bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Numerical simulation of a tornado over Ludhiana (India) using WRF‐NMM model
Authors: Litta A. J. , Mohanty U. C. , Bhan S. C. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractA severe thunderstorm produced a tornado (F0 on the Fujita‐Pearson scale) close to Ludhiana airport (Punjab), northwest region of India (30.80°N, 76.05°E) on 15 August 2007. Relatively less damage occurred as it passed through the open fields, but there were minor injuries to some cattle and damage to property. In this paper, analysis of meteorological conditions that led to the tornado on 15 August 2007 at 1100 UTC in Ludhiana has been made. An attempt is also made to simulate this rare event using the Non‐hydrostatic Mesoscale Model (NMM) core of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) system with a spatial resolution of 3 km for a period of 24 h, starting at 0000 UTC of 15 August 2007. The results are encouraging in terms of timing and location of occurrence of the event. The atmospheric settings as indicated by surface, upper air and radar echo studies are favourable for severe thunderstorm activity over Ludhiana. The simulated instability indices (lifted index, total totals index and CAPE) over Ludhiana during the tornado hour, which act as indicators of severe convective activity, have been found to be in good agreement with the actual analysis. The model‐simulated meteorological parameters, relative humidity, mean sea level pressure, rainfall, moisture convergence, pressure vertical velocity and surface wind speed, are favourable for tornado occurrence at 1100 UTC over Ludhiana, and agree reasonably well with the observations. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Evolutionary characteristics of the atmospheric circulations for frequent and infrequent dust storm springs in northern China and the detection of potential future seasonal forecast signals
Authors: Gao Tao , Han Jingwei 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe evolutionary characteristics of dust storms in spring in northern China springs are determined by synthesizing the previous patterns and analyzing the geopotential height at 500 hPa. Some potential seasonal predictors are found through detecting the atmospheric circulation factors in both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Based on the frequency series obtained through comprehensive investigations of dust storm events which occurred from 1970 to 2005, two sample sets, each containing 6 years, are selected to represent the most frequent and infrequent occurrences of spring dust storms. For the first set, most of the West Pacific subtropical highs in the previous summer are relatively small and weak compared to those in normal years. In the previous winter, the mid‐latitude region of the Eurasian continent is strongly controlled by a large and active low system, simultaneously with a strong and westerly positioned trough over East Asia. The northern hemisphere polar vortex, in general, changes from weak to strong with a large area from the previous winter to the current spring. The geopotential height over the Tibetan Plateau keeps a lower than normal value with a relatively strong India‐Burma trough from the preceding summer in to the spring. For the second set, the evolution displays opposite features. Furthermore, by using a bootstrapping technique, indices of the atmospheric circulation elements are detected quantitatively. The forecast skill score of the 36 year hindcast (1970–2005) indicates that those indices can provide forecast signals in certain situations for spring dust storm seasonal predictions in northern China. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
The ICARDA Agro‐Climate tool
Authors: Mauget Steve , De Pauw Eddy 
Published: September 2009

AbstractA Visual Basic agro‐climate application developed by climatologists at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is described here. The application's climate database consists of weather generator parameters derived from the daily data of 649 meteorological stations in the ICARDA mandate region. From those parameters the program calculates climate statistics over arbitrarily defined periods within summer or winter growing seasons at user‐selected latitude‐longitude coordinates. The statistics reported include: crop evapotranspiration estimates derived from the FAO‐56 single crop coefficient algorithm, probabilities of exceedence of both cumulative rainfall and growing degree days, the probability that minimum and maximum daily temperatures will exceed user‐defined temperature thresholds and the probability of heat stress, cold stress and dry periods of varying duration. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
A new approach to preexisting vertical midline abdominal scars with crossover DIEP flap breast reconstruction
Authors: Hsieh Frank , Somia Naveen , Lam Thomas C. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBreast reconstruction using a free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap or a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is a challenge in patients with a vertical midline abdominal scar due to the poor perfusion of the lower abdominal skin ellipse across the midline. In such patients, only one half of the abdominal skin ellipse can be used with certainty, and this limits the amount of tissue available for reconstructing the breast. Two cases of breast reconstruction in patients with a lower midline abdominal scar are presented using the DIEP flap, in which the poor perfusion across the midline scar was overcome by a technique of crossover anastomoses between the two deep inferior epigastric pedicles. Reliable perfusion of the entire lower abdominal skin ellipse was achieved. This crossover anastomoses technique overcomes the poor perfusion imposed by the vertical midline abdominal scar and enables DIEP flap breast reconstruction to be offered to women with midline abdominal scars. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.
Changes of local and systemic hemorheological properties in intestinal ischemia‐reperfusion injury in the rat model
Authors: Brath Endre , Nemeth Norbert , Kiss Ferenc , Sajtos Erika , Hever Timea , Matyas Lili , Toth Laszlo , Miko Iren , Furka Istvan 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate intestinal ischemia‐reperfusion and its local and systemic hemorheological relations in the rat. Ten anaesthetized female CD outbred rats were equally divided into 2 experimental groups. (1) Ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R): the superior mesenterial artery was clipped for 30 minutes. After removing the clip, 60 minutes of the reperfusion was observed before extermination. Blood samples were taken from the caudal caval vein and from the portal vein before ischemia, 1 minute before and after clip removal, and at the 15th, 30th, and 60th minutes of the reperfusion. (2) Sham operation: median laparotomy and blood sampling were done according to the timing as in I/R group. Hematological parameters, red blood cell aggregation, and deformability were determined. Leukocyte count and mean volume of erythrocytes increased slightly but continuously in portal venous samples during the reperfusion period. Red blood cell aggregation values were higher in portal blood by the end of ischemia, and then became elevated further comparing to the caval venous blood. Both in caval and portal venous samples of I/R group red blood cell deformability significantly worsened during the experimental period compared to its base and Sham group. In portal blood red blood cell deformability was impaired more than in caval vein samples. Histology showed denuded villi, dilated capillaries, and the inflammatory cells were increased after a 30 minutes ischemia. In conclusion, intestinal ischemia‐reperfusion causes changes in erythrocyte deformability and aggregation, showing local versus systemic differences in venous blood during the first hour of reperfusion. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.
The intrinsic transit time of free microvascular flaps: Clinical and prognostic implications
Authors: Holm Charlotte , Dornseifer Ulf , Sturtz Gustavo , Basso Gianluca , Schuster Tibor , Ninkovic Milomir 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackground: Microscope‐integrated indocyanine green near‐infrared videoangiography (ICGA) is a new method for the intraoperative assessment of vascular flow through microvascular anastomoses. The intrinsic transit time (ITT) describes the time period from the dye appears at the arterial anastomosis (t1) till it reaches the suture line of the venous anastomosis (t2). As the transit time reflects blood flow velocity within the flap, prolonged ITT might correlate with low blood flow and a higher rate of postoperative thrombosis. We performed a clinical trial evaluating the association between intraoperative free flap transit time and early anastomotic complications in elective microsurgery. Methods: One hundred consecutive patients undergoing elective microsurgical procedures underwent intraoperative ICG angiography (ICGA). In patients with anastomotic patency, angiograms were retrospectively reviewed and the intrinsic transit time was calculated. Postoperative outcome was registered and compared with the ITT. End points included early reexploration surgery and flap loss within the first 24 hours after surgery. Results: Fourteen patients were excluded from the study due to technical anastomotic failure. The overall flap failure rate was 6% (5/86); the incidence of early re‐exploration surgery was 10% (9/86). With a median of 31 seconds patients with an uneventful postoperative course showed significantly shorter ITTs than patients with flap loss or early postoperative reexploration (median: >120 seconds). An optimal cut‐off value of ITT > 50 seconds was determined to be strongestly associated with a significantly increased risk of at least one positive end point. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a significant predictive value of the intrinsic flap transit time for the development of flap compromise and early re‐exploration surgery. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.
Use of pectoralis major perforators for local “free‐style” perforator flap in axillary reconstruction: A case report
Authors: Kosutic Damir 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAxillary scar contracture in a previously poly‐traumatized present a challenging task for a reconstructive surgeon from the functional and esthetic standpoint. While harvest of local myocutaneous flaps will obviously contribute to further limitation of arm movements in already functionally impaired shoulder, pedicled perforator flaps from the lateral and posterior thoracic region may not be available due to extensive scarring after high‐energy trauma with soft‐tissue loss. We present a new perforator pedicled flap, designed, and harvested exclusively on the basis of “free style perforator flap” concept, based on the perforators coming from the pectoral region. The operative technique and outcome are discussed in this report. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.
Ethnic enclave residence, employment, and commuting of Latino workers
Authors: Liu Cathy Yang 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThis paper examines the impact of living in ethnic enclaves in different parts of a metropolitan area on low‐skilled Latino immigrants' employment accessibility. It does so by comparing the employment status and commuting times of Latinos living in and out of ethnic neighborhoods in central city, inner‐ring suburbs, and outer‐ring suburbs in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. Using the 2000 Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS), this paper finds that central‐city residents tend to have both lower employment probability and longer commutes. The enclave effect is much muted and a spatial mismatch effect evident in these areas. But in the suburban areas, while as likely to work as non‐enclave counterparts, enclave residents tend to commute longer to jobs, suggesting the importance of ethnic networks in these enclave neighborhoods. Further distinguishing Latino immigrants by gender shows that women are more enclave‐disadvantaged than men. © 2009 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
A comparative cost analysis of commodity foods from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the National School Lunch Program
Authors: Peterson Cora 
Published: September 2009

AbstractSchools that participate in the National School Lunch Program receive a portion of their federal funding as commodity foods rather than cash payments. This research compared the product costs and estimated total procurement costs of commodity and commercial foods from the school district perspective using data from 579 Minnesota ordering sites in school year (SY) 2008–2009. Though comparison of product prices indicates that commercial foods were an average of 17 percent more expensive than equivalent commodity foods, once full estimated procurement costs were included, the commercial products became 9 percent less expensive per food case than commodity products. Base case results were sensitive to the cost of risk to hold inventory. When this input was tested at zero, the estimated cost to procure commercial foods was 2 percent higher per case than commodity foods, though total commercial procurement costs remained less than commodity costs by 3 percent. It is estimated that Minnesota schools collectively spent an additional $1.7 to $3.7 million to procure USDA commodity foods in SY 2008–2009. © 2009 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
In vitro hydrolytic degradation of centrifugally spun polyhydroxybutyrate–pectin composite fibres
Authors: Foster L John R , Tighe Brian J 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Centrifugal spinning is a novel fibre‐forming process that readily permits the incorporation of additives while avoiding the thermal damage often associated with conventional melt spinning. Centrifugal spinning of a viscous solution of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) mixed with pectin was used to fabricate a range of fibres containing different concentrations of this biologically active agent. The influence of this blending on fibre morphology and in vitro degradation in an accelerated hydrolytic model at 70 °C and pH of 10.6 is reported.RESULTS: Blending influenced the physiochemical properties of the fibres, and this significantly affected the degradation profile of both the fibre and its PHB constituent. A greater influence on degradation was exerted by the type of pectin and its degree of esterification than by variations in its loading.CONCLUSION: Centrifugal spinning permits the fabrication of composite fibrous matrices from PHB and pectin. Incorporation of the polysaccharide into the fibres can be used to manipulate degradation behaviour and demonstrates a model for doping of matrices with active biological constituents. The unique features of the centrifugal spinning process, as illustrated by the structure of the fibres and the degradation profiles, suggest possible applications of centrifugally spun biopolymers as wound scaffolding devices and in tissue engineering. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Preliminary Characterization of Propellants Based on p(GA/BAMO) and pAMMO Binders
Authors: Barbieri Ugo , Polacco Giovanni , Keicher Thomas , Massimi Roberto 
Published: September 2009

AbstractIn previous papers, the synthesis and characterization of OH‐terminated glycidyl azide‐r‐(3,3‐bis(azidomethyl)oxetane) copolymers (GA/BAMO) and poly‐3‐azidomethyl‐3‐methyl oxetane (pAMMO) by azidation of their respective polymeric substrates were described. The main objective was the preparation of amorphous azido‐polymers, as substitutes of hydroxy‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) in new formulations of energetic propellants. Here, the subsequent characterization of both the binders is presented. First of all, several isocyanates were checked in order to optimize the curing reaction, and then two small‐scale formulations of a propellant, based on aluminium and ammonium perchlorate, were prepared and characterized. Finally, the mechanical properties and burning rate were compared to those of a similar propellant based on HTPB as binder.
Increased cell proliferation and contractility of prostate in insulin resistant rats: Linking hyperinsulinemia with benign prostate hyperplasia
Authors: Vikram A. , Jena G. B. , Ramarao P. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBACKGROUNDObesity, dyslipidemia, Hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance (IR) are key features of metabolic syndrome and are considered as risk factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as well as type 2 diabetes. The present study was aimed to determine whether or not IR associated hyperinsulinemia contributes to the BPH.METHODSSprague–Dawley rats (9 weeks) were used in the study. Rats were kept on high fat diet (HFD) for the induction of hyperinsulinemia while hypoinsulinemia was induced by streptozotocin. Effect of HFD feeding on the testosterone‐induced prostatic growth was evaluated. Pioglitazone (PG, 20 mg/kg) was used for the reversal of compensatory hyperinsulinemia and to examine the subsequent effect on the prostatic growth.RESULTSProstatic enlargement was observed in the HFD‐fed rats. Significant increase in the cell proliferation markers confirmed the occurrence of cellular hyperplasia in the prostate of hyperinsulinemic rat. Enhanced α‐adrenoceptor mediated contraction in the prostate of HFD‐fed rats indicates augmented contractility of the gland. Higher level of phosphorylated‐ERK suggests enhanced MEK/ERK signaling. HFD feeding has not led to change in the plasma testosterone level. However, testosterone treatment further augmented the prostatic growth in HFD‐fed rats. PG treatment led to improved insulin sensitivity, decreased plasma insulin level and prostate weight, indicating the role of compensatory hyperinsulinemia in the prostate growth.CONCLUSIONSThe present investigation reports that HFD‐feeding induced hyperinsulinemic condition leads to increased cellular proliferation, enhanced α‐adrenoceptor mediated contraction, and enlargement of the prostate in rats. Prostate 70: 79–89, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tranilast suppresses prostate cancer growth and osteoclast differentiation in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Sato Shinya , Takahashi Satoru , Asamoto Makoto , Naiki Taku , Naiki‐Ito Aya , Asai Kiyofumi , Shirai Tomoyuki 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn bone metastatic sites, prostate cancer cells proliferate on interacting with osteoclasts. Tranilast, which is used for an antiallergic drug, has been shown to inhibit growth of several cancers and stromal cells. The present study was conducted to assess suppressive effects of Tranilast on prostate cancer growth and osteoclast differentiation in vivo and in vitro.METHODSIn vivo, rat prostate cancer tissue was transplanted onto cranial bones of F344 rats and Tranilast was given for 9 days at doses of 0, 200, or 400 mg/kg/day. In vitro, human prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP, PC3, and DU145, the rat prostate cancer cell line, PLS‐10, and rat bone marrow cells were similarly treated with the agent.RESULTSIn vivo, tumor volumes were significantly decreased in the high dose group. While cell proliferation did not appear to be affected, apoptosis was induced and tumor necrosis was apparent. Cranial bone defects were decreased in the high dose group. In vitro, cell proliferation rates of all four cell lines were reduced by Tranilast and increased apoptosis was observed in LNCaP and PLS‐10. In addition, Tranilast significantly reduced osteoclast differentiation of rat bone marrow cells. Western blot analysis of PLS‐10 and LNCaP revealed that phospho‐GSK3β was up‐regulated and phospho‐Akt was down‐regulated.CONCLUSIONSTranilast here suppressed rat prostate cancer growth and osteoclast differentiation. Growth of human prostate cancer cells was also inhibited. Thus, this agent deserves consideration as a candidate for conventional therapy of bone metastatic prostate cancer. Prostate 70: 229–238, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The potential value of microseminoprotein‐β as a prostate cancer biomarker and therapeutic target
Authors: Whitaker Hayley C. , Warren Anne Y. , Eeles Rosalind , Kote‐Jarai Zsofia , Neal David E. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBACKGROUNDRecent genome‐wide association studies have shown an association of a SNP two base pairs upstream of the 5' UTR of the microseminoprotein‐β (MSMB) gene with an increased risk of developing the prostate cancer, re‐igniting interest in its protein product, MSMB.METHODSAs one of the most abundant prostatic proteins, MSMB can be reliably detected in tissue and serum.RESULTSIt has been consistently shown that MSMB expression is high in normal and benign prostate tissue and lowered or lost in prostate cancer suggesting that it might be a useful tissue biomarker for prostate cancer diagnosis and its levels in serum may be useful as a marker for prognosis. Members of the cysteine‐rich secretory protein family and laminin receptors have been shown to bind MSMB at the cell surface and in serum thereby regulating apoptosis. Thus, in the benign prostate, MSMB regulates cell growth, but when MSMB is lost during tumourigenesis, cells are able to grow in a more uncontrolled manner. Both full length MSMB and a short peptide comprised of amino acids 31‐45 have been tested for potential therapeutic benefit in mouse models and humans.CONCLUSIONSMSMB has potential as a biomarker of prostate cancer development, progression and recurrence and potentially as a target for therapeutic intervention. Prostate 70: 333–340, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Monitoring neonicotinoid resistance in biotype B of Bemisia tabaci in Florida
Authors: Schuster David J , Mann Rajinder S , Toapanta Marco , Cordero Roberto , Thompson Sandra , Cyman Sabrina , Shurtleff Aaron , Morris II Roy F 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Biotype B of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), is a worldwide pest that has developed resistance to many insecticides, including the neonicotinoid class. Florida field populations were monitored for susceptibility to the neonicotinoids imidacloprid and thiamethoxam using a cut leaf petiole bioassay method.RESULTS: Average RR50 values for imidacloprid increased from 3.7 in 2000 to 12.0 in 2003; decreased to 5.0 and 2.5 in 2004 and 2005, respectively; and then increased to 26.3 and 23.9 in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Populations with RR50 values of about 50 to 60 during generation one reverted to RR50 values of ⩽4 in six generations, when reared without further exposure to imidacloprid. Average RR50 values for thiamethoxam increased from 2.0 in 2003 to 24.7 in 2006 and decreased to 10.4 in 2007. Populations with RR50 values of about 22, 32 and 53 during generation one declined to 8, 5 and 6, respectively, after being reared for five generations without exposure to thiamethoxam. The correlation coefficient from the 26 populations that were bioassayed both with imidacloprid and thiamethoxam showed a significant positive correlation (R2 = 0.58) between these populations.CONCLUSION: The high level of RR50 values to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam suggest an unstable decline in the susceptibility of B. tabaci to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, with possible cross‐resistance or predisposition for dual resistance selection. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry