of opioids in their patient population and the actual rank order calculated from their patients' selection of a primary euphorigenic opioid. The patient surveys not only validated the KI's conclusions, but also provided a great deal of important information about the nature of the abuse patterns. Notably, significant co‐morbidity was found in the patient population: 55% had a history of psychiatric problems; chronic pain of moderate intensity was common; 67% were nicotine dependent; and 43% were diagnosed alcoholics.DiscussionOur results demonstrate that KI's perceived rank order of drugs of choice correlated almost perfectly with their patients' choice of a primary drug. These data suggest that key informants, as they have for decades in epidemiological research, provide a reliable, high‐level view of substance abuse in their catchment area. As such, KIs provide valid and reliable information on scope and patterns of abuse, but if more detail is required about the characteristics of abuse, such as that required for FDA‐mandated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies, then direct interviews with the abusers themselves seem more appropriate. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Progress towards III‐nitrides HEMTs on free‐standing diamond substrates for thermal management
Authors: Trejo Manuel , Jessen Gregg H. , Chabak Kelson D. , Gillespie James K. , Crespo Antonio , Kossler Mauricio , Trimble Virginia , Langley Derrick , Heller Eric R. , Claflin Bruce , Walker Dennis E. , Poling Brian , Gilbert Ryan , Via Glen D. , Hoelscher John , Roussos Jason , Ejeckam Felix , Zimmer Jerry 
Published: December 2010

AbstractIn this paper, we discuss the progress in the application of silicon‐on‐diamond (SOD) and chemically vapour deposited (CVD) diamond wafers as an alternative solution to silicon and silicon carbide (SiC) substrates to enhance heat dissipation away from the active region of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMT) while decreasing thermal degradation due to thermal effects. The superior thermal conductivity and insulating properties of polycrystalline diamond (8–15 Wcm/K) free‐standing wafers have demonstrated certain advantages, mostly evident in the device performance and reliability. Two unique diamond growth applications engineered by sp3Diamond Technologies Inc., and Group4 Labs Inc., are discussed and device performance data is presented from early attempts to our most current device research efforts. As single‐crystalline diamond wafers (∼20 Wcm/K) become more accessible and affordable, it is expected to see significant improvement over the current state of this technology.magnified imageGroup4 employs an atomic bonding process of the AlGaN/GaN layers onto a polycrystalline CVD diamond wafer while sp3grows the AlGaN/GaN layers on a thin silicon template layer which covers the diamond.
A Sliding‐window Smooth Support Vector Regression Model for Nonlinear Blast Furnace System
Authors: Jian Ling , Gao Chuanhou , Xia Zunquan 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBlast furnace is one of the most complex industrial reactors and remains some unsolved puzzles, such as blast furnace automation, prediction of the inner thermal state, etc. In this work, a sliding‐window smooth support vector regression model is presented to address the issue of predicting the blast furnace inner thermal state, represented by the silicon content in blast furnace hot metal in the context. Different from the traditional numerical prediction models of silicon, the constructed SW‐SSVR model is devoted to predicting the changing trend of silicon and exhibits good performance with high percentage of successful trend prediction, competitive computational speed and timely online service. Additionally, some sharp fluctuation trend in the silicon test data can also be followed well by the SW‐SSVR model, which is always difficult for traditional data–driven based silicon prediction models. All of these indicate that the SW‐SSVR model is a good candidate to predict the change of blast furnace inner thermal state, and may provide a guide for operators to take proper action on operating blast furnace in advance.
Load Relaxation Behavior of Metastable Austenitic Stainless Steels at Quasi‐Static Strain Rates
Authors: Isakov Matti , Kuokkala Veli‐Tapani , Ruoppa Raimo 
Published: December 2010

AbstractInstantaneous strain rate sensitivity of metastable austenitic stainless steel EN 1.4318 was studied at quasi‐static strain rates (2 × 10−4 ... 10−1 s−1) using load relaxation tests carried out at room temperature. The results indicate that at the studied deformation conditions the instantaneous strain rate sensitivity of the test material decreases with decreasing strain rate but increases with increasing plastic strain. Rapid strain aging was also observed to occur at the studied deformation conditions.
The Rho Kinase Pathway Regulates Mouse Adult Neural Precursor Cell Migration
Authors: Leong Soo Yuen , Faux Clare H. , Turbic Alisa , Dixon Kirsty J. , Turnley Ann M. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractAdult neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the subventricular zone (SVZ) normally migrate via the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulb (OB). Following neural injury, they also migrate to the site of damage. This study investigated the role of Rho-dependent kinase (ROCK) on the migration of NPCs in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, using neurospheres or SVZ explants, inhibition of ROCK using Y27632 promoted cell body elongation, process protrusion, and migration, while inhibiting NPC chain formation. It had no effect on proliferation, apoptosis, or differentiation. Both isoforms of ROCK were involved. Using siRNA, knockdown of both ROCK1 and ROCK2 was required to promote NPC migration and morphological changes; knockdown of ROCK2 alone was partially effective, with little/no effect of knockdown of ROCK1 alone. In vivo, infusion of Y27632 plus Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) into the lateral ventricle for 1 week reduced the number of BrdU-labeled NPCs in the OB compared with BrdU infusion alone. However, ROCK inhibition did not affect the tangential-to-radial switch of NPC migration, as labeled cells were present in all OB layers. The decrease in NPC number at the OB was not attributed to a decrease in NPCs at the SVZ. However, ROCK inhibition decreased the density of BrdU-labeled cells in the RMS and increased the distribution of these cells to ectopic brain regions, such as the accessory olfactory nucleus, where the majority differentiated into neurons. These findings suggest that ROCK signaling regulates NPC migration via regulation of cell-cell contact and chain migration.
Performance of tall buildings in Viña del Mar in the 27 February 2010 offshore Maule, Chile earthquake
Authors: Carpenter Lauren D. , Naeim Farzad , Lew Marshall , Youssef Nabih F. , Rojas Fabian , Saragoni G. Rodolfo , Adaros Macarena Schachter 
Published: December 2010

AbstractAfter the devastating offshore Maule, Chile earthquake of moment magnitude 8.8 on 27 February 2010, the Los Angeles Tall Buildings Structural Design Council (LATBSDC) organized a reconnaissance team to visit the Santiago, Concepción and Viña del Mar areas. This report summarizes the highlights of the damage observed in the Viña del Mar area on the coast 120  km west‐north‐west of Santiago and much closer to the subduction rupture zone than Santiago. A significant portion of Viña del Mar is uniquely situated on variable ground conditions, particularly in the area with most of the damaged buildings. The Viña del Mar area also included tall buildings constructed before and damaged by the large 3 March 1985 magnitude 7.8 Offshore Valparaiso earthquake, which were damaged again in the 2010 earthquake.The predominant observation in these buildings was the lack of confinement and ductile detailing of shear walls. The second observation was the high demand in the localized Viña del Mar area.The apparently high demand on buildings clustered in the Viña del Mar area may be an observation based on the damage since most of the taller structures in the area are somewhat clustered in Viña. But significant damage was not reported in Valparasio, which is largely, situated on higher ground which steps downward to a narrow flat area along the ocean. Similarly, significant damage was not reported in new buildings along the coast just North of Viña del Mar. The authors' conclusion based on these observations is that the ground conditions in Viña del Mar relate to the level of demand and the level of demand is higher.Demand is variable geoseismically but with the local history of many earthquakes from the same source zone, the characterization should be regularized. However, structural response is much better defined at least for confined elements with tested and predictable analytical characterization. Regardless, the detailing of reinforcing in reinforced concrete must relate to the expected demand and duration. In addition, the structural system and elements need to be designed and detailed to prepare a building to survive a higher unanticipated demand without collapse.However, despite the apparently large demands due to the large magnitude earthquake with strong aftershocks and the long duration of seismic motions, building collapses did not occur even with limited capability due to non‐ductile and non‐confined detailing. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
College students' temporal‐magnitude recognition ability associated with durations of scientific changes
Authors: Lee Hee‐Sun , Liu Ou Lydia , Price C. Aaron , Kendall Amber L.M. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore college students' recognition of temporal magnitudes associated with durations of scientific changes through construct validation of a 30‐item instrument. We administered the instrument to 514 students from 10 higher education institutions in the United States. Among them, 419 students took the instrument at the end of science courses. The remaining 95 students took the instrument before and after a course on cosmic evolution, and additionally answered whether they knew, estimated, or randomly guessed at the temporal magnitude of each item in the instrument. We also collected exam scores for the cosmic evolution course students. Using descriptive statistics and a Rasch analysis, we investigated construct validity of the instrument in terms of psychological relevance, psychometric conformity, and instructional sensitivity. Results of this study indicate that (1) the temporal‐magnitude recognition ability is a measurable construct, (2) extremely small duration items are significantly more difficult for students to recognize accurate temporal magnitudes than other duration range items, (3) direct knowledge of the magnitude contributes to the measurement of the construct, (4) the instrument is sensitive to instruction designed to improve the construct, and (5) the temporal‐magnitude recognition ability is not significantly correlated with knowledge about the related scientific changes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Inc. J Res Sci Teach 48: 317–335, 2011
Cloning and functional characterization of the UDP‐glucosyltransferase UgtB1 involved in sophorolipid production by Candida bombicola and creation of a glucolipid‐producing yeast strain
Authors: Saerens Karen M. J. , Zhang Jinxin , Saey Lien , Van Bogaert Inge N. A. , Soetaert Wim 
Published: December 2010

AbstractSophorolipids produced by the non‐pathogenic yeast Candida bombicola ATCC 22214 are glycolipid biosurfactants applied commercially as biodegradable and eco‐friendly detergents. Their low cell toxicity, excellent wetting capability and antimicrobial activity attract the attention of high‐value markets, such as the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Although sophorolipid production yields have been increased by the optimization of fermentation parameters and feed sources, the biosynthetic pathway and genetic mechanism behind sophorolipid production still remains unclear. Here we identify a UDP‐glucosyltransferase gene, UGTB1, with a key function in this economically important pathway. The protein shows sequence and structural homology to several bacterial glycosyltransferases involved in macrolide antibiotic synthesis. Deletion of UGTB1 in C. bombicola did not affect cell growth and resulted in a yeast producing glucolipids, thereby opening the route for in vivo production of these glycolipid intermediates. Activity assays on cell lysates confirmed that the identified gene is responsible for the second glucosylation step during sophorolipid production and illustrated that sophorolipid production in C. bombicola involves the stepwise action of two independent glucosyltransferases. The complete UGTB1 sequence data have been submitted to the GenBank database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) under Accession No. HM440974. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A mutation in the COX5 gene of the yeast Scheffersomyces stipitis alters utilization of amino acids as carbon source, ethanol formation and activity of cyanide insensitive respiration
Authors: Freese Stefan , Passoth Volkmar , Klinner Ulrich 
Published: December 2010

AbstractScheffersomyces stipitis PJH was mutagenized by random integrative mutagenesis and the integrants were screened for lacking the ability to grow with glutamate as sole carbon source. One of the two isolated mutants was damaged in the COX5 gene, which encodes a subunit of the cytochrome c oxidase. BLAST searches in the genome of Sc. stipitis revealed that only one singular COX5 gene exists in Sc. stipitis, in contrast to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where two homologous genes are present. Mutant cells had lost the ability to grow with the amino acids glutamate, proline or aspartate and other non‐fermentable carbon sources, such as acetic acid and ethanol, as sole carbon sources. Biomass formation of the mutant cells in medium containing glucose or xylose as carbon source was lower compared with the wild‐type cells. However, yields and specific ethanol formation of the mutant were much higher, especially under conditions of higher aeration. The mutant cells lacked both cytochrome c oxidase activity and cyanide‐sensitive respiration, whereas ADH and PDC activities were distinctly enhanced. SHAM‐sensitive respiration was obviously essential for the fermentative metabolism, because SHAM completely abolished growth of the mutant cells with both glucose or xylose as carbon source. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.