bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Generalized Linear Models for Site-Specific Density Forecasting of U.K. Daily Rainfall
Authors: Little Max A. , McSharry Patrick E. , Taylor James W. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Site-specific probability density rainfall forecasts are needed to price insurance premiums, contracts, and other financial products based on precipitation. The spatiotemporal correlations in U.K. daily rainfall amounts over the Thames Valley are investigated and statistical Markov chain generalized linear models (Markov GLM) of rainfall are constructed. The authors compare point and density forecasts of total rainfall amounts, and forecasts of probability of occurrence of rain from these models and from other proposed density models, including persistence, statistical climatology, Markov chain, unconditional gamma and exponential mixture models, and density forecasts from GLM regression postprocessed NCEP numerical ensembles, at up to 45-day forecast horizons. The Markov GLMs and GLM processed ensembles produced skillful 1-day-ahead and short-term point forecasts. Diagnostic checks show all models are well calibrated, but GLMs perform best under the continuous-ranked probability score. For lead times of greater than 1 day, no models were better than the GLM processed ensembles at forecasting occurrence probability. Of all models, the ensembles are best able to account for the serial correlations in rainfall amounts. In conclusion, GLMs for future site-specific density forecasting are recommended. Investigations explain this conclusion in terms of the interaction between the autocorrelation properties of the data and the structure of the models tested.
Objective Estimation of the 24-h Probability of Tropical Cyclone Formation
Authors: Schumacher Andrea B. , DeMaria Mark , Knaff John A. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
A new product for estimating the 24-h probability of TC formation in individual 5° × 5° subregions of the North Atlantic, eastern North Pacific, and western North Pacific tropical basins is developed. This product uses environmental and convective parameters computed from best-track tropical cyclone (TC) positions, National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Forecasting System (GFS) analysis fields, and water vapor (∼6.7 μm wavelength) imagery from multiple geostationary satellite platforms. The parameters are used in a two-step algorithm applied to the developmental dataset. First, a screening step removes all data points with environmental conditions highly unfavorable to TC formation. Then, a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) is applied to the screened dataset. A probabilistic prediction scheme for TC formation is developed from the results of the LDA.
Coefficients computed by the LDA show that the largest contributors to TC formation probability are climatology, 850-hPa circulation, and distance to an existing TC. The product was evaluated by its Brier and relative operating characteristic skill scores and reliability diagrams. These measures show that the algorithm-generated probabilistic forecasts are skillful with respect to climatology, and that there is relatively good agreement between forecast probabilities and observed frequencies. As such, this prediction scheme has been implemented as an operational product called the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Services (NESDIS) Tropical Cyclone Formation Probability (TCFP) product. The TCFP product updates every 6 h and displays plots of TC formation probability and input parameter values on its Web site. At present, the TCFP provides real-time, objective TC formation guidance used by tropical cyclone forecast offices in the Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and western Pacific basins.
A map of the class III region of the sheep major histocompatibilty complex
Authors: Qin J , Mamotte C , Cockett NE , Wetherall JD , Groth DM 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

Background
The central, or class III, region of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is an important gene rich sub-region of the MHC of mammals and contains many loci implicated in disease processes and potential productivity traits. As a prelude to identifying MHC loci associated with productivity traits in sheep, we have used BAC and cosmid libraries of genomic DNA to generate a physical map of the sheep MHC class III region. This map will facilitate association studies and provide insights into the distribution of recombination events in this chromosomal segment.

Results
Twenty eight sheep genes were identified in 10 BAC clones which spanned approximately 700 kbp of a chromosomal region adjacent to the class I region of the sheep MHC and which therefore covers most, if not all, of the class III of the sheep MHC. The relative positions of 17 of these genes was established as well as two additional groups of genes for which the intragroup order was not known. Cosmid mapping permitted a more detailed mapping of the complement genes present in the class III and showed a local inversion (relative to humans) of one pair of the duplicated complement C4 and CYP21 loci. A panel of 26 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was identified in 10 loci, covering ≈600 kbp of the mapped region.

Conclusion
This report provides a physical map covering ≈700 kbp of the class III of the sheep MHC together with a SNP panel which will facilitate disease and productivity association studies. The presence of a local inversion (relative to humans) of one pair of the duplicated C4 and CYP21 loci and a previously described dinucleotide tandem repeat locus (BfMs) has been located within an intron of the SK12VL gene.
Short Tandem Repeats in Human Exons: A Target for Disease Mutations
Authors: Madsen Bo Eskerod , Villesen Palle , Wiuf Carsten 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

Background
In recent years it has been demonstrated that structural variations, such as indels (insertions and deletions), are common throughout the genome, but the implications of structural variations are still not clearly understood. Long tandem repeats (e.g. microsatellites or simple repeats) are known to be hypermutable (indel-rich), but are rare in exons and only occasionally associated with diseases. Here we focus on short (imperfect) tandem repeats (STRs) which fall below the radar of conventional tandem repeat detection, and investigate whether STRs are targets for disease-related mutations in human exons. In particular, we test whether they share the hypermutability of the longer tandem repeats and whether disease-related genes have a higher STR content than non-disease-related genes.

Results
We show that validated human indels are extremely common in STR regions compared to non-STR regions. In contrast to longer tandem repeats, our definition of STRs found them to be present in exons of most known human genes (92%), 99% of all STR sequences in exons are shorter than 33 base pairs and 62% of all STR sequences are imperfect repeats. We also demonstrate that STRs are significantly overrepresented in disease-related genes in both human and mouse. These results are preserved when we limit the analysis to STRs outside known longer tandem repeats.

Conclusion
Based on our findings we conclude that STRs represent hypermutable regions in the human genome that are linked to human disease. In addition, STRs constitute an obvious target when screening for rare mutations, because of the relatively low amount of STRs in exons (1,973,844 bp) and the limited length of STR regions.
Aggressive angiomyxoma presenting with huge abdominal lump: A case report
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Agrawal Nikhil , Khanna Rahul , Khanna AK 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Agressive angiomyxoma is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm. It mainly presents in females. We here present a case of angiomyxoma presenting as huge abdominal lump along with gluteal swelling. Case note is described along with brief review of literature.
Natural autoantibodies reactive with glycosaminoglycans in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: György Bence , Tóthfalusi László , Nagy György , Pásztói Mária , Géher Pál , Lörinc Zsolt , Polgár Anna , Rojkovich Bernadett , Ujfalussy Ilona , Poór Gyula , Pócza Péter , Wiener Zoltán , Misják Petra , Koncz Agnes , Falus András , Buzás Edit I 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Introduction
Although natural autoantibodies make up the majority of circulating immunoglobulins and are also present in high numbers in therapeutically used intravenous immunoglobulin preparations, they have received little attention and their precise role remains largely unknown. An increasing awareness of the importance of posttranslational autoantigen modifications and glycobiology led us to explore carbohydrate-reactive natural autoantibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This study examined systematic antibodies reactive to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), the carbohydrate components of proteoglycans that are released in large amounts from degrading cartilage.

Methods
To measure antibodies reactive to six different types of GAGs, a specialised ELISA was used in which the carbohydrates were covalently linked to the plastic surface through a 2 nm spacer. Sera from rheumatoid arthritis patients (n = 66), umbilical cord serum samples (n = 11) and adult controls (n = 54) were studied. In order to explore cross-reactivity with microbial antigens, bacterial peptidoglycans and fungal polysaccharides were used. Sera and synovial fluid samples were also tested using a GlycoChip carbohydrate array to characterise individual carbohydrate recognition patterns. We followed a multistep statistical screening strategy for screening GAG-reactive antibodies as predictive disease markers.

Results
While anti-GAG antibodies were absent in the umbilical cord sera, they were readily detectable in adult controls and were significantly elevated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (p < 0.001). Anti-GAG antibodies showed significant cross-reactivity among different types of GAGs. They also reacted with bacterial peptidoglycans and fungal polysaccharides. Interestingly, anti-chondroitin sulphate C IgM antibody levels showed inverse correlation both with the Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28 scores and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in rheumatoid arthritis.

Conclusion
The highly abundant and cross-reactive, GAG-specific natural autoantibodies in serum may serve as novel disease-state markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Sustained Elevated Levels of Circulating Vasopressin Selectively Stimulate the Proliferation of Kidney Tubular Cells via the Activation of V2 Receptors
Authors: Alonso Gérard , Galibert Evelyne , Boulay Véra , Guillou Anne , Jean Alexandra , Compan Valérie , Guillon Gilles 
Published: September 2008

The hypothalamic hormone vasopressin (AVP) has known mitogenic effects on various cell types. This study was designed to determine whether sustained elevated levels of circulating AVP could influence cell proliferation within adult tissues known to express different AVP receptors, including the pituitary, adrenal gland, liver, and kidney. Plasmatic AVP was chronically increased by submitting animals to prolonged hyperosmotic stimulation or implanting them with a AVP-containing osmotic minipump. After several days of either treatment, increased cell proliferation was detected only within the kidney. This kidney cell proliferation was not affected by the administration of selective V1a or V1b receptor antagonists but was either inhibited or mimicked by the administration of a selective V2 receptor antagonist or agonist, respectively. Kidney proliferative cells mostly concerned a subpopulation of differentiated tubular cells known to express the V2 receptors and were associated with the phosphorylation of ERK. These data indicate that in the adult rat, sustained elevated levels of circulating AVP stimulates the proliferation of a subpopulation of kidney tubular cells expressing the V2 receptor, providing the first illustration of a mitogenic effect of AVP via the activation of the V2 receptor subtype.Elevated levels of circulating vasopressin selectively stimulate the proliferation of kidney tubular cells via the activation of V2 receptors, thus showing the potential implication in polycystic kidney diseases.
Circadian Timing in the Lung; A Specific Role for Bronchiolar Epithelial Cells
Authors: Gibbs J. E. , Beesley S. , Plumb J. , Singh D. , Farrow S. , Ray D. W. , Loudon A. S. I. 
Published: September 2008

In addition to the core circadian oscillator, located within the suprachiasmatic nucleus, numerous peripheral tissues possess self-sustaining circadian timers. In vivo these are entrained and temporally synchronized by signals conveyed from the core oscillator. In the present study, we examine circadian timing in the lung, determine the cellular localization of core clock proteins in both mouse and human lung tissue, and establish the effects of glucocorticoids (widely used in the treatment of asthma) on the pulmonary clock. Using organotypic lung slices prepared from transgenic mPER2::Luc mice, luciferase levels, which report PER2 expression, were measured over a number of days. We demonstrate a robust circadian rhythm in the mouse lung that is responsive to glucocorticoids. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to localize specific expression of core clock proteins, and the glucocorticoid receptor, to the epithelial cells lining the bronchioles in both mouse and human lung. In the mouse, these were established to be Clara cells. Murine Clara cells retained circadian rhythmicity when grown as a pure population in culture. Furthermore, selective ablation of Clara cells resulted in the loss of circadian rhythm in lung slices, demonstrating the importance of this cell type in maintaining overall pulmonary circadian rhythmicity. In summary, we demonstrate that Clara cells are critical for maintaining coherent circadian oscillations in lung tissue. Their coexpression of the glucocorticoid receptor and core clock components establishes them as a likely interface between humoral suprachiasmatic nucleus output and circadian lung physiology.There is a glucocorticoid-sensitive circadian clock within the lung. The bronchial epithelial Clara cells play a critical role in pulmonary circadian timing.
The Effects of Infrasound on Rhesus Monkey Performance of a Continuous Compensatory Tracking Task
Authors: Sherry Clifford J. , Cook Michael C. , Jauchem James R. , Brown G. Carroll , Whitmore Henry B. , Edris Robert W. 
Published: September 2008

Background: Potential bio-behavioral effects of infrasonic energy (<20 Hz) have generally been considered to be due to extra-aural (non-hearing) mechanisms. Since systems that deliver acoustic energy, including infrasound, are being considered for use as non-lethal weapons, it is important to elucidate the possible aural and extra-aural effects of such energy. Methods: Subjects (5 adult male rhesus monkeys) engaged in a continuous compensatory tracking task. The effect of short-term exposure to high-intensity infrasound (160 dB), using a custom-made system, on tracking task performance was measured. The effects of the infrasound exposure on auditory measures (otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem evoked potentials) were also examined. Results: Tracking behavior of the subjects was substantially disrupted by exposure to 10-Hz infrasound at 160 dB. There was no evidence of any post-exposure alterations in tympanometry, distortion product otoacoustic emissions, or in auditory brainstem evoked potentials. Conclusions: Although the present experiments showed significant effects on performance, further experiments using larger working volumes would have to be undertaken to address the potential uses of such a device.
The Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Aqueous Effluents by Modified Clays: Retention of Cd(II) and Ni(II) Ions
Authors: Carvalho Wagner A. , Vignado Carolina , Fontana Juliane , Riboldi Marina B. 
Published: September 2008

Industrial effluents discharged into aquatic bodies without proper treatment have contributed to the increasing pollution of water by heavy metals. The development of efficient processes for the treatment of industrial effluents is becoming more and more vital since legislation concerning the disposal of metal-contaminated effluents is becoming ever more rigorous. In the present work, the adsorption of Cd(II) and Ni(II) ions by chelate-impregnated clays has been examined. Montmorillonite K10, an acid-treated industrial clay purchased from Fluka Chemicals, was impregnated with di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA), sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) and the disodium salt of iminodiacetic acid (IDA). We have investigated the sorption process from both the static (batch) and kinetic viewpoint, and have studied the influence of pH and temperature on the process. It was observed that the clays exhibited rapid adsorption capabilities and that those impregnated with IDA and DDTC had a high efficiency in the removal of Cd(II) and Ni(II) ions.
Chromatographic Separation of Chiral Drugs in a Diallyl-L-tartardiamide-based Stationary Phase: Influence of Temperature on the Equilibrium and Mass-Transfer Parameters
Authors: Silva Ivanildo J. , Sartor João P. , Barreto Amaro G. , Santana Cesar C. 
Published: September 2008

The influence of temperature on the equilibrium and mass-transfer parameters in the chromatographic separation of bupivacaine enantiomers was evaluated using a chiral stationary phase (CSP) based on diallyl-L-tartardiamide (Kromasil® CHI-TBB). The total and bed porosities as well as the linear equilibrium constant were obtained by pulse experiments using dilute solutions of inert compounds and bupivacaine enantiomers at different flow rates (1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 m l/min) and temperatures (25, 35 and 45°C). The axial dispersion and overall mass-transfer coefficients were evaluated by van Deemter plot. A decrease in the linear equilibrium adsorption constants with increasing temperature was observed for both enantiomers. This chiral column showed good separation performance with a high order of magnitude for the overall mass-transfer coefficient. These values increased with increasing temperature. However, it was not possible to differentiate between these values at different temperatures due to poor standard deviations. Because of the high order of magnitude of the overall mass-transfer coefficient associated with a good resolution of bupivacaine enantiomers, it was concluded that convection effects dominated chiral separation in this column.
The Changing Role and Contribution of Social Science to Nuclear Waste Management in Finland
Authors: Litmanen Tapio 
Published: September 2008

This article explores both the social and political usage of social science research and its effectiveness, as perceived by experts, in the process of planning and decision-making in the context of Finnish nuclear waste management. The argument is that public participation in the process is important, but to reach some kind of public acceptability the actors in charge of “solving” the nuclear waste problem have to govern the societal process and respond to the claims and the needs of the public. This requires the integration of social science research into the process responsible for developing the nuclear waste management model. In trying to understand the uniquely positive nuclear waste siting decision by the Eurajoki municipal council in January 2000, and the decision-in-principle ratified by the Finnish Parliament in May 2001, one has to pay close attention to the bureaucratic processes underlying those decisions. Some kind of public consent, contentment or acceptability was reached in those long and skilful bureaucratic processes, involving both deliberative techniques and a responsive use of social science. A more general reflection underpinning the study concerns the deepening relationship between science and politics, including the growing bureaucratic ethos of science, the social responsibility of science, the increasing need to control the quality of different societal processes, and the legitimization of societal and political aims.
A preliminary study of negative appraisals and dysfunctional coping associated with post‐traumatic stress disorder symptoms following myocardial infarction
Authors: Ayers Susan , Copland Claire , Dunmore Emma 
Published: September 2008

Objectives. To investigate associations between post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following myocardial infarction (MI) and subjective experience of MI, negative perception of consequences, negative appraisals of symptoms, and use of dysfunctional coping strategies, as described by Ehlers and Clark's (2000) model of PTSD.Design. Cross‐sectional questionnaire study of people who experienced a MI within the previous 12 weeks (N = 74; 51% response rate).Methods. Participants completed questionnaires assessing PTSD symptoms, subjective experience of MI, perception of consequences, appraisal of symptoms, and dysfunctional coping strategies.Results. Of the participants, 16% met DSM‐IV criteria for PTSD and a further 18% reported moderate to severe PTSD symptoms. People with PTSD symptoms also had more somatic symptoms, anxiety, depression, and social dysfunction. PTSD symptoms were associated with perceived severity and danger of MI, a history of psychological problems, previous trauma, negative appraisal of symptoms, perceived severe consequences, and dysfunctional coping strategies. These variables were entered into a regression with MI and past history variables on Step 1, and appraisal and coping variables on Step 2. This showed that perceived consequences and dysfunctional coping were strongly associated with PTSD symptoms after controlling for MI and past history variables.Conclusion. The results of this preliminary study suggest perception of consequences and dysfunctional coping may be important in PTSD symptoms following MI.
Understanding the coping process from a self‐determination theory perspective
Authors: Ntoumanis Nikos , Edmunds Jemma , Duda Joan L. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeTo explore conceptual links between the cognitive‐motivational‐relational theory (CMRT) of coping (Lazarus, 1991) and self‐determination theory (SDT) of motivation (Deci & Ryan, 1985).MethodWe present a very brief overview of the two theories. We also discuss how components from the two theories can be examined together to facilitate research in the health/exercise domain. To this effect, we offer a preliminary integrated model of stress, coping, and motivation, based on the two aforementioned theories, in an attempt to illustrate and instigate research on how motivational factors are implicated in the coping process.ConclusionWe believe that the proposed model can serve as a platform for generating new research ideas which, besides their theoretical relevance, may have important applied implications.