bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Modeling Study on the Development of a Bowing Structure and Associated Rear Inflow within a Squall Line over South China
Authors: Meng Zhiyong , Zhang Fuqing , Markowski Paul , Wu Duochang , Zhao Kun 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Through convection-permitting simulations, this study examines a large bowing structure within a squall line that occurred during the rainy season in South China. The bowing structure is closely associated with a local enhancement of (and balance between) the cold pool and the line-normal environmental low-level vertical shear. Rear inflow plays an essential role in the formation and evolution of this large bowing structure. It is found that the low-level rear inflow is largely a natural consequence of the baroclinically generated horizontal vorticity near the surface, while the midtropospheric rear inflow is forced by several pairs of bookend vortices. Vorticity budget and vortex-line analyses show that the bookend vortices form mainly through the tilting of horizontal vorticity. Consolidation of these pairs of bookend vortices forms a broad zone of contiguous rear inflow. The environmental flow and horizontal pressure gradient force associated with the midlevel pressure deficit induced by the rearward-tilting buoyant updrafts, on the other hand, are not primarily responsible for the formation of the rear inflow.
Tropical Cyclone Climatology in a 10-km Global Atmospheric GCM: Toward Weather-Resolving Climate Modeling
Authors: Manganello Julia V. , Hodges Kevin I. , Kinter James L. , Cash Benjamin A. , Marx Lawrence , Jung Thomas , Achuthavarier Deepthi , Adams Jennifer M. , Altshuler Eric L. , Huang Bohua , Jin Emilia K. , Stan Cristiana , Towers Peter , Wedi Nils 
Published: January 2012

Northern Hemisphere tropical cyclone (TC) activity is investigated in multiyear global climate simulations with the ECMWF Integrated Forecast System (IFS) at 10-km resolution forced by the observed records of sea surface temperature and sea ice. The results are compared to analogous simulations with the 16-, 39-, and 125-km versions of the model as well as observations.In the North Atlantic, mean TC frequency in the 10-km model is comparable to the observed frequency, whereas it is too low in the other versions. While spatial distributions of the genesis and track densities improve systematically with increasing resolution, the 10-km model displays qualitatively more realistic simulation of the track density in the western subtropical North Atlantic. In the North Pacific, the TC count tends to be too high in the west and too low in the east for all resolutions. These model errors appear to be associated with the errors in the large-scale environmental conditions that are fairly similar in this region for all model versions.The largest benefits of the 10-km simulation are the dramatically more accurate representation of the TC intensity distribution and the structure of the most intense storms. The model can generate a supertyphoon with a maximum surface wind speed of 68.4 m s−1. The life cycle of an intense TC comprises intensity fluctuations that occur in apparent connection with the variations of the eyewall/rainband structure. These findings suggest that a hydrostatic model with cumulus parameterization and of high enough resolution could be efficiently used to simulate the TC intensity response (and the associated structural changes) to future climate change.
Exploring the acceptance of religious assistance among patients of a psychiatric hospital
Authors: Lucchetti Giancarlo , Braguetta Camilla C , Vallada Candido , Vallada Homero 
Published: January 2012

Background: Spiritual issues are rarely addressed by psychiatric institutions in daily routine practice. Aims: To report the prevalence of, and factors associated with, inpatients’ acceptance of religious assistance in a psychiatric hospital. Methods: All patients evaluated by the religious assistance service in a psychiatric hospital were included. Patients admitted were asked about their need for religious assistance and were assessed on several religious aspects. Additional information was collected from patients’ hospital charts. A comparison between those who accepted the religious assistance and those who did not was performed. Results: Most of the 213 patients evaluated requested religious assistance (85.0%), including those that reported having no religion (79.1%). Patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia ( p = .010) and lower intrinsic religiousness ( p = .002) tended to request less religious assistance. More than 80% of patients requested assistance based on religious traditions other than their own. Conclusion: Most psychiatric inpatients were willing to participate in religious assistance sessions, even those without formal religious affiliations. Patients with lower intrinsic religiosity and schizophrenia tended to request less assistance. We believe the findings of this study can serve to foster discussion on whether psychiatric hospitals should provide a structured religious care service.
Mechanical properties of heterophase polymer blends of cryogenically fractured soy flour composite filler and poly (styrene–butadiene)
Authors: Jong Lei 
Published: January 2012

Reinforcement effect of cryogenically fractured soy flour composite filler in soft polymer was investigated in this study. Polymer composites were prepared by melt-mixing polymer and soy flour composite fillers in an internal mixer. Soy flour composite fillers were prepared by blending aqueous soy flour dispersion and styrene–butadiene rubber latex to form a mixture, which was then dried and cryogenically ground into powders. Upon cross-linking, the heterophase composite filler was integrated into rubber polymer and exhibited enhanced mechanical properties. Tensile strength, elongation, Young’s modulus, toughness, and tear resistance of the heterophase polymer composites were better than those of the polymer matrix. The composites reinforced by the composite fillers prepared with different polymer matrices showed that the composite filler prepared with styrene–butadiene instead of carboxylated styrene–butadiene matrix produced composites with greater elongation ratio and toughness but smaller Young’s modulus. The study of elongation rate showed that the soy flour composite fillers produced the composites with useful tensile strength, elongation ratio, and toughness at 500 mm/min strain rate. The study also showed that the effect of soy flour/polymer ratio of the composite fillers on the composite mechanical properties was small.
Development and Pilot Testing of a Parent Education Intervention for Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Sullivan-Bolyai Susan , Bova Carol , Lee Mary , Johnson Kimberly 
Published: January 2012

Purpose To purpose of the pilot study was to evaluate the use of a pediatric human patient simulator (HPS) to teach parents diabetes management for their children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, referred to as Parent Education Through Simulation–Diabetes. Methods A focus group study and 2 pilot studies (1-group study and a randomized 2-group study) were used to develop and test a teaching intervention. Parents were recruited from the Pediatric Diabetes Clinic at UMass Memorial Medical Center. A brainstorming group (n = 6) discussed the simulator concept and what modifications would be necessary to enhance parent teaching; the authors also developed the initial hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia teaching vignettes. Two focus groups (n = 13) discussed the acceptance of using a simulator and the timing and content of the teaching sessions. Based on their recommendations, a 1-group pretest-posttest pilot was conducted with parents (n = 10) receiving hypoglycemia education enhanced with the HPS, followed by a randomized 2-group pilot study (n = 16). Findings The focus group participants enthusiastically supported the use of the pediatric HPS after diagnosis and made recommendations for the timing and content of the teaching sessions. Major findings from the pilot work included (1) successful recruitment of 16 participants from only 1 site within 6 weeks, (2) instrument reliability demonstrated for all scales, and (3) mean change from baseline in the predicted direction for all measures. Conclusions The HPS has the potential of providing parents an innovative means of learning diabetes management through visualization during the early months after diagnosis and so warrants a powered study to determine its efficacy.
Effect of Subchondral Drilling on the Microarchitecture of Subchondral Bone
Authors: Orth Patrick , Goebel Lars , Wolfram Uwe , Ong Mei Fang , Gräber Stefan , Kohn Dieter , Cucchiarini Magali , Ignatius Anita , Pape Dietrich , Madry Henning 
Published: January 2012

Background: Marrow stimulation techniques such as subchondral drilling are clinically important treatment options for symptomatic small cartilage defects. Little is known about whether they induce deleterious changes in the subchondral bone. Hypothesis: Subchondral drilling induces substantial alterations of the microarchitecture of the subchondral bone that persist for a clinically relevant postoperative period in a preclinical large animal model. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Standardized full-thickness chondral defects in the medial femoral condyles of 19 sheep were treated by subchondral drilling. Six months postoperatively, the formation of cysts and intralesional osteophytes was evaluated. A standardized methodology was developed to segment the ovine subchondral unit into reproducible volumes of interest (VOIs). Indices of bone structure were determined by micro–computed tomography (micro-CT). Results: Analysis of the microarchitecture revealed the absence of zonal stratification in the ovine subarticular spongiosa, permitting an unimpeded and simultaneous analysis of the entire subchondral trabecular network. Subchondral drilling led to the formation of subchondral bone cysts (63%) and intralesional osteophytes (26%). Compared with the adjacent unaffected subchondral bone, drilling induced significant alterations in nearly all parameters for the microarchitecture of the subchondral bone plate and the subarticular spongiosa, most importantly in bone volume, bone surface/volume ratio, trabecular thickness, separation, pattern factor, and bone mineral density (BMD) (all P ≤ .01). Conclusion: The data show that the ovine subchondral bone can be reliably evaluated using micro-CT with standardized VOIs. We report that subchondral drilling deteriorates the microarchitecture both of the subchondral bone plate and subarticular spongiosa and decreases BMD. These results suggest that the entire osteochondral unit is altered after drilling for an extended postoperative period. Clinical Relevance: The subchondral bone remains fragile after subchondral drilling for longer durations than previously expected. Further evaluations of structural subchondral bone parameters of patients undergoing marrow stimulation are warranted.
Stress-Related Cognitive Dysfunction in Dementia Caregivers
Authors: Oken Barry S. , Fonareva Irina , Wahbeh Helane 
Published: January 2012

Summary In a cross-sectional study, 31 dementia caregivers were compared to a group of 25 noncaregiving controls to evaluate whether the stress of being the primary caregiver of a person with dementia produces cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive differences were examined to evaluate the relationships between cognitive function and stress-related physiological and psychological measures to contribute information regarding its potential mechanism. The cognitive assessments were 2 measures of attention-executive function and 1 word list memory task. Physiological and self-rated stress-related measurements included cortisol, perceived stress, depression, self-efficacy, mindfulness, sleep quality, fatigue, and neuroticism. Caregivers performed worse than noncaregivers on the 2 attention tasks but not on the word list memory test. There was no interaction of caregiver status and age on cognitive performance. The caregivers and noncaregivers differed in morning salivary cortisol and most of the self-rated stress-related measures with the caregiver values reflecting greater stress. Of note, impaired sleep was the only potential mediator of the caregiver effect on cognitive performance in our small sample.
Are Vascular Risk Factors Associated With Post-Stroke Depressive Symptoms?
Authors: Tennen Gayla , Herrmann Nathan , Black Sandra E. , Levy Karen S. , Cappell Jaclyn , Li Abby , Lanctôt Krista L. 
Published: January 2012

Objective: Vascular risk factors (VRFs) have been associated with stroke and cognitive impairment, however, the role of VRFs in predicting post-stroke depression (PSD) has not been assessed. The objective of the current study was to determine whether VRFs are associated with the risk of PSD in an acute stroke population. Methods: In this observational study, patients meeting World Health Organization MONICA Project and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke criteria for stroke were eligible. Patients were assessed for depression, cognition, and stroke severity, and VRF and demographic information were obtained. Results: A total of 102 patients were recruited within 4 months post-stroke. Using a score of ≥16 on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale to determine depressive symptoms, 38 patients (age 72.1 ± 15.6, 44.7% male) screened positive for depressive symptoms and 64 (age 70.1 ± 13.6, 51.6% male) screened negative. Analysis of VRFs showed that only hypertension ( P = .044) independently predicted the presence of depressive symptoms (χ2 = 4.742, P = .029, Nagelkerke R2 = .062). Conclusions: Hypertension was associated with post-stroke depressive symptoms, while there was no relationship between PSD and other VRFs. Hypertension may have a greater impact than other VRFs on mood following stroke and may have a role in prevention and treatment of PSD.
Orthopedic examination in the cat
Authors: Kerwin Sharon 
Published: January 2012

Patient group The majority of cats will develop radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease by the time they are 12 years of age, and many will suffer from a decline in quality of life associated with undiagnosed and untreated orthopedic disease. Practical relevance A focused, efficient orthopedic examination, including gait observation and palpation (awake and under sedation), supplemented with appropriate history, is key in ruling in, or out, clinically important musculoskeletal disease. Identifying problems assists in both developing a diagnostic plan and monitoring response to treatment. Clinical challenges Many clinicians feel uncomfortable in their ability to reliably perform an orthopedic examination in the cat, and diagnosis and evaluation of response to treatment in cats with orthopedic disease can be challenging. Hands-on training in feline orthopedic examination is limited in many veterinary curricula. Additional constraints may include failure to obtain important information in the history that indicates feline orthopedic disease, lack of appropriate facilities in which to conduct a complete orthopedic examination, and inability to obtain the most important information during the time available to conduct the examination. These problems can create gaps in the practitioner’s ability to provide excellent care for a large proportion of the feline population. Goals The above challenges can mostly be overcome with advanced planning and with consideration of the unique behavioral aspects related to feline handling. As discussed in this review, the aim of the initial orthopedic examination is to localize the problem to a specific limb, ideally to a region or joint of the limb, which can further direct diagnostics such as radiography or arthrocentesis. This should provide a basis for follow-up and assessment of whether treatment strategies are effective.
Restoration of the blood pressure circadian rhythm by direct renin inhibition and blockade of angiotensin II receptors in mRen2.Lewis hypertensive rats
Authors: Moniwa Norihito , Varagic Jasmina , Ahmad Sarfaraz , VonCannon Jessica L. , Ferrario Carlos M. 
Published: January 2012

Background: Alterations in the circadian arterial pressure rhythm predict cardiovascular mortality. We examined the circadian arterial pressure rhythm and the effect of renin–angiotensin system blockade in congenic mRen2.Lewis hypertensive rats, a renin-dependent model of hypertension derived from the backcross of transgenic hypertensive [mRen-2]27 rats with Lewis normotensive ones. Methods: Twenty-nine mRen2.Lewis hypertensive rats were randomly assigned to drink tap water (vehicle; n = 9), valsartan (30 mg/kg/day; n = 10), or valsartan (30 mg/kg/day) combined with aliskiren given subcutaneously (50 mg/kg/day; n = 10) for 2 weeks. Arterial pressure, heart rate, and locomotive activity were recorded with chronically implanted radiotelemetry probes. The awake/asleep ratio was calculated as [awake mean arterial pressure (MAP) mean – asleep MAP mean)] / (awake MAP mean) x 100. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and concentration (PRC), and plasma and kidney angiotensin II (Ang II) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIAs). Results: Untreated hypertensive rats showed an inverse arterial pressure rhythm, higher at day and lower at night, accompanied by normal rhythms of heart rate and locomotive activity. Treatment with valsartan or aliskiren and valsartan normalized the elevated arterial pressure and the arterial pressure rhythm, with the combination therapy being more effective in reducing MAP and in restoring the awake/asleep ratio. While PRA and PRC increased with the treatments, the addition of aliskiren to valsartan partially reversed the increases in plasma Ang II levels. Valsartan and the aliskiren and valsartan combination markedly reduced the renal cortical content of Ang II. Conclusion: The altered circadian arterial pressure rhythm in this renin-dependent hypertension model uncovers a significant role of Ang II in the desynchronization of the circadian rhythm of arterial pressure, heart rate, and locomotive activity.
Induction of autophagy is essential for monocyte-macrophage differentiation
Authors: Zhang Yan , Morgan Michael J. , Chen Kun , Choksi Swati , Liu Zheng-gang 
Published: January 2012

AbstractMonocytes are programmed to undergo apoptosis in the absence of stimulation. Stimuli that promote monocyte-macrophage differentiation not only cause cellular changes, but also prevent the default apoptosis of monocytes. In the present study, we demonstrate that autophagy is induced when monocytes are triggered to differentiate and that the induction of autophagy is pivotal for the survival and differentiation of monocytes. We also show that inhibition of autophagy results in apoptosis of cells that are engaged in differentiation. We found that the differentiation signal releases Beclin1 from Bcl-2 by activating JNK and blocks Atg5 cleavage, both of which are critical for the induction of autophagy. Preventing autophagy induction hampers differentiation and cytokine production; therefore, autophagy is an important transition from monocyte apoptosis to differentiation.
A pilot randomized trial of adjuvant rituximab or placebo for nonsplenectomized patients with immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Arnold Donald M. , Heddle Nancy M. , Carruthers Julie , Cook Deborah J. , Crowther Mark A. , Meyer Ralph M. , Liu Yang , Cook Richard J. , McLeod Anne , MacEachern Janet A. , Mangel Joy , Anderson David , Vickars Linda , Tinmouth Alan , Schuh Andre C. , Kelton John G. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
The benefit of adding rituximab to standard treatment in nonsplenectomized patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is uncertain. We performed a pilot randomized trial to determine the feasibility of recruitment, protocol adherence, and blinding of a larger trial of rituximab versus placebo; and to evaluate the potential efficacy of adjuvant rituximab in ITP. Nonsplenectomized adults with newly diagnosed or relapsed ITP who were receiving standard ITP therapy for a platelet count below 30 × 109/L were randomly allocated to receive 4 weekly infusions of 375 mg/m2 rituximab or saline placebo. Sixty patients were recruited over 46 months, which was slower than anticipated. Protocol adherence and follow-up targets were achieved, and blinding was successful for research staff but not for patients. After 6 months, there was no difference between rituximab and placebo groups for the composite outcome of any platelet count below 50 × 109/L, significant bleeding or rescue treatment once standard treatment was stopped (21/32 [65.6%] vs 21/26 [80.8%]; relative risk = 0.81, 95% confidence intervals, 0.59%-1.11%). Timely accrual poses a challenge to the conduct of a large randomized trial of rituximab for presplenectomy ITP. No difference in the frequency of the composite outcome was observed in this pilot trial (registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00372892).
SIRT1 is dispensable for function of hematopoietic stem cells in adult mice
Authors: Leko Vid , Varnum-Finney Barbara , Li Hongzhe , Gu Yansong , Flowers David , Nourigat Cynthia , Bernstein Irwin D. , Bedalov Antonio 
Published: January 2012

AbstractSIRT1 is an NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase implicated in the establishment of the primitive hematopoietic system during mouse embryonic development. However, investigation of the role of SIRT1 in adult hematopoiesis has been complicated by the high perinatal mortality of SIRT1-deficient mice (SIRT1−/−). We performed a comprehensive in vivo study of the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) compartment in adult SIRT1−/− mice and show that, apart from anemia and leukocytosis in older mice, the production of mature blood cells, lineage distribution within hematopoietic organs, and frequencies of the most primitive HSC populations are comparable to those of wild-type littermate controls. Furthermore, we show that SIRT1-deficient BM cells confer stable long-term reconstitution in competitive repopulation and serial transplantation experiments. The results of the present study rule out an essential physiologic role for cell-autonomous SIRT1 signaling in the maintenance of the adult HSC compartment in mice.
A motif-independent metric for DNA sequence specificity
Authors: Pinello Luca , Lo Bosco Giosuè , Hanlon Bret , Yuan Guo-Cheng 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundGenome-wide mapping of protein-DNA interactions has been widely used to investigate biological functions of the genome. An important question is to what extent such interactions are regulated at the DNA sequence level. However, current investigation is hampered by the lack of computational methods for systematic evaluating sequence specificity.ResultsWe present a simple, unbiased quantitative measure for DNA sequence specificity called the Motif Independent Measure (MIM). By analyzing both simulated and real experimental data, we found that the MIM measure can be used to detect sequence specificity independent of presence of transcription factor (TF) binding motifs. We also found that the level of specificity associated with H3K4me1 target sequences is highly cell-type specific and highest in embryonic stem (ES) cells. We predicted H3K4me1 target sequences by using the N- score model and found that the prediction accuracy is indeed high in ES cells.The software to compute the MIM is freely available at:https://github.com/lucapinello/mim.ConclusionsOur method provides a unified framework for quantifying DNA sequence specificity and serves as a guide for development of sequence-based prediction models.