bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assimilating data from a simulated global constellation of stratospheric balloons
Authors: Keil M. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractIn order to evaluate the effect of assimilating data from proposed stratospheric balloon networks, a variation of the standard Observation Systems Simulation Experiment (OSSE), called a Partial (or Poor‐man's) OSSE, was developed. This technique was used to assimilate five different simulated balloon constellations. Increasing the constellation density increased the analysis and forecast accuracy, predominately near the balloon flight level (30 hPa) in the tropics and throughout the depth of the stratosphere at higher latitudes. However, the potential impact may be greater, since the saturation point, where assimilating extra observations produces no additional analysis benefit, was not reached for the range of constellation densities tested. Unrealistic analysis increments were produced during a sudden stratospheric warming period. This weakness arises from the use of climatological background‐error statistics in assimilation schemes. Overall, the results are very encouraging and suggest that proposals to add a permanent constellation of stratospheric balloons to the global observing system are realistic and beneficial to the scientific community. © Crown copyright, 2004. Royal Meteorological Society
Remote ENSO influence on Mediterranean sky conditions during late summer and autumn: Evidence for a slowly evolving atmospheric bridge
Authors: Park Sungsu 
Published: November 2004

AbstractSeveral previous studies have reported significant El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) signals in precipitation fields over the Mediterranean region during boreal summer and autumn. However, responsible physical mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we report significant simultaneous ENSO signals in ship‐observed visible‐sky conditions over the north‐eastern Atlantic and western Mediterranean Sea (WM) during late summer and autumn in 1956–95, consistent with previous studies of precipitation. This remote correlation was stronger in 1956–75 than in 1976–95 and 30‐year moving average correlations were stronger throughout the 1956–95 epoch than at any other time over the last 120 years. Previous epochs of relatively weak positive and negative correlation occurred between 1890 and 1920 and between 1920 and 1950, respectively.Analysis of atmospheric flows during 1956–95 indicates that the strong ENSO–WM correlation in the August–October season arises from a previously unreported quasi‐stationary Rossby wave propagating eastwards from the western equatorial Pacific. This component weakens between 1956–75 and 1976–95, consistent with the reduced correlation of the ENSO–WM sky conditions between the same periods. In order to fully understand the observed long‐term variations of remote ENSO correlation over the WM, further studies are required, including the potential roles of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, Sahelian rainfall and Atlantic sea surface temperature. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society
Hurricane potential intensity from an energetics point of view
Authors: Shen Weixing 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThis article describes an approach to hurricane potential intensity with a model that considers total kinetic energy balance within a hurricane. The major kinetic energy source and sink are the kinetic energy converted from sea surface entropy flux and the surface dissipation, respectively, but the conversion efficiency is radius‐dependent in this model. Also, the internal conversion due to convectively available potential energy (CAPE) as a source is considered. In contrast to previous potential intensity models, energy balance in the entire hurricane is used to get its steady state. With this model, the roles of environmental sea surface temperature (SST), CAPE and some features of the hurricane itself in determining hurricane potential intensity are investigated. The results indicate that existence of CAPE may lead to the steady state (or potential intensity) appreciably different from the otherwise surface entropy flux conversion and surface dissipation balanced state, although CAPE contribution to kinetic energy generation is usually much smaller than that of the surface flux. It is interesting that hurricane potential intensity seems less dependent on the underlying SST than was shown with previous theoretical models. The results also suggest that hurricane size may affect its potential intensity in that larger‐sized hurricanes tend to have higher potential intensities. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society
Subnucleolar distribution and organization of Vicia faba L. rDNA in situ
Authors: Long Hong , Sun Haijing , Zeng Xianlu , Hao Shui , Jiao Mingda 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe distribution and organization of nucleolar DNA in Vicia faba L. was analyzed by specific cytochemical staining using NAMA‐Ur. The results showed that nucleolar DNA was distributed in the FCs and at the FC/DFC junctions. Statistical analysis showed that the rRNA genes occupied about one‐third of the total dense fibrillar component region. The rDNA was condensed in some regions and uncondensed in others. Nucleolus‐associated chromatin extended from outside the nucleolus to the periphery of the FCs via nucleolar channels, suggesting a possible origin for nucleolar DNA.
Review and proposed action of alpha‐fetoprotein growth inhibitory peptides as estrogen and cytoskeleton‐associated factors
Authors: Mizejewski Gerald , Smith George , Butterstein George 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe (H) human growth‐promoting factor, alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP), has been reported to possess a growth inhibitory motif as an occult epitope in the compactly folded circulating form of the protein. Intermediate unfolded forms of the human HAFP molecule induced by stress, shock, and high ligand concentrations have revealed the presence of an encrypted growth‐suppressive segment on the third domain of HAFP. A purified linear synthetic 34‐mer segment termed the “growth inhibitory peptide” (GIP) exhibits various oligomeric forms with complex aggregation behaviors, in which dominant trimeric forms were found to be suppressive in assays of estrogen‐induced growth. While several amino acid analogs of the cysteines of the GIP retained inhibitory activity, heavy metal binding and pre‐incubation of the peptides with a variety of cations and hormone ligands were found to influence the outcomes of growth bioassays. Smaller segments of the original 34‐mer were each found to display growth activities of their own, with the middle segment (P149b) also showing hydrophobic dye‐binding properties. Studies of amino acid sequence identity further revealed that the GIP sequences displayed identity/similarity matches to both cytoplasmic and nucleus‐cytoskeleton‐associated proteins, and experimental evidence served to support these findings. That is, the peptide was capable of modulating tubulin polymerization, cell shape, and cell‐surface aggregation phenomena reminiscent of a microtubule‐associated protein. Immunofluorescence studies further pinpointed the localization of the GIP to cytoplasmic regions of high cytoskeletal density in the cell. Because of the involvement of the GIP in experimental models of the estrogen receptor/cytoskeleton, a mechanism of action is forwarded in which the linear GIP is proposed to be a G‐coupled receptor binding ligand that is translocated across the plasma membrane via receptor‐mediated endocytosis. Thus, it was predicted that the linear GIP and possibly its peptidic segments serve as decoy ligands to cell‐surface receptors in order to gain access to the cytoplasmic compartment of the cell.
Operational, economic and mission elements in not‐for‐profit organizations: the case of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Authors: Olson John R. , Belohlav James A. , Boyer Kenneth K. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe term not‐for‐profit often brings to mind the idea of an altruistic organization serving society. The reality is that the not‐for‐profit is a far more complex organization that is responsible to diverse groups of stakeholders. Unlike for‐profit organizations, not‐for‐profit (NFP) organizations have to focus on dual, and often conflicting, goals relating to fulfilling their overall mission while also generating enough revenue to maintain their operating structures. In order to better understand the nature of the dual orientation of the NFP organization, the behavior of Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) patrons using the CSO website is viewed. Specifically, this study examines data for individuals purchasing CSO concert tickets on‐line during an 8‐month period in 2000–2001. MANOVA and ANOVA statistical procedures are used to analyze the effects of both the economic and mission related orientations operationalized through the e‐service encounter. Further, we view data from the on‐line ticketing function relative to the labor costs of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Twelve-year course and outcome of bulimia nervosa
Authors: FICHTER MANFRED M. , QUADFLIEG NORBERT 
Published: November 2004

Background. Since little is known about the long-term course and outcome of bulimia nervosa, the authors designed a 12-year prospective longitudinal study with five cross-sectional assessments based on a large sample of consecutively treated females with bulimia nervosa (purging type) (BN-P).Method. One hundred and ninety-six females with BN-P were assessed (1) at the beginning of treatment, (2) at the end of treatment, (3) at 2-year follow-up, (4) at 6-year follow-up, and (5) at 12-year follow-up. In self-ratings as well as expert ratings based on interviews we assessed specific eating-disorder and general psychopathology.Results. The general pattern of results over time showed substantial improvement during treatment, slight (in most cases non-significant) decline during the first two years after the end of treatment, and further improvement and stabilization until 12-year follow-up. At that point the majority of patients (70·1%) showed no major DSM-IV eating disorder, 13·2% had eating disorders not otherwise specified, 10·1% had BN-P and 2% had died. Very few had undergone transition to anorexia nervosa or binge-eating disorders. Logistic regression analyses showed that psychiatric co-morbidity was the best and most stable predictor for eating-disorder outcome at 2, 6 and 12 years.Conclusions. Course and outcome of BN-P was generally more favourable than for anorexia nervosa.
Impaired divided attention predicts delayed response and risk to relapse in subjects with depressive disorders
Authors: MAJER M. , ISING M. , KÜNZEL H. , BINDER E. B. , HOLSBOER F. , MODELL S. , ZIHL J. 
Published: November 2004

Background. This study addresses the complex relationship between cognitive function and the course of depression.Method. A sample of patients (n=73) in a depressive episode (major depression or bipolar disorder) was tested with a comprehensive battery of attention and executive tasks at both admission and discharge. In addition, response to pharmacological treatment and remission was assessed with standardized rating scales. Nineteen patients, recovered from depression, were re-investigated 6 months after discharge to determine whether specific cognitive parameters were related to subsequent relapse.Results. On admission, patients were impaired in almost all cognitive tasks. At discharge, we found a significant reduction in psychopathology, but only marginal cognitive improvements. Non-responders after 4 weeks of antidepressive medication and subjects who did not achieve remission prior to discharge were specifically impaired in divided attention on admission (p<0·05). In addition, a trend was found for the association between impaired divided attention at discharge and an elevated risk to relapse (p<0·10).Conclusions. We observed generalized cognitive impairment in most cognitive domains in acute depression. Cognitive impairments were still within abnormal ranges at discharge but less distinct. Divided attention performance predicted response to treatment, remission of symptoms, and risk to relapse. Impaired divided attention capacity can be explained either by reduced attentional resources or impaired activation and/or top-down control of attentional resources by the central executive.
Genetic effects on alcohol dependence risk: re-evaluating the importance of psychiatric and other heritable risk factors
Authors: KNOPIK VALERIE S. , HEATH ANDREW C. , MADDEN PAMELA A. F. , BUCHOLZ KATHLEEN K. , SLUTSKE WENDY S. , NELSON ELLIOT C. , STATHAM DIXIE , WHITFIELD JOHN B. , MARTIN NICHOLAS G. 
Published: November 2004

Background. Genetic influences have been shown to play a major role in determining the risk of alcohol dependence (AD) in both women and men; however, little attention has been directed to identifying the major sources of genetic variation in AD risk.Method. Diagnostic telephone interview data from young adult Australian twin pairs born between 1964 and 1971 were analyzed. Cox regression models were fitted to interview data from a total of 2708 complete twin pairs (690 MZ female, 485 MZ male, 500 DZ female, 384 DZ male, and 649 DZ female/male pairs). Structural equation models were fitted to determine the extent of residual genetic and environmental influences on AD risk while controlling for effects of sociodemographic and psychiatric predictors on risk.Results. Risk of AD was increased in males, in Roman Catholics, in those reporting a history of major depression, social anxiety problems, and conduct disorder, or (in females only) a history of suicide attempt and childhood sexual abuse; but was decreased in those reporting Baptist, Methodist, or Orthodox religion, in those who reported weekly church attendance, and in university-educated males. After allowing for the effects of sociodemographic and psychiatric predictors, 47% (95% CI 28–55) of the residual variance in alcoholism risk was attributable to additive genetic effects, 0% (95% CI 0–14) to shared environmental factors, and 53% (95% CI 45–63) to non-shared environmental influences.Conclusions. Controlling for other risk factors, substantial residual heritability of AD was observed, suggesting that psychiatric and other risk factors play a minor role in the inheritance of AD.
Intervention in context-sensitive probabilistic Boolean networks
Authors: Pal Ranadip , Datta Aniruddha , Bittner Michael L. , Dougherty Edward R. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractMotivation: Intervention in a gene regulatory network is used to help it avoid undesirable states, such as those associated with a disease. Several types of intervention have been studied in the framework of a probabilistic Boolean network (PBN), which is essentially a finite collection of Boolean networks in which at any discrete time point the gene state vector transitions according to the rules of one of the constituent networks. For an instantaneously random PBN, the governing Boolean network is randomly chosen at each time point. For a context-sensitive PBN, the governing Boolean network remains fixed for an interval of time until a binary random variable determines a switch. The theory of automatic control has been previously applied to find optimal strategies for manipulating external (control) variables that affect the transition probabilities of an instantaneously random PBN to desirably affect its dynamic evolution over a finite time horizon. This paper extends the methods of external control to context-sensitive PBNs.Results: This paper treats intervention via external control variables in context-sensitive PBNs by extending the results for instantaneously random PBNs in several directions. First, and most importantly, whereas an instantaneously random PBN yields a Markov chain whose state space is composed of gene vectors, each state of the Markov chain corresponding to a context-sensitive PBN is composed of a pair, the current gene vector occupied by the network and the current constituent Boolean network. Second, the analysis is applied to PBNs with perturbation, meaning that random gene perturbation is permitted at each instant with some probability. Third, the (mathematical) influence of genes within the network is used to choose the particular gene with which to intervene. Lastly, PBNs are designed from data using a recently proposed inference procedure that takes steady-state considerations into account. The results are applied to a context-sensitive PBN derived from gene-expression data collected in a study of metastatic melanoma, the intent being to devise a control strategy that reduces the WNT5A gene’s action in affecting biological regulation, since the available data suggest that disruption of this influence could reduce the chance of a melanoma metastasizing.Contact: edward@ee.tamu.edu
Review article: oesophageal complications and consequences of persistent gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Pisegna J. , Holtmann G. , Howden C. W. , Katelaris P. H. , Sharma P. , Spechler S , Triadafilopoulos G. , Tytgat G. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryThe major oesophageal complications associated with persistent gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include erosive oesophagitis, ulceration, strictures and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Although the causes of these complications are uncertain, studies indicate that erosive oesophagitis may progress to the development of ulcers, strictures and GI bleeding. Pharmacological treatment with proton pump inhibitors is favoured over that with H2‐receptor antagonists for the treatment of strictures. The treatment of strictures is accomplished with dilation and many favour the concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors. Most gastroenterologists are seeing far fewer oesophageal strictures these days since the introduction of proton pump inhibitors. In addition, research has shown that oesophageal complications have a greater impact on patients suffering from night‐time GERD than on those suffering from daytime GERD. Barrett's oesophagus is a significant complication associated with persistent GERD and those at risk generally experience a longer duration of symptoms, especially those with a high degree of severity. In addition, there is a strong relationship between Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma. This is in part due to the association of obesity and the development of hiatal hernias. Furthermore, endoscopic screening is being used to detect Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma in persons suffering from chronic GERD, even though screening may not have an impact on outcomes (Sharma P, McQuaid K, Dent J, et al. A critical review of the diagnosis and management of Barrett's esophagus: The AGA Chicago Workshop. Gastroenterology 2004; 127: 310–30.).
Childhood disadvantage and health inequalities: a framework for policy based on lifecourse research
Authors: Graham H. , Power C. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractTackling health inequalities is moving up the policy agenda of richer societies like the UK, with governments looking for evidence to guide policy review and development. Observational studies of how childhood disadvantage compromises health in adulthood are an important part of the evidence base, but are largely inaccessible to the policy community. We develop a framework which captures the findings of these studies. Our framework highlights how disadvantage in childhood adversely affects both socio‐economic circumstances and health in adulthood through a set of interlocking processes. Key among these are children's developmental health (their physical, cognitive and emotional development) and health behaviours, together with the associated educational and social trajectories. In breaking down the link between childhood disadvantage and adult health into its constituent elements, the framework provides a basis for understanding where and how policies can make a difference. The paper argues that the process of policy review and development needs to include both new programmes and the mainstream policies in which they are embedded.
Facilitators and barriers for co‐ordinated multi‐agency services
Authors: Sloper P. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBackground  Greater collaboration between agencies and the need to improve interagency working is a key policy priority. The lack of co‐ordinated multi‐agency working in children's services has been highlighted in many research studies. Evidence on the facilitators of and barriers to such working and the outcomes for children and families of co‐ordinated services is important to inform local developments.Methods  Literature on multi‐agency working was reviewed as part of the evidence gathering to inform the Children's National Service Framework. Searches were mainly concentrated on existing reviews, plus recent studies which included children's services and were not covered by the reviews obtained.Results  There is little evidence on the effectiveness of multi‐agency working itself or of different models of such working in producing improved outcomes for children and families. However, reviews of evidence on multi‐agency working provide consistent findings on facilitators and barriers, including: clear aims, roles and responsibilities and timetables that are agreed between partners; a multi‐agency steering group, commitment at all levels of the organizations involved and good systems of communication and information sharing, including IT systems, are central; support and training for staff in new ways of working is needed. There is some evidence that interprofessional programmes of continuing education can help to remove barriers to joint working.Conclusions  Existing research provides useful information for organizations developing multi‐agency services. However, there is a need for methodologically sound research which investigates the outcomes of different models of multi‐agency working in services for children, includes assessment of cost effectiveness, and explores the ways in which the factors identified as facilitating multi‐agency working relate to outcomes.